The Dark Knight Falls

Retaliation Part II

Writers note: This series acts as a possible prequel to Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns

Washington D.C, the White House

1976

The president of the United States of American Gerald Ford stood inside the oval office looking out of the large window. The room was filled by FBI security agents, officials and the Man of Tomorrow, Superman.

"I thought we had this problem under control? What's the situation with the rubber guy?" Ford asked out loud

"Um, Patrick O'Brian evaded arrested last week and is currently on the run. Mostly likely now an accomplice for the Batman sir" The sectary of state answered

"What are you FBI guys paid for? Why is Batman still at large?" The president replied agitated

"Sir, if I may-" Superman spoke up

"What are you prepared to do for this country son? An anarchist terrorist is on the loose and you won't put him down? I am beginning to question who's side you are on" Ford interrupted as he ran his hand across his forehead

"I am on the countries side, I protect the liberties and freedom of the people Mr. President," Superman said annoyed at the suggestions

"And those very liberties are being threaten by this outlaw. The government vigilante act is being made a mockery of by this band of fools. I'm putting my trust in you to stop them before they start a goddamn revolution!"

Superman's face turned stern as he began to turn his body and leave when the door burst open. The head of the home defence rushed in panicking.

"Mr. President, the Martian has escaped Strykers" the man panted

"How the hell does that happen!?" The president said in a furious rage

The room went silent, everybody was thinking of one answer; Batman.

The Batcave

Inside the armoury of the underground lair stood the last remnants of the old Justice League of America; their aged bodies displayed the years of abuse they put themselves through. Bruce Wayne stood in front of his men.

"Their next step will be to send Clark down on us. We are an embarrassment to the government now, the Stryker's island job will have left them red faced for sure" Bruce grunted

In front of the dark knight sat his team; Oliver Queen AKA Green Arrow, Barry Allen AKA The Flash, Patrick O'Brian AKA Plastic Man and J'onn J'onzz AKA The Martian Manhunter.

"Now we have J'onn we have a chance of stopping Clark," Barry said but secretly he knew it might not be enough

"Why are we sitting around waiting for the government to retaliate? We must hit first, hit them hard!" Oliver cried out with passion

"And you're suggesting?" Bruce enquired

"I dunno? A missile launch site or a nuclear Sub base, somewhere they'll feel it"

"Taking out a nuclear submarine base isn't our priority Ollie, a pretty much invincible alien is gunning for us. We have more troubles of our own then worrying about Nukes and Red scare" said Patrick

"He's right, we need to prepare for the battle" Bruce said agreeing

"I guess we have different agendas then," Oliver said angrily "They killed my boy! I'm going to castrate this country for it."

Oliver stood up, knocking his chair over. The best archer in the world picked up his bow and stormed out.

Wayne Manor

Bruce's hulking body tossed and turned inside his silk bed sheets. Droplets of rain cannoned into his window, thunder erupted out from the black storm clouds. Bruce sat up suddenly, his chest and face were dripping with sweat. He grasped the silk sheet with his monstrous hand and pulled it off of him and sat on the edge of the bed. Bruce ran his hands through his greying hair; he stood up and walked out of the room. The entrance door to the cave slid open and Bruce made his way down, he pulled a chair out next to his large conference like table and sat down. His eyes were sore with fatigue, Bruce closed them for a few seconds which felt like an eternity.

"Hello Bruce" The cold youthful voice said as Bruce reopened his eyes. Next to him sat his former protégé; Jason Todd. A large gash split open his forehead, his face was covered in dry blood. His Robin costume was torn and in rags.

"Jason…but you're…" Bruce gasped

"Yes I know, please don't remind me" Jason replied as he took out a cigarette and put it to his mouth

"I'm sorry son, I didn't mean for it to happen-"

"I don't care Bruce, I knew the risk when I started. But I do want to know one thing. Why do you do this? Employ the help of young boys in your noble quest? Do you see yourself in us? Let's face it Bruce, you're track record on Robins isn't good; Grayson hasn't spoken to you in years and you let the Joker cave my head in with a wrench and blow me up" Jason pointed to the large gash on his forehead "You're old, you're weak, you're sloppy. Hang up the tights Bruce before you screw up some other kid"

Bruce clenched his fists in rage

Jason continued "Oh, by the way, mum and dad say hi."

Bruce in a fit of rage flipped the oak table over with a thunderous crash, he turned and put his fist through the glass display case that held Jason's Robin costume. Shards of glass cut into his hand and lower arm; thick crimson blood ran splattered and dropped to the stone floor.

"Dear lord!" Alfred exclaimed as he came rushing down the steps of the cave to find Bruce alone. Alfred raced as fast as he could over to Bruce and inspected his bleeding arm.

"Never again Alfred, never again…"

Nova Scotia, Canada

United States Military Nuclear Submarine base

Oliver Queen stomped through the thick snow, his big winter coat kept the cold out. Over his shoulder, he slung his green bow and case of arrows. His appearance was becoming shaggy, his hair and beard were becoming overgrown and greying. Oliver came to the edge of the ridge and peered down like an eagle at the Submarine harbor. His eyes locked onto the USS George Washington which sat docked alone.

Inside the security tower

The first soldier stood slouched with his arms leaned against the cold metal railings while his shift partner sat inside the small control room watching the Dallas Cowboys play the giants with a case of jam filled donuts.

"Rick come back inside, the cowboys just scored a touchdown" The second soldier shouted through a mouthful of coffee

"Eh think I saw something moving on the ridge"

"Probably a lost fawn or summit"

Before he could answer a razor sharp green arrow flew into his shoulder, blood splattered onto the window behind him. The soldier slumped to his knees as another arrow flew in, but this one buried itself in the control room wall. But this arrow was attached to a thick grappling rope. The second soldier came clambering out in a frenzied panic at the commotion. But he was greeted with hard foot to the face as Oliver Queen came zip wiring down the grappling rope and onto the platform. Oliver kicked both men in the face again to ensure they were out cold. He then entered the control room. Oliver started pulled levers and pressing buttons, the gates of the harbor opened up slowly. A huge rush of water came crashing into the berth. The ice cold Atlantic water swallowed the submarine in a violent rush causing it to tip over on its side with an almighty and biblical crash.

"Fascist pigs" Oliver exclaimed

The whistle of the sound barrier being broken cracked through the air above. Oliver looked up as the roof of the control room was ripped off like wet paper from above. Queen instinctively quivered his bow with a new arrow and aimed it upwards at the man of steel who hovered in the air.

"Bastard!" Oliver screamed as he discharged the arrow at Superman. The man of tomorrow tossed it aside with his hand. Oliver reloaded and fire again, this time an explosive bolt. The arrow struck Superman in the eye but didn't even make him blink.

"Do it Clark! Finish me! There's no other way for this to end!"

Superman's eyes began to glow red as they started to power up. The burst of red laser cannoned out and ran across Oliver's bow arm, slicing through the bone and flesh with ease. Oliver's arm fell to the floor with a thud.

"Now stop Oliver! Before you force my hand further!"

"Bastard! Why did I ever trust you!?" Oliver screamed as he held what was left of his bleeding upper arm. "We all trusted you! And now you're a puppet! A puppet of a fascist police state!"

"Shut up Oliver"

Next! Part III: Escalation!