"For instance I know Superman is Dead! - And I have sworn to protect his legacy!" - Auron

Quote taken from Adventures of Superman #509

History

  Following Superman's death, Paul Westfield, head of Project Cadmus, created a clone of Jim Harper, the Guardian, who was solar-powered with augmented strength, an indestructible alloy integrated with his skin, and a jetpack. After revealing Auron to the other directors, Westfield commanded Auron to take the data on Superman's DNA from the doctors.  The Newsboy Legion, who was watching this drama unfold, sprung from hiding and took the data to the hanger bay to escape on the Whiz Wagon.  Auron encountered Dubbilex in the bays, and Dubbilex blasted Auron with a mental bolt.

  The Newsboys managed to get as far as Habitat, Cadmus' tree city, before Auron caught them.  The Newsboys then struggled with Auron for control of the data.  Needless to say, Auron won; however, the Newsboys had managed to convince him that it would be better for Auron to keep the data and leave rather than let Westfield get his hands on it.

  Months later, following Superman's return to life, Superman was travelling through space when he encountered a Virago Cruiser that had sustained major damage.  The crew was dead, and Superman and Auron met for the first time. Auron had just been beaten by a behemoth called Massacre, and was just regaining consciousness.  Auron recognized Superman, and thinking Superman an impostor because Auron believed the Real Steel Deal was still dead, a fight ensued.  Superman stopped the battle, and the two went looking for Massacre.

  The two heroes found Massacre and fought him.  Once Massacre saw Superman, he lost interest in Auron.  While Massacre and Superman fought, Auron attempted to ambush Massacre.  Massacre hit Auron with an energy blast, killing him.  Auron's final request was that Superman destroy him. Superman did not honor this, and buried Auron on a lonely planet.

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