Disclaimer
I don't own any of the characters I used in this story. They are the property of DC Comics and Warner Bros. However, the story is entirely a product of my own imagination
Chap 1
"You are our only hope, Superman"
He must've said that a hundred times, but every time, it sounded more earnest and desperate. Such was the magnitude of the intensity of the situation, to have brought High Father all the way from New Genesis to the earth, to the Man of Steel and his league. He had left New Genesis to be plundered by Darkseid, leaving its protection to Orion.
He sank into the chair and winced, placing his hand on his forehead.
"You seem to be rather unlike yourself, High Father!" Batman, who was till then standing at the door and observing the scene, spoke out.
High Father frowned. Batman returned the frown. Superman found the necessity to speak.
"Please pardon him, High Father. He tends to be critical," turning towards Batman with a scowl, "and doesn't realise to whom he's talking to."
"It's OK, Superman. As long as you are ready to help me, I don't mind your friend's disposition."
"And that was a little too desperate don't you think?" Batman remarked again, only to be met by a scowl from everyone in the room.
"You do not realise the magnitude of threat, do you?" High Father replied. "It can mean the end of the Universe."
Batman walked in and sat in his favourite chair, which happened to be just opposite the chair in which High Father was seated. The others, who had remained standing till then, were amazed by this show of discourtesy.
He leaned forward towards the High Father and spoke, "Rest assured he will not do anything that will destroy the Universe. He might revamp in, of course, if he gets his hands on the anti-life quotient. And I assume it is safely away from him."
"Yes, it is! But it cannot be kept away from him for long. What is your point, Batman? You think I'm giving the false alarm?" High Father sounded frustrated.
Batman remained calm. "I am not a Super hero, High Father, but I am a detective and possess certain powers of mind. There is no reason why the league will not come to your aid, but I don't think it would hurt you to give us, or rather me, the proper facts."
"Batman, cut it out!" Superman shouted at the top of his voice, which shook the watch tower, "Do you realise you are talking to a God?"
He stood up and began in a sharp tone, "No, Superman, I am not talking to a God. I am talking to someone who calls himself as the God, but is careless enough to let Darkseid walk away with his powers, something which never happened in millennia." turning to Superman, "And you...you keep the little brain you have aside whenever someone proclaims you as the 'saviour of the world.'"
Superman lost the little patience he had.
"This discussion ends here, Bruce! And believe me, you don't want to prolong your argument!" turning to High Father, "I am here for you, High Father, we all are, except may be him. And that shall not make any difference. We are ready to come with you," turning to Batman, "and no detective of this worldwill stop us."
High Father rose from his chair, "Thank you, Superman! I knew you wouldn't let me down." Turning to Batman, "If you have apprehensions about your friend's safety, which I gather from your questionnaire, why don't you come over and see for yourself?"
"I'd rather not," Batman bluntly declined.
"He will," Superman interjected, "High Father, lest we should need his brain, for I have put mine aside. The entire league will be at your disposal."
"I said, I will not," Batman protested.
"And I said, you will" Superman growled with equal intensity.
"I cannot thank you enough. GOD BLESS YOU, SUPERMAN! I'll be waiting for you."
He switched on his boom tube, and within seconds, he was gone!