Chapter I

The JLA Watchtower on the moon had been demolished and rebuilt more times than anyone cared to remember. As J'onn waited with the current members for the return of the Batman and his companion, he once again considered the wisdom of what they were about to do. In the next room stood the device they had constructed as well as a stasis field designed to keep at least one member of the group unaffected by any changes that might occur in their history. He heard the distant sound of the transporters, and moments later Batman and Kon-El entered. "We are ready," the Dark Knight stated. As the group rose, Plastic Man interjected, "Are you sure this is wise? We don't really know what will happen when we do this." "You'll have to tell us," Kyle Rayner responded, gesturing towards the stasis field. O'Brien nodded; slipping inside and activating the various monitors he would use to see everything that happened. Batman stepped forward to set his cargo within the device's field, when it suddenly flared to life. This isn't supposed to happen, J'onn thought, it must be an accident. The power of the field swallowed the two messages instantly and the Batman was gone a moment later back thru time.

Else While...

The energy of the time vortex dissipated, leaving Batman in a dark alley he tentatively identified as Metropolis, circa twenty years ago. At least the device had shunted his unexpected mass to the predetermined location correctly, as they had designed it to do in case of an unexpected malfunction. What else could this be? he thought, because I don't remember this happening in any version of history I experienced. Ahead the solid frame of the Daily Planet stood tall, with the globe atop it shining in the morning sun. All right, he thought, I'm here, but when? Then the street shook with a resounding impact as a car flew into a nearby building and Ignition hovered into view. He did not notice the aging hero as he went past. Right on time, he thought, mentally preparing himself to find a quiet hole to hide in until this day was over. He did not want anyone to spot him and further influence the time stream. "It's all right, Bruce," a soft voice assured him, "I'll handle this." He froze; then turned to face the man he had not seen in twenty years. "Clark," he whispered, "You and I need to get out of here. I have received reports that Faora is planning to destroy LexCorp any minute now." Which was true enough, he knew. Even now, his past self would be putting together the last pieces of a puzzle that would lead to the defeat of that plot. Perhaps, if Superman was there also, the JLA might arrive soon enough to prevent disaster. His friend nodded, taking in his unusual attire at a glance. "Nice outfit," he complimented, "Perhaps we should talk in private. I'm afraid I've got news of even graver importance." Rising, the Kryptonian flew them to the roof of the Daily Planet. Safe enough, for now, Batman thought, sure they would leave before it was too late. As they touched down, Superman retrieved a small package from a crevice of the globe. The vigilante recognized it as the message they had arranged to be sent to the Man of Steel, and became suspicious. Does he know? Batman thought. "About two days ago," the other said, "Lois and I both received a message from unknown sources. They claim to be from the future. They also say that I will die fighting General Zod today unless measures are taken to prevent that." Batman tried to appear dubious as he said, "How can you be sure they are real?" Superman paused before he answered, "Because of you, Bruce. I'm no expert, but you definitely sound different. I'd make a small wager that you too are from the future." Batman didn't bother to deny it, but replied, "Accidents happen. The past is already changing, Clark. My presence here is proof of that." But he wondered, could they successfully change it enough?

The chamber currently housing the ruler of Pokolistan was impregnable to all except Kryptonian strength. And Zod knew that his nemesis would not think of trespassing so flagrantly on his sanctum. Still, the time had almost come for him to set foot on the stage and end this conflict by eliminating Superman once and for all. The light on the channel that kept him in constant communication with his agents flashed darkly; Ignition appeared a moment later as he activated the view screen. "Report," he commanded succinctly. "I have proven unable to locate the source of the first two temporal anomalies, sir," the other said in a tone that bespoke a contrite attitude. Zod did not blame him for his failure; the anomalies had after all occurred before their arrival in Metropolis. "The third is now in the vicinity of the Daily Planet. Shall I destroy it as an example to those who would oppose us?" Zod nodded. Although he knew that the building was empty today and thus no lives would be lost; he also knew he must show everyone that they should not dare to invoke his wrath. The communication ended, and he turned to the door which he had heard open at the end of the communiqué. As he saw who had entered, he was for the first time speechless.

"We're out of time," Batman said, "Ignition has to be on his way here by now. He's going to demolish this building." For a moment, Superman hesitated. Obviously, he wanted to stop the needless destruction. Alone, he stood no chance of success. Fortunately, they both knew the structure was empty. They flew off at a rapid pace as behind them the ebony warrior began systematically destroying the Daily Planet. "I'm going to contact the JLA," he said, "Continuity is not important enough to warrant we keep what we know a secret any longer." Batman couldn't have agreed more.

The members of the JLA had assembled in the very park Batman knew might still have historical significance. This time, he hoped that it would be the place where they would prove victorious in changing things for the better. As they touched down, he heard his own voice say, "Who is this?" Superman glanced at him, then back at the group. "J'onn, perhaps you can answer that." The Martian stepped forward, and Batman could feel his thoughts being probed. He had nothing to hide; yet partway through a sharp pain made him gasp and stumble. Superman caught him as J'onn stepped back, obviously shaken. "He is from the future," the alien said in wonder. "What just happened?" Superman asked as he steadied his friend. "Wait," Wally West interjected, "I've seen that before during the time I spent roaming the speed force between here and Wonderworld. He's not quite in synch with our time." "I'm not supposed to be here at all," Batman put in, "And I suggest you take out the henchmen before you tackle Zod himself. Otherwise they may come back with an even stronger punch." "Faora has been dealt with," his double said, confirming that things were still transpiring as they should. "We need to draw Ignition to us," Superman said, "Once he has been dealt with, only Zod will remain." "If what our visitor has showed me is true," J'onn said, "We must be cautious because the future hangs in the balance based on what we do today." The others murmured agreement, as Superman turned to him. "We have means to return you to the future, you should use them," his friend said. He considered for a moment before replying, "Yes, but not until Ignition is defeated at least. Once his threat is removed, permanently, I can return knowing things should proceed normally from then on." His friend frowned, but evidently the evidence he had already been provided was enough to convince him of the necessity of such a severe measure. In the distance, the explosions from the ruins of the Daily Planet had died down. Ignition would be on the move again soon. Now was the time to act and make sure that this time things were different.

As he flew over Metropolis, Ignition considered what he had heard about the failure at LexCorp. It was still unclear as to whether or not Faora had been captured. It did not matter. The plan would proceed without her if needed. Ahead was the large park at the center of the town; below a lone figure gazed up at him unafraid. Going lower, he tentatively identified his observer as female. Brave, he thought, preparing to strafe her. Then he frowned as recognition came over him. So, he thought, Faora did escape. He sank to the ground, but as he approached, a heavy weight slammed him into the dirt as the image of Faora vanished. Fool, he chided himself; I should have contacted Zod as soon as I saw her! He turned to face his opponent, who struck him again. Wonder Woman, he realized as he rose to face her. Then a sharp pain in his back almost made him cry out as a super-fast blow nearly melted his armor. Another phased thru his helmet and threatened to compromise it. He fired his arsenal, driving many of them to protect themselves and the others. Only one of the JLA was not hiding as he finished his barrage. "So," he said, "We face each other again, Superman." Moving at a speed no human eye could follow, the Man of Steel shattered a hole in the already stressed armor Ignition wore. Then the Kryptonian was thrown back as a gout of flame shot from the hole as it sealed itself. "You shall find me harder to vanquish than that," Ignition gloated, all too aware that he would need to avoid further confrontation at this time. He could not risk a full integrity breach until he was truly ready for this battle. Then a tight form immobilized him as a smiling face came up to his own. "You're not going anywhere, handsome," Plastic Man declared. Snarling, Ignition tore free to meet the explosive charges of the Batman and the impenetrable barrier formed by Green Lantern before him. Turning, another blow resounded on his helmet, tearing it from it's stressed housing and momentarily blinding him as he lived up to his name for an endless moment. When the flames died, he could see the heroes looking at him in disbelief. "Arthur?" Superman said in shock. Ignition smiled painfully and spoke, "No, but rather an effective distraction that will give me time to destroy you." He prepared to strike, to fall fighting, but could not move. The armor forged by Zod himself had failed under the combined assault of the JLA. He glared at his attackers as he mentally initiated the self-destruct mechanism. "It was fun," he quipped as Superman grabbed his body and hurled it into orbit. A moment later, even his atoms were gone.

Batman fingered the device that would return him to the future. With Ignition gone, he had no worries. Even if Superman died, only Faora would remain to fill the shoes of the dictator. He was sure that his friends wouldn't treat her lightly after today. He shook his head at witnessing the death of Ignition. Zod would arrive soon, he thought, looking for his lackeys. Activating the device, he stepped thru the portal, confident that the future would be fine. Had he only known he was being watched by the one who had engineered this whole situation, perhaps he would not have been so nonchalant about the things to come. The portal faded and the shadowy observer turned aside and headed to the place he knew that destiny awaited him.