The Late Mr. Kent

(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-delay:11s)+(text-style:"expand")[''`The Late Mr. Kent`''] <style> img { max-width:60%; max-height:60%; } </style> <img src=https://resources-for-twinery.yolasite.com/ws/media-library/f878504c0c9848489a65bf2417df1cdc/funeral.png> </div> (t8n:"fade")["He's in a better place now. A place where he'll be rewarded for the kindness and thoughtfullness he showed so many of you. I didn't know him myself but based on what I've heard from a number of you, I wish I'd been lucky enough to have met him. He seems to have led an exemplary life filled with courage, dedication, and modesty..."] (t8n:"fade")+(t8n-delay:6s)[''Luck. That's what it all boils down to, doesn't it? The smallest break one way or the other. It can save a life or destroy one, and you can't fight it, no matter how strong you are.''] (t8n:"fade")+(t8n-delay:10s)["But we mustn't let this tragedy dominate our memories of him. We must not forget the good times and the warm feelings we have for a colleague, and friend: ''Clark Kent.''] [[Start]]

''A Few Days Ago... Stryker's Island'' It seems like an eternity now, but it was only a few days ago that Perry White, my boss, asked me to interview Ernest Walker. He was a smalltime thief who was convicted of murdering a woman during a burglary five years ago. He'd soon be paying the ultimate price. "I'm telling you, I wasn't there! I never touched her! I never saw her! I didn't take nothing!" Ernest exclaimed. |== [[Push the facts]] ==| [[Ask for more information]] |==|

"But Ernie..." I said, "you tried to fence the victim's necklace." "I found it outside my door, It was a setup!" "...look, Mr. Kent, I stole. Yeah, lots of times, but I never hurt no one. Never. You gotta believe me, you're my last hope." He said with bated breath. The entire time during the interview, his heartbeat was steady, his eyes never wandered. I was beginning to wonder... I met up at the police station with Detective Bowman to ask for Walker's case file. I knew if I looked hard enough I could get something, anything. "There you go, Kent. The file on the Walker case, and the Trial Transcript." Bowman said as he handed them over. "Thanks." As I was walking out, Bowman stopped me to say "Kent, a word of advice: Walker's got a rap sheet longer than my tie. I know. I was on the case. Don't lose too much sleep." As soon as I got to the Daily Planet I went straight into the transcripts, [[searching for anything I could find.]]

I was blunt, "Tell me what you do know, what did happen. I want to know everything that could help you." "Look, that night I had ordered pizza, I was home alone watching TV! Next thing I know the cops are pulling up and I've got a woman's necklace outside my door!" He was shaking as he recalled that night, "Look, I'm telling you it was a set up, I know I stole lots of times but I never hurt no one. Never." His heartbeat was steady, his eyes never wavered. I was beginning to wonder... I met up at the police station with Detective Bowman to ask for Walker's case file. I knew if I looked hard enough I could get something, anything. "There you go, Kent. The file on the Walker case, and the Trial Transcript." Bowman said as he handed them over. "Thanks." As I was walking out, Bowman stopped me to say "Kent, a word of advice: Walker's got a rap sheet longer than my tie. I know. I was on the case. Don't lose too much sleep." As soon as I got to the Daily Planet I went straight into the transcripts, [[searching for anything I could find.]]

It was nearly evening, and I wasn't close to finding any answers. Halfway through the transcript I was starting to think Detective Bowman was right. "Give it a rest, Smallville." Lois smugly pestered, "Time for dinner." Her and Jimmy were on their way out, but I still had work to do. "Can't, Lois. There are only a couple of days left before..." She cuts me off, "Before what? They execute a killer?" Jimmy budged in as well, "Everyone knows he did it, Clark." |== [[Everyone 'Thinks' he did it, Jimmy.]] ==| [[Sure but I've actually talked to Walker.]] |==|

I answered, "Everyone 'thinks' he did it, Jimmy." Lois was tired of the conversation, "Come on, kid. Let's get some burgers." Dinner was hard to pass up. I hadn't eaten all day. Not that I needed to. But old habits die hard. In the corner of my eye I spotted something on Ron Troupe's desk. (if:(history: where its name contains "Ask for more information")'s length is 1)[A box of pizza.] I figured Ron wouldn't mind if I got rid of his leftovers. I walked over and was about to take a slice... (else-if:(history: where its name contains "Transcript Page 68")'s length >= 2)[[Then it hit me...]] [[And I bit into the pizza.]] [[I looked over the transcript again.]] (if:(history: where its name contains "Ask for more information")'s length is 1)[[Then it hit me...]]

I answered, "Sure but I've actually talked to Walker." Lois persisted, "And did you get anything out of him that not everybody knows?" "That's what I'm trying to-" Lois was tired of the conversation, "Come on kid. Let's get some burgers." Dinner was hard to pass up. I hadn't eaten all day. Not that I needed to. But old habits die hard. In the corner of my eye I spotted something on Ron Troupe's desk. I figured Ron wouldn't mind if I got rid of his leftovers. I walked over and was about to take a slice... (if:(history: where its name contains "Transcript Page 68")'s length >= 2)[[Then it hit me...]] [[And I bit into the pizza.]] [[I looked over the transcript again.]] (if:(history: where its name contains "Ask for more information")'s length is 1)[[Then it hit me...]]

I put down the slice of pizza and walked back to my desk, flipping back to the transcript. ''On the night of the murder, Walker said he was home alone eating pizza and watching TV. Not much of an alibi, but his public defender didn't even bother to follow up.'' I found the pizza place closest to Walker's old apartment and prayed the delivery boy had a good memory. I asked the manager and told him what I knew, to see if any staff could help. "FIVE YEARS AGO? Forget about it!" the manager exclaimed, "I'm lucky if a delivery boy lasts five days." "Is there anyone else here who might remember?" The phone rings, "Excuse me." the manager says as he walks over, "Round th' Clock Pizza, yeah..." while he speaks he taps away at the computer beside him to get the order ready. "Be there in half an hour." As he hangs up I ask: (append: "ask:")+(click:"ask:")["Tell me, did you have that computer five years ago?" "Yeah, but we purge the database of old customers every year." he paused, ''"Wait a second."'' I followed him as he opened up a dimly lit storage room. "We've got backup disks somewhere around here. I've got an order to take care of but if you wanna look, Walker's deliveries could be in there somewhere, along with a million others." I had to try. Three rows of shelving racks, each with six tiers. I used my x-ray vision to scan around the room, narrowing my search to just ''four areas of the room'' with items that could contain the disks. [[The first row, at the very bottom,]] [[The first row, at the very top,]] [[The second row, right at the middle,]] or [[On the third row at the very top.]]]

I kept looking through the transcript for something new, but I knew that what Detective Bowman had said was probably true, even if it wasn't, I didn't have the evidence to prove Ernest innocent. I ended up going nowhere with my research, and only a couple of days later. Ernest Walker died. [[Restart]]

(display:"Introduction")

There was nothing here but a couple of sraps and old phones... I'll have to look around [[storage room]] again.

I got my hopes up for a second when I opened this box, but it was nothing but broken pizza cutters and rustic knives... I'll have to look around [[storage room]] again.

I almost got lucky with this box, but all that was in it was an instructing disc for new employees, along with a lot of uniforms... I'll have to look around [[storage room]] again.

After looking around I finally reached the right box! Only problem is, there's a lot of disks. Any one of these could be Walker's, or anybody else's for that matter. ''Looks like I was gonna lose some sleep after'' all... (append: "all...")+(click:"all...")[ Hours passed, it was probably 6 in the morning when I finally stumbled on the right one! ''I was ecstatic, I had to call up a friend and prove them'' wrong.] (append:"wrong.")+(click:"wrong.")[ "Hello" they say, only half awake. "Hey, score one for the sucker." I responded. "Kent?"] (append: "Kent?")+(click:"Kent?")[ ''"I found Walker's alibi, it's all here on a little computer disk."'' I say smugly. "You can clear Walker, wha-how?" She asks, now very much awake. I can't tell her everything just [[yet.]]]

//People of the State of Metropolis V Ernest J. Walker Page 60 Ernest J. Walker, accused of the crimes commited, testifies as follows: Q. Before the night on June 3rd, did you ever come across this woman, Lorraine R? A. No I've never seen her before. Q. You've never engaged in any conversation? A. No I have never seen or talked to this woman, ever. Q. Is there anyone on file that could clear you, anything? A. I already told you to contact my family, can-cant't you at least check my calls? I'm innocent I swear. Q.Detective Bowman caught you fencing the woman's necklace at 8:47 PM. what more can calls add to this if we have an eye witness from our detective? A. I'm just saying look into it please, ask my public defender! |== [[Transcript Page 64]] ==| [[stop reading]]// |==|

//People of the State of Metropolis V Ernest J. Walker Page 64 C. E. Ross, called as a public defender on behalf of Ernest J Walker, testified as follows: Direct Examination by Detective Bowman: Q. So how would you describe Ernest Walker? A. He's a good man. Q. That's all? A. Yes. Q. Would you care to follow up on anything that Walker has provided for us? He has no alibi, unless 'calls' are such. A. No I will not. Q. And why is that? A. I don't feel they will provide much use to this case. Q. So you believe he's lying? A. No, just that they won't help his case. |== [[Transcript Page 68]] ==| [[back]] |==| [[stop reading]]//

//People of the State of Metropolis V Ernest J. Walker Page 68 Direct Examination of Ernest Walker by Detective Bowman(cont.) Q. What were you doing at the time of the crime? A. I told you already, I was eating pizza at my own house! Q. Who accompanied you at the time of the crime? A. I was at home by myself! (text-style:"underline")+(if:visits is not 1)[[I swear I ordered pizza]]. Q. Your rap sheet doesn't help your case, it says here last month you robbed someone of their purse, and the month prior you were caught in a transaction where you were selling off stolen jewlery, how can we prove that this WASN'T you? A. I know what I've done before, but this wasn't me I don't hurt anyone, never have. Q. Are you sure? Because you seemed pretty defensive when I found you. A. How? I literally was defending myself from being accused of murder, if you were you...I've had enough of this. |== [[Back]] ==| (if:visits >= 1)[[[stop reading]]] |==| //

(display:"Daily Planet.")

(display:"searching for anything I could find.")

(display:"Daily Planet.")

(display:"Sure but I've actually talked to Walker.")

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(if:(history: where its name contains "Everyone 'Thinks' he did it, Jimmy.")'s length >= 1)[(display:"Everyone 'Thinks' he did it, Jimmy.")] (if:(history: where its name contains "Sure but I've actually talked to Walker.")'s length >= 1)[(display:"Sure but I've actually talked to Walker.")]

(display:"[Then it hit me.")

(if:(history: where its name contains "The first row, at the very bottom,")'s length is 1)[It wasn't there, I'll need to look somewhere else. Maybe check the top this time.] (if:(history: where its name contains "The first row, at the very top")'s length is 1)[No luck, I'll have to check the other rows.] (if:(history: where its name contains "The second row, right at the middle,")'s length is 1)[No luck, maybe in the third row...] Three rows of shelving racks, each with six tiers. Just four areas of the room with items that could contain the disks. It has to be here somewhere (if:(history: where its name contains "The first row, at the very bottom,")'s length is 1)[(text-colour:#b80909)[[[The first row, at the very bottom,]] ]](else:)[[The first row, at the very bottom,]] (if:(history: where its name contains "The first row, at the very top,")'s length is 1)[(text-colour:#b80909)[[[The first row, at the very top,]] ]](else:)[[The first row, at the very top,]] (if:(history: where its name contains "The second row, right at the middle,")'s length is 1)[(text-colour:#b80909)[[[The second row, right at the middle,]] ]](else:)[[The second row, right at the middle,]] or [[On the third row at the very top.]]

(display:"The first row, at the very bottom,")

(display:"The first row, at the very top,")

(display:"The second row, right at the middle,")

"Sorry, Lois." I say proudly, "I gotta make a quick trip to the governor. You can read all about it in the afternoon edition." I hang up and get ready to leave, and contemplate over just what I'd found. According to the computer disk, Walker got his pizza at almost the exact moment the murder was commited. (append: "commited.")+(click:"commited.")[ //Walker, Ernest, June 3rd 8:46PM.//] Which proved he was innocent. I got into my car, and started driving towards the governor. I could hear a weird tick going on inside, but flushed it out. I suppose I could have flown to the governor as Superman and given him the disk...but that could have raised some awkward questions. Maybe there was some ego involved too. ''I wanted this to be Clark's victory, not Superman's.'' There wasn't too much time to think about victory, because as I drove on the mountainside, the ticking grew more frequent. (text-style:"rumble")[Tick.] (text-style:"rumble")+(append: "Tick.")+(click:"Tick.")[ Tick..] (text-style:"rumble")+(text-colour:white)+(append: "Tick..")+(click:"Tick..")[ [[Tick...]]]

I came back to the scene and interrogated the fisherman. ''"Sir, are you alright?"'' "Excuse me?" he asked, spooked. He reached for his glasses and responded "Oh Superman! You should came sooner, a car flew into the ocean, right by where my boat is!" ''"I see, have you contacted the police?" As soon as I finished my sentence, I could hear the sirens getting louder, somebody definitely did.'' I waited for them to arrive before I went on with anything else. When they did, I heard two distinct voices, one concerned, another grizzled. |== "[[Superman?]]" =| "[[Superman.]]" |==|

''It was Lois.'' "What happened here? Where's Clark?" "I'm not sure," I had to play it off as calmly as I could. "I got here after the car landed into the water." "Have you talked to the Fisherman already?" "Yeah but it didn't seem like he had anything to add," I thought back to my conversation with him, "I think he might have some issues with his eyes, if that adds anything." "Well not sure how that could help, have you checked the --" Detective Bowman cut her off, "Superman, can you see if there's anything left in the wreckage?" [[I nodded and dove into the water.]]

''It was Bowman.'' He asked me, "You got anything we can use?" "Sorry detective, I got here late." I didn't have much to say besides the short conversation with the fisherman. "Well can you see if there's anything left in the wreckage? I've already got a group of guys searching for Kent." [[I nodded and dove into the water.]]

Bowman had another team search around the premises, but I knew there probably wasn't anything I could rely on here. I picked up the car and searched it in and out, there was one area underneath my steering wheel that was completely blown off, that must have been where the bomb was planted. I finished looking but found nothing else. I picked up the car and brought it to the shore. The crime scene investigators were all over the site, taking pictures as soon as I dropped it. I caught Lois and Bowman half-way through their argument not to far out. "Who else could have done this? He was probably afriad Kent was getting too close!" Bowman responded, "Kent was a reporter! Who knows how many enemies he had. This might come as a kick in the pants Lane, but nobody likes you guys." He walked off as the search team came back to shore, asking them, "Any sign of him?" They shook their heads in disappointment. Lois asked Bowman "What if he made it to shore?" "From that?" He said as he points to the car. "He could've gotten blown out!" "Then where is he?" Bowman becomes more peeved by the minute. "Maybe he's lying low. I mean someone did try to ''kill him!"'' Bowman walked closer to Lois, "Lane, listen: See that guy?" He points to the fisherman, "He was out there fishing at the time, he saw the whole thing. When Kent's car went down nothing came up, except for bubbles!" (if:(history: where its name contains "Superman?")'s length is 1)[Lois noticed the fisheman reaching out for his glasses to read the documents the police gave him. "Mind if I ask him a few questions?"](else:)["Mind if I ask him a few questions?" she asks.] "If it gets you off my back." Bowman walks towards the shore and yells out "Alright everyone! Let's not waste too much time here. I think it's a sure bet we've seen the last of Mr. [[Clark Kent.]]"

I had to go somewhere, talk to ''someone'' about what I'm going through... (text-style:"shudder")[''Ring, Ring''] "Hello?" They answer, a muffled response is heard in the background. There's a strong pause before the conversation continues.(append: "continues.")+(click:"continues.") [ ''"Yes I heard you, my son's car blew up and went into the ocean."''] "Are you sure you...understand?" Bowman asked. "I mean this is serious!" (append: "serious!")+(click:"serious!") [''"I know. I guess the shock just hasn't set in yet, if you hear anything else, give us a jingle. Bye now."''] ''Martha Kent, my mother hung up,'' as I sat in their kitchen, contemplating what to do. "Well this is a fine mess!" She said as she walks towards me and pa. "It's not like he's really dead Martha, he just can't be Clark anymore!'' You know you've always got us, and Lana Lang!'' It can't be too bad!" Pa responds, but maybe he just doesn't get it... |= [[''But I AM CLARK'']] =| [[''Yeah, It's seeming like that's what I'm going to have to deal with...'']] |==|

I get up to tell him: ''"But I AM Clark! I NEED to be Clark! I'd go crazy if I had to be Superman all the time!"'' "There must be someway to bring back our boy..." Ma said optimistically. "I don't see how!" Pa responded, "not with an eye-witness and all! And don't forget, there's someone else to consider!" ''Pa was right, I still had to help Walker. I couldn't let his friends go through this too, even if it meant that I had to tell the world that Clark Kent is Superman.'' ''I went to Clark's- MY funeral, to see it from a distance. As the ceremony neared completion, I saw Lois run off. So much for sentiment.'' Afterwards, I headed back to my apartment. I figured I'd change into Clark one last time, then go to the governor and tell my story...(append: "story...")+(click:"story...") [If he asked me how I survived the wreck? Well, I was ready to show him.] I arrived through the balcony, and as I walked to the dresser, I heard (text-style:"rumble")[rumblings.] I walked down the walkway to check, and found Lois rumaging through my stuff. |= [[Speak Up.]] =| [[Let her be and change.]] |==|

"Now Clark look at me," Ma said to me, "we'll make do with what we have, you know that you can do things besides be Superman, or Clark for that matter!" "Yeah, maybe I can push through this, somehow..." "I know this is hard for you son, but don't forget," Pa said, "there's someone else to consider!" ''Pa was right, I still had to help Walker. I couldn't let his friends go through this too, even if it meant that I had to tell the world that Clark Kent is Superman.'' ''I went to Clark's- MY funeral, to see it from a distance. As the ceremony neared completion, I saw Lois run off. So much for sentiment.'' Afterwards, I headed back to my apartment. I figured I'd change into Clark one last time, then go to the governor and tell my story...(append: "story...")+(click:"story...") [If he asked me how I survived the wreck? Well, I was ready to show him.] I arrived through the balcony, and as I walked to the dresser, I heard (text-style:"rumble")[rumblings.] I walked down the walkway to check, and found Lois rumaging through my stuff. [[Speak Up.]] [[Let her be and change.]]

''"What are you doing here?" I ask her.'' "Same as you I imagine:trying to figure out who killed Clark Kent." She continued, "He told me he had some evidence on a computer disk, I was hoping he'd made a back-up." ''"Wish I'd thought of that..."'' "Wouldn't have done any good. Clark's computer is gone." I looked around, ''she was right. The smaller things like my books and trinkets were scattered.'' "Somebody's been through here." "Apparently, but look what they left in Clark's phone!" Lois pulled out an electronic device the size of a penny. ''"A bug. I've seen others just like this one."'' I turned to Lois, but she had moved across the room. "Lois?" I see her holding a picture of me and her, the first one Jimmy took at the Bugle. "I always teased him," She paused, tearing up, "but I had so much respect. ''And I liked him too, I really did!"'' The tears are overwhelming, but I tried to help the situation as best I can... |= [[Well, maybe he'll show up yet!]] =| [[Well, there's something I want to tell you.]] |==|

I let her be, she didn't need to know I was here. I went back to the dresser and got changed. I felt a sadness in my heart, as if I had made a terrible mistake, maybe it was the idea of going to the governor and revealing my identity, or something else entirely... I finished changing, and immediately set off. I was about half a mile away when...(append: "when...")+(click:"when...")+(text-style:"shudder")[''BOOM''] ''"LOIS" I screamed, racing to the complex, I had to get the fire out, I looked and looked...'' (append: "looked...")+(click:"looked...")[''THERE. A water tower across the street, I flew and carried it across, taking out the fire and making sure there was nobody hurt.''] ''It didn't matter though, I flew in, and all I could see was a hand sticking above debris.'' ''Whoever did this must be around here somewhere... I looked around, and saw him, clear as day. Detective Bowman was there, ground-zero. He hid his face and disappeared into the dark. Of course, he was there at every moment, that was the final straw.'' [[''The Final Straw.'']]

I went up to the police station, ''as Clark'' and walked up to Detective Bowman's office. His heart-rate increased, for the first time ever, I saw him break a sweat. "Kent? You-you're a-" "Suprised Bowman?" I walked up to him, grabbed the neck of his jacket and pulled him out of the seat. ''"You're coming with me."'' I raced to the governor's, and was lucky enough to have got there before the execution. Detective Bowman had passed out under the stress that his past had finally come up to him. The Governor was bewildered, "What is this...Clark Kent?" I explained to him everything that had happened. Walker, Lois, Me, everything that Bowman did to cover his trail. We had him hooked up to a lie detector, along with Walker, to talk about the events, and sure enough everything fell into place, almost everything at least. Walker was able to make it out a free-man. He got his justice, he deserved it tenfold, I just wish people gave him a chance and listened. ''I'm no longer Clark, I can no longer BE Clark, and not a day goes by that I don't miss my other half. My TRUE half... Lois... I'm sorry, you didn't deserve this. I wish I could have been there to stop it...'' [[Restart]]

"I thought for sure he would..." She said as she shakes off her tears, (if:(history: where its name contains "Superman?")'s length >= 1)["especially after I talked to that so-called eyewitness." "The fisherman?" I asked. "Yeah, I found out he has 20/200 eyesight! And he wasn't wearing his glasses. It's a wonder he saw the ocean!" As she says that my eyes widen, ''maybe there's still a chance!'' "Then Clark could have made it to shore after all." "Yeah but he would have ''contacted someone by now.''" Lois responds, eyes shifting towards the ground.] (else:)["but he would have contacted someone by now..."] "That's the real proof he's dead." As she concluded her conversation, she looked towards the bookshelf, and in the edge of the corner, there was a small vessel. ''Lois gasped, "Superman!" I turned to look and see: a bomb with only 3 seconds left! I grabbed Lois and rushed out. (text-style:"shudder")[BOOM]'' ''I placed her on top of a balcony across the street, when I looked up I spot a water tower. I flew up and ripped it out from the ground and flew it to the complex. Using my fist, (append: "fist,")+(click:"fist,")[ I made a hole into the tower and aimed the water at my apartment.] Everything looked fine until fiery debris fell off and landed towards people running away. Most of them were able to leave unscathed but three were caught inbetween the debris.(append: "debris.")+(click:"debris.")[ I turned my attention to them, went down to the ground and was able to put out the fires.]'' As I finished putting the fires out, I noticed someone watching from afar, hiding by the crowd. I used my x-ray vision to peek through, and saw the shadowy figure for [[myself.]]

I jumped the shark, "Lois..." ''I'm Clark Kent.'' "Do you seriously think this is the time to joke?" Lois yells, her tears shake off and she looks at me as if she's about to kill me right then and there. ''I just had to open my mouth...'' "Lois I'm..." ''The next words could make or break my relationship with her.'' |= [[Apologize.]] =| [[Double down.]] |==|

I didn't want to risk anything, so I retracted my statement, "Yeah, a joke! Sorry about that Lois I didn't mean t-" "Listen it's fine, I guess..." she said begrudgingly, "I just, I feel like I've looked everywhere, just hoping that he's alive somewhere..." (if:(history: where its name contains "Superman?")'s length >= 1)["especially after I talked to that so-called eyewitness." "The fisherman?" I asked. "Yeah, I found out he has 20/200 eyesight! And he wasn't wearing his glasses. It's a wonder he saw the ocean!" As she says that my eyes widen, ''maybe there's still a chance!'' "Then Clark could have made it to shore after all." "Yeah but he would have ''contacted someone by now.''" Lois responds, eyes shifting towards the ground.] (else:)["but he would have contacted someone by now..."] As she concluded her conversation, she looked towards the bookshelf, and in the edge of the corner, there was a small vessel. ''Lois gasped, "Superman!" I turned to look and see: a bomb with only 3 seconds left! I grabbed Lois and rushed out. (text-style:"shudder")[BOOM]'' ''I placed her on top of a balcony across the street, when I looked up I spot a water tower. I flew up and ripped it out from the ground and flew it to the complex. Using my fist, (append: "fist,")+(click:"fist,")[ I made a hole into the tower and aimed the water at my apartment.] Everything looked fine until fiery debris fell off and landed towards people running away. Most of them were able to leave unscathed but three were caught inbetween the debris.(append: "debris.")+(click:"debris.")[ I turned my attention to them, went down to the ground and was able to put out the fires.]'' As I finished putting the fires out, I noticed someone watching from afar, hiding by the crowd. I used my x-ray vision to peek through, and saw the shadowy figure for [[myself.]]

With a straight face, I told her: ''"Look" I grabbed my glasses, combed my hair back, and revealed my true self to her.'' She stepped back and took a moment to let everything sink in, "Why would you, ever think that NOW is the right time to tell me this?" She responded furiously, "You know how much I've worried? You let me worry, you let me mourn you?" "Lois I'm-I'm-" ''"I thought you died!"'' Tears fell down her face but she just as quickly wiped them off, turning away and going back to her search. She rummaged through my stuff a bit more, before asking, "Do you have any hints on who 'killed you' then, 'smallville?'" "Honestly I don't know. Lois I'm-" "'Honestly?' Very good choice of words Clark, or do you like Superman more? Jeez, you know the one time I put my trust in a half-decent-"as she concluded her statement, she looked towards the bookshelf, and in the edge of the corner, there was a small vessel. ''Lois gasped, "Clar-Superman!" I turned to look and see: a bomb with only 3 seconds left! I grabbed Lois and rushed out. (text-style:"shudder")[BOOM]'' ''I placed her on top of a balcony across the street, when I looked up I spot a water tower. I flew up and ripped it out from the ground and flew it to the complex. Using my fist, (append: "fist,")+(click:"fist,")[ I made a hole into the tower and aimed the water at my apartment.] Everything looked fine until fiery debris fell off and landed towards people running away. Most of them were able to leave unscathed but three were caught inbetween the debris.(append: "debris.")+(click:"debris.")[ I turned my attention to them, went down to the ground and was able to put out the fires.]'' As I finished putting the fires out, I noticed someone watching from afar, hiding by the crowd. I used my x-ray vision to peek through, and saw the shadowy figure for [[myself.]]

#"BOWMAN" I was suprised, but after looking back, the pieces all fell into place: (if:(history: where its name contains "Ask for more information")'s length >= 1)[''Bowman preyed on Walker, he KNEW no one would listen to him, especially when he knew Walker's record lined up with what Bowman wanted to do.''] (if:(history: where its name contains "I nodded and dove into the water.")'s length >= 1)[ ''He's been in every pivotal moment throughout this case, he's scared that someone will catch him, ironic really coming from someone like him.''] (if:(history: where its name contains "Speak Up.")'s length >= 1)[ ''Bowman also planted bugs around my appartment, the same ones the police use, he knew I would catch on, if he didn't, he definitely planned ahead incase I did.''] I planned something out with Lois, (if:(history:where its name contains "Double down." )'s length >= 1)[she begrudgingly agreed,] she entered the police station where Bowman works at, and runs into him, asking "Detective Bowman? I need to talk to you a minute." "What do you want, Lane?" Bowman responded as he walked to the emergency staircase, "I'm busy." "Yeah, ''you're just about the busiest cop on the force aren't you? You were the lead detective on the Walker case and the one who caught him fencing the necklace.''" "Good police work, that's all." "Good?" She argued, "I think it's downright unbelievable." They entered the emergency staircase, Lois continued on ''"Like how you were the first cop at Clark's wreck. And then tonight you just happened to be near his appartment when the bomb went off."'' "Coincidence." (if:(history: where its name contains "Speak Up.")'s length >= 1) ["The bug in his phone wasn't a coincidence." She adds on, "It's the same model you cops use for wiretaps." "I don't know anything about it." He states continuing to walk up the staircase.] (append:"staircase.")+(click:"staircase.") [ Lois runs ahead of Bowman and corners him. "Come on, detective. Just between you, me and the wall." I waited for my chance outside of the building. Listening in. "You framed Walker. You killed that woman, made him a scapegoat. And when Clark started looking into it, you put a bomb in his car." He started sweating as Lois continued.] (append:"continued.")+(click:"continued.") [ "And tonight, you burned his place, just in case he'd hidden evidence there." She was calm and controlling of the situation the entire time, meanwhile Bowman was feeling less and less like himself. "Keep talking, lady. I smell a big libel suit."] ''"Not when we see whose fingerprints are on this."'' She pulls out the ''bug'' that was in my phone. ''Bowman loses it. "Give me that!" No longer the calm and collected detective from before, he lunges at Lois, in an attempt to gain power back in his favor. He grabs Lois' arms and pushes her down the center of the staircase, leaving her to [[fall.]]''

''I swoop in, breaking the wall into the room and catching her.'' "What took you?" She says, agitated I didn't come in sooner. "You were going to get Bowman to incriminate himself, remember?" "I think this qualifies." As I put her down, Bowman reaches the rooftop, and pushes a cop out of the pilot seat of a helicopter. When I get there, he's already manning it, and flying to him only get's me so far. (append:"far.")+(click:"far.")[ ''The helicopter is armed to the teeth, Bowman fires the machine gun off on me and it knocks me back into the building. He attempts to fly higher, aiming at me as I get back up and run out of his'' sight. ] (append:"sight.")+(click:"sight.")[ ''I get knocked down again, landing on top of an insudtrial AC unit. I attempt to fly away, but the bullets are too frequent and overpowering.'' At the building's edge, I get to stand up, and watch as Bowman positions himself. ''He fires a high-power missle at me.'' ''Whatever I decided next could have left massive consequences to the city, or to me...'' |== [[Dodge and risk it]] ==| [[Challenge Bowman]] |==| ]

I dodged it, but it sent ripples across the city, I flew as fast as I could to get it out of harm's way but... ''The missle hit a building, breaking it's foundation and sending it crumbling down.'' [[It was my fault.]]

''I took the missle head on, challanging Bowman.'' ''It blasted me from the top of the station to the city sewer. Blowing up as we reached contact with it. It hurt like hell, but I was clear from any civillians.'' Bowman took this as a sign of victory... (append:"victory...")+(click:"victory...")[He attempted to turn around and take off, but as luck would have it, I made it there just in time, ''I grabbed onto the rear of the helicopter and flung it back to the police station. It slammed into a wall and fell on it's side, leaving Bowman to fall right out. The police were ready for his arrest.'' [[But it wasn't over yet.]]]

''I let this happen. I let Bowman do this. Bowman was arrested later, but that didn't matter...'' (if:(history:where its name contains "Double down." )'s length >= 1)[''I betrayed Lois, lied to her and let THIS happen.''] ''I let innocent people die, like Walker. I let him down because I couldn't stop Bowman in time. I just wish I could [[Restart]]...''

''Luck still had to play its part.'' ''"What do you mean he's not here?"'' Lois yelled, ''"We've got the real killer!"'' ''"I'm sorry but at the ast minute the governor decided to attend the execution."'' It was a representative the governor who responded to us, ''"It is an election year."'' Looking at her watch, Lois said: "We barely have time for him to make the phone call. I knew I needed to hurry, so I [[flew.]] { (set: $timer to 45) }

I couldn't just give up, not after everything that's happened. I needed to keep going. [[Keep flying.]] (if:(history: where its name contains "Keep flying.")'s length >= 4)[[Give up.]] (if:(history: where its name contains "Keep flying.")'s length >= 6)[[Save Walker.]] (if:(history: where its name contains "Keep flying.")'s length is 8)[[Too late.]]

(display:"flew.")

''I gave in, I let Bowman win...'' ''Walker died, because of me...'' (if:(history:where its name contains "Double down." )'s length >= 1)[''I betrayed Lois, lied to her and let THIS happen.''] ''I just wish I could [[Restart]]...''

''I reached the prison, just in time, right as they pulled the lever to poison Walker... I broke through the door and into the chamber where Walker was tied to and moved the him out of the way Confused screams could be heard as the gas spilled out, "What's going on?" I twisted myself fast enough to create a pull like a tornado, sucking the poision out of the air and drilling a hole upward, taking it to a high enough alititude so it could dissipate without hurting anyone. Walker was saved!'' (if:(history: where its name contains "Superman?")'s length >= 1)[[And maybe Clark was too?]] (if:(history: where its name contains "Superman.")'s length >= 1)[[But not Clark...]]

Before the morning, I called up an old friend... "Hey Lana, do you think you could do me a favor?" Back at the Daily Planet, their headline reads: Superman Saves Condemned Man, by Lois Lane. "Great story, Lois." Jimmy says, trying to be positive given the circumstances. "Thanks, Jimmy, but the fun's sure gone out of it." Lois says with a somber tone, looking towards my desk. "I know what you mean..." ''The phone on Lois' desk (text-style:"shudder")[rings] "Lane here." There's a faint pause before... "what?" (text-style:"rumble")["WHAT?!"] "So after I swam to shore, I guess I must have found a phone and called Lana."'' ''"I don't believe it..."'' "You've been sitting in the lap of luxury while I'm out risking my neck- "He was recuperating." Lana answered, "Poor thing. When I picked him up, he could barely remember his name." ''"But he sure remembered yours, AND your telephone number."'' "Clark and I go back a long way. ''Are you...jealous?"'' With a look of disgust, Lois responds, ''"Yeah, jealous of his endless luck."'' As Lois leaves me and Lana smirk at one another, "Thanks Lana." [[Epilogue]]

Back at the Daily Planet, their headline reads: Superman Saves Condemned Man, by Lois Lane. "Great story, Lois." Jimmy says, trying to be positive given the circumstances. "Thanks, Jimmy, but the fun's sure gone out of it." Lois says with a somber tone, looking towards my desk. "I know what you mean..." I sit and listen from the sidelines, ''as Superman. I failed to find a way for Clark to come back, I ran out of luck... I'll have to stay as Superman, and in order to protect everyone I love, I'll have to leave Clark behind for good...'' (if:(history:where its name contains "Double down." )'s length >= 1)[''I betrayed Lois' trust, lied to her about my identity. I don't know if she'll ever forgive me...''] //''The End''// [[Restart]]

(text-colour:black)[''A Few Days Later... Stryker's Island'' The Daily Planet headline's read: ''Killer Cop to be Executed Tonight, by Clark Kent. ...KENT Bowman, infuriated, shakes the newspaper, staring at that name... The prison gate opens, "It's time." the guards tell him.'' Inside his chamber, he's left with only his thoughts, and the the cold stares of humanity outside the glass. "How did he survive that car bomb? How?" (t8n:"fade")+(t8n-delay:8s)[''A gasp leaves his mouth, as his eyes widen and strain, "He's Superman!"'' That's the last Bowman ever said,'' before the lever was pulled... THE END'']] [[Restart]]