Disclaimer

I don't own any of the characters I used in this story. They are the property of DC Comics and Warner Bros. However, the story is entirely a product of my own imagination

Chap 3

"I will come"

Throughout the voyage, Batman was sulked. But his face didn't hold the customary solemn expression. He looked deeply agitated from within. Superman chose to stay out of it for a while, plotting their next move, but he realised that the depression was catching.

"What is bothering you, Bruce?" he finally asked.

"A feeling, Clarke!" he replied, not in his usual gruff tone. He sounded like Bruce Wayne, and that was quite unnatural.

"Are you still contemplating on that theory of yours?"

Batman winced as he pressed his fore finger against his mask, in between the eye brows.
"What is the plan?" he suddenly spoke.

Superman composed his tone.

"I don't have a well-defined plan. It depends on the situation prevailing out there. But I'm sure taking down Darkseid would be the top priority - " he paused, anticipating that Bruce would protest. He didn't. He nodded, encouraging him to continue.

"If Darkseid is as powerful as you suggested, then we may need to retreat, but not before we make sure that everyone else is safe."

"Good thinking!" Batman nodded.

"Well although I am happy that you approved of my plan, something tells me that you're not satisfied." He fixed his gaze on Batman, determined to get an answer.

"There is no perfect plan for unforeseen situations, Superman! This is the best we can do, and there is no reason why I shouldn't approve of it." Batman remarked calmly.

Superman was pushed to edge. "All right, Bruce! I give up! I know you are not satisfied and I know you have a better strategy, and I say we need it! Now don't be so adamant and tell me what you've got!"

Batman cleared his throat and collated his thoughts. "I believe this entire charade is aimed at trapping you, just like Darkseid did last time. I really don't understand why High Father is playing a part in it, but I can only guess, and God forbid, that he was pushed into trading you for his powers - " he paused to read the reaction of the others.

Silence prevailed.

"Batman may not be entirely wrong, Superman!" Jonn finally spoke, "I could sense some uneasiness around High Father when he asked for your help."

The others considered the probability of the theory.

"Well if Batman is right, it explains why he asked for you in particular and not the rest of the league." Diana added.

"But that doesn't explain why he wanted Batman to accompany him" Hawk Girl pointed out.

"May be it does." GL added, "High Father may have realised that Batman would see through the plan and probably do something to avert the crisis."

"Yeah! Like High Father would get his powers, but Darkseid wouldn't get Superman!" Flash remarked.

"Well if the pieces begin to fit together, start working on such a plan." Superman suggested.

Everyone nodded, except Batman.

"I'm not sure of my hypothesis." He stated.

Superman frowned. "That's strange! Well even if you aren't , it won't hurt to have a plan ready, just in case."

"I cannot do that without being aware of the situation, the powers Darkseid is endowed with and the reason he wants to have you. And also, the whole deal begs a question – How can High Father trust Darkseid to keep his part of the bargain? He knows how Brainiac was cheated in their last partnership."

"Well obviously he doesn't have a choice." Diana remarked, "He cannot let the whole Universe sink for the cost of his mistrust, however justified it is."

"Wonder Woman is right! And when it comes to the reason why he wants Superman, well, I think it will not be greatly different from why he has wanted him all these years." GL added.

"No, GL, it is not that obvious," Batman interjected, "Darkseid is omnipotent now, and as I mentioned, he can crush a thousand of the likes of Superman if he wishes to. He hardly needs to make him a tin soldier again! And to think that he went through all this charade just to attract Superman is absurd."

"But that exactly was your theory!" Superman exclaimed.

"Yes, and that's why I said I am not sure of hypothesis. But there is one way I can substantiate it. If I am right, the situation might just be under our control. If Darkseid is so powerful, why didn't he start working towards anti-life? Why does he want to torment New Genesis at all?" Batman raised his eye brow, suggesting the others to ponder over his question.

"Your point -" Superman frowned.

"Darkseid either doesn't have High Father's powers or he doesn't know how to use them." Batman concluded.

"Well we know that he does have High Father's powers." Flash remarked.

"Not necessarily. May be he was able to deprive High Father of his powers, but couldn't absorb them. May be they lie in, I don't know, some repository" Batman suggested.

"Or maybe they went back to the Ultimate God, above these two." Diana added.

"I am not aware of the hierarchy, but I just wanted you to bear in mind that Darkseid need not have the powers. Now taking this as the working hypothesis, what else can we conclude?" Batman eagerly nodded suggesting the others to come up with the answer.

"Perhaps he needs Superman to unlock the repository, or whatever it is."Hawk Girl conveyed.

"A plausible explanation, of course," Jonn nodded, "that answers all the questions."

"And thus, Jonn can guard Superman's mind, so that he doesn't succumb to Darkseid's wish. Problem solved!" Flash exclaimed.

"Aren't we being too presumptuous? I mean, if the powers are to be unlocked from what you call a repository or what I call the Ultimate God, Darkseid would need more than brawn. He'd need someone with magical powers to act on his behalf and sacrifice himself. Believe me, that is how it works." Diana stated.

The others frowned. Batman thought for a while, and shook his head.

"Oh that complicates things, Diana!" Batman sighed, "None of us has magical powers. He'd want you, the princess of Amazons and A giddess to certain degree, more than he'd want Superman." He thought for a while, "Or may be Hawk Girl! Her maze disrupts magic!" he snapped.

Superman's eyes widened. "But High Father never mentioned Diana or Hawk Girl!" he exclaimed.

"May be he took it for granted that we'd come with you." Diana mused.

"Highly unlikely for him to make such a presumption. And Hawk girl wasn't even present there." Batman brushed it away bluntly. "I'm afraid this brings us back to square one. All my theories are gone in the ash can! And I see we're almost at our destination."

They were there indeed, for at the end of the boom tube, lay the New Genesis.