Issue #31 – LEGACY
Space:
"…You're going to pay for everything you've done."
"Come and get me…Superman"
It began in brutal fashion. Charging forward, Clark raised his arm, his fist striking a heavy blow to Darkseid's cheek…he didn't flinch. Instead he grabbed Superman by the hair, slamming him into the nearby view screen, glass shattering everywhere.
Superman recovered, igniting his heat vision, striking Darkseid and forcing him to take a few steps back only to be confronted with another blow to the head as Kal-El moved swiftly to catch up with his opponent, punching him hard.
"Please Kal-El…you can do better than that…"
Clark reacted to the taunt by easily picking up and throwing Darkseid's throne chair, then getting up close while Darkseid dodged the incoming object. Face to face they swung punches, unable to extend their arms to full length in the cramped spaces of the room.
Blocking and countering, Darkseid landed two powerful hits to Superman's face only to succumb to Kal-El's own strikes. Picking up the broken door, Clark smashed it with ease into Darkseid again and again, forcing his enemy to hold his hands up in an attempt to block the blows.
Thinking quickly, the ruler of Apokalips rolled to the side, grabbing Superman by the legs and pulling him to the ground. Leaning over Clark, Darkseid balled his hand into a fist and punched him square in the face. Superman turned and twisted, hovering above the floor, bringing his body around to kick Darkseid, sending him tumbling across the room.
"Impressive Kal-El…but your strength and speed will not help you in a small room like this."
"In that case…would you like to step outside?"
"How amusing…very well…come and find me."
Suddenly, Clark witnessed a familiar flash of light…Darkseid was gone. Closing his eyes, Clark listened…picking up sounds from the planet below before finally focussing in on the sound of Darkseid's voice…taunting him.
"…I'm waiting Kal-El…come protect your pathetic humans…"
Activating Lashina's teleporter, now attached to his wrist, Clark was enveloped in a blinding light as he disappeared from the ship.
Earth – New York City:
"…I'm normally the last person who would advocate the use of nuclear weapons but it's our only option."
Wonder Woman was frustrated. Having called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council she was fining it difficult to persuade the other ambassadors to go along with Superman's plan.
"This is Superman's plan…you all know how he feels about weapons of mass destruction but even he realises it's the only way…"
"…Superman? He turned his back on us…just hours ago he was fighting for the enemy and you want us to trust a plan of his?"
"Right now Superman is engaged in battle against Darkseid…what happened earlier today…it wasn't really him…"
"What…another Bizarro?"
"No…what I mean is…he wasn't himself…I can't explain it right now…trust me."
"…Diana, perhaps you're right…but we have to consider our own security. If we launch an attack that size, what's to stop another nation from striking at us when our nuclear defence options are gone?"
"This isn't about national security ambassador…it's about saving the world. Superman will disable the stealth field, when that happens you must be ready to launch…."
Paris:
Superman flew straight down, turning his body as he neared ground level, flying straight towards Darkseid, crashing into him with terrifying force. Darkseid fell backwards, sliding across the tarmac before pushing his fist to the ground, stopping himself. Superman charged again, his eyes focussing ahead of Darkseid; making sure the target he had in mind had no people who could be in danger.
He charged, grabbing a hold of his enemy and rising into the air, spinning Darkseid around in circles, faster and faster before releasing him and watching as he flew through the air before finally slamming into the Eiffel Tower and falling to the ground with Superman in hot pursuit.
"Wanna give up?"
"Not until this world burns…and it will soon enough…"
Darkseid laughed as he stood up, turning away from Clark, forcing his fist through one of the metal supports on the tower, breaking it and pushing it over. Moving quickly, Superman was quickly under the falling tower, catching it. Thinking for a moment, Kal-El tore the tower completely from its supports and in an amazing show of strength, lifted the iconic structure like a baseball bat, swinging it viciously at Darkseid, sending him off into the distance.
Lifting it back into position, Clark welded the supports back into place, checking that it was secure before exploding into the air to find his enemy, with the Parisian people looking on in awe.
Central City:
Barry Allen sped through the city, picking off drones as he went, following a cruiser flying overhead. Drawing its fire, he led the large ship out of the city into the countryside. With no innocent people in the crossfire, Flash ran in a circle, faster and faster, whipping up a tremendous whirlwind, catching the large cruiser in the funnel, pulling it to the ground. As the ship rocked with internal explosions, Barry ran to a safe distance, before activating a communicator.
"All safe here…where to next Bats?
"…I've made contact with Green Arrow…he's being outnumbered and outflanked in San Diego…"
"On my way..."
"…Hurry Flash…"
"Always do…"
Dover:
A flash of light…Superman was there. Standing atop the white cliffs, Darkseid waited. Clark flew, Darkseid was ready. Removing an object from his wrist, he threw it at Superman. Before he realised what was happening, Kal-El was paralysed, dropping to the beach below. He could only watch as Darkseid dropped down from the cliff above and walked towards him menacingly.
"Don't worry Kal-El, the effects will wear off in a moment…but still just enough time for me to show you what pain is."
Picking Superman up by the neck with one hand, his other travelled to strike the torso. He struck again and again before swinging Kal-El around and throwing him towards the cliff, watching as Clark fell hard through the cliff-face.
As the paralysis wore off, Clark flew away from the rock towards Darkseid, extending his arm and flying straight through with a clothesline move. Shaking his head, Darkseid watched Superman who was now hovering over the water.
Clark's eyes burned as he began to aim his heat vision at the water, boiling it and creating volumes of steam. Darkseid struggled to see through the vapour, trying to find his opponent. He sensed a presence and turned only to meet Kal-El's fist as it struck him on the cheek, knocking him backwards.
"Clever Kal-El…but tricks won't help you win this battle…time to go home."
Activating his teleporter, Darkseid was gone. Clark rose into the air, high above the surface of the Earth, focussing in on the sound of screams for help and a sadistic laugh…he knew instantly where to go.
Metropolis:
The city was scarred, in ruins. As the people tried to recover from the battles that had taken place there, they were now going to witness another battle. Darkseid had appeared first, driving terror into the hearts of the city's citizens as he chose at random, killing anyone who crossed his path. The streets were awash with blood, bodies lay everywhere.
Then Superman arrived. The last time he was in the city, his mind had been corrupted and he was fighting for Darkseid, against his friends. But now, as he tried to suppress the fear in his heart, he faced Darkseid as an adversary.
"It's about time…I've been having some fun…your people are dying by my hand and you are powerless to stop me."
Clark looked around at the people he had spent so long protecting, many of them now dead. His heart broke, for a brief moment he felt like giving up but s he saw the pain in the eyes of the people, his resolve was strengthened.
"You are nothing but a murderer."
"Then we are the same Kal-El."
"No…I'm not like you.."
Darkseid laughed.
"I think poor Desaad would beg to differ…"
"That wasn't me…it's not who I am…it's who you created…not me."
"That monster is a part of you Kal-El…"
"The only monster here is you."
A crowd was gathering. Despite the terrible events the people of Metropolis had endured, they were coming together in support for their hero.
"…Go get him Superman…"
"…You can do it. We believe in you Superman…"
The crowd chanted Superman's name, urging him on, giving him strength. Clark smiled then stared at his enemy.
"You see…"
"They are fools…"
"No…even as you destroyed their homes…their lives…you were never going to win. You can never break the human spirit…there is always hope."
"Tell me…what will you do when there is no one left to hope…"
Darkseid gave a menacing grin as he picked up a car and threw it at the crowd. Immediately Superman sprung into action. Speeding towards the crowd he caught the car in mid air, letting it down gently. The people cheered as Kal-El turned back to face Darkseid.
Another car flew through the air, again caught by Superman but this time he turned and threw the car back with great force, pushing him backwards.
"Are you here to talk Darkseid? Or to fight?"
"Are you so ready to meet your end? Very well."
They stood face to face on the streets of Metropolis. Silent for a moment, before moving and circling around each other.
"Round two…ding."
Superman smiled and rose into the air, he looked at Darkseid and charged.
Darkseid flew backwards through the air, following a heavy blow from Superman, crashing into the ruins of the LexCorp building. Recovering, he stood up to find Clark hovering over him, grabbing his arms and throwing him up into the air.
As Darkseid was flung into the air, Superman followed immediately. Picking up speed and passing Darkseid, he balled his hands together and waited for Darkseid to reach him before bringing his fists down, striking Darkseid and sending him back down to Earth.
Landing safely, Clark waited for Darkseid to get up before charging him again. The charge was anticipated though and Darkseid manage to grab Superman by his cape, swinging him around before throwing across Metropolis.
Clark crashed through building after building before managing to stop himself in mid-air. Touching down, both he and Darkseid walked towards each other before grabbing onto each other, their hands interlocked as the went back and forth in a contest of strength. Bringing his knee up suddenly, Darkseid landed a blow, getting Superman off his feet.
Darkseid was on him immediately, bringing his fist down. But instead of striking Kal-El, his fist went threw the ground, tearing out a power line and pushing it to Superman's chest. He laughed as Clark tried to endure the pain of electricity coursing through his body.
Gotham:
Underneath Wayne Manor, Lois Lane and the Fury, Lashina watched as Bruce Wayne made contact with heroes from all over the planet, co-ordinating a worldwide operation to defeat the remaining forces still causing trouble on the surface of the Earth.
"I had no idea that the Earth had so many champions, so many great warriors."
"That's why Darkseid won't win Lashina, there are too many people willing to lay down their lives to defend the planet, and they are all heroes."
Batman heard the two women talking, reminding him of the deaths of Nightwing and Batgirl. He had buried his feelings, knowing he needed to struggle through until the end of the war, but it wasn't easy for him. Every night since he was a child he had nightmares about the night his parents were murdered, and now he knew there would be more horrors added to his dreams.
"…Bruce…Bruce…are you alright?"
"Wh…what? Yeah I'm ok Lois."
"You seemed a little out of it there…"
"Just thinking…"
"About Dick and Barbara?"
"Yeah…but now's not the time…let's get back to work. Hal should have made contact with Hawkman by now."
Metropolis:
They stood in the middle of the road, arms swinging. Darkseid would strike a blow, only for Superman to stay standing and strike back. On an on it went, the city of Metropolis seemed to shake as the two most powerful beings on the planet went at it. Hit for hit they continued, neither giving up.
The citizens of Metropolis stood in a circle around the two combatants, cheering when Superman landed a punch, groaning in disappointment when Darkseid retaliated. Suddenly an explosion rocked the area surrounding the two fighters. Looking beyond over Darkseid's shoulder, Clark spotted an army tank targeting them. Above, an attack helicopter hovered, launching rockets at Darkseid.
Darkseid stood, laughing as the explosions had no effect. Turning, he gave he helicopter a quick glance before walking towards the tank, picking it up with ease and throwing it skywards, straight towards the helicopter.
Superman rushed into action, catching the tank, but not before it clipped the helicopter as the pilot swerved trying to avoid a collision. Superman held onto the barrel of the tank with one hand, lowering it to the ground before flying after the helicopter, holding onto the tail, keeping it steady to stop it spinning out of control. After getting a thumbs up from the pilot, he let go, watching as it flew to a safe distance.
Below, the two occupants of the tank climbed out in a hurry, desperate to escape before Darkseid reached them. Again he picked the tank up with ease, this time launching it at Superman. Clark turned just as the tank reached him, forcing him backwards through the air.
Holding onto the tank, Kal-El changed his vision to see through the metal shell, checking that nobody was inside before flying back down to earth at great speed, knocking Darkseid off his feet. Clark began to bend the tank, breaking and reshaping the metal before wrapping it around Darkseid in an attempt to imprison him.
Clark felt a change in the wind, the air suddenly becoming warmer. Looking up, he saw the sky, no longer clear blue, now slowly turning to a crimson red. Darkseid laughed once more as he struggled for a moment, then broke through the metal wrapped around his body.
"It has started Kal-El. Your world will turn to ash soon enough."
New York:
Diana stood in the centre of the room, debating the situation with delegates from the UN Security Council as well as other member states. Looking outside through a window, she noticed the blood red sky.
"We're running out of time here…you must act before it's too late."
"…The United States of America will decide it's own policy Diana. We still don't know if Superman can be trusted or not. And we have no guarantee that the missiles will have any effect."
"Look, Superman says it will work, so it will."
"Perhaps…but I say that if we are to go through with this plan, I say we do all we can to make sure it works…"
"What are you talking about?"
"Four years ago, we received a certain item from Lex Luthor. A source of energy powerful enough to annihilate Darkseid's fleet…a large quantity of kryptonite."
The room became filled with chatter as delegates from around the world discussed the use of kryptonite before the U.S. ambassador continued.
"Since then we have been working on a uranium kryptonite hybrid enrichment program to enhance our defensive capabilities…"
"Wait a minute…Superman could survive a nuclear explosion…but a nuke laced with kryptonite? That would kill him."
"If Superman's intentions are honourable, we both know that he will willingly sacrifice himself to save the planet. If he can escape the ship in time, he may survive."
"It's overkill ambassador and you know it…you don't just wanna stop Darkseid…you want to take Superman out."
"Like I said, the defence of our nation…and the planet…is our first priority…"
Metropolis:
Superman flew through the air, crashing into the offices of the Daily Planet. Looking around for a moment, he saw Jimmy Olsen and Perry White staring at him.
"Excuse me…"
He flew back out of the building, leading with his fists, charging straight into Darkseid. The ground shook as they went blow for blow, until Clark flew in a loop away from Darkseid before heading towards him, turning his body feet first in a powerful kick, sending Darkseid backwards through the air, smashing against an overturned truck.
As he stood up, he was met by a blast of fire from Clark's eyes. Darkseid began to laugh. His eyes suddenly glowing before firing a beam of his own. Kal-El flew upwards to avoid the attack, only to find the beam of energy following him. He flew, turning and spinning through the city, weaving his way between buildings, trying to escape Darkseid's Omega Effect, turning up into the sky, then back down towards the ground, the beam matching every move.
Finally he stood, waiting as the beam closed in on him. Then, as it was about to strike its target, Superman was gone, escaping in a sudden burst of speed as the beam struck the pavement, which seemed to implode in on itself and disappear leaving a large hole in its place.
"Interesting…you are the first person to have escaped the fate of all those who have been targeted by my Omega Effect. You have impressed me Kryptonian."
"Save it…I'm not interested in your shallow praise. Until now, you've picked our battlegrounds and I've followed. I will not let you endanger any more people. It's time for you to come find me…"
In a flash, Superman was gone, activating the teleporter on his wrist. Darkseid looked around the city for a moment before signalling to his ship.
"Locate Lashina's teleportation device…where is Superman?"
"We're sending the co-ordinates now my lord…"
"Good…it's time to end this game of cat and mouse."
Another flash of light later, and Darkseid was gone, leaving the people of Metropolis to wait and wonder how this epic battle would end.
Himalayas:
Darkseid stood at the peak of the tallest mountain, Mount Everest as Superman hovered above him. Extending his body, Clark flew, driving into Darkseid sending him falling from the mountaintop, slamming into the ground, miles below.
Darkseid lay on the ground, looking up as Superman ignited his heat vision, creating a tunnel through one of the smaller mountains before flying through. Moments later, the ground began shaking violently as Superman rose into the air, holding up a giant chunk of rock, an entire mountain, being held up over his head. Following his ordeal at the hands of Desaad and his continuing fight against Darkseid, Superman felt weaker, nowhere near his upper limit of power. His arms were shaking as he struggled to hold the mountain up, preparing to launch it at Darkseid.
"Such strength…you really are powerful Kal-El."
Summoning up inner strength, Clark threw the large rock at Darkseid, who lay there, waiting for impact as it crashed down on top of him with a force that would obliterate a normal human being instantly. But Darkseid wasn't human and already he was punching through, escaping the rock tomb.
"It's time to end this…"
In a blinding flash, Kal-El was gone. Darkseid looked up to the red sky and laughed. He knew there was only one place Superman could be going. Pressing a button on his own teleporter, Darkseid disappeared, heading back to his ship.
Meanwhile, around the world, missile silos were opening, nukes being prepared for launch as soon as Darkseid's space fleet became visible. Even as the world prepared for a final attack on Darkseid, his commanders were busy preparing a devastating weapon to burn off the atmosphere and destroy all life on Earth.
As heroes everywhere began linking and teaming up, defeating the last of the enemy forces that remained on the planet, around the world, missile silos were opening, nukes being prepared for launch as soon as Darkseid's space fleet became visible. Even as the world prepared for a final attack on Darkseid, his commanders were busy preparing a devastating weapon to burn off the atmosphere and destroy all life on Earth.
Space:
On board Darkseid's flagship, Kal-El flew, searching deck after deck, looking for the power generators. His eyes seemed to darken then brighten again as he focussed, looking through solid walls, his ears picking up even the faintest sounds as he tried to hone in on the hum of the energy travelling through the ship and being transmitted to the other ships in the fleet.
He ended up back where his epic battle with Darkseid had started, walking through into his chambers as it was drowned in a blinding light for a moment. Darkseid was there.
Fists flew again, the ship shaking as if caught in turbulence. Darkseid's eyes began to glow as his Omega Effect streaked across the room towards Kal-El. As it reached it's target, Clark disappeared in a blur. Darkseid watch the Omega Beam shift upwards and back behind him. Turning, Darkseid's face was met with the balled fist of Superman, who again vanished as the beam struck Darkseid.
"You're speed is impressive Kal-El. But did you really think I couldn't defend against my own attack?"
Clark wasn't listening. He was busy trying o figure out how to use the shield control panel, finally deciding that the best option was to destroy it. His fist went through the large computer, before he pulled it from it's solid position against the wall, severing the power connections.
"What have you done?"
"See for yourself."
Looking out the main window, Darkseid watched as his fleet suddenly appeared in space, the stealth field no longer keeping the ships invisible.
"I have tolerated our insolence long enough Kal-El. It's time for you to die."
Activating a switch on his wrist, Darkseid laughed as the room became filled with a green glow, with four beams of kryptonite energy descending from the ceiling, surrounding Clark.
Superman fell to the floor instantly, his body racked with unending pain as his mind thought back to his torture at Darkseid's hands. The energy cut across his body, burning his skin as Darkseid looked on in amusement.
"I must say, you have been a worthy adversary. But like all who have gone before, you can only fall before me. You were never going to win Kal-El, although you have prevented me from controlling the human race. I commend you. However it was all in vain. Your world will burn, the people you protect will die, as will you."
New York:
They waited, discussing the events of the past few days. The UN Security Council was filled with voices as the delegates debated the need for nuclear missiles laced with kryptonite.
"…You don't want to just stop Darkseid, you want to kill Superman…"
"He is a threat to the security of the United States and the world. He proved that by joining forces with the enemy.."
"Darkseid manipulated him, tortured him, warped his mind but he's broken the control."
"And what if Darkseid manipulates him again? What if Superman turns on us? We all know that you were lucky to stop him the last time Diana…next time…"
"There won't be a next time…he's facing his fears right now, trying to bring Darkseid down. He doesn't even know that you want to use kryptonite nukes…and if he did know, he'd keep fighting. He would sacrifice himself for every single one of you."
The debate raged on as the US ambassador became distracted, receiving news from one of his advisors.
"…This debate is irrelevant now. I've just received word that NASA has located Darkseid's fleet. We must now vote on this special resolution to launch our nuclear assets into space…."
Space:
Kal-El's face was pale, his body succumbing to the intense agony of kryptonite poisoning. In a last gasp effort, Clark ignited his heat vision, targeting the control device in Darkseid's hand, destroying it.
The kryptonite disappeared, leaving Superman on the floor, struggling to recover. He looked up to find Darkseid standing over him, ready to finish him off. Acting quickly, Clark input co-ordinates into the teleporter he had borrowed from Lashina, taking a deep breath as he disappeared in a flash of light.
Kal-El opened his eyes. He was surrounded by fire, deep inside the constant nuclear reaction that was the yellow sun of Earth. He felt the heat, but it didn't burn him. Instead, his body began growing stronger and stronger, the energy from the sun supercharging his cells. The teleporter on his wrist was quickly consumed by the fire, his blue suit and red cape, although capable of enduring the intense heat for a short time, was slowly beginning to burn through.
Clark remained still, absorbing more and more energy until he felt his body start to struggle to contain it. Only then did he move. He flew, being pushed through the surface of the sun and forward by a solar flare. Kal-El began to pick up speed. His supercharged body enabling him to go faster and faster, moving through the solar system, getting closer and closer to the speed of light as his body tried to use up the extra energy he absorbed in the centre of the sun.
As he passed Earth's moon, he forced himself to slow down dramatically. Homing in on Darkseid's ship, now visible due to Clark destroying the shield control panel, he crashed through the hull, flying through the ship as pressure doors closed behind him to contain the hull breach.
Reaching the main chamber, Superman charged directly at Darkseid, knocking him off his feet. Getting back up, Darkseid swung at Clark who dodged easily. Darkseid swung again only to find Kal-El catching his fist, twisting his arm backwards, breaking it.
"How? How can you have gained such strength so quickly?"
"Sunshine…not just for getting a tan. Of course, my body now has too much energy, so I have to use some of it up."
Clark's eyes burned as he fired a steady stream of heat energy at Darkseid's chest. On and on it went, intense heat burning through his body suit, getting hotter and even more intense as Darkseid tried and failed to protect himself.
Finally Kal-El stopped, picking Darkseid up and throwing him with ease against the back wall of the chamber. Clark brought his arm back and punched through.
"You tortured me…" He swung again. "You poisoned my mind with visions of a dead future..." Another punch into the stomach of Darkseid.
"You took the lives of those who I swore to protect…" This time, his knee flew into Darkseid's chin. "You made me turn my back on everything and everyone I hold dear…"
Superman continued to strike Darkseid with no resistance, no retaliation.
"You killed me…" Clark swung again. "Over…" Another punch to the stomach. "And over…" He hovered this time, bringing his body around in a vicious kick to the face. "And over!"
Clark picked Darkseid up by the neck, threatening to break it in half. Darkseid was in shock. Never had he come up against an opponent with strength enough to destroy him.
"Are you going to kill me Kal-El? Take your revenge? I can see it in your eyes…rage."
Superman threw him to the floor.
"No…I'm not like you…I'm going to warn you. I can hear it, all over the world. The sound of fire and rockets. Every nuclear missile on Earth, targeting your fleet. They're almost here…and given the beating you've just had, I wonder if you have the strength to survive the attack. My advice…leave while you still can."
"Why? Why are you telling me this? Why warn me?"
"I told you, I'm not like you…part of me wants to snap your neck, but I choose not to…Free will just saved your life."
Superman looked out through the window, watching the missiles flying up from the planet below. Turning to leave, he gave Darkseid one last glance.
"Oh…and if you ever come back…I'll kill you."
Darkseid watched silently as Superman flew straight through the window and away from the ship. As the missiles approached, Darkseid frowned angrily, activating his teleporter.
Outside, Superman turned to watch as the sky was lit up by blinding flashes, a barrage of nuclear missiles striking at the heart of Darkseid's fleet. A few managed to escape, making a lightspeed jump away from the planet but most were destroyed, including Darkseid's flagship.
One final missile left the atmosphere, targeting the last of the ships. Superman watched as it exploded, hovering for a moment, suddenly feeling weaker. His body started to feel pain as he realised that there was kryptonite in the missile. He flew backwards away from the ship, eventually allowing the Earth's gravity to take hold. He fell, entering the planet's atmosphere, plummeting towards the ground below.
The red skies changed to a reassuring blue, the sun shined through, restoring some of Superman's strength as the ground approached rapidly.
Managing to slow down, Kal-El changed direction and flew upwards, gaining more energy before bombing across the sky.
Gotham:
Superman approached Wayne Manor, spotting a lone woman sitting on the steps leading up to the main door. Having seen the explosions in the sky, Lois had been waiting and hoping that Clark was alright. As she saw him approach, her heart skipped a beat, watching and smiling as he touched down in front of her.
"You did it…you beat him…are you alright?"
"I will be…"
Gotham:
Soon after, they were gathered in the cave underneath Wayne Manor, all of them. At first there wasn't a sound heard between them as they reflected on the events that had happened over the last couple of days. A lot of people had died, a lot more had been saved thanks to the heroes gathered in the cave. It was Lois who spoke up first.
"How are you feeling Clark?"
"I'm alright…though I've seen enough kryptonite today to last me a lifetime. That missile…if I had been any closer it would have finished me. How did the U.S. military get their hands on the stuff anyway?"
"Three guesses…and I'll give you a clue…Mr. Cueball…"
"Lex Luthor? Why am I not surprised…he's been gone for months but he still nearly killed me."
"I'm sorry Kal-El, I tried to convince them not to use it…"
"It's ok Diana, I can't really blame them after everything that's happened."
Again they were all silent, remembering everything that had gone on. Bruce Wayne was deep in thought, silently mourning his friends. As his emotions threatened to overcome him, he decided it wasn't appropriate yet and turned his thoughts to Lashina.
"So…what are you going to do now that Darkseid is gone? If he's dead…"
"He's not dead…I can feel it."
"You could stay here…the world can always use more heroes."
"After what I did to Kal-El, you invite me to stay? You really are a noble race sometimes…No, I can't stay. I have some contacts on New Genesis…"
"New…what?"
"It doesn't matter. The point is, Darkseid is gonna have a war on his hands and I intend to be there on the front lines to bring him to justice."
They talked solidly for an hour, with the Flash and Green Lantern telling of their experiences working with other super-powered beings to bring down Darkseid's invasion force.
"I'm telling you…some of these guys are pretty good Clark…they could even give some of us a run for our money. But after Darkseid's invasion, a lot of them are lost…they don't know what to do."
"I do…we bring them together. Every single one of them. Sure they can handle most situations on their own, bank robberies etc, but if something big…another invasion…I dunno…something that we can't handle on our own happens…we can be organised, ready."
"Wait what are you saying? Like a League of Heroes?" asked the Flash.
"Or a Justice Squad…" offered Lantern.
"Hold on…league…justice…the Hero Squad."
"I like it…"
"Justice League…"
"Crap…"
They laughed, the first time in a while that they had been able to let go and feel anything positive.
"Something like that," replied Superman, "But for now, we need to rebuild and get the world back up and running."
"And then?"
"And then…" Clark looked at Lois, "Then I get married….finally."
They smiled at each other. Reunited at last. Clark would always carry he scars of Darkseid's unending use of torture but he knew that as long as Lois was there, he would be ok.
Two Months Later:
The bells rang out over Smallville, Kansas. Clark Kent stood waiting as Lois approached. He was wearing a suit. But not the familiar blue of Superman. Instead a black tuxedo. His friends had assured him that if a hero was needed, there were others who would step in on this day. Pushing his glasses up, he faced Lois and smiled nervously.
"…Ladies and gentleman, we are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of Clark Kent and Lois Lane…"
Planet Apokalips:
Fire rained down from the sky. Granny Goodness charged with her armies against an army led by her former student, Lashina. New Genesis had declared war on Darkseid and as Lashina led the invading forces, Darkseid stood on a bridge, over looking a fire pit. A few feet away, his son stood, ready and waiting to take his father down.
"So Orion, here to fulfil your destiny?"
"Of course father…Kal-El defeated you…but it's my fate to kill you."
"Not all prophecies come true…but if you are that anxious to die…name your terms."
"Swords…primitive, I know…but far more personal. No Omega Beams, no motherboxes…just you...me… and pointed metal…"
Darkseid laughed as Orion threw him a sword and drew his own.
"Very well…"
Swords raised, they charged. Steel clashed against steel. Orion parried and swung his sword. Sparks flew as they battled on the narrow bridge. The intense fires below threatening to consume the loser.
Outside, Lashina and Granny Goodness faced each other in the middle of the battlefield. Around them, their armies fought and died as the ground became awash with blood, but they only had eyes for each other as they circled and engaged in a fearsome fight.
Mister Miracle searched through the lower dungeons, freeing the people from all over the universe who had been captured and enslaved. Darkseid's empire was falling apart.
The battle continued, the high security towers around Darkseid's domain exploded as New Genesis troops stormed the building, destroying drones and facing down parademons as they found the main controls to shut down the planetary defence systems, enabling the larger ships to descend into the atmosphere.
The sky lit up with energy blasts as Darkseid's army was decimated. Orion had warned him that New Genesis would retaliate if he attacked Earth. They knew that the anti-life equation was there and it was too powerful to be allowed to fall into Darkseid's hands.
What they didn't count on was that Earth would be victorious, after all no other world had ever defeated Darkseid.
Over the fire pit, father and son duelled. Their swords coming together with such a force that the entire structure shook, causing their swords to fall. So they went at it barehanded. The fought, fists pounding each other with intense fury.
Darkseid forced Orion backwards, picking up his sword and thrusting it at his son. Orion rolled to avoid as the sword came down again. Realising he was dangerously close to the edge, Orion flipped backwards, grabbing his own sword and standing p, ducking a violent swing from his father.
Orion and Darkseid stepped carefully, their swords coming together. Darkseid brought his sword down, and then sliced across only to find Orion spinning out of the way, slashing upwards then kicking Darkseid to the ground, his sword slipping from his hands into the fire below. Orion leaned over Darkseid, a sword at his father's throat.
"Tell me father…what were you saying about prophecies?"
Orion laughed as he brought his sword up, ready to fulfil his destiny and plunge the sword through his father.
Fiji:
Lois and Clark sat on a secluded beach, taking in the sunshine, enjoying their honeymoon, watching as the calm blue sea rolled up on the shore.
"I still can't believe Bruce let us use his beach house. His place is like a mini paradise…how is Bruce anyway?"
"You know what he's like. Always trying to bury his feelings. I think the funeral took a lot out of him. He buried his parents when he was a kid, and now the only family he has left is gone."
"That's not true…he has you, and the new Hero Squad…"
"Justice League."
"Whatever…at least you didn't call it the superfriends…"
"Well actually we did think about…"
"Clark…the point is, Bruce isn't alone, and he knows it."
"We're alone…"
"Easy Smallville…and don't forget, just because we're married, it doesn't mean you can use that x-ray vision of yours…you have to wait."
They laughed, arms around each other looking off into the horizon. Suddenly Clark sat up, his ears picking up a sound in the distance.
"What is it? What's wrong Clark?"
"I'm no sure…someone's in trouble…"
Clark stood up, ready to fly into action. He paused though to look at Lois.
"It's ok Clark…go. I'll be waiting."
Clark rose into the air, just about to go save the day before Lois stopped him.
"Um Clark…you forgetting something?"
"Huh?"
Clark looked at Lois for a moment, then down at himself, realising he was wearing shorts and not his familiar blue suit. Lois looked up at her husband and smiled.
"In the house…"
Minutes later, having put on his suit, Superman was flying across the sky, moving high above the clouds. His red cape flowed in the wind, stretching out behind him as his arms pushed forward. He smiled as he picked up the sound of his wife telling him she loved him as he picked up speed and streaked across the sky ready to save the day.
THE END