Chapter Twenty One: Epilogue

"The Himalayas have been almost completely levelled and local authorities are blaming the Justice League for this devastation. The Justice League's correspondent, Steve Trevor, made a statement stating that, and I quote, 'the places in which we fight can't always be picked. We were lucky we managed to keep it away from civilians, and while the natural habitat has sadly been severely damaged, there isn't always anything we can do about it.' Words that, while possibly true, are nevertheless hard to digest as the local community reels from the devastation of their landscape. The criminal known as Emmet is being held in custody at an undisclosed location-"
Batman shut the feed off. The cave was cold and dark, as was always the case. But this time he felt a chill crawl upon him, washing him with the memory of Emmet's hand around his throat. Unconsciously his hand went to his throat. It was hard for him to think of that hand as not belonging to Superman. It felt the same. And all the metahumans couldn't stop him. And that threat... Never again. He will never be at the mercy of someone stronger, he made that vow a long time ago. He stared at the screens in front of him. The designs for a suit that could stop Superman, next to it a plan to stop him.
Never again.
"Diana," said Batman, not even looking at her, he knew she was there. He always knew who was in his cave.
"Bruce. What am I looking at?"
"My designs for a counter-measure."
"What counter-measure?"
"We need to be prepared."
"For Emmet?"
"For Superman."
Silence.
"Bruce-"
"No, Diana. We both saw that we cannot defeat Superman if he doesn't want to be defeated."
"Clark is our friend," said Diana, moving a step closer towards Batman's seated form.
"But Superman may not be."
"Don't split him into two. He's not you, Bruce. He is always Clark Kent. Like he is always Superman. He doesn't hide himself. Not ever."
"And what happens if he turns? If he changes?" Batman stood up and turned around to look squarely at Diana, wondering if a new counter-measure should be created for her.
"Then your counter-measures will mean nothing. He could kill you while being in the stratosphere. This plan won't work."
"It will. He will always try and talk me out of fighting him. It will work."
"If we need to stop him, it won't be Batman that will do it. It will be Bruce. That has always been the case with Clark. All he needs in order to be himself is his friends."
"What if it doesn't work?"
"It will, Bruce."
"Hrmm."
They stood there silently for a moment, neither willing to look at the other.
"I'm going to go, Bruce. I understand you're afraid of losing. But this is not necessary."
"Bye, Diana. And thank you. Your insight is valuable."
Wonder Woman didn't put a hand on his shoulder, didn't act comfortingly. A part of her was disgusted that Batman would behave in this way. But she knew him. Batman is not looking to defeat Superman. He is looking to regain his control. His composure. He will never need to put any of this into action. She flew away, away to see what she could do to help mankind.
"You can come out now, Queen."
Green Arrow emerged from the shadows, "so you don't agree with Wonder Woman?" asked Green Arrow, arms crossed and leaning on a cave wall.
"I agree. For now. Things can change. I may need you for a part of this, if the time ever came when Superman would have a change of heart."
"I'm all ears."

Superman stood on the Watchtower deck, looking at the planet he had sworn to protect. His body had healed but not the spirit. Not completely. It will take time before Superman was back to being who he had been before. This job changed people, it changed them all. But that's not always a bad thing. It's why I'm here, he thought.
Dick Grayson walked over to Superman. He was allowed access by Batman but rarely used it. There'd been no reason for him to go there before, but there was one now. A long time ago Superman had told him the legend of Nightwing on Krypton. He'd given Dick the courage to leave Batman and become his own man.
"So, still can't shake off the shadow, huh?"
Superman turned towards the voice, a smile came up, that Superman smile that made you feel hope. Feel safe. Like everything was going to be alright. But it was a little hollow now. A little empty.
"Not yet, what brings you here?"
"You. I know what you're thinking," said Nightwing as we walked over to the window.
"You do, huh?"
"I'm not a kid."
"I know. I noticed that when you decided to do your own thing."
"Exactly why I'm here. Batman was the epitome, the absolute. I felt that way for a long time. But that's not the case. He was one way. I chose another. Same for you. You're gripping with the wrong question." They both turned to look out the window.
"And what's that?" Superman turned towards Nightwing, looking fondly on the young man that has grown so wise over the last few years.
"You're asking yourself what's the right way to do it. That's the wrong question. The real question you need to answer is: what's your way of doing things, and is it the right way for you?" Nightwing turned and looked at Superman as he spoke, his face didn't have his mask on, and his entire countenance was trusting, almost embracing. It was inspiring.
"Hmm. What would Batman say about that?"
"He'd agree that we each have to choose a path, a way of living and to then live by it. Without compromise."
"So what you're saying is that I'm not doing it right?"
"I'm saying there is no right," said Dick, "that Emmet character thought he was right. History is full of those people. I've been beating those kind of people up since I was a kid. You two were mega powers, and when two powers clash over a difference war erupts. The difference here is that you and Emmet have the same DNA. Completely. You're copies of one another. I felt like I was the same with Batman. That he and I were the same. I learnt from you that we're not. And I don't have to be. Just because someone who is like you picked a way of living doesn't mean you have to pick the same. You fought for what you believed in, that's noble. And it's the best one can hope for. You taught me that. Don't let Emmet change you. You are already the right person." Dick rose in grandeur while he spoke, and at the same time became less and less Nightwing and more himself. Less of a prodigy and more of a man in his own right.
"It's not just that, Dick. I… I've been angry. So angry since Helspont started. Since it all started… I couldn't control it."
"I get that. You're worried that this was the sign that the downfall of your ideals is happening, aren't you?"
Superman said nothing. He just looked down on the planet.
"I get it," said Dick, "we are always afraid of losing control, of crossing that line we don't want to cross. That we can't cross. But I can tell you this: Every one of us has had those moments. Those moments when we lost it. The difference between us and them is that we don't want to do it. Even if we feel like we do."
"Dick… I saw red. I didn't care what I was going to do to him. I didn't think."
"You can't always think, Supes. It's why we have friends. To keep us from doing the wrong thing. To remind us of who we are." Dick put his hand on Superman's shoulder.
Superman tried a small smile as Dick removed it.
"I know you," said Dick, "you won't let this go. Word of advice: don't. Remember this, remember what it takes to defeat an enemy like that. And next time one comes along, you'll know how hard to hit, how many times, and when to stop. Every person, each and every one of them, had to find out things like that at some stage. Especially the super powered ones. What makes you the best of us is more than your ideals and powers, it's that you have the best friends to help you. And that you keep them close. Rely on them. It's your greatest strength."
"Thanks Dick," said Superman and put his hand on Grayson's shoulder. He could see why Batman liked him so much, why Batman wanted him for a partner. He was hopeful. And he let you partake in it as well. A load seemed to leave Superman's shoulders. Dick was right, he'll know for next time. Just like each time he made a mistake, he learnt from it. It's been three weeks since then, and the world still needs Superman, and he will always do his best. And his best has just gotten a bit better.
Dick smiled at him and walked away.
"Can't stay here all day, someone has to keep the criminals in check," said Dick as he disappeared through the teleporter.
Superman smiled and looked at Earth. This was the planet he protected. His way. He'd let Emmet change him slightly. But only temporarily, not in his essence. He still fought for what he believed in, and in the way he believed he should fight.
That's all that matters.