As the Parasite writhed in agony, weakened by the deadly proximity of the Kryptonite, Utopian didn't hesitate for a second. He left the burning green fragment in the air between them and shot towards the warehouse where Superman was held captive.
He found the Hero of Metropolis still chained, pale and visibly weakened, but an immense relief flooded his gaze at the sight of his friend.
"Marcus... The Kryptonite?" Superman asked, his voice hoarse.
"He's neutralized for now, Clark. Let's keep it that way."
With measured strength, Utopian shattered the heavy chains binding Superman. The latter nearly collapsed upon being freed, but Utopian was there to support him.
"You need sunlight," Utopian stated matter-of-factly.
Without waiting, he lifted Superman with careful firmness and punched a hole through the warehouse roof. He soared into the air, his friend in his arms, climbing straight up, high above the clouds, until they were bathed in the direct, pure light of the sun.
Under the solar rays, the transformation was almost immediate. Color returned to Superman's face, his posture straightened, and a familiar aura of power radiated from him once more. He took a deep breath, as if breathing for the first time.
"Thank you, Marcus. I owe you one."
"We're a team, Clark. That's what teams do."
They descended together, landing near where the Parasite, still under the debilitating influence of the Kryptonite, was moaning on the ground. Special police units and S.T.A.R. Labs agents, alerted, were already on the scene, equipped with lead containers and high-strength containment devices.
Under the supervision of the two heroes, the creature was carefully and securely sealed inside a lead sarcophagus, the Kryptonite enclosed with it to prevent any regeneration.
As the situation was finally under control, Superman turned to Utopian.
"You showed great courage today, Marcus. And rare wisdom. You didn't seek to destroy him, but to contain him, using his own nature against him."
Utopian watched the container being loaded into an armored vehicle.
"He represents a danger that neither you nor I can face alone. The League will have to decide his fate."
Superman placed a friendly hand on his shoulder.
"Your place is with us, Marcus. Not just as a reserve, but as a pillar."
As the sun set over Metropolis, painting the sky in orange and purple, the two men stood in silence for a moment, contemplating the saved city. An immensely dangerous threat had been neutralized, not by brute force alone, but by intelligence, sacrifice, and cooperation.
For Utopian, it was further proof that he had found his path. He wasn't a replacement. He was Utopian. And today, he had proven he was worthy of the name.