Metropolis

A supervillain stood on top of a building, energy crackling around his hands and his green bodysuit. He looked at the terrified people below in contempt.

Mantis: Here is where I make my stand! Here is where I shall carve out the kingdom I am destined for!

He smashed his hands against the roof of the building and, with a roar, ripped a chunk of it into the air.

Before the debris could strike the citizens, a bolt of blue energy vaporized it. Mantis looked around for whoever dared to interfere. When he saw who it was, his eyes widened; it was Superman, Astrodactyl, and Captain Atom, the latter of whom had fired the blast.

Captain Atom: Is it just me, or are the world-conquerors getting mouthier?

Superman: He's from Apokolips, they're all pretty chatty there.

Astrodactyl: I thought most super-villains are always chatty.

Mantis sent another bolt of energy at the heroes, hitting Captain Atom dead-on and freezing. him solid. Astrodactyl and Superman flew back down to catch him before he hit the ground. Superman managed to catch Captain Atom in time, but before he or Astrodactyl could think about thawing him out, Mantis tackled Superman through the side of a building. While the Apokoliptan was busy with the Kryptonian, Astrodactyl slapped the Ultimatrix dial then transformed into Swampfire.

Swampfire sent a wave of fire over the ice, confident that Captain Atom would be fine; after all, it took the power of a giant, nuclear-powered robot to break his suit the last time, so a little fire wouldn't do much, if anything. After a few seconds, the ice was melted enough for Captain Atom to break out with his own strength.

Captain Atom: Thanks. but where's Superman?

Swampfire jerked his thumb to where bolts of energy were flying.

Swampfire: Three guesses where, and the first two don't count.

Captain Atom: Got it.

Swampfire then pressed the Ultimatrix dial again, but this time he's evolved into Ultimate Swampfire.

The two ran, or in Captain Atom's case, flew, to Superman's location, where they found their friend on the ropes. Whatever energy Mantis was hitting him with must have had magical properties, or energy blasts from Apokolips' metahumans ignored Kryptonian invulnerability, because the bolts were actually hurting him.

Mantis: (gloated) Bow down before your better, Man of Steel!

After Mantis gloated, before two blasts, one of nuclear energy and the other of incredibly powerful flames, sent him flying into the subway.

Ultimate Swampfire: (to Superman) You okay?

Superman nodded.

Superman: Just needed a second; let's kick his ass.

Captain Atom: What the hell is his problem?

Superman: There's a civil war on his home planet. Guess he thought things would be easier here.

Ultimate Swampfire: Bad call.

As they moved into the confined space, Ultimate Swampfire realized that his enhanced powers would do as much damage to his friends, as well as Mantis, so he slapped the Ultimatrix dial, then transformed into XLR8.

The three heroes found Mantis using the electricity from the third rail to charge up his own powers. A bolt of energy sent Captain Atom flying, while XLR8 rushed forward in a blur of motion; he sent a barrage of super-fast punches into Mantis' face and, while they didn't do much damage on their own, they began to add up.

Superman: (while still on his knees to recover) Captain Atom?

Captain Atom: I'm fine! It'll just take me a second to adjust to the energy!

Then Captain Atom stood up a moment later, looking more angry than anything else. He sent a huge blast of nuclear power at Mantis, with XLR8 barely dodging in time.

Before Mantis could get up from that, Superman flew at him, punching him a few times, then pressing a button on the grey box on Mantis' belt. In a boom reminiscent of thunder, a white, swirling tunnel appeared behind him. Both XLR8 and Captain Atom had to brace themselves for a moment; it felt like they were being pulled in.

Captain Atom: What the hell is that?

Superman: A boom tube. An extradimensional doorway back to Apokolips.

Captain Atom: Got it. Now duck!

Superman did so, just as Captain Atom sent a bolt of energy into Mantis, sending him hurtling into the portal. After a few more seconds, the portal closed.

Superman: Nice work you two.

Captain Atom: Thanks, but what's stopping him from coming right back?

XLR8: You mean, besides this?

XLR8 held out the Fatherbox generator in his hand. Ben knew what it was, but he prefer Motherbox instead of a Fatherbox.

XLR8: I swiped it off of his belt right before you hit him.

Captain Atom looked impressed.

That was only about a second of time to react!

XLR8: Dude. XLR8's power is super-speed.

XLR8 handed the generator to Superman, who crushed it effortlessly.

Lois: Superman!

The three heroes turned to see Lois Lane jump over some debris and rush towards them.

Lois: Lois Lane, Daily Planet.

Superman: (while smiling) I know Lois.

Lois smiled back

Lois: Would you care to comment on what just happened here? I'd like an interview… one on one.

XLR8 and Captain Atom glanced at each other, knowing smiles on their faces.

XLR8: (to Captain Atom; while smiling to Superman-Lois) Dude, we should get outta here.

Captain Atom: (smiled) Agreed.

Captain Atom flew away, while XLR8 rushed away. Leaving Superman and Lois having their moment.

Lois: (smiled) You're late.

Superman: (smiled) I was busy.

Lois: (smiled) Like I wasn't?

Lois looked down at her notepad.

Lois: (smiled) But I've already written the story up and filed it, so now that we're both off the clock?

Then Superman carried Lois in bridal-style and flew up through a hole, created during the battle, and off for their date.

Outside, Captain Atom and XLR8 said their farewells; XLR8 zoomed off, but before Captain Atom did the same, he heard a voice calling him.

General Eiling: Captain Adams.

Captain Atom looked down to see General Eiling standing next to a car.

General Eiling: Captain Nathaniel Adams!

Captain Atom flew down to talk to him.

Captain Atom: General Eiling, sir, what brings you-

Captain Atom trailed off as the General handed him a file.

Captain Atom: What's this?

General Eiling: Orders. Your commission has been reactivated. You're back in the Air Force.

Captain Atom: I'm committed to the Justice League now, sir.

General Eiling: You also made a commitment to the Service, Captain. Seems to me, you've got a decision to make.

Somewhere in an Office Building

Inside an office building, The Question was finding it hard to concentrate on downloading the file he'd found. He was slightly nervous; it wasn't the first government lair he'd broken into, but the stakes had never been this high. On top of that, there was the annoying sound of fists hitting flesh in the background, though that was only because his girlfriend, Huntress, was watching his back. The ex-Leaguer in question kicked another security guard in the solar plexus and sent him flying.

Huntress: (annoyed) You really know how to show a girl a good time, Q (while fighting another guard). When are we going out on a real date?

Question: (while typing a computer) Shh! Trying to concentrate.

Huntress: (annoyed) I'm not even in the Justice League anymore, (while fighting another guard) you're lucky to have me along.

Question: (while typing a computer) Hardly, you're drawn to my eccentric charm.

Huntress took down another guard with a flying double-kick, just as the file finished downloading. Question pulled out the flash drive.

Question: Finished.

Huntress dusted off her hands.

Huntress: Me, too.

Question: Not quite.

Question ripped the computer monitor out of the wall and threw it into the head of the last guard, who'd tried to sneak up on Huntress.

Huntress: (curious) You get what you came for?

Question had never actually told her what he'd been after here, only that it was important.

Question: (while holding a flash drive) Yeah. If there's a link between Luthor and Cadmus, I'll find it here.

Huntress: (smiled coyly) Which leave the rest of our evening tantalizingly free.

Question: There are three terabytes of date here, I'll be busy for days.

Huntress swiped the flash drive out of his hand and glared at him. Question sighed.

Question: Dinner and a movie?

Huntress: Its a start (while tucking the drive away in her belt).

Cadmus Headquarters

Lex Luthor was getting a checkup from Professor Hamilton; one of the many benefits of working with Cadmus was that he received medical care that not even he knew existed yet.

Prof Hamilton: Take off your chest plate. You don't need it.

Then, he pressed a button on the vest's shoulder, allowing it to fall apart into two pieces. Luthor looked at him in shock; the metal vest he wore was the only thing preventing his Kryptonite cancer from spreading.

A few years back, Luthor has been carrying a Kryptonite for too long which makes him suffering from an incurable form of blood cancer caused by long-term exposure to the Kryptonite's radiation. However, Luthor have created a chest plate that prevented the Kryptonite poisoning from worsening.

Lex: What are you doing!? I'll die without this! The caner-

Prof. Hamilton: Is gone, Lex, you're in remission. No, that's not accurate; there's no trace of the disease, as if it were never there!

Lex: That's preposterous.

Prof. Hamilton: You've got the body of a 20-year-old, and you don't have cancer.

Lex: How?

Prof. Hamilton: I don't know, it might have been the vest; it might be an unexpected effect of the Kryptonite poisoning that gave you the disease in the first place. I'll continue to study the-

But Hamilton trailed off as Amanda Waller walked into the room.

Lex: I'm in the middle of my physical, Mrs. Waller.

Amanda Waller: You might be in the middle of a hornet's nest. Question and Huntress have copied files from a high-security Cadmus terminal.

Lex: What did they get?

Amanda Waller: Tech support can't tell for certain. Maybe everything.

Luthor turned around and put his hands on the table; he took a deep breath.

Lex: For all our sakes, we'd better hope that the encryption on those files is as good as we've been told.

Question's Apartment

Question's anticipation was rising; he'd spent months hunting down Cadmus' secrets, and now he was going to blow them wide open. If his face was visible, one would have seen a Cheshire smile on his face when the files he'd stolen were finally decrypted on his computer.

Looking over the files, he found something particularly interesting. A file labeled "President Luthor". Selecting that, he found another file, titled "Oval Office".

A red glow was reflected on his face, coming from the image on his screen. The Question was horrified.

Several days later saw the haggard, unkempt form of The Question, staring at a board that showed all of the connections he'd made over the years.

Previously, he looked at the reports, where there's another parallel world from Earth-3 that Ultraman (Superman's evil twin) kills the good version of "President Luthor". However, Question also watches a video where Superman is about to do the same thing like Ultraman did, where he kills president Luthor is the other Earth and even this Earth as well. The only difference is that Luthor kills Flash first then made Superman gone rogue.

Question: (mumbled to himself) It's all connected. He , Not alternate reality; time loop. Luthor becomes President… Flash is killed… Superman kills Luthor in retaliation… Superhuman arms race. Armageddon, end of the world… inevitable.

With a savage grunt, he put his fist through his board.

Question: (mumbled to himself) Is the future immutable? Can destiny be changed? Will they allow it?

He didn't react to, or didn't hear, the sound of the lock to his door being picked, nor to the presence of Huntress storming in.

Huntress: (demanding tone) Avoiding my calls? You didn't even texted me for days!

She took a whiff of the apartment.

Huntress: God, it's smells like shit. Is that you?

Question: (mumbled to himself) Have to try. Alternative unthinkable.

Huntress: (concerened) Q?

Huntress walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder, which seemed to snap him out of it.

Huntress: Are you okay?

Question: Gotta go!

Question ran to the door, grabbing his hat along the way.

Question: Can't let happen again...

At first, Huntress wanted to run after him, but then she noticed a video that had been paused on the laptop. It showed Superman standing in front of the President's desk in the White House, with Lex Luthor standing behind it. She pressed the "play" button. She watches where "Superman fed up being a hero" then uses his heat-vision to kill President Luthor.

Huntress: Ow... my... God...

Watchtower

Technology always improves, and if the Justice League wanted to stay on top of the game, they had to upgrade, just like everyone else. Superman was holding up a massive piece of machinery, while Cyborg and Rover are upgrading the computers.

Cyborg: Almost done Superman...

Rover: (trying to hold his laughter) Nope... There's still... Pfftt... a few more hours to go... pfft

Superman knew Rover was joking around

Superman: (sarcastically) Oww sure... I can do this all they...

Superman, Cyborg, Rover and Ben noticed Question walk into the room; Ben recoiled when he caught the faceless man's scent.

Ben: Dude, when was the last time you showered?

Question ignored him as he marched right up to Superman.

Superman: Something I can help you with?

Question: I hope so, but I assume you don't want to discuss your White House "weenie roast" in front of a crowd.

Superman's eyes widened; he knew what's this all about, he knew where another parallel world where his evil version, Ultraman, killed President Luthor to gain control and being the rulers of their Earth. Then he looked towards Ben.

Superman: Ben. Can you take over?

Ben: Sure.

Ben used the Ultimatrix to transformed into Fourarms, then Superman gave the heavy machine where it was Ben's turn to do the "heavy-lifting".

There was one room on the Watchtower that was strictly for the founding members of the League; not even Ben was allowed in. Now, Superman opened the door with the Question in tow. Then Question looked around.

Question: Always wondered what was in here, a private conference room. Original members only, yes? (then he sat down in one of the chairs) A place where you're free to discuss your secrets and lies.

Superman: You said something about me in the White House.

Question: Not you, exactly, but another version of you, hmm?

Superman: Stop dancing and just spill it already.

Question: I know what you told everyone, the Crime Syndicate, a parallel version of the Justice League, came to our world to gain absolute control, just as they did on their own Earth. With Lex Luthor's help, our Justice League managed to rout them before they could impose their totalitarian will on our populace.

Question's back straightened, and he looked Superman in the eye.

Question: I also know what you didn't tell anyone, outside of the original members of the Justice League. On that other Earth, quite similar like our own, a Superman, so very much like you, killed the President.

Superman's hand reflexively tightened around the edge of the table, crushing it to powder.

Superman: Question, no one can know about this.

Question: Or what? You'll incinerate me, too?

Superman looked offended.

Superman: I'd never do anything like that!

Question: Oww really? A heavily armed Watchtower with an army of proactive heroes, Luthor running for President; it it's not quite the same, it soon will be. Have you seen Amanda Waller's computer simulations?

Superman: Batman told me about them.

Superman now had a feeling where Question was going now.

Question: Did he tell you all the models predict that a war between the Justice League and the government will devastate the planet?

Superman: (protested) We would never fight the government!

Question: (while raised his voice) Not even if Luthor was the government!?

Superman only stared at him; after a moment, Question was about to leave.

Superman: Question, I'm-

Superman put his hand on the other man's shoulder, but he jerked out of his grasp with a gasp of fear, worried about the inevitability of the "upcoming future".

Superman: I'm worried about you. You're mixed up; this world isn't like the other one. We're not the Crime Syndicate; those things you're afraid of will never happen here. I won't let them.

Question didn't reply; he only walked out.

LexCorp, Metropolis

Lex Luthor strode into his office, checking a few papers that had been sent up by his science division. He almost didn't notice the Question sitting in his chair until he turned it around to face him.

Lex: Question, isn't it? I believe you took something that belongs to me.

Question: Have you seen the latest polls?

Question turned on the holo-computer from his watch to show the news about the latest polls. But Luthor sat on the edge of the desk and smiled.

Lex: I wouldn't bet against me.

Question: No, it wouldn't be prudent. (he leaned forward) I want you to understand something, Luthor. Although my distaste for you as a human being is Brobdingnagian, what I'm about to do isn't personal.

Lex: What are you babbling about?

Luthor's expression said that he already knew.

Lex: Everything that exists has a specific nature. Each entity exists as something in particular and has characteristics that are a part of what it is. (he began to pull his tie) "A" is "A", and no matter what reality he calls home, Luthor is Luthor.

Question stood up and walked around the desk and faced Luthor.

Question: If I'm to save the world, your existence must come to an end before you take office.

Question was somewhat surprised when Luthor only laughed.

Lex: You're going to kill me so that Superman can't.

Question: (shrugged) I'm a well-known crackpot. The Justice League's reputation will survive my actions, and Superman's legacy will remain intact.

Lex: Interesting plan. Unfortunately for you, it's not really an option.

As Question moved in to strangle him, Luthor swung his fist; the impact sent the hero flying across the room and into the side of the enormous aquarium that Luthor had installed. As he lay there, moaning, The Question tried to figure out what had happened; Luthor had struck Question he has some sort of "super-strength".

Lex: President? My campaign is a farce. A small part of a much grander scheme you twit.

Question threw a punch, one that was easily dodged; Luthor grabbed his arm and threw him again, this time on top of the desk, which shattered from the impact.

Lex: Do you know how much power I'd have to give up to be President?

Even though he couldn't see his face, Luthor could almost see the wheels turning in Question's mind.

Lex: That's right, conspiracy buff. I spent seventy-five million dollars on a fake Presidential campaign; all just to make Superman pissed.

Luthor punched Question in the face, then the gut. As he coughed, Luthor leaned in close.

Lex: Now, about those files you stole from me…

Metropolis, 1 Week Later

Superman was on patrol, lost in thought, then he heard a familiar voice. It was Ben, already transformed into Jetray and flew beside him.

Jetray: Clark, you gotta sec? I was wondering where you were after Question left last week; I had to have J'onn look for you telepathically!

Superman sighed.

Superman: Sorry, Ben; I've just had a lot on my mind.

Jetray nodded in sympathy.

Jetray: Yeah, between Luthor running for President, the League getting flak for looking like an army, and-

Superman: Hold that thought...

Jetray conversation got cut off when Superman heard something with his super-hearing. It was an ultra-high frequency that only he could hear. In all of Metropolis, only 2 people had one, and Lois was off on an assignment in Central City, so that means...

Superman: Jimmy...

Jetray: Huh?

Superman: No time. Let's go.

Superman followed the sound, Jet Ray right behind him. They landed on top of a building.

Superman: Jimmy?

Huntress: Not exactly.

From behind part of a wall, an arm extended, holding a watch. The owner of the arm came around the corner, revealing Huntress.

Huntress: A hypersonic signal watch huh? Pretty useful to call you.

Jetray was wary of Huntress; he'd only worked with her a couple of times, and she'd been brutal enough to make Rath proud. It was only one of the reasons that she had been thrown out of the League, a willingness to murder being another.

Superman disappeared in a blur, yanking the watch out of Huntress' hand.

Superman: What the hell did you think you're doing? And where's Jimmy?

Huntress: Your buddy's fine.

Huntress gestured to her side, and both aliens saw Jimmy Olson taped to a chair and gagged.

Huntress: I was just trying to get your attention; you guys should just chat online.

Jimmy made some angry, unintelligible noises from behind the gag.

Superman: In a moment, Jimmy. (then turn his attention to Huntress) This better be good.

Huntress: Question's been missing for almost a week.

Jetray: This isn't the first time Question's dropped off the radar, don't you remember when he disappeared for ten days, and then we found out that he was trying to dig up a UFO supposedly buried under the Hollywood sign?

Huntress shook her head.

Huntress: Just before he disappeared, he was behaving oddly; well, oddly for him. He saw a fake tape of you, Superman, killing Lex Luthor, then he freaked out and ran off.

Jetray turned to Superman, not knowing why the Man of Steel's face had suddenly gone very pale. Superman reached for his communicator.

Superman: Question, this is Superman; come in. (he looked at Huntress and Jetray) Channel's open, but he's not responding; J'onn should be able to track his location.

Junkyard

After freeing Jimmy, Superman explained to J'onn what he needed, and the three heroes were led to a junkyard on the outskirts of Metropolis. Along the way, Huntress explained how she and Question had raided a Cadmus outpost in order to steal the information. Once at the coordinates J'onn provided, they found Question's communicator.

Huntress had started to panic the moment she saw the communicator; she started to dig through a pile of trash, looking for Question.

Huntress: (hysterically) I'll find you, babe!

Superman put a hand on her shoulder.

Superman: Not here you won't.

Huntress looked up at him, then to Jetray as he took up the conversation.

Jetray: Yeah, they wouldn't have bothered to just dump his communicator unless they took him alive.

Huntress: It has to be Cadmus, but if they've got him, we'll never find him.

Superman: Sure we will, after all, we've been keeping tabs on Cadmus for months. We know exactly where they are.

A few months ago, Batman, Superman, Question, Rover, Cyborg and Grey Matterdiscovered Cadmus HQ. It made everyone in the League feel a little better, now that they knew where the people who wanted to destroy them worked from.

Huntress: (unhappy) And you didn't do anything!?

Superman crossed his arms.

Superman: The Justice League plays by the rules. We'll move when we have solid evidence, not before, and we'll move within the limits of the law.

Huntress: (huffed) That's why I quit (then turning her back).

Jetray: Yeah, I thought you're fired.

Huntress spun around and glared at him, but he continued.

Jetray: But she may have a point, Superman; Cadmus crossed a line when they kidnapped one of our own. At the very least, we need to get Question back.

Superman clearly wasn't happy, but he didn't have any other options.

Superman: All right, fine; the three of us will do this, and we'll do it off the books.

Cadmus Headquarters, New Mexico

Since Ben, Superman and Huntress were going to attack Cadmus without anyone else's support or knowledge, they had to take the long way, instead of teleporting. The front of Cadmus HQ looked like an abandoned factory, which the three heroes waited outside of for a few minutes, to let the Ultimatrix recharge.

Huntress: (impatiently) Are you ready yet?

Ben: Yep, Let's do this...

Ben uses the Ultimatrix then transforms into Eatle.

Inside Cadmus HQ, alarms were blaring; soldiers ran to their assigned stations, and scientists locked down their labs. At the front entrance, a dozen of Cadmus' best troops stood with rifles aimed at the door. Though the door was over a foot thick of solid steel, it crumpled after only two punches from Superman. As soon as he stepped over the threshold, the soldiers opened fire. Eatle stood in front of Huntress, while bullets ricocheted off of the Man of Steel.

Superman: (shouting while being shot by gunfire) We're past the lead shielding, I should be able to find Question with my x-ray vision; hold on.

Superman uses his quick burst heat-vision to melt the soldiers' weapons.

Superman: I didn't want either of you to get hit by a ricochet.

Eatle: No big, I've taken a lot worse than bullets.

Huntress: Unlike you, I'm not bulletproof.

Eatle: Why are so cranky all the time? I have no idea how Question didn't go nuttier than he already is.

While they were talking, the soldiers dog-piled onto Superman, who sent them flying with a single shrug of his shoulders. He gestured for Huntress and Eatle to attack, while he scanned the area. Huntress fought like a demon, attacking relentlessly until the soldiers were down. Eatle showed a little more restraint, but wasn't above tackling two or three soldiers at a time into a wall. Another squad of troop arrived, so Eatle ripped a chunk of the wall off and shoved it into his mouth.

Huntress: This isn't the time for snack! (while she elbow-dropped another soldier)

Eatle: For me, it is.

The tip of Eatle's horn glowed green, then a blast of energy ripped forth, knocking the entire squad out. While they were fighting, Superman saw a familiar face in a locked-down lab.

Superman: Hold the fort; I've got some personal business.

Huntress: (sarcastically) Hey, take your time.

Eatle: (sarcastically) Yeah, it's not like we're busy fighting for our lives or anything!

If the front door to Cadmus hadn't stopped Superman, then the door to Emile Hamilton's office was less than nothing. Superman marched up to his former friend.

Superman: (unhappy) A lot of things are starting to make sense now, Professor Hamilton. When did Cadmus recruit you?

Prof. Hamilton: Recruit me? I went to them.

Superman: (demanding tone) How can you work for these people? Do you know what they are?

Prof. Hamilton: Powerbrokers, politicians, criminals and black-ops mercenaries with one thing in common besides: they're humanity's last hope against your kind.

Superman: What are you talking about? Humanity doesn't need protection from us!

Prof. Hamilton: I used to believe that. I thought you were a guardian angel, come to answer our prayers; but Lucifer was an angel too, wasn't he?

Superman: Professor...

Prof. Hamilton: You forget, I've been on the receiving end of your wrath when you brought Supergirl to S.T.A.R. Labs for medical treatment. I know what you're capable of.

Superman: (raising his tone) That's what this is about? One little scare, and you betray us!? You stole Supergirl's DNA, violated her trust, my trust!

Prof. Hamilton: The chicken or the egg, Superman?

Without another word, Superman turned around and left, leaving Hamilton to take a deep breath; he hadn't known how much longer he could keep his cool.

Superman came back to see dozen of soldiers on the ground, either moaning or unconscious. Eatle walked up to him.

Eatle: Geez Supe, next time you wanna take a piss, do it "before". Not "after".

Superman: Let's go.

Then Superman turned and marched for where Question was being held. Superman kicked the door down, and Eatle's eyes widened; Question was strapped to a table, with a dozen cables attached to his head and chest. Whatever was being done to him was awful, if the sadistic smile on the face of the other man in the room was anything to go on. At the sound of the door falling down, the man drew a pistol and aimed it at Superman.

Superman: (warning tone) Don't be stupid, drop it.

The torturer looked at Superman, then at the pistol, and let it fall to the floor. Huntress marched towards him.

Huntress: Sorry, (then raised her fist) not good enough!

Then she struck him with enough force to knock him across the room. She walked up to him, her crossbow pointed at his throat.

Superman: Huntress!

Eatle: Don't do it! He's not worth the arrow!

For a second, it looked like Huntress would really do it, but then she put away her weapon, and ran back to Question.

Huntress: Lean on me, we're getting out of here.

Question only mumbled incoherently, while Superman, Eatle, Huntress, and Question (leaning on Huntress) are leaving the room.

Superman: It's gonna be a little rough, I'll take the guards; Ben, cover Huntress when she moves Question.

Captain Atom: That won't be necessary, Superman.

All of the heroes, save for the semi-conscious Question, smiled at the familiar voice; it was Captain Atom, who had apparently followed them.

Superman: Good to see you Captain, cover our flanks.

Captain Atom: I'm afraid you misunderstand, I'm speaking as an officer of the United States Air Force.

Huntress: Bad time for jokes, Cap.

Captain Atom: No joke, ma'am, I'm currently assigned to General Eiling's Special Projects Unit, and my orders are to prevent you from taking Question out of this facility.

Eatle: (raising his voice) Ow come on! How the hell are you working with these assholes?

Captain Atom: I'm a soldier Ben, I do what I'm told. (then Captain Atom's hands starts to glow red) So how's this gonna go down?

Superman: This is garbage! if you're not going to help us, move!

Captain Atom: (while landed in front of Superman to block their path) Not gonna happen, Superman, I've got my orders, legal and proper.

Eatle: Dude! Superman just told you to move! So move!

Captain Atom: I heard him, Ben, and I'll say again: not gonna happen.

Superman moved to push him aside, but the nuclear hero smashed his fist, wreathed in red energy, into Superman's jaw, knocking him down the hallway.

Captain Atom: I control radiation, Superman, that includes red sun radiation.

Eatle, and Huntress, who held the injured Question, rushed over to Superman, who looked more annoyed than hurt.

Superman: Get Question out of here, don't wait for me.

Huntress: What made you think I was gonna?

Eatle: You sure about this?

Superman: Cover Huntress and Question and get out of here; this building is com-shielded, so you can only call J'onn, Teriffic, or Cyborg for transport when you get outside. I'll be right behind you.

At the Justice League (whether it was at the Watchtower or at the Hall of Justice), J'onn, Cyborg, or Mr. Teriffic are mostly taking turns on their shifts on their monitor duty.

Captain Atom: Nobody's going anywhere with Question.

Captain Atom marched towards them, while Superman moved to intercept him.

Captain Atom: I thought I made that clear!

He swung his fist again, but Superman dodged, then smashed him through several walls. Then it was just Eatle, Huntress and Question.

Eatle: I've had just about enough of Cadmus' hospitality, whaddya say we leave?

Huntress: My thoughts exactly.

As they moved out, Question weakly raised his head.

Question: You shouldn't have come for me.

Huntress: And you shouldn't have snuck away without me!

They made their way to a wide room, but the way out of that was blocked by a massive door and a squad of Cadmus troops. Eatle rushed headlong into them, knocking them down like bowling pins. Huntress took care of the last one, who'd managed to avoid Eatle's charge.

Huntress: What about the door?

Eatle: I could just chew a hole through.

Before Huntress could say anything, Superman and Captain Atom crashed through the wall above and behind them, then arced downward and through the door, creating a hole large enough to walk through, then continued fighting each other.

Eatle: Or we could just let two League powerhouses do the work for us.

Huntress: Yeah, why should we do the heavy lifting?

The three walked into another room, where they found that their exit was up fifty stories' worth of stairs.

Question: I'm not gonna make it.

Huntress: Sure you will. (then turn her attention to Eatle) You got something that'll work?

Eatle: Yeah.

Eatle slapped the Ultimatrix dial, then transformed into Lodestar. Then Lodestar used his magnetic powers to pull a large sheet of metal loose and bring it towards them.

Lodestar: Hop on!

Lodestar magnetically levitated the metal, with himself, Huntress and Question aboard. As they rose, they saw Superman and Captain Atom flying all over the place, trading blows, energy blasts and heat-vision. Lodestar wanted to help, but he knew Captain Atom; if he had orders, he'd stubbornly follow them. He'd gotten better at loosening up over the last year or so, but now it was like he was back to being the soldier that he was, before he became living energy.

As soon as they reached the roof, Lodestar activated his communicator.

Lodestar: Ben to Watchtower. Anyone copy?

J'onn: (from comm) This is J'onn. What is it?

Lodestar: J'onn, it's Ben; Question, Huntress, and I need to get out of here now!

J'onn: (from comm) Huntress is no longer part of the-

Lodestar: Save it! Question is down, and Cadmus troops are right behind us; as soon as we're clear, scan the area for Superman and Captain Atom, they should be out here soon!

In a flash of light, the three disappeared.

Watchtower

As soon as they got off the teleporter pad, Lodestar, transformed back to Ben, and Huntress rushed Question to the infirmary. Then Ben explained what had happened to J'onn and Flash, the only senior members of the League available. While those two debated on what to do, Ben made his way to the infirmary to check on Question.

Supergirl: Ben!

Ben turned to see Supergirl flying towards him.

Supergirl: I heard you and Superman attacked Cadmus; what's going on?

Ben grabbed her hand and led her to the infirmary.

Ben: I'll explain on the way.

As Ben told her everything he knew, Ben and Supergirl saw Superman rushed to the infirmary while carrying a thoroughly-beaten Captain Atom. The Captain's containment suit was cracked and pitted, looking like it was about to completely fail. Ben felt guilty; maybe Captain Atom wouldn't have been so badly hurt if he'd done something to help.

Ben shook his head; there was too much going on as it was without him wondering on what might have been. Besides, Question had been in critical condition; there hadn't been any time to talk Captain Atom down.

Ben and Supergirl made their way to the room with Question in it; once all of the medics left, they saw Huntress take something out of Question's pocket and spray it on his face. She gently pulled, removing what looked like skin from Question's head, revealing a bruised, beaten face. Since the room was soundproofed, Ben and Supergirl couldn't hear what was being said, but whatever it was made Huntress smile and kiss the man. After a moment, she walked up to the wall and blacked out the window.

Putting certain mental images aside, Ben and Supergirl met up with Superman, who was observing Atom (Ray Palmer) as they tended to Captain Atom.

Supergirl: Did Cadmus really… turn him against us?

Superman: They did, and it gets worse; Professor Hamilton is also working for them. And he was probably the one who-

Supergirl: Cloned me. Why?

Superman: He was afraid of us.

Ben put a hand on Supergirl's shoulder.

Superman: I'm sorry Kara.

Superman and Supergirl had known Hamilton for years; years of trust and friendship have been spat on.

Supergirl: (unhappily) Don't be; I'll feel better when we shut them down.

Superman: One stop first, both of you wait here.

As he left, Green Arrow walked up to the two younger heroes.

Green Arrow: What's going on?

As Ben and Supergirl explained the situation to Green Arrow, Superman walked into the infirmary and found Huntress sitting on the side of Question's bed.

Huntress: He's gonna be fine, but he needs his rest.

Superman: I'll only be a moment.

Question: It's okay, Helena.

Huntress nodded at him, then stood up to leave.

Huntress: Five minutes.

She left the room. After she was gone, Superman walked up to Question.

Superman: What happened, Question? How did Cadmus get a hold of you?

Question: I went to kill Luthor so that you wouldn't be able to.

Superman: That's not how we do things.

Question: How do we do things, Superman? Your counterpart killed Luthor; this Luthor is scheming to enrage you.

Superman: And doing a pretty good job of it.

Question: Ruining your reputation, turning your friends and comrades against you, creating a super-powered arms race; but you cannot succumb.

Superman: I can shut down Cadmus without killing Luthor.

A disappointed expression crossed Question's now-visible face.

Question: Carry on then; if you're wrong, it's not like it's the end of the world, right?

Cadmus have made Captain Atom to turned against the Justice League, while Question is looking around Cadmus' files about the "upcoming future", where Superman is about to kill President Luthor. Question tried to kill Luthor but failed, then got captured by Cadmus. Then Superman, Huntress, and Ben are rescuing Question from Cadmus.

NOTE: A little REMINDER that instead of the "Justice Lords", I've used the "Crime Syndicate" instead, where Superman's evil counter-part, Ultraman, killed President Luthor from a parellel world. But Question is opening Cadmus' files where something similar is about to happen: where Superman is going to kill Luthor is he becomes president.