Superman - Rise of an Empire

The war room inside the Pentagon was silent, the air thick with tension. High-ranking officials, generals, and intelligence operatives sat around the long conference table, their faces grim. A massive holographic display hovered above them, showing security footage of Bloodsport's escape, the burning ruins of the military base, and the Super Soldier Serum now in enemy hands.

At the head of the table stood Clark Kent, his hands gripping the edge, his jaw set in stone. He had faced intergalactic warlords, world-ending threats, and cosmic horrors. But now? He was facing something far more dangerous.

A war from the shadows.

"This was an inside job," Clark declared, his voice cold and precise. "Bloodsport didn't act alone. Someone with access—someone inside our own government—helped orchestrate this."

Murmurs spread across the room.

General Eiling leaned forward, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "You're suggesting treason at the highest level?"

"I'm not suggesting anything," Clark replied. "I'm stating a fact."

A flick of his wrist, and the hologram changed—showing encrypted financial transactions, off-the-books supply chains, and classified reports leaked hours before the attack. This was planned.

Someone inside the U.S. government had sold them out.

The Hunt Begins

Later that night, deep within a CIA black site, Clark met with his most trusted intelligence officer—Amanda Waller.

The dimly lit room smelled of burnt coffee and old paper. Waller sat across from him, her sharp eyes studying his every movement.

"You look like hell," she muttered, lighting a cigar.

Clark ignored the comment. "Tell me what you know."

Waller exhaled a stream of smoke, tapping at a secure tablet. "Bloodsport wasn't working alone, that much is obvious. But the real kicker?" She turned the screen toward him.

Clark's eyes narrowed as he read the report. The League of Shadows.

Talia al Ghul.

Clark clenched his fists. "Of course."

"The League has been after high-level bio-enhancement projects for years," Waller continued. "Your serum is just another prize to them. But what concerns me is who inside our government handed it to them."

Clark's mind raced. If the League had the serum, then Talia had plans—plans that involved reshaping the world her way.

And she had just stolen the one thing that could make her vision a reality.

A Dangerous Alliance

Clark knew he needed answers. And to get them, he had to go to someone who had fought the League before.

Which meant only one thing.

Gotham.

The Batcave was as dark and cold as ever, the sound of computers humming softly in the background. Bruce Wayne, clad in his armored Batsuit, leaned against the Batcomputer, his piercing gaze locked onto Clark.

"You should've called," Batman said.

Clark smirked. "Figured I'd drop by instead."

Batman crossed his arms. "You're desperate."

Clark's smirk faded. "Bloodsport stole the serum. The League of Shadows has it."

Batman's eyes narrowed. "Talia."

Clark nodded. "I need information. Everything you have."

Batman turned to the console, tapping a few keys. A detailed file appeared on-screen—images of Talia, League strongholds, and black-market dealings.

"She won't waste time," Batman said. "If she has the serum, she's already manufacturing an army."

Clark exhaled. "Then we stop her. Together."

Batman hesitated, then nodded. "This time? I'm in."

War is Coming

As the Batwing soared through the Gotham night, Clark stared at the city below, his mind focused on what lay ahead.

This was no longer just about the serum.

This was about control.

The League of Shadows wanted to reshape the world in their image. And with the serum, they finally had the means to do it.

Clark had spent years building order, bringing stability.

He wasn't about to let them tear it all down.

Not without a fight.

TO BE CONTINUED...