Chapter 30: End Game

Flashback sequence. Many years ago.

He gave me this ring with a kryptonite stone. He said -

I have many enemies who have tried to control me. And I live in fear that someday, they might succeed. If that ever should happen -- If I should ever lose control, There would only be one sure way to stop me.- Superman said

Do you realize what you're asking? –Batman responded.

I do. I want the means to stop me in the hands of a man I can trust with my life- Superman reply expecting that the day would never come..

Ground Zero

Batman had one chance to get it right, a computer might tell him that it is hopeless…that he is severely injured and that superman is incredibly powerful…but I'm not a computer. "I am Batman. And all the pain that it brings..." he told himself.

Superman faces his aggressor, the ultimate threat against the rage that boils inside him, he sees the target, concentrated his mind and charges and energy beam…I've seen the sapphire blue sea, the back of the Himalayas which glimmers like emeralds fields….I've seen so much and now I just want to destroy all.

Diana moves to protect the others from the ongoing battle….The soldiers already left the area, it was hopeless.

-"You thought that we could be decent beings in this indecent time, we try to inspire them to do well"- Superman shouted at Batman.

-"Let's face it, 'Superman,' the last time you really inspired anyone was when you were dead."- Batman faked to the left and grabbed superman by the shoulders….the kryptonite drew the superhuman strength out of him.

-"if I have to…I will kill you" - Superman responded in visible pain.

-"You will try and like many before you…you will fail"- Batman responded.

-"They hunt us, they attack us and we wait... we wait for them to come to their senses…but they never do"- Superman force was diminishing, but not fast enough…Batman grip was loosening a little, the pain was taking its toll.

"Because they're always afraid…they loved the Gods out of fear… do you think having a cannon on the moon makes them happy?" Batman replied gripping his teeth.

Q was looking at the fight between Batman and Superman; he then added acting very surprise: "How can he do that he is just a Mere man?"

Diana looked at Q even more surprised and answered back: "He is anything but a mere man"

Gehenna (1 mile back)

I need you to get me closer!…. The Green Arrow reached the Martian Manhunter as soon as he touched the ground.

Huntress pushes the Martian Manhunter as soon as they reached the ground and yelled: "I don't want your help. I don't need your help. Now, get out of my sight." Her eyes were filled with tears, her rage was consuming here.

A soldier seeing her pregnancy gets closer and grabs her by the arm to put it out of harm's way….big mistake. She moves back and kicks him in the groin, the soldier falls like a old brick wall.

-"I'm not even that fond of real cops. But wannabe cops... now they just tick me right off."-She quickly added to the Green Arrow.

"-He was not a cop, he was a USA soldier….and he was putting you out of harm's way- Green Arrow replied with contempt..

-Oh…sorry…I guess I'm not quite used to old school chivalry- Huntress responded.

-We need to go…now –The Martian Manhunter's voice was a little louder than usual.

-Are you going to leave me behind? "I hate losing. I hate running away. I don't know what else to do. They don't respect me. Not like the others.- Huntress screamed at Green Arrow and J'onn J'onnz, they were surprised.

-"You stay alive, not matter what happens, you have to be strong…and he will find you, not matter how far you are or how long it takes, he will find you"- Green Arrow told a shaken Huntress….pregnancy was conflicting her in many ways….Moments later, they left leaving her alone.

(Mid Fly towards ground zero)

-Excuse me…haven't I heard that before?- The Martian Manhunter was curious.

-Yes. "The Last of the Mohicans"…chick flick- He quickly replied.

(Both laughing) And they called you a lady's man- Martian Manhunter replied wit irony…..

Little joy between dreadful times….

Gehenna

The kryptonite is ravishing Superman stamina but that just pissed him off more.

-You obsessive son of a ….- Superman was trying to get Batman off his back.

-"People think it's an obsession. A compulsion. As if there were an irresistible impulse to act. It's never been like that. I chose this life. I know what I'm doing. And on any given day, I could stop doing it. Today, however, isn't that day. And tomorrow won't be either."- Batman responded.

-Do you think I'm crazy?- Superman tried to reason with Batman….he wasn't buying.

- "Madness is the emergency exit. You can just step outside, and close the door on all those dreadful things that happened. You can lock them away... forever. They don't control you" – Batman grip loosened enough and Supermen threw him away…Batman's body hit the ground without making any movement to stop or cushion the blow, he was beyond fatigue…

-"Batman, you're tougher to beat than a cockroach on drugs."- Superman's word came to known one in particular, he is growing a fever, the kryptonite was held too close for too long, he needs the sun…but it won't come up…the dust from the explosion would covered it for hours….

The soldiers grew closer, with no new information they had to play this one by heart…. They have to make a call, they end this before more civilian life are lost and misspent…it was their duty…this was not Iraq or Afghanistan, this used to be New York.

Superman suddenly passed out… he didn't care anymore…

Q, John, Green Arrow and the Martian Manhunter tried to protect their friends…. They could hardly stand up but they were ready to give up everything to avoid more suffering….

The soldiers locked up, their m-16's ready to shoot…. Diana's tears flowing freely as she looks at the broken body of her lover, they had too little time to be together….. that is the human life is so short and yet so beautiful…

-Ready- the lieutenant screamed at the battalion station on ground zero.

Diana looks at her shooter right in the eyes; her blue eyes glowing with life…she will never back down…never.

-Shoot- the powerful voice of the lieutenant was the last thing anyone heard.

(Batman's off voice)

"And as the sun, that had been too afraid to show its face in this world, started to turn the black into grey, I smiled. Not out of happiness. But because I knew... that one day, I wouldn't have to do this anymore. One day, I could stop fighting. Because one day... I would win. One day, there will be no pain, no loss, no crime. Because of me, because I fight. For you. One day, I will win."