looking out over the tundra, he felt the loss of his world as a physical wound to his heart.

Rhune had of course warned him, and this fate was indeed better than that of his long gone friend,

more then a few times had he gone insane in his pocket plane, something to help pass the time when your spending eons in an unfurnished room

and now these wide open planes of nothingness, the beauty of which brought a tear to his eye.

and the magick off course was a boon, coming from a time when the mastery off such was common, has given him quite the edge in this strange new world.

of course most of his own magick has gone to block out everyone elses, thus bringing forth the need for a champion.

and the slave does please him. but thats not a great achievement seeing how long hes been alone.

still, hes a stranger to this world, like him.

yet not,

this ones power would probaly be enough to gain him the overlordship over this world,

but from what he could tell there was an army of champions that had to be taken out first, this Justins leauge,

superman?

yes master? said he man of steel, with worship in his eyes.

do you think this Justins leauge would be an asset or hindrance to my plan for world domination?

the justice leauge would probaly be an hindrance, master.

shame. ...then i guess you'l have to put them out off the running then

very well master. he said as he flew off

Maelgwn looked idly at blue streak heading toward the sky, oh well, he said to himself, probably just as well I won't meet this Justin and his leauge.

at the watchtower supermans presence was met initialy with relief, but as they noticed he's stern countenance, their aprehension grew,

as the crowd gathered round him, the leauge's leader spoke up,

an emergency has emerged, i need all leauge member at the watchtower imidiatly,

at this clear command javelins flew and and teleporters brought in every member of the justice leauge that could be found.

when at lenght they deemed themself packed to capacity , superman gave the notice that he would adress the assembly in ten minutes,

it took two minutes for anyone to notice that every teleporter on the station had been destroyed.

another five for superman to weld shut all the javelin hangars

and that's the way he left the leauge, like rats floating in a box in space

it did not take long for the batman to discovered what had happened at the watchtower

as panic mounted in the watchtower, there came on every monitor the grim image of the dark knigth,

speaking with a strenght that nobody on the station could ignore, he took control of the situation from his cave.

heed me now, he said,

heed me now, for in this betrayal you are running around like headless fowls, fighting each other without purpose,

we are better than this! we are the standardbearers of a different life, a different creed,

we are the ones whom shall figure in the tales to come, we shall this day, when fear has made a strike at our heart

stand tall, and know that we are noble, know that we are heroes, know as long as we stand true, no real danger can destroy

the justice leauge.

you shall be free once more, and I swear, he said with a glare that made every sentient being on the station feel cold,

that those who panick will answer to me.

he turned from his computer to the leauge members he had convinced to stay at earth.

do you think that will hold them over for now? asked the green lantern.

of course it will hold them, i'm here and i got shivers down MY spine. asserted the flash

bit heavy on the melodrama though, dont you think bruce? said green arrow, but whatever works for you.

come on, we have a job to do, the batman grumbled.

justins leauge is taken care of?

yes, my master!

exelent then i think its time for me to introduse myself to the world, Maelgwn smiles to himself, arrange a congregation of people

very well, my master.

the press conferance superman had arranged was at metropolis plaza.

every member of the free press up to and including Lois Kent was there, and what a spectable it was to become

first superman was hovering two feet above ground scanning the crowd, and none knew how to react when Maelgwn took center stage.

this tall lean looking man had an aura of the truly ancient, while looking hardly eighteen of age,

I am Maelgwn, he announced, and claim as is my right this world as my domain. resistance is futile, surrender you banners and bend knee to me and you will not find me a harsh master.

try to resist and face my champion on the field of battle.

had it not been for the sobering presence of superman, this statement would have gotten more than the few nervous laughters that it got

a reporter taking courage to himself decided to ask, why is your rigth to rule the world mr Maelgwn

the reporter quickly retook his place as he noticed the crimson glow emating from supermans eyes, but Maelgwn looked eyes with him and calmy explained

I was here first , he started , I have the magick of earth in the palm of my hand, and my champion will destroy anyone who dares challenge my rule, he finished of almost snarling.

ten minutes earlier on a nearby rooftop-

green arrow, green lantern, flash and the batman is getting ready, remember Oliver, only if the blue arrows dont work do use the green ones, and always wear your breathers, batman explained to his crew

theres one flaw in your plan, the flash pointed out, YOU CANT GO UP AGAINST BIG BLUE ALONE, BAT-BRAIN

thats my problem now isnt it, said the batman chillingly.

now get this plan in motion

green lantern, green arrow and reluctantly flash spread out

Oliver Quinn grumbled, I always knew it'd get down to bruce and the big blue schoolboy. planet's too small for the both of them

as bruce went to gear up a big evil grin split his face.

end of chapter 2