#journalist's notes

Clark sighed loudly. "You're cranky," the Kryptonian pointed out. "All this night work has your internal clock all messed up." He moved deeper into Bruce's immense bedroom, opening the curtains to let the early morning's sun rays in. "It's a beautiful day, Bruce!" Clark said with a large, blissful smile as he took in the view. "Alfred is already working on the breakfast," he informed his friend. "It smells like freshly brewed coffee, the day is beautiful and it is already nine in the morning." He moved to the bedside. "Get up... Bruce, get up!" He insisted before a small lamp crashed against his chest and busted into pieces at his feet. Clark arched an eyebrow. "Really, Bruce?" He questioned with a chuckle. "Get up!"

Superman frowned deeply. Bruce had never been easy to work with, especially when you were just getting to know him... But at the point they had reached in their friendship, Kal trusted him with his very life. The Kryptonian had gone as far as giving Bruce a Kryptonite ring to use against him in case he lost his way. But this? How could Bruce turn his back on him now? "Is that what we're doing now?! Do the years we've spent together mean nothing to you?!" Clark snarled angrily. "Bruce, I have never denied you my help... Don't turn your back on me now!"

Kal-El looked up at Orm, holding his stomach. To think they had been in opposite sides at one time... To think that he had to work so hard to get Orm to find redemption, to want it. And now? Now, Orm stood over him, offering help. Hope and faith and triumphed once more... "Get the Kryptonite ring away from him," Superman groaned, his breathing labored. "Only then I can take him on." It wasn't going to be easy, but he believed in Orm.

Superman frowned. "Don't try to blame this on Batman, Riddler," the Kryptonian countered angrily as he landed a few feet away from the Gothamite criminal mastermind. "Your actions are your own, take responsibility for them, only then you might redeem yourself." Closing the gap between them, Superman extended a pair of handcuffs at him. "Please, turn yourself in now. I have no desire to fight you." Although he was curious as to why the Riddler had come all the way to Metropolis... But that was a question for after he gave up resisting.

Clark Kent smiled at the man's words, fixing his glasses that slightly slipped down the bridge of his nose. "You're very right about that, my friend," he told his newest acquaintance. Although perhaps the man didn't quite know how right he was... They had been talking about something else entirely. But now that he had said such words, Clark could feel the Kryptonian symbol of Hope's weight against his chest under his baggy suit, the weight of the cape that also hid under it. If people really wanted to, they would see him for whom he was... But no one wanted the mighty Superman to be someone like Clark Kent.

The Kryptonian smiled. "I just want to make sure you're safe," he stated, not surprised she had picked up on him regardless of how hard he'd attempted to remain hidden. She'd been out with her friends, and the place they had planned to go to did not have the best reputation. Although completely confident in her prowess, it was hard for him to still not see a little girl rather than a young, capable woman. "I'm sorry, Donna," he told her sincerely. "I worry," he explained, landing before her. "Other than that, I hope you had a great time." Which it had seemed like it, although he tried not to pry too much.

Superman stood effortlessly upright, thick arms crossed over the Kryptonian symbol of Hope. His long crimson cape rippled behind him as he levitated over the defeated, dethroned Atlantean. "That's the problem, Orm," Superman said sadly. "I don't think you a monster at all." Landing before the former king, the Kryptonian offered Orm his hand. "I have come in peace, Orm, just me... Because I don't see a monster, I see a worthy man." He looked deep into Orm's eyes. "I don't think you a monster, Orm... Regardless of what you may think. This is why I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes, that you see past your mistakes. Because I do not want to fight you... I do not want to hurt you..."

Superman smiled widely at the time-traveling Justice Leaguer. Putting a hand on Booster's shoulder, he nodded. "The only time anyone can be brave, it's when they're afraid," the Kryptonian admitted, looking over towards the grim battle. "We can do this," he promised, levitating a few inches off the ground. "You aren't alone. Not now, not ever," Kal-El promised him solemnly. "It's ok to be afraid, we all are..." After all, Darkseid was not your every day enemy. "But we will stand together. And if you stumble, I will be there to pick you up," he promised. "Now, let's show Darkseid that he's the one who should be afraid," Superman told him, offering his hand.