DC: Becoming Supreme With Technology ( I Beat Superman)

Chapter 7: Defeating Evil, Quiting One's job



The enforcer crashed into the compound, creating a massive crater, Ethan and Jamie landed nearby, their armors barely holding together, Dr. Elena Kord emerged from the wreckage, her face twisted with rage.

"You've ruined everything!" She's screamed, Rushing toward them.

Ethan stepped forward "this ends now."

As Elena tried to activate the enforcer's armor remotely, Jamie's scarab interfaced with it, overriding her commands, spark flew as the armor began to malfunction, its systems collapsing under the strain.

"No!" Elena cried, but it was too late. The enforcer's armor detonated in a massive explosion, taking Elena with it.

Ethan and Jamie shielded themselves, their scarabs absorbing the brunt of the blast. When the dust settled, only silence remained.

The group regrouped at the Bug, battered but Victorious.

"She's gone," Maria said quietly, staring at the smoldering remains of the compound.

Ethan placed a hand on our shoulder "she made a choice. You don't have to carry her mistakes."

Jamie nodded, is armor retracting as he leaned against the plane,"We stopped them. That's what matters."

As the bug ascended into the sky, the team knew their journey wasn't over.

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Location: Metropolis Time: 3 days after El paso, Texas.

Ethan walked through the polished halls of S.T.A.R. Labs one last time, his steps slow and deliberate. Scientists buzzed around him, engrossed in their work, oblivious to the storm brewing inside his mind. He had spent years here, delving into the depths of advanced technology, learning, growing, and uncovering secrets most could only dream of.

But now, he knew too much.

Ethan reached Dr. Hamilton's office and knocked lightly on the open door. The older scientist looked up, his brows furrowing in surprise.

"Ethan. Didn't expect to see you this early. What's on your mind?"

Ethan handed him a sealed envelope. "My resignation."

Hamilton blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Resignation? Ethan, you're one of our best minds. Why now?"

Ethan hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I've been here a long time, Doc. Learned more than I ever thought I would. But I need to step back—focus on myself for a while."

Hamilton studied him, his expression unreadable. "Is this about what you've been working on? The Kryptonian tech? The Mother Box?"

Ethan shook his head. "No. I've wrapped up all my projects. But the truth is... there are things coming. Things I don't want to be here for."

Hamilton frowned, but Ethan didn't elaborate. He couldn't. If he told Hamilton what he knew about the future, about Doomsday, it would only lead to chaos.

"You're sure about this?" Hamilton finally asked.

"Yeah," Ethan said firmly. "It's time."

Leaving the lab felt like shedding a heavy cloak. For the first time in years, Ethan felt free. Yet, beneath the surface, there was unease. He had spent the last year reverse-engineering alien technology and piecing together the inner workings of devices that defied human understanding.

The Mother Box, the Scarab, the Kryptonian tech—each had given him insights that could change the world. But it had also shown him how fragile Earth truly was.

And then there was Doomsday.

Ethan had stumbled upon fragments of data hinting at the eventual creation of the monster. A being engineered from Kryptonian DNA, designed for destruction. S.T.A.R. Labs would play a part in its creation, though they wouldn't realize it until it was too late.

He couldn't be a part of that.

Ethan returned to his modest apartment in Metropolis, the bustling city feeling like a world away from the cold, sterile halls of S.T.A.R. Labs. He had no pressing obligations now, no deadlines or experiments to oversee.

Instead, he immersed himself in his own projects. His apartment became a personal lab, filled with salvaged components, blueprints, and fragments of alien tech. Ethan tinkered and theorized, allowing himself the luxury of exploring ideas without the weight of corporate oversight.

He also took time to enjoy the simple pleasures he had long neglected. Morning jogs through Centennial Park, afternoons spent at cafés reading novels, and evenings watching the city's skyline. For the first time in years, Ethan allowed himself to breathe.

Despite his newfound freedom, Ethan's mind was rarely idle. The knowledge he had gained at S.T.A.R. Labs—and through his own power—was staggering. He spent hours mentally cataloging everything he had learned:

The self-repairing algorithms of the Mother Box.

The adaptive nature of the Scarab.

The intricate energy matrices that powered Kryptonian devices.

His power allowed him to not only understand these technologies but to envision how they could be improved—or replicated. Yet, Ethan knew the dangers of acting recklessly. Technology this advanced had the potential to reshape the world—or destroy it.

He resolved to be careful, to use his knowledge sparingly and only when absolutely necessary.

Ethan couldn't ignore the looming threat of Doomsday. He had pieced together enough to know that the monster's creation was inevitable. S.T.A.R. Labs' experiments with Kryptonian DNA, combined with LexCorp's meddling, would set the stage.

He wrestled with the idea of intervening. Should he warn Superman? Confront the scientists responsible? Destroy the research before it could be completed?

In the end, Ethan decided on a different path. He would prepare.

Ethan's days in Metropolis were filled with quiet purpose. He continued to refine the Scarab he had created, integrating elements of the Mother Box to enhance its capabilities. The Echo Box, as he called it, became his greatest achievement—a versatile tool and weapon that he could wield when the time came.

He also kept a close eye on S.T.A.R. Labs and LexCorp, using his analytical abilities to monitor their activities from afar. He couldn't stop them from creating Doomsday, but he could ensure he was ready when the monster emerged.

For now, Ethan allowed himself to live. To enjoy the city and the people in it. But he knew that his respite was temporary. The world of heroes and villains was always in flux, and sooner or later, he would be called to act again.

Ethan sat at his workbench in his home lab, his hands moving deftly as he fine-tuned his Scarab armor. The ant-like exosuit gleamed under the harsh light, its upgrades meticulously crafted over the past month. The armor was faster, more durable, and more energy-efficient than before.

Still, Ethan wasn't satisfied. He wanted to be more than just another armored fighter. The Echo Box had given him insights into energy manipulation, and with it, he had designed something revolutionary: the Null Rod.

The Null Rod was a sleek, meter-long device composed of rare alloys and intricate circuitry. Powered by electricity, it emitted a specific radiation wavelength that could disassociate simple molecular bonds. By targeting water molecules, the rod could separate hydrogen and oxygen at an efficiency unheard of in existing technology.

Ethan marveled at the device's capabilities. Producing 200 kilograms of hydrogen for a mere 50 kWh of energy was revolutionary. Hydrogen, being a clean and versatile energy carrier, had the potential to reshape the world's energy economy.

"This is it," Ethan muttered to himself, leaning back in his chair. "A way to help the world and keep myself out of the spotlight."

He envisioned a business centered on hydrogen production and fuel cell manufacturing. With the Null Rod at the core, he could supply clean energy at a fraction of the cost, advancing humanity's transition to renewable resources.

As the days passed, Ethan found himself torn between his ambitions and the looming sense of dread. The specter of Doomsday hung over his thoughts like a dark cloud.

He spent his evenings researching business logistics, scouting locations for a production facility, and drafting plans for compact, affordable fuel cells. The work kept his mind busy, but the anxiety lingered.

On a particularly quiet night, Ethan stared at the Null Rod, running his fingers along its smooth surface. "If I can make this," he mused aloud, "then I can make a difference. I can build something lasting."

The tranquility of the evening was shattered by a deafening boom that shook the city. The sound reverberated like a thunderclap, rattling windows and sending car alarms blaring. Ethan leaped from his chair, his heart pounding.

The skyline of Metropolis was illuminated by a fiery glow. A massive plume of smoke and debris rose into the night, casting a hellish light over the city.

Ethan's mind raced. "Is this it? Has Doomsday arrived?"

He didn't wait for confirmation. Grabbing the Null Rod and strapping it to his back, he donned his Scarab armor. The transformation was seamless, the exosuit encasing his body with a faint hum of energy.

His HUD activated, displaying a tactical overview of the city. The source of the explosion was marked on his map—a heavily industrialized zone on the outskirts of Metropolis.

Ethan stepped onto the balcony, his thrusters warming up. "Time to find out what's going on."

With a burst of energy, he launched into the air, heading straight for the chaos.

The closer Ethan got to the explosion site, the more intense the destruction became. Buildings were reduced to rubble, streets were cracked and smoldering, and emergency responders scrambled to control the chaos.

Ethan activated his suit's scanners, searching for clues. The energy signature radiating from the site was unlike anything he had seen before—raw, chaotic, and overwhelmingly powerful.

As he approached the epicenter, he noticed a growing crowd of onlookers. Civilians, frightened and confused, were being pushed back by police barricades.

Ethan landed on a nearby rooftop, surveying the scene. Through the smoke and fire, he could make out a massive crater. At its center stood a figure—hulking, monstrous, and brimming with destructive energy.

It was Doomsday.

The creature roared, its guttural cry shaking the earth. Soldiers and police opened fire, but their weapons were useless against its armored hide. Doomsday advanced, its every step leaving a trail of devastation.

Ethan's heart raced as he watched the carnage unfold. This was no ordinary threat—this was the very thing he had feared since his arrival in this world.

"Think, Ethan," he muttered, his mind racing. "You're not Superman. You can't take this thing on head-to-head

Ethan's mind worked furiously, analyzing the situation. His Scarab armor was enhanced, but even at its best, it wasn't designed to take on something like this. The Null Rod could disassociate molecular bonds, but could it weaken something as formidable as Doomsday?

He glanced at the destruction below, his resolve hardening. "If there's a chance, no matter how small, I have to take it."


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