Typical disclaimer: I don't own the characters - just the plot and a small pile of twigs in the corner of my bedroom. No profit is gained from this story.

This chapter is un-beta tested. Sorry about that. It's been too long in getting it out as it is. Hope it reads well!

CHAPTER 20 – Loading

JUSTICE LORD'S WORLD

Bruce Wayne Alpha stormed into the Batcave.

"Get out," he barked at Shayera and John with a dominating Batman voice. His fingers attacked the keyboards of the powerful computers. The connection with Diana's com link was instantly severed.

John and Shayera exchanged glances with raised eyebrows and headed for the stairs. Before they were too far gone, Bruce followed up with another command;

"Lantern, don't go far… and make sure your ring is fully charged. You may need it—if not today, then tomorrow."

John nodded and continued up the stairs after Shayera.

Once he was sure he was alone, Bruce enacted various security protocols on the computers, ensuring he and J'onn were, indeed, the only ones that could hear what the other had to say.

"J'onn, it's Bruce. We're alone."

"I know what you're going to say. You won't change my mind."

"I've seen your notes."

Silence.

"Going to Mars was inevitable for you."

More silence.

"Why didn't you tell them?"

The Martian took a breath but didn't answer.

"J'onn… why didn't you-"

"Because nothing is certain."

Bruce drew in a heavy breath and while contemplating deeply, sighed it out slowly. He hadn't actually seen J'onn's notes… that other Bruce had. They'd just exchanged information on the subject. Still, there was no reason not to believe that other Bruce's conclusions.

"Bruce, I implore you… please don't tell the others."

"Why shouldn't I?!"

"Regardless of what happens, Bruce, I won't be coming back. That's the way it must be. You know this. We've discussed it."

"I'm not convinced."

"I am."

It was true. J'onn had discussed this with the other Bruce. The important parts were then forwarded on to Bruce Wayne Alpha. The preparations were made and the plans and contingencies were established.

But neither Bruce thought that J'onn's recovery was impossible.

"Either way, Bruce… this is goodbye. I have no intention of ever seeing any of you again."

Bruce suffered through another sigh… this was not a great first day back in his own world.

"Alright, J'onn. I'll get everything together and tomorrow Lantern will take you back to Mars."

JUSTICE LORD'S ALPHA WORLD – Ex-Lord Superman's cell, just before dinner.

"Hello, son."

Lord Superman nearly jumped out of his chair. His face crumbled into a ghostly expression of awe and fear. For a few gut-wrenching seconds, his wide, cerulean eyes tried to focus on the large-framed man that stood outside his cell:

Jonathon Kent.

"Who the hell are you?" Clark demanded, his expression now more angry than confused.

"I'm Jonathon Kent. I'm just not the Jonathon Kent you know."

Clark's eyes wandered for a few moments as he pieced together what was happening. When he finally got his mind around an idea, he turned to look right into one of the security cameras that he was aware of and dropped his declarations.

"Oh, that's cute! That's real cute!"

Jonathon panned his eyes up from Clark's face to find whatever it was that he was talking to.

"Yeah, I thought so, too," he said. "I went out to do a little maintenance on my tractor and you can imagine my surprise to find Batman waiting in the barn for me!"

"Whatever," Clark mumbled as he collapsed back into the chair with the posture of a defiant teenager. He picked up the television remote and started flipping the channels.

After a few moments, Jonathon spoke up.

"Have you always watched television like that? My Clark never was one to waste too much time on such things."

Clark ignored his 'visitor'. A few more moments passed.

"I know that he hasn't given you a whole lot of options to pass your time with, but honestly… can't you find just one channel to watch and stick with that?"

More time crawled by as the channels flipped and flipped. Both men sighed at practically the same time.

"OK, look," Mr. Kent finally demanded. "I didn't ask to come here… I even told him that I didn't think there was anything that I could do, but he insisted. He told me that the Clark Kent of this world was in trouble and needed my help. I don't know what he expects me to do or what he thinks you and I can talk about, because to me… you're not my Clark and that makes us strangers. But in any case, here I am. Maybe you can explain to me what it is we're supposed to accomplish?"

"Not a [****]ing thing," Clark mumbled.

Mr. Kent couldn't hide his amazement at the word he just heard. He knew that this man wasn't his own son, but the face… the voice… it was still disturbing.

"I guess you really are nothing like my son," he said sourly. "He has manners."

Clark snorted.

"Not only that, but he also learned… on his own, actually… that the values that his mother and I tried to teach him… courtesy, responsibility, respect… those weren't just our values but the decent values of good people everywhere. You… well, clearly you've learned differently."

He got no attention or responses for his efforts; just more attitude and apathy.

"I wonder if it was because your parents didn't have the same values as Martha and I or if you've just become such a lazy, rude and inconsiderate fool on your own."

Clark finally tore his eyes from the damned television. He blinked a few times in annoyance and turned in the general direction of the front of his cell.

"Why don't you just get the hell out of here, huh?" Clark demanded. "I have nothing to say to you and there's nothing that you can say to me that's going to change anything."

"Really? Is that what I was supposed to do here? Change something? Like what?"

"Oh, I'm sure he thought you could talk to me like some kind of father figure and I'd get all weepy and nostalgic for the good ol' days or some other crap like that."

"I see. I take it that your good old days weren't all that good for you, then, huh? I'm sorry to hear that."

For the first time of the conversation, a flash of consideration crossed Clark's face.

"I have to admit, Clark… can I call you 'Clark'?"

"I don't care."

"Ah. Well… as I was saying… I have to admit, I'm having a hard time with this whole concept. To think about parallel universes and inter-dimensional portals… it's a little more than I was prepared for this evening."

"Well, I guess you're nothing like the Jonathon Kent of this world was, then. He wouldn't have had a problem understand things like that."

"Really?" Mr. Kent huffed with half a smile. "It was disturbing enough to think that there's another version of me somewhere… but it's downright embarrassing to think that he's smarter!"

"He's dead."

"Oh…"

Both men's eyes drifted down for a brief moment.

"Martha Kent is dead in this world, too," Clark muttered as an afterthought.

Jonathon drew in a difficult breath with that news before his face showed a dawning realization.

"Martha? You… don't call her 'Ma'?"

"She's not my mother. She's just the woman that found me on this planet."

"I see. Didn't your Martha and Jonathon Kent raise you? I just assumed that-"

"Yes, I was raised as Clark Kent here," Clark interrupted. "I lived with them until-"

"Did they not love you, then?" Jonathon interrupted back. "It sounds like you have a lot of bitterness and resentment for them."

"No!" he exclaimed instinctively. He took an embarrassed second to regain his composure before continuing. "No, I have no resentment, and yes… they both claimed to love me very much… for whatever that's worth."

"Sounds like it's not worth very much to you."

Clark cast a brief glance at the weathered, hazel eyes locked onto him before his head drooped. It seemed he was losing his battle against trying to hide his shame. After a thick moment, his expression grew hard and he stared defiantly back at his visitor.

"They did what they did because they were selfish," Clark insiseted with a dark tone. "Oh, they claimed that they were protecting me… that somebody would have taken me away and studied me like an animal in some top-secret government zoo. But really it was all about them! They couldn't have children of their own, so when they found one, they kept it… hid it away from the rest of the world. Just like all you humans… you hide your self-serving schemes under some kind of guise like love or compassion for others but in reality, it's all about YOU!"

Mr. Kent couldn't hide his shock at the sudden turn of the conversation, let alone the accusations that had been thrown at him. Maturely, he took a second to compose himself and calmly respond, rather than retaliate.

"Well, whatever it was that I was supposed to do here, I'm pretty sure that I wasn't supposed to defend the actions of other people or the collective shortcomings of humanity."

"Good thing… there is no defense for the shortcomings of humanity."

"Interesting… I guess things really are different here! From what my Clark told me about the Kryptonian race in our dimension, they had a laundry-list of faults as well. But to be honest, that never bothered me about my son. I know he wasn't born on Earth, but I also know that I raised him to try to take each person he meets as an individual… to base his opinions of a person on the actions and choices of that person… not because of some pre-conceived notions of their family or culture or race. You seem to be pretty quick to jump to conclusions and give in to your prejudices."

"It's easier that way," Clark spat. "I learned a long time ago that the failures of your species cannot be overlooked because occasionally a single person can have a moment of intelligence. The sum of all the little, insignificant good deeds of a small percentage of people can't undo all that's wrong with you as a whole."

"I see. So you're like Mark Twain in his middle years, then, eh? 'The Damned Human Race' and all that… You have Mark Twain here? You read his stuff?"

Mumbles.

"Well, like I said, I'm not here to apologize for all of us little humans. But I have to admit, I'm fascinated by your point of view. You've completely separated yourself from everybody else on Earth. That must be a lonely feeling for you… My Clark thinks of himself as one of us. He said it gives him a stronger sense of belonging and because of that, it makes him feel good to know that, when he helps somebody, he's helping his family… in a way."

"Good for him."

"I guess, but good for all of us, really. I can't begin to tell you how many times he's helped out a single person or a small group of people… but he's also saved the entire planet more times than I like to think about. Boy! The chills I get sometimes thinking about what would have become of us had he not been there!"

"You're pathetic, you know that? And so is he it sounds like. But to be fair, it took me a while to figure it out too…"

"Oh yeah? Figure out what?"

"That all that 'saving' as you call it… it was really just interference with natural selection! You said it yourself; he saved the whole planet. Had he not been there, then all the humans would have been eliminated… and rightfully so!"

"Hmmm… I never really took the time to try and see it from a cosmic point of view. I guess you're right. The universe and all its diversity would still go on even without us puny, dirty, little Earthlings. After all, the mighty Kryptonian race was eliminated and clearly your people were far superior to us. As an elevated being, I'm sure you've given this a lot more thought than I possibly could. But I feel bad that you wasted all that time trying to help us inferior humans when you really could have just stepped back and watched us all die. Maybe you could have gotten on with your life a lot sooner if we were all eliminated a long time ago."

Clark sighed and rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"As it is," Jonathon continued, "where I come from, there's a saying that you can't make the weak strong by making the strong weak. Maybe humans aren't as advanced as Kryptonians were, but we're not exactly worthless either. All those dangers that my son has saved us from… a lot of them came about because of our own shortcomings, you're right… but more often than not they came about because other people in our universe despised us for what we have or wanted what we have – and I'm not talking about the resources of the planet. No, I'm talking about our ability for compassion and love for one another… for others, even strangers… our ability to pull together and overcome hardships… I'm talking about our capacity for good."

Again, briefly… Clark's face flashed with a moment of contemplation. This wasn't the first time he'd heard things like this… Had he forgotten them?

"I've talked to other alien beings besides my son, too, you know. I like to think that we could become a great people if we could ever find it within ourselves to choose to be. All things being equal, humanity is a pretty amazing race. And that's what my son strives every day to ensure; that things are equal, that there's a sense of balance. That's what 'Justice' means in our world. When evil tips that balance, he and his colleagues tip it back the right way… but they never tip it too far the other direction. They don't run our lives for us… they just make sure that the conditions stay right so that we are free to run them ourselves… even if that means allowing us to make choices that could hurt us. I'm surprised you don't see that."

Jonathon paused and watched.

Clark had actually been listening, but at the lull, he quickly looked away.

"Or maybe you do see that, but the concept of keeping the balance is just too hard for you accept."

That got Clark's attention even more. He snapped his angry face up to look Jonathon square in the eye. Appropriately, Mr. Kent didn't flinch one bit.

"Maybe," Jonathon continued, "you weren't strong enough to allow others to make their own mistakes. Does that scare you; the thought of people making mistakes? It's obvious that something was keeping you here – otherwise you could have left the planet a long time ago. It's obvious that there's something in this world that you hold dear. I've read somewhere that sometimes people try to dominate a situation or another person because they are over-protective… that the thought of anything bad happening is too painful… too frightening. I wonder if the pain of losing something or somebody special scares you too much."

"Don't stand there and pretend like you know me!" Clark demanded, finally standing up and giving his guest his full attention. "Why don't you just go back to whatever universe you were pulled from and leave me the hell alone?!"

"Oh, I'm sure that will happen soon enough. But the more I think about it, the more I'm starting to realize what a rare gift it is for me to be here. I feel a little like George Bailey. As tragic as it is to see somebody just like my son stripped of his incredible powers and caged up like a criminal… it really is a rare gift, indeed."

"Just get out of here!" Clark spat, throwing his hand up in disgust and taking an imposing step forward.

"I think it reaffirms what I've believed about my Clark for pretty much his whole life; that even without his powers, he's an incredible man… because he hasn't abandoned the notions of love and loyalty, friendship and hope…"

"Would you LEAVE?!" Clark seethed, continuing to step furiously towards his 'visitor'.

"He hasn't wallowed in self-pity because there's nobody else like him left in the whole universe. He hasn't succumbed to the temptation to use his abilities for selfish and tyrannical reasons. He's comfortable with himself… has thick enough skin to accept criticism."

"BRUCE! Get this guy out of here NOW!" Clark erupted to the camera in the corner, standing immediately across the Plexiglas shield from the calm and collected Mr. Kent.

"He has character… and it's a strong enough character to allow him to face the concept of loss and grief if it allows others the dignity and freedom to choose their own way. He's astute enough to let people pay for their own mistakes even if that payment may allow pain or suffering… even death in some cases. He knows that he can't save the entire world… because it's not his to save. He's wise enough to know when to step in and when not to – regardless of his critics."

"I said GET OUT OF HERE!" Clark shouted, slamming his fist against the door.

Mr. Kent didn't flinch.

"I guess Martha and I did a pretty good job with him after all. I'm just sorry that your own parents didn't do the same for you."

Red-faced and fuming, Clark beat his fist again. Then again and again and again.

Mr. Kent didn't move.

As his fists pounded, Clark's fury boiled up into a rage and he resorted to hoisting his cell's only chair and throwing it at the Plexiglas shield. When it crashed loudly and clattered to the floor harmlessly, he threw it again. He laced his actions irate ravings and threats. He resorted again to beating the Plexiglas with his balled-up fists, shouting himself hoarse.

Jonathon Kent stood by with a vanilla expression, watching with very little emotion. Clark continued to thrash and rant like an animal, pounding the glass, twisted and furious.

"I'm sorry, Clark," Jonathon finally said with ample sincerity, not sure if Clark was even listening as he raged. "I hope you find a way to restore your dignity – if you ever had any. I'll be praying for you."

With that, he slowly turned and left. He made his way through the cavernous darkness of the training arena all the while ignoring the defiant profanities that were bellowed out in his honor. He involuntarily shuddered as he reached the door, Clark's incoherent ravings echoing in the distance. It wasn't long before he found Batman waiting for him at the consoles of the powerful computers.

"Did that go the way you expected it to go?" Jonathon asked.

"Pretty much. The violence of his reaction suggests that something has hit close to home. You've given him a lot to think about."

"I guess…" Jonathon said, shrugging. His face grew tighter with an expression of grief and disturbance. Even with the sound turned down, the view the monitors showed of Clark's cell was still disturbing: he hadn't stopped his tantrum.

They stood in silence before Mr. Kent finally drew in a cleansing breath and looked at Batman expectantly.

"Well, is this the part where we go through that magic doorway of yours and I can get back to my tractor?"

"Almost. First I need to make sure you fully understand that nobody… nobody can know about this."

"I understand."

"Not your Clark… not even your wife."

"Don't you have some kind of mind-wiping device that can-"

"I don't think that will be necessary," Batman interrupted. His voice held a slightly pleasant tone, betraying the amount of trust and faith that he had in the old farmer. It was as close to praise as a Batman was going to give in such a time.

JUSTICE LORD ALPHA WORLD – Early the next morning in Containment Cell #2

The Martian Manhunter heard the speakers turn on.

"We're all here, J'onn. Go ahead."

"Thank you, Batman," J'onn answered.

The huge alien took a moment to compose himself. Even after all this time without his powers, the emptiness in his mind and the void of other beings' emotions was still something he had difficulty accepting.

His untold suffering alone on Mars was the only thing he could compare it to. There, alone without a soul to which he could relate, he was forced to endure that cold, bleak existence devoid of those comforting connections. At least then he could accept it. He knew he was alone. There was nothing foreign about not feeling another being's presence because he knew there were no other beings around. But not here. Not on Earth.

No, he knew he wasn't alone here. He knew that there were people near-by, if not physically, then at least mentally. Try as he might, he couldn't pretend or persuade himself to believe he was isolated. In failing that, the hollowness he felt was that much more hellish.

And now, as he was preparing to bid farewell to the closest thing he had to a family in eons, his own emotions were the only ones he felt, which, in turn, made them that much more powerful. Had he the strength to suppress his own sadness, he probably would have come to the realization that it was better this way. Because if he were able to sense the others' feelings, it would have been no better.

Except for Batman.

"Thank you, all, for coming," he started, although he knew that it was cliché… to humans, at least.

"As you all know, I've asked Green Lantern to take me back to Mars. I told you that I wanted to die there. I do. There are many customs and traditions that I wish to observe on my home world before this comes to pass. As much as I have grown to love Earth, all of her inhabitants and all of you in particular, please understand that I am first and foremost a being of Mars. I would like to spend my remaining time amongst those places that are dear to me, honoring the memory of my family and culture in a way that is befitting. I trust that you understand this and won't take it as a judgment of you or as a detractor of my affection for any of you… for in a way, I regard each of you as members of my family as well.

"John Stewart, I would like to begin with you. While we will have time to share our private goodbyes during our trip to Mars, I want to speak some of my thoughts and feelings for you with the others in witness. I want them to know of the utmost respect that I have for you. In my vast travels and otherworldly encounters, I have come across countless men of honor and integrity. Martians are not selfish in their observations, so you can be assured that, when I say that I have never come across a nobler instrument for order and justice than you, John Stewart, that it is not an embellishment or exaggeration. The Green Lantern Corps should be honored to have you as one of their own. I am glad to have known you and to have fought by your side. Thank you for all you have done with me and for me.

"Bruce… Batman… I must address those two men separately because to me, it has always been best to think of them as different people. For all his faults, I wish Batman well. While I was never given much of a chance to build a strong connection with him on an emotional level, professionally, he was the stalwart pillar of steadfast strength and determination that gave our team the ambition to persevere, even amongst the direst of circumstances.

"As for you, Bruce… of all that I would like to say to you, I will honor your wishes of simplicity. So please allow me to say only this; keep the doors to light and love open. You will need them.

"Shayera Hol; you are my dear, dear friend. A visitor to Earth, like me, we shared a common pain. It was your passion that fueled our team as well as kept my spirit hungry for righteousness. Your adventurous soul is an inspiration and, while it may sound odd to hear, believe me when I say; that even your difficulties in being accepted were a source of nourishment for me. You have taught me more about myself than I would have ever believed and even more about the Human Race than any human ever could. Please continue to allow your loves and joys to flourish. The beauty of those gifts cannot be overstated, nor can one encompass all that they mean to those around you.

"And now, Diana; my beloved, blooming child… Our kindred spirits intertwined and built a cohesion that was… that IS very, very special to me. You truly are a gift to the people of Earth. Please know that, despite your centuries of living, your life has only just begun. You have known pain and loss, but only recently has it touched your soul in such a profound way as to encroach on your reason for being; you were made to be a beacon of Love and Hope. Please strive to recapture those words in your own heart. And please don't mourn for even a moment our parting. Instead, find strength in the memory of our friendship such that you can continue to bring those cherished notions to those who need them most. You are needed, Diana, Princess of the Amazons, by individuals as well as the whole of humankind. It is an awesome and wonderful burden, and one I know you will carry with grace and dignity. Farewell."

XXXXX

Bruce sat in his chair apart from the others. While they were tearfully watching the main monitor and listening intently to J'onn's valediction, he alone had a view of a secondary monitor. Out of courtesy and respect to the Martian, he, too, listened and watched, but the Batman within kept one keen eye on the smaller screen and the view that it showed: the captive Clark Kent. Bruce had fed Clark's television with the same images and sounds the rest were observing and he was expertly noting each of Clark's reactions to all that was being said.

When J'onn had finished, Bruce typed a few commands. The main monitor everyone else was watching changed to show both cells at once.

"J'onn, there is one more person you might want to address," he said kindly.

"Is he there with you?" Manhunter asked with true surprise.

"No, but he can see you and hear you," Bruce answered. Then after a few more computer commands he added; "You can hear him as well."

J'onn took in a hard breath and nodded in determination.

"Yes, of course. Thank you, Bruce."

The others watched as the two aliens said their final goodbyes.

"Kal-el? May I speak with you for a moment?"

Clark looked uncomfortable in the extreme. Nobody had told him of J'onn's decision to go to Mars, so he had to deduce what was transpiring only by what he had heard J'onn say. And now, knowing full well that he was being watched and heard by everybody while he and J'onn discussed whatever it was that they were going to discuss… it wasn't something that he seemed very prepared for.

"I… I'm listening, J'onn."

"Good. I had thought that I might not get a chance to speak to you before I left. I'm glad to have this opportunity."

"What's going on, J'onn? Where are you going?"

"I'm going away, Superman. I won't be coming back."

The others watching either raised a curious eyebrow or shared questioning glances with each other at the mention of Clark's empowered name.

"Were you able to listen to what I had to say to the others?" J'onn asked.

"I heard."

"Good. I hope that the things I said had meaning for you."

Clark didn't answer.

"You've done a wonderful thing here, Superman. When I first arrived on this planet, I had very little hope for the cultures that I found. Despite all the majesty and wonder, there was so much pain. Those who were hurting were not seeking comfort or solace, but instead were intent on revenge and retribution. The darkness and despair that threatened to consume the beauty of this place was overwhelming. The magnificent people that you and I have had the honor to serve with helped to quell the suffering, but as individuals, our efforts were not enough to overtake the degradation. Together, however, we've succeeded in saving humanity from its own destructive tendencies. It is a worthy accomplishment that we wouldn't have been able to bring to fruition had we not become a band of comrades."

Bruce took a quick glance at the others and gauged their own reactions. Even though he was speaking to Clark, Manhunter's message was one for them all. Bruce could tell that the others, too, were affected.

"Please remember, Superman that all glory is fleeting. The true immortality of your legacy will neither be measured in wrongs you have righted nor in the wrong-doers that you punished. You will be remembered for the vision with which you inspired us all… for the example you set in how to treat one's neighbor… for the vindication you bring to every individual who knows that they have importance because of your congenial ability to acknowledge their existence. The facts will become footnotes in the annals of history, but the vision will endure as a foundation for the whole planet.

"Our alliance was only possible because of you. Our individual strengths allowed us to fight the battles of justice, but they also prevented us from learning to overcome our differences. Without a leader… a champion to pull us and keep us together, we would have eventually fallen back into our comfortable isolations. Despite our collective gifts, none of us had what you had. Of all your powers and abilities, it was your strength of character that helped bridge our collective chasms, remain focused and build an unparalleled synergy that vanquished the despair of the world.

"I thank you for this, Superman. I thank you for teaching us, for serving with us, for helping us, for saving us, and for leading us. Your vision of a better world is an inspiration that each of us believe in. I regret that I won't be with you on your continued fight, because I won't be here to enjoy the rewards with you... and there will be rewards. You will succeed, of that I am certain, and the ultimate reason won't be a superpower measured in strength or speed or energy. No, the real reason will be that you all share a common goal and march under the banner of unity, striving as a single entity towards truth and justice. Earth will be a better world."

Author's Notes: I'm sure you noticed that, at the ending there, J'onn never called their group the Justice Lords. Yep, that was on purpose. My intention was to show that J'onn not only knew that the Batmen wanted to reform the Lords back into a League, but he was also on-board with that. I hope that's what you took away from it.

Last chapter Easter Egg: "Who IS that girl?" I lifted that line from The Blues Brothers - towards the end when Carrie Fisher confronted Jake and Elwood... I love that movie! Maybe this line was a little to generic for many people to catch that... sorry.

Thanks for reading. I hope to have the next chapter out before too long!

WL