Legends of Superman #10

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Legends of Superman #10
Light It Up

Written by Romeo Dantes
Edited by Daniel Dyer

The darkness is all she sees. She squeezes her knees tight into her chest. She wants nothing else but to be left alone in her darkness. She was wrong about the man. No. She couldn't be wrong. It was his face. It was his crest that brought the destruction of her people. But it wasn't a man like the one she fought. That's what she fought. A man. The "man" who brought death and destruction to her home wasn't a man. He was a machine disguised as a man. A man who commanded an army of men like him. But now she can do nothing. She is trapped in the psyche of a madwoman. Trapped, remembering the final moments of her people, and her mistake that has led to this moment.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

“Hello?" Perry White says as he raised the phone to his ear.

"Let's try this again," a voice crackled into Perry's ear before the receiver exploded in his hand. Thrown against the wall, Perry slowly climbs his way back up to his feet. His eyes are drawn to the woman standing before him, Livewire. Sparks surrounding her. “Superman. Here. Now." She stepped to the window of Perry's office, leaned out, and sent out a bolt across the sky. And in an instant she disappeared from the window.

Perry sat there on the ground in astonishment. "This broad is off her rocker."

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

<“EEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..”> The high pitched screech burned into Superman's ears. He'd already heard news that Leslie Willis had escaped from police custody apparently electrocuting the guards outside her hospital room in the process. He didn't know what was going to happen. From what he'd seen earlier, Kismet and Leslie were battling for control. Kismet believed him to be the alien invader who destroyed her homeworld. Leslie had a deranged grudge against the Man of Steel that was in part a result of Kismet's knowledge.

The lightning bolt flashed across the sky and Superman instantly recognized its source, the Daily Planet. As he approached the building he saw a flash on the roof. A glowing blue figure sat atop the rotating globe atop the Planet. "What do you want this time?" Superman asked as he approached.

"Simple, babe," Livewire said as she winked to him. "You. Dead." Superman blinked as she disappeared in a flash. He spun around quickly to see a second flash from an adjacent building and Livewire grabbing him. His body convulsed as her electric touch sent shocks throughout his body. They crashed through the wall of the Daily Planet. She gripped relentlessly on his throat. "MMmmm.... Listen to him sizzle," she whispered to herself.

"ENOUGH!" Superman yelled as he used what was left of his strength to lift his arms between Livewire's and break the grip. With a flash and a zap, the Man of Steel felt his muscles finally relax. His breath remained erratic as he staggered to his feet.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Now where has she gone? Superman thought to himself as he floated over the desks in the Daily Planet bullpen. He was quiet. He attempted to listen to his surroundings, but before he could truly focus there was a zap. A lamp to his left exploded as he felt the electric current pass through him like a bulldozer through a wall. The flash apparently disappeared into a fax machine sitting in an office to his right. He struggled back to his feet once again, but instantly there was another zap...

and zap...

and zap...

and ZAP!

Once again he was on the ground. He could feel his muscles tighten once again as felt the heat against his throat. "And now this ends!" screamed the energy woman standing over him with electrical hands extending down onto his throat. He had to focus. The Man of Steel forced his eyes open they glowed a bright yellow. His gaze aimed at sprinklers in the ceiling. Suddenly the rain poured down on the pair. A final shock passed through his body before his muscles relaxed and he felt the frail body fall on top of him. He closes his eyes and rests for a bit as the water runs down on his face.

"I need a day off..." Superman whispered to himself.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

The light is all she can see. She can feel her body stretched out atop a gurney. She does not remember how she got here. She couldn't remember anything except a man. A man who brought pain and suffering, but also was the bringer of peace. She feels so lost. Her mind races from thought to thought as she stares into the abysmal whiteness. But none of the thoughts make sense. She doesn't even know who she is. And as that thought passes into her head, all she can remember is one word: Livewire.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Epilogue

“My name is Livewire."

"I'm sure it is."

"My name is Livewire."

"OK... I've got that. Professor Hamilton has told me you don't remember what you did."

"No. I just remember there was a man. Or maybe there were two. Yes... two. One's a hero. The other looks exactly like him, but he doesn't save the world. He destroys it."

"Is that right honey?"

"Yes... I think so. It's so hard to remember things."

"Well... I know you don't remember much. Our good friend Professor Hamilton mentioned that your state of mind has resulted in your current amnesia. The Professor and his associates here at STAR Labs are trying to help you, but they can't help you like I can."

"Emil's been very good to me. But what have I done?"

"I don't think you're ready to know, but I can tell you that I can make everything right again... in exchange for you putting your special abilities to use for my squad."

"Abilities?"

"Professor Hamilton doesn't let you use them. But if you take my offer, I'll teach you what you can do."

"Thank you, Mr..."

"Freeman. Torval Freeman. And believe me, if you say yes, it will be the world thanking you."

"Then if it's a choice of being stuck here, or helping the world, my answer is yes, I'll help the world."

"I’m most pleased to hear that. I'll speak to Professor Hamilton about having you transferred to the facility as soon as possible. I'll see you again soon. Goodbye."

Continued...