AM I SUPERMAN?

"Superman!"

The moment Amanda Waller and her team spotted Clark Kent descending from the sky, they instinctively raised their guns. However, it didn't take long for them to realize how futile such an action was.

Kaius chuckled, shaking his head. "Careful there. You don't want those guns to misfire and make this more fun than it already is."

Clark landed gracefully, folding his arms. His calm demeanor didn't falter as he addressed Amanda. "Ma'am, this spaceship belongs to my family. I'd appreciate it if you withdrew your troops."

His tone was polite, but Amanda Waller was not one to back down easily. Straightening her suit, she countered, "I'm sorry, Mr. Superman, but this is U.S. territory. And as you know, U.S. territory is sacred—"

"Oh, cut the crap!" Kaius snapped, his patience running thin. He stepped forward, his voice commanding enough to make Amanda flinch. "Amanda, this is the last time you try to pull jurisdiction over something you don't understand. Do you want me to leak that little Star City operation of yours to the Daily Planet?"

Amanda's confident facade cracked. Her eyes darted to Kaius, wide with fear. She knew exactly what he was referring to: her failed attempt to destroy Star City by framing Slade Wilson during the enhanced soldier project.

"You… you wouldn't—"

Kaius smirked. "Try me."

Amanda hesitated, biting her lip. Finally, she waved her hand, signaling her agents to retreat. "Fine. But this isn't over." She turned on her heel, walking away with her troops, leaving the scene to the Justice League.

With the area clear, Kaius, Fiora, and Superman approached the largest crater. At its center, the metallic gleam of a spacecraft shone under the sunlight.

Before they could examine it further, the sound of a jet engine roared overhead. The Batplane descended, landing smoothly nearby.

Superman raised an eyebrow as he watched Bruce Wayne emerge. "It's him… Batman from Gotham. Why didn't you tell me you invited him here?"

Kaius shrugged. "I didn't. This spaceship was discovered by one of Bruce's satellites. He came on his own."

Superman smirked. "Makes sense. Bruce Wayne—a billionaire with a satellite at home. That tracks."

Despite his calm tone, Clark's x-ray vision subtly scanned the Batplane, and by extension, Batman himself. The two exchanged a long, scrutinizing look as Bruce approached.

Their gazes locked in an unspoken conversation, each silently evaluating the other. It was a tense standoff that stretched for thirty seconds.

Kaius, unfazed, jumped into the crater to investigate the spacecraft.

The spacecraft was partially embedded in the earth, its hull dented and scorched. Using his x-ray vision, Kaius peered through the outer shell. Inside, he spotted a teenage girl, unconscious and strapped into a seat. Her features were delicate, her pale skin almost glowing in the faint light.

The ship's hatch was mangled and unable to open from the inside. Without hesitation, Kaius grabbed hold of it and tore the door away. Sunlight flooded the interior.

The girl stirred, her long lashes fluttering as she raised a hand to shield her eyes. Slowly, she opened them, focusing on Kaius.

"Are you… Kal-El?" she asked weakly, her voice carrying an accent that hinted at Kryptonian origins.

Kaius smiled gently. "No, I'm not Kal. I'm his friend—Kaius, Liam Rogers." He carefully lifted her out of the spacecraft, holding her like a fragile treasure, and flew out of the crater.

Superman and Batman, their silent standoff finally over, turned their attention to the girl in Kaius's arms.

"Who is she?" Batman asked, his tone cautious and analytical.

Kaius didn't answer, allowing Superman to step forward. His eyes scanned the girl's clothing, stopping at the familiar 'S' emblem emblazoned on her chest. His expression softened, a mixture of recognition and uncertainty clouding his features.

"Are you… of the House of El?" Superman asked, his voice filled with a strange mix of hope and trepidation.

The girl nodded weakly. "Yes… my name is Kara Zor-El. I'm Kal-El's cousin."

Kara looked at the emblem on Superman's chest, her eyes welling with emotion. Once Kaius set her down, she stumbled into Clark's arms, laughing softly. "Kal... I finally found you."

Clark, overwhelmed, patted her back gently. "Wait… do you know me?"

"Of course, I do!" Kara said excitedly, pulling back just enough to look into his face. "I'm your cousin—Kara Zor-El. When you were sent to Earth, my parents sent me after you to ensure your safety. I was supposed to protect you."

Superman blinked, his expression a mix of surprise and disbelief. "Cousin? Kara Zor-El? My parents never told me about this."

Before Clark could ask more, Batman stepped forward, his voice calm but probing. "You said you were sent with Superman's spaceship? If that's true, why did it take you so long to arrive? Superman has been on Earth for over ten years."

Clark turned to Kara with the same question reflected in his eyes. "What happened? Why now?"

Kara hesitated, casting a nervous glance at Batman, before shrinking back slightly. "My spaceship was… attacked. It was thrown off course and pulled into the Phantom Zone."

"The Phantom Zone?" Batman and Superman said in unison, exchanging another sharp glance.

"What's the Phantom Zone?" Bruce asked, his analytical mind already piecing together the implications.

"And who attacked you?" Clark pressed, concern etched in his tone.

Kaius, sensing Kara's unease, stepped forward. "Hey, let's not overwhelm her with questions. Kara, take your time. Start from the beginning—what happened after you were pulled into the Phantom Zone?"

Encouraged by Kaius's reassurance, Kara nodded. "The Phantom Zone is… an isolated dimension. Time doesn't pass there. I was trapped, asleep, for what felt like an eternity. I didn't wake up until they found me."

"They?" Clark asked urgently, leaning closer. "Who are they?"

Kara shuddered at the memory. "Mechanical lifeforms. Zombies, almost. They serve a higher being… the Brain Interactive Construct. Brainiac. He… he wanted Krypton. I managed to escape from the Phantom Zone, but not before he tried to use me to find this planet."