Disclaimer: I don't own the Justice league

A/N: Hi, guys back with another chapter. I just want to say that this chapter is dedicated to all of you; you've been very gracious in your reviews, alerts, and follows. Considering I was going to delete this story because no one was interested for the longest time. You are all great so hope you enjoy this chapter and tell me your thoughts good or bad I can handle it really. Here it is.

The Last Crusade-8

Nightwing was sure he was on his way to being traffic toe jam, but the impact never came. He was flying and so was his mentor or so he thought, but there is only one person who is known for flight.

Superman had heard the alarm miles up diving down, blasting, through earth's shield he zipped pasted the Daily Planet weaving through the busy streets adding on an extra boost to his acceleration to catch the two falling vigilantes. He gently put them down where they had cloaked the batwing in a back ally; he floated in the air, arms crossed along his chest.

"Do I even want to know what you're doing in Metropolis?"

Nightwing picked off a shard of glass that had stuck to his shoulder. "Sight seeing."

Clarks blue eyes locked on the dark knight. "What were you doing skulking around in Luthor corp.?"

Batman was surprised to hear the harshness coming from the man of steel. He straightened. "I needed information."

Superman's gaze darkened some. "Information on Luthor or on Me?"

Nightwing raised his eye brows in surprise. "Wow he's good."

Batman stepped forward. "Both." he simply answered

Superman was not impressed and both vigilantes weren't blind to notice that. Batman eyed him over, the krpytonian looked weary and physically drained as if he had pulled several all nighters in a row.

"Crime rate high in Metropolis?" Batman said his way of asking if the alien was alright.

Superman turned away staring at the city lights. He hadn't slept in days; plagued by nightmares he didn't understand. But now he decided that they weren't nightmares more like choppy memories that he couldn't make out. He couldn't concentrate, feeling a heightened sense of anxiety every time he protected somebody. It was almost sickening.

"Don't come to Metropolis again without talking with me first. If you get in trouble keep in mind that I might not be able to save you next time." he concluded

Both men watched as the man of steel leapt in the air and flew away. Nightwing frowned coming to stand by his mentor.

"I have a hunch that he meant won't instead of might… he unclenched his hand knowing that it was next to impossible to hide the viles from superman… "Here, I took as much as I could."

"It will be enough." Batman said turning back to the batwing to start his research.

Clark Kent sat at his desk the atmosphere was hectic but it was always to be expected. It was the daily Planet after all. Lois was on the phone the heated conversation had been going on for the last twenty minutes it was exhausting just listening to it. The majority of reporters, artists, and photographers were always itching for the big break he would be more than willingly to jump into the group but the noise was torturous. He winced at the bright light, bringing a hand to his forehead to ease the throbbing.

Lois slammed the receiver down hard; the day where she didn't have to fight tooth and nail to get info from resources would be a miraculous one she sighed leaning back in her chair. She caught sight of her boyfriend smirking at the thought that she was involved with everyone's version of a daily saviour. She noticed his slight discomfort so she got up from her desk and walked over to him.

"Hey, smallville…she frowned when he didn't bother looking up at her… "Hey, Clark are you alright?"

Clark straightened clearing his throat and straightened his glasses he looked at her. Giving a half hearted smile.

"Sure. You?"

She crossed her arms leaning against his desk. "Fine, but you look like a train ran you over."

He gave a sincere smile being honest. "I feel like it."

She walked over back to her desk grabbing her jacket and purse. She took his hand. "C'mon lets go."

"Where…Where are we going?" he asked as he was yanked out of his chair.

"I don't know about you but a latte is sounding nice about now. I'm buying so no fuss got it?" she said in Lois fashion.

In mere minutes they found themselves walking down the street stopping in front of a small coffee shop.

"I hope Perry won't yell at me for this." Clark said as he held the door open for the reporter.

"Perry can howl and bark all he wants we've been working like mad to explain all the heists that have been turning metropolis upside down. He'll understand and if he doesn't I'll bite back." Lois explained as she stood in line.

Clark waited patiently he squinted as his eye sight blurred blinking he removed his glasses hoping that maybe they were dirty.

Lois thanked the clerk holding the two steaming cups. She furrowed her brow coming to her lover's side.

"Here you go?"

Clark gladly took the cup. "Thanks."

The couple found themselves once more walking the street Clark took a few sips of his coffee aware of Lois's gaze on him. He glanced at her smiling.

"Thanks for the coffee Lois I have money if you…" he began

"Ok, cowboy what's going on with you?" she demanded.

"N-Nothing." Clark stuttered.

She stopped him pulling him over to the side. "Drop the theatrics smallville. I know when something is bothering you. I thought you'd trust in me enough to talk to."

Clark looked at her for a moment then cast his eyes downward. "…Something happened to me in the six weeks I was gone. Things I can't quite remember but there's apart of me that's afraid to."

She worriedly looked at him. "Why?"

Clark closed his eyes as muddled images flashed behind them. Blood, gun shots, needles. He opened his eyes.

"I'm not sure. All I know is that I'm scared, Lois I haven't slept in days I can't concentrate my… he paused as a family walked by… "My powers are weakening one moment then over powering the next; it takes all that I have to keep constant control. I don't know what to do."

Lois cupped his cheek in her hand hiding the shock of how cold he was. She smiled at him even though it broke her heart to see the blue eyes she loved so much filled with torment; never the day she thought would she ever see the strongest man in the universe be so vulnerable.

"Hey, I'm here you can stay at my place I'll tell Perry that it's a family emergency and that you have to lay low." Lois offered.

Clark smiled sincerely. "Lois… he drew her closer… "I lov-"

Lois was startled as Clark pushed her away slamming his eyes shut his coffee spilled to the side walk. He put both hands over his eyes alarming the other reporter.

"Clark! Clark." she tried to come to his aide but he stepped back.

Without a word he staggered back before running down the street and zipped out of view to a safe distance. He managed to make it into a secluded forest collapsing to his knees he removed his hands letting an agonized scream as his heat vision ran its destructive force a minute passed before it stopped. His hair was damp from sweat, panting as tried to calm his racing heart. He sat back letting out a shaky breath, his blue eyes dulled as he stared at the sky he passed out completely onto the ground.

Bruce adjusted the telescope lens seeing the broken down structure of the black kryptonite. It was beautiful it almost sparkled and glowed but he knew that it was a lethal component.

Alfred placed another tray beside the billionaire. "Here are samples H and G sir."

"Thank you Alfred." he said not looking up from the telescope.

Alfred poured two cups of tea from the silver tea pot. "Sir, if I may ask what are you hoping to find from these mineral deposits?"

Bruce sat back. "I'm hoping to create an antidote to the side effects. From the data I received from Luthor Corp. I found that he was able to combine each sample of kryptonite each having catastrophic response.

"I see, but to what end is he hoping to accomplish?" the butler asked handing him a steaming cup.

"He wants Superman's powers and in order to have full obedience he has to manipulate him. He would never succeed unless he made a new strain of kryptonite but even the amount of tests he performed he couldn't accurately calculate the out come."

"You think that he exposed Superman to this strain and that's why he was out of control." Alfred suggested.

Bruce set down his cup on the desk sliding over to his computer. "Look, at this. The effect it had on him neurologically was immensely distorted .It heightened dormant areas and blocked out the rational thinking of his brain. Serotonin levels are all over the place he was in excruciating pain but he wouldn't feel the side effects until afterwards."

"I assume the kind of man Luthor is; he wouldn't give him a small dose but enough to see the poor man turn into a monster." Alfred said

Bruce nodded activating another file. "Physical strength peak tripled, stamina was infinite, and speed acceleration couldn't even be charted."

"Remarkable." Alfred exclaimed, he caught sight of the worry on the other mans face… "I've seen that look before what is it?"

"Green kryptonite didn't even put a dent in his abilities he was immune to it. All that height of power and over flow stability wouldn't faze him. To have that sudden loss of it would put strain on your body. Almost like withdraw."

"It's been over six weeks why would he feel the effects now don't you think it would have been instantaneous?" Alfred stated.

"Like I said the accuracy of what would happen next would be impossible to get right. When I saw him yesterday he looked unwell and knowing Clark he's too much of boy scout to say anything to anybody in fear that someone will get hurt."

"If that is true sir we must find him before he hurts himself or others." Alfred suggested.

Bruce was out of his chair as the computer printed a copy of the diagrams and a written report. "I'm heading over to watch Tower perhaps the rest of the league will put our differences aside and focus on helping Superman."

"I'll be here when you return sir." Alfred bid him.

Lois bit the end of her pen nervously she couldn't concentrate on the story now when Superman was in trouble. She glanced up at the clock quarter after four; she had to give Perry a cover up for why his other star reporter was not working. She had said that she sent him out on a possible lead buttering up the boss so neither would get yelled at.

Jimmy rolled his chair over to her desk noticing her nervous habit. "Lois, where's CK?"

She snapped out of her daze paying her attention on her computer screen. "Huh, he's…he's out following a lead on the Luthor corp. break in."

Jimmy cocked his head. "Why are you nervous then?"

Lois swallowed. "Who says I'm nervous?"

"You always bite your pen when your nervous." the photographer pointed out.

She glared at him. "Don't you have photos to shoot Olson? in case you haven't noticed but I have a dead line coming up that is why I am nervous."

Jimmy raised his hand in surrender. "Sorry just wondering why CK wasn't around is all. Good luck with the deadline."

Lois sighed not meaning to snap at the guy. She typed a few lines more then glanced once more at the clock, where did he go? It's been three hours.

Just then Clark stepped out of the elevator straightening his suit. He walked passed Lois and Jimmy who immediately stood up they watched as he sat down at his desk. Jimmy walked over to him.

"Hey, CK, did you get that lead you were hoping for?"

Clark looked up smiling. "Nope but better luck next time right?"

"Huh right. Say you ok, you look a little pale." Jimmy asked.

"I'm fine Jimmy. Just a long day."

Jimmy smiled tapped the desk before walking away. Neither saw the dark smile that sat unnaturally on his lips nor the impending doom that would soon come upon them.

A/N: Huh-oh…

Thanks for reading!

Kindred Spirit.

P.S: Do you think Batman is 'Batman' for personality. I'm a tad bit worried some might think he's off kilter.