Superman in Marvel – Chapter 26: A World Without Hope
The Carter Family Breaks
The Carter family had always been strong.
They had endured tough winters, financial struggles, and the burden of raising a child who wasn't of this world.
But this?
This was too much.
Rebecca Carter couldn't breathe. She sat on the couch, staring at the television, her vision blurred by tears.
Every channel said the same thing.
Superman was gone.
Her hands shook as she gripped the fabric of her dress. "No… no, no, no…"
Daniel stood in the corner, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his skin. His entire body trembled.
Lucas sat on the floor, knees pulled to his chest, his face buried in his arms.
And Jacob?
Jacob Carter had never cried in his life. Not once.
But now, as he stood by the window, staring at the dark sky where his son had disappeared—
His eyes glistened.
He had always prepared for the worst.
But how did a father prepare for this?
For the possibility that his son—the strongest person he had ever known—might never come home?
Rebecca suddenly let out a sob, her shoulders shaking. "He promised…" Her voice cracked. "He promised he'd come back."
Lucas wiped his face roughly. "Mom… he's Superman." He sniffled. "He's not dead. He can't be."
But no one answered him.
Because they didn't know.
Because for the first time in their lives—
They didn't believe it.
Tony Stark's Relentless Search
Tony hadn't slept.
Hadn't eaten.
Hadn't stopped.
Inside the Iron Man suit, he was tearing through space, scanning every possible trajectory Superman could have taken.
His heart pounded.
His mind raced.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., run another sweep."
"Sir, we have already scanned the area fifty-three times."
"Do it again."
The AI hesitated. "Tony… I don't think he's out there."
Tony gritted his teeth. "Then we keep looking."
Because if Superman was really gone—
Then who the hell was supposed to protect this world?
Who was supposed to keep people safe?
Tony refused to accept it.
Because if he had learned one thing about Ethan Carter—
It was that he never gave up.
So neither would Tony.
SHIELD's Dilemma
Inside SHIELD headquarters, Nick Fury watched the silence.
Every satellite they had—every drone, every piece of advanced technology—was scanning space.
But all they found was nothing.
Maria Hill exhaled sharply. "This isn't good."
Fury's voice was low. "It's worse than that."****"The world just lost its greatest protector."
Hill looked at the screens, at the panic spreading across the news channels. "If he really is gone…" She hesitated. "People will lose hope."
Fury knew that.
He wasn't just worried about losing Superman.
He was worried about what happened next.
Because if the world knew Superman wasn't coming back?
The vultures would start circling.
The World's Reaction
Across the globe, the impact of Superman's disappearance was felt.
Cities fell silent.
Candlelight vigils were held in the streets.
People gathered around screens, waiting.
Waiting for a miracle.
Waiting for someone to tell them it wasn't true.
Because Superman wasn't just a hero.
He was hope.
And now?
Now, that hope was slipping away.
Ethan Carter, Lost in Space
Far beyond Earth's atmosphere—
Beyond the range of any satellite or radio signal—
A body drifted.
Motionless.
Unconscious.
Ethan's cape floated weightlessly in the void. His skin—usually radiant with energy—looked pale.
The battle had drained him.
And now, he was trapped between life and death.
His mind flickered. Memories.
His mother's voice.
His father's strength.
His brothers laughing.
His home.
Then—nothing.
Just silence.
Just darkness.
And back on Earth—
The world waited.
Hoping.
Praying.
Because if Superman was truly gone—