Disclaimer: I don't own Justice League, or Kingdom Come. Any, and all related characters are owned by Warner Bros., and DC Comics Entertainment.
Chapter 3 - War Wounds
Location: The Fortress of Solitude - Arctic Circle
"I thought that somewhere private would be best for our talk." Superman said to his older counterpart, as they made their way into a large chamber within the fortress. Inside the chamber, there are two statues of Superman's Kryptonian parents holding the planet Krypton up between them. KC Superman walks up to the base of the large statue, with his dark red cape fluttering behind his back. He runs his large hand over the Kryptonian writing inscription on the base of the statue, and looks up to smile at the images of Jor-El, and Lara El.
"The Fortress is smaller, but it still feels like home." KC Superman recalled with a wistful tone in his voice. Superman smiles over at KC Superman, and clears his throat lightly to get his attention.
"There's a room down in the lower levels of the Fortress where we can talk, if you'll follow me?" KC Superman nods in acceptance to his younger self, and walks silently side by side with him through a long hallway with large reinforced glass windows that have enclosures with habitat environments suited for the alien creatures that live within them. KC Superman watches as a large alien reptilian creature feeds her new-born young, and nods approvingly at how well they're looked after.
KC Superman is the first to break the silence between them, with a question. "I've never seen some of these species before, are they..." KC Superman raises an eyebrow slightly in surprise when Superman interrupts his question before he could finish.
"Yes. They're the last of their kind, like we are." Superman quickens his pace down the hallway, with KC Superman following closely until they reach the large doorway at the end. Superman stops in front of the door, and waves his open palm of his right hand over a panel on the wall next to the door. A red colored scan initiates, and a robotic voice is heard by both Men of Steel.
"D.N.A. : Match. I.D. - Confirmed. Welcome back, Kal-El." The door slowly swings open, and Superman enters. KC Superman walks in after him, and takes in his surroundings. There are computer panels, and a large viewing screen on the far side of the room with several smaller screens surrounding it, showing different areas of the world. Several humanoid robot are visible on the opposite side of the room with the El family crest on their chests, and are currently deactivated.
KC Superman grins when he sees a large picture of the gathered members of the Justice League hung with pride where everyone call see. KC Superman chuckles lightly at Batman's slight smile in the picture, while standing next to Wonder Woman.
"Leave it to Diana to break through Bruce's defenses like that." KC Superman admitted with a mischievous smile, and Superman looks confused until he notices his older counterpart staring over at the Justice League's group photograph. Superman chuckles, and shakes his head at the memory of Batman losing his signature scowl, when Diana nudged him in the arm with her elbow playfully.
Superman motions with his left hand over to the large round conference table in the middle of the room with a 'JL' symbol in the center of the table with seven conference chairs located around the table. Superman pulls out one of the chairs, and KC Superman does the same with a chair on the opposite side of the table. "Please, have a seat." KC Superman nods over to Superman, and takes a seat, with Superman doing the same at his end. Superman opens a compartment on his side of the conference table, and presses a button that activates one of his humanoid robots. Superman looks over at a curious KC Superman, and asks. "Do you mind if my robot records this conversation for the other founding members of the League to see at a later time?" KC Superman waves of his concerns with a smile, and a nod in his direction.
"It's fine, I don't have anything to hide." The eyes on Superman's humanoid robot glow red indicating that it has begun the recording.
Superman rests his forearms on the top of the table, with his hands flat on its surface. "Sorry, about my abruptness earlier. We've had bad experiences with another Superman, and his group called the Justice Lords from an alternate reality, so you can understand why I, and the rest of the League have to be cautious." KC Superman strokes his chin with his right hand with a thoughtful look on his face, and nods over to Superman.
"I understand. My world has had similar incursions like this in the past. An evil counterpart of mine named Ultraman, and his Crime Syndicate caused my League plenty of headaches." KC Superman reminisces, and Superman makes a note to ask him more about this at a later time.
"I see. Can you tell me about how you arrived into my universe from your own?" Superman asked, and KC Superman places both of his elbows on the table, and clasps his hands in front of him. KC Superman's expression on his face changes to a grim one. "It was a war, a civil war between heroes that shook the very planet itself. This all started a number of years ago, with the Joker escaping from Arkham Asylum for the umpteenth time. He entered the Daily Planet building, and killed 40 people before we could stop him. Including Jimmy...and Lois." KC Superman's grip on his hands tightened, and Superman can see his fingers digging slightly into his skin. KC Superman took a moment to compose himself before continuing.
"Joker was brought to stand trial for his crimes, but before the mad clown could enter the courthouse, he was killed on the courthouse steps by a meta-human named Magog. The people hailed him as a hero, and saw groups like the Justice League as a half measure. After a short time, we were considered as guilty as the super-villains we put away for allowing them to live, when we could've ended their lives." KC Superman looks up from staring at his hands, and sees Superman with a disbelieving look on his face. "I couldn't believe it either. Heroes are supposed to inspire, and show the best qualities inherent in all peoples. How can we do that by becoming judge, jury, and executioners?" KC Superman shakes his head to clear his thoughts, and continues his explanation of the events leading to his arrival.
"The League disbanded, with the members going their separate ways. I returned to Smallville to try avoiding a world that now saw us as obsolete, and unnecessary. Unknown to me, the meta-human population exploded, and new heroes emerged. Only these 'heroes' didn't care about civilian lives, and only fought for themselves to prove how powerful they are. Once they were finished with the super-criminal, they began attacking each other. With no one to help guide them, they became like wild animals drunk with their own power." KC Superman has a guilty look on his face, as Superman gives him a hard stare from across the conference table.
KC Superman's expression changes to one of gratitude, as his eyes soften at a memory. "Then Diana flew to Kansas, and gave me the kick in the pants that I needed to try to set things right again. We searched for the rest of the League, and brought in everyone we could to stop the senseless fighting in the meta-human population. Everyone, except for Batman joined, because we had different views on how to go about stopping these young meta-humans. Kansas was a wasteland after a group of metahumans attacked Captain Atom, and breached his containment suit causing a nuclear explosion wiping out the entire population of Kansas." KC Superman pinches the bridge of his nose, and grits his teeth in anguish. Superman's expression changes to one of concern for his older counterpart.
"D-do you need a moment to collect yourself? We can stop, if this is too difficult for you." KC Superman holds up his hand, and shakes his head in the negative, and breathes in and exhales deeply.
"No, I'm fine." Superman nods his head with some reluctance at the dead look in KC Superman's eyes, and motions for him to continue. "The league created a facility to rehabilitate the out of control metahuman population in the Kansas wasteland called the Gulag. Batman with his own team of metahumans joined forces with Luthor to put a stop to our efforts." Superman gave KC Superman a dumbfounded look when he heard the words escaping KC Superman's lips.
KC Superman nods over to Superman to assure him he's telling the truth. "Bruce, and I didn't always see eye to eye...but I agreed with him that these young men, and women needed guidance. We had to do something to quell the violence, and senseless destruction...so we held them in the facility until the situation could cool down. Then, all hell broke loose when Captain Marvel, who was brainwashed by Lex Luthor freed all the meta-humans with a magical lightning bolt." Superman's gaze was unreadable, as he continued to listen to KC Superman's story.
"Captain Marvel, and I fought while the Justice League and Batman's group battled the now free metahumans. I'm not good with magic, and you're no doubt the same...it was a tough fight. Captain Marvel wasn't pulling his punches, and neither could I. I managed to get him transformed back into his human form, just as I received a warning from Batman that the Government had launched a nuclear strike against us to wipe us all out." Superman has a stern look on his features, and he is recalling how the government reacted when Luthor took control of the Watchtower's binary fusion weapon to fire on an abandoned Cadmus facility, and the subsequent Ultamen strike on the Watchtower.
"I had my hand over his mouth to prevent him from transforming back, but I had to try to help him fight Luthor's brainwashing so we could stop the nuclear strike, and save everyone from being killed. It seemed to be working, and I saw the man coming around, so I released my hand from his mouth. He transformed back to Captain Marvel, and sent the mother of all magic lightning bolts down on top of my head. The last thing I can remember before blacking out was Captain Marvel flying toward the nuclear missile." KC Superman is rubbing the temples on the sides of his head with his fingers, as he tries to remember anymore details.
"The next thing I know, I'm standing inside of your Watchtower with the smoldering, twitching form of a Kryptonian woman who looks like my cousin, Powergirl lying at my feet. You can understand why I'd be upset at this." Superman nods in acceptance, and sighs deeply while folding his costumed arms over his chest. Superman then hits the button on the conference table, and the humanoid robot stops recording, and deactivates.
Superman sits up, and walks over to the other side of the conference table with KC Superman standing up as well. Superman walks to stand in front of KC Superman, and puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You have my word that the Justice League will do everything that we can to return you back to your world." Superman said with sincerity, and confidence in his voice to KC Superman. KC Superman puts his hand on Superman's opposite shoulder. and nods back to him with a grateful smile.
"Thank you. I just hope that Diana, and all of my friends are waiting for me back home safe and sound." Superman tries giving a reassuring smile to KC Superman, but there is a nagging doubt that is clearly visible in Superman's eyes.
"What are the chances that anyone survived if this Captain Marvel wasn't able to stop the missle? No...I can't think like that! He's counting on the League to get him home, and that's exactly what we'll do!" Superman crushes any further doubts that he has in his mind. A sudden movement catches the Man of Steel's attention, and he notices that one of his humanoid robots reactivates, and sits down in a high back chair in front of the computer with the large view screen.
"Man-droid twenty-one: Report!" Superman ordered to the humanoid robot, as it was typing out on the computer's terminal. "Disturbance at Metropolis First National Bank, Kal-El. Police band radio report matches two known individuals. One - The metahuman feline hybrid known as the Cheetah. Two - Darkseid's son from Apokolips known as Kalibak. Alert! - Unknown Metahuman has engaged hostiles. Police confirm that Lois Lane is also at the scene." The Man-droid states in a matter of fact way to the two Supermen. Superman narrows his eyes, and turns to look at the older version of himself, who nods back with a determined look.
"Let's go." Nothing more is said between them, as they both fly out of the Fortress of Solitude at top speed to stop Cheetah, and Kalibak before anyone gets hurt.
Location: West Side of Metropolis - Metropolis First National Bank
"Give up, you weakling Son of Zeus before I pound you into a bloody smear on the street!" The New God from Apokolips known as Kalibak bellows boastfully pounding his two fists together, and waits for an answer from the downed form he's standing over.
"You think to best the Lion of Olympus, you ugly troll?! Ha! The mighty Hercules laughs at your misplaced pride!" The now identified Demi-God known as Hercules exclaims with an arrogant laugh, and stands back on his feet wiping a speck of blood from his bottom lip. Hercules rushes forward, and begins to trade heavy blows with the Son of Darkseid. Meanwhile, his criminal accomplice is grabbing the bags of money, and diamonds purloined from the bank and attempts to quietly make her exit. Kalibak backhands Hercules, and sends him flying into one of the Metropolis police vehicles on the scene. "Where are you going with the money?!" Kalibak boomed at Cheetah's retreating form with a growl in his voice.
Cheetah hissed under her breath at being caught, and feigned ignorance when she spoke back to Kalibak. "What's your problem?! I was getting our money to a safe place, and you look like you have your hands full with the steroid case over there." Kalibak was about to storm over to Cheetah, when he receives a sucker-punch to the jaw from a grinning Hercules.
"Pay attention to me, and not your harlot, Troll! You have yet to feel my full might that I will bring to bear upon you!" Kalibak is rolling down the street from the hit, but rights himself quickly by digging his large hands into the pavement stopping him in his tracks. Meanwhile. Lois Lane, a reporter for the Daily Planet is hiding behind an overturned parked car, and writing up the story on her portable tablet.
"It didn't take long for the rats to surface, once news got out about the League's possible disbanding. This Hercules character is doing more damage to the city than either of those two! I hope Superman shows soon, so he can put a stop to all this." Lois thought with a frown when she sees that the Metropolis police are quickly knocked out by an enraged Cheetah.
"What...did you just call me?!" Cheetah growled out to a smirking Hercules that just avoided a punch to the face by Kalibak.
"You are a villainess, and therefore a harlot! The mortals of this realm care not what happens to your ilk! I shall have my way with you in my bed chambers when I defeat this foul smelling Troll!" Hercules claimed with over abundant pride, and kicks Kalibak out of the way when Cheetah leaps angrily at him with her claws. Cheetah scores a hit, and slashes Hercules across his face causing no damage to the Demi-God who sneers at Cheetah.
"What?! Not even a scratch?!" Cheetah is quickly grabbed into a bear hug by Hercules, who grins darkly at her. Cheetah is struggling to break free, but his grip is like iron, and he starts to squeeze making her cry out in pain.
"I've skinned the Nemean Lion, little mortal. Your claws cannot harm me. I will have to break you in it seems. Pleasure, or pain...it is your choice." Cheetah gasps in pain, and feels like she is going to black out. "Go...to...hell!" Cheetah hisses out, and before Hercules can squeeze again his hold on Cheetah is broken, when his hands are forced apart. Cheetah drops down on the street gasping for air.
"Who dares to lay hands upon the Son of Zeus?!" Hercules demands in outrage, and turns to see angry glowing red eyes staring back at him.
Lois takes a chance to glance over her hiding place, and exclaims loudly. "Superman!" Then she notices it is an older version of Superman who has Hercules' hand in a vice-like grip. She looks around, and sees her Superman fighting against Kalibak. "Supermen?! This is the scoop I've been waiting for!" Lois exclaims with excitement in her voice, and doesn't take her eyes off the action.
KC Superman starts to fly up high with Hercules still trying to free his hand from the powerful grip of the older Man of Steel. "Release me at once, Mortal...or you will feel my power!" KC Superman expression darkens, and the Lion of Olympus feels dread for the first time in centuries.
"Hercules, was it? I have a message for you from the Amazons of Themyscira. " Hercules pales at the mention of the Amazons, and starts kicking at KC Superman's chest, who barely felt his blows.
KC Superman grabs his other hand, and starts to apply pressure on them. Hercules screams loudly, and feels the bones in his hands turn to powder. KC Superman holds Hercules up by the Nemean Lion pelt draped over his shoulders like a cape to look KC Superman in his blue eyes.
"W-what *grnn* is this message...mortal..." Hercules trails off, and KC Superman holds him aloft with one hand, and cocks his other arm back to make a fist.
"You're no hero."
Chapter 3 Complete! Thanks for reading! Let me know what you thought of the chapter in a review, and I hope to see you in chapter 4 of 'Convergence: JLU'! :D