Chapter Two: Nature
Diana
The storm thunders over Metropolis and as I fly toward it, I detour into a back alley and sneak into a clothes store. The store is empty minus a shop assistant who has her headphones on and snacks on peanuts. She doesn't notice me, and it's for the best.
Sliding into the changing rooms, I try on a series of outfits until one fits. I rip off the tag and wedge a small dagger through $50 USD and the tag and pin it to the changing room curtain for her to find later.
It's not stealing if I pay, I think.
I stalk out of the store and she lifts a surprised eyebrow at me. Women and men both are taken by my presence. It's endearing and at times, off-putting. I give her a small smile and exit the store.
It will rain soon. I can tell from the way the clouds gather above the city. I like the rain, it reminds me of the beauty on Themyscira, and I find myself hoping its heavy down pour.
Nature has always found a way to take my breath away. She's both mighty and vulnerable, destructive and merciful. It's captivating.
The thunder rumbles and within moments, cool droplets shoot down from the sky. People sprint for shelter, and only one child is left with his eyes shut smiling up at the sky as it rains over him. A smile plays on my lips. I weave through the traffic as I approach the prison. Here goes nothing.
The prison guard stands by the door behind me. Pulling out a chair, I sit and assess the nervous wreck who sits before me. Lex Luthor. He has long tresses, beady eyes and a fast mind.
"What brings a delight like you to a place like this?" He asks and flashes me a smile. It sends a chill down my spine. He is not a pleasant man. He is a rich man who pursues power. A caricature of insecure people who feel the world owes them something, and they would do anything to get it.
"Superman."
He chuckles and leans back in his chair. His eyes move over me, and I'm glad I'm wearing a jacket. Creep.
"But he's not…really. Is he? I mean… he's come back with oomph! Chutzpah!" He does jazz hands and I see right through his display of grandeur.
"Want to tell me why he's attacking your research facilities?"
Lex fights back a wicked smile that fills me with dread.
"What is your name?"
"None of your business."
"Well, none of your business, you made quite the appearance when –what're they calling him? Doomsday? When Doomsday attacked our city. You did a better job than Batman and Supes."
I shift, uncomfortable.
"Why would I get Superman to destroy my own facilities? Think about it… it doesn't make sense."
He raises his hands in defeat.
"I can't help you, I'm afraid."
I glance at the security guard, my fingers itch to grip the lasso of truth and get the answers from him. I weigh up the outcomes, if I don't, I risk another day with more damage to the city and civilians at the hands of Superman. If I do, I can get a head start with the assistance of Batman as back up, and try to help Superman, before the military and armed forces crucify him. There is nothing more fickle than people and nothing more persuasive than media, together they have scapegoated and incited hatred among many groups throughout the human race. The people need their hero back. The world needs Superman.
I whip the lasso out and wrap it around his neck. He chokes as it burns into his skin. The guard runs toward me, but I boot the chair out. It crashes into him and knocks him out cold.
"I compel you to tell me the truth!" I order.
"It's-It's, argh! No. It's…! Argh, it's not Superman okay?! He's dead! This is something even better. This is a Superman made by me, I used alien DNA from the ship when Doomsday attacked and combined it with Superman's own."
"Where did you het his DNA?"
"N-not from his grave. That's for sure." Lex groans then grits his teeth like an ensnared animal. "I'm going to kill you."
"Answer me."
The lasso glows hot, sizzling against his skin.
"From the home of Martha Kent!"
"And how do I stop him?"
"You can't." He grins through the pain. It's ugly.
I release him and stand.
"Thank you for your time." I utter then stride out of the cell. What did he mean by 'not from his grave'? Why not? I exit the prison and glance around. Certain nobody is looking, I launch myself upwards and speed toward the cemetery.
I fly over the monument the ground. His symbol still shines bright, only now garish red graffiti reading 'Stay dead', is scrawled across it.
My heart sinks for him. He deserved better. I had been watching his work from the shadows, all the good he did, the way he was treated and how he fought till the very end for what was right.
I extend an arm and focus, zooming through several clouds as the world shrinks below me. It's only when I see the large yellow fields that I know I'm there. Smallville.
I swoop down toward the grave stone marked by his human alias, 'Clark Kent'. I shove my hands into the mud and cry out as I pull forth the coffin and slam it on the ground.
I prise it open.
It's empty. A wave of something light washes over me. I can't place it. I'm relieved. Superman is alive. Clark Kent, is alive.
Batman:
I stare at her.
"How do you know it wasn't grave robbers?" I demand.
"I just know." She asserts, and I'm at a loss.
"Diana, I am not sending out a search party based on a gut feeling." I declare.
"I'll find him. I don't need a search party Bruce. I just think you ought to know, especially if you still have that other feeling."
I give her a look.
"The one that told you people like me will have to fight. We need him. Not just for Lex's creation but for whatever is coming."
Frustration courses through my veins and I bite my tongue. These gods, aliens, freaks of nature, whatever the hell they are, they sure know how to make a man feel small. She locks eyes with me and I stare right into them.
"You're responsible for him."
"Fine." She says, her arms folded.
"Okay, let's start looking." I sigh. She crouches beside me as I type at the computer. Her ringlets pour over my shoulder and graze my cheek.
"Can I have some…space?"
"Okay." She walks over to another desk, takes a seat and starts typing.
"What're you doing?"
She flashes me a winning grin. "I've learnt a thing or two from you already, Bruce."
