Arctic North

A sleek, black aircraft cruised through the air, the frozen tundra beneath it streaking by in a white blur. It was shaped almost like a diamond. There were no windows of any kind on the craft and there was no known vehicle on the entire planet Earth similar to it. In the distance, the craft's destination came into view—a large structure seemingly made of crystal.

The craft touched down outside the structure and the top of it seemed to melt away. The two occupants stepped out of it, both dressed in clothing suited to handle the harsh temperatures. Beneath their parkas, one was a man with a bald head and the other had dark hair that was white at the temples and Arab features. The craft itself melted down into a black puddle resembling oil and from that it rose into a humanoid figure. The ooze transformed its appearance, revealing that of the green-skinned entity called Brainiac.

Lex Luthor motioned to the crystal structure that stood before them. "There it is, gentlemen. Superman's Fortress of Solitude." He looked to his human companion. "Anything to say, Ra's?"

"It's magnificent," said Ra's al Ghul. He raised the goggles that covered his eyes to get a better look. "I've never seen anything like it."

"That goes for most of Earth's population," said Luthor. He reached inside his parka and pulled out a small crystal and held it up to the sun. "And this is our key to get inside. The patents on the technology alone will be enough to rebuild my empire. Alien technology centuries ahead of anything currently on Earth."

Luthor walked up to the Fortress and slid the crystal into a small opening. The crystals blocking their path slid open, revealing a walkway and a tesseract of steps leading up to a central control panel. Luthor and Ra's al Ghul began to make their way up the tesseract steps while Brainiac simply hovered up towards the central console. The alien's consciousness had taken over the body of the Eradicator, a piece of Kryptonian technology designed to preserve Kryptonian culture.

"You're sure he won't return anytime soon?" asked Luthor.

"Positive," said Ra's al Ghul. "The remainder of this 'Superman Revenge Squad' will be able to deal with him sufficiently."

"Why are we calling ourselves that?" asked Luthor.

"A classic never goes out of style, Luthor," said Ra's al Ghul.

Brainiac hovered at the console, his eyes scanning over the various crystals. To most people, the technology of the Fortress of Solitude seemed indecipherable. It looked like nothing more than a collection of beautiful crystals. But to one with a knowledge of Kryptonian technology, the console possessed endless possibilities.

He outstretched his fingers and held them over the console. Crystals rose to meet his fingertips. Brainiac removed one of them and set it into another slot. Other crystals rose up and by touching them lightly different effects were produced, different commands entered. The bright glow the crystals all emitted suddenly dimmed and the Fortress was plunged into darkness.

Luthor and Ra's al Ghul looked around in curiosity. Luthor was the one to give voice to his concerns. "What did you do, Brainiac?"

"Patience, Luthor," said Brainiac.

The glow returned slowly, although this time it was almost like a black light effect. The crystals on the console had turned to a very dark color. Brainiac simply smiled as the Fortress' controls implemented the commands he entered. Lex Luthor, however, was both figuratively and literally in the dark.

Watchtower

"Steel to all points," said John Henry Irons from the Watchtower's Monitor Womb. "Watchtower communications are now online and fully operational once more." The feeds from various Earth news networks surrounded Steel and he smiled. "Monitor systems are back online. The Justice League is back in business."

After Brainiac's attack on the Watchtower, Steel had spent the past two weeks bringing the systems back online and repairing any damage the alien entity had done. With J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter on a mission to his home planet, Steel was the one who had volunteered to handle most of the Watchtower's upkeep until J'onn's return.

"Superman, are you responding?" he asked.

{{I read you, Steel. Any luck on locating Brainiac?}}

"None," said Steel. "I've issued a notice to all active Leaguers however, so hopefully soon we'll get some sort of response. Everyone knows to keep their eyes peeled."

{{The problem is with Brainiac's upgrades, we still don't know what the extent of his abilities are, or why he abandoned his plan so quickly.}}

"Any thoughts?"

{{As of yet, none. But I'm en route to check with a friend of ours. I'll keep you posted.}}

"Roger that. Watchtower out."

Gotham City

Whenever Superman flew over Gotham City, he always felt a little uneasy. Setting foot into Gotham was like stepping into another world. It was shadow to Metropolis' light. And although the Batman and James Gordon had brought the city up from the corruption that used to dominate every facet of it, there was still darkness in this place.

Superman was never really fond of the Batman's methods. But be that as it may, he couldn't deny that they had their place and they were extremely effective in a place like Gotham. Both Superman and the Batman were just as different as the cities they held watch over. But despite that, Bruce Wayne was one of Clark Kent's closest friends, perhaps the one man Clark felt he could trust the most with his secrets.

The Man of Steel came across the outskirts of Gotham, zipping through the air faster than any human eye could register. Especially when heading to this particular area, for he knew just how dangerous it was for Bruce if Superman was seen flying around Wayne Manor.

He dove into the harbor behind Wayne Manor. Beneath the waves was an entrance to the fabled Batcave beneath the old mansion. When Superman rose from the waters inside the cave he came up beside one of the Batman's many vehicles floating there. Superman hovered to the main level of the Batcave where the Batman himself sat surrounded by holographic monitors courtesy of New Gods technology.

"Don't you ever knock?" he asked.

"Coming from you, that's pretty funny," said Superman with a smile.

The Batman allowed a small crack to appear on his otherwise-stone face. "Henh."

"Besides, I figured you would know I was coming," said Superman.

"I did," said the Batman. "The Batcave's motion sensors detected you the moment you came to the entrance and I verified it was you with the cameras." He turned in his chair to face his friend. "But my keen senses tell me you didn't come to test out my security system."

"Once again, the World's Greatest Detective lives up to his name," said Superman.

"It's a gift," said the Batman. "What can I help you with?"

"I'm still trying to figure out what Brainiac's angle was when he took over the Watchtower," said Superman.

"I thought you said he was trying to see humanity's reaction? An experiment of some sort."

"That is what he said, but something doesn't fit," said Superman. "Why would Brainiac just abandon his plan so quickly? He said it was just one phase in someone's plan, but he wouldn't mention soon."

"A distraction, perhaps?" asked the Batman.

"That's what I was thinking," said Superman. "Any thoughts?"

"Lex Luthor," said the Batman.

"Any particular reason?"

"Other than the fact that he's tried to kill you more times than either of us could count?" The Batman turned back to the computer and entered several commands on the holographic keyboard. An image of Lex Luthor appeared. "He's escaped from Haven."

"When?" asked Superman, leaning forward, his arms resting on the back of the Batman's chair.

"About two weeks ago."

"How come we weren't told about this?"

"Because up until today, the security footage showed Luthor was still there," said the Batman. "T.O. Morrow stopped in for a visit today and discovered that Luthor was gone."

"Brainiac," said Superman. "With the chaos caused from the missile crisis, he slipped into Haven's systems, planted false footage, and helped Luthor escape."

"My theory exactly," said the Batman. "But why? He and Luthor have worked together in the past, but how are they linked this time?"

"I'm not sure," said Superman. "There's something here I'm missing, but I don't know what. Thanks for your help, Bruce. I'll keep in touch."

Metropolis

Lana Lang entered the newsroom of the Daily Planet, dressed in a smart suit, her long red hair pulled back into a bun. She walked past the various reporters and staffers, making her way towards a desk towards the front of the room. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the Planet's editor in chief, Perry White, chewing someone out.

Jimmy Olsen sat at his desk, phone held to his ear. He heard the familiar voice of Clark Kent on the other end, telling him to leave a message after the beep. "Clark, it's Jimmy. Just wondering where you are, Perry's on the warpath this morning so you better get here quick."

He hung up the phone just as he felt Lana's slender hand on his shoulder. "Jimmy?" she asked. Jimmy turned in his chair and looked up at the woman he was currently dating. Or had been currently dating. Or... he wasn't quite sure just what Lana Lang meant to him anymore.

"Hey Lana, how are you?" asked Jimmy, turning back in his chair to avoid her blue eyes.

"I'm fine," she said. "How about you? You haven't returned any of my calls."

"Yeah, sorry about that, I've just been really busy lately," said Jimmy. "Y'know, after the press conference in Washington, Perry's been riding me pretty hard. I've been working pretty much nonstop since."

"Oh, I see," said Lana. "Listen, I don't have to show any houses today, so I thought I'd come by and the two of us could maybe get some lunch? I think there's some things we should really talk about."

"Gee I'd really love to, but I'm swamped," said Jimmy. "I'll call you soon, okay?"

"Right... okay," said Lana. She sighed. "I'll talk to you later then."

"Right, later," said Jimmy.

Lana turned away from Jimmy and walked towards the exit. She waited at the elevator and when the doors opened, she saw another familiar face standing there. A man with short, black hair and blue eyes hidden behind a pair of thick glasses.

"Lana!" said Clark. "Good to see you again!" The two old friends hugged, but Clark could sense there was something off about her. "Are you okay?"

Lana looked back in Jimmy's direction and said, "yeah, I'm fine. Just fine. I have to go, Clark. I've got a lot of things to do." She pushed past him and walked into the elevator. Clark turned to say something, but the doors closed before he could. Clark entered the newsroom and walked up to Jimmy's desk.

"Hey C.K.," said Jimmy. "Watch out, Perry's on the warpath."

"I know, I got the voicemail," said Clark. "Jimmy, is everything okay with you and Lana?"

"Yeah, everything's fine," said Jimmy, looking away from his friend.

"Jimmy?"

Jimmy sighed. "Look Clark, I really don't wanna talk about Lana, okay?"

Clark seemed taken aback by his friend's words. "Alright, sure thing." He adjusted his glasses and looked up to see Perry White emerge from his office.

"Kent!" he shouted.

"Hey Chief, sorry I'm lat—"

"Worry about that later," said Perry. "You and Olsen get down to City Hall. Two yahoos are tearing it up!"

Jimmy fumbled in his desk. He checked his camera and cursed his luck. "Dammit! My memory card is full, give me a minute to transfer these photos."

"Meet me there, Jimmy," said Clark. "Don't wanna risk missing the story."

"Sure thing—" Jimmy turned his head, but his friend was already gone. "—Clark?"

Clark entered the stairwell, removing his glasses as he stepped inside. He started to run up the stairs, undoing his tie and opening his shirt to reveal the red and yellow shield emblazoned on his chest. As he moved up the stairs, he built up speed until a red and blue streak emerged from the rooftop entrance to the Daily Planet.

He flew across Metropolis like a bullet, rocketing towards City Hall. Just as Perry had said, there were two criminals causing destruction. One of them was a hulk of a man, with gray skin and a tattered black suit—Solomon Grundy. The other was a man whose body seemed to be composed of foliage—Jason Woodrue, the Floronic Man.

Superman barreled into Grundy first, knocking him clear across the street with a single punch. Tendrils made of tree bark exploded from the street, wrapping themselves around Superman's body. The Floronic Man smiled as the roots held Superman cative. The Man of Steel concentrated his vision and his crystal-blue eyes became a bright red. The heat vision that emitted from his eyes lit the roots on fire and they exploded in flames, allowing Superman to pull himself free.

The Last Son of Krypton gripped the Floronic Man by his throat and lifted him in the air, hovering up above the city. "What's this all about, Woodrue? I thought I put you in your place last time."

"Not my fault, they just told me to do this," said Woodrue.

"Who told you?" asked Superman.

The Floronic Man pointed a finger towards the street and said, "them."

Superman turned to see Ra's al Ghul standing on the street, both hands resting on his cane. There was an insidious smile upon his face. By his side hovered Brainiac and behind the two of them was Grundy, who had returned to the fight.

"The Superman Revenge Squad," said the Floronic Man.

Superman threw the Floronic Man, hurling him into Brainiac. He raced towards Grundy, but Ra's al Ghul pulled on his cane top, revealing the sword hidden within. He slashed at Superman as the hero came in range and Superman felt the wound, crashing into the ground. He pulled himself to his feet and saw blood dripping from Ra's al Ghul's sword. He used his telescopic vision on the blade and noticed something inside it. The blade was somewhat composed of Kryptonite.

The roots exploded from the street once more, wrapping around Superman. Brainiac hovered close to the hero and offered a slight grin. "This is the next phase of the plan, Superman."

"What plan?" asked Superman. "Who's behind this? Ra's? Luthor?"

"Luthor was just a pawn," said another voice. "And Ra's al Ghul has another goal in mind."

Powerful hands ripped Superman free of the tendrils and hurled him against the pavement. The man was upon him once again, battering Superman's face with an incredible force. Strength Superman hadn't encountered since the monster called Doomsday. He tried to counteract with a blow of his own, but he was weakened from Ra's al Ghul's strike and each blow he attempted to deliver was easily countered by his new foe. He lifted Superman above his head and brought the Man of Steel crashing down over his knee.

The enemy drove Superman's face into the pavement and stood upright. Superman weakly pulled himself up and saw the Superman Revenge Squad gathered before him. Their mysterious leader stood at the fore, dressed in sleek, black armor. He removed the helmet from his head and smiled down at his enemy.

"Come, Son of Jor-El. Kneel before Zod."