Superman: The Ark of Krypton
Chapter 60
by
Jason Richard
The transfusion took only a few minutes, and moments later Superman paced back and forth in the medical wing of that ship. He was glad that his Pa gave him good news about Ma's health, which was a huge load off his mind. He was certain it would be a load of his Clone's mind as well, if the Clone got better that is.
The wait was agony. Partially because he didn't want the poor thing to suffer, but also because he didn't know what he would do if the Clone actually did survive. The Clone couldn't be controlled. He was too childlike and emotional...impossible to reason with. He didn't like it, but something would have to be done about the clone eventually.
But such thinking turned out to be moot, as finally JLAI 13 spoke up.
"I'm sorry Kal-El," he said. "It didn't work. The Clone is dying."
Superman took a deep breath and said, "A...alright. Thank you."
He walked over to the Clone's bedside and waited. The Clone looked up from his medical bed mournfully, his eyes wet with tears.
"This punishment?" he asked. "For I almost hurt city people? Adn Ma?"
"No," said Superman, shaking his head. "No of course not." he hesitated, then said, "These things just...happen sometimes."
The Clone looked away and said, "This better. Fake Superman not get in way of Real one."
"Don't say that," said Superman. "I had a few near misses myself when my powers first developed. If I hadn't of been careful I could have hurt people too. It took time to learn how to use it well. I'm sure you could have have to if…"
He stopped. He was going to say if the Clone had more time, but he figured he didn't want to mention that issue...not when his time was so little.
"Thank you," said the Clone, still crying. "You nice man. Much nicer than me."
Superman sighed, and decided to at least give him some good news.
"I forgot to mention," said Superman. "Ma was fine. A little bruised in the head, but nothing she won't recover from."
The Clone brightened up a little, even as his gasp of happiness became hoarse and scratchy, "Really?" he said in a garbled voice, his body deteriorating fully now. "That good. I so happy. You tell her I sorry. Please."
"I will," said Superman. "I'm sure she'll forgive you."
For a moment, just a moment, the Clone smiled, then his eyes glazed over, closed, and he breathed his last. Superman silently, and solemnly, closed his own eyes and lowered his head.
…
Superman figured he wouldn't have time for a proper funeral, and he didn't want to risk the body falling into the wrong hands. Someone unscrupulous mind unlock the secret of Kryptonian power. Therefore Superman loaded the Clone's body into a pod and had the AI aim it at the sun. Before he launched he he looked at the Clone, behind glass in the wall. He looked surprisingly peaceful.
Then with a heavy sigh and pressed a button and shot the pod into space. Within the hour it would reach the sun for a fiery burial.
…
He wished it was under better circumstances, but Clark finally found time to visit his mother in the hospital. He walked into her room and gave her a nervous smile when he saw her lying in the hospital bed. She looked up at him brightened up.
"Clark," she said. "How are you dear?"
"Oh Ma," he said. "I should really be asking you that."
"I'm fine dear," she said. "Thanks for asking."
Jonathan Kent sat at Martha Kent's bedside, and he gave Clark a smile as nervous as Clark's own.
"Hey son," said Jonathan. "So how is...you know…"
"The clone," said Superman, sighing and shaking his head. "He didn't make it."
"Oh I see," said Martha, her eyes downcast. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"I wish I could have done more to help him," said Clark. "I just…"
"Didn't know what to do?" said Jonathan Kent. "I don't think any of us did."
"You know Clark," said Martha, "When it...he...stayed with us he accidentally set fire to something and I got a minor burn. When he rushed away and brought back the first aid kid I could have sworn I was looking an eight year old you again...in spirit anyway. He gave me the same guilty look you did when you threw a baseball threw the kitchen window...and it landed right on the stove, knocking over a pan and spilling dinner all over the floor."
Jonathan laughed, "I remember that. You fessed right up...knees shaking the whole time."
"I wish I could forget that," said Clark, shaking his head. "I wonder if I would have made things better or worse had I had my powers then."
"Who knows?" said Jonathan. "Who knows. Listen...Clark...don't beat yourself up about this. Everyone runs into problems they don't have a solution to from time to time. Even you."
"Yeah," said Clark. "It's amazing how often I forget that. And Ma, before I forget, the Clone wanted me to tell you he was sorry for...well you know."
"It's alright," she said, sighing. "I've already forgiven him."
…
So Clark finally made it back to the Daily Planet now that he knew his mother was fine. Perry White greeted him with a grunt, but otherwise didn't say anything. He and Lois were able to finish the article before the day's end, but Clark still figured there was one more thing that needed to be done...though not as Clark Kent.
Once they were done he excused himself, changed into Superman, then flew outside the window, knocking on the door. Lois saw him and grinned. She knew this had to be good.
Once the window was opened and everyone at the Daily Planet was listening, Superman said, "Hello everyone, I'd like to give a statement about today's events."