Chapter 7.
The curtains on the theater opened. The people in crowd however were not prepared for what they saw on stage. There were plenty of murmurs and screams of shock.
"I hate to inform you, but your regularly scheduled program won't take place tonight," Joker said as he pointed around him to the unconscious performers lying around him. He laughed at people who were scrambling out of their seats to head to the exits. He glanced up at the exits to see them all blocked by several of the androids.
"There is no way out," Lex said as he took the stage with Joker and the many androids that were surrounding him. "Not until the governor has had a little chat with us."
One of the androids came walking up on the stage with the Governor over his shoulder. He pitched him down at Joker and Luthor's feet, then turned and faced the audience once more. Joker helped him up and smacked his cheeks a couple times.
"G'day Governor," Joker said in an accent.
"What is the meaning off all of this?" the Governor asked.
"You are a hard man to get an appointment with Governor Jacobs," Lex said as he walked up to stand beside of Joker.
"So we thought we'd improvise and catch you out on the town," Joker said grinning menacingly at him, and making Jacobs a little uncomfortable.
"Let these people go then," Jacobs said.
"Where would be the fun in that?" Joker asked.
"You're demented," Jacobs remarked.
"Yeah... what's your point?" Joker asked before breaking out in a fit of laughter. Lex just shook his head before stepping into Jacob's personal space.
"You either turn over power to Metropolis to us, or there will be no Metropolis to control," Lex threatened.
"Oh really?" Jacobs responded.
"Take a look at this," Joker said as he wheeled in a TV with the news playing on it. The news was reporting of the androids all over town, tearing up everything in sight.
"My God," Jacobs commented upon seeing the carnage.
"And that's just them doing some light work," Lex said. "Imagine what they could do if we told them to actually do some damage.."
(***)
Lana sat on the bed in the room that Alfred had prepared for her. She was staring out the open window at the beautiful night sky. She wasn't really seeing the sky though, because her mind was full of thoughts about the revelation Bruce had just laid on her. He was Batman, and she...she was having a very serious case of deja vu. The irony of the situation was not lost upon her. She had unknowingly walked right into the same kind of relationship she had been running from. Lana lied back on the bed and closed her eyes. She had told Bruce after he got done revealing all to her, that she needed to be alone for awhile. However as she lied her now on the bed, she wished she had someone to just pour her soul out to. Maybe that person could be Bruce, maybe it couldn't be.
Maybe she should have just went back with Clark. She knew how she felt about him, she also knew what to expect out of him. With Bruce though, everything was so new and seemingly different. Who knows, maybe it is different in some ways. Dating a superhero was never the issue. Dating a superhero who didn't know who he really was.. that was the issue. She couldn't determine if Bruce knew who he was. Actually she really was not sure if she knew who Bruce really was. One thing was for sure, her heart went out to him. Much as it had with Clark. Pity however was not what either wanted or needed, nor was it a good foundation for a relationship.
"Ms. Lang?" Alfred's voice came from the other side of the door. Lana sat up and wiped some tears that she hadn't even really realized had fallen.
"Yes, Alfred?" Lana answered.
"Master Wayne wanted me to inform you that dinner is served, if you are hungry," Alfred stated.
"Thanks, Alfred," Lana responded. Lana stood up from the bed and walked over to the dresser. She looked in the mirror for a moment before making her decision.
(***)
"So what's it going to be Jacobs?" Lex asked.
"You won't get away with this," Jacobs answered. "The army will take down those things."
"The army can't scratch them," Lex responded, as Joker laughed.
"We'll see about that," Jacobs remarked.
"I'm going to give you thirty seconds to make up your mind," Lex stated as he glanced up to a big clock in the back of the theater.
"I can't just hand over the city to a couple of lunatics," Jacobs responded.
"You don't have a choice," Joker said.
"Besides, Metropolis will be only the first of many cities we take over," Lex added. "So you should consider yourself lucky to be the first one to contribute to our reign."
"You're mad," Jacobs replied.
"And you're out of time," Lex responded. He nodded to Joker who pulled out the control for the androids and pressed a button to send them the command to destroy. Everyone in the room turned to the TV screen behind them to see the impending damage, only to be surprised at what they saw. There were several shots of destroyed androids replacing the shots of destroyed Metropolis.
"What the..." Lex commented.
"I thought you said they were indestructible?" Joker remarked, his tone annoyed. Suddenly there was a loud clang coming from the back of the theater and one of the androids landed on the stage next to Lex.
"Indestructible, no, semi-tough...sure," Superman commented as he walked down the isle towards the stage. Lex and Joker took a few steps back and Gov. Jacobs scrambled off stage as Superman walked up onto it. The androids on stage attacked Superman, who punched a hole through each one that approached him.
"You... but I ran you out of town..." Lex said. Superman laughed a little.
"Is that what you think.. I left town because of you?" Superman asked. "You really are more delusional than even I gave you credit for."
"Then why did you leave?" Lex asked.
"None of your business," Superman answered. "The important thing for you to know is that I am back to stay."
"No.." Lex responded disgustedly. Suddenly some shots rang out and bullets bounced off of Superman's chest. Lex turned to see Joker with a smoking gun in his hand. He just shrugged and dropped the gun to the ground.
"I think you two need to come with me," Superman said as he grabbed Luthor who knew he couldn't fight him. Joker however turned to run. Superman shook his head and used his super speed to tie Lex up with a rope he saw backstage. He then ran in front of Joker stopping him in his path. Superman grabbed Joker and started to lead him back to pick up Lex. Joker reached into his pocket and pressed a release that caused liquid to shoot out from the flower on his lapel. The green liquid hit Superman in the face and to everyone's surprise he immediately went down to the ground and screamed out in pain. Joker watched in amusement as Superman held his face and writhed on the floor in agony. He turned to Lex and grinned.
"What is that stuff?" Lex asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know," Joker responded laughing. Lex grunted in annoyance at him. He had always wanted to have something to combat Superman and now Joker had found such a thing and he wanted to know what it was.
"Can you at least untie me?" Lex asked.
"Sure," Joker responded as he walked over and began to untie Lex. "I think Superman may have given us all the leverage we need to take over this city."
"How so?" Lex asked as he got to his feet.
"We hold him hostage and threaten his life unless our demands are met," Joker answered. Lex smiled and nodded his head.
"I like it," Lex stated. "I'll agree..only if you will tell me what that stuff you sprayed on him is."
"Eventually," Joker replied with a mischievous grin. Lex nodded in response before walking over to the fallen Superman who was now unconscious.
"So, Governor... we are taking him with us... and you have one day to meet our demands," Lex said. "Superman's life depends on a speedy response."
"And just so you know.. there are plenty more of those androids were those came from," Joker bluffed. "And with no Superman to battle them, the results won't be pretty."
Lex picked Superman's unconscious body up and threw it over his shoulder as he and Joker made their exit behind the curtains.
(***)
Lana walked into the dining room to see Bruce sitting at the table staring at his plate of food in front of him. As soon as her heard her enter he looked up at her for a moment before standing up.
"Hey... I thought I would wait.." Bruce said tentatively.
"Bruce..." Lana began. "I've thought about...everything...our situation..."
Bruce slowly made his way around the table to stand closer to her.
"I just left a relationship..." Lana continued. "That relationship was so similar to this one.."
"I see," Bruce responded, fearing the worst.
"I left that relationship for a reason..." Lana said.
"What was that reason?" Bruce asked.
"Bruce...who are you?" Lana questioned. Bruce was a little taken back by the question.
"What do you mean?" Bruce asked in response.
"Are you the man standing in front of me right now...the man that puts on a mask and saves Gotham, or are you someone else entirely?" Lana asked. Bruce stepped in front of her and looked her in the eyes.
"Honestly... I am not entirely sure," Bruce responded.
"See..." Lana began to reply.
"I was hoping...that you could help me discover that," Bruce continued. Lana nodded her head.
"I'm not sure I can help you discover who you are," Lana stated. "I didn't help..."
"I'm not sure if you can either," Bruce replied. "I'm not sure anyone can, but I want to find out."
"Bruce.." Lana started.
"The thing though... I don't want your happiness to suffer while I discover who I am," Bruce said. "That's why I told you everything and why I am telling you now that I want you to think not of me.. but you."
"I like you Bruce..." Lana stated.
"I like you too, Lana," Bruce responded. "So much so that your happiness is more important to me than mine."
"I just don't want to get hurt again," Lana said.
"I don't want you to get hurt again either," Bruce replied. "If you want this... and want to try... I promise you that I'll try my best to not let Batman come between us."
"What if Batman is the real you?" Lana asked. Bruce nodded his head and began to ponder her response. Just then Alfred came into the room.
"Master Wayne, I hate to interrupt but there is a phone call for Ms. Lang, and it sounds urgent," Alfred said.
"How would anyone know to call me here?" Lana asked, confused.
"I had your apartment complex to forward all your calls here," Bruce answered. Lana nodded and then followed Alfred out of the room and towards the phone in the hallway. Bruce let out a sigh and sat down in one of the chairs at the dining table.
Lana walked over to the phone and picked it up.
"Hello," Lana said.
"Lana... it's Lois..." Lois responded with a weird tone.
"Lois..what's wrong?" Lana asked, sensing the strange tone.
"It's all over the news here.." Lois stated.
"What is?" Lana questioned.
"Superman..." Lois began. "He was...kidnapped."
"Kidnapped!?" Lana exclaimed. "H..How..by who?"
"He stopped the city from a takeover by these androids and then confronted Lex Luthor and someone called "The Joker"," Lois replied.
"Joker?" Lana responded upon hearing of him for the first time.
"Yeah, and apparently this Joker used something on him that rendered him unconscious," Lois explained. "They are holding him hostage, and if the city doesn't meet their demands they are going to kill him.."
"No.." Lana replied as she dropped the phone and covered her mouth with her hand.
"Ms. Lang..what's wrong?" Alfred asked rushing over to her and picking the phone up, to find the line now dead. The commotion had also brought Bruce into the hall as well and he made his way over to them.
"Superman..he uh..." Lana began to respond. "They have him."
"Who has him?" Bruce asked.
"Lex Luthor..and someone named "The Joker"," Lana responded. Upon hearing the name Alfred looked at Bruce who had a certain anger in his eyes. "I have to do something..."
"No..I have to do something," Bruce said as he turned and began making his way towards his library. Lana ran after him and stopped him.
"Bruce..." Lana said looking up at him with tears in her eyes. Bruce closed his eyes and nodded in recognition. Lana leaned up and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
"I promise.. he'll be OK," Bruce said as he turned and continued into the library to enter the secret entrance into the Batcave.
(***)
Lex looked over at Superman who lied still unconscious on a table. He smirked upon seeing him in such a helpless state. He saw him begin to stir a little and turned to Joker who was entering the room.
"He's stirring.." Lex stated.
"Oh?" Joker responded before walking over picking up one of Superman's arms. He reached into his pocket and pulled out some handcuffs coated with the same substance he used to take him down with. He placed the handcuffs on him and watched as Superman's face turned into a grimace. "Don't worry..he's not going anywhere."
"What is that?" Lex asked. "You have to tell me."
"In due time Lex," Joker answered. Lex grabbed him and spun him around and grabbed him by the coat.
"Tell me now!" Lex shouted at Joker.
"Careful Lex.." Joker warned. "You are no Superman and I took him down, did I not?"
"Is that a threat?" Lex asked. Joker merely grinned at him. Lex finally let him loose and stepped back. "I don't like games."
"Then stay out of arcades," Joker responded as he laughed at him and left the room. Lex turned back to Superman and saw him lying there, still unconscious but his body was writhing in pain still. He was amazed at how much affect this green substance had on him. He had to know what it was... he would know what it was if it was the last thing he did.
(***)
Batman turned walked towards his Batmobile to find Lana standing next to it.
"What are you doing?" Batman asked.
"Take me with you," Lana responded.
"You can't be serious," Batman said as he walked up to stand in front of Lana.
"I have to be there.. I have to know that he is going to be OK," Lana stated.
"No, you have to trust me," Batman replied.
"I do trust you," Lana said.
"Then trust when I tell you that Superman will be OK," Batman responded. Lana lowered her head. Batman put his hand under her chin and lifted it up to him. "Remember what I said, your happiness is more important than my own."
"Bruce Wayne said that," Lana replied.
"Exactly," Batman stated, before leaning down and kissing Lana on the lips. Lana closed her eyes as she felt the lips she has kissed moments earlier now kissing her. They were the same. Lana opened her eyes and looked into Batman's as he pulled away. The eyes were different though... and that was what worried Lana. Bruce she trusted, but she worried that this person standing in front of her wasn't Bruce. "If you can trust Bruce..you can trust me."
Batman stepped past Lana and climbed into the Batmobile. Lana turned to watch the top close and the engine fire up. Within moments he had sped away from her, leaving her standing alone in the darkness of the cave. She thought about Batman's parting words. Maybe he was right. She did trust Bruce, and even if Batman was someone different..maybe he was just as trustworthy. Maybe she needed Bruce Wayne for their relationship to work.. but right now she knew that Superman needed Batman.
