Man of Steel, World of Marvels.
Disclaimer: This is a work of diction, I do not own any of the characters that appear in this fan fiction, BTVS, Superman and Marvel are still own by their respective owners.
"Talking"
"Whisper"
*SOUND EFFECT*
*Thought*
Chapter 2: Endings and Beginnings. Part 2
Outside of time and space…
After spending an unknown amount of time unconscious Xander once more found himself awakening, only this time on a rather comfortable bed with the same homeless man who for all intents in purposes was…God, watching over him.
"Better now?" The omnipotent being ask his young guest.
"Holy shit! You´re…you…!" A naturally startled young man panicks as he fell of the bed but felt no pain from the impact.
"Xander please behave, I am not going to hurt you, and if I did I doubt you would even know it unless I wanted you to, which I obviously don't." God reassured.
"I…it…it´s just…you´re God!? THE God!?" Xander naturally asks in shock at confront the creator of all.
"Were you expecting Alan Rickman and Alanis Morissette to greet you when you woke up?" The being asks with a small smirk before continuing
"No…yes…but…"
"Like I said before this was the last form I took before meeting you, however let´s change it up shall we?" He spoke as his attire and body changed into that of a young man of 20 in a black shirt and jeans.
"Better?"
"Ah yeah, yeah it is."
"So I assume you have many questions regarding why you are here right now?"
"Aren´t I dead?"
"Technically yes you are…in your reality at the very least."
"Okay…would you please explain that? Because I must have heard you wrong on that part when you said that I am dead in MY reality."
"When you jumped into the portal you should have survived…however certain elements, which I shall deal with soon enough, made sure the portals energies were so violent and powerful that several things occurred that should not have."
Xander just looked as he was staring at the end of a gun.
"First off given your unique abilities in your home reality, you should have survived the entry into the portal as the blood of the key sealed it. Second those same elements I spoke of altered the event so it was you who would jump in not Buffy, in fact her anger with you was a manipulation on their part right until the very end when you would assure your demise."
"Wait…your telling me I was assassinated!?" Xander asked in shock.
"Sadly yes my young friend and they were very thorough about it, had it not been for my assistance, you would have died on the spot." God spoke placing a comforting hand on his shoulder as the young man looked like somebody had knocked the air out of him.
"W-why?"
*SIGH*
God conjured another seat for the young man as he prepared him for what came next.
"Xander please sit and let me explain something to you first."
"Now like I said you know me as God, though certain cosmic entities aware of me call me the One Above All, like my primary assistant the Living Tribunal…"
"But….but he´s a comic book character!" Xander exclaimed before asking in a more subdued tone "…right?"
"So is Superman yet here you stand with his powers and memories, so I doubt that the Living Tribunal being my assistant can be THAT farfetched hmm?" He replied before continuing.
"Xander, one person´s fantasy is another´s reality in another. In all those comic books you´ve read they exist in one form or another on other planes of existence."
"So…there is a multiverse?"
"That and so much more as well. Each gathering of universes forms a Multiverse, then a Megaverse and finally the Omniverse. Very few are privileged with knowing of its existence and even less get to travel it. Though unlike me, who comes and goes as I please with but a thought, they will never be able to fully understand the grandeur that comes with it. Not to mention the rules and dangers as well that goes with it."
"Wow…so does our reality have the same rules like different choices making different worlds and all that?"
"Now you are getting it…" The Supreme Being spoke with a smile "…free will is a powerful thing Xander; it has many effects upon the fabric of creation. Take those issues of What if…? Or Elseworlds here they are simply fiction but in other realities they are fact."
"So…in one universe Spiderman married Black Cat and Superman wasn't raised by the Kents?"
"Precisely my friend, in fact you could say that you are the product of a choice, a fairly interesting one at that."
"Wait…don't tell me..." He spoke with a mixture of dread and curiosity.
"I do so enjoy the show…"
"We're a TV show?!"
"Oh yes, in fact you have quite the fan base, they love that whole underdog mystique after all."
"I have fans?!"
"Hmm it boggles the mind doesn't it; of course they don't follow your current life, but that of Xander Harris who went as a soldier in what would be considered the core of your reality."
"So what happened in that reality?"
"Well the short of it is…he continued in the fight as best he could, at one point he lost an eye, became a watcher in a manner of speaking and is currently dating Dawn."
If Xander were drinking he would have done a very impressive spit take.
"I…he… what?"
"Like I said Xander choice is a very powerful thing, but enough of that hmm?"
"Uh…right…Dawn?" He asks quietly to himself.
"Xander…" God chides playfully.
"Right…sorry…"
"It's okay, you should the other choices in women you have…" he pauses before giving him a mischievous look "…or men for that matter."
"AH!"
"Ho ho ho, oh my boy you are too easy to joke around, no wonder they enjoy needling you back there in your world."
"Great…even God thinks I'm a joke." He mutters.
That cuts God of his laughter, he delivers frown upon him and makes Xander gulp in fear.
"Xander… why must you put yourself down like that? I know every detail of your home life, every ounce of pain you bared on your shoulders you hid behind the mask of a fool, yet even now that you show what a hero you are you still belittle yourself."
Xander bows his head in shame, as if he has failed some test.
However he soon feels himself enveloped in the Creators arms.
"You are no failure Xander…you give yourself freely for those you deem worthy, you selflessly spared your friend a terrible pain knowing you would earn her hatred, you gave your life for her and her sister...you are no failure."
Xander never really considered what he did as heroic, he just wanted to make sure his girls were safe, he had already lost Jessie and there was no way he would lose Willow or Buffy like that.
"Thanks…" He replied quietly.
"There is no need; I often find it soothing to aid my creations when I can…"
*SIGH*
"…it is just a shame I can't do it more often."
"Why not?"
"Have you ever seen that episode of Futurama where Bender is lost in space and has a run in with God?"
"Yeah…wait a minute…" Xander spoke suddenly "…if fiction is fact then that means that you really did run into him."
"Something like that, any way do you recall what I said to him after Bender's rather unique approach to being God?"
"Yeah…you said it takes a light touch, too much help and they start to depend on you and too little and they question your existence and lose faith."
"Precisely…all of my creations are my children and like any parent must do eventually I have to let you stand on your own or else you will never grow beyond your limitations. If I was always around to guide you, you would not look for other paths and lose sight of the many possibilities, and you would never be able to make your own future. As any character in some book or on TV spoke so eloquently 'where's the fun in that?'"
"Then what are the PTB of my reality?"
"They are a collective consciousness that seek to maintain the status quo; they take neither side of the conflict. Good and Evil are irrelevant to them so long as the balance is maintained. They seldom intervene in the affairs of the lower planes and act through avatars or champions…"
"Like Buffy, Faith or Deadboy?"
"Exactly…they among others are responsible for your proverbial death."
"What?! But why?!"
"Because you were altering the status quo in their minds, it began when you defied prophecy and saved Buffy, they wanted her to die there because it was part of their plan." God replied leaving Xander reeling at the thought of the PTB who they trusted were actually a collection of conniving, back stabbing bastards who cared more for the balance than anything else.
"It doesn't end there; they had plans for Willow to be corrupted by magic, Faith to betray you and side with the Mayor before she would be left in a coma, Cordelia to become one of them after she would serve as a vessel for a fallen Power and so much more. I could go on and on, but I think that you already get the gist of it."
Xander was slowly growing angrier as he listened to the plans they had for his girls.
"Those…bastards!" Xander snarled as his eyes began to glow.
"Calm yourself, you prevented all that, they are safe and I will be cleaning house so calm yourself. I might let my children go along on their own path, but that hardly means I am going to let them get into way over their heads."
"Right…sorry about that." He panted as the anger slowly left him.
"Like I said, your actions after Halloween altered everything they had setup…you killed the Judge, you sent Angel into the portal, helped destroy the Mayor by igniting the bomb, killed Adam, saved Doyle and so much more. By then both sides had to rid themselves of you so they altered the portal to kill you."
"Both?"
"Of course, the Senior Partners were one faction for example that saw you as a threat since they could not corrupt you, so they conspired with the other side to return things to the age old way before resuming their goal plans."
"A perpetual deadlock or at least for the PTB that is."
"Precisely, when you intervened on behalf of the Charmed ones by preventing the assassin from killing the eldest you earned the anger of the Source and the Elders. When you killed Lilith before she could send Dean Winchester to Hell you earned the wrath of Lucifer and Michael…" He spoke as his visage darkened.
"…with whom I personally have every intention of getting some answers from him, by the time I am done he is going to be lucky that I will not give him the proverbial boot to the 'buttocks' for the stunts he's been pulling. Not to mention I am going to pay Lucifer a visit and remind him that while I tolerate his antics as a counterpoint to good, I draw the line when he goes too far, he might be getting his own personal Armageddon if he keeps this up."
"Wait back up! How did I piss off THOSE two? What were their plans?"
"They had planned to initiate THE Apocalypse early, for that they needed vessels, in this case the bodies of Sam and Dean Winchester."
God spoke sadly at how he would have to discipline Michael for attempting such a thing. He had high hopes for his warrior general, and now it seemed that he was going to have to give the being a serious dressing down for his antics…at least Gabriel had not gone off the deep end yet even though his sense of humor could stand some revisions.
"Damn…" what could one reply when you find out two angels are gunning for you.
"Yes it is rather disconcerting that the Heavenly host has carried a grudge since the war, they never understood that it was never about who I cared for more, but simply watching over a young child like any parent would." The OAA said in disappointed tone.
"So what now? I mean, where I go from here, wherever here is?" he finally asks the question that was nagging him for some time.
"Well I am willing to place you in another reality; naturally I will have you trained to control your abilities."
"I guess I have nothing to lose by taking that chance, but how will I train?"
"Simple my boy, by using this..." The Creator spoke as he produced an emerald green crystal, at first he thought it was kryptonite but then he understood what it truly was.
"The Fortress control crystal." He spoke in awe at seeing it.
"Within this crystal, not only will you learn how to handle your Kryptonian powers, but also the knowledge of a race that should not be forgotten in the pages of history." God spoke as he handed the crystal over to him.
Xander handled it delicately; in his hands he held the legacy of Krypton.
"Are you sure I should have this? I mean I'm not like him."
"Xander you are right when you say that, you and Clark Kent have lived two different lives. You one of constant danger against those who seek the destruction of the world and him a life filled with dangers from men who seek to dominate all life."
"But I am not asking you to become him, perhaps follow his example in being a beacon of hope but not be an exact copy. You choose your life and do what suits you best, nothing more or less."
"What about the girls and the others? Will they be all right?" Xander asked as he did not want to leave them without knowing if they were safe.
"They shall be safe from the Powers, but remember that they are still involved in this war Xander. They will still live or die by the choices they make. As all heroes do, they know that they will not always make it out, but they do it anyway because it is what they feel is right."
"I get that…I just don't want them to have to deal with these assholes because they can't control them."
"I understand your concern Xander, but rest assured they will not have any problems after I clean house, so to speak." The Omnipotent being spoke with a smile directed at the young man.
"Well that's a load off, that's all I really want for my girls to be safe."
"Then if that is all it is time." God spoke as with a mere thought both Xander and he disappeared in a flash of light.
North Pole, Earth and reality unknown…
Both reappeared in the middle of snow and wind, though both did not mind the bone chilling cold. At the distance an icy canyon could be seen.
"This looks promising, Xander if you would do the honors." God spoke.
Xander took one last look at it before he threw it at the glaciers.
Despite the force used to hurl it, it landed with a soft plop onto the snow. For a minute it remained there before it slowly sank into the ice, 10 seconds later a deep rumble was heard and from the ice before giant crystals burst from the land.
They crossed one another at an angle to form what Xander had only seen in cartoons, movies and comic books…The Fortress of Solitude.
In another flash they were inside the alien structure. Standing in the central chamber where the statues of Jor-El and Lara were usually found was simply Krypton, something he felt right since he was not a member of the house of El and had not right to something so precious to Clark Kent.
"I can't believe it…I'm actually in the Fortress…" Xander whispered.
"I don't know what the fuss is about it as it is yours now, and believe me it has most everything Kal-El's has except of course the habitat were he kept alien species, but the arsenal IS present and will remained seal until the time you are fully trained and briefed, then there's…"
"WOOF!" A white blur suddenly tackled the former Scooby.
"Oof!"
"…Krypto." God finished with a smile as the alien canine licked his new master's face. Just like in the comic book, Krypto was a white dog similar to a Labrador wearing a red cape and a yellow shield with the symbol for the house of El.
"I don't believe it! I have my own Krypto!?" Xander spoke with surprise as he gently pushed the enthusiastic dog away from him.
"I figured you might get lonely so I pulled some strings, let's face it Xander you need to learn control before you are allowed to help people. I also had one of the droids programmed to tutor you in diverse fields since you will need more than an incomplete high school education if you plan to blend in."
"So I'm going to be home schooled?"
"Essentially yes, here he comes now." God spoke as a robot with a gray humanoid body, black "S" shield in the center and a head that made it look like a mushroom with a single red eye.
"Greetings." It spoke in a voice Xander knew all too well.
"Giles?" He asks out loud as the machine clearly spoke in the voice of the Watcher, albeit in a digitalized tone.
"I was given his voice to better help you adapt to the change of scenery while I tutor you."
"Wow…that's…that's great, thanks man, I really mean that." The young man replied with a bit of sadness as well as gratitude.
"You are welcomed." The machine responded.
"I'll be leaving now…" God spoke gaining Xander's attention now "…The Fortress will block out all outside noise for the time being until your training is finished. I know you wish to help but right now you could hurt someone unintentionally."
"Then I better get started…" He spoke before a look of confusion came on his face "…but where am I exactly?"
"I'll let you find out for yourself but I can tell you it will be a rather marvelous surprise, but before I forget here's one final present…" The Supreme Being said as he produced a small box "...don't open it until you are done all right?"
"Sure." He replied as he took the small item.
"Well I must be off, but a word of advice before I do Xander, I know the transition away from home will be hard at first but so long as you keep the memories and feelings of your time with them alive you are never alone and in time new friends and memories will come along and remind that you are never truly alone."
With that said the OOA was gone without a trace.
"So what should I call you?" Xander asked the robot before him.
"Whatever you wish sir."
"Giles it is then…" he spoke as he now turned to look at his home "…so what should we do first?"
"If I may, I believe I should show you the Fortress and then you should eat and rest, tomorrow your training begins." The newly named Giles spoke as he turned to lead his charge.
"Lead the way." He replied, following as the machine moved with his new pet at his side. With that Xander began his first steps into his new life.
For the next five years Xander trained under the watchful eye of his Robotic tutor in the use of his powers.
Strength…
"You are now at 100 tons Xander how do you feel?" Giles asked his ward as he watched from behind a control panel as Xander, garbed in a pair of boxers with sensors around his body, lifted to massive pillars over his head.
"I'm good…" The young man replied with little strain "…let's push it to 120."
"Understood."
Speed…
Xander was now training his super speed as well as his hand eye coordination with a series of blocks in different shapes he had to place in the proper hole, what made it unique was the holes moved and changed shape every second.
To anyone watching all they would see would be a faint blur placing blocks in the time it takes an average person to blink.
"Time!"
"5 seconds, you have broken your previous record by 10."
"Good… but I can do better, let's go at it again and change intervals to 30 microseconds." He said to his robotic companion.
Control…
"All right Xander, your objective is to strike this dummy which has the same consistency as a human with the most minimal amount of power, remember your meditative lessons." Giles spoke while Krypto watched.
Xander stood before the dummy, sensors again on his body.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
"Please begin Xander."
Xander did so while breathing slowly…ten seconds later he struck.
*SPLURT!*
"Damn it!" He cursed as the dummy was pulverized.
"You used half your power this time. Good but remember it is a work in progress Xander, control will come in time…" Giles spoke before another dummy appeared "…now again."
All of this and more he was put through as he prepared himself. Giles gave him a full high and college level education that he soaked up like a sponge given the fact that Kryptonian minds were more developed than humans.
"What will you do once your training is complete Xander?"
"Get a job and help people I guess, though what kind of job I'm still wondering." He replied to the machine while petting his dog.
"Given your current skills you have many possibilities available." The Robot spoke.
"Well…I like to work with my hands so I guess I could do something like a mechanic or something…"
"What about carpentry, given your unique past shaping wood it seems like a good choice."
"I'll think about it once I get out of here."
Finally the day came when it was time to venture out into the world. He found himself excited and nervous at the prospect of seeing what kind of world he had been brought to.
"Well Giles, this is it, I'm ready to take a gander at what is out there." Xander spoke. Time had changed the man in both the physical and mental. He stood at 6'4", his body was now teaming with hard packed muscles that conformed to his build.
"Before you do sir, there is the matter of the item the Creator left for you as well as something he wanted you to see before you left the Fortress. I personally have also prepared something of a gift for you that I feel you will need, please follow me." The machine spoke as he headed for the arsenal.
They soon reached the hall the held many weapons on the wall, frankly he tried to avoid touching many of them since he was explained some were planet killers if miss used.
They stopped in front of a pedestal that held the small box.
"So what's the what Giles?"
"This is for when you wish to hide yourself better..." Giles said as he took the box and opened it to reveal a ring with a blue gem. "…this is blue kryptonite."
"Kryptonite?" He asked in shock taken a step back.
"It is only active in close contact with you Xander, and unlike its emerald companion this was not made to harm you…please put it on."
Taking the ring carefully he placed it on his right ring finger; the element gave of a soft glow as it was in proximity to him.
"Now try to use you telescopic vision."
Xander did as asked and found he couldn't.
"This kryptonite suppresses your powers while not causing you harm. The Creator believed that it may help you blend in should you feel the need to act more human or to better hide yourself should someone suspect you of being more than you are."
"Smart, this will come in handy." He spoke as he took it off, noticing the glow stopped.
"Indeed, however remember your bone and muscle density is greater than a human's regardless of that so you should still be careful."
"I'll still use my training if it helps."
"That is all I ask, now for my item of interest…" The machine spoke as he walked towards a nearby console and pressed a sequence of keys. Next to the small pedestal that held the ring the floor opened to reveal a large cylinder.
It split down the center revealing a soft white light, letting out a small gasp at what lay inside.
"Is that…" He started to ask as he stepped closer, revealing a mannequin wearing a suit of deep red, blue and bright yellow.
"I thought appropriate to have this made for you." Giles spoke as the Xander ran his hands over it. It wasn't like the one from the comics.
This one was segmented in areas around the arms legs and torso as if it was body armor not form fitting cloth like the one Clark Kent used, its boots more fitting for motorcycle riding, there was no red trunks just a yellow belt with the shield in the center and it carried a pair of red fingerless gauntlets. In the center of the chest area was the iconic 'S' shield, and the red cape that melded with the neck area had the same shield there as well.
"It is a nano composite suit built to withstand great impacts and climates, it can be hidden by pressing the belt buckle twice causing it to flatten and retreat itself into the belt until needed. Tap it once and the suit flattens itself to a form fitting material to be worn under clothes also the belt has a compartment to help store the ring and can alter it to match any design so as to throw off suspicion."
"Giles…this is incredible!" He spoke in awe.
"Put it on." Giles spoke as he tapped the shield on the belt once; causing the material to flatten and the cape retract itself into the suit.
Xander, did so reverently as he took it off the mannequin and slowly put it on, first the pants, the shirt, followed by the belt, the gloves and boots. He pressed the buckle and the suit expanded to form its original look as the cape flowed until it almost touched the floor.
"How do I look?" He asked.
"Like a true hero, now then for the Creator's final item. Please follow me to the central control area." Xander's robotic companion spoke before walking towards the area that contained the crystals that held much of the knowledge of the planet Krypton as well as other bits of information.
The former Sunnydalian and his pet calmly walked behind the machine, the young man was almost shaking with anticipation for what was next to come.
They soon reached their destination and Giles approached the console and maneuvered certain crystals in a very specific configuration.
Within moments an image appeared before him of the OAA.
-Hello Xander, although the redundancy of myself using a holographic interface to speak to you is quite evident I felt it best given the person with whom I felt it best leave you with some words of confidence.—
With that said the image vanished before another took its place…one that made the young man gasp in surprise.
-Hello Alexander, you may already be familiar with who I am if what I have been told is true, and given the source I do very much believe it to be so, but still allow me to introduce myself my name is Clark Kent or as some in certain circles know me as Superman.—
"Oh my God! Giles is this for real?" the astonished young man asked his robotic ally as he could not believe that the Man of Steel himself was speaking to him.
"Very much so Xander, the Creator felt it best to have him say a few things to you before you embarked out into the world."
Xander nodded before giving his full attention to the message.
-No doubt you are wondering why I am addressing you; the reason is that I wanted to say that I am sorry for what you have lost. No one should have to lose their home or their families for doing the right thing, and you certainly proved that despite the many setbacks in your own way.— The Last son of Krypton said proudly to the young man who carried the other's many memories.
-You showed great courage for helping your friends during such trying circumstances and hardship. I also know full well some of the pain you went through as you tried to master my powers in less than adequate environment, you could have abused the gifts you were given but you held on to your moral fiber and showed great courage and honor.—
-And here you stand in the perfect replica of my people's legacy and wearing the symbol of my house. I have no reservations whatsoever for you to do so however I feel it should be made official…therefore Alexander Harris, as a member of the House of El I welcome you proudly into it and give you the name by which others of our race, should you ever meet them in the future, may call you in their presence, welcome… Xan-El, welcome to the family cousin. — The message ends with the Man of Steel smiling proudly at the man who had been granted his gifts and burdens.
Xander was pole axed for a moment until Giles decided to break him out of his shock.
"I have packed some clothes, food and money for you. It is waiting by the main entrance in a duffel bag."
"Where did you get money?"
"The creator thought it best to have some put aside, you shall find enough funds to keep you safe until you procure a job and home."
"Right…"
*SIGH*
"It's time."
"Where will you go?" Giles asked.
"I think I will go to New York, since it is sort of like Metropolis in the real world; and I always wanted to go there for my road trip of course." He finished.
"Krypto! Here boy!" He called, in less than a second the alien canine arrived.
"WOOF!"
"Take care of the place, okay?"
"BARK!" Krypto replied earning a scratch behind the ear.
"Good boy! Giles I'll be back as soon as I can."
"No hurries, I shall make sure everything is kept in place."
Xander just nodded and headed for the exit picking up his bag as he went, the massive doors that were the entrance slowly opened letting in a gust of icy cold winds and the muted sounds of people talking.
Normally he would have found himself cringing at the sound of many voices but thanks to his training he no longer had to worry about that since he could focus on what to pay attention to.
He did close his eyes as he let the sun hit his face, feeling its energies invigorate him, granting him strength.
With an almost calm reverence he kneels on the cold hard ground and lays his fist upon it…
He concentrates on the one power he has always hoped to master above all others, for in it he has found freedom very few can posses…
The Earth begins to slowly shake, dust and snow parts and with a sudden great force he blasts off the ground at great speed!
Higher and higher he goes, gaining more and more speed as he ascends from the Earths hold into the heavens and all the while…he smiles and laughs with childlike glee as the clouds part and slowly blue skies darkened and more and more stars are seen.
Fully free from the planets hold he turns to look at the world he will safe guard as its champion…its hero…its Superman.
*Ready or not world…here I come.*
With that thought in mind he shoots down into the unknown not knowing what to expect but willing to brave the challenge to come.
To be continued…