Batman had plenty of experience dealing with riots; they happened at Arkham Asylum with worrying regularity. This however, was the first time he'd got caught up in one that was sweeping the entire city. His utility belt, while expansive, could still only hold so much, and he'd already used his supply of tear gas. Fortunately he kept stores of equipment not just in the Batcave, but also carefully hidden at locations around the city. He assisted riot police where he could, but he was still only one man, and there could be no help from the outside. There was no immediate hope of containing the chaos.

Ironically, the rioters were destroying everything but the glass that was keeping them prisoner. Although he would need time to study it more closely, Batman knew it was no ordinary glass. Attempts had been made to cut through, but so far nothing had made so much as a scratch. With time he knew he would find a solution, but that presented another question: what happened when they got out?. Not much could be seen outside, though they appeared to be placed on a metallic surface. Like they'd been shrunk or something…

No further time to dwell on it as he ducked a thrown projectile, which shattered a window behind him. Before he could deal with the thrower, another problem presented itself: A young woman was lying hurt on the ground, and a mob was about to run over her. He had no time to make it to her, his hand instead falling to his emptying utility belt. He was about to throw a warning Batarang before someone hit the ground, rolling on his shoulder before carrying the woman to safety. Batman recognised her saviour, mixed emotions filling him. In the next moment, that very man had drawn a bow and let loose with an arrow that Batman figured was meant for him. He dived left, but even as he moved he saw he hadn't been the target. The man who'd thrown the rock at him had been about to try to win that goldfish again. Instead, he suffered an electric shock and collapsed.

"Green Arrow," said Batman. Despite himself, he was impressed; Green Arrow had managed the shot in one smooth movement, without even appearing to think about it.

"You know, the people of Gotham hear one little rumour that I'm going to show up, and all this happens. I'm flattered, really," said Green Arrow. His tone was light, but he was examining the woman with some concern.

"Which is funny, since I remember telling you never to set foot in my city again."

"YOUR city?" laughed Green Arrow. "Please, people either don't believe you exist, or they don't trust you. Maybe it's the mask."

Batman didn't bother pointing out that Green Arrow was wearing a mask as well. Several police officers were running towards them. It wouldn't have surprised him if they were after Arrow. Usually they might be after him as well, but fortunately he seemed to have a truce with the police at the moment. Most were seeing he was trying to help.

"This woman needs to be looked at," said Green Arrow. One of the officers took her, explaining there were paramedics nearby. The police radios still worked, but calling an ambulance was a waste of time. Another officer approached Batman, looking at him warily.

"Batman, we have a crisis situation over at Arkham. The inmates have escaped!"

888

One minute Clark was in the Hall of Justice, the next he was in the Fortress of Solitude. The small device in Brainiac's palm, looking something like a pen-drive, had apparently brought them here.

"What do you want to show me?" asked Clark. His imagination was working overtime. Even so, it completely failed to produce anything as crazy as the truth, A second Brainiac, looking exactly the same as the first, appeared at the entrance to the Fortress. In his hands he held a glass bottle. At first glance, Clark figured it was Kandor. When he saw Kandor was still with it's robot monitor Kelex, he looked closer. Using his special vision he was able to identify Metropolis. He looked at Brainiac with horror.

"What have you done?" he asked breathlessly. Millions of people were trapped in there. How many of them were close to him? Chloe? Lois? Even Lionel and Nell… Had any of them been in the city? Had all of them?

"I hadn't intended to resort to such measures, but both you and The Empireth were making too good a job of interfering with my plans," said the Brainiac holding Metropolis. "It was time to end it."

"You haven't won yet," said Clark, keeping an eye on both of them.

"I had intended Preus for Zod's vessel anyway," said a third Brainiac, appearing alongside the second. It too held a city in it's hands. Landmarks such as Big Ben and The Millenium Eye told Clark it was London. "Though I hadn't expected things to happen as they did. I was able to interfere with this place enough that another Kryptonian – or one close to being such – could affect it other than yourself."

"However," said the first Brainiac, "it would appear Jor-El has now reversed our action. Therefore it once more falls to you, Kal-El."

"The choice is simple," said the second. "Release Zod, or we will destroy the cities."

"And in case you are wondering, we have others," said the first, as the three surrounded him. "Even if you and Jor-El stop us here, we can destroy them. In a heartbeat."

"And take more, if need be," said number three. "We will harvest this entire planet if it serves our purpose. Think how many innocent lives will be lost if you fail to comply."

"How many innocent lives will be lost if I release Zod!?" snarled Clark.

"Time's up, Clark," said the first, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Even a slow student like yourself must know the situation is hopeless."

Clark tried desperately to think of a way out. Jor-El offered no help. What else could he do? He had to chance everything on getting another roll of the dice. May God forgive him if he was wrong.

Brainiac showed him what he needed to do, and Clark manipulated the console slowly, still trying to find another option. As the portal to the Phantom Zone opened, he knew he was never going to find one. He'd doomed the Earth. He should never have listened to Brainiac. But then, how could he have stood by and watched millions of lives be destroyed?

What do you think you're going to see now, roared a part of his mind that sounded more viscous than Kal-El had ever been.

There was no phantom this time. Instead, striding through like a king returning to his castle was the familiar form of Preus. Preus was not one of Clark's favourite people, but the person now controlling his body was far worse.

"Well, Kal-El," Zod said, approaching without hesitation. "What are you waiting for? Aren't you going to try driving me back again?"

"I've done what was asked," said Clark loudly. "You're free. But if you really are as strong as you say, you'll fight me one-on-one. Man to man… or Kryptonian to Kryptonian, I guess. We'll settle this once and for all. Leave your servant out of it. Or are you afraid a soldier can't take an Earth farmboy?"

Zod actually smiled, though his eyes looked no less severe. He was about to offer a reply when two others came through the portal; one scuttling through like a spider, the other leaping. The later Clark did not recognise, but the other shouldn't have surprised him. He could certainly have pictured Lenaria skulking around the Phantom Zone after Zod, knowing Brainiac would try to release him. As a matter of personal preference though, he would have pictured her as wearing more than her underwear, which was all she had now. It looked like her body had gotten cut up pretty badly in there somehow. She hadn't been hurting that much when he'd locked her away.

"Now!" ordered Zod, speaking to Brainiac.