The aftermath of the global disaster continued to unfold. The tsunami receded, and the volcanic eruptions ceased. Although the apocalyptic scenario had been averted, the consequences began to intensify. Investigations by various countries and satellite feedback revealed the horrifying truth:
The Earth had been split in two and was on the verge of exploding.
Superman and other Kryptonians had managed to push the Earth back together, narrowly saving it from complete destruction. However, rather than thanking Superman, world leaders grew more fearful of the alien heroes like him and Supergirl. The reason was simple: as inhabitants and rulers of Earth, they didn't want to wake up one day only to find their planet destroyed by forces beyond their control. While they accepted the need for heroes, they insisted these heroes be under their supervision.
Rescue operations continued in full force around the world.
Meanwhile, in Metropolis, Superman found Lois Lane—or rather, her lifeless body. Among the ruins, Lois had been shot in the chest and was already gone. Consumed by grief and rage, Superman screamed into the sky as he held her body close.
Footsteps approached from behind, and Superman turned to see the Nuclear Man approaching.
"It was you... You killed Lois!" Superman gently laid Lois down and charged at the Nuclear Man, grabbing him by the neck and shouting in fury.
"Yes, yes! That's the pain of losing someone you love!" The Nuclear Man, though captured, laughed maniacally. "Too bad I didn't kill her with my own hands."
"I didn't kill her, so you can't kill me. After all, you're a hero, aren't you? You'll just have to live with the torment of losing your loved one..."
Puff!
Superman's fist shattered the Nuclear Man's armor, pierced through his chest, and crushed his heart.
"You... You actually..." The Nuclear Man gasped in pain and disbelief.
Superman's voice was cold and dark. "If there's no reward for being good, then I'll eradicate all the evil in the world!"
"Letting you live will only hurt more innocent people. From now on... I won't give you—or anyone else—a chance to harm others!" Superman slowly withdrew his hand, letting the lifeless body of the Nuclear Man fall to the ground.
Superman had changed. Lois Lane's death had completely transformed him.
With a powerful burst, he flew into the sky, his voice echoing across the city as he made his latest declaration:
He would no longer show mercy to criminals. There would be no more second chances.
The world was stunned. Superman had always been known for his restraint, capturing and imprisoning criminals rather than killing them. But now... Superman had decided to start killing. Some people supported this change, while others were vehemently opposed. The government and military quickly reached out to Superman, but whatever was said behind closed doors, the outcome didn't seem to change.
Especially after Superman incinerated a robber with his heat vision without hesitation, the world was thrown into chaos by this sudden shift in his behavior.
As the "Superman incident" continued to escalate, its effects spread rapidly.
However, in National City, the situation was different. The Martian Manhunter and Alex were busy tracking down Astra, particularly because she had developed a method to counteract kryptonite, making her even more dangerous. Meanwhile, Supergirl, still drained of her energy, slowly recovered under synthetic sunlight.
Lucy Lane returned to Metropolis as soon as she received the tragic news about her sister.
Her father needed saving, but her sister...
In short, the world was gradually descending into chaos—all because of Su Sheng.
"Indigo... Little Indigo, where are you hiding?"
In his apartment, Su Sheng lounged on Jesse's lap, browsing the internet on a tablet for any signs of Indigo-related events. But so far, he found nothing.
Suddenly, the phone rang. Jesse handed it to Su Sheng, who answered casually.
"I'm Lucy Lane," came the hoarse voice on the other end, so strained that Su Sheng didn't recognize it at first.
"Is something wrong?" Su Sheng asked indifferently.
"I got your number from Alex. My sister... She's dead. Superman has changed. My father was taken, and no one knows where he is. I..."
"Are you calling because you want me to comfort you? Or do you want me to feel sorry for you and help you?" Su Sheng interrupted coldly. "I don't really know you, and I don't have much sympathy to offer—especially not for you. So if you have something to say, spit it out. Otherwise, hang up."
Silence.
Lucy Lane was quiet for a moment before mustering the courage to speak. "You meant what you said, right? About giving Jimmy a 'forgiveness hat'? I don't know what that means exactly, but I know what you want. Let's make a deal: you rescue my father, and I... I'll spend a night with you!"
Dududu...
The phone call ended abruptly.
Lucy Lane stared at her phone in confusion. What did that mean? Why did he hang up? She quickly redialed, and after a few rings, Su Sheng picked up again.
"What do you mean? Why did you hang up?" Lucy demanded.
"It's simple. I'm not interested," Su Sheng replied nonchalantly.
"Why not? You said it yourself!" Lucy protested. She had made up her mind to offer herself in desperation, even accepting the possibility that she would never get back together with Jimmy. But now Su Sheng was saying he wasn't interested? "What do you want? How can I get you to help me? Name your terms!"
"I said I wasn't interested," Su Sheng repeated, thinking for a moment before chuckling. "No, I can't think of anything that would interest me."
"Forever!"
"Forever? As long as I'm alive, whenever you want, wherever you want... I've lost my sister. I can't lose my father too. Please... please... help me!" Lucy Lane's voice broke as she pleaded, her sobbing intensifying.
"Please... please help me, help me..." Lucy Lane's voice became a desperate murmur, so pitiful that even Jesse, listening beside Su Sheng, couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She whispered to Su Sheng, "Maybe you should help her."
Su Sheng glanced at Jesse, then took the phone and chuckled, "First, take a picture and send it to me. I need to see what I'm working with."
"...Okay, I'll take it right now, right now!" Lucy Lane replied eagerly after a brief pause.
Su Sheng hung up the phone.