176Superman begins to lay out his plans
Chapter 4: Forming Lines In The Sand
"What's happening Billy?" Diana asked as she and Batman entered the monitor womb together.
"You know that country is off limits without explicit permission to enter their borders." Batman rattled off. "They've already implied that any act against them would be considered an act of war."
"I know, I know Bats." Billy said as he held his hands up in surrender. "Believe me I learned my lesson from the last time I brought it up, but this time it's different. It's…."
"Superman." Batman finished for him as he was looking at a monitor that revealing a blue and red streak stretching across the sky.
"What's Kal doing there?" Diana asked as Bruce turned and stomped out in the direction of the hanger bay while reaching for his communicator on the side of his cowl.
"He's doing something stupid." Batman said over his shoulder just before opening a comm link channel. "Batman to Justice League. Superman's gone rogue and broken the treaty of Bialya. Meet me in the hanger bay for emergency launch in two minutes."
Diana and Shazam raced after the Dark Knight as he stalked his way through the halls until arriving at the hanger bay. There he was met by Flash followed shortly by J'onn, GL, and Hawkgirl. Diana and Shazam were the last to arrive, and they all followed Batman into the closest available Javelin. Quickly he input the commands to access the bay doors and configured the best approach to reach the war ravaged country. Within seconds, the Javelin came to life and rocketed out into space until Batman performed a steadily aggressive orbital drop. Hal being a fighter pilot was enjoying the dangerous descent and increasing speed. The only thing he didn't like was that he was a passenger instead of the pilot. The other members were becoming slightly nervous as the wings were a bright glowing red, and at some points they could have sworn that they each saw some molten metal balling up and peeling away. Diana was the one to add something productive to the sounds of the creaks and groans that the hull of the Javelin was making. "What's the plan Batman?" She asked.
"We have to stop Superman's interference first and foremost." He answered. "Try reasoning with him first, but if he won't come willingly, then leave him to me."
"What are you going to do if it comes to that?" Hal asked.
"He'll use the Kryptonite that he always keeps in that utility belt." Hawkgirl answered for him.
Batman shot a look at Shayera for a moment before he noticed the ice cold glare being sent his way from Diana. "You'll actually use that on Kal?" She asked in a raised and aggravated voice.
"Only as a last resort, and only so that we can get him and get out." He replied. "Believe me Diana, I don't want to have to use it, but Superman is knowingly breaking a treaty that he was directly involved in. He knows he shouldn't be there."
Diana turned away from Batman crossing her arms over her chest, disgusted with what she'd found out about just how paranoid a man that he was.
~~ Bialya Air Space ~~
Superman was streaking across the sky, looking for any acts of violence against the defenseless. It wasn't long before he found some of just what had brought him there in the first place. Below he saw a group of jeeps and two tanks as they plowed through a small village. They were decimating buildings as they passed, and forcing the residents from their homes before lining them all up and executing each one that they found. By his count he could clearly make out about a dozen militants outside the vehicles. He chose what he felt was the best course of action and swooped down to the nearest tank. Superman slammed down feet first directly onto the main gun barrel, causing it to buckle and pinch shut. The soldier seated behind the turret machine gun began to fire upon Superman even though it was a waste of ammunition. Superman merely ignored the gunfire pelting him on the back, and instead focused on digging his fingers into the turret ring before ripping it from the hull and throwing it at the second tank. He put so much force behind the throw that the second tank actually tipped over onto its side.
Superman jumped down off of the tank and realized that the militants were surrounding him now. He merely smirked as they were barking orders at him in a language he didn't speak. He looked for the most highly decorated soldier and began to stalk over towards that man. "You WILL take me to your leader, and will stop what you're doing now." Superman commanded.
The soldiers all looked at him in confusion. All except the lieutenant that he was approaching. "You are violating the peace treaty." The lieutenant stated in English.
"Peace?" Superman questioned rhetorically. "You call this peace? No, I'm not the one that broke the treaty, you and your superiors are by how you are attacking innocent civilians. Well that ends now." Superman grabbed the lieutenant by his shirt, lifting him off the ground before he continued. "I'm here to negotiate a new treaty. One that has repercussions for when your side breaks it."
"Colonial Rumaan Harjavti will not sign such a treaty." The lieutenant stated still somewhat defiantly. "He will…"
"He will sign or be forced to sign." Superman interrupted. "You have no power this time around. You'll either comply to my renegotiated treaty, or your officials will be dealt with and replaced by someone else that will be more willing to comply."
"You, you can't do that!" The lieutenant exclaimed.
"Who's going to stop me?" Superman asked before staring directly in the lieutenant's eyes, showing just how serious he was.
"Th….This isn't like you." The lieutenant shakily stated. "I…I will not help you in your quest."
"I'm done holding back when I know that something can be done to better this world." Superman replied. "And you'll either help me, or I'll dispose of you and your men until I find someone that will take me to Harjavti."
The lieutenant was cowering in fear. If Superman wasn't holding him up off his feet, he'd have been curled into the fetal position by now. Superman briefly wondered if this was how Bruce felt when he interrogated someone. Then he realized that it would only be a matter of time before the League responded in kind to his breaking of the peace treaty. That was some of what was wrong with this world. This supposed peace treaty did nothing to keep the peace, and instead kept those who could maintain that peace and order remained intact could be there to ensure that it was done. Well, no more sitting by letting bureaucracy hinder his ability to help the innocent and punish those that deserved to be punished for infringing upon another's right to peace and prosperity.
To help get his point across that he meant business, Superman used his heat vision on the fuel tanks of each vehicle that the militants had around him. Within seconds, his opposition was now without vehicles, and the men all dropped their weapons as soon as Superman altered his focus to each militant. The lieutenant still being held in Superman's grip screamed for someone to help him get free as well, but those words fell upon deaf ears. No one wanted to challenge Superman as he didn't seem to be in any mood to be deterred from his goals. Soon he shot up into the sky, and only the sound of his passenger's blood curdling scream could be made out. Suddenly Superman halted a couple miles above the surface when he stretched his arm out straight that held the lieutenant there with him. "Last chance." Superman offered. "Show me where to find Harjavti, or I drop you hear."
Superman began to slowly relax his fingers, and the lieutenant scraped and clawed on Superman's arms as he sought a safe place to cling to that would prevent him from falling to his death. "From this height, I could take you and slam the both of us into the ground and I'd be fine, but you, well you certainly wouldn't survive. So please, go ahead and feel safe holding onto me."
Superman began to plummet back down to the Earth as the lieutenant once again screamed aloud. They'd made it about half way back down to the Earth when he regained his voice. "OK!" He yelled. I'll talk! I'll talk! Just please, don't let me die."
"Your life for your Colonial's reign." Superman said as he trailed off from the rapid fall. "But if you for a second try to deceive me, you'll never get another chance, and I won't stop the next time. That I can promise you."
~~ Inside the Javelin ~~
Batman had pulled out of the rapid drop maneuver that he performed, to the delight of everyone that wanted to keep their lunches inside their stomachs. Hal of course wanted to try the maneuver himself as it had no effect on him whatsoever. They were already inside Bialya airspace after just fifteen minutes of flying, and Batman was seeking out the best location to land. Their radio had been surprisingly silent, as Batman had anticipated being confronted with heavy opposition from the moment that they were spotted, but not a single fighter jet had even been in the same air space. "What's going on here?" Flash asked. "I thought this was supposed to be a hostile country."
"As did the rest of us." J'onn replied.
"I'm taking us down just outside the capital." Batman stated. "We need to find some answers, quickly. Then finding Superman and bringing him home becomes priority one."
They landed the Javelin just outside the capital city as Batman had informed the rest of the team that he would. Cautiously, they exited the Javelin, still not knowing what to expect or when they might be confronted. The buildings around the city were still smoldering from the last battle that had taken place around the city, but aside from abandoned jeeps and tanks, there were no signs of aggression. Without giving any words, Batman pointed everyone into a direction that would eventually lead them all up to the palace where Colonial Harjavti would be holed up in securely. Batman had Diana with him to go up through the middle as the other members snuck around to the side to help infiltrate. It was when Diana was able to simply push the palace doors open with minimal effort that the realized all the guards had either been subdued, or were missing entirely. Soon all of the League members were in the throne room, and none of them had even received a second glance, much less opposition for just being there inside the country's borders. "I don't understand." Hawkgirl called out. "Where is everyone?"
"B, this is Oracle." Batman was stopped from responding as Barbara's voice filled his ear."
Batman reached his hand up next to the communicator and answered the hail request as the League members waited. Batman stood there silently as he listened to what Oracle had contacted him about. "Are you sure?" He asked before walking over towards a monitor that remained in the palace. "Understood. Batman out." He said before turning on the TV and changing to the channel that Barbara had just indicated. On the TV screen was none other than Superman, holding with him Colonial Harjavti, who looked to be fearful for his own life. Batman immediately issued an override command that none of the other League members recognized, and soon afterwards he was establishing a link with Superman. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing Clark?" He asked, not caring about using Superman's alter ego.
"Something I should have done a long time ago." Superman answered. "I'm not going to sit by any longer when innocent lives are at stake. No more."
"Don't do this Clark." Batman attempted to negotiate. "You can't change the past, but that doesn't mean that you have to repeat your mistakes."
"You know something Bruce, you're absolutely right." Superman stated in agreement, although Batman knew better than to think that he was actually going to listen to reason. Sure enough, when it came to finding out what Clark had meant with his response, Bruce had never wished more than at this moment that he were wrong.
"Superman, Superman!" A reporter hollered as the camera focused on the Man of Steel. "Who gave the order to intervene, breaking the boundaries of the previous treaty?"
"No one did." Superman answered. "The decision was mine, and mine alone. Not even the Justice League was aware of the choice that I made today to protect innocent lives no matter what documentation is in the way."
"So are you saying that you plan to intervene from now on?" Another reporter chimed in.
"I'm saying that for too long I've hidden behind a false form of justice where bureaucracy comes first and lives come in a distant second, and I'll not sit by and allow this anymore." Superman explained.
"What made you decide to change your stance on this topic?" The first reporter asked. "Did it have anything to do with the reports that you are responsible for the infamous Joker's death?"
"Let me explain myself so that I can be succinctly clear to everyone." Superman started. "As for the Joker, I am responsible for his death, and I accept that. I believe wholeheartedly though, that had I not stepped in and put an end to that monster's life, then he would surely have found another way to escape and kill again. Eight million lives were too much for one man to take just because he enjoyed it. The Joker was evil, and there's no room for a peaceful world if a man as evil as the Joker is allowed to be a part of it. As for what's changed…when I was watching all of the innocent people being attacked by their own leaders that was the last straw. While the United States is one of the best countries this world has to offer, it is still far too flawed in its version of justice. I'm seeking to change that and to one day in the near future bring about a peace the likes of which this world could only dream of before. I ask that the world's leaders step aside and focus on refining their justice systems so that the evil of this world is not accepted any longer under any circumstance. I intend to stand in for any injustice the world can offer until this is done. I vow that what happened in Metropolis won't ever happen again. I also promise that any men or women like the Joker will be dealt with in kind until this world can finally rest easy."
"What about your fellow Justice League teammates?" A third reporter asked. "What will their role be?"
"My friends and colleagues are more than welcome to join me in this mission for peace." Superman answered. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a new treaty to negotiate with the Colonial. One that will call for his immediate resignation upon signing it. No one man that is so willing to punish the innocent should be permitted to remain in power. I'll be scheduling a press conference in three days time to lay out my intentions in full."
That comment brought about cheers from the mass of press that had grown to surround Superman. Batman shut the television off as the news report returned to its local studio. He turned and looked at the members of the Justice League that he was standing with, and he was greatly disappointed in what he saw before him. Almost all of them seemed to believe that Superman was right in his actions. They couldn't see the Pandora's Box that was opening right before their very eyes. Superman would do some good at first, but then as he continued on, how far would he go? He was already willing to take a life, and from his own words, he had come to terms with that already. If Bruce had to guess, then based off what he heard from his friend, Superman would be willing to kill again in the name of his version of justice. Eventually he'd be no better than the Joker, and they couldn't see it. Batman had nothing to say to any of them at that point, and he pressed a button on his belt signaling for the Batwing to track his location for pick up. It would be a couple of hours, but he honestly needed the time to himself in order to let his mind go through all the scenarios that the world was about to encounter thanks to who would be known as the man that used to be the world's greatest champion. He walked right through the group of League members and out of the palace without saying a single word to any of them.
Diana watched as Batman basically stormed out of the throne room. She didn't see why he seemed to be so frustrated. Just looking around at where they were standing in what was just mere hours ago a hostile and violent country had been calmed considerably by a stronger stance from Kal. Surely that had to be a good thing if such a stance could immediately cease the fighting within a hostile country. The Colonial was indeed a greedy man, and had allowed that greed and power to corrupt him into becoming an evil dictator. She stayed with the rest of the team, knowing full well that Bruce wanted to be left alone. So she joined in on the conversation with Hal, Hawkgirl, Shazam, and Barry. J'onn departed soon after Bruce, but everyone assumed that he went out to offer help in calming the heated emotions running through the Dark Knight. The group eventually dispersed, taking their time putting out any lingering fires and reveling in the quiet peace like nature of Bialya's capital city as they headed back to the Javelin. It was there that Diana became slightly concerned when only J'onn was waiting for them. "Where's Batman?" She asked the Martian.
"He will not be returning to the Watchtower." J'onn replied.
"Don't be ridiculous." She responded to that answer. "He can't stay in this country to brood."
"He left this for you Diana." J'onn said as he pulled out a note and handed it to her. Batman had him read it so that he would be aware of what was going on before it was sealed and he left on the Batwing. She stood beside J'onn as Hal reached for the controls to take them back to the Watchtower.
Diana,
I know this will seem abrupt and unexpected, but I cannot go down the path that Superman is heading. My hope is that you will understand and choose not to follow as it is a path that will only end in disaster, and also will see the League turn from heroes to villains. I am going to continue protecting my city as I always have before, but this will be my last act as a member of the Justice League. I saw the looks on all of your faces, and believe that at the very least a majority of you will join Clark in his misguided quest for peace. Leave Gotham to me. Superman's League can have the rest of the world for all I care, but Gotham is mine, and I won't give it up. Not even to Clark. I will always love you Diana, and I want to be certain that you know that.
B
Diana's eyes began to well up after she finished the letter. She turned away and headed to the back of the Javelin, refusing to let her tears fall in view of anyone. She couldn't believe that Bruce would give in so quickly without even really speaking to Kal. The League wouldn't be as formidable without its field general when trouble arose, but then again, she should've known that something like this would happen eventually. All it would take would be for someone to kill on the Justice League and Bruce would be gone forever from the team. She just couldn't believe that day had already come. What would it do to their personal relationship? She knew that Bruce loved her, and she loved him. She didn't want to lose him even if she did believe in Kal's words and goals that he'd proposed on the breaking news report. The letter was proof that Bruce didn't want to lose her as well. If not for their relationship, he would've just informed J'onn that he resigned and left without another word. That gave her a glimmer of hope, and she decided that she would visit the Manor as soon as she could so that she and Bruce could discuss things between the two of them.
~~ Watchtower ~~
When the Javelin had been properly docked in the hanger bay, the occupants all filed their way outside of the jet. Diana was anxious to get down to see Bruce, but she stopped dead in her tracks along with the rest of the group upon seeing the man standing before them at the hanger bay entrance. Superman was standing there leaning against the door frame with his thick arms folded across his chest. He held a serious demeanor about him as he stood there. "Nice press conference Superman." Hawkgirl said to break the ice.
"What brings you up here my friend?" J'onn asked.
"Actually I came here to speak to the founding members before I address the rest of the League." Superman explained as he took note of who was and wasn't present. "Is Batman coming up, or should we make contact with him and ask for his presence?"
"Batman has…"
"Batman will not be in attendance even if you call for him." Diana jumped in interrupting J'onn. She knew that the Martian was about to inform Kal of Bruce's resignation, but she still held out hope that she could convince him to come back, and just needed a little extra time to talk things through with him. J'onn turned his head quickly when he was interrupted. He was surprised that Diana had chosen to keep such a secret, and thought about probing her mind for the answers, but decided against it. Diana had never done anything to warrant suspicion from him. He instead followed Superman and the others to the conference room where Superman started to describe his intentions.
J'onn sat quietly in his seat as he listened to Superman's plans as he detailed how the world's leaders seemed to only become corrupt, and that they all needed to have a fail safe, which he intended to be. At first he just wanted to weed out the leaders that had already become corrupt and remove them from their powered positions, but then he started to describe going further, making sure that no one would have to worry about being attacked or mugged, and how he intended to punish all the criminals and give them a taste of true justice. J'onn had to admit that initially, Superman's ambitions and plans were intriguing at the very least, but flawed. Batman had seen through the flaws almost immediately, and wanted nothing to do with it. That was why he handed in his resignation on this day. Superman would eventually become too powerful, and when that happened he'd turn into the very thing that he planned to remove initially. A corrupt and powerful dictator. When it became clear that Superman was ending his meeting, J'onn stood up. "I too have an announcement to make." He stated as everyone turned their attention to him. "I have decided that its time that I take another sabbatical so that I can maintain my connection with the human race."
Talk about poor timing." Hal muttered to Shayera, earning him an elbow to the ribs.
"I'm sure you will be fine." J'onn replied. "Superman has returned, and I believe that will more than offset what qualities I can offer the League. I shall return when the time is right."
"Are you sure you have to go now?" Shayera asked.
J'onn only offered a nod as a response before he started to make his way out of the conference room.
"J'onn wait!" Superman called out before coming around the table to stand in front of his Martian compatriot. "Why now? Couldn't it wait until after things have settled down first? I could really use your help with this."
J'onn laid a hand on Superman's shoulder, offering comfort. "I'm afraid so my friend." He answered, and then turned on his heels and walked out of the room and into the empty hallway that led to the teleporter.
The meeting ended on a sour note as J'onn was once again leaving the League to recharge his batteries. Superman followed Diana out and chased her down as she was marching quickly over to the teleporters herself. When she reached the doorway, he was finally within arms reach to stop her. "Where are you headed in such a hurry Diana?" He asked. "I was thinking that we could catch up."
"I need to go down and speak with Bruce, Kal." Diana answered as she moved over to the control console.
"Okay, I'll go with you." Superman stated.
"I'm not sure that would be such a good idea." She replied.
"Why's that Di?" He asked. "Will Bruce threaten to use Kryptonite on me if I don't leave?"
Diana thought for a second that what Kal had suggested could very well become a reality. Superman didn't give her much time to answer. "Well, regardless, I need to know if he's going to help with the cause that I want to establish. Maybe even the other members of his Batclan too if their interested and ready." Superman said.
"This is not going to go well Kal." She said trying to change his mind. "Especially if you ask for his sons to join. You know how protective he is when it comes to them."
"Fair enough I suppose, but I'm still going to go down." Superman stated defiantly as he stepped onto the teleporter pad. "I need to know where Bruce stands."
Diana sighed in defeat. She knew that her uphill battle to get Bruce to reason with her was quickly turning into a mountain. She finished inputting the codes and joined Superman on the teleportation pad, and within seconds they both disappeared in a blinding white light.
~~ Batcave ~~
"I said no, and that's the end of it." Bruce barked. "Now drop it."
"Come on father, you should know me better than that." Damien stated as he pushed up from his seated position on the railing that ran along the computer area steps within the cave. "I agree with Superman. The Joker deserved to die, and the world is a far better place without that demented clown than with him in it."
"It all sounds fine Damien, but when does it end?" Bruce asked in return. "Can he even see the end, and will he be able to stop himself if and when he gets there. He's already taken the Kents and hid them away so that no one can take them from him. He doesn't even realize that he's basically killed them by his own actions, not allowing them to live their lives. Clark's not a God, Damien, and he needs to realize that."
"Whatever dad." Damien responded. "I think you're just jealous that he ended the clown and you never could or would."
"What the hell is going on here?" Came the voice of Dick as he was walking down from the cave entrance. "Is the heir apparent getting himself into hot water again?"
"Just a difference of opinion Dick." Bruce responded as he wanted the topic of conversation to just come to an end.
"Father disagrees with what Superman's actions have caused." Damien explained. "I think he's made impressive strides already."
"We're not joining with Clark." Bruce stated loudly in a manner that brooked no room for argument.
"I agree with you Bruce." Dick replied. "He's already gone too far, and he's going to push even further if someone can't get through to him. How many Justice League members are with you?"
"No one yet." Bruce answered. "Perhaps J'onn. He knows firsthand how power can corrupt and destroy worlds."
"Not very good odds." Dick surmised. "Maybe I can reach out to some Titans and reason with them."
Just then, the sensors picked up and alerted them to unexpected visitors teleporting into the cave. Dick and Damien stood off to each side of Bruce, ready to engage if it turned out to be a hostile arrival, but they both relaxed when they saw that it was Diana and Clark that appeared on the transport pad. Bruce however became increasingly rigid. Dick and Damien could plainly hear the sounds of his gauntlet covered hands as they clenched tightly into fists. "What the hell are you doing here Kent?" Bruce seethed.
"Good to see you too." Clark responded. "I came for a couple of reasons, although from the looks of things, I must not have cracked your head too hard in the FBI building a few weeks ago. Secondly, I was hoping to get your allegiance regarding my cause initiative. What do you say Bruce?"
Bruce walked up to the two super powered Meta's with his cape drawn tightly around him. He had his hand at the ready in case he needed to pull out the slither of radiated rock. Damien and Dick walked behind Bruce as he approached Clark and Diana. She was hanging back with her head slightly hung low as Superman was driving home why he had come. He wanted Batman to join his band and help destroy this world. Well last he'd checked, hell had yet to freeze over. "I'll be where I've always been Clark." Bruce stated. "And that's not going to change for anyone."
Clark frowned upon hearing that response. It wasn't a flat out denial, but it may as well have been. That slightly altered his initial plans, but no one needed to know that at the moment. "I'm sorry that you feel that way Bruce." He said. "Maybe in time you'll change your mind."
"Maybe in time you'll see the error of the direction you're heading too Clark." Bruce fired back, defiant to the end if he had to be.
"You should watch the press conference that I've scheduled for tomorrow Bruce." Clark suggested. "Perhaps once you've heard all my intentions, you'll change your mind. This could be something special Bruce, and I'll leave the door open in case you do decide to change your mind."
Clark then turned on his heels and headed back for the teleporter. Bruce finally allowed his hand to leave the Kryptonite storage compartment on his belt, but his eyes never left Clark until he disappeared into the blinding light of the teleporter once again. It was only then that Bruce moved his focus to his other unexpected guest. Under normal circumstances he'd be thrilled to see her there, but he knew deep down that Diana agreed with what Clark had done and was going to continue to do. And that line of thought had Bruce confused as to what would become of Diana and his relationship. It was something that he'd always feared, letting her in only to lose her, and he was wondering if it was already happening to him. "So, you didn't tell him that I resigned yet." He stated. It wasn't a question.
"No Bruce." Diana confirmed. "I didn't plan on Kal coming down with me either. When he found out that I was coming here he insisted that he come. Kal really believes that what he's going to do is best for this world."
"Then he's a fool." Bruce snapped as he walked away and headed towards the training area. He felt the overwhelming urge to vent some frustration brought on by Clark's visit. Diana followed closely behind. At least he was talking to her still, so there was still hope that they could come to some form of compromise. Dick and Damien watched as the other two passed by. After a few moments, Damien started to follow as well until Dick grabbed him by the shoulder.
"I don't think now's the time for an audience." He said.
"Why not?" Damien asked. "Watching father spar with the Amazon should be entertaining."
"Because I doubt it'll end up as sparring kid." Dick suggested.
Damien turned his head in the direction of Bruce and Diana, looking for what Dick could be referring to. Sure Diana was attractive, but she wasn't his mother, and even though the relationship had always been strained at the best of times, Damien knew that his mother loved his father, and he believed that his father held a special place in his heart for his mother as well. In his opinion, Diana simply couldn't come close to the bond that his mother and father shared. Damien pulled out of Dick's hold and giving a cold glare to his older adopted brother. He never liked letting Dick control what he did, and headed to the cave entrance so that he could return to the Manor.
When Diana and Bruce were in the training room, he marched over to the heavy punching bag and began to pound on the defenseless bag. Diana silently stood at the other side, holding the bag for him so that he could unleash any fury on it that he wished to. They stayed that way for five minutes as Bruce never ceased or slowed in his attack on the punching bag. Finally he wasn't seeing red anymore and came to a stop, his chest heaving from the amount of exertion he'd just put forth. "What… are you….doing here?" He asked between breaths.
"I came to try and negotiate changing your stance on your resignation." She answered. "I believe that Kal is going to make a difference this time, and I want to help him with his vision of how the world could be. It just doesn't seem possible with keeping the status quo of the way things are done now."
The status quo isn't the answer, but neither is Kal's approach." Bruce responded.
"How can you be so certain Bruce?" Diana asked.
"Because I can see where it will end up." He replied. "At first, everything will be fine. Zero tolerance against the highest profile criminals, and Clark will inevitably return to executing them, but in the end he's looking for something that he can never attain."
"And what specifically is that?" Diana asked as she placed her hands on her hips, taking a slightly more aggressive stance.
"No matter what he does, there will always be those desperate enough to commit crimes including murder. " Bruce explained. "What's he going to do when it's the petty level criminals that take things a little too far? What's going to happen when the world isn't perfect in his opinion? When will it ever be enough? He got a free pass on his own actions Diana. When does he atone for his actions, or is he going to be above the law?"
"You don't actually believe that do you?" Diana asked in exasperation.
"I don't know Diana." Bruce confided before turning to walk away. She reached around and grabbed him by the arm, stopping him from going any further.
"Then what's to become of us?" She asked. "I intend to stand beside Kal to see if we can actually change the world for the better. I know that some difficult choices need to be made, but in the end I believe that what we will be doing will be for the betterment of the world. I've seen for far too long that those who have power over others in this world only seek their own benefit, and will use violence to achieve their goals. Kal's plans would put a stop to that. It already has helped with Bialya as the fighting has almost stopped entirely."
"I'm not going to join in with Clark's intentions Diana, I'm sorry but I won't." Bruce responded. "I don't want to lose you, really I don't, but eventually there will be come a time where one of those choices will concern our personal lives, and the choice will be straight forward Diana. If I'm wrong, the choice will be mine, but when I'm right and Clark assumes too much control, the choice will be yours."