Author's Note:

The following story is based on the DC Comics Elseworlds series of the same name by Mark Waid and Alex Ross. It is not a direct adaptation, but rather an inspired tale that also satisfies the circumstances of the animated universe. Additionally, the story takes place following the episode "Starcrossed" and must, unfortunately, ignore all episodes that follow. Though don't be surprised if references are made. As usual, the characters and stories are the sole property of DC Comics and AOL Time Warner. They are not in any way used for profit, but rather for the sake of fun and personal pleasure. So please don't sue.

Enjoy.

Forty days after the return of Superman...

The Gulag. Once the Kansas wastelands were stripped of radiation, Superman's penitentiary was fast completed. Thanks to its vast size, it was intended to house prisoners for months to come. Within two weeks of its construction... it filled beyond capacity. Still, the walls hold thanks in no small part to the Gulag's architect and warden.

Once the greatest escape artist of three worlds, Scott Free was an unparalleled master of bonds and traps. He was known amongst others as Mister Miracle, but here he was known the master. Under his command, guards, led by his beloved wife Big Barda, stood ever vigilant over the belligerent and the repentant.

These metahumans were gathered here for a purpose, though not so that they could brood. They were gathered so that they could learn. Whether they wanted to or not. "It's really very simple," a giant hologram of Superman echoed within the confines. "In this world, there is right and there is wrong... and that distinction is not difficult to make."

"Oh yeah?" screamed one of the not-so-pleased prisoners. He went by the name of 666. "So where does robbing us of our freedom fall, oh great and powerful Oz?" Some of the others were in agreement with their comrade, some were against, some didn't give a damn about the whole thing.

"Please understand our intent," the hologram continued. "None of you are here for punishment. You're here for education." 666 rolled his eyes and hocked a loogie in the direction of the hologram.

"We're here because of forced bussing, you stupid recording!" the metahuman screamed, waving his organic arm about to those who bothered to listen to his ranting. "How many different ways can you spew that Pollyanna crap?"

"The powers we have..." the hologram continued without pause. "The things we do... they're meant to inspire ordinary citizens... not intimidate them. Not terrify them."

"Day after day, he talks to us like we're the bad guys!" another voice screamed. This militant went by the name of Stripes. "Who bagged Eclipso, huh? Who toasted Ra's Al Ghul? Guys like us, that's who! We saved lives, man!"

"We cannot act as judge and jury," the hologram kept going. "We adhere to a moral code based on the preservation of life..." 666 groaned some more as he jammed his robotic arm into the cement ground.

"Easy for him to say," he said. "Did he ever have to fight the Slaughter Brigade? 'Man of Tomorrow,' my ass. Try 'Man of the Nineteen-Fifties!' Times change... but he still expects everyone to live up to some cobwebbed code!" He began to lift his metal arm, forcing pieces of concrete to come loose. "He sticks us in here just because we don't kiss babies and salute the friggin' flag! I'm sick of this medieval thinking! His code's just as empty as this STUPID HOLOGRAM!"

Using the end of his metal arm, 666 launched a piece of concrete that smashed into the hologram projector. The disappearance of the giant hologram of Superman caused attention. Very few were of the good kind. And for the metahumans, it was no where near pleasurable.

"Sorry you feel that way." A few groaned and started to glare at 666 as everyone turned their attention to the speaker. "That must be why you opened fire in the middle of a human crowd," spoke Captain Comet. He hovered in place as he and Big Barda prepared for any outbreak to take place. "Why you thought it was acceptable to endanger an entire cable car full of unarmed citizens. I'm sure Von Bach would agree with you. We brought him in for killing opponents who had already surrendered."

Even a statue could feel the air electrify. The prisoners were packed too closely. Nerves were raw. Tempers flared. And none more apparent than that of the would-be dictator Von Bach. He began to scream his frustrations at Comet. Only his words were Yugoslavian. Conflicts escalated. In mere seconds, a gust of power wind smashed the unsuspecting Von Bach into the concrete structure behind. Another trade secret of Comet's powers.

"You have a lot to learn, Von Bach," the hero said as he turned and flew off. "Get to it." Neither he nor Barda paid any attention as they turned away from the prisoners beginning to bicker and physically fight amongst one another.

Yet unbeknownst to all, there was one prisoner who had a special eye. And the images the eye saw was transferred in real time into the projected view of two figures. One was Lex Luthor, grinning with a lit cigar in his mouth. The other was his smiling servant.

"Excellent..." Luthor chuckled.

Justice League

Kingdom Come

By Lord Akiyama

Based upon the story by Mark Waid and Alex Ross

Chapter Six: Fear and Loathing

"... so then I flew him up to about, oh here... and I said, 'Do you see that beautiful blue marble, Brainiac? That's my world. Return it. Now." Superman smiled as he and Diana sat on a ledge upon the highest tower of Emerald City. The oxygen masks they wore keeping them from suffocating despite their near immortal organs. Better safe than sorry.

"Did he hear you?" Diana asked with a knowing smile.

"Actually, not in airless space, no," he chuckled. "But believe me, he got the message. Norad was back online within five minutes." He looked about as small pieces of rock floated very slowly before them. The wonders of space.

"So did you destroy him?" she asked curiously, wanting to hear more of the story with a smile still upon her lips.

"Just short of," he replied. "Buried some of his circuitry on Saturn... some on Argo... and the rest inside a Pulitzer in Clark's apartment." The last part brought light laughter out of both of them.

"Oh, that's funny," she said. "You never told me that story before." She sighed as she turned her head to look upon the figure of her companion. "Gods... those were better days..."

"Easier, anyway," he added. There was a moment of silence between them. The smile on his face hadn't faded, trying to enjoy this 'date' his daughter asked him to give a shot. Gently, he took hold of a rock the size of two fingers and, with precise timing, flung it against a larger rocker. From there, the small rock bounced from one large into another, forming a zigzag line before returning to its normal speed and floating further into endless space.

"Diana..." he spoke, breaking the silence. "... Were you able to reconnect with your people? With your mother?" Isolating himself from the world for twenty years had left him out of touch with important news and happenings with those closest to him. He didn't even believe himself to know his daughter all that well since she left the Fortress of Solitude.

"Shortly after you went into seclusion," Diana replied with a sigh. "Though I had left without mother's say and she had stripped me of my crown, the Amazons looked upon my leaving Paradise Island as something positive. As though I were an their Ambassador to the outside world. Looking upon me to spread their message of peace and order. As the world continued to darken, there was some doubt as to how well I had done this job I was supposedly doing."

Diana grabbed a rock about the same size as the one Kal grabbed moments before. "My Amazon sisters... my own mother... came to suggest that even the mission I set out to achieve when I first left... had perhaps failed. They actually put me on trial." She tossed the rock, but it did not have the same impact as Superman's fling. Instead, it shattered one of the large rocks upon impact. She sighed heavily as this happened.

"I pled my case..." she continued, turning her head to see Kal gently take her lasso. "But in the end, they decreed that I had, indeed, not changed Man's world." She watched as he used the lasso to reform the large rock she had broken. "That it had changed me." She sighed once more as she lowered her head while Kal loosed the lasso from the reformed rock. "There may have been some justice in their decision."

"Do you believe that?" he asked with concern.

"The Amazons believe in peace through strength," she replied. "Too often, I relied on an olive branch and not a cestus..."

"I always admired you gentility," he said, hoping to provide comfort.

"It didn't get the job done," Diana said, turning her head toward him and taking a hand to grab her lasso. The two paused to see them looking at their hands pulling upon the lasso. They loosened the strength of their pull so as not to engage in a tug of war over it. They both sighed.

"You did your best," he tried to reason.

"Then why isn't the world better?" she asked. He could sense frustration growing in the tone of her voice.

"There are degrees..." he started to stay before she cut him off.

"How many degrees were you interested in hearing about when you retired?" she demanded. Kal could see the anger building up inside her. He was surprised at how calm he was at the moment. "You said it yourself once, Clar... Kal. We are warriors. We have an obligation to wage combat."

"Given who we are, Diana..." he started to respond. "Given the power we possess... we have a greater obligation to keep the peace." A moment of silence passed over them as they locked eyes upon one another before he released his hold upon her lasso. "Only the weak succumb to brutality."

Diana opened her mouth as she tried to respond, but something came out. They continued to look at each other until Kal sighed and pushed off, flying through the vastness of space. Diana watched, unsure how to properly feel.

It was quickly established within the Gulag that no one dared come within ten feet of Magog. Not even the guards. Many felt afraid that if they got too close, he would react violently and cause bodily harm. Others felt ashamed of seeing the man they once saw as the true superhuman paragon reduce himself to such a pathetic state. Some didn't care, but were not about to risk proving either one of the two statements by being within his reaching distance.

The light dimmed for the proposed night, Barda watched from ten feet away. Magog had barely moved from his position and state. Barely sitting in his chair, the left arm rested upon the left leg while the right hand covering the eyes of his lowered head as the elbow held it up on the right leg. Barda sighed, not quite sure how to exactly feel about this man. Those within the league looked upon this create as the man who ousted Superman and was thus responsible for bringing this chaos upon the planet. At the same time, though, there was a sense of pity for a man who seemed to be plagued by the ghosts of those who died from his actions. She turned to one side and slowly resumed patrol.

It was quickly established that no one dared come within ten feet of Magog. But they didn't know that the statement was false, especially at night. He tilted his head enough to look upon the figure of a woman kneeling on his left side. She went by the name of Tokyo Rose. An assassin of martial arts taken down along with her Japanese comrades at the hands of the Justice League. It took the efforts of Nightwing, Wonder Woman and a new member named Red Robin to stop her.

During the two weeks since the Gulag was completed, she braved many nights to look upon this man. As time had passed, so had their acceptance for one another. A small, gentle smile came over her face as she placed her right hand upon his left leg. Magog slowly tried to form a smile of his own as moments later he placed his left hand upon top of hers. She then brought her other hands to cup together upon his hand.

Magog sighed as he closed his eyes and returned to his sulking. Tokyo Rose return her smile and remained where she was. It was established that no one else would dare come within ten feet of Magog. Only Tokyo Rose.

They were the so-called super heroes, and they were burning the city to the ground. They were fighting amongst one another, claiming to be the true protector of the planet. They didn't give a damn about the little children in their way. Laser blasts ripped through their small bodies, crushed underneath the rubble of debris and uncaring feet that smashed upon them, those no yet dead where on their knees crying their eyes for their mother. The children were dying... and their hero, Captain Marvel, was no where to be found.

Billy Bastion couldn't move even if he wanted to. The shock and horror painted him as he watched the projection was overwhelming. His eyes were shot wide open, his jaw dropped in terror. It was completely taken aback by the hideous sight that was shown before him. He was able to find the strength to speak.

"Those..." he quietly whispered with a whimper. "Those things never happened."

"But they could have," the voice behind him said. Luthor grinned as he removed the cigar from his mouth. "And really, that's the point, isn't it? Superhumans can do anything they please. They can maim... they can kill... they've made the world a verrry ugly place. Fortunately, you don't have to take part in their world, do you?"

"No!" Billy cried. "NO!"

"That's ri-ight," Luthor sang, as he took a free hand to pick at the younger man's ear. "You'll stay right where I order you to stay. Our old friend Sivana saw to that, didn't he? Here. Let me get that." Luthor removed what appeared to be a tiny, dead maggot from Billy's ear. He watched with a chuckle as Billy began to wobble in a groggy state.

"Ingenious little bugger, Sivana was," Luthor continued as he tossed the dead organism into a liquid that disintegrated the evidence. "Do you suppose that when they coined the term 'mad scientist,' they were thinking of him?" He chuckled some more as he gently withdrew a fresh organism from a liquid bowl. "I bet they were. Well, rest in peace, Sivana. Science... marches on."

He placed the creature into Billy's opposite ear and watched with glee as it began to crawl inside the young man's head. "The worms crawl in..." Luthor began to sing with delight. "The worms crawl out..."

"Shu..." Billy managed to utter when he shot back into his original state of overwhelming fear and terror. "Sha... Shaz..."

"Oh, no, no," Luthor chuckled in a gentle tone. "There'll be no retreat. Not yet. I still have a very special job for you..." He chuckled some more as he got up and began to walk to the door, leaving Billy to prepare. Neither man noticed a lone bat hanging upside from within the room.

Luthor exited through the door and worked his way down the walkway to see a familiar face. "Batman!" he called with a smile. "There you are! Well? What do you think?"

"I think that you authorized triple shifts without telling me," Bruce replied in a gruff tone, keeping his attention upon the progress on the floor below. Luthor joined him as they watched workers continue at a non-stop pace constructing metallic armies of Batmen.

"Strength is in numbers," Luthor reasoned. "It took you a long time, but you finally learned that. Magnificent, aren't they? Between your design and my production the Justice league doesn't stand a prayer of survival. Soon, we will be able to crush them with an unyielding legion of steel soldiers..."

"I can feel your pulse throb from here, Luthor," Bruce responded, not changing the tone of his voice one bit. "Don't double-cross me. Our objective is world order... not world domination. Don't forget your agenda."

"Oh... I wouldn't dream of it," Luthor laughed as the two peeled away from the construction and headed down the pathway toward the door on the other side.

"Ridding the world of the League is a necessary evil," Bruce noted as Luthor opened the door for him. "Mankind was never meant to bow before a Kryptonian and his ilk."

"My thoughts exactly," Luthor responded with a smile as they entered the meeting room where the others in their group waited patiently in their seats. "Once Superman and his toadies are out of the way, the Mankind Liberation Front can seize power... and with your little robobats keeping the peace, return the reins of civilization to the humans." Bruce didn't say a word as the two separated to take their seats at the table. Luthor with the rest of his group, Bruce with his comrades Oliver and Dinah.

"Sounds like a plan," Oliver said through the cup of tea he sipped. "Then again, so does this: Can't we just drop a K-bomb on Big Blue's spit curl?"

"Sadly, Mr. Queen, Kryptonite no longer packs the punch it did in the good old days... as I learned the hard way," Luthor replied as he made himself comfortable in his leather chair. "Chalk it up to the solar radiation Superman's cells have been guzzling all these years. He's at the height of his invulnerability. Once war begins, Batman, can your players advance to the front lines if necessary?"

"We'll be in place, Luthor," Bruce replied. "Obviously, we haven't the raw might to match Superman's army... but we have the fire of youth on our side." Light brightened from behind him and those on Luthor's side of the table looked in awe at the legion of superhumans before them. "The sons and daughters of many of the Leaguers have come to lend their support," Bruce added with a grin.

"And they're prepared to fight tooth and nail with the generation that sired them?" Ibn asked curiously. As he spoke, Billy Bastion entered the room and stood with crossed arms behind his master.

"Aren't all young people?" Bruce replied, his eyes glancing over at Luthor's servant for a quick moment. "They're prepared to strike when I give the signal."

The meeting quickly came to adjourn as the factions began to mutter amongst themselves. The elder men mumbled how relieved, or unsure, they were of the forces that have been added to their fold. The young heroes gathered together discussing who their parents were and what they inherited.

Two gatherings caught Bruce's attention. He watched as Oliver and Dinah smiled as their daughter, the current holder of the title Black Canary, came up to them for a reunion of their own. The other gathering was that of two interesting bodies. Ibn Al Xu'ffasch and Nightstar. And their meeting wasn't just any "pleasure to meet you" type of meeting, and Bruce knew it with a grin. Many knew the latter to be the daughter of Nightwing and the late Starfire. Only a rare number knew Ibn was the son of the Bat.

Bruce and Selina gave one another a nod before he walked up to an exiting Luthor. "I assume your tactical strategy somehow involves the Gulag?" he asked the other.

"Why... why, yes..." Luthor replied, almost a little surprised.

"Details?" Bruce demanded.

Luthor raised a brow in further confusion. He then shrugged and reformed his grin. "Soon enough," he replied. "In fact, I'm awaiting word myself. Now, if you'll excuse me..." Luthor nodded as he slowly made his way out the door.

Bruce took a deep breath as he and Selina shared a quick locking of their eyes. Only they would know what they were saying to one another as Bruce turned and made his way toward a familiar body. The man appeared to be distancing himself from everyone else, as though he was trying to hide.

"I know what you're thinking," the figure said in a whisper. "I do!"

"I'm aware of that, old friend," Bruce whispered back. "But let's not do this telepathically. You won't stay focused." Bruce was able to catch the other man quickly before any one noticed the figure's hand move through a coffee cup with transparency. Bruce lifted the cup for the other to sip. "Talk to me. Just relax... and talk."

Few if any would recognize the man even if he wasn't trying to hide himself. That very same few knew that the outer appearance was nothing more than a disguise. The figure wasn't really human. What they didn't know was that this was the human disguise of one Martian Manhunter. In the twenty years of Superman's absence, J'onn desperately longed to understand the human psyche. In one terrible moment, he opened his mind to the world... and was forever shattered by its thoughts. He was once a proud founding member of the Justice League. Once a Martian champion. Now he was not much of anything. He became nothing more than everyman John Jones.

"J'onn..." Bruce whispered. "Can you verify?"

"I wuh-will attempt..." J'onn replied in silence. He closed his eyes and began to concentrate and focus. Moments later, he panicked. "Too much noise! Too much..."

"Shhh," Bruce whispered in a comforting tone. "Shhh. It's okay." J'onn stopped shaking and quickly regain self-control.

"What n-now?" the Martian asked. "I want to stay, I want to... muh-matter, I..." J'onn paused and slowly turned to face his comrade. "Oh. You... you don't think I'll h-help..."

"J'onn, you fought the good fight longer than any of us," Bruce replied with a gentle smile, placing his hands upon J'onn's shoulders. "You've done all that's ever been asked of you... and today was no exception. You've paid your dues, old friend. Go home and rest. Dream of red sands and silent stars."

J'onn slowly nodded as they both turned away. He made his way to a wall and came to a full stop, glancing over his shoulder to see all that was before him. Young bodies. Weakened warriors. Twenty years had changed so much. A look of determination painted his face as he put his hat on. He could still be of help. He could still do something. And he knew how. He turned back to the wall, phased through it and disappeared.

Captain Marvel milled about, his eerie grin carving a swath through Batman's ranks. He came upon the Queen family and stopped before the daughter. "May I...?" he asked. Almost as quickly as he spoke, all that were around came to a hushed silence and turned their attention to him.

"Oh!" Black Canary cried is sudden shock. "I mean... sure. Help... help yourself..." She watched along with her stunned parents as Marvel removed an arrow of her arrows from her back.

No one breathed in his presence. What is he thinking, they wondered. What will he do next? To them, he was a shark trawling for prawn. Many have him called the world's mightiest mortal. No doubt. The intimidation his mere presence exuded was uncanny. Clearly, these heroes regarded him with a growing unease accorded only one other.

Marvel examined the arrow with delicate care before looking back at the near frightened daughter of Oliver and Dinah Queen. He expressed his thanks as he handed her the arrow back. She shook with reluctance before slowly removing the arrow from his hands. His smile was wide as ever, he turned and walked away. Moments later, mother and daughter clutched one another in sheer shock with father holding them both just as tight.

It seemed that one moment caused everything to pause in silence. Everything... except the innocent, romantic fling of two young people that captured the attention... and grin... of the Batman.

"If only Dick knew..." he quietly muttered to himself.

Fifty days after the return of Superman...

"Germany's all clear," Superman reviewed as his eyes continued to gaze upon the view of the earth.

"Check," Supergirl said from behind, marking it down on the pad she held.

"Austria looks clear..." he said. "... and Italy."

"Check," she responded. "Metahuman activity has been abolished in Europe. Moving on to Africa...?"

Attention began to focus when he heard the murmuring of whispers from behind. One didn't need a super sense of hearing to know that some in the League were starting to express their doubts. It did, however, come in handy if one wanted to know what was specifically being said.

"... dropped a building on you?"

"Put Power Woman and me both in body casts." He recognized that particular voice as that of one Nightwing. "Listen... I'm with you. I was all for the Gulag... but throwing Von Bach into that cauldron is like poking a hydrogen balloon with a match. Superman's prison is pressure cooker enough as it is. He thinks he can get everyone to behave like they did when times were brighter... but even he can't turn back the clock."

"So tell him."

"Me? Roy, you tell him! Look at him! Can't a man with telescopic vision see the world around him?"

"Shhh! He can hear you!"

Superman didn't so much as sigh as he kept his gaze upon the world. They had a point. It seemed like the only one who would react differently would be Diana, but he wasn't sure that would be the case. Instead, he continued with what he did until it was apparent that he needed to change. Let them talk. Maybe in the long run they would end up being wrong.

"HOLY GOD!"

Everyone turned their attention to a shocked Red Robin as he peeled himself from the monitor screen he was looking upon. "Word just came in from the Gulag! There's a riot going on! The prisoners have gone berserk!"

Silent shock came over everyone in the room. Many jaws dropped, many eyes shot open, but no other body part moved. No other sound was made. The same silent feeling of fear befell them. A few actually glanced over to see Avia's reaction. Her parents were running the facility and they were losing control. Superman was the first to break the silence after what felt like hours.

"Then here's what we..." He was quickly cut off before he could even utter the next word.

"FLASH! GREEN LANTERN! POWER WOMAN! To the Gulag. Now." He turned to see Diana barking orders as Flash and Power Woman obeyed. "Take control..."

"Through peaceful means..." he said, trying to regain order only to be cut off by Diana once again.

"... by whatever means. I want a status report as soon as possible. Ray... Phoebus... be ready to follow if called... WHERE THE HELL IS LANTERN?" Superman watched as the others began to run about in a near state of panic as Diana continued to bark orders. What the hell happened?

"John's on leave of absence," he told Diana.

"Then we're gonna have to cut it short!" she barked. She immediately activated a communications channel with the Green Lantern. "John, there is an emergency at the Gulag. Get your ass there, NOW!" She shut off the channel before any response could be made from the other line. It was then that Superman pulled for her attention. And he didn't look too pleased about what was doing.

"Why did you undermine my authority?" he demanded.

"Why did I...?" Diana said with a raised brow. She quickly changed her tone and repainted her expression with that of frustration. "I saw a crisis. I reacted in a confident and unqualified manner. The others need to see that sort of authority from someone." They locked eyes and said nothing for a silent moment. "Pull yourself together. We're overdue for a meeting with the UN." She turned and marched toward the doorway. "They can't help but know about the Gulag by now." Superman took a deep breath, controlling his temper, and caught up with her.

"Then I guarantee they're wondering when we started making up our own laws," he told her. "Let's go. We have to convince them that we're the good guys."

Shayera looked upon the standing figure of her lover outside their home, holding he battle armor before him. She could see his body move from the heavy breathing he was making. She sighed and slowly walked up to him. She looked at his face, painted with uncertainty and frustration. She gently placed a hand upon his cheek, causing him to slowly turn to face her. They locked eyes and she could see the fear within him.

"I don't want to leave," he said.

"I know," she said.

"I don't want to leave," he repeated. "I just found you again. I lived up to my promise... And I'm a father now. I don't want to leave them having only met them."

"I know," she repeated.

John took a deep breath and fought back a tear that was forming in his eye. "Tell me what to do, Shayera," he said. "Tell me what to do and I'll do it. If you want me to stay, I'll stay. If you want me to go, I'll go. Guide me, my love."

Shayera took a deep breath as she gently stroked her thumb upon the surface of his cheek. "You do what you have to do, my love," she said. "That is the only way I can guide you."

John closed his eyes as he took those words to heart. Moments later, after thinking over the decision to make, he leaned in gently to kiss her. He prayed it wouldn't be their last. He pulled back and slowly put on his battle gear. He took a deep breath and turned to face his children. Sacred and confused, they did not know how to react. John walked over and they embraced, all three fighting back the tears that forced through their closed eyes. After releasing, John took another deep breath and looked upon his family once more. He turned and then he left.

Mother and children did not move an inch as the time passed. They were taking in all that was happening. Moments later, Shayera lowered her head and turned toward her children. She opened her eyes and looked at them, taking a long deep breath. She tried to put on her best gentle smile.

"Moments from now, you two will be making a decision," she said. Jenny and Rex quickly turned to one another, unsure what their mother meant. They turned back to face her as she continued. "It is a decision that I cannot make for you, nor can I guide you to make. It will be the most important decision of your lives. But know that regardless of the decision, regardless of its consequences... know that I will love you both and support your decision." She paused and began to walk back into the cavern.

"I will support it because it was your decision to make, for good or ill..."

to be continued...