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Clark, with his new authorization, easily entered the secret base. He knew the Kryptonite weapons within were useless to him and his father; two Kryptonians fighting would render them moot.
He considered giving some of the Kryptonite to Wonder Woman, but decided against it. Batman's Kryptonite would be enough for her. For the others, any additional Kryptonite would be useless against a deranged Superman.
He walked to the deepest part of the base and saw a sleek, black suit of armor, custom-made for him. Unlike Batman's suit, this one offered no boosts to strength or speed.
Its one function was to continuously emit a special solar energy, tailored to a Kryptonians needs. This energy would help its wearer recover stamina and grow stronger during a fight.
A simple concept, yet the most effective for a Kryptonian. Is it true that the one who knows you best is your enemy? Batman, the ally, had prepared defenses against Superman's potential rampage. But Luthor, the enemy, had prepared equipment to help Superman fight.
Clark then saw the Red Kryptonite, which could cause a Kryptonians energy absorption to spiral out of control. Paired with the armor, he realized his power could skyrocket in a short time.
After taking off his training suit, which was tattered from his sessions with Sivana, Clark put on a new, smaller version of Superman's suit. He was about to put on the black armor when he remembered Luthor's final words: "It would be great if you could travel through time and leave this world right now..."
Clark smiled. By leaving this world, he'd be safe from the Anti-Life Equation and Superman. Even on his deathbed, Luthor had deduced that something terrible would happen to Superman, just from seeing the Flash get infected. "You don't want me to fight Superman anymore..."
Without another thought, he put on the black armor. It adjusted to his form, then closed around him. Though made by Luthor, it bore the iconic 'S' logo on the chest.
"You were the one who wanted to give me the red kryptonite and the black armor, but now you don't want me to face the risk?"
With a final click, the armor sealed shut. "How can I run now, Mr. Luthor? Just rest easy."
He walked out into the sunlight. "I will protect the world you were willing to die for."
On Paradise Island, Clark found a surge of power within him, the armor's solar energy coursing through his body. He was getting stronger by the minute. He came for Wonder Woman, but first, he found a recovering Sivana.
"It seems our little warrior is ready for battle," Sivana said, a hint of weakness still in her voice. Seeing the weapon in Clark's hand, she knew he was prepared for a desperate fight.
"Yes. Let's fight side by side," Clark replied, bumping fists with a smiling Sivana.
"Let's have a competition. We'll see who can last longer tomorrow. The first one to die loses."
Clark smiled and nodded. "Is this revenge?"
"Of course," Sivana said, "I have to get my revenge. It's too embarrassing to lose to my own disciple."
The two parted ways. Sivana headed to the island's border to guard against the commotion in the sea, while Clark continued toward the Crucible, where Wonder Woman was.
He found Diana in a room with a raging fire, forging her sword at the heart of the flames. She had infused the Kryptonite from Damian into the Sword of Vulcan, now naming it the Sword of God-killer. The target of her fury was the God on Earth.
"Are you ready to fight?" she asked, her back to him, sensing his presence.
Clark nodded. He knew she would feel his response. After a moment, she spoke again. "If I fail, it's up to you. Canary has already used her green light to notify the Green Lantern Corps. Whatever happens, you must stop the crazed Superman before they arrive."
Luthor had predicted Wonder Woman's defeat, and she herself had a similar premonition. Even with a Kryptonite-infused sword, she wasn't sure she could defeat a Superman fighting without restraint.
"I understand," Clark said. He left the Crucible and returned to the island to wait for the coming battle.
The next day, with the heroes and survivors working together, the ground cracked open. The Ark, a massive spacecraft built underground, emerged. Survivors rushed to board.
At that moment, the sea boiled. Aquaman, Arthur, having realized humanity was abandoning Earth, led an army of infected Atlanteans and a giant sea monster to attack Paradise Island.
As the survivors boarded, the heroes stood their ground to fight the infected army. Clark, wearing his black armor, was among them. His heat vision was precise enough to slice through Atlantean bodies, and his super breath could scatter a crowd.
Although they knew this was not the same Superman, seeing Clark's figure soaring in the air with his red cape and black armor, a small flicker of hope reignited in everyone's hearts. They were not alone; hope was still fighting.
"Clark..."
Jonathan and Damian watched from the Ark. Jonathan wanted to rush out and help. Though he was stronger, he knew Clark was desperately buying them time. The guilt was nearly unbearable.
It was Damian who stopped him. "Joe! Don't belittle yourself. We owe Clark, and that's why we have to stay here and bring hope to the people they're fighting so hard to protect."