Blue light legacy

Chapter 13: Reforging the Hero

The hologram room shuddered and roared as Cal faced off against the simulated versions of Lex Luthor, his henchmen, and Tarra-Man. He moved with fierce determination, each punch and blast echoing his frustration and desire to improve. He felt a mix of anger and shame at having been captured and saved by the Justice League. Superman never had to be saved; Superman was the one doing the saving.

With no hesitation, Cal drove his hand through the holographic Lex Luthor’s chest, causing the image to shatter into pixels. He swiftly chopped off the arm of Tarra-Man’s copy and buried the henchmen into the virtual ground, ending the simulation abruptly. The room fell silent, leaving Cal alone with his thoughts.

Panting and covered in sweat, Cal reviewed the results of his training. Despite his efforts, he couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy. He knew he had to up his game. He had hacked into LexCorp’s computer system to erase all data about him, only to discover that Batman had copied it. Knowing better than to challenge Batman’s systems directly, he decided to focus on strengthening himself.

Cal walked to the central console of the Fortress of Solitude and accessed the archives. He found a file on a legendary material: Supermanium. According to the records, it was the hardest metal in the known universe, practically indestructible, much like Superman himself. Inspired, he called upon the robotic assistants in the Fortress.

“I need you to remake my suit using Supermanium,” Cal instructed. “It needs to be stronger, more durable, and more adaptable.”

The robots acknowledged the command and began the intricate process of forging the new suit. Meanwhile, Cal knew that a stronger suit wasn’t enough. He needed advanced technology to enhance his capabilities further.

He flew to Mars, encapsulated in a psychic forcefield, determined to seek out the White Martians. Upon arriving, he negotiated with their leaders, offering to teach them how to cultivate chocolate—a delicacy they were curious about—in exchange for some of their biotechnology.

The trade was easier than he had anticipated. Once he had the biotechnology schematics, he returned to the Fortress and handed them to the robots. “Integrate this technology into the new suit. I want it to bind to me permanently, to appear, disappear, and reshape itself with a single thought. It needs to protect me better from my enemies.”

The robots set to work, blending the White Martian biotechnology with the nearly indestructible Supermanium. The process was meticulous, but Cal knew the result would be worth the wait. As he watched the construction, he allowed himself a moment of reflection. He knew that being a hero wasn’t just about power or strength; it was about resilience, strategy, and a willingness to adapt.

Days passed, and the new suit was finally ready. It was sleek, durable, and integrated perfectly with his body, responding to his thoughts instantly. Cal donned the suit and felt an immediate difference. It was lighter yet stronger, and it seemed to pulse with energy, ready to face any challenge.

He flew back to Metropolis, feeling more prepared than ever. He knew he would eventually have to confront Batman about the copied data, but for now, he would let it be.

Wonder Woman had noticed the slight change in Batman’s demeanor over the past few days. He seemed more calculating than usual, a faint smirk occasionally crossing his lips—a rarity for the Dark Knight. Something was different, and her instincts told her it had to do with Cal, the new hero who had captured their attention.

Deciding to trust her instincts, Diana approached Bruce in the Batcave. She found him seated before the Batcomputer, the screens filled with data. His fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard, analyzing and cross-referencing information. The moment she stepped into the dimly lit cave, he turned, as if sensing her presence.

“Bruce,” she began, her voice steady yet probing, “I’ve noticed you seem more...cheerful lately. It’s unlike you.”

Batman raised an eyebrow, his usual stoic expression betraying nothing. “Cheerful, Diana? That’s not a word often used to describe me.”

Diana crossed her arms, standing firm. “You know what I mean. Something’s changed, and I have my suspicions it has to do with Nighman.”

Batman leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “What exactly are you implying?”

“I’m implying that you’ve found a way to keep tabs on him, maybe even something more,” she said, stepping closer to the console. “You’ve always had a contingency plan for everyone, but Nighman is different. He’s powerful, and you’re concerned.”

Bruce sighed, swiveling his chair to face her fully. “He’s not Superman, Diana. But he’s getting there. We need to be prepared for any eventuality. Including the possibility that he might not always be on our side.”

Diana’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t trust him.”

“It’s not about trust,” Batman replied. “It’s about ensuring the safety of the world. You’ve seen what he can do. If he ever loses control or decides to turn against us, we need to be ready.”

Wonder Woman shook her head. “Bruce, we’ve been through this with Superman. We can’t let fear dictate our actions. We need to support Cal, guide him, not treat him as a potential threat.”

Batman’s gaze softened slightly. “And we will. But having a plan doesn’t mean we’re not supporting him. It means we’re being cautious.”

She sighed, knowing that arguing with Bruce’s logic was often futile. “What have you found out?”

“I’ve accessed some of the data Lex Luthor gathered on Nighman. It’s extensive,” Batman admitted. “Strengths, weaknesses, potential vulnerabilities. I’ve studied it, but I haven’t acted on it. Yet.”

“Good,” she said firmly. “Because if we start treating him like a weapon instead of a person, we’ll lose him. And that’s something we can’t afford.”

Bruce nodded slowly. “Agreed. But promise me you’ll keep an eye on him too.”

“I will,” Diana promised. “But not because I’m afraid of him. Because I believe in him.”

With that, she turned and left the Batcave, her thoughts heavy but her resolve firm. She knew that guiding Cal was crucial, not just for his sake, but for the sake of the world.