Issue #27 – A STOLEN BIRTHRIGHT
Gotham City:
Having parked her car, Lois Lane walked up the steps to the front door of Wayne Manor, thinking only about Clark, praying that he was alright. She wasn't sure how she was going to approach Bruce Wayne. Should she reveal that she knows who he is? Or should she wait and see if he could help her as Bruce Wayne or not before playing her ace? At this point, it didn't matter. All she really cared about was finding Clark. The door opened, revealing Bruce's long-time butler and friend, Alfred.
"May I help you Ma'am?"
"I'm here to see Bruce Wayne, my name is Lois Lane, I'm a reporter for the Daily Planet in Metropolis…"
"I'm afraid Mr. Wayne is rather busy at the moment…"
"Prowling the rooftops of Gotham?" Lois asked sarcastically, prompting Alfred to laugh nervously.
"I'm afraid I don't quite follow you Miss Lane…"
Over Alfred's shoulder, Lois spotted a familiar figure walking down the stairs inside the house. Bruce Wayne, Gotham's favourite son, and billionaire immediately recognised the reporter from Metropolis.
"Alfred, it's alright…what can I do for you Miss Lane?"
"I need your help…or Batman's…it doesn't matter which."
"Batman? I'm afraid I can't help you there. I suppose you could try asking Commissioner Gordon to activate the bat-signal…"
"Yeah I thought about that," Lois replied, "But I thought, why should I make Batman come to me, when I can just go to him?"
"You'll have to forgive me Miss Lane, I'm afraid I'm no Edward Nigma, riddles just aren't my thing."
"Let me be clear then…you're Batman, and don't try to deny it…we have a mutual friend…you know, red cape…and glasses."
Suddenly it dawned on Bruce that Clark Kent must have told her. He wondered for a moment if he go down to the cave and get the kryptonite he had stored there ever since his first encounter with the Man of Steel and pay him a visit, but Lois interrupted his thought, seemingly knowing what Bruce was thinking.
"Clark didn't tell me…I figured it out myself when he told me his own secret identity."
"If you're looking for a story here, you won't find one…"
"I'm not here to reveal your secret to the world Bruce…I need your help."
Space:
"…Resurrection complete…bodily functions restored to normal capacity…"
Superman opened his eyes, his vision distorted at first. It had seemed like days, weeks even, since he had embraced Lois…but it had been hours. He had been killed and revived over and over, his mind unable to separate reality from fantasy anymore. He coped by remembering times long since passed. But his will to carry on was fading fast.
He was a normal human being now. His kryptonite prison combined with the lack of any sunlight had drained him of his powers. But still he fought on, still he resisted. However each time he was brought back from death, his spirit and faith depleted, bit by bit. Each time he was close to death, he began wishing that it would be the last. That he would not be revived.
He felt something sharp against his spine, pushing through, causing him to cry out in agony. He felt electricity being shocked through his now fragile body. The floor was red, stained with the blood that had been dripping through wounds all over his body for hours.
Every bone in his body was broken, then healed only to be shattered again. On and on it went. The hero of Earth, the man of tomorrow had been reduced to a quivering mass. He felt nothing now but pain. Even the soothing images of his beloved were gone from his mind now, to be replaced by fear and a growing understanding that he would never escape.
Finally the spear ripped through his heart. He was dead…
There was nothing, only darkness. Then suddenly, a blinding flash of white light. And there he was, Jor-El.
"…My son…you must endure the pain. You must fight on…you are humanity's only hope…"
"Father…"
And then Jor-El's eyes were red. His skin was covered in blisters…he was on fire. The heat was unbearable. The temperature soared as the father he never knew was burned alive in front of him. Kal-El tried to help but he couldn't move. He was paralysed. Then he could feel his own body on fire. Flames rising up around him, he screamed…
Clark opened his eyes. He looked at his skin, seeing the scars from the torture he was enduring. But he was alive. The now familiar green glow of his prison all around him.
"…Welcome back Kal-El. The world of the living awaits you once again."
Clark looked up. It was Darkseid, the one responsible for everything that was happening to him.
"You…why…why are you doing this to me?"
"You are doing it to yourself. Your idealistic views, your morals and diseased ethics are an abomination. You are a being of great strength and power. Yet you choose to save these pathetic people, when you could rule them."
"They are a great race…"
"They do not deserve your empathy son of Krypton. They do not deserve your mercy or your faith in them. These humans have spent history killing each other, judging others on their beliefs, the colour of their skin, going to war over trivial matters. They are savages and what they deserve is to be wiped from existence."
"No…they are more civilised than you. They have problems but they are a young race."
"Perhaps…there's no need to worry Kal-El. I do not wish to destroy them. Only to control them. Their concept of free will is irrelevant. Soon they will learn that their place in the universe is servitude. They are slaves…they just don't know it yet…I admire your strength of will Kal-El. Many have been tortured in this manner before, but none have endured as much as you. Your continued faith in mankind, your power is commendable. That is why you are here."
Clark looked at the one who had taken him prisoner. Darkseid's imposing figure was intimidating to say the least.
"I respect you Kal-El. Your power is great. Had I not taken action, you would have surely posed a threat to me. But your fate will be the same as those whom you protect. You will serve me."
"I will never be your slave…and there are others, those who will oppose you and defeat you."
"Ah yes…Earth is home to many powerful beings. I have witnessed their power. I have seen the Amazon, watched the chosen one of the guardians…they are strong. But you are their strongest weapon Kal-El. Without you fighting with them, their power becomes insignificant."
"Kill me then…"
"You long for death. I see it in your eyes. Your body is weak. Your mind is ready to collapse. No…I have other plans for you. Your body will be destroyed over and over…but each time you die, your mind remains intact. I need only repair your body, and you live again. However I am aware of the mental strains, the images that flash through your head. Each time it happens you become weaker. When you reach your final moments, when your mind and body reach the point where you cannot be revived again…then you will be mine."
Wayne Manor:
"…Is there anything else you can think of? Any clues or maybe something that seems unimportant?"
Lois struggled to regain her composure as she put her trust in a man who had always had doubts about Clark.
"That's all there is Bruce. One minute he was fighting these strange women, the next he had vanished in a ball of light."
Bruce didn't speak. His mind went through all the information Lois had given him, searching for answers. He had spent years mistrusting Superman, but he had always respected him. Now Clark needed his help. He just didn't know where to begin.
"…Come on. Do something. Stop sitting there like a statue. If Batman can't find an answer then maybe Bruce Wayne can. I know Wayne Enterprises has connections with the government. See if they know anything. Please…"
"I'll try…Look, the best thing you can do right now is try to calm down. Stay here, and if you need anything, Alfred will look after you."
"Where are you going?"
"To find some answers…"
Space:
High above, Darkseid was making final preparations for his attack on Earth. His fleet was breaking formation, getting into position to begin the assault. On the planet below, the people of Earth were blissfully unaware of the war that was about to begin. The cloaked ships, hidden from military and commercial tracking stations were in their final checks. Their weapons charged, each ship, from large battle cruisers to smaller fighters were making ready.
Inside the flagship, Desaad continued his vicious and unrelenting torture of Superman. Kal-El had forgotten who he was, where he was…all that flashed through his mind now was the knowledge that he existed to suffer.
Darkseid looked out of a window in his chambers, his gaze fixed on the blue planet he had come to wage war on. He heard the door open, and without turning to greet the visitor, he waited for his minion to speak.
"Final check is complete my lord. All ships report ready. They are awaiting your orders."
Darkseid remained silent. Another world was his for the taking. Another world ready to be conquered. And in the heart of the ship, their only hope was learning the meaning of damnation.
"Lord Darkseid...your orders?"
Darkseid allowed himself a little smile.
"Attack……"
Metropolis:
Inside the Daily Planet, Jimmy Olsen and his boss, Perry White were stunned into silence, watching live news reports coming in from all over the world. They had come from nowhere, and now they were everywhere. Countless alien craft descending from the skies. Armed with his camera, Jimmy Olsen headed to the roof of the Daily Planet, looking out over the city he saw the invasion with his own eyes.
On the streets, dozens of landing craft deployed hundreds of foot soldiers, armed with advanced weaponry. The National Guard and the army were struggling to hold back the threat. Gunfire raged as bullets flew through the air to find their targets. Rounds from tanks and missile launchers were fired at the battle cruisers. Fierce explosions and large fireballs could be seen citywide.
One of the larger battle cruisers hovered above, firing a bright red beam from an energy cannon, toppling the building that was once the home of LexCorp. As the building fell, it crushed many of the people below, who had been trying to get away from the battle.
Darkseid's army advanced through the streets of Metropolis. The commander of terrifying force noticed a woman and a child, hugging each other, calling out for Superman to help them. He raised his weapon and fired, killing them both. The streets were paved with the blood of the innocent. Anyone with a gun, be he civilian or in uniform was being encouraged to put up a fight. But the invading forces were overwhelming the city's defences.
In the skies above, another battle was ongoing. Fighters from a nearby airbase had been deployed to deal with incoming enemy craft. These attack drones weren't very manoeuvrable, but their sheer numbers were making it difficult for the American pilots to handle. Squadrons of fighters, dodging and weaving through the swarm of drones, targeting their enemy. Missiles and countless rounds of ammunition were shot at the invaders. Radio chatter was constant throughout the dogfight as the pilots desperately tried to defend the city, while trying to survive the onslaught.
"…Bogey at 10 o' clock, Hawk 2 dive down so I can get a clear shot…"
"Copy that…" An explosion ripped through the air as the target was destroyed.
"…I have a lock, firing…" Another hit.
"Good shooting…"
Suddenly another wave of drones burned through the atmosphere, taking out four fighters instantly with energy blasts.
"…Sir there's too many of them. We have to pull back..."
"…Negative, stay where you are pilot, we ain't retreating…"
More flashes of light, rocking explosions and loud bangs as both sides lost fighters. The battle raged. On the ground and in the air, it was obvious that the American military was proving to be no match for Darkseid's fleet and without Superman, there seemed to be little hope.
New York City:
The weather front that had battered the coastline earlier in the day had now been replaced by a different kind of storm. The Statue of Liberty had been completely blown away by one of the cruisers primary energy cannons and the streets of New York were now empty, save for the two opposing military forces.
However unlike in Metropolis, the combined forces of the military were winning this battle. Leading the fight was the ambassador for the Amazons, Wonder Woman. While attending a council meeting at the UN, she bore witness to the first wave of attacks from Darkseid's armada. Leaping into action, she flew straight out of the landmark building and into the heat of battle.
Leading the fight, the Amazon easily disposed of the incoming foot soldiers, her great strength unmatched by her foes. Looking up into the sky, she saw attack drones shooting down fighter jets with ease. Rising into the air, she stretched out her arms, making fists and flew straight through one of the drones like a missile.
As it exploded behind her, she was already focussing on her next target. As energy fire threatened her, she deflected it with ease, then striking powerful kicks and punches, tearing the enemy fighters apart.
Fighting off wave after wave of enemy drones, she was grateful for the arrival of more Air Force fighters. Together they struck telling blows, diminishing the enemy forces. Returning to ground level, Wonder Woman began disabling and destroying the weapons on the landing craft.
Sensing that the troops now had the situation well in hand, she looked out to sea to find three giant cruisers hovering, engaged in a battle with naval battleships.
Flying out, she landed on the main deck of the lead ship, watching as the gun turrets opened up, firing on the enemy cruisers. Suddenly an energy blast destroyed a nearby ship, causing Wonder Woman to pray silently for a moment in respect to the lives that had been lost.
Missile launches were engaged on all the remaining battle ships, all targeting the same cruiser. Diana looked on as the missiles got a direct hit, causing small explosions throughout the cruiser as it fell into the sea before being destroyed completely in a ball of flame.
"One down…two to go…" she muttered to herself.
Taking off, Diana flew to the second cruiser, attempting to disable the fearsome cannons, however she had to quickly dodge to evade incoming fire from the secondary weapons platform on the cruiser. Flying high up, then diving back down, twisting and turning, trying desperately to avoid laser fire aimed at her. She moved closer to the last cruiser but found she had to escape energy blasts from there too.
Soon both cruisers were charging and firing their primary cannons, both aiming for her. She couldn't escape them, they seemed to be able to target and follow her automatically.
As if things couldn't get any worse, the Amazon was now having to dodge friendly fire as well, since the battleships in the water had begun firing again. She was running out of tricks and she knew it. Then a thought crossed her mind. Wonder Woman began flying in circles.
The officers below on the battleships were just as confused as the operators inside the large cruisers, but they stopped firing to see what, if anything the hero had in mind. In fact, Diana did have a plan, she had been counting the seconds between the time it took both cruisers to recharge and fire after each shot.
She was counting on the cannons following her…she would need to time it perfectly. Both ships fired their primary cannons at Wonder Woman. Dodging she began to count as she stopped flying and just hovered, knowing both cannons were locked onto her.
"Wait for it…"
The hum from each cruiser as their cannons charged was deafening to her ears.
"Wait for it…"
She could almost sense that the cannons were nearing full power. She took a deep breath, attempting to keep calm even as the cruisers were getting closer and closer to firing their primary weapons at her.
"Waaaaiiitt…"
Remaining still in mid air, Wonder Woman counted down the seconds as the cannons reached their maximum yield potential. Surges of energy passed through the cruisers as the cannons prepared to fire.
"NOW!"
Suddenly she wasn't hovering anymore. Diana was flying through the air, streaking across the sky, the cannons of each cruiser following her as she passed between them. They fired.
Missing their target by mere inches, the powerful energy beams from each cannon kept going, striking new targets…each other. Both cruisers were struck by the blasts, and Diana watched as they were hit by internal explosions. Flying to a safe distance the Amazon looked on as both cruisers reached critical states and exploded with a loud bang, debris falling into the ocean as both cruisers were destroyed.
The crews of the ships below cheered as the sky was light up by the explosions. Diana, satisfied, flew back towards land, to ensure that all was well in the city before moving on to the next battle zone where she may be needed.
High above the clouds Darkseid was on his ship, watching battles unfold on large monitors. Some he was winning, some he was losing. All over the world, his fleet were engaged in war with Earth's nations. He admitted to himself that he had underestimated the heroes of Earth, however they couldn't hold out forever and it wouldn't be long before he unleashed his greatest weapon on the world.
In his cell, Superman was forced to watch the war on giant screens, only being shown battles in which the people of Earth were losing…including the battle in the city of Metropolis. Looking on as the people he had protected for so long were killed in their thousands, Clark wept. His thoughts were of Lois, not knowing if she was ok, or even alive in the midst of this war. He didn't scream as the blades were sliced into his arms and legs, he just accepted that it was his fate.
All over the world, a war was being waged. Casualties in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas were devastating. Darkseid's Death Stalkers, giant battle cruisers were causing fear and destruction. One blast from their primary weapons was enough to destroy Houston, Edge City Sydney and London while other major cities across the globe also suffered major losses as the normal-sized battle cruisers did massive amounts of damage.
However there was hope. Wonder Woman had almost single-handedly defeated forces in New York and Washington D.C. while The Flash and Green Lantern had teamed up, defeating forces in Los Angeles and Miami and they were now making their way across the country, fighting off enemy forces as they made their way towards Metropolis to help the falling soldiers in the war effort there.
But as news reports came in, there was one question on everyone's lips. Where in the world was Superman? Darkseid's forces were unrelenting. For every battle they lost, they won five more. Earth's heroes were being overwhelmed and needed help. They needed Superman. But the Man of Steel wasn't even on the planet.
On Darkseid's ship, Kal-El watched as the human race was in peril. He cried openly now. His emotions taking over as he tried to summon up strength to break free of his prison and return to the planet to help defeat the great armies of Darkseid.
Clark clenched his fists, tensed his muscles and searched for strength…but there was none to find. It had been replaced by pain as Desaad continued to taunt him. His body mutilated, blood being drained from his veins, electricity passing through his body frying his nervous system. His heart stopped…he died.
Clark opened his eyes. He was alive again. On and on it went. Clark didn't care anymore why Darkseid kept bringing him back. With each death, his will grew weaker. Kal-El knew he was finished. There was no more fight left in him and he was slowly going insane.
He screamed. His tendons were severed, his internal organs compressed and then filled with air until they exploded, killing him. Then, as before he woke up. At first thinking it was just a nightmare then realising he had been dead. He felt nothing this time around. His mind had disconnected from the pain, his spirit had been torn to shreds.
When his eyes opened again, he stared at Desaad and Darkseid, struggling to form words as he opened his mouth to speak. He wasn't entirely sure what he was saying, but the evil he was confronting seemed to find it funny, smiling back at him, almost laughing as he spoke.
"Just…kill me…"