god comes back

8/12/2019 God Comes Back

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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txt----------------------------------------------------------------------

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#ext S$%e-- 1&-- 11-- 12-- 13-- 14-- 15-- 16-- 1 -- 1!-- 1"-- 2&-- 21--22-- 23-- 24

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'ront Cover(((((((((((

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Superman Returns((((((((((((((((

)*

Marv Wolfman------------

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Contents

+art ne - M

C/apter neC/apter #0oC/apter #/reeC/apter 'ourC/apter '$veC/apter S$xC/apter SevenC/apter $ /tC/apter $neC/apter #en

+a e 1


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txtC/apter levenC/apter #0elveC/apter #/$rteenC/apter 'ourteenC/apter '$fteenC/apter S$xteenC/apter SeventeenC/apter $ /teen

+art #0o - #R S

C/apter $neteenC/apter #0ent*C/apter #0ent*- neC/apter #0ent*-#0oC/apter #0ent*-#/reeC/apter #0ent*-'ourC/apter #0ent*-'$veC/apter #0ent*-S$xC/apter #0ent*-SevenC/apter #0ent*- $ /tC/apter #0ent*- $ne

+art #/ree - W R S C S

C/apter #/$rt*C/apter #/$rt*- neC/apter #/$rt*-#0oC/apter #/$rt*-#/reeC/apter #/$rt*-'ourC/apter #/$rt*-'$veC/apter #/$rt*-S$xC/apter #/$rt*-SevenC/apter #/$rt*- $ /t

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ome7om$n

#/ere 0as a 8eep 7rater 0/ere t/ere /a8 9een a lar e oa: ;ust m$nutes9efore. t t/e 9ottom of $t t/e 7r*stal s/$p 0as st$ll lo0$n from t/e/eat of re-entr*. S/e felt t/e /eat rus/ up $nto /er nose, an8 0$t/outmean$n to, s/e pulle8 9a7: $nst$n7t$vel*. S/e 7oul8 feel /er pulse9eat$n , 9ut s/e 9ra7e8 /erself an8 starte8 a a$n. )ut a /an8, stronan8 f$rm, pulle8 /er 9a7: an8 s/e /ear8 /$s vo$7e. < o. on=t. t=s too/ot.u$vere8 as /estru le8 to sa* one 0or8.


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txt

?e*0or8I C Com$7 on

+r$nte8 $n t/e @n$te8 States of mer$7a

'$rst +r$nt$n I Fune 2&&6

1& "! 654321

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'or Ferr* an8 Foe

0/o starte8 $t allJ

ot onl* t/e f$rst 9ut t/e 9est.

W$t/out *ou t/ere 0oul8 /ave 9een not/$n .

'or C Com$7s

an8 t/e /un8re8s of 7om$7 9oo: 7reators 0/o /ave :ept Superman al$vean8 reat for s$xt*-e$ /t *ears an8 7ount$n .

=m prou8 to 9e one of *ou.

'or M$7/ael ou /ert* an8 an arr$s

for a reat s7r$pt as 0ell as t/e$r t$me an8 en7oura ement.

'or R$7/ar8 onner, R$7/ar8 ester, lfre8 Dou /, M$les M$llar, an8)r*an S$n er

an8

'or )u8 Coll*er, ?$r: llen,

Deor e Reeves, C/r$stop/er Reeve,

ean Ca$n, #om Well$n , )ran8on Rout/

an8

all t/e ot/er reat 8$re7tors, a7tors, an8 0r$ters for 9r$n $n to t/eMan of Steel t/e 8$ n$t* /e 8eserves.

n8 espe7$all* for oel an8 Fess$7aKL 9e7ause *ou=re *ou.

+a e 4


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txt----------------------------------------------------------------------

t must en8 as $t 9e $nsN 0$t/ t/e 7r*stal.

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+art ne--------

M----

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C/apter ne

#op ext

?al- l 0as asleep 0/en /$s 0orl8 explo8e8. $s onl* memor$es 0ere ofs/$ft$n 9a7: an8 fort/ $n t/e soft, prote7t$ve 7onf$nes of /$smot/er=s 0om9, 8ream$n of t/e entle soun8s s/e ma8e. #/e* 0ereen7oura $n son s an8 ten8er 7oos t/at let /$m :no0 /o0 mu7/ /e 0asalrea8* love8. s s/e san , /e :ne0 /er /an8 0oul8 entl* 9rus/ a a$nst/er s0ollen a98omen t/en 7ome to rest on /$s small, 9ul $n stoma7/. eanx$ousl* 0a$te8 for t/at all-too-9r$ef moment, /op$n t/at ver* soon/e 0oul8 loo: $nto /er e*es an8 let /er :no0 /e love8 /er, too.

e 0as s$xteen /ours ol8 0/en /e opene8 /$s e*es to see /er stan8$nover /$m, a s0eet prou8 sm$le on /er l$ps. < ou are so 9eaut$ful,< s/esa$8, pla*$n 0$t/ t/e fr$n es of /$s alrea8* t/$7:, 9la7: /a$r. < n8*ou 8eserve so mu7/ more t/an 0/at a0a$ts *ou.ua:es. Ma*9e t/e* are f$nall* su9s$8$n . f 7ourse s/e :ne09etterN s/e /a8 7omplete8 t/e 7al7ulat$ons /erself, 9ut t/at 8$8n=tmean s/e 7oul8n=t /ol8 out /ope for some unexpe7te8 m$ra7le. +er/apsFor- l 8$8n=t 9el$eve $n Rao, or $n /$s mer7*, 9ut s/e al0a*s /a8.

S/e /ear8 t/e 9a9* 7oo$n $n /er arms an8 :$sse8 /$s 0arm 7/ee: a a$n.For- l al0a*s sa$8 ?al- l 0as 8est$ne8 for reatness. )ut 8est$n* 0as at/$n of fa$t/, too, not mu7/ 8$fferent from /er o0n.

ara turne8 a a$n to loo: out $nto t/e 7$t*, st$ll lo0$n 0$t/ astron , stea8*, $nternal l$ /t. s sure as s/e 0as of $ts fate, s/e7oul8n=t 9r$n /erself to a77ept t/at $ts eternal reatness 0oul8, alltoo soon, s$mpl* 7ease to ex$st.

t /a8 9een a t$meless 7$t*, stron an8 po0erful. t surv$ve8 t/e vast

+a e !


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txtarm$es of t/ree reat nat$ons 0a $n 0ar on $ts 9loo8$e8 streets. tstoo8 prou8 as t/e s$ n$n pla7e of an everlast$n pea7e. S$n7e t/en,t/ousan8s of enerat$ons /a8 l$ve8 /ere, an8 ara, 0/o 0as ra$se8 /alfa 0orl8 a0a* on t/e Crater +la$ns, an8 /a8 spent /er earl* *ears8ream$n of l$v$n 0/ere ?r*pton=s earl$est foun8ers /a8 on7e 0al:e8,8$8 not 0ant to 9el$eve t/at t/$s ma n$f$7en7e, an8 all $t stoo8 for,0oul8 soon 9e one.

S/e /a8 spent /er f$rst *ear out of t/e un$vers$t* tour$n t/e 7$t* an8$ts outer re $ons, 9as:$n $n $ts surpr$s$n /$stor*. S/e tre::e8 outto t/e Aalle* of t/e l8ers an8 7ampe8 t/ere for over a mont/, l$v$n$n t/e s/a8o0 of ?r*pton=s reatest. S/e 7oul8 feel t/e ener *, ra0 an8sur $n an8 st$ll ver* mu7/ al$ve $n t/e $mmense 7r*stal monol$t/s t/atseeme8 to rea7/ 9e*on8 t/e fame8 /alf 8ome 0/ose vaulte8 roof prote7te8t/e valle* from t/e planet=s temperature extremes.

t n$ /t s/e 0oul8 /u88le $n /er sleep 7o7oon, $ts 0arm$n fa9r$7s$v$n /er t/e 7oura e to 0al: t/e next morn$n alon t/e fa9le8 roa8s

t/at Sor- l, ?ol- r, an8 +ol-@s, t/e 7/osen representat$ves from t/et/ree 0arr$n nat$ons, must /ave ta:en 0/en t/e* 7reate8 t/e or$ $nal

a0s of uman$t* t/at overne8 ?r*pton s$n7e t/ose trou9le8 earl* 8a*s.

#/e Aalle* of t/e l8ers 0as set $n a 8eep, m$les-0$8e 7an*on, an8 fromt/e roun8, t/ose 7r*stal monol$t/ to0ers, 7onstru7te8 $n a lar e7$r7le, refle7t$n t/e full spe7trum of l$ /t, loo:e8 to ara l$:e/an8s ra$se8 $n reverent$al pra*er, fa7ete8 f$n ers stret7/e8 to tou7/t/e$r en8ur$n re8 sun $f not Rao /$mself. #/e to0ers= exter$or fa7esan8 $nter$or 0alls 0ere $llum$nate8 0$t/ t/e mass$ve 7rests of t/ene0l* 7$v$l$%e8 ?r*pton=s 9rave foun8ers, ea7/ rune s/ape un$>uel*8es$ ne8.

ara remem9ere8 rea8$n t/at t/e fa9le8 t/ree /a8 ar ue8 a a$nst t/e$r$n7lus$on /ereN 0$t/ all /um$l$t* t/e* 9el$eve8 t/e* /a8 merel* 8rafte8a lo $7al 8o7ument of rules an8 or8er an8 8$8 not 8eserve $n7lus$ont/emselves $n t/e 7$r7le of an7$ents. )ut 0/en t/e rateful people of?r*pton vote8 t/at t/e* 0oul8 /ave to 9e $n7lu8e8, t/e* 9e ru8 $n l*a77epte8 t/e /onor. t 0as t/e people 0/o follo0e8 t/e la0s 0/o8eserve8 re7o n$t$on, t/e* sa$8, not t/ose 0/o merel* 0rote t/em.

?ol- r=s em9lem 0as t/e open /an8 of trut/ an8 ;ust$7e. Sor- l=s 7rest0as a 8$amon8-s/ape8 s/$el8 0$t/ a 0$n8$n serpent $ns$8e, a 0arn$nnot to return to t/e 8$s/onest* an8 v$olen7e t/at on7e /a8 pla ue8t/e$r planet. +ol-@s=s s$ n 0as t/e open e*e, to prov$8e eternalv$ $lan7e a a$nst t/ose 0/o sou /t a return to t/e 9ar9arous t$mes.

#/ese t/ree, an8 t/e ot/ers 0/o follo0e8 t/em, us/ere8 $n enerat$onsof pea7e. #o ara, 9e$n $n t/e$r valle*, 9reat/$n t/e a$r t/e*9reat/e8 so lon a o, ave /er 7/$lls. S/e 0as sure t/e po0er s/e felt

+a e "


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txt/ere 0oul8 last forever. S/e 7oul8 not :no0 t/at $n f$ve *ears= t$me,$n l$ttle more t/an t/e snap of /er f$n ers, t/e valle*, t/e to0ers,an8 ever*t/$n aroun8 t/em, 0oul8 9e one.

?r*ptonopol$s /a8 9een ro0n from a s$n le 7r*stal mount more t/an tent/ousan8 *ears 9efore, an8 $t st$ll s/o0e8 no s$ ns of 8e7a*. t/erstones, rest$n atop t/e flat 9ase, /a8 9een ro0n an8 s/ape8 9* t/eearl$est ?r*pton$ans $nto vast 7$t$es m$ll$ons of 9u$l8$n s stron . #/etall to0ers surroun8$n t/e reat 9u$l8$n t/at 0as /ome to ?r*pton=sS7$en7e Coun7$l leame8 $n t/e 9r$ /t re8 sunl$ /t.

ara 0as /app* t/e* 8$8n=t l$ve 7loser to t/e Coun7$l. W/en s/e f$rst7ame to t/e 7$t* to 0or: 0$t/ For- l, s/e 9el$eve8 t/ere 0as pro9a9l*no reater /onor t/an to 9e 0el7ome8 $nto t/ose /alls. )ut even 9eforet/e Coun7$l=s rea7t$on to For- l=s 8$s7over*, s/e /a8 7ome to loat/et/at san7t$mon$ous $nst$tut$on 0$t/ ever* an r* emot$on s/e 7oul8summon.

ara an8 For- l=s /ome, lar er t/an t*p$7al for r o=s sout/ 0all, /a89een 7ut $nto t/e mount=s fa7e 9* Sor- l /$mself. t loo:e8 out over

r o=s 7l$ffs $nto t/e 0$8e expanse of t/e Qan C/asm an8 $ts ra$n9o0falls. ven after f$ve *ears s/e 7oul8 not loo: $nto t/at 7avernous

ulf an8 not feel /um9le8 9* $ts ma;est*.

?r*pton 0as a 0orl8 of 0on8ers s/e /a8 ;ust 9e un to explore, an8 s/e7urse8 t/e fates t/at 8eman8e8 $ts 8estru7t$on.

For- l rea7/e8 for t/e 9a9*. t 0as t$me. 'or a moment ara=s e*esla%e8 over. o. 0on=t let *ou sen8 /$m a0a*. 0ant /$m to 9e 0$t/

me for ;ust one more 8a*. ne full 8a*. )ut ara :ne0 7/an $n /er m$n8no0 0oul8 7on8emn t/e$r son to t/e same fate a0a$t$n t/em. S/esnu le8 /er fa7e $nto ?al- l=s, :$sse8 /$m for t/e last t$me, t/en/an8e8 /$m to /$s fat/er.


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txta7t$ons, not real$%$n t/$s small, 7rampe8 spa7e 0oul8 soon 9e7ome /$sne0 mot/er an8 fat/er an8 /ome for more t/an t0o lon *ears. #/e7r*stals 0oul8 fee8, nurture, an8 prote7t /$m. n8 even $n /$s lonsleep /e 0oul8 spen8 t/e t$me l$sten$n to ara=s an8 For- l=s vo$7estal:$n to /$m, tea7/$n /$m all t/at t/e t0ent*-e$ /t :no0n alax$es/a8 to offer.

uest$on t/at 8$s7over*. +er/aps eternal 8amnat$on $n somenameless l$m9o 0as a7tuall* 0orse t/an a s$mple an8 s0$ft 8eat/.

)ut ara never treate8 /$m as one of ?r*pton=s 9est an8 9r$ /test. S/e/a8 0or:e8 0$t/ man* of t/e ot/er so-7alle8 reats s$n7e leav$n t/eun$vers$t*, an8 s/e /a8 9e un to t/$n: t/at t/ou / t/e* m$ /t /ave on7e9een oo8, ma*9e 0/en t/e* 0ere *oun , fame an8 fortune /a8 turne8 t/em$nto l$ttle more t/an, 0ell, $8$ots. n8 le7/erous ones at t/at.

t part$es s/e enterta$ne8 /er fr$en8s 0$t/ /er 8ea8l* a77urate$mpersonat$onsKLOt/e meaner t/e* 0ere $n tear$n apart t/e$r professors,t/e more ever*one lau /e8. S/e 8el$ /te8 $n expla$n$n exa7tl* /o0 s/e7oul8 ta:e all t/ese o/-so-9r$ll$ant men=s $8eas, m$x t/em to et/er,an8 7onvert t/em $nto a s$n le ener * sour7e, an8 t/e* st$ll 0oul8n=tpro8u7e enou / po0er to operate a 7/$l8=s top. #/e* 0ere ru8e an8arro ant, surv$v$n on t/e lor* of t/e$r past a7/$evements as 0ell ast/e 8$l$ ent 0or: of t/e$r *oun ass$stants, of 0/om t/e* too:

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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txtmer7$less a8vanta e. S/e 0oul8 t/en ta:e /er 9o0, an8 /er fr$en8s, all*oun ass$stants, of 7ourse, 0oul8 0$l8l* applau8 /er.

ara ra8uate8 at t/e top of /er 7lass, an8 /a8 8one s$ n$f$7ant 0or:s$n7e t/en 0/$le pu9l$s/$n numerous papers. S/e /a8 a ree8 to appl*for t/e ;o9 as For- l=s ass$stant onl* after 8e7$8$n s/e 0oul8 a77eptnot/$n less t/an 7omplete e>ual$t* 0$t/ /$m from 8a* one. n8 /e 0oul8/ave to 7re8$t all /er 0or:.

S/e 0as not o$n to ass$st /$m onl* to 9e for otten an8 s/ove8 as$8e.S/e 0as st$ll fum$n over 0/at t/at fat frau8 )al- o /a8 8one to /er.#/e so-7alle8 reat For- l 0oul8 /ave to a77ept /er on /er o0n terms,s/e stu99ornl* 8e7$8e8.

#/e$r f$rst meet$n too: /er a9a7: some0/at. n$t$all*, /e seeme8 to 9eser$ous an8 som9er, 0/$7/ s/e expe7te8 9ase8 on t/e so9er tone of t/epapers /e pu9l$s/e8. )ut as t/e* spo:e s/e sa0 /e 0as a9le to lau /eas$l*, even at /$mself, espe7$all* 0/en s/e tr$e8 to expla$n 0/* oneof /$s earl* letters, 0/$7/ /a8 9een 7olle7te8 $nto a lon -out-of-pr$nt/olo, 0as not onl* 9ase8 on a m$s7al7ulat$on, 9ut pompous $n $tsassumpt$ons.

< 0as *oun t/en,< /e expla$ne8, lau /$n .


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txt< =m not an un8erl$n . =m not an ass$stant. =m not t/ere to 9r$n *oufoo8. n8 =m 7erta$nl* not t/ere for an*t/$n not relate8 to our 0or:.

0ant t/at ver* 7lear.uest$on$n /$s 0or:, /$smet/o8s, an8 ar u$n nearl* all of /$s 7on7lus$ons. lt/ou / 0/en s/e0as st$ll so $mposs$9l* *oun s/e 0as 0ron more often man s/e 0asr$ /t, un8er For- l=s pat$ent tutela e s/e re0 >u$7:l*.

#/e* 0or:e8 to et/er for t/ree *ears. n8 9* t/e t$me s/e 7oul8n=t 8en*t/at s/e 0as 7ompletel* $n love 0$t/ /$m, /e real$%e8 t/at /e /a8alrea8* fallen for /er.

ara too: ?al- l=s t$n* /an8 $n /ers an8 slo0l* massa e8 ea7/ pu8 *f$n er. < 0orr* for /$m. 0a* from us /e=ll 9e $solate8. lone.uarters 0$n8o0. #/e l$ /t refra7te8,pa$nt$n an $r$8es7ent ra$n9o0 a7ross t/e $nfant=s fa7e. < e 0$ll not9e alone. e 0$ll never 9e alone.ua:e too: t/em 9* surpr$se. #/e* 0at7/e8 /elpless as t/e sout/0all of t/e$r /ome >u$vere8, t/en spl$ntere8 an8 s/attere8, ta:$n /alft/e room 0$t/ $t. #/e* sa0 Mount r o s/ru off t/ousan8-foot sl$7es of$ts on7e-prou8 7r*stal fa7e. #/e mass$ve s/ar8s sl$8 8o0n t/e mounta$n,/u $n $t t$ /tl*, a 7/$l8 refus$n to leave $ts mot/er=s s$8e, onl*to 8$sappear $nto t/e m$sts of t/e Qan C/asm. #0o m$ll$on /omes,7arefull* an8 8el$7atel* ro0n an8 7arve8 $nto t/e 7r*stal over man*t/ousan8s of *ears, van$s/e8 $nto t/at a9*ss. More t/an t/ree m$ll$onl$ves 0ere lost.


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txtara remove8 t/e fat/er 7r*stal from $ts 7ompartment. t /a8 a77epte8

nearl* "5 per7ent of $ts pro ramm$n . < t=s not 7omplete. Some of t/es7$en7es are m$ss$n .u$etl* pra* for /$s safe return.

Superman felt /$s t/roat t$ /ten an8 /e real$%e8 /o0 mu7/ /e m$sse8/er. o0 mu7/ /e m$sse8 /$s /ome.

e turne8 9a7: to Sor- l=s to0er, su88enl* 7ol8 an8 8$stant an8$mposs$9le to tou7/, an8 $n /$s m$n8 /e /ear8 For- l=s vo$7e a a$n.


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e felt /$s t/roat t$ /ten a a$n 9ut t/$s t$me $t :ept ett$n 0orse,not 9etter. ausea >u$7:l* turne8 $nto a 7r$ppl$n pa$n, :nott$n /$sstoma7/ an8 sprea8$n t/rou /out /$s 9o8*, from /$s :$8ne*s to /$s/eart. W/at=s /appen$n to meP

e felt /$s 9o8* 7ollapse. e tr$e8 to 7at7/ /$s 9reat/, 9ut /e 0asa $n , 7/o:$n for a$r, an8 /e 7oul8n=t ma:e /$mself stop. $s e*es

rolle8 $nto t/e$r so7:ets as an unfor $v$n 9la7:ness overtoo: /$m.

)ut t/en a f$er* reen s7ar 9urne8 $ts 0a* t/rou / t/e 8ar:.

$s e*es snappe8 open an8 /e sa0 Sor- l=s to0er an8 $ts serpent s/$el8.#/e* 0ere also lo0$n reen. e stru le8 to loo: 7loser an8 sa0 t/att/e f$re 0as emanat$n from a tapere8 7ra7: t/at tra7e8 t/e 7ontours oft/e 0$n8$n serpent.

e re7o n$%e8 t/at reen.

?r*pton$te.

W/en ?r*pton 8$e8 $n t/e f$res of t/e supernova, t/e mole7ules of $tsl$v$n 7r*stals melte8 an8 transforme8 $nto a 9urn$n reen ra8$oa7t$vemass. #/e mass 7ame to et/er for onl* a moment, sol$8$f*$n $nto as$n le ent$t*, t/en $t explo8e8 $nto m$ll$ons of smaller fra ments, all9urn$n 0$t/ t/at same 8ea8l* ra8$oa7t$v$t*.

#/e p$e7es 7oole8 $nto small ro7:s as t/e* sprea8 a7ross t/e alax*.#/e* 7ras/e8 onto man* planets, $n7lu8$n t/e art/.

#/e* 0ere /armless to /umans, 9ut Superman :ne0 t/e* 0ere 8ea8l* to/$mN t/e$r s$n ular ra8$oa7t$v$t* 0oul8, 0$t/ prolon e8 exposure, :$ll?r*pton$ans.

#/e* /a8 al0a*s 9een *et one furt/er rem$n8er of /o0 8$fferent /e 0asfrom art/people.

e sa0 /$s /an8s lo0$n l$ /t reen, t/e f$rst effe7ts of :r*pton$tepo$son$n . ven prote7te8 9* t/e 7r*stal star=s s/$el8$n , t/era8$oa7t$v$t* 0as $ns$nuat$n $tself $nto /$m. #/e reen lo0 0asemanat$n from t/e serpent s/$el8. t /a8 some/o0 fuse8 0$t/ t/e7r*stal, 8$s u$s$n $t, per/aps prote7t$n $t from $mme8$atere7o n$t$on.

ven 9efore see$n t/e :r*pton$te, /e=8 alrea8* 9een feel$n 0ea:. W/*8$8n=t un8erstan8 t/e s*mptomsP

W/* 8$8n=t run a0a* from /ere t/enP not/er 0ave of nausea s0ept over

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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txt/$m. $s fa7e 0as 7ol8 an8 /e 0as s0eat$n .

=ve ot to et a0a* from /ere. f sta* an* lon er =ll 8$e.

e stru le8 to spea:, 9ut /$s t/roat 0as 7onstr$7te8. < ome,< 0as all/e 7oul8 7/o:e out.

#/e star respon8e8 an8 spe8 to0ar8 t/e e8 e of t/e valle*, t/en fle0over a tall 7l$ff, prepar$n to leave ?r*pton=s spa7e. Supermanexpe7te8 to see t/e rest of ?r*pton 9e*on8 $t, 9ut t/e 0orl8 8roppe8a0a* $nto not/$n ness.

W/ere $s t/e rest of t/e 0orl8P

e t/ou /t /e 0as 8elus$onal. #/e fever /a8 ta:en /$m overI e 0as9urn$n up. e su88enl* nee8e8 to fl* t/rou / t/e 7r*stal, $nto t/e7ol8 of spa7e.

#/ere 0ere people ever*0/ere. #/e$r arms 0ere ra$se8, t/e$r f$n ers,0/$te an8 9on*, 0ere tr*$n to pull /$m to t/em. #/e 7r*stal star 9e anto 8r$ft 9a7:0ar8, an8 /e sa0 t/e$r fa7esI 8es$77ate8 an8 fles/less,lon 8ea8. #/e* 0ere ?r*pton=s /osts, an8 t/e* 0ante8 /$m to 7ome 9a7:to t/em.

e 7lose8 /$s e*es, 9ut t/e* 0oul8n=t o a0a*. e :ne0 /e 0as8elus$onalN no9o8* 0as t/ere, outs$8e t/e star, 7all$n to /$m. )ut /e8$8n=t 7are. e 0as 8*$n .

s t/e star pulle8 a0a* from t/e Aalle* of t/e l8ers, /e 7oul8 seet/at 0/at /e t/ou /t /a8 9een t/e planet ?r*pton 0as onl* a 9ro:ens/ar8 of t/e 0orl8, a s$n le m$les-lon fra ment of a memor* t/at /a88$e8 a l$fet$me a o an8 0as no0 8esperatel* tr*$n to re7la$m $ts lasterrant son.

#/e fra ment=s un8ers$8e 0as a s/attere8 se7t$on of ?r*pton=s or$ $nalmantle, t/e :r*pton$te 9eneat/ 0as po:$n t/rou /, sprea8$n $tsra8$at$on fart/er an8 fart/er $nto spa7e. Smaller 7r*stal s/ar8s, allfuse8 0$t/ t/e 8ea8l* ra8$oa7t$v$t*, /a8 9ro:en free an8 s/ot off $ntospa7e, s/o0er$n $ts pla ue $n all 8$re7t$ons.

t 0as so $ron$7. e /a8 es7ape8 ?r*pton=s 8estru7t$on, 9ut t/e planet,per/aps real$%$n t/$s 0as $ts last 7/an7e, 0as $n7apa9le of lett$n/$m o.

#/e star >u$7:l* pulle8 a0a* from t/at s:eletal mo7:er* of 0/at /a8on7e 9een a reat 0orl8, 9ut Superman 0as st$ll feel$n no 9etter.

$stan7e s/oul8 /ave allo0e8 /$m to re7over, 9ut $nstea8 /e felt /$s/eart9eat slo0$n . e foun8 $t /ar8er to 9reat/e. $s :$8ne*s 0ere

+a e 33


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txt9e $nn$n to fa$l.

$s e*es la%e8 over, 9ut /e 7oul8 see past t/e star=s transparents/ell to t/e arma8a of astero$8s t/at surroun8e8 /$m, 8ra0n $nto /$ss/$p=s 0a:e, follo0$n /$m l$:e so man* 9a9* 8u7:s to t/e$r mot/er.

Superman tr$e8 to tal:, 9ut /$s t/roat 0as 7onstr$7te8 0$t/ p/le m. $sf$n ers, trem9l$n , rea7/e8 for t/e 7onsole 0/en /e felt t/e 7r*stalstar s/a:eN stru7: 9* one of t/e :r*pton$te ro7:s. e 8ou9le8 over,

asp$n $n pa$n as t/e s/$p 0as /$t a a$n. e stru le8 to rema$n7ons7$ous.

#/e star tum9le8 out of 7ontrol, sp$nn$n a7ross t/e vast p$t7/ ofspa7e, surroun8e8 9* emeral8 an els of 8eat/. #/e star=s s/ellfra mente8 an8 7ra7:e8 0$t/ ea7/ /$t, 8ra0$n $n tra7es of t/e:r*pton$te po$son, 9ut t/e 7r*stals re-forme8 ;ust as >u$7:l*, f$ll$n$n t/e va7ant spa7es, repa$r$n t/e s/$p.

not/er astero$8 slamme8 $nto t/e 0$n8o0, an8 /a$r-l$ne 7ra7:ssp$8er0e99e8 from $ts po$nt of $mpa7t. Superman stru le8 to /$s feetas more meteors slamme8 t/em.

#/e str$:es 0ere 7om$n faster, an8 t/e s/$p=s a9$l$t* to repa$r $tself0as fall$n far 9e/$n8 t/e sprea8$n 8ama e.

e 9ra7e8 /$mself as anot/er meteor stru7:. e 7oul8 feel t/e s/$pa77elerat$n . Spa7e 0as rus/$n past. ne0 star s*stem 0as 0$t/$ns$ /t

Slo0l*, /e not$7e8, t/e str$:es 0ere 9e7om$n more $nterm$ttentN t/estar /a8 out8$stan7e8 $ts pursuers. Fust $n t$me. e felt /$s 9reat/slo0l* return as /e rea7/e8 to t/e 7onsole an8 pun7/e8 $n a ser$es of7omman8s.

e allo0e8 /$mself one last loo: at t/e planetar* s/ell /e /a8 left9e/$n8, 0/$spere8 a >u$et oo8-9*e to t/e ?r*pton /e never :ne0, t/enfell 9a7: $nto /$s seat an8 7lose8 /$s e*es. #/e sleep 7/am9er l$8 sl$8out from $ts 7r*stal per7/ an8 7overe8 /$m. #/en /e /ear8 t/eno0-fam$l$ar /$ss as $t seale8 /$m $ns$8e, prote7t$n /$m $n $ts 0arm7r*stal 7o7oon.

#/e s/$p sa$le8 to0ar8 $ts f$nal 8est$nat$on /alf a alax* a0a*, one ofman* l$ /ts spar:l$n $n t/e 8ar:. e t/ou /t of /$s mot/er an8 fat/eran8 of Smallv$lle an8 Metropol$s an8 t/e 0/ole of planet art/, an8 /$sf$nal 0or8 as sleep overtoo: /$m 0as < ome.uee%e8 /$s /an8.


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txt< ou sa$8 $f /elpe8 *ou et out of pr$son, t/at *ou=8 ta:e 7are ofme. n8 *ou /ave. ou=ve 8one so mu7/ for me. S/o0n me pleasures never t/ou /t 0ere poss$9le.u$7:enun7ontrolla9l*. e /a8 to release t/e /eat fast, 9ut /e 7oul8n=t 8o $t/ereN $f /e 8$8n=t 7ontrol $t, /e 0oul8 9urn 8o0n t/e ent$re s7/ool.

e ;umpe8 out of /$s seat, /$s e*es st$ll s/ut, an8 /e ran, mum9l$nsomet/$n l$:e < =m sorr*. otta o. Must=ve 9een lun7/. feel

+a e 45


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txts$7:.uest$ons.

< 8on=t :no0 $f =m t/at u* an*more. 8on=t even :no0 $f =8 9e0el7ome8 9a7:.ual$t* /e /a8 never exper$en7e8 9efore. ' Q 0as tal:$n pol$t$7s. C0as a$r$n an ex7lus$ve $nterv$e0 0$t/ t/e pr$me m$n$ster of Fapan.MS )C /a8 one of $ts tal:$n /ea8s ar u$n 0$t/ t/ree uests, s/out$nt/em 8o0n over some ne0 7on ress$onal s7an8al. o. ot/$n =s reall*7/an e8.

e ma8e /$s 0a* t/rou / t/e 9ullpen, /$s su$t7ases 7lums$l* :no7:$n$nto one 8es: after anot/er. ta9le 9o* sa0 /$m 7om$n an8 ;umpe8 outof /$s 0a* $n t$me to avo$8 9e$n /$t 9* t/e e8 e of an errantsu$t7ase. #/e man sm$le8 apolo et$7all* as /e passe8 /$m.

e turne8 an a$sle an8 /$s su$t7ase /$t $nto anot/er 8es:. 7amera,s$tt$n pre7ar$ousl* on t/e e8 e, s/oo: $tself off an8 9e an to fall.

e 8roppe8 t/e su$t7ase, rea7/e8 8o0nKLOfaster t/an t/e e*e 7oul8follo0KLOan8 7au /t t/e 7amera 9efore $t fell onto t/e mar9le floor.


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e0 fam$l* p/otos 0ere s$tt$n on 8es:s or ta7:e8 to 7u9$7le 0alls.#/ere 0as a ne0 7oat of pa$nt alon t/e 9a7: 0alls, an8, /e not$7e8,t/e or$ $nal as9estos 7e$l$n /a8 9een remove8 an8 repla7e8 0$t/ ne0,safer mater$als. #/e +lanet off$7e 0as 9ot/ ne0 an8 fam$l$ar. nostal $7 sm$le sprea8 a7ross /$s fa7e.


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txt)ut +err* 0as alrea8* /alf0a* 9a7: to /$s off$7e. < on=t t/an: me.#/an: orm +ar:er for 8*$n .u$etl* 7los$n $ts 8oor 9e/$n8 /$m.

e foun8 /$s su$t7ase an8 too: out t/e neatl* fol8e8 su$t /e=8 7omefor. e stare8 at $t for a moment, /es$tat$n . f 8o t/$s, $f release t/e en$e, /e 7an=t ever 9e put 9a7: $nto /$s 9ottle a a$n.

)ut /e :ne0 /e /a8 no 7/o$7e. For- l an8 ara 0ere r$ /tN /e /a8 a8est$n*. Fonat/an an8 Mart/a ?ent 0ere also r$ /tN /e 0as put /ere on

art/ for a reason.

#/e su$t felt 7omforta9le an8 some/o0 reassur$n . e too: a lon9reat/, steppe8 outs$8e, an8 ma8e /$s 0a* to t/e nearest 0$n8o0.

ver*one 0as st$ll 0at7/$n t/ose /orr$f*$n $ma es fl$7:er$n a7rosst/e telev$s$on. e 7au /t /$s refle7t$on $n t/e lassN /e 0as st$ll0ear$n Clar:=s lasses. t /as 9een a lon t$me. e sl$ppe8 t/em $nto/$s 7ape po7:et, t/en steppe8 out $nto t/e 7ol8 a$r.

e foun8 t/e 0$n8 a a$nst /$s fa7e 9ra7$n as /e soare8 over Centenn$al+ar:. t /a8 9een more t/an f$ve *ears s$n7e /$s last fl$ /t, an8t/ou / /e felt a pan of u$lt for t/$n:$n $t, espe7$all* no0,7ons$8er$n , fl*$n feltKL natural. t felt oo8. Some/o0 empo0er$n . ereal$%e8 /o0 mu7/ /e /a8 m$sse8 $t.

e fle0 over a 9ron%e statue of /$mself $n t/e m$88le of t/e par:, neart/e la:e an8 t/e 7arousel, stan8$n tall an8 prou8, /ol8$n a meteorover /$s /ea8KLOone of t/e a7tual meteors /e /a8 7au /t on /$s last 8a*on art/. +eople 0ere s$tt$n on t/e 9en7/es 7$r7l$n $t, /av$n lun7/,tal:-$n an8 lau /$n , /app$l* l$v$n t/e$r 8a*s, temporar$l* una0areof t/e pro9lems pla u$n t/e rest of t/e 0orl8.

$s teles7op$7 v$s$on let /$m rea8 t/e en rave8 pla>ue part$all* 9ur$e8$n t/e roun8 $n front of t/e statue, for superman, our sav$or. e0$n7e8.

+a e !!


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e never 0ante8 to 9e a sav$or, or even to 9e t/ou /t of t/at 0a*. es,/e :ne0 /e 0asn=t ;ust a pol$7eman 0/o 7ame 0$t/ somet/$n extra. ea7:no0le8 e8 /$s po0ers separate8 /$mself from nearl* ever*one else,9ut /e 8$8n=t t/$n: of /$mself as spe7$al. W/* 8$8 t/e* /ave toP

e lan7e8 up an8 7on7entrate8, fo7us$n /$s e*es unt$l /e lo7ate8 alon tra$l of smo:e 7l$m9$n $nto t/e upper atmosp/ere, /alf0a* a7rosst/e @n$te8 States. e tra$ne8 /$s teles7op$7 v$s$on to f$n8 t/e /ea8 oft/e 7omet an8 sa0 t/e s/uttle, $ts 9oosters st$ll f$r$n , 8ra $nalon 0$t/ $t t/e /elpless )oe$n .

e s0$t7/e8 to Q-ra* v$s$on an8 7/e7:e8 $ns$8e t/e ;et. e sa0 a 9lon80oman, )o99$e-'a*e, 7ra0l$n a7ross t/e floor, stru l$n /er 0a* $ntoa seat. x* en mas:s 0ere 8es7en8$n from t/e over/ea8 7ompartments,an8 passen ers 0ere se7ur$n t/em $n pla7e as $nstru7te8 9* t/epre-fl$ /t mov$e.

e sear7/e8 a$sle after a$sle unt$l /e foun8 o$s. #/an: oo8ness. S/e/a8 ra99e8 /er mas: 9ut 0as fa$l$n to put $t on properl*. reporternext to /er /elpe8 f$t $t $nto pla7e an8 9e $n t/e flo0 of ox* en.

#/e smo:* tra$l 0as no0 8$re7tl* a/ea8 of /$m, so /e 9an$s/e8 /$s8ou9ts an8 strea:e8 to0ar8 $t. W$t/$n se7on8s /e sa0 t/e 0$t/ t/ep$ *9a7:e8 s/uttle 7l$m9$n /$ /er $nto t/e atmosp/ere, t0o f$ /ter;ets attempt$n to follo0 9ut una9le to :eep up.

$s Q-ra* v$s$on allo0e8 /$m to see t/e astronauts, 7alml* fl$pp$n t/es0$t7/es on t/e panel t/at s/oul8 /ave 8eta7/e8 t/em from t/e ;et. #/es*stem /a8 s/ort-7$r7u$te8, some/o0 ta:$n $ts 9a7:up 0$t/ $t, an8not/$n 0as 0or:$n no0. e 7oul8 7learl* /ear Comman8er ea erspea:$n 0$t/ M$ss$on Control. < nter$n mesosp/ere $n s$xteen se7on8s.Se7on8ar* 9ooster $ n$t$on $n t0ent* se7on8s. t 8oesn=t loo: oo8,Fo/n.u$7:l* as t/e* 7oul8. 'or et $t. =m/ere, an8 =m not leav$n =t$l et 0/at 7ame for.

an8 over /an8 /e pulle8 /$mself a7ross t/e 9o8* of t/e ;et, f$ /t$nt/e relentless pressures pus/$n a a$nst /$m. $s mus7les t$ /tene8 as/e stra$ne8 to a$n ever* $n7/, ever* foot.

Do8s 7oul8 8o t/$s 0$t/out an* pro9lems /e t/ou /t. #/e* 7oul8 0$s/ t/e;et to safet*. #/e* 7oul8 ma:e ever*t/$n r$ /t a a$n ;ust 9* snapp$nt/e$r f$n ers.

)ut /$s f$n ers a7/e8 as /e pulle8 /$mself a7ross t/e ;et=s 9o8*, t/e0$n8 slamm$n at /$m, tr*$n to fl$n /$m 9a7: $nto spa7e. t /a8 9eenf$ve lon *ears s$n7e /e /a8 exerte8 /$mself $n t/$s 0a*. '$ve *earssleep$n $n stas$s, l$v$n $n /$s 8reams, an8 /$s movements no0 felta0:0ar8, an8 /$s 9alan7e 0as pre7ar$ousN t/e ;et=s sl$7: metal 9o8* 0asnot 8es$ ne8 to 9e 7l$m9e8 over l$:e some pla* roun8 mon:e* 9ars.

#/e ;et metal 9un7/e8 as /$s f$n ers 8u $nto $t. #/en, as /e7ont$nue8, ea7/ /an8/ol8 9e7ame a foot/ol8, somet/$n for /$m to pus/a a$nst, ma:$n t/e next several feet seem poss$9le to a8van7e. esp$tet/e a0:0ar8ness an8 pa$n, /e /a8 not 7ons$8ere8 $v$n up. #/$s /a8 to9e 8one, an8 even $f $t tore /$m apart, /e 0as o$n to save t/e ;et.

e rea7/e8 t/e 7oupl$n s an8 pus/e8 at t/em. #/e 0$n8 0as 8o$n $ts9est to tear /$m a0a*, 9ut /e /el8 on, pus/$n /ar8er an8 /ar8er unt$lt/e* f$nall* snappe8. e 7oul8 feel t/e t0o 7raft 8eta7/$n .

e 9a7:e8 off, /over$n for an $nstant, re a$n$n ;ust a fra7t$on of/$s stren t/, 9ut /e :ne0 $t 0oul8 /ave to 9e enou /. e pus/e8 a a$n,for7$n t/e s/uttle s:*0ar8, $nto spa7e, safel* a0a* from t/e ;et.

M$ss$on Control=s vo$7e 7ra7:le8 over t/e ra8$o. < xplorer, @ ' 7omm.C/e7:. o *ou rea8P ver.uest$ons, to 9efore /e /a8 8ou9ts, to 9efore /e lost /$s pla7e,/$s 0a*.


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txtnot/er l$fe.


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#/ere 0ere so man* no$ses. e fo7use8 to f$lter out t/e more 7/aot$7soun8s.

e /ear8 an eart/>ua:e rattle $ts 0a* to0ar8 a lonel* +a7$f$7 $slan80/$le a su88en vol7an$7 erupt$on sent f$re stream$n to0ar8 a 7ro08e8

s$an 7$t*. e /ear8 unf$re an8 s$rens.

e /ear8 t/e no$ses of Metropol$s 7om$n from far 9elo0 /$m. e /ear8$ts 7r$es for /elp.

e opene8 /$s e*es a a$n.

e 0as /ome a a$n, an8 Metropol$s nee8e8 /$m.

t least /e 0as 7erta$n someone 8$8.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

+art #0o--------

#R S------

----------------------------------------------------------------------

C/apter $neteen

+rev$ous#op ext

< =m 9ore8,< ?$tt* sa$8 a a$n, *a0n$n . #/e* 0ere 0at7/$n S$e fr$e8ple8 e eternal love to )run/$l8e 9* $v$n /er 'afner=s r$n . S/epla7e8 $t on /er f$n er as /e /el8 up /er s/$el8 an8 mounte8 /er /orse,t/en ro8e off $nto t/e 0oo8s.

< 7an onl* f$le m* na$ls for so lon , *ou :no0. )es$8es, 0/at=s t/$s=Rope of est$n*= t/$n all a9out, an*0a*P n8 0/o 7ares $f $t 9ro:e or0/atever $t 8$8Pu$7: :$ss on t/e7/ee:, t/en s7ampere8 off.

Superman 0at7/e8 as s/e left, pu%%le8, em9arrasse8, an8 flattere8. esa0 t/e am9ulan7e 8r$vers star$n at /$m, t/en /e laun7/e8 /$mself $ntot/e a$r, an8 /ea8e8 up $nto t/e 8$stan7e.

Fosef Muller=s 0$fe /a8 /a8 a premon$t$on t/at morn$n .


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txtmatter 0/ere *ou loo:.< e 0as us$n t/e remote to surf t/e 7/annels.

D)S e0s 0as o$n t/rou / t/e$r Superman 0at7/-l$st. n S/an /a$, /e/a8 stoppe8 a pett* t/$ef from ro99$n a small /ar80are store. #/et/$ef /a8 /a8 a un a$me8 at t/e fr$ /tene8 o0ner, t/en, a se7on8later, /e foun8 /$mself t$e8 up $n an ele7tr$7al 7or8. #/e* s/o0e8 ase7ur$t*-7am s/ot of Superman s/a:$n /an8s 0$t/ t/e t/$ef=s formerv$7t$m.

n Mel9ourne, /e stoppe8 a floo8. n Ca$ro, /e prevente8 a san8stormfrom 9ur*$n a small v$lla e.

D$l 7l$7:e8 to anot/er 7/annel 0/ere a 9lan:-fa7e8 an7/or sat $n frontof a 0orl8 map mar:$n Superman=s overn$ /t feats 0$t/ small


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txt*ou 1& per7ent off. W/at a 8eal.ua:e t/e 7ont$nentKLOan* 7ont$nentKLO/a8 ever suffere8.

e loo:e8 up a a$n to t/e /or$%on. #orn.

o$s ran to t/e pool ta9le, 8art$n aroun8 $t to :eep $t 9et0een /eran8 )rutus. #/ere 0as a 8ar: ra e 9urn$n $n /$s 8ull e*es, an8 $ts7are8 /er. S/e ra99e8 Fason an8 s/ove8 /$m 9e/$n8 /er.


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txton /er.

S/e t/rust /er feet out a a$n, 9ut t/$s t$me s/e 0asn=t tr*$n to /urt/$m. S/e use8 /$s mass$ve le s as t/e $mmova9le post t/e* 0ere to pus//erself 9a7:0ar8, 7loser to t/e 9oo:7ase. s /e ra$se8 t/e 7ue over /$s/ea8 a a$n, s/e ra99e8 t/e 9oo:7ase an8 pulle8, t$pp$n $t over.

)rutus loo:e8 up ;ust as $t smas/e8 8o0n on top of /$m, 7ra7:$n /$sne7:. e fell to /$s :nees, 0o99le8 a fe0 t$mes, t/en fell fa7e-f$rstonto t/e pol$s/e8 0oo8 floors.

Fason 0as star$n at /$s mot/er, st$ll paral*%e8 0$t/ fear, asp$n for9reat/. e ra99e8 /$s $n/aler, too: a /$t off $t, t/en rus/e8 to /eras s/e 0as r$s$n to /er feet.


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txtDertru8e ro7:e8 9a7: an8 fort/, sen8$n /er fall$n port to star9oar8.

ut/or $ nore8 /er as /e 7ont$nue8 to loo: at t/e sonar s7reen8$spla*$n t/e stran e stru7tures t/at 0ere form$n un8er t/e o7ean.

e sa0 R$le* an8 Drant step onto t/e 8e7:.


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txts t/e* rose, /e too: one last loo: at t/e 9eaut$ful *a7/t rest$n

7alml* $n t/e sea 9elo0.


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#/e s/o0er of steel an8 lass starte8 to melt, 9e7om$n f$er* l$>u$88rops. e $n7rease8 t/e /eat, re8u7$n t/em to /armless 9$ts of as/ an8em9er.

Su88enl*, Superman 0as one. e appeare8 /alf0a* a7ross to0n 0/ere t/erope straps /ol8$n a 7onstru7t$on 0or:er safel* to t/e s$8e of a9u$l8$n snappe8 $n /alf. Su-perman 7au /t /$m $n m$8a$r an8 9rou /t/$m safel* to t/e roof.

e /ear8 s7reams 7om$n from t/e street an8 sa0 passers9* tr*$n topull a *oun man from a 9urn$n , overturne8 7ar. e fl$ppe8 /$mselfover a a$n an8 strea:e8 8o0n, 9reat/$n $n 8eepl*, expan8$n /$s7/ee:s. s /e strea:e8 past t/e 7ar, t/e people /ear8 a su88en W San8 sa0 t/at t/e f$re /a8 9een ext$n u$s/e8, an8 t/e 7ar 0as 7overe80$t/ a la*er of frost.

+err* /el8 on to t/e 0all as /e 7alle8 /$s staff to et/er.


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txt:eep t/e$r attent$on, an8, most $mportantl*, /o0 to en8 t/e p$e7e.

+err*=s 8es7r$pt$ve 0r$t$n 9rou /t /$m to t/e attent$on of several e0or: pu9l$s/ers. t t0ent*-t0o /e 0rote a 9oo: a9out /$s earl*

7orrespon8ent 8a*s t/at ma8e /$m a e0 or: #$mes 9est-sell$n aut/or.)* t/$rt*-four, 0$t/ s$x more 9oo:s to /$s name, marr$e8 an8 0$t/ a :$8a9out to enter se7on8 ra8e, an8 anot/er on t/e 0a*, /e real$%e8 for/$s fam$l*=s sa:e $t 0as t$me to stop travel$n . e a77epte8 anass$stant e8$tor=s ;o9 at t/e a$l* +lanet. #0elve *ears later /e 0asname8 e8$tor.

+err* sa0 F$mm* star$n 9lan:l* out t/e 0$n8o0 as a 8$stant explos$ons/oo: /$m out of /$s rever$e. e rea7/e8 for /$s 7amera an8 9e ansnapp$n p/oto rap/s. f t/e :$8 ever ets /$s /ea8 s7re0e8 on r$ /t,/e m$ /t ma:e $t. e=s ot an e*e, no 8ou9t a9out $t. W/at /e nee8s $sa 9ra$n to o 0$t/ $t.

F$mm* 0asn=t 7erta$n $f /e=8 surv$ve t/e 8a* or $f t/ere 0oul8 9ean*one left to 8o0nloa8 /$s p$7tures an8 pr$nt t/em, 9ut as lon as /e7oul8 9ra7e /$mself $n front of t/e 0$n8o0, /e 0as o$n to re7or8 t/e8evastat$on as 9est /e 7oul8.

e /ear8 7r$es 7om$n up from t/e street, an8 t/e* 9ro:e /$s /eart.ver*one 0as afra$8, afra$8 of 0/at 0as /appen$n , afra$8 t/at t/ere

0as no es7ape, afra$8 t/e* 0oul8n=t see t/e$r love8 ones a a$n.

F$mm* 7lose8 $n on t/e fa7es of people. #/ere 0as a s7are8 m$88le-a e8man stan8$n $n t/e street, not :no0$n 0/at to 8o. 9o* of t0elve orso 0as /elp$n an el8erl* 0oman. *oun mot/er 0as s$tt$n on t/es$8e0al:, /u $n /er 9a9* 7lose to /er. e /ear8 /$s 7amera 7l$7:$na0a* p/oto after p/oto unt$l /e /a8 to rea7/ $nto /$s s/$rt po7:et an8ta:e out anot/er memor* 7ar8.

#/e people=s fa7es tol8 t/e stor* of Metropol$s. #/e* 0ere afra$8, of7ourse, 9ut t/e* 0ere 8eterm$ne8, too, to ma:e $t 9a7: to t/e$r /omes,to see t/e$r fr$en8s, t/e$r parents, t/e$r 0$ves, t/e$r /us9an8s, t/e$r7/$l8ren.

e snappe8 an un7ounta9le num9er of p/otos of people /elp$n ot/erseven as t/e* 0ere 8esperate to et out of t/e l$ne of 8an ert/emselves. n t/at $nstant, 0/en ell seeme8 to 9e ta:$n 7ontrol, /esa0 t/e moments of :$n8ness an8 7ar$n t/at ne0spapers, *es, even t/e

a$l* +lanet, all too often for ot to rem$n8 $ts rea8ers 0as out t/ere,st$ll al$ve $n people=s /earts.

)ut t/e tra e8* 0as over0/elm$n . e sa0 0/at loo:e8 l$:e a v$suals/o7: 0ave tear$n t/rou / t/e streets, t/en travel$n up t/e +lanet9u$l8$n . s $t rose /$ /er $t 0as s/atter$n 0$n8o0s. '$rst floor.

+a e 1!2


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txtSe7on8 floor. #/$r8 floor. F$mm* 8u7:e8 as lass explo8e8 all aroun8/$m.

e 0a$te8, t/en repos$t$one8 /$mself $n front of t/e 0$n8o0 a a$n. e/ear8 s7ream$n an8 sa0 t/e as ma$ns explo8e up an8 8o0n '$ft/ venue.

le7tr$7al f$res 0ere spar:$n an8 explo8$n a7ross t/e 7$t*. Dreenflares f$re-0or:e8 $nto t/e 8ar:en$n s:* as transm$tter aftertransm$tter fell an8 8$e8.

not/er 0ave stru7: t/e 9u$l8$n an8 F$mm* fell. e 0rappe8 /$s armsaroun8 /$s 7amera an8 let /$s 9a7: ta:e t/e $mpa7t.

#/e s/o7: 0ave move8 up to t/e$r floor, 7ra7:$n t/e +lanet=s ram=s/ea8 ar o*les t/at /a8 stoo8 as s$lent prote7tors ever s$n7e t/$slatest an8 last 9u$l8$n 0as 8e8$7ate8 $n Fune of 1"3!, 163 *ears after$ts foun8$n . #/e 0ave 7ont$nue8 past t/em, /ea8$n to0ar8 t/e roof.

e /ear8 t/e 7ra7: of 7on7rete an8 steel. t 0as t/e 9ase t/e a$l*+lanet=s art 8e7o lo9e /a8 per7/e8 on s$n7e t/at f$rst 8a* 0/en Fa7:Ma*er, t/en t/e +lanet=s pu9l$s/er, fl$ppe8 t/e s0$t7/ an8 turne8 on$ts l$ /ts. S$n7e t/at 8a* $t /a8 stoo8 9ravel* a a$nst /urr$7anes an8ot/er 8$sasters, 9ut no0 t/e lo9e pre7ar$ousl* teetere8 as t/e9u$l8$n s0a*e8.

e sa0 s/o7: 0aves r$pple t/rou / t/e room, tear$n up t/e floor$n ,:no7:$n 8o0n 7u9$7le 0alls, sen8$n 8es: a77essor$es fl*$n $n ever*8$re7t$on.

#/e floor seeme8 to r$se an8 fall l$:e a 0ave. Mon$tors spar:e8 an8explo8e8. ver/ea8 l$ /ts 0ren7/e8 t/emselves loose from t/e$r 7e$l$n9ra7:ets. ot/$n 0as left stan8$n .

n8 t/en, as F$mm* 0as stru l$n a7ross t/e room to0ar8 oel, 0/o 0astrappe8 un8er a 8es:, 7all$n for /elp, t/e rum9l$n stoppe8. 'or alon 0/$le, not/$n move8. #/e room 0as >u$et.

F$mm* pulle8 oel out from un8er t/e 8es:, t/en ran 9a7: to0ar8 +err*=soff$7e.

+err* /a8 stru le8 9a7: to /$s feet an8 surve*e8 t/e 8ama e. < :a*,ever*one,< /e sa$8. < et=s sta* put an8 sta* 7alm.u$7:l*, tum9l$n an8 sp$nn$n . #/e7ol8 sent a s/o7: t/rou / /$m, for7$n /$s e*es open. e 0as 8$%%* an88$sor$ente8, not at all 7erta$n 0/ere /e 0as or 0/at /e 0as see$n , 9utreal$%$n parts of /$s 9o8* 0ere ro0$n num9.

e not$7e8 /$s /an8s float$n $n t/e 0ater. #/e* 0ere reen. e feltt/e sta99$n pa$n $n /$s 9a7:, t/en /e remem9ere8 t/e :r*pton$te8a er.

e sa0 t/e 7r*stals e8 $n t/e$r 0a* to0ar8 /$m. Smaller s/ar8s 0erefloat$n freel* $n t/e 0ater. #/e* all loo:e8 so 9eaut$ful, 0$t/ t/e$r9r$ /t reen lo0, t/e$r :r*pton$te s/$ne.

e tr$e8 to s0$m 9a7: to t/e surfa7e, 9ut /$s arms 0oul8n=t move. #/e*/un at /$s s$8es l$:e 8ea8 meat on a ra7:. e tr$e8 to rea7/ for t/e:r*pton$te s/ar8, 9ut ut/or /a8 left /$m no expose8 /$lt to ra9.

e opene8 /$s mout/ $n a s$lent s7ream, stru l$n to sta* al$ve $n t/emes/ of 7r*stal t/at 0as 7los$n $n aroun8 /$m, over /$m, surroun8$n/$m l$:e a tom9.

+a e 2&5


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Ma*9e $t $s t$me, /e t/ou /t. Ma*9e $t=s t$me to o 9a7: to ?r*pton.

R$7/ar8=s seaplane 9an:e8 to0ar8 t/e mass$ve, ro0$n 7ont$nent. Fasonloo:e8 8o0n an8 po$nte8 at t/e o7ean.


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txtFason aspe8, po$nt$n . < t=s Momm*. see /er. see /er.u$8 ma ma. e 8$sappeare8 $nto $t as a /u e 7lou8of san8 an8 8$rt fle0 up, t/en ;ust as >u$7:l*, 0as su7:e8 9a7: $ntot/e /ole Superman /a8 left 9e/$n8.

e 7oul8 see mass$ve r$fts appear $n t/e roun8 aroun8 t/e 9ase of t/e7r*stal stru7ture. De*sers 0ere 9u99l$n an8 as 0as explo8$n from t/e7rev$7es as t/e o7ean floor 7ont$nue8 to spl$t.

ex ut/or sat $n t/e ma$n 7/am9er of /$s ne0 'ortress, /un7/e8 over ata9le, star$n at Drant an8 R$le*. e /a8 a t0$ste8 leam $n /$s e*esas /e loo:e8 9a7: at t/e 7ar8s $n /$s /an8 an8 la$8 t/em 8o0n one at at$me.


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< ea:$n P< e lare8 at /er.


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txt7rus/$n $t to 8ust.


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Wolfman, Marv - [Superman] - Superman Returns.txt7/asm t/at 0as ro0$n 0$8er ever* se7on8. #/e 7opter plummete8, t/en$t 9e an to r$se, fl*$n up an8 over t/e 7ollaps$n 7r*stal mounta$n.

ut/or stare8 out t/e 7/opper 0$n8o0 $n a forlorn 8a%e, not *etun8erstan8$n 0/at /a8 /appene8. #/e 7r*stals 0ere stru7turall* soun8.

e /a8 ma8e sure of t/at. #/e* s/oul8n=t /ave 9ro:en apart as t/e* /a8.#/e 'ortress s/oul8n=t /ave s/oo: or 7ollapse8. #/e monol$t/s 0eresuppose8 to 9e eternal. W/at /a8 one 0ron P

e felt t/e $slan8 st$ll r$s$n , an8 /ear8 a reat roar as $ts 9ase9ro:e t/e o7ean surfa7e, reveal$n an un8ers$8e of 9ro0n, ro7:* eart/.#/e $slan8 0as float$n up0ar8, /$ /er an8 /$ /er.

e :ept star$n unt$l t/e $slan8KLO/$s $slan8KLO0as at e*e level. n8 9elo0$t, a mere spe7: $n $ts mass$ve un8ers$8e, 0as Superman, stra$n$n 0$t/all /$s stren t/, pus/$n $t from 9elo0.

< o. o. ononono. J t=s $mposs$9le. e=s 8ea8. :$lle8 /$m. e7an=t 9e 8o$n t/$s. e=s not real.

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