Superman in Marvel – Chapter 27: Seven Days Without Hope
Day 1: Denial
The world refused to believe it.
Superman couldn't be gone.
News stations looped footage of the battle, breaking it down frame by frame. Scientists argued about whether a being like Superman could even die.
People waited.
They watched the sky, expecting to see that familiar red and blue figure descend from the clouds at any moment.
But he didn't.
And soon, denial turned to fear.
Day 2: The Carter Family Breaks Further
Rebecca Carter hadn't eaten. Hadn't slept.
She sat in front of the television, unmoving, praying for a miracle.
Jacob Carter spent the day on the porch, staring at the horizon, gripping a coffee cup he never drank from.
Daniel punched through another barn wall.
Lucas had stopped talking altogether.
No one mentioned it.
No one acknowledged the possibility.
Because if they said it out loud—
It would become real.
Day 3: Tony Stark's Desperation
Tony hadn't left the lab.
The Iron Man suit was damaged, but he didn't care.
His eyes were bloodshot, his hands shaking from exhaustion.
"Sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. spoke carefully, "you need to rest."
"Not until I find him."
He had mapped every possible trajectory. Scanned every inch of space where Superman could have gone.
And still—nothing.
His stomach twisted.
He had spent his entire life believing in logic, in numbers.
But now?
Now he needed a miracle.
Day 4: The Criminals Take Advantage
With Superman gone, the underworld took notice.
Banks were robbed. Gangs grew bolder.
Some people whispered—maybe he really was dead.
J. Jonah Jameson had a field day.
"I TOLD YOU ALL! This so-called 'hero' just UP AND LEFT! And now look at us! CHAOS! DISASTER! WHERE IS SUPERMAN NOW?!"
Even Spider-Man was struggling.
Peter swung through the city, stopping crime where he could, but it wasn't enough.
The city felt… heavier.
Like everyone had lost something.
Like the world was holding its breath.
Day 5: SHIELD's Silent Panic
Nick Fury stood in the SHIELD war room, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Maria Hill spoke carefully. "We need to plan for the worst."
Fury didn't answer.
Because he knew what she meant.
If Superman was really gone—
Earth was weaker.
And the universe?
It was watching.
Day 6: The Carter Family Loses Hope
Rebecca Carter stopped watching the news.
She just sat on Ethan's bed, clutching the old baby blanket he had come in as a child.
Jacob Carter finally spoke.
"He ain't coming back, is he?"
Lucas bit his lip, his eyes red.
Daniel just walked away, slamming the door behind him.
And for the first time—
The Carter family felt like they had lost him.
Day 7: The Return
It started as a glimmer.
A faint light in the sky, barely visible against the stars.
No one noticed it at first.
Not until it began to move.
Faster.
Brighter.
Then—
A BOOM.
Like thunder cracking across the heavens.
People looked up.
And there he was.
A streak of red and blue, cutting through the atmosphere like a meteor.
Superman was coming home.
A Star Descends
But something was different.
As he broke through the atmosphere, Superman glowed.
Not like before.
Not just sunlight reflecting off his suit.
He was radiating power.
Like a miniature sun descending from the sky.
His energy pulsed, his aura shimmering in waves of golden light.
The moment he entered Earth's gravity, the air itself trembled.
People shielded their eyes, the sheer presence of him overwhelming.
He was no longer just a man returning.
He was a force of nature.
The Carter Family's Shock
Jacob Carter had barely stepped off the porch when Lucas let out a shaky gasp.
"Dad…"
Jacob turned—
And his heart stopped.
A figure was flying toward them.
A familiar one.
Rebecca sprinted out the door. She saw it too.
Daniel and Lucas ran to the yard.
Their mother was already crying.
And then—
BOOM.
Superman landed.
His feet barely touched the ground before his mother threw herself at him, sobbing.
Jacob gripped his son's shoulder, his fingers shaking.
Lucas and Daniel tackled him in a hug, not caring about their strength.
They didn't ask where he had been.
They didn't ask what had happened.
Because it didn't matter.
Superman had come home.
And for the first time in seven days—
The Carter family could breathe again.
Tony Stark Crashes the Reunion
A second later—
A red and gold blur shot through the sky.
Iron Man landed hard, his repulsors kicking up dust.
"Okay," Tony breathed, ripping off his helmet.
His hair was a mess, his face stressed, exhausted.
Then, without hesitation—
He punched Superman in the arm.
Hard.
"SEVEN DAYS?!" Tony snapped. "YOU LET ME THINK YOU WERE DEAD FOR SEVEN DAMN DAYS?!"
Superman blinked. "…Ow?"
Tony threw his hands up. "I have been running on COFFEE AND PURE SPITE trying to find you!"
Jacob raised an eyebrow. "And you are…?"
Tony turned, flashing his best billionaire grin. "Tony Stark. Genius. Billionaire. Best friend of your idiot son."
Rebecca wiped her tears, frowning. "Ethan never mentioned you."
Tony froze. "Wait. What?" He turned to Ethan. "Are you SERIOUS? You never even—"
Ethan shrugged. "It never came up."
Tony gaped. "I—you—UNBELIEVABLE."
Then, sighing, he ran a hand through his hair.
"I'm just… glad you're back, man."
Ethan smiled. "Yeah."
"Me too."