The moment the blackened Superman felt that terrifying force—
like countless invisible hands clamping down on his body—
he began to struggle wildly.
But no matter how much strength he poured into it,
no matter how violently he fought against the invisible grip,
he couldn't move an inch.
> "This… this is impossible!"
"What are you?!"
Shock flooded his eyes.
Even if he couldn't beat Homelander,
the gap between them shouldn't be this vast!
Was the man really that powerful?
Alex's expression was calm, mocking.
> "You've got his memories, don't you?"
"Then you should already know… I'm your big brother."
His smirk only deepened.
> "Homelander!"
A voice called weakly from the floor.
Clark Kent, the real one, had finally regained consciousness.
He staggered over, still dizzy, to face his darker self.
The black Superman snorted in disdain.
> "Look at you. Begging for Homelander's help like some mutt wagging its tail.
You really are a disgrace to Krypton."
> "Funny," Clark said evenly, "since you and I are the same person."
He didn't even sound angry.
How could he be? He was, after all, scolding himself.
> "And that's exactly what makes it shameful!"
The dark Superman's fury grew. "You're my weakness made flesh!"
> "Then don't worry," Clark said quietly.
"You won't have to live with that shame for long."
He turned to Alex, his tone suddenly serious.
> "Homelander… that's one of the reasons I came to find you."
Alex raised an eyebrow.
> "One of the reasons?"
He caught on instantly.
There was more to this visit than just dealing with the clone.
> "I want you to help me merge back together," Clark said.
Alex nodded slowly.
> "I don't know how to do that," he admitted. "What I can do is keep him restrained… or kill him."
> "Black Kryptonite," Clark said firmly.
"That's what split us apart. And it's the only thing that can put us back together again."
> "Black Kryptonite?"
Alex tilted his head thoughtfully.
> "Hold on."
And then—whoosh!
He vanished.
A second later, he was back—holding a jagged, dark crystal in his hand.
> "You mean this?"
Both Clarks froze.
The dark one's face went pale.
The real one's eyes lit up in relief.
> "Black Kryptonite… you actually have it?" Clark said, half in disbelief.
"I thought even you would have to search for it."
Alex shrugged.
> "I like to collect things."
It was true—
ever since he'd started hoarding Kryptonite, he'd gathered every variant he could find.
Green, red, gold, blue… black.
Clark couldn't help but chuckle.
> "Homelander… looks like I owe you again."
That made two favors now—both huge ones.
Alex smirked.
> "You're right. You do."
He handed the black crystal to Clark without hesitation.
Clark took it and walked toward his dark counterpart.
The dark Superman's calm shattered instantly.
> "No! Keep that thing away from me!"
He struggled violently, muscles bulging against Alex's telekinetic grip—
but it was useless.
Clark pressed the crystal against his chest.
SWISH!
A burst of shadow and light erupted.
Before Alex's eyes, two identical figures—one calm and noble, the other burning with rage—
merged together once more.
When the light faded, there was only one Superman standing.
Clark Kent was whole again.
> "Homelander," Clark said earnestly, "I'm sorry for what happened earlier.
What he did to you… that wasn't me."
Alex waved a hand dismissively.
> "Apology accepted."
Then his eyes narrowed slightly.
> "You said fixing yourself was only one of the reasons you came to me.
What's the other?"
Clark's face hardened.
> "We have to stop Brainiac," he said gravely.
"He's already made contact with… the other me.
They're working together—to release the prisoners of Krypton."
Alex's eyes flickered.
> "So the dark version's attack on me wasn't just revenge."
> "No," Clark said. "It was Brainiac's idea.
You're the only real threat to his plan."
Alex blinked, then sighed.
> "The only threat?"
"That's… flattering, but he's mistaken. I don't care about his plans."
He leaned back in his chair, casual and unconcerned.
> "Still," he added after a pause, "if he's my enemy, then I'll deal with him the same way I did last time—
by wiping him out."
Clark exhaled, visibly relieved.
Just knowing that someone as powerful as Homelander was on his side
was enough to calm the storm inside him.
> "There's one more thing," Clark said suddenly.
"Brainiac took the Fortress of Solitude."
> "He what?"
> "He has it now. And if he's trying to free the Kryptonian prisoners,
then the fortress is part of his plan."
Alex's expression darkened slightly.
That matched his own memories perfectly—
the Fortress did contain a portal to the Phantom Zone.
Everything lined up.
Brainiac's goal was clear now.
And for the first time since he'd returned to Smallville,
Alex felt the thrill of a real challenge.
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