Disclaimer:I do not own TJL

A/N: HEY! An update! Look at that. One of many to come. Thanks for your patience. Like always-Enjoy!

Rite of Passage-7

Bruce lowered the scope from his eyes as he viewed the wreckage of what was left of the bombings. Jumping down from the ledge of his look out he landed in the rubble. Bruce had an idea of what Clark's power was like but he greatly underestimated how powerful he actually was.

Seven years...could it really have been that long since Clark vanished? Where did he go? Not to mention the new look. What was the origin of that S? Kryptonian he'd imagine but wasn't his home world destroyed? Frowning he left the area. He must be living in metropolis but...where?

Releasing his bat-shot he zipped back up to another building. Here he would simply wait...wait for the prey to come to the hunter.

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Clark exited the Daily Planet. Taking in the night life of Metropolis. For the first time in a long time he felt that his life was put together. The past that he longed to know he finally had. He had a purpose to protect the world he now called home. To put on his suit of his people, it felt right.

"Good evening Clark, see you tomorrow."

Clark gave a smile. "Same to you Jimmy."

As Clark strolled down the street toward his apartment he took his phone out. Turning it on he went to his call list smiling at the joy he would bring his mother to hear from him. The first few weeks was quite the transition to fall back into normal life. As he scrolled down the list to his mother's number he suddenly paused when caught sight of a number he had neglected. Frowning, as he thought back to the day he had last seen his best friend. He must have been confused, hurt even...then again it was Bruce. He wasn't confident in the idea that Bruce felt anything. Well, that's absurd, he was human after all.

It wasn't like he didn't want to call him. The thing was...he didn't know what to say if he did. Sighing, he placed the phone back in his pocket.

Suddenly he stopped in his tracks as he heard sirens sounding. Finding a secure spot he quickly shed his civilian clothes and like a shot he followed the call of crime.

Flying through the streets he surpassed the police cruisers to land in front of the museum. To his surprise though he found that the would be thieves were already subdued barely concious. The items laying at the bottom of the steps.

Slightly taken back he x-rayed the building to find that no one else was in it. Just then the police pulled up jumping out of there cruisers a police man ran up to superman.

"Superman! Good for you, you got them!" he praised as he saw the criminals.

Superman turned to the man. "I'm afraid your thanks is misguided. I did not do this."

"Wha?! Then who did?" the man stated as his fellow police men apprehended the thieves.

Another picked up the bag. "Sir it's all here."

"Strange...maybe there is vigilante work happening. To many people inspired by you."

"I certainly hope not. It's a good way to get yourself hurt."

The man watched as Superman launched in the air.

Clark flew higher up to get a better view hoping to find the source of the crime fighter. Then his hearing caught something the beeping was rhythmic. Floating in his spot he looked around when he finally pin point the source he made his way to the top of a construction site.

Looking around he caught sight of a small black device . The blinking blue light matched the rhythm of the sound. Picking it up he examined it closer.

"I would be careful handling that."

Startled superman turned to face where the voice came from. "Who's there?"

"I'll save you the use of x-ray vision."

Superman watched as from the shadows emerged the culprit. Stunned as he saw the bat symbol on the mans suit. Droping the device he glared at the vigilante.

"YOU! I will not have you stirring up crime in my city!" he threatened.

Batman didn't waver at the harshness of the alien's words as he walked over and picked the device up. Clicking a button on his belt the device shut down. Superman's eyes narrowed.

"You led me here. Why?"

Batman turned. Bruce couldn't believe how much Clark had changed his physical stature alone was enough to be impressed by. Even though he was very much not the teen he remembered the innocence and the kindness was still there. It made him wary though if Clark's outward appearance had changed then how much has his powers?

"I won't ask again."

Batman looked back at Superman. "Krypton..thought it destroyed."

Clark couldn't hide his suspicion. "How does a vigilante from Gotham City know anything about Krypton? Forgive me but you don't seem to be the newspaper reading type."

Batman took note of the change in Clark's approach. Different from the cautious kid he met.

"The heat vision is new. Any other upgrades?"

At that Superman softened slightly, frowning. This was not a conversation he was expecting to have with the bat of Gotham. He had brushed up on all that had happened when he was absent and judging by the crime rate in Gotham it had risen. It was astonishingly more unstable from when he visited there. Tired of the mystery he used his x-ray vision to see behind the mask but was surprised that he couldn't see through it.

"Lead. How did you-?"

"I read the newspapers."

Superman stepped closer. "You are wasting my time. Do me a favour and just leave...and if I ever see you here in Metropolis again. I won't be so easy."

Batman watched as Superman turned to leave. "Seven years."

At that Superman stopped. Then turned back to look at the vigilante. "What?"

"That is how long it's been. I must admit, it shouldn't have taken this long for me to catch on. The savior to the people. A man capable of running at high speeds, indestructable, super hearing. Seven years ago you didn't even know how to fly."

Clark thoughts were going a mile a minute. Who was this man. How could he even know his abilities from seven years ago? The only ones who who knew were his parents and... No, it.

"Don't worry I have no interest in Metropolis, however, if crime leads here I will follow it." Batman concluded as he took out his bat hook and shot it.

Snapping out of his shock Clark watched as Batman disappeared in the distance. Running over to the ledge of the building he went to follow but stopped as his mind reminded him once more of the pain he must have caused Bruce. Approaching him with high emotions would only result in further damage.

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Bruce typed away on the key board. The typing sound the only thing filling the silence as it echoed in the cave. Several exerts from the Daily Planet newspapers were open on the screen followed by an image of superman added to it was the newly obtained finger prints.

"Shouldn't you be turning in for the night master Wayne?" Alfred said as he brought over a tray.

Bruce leaned back in his chair as he played the video of the bombing. Watching how Superman effortlessly picked up a car with one hand slamming it down in time to shield a few vulnerable victims from flying debris.

Alfred took note of his friends silence coming over to look at the images. He himself taken by the sheer strength the hero had.

"Certainly not the same boy who raided our fridge all those years ago. Impressive to say the least."

"He is a danger Alfred. Whether he doesn't see it or does is not the point. He could kill dozens if not thousands of people in an instant."

"Do you think he would ever turn?"

"Not intentionally. Others could exploit his powers, judging by Lex Luthor's latest stint I wouldn't put it passed him to pull something crazy. Not to mention the criminal's in Gotham would not hesitate either."

"If he were to go down a darker path, how does one attempt to stop him?"

Bruce lowered his head as a memory greeted him. "I'm not sure yet...but even the strongest of us have weaknesses."

Alfred stepped aside as Bruce ended the session getting up from his chair. Alfred walked over to the tray picking up the tablet and a cup of water.

"This is the latest update Mr. Fox has pulled together on your most recent gadget. Also he was curious if the system in the bat-mobile is sufficient enough?"

"Tell him good work...and a raise is in the future." Bruce stated as he removed his cowl and cape.

Alfred didn't miss the distant interaction in the young man. "Sir...What do you intend to do? Now that he knows you are the Batman."

Bruce looked at the butler. "I'm not quite sure...in all honesty I think in me doing that. I may have done more harm than good. Leave the tablet on the table. Tomorrow I'll come up with a plan."

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As Bruce entered his room he walked over to his dresser removing his watch. Then as he got ready to change he stopped as a cool breeze greeted his back. Turning he was surprised to see the window open, walking over to it he removed to shut it then paused as he saw a figure out in the garden.

After a moment he left his room and later he found himself entering in the garden the fountain gurgling in the silence of the night. He stopped as a silhouette lay on the ground he watched as the kryptonian floated down in front of him. At first nothing was said as they both stared at each other than finally, though stunned by the change in Bruce, he spoke.

"We need to talk...now."

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KS.