Part 2 –
6:15 pm
Batman is suited up…geared for what could well be his final battle…the last armour he has…the ultimate robotic suit…an upgrade of the last one he fought Clark with…his final stance. He is ready…now more than ever.
“Everyone in positions?” he asked.
“All is in place,” replied J’onn.
“RED SON is a-go!” ordered Oracle, “all units are prepped and ready!”
“Luthor thinks he’s the first wave people, no one besides us knows of this RED SON course of action…we strike first, before Lex gets his CRISIS force to…remember they are at maximal threat…omega level…so they will kill Superman…they have the power to do so…sad to say…we can’t get our JLA hitters back for another 15 minutes…so we can’t stall or delay their arrival…we’ve got to hit Superman first, hit fast…and hard. Lex is gonna want us to go first…so let’s give him what he wants…let’s also give…give Superman…hell! All cloaking devices off…reveal your positions now…we are ready!”
Lex was in awe and…loving it…just as he had planned. The RED SON players were revealed…teams of heroes…assembled at different strike and vantage points by Batman. The arsenal in Lex’s lab…he equipped his team with all weapons…and told the world that it wasn’t his personal kryptonite arsenal that Superman accused him of…but that of the US military and CRISIS. Misdirection – he showed the world an angry alien, and they wouldn’t be concerned how he was to be stopped – just that he was stopped. Stopped by Lex’s defences in case Superman ever went rogue. And he was right in doing so; he had just claim…and an excuse to now use his guns and lasers – under protecting the USA…and the world. Just as Lex desired, the heroes would relegate him to the bench, and would become the first wave…sacrificial lambs to the slaughter…Lex was giddy as he knew they’d try to subdue Superman before Luthor’s men could…all was falling into play…but whose? Batman’s or Lex’s?
Batman stood in his suit…there was no yellow sun…maybe Superman would be weaker…slightly? Bruce knew he was not that lucky.
The teams were assembled. At the entrance to Metropolis…the JLA members that remained were prepped for battle…
Led by Steel…Firestorm, Booster- Gold, who for once didn’t smile or flinch, Elongated Man, Fire, Females Hawk and Dove, Vixen, Dr. Light, young Freddie Freeman and Mary Marvel stood nervously with them…accompanied by a man in a cloak…
“Don’t worry younglings, your big brother isn’t here…but I’ve called you both here…as magic may be needed…for their science has faltered…again…and now we may be the last battalion…remain steady youths…I have summoned the conjurers as well…we will see that bloodshed is limited…” the cloaked person, a man’s voice, strict and grim, told the youngsters.
“We’re ready…he prepped us for this from the moment we learnt to use our powers,” Mary firmly replied.
“SHAZAM!” muttered Freddy as he transformed…and stood alongside Mary Marvel, “You know I always loved the dramatic transformation!”
“You do indeed,” she responded.
“Prepare mentally…it is coming!” whispered the cloaked man, “I sense the rage…the fire!”
The Marvel younglings clenched their fists as Steel raised his weapon, and the rest of the JLA took stance. Mary looked over at the cloaked man, who now stood alongside Steel, whispering something…before he shouted…
“Gone, Gone…the form of man…RISE…THE DEMON…ETRIGAN!!!”
Jason Blood’s cloak was gone…and Etrigan was revealed…
“Come Forth if you dare!” he yelled.
“If all goes according to plan, he wouldn’t have to come near you demon!” Bruce exclaimed in his mind.
“We are in order atop the planet! The JSA is here…armed and ready…for anything!” Mr. Terrific came in over the com, as he watched Midnite, Star-girl, Obsidian, Wildcat, Hourman, Sandman, Liberty Belle and Atom Smasher all prep themselves.
“We don’t have our doctor…but we have our fists!” yelled Wildcat as he drew a strong breath.
“Black Lightning is on ground level…the CRISIS team is assembled less than 100 feet away…just waiting for Superman to slip by all of us…but the Outsiders are ready and willing!” yelled Lightning.
Metamorpho, Owlman, Geo-force, Katana, the Creeper and Halo looked ready for action.
Nightwing emerged from the back…and accompanying him was Huntress…and they shot Lightning a stern look…as if this would get ugly…before it got better.
Dick stepped to the front, surveyed the CRISIS team once more, then got on his airwave,
“Oracle…if anything happens to me…just know that…I…I always…”
“Shut up, tell me yourself tomorrow over dinner!” she cut him off, “You got the kid?”
“Yeah…he’s here…you wired him into all CRISIS and ARMY com-links?”
“Patched in…they don’t know anything…they’re just waiting to hear his voice!”
“Nice job Oracle” Bruce interjected, “the dolly’s by the drop-point already…she’s waiting for Superman!”
Dick looked uncomfortable as he wondered how long Bruce was listening.
“Nightwing…smile a bit!” Bruce ordered
“TEEN TITANS are equipped Batman. We are a-go over here on the outskirts of Metropolis by the park…we’re the first thing he’s gonna hit if he gets past the JLA!’
“Remember he won’t have to meet any of you if he listens to dolly!” Batman responded to Tim.
“Robin is ready Batman. No chances to be taken!” Tim barked back as the team stood behind him, ready to brawl – Beast Boy, Cyborg, Star-fire, Raven, Kid-Flash, Wondergirl and Aqualad!
“They’ll call us Titans after this!” Cyborg scowled as Tim wondered what the hell he was thinking…for they all knew if Superman got through, they were all dead!
“I hope he found the missing guys from the teams,” Robin whispered to himself.
Cyborg whirred his fists…ready was he!
Lois sobbed as she held Clark’s photo in her hand. She crumpled the letter to the floor in her apartment, for she couldn’t leave. She thought of Ma Kent, who was being held by Lana as they both sat in the vigil. Pete led the mass, as Smallville waited with bated breath. The entire world wanted to know what would happen…
“Cut all broadcasts now J’onn!” Batman ordered…and suddenly, Luthor and the entire world…were non-watchers. Watchtower made sure that this was a private event by jamming all worldwide signals.
“They can’t crack this J’onn…not even Lex!” boasted Oracle; “no one sees this fight but us…and Batman!”
Lois sobbed louder than ever…as she took the letter once again…she remembered her dream with Clark…
She glimpsed the letter once more…
“TRUST ME…from BRUCE!” it read.
Twas 6:15 pm…15 more minutes…time was running out…the plan had to go into effect now! Batman wondered where Superman was…Bruce ensured his suit was fully charged…this was the most-powerful weapon on the planet…Bruce had help crafting this…a secret Santa…and he was injured, nervous…and waiting.
Superman’s eyes were red…and fury drove him…straight to Metropolis…he knew Batman would be anticipating him…he saw the JLA with his vision…from a few hundred kilometres away…he scoffed…at their reserve team. But before that…Superman saw a figure…way before Metropolis…on a rock…in the ocean…with a black cloak.
“Remember dolly, we lost Doc…so I had Jason traverse a lot of magical air-waves to find you two…hidden in your Shadowcrest…don’t try to stop him or drive the red outta him…we don’t know what will happen if the magic backfires or doesn’t work…stick to plan! Quell him…my echo-calmers won’t work a second time…he can’t hear us coming…we need his hearing and enhanced sight gone!” Batman whispered over the radio.
Superman heard this…and stopped…but he within range of the figure on the rock…
“ERONGI RUOY SRAE…DNA RUOY SEYE!” the figure commanded as the cloak was removed.
Superman was caught in the spell…as he saw the figure closer…he never bothered to x-ray for he deemed it no threat…he was wrong…the spell worked…Zatanna had him mesmerized.
“Now J’onn!” Batman ordered.
BOOOMMMMMMMM…as a teleport beam struck Superman…
The kid threw off his cloak. Etrigan and Steel were forlorn as they young lad muttered over his com-link…to every agent who was threatening Superman’s well being…
“EVAEL NAMREPUS OT SU…LLA SMRA NWOD!!!”
Zach Zatara had spoken…and all agents with weapons worldwide, who meant Superman harm, all lay down their weapons.
“WHAT THE *%&* IS GOING ON?” Lex yelled as he looked out the window. He was not linked to CRISIS main feed…as he realized that Batman was compromising everything he worked so hard for.
In a few syllables, Lex’s army…worldwide and moreso, in Metropolis, had laid down their arms! His complexion seemed morose. Where was Superman? What had Batman done?
“No more magic I guess…just knuckles,” Bruce whispered as he saw Superman teleported in front of him.
Superman had steam coming off him, and his red eyes glowed as a volcano.
They were in the slums of Gotham…the Narrows…abandoned…after Wayne Enterprises convinced the Mayor to make it a dead site…as Bruce purchased it…secretly…for he knew, if things ever got this bad, he’d need a battlefield where no one would get hurt, bar himself.
“I will not rest till Luthor is dead. I will kill you, then I will cut through everyone who stands in my way…and then I will rip Lex’s head off…”
Batman immediately launched missiles at Superman, who seemed bigger and angrier than ever…a brute hulk.
“Your Tony Stark toys are getting old!”
“Well so are you Kal!”
Batman immediately powered the suit and charged to the man, shocking him with max capacity at full voltage…the suit’s kryptonite ionosphere was weakening Superman…but his rage was immaculate…and knew no limits…twas unbound.
Superman grabbed Batman, and unleashed,
“I am unbound – I will cut loose tonight!”
His arms were bleeding and despite his bloody wounds and cut-wrists, he pummelled Batman…and used his heat-vision to decimate the suit…full blast…and before Batman’s vision went to infrared…Superman smashed a fist into his face…then grabbed a leg…and flung him to the ground, lifted him, and repeated…then grabbed Batman…and as Bane did, dropped the suit on his knee…back-first…and Batman yelled…
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”
The pain was evident…all the heroes heard this…some were shedding tears…Oracle, Star-fire…Tim!!!
Alfred sat at the cave monitor, wide-eyed…transmitting orders to a few unknown figures regarding 3 packages!
Batman was yanked out the suit…bleeding…and unable to stand on both legs…and tossed to the ground.
“Teleport us there now!” Nightwing yelled to J’onn.
“No,” we must follow protocol. This is part of the plan!” J’onn replied.
“Please stop it J’onn!” Oracle cried.
“Stick to Batman’s orders!” Alfred yelled over the radio, his eyes welling with tears now…we will succeed…Batman saw to this…even if he gives his life up…we must see this through…he alone will fall…no other hero. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?” Alfred sobbed.
Somewhere else -
“Goddamit…got em Secret Santa!”
“My info was spot-on then?” said the blurry voice over the com-link.
“Sure thing Santa. Batman was right about you. You are resourceful. I tried to find out who you were…but you’re as hidden as a Jimmy Hoffa ghost!”
“Well V.S. that’s the business we deal with…ghosts and apparitions! You better link with your teams…Batman’s plan is working well? I can’t tell from my hole!”
“Time’s running tight. Will keep you informed. Thanks again”
“Secret Santa out”
The man got on the next wave immediately,
“Oracle, I got them…the missing capes…all of em…Lex had them hidden away…here in STAR CITY…Superboy is here under Green-K sedation, Power-Girl is under drugs too…Even has Captain Marvel sedated…damn…Captain Atom, Geez…there’s Doctor Fate also, they’re all strapped in…they’re alive…Wally West too…everyone’s alive though…barely!”
“He took out the remaining threats on Earth…the remaining big-hitters who could put a kink in his plans to take out Superman. He wanted no external x-factors…and those were the remaining few, separate from the main JLA, who could give Supes a run for his money,” Oracle informed.
“Send help…they’ll make it, it seems, but I don’t think they can be used in this mission!”
“As long as they’re safe and sound and we found them…I’m sending Animal Man and Hoshi now to tend to em…thanks a lot, Question!”
“Hurry. No time for thanks!”
Batman heard the transmission. He was relieved to hear the missing capes were found…alive…but his internal bleeding mediated and cancelled any joy he tried to feel.
“Ohhhhhh,” he wailed.
“This time it is final…no turning back Batman…my friend…my foe…you are broken…done! No return…Dark Knight. I can see your internal bleeding, crushed windpipe…and the ribcage is a mess. You have no fight left…you can barely stand and the suit is damaged…all the green K you tried to use…they have me wounded…but I can see you still have some up your sleeve…or cape…so I’ll keep my distance…but this time…”
“AHHHHHHHHHH,” cried Batman in agony as Bruce felt his legs burn. Superman’s eyes left scars on both legs…Batman dropped to the ground. He couldn’t move.
“If you try anything, pull any weapon on me…I’ll fry your head Bruce!”
Lex was rambling. His chair glided through into his panic room. He had no clue as to what was going on. What made matters worse was that…he was locked down in his own building. J’onn and Oracle made him a prisoner there. Someone was coming for him…but Lex wondered who? His protection was gone…all he had was his panic room…the arsenal he built and hid from Superman…but this arsenal was a non-entity…and Lex was trapped.
6:25 pm
“It is over!” Superman bellowed.
Batman checked his vision-clock…5 more minutes till the JLA could be boomed home…but he couldn’t wait on their backup…he couldn’t wait on them that long…Bruce, of all people, knew Superman better than anyone else…he knew that even a wounded and green-K beaten Superman, fuelled on red-K or not, once he cut loose, could swipe through all the teams, JLA, JSA, Teen Titans, Outsiders…and CRISIS…and the ARMY…in 5 minutes time, Superman, with rage in his heart, could tear asunder these teams, and kill Lex. Bruce knew he was seconds away from Clark killing the Batman. This was an angry God…they needed all the green-K they had to stop him. Bruce knew that he could prevent Superman from killing Lex by one means alone…Bruce knew what they had to do…RED SON…the only way…
“You beat me…broke me…but the spell still stands…” Bruce whispered.
“I’ll be able to gut these mages like cows now that I know they are playing dirty! They won’t even see me coming!”
“Package ready, Alfred. Oracle and J’onn…make sure these babies reach the big S!” said the male voice.
“Fire A-1!” Oracle ordered.
The figure hidden in the depths of the Narrows had just teleported in after Alfred gave the co-ordinates of the package
The Green Arrow fired his arrow…and it sped through…
“Now teleport these…” Oracle ordered
“A2 fired!” Red Arrow yelled…as he stood northwards of Ollie. Both were approx 200 feet away from Superman and Batman. They had used J’onn’s teleports…and cloaking devices to mask their arrival. The trick was to arrive as soon as they had to shoot…to avoid chance of error or detection. They had to pick up their refined package arrows, Special Green-K arrows, made by Bruce, hidden away in Gotham and Metropolis, highly concentrated, and the deadliest of K-weapons.
Both arrows were travelling…one from the north, one from south…both streamlined so as to give minimal sound effect…Superman couldn’t detect them…he could barely hear the whoosh of sound around him…he was under Zatanna’s spell…to ignore his super-vision and hearing, and as much as he tried to avoid this, he was caught off guard…as his instinct kicked in and it seemed he would stop the arrows…they both met him…one in his chest and one in his back…exploding heads…and BOOM!
J’onn created 2 teleport wormholes, so that after firing, each arrow entered its respective one, to reduce Superman detecting them. Batman wanted no room for error…so he played it as safe as possible…because he didn’t know how long or how effective the spell would be or last…and J’onn re-opened the destination so by the time Superman felt something was off…the arrows would already be teleported to impact on him…
J’onn just kept the holes in a straight line of sight so their trajectory never faltered…such was the accuracy of the Arrows, and J’onn simply used the wormholes to make the shots reach their target faster…Ollie and Roy made aim, J’onn basically dealt with speed and time of arrival.
Superman was stung hard…and wobbling…the green-K was kicking in…but this concentration was high…yet Superman didn’t fall…there was too much red-K from Luthor’s bomb…
“Get em outta here!” Batman ordered as Ollie and Roy were whisked back to Watchtower.
“The wormholes were too exact Batman…too much energy used in making those arrow-holes…we can’t teleport you out too…we just sent the lady on the outskirts of Gotham…the systems are strained, they’ll barely make for the big leap!” J’onn barked
“Then I’ll have to hitch a ride on the delivery guy!”
“Wah-app…what’s happening? I’ll k-kill you all!” Superman yelled.
Batman looked up from the ground into his eyes…and saw the red-K in them…Superman was still raged. He needed to apply the final package to put the Man of Steel down.
Superman’s sight and hearing was at its weakest now…and non-effective.
“Now!” yelled Bruce.
As Superman fumbled, and dropped to a knee…he saw a flash of red and yellow…and he saw in blurred vision…Batman being zoomed away…and in a nanosecond…Superman was alone on both knees at the site.
6:28pm
“We have allocated the final reserve power segment to bring the JLA back home. 2 minutes!”
Warning signs were flashing in Watchtower as J’onn and Blue Beetle navigated the controls.
Superman coughed as he glimpsed the red-yellow blur taking Batman away. As they left the radius, a silver gleam with what seemed angel wings…but what shocked him most was the black ball…the size of a tennis-ball…that lay behind him. He couldn’t see through it…lead!
Jay Garrick set Batman down within a few nanoseconds, with the rest of the JLA, in Metropolis.
“He’ll make it!”
The entire Bat-family breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief.
Batman now waited for the lady to sing her tune…as this bomb would go off on a certain frequency of sound alone.
The lady that J’onn teleported…was Black Canary…and as she went from a hum…to a scream…
Superman barely stood…barely moved an inch…his insides were burning from the arrows…and as he looked at the ball…it exploded…a green flash. Huge; and encompassing a large perimeter.
“Fire it now J’onn!” Bruce ordered.
A green beam – a green-K laser apparently – shot from Watchtower to hit Superman to ensure he didn’t escape.
Red Tornado stood at Gotham’s mouth to ensure that no K-mist would reach and harm the city.
The mist cleared and everyone waited with bated breath…and it cleared…Superman lay…motionless…dead!
There was too much green-K…and it seemed that Batman was right…the only way to stop an angry God…a Man of Steel…is to kill him.
6:30 pm
Luthor’s CRISIS team arrived on-site…all spells worn off…and all heroes were at ground zero. Oracle removed lockdown on Luthor…but he never left his building at Luthorcorp.
He instructed the guards to bring the body in…bring him in now…orders of the Secretary of Defence.
The alliance of heroes looked at Batman, on crutches, and he told them to back down…as he viewed the body.
“Orders came from up high! Leave them…everyone return to bases…see to the missing capes…ensure they’re alright…Question needs help…help him link Luthor to this…Oracle, start immediately, I want him linked to those kidnappings!” Bruce uttered with broken breaths.
As the CRISIS and ARMY forces, moved in…and placed the body on a stretcher to transport…they were stunned at what stood behind Batman, THE JLA…returned at last!
The Flash Barry Allen, Wonder Woman, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Atom and Aquaman…none looked pleased…
“We will accompany this tirade…this stage show!” yelled Wonder Woman.
No man dare opposed her…
“Let them come, let them bring in their fallen son…and bask in Luthor’s glory…scan them on entry to my building…none of their weapons are allowed! But let them come…and bring that dead alien. HAHAHAHAHA. I have won. America has won!” cackled Lex.
Batman motioned to the JLA, and they slowly got in the transport to keep watch over the dead Superman. Wonder Woman and Aquaman had tears in eye…but Allen and Atom were pissed as hell.
Batman listened over his com to Oracle,
“Kara is with Lois and Clark’s mother. They are in a state, Batman!”
Bruce was weary and short of breath. As he looked up, he realised the entire JLA contingent was eyeing him with piercing vision.
“So Kyle’s in space huh?” Bruce remarked to break the silence. The trip to Metropolis would be slow.
Luthorcorp – 7:32 pm
“I have changed my mind. Let Batman alone in…” bellowed the voice of Lex over the speakers, “Scan him…I want no weapons…or that damn utility belt of his…anywhere in my building! Keep the JLA outside!”
“No way will we adhere..” Wonder Woman yelled.
“Please Arthur, Diana…remain…I’ll go…We don’t need this,” Batman pleaded.
“We wait here…we suspect anything…and we come in…hard!” Barry remarked.
Hawkman and his mate said nothing, just stood there…wielding their Nth Metal maces…and eyeing the soldiers of Lex.
“If the fist of the JLA suffers any more tonight because of the whims of that madman Luthor, I swear on my son, by Atlantis itself, I will bring this building down on that crown of Luthor,” was what Aquaman offered…for Lex to hear.
Lex smirked as he saw Batman limp in…adjacent to the body…as they were escorted to his quarters.
“You have nothing on me…Batman…you are all without him. Look at his body. Lifeless!”
“You will pay Luthor…you have done a grave injustice here tonight…and mark my words, when I heal…the JLA will come for you! You’re win means nothing…the JLA lives on…I live on…and we will stop you and make you pay for this crime.”
The convo was heated…as both men stood with Superman between them.
Lex was astonished how pale, dead…and weak he looked. Bruised, beaten, battered, bloody and torn…dead!
“Sweet is victory in destiny…no one will be able to stop me…not now…not ever again…why?…you know you gave me the single greatest gift and weapon in one…when my scientists dissect him, who’s to stop me from creating an army of Supermen…in the name of our flag? When we run the tests on this lab rat, we’d have an army…of Supermen…clones…better than Superboy…better than the entire JLA…my plan was always on par Batman…if Superman doesn’t kill his friends…and kill me…then you’d do it for me…you or the JLA…would kill this Superman for me…puppets…dancing to my tune. I played this game well…to perfection. I set this all up…made him fall from grace in the public’s eye…this pathetic country and government ate it all up…and now, he is dead…I, Secretary of Defence, made you kill the greatest superhero ever…and now, to hell with the SUPERMAX prisoners…”
“You abandoning them there?”
“Of course…why ally myself with them…now that I’ll have Supermen…maybe I can reanimate this body back to life…maybe with half-robot…who knows? Endless, infinite possibilities…and I will…I swear…come to kill…you…and the JLA…I will…then my army and I…I wouldn’t even…”
“You wouldn’t need CRISIS or the government’s army…”
“My…that’s right Batman…yah thinking like a villain now…we wouldn’t need anyone…HAHAHA…we’d take over this country and the world…within a week…screw the Injustice Gang…I’ll make it the reign of the Supermen…and I am untouchable right now…so there’s not a damn thing anyone can do about it…”
“We can link you to setting up LFA, we have the proof…all the files on your PC…I stole them…that’s how we cracked your plot…I have the files for Brother Eye, for Lord, the links…the Russian base…the illegal science you conducted…I can prove you tried to maroon the JLA in space, you were going to shoot missiles at Watchtower. I can prove you messed with Watchtower…your whole plot…the initial plot to get rid of us all…I have the evidence…did you forget?”
“HAHA…you think I WOULD FORGET. Please. I know you have substantial evidence incriminating me, but again, I’ll go to trial…and in that time…imagine the havoc I’ll have wreaked…the public adores me, my CRISIS and ARMY soldiers are loyal to me…can you not see that if you go public with these charges, in the time it takes to find me guilty…there will be uprising of my loyalists…and innocent lives will be lost…do you not think that in the time it takes to put me away again…that I’d not have plans in place to cause utter mass destruction worldwide? Do you want to risk that? All in the name of this dead alien? Please…I am ready for you on all fronts…no one will turn on me…not so soon after I delivered them the world’s greatest terrorist threat…unless you have immediate proof and can sway the minds of the billions worldwide right NOW…then you can’t do a damn thing…unless you can undeniably show the world that I am evil…then you are futile…the only way I can fall from my throne right now…is if the entire world was in this room…listening to us right now fool! And you were scanned…all you living and breathing sons of bitches who walk into these quarters, into my presence, hero or not, are scanned to ensure no recording takes place…I am the MASTER OF MY OWN DESTINY…no one breathing around me can get the best of me!!!! NO ONE!!”
Batman smiled as Luthor’s voice echoed…
“Well…how about a son of a bitch who wasn’t breathing at the time he came in?” Batman quipped.
Luthor was stunned as he felt a presence arise behind him.
He turned to see Superman rising…transforming into J’onn J’onnz.
“See the thing is Lex, that you’d scan any and everyone…except the dead body of your greatest enemy…that green beam shot from Watchtower…wasn’t kryptonite…was a teleporter…changed the frequency of the light particles…J’onn could alter the colour in the rare case…”
“Where one degree of matter was swapped for another degree of matter…” Luthor finished Batman’s sentence, “You swapped bodies with Superman…and played dead.”
“Possum…I played,” said a heavy-toned J’onn, “and this device on my chest…just transmitted…live…to the world…that rant…you bugged us…wiretapped us…Life is balance Luthor, twas only fair we repaid you in equal…”
“Seems the entire planet was in here with us Lex…they all heard you…our world satellites…the very thing you manipulated…saw to it that the entire world knows now…that you set up Superman…and tried to destroy the JLA…and that you…are still a villain…” Batman finished.
The entire world had heard this…Oracle, Watchtower and worldwide satellites…all people, all nations, all governments…heard this…Lex had been outplayed.
CRISIS and the ARMY lay down their weapons and turned to each other in disbelief…before staring at the JLA. As the JLA lined up, all soldiers fell in line…and stood at attention. Diana stared at them, and turned to Flash…they all turned and entered the building. The JLA were going to apprehend Lex…at long last.
The US government was now in shambles…the President and Vice…immediately got on a plane…to Metropolis.
Suddenly, a loud BOOM sounded…from Luthor’s office…and Flash sped there. The JLA arrived and found Batman covered by J’onn…J’onn was barely breathing…
“Luthor’s chair…self detonated…he fled…to some secret passageway…a panic room…” Batman slipped.
“Arthur…get J’onn outside…no teleport can latch inside this building…so set a teleport up outside…and take him to Watchtower medic bay…Barry, Diana…help me up…Oracle’s files showed me the panic room when I snuck in for the Lex’s secret files…Let’s go!”
Arthur carried J’onn outside and passed the Thanagarians, who were flying upstairs…and the JLA headed for Lex’s room.
They met the panic room closed; Hawkman and Hawkgirl had come into the area now…they had their maces…
“I tried but barely dented the door,” yelled Diana.
“Let’s help out shall we?” asked Hawkman…
“In haste!” yelled Hawkgirl…as they pummelled the door…
Lex was inside, limping…he had nowhere to go…his men were now not his anymore…his army fallen…he was trapped…a low petty criminal…and the policemen were the JLA…his worst nightmare came through…how could things have gone from a bright victory to a blackest night?
Lex saw the door banging, and knew they would be inside in a matter of seconds…he panicked and ironically entered this panic room…to hide…for he couldn’t run…he had nowhere to run…and the thing is…with such a room…the way in…is usually the way out…Lex screamed…and bit his lip…
“You’ll never take me!!!” and as the door fell, and the JLA showed…
Luthor shed a tear, “Is he alive or dead…is he dead…please…did I kill Superman or not?”
As Flash rushed, all they saw was a bright white ray…
“STOP BARRY!”
Batman held them all back…but the light was glowing at them…and before it could reach…it faded…. and what was left…. they were shielded by a green mass…twas Kyle Rayner…
“Where the hell did Luthor go?” asked Kyle.
Batman felt like damaged goods, and he’s as confused as everyone else…no one knows where Luthor went.
Monday 8th March 2010
8:30 am
“We promise to work as hard…as loyal…as long as it takes…to make things right again…trust was misplaced…mistakes made…families and lives lost…We went off Earth to avert intergalactic war, and now…we are performing the same duty, our function here on Earth…hand in hand…must we walk together in Life, face struggles…evils…acts of malice…and we must rise…for these arms, held by each other…are those of Justice…Democracy…the Right to live without Fear…the night seems so dark, for the day is brighter…this I swear by my Amazonian Sisters…We will mend these broken wings…the world armies, CRISIS teams and the Justice League - together!” Wonder Woman echoed at the UN conference.
She represented the JLA…and the US.
Apologies were made, loyalties tested…governments and world leaders erred. Now the JLA were making their vow more solemn than ever to protect the Earth. Wonder Woman, Kyle Rayner, Barry Allen, Aquaman, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, J’onn, Atom and Supergirl stood before the delegates. The whole world was watching…now…they were in regret…the world betrayed it’s greatest hero…but now…he had forgiven them…Supergirl smiled and her eye glimmered…as Superman took the stand…not in his blue-red suit…but the white garb…sent with his rocket…his heritage…his people’s wear…he looked like Jor-El.
“I cannot ask for forgiveness, not for the lives I took.
The 4 families I left without fathers, brothers, sons…I cannot ask…but I will earn and work…for that forgiveness…for my strength and my power…lies not within this yellow sun, nor does it lie within my heart or my soul…it lies within each and every one of you…you are all filled with the capacity to do good…there is no special heritage, whether it be Kryptonian…or it be Earth, there is just us…beings of the universe…striving to do what is right…you are a great people, and you have known the light…you have seen the way…as I have seen…the righteous path…the path to do good…Liberty, Freedom, THE PATH OF JUSTICE…I am the last Son of Krypton, but I am one of many Sons of Earth…and you owe me no apology…you never will…
In your times of greatest need…call on us…Look to the skies…Do not look for Superman…LOOK FOR THE JUSTICE LEAGUE!!! Let there be Trust and Love amongst us all, children of Earth, once again!!!”
There was a rapture…world-wide rejoice…no apologies were needed on either side…mistakes were made, but learn from the past and move on…such is the never-ending battle between Good and Evil…Batman watched the procession…simultaneously monitoring the SUPERMAX prison…in his batcave under Wayne Manor…
“So a no-show with the League again…you hate PR a lot?” Alfred heckled.
“I wear a bat on my chest…what do you think?”
“Funny, Sir...Fuh-nee!”
Batman waited till Alfred left his sight...and with bandages around his body, he slipped a tight breath…and smiled briefly.
“Hurts when I laugh!” he whispered as his keyboard clacked…
He looked at the file on-screen,
“STUMPED. WE ALL ARE. J’ONN AND MYSELF DON’T KNOW HOW HE GOT OUT…AS FAR AS WE KNOW, THERE WASN’T ANY WAY TO TELEPORT IN OR OUT OF THAT LUTHORCORP BUILDING FROM OR TO ANY PLACE ON EARTH!!!” was the message from Oracle.
Bruce scratched his head…and closed off the file ‘Lex’s whereabouts’.
He looked to his right…and walked to the room at the side of his main computer. He was hobbling…the door was open, and as he looked in…
He saw the suits…repaired…from his Superman battle, he saw his K-weapons, his arrows, bombs, K-blades, knives and basically, it was his Kryptonite armoury…the tools he used to fight Superman.
“Not everyday you fight an enraged God and live to tell…not everyday Bruce,” he chuckled to himself…as he closed the lead-door…and it hissed shut.
Epilogue –
*****
Superman walks into the Watchtower control room, and J’onn and Batman greet him.
“Healing well J’onn!” Superman exclaimed.
“Better than ever…same is said for the kidnapped bunch…no memory of the past few weeks though…can’t even scan their minds…at least they’re all safe,’ the Martian remarked as he turned intangible and slid down to the engine room with a smile and an Oreo in hand.
“J’onn and Oracle were key in all this…they, along with your people, deserve a lot of my gratitude!”
“Not needed Superman, you would have done the same for us!”
“Lois said thanks…and Ma…they trusted you…and again…you didn’t falter…you…saved me, and brought the team back.”
Batman looked serious, “That’s what we do…actions…they define us…we do right…by each other!”
Superman paused…
“RED SON…now that was something huh? Wow…all that…you planned that all down to a tee…with every second plotted too…you never miscalculate…”
“Not when the fate of the world hangs in the balance, I dodged Darkseid’s Omega Beam…so what kinda guy would I be if I didn’t have contingency plans?”
“Like K-suits, Superman killing-weapons, bombs, arrows…basically a kryptonite armoury…just like the one I turned on Lex for having?”
“Exactly!”
Superman stood silent as he eyed Batman, no smiles, just stares.
“But you knew I had those weapons all along…for years you knew Superman…you knew from the time you x-rayed the cave and couldn’t see through the door by the PC…you knew from the time you couldn’t see through compartments in my belt and cowl…you knew that I had prepared for you…if you ever went rogue and turned on us…or if we needed to stop you…you knew I had all those things Clark…and you never said a thing!”
“It’s because I trusted you…because I knew you’d use it…only in times…of necessity…”
“I could never trust you fully Superman…but I’m working on it!”
“So be it…it is what it is…I guess now I’ll know what to expect if I ever fight you again…I trust that you’ll have improved the arsenal by now”
“You know I already began improving it!”
Superman chuckled.
“But the rest of the JLA are monitoring the arsenal in the batcave…along with TEEN TITANS and OUTSIDERS…so that it doesn’t fall into wrong hands…and to ensure I never use it for unjustified purposes.”
“In case the Batman goes rogue? Hmmm…interesting theory!” Clark kidded.
“It’s compromise…a work in progress…” Batman replied in kind.
“Ha. So by the way, how long did it take you to come up with RED SON, giving that you had so little time to counter Luthor’s move?”
“Are you joking? I came up with that plan from the moment I met you!” sternly replied Bruce.
Superman recalled the events that were relayed to him when he returned.
When the K-bomb went off, and Garrick took Wayne away, J’onn teleported down in the green beam…and swapped places with a dying Superman…battered from Kryptonite – green and red…possibly poisoned fatally…but this was the only way to take Clark away subdued…on the brink of death…
Clark was sent to Watchtower, and immediately Beetle shot him via teleport to the outer area of the Sun…and Superman was enrapt in a bubble…a green bubble…by Alan Scott…
Green Lantern…of the JSA…who created a carrier for them both…and when they were transported to the area of the Sun, did what Batman and Atom had once surmised…if the suns yellow rays could recharge and heal Kal-El…then he could be possibly be resurrected within it if his heart ever stopped…or if his system was failing…the ultimate medical vitamin and healing system…immunity by star…and Scott used his construct and launched a dying Superman into the heart of the Sun, with help from a friend.
The JLA were brought back at 6:30 pm…2 minutes after Superman was taken off-earth…and Beetle boomed them to Earth…while filling them in…
Rayner, however, knew that Scott’s power ring was not as strong as his; and Beetle, on Batman’s advice, sent Rayner to Scott, in case Alan needed help…and he did…for his construct was fading with the powerful rays of the sun.
But Rayner’s ring boosted Scott’s hold and these lanterns sent Superman into the sun…and while Scott waited for Kal-El to emerge…Rayner shot back to Earth…to help the JLA…and even, Bruce’s plans need luck…for Kyle arrived just in time to shield them from the blast in Lex’s panic room…
Batman looked him in the eye and stared for a few seconds, shot a nanosecond grin…then headed to the engine room.
Superman stood with his hands on his waist…
Superman spent 3 hours, cleansing within the sun, a supernova bath…before he emerged…anew…and greeted Alan Scott….
“Superman…you..”
“I’m good Alan, it’s better now…I’m good…what happened back on Earth? Is everything fixed or do we have to go back and…”
“Well…we better get back and see for ouselves…word over the com is…well Batman saved the day…the JLA’s back on Earth…I guess we won!’
Superman smiled, “Good…Justice always prevails…and of Lex…I want to get back to question him myself…I’m sure he’s not looking forward to trial…”
“Umm…yeahh…about that…Lex is…well…” Scott stuttered as he chuckled nervously at Superman.
Superman looked at Scott with a dismayed look on his face…
“How’d Lex get outta this one now!” he bellowed with frusration.
Both men floated off. Waiting for a teleport hole.
Superman sighed and ran his hand through his hair as he watched Batman talking to J’onn and Lightning…
“He must even have a plan to cheat death…besides that bloody Lazarus Pit. Jeez…I’m late for Lois’ dinner,” whispered Kal to himself…as he looked out into space, and then focused onto Earth.
2nd Epilogue –
As Batman returned to his cave, he was met by quiet silence…all were asleep…it was midnight…and as he sat in front the cave PC, Secret Santa came calling on-line…
“Don’t you ever sleep?” Batman asked.
“You’re welcome…”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I thank you again for helping find the missing capes…Question is digging into your identity you know?”
“I’ve already thrown breadcrumbs on the wrong trail…neither him nor his pesky detective friend, Renee Montoya, are gonna deduce who I am…”
“Well…who would?”
“I see our arsenal…and our plan worked out after all…see what a great team we make!”
“We do…sad to say we do…shame we hafta remain in the shadows…well I at least…now that you’re the new Secretary of Defence!” Batman teased.
“Huh. Who would have thunk it eh Batman…or shall I say Bruce Wayne?…AMANDA WALLER…SECRETARY OF DEFENCE…now that has a nice ring to it eh?”
Batman chuckled, “Good night Amanda…don’t let the Ambush Bugs bite!” as he unmasked.
“Good night Bruce…and they will keep biting…I’ve got my Checkmate and Suicide Squads on green alert again…and…till we find where Lex hid to, I won’t rest easy. Some work requires people other than you capes. Maybe I’ll wear a mask at night in my office…to get the thrill you folks do!” as she ended transmission on a teasing manner.
Bruce was tired, too tired to laugh…he needed a cup o’tea and a shower…he took of his cowl…and he looked to the cave roof. The bats were asleep. Safe and sound…peace for now!
3rd Epilogue –
Lex was tired and bleeding…he was cut all over…he had lost count how many hours or days had passed…his hand was still broken…
He was trying to climb along the rocks, and as he jumped to the barren, dusty ground…he could hear thunder…but saw no lightning. He crawled as he saw a cave…the atmosphere was dark…it was permanent night…he had a flambeau with him…but he was scared…for there were creatures here that made him shudder…he sought refuge in the cave… and when he entered…his back and legs gave out…no wheelchair…just plain pain…he was down on one knee…grimacing with unbearable pain…and struggling to hold the flame-stick up…and as his hand faltered…he felt someone hold it up…
The person took the flame and held it near their heads…twas a man…grey-haired mixed with black, and a black mustache…a rugged, slim built man…seemed middle-aged…but strong, physically threatening…and the man wore tattered threads…a gown of some sorts…black…as an 80s electro-band…he held the fire up…and stretched his hand out to Lex…
“Who are you? Your name?” asked a kneeling Lex as he stretched his hand to meet the stranger’s.
“My name…is…Zod…and welcome to the Phantom Zone!!!”
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