"...And now my lady don't hurt me no more!"

The crowd applauded in appreciation.

"Thank ya folks, thank ya very much. I'd love ta stay, but I gotta do another show in Central City in two days and I need ma rest. Thanks a lot, you've been a great audience!" Greg took a final bow and exited stage left, the claps still sounding in his ears.

Ten minutes later, a knock came at the door. "This'd better be important!" called Greg.

The door opened. It was Jeremy, the bouncer this venue had supplied. And behind him was a milquetoast man in a suit and glasses. One who would be utterly unremarkable, but in this day and age, there was no mistaking Clark Kent's face. Not up close.

"Why Superman, long time no see!" said Greg, hurriedly rising to his feet. "Now what brings you all the way down here?"

"Walk with me, Saunders." Greg followed Superman outside. One advantage of performing in rural towns was that venues were often close to wide open spaces where a man could go for an evening stroll. Greg kept his hat on – sure, it was mostly for the crowds, but at this time of year the sun was still high enough to get in his eyes even at eight o'clock. Superman continued. "It's been three years since you last spoke out against the Justice Lords. Tell me, why did you stop."

"Well sir, I'll be honest with ya. At first, I was scared of what you might do. I mean, you locked up Oliver Queen, killed Bi... uh, anyway, I didn't want the same thing to happen to me."

"Only at first?"

"Well now I'd be lyin' if I said that still weren't a concern, but after I saw you beat off the Thanagarians, or when you put down that thing in Kasnia last year, I thought maybe the Justice Lords might just be the heroes we need."

"That's an attitude I like to hear. It's just a shame more people can't see it our way. Tell me, do you miss being Vigilante?"

"Often."

"You know, there are a lot of people who don't like what we're doing. They call us usurpurs, tyrants, even terrorists, as if we weren't responsible for eliminating all terrorism. And even with our resources, we can't be everywhere at once."

"So what's that got to do with me?"

"We need more people, Saunders. I'm prepared to offer you a chance to join us. If you accept, I'll deactivate your trace chip here and now. We won't be tracing all your movements, but rest assured, we will be observing you to see how you act on a longer leash. If we're satisfied after a year, we'll extend a formal invitation and you can become a superhero again."

"And if I don't satisfy ya?"

"Lobotomy."

"What if I refuse this offer?"

"Then nothing happens. You live out your life singing inoffensive country songs while we know every place you happen to visit."

"Well sir, when ya put it like that, how can I refuse?"

"Good. Show me your right shoulder." Greg rolled up his sleeve. Superman looked intensely at it, probably using his X-ray vision. Then, all of a sudden, an intense burst of heat and pain flashed through his shoulder, and he smelled burning flesh.

"OW! JEEZ! A little hard, don'tcha think?"

"It's the fastest and easiest way to disable one of those things."

"So it's really off then?"

"Don't you trust me?"

Greg knew better than to answer. Instead he just asked, "So now what?"

"Do as you wish. We'll be in touch." Superman looked like he was about to fly off when the air in front of the two started to shimmer. They stood, watching wearily, as the shimmering coalesced into what looked like a vertical line of white, shining light, about two metres tall. The light expanded into a rectangle seemingly standing on its own upon the trail.

After a few seconds, a white horse poked its head through. The head was quickly followed by the rest of the horse which, to Greg's amazement, had a pair of winds. Riding on the horses's back was a medieval knight in a red tunic over a golden suit of chainmail.

The knight spoke. "Greetings, good men. I am Sir Justin, the Shining Knight of Camelot, and I seek the so-called Lords of Justice who in this time have placed themselves over the kings of the Earth."

"I'm one of the Justice Lords," said Superman. "What do you want?"

Justin drew his sword and pointed it at Superman. "I am here to slay you and free the people of this time from your tyranny!"

"Woah, woah, partner," began Greg. "I don't think you realise..." But before he could finish, Superman punched Justin in the chest so hard he flew off his horse and landed several metres away.

To Greg's surprise, Justin didn't seem to be harmed. Slowly, he started raising himself to his feet.

If Superman was perturbed, he didn't show it. He calmly removed his glasses, then pulled open and removed his shirt and blazer in one fluid motion. Finally, he opened his belt and dropped his pants.

Now standing in his iconic black and white spandex, Superman took Justin's chin in his hand. "Let me explain something, sir Justin," he said in a tense but calm voice. "The Justice Lords are no tyrants. We saved the world from those who would have destroyed it. If it weren't for us HURRK! What? How did?" Superman staggered back, and Greg could see a large wound in his belly. Justin's sword was dripping with blood.

Superman's face contorted in rage. His eyes glowed a red that was the last thing seen by God knew how many criminals. Lasers shot from them, right into Justin's helmet. The beams... did nothing. Evidently becoming more frustrated, Superman punched Justin again, this time in the neck; Justin flew back, and his sword landed off to the side.

Once again, Justin tried to get up, but this time Superman was quick. He placed his foot on Justin's chest and barked "Stay down!" He continued, "Now I don't know how you were able..." Greg decided to take a chance. With Superman busy proclaiming his importance to Justin, Greg was able to creep around and grab the sword. Sneaking up behind Superman, he raised it above him, and stabbed it into Superman's back.

"...I used to believe people were AAAAAAGHGHGHG!" And with that, Superman collapsed, half on top of Justin.

"C'mon, partner," urged Greg, pulling Justing out from under Superman. "I don't think that'll keep him down for long."

"No. I must slay him now."

"You saw what he's capable of. Now this here sword of yours is mighty deadly, but even you can't defeat Superman on yer own, and that's assuming his buddies don't show up to help him. We gotta move!" Justin hesitated for a moment, then put two gauntleted fingers to his mouth and whistled.

His horse descended from their air above, where it had evidently flown in the confusion, and tucked in its wings. Justing alighted, then extended a hand to Greg. Greg hopped up behind him, and Justin drove his heels into the horse's flanks. The horse extended its wings once again and took flight. Greg looked back, and saw Superman was already getting back up.

"This is Superman. Need backup. Two fugitives fleeing my location. Be on the lookout for a knight and a cowboy riding a pegasus. Yes, that's what I said!"