Ch. 5: Hope Reigns

A weathered man, the make of a farmer, stood alone on a dark highway surrounded by abandoned cars. His face was tense, his eyes were weary, but he was reaching out to refuse help. A single tear rolled down his cheek and hit the ground in front of him, causing a small splash to occur on the asphalt.

All these changes that you're going through, one day…one day you're gonna think of them as a blessing; and when that day comes, you're gonna have to make a choice...a choice of whether to stand proud in front of the human race or not.

Suddenly the ground began to rumble, the wind picked up, and he was swept away in an instant, disappearing into the void. In place of the highway, there was now a nice home made out of what appeared to be stone, but surrounded by complex technology. Outside of the home, the ground was erupting smoke and volcanic ash, but a lone figure with a blue and grey cloak stood out in the chaos. Extending his right arm, he motioned for someone to come closer.

You can save them…you can save all of them.

As the home began to explode, he pulled his arm back and crossed it over his chest. The fire surrounded him completely and engulfed the walls, leaving a beautiful city in its place; one that was bright with color and advancement, and seemed to house millions of people. An endless amount of skyscrapers were visible and cars lined the streets below as far as the eye could see. People hurried along the sidewalks like ants, happy and content with their lives, until a shadow appeared and removed all of the color from the surroundings. A mysterious spaceship now hung over the city like a black hole.

I'm going to make them suffer, Kal. These humans you've adopted, I will take them all from you one by one.

The ship began firing down at the unsuspecting people, causing the skyscrapers to topple, and the streets to empty. The city was bombarded until only two figures remained amongst the rubble. One wore a scaled blue uniform; the other wore sophisticated grey armor. Charging each other, they came to blows at the same time, causing both to stagger backwards. They then exchanged several punches before the one in the blue uniform gained the advantage and wrapped his arm around the other's neck.

If you love these people so much, you can mourn for them!

"NOOO!" Clark screamed as he opened his eyes.

"Clark…" Lois choked out. As Clark looked around he saw his arm wrapped around Lois' neck and immediately released her.

"Oh my God, Lois, are you ok?" Clark cried sympathetically, "Lois talk to me!"

"I'm fine, Clark," she responded with a hoarse voice, "You were having another nightmare and I was trying to wake you. Are you ok?"

"I…I thinkso," Clark answered, "I've never had a dream so intense before."

"What happened?" Lois looked concerned but was still favoring her throat.

"I…" Clark started, realizing that he didn't want to continue, "I don't really remember, it's all kind of fuzzy now."

"Bullshit," Lois replied, "You've been having these nightmares for the past three months, and I know you probably don't want to talk about it, but you nearly killed me just now. I have a right to know what's going on with you!"

"Zod," Clark finally said after a brief silence.

"Zod?" replied Lois angrily. "That's all I get? Zod!?"

"What do you want me to say, Lois, that I murdered an alien warlord that might have had all of the answers to who, or better yet what, I am? That I have the strength to kill anything and everything if I wanted to? That my father, both of my fathers died hoping that I would become a great man, that I would decide the fate of two worlds? How can I ever hope to live up to those kinds of expectations?"

"Clark, when I was growing up, my father was never around. My mom worked three jobs just so I could have food, shelter, and an education, but by the time I was twelve, she had practically worked herself to death. The only reason she ever did that is because she believed in me; and because of her undying love and hope I was able to overcome everything and be the first woman in my family to ever go to college."

"Does this story have a point?"

"Listen," she snapped. "The day before I got my first job at the Daily Planet as a reporter, she passed away, and I was heartbroken. She had been there for me my entire life, cheering me on, helping me to strive to be better. She's the reason I am where I am today. But do you think that when she died I just gave up? No, I persevered, and I now feel that I have the strength to do anything because of her. But I pick my battles, Clark, and I live my life trying to honor her memory by working as hard as I can so that her undying love and hope can shine through me and touch everyone I care about. After you let yourself be taken into custody by the military when Zod invaded, you told me that the symbol on your suit, the 'S,' stood for hope on your world. Well it may be an 'S' here, but it can still stand for the same hope. People need something to believe in right now; people need to see that good can still triumph over evil. All you need to do is keep that hope alive inside of yourself, and you will be the man they all need. You will be their Superman."

"And what if I don't want that," Clark said, his eyes becoming watery.

"Then you will have let down the two men who loved you the most," she replied, before pausing and adding, "And the three women."

Clark gazed up at Lois, his eyes now completely tearing up.

"You're a child of two worlds, Kal," Lois said softly. "You have two mothers and two fathers; your expectations are twice as much as anyone else's. But that's not meant to be a burden. Only you have the strength to become who you're meant to be, the rest of us can only help you on your way."

"Thank you, Lois," Clark said.

"You don't need to thank me," Lois replied with a smug look, "Just admit that you need me."

"That would be an understatement," Clark smiled. "I will always need you."

The two embraced before lying back down in bed. Like the rest of Gotham City, the hotel they were staying at was extravagant but also dark and cold, however the bed they shared was cozy and warm. Clark did not have any more trouble sleeping that night. He was able to focus on the future.