Superman - Rise of an Empire

The sun shone brightly over the Kent Farm, its golden rays finally unfiltered by the remnants of the red sun that had plagued the Earth for a decade. Clark stood in the middle of the field, his eyes closed, his body absorbing every ounce of solar energy.

He could feel it—his cells, once drained and weakened, were now surging with life. The process had been slow, but now, the final barrier was breaking.

His powers were coming back.

No.

They were already back.

And he needed to know just how much stronger he had become.

Testing His Limits

Clark took a deep breath, then—with a single step—he launched himself into the sky.

The world became a blur as he broke through the sound barrier within seconds, soaring higher and faster than he had in years. The wind roared in his ears, but it felt effortless, natural.

Then, he pushed harder.

The clouds split apart as he rocketed into the upper atmosphere, his body glowing with raw energy. His speed accelerated beyond anything he had ever experienced before. He wasn't just flying—he was tearing through the sky like a comet.

Then, he stopped.

For the first time in ten years, Clark floated effortlessly in space, gazing down at Earth. He clenched his fists, feeling the sheer, overwhelming strength in his body. The Super Soldier Serum had made him ten times stronger than before, and now, with his Kryptonian physiology fully restored under the yellow sun, he had reached a level of power beyond anything he had ever imagined.

But raw strength wasn't enough.

He needed control.

He turned his gaze toward the moon. A testing ground.

A Single Punch

Clark descended onto the lunar surface, his red cape settling in the weightless environment. The silence of space surrounded him as he placed his feet on solid ground.

He curled his fingers into a fist.

Then, he threw a punch.

The moment his knuckles connected with the surface—

BOOM!

A shockwave erupted, sending seismic tremors through the moon. The ground beneath him cracked and shattered, massive fissures spreading in every direction. Dust and debris exploded outward, forming a crater miles wide.

Clark exhaled.

He had just hit the moon harder than he had ever hit anything in his life. And he hadn't even used his full strength.

Heat Vision: Beyond Limits

He turned his attention to a nearby asteroid floating in space. His eyes glowed red as he focused, channeling his heat vision.

A thin, concentrated beam shot forward.

Within seconds, the asteroid—nearly the size of a city—melted into nothing.

Clark's eyes widened slightly.

His heat vision had always been powerful, but this? This was something new. The intensity, the precision—it was on an entirely different level.

He clenched his fists. He was faster. Stronger. More powerful than ever.

But there was one last test.

Facing the Sun

Clark turned toward the vast star ahead—the very source of his power. He had spent ten years cut off from it, and now, he wanted to see just how much he had changed.

With a deep breath, he flew toward the sun.

As he approached, the sheer intensity of its energy bathed his body in waves of radiation. The heat was immense, but Clark only felt stronger. He flew closer, deeper into the fiery inferno.

Then, he stopped.

He was inside the sun.

He spread his arms wide, letting the energy flood every cell in his body. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. His body didn't just absorb the energy—it thrived in it.

Clark let out a slow breath.

He wasn't just back.

He was more than Superman now.

Return to Earth

Clark shot out of the sun like a meteor, descending toward Earth at speeds that shattered the very fabric of the sky. He slowed as he reached the Kent Farm, landing softly on the ground where he had started.

Diana stood waiting for him. She had sensed it—the shift in power.

Clark looked at his hands, then at her. "It's back."

Diana smirked. "I know."

Batman's voice came through the comm. "I assume that means you're ready?"

Clark's eyes narrowed. He could feel it. Talia was preparing her next move.

And this time, he would be ready.

Superman had returned.

TO BE CONTINUED...