When Kara Kent finally woke, she knew something was wrong. By the window, she could see Clark rummaging about on the farm.

That was normal.

But when she finally went downstairs, into the living room, her suspicions were all but confirmed.

''Good morning, Kara.'' Clark was able to manage, though not with his usual smile. ''I know you've just woken up, but when was the last time you saw Harry? You did go to bed later than me.''

''I don't know.'' She said and patted her tangled hair down, ''Let me guess. He's gone?''

''Yes. But I thought I would at least ask.'' Clark admitted, rubbing the bridge of his nose. ''I just wish that he would listen to me.''

''You think he's after Doomsday?''

''I know Harry won't find him,'' Clark said tensely. ''But I still need to find him.''

''Okay, well. Let me help.''

''You don't need to,'' Clark said. ''He's my responsibility.''

''I came last time, I'll come now.'' She replied. ''I'm not going to say I've known him for long, and I'm not going to try and act like he's easy to deal with. But he's still family, right?''

Clark finally smiled. ''You're right. He is family.''

And then, Jonathan's voice came from the kitchen. ''Clark! Come on over, you're gonna wanna hear this!''

But even in the living room, Kara could hear it, now that she listened closely. A radio played, and all colour was drained from Clark's face.

''I repeat, a creature has been spotted rampaging through Metropolis -- everyone evacuate and head to the shelters!''

''I am sending you out to stop Doomsday. Don't disappoint me.''

That is the task that his master had given to him, and Zeke would give his life to accomplish it. He went around the outskirts of Metropolis, through ruined buildings and subway stations, filled with onlookers who whispered to each other.

''What is that thing?''

That thing had just two eyes, with snow-white skin, & would have looked human, if not for his mechanical limbs — silvery arms and legs, and a red core glowing from his chest.

''I don't know. Let's just get outta here. The shelter shouldn't be far.''

They were ignored. Zeke exited the subway, and through the fractured landscape, he could make it out. A massive, glowing cube surrounded Metropolis.

''Code: 101.''

Then there was a slight crackle. His arm was no longer an arm, but a blade, bright particles flickering around the tip. It was not a weapon, but with a whish, a hole was formed in the cube.

Zeke went through the hole, just in time before it closed up.

The buildings around him shook and the earth began to splinter, followed by the sound of glass shattering. A costumed figure and Doomsday went tumbling through the window and tore through the gas station.

The boy would have had his head squashed, if not for rolling out of the way of its giant, clawed foot. He sprung up and looked worse for wear. His costume was torn and blood streaked down him, which did little to stop him from hitting the monster hard enough for shockwaves to erupt around them.

When the two were distracted, Zeke went behind them. He leaned forward, his silvery arms stretching out like rubber, seizing Doomsday.

The boy demanded. ''What are you doing?''

''Code: 625,'' Zeek said, his voice a robotic drone. The core in his chest flared brightly, before Doomsday took his arm and swung him about wildly, only freed as the boy dug an elbow into the creature's jagged jaw.

''Now, run!'' The boy barked, back to Zeek. ''Get outta here.''

''I can not leave.''

''What?'' He hissed, and had to duck. ''You know what, fine.''

His arms stretched out once more, bright red wires hanging. They swerved through the air and snapped at Doomsday like a whip. It didn't even flinch.

The boy sidestepped and seized Zeke. Once he jumped up to the nearest tower, he was dropped.

''I told you to run.'' The boy grunted. ''Just stay up here. You're just gonna make things harder for me.''

''I can not stay up here.''

''What do you mean you can't?'' The boy said, squinting across at Zeke. ''Just stay up here, you got that?''

''I can-''

''You already said that.'' The boy cut him off, and a shadow emerged

Doomsday ripped into the tower and burst through concrete.

''Just stay away.'' The boy said, marching over to the creature.''

''Mission: Seal Doomsday.'' Zeke droned. ''I can...help. I must. My mission is to seal Doomsday away.''

The boy ignored him.

No matter. Zeke would accomplish his mission.

He had to.

''My mission is to seal Doomsday away.''

Zeke didn't wait for an answer.

Two outlines streaked through the clouds, like blue shooting stars.

Supergirl said. ''What is that?''

Light shone around Metropolis, shaped in what almost looked to be a cube.

But that was not what Supergirl was referring to. Levitating above the cube, was a woman garbed in black.

''What is Circe doing here?

''Circe?'' She asked, her golden eyebrows furrowing. ''Who's Circe?''

''Circe is someone you have to be careful around, Kara.'' He said seriously. ''I haven't heard from her in the last few years, but I know she almost killed Diana.''

''Oh.'' She murmured. ''She's not human then?''

''No, she isn't. She is from the world that Diana is from.''

''Oh.'' She repeated. ''A god?''

''I'm afraid not. There is only one god, and it definitely isn't Circe.'' He fixed her a look. ''Promise me that you will be careful.''

She sighed. ''I'll be careful. You know that.''

When they dropped down to the ground, a dagger pierced through the air and cut her cheek, sharp enough to draw blood.

That isn't a normal dagger. Was what came to mind. Another dagger was thrown, but this time she caught it and threw it back, high in the air.

It stopped midair, frozen inches away from Circe's face.

''Circe.'' Superman boomed, matching her stare. ''I didn't think someone like you would get involved in this. Were you the one who revived Doomsday?''

''And what possible reason would I have to answer that, Kryptonian?''

In an instant Supergirl was in the air. Circe had to raise her arms, as a shield, to brace herself as a heavy kick slammed into her.

''Tch. αλυσίδες ψυχής.'' Circe hissed. Flaming red chains materialised out of thin air, seizing her. Supergirl simply stretched her arms out, shattering them.

''I can deal with her,'' Supergirl said as the cube vanished. ''You can hear Doomsday in there, right?''

''Are you sure?'' Clark asked. ''Circe is dangerous.''

''Yeah, I'm sure.'' She said. ''I'm not fifteen anymore. I can handle her. Just trust me.''

''Do you truly believe that I would allow you to leave?'' Circe asked, her black eyes gleaming darkly. She pointed a finger at him, and there was a loud bang.

Supergirl fell in front of him and fired back. Two lasers met with each other, and they stalemated. Neither could gain an edge.

''I know what you're going to say,'' Supergirl said, over the sound of hissing. ''But I can deal with her.''

The beams faded, both knowing it would just waste time.

''I know you can. Just be careful. I'll see you soon.'' Was the last thing that her cousin said, before vanishing into the wind.

And then, cold laughter rang out.

''He shall be too late. The boy is already dead.''

''That's not going to work on me,'' Supergirl said coolly. ''I can still hear him.''

''Are you certain?''

''I said that's not going to work on me. Do I have to say it again?'' She said. ''But even if he is, what do you think going to happen then? Superman doesn't usually get angry, but if he's dead, well, there's no place in the universe you could hide.''

Circe's beautiful face twisted uglily. ''You, Krytonions.'' She snarled. ''I had almost forgotten how much I loathed your kind.''

''What?''

''Do I need to repeat myself?'' She drawled. ''Although, it matters little now. Your race is almost extinct, my only regret is that I was not responsible for it. After all, I would have left no survivors.''

Ice ran through her veins. No longer thinking, Supergirl caught the other woman by the throat and soared through the clouds, the world now a hazy, red blur.

The cold laughter came again. She squeezed until her fingers were red before Circe slipped through as if made out of air.

''Did I say something wrong?'' She said cruelly. ''Or perhaps something that was false? No, I don't think so. Krypton was destroyed, and your people are almost extinct.''

''I'm not going to-''

Lightning crackled in between Circe's pale fingers, and blue thunder came down on Supergirl. It coursed into her, through her bones. ''I said-'' she grunted. ''You aren't going to talk about them like that.''

''But am I wrong?'' Circe says silkily. ''Krypton's destruction was long overdue.''

Supergirl breathed in, the final sparks dying out. Circe was trying to get to her, and it was working. ''I'm done talking.'' And she hit the woman hard enough to send her toppling from the sky with a resounding crack.

On the ground, Circe spread her arms apart, blood trickling from her lip. The clouds rumbled once more before Supergirl saw it. Thousands of flaming daggers filled the skies, blocking out the sun, and they fell.

''It has been a long time coming, but after today, you Kryptonions shall truly go extinct.''

''We've got about thirty seconds,'' Superboy said, his back to the bookshelves. He looked at the exit, instead of Zeke. ''But are you sure this is even gonna work?''

''Chances of success with your assistance….43.34 percent.''

''Alright, I'll distract him. Just make it quick. And seal him away, or whatever you're gonna do.'' He paused. ''I hear him.''

Doomsday came, tearing through the library. Superboy hoisted a bookshelf over his head & with a thud it shattered on the creature's rough skin, but wooden fragments and a hundred or so books whirled around it.

Before they could fall, he went up behind and climbed up Doomsday's back, plunging his fingers into its eyes.

''Now!'' Superboy did his best to hang on, as Doomsday swung about the room wildly. ''I said-'' it swayed again, and he was tossed to the ground. ''Shit.'' He rolled. It went for his throat, before a bright ray pierced right into its eyes, howling. With all his remaining strength, he tackled the creature to the ground, holding it by the arms. ''Now, do it now!'' Atop its spiked chest, he did not let up. He burnt Doomsday's eyes.'' I said now!''

A pair of metallic arms stretched out, the fingers brushing against the creature. ''Code: 625.''

The core glowed again, but this time Doomsday could not fight back. No, it could only howl out.

Superboy redoubled his grip, his fingers splitting against a spiked body, every muscle in his body tensing.

''How long-'' He grunted. ''I can't hold him down for long!''

''7.6 seconds.''

''Hurry up!''

The red core in Zeke's chest grew, swirling, and a strange whirlpool materialized with a pop. Doomsday almost seemed to shrink and was slowly dragged into it.

Superboy finally let go. He watched as Doomsday was sucked in before a ray of white exploded in the library. He blinked into the light, and once it died down, the creature was finally gone.

''So it's done, right?''

No answer. Zeke toppled, and hot steam filled the air.

''Doomsday has not been sealed…''

''What do you mean he hasn't?'' Superboy demanded. ''You did it right?''

''Master had assigned me a task. I was to trap Doomsday in an alternate dimension.'' Zeke droned. ''Currently, Doomsday still resides in our dimension.''

''Then where the hell is he?''

''I do not know. Coordinates, unknown.''

''Well, maybe that's cause it did work.'' He said. ''How do you even know it didn't, you don't know where he is, right?''

''If the sealing was a success, then my programming would have crashed.''

He raised an eyebrow. ''What are you talking about?''

''My programming would have crashed.''

''Yeah. I know. You said that. But what do you actually mean?'' He asked, staring a hole into the robot. ''Are you saying it would have killed you.''

''In human terminology, I would be dead.'' Zeke droned. ''However, I am a robot.''

''Then why'd you even do it, you idiot?''

Zeke almost seemed to not know how to answer. ''I am not an idiot. Master has given me adequate information on how the world works.''

''What?'' Superboy said, and then remembered he was talking to a robot. ''I meant I could have dealt with him on my own. I didn't even want your help, especially if you're just gonna die.''

''But that is why master created me…''

''Well, not like it matters now.'' He said and shook his head. ''But where'd Doomsday go?''

The truth was, he was talking more to himself than Zeke.

When Clark and Kara fought Doomsday, it had apparently vanished then too.

He thought back. There was a flash of light.

If someone did teleport Doomsday away, how did they know to do it last minute?

Superboy turned, his blue eyes crossing the ruined library, out into the hole in the wall, which Doomsday has come through.

''Geoforce: 2000.'' Zeke droned, a blue light shimmering across the floor.

''Geo what?''

''Geoforce: 2000 is the newest model for the Geoforce. A teleporter that master has created. That is what was used.''

''You can tell?''

The blue light faded. ''Master has implanted knowledge on all his other creations into me.''

He frowned at the machine. ''You said it was your masters?''

''Affirmative.''

His frown deepened. If his 'master' was the one who did it, then why would Zeke try to help him? ''And they could use it how?''

''I do not know. But 14 of masters creations were stolen on the fifth of April.''

''Well okay then.'' He said but kept his eyes on the machine. ''Think you can do anything about it?''

Zeke seemed to consider it. ''I will track the coordinates.''

''You can do that? But I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You're a robot.''

The blue light returned. ''Code: 373.''

He turned back to the window. Was somebody watching them? He listened closely and felt the heartbeat of thousands.

''I'll be back in a minute.''

No response from Zeke. Superboy squeezed through the hole. Looking out, it was only then did it sink in.

The landscape was cracked and several of the buildings had collapsed into rubble. It looked more like an earthquake had hit Metropolis than the aftermath of a fight.

It was in the midst of his thoughts, did he slowly face the other way. Superman was flying towards him.

If only Zeke had the coordinates now.

''Harry,'' Superman said quietly, but nothing would escape Superboy's ears.

''Yo.'' He mumbled but knew that his father could hear him. ''You weren't up, so I came here by myself.''

A look of disappointment was written across his face, that quickly evaporated as a gunshot rang out. ''Behind you.''

''I know, I've got it.''

Superboy whirled on his heel and caught the bullet in between his fingers.

He squinted.

It exploded.

There was a cloud of purple smoke. He inhaled deeply and felt the sting deep in his ribs.

He gasped hoarsely, dropped onto one knee and hacked out blood.

''Harry!'' Superman bellowed, diving from the air.

''I'm…fine.'' Superboy grasped onto his throat, leaving red fingerprints. ''It was just a bullet.'

Superman dropped to his side. ''Harry, Harry. Listen to me.''

Then came another gunshot, but Superman was already in the air, holding him.

''It was just -- it was just,'' He struggled to say. ''What was mist...''

''Harry, look at me,'' Superman said, looking down upon him, as his veins turned blue. He crumbled. ''Oh, no. Purple Kryptonite.''

Purple Kryptonite? That is what he tried to say, but his voice was no longer working.

''Harry, look at me,'' Superman repeated, desperate. ''Just keep your eyes open.''

He was finally able to speak, and took one final breath''Purple….am I gonna die?''

It took one look from Superman, for him to understand. The man opened his mouth, but he heard nothing.

Superboy could no longer hear anything. Not the wind, not his father, nothing but the thunderous beat in his chest.

He could no longer breathe.

Could no longer feel.

And finally, he couldn't keep his eyes open.

The cold touch of death pulled him into its deep embrace, the world around him fading to black.

Harry thought. Was it all just a dream?

The room he woke up in, was one he had not entered in a long time. Years, even. He rose from an old, ratty mattress and looked down. The clothes he wore didn't fit him and were torn at the sleeves, but that wasn't the strangest thing. He almost looked smaller.

He fell, crumbling back onto the mattress. Something was wrong, something was terribly wrong.

The smell of rot stung his nostrils. There was something people always said, if you're dreaming, pinching yourself will wake you up.''

And that is what he did.

But he did not wake up.

For the second time, he got off the mattress, but this time he stormed out of the room.

It was as Harry looked about, did an apple recoil off the back of his head, and he actually felt it.

''Hey, give my apple back, or I'll tell Mom.''

He turned to face Duddley, and for a moment his voice was stuck in his throat. ''Go and tell them. Think I care?''

''Pick it up, pick it up!'' Duddley repeated, pointing a finger at him. ''Pick it up. I'll tell and you'll be in big trouble.''

This time he did pick it up, and squeezed it with all his might.

It did not splatter.

''Now give it back, give it.''

He froze on the spot. What is going on? He squeezed, once, twice, before hurling it at Dudley, who caught it.

''Still gonna' tell mom,'' Duddley said with a grin. ''You're gonna be in trouble!''

As Duddley barged by him, Harry still had not moved. No, he just stared down at his trembling hands. He struck the wall loud enough for his uncle to hear: ''Why are you banging around out there!''

He ran up the stairs, into the bathroom, forgetting to even shut the door. He hunched over the sink, and when he looked at his reflection, his knees buckled.

The face that stared back was of Harry Evans, only three years younger.