Chapter 56 (edited)

The so-called "Injustice Superman" refers to the events of Injustice: Gods Among Us, including its video games and adapted comics.

Everything began with the Joker's twisted plan. Using a potent toxin to warp Superman's perception, he tricked the Man of Steel into killing his pregnant wife, Lois Lane, and triggering a nuclear bomb that obliterated half of Metropolis, killing millions of people. This time, Joker's goal wasn't to torment Batman but to destroy Superman—and he succeeded spectacularly, even sacrificing his own life in the process. Superman, consumed by grief and rage, abandoned his moral code and began serving as judge, jury, and executioner.

Superman's descent into tyranny caused division among the heroes. Many members of the Justice League sided with him, including Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Cyborg, and Shazam. Even his long-time enemy, Lex Luthor, and Batman's ally Robin eventually aligned with him. Initially resisting, Aquaman eventually compromised. Superman aimed to bring peace by eliminating threats before they could act—but as the regime grew, the line between justice and tyranny blurred.

As Superman's team tasted the simplicity and power of preemptive justice, their methods became more extreme, fostering a global climate of fear. The idea that anyone could be labeled a "potential criminal" and eliminated led to a chilling uncertainty. Superman's intentions, however noble at the start, were tainted by his methods.

Batman stood opposite Kara Zor-El—Supergirl. The tension between them was palpable, their ideologies clashing violently.

"So, we're the ones who are wrong?" Kara's voice cut through the silence like a blade. "We should've let Lars go, let him kill millions of people before we acted? Put him in a cell he could escape whenever he wanted, and just hope for the best?"

Bruce Wayne, the Dark Knight, remained silent, his jaw tightening under his cowl.

"Tell me, Bruce," Kara pressed, her voice laced with scorn. "Are we supposed to wait until Gotham is nothing but ashes? Wait until the innocent are slaughtered before we do something? Is that the kind of justice you believe in?"

Bruce regarded her carefully, his silence more telling than words.

"You're weak, Bruce," Kara snapped, her tone dripping with disdain. "Have you ever seen the brutality of nature? Do you know how hyenas take down a buffalo? They go for the weakest point—relentlessly. Or lions? The first thing a new lion does when taking over a pride is kill the cubs of its predecessor. Nature is cruel, Bruce. Humanity might rise above it, but we are still part of it."

Her words carried a dark conviction. "We're here to protect the good, the innocent. Not to be the shield for the monsters who prey on them. If you can't handle that, maybe you don't deserve to be a superhero."

Bruce stared at her, his gaze unyielding but filled with concern. "Kara, you're treading a dangerous path."

"I won't become like Clark," Kara retorted sharply. "I don't harm the innocent. But don't think for a second that I'd hesitate to kill Lars again. If it saves millions, I'd do it without regret. What if we hadn't stopped him? What if he'd succeeded?"

Bruce didn't answer immediately. Instead, he studied her with a mixture of disappointment and worry. Kara's ideology mirrored the Injustice Superman's too closely for comfort. With her Kryptonian powers, she could pose a threat even greater than Clark.

Though they had defeated Lars and stopped the immediate crisis, the cost was clear. The cracks in their partnership had deepened.

The Batcave felt colder than usual. Kara broke the tense silence, her voice steady but laced with frustration. "Do you really think locking them up works, Bruce? The man who killed your parents was released after 14 years. Fourteen years. That's all their lives were worth."

Bruce's expression hardened, but Kara pressed on. "I'm not talking about revenge. I'm talking about justice. Respecting human rights doesn't mean allowing monsters to ruin lives unchecked. A murderer takes one life and gets a chance to live out the rest of theirs. Their victims? They never get that chance."

She took a step closer, her voice rising. "How many lives were destroyed by the mob boss you put away? How many people suffered because of him? And when he gets out, do you think he'll stop? No. Someone has to end the cycle. If no one else will, I will. I'll carry that burden."

Bruce met her gaze, his voice low but firm. "And what happens when you cross the line, Kara? When killing becomes your first solution, not your last? You think you can control it, but you're wrong."

Kara shook her head. "You don't get it, Bruce. I'm not afraid of blood on my hands. What I fear is doing nothing and watching more innocent people die because we were too 'principled' to act."

Their argument hung heavy in the air. Kara's unwavering conviction clashed with Bruce's steadfast morality. The two heroes, once allies, now stood on opposite sides of a philosophical divide.

Bruce sighed, breaking the silence. "Kara, this isn't just about Lars. It's about what this means for you—for us. If we lose our principles, what separates us from them?"

Kara scoffed. "Principles don't save lives, Bruce."

The tension broke when Bruce suddenly realized something. "Wait... did either of us stop Gordon from blowing up the viaduct?"

Kara blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Judging by the train's speed? Definitely not."

Bruce groaned, already reaching for his communicator. For all their moral debates, Gotham's chaos never paused long enough for heroes to argue.