Superman: The Ark of Krypton
Chapter 56
by
Jason Richard
Jonathan and Martha Kent could see Metropolis City limits in the distance. It wouldn't be too long before they made it to Lexcorp. They both had solemn looks on their faces, and neither one of them felt ready for what they were getting themselves into.
"You sure about this Martha?" said Jonathan.
"No," she said. "But we have to try. If that poor thing is going on a rampage maybe we can...I don't know...calm him down."
"But the news said it was Lexcorp he crashed into," said Jonathan. "If Clark's suspicions about that place are true maybe we shouldn't get involved."
"Well I can sit around and do nothing," said Martha. "And I don't think you can either."
Jonathan sighed and said, "No, probably not. We'll be there in a few minutes."
…
The Clone...now thinking of himself as Bizarro...began to fly towards Lex Luthor menacingly, and Luthor kept his finger on the button. Once he pressed that button and energy flooded the room his little experiment would be powerless. Come on, thought Luthor, his heart pounding as this force of nature approached, just a little bit further…
"Stop!" cried Superman, flying out of the hole in the floor left by the Bizarro, who stopped and turned around, glaring angrily. Luthor grimaced in frustration. The Clone was just outside the technology's range.
"Don't do this," said Superman, pleading. "Just be patient, and Luthor will see justice."
"I wanna see justice now!" protested Bizarro.
"Listen," said Superman. "JLAI...uh...Brainiac is working to help your condition. You still have a chance at an ordinary life, but if you do this it won't matter what Luthor has done. Everyone will see you as a monster."
The Clone looked down sadly and said, "I am monster." then he looked at Luthor angrily. "He make me one."
And Bizarro rushed him. Lex Luthor, sadly, wouldn't have had time within that split second to press his little button if Superman hadn't tackled Bizarro from behind. Lex Luthor didn't even have time to duck as the pair of them flew over his head and burst through the window behind him.
As Lex Luthor took a breath, his heart pounding from that exchange, he realized he had pressed the button. The only question was whether or not the clone had been exposed to enough radiation to trigger the markers in his DNA.
Only time will tell.
…
Superman had his arm around Bizarro's neck, but this just enraged his clone. Bizarro then flew both of them down and smashed Superman into the pavement, shattering the concrete to bits. Superman was forced to let go as the Clone rose up, turned around, and started punching Superman in the face over and over again, the blows making a sound like lightning.
As people around back off and watched, Superman grabbed Bizarro's wrists and kicked his torso, sending Bizarro flying into the air.
As the Clone stopped in the air it glared at Superman, saying, "Me not real Superman, but me should be!"
Superman flew up and said, "Stop! We can't fight in the city! Someone will get hurt!"
"No!" cried Bizarro. "You save Luthor! You bad! Me no trust you!"
And he flew at Superman, a crazed look on his face. Superman was ready to defend himself, but Bizarro, in a rare bit of cunning, used fire breath and ice vision simultaneously. As the two elements collided the steam generated created an effective smokescreen, and Superman lost sight of him for just a moment. That was enough for Bizarro to land a good solid hit to Superman's torso, sending him flying towards the ground.
As he flew backwards Superman tried to stop, then turned around to make certain he wouldn't' collide with anyone. He would. He was about to crash into a pickup truck.
A truck with Ma and Pa Kent inside.
No, though Superman, stop!
And with all his might he tried to slow down.
down.