Superman: The Ark of Krypton
Chapter 54
by
Jason Richard
As Lois and Clark worked on the article, taking turns doing the actual writing, Clark remained quite distracted. The clone was back in the city, and was just...flying. Not really getting in anyone's way or doing anything specific. The Clone just flew around with a dejected look on his face, and within the Daily Planet Clark could see him.
He knew he should do something, but he couldn't think of what. In truth part of him was glad he had the article to distract himself with. Most of him, though, was desperate to do something about this situation.
As Clark looked out the building, watching the Clone sit on a building looking at some birds, Lois snapped her fingers at him.
"Hey Kent," said Lois. "What's so interesting about the wall?"
He didn't mention his X-Ray vision as he replied, "Nothing. Just...something on my mind. Ever have a problem you don't know the solution to?"
"Sometimes," said Lois. "But why ask me? Do I look like a therapist?"
"No," said Clark, chuckling. "But you share your opinion so quickly you sometimes feel like one."
Lois laughed, "You got me there." and as she went back to typing she asked, "So what's on your mind?"
"Well…" but before Clark could answer he saw the clone with his X-Ray vision again...and the clone was in pain. Someone was hurting him. Before Clark had time to wonder what the Clone was speeding away...right towards Lexcorp.
"Uh...hold that thought," said Clark. "I'll be right back." and he hurried away.
"Where's the fire Kent?" asked Lois, confused at his sudden departure.
…
The Clone was in agony. Someone was ringing in his ears unlike anything he'd heard before, and it was giving him a splitting headache. He didn't know where he was going, only that he needed to find the source of that sound and smash it...and smash it he did. He found a machine that looked like a radar dish and punched it to pieces.
Finally the wringing in his ears stopped and he calmed down, only to hear the sound of an iron door closing behind him. Turning around eh Clone realized he was in an air hanger of some sort, with no vehicles, only another machine a few feet away that looked vaguely like a laser.
"Huh?" said the Clone.
…
Superman flew after the clone and saw him disappear into the hanger, then stopped. The building was Lexcorp, and Superman sensed a trap. Sure enough he looked around with his X-Ray vision and found cameras everywhere. In a moment Superman realized that Lex Luthor wanted him to barge in, so he could catch the moment on film.
"Why Superman?" asked Lex Luthor suddenly on a loudspeaker. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
…
The machine powered up, and the poor clone was bewildered as to why. He did have enough presence of mind to know that this was a trap, but it hadn't occurred to him that anything could hurt him. What he didn't notice was that the only light that could get into that room was the light from the ceiling, and that wouldn't give him any power.
And neither would the red light that came from the laser looking device. It didn't hurt the clone in any way, but he did start to feel a little tingly all over.
As he looked over his glowing from he said, "Huh?"
…
The hanger in question was lined with lead, so Superman couldn't see inside. How did Luthor plan to deal with the clone?
"What's your game Luthor?" said Superman. "Why lure the Clone back?"
"Oh it was a clone that attacked you?" said Luthor's voice on the loudspeaker. "My my, who would, or could, create such a thing?"
"Oh I don't know," said Superman, crossing his arms in midair. "Maybe an overly ambitious billionaire with a god complex."
Lex Luthor just laughed at him. "Perhaps. I hope you aren't accusing me of such an act?"
Lex Luthor's going to have a big surprise coming in tomorrow's paper, thought Superman.
…
The laser finally stopped, and the next thing the Clone knew men had come into the room with shock sticks, and one carried a syringe. This made the Clone angry.
"Stand back evildoers!" the Clone cried. "Or I…
It was just then that the Clone realized he couldn't fly. He'd been trying to get off the ground for a few moments already, but nothing was happening. It dawned on the clone that he didn't have his powers.
As the men circles him, he did the only thing he could. He cried out, "Help! Help!"
…
Outside the building Superman could hear the clone's cries. What was going on? Had luthor figured out a Kryptonian's weakness? Was he using Kryptonite on the clone now? Was it something else? Either way it was more certain than ever that Luthor wanted Superman to barge in. Whether it was the camera's outside framing Superman for just barging in or whatever was inside hurting the clone, this whole thing was just one big trap.
It didn't matter though. Through all these thoughts, all Superman could hear were the cries for help. It was something he always answered, and he wasn't about to stop now.
"LUTHOR!" cried Superman as he flew forward and burst through the building's iron doors.