Part 18

Star City

Police Station

Oliver and Zatanna stood outside Star City's Police Station. He had gotten a call twenty-minutes ago asking him to come in. Zatanna had told him to say no that he needed a break, time to heal from the loss of Mia, along with everything else that has happened. It hadn't even been a week since Mia had died. And in all that time neither one had heard from Clark or the others. They had been keeping busy tracking down the prisoners that had escaped and other worldly manners. None of which they were a part of.

Oliver slowly reached to pull the door open to the station. It had been a while since he had stepped foot in the building. The last time he had been here he had brought in Winslow Schotts for questioning for the deadly explosion in Metropolis that cost millions of their lives. It had been in this very building where he had watched a young man who he had always admired, who he had looked up to and would give his life for rip a beating heart out from Schotts chest. That was the moment when he knew his friend had died and something new had been born. And he was beginning to wonder if that friend would ever come back.

"You don't think they'll mind that I'm here do you?" asked Zatanna who refused to leave Olivers side afraid that if she did he could end up on the same path of Clark or worse. She would never forgive herself if another one of her friends became so lost they were no longer the person they once were.

"If they have a problem with it," answered Oliver as he opened the door to the station. "That's just too damn bad."

"Oh I can assure you, there will be no problem," answered a man dressed in a fine suit as he walked up to the two. "You may bring along anyone you like."

"You got to be kidding me!" exclaimed Oliver. He was not happy. Not one bit.

"Lex Luthor..." gasped Zatanna she couldn't believe that of all people standing before them it was Lex Luthor President of the United the hell was he doing here? What did he want with Oliver? After everything Oliver has been through the last thing he needs is to deal with Luthor that caused part of Olivers problems. Zatanna wanted nothing more than to make Lex disappear forever even if that meant having to spend the rest of her days behind bars. "What the hell do you want!"

"We need to talk," exclaimed Lex his eyes falling on Oliver. "And I knew if I called or showed up at your front door you wouldn't see me."

"I wonder why," exclaimed Oliver as he crossed his arms against his chest. It was taking ever fiber in his body from not going all out punching Lex until he was black and blue. "Give me one reason why I should listen to anything you have to say, especially after what you tried to do to my family." Oliver hadn't forgotten that Lex had sent a team to apprehend his family and use them as bait to get him to turn in Clark.

"I'll admit. That was a mistake on my part and I take full responsibly for it."

"How kind of you," smirked Zatanna sarcasticly not believing one word that came out of his mouth. It was beyond her how he became President in the first place, but she suspected that he had gotten in the old fashion way, dirty deals and blackmail. If only people knew the truth about the man who proclaimed he was 'man of the people'.

"A mistake?" Oliver exclaimed angrily as he got into Luthors face, but he wouldn't get close enough to do anything. Two Secret Service Agents grabbed a hold of him and pulled him back. "That mistake got a young girl killed." He was not about to let Lex brush what happened to his family to Jayna under the rug. "Her blood is on your hands!"

"An unforeseen tragedy that I am very sorry for," answered Lex as he signaled for the two agents to release Oliver.

"You're sorry," Oliver shook his head. Too many times he had heard the I'm sorry bit from Lex. It just wasn't enough. "Sorry doesn't even begin to cut it. Not after all the shit you've pulled." Oliver eyes the two Secret Service Agents and then his eyes fell back onto Lex. "Do you think they would really protect you if they knew the truth about you. Do you think America would still follow you?" To the rest of the world Lex Luthor was Lex Luthor, but to Oliver and the rest of The League, they knew the truth. Lex Luthor had died years ago in a truck explosion and the man who had been elected President of the United States was a clone brought to life by an evil being who years prior tried to destroy their planet.

Lex remained calm and collected. He knew he had noting to fear from Olivers comments. There was no way for Oliver to prove anything. "We can stand here all night talking about your issues with me or..." Lex smiled coolly. "...or we can go upstairs and talk about the current predicament we're all in."

"And what makes you think I'd even consider listening to a single word you have to say?"As far as Oliver was concerned there was nothing Lex could say that would get him to change how he felt about the man. Clone or no clone, the Lex Luthor he had been friends with had died a long time ago. The timid young boy he had once knew no longer exist and hadn't for a long time. Lex had made sure that part of himself, the part of him that had been good and pure died.

"Because despite our differences you know you don't have a lot of options right now," answered Lex.

Oliver didn't want to admit it, but he knew Lex was right. He didn't have a lot of options right now. So against his better judgment Zatanna and him followed Lex into one of the office rooms that had been prepared for them.

"I saw the footage from Strykers Island," Lex annouched as he led them into the office. "I am sorry for your loss. I understand she meant a lot to you."

"Let's get one thing straight!" hissed Oliver. "We both know you don't give a damn about my feelings or what's happened to me, so don't pretend like you do." If there was one thing he didn't need right now it was pity from Lex Luthor even if by some chance he actually was being sincere.

"Fair enough," Lex answered as he closed the door behind them. "I asked my men to wait outside. The room has also been completely fitted out so that Superman or should I say Clark Kent can't see or hear what happens within these walls, beside I think he preside right now..." Lex smiled that devious smile of his. "Two communication satellites just mysteriously collided and are falling out of orbit towards Russia. So I would say he had his hands full."

"How convenient," exclaimed Zatanna not believing that Oliver and her were in the same room as Lex Luthor and had actually agreed to listen to what he has to say.

Lex sat down started to play a slide show that had been created by a member of his staff of everything that has happened since the destruction of Metropolis. "After Kent and his friends took all the inmates, minus the ones that managed to escape to places unknown. He and the other League members began intervening into every major conflict throughout the world."

Oliver and Zatanna eyes fell onto the sidle of Clark sitting at the head of a table with the leaders of Palestine and Israel at opposite side of him. "On Tuesday Kent forcibly sat the leaders of Palestine and Israel down in a room."

"Gentlemen in three hours, we will announce the Israel/Palestine Peace Treaty. You have until then to come to an agreement on your terms," Clark annouched.

"Or?" demanded one of the men who was not at all happy that Superman was placing himself into matters that did not concern him.

"Or they will be agreed for you," answered Clark harshly his eyes narrowing on both men. "So I suggest you start talking, because I don't want to make the agreements for you, but I will if I have too."

Lex continued to go on showing other slides and clips of other events that had taken place. "This coincided with their newest member The Angel of Vengeance, who we have classified as Avenging Angel, appearing in Burma. Along with a massive force from Superboy and Star Girl in Syria and Cyborg, Impulse and Black Canary showing up amongst the Warring Nomadic Tribes of Sudan where the three literally put the fear of God into them."

"You make it sound like stopping bloodshed is a bad thing," annouched Zatanna, aside from what happened at Strykers she knew her former comrades hearts were in the right place. They were trying to prevent more wars from happening and save as many lives as they can, so that no one has to die a violent death.

"Of course not, but these things aren't that simple," replied Lex as his eyes fell onto Oliver. "Are they Oliver?"

"This coming from the guy who has had in his hand in his own fair share of bloodshed,' answered Oliver coldly not liking the fact that Lex was right. While Clark heart maybe in the right place and he may believe he is doing what it is best, it will likely do more harm than good. Oliver knows you just can't stop wars. There is always more to it than just threatening them to stop all together. The problems that had led to war to conflict don't just vanish. They're still there. They still exist.

"I will admit, I am not a perfect man and am far from innocent, but even I know when too far is too far."

If Oliver was surprised by what Lex just stated he didn't show it. "And you think Clark doesn't," answered Oliver flatly.

"I think he is blinded by his anger and grief that he has lost sight of things and his new playmate hasn't been doing him any favors," Lex annouched as he brought up a clip of him working in his office at the White House. "This was taken a few days before the protest in Australia..." he annouched as he played the video.

Oliver and Zatanna's eyes became glued onto the video as they watched Andrea burst into the room fighting off Secret Service Agents as if they were nothing but rag dolls as she tossed them across the room. Once they were all down she shoved Lex's desks out of the way and lifted him up. It looked as though she was going to kill him before the video footage got choppy and you couldn't see what was happening. Once the footage became clear Lex was on the ground robbing his throat with Andrea standing above him staring down at him coldly before she sped out of the room.

"Do you know why she attacked you?" asked Zatanna.

"Something about the sins of the father fall onto the son," answered Lex. "She said that my father ordered someone to kill her mother."

"Your father always did seem to have a thing of making orphans," annouched Oliver having been one of those victims, it had been Lionel Luthor who had arrange his parents murder. "So I can't say I blame her."

"No," answered Lex with a cunning smile. "But is she really someone you want planting ideas into your best friends mind? You know what will happen if she continues to influence him, look what she has gotten him to do already." He locked his eyes hard on Oliver knowing full well he had his attention. "The kind of peace they're fighting for is not one that takes time and years to happen..."

"They want it now," Zatanna answered softly seeing where this was going.

"And how do you think they will try to achieve it?" Lex asked

"They'll have to enforce it," Oliver answered with a heavy sigh knowing that it was the only way Clark and his new comrade Andrea would be able to achieve their goal.

"Now do you know why I contacted you?" Lex asked.

"You think they'll take over the world," Oliver answered as it was becoming all too clear what Lex was asking of him. It was something he never in a million years ever thought would happen, when Lex would come to him asking for help. "You want me to stop him..."

"Can you do it?" Lex asked as he leaned back against his chair.

All this time he had been trying to save Clark, trying to get his old friend back. It never occurred to him that he may have to stop him, because there was only one way to stop Superman. And that would mean having to break his promise to Chloe. With a heavy sigh he answered. "...If it needs to be done. If it comes to that then yes, ….but only if I can't save him first."

"Are you so sure that you can save him? Are you so sure that the man you knew still exists?" asked Lex.

"It doesn't matter what I think," Oliver answered. "I made a promise and I intend to keep it."

"That's the thing about promises Mr. Queen, for every promise we make there is a price to pay," his eyes fell onto the man before him. "Is that something you're will to live with?"

That struck a nerve with Oliver as he leaned forward against desk into Lex's face. "Let's get one thing straight Luthor, I don't like you and nothing you say or do will ever change that. "So don't pretend like you know me or that you give a damn about me. I will do what has to be done if it comes down to that."

"Fair enough," Lex answered not at all intimidated by Oliver forceful words. "Now back to business," Lex pulled a folder from his brief case. "You're going to need help I assume, so I'm taken the liberty of gather intel on other Superheroes and others you should consider for your team. Everything you need to know is in here." He handed the folder out to Oliver. "The majority have not aligned themselves with Superman yet, but I believe there maybe one or two that will likely switch sides very soon."

Zatanna took the folder from Oliver and began to look through it. "Who put this intel together?" she exclaimed. "Look here, under profile, someone wrote down probable daddy issue. Who the hell came up with that!" she exclaimed angrily.

"Is it true though?" asked Lex.

"Yes," answered Zatanna annoyingly as she looked through the other profiles and stopped at one the surprised the hell out of her. "Really?" she asked as her eyes fell on to Lex.

"She has what you will need," Lex answered with a smile on his face not needing to be told to who she is referring to.

"I have my own files on these people," Oliver answered

"I'm sure you do, I would be surprised if you didn't," answered Lex as he watched Oliver and Zatanna get up and head towards the door.

"So, who do we start with first?" asked Zatanna.

"I'll see if I can track down our Bug Boy, unless he's MIA like his partner and crime has been," annouched Oliver. "See if you can convince the kid, because I have a feeling given her history with him it wont be easy."

"Wouldn't someone else be more suitable than her?" questioned Zatanna as her and Oliver walked down the halls of the Police Station towards the exit.

"Probably," Oliver answered. He knew she would be the best person suited for this, but calling her also meant giving into defeat and he wasn't ready to give up on Clark just yet. "...But I don't want to call her unless we have to, besides I think if she wanted to do something about what's been going she would already be here."

Smallville

Glass Shop

This was not going to be easy, especially since she had never met this girl and had no ties what so ever to the League, other than having known one of its primary members. Zatanna took a deep breath as she walked into the store that was getting ready to close.

"I'm sorry, but we're closed for the night," annouched the young twenty-four year old girl.

"I actually didn't come here for glassware," answered Zatanna. "I came to speak with you."

"About what?" asked the girl.

"My partner Oliver Queen and I are recruiting people with certain abilities."

"Like, someone who runs a glass shop?" she asked flatly.

"A little more involved than that," answered Zatanna with a smile as she walked around the girls store admiring the different glass sculptures and glassware. It was all so beautiful, one of a kind. "Your pieces are very beautiful Maddie." She turned to her. "It is good to know one good thing came out of being your fathers daughter."

"How do you know who I am?" she asked.

"Because we have a mutual friend in common and right now he needs our help, before he gets in too deep," annouched Zatanna.

"...Clark," she answered with a having sigh. She had seen him announce on live TV that he was Superman, though some part of her had always know there was something different, something special about Clark. It had been years since she had seen him, but she never forgot what he had done for her.

"Yes," Zatanna answered.

"You trying to save him or stop him," Maddie was no fool, nothing could get passed her. Why else would Oliver Queen, Green Arrow be recruiting new team members? He was no longer a member of the League and it sounds like he doesn't agree with what Superman has been doing.

Zatanna could hear the concern in Maddie's voice and she had every reason to be."I wont lie to you, I know what he means to you. He means a lot to me too," Zatanna answered knowing they cared a lot about Clark and didn't want to do anything that would hurt him. "I don't want to see anything bad happen to him either, nor do I want to harm him in anyway, which is why we need to save him before anything like that happens."

"You make it sound like he's in trouble..."

"He's not himself right now, he's grieving," Zatanna answered softly.

"Because Lois and their baby died," Maddie answered with a faint smile.

"I'm afraid it's more complicated than that." Zatanna knew the only way to help Maddie understand what was going on with Clark was to tell him the whole story. Her eyes were already filling up with tears."You see Clark was drugged to believe a monster called Doomsday was attacking Lois and when he went to attack the monster he didn't know it was Lois and unbeknown to him and the rest of us Toyman had placed a device and connected it so that when Lois's heart stopped beating the nuclear bomb would go off."

It broke Maddie's heart to learn the truth about how Lois died, how the bomb went off and how Clark had been the one who inadvertently pulled the trigger. It was a no wonder he had gone off on this crusade to end all wars and take a much harder stance on crime. She couldn't blame him for killing Toyman. She knew what it was like to face the one responsible for taking away someone you loved. Her own father had killed her mother and when she learned the truth and was face to face with him. She wanted his dead. She wanted to take his life, because he took away the person she loved most in the world. But Clark had stopped her and she had always been grateful for him for that. "...I'm in," she answered believing that it was her turn now to save Clark. "Anything to save Clark."

Metropolis

Park

Outside Radiation Blast Zone

"You sure are one hard guy to track down!" exclaimed Oliver as he approached a tent where Jamie Reye's was sitting by a fire. "What you forgot how to use your comm?" Oliver wasn't the least bit happy to find Reye alive and well. He actually half hope the kid had died in the blast and that would explain why he had practically dropped off the face of the earth.

"It was damaged during the blast," he answered.

"And you never heard of a cellphone?"

"I'm sorry, I haven't made contact!" exclaimed Jamie. "I've been looking for Mikey, we were supposed to meet for breakfast the day of the blast. He never showed or answered my calls. Then the blast happened. I got as many people out as I could and I've been trying to find him ever since. Something had to have happened to him."

"I'll tell you what happened," exclaimed Oliver as he sat down across from the young twenty-three year old. "He bailed. He probably knew it was going to happen and he took off."

"He wouldn't do that" exclaimed Jamie. "I know you we're never a big fan of the guy, but I know him. He wouldn't just take off." James knew there had to be a reason. Michael just wouldn't have taken off especially if he knew that was going to happen. The Booster Gold he knew would have done everything in his power to stop it from happening. "I know him."

"Look," Oliver sighed heavily. "I know the guy meant a lot to you and I'll admit he did do some good, but a lot of the time everything was about him." Oliver had forgotten that when Michael first arrived to their time that he had tried to take Clark place wanting to prevent the rising of Superman.

"I know he wasn't perfect," Jamie answered refusing to give up on his friend. He knew with all his heart something had happened, something bad. "But he wouldn't do something like this. Something happened and I wont rest until I find out what."

Oliver could see there would be no way around this. Booster was like an older brother to Jamie and he would never give up on him, no matter what anyone said. "All right fine," Oliver answered. "But until we find out what happened, we have bigger things to deal with."

"You mean Clark."

"Yeah."

"What are you planning on doing?" asked Jamie.

Queen Residence

Training Room

Oliver and Zatanna waited, when they beard the bell of the elevator door opening and out walked AC and his wife Mera, Maddie Van Horn, Jamie Reyes and one person they never expected to see Kara Kent.

"Kara..." Oliver couldn't believe that she was hear. She had been in the folder that Lex had given them, but he never thought she would actually come and had not contacted her for fear that she would tell Clark was was going on. "What are you doing here?"

"Don't worry, he doesn't know I'm here," she answered. "None of them do."

"But how..." That still didn't explain how she knew about this secret meeting.

"I called her," Zatanna annouched.

"But she's..."

"Just as worried about Clark as the rest of us,"exclaimed Zatanna as she gripped Oliver shoulder. Her eyes then fell onto Kara. "I'm glad you came, I was worried you wouldn't show." It hadn't been an easy conversation and Zatanna knew she was taking a big risk in contacting her, but she knew that they would need someone with strength equivalent to Clark.

"I said I would listen," Kara answered harshly. She didn't like the fact that two former members of the League were putting together a team to come up with a plan to stop Clark. "I never said I would agree to join anything yet."

"The fact that you came says otherwise," answered Zatanna knowing that Kara never would have shown up if she was hundred percent for what Clark and the others had been doing. She may not know Kara well, but she knew her well enough to know that she would have to have a good reason not to stand by the only remaining member of her family.

"I'm here to make sure you don't kill my cousin,"

"And no one is suggesting that," annouched Oliver as he walked up to Kara. "But I think we both know that if we don't do something soon, Clark is going to turn into someone else we know and I don't think either of us want to see that happen."

Kara knew to who Oliver was referring to and she had feared it the moment Clark had made his deceleration demanding there be a cease fire. She was afraid that he was becoming like Zod who too had fallen from grace after he had lost his wife and child. She had never knew that Zod, only what her aunt spoke of him. That he had once been a proud warrior who would have done anything to protect his soldiers and friend had lost his way. Now it seemed the same thing happened to Clark and with Andrea influence over him Kara was afraid that what happened on Krypton would repeat itself. She couldn't let that happen. She would die before she allowed that to happen.

"So what do you have in mind?" Kara asked.

TO BE CONTINUED