The temple was different from when he last was here. Granted it was half of Apokalips back then. But he could tell the difference between what he knew, what was new and what he didn't recognize. And this was the third.

Great round support columns, rounder and thicker than trees held the great ceiling from above like it was the sky. The stone that made them clung together overhead and beneath them was a specific color, making it seem as they walked under a great muddy sky above and dusty dirt road beneath them.

Erron Black's gun belt rattled as he stepped behind him. D'Vorah's cloak flapped, but otherwise she was soundless, save for the buzzing that would come from around her, or even from her. Keeping pace only half a step ahead of him was Kotal who never dropped the look of determination or seriousness from his face.

As for Superman, he very much looked out of place, though he did not feel it himself even though it was very much true. His bright colors were brought out even more against the duller palate of Outworld. His cape flowed from side to side, his 'S' appearing bigger and brighter than before. As he walked he eyed from side to side and up to down at the temple as many onlookers or passerby's did the same curiously to him.

"Had some changes done?" he asked genially turning to Kotal.

"The Imperial Palace was vacated once we had beaten Mileena out of the city" he explained as they continued to walk "It is the seat of power in Outworld. As long as it is in our possession the realm is ours" he paused as they entered the council chambers before sitting down within it "But it is not yet safe" Erron and D'vorrah took their places finding seats on opposite sides of Kotal. Superman sat down across from him, as casually and comfortable as if it was to dinner with Ma and Pa. His cape hung down over his shoulders as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as his hands were clasped together. "The jungle's of Outworld are thick and easy for hiding. That was where we last saw her retreating there" Superman nodded to everything Kotal said. D'vorah's head twisted from one side to the other as her eyes blinked out of sync. Erron Black despite hiding his face seemed like he couldn't be bothered with much else.

"Scouting the jungle will be easy for me" Superman said. His X-ray vision would see to that.

"Whatter you?" Erron asked for a brief pause, but long enough for Superman to turn to him "Some kind of jack of all trades"

"The only thing that concerns me is something I already know is in abundance in this realm; magic" he explained. He knew a few spells and counters, but nothing could effectively prevent himself. This world was distant and as of now, still new enough. He didn't know if everything Zatanna taught him would work here. So far the sunshine didn't seem to have any adverse effects on him, so he would stay quiet on that for now.

"Rather scout than fight?" Erron asked as he moved a loose bullet through his fingers, starting at the thumb and going to his pinky before rounding it back around. "Most trails I've followed lead to only one thing"

"I wouldn't worry too much about that" Superman said confidently before sitting back up "You're looking at the champion of Warworld" None seemed to impressed, or knowledgeable of the subject, so he explained further "Think of it similar to your Mortal Kombat Tournaments"

"There hasn't been one of those in decades" Kotal told

"This will be put to the test soon enough Raiden's ally" D'Vorah's voice creaked to Superman. Erron took off right as she finished.

"Your ally ain't too keen on getting his hands dirty with us. Hm" He huffed under his mask "You're a better ally to us by comparison I'll give you that" his head tipped to one side and his hat even further. Superman could hear some resentment in his voice, but he stated it as a hard fact rather than to mock.

"I'm sure he has his reasons" he said rationalizing it himself "Once you reach out to-"

"Well will in good time" Kotal interjected "But time is now against us" he warned ominously "I have already sent scouts to patrol all of Outworld"

"Thanks for the offer though" Erron grunted dismissively

"When last we saw Mileena she had taken refuge in the jungle" Kotal continued on where he left off. Superman's eyes remained on Kotal as he spoke. "Her strength grows every second we give her. But she will not remain idle forever. She is not the kind to hide for too long, but her rashness may work against her. Her arrogance will be her undoing. It is what started this in the first place when she did not heed our warning"

Superman took in all these words, but realized that there were two sides to each story. But if it wasn't clear enough, that time was clearly gone.

"And no truce will work?" he asked. Silence was his answer which lead him to an uncomfortable realization "It must be done" he told sternly "With the least cost to life". None if he had his way.

"Never fought in war have ya?" Erron asked as he rolled his head up.

"World War 3" he responded.

"Like that Warworld?" he replied just as dismissive.

"Erron, enough of this" Kotal scolded him his voice never rising above it's usual tone, but while the gunslinger did not recoil from the command, he did remain silent.

Superman and Kotal then returned to look to each other "This is no time to quarrel amongst ourselves" Kotal said and Superman agreed with a nod, but he eyed over Kotal's shoulder as he spoke. It was just another narrow hallway no different than the one they entered from. His eyes focused further and though there was nothing there but more columns and at the very end a window to the outside world he could swore he saw something move. Something colorless and shapeless that started to drift ever closer to Kotal from behind and entered the room without so much as anyone noticing. No one except for Superman "We must focus-"

'"LOOK OUT!" Superman shouted as he flew over Kotal's shoulder. None of them had any time to react or even blink he moved so fast. But by the time they knew what was going on and turned around to see it Superman was already on the other side of the room. One hand raised behind his head ready to strike, the other pinning a scaly green reptilian like creature the size of a man to the wall. They all went over to encircle him.

"Faster than a speeding bullet" Erron mumbled through his mask. Kotal continued and dared to go forward.

"Ease yourself" Kotal said as he put a hand to Superman's forearm and lowered it. The other free arm went with it and his grip on the creature loosened. It was brought back down to their level. Kotal put a hand on his shoulder.

"This is another ally. Reptile" Kotal explained "He was the first to support my claim"

"Oh" Superman let out as his eyes went from Kotal back to Reptile "From all your talk, I thought it an assassin" Superman said looking over Reptile. Killer Croc was the first thing that came to mind.

The first thing it did was grumble and roll it's neck with it's mouth open loosely as it dripped saliva down. Superman saw that when they fell the burned into the stone floor. It grumbled and cackled before turning to the Kryptonian.

"Who is this who dare attack me?!" he asked menacingly bearing his teeth that dripped green drool that when the dropped burned through the stone floor.

"Easy friend, I did not mean any harm" Superman put his hands up defensively, his voice apologetic.

"Do not call me friend" he corrected menacingly

"I'm on your side in all of this" he said putting his hands back down continuing to speak calmly "Just seems strange for someone to be hiding within his own home"

"I return with the scouts. That is my reason for shielding myself" he pointed to him and did not seem to be done talking. "This is my home, for I have nothing left. I am the last Zatarean"

"And I am the last son Kryptonian" Superman responded putting a hand to his chest trying to find common ground with Reptile. "But our tragedies only make us stronger. And we're all here to make this a better place"

Reptile grumbled and was more than ready to argue idealism with Superman, but Kotal interjected to remain on the matter at hand.

"And what is it that you have to report". Reptile's eyes lingered on Superman warily before he brought them to Kotal.

"More of our scouts have returned. But even more have not" his voice cracked when he spoke. It was hard like his scales. Kotal took this word the worst though he did not show it. "But those that did have news of a newcomer to her camp". Everyone perked up at the sound of that and though Superman had a guess as to who. "A woman with long black hair like death. A golden breastplate, covered in red, like blood. She brandishes a sword and shield" he explained every word foreboding. The more he spoke and described her the more every one else eyes drifted towards the newcomer. And right as they did he shouted out.

"Diana!" Superman exclaimed in shock.

Kotal was the first to respond, turning to him "Your friend seems to be making herself at home amongst my enemies" he stated suspiciously, his eyes peered in on him.

"There must be some mistake" Superman insisted and soon began to rationalize, but it was only viewed as excuses "she must mistake her for Kitana-"

"Perhaps it is you who is false" Kotal accused fiercely, cutting him off. "Come to infiltrate my camp". Superman saw Erron's hands grip his guns as Reptile looked to Superman like he was going to get a chance to redeem himself.

"Don't let you're rage get the better of you" Superman advised calmly. There may be none this time, but he would not allow it to manifest like this. They paused in their movements; the four of them starred him down each one of the verge of attack while he remained as he was. "She could be a prisoner" he looked over to Reptile "How was she? What was she doing? What was her condition?"

"I had little time to see" he cocked his head "Before we began to be slaughtered"

"He doesn't even know" Superman said before turning to Kotal "But I know she would never do such a thing" he insisted "She may need our help. If this time is as pressing as you make it, this is no time to quarrel with me"

"Nor to take any chances" Kotal responded. His eyes drilled holes into Superman as he stood before him.

A breeze from outside trickled past them, Superman's cape flapped. And when it was gone and his cape slumped back down, it began.

Kotal was the first to react. He came forward with his hand up over his shoulder to grab the handle of his sword. He gripped it tightly swung it down over his shoulder and unleashed it down onto Superman who did not budge. The sword connected with Superman's head and the moment it did, it shattered into two pieces as Superman looked as if he hadn't even registered the blow. Without loosing momentum Erron fired off a few round, but still Superman did not budge and instead he remained in place as the flattened bullets fell to the ground once they hit his body.

They four of them were all stunned and now took a few cautionary steps back away from him. D'Vorah and Reptile dared not even attack now. Superman hadn't moved, budged or even blinked from the moment this altercation started.

"Strange" he finally let out, his voice lower and his amicable tone gone "Such brazen action is something I'd expect from Shao Kahn. And not the man who opposed him" his eyes narrowed onto Kotal and he took a step forward. His step made each of them move away, now pinning themselves along the wall. "This need not go any further than you've already taken it" he warned. Kotal though he was taller than him shrunk before him. All of the command he had over everyone else in the room, the marketplace where they met and all of Outworld meant nothing now.

"..no" Kotal admitted smally "perhaps not.." he took a humble step forward and bowed his head "I am at your mercy"

"Then keep it" Superman insisted as Kotal looked back up in him, disbelief evident all over his face "I didn't come here to fight needlessly. I've come only to improve relations between out two worlds and help if I can" Kotal's mouth gaped open as Superman spoke "Our deal stands, help me get home and I'll help you" he pointed to himself and then the new ruler of Outworld.

Kotal returned to standing tall and proud, humbled as he came to a simple conclusion.

"This one has honor" he concluded. A golden jointed finger reached out to put itself between them all before unraveling it's fingers. Everyone followed it as D'Vorah stepped forward.

"Kotal-" D'Vorah exclaimed.

"He has earned this enough" Kotal said stepping forward "He has come far. Too far perhaps.. but he will be a greater asset than enemy.. we will all get what we want by keeping together" They looked to her and contemplated their Kahn's words and then over to Superman who stood where he was. He had not even thought to attack them, he had not even tried to defend himself. Kotal composed himself as well as he could before he stepped forward "My army marches" Kotal said as he stepped forward softly now and spoke with humility "We would be honored if you would join us" he offered his hand a second time.

"Let's take it from the top again" he said as he shook it. The others came around, slowly this time and eyeing him with skepticism. "Wish we had gotten this out of the way sooner" he said aloud as the both dropped their arms and the others timidly came round them.

"Yer friend.." Erron spoke looking him over "she anythin' like you?"

"Most friend are aren't they?" he asked with a bemused grin "You'll find out for yourself when we get her". Reptile slumped around Kotal as Superman turned back to him "What did you see of my friend?"

Reptile gargled "Only that she was in the presence of Mileena"

"Then she's done no harm. As I thought" he smiled and then nodded to himself before he turned back to Kotal "Our objectives seemed aligned now. What's your plan?"

Kotal stepped forward and spoke proudly

"We shall be rid of Mileena, rescue your friend, return you home and bring peace to Outworld!" he raised his fist into the air

"Then let's put an end to this" Superman nodded in agreement "-But first" he said as if he now had the powers to command over them. Which they very likely felt he did for the all went silent looked to him obediently. Kotal kept talking about what would come first, but Superman would have assurances first. "Contact Raiden"

They had no choice, but to oblige him.

She dunked her head under the water, bubbles escaped from her mouth as she opened her eyes to see the clear blue void. Then as quickly as she plunged it down she hurled her head back up flinging herself clear of the water, her hair swinging up even higher in a dense wet clump before falling back down behind her head with a thick 'splat' to accompany it. Countless tiny droplets fell from each individual black strand.

Her eyes scanned over to see Kitana beside her peering downward into the river. The tiara sitting comfortably on her head, reflecting the light of the sun off her head and then back from the waters edge to her. It shined and flashed like a star as it sat pointed atop her head, elevating her beauty making her even more radiating. A welcome relief given all she's endured. She rolled her face from one side to the other, favoring one side before shoving over to the other.

Diana looked to her with an amused smile before she plunged her head down again and when she did Mileena paused from looking to herself as her unnatural eyes drifted over to her. She started with the mat of beautiful dark hair- not unlike her own- to see a slender neck and toned back. She ventured further, her body now arching back as her eyes did to trace her back and reached her legs and her dangling skirt. She bent back further to see is she if she could peak and see anything else, but Diana suddenly brought her head back up sat up as Mileena scurried away, unnoticed.

Diana let out a refreshing 'Ah' before looking over to see Kitana, seemingly about to fall into the river as half her arm was already under. Diana just smiled oblivious to her antics before she turned upwards, to the try to peer past the dense jungle top, where only a faint sight of open sky could be seen. She eased back to take a seat and Kitana feeling bolder came to sit beside her again.

Reaching down between them were their signature sets of weapons. Diana reached down for Kitana's and looked at it approvingly.

Diana held the Sai up to the sky and watched as the prongs cut the sunlight. It cast a thin long shadow over her face, flanked by two shorter ones on each side. She rotated her hand to view it further. Then flicked her wrist around to wave it as easily and naturally as if she'd been trained with it all her life.

"Do you like it?" Kitana asked eagerly next to her.

"It has good balance and weight to it. Though I'm not as used to working with them" she answered as she twirled it around one more time before extending the handle over to her; beneath them was her sword and shield. She took it and stabbed it to the ground to keep it in place with the other one.

"I shall make a pair for you" she suggested

"That's unnecessary-"

"For commemorations" she insisted leaning closer as Diana relented with a friendly laugh

"For my Empress of course. I would treasure them" Diana smiled

"Like a sisterly gift" she replied, possibly in a question.

"Of course" she paused "But I must say I miss the fans" Diana smiled, but Kitana did not seem amused. She said nothing after that and instead seemed content to pout miserably next to her as she slouched over. Diana took that time in the silence and peace to look around at the riverbed before them and the jungle that surrounded them.

"I was surprised at first, but now..." she paused as she looked around further "it reminds me so much of home" she said aloud as the sun kissed her skin and the water trickled down her body.

"I'm sick of this jungle" Kitana spat beneath her veil.

"There are palaces of course" Diana insisted. Being tucked away here so long she could understand what ailed her. "You didn't get to see it, but it was half of Shang Tsungs island last time". Kitana stirred uncomfortably at that name. "But now it's returned to being normal, to being home" she said relieved

"Home" a voice croaked next to her and sat in the same manner as Diana, but kept her eyes downward. "Must be nice" she said somewhat spitefully.

"Well it helps when I'm among friends" she said trying to ease her more. Kitana mused over the words she said and the new title she was given, but she was still silent.

She then turned her head away from the water, her reflection now somehow seemed to disappoint her. And pity and remorse came back to Diana's gaze when she turned away from her. "Where is home?" she asked drearily trying to return a compliment she was just given.

"Back on my Earth" Diana told all that and more "Themyscria. Paradise Island. An island of all women". Kitana took note of all her descriptions, specifically that last one.

"It would seem like a paradise if you came from it" Kitana said as her tongue traced her lips rather wildly under the veil.

"It is not unlike your Edenia" Diana smiled back

"I have no memories of Edenia" Kitana then said a bit spitefully "Only Outworld. That is my kingdom"

"Your home"

She paused for a moment before answering "yes" she hissed.

"You must come to see it when we are done here"

"When we are done here I must rule, and make sure there are no more threats to my reign"

"Of course" she smiled in agreement. A silence overtook them again and Kitana seemed sure to end it. Her eyes traced greedily as Diana looked at her surroundings.

"This paradise island..." she paused, Her hand slowly crawled on it's fingers, till it was about to touch hers "what is the entertainment?" it crept just a bit further.

"An average day" Diana shrugged, looked up and thought back to her times on the island. Even when it was a universe away she could still remember the steepness of the hills, the shadows of the mountain, feel the sand and the running water and hear her fellow amazon sisters laughing. "we swim, we ride, we fight" she listed them off casually, that last one getting her attention.

"Fight do you?" she perked up "That I've seen before"

"Sparring, training, riding swimming. Nothing you're not used to"

"Would you like to swim here then?" she asked suggestively as her fingers dabbled on the waters top.

"I'm fine sunning myself right here" Diana said as she leaned back and closer her eyes as the sun continued to dry her. Her eyes closed she was unable to see Kitana become somewhat displeased by her offer and she ran her hands threw her hair aggressively to try to think of a new one. It came to her quickly.

A shadow suddenly overtook Diana and she felt five digits entangle her wrist and five black nails pinch her skin. She looked up to see Kitana standing over her, kneeling down "Come" she cooed in a raspy voice as she helped Diana up and she followed. She stalled for a moment to grab her sword and shield before following her back to the camp. Strangely she never let go of her hand in all that time.

"Tanya! Rain!" she called out, but only one of them appeared and knelt before her "Tanya my loyal servant" she called and Tanya seemed determine to hide her face when she said that. "Where is Rain?" she asked.

"Out on patrol empress" Tanya answered "After the debacle with enemy scouts we did not want to be too careful"

"Tsc" Kitana scoffed as if disappointed he was checking the perimeter and not here to answer her beck and call. "Very well them you will have to do" she said as she walked over, letting Diana's fingers fall from hers and standing opposite Tanya. "Rise" she commanded. Tanya did so and when she did she found her empress taking a stand as if she was getting ready to fight someone. As she found out when she voiced it, that some one was her.

"Now come and face me as if you're life depended on it". Tanya was taken back for a moment, and looked to Diana, possibly seeing her as the cause of this. But she was just as off put herself.

"What is the meaning of this?" she asked taking a step forward and putting her arm out between them. Kitana looked at her, her expressive orange eyes seemed surprised by her response.

"I thought it would please you" she let out with a voice to match them.

"Not now, not like this, not on the eave of your victory". Kitana's stance loosened.

"We must always be ready for kombat" she then bladed her body towards her "Do you wish to partake against me instead?" she asked in a seductive voice as her eyes flashed to her. Tanya looked on jealously. Diana would not get a chance to respond as Rain would, finally making it here.

"Empress! Empress!" he panted and stopped before her and quickly took a knee.

"Slow as ever Rain. Like an oncoming storm" she let out an amusing little laugh at her own joke, but when no one else did she quickly stopped "What is it?"

"The pretenders armies" he paused to breath "They are on the move". Her eyes widened in shock, everyone else went to her. "They are heading this way" Kitana stood there in the silence, every one waiting on them.

"How did they find us so quickly?" Tanya asked aloud, but her eyes went to Wonder Woman. She raised a hand and was going to point it at her "This is your doing?"

"You dare accuse me?" Diana responded fiercely which certainly caught the eye of Kitana who watched in fascination "Of what crimes?"

"Espionage"

"You will not threaten my sister!" Kitana lashed out against Tanya who cowered away from her in shock. Her outburst as sudden and volatile as it was was certainly just that, but it's effect was felt on everyone and Kitana saw it written on Diana's face. "This is no time to fight!" Kitana scolded putting herself between them "Not now, not like this, not on the eave of my victory" she quoted Diana eerily. Tanya was frustrated and concerned by her words, and the way she said it certainly got Diana's attention as well. Tanya opened her mouth to speak and point to her again, but she was cut off by her leaders voice.

"Empress M-"

"It doesn't matter!" Kitana declared aggressively, making Tanya shrink in place "The time has come. I will be rid of them once and for all and reclaim my birthright. And I will greatly reward all those who have served me" she moved like she was going to storm off, but stopped short, coming intimately close with Diana. She took in a quick sharp breath, so much so that she almost sucked her veil in the process making it appear jagged and uneven when it touched her jaw briefly. "Will you fight for me?" she whispered as if uncertain of the answer.

Diana simply smiled "Of course"

The soldiers rallied, grabbing their weapons and stepping into their armor. Diana walked with Kitana through the camp. Tanya and Rain left to prepare the army. Leaving the two warrior princesses to themselves, which Kitana seemed to enjoy greatly the more and more; something Diana took note of.

"When this is all over I will grant whatever you want" she said.

"Help getting back home would be welcomed"

"Will you not stay?" she asked in an innocent almost melancholy way.

"How long I can't say" Diana said before turning to her "But you did say I'd get what I wanted"

"You wish only to serve yourself" she said a bit more belligerent.

"You said you'd reward me, but you being home will be reward enough" she said and Kitana eased up.

"Well..." she paused, flustered "merely name it" Kitana declared in a frustrated grunt. Diana acknowledged the sentiment

"Just to help me find my friend when we are done". Kitana nodded to her before she tensed up again.

"Will Earthrealhm not help?"

"I do not know why they fall behind" she admitted remorsefully. She had thought she had allies there. The Shalin Monks, Special forces "but my Earth knows even less of Outworld and it's plight"

"Perhaps we should take it to them when we're done"

"They'll see the error of their ways" Diana insisted. Superman wanted to find Raiden after all. Perhaps he's already made contact with them and would be able to add their strength to theirs. They walked on in silence for a few more moments "When it comes I shall be the first into battle" Diana declared.

"You made short work of my soldiers. I can't wait to see their entire army run form you" she laughed, surprisingly evilly as she complimented Diana smiled "But save the usurper for me"

Diana nodded "It'll be a nice change to fight side by side". She couldn't agree more.

"You seem fearless" Kitana said "This will all be over soon, You should be relieved" she said reassuringly, so much so that it turned Kitana just a little bit.

"When it happens I will be" she said as she brought a hand up to trace the silver tiara. Still sensing restlessness in her Diana tried to ease her mind

more.

"Kitana-"

"Please" she let out sounding strangely vulnerable as she quickly cut her off "..can you call me..." she stammered and her voice became quieter with each new letter than came out of her mouth. So much so that she did not hear the end of it. What she thought she heard was 'mil' but she wasn't sure.

"Call you what?" she leaned forward. Kitana composed herself a little more before looking up to her, confident again.

"Call me sister". Diana smiled innocently.

"Of course sister"

Justice League Watchtower

"I'm not getting much of a reading" Mr. Terrific said as Batman hovered over him; his presence was suffocating. Flash did as well, but gave him a little more space to work. But with Batman bearing down on him as if he was his own shadow it still wasn't much.

"You are sure they're safe?" Batman asked seriously.

"For certain" he answered.

"Think they're in a different realhm?" Flash asked with crossed arms and began to count off on his fingers raising each one for a name he spoke "Order? Chaos? Nether-"

"They wouldn't be in the Netherrealm" Batman dismissed the notion. "They'd be ejected"

"Nice we meet some standards" he shrugged uncrossing his arms.

"Well, right now you'd head straight to Earthrealhm. No doubt about it" Mr. Terrific told

"Yet they're on opposite sides" Batman said as he saw two blips on the screen; one in the mountains of Asia the other in North America.

"Whenever I send them through it's always calibrated to the correct location" Mr. Terrific insisted, something the other two didn't doubt.

"Then it's something else" Batman said grimly. "The effects of their world or some foul play. I don't know which but..."

"But..." Flash leaned in. Batman did not answer initially. But he spoke before he moved away from them.

"We should move soon" he said heading over to the portal, just a few steps beyond the station. Flash followed behind him as Mr. Terrific stayed at his monitor.

"You sure this is a good idea?" he asked as they stepped forward "Seems like we're running out of people to call. And you six being there before.. well there's no one else on speed dial"

"There's enough portals to make it back" Batman said coming to a stop, the winding and whirling of the portal before him "Getting there seems to be the problem" he looked back over his shoulder.

"He didn't mean that!" Flash called back to Mr. Terrific apologetically. When he turned back around he saw that Batman had already leaped straight into the portal.

With nothing else to do he quickly took off after him. Truth be told he was all for going back to the other world; being the first one who made it to the other side last time and keeping contact with Lui Kang seemed to make him more susceptible to the idea. But now...things seemed different, maybe even worse. And to make matters worse his friends may not know about it. So when Batman said their best option to help them was to get there themselves he voiced no opposition.

True to his name Flash made it the portal only a step behind Batman, but the portal made the world around him stretch and time slow. So he always seemed to see Bruce or at least his cape flowing before all of a sudden he couldn't. That was until he suddenly vanished before him at the other edge.

Batman plopped down to the ground and he felt it shift beneath him before he landed hard. He did not move in place; his body was frozen and rigid among his surroundings. His eyes scanned from left to right. There was a blue-whitish hue to the world now, under the darkness of the night sky. The temperature had dropped drastically, chilling him in place. He shifted his feet the movement only warming him up so much and the snow fell off the rims of his boots and clumped down with the rest of it.

Looking ahead he saw the edges of the mountains ahead; mountains, but not the ones where Captain Marvel was. He looked over the edge of it and saw the dark abyss below. He remained motionless for a few more moments, realizing that where ever he was he could not stay here. That, and because he heard the clumping and crunching of snow; someone approach him from behind.

He turned around to see he stood in the shadow of an already dark sight. Pointed roofs etched into the mountainside, ice dangling from their edges. And coming out from one of them, with hardly any clothes on was a man draped in a simple blue garb with only a thick black beard to keep his face warm, but he did not seem deterred by the cold.

He stopped standing a few paces across from Batman. And the two's eyes met.

It was not their first meeting.

For Flash things couldn't be any more different. He was inside of an abandoned building; it was dirty and grimy all around. Just looking at it made him feel sick and yet he was standing in it. Yet despite the fact that it was abandoned it was filled to the brim. He was surrounded on all sides by barbed wire fences. Behind them were guns, missiles and all kinds of weaponry. Large containers were piled atop each other all around him creating makeshift rooms and hallways that otherwise would not be there. He starred around further to try and get his bearings, but a sudden sound got his attention.

A voice. And one he recognized.

"I want cash in hand" a thick Australian voice let out aggressively before cackling echoing through the chamber. Turning around Flash saw as he entered the room through the chain linked fence. A glowing red eye and chest, wearing only pants to show off the intricacies of his tattoos and metal appendages on his bare muscular torso. He had a graying black heard over his face. In one hand was a piece of fruit and in the other a knife to cut it. He was mid way through a slice and a bite before he stopped both when he saw a bright red figure standing in the middle of his armory. All red save for a lightning bolt on his chest.

He lowered his arms a bit and his jaw hung in disbelief letting the fruit he just cut fall out and onto the floor. But all that disbelief soon turned into laughter.

"World comin' to an end an it's up ta me of all people to save it" he announced chuckling again "What are the chances of that? Always wanted to see what playin' hero feels like" he said as he tossed the fruit up and down in his hands playfully.

"Kano" Flashed snarled when his rambling was done.

"Oh runna remembers me" he said as he dropped the fruit to the ground, it clearly didn't interest him anymore. But the blade remained as he tossed it up and caught it. He repeated the motion as he closed the distance between them, but didn't press on to get too close with there still being a good amount of space between the two.

"I remember Joker giving you the run around last time" he said and it was Kano's turn to snarl and stare intensified, his eye glowed red. He certainly wasn't happy that was brought up "After me that is" Flash grinned confidently.

"It's bad manners to insult your host" he grinded his teeth and stepped forward clutching the knife tighter as he had stopped tossing it.

"You never learn do you" Flash asked as Kano's eye glowed bright red. Knowing what was coming next he took off to his left running across the room.

He had run away, quickly turning his leg to the left and ran as fast as he could. Kano eyed him puzzled at first, but then amused by the action, his eye glowing even redder by the moment. Flash continued to run, but no matter how hard he tried the room remained exactly the same and instead of turning into a blur. And instead of doing circles around it and hitting Kano each time he completed a lap he found he was hardly 10 feet away from where he first appeared.

Then out of the corner of his eyes a thick red laser shot out and would have hit him if he hadn't stopped at the last minute; instead it hit the fence behind him and exploded, the force from it sending him back, spiraling away through the air from the fire before landing on the cold floor and tumbling across it.

He landed face down and groaned. Weakly-and very slowly he used his right hand to propel himself up and leaned on his left against the ground.

He heard the echo of a pair of boots hitting the floor and he saw them stop before him. When he looked up he saw Kano looking down at him, a wry malicious smile on his face.

"Well, well" he ran a hand through his bearded chin " You don't look so good mate" he said before laughing darkly.

And Barry no matter how hard he tried or pushed himself to get up and run circles around him. He Couldn't.