THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN- a story string

[peterparker05]

OT: The Unwanted Vacation story string had an awesome run, but now its coming to an end so I've decided to start a new one. However, while the last story string featured the bat cast, this one centers on the Man of Steel. Superman's death and his return never happened in the animated universe so I figured we could make it happen here. So at some point in this story string, Superman will die and at some point in this story string, he will be reborn. But have fun with your entries, you can do anything you want. Doomsday doesn't have to kill Superman, it can be anybody.

P.S. This story takes place a few years after Legacy, but before the formation of the Justice League. Superman has regained the trust of most of the world, but there are still a few naysayers.

Ok here we go.


On board Lexcorp's Spaceracer, which has docked itself on Bizarro's world....

"Ugh! That thing's ugly," the Toyman said looking down upon the body of Bizarro. The crazy clone was chained down to a large Kryptonian surgical table in the Spaceracer's main hanger. His skin was as white, while its sedative pumped vains bulged more than ever.

"This creature is not aesthetically pleasing, but it will serve its purpose just as you have," the cool metal stranger said as he peered over the Toyman's shoulders.

"But that thing's not getting rewarded, but I am. Right?" the Toyman exclaimed with exasperation at his stealth master.

"All of Earth's theme parks will be yours as we discussed. You have gone to great pains to have me revived and you shall be rewarded," the metal being stated.

"I even stole Luthor's Spaceracer for you with a teddy bear army. I did more than just revive you, I got you here," the Toyman exclaimed.

"Pride come before a fall," the metal stranger reminded, "now you may retreat to your quarters. The Kryptonian surgery table can perform the operation without your assistance."

"Of course, Lord Braniac," the Toyman said as he fled the room.

Two hours later....

"Oh my god!" the Toyman squeaked, "it makes my skin crawl. That lug is you. You're that lug!" Bizarro walked toward the little man. With each step, the floor shook and and Bizarro's forehead swelled.

"Indeed the operation was succesful. I, Braniac, have downloaded my android brain into the clone of Superman, Bizarro. According to Lexcorp reports, this being is every bit Superman's equal. In this body, I can finally have my revenge against the son of Jor El. Come Toyman, it is time to leave. We must return to Metropolis," Braniac/Bizarro stated.

AND THEN........

[DisneyBoy]

Scene: Daily Planet


"Lois!" "Clark!" Perry White bellowed out towards the mass of reporters scurrying about. "KENT! LANE?" he shouted angrily, as Lois' curved silhouette finally emerged from the din. "What is it chief?" she called, exasperated from the shouting competition. "You and Clark - in my office!" to which he quickly added "...if he ever shows up!" Lois frowned. Clark was over forty minutes late to work and she was getting very tired of covering for him...

Returning to her desk, Lois looked around the office. "This is my life. Plain old crazy. Will it ever just ... settle down? Sure Lois, as if you , of all people, could ever settle down ! You don't even know if you want to! Oh, why can't I just fly away every now and again...if only he'd just come through that window and..."

"Hey, Lois!" She spun around, her mental dialogue interrupted, to see a familiar young face greet her with a smile. "Kara Kent" she exclaimed, feining enthusiasm. "You're still in Metropolis?" "Well, Jimmy insisted he take me to the theatre tonight, so Clark had to let me spend a few more nights in his guest room." "Well, I'm sure Jimmy will be very glad to hear that, if he ever returns from the copiers" Lois replied, furiously shuffling through the pile of papers on her desk. "Perry's been on the warpath lately and it wouldn't be wise for him to catch you here seeing Jimmy...again ." "Well, you know Jimmy! :rolleyes: " Kara sighed as she sat down. Lois responded instinctively with "Perky, eager...", to which Kara added "..relentless..."

"Say Kara, have you seen Clark?" "Um...well, he was gone for work by the time I woke up" Kara desperately tried to think of an excuse quickly, but nothing was coming to mind "...so he must have spotted a good story on the way over!" "Then why didn't he just call and leave me a message?" "His cell phone's dead...?" Kara tried. Lois finally stopped to look at her partner's cousin. "Something's up..." she thought.

Just then, the elevator rang, the doors opened and a tardy Clark stepped out, sporting his usual, sheppish grin. The mob grew completely silent as Perry White's door burst open...

"KENT! IN MY OFFICE...NOW!"

"Oh, boy..." Kara whispered to herself. Clark was seriously in trouble here. "Why couldn't you think of anything?" she demanded herself. Lois briefly gave Clark a glare that would melt even Mr. Freeze's cold heart...but her expression became melancholy. She knew what was coming, and stormed off into Perry's office before anyone else noticed that she wasn't handling the situation well. Clark calmly descended the long stairs, following Lois' path, and attracting the attention of every face that surrounded him. The nervously ran his hand through his hair as Kara stared at him helplessly. "Telepathy would sure come in use right now..." he joked to himself as he entered the office. As the door slammed shut, Kara bit her lip. Jimmy entered the office with a huge stack of binders and sheets, noticing everyone's stares and quickly became embarassed. "My fly isn't down is it?" he quietly asked his co-workers. It was only once he noticed Kara nearby that his face turned every shade of red. "No...Jimmy" she sighed quietly, as the mob slowly began to return to the madness...

Meanwhile, Perry was pacing back and forth through his office trying to control his anger and disappointment. He had to make every effort to calm down enough to put into words what he would have to tell Clark. Lois sat with her elbow propped up against the window, staring aimlessly... and trying to think of how she could help Clark without jeperdizing herself. "Kent" Perry began, "...you've been an asset to this team since you first joined the Planet. There was never a day when I couldn't count on you. Lois has said nothing but positive things about since you and she...became a team. And you made for one damn fine team." He took a breath...

"..But...you've been undepenable this passed year. Whenever there was a big story, you'd be running out or disappearing without so much as a single explanation. You were hired because you were the best reporter I'd seen in a long time...but you haven't turned out that kind of work in recent months and with the Chronicle gaining circulation... You've missed deadlines, press conferences... You're visibly not able to cope with the job anymore. Now, if there's something going on with you we'd like to help anyway we can...but..." He stopped. "...I think it's best for the paper if we let you...go." He looked at Clark's solemn face. The two stared for a moment that felt like a lifetime. Lois glanced at her partner, tears starting to form in her eyes. "Oh, Clark" she thought. "What's happened..?"

"I'm dying!"

Kara stood in the doorway, breathing heavily and looking at the three faces which gaped at her. She had heard the entire speech with her super-hearing, and distracted Jimmy for long enough to burst through the door before Perry could say any more. She shut the door behind her and moved closer to them, eyes wide and praying to Rao that Clark didn't open his mouth and shoot himself in the foot.

"The only reason why Clark's been missing so much is because...I'm dying!" Were they buying this? She doubted she even sounded convincing to herself. "What?" Perry exclaimed. Clark stared at his cousin, a flood of emotions running through him. What was she doing ? "I've been really weak lately and..and he brought he to Metropolis to figure out what it was...and...Oh, Clark I'm sorry...but you don't deserve to lose your job over everything you've done for me! Please give him a chance!" If only her Drama teacher could see her now!

Perry looked at Lois, who looked back at him. Was that what had been going on? She looked at Clark with new eyes...

"Clark" Perry turned to his friend, cautiously asking "..why didn't you just tell us? Is this..true?" Clark's eyes danced nervously around the room. Could he really continue this charade? "...yes."

Lois stood up abruptly "Perry surely Clark and you can work something out I mean he's brought so much to the paper and Clark I could get Dr. Hamilton to check Kara out and I'm sure he could help find a cure..." she was speaking a mile a minute...

Perry broke in "..Of course, we'll do everything we can to help...I'm so sorry Clark, Kara...I...but we've already found another guy..."

"What?" Lois stopped suddenly, anger flaring up in her face, dreading the name Perry was about to announce. "Who?" she demanded. "It's....Spencer Collins..." Perry admitted sheepishly. "That hack?" Lois exclaimed.

"No, no, no..." she started to rant again. "Perry you're going to ditch that guy...today !" she ordered with military authority. "Clark's here to stay. We'll work out a schedule so he can work at home when necessary and I'll cover for him here, while Jimmy goes out to get the scoops." "Jimmy?" Perry and Kara grimaced in unison. "Yes, Jimmy!" Lois snapped. "He's been working here for a long time and has followed me around for long enough to know where to find a good story. He's ready." Then turning to Kara, she softened "Don't worry, this stays between us, no one will breathe a word. We're going to make it through this." Kara looked at Clark with uncertainty. "And Clark...I'm sorry I ever doubted you" Lois said, her eyes unable to look into those of the man who she'd known and worked with for over half a decade. "Thank you Perry...Lois" Clark stood up, facing his friends...

"That's what partners are for..." Lois replied.

As the door to Perry's office opened, the staff once again turned to see the faces of those who emerged. Reading Clark, Kara, Lois and Perry's faces until he belted out "What are you standing around for? Back to work! "

Kara walked back over to Jimmy, but stopped the moment she saw who was standing next to him. Jimmy slowly announced...

"Lois, CK, Mr. White...?" The three faced the young man and his companion, unprepared for who they were about to meet.

"A Mister Spencer Collins is here to see you."

The blonde man in a blue pin-striped suit approached with a sly grin and extended hand. "A Pleasure..."

In yet another classic moment of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, Jimmy Olsen piped in:

"Welcome to the Daily Planet"


and then.............. ;)

[zero zero nine]

Kara unconsciously flung her elbow into Jimmy's side. As he clutched his stomach, he dropped his new night-vision camera. As it hit the ground, it took a final picture before it shattered into a million pieces.

"NO!" Jimmy screamed. "I gotta save the film! Mr. White is--"

"Gonna kill you boy, if you don't get that film!" Perry finished Jimmy's sentence for him. "The military technology training shots are on there!"

Kara whispered to Jimmy, "We don't WANT that guy here."

With one hand still holding his gut, Jimmy was looking for the film. "Last time I checked, you didn't work here. And you hit pretty strong for someone who's dying."

"Lucky shot, I guess." Kara said sheepishly.

Clark, using his super-vision, zoomed in on the film, which thankfully wound itself up. As he picked it up...

*BOOOOOM**WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE*

Alarms started to rage across the city. The group ran to the window to see what was going on. At a distance, a pillar of dark smoke rose quickly up through the air.

Spencer Collins was already gone. The mark of a good reporter. Maybe a hack reporter, but one that got the story.

Clark himself started to back away from the window, but Kara held on to his shoulder.

She whispered so low only Clark could hear her. "Clark's job is to be a reporter right now." She looked back at the smoke. "This is a job for Supergirl."

AND THEN...

OOC: This is my first time helping with a story string, so let's make it a good one, okay?

[peterparker05]

Supergirl stood on top of the Daily Planet building as she looked out into Metropolis with horror. The Spaceracer the Toyman had hijacked a few weeks ago had crashed into Lexcorp Headquarters. Superman had been out of the solar system at the time of the hijacking and she hadn't been able to ditch Jimmy. If she hadn't been so worried about exposing her secret identity to one of Clark's best friends, she wouldn't be seeing what she was seeing now.

But she had no choice, she had to search for survivors. She had to look for the Toyman. She could see Clark, Lois, and Jimmy in the streets below, caught in a traffic jam. The jam had been caused by a giant metal L that had fallen into the streets. Away she flew, not nowing what she would find in Lex Luthor's building.

Meanwhile, in a black limo driven by Ms. Mercy Graves, in the streets below....

"Listen Spencer! I don't care what kind of story you want to write to keep your job at the Planet. You make sure that your article and whatever that Superman groupie, Lois Lane, writes shows that Lexcorp is not responsible for this disaster," Lex Luthor hollered over his cell phone to Spencer Collins, the Daily Planet's new reporter.

"But Uncle Lex, it was your Spaceracer," Spencer reminded.

"Don't you "Uncle Lex" me. The Toyman stole that darn thing and your article better implicate him. I didn't buy you your job at the Planet for nothing. Superman's regained the public's trust and I'm still paying it out my behind for that deal I had with Hardcastle. Understood?" Luthor bellowed at his small limo phone.

"Understood," Spencer whimpered as Luthor hung up the phone. Luthor sat in the limo and glared at his building as he saw Supergirl fly into his building. He was going to make the Toyman pay more than any two bit sidekick ever could.

Suddenly, Mercy chimed in on the limo's intercom, "Sir, Lexcorp Security is on line 2."

"I've got it," Luthor responded as he pressed the button on his phone, "This is Luthor. What's going on?"

"Sir," the security officer responded, "We can confirm that that is the Spaceracer that was stolen by the Toyman three weeks ago. However, it's been altered. Also, scanners show another lifeform aboard the Spaceracer. It's been altered as well, but we do believe it to be..."

Meanwhile in a taxi in the traffic jammed street....

"Are you getting these pictures?," Lois asked Jimmy as she stared out the yellow taxi cab window. She could barely sit still. Here she was at the forefont of the biggest story in history and she was stuck in a traffic jam.

"Yes Miss Lane," Jimmy responded nervously, "They're gonna be my best pics yet too. I've got to do good at the job I have now if the Chief will even consider me to fill in for Mr. Kent."

"I haven't left yet Jimmy," Clark aloofly reminded his friend as he stared at the devastation to his fine city.

Suddenly the end of the Spaceracer exploded and out of the orange flames and black smoke flew a huge white giant clasping and unconsious Supergirl by her cape that dangled from his grotesque hand.

"Oh my god!" Lois exclaimed, "It's Bizarro."

"Oh no," Clark whispered as he look into the blackened Metropolis skyline. The burned hand of his defective clone loosened and dropped Supergirl to the ground below as she crashed into Lex Luthor's limo. If Kara hadn't been dying before, she could be dying now.

"Wait a second!" Jimmy hollered, "I thought he wanted to be a good guy!"


Braniac/Bizarro looked out upon the devastated city and noted that Superman was nowhere in sight. "Next stop....Smallville," he stated.

From inside the taxi, Clark could hear the creatures cryptic comment. He knew he had to get out of the taxi as he could think only one thing: THIS WAS A JOB FOR SUPERMAN!

AND THEN.........

[Livewire]

I was wondering when you were going to start this, pp05! This is my first time participating in a story string, and I hope you'll like my little entry.

And Then....


Clark unlocked the taxicab's door, about to enter the hostile environment.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing?!" Lois exclaimed, grabbing on to his arm in an attempt to stop him.

Clark's mind was racing. He had to stop Bizarro and save Kara. Suddenly, he found an excuse for his departure.


"I want to be able to get one last story into the Planet with my name on it."

"Wait." Lois grabbed her purse. "I'll go with you."

Clark inwardly groaned. This wasn't going the way he had expected.

"You need to stay with Jimmy. Besides, it's too dangerous."



“That never stopped me before.”

He knew he was wasting precious time.

“Please, Lois,” he pleaded. “I want this to be my story. That may sound selfish, but ..”

Lois found herself doing something she never thought she would ever do- let Kent have the byline. She found herself feeling sorry for him. It would mean so much to him.

“I understand. I’ll have plenty of opportunities to..”

He had already gone, unwittingly about to meet one of his greatest adversaries, and not at all obtaining the “story” Lois had been led to believe.

AND THEN....

[Barb Gordon]

OT: Great job Livewire! This is my first time doing a Superman string story...and it was a lot harder than I thought it would be!

IC:
Bizzaro? Kara thought, I thought that he wanted to be one of the good guys.....
She shrieked in surprise as Bizarro came towards her. Something wasn't right, something was definetly wrong with Bizarro, but now was not the time to figure it out. She dove down just as Bizzaro fist rammed into the building she'd just been floating in front of. The end of the spaceracer exploded as Kara was dodging Bizzaro. The blast knocked her unconconscious in midair, the last tning she saw before she blacked out was a large white hand reaching for her.

Clark dashed into an empty alleyway as swarms of people went racing the other way out of danger. A moment later, Superman took to the air towards the burning spaceracer. He had to find Kara, now, but....he'd have to wait, innocent people down below were in danger of being crushed by the debris of the exploding spaceracer. Forcing himself to turn away from where he had seen Kara, he dove down to the street to rescue people fleeing the scene.

"Hey, look Ms.Lane, there he is!"
Jimmy said, pointing anxiously towards a blue and red blur streaing through the air.
'Good job, Jimmy, come on!"
Lois responses, jumping out of the taxi. This was going to be a great story....damn it....she'd just told Clark that it could be his story, not shared, just him. Jimmy was already a couple yards away fromt eh taxi, snapping shots at a furious pace.
"These shots are going to be fantastic!"
He said excitedly to no one in particular. Lois chewed her lip, trying to figure out what she should do.


Barb^-^

[Livewire]

Thanks, Barb, for the compliments! Well, since I got Lois into this, I'll get her out of it.

*****

"I'm not one to stand still when there's any type of action going on in this city. Come on, Jimmy,"she said decidedly. "We have a story to catch."


Jimmy looked at her confusedly. "But you just told Clark the story could be his."


"It will be- but if he happens to leave out anything of importance, I'll be ready with my notes. He wouldn't even have to give me any of the credit." She pointed to the camera. "He'll need some good pictures, too. Stop looking at me like that. We're doing him a favor."


Jimmy still wasn't sure if they should do this, but he was eager for a little adventure. "Well, okay- since we're doing this to help him out." They headed to where Superman was- face to face with a deadlier menance than Bizzaro ever was.

AND THEN...

[zero zero nine]

Fire. Smoke. All the comforts of Hell right at Metropolis' heart. And then the riots started.

Superman looked at the red and black "S" that rested on his chest.

Not again. Not in my city.

The glare from the sun subsided. Superman could finally see his enemy. The Parasite, holding a lifeless Supergirl in his arms. Superman clenched his teeth and his fists.

"Let her go, Parasite. It's me you want." Superman needed to get her away from him.

"Tsk, tsk. Such an egomaniac. Not yet, Superdork. You move, I kill her. And by the way... she tasted soooooo good." Parasite licked his lips. In the blink of an eye, he was gone. Along with Kara.

"NO! COME BACK AND FIGHT ME!!!! FIGHT MEEEEE!!!!" Superman shouted to no avail. Parasite was out of sight.

Where is he going? I need to know now! Why didn't he try to absorb me? Maybe he's not strong enough. Kryptonite! He's still vulnerable to it? At least, for now. Superman thought.

The situation's gravity grasped the Man of Steel, and he almost lost his concentration to fly. He couldn't do this alone. He needed help. Batman. Wonder Woman. Green Lantern. Anyone.

Superman bolted into a blue blur, headed for STARLabs. Shards of green rock were there. So was his protective suit. On his way there, he placed his first call on Clark's cellphone. A call to Bruce Wayne.

[Livewire]

Umm..I want to add more, but I'm confused :confused: I thought Braniac/Bizzaro was the culprit. Where did the Parasite come from?

[peterparker05]

Originally posted by zero zero nine

The situation's gravity grasped the Man of Steel, and he almost lost his concentration to fly. He couldn't do this alone. He needed help. Batman. Wonder Woman. Green Lantern. Anyone.



I think I could work Parasite into the story, but Wonder Woman can't help Superman out. It says in the first entry that this story takes place before the formation of the Justice League so Wonder Woman isn't around yet.

[DisneyBoy]

Whoa...slightly confused here...


I know I was the one to complicate inter-office affairs at the Dailey Planet, but let's not bring too many characters into this :rolleyes:


I'll leave the Parasite issue to peterparker05 and instead try my hand at Lex's fate...

__________________________

and then...


As the sleek, black limo carrying one of the most affluential, ingenious and demented men on the planet curved around Amancio boulevard, a good kilometer away from the crowded, burning site of the LexCorps building, thoughts flooded Mercy Graves' head. Would the plan work? Could Lex's "nephew" Spencer Collins actually be the solution to all their problems? Lex wasn't exactly as popular a person as he used to be, and now, this attack certainly wouldn't help things. It may have made sense to invent this "Spencer" person as a way to infultrate The Planet, but how would he figure into the future of Luthor's company? Would he eventually become the new C.E.O., acting as Lex's personal puppet while he lounges a year away on some tropical island? And was this young man actually part of the Luthor bloodline? Then, for a moment, she felt like laughing at her own stupidity. Luthor never fills her in on all of his plans. There's always a crutial detail or two that he keeps to himself. Perhaps that was why they were on their way to the LuthorSpace headquaters. She didn't bother asking anyways...

As she glanced into the rear-view mirror, her boss glared outside the window. Even a half an hour later, after she had lost the few cars following them, reporters most likely, his face retained the same cold stare. Then, for an instant, he coughed. The man actually coughed! Mercy wondered...he was never sick...but the moment she detected his angered stare piercing the tinted glass seperating driver from passanger, slave from master, she remembered her place...and would never again think of the incident. She lowered the radio blaring reports of Bizarro, Supergirl and the President in order to type in the code needed to gain enterance to the top-secret facility. The gates finally opened, and she slowly drove the car in...


and then!

(Sounds like the ordering booth at that Chinese place in "Dude, Where's my car?"LOL :D )

AND THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN?

NO> "AND THEN"!

AND THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNN?

ANDTHENANDTHENANDTHENANDTHEN... :D :D :D :D :D :D

[zero zero nine]

OT: Well, it is my aim to confuse :p I hate the stories where the villains are crystal crystal clear you know?


As for the list of superheroes I wrote down... it just so happened that they are in the JL. But that doesn't mean they didn't exist before. Superman was just looking for help.

You all see my hat-tip to the comic? :D

Since Superman appeared in the Bat-string, i thought it only fair to put Bats in here, at least for a little while! :D

By the way, can I kill him? it's been my life long dream! hahaha!

-----------------

Meanwhile, back at the Lab...

"Doctor! Quickly! I need the kryptonite!" Superman barked out as he dropped through the skylight at STAR Labs.

"Superman...?" Hamilton asked. Superman had already ran to the locker where his protective suit was.

"Parasite... Bizarro...Ka-S-Supergirl." Superman found himself out of breath and stammering. His mind was racing.

"What's going on, Superman?" Dr. Hamilton asked.

"We have problems." As he put on his helmet, he explained the situation.

"Mmmm, yes. We saw that horrible crash on the news. And Supergirl..."

"I know..." He ran his fist into the metal wall. Or rather, right through it. He was having trouble controlling his temper.

"Superman!" Hamilton was shocked, even getting a little scared.

"I'm sorry, Doctor. Saving the world just isn't as easy as it used to be. The enemies... the enemies just keeping coming, stronger and stronger. And they're coming. I want to destroy them all!" Superman clenched his fist.

"All brawn, no style." Everyone turned to look at the new voice in the room. Batman.

"What are you doing here, Batman?" The Doctor said, trying to return to the calm, collected Emil Hamilton.

"Superman called me. Needed my help." Batman said.

"Supergirl was taken by the Parasite. He absorbed her powers. And Bizarro's out wreaking havoc to high heaven."

"I checked the police radio emergency channels. Parasite is headed over to Smallville." Batman said.

"Why?" Superman asked, still trying to control his emotions.

"My guess is, he's going to absorb your "Bizarro" friend there. After he absorbs Bizarro, he won't be vulnerable to this." Batman took out a sliver of kryptonite from his utility belt.
"Then he'll come after you. "

"We have to stop them. Both of them." Superman said with a sharp finality.

And then..... :D

[peterparker05]

Originally posted by zero zero nine

As for the list of superheroes I wrote down... it just so happened that they are in the JL. But that doesn't mean they didn't exist before. Superman was just looking for help.

D

I just meant to say that Wonder Woman didn't exist before JL the other two were fine, but I really don't want to bring in other non-STAS heroes until Superman dies.

[peterparker05]

At STAR labs.....

"I need your help Batman," Superman said, "There was something different about Bizarro this time. I have to go after him, but I can't leave Metropolis at the Parasite's hands."

"I just came here to bring you this," informed Batman while holding up the silver kryptonite, "Back in Gotham, I was in the middle of something."

"I heard about the Mad Hatter's escape, can't it wait," Superman responded, "I can't take care of Bizarro and a Supergirl powered Parasite at the same time."

"Well, if you really need my help, I can take down the creature on my way back to Gotham," Batman said slyly.

"Thank you," Superman said as he began to fly away, "Dr. Hamilton, I'll be in Smallville if you need to contact me."

Dr. Hamilton looked bewildered as a flash of blue and red sped past his face. He turned around to consult Batman as to of Parasite's biology, only to find him to have dissapeared as well.

"They all love their exits. Wait a sec...where the heck is Smallville? Why would Bizarro go there?" Dr. Hamilton asked himself.
Meanwhile at LuthorSpace headquarters....

It's amazing how deep you can dig a hole Mercy thought to herself. She, Lex, and several LexCorp security soldiers were travelling in a glass elevator deep into the Earth's soil. For that matter, she had never seen so many radioactive earthworms. No wonder, wherever they were going was hidden underground. As the elevator finally came to a halt, Mercy looked to the elevator's computer monitor. They were 117 levels beneath the ground's surface. As the elevator doors opened, Mercy was witness to the largest, most illegal laboratory in the world. Every inch of it paid for by LexCorp stockholders.

"I'm sorry Mr. Luthor, but we're all going to have to be decontaminated, standard procedure. Also, the Rehabilitation Center just called in. Rudy Jones aka Parasite was revived and sent after Bizarro. He hasn't returned yet," the security soldier informed his superior.

"Lex.." Mercy began.

"I haven't been completely honest with you, Luthor informed, "we aren't here to see how the Spaceracer has affected our space programs. We're here to respond to the recent attacks. I built this facility to combat Superman, but it has other uses. I call it Project Cadmus."

Meanwhile outside the smoking LexCorp headquarters....


"Big Blue had to go after dandruff head so he sent Pointy Ears after me. This should be fun!" Parasite shouted.

"Not for you," Batman commented cooly as he jettisoned himself off a fire escaped and leaped to the ground, using a red Chevy to stop himself. The blood colored car was all that stood between the Dark Knight and Rudy Jones.

"You're being awful careful not to touch me Batman. You've done your homework," Parasite taunted. At those words, the Batman simply glared at the mutated thief through his snow white optical lenses. He pulled out the silver kryptonite attached to a batarang from his utility belt. With breathless precision, he zipped it through the air untill it came into hard contact with Parasite. In a matter of seconds, the one time thief was lying on the ground unconscious.

As Batman looked upon the horizon of the traffic jammed streets of the utopian city, he saw Maggie Sawyer and the SCU heading towards the LexCorp building. They could take care of the comatose villain. His time in Metropolis was done. With a shot upward from his bat-grappler, he was riding high in the batplane onward to Gotham City. Onward to his own problems.

A few streets away, Supergirl lay unconsious with a large laser weapon pointed at her face. She was supported by 24 jack in the boxes.

"I hate to do this to you sweetie, but we can't just leave the Superfriends sleeping around town," the Toyman sneered as he clutched the weapon in his hand.

"I don't think so," responded a strong and sincere voice from behind the minature villain.

The Toyman turned around to see, but another of Superman's allies, Steel.

AND THEN.....

[DisneyBoy]

peterparker05, I just have to say~WOW~ thanks for cleaning all of this up! Now we can pick up where the story left off...

_________

and then....

"Who are you ?!?" were the last words to leave the little man's seemingly plastic mouth before Steel sent him sprawling to the ground with one metallic punch. Simultaneously, the jack in the Boxes responded to the condition of their master by springing forward in attack. Steel managed to jump out of the way before their razor-edged teeth made a dent in his armor. "I've gotta get these over-grown Christmas presents out of my neighbourhood!" he thought, failing to notice one box lowering the body of Supergirl into it's inpenetrible casing.

Jimmy, on the other hand, caught the scene throught the long-distance lense on his camera, and panicked. He found himself unable to photograph the battle between Steel and the giant, menacing army the surrounded him. Instead, his eyes fell upon Toyman, who was only able to grab the side of one of the boxes, still in great pain from the blow he suffered. Moving himself inside one of the boxes, he assessed the situation. The police hand already begun placing themselves within firing range, and whoever had just knocked him to the ground was using an over-sized hammer to break his toys to pieces. Supergirl was secured and the time was right as he pressed the button before him...

KAAAAAAAAAAABLLLLOOOOOOOOMMMM!

As the giant springs launched the now unnattached heads upward, each grinning Jack exploded with a force equal to that of the still flaming sled. The windows surrounding the building shattered as the onlookers gasped with disbelief. Several of the heads had lodged themselves in the already frail outerwalls of the LexCorps headquarters, and exploded with such power that the building ripped itself apart. Chaos ensued as the symbol of Lex Luthor's power collapsed into the ground.

and then....

___________________________

I feel it necessary to note that I was not intentionally trying to parallel the recent events that changed our world. I guess in a story entitled "The Death of Superman" mass destruction seems expected, though I really am not too comfortable writing this. Please accept my apologies should this development disturb or anger you, and I understand completely should the moderators deem it unnappropriate and delete it. I am interested to see where the story goes from here, and would like to continue contributing...

[peterparker05]

I really like the way this story string is turning out and I'm going to write an entry tomorrow after I get some rest. It's getting late and I need to catch some z's before I write anything.

P.S. Disney Boy your entry was awesome and I believe that enough time has passed that we can destroy a building in our story string. They've even finally released that Colaterol Damage movie.

[BeastBoyWonder]

I'm not that familiar, but this story string has been going GREAT so far...keep up the good work!

[DisneyBoy]

I, too, have been pressed for time as of late. I'll try to add something very soon so check back y'all and watch the Olympics!

[BeastBoyWonder]

"BI-zah-rro fed up with Su-PAH-man! Su-PAH-man steeel gloree!" cried Brainiac, attempting to impersonate Bizarro.

Superman was concerned about Supergirl, and wanted to get this done with as quickly as possible. He flew towards "Bizarro", and gave him a solid smack across the face. They fought furiously, Superman attacking and "Bizarro" blocking with calculated blows.

"This is the last time we're going to let you loose to be able to kill people. I'm afraid you must be stopped. You're misguided, but that doesn't help things. Still...something's wrong, I just can't put my finger on it."

Superman threw another super-powered punch at Bizarro, but he caught the hand with such speed and agility that even Superman was amazed. Superman thought back to the words of Batman..."think before you fight"...and this seemed to be a time for the former. He realized that their fighting was causing destruction in Smallville, so he flew away, to a field. Bizarro was close at his heels.

"Bizarro's speaking differently than usual, as if it wasn't him speaking. He's not fighting clumsily, but with speed and calculated precision...Something's up," he thought to himself. Bizarro grabbed Superman by the cape, and flung him to the ground. He started firing his laser eyes, at Superman, but Superman started running around, dodging the attacks. Some crops caught fire.

"Someone's not gonna have enough food...but right now we have more important things to worry about. You're not Bizarro."

Bizarro was speaking normally now.

"Impressive. No, I'm not Bizarro. As you can see, I have posession of his body. I keep on getting better at using it, and soon I will be unstoppable. You, however, stand in my way with your pesky morals and moronic beliefs. If you weren't so concerned about other people, you could be much more powerful. I'm giving you one chance to side with me, or face DEATH."

"No."

"I assumed you would say that. Let us duel, then."

[The Game]

BAM. BAM. BAM. The first three shots hit Superman before he could blink- something he needless to say, wasn't used to. He flew backwards in mild shock, barley dodging a crushing charge by "Bizzaro". Superman's enemy cackled wickedly.

"I see you weren't expected this level of opposition, Superman," it growled. "It's too bad that fool Bizzaro was never able to capitalize on this body- but that won't be a problem for long!"

The figure soared at Superman once again, the Man of Steel barley dodging the blow. He fired forward himself, and brought his fist into contact with "Bizzaro's" face, sending the warped clone reeling. Superman bolted after his enemy, but "Bizzaro swiftly moved out of the way, and nimbly snagged Superman by his cape. With a sharp, powerful whip he sent Superman crashing down toward the corn fields.

"Come, Kal-El. Give me your best shot!" cried "Bizzaro" as he looked down at Superman. The Man of Steel fired up, and crashed into his opponent full force, but felt himself overpowered with sharp blows to the abdomen.

The two tumbled through the air, slugging wildly at each other, each powerful blow registering its toll on the other. Superman kept punching away at "Bizzaro", but he couldn't help but to feel slightly outmatched... The hits he was taking were unreal. Whoever this opponent really was, they were more than an adequete challenge.

With a loud blast, the two smashed into the earth full force, the corn and soil blasting up in all directions, a small crater of the imense impact had formed.

Superman felt surprisingly weak as he felt "Bizzaro's hand at his throat.

"Time to die, Kal-El," he announced as he prepared to register the final blow.

* * * * * * * *

Luthor admired the vast tubes and cylinders of aluminum and steel with a fake smile. Why did everything always have to go wrong, right when things were going right? No matter- Project Cadmus would take care of his problems for quite awhile.

"What do you want me to do?" Mercy said as the scientists bustled around busily, bringing strangley shaped weapons from place to place. There was a large sheet in the middle of the enormous dome of the LuthorSpace "underground headquarters" and Mercy didn't even want to know what was under it.

"Go to the surface. I can handle things here by myself for awhile. Look for something- anything that might be useful in the next few days. Any evidence, facts, pictures, or people that might make my war against Superman and this fool who stole the Spaceracer any easier. We're nearing an important period here Mercy. Things will come to a raging climax very soon, and I need to be prepared. Just do anything you can," Lex explained slowly.

Mercy allowed it to sink in, feeling powerless as part of something so large. She didn't say a word, however, as she slipped over to the elevators.

* * * * * * * *

The city was in a blazing chaos as firey bits of shrapnel and debris filled the sky, crashing to the ground. It was burning hot on the sidewalk as Lois and Jimmy hurried down the perilous way, hands on heads for cover.

Quickly Jimmy brough his camera up, snapping a quick shot of one of the large banking firms blow to bits right in front of his eyes. Cars honked as the soared through the air, the force of the blast sending everything within the area flying. Jimmy hit agaisnt a brick wall and he thought he felt a rib crack. He looked over at Lois- crashed across several tin trash cans, dazed but alright.

Jimmy thought he was alright as well- until he looked up. Death appeared to greet him as a huge piece of burning building came whistling down, ready to crush him and Lois.

* * * * * * * * *

Kara turned to Steel and smiled brightly as the last of the Toyman's jack-in-the-boxes fizzled in flame.

"Thanks," she said softly. It was all she could think off to say to the powerful metal covered man who stood before her.

"No problem," his deep voice echoed. "You all right?"

"I'm not hurt, but..." she paused briefly before looking up at Steel. "My powers are gone. It feels... Well, I guess weird, but weird doesn't even describe it. I feel so... Hollow," she thought aloud. Steel nodded.

"Parasite?"

"Yeah,"

"After I help Superman deal with Bizzaro, I'll track him down and help you get your powers back, Supergirl," Steel announced. "But for now, I have to get going," He turned and headed off quickly, to help Superman, wherever he might be.

"Well here I am, just another sixteen-year-old girl," Kara murmered as she turned, walking down the alley. Walking. Supergirl was walking. How sad was this? She wasn't really all that "Super" after all, it seemed.

BAM. Kara tumbled to the ground, unconcious.

"Well, well. A Supergirl with no powers. This will certainly benifit Project Cadmus," Mercy grinned.

AND THEN.....................

[DisneyBoy]

Nice entry! I especially appreciate how no one is trying to speed the story to a climax before the right time! Pacing is everything to a good tale!

[zero zero nine]

OT: Awesome work, you guys! This is really shaping up well!

Brainiac. The bastard son of Krypton.

This wasn't a duel. This was murder. Superman tried to fly up, up and away. He only got about 30 feet into the air, when "Bizarro" grabbed him by the cape and dragged him down, down through the Smallville sky. Right back into the Earth.

"What's wrong, Kal-el? Ready to plead for your life?" Brainiac asked the Man of Steel, who was feeling like the Man of Tin.

"There is no honor in destroying the Earth, Brainiac. They're innocent!"

Superman wiped his brow... it wasn't sweat. It was blood. Red blood. It wasn't just that "thing" beating on him. This place, his home, was trying to kill him. Why? he thought.

"Ah, you're wrong. Kal-el. Logic deserves the highest honor of all. It is the precedence for why things should and dohappen." Brainiac's voice was colder than ever.

"But life doesn't live through logic! We have emotio-"

"It is the way I live my life. And my logic says you've lived far too long."

Brainiac struck a blow to Superman's head. Even if he wasn't dead, he was severely injured.

"Smallville..." Brainiac started his reverie, if computers could have them. "This is where it started. You crashed here so long ago, Kal-el. And here lies the highest concentration of kryptonite in the world. Right in this field. You brought it here. Or rather, your father did. See, the kryptonite was attracted to the gravitational drive on board your little ship. It followed you like a good little dog."

Superman's mind began to wander. He was starting to feel what he's always wanted. To feel human, really human. To feel real pain. And then he laughed to himself because of the such abnormal circumstances of his current situation.

Superman thought he could hear vans approaching. News reporters, no doubt. He could see the headlines now.

"The Loss of a Hero," by Lois Lane.

"Superman Loses and Destroys Us All!" by Spencer Collins. Okay, okay. I should give that fool more credit than that...

Bruce told me once, 'Pain is the best way to tell you're still alive.' I'm sorta feeling that, at least I'm not dead. And if I'm not dead, I can still fight... but I need an advantage... a weapon.

and then....

[DisneyBoy]

...um, when exactly did Superman realize that Bizarro was Brainiac??? Continuity, here folks! Oh, and let's take occasional brakes from all the action. Is it just me, or has Superman, Supergirl and Steel been fighting various villains all morning? Some one go back to Lois and Jimmy, or Spencer... Pacing folks, pacing...

[peterparker05]

Originally posted by DisneyBoy
...um, when exactly did Superman realize that Bizarro was Brainiac??? Continuity, here folks! Oh, and let's take occasional brakes from all the action. Is it just me, or has Superman, Supergirl and Steel been fighting various villains all morning? Some one go back to Lois and Jimmy, or Spencer... Pacing folks, pacing...

Exactly. I've loved all of the entries so far, but that last one has to be changed as Superman doesn't know that Bizarro is really Braniac yet.

[DisneyBoy]

And Then....


As a huge piece of the now flaming LexCorps building came crashing down towards Jimmy and Lois, Mercy struggled to carry the surprisingly heavy body of Supergirl into the rubble. Everything in the sight of the two Daily Planet employees suddenly looked slow-motion, as the giant mass of beams and concrete slowly descended upon them. Lois leaped towards Jimmy in a desperate attempt to knock him out of the way, even though the shadow of debris clearly proved that there was no escaping. Steel used that instant to brace himself under the debris, hoping that his armor and hammer would provide enough strength to hold up the layer that would soon crush them all. As it finally reached the hero, the force of the impact both shattered the hammer and broke up the layer, sending pieces falling everywhere. Jimmy, thanks to Lois' push, made it out of the way of the large parts. Lois, on the other hand, was not so lucky.

"MS. LANE!" Jimmy hollered as he helplessly saw a boulder-sized piece land on Lois, knocking her to the ground. She didn't move and the entire street was covered in flaming rubble. Steel let out a disturbing moan and he let his arms fall to his sides. The armor surrounding them had cracked and were now penetrating his skin. He may have saved their lives, but his arms were certainly broken and Lois...

Several onlookers and emergency crews approached, shaken by what they had witnessed. Jimmy started to cry, barely able to breathe. Then he rushed towards her, throught the flames, not caring about himself. "No. NO!' his mind was a complete blank save that same word.

Then, the rubble moved. Lois remained immobile, but something around her was trying to lift up the rubble -

Spencer Collins' anguished face emergered as the main boulder rolled off Lois. Jimmy stopped dead in his tracks. Had he been following them the whole time? Thank goodness! Collins called for the paramedics, gesturing towards Lois, even though he himself was bleeding terribly. The crowd remained silent as the stretcher was lifted back into the ambulance and Spencer with it. Steel spoke to him but four simple words: "You are a hero". Then he too, fell to his knees in pain, and passed out. Jimmy rushed to his side, uncertain as to how to protect his identity. But that hardly mattered now, as he seemed gravely wounded. Jimmy insisted on riding with him in the ambulance in order to prevent Steel's face from being seen, but his real thoughts were of Lois and Spencer. He couldn't stop the tears from rolling down his face. The automobiles spent a good twenty minutes, manouvering through the chaos towards the hospital, as more flaming pieces fell around, injuring others...

Deep beneath the flaming rubble of the building though, Mercy descended deep into the ground in a secret glass elevator. She stared at the body of Supergirl with uncertanty. So many were dying...what was Lex up to?

Then..

[The Game]

Kara's baby blue eyes jutted open as she felt a sharp slap on her cheek. She took a quick gasp as she breathed in some air, before peering around to see where she was.

"Rise and shine," she heard a femal voice say happily. Kara looked around- Mercy Graves.

"Wha- What am I doing here?" Kara blurted out as she slowly gained her senses back.

"I found you- just a poor sixteen-year-old girl who might make a good barter tool when it comes to dealing with Superman," Mercy smiled. For the first time Kara realized her situation. She felt the strain on her wrists, and glanced at them- they were bound with a bright yellow rope, pulling them in two different directions, toward the ceiling. Her ankles were tied together as well, making her into a "Y" shape.

Rope? Please. Kara tugged roughly at the rope, but it didn't snap as she expected. She just hurt her wrist. She tugged again, still held fast.

"Surprised? You do know you-"

"Lost my powers," Supergirl finished her sentence, right as it all came to her. Kara began to struggled with all her might, but she was helplessly bound.

"Please- don't waste your time. Without your powers, you are just-" Mercy walked forward, slapping Kara across the face. "A-" SLAP "Little-" SLAP "Girl, who has no business messing with Lex. Hope you're comforable," Mercy mocked as she walked over to a table.

"Why are you Lex's lapdog? Why can't you think for yourself?" Kara challenged.

Mercy snatched a white hanky from the table, and walked over to Supergirl.

"Why can't you-" she tautly bound the cloth over Kara's mouth. "Shut up,"

Mercy quickly left the room on her way back to LexSpace, leaving a bound, gagged, and powerless Supergirl struggling.

[DisneyBoy]

....um, in my entry, Lois was taken by ambulance towards the hospital with Spencer riding in the back, while Jimmy rode in the other ambulance with Steel...maybe we were both posting at the same time, cause that piece of debris already fell, remember?

(Sigh) these stories get really confusing with so many people working on them...

[The Game]

Er... That;s exaclty what happened... I'll fix it by just deleting the first part of the post.

[BeastBoyWonder]

the way to avoid stuff like that is to post something saying that you are working on the story, and then edit that post with your addition.

[DisneyBoy]

Cool thegame8866 . By the way, I really liked your style of writing. Some people really aren't great at setting a mood to their entry, but you succeeded! And I almost wish I hadn't written about Lois' body being discovered cause your interpretation of it was chilling!

[The Game]

the way to avoid stuff like that is to post something saying that you are working on the story, and then edit that post with your addition.

That's a really good idea- I think we should all try to do that from now on.

Thanks for the compliments, DisneyBoy! :D I flattered you like my writing. If you want to see more, check out the fanfic boards and see my two completed stories Backlash and No Way Out: Return of the Phantasm. Wow, was that a shamless plug, or what? Everyone should check out the fanfic boards anyway, there's alot of stuff that's great there.

I've enjoyed your entries very much as well DisneyBoy. Now, back to the story...

[peterparker05]

OT: I'm gonna try to jumpstart this story string back to life, but zero zero nine's last entry still has to be changed. However, I'll try to develop the events in Metropolis a little more first.

****************************************************

Inside Project Cadmus..........

"Ladies and gentleman, the time has come," Luthor began as he addresed the elite Project Cadmus technicians, "according to our satelite feed, Superman is currently battling Bizarro in Smallville, Kansas. This could very well be the battle that causes the "alien's" destruction. We have the abilities to aid Superman and allow him to live, but we shall not enable them."

Most of the scientists, doctors, and weapons experts surrounding Luthor knew better than to question his judgement. Fore you could be a friend of Lex Luthor or you could be his enemy, but there was no middle ground. However, Dr. Melissa O'Rourke wasn't aware.

"Mr. Luthor. Are you saying that we're just going to let Superman die. If the public finds out we could have saved him, they'll go nuts. They'll blame you for his death!" Dr. O'Rourke exclaimed

"Oh contrair," Lex Luthor savvily stated, "the public will never find out that LexCorp could have ever saved their precious defender. However, when he dies, Team Luthor will avenge his death and kill the Bizarro creature. We shall be heroes, avengers. This meeting is adjourned. Mercy, come with me."

Lex left the large meeting hall and proceeded down a long and abandoned metal hallway. Mercy was not far behind him. She could sense the tension between them. Her boss, her confidant, had just revealed to her one of the greatest secrets of Metropolis, but she still felt there was more that had been left unexplained and unsaid.

"Mercy, what's the status of Supergirl?" Luthor questioned.

"She's being held in an underground holding cell. Her powers have failed to return," Mercy reported nervously with unease.

"Good. She's about to become the leader of Team Luthor, Lexcorp's own squad of metahumans," he informed her.

"But she'd powerless and one of the heroes...." Mercy began.

"Can I share some information with you?" Luthor questioned again, "I'll kill you if you tell."

"Yes, Lex," Mercy said.

"When Braniac was interfaced with our computer systems, we received the schematics for a Kryptonian device known as the eradicator. When applied to a living being, that being will have all of the powers that Superman has. Dr. Teng assures me that he can succesfully apply it and that she can be succesfully hyptonized. If hypnotized, she'll head Team Luthor for us....when Superman dies," Luthor concluded.

[DisneyBoy]

Whoa! Peterparker05, how do you manage to make all of your entries so monumental? I wondered when the "Cadmus" project was mentionned as to wether or not you would take this story in a direction similar to that of the mainstream "Death of Superman". Seems we could be going in that direction, and as long as it keeps working, I'm going keep on enjoying it ;)

[peterparker05]

I don't want to make this exactly like the "Death of Superman" storyline from the comics, but I have noticed the similarites. As for Project Cadmus and things like that, I like taking people from the mainstream comics and fitting them into the animated universe. The nice thing about that is that you can change them a little bit because its different continuities.

[Livewire]

Wow!! Everyone is doing such a fantastic job! This story is coming along so well that I don't want to mess it up. As soon as I think of something to add, I'll put it on.

[Livewire]

At the hospital...

The unconscious Lois was rushed to the emergency room, where doctors and nurses followed, bringing with them Spencer and Steel, whose face Jimmy was still attempting to hide. His tears blurred his vision, but the sight of Lois’ mangled, injured body was forever ingrained in his mind. He had never seen her so badly bruised and broken. There had always been Superman, ready to save and protect them from any imperative danger. Jimmy’s tears turned from sad and remorseful to tears of anger and dismay. Why hadn’t he been there? Why hadn’t he come when he was needed most?



The doctors turned to Jimmy and started to examine him; but his injuries were small and he pushed them aside. “I’m fine,” he said, almost yelling in his frustration. “Don’t you see my friends? Help them, not me.” And he was surprised at his tone just as much as the medical staff was.


Without warning, Steel began to arise from where he had been laying. The doctors had put a cast on his broken limbs, and he made an attempt to go. Jimmy hurried to his side. “What are you doing? You can’t leave. The doctors need to..”


“No,” he said forcefully, in a low voice. “I don’t want anyone seeing me. They've done what they needed to do; I can take care of myself from here, and your friends conditions are much more serious. Now get that cloth and wrap it around my face," he demanded. Jimmy, helpless to stop him, obeyed, and covered his protruding features, only letting his eyes show.


Jimmy tried to reason with him, but to no avail, for he was already out the door.


“Where does he think he’s going?” one of the doctors inquired. “He’s in no condition to leave.”


“And how do you propose we stop him, doctor?” Jimmy asked. The doctor looked at the metal clad form exiting and said no more, placing his attentions on Lois and Mr. Collins.

*************

Kara struggled, desperately wanting to free herself from the bondage that had been unduly afflicted upon her. Ugh! she thought, the handkerchief impairing her speech, if only I could break free . Her sky-blue eyes darted around the cell, searching for something-anything- to aid her escape. However, before she could ponder for a solution to her problem, she heard the clicking of high- heels and a brown-haired woman wearing a black leather cap entered. She walked towards Kara, and untied the ropes that were fastened around her ankles and wrists. The handkerchief was also removed, and the blond teenager was finally able to speak.


“Untying me may appear to be a good thing, but knowing you, I know it isn’t. What else do you have in store for me?” she asked dryly. “You’re obviously not setting me free.”

“I’m not?” asked Mercy, sarcastically. “Gee, how did you ever figure that one out, kid?” was her scornfully asked question. “I guess you’re not as dumb as you look,” she continued with a wicked smile. “Get going!” she ordered, giving Kara a sharp jab in the back with a gun she had produced. “Of course you’re not going free. We have some super plans in store for your future, little girl.”


AND THEN...


(I hope you guys are happy with this. I thought it was best to make Steal go. The tough guy thet he is, I couldn't imagine him sticking around for very long. I get nervous about putting these on, because I don't want to ruin this great story. Feel free to PM me, pp05, if you want me to make any changes.)

[peterparker05]

It's good to have you here Livewire. I've been admiring your stuff on the fan fic boards for a little while now.

[DisneyBoy]

Livewire, let me be totally honest with you: Whenever I post a story, I always get worried that the next post will go and completely change the direction of the last few ones. Not to say that people shouldn't feel free to integrate their own ideas into the tale...it's just that it's so easy to render the plot rediculous. Why am I writing all of this? Because I think you did just the opposite! Your entry was well-written, well paced, heartfelt and greatly appreciated! Always feel free to contribute!

P.S. I Also felt it was time for Steel to bow out...too many characters = mass confusion ;)

[DisneyBoy]

(I'm going to undo something that was recently written - when did Supes realize that it was Brainiac inside Bizarro? In this entry I'm keeping it Bizarro vs Supes)


________________________


"I need something..." Clark's inner voice tried to remain alert...

Bizarro had become a monster. He didn't know how or why, but something about him was completely different...deadly. The beast desired to kill him, but was clearly taking his time.

Then Clark heard the scream...a distant voice as familiar to himself as his own...it was Lois...something had hit her...hard!

"No! Lois!" His mind raced, and the adreneline flowed. Using his feet he managed to temporarily knock the monster off balance and deliver a blow....a dirty one to say the least...Superman had kicked Bizarro where it counted, and Bizarro fell backwards for a moment. Clark didn't have time to praise himself or berate himself...Yes, this was fighting dirty, but he had to stop Bizarro from killing him..he had to save Lois...no matter what!

But the creature sensed the approaching vehicles of the press..and he paused..."This is not finished!" he boldly declared.

Then, to the surprise of Clark, he ran at lightening speed through the remains of the field. Clark was too exhausted to move...the world became black and shades of grey...

"Lois.." he moaned helplessly as the cars pulled up. He passed out...bleedly and nearly dead. Completely drained from a morning of battle and unable to even lift himself from the ground.


__________________


"Tonight, on 'Metropolis Edition', we'll bring you an exclusive with the Mayor's office to discuss how the city plans on rectifying the unspeakable damage our city sustained today, as well as the official death-count..." began Angela Chen, barely able to keep herself from breaking down infront of the camera. "But first, the body of Superman, ravaged by battle with the demented clone known as Bizarro, was transported earlier today to 'Star Labs' for severe emergency treatments. Despite the Man of Steel's attempts to bring an end to this morning's unprovoked and unprecidented attacks to the former LexCorps headquaters, witnesses claim Bizarro took his counterpart as far away from Metropolis as Kansas, where a crater now stands silent homage to the unwavering bravery of one man..."

Jimmy listened to the television in the waiting room of the hospital where Lois and Spencer, among countless others, suffered. Though he wasn't without bandages himself, Lois had been buried under debris upon pushing him out of the way, and Spencer, Clark Kent's supposed replacement at the Daily Planet, risked his life to free her from a permanent grave. Both were in intensive care, and Jimmy had recieved no word from the Doctor. Perry sat along with him, as he had for the last six hours. Neither had eaten or spoke. There was nothing to be said now...

The Doctor emerged from Lois' room and her two friends sprang to their feet, eyes reddened, dreading what they expect her to say.

"Mr. White...Mr. Olson...I'm afraid Ms. Lane is in a coma"


And THEN......

[peterparker05]

I was wondering how we were gonna fix things after it appeared that zero zero nine wasn't gonna edit her entry. That was a simple yet excellent way to fix the problem. Good job Disney Boy!

[Livewire]

That was great, DisneyBoy!! You are a wonderful writer! Everything makes sense now. :) Great entry!!!



P.S. And I'd like to thank you and pp05 for the compliments! I'm so glad to be apart of this great story string. Everyone's is doing such a great job! :)

[DisneyBoy]

I not sure that I fixed anything...technically, I just ignored what zero zero nine wrote (sorry :( really I am!) because it just...happened without an explanation. Thanks for the compliments anyways, though! :p Anyways, I think things will turn out much more interesting if Clark and the gang have to spend a good few weeks piecing the puzzle together... Go TEAM!

________________


and then....


John Henry Irons stumbled onto the couch, in pain. Even getting up for a soda was a huge ordeal now! He sighed, knowing that this wasn't the time to be complaining. At least he could still feel ...

Turning on the television he was unable to avoid the persistant evening reports...


"...And here, buried deep among the rubble lie the answers to questions that have been burning in our minds since early this morning: Why did Bizarro attack Lex Luthor's headquaters? When and why did the Toy Man and the Parasite become involved? What's become of Supergirl and the Metropolis Allyway vigilante known as Steel?"

"That Chen", John muttered to himself "Allyway vigilante my...!"

But he was interupted by the television's alarming report:
"This just in...Lois Lane, Pulizter Prize-winning Daily Planet reporter, currently in an undisclosed location, is in critical condition after barely surviving this morning's chaotic series of events..."

"That was certainly putting it mildly", thought Doctor Tanis Annison, currently reviewing Lois Lane's charts, unable to keep her eyes from looking at the two solitary figures standing watch near her door. Perry and Jimmy hadn't done much of anything since arriving at the hospital. Lois was in grave danger, especially with Superman out for the count. Though there was nothing either of them could do, they couldn't bring themselves to leave.

Dr. Annison approached Jimmy and Perry, quietly asking "Is there anything I can get you...some water...?" Perry politely declined while Jimmy turned to face her. "Do you know how Spencer Collins is?" he suddenly remembered. "Well, let me see if I can find out where he is being taken care of..." she replied, briskly returning to the nearby counter-top to search her computer's files. "I'll check with his doctor to see if he can be seen" she mentionned as she dialed a phone.

Jimmy turned to Perry suggesting "Maybe you should get some rest..." "Oh, no" Perry returned "You should be getting some rest! Look at you!" Jimmy hadn't even thought about his arm. But looking downward made him remember that he still had his camera with him. "Chief" he began, whispering and pulling Perry towards a nearby corner "I was able to take some pictures this morning before..." He stopped and removed the film. "Get these developped back at the Planet while I check on Spencer. "I'm not leavi..." Perry began, but the young man cut him off. "Listen , we don't have time to waste! I didn't even know Collins was with us until he saved Lois. People are dying here, Chief and unless we do our jobs and figure out why..." "You watch your attitude Olson!" Perry growled. "Give me the film" he ordered as Jimmy whimpered. "I'll check this out, but I expect to see you here in two hours. Got it? No reporting or searching around!" Perry walked off and grabbed his coat. Jimmy followed the nurse towards the elevator to see Spencer, but he knew he what he'd be doing afterwards...

_______


"Jimmy.." Spencer moaned with a grin. "You're Ok...!" Jimmy faked a grin. Although he didn't know this man, there was something about him that just made Jimmy angry inside. Maybe it was the fact that he was about to steal Clark's job. CLARK! "Have you heard from CK?" Jimmy suddenly asked. "Um...nope...I'm not that close with Calvin Klein..just yet" he joked. "No, I mean Clark...I don't know what happened to him." "Maybe you should call that girlfriend of yours.." Spencer suggested. KARA! For pity's sake, had Jimmy forgotten everything?!?!?! "Oh, man!" Jimmy sat down. "Did you see her this morning...Imeandidsheleavetheoffice..??" Jimmy stammered at lightening speed. "No..calm down Jim...I'm sure she and Clark must of headed out once the news came in..." "Oh man" Jimmy sighed with exhaustion. "Tough being a reporter isn't it?" Spencer commented. "Talk about a rough first day for you..." Jimmy stopped for a moment and looked. Before him was a man. A man who didn't need to know Lois in order to do what he did, to sacrifice what he did, a man who placed himself here to save her. He saved Lois....

"oh god ", Jimmy broke down and cried. "I never thought you would turn out to be anything but a jerk....and you saved her..." Spencer looked sadly towards him, unable or unwilling to agree. "You'd have done the same Jim, I know it..." he quietly replied to the anguished lad. "No matter what anyone says about you..." Jimmy began "..you're a real hero to me."

In an attempt to brake to mood, Spencer made a suggestion. "Listen" he began "you've seen me...you know I'm all right...so why don't you head on home, find out what happened to the Kents and try and get some rest." Jimmy remembered his original plans for that evening : a show. How ironic. He shook Spencer's hand and left the room.

As the minutes ticked by, Spencer stared up at the ceiling. This was all Luthor's doing somehow. A nurse came in and broke his thoughts. He could be needing a minor surgery in the morning and should get some rest. The lights were turned out and he was once again alone with his thoughts. Had he ever really been related to Luthor? He had managed to spend the last few years away from him...desperately trying to rebuild a life. Yet, somehow, especially after all this, he never felt it was his own life to lead. Then...

Time to leave - Ignore the pain - it is nothing - A purpose lies elsewhere - leave immediately

As the wind softly wafted into the shadowy hospital room, a silent figure climbed stealthly onto a nearby tree, escaping the lonelilness of the human house of healing, in search of the next step...


And Then...

________

Hope you guys enjoyed that! Sometimes it's important to a story to take things slow and explore the ramifications. In case you're all wondering, I am starting to form a idea as to where the main plot could be headed....and I'm certain I have an explanation for both Spencer's presence in this tale and involvement in it all...including Luthor. I also hoped to write about Kara, Clark and Lex, but I really need to do some homework, so Ciao for tonight!

[peterparker05]

OT: Braniac/Bizarro has kinda been left to the wayside lately so I'm going to try to do some stuff with him. To do this, I'm going to put Luthor to the side for a while. Also, I've got some ideas for what villains to bring in after Superman dies, it should be interesting.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As he flew through the cold, Canadian air. New sensation surrounded him. As an android, Braniac hadn't been able to feel. But as Braniac/Bizarro, he could feel. He could feel the cold air sending goosebumps up his arms. It wasn't a sensation that he enjoyed, but it was necesarry he if was to obtain revenge. The attacks on Metropolis and their fight in Smallville had weakened the last of the Kryptonians, but there was more work to be done if he was to truly eliminate Kal-El.

As he passed over glaciers, his pace quickened. He had very little time to reach his next target. He had to reach Kal-El's Fortress of Solitude to complete the next few steps of his plan. His plan to kill Superman.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"So I'm back to normal?" Superman asked as he sat on the padded table in a STAR labs workstation.

"Your coronary bruising has temporarily halted your heat vision, but other than that, we've got you back to your normal state of physical condition. After you get some rest, your optical wounds should heal, which would cause your heat vision to return," Professor Emil Hamilton reported with his usual amount of technobabble and scientific terms.

"I don't have time for rest. Batman took out the Parasite and Steel managed to subdue the Toyman, but Bizarro can only be stopped by me. There's something different about him this time. Something I can't quite put my finger on," Superman responded.

"I don't think so, Superman," Professor Hamilton argued, "I don't care how dangerous your clone's become. You won't be able to help anyone in this condition. We've got Steel on our team, as well as Supergirl if we can find her, and I can even call up one of the Green Lanterns if we really need them."

"No. I'm the only one that can stop him and figure out what's wrong. He's my responsibility. Besides both of the Green Lanterns are in deep space," Superman said, "so you can either help me or let me do this by myself.

"Oh all right," Professor Hamilton grumbled, "but for the record, I'm officially against this." Superman smiled at his friends frustration. He hated not getting his way.

"We can start by tracking him and figuring out where he's headed next," Superman ordered.

"That'd be difficult," Professor Hamilton said, "If you can avoid radar detection, so can he."

"We have to do something. Something to give me an advantage," Superman said with a determined look on his face.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Braniac/Bizarro stood in the Fortress of Solitude in front of Superman's Kryptonian Archives. He looked over the control center. This had all been created from the ruins of his ship.

"How these Kryptonians can pervert my technology is amazing," he remarked. As he began to operate the control board, he realized how useless his new rough, oversized hands really were so he switched to vocal command.

"Computer, access Kryptonian Archives weapons file, subsection: Sun Eater," Braniac/Bizarro ordered.

[Livewire]

If nobody minds, I'll go back to where I had left Supergirl..

*****************

Earlier, underground….


Kara walked along the dreary, dark hall, as Mercy repeatedly pushed and jabbed her in the back with the deadly object. I can’t believe I’m being contained with a gun, she thought dejectedly. This is so weird. Her mind raced with other thoughts-how long had she been in that cell-fifteen minutes? One hour? Two? What was Clark doing? Was he all right? Were the Parasite and Bizzaro still on the loose? She had no answers to her
questions; but all thoughts flew out of her head as she reached her new destination.


Mercy shoved her inside her new cell. It was larger than the other and cleaner than the last one, and as Kara noticed that Mercy had no intention of tying her up, she became confused and worried instead of relieved.


“Uh-oh. How come you’re not tying me up. Where am I and why am I here?”


“Question, questions. When you will you learn that’s it’s not always a good idea to know the answers.” She has walked out and was now in the process of locking the heavy, metal door.


“Yeah, like a locked door is going to keep me in here,” she said cockily. “You’re just as dumb as you look, Mercy. My powers will soon return and then-


“Blah, blah,” Mercy yawned. “You annoy me with your boring chatter.” She folded her arms across her chest and gave such a diabolical smirk that made Kara become enraged just by seeing it.

“When I get my powers back I’ll-

“You’ll do nothing, kid-absolutely nothing. So long, blondie.”


As soon as she had closed the door, bright, red lights cut on, and Kara realized what those lights were. “OH NO!!” she exclaimed, as she ran to the door trying desperately to unlock it. She had been underneath such a horrible lights before, and she couldn't bear the thought of being underneath them again.

*******

Mercy met Lex at the appointed spot. “Did you place her in her special cell?” he asked.

“Yes, boss. I turned on the red sun lights just as you ordered. How long will she be kept there?”

Lex smiled villainously. “As long as it is necessary, until Superman’s demise is complete. I can taste my victory, Mercy,” he continued. “Yes, the victory shall be mine.”

AND THEN....

( There. Now Lex can be pushed aside,pp05. :)

[peterparker05]

That was cool Livewire! By the way, I didn't mean that we couldn't show Lex again untill Superman dies. I just thought that he shouldn't be the central conflict quite yet. Nice way to show that he's just waiting for the moment to strike.

[BeastBoyWonder]

tight, this is turning out cooler than the other story string. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar enough with some of these characters to do character development scenes, so I'll stick to action scenes when the time comes. We've had quite a bit of action for now.

[RorShaq]

The alien pool boiled as Brainiac's heat vision burned the Men of Steel. Silently, he tore one's head from its shoulders. With the most casual of shrugs he put his hand through the shield and chest. Tossing it with the others, his new eyes catologued instantly every aspect of the broken heap of red and blue. There was no life left. He allowed the air to crackle and burn again as the uniforms incinerated and the metal liquefied.

This army of Superman robots had once stood as the mighty sentries of the fortress. Brainiac deduced that they had not attacked immediately upon his entry due to the genetic similarites between his new monstrous form and the Kryptonian. It mattered little. The technology which allowed their construction had been born through him. While they should have been sufficient to repel the other petty adversaries the Kryptonian wasted his time on, there was little beyond the grasp of Braniac now.

He rose and considered. He supposed he could annhilate the Kryptonian's fortress. Slaughter the pen of alien refugees. Grind his last bonds to a dead world to dust. But what would that accomplish? After he left this world a broken shell, he would need a new space ark. The technology of the fortress was his to reclaim. He now regretted destroying the robots. They could have been made to serve him. No...This place would remain long after the Earth was dead.

Brainiac left through the underwater exit and rocketed towards the atmosphere. He had calculated all probable positions of the Sun-Eater given its last known speed speed and bearing. Possibly the greatest weapon in the known world, The House of El had been charged with its keeping since diverting it from Krypton over a millenium ago. Fools. Control of the Sun-Eater was an opportunity to bring any civilizations to its knees.

Something was wrong. Braniac landed on the moon. He was not travelling nearly fast enough. Marking the positions of the stars, he circled the satellite again and again, his every effort a grim determination to build speed. At the hundredth rotation, he stopped. Incredible. Almost 5 earth minutes. He had fully expected this body to be capable of approaching the speed of light. Braniac had always attributed the Kryptonian's inability to manifest such powers as the result of his feeble mind. But with his consciousness behind such an instrument...

Braniac rose 100 feet and hurled himself down at the rock, striking it as hard as he could. There was no sound, of course, but the ground cracked for miles in each direction. More power than the Kryptonian had ever displayed, but he was disapointed still. His mind coldly probed and catologued his body's processing of solar energy. It was the efficiency with which he was able to regulate and channel it which had allowed him to so throroughly thrash the Kryptonian earlier. He could do so again if necessary, but he felt as though there were capabilities he had not yet reached. No matter. He would learn in time. Still, his present condition would not allow him to reach the Sun-Eater unaided. He remembered years ago, while he had been offline, an alien invasion had been repelled by the Kryptonian. The invaders had arrived by means of artificial dimensional rifts..."Boom Tubes." Without another thought, Braniac streaked back to Earth.

AND THEN...

[peterparker05]

Welcome to the boards and let me be the first to say that your last entry as an interesting change of pace. I liked it.

[RorShaq]

Thanks a lot. I've never done one of these before, but the story just sucked me in.

[BeastBoyWonder]

...and then something clicked in his head. He remembered the Sun Eater had a Kryptonian computer interface that he could access using the transmitter from his old body.

**********Three hours later***********

Braniac carefully opened the back of his old robotic head. He was surprised his clumsy hands didn't crush the metallic headpiece. He stared at the "brain" of it momentarily, expecting to have analyzed each and every component. Then he remembered his current organic mind did not have that feature. "Stupid...slow...brain...I presume superpowers come with a price."

He manually identified the component of the brain that he wanted, and connected it to a transmitter. He gave the coordinates to the component, and it immediately interfaced with the Sun Eater. The idle sub-program in Brainiac's robotic mind began to take over the Sun Eater, but the resident program resisted. Braniac was at a loss for what to do. Then he had an idea.

This wasn't like a cold, calcluated idea that was generated by his random number elements, but a genuine idea that came from his organic mind. He was starting to like this brain. It was slow, didn't have quite the precision of his old mind, but it had its own appealing features.

Braniac ordered his program to force the resident program to occupy his old robotic mind. They played a deadly game for survival similar to chess, and Brainaic's program took over resistor by resistor, until it had control of the Sun Eater. Brainaic's old head lit up, and began to move. The new program didn't know where it was, and struggled to cope with its surroundings.

Suddenly, Brainiac heard a voice in his head.

"Awaiting your orders, master."

The Sun Eater could communicate to him telepathically. Braniac couldn't understand it, but then realized that the program was so well interfaced with the workings of his mind that it was actually able to transmit concepts across far distances. He grinned like a devil (which was something he was not capable of doing in his robotic form, he noted).

[peterparker05]

OT: I've been informed by several posters that they have a problem with the direction this story string. This would include the split minute changing of a storyline or action scenes without probocation among other things. Often their complaints can be very frank and heated. However, this letter that was sent to me by one concerned poster basically sums up everyone's feelings without offending anyone.

PLEASE READ THIS!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear writers participating in this thread...

We hope you're having fun plotting the demise of Superman and really appreciate all of your contributions, but we are also slightly concerned that some entries are pushing the story to it's conclusion a little too fast. Story threads can last as long as people keep writing, and with that in mind, we'd like to ask you all to carefully consider each and every entry. Many posters have tried to build up a progressive, coherent story and it diminishes their work as well as the overall story when one poster either decides to reveal a major plot-secret or rush the characters into an action sequence before the story requires either of these things to happen. Basically, let's not rush this! There's still plenty of ground to explore before Supes finally bites the dust. Everyone's worked really hard so far to make this the best story-thread anyone's seen in a while and once this is all over, it would be a great credit to them if the story still made sense and didn't come off like a bunch of random events...

So, keep on posting guys and gals, but be curtious to everyone else...only if we work as a team can this be a successful endavour!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

So don't be afraid to post my friends, but at least consider this letter.

[DisneyBoy]

After reading the last post in which Brainiac is quickly defeated, I began wondering where the story would go and how to resume the plot. I figured ragingdrummerboy would add something to that in order to further the story, but sadly..no one has touched this thread since that happened, and I don't quite know what to do...

So here's my question: Should we ignore ragingdrummerboy's last entry in order to proceed with the story? Would y'all be comfortable with that? I don't want to do something that would offend the (frankly) great writers here, but we seem to be up against an obstacle...

[RorShaq]

Originally posted by DisneyBoy
After reading the last post in which Brainiac is quickly defeated, I began wondering where the story would go and how to resume the plot. I figured ragingdrummerboy would add something to that in order to further the story, but sadly..no one has touched this thread since that happened, and I don't quite know what to do...

So here's my question: Should we ignore ragingdrummerboy's last entry in order to proceed with the story? Would y'all be comfortable with that? I don't want to do something that would offend the (frankly) great writers here, but we seem to be up against an obstacle...

I, for one, would be in favor of that. I know I've only contributed one segment, but it seems like so much time and effort has gone into establishing Bizarro as Superman's seemingly physical superior, that to remove him as Braniac's vessel seems a bit premature at this point. But hey, that's just one guy's opinion. I'd like to see someone add something, as it's been a few days now.

[BeastBoyWonder]

My bad. Sorry guys. The purpose was for Brainiac to gain control of the weapon that was introduced. We can do this without getting rid of Braniac's mastery over Bizarro, in fact I was planning on putting him back in, but I didn't want to alter too much of the story at once. I'll edit.

Once again, sorry. I think I'm the one who spurred the controversy and anger. If my modifications do not seem acceptable, I would not have a problem with removing my entry.

EDIT: It's a moot point, but I had never "destroyed" brainiac, just his metallic head, before I changed the post. Brainiac was in the Sun Eater. This way, Brainiac has direct control of both the Sun Eater and Bizarro's body, which should give him the advantage.

[peterparker05]

I like the new entry much more. Thanks for being so understanding ragingdrummerboy! It is greatly appreciated. :cool:

[BeastBoyWonder]

no problem, i caused the difficulties in the first place. If general consensus wants me to sit this story out, i can stick to batman ones.

[DisneyBoy]

DON'T EVEN THINK OF SITTING OUT!


This is just like those games we used to play at birthday parties when we were kids: Sure, we may not have always gotten the moves right, but we certainly didn't sit it out because we weren't perfect!

Ragingdrummerboy, Please don't take all this blame on your shoulders. In truth I don't really think anyone did anything wrong...some entries were harder to work with, that's all. Please continue to contribute - I didn't mean, at all, to villify you! Please forgive me if I gave you that impression! This story thread is here for everyone to contribute to - It's more fun that way! So keep the new ideas flowing, and if we ever hit a bump, I'm sure we can all work through it! That's the writing process!


AND THEN.... ;)

[DisneyBoy]

Ok, for some odd reason, the reply I posted didn't post! Darn school computers!

I'll paraphrase: It was no one's fault - we can work through any bumps in the road - That's the writing process

Continue to post: No one is perfect and just because you didn't get it perfectly the first time doesn't mean you should sit it out. The more the merrier!

AND THEN...

[DisneyBoy]

.... :mad: Ok, now my original post is back! :confused: :confused:

[BeastBoyWonder]

cool...thanks.

[peterparker05]

Yeah, don't even consider quitting. We need you here. You probably handle action sequences better than any of us.

[DisneyBoy]

I'm working on a new entry, so don't get discouraged here people...The story's far from over!

[peterparker05]

I'll be adding an entry soon as well. I've just been really busy lately.

[DisneyBoy]

Yikes....Midterm is such a nightmare!!!

[DisneyBoy]

And then....

___________


Back in the offices of the Daily Planet, the usual hustle and bustle of scurrying feet had halted to a subdued, melancholy crawl. Perry White looked on as the once boisterous crew of reporters, editors and assistants he hand personally hand-picked moved silently from desk to desk, office to office, with nothing more than a pale, tired expression on each of their faces. He sighed...
Lois wasn't there...

He picked up the copy of last week's paper and re-read the heartbreaking headline - Lois Lane Lost - recalling the day that brought Metropolis to it's knees and nearly killed his best reporter and close friend. Jimmy and written his first article, and it was a success, though that hardly mattered now. With Lois gone, the Planet hardly seemed like the home it once was...

"Hello Mr. White..." Jimmy quietly spoke. Even he had lost his spunkiness. "Any news, Jimmy?" Perry asked as he invited the boy into his dark office. "Not really..." Olsen began. "Ever since Spencer Collins disappeared from his hospital room the night of the incident, no one has heard from him. Lois is still in a coma and no one has the slightest idea where Lex Luthor is."

"Yes..." Perry started "It's almost as if he doesn't care about even appearing innocent, anymore." "Maybe he just gave up" Jimmy sneered. "After everything that monster has put us through, I wouldn't be surprised if he came up with this whole thing..."

"Jimmy!" Perry ordered. Jimmy once again became silent. Through the days that had followed the destruction of the LexCorps building, they had been there to help each other from losing it, though both had come close.

"Listen to me, " Perry softly spoke "I know you're going through a lot...with Kara's condition having worstened and all..." "They won't even let me see her!" Jimmy hollered, but Perry's expression kept him from continuing on. "...yes, you can't see her right now, no one can....that's the problem with having a 'contagious disease' as Clark put it....but there's nothing we can do about that now...All we can do is try and figure out this whole mess...for Lois' sake..."

"C.K. left me a few notes before he left to be with Kara..." Jimmy began. "What?!?!" Perry questionned. "He never told me he was quitting!" "He said that he had to be with Kara, and that if it meant losing his job....he was sorry..." Jimmy meekly informed a shocked Perry.

"Well....." Perry stood up and looked towards his window. Clark quit to stay with his dying cousin in a secret location (or so he claims!), Spencer Collins disappeared after saving Lois' life, and Lois remained in a coma....How on earth were they going to find anything out with all the top reporters out of commision???

"Olsen, get your hat!" Perry ordered. "We've got a lot of digging to do..."

With that, they stormed out of the office and headed to where the trouble all began....the remains of the LexCorps tower....


AND THEN!!!!

[peterparker05]

A teamup between the Chief and Jimmy! I never saw it coming, but I like the sound of it.

[DisneyBoy]

...I kinda was headed in that direction before in my previous entries, and I did my best to sort of set a time frame and regain a sense of normality in this entry. I hope it sets up a new starting point so that new or old writers can read the premise and catch up...So, come on Livewire and company..Let's post!!!

To recap: Lois is in a coma, Spencer's missing, Clark pretended that Kara had to be institutionalized at an undisclosed location for treatment for her illness - a cover-up because Supergirl's missing and Clark spent some time at Star Labs recovering. Brainiac has located a 'Sun Eater' device and created an electronic link between it and himself, while Lex and Mercy hide in an underground facility with Supergirl's powerless body at their mercy (no pun intended!). Perry and Jimmy aren't up to speed as to where Supergirl, Bizarro (with the mind of Brainiac), Spencer, Lex or Mercy are, so they've headed back to the site of the destroyed building to figure this big mess out....let's see if you guys can do the same!


AND THENNNNNN!

(I Love writing that!)

[Livewire]

I want so badly to enter in another entry, but I've been extremely busy. I'll try to add more soon. :) (Btw, great addition DisneyBoy!)

[DisneyBoy]

Don't worry about it Livewire, we completely understand! My mid-term assessment are coming up and I really can't afford to contribute until I've finished all my work.

Let me tell you, though...I was really happy to see you had posted and was hoping it was another great entry...

Oh well, real life comes first! :rolleyes:

[DisneyBoy]

And Then...


_______________


There it was - a giant pile of rubble. Countless lives had been lost in a single moment. Many would forever remain buried underneath what had once been the most envied tower in all Metropolis - The LexCorps building. Perry and Jimmy stared in silence as tears welled up, blurring their vision. There had been no reason, no motive, no logic to what had happened, and yet before them was the proof that it had.

".....and so, the crews continue to work day and night, making every attempt to recover survivors. This is Angela Chen for Metropolis News."


As the camera clicked off, she sighed. It wasn't easy doing these reports for the evening news, but it was a good opportunity for her. Still, the thought that this tragedy gave her a chance to better her career made her feel ill.


And then...

________

Sorry, I have go, but I'll post the next installment in a moment.

[DisneyBoy]

And Then....

(I had to switch computer labs, sorry! Back to the story now...)

____________________


"Angela..." Perry gestured as she walked towards him. "You look...tired." "No kidding...but has anybody gotten any rest since last week?" She shook their hands, something she never really did, but in the current surroundings, it seemed appropriate. "Nice cover story Jimmy" she said...


________

Have to write back later...

[DisneyBoy]

Sorry!!! They made me switch labs AGAIN! :mad: Now, back to the story...

_______________



"...I understand how difficult it must have been..." she quickly added. Jimmy quietly spoke as he wiped a tear from his eye "...I can't imagine how tough it's been for you...having to do reports, here ..." "Well, when the big, bad newsroom tells you to jump, you jump !" Angela said with a grimace.

"So what brings you two here?" she wondered. Perry pulled Angela away from the crews and spoke in a low voice: "We're here to figure out what happened..." "Good luck!" she laughed. "What do you think they've been doing for the past... "
"Listen! " Perry cut her off. "I don't know if you heard but the man who saved Lois...he's vanished. The police have been trying to keep it under wraps..." "Collins? Didn't you hire him to replace..." she interrupted. "Yes, but I'm beginning to think he's in danger..or hiding something..." Angela's eyes widened - she could sense a good story. "We can't really go into details," Jimmy added, "...but there has to be something around here that can help us figure out why this happened..."

"What?!?! You guys can't go snooping around here!" "We wouldn't dream of it Chen," Perry replied "...but maybe we can spot something the crews can't." "Like what?!?!" Jimmy hushed Angela's loud voice. "...I was there when Lois was..." the young man spoke. "If I could see the side of the building where we were, I might be able to remember something...."

Angela winked at them, purposely announcing loudly "Nice to see you boys, but if you don't mind, I need to go interview that worker ..." As she momentarily took the solemn man's attention away from his post, Jimmy and Perry slipped underneath a make-shift shelter meant to keep the workers dry. They were facing the location where Steel had once valiantly stood fighting the ToyMan. Jimmy could still see it all in his mind's eye. The one thing he couldn't recall, is where the villain had vanished to during the massive explosion. Had he died? Whatever the answer, it was hidden deep beneath the concrete and ash.

...................

As Kara struggled and sweated beneath the harsh lights of her prison, Mercy opened the door to her cell and left a pan of water, just beyond her reach. Though most of her enjoyed seeing Superman's ally trapped and drained or her powers, part of her still wondered what it was all for. Lex had plans, that much she knew, but how this alien figured into them remained a mystery. Upon exiting the cell and locking it tightly, Mercy returned back down the dark, lead-lined corridor.

...................

"Isn't there anything you can do?" Superman impatiently demanded. Professor Hamilton turned to face him, equally as drained. "I'm afraid that for the moment, I've done all I can." Having spent the last few days doing everything he could to revive and restore the Man of Steel had left his nerves frazzled. Even now that Superman was back, it seemed he would get no rest.

As the two figures walked away from the recovery room, countless asistants had to continuously remove patches and braces from around Superman's body. Now that he was back, he could walk, waiting around wasn't an option for him. Hamilton spoke all the while:

"It's a miracle that you're even up and running...and let me tell you - I really didn't appreciate you flying off the minute we revived you!" "I had no choice I'm afraid" Superman blushed. "There was a very important matter I had to clear up" The Professor put his hand on the hero's back and pulled him closer, asking "Does this have to do with Supergirl's disappearance...?" "You know I can't answer that " he sternly replied. How could he explain it? It was hard enough to fly over to the Planet and tell Jimmy that his girlfriend was near death and then fly back only a few minutes after being revived! They seperated and sighed, entering a sound-proof white room.

Though he knew it would be easier for the team at Star Labs to help him locate Supergirl if they knew who she was, he couldn't risk it - especially since no one had seen or heard from her during the week of his coma. "All that time wasted" he berated himself. "...thanks to you, Clark, Lois is in a coma..." he rubbed his forehead and regained his focus. Now was not the time to distract himself...

Hamilton pressed a secret button and holograms appeared before the determined duo. "Let's review: Parasite, Bizarro and ToyMan were all there when the Spaceracer crashed into the LexCorps tower...However, the only ones with any connection to Lex are Parasite, who used to be a janitor for his company, and Biazarro, a clone he created of you. Still, those two monsters have always been more fixated on killing you than attacking Lex..." stated Hamilton. "...Which would make them pefect asassins" Superman added, his features as weathered and grim as any war veteran. "Lex could have indirectly hired them to kill me" he continued "...but that isn't his style. They are all loose canons and would most likely rat him out once captured...that is unless he threatened to kill them himself, which also isn't his style." "Could he have blackmailed them?" Hamilton wondered. "Even if he had, it isn't likely that he could have gotten the three of them to work together." "...and destroying his own building would only make him a suspect, to say nothing of disappearing afterwards..." added the Professor.

"Either Lex has lost his mind as well as the ability to come up with a clever plan and no longer cares about maintaining any kind of public image..." Superman began "...or he is purposely making this entire situation seem as strange as he can to distract me from figuring out what he's really up to." "Could be..." Hamilton faced him, "...but where does that leave us?"

S- "I can either help with the ruins of the LexCorps tower..."
H- "...which would only attract the attention of the public..."
S- "...search for Supergirl..."
H- "...who could be anywhere by now..."
S- "...Or track down Bizarro..."
H- "...who you aren't ready to face yet."

Some decision!

...................

He collasped on a dust-covered chair in the livingroom. Slowly sipping his fresh cup of tea, he threw it against the wall so violently that it broke. "ARrrrrG !" he growled. "Still can't eat a damn thing!" He glanced around the mantle of the old fireplace. The only pictureframe left unbroken was the one containing a photo he had taken one month before he had met Lex Luthor. A brilliant smile spread across the photo. He had been so happy then...why did he have to go searching for trouble? He had managed to live a happy life without any family at all, so why hadn't it been enough?

"Spencer Collins .....Spencer Collins..." he kept repeating his name. It made him wish for death every single time he heard those two words. "If not for my stupidity, surely this disaster would have been avoided..." Then his thoughts shifted to Lex Luthor...the man who had changed everything... :mad:

Suddenly, a noise attracted his attention. Voices, two..no three...

"Are you sure this is his old place, Dave ?"

"Shut up! "

Collins quickly rose to his feet. Shaken like an animal caught in headlights...

Backup systems operate - exit current environment - return to human03 - Location 000 - avoid all humanoid lifeforms -

The door burst open and the police, guns ready, began to search the house. The Officer in charge entered the living room, feeling the breeze from the open patio door. Someone had just been here. "Zan, over here now!" "Dave, someone just boiled a pot of water..." The two turned to the fireplace, easily noticing the broken cup and tea stain that decorated it. They figured the culpret couldn't be far away. They couldn't have been more wrong.

........................


"NURSE, ROOM 307 STAT!" Tanis Annison ran down the hall towards the other nurse calling her. "There's rapid neural activity in the patient!" Both women leaned over Lois Lane's body, desperately hoping for her to awake from her coma. "Life signs re-stabalizing...." Tanis said after a few moments. She hadn't awaken yet. "Annison, please add this to your report" the older woman told the younger nurse. They hardly had room to walk with all of the flowers around the bed. Cards with words like "Get Well" "Missing You" and "Love, Bruce" had fallen from the wrappings of the bouquets like leaves in the fall. The two women regained their composure. "If she keeps fighting like this, Ms. Lane may soon be on the road to recovery..."

.................................................................................

Lex loomed over his control panel. The only light in his secret room came from the many buttons and screens facing him. He was the master of his domain - a domain even Mercy knew nothing about. He smoothly turned to face the large vessel in the wall. As it pulsated with heat, a terrible grin spread across his face. Things were proceeding smoothly, but it was time to return to his team. The glowing machine ceased it's deadly work.

The enormous lead door opened at his approach, and he exited. It locked shut and darkness blackened his surroundings. Continuing into an elevator known only to him, and ascending towards the underground haven in which his team had been working for seven days, his thoughts returned to Supergirl. Hidden by an advanced hologram, a panel in the computerized wall of the file locker opened. As the figure of Lex Luthor emerged from the restricted room, Mercy Graves watched with deep suspicions burning in her heart. "Lex was in there for a good hour" she pondered. The only thing she didn't know was why ...

Without warning, she gasped for breath. And unberable stench filled her lungs as Luthor continued down the hall...it was the smell of human flesh...burned ...

......................

Jimmy and Perry cautiously made their way back out onto the streets, having accomplished nothing, even after re-visiting the location where Lois nearly died. "I have to go get the film from your camera now..." Perry mentionned. "Who did you give it too?" Jimmy asked. "A trusted friend...no one can know what's on that roll..." "I'll go do some more checking on Spencer Collins back at the Planet." Jimmy decided. Yet, one question burned in both their minds...where was ToyMan? Almost as if to answer that question, the excited crew suddenly began to reveal an object uncovered by their digging. Jimmy and Perry turned around, and Angela Chen's camera men focused their attention on the discovery...

...a single battered Teddy Bear...


_______________________________________________________


AND THEN..........!!!

Woo! That was a long one! Hope you enjoyed it...now let's get this story up and going again!!!

[DisneyBoy]

Let me know what y'all think of the latest entry...

Is it too wordy? Dull? Interesting? Share people, share...! ;)

[BeastBoyWonder]

Amazing.

[peterparker05]

OT: That last entry was very cool. I'm not 100% sure what's going on with Spencer Collins, but I'll leave that for somebody else to figure out. It'll probably be better than anything I'll ever come up with. Whatever it is, it's all ready accomplished the goal I set by making him Luthor's nephew. He's better than Lenny Luthor (Superman IV: The Quest For Peace). Anyways, it's been a while since I posted so here goes nuttin.
****************************************************

"The Sun Eater is almost in position," Braniac/Bizarro stated cryptically as he stood somberly in his mighty clone flesh, deep within the North Pole's Fortress of Solitude. He stared at the holoscreen, constantly watching the projections of the Sun Eater's location.

It was passing Pluto and would arrive at the Earth's sun within hours. Soon the people of Earth would know of its prescence, but they would know nothing of the threat it possessed.

"Master, after I have enveloped the sun, what shall become of my existence?" the voice of the Sun Eater questioned from inside Braniac/Bizarro's head.

"You will devour other stars and I will catologue their planets, but first. I shall eliminate our only threat. The last Kryptonian, the one who gains his powers from the yellow sun you shall devour," Braniac/Bizarro responded through thought. He belly laughed from within the pits of his soul. As a former android, it was something he had never experienced before. However, he could not help, but notice the irony in that the weapon the House of El had been ordered to contain would be the very weapon that destroyed them.

****************************************************

"Ahhhh!" Jimmy hollered in rage as he pounced on the single teddy bear and began to rip it apart, "why is everything happening now?" The Chief approached him and grabbed him firmly and fatherly on the shoulder as Jimmy broke down crying as he had tried so hard not to.

"It's gonna be okay son," Perry comforted, "it's gonna be all....."

Perry stared blankly at the note that had just fallen out of the insides of the tattered teddy bear. It flew to the wind untill the cameras flashed towards Angela Chen as she caught the note.

"Oh my God!" Angela exclaimed. She looked harder at the soot covered note to make sense of the henscratched writing:

Just In Case My Deal With The Devil Doesn't Pull Off

I'm Going To Have Some Fun Either Way

Oh What A Snowball Fight I'm Going To Have

The Rules Say You Can't Throw Ice

But What About Atomic Bombs?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Lex?," Mercy questioned as Luthor exited the mysterious laboratory, "what was going on in there?"

"Team Luthor business," Luthor swiftly replied.

He seemed sterner now. Ever since both Superman and Bruce Wayne ranked higher then him in a public opinion poll held by the Daily Planet. He no reason to fear them overshadowing him, he was the driving force behind the city of tomorrow. Besides, if he really wanted to, he could eliminate Bruce Wayne. He had no real power, he was just an ordinary playboy airhead.

"I'm going to need you to deliver these files to Dr. Teng, Mercy," Luthor ordered her as he handed her a stack of files. She glanced down at the name on the top folder.

"Leslie Willis? But Lex..." Mercy stammered, "But she's Livewire!"

"Not anymore, she's not," Lex replied cooly, "if I'm going to build a personal team of superheroes. I've got to find ones who can actually pull their weight. She'll need some tutoring, but she'll work. FOR US."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"What is it?" Superman questioned as he and Professor Emil Hamilton stood in front of the STAR labs sattelite monitors.

"Our satelites can't pick up anything," Professor Hamilton reported, "it shares many characteristics often associated with black holes. However, it's mysteriously attracted to the Sun. Which itself, is underproducing ifared light. I can't make heads or tails of it." Professor Hamilton then tried to readjust the satelites through a combination of intricate key patterns.

"It looks familiar. As if I've seen it before," Superman pondered.

"That's a little vague Superman. You've been as far as Apokolips and the space in between," Professor Hamilton reminded.

Bbbbbrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeee! A high pitched alarm went off. Only Superman could hear it. It was a frequency only his ears could hear. It was coming from thousands of miles away. It was a warning.

"The alarm's sounding off, Professor Hamilton," Superman said, "somebody's invaded the Fortress of Solitude. They've entered Level Three, the Kryptonian Archives. If that's the hz frequency, they've activated forbidden files. I've got to see what's going on."

"But Superman we don't know what the implications are. This could have something to do with this spacial anomaly or Bizarro. This could even be a trap," Professor Hamilton objected.

"Whatever it is. I'll be ready to embrace it," Superman assured.

As a blue and red blur spurred by his face and out the STAR labs window, Professor Hamilton remarked, "That's what I'm afraid of."


AND THEN..............

OT: It's good to be back

[Livewire]

Incredible, ppp05!! I really enjoyed that your last entry.


I'm not exactly sure what's going on in your entry, DisneyBoy, but it was neat how you covered so many things in your one entry(well, it would have been one if you didn't have to keep switching computer labs ;) ) As pp05 said, I'll let some one else have a stab at Spencer as I don't know what I could put.


I have one question:

1. Does Superman know where Lois is being kept?

As soon as this is answered, I'll be more than ready to add more. I know..I know-I should know this.

[Livewire]

Ahh, I can still add something before that question is answered. I'm not dealing with Supes now anyway. Well, here it is.....

*******
One whole week. That was how long she had been in this horrible, red-illuminated cell. The girl didn’t know this, however. All she knew was that her powers were waning drastically. She felt her strength draining away.

Had Mercy recently come in? Yes, there was a pan of water as evidence-it hadn’t been there before. She tried to sit up. With great effort, she did so. Her pale, blue eyes had lost their sparkle and as she sat there despairingly, a tear rolled off her cheek. This is so not fair , she thought, stifling a sob. Kara wiped her moist eyes with the back of her bare hands. No longer was she wearing gloves or any of her previous costume. She had been made to dress in a black, form fitting leather suit. “At least it matches my headband,” she remarked gaily, holding her head high, wanting to hide her fear and sorrow. It worked, for Mercy had rolled her eyes, left in a huff, and slammed the cold, metal door.


After being kept against her will for what seemed an eternity, the young heroine couldn’t even feign a chipper exterior. She drew her knees to her chest and laid her pale-yellow hair upon them. Oh, Clark, where are you? I know you’re looking for me. Why can’t you find me? Instantly, she snapped her head up. “Lead!! That’s why he can’t find me! My entire cell must be lined with it.” Her countenance fell into its dreary state again. “What good does this knowledge do me? I’m still powerless. I’ll have to get out of here on my own.” A smile spread across her face and her countenance brightened. Hmm...what would Batgirl do?
*******

The nurse entered Lois’ room to check her vital signs. Ever since that teeny moment of movement, the doctor’s hopes were now high. Suddenly, the patient stirred. “S…Superman?” she said feebly before slipping back into unconsciousness. “Doctor, come in here quickly,” the nurse called. The doctor rushed to Lois’ side. After a thorough analysis, the doctor let out a long sigh of relief. “Ms. Lane’s condition seems to be improving, and although we still must be wary, I think it’s safe to say she’s out of danger.”




AND THEN….

[peterparker05]

Thanks for the compliments Livewire! As Superman has been at STAR labs, he'd have access to info about where Lois is and what's happened to her. In fact, if memory serves, there was an article about her in the Daily Planet.

[DisneyBoy]

WOW!!!

Those last entries were really amazing!!! In particular, Livewire, I love your writing style when it comes to Kara! You completely catpured her situation and painted a heart-breaking image of her in my mind! I thought it was very perceptive of you to take note that she was slipping in and out of consciousness, as in the "Mercy must have been here" comment. You also took note of the fact that no one had mentionned her costume and decided to clad her in the Team Luthor outfit. Those are the kinds of changes that work - because nothing contradicts them!Very impressive!

And PeterParker05, I really enjoy reading your entries because you always pick up where the story last left off and add a new (but possible - as in, not out-of-the-blue crazy! ) twist, all the while keeping the characters...well, in character ! I must admit that I didn't expect Jimmy to freak and tear the bear to shreads - but that does make sense! One of the best parts about this story thread is that I never find myself getting bored with it! Even once I start to become unenthused because I figured out where I think the story may go ... you two write something new and completely rejeuvenate the tale! I love to action...the suspence!!! Thrilling!!!


;) :) :p :rolleyes: :cool: :D :) :p :rolleyes: ;) :cool: :D :)

[DisneyBoy]

Yikes...this thread seems to keep falling into the past....Ladies and gents, we're trying hard to keep our posts up to date, so please...read the story so far, and try to make an addition! The more people participate in this the more fun it'll be!!! ;)

[peterparker05]

I'll try to add something this weekend, but I probably won't be able to do anything untill then because of my schedule. I think we should kick this story into high gear and get ready to kill Superman.

[BeastBoyWonder]

It might be a cool scene to have Braniac as Bizarro study old tapes of Superman news items, finding out the exact weaknesses of his fighting style.

(just adding some speculation and a BUMP, i'm really busy right now)

[Livewire]

Thanks for your imput, rdb!


And DisneyBoy, you make me blush the brightest scarlet with your kind compliments. Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed my last entry. Before I get too busy, I'll put my next one in..


Back in Supergirl's cell..



“Whoa.” Kara stood on her wobbly legs. “I really don’t like feeling so weak.” She put her hand to her chin. “Okay. Let me get this straight – I don’t have any of my powers, meaning that I’m…human.” She tried to comprehend that concept and found it almost impossible. “Fine,” she said after coming to terms with the fact. “I’ll just use my human capabilities.” A deep sigh resonated throughout her being. “I hope this works.” Grabbing the pan wherein the water was contained, she dumped the clear liquid on the cold, bare floor. Then with all the strength she could muster, Kara threw the metal pan towards the ceiling, aiming for one of the red lights. Her plan had been to shatter the crimson light, and if that had worked, she would have proceeded to do the same to the others. It hadn’t worked. “I am not going to give up. I’ll keep on giving it my best shot.” And she did. Numerous times did she persistently hurl the pan at the impenetrable lights above and she might have eventually been successful – if an obstacle hadn’t suddenly entered. Mercy came in with a scowl, rushing towards the surprised Kara – not having her super hearing, Luthor’s femme bodyguard had been undetected – and snatched the pan from Kara’s frail grip. “Nice try, little girl,” she said bitingly. “You’re coming with me.”


“Why should I?” Kara ventured to ask bravely.


Mercy pulled out a revolver, much like she had done the first day she had ushered Supergirl to her new quarter. “Because I said so.” Kara unwillingly complied.


I wonder what lies ahead of me now. With Lex involved, I know it’s not good, she thought miserably. Why did this nitwit have to show up? I bet I could have broken those lights if I had a little bit more time.


As they continued their way down the hall, Kara grew more worried and agitated, and asked boldly, but with a quiver in her voice, “Where are you taking me?”


“Somewhere, obviously,” Mercy replied sardonically.


“What kind of dumb reply is that?”


“Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer. Keep your mouth closed and walk.” Mercy smiled contentedly. She was enjoying every minute of this situation. The shoe was on the other foot now. It wasn’t everyday she could boss around Superman’s accomplice.



There has to be something I can do. Then a spark came into her eyes. There is something I can do! I don’t care if it is risky. The end result can’t be as bad as what I am about to encounter if I don’t try. The two females were about to turn a corner when, suddenly, Kara turned to face Mercy. She grasped the gun, which ensued in a struggle that ended all too quickly; Kara could hardly compete with Mercy, due to her languished strength.



Mercy grabbed the girl’s arm tightly, causing her to wince in pain. Looking at her coldly, the angered woman said in a threatening and menacing tone, “Don’t you ever, EVER try an idiotic trick like that again. Do I make myself perfectly clear?” She tightened her grip. “DO I ?” Kara could do nothing but respond in a low tone, “Yes.”


“You better be glad Lex wants you alive,” she continued, her anger still not squelched. “ because if he didn’t, I’d- she forced herself to calm down. Lex was waiting for them, and Lex didn’t like to be kept waiting.




So Luthor wants me to be kept alive- for some vile reason. This definitely isn’t good.

AND THEN...

[DisneyBoy]

Livewire, outstanding is all I have to say....I won't say more cause I don't want to embarass you again! Now, on with the show. I'll leave Supes to someone else, since Spencer seems to have become my territory. Hopefully, this will pick up the pace!

_________________


Spencer found himself sprawled in the park. It was four o'clock, and the sun was starting to go down. The parents and children surrounding the area stared at him with fright. "Where's the house?" He asked himself. Then as he tried to stand up, he re-focused and realized where he was.

"Hey, buddy" a voice behind him spoke. "Are you alright?" Spencer turned to face a police officer, hand on her gun holster and ready for anything. "I...I'm alright" he managed to say finally standing up straight and noticing his appearance. "You know you can't sleep here, right?" she demanded, and he nodded, quickly adding "I'm going now". As he stumbled out of the park and on to the street, he clutched his head in pain - It had happened again...

__________________


"Get me some coffee, would, ya?" Jimmy grumbled and went back to the coffee machine. They had been waiting for him to finish these photos for the last two hours - it shouldn't take that long! "Listen Matt..." Perry began, visinly losing patience. "We've been here for over three..." "Per! " the man cut him off, "Remember when I took that ticket off your car! I didn't take my time - I did it immediately, right?" "What's your point...?" Perry wasn't interested now in another one of Matt's long, convaluted speeches, but he knew one was coming...

"You see, that meter ran on a time frame, charging for the minute, but I could have removed that ticket at any time - it didn't really matter right? I could have taken it off your car at any time I wanted to, right?" "..." Perry just stared at him. "Well, at the time these pictures were taken, it was of every importance to snap the shutter at the right moment, meaning time was ruling the situation..." "..." Jimmy stared bumbfounded. "So, it's of little or no consequence when I finish developping the kid's film because time is really the one developping it...just as it ruled when it was important to take the picture." Jimmy and Perry stared at one another blankly. "So, when I said that it wasn't important when I took the ticket off your car, I really meant that I was trying to control time...which didn't end up working because you still had to pay the ticket in court, see! By trying to rush me, you're wasting energy because I already tried to control time and failed...very few people can do it you know..."

"BUT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE THESE FINISHED HOURS AGO!" Perry was out of patience now. Yah, they had been friends in high school, but Matt Denver was a lazy nutjob, plain and simple. "Hey, Hey, Hey!" Matt objected. "I ain't gone doing nothing wrong!" Jimmy handed him his coffee as he snatched it. Taking a sip he began, "..I already told you, I had to help Stuart pass his parole evaluation and then I had to walk the land-lady's dog or I would have been thrown out...So in the end, if time is finished taking it's time ..." he smiled at his own lame joke "then the pictures should be ready...about...now!" "Ding" went the bell installed on his darkroom door. Perry, Jimmy and Matt entered the closet-turned darkroom to finally view the pictures...or kill the moron who they gave them to...which ever happened first.

"Will ya look at that !" Matt gasped as he cliped the first photo to his clothes line. It was a shot of Supergirl being lowered into one of the jack-in-the-boxes, the day the LexCorps tower was attacked. Steel was facing ToyMan in the background, as some unseen mechanism captured the weakened heroine. "Look" Jimmy noticed "The Box Supergirl is in isn't dull or scratched like the others." Perry looked at Jimmy with pride - he was starting to become a reporter! After he clipped the other pictures to the line as well, he continued: "...So, if we follow the movement of the other boxes in these pictures, the one with Supergirl in it seems to move to the back of the group, placing it closest to the builing before the explosion." Though it was difficult for them to look at the images of the collapsing tower, Jimmy forced himself to focus on that particular box. "In the pictures after the explosion, Steel's destroyed all of the boxes, and freed Supergirl, but I don't see her in any more pictures. Now, it could be that she was alright, but with Parasite having been there and judging from the ease with which ToyMan was able to overcome her, it's safe to assume she lost her powers...but with our sunlight, she would have gotten them back after a while..." Jimmy sighed with disappointement. "I thought we might find something here...but this was all just a waste of time..." "Wait a minute Olson," Perry cut him off, as he pondered what the young man had jut said. "That box Supergirl was placed in was obviously specially equipped for it - all the others were just weapons...but this one" he said pointing. Jimmy turned around to face the photos again, his energy renewed. "It also looks like it was made of a different material than the others..." "You said it was positionned near the back of the group in this shot" Perry pointed, "...underneath the over-hanging floors..." "Which would have protected it from the immidiate explosion...Do you think that it was programmed to capture and protect Supergirl?" Jimmy wondered. "Lookee here," Matt pointed. "That ToyGuy seems just as surprised as everyone else that the heads of the Jack's shot up into the building." "...True." Perry agreed. "The whole deal was a suicide mission and completely out of character for ToyMan in the first place. After all, why would he try to protect Supergirl, but leave himself in danger?" "Maybe someone else was running the show!" Matt exclaimed with pride.

"So, Supergirl was left powerless and in the vicinity of the LexCoprs building, ToyMan clearly wasn't acting under his own influence and Luthor himself has been missing since the whole thing happened..." "Sounds like a job for Superman!" matt joked. Perry and Jimmy stared at him...they snatched up their pitcures and left for the old site of the LexCorps building...again...

[DisneyBoy]

Sorry had to switch labs...Man, was my last entry boring or what ! Time to fix that...


________________


Spencer glanced at the sight of the wreckage where he had helped save Lois Lane's life. Was this where he ws supposed to be? Then his head began to speak...and it took over...

Lift - find the entrance - return to human03 - Location 000


________________

The workers all ran towards a strange man they had never seen before as he began to lift huge pieces of rubble and throw them into the street. Who was this nutjob - Superman? A few of them tried to grab him from behind, but he threw them off and jumped into the hole he had created, burying himself beneath the rubble. As onlookers gasped in shock at what they had just seen, Jimmy and Perry's cab pulled up to the site. "What happened?" Jimmy ran to ask a bystander. "Some guy...he just started pulling up the rubble....he buried himself...?!!?" The workers began to uncover the location where the blonde-haired man had hidden himself. As the last piece was slowly lifted by several men, they looked down to discover the man was no longer there...

______


"Lex! " Mercy shouted, gun in hand and Supergirl in tow. "Where is he...?" Mercy wondered. "Getting a hair cut!" Kara whispered, barely able to speak. "Shut-up!" Mercy knocked her onto the floor with one punch. The red lights above made Mercy's punch even more effective, and Kara could hardly keep from crying. She tried desperately to think of an escape plan, but there seemed to be little in the room that could aid her. It could hardly even be called a room. Mercy laid Kara down in a mold made of circuits and fiber-optics unlike those she'd ever seen. The machine was massive, almost like a giant engine. "We call it The Eradicator" Lex's voice boomed as it echoed throughout the room. Mercy looked around, confused. "Where are you Lex?" She finally noticed the screen on the ceiling from which Lex was able to communicate. "I'm in a safe location within the compound, Mercy. This may get messy, so I suggest you proceed to room A-6. You can follow the process from there."

Kara's weak heart began to beat rapidly and her mind raced. "Where are you Clark? Why haven't you found me?" tears slowly began to run down her cheeks. She couldn't stop them. The red light had sapped her of all her strength. She didn't even have the energy to struggle. "...Don't kill me..." her spirit pleaded, but no one could hear...

Mercy took one last look at the girl...bound and broken...crying and helpless and had a sudden flashback to a time when she herself was no better off...

"Mercy?" Lex's dictatorial voice demanded. "Proceed to room A-6!" "Goodbye girl" Mercy whispered, attempting to smile...but all the while conflicted.

As she marched briskly through the corridor, Mercy wondered if she was doing the right thing. "After all, Lex has seemed pretty unbalanced since this whole affair began!" She quickly stopped in her tracks as a shadow appeared to her. "Lex?" she called out, but it wasn't him that approached her.

"COLLINS!" Spencer Collins rushed towards Mercy, clearly stunned, but aware of the danger she posed. Before he could even get a word out, she was already on the attack. "Wait...!" he gapsed between recieving her punches. "You're Mercy ...aren't you?" "What's it to you?" "Where's Luthor?" he demanded, frightened and determined at the same time. "You're Uncle ...?" Mercy began, but he grabbed her, running down another corridor.

She tried to remove his grip, but was unable. "I don't remember you being this strong!" she grimaced as he pulled her close. "You know something's wrong with him!' "What?!?!" Mercy was shocked. How was he able to grip her so tightly? "We have to stop him before...ARRRRRRHHHHHHH!!" He fell to the ground in pain, clutching his head as Mercy looked on, bewildered.
______

From within the machine, all Kara could hear was the sound of Lex's breathing, taunting her. "In case you're wondering why you've been captured and placed within my creation," Luthor began, "...all I can tell you is that you are a small part of a grand design. A plan which began almost before you came to this planet. A plan so safely hidden from all eyes, that not even Kal-El could discover it. Now that it is coming to fruitation, I wouldn't waste your final thoughts fearing for those who inhabit this vile rock. They, as well as you, shall serve their purpose in this, the destiny of the Universe." Kara looked above her as the stone-cold expression on Luthor's face engulfed the shiny screen. "Oh mighty Rao..." Kara's soul pleaded.
______

Spencer grimaced in torment as Mercy helped him to his feet, now unsure as to what to do. She knew Lex had him working at the Planet, even taking over Clark Kent's job, but why how on earth had he managed to access the underground facility? He seemed visibly ill, and could possibly be suffering a heart attack for all she knew. Suddenly, a group of guards charged down the hallway towards them, armed and clad in biohazard suits. He looked up at Mercy and focused on her eyes, despite his visible agony. "Trust me..." he faintly whispered. "I can tell you about Cadmus ..." She paused...

"Halt" she ordered to the men before her. "Mercy Graves step away from that man and leave him to us..." they began. "I am to deliver him personally to Lex Luthor!" she lied. "The man broke into this facility and we have strict orders to..." "Listen!!! " she hollered. "Luthor has buisness with him and unless you'd like to be on his bad side I suggest you BACK OFF !!!" The men slowly backed away as she dragged Spencer Collins' twitching body behind her.

They entered a small chamber, far away from the center of the complex. "We need to get out of here...." he mumbled still in agony. "I need to speak with Lex" Mercy began, "...and until I do , I'm keep you here!" she slumped his body against the wall and chained him up. "Don't even think of trying anything while I'm gone!" Mercy slammed the steel door shut and locked it behind her. Confused but contented, Mercy proceeded back towards room A-6.
She entered the room, sat down and turned on her monitor. Upon entering the code name - Cadmus - the rest of the monitors around her flickered on. Lex's face glowed on one of them, while the others captured from multiple angles the image of Supergirl's body within the machine. "Goodbye, child of Argo..." Lex sarcastically announced, activating the Eradicator from his secret location.

Suddenly the entire compound began to rumble and roar. The machine containing the last daughter of Argo slowly closed down onto itself, as the circuits and wires glowed. The pulsating beat of electricity deafened Kara's ears and she let out one last scream.

" CCCCCLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRKKKKKKKK!"

As Lex looked on from his hidden chamber, he couldn't help but smile. The compound was sustaining itself, despite the obvious strain of the Eradicator. At this point nothing could go wrong.

And then it did

"WWWWWAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAYYYYOOOOOOOO"

Mercy's eyes darted around the room, trying to spot the cause of the blaring alarm. Suddenly all of her screens went black. "WHAT?!?" She struggled to open the door to the corridor, but it had locked shut. "This would only happen if the compound was close to a total meltdown!" she realized! Grabbing her gun, she blasted away at the lead-lined lock, which slowly began to give way. "Lex!" she screamed into her communicator. "What's going on?" Finally, the door burst open and she rushed out into the hallway, barely able to see infront of her. As red alarm lights danced across the circuitry on the walls, she ran back towards the Eradicator room.

As she rounded the corner of the hallway, she suddenly sensed she wasn't alone. "Mercy Graves..." a cold, hollow voice spoke to her. It wasn't Lex, and that was all she needed to know. Lifting her gun, she shot wildly at the being before her, but to no avail.

WHAM!

Mercy fell to the ground, knocked out cold, as Spencer gasped for air. Supergirl's lifeless body hung from his arms, as billowing clouds of smoke poured out from the Eradication chamber. Knowing he had to act quickly, he ran down a seqeunce of hallways, as the sounds of emergency crews and guards seemed to follow him. "Stop right there!" an armed guard ordered, as Spencer easily knocked him to the ground. He approached a dead-end, closed his eyes and thought. "How do I access it?" he wondered. Concentrating with all his might, the answer suddenly came to him.

Lock code - 309857alpha - key pad located next to pipe

He instantly reacted, accessing the second - and secret - glass elevator. As the mechanisms awoke, a low humming sound filled the ears of the man and the Argoan girl he carried. He breathed a sigh of relief. Lex couldn't stop the elevator unless he destroyed it. The crews were too busy trying to deal with the Eradicator device to follow them. They were safe for the moment being. The only question that remained in his mind was what was going to happen to Supergirl.

Lex, occupied in his secret room, looked at his computer screens, each one a different view of a red infirno. Complete choas surrounded him, yet he did not flinch. The speakers around him blared messages from across the compound. "Mercy Graves in stable condition..." "Eradication chamber sustained serious, if not irrepairable damage..." "Glass elevator in use" they all screamed. Supergirl had been successfully Eradicated. It mattered now very little where Spencer Collins brought her. She was under his control.

One screen attracted the attention of his glass eyes. A hidden camera inside the elevator captured the image of his prey right before he disabled it with a single punch. As the image turned to black, Lex realized that Collins and the remains of Supergirl had returned to the world above.

"Very well Spencer Collins...fight me if you must....I will emerge victorious, regardless of your feeble attempts."

Spencer quietly exited the hidden cliffside where the elevator brought him. "I will fight you..." he replied to the voice, but it no longer listened. Lex leaned back in his chair, contented but vengeful, as the only man with the power to destroy him walked free...

_______________________

Well, I'm really going to try to speed things up. Next time, expect the mystery surrounding Spencer to be at least partially revealed, if you haven't guessed it already. Hopefully before then someone will step in and deal with Supes, Lois and Bizarro...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Post-Edited comments...

That is my revamped entry! Whew! It certainly took a lot of time to alter my entry to fit the current story, but so much was changed after I wrote this, that it didn't make sense to leave it the way it was. Originally, I wrote that Spencer had kidnapped Mercy and escaped, while Kara remained in Lex's control...but had not yet been tortured in any way by the Eradicator. Now, since the other writers wanted to take this story in a different direction, several of us had to go back and alter things. Of all the entries, I'd have to say that mine changed the most! Still, it will hopefully be better for the story now that everything's been edited.

So, to recap....Supergirl has undergone the turtures of the Eradicator - machine, Spencer Collins escaped with her body in his arms while Mercy and Lex remain in the compound! Now let's continue this story!!

AND THENNNNN........

[BeastBoyWonder]

OT: The last few posts were AWESOME, but we've seemed to be neglecting our "bigger" characters a little bit. That's good, because we've gotton some great character development and plot, but eventually we should switch focus and close in on the "death".

A grotesque, deformed shadow streaked across the Fortress of Soltitude. Suddenly, the ceiling crumbled into fine, powdery fragments. Brainiac (in the body of Bizarro) landed gently on the floor of a room before studying his surroundings. Superman must have a media collection lying around somewhere...its just a matter of locating it.

The Man of Steel flew into the room as Brainiac began to use his X-ray vision. Not now...too early. Go away, you damn pest. As he focused on Superman, he saw a metallic shell housing a synthetic skin. Hah...practice. The robot flew towards him, heat vision blazing. Brainiac quickly parried each blast with one of his own. As the robot came close, Brainiac blew out a huge volume of freezing cold air, freezing the robot's legs and keeping it from flying. He used heat vision to melt the "S" shield, stuck his wildly disfigured hand inside, and ripped out the CPU, which he promply crushed.

He punched off the head of the robot for good measure. Using his enhanced vision, he continued to look for the media. He stumbled upon a set of DVDs neatly arranged with date labels on him.

*****************Six hours later*********************

Brainiac stared intently at the video screen. He paused to check on the status of the Sun Eater. An explosion from the screen drew his attention back to the monitor. It's a pity I can no longer process multiple things at once. As soon as I deal with Kal-El, I shall be sure to return to my previous robotic form.

On the screen, Bizarro gave a bloodcurdling yell before smashing a light-sculpture projector to bits. He picked up a painting.

"I don't want to fight you. Please put that down."

A soothing, but powerful voice filled the room. Superman had arrived. Bizarro gave another yell, and broke the painting on his knee.

Kal-El's "morals" are just as interesting as his home-grown fighting style. The key to defeating him will be capitalizing on both his weaknesses in style and character. If I endangered some innocent lives-

Once again, Brainiac's speculation was interrupted. With a loud THUD, Superman nailed Bizarro with his right hand, square in the jaw.

Due to his Kryptonian physiology, he has a wide variety of powers at his disposal, but overuses super strength. Especially his right hand. He fights like a flying boxer that doesn't take the time to defend himself, because he doesn't need to. This is why when he is faced with a threat of great maginitude, he faces more difficulty than he should.

Bizarro picked up Superman, and flung him towards the curator. Superman started to fly in the opposite direction, and saved the curator from a certain death. Bizarro broke another painting, and the curator fainted. He found another painting, this one of an artist's interpretation of what Batman looked like, and launched it at Superman. Superman caught it, and carefully set it down. In the meantime, Bizarro ripped out a support beam and nailed Superman square in the chest.

Laser vision would have worked better. He ALWAYS puts other people before himself, I MUST remember to utilize that weakness.

"World not fair! Bizarro deserve better!"

Bizarro lunged at Superman, and Superman held out his hands to stop him. Then, Superman began to attempt to reason with him again.

After studying Kal-El's recent endeavors, it is clear that he his holding himself back. Instead of letting loose and immobilizing Bizarro, he attempts to stop his advancement and tries to reason with him. Although I am curious about why he does this, I am more excited that I can take advantage of it. Excitement...my old circuits had intensified in pleasurable activity but it was nothing like this...an organic body has its advantages.

After watching hundreds of Superman battles and honing his own fighting technique, Brainiac was ready. With a bloodcurdling yell, he started spinning as fast as he could, legs shaped in a point. He drilled to the floor of the Fortress. He started savagely ripping out the metal support pipes and launching them above him. As a large portion of the building came crashing down, a blue figure approached from the distance. The battle would begin.

[peterparker05]

He couldn't believe what he had seen in there. The Fortress of Solitude's Level Three had been transformed by Bizarro into a lair of mutation and inhuman practices. This was not the Bizarro Superman had known. This was a new creature. A creature with no heart or soul. Superman couldn't make himself believe that part of his misguided clone's mind was actually in control of his beheometh body. As he had entered Level Three, Bizarro had fled, sneering at the man of steel, who stood shell shocked at the atrocities. Bizarro possessed a greater threat than anyone could have ever imagined. That's why Superman must chase him, to the ends of the Earth and beyond. There was no other choice.

Braniac/Bizarro landed upon the ruins of LexCorp HQ. The fires still blazed and smoke surrounded his pale, chalky skin. He looked at the destruction he had done. He could catologue this planet now. It's story had an ending. Superman touched down on a busted oak desk. He almost felt as if he could feel splinters piercing through his shoes. He must be imagining things his solar powers should make him imperviable. Braniac/Bizarro stared into his eyes with a cold glare. Superman stood his ground. He had to protect his home.

"Superman," Professor Hamilton spoke to Superman over a frequency only he could hear, "we've deciphered the goal of the mysterious anomoly in the solar system. It's devoured the sun. Report back to STAR labs immediately. Without the sun, your powers will begin to deplete. The Bizarro clone could kill you."

"I can't leave now. Something's still wrong with Bizarro. People depend on me to save them," Superman said through gritted teeth as he ducked a blow from Braniac/Bizarro. They fought endlessly and without words. Heat vision burst from their pupils leaving burns of pain on each of their unique skins. They flew into each other at full force and blasted throught the weak glass windows. They fought bitterly on a darkened street. It was the middle of afternoon, but with the Sun Eater in place, there was no light and the air had grown cooler.

Braniac/Bizarro ferociously leapt upon Superman and entrenched his hands upon the cusp of the kneck of steel. His powers were fading and he could feel it. Professor Hamilton was right. If he didn't leave the fight soon, it might be his last. But how could he abandon Metropolis.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Mr. Luthor, have you been watching the main viewers?" Dr. Teng questioned Lex over the intercom of Project Cadmus.

"Yes. I have," Luthor said grimly.

"Then you know about your nephew?" he asked.

"I do and I know that Superman may very well die today," Luthor retorted quietly.

"You don't seem very happy about it, sir," Dr. Teng said, surprised.

"Continue to use our tracking devices to monitor Supergirl's condition. Don't worry youself with my nephew. I will discipline him," Luthor ordered as he picked up a long, black gun.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Steel soared through the air. It was different from flying with Superman he'd noticed. When you flew without a metallic suit, you felt the warm air embracing your feeble skin. In his metal suit, you felt nothing, but the cool steel surface. He had to keep readjusting his optical vision lenses. For some reason or another, it was getting dark early today.

"Dr. Irons, this is Professor Hamilton of STAR Labs. You're needed in Metropolis right now," Professor Hamilton informed Steel through the suit's intercom system.

"I wish I could, but I'm in the middle of trying to find the Toyman's atomic bombs," Steel said as he flew over the Russian countryside, scouring the area for atomic signatures.

"But you don't understand, Dr. Irons. Superman's life may lie in your hands," Professor Hamilton said cryptically.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"What are you gaining from this Bizarro? What went wrong?" Superman pleaded with Braniac/Bizarro.

He said nothing, but replied with a furocious blast of heat vision. Superman's powers were waning. The final hours of the Kryptonian were at hand.

"Why are you doing this? You had a good life on your new planet," Superman reminded Braniac/Bizarro.

"I'm doing this to complete my programming. To ensure the destruction of all of Krypton and then catologue this planet before its imminent destruction," Braniac/Bizarro said unwillingly, having lost control of his emotions for a split second.

Superman stood up in astonishment. Blood trickled out of his mouth and his kneck was blued with bruises.

"What do you mean?........Programming............Destruction.....All of Krypton.........OH MY GOD!" Superman stammered as he tried to regain composure.

"In the final hour of your termination, you will realize that your termination was inevitable, Kal-El," Braniac/Bizarro sneered.

"BRANIAC!!!!!!!!!"Superman shouted at the top of his lungs.

At the top of a ledge above the dramatic battle, the mysterious assassin took his mark. He prepared his weapon and steadied the focus onto the man of steel. His sweating finger gripped the trigger and......

THWACK! A swift kick from a man's foot slammed into the assassin's stomach. His finger jerked and he pulled off his protective helmet. Luthor watched as his Kryptonite bullet veered and tore through the flesh of Superman's leg, sending him to the ground. Then Luthor looked up to see who had kicked him, who had defiled him. It was Spencer Collins, his nephew.


AND THEN............

[BeastBoyWonder]

OT: Wow! That was a great post. If it wasn't clear, the "fight" in my previous post was on a recording, and wasn't actually taking place.


Superman felt a searing pain travel through his leg. Between the most intense battle of his entire life and depletion of his power source, his endurace was fading rapidly. He let out a moan of pain, anticipating another, more painful, blow.

It never came.

The figure of Bizarro, whom he now knew as Brainiac, was lurched over. As Superman began to faint, he looked down at his leg.

"Kryptonite," he thought. Then he fainted.

Brainiac immediately knew what the green substance was. He saw two dark figures in the distance scuffling, but simply flew as far away as possible from the Kryptonite.

Spencer's foot hurt from kicking the strange metallic suit. Lex turned his nephew around, 'cuffed him, and gave him a cold metallic smack across the back of the head. Spencer fell to the ground. Luthor took out a knife, and held it to Spencer's neck.

"No more funny business from you, or you'll get it. When I'm finished with him, I'll deal with you."

The fear in Spencer's face was evident. Suddenly, Spencer became calm, and he surveyed his surroundings. Before Lex could blink, Spencer flipped so his hands were on the ground, then gave Lex a solid kick with both of his feet. He hit Lex's gleaming bald head with his handcuffs, and picked up the knife with his thumb and index finger. After getting a grip on the knife, he stared intently at Lex, who was seeing stars.

Spencer ran towards Superman, but couldn't pull the Kryptonite out. With one fluid motion, Spencer cut off one of his arms. He gave out a yell of agony, composed himself, and pulled the Kryptonite out of his leg, and flung it down on the street, where it shattered into fine shards.

Superman stirred. He opened his eyes, and they locked with the man who saved him. A split-second later, Lex's nephew fainted from blood loss. Superman was about to take him to a hospital, when he saw Brainaic. Metropolis is on a coast, and they were near water. The figure of Bizarro was holding a school bus. He flew over the water, and dropped it.

Superman ignored his massive fatigue, and chased after it. Braniac began to chase after him, when he was hit in the back with a Kryptonite bullet. It bounced off, but he was hurt. After temporarily immobilizing Brainiac, Lex fired four shots at Superman, who was going after the bus. Superman heard the bullets coming with his enhanced hearing, but couldn't dodge them all because of the immense stress he was in. A bullet lodged in his arm, leg, other leg, and right arm. Superman was broken, and fell into the ocean.

The screaming children were about to hit the water, when a steel hand crushed a small portion of the metal bus, creating a grip. Steel lifted the bus and placed it on land. He quickly scanned the area...


AND THEN...

[peterparker05]

WOW! I always knew that Luthor would go to any ends to clear up loose ends, but I never saw that coming.

[DisneyBoy]

I'm still not done reading the latest post, but I'm already a little confused...Wasn't Brainiac only watching a recording of an old Bizarro/Superman fighton a screen at the Fortress? Hadn't Mercy been kidnapped by Spencer? Wasn't Supergirl already about to be brainwashed in the second room???

:confused: I think we may all need to edit our entries...

[DisneyBoy]

...Ok, it's action packed...well written...but totally confusing!

- Calling a writer's meeting -

Is there some way the four of us who seem to be working on this story can group together and discuss the tale? I know this tale will rock, but right now, I'm terribly confused...I think we need to maybe plot it out or something before we continue...?

[Livewire]

I'm bewildered a little as well, DisneyBoy. So many occurences are going on that I find I need to go back and reread some posts. I'm with you, DisneyBoy-this story is really great, but before we go on, I think we should straighten some things out first, shouldn't we?

[peterparker05]

I think the problem may lie in my post. If someone could give a recap of what was going on prior to my last entry I believe we can see where the crap hit the fan.

[DisneyBoy]

Basically, Ragingdrummerboy's entry saw Bizarro/Brainiac still stationed in the Fortress of Solitude, and studying an old recording of Bizarro and Superman fighting in a museum to learn more about Superman's weaknesses. I think you may have gotten confused with what was happening and mistakenly thought that what was happening on tape was actually taking place. Then, suddenly we have Lex shooting Superman, Brainiac being revealed and Spencer dying! :D LOL, it seems that we're all really eager to get to the climax, but I think the last two or three entries might need to be corrected or held off for later...

Don't worry about it, guys and gal, I'm sure it was just an honest mistake ;)


Clap your hands boys and girls if you want Spencer Collins to live!
:p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p

[DisneyBoy]

Oh ya, and before that (in my last confusing entry!) Spencer Collins (in his odd mental state) dug deep beneath the rubble of the LexCorps building to access the secret entrance to Lex's underground lair. One there, he encountered Mercy, who was in the process of finding Lex in order to begin hypnotizing Kara, and freaked out on her. When he promised to tell her about "project Cadmus", she kept him from being detained by the lair's guards and instead brought him to a cell where she planned to deal with him after finding Lex. He managed to knock her out though, and carried her to one of the complex's two elevators to escape to the world above. Lex meanwhile, observing the whole incident from his secret room, seemed pleased and unthreatened by Spencer's interference...

[peterparker05]

Okay! I'll try to fix my entry so that ragingdrummerboy's entry and the previous ones still make sense. However, even though in both our entries, Superman wasn't quite dead yet. I believe it is time that his death came about. Even though this story string is "The Death of Superman", as stated earlier, it will also show what happens while he's dead and what causes his return from the grave so don't look upon his death as the "end" of the story. I all ready have some plans in store for certain villains I want to bring into play after Superman cashes in his chips. Also, Lex was still unthreatened by Spencer's actions in my entry. It was the fact that he might not have a hand in Superman's demise that bothered him. Also, let's turn oranges into orange juice. Myself (definitely) and ragingdummerboy (maybe) will need to edit our entries. However, they shouldn't be discarded. This was a complex story to begin with. We've proven that we can connect and work with unusual or fantastic events in the story.

Now I'll work on editing my last entry.

[peterparker05]

I'm done editing it. There are really only two changes, but it makes a difference.

[DisneyBoy]

Please don't take this post the wrong way, but I've been checking back on the thread for the last few days now, and am disappointed to find that it still keeps falling off the main board in the back pages. :( I don't really know what else to do to try to encourage new writers to join. At this point, I doubt anyone new will join in, so all I really care about is this ending up being a great story, regardless of how popular it may be. Even if no one reads it, I'd like those of us who worked on it to still be able to stand tall and say "That's an amazing piece of work!"

Yah, this does sound like a bunch of hooplah over a silly old fanfic, but after having spent so much time working on it, and knowing so many others have worked hard on it too, I really want this to turn out great. I realize that edits were made on the last two entries, and please don't think me rude or hurtful, but I still find a few transitions a little bumpy. Maybe, peterparker05, you could write a brief sentence or two mentionning Superman's arrival in the Fortress at the start of your entry, because I don't think it was said before that he was going to head there. I think your entry makes much more sense now, but I'm still confused by Mercy's talking to Lex. I meant to have Mercy be knocked out and in Spencer's possession at the end of my last entry...maybe were you confused by what I had written? I'm sorry if I hadn't made that clear enough...

I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do because this is a group story and I like it that way...I'm only suggesting a few more edits could be made to solidify the continuity between the entries. I agree the story should speed up, but maybe this is a little too fast. Despite the tale now being near the moment of Superman's death, other posters don't seem anymore enthused than they were before. If this action doesn't get attention, maybe we should take that as a sign that we shouldn't try to speed things up for anyone's benefit except for the story's! I'd like to continue to work on this, but...I'm a little confused as to how to handle the quick changes that have occured. Hope you guys and gal understand what I mean... :(

[BeastBoyWonder]

I understand. I've got a few ideas about stuff in Metropolis with Superman "dead", and I think that it will be fun to play with the characters with Supes gone for a while. We just need to coordinate his death. I'll read these over, and see what I can edit. Science Fair is fast approaching, so I've been getting busier and busier but this is a nice break.

EDIT: If you want Spencer to live, we can do that. I just thought that Lex was the kind of guy not to let "loose ends" hang, no matter how close they are to him. I killed him, but he interfered with Lex, which I may have mistakenly seen as a death threat.

EDIT AGAIN: Okay, I see what needs to be done. I need to make it clear that Braniac is in the Fortress of Soltitude (I wasn't sure where he was, so I left it hanging. I suspected it was the Fortress.) I also need to have him destroy it. That will make all of the posts conform, with the exception of dealing with Spencer Collins. I understand a lot of work went into him, but the plot that was set up called for his death, with his defiance of Luthor as his one selfless, defining act and the sacrifice that he made to save Superman the climax of his internal conflict. With the new plot changes, if we need (or want) Spencer to live (is it Spencer or Stephen?) we can do that.

[DisneyBoy]

I tend to disagree with the idea that the plot was leading up to Spencer's noble death. That may have been where you thought the character would end up. Personally, I brought Spencer Collins into the story because I wanted to develop him into more than just a casualty of war. Killing him now seems like a waste after having spent so much time building him up...especially since his defiance of Lex completely ignores where we last saw him - escaping from the underground Cadmus facility with Mercy held captive.

I'm not trying to force anyone into doing things my way, I just can't help but want to fix the visible gap in the story...When did Superman arrive at the Fortress? Where are Mercy and Spencer now? Weren't Steel's arms broken? All of these questions/details could be what keeps this story from making sense once all is said and done. I think we all want coherence, so I encourage us to try and make this story as comprehensible as possible...

Listen to me - I sound like an editor or something! Sorry if I'm coming off like a total nag, but if we are only doing this for ourselves, then let's make it the best story we can. Temporary solutions like suddenly propelling our characters into action or killing off people won't change the fact that the story doesn't flow. Let's kill Superman when the time is right! Doing it only to get people intereted in the story again isn't the right reason. We had a good thing going here folks, let's not worry about rushing it.

[peterparker05]

I haven't been able to get to my computer in like a week, but to answer your question, the last time Superman was at STAR labs he told Professor Hamilton that the was going to the Fortress of Solitude because an alarm had been turned on hence the damage done to Level Three of the Fortress. Also, the thing about story strings is that a character might not go exactly where you left him and you have to expect that a story might take a completely different turn then anyone ever envisioned so I believe the edits should be done with for now. Spencer should remain dead unless ragingdrummerboy changes his mind about the subject. Also, you could look at Spencer's death and rebellion agains Luthor as a challenge for your writing. The mystery surrounding Spencer could only lead into a greater conspiracy perhaps.

[BeastBoyWonder]

I tend to disagree with the idea that the plot was leading up to Spencer's noble death. That may have been where you thought the character would end up. Personally, I brought Spencer Collins into the story because I wanted to develop him into more than just a casualty of war. Killing him now seems like a waste after having spent so much time building him up...especially since his defiance of Lex completely ignores where we last saw him - escaping from the underground Cadmus facility with Mercy held captive.

I understand. I'm really busy right now, but after this weekend i'm going to re-read everything and re-evaluate the changes to the plot accordingly.


Also, the thing about story strings is that a character might not go exactly where you left him and you have to expect that a story might take a completely different turn then anyone ever envisioned so I believe the edits should be done with for now. Spencer should remain dead unless ragingdrummerboy changes his mind about the subject. Also, you could look at Spencer's death and rebellion agains Luthor as a challenge for your writing. The mystery surrounding Spencer could only lead into a greater conspiracy perhaps.

Good point. Story strings aren't a one-person deal, its a group effort. However, if you wish I can let spencer live, but we'll probably have to not let him get involved in the first place. Anyway, if you scroll up you'll see I'm done with all the edits in my last two entries so far...

[DisneyBoy]

Let me once again apologize if anything I'm saying makes me sound like some power-trip, egomaniac bent on controlling the destiny of this story...I'm really not!

Sorry about my mistake concerning Superman's decision to visit the Fortress, I must have missed that! As for Spencer's death revealing another conspiracy, I completely concur. I intended to explain his rather odd behavior in my next entry as it was - It was just the sudden influx of action and his subsequent death that baffled me. It sort of felt like what I had written didn't please anyone so you felt it best to over-right it. I/We could still deal with Spencer and the whole mystery surrounding him, but now that he's dead, it may be to the detriment of the story to backtrack and discuss a character who already died - and who readers may not care about. I never intended to bore people, but if bringing Spencer in did that, I can understand why it made sense to kill him.

So, there's no hard feelings. If you guys would prefer, I could edit him out of the entire story (if we deem it easier), or we could explain everything that happened in flashbacks or recaps (which could still prove rather interesting over time)...or we could edit him back to life. I don't want to interrupt your creative flow or forfce anyone into anything. I think this can work out several ways, so let me know how y'all feel... ;) There's still some explaining that should be done concerning Spence ( ;) ) but I think this should be a group decision.

(Man, I can't wait to get back to the story... :rolleyes: )

[BeastBoyWonder]

OT: Well, since you said it...


Dick Grayson threw a black and blue suit into a hidden compartment of a suitcase. A chilly gust of wind blew into the room. So did a Robin.

"Going somewhere?"

"Yeah. Hey Tim. Is Batman with you?"

"No. Where are you going?"

"Away from here...away from the old man."

"Why?"

"I feel like I'm being suffocated in Gotham. I'm not a glory hog, but I would like to make a name for myself...You know, I spent a month tracking down a series of crimes leading to Rupert Thorne. I slipped into his house, and put him into a 'position' where I could interrogate him. He didn't take me seriously. Then Batman comes in, scares him into getting the answers that I needed, and takes credit for the case. Who ends up the big bad feared guy in the crime underworld? Him. Who solved the case? Me!"

"Have you tried talking to him about it?"

"Bruce is a great guy sometimes, but inside he still sees me as his loyal sidekick. I was the best, and he knows it. I think he's resentful that I want to make it out on my own. But hey, we've all tried to analyze him to no avail. I tried talking a couple times about getting out of my business, but he just gives me this 'so who wants help now mr. independent' attitude. I can't make a name for myself in Gotham, so a friend of mine and I are going to try to make names for ourselves in another city."

"Where?"

"Promise you won't tell Bruce?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Been paying attention to the news lately? A friend of mine and I are gonna make a name for ourselves in Metropolis. Help Big Blue out some, you know?"

"Who's your friend?"

"He's a hero in Central City. He's on the local news sometimes, but not appreciated what he's worth. We figure if we tackle some of the big problems in Metropolis, we'll be covered by national news...I can see it now...'Nightwing and The Flash save Metropolis from utter destruction'."

"Oh yeah, I remember him! Still have his magazine. So...um...what about monetary support?"

Nightwing raised an eyebrow. "Monetary support? Where do you pick this garbage up from?"

"School."

"I see. We interviewed at the same place last week, and we were both hired immediately, because the place where we're going has had a major shortage of workers recently. I'm not telling you in case you talk to Bruce. My first day of work starts tommorow. My buddy's picking me up, and we're going to head to Metropolis in a flash."

"Well, I'm out. I don't know what to say other than good luck."

"Thanks kid. Keep yourself safe."

"Yeah keep it on lockdown."

Dick Grayson bent down to wash his mouth. He turned around, and Robin was gone. Within a split second, a red streak emerged from the bathroom.

"Did I miss something?"

Dick looked out the window. He had a sick feeling in his stomach as he saw Robin dart from building to building. The only thing he would miss about Gotham.

"No. I said all of my important byes, lets get out of here."

[DisneyBoy]

Nice entry, rdb! It will be interesting to see the heroes group together only to witness the death of Superman. Still, I don't quite know where y'all stand on the continuity conflicts in the story.... :confused:

[BeastBoyWonder]

OT: Just planning for observation and after the "death", when all hell breaks loose and there is conflict. Since I'm not sure how we are on the continuity of the story, I just added that aside. As far as where we are in the animated continuity, I thought we were post-Legacy, but pre-JL. And I threw a vague reference to the other story string in there just for the hell of it.

[DisneyBoy]

LOL :D No, silly..I meant what are we going to do about Spencer?

[BeastBoyWonder]

If pp5 wants to take him out from his entry, I'll work him out of mine. But if Spencer's left there in his entry, then he'll stay dead. Since there's a little bit of a continuity problem, I think we should leave Spencer's involvement out...for now. The other option would be to work him out of where he is currently (not including the part where he interfered with lex), and into a position where he can interfere with lex, so he does that and then dies. Basically, if the interference with Lex remains, so does Spencer getting killed. Otherwise, we can let the boy live. That's why I strayed from the entire situation...that's pretty much the only continuity problem we have anymore.

EDIT: But mainly, I just want to get on with the story. Its going to be a lot of fun, because baddies have an incentive to go to Metropolis...without superman there will be mass chaos, hysteria, and paranoia and they basically have free access to whatever they want, whether it be terrorizing the populace or committing robberies. That's where heroes like the Flash and Nightwing come in, hoping to make names for themselves. Basically they can possibly be sucessfull, possibly not, but should have a REALLY hard time keeping things under control...we could have a detective story and stuff mixed in where people try to find out what happened "when superman died", eventually not being able to find a body, possibly realizing he's alive, then trying to track him down. We could have a great story leading up to his resurrection, seeing how people deal with stuff without him (whether it be villains, common people, or heroes). I'm looking forward to having some fun with this.

EDIT AGAIN: I had some free time in school today, so I reread this entire story string, along with the "Unwanted Vacation" one. After this BIG Science Fair weekend coming up for me I'm going to have much more free time, and developing this story would be really fun. I don't want to cause any hard feelings, but my vote for now goes to keeping Spencer the way he is, and moving on. Right now Steel just ditched looking for atomic bombs to try to save Superman, but Superman just had four Kryptonite bullets lodged into each one of his arms and legs, and fell into the water. Steel caught a school bus before it sank, and brought it back to shore, but lost track of Supes in the process. Lex Luthor and his suit are in the vicinity, Brainiac in the body of Bizarro are in the vicinity, and the sun is nearly devoured by the Sun Eater. Since Supes has been in an extremely greuling fight, shot with a Kryptonite bullet, saved, robbed of his power, shot with four more kryptonite bullets, and has fallen in some water, probably trapped, he's not in good shape. Probably the worst condition he's been in during the course of this story string. We need to devise a way to finish him off so everyone thinks he's dead, but he can live to be "resurrected". Lois, Jimmy, Kara, etc. also need to be taken care of, although they are not in as immediate trouble (with the possible exception of Kara).

EDIT AGAIN, um, AGAIN! : Anyway, I just realized that Spencer did make it out into the open, and so our continuity problem is not actually a continuity problem. We're cool with Spencer. Kara is, however, roaming around after Spencer Collins got in Mercy's way. We could either have her recaptured and have a greusome brainwashing scene, with her becoming a "superhero" puppet of Lex, or we could let her escape, free to interact of her own will after the sh*t starts happening in Metropolis.

[peterparker05]

I say that Spencer stays dead and we just continue with the story. You could resurrect him if you want, but he's been killed and he's dead That's my basic opinion. I know it's blunt, but it's how I feel. I'll try to write an entry soon.

[BeastBoyWonder]

ok, sounds cool. Superman's about ready to die, we just have to figure out how.

[BeastBoyWonder]

OT: Again, staying away from Supes & co.

Nightwing cruised on the highway in his cycle, searching for a place where he could relieve himself. After spotting a "Rest Area" sign, he slowed down in the exit and parked his bike. The Scarlet Speedster was waiting for him.

"You drive like my grandmother," said The Flash.

"What!? I was going over the speed limit!" exclaimed Nightwing.

"You know the speed limit?"

"Yeah..."

"Take that, and add ten. You can safely go seven over."

Nightwing laughed, and went inside to relieve himself. There were people staring. He knew Wally liked to chill in costume in public, but he was a little more uncomfortable with it...it wasn't something that Batman did. After coming back out, he approached The Flash.

"This is the last open area before we hit Metropolis. We'd better train now...we'll work on your control and dodging ablility."

The Flash ran about 400 meters away from Nightwing.

"Now try and hit me...lightly."

The Flash started sprinting towards Nightwing. Nightwing started chucking Batarangs at him. The Flash ducked, dodged, and jumped over every projectile thrown at him. Before Nightwing was allowed to blink, he was on the floor.

"Good. This time I'm making it harder. Go back."

The Flash started running towards Nightwing again. Nightwing swiftly threw a Batarang at the Flash, but he dodged it. By the time the Flash turned back to Nightwing, he saw a net with three weights spinning towards him. It closed on him, but he spinned in the opposite direction, flinging the net off of him. He ran towards Nightwing, and reached out to hit him again.

He got hit in the back of the head with the Batarang.

"Ow!"

"You did good, but you rush into things too much. You need to remain careful and be aware of your surroundings at all times."

"That's enough hogwash from you, we're hitting the gym."

"Lets settle down at our place first, and then see what Metropolis has to offer..."

***********Five hours later - Metropolis **************

"Well? Are you gonna help me," asked Nightwing. He was benching, and fast approaching his limit.

"Naahhhhh...you're plenty strong enough...you need to work on your speed.

"I thought you had that department covered."

"Not when it comes to hot chicks by the treadmill."

Dick laughed. They were out of costume, and finally getting a chance to relax. They went over to the treadmills, started running, and started cracking jokes.

"You guys are hilarious," one of the girls laughed. "Want digits?"

"Yeah," squealed Wally excitedly.

"Sure," Dick calmly stated.

After getting a pair of telephone numbers, Wally took Dick aside.

"What happened to that freaky bat-chick you liked?"

"Freaky? You thought she was hot."

"OK, what happened to her?"

"She's all goody-good with Bruce. We're not compatible. I don't really want to talk about it."

"Aww...that's a bummer."

After an awkward silence, they left.

*************Three hours later - streets of Metropolis*************

A thug had a man at gunpoint.

"Gimme ALL your cash...NOW!"

"I...I...don't have anything...please, let me go!"

"If you don't give me everything you have now, I'll blow your brain to bits."

"With all due respect, um, you don't have a gun."

The thug stared at his hand. He wasn't holding anything anymore.

"Looking for this?" the Flash asked.

"Yeah, I was...um...using that."

"Not anymore."

The next instant, a series of ropes wrapped around the thug. Nightwing threw the thug and rope over a flagpole, and attached a weight to the other side.

"Booooooooring..." complained the Flash. "We spent two freaking hours in this place and still nothing fun. What the hell were all the news reports about?"

As if to argue with his words, the sound of an explosion rocked near the coast.

"You were saying?" asked Nightwing.

AND THEN

[DisneyBoy]

Well...you are right about being blunt. I know that this whole "Spencer" issue is probably nothing more than a hastle to the other writers, so I agree that the time has come to more onward with the story. I would like to point out that the continuity problem that I keep mentionning is that Spencer had kidnapped Mercy at the end of my entry . They were together prior to everyone else's entries, so it didn't make sense that Mercy was suddenly talking with Lex as if she was back inside the underground facility.

I agree that Spencer was meant to get in Lex's way, but I am hurt by the way you guys did it. I didn't bring him into the story to be a whiny pain that Lex shoots before we even know why he's in town. I still plan on developping the story around Spencer, as well as help move this story along. Superman is the main character, after all. I feel that you guys killed Spence just to get rid of him because he bored you - you are entitled to feel that way, but I guess I would have preferred it if you had voiced your opinions first or let me actually explain why I had brought him into the story in the first place (which I had written that I was going to do in my next entry).

As for all the continuity problems I keep mentionning, Steel's arms were broken after the collapse of the building - he couldn't be able to return to the fight after only a week! That, as well as the Mercy/Spencer issue are the only two things that don't make sense, but I guess I'll try and fix them whenever I find the time to write another entry.

(Sigh) This is a difficult but fun process. As the story progresses, and when the time comes for Superman to die, I hope we all maintain the lines of communication between us so that no one steps on anyone's toes. Sorry Spencer didn't work for you...

[BeastBoyWonder]

I agree that Spencer was meant to get in Lex's way, but I am hurt by the way you guys did it. I didn't bring him into the story to be a whiny pain that Lex shoots before we even know why he's in town. I still plan on developping the story around Spencer, as well as help move this story along. Superman is the main character, after all. I feel that you guys killed Spence just to get rid of him because he bored you - you are entitled to feel that way, but I guess I would have preferred it if you had voiced your opinions first or let me actually explain why I had brought him into the story in the first place (which I had written that I was going to do in my next entry).

Spencer did not bore me in any way...I re-read the posts again after that and I realize that there is a continuity error...I don't think Spencer should be killed, so I'll remove his death from my post. However, the Mercy thing would require Spencer to maybe stop Mercy to allow Supergirl to get away, but to not immediatly kidnap Mercy instead of how it is currently, with her kidnapped.

[BeastBoyWonder]

*BUMP*


What's the dilly with this?

[DisneyBoy]

...Don't know! I tried to find it this morning, but to no avail! Which back page was this on ? Well, I hope to add an entry this coming week when my life slows down. Sadly, I don't have a functionning home computer anymore so it may take some doing to even post! Have you completed your edits, rdb? I'll check...

[DisneyBoy]

..Spence is still dead...so I guess you haven't had much time on your hands either...Like I said, I can work with Spencer alive or dead...but since you said you were going to change your entry, I'd prefer to wait until you've finished before adding something new, K? Cool.

Don't feel badly that the story has fallen aside...we're the ones who care about it most, and since we lead lives outside these boards, it's understandable that we can't always be here to write something new. Have patience my friends...


...all things come to he who waits...

[DisneyBoy]

Yay! I've passed 800 posts!!! Glad that some of them were here, in this story-thread!

[BeastBoyWonder]

I've got truckloads more work to do, because I qualified for further competition at my local Science Fair (took first, actually). Excuses aside, these are the edits that need to be made:

DisneyBoy needs to change his plot mechanics so that instead of Spencer kidnapping Mercy, allowing Supergirl to escape, Spencer has an encounter with Mercy, allowing Supergirl to escape. However, both Mercy and Spencer leave the conflict intact (in other words, Mercy's not kidnapped). This is because it would be easiest to allow Spencer to interfere with Lex.

As for my edits, instead of Lex shooting Spencer clean through the head, he is rescued by an ambulance...and will probably end up rooming across from Lois Lane...or something of that nature. I just thought that I could simply remove the "shot clean through the head" portion, and have the Flash rescue Spence, since he's in the area.

[BeastBoyWonder]

**********Back at the Lex/Brainiac/Supes/Spencer battle**********

After Lex shot Superman with four Kryptonite bullets that lodged in his arms and legs, he noticed that the battle was becoming noisy. He activated the mask on his suit to ensure that nobody saw him. That meddling vigilante Steel just rescued the school bus, and things were starting to get messy. But he couldn't leave yet...he had unexpected, but unfinished business to attend to: his foolish nephew. Inside, Lex knew the boy wouldn't amount to much, so he gave him the dirty job of media infiltration. He failed miserably. For that, he had to be punished.

Without bothering to change bullets, Lex shot Spencer clean through the head.

At least he tried to. Where the corpse of his nephew should have laid, there was nothing.

"Hey buddy, I'd love to hang around but this guy needs some serious medical attention. In the meantime, have fun with my friend in the suit," quipped the Flash. He was holding the limp, but breathing body of Spencer. As the Scarlet Speedster raced to find an emergency room, Lex tried to use his jetpack to escape the situation. Nightwing grappled Lex with his grappling hook.

AND THEN...


OT: If DisneyBoy makes his edits, this should clear up all continuity problems and allow Spencer to survive. We can't have Spencer wake up for a little while, because it may get Lex into trouble with the law. However, since sometime between STAS and JL Lex does go to prison or goes crazy or loses public opinion or something (we'll have to wait for "Injustice For All"), we could also end up making this the story of Lex's fall, through Spencer possibly.

[DisneyBoy]

Great! Thanks for directly telling me what needed to be changed. I'll do it some time today... ;)

[BeastBoyWonder]

I hope the arm that spencer used to have isn't vital to his functioning... :p

Cool, looks like we can get back into full swing.

[DisneyBoy]

... :confused: :confused: :confused:

So, you're keeping him decapitated?

[BeastBoyWonder]

OT: "Yeah, he's missing a limb and'll be in the hospital for a while, but other than that everything's peachy," said the Flash.

[DisneyBoy]

OK....boy does this complicate what I had in mind for him! :rolleyes: Oh well, I guess that's part of the buisness - unexpected results. You sometimes have to be able to work with what you're given. Hey, at least he's alive!

[peterparker05]

Spring break just started for me so I'll write a new entry very soon as my schedule is a little looser.

[BeastBoyWonder]

DisneyBoy, are all the edits all set?

As far as the status of all the characters, Superman has been hit with four kryptonite bullets and is underwater, The Flash is taking Spencer (minus an arm) to the hospital, Nightwing is in a conflict with Lex and his suit (visor down, so they don't know he's lex), Brainiac is in Bizarro's body and flying around the vacinity, and Steel has just saved a bus. There are still atomic bombs lying around, and Steel's probably going to go back to look for those.

[DisneyBoy]

Sorry for keeping you waiting for so long - It sucks not having a working computer at home anymore. I'll start (and hopefully finish) the edits now!

[BeastBoyWonder]

yeah, no problem man. I just got off for spring break today, and although i still have truckloads to do, we start kickin' this story into full swing again!

[DisneyBoy]

D-O-N-E!!!

[BeastBoyWonder]

Your handling of the situation was wonderful...I think i can guess at the mystery behind Spencer, but i'm not going to say anything...

[peterparker05]

The conversation between Lex and Mercy in my last entry is still a little weird so I'm going to alter it slightly before I write my next entry.

[peterparker05]

Disney Boy, your edits were astounding. I believe I'm at fault for you having to make them, but this story actually may be the better for it.

AWESOME JOB!!!!!!!!!!!

[peterparker05]

OT: Now may the story continue!

Luthor looked down through the shaded lenses of his helmet. He recognized the vigilante whose grappler hook was scratching away at his metal boot. That fool was a comrade of Batman. The vigilantes of Gotham had messed up his plans one time to many. This young sidekick would not get in the way. He pulled a smoke bomb from within his armored jacket. Hurling it at Nightwing, the smoke bomb released a daze of chemicals that made every joint in Nightwing's body freeze up. Luthor re-egnited his rocket fuel and jetted through the sky, leaving Nightwing to fly hopelessly to the ground.

-------------------------------------


It was the middle of the afternoon yet no light shone through her open window. Lois had begun to regain her strength, but it really took it out of her just to keep both of her eyes open wide enough to watch some t.v.

"The Special Crimes Unit is attempting to locate him in the harbor at this very moment, but the situation is grim," Angela Chen reported, "Detective Maggie Sawyer had no comment."

"Locate him...." Lois whispered to hereself as her eyes squinted at the small television set.

"The creature known as Bizarro is not showing up on radar, however," Angela Chen's cute yet stern voice continued.

Lois turned to Dr. Annison and forced her lips to utter, "What's going on? Where's Superman?"

________________________

Superman floated at the bottom of the watery harbor. He could feel death's cool hand creeping upon him. Under normal circumstances, he could last hours upon hours underwater without coming up for air, but with the sun fading, the kryptonite burning. He felt as if he had failed. He didn't even have his cape. It'd been ripped off during his fall into the splashing waves. He was a broken man. What could he do for humanity?

Then he saw it moving towards him, faster and faster. Some would mistake for a white shark in the murky waters, but he knew better. The creature was Krypton's traitor, his clone, both and the same. His world was turning on its side and...THMUCK!

Braniac/Bizarro grabbed Superman by the throat and uprooted him from the sea weed he had become entrenched in. He said something, but the statements floated upwards as bubbles in the deep sea waters. However, Superman could read his lips. They spelled out sudden death. "Sol is gone forever!"

AND THEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BeastBoyWonder]

For the first time in a long time, Nightwing screamed. On his descent, Nightwing saw the cement of the road fast approaching. He'd been in this situation hundreds of times before, but this was different. He wanted to reach for his grappling hook, but couldn't. He felt like a helpless child, desperately wanting to reach the cookie jar that was just out of his grip. Was this the end? One thing was certain, this wasn't the way it was supposed to end. As he approached the pavement, he envisioned his head cracked open on the road for all to see.

It never did.

"Man, this is like only the third person I've saved from death today...very boring," said the Flash. He was holding an unmoving Nightwing in his arms. "You okay?"

Nightwing's teeth were clenched together, but he could still manipulate his lips, tongue, and lungs to talk.

"I can't move any of my joints...I was hit with a gas that Batman sometimes uses when he needs to immobilize an overwhelming adversary since we don't believe in killing. I don't think that Batman gassed me, because the person that unleashed the gas didn't care whether or not I died. Anyway, on my belt, the third pouch to the left of the big white thing will have several vials in it, grab the blue vial and drip it in my mouth."

The bewildered Flash put Nightwing down and poured the liquid down Nightwing's throat. After experiencing a momentary stinging feeling in his stomach, his joints started to unlock. The Flash whisked Nightwing to an alley and gently set him down on the cover of a dumpster.

"So I take this guy with a missing limb to the first emergency room I come across, but he's WAY heavier than what he looks like...which was wierd, and very tiring at the same time. Doctor told me he'll eventually be under the care of some Annison cat, who's apparently pretty good. Everything was fine and dandy, so I ran back here to help you out, only to find you falling helpless from a skyscraper. I think I'm ready for a nap."

"No," said Nightwing. "We're going to find out who that guy in the suit was."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brainiac/Bizarro smashed his elbow into Superman's face. Blood starting trickling out of his mouth, floating aimlessly in the water. Brainiac grabbed Superman's head with his legs, and smashed it into the ocean surface. He used his aquired super-strength and super-speed to turn himself into a human drill, creating a deep hole in the ocean surface. He grabbed the almost-lifeless body of Superman, and started pounding it mercilessly. Superman never fought back. Confident that he had finally won, Brainiac dropped Superman into the hole. He filled what remained of the deep hole with sand. Superman was trapped, drained of power and weary of continuous battle. His only companions were fragments of his home planet, Krypton. On the verge of passing out, Superman began thinking about everything that he symbolized: Truth, Honor, Justice, Integrity, Compassion, and what it all meant...Lois...his foster parents...Lana...what his real parents would have thought of him...his stream of conciousness was beginning to fade...Lois...

[DisneyBoy]

I'm pleased that you guys enjoyed my edits - they took forever to do! Most good stories go through several stages of edits so I'm sure this whole thing was for the better fo the story anyways. At least now we have continuity. Oh, and please don't blame yourself for "causing this": we all make mistakes, and I'd rather have people bringing all sorts of new ideas to the story than a set of robots all writing the same monotonous thing! So props to everyone! Pat yourselves on the back - we made it through it!!!

[Livewire]

I finally was able to read all of the edited posts. I must say that it is splendid how everyone worked together. Bravo!! Peterparker05, you did another excellent post. I can't wait until you add more. :)


And DisneyBoy, wow!! My heart ached for poor Kara. The way you described her plight and how she felt was superb. Please put in another entry soon. :) The only problem I have now is the amount of cursing that has suddenly become prevalent throughout the story string by you and rdb. I never said anything before because I rarely saw any, but now that seems to have changed. This being set in the animated universe, the bad words seem out of place, especially when said by the good guys, like Nightwing and Flash. I can't imagine them using those words. I hope I didn't offend anyone. I still think this is a great story string, but I just wanted to let you guys know how I feel. :)


Well, I'm so glad that all of the kinks are worked out. I hope that since this story string is back on the first page, we can start it up again. :)

[peterparker05]

Originally posted by Livewire
The only problem I have now is the amount of cursing that has suddenly become prevalent throughout the story string by you and rdb. I never said anything before because I rarely saw any, but now that seems to have changed. This being set in the animated universe, the bad words seem out of place, especially when said by the good guys, like Nightwing and Flash. I can't imagine them using those words. I hope I didn't offend anyone. I still think this is a great story string, but I just wanted to let you guys know how I feel. :)

I couldn't agree more!

[BeastBoyWonder]

I'll try to find them and clean it up...

EDIT: OK, i replaced "crap" with "garbage", and got rid of "hell" in the Nightwing/Robin dialogue scene. Should I also remove 'hot chicks' in the gym scene?

[peterparker05]

Originally posted by ragingdrummerboy
I'll try to find them and clean it up...

EDIT: OK, i replaced "crap" with "garbage", and got rid of "hell" in the Nightwing/Robin dialogue scene. Should I also remove 'hot chicks' in the gym scene?

I think the hot chicks is fine and even the crap didn't really bother me, it was more the "hell." I just feel that especially after the Profanity announcement, that we story stringers are not immune and should also keep our characters dialogue clean,

[BeastBoyWonder]

sorry, when i saw the announcement i didn't remember my post, but its all good.

[DisneyBoy]

...um, I don't remember using any foul words... :confused: ...Please point out which ones you mean Livewire, and I'll alter them gladly...I think I used hell...

[DisneyBoy]

Ok, I've re-read everything since Kara was brainwashed and rescued by Spencer and I noticed two things:

- ragingdrummerboy , in your entry where Flash arrives in Metropolis, you've written a scene in which a hold-up takes place, or would have had Flash not removed the robber's gun a super-speed. This is exactly what happens on the first two pages of Gotham Adventures #25! Are you paying Scott Peterson homage?

-Secondly, I have no idea why Spencer cut off his arm to remove the Kryptonite from Superman!?!?! :confused: Fill me in!

[DisneyBoy]

One last thing - what happens after Flash saves Spencer from being shot? Was Spence brought to a hospital and does Flash return to the fight? Is Flash still running him over to the hospital? Basically where are Flash and Spencer now?

[peterparker05]

Originally posted by DisneyBoy
One last thing - what happens after Flash saves Spencer from being shot? Was Spence brought to a hospital and does Flash return to the fight? Is Flash still running him over to the hospital? Basically where are Flash and Spencer now?

I think Spencer accidentally cut off his arm while desperately trying to perform the surgery on Superman among the falling rubble while the Flash (moving at superspeed) took Spencer to the hospital and ran back in time to catch Nightwing from falling on the ground.

[DisneyBoy]

LOL...how do you cut off your arm by accident? I think it was intentional...which confuses me... :confused:

[Livewire]

Originally posted by DisneyBoy
...um, I don't remember using any foul words... :confused: ...Please point out which ones you mean Livewire, and I'll alter them gladly...I think I used h--...



Mercy had used the "d" and the "h" words in the post you had edited- the one where Supergirl gets brainwashed. You made Perry say the "h" word a couple times before also, but that was pretty far back.


If those words were gone, I think your posts would be absolutely perfect. :)

[DisneyBoy]

...your wish, is my command, m'lady! ;)

[BeastBoyWonder]

I don't know what Gotham Adventures is, so probably not. As far as Spence cutting off his arm, I think i had to change the scene around, which may have not made it clear, but spencer could not have removed the Kryptonite without freedom of movement (he was handcuffed), so he had to cut off his arm to make this possible.

[DisneyBoy]

Batman: Gotham Adventures is a comic series based on the TNBA we all know and love. I figured that you wrote the decapitation of Spener because he had to find a way to free his arms....

...but if his arms were cuffed (either in front of him or behind his back)...how on earth could he have cut one off!?! Draw me a picture or something because I just can't see it! :p Besides, all he had was a knife - not a chainsaw! I really don't think anyone could manage to cut off their arm "...With one fluid motion..." using a knife he could only hold "...with his thumb and index finger..."

Besides, if all he had to do was pry out the piece of Kryptonite, why didn't he do it using his two hands? What did the cutting off of his arm solve? If his hands were hand-cuffed together, and then he cut an arm off, then wouldn't he have one free arm, still handcuffed to a hand and the connecting arm? If anything I think it would make trying to help Superman even more difficult!

:p

[BeastBoyWonder]

I wish I could demonstratet this pictorally.

[BeastBoyWonder]

BUMP, ey yo this is on page 4, and it looks like everyone has lost interest...should I leave this, or should we continue adding to the story?

[peterparker05]

Sometime within this next few days I'm going to reread everything that's been written before and then try to make an entry that catches everything up to speed and brings us to the moment of Superman's death. Hopefully, this will envigorate the story and get everyone interested again.

[BeastBoyWonder]

tight man, when supes gets knocked off this thing is gonna be off the hook fo sho

[Livewire]

Originally posted by DisneyBoy
...your wish, is my command, m'lady! ;)



Thank you, DisneyBoy. :)


And thank you, ragingdrummerboy, for getting rid of the curses in your posts also. The entries look so much better without them. Thanks, you guys. :)


I have in no way lost interest. I want to add some more to the string soon.

[BeastBoyWonder]

...but if his arms were cuffed (either in front of him or behind his back)...how on earth could he have cut one off!?! Draw me a picture or something because I just can't see it! Besides, all he had was a knife - not a chainsaw! I really don't think anyone could manage to cut off their arm "...With one fluid motion..." using a knife he could only hold "...with his thumb and index finger..."

It was a heroite knife yo.

[BeastBoyWonder]

OT: It's a pity we never got around to resolving this story...it was pretty good. I'm going to try to see if we can get it going again, but its highly doubtful.

The Flash was getting restless. Nightwing had spent almost four hours examining the rooftop where he had battled the armored man.

"Can we go home yet?" he queried.

Nightwing scooped up one last sample of the powder that was sprinkled on the rooftop into a test tube. "Yeah. Let's go."

---------------------- 30 minutes later ------------------------

A variety of chemical tests littered Dick's temporary Metropolis abode. The powder from the weapon used on Nightwing was undergoing a variety of examinations. At each stage of a test, Dick would cross-reference the properties of the compounds originating from the powder with the database of chemicals on his computer at his loft.

"Hey Wally, I think I've got a lead."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes. The active ingredient of the bomb that froze my joints is produced by LexCorp. It's the major component of a weapon that LexCorp's research teams are developing...a bomb that will immobilize mass amounts of people without killing them. LexCorp hasn't distributed the compound yet, so the person who got me was probably someone within the company. With your scientific background, you could probably get a job at LexCorp's research division and investigate."

Wally shot Dick a disapproving look.

"Come on...please? Its the only lead that we have at this point."

"O.K., I'll do it."

"Thanks."

[DisneyBoy]

Well, well, well!

I was wondering when this thread would resurface, and I'm glad to see so many familiar faces are still involved. I was a little disappointed that the story "jumped the shark" as much as it did (no offense to everyone involved because I understand how hard it was to keep everything original and interesting). Sadly, I don't think it would be wise for me to spend as much time on it as I used to, so I don't think I'll be around for the wrap up. As it was, Supes was just in the process of dying, Spencer lost an arm, and the villains were all swapping brains, right? :p Man, this story is fun! :D Good luck to peterparker05, ragingdrummerboy and Livewire - I'm sure it will be a difficult task to make sense of things. If you guys still want me around, though, I'd be happy to contribute in some way ;)

Say...I guess the title has a double meaning now doesn't it :rolleyes:

[BeastBoyWonder]

Hey DisneyBoy, that's ok! I doubt anyone is willing to read through the entire story, make sense of it, and contribute to it...one disadvantage of story strings in general is the pacing. Its nearly impossible to get a "good" story out of a story string, because pacing and planning ahead are difficult to accomplish. There is usually less character development and plot consistency, and more fast-paced action, similar to Batman Beyond's "The Call". While this is very fun, I wouldn't expect anything substantial from it. If someone starts a new one, I'd be more than happy to contribute, but I think this story is a lost cause...

[DisneyBoy]

...and so ends The Death Of Superman...

[BeastBoyWonder]

Haha, yeah, i got the joke the first time...

[DisneyBoy]

(giggle) sorry...I couldn't help myself :rolleyes: