Sometime in the not so distant future...
Prologue
The group of approaching children made about as much noise as you would expect from a class on a field trip. Even if their first stop held something of a somber note; they continued to talk amongst themselves. It took a moment for the group to notice that their guide had turned to face them, and a few even paid attention as he spoke, "This is the grave of a great hero to our world, a man who was more than most men and gave his life so that others might live freely. This is the final resting place of Superman." There were hushed expressions of awe as the group examined the statue that rested atop the tomb with renewed interest. From a nearby bench an aged woman rose and approached the group. "In a battle that took place right here in this park," the guide went on, "He died fighting a petty dictator and invader called General Zod." The elderly woman glanced over the group as the guide finished, "His sacrifice has brought peace to our world in the twenty years since his death. In a way, he got what he wanted, but at a terrible price." The guide turned, leading the group to their next stop as a silent tear came to the eye of the aged observer. "You did it, all right," she whispered, "But was it worth it?" A soft voice answered from nearby, her contact; on time as always. "Sometimes I wonder, Lois," he said, then went on, "I need your assistance in something that might help us answer that once and for all." Lois frowned, and said, "I don't understand." The other sighed, then continued, "Meet me in an hour at the former location of the other memorial to our departed friend and I'll fill you in." Then he was gone, and she turned to leave the park, wondering just what the Batman was up to this time.
All was not well in Pokolistan; anyone could see that. Since the rise of Ignition to power, the old regime had come back in force, along with the emphasis on world conquest. Too bad Zod was gone, Ignition thought, he would have relished this moment. Faora turned away from the crowd of soldiers gathered below to face him. "They surely know what you plan to do," she admonished, "You can't expect them to sit back and do nothing." He nodded once, then said, "Do not worry, my dear. Everything is as it should be. We have nothing to fear from the JLA." If he could, he would have smiled at her. Instead, he explained, "Even now they are undoubtedly playing right into our hands." He had said enough, and rose into the sky over the rank and file below. The time for action had come. With all the power he now had, none could oppose him. Any who dared; well, he would dispose of them when the time came.
The memorial to the spot where Superman had fallen fighting Doomsday had long since disappeared. The location itself was almost forgotten in the wake of things that had transpired since then. Plus the fact that only a pile of rubble stood where long ago there had been a building made most people shy away from it. Which made it the perfect spot for a quiet rendezvous. Lois was not surprised to see that Batman had not come alone to see her. His companion, however, was unexpected. "Kon-El," she greeted the man who looked faintly like her dead husband. For good reason; he was his clone and while his powers were not identical; he came in a close second. The other nodded, deferring to the elder vigilante. "As you may or may not know," Batman stated, "The situation overseas has grown increasingly tenuous in the last few months. Recently, Ignition has begun a devastating series of attacks on nearby areas, with little or no losses on his side. We're not sure, but he seems to have some new source of power he is sharing with his troops. And, we have reason to think he has come to possess the last samples of the Doomsday genome." Lois gaped, then said, "You're talking about the prelude to global war." Batman shook his head grimly, and said, "It's already gone beyond that. No force on this planet seems capable of touching him. Already, we have tried 3 times and failed. It has forced us to take more drastic measures." Kon-El stepped forward, and began to speak, "At the request of the others, I have removed some of my DNA to send along with a message back thru time." "You must send another message, to yourself, Lois," Batman said, "If we are to have hope of success." "What about the consequences of changing the past?" she asked. "Considered," Batman declared, "I came up with this plan myself, and the apparatus for the journey is already being constructed. Within a day we will be ready. Will you help us?" Hadn't she just been thinking that she would give anything to change what was? Lois said to herself. "Okay," she said, "Let's get started."