"Why haven't you been able to stop him uhmmm... Superman" said Bruce finally showing the respect and trust he had for the valiant alien.
That was the first time Batman had called him Superman. Clark was smiling as he responded, "He uses a green meteorite he calls Kryptonite which renders me helpless and weak 'Batman'."
"You stay here." saying this Batman used his grapple gun moving towards the direction his adhesive propellers had sent Corben in. Corben was now standing, exposing the green Kryptonite inside his chest.
"You did well behind my back, let's see how you fare head on," Corben lifted a red car which had toppled upside down due to his painful course earlier with the adhesive bat propellers. "Feel the metal!" he screeched and then flung it towards Batman.
The car flew 90miles/hour towards Batman. In what looked to be an almost involuntary response he slid below and let the car fly over him. He instantly threw 3 small spherical projectiles towards Corben and then used his grapple gun on the car that Corben had thrown earlier. Corben didn't know what was happening. He looked down on the floor where Batman's projectiles were scattered. Batman had used to his advantage the car that Corben threw earlier to escape from the blast radius. When it was clear to Corben what the Batman had done, it was unfortunately too late for him. A huge explosion shook the entire block.
Superman was back on his feet but he still looked feverish. He flew towards the explosion site immediately fearing the worst. He scouted around for any casualties and was mighty relieved when he found out there were none. He saw some movement under a huge concrete block amidst the chaos. He lifted and pushed the block aside revealing the hero underneath. Batman was not moving. "Batman say something." said Clark with a shaky voice.
"Never try taking in more than you can chew" saying this Corben walked towards Superman. Superman's eyes were still fixed on the fallen hero he held on his arms not paying any heed to Corben's words. Corben was now standing next to Superman. Superman felt that familiar pain again. He dropped next to Batman writhing in agony.
"I have no personal animosity towards you Superman. I am merely doing what I was built to do" said Corben.
"And what do you do after that? What after you kill me?" said Superman who was in immense pain.
"I..." Corben stopped in a moment of realization. He couldn't think of anything to say. Corben fell to his knees casing his head with his massive hands. He started mumbling to himself.
"I can help you." said Superman.
"Help yourself." was the reply. He asserted these words with a crushing blow to the weakened alien. Superman was helpless again.
"Your death will justify my existence as the sole protector man of steel." said Corben.
"Look around you. Look at all the chaos you brought. Is this how you protect?" questioned Superman.
"Do you think that your lecturing will stall your death" said Corben.
"I am not stalling my death, I am stalling you." said Superman.
"What are you talking about?" asked Corben.
"This," came that distinct voice. A metallic claw flew towards his chest grabbing hold of the chunk of Kryptonite and instantly retracted back leaving a void on his chest. The Kryptonite was now in the palm of the World's Greatest Detective.
"What are you doing?" bellowed Corben.
"You might want to turn around" was the cold answer from the Caped Crusader.
As Corben turned around he saw the face he dreaded.
"Maximum security prison" saying this Superman punched Corben who fell down unconscious.
Batman retrieved a plastic casing which he used for safekeeping of material evidence and secured the Kryptonite in it. He then looked at Superman who was standing a safe distance from the radiation of the Kryptonite.
"How did you get here, I left you at Lexcorp." asked Superman with a smile.
"Trade secret." replied Batman.
After a few moments the military arrived and enforced a perimeter. Superman and Batman stood tall as six soldiers lifted Corben and boarded him on one of their trucks with a lot of effort.
"Sir we will be taking that" said a soldier pointing towards the Kryptonite in Batman's hand.
"What if I say no." said Superman.
"Sir, that is a property of the American government and I have my orders." replied the young soldier who was clearly sweating now. He was demanding from 2 mountain of muscles and it was clearly taking it's toll psychologically.
Batman handed the Kryptonite over immediately to the intimidated soldier.
"Thank you sir," said the man as he hurried away from them.
"Why did you give it away Batman, don't tell me you still have trust issues with me" said Superman.
"Do you believe that even someone as godlike as you in his abilities should be answerable to someone?" replied Batman.
"The law is above everyone. Even me." answered Superman immediately.
"Then why not be answerable to the American people." said Batman.
"I answer to my conscience. Isn't that enough." stated Superman.
"No, it is not enough" replied Batman. He continued, "The Kryptonite will be a symbol of trust Superman. The people of earth have accepted you, they adore you and some worship you. They trust you with their lives so don't you think you should trust them with yours."
"And they call me the lecturer" smiled Superman.
"You will be surprised at what they call me back at Gotham." saying this Batman used his grapple gun disappearing in the broad daylight of Metropolis just as he did in the dark nights of Gotham.
Superman then remembered his promise. He sped towards the park where he had secured the little girl. He then flew back to the tattered city blocks with her. As he floated with the little girl safely on his arms of steel, they searched for her parents together. He suddenly felt the arms of the little girl tighten around him. "Down there Mr. Superman" she shouted in joy, "There besides that big fire truck."
Superman descended slowly towards the spot pointed to by his new friend. As soon as he put her on the ground she ran towards her parents. It was a tearful and a joyous family reunion. "Thank you Mr. Superman." she waved at him as her parents hugged and kissed her affectionately. He waved back with a smile as he took off.
"Yes Professor Vale. I am aware that you need a new sponsor for your research. I might be able to help. Congratulations! You are now an employee of Lexcorp. Oh don't worry about that. I am a bit of a scientist myself." saying this Luthor hung up with a menacing smile on his face.
Later that night in Clark's modest apartment the couple discussed events that occurred earlier during the day. Lois was clearly upset.
"You have always fought for them selflessly yet they fail to understand you" said Lois.
"What do you mean Lois?" asked Clark.
"Are you really that naive Clark, that thing that you fought earlier was obviously under orders from the military" said Lois.
"Well they did claim him." smiled Clark.
"You should take a stand against their atrocities. Who knows what else they are working on with the sole purpose of destroying you Clark." said Lois.
"They are people in power Lois, they need to take some precautions and I can't make everyone happy" said Clark adjusting his glasses.
"Will you please take that off Clark," complained Lois. Clark removed his glasses at once.
"I don't know Clark. Today when I saw you bleeding and hurting it felt like I was suffering with you. I don't wanna loose you Clark." said Lois who was almost in tears now.
Clark hugged Lois affectionately and then kissed her on the forehead. "You are not getting rid of me Miss Lane."
"By the way Clark," said Lois.
"Yes dear."
"I am still bashing the military on my report for what they tried against you today" said Lois.
"Rip them apart Miss Lane." smiled Clark who was adamant against this idea earlier. Lois Lane indeed knew how to break the man of steel.
"And that weirdo from Gotham, is he a friend?" asked Lois.
"Yes Lois, a good friend." replied Clark.
"That reminds me I read something about a new costumed man." said Lois.
"Sounds interesting Lois." said Clark.
"Yeah, calls himself The Fastest Man Alive, personally I think you can take him" said Lois.
"Well he sounds humble" smiled Clark.
THE END.