Superman looked down at the ash settling against his red boots, the usual bright red darkened by the settling fog conjured up from the battle with Amazo. The streets ran endlessly with rubble from the destruction that had been caused.
The damage that had been done to Metropolis was something Superman hadn't seen since his original debut against General Zod all that time ago. People scattered, fled. Some weren't as fortunate. All of the guilt and regret was placed on Superman's hands. It wasn't something that could've been stopped, but at the same time he felt responsible for everything. This city was one he protected, anytime it was threatened, attacked, he felt as if it was on him. He was the Man of Steel, but at the same time, the city was one of the things that made him feel… human.
Superman travelled around Metropolis and scouted each individual area, helping out in all the ways he could. He wasn't alone in the damage control quest, Martian Manhunter had similarly helped. The buildings couldn't be so much as salvaged, but the citizens, those who survived, had been secured safely.
The time felt endless but Superman and Martian Manhunter cleaned up the city. All the news sources in and out of the area had covered the incident and spread it like wildfire. That was the least bit of the heroes worries at the moment though. Superman wearily retreated atop of the Daily Planet and sat there, ashamed. Martian Manhunter had joined him and quietly examined the city with careful eyes.
"What happened wasn't your fault. No one is to blame." J'onn told him, breaking the silence.
"I know, I know it wasn't in any of our hands but I can't help it. Good people, a beautiful city, suffered." Superman responded, a tinge of sorrow in his tone. He couldn't bare the idea of what this had caused for others. He was fortunate enough that his own lover, Lois Lane, had survived, but some other families couldn't say the same.
"It is unfortunate and a great loss, but this is why we have been brought together. To prevent things like this from going further. I share my sympathy towards you and your city, the people, and I promise things will be different."
"I promise that too. I've been in this position once before, and this isn't the last time I will be in. Moving forward, that's what we need to do. Find that machine, Lex, and bring them to justice." Superman agreed.
"They will get what they deserve. You and I aren't as different as you would think. The last Martian, the last son of Krypton."
"What did happen to the Martians?" Superman asked.
"We were attacked by another race, the White Martians. I did everything in my power to fight for my people, my family, but it wasn't enough. That is what drives me. I won't let what happened to my people happen to the people of Earth."
"You are noble. I'm sorry about that."
"Do not be, what is done is done. Preventing similar extinction, that is what I am looking out for."
"As am I. I didn't have a chance with my home world, but now I do here. My new home. We can protect it… together." Superman nodded, smiling.
The two shook hands. J'onn was right, it was sad what happened to Metropoils, but that was it. Failure and destruction wouldn't continue. That is what the Justice League was for.
The other members of the Justice League had turned in at Wayne Manor and stayed for the night. The eleven bedroom, seven bath mansion would be more than enough for them. Everyone on the team was feeling similar, their thoughts on the battle with Amazo all sharing common emotions.
There wasn't much noise in the cave, aside from the heavy, infuriated breaths escaping from Bruce's lips. Bruce was the only one in the cave, the others resting. He hadn't taken any time to recover or relax, he had already spent his time on the computer; only so much as lowering his cowl off his face.
Bruce had been in his head, focused. The only pinpointing thoughts involved Amazo and finding him. He hadn't noticed Diana walking over to him, only acknowledging her when she tried resting her hand on his shoulder. Bruce on instinct grabbed her wrist but stopped when he realized who it was; letting go of her tensely.
"You've barely set one foot away from here since we returned. You need to rest." Diana spoke stern, but gently.
"Don't need it." Bruce shook his head, going back to the screen.
"Bruce." Diana lightly grabbed him and spun his chair to face him. "You are working yourself too hard."
"I need to find Amazo or Lex. Now isn't the time to rest." Bruce muttered, clearly not in the mind to tolerate her.
"Don't you think you would've found something by now? Perhaps this is part of his strategy. I've seen wars, fought hard battles, I know how some of these things go."
"Then you'd know better of all people that sleeping during a war doesn't grant you a victory. If we are going to stop this threat then we need to locate it. I am fine right here." Bruce turned his chair around again.
"At least get something to eat and drink, Alfred's request, not mine." Diana sighed, stepping away and leaving the cave.
Diana didn't feel sleepy herself (ironically) and stayed in the kitchen, having a snack and drink to herself. She wasn't alone forever and would be joined by Bruce's young prodigy, Jason Todd. The boy had odd tendencies of waking up at late hours, ending up touring the fridge before finding something else to do. He hadn't gotten a chance to sit down and talk to one of the Justice League members one on one, but that would soon change.
Jason casually entered the kitchen and observed Diana. Being under Batman's wing, he had become more keen and observant, which was a good thing for the path they followed. Diana was just sitting and reading a book, sipping what smelled like warm honey tea. Jason wasn't the best conversation starter and sometimes struggled to find the proper words to start with, but he'd give it a shot.
"That's a good book. Read it before. Guess he's showed you his library, it's pretty fuckin impressive." Jason started, sitting opposite from her.
"It is quite something." Diana agreed, lowering her book and looking at Jason. She didn't know much about him, but did notice he had sailors' mouths. Coming from someone with a classy background like Bruce, that was unexpected.
"Believe it or not I do a lot of reading here and there."
"That's a good thing. Reading is an experience with many gateways to different ideas and things to be learned."
"Yeah." Jason replied awkwardly.
A moment of silence went by. Diana had started reading again while Jason inched his cup of water slightly, thinking of things to carry the conversation.
"So is it true you were like, made out of clay? And there's an island with a bunch of women?"
"Well…" Diana lowered her book, curiously staring at the child. Boys. "Many things have been said about me. Some true, some not so much. My origin is one of many wonders, a collective agreement of the gods. And yes, my island home is filled with extraordinary warriors, all whom I consider my sisters."
"That's cool. Bruce has talked about you before and meeting you personally feels like meeting a celebrity. It's a honor."
"Thank you." Diana laughed lightly, thinking about the idea of Bruce talking about her. She could feel his excitement and it was always joyous seeing it about her. "I'm not much. Just doing my part."
"Not much? Please, you're Wonder Woman! Everyone loves you. You're one the best superheroes around. One day I want to be just like that."
"And you will. Keep doing what you are doing and you will reach great heights." Diana insisted with a warm smile. "Now, tell me, what has Bruce mentioned about me?"
Barry folded his arms and tapped his foot on the carpet. He looked out the window, trying to distract himself from the feeling of defeat that held onto him. It was hard to shake it off, no matter what he tried to do to make the thoughts go away.
His stay at Wayne Manor was a dream, but it didn't feel like it, not in the way he hoped. It was the slump he was in that chipped off some of the excitement he had about actually staying in the manor. The room he was in was very welcoming and relaxing, along with the other accommodations the place had to offer him.
The hallway, a few doors down, John stayed in a room of his own that was similar. The man tried to get some sleep but just like the others, he had the thoughts from the fight on his mind. It wasn't the first time he felt this way, he had fought in wars before, images and memories of the past always seemed to haunt him. More and more John grew uncomfortable until he eventually got out of bed and wandered. He stopped in the doorway of Barry's room and talked to him.
"Not much rest going on around here."
"Nope. I tried, I really have, but I can't." Barry shook his head, sighing.
"That fight really put it out on us. I've seen it before, gone through it before. Same shit, different fight." John looked at his feet.
Things like this was something that happened. It didn't change the affect that it had on the heroes.
This fight was the first time the team had gone up against a large threat. Sure, the Arkham breakout was bad, but this was something on a level of it's own entirely. The level of destruction, the enemy being extremely powered, it all added up in a bad way. The team was separated, pushed to fight one at a time in this situation, which was there downfall. They were a team, they needed to work and cooperate together. This was the big wake up call, the test.
Barry felt his pocket buzz and pulled out his phone, answering a call from his girlfriend Iris.
"Barry, I saw the news, are you okay? Where are you?"
"I'm fine Iris. I'm with the others back in Gotham, i'm staying for a bit too get things settled through. I'll see you soon, I promise."
"You sound shaken up. My poor baby. Are you resting right now?"
"I can't. I've tried. I feel like a complete failure! I should've done more. I could've."
"You may be the fastest man alive but that doesn't mean you can stop everything. You are not a failure Barry Allen, you are the Flash. A hero who doesn't let set backs knock him down, who always gets back up. I've known you since you were a kid, you've always been a fighter. This isn't any different. You need to run. Run as fast as your feet will take you. Be the Flash."
Barry rubbed his temple and cracked a slight smile. "For you? I will. I love you Iris West."
"And I love you too. Take care and come see me once it all goes over, I miss you."
Superman and Martian Manhunter returned to the batcave. Bruce glanced at them, "Welcome back."
"Find anything?" Superman asked.
"I think I've caught a lead." Bruce nodded.
"Good, then assemble the team."