"The live Wire is back on the air folks, the Queen babe of all media, your mistress of the airways, the one and only Leslie Willis coming at you live from WXL 95.5 Alive. Okay, listen closely my loving followers, I know you've heard this before but I'm going to say it any way. I am sick and tired of this Superman guy. Why is it that so many people follow him blindly like he's some sought of messiah, who by the way disappears for a month without taking any responsibility for his actions that led to the destruction of Manhattan. He's a menace and don't buy into his phony good guy act ju…." The rest of the sentence was cut off as Barbara Gordon slammed down the off switch on her radio. Walking back to her cupboard she continued to rummage through her clothes.
"So it is a date?" Alysia Yeoh, Barbara's transgender roommate and long-time best friend queried.
"No," Barbara replied, holding a dress up to her chest for a moment before chucking it on her bed.
"And yet your putting more effort into finding a dress then I've ever seen you before," she noted.
"It's not a date," she insisted. "I'm just helping out a friend."
"And who exactly is this friend?' Alysia questioned, trying to pry Barbara for any information.
"What about this one?" She asked looking into a mirror. She held a deep red tight bandeau dress across her body.
"It's perfect. Whoever this guy is he sure is lucky."
MALIBU
Clark knocked on the door of Tony Stark's house. The door was opened to reveal a red haired woman, typing furiously into a tablet.
"Hi," he greeted her, "I'm here to see Tony."
"Your Superman," she blurted out. Although not wearing his jacket he had taken off his glasses. After all Superman probably had more reason to visit Tony Stark rather than Clark Kent.
"May I come in?"
"Of course," Pepper replied getting over her shock.
"I'm Pepper Potts," she introduced herself.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Tony's down stairs in his workshop," she nodded towards a flight of stairs. Clark thanked her and headed down the stairs.
Here he found Tony working on designs for a brand new suit of armour.
"Clark, good to see," he greeted the Kryptonian.
"How are you?"
"I'd be better if this armour was finished," Tony replied. "What about you? Enjoying your time off?"
"Yeah, I definitely needed it."
"So you back in the game?"
"Not just yet."
"Good, with you gone it given me more hero time," Tony joked.
"Well, you better get ready because when I do come back I'll be bringing my A game," Clark replied with a smirk.
"What's with the new armour?" Clark queried.
"This little beauty is the Mark twelve armour. The chest repulsor transmitter of this artillery-level suit can fire beams at regular strength or it can be charged up to fire even more powerful blasts. The suit also has the ability to generate a repulsor shield for protection against firearms and explosives. In the spirit of new things, I've changed my usual red and gold colour scheme to a sleek silver and black."
"Impressive, can't wait to race you in it," he joked. "Mark twelve, you're really starting to stock up on armor."
"Yeah well, after New York I figured I should be prepared for all situations." He explained. "So, what brings you here? Surely it isn't just to talk about my new armours"
"I was wandering if I could borrow a suit?" Clark asked. Tony looked at him in confusion.
"What do you need a suit for, you can already fly?" The two looked at each other in confusion for a few moments.
"I mean a black tie kind of suit," Clark clarified.
"Ohhh." Tony finally understood what Clark meant. "Yeah, you can borrow one of those."
"Thanks."
"What's it for?"
"A wedding."
"Really? Whose?"
"Lex Luthor's," Clark revealed. Tony stared at him in shock.
"Lex?" he asked in disbelief. "As in the same Lex you believe was behind the super soldier attack a month ago and is experimenting on meteor infected, that Lex Luthor?"
"That's the one."
"Well that should be…" he drifted off, unsure how to end his sentence.
"Interesting," Clark suggested.
"Interesting."
GOTHAM CITY
Barbara sat in her apartment, waiting nervously for Clark to arrive. She glanced at her watch for the millionth time this minute.
"Calm down," Alysia stressed. "What time did he say he was picking you up?"
"One," Barbara replied glancing at her watch again.
"Well calm down it's not even one yet. In fact, you've still got five seconds," she joked. "Seriously, Barb, you can't expect him to arrive at exactly one." As she said this their buzzer went off.
Barbara raced to the intercom causing Alysia to roll her eyes.
"Hello," she spoke through the intercom.
"Hi, it's Clark," he replied.
"Come on up," she pressed the button unlocking the door for him. Minutes later Clark knocked on the door and Barbara excitedly let him in.
"Clark this is Alysia," She introduced the two.
"Pleasure," Clark greeted her, shaking her hand.
"You ready?" Clark asked as Barbara wheeled her bag to the door.
"Sure am," she replied with a smile. After saying goodbye to her roommate Barbara followed Clark out the door. Minutes later they were in the air flying through the sky, heading straight for Smallville.
MANHATTAN
Bart walked around the new Avengers building. He was impressed by how it'd come in such a short amount of time. As he walked he came across Tony in a suit of armour carrying building materials, effortlessly over his head.
"Hey," he greeted the billionaire.
"Hey," Tony replied.
"So watch ya working on?"
"The building," Tony replied, placing the materials on the ground. He climbed out the armour and poured himself a bottle of scotch from the newly built bar.
"Cool, cool cool cool." Bart looked around the room and began to whistle. Tony smiled at his boredom as he finished his drink.
"You know I could use a break. How about we get some air," he suggested and climbed back into his suit of armour. Tony walked to a balcony and took off into the sky. Bart raced along the ground with Bart following him along the ground.
KENT FARM SMALLVILLE
Clark landed gently, placing Barbara and her suitcase on the ground beside them.
"Thanks for the ride. Air Superman's my new favourite airline," she joked.
"No problem, I'm just sorry we ran out of peanuts," Clark replied, causing Barbara to laugh.
"So, this is where you live."
"Ever since my parents adopted me."
"Its…nice." They walked inside and Clark showed her to the spare bedroom she would be staying in for the wedding.
"So, weddings tomorrow what do we plan to do tonight?" Barbara wandered.
"I hadn't really thought about," Clark admitted. "I guess we could see a movie," he suggested.
"Sounds fun. What's that?" she asked noticing the chest Clark got from Asgard sitting on the kitchen counter.
"Oh that, um, Thor gave it to me when I went to Asgard." Barb held her hands up in front of her.
"Hold up, you went to Asgard?" she asked in disbelief.
"Um, yeah," Clark replied.
"That amazing!" she cried. "What was it like?"
"It was incredible, the architecture was so unique and their technology is so different to anything we have here on Earth," Clark answered.
"So, what's in the chest?"
"Armour," he replied as he opened it showing her the contents.
"Wow." Her jaw hit the floor. "You going to use that as your new suit?"
"I don't like it," Clark stated.
"What! How can you not like it, it's beautiful?" she exclaimed.
"Yeah, but it's not me." Barbara pulled out the blue suit under the armour.
"But this certainly is." She held it up to his chest causing him to give her a questioning look.
"Not a chance."
"Why not?"
"I don't exactly do capes."
MANHATTAN
Iron Man flew close to the water's surface, Impulse running alongside him.
"Having trouble old man," Bart mocked.
"Who are you calling old? Besides, with age comes wisdom," Tony replied before rocketing ahead. He flew around the statue of Liberty and started heading back towards the city. On the ground Bart did the same staying directly beside Tony. Suddenly, the lightning around Bart began sparking on and off and he began to drastically slow down. Eventually his speed stopped working entirely and he fell into the water.
Tony looked behind wandering where Bart had gone and discovered him treading water.
"Kid, you alright?" Tony asked as he grabbed Bart and flew him to shore.
"I, I'm not sure," Bart replied as he tried to use his powers. A look of horror came over his face. "My powers, they're gone!" he exclaimed.
SMALLVILLE
Clark and Barbara walked out of the movie theatre.
"That has to be the funniest movie I've ever seen," Barbara exclaimed. "Crap its cold." She began to rub her arms as the cool night breeze hit her.
"Here," Clark immediately offered her his jacket.
"You sure you won't need it?"
"Don't worry, the cold isn't really an issue for me," he revealed. "So what did you want to do now?" he asked.
The two ended up in the Talon, sitting at a table sipping their coffee.
"So, how's work in Gotham?" Clark asked.
"Oh you know, busy," Barb replied taking another sip of her drink. "Boss man been grumpier then usual."
"Smallville!" a voice called out. The duo looked up to discover Chloe Sullivan and Lois Lane walking towards them.
"Hey, Chloe, Lois this is Barbara," Clark introduced. Chloe and Lois smiled, noticing Barbara still wearing Clark's jacket.
"Chloe told me that you got a job at the Daily Planet, congratulations."
"Thanks Smallville. Now cous has to watch herself because I won't hold back my skills just so she can have a by line."
"Trust me Lo, the day I'm worried about you will be the day Clark becomes president." Lois grabbed two other chairs and sat down beside Barbara.
"I'll go order our coffee," Chloe decided heading towards the counter.
"Would you like a refill?" Clark asked Barb.
"Yes please," she replied handing him her cup.
"So, how do you and Clark know each other?" Lois queried.
"I was visiting Smallville a couple of months ago and my car broke down. Lucky for me Clark came by a helped me out. Since then we've kept in touch." Barbara replied using the back story she and Clark had been clever enough to come up with.
"How do you know Barbara?" Chloe asked as they waited in line to be served.
"She's a friend," Clark replied.
"One of your other friends?" she wandered.
"No, she's an intern for Wayne Industries," he explained. He hated lying to Chloe but it wasn't his place to give away Barbara's secret.
"And does she know about you?"
"Yes. She's my plus one to Lex and Lana's wedding."
"How are you taking that?" she asked, concerned for her friend.
"Honestly, I haven't had a lot of time to think about it. I was mad at first that they were getting married but after all this time, after everything that's happened, I just want Lana to be happy."
"Well it's good to see your moving on. You thought about asking Barbara out?" Chloe teased.
"What?! No, we're just friends. That's all," Clark insisted causing Chloe to laugh.
MANHATTAN
Bart stood in the Avengers tower desperately trying to use his powers.
"Still nothing?" Tony asked as he walked into the room with a full glass of whiskey.
"Still nothing," Bart replied.
"There has to be something we can do. Your powers wouldn't have just disappeared. How'd you get them?" he asked.
"I'm not too sure," Bart replied. "All I remember is a flash of lightning and then waking up in Central City with no memory of who I was before the flash."
"I'm sorry you lost your memory."
"It's cool," Bart put on a fake smile. "At least I got some awesome powers out of it." Lightning surrounded Bart's body as his powers came back to him.
"How'd you do that?" Tony asked.
"I don't know. It just happened." After doing a few test laps around the block Bart was delighted to see his powers were back to normal.
"Still, we don't know if this will never happen again," Tony warned.
"What are we going to do then?" Bart wandered. Tony smiled at the boy.
"I might have an idea." He pulled up a hologram of a pair of Iron Man boots."
"Um, what is it?" Bart asked.
"They're a pair of boots I designed to act as a secondary transportation system if the jets in my boots were ever to disable. They act similar to roller blades except instead of wheels they use electrostatic energy," he explained. "I could design some in smaller boots for you to wear. They won't make you as fast as you normally are but they'll keep you moving."
"Cool! Thanks so much. What do you call them?"
"I haven't come up with a name yet," he admitted. "I was thinking something like, electrostatic energy…racers." He looked down to Bart's disappointed look.
"Meh."
SMALLVILLE
The next day Clark stood in his living room, wearing the suit he borrowed from Tony.
"You almost ready?" he called out.
"Almost!" Barbara called back. Clark began pacing around the room. He'd told Chloe last night that he was over Lana but now that the wedding was just an hour away he was having mixed feelings.
"So, what do you think?" Clark looked up not even realising Barbara was standing at the top of the stairs waiting for him. He starred at her in shock. The red dress clung to her body ending just below her knees. Her long red hair was let down and flowed down her back.
"You look…amazing."
"Thanks." Clark took her hand and helped her down the stairs.
"So, let's get this show on the road."
MANHATTAN
Bart and Tony stood in an empty race track Tony had booked for them. Bart put on the prototype electrostatic energy racers. The current design for them was essentially just Iron man boots. Today was solely about testing them. If successful, Tony would redesign them to be more conventional.
"Ready?" Tony asked from behind a computer screen, watching the boots statistics.
"Ready," Bart replied with a smile.
"Then let's go." The boots began a low buzz as they activated. Bart took off, using them as though they were roller skates.
"How are they looking?" Bart asked through his com as he raced around the track.
"Everything's running smoothly," Tony relied.
"Really?"
"Yes really! I designed them, of course it's working."
After a couple of laps Bart came to a stop at the pits were Tony waited for him.
"How'd they go?" Bart asked excitedly.
"Excellent."
"How come you never implemented these into your armour?" Bart wandered as he took them off and put on his regular shoes.
"I would never be caught dead using those, I have dignity."
SMALLVILLE
Clark and Barbara sat in the church towards the back, watching the ceremony. Chloe stood beside Lana as her maid of honour. Clark looked away when it was time for them to kiss. Eventually the ceremony ended meaning it was time for the wedding party.
The crowd cheered as the newlyweds cut the first slice of their wedding cake. Clark starred at them from the bar.
"How are you taking all this?" Barbara queried, standing beside him.
"Fine," Clark replied not looking away from Lana.
"I thought you said you were over her?"
"I am, at least I thought I was. I want her to be happy but she's marrying the wrong man."
"And you're the right man?"
"No. It's just…I don't like the idea of her being heartbroken but at the same time I have to expose Lex for what he really is." The band started playing a new song and Barbara smiled in delight.
"Well why don't we show her what she's missing out on," she suggested taking Clark's hand and leading him to the dance floor.
"I don't dance," he protested.
"Don't worry. Just follow my lead and go with it," she replied, smiling as they reached the dance floor. She grabbed his hands and put one on her hip and the other in her own hand. They began swaying to the music and as hard as he tried to keep sight of her, Clark lost Lana in the crowd. Finally, he looked down at the women in front of him. He suddenly realised how beautiful she looked and how grateful he was to have her.
"You really do look amazing. Thanks for coming and putting up with me," he thanked her.
"It's no problem. Besides, I like hanging out with you. Although paying a little less attention to the newlyweds wouldn't hurt," she suggested, only half joking. As they continued to dance Barbara noticed Lex watching them.
"You said he invited you to see what you lost right?" Clark nodded in response.
"Well why don't we show him how much you've really lost." Before Clark could question her she grabbed the back of his head and pulled him into a deep kiss. After a moments shock Clark didn't even realise he'd begun kissing her back. They pulled apart with Barbara laughing at his shocked expression.
"What was that for?"
"Just playing a little fun on cue ball over there," she replied. Noticing Lex's stern stare Clark couldn't help but let out a small laugh. He smiled down at her and held her close to his chest as they continued to dance. Lex starred in hatred at his former friend, he didn't realise how tight he was squeezing Lana's hand until she pulled away from him. He apologised and he led her to the dance floor.
"Clark, so glad you could make it," he smirked as they came up to Clark and Barbara.
"Wouldn't miss it for the World, Lex." He turned to face Lana. "It's good to see you happy."
"Thanks," she replied with a small smile.
"So, who's your date?" Lex asked.
"Barbara Gordon," Barbara introduced herself. "Congratulations on the wedding."
"Thank you. How did you and Clark meet?" Lana queried. Barb replied by telling them the story they came up with.
"Where are you from?"
"Gotham," Barbara replied much to Lex and Lana's surprise.
"You came all This way from Gotham for our wedding?" Lana asked in disbelief.
"Well Clark invited me and you know," she grabbed Clark's hand and held it in her own, "he's worth it."
KENT FARM
The next day Clark flew Barbara home to Gotham.
"You okay from here?" he asked dropping her off on a rooftop.
"Yeah I'll be fine."
"Thanks for coming to the wedding with me," he thanked her again.
"No problem, it was fun. I've been meaning to ask when's Superman going to return." Although he'd removed his glasses he was wearing his usual jeans and blue t-shirt.
"It's been a month since Superman disappeared." A smile came to his lips as he looked up to the sky. "But I have a feeling he'll be back soon enough."
WASHINGTON DC
Captain America raced down the road on a SHIELD motor bike. To his right was Green Arrow on a bike of his own and to his left was Hawkeye on a third bike. In front of them were three armoured vehicles, firing at them from torrents. Green Arrow fired an arrow covering the torrent in a pink goo substance. Hawkeye fired another arrow and tazed the shooter. Cap accelerated up to them and slammed his shield into the side of one of the trucks. It pierced through the armour and shredded the wheels to pieces.
"After a failed attempt on the president's life the group responsible fled in three armoured vehicles and are currently being pursued by the Avengers," the news anchor reported. Clark watched from his living room, deciding this was as good a time as any. He was about to race upstairs and grab his leather jacket when he stopped and looked over at the Asgardian chest, remembering Barbara's suggestion.
Cap climbed off of his bike as the final armoured truck fell on its side, smashing into the runway of the airport. With Green Arrow and Hawkeye taking care of the passengers in the other two trucks it was up to him to stop this group from escaping. They climbed out and began firing machine guns at him. Blocking them with his shield, Cap progressed towards them. Easily overpowering them, he knocked all of them out in seconds. What he didn't notice was the driver crawl out of the truck holding a rocket launcher. He fired the heat seeking missile directly at Cap who reacted at the last second and brought his shield up between him and the missile. The explosion sent Cap flying back and smashed him into the windshield of a parked car.
"Don't come any closer!" the terrorist ordered as he aimed the launcher at Cap. Suddenly a tazer arrow, curtesy of Hawkeye sent the man falling to the ground. However, as he fell he pressed the tripper of the launcher. A missile shot out of the launcher and headed towards the sky. To the team's horror it exploded in a ball of fire as it hit the wing and plane circling the airport.
"What the hell do we do now?" Green Arrow asked. The others remained silent, knowing there was nothing they could do. Suddenly a red and blue blur shot over their heads, straight towards the plane as it plummeted towards the ground.
"Is that…Superman?" Hawkeye wandered as the blur flew to the plane's damaged wing and extinguished the flames with a gust of super breath. He proceeded to race underneath the plane and taking all its wait he began to lift it up, slowing its descent.
"Who else would it be?" Green Arrow replied with a smirk.
Superman landed on the runway and held the entire plane above his head. It was only now that they rest of the Avengers noticed his new suit. It was the under piece of the Asgardian armour, the blue suit with his family crest in red and yellow on his chest, red boots and a red cape flapping behind him. As gently as possible he placed the plane on the ground. The doors to the plane opened and the emergency slides opened up. Superman floated into the plane, making sure no one needed immediate medical attention.
"I hope this little incident hasn't put any of you off flying. Statistically speaking, of course,
it's still the safest way to travel." The crowd watched in wander as he waved goodbye and flew away.
"Nice outfit," Oliver complimented him as Clark landed beside them.
"Thanks, it's Asgardian."
"Asgardian, of course it is," Hawkeye joked.
"Does this mean your back?" Steve asked.
"It sure does. But there's something I have to do first."
Clark called Tony on his com.
"This is Tony."
"Hey it's Superman, your recon you could do me a favour?"
METROPOLIS
The next day a crowd of people waited at a press conference organised by Tony. News crews were set up, showing the conference live on television. At exactly ten o'clock Superman floated from the sky and landed on the stage, the crowd immediately went silent as Superman walked to the microphone.
"Good morning everyone," he greeted the crowd. "I'm here today because I want to be honest with you. The Avengers are a team dedicated to saving people. We want to be a symbol of hope for you all to look up to. I'm here to tell you my story." He paused for a moment.
HELICARRIER
Fury, Agent Hill, Natasha and Hawkeye watched from a conference room.
"What's he doing?" Hawkeye asked the room.
MIAMI
Tony and Pepper watched the T.V., wandering the same thing as the other Avengers.
"Do you know what he's doing?" Pepper asked.
"No clue," Tony replied.
MANHATTAN
Bart, Oliver, Victor and Arthur starred at the television in livers pent house.
"He's not going to reveal who he is?" Bart asked. The rest of the team remained silent, they're eyes locked onto the screen.
GOTHAM
Barbara stood beside Bruce in his office, watching the press conference.
'What are you doing Clark?' she wandered.
METROPOLIS
Clark starred into the camera directly in front of him.
"My name is Kal-El and I come from a planet called Krypton."
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
And with the end of that chapter Clark's back in the game with a new outfit and his secret origins revealed. So, for a better mental image of his suit it's the suit from the season 11 comic, except without the belt, I'll add that in later. Next chapter will be about the world dealing with the realisation that Superman's an alien.