His world exploded before his birth. Propelled by a futuristic craft powered by a science beyond mans comprehension he arrived on a our world as a baby. Raised as a human by loving, caring parents who instilled in him the difference between right and wrong, he derives his powers from our yellow sun that give him enormous and unheard of abilities ! His massive strength and incomprehensible powers are matched only by the great and true heart that beats within his chest ! He is one of the most powerful champions for truth, justice , and the American way that has ever lived ! A man from the stars ever seeking to make the Earth his home, and to protect that home from evils no one else would have a glimmer of hope against ! He is the man of steel, the man of tomorrow...he is..

Superman #17

Going to war Part II

By Ralph L. Angelo Jr.

Clark Kent stares at the front page of the newspaper on his desk intently. Almost as if he turned away, it would disappear. The Daily Planet office is dim. Night has fallen in Metropolis. He is alone in the city room. The clock on the wall reads 8 PM .

The newspaper Clark is staring at has a scene of awesome destruction depicted on the wrap around cover. At the center of the stark black and white scene is Superman, trading blows with the mysterious villain War Roar. Around them, the city block is devastated. Near the top of the newspaper is a desk calender, and its date is thirty days later then the date on the rag eared newspaper Kent is staring at.

Suddenly a voice intrudes on Clarks silent reverie.

"Hey Clark! You're still here?"

Kent turns to the sound of the voice, as his friend, Jimmy Olsen enters from the elevator door. "I thought you'd be home with Lois, going over baby stuff."

"No Jimmy, I better get going though. I'm glad you came by. I lost track of time."

"Are you alright, Clark? You keep going back to that paper's cover again and again lately. Can I help you with something?"

"No Jim. I'm just going over the details of what Superman said about this attack. This War Roar mentioned he was one of four when he flew off and disappeared, yet no others have shown up since. He hasn't even reappeared. I'm just trying to work out if there's a mystery or not here. For all we know this could have been a one time only attack, and he could've been blowing a lot of hot air."

"I don't know, Clark. I suppose so, but look at this devastation. This is right after Hobbs bay and Suicide slum had been mostly rebuilt after the war with Monguls forces. Yet War Roar fought Superman to a standstill, and between them, they leveled that part of town. Superman fought to stop the guy, but he had to really cut loose to just contain him."

"I know , Jimmy. If Superman hadn't finally struck home with his last few blows, things could've been a lot worse."

"Yep, you're right Clark. Anyway, I have to run. I came back 'cause I left my wallet in my desk. Can't buy my date dinner without it, you know?"

Clark smiles. "Seeing anyone new , Jimmy?"

"Yep. Nice girl I met at the diner in midtown square. She works there, and seems to be new in the area. Sounds like she comes from the mid-west too. You'd probably like her. I think she grew up on farm."

Clarks head turns around and faces Jimmy, immediately thinking of his young charge, Gold'n. "What does she look like, Jim?"

"She's got shoulder length black hair. She's petite and has a great smile. She's really pretty. But she's so nice, Clark. Sort of innocent in a lot of ways."

"Well I hope she's someone you've got a shot of making a great relationship with, Jim. She sounds great."

"Thanks Clark. If things go well, maybe we can double one night soon, after I get to know her better."

"I think Lois would like that too, Jimmy."

The men say their goodbyes, as Clark leaves his desk and grabs his fedora and top coat, and heads towards the elevator, leaving Jimmy behind.

"I wonder is that is Gold'n Jimmy is dating tonight? It could be, but this is a big city, so I doubt it. Also the black hair makes it almost a definite no, especially since Gold'n's hair is almost to the middle of her back, and golden blonde. Still, you never know the extent of her powers. It could be a disguise. But it's not important, really. I like to respect my fellow Superheros, or in this case Superheroine's, privacy."

Clark exits the elevator, and then the Planet building itself.

"I have more on my mind then just Jimmy's love life though. What with the one time attack of Catalyst* and then that followed up by War Roar**, well, things are getting worse in Metropolis, not better. That's for sure."

*See two issues ago

** Last Issue

Clark hails a cab, and gives the driver directions to Clark and Lois's apartment. Then he settles into the back seat of the cab and continues pondering recent events to himself.

Ten minutes later, Clark enters his apartment building, and then his apartment itself. Lois sits on the couch, looking tired and sleepy. Next to her sits an empty tub of rocky road ice cream, reflecting the glare of the TV screen upon its glossy packaging.

"Clark?" she begins, "You're finally home. I was getting worried."

He reaches over and kisses her on the forehead. "How are you doing? Both of you I mean."

Lois touches her belly, which is slightly bulging, just beginning to show the life being created within, and smiles.

"We're both doing great, honey. Are you hungry? I saved you some Chinese food. It's from Fongs Garden, your favorite."

"Huh. Okay Hon. Just let me get washed up, and I'll be right in the kitchen."

Clark makes his way to the bathroom, as a set of eyes follows his every move. Eyes that are not Lois's. On stealthy feet, the intruder pads silently after Clark Kent, following, unseen behind him. Lois sits with her back to the bathroom door, intent on her program, while seemingly invisible the stalker nears Clark, then leaps upon him!

"Meeeeoooowwww!"

Clark turns and catches the cat, as it settles into his arms , purring contentedly, as he scratches behind the felines ears. "Hello Cicero, how are you tonight?"

From the other room Lois answers for the happy cat. "He's been a bad boy tonight, Daddy. He didn't use his litter box again."

Clark stares, feigning aggravation with the white cat in his arms. "What did I tell you, young man, about doing things on the floor?. Now you stop doing that, and go apologize to your mother."

He puts the cat down, and it immediately runs to Lois, settling down next to her, purring away.

"Honestly , Clark. I still can't believe you took in this stray Superman saved last month*. I mean, do we really need another mouth to feed with the baby coming ?"

*See Clarks cryptic comment last issue about saving a cat for a little girl.

'Well hon, the look on your face was priceless when you walked in the door the first night, and found Cicero there waiting for you. Besides, he doesn't eat much, and the baby will need a new best friend when he arrives."

"She arrives, you mean." Lois answers playfully.

"We'll see, Mrs Kent, we'll see."

"The last name's Lane, hubbie."

"We'll see, Mrs Kent, we'll see."

"Gggrrrr....."

The next day find both Lois and Clark in the office at the Planet. The city room is in stark contrast to what it looked like the night before. People hustle and bustle in every direction, as Perry White pops his head in and out of his office door every few minutes, giving orders to different people.

Suddenly, Ron Troupe runs up to Clarks desk. "Hey Clark, you 've got to see this, look at this report I just got over the IPI*."

*International Press, Inc.

Clark stares at the piece of paper, as his eyes widen in disbelief.

He hands the paper back to Ron, and gets up from his desk. "Thanks, Ron."

"What is it?" Lois asks

"Another attack, this time in Sydney, Australia. The report says a man rode out of the sky on a flaming horse, and began tearing the city apart. The Australian military is taking up the fight now, but they don't have a chance if it's who I think it is."

"War Roar?"

"From the description, I'd have to say no. But it's got to be another of the four."

"The four."She repeats. The four what? Horsemen?"

"That's what I'm afraid of, Lois. What if this really is the four horsemen? The four horsemen of the Apocalypse."

"You better go, I'll cover for you with Perry."

He kisses her lips, and leaves quickly.

An instant later he's rocketing away, across Metropolis, scanning the city for Gold'n as he flies.

"No sign of her. Damn. I would've liked to have her along on this one."

As if on cue, a flash of golden light flies in front of him , and then matches speed with him. "Hi Superman. Where you going? Is something up?"

"Yes Gold'n, there's another attack going on as we speak, this time in Australia. Can you make the trip on your own power? Or do you need to hang on? I'll be flying very quickly. If you can't keep up, don't be ashamed."

She smiles, and then says, "You lead, I'll follow, and don't worry about me keeping up."

"Good. Then lets go."

He turns up his speed, and rockets away in a blue and red blur. Gold'n lags behind a second, then amps up her power, and streaks after him, glowing like a star, she catches him, then she smiles in his direction, and pulls away!

"The girl is fast, but lets see what she's really got." The man of steel thinks to himself as he increases his speed again.

Ten minutes later, both arrive in Sydney, Australia almost side by side, with Superman slightly ahead.

The scene that greets them stuns them both to silence. The Sydney opera house is blown away, its world famous dome shattered. Nearby, tanks lay upside down, and buildings burn, as bodies and wreckage fill the streets.

"Oh my God." Breathes Gold'n.

"No Gold'n. God had nothing to do with this. Nothing at all. Lets find the perpetrator, and make him pay."

Both fly off towards the sound of battle. An explosion marks the spot with a powerful "Ba-wumff" as a cloud of acrid smoke fills the sky.

"There's our target, Gold'n. Let's see what we've got here."

In the center of the street, a boy, approximately 15-17 years old, with jet black long hair stands with his fists clenched. He's wearing leather pants and an open leather vest. Around his neck is a spiked leather collar, with matching leather spiked bracelets on each wrist. On each ear lobe hangs a skull and cross bone earing.

But none of this is what holds their attention. The 80 ton tank he holds above his head is.

"Hey! Look who's here ta join my party! Supergimp and some babe. C'mon hottie, wanna party?"

He heaves the tank at them both as he begins to laugh.

Superman and Gold'n part, as Superman races to catch the tank, while Gold'n streaks towards Wildly gyrating villain, and pulls up short, to unleash a blast of energy at the enemy, knocking him from his feet.

Ga-Blam!

He gets up giggling almost uncontrollably. "Oh that was good, cutie. But this is better."

He throws his arms forwards, and the spikes in his wrist bands leap outwards, and multiply by a hundredfold!

Gold'n flies instantly away from the spikes, avoiding them all , as they imbed themselves, and actually split through the armored tanks around them, before returning to their places on the enemies wrists.

"Who are you?" Superman asks, as he lands opposite the punk looking villain.

"Oh yeah, I never got aroun' to introducing myself, sorry 'bout that blue. The names War Child. I guess you know why."

"All I see is a punk with some power, who has hurt a lot of innocents on his own petty rampage. I've had enough of you already. Give yourself up, now. You won't get that offer again."

"Don't need it, Stupidman. Ya'see , I'm not here to give up, I'm here to pave the way for the great one. Just like the other three are. And you're just in my way. Get ready to be steam rolled."

He thrusts his arms forwards ,and again the spikes leap from his arm bands to hurtle towards Superman!

Superman fires his heat vision , seeking to melt the spikes, only they pass through the barrage, and into the man of steel himself!

"AAARRRGGGHHH!!!" Screams Superman, as a hundred spikes cover his body.

"Did I forget to tell ya Supes, it's magic!" Taunts War Child

A finger taps War Child on the shoulder. He turns towards it "Huh?"

Pa-KOW!

Gold'n hits the villain with everything she has, knocking him thirty feet away, but he's back on his feet immediately.

"Sweet cheeks, you just made me mad. Time ta party."

"Party this, you creep!"

She unleashes her force beam again, at full power directly into War Childs face!

ShhrrrrrreeeeeeeeeKOW!

"Uuuuhhhnnnn!" He moans as he stumbles backwards in pain, clutching at his eyes, then reaching for her, half blinded!

But Gold'n reacts faster. She hammers at him with a quick right , left combination of short blows, then kicks his right shin with the inside edge of her foot, causing him to stumble backwards. She skips forwards on her left foot then, to kick him in the stomach with all her might with her right!

Poom!

"You, you bit--" he stammers out, as suddenly a powerful blue clad left arm grabs him by the collar of his vest, lifting him off his feet, as the opposite arm swings around , and hammers War Child mercilessly with one incredibly powerful blow!

Ta-KROOOM!

War Child rockets away , end over end, as Superman looks on angrily. His costume is dotted with holes, and small traces of blood, as he suddenly sways unsteadily on his feet before catching himself and setting his jaw, almost vengefully.

"Are you alright?" Gold'n asks him, fear in her voice and demeanor.

"Yes, I think so."

"Is he gone?" she asks almost timidly.

"He just disappeared in a burst of light, aboard another flaming horse."

"Wow, we beat him."

"No Gold'n you drove him off. I acted foolishly. I let myself be suckered into the belief that he couldn't hurt me. I should have realized these beings were at least partly mystical in nature. He hurt me. If not for you being here, most likely he would have killed me . I should have taken him out right away , without offering him the chance at an easy out for this thing. Now he's gone, and we know either he himself, or another will be back."

"You're right about that Superman, he will be back, and now we both know it. Now we can be prepared."

"Or at least try to be. By the way, you did very well today, Gold'n. Excellent in fact."

She blushes slightly before speaking. "What do you think they want, Superman. Why these attacks?"

"I can only guess. And what I'm guessing, I don't like."

"Wha-what do you mean? What do you think they are?"

"I think they are Famine, Pestilence, War and Death. Only I think we interpreted the names wrong all these centuries. I think they are the Four Horsemen of the Apokolips, and this may very well be the beginning of the end."

Next: Going to war Part III

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