7 Chapter 7: Justice League Formation

Mr. and Mrs. Kent were your typical farming couple, nestled in the heart of Kansas, tending to their land with dedication.

Despite their hard work, farming in their region was a delicate balancing act. Even the most skilled farmers often found themselves relying on loans to sustain their operations until harvest season.

In the movie, tragedy struck the Kent family when Martha lost both her husband and son in quick succession. With their absence, the farm suffered a critical shortage of labor, bringing their once-thriving operation to a halt.

As Martha struggled to manage the farm alone, the mounting pressure of unpaid loans loomed overhead. Despite her relentless efforts, the farm's income couldn't keep pace with the mounting debt, forcing Martha to make the painful decision to file for bankruptcy protection.

In a cruel twist of fate, the bank ultimately repossessed the farm to settle the outstanding debts. Martha's dreams of preserving her family's legacy were shattered as the land slipped through her fingers.

Many might assume that agriculture in the picturesque countryside is a lucrative endeavor, but the reality is far harsher. The modernization of farming had inflated the costs, making it a challenging venture for even the most economic farmers.

The vast expanses of land required intensive care, with machinery and labor coming at a high cost.

Martha found herself overwhelmed, trying to navigate the complexities of the modern farming market alone.

The logistical challenges seemed insurmountable, from the exorbitant costs of machinery to the unpredictable fluctuations in market prices. It was a struggle, one that even a superhuman would find daunting.

With Clark still by the Kent family side, the challenges of running the family farm seemed to melt away effortlessly.

His superhuman abilities allowed him to tackle tasks with superstrength, turning what was once a struggle into a seamless operation.

The Kent family feel a sense of ease knowing that Clark is there to support them.

"Hello, Mrs. Kent, my name is Dane, and I am a friend of Clark's," greeted Dane warmly as he presented a bottle of red wine with both hands.

The brand was neither extravagant nor cheep, a thoughtful choice suitable for a visit.

Dane had transformed into a red suit, a simple yet effective costume change that added charm to the occasion. Despite Clark's insistence that no gifts were necessary, Dane remained steadfast in his gesture.

Such courtesies were not uncommon, even in the beautiful countryside. Martha, already charmed by Dane's appearance, warm to him further at the sight of the wine. His politeness and consideration only added to her favorable impression.

"Don't be so formal, just call me Martha. Come in," Martha invited with a welcoming smile.

"Really, Clark, you should have notified me earlier that there was a guest coming, so I could be prepared," Martha teased, though it was evident she was pleased that her son had brought a friend home.

In her impression, Clark had always seemed to have few close friends, and even Lana, a childhood friend, seldom extended invitations for visits.

As Clark reached out held Martha's hand, he explained, "Mom, Dane is someone I met on a trip. He helped me out, and... he's just like me!"

Martha grasped the implication behind Clark's words, casting a curious look toward Dane.

Eager to satisfy her curiosity, Dane looked around the room before extending his hand and pointing.

An arc of lighting crackled through the room, striking the charging port of a mobile phone on the table. In an instant, the battery charged from 12% to 100%.

"Oh. My. God!" Martha gasped, her hands instinctively covering her mouth in shock. Such a simple demonstration had left her utterly amazed.

Dane laments the innocence of people like Martha, knowing that in just a few years, such marvels will likely become commonplace.

Clark's expression darkened as he remembered that the lightning bolt had struck him earlier. He wonders if using such powers to charge a mobile phone may be misused.

Understanding now that Dane was as special as her son, Martha was even more relieved.

Filled with excitement, Martha insisted that Dane stay and showcase his abilities, much to Clark's initial resistance.

Despite his reluctance, Clark eventually relented and joined them as they headed to the supermarket for supplies.

"Take it easy; what's the rush? That spaceship has been buried in the Arctic for 20,000 years. It's not like a day or two will make a difference," Dane remarked, prompting Clark to ease his eagerness.

"But before you go, you need to promise me something. When you first insert the key, make sure the AI blocks any signals from the spaceship. We don't want Zod to get wind of it beforehand."

Agreeing with Dane's precautionary measure, Clark nodded in understanding. Clark should be curious about Dane's plans.

"What do you intend to do after this? Will you remain hidden?" Clark inquired, unaware of Dane's true age, which had been artificially increased by Shazam's power.

Observing Dane's mature demeanor and his claim of being a "god," Clark assumed Dane had lived for a considerable time, unlike himself.

He naturally presumed that Dane, like him, had been concealed within human society.

Despite Dane's recent revelation about becoming a god, Clark interpreted it as the ambiguity of immortal beings regarding time. Thus, he subconsciously thought that Dane, like himself, had been concealed within human society.

Dane nodded, then shook his head, pondering his next steps. "It's not yet time for me to reveal myself to society. I'll likely continue to lay low, but there's work to be done."

Suddenly, Dane had a realization. If Zod's invasion of Earth was a global threat, why had he chosen to let Superman face Zod's invasion alone?

There was no rule stating that the Justice League had to wait until Steppenwolf arrived to be formed; they could have prepared beforehand.

But Dane knew the importance of selecting the right candidates. Wonder Woman was a crucial choice; her combat prowess was formidable, and her willingness to take decisive action was unmatched.

Moreover, Wonder Woman's identity as an Amazonian warrior meant she possessed a keen instinct for battle and wasn't hesitant to deal with threats decisively.

Then there's Batman, older than Clark and supposed to be in the prime of his life. However, his inherent suspicion might make it challenging to extend an invitation.

Aquaman, Arthur Curry, should be 19 years old now, making him more immature than Clark. While he may have potential, his involvement in Zod's arrival remains uncertain.

As for Flash, Barry Allen, he was still too young, and his abilities wouldn't manifest until 2013. Pushing him into battle prematurely could prove disastrous. Even Dane couldn't change the situation, leaving it unresolved.

Cyborg, Victor Stone, faced a similar dilemma to Flash: his readiness for battle was yet to be determined.

The Martian Manhunter was a wildcard. His confusion might make him hesitant, but he was worth a shot.

As for Green Lantern, Hal Jordan... Well, that was a whole other story.

Despite being ousted from the DCEU circle, Dane understood the importance of considering all possibilities in the real world, including the potential involvement of Green Lantern.

With the understanding that three Green Lantern Corps members were reliable enough, Dane saw their inclusion as a pivotal step in facing global catastrophes on Earth.

And if Green Lantern does appear, then it is the first global catastrophe on Earth in the true sense of the word.

However, when it came to Superman, Dane didn't need to ask. He knew that if Clark remained true to the self he remembered, he would undoubtedly agree to join forces.

Skipping the formalities with the other potential candidates, Dane went straight to Superman with his proposal.

"Clark, there are many more people like us in the world," Dane began. "I wonder if I could bring them all together to work collectively in the face of major disasters that surpass individual efforts."

Clark's immediate response echoed Dane's enthusiasm. "That's a great idea!"

With Zod's impending threat looming in his mind, Clark understood the situation. Even if he and Dane could defeat Zod, the collateral damage to innocent lives would be devastating.

Dane wasted no time in extending an invitation to Clark. "Would you like to join, then?"

Clark's response was resolute. "What are you talking about? Of course, I'll be the first to join!"

With Superman on board, Dane inquired about other potential candidates.

"Yes, but it's a bit of a hassle to find, and they won't necessarily agree," Dane admitted.

Understanding the complexities of convincing the rest of us to use our powers for good, Clark nodded in agreement.

Dane proceeded to outline the general situation of several potential Justice League members, prompting Clark to listen intently.

"Barry Allen and Victor Stone should be left out for now," Dane suggested. "They're still young, and having superpowers isn't necessarily a blessing for them."

Clark understood this sentiment all too well. His adoptive father, Jonathan, had gone to great lengths to conceal Clark's abilities, showing reluctance even in situations where Clark could have saved himself.

Dane nodded in agreement. "I think so too. That's why I believe our first target should be Diana."

"As the world's first superhero, she should understand our situation."

Diana had been an active presence in human society since the First World War, embodying chivalry as a way of life. Her heroics in World War II had earned her widespread acclaim, but in the new millennium, her activities had waned, overshadowed by her low-key nature.

Clark had heard Dane speak of Diana before and agreed that inviting her to join their cause was a wise decision.

"Gotham's Batman; I think I've heard of him," Clark remarked, his global travels exposing him to rumors and tales of the enigmatic vigilante.

Before meeting Dane, Clark had contemplated visiting Gotham to witness Batman's seemingly superhuman feats firsthand.

"He can wait for now. Batman is inherently suspicious, and your direct approach might put him on edge. He could be planning his next move against you as we speak," Dane cautioned, tempering Clark's enthusiasm.

As the two delved into discussions about the future Justice League's organizational structure, Martha returned from her grocery shopping excursion.

Their conversation paused as Dane and Clark rose to assist Martha. Then they drove home.

Despite her initial intention to have Dane, the guest, remain seated, the two superman did the cooking, leaving Martha impressed.

As they sat down to eat and drink, the atmosphere remained convivial. Dane, careful not to reveal too much about himself, skillfully navigated the conversation, maintaining his facade.

By the end of the evening, Martha's opinion of Dane had shifted positively. The trio conversed late into the night, with Dane skillfully keeping his identity hidden.

Eventually, Dane retired to the guest room for the night, his mind buzzing with plans for the future and the potential formation of the Justice League.