Quickie # 10: Know Who Are

Downtown Metropolis

Plumes of smoke engulf the city

Alone I stand

As an earth shattering roar quakes the asphalt beneath my feet

My eyes are drawn to the heavens

Crimson beams so light cracks the sky

They have stone the heart from inside you…

I place my hand across my breast

"Gods, give me strength…" I whisper under my breath.

The globe atop the Daily Planet tumbles to the ground down the street

Flames flare up in front of me

Bruce's voice screams in my ear

"He's gone… run Diana!"

A figure emerges from the flames

Towering and covered in spikes it stands atop the globe in the distance

The creature shrieks

Windows shatter

I have crossed the horizon to find you

The creature's head snaps his head towards me

Flaming eyes stare back a me

Teeth bare

A snarl

The spiked creature steps towards me

Making the ground shake as it moves

A broken 'S' upon it chest

I know your name

Faster and faster he moves

I close my eye

My legs move forward

They have stolen the heart from inside you

I feel the flames brush against face

Bruce continues to call out to me but I press forward

Time itself slows

I feel his rushing wind hurdling towards me

My blade slips from my finger tips

But this does not define you

I wrap my lasso around my fingers

The wind stops

The earth no longer quakes

Flaming heat beats against my flesh

Heavy breath caresses me

This is not who you are

I lift my hand upwards

My fingers spread across something hard and hot

Slowly I open my eyes

His regal 'S' broken beneath my finger tips

Tears fall down the side of my face

His eyes meet mine

"Look at your city," I whisper. "You swear to protect them…"

My hand slides across his broad spike ridden chest

He struggles beneath my hand

I feel his roar under my hand

This is not who you are

"You can fight this…" I continue. "Fight this for them, fight this for yourself…"

The crimson flames swirl outside the broader of his eyes

He's eyes survey the destruction

This is not who you are

He moves back from me

He places his hands on either side of his head screaming

I float up

Eyes to eye I stare into his flames

Tears poor down his cheeks

His eyes close

I lean in closer

I place my head against his cupping his face

"… Fight this for me…"

You know who you are…

Flesh to flesh

I brush the tears from his face

Crimson eyes fade to blue

"I am Kal-El…" he whispers.

A kiss is place upon my lips

"Welcome back Kal…"