Chapter 28: Forged in Fire
The air was thick with smoke, the acrid scent of burning metal clinging to Ethan's nostrils as he sprinted toward the chaos. The creature that had emerged from LexCorp's wreckage let out a guttural roar, its armor plating glowing ominously as if charged with unstable energy. Superman had already engaged, weaving through the blasts with practiced ease, but Ethan could tell—this wasn't going to be a simple fight.
The energy gauntlet on Ethan's arm hummed to life, the fusion still stabilizing as he tightened his grip. His ability was unpredictable, but that was both a blessing and a curse. He had to trust in it.
Superman caught a punch from the monstrous entity, his feet grinding into the pavement from the force. His jaw tightened. "Ethan, get civilians to safety!"
Ethan ignored him. "Not happening."
He lunged forward, ducking under a stray energy blast and launching himself at the creature. He activated the gauntlet, sending a pulse of kinetic force toward its chest. The impact barely made it stagger.
The creature snarled, its glowing eyes locking onto him now. It recognized him as a threat.
"Oh, fantastic," Ethan muttered. "Guess I got its attention."
The next moment, it was on him. A swipe of its massive arm sent him skidding across the pavement, the exo-frame in his boots barely absorbing the force. His healing factor kicked in immediately, but he knew he couldn't keep taking hits like that.
Superman moved in a blur, delivering a devastating uppercut that sent the creature crashing into a nearby building. The entire structure groaned from the impact, debris raining down into the street below.
"Enough," Superman commanded. His voice was pure authority.
The creature, however, didn't understand reason. It roared, charging again, but this time Ethan was ready. He reached into his belt, pulling out a shattered piece of LexCorp tech. His fingers glowed as his fusion ability activated, melding the metal with the energy core from his gauntlet. The device warped and transformed, forming what looked like a high-frequency disruptor.
Ethan barely had time to analyze it before the creature was on him again. He pointed the disruptor and pulled the trigger.
A high-pitched whine filled the air, followed by a pulse of blue energy. The creature froze mid-stride, its entire body seizing up as if caught in an unseen force. Its energy readings flickered wildly, its armor destabilizing.
Superman didn't hesitate. He shot forward, grabbing the creature and launching it into the air with tremendous force. Higher and higher it went, until finally, with one last burst of heat vision, Superman sent it careening into Metropolis Bay, where it disappeared beneath the waves.
Ethan exhaled, lowering his makeshift weapon. His hands were still trembling.
"Not bad," Superman said, landing beside him. "That was reckless, but effective."
Ethan smirked, though he felt like collapsing. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Before they could say more, a new presence made itself known. A deep, slow clap echoed through the ruined street.
Lex Luthor.
Surrounded by a small group of LexCorp enforcers, Luthor walked toward them, his usual smirk in place. "Well, well. That was quite the spectacle. And here I thought I'd have to clean up a mess."
Superman stepped forward, his expression darkening. "What was that thing, Luthor?"
Luthor spread his hands innocently. "A failed experiment. Unfortunate, really. But I must thank you both for handling the situation so efficiently."
Ethan clenched his fists. "You knew it would escape."
Luthor's smirk didn't waver. "Now, now, Mr. Cross. Let's not make baseless accusations."
Superman wasn't having it. "We're not done here, Luthor."
Luthor ignored him, instead turning his gaze fully onto Ethan. "You, however… you continue to intrigue me. That fusion ability of yours is something special. I could help you refine it."
Ethan scoffed. "Not interested."
Luthor chuckled. "Oh, I think you will be. You seek answers, do you not?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. He hated that Luthor was right.
Luthor took a step closer, lowering his voice. "I know what you are, Ethan. And I know where you truly come from."
Ethan felt his pulse quicken.
Luthor smiled. "We should talk."
Superman shot Ethan a warning glance, but Ethan already knew—he wasn't done with Lex Luthor. Not yet.
**To be continued…**