Chereads / The Weight of Power / Chapter 26 - The Suit and the Symbol

Chapter 26 - The Suit and the Symbol

The team gathers around a holographic display, Tony Stark pacing as he explains. 

TONY STARK 

(speaking quickly) 

It's obvious now. Loki doesn't just want chaos—he wants an audience. And where better than Stark Tower? Center of New York City, state-of-the-art tech, clean energy. Oh, and a big open roof to open his little door to who-knows-where. 

STEVE ROGERS 

(firm) 

Then we take the fight to him. 

BRUCE BANNER 

(calmly) 

We need to shut that portal before anything comes through. 

TONY STARK 

(nods) 

Exactly. I'll head there first, see if I can slow him down. You guys follow with the heavy artillery. 

CLINT BARTON 

(grim) 

Heavy artillery? That's me now, right? 

The team glances at him. Barton, recently freed from Loki's control, looks resolute. 

CLINT BARTON 

(serious) 

He took control of my mind. Used me like a pawn. This one's personal. 

NATASHA ROMANOFF 

(supportive) 

We're with you. 

STEVE ROGERS 

All right, Stark goes ahead. The rest of us head out in the Quinjet. Let's move. 

As the team disperses to prepare, Clark lingers behind, his thoughts elsewhere. Before he can leave, Fury approaches him. 

NICK FURY 

Clark. Got a minute? 

Clark turns, his brows furrowing. 

CLARK 

What is it? 

Fury gestures for Clark to follow. 

Fury leads Clark into a sparse, secure room. The only object in the room is a large, reinforced vault. Fury walks up to it, entering a code and scanning his eye. With a hiss, the vault door unlocks and swings open. 

Inside is something draped in a red-and-blue fabric. 

NICK FURY 

We've been holding onto this. Found it on you when we picked you up in the desert. 

Clark steps closer, his eyes narrowing as he takes in the sight. 

CLARK 

(softly) 

What is it? 

NICK FURY 

Your suit. 

Clark looks at Fury, surprised. Fury pulls the fabric out, revealing a familiar Kryptonian suit, its vibrant colors restored. 

NICK FURY 

When we found it, it was a mess. Torn up, scorched. But over time... it started repairing itself. We don't know how or why, but it's yours. 

Clark takes the suit, his hands brushing over the fabric. He's silent for a moment, emotions flickering across his face—confusion, wonder, and a hint of recognition. 

CLARK 

(quietly) 

I didn't know I had this. 

NICK FURY 

(serious) 

Whatever you are, wherever you came from—this is a part of you. Thought you should have it. 

Clark nods, gripping the suit tightly. 

CLARK 

Thank you. 

Fury steps back, giving Clark space. 

 

NICK FURY 

You've got some big choices to make, Clark. Whatever you decide, just know—this world needs people like you. 

Fury leaves the room, the door sliding shut behind him. Clark stands alone, staring at the suit, the weight of its meaning settling on him. 

Clark stands alone in the room, holding the Kryptonian suit in his hands. He runs his fingers over the vibrant fabric, its texture unfamiliar yet strangely comforting. Taking a deep breath, he sheds his standard gear and dons the suit, the colors gleaming under the room's fluorescent lights. 

He catches a glimpse of himself in a reflective panel on the wall—a figure transformed. The blue, red, and yellow suit clings perfectly, exuding power and purpose. The cape flows behind him, completing the striking image. 

Clark takes a moment to adjust to the feel of the suit, his expression conflicted but determined. 

 

The sliding doors open, and Clark steps out, now fully clad in his Kryptonian suit. His footsteps echo in the hallway as he walks toward the main hangar. 

Crew members pause mid-task, their conversations and movements freezing as they turn to stare. A hush falls over the hallway, awe and wonder filling the air. 

Natasha, heading toward the hangar with Steve and Bruce, stops when she sees him. Her eyes widen slightly, a rare moment of visible surprise. 

NATASHA ROMANOFF 

(under her breath) 

Well, that's something. 

Steve glances over, his gaze respectful but curious. 

STEVE ROGERS 

Clark. The suit—it suits you. 

Clark nods, his face calm but focused. 

CLARK 

Thanks. It's... new. 

Tony, catching the sight from across the hangar, lets out a low whistle. 

TONY STARK 

(approaching, smirking) 

Okay, I'll admit it. That's a good look. Do we start calling you "Cape Guy" now, or do you already have a name for the branding? 

Clark rolls his eyes slightly but smiles. 

CLARK 

How about we stick to "Clark" for now? 

Bruce gives him a small nod, impressed but reserved. 

BRUCE BANNER 

That suit—it's more than just fabric, isn't it? 

Clark doesn't answer, but the weight of the question lingers in the air. 

Fury steps into the hangar, glancing at Clark with a rare moment of approval. 

NICK FURY 

(serious) 

Now that we've all had our moment, let's get back to business. The Quinjet's ready. 

The team regroups, their focus shifting back to the mission, but the sight of Clark in his suit has changed the atmosphere. There's a new sense of gravity—and hope. 

As the Quinjet roars to life and the team prepares to depart, Clark steps aboard, his presence commanding without effort. 

 

STEVE ROGERS 

This is it. We stop Loki, we close that portal, and we save New York. 

The team straps in as the jet takes off, heading toward the city skyline.