High above the frozen wastes of the Arctic Circle, a lone fortress stood sentinel over the icy landscape. Carved into the side of a massive glacier, the crystalline edifice gleamed in the midnight sun, its smooth surfaces and angular planes at odds with the rugged, natural features surrounding it. This was no mere human construction, but the work of alien hands, of science far beyond anything yet achieved on Earth.

Within the hallowed halls of the Fortress of Solitude, the last son of Krypton sat alone in silent contemplation, as he had for hours uncounted. The alien majesty of the place was lost on him now, after long years of familiarity. His senses took in the strange, interlocking geometry of Kryptonian architecture; the faint glow of information crystals arranged in meticulous racks and rows; the shifting light cast by the flickering hologram of his long-dead father, Jor-El. They were as comforting and familiar to him as the walls of any terrestrial home.

Here, he sought solitude. Here, he could lay down the mantle of heroism and simply be Clark Kent – the sole survivor of a doomed world. Here, he was neither villain nor victim, protector nor protected. Here, he was just himself.

A faint crackling hum suddenly disturbed the perfect silence, followed closely by the heavy tread of armored feet. Clark was on his feet in an instant, senses straining. That sound could only mean one thing: Intruder. But who would be foolish enough to invade this sanctum of solitude?

There could be only one answer. As Clark rounded the corner, his super-vision confirmed his suspicions. Striding arrogantly through the crystalline corridors like he owned the place was none other than Lex Luthor, encased in his stylized green and purple battle armor. Energy crackled along the surface of the armor with every thudding step, matching the intensity of Luthor’s ego.

“Well, well,” Luthor’s amplified voice boomed out. “If it isn’t the alien menace himself, caught off-guard in his little Arctic hideaway.”

Clark folded his arms across the iconic S-shield of his costume. “Lex. Can’t say I’m surprised to see you here. Though that much Kryptonite can’t be good for your health.”

Luthor let out a sinister chuckle. “Spare me the false concern, Kryptonian. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.” He regarded Clark with undisguised malice. “Did you really think you could hide from me forever, here at the ends of the Earth?”

Clark swept a hand to encompass their crystalline surroundings. “This place was never meant to hide from anyone, Lex. Merely to remind me of where I come from.”

“Oh, I know all about this little shrine of yours,” Luthor sneered. “The hologram of your father, the miniature zoo of alien creatures, the bottles of this world and yours.” His armored bulk seemed to swell larger with arrogant pride. “Did you think your precious crystals could keep me out forever? Please. My genius knows no limits.”

“I don’t doubt your genius, Lex,” Clark said calmly. “Merely what you choose to do with it.”

Luthor snorted. “Spare me the moralizing, alien. I don’t need lessons on ethics from the likes of you. This planet would be better off if you’d never arrived!”

He raised his gauntleted fists, a green glow growing brighter. “But don’t worry. I’m here to correct that little mistake.”

Jets flared from the armor’s back as Luthor launched himself at Clark, green-glowing fists swinging. Clark deftly ducked and wove, avoiding the punishing blows. He had to end this quickly, before Luthor’s suit could drain his powers.

Spotting an opening, Clark delivered a precise uppercut to the armor’s chestplate. The reinforced alloy crunched beneath his knuckles, and Luthor staggered back with a surprised grunt. Pressing his advantage, Clark unleashed a burst of heat vision, melting away layers of protective plating. Luthor roared in fury, lashing out blindly. But it was too late – the damage was done. Grappling the armor’s weakened arms, Clark swiftly peeled back the cracked chest plate to reveal Luthor inside, bruised and sweating. A twist of the gauntlets shorted out the suit’s power supply, leaving the billionaire genius helpless.

“No! No!” Luthor thrashed impotently in the dead armor. “I was so close!”

Clark shook his head ruefully. “We’ve been over this, Lex. Attacking me directly won’t solve anything. We could have been allies, once. For the good of this planet.”

Luthor barked a scornful laugh. “Allies with you? Never! I’ll see you dead first!”

Clark sighed. Some minds could never be changed. Leaving Luthor to rail benignly in his ruined battle suit, Clark went to summon the authorities. His solitude had been disturbed, yes, but not broken. Not yet. This place, and the ideals it stood for, would endure. And he would make sure of it.