The White House Lawn looked the same as it ever did. The building stood tall and proud, a symbol of American history and the very heart of the country's political system.
"This is Superman. I'm here to see the President."
"Yes, sir!"
The guards stepped aside, and Superman found himself walking down the hallway to the President's office. If it were anyone else, he would likely have been escorted, or even driven away. But the country trusted him far more than the President himself.
"Ah." The President said, as Superman entered the room. "Superman. A pleasure."
"Luthor." Superman said, trying to keep the coldness out of his voice, as he held out his hand. "A pleasure."
Luthor smiled, adjusted the small piece of kryptonite embedded into his tie, and took Superman's hand. He held on just long enough for Superman to feel faint before letting go.
"It is very kind of you to take the time to meet with us… mere mortals." Luthor said, as he turned his back to him. "I would have thought you would be helping Batman clean up the mess he has made in Gotham."
Superman grimaced. "That's why I'm here, Luthor. We need to talk about what happened. And why."
"That is not necessary." Luthor said. "As President of the United States, I have already been briefed. Batman took it upon himself to investigate the Island of Paradise. He came to the realization that the Island was a threat, and that it had to be dealt with. However, King Eren Jaeger had no intention of allowing Batman to do as he wanted, and so lashed out against them. This… argument… led to the death of dozens of people. Many of them employees of Arkham Asylum."
He turned back around. "That is the situation as I, the President, understand it." He said. "Perhaps you would care to enlighten me about the finer details?"
"The Justice League has come to a decision." Superman said. "We were wrong to put so much trust in Batman."
Luthor chuckled. "Most thought that way the moment they heard that a lunatic was dressing up as a Batman and terrorizing the streets of Gotham."
"Batman was an ordinary person, who strove to do extraordinary things." Superman said. "We all respected that about him. He had a drive and passion beyond that of normal people." He paused. "I thought…. That he was an inspiration. I felt that he showed me what ordinary people could be capable of, if they simply believed in themselves enough."
Lex Luthor was smiling.
"I was wrong." Superman said. "He is a monster. He has used his influence to wreak havoc not only in Gotham city, but on the island of Paradise as well. He must be stopped."
"You are saying." Lex said, still smiling. "That you were wrong to prevent the Federal Government from stepping in what it came to Gotham's internal affairs."
"I was." Superman said. "I felt, at the time, that you would do much more damage than Batman ever could. I was wrong."
Lex Luthor's smile seemed to deepen. He was enjoying this.
"The Justice League agrees with me." Superman said. "Superheroes have become too influential in global events. Our actions can start wars, sway elections, and prevent the people of the world from solving their own problems. We have, I think, caused far more harm than good."
"You will remember, I think, that I told you this would happen the moment we met." Luthor said. "How your naïve idealism of the future would destroy you."
"You did.' Superman acknowledged.
"I also told you that there was a very real potential for the Justice League to one day become corrupt, and rule over humanity with an iron fist."
"You did." Superman said.
"And if memory serves… you did not heed my warning."
"I did not." Superman said.
His face was stoic and impassive. Lex's own smile was fading from his face. He scowled at him now.
"Do you not feel guilt?" He asked. "People died because of you!"
"Of course I feel guilty." Superman said. "I made a choice. And in my heart I feel as I made the right one. And I feel as if I am doing the right thing now. I chose to allow Batman to acquire his power because I felt that he had the potential to make the world a better place. Now that I have seen that he has allowed himself to be corrupted by his own potential, it is time for the world to move on. Batman cannot be allowed to continue. This is the end."
Luthor and Superman stared at each other.
"No matter how poorly things become." Luthor said, his voice cold. "You still believe that can help everyone."
"I do." Superman said. "I will do everything in my power to work with you to stop Batman, and give the Eldian people peace of mind."
…
Robin had been imprisoned on Paradise the instant his feet had touched foot on its soil. He had been bound and gagged, and taken to a jail cell. He had a fair few visitors, military people personally, who questioned him regarding his relationship with Batman and his role in the Attack on Arkham. He was fed well, and clothed, but he received no news of what was transpiring on the outside.
Until one day, perhaps three weeks later, he found himself summoned to the Court of King Eren Jaeger. Handcuffed and restrained, he was led to the throne room and forced to kneel before the King on his throne.
It was the first time he had seen Jaeger on his home turf. He sat upon the throne as if he had owned it, his expression almost bored. To his right stood Mikasa Ackermann, who he understood to be his personal bodyguard and childhood friend. To his left sat Historia Reiss, who he was shocked to see was clearly pregnant. She seemed a little bit uncomfortable with the proceedings, and looking down at him with something that almost looked like concern.
"Dick Grayson." The man who had brought him in said. "You stand in the presence of King Eren Jaeger, of the Eldian People. You have been brought here for questioning regarding your relationship with Bruce Wayne, the Batman."
How did they know? Robin thought to himself, furiously. Bruce kept his identity hidden above all else. Very few people knew who he truly was, under the mask. The fact that these people had figured it out, and so quickly, did not bode well.
"My name is Robin." Robin said. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Dick, we met at the party." Historia said, exasperated. "We already know, so please don't make this more difficult than it needs to be."
She seemed a little bit more sympathetic to him than the King was, so Robin focused his attention on her.
"Why are you keeping me here?" He asked. "To what purpose?"
"The Batman has made an enemy out of our country." The man he was with answered, before Historia could respond. "He is, right now, the greatest threat our people face in this new world."
Robin grimaced. There was no talking his way out of this situation. But to his surprise, Historia spoke.
"Batman is our enemy, not this man." Historia said. "He could have easily stopped me on my way to confront the Batman during the Attack on Arkham, but he chose to allow me to negotiate instead."
She shot an annoyed glance at her husband on the throne, and Robin suddenly began to read the room: the Royal family was in conflict about whether or not he was their enemy.
"I did." Robin said, his voice slow and deliberate. "To give you the opportunity to save lives."
Historia nodded at him, clearly approvingly, but the rest of the room was dead silent.
"So you are Batman's man, then?"
"I am." Robin said. "Or I was."
"Was?" The man said sharply. "You have abandoned him?"
He probably shouldn't lie.
"Yes." He said. "But I came back when he asked for my help."
The man looked up at Eren. "This wasn't in the document."
"I can vouch for him." A cold, dark voice said.
Nearly everyone in the room, save for Eren himself, jumped. Out of the shadows stepped Raven, completely hooded and cloaked.
"Who are you?" The man demanded, reaching for his sword. But Historia was already on her feet.
"Raven!" She said, happily, as she made her way over to her. "I… I missed you!"
She made a big show of wrapping her arms around her. The whole room again fell silent.
"You are Raven?" The man asked sharply. "The one who assisted the Queen?"
"I am." Raven said quietly, as she pushed Historia away from her and stepped forward. She bent her head in front of Eren and bowed. "Your Majesty."
Eren did not respond.
"My apologies for the intrusion." Raven said. "But I thought it best to involve myself in this matter. I can offer you more insight into this man and his relationship than you are currently privy to."
"Raven…." Robin hissed. "What are you doing?"
"And why should we listen to you?" The man asked. "You are an outsider, aren't you?"
"I can vouch for her." Historia said, her voice firm, as she stood over Raven and placed her hand on her shoulder. "She saved me from Batman, when I was most vulnerable… I only escaped Gotham because of her."
To Robin's very great surprise, Eren nodded his head.
"Yes." He said. "She did. And she has our thanks."
"Your Majesty." Raven said. "This man is not your enemy. If you would allow me the chance to speak on his behalf, I can-"
"Your request will be granted."
Raven gave a small start. "What?" She sounded almost surprised. Clearly she had expected Eren to put up much more of a fight.
"There are certain precautions we must take." Eren said. "I do not want the two of you to stay on this island together, for instance…. And you both must be kept under close watch. But I see no reason to continue holding this man. He is free to leave, provided that a soldier of my choosing accompanies him wherever he goes."
Raven bent her head. "You are too kind, your majesty."
"Leonhart." Jaeger said. "I entrust this task to you."
"You're too kind, Eren." A dry, drawling female voice said from behind them. Robin could sense footsteps behind him, and the woman came to a stop just behind him.
"In your case, Raven…" Eren said. "I cannot allow you to leave this island. But in your case, I think Historia would be more than happy to look after you."
Historia beamed at her.
"That will be all." Eren said, dismissing them.
…
Barbara Gordon had been crying for weeks. The news of her Father's death had hit her hard. The news that Dick Grayson had died as well hit her just as harder. She kept hoping that she would awaken from this nightmare, that it would simply be an effect of Scarecrow's fear toxin. But as the days and weeks passed her by, she began to slowly realize that it wasn't a dream. They really were all dead.
She had worked herself into a frenzy in the Batcave, trying to piece together the events as they had happened. How the Titan had grabbed her Father and simply crushed him. How it had rampaged through Arkham, killing dozens of people in a clear showcase of power and brutality.
"The Eldians… Will pay for this."
Her fist shook. She let out another sob, as her fingers clicked on the keyboard.
"How could they do this? How could anyone do this?"
She hit the keyboard a little bit harder than she should. She felt Batman's hand on her shoulder.
"It never gets better." He told her, gravely. "The best you can do is keep moving forward."
Barbara Gordon cried.
