A Warrior Statue II

Dr. Handstrong's POV

We brought the statue back to the lab, determined to uncover its secrets. Tests, scans, and every tool at our disposal failed to reveal what minerals it was made from. It was as if the material defied all earthly science. Frustration mounted as we attempted to scratch or chip the surface for further analysis, but not even our most advanced tools left a mark.

Finally, the superintendent sighed and said, "If we can't study it, we might as well display it. Put it in the museum—let the world marvel at it."

Reluctantly, we followed his orders. Though I wasn't satisfied, I couldn't deny that the statue belonged where everyone could see it. Little did we know, it wouldn't remain just a lifeless exhibit for long.

Superman's POV

"Finally, I can rest!" I said, stretching out on the couch. Lois chuckled from the kitchen.

"You? Rest? That'll be the day," she teased, drying her hands. "Trouble always finds you, Clark. You could be mid-nap, and someone, somewhere, would need saving."

I grinned at her, walking over to wrap my arms around her waist. "Maybe, but only you know the full extent of my troubles. After all, you're my wife." I kissed her cheek, and she leaned into my embrace with a warm smile.

Our moment of peace was cut short when my phone buzzed. I groaned, already knowing it was probably work-related.

"Hello?" I said cautiously.

"It's me. Meet me at the museum. Now."

"Bruce? What's going on?" I asked, straightening up as I listened.

"No time to explain. Just get here," Bruce said before abruptly hanging up.

I sighed, giving Lois a quick hug. "Duty calls," I said.

She nodded knowingly. "Stay safe."

As I flew toward the museum, I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever Bruce had called me for was more serious than he'd let on. When I arrived, I found him standing outside with Damian, both wearing their usual stoic expressions.

"Hey, Bruce," I called as I landed. "What's the emergency?"

Bruce glanced at his watch before replying, "Just wait."

I frowned and turned to Damian. "What's going on?"

Damian shrugged. "We got a tip about a robbery. Supposedly, they're after a newly discovered mineral."

"A robbery? You called me for a burglary?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

Bruce interjected, "This isn't just any robbery. The mineral they're targeting is rumored to have properties similar to Kryptonite. We can't be certain how it'll affect you."

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "So you called me to see if I'd collapse on the spot if I got near it?"

Bruce gave me an unreadable look, but before he could reply, Damian smirked. "He also missed you. Isn't that right, Father?" He nudged Bruce playfully, earning a sharp glare.

Before I could tease Bruce about it, movement near the museum caught my attention. A group of men was rushing out, carrying several small crates.

"Are those your guys?" I asked Bruce, already preparing to intervene.

"Let's move," he said, already heading toward them.

Fast-forwarding past the fight and recovery of the stolen items.

We returned the stolen rocks to their exhibit. As I placed the last one back into its case, Bruce observed me carefully. "You don't feel weak or any pain, right?"

I shook my head. "Nope. They're pretty harmless."

Bruce gave a slight nod and turned away, lost in thought.

"Are you okay?" Bruce asked Damian, noticing his silence.

Damian hesitated before pointing at the statue nearby. "Is it… normal for a statue to start cracking suddenly?"

Both Bruce and I turned sharply, just in time to see thin fissures snaking across the surface of the warrior statue. The sound of stone splitting filled the air as the cracks grew deeper and more pronounced.

For a moment, none of us moved, transfixed by the eerie sight. Then, with a loud snap, a chunk of the statue fell away, revealing something—or someone—beneath.