Chapter Text
"I can't believe you're taking a plane."
Clark grinned even though his mother couldn't see him. "It's the only part of the trip where I can take it easy."
Her voice crackled through his phone. "Imagine what they'd say if they knew Superman took a plane."
"They won't know," Clark pointed out, glancing at his TV as a news channel played on mute. "I could use some subtlety. Being on the news gets old."
Even now, two so-called alien experts were arguing in the newsroom. Under them was the headline "Kal-El: Friend or Foe?" The name Superman had gained popularity thanks to Lois, but some people still called him Kal-El or just "the alien."
Clark hated the last one the most.
"Well, at least the job's going well. Which is odd to say, considering…" Mom's voice caught. A serial killer had been striking in Gotham for the past few days. The Daily Planet was sending Clark there to report. When she spoke again, her voice was forcibly light. "Wear a jacket. It's supposed to be cold by the coast." Dusty barked over the phone's speakers.
Clark smiled. "I'll be careful."
Before he could continue, the text "Breaking News" flashed on the TV screen. A rush of shaky camera footage followed: submerged streets, overturned cars, muted screams.
Waves of water spilled through Gotham, scattering everything in its path.
Clark jolted to his feet, fingers rigid around the phone. "...Sorry, Mom. I've got to go."
"Now? But your flight–"
The chaos onscreen unfolded like a dream, like the worst twisters in Kansas. Numbers burned in Clark's mind as reporters tried to estimate how many victims there would be.
When had this happened? How many was he already too late to save?
"Change of plans." Clark scrambled to find his suit. "I can't wait."