The Parademons had come and with them had come Steppenwolf, and more of Darkseid's beasts. They'd been beaten back, but Bruce knew that that was just a lull in the real fighting and so here he was, in the Hall of Justice to ensure that the fighting could finally stop. He looked around, at the faces he'd fought alongside, the people he knew better than he did himself. He sighed. "I've come to talk. To end whatever ill feeling might be between us, and ask that we put aside our differences."
"Have you come to submit and admit your wrongdoings?" Diana asked. Her manner was that of a warrior who was prepared to fight and defend what she believed in at all costs.
"No." Bruce said, Diana immediately tensed, he ignored her and instead looked at Clark. "Clark, I have come here to speak to you. We must stop this intervention without request. The governments of the world are getting worried. Now that your son rules as King of Great Britain, they fear that every action you take is now on his behalf. Already there are rumours that European nations will wage war."
"Then they are fools and they will lose." Diana said.
"Clark, you must know that this constant intervention cannot last. The people are already getting worried. They will not tolerate much more of this." Bruce said. He didn't want to plead but he would if he needed to.
Clark didn't reply immediately, but when he did he simply said. "I swore a vow, Bruce. When Lois died, I swore a vow, to make sure that the world would not suffer as it did then. I have not yet fulfilled that promised. There is still suffering in the world, and until it is all rectified I shall keep fighting." He pointed to the S on his chest and said. "This sign means hope on Krypton, and it will bring hope to the people. They will not fear their governments, or fear for when they will get their next meal. Not anymore. Surely you can understand that?"
Bruce sighed, he could understand that. He'd been trying to bring such a thing to Gotham for two decades now. "Clark, you know there are other ways of doing this. Ways which will not cause such trouble and tension throughout the world."
"Those ways have not worked in the past Bruce. I will not be reactive anymore, I will be proactive and I will make a difference. So, will you side with me and help me bring in this new world?" Clark asked.
Bruce was sorely tempted, but then he took a breath. "I too swore a vow a long time ago Clark. I cannot join you." With that he turned, and used the breach tool to get back to the Bat Cave. When he got there he slumped back in his chair.
Alfred came then and poured him a drink. "How did it go?"
"There will be war." Bruce said, he removed his mask and looked at Alfred. "Am I doing the right thing?"
Alfred stopped and looked at him. "Master Wayne, the only thing you can answer right now is how many lives do you wish to protect. Superman might believe he is doing the right thing, but he is being influenced by someone who does not share his restraint. You must protect the world from that."
Bruce nodded. "They are my friends, I do not wish to go to war with them."
Alfred laid a hand on his shoulder and said. "Sometimes Master Wayne, that is all that war is. A fight between friends."