*Fortress of Solitude, Northern Arctic*

13:08 GMT, 16th of September 2013

"All across the world, they chant his name." Wonder Woman admitted, albeit begrudgingly.

"I know." Was all Superman could respond with. The same level of reluctance in his voice.

Like a single baleful beast, they all cried out in unison across the TV screens across numerous networks. Rich or poor, from small towns to the biggest cities on Earth. It was neverending.

"Batman! Batman! Batman! Batman!"

More than a week after the failed invasion of Earth by Darkseid, the public discourse had completely turned on its head.

The Batman was now beloved by the world's populace. His methods now endorsed by every public poll on the planet.

Lois had broken to him before it hit the airwaves: The United Nations has granted Wayne Industries unprecedented legal access to operate on all international soil, provided they had justifiable cause. Though it was in truth nothing more than a paper stamp, the Bat Clan already operated as they wished regardless. But such a seal of approval from the highest governing body was disturbing.

Bruce and his followers now enjoyed the right to arrest and detain who they wished. Wherever this secret prison of theirs was, nobody would interfere here on out.

World leaders were now afraid to question Batman, all had given only ringing endorsements as to not become unelectable by acting otherwise.

The 9th of September was now being called "the Day of the Bat", a national holiday.

He could still hear Kalibak's begging in his head, his pleas for mercy, to be allowed to surrender.

"He just executed him, Diana. He had made his point, he could have taken him prisoner, but he didn't. I still can't believe Bruce would ever do something like that."

Diana sighed, "Most of the world isn't sharing your opinion, Clark. Most think Kalibak and the Parademons got what they deserved."

"Diana, I saw Bruce after what he did… he was so calm, so collected and without remorse. And he turned the others – including Karen – into killers."

He turned back to the monitor. Pressing in the buttons, the comms for all of the time came up.

"This is Superman to all Justice League members. We've waited too long and tried to end Batman's methods by peaceful means, no more. Tomorrow, we take him down."

"He continues to succeed where you have failed, and you respond by attempting to arrest him against the world's opinion. A voice spoke. "You disappoint me, Superman."

It was the voice of Martian Manhunter. Days ago, he had led an escape attempt that had nearly succeeded had it not been for the arrival of Black Lightning to shock him before he could get out via the teleporter.

The CIA safehouse prison room was destroyed in the fight, the two prisoners now had to be moved here, to the Fortress, that still held restraints to keep the Martian subdued.

Superman glared back.

"The people are too caught up in the moment to realise what Bruce is doing. He needs to be stopped. I won't let him do this."

J'onzz did not seem phased. Merely raising an eyebrow.

"You will not win, Kryptonian, be sure of that."


*Justice League Watchtower*

13:21 GMT, 16th of September 2013

"Bruce… because of you, we saved so many lives." Dick spoke.

Batman had been keeping to himself since the invasion, his orders having been relayed through Oracle.

The world was still stunned and celebrating how Batman had led the defence and eventual victory over Apokolips, crime had taken a massive hit – as temporary as it would likely be – the team had savoured it while still patrolling the major zones of potential conflict and continuing the search for Martian Manhunter.

Nightwing and Red Robin had finally coxed him into allowing them to visit. Though the visit so far had been little more than awkward small talk with Bruce only having given "yes", or "no" answers for most of session. An occasional grimace was not amiss too.

Nightwing smiled, with a raised eyebrow that was clear even through his domino mask.

How Bruce often wondered how such a boy, so similar to himself, could be so positive about life.

"Hell, we've now gotten UN approval and you've personally gotten a higher approval rating than any world leader in history. Can you allow yourself some credit for once?"

Batman only stared down at the planet. His planet, below.

"He's right, Bruce, we have to refocus. We need you back. You're needed now more than ever if we're going to talk to Superman and Wonder Woman."

"Its not enough." Was Bruce's only response.

He turned around and faced the two Robins:

"We may have prevented this incursion, but at what cost? 600,000 dead and even more injured. What happens when Darkseid comes back, or if not him, another alien invader. Earth alone poses too many high-level threats; Black Adam, HIVE… Joker."

He hesitated a moment, a look on his cowled face that was a mix of certainty, but also, uncertainty.

"No, we need a permanent solution.", he looked at them both, "From now on, we are the only law that this planet will have. We will dismantle all military, police and civil functions, and every nation will operate under the new Wayne Conglomerate. Everything will soon be in place."

He held a look that brokered absolutely no argument.

Of course, that did not stop Tim Drake.

"Bruce no."

Bruce turned towards him, the Bat of Gotham towering over his slightly smaller, but still powerful and muscular frame.

"Tim, it has to be done, for the security of everyone- "

"No!" he yelled, returning an equally angry glare back, "this isn't about what's best for people. This is about you." He took a step back, "Ever since Gotham… everyone knows it. But you've snapped and I don't think you can come back anymore. First Luthor, then policing abroad, now occupying. Bruce… whatever part of you is still in there, you know this is wrong. I'm telling you now: don't consider this an option."

A dead silence hung over the hanger. Dick slowly walking away from Red Robin. His face was a mesh of conflicting emotions for some moments, but it become stone after, and he turned and took Batman's side, who now full on glared at his protégé and adopted son.

"This is not a debate, you will get in line on this, or else."

"Or else what?" he spat, "Will you slit my throat, bash my skull in, or have Atom or Power Girl smash me to paste?"

The tension now hung as thick as blood. Bruce clenching his fists, looking as if he was about to make a move… but he did not.

With a final glare, Tim turned to Nightwing, "I'm done with this. Dick, let's go. We can't be part of this anymore."

Nightwing first made eye contact with Bruce, then turned back to his brother. A look of pained sorrow as clear as the sunniest of days.

"No Tim." He closed his eyes, "I agree with Bruce. This has to be done. I'm begging you as my friend… as my family, please don't do this. Help us."

Tim knew he was outnumbered. He could rival Nightwing in a training day match, and on his best day, he could even give Batman a run for his money, though those days were rare.

Against both, and the likely threat of backup on their side, he knew he couldn't win.

At least he could go down fighting for what was right. Just like what the old Batman would have wanted.

All this crossed his mind, but Batman decided to speak.

"I know you've been one of Clark's spies, Tim. Don't think I was that gullible… you've betrayed me, and you've failed to see the light. But you're still a son to me, and I don't want to hurt you. Consider this mercy: leave this Watchtower. Nobody will stop you."

As Tim turned to leave, the automatic doors opening. Batman spoke again:

"But if you ever try to hinder me, I will have you arrested."

Tim looked back over his shoulder. A look of anger, disgust… and hurt etched on his face.

"I stayed here and acted as Superman's spy because I thought I could save you from the abyss, that there was still some part of you that I could reach." He sighed, eyes closed, "I guess I was wrong."


*The Kent Farm, Smallville Kansas, USA*

14:15 GMT, 16th of September 2013

Power Girl had overcome hard tasks, insurmountable to anyone else, on this earth and her previous one.

She had risked death time and time again and would do so again without hesitation.

As Karen Starr, she prided herself on not taking anyone's shit, there were few people she was afraid to tell exactly what she thought of them. It came from being a Kyrptonian and the head of her own company.

Her former company now. She had willingly merged her technology company, Starrware Labs over to Bruce Wayne. Their companies combined now had a stranglehold on all of the latest technology, civilian and military.

But this task… this was the most difficult.

She had arrived five minutes ago, having decided to make the trip here. Still in her uniform. Her patrolling duty with Hawkman was over for the day.

The farm looked just how she remembered it, and that caused a small smile on her features.

Whatever they say, it won't kill you. Just see them and move on. At least you'll know.

The internal dialogue rang hollow in her head, it was still tempting to fly away… but she knew she had to do this.

Walking up to the porch, her hand almost trembling, she gave a knock.

Still time to leave before they answer, but Karen forced herself to stay put.

No answer came, nobody would come, or at least, that was what she wanted to think.

To see the looks of hatred and disgust on their faces…

Suddenly, the door opened.

Jonathan Kent. Grey haired and humble as always.

"Can I-"he then looked at her, her heart beating so fast, it must have been clear even to a human.

"Karen," was his only word.

"Jon… I'm so sorry, I understand that you and Martha probably hate me, and you have every right to, but-"

The older man engulfed her in a hug. The tears that had been building inside her came out.

Jon's voice was choked and heavy, "Where have you been, darling? We missed you so much. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine… I- I never meant to harm Kara. I'm so sorry."

Ending the hug, but still gripping her shoulders, he gave a sad smile.

"I know. Come in, please."

As they came to the living room, The equally grey haired but dignified Martha came rushing to her.

"Karen, I'm so glad you came. We tried calling you… but I understand you needed time."

"Martha… I missed you all so much. I thought you would hate me, like Clark does." She put her hands on her head, "it wasn't meant to happen. We were just trying to move the inmates to somewhere safer… none of that should have happened."

As they all sat down on the comfy couch, they talked for some time.

Martha took her gloved hands in her lap. Her kind hand stroking Karen's strand of golden hair back.

"Clark doesn't hate you. He's just grieving, the same as us. We all still love you. "She assured. "We know it wasn't intentional."

Karen only nodded. A comfortable silence fell over the house.

"I would like to start coming here again, if you wouldn't mind."

"Of course, sweetheart." Jon spoke. A kindly smile on his features.

What had Karen ever done to deserve Jon and Martha?

A familiar sound of a stomp came outside.

"Ma, Pa. I'm here." A voice said in a familiar cheery voice.

It was Clark's voice.

He came through the door, a smile on his features… but it became one of confusion when he saw Karen. That look then turned to one of disapproval.

"What are you doing here?" he said, crossing his arms.

She returned it in kind. She got up from the coach, stepping up to her cousin. Everyone held their breath for some time.

"I should go." She spoke, her shoulder bumping into his as she walked through the door.

"Clark." Came the disapproving voice of Jon, Martha also looking disappointed in him.

"Karen came here to talk, to sort out this issue. She's our family, son. I know its hard. But try. You're better than that."

Superman looked down at his feet. Ashamed at the realisation.

"Karen." He called out.

She looked to be about to fly off, but she looked back. Her expression having not changed.

"I just want to talk." He spoke, his hands up.

"Now you want to talk. First you dismissed me at every turn. Then you left me at Stryker's."

That irritated him, "You sided with Batman." He reminded her, defensively.

Her face scrunched up, "Because he's right and you're in the wrong." She gestured around with her arms raised, "Look at the world Clark. We've made the world safer, and we saved it from being crushed. Batman saved your life, and everyone on Earth."

"He turned you into a killer."

A flicker of confusion, then anger came to her, her fists clenched, "That… what happened with Kara was an accident… I never meant to… but that's not all is it? You judge me for killing monsters who were slaughtering thousands of innocent people."

She looked him dead in the eye.

"Fuck you, Clark."

"The house of El isn't ruled by tyranny or fear. This is what Batman is doing to you. "

"It isn't tyranny to save lives!"

Superman simply frowned down at her.

"I can't forgive the deaths while you still consider it justified, and I can't let you re-join him."

"The come and take me in." She challenged.

"Both of you stop this, please!" Martha cried. A heartbroken expression on her face.

She and Jon ran out, Jon going to Karen while Martha to Clark. They placed their hands on the Kryptonians and took them both back to a distance.

"Get off me" Karen growled. Eyes red and focused on Superman.

"Karen, just calm down!" the older man pleaded, but it was clear the Girl of Steel was not listening.

"I said get off me!" she yelled. This time shoving Jon back, forgetting her own strength. He was sent flying back, crashing into a tractor near the field.

He let out a scream of pain, and Karen and Clark both heard to cringing sounds of his injuries.

Superman and Mrs Kent both let out screams of horror.

"Dad!"

"Jon!"

"Fuck!" Karen yelled out with a look of fear. Her hands bunched up. She looked to Clark and Martha, Clark with a look of fury on his features. "Clark, I… I didn't mean too, I'm sorry. Let me help-"

She was silenced by a huge punch to the jaw that sent her flying back towards the grassy lands outside the farm.

The screams of Martha, now cradling the injured but seemingly conscious Jon, were ignored.

Karen opened her eyes. The impact of her fall making a crater in the land. Her previous feelings of regret and hesitancy now fully replaced by utter fury.

She glared up at the flying Superman. He looked down, a look of disappointment and repressed anger himself.

"You're out of control, Karen. I'm placing you in the Phantom Zone until you come to your senses. I wanted to take you in without violence. But you've left me no choice."

"Come give it a try, Boy Scout." She spat back, flying straight into him at superspeed.

They both went as far as the blue skies above the Kansas countryside, clouds evaporating like bubbles as they crashed through.

Power Girl grappled The Man of Steel until she had him in a head lock.

"You just can't adapt to the times, can you!" she yelled. "You just can't admit it. Its always you who has to be front and centre, your way, your fucking limits!"

Superman managed to get some leeway, wrenching Power Girl's arm from his throat and sending an elbow to her face.

"You and Batman both have forgotten way we have limits in the first place." He answered back.

"No… we've just redrawn the parameters." She fired her heat ray straight at him which pushed Superman back at a great distance. Though he managed to block most of it, he was unprepared as Power Girl flew towards him, delivering a huge punch that drove him back further. With her Super Speed, she then got behind him, smashing him into the ground.

As Superman went to the ground, Power Girl crushed on-top, straddling him. She landed blow after blow, left and right fists lay into his face.

"I'll take you to Batman." She said, "I'm sure he wants a word with you anyway." She hit another punch, "But right now, that can wait."

As she went to land another, Superman pulled her arm down towards him, which left her face exposed to a headbutt.

Superman himself cringed at the squelching sound as his alternative Earth cousin's face a mess of blood.

Karen grunted in pain as she crawled on her knees, her blue gloves smeared crimson as she tried to prevent the stream of blood. Clark himself felt the pain and lump on the side of his head as he stood up.

"Its over." Said Superman.

Power Girl spat out the blood that had went into her mouth and gave a chuckle.

"You know that's a lie."

"Enough of this!" a voice shouted.

Both Kryptonians looked to the sky where the voice had come from.

Hawkman.

Power Girl glared, "I thought you said you were going back to the Watchtower?"

Hawkman only gave a glare back, "I knew you'd head here. Thought you'd need someone to bail you out of trouble. Let's go." In a tone that allowed no argument. Of course, Power Girl was of the argumentative type.

"Since when do you bail people out of a fight? The old Hawkman would've relished a chance to fight Superman and bring him to face Batman."

"No." Superman spoke, "She's coming with me. "

"And nor did the old Hawkman ever take instructions from Superman."

"Karen." Her cousin said again, he himself was covered in some of her blood, but this time, his face was of pleading.

"I… I know you never meant for what happened to Kara. I don't put that on you. You're family to me. I get that you're afraid, that you'll lose anyone else. But this doesn't need to be the path you go on."

He offered out a hand.

"Come with me. Help me save Bruce from himself. You know that's what Kara would have wanted. Let's get through this together."

Clark allowed himself a smile as he sensed Karen's conflicted emotions. He knew he could get through to her. She had made mistakes, horrific mistakes, but it was out of love for him, for his parents, for Lois, for her fellow Superheroes. For her entire adopted home of Earth.

"Clark… you're right. I'm so sorry it came to this."

He engulfed her in a bear hug which she returned, "I knew you weren't lost. We have to get to the Fortress. Let's go."

She smiled.

"Lead the way. "

As Superman and Hawkman went to fly away, Power Girl seemingly got down to a knee again. They both stopped to face her again.

"Apologies for the headbutt." Superman gave an apologetic smile.

"Its okay, shit happens, right. I think I gave as good as I got."

"Will you be alright?" her cousin asked. Slightly concerned.

"Oh, I'll be alright after this."

Before either Hawkman or Superman could respond. Power Girl unleashed her heat ray towards Katar.

The being that appeared to be Katar Hol turned out to be anyone but.

The hot beam led to the physical form screaming in an unworldly screech, and the familiar form of Miss Martian.

"No!" Superman yelled.

Power Girl instantly flew to the sky at a distance as Clark dropped to the ground to use his freeze breath to cool the flames that covered the young Martian girl.

"So, Batman's hunch was right. Never took you for someone to pull this, Clark. And it was a pretty bad effort at that too. I'm going to report this to Batman. He'll wanna know Hawkman and Martian Manhunter are still missing." She flew towards space at super speed.

"Karen!" Superman yelled, eyes red with anger at this deception and betrayal.

"I'm okay." Miss Martian stated in a broken voice. The White Martian would need some time to recover from the blast.

"I'm so sorry, M'gann. I drew you into this, I put you in danger when I shouldn't have."

She smiled wearily. "Don't blame yourself, Superman. We tried to influence Batman and his followers by peaceful means. It didn't work."

Her features hardened as Clark helped her stand up "It seems we'll need to use force after all."

Superman gave a sad look up at the sky where Power Girl had fled.

Forgive me, Kara

"It looks like you're right."