The Man Inside the Legend

The Man Inside The Legend Part two:

A Return To Normal?

. - Clark - .

Following the events of That Day Superman gains a new view on his home and the people he protects...and who protect him. His heart swells emotion in knowing that the people care; truly care for him.

One watching Superman could scarcely tell he had just suffered a traumatic experience that had almost ended in his death. The man of steel continues to save lives and property like nothing, living up to his name sake once more.

There is much rejoicing in the honor of the healthy hero, lively parties across the planet and many prayers thanking the gods for answering their prayers in returning the champion of justice. A few wonder at how Superman can act so lively and normal after facing death and almost losing. Many attribute it to his being an alien, others believe that he is just overjoyed at having another chance at life. None could ever come close to guessing the truth of the matter. Honestly Superman is truly grateful to be alive with a new purpose, but the darkness that transgressed That Day did not just leave. The pain, fear and scars are repressed and pushed away out of the hero known as Superman to the world, and into his alter ego the bumbling reporter Clark Kent.

'I stand for Truth, Justice and the American Way. I must be the perfect model for humanity to follow, their symbol for a better future. Symbols do not falter, do not show pain nor fear. I, as a symbol, cannot fall again without risking this world's future. I will not fail again.' Locking away his fears, sorrows and pain within his human counterpart. 'Clark Kent can be human, Superman can ill afford to be. I am sorry, but it is the only way, he alone shall suffer for Superman and humanity's sake.' Regret washes over Superman at the forced loss, but soon that too is sealed away.

After a very light amount of rescuing the caped wonder returns to the Kent residence shedding off his cape. As the bright red cape flutters in the air, falling to the floor the man standing in front of his vanity mirror changes. Eyes once alight with justice and determined fire fade allowing pain to creep its way in. Proud shoulders hutch inwards with the weight of the entire world. His entire body loses its powerful stance to slouch in on it's self, in fatigue and defeat.

"Goodbye Superman." The barest of whispers escapes the man in pain as he stares into the mirror now seeing the weak, pathetic and needy man as the last of Superman's persona fades. Sighing he removes the rest of the suit that really doesn't fit him, slowly pulling off the top revealing smooth and perfect skin. Reaching back along his side he feels for the wound he cannot see, but can faintly feel throbbing and aching. Fingertips lightly brush the area sending a stabbing pain through Clark even though his fingers can feel no scar, no proof of his suffering.

Removing his fingers the pain fades away leaving only the constant dull ache as a reminder. Eyes rise to look at the reflection of his chest. 'I can see it, I can still see where he branded me..' Clark thinks in anger,but no imperfection mars his milky white flesh. Shakily he raises his hand to his chest and traces the double 'L' leaving trails of fiery pain along the invisible brand. Physically the pain and wound are far less than that of his back and yet it cuts him all the deeper. Rage fills the blue eyes in memory of being bested and completely controlled by the one man on Earth who inspires his hate.

Distracted in reliving the shame of his violation and all the sadistic, humiliating laughter, he closes his fist digging finger nails painfully into the flesh of his chest. Blinking in a hazy manor Clark lets his fist drop limply to his side revealing perfect flesh.

'Not even I can leave a mark, only you could.' Clark thinks in angry self hating still seeing the double 'L' in the mirror bleeding across his chest, and the whispers of hate in his ear. Unable to take the imagery any longer he sends his fist through the mirror shattering it and sending glass flying about his apartment. A single cracked piece remains on the base reflecting back his broken image.

Turning away from the mirror Clark finishes stripping off the suit feeling unworthy to even touch it and crawls into his bed. Pulling up the deep blue blankets over himself completely to hide from everything and everyone, but he is unable to hide from his worst enemy as Superman looks upon him in disappointment and disgust. The wounded young man beneath the sheets shakes and chokes on tears refusing to let them fall and draw even more shame down upon himself. Sleep refuses to rescue him.

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Morning arrives to find the young man still buried in blankets wide awake as nothing could drown out the voices. The alarm to get up and get ready for work goes off but it is unheard as the man is trapped in the torment of his own mind replaying That Day over and over again.

Nothing stirs in the apartment for many hours until a faint cry for help reaches Superman's ears and clicks the change over from man to hero. A mere second passes until the now caped hero is out the window and flying off to help.

The trouble is minor and only other minor cries for help reach his ears, but he is unwilling to return to his weaker self and he indulges every call until it is late into the night and not a single voice can be heard. Regretfully the hero returns home and to his solitude and self loathing.

This night not a single mirror survives the bitter wraith of a torn man before he collapses into blissfully blank sleep.

For several days this goes on until one morning after ignoring the alarm his phone rings. Clark gets out of bed and moves over to the phone cautiously watching the light flicker as it rings. His hand hovers over the receiver struggling to push past his fear and answer it. Before the struggle can be won the machine picks it up. The voice of Perry White breaks the silence of the apartment.

"Kent where the hell are you? I may have let you come back after that first absence but don't you DARE think I'll be so kind as to do it again! You had better be into work today and with a DAMNED good explanation, or YOU ARE FIRED!" Click.

The silence returns to the apartment filling the air with loneliness with the human voice gone. Clark didn't realize how lonely he really is until just now, even the voice of Mr. White threatening to fire him was able to bring back a little life to his heart.

'Every enemy I have ever had is right, humanity is my weakness, a weakness I'll gladly indulge in as long as I am not alone.' With a slightly sardonic smile on his lips he makes the decision and moves about his trashed apartment grabbing the things he would need for work. Dressed in a nice suit, nerdy glasses on his nose and hair mussed up to dorky perfection Clark steps out of his apartment and back into the world.

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^_^ Next part will be Richard, I'm sorry if my characterization of him is a bit off...well I don't really have his character down yet, but I will. :)

Yes I know there is some weirdness going on with Clark and Superman being kinda different people, but many things that state they pretty much are(kinda going with smallville a bit here). Clark is one person....and Superman is a being created and trained to protect and usher the earth into a new era. In some Clark is just a facade and superman is real, in smallville superman is fake and Clark is real...I'm going with a mix of that kind of thinking with this piece. Weird I know, hope it comes out alright and is enjoyable still. :)