One Minute and Fifteen seconds until self-destruct

It was more than enough time. At his feet lay Darkseid, pained breathing reflected his physical state. He was dying, beaten, bowing. There was no escape this time either. He was at the complete mercy of the Kryptonian who stood over him with nothing more than a deep scowl on his face. After all this time, after his countless efforts, Darkseid realized he had failed, and now it was time to pay. He had only one chance.

"Kal-el, forgive me."

"Why?" The harsh tone lowered his hopes but did not utterly destroy them. Superman stared down at him with unrelenting eyes. Darkseid had committed too many atrocities, too many unforgivable acts. It would not be a sin to kill him; no, it was the only way.

'Those words are always used to justify destruction.' Dr. Fate's words echoed in his mind. 'The android's nature has proven benign before.' This time it was different. Darkseid was nothing like Amazo, Professor Ivo's android. No, he was heartless, his nature never having been benign before.

"It is not in your blood Superman. There are lines that you will—can not cross."

Was it true? Did heroes always have to adhere to the boundaries they had set for themselves? 'It only takes a spark to light a fire.' No, this time it was different. There had to be exceptions. Darkseid had killed countless innocents, his friend Dan Turpin being one of them.

'He used you, humiliated you, brainwashed you, wound you up like a tin soldier and turned you loose against earth. Cry me a river.' It was Batman's voice this time, echoing his apathetic sentiments. Nonetheless, it was just another trap when the Justice League went in and helped Darkseid. Another one of his diabolic schemes that had to be stopped.

"I'll make an exception in your case, Darkseid." Superman's eyes started glowing, the beginning of the final attack; yet, there was hesitation in those passionate blue eyes. Darkseid let out an inward smile and pushed on.

"Can't do it, can you?" The eyes glowed stronger.

"I've done a lot of things in my life that I've come to regret; one more won't hurt." More memories.

Flashback

The Flash groggily pushed a huge slab of rock off him, only to be greeted by Superman's massive hands. Well, it wasn't his Superman, per se; it was actually the Justice Lord's Superman. Superman shoved him against the wall and pulled back his fist, ready to deliver the final blow. Flash stared up into Superman's eyes with his own naïve ones.

"Can't do it, can you? I'm the last piece of your conscience, and this is the one thing you'll never do."

"I've done a lot of things I thought I'd never do these past two years. One more won't hurt."

End Flashback

He let out a gasp of horror and realization at his actions. The answer seemed obvious now. He saw what happened to the Justice Lords' world, the fear in the people's eyes. He saw the lack of freedom, the lack of free will. He witnessed how harsh the Justice Lords could be; he could only imagine what they did to keep the prisoners in Arkham in line. He saw the control, the hatred, the apathy, the fear.

Superman stared deep into Darkseid's eyes; the once proud king was nothing more than a ragged beggar praying for his life. His eyes glowed even brighter, and the scream could be heard for miles.

After all, when he saw the Justice Lords, he saw the control, the hatred, the apathy, the fear, but he also saw his true self.