The interior of the Kryptonian ship was nothing like any human spacecraft. Instead of utilitarian metal corridors, the walls seemed to be made from some kind of organic crystalline material. Clark and Mario navigated through winding passages. They emerged onto a raised platform. In the center sat a control console with a polygonal indentation about the size of a finger.
Clark's hand moved instinctively to the pendant hanging around his neck.
"Go ahead and put it in."
Dad's on a USB drive, Mario thought to himself. That's what the pendant really was, a high-tech data storage device containing an AI construct based on Jor-El's memories and personality. Like J.A.R.V.I.S. for Iron Man, except this one was Clark's father, digitized and preserved.
Clark didn't hesitate anymore. He tugged gently, pulling the pendant free from around his neck. As he moved it toward the opening in the console, he felt a magnetic pull emanating from within. He released his grip.
Click.
The key slid home.
Mario drew his nano saber from his inventory and turned to watch the corridor behind them. If he remembered the movie correctly, inserting the key would trigger a security response. Even though Clark hadn't fully developed his powers yet, these things could hurt him, which meant they were definitely capable of hurting everyone else.
Right on cue, a robot floated into view. It looked remarkably similar to EVE from WALL-E. Before it could power up its weapons, Mario lunged forward. The nano saber hummed as it cut through the air, and with one clean strike, he bisected the robot from top to bottom.
Sparks erupted from the severed halves as they clattered to the floor, twitching once before going still.
"That thing's made of at least vibranium-grade alloy," he muttered, examining his blade. He'd felt resistance during the cut, and the saber's power indicator had dropped by a solid five percent. "Damn. The nano saber is good, but it's not quantum-level. I need to find an upgrade module somewhere."
Vibranium was the hardest metal on Earth, but in the cosmic scale of things, it was merely "very strong" rather than "top-tier." Thanos's blade had been stronger. The adamantium from the X-Men universe was stronger. The Kryptonians had clearly been working with comparable materials.
Clark stared at Mario in bewilderment, clearly not expecting such immediate violence.
Mario sheathed the nano saber and collected both halves of the destroyed robot, stuffing them into his inventory. "Security drone. It would've attacked anyone it didn't recognize as authorized, meaning both of us. Now stop standing around and activate the damn thing."
Clark nodded slowly, his expression turning serious. He reached out and pressed the key all the way into the console. A holographic figure materialized behind him, resolving into the image of a distinguished Kryptonian man in flowing robes.
"I never imagined I'd see you grown. I wish Lara could be here for this moment."
Clark spun around. "Who are you?"
"I am your father, Kal." The hologram's smile was sad and proud at once. "Or rather, an image he left behind. My name is Jor-El."
"Kal?" Clark pointed to his own chest. "That's my name?"
"Yes. Kal-El of the House of El."
"I have so many questions. Where do I come from? Why was I sent here?"
Mario cleared his throat. "Kal, sorry to interrupt. You two go ahead and catch up. I'll go grab some people who need to see this ship."
Jor-El had noticed him immediately upon materializing, but his attention remained fixed on his son. Even as a holographic recording, he possessed enough simulated emotion to prioritize family reunion over stranger danger.
"Who are you?"
"Me? Just your son's friend. Keep chatting, don't mind me."
Kryptonian spacecraft technology was leagues ahead of anything in the Marvel universe. This ship was thousands of years old and still more advanced than most contemporary vessels. Mario wanted every tech genius he had access to studying this thing.
Clark barely registered Mario's words, too focused on finally getting answers about his origins.
"Be careful out there," he said absently.
Mario nodded and started walking back toward the entrance. That's when he noticed another security robot emerging from a side passage, hovering directly toward him with hostile intent.
Right. The key stops them from attacking Clark, but they're still programmed to eliminate other intruders.
"Hey, Jor-El? Mind calling off your guards? Otherwise, I might not be able to stop myself from scrapping them all."
By this point, Jor-El had successfully integrated with the ship's systems and could command all its automated defenses.
The approaching robots immediately stopped their aggressive approach, switching to what could only be described as "tour guide mode," floating around aimlessly as if pretending they'd never been hostile at all. Mario grinned and looked around for a suitable empty space. He pulled a waystone from his inventory and placed it on the floor, then pressed his hand against its surface.
The world twisted, and he vanished.
Clark watched this display with the same wide-eyed wonder that most people showed when they learned about his own abilities. The ability to disappear at will was extraordinary.
Jor-El, by contrast, barely reacted. As a holographic construct, he lacked true curiosity. His programming focused entirely on educating his son about Kryptonian history and heritage. He turned back to Kal and began his prepared lecture about the fall of Krypton and the reasons for Kal's exile to Earth.
---
Mario materialized back aboard the stealth ship.
Tony immediately approached. "Well? Did you find this Superman you've been talking about?"
Mario nodded slightly. From Tony's expression, it was clear he didn't believe Superman could be as powerful as advertised. But anyone who'd seen the movies knew, Clark's power level was in a completely different category than other superheroes. The gap between Superman and someone like Captain America wasn't a gap at all. It was a chasm.
"You'll have plenty of time to get to know him. Right now, what we need to focus on is studying the ship. Honestly, even though that vessel is very old, its technology is still advanced."
Both Tony and Ivan perked up immediately at the mention of alien technology.
Thinking of Rocket, Ivan turned in the pilot's seat. "Should we bring Rocket along?"
"Yes. For something like this, we definitely need our expert."
Rocket was currently their chief technology specialist. Tony hadn't fully matured yet and still needed time to develop. Ivan's foundation was weaker, but he was loyal. No matter what it took, even if it meant force-feeding him knowledge, Mario was determined to build him into a top-tier engineer.
"Take the ship back to Gotham. I'll grab Rocket, then we'll head straight to the Kryptonian vessel."
---
Ten minutes later, the group materialized inside the alien spacecraft. The moment they appeared, all eyes went to their surroundings.
A security robot drifted past them in its new "harmless tourist" mode. Two men and one raccoon all wore identical expressions. Rocket, who had the most extensive knowledge of alien technology, let out an appreciative whistle. "Whoa. This design philosophy is completely different from anything in my database."
He extended a scanning device, and a beam of light swept over the nearby robot.
His tail twitched with excitement. "Whatever civilization built this ship was definitely stronger than the Nova Corps."
Mario ruffed the fur on Rocket's head. "That's true, but they're extinct now. Their whole civilization went down a twisted path. All right, guys. Let's get started. Time to make this ship ours."
"What's going on here?"
Clark emerged from his conversation with Jor-El to find the ship suddenly crowded with people. How had so many strangers appeared in the short time he'd been talking with his father? And was that a raccoon wearing a white lab coat and some kind of scanning headset?
Sensing Clark's stare, Rocket looked up at him and grinned. "Hey, buddy. You're built like a tank. You remind me of a guy I used to know who carried a hammer around."
Even Clark, with his considerable self-control, found himself struggling to process a talking raccoon. Twenty-plus years of Earth logic hadn't prepared him for this. Still, he managed not to say anything offensive.
Mario walked over, looking Clark up and down with a satisfied expression. "So? Finish your heart-to-heart with dad?"
Clark nodded. "Yeah. I told him everything you mentioned about General Zod. He confirmed that if Zod escapes the Phantom Zone, he'll definitely come to Earth looking for me."
Mario waved a dismissive hand. "Minor problem. Let me introduce everyone first. The one who just spoke is Rocket. Yes, he looks like a raccoon. That's because he is a raccoon, just one who studied advanced technology on alien worlds. He's brilliant. Right now, he's the smartest and most technically skilled chief researcher I have."
Rocket, who'd been ready to make a sarcastic comment about the "raccoon" label, instead smacked his lips and nodded.
Mario then gestured to Ivan and Tony. "Ivan Vanko, head of my technology division. Guy's got severe firepower anxiety, but he's good with his hands. And Tony Stark... well, he's Tony Stark."
Tony, who'd been standing up straight and expecting a more detailed introduction, deflated. "That's it?"
"What more do you want?"
Tony looked wounded, but a moment later he recovered and walked up to Clark, extending his hand. "Tony Stark. Pleasure to meet you. Mario speaks very highly of you. Hope I get the chance to see what you can do sometime."
Clark's lips curved into a slight smile as he accepted the handshake. "Of course. No problem."
He'd spent most of his life hiding who he was. But after meeting his father, and Mario, he'd realized he wasn't the only special person in the world. That revelation brought unexpected relief.
Finally, Mario walked over to Bruce. Before he could introduce him, Clark interrupted.
"Bruce Wayne. I know who you are."
With his enhanced memory, Clark never forgot a face. A billionaire like Bruce appeared regularly in newspapers, magazines, and television. Easy to recognize.
What surprised him was Bruce's current outfit.
"Batman?"
As a long-running superhero, Batman was famous even to someone who'd deliberately avoided the superhero community. Though Batman's cowl was missing, the distinctive black tactical suit was unmistakable.
Bruce's eyes assessed Clark from head to toe, reaching a conclusion.
Strong. Incredibly strong.
Clark's physique alone told the story.
"Bruce Wayne." He extended his hand. "I hope we can be friends."
Right now, he desperately needed allies, strong allies who could potentially counter Mario if necessary. Superman seemed like an excellent candidate, especially since Mario himself had described him as godlike.
"Of course," Clark replied.
They shook hands. The brain and the muscle of what would eventually become the Justice League had officially met.
"All right, this is Clark Kent," Mario announced to the group. "His Kryptonian name is Kal-El."
Then he produced the vibranium syringe from his inventory.
"Isn't it time to fulfill our agreement?"
Clark looked at the needle and showed a helpless smile. In the end, he extended his arm.
"My skin is extremely—"
Before he could finish the warning, Mario had already stepped forward excitedly and inserted the needle into Clark's vein.
Watching the blood slowly fill the syringe, Mario grinned. "I'm a professional at this."
Mission accomplished.
This was Superman's blood.
After storing the vial of blood, he clapped Clark on the shoulder. "From today on, you're my friend. Don't worry. I'll take good care of you, and make sure everything's handled properly."
Bruce wanted to say something, but swallowed his words. He wasn't afraid of Mario per se, but he was concerned about what other tormenting methods the man might have up his sleeve. After the Joker incident, he'd learned Mario's personality well enough.
Summary: petty and completely capricious.
That would be manageable if Mario didn't have special abilities. But he did, extremely powerful ones. It was practically a cosmic joke.
Clark simply smiled, not taking the comment too seriously.
"I should move this spacecraft soon. If it stays here, the military will eventually find it, and that'll cause problems."
Mario nodded thoughtfully. "Sure. But I have a question for you. What do you think of Lois?"
Clark's brow furrowed, then he showed a look of sudden realization. "You mean that reporter from the Daily Planet? She seems nice enough... but why are you bringing her up?"
Mario put on what could only be described as a matchmaker's smile. "How about making her your girlfriend?"
Clark froze completely. "What? No, I don't even know her."
"How else are you going to get to know her? Wait for divine intervention? Honestly, if it weren't for me showing up, you would've ended up with her anyway."
Mario shrugged. Compared to the love interests of other superheroes in comics, he genuinely liked Lois, and Tony's wife. They felt like people rather than plot devices.
"You're saying... she would become my girlfriend?"
Clark found it hard to believe. His brain began running simulations of what might have happened if Mario hadn't appeared.
He quickly reached a conclusion.
"Without you, I wouldn't have had any chance to interact with her either. I came here to find the ship and learn about my origins. Then I would've flown the ship away. Logically speaking, we would never have crossed paths. We might never have met in our entire lives."
Hearing this, Mario smiled. "Fate works in mysterious ways, my friend."