It was January now. Lex's takeover of America was in full effect, or rather Lexor as Lex was attempting the rename it. Kaznia was the first country to recognize Lexor as a country. This in turn raised tensions with Russia who remained on high alert. The threat of nuclear war was very real. Bialya also recognized Lexor as a sovereign country. Back in America, or Lexor, Lex's robot army continued to march the streets. It was almost as if they multiplied by the day. Lex had built himself a small cabinet to run the country. The civilians were expected to head to their jobs during the day and home at night. If you disobeyed, you were instantly locked up, no jury, no trial. Protests were instantly shut down by Lex's army.
The heroes were defeated. While Dick Grayson was in Gotham, he just tried to assist Bruce with his injuries. Not that Bruce showed much gratitude. The Flash was in hiding too. Barry Allen spent most of his time at Wally West's bedside, while Wally remained in a coma. John Henry Irons was back home with his niece. He had recovered from his heart attack, but didn't dare to put his steel suit back on.
At the edge of the solar system, a ship entered. It was Superman's ship. The same ship that brought him to Earth thirty-five years ago. Superman could feel the touch of the sun. It was recharging him. He had been away from a yellow sun for some time, and his powers were drained.
When Superman gets to the moon, he lands there. He exits his ship and basks in the sun. He can feel his strength returning to him. Superman takes a moment to look down at the Earth. It was a view very few humans would ever get the chance to see. He knows it had been a long time since he had been home. He wonders what has been going on in the last few months. Not knowing at all about Lex's hostile takeover. He thinks of Lois and his mother. He was so excited to see both of them. He was sure they were worried sick.
Once he thought of them, he realizes it's time to get going. He packs up and heads back into his ship. Then he takes back off.
As Superman's ship enters orbit, Lex is alerted from one of his satellites. Lex could trace where Superman's ship was going. It was heading to his arctic fortress. Lex had learned of this arctic fortress some months earlier. He headed into his own ship and headed north.
Superman flies his ship into his fortress and lands.
"Brainiac I'm home." Superman calls out.
There's no response.
"Brainiac?" Superman calls again.
Superman heads into his fortress. The lights were off and not powering up. Superman thought perhaps Brainiac was being testy, as he was known to be whenever Superman was gone for long periods of time.
"Come on Brainiac, this isn't a joke." Superman says.
"Hello Superman." A voice says in the shadows.
It's a voice Superman recognizes immediately, it's Lex.
"Luthor?!" Superman reacts.
He couldn't believe it. No one has ever been here before, not even Lois.
"Surprised? My satellites found your fortress of solitude months ago." Lex says.
"What are you doing here?" Superman asks.
"Well this really isn't rightfully your land. You never bought it; you don't pay to be here. Same as this isn't really your planet, and America isn't really your country." Lex says.
"Lex." Superman says.
"Not that America exists anymore really. I prefer to call it Lexor, these days." Lex says.
"What have you done?" Superman asks.
"I've won. Me. Lex Luthor." Lex says.
"Brainiac, where are you?" Superman calls out again.
"Is that what you call your robot? I figured you'd have security measures up here. Which is why I set off an EMP before arriving. Your robot isn't going to save you now. Mine on the other hand…" Lex says.
In the distant Superman can see a green glowing robot heading their way. Whatever it was, he was sure it was powered by Kryptonite. Before it reaches him he speeds off. In a moment his is back in his lead suit. The robot has arrived as well. It was an army soldier, nearly identical to the one that Toyman had him battle a few years back. In his lead suit, Superman didn't feel the effects of the Kryptonite. He smashes right through the robot in an instant.
"Grrr, always a way out for you, isn't there? You can always appear to keep your hands clean, can't you." Lex says.
"It's over Lex. I'm back now, and I'm taking you down." Superman says.
"How, I'm the leader of the sovereign country of Lexor, you think the world is going to react kindly to an alien killing a world leader?" Lex challenges.
Superman hesitates for a moment.
"Besides, you'll be a little busy to worry about contending with me." Lex says.
Lex pulls out a remote and hits a button. A satellite in space jettisons a pod towards Earth. The pod smashes right through the roof of Superman's fortress.
As the dust settles, Superman looks on. One boney gray hand reaches out of the pod, then another. There is a loud growl that comes from inside. Then Doomsday rips his way out of the pod and reveals himself.
After Superman's battle that killed Doomsday, the government retrieved the body and blasted it off into space. Unbeknownst to them, Lex intercepted it and has had it in one of his satellites. He had been working to restore Doomsday for over a year.
"I don't think you'll find it as easy to kill this time." Lex says.
Doomsday charges towards Superman. Lex walks over to the destroyed robot solider and picks up the shard of kryptonite that powered it. Then he leaves.
Superman braces himself as Doomsday charges at him. Doomsday tackles Superman to the ground. Then, Doomsday begins punching Superman in the face repeatedly. Doomsday claws and tears at Superman, shredding his lead suit instantly. Superman gets his hands up and grabs Doomsday's hand. Doomsday is so big and powerful; it takes both of Superman's hands to hold off just one of Doomsday's hands. Superman is able to push Doomsday off and fly upwards. Doomsday can't fly, but he can jump. Doomsday jumps upward and grabs Superman's leg. Superman flies downward in an attempt to smash Doomsday into the ground. It works, but doesn't affect Doomsday as much as Superman would have hoped. Doomsday gets back to his feet.
Superman flies forward and begins punching a Doomsday. The punches send the beast staggering backwards. Until Doomsday is able to grab at Superman's arm and toss him aside. Before Superman can recover, Doomsday charges at him again and punches him into the ground. Superman swears that Doomsday is even faster and stronger than before. Doomsday picks Superman up and throws him over a ledge, down to the part of the fortress where Superman had parked his ship. Before Superman can get to his feet, Doomsday jumps down on top of him. Doomsday lifts Superman up and throws him into his ship. Superman smashes through the side of it as debris falls around him. He looks over and sees the phantom zone projector which was tucked away in his ship.
Doomsday charges at Superman again. Be Superman speeds over to the projector and aims it at the monster. He fires it up, and before Doomsday can reach Superman, Superman shoots out a beam that sucks Doomsday into the phantom zone.
Superman then rolls over, trying to catch his breath. He gets to his feet and walks outside. He reaches for the sun, trying to recharge himself once again.
"What happened here?" He asks himself.