Author's Note: the idea for this story occurred to me after seeing a picture on facebook of a fictional conversation between batman and Superman about why Superman always changes in phone booths. That original pic will be the cover for this story when I upload it later. I'll have some more notes on the bottom of the page about elements of the story. Anyway, without further ado, allons-y!
Prologue
Observation Deck of the Watchtower
"Bruce, sometimes I have to wonder if humankind is worth saving," Superman said, shaking his head. The Man of Steel looked tired, and his suit was torn in several areas where a mob had torn at him.
The attack had been completely random and unprovoked, so much so that he had at first suspected that an outside influence was at work. But that had been proven wrong as the mob explained why they were attacking: They simply didn't trust him.
It had been a very long year. First he and Batman had removed Lex Luther from office after they had uncovered proof of his illegal activity, even fighting other well-meaning heroes who were unaware of Luthor's criminal activities while President, and then they had found and rescued a girl who turned out to be Superman's cousin, Kara, and fought off Darksied himself with the help of Barda and Wonder Woman. Finally, Superman had been subjected to interrogation by the press over his actions, which some considered tyrannical. This had resulted in the attack. Superman had stood there while the crowd hurled stones and insults at him, until the police had finally driven the mob off.
"I save them again and again, and still, they mistrust and even hate me. If it were just men like Luthor, I could understand. But these were just normal people, just like my neighbors back in Smallville."
"I just… sometimes I want to give up, and just stay in the fortress."
"That doesn't sound like a son of the House of El," said a voice from the shadows. Batman whirled towards it, batarang in his hand, and Superman soon followed suit, preparing to fight the man, who wore a long trench coat, beneath which was a blue pinstripe suit. He was skinny, and his hair gave him the distinctive look of an eccentric.
"Oh, that's not necessary Bruce, I couldn't help but overhear. Just happened to be in the neighborhood, I was looking for a rogue Slitheen and took a wrong turn at Albuquerque, wound up here in what I assume is the Watchtower. Lovely station by the way, love the architecture, very… spacey."
"Identify yourself!" Superman demanded.
"Oh, hello, I'm the Doctor," he replied.
"Doctor who?" Superman asked.
Author's note: For the background framing dialogue between Superman and Batman, I took elements from the movies Superman/Batman Public Enemies and superman/Batman Apocalypse. The mob attack is completely original, but is loosely inspired by the reactions the public is having to Superman in the New 52 comics. The Watchtower and the rest of the framing story takes place in Bruce Timm's Justice League universe- just after the Thanagarian crisis, but just a little before the JLU. In case you couldn't tell from the description, the Doctor I'm using for this fic is David Tennent's 10th Doctor. Don't get me wrong, I like Matt Smith's 11th Doctor, but my personal favorite is 10.
So what do you think? I already have the first chapter written and will post it soon, but what do you think so far? Any and all comments, suggestions and/or criticisms are appreciated!
