Disclaimer: The rights of Superman belong to DC comics and Warner Bros. I am making no financial gain from this story whatsoever.

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Chapter 29
Fight

Three large SUVs, each black in colour with tinted black windows, drove in a line down the quiet street very late into the night. As it passed 2nd and 31st, the car in front stopped suddenly after a loud bang sounded from the top. Three guards stepped outside, guns drawn. They took their steps slowly, warily as they looked about their surroundings, and tried to locate the source of the noise.

"What the hell was that?" said one of the men.

"Beats me," said another.

"Let's get back to the ca-aaargh!" said the third, not finishing his sentence as his scream interrupted his words. Because without warning a darkness suddenly cloaked the man and pulled him into the alley behind him.

A second or two afterwards, the screams stopped abruptly. The other two's hands shook as they tried to find their colleague. The three SUVs drove off, speeding down the dark streets.

"Do you th- think," said one, "that was Zod?"

"Zod doesn't hide," said the other.

They heard a small step behind them, but before they could see what was going one, one was punched in the back of the head, the other turning his arm to point the gun still had his gun hit out of his hand.

Standing before them, cloaked by the darkness, appeared to be a huge man. The being moved in the air with complete silence as he quickly punched and kicked the two men, and it wasn't long before they were both unable to fight back. He stood staring down the road in the direction of the SUVs that sped down the road. He turned to the alley, and aimed his grapple gun upward.

A loud roar of an engine sounded behind him, and he turned to see one of the SUVs having returned. He got in a fighting pose ready to get into...

Until the window was rolled down, and he saw that reporter lady, whatever her name was, behind the wheel.

"Get in!" she yelled over the rain.

He stared at her for a second, shook his head, and jumped into the car. She got the car tearing down the road in a rather unsafe speed.

"You're insane," he said. "How are you in this vehicle?"

"I snuck in the car while you were fighting," she said, her eyes fixed firmly at the road ahead of her. "While the driver was trying to get away from the scene, he didn't actually notice I got in the seats behind him. I manage to hit him and push him out of the car. I drove back to get you."

Batman just looked at her from time to time as the car ride continued. It took a while, but they were fortunate that they managed to catch up with the other two SUVs. She slowed the car down to keep a bit of distance.

"They think we're one of their men," said Batman. "You can get closer."

They followed the other cars for about ten minutes more before they saw the other cars entering through large gates that behind it lay large two storey building.

"Don't enter," said Batman. "Park the car in that alley over there."

She did what he said. He stepped out of the car, and stood outside with the door still opened, and spoke to her.

"Go call the cops," he said. "No, go to the cops. They won't believe a tip this big on the phone as they have far too many things to handle right now. Tell them Luthor's here, tell them to bring heavy firepower."

"But-" she said.

"But what?" he said. "You're not sticking around here."

"I need to-" she began, but he interrupted again.

"Listen, lady," he growled, clearly angry. "I don't know what the hell journalists in this city do, but you're not walking into a firefight. You're going to get me killed. If I have to, I'll tie you up to this vehicle. Understood?"

Lois was reluctant to agree, but felt she had no choice. She nodded her head. He shut the door. She then drove out.

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For a moment there was silence. All who witnessed the scene could not believe their eyes at the one who had just arrived. A few too many people raised their phones, trying to immortalize the moment which never would be able to show the tension that was thick in the air that day.

"How... is this possible?" said Zod, his face in shock.

"It doesn't matter," said Superman. "What matters is your actions while I have been away. It seems like you've been rather difficult to deal with."

"I've only sought to do what is right," said Zod angrily.

"No, you've gone for what is easy," said Superman. "Rather than make an effort to try to change this world for good, an effort that could take years if not a lifetime, you resorted to coercion and brutality trying to force the world into your thinking."

"What other way is there?" said Zod. "Reason with them? Their world is crumbling and they do nothing!"

"You cannot save people from themselves," said Superman. "You failed to realise that in Krypton, and you fail to still. You can only lead the way, show them the light."

"You risk everything on the hopes these foolish individuals will decided to do the right thing?" Zod sneered, shaking his head.

"It was never my place to do otherwise," said Superman. "With or without power, you have arrogantly placed yourself as the one to decide the future of everyone. How sure are you that you are right?"

"I'm the only one trying this hard enough," said Zod.

"Enough," said Superman. "You will not be reasoned with. Either cease your activities immediately, or I will stop them."

Zod raised his arms, and flew fast towards Superman, who waited standing still. When Zod was a foot away, Superman grabbed him and rose into the air rapidly. After a few seconds flying upward, he threw Zod in a random direction. Zod stopped his momentum quickly.

"We do not need to battle near them," said Superman. "Let us take it elsewhere."

"This is why you lose," said Zod. "You fail to concentrate on the goal. What difference does it make if some destruction is made? Indeed, as they watch me defeat you, again, their will to foolishly resist shall break down once and for all. No, let them watch two beings far superior to them battle. Let these ants see those from a far superior planet."

"A planet that ignored warnings of its demise, if not precipitated it?" said Superman. "We are the last two Kryptonians of a planet you deem superior to this?"

"Enough," said Zod. "Your affection for these people is pitiful. They are ants devoid of loyalty or bravery. They tear into one another the moment fear strikes them. I have read reports from Kryptonian travels to various inhabited planets in this galaxy, and not one mentioned a population as pathetic as this. They only understand the words of strength, and as soon as I get rid of the mild irritant that is yourself, they will know who wields true power."

Superman threw a punch at Zod, which landed with vicious force. Zod flew a few meters backwards, and settled himself. He flew at Superman, fists clenched and one stretched forward.

Superman did not plan to fall into the same routine as the last time they fought. He wasn't going to fight on Zod's terms. He dodged more, and didn't hold back using full force with his attacks. Superman had almost a lifetime of dealing with situations which needed him to reign in his supernatural abilities for fear of causing excessive damage. With Zod, that wasn't necessary.

As the fight wore on, Superman felt like he was tiring, but he noticed Zod too was appearing winded. Zod's breaths were occasionally interrupted by gasps. He did not hold back, throwing punch after punch relentlessly. Zod did manage to fight back, and Superman rubbed his left shoulder, which felt like it was injured (he, understandably, didn't have much experience feeling injuries).

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Luthor stared at the empty street that stood before the place he was staying. Thing appeared shaky in the trip here, and his men could not find one of the SUVs that brought him over. Ordinarily, a person in hiding wouldn't make a point of driving three cars in a line as it'd get too much attention, but Luthor didn't reach this level without making significant number of enemies. As a wanted man, he could not use the authorities as protection; he can't exactly call 911 if he's attacked as the police also wanted him.

He rubbed his head wearily, he had lived in luxury for a few too many years, and a return to the less comfortable existence was admittedly a bit of a shock.

He looked up in shock when the sudden blast of a gunshot was heard. A few men yelling then was heard, and then some silence. He knew the missing SUV was not a coincidence.

Someone was here.

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Zod tried to keep some distance between him and Superman, and attack on his terms. It worked for a bit, but Superman seemed determined, without hesitation would fly right up to Zod and attack as fast as he can. This didn't give Zod time to think and plan his steps.

Superman punched and kicked, he grabbed Zod by the back of his head and elbowed Zod in the abdomen. Zod gasped in pain, but the punches didn't let up.

Superman said nothing, just kept on punching. He heard cracks as he thought Zod must've broken a rib. He punched Zod's face, and then punched upwards to hit Zod's chin.

Superman knew what he had to do. He worked fast and didn't give time for Zod to start a momentum. After every punch landed he had already begun the next. He hit Zod everywhere, and Zod looked dazed after a short period.

Zod aimed his eyes at the ground beneath him, which was increasing every second with civilians watching the battle above. He fired two red bolts of light from his eyes which fell to the ground. They people screamed as they tried to run away from it.

Superman roared in fury and quickly placed his hand in front of Zod's eyes. He screamed in pain, the hot scorching light burned his hand with immense temperature. But Superman did not move his hand away. Instead he moved it closer to Zod's face, and then slapped his hand over Zod's eyes. Zod shouted in pain as the heat burned his face, and Superman quickly felt the heat lessening as Zod stopped. Superman clenched his hand over Zod's face into a fist and leaned it back and punched Zod really hard on the side of Zod's head.

Superman no longer considered his feeling pain with shock, like the last time they battled. This time, he welcomed it, it drove him on further. He already went through what would happen if he lost, he had no fear this time. There was nothing holding him back. His mind was focused on the goal of stopping Zod. Not out of revenge, but for the people that would be subjugated to his twisted sense of justice should Superman lost. He fought for all of those who had already fallen to these criminals' machinations of madness. He fought for one in particular.

He saw her face, a face he would never be able to see light up in front of him again. Her sweet face, which seemed to be able to show her thoughts wordlessly.

Somehow, his punches only seemed to strengthen as they went on. After a point, Zod's movements were only defensive and no longer attempting to fight back.

After a sickening punch to Zod's nose, Superman grabbed Zod by an ankle and flew off, far away from Metropolis.

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A guard in the building was patrolling the corridor. They got orders to be extra vigilant considering the missing SUV, and he was. However when he walked by the door that opened to the dark stairs, he didn't see the hand appear from the darkness which grabbed him right when he walked past it. He yelped in shock as he was dragged forcefully into the dark stairs, and before he was knocked out fired a shot from his gun which aimed wide.

Batman groaned in frustration after disposing of the guard. Now the whole place was going to be on edge after that gunshot. Oh well, it never was going to be easy.

He had to work fast, because after knowing there was a breech, Luthor would surely attempt to flee the place. Batman preferred working in stealth over speed, but if pushed he wouldn't complain.

A couple of men ran into the corridor, and yelled after seeing him, and they began to raise their guns, but Batman had seen them first and had thrown a smoke grenade at them, which exploded mid-air. As they coughed in the smoke, he quickly dispatched them as well.

Batman moved swiftly as he roamed the corridors, and so far managed to deal with any guards that came about. They seemed extra nervous, and that always made it easier to fight against for him.

As he reached what appeared to be offices overlooking the car park, he heard revving of a car engine. He ran into an office and looked out of the window, and saw one of the SUVs reversing out of the parked spot. Batman slowly grinned; only one person would be going away from the action.

Lex Luthor fumbled with the keys as he tried to get into the vehicle, even dropping it for a moment. He finally got into the car and started it. He reversed it and manage to leave the premises.

He finally let out a sigh of relief. Maybe he'll manage to get-

A loud boom sounded on top of the car, and a few seconds after he heard a loud crash as a window by the seats behind him shattered. A being swooped in through the now open window and landed on the seat. Luthor gasped in shock.

"Keep driving," ordered Batman. "We're going on a little trip to the nearest police station."

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Lex Luthor Captured

The notorious alleged criminal on the run, was found bound on the hood of an SUV in front of a police station last night. Found on him was a card with a bat symbol, which indicated his captured was achieved by none other than Gotham City's own Batman.

Luthor, who's lawyers say will fight his charges in court as well as filed kidnapping charges against Batman, was denied bail...

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They arrived over the ocean somewhere before Superman let him go.

"Zod," he said. "Your time here has come to an end."

"I shall face death without pleading my life to be spared," said Zod defiantly, his nose bleeding.

"Death?" said Superman. "No, you are to be exiled. You shall never again come to this planet. I have defeated you and you surely know the next time we face you may not have the chance of your life being spared."

"What?" said Zod, practically spitting his words. "Where shall I go? We are homeless."

"That is not my concern," said Superman. "Go on, fly to wherever. If you're fortunate, there's an inhabited body within distance of this Sun."

"Look at you, your cowardice won't even have you finish an enemy when you have the upper hand," said Zod.

"I shall not argue with you further, Zod. You do not understand my view," said Superman. "But if it is cowardice indeed, then you lost to a coward."

Zod stood there, staring at Superman in fury.

"You do not get to negotiate," said Superman. "Leave now, and know I shall be around to defend this planet from you. So leave now, and never return."

Zod raised an arm, and with a look of defiance, flew upwards. He went higher and higher until he was no longer visible.

Superman stared upwards for awhile, his cape flowing in the wind behind him. His face was bruised, his suit cut and with blood on it, but he still appeared majestic as he watched his enemy leave the planet at his order.

After a time Superman, exhausted mentally and physically, bruised in spirit and body, having endured a battle that took more out of him than he knew he even had, turned and flew back.

The Man of Steel had earned some rest.