Chapter 4: Let's Spar Clark

"God?" Clark's voice held a note of surprise as he looked at Dane.

Dane simply nodded in response, opting not to delve into further explanation. After all, when forging new friendships, it's often best to keep the conversation concise.

"I've been following you for a while, Clark Kent," Dane confessed.

Clark couldn't help but feel taken aback. It seemed implausible; after all, Dane himself had only just discovered he was in the DC universe a few hours ago. How could he have been paying attention to Clark beforehand?

But Clark's trusting nature sometimes led him to believe things without question when the information seemed obviously false.

"Do you know where I come from?" Clark asked, his curiosity piqued.

It was a question he posed with only a sliver of hope, not expecting much in return. Yet, to his surprise, Dane nodded solemnly.

"The planet you were born on is called Krypton," Dane began solemnly. "It's a celestial body located in the southern constellation Corvus, about 27.1 light-years away from Earth. This planet once orbited a red dwarf star called RAO."

"This red dwarf star, LHS2520, can actually be observed with Earth's astronomical telescopes," Dane continued, offering Clark a tidbit of astronomical trivia. "If you're interested, you can look for it."

Clark's excitement at the prospect of glimpsing his "home" from afar. He was eager to connect with his origins and perhaps even see Krypton for himself. But he tempered his enthusiasm, holding out hope for more information from Dane.

"Clark, I regret to tell you that your home planet Krypton has been destroyed," Dane revealed, his tone heavy. "It succumbed to resource depletion, and now all that remains is a distant echo, visible only as it was 27 years ago."

Clark's mood plummeted, though deep down, he had harbored a vague premonition of tragic fate. After all, he reasoned, if he hadn't faced such a catastrophic event, how could he have ended up on Earth as a helpless infant?

Dane gently patted Clark on the shoulder, offering a silent gesture of comfort. He had shared this information not just out of obligation but also to forge a bond with Clark.

And in truth, Dane realized that even if he hadn't disclosed these details, Clark would have eventually uncovered the truth himself when he discovered the frozen spaceship near the Arctic Circle.

"The reason I'm telling you all this," Dane explained earnestly, "is because I can't bear to see you wandering around aimlessly.

Go home, and Martha has been missing you," he added gently, guilt tugging at Clark's heart as he thought of his mother waiting for him.

"Also, cherish the present time; I'm afraid such peaceful days will be rare in the future."

Clark's brow furrowed in confusion as he lifted his head, trying to decipher the meaning behind Dane's cryptic advice.

But Dane, ever the enigma, continued to play the part of the mysterious friend.

"I possess a kind of magic that allows me to glimpse certain fragments of the future. And Clark, I must tell you, things are not looking good."

Clark's nerves tightened, and his sense of dread grew with each passing moment.

Despite being an alien, he had long embraced his humanity, considering himself a son of Earth in every way that mattered.

How could he not feel a knot of worry forming in his stomach upon hearing such dire predictions?

Yet Dane's demeanor remained calm with his measured words. He simply stated the harsh truth: Zod's impending invasion of Earth was an unavoidable catastrophe.

The Flash's solo movie had already showcased General Zod's formidable power and his near-invulnerability, rendering him a force to be reckoned with even without superpowers.

And as if Zod's looming threat wasn't daunting enough, the specters of Doomsday, Steppenwolf, and Darkseid lurked on the horizon, each more formidable than the last.

"So why have I looked for you? It can be regarded as giving you an inoculation in advance, preparing you for what you may encounter in the future."

"So the first question we have to face is my people?"

Clark's face twisted with unease, grappling with the weight of the dilemma before him. He neither wanted to engage in conflict with his own people nor did he wish for Earth to suffer at their hands.

"Yes," Dane affirmed. "Although I don't know when Zod will come, he won't give up on Earth. He seeks to restore Krypton, and he's coming for you."

Dane pointed to his chest, a gesture weighted with significance. In "Man of Steel," Superman's activation of the scientific research spacecraft at the North Pole inadvertently triggered Zod's arrival on Earth.

However, in The Flash's solo movie, a different narrative unfolded—Superman was captured by Zod before he even had a chance to fully mature, suggesting that Zod possessed alternate means of locating Earth.

From the bleakest perspective, even without intervention, the looming threat of Zod's invasion casts a shadow over Earth's future.

His relentless pursuit of the Codex across the universe meant that it was only a matter of time before he uncovered the connection between the Codex and Kal-El—after all, he had witnessed the launch of Clark's lifeboat from Krypton.

As the weight of this impending disaster settled upon him, Clark's expression shifted to one of remorse, grappling with the realization that his own being had inadvertently set these events in motion.

Dane, however, harbored no resentment towards Clark. He understood that this was an unavoidable calamity for Earth and instead urged Clark to focus on finding a solution.

Yet Dane's understanding of the situation was tempered by the knowledge that the timeline was not set in stone.

With Barry Allen's actions potentially altering history through the creation of the Flashpoint paradox, the fabric of space-time itself was in flux, presenting countless possibilities and uncertainties.

In the face of such uncertainty, Dane recognized the inherent danger posed by Zod's group of Kryptonians.

While he had no qualms about challenging Zod's quest for world dominance, he harbored a distinct distaste for his ruthless methods. Therefore, he knew that actively engaging with Zod was not just a choice but a necessity.

"Don't overthink it for now," Dane reassured Clark, sensing his apprehension. "It'll be some time before Zod arrives on Earth. Use this time to hone your abilities."

Clark glanced at Dane, then down at himself, scratching his head in uncertainty. Seeing Clark's hesitation, Dane stood up and brushed off imaginary dust.

"But before we delve into that," Dane suggested, a glint of excitement in his eyes, "let's see just how strong you really are. How about a spar?"

"A spar?" Clark's surprise was evident in his voice.

"Exactly," Dane affirmed, nodding encouragingly. "You've been holding back for years, afraid of inadvertently causing destruction. I imagine that's been quite uncomfortable for you."

He gestured toward himself with self-assurance.

"And as for me," Dane continued, "I haven't truly unleashed my strength since becoming a 'God.' I believe I should be more than enough to be your opponent."

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