He looked upon the horizon waiting for the army to come. His red cape flowing behind him as the sun shone on the large S that adorns his chest. How had he let it get this far? Slade was the nemesis of a bunch of kids. Sure they had powers, but nonetheless they were children. How had he overlooked the threat this madman represented to the world? How had the Titans held him off before? Superman cursed his blindness. He underestimated the strength of the Titans and of the villain that they faced and because of this the Titans were gone and city by city Slade and his apprentice, Terra, was taking over the world. Well it was going to stop here.

Terra looked forward floating on a large rock. As her master's strength increased more and more super villains had come to fight by her side. They served as fodder mostly, human shields against these heroes that refused to kill and to those who do. Her mind had been broken and remade over the course of a year. She was obedient and thought only of her master's goal and the power he would bestow upon her, the world. She had taken many lives now, both innocent and guilty, villain and hero. All fell before the power of her master.

A sound like rushing wind and suddenly the great man of steel flew above the army of Slade. He spoke in a commanding voice that seemed to resonate both confident strength and deep kindness, "That's far enough."

Terra looked up at the man and remembered her instructions. Superman was a fool and he would die today. She put on a look of surprise and fear and stepped back. The other villains back off slightly hiding behind the robot soldiers of the army. A voice came into her ear piece, the voice of her master, "Terra remember act desperate and angry. Make him think you are powerless against him."

Terra didn't even nod but followed her master's instructions immediately. She hurled stones and boulders at the hero. She looked angrier and more infuriated with each and every throw that failed to harm the Kryptonian.

Superman dodged the first few but as more and more came he stopped dodging and just let them hit him. Superman stood looking down, the rocks crumbling and breaking against his body. He remained unmoved and unflinching as each stone collided against him. He stared thoughtfully at the girl. She was so young, so angry, and she couldn't harm him. He had to try to talk sense into her. He couldn't condemn a child to a lifetime of prison without giving her a chance.

Terra was sweating profusely her face getting red with anger as the Man of Steel slowly descended and stood before her. He looked gently at her, "You have to stop this. I don't want to hurt you. I don't know what that man has on you or what he's done to you but you don't have to follow him. It's never too late."

Terra looked at him breathing deeply. She responded, "You don't know him. You can't protect me. No one can," then she looked to the side tears coming to her eyes, "And it is too late. I've done things, unforgivable things. Who would have me now?"

Superman put his hand on her shoulder. He felt anger at Slade for what he did to this child. He had looked through her armor to see if she had kryptonite and she had none but he saw scars. Horrible scars upon her body and he could see they were on her mind as well. He had to save her. "I promise you, I will protect you and make everyone see that you're not the monster they think you are."

Terra looked at him and stepped back, "But I am!!!"

She used her powers to send rocks at him small ones from the floating rock she stood upon. The way she hit Superman with these rocks was paramount to a sad girl beating the chest of someone trying to comfort her. Slade's voice again came to her ear, "Now apprentice."

Superman walked closer thinking he had reached her, that he had saved her. Suddenly a piercing pain shook his chest. A rock was imbedded in it. He looked up at the girl and saw a wicked smile cross her face. The rock moved farther into his body and then shot out the other side. He was mortally wounded; his lungs were quickly filling with blood. The strength was leaving his body. How? Why?

Terra started talking her voice held a hint of madness and glee, "Know what's happening Superman? Lead lined nanobots were on that rock, too small and spread out for even you to detect. Each one held kryptonite inside them not enough to kill you but enough to make your impervious skin a little more vulnerable. When the rock hit you they opened and well you know."

"Why? You could have been free. You…" Superman stopped talking as he began to cough up blood.

Terra stared at him and walked closer, "The girl you tried to save was weak. She died a long time ago. I am strong. I killed Superman."

She kicked Superman's body off her rock and he plummeted to the ground. The super villains who just seconds ago were contemplating running away now gleefully used whatever powers they had on the man. Moments later Superman breathed his last. Some of the villains tried to take him as a trophy but a stern look from Terra told them that would be very unwise.

"Well done my apprentice. You performed flawlessly," Slade smiled underneath his mask, "This was a two pronged victory my dear. With Superman dead we not only showed our power and defeated a dangerous enemy we will have devastated the moral of all who oppose us."

"Yes master. I shall leave the body there. There are a few people around and I'm sure they will find him. Then the world will know."

Terra looked back once at the dead body. I'm sorry you had to die Superman, but you were in my master's way. Still I hope you can take comfort that your death will serve a much higher purpose, my master.

She then turned and flew away with her army following behind.