On the SHIELD helicarrier's bridge, Nick Fury stood at his command station watching the LuthorCorp gala unfold across multiple screens. His single eye tracked every detail of what he was already mentally cataloging as "another corporate disaster waiting to happen."
"The nation's getting crazier by the day," Maria Hill observed, approaching with a fresh batch of data on Metallo's cybernetic systems.
"More marvelous," Fury corrected, his mind drifting back to a desert in 1995. "We've been heading this way since Carol. Some people just weren't paying attention."
"Director," a communications officer called out, "the World Security Council is requesting an immediate conference."
Fury's expression could have soured milk. "Of course they are." He turned to Hill. "How long before they suggest putting the cybernetic time bomb on the Initiative?"
"They already have," she replied, holding up her tablet. "The proposal just came through."
"Perfect. Because that's exactly what we need - an unstable cyborg powered by alien rocks on a response team." He straightened his coat, heading for the secure conference room. "Monitor those radiation readings. Something tells me this whole show is about to get real interesting."
The Council members materialized as shadowy figures on the screens around him, their faces obscured but their attitudes clear in their voices.
"Director Fury," Councilman Pierce began, "I assume you've reviewed our proposal regarding John Corbin's integration into the Avengers Initiative?"
"Oh, I've reviewed it." Fury's tone could have stripped paint. "Just like I've reviewed his psychological evaluations, his deteriorating neural patterns, and the radiation readings from that fancy green rock in his chest."
"Mr. Corbin represents a unique opportunity," Councilwoman Hawley interjected. "A decorated soldier with advanced capabilities-"
"A wounded veteran being exploited by corporate interests," Fury cut in. "Or did none of you bother to read his full file? PTSD, untreated trauma, family breakdown - and that was before they started pumping him full of alien radiation."
"His military background makes him an ideal candidate," another Council member argued. "Someone who understands chain of command, who can be properly directed-"
"Directed?" Fury's laugh held no humor. "Have you people actually watched him? The kryptonite isn't just powering his systems - it's changing him. Every hour that stuff stays in his chest, we lose more of the soldier and get more of whatever LuthorCorp's creating."
"The technical data from his cybernetic systems-"
"Shows exactly what I'm talking about." Fury pulled up readings on their shared displays. "Neural degradation. Increased aggression. Deteriorating impulse control. But sure, let's put him on a response team. What could possibly go wrong?"
"Director," Pierce's tone grew sharper, "the Council has made its decision. We believe Metallo's potential outweighs the risks-"
"I recognize the Council has made a decision," Fury cut in, his voice carrying that dangerous calm that meant someone was about to have a very bad day, "but given that it's a stupid-ass decision, I've elected to ignore it."
The silence that followed could have frozen hell.
"That is not your call to make," Hawley said finally.
"Actually, it is. That's why you people gave me this job - to make the hard calls when you're too busy playing politics to see what's right in front of you."
Fury ended the Council's transmission with a decisive tap, turning back to his command center. "Hill," he called out, "get me Faraday."
"Agent King Faraday is already on his way up, sir."
The veteran intelligence agent stepped onto the bridge moments later, his sharp eyes already fixed on the monitors showing the LuthorCorp gala. Faraday carried himself with the measured confidence of someone who'd seen things most agents wouldn't believe - and had the clearance level to prove it.
"This feeling familiar?" Fury asked, gesturing to the screens showing Metallo's display of power.
"Not since '95," Faraday replied, studying the kryptonite's energy readings. "Though at least Danvers knew what she was doing with her powers."
"Exactly why I need you in Metropolis." Fury pulled up the latest data. "Coulson's handling Stark, and this situation needs someone who's dealt with powered individuals before. Someone who was there when we first learned we weren't alone."
"The Council pushing for Initiative recruitment?"
"Despite all evidence suggesting it's a terrible idea." Fury's eye narrowed. "You saw the raw data we got when Danvers was here. The energy readings we're getting from Metallo's core? They're worse."
Faraday nodded, already reviewing the numbers on his tablet. "Similar pattern to what we saw in '95 - power signature that doesn't match anything in our physics. But this is more unstable."
"Start with Lane and Kent at the Planet," Fury instructed. "They've got better Superman access than anyone. And Lane's father might be more willing to talk to you, given your military intelligence background."
"What's my official cover?"
"Corporate espionage investigation. Gives you reason to be around both the Planet and LuthorCorp." Fury brought up more readings. "But your real priority is assessment. You helped me handle first contact with Danvers - I need that experience now."
"You think this is headed the same way?"
"I think we've got an alien with godlike powers and a cyborg running on unstable alien radiation. At least with Carol, we knew which side she was on."
Faraday studied the footage of Superman's latest rescue alongside Metallo's increasingly aggressive display. "Rules of engagement?"
"Your discretion. You've been in this game long enough to know where the lines are." Fury's expression turned serious. "Find out who Superman really is. What he wants. And most importantly - if he's someone we can trust when Metallo breaks. Because that's not a question of if, just when."
"Time frame?"
"48 hours for preliminary reports. And King?" Fury's eye carried a warning. "Watch that radiation. What we learned from Carol's energy signature was just the beginning. This kryptonite? It's something else entirely."
As Faraday left to prepare, Hill approached Fury's station. "You think he can get close enough to either of them?"
"Faraday helped me handle first contact with a Kree-powered pilot who could shoot photon blasts from her hands. Right now, everyone's watching the gods and monsters. Nobody notices the quiet professional doing his job."
He turned back to the monitors, where Metallo's challenge to Superman continued to escalate. "Besides, we need to know - is Superman really what he appears to be? And is there anything left of John Corbin to save?"
"And if the answer to either question is no?"
Fury's expression hardened. "Then we better hope the Man of Steel is ready for what's coming. Because sometimes the hardest part isn't dealing with the extraordinary - it's stopping the ordinary from destroying itself trying to match it."
The helicarrier continued its patrol through darkening skies, while somewhere below, two beings with the power to reshape the world moved closer to their inevitable confrontation. And in between, as always, SHIELD worked in the shadows - trying to prevent disasters before they happened, and clean them up when they couldn't.
—
Back in Metropolis, the media frenzy reached fever pitch. Every channel ran endless analysis of the coming confrontation. Military experts debated tactics. Scientists argued about kryptonite's properties. Pundits speculated about the political implications.
By the fourth day, betting pools sprang up in Vegas. Odds favored Superman slightly at 3-to-2, but Metallo's kryptonite core was a wild card that kept the gambling interesting. Underground bookies reported millions flowing in from around the world as everyone from dock workers to hedge fund managers wanted action on the fight. The Daily Planet's headline that morning read: "SUPERMAN SILENT AS METALLO CHALLENGE ENTERS THIRD DAY."
Cat Grant stood in Metropolis Park, trying to maintain her professional composure while covering what felt like the most mundane assignment possible - the dedication of a new playground. Perry's words still rang in her ears: "Someone has to handle the local interest pieces, Cat." As if she hadn't proved herself with her exposé on city council corruption last month.
"And of course," she muttered into her recorder, "our star reporter gets the Metallo investigation while I'm stuck with-"
A child's excited shout cut through her self-pity: "Look! Up in the sky!"
Others quickly joined in, their young voices carrying across the playground: "It's a bird!"
"No, it's a plane!"
Then a chorus of delighted children: "IT'S SUPERMAN!"
Cat's head snapped up, her heart suddenly racing. A familiar red and blue figure descended from the clouds, sunlight catching his cape in a way that made several nearby mothers audibly sigh. Cat couldn't blame them - no photo had prepared her for seeing Superman in person. He touched down with impossible grace, his boots barely disturbing the grass beneath them.
Children immediately broke away from their parents, rushing toward him with the pure enthusiasm only the young could muster. Superman knelt to their level, his smile warming in a way that made Cat mentally cancel her dinner plans for the next month, just in case.
"Finally," she breathed, clicking her recorder on and stepping forward. Reporters from WGBS and the Metropolis Star were already moving in, but this was her story - her park, her assignment, her Superman. "Ladies and gentlemen of Metropolis," she began, pitching her voice to carry, "this is Cat Grant reporting live for the Daily Planet. Superman has just made his first public appearance since Metallo's challenge, choosing our own Metropolis Park as his stage."
He stood as she approached, and Cat found herself having to look up... and up... and up. Photos really hadn't done him justice. "Superman," she managed, proud that her voice remained steady, "I have to say, you certainly know how to make an entrance. Though some of us were beginning to think you were playing hard to get."
A slight smile touched his lips, but his eyes remained serious. "Ms. Grant. I hope I'm not interrupting your coverage of the park dedication."
"Trust me, this is a much better story." She moved closer, recorder extended. "Care to comment on why you've kept Metropolis waiting? Though I have to say, the strong, silent routine has been... intriguing." She emphasized the last word with a smile that had once convinced three different senators to go on record.
Before he could respond, Ron Troupe from WGBS pushed forward: "Superman! Will you address Metallo's accusations about aliens interfering in human affairs?"
"Because if you're looking for better ways to interact with humanity," Cat interjected smoothly, "I know this wonderful little Italian place..."
"This isn't about dating or violence," Superman said firmly, though there was a gentleness in his tone that made Cat seriously consider finding that corrupt senator's phone number again. "This is about protecting people from harm."
"Why now?" Angela Chen from the Metropolis Star called out. "After days of silence, why choose this moment?"
Superman's gaze swept across the playground, taking in the children who still watched him with unwavering faith, the parents who stood protectively nearby, the community that had gathered to celebrate something as simple and important as a safe place for kids to play.
"Because this," he gestured to the playground, "is what we should be building. Places of joy and community. Not weapons or challenges meant to prove superiority."
"Are you saying Metallo poses a genuine threat?" Linda Park from Channel 8 shouted.
"I'm saying John Corbin is a decorated soldier who sacrificed everything for his country, only to be transformed into something else entirely. The radiation affecting him is unstable, growing stronger every day. This needs to end before that instability puts innocent people at risk."
He turned to face Cat's camera directly, knowing Corbin would be watching: "I accept John Corbin's challenge," he said simply, his voice carrying the quiet authority that came from his parents' wisdom rather than his powers. "Not because I have anything to prove, but because this needs to end before someone gets hurt. Centennial Park, tonight at sunset. Just you and me, John. No crowds, no collateral damage."
"Well," Cat murmured, just loud enough for her microphone to catch, "there go my dinner plans. Though I suppose Lois can keep Clark Kent - I've got my sights set higher."
The response was immediate. LuthorCorp stock jumped ten points. Live coverage preempted regular programming. Every network scrambled to position cameras around Centennial Park's central plaza. Police evacuated the area, but surrounding buildings filled with reporters jockeying for position.
And soon the world would watch the battle that would put even the clashes of ancient empires, the unbridled ambitions of would be conquerors, the Horrors of nuclear warfare born from the worst, bloodiest war in human history to shame: Man of steel vs Man of steel. Alien savior vs human protector.
But in Superman's mind, all he really hoped was that he could reach out to the wounded, broken and slighted soldier underneath the monster LuthorCorp had turned into and save him before it was too late.