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Shadow King-4

Clark stepped through the carcass of what would have been the ballroom. Seeing it in daylight it took him aback at the sheer magnitude of the destruction that surrounded him. He was so used to be indestructible. Used to simply plowing through concrete without a second thought, this is where lives were lost, hurt. Looking to his left he saw Bruce standing amongst the debris, his back turned to him.

Clark rarely took the time to take in the other man always fighting the mask but not the human behind it. Bruce was strong not just body but by mind as well, something the others in the league, including himself, could not master. Sometimes he forgets that Bruce is only human..no powers, just him.

"Is there something you want?"

Clark broke out of his thoughts coming over to where Bruce was. "What are you going to do?"

At the question Bruce turned to look at Clark. Seeing the look of guilt in the others eyes made Bruce oddly compassionate. Something you rarely saw him show out right.

"It wouldn't be the first time I had to rebuild my house. So stop blaming yourself."

Clark took note of the picture Bruce held in his hand. "Some things you can't replace."

Bruce ran his thumb over the damaged picture of his family photo. "No... tell me what you know of Darkside."

Clark sighed walking away from Bruce. "What can I say? He is stronger than any opponant I have ever faced."

"I know that...I want to know his background. His history."

"I'm surprise you don't know by now." Clark stated.

"There was nothing in the Watch Tower main frame about him when I hacked it. suggesting that you didn't keep records there in the first place. I would go to your fortress but seeing that is all kryptonian knowledge No point going there. YOU need to tell me. So I know what I'am up against. I've dealt with my fair share of men stronger than me. Simply going into battle without a plan will only result in failure."

Clark looked back at Bruce who set the picture down in a box. "You aren't fighting him."

Bruce met Clark's eyes. The expression he gave caused Clark to quickly explain. "You barely made it out of here alive."

"I was in a tux not my suit." Bruce shot back coming over to the kryptonian... "Clark letting your fear take over you will do us no good. Worrying about me is frankly stupid."

Clark glanced over at him. "You won't let this go will you?"

"You're what people look to when things get tough. If the world senses the fear in their strongest hero then panic will take over. I can help you Clark but by keeping secrets won't do us any favours."

Clark stared at him a moment longer finally caving in. "Darkseid in his own right is a God. He comes from the world Apocalypse. He is yet to have weaknesses that I have seen. He is incredibly intelligent, telepathic and has a energy source that is very much like my heat vision but much more lethal. I can't express to you how dangerous he is. His only concern is to eradicate all life."

"On earth?"

Clark shook his head. "No. Not just earth but the universe. Everything that breathes, lives for good he will zap the energy out of it."

Bruce crossed his arms as he thought. Since he's known Clark he'd presumed that he was untouchable, but this was the first time he has seen fear in the usually optimistic face. Finally bruce spoke.

"What did he do to you?"

Clark blinked. "How do you mean?"

Bruce gave a disapproving look. "Clark."

Clark ran a hand through his hair casting his eyes down. "It happened way before the league was formed, that is why it wasn't in the data base. I had only been acquainted with Diana a short while. Darksied appeared in Themyscira . Had annihilated half over her army in mere moments. In order to spare the lives of her and her people. I...surrendered myself to him. How long I was in Apocalypse was beyond me. All I knew was my time there was hell-ish in nature. He attacked my mind, my body, I just couldn't fight back...not that it was from lack of trying. By the time I was rescued I barely knew myself. It took me weeks to recuperate. Bruce..the possibility of me losing myself is to great. You know the risk. If it weren't for you who knows what I would have done. Luthor is one thing. Darksied. He could use me to tear apart the very home I have grown to love and the people in it."

"..Come with me." Bruce stated as he took the lead.

Clark silently followed Bruce to the last place he expected. His bed room. Clark watched as Bruce walked over to his closet. Reaching up he removed a thin case. Coming over to where Clark stood he handed it to Clark.

Unsure, Clark took it opening the lid to reveal a piece of torn fabric with the letter R on it. Furrowing his brow he looked at Bruce.

"What is this?"

"That was off of Dick's old uniform. The last one he wore. I keep it as a reminder."

"A reminder of what?"

"That no matter how much you prepare for something it will always come down to a statistic. The possibility of it blowing up in your face is always there but, you still fight, you still go against the fear, the unknown. It comes second nature to me, because I can either let fear take over or embrace it. I choose to use fear as a weapon."

"I..I don't think I can do that." Clark confessed.

"You have to Clark. Or else this mission we face will fail." Bruce said and for the first time Clark saw the wall come down for a moment. The granite like exterior he held was gone. The other man walked over placing a hand on Clark's shoulder. "You aren't alone this time. If it even kills me I won't abandon you."

Clark was taken aback by the sincerity in Bruce's voice and the gentleness of his touch. After a moment Clark handed Bruce the cloth.

"We better gather up the rest of the team."

Bruce cocked an eye brow lowering his hand. "We?"

Clark smiled. "Bruce..from where I am standing. You are the only person I know strong enough to lead the league. If I were to ever fall to the other side. I want you to take my place."

It was Bruce this time who was slightly stunned by the gesture. Then he silently accepted the offer realizing the magnitude of the offer. He stepped aside.

"After you."

The motorcycle made it's way down the winding mountain pass. The red dot on the screen quickly followed behind him. With a unknowing grin Dick kicked the bike up to the next gear. Pulling out a gun from his belt he waited as he rounded the corner before firing it releasing a net. Sticking the gun back he pressed a button on the right handle engulfing the net with an electrical barrier. Glancing behind him he smirked when he looked back in front of him hurriedly stopped the bike with a harsh skid. Stopping inches from the red feet in front of him.

Barry stood there a cheeky grin on his face. "Nice net...fishing for something?"

Dick removed his helmet. "You cheated."

"Said the loser. You owe me fifty bucks."

Dick gave an incredulous look. "It was agreed it was twenty."

Barry laughed.

Dick got his bike. "I know you cheated because I mapped out the area. You cut through the east side of the river, up the bank and over the other side of the mountain."

Barry crossed his arms

"You have no proof-" he trailed off as he saw the small screen Dick held in his hand. Showing the path his energy signature left.

"That could be...you actually have a device that tracks me?" Barry asked in disbelief.

Dick placed the device back in his pocket. "Not just you. But both Superman and Supergirl."

Barry snorted. "Does your girlfriend know you keep tabs on her?"

"She's not my girlfriend." Dick stated.

"Oh yeah, since when?"

"None of your business."

barry thought for a moment then it hit him. "Aw c'mon man. Superman would not deliberately not tell you the truth about Darksied. He has his worries."

"I just don't by that he can't beat this guy...but even the strongest have their equal. I'm not mad at him anymore and it's not because I don't care about Kara. My priorities have changed." Dick stated.

"How so?"

"..Bruce. He is not as he used to be. He could have died that night. I will be darned if I stand by and not protect him."

Barry stepped forward. "I know..we didn't make your transition into the league as easy one. You and Batman had quite the reputation, but after seeing what you two did to do to safe Clark. I knew that we would be stupid not to take you guys in."

Dick opened his mouth to respond when suddenly his phone came to life. Pulling out he smiled. "Speak of the devil. I have to go duty calls."

"Race you back?" Barry challenged.

"Maybe next time. I need to head back home first."

"Alright..you still owe me money."

"In your dreams pal." Dick concluded as he put on his helmet brought the bike to life and sped passed him.

Barry went to leave when it hit him. "Of course I have to clean up his mess...hopefully he powered it down."

Dick zipped down the mountain when suddenly rubble began to rain down upon him expertly he manoeuvred the bike away from the debris. Just when he thought he was in the clear something sharp impaled his front tire sending him up and over his ride. Rolling from the impact he groaned. Gritting his teeth he gingerly got to his feet. His eyes honing in on the mountain then his instinct came into play, somersaulting out of the way of the blast he spun around fist clenched.

"Who's there?...he was met with an eerie silence... "Show yourself!"

"Dick!"

Dick turned to see the speedster. "Barry stay-"

Barry watched in shock as Dick was hit and sent over the edge and out of sight. "Dick!"

Barry went to follow when he froze in his place a loud boom met his ears followed a swirling portal. He tensed as he saw a dark face with piercing red eyes!

A/N: Review if worth it! Thanks for reading.

KS.