Issue #29 – TRUTH AND JUSTICE

Metropolis:

Batman arrived first, finding Kal-El using modified scanners on board his plane, followed by Wonder Woman. As Bruce touched down, he allowed Diana to lift him into the air and fly them both to the heart of the city, destroyed by war, and now the scene of a shocking battle.

"…Stop this…"

Superman swung, hitting nothing but air as the Flash dodged, moving as a blur. Flash sped past him, knocking him off his feet due to the sheer force of the speed he was travelling at. Then it was Lanterns turn, using his powerful ring to create a large boulder-like object to smash into Superman, sending him backwards.

"Come on Kal-El this isn't you…snap out of it."

Clark rose to his feet, his sensitive hearing picking up the sound of Batman and Wonder Woman approaching. He watched as they landed in front of him. He was surrounded now by four of Earth's greatest heroes.

"My friends please…we have fought side by side for so long, and now you turn on me? This isn't right. We should be working together to create a better world. Without greed, without violence…Bruce, you understand don't you?"

"I understand…I understand that you're fighting on the side of the very people who are responsible for killing the closest thing I have to a family…Nightwing, Batgirl…they're dead..."

Superman bowed his head in remembrance to the fallen heroes, while the others also stood in silence for a moment, shocked at the tragic news.

"I'm sorry Bruce…I really am. Darkseid's mission has caused a lot of casualties…"

"Darkseid? Who is that? Is that the monster who's done all this?"

"He's not a monster Diana, all the deaths throughout the world are terrible. I can hear their screams…but it's a necessary loss. Can't you see that? When this is over, we will have created a new world. A better world."

"Oh my god, listen to yourself. What happened to fighting for the freedom of all mankind Clark? What happened to truth and justice?"

"Look what mankind has done with their freedom. Over and over, we saved the world, and for what? So it could be poisoned by the sins of men? So we could watch as they destroy themselves? This war is truth, it is justice."

"What has Darkseid done to you?"

"He's shown me the way. He killed me, destroyed my body, but released my inner strength. I live again, reborn as a true superman. Together, we can take control of the human race, guide them towards a better future."

"…How? By killing them? You've been brainwashed, manipulated…none of us want to hurt you, but if you continue to follow this path of insanity, we'll be forced to act…"

Superman's attention was drawn away. The voice of Darkseid, on a frequency only he could hear thanks to his super-hearing, rang through his ears.

"Kal-El…they won't listen. They will try to stop you. You must act for the greater good…"

Clark closed his eyes for a moment, sighing to himself, before looking back at the four heroes who were confronting him.

"My friends…will you not see the truth? You must stand with me."

"That won't happen Clark, let us help you…"

"I don't need help, I've been set free by the truth…"

"Then we have to stop you…I'm sorry."

Superman looked at his friends, one by one, then clenching his fists, his new darkened costume a sign of things to come.

"So be it…"

Suddenly Kal-El charged, striking Wonder Woman, watching as the force of the impact sent her spinning backwards, crashing into an abandoned police van. Knowing he was totally outclassed, Batman, sought to distract Superman, throwing bat-shaped blades at him.

Clark didn't feel the sharpened edges as they bounced off him, but as he turned to face Bruce Wayne, he was thrust into the air by the Flash in a massive whirlwind created by Allen from running in circles around the man of steel at tremendous speed.

As Superman rose to escape the tornado being created by the Flash, he was struck by a powerful beam of energy, then another, emanating from the ring of the Green Lantern, forcing him backwards. Summoning up strength from the ring, Jordan flew towards Clark, punching him hard, sending him through the air.

As Superman flew, he was followed by Wonder Woman until they were face to face, floating in mid-air, their hands locked, pressing back and forth in a contest of strength. Realising Kal-El was gaining the upper hand, Diana tucked her body inwards before stretching out, her feet kicking Clark in the chest. His body flipped in the air, ending up behind her. Grabbing her arms, he spun her around and around, finally letting go as her momentum sent her smashing against the concrete wall of the Metropolis branch of the bank of America.

Turning, Clark blasted Lantern with his heat vision, his eyes burning as he fired again and again, with Hal struggling to maintain his force field before being caught by surprise by Superman's sudden burst of speed to catch up to him. Kal-El threw a strong punch, sending Lantern crashing back to the city street.

Meanwhile, Batman opened the small lead box revealing a pair of brass knuckles, laced with kryptonite shards. Putting one on each hand he balled them into fists and waited for Kal-El to approach. Before he could fight however, the Flash was there, confronting Superman, leading him on a chase across the city.

The ground shook; papers were torn to shreds, windows shattered as Superman chased the Flash through the city streets, faster than the speed of sound. They reached mach 4, getting faster and faster.

Pipes underground blew, causing water to rise up onto the streets only to evaporate from the heat being generated by the sheer speed of the two adversaries. The Flash was always ahead of Kal-El however, always faster. But Superman was able to use it to his advantage as the two men literally burned rubber.

Staying behind Allen, Clark fired his heat vision ahead of the Flash, causing the road to start melting, becoming sticky. Before he could compensate, the Flash was slowing down, tripping and falling as he rolled to a stop with Superman flying into the air to escape the same fate. Zooming back to where he had started, Clark found and confronted Batman.

As Superman went to strike the Dark Knight, he suddenly felt a familiar weak feeling coursing through his body. Becoming dizzy, he could do nothing to stop Batman punching him hard. The kryptonite on the knuckles making Kal-El drop to his knees in pain as small traces of blood showed up around his jaw.

Batman struck again, leaving Superman dazed, struggling to get to his feet. Backing away, Kal-El rose high up into the air, regaining his composure, letting the effects of the radiation wash away before diving back down, thundering at great velocity before striking the ground like a bolt of lightening, causing cracks to appear as the road shook violently for a moment, knocking Bruce off his feet.

Picking up the sound of a sonic boom, Clark turned just in time to see the Flash running at him, then using his body to jump through the air like a missile, his speed carrying him forward to strike his mark right on Superman's chest. Kal-El was thrown backwards, right into the sights of Wonder Woman who locked her hands together and swung like a hammer, connecting with the lower back of Clark.

As Superman fell to the ground, he became angry. His eyes burned as he blasted heat energy out to melt the supports of a nearby apartment building. As it fell, Kal-El caught it, and with a mighty show of strength, tossed it with ease at Wonder Woman, crashing against her, leaving her unconscious through a window.

"You won't stop me. I can't allow you to interfere. Not this time."

Now he concentrated his fire on the Flash, burning the road at such a high temperature that both the Flash and Batman were forced to find high ground. The streets of downtown Metropolis were now ablaze, surging fires preventing the Flash from running anywhere. Batman held onto him, using a grappling hook to propel them both to the safety of a high-rise rooftop, away from the flames.

Superman rammed Lantern at great speed, pushing him against the satellite antennae of a nearby news station building. Powerful surges of energy went through both men as Kal-El forcefully tried to remove the ring from Hal's finger, finally snapping the bone and sliding it off. The energy surrounding the Green Lantern faded as Superman held his ring, watching as Jordan fell down onto a roof.

Kal-El turned around, looking across the street at Batman and the Flash, both stuck on a rooftop as flames engulfed the street below. Attack drones surrounded Superman, before swarming in around the two heroes…

Gotham:

The world was seeing the fight live as a few brave helicopter pilots and reporters hovered high up, broadcasting the events. Lois watched, horrified, as the man she loved became what he swore to defend against for so long. Suddenly, the screen went dark, flickered for a moment before a new image appeared. The president.

"…My fellow Americans…today is a dark day in the history of our planet. I have spoken to leaders around the world and while we can continue to fight, we have agreed that saving lives is paramount. Now that it has become clear that Superman no longer defends us, and that he has joined the enemy, it is obvious that this is a fight we cannot win. Therefore, to the alien beings responsible for this war, I have been authorised by the governments of the Earth to…to discuss the terms of…of our surrender…"

Washington D.C.

The president sat in his chair in the Oval Office of the White House, facing a holographic image of Darkseid. There was fear on his face as he tried to negotiate with the being that had brought chaos to the world.

"…So I have been authorised to negotiate the surrender of the Earth, if it will save lives…"

"It will…if I accept your surrender. Tell me, do you speak for every human on this pathetic planet?"

"I speak for the many nations of this world yes…"

"That is not what I asked you…do you speak for every human being? Do you have control over their thoughts? Can you guarantee that every man, woman and child will bow before me?"

"Well no…obviously I can't speak for every single person…"

"Then I reject your surrender. I want you to fight on. I want you to fight until every being on this planet understands that there is no hope for them…"

The hologram faded and disappeared just as a bright red light filtered through the window just before a large beam of energy shot down from the sky, destroying the White House and everyone inside, including the president.

Metropolis:

As Wonder Woman opened her eyes, she saw attack drones everywhere, spotting a large group converging on the Flash and Batman as fires spread throughout the street. Springing into action, she flew, raising her fists, destroying a squadron of drones to get to her friends.

As the drones fell from the sky, Superman came up behind Diana, grabbing a hold of her and driving her into fire below. Thinking quickly, the Amazon twisted her body upwards, forcing Kal-El to let go. Diana kicked out at Clark, watching as he fell into the flaming inferno.

The Flash, knowing the fire was a great threat to the city, leapt from the rooftop, running along the sides of connected buildings, building up speed and creating a gale fore wind to blow out the fire. As the flames died out, Superman rose into the air, the Green Lantern's ring in his hand.

Confronting Batman, Kal-El became weak again due to the radiation coming from the kryptonite on the brass knuckles. Batman punched Superman, sending him backwards, his hand opening out, revealing the ring.

Instinctively, Jordan stretched out his arm, watching as the ring flew from Kal-El's hand and back onto his finger where it belonged. Now re-energised, Lantern flew at Clark, his ring creating a large platform, swinging through at the Man of Steel, pushing him away.

The Flash and Wonder Woman combined, using strength and speed to fight Superman as Batman activated a sonic nullifier on his belt, designed to disrupt Superman's super-hearing so he could speak to Lantern without Kal-El being able to hear.

"Hal…that ring of yours, what exactly can you create with it?"

"Pretty much anything…why?"

"What about radiation…"

"…as in kryptonite? W-w-wait a minute…that could kill him…you wanna kill Superman?"

"Not unless I have to…can you do it or not?"

"I suppose…but we're talking about a substance I don't know anything about. All the willpower in the world doesn't help if I don't know what it is…now if I had a sample to work from…"

Bruce looked at Hal as he removed one of the knuckles, tossing it at Hal.

"Do it…Superman can survive the radiation for a while…we just need to knock him out."

Hal ran a finger over the brass, picking up the energy of the kryptonite in between. His ring started to glow as he closed his eyes, having to concentrate hard.

"This could take a while…just keep him away…"

Meanwhile, the Flash was again leading Superman on a chase through the city. Kal-El followed, firing blasts from his eyes trying to catch Barry Allen. Flash turned, running straight upwards over a skyscraper. Clark followed, flying above the hero, who stopped on the roof. Hovering over the Flash, he didn't hear Wonder Woman move up behind him thanks to Batman's nullifier.

As Diana struck Superman, Batman was busy fighting off waves of attack drones, who were descending towards him and the Green Lantern. Knowing he needed to buy time, Bruce activated a homing signal on his belt, watching as his modified jet sprang to life on it's own, flying over the city on autopilot, shooting down drone after drone.

Kal-El looked upwards, grabbing a hold of Diana's wrists, forcing her to her knees, his eyes burning as he prepared to hit her with a powerful blast of heat. Without warning, the Flash swept in at high speed, knocking him off his feet. Getting angry, Clark stood up, raising his foot and stamping it down hard causing toe ground to shake violently.

Barry lost his balance as the ground shook. Before he could recover, Superman was there, picking him up by the throat, threatening to squeeze. As Wonder Woman rushed to help her friend, Kal-El swung with an elbow, catching her in the face. High above, Batman knew they were almost out of time.

"Hal…"

"Almost there…two minutes…"

"We don't have two minutes…"

Bruce watched in horror as Clark rose up towards them, one hand wrapped around the Flash's throat, the other wrapped around Wonder Woman's. Superman landed on the rooftop, throwing the two heroes aside as we walked calmly towards Batman.

"Now would be a good time Hal…"

Superman looked at Bruce Wayne, puzzled, then over at Hal Jordan, who remained still, his eyes closed as his ring began glowing brightly.

"What are you up to? Green Lantern's might indeed. You can't beat me, no matter what your plan is. I tried to warn you, tried to make you see the truth. But you just won't listen…I'm sorry."

Kal-El grabbed a hold of Batman, lifting him up, slowly bending his body backwards. In the corner, the Green Lantern's ring glowed even brighter, his eyes shot open, his arm extending as a beam of green energy streaked across the roof.

Superman immediately drooped Batman, screaming in pain as kryptonite radiation surrounded him. He fell to his knees, his body succumbing to the excruciating agony. His eyes closed as he passed out.

Gotham:

An hour later, Superman, still unconscious was lying on a table in a cave under Wayne Manor. Lois Lane stood by his side as Batman placed a small piece of a kryptonite rock on his chest to keep him sedated.

"We can't keep him here…even small doses of radiation will kill him eventually…and if we let him go…he'll go on another rampage."

"What's wrong with him? Why is he like this?"

"Look…the scars…he's been tortured. Every bone in his body was broken, every muscle ripped in two…his organs expanded until they burst, then remade and destroyed again. Clark is strong-willed…but even he couldn't survive this. His will must have been broken. When that happened…the one who did this to him wouldn't have to do much to twist his mind."

"Can we bring him back?"

"I don't know…but for now, we have to stop him from hurting anyone. But how…"

"The Fortress…"

Batman looked up at Lois, realising she was right. The Fortress of Solitude contained the technology needed to restrain Kal-El.

Space:

"…Where is Kal-El?"

Darkseid was furious. He had been watching the battle in Metropolis, but the signal had been lost. By the time it was restored, Superman had disappeared.

"My lord, something is disrupting the tracking device on his neck. We can't get a lock on his whereabouts."

"I don't want excuses…find him!"

Fortress of Solitude:

Clark opened his eyes, finding he was in a familiar place. He tried to move, but found he was restrained. Looking around he saw the faces of the people he had been fighting, surrounding him.

"Let me go."

"Not until you see the truth."

He looked at Wonder Woman. She was holding a piece of rope. Kal-El followed the line, realising that it was wrapped around his body. It had mystical properties. Anyone captive to its power was forced to tell the truth. It was the heroes last hope of restoring Superman's mind.

"What is your name?"

"Kal-El…Clark Kent…Superman…"

"Where are you from?"

"Krypton…"

"What is the most cherished thing in your life?"

"Lois…"

"Who is Darkseid?"

"A powerful being who wants control over all living things…"

"What did he do to you?"

"He tortured me…killed me…showed me the truth…"

"Why are you here?"

"To fight for truth and justice…"

"What is truth and justice?"

"I am…"

"How can you save mankind?"

"By controlling them. By taking away freedom and ensuring that they don't destroy themselves…"

Diana turned to her fellow heroes, her friends, her face dejected.

"He is lost. He truly believes what he is saying. In his mind, it's the truth. I'm afraid he's too far gone."

"…There is one way…."

They turned. Anger filled Lois as she charged at the stranger by the doorway. Lashina, a dead woman, stood watching as Lois ran at her. She didn't even attempt to defend herself as Lois hit her again and again. Finally Lois stopped, demanding answers.

"You…you're the one who took him away. How dare you come here?"

Behind Lashina, the Flash and Green Lantern stood, blocking her exit.

"Please…you wish to destroy me, but listen to my words before you do. I can help him."

"Help him? I'll break your neck if you go anywhere near him."

Batman put his hand on Lois' shoulder, telling her to calm down.

"Lois, we don't have a choice. We can't help Clark…maybe she can. We should at least listen."

"Alright, you have two minutes…we're listening…"

Lashina took a deep breath, well aware that she was surrounded by beings that could destroy her easily.

"Darkseid killed me for disobeying him. A punishment for thinking for myself. He revived me, but I couldn't forget. I served him loyally for many years. I acted for his benefit and he destroyed me for it. I'm sick of his arrogance, his belief in his destiny to rule over all living things. He believes that Kal-El is the key to reigning over this world. He represents the possibilities of humanity. Control him…and the world awaits. So he killed him. Over and over and over. Destroyed his body, twisted his mind. Each death brought Kal-El closer and closer to breaking point."

Lois felt her heart break. She wept as Lashina told how Clark was tortured relentlessly, his body broken, his blood drained. She turned for a moment, watching as Clark struggled to break free of his restraints before listening again to what Lashina had to say.

"…The man you know as Superman is gone, buried deep down in his subconscious, imprisoned by the poisonous thoughts Darkseid put in his head. Kal-El believes he is doing the right thing. He believes that humanity is suffering under free will. But there is hope. Many have been destroyed by Darkseid. Many have gone through the unending hell of torture at his hands. All have fallen. But Kal-El endured more than anyone I've ever seen. Even as his powers were stripped away, he fought on. He resisted. Eventually he was subdued but I have never seen any being across the known universe endure as much as him."

"You said there's a way to save him…how?"

"Indeed. There is a hidden strength in him. At first I thought it was due to his amazing powers. But I've come to realise why Darkseid fears him. It's his humanity. Free will. The one thing Darkseid despises. He hates the very notion of freedom. He believes it's a plague on life. But in Kal-El there is hope. Even now. Deep inside his mind and in his soul, lies the key to defeating the evil that threatens this planet. You must break through the poison. Make him remember who he is."

"We've tried…nothing we do seems to have an effect."

"You cannot do it through technological or mystical means. To restore his mind, you must restore his heart."

Lashina looked at Clark, restrained using Kryptonian technology, then at Lois, seeing her tears.

"You…you care for him…"

"I love him."

"Yes…love is the very essence of free will. You are the only one who can save Kal-El. Show him, tell him what love is. Only that can set him free. Talk to him."

Lois dried her eyes, taking a deep breath before turning and walking towards Superman. Sitting down beside him, she remained silent as she watched Clark try to break free. She saw the anger in his eyes, but she also saw something more. Fear. He was afraid.

"Clark…Clark…listen to me…"

"Lois? Get me out of these things will you?"

"I can't…not until you understand what you're doing. Darkseid is manipulating you…"

"No you're wrong…he showed me the way. Showed me how to save you."

"Save me? How? Through war? Destroying the people that care about you?"

"Some sacrifices are necessary for the greater good. Now let me go…"

"No…look at me Clark. Look in my eyes. I love you. I can't begin to understand what he did to you but I can help you get through if you let me."

"You don't understand Lois. When this war is over, there will be no more fighting, no more Lex Luthors, or anyone to threaten this world. You'll be safe. Now please Lois…release me."

"Not yet. You've kept me safe Clark. You've kept the world safe. Don't you see? It's people like Darkseid who will destroy us. If you let this happen, do you really think we can be together?"

"Of course…"

"No Clark, love is what makes humanity so worthwhile. If you take away freedom, then there's nothing to hold on to. Darkseid wants to control us all. Love is the exact opposite of what he represents. If you let him win…love dies…then I die. This is killing me Clark. If you don't stop this, the man I love will be gone."

"Lois, I promise you, that won't happen. I can't go against Darkseid. He showed me what will happen if mankind isn't controlled…"

"No Clark…he showed you a lie. He made you believe what happened to Krypton could happen here. He didn't show you the truth. He didn't show you hope."

"Hope? What hope did Krypton have? A great race that destroyed themselves. Where was love? Where was hope?"

"It was there Clark…in a man and his wife. Hope for the future. Love for their only son. They saved him, sent him away so he might survive. You. They sent you to Earth…to me.

Kal-El didn't respond. Instead he tried again to get free of the restraints, the energy beams around his wrists and ankles not budging as he pulled against them desperately. Lois watched him, noticing the fear in his eyes.

"Why are you so afraid Clark? What is it about being restrained that's made you so anxious? This is for your own good Clark. Even if you can't see it."

"I'm not afraid Lois…I…I just can't be tied down like this…just get me out of it OK?"

"Why? Tell me Clark…let me in…what's wrong?"

"I just don't like being restrained…that's all. Now please…"

Clark's eyes began to water. A tear slid down his face, followed by another. Soon he was crying openly as he tried to kick and pull his way free. His eyes closed and he screamed as memories of Desaad's torture methods filled his mind.

"I…I can't…Lois please let me go…I can't go through it again…I can't die again…not again…"

Everyone was shocked as Superman broke down, blasts of heat coming from his eyes as he tried unsuccessfully to break free. He began to shake, fear overcoming him as he cried. Immediately, Lois was there, kissing him, telling him it would be alright. In that moment, their eyes met. Clark saw the love she felt for him, the pain in her heart. Lois in turn, saw the agony and despair that filled Clark, a broken man. Lashina looked on, smiling at the scene before her.

"Release him."

"What?"

"You must let him go now, trust me."

Reluctantly, Bruce Wayne walked to a crystal control panel, deactivating the restraint beams, allowing Superman to move. Standing up, Kal-El reached behind him, pulling a device from the back of his neck.

Throwing it into the air, he blasted it with his heat vision in a fit of rage, which soon turned to sadness as he collapsed in Lois' arms, crying against her shoulder. Finally lifting his head, he saw heroes standing cautiously, worried he might attack them.

"My friends…I will not ask for your forgiveness…I don't deserve to be absolved. Destroy me…I won't fight back"

There was silence, everyone unsure what to make of the situation. As Lois and Clark kissed gently, it was Lashina who spoke up first.

"It's done…he is free of Darkseid's influence. But he isn't healed. He hasn't been saved yet. The poison in his mind has been replaced by fear. He must face his fear if he is to survive."

Space:

"…My lord, we've found him. His tracking signal is gone so instead we used the scanners to locate Kryptonian physiology."

"Well done…where is he?"

"He is in the polar region of the northern hemisphere."

"Signal all ships down on the planet to converge on that area…bring him home…"

"Yes my lord…"

Fortress of Solitude:

"…They're on their way."

Lashina was worried. She had picked up the signal of an approaching armada. Darkseid's fleet was coming to retrieve Kal-El. She looked at Superman. His mind had been freed from Darkseid's control but he was in no condition to fight.

She would have to rely on the others to keep the fleet at bay. Lashina had betrayed Darkseid. She knew that her only chance of survival was to trust in Batman, the Flash, Wonder Woman and the Green Lantern.

Inside a command control room in the Fortress, she watched on monitors as the fleet grew closer and closer. Every ship on the planet was there. Lashina knew that the upcoming battle could decide the war.