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Originally posted by Christina:
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Originally posted by Mouserocks:
Would Alt-Clark risk canon dimension to save Lois? Um, yes. Personally, even though we always perceive Lois as the impulsive one in their dynamic relationship, I think Clark is just as impulsive and sometimes irrational (the "it's-for-your-own-good" argument is a good example of that). We only met Alt-Clark a couple of times, as did Canon Lois, but it's obvious to everyone that he was already in love with her. I'm under the impression that he'd risk it for even a slim chance at getting Lois.

Two problems come with that, though. The first being that the Alt-Lois he is rescuing may not in fact be the Lois he loves ( eek what? yes. I went there.) Maybe she will be different, or never love him back, as described in the numerous scenarios listed in question three. But again, I don't think Alt-Clark would consider any of those factors. In fact, I don't think he would overthink it at all. Clark might, but Alt-Clark had different experiences. Also, I think the way he became Superman changes how he would react, as well- the whole world knowing he's Clark Kent and Superman might take some of the fear and pressure off. He'd know how to handle it better.

The other (unmentioned) issue- and what I consider the more relevant one- is the risk it brings to his own Alt-dimension. I agree with Lynn that someway, somehow, HG Wells would figure out a way to fix canon universe. I mean, the guy's got plenty of time on his hands. He'd figure it out. But the revival of alt-Lois in her own world I think would cause more issues. When would he return her? To his own time? After she'd been missing all that time? How would that reflect on his Superman personna? Or would it cause some sort of universal upheaval (worst-case scenario)? And if not to his time, then when? To the time when she first disappeared? That would bring the canon universe into jeopardy more than anything else. Besides that, Alt-Clark would not (likely) get the chance to relive time, so he'd had to have wait to find Lois in his own time, oblivious that he simultaneously screwed up his own history and the creation of Superman.

Alternately, if returning Alt-Lois rewrote time, then it would provide the opportunity for both the alt and canon universes to cross paths and coincide- their pasts being the only exception (i.e. Alt-Clark's parents would still be dead).

All in all, I think Alt-Clark would still do it. Despite all the reasons not to and the fact that he could be destroying two universes by doing so. laugh
Actually I'm not certain it would necessarily destroy two universes so much as "create" a third that might well affect his own history at the point he would meet Lois (i.e. the Daily Planet). It just means that he has no known history with her (unless H. G. Wells knows how to de-age him along with his memories. It's the only way I can see it working...at least as far as quantum mechanics seems to suggest* In other words, the only way it MIGHT affect Alt-Clark directly is that he would have no frame of reference for experiences with her after saving him (and thus Lois would be meeting him for the second time at the Planet while Alt-Clark would be meeting her for the first time.) The more likely scenario would be that Alt-Clark creates a whole different universe in the process of saving her, making him the lone man out no matter what. frown

You are correct that he has created this image of Lois in his mind based on the two experiences he's had with Canon Lois and that infatuation is very problematic when it comes to a relationship with Alt-Lois so assuming for a second that he doesn't have those memories of Canon Lois wiped then there's a whole range of issues for them to work through on top of any Lois might have had due to the Congo. IF, however, H. G. knows how to both de-age Alt-Clark AND wipe his memories then there is no problem on this end of the spectrum as he would be starting from scratch.

(*the only reason I brought up quantum mechanics at all is because I watched a Nova special and there's a section of quantum mechanics that predicates itself on this very thing... that one difference can create a whole new universe.) frown [/QB]
I agree with you there on many points. Wells being able to de-age and mind wipe, while very convenient, may be a little far-fetched though.

However, what I meant by the "destroying" the alt-universe though was kind of under the same principles. Using the quantum immortality theory, returning Alt-Lois to her original time of disappearance would not only disrupt the alt-universe in the fashion of causing a paradox, but also cause it to split into two different universes. The first universe is the one in which Alt-Clark lives without Alt-Lois, where he meets canon Lois and becomes Superman (and the world knows his identity). An unspecified amount of time goes by and he and HG Wells return Alt-Lois to her originally intended time. *However*, Alt-Clark does not return with her to that time (assuming that Wells cannot de-age or does not wish to contaminate time any further). Alt-Clark is left alone, still remembering and living in a world that up until this point has existed exactly as portrayed in the series.

Two options extend from here, depending on whether the concept of a "ripple effect" appeals to you or not. The first is that, nice and tidy, the ripple effect occurs and the entire alt-dimension is effected by the return of Alt-Lois to her place in the current timeline, essemtially restoring this alt-world. Alt-Clark may or may not be effected by this ripple (whichever suits your interests) and he would psychologically still believe his reality (where he met canon Lois and became Superman) happened when technically the return of Lois changed all that. The world changed around him.

The secondary option is without the ripple effect. Alt-CLark's world continues to exist, sans-Lois, and he just has to live his life with the satisfaction of knowing that he did return Lois to her place in time. However, Alt-Lois' return to her original place causes a split in the universe, to create as you put it the "third" alternate dimension. That dimension would go about much as the canon universe would, with changes dependent upon characters (such as any damage done by Lois' extended stay in the Congo, etc.).

So yeah. I over-complicated it. But that's the way I see it in my mind. huh

BTW, the nova special sounds interesting. Could you maybe shoot me the link? My actual physics knowledge is flimsy. blush I will come back with some supporting clips of my own ("Back to the Future" based laugh ) when I find them.

Nothing spoils a good story like the arrival of an eye witness.
--Mark Twain