The whisper stayed in the air long after the cultists fled. But the great being they had unwittingly invoked cared not for their absence. It seethed, restless after its long slumber. It remained as only a whisper however, a thing half dead and long forgotten since the beginning.

The darkness that surrounded it rippled with its sheer, immeasurable power and foreword it trod, seeking strength to sate its hunger, to take form. It sensed the world it had entered was different from the one it had left. It understood why it was here. The purge was coming.

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Bruce was calm. Though the hot coals would sear the feet of any normal man, he remained in a state of utter tranquility as he stood upon them, quietly contemplating things. Tim had reached the age of sixteen that day and Bruce felt the time slipping away from him all too quickly.

After the festivities, he had retired to his cave to mull over his feelings. All he found dwelling in his heart that day, was sadness. The boy hadn't yet had a chance to pick up on his feelings. Dick Greyson, his surrogate older brother, had come in from Bludhaven to participate in the celebration of Tim's first steps into manhood, along with Conner Kent, Bart Allen and the others from the boy's team. Oliver Queen had come, dragging along a reluctant Roy, who had been pulled away, allegedly, from some important business. He was pleased, however, to celebrate Tim's special day. Many from the league had come in fact.

Tim's family, Bruce ruminated quietly, stretching his sinuous left leg as far behind him as he could. There was a satisfying crack in his back as he curved it to touch his foot to his head. He gave a grunt and brought the leg back down to match up with its fellow. He liked to think of simply himself, Dick and Alfred as the boy's family, himself being foremost, but gatherings like this were simply a wakeup call. He gave a sigh. There was no point in trying to keep Tim to himself. The boy gave him more joy than anything since the days of Jason Todd so naturally, Bruce wanted to be a little selfish.

He couldn't be though. Tim deserved to shine on his own, without Bruce's interference or any attempts by the older man to keep him smothered. He heard light footsteps coming down the stairs towards the cave and closed his eyes, allowing the heat from the coals to wash over him and cleanse him of any of those depressed feelings. No point in being selfish and upsetting Tim. Bruce wasn't sure exactly how he recognized the footsteps of his youngest, but somehow he did and he was never wrong. Sure enough, Tim's voice filled the cave. "Is everything ok Bruce?" he asked.

"Of course", Bruce said, breathing deeply as he lifted his knee to his chest. He didn't open his eyes, but he could imagine the look of concern on Tim's face.

"I'm sorry I had the party Bruce", Tim said, "I know you don't like having gatherings here." Bruce opened his eyes to give Tim an annoyed look.

"Don't apologize", he said, "it doesn't really matter what I think. This was your day and if you wanted to have a party, that's just fine. I enjoy having them over." That was a little white lie. Bruce didn't like having company. If it had been totally up to him, he would have insisted on a celebration with just himself, Dick and Alfred. But, if Tim wanted a party, Bruce was totally determined to give him the best one there possibly could be. He had enjoyed talking with everyone and the look on Tim's face when Bruce took him into the garage to see the bright red Ferrari he had bought him was absolutely priceless. Tim would have been elated at just getting anything from Bruce, so it was even more rewarding to the older man to spoil him rotten.

Bruce could tell with his eyes closed that Tim was itching to get out with Conner and try out his new ride, but he stayed to make sure everything was ok with his mentor first. It was thoughtful, but unnecessary. "I had a really good time Bruce", Tim said, "thanks so much for the party."

"You had better not go apologizing again", Bruce snapped, "the whole world doesn't revolve around me you know. Today, it revolves around you. Go have some fun, take the car out, go to bars and buy beers with Dick. We all know that's what you really want to do right now, not sit here in the cave and watch me do yoga." He eyed Tim critically just to reinforce what he had said. Tim grinned.

"You know", he replied, "I don't think your parenting books would agree with letting me go out with just my friends."

"Aww, screw those books", Bruce said with a wave of his hands, jumping up so he could flip to perching on one outstretched arm. He spread his legs above his head in a Y to steady himself before bringing them together in a perfect one-armed handstand. His arm quivered as his muscles acclimated themselves to the increased weight. "Go get drunk if you want to", he continued, "but make sure you call me to pick you up if you do though. I'd really rather you didn't get into a crash and die. That would ruin the lovely day I've been having." Tim giggled again.

"Alright", he said, "try not to work too hard while I'm gone."

"Get out of here", Bruce snapped playfully and Tim darted off. "And don't let Dick drive", Bruce yelled after him, "not if you want that Ferrari to remain a Ferrari and not a pile of scrap metal."

"I won't", Tim yelled. Bruce started to flex and pull in his arm, his feet slowly reaching up so that they barely scraped the lowest stalactite and lowering again. Tim was responsible and Bruce wasn't too worried about his safety. Maybe it was stupid to let a sixteen year old with a new car go out driving, but Bruce figured the kid might as well have a little fun.

He pushed off the coals and landed on his other arm so he could work that one. The heat seared his skin, but he didn't even notice. He was too deep in thought.

00000000

Superman quivered as he watched the proceedings. The fate of himself and most of his friends depended on the results of this hearing. J'onn reached out and put a hand on his shoulder, but Superman refused to allowed himself to be lured into the other man's security. J'onn was sure the hearing would go well, But Kal-El wasn't so sure. His eyes shifted from the face of the President to J'onn's, who gave him a small smile. Kal simply gave him a nod and folded his arms.

J'onn, sensing the other man's unrest, quietly moved off, leaving Kal with his private thoughts. "Now Mr. President", Senator Puddles said, "I agree that the League has helped in the past, but this is the present. The world doesn't need heroes any more. We are on the brink of war. They should be helping us fight, not flying around above us."

Superman lifted his top lip in the beginnings of a snarl. But, he bit back his anger. Puddles was the most narrow-minded man he had ever met. If he had his way, every hero in America would be shipped off overseas to amass with the other troops. Though they were on the brink of nuclear war, the US still decided they needed a standing army to back up the threat of the bombs.

Kal had the chilling sensation that he was watching the end of the world unfolding before him. He had contemplated what he might do if the looming threat of war became a reality. He would probably just have to find another planet to live on. Though it pained him to even think of abandoning his adoptive home world, if the earth destroyed herself in war, he would more likely then not survive the ordeal and live to move on to another planet.

He didn't like thinking about it, but it came up more and more these days. Tim's birthday party had been a welcome distraction, but it could only ease his tired mind for so long. Once he was alone again the darkness of his apartment, the chilling thoughts had returned. He ran a hand through his slicked back hair and turned to look at J'onn again before facing the proceedings once more. Puddles frightening words again resounded around the chamber. War, and coming soon.

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Bruce stood on the balcony, which overlooked the garden outback. The flowers would be wilting soon, he thought to himself. The winter's chill would come and with it, death and frost. That's how the world felt right now, on the verge of one very big, very looming winter. He faced the moon and then spoke. "Clark", he croaked, surprised by the hoarse sound of his own voice.

He turned to face his friend, who had a grim expression on his normally pleasant face and was floating a few feet away. "The hearing?" Bruce asked, though already knowing the answer. Clark nodded wordlessly. "Tell me", Bruce said, "what did they say?" Clark gave a sigh and landed on the balcony, his feet making barely a whisper on the pale marble.

"Well", he said, "Puddles gave his speech."

"Dark and gloomy as usual I presume", Bruce said. Clark nodded.

"Lets just say", he replied, "he could make you look like a ray of sunshine." Bruce cracked a small smile at the dry joke and arched his shoulders.

"So…?", he asked.

"Well", said Clark, leaning against the railing, "they've decided not to decide."

"Again?" Bruce asked, surprised, "I would have thought they would have come to some arrangement by now." Clark shook his head.

"They aren't sure. They have to take into account what we've done for them, but also what we are now I suppose." Bruce nodded.

"Bruce", a tentative voice said. Bruce turned to face the sound. Tim was standing in the doorway, the light breeze tugging at his hair. He was nibbling his bottom lip and gazing at his mentor apprehensively.

"Hello Tim", Superman said, "how are you?"

"Fine", Tim said, "thanks."

"What is it son?" Bruce asked gently, his hard features softening at the sight of the boy.

"I just was going to ask for some help with my math."

"Can I help you in a little while?" Tim nodded wordlessly. Bruce gave him a small smile and watched as he went back inside. As soon as he was gone, Bruce heaved a sigh. " Every time you come by", he said, "he figures the world's ending. You only come around anymore when there's bad news to be told." Kal grinned.

"Just call me the angel of misfortune", he replied. Bruce gazed away.

"That boy", he said, "seems like the only ray of sunshine left on earth. What with Dick always busy now and the news. It's like there's a dark cloud over everything these days. But, he's getting so big. I feel like I'm losing him." Superman put a hand on Bruce's shoulder and squeezed it gently.

"He's only sixteen", the Kryptonian whispered. Bruce shrugged.

"I know", he said, "and that's what makes me sad. He's worried all the time now too, because of how on edge I am these days. You know, at sixteen, the only things he should be worried about are girls, friends and passing Algebra. He shouldn't have to wonder if his world's going to fall apart or if his mentor's going to have a mental breakdown and end up in Arkham." Bruce heaved another large sigh and then asked softly, "Why does the world always make them grow up so fast?"

"What can we do Bruce?" Superman said, "We can't exactly lock them all away."

"I know", Bruce said, "I don't even know why the government is considering turning against us. We've helped them more than they could possibly know and yet here we are, biting our nails as we watch the television, wondering if this is the last time we legally help somebody. With this war looming, Tim's so scared me and Dick are going to be shipped overseas. I didn't have to heart to tell him that's a likely possibility. Even if I am a little older, they'll probably still take me. They're taking everyone these days."

Superman gazed quietly out at the moon. "What is this world becoming Bruce, what's happening here? It's like everything we've worked for, everything we've built our lives on, is just crumbling around us."

"If nuclear war does happen", Bruce said quietly, "Will you promise me something?'

"What?" Superman asked.

"Just get my boys out", he said.

"They'd never go without you", Clark said.

"Make them", Bruce replied, "I'll remain with Gotham, I have to, but I need to know that they're safe. Promise me you'll get them out in time."

"I promise", Clark said softly, "I promise."