The Center of the Gotham Storage Facility

Superman, Hawkman, and Martian Manhunter all walked in line side by side. They did not speak, look, or interact with each other. They were all trapped behind impenetrable bars within the confines of their thoughts.

Again.

While none of them spoke a single word to each other, they all felt the same. All they wanted was to just stop thinking; stop feeling completely. Maybe they could finally understand one another if they could just withdraw from the present. They could act like a team again.

Clark had buried Billy in a pile of rubble. He thought that it was the only way he could pay his respects as the Man of Steel. What a stupid conquest for everything. You should have brought him home. Though, Superman knew he couldn't do that. He couldn't leave what he considered his family to these wolves.

Manhunter stopped in his tracks and squinted at the grey smog in front of them. He swallowed as two shadowy figures emerged from the blur. It was them: Tempest and the Commander. He knew what they had done, he knew what was about to happen, and he knew that he didn't want to face them yet.

Hawkman spread his wings wider as the figures grew closer. He wouldn't let them manipulate him into believing a lie. He was stronger than his friends and his Thanagarian blood would drive his adrenaline. It would make him a wielder of revenge.

Superman's gaze lifted from the ground when he saw Manhunter and Hawkman's reactions to the smoke before them. His eyes widened and he almost let out a guttural snarl when he saw Tempest's blonde curls wildly wave in the breeze. Her movements were graceful and eloquent with the sway of her arms. Her presence matched that of the Commander's. His calm strides for attention evenly gathered hate between the three men. His powerful presence almost made him seem like royalty. Everything only grew worse when Superman's eyes burned hotter and redder when he saw the bloody mess of Wonder Woman tied to a chain.

The two groups faced each other, only being yards away from catastrophe. Everyone's eyes shifted to Tempest as she let out a deep breath that cleared away the lingering smoke in the air. Everyone could see all of the terrible destruction clearly now.

Including the giant block of ice that held the Young Justice team.

The three heroes stood frozen in their places and let out a shallow gasp of surprise. They couldn't believe their eyes. Superman's face fell flat. He was tired of feeling these emotions of defeat and despair. Especially the ones that Tempest dealt to him. He was tired of fighting his anger and depression. He just wanted this living hell to be over and he wanted it more than ever.

Tempest looked over to her father for reassurance. His eyes glimmered with defiance. She looked back at the League and placed her weight on her one leg and crossed arms. She put the block of ice behind them.

The Commander dropped Wonder Woman's chain and snapped his fingers. She sat obediently. He tilted his head at Superman and spoke in a low and gentle voice.

"The terms here are simple. You surrender, and I give your little copy cats back."

The voice in Tempest's head hissed. He said 'I', not we. Tempest stood her ground and clenched her jaw. She continued to watch.

All of the heroes shoulder's sat low, they would not let the Commander get away. Superman stepped forward, disconnecting himself from the others. "No."

The Commander placed his hands behind his back in a calculated way. "I had a feeling you might say that."

Superman's tone was venomous as he clenched his fists, "You will not destroy the world with your petty foolishness and dictatorship."

"Answer the question. Yes or no?"

"I won't let you ruin the world."

The Commander stepped forward and gave a small chuckle. "Oh Clark, you're one to talk. You think you didn't ruin the world by starting your little League of Heroes?"

Clark stood silent. The Commander knew his name. Manhunter walked forward so that he was in front of Superman, almost protecting him. Clark stared at him and then silently stood taller with pride in Manhunter's new confidence. He twisted his body so that he could spring into action if needed.

"At least we saved people," chimed Manhunter.

Tempest stood slightly behind the Commander and noticed his hands were moving ever so slightly in a quiet sign language. His ring fingers flicked outward and his thumbs crossed. It was so intricate. They were spelling something. W-H-I-L-E-T-H-E-Y-T-A-L-K.

While they talk.

The voice sighed and coughed in annoyance. I guess he wants you to do the dirty work again. Tempest stared at Clark's face. He would never have color in his face again. The voice warned Tempest. Don't push yourself too hard.

I have too, Tempest replied.

You'll die, you know that. You saw the signs. You felt them. It hissed at her.

It doesn't matter. Tempest gave a sigh and walked forward to match her father.

The voice began to plead. Just think. You have a life to live. You've done everything for him. What has he done for you? He'll kill you, you know that. He won't be afraid to. He won't hes-

Tempest squeezed her arms and clenched her teeth. "Just shut up!"

Everyone's eyes looked at her, almost confused. The Commander continued his look forward, but she sensed his tension. A vein in his neck bulged. She ruined his plan.

In a panic, Tempest did the only thing she knew would fix things. She ran toward Clark, her swords growing and creating sparks on the ground.

A new fight. Round two.

The silence in the air vanished as grunts and explosions filled the air. The Commander's hand went to the straps on his shoulders and he began to throw bombs at Manhunter as fast he could. The Commander yelled at Wonder Woman and she ran toward Hawkman, teeth shining and claws out.

It was now or never. For everyone.

Tempest swung repeatedly at Superman, making him stumble backward. She did a cartwheel and flung her feet into his chest with an incredible speed. Clark grunted and fell into a lunge, head hanging. He lifted his gaze to reveal wild red eyes that shot beams of hot radiation at Tempest.

She ran in a zig-zag pattern, avoiding his strikes. She grew closer to him and retracted her sword as her fists shot toward Clark's face. He moved to the side and delivered a swift uppercut to her jaw. Tempest tumbled to the side, landing on the broken up bits of stone. Her gear ripped on the ground, leaving half of her mask hanging from her face. She yelled in frustration and discarded it to the side.

Clark stared at her dubious green eyes. They were somehow familiar. They were just like a woman he tried to save fifteen years ago. A pregnant woman. He gritted his teeth as everything began to make sense.

In a whisper, Clark spoke, "Amber?" But before he knew it, Tempest was already at his feet, slicing at his rib cage with her wrist swords. She sliced an opening in the center of his suit, barely missing his skin.

Clark flew in the air, blowing a cold breeze onto her. Her feet froze in place. Her eyes were full of pure rage as her feet began to glow red. Soon she just let all of her anger out, melting the ice and blasting away the nearby rubble.

Blue flames began to engulf her as her fire grew hotter. I will burn you, Clark, and live up to my destiny.

She followed Superman and the two fought a violent battle in the air. They chased each other, each trying to hit harder than the last blow. Tempest finally shot a hand forward and a funnel of fire descended upon Clark.

He raised his forearms in defense, but his sleeves burned up from the intense heat of her powers. His skin even began to bubble and melt away and Superman fell onto the ground with a thump, smoke lingering from his torso.

He landed on his side and let out a low moan. Tempest soon followed him onto the ground and didn't hesitate to lift him into the air by the neck, copying Clark's strength. He squeezed her fists and Clark began to choke. Tempest's memories began to flash before her eyes. She saw Macho again, the white walls of the base morgue and she saw the terrible spectacle of light again from the training room.

Tempest gasped as a sharp pain shot through her body. She dropped her hand and fell onto her hands and knees. She held her head in agony as the pain surged through her brain.

I told you girl. The voice showed no remorse.

Clark fell onto the ground in the same way and caught his breath. His eyes quickly darted to the others and then back at Tempest.

He knew this was his chance to end this. End her.

Instead, he listened to her moaning and looked at his friends. This was his chance to go help them.

Manhunter was easily avoiding all of the gunshots and bombs the Commander threw. He even got so close that the two were able to fight in hand to hand combat.

But then the whip came out. It gave off a blue light as the Commander wrapped it around one of Manhunter's arms. Manhunter fell onto his knees, trying to fight the electricity. The Commander ran to Manhunter and started kicking his body, until it went limp. The Commander was about to place a bomb on him when he got hurled across the courtyard. The bomb exploded mid air and made a large dust cloud fall.

Superman stared at the Commander and helped Manhunter to his feet. "Are you all right?"

Manhunter shook his head from the daze, "I'm fine. Where's Hawkman?" The two eagerly searched in the grey cloud until they heard a low groan. The dust fell and they found Hawkman lying in a pool of his own blood. His neck was sliced open and his lower abdomen had bite marks on it, but was also torn open. He had been mauled. Feathers were strewn around his body and his wings rested in an unnatural fashion.

Wonder Woman lay discarded to the side. She was a dead monster.

The two heroes rushed to his aid. Clark spoke to Hawkman, "Don't worry, we'll fix this."

Hawkman replied in Thanagarian, "Iga no."

Manhunter translated, but looked away. He couldn't take any more of this, "Not this time."

Manhunter grabbed Clark's arm and pulled him away back toward the dazed Commander. "We have to end this. Forget him. "

Clark knew he was right. "I just can-"

"This is more important." Manhunter looked at Hawkman's gnarled body and swallowed. There was nothing that could help him. He was only suffering now. "I'm sorry my friend." Hawkman's shallow breathing stopped.

Clark felt something in his gut pull on him. Not another one. Clark choked back his sorrow and turned his focus away. He knew he had to focus. He knew that as the Man of Steel, he had to toughen up and complete the objective.

Manhunter sighed and then faced the Commander and lifted him in the air. Anger consuming every thought. Manhunter wanted to kill him more than anything as the leader struggled to get free. The Commander had put up a valiant fight, but he was no match for them without Tempest.

Clark was still staring at Hawkman.

Manhunter spoke to the Commander.

"Game over."

Superman grunted behind Manhunter. He turned around and his eyes widened in horror as he saw a long green glowing sword being held at Clark's neck.

Tempest stood behind him. Her sword almost drawing blood. She licked her lips. Blood was coming from her eyes, nose, and ears. She was so pale that she looked like a ghost. She was sick.

"Let him go." She licked her lips again. Her voice was shaky and sounded like she was on the verge of tears. "Let him go, and I'll let you have Clark."

Manhunter was obedient and dropped the Commander at her feet. She stepped back from Clark and threw him to the side. The Commander stood up rubbing his throat. He smiled.

"Well, this isn't over yet you little pieces of-" The Commander was cut off by the slit of his throat.

His body fell to the ground with a thump and Tempest fell to her knees without hesitation. She braced herself and began to wince from the pounding of her head. The voice was screaming at her and her limbs burned. She cradled her head in her hands and tried to hide in her hair that tumbled around her shoulders. Her armor began to fall off and rot away.

The Commander's blood spread faster and faster onto the ground. His face was locked into a petrified look. His blood webbed through the cracks of the broken Earth like a giant spider web.

Heaven had supported the innocent, and had crowned the mighty.