SUPERMAN

Where were you? My parents were taken. Where were you?

BATMAN

I was doing what needed to be done.

SUPERMAN

My parents. I thought you of all people...

BATMAN

You have to stop what you’re doing.

SUPERMAN

Stop doing what? Stop saving lives? Stop bringing dictators to justice?

BATMAN

You’re scaring them.

SUPERMAN

GOOD! They should be scared. They should be too scared to press the button. They should be too scared to pull the trigger. They should be too scared to hurt each other. You would do exactly what I’m doing if you were me--if you could do what I can.

BATMAN

You killed a man, Clark.

SUPERMAN

I did! And every time you let that madman live, how many more did you condemn? Did you even feel responsible? Did you even feel guilty?

BATMAN

Every time. But we don’t get to choose who dies.

SUPERMAN

One death. To save millions. One. Death.

SUPERMAN

I’m so sorry. We failed you. My name--my Earth name--is Clark Kent. I am... was a reporter for the Daily Planet. No more. What happened yesterday can never be allowed to happen again. Monsters can no longer run free among us. This man turned his weapons against his own people. He is a criminal and will be tried as one. To those who would do the same, those who would hurt others, know that I will come for you. I don’t care about your lands or your beliefs. I don’t care about your petty squabbles. I don’t care if you’re a madman or a terrorist, a king or a President. You do not have the right to take innocent lives. I am for an immediate world-wide ceasefire. All hostiles will stop immediately--or I will stop them. It’s over.

SUPERMAN

Then why didn’t you stop him? WHY DID YOU LET HIM DO THIS TO ME, BRUCE?? You couldn’t possibly understand what he took from me! He stole the life Lois and I would have had together. Our child. And more. There was going to be someone else like me in the world. Another Kryptonian. Someone who would have made me feel less alone. And I would have loved that child more than anything. I already did. And look at you. You’re sitting here in the dark, ignoring Dick and Damian. How many friends did they have in Metropolis? Have you consoled them? Have you held them? Your parents died and left you, Bruce. What’s your excuse for not being a father?

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CLARK (V.O.)

Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Superheating trumps all of that tonight. Because tonight I woke to the greatest sound I’ve ever heard. The sound of two heartbeats coming from one person.