Loose Ends

In her home, Irene Adler was just sipping her tea, sitting in her favorite chair, when she heard someone come in. She smiled. "Hello, Raven." the blind oracle said.
Mystique smiled. "You foresaw me coming, didn't you?"
"Most often, the future presents itself ambiguously...but occasionally, I can see it in perfect clarity." Destiny said.
Mystique's smile became wry. "Well, I hate to say this, but your record's just gotten its first blemish." she said. "Your prophecy was wrong."
"Oh?"
"Magneto didn't recruit Superman." Mystique said. "He has no apparent interest in helping Magneto."
Irene smiled knowingly. "Raven, don't you remember the first part of the prophecy? 'Death shall rain from the sky, with unquenchable fire, but the Child will strive on, and shall never tire'."
Mystique's eyes widened. "The meteors..."
"Precisely. And he stopped them." Irene said. "I think the prophecy is still on-track. The prophecy isn't incorrect; it simply is not yet completely fulfilled. The Child of the Star still has much ahead of him. He merely passed this first trial...with flying colors, I must admit."
Mystique frowned to herself. "I see." she replied. She was going to have to be careful in her own agenda.
She'd sacrificed nearly everything for Magneto's scheme...but she was done with that, now.
She had her own plans for the future.
Xavier Institute
It had been about a week since the events at Asteroid M. The X-Men had just enjoyed their week off, and the two new recruits – Lance and Remy – had started to adjust to life at the Institute. Alex had decided to spend a week at the Institute, to go back to Hawaii today.
And Superman still patrolled the planet, and was extra-wary, on the lookout for electromagnetic fields...but he'd found none. It seemed that Magneto was laying low.
For now.
It was early in the afternoon when Superman returned to the Institute. After darting into his room and changing into his street clothes, Clark met everyone in the living room, as Alex was saying goodbye to everyone, with Scott and Logan going to drop him home.
"It was great meeting you all!" Alex said. "Who knows? Maybe I'll be back, someday!"
Scott smiled. "Hope so, Little Bro."
Clark had just walked in when Kitty spoke. "Guys, it was just last week when we all pretty much helped save the world...and we haven't done anything to celebrate!" she exclaimed. "We all should do something before Alex has to go!"
"Well, like what, Kitty?" Lance asked.
Kurt suddenly smiled. "Hey...isn't Smallville on zhe vay to Hawaii?" he asked.
Clark knew where he was going with this. "Kurt, don't you even think about it." he said firmly.
Kitty brightened. "Yeah, it is!" she exclaimed. "How about a little detour, Alex?"
"I don't get it. What's in Smallville?" Alex asked.
"Martha Kent, Clark's Mom...and the best cook we've ever seen." Scott chuckled.
Evan grinned. "Yeah, we could all use a home-style meal!" he laughed.
"Guys! We are not raiding my Mom's fridge!" Clark said, half-laughing. "End of discussion!"
Lance looked amazed. "Wow. She's that good?"
"She's amazing! She's a genius!" Kitty exclaimed.
Remy grinned. "Remy 'ave 'eartburn, already." he chuckled.
"Forget it!" Clark laughed. "We are not doing it!"
"Oh, please, Clark?" Kitty pleaded. "Please, please, please?"
"No, Kitty. I'm sorry, but we are not going to just drop in unannounced just so my Ma can fix us a meal." Clark said firmly. "You can beg all you want, but I am not going to cave."
Fifteen minutes later...
"I can't believe I caved." Clark muttered, sitting in the Blackbird with everyone else, including the instructors, as they flew towards Smallville and the Kent Farm. He'd managed to hold out...
...until Kitty had pulled out those big "puppy-dog eyes" that were impossible to say no to.
"'ey, y' lasted a lot longer den Remy would 'ave." Remy commented.
"Don't feel too bad, Flyboy." Logan added. "I can't even tell ya how many times Half-Pint's gotten me with those eyes of hers."
Scott grinned. "Hope Mrs. Kent doesn't mind us dropping in."
"That's what I was worried about." Clark said, chuckling.
Kitty laughed. "Clark, you worry too much! I'm sure your Mom will love having family over!"
Lance chuckled. "Yeah, we're quite a family, Kit. A bunch of mutants and an alien! You could do a TV show about us!"
Scott chuckled. "Sure, Alvers."
Professor Xavier smiled. "Well, I hope you all don't mind, but I hope to recruit several new students for the fall." he said.
Alex grinned. "Careful, Superman! There might be a mutant-alien, somewhere on this planet!"
Scott laughed. "Alex, come on!"
Clark smiled. "Actually, that kind of relates to my people's history." he said. "Eons ago, we were a lot like humans today. Then, slowly, we began to develop these kinds of powers; mutation isn't exclusive to Earth, I guess."
"Cool!" Kurt exclaimed.
Clark looked a bit grim. "Unfortunately, all this power caused some Kryptonians to get power-hungry. Several groups formed, and a terrible war began." he added. "It would have gone on forever, had it not been for the Twelve Wise Ones."
"Who?" Jean asked.
"The Twelve Wise Ones were Kryptonians, who had the amazing physical abilities of most of the Kryptonian race...but also had abilities that let them understand the minds and hearts of others." Clark said.
"Telempaths..." the Professor murmured, "...capable of telepathy and empathy."
Clark nodded. "Their gifts gave the Wise Ones great wisdom, enough to not only end the war, but lay the foundation of modern Kryptonian society." he replied. "They first formed the ruling body of Krypton, the Council of Twelve. One of them was my ancient ancestor, Von-El, the founder of my family, the House of El. As time went on, fewer and fewer Kryptonians with the same gifts as the Wise Ones were ever seen; the gene that caused their powers just became diluted among the population, I guess." He chuckled. "My people came to call it the 'W-Gene,' as it imparted wisdom to those who first exhibited it."
Evan chuckled. "Okay, that is extremely cool, CK!" he said.
Before too long, the Blackbird reached the Kent farm, and touched down silently in their field. Clark smiled as he disembarked, as he saw his Ma rush up to greet him. "What a surprise!" she exclaimed, hugging him.
"It's good to see you, Ma." Clark replied. "I hope you don't mind us dropping by on such short notice."
"Oh, of course not!" Martha laughed. "You're always welcome here!"
Kurt was first to ask. "Frau Kent...vere you about to have lunch, anytime soon?"
Martha smiled. "Well, Kurt, I was just about to get something ready...but from the look of all of you, I'll need to do a big lunch!"
A cheer went up from the rest of the Institute students.
Within the hour, a Kent-class lunch was well underway, with Clark helping his Ma in the kitchen. Clark had volunteered so that he could get his Ma up to speed on what had happened.
"...that Magneto actually used Kryptonite on my boy?!" Martha fumed. "Ooh, when I get my hands on him..!"
"Calm down, Ma!" Clark said, chuckling. "We've already stuck it to him; we wrecked his plan."
Martha looked relieved. "I'd heard about those meteors...Clark, you stopped them, didn't you?"
Clark smiled sheepishly. "Well, it was a team-effort, but...yeah, I did that part."
Martha smiled, before walking over to him and kissing his cheek. "My boy saved the world..." she murmured, "...Clark, I could not be more proud of you...and neither could your father."
Clark smiled. "You'll be happy to know that I plan to modify my nano-suit to repel Kryptonite radiation, Ma." he said. "That trick won't work twice for Magneto."
"Such a sensible boy." Martha said, smiling. "But...there's still something bothering you, isn't there?"
Clark nodded; Magneto had mentioned an associate, one with magic powerful enough to conceal Genosha. Furthermore, Magneto's use of superconductors had a flaw: to achieve superconductivity, the Asteroid's core would have to be cooled to near-absolute zero, zero degrees Kelvin. The North Pole had temperatures of minus fifty Celsius; around 223 degrees Kelvin.
The Pole was still too warm to achieve superconductivity by natural cooling.
"There's still a few things bugging me, Ma." he admitted. Then, he had a thought. "Can you manage here, Ma? I need to go check on things."
"Of course, honey. I'm fine; you do what you need to do."
Smiling, Clark kissed his mother good-bye, and darted outside, shedding his street-clothes, revealing his uniform underneath, a blue-and-red blur to anyone watching. Superman then took off into the sky, flying north, a sonic boom echoing as he flew.
He didn't know the answers...but he had an idea of who to ask.
Superman reached the Fortress of Solitude in minutes, opening the lock and heading in. He headed to a chamber he hadn't used in a while.
The Meditation Chamber.
Superman entered the Chamber, which was devoid of any equipment, save the door-control-panel, and was completely soundproof; if there was any emergencies, the panel would alert him.
Superman sat in the middle of the Chamber, sitting cross-legged, closing his eyes. He'd first come here to practice meditation techniques, to clear his mind. He still used it, when he had time. He focused on clearing his thoughts, on a higher plane...
In this chamber, just before he'd left the Fortress, he'd made perhaps his first ally.
"Kal-El?"
Superman smiled, as he opened his eyes, revealing the glowing-blue astral form of Doctor Strange, floating before him.
The astral form of Earth's Sorcerer Supreme resembled his physical one: a tall, lean man, in his early forties, with short black hair streaked with grey on the sides, and a trim black beard around his face, with sharp green eyes, clad in black pants and a light-blue silk shirt.
Doctor Strange had first traveled to the Fortress in astral state to assess him; his meditation training had almost let him reach the astral plane...drawing the attention of the Sorcerer Supreme. The good Doctor had thought to find a threat to Earth...but had been pleasantly surprised, finding that Kal-El was no invader, only a youth in the last stages of grief. In the few months before leaving, Superman and the Doctor had discussed several topics; he'd been glad to hear from such a worldly mind, as the Doctor had been a renowned neurosurgeon before mastering the magic arts.
And now, he needed the Doctor's expertise once more.
"Hello, Doctor. It's good to see you; it's been some time." Superman said, smiling.
Doctor Strange smiled. "Yes, it has." he replied. "You've been doing good things, 'Superman.' Charles has been telling me good things about you."
Superman smiled. The field of telepathy often interacted with the astral plane, which meant that Professor Xavier was able to converse with Doctor Strange; the two were acquaintances.
"I'm afraid this isn't a social call, Doctor." Superman said. "I assume you've heard about the near-miss Earth had."
"Yes." Doctor Strange said. "This 'Magneto' is certainly dangerous; rest assured, I will be keeping an Eye of Agamotto on him."
"There's more." Superman said. "I have reason to believe that a sorcerer was involved."
The Doctor's eyes widened. "By the Vishanti..."
"Magneto was using superconductors to enhance his powers, but the North Pole isn't cool enough to achieve the temperatures needed; I believe that magic was used to cool the asteroid." Superman explained. "Furthermore, Magneto mentioned an associate who used magic to hide the country of Genosha."
The Doctor concentrated...and then answered, "Yes, you are correct. Magic was used in both those places; in addition, a cloaking-spell was used to conceal its use, even from me. I know of only two sorcerers capable of this."
"Who?" Superman asked.
"I am one of them." the Doctor said.
"And the other?"
The Doctor looked worried. "Kal-El...you will not like this..."
Castle Doom, Doomstadt, Latveria
Superman had taken flight, leaving the Fortress minutes ago, heading for Latveria after what he'd been told. Currently, he was flying over the dark, dreary country of Latveria, its industrial plants pumping out black smoke...with the ominous Castle Doom looming in the distance.
Superman flew towards the Castle, expecting resistance...but found none. He touched down, walking into the Castle, heading down the long, stone hallway, and opened the massive steel door, coming into a vast throne room.
"Oh, please, do come in."
Superman's eyes narrowed as he saw Dr. Doom, sitting on the throne, a chess table in front of him, no-one else in the room; he was his own opponent. Doom was tall, made of living metal, with cold yellow eyes behind his metal mask, a green cloak around his shoulders, trimmed in white fur, the hood over his head, clasped at his shoulder.
"Dr. Doom." Superman said flatly. "Since you were expecting me, you must know why I'm here."
"Indeed." Doom replied, moving a white pawn to capture a black one. "I assume you know about my assistance rendered to Erik Lensherr. What I do not understand is why you wish to discuss it; you have no proof."
"I guess it's a personal matter." Superman replied. "Something I need to know: why."
"My reasons are my own." Doom answered.
"Will these 'reasons' cause you to do anything else like this in the future?" Superman inquired.
Doom paused as he was moving a bishop to take a white pawn, staring flatly at Superman. "I do not see how that is your concern."
Superman's eyes narrowed. "If it puts innocent people in danger, it concerns me."
"Ah. Yes, of course." Doom said. "I suppose we have a problem then, don't we?"
"I suppose we do." Superman said.
Doom turned from his chess game, looking at Superman. "Magneto told me of you...Kal-El." he said. "What you do not seem to understand is that, ultimately, there are only two kinds of people in this world: the kings," he gestured to himself, "and everyone else."
"You, however, choose the way of the hero; you are not one of the riff-raff, yet you refuse to be a king." Doom continued. "That, my alien friend, both intrigues and disturbs me. Normally, I would be immensely offended at someone coming into my house without permission, but in light of your...unique nature, I will simply offer you a piece of advice."
His metal fist clenched. "Until you decide which kind you are...it would be wise not to meddle in the affairs of kings."
Superman's eyes narrowed. "I assume you've explained this to the people of Latveria." he said. "They don't seem to be in any hurry to 'meddle' in your affairs."
Doom chuckled, standing up. "When I assumed power, Kal-El, Latveria was a political nonentity; now, its economy is one of the most competitive in the world, with one of the finest armed forces in Europe." he said, his arms spreading, as if encompassing the whole country. "If, then, my people are in awe of me, it is only because they have every reason to be."
Superman managed to stay calm. "Tell me, Doctor, have you ever read Plato's 'The Republic'?"
Doom chuckled. "Why, yes." he replied. "From it, I learned that the ideal state could only be achieved by a leader with absolute control over the country. Only then could an ideal state be achieved; people will not simply do what is in their best interest, so they must be...convinced."
'Figures.' Superman thought. "Well, I learned something quite different." he said. "I learned that a true leader must be motivated by two things. First, a true leader must be guided by what he knows is good for his people; he must have achieved enlightenment, and gained the knowledge of what is good and right. Second, a true leader must be moved by love for his people. A leader must care so much for his people that he is willing to leave an enlightened state and help them; that he must do what is necessary out of love." He glared at Doom. "A true leader, then, would do what his people needs, and ask for nothing in return."
Doom arched an eyebrow behind his mask. "You read the right books."
"I'm a man of hidden talents."
"As well as high ideals." Doom replied. "A rare combination. But then, you're a rare being, aren't you?"
His eyes narrowed behind his mask. "Magneto believes that a war is coming." he said. "I believe that he is right."
Superman walked towards Doom, looking him right in the eye. "Then know this, Doom." he said. "In the future, I will be there to stop it."
With that, he reached for the chess board, and moved a black rook, taking a white bishop. Then, he turned and left, taking to the sky as soon as he was under open air, heading home.
Doom simply watched as Superman flew off. He glanced to his chess board...and then looked again.
Chuckling, he reached over, and tapped his white king, tipping it over.
Checkmate.
He had not been sure exactly what to expect from this...'Superman.' He had truly been surprised.
His hand went to his belt...which held the concealed space-rock fragment that he'd gotten from Magneto, just in case. He'd half-expected to have to use it.
He'd also expected this Superman to be a cliche-spouting fool...not the sharp-minded, powerful being who he had just seen.
He, too, knew of Irene Adler's prophecy, and of her veracity. Kal-El was truly capable of what Magneto thought he was capable of.
His power was incredible, as was his intelligence; Doom would enjoy having him as an opponent in a philosophical debate.
He would be a truly worthy adversary, if it ever came to that.
Doom believed that he had lost his capacity for awe at the same time as he lost his capacity for affection. But now, he was glad to have been proven wrong about awe.
And as for affection...
"Father?"
Doom smiled, as he heard the only voice that could invoke such a response from him. He turned, and saw his adopted daughter walk down the stairs, smiling at him.
Anita LeRoux, a vision at the age of 17, her long, shimmery chestnut tresses tied into a bun at the base of her neck, her emerald eyes glittering like the pearls laced around her throat, clad in a long, gleaming green dress, concealing her flawless legs and accentuating her ample curves. She walked towards her father, curtsying, her every motion graceful enough to put a princess to shame.
And that was exactly what she was, after being raised by a king.
He'd discovered her eleven years ago, before his change, in a 'children's mental hospital,' left there by her parents, Mark and Diane LeRoux, two prominent Quebec industrialists, owners of LeRoux Enterprises. It had been a glorious accident, finding her; he'd bought the hospital, with the intent to tear it down to make room for the latest division of Van Damme Industries.
To this day, he didn't truly understand it...but seeing that little six-year-old girl had awakened fatherly impulses he didn't know he had.
He confessed, he'd doted on her, after first finding her. It had been refreshing, having this tiny little creature who only needed affection to renew her almost-shattered spirit.
However, he'd soon learned the truth. She was a mutant. Her powers manifesting early had caused her parents to abandon her.
Anita's powers dealt with her voice. Apparently, her parents often left her alone with an abusive nanny. Anita had one day gotten so fed up with her tormentor, she'd simply ordered her to go jump out a window...
...which the nanny promptly did.
Anita could alter the pitch of her voice to extend into UHF and ULF, sounds that were "felt" rather than "heard" by the human nervous system...making them very susceptible to the suggestive power of her voice.
Doom had then taken it upon himself to train her in the use of her talents. He'd been stern, a strict taskmaster in his daughter's lessons, but it was for her own good. At first, his daughter had cried at how stern he'd become, straining heart-strings he'd forgotten he had, but he kept on, for her sake.
Soon, she began to thrive, learning the sorcery he taught her, taking in every lesson he could give her, her spirit focused by the discipline he'd imposed. He'd been – and still was – immensely proud of her.
And now, she was the dazzling, powerful young sorceress that stood before him, today. She'd mastered her mutant gift, with complete use of her vocal talents, giving her an utterly supernatural control over nearly anyone who heard her dulcet tones, as well as a "sonic scream" of impressive destructive force. She'd also gained control of her parents' commercial empire...after her parents' unexpected suicide.
Justice worked in mysterious ways.
Doom had first embraced his transformation when it had happened...but after, he became worried; he'd become the royal warrior he'd trained to be...
...but what would his daughter think?
He'd shown himself to his daughter, ready to face her reaction. She had not screamed. She had not run. She'd simply hugged him, saying, "I love you, Papa."
Doom was not given to emotion...but on that day, he'd come very close to tears.
This was why he'd supported Magneto's dream. If mutants would ever revealed, his daughter would be discriminated against.
He would not have it.
And now, back in the moment, he recalled the other reason. "Spying on your father, Anita?" he mock-scolded. "Have I not taught you courtesy?"
Anita smiled. "But Papa," she replied, "I heard you talking to someone. I was curious!"
Doom chuckled. "We will discuss that later." he said. "I assume you saw who I was speaking with. What do you think of him?"
Anita smiled, idly twirling a loose strand of her chestnut hair, glancing to where Kal-El had been. "I'm impressed." she cooed. "He actually defeated you at chess." She giggled. "I've never been able to do that!" She smiled. "His power is impressive, like his intelligence..." her smile turned utterly feline, "...and he's not bad to look at, either."
This was the other reason. If Kal-El was to lead the mutant race, then Anita would be at his side. He knew that Anita was of the age to be interested in men, but there were none worthy of his daughter's company, of her beauty, wit, and charm...
...until now.
Besides, he'd once hoped for a son of his own, though he would not trade his precious daughter for anything. Since he could no longer beget a noble son of his own...a noble son-in-law would do just fine.
"Anita, my dear, until now, there has been no man worthy of you. I would like to say that, if you choose to pursue him, I will approve. I can think of no man better for you." Doom said.
Anita smiled brightly. "Thank you, Papa." she said, lightly bowing.
"But not yet, my dear." Doom continued. "There are yet some lessons for you to learn before you encounter him. Let Kal-El have his victory."
Anita sweetly pouted. "But why, Papa? Why must I wait? I can easily enchant him!"
"Now, Anita, you know how I have cautioned you against overconfidence. Magneto told me that Kal-El withstood the immense pain of the space-rock for four hours, and seemed capable of withstanding more. Magic is ultimately the manifestation of your will; Kal-El's willpower is not to be underestimated."
Anita nodded dutifully. "Yes, Father." she said. Smiling, she added, "But, to be honest, willpower is something that men do not seem to have, near me."
Doom half-smiled; that, too, was true. Anita's mere presence reduced young men to near incoherence. "Nevertheless, you will wait." he said, and Anita nodded. "Ah, I meant to ask you: what was that name you have given yourself?"
Anita smiled. "Siryn, Father."
Doom smiled. "Come, then, my little Siryn, for we will begin your lessons immediately." With that, he left the throne room, his daughter following.
Before too long, Superman had returned home, darting into the Kent home, his mother greeting him. "Is everything okay, Clark?"
Superman smiled. "Yeah, Ma; just tying up a few loose ends."
Glancing to the dinner table, he saw that everyone had sat down, and had started. "Whoa! Clark, your Mom is a genius!" Alex exclaimed.
"Be thankful that Fred doesn't know about your Mom, Clark! You'd never get him out of here!" Lance laughed.
Remy glanced to Martha. "Madame Kent, y' be a saint!" he said. "T' do all dis fo' a bunch o' unruly drop-ins, y' goin' straight t' 'eaven!"
Martha laughed. "Oh, stop!" she exclaimed. To Superman, she added, "Now, Clark, have a seat!"
Superman was about to...when his hearing picked something up. "Uh-oh."
By now, everyone knew what that meant. "Uh-oh."
Superman smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, everyone. Just save me a sandwich."
Martha smiled. "No problem, honey."
Superman smiled, kissed his Ma good-bye, and was out the door and into the air in two seconds.
As he flew, Superman just savored the thrill, the sheer joy of flight, reflecting on all that had happened in the past year.
He'd thought he was alone...and now he was part of a family.
He'd found his place in the world. He knew his purpose in life.
Smiling, Superman flew on, towards the emergency.
His life had begun.