*Metropolis, New York state, USA. *

*Gotham Refugee Centre*

12:34 AM EST. June 12, 2013.

Diana Prince, known as Wonder Woman, continued to listen intently to the meeting on the best timeline for when Gotham's radiation would be cleaned up via the new technology being fast-tracked by Wayne Industries, thanks to the acquisition of the Stagg Corporation, which had been working on such prototype technology.

Since the atrocity in Gotham, she had been spending her time as part of a special UN task force, adjacent to the private venture with the Wayne Industries relief force and the Department of Housing. Ensuring that the hundred thousand refugees who had lost everything had what they needed to function.

She was not the only hero in this, Black Lighting was another who had become a frequent collaborator in her work here.

As she walked home, to her temporary apartment located in Little Bohemia. She became uncomfortable at the growing number of Bat symbols, spray-painted onto the various buildings.

She knew it was the work of "The Sons of Batman", a newly emerged group of vigilantes, seemingly inspired by Batman and his newly intensified war on crime and corruption on a worldwide scale.

They were mostly angry young people. Abandoned and angry at the perceived failures of the world and had taken Batman as an ideal. They went around, in cars and trucks, armed with guns, pipes and baseball bats. Leather jackets along with blue domino bat masks. Contrary to their mission statements on social media and on any news network that would give them coverage, they seemed less interested in stopping crime for the sake of the common good than they were for the element of extreme violence that came with it.

She poked her head into the bar, eyes on the on the TV screen as it played upon the wide screen, the patrons listening intently. A spokesman for the Sons of Batman was taking questions from the reporter somewhere on the streets of Metropolis.

"Well, we intend to see the criminal element put to an end. The police forces of Metropolis, Coast City, Star City, Central City and so on, have clearly failed to stop it. We, the Sons of Batman, will aid the Batman in putting a final stop to it. He is the judge. And we will enforce his will. Batman is the law now. That is all we will say for the moment."

*The newscaster goes from there. *

"Batman inspired local vigilantism continues to spike…"

Of course, what they said for the media was not at all she had seen – and they saw nothing wrong with murder. Most of their targets had been the poor; Minor pickpockets and sex workers. She had stopped a few of them as they almost beat to death a homeless man for stealing a wallet and had scared them off when trying to assault some prostitutes.

Desperate people preying on the even more desperate.

Whether Batman intended it or not, he had inspired these people, but he had yet to demand that they end their terror campaign. She would make sure he did the next time they met. Bruce could be sure of that.


As she opened her apartment door, flinging her keys into the bowl. She collapsed to the sofa, her day had been a long and tiring one, and with the latest crime wave, it would not be getting any easier.

She closed her weary eyes for a moment.

"Great Hera" she sighed. Sometimes if the world was just easier…

The lights began to flicker on and off. She knew what that often meant. "Good." She thought, "We some things to discuss."

She stayed in her relaxed seated state, before she acknowledged it. Deciding to get down to the point.

The looming figure of Batman stood in the centre of her home.

"Hello Bruce." She calmly spoke as she got up to face him.

"Diana." He nodded. She drew an eyebrow at that. Deciding there was little point in holding back after what he and his supporters had been up to, she spoke up, hands on hips: "You've been busy. First Biayla, now the world! Are you aware of what Jon and Katar did in Melbourne, they crippled a boy defending his people's right to protest in their own country? Now you're taking it upon yourself as the judges, juries and jailers? What are you doing Bruce?"

He said nothing, drawing a frown on her face as she continued.

"And these new followers, these "Sons" of yours, are you even planning on getting them to stop? They're out of control out there, they've already killed fifteen people and they're doing it on your example, you as their inspiration!" now she was angry. In the past, she might have found his stubborn silences reassuring and oddly charming. Not anymore. This was different.

"Are you even listening to me?" she demanded to know.

She was good at reading people, she always had been, but at this point, she was an expert, even able to tell what Batman was really feeling… and now, he seemed even more grim and downtrodden, even after Gotham, she saw a level of guilt she had not ever seen on him.

Before she had the chance to respond, he spoke what was on his mine.

"Supergirl is dead." He stated flatly. Face giving nothing away behind the cowl.

Her hand went to her mouth.

"Oh no…"

They both were silent. The gravity and horror of this loss truly sinking in. Kara Zor-El was more than just another hero. She shone bright, like her cousin, as a symbol of true hope, a better humanity and a better future. She made everything brighter with her presence. Every mission, every briefing, every celebration.

In a team of individuals where cynicism and grief were all too common; this girl with her boundless idealism kept them grounded. For their friend, Clark, she was one of the only reminders of his true home left.

Now she had gone. And the light she represented in the world had dimed so considerably.

"He'll need someone. A person outside of his parents and Lois." He stiffly stated.

"He's your friend too, Bruce. Come with me."

He moved past her to the window. She eyed him going for his grabbling hook to get out.

"You can't turn your back on him! He needs you, now more than ever. You can't just leave me and his family!"

He turned his head to the side. Avoiding further eye-contact.

"Diana…" he stuttered. For maybe the first time, she saw Batman unsure; afraid and guilt on his features. He was begging her without words to do this.

Her shoulders slumped and she closed her eyes. She wiped away a single tear from her eye.

"I'll do it. Clark is my friend, and I'll be there for him and his family for whatever they need." She looked closely, daring him to regain eye-contact. Which he did. The window now fully opened.

"I know you want to do good, Bruce. We all do. Just don't forget the people you're fighting for out there. Wayne Industries hasn't always been innocent, as much as you've tried to prevent corruption. This entire country is not innocent. While you've been privatising war and security. The people out there still suffer in this country, supposedly one of the richest in the world. The gap between rich and poor grows every year, with what little worker's rights they have being put under threat. People still face unjust treatment and hate here, just because of their skin colour, sexuality or choosing another gender. Women don't have rights to control their own bodies in certain states, meanwhile environmental regulation is stripped away, piece by piece, as the earth continues to suffocate and die."

"Sometimes Bruce… the real supervillains aren't superpowered beings, or insane terrorists. They're in the public office or at a board meeting. Don't forget that."


The Kent Farm, Smallville, Kansas, USA

16:21 AM EST. June 13, 2013

She politely thanked the bus driver as she exited. The Kent post box at the entrance way.

She had not come here for some years. The last time when Clark had gracefully invited her to celebrate Christmas with him and Lois.

She briefly smiled at the occasion. She was still learning of the traditions of this Christian holiday. Anxious all day on Christmas Eve that she would get it all right. The warmth and bonding that day was one of the best days of her life. The Clark Farm had been a place of kindness and love. She had known the contradiction of this prime holiday of Man's World; a day of gift-giving and the thought being what counted, yet it was a commercial free for all, with everyone aiming for the most expensive gift they could find and afford. But that day, she truly felt what many referred to as "the Christmas Spirit."

At present though, the once welcoming and bright farm looked more bleaker than she could ever recall. The mood, grim and grieving.

Walking up to the porch. She gently knocked on the door. Any time she had come before, Martha or Jonathan would immediately be there to kindly greet her.

No response.

She waited there for some time before knocking again.

Still no answer.

Deciding to enter, she entered through the unlocked front door.

"Hello?" she asked.

She went over to the door leading to the living room and went in.

Her heart sank at the sight of Clark's parents, two of the kindest and loving people she knew, hugging each other on the couch. Martha crying in sobs, occasionally wiping her eyes with the white tissue in her hand. In her other one, a portrait of a smiling and eager Kara, in her farm clothes.

Jonathan looked to be a broken man. Face stone in sadness and pain.

Neither seemed to fully realise she was there until she called their names.

They both looked up immediately.

Jonathan spoke first, "Diana… I'm sorry, we didn't realise- "

"Its okay, Mr Kent." She gave as comforting a smile as she could.

Martha seemed to return too.

"Diana, I- I'll make you some coffee-"

"Shhh" she comforted, taking the woman in her arms for a comforting hug.

"I'll be here now. I'll help you all with whatever you need."


She remained with the Kents for an hour, making them something to eat and giving them something to drink.

Jonathan told her that Clark was in the barn. Having been entirely inconsolable since he had arrived. Lois had been with him. Lana Lang too, who had arrived before her.

"Opening the creaking doors, sunlight beaming in. She spotted Superman in his uniform at the end, along with both Lana and Lois. A downcast and lifeless expression on his face.

Lois was the first to acknowledge her. Walking up from the ground, hay all over her pants, she went up and gave a gentle and welcoming hug.

"Thanks for coming." She whispered.

"Of course." Diana responded.

Lana gave her a simple but kind smile, which she returned.

"Clark…" Diana whispered.

"Di- Diana… she's she- "

She embraced him. The two other women joining in.

"I know, Clark. We're here for you... We're all here for you."


*Metropolis, New York state, USA. *

*Metropolis Police Department building*

21:45 EST. June 25th, 2013

Superman and Wonder Woman both stood atop the building opposite the MPD building. Both received an anonymous and untraceable call each to meet here at this time. Who or what neither supposedly knew.

"Are you sure about this?" Wonder Woman asked, her lasso, sword and shield with her. She would not take any chances if this was some kind of trap.

The Man of Steel stayed silent, seemingly in thought, perhaps it was caution, or maybe some lingering grief. "We only have one way to find out. Come on." Both then flew down to the top of the police building.

As they landed, they spotted mysterious shadow men hiding. Wonder Woman went to a fighting stance when Superman laid a hand on her shoulder. A sign to stand down.

"Mr President." Clark recognised. A tall and dark-haired man in a suit came out, with him, secret service agents.

"Superman." He then looked to her, "Wonder Woman." The president of the United States acknowledged. A grim and stressed look on his features.

"We need to talk."


They went through the door towards where the interrogation rooms were. The President led as the two followed him.

"I saw the footage of what happened at Stryker's… I'm so sorry." The President stated. He seemed genuine.

"Superman sighed; eyes shut for a moment.

"I miss her every day. I always will."

An awkward pause carried on for a minute.

"Perhaps another topic, Mr. President." Wonder Woman suggested. She gave him a look that made him agreeable.

"Yes, of course." He stammered out.

They entered the plain room. Nothing distinctive aside from the metal table and chairs. They all took a seat. The President getting down to business.

"I wont waste too much time. My men will wait outside. The situation is getting worse each day. We've had our top tech guys ensure there is nothing from Wayne tech anywhere, and no devices that can be hacked or switched on… he has eyes almost everywhere now, and he's only gaining more."

As they sat, the president put both hands on the desk.

"Fortunately for us, we've ensured he won't be bothering us; a mysterious breakout has occurred at Belle Reve."

Superman looked on angry.

"If you've gotten any innocent people killed- "

"We minimized the presence of as many guards as we could without it being suspicious. We even tipped off the Bat half an hour early so as to stop them doing too much damage. If you don't want to waste what little time we have, I suggest we get on."

Superman went back down to his seat. Arms folded.

"Talk, Mr President." Wonder Woman demanded. Equally outraged by the stunt.

The President sighed before revealing a hidden remote which turned on a nearby monitor. On it, footage of the League and Bat Clan at work in every major conflict zone on the planet. Present and in the last few weeks.

"After Batman and his friends took all of the inmates out of Stryker's Island and transported them to a place unknown. The Justice League have been blundering into every war occurring in the world. Them and the Wayne Security Force. More and more nations are starting to outsource their security and infrastructure to them. At this rate, Wayne Industries could well be on its way to being a global superpower in its own right."

Footage then came up of the recent historic Israeli Palestinian conflict agreement. A security cam showed Bruce Wayne with the leaders and representatives of both factions. Flanking him were Nightwing and Robin.

"Gentlemen, you will submit a final last agreement for a resolution to the conflict. You have exactly three hours. "

One of the Israelis seemed to want to stand his ground.

"And if we don't?"

As if on quo, Robin flicked out his sword, making all aside from Bruce and Nightwing jump back in shock, but Damian simply rested the blade on his shoulder. A glare on his face, intimidating even if he was still just a young boy.

"Or I'll do it myself." Bruce icily replied.

The footage ended, returning to the previous stock footage.

The President continued:

"This coincided with Martian Manhunter appearing in Uganda. Starfire appearing during a wave of ethno-nationalist riots in Northern Ireland. Green Lantern and Captain Atom appearing in Syria, a massive show of force to all. And Raven showed up among warring tribes in Sudan, where she literally terrified them into submission."

The monitor stopped.

He looked to both, a frown on his face.

"I don't think stopping bloodshed and death is a bad thing, truly I don't. But you both understand these things are not that simple."

Wonder Woman answered first.

"No, you cannot. As much as I would like it if we could, I've learned that these things require more than just someone to stop. They require true resolution. A true solution with the will and consent of all peoples. A forced peace is a temporary one that wont last long. The wounds fester and grow into something worse."

"I agree." Superman concurred. "Batman cannot see his good intentions won't end the reasons for war. Only by force can he maintain what he's accomplished."

The president nodded.

"You know why I'm here. Why I came to find you both."

"You want us to help you stop him." Superman answered.

"I'm asking you, yes. We can't just arrest Wayne now. His influence and power all but ensures he's untouchable; his new street followers, his private army, much less his super-powered allies who can match you both."

Superman looked unsure. A pained and hearted expression, one in which she had rarely ever seen on the often self-assured Man of Steel.

"He's my friend." he whispered.

"Which is why it has to be you. You know what will happen if this isn't put to a stop. Your parents taught you well, Superman" he turned to her "As did the Amazons to you, Wonder Woman. Both of you aren't necessarily of our world, but you both uphold and value it and our way of life, maybe more than many of us do. For the sake of not just here in the United States, but across the world."

Superman looked the president in his eyes.

"Bruce isn't just a mortal man. He's the peak of your species in almost every way. No doubt he has some backup plans in the event we decide to openly oppose him. We can't do this alone. We need allies."

The president gave a smile at that.

"It's good you mentioned that-"

"Documents on potential allies?" the Man of Steel asked. But it was clear from his voice that he already knew.

The president looked confused. "How did you know?"

At that, Superman gave a smile.

"X ray vision."

"Oh, yes of course." The president pulled out the files, handing them to both Supers.

"As you say, a full list of all Superheroes and other beings you should consider for your resistance group. None of them have aligned themselves with Batman or at the very least, not appeared to fully commit themselves fully and remain on the fence, so to speak."

After some time of skimming the files. They both looked to the president as they began to leave.

"Oh, one more thing." The president called out. Another file in his hand. "Since I doubt Batman will appreciate you going against him with your own team, and that he's probably got yours and any Justice League bases under close surveillance. We're giving you one."

This file contained coordinates and information of a US government safehouse in Metropolis that they could access and use. Superman nodded.

"We'll do what we can, Mr President. Thank you." Superman spoke.

They then left.

"We need to get to them fast." Said Superman.

"I agree, you take the East Coast, I'll take the West. "

He nodded, and with that, they went on to recruit.


* Metropolis, New York state, USA*

*19:43 EST 29th June*

*US Government sponsored safehouse*

The teleportation monitor signature beamed, signalling that the people they had spoken with separately had agreed to come.

Superman and Wonder Woman faced the glowing gate. Hidden government technology, cruder than their usual JL tech, but effective and at least for now, unknown to the Batman.

Several figures emerged through: Green Arrow, Red Arrow, Batwoman, Aquaman, Black Lighting, Shazam, Donna Troy, Hawk Girl and Hal Jordan.

Wonder Woman spoke first. Giving a smile, especially at her fellow Amazonian, Donna, who returned it in kind. Knowing already her personal stake in this fight, having broken off her relationship with Dick Grayson over disagreement over the issue.

"Thank you all for joining us."

Red Arrow, or Roy Harper, frowned, arms folded.

"I said I'd listen. I didn't say I would join anything."

"Roy…" Oliver Queen glared at him.

"Lets just have a seat and talk." Diana offered.

All of them did just that. Superman taking over.

"You all know why we're here."

Hawk Girl spoke first.

"That we do… so tell me." She brought her war hammer into both her hands. "What's our plan of attack?"