Four in the morning and I got an image in my head of Superman kneeling on the ground, a victorious Lex standing behind him. I took some printer paper and a clipboard and started writing. There was one line, or one eventual moment I really wanted to get to before my hand got tired. I filled two pages then ran out of room with one line left in my story. I didn't feel like starting a new page that would only have one line at the top of it, and would probably get lost before I had a chance to type it up, so I wrote the final line in the space between paragraphs. I'm pretty sure that last line was as much of a "Jaw. Floor." moment for me as the author as it was for Lex himself.
Superman Defeated; Second Inspiration
Please whatever I have done, whatever I could have done to make you see me as your enemy, don't hold my arrogance against her. She is innocent in everything, excepting nothing. You say I was a monster; I have to accept that. I can't deny it at least. But whether I was or not, don't make her suffer for MY sins.
“I beg of you, let her go.”
Superman said to the Luthor who held his word's innocence captive. Nikita hung in the air, suspended in coils of steel and carbine metal. A dusting of what looked like snow covered her scratched form. An oxygen mask was fitted over her face. Metallic arms held her by the shoulders and lowered her into a chlorine bath. Superman could tell by the smell. Nikita struggled weakly and fruitlessly in the chamber. Her skin and eyes burning red from acid. Superman was horrified.
“She's Xavallen. Do you know what that means? Don't you know what this will do to her?”
“Why of course I do Superman; that's why it's called torture.”
Almost as slowly as she had been submerged, the robot arms pulled her out again. Another mechanical apparatus which resembled nothing so much as a pair of industrial pliers held the girl at her waist. When the others retracted Superman saw what was going on, although he had trouble believing it. The claw around her waist was ready to drop the barely conscious woman into what was for her physiology a swimming pool of hydrochloric acid. And this time if she was dropped it would be all of a sudden, and nothing would pull her out.
Superman turned and faced Lex, his eyes frantic. “Please sir, Mr. Luthor, not her.”
“What does she mean something to you? You don't remember Lois Lane, the intrepid reporter you glorifies you to the public for her newspaper. You don't know who I am or why I hate you so much...and believe me I do. But somehow you remember this unremarkable alien girl?”
“Well enough to call her my friend. And enough to know that she is innocent.” Superman looked down a moment. “I would call her innocence incarnate.” He whispered, as if to himself.
The claw lowered. Nikita's feet dangled in the pond. “What do you want from me?”
Lex actually looked surprised. “I want you to beg me for your life. But I know you well enough to know you never would. So instead, I thought I'll make you beg for the life of a friend.”
“What could I have done to make you hate me this much?”
“Seriously, we're going to go through it all over again? Wasn't it painful enough the first time?”
“I wouldn't know, I don't remember!” Superman exclaimed. “Three months ago I opened my eyes and I was flat on my back in the middle of nowhere. Nikita was lying on the ground beside me. Barring anyone she's introduced me to, I don't know anyone or anything else from my life.” Lex activated a secondary trigger and walked up the ramp to examine both the claw, and the soon to be permanent victim of the swimming pool of death. He pulled Nikita toward him and Superman sighed with relief. A relief that proved to be misplaced however as he watched Lex remove the oxygen mask around Nikita's face and swing the claw back to its original position. If the claw was released Nikita would drown choking on burning acid.
“No, no please. Whatever I have done, whatever I could have done to make you my enemy, don't hold my arrogance against her. She is true innocence if such a thing exists on this planet! If you say I'm a monster, I accept that. Whether I am or not, don't make her suffer for MY sins. I'll do whatever you ask, I swear it, just don't hurt her...I'm Begging you.” He crumbled on the floor.
“That's all I needed to hear.” Lex admitted. He once again pulled the girl safely from the drowning pit. This time undoing her restraints. With the still unconscious girl in his arms Lex walked down the ramp and laid the girl gently on the floor. Only then did Superman even raise his eyes to Lex. And when he did he looked absolutely thunderstruck.
“That's what you wanted. You went through all of this, not for my surrender but to hear me beg you for...anything?”
Lex gave Superman the darkest look. “ I have to admit I was never going to let her die.” Lex raised his hand to stop Superman's objection. “I'm not saying I wouldn't have let her fall, I would have. But I would have dived in there after her. Don't make a big thing of it alright? I'm not exactly known for selflessness or altruism...or fairness for that matter. But I didn't have anything against her. I don't count you as being worth much. But you said she didn't deserve to die and on that point at least I absolutely agree with you.” Lex started to walk away but was surprised when Superman reached out and grabbed his arm. He was even more surprised to hear the words that came out of Superman's mouth. “Lex. Thank. You.”
“It's Mr. Luthor.” He replied out of habit. “And you're...you're welcome.”
Lex sat with in silence with Superman, watching over the woman who had captured both of their admiration. “Honestly the way you talk about her, I'd think you were married or something.”
“You wouldn't be far off.” Superman answered. “Can you imagine what it's like to relearn powers that you've had most of your life? I did. I mean I relearned every special ability I have. And she helped me do that. Then had to tell my Krypton was destroyed...and watch me react. That is how I know her kindness and innocence are timeless. Hell after a while I thought she and I were married, or at least together, because she knew me so well. She insists we're just really, really close friends...and I can tell she doesn't have those feelings for me."
"Superman...believe it or not I could probably tell you a thing or to about your people and your life...if you want."
Obviously this scene is largely inspired by a moment in Flash where Eaobard Thawne, who doesn't remember being the Reverse Flash pleading with the Flash not to hold whatever his past sins were against the woman he loved. “I'm begging you; save her.” But there is another scene that serves as a strong inspiration for this as well. In season 4 of Smallville Clark loses his memory. Chloe knows his secret and is playing tour guide. Chloe brings him to the mansion. At this point he and Lex are still friends, drifting apart but still friends. Lex's face when Clark addresses him as 'Mr. Luthor' is absolutely priceless.
No comments:
Post a Comment