Superior_Idiot
DCU Superman #34
I rush through the entrance of the hospital, making sure I don’t damage the flowers and stop at the receptionist’s desk. It’s been less than two weeks since the bombing and the fight with Metallo, the police have been trying to track down the people responsible with no such luck.
“Hi, I’m here for James Olsen?” She types a bit on her keyboard before answering.
“Second floor, room 214.” I give a quick thanks before heading to the elevator to the second floor. As the elevator stops I walk out to glance at each room number.
“210, 211, 212, 213, room 214.” I mutter out before poking my head into the room to see Jimmy laying in his bed watching Friends.
“Hey James. Sorry I’m late” I apologize, catching his attention.
“Clark!” He shuts off the tv.
“Glad you came.” He gives his usual goofy smile.
“Lois would’ve come as well, but.” Jimmy waves it away.
“Ah it’s fine, after having Jon, it’s completely understandable for her to not visit. Besides, I don't think I’d like to see her post-birth.”
“She would definitely kill you if she heard that.” We both share a small laugh before it dies down.
“I got you, uh flowers.” I hand him the bouquet.
“Oh, uh thanks I suppose? Not really a flowers guy.”
“I know, but Lois told me that it usually helps brighten up the room. Plus, I heard Lee loves flowers.” He nods in agreement.
“So is he busy or..?” Jimmy’s silent, scratching behind his neck.
“Oh, he-he had to go to his shift, but he’ll come back in around an hour or so, if you’re willing to wait a bit...”
“Oh no, I have to head back home pretty soon, gotta get some work done for Perry. You know him and work schedules.”
“That I do. Well it was good to see you Clark.” he gives me that goofy smile once again before I wave him goodbye and leave the room. I wander down the hallway to the elevator.
“Ok, now comes the hard part.” I think to myself before the elevator door closes.
---------------------------
“Police are still baffled by the explosion caused by the self proclaimed ‘Atomic Skulls’. Which has caused the city council to figure out how to deal with this gang. With speculation of bringing in the Coast Guard. Especially since the attack has racked up a body count, including the tragic deaths of our beloved Mayor Clay Irons and detective Daniel Tur-” Lois turns off the tv.
“Clark, you need to slow down, you’re giving yourself too much pressure with these guys.”
“I can’t, I need to find them. It’s my fault, i-if I had been there, then maybe-” she sits next to me on the couch, putting a hand to my shoulder.
“Clark, I’ve known you long enough to tell you don't have to be alone in all of this. We’re in this together.” I sigh, glancing towards her before looking back at the map.
“Still, I need to find these guys before something worse happens.”
“What’s the map for?”
“It’s Metropolis sewer system, which I’ve been cross repherencing to see if there was any recent activity between now and the last few years, since Metallo’s boot prints had remnants of sewage water. And so far..”
“Nothing?”
“Nada.” Lois takes a few glimpses at it before noticing something.
“What about here?” She points at a closed off section.
“It’s closed off.”
“I know, but this looks familiar, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, it’s the one where Bruce and I fought X.”
“Well, I mean besides that, before I got parental leave, I heard Lexcorp was working on this section, they were apparently about three quarters of the way done before their ex-CEO’s death. Which died of “being burnt from the inside”, which correlates to reports of what the Atomic Skulls gang did to certain victims. Couple that with what happened recently. Something tells me these are more than just coincidences.”
“Still leaves the bigger question, who’s the ringleader in all this?” I add.
“There’s only one I could find of him,” She says before picking a photo from her purse and putting it on the table. I move the photo closer to get a better look.
“His name’s Joseph Martinez, he originally worked for the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico, before disappearing after the group disbanded, no one’s seen him until a few years ago, said to have had “the power to summon green fire”. I look at her, slightly impressed.
“Even while having a kid, nothing can stop Lois Lane, huh?” She gives an eyeroll.
“Right, I’ll check it out, let you know if there’s anything going on.” I immediately change into my suit.
“Be careful.” I nod back at her before soaring out the window into the air through the city.
---------------------------
I walk through the sewers, trying to find any clues of recent activity here, I spot a dead end, with the most obvious indication being of course the Lexcorp logo. I walk to leave, I stop myself however. Just to be safe, I go back to the dead end. I use my x-ray vision to see anything off. There’s nothing, no hole, no wreckage, nothing. I grab it by the side, it only takes me a few moments for me to remove the wall.
“Lead covering.” I walk through the fake dead end to the new path. An immediate smell of chemicals hits my nose. I go further to see a lab with Lexcorp machines containing what seemed to be radioactive material.
“When can we expect your arrival sir?” I turn to the source of the voice, which appears to be Martinez talking to someone on a screen.
“In several hours. Until then, continue progress with Project Metropolis.” Martinez nods before cutting the broadcast. He stops to notice something and tells one of the workers he needs to do something.
“Alright guys, let’s get the final touches done so we can get out of here.” He yells out before pointing to another worker.
“Make sure to tell our contacts to pull out before noon. We wanna make sure none of the casualties are our own.”
“Chemicals? Lexcorp machines? Project Metropolis? Just what in the heck are they building exactly?” I think to myself before it hits me.
“My god, they’re building a nuclear bomb. I gotta let Sawyer know befo-” I get hit with a major blast that sends me across the lab into a wall, I crawl out of the crater to see Martinez approaching me, green flames eminating from his fists.
“Hombres, aclaren.” The workers turn to the crash before they proceed to rush out of the lab, some of which carry the bomb. I'm gonna have to deal with this guy before I get the bomb.
“I'm guessing you’re the leader behind all this?” I gesture to the lab, he shrugs.
“Something like that.” He charges at me, throwing hit after hit. I try to block a few, but get most of the hits, with one knocking me to the ground. I attempt to get up, but he strikes me in the back of the head. He then proceeds to snatch me by my cape and hurl me at a wall, I land on one of the paths with a wide array of pipes. Martinez picks me by the head to slam me into another wall, he pulls me back, letting go of my head, causing me to fall onto the ground.
“So much for the man called ‘Superman’.” He chuckles. I attempt to give a soft blow, but he catches my fist and grabs my throat, pressing me against a wall.
“You’re probably thinking how it’s possible that I’m beating your ass. My powers takes and uses nuclear energy, it’s not Kryptonite, but it packs a punch strong enough to be close.” I look behind him to see the hole into the lab.
“Anything left to say?”
“Yeah, I apologize in advance.” I say weakly. Before he has a chance, I push him as hard as I can, making him almost fly into several pieces of tech. I land on my knees, I put my hand to my throat. I see him get up and spot a small nuclear fusion reactor. He glances at me before rushing right towards it.
“No!” Is all I can say before he reaches in for a few moments before pulling it out, his right hand consumed by the flames, he falls to his knees with a cry of pain before his eyes glow bright green he explodes in flames with the blast pushing me through the wall of pipes into another tunnel. I look quickly up to see the path blocked off by the rubble. I groan in pain, clutching to my side as I get up, coughing up blood. I attempt to get up and take a few steps before stumbling and catching the wall to prevent my fall. It takes close to an hour before I find any light at the end of the tunnel, I get closer to the exit before my legs give out.
“Unless I get sunlight, I’m not gonna be able to make it.” I attempt to get back up only to trip over but catch myself with a nearby wall, I take deep breaths, but my sight starts to slowly blur as each second passes by.
“Hello Superman.” I look to the side to see someone. It’s hard to spot any details but he’s tall and has a cape. However the most noticeable feature is his red eyes, it was almost like they were staring into my soul.
“W-Who-” I grit my teeth as I feel the pain to my side from earlier returning..
“Please, do not overwork yourself. You’re in enough pain as is.” he says, kneeling to me.
“Wh-Who are you?” I ask, mustering all my strength to say those words.
“My name is J’onn J’onzz, and I am here to help. Now please, we must go-” Is all I could hear before everything went dark.
DCU Superman #34
I rush through the entrance of the hospital, making sure I don’t damage the flowers and stop at the receptionist’s desk. It’s been less than two weeks since the bombing and the fight with Metallo, the police have been trying to track down the people responsible with no such luck.
“Hi, I’m here for James Olsen?” She types a bit on her keyboard before answering.
“Second floor, room 214.” I give a quick thanks before heading to the elevator to the second floor. As the elevator stops I walk out to glance at each room number.
“210, 211, 212, 213, room 214.” I mutter out before poking my head into the room to see Jimmy laying in his bed watching Friends.
“Hey James. Sorry I’m late” I apologize, catching his attention.
“Clark!” He shuts off the tv.
“Glad you came.” He gives his usual goofy smile.
“Lois would’ve come as well, but.” Jimmy waves it away.
“Ah it’s fine, after having Jon, it’s completely understandable for her to not visit. Besides, I don't think I’d like to see her post-birth.”
“She would definitely kill you if she heard that.” We both share a small laugh before it dies down.
“I got you, uh flowers.” I hand him the bouquet.
“Oh, uh thanks I suppose? Not really a flowers guy.”
“I know, but Lois told me that it usually helps brighten up the room. Plus, I heard Lee loves flowers.” He nods in agreement.
“So is he busy or..?” Jimmy’s silent, scratching behind his neck.
“Oh, he-he had to go to his shift, but he’ll come back in around an hour or so, if you’re willing to wait a bit...”
“Oh no, I have to head back home pretty soon, gotta get some work done for Perry. You know him and work schedules.”
“That I do. Well it was good to see you Clark.” he gives me that goofy smile once again before I wave him goodbye and leave the room. I wander down the hallway to the elevator.
“Ok, now comes the hard part.” I think to myself before the elevator door closes.
---------------------------
“Police are still baffled by the explosion caused by the self proclaimed ‘Atomic Skulls’. Which has caused the city council to figure out how to deal with this gang. With speculation of bringing in the Coast Guard. Especially since the attack has racked up a body count, including the tragic deaths of our beloved Mayor Clay Irons and detective Daniel Tur-” Lois turns off the tv.
“Clark, you need to slow down, you’re giving yourself too much pressure with these guys.”
“I can’t, I need to find them. It’s my fault, i-if I had been there, then maybe-” she sits next to me on the couch, putting a hand to my shoulder.
“Clark, I’ve known you long enough to tell you don't have to be alone in all of this. We’re in this together.” I sigh, glancing towards her before looking back at the map.
“Still, I need to find these guys before something worse happens.”
“What’s the map for?”
“It’s Metropolis sewer system, which I’ve been cross repherencing to see if there was any recent activity between now and the last few years, since Metallo’s boot prints had remnants of sewage water. And so far..”
“Nothing?”
“Nada.” Lois takes a few glimpses at it before noticing something.
“What about here?” She points at a closed off section.
“It’s closed off.”
“I know, but this looks familiar, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, it’s the one where Bruce and I fought X.”
“Well, I mean besides that, before I got parental leave, I heard Lexcorp was working on this section, they were apparently about three quarters of the way done before their ex-CEO’s death. Which died of “being burnt from the inside”, which correlates to reports of what the Atomic Skulls gang did to certain victims. Couple that with what happened recently. Something tells me these are more than just coincidences.”
“Still leaves the bigger question, who’s the ringleader in all this?” I add.
“There’s only one I could find of him,” She says before picking a photo from her purse and putting it on the table. I move the photo closer to get a better look.
“His name’s Joseph Martinez, he originally worked for the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico, before disappearing after the group disbanded, no one’s seen him until a few years ago, said to have had “the power to summon green fire”. I look at her, slightly impressed.
“Even while having a kid, nothing can stop Lois Lane, huh?” She gives an eyeroll.
“Right, I’ll check it out, let you know if there’s anything going on.” I immediately change into my suit.
“Be careful.” I nod back at her before soaring out the window into the air through the city.
---------------------------
I walk through the sewers, trying to find any clues of recent activity here, I spot a dead end, with the most obvious indication being of course the Lexcorp logo. I walk to leave, I stop myself however. Just to be safe, I go back to the dead end. I use my x-ray vision to see anything off. There’s nothing, no hole, no wreckage, nothing. I grab it by the side, it only takes me a few moments for me to remove the wall.
“Lead covering.” I walk through the fake dead end to the new path. An immediate smell of chemicals hits my nose. I go further to see a lab with Lexcorp machines containing what seemed to be radioactive material.
“When can we expect your arrival sir?” I turn to the source of the voice, which appears to be Martinez talking to someone on a screen.
“In several hours. Until then, continue progress with Project Metropolis.” Martinez nods before cutting the broadcast. He stops to notice something and tells one of the workers he needs to do something.
“Alright guys, let’s get the final touches done so we can get out of here.” He yells out before pointing to another worker.
“Make sure to tell our contacts to pull out before noon. We wanna make sure none of the casualties are our own.”
“Chemicals? Lexcorp machines? Project Metropolis? Just what in the heck are they building exactly?” I think to myself before it hits me.
“My god, they’re building a nuclear bomb. I gotta let Sawyer know befo-” I get hit with a major blast that sends me across the lab into a wall, I crawl out of the crater to see Martinez approaching me, green flames eminating from his fists.
“Hombres, aclaren.” The workers turn to the crash before they proceed to rush out of the lab, some of which carry the bomb. I'm gonna have to deal with this guy before I get the bomb.
“I'm guessing you’re the leader behind all this?” I gesture to the lab, he shrugs.
“Something like that.” He charges at me, throwing hit after hit. I try to block a few, but get most of the hits, with one knocking me to the ground. I attempt to get up, but he strikes me in the back of the head. He then proceeds to snatch me by my cape and hurl me at a wall, I land on one of the paths with a wide array of pipes. Martinez picks me by the head to slam me into another wall, he pulls me back, letting go of my head, causing me to fall onto the ground.
“So much for the man called ‘Superman’.” He chuckles. I attempt to give a soft blow, but he catches my fist and grabs my throat, pressing me against a wall.
“You’re probably thinking how it’s possible that I’m beating your ass. My powers takes and uses nuclear energy, it’s not Kryptonite, but it packs a punch strong enough to be close.” I look behind him to see the hole into the lab.
“Anything left to say?”
“Yeah, I apologize in advance.” I say weakly. Before he has a chance, I push him as hard as I can, making him almost fly into several pieces of tech. I land on my knees, I put my hand to my throat. I see him get up and spot a small nuclear fusion reactor. He glances at me before rushing right towards it.
“No!” Is all I can say before he reaches in for a few moments before pulling it out, his right hand consumed by the flames, he falls to his knees with a cry of pain before his eyes glow bright green he explodes in flames with the blast pushing me through the wall of pipes into another tunnel. I look quickly up to see the path blocked off by the rubble. I groan in pain, clutching to my side as I get up, coughing up blood. I attempt to get up and take a few steps before stumbling and catching the wall to prevent my fall. It takes close to an hour before I find any light at the end of the tunnel, I get closer to the exit before my legs give out.
“Unless I get sunlight, I’m not gonna be able to make it.” I attempt to get back up only to trip over but catch myself with a nearby wall, I take deep breaths, but my sight starts to slowly blur as each second passes by.
“Hello Superman.” I look to the side to see someone. It’s hard to spot any details but he’s tall and has a cape. However the most noticeable feature is his red eyes, it was almost like they were staring into my soul.
“W-Who-” I grit my teeth as I feel the pain to my side from earlier returning..
“Please, do not overwork yourself. You’re in enough pain as is.” he says, kneeling to me.
“Wh-Who are you?” I ask, mustering all my strength to say those words.
“My name is J’onn J’onzz, and I am here to help. Now please, we must go-” Is all I could hear before everything went dark.