Darkseid's Configuration
Disclaimer: I own nothing (unfortunately). All rights and characters in this fic belong to DC Comics, Clive Barker and other respective owners and creators. I gain no profit from this. It's purely for fun. I only own my OC characters.
Note: This chapter is dedicated as a birthday present for my girlfriend, L.J-1983.
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Chapter 2: Deals and Interviews
Superman continued to float in the air, staring down the Toyman's giant mechanical death machine without a shred of doubt or fear in his eyes. Inside the robot, Toyman was drenched in beads of sweat. He thought he would have at least a few more minutes before the Man of Steel would arrive on the scene. His hands were hovering over the buttons and levers inside of his cockpit, wondering what would be the best course of action to take. ''You…you won't get Toyman today, Superman!'' He attempted to sound confident as he talked back through his microphone.
Even without super-hearing, the shakiness in the villain's voice was obvious to anyone listening.
However, before Superman could do anything else, he would have to take care of the people inside of the torn-apart bus held in his hands. He stared inside of the bus, looking at all of the people terrified inside, trying to hold onto something.
''Don't worry, I'll get you all to safety first.'' He pledged calmly.
Kirsty had seen so many unusual things in her life, and yet this easily had to be at the top of the list. This was her first time fully seeing Superman in the flesh. She'd only heard tales of his super heroics, and seen video clips from nothing more advanced than the latest phone model that someone had recorded on. It was quite marvellous to see him like this, despite the perilous situation that she and Tiffany found themselves in. Speaking of Tiffany, she held her first closely, keeping her head rested on her shoulder as she held onto the railing on one of the bus seats as Superman flew them away from the giant clown robot.
Just as Kirsty saw that they were flying lower to ground level and felt assured they would be safe, an angry, booming voice was coming from behind. ''Oh no, you don't!''
Superman turned around in time to see the Toyman's robot raise its clenched fist before jet engines exploded from the wrist and the hand detracted from the body and flew towards them like a rocket. Now the people on the bus were screaming and panicking once again. Superman remained calm, as he had to urgently act before the fist would make contact. He took a deep breath and blew cold air as hard as he could towards the fist. The metal hand's flight slowed gradually, and icicles formed along the metal from the knuckles down towards the engines.
It was a tense moment, to say the least. Kirsty held on for dear life, whilst also keeping hold of her unconscious friend. She looked out of the bus window to see what was going on. She held her breath when she saw that the fist was about the strike the bus until it had finally frozen solid from Superman's breath, and the engines at the back disappeared.
The moment of victory was short-lived though because after the hand stopped and fell harmlessly to the ground, the Toyman's robot charged in their direction. It recoiled its other hand and punched right at Superman. There was no time to freeze this one. Superman reacted quickly, tilting his body backwards and held out his legs so that his feet would block the punch. Even with his amazing strength, the impact from the punch almost caused Superman to lose his grip on the bus that he still held above his head.
Toyman laughed maniacally inside of his machine as he pushed a lever as far as it could go. Superman held strong, pushing back with his legs. But he couldn't focus all of his strength while holding onto the bus at the same time. Sensing this, Toyman took the opportunity to taunt the superhero. ''Your hands look full. Why don't you drop the little dolls, then maybe you can fight back.''
''That's not going to happen,'' Superman called back through gritted teeth.
He knew that Toyman was right about one thing. In this position, he couldn't fight back. He looked around for another possible angle to take this fight, and then an idea came to him. After fixing his gaze towards one of the robot's legs, which dug into the street in an attempt to outmuscle Superman, the Man of Steel fired a quick beam of heat vision, slicing through the clown's legs. Toyman's laughter disappeared immediately and he tried to find a way to balance his machine as he felt it begin to tip over.
The robot hobbled backwards, trying to hold onto one of the close by skyscrapers in an attempt to stay standing. The severed leg crashed to the ground like a cut-down tree. The villainous foe cursed under his breath. Once he found a way to keep his machine still by leaning against an apartment building, his finger hovered over another button.
''This isn't over yet!'' He pressed the button.
Superman may have been free from the struggle, but he didn't have time to set the bus down safely, as he watched the chest of the clown robot open up before suddenly two missiles were fired right at him. Going with the first idea that came to mind, he shot another blast of his heat vision at the missiles, causing them to explode in mid-air. However, the blast was greater than he anticipated, and whilst he would be fine, he knew the people inside of the bus would be incinerated if caught. He was forced to hold the bus with one unsteady hand, holding it behind him so that he could turn around and once again blow another hurricane of cold air to suppress the blast.
Although Kirsty and everyone inside the bus could still feel the intense heat, it isn't as bad as it would have been if they were caught in the explosion. Unfortunately, the unstable vehicle was in such a bad state, that the cracks grew and grew, until the bus was no longer able to stay together. Kirsty watched helplessly as the bus was torn apart off the front, causing the rest of it to slide off and fall.
Superman could feel the bus become lighter within his grip. Once he was sure the blast had been stopped, he turned back around to see the front part of the broken bus still in his hand, as the rest of it with the people still inside fell to the ground below.
Bursting through the dying flames of the missile explosion, the clown robot charged towards Superman, throwing another punch at him. ''Toyman has you now!'' He shouted victoriously.
Toyman didn't realize it until the very last moment, but now that Superman didn't have his hands occupied, he was free to let loose and fight at his full power. Before his eyes could register what was happening, Superman soared towards the fist of the robot with his arms forward, taking the punch head on and flying right through the whole arm, tearing it off as easily as a hot knife cutting through butter. Toyman yelped in surprise as he was thrown around in his cockpit. Lights blared and alarms deafened him all around.
Knowing he didn't have much time, Superman turned back around and flew as fast as he could back towards the bus, but not before going right through the clown robot, crashing into its back and coming out through its chest, shutting it down once and for all. It was agonizing for him to watch the bus fall closer and closer to the ground, leaving him afraid he might not make it in time.
But this was why he was Superman…because he did make it in time.
He flew under the bus where it would have impacted with the ground, and caught it in his hand.
Everyone inside jolted inside from the sudden stop but was otherwise okay. Kirsty held onto the railing tightly, and kept her eyes closed, not wanting to see what had happened. For a moment, she felt like she was drifting. She opened her eyes and saw Superman slowly place the broken bus gently down onto the ground. However, even after dealing the finishing blow, it wasn't over yet. A loud clanking noise caused Kirsty to look up and see that the damaged robot was now threatening to topple and fall on top of them.
Superman took flight, heading for the robot and placing his hands on the chest and slowing the fall. Once he had it under control, he guided the machine so that he would land safely on the ground without killing Toyman inside or crushing anyone on the street.
Finally, it was all over, as he placed the robot on the ground. Feeling that things were safe. Superman peered inside of the machine, seeing Toyman's unconscious body inside the head of the clown. He was going to be fine. Unconscious for a while, but fine otherwise, and would most likely even be awake to pick out his own jail cell.
Inside of the bus, everyone was extremely shaken and some weren't even sure if it was over and they were safe. Kirsty felt safe enough to try and lift herself and Tiffany up. She shook her friend, hoping to wake her up. Thankfully, Tiffany started to come around. Her eyes fluttered open and she rubbed her bleeding head.
''What happened?'' She asked groggily.
''We're safe,'' Kirsty told her confidently. Tiffany wanted to say something else, but the throbbing in her head caused her too much pain to utter a single word, and Kirsty could see it. ''Just rest, for now, we're going to get you help.''
At that moment, the bus door was pulled open, and towering figure of Superman stepped inside. ''Is everyone alright?'' He inquired loudly for everyone to hear. He got a few nods and some half-mumbled responses. He walked inside to help anyone he could onto his or her feet. ''If anyone is able to move, please try to help others off the bus if possible.''
Kirsty lifted Tiffany up, her friend's arm around the back of her neck. ''My friend needs help.'' She said.
Superman noticed them and walked over. He stared at Tiffany, examining her for any internal damage. After a quick rundown, he smiled assuredly towards Kirsty. ''She's going to be fine. Possibly a mild-concussion, but it would be best for someone with medical experience to look her over.''
''Thank you.'' Kirsty sighed with relief.
''Here, I'll take her.'' He offered, reaching underneath to lift Tiffany carefully behind the knees and carry her in his arms. ''Are you…''
''I'm fine,'' Kirsty said. ''Let's just help her.''
''Very well.'' He responded, walking with Tiffany but keeping a slow pace so that Kirsty could keep up with him. After a moment, he turned around to Kirsty. ''I hope this experience hasn't put you off Metropolis's bus route. It's still one of the most reliable sources of public transportation in the state.''
The Guardian's fingers traced along the black markings on the puzzle box until finally, the last piece fit into place. Darkseid watched with great interest as electricity surged all around the box and along the Guardian's hands. ''It is done, they shall see you.'' The human-looking individual whispered before setting the box onto the cold, hard ground and stepping back into the shadows, disappearing from sight.
The Lament Configuration shifted and morphed a few more times before suddenly the echoing chime of church bells rang from all around. Blue light broke through the shadows, enrapturing everything in a heavenly light, though this light was not from heaven, nor even hell. Darkseid waited for a moment before finally a beam of light shot out from the box before it widened into the shape of a door, and silhouettes emerged from inside.
The tyrannical God didn't move or show any sign of fault or fear in his expression as grotesque and beautiful creatures emerged from the doorway and surrounded him, the Cenobites. He could finally see them face-to-face, and this didn't happen often, but Darkseid was quite impressed with what he saw of them. Their aura and power were unlike anything he had felt throughout the cosmos. Not magic, nor technology, they were something completely different.
Chatterer, Butterball and Nikoletta stood around Darkseid, watching him intensely as their Leader was the last to step forward from within the box and emerge before their visitor. It was very rare for Pinhead to be greeted by someone who loomed over him, but he approached Darkseid with the same level of command and subtle charisma as he would with everyone who dared open the box and call for the Cenobites.
A dark grin formed across Darkseid's face as Pinhead full emerged from the doorway, and the light disappeared back into the box. ''Xipe Totec, I presume.''
''Why have you summoned us? Desire has called to us, but not desire we are familiar with.''
''You are correct. However, you are not the one I wish to speak to. I want you to bring me to your master, the God you call Leviathan.''
The other members of the Gash glared at this being with a mixture of surprise and disgust, finding it hard to believe that this individual would immediately start ordering them around, even if he was otherworldly. Pinhead remained poised as he approached Darkseid. ''I am afraid that all those who wish an attendance with Leviathan are only allowed when instructed by him.''
''And he should. It is an honour for any soul, mortal or immortal to be in my presence. The presence of Darkseid.''
This time, a smirk emerged from Pinhead. ''You are not human. We may not know your body or flesh, but we see your desire. Longing and craving for something, that you summon us. You are no different than the hundreds who have come before us, and we shall treat you no differently. Unless you have something substantial to offer us, we shall not waste Leviathan's…or even our own time with you.''
Darkseid was silent, casually glaring around to inspect the other Cenobites. Not looking for an escape, or even looking for a fight. He was sizing them up for something else it seems. ''I see, so in that case, you shall be the messenger, Xipe.''
Pinhead arched his brow curiously. ''And what message would you like me to relay?''
''I am here to make an offer with your kind, a deal if you will, one that I believe will benefit us most exquisitely.''
''Exquisitely, you say? Do not offer so much when everything is at stake. Leviathan is not one that is easily pleased, nor are we.''
''I find that difficult to believe.'' Darkseid folded his arms behind his back and walked at a slow pace around, taking his time to stare down the other Cenobites. ''I have researched you. For centuries, Cenobites traversed between the plains of reality. Collecting the souls and flesh of those who seek out the further realms of pleasure and pain. It is…so small.''
A sense of slight irritation washed over Pinhead for a moment, but he drowned it out and prodded. ''To further push the boundaries of pain and pleasure is small in your eyes? I disagree. It is all.''
''How so?''
''Pain is all, and when there is no pain, there is pleasure. In between lays us, the Cenobites. Void of emotion and feeling. We are nothing, and thus can witness how far the upper limits of pain and pleasure can be pushed. Ecstasy and agony are limitless when pushed. That is why it is not small.''
''Hmm, an admirable view. However, what if I was to offer you and Leviathan the chance to continue your exploration of the limits a thousand-fold? No…ten thousand.''
Now the Cenobites stared at each other, comprehending what they had just heard. Pinhead looked at Darkseid curiously. ''How can you offer this to us?''
''In my domain, lies the agony and cries of millions of souls across the stars. I could offer you and Leviathan the chance to further explore the limits of pain on flesh and bodies that you have never come across before if you are to do one thing for me.''
''And that is?''
''I want you to destroy the Kryptonian, Kal-El. The one the mortals call Superman!'' Darkseid said sinisterly.
The Gash was all taken back by this deal, including Pinhead. In the past few years, they would come across lost souls who would whisper and share dreams of this superhuman individual. They had never met him before, but they knew of him, and could only fathom the power that he had demonstrated in the tales they have heard. Pinhead considered for a moment. ''Destroy? How do you mean?''
Darkseid's grin grew as if the thought of what he was about to say gave him great pleasure, and Pinhead could feel it brewing inside the tyrant. ''You wish to test the limits of pain on a soul? Then execute it on the Man of Steel. He will have never faced anything quite like you. He will be outmatched and unable to counter. I want you to grind him through the most excruciating pain he has experienced, over and over again until he is literally begging for death. Then, I want you to cut out his Kryptonian heart, and bring it to me.''
The expression on Pinhead's face was unreadable, even for Darkseid. The other Cenobites waited for the Hell Priest to answer, very tempted to speak their part and have their say, but they thought best and would only allow Xipe to respond. Eventually, Pinhead answered. ''We shall bring your offer forward to Leviathan, and then only he will decide.''
''Excellent.'' Darkseid walked over to the box still laying on the ground, picking it up and holding it in the palm of his gigantic hand. His black fingers trailed over the markings sub-consciously. ''I believe this will be the beginning of a delectable partnership.''
Pinhead narrowed his eyes towards Darkseid. ''Once again, I disagree. But I will let Leviathan speak for us.''
''Yes, you shall.''
Kirsty was happy to see Tiffany was responsive and seemingly wide-awake now as the paramedic flashed a small light into her pupils, testing her reactions. Her friend was currently sitting in the back of a parked ambulance, her head bandaged up and conversing with the kind-hearted paramedic. Kirsty stood close by, watching everything else going on around her. Emergency services were busy tidying up the scene, tending to the other injured, and some were busy cuffing and carrying away the still sleeping Toyman. A part of Kirsty wanted to rush over and kick the man in the groin for everything that's happened but thought better of it. As long as everyone was safe and well, including Tiffany.
As for Superman, he was helping but lifting up the remains of the damaged robot to help clear the area. It was still an unbelievable sight to behold, even after everything that's just happened, seeing him lift up something so colossal so easily. Kirsty could help but smile as she watched the superhuman individual display his power. It suddenly reminded her of another remarkable, inhuman person that she knew. Not inhuman in a bad way.
She didn't have much time to think about him though, as the paramedic finished with Tiffany, talking to both ladies. ''You're going to be fine. Just take it easy for the next few days. Any problems, come to us immediately.''
''Thank you,'' Kirsty said on Tiffany's behalf. The paramedic nodded before rushing off to tend to any other injured. Kirsty sat beside her friend. ''How are you feeling?''
''Like my head is about to explode.'' She replied groggily.
''Do you need anything?''
Tiffany shook her head. ''Just some rest, like he said, and I'll be fine.''
Unsure of what to say or how to make her friend feel better, Kirsty tried to lighten the mood. ''Not exactly how we wanted to start our reunion, huh?''
A small hum came from Tiffany along with an amused smile. ''No, but…I think I'd rather a giant clown robot than ever having to see those things again.''
Kirsty felt something twist inside of her. She knew full well that Tiffany was referring to the Cenobites, including the Lead Cenobite. She couldn't blame her friend for thinking that way, she'd only had one encounter with them and it wasn't the best kind of encounter. Kirsty at least had the chance to meet Pinhead more than once, and saw the humanity in him from before and was reunited with him again to deal with her scumbag of a husband, Trevor. Kirsty was now certain it wouldn't be a good idea to bring up that bit of backstory to Tiffany.
She was brought out of her thoughts as she heard a grumble come from Tiffany. ''I'm definitely going to be late for my interview now.''
Kirsty couldn't help but laugh. ''I think that should be the last of your worries.''
Another voice then called out. ''Excuse me?''
Kirsty and Tiffany looked up to see a well-dressed, professional looking woman approach them, followed by a young photographer with ginger hair. Kirsty recognized the woman as the one she bumped into before the bus trip with the clumsy boyfriend. Lois, that was her name.
''Were you two on that bus?'' Lois asked them.
''Yes,'' Kirsty answered hesitantly.
Lois broke out into a wide-grin and quickly fetched for her pen and notepad. ''Hi, Lois Lane! Reporter for the Daily Planet! Do you mind if I ask you some questions about what happened?''
''Uh…'' Kirsty hesitated and shrugged her shoulders. ''I don't know…''
Lois didn't back down though. ''I'm not going to go too hard or anything like that, just a few questions if you'll allow me. Just to get the story of what happened.''
''There's…not much to it. We were attacked, and Superman saved us.''
The photographer chuckled and nodded in approval. ''Yeah, Superman's always here to save the day.''
Lois turned sharply to the young man. ''Jimmy, we're working here. Professional please.''
Jimmy nodded erratically. ''Right, sorry Miss Lane.'' He was about to take some photos of the scene when Tiffany held out her hand to stop him, which he did instantly.
''No pictures please,'' She pleaded kindly. ''I look like a train wreck.''
''I think you look great,'' Jimmy said before he could stop himself. A moment of awkward silence followed by, and the photographer's cheeks started to become as red as his hair. ''I mean you look great frame-wise…not that you wouldn't look great not frame-wise. I was just implying that…''
''Breath, Jimmy,'' Lois ordered with a smirk.
''Yes, Miss Lane.'' He stopped himself and tried to look everywhere except Tiffany's bashful and cute round face.
At least the mood seemed to have been lifted from that little moment, and Kirsty felt a little more at ease, especially seeing a grin return to her friend and that she was more wide-awake. She turned to Lois. ''Okay, you can ask me.'' She got to her feet to give Tiffany some space. She then noticed Jimmy raise his camera in her direction and stopped him. ''But no pictures please.''
Lois nodded at her. ''Right, got it, no pictures.'' After giving Jimmy a quick look, she left with Kirsty to move away so that they could be interviewed alone and give Jimmy the chance to photograph the aftermath of the carnage around them. As he did, he attempted to break the ice with Tiffany in a less awkward way now that it was just the two of them. ''This must have been pretty intense to have been in the middle of.''
''A little, yeah.''
''A little?''
Tiffany quietly laughed. ''Well, I was unconscious throughout most of it.''
''But you're going to be okay?'' He asked with genuine concern, which caught Tiffany off guard a little. She didn't expect a complete stranger to be so worried about her well-being. To put him at ease, she bobbed her head gently and smiled at him.
Further away, Lois and Kirsty stood face to face, with the reporter ready to write down in her trusty notepad. ''First, could I get your name?''
''Kirsty. Just Kirsty.''
''Kirsty, right.'' Lois wrote down. Kirsty was thankful that the reporter didn't probe for the last name. Perhaps she was used to having to keep identities a secret from the public. She felt better knowing that she had a sympathetic reporter to deal with rather than a pushy one. She was confused though when Lois seemed to stare at her. ''Have we met before? You look familiar.''
''Oh yeah, we bumped into each other earlier. Well, it was your boyfriend, I think.''
''That's right,'' Lois said as it came back to her. ''I'm sorry about that again.''
''It's fine,'' Kirsty replied. Then she considered something else. ''Is he here, by the way? Do you work in the same field?''
''Oh, we do, he's just somewhere else at the moment. Helps to cover more of the story if we spread out.''
''I see.''
''So, in your own words, how would you describe what happened?''
''Oh God, scary would be the understatement of the year.''
''Yeah, probably the scariest thing that's ever happened to you.''
Kirsty paused. ''Y-yeah. Probably.''
Lois must have noticed her little moment of doubt because she took a moment before asking the next question. ''What exactly happened?''
''Uh…a giant robot came out of nowhere and picked up the bus we were on. I didn't know what was going to happen, or if we were all going to die. I really thought we were going to die. When you-know-who shows up.'' She gestured towards Superman, still flying around to help move the wreckage a fair distance away from them.
Lois stared at him for a little longer than Kirsty did before continuing with the interview. ''So what exactly happened? Could you describe what Superman did in depth?''
''Well, he…'' She stopped when she noticed something written in Lois's notepad. ''Uh, there's no F in depth.''
The reporter stared down into her notepad before quickly scribbling out the misspelt word. Once that was fixed, Kirsty was allowed to tell the story of what happened, in as much detail as she could remember. It all seemed to happen like a blur, and there were parts that she didn't end up seeing, but Lois thought that what she had already was more than enough.
''Is that everything?'' Kirsty asked curiously.
''That's great, thank you so much for your help,'' Lois replied back, quickly closing her notepad and placing it in a pouch by her side. She fumbled inside of it for a little bit longer before pulling out a small card with some details written on it. ''If there's anything else you missed or can remember, don't be afraid to buzz me.''
Kirsty took the card. ''I will. Thank you.''
''No, thank you. It sounds like you've had one hell of a day.''
Just then, a shadow loomed over them. The two ladies looked up and saw the magnificent sight of Superman hovering above them. Kirsty was still as awe-struck as ever, while Lois on the other hand, while still looking impressed had probably seen this many times before. ''Is your friend going to be okay, ma'am?'' He asked.
''She is, yes, thank you,'' Kirsty replied.
''That's good.'' He said. He then shifted his gaze over to Lois, and his expression seemed to soften more than it already was. ''Hello, Lois.''
''Long time no see, Superman,'' Lois replied back.
''We see each other quite often.''
''From a certain point of view, yeah,'' Lois said to him before leaning close to Kirsty. ''Being a reporter, I see plenty of pictures of him.'' She suddenly froze when she caught onto the double meaning. ''Not in that way.''
Kirsty laughed. ''I understand.''
Superman scooped the area one final time. ''I think I've done all I can for now. The proper authorities will take care of the rest. Have a good day.'' He nodded to Lois and Kirsty before flying higher and faster into the air and soaring into the distant sky, leaving behind a wave of cheers and loud thanks from the crowd around.
Yet again, a big grin broke out across Kirsty's face as she watched the Man of Steel disappear from view. ''He is something else.''
Lois's lips curled into a knowing grin. ''He sure is.''
To Be Continued…
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