Issue #30 – KINGDOM COME
In the clear blue skies above the Fortress of Solitude, Darkseid's fleet was assembling and moving into an attack formation. On the ground, an array of defence cannons emerged from the snow and ice around the fortress.
While Superman would normally have no use for such weapons due to his extraordinary powers, he had installed them as a precaution after Lex Luthor had entered the structure unopposed months before. Based on designs in the Krypton Archive, Kal-El constructed the cannons with the help of the resources of Wayne Enterprises and now they were about to be tested.
Hundreds of drones descended, firing on the fortress. The crystal building was designed to absorb and convert energy, and it was proving a good defence against the relatively light weapons of the drones. The cannons fired upwards, laying down a blanket of laser fire, destroying any drones that came into range.
Twelve battle cruisers and three massive Deathstalkers hovered high above, their docking bays opening to unleash thousands more drones as four of the cruisers charged their primary guns and fired streams of intense energy at the fortress, causing some of the crystals to overload and explode.
Inside, the fortress shook. Lashina watched as Bruce Wayne took control of the defence cannons, targeting the cruisers. Locking onto the nearest ship, he prepared to activate the weapon. However the firing mechanism failed as the cannon was blown away by a shot from the cruiser.
Meanwhile, Clark Kent sat on the floor of a prison containment room, his heart in shreds as he tried to overcome the painful thoughts in his mind. Lois sat with him, comforting Clark as he remembered the torture methods of Desaad. She listened as he spoke between tears, explaining what was done to him on board Darkseid's ship.
"It's Ok Clark…it's over. You don't have to be afraid anymore…"
"No Lois…it's not. I close my eyes and I see it. I go through it again. I'm trying to let it go but I can't get it out of my head."
Lois put her arms around her beloved, trying desperately to give him some peace and comfort. They ignored the sounds of energy fire outside and the shaking every time the building was struck by blasts from the cruisers. Kal-El didn't even notice. He was too consumed with the terror in his mind.
In an adjacent room, Wonder Woman and the Flash waited and watched as a bright green glow filled the area. The Green Lantern had his eyes closed as his ring was recharged. As the glow faded and the recharge was completed, all three were unsure what to do.
"So are we going out there or what?" Barry Allen asked, itching to get into the battle.
"We're waiting…"
"For what?"
"Superman…" replied Hal Jordan.
"Have you seen him? He's in no condition to take part in this fight."
"Maybe so, but he's our friend. Our brother. We can't just leave him when he needs us most."
They were walking now, heading towards the control room where Batman was commanding the defence cannons.
"Look…he may never be the Superman we all know again. But we all know that he would be the first person to go out there if he could. We owe it to him, to the world to fight."
"…I wouldn't recommend it. Not yet…"
Batman turned briefly to greet the heroes, before returning to maintaining the defences. In front of him there was a holographic screen, showing the positions of every ship in the fleet above.
"If you go out there now, you'll get caught in the crossfire."
Outside, the drones continued to try and penetrate the chaos of laser fire protecting the fortress. While the cruisers were striking direct hits on the structure, the crystals were absorbing most of the energy, causing minimal damage.
As one of the cannons rotated, it locked onto a target, firing a steady beam of energy, ripping through one of the cruisers, destroying it in an explosive display of flames and debris.
The cannon targeted another cruiser and fired, blowing it apart. It fired on a third ship, only to fail as a squadron of drones came together to take the blast head on, being destroyed but protecting the cruiser.
The largest of the cruisers, Deathstalkers, spread out, waiting as the drones and smaller cruisers moved out of the way before firing. Three beams enough to obliterate entire cities were still unsuccessful as the fortress absorbed the energy.
The Fortress of Solitude was battered by energy blasts and some of the crystals were inevitably overloading and splitting apart. However it was only minor damage and the structure remained intact although inside, everything was shaking and some of the exotic furnishings were falling from the walls.
"…I'm here Clark, I'll always be here…"
Lois Lane stayed with Kal-El, trying to help him through the sadness and agony in his heart.
"I know Lois…but it's not just the torture…it's not just the dying over and over again. It's something worse."
"What is it Clark? Tell me."
"I…I can't."
"Let me in Clark, let me help you. Let me love you."
"How can you love a monster?"
"You're not a monster. Do you hear me? You are the most genuine, loving, decent man I've ever known."
"No, I'm not. On that ship, the one who tortured me for his master, Desaad…I killed him…"
"It was self defence…"
"No Lois, I killed him in cold blood. Darkseid freed me, and picked Desaad up and I snapped him in half."
"Darkseid was manipulating you. He messed with your mind. It wasn't you Clark…"
"Yes it was. I knew what I was doing. I'm no better than Zod."
"Zod?"
"Zod wanted revenge. When I killed Desaad, it wasn't self-defence, it was vengeance. I wanted to kill him for what he did to me. Just like I want to kill Darkseid. The worst thing is, when I held Desaad's life in my hands, when I took it away from him, I liked it. It was…satisfaction. I am a monster Lois, like Doomsday, like Zod…"
"No Clark, your not a monster…you're human. Maybe not physically, your spirit, your emotions…it's a human thing Clark."
"No it's not…Darkseid didn't brainwash me, he unlocked feelings and thoughts that were already there."
"Exactly…Clark how long have you been on this world? All your life…you are human. Everyone on the planet has dark thoughts, even the pope has them. But it doesn't make you a monster Clark. Darkseid brought that darkness to the surface but it's not who you are. He forced you to face that darkness, forced you to endure it and embrace it."
"What do you mean? How can you justify what I've done?"
"It's easy, because you didn't do it. Those feelings were there, of course they were. But I know your heart Clark. Darkseid tried to take away who you are and replace it with something that's alien to you. There's evil in us all. But in you, it's pushed back by the goodness in your heart. But Darkseid locked your humanity away, took away your control."
"But how can I know for sure that it's not who I am?"
"Look at yourself Clark, you despair over something you had no control over. Your tears are the proof. If the darkness was who you really are, there would be no remorse, no regret. But you're torturing yourself over it."
"When did you get so philosophical?"
"Oh that happened when a strange man in tights flew in and saved me from crashing in a plane a while back…"
They shared a moment, smiling softly at each other before kissing and holding each other close as the battle began to heat up outside.
The Deathstalkers were not having much luck in striking significant blows on the fortress. So the commanders of the ship changed strategy. Instead of firing on the crystal building, the giant cruisers, concentrated their fire on the surrounding area.
Intense laser fire melted the snow and ice around the fortress, which ended up floating alone on water. The cannons however, with no solid ground, slowly sank beneath the surface, short-circuiting as water leaked into the chargers, rendering them useless.
With the defence cannons out of the way, there was now nothing to stop the fleet concentrating on the fortress. The cruisers and drones now began firing with a near-constant stream of energy flowing against the crystals, causing them to overload. More and more of them absorbed too much and gradually the external shielding was stripped away.
Inside, as the fortress shook violently. Batman monitored the situation. With no defences, it would now be up to the heroes to fend off Darkseid's forces. Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and the Flash immediately headed outside, being confronted by a lake surrounding the structure after the cruisers had melted all the ice.
They knew that they would have to be at their best to survive the battle though ultimately, their only hope was to buy time until Superman joined the fight. However the man of steel, their only hope was going through a crisis of the heart.
As the drones came towards them, the heroes stood ready to fight, not knowing that in space, Darkseid was watching the battle, smiling arrogantly, confident that they would have no chance against the full force of his armada. However what Darkseid didn't know was that Superman was no longer fighting on his side. He was intent on bringing Kal-El back so he could unleash him on the world again. He did know however, that Lashina wasn't on board the ship. Darkseid's instincts told him that Lashina would try to betray him.
For now though, his attention was drawn to a monitor, where the ensuing battle was being played out. Darkseid smiled, activating a signal that would broadcast the battle all over the world, so that the human race could witness his victory over Earth's greatest warriors.
The world watched hologram images, for the first time since the war began, there was a sense of hope across the planet as they saw the heroes of the planet coming together to defend them.
Above the Fortress, the Green Lantern and Wonder Woman were heading straight for the cruisers, dodging and weaving as laser fire threatened to blow them out of the sky. Meanwhile the Flash was leading a squadron of attack drones on a chase, running over the surface of the newly created lake surrounding the structure.
He ran so fast, he parted the waters, almost like Moses at the sea of reeds, waves spreading high up before crashing down behind him, right onto the drones following behind, destroying them.
The smaller cruisers engaged their weapons, targeting the heroes approaching them as the larger Deathstalkers continued their assault on the fortress. Wonder Woman twisted and turned, dodging and deflecting laser bolts even as she thrust her fists through incoming drones.
As Diana fought, Green Lantern used his ring to create a shield for himself, flying towards the nearest cruiser he was unharmed by the intense barrage of energy blasts being aimed at him. The ring glowed, a green beam of energy being released, forming an anvil-shaped object, which Jordan used to slam into the cruiser again and again.
As fires spread throughout the large ship, Lantern was already moving towards the next cruiser as the first exploded behind him. Inside the fortress, Lashina stood alone, watching the battle on a screen. Her communicator sprang to life as a hologram of her master appeared before her.
"So…you dare to betray me yet again Lashina. You will be punished and this time I won't bring you back from oblivion."
"My lord Darkseid…it is you who shall be punished."
"Your insolence bores me Lashina."
"How many worlds must you destroy before you are satisfied? How many people must you devour before your hunger is sated?"
"You are but a child, insignificant. You cannot hope to grasp the glory of my destiny."
"Stop. No more speeches, no more crap. Your end is near."
"Lashina…if it is your wish to die then so be it…although perhaps I am being hasty. Tell me where Kal-El is, bring him home to me and I may show you mercy. You shall be forgiven for your betrayal."
"Kal-El's fate is not your concern. Your time is up."
Lashina tore the communicator from her wrist, throwing it to the ground, breaking it as she placed her foot on the device, crushing it. The image of Darkseid faded until it was gone.
Outside, fire rained from the sky as the remaining cruisers concentrated their fire on the Green Lantern and Wonder Woman as more and more drones began tracking the Flash. The battle was taking a turn for the worse as Darkseid's forces received orders to obliterate any opposing forces. Another group of cruisers descended from space, stacking the odds against the heroes, as the sheer volume of enemy ships filling the sky was enough to darken the area, blocking the sun from view.
The air was filled with the sound of gun turrets and laser fire as the ships proceeded to track the heroes. They struggled to move away from the danger, their paths being blocked by walls of energy as the cruisers fired rapidly, giving them nowhere to go.
The Flash was forced to slow down feeling pain spread from his feet as the energy of the lasers boiled the water underneath him. The once icy surface was now a furnace. Barry Allen no longer maintained the speed needed to keep him from sinking beneath the waves. As he fell into the water, Flash felt a hand grabbing a hold of him, pulling him up out of the heated water.
Looking up, he saw Wonder Woman looking back, carrying him to the safety of a nearby island before returning to the battle. They were in trouble and they knew it. Green Lantern fought bravely, destroying drones and attacking the cruisers. Turning, he heard a sound. A loud thundering echo as in the distance, he saw a large swarm of craft heading towards the battle zone.
"Great…more trouble…"
But as they grew closer, he began to realise that they weren't Darkseid's ships. A last desperate attack by Earth forces, planes and helicopters from all over the world. American, Chinese, Russian, British and Korean military commanders had formed a historic coalition, coming together in a last gasp attempt to drive back Darkseid's forces.
The heroes smiled, welcoming the help as drones began falling from the sky, shot down by the incoming combined forces of Earth's nations. Thanks to Darkseid's broadcast technology, the world was able to watch as the largest dogfight in the history of mankind began.
Fighters flew in to the heat of battle, bullets streaking across the sky as they dodged laser blasts, returning fire then dropping down, turning locking missiles and firing on the cruisers.
Space:
Darkseid was furious. Servants lay dead on the ground as he took out his anger on them. Lashina had betrayed him and Earth's military had come together to oppose him. He'd had enough of this battle. Opening communications he contacted the commanders of the Deathstalkers.
"…My lord Darkseid…how can we be of service?"
"Charge your cannons…target the fortress…destroy it…"
"But my lord, sensors show the Kryptonian is inside…"
"Kal-El will survive the blast. I will not do nothing against Lashina's betrayal. Destroy it…"
Fortress of Solitude:
Lashina had intercepted the transmission, knowing there was little time. Running through the fortress, she found Clark and Lois, sitting together in silence.
"We've gotta go…Darkseid's targeting the fortress…and I doubt it can survive another attack."
Thinking for a moment, Clark looked at Lois, then at Lashina.
"Go…take Lois and Bruce and get out of here."
"Clark…"
"It's ok Lois…I'll be alright, there's something I need…now go."
After some protests, Lois finally followed Lashina, reaching Batman. Using the teleportation device on her wrist, Lashina transported them out of the fortress in a flash of light.
Kal-El walked through the fortress, his ears picking up the sound of energy cannons charging in the distance. Sighing to himself for a second, Clark waved his hands over a crystal control panel. The wall ahead of him opened out, revealing a strange chamber.
Stepping inside, he closed his eyes as he ripped the black costume from his body. Blue and red fabrics circled around him, wrapping around his body, adjusting itself against him.
On the edge of the battle zone, the Flash stood on a small island, watching the battle in the sky. He was frustrated as the water was boiling now, preventing him from helping. A bright flash of light seemed to come from nowhere as he turned, finding Lois, Batman and Lashina standing, looking at the fortress in the distance.
Meanwhile, the Deathstalkers had reached their full yield potential, synchronising as they fired their weapons simultaneously. Like three bolts of lightning, the energy beams descended on the fortress, concentrated laser blasts as the remaining crystals overloaded and the fortress exploded suddenly. The shockwave destroyed fighter jets and drones alike, while forcing Wonder Woman and Green Lantern backwards, sending them flying backwards.
"Clark…"
Lois screamed, knowing that her beloved had been in the fortress, she feared the worst. Fighters on both sides were destroyed and as debris fell from the sky, everyone's attention was focussed on the burning rubble that was once the mighty and awe-inspiring Fortress of Solitude.
As fires spread before finally succumbing to the water surrounding the fortress, a lone figure stood in the flames, his eyes closed as he rose into the air. Clark hovered, behind him, the invading alien forces of Darkseid and in front of him, the last alliance of Earth's military.
A holographic image of Darkseid appeared in the sky, as Kal-El floated in the air, motionless.
"Kal-El, complete your mission…destroy all opposing forces. Rid humanity of the curse of free will…"
Clark's eyes remained closed as the heroes of Earth watched and waited. It was Lashina who noticed the change in Clark. His body no longer covered in dark colours but now in the familiar symbolic primaries…blue and red.
His cape fluttered in the wind, stretching out behind him, the shield crest no longer seamless against the blue on his chest, but raised, standing out in red and yellow. The image of Darkseid faded and disappeared. He believed that Clark would continue the fight.
The world stood still, the people of Earth watching the live images of the man of steel, surrounded by forces on both sides. Clark turned, now facing Wonder Woman and the Green Lantern, though his eyes remained shut. Not too far away, Lashina looked up into the sky, unsure of what was happening.
"Kal-El…"
"No Lashina, not Kal-El…" Lois responded, a tear dropping from her face before she gave a soft, knowing smile.
"…Superman!"
As if on cue, Clark opened his eyes, staring briefly at the heroes in front of him, bowing his head for a moment before turning swiftly, charging into one of the cruisers, flying straight through, destroying it.
All around the world, people cheered and celebrated. They cried with joy as they witnessed the return of their greatest hero, the return of Superman.
Superman flew, his cape flowing behind him as his eyes burned, releasing intense blasts of heat energy. Drones fell from the sky, dropping like flies as Clark tore through the enemy forces. Alongside him, Wonder Woman and the Green Lantern continued to fight.
Missiles streaked across the sky, coming from Earth's fighter jets and attack helicopters, pilots flying with newfound confidence. They were severely outnumbered but with Superman once again fighting with them, the odds had swung heavily in their favour.
Clark bombed through clouds, stopping in mid air then moving upwards towards the Deathstalkers. Floating between the three large ships, he took a deep breath before ploughing into the lead ship. Explosions rocked the cruiser as Kal-El tore it apart from inside, setting fire to the colossal engines, forcing it to fall into the water, destroyed as he made his escape.
As fighter jets engaged the drones, exchanging shots, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern concentrated on taking care of the smaller cruisers. The battle had turned dramatically in their favour.
Space:
Darkseid watched, confused and angry. Kal-El had turned against him and he knew it was only a matter of time before the last son of Krypton came looking for him. He knew that victory was now impossible, at least in the manner he had wanted.
"So Kal-El, you defend your world…you believe by defeating my armies you will defeat me…so be it…you shall fight until the end of your world…"
Darkseid laughed, calling a servant to his side.
"Signal the rest of the fleet, tell them to ascend into high orbit and prepare to ignite the atmosphere."
"Yes my lord Darkseid..."
As the servant turned to leave he noticed a flashing light on the observation screen. A communication signal.
"Master there's an incoming transmission…"
"Source?"
"I believe it's…New Genesis…"
"Leave now…"
As the servant made his exit, Darkseid activated the communication channel. On the screen he saw a familiar face.
"I don't believe it…is that you Orion? Well this is a big surprise."
"Hello…father…"
Orion, the true heir of Darkseid, appeared on the screen, his face scarred from his last battle with his father, his eyes blazing with hatred and anger.
"I have heard that Earth is proving more difficult to conquer than you expected."
"Are you going to gloat Orion? Is that why you have contacted me? Or would you like a rematch? To battle me once more? Or perhaps you have decided to join me at last…father and son…is that it?"
"I am here to warn you…leave Earth now. That planet is under the protection of New Genesis…leave now or you will face Highfathers wrath."
Darkseid laughed…looking out of a window at the planet below before turning back to face the screen.
"My destiny is to obtain the anti-life equation…it is here. If I cannot have it, I will destroy this world"
"Destiny? I would have thought you fear that word father…after all, you know my destiny…"
"Ah yes…the prophecy of death at the hands of my son…we have fought before and you have lost. You will not kill me. I will not be denied my prize."
"Then Apokalips will not survive the coming storm…you have been warned."
Earth:
Superman flew, destroying drones by the hundreds; his eyes glowing as heat energy blasted the engines of a nearby cruiser. Rising upwards, he hovered motionless for a moment before charging, his arms outstretched as he crashed through the remaining ships.
Meanwhile Wonder Woman and Green Lantern continued to strike out at opposing forces and pretty soon, Darkseid's forces were falling from the sky. As the rest of Darkseid's fleet made a hasty retreat, all eyes were now on Superman. As Clark descended, Lois noticed that he seemed to be shivering, his cape resting behind his back as he touched down.
"Are you alright Clark?" Lois asked.
Clark didn't answer. His eyes were closed as he sighed to himself.
"It's good to have you back…" added the Flash.
Clark opened his eyes, still shaking. It was becoming obvious to everyone that he hadn't really recovered from the traumatic events he had been put through at the hands of Darkseid, despite the heroics during the battle in the sky.
"I don't think I can do this anymore…Superman died on Darkseid's ship…I'm just a shell…"
"Don't say that Clark. You're more than a shell, you're everything that good about humanity…"
As Lois and the others tried to comfort and get through to Kal-El, Lashina was deep in thought. She knew that Darkseid would exact his revenge. She knew that killing Clark would only make him a martyr and unite the humans, making the anti-life unattainable. She also knew that, with his armies defeat, Darkseid would have one option. If he couldn't rule the Earth, he would destroy it. Superman was their only hope but he was in the middle of an internal crisis. Lashina knew there was only one answer.
"Kal-El…what Darkseid did to you was horrendous, and for my part in it I am truly sorry. I have never seen a being as noble as you. You are in turmoil and you need time…but we don't have any. You need to snap out of this."
"Leave him alone Lashina!" Lois cut in, " Can't you see he needs support?"
"I understand that…but what you don't understand is that Darkseid will destroy this world. There is a weapon…seldom used, but devastating."
Superman stared at Lashina. Despite his inner conflict, he couldn't ignore his responsibilities.
"What are you talking about? What weapon?"
"It has no name…the skies will turn blood red, then an elemental energy beam will set fire to the atmosphere. Every living being on this world will die in flames…even you won't survive…you can't hold your breath forever and as the oxygen is burned off…eventually you will suffocate. When it is over…this world will be nothing but a dead rock."
"What must I do?"
"You must confront him Kal-El, stop Darkseid from using the weapon."
"I can't…I can't go back up there…there must be another way."
"Lashina's right."
"Bruce…"
"I know a bit about fear. You think you're afraid of Darkseid…but I can see it in your eyes, you're afraid of yourself. Afraid what you might do."
"Bruce listen…"
"NO YOU LISTEN….Dick, Barbara and countless others are dead. You're the strongest of all of us. If you don't stop him everyone will die. You…are…Superman. Face Darkseid…face yourself…don't hold back."
Clark thought for a moment…he knew Batman was right but he was still afraid of what could happen. He looked at his friends, then and Lois. He couldn't lose her. He knew he had to fight. A plan formed in his mind.
"Heroes one and all right…let's show Darkseid what the people of Earth are capable of. Bruce…take Lois and go back to Gotham, I want you to find every hero on the planet…as many as you can. Co-ordinate with Lantern and the Flash…we need everyone working together."
"What are you up to Clark?"
"We're gonna defeat Darkseid's army once and for all. Diana, go back to the UN and tell them we're gonna need nuclear weapons ready to launch into space. We've been supporting the dismantling of nuclear weapons for so long, it's time they were used to defend all mankind."
"Clark, I checked with NASA when the war began. There's nothing up there."
"Yes there is Batman," answered Lashina, "Darkseid knows the power of nuclear weapons, so he shrouded his fleet in a stealth field…Kal-El, the only way to disable the field is to cut the power distributor in Darkseid's chambers on board his flagship…"
"That's where you come in, I need to borrow your transportation device. Once the shield is down and the fleet is visible, the nukes will have their targets…Diana, they must be ready to launch."
"Clark this isn't going to be easy. Organising a worldwide nuclear strike is unheard of, especially since half of the countries represented in the UN won't admit to even having weapons. And if you go up there, you're going to have to confront Darkseid…are you sure you're up to it?"
"Probably not…but what the hell…"
Lois walked to face Clark, kissing him lovingly; afraid that she might never see him again but knowing in her heart that it was the only choice.
"Be careful..."
"Don't worry…I'm Superman."
Kal-El gave Lois a little smile before signalling to Wonder Woman who took off immediately, flying back to New York. As Green Lantern used his ring to create a platform for Lois, Batman and the Flash to fly to Gotham Lashina showed Clark how to use the mobile teleporter, inputting the code needed to teleport to Darkseid's ship.
As Lashina stepped onto the platform, holding on as Hal Jordan lifted them into the air, Superman was left alone, contemplating the situation as he gathered his thoughts. He wasn't ready to face Darkseid. He knew that, but he had to try anyway. Clark looked up to the sky, taking off and rising slowly into the air as he prepared to activate Lashina's teleporter.
"What's that phrase? Looks like a job for Superman…let's hope Superman is here…"
Clark sighed to himself and pressed the execute button on the device, disappearing in a blinding flash of light.
Space:
Lights were flashing, alarms ringing. Darkseid watched security monitor feeds, seeing Superman walking through his ship, laser blasts impacting against his chest, causing no damage. Foot soldiers attacked the man of steel but ended up on the floor as Clark merely extended his arm, swatting them aside.
Darkseid turned, looking at the door of his chambers as it was pulled from its hinges with ease. Superman walked through, both super-powered beings staring each other down.
"Welcome back Kal-El…"
"I know what you're planning to do. I won't let you destroy this world."
"You can't stop me…I see the fear in your eyes. You will fall…last son of Krypton."
"Maybe…but I'll take you with me."
They stood face to face, clenched fists and muscles tensed, both ready for the inevitable showdown of gods.