Chapter Text
“Bruce, I’m getting married.”
Those words hit him like a punch to the gut. Bruce froze for a moment, staring wide-eyed at the ecstatic grin on Clark’s face. He instantly wanted to leave and escape this whole situation, but instead, Bruce gritted his teeth, forcing a smile.
“That’s…great.”
“I know, right? I proposed to Lois last night, and of course, she said yes. She even nagged me for taking so long to pop the question.” Clark laughed as he sat in the chair beside Bruce. “Isn’t she just amazing?”
“Sure.” Bruce kept his eyes forward on the Batcomputer. At least he was wearing his cowl. With most of his face hidden, it was easier to appear expressionless.
“Lois already picked out a venue, and she wants to have a spring wedding, so we’re probably going to pick a date in May.”
May? That was only three months away! Bruce felt a crushing pain in his chest, then he took a deep breath and focused on keeping his heart rate steady. If his pulse increased too much, Clark would notice and ask about it. That was a conversation Bruce absolutely refused to have. Clark was happy with Lois. He deserved to be happy. Bruce couldn’t do anything to jeopardize that. These feelings needed to stay hidden. For Clark’s sake.
Bruce typed on the Batcomputer, trying to look disinterested. “I’m happy for you, Clark. But I can’t talk right now. I’m busy.”
“Oh, right. Sorry.” The hero winced guiltily. “I won’t take up anymore of your time. I just have a quick question before I go.”
“What is it?”
“Will you be my best man?”
His breath hitched. Suddenly, Bruce felt sick to his stomach. He could imagine the wedding already. As the best man, he’d have to stand by the altar and watch up close while Clark and Lois kissed, sealing their marriage vows forever. All of the guests would clap and cheer, and Bruce would have to smile too even though he’d feel like breaking into a million pieces. It sounded too painful. Even Batman wasn’t that much of a masochist.
“I…I’m sorry, Clark. I don’t think I can.”
“Why not?” he whined.
Bruce paused, thinking of an excuse. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to be seen together as Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent. It would raise too many questions.”
“But everyone at the wedding would know us. The guests would be all our friends. We can trust them.”
“My answer is still no.”
Clark stared at him with large pleading eyes. “But you’re my best friend. It’d really mean a lot to me if you could be my best man.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t-”
“Please, Bruce.” The Kryptonian still had that pitiful expression on his face. He was the strongest man on the planet, but right now he looked like a kicked dog. “It wouldn’t be the same without you. You’re so important to me.”
Bruce felt his heart wrench in his chest as he grumbled, “Fine… I’ll do it.”
“Thanks, buddy!” Clark patted him on the back, immediately back to his cheerful self. “We’re going to have so much fun at the wedding. I can’t wait!”
Bruce merely nodded in defeat. More than anything, he couldn’t stand to see Clark looking so sad. He had a suspicion that Superman was aware of that weakness. This wasn’t the first time Clark used those damn puppy-dog eyes to get his way.
Suddenly, a warning appeared on the large computer screen. An unidentified spaceship was approaching Earth. Had Darkseid returned? Or perhaps, this was a new threat?
“I’ll meet you at the Watchtower.” Batman quickly typed on the Batcomputer, sending messages to the other Justice League members.
“See you there.” Superman flew out of the Batcave in a blur of super speed.
SxB
At the Watchtower, the Justice League had gathered in the control room. The heroes were all standing by the large computer screen, watching the image of an incoming spacecraft. Thankfully, the ship didn’t belong to Darkseid, but it still had an unidentified origin. It definitely wasn’t Kryptonian, Martian, or Tamaranean. Even Green Lantern didn’t recognize the ship’s strange structure. It almost seemed like three or four different spaceships crudely combined into one.
When Batman tried to hail the ship, the only response was a distress beacon.
“It sounds like they’re in trouble,” Superman stated the obvious.
“Yeah, maybe something’s wrong with their ship,” Flash agreed.
“We should offer our assistance,” Wonder Woman said while crossing her arms. “It is the right thing to do.”
“No, this could be a trap,” Batman warned them. “We need more information before we-”
On the large computer screen, part of the spaceship suddenly broke apart and exploded.
A few of the heroes gasped in surprise while Green Lantern exclaimed, “Holy shit!”
“There’s no time to waste. I’m gonna help them.” Superman sped away, ignoring Bruce’s advice as usual.
Damn it, Clark. Batman clenched his fists as he watched the computer screen. On the monitor, Superman was flying through outer space, heading toward the alien vessel. Right before he reached the ship, a beam of red light shot out at him. Surrounded by the red light, Superman froze, his limp body floating in space.
“What the hell?!” Aquaman shouted while everyone watched anxiously.
“It’s red sun radiation.” Batman quickly realized what had happened. This was a trap for the Kryptonian.
A hangar door opened, then a tractor beam pulled Superman into the ship. After the door shut, the spaceship immediately changed course, flying in the opposite direction.
The heroes all gaped at the computer screen until Flash blurted out, “Uh, did they just kidnap Supes?”
Batman angrily banged his fist on the control panel. “Every fucking time! Would it kill him to listen to me?!”
Flash and Green Lantern both flinched at his outburst.
“Come on! We have an idiot to save,” Bruce growled as he stormed away.
SxB
It didn’t take long for the Justice League to catch up with the ship. Once they boarded the vessel, they learned that the ship belonged to an alien who called himself the Collector. Apparently, he liked to collect things and people, who were rare and powerful. As one of the last Kryptonians, Superman would obviously fit that description.
Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, and Flash were currently fighting the Collector’s enslaved minions. Meanwhile Batman had left the battle to search for Superman. Running down the long corridor, Bruce looked inside every room along the way.
Damn it! Where is he? Batman turned around a corner and kept running, desperate to find his friend. He just hoped Clark was okay.
“Help me!” a female voice rang out inside his mind.
Bruce skidded to a stop and glanced at the nearby door.
“Please! Help me!” the telepath called to him again.
Batman opened the door and cautiously stepped inside. In the dark room, there was a humanoid girl with white hair, floating in a large container of liquid. The girl’s eyes were shut and she appeared unconscious.
“Bruce Wayne. Batman, please help me.”
He frowned suspiciously. “How do you know my name?”
“I know all that is in your mind. You are a good person… You seek your loved one. Clark Kent.”
Loved one? Bruce blushed underneath his cowl.
The voice giggled. “Sorry. I embarrassed you. Underneath your rough exterior, you are really quite sweet.”
Batman scowled in annoyance. “I don’t have time for this. Do you know where Superman is?”
“Yes. I can sense him… He regrets that he didn’t heed your warning.”
“As he should.” Batman snorted while he examined the glass container. “I assume you were also captured by the Collector. If I free you, will you lead me to Superman?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then we have a deal.”
Reaching into his utility belt, Bruce took out a batarang and used it to pierce the glass container. He cut a large circle into the glass as the clear fluid poured out onto the floor. The humanoid girl slumped forward, unable to stand on her feet. Batman grabbed onto her limp body and pulled her out of the container. Her eyes barely flickered open, revealing golden irises.
“Thank you. I am in your debt,” she spoke in his mind.
“Just tell me where Superman is.”
“He’s on the other side of the ship. Exit this room, then turn right.”
Batman carried the girl in his arms as he left the room and turned right, heading down the corridor once again. The telepath continued giving directions while he ran through the maze of various corridors. Eventually, he stopped at a dead-end next to a closed door.
“Your loved one is in there.”
Batman barged inside, kicking down the door. In the dark room, Superman was locked in a glowing green cage made of kryptonite. He was laying on the floor, crouched in a fetal position. His whole body trembled like he was in pain.
“Clark!”
Bruce set the girl down and rushed toward Clark’s side. Then he grabbed a small explosive out of his utility belt and used it blow the cage’s door off its hinges. He yanked Superman out of cage and dragged him across the room, away from the kryptonite.
“Bruce…” Clark muttered weakly, “I don’t feel so good.”
Batman kneeled beside him, helping him sit up. “Can you stand?”
“Y-Yeah, I think so.”
Superman stumbled to his feet while Batman held onto his arm, steadying him. Bruce refused to let go until he was sure Clark wouldn’t fall over. Then he walked over to the telepathic girl and picked her up again.
“Who’s the girl?” Clark asked.
“I’ll explain later. Come on. Let’s get the hell out of here.” Batman rushed out of the room, leading the way.
SxB
Back at the Watchtower, Batman stormed down the hall toward the infirmary. After they had all returned, the Justice League had held a meeting in the conference room, but unfortunately it had devolved into a shouting match between Batman and Superman. Bruce was still furious at Clark for getting captured so easily. The Man of Steel was supposed to be the strongest hero in the league, yet he continued to make such stupid mistakes. It was infuriating.
Once he reached the infirmary, Batman walked across the room toward the white-haired alien girl. The telepath was still unconscious, sleeping on a bed. He had several questions for her, but it seemed he’d have to wait. Bruce sat down next her bed and crossed his arms. Even now, he was still silently fuming.
When the electronic door slid open, Batman already knew who it was. Of course, Superman had followed him.
“Bruce, can we just talk?”
Batman turned his head away, refusing to face him. “I have nothing else to say to you.”
“Oh, come on.” Clark groaned in frustration, then he suddenly appeared in front of Bruce, in a flash of movement. “I said I was sorry!”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it!” Bruce shot out of his chair, yelling in Clark’s face. “You could’ve died, you idiot! You don’t think before you act. That’s why you’re always falling into traps!”
“I don’t always fall into traps!”
Bruce scoffed. “Oh, really? What about last week at LexCorp?”
“That was different. Lois was being held hostage!”
“And the week before that, you got trapped in the phantom zone.”
“That wasn’t my fault! Zod had been planning that for a really long time.”
“And last month, you were kidnapped by Darkseid again.”
“Well, yeah, but…” Clark stammered.
“You may have a lot of powers, but you’re not invincible. You have to be more careful,” Bruce nagged.
“I know…” Superman hung his head in shame. “I’m really sorry, okay? Please don’t be mad.”
“You two bicker like an old married couple.”
Superman glanced around, obviously surprised by the telepath’s voice. “Did you hear that?”
Batman scowled at the alien girl, who was still laying in bed. “If you’re awake now, speak normally.”
The white-haired girl opened her golden eyes, then she sat up, facing them. Her mouth remained closed as she replied, “My kind doesn’t have vocal cords. This is the only way I can speak.”
Clark smiled at her. “Hello there, I’m an alien too. You can call me Superman. What’s your name?”
“I am Khronos. You have two names—Kal-El and Clark Kent. But I will refer to you as Superman if that is what you prefer.”
“Uh, how-?” Clark blinked in confusion.
“She can read minds. It’s very annoying,” Bruce grumbled.
The girl giggled telepathically, matching her cheerful expression. “Don’t worry, Bruce. I won’t reveal your secrets. Although it is in your best interest to confess your love.”
Clark gasped. “Oh my God! You’re in love with someone?! Who is it?”
“No one!” Batman snapped then glared at girl. “Enough of your nonsense. I have some questions for you.”
“All right. Ask away.”
“How long were you on the Collector’s ship?” he asked.
“I am not sure. Possibly a decade or two.”
“Was the Collector interested in your telepathic abilities or do you have other powers?”
She smirked knowingly. “You are a smart one. Yes, your speculation is correct. I have other abilities that interested my captor.”
“Such as?” Batman pried.
“The power to transcend time and space.”
Bruce’s eyes widened. If that was true, this girl was much more powerful than he originally thought.
“What do you mean?” Clark asked. “Like you can travel through time?”
“Yes, that is correct, but I can only travel backwards,” Khronos explained. “And even though I can change the past, I cannot foresee how it will alter the future. It can be quite risky.”
“Why didn’t you use your powers to escape the Collector?” Batman regarded her critically.
“Because I was locked in that container… The fluid was full of strong sedatives. Most of the time, I was in a comatose state. I was too weak to escape.” She balled her hands into fists, clenching the fabric of her ragged, old dress. “I was trapped…for a very, very long time. You are my savior, Bruce Wayne. Please allow me to repay you.”
“That isn’t necessary.”
“Please! There must be something I can do for you.” She stared at him intensely, her gold eyes boring into him. “You have suffered through so many hardships. I can feel the loneliness and pain festering inside you. Those old wounds that never truly healed…”
Bruce grimaced in pain. Suddenly, he could feel a strange pressure burrowing into his mind.
“Get out of my head,” he snarled.
Clark gave him a concerned look. “I don’t hear her anymore. What’s she saying?”
“That night, when you lost your parents…”
Images flashed before his eyes. Bruce flinched as he recalled the sound of gunshots followed by the sight of his parents, falling to the ground. Their lifeless eyes gazed up at him as blood seeped from their wounds, pooling onto the dirty concrete in the alleyway.
“Stop it!” Bruce backed away, cradling his head in his hands.
“You were so hurt, so broken. It changed the entire course of your life, leading from one painful loss to another.” The girl stood and stepped towards him, stretching out her hand. “Let me help you. I can give back what you have lost.”
A bright light shined from the girl’s hand. Bruce stumbled on his feet as everything began to fade away. The light enveloped him, erasing his surroundings. It was inescapable. He fell back, slipping into the void.