DCU Justice League #2 Superman - What it Means to be Human

"Cleanup on aisle four. Can I get a cleanup on aisle four."

 

The intercom shut off after the request. Walking down aisle 7, the baking aisle, where a woman and a small child. Lois Lane-Kent and Jonathan Kent.

 

"Devil's food, banana, vanilla… Jon what sounds- Jon!" The woman looked at her young son, placing a box of chocos into the shopping cart. His eyes widened. "I already told you, no cookies. We're making a cake."

 

The young child let out a small pout, before putting the box of cookies back onto the shelf. Lois couldn't help but laugh at the boy's pouting face. It looked just like his father's. She stepped over to him, lifting him up and placing him into the seat on the cart. "Now Jon, what flavor should we get?"

 

She watched the boy turn his head to the shelf. After examining for a moment he pointed. "That one."

 

She looked to see him pointing at red velvet. She smiled. "You may be a carbon copy of your father, but at least you have my taste buds. Let's go sweetie." After grabbing the box, she pushed the cart towards the register. She received a few looks, being a pretty famous reporter would do that to you.

 

After waiting in line for what felt like ages, she finally was able to ring up her groceries. The man bagged them, placing them into the cart for her. "Here you go ma'am. Have a nice day." She smiled at him, repeating the sentiment as she pushed the cart which held her son and the bags of food.

 

The air outside was nice and cool. Spring time had just hit and boy did it feel good. The sun was just starting to set, giving the sky a heavenly glow of golden orange. The smell of flowers blooming also was a nice touch, giving the parking lot a nice aroma.

 

Lois pushed the cart through the lot, arriving at her car. After getting Jon situated inside his booster seat, she popped the trunk and began loading groceries.

 

She was slowly loading the bags into the car when she realized her phone was oddly silent. As she pulled it out of her pocket, she raised her brow.

 

No new messages.

 

She thought it was strange. Clark should have been back by now, and usually would text when he returned home. She wanted to believe it was nothing, that he maybe had only fallen asleep, but her inquisitive nature took the lead. She quickly slammed the trunk shut and slid into the vehicle.

 

After twisting the key, the car started up. The radio was playing a tune, some modernized, upbeat version of Frere Jaques. Jon seemed to like it, so Lois kept it playing.

 

As she drove down the road, she softly hummed to the tune. She had to admit, it was damn catchy. While she hummed along, her mind went through some of the possibilities.

 

'Think rationally Lois. It's Clark. He probably went off to help earthquake relief in Haiti. He would have texted though, it isn't like him to not let me know at all. Maybe it's a villain, who's even out of prison these days?'

 

As the thoughts were running through her mind, she was snapped to reality by the voice of Jon. "Mom? Why's the sky like that?" Lois turned her head and let her eyes widen. The sky, just previously a warm golden orange, was now blood red. The clouds looked like they were stained with charcoal, a pitch blackness to them.

 

"What the-"

 

The radio suddenly changed. The happy tune was now an emergency broadcast. "Breaking news. Mere moments ago, a large, oval-like vessel planted itself directly behind the Lincoln Memorial. Large, white monsters have been exiting the vessel and are attacking civilians and the military."

 

Lois gasped at the radio message, chills running down her spine. Aliens are attacking… the white house no less. Her fingers snapped upon reaching a conclusion. "That's why Clark is silent right now." Exclaiming the idea out loud, only to have it shot out of the sky like a plane.

 

"With President Swanwick MIA and the military barely holding on, we must ask. Where the hell are the freakin’ heroes?!"

 

Lois's heart sank, fear rising up her arms. Her foot slammed on the gas, increasing her car's speed exponentially. She needed to get home. She needed to find him.

 

-~-~-

 

Clark slowly rubbed his eyes, the grogginess of sleep wearing off. He groans as he lifts himself up, immediately noticing something odd under his hands. 'Concrete? But I was just… It was then when he realized the sky. Dark, almost pitch black. "I could've sworn I got home at noo-"

 

Suddenly he is cut off. His body recoils through a nearby building as he's hit by something with the force of a semi truck. His body rolls along the floor of the building, stopping at a receptionist's desk, but no one is there.

 

"If I were you Superman, I would be on my knees."

 

The voice echoed in Clark's head. It was familiar, like an old scar. He slowly tilted his head up, seeing the man. Dinning his green power armor, Lex Luthor stood over the Man of Steel. "Luthor. How you- you're supposed to be in Striker's."

 

Clark attempts to stand but is hit with a boot to the chest, sending him back to the ground. "C'mon, Superman… don't you know who you're talking to?" As Lex chuckles at the remark, he dives forward in an attempt to tackle Clark. Clark narrowly dodges the charge, grabbing hold of the jets on Luthor's back. In a swift motion, Clark is able to crush the jets, all while swinging Luthor through a wall like he was a sledgehammer. Clark stumbles a bit, still not at full strength. He must be tired, the sun being blocked out not helping.

 

Luthor reappears, standing idle in the hole he was thrown through. The two rivals stared each other down, before Clark rushed towards his ginger adversary. A barrage of missiles were let out of Lex's armor, hitting Clark dead on. The force sent him through the building, back to the open street.

 

The Kryptonian struggles for a moment before standing, his chest heaving. 'This… this is too familiar. There has to be something wrong. The inner thoughts are cut off when Lex steps out of the building's hole.

 

"What, don't try and act like you didn't feel that one Superman." The man smirks as he watches Clark's chest move up and down. Clark only stares back at him.

 

"I don't know what… you did to my body… but if you really think you're going to get away with this… you aren't mu… much of a genius at all." Clark readies his fists, but falters when he hears Lex.

 

"Ok, Clark. Let's finish this."

 

Clark's eyes widen at the sound of his name. That's impossible. Lex couldn't have…

 

Lex pulls out a small kryptonite grenade, crushing it in his hand. The crystal-powder covers his fists as he rushes towards Clark. The Man of Steel attempts to dodge, but is too slow from the earlier hits. Lex hits him with his first right hook, then a jab to the gut. Clark swings, but Lex easily grabs the punch, slowly crushing his hand.

 

"Aghghgh!" Cries Clark, as his hand is crushed by the man, laughter filling his ears. As Clark drops to his knees, an uppercut from Lex's free hand sends him flying through the air. His body crashes into the street, leaving a sizable dent in the concrete.

 

"That didn't happen before."

 

-~-~-

 

The small car with Lois and Jon inside swerved around the busy corner. The streets of Metropolis were panicked, people rioting. An alien invasion has the entire world going psycho, especially if the heroes aren't helping.

 

Lois sped down the street, finally arriving at their home. She quickly leapt from the vehicle, grabbing Jon and sprinting towards the door.

 

It was open. The door was wide open.

 

She placed her some down, letting him stand behind her. "Jon, stay behind me. If anything happens, run to mommy's work and find uncle Jimmy." She slowly stepped inside, and gasped at the sight.

 

Her husband was laying on the floor, his body spasming around. Above him was… her? What in the world?

 

"Two mommas?" Asked Jon as he stared at the second Lois. The copy looked up from Clark's body, it's eyes twisting. They were a crimson red.

 

Lois's eyes widened. It was one of the aliens. "Jon… Jon run!"

 

Before either of the two could move, the beast transformed into its natural white form, leaping at them. Lois protectively shielded Jon, but the sound of a skull cracking caused her to look up.

 

In front of her stood a tall, green skinned man. He had blue pants and boots, a long blue cape draping to the floor around his ankles. His chest was covered in red straps, with a red star like symbol at the center. He had just uppercutted the white creature and was now facing Lois and Jon. His eyes were the same crimson red, but seemed different. They seemed… friendly.

 

"Hello Lois… Jon. My name is J'onn J'onzz, a friend of your husband." He gave them a small smile.

 

Lois looked at him, still not completely sure. "Are you connected to these white aliens? You have the same eyes." The man nodded.

 

"I will explain it all soon, but for now," his head shifted towards Clark, still on the floor, "I must save Superman."

 

-~-~-

 

The world around J'onn became dark, a blackness piercing his mind. Closing his eyes, he used his mind to sense the presence… fear. Clark was afraid.

 

His body turned, the abyss slowly being painted by color. A street. On the street were two men, one donning green power armor, the other in a blue and red suit. Superman was fighting Lex Luthor.

 

J'onn stepped towards them, letting his voice callout. "Superman! This is not real!" He watches as the man slightly turns his head, but is hit again. 'I must go assist him.' J'onn thinks to himself as he steps forward, only to be stopped by the sound of a familiar purr. His head turns to see a woman, dressed in navy blue with a gestapo hat on.

 

She held a flamethrower that purred at him. "I assume you are the failsafe J'ymm has told his elites to set up." The woman didn't speak, only pointing the weapon towards J'onn. "So be it."

 

-~-~-

 

The sound of it was ringing in his ears. That voice was familiar… but who? I know I've heard it before… a friend? Clark's thoughts were stopped short when his head slammed into the ground once again. The concrete breaking beneath him. He tilted his head up as Lex stepped away, lifting the spear from the ground.

 

"These pitiful beings look to you as a prophet…" He kicks at Clark's head, slamming it back down into the street, face first. "As a savior?" He grabs at his shoulder, rolling him onto his back. "But I see you. You're nothing but a false god, a fool with powers!"

 

SUPERMAN! THIS ISN'T REAL!

 

It was that voice again. Clearer this time. Clark recognized his friend… but he didn't meet him until...

 

As he raises his arms, the spear ready to plunge into Clark's stomach, Clark lights his eyes up. A ray of heat vision blasts from his retinas, hitting Lex square in the chest. The blast sends him several feet into the air, falling back to the ground with a crash. Clark brings himself to a stand.

 

"That's how you see me. As nothing. Some fool gifted with incredible abilities… maybe you're right. Maybe I'm just a boy from Kansas who has everything. Maybe I'm just a man who was handed the world on a silver platter." The Man of Steel soars through the air crashing into Lex. His armor plates crumble under him as he rolls along the street. "But more than you. I'm more of a hero. I'm more of a human. And I'll always be that. I may be Superman now, but I'll always be Clark Kent."

 

The ginger stands, his armor gone. His smile is long gone at this point. "You think you can still win?"

 

Clark raises his fists. "It's over Lex. Give up now."

 

"It's not over! You don't get to decide when it's over! I'll kill you, your wife, and your half-breed trash of a child! The world will know me as their savior!" Lex rushed forward, a small kryptonite dagger slipping from his sleeve. As he meets Clark, the dagger slides into the man's side, electing a scream of pain. "Ha! You left your blind spot open! You absolute filth!"

 

Clark looks up to him. "Maybe… but maybe… you should… pay more attention… to yours…" Lex lifts his head to see Clark's fist wound up. A single hit sends Lex crashing through the street. "As long as I'm around, you won't hurt them. You won't hurt anyone, ever again."

 

Around him, the world begins to fade. He looks around as buildings and rubble begins to disappear. He looked to his left, J'onn was there. He stood over and unconscious Mercy Graves. His body began to fade as he gave me a slight nod.

 

It was over. Superman was back.

 

-~-~-

 

Follow King Clown for issue three of DCU Justice League, releasing tomorrow!

Done