PART I: I AM VENGEANCE

"Clark."

Nostrils flared with frustration.

"I see you Clark."

All of these powers, and he was having absolutely zero luck locating Batman. All he could do was hear him.

"This is your final warning to stand down Clark."

Superman carefully scanned Lois' apartment for the ten thousandth time, but to no avail. Batman was the world's greatest detective. There were no clues to discover.

"I honor our friendship, but I will not let it stop me from doing what needs to be done. Not this time. Not ever again."

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HER BRUCE?!" Superman screamed to the ceiling.

Batman's voice entered his ears, coolly.

"Say my name one more time and I promise that Lois won't be the only one you care about that you'll never see again."

Superman gritted his teeth.

"You're sick Batman. All these years. All the bad guys we put away. The multiple times we restarted the Justice League. Sidekicks becoming full fledged heroes. Coming back from death. Trusting each other with intimate secrets. Being the unchallenged prototype duo for what being a super hero is even all about. You're willing to throw all of that away? For what? So you can declare yourself ruler of the world?"

"You know me better than that Clark. Ruling the world is easy. I could have done this years ago. But I didn't. Because I never stopped to ask myself one, critical question."

Batman paused.

"How long Clark. How long must we continue 'almost stopping' the bad guys? How long must we sacrifice our comrades to ruthless villains with nothing to lose? How long must we justify the existence of existential terrorists like Joker and Luthor? And most importantly- the one question I had never faced- how long until we either age out or get killed?"

Superman was quiet. He'd often thought about these things, and struggled for an answer. In the end, all he could do was give his life repeatedly for others until it was no longer there for him to give. That's all anybody can really do isn't it?

"You're right Clark. We are the prototypes. There is nobody like us. Thousands of heroes. None like us. What happens to the world when we die Clark."

A tone of sadness edged into Batman's gruff voice.

"It goes back to the way it was."

Superman looked at his hands. Batman was right. It was an uphill battle, that very few were even truly capable of enduring. A flash of anger ripped through him, and he tightened his fists.

"But that doesn't give you the right to become dictator! To betray your friends, your teammates, and everything you stand for!"

The hardness seeped back into Batman's voice.

"I did not betray. I took control."

"I will find you… Bruce."

"No. You won't. You will go to the Fortress of Solitude and stay there unless I summon you. Because otherwise, Lois, your parents, and your beloved cousin will suffer in ways that you can't even begin to dream of. I promise you Clark. They will suffer. And the only way out of the suffering will be death by your hand."

Superman flattened Lois' refrigerator like a soda can with one swift movement.

"And you know I don't break my promises."

He paused.

"The mission-"

"Yeah, yeah I know, the mission is the only thing that matters." Superman cut him off and muttered, "I never thought I'd regret ever hearing you say it..."

Superman tightened his fists, bulging his Kryptonian muscles so fiercely that they almost ripped through his uniform. He considered his options, knowing that he only had one. He didn't know where Batman was, and even if he did, he wouldn't be able to get there before Batman carried out his threat and disappeared. Another swift punch reduced the stove to scrap, and then he rocketed out of the window, heading to his Fortress at speeds that even the Flash would be hard pressed to match.

Batman stepped away from the com device, and watched Superman fly away on the screen. His heart was heavy, but his will was focused.

"Good bye old friend," he lamented under his breath.

"I'm proud of you Bruce. Finally doing what needs to be done."

Batman stood up and whirled around so quickly that his chair crashed to the floor. He regarded the man across from him very carefully. Decked out in battle uniform with a red hood on his head and a circled "R" over the left side of his chest.

Jason Todd was his only true ally during these times.

"Shut up Jason."

"Whatever."

"You know this is not my preference. But it must be done."

"Yeah, yeah I know. And I'm only here because you can't trust anybody else."

"I don't trust anybody period."

"Not even me, your resurrected side kick?"

Batman stood toe to toe with Jason, every muscle quivering in anticipation. They'd fought countless times before. Each time Bruce was the uncontested winner. The pecking order was clear here.

"Nope." Batman uttered one word.

Jason paused for a moment, and then the face plate of his mask slid up to reveal his smirk.

"Good."

The two men smiled and clasped hands. It was a curious relationship they now facilitated. Not quite the dynamic duo in Jason's earlier Robin days, but not enemies either. They were partners. Partners with the same mission. To rid the world of evil for good. That was all that mattered. The mission was the only thing that ever mattered.

"Where is the President of the United States?"

Jason laughed. "He's trying to broker a deal with Hawkgirl. I'm not sure how you brainwashed her, but good thing you did because the old Hawkgirl would've punched him in the face by now."

Batman grimaced.

He'd hated doing it.

But it needed to be done.

Her screams and the scent of electrified feathers flooded his senses, choking him momentarily. Either Jason didn't notice or he didn't care. He continued speaking.

"GL is coming for her you know."

Batman stopped walking.

"I know." He narrowed his eyes. "I'm ready for him."

Jason eyed him warily, revelation dawning in his pupils.

"You want him to find her."

Batman pushed past him to the control room for the mecha-soldiers they'd appropriated from Toyman. Batman had outfitted them with his own technology and command programming as a back up for civilian submission and control. Two floors beneath them, defecting heroes and villains awaited his orders. It was Jason's job to make sure there were no traitors among them. At least, not any dangerous ones. Batman half turned to address his former protege.

"Thalia, Robin and the League have completed every mission with minimal casualties. Our Razor Warriors need to be able to keep up with them. Are they ready?"

"I know Ra's was glad you took over, but where is he?"

"A mission of legacy..." Batman's voice grew distant, then snapped back harshly. "Are the Razors ready?"

Jason's face plate slid back into place. Red Hood once more.

"They are. A few think they'll get the drop on us at the appropriate moment, but considering they don't even know where they are- and are completely terrified of you- I find that highly unlikely. Heck. I don't even know where we are..."

Batman turned back to focus on his work.

"We're in the Batcave. Specifically where, I have no clue. Which is good. J'onn isn't the only mind reader out there. And my special neuro tech handles the rest." He palmed a large button with a finishing slap. "Let's go."

"Where are we going?"

Batman grinned at him, sending chills down Red Hood's spine.

"To pay some insurgents a visit."

TO BE CONTINUED...