All-Star Superman #11 "When Disaster Struck!"

Red Sun cut across half the globe at many times the speed of sound by skirting across the edge of the Earth's orbit and ricocheting back into Earth's atmosphere. His reentry sent shock waves across the sky as he broke the sound barrier in his quest to attack Metropolis and defeat the Man of Steel.

--

Clark padded along behind Lois as she fired off a series of direct questions to Detective Turpin who seemed uninterested in saying a word to them. As they rounded the hall Lois passed the Detective and blocked off the hallway.

"I asked you a question, Detective Turpin. What happened to Doctor Poach?" said Lois.

"We just fished him out of Hobbs Bay, Lane. You're already late to cover that story since I just got done talking to the Gotham Gazette."

Lois glowered at Detective Turpin in which case Clark pulled her aside.

"Let it go Lois."

"Since when do you take his side?" asked Lois.

"Who said I'm taking any one's side?" Clark was quick to respond.

"Fine," said Lois as she walked off.

Clark lingered for a moment more as he watched Detective Turpin stand in the hall way with his back to them. And then left to catch up with Lois.

--

Rex popped his neck on both sides before finding the spot where he planned to ambush Red Sun. He changed into an opaque liquid and spread himself across the roof of a building that looked over the Planet Square.

Heheheheheheh, wait until he gets a load of the Element Man.

--

Orion took off his astro harness and cracked his knuckles as he sized up the nemesis of New Genesis. The man who had laid waste to half the known universe. Darkseid.

"So we meet again father..."

"Yesss, and let this be our last encounter for I shall not die this day."

Orion leaped through the air and shoulder tackled his father to the ground laying a fury of punches into the galactic conqueror's face, but the dread lord of Apokolips was not one to be beaten down like a cowed dog. With a blast of his Omega Force Beams he sent Orion flying through the air where the champion of New Genesis crashed into the sacred keep that protected the Source.

"Come my timid son. Show me that furious temper. Let your dark side out so that this can be a true test of our powers."

Orion roared as he leaped out of the sacred keep and struck Darkseid with a blow that knocked the universal oppressor on his backside. Pressing his advantage Orion grabbed Darkseid by the foot and repeatedly slammed him into the ground several times before throwing him through a siege tank.

"Get UP!" Orion yelled.

A powerful burst of energy sent the rubble of the siege tank flying at Orion, but the Dog Of War dispersed the flying projectiles with the wrist mounts from his Astro Harness.

"If that's the best you can do father then this battle is assuredly mine!"

"I will breathe my last before I see you as victor," said Darkseid.

The two charged toward each other like rampaging animals with only their anger guiding their actions. For every blow struck the heavens shook and leveled what remained of the city around them.

Never had any of Orion's friends seen his full fury unleashed and even less had seen the power of Darkseid displayed in a such a brutal fashion.

--

For an entire moment the city of Metropolis seemed to stand still. And then a massive explosion centered in the middle of the city created a panic unlike any had seen before. People rushed from their high rent apartments, places of work, and shopping stores to get clear of the battle that was raging on between Metamorpho the Element Man and Red Sun the Soviet Superman.

"How DARE you strike a representative of the Russian government!" said Red Sun as he grappled with Metamorpho.

"I dare a lot of things, and trust me on this pal. You haven't seen how vile I can get.," Metamorpho said with a smirk. "I hope you can hold your breath."

Without any warning Metamorpho changed into a gaseous form and entered Red Sun's nose. The Comrade of Steel clasped his throat as he choked on the intruding element man who was now inside of him.

--

Not too far away Lex Luthor watched with much delight as his Element Man was making short work of the Russian powerhouse whose power could one day rival the Man of Steel's. He then searched the features of the foreign dignitaries who were interested in the Metamorpho technology.

"Well, what do you think?" asked Luthor.

One of the dignitaries translators bowed down and listened to what he was to tell Luthor and than forwarded what was said.

"They say that Metamorpho is impressive so far, but they had expected to see a demonstration against Superman."

"That is coming up. I assure you," Luthor said with a smile forming on his face afterward.

The translator interpreted that to the dignitaries and they resumed their watch of the battle.

--

Driving on the Metropolis freeway the super-keen eyes of Clark Kent took notice of the smoke rising from the city and he turned to Lois.

"You know, Lois. You're right. I was siding with Turpin back there. You were acting totally unprofessional."

"WHAT?! How dare you, Clark. You're supposed to be my partner."

"Well, when you act like that I don't want to be around you. It's bad for not only your image, but mine as well."

Lois stopped the car. "Fine, you can walk the rest of the way back."

"Fine, I will," Clark said.

Lois drove off pissed and once she was out of eye sight Clark walked into the nearby bushes.

"Sorry Lois, but this is a job for Superman!"

Pulling open his shirt the bright sun light almost seemed to give the big red S a surreal glow. It was hardly a moment later when the Man of Tomorrow flew off to see what the trouble was in his adopted city.

--

Red Sun started to panic as he couldn't catch his breath. It felt like something was gumming up his lungs and he was incapable of getting enough breath to expel the Element Man with his own Super-Breath. It seemed almost assured that he would die until Superman appeared on the scene.

"You again," said Superman. Only to pause when he noticed that Red Sun was looking ill and clasping his throat.

Rushing at him with a full burst of super speed the Metropolis Marvel performed the heimlich maneuver to his foe and out came a green glob that appeared to be the reason Red Sun was choking. As Red Sun bent over and placed his palms on his bent knees so he could catch his breath. Superman examined the glob with his microscopic vision.

"What is this thing?" said Superman.

Red Sun couldn't answer as all he could do was hack and cough. However, the glob was quick to respond by wrapping itself around Superman and encasing him inside of a Kryptonite shell.

Hey Superchump. The name's Metamorpho and I'm going to be your executioner!

The world's greatest champion writhed in agony as the Kryptonite flooded his body with a form of radiation his body couldn't absorb. For this radiation not only damaged his cells, but with prolonged exposure could out right cause body-wide cellular decay leading to his eventual death. Red Sun watched as he gathered his balance. And an almost cruel grin crossed his face. For some time now he sought to end Superman's menace and now he had the chance to do so. And it was all thanks to that creature that attacked him. Gathering his energies into his hands Red Sun prepared to destroy both with a concentrated blast of solar radiation.

--

A spectacular explosion shook the entire city of Metropolis, and as Lois drove through the city streets she tried to get a clear look of the carnage that was going on ahead. A bright massive light surged forth from the area where Superman was seen battling the two assailants that were tearing up down town. And because it was so blinding Lois had to stop or fear crashing into one of the SCU cruisers that were trying to get into the area.

I hope you are all right, Superman. Lois thought as she turned off her car and put on some shades so she can walk the rest of the way.

--

Superman was laid out by the blast and so was Metamorpho. His entire body had never absorbed so much solar energy before. The surplus energy was making it painful to even move. The man of tomorrow rolled onto his back and leaned his head up albeit painfully and he could see that Red Sun was worn out, and almost completely drained of power.

"It didn't work," said Red Sun.

"I-it's ironic. You were created to defend your country from me, and yet you saved me from Metamorpho."

Superman got up shakily and rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't suppose we can call it even."

"NO! I must destroy you!"

Red Sun charged at the Man Of Steel with a burst of speed, which caused the Metropolis Marvel to raise up his hands as he didn't want to fight.

"Wait! I don't know what this overflow of solar energy will do to me! I could be dangerous!"

But there was no appealing to Red Sun. For the Russian super-agent saw red at the signs of his failure and only the death of Superman would cleanse his mistakes from his record. Superman dodged and weaved each attack until he realized that he had to end this nightmare now. With a single punch to Red Sun's jaw and holding back as much strength as possible the world's greatest hero hoped to knock out the supreme soviet. However, when Red Sun's eyes rolled back into his head and his breath left his body Superman suddenly became panicked as he realized he completely underestimated his over-charged strength and now he held the dead Red Sun in his arms.

Nearby Metamorpho regained his senses, but rather than resuming his fight he choose to slink away to gather his wits knowing his boss wouldn't be happy.

--

Lex Luthor slammed his fist down on the table as the foreign dignitaries left disgusted at Luthor's failure. Many of them were enemies of America and hoped to see a way to defeat America and the icon that they claimed as their champion. Lex looked to Mercy and motioned for her to come over.

"Yes boss."

"I want you to find Mason. He's my property. I want what's mine."

"Do you want him alive?"

"I want the body intact. Use whatever means necessary."

A devilish smirk crossed Mercy's face.

"You got it Lex."

After Mercy left Lex steepled his fingers. He started to contemplate how he could use the death of Red Sun against Superman, and whether to step up the next phase of his Russian super soldier project.

--

The Fortress of Solitude almost seemed barren and lifeless compared to the activity that used to give it some semblance of a home away from home. It was here Superman made a place for all of his trophies from other worlds and pens for animals whom had no where else to go. Despite the appearance on the outside of the Fortress. It's design allowed it to have maximum storage space through kryptonain pocket dimension technology. Inside the memorial to his parents, Clark was kneeled in front of them. Not in his costume, but in plain civilian clothes with his glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. A doubtful look was on his face.

"Is this the life you intended for me? A life where everyday I must choose where my responsibilities lie and what I'm capable of doing?"

Silence filled the room. It did nothing to fill the emptiness that Clark felt. And then as if Jor-El's ghost had spoken from the grave Clark could hear his birth father's comforting words.

You bear a great weight on your shoulders my son. It is a weight that you bear alone. Though, your lifestyle has given you a strong sense of humanity. You can never truly fit in with them. You will always bear a great responsibility to the ones you love. Never forget that. Never forget where you came from. And never forget that you are always loved.

And then silence. Clark was almost brought to tears hearing his birth father's voice. He felt the depth of love his father felt for him. Even though he knew that it was a concept that his people had long since traded for cold logic and stunning intellect. Not questioning the advice. Clark pulled open his shirt revealing the big red S because he knew that he now had to face the coming storm over his recent action.