Uncanny Superman

Chapter 19: Luthor Returns

By

The Uncanny R-Man

Disclaimer- All familiar characters belong to DC Comics.

Stryker’s Island-

Stryker's Island Penitentiary was Metropolis’ largest prison facility. It housed some of the worst offenders the city had to offer. Ever since Superman had chosen to use Metropolis as his home base, Stryker’s had experienced an influx of super-powered criminals. To ensure that none of the super-powered inmates caused any trouble, Stryker’s employed power dampeners to keep their powers in check. The prison also had daily tours to help supplement the rising costs of keeping super-powered criminals behind bars.

One such criminal was General Zod, a refugee from the destroyed planet of Krypton. Zod had arrived on Earth with his followers, Ursa and Non. They had originally been thrown into the Phantom Zone by Jor-El, Superman’s father. Upon escaping their prison, the three Kryptonian sought vengeance upon the son of Jor-El. Superman easily defeated the trio with the help of Supergirl, Superboy, and Wonder Woman. Zod and his cohorts had been residing in Stryker’s ever since.

Zod was pacing his cell impatiently as he plotted how we would get his revenge upon Superman.

‘For the love of Krypton, sit down, General.’ Ursa grimaced. ‘You have been pacing your cell ever since Kal-El threw us in here. We have been incarcerated for months, yet you haven’t come up with a plan for us to escape.’

‘If only I had a way of deactivating the dampeners that prevent us from using our powers.’ Zod thought out loud, ignoring his companion’s complaints. ‘Then the population of this primitive planet will all kneel before Zod!’

‘We will have to get through Kal-El first.’ Ursa pointed out. ‘He won’t let you conquer the planet while he still stands.’

‘Without their precious protector, these people will soon fall in line.’ Zod smiled thoughtfully. ‘But the question still remains, how will we escape this primitive hellhole?’

‘Perhaps I might be of some assistance…’

Zod narrowed his eyes as a smartly-dressed bald man walked up to his cell.

‘Rrrrr…’ Non growled as he stood up and glowered down at the stranger.

‘Who are you to talk to your better with such impunity, human?’ Zod asked.

‘You really have no idea who I am, do you?’ The bald man chuckled. ‘I’m Lex Luthor. I believe we share the same interests. Namely, the destruction of Superman.’

‘Why should we listen to you, human?’ Ursa snorted in derision. ‘What could you have to offer us?’

‘I know Superman’s weakness.’ Luthor pointed out. ‘I suggest an alliance. I will negotiate your release, and in return you will destroy Superman for me.’

‘Hmm, your proposal interests me.’ Zod stroked his bearded chin in thought. ‘But what do you wish for in return once I conquer this planet?’

‘I only ask for a small realm to rule for myself.’ Luthor responded. ‘The United States should do it.’

‘Very well.’ Zod nodded in agreement. ‘Arrange for our release and you shall be rewarded.’

‘Excellent news.’ Luthor smiled. ‘You’ll be free in no time.’

With his business with the trio of Kryptonian criminals done with, Luthor headed on his way.

‘You’re not serious about wanting the United States, are you Lex?’ Mercy, Luthor’s loyal bodyguard, enquired.

‘Mercy, please.’ Luthor chuckled. ‘Arranging for the release of the general is just a distraction until I complete the rest of my plan.’

The Daily Planet, a few hours later-

Things were busy in the offices of Metropolis’ premier newspaper. The news of Lex Luthor’s return was everywhere, and Perry White was rather annoyed that his newspaper lost out on the scoop.

‘Olsen! Where the heck are those pictures I wanted?’ The editor of the Daily Planet yelled. ‘Today, Olson! Today!’

‘Coming right up, Chief!’ Jimmy Olsen responded as he dashed towards Perry’s office. The Planet’s star photographer was in such a hurry to get the editor his photos that he wasn’t looking where he was going. The redhead stumbled over a wastepaper basket with a clatter, sending his camera sailing into the air. Fortunately, Clark Kent was there to catch the camera.

'And don't call me Chief!' An oblivious Perry snapped.

‘Better be careful there, Jim.’ Clark chuckled as he passed Jimmy his camera and helped him to his feet. ‘You’re in enough trouble with Perry without breaking an expensive camera.’

‘Aww, Perry’s just upset about losing out on the whole Luthor thing.’ Jimmy shrugged it off. ‘Who’da thunk it, huh? I thought Lex was gone for good.’

Clark nodded with a frown. In all the years he had spent as Superman, Clark knew better than to think somebody like Lex Luthor would stay gone for long.

Perry poked his head out of his office and yelled at Jimmy again.

‘Olsen! Get your butt in here right now!’

Jimmy hung his shoulders sheepishly as he trudged towards Perry’s office.

KRAKOOM!

‘Great Caesar’s ghost!’ Perry spluttered. ‘What was that?’

The Daily Planet’s editor soon got his answer as a car came crashing through the wall, sending everybody scrambling for cover.

KRAKOOM!

‘What the heck is going on?’ Lois Lane asked as she peeked from underneath an upturned desk. ‘Is everybody okay?’

‘Nobody’s seriously hurt.’ Clark told his wife. ‘There are a few cuts and bruises, but nothing too major.’

‘What are you all standing there cowering for?’ Perry yelled as he crawled out from the remains of his office. ‘There’s a story out there, so get out there and report on it!’

‘Seems like Perry’s not hurt too badly.’ Lois muttered under her breath as she beckoned for Jimmy to follow her. ‘C’mon Jimmy, lets get out there before Perry tears into you again.’

‘Hey, where’s Clark gone?’ Jimmy asked as he looked about to try and find the bespectacled journalist.

‘You know what Clark’s like when he smells a story.’ Lois chuckled. ‘He’s most probably out there already.’

Outside-

General Zod and his two cohorts were having the time of their lives. To them, being locked away in Stryker’s Island penitentiary had felt like an eternity. They yearned for a chance to get out and have a little fun with their powers.

‘This is more like it, eh Ursa?’ Zod chuckled as he tore a truck in two with his bare hands. ‘We have been locked away for too long.’

‘Rrrrr!’ Non growled happily in agreement as he punched a hole through a bus.

‘Non seems to be enjoying himself as well.’ Zod commented.

WHUP-WHUP-WHUP-WHUP!

‘General, what is that?’ Ursa said as she pointed at a circling helicopter carrying a television news crew.

‘It seems we have an audience once more, Ursa my dear.’ Zod chuckled. ‘Why don’t you blow them a kiss?’

Ursa did exactly that and blew the television news crew a kiss, knocking the helicopter out of the sky with her Super-Breath.

FWOOSH!

Fortunately, Superman was there to save the news crew from certain death and easily caught the tail of the helicopter.

‘The fun’s over, General.’ Superman said as he lay the helicopter down on the ground. ‘Give yourself up. I don’t want to hurt you.’

‘Heh. Ever the idealist, Kal-El.’ Zod chuckled. ‘Luthor said that was an insufferable trait of yours. I can see that it was not an exaggeration.’

‘Luthor is behind all this?’ Superman spluttered in disbelief. ‘I knew it was only a matter of time before he started causing trouble again.’

‘What are we waiting for, General?’ Ursa asked impatiently. ‘The son of Jor-El is standing right there. Let us destroy him!’

‘Rrrrr!’ Non growled in agreement.

‘Let us not be so hasty, my friends.’ Zod told his associates. ‘First we will make him kneel. Kneel before the might of Zod!’

TBC…

Next: Zod’s Revenge

Will Superman be able to win, or will he be forced to kneel before Zod? What about Luthor’s plan? What is he planning? Tune in next time to find out…