Chapter 3 - The Man of Steel

Avengers-

To say that the flight to the helicarrier was tense, would be an understatement. Batman "borrowed" one of Stark's tablets so he could continue researching this new world and effectively ignored everyone. Everyone else watched him from the corner of their eyes or through mirrored surfaces. Noone, not even Hawkeye, said a word but the air was thick with unspoken questions. Luckily, it was a short flight.

Fury waited for them on the deck of the helicarrier. His leather coat billowed in the wind and he glared with his one uncovered eye. He would have been the most intimidating, dramatic man in any other circumstance, but he was outgunned this time. Didn't stop him from sounding annoyed, however. "Stark, this better not be one of your pranks or experiments gone wrong."

"Me?" Tony tried to look innocent. "Perish the thought, Fury. I haven't messed with the fabric of space in weeks."

"That does not comfort me." The director turned to Batman. "Who are you? Another alien?"

"I'm not an alien," Batman answered without offering any more explanation. Unlike most men who met the director of SHIELD, he did not back down from Fury's one-eye glare. In fact he met it with a chilling glare of his own. "I need to see Superman now."

"That answers who I have but not who you are. Start talking," the director ordered, stepping in from of the dark knight. They cut an interesting picture, with Batman's and Fury's cost fluttering in the wind.

"No time," Batman said, stepping forward.

"Make time," Fury challenged, standing his ground.

"Sir, let's have this discussion inside," Black Widow spoke up, trying to calm the situation. She stepped between the men, making both of them take a step back. "Let's not make enemies we don't need."

The director paused to consider Widow's words. "Are you going to become an enemy?" Fury asked Batman.

"It would be easier for everyone if we can cooperate." Batman's glare never diminished but some of the tension in his shoulders relaxed. "I can tell you the man you are holding is as American as your Captain America. Let me wake him up and we can talk."

Fury thought about it and with great dignity, stepped out of the way. Batman nodded and rushed with remarkable accuracy straight to where Superman was being held.

The Avengers followed in Batman's wake, sometimes offering apologies to the bowled over SHIELD agents lay strewn through the hallways. When they reached the room where Superman lay, they stayed outside.

After a moment, Fury joined them. He just looked at Stark, obviously expecting an explanation, but he was doomed to disappointment. Stark just shrugged before fiddling with his phone, apparently ignoring everything. When the director turned to Natasha, she shook her head. Fury ground his teeth and turned to watch Batman wake up his friend.

Batman-

Batman wasn't sure what to expect when he walked into the room where SHIELD contained Superman. It looked like a prison cell crossed with a hospital room with some fishbowl accents. The wall of reinforced glass that let anyone outside observe anyone inside gave the impression of a fishbowl. Along the opposite wall, the medical equipment blinked obnoxiously. Batman scanned the equipment, none of which was connected to Superman. Obviously, the scientists at SHIELD didn't know what they were dealing with and had given up at some unseen signal from Director Nick Fury. Batman didn't blame them. It wasn't like they could take a blood sample.

The man of steel lay unconscious on a table in the center of the room. Flexible metal straps crossed over his chest, waist, knees, and feet. Batman refrained from grinning at the feeble restraints. He knew they wouldn't slow Clark down, assuming he even noticed. Still, it would be dangerous if Superman woke up here, alone and disoriented. Best case scenario had him flying straight through the ceiling or floor without damaging any vital systems. Worst case: he would have a flashback of when Darkseid controlled him and he panicked. He could destroy the helicarrier before SHIELD could evacuate. Batman wouldn't let that happen.

He leaned over Superman and shook his shoulders, not that he expected a result but he had to start somewhere. He tried not to think how similar this was to the Dr. Destiny case, otherwise that stupid jingle would get caught in his head again. It took him weeks to get it out last time. Leaning close to Clark's head, Batman shouted "Superman, wake up!" The Kryptonian didn't move. A splash of water and a light smack also had no effect. Outside, Director Fury and the Avengers watched. It was frustrating and he admitted to himself a little embarrassing. Finally, Batman bent down to Superman's ear and whispered, "Come on, Clark, we don't have time for this. I need you. I won't be able to get these people to trust me, but you can. Please, wake up."

As expected from Superman, a plea for help had him sitting up like a shot. The restraints snapped like threads and the man of steel was on his feet, shaking his head.

"Superman, it's me." Batman approached carefully. Superman's eyes were unfocused and he swayed a little. Bruce held out his hand and Clark grabbed it like a lifeline, but held it gently. "You're safe, just stay calm."

"Bats?" Superman asked, shaking his head again. He groaned and put his other hand to his head, like he had a headache.

"It's me," Batman repeated.

Finally, Superman's eyes cleared and looked around. "Where are we?"

"Another world, we were transported somehow," Batman explained, lending a shoulder when the Kyrptonian stumbled. "We'll need to work together to fix this."

"What's your plan?" Superman asked, looking at the window where they would see the Avengers looking in.

"You work with the local heroes; just be yourself, you'll fit right in. We need to find the rest of the league. I'll work on getting us back home," Batman explained. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. Beside him, Superman straightened up and put on his game face. Then, they opened the door. "Let me introduce you to the Avengers."

Watching Superman work his charm is always an experience. Truth, Justice and the American Way had its usual effect, and Batman just stood back and let it happen. He knew his limits. As Batman, he stood little chance of winning the Avengers over. Bruce Wayne might have had a chance, but that wasn't who he was right now. Better to just let Superman take the spotlight, while Batman fades into the shadows.

Superman waved his hand awkwardly to the group waiting outside. "Hello, I'm Superman and Batman tells me you are the Avengers." He smiled warmly. "I hope we can work well together."

Tony, predictably, stepped forward first. "That's us. I'm Tony Stark," he said as he held out a hand, media smile firmly in place.

Superman turned his smile on the billionaire and shook his hand. "Pleasure is all mine," he said with all the manners his mama taught him.

Thor pushed forward next, clapping the hero on the shoulder with enough force that even Superman felt it, though he did not flinch which seemed to endure him to the Asgardian. "Welcome warrior! I am Thor Odinson, prince of Asgard. I shall show you the wonders of this realm, as I, too, was once a stranger."

"Sounds great," Superman agreed and turned his attention to Captain America. "I like your color scheme."

"Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America," Steve explained as they shook hands. "Welcome to our Earth." Clearly they were kindred spirits.

Sam, who had been staying back, suddenly couldn't hold it in any longer. "Are you really an alien?" he blurted. Then he gasped and hid his face in his hands. "Nevermind, ignore me," he said embarrassed. He had sounded a little too excited for someone who had fought alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Superman just laughed. "Yep! I was born on the planet Krypton, but right before its destruction, my parents sent me to Earth. Here, I was raised by a wonderful couple in Kansas." He winked at Sam. "I'm as American as you."

Sam blushed but shook Superman's hand. Behind him, Hulk just grunted when Superman smiled at him. Clint and Natasha held back, watching. Batman kept an eye on them as he considered them a greater threat, the Black Widow in particular.

Finally, Director Fury had enough. "Enough with the meet and greet. What do you want, Superman?" he said sharply.

His opening act finished, Superman looked back at Batman, who finally stepped forward. Clark was making sure he was included, which he appreciated even if Superman could have handled it himself. "First, we need to find the rest of the League. Then find out what brought us here and how to get back." He glanced at Superman who smoothly picked up his que.

"We need your help. We're strangers, with no connections, no identity, and no home base. We'll need resources and information to find our friends. Can we count on you?" Superman looked right at Tony and Steve, beseeching them with guileless eyes. Batman tried not to roll his own eyes. The man knew how to use those puppy-dog eyes. The strongest man in the world and he won arguments with puppy-dog eyes.

While Fury seemed immune to Superman's charm, Tony Stark and Steve Rogers were not. They pledged their support and before he knew it, they were all climbing back into the quinjet.

The last thing Batman saw as the door closed was a scowling Director Fury issuing orders to the flight deck. Batman was reminded of Amanda Waller, in a mostly good way. Once the door closed, everyone turned to look at Tony, expecting him to know where to go next.

Unfortunately, he wasn't so sure. "Um, back to the Tower?" he suggested. "I'll see if we can find any other spikes of that weird energy, which will lead to your friends."

"Okay," Superman agreed as he looked around the plane like a kid on a field trip. He wasn't used to flying inside a plane when he had the cape on, and it was a pretty impressive plane.

"We need to fly to Greece," Batman spoke up, a little frustrated that he needed to take charge. He ignored how every eye turned to him. "There was a minor earthquake there about an hour ago, and reports are coming in of a flying woman saving people trapped in the collapsed buildings."

Superman perked up. "Diana?" he asked.

Batman nodded but didn't elaborate. Tony looked around and shrugged. "Okay, Greece it is. Who wants Gyros?"