Second Chances: Superman and Lois - Rough Draft

Chapter 6

John Henry Irons was currently looking down at the earth from his ship. The same ship he'd been in when he'd escaped his world, a world that was being destroyed by Superman, and entered this one, a world where Superman had not yet turned on humanity, but he knew that he would eventually and now he had a chance on this world that he'd never had on his earth. A chance to take out Superman before he had a chance to destroy the world.

"Are you certain you want to do this Mr. Irons? After all, by all accounts, this world's version of Superman is a hero." his suit's AI asked him.

"So was ours until he wasn't. I'm not going to risk letting history repeat itself. Even if it turns this world against me, it'll be worth it, knowing that it will survive." John said.

"There is one thing you should be aware of." the AI said.

"What is it?" John asked.

"It would appear that Supergirl also exists on this earth, in fact, she recently debuted earlier this week. You realize that if you go through with what you're planning, you'll likely end up having to fight her. Are you prepared to do that?" the AI asked.

"Enough. I'll worry about that when the time comes, but hopefully, I'll be able to convince her to join my mission." John said.

"She wasn't entirely thrilled with it on your earth either." the AI reminded him.

"I'm aware of that. But she understood why we had to fight him. Because it was either him or us." John said.

"I'm just making sure that you are prepared for the chance that this world's Kara Danvers will not see things your way, since she doesn't know you and you do not know her." the AI said.

"I know. But that doesn't mean I can't try and save her from what's coming. Even if she'll hate me for it." John said.

"Very well. You should begin studying the data you've collected on this Earth's Kal-El. It will be necessary if you are to stand a chance against him." the AI said.

"Do it." John said as his AI pulled up the data collected from his first two tests of this world's version of the so-called man of steel.

"Lana, hey." Clark said as he hugged his oldest friend as they met up in the town diner in Smallville.

"Hey Clark, I'm so sorry I haven't been able to meet up with you lately." Lana said as they hugged.

"Well, preparing to become the next mayor of Smallville does take up a lot of your time." Clark said and Lana chuckled humorlessly.

"That's more of an if than a when now." Lana said.

"What do you mean, I thought you were starting to move ahead of Dean?" Clark asked.

"And I was until Lois stopped by my campaign office earlier and told me that Morgan Edge made a huge contribution to Dean's campaign fund. He's literally funding my opponent. How can I compete against that. I mean, you were kind of my ace in the hole. Son of Martha Kent, the most revered woman in town, backing my campaign, no offense." Lana said and Clark chuckled.

"None taken. Honestly, you know that if my mom were still here she'd be helping with your campaign right now." Clark said.

"I know, but even Martha Kent can't compete with a huge sum of money. I mean, I'm barely funding my campaign as it is between my current job at the bank and Kyle's child support checks." Lana said.

"I might have an idea about how to help." Clark said.

"Unless you're secretly a millionaire who has enough money to compete with Edge, I doubt that." Lana said and Clark chuckled.

"No, I'm not a millionaire, but I do know one. Well technically a billionaire and I don't really know her, but my cousin does." Clark said.

"Wait, are you serious?" Lana asked and Clark nodded.

"My cousin Kara is friends with Lena Luthor." Clark said.

"As in the CEO of L-Corp, formerly Luthor Corp?" Lana asked and Clark nodded.

"I met Lena a few times back when I was a reporter and thankfully, she's nothing like her brother and from what I hear, she's got no love for Morgan Edge. I'll reach out to Kara, see if she'd be willing to ask Lena for help. It's no guarantee, but." Clark said.

"But it's something and I appreciate it." Lana said gratefully.

"I'll call her when I get home. Something tells me that Kara's a bit busy right now in National City." Clark said.

"That's where Supergirl showed up isn't it?" Lana asked.

"Yep. In fact, from what Kara told me about that incident, the bus Supergirl saved had her daughter Esme on it." Clark said.

"Oh my god. Tell her there's no rush, put her daughter's wellbeing first." Lana said and Clark smiled.

"And that is why you need to be mayor. You've got a heart, unlike Dean. Speaking of which, you think you'll ever open it up to anyone again?" Clark asked and Lana sighed.

"Ask me after the election. Right now, between raising the girls alone and the campaign, I don't have time to think about my love life." Lana said.

"Completely understandable. My offer to beat the crap out of Kyle still stands." Clark said.

"And if he doesn't shut up about Edge soon, I might take you up on it." Lana said.

"He still thinks that Edge coming to Smallville is a good thing?" Clark asked.

"You know he sees things differently than you do, but he's also more vocal about it. I don't know what got into him, but he's not the same man I married. Or maybe he is and I just never realized it." Lana said.

"No Lana, something changed in him, but I do think that deep down, he's still a good man. He just lost his way and it cost him you. Believe me, I know how that feels." Clark said and Lana smiled.

"You ever think about what might've happened between us if you hadn't left?" Lana asked.

"Sometimes. But I think that I was always meant to marry Lois and if Kyle was the one you were meant to be with, he never would've cheated on you, no matter how drunk he was or how difficult your marriage might've been." Clark said.

"I know, but still." Lana said and Clark sighed as they continued talking.