A/N: In this next update, Lois comes up with an outlandish plan to stop Bizarro. Clark comes face to face with a clone who looks exactly like him. Clark's nightmare appears to be coming true, but then later, an extraordinary ability is revealed. Okay readers, take a deep breath; this one is fast paced and crazy! Read on!
~o~o~
Chapter 12: I Believe in You
Earlier that day, at the Hall of Justice:
After Lois and Clark had left for the base, J'onn checked various news reports of activity in the area, then a video of Superman flying over the city appeared in a breaking story, but it wasn't him. He looked like him but the 'S' was backwards. Every few minutes, he would stop as if he were searching for something or someone.
Everyone stared at the video. "Oh no," Kara exclaimed. "It's the clone!"
"He looks like Clark, but it's Bizarro, isn't it?" Arthur asked and wondered if Clark knew about this.
"Yes, it has to be him. I hope he doesn't hurt anyone," J'onn commented. "Is he looking for Clark; he seems lost or something?"
"Do we wait to hear from Clark or do we call him?" Bruce asked anyone who would listen.
"He probably knows by now," J'onn replied still staring at the monitor.
"Maybe, maybe not," Bruce said. "They should be at the base by now; right?"
"Yes, they probably are. We should wait until we hear from him," Diana replied.
"Maybe I can help?" Kara tentatively asked.
Everyone paused at that question.
"No, Kara, we don't know the extent of your powers and neither do you. He could hurt you, and Clark would be very upset if anything happened to you," Diana replied, hoping to stop that train of thought.
"But," she started.
"Diana is right, Kara. Until we can speak to Clark, you're staying right here," Bruce told her firmly.
She didn't like it, but they did have a point. She didn't want Clark to be upset with anyone. "Alright, I'll do as you say, but I don't like it."
"We have to do something before anyone gets hurt," Victor said.
"He's right," Barry said. "I think we should try and talk to him; distract him; maybe?"
"We should wait to hear from Clark," Bruce replied, but he was worried. "Look, he hasn't hurt anyone, not yet anyway."
"But someone could say something; upset him; we have no idea what he'll do. Clark said he's very powerful, same as him, and he is programmed to kill," J'onn said.
They glanced each other, then made the decision to leave. The only thing they could do is approach him, keep him calm and occupied until Clark arrives. Decision made, the flying members all stood up: Victor, Diana, and J'onn were ready. Hopefully, the clone won't freak out, but would he listen? They had no idea.
"Be careful," Bruce felt the need to say then gave Diana a look.
With no real plan in mind, they headed out.
~o~o~
Meanwhile, back at the base:
"Daddy, you know something. Tell us everything you know about the clone." He was silent. "You said you went through Lex's files; there must be something you can tell us."
"You owe us that much." Clark put in his thoughts.
"You're right." He walked for a minute. "Lex's files were very specific about the clone. He knew that he would be the opposite of you, Clark, meaning the green rock would make him stronger and not hurt him; the sun could weaken him; his breath gives off heat instead of cold; and lastly his heat vision is cold instead of hot. It was all very confusing."
Lois stared at her husband. "How can you defeat someone with powers the opposite of yours?"
"There's only one way and we all know what I have to do."
"You mean the sun, right?" Sam asked drawing his own conclusions.
Clark was thoughtful. "Maybe we can do what you suggested in the first place, Sir."
Sam frowned. "Do you mean to possibly convert him into doing good instead of his instincts, meaning to kill you? Sorry, Lo."
"I know he wants to kill Clark, but even I don't think it would work, and now that he knows he has all these powers, he won't be receptive. If I suddenly realized that I had super powers, I wouldn't want to give them up either."
Clark inwardly smiled at that idea. "I think it's worth a shot. We could use him for other things."
Then Lois got an idea to capture the clone but Clark would have to agree. Before she could speak of it, Sam's assistant poked her head in.
"Sir, you should turn on the monitor," she urgently said.
He frowned. "Alright," Sam said and turned it on. It's Bizarro, flying over the city, but he appeared a bit awkward and unsure, but with a purpose as if that were possible.
Clark just shook his head and frowned. "He's not hurting anyone."
"He's looking for you," Lois told her husband. "He wants to kill you."
He sighed. "I know that; I guess it's time that we meet." He turned to go.
"Clark, wait; could we speak in private?" Lois asked and grabbed his arm.
He frowned. "Alright; but make it quick."
Sam also frowned and watched them leave.
They moved down the hall, then she told him her plan.
"What did you just say? Are you serious, but what if?"
"He won't hurt me; I'm convinced of it."
He hated the idea. "But what if you're wrong?"
"Clark, he was programmed by Lex, his first word was my name; he has your memories and your DNA, meaning he cares for me; he won't hurt me." He was silent. "It's the only way to protect everyone, not just you, but the entire city could be in danger if we don't capture him."
"I don't like this; not at all."
"Let me do this for you. We need him gone from our lives, but we can't tell my Father; he wouldn't understand."
"No, he wouldn't," he agreed, but inside his heart felt differently. If anything happened? He let that thought trail off.
They headed back to her Father's office.
"What's going on; what about Bizarro?" Sam asked.
"Clark will face him and he'll win; I'm sure of it," Lois replied.
"I'm worried about the clone, speaking your name, and," he hesitated, so worried about her and Clark too.
"We have to go, Daddy," she replied. "We'll call you later."
"Bye, Sir," Clark said, then they were gone. Clark changed and took off. At her car, Lois pulled out her cellphone. Several messages and a text from Lucy appeared.
She listened, then left her a text that she and her husband were fine, but they were out looking for a clone, hopefully, to find him before he killed anyone.
Lucy texted her back that the clone was outside the Daily Planet.
Lois relayed that message to her husband, then she headed to the Planet to put their plan into motion.
~o~o~
Minutes later, over the skies of Metropolis:
Without warning, Bizarro's eyes blasted crystals of ice, which caused the crowd to scream and disperse, and everyone managed to escape, scurrying from their cars and running into buildings. Being the first time he had done this, the blasts were not accurate, lucky for the people below, but then he got the hang of it.
But just before another blast of ice hit the crowd, Ron grabbed Lucy just in time before she was hit; that one was far too close. She thanked him and headed inside the Planet building along with multiple terrified civilians. The police were also there to help them.
Bizarro was not happy. Then his heat breath flowed over cars and miraculously, didn't hurt anyone, but cars affected by the heat, exploded one after the other.
Victor had to help somehow, so he flew down and doused the fire on a few cars. Relieved to see that no one was inside. Bizarro was obviously losing control determined to kill.
Clark arrived moments later, and surveyed the damage but it appeared that no one had been seriously hurt. He nodded to Victor who flew back up to help his friends. Clark helped the police move the rest of the crowd inside and away from the cold and heat blasts. Hearing voices from above, he looked up and his friends and hoped they could calm Bizarro down.
"Superman, over here!" The police needed his help. A few people had been trampled in their attempts to get away.
He looked up briefly, then, "I'm coming!" Clark said.
Clark's friends cautiously approached Bizarro, but he didn't know what to make of them. They could fly like him which he found fascinating.
"Well, I guess now that Superman is a little busy; I guess you'll do," Bizarro said and crossed his arms.
They stared at the clone and he looked so much like Clark, it stunned them for a just a minute. Everything about him was the same, but his eyes were not the right color, a dark brown, which was all wrong.
Diana spoke up. "Okay, you've had your fun. What do you want?"
"I'm just getting started." He glanced down at Superman and he was still helping the crowd. "I want Superman to come to me so I can kill him. Isn't it obvious?" He frowned getting upset. "Once he's dead, I can rule this entire world."
Diana ignored that remark about ruling the world. "Why do want to kill him?" Diana asked.
"Because Lois belongs with me not him," he replied firmly.
The team digested this, but what could they say to that? At their silence, he said, "You leave me no choice." His eyes glowed blue.
"Look out!" Diana shouted. She raised her shield and moved closer to her friends to protect them.
Bizarro continued to keep them off balance by using his cold vision and hot breath, hoping to get rid of them. The members were at a loss at how to stop him. He suddenly stopped when he realized his anger was increasing, he flew towards them and then the fight began.
J'onn and Diana fought him as best they could, but he fought back attacking them with his super strength. But their plan was to keep him occupied and not to kill anyone, and it appeared to be working. His cold vision was throwing them off balance. Diana stared at her shield; it was cold not hot plus his breath was hot not cold. Interesting, she thought then it dawned on her.
"He's the opposite of Superman."
"I think you're right," J'onn agreed. "But how do we stop him?"
"That's a good question," Victor replied staring at the clone.
Seconds later, they looked to the left and Superman flew up to them.
Bizarro stopped and watched Superman; he was impressive. I am too, he thought.
Clark crossed his arms. "You wanted to see me, Bizarro?"
Bizarro stared at him and they could be twins except for the 'S' but that will change. "Do you ever wonder what would happen to all these humans if you weren't here to play savior?"
"You don't know anything about me," Clark said.
"No, Clark-Joe; I know everything about you. I have your DNA and your memories." He paused. "How was your honeymoon?" Bizarro smirked and watched Superman's eyes, realizing he knew everything.
It was a good thing they were high enough in the sky; no one else heard that comment. Fuming inside, Clark stared at his face, stunned to realize the truth; he looked exactly like him.
Bizarro needed to find her. "Where is she?!" He screamed sounding so like Clark that it stunned his mind.
Clark ignored that question. "I'm here because you asked for me. What do you want?"
"I want Lois. Now, bring her to me!" He screamed again, losing patience.
Clark knew the truth now. He wanted his wife and he wanted me dead. Everyone froze, then they turned to Clark.
"No, I will not bring her to you." Lois was right; he wanted her but not to hurt her; he hoped.
Furious, they stared at each other. "I don't think you understand. She and I belong together. My Father made it clear that I was made for her," Bizarro said.
To hear him speak this way, made Clark think of Luthor and his crazy schemes. "You are mistaken. You were made to infuriate me; that's it, nothing more."
Bizarro narrowed his eyes. "No, you are mistaken. She belongs with me; not you. Now, bring her to me. I will kill you if I have to, but she will be mine, and there's nothing you can do to stop me." He balled his fists and then his eyes glowed blue.
Clark realized there was no reasoning with him. "Calm down and we can talk about this." He glanced down and Lois was there but only a few people were still in the street watching. I hate this plan but it may just work, he thought.
Bizarro also looked down; he saw her as well; his voice softened, "There she is."
Clark tried to reason with him yet again. "She is not well; did you hear me?"
"What do you mean, not well? Did you hurt her?"
"No, of course not, she'll be fine but you could hurt her if you touch her. The green K on your chest; it's not good for her."
He narrowed his eyes again. "You're lying; I would never hurt her."
"You will hurt her, if you go near her with the green K. You have to listen to me."
"No, I don't," he said. "You can't have her; not anymore!" He nearly screamed then his cold vision came out of his eyes.
Clark tried to repel the cold with his heat vision, but as their powers clashed, he realized it wasn't working. Then shockingly, the cold beams knocked him square in the chest. Everyone was caught off guard then Clark fell.
Lois screamed as she watched her husband fall from the sky. Diana and J'onn flew after him but they couldn't catch him. He hit the ground with loud thump; the ground shook on impact. Lois screamed again and ran to him. He wasn't moving.
"Don't move!" Victor shouted to the clone, pointing his robotic arm at his chest.
"You can't stop me!" Bizarro said.
Before he could fly away, Victor pointed his sonic canon at his head and fired. Bizarro was stunned but only for a moment. He then sent his heat breath at Victor. The heat sizzled his arm and his chest, which caused his circuits to fry then he fell back. Bizarro grinned then he flew down intent of getting what was his.
Clark woke up moments later, dazed and worried. Lois was there. "You have to leave, please!"
"No, I won't leave you," Lois said. She touched his chest but it was cold.
"No, Lois, you have to leave NOW!" That was Diana.
"Well, well; isn't this a tender scene?" Bizarro stood before them, hands on hips, his cape flapping in the wind.
As more and more people came back to watch, Diana and J'onn realized they had to wait and not antagonize the clone, plus he could reveal Clark's secret.
"Lois, step away from him, NOW!" Bizarro demanded.
"You can't give me orders," Lois said. "You should leave; no one wants you here!"
Bizarro began to have doubts about taking her, then he pushed his doubts aside. "You belong with me; not him." His eyes glowed blue again.
Clark's strength returned but Lois could be caught in the crossfire. He also realized that Bizarro was stronger than him. His weakness after his assault made sense; the green K made him stronger. The rocks plastered to his chest had weakened him. Oh, no, he thought.
Diana and J'onn stood in front of Clark and Lois and tried to protect them. Another blast could kill them both if that first blast was any indication.
But before Clark could think how to stop him, Bizarro blasted his friends with heat and cold, grabbed Lois, and pulled her next to him. "You're coming with me!"
"Let me go!" Lois screamed trying to push him away. He ignored her then he took off.
Clark screamed! "NOOOOO!" He watched until he couldn't see them anymore.
Diana, J'onn, and Victor took off after him, but he was too fast. Minutes later, they lost him in the clouds.
~o~o~
Lucy and Ron watched the stunning scene, and she also screamed and watched as her sister disappeared with the clone.
About to cry, she approached Clark and helped him to stand. "Superman, are you alright?" Lucy asked, conscious of being discrete.
"Lucy, Ron, what?" Clark was confused at seeing them.
"We can help you; come with us," Lucy said.
"But I need to go after them," Clark said, legs weak from the green rock. His chest, which was covered in ice moments ago, began to melt away.
"We need to talk in private," Lucy said with raised eyebrows.
"Alright, but just for a minute," he said and followed them.
The onlookers who had returned, watched the clone fly off with Lois Lane, and wondered what was happening. Superman looked utterly defeated then they yelled at him. "Go after her; she needs you!" "Superman, what are you doing; go after her!"
"Ignore them," Ron said. "They don't know what they're talking about."
Clark felt horrible, but he needed a plan. He tried to calm down but then he heard something. "Wait a minute." He stopped walking. "I just need to listen."
They stood at the Planet's entrance, about to go inside. "What is it; what do you hear?" Lucy asked.
Is it her? Clark wondered. The other time, when Lo had travelled to Africa, I knew of her location, so finding her was easy, but this was entirely different. "It's Lois; I can hear her heartbeat and another one too." The baby's heartbeat convinced him that it was her. Moments later, Clark heard his wife's voice and Bizarro's as well, but how is this possible? He wondered.
Why are you doing this?
Because we belong together and you will love me one day.
But I love Superman and that's never going to change.
I can't take you back. We will be together; you'll see.
Please don't do this. When he finds us, he will kill you.
He can't kill me. I'm stronger than him.
Bizarro, you must listen to me.
No, I don't. Keep quiet. I see something up ahead.
"Are you saying you know where she is?" Lucy asked stunned, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Yes, I know, but I have to be cautious. I need my friends to help me." He turned to Lucy. "Call your Father and tell him not to worry. I will get his daughter back."
"'Are you sure; you seem so worried before?" Lucy asked now terribly concerned that he wouldn't be able to save her.
"I know you're worried but Bizarro, the clone, he won't hurt her. I'm sure of this."
"Because he looks so much like you; is that why?" Lucy asked, but she understood.
"It's not only that, but he has my DNA and my memories … he needs her; sort of." He glanced at Ron.
"I get it now. The clone cares for her; same as you?" Ron concluded.
"You could say that," he reluctantly replied.
Ron frowned but he got it. "Good luck."
"Thanks Ron," he said. "Lucy, don't worry, Okay?"
"Okay; I'll try."
Then he took off.
She turned to Ron and touched his arm. "We need to talk."
~o~o~
Minutes later, the Hall of Justice:
J'onn, Diana, and Victor, unsuccessful in their attempt to follow the clone, returned to the Hall hoping to come up with a way to stop him and rescue Lois.
Seconds later, Clark appeared, but he didn't seem to be as distraught, at least since the last time they had seen him. He must have a plan.
"I know where she is but I need your help," he told his friends without preamble.
"How is that even possible?" Kara asked who had seen the entire scenario play out on the monitors.
"I can hear their voices, her heartbeat and the baby's as well," he reluctantly replied.
"Lois is pregnant?" Kara asked. "How wonderful." Then she sobered. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean."
"It's alright, Kara, most of you didn't know, but I felt you should know what's at stake."
"So, what's your plan?" J'onn asked. "You do have a plan; right?"
"Yes, I do." Clark walked. "He's extremely powerful, as evidenced by his 'reverse powers' and I've been thinking. When we were in the sky, I hinted that the green rock would hurt Lois if he continued to wear it. He's enamored of her and I was hoping he would remove it."
"And if he doesn't?" Barry asked doubtful about his plan.
"I'll remove it for him," Clark replied firmly.
Diana sighed and Bruce chuckled. "Come on, Clark, green K can kill you. You can't even go anywhere near the stuff," Bruce said, doubtful about his plan.
"That's where my friends will come in," he said. "Well, are you ready?"
"Can I come?" Kara asked.
Everyone turned to her then back at Clark waiting for him to speak.
"Well, now is as good a time as any. Are you ready?" He replied with a question.
"I'm ready, Clark. You can count on me."
"Let's go then."
~o~o~
The flying members carried those who couldn't fly, while everyone followed Clark. The heartbeats and voices became louder the further North they travelled. As the climate changed, Clark began to worry. Lois, dressed in a coat and knee-high boots, but freezing temperatures are not good for any human. He flew faster and faster.
The team managed to keep up, especially Barry, with his speed, he kept his eye on him from the ground. Minutes later, the sounds were just ahead and then he saw them. An abandoned shack appeared just ahead and smoke billowed out from the chimney. There was snow on the ground but not too heavy. They landed a few miles away.
"Is that smoke? You can see them?" Bruce asked from just behind him. Diana was carrying Bruce; Kara was carrying Arthur; J'onn and Victor flew on their own; and Barry followed from the ground.
"Yes, but don't get too close; he could see us," Clark stated. "Speak in whispers." They understood, then, "Yes, they're inside and she appears to be alright." He looked around and this place reminded him of meeting Lois not far from here. Shaking his head at those memories, he listened and then their voices came to him:
"You have to take me back. This isn't going to end well for you," Lois said.
He continued to add wood to the fire. "Are you warm enough?"
Lois closed her eyes. Clark always asked her that when they were flying. "I'm fine."
"Lois, he's not good enough for you. He didn't even follow us."
"He will come for me."
"No, he won't. If he does, he can't beat me. No one can." He came closer.
"Stay away from me," she said and moved against the wall.
"Don't be afraid; I won't hurt you."
Clark had heard enough. "Victor, J'onn, Diana; you have to get the green K; it's attached to his chest."
"I guess we just burst inside and maybe we can surprise him?" Victor asked thinking it probably won't work.
"Not much we can do at this point, but three against one?" J'onn began. "Once we subdue him, remove the green rock and Clark takes Lois away, Diana, you can place the lasso around him which should hold him until we can return him … where?"
"We'll worry about that later," Clark replied, thinking of the base and Lois's Father.
"I'll talk to him," Kara said firmly.
"But what will you say?" Clark asked.
"He will join us or die," Kara said, determined that Bizarro will have a purpose and it was not to kill Superman.
Clark decided to trust her, then their plan was put into motion. J'onn, Victor, and Diana, as being flying members, they didn't make a sound, and then they burst inside.
Lois froze and so did Bizarro, completely taken by surprise. He hadn't been listening, and for the first time, he heard Lois' heartbeat and another heartbeat which he concluded must be another person.
Suddenly furious at being caught off guard, Bizarro turned on them. His eyes glowed blue but Diana held him at bay with her shield. While occupied with that, J'onn, Barry, Arthur, and Victor came up behind him and held him, Diana managed to place the lasso around him which shocked his body and his mind. They removed the green K, took it outside as not to affect him, Clark, and Kara. Without the green rock, it seemed to have taken the life out of him.
Clark swooped in and picked up his wife carefully. "I'll got you."
Lois was so happy to see him; she hugged him close around the neck. He flew out the door and took her home. "I knew you would come."
His faith in him always amazed him. He wrapped his cape around her. "Are you warm enough?"
Her eyes watered. "Yes, I am now," she happily replied.
Meanwhile, Diana held Bizarro at bay with her lasso, along with all the other members of the League. Kara swooped in and spoke to him.
"Bizarro, you can't escape. Lois is fine; don't worry about her."
"But she needs me to save her," Bizarro said and tried to break his bonds but it was useless. Diana pulled the lasso tighter. "Who are you and why are you doing this to me?" He asked and fell to his knees, seemingly defeated.
"I'm like you; same as Superman and we need you," she replied and waited for that to sink in.
"I don't believe you," he said and frowned.
"I can fly; see?" She hovered to the ceiling then back down.
He watched her then decided to talk to her. He relaxed then, "What do you want?"
"We know about the green rock and how it affects you. What we want from you is to help us defeat an enemy. He's stronger than Superman; stronger than all of us, and we need you to kill him."
"Kill … Superman," he said then his eyes glowed blue, but it was different and not as cold without the green rock.
"No, you have to listen to me. Lois will hate you if you kill him."
"No want Lois to hate me," he said, speaking as his former self.
"She will hate you if you kill Superman."
He was silent thinking of her words. "Alright, me help you but one condition."
Everyone stared at each other. "What condition?" Kara asked.
Getting weaker, he asked, "See her just once more before I die?" He asked and closed his eyes.
"The green rock; give it to him," Kara demanded.
"You leave, then we'll bring it back in," Bruce said.
"Alright, I'll leave, but be careful with him; we need him."
They did as she said, then they brought him back to Metropolis and, after speaking with Clark, they took him back to General Lane. The green rock was placed nearby but not as close as before. The effects would keep him alive until they needed him.
TBC!
~o~o~
Song Inspiration: I Still Believe, Mariah Carey.
A/N: You know how much I hate putting Lois in danger, but it's so them, and I just love when Clark rescues her and with his new ability. I also wanted Kara involved in the rescue, she did talk him down. Bizarro is not all bad, well, if he isn't killing anyone. Until next week! Reviews/kudos/favorites are so very welcome! Please guys! And thank you so much.
