The sun having set, Jason Todd, Alias, The Batman, And Clark Kent, He who's name shan't be spoken, Stood on the roof of the library. Staring out at the New York sky, They watched as the city thrived, and hustled, Acting as if it was the only place in the world. Superman quickly lost interest, though. It was not the city he came to see. It was the world. And what had happened when he left it.
"7 years ago. The world got fed up with the Joker. Bruce, Ollie, Everyone, Had seen enough carnage out of this man to last a life time. But with his insanity plea always keeping him from the death penalty we all know he deserved, All anyone could do was throw him back in some cell, Each one more high security then the last, And watch as their hope that he not escape fall apart a short time after. So a plan was devised. We would do what no jury would allow us to do, Without them even knowing. We would put the Joker to death."
Eyes wide, Clark Kent turned his head away, Infuriated that those who would condemn him for his crimes, Would dare to do just what he wanted to do, Before they finally sent him away.
"But before you even think that this compares to what you did…Let me continue. They tried every normal means of execution you can think of. Lethal Injection, Electric Chair, Hanging. The worst he came out with was a rash. Turns out, Whatever made him into what he is, Didn't just affect his hair color. At some point, It made him almost invincible. Plastic man has a theory…That perhaps it's the fates way of making sure that he never rests…That he has to spend eternity with those sins on his mind. Which isn't much of a punishment…or it wasn't…Until they thought of it."
His attention regained, Superman looked down at the man he was now hovering over, And quickly lowered himself back down to earth. "sorry. What is this, IT?"
"They call it, The Eternal Cell. A singular room, somewhere on this planet where he was placed, to ensure that no living thing ever come in contact with him, ever again. He would be provided with enough food, and air. He would be given clean clothes, and a dry shower daily. He'd have access to medicine, if he ever got sick, Which no one seems to think is possible. He'd have everything he would need to survive. But survive only. No contact from the outside. No books, or television. Hell, I doubt they even give him a fork and knife."
"Where do you suppose they would build something like this?"
"Well…Let's think. Where would YOU build a prison, That you needed to sustain some form of life, But be too treacherous for any mortal person to gain access to. Someplace far enough for safety, But close enough for any emergency. A place, that despite our ever changing world, Would remain forever the same."
"…what are you saying, Jason?"
"I'm not saying anything, Clark." Lifting his cape into the air, He stepped to the edge of the roof, and looked back at the angry man, mouthing the word "fortress", Before pulling his cowl back over his face, And leaping into the darkness below, Vanishing instantly.
He thought of giving chase. He wanted a definite answer. He wanted to be looked in the eye, and to be told that the one place on the planet, that was supposed to be sacred to him, Had not been desecrated in this way. But he was not given what he wanted. He was given the exact opposite.
Falling to his knees, He covered his ears, As a pressure he had never felt before began to rip into his cranium. And all at once, The world began to discuss him. Children asked their parents to check for him in their closets. Husbands refused to go to bed, Out of fear of him arriving. Wives laid awake, Listening to the sound of their husbands heavy breathing, and wishing that someone would calm his fear. And send the monster that was Clark Kent, Back to wherever it is he came from.
And he rose.
Rose to his feet like he had in a thousand battles, With a thousand enemies. Taking to the sky, He followed the source of the sound, Leaving a sonic boom behind as the only trace of his presence. And within him, A rage began to build. But not because of their fear. Or because of their hatred, of superman. But because of their understanding, That superman, was Clark Kent.
As the source of the sound got closer, He knew the fight he was in for would not be the last he ever had. But it would be someone's. He was going to make sure of it.