Chapter XX: My Own Plans

Soon after the Battle that nearly sent them all to hell, Superman had time to make an announcement about a former ally. "People of Earth. Recently, just weeks ago during the devastating invasion of the Green Lanterns, a former ally of mine has betrayed us. Many of you know him... Itachi Uchiha. He was another spy sent by Batman to try and undermine our protection of Earth. And for this, I will reveal a secret of his to the people of Earth, so you realize just the kind of people Batman fights with..... Itachi Uchiha was a mass murderer before joining the League, a secret that he hid from us for a long time. He even killed his own parents. This is the kind of person that Batman happily allies himself with. Now tell me, people of Earth. Is this someone you want protecting you?"

It's been months since Batman and his Resistance was last seen anywhere on Earth. Ever since Constantine betrayed him he's been sitting in his bunker not planning anything. He hasn't even been shaving. His allies were losing faith in him, and Montoya herself has become an alcoholic.

Superman has been trying to find Batman this whole time, but to no avail. Currently he is sitting on his throne in the empty Hall Of Justice. "Bruce is out there somewhere... plotting... planning...."

Hal said, "It's been months since anyone has seen him or his allies. And it's not for lack of searching. He could be back in the Tower Of Fate for all we know, but without someone like the Spectre we'll never find that place."

Superman put a hand on his chin, "We need to do better."

Hal scowled, "Are you freaking kidding me, Clark?! We need to do better? Condescending much?"

Superman leaned back in his chair, "Do you have a problem with how I speak to you?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. I'm not your "subject," Clark, so don't talk to me like one."

He stood up. "Honestly, Yellow Lantern... I don't have time for your delicate little ego," he 'shooed' him, "Take your hurt feelings and go."

Hal clenched his fist, "What if I don't?"

Clark flashed his red eyes, but before he could do anything, Wonder Woman came in, "Clark, can I have a word with you? Stand down, soldier."

"Whatever."

"What is it, Diana?"

"During our last fight with the insurgency, I took Huntress' life. She was a former ally, if not a friend..."

"I'm sorry, but we've all done things"-"Let me finish. Just before I broke her neck, she called us Tyrants. Her death was not intentional. It's a burden that I will carry for the rest of my life. I can bear the responsibility of my actions, but I can't live with the notion that there was truth in her dying words. There is no doubt that you are first among equals, Clark. But please don't forget that you are not above us or those you protect. The last thing you want to do is turn allies into Insurgents."

Later that same day Montoya had finally snapped and challenged Superman on live news. They fought next to one of the Washington Monuments. During their battle she overdosed on Green pills and ultimately died. As her blood that had turned green poured out of all the holes in her face, Bruce came out of a helicopter to retrieve her. After sharing a few words Superman said, "Take her and go."

Wonder Woman's eyes were wide. "Clark... You've been scouring the Earth for him for months. Now is your chance to take Batman down."

"He's not Batman. He's Bruce Wayne... and he's just here to take his friend home," he put a hand on Bruce's shoulder, "This war has already cost too much. It's over. You hear me? Say it."

Bruce's eyes were red and tears fell from them, "... It's over."

"Good. If I ever see you in that cowl again, Bruce. It will be the last time you ever put it on."

Somewhere in America, a portal opened and out of it came Itachi and the four Titans. They all took deep breaths and Superboy felt his chest. Wonder Girl asked, "How do you feel?"

"Well... I'm not dying, so great!"

They hugged and Tim looked at Itachi, "Are you going to take us to Batman now?"

Itachi shook his head, "No. We're going to Atlantis to meet a friend of mine," Tim raised a brow and Itachi continued, "Batman always has some kind of plan, he'll be fine without us for now. I've come up with my own plans on how to deal with the Regime."

Tim pointed at him, "Sorry, but I'm still loyal to Batman before anyone else. If you think that"- Itachi turned to him, "Batman's comms codes change all the time. I have no idea how we could contact him right now, nor do I know any way to get to the House of Mystery. The battle has probably ended by now anyways, Atlantis is the only place we can go to right now."

Tim stopped talking and they flew into the middle of the ocean. Starfire asked, "So how are we supposed to get to Atlantis?"

"It's simple, it's straight down from here. Everyone, get close. I need great concentration for this." Everyone did as he said and put a hand on his shoulder and back, "Water Style: Reverse Water Prison Jutsu!"

They started to sink into the water, but as they did all of the water spread away from them in the shape of a sphere.

At the Hall Of Justice the Amazonians along with Artemis and Hermes confronted the Regime. Hermes announced, "Superman! By decree of the almighty father Zeus, you are ordered to vacate Earth, or suffer the wrath of the Amazon army of Themyscira!"

Superman asked, "Diana, do you know anything about"-"No, but I'm going to find out," she started walking towards the army and faced Artemis, "Artemis, I demand some answers. You dare march our army on the Justice League?! Only Hippolyta and I have the autho--... who ordered this attack? Where is Queen Hippolyta?"

"I don't know,."

Wonder Woman grabbed Hermes, "Where is my mother, messenger?!"

"You have no dominion over Earth, Amazon."

"If my mother is hurt, I will tear down all of Olympus"- Superman put a hand on her shoulder, "Please, I'll handle this. Hermes, if Zeus has an issue, take me to him and we can discuss it without the need for violence. Just tell us where Hippolyta is"-"You do not make demands. Nor will you speak with Zeus. Now relinquish your rule over Earth, or fight."

Diana yelled, "Warriors, I am Princess Diana of Themyscira and I order you to lay down your weapons!"

Artemis said, "I'm sorry, Princess. You have no chance of victory. You are hopelessly outnumbered."

"Says you! Did someone call for backup?" Damian and Cyborg along with dozens of Super soldiers came outside.

Cyborg said, "Superman, approaching twelve o'clock."

Wonder Woman glared, "Bruce is behind this?"

The Batwing landed. "Of course he is. He obviously doesn't remember what I told him last time we spoke."

Batman, Batwoman, Batgirl, Catwoman, and Manhunter came out of the plane. "I remember, Clark. But you were wrong. It's not over."

Back to Itachi and Co, they just landed in Atlantis. A Dome that surrounded Atlantis protected them from. The crushing pressures of the sea. Only inside of the safety could one really appreciate the beauty of the creatures that lived down here, along with the gold and pearl architecture of all the buildings here. Aquaman greeted them. "Itachi, I had thought that you were captured."

"I was, but I escaped. And I found what remains of the Teen Titans while I was there."

"More allies is always a good thing, but what brings you here after so much time has passed?"

Itachi narrows his eyes at his last few words, "Arthur, I'm curious. Just how long have I been gone? In the Phantom Zone only a little more than a day passed."

".... You've been gone for eight months."

Itachi's eyes spread a little wide at that. "Eight months?..... Did spending one hour in that lab really cause so much time to pass out in the real world? What's happened since then?"

Aquaman looked to the side, "The world has been.... quiet. Superman has been scouring the Earth looking for Batman and his allies, but they haven't been spotted since whatever magical battles they were having months ago."

Itachi looked down at the ground briefly, 'I've been away from Huntress and Manhunter for a long time. Hopefully they're still loyal to me after all this time. I'll have to get in contact with them soon.'

"Arthur, I'd like for you to help me with a plan to help eventually take down Superman."

"Itachi, I trust your judgement. But last time I"-"I understand, Arthur. But I'm not going to ask you to expose yourself like Batman. This will be a stealth mission. You'll just be helping with extraction."

Aquaman raised a brow, "Alright, you have my interest. Just what will you be infiltrating."

".... The Trench. The most impenetrable prison on Earth, created by Superman."

At The Hall Of Justice Diana demanded for Judgement By Combat to the death to avoid the decree. Superman chose to be his own champion, and on behalf of the Gods Batman chose Wonder Woman."

Wonder Woman lashed out, "NO!"

Superman grabbed her, "No, Diana. Not like this."

But she pulled away, "FIGHT for him?! No, Clark, I'LL KILL HIM FIRST!" She grabbed Batman and slammed him into the ground. But before she could do anything else she was grabbed by Hermes, "You Are out of line, I will not allow this!"

He tossed her off of him and Superman grabbed Hermes, "Get your hands off of her!"

Everyone got in battle ready positions and were ready to clash until a lightning bolt shot the ground between them and a booming voice emerged from it, "ENOUGH! I will not have this divine challenge be ignored, by my daughter or anyone else!"

Wonder Woman gawked, "Father?"

All the heroes had open mouths and Cyborg asked, "Did you guys know her dad was..." Yellow Lantern and Flash said, "Nope," in unison.

Diana leaned in and gestured to Zeus, "Please, help me understand.... this can't really be happening?"

"It is, Diana."

"How? Mother would never agree to such a thing."

"Hippolyta owes a debt to Hera... she made a part and must honor it."

"What pact?"

"When you were under a magical spell-- a coma, caused by the mortal, Batman. Now you must fight on the side of Hera."

"And if I refuse?"

Hera appeared out of blue flames with a wide grin, "Hippolyta pays with her life."

Superman approached Diana, "Does this mean..."

"I invoked trial by combat, Clark. I'm sorry."

They both looked down, "Diana, I"- Hera got between them, "Let us begin. Fight to the death!"

Hermes stated, "Any intervention will nullify the pact and result in grave consequences."

The following fight was a very brutal one. Superman broke her sword and hit her with a right straight. She responded with a roundhouse kick to his head. He gut punched her then hit her with a left. She tried to retaliate, but he caught her fist and head butted her. Her nose started bleeding and she started fighting savagely. She elbowed his knee then poked both of his eyes. After he fell she grabbed his arm and broke it. All the heroes and God's looked on with either stoic expressions or grins. "You can't beat me with one arm, Clark. Believe me, this is the last outcome I wanted. But your only way out now is to surrender. I'm sorry."

"No," Clark shot a powerful heat blast at her that enveloped her whole body. But she pushed through it and uppercut him with her shield. It seemed like he was down for a moment, but he got back up and hit her, knocking her off her feet. Once she got back up she punched him which sent him flying, but she grabbed his cape and started slamming him into the ground. Superman finally couldn't move anymore, she was about to deliver the finishing blow, but Sinestro came out of nowhere and shot her in the back.

Back in Atlantis Itachi and Co were in the main chamber Itachi was hatching his creating his plan. "For this plan the people that we will need are Manhunter, Huntress, me, Tim, and Plastic man."

Starfire tilted her head, "Plastic man?"

"Yes, he's extremely versatile, and with him on the team we won't need any sort of keys or codes or anything."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I was inside of the Regime for two years, I helped with some of the planning on how to build it."

Wonder Girl asked, "Wait, so what exactly is this place anyways?"

"I told you already. It's a Maximum security prison meant to imprison all of the villains of the world, along with the remaining Green Lanterns that survived."

Tim scrunched his brow and approached Itachi, "So Itachi..... what exactly do you want to go to this prison?"

They stared at each other for a few seconds. 'If I tell him, he may refuse.'

Although before he could say anything Aquaman came into the room, "Everyone, you might want to see this. There is something big happening at the Hall Of Justice."