Superman Defeated -- Generic

 My original story with that title. Before I took the story ANY particular direction.

Superman Defeated but created and written anew, five times over when I am finished. The particular stanza this is based on will be found in the story. As with the other five stanzas once I write their stories.

“No, no please whatever you have against me, whatever you want from me, leave her out of it. Jeremiah told me we were enemies. I just didn't know you hated me this much. Whatever I am, whatever happened to make us enemies, she has nothing to do with this. There's nothing she could've done to deserve this. On that I would stake my life! [trying to keep his temper] God I don't even know your name! So tell me, who are you? And you am I to you?”

“My name is Lex Luthor. The world knows you as Superman and it's a name you live up to in my eyes. My only problem with you is that you were handed the keys to the kingdom and you don't bother to open a single door.”

“People look at me like I'm a god and you want to humble the 'god' before you?”

“People look up to you as a king and a hero. I don't have a problem with the hero part. The world certainly does need as many heroes at it can get. But to be born to greatness and refuse to claim it? I've spent an exorbitant amount of time trying to figure you out. And to decide if I actually wanted you dead in the first place. I finally decided I simply want you out of my way. And your heroics have a tendency of putting you directly in my way. It's strange, I used to think...” Whatever Lex Luthor was thinking went unsaid. Instead he pressed a button on his handheld with two fingers. And Nikita convulsed in pain.

“Stop, Stop it!!” Seconds passed as Superman watched his friend literally quiver in pain. Then she was still. Superman looked and saw Lex holding the control in his right hand with a strangely pleased expression on his face.

“Well, you know how this goes Superman. You try to have the innocents, we face off and one of us goes down. By your own word this radiant young alien is as innocent as they come. More than that, she is special to you. You'd have to be blind not to see it. If you want her back unharmed, give me what I want. Otherwise...” Lex turned a dial on his compact and Nikita once again cried out in pain. But somehow this was worse. Five seconds ago Nikita could have been sleeping and now it was like every nerve in her body was fiercely alive.

“What are you doing to her?!”

“There's a cortical implant at the base of her neck. A clean, quick, shock of pain, directly into her central nervous system.” He turned the dial down again. Nikita hung suspended in the air by metal claws, unconscious and still. “Normally this type of stimulation would be used to restart a failing heart. Get epinephrine flowing freely into her system, shock the brain back into working again. But constant stimulation, overwhelming cortisol levers will...what else, overwhelm the brain. It's the most efficient form of torture I could think of on such short notice. Now shall I continue the demonstration? Or will you give me what I want?”

“Sir please, I don't understand...” Superman stammered.

“Well, can't say I didn't give you a chance.” Lex turned the dial to the right and slipped the control into his pocket. Superman simply watched in horror as Nikita's body pulsed and shook with the 'stimulation'. There was nothing he could do to help her, except one thing. “Le-Mr. Luthor I swear to you I will do anything you ask, just please don't hurt her anymore. “Spare her life, let her go free and I will be your slave.” He spoke the last word without horror or strong emotion, simply as a matter of fact. He knew what it meant, what he was offering to become. “Yes, I mean it. You said you were fine with me being a hero, so I know you won't set me loose on the people of the Earth. You want my surrender, not my death. You have it.” Lex took the control out of his pocket, turned the dial off and smashed the control with his foot. Superman breathed a effusive sigh of relief. “Than...” Lex Luthor gave him a look which plainly said 'Get on your knees, slave'. And Superman complied. Falling to his knees, he bowed low before his nemesis. “What is your wish, Master?”

“I want to hear you beg me for something.” Lex replied honestly.

“Spare my friend, Let Nikita go free please I beg of you.” Superman pleaded with passionate sincerity. He flew up to Lex, his demeanor anything but threatening, stopped less than a foot in front of the man and once more sank to his knees. He took Lex's hand in both of his as if swearing allegiance. And in an almost desperate voice whispered. “Please master, she's done nothing. Spare her, I Beg you!”

“You have the strength to break her chains Superman. Ger her down from there.”

Superman looked at Lex with surprise. He flew up and broke the metal arms holding his friend above the pit of death. Gently he carried her back to the rampart. “Will you let me carry her out of here?” He didn't use the word master, it was spoken and unspoken at the same time. “Wait until she wakes up. I want to make sure she's alright. I'm not sure any human doctors know how to treat her.”

“A Zavallen you mean? No, probably not. But there is a human scientist who does.”

“You have my attention. And you can call me Mr. Luthor.”

“Mr. Luthor, when I woke up, Nikita guided em to a place called the D.E.O. Apparently she works there. And there were two men there who seemed to know her exceptionally well. One seemed in awe of her and that feeling was mutual. His name was Hank Henshaw. The other was a scientist, with a specialization in the physiology of alien races. That's the man I would take Nikita to see. They were friends, you could see it in an instant. It didn't take me long to realize I was more than that to him. The first time he saw me...or the first time I saw him...he walked up to me and embraced in his arms. He called me his son. I have a father here on Earth. And for most intents and purposes I met him a few weeks ago.”

“And he will lose you again.” Lex Luthor said in a flat voice.

“I know. And I'll make my peace with that. I'll leave Nikita in his care, ask him to look after her, as a daughter. And then I'll return. I shouldn't be gone longer than 8 minutes.”

“Let's make that your first test or trust.” Superman lifted Nikita carefully into his arms, bowed his hand in assurance to his master and flew away.

'I never expected to have such feelings for an alien. Much less the Superman himself.' Lex pondered in his head. 'But he is an honorable man and I have to admire him for that.'

Seven minutes seconds later Superman returned to the cavern Where Lex Luthor waited for him. Without hesitation he flew up to the ramparts and dropped to one knee before the human he was certain had never been particularly a villain to him; only an adversary.

Superman looked in stunned silence. Nikita was suspended in front of him, dangling over a vat of some phosphorus liquid. A man stood on the other side of, a control device in his hand. There was a look of unrestrained satisfaction on the bald man's face and yet there was also__anticipation.

“Is this a game to you?” Superman said effusively.

“You should know I take my games deadly seriously Superman. And it is not just a game.”

“Okay let me take this another way, do you know what this will do to her?”

“You mean that she'll react to the sulfur/phosphorus as if it were a pot of boiling tar, yes of course.” A look seemed to pass over his face. “Why do you care?”

“She's done nothing to you and you use her as a pawn in your game? And you expect me to just be fine with this?”

“That's not what I mean. You would go out of your way to save a total stranger. That is perfectly to be expected. But why do you care so intensely for some random alien girl? I've had that reporter Lois Lane here in these exact same proverbial shoes and you didn't debase yourself like this. Why is she different?”

“Because beyond the people she's introduced me to in the last eight weeks, I have no clue about anything. I woke up fifty miles past nowhere and she was at my side. She's been lock step with me for two months.” Superman paused to take a second look at the situation. “I assumed you knew who she was. Or why abduct her? And you dont' believe me do you?

“Did you really expect me to?”

“Sir, I realize I have no way to convince you of that. I don't know if I'd believe it either if our positions were reversed. What do you want from me?”

“Perhaps this will clarify things for you.” The man turned a dial and the claws which held Nikita by her shoulders lowered until her legs were submerged in the liquid. Nikita struggled weakly but it was obvious she was barely conscious.

“Wait please! Why are you doing this? Please at least tell me that?”

“You really don't want to know, Kryptonian.”

“Nikita says I'm a hero to your people. The only criminal - You're Lex Luthor.”

“Indeed I am.” The man said with a bow of his head. “And you really *don't remember do you. Well that will almost take the fun out of this. But not all of it.” A mechanism that resembled nothing so much as a pair of industrial pliers reached out to 'clasp' Nikita at the waist. A moment later the apparatus at her shoulders retreated. Superman understood what was happening, though he could scarcely believe it.

“Sir please! I don't understand what's going on. But whatever happened between us, don't hold my arrogance against her. She is true innocence if such a thing exists on this planet. Whatever you want from me, you have it. Whatever I have to do to make this right I will do it. Just PLEASE stop hurting her.” Superman put his hand to his mouth and bit into his own palm. “You say I'm a monster. Well you haven't SAID that but you treat me like one. So be it. I'm telling the truth, I don't know why you hate me. I barely know who I am.” Superman flew over the rampart directly up to Lex, his demeanor anything but threatening. “Mr Luthor, I appeal to the humanity I am certain you must have, whatever I did to you, or even if I did nothing, don't make her suffer for it. Take your revenge upon me alone. There must be something that can penetrate my flesh.”

“Short of using Kryptonite on you__nothing will. I take it you don't remember but if I get you around that stuff, a normal medical needle would penetrate your skin. It's also about 30 different kinds of painful for you.”
“Then why do you not...” Superman said, sincerely confused.

“It's not the most accessible substance in the world. Being from 7 galaxies away.”

“Find some. I'll happily submit.” Superman drew himself to his knees but looked steadily at Lex. “You want my surrender. You have it. I'll do whatever you want, I swear it. All I ask is that you let her go.” Lex Luthor gazed at him, unable to keep the look of shock from his face. Superman clutched Lex's hand desperately. “Mr. Luthor, spare her, I beg you.”

A Short Day a Long Return

No, no please. Whatever I have done, whatever I could have done to make you my enemy, punish me not her! You treat me as your enemy. And that's okay, that's fine. But whatever I am, whatever I could have done to make you my enemy, do not make her Suffer for it. She doesn't deserve this. There is nothing she could have done to deserve this! On that I would stake my life if I could. Whatever I have to do to make this right, I will do it. Just stop hurting her!” Superman put his hand to his mouth and bit into his own palm. “You say I'm a monster. Well you haven't said that but you treat me like one. And I accept it. I'm not lying to you! I don't know why you hate me. Min Gud I barely know who I am. Whatever you want from me, whatever I did to you or even if I did nothing, don't make her suffer for my sins. Take your revenge on me alone. There must be something that can penetrate my iron flesh. I'll happily submit.” Lex Luthor raised an eyebrow. “You don't have anything against her, do you? I mean, she is just a means to get what you want from me. You have no reason to hurt her?” Lex didn't verbally respond but casually nodded his head. “Then let her go. You have me.” He let himself fall to his knees, bracing himself on his left wrist as he did so. Keeping his head down and his eyes to the ground. He changed the world. ”You wanted my surrender; you have it. I'll do whatever you ask, I swear it. All I ask is that you let her go. I will beg for it if needs be.

Catching a look in the man's eyes, Superman actually smiled. “that's what you want from all of this, isn't it? To hear me beg you...if not for my own life then for the life of a friend.” Superman's eyes softened. He looked at Nikita with something between love and resolve. And to Lex's lasting astonishment Superman bowed his head to the ground, his forehead resting on his wrists. “Mr. Luthor I stand...I Am Defeated before you. But Nikita has done nothing to deserve your enmity. Spare her life. Let her go free. I BEG of you.”

Superman started in horror as the man who identified himself as Lex Luthor walked up to Nikita and tore off her oxygen mask. This time, when submerged inside the phosphorus liquid she would suffocate on what for her might as well be a vat of boiling tar.

 A myriad story is when the players are all the same but everyone is playing slightly different roles. It's set up so the world these characters live in is slightly different than the one we heard of...and the only one our characters have ever known. The word doesn't actually mean 'many'. It means 'various, distinct, unique'. Like in the phrase 'myriad of excuses' a bunch of different ones.

But I need some input as to which TV series to write myriads of. If there is a SET of movies in a single story-line, like harry Potter or The X-men, I can do those just as easily. No stand alone movie lets the characters develop enough to convincingly portray an altered version of those characters.

The collected tales of Harry Potter Hercules/Xena Stargate:Atlantis

Star Trek:TOS (Kirk's 5 year mission) Earth: Final Conflict 

X-men (possibly after Logan's DoFP reset?) Merlin 

(please specify how dark. After all, I tend to write myriads a little murkier than the real thing)

****

”Then submit.” Lex Luthor demanded. Superman sank to his knees. He bent his head but kept his eyes fixed on Lex.

“I submit. I will do anything you ask of me, I swear it. Even steal.”

“Seriously, you?”

“Short of being turned into a weapon__promise me you will not ask me to hurt people – and I am yours to command. On this I take my oath. All I ask is that you release her. Let me take her home first.” Suddenly Superman reached out and clutched his hand. “Let her go free. I BEG of you.”

Lex Luthor couldn't keep the look of delighted shock off of his face. “Superman...you have a deal.” Les said almost congenially.

Superman breathed with relief and joy. “Thank you, that you...whoever you are.”

“My name is Lex Luthor. I'm a business mogul and a criminal mastermind. I'm also a Machiavellian student of all human philosophy. My first command to you is to break the claw holding your friend over that poison -it might as well be. And fly back to me.”

Superman stood up and without a word flew over to Nikita. Wrapping his arm around her to support her, he broke the claw that held her by her waist. He carried the young woman to the rampart and laid her down in front of Lex Luthor.

“Where is home for her?” Lex asked.

“She works at a place called the D.E.O. She has living quarters there as well. And actually she works with my father.”

“Run that by me again?”

“I have a human father. His name is Jeremiah. He works at the D.E.O under a man named Hank. Nikita led me there as soon as I woke up. Hank greeted me with respect and courtesy. Jeremiah embraced me. I'll fly her there, ask Jeremiah to care for her like a daughter and I will return. It should take less than 8 minutes.”

“Lets make that the first test of your loyalty. And proof of trust.”

Superman fell to his knees but kept his eyes on Lex. “You want my surrender, you have it. I will do whatever you ask, I swear it. All I ask is that you let her go free. I will beg for it if needs be.” Noticing a look in the other man's eyes, Superman began to smile. “That's what you wanted from all of this? To hear me beg you, if not for my own life, than for hers?”

“Now you see me clearly Superman.”

Superman stood and floated himself over the rampart. Setting himself down barely a foot in front of the man he was certain had never been a villain to him, only an adversary. Slowly he dropped himself to his knees. And humbled himself completely bowing his head to the floor.

“I swear to you on anything that would matter I am Defeated. I ask only one thing. There is only one...mercy I can think of that would make this decision bearable. And that is if I could save the life of my dearest friend.” He raised his head slightly and turned to look at Nikita who still hung suspended over the vat. “Nikita is precious to me. And SHE is innocent.” Superman looked at Nikita with something between Love and Resolve. And to Lex's lasting astonishment, bowed his face to the ground, his head resting on his wrists. “Mr. Luthor, I am defeated before you. But Nikita has done nothing to deserve your wrath. I implore you, take your revenge upon me alone. Don't punish anyone else. I swear on my life I am – your slave if you wish it. Just stop hurting her.”

“Superman there are a few things we need to have absolutely clear between us. I will find ways to humiliate you and I will talk down to you constantly. But I am not interested in hurting you, or anyone else for that matter. I am willing to hurt people in order to get what I want. But that was never my intention. You can keep being Superman, keep helping people, stopping bank robberies fixing flat tires. And maybe publicly we can even be partners.

___But when you come home, when you return to the mansion, you are nothing more than my slave. And I will not allow you to forget that this was your choice and your promise.”

“You knew you could trust me to keep my word.”

“You are nothing if not honest to a fault. Superman, I know you are honorable. And criminal though I am, a liar I am not.” Superman did not say a word, it was clear he wholeheartedly believed the statement. “I will find something to call you other than 'Superman'. Something a little less lofty. More human...simple.”

“May I suggest the name 'Eli'?” Superman said with courtesy. “Nikita told me my human name is 'Elias Danvers'. “Eli seems like the simplest human name I can still answer to.”

Superman started in horror as the man who identified himself as Lex Luthor walked up to Nikita and tore off her oxygen mask. This time, when she was submerged inside the liquid she would suffocate on what for her might as well be a vat of boiling tar. “No, no please!” Superman cried out suddenly. “Whatever I have done to make an enemy of your person, punish me NOT her. I swear to you, I do not remember you, or what happened between us. But whatever I've done whatever has driven you to do this, I implore you, do not make her suffer for it. She is innocent. There is nothing she could have done to deserve this. On that I would stake my life.”

“And how can you be so completely certain of that?”

“Because in the weeks since whatever it was happened, she's barely left my side. She has been tireless and endlessly patient with me as I essentially relearned my own life. And she was the first person I saw when I opened my eyes in the jungle. A man named Hank Henshaw mentioned you. He said you and I have been nemesis since I first came...since I first revealed myself to your world as Superman.” Superman looked down briefly, relieved he'd kept another secret from spilling out of his mouth. “Look, whatever you want from me, you have it. Whatever I have to do, I will do just stop hurting her.” Superman put his hand to his mouth and bit his own palm. “I implore you, don't make her suffer for MY sins. You've no reason to hurt her. She's only here because you knew I cared for her. Is that right?” Lex nodded silently. “Then you can let her go; you have me. Take your revenge upon me alone. I happily submit to your will.” Superman's words seemed to fail him as he fell to his knees. He bowed his head but looked up at Lex. “I'm the one you want, so take me. But I beg of you...let her go. You are more human than I am, I know that. So be human: show mercy. “

“You make a very persuasive argument Superman. Take her down and take her home. And then you come back right here to me. Am I understood?”

Superman breathed with relief and joy. “Yes, yes thank you.” He flew up to Nikita and held her gently at the waist breaking the claw that held her with his other hand.