Hero Reborn

"It's still strange," the Dark Knight implied to the Man of Steel and the mighty Amazon in regards to the the man standing at the window looking outside. His helmet removed for the time being. Wanting to see the world. The three heroes conversing about is abrupt return from the dead. "After all this time, long after it was rumored he was dead, here he is standing before us."

"Not really standing before us, Batman." Superman pointed out. "But I do agree with you on this one. It is a little odd that he pops up after practically being nonexistent for so long. I remember seeing reports about his initial demise in South America. It's almost too good to be true. . ."

"They never found a body to confirm this though." Batman mentioned. "Just a piece of what was recognizable to the public that was his."

Superman pondered watching the war hero. "But why did he stage it though? A hero like him, should be proud of all of his accomplishments."

"Not all of it was happy. . ." Diana pointed out. "Their's still some old wounds left unattended."

"Diana's right." Batman added. "Their are some things that should never have happened to him in the first place."

Superman thought on this. His mind trailing back to some of the records. "You mean things like the Communist accusation scam McCarthy tried to pull?"

Wonder Woman looked over to Superman hearing him mention that. She recalled that incident. "That's the big one." she added. "McCarthy should never have even tried to imply such lies about him."

"Yet he still stood tall through it. I wondered how it didn't destroy him." Superman said.

"It almost did." Batman added. "His wife was that strength and support. Hence why he still survived."

Superman nodded watching the man. "So how was he able to stay so young?"

"Nuclear Testing." Batman answered. "But that only slowed his aging to a 1:14 ratio. Not halt it entirely. Also gave him a few enhancements as well." Batman just watched the hero. "Still, it bothers me why Brainiac's exobytes decided to mend with him when he didn't need it."

Wonder Woman watched in silence while the two talk. Hearing the last bit from Batman's question why him. She was familiar with John's secret. Aware that it did have a draw back of its own. "It gave him another chance." she answered the two. Looking at Superman and Batman who both seemed puzzled.

"Second Chance?" Superman repeated. "He's practically a Meta-human like us, Diana. Why would that give him a second chance?"

"and At what for that matter. . ." Batman looked to Wonder Woman as well. "He served his country numerous times, served in several tours since 1938, led the allied forces in the Nomandy landings. . . He's done plenty himself."

"Yes, he has." Wonder Woman admitted.

"Then why a second chance?" Superman asked. "You make it sound like the exobytes saved him."

"That's because they did." Wonder Woman said watching John again. Noting how he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. "And just to clarify, he's not entirely a meta-human like we are."

Both Superman and Batman looked over to John for a second. "You know something, don't you Diana?"

Wonder Woman remained silent. Noting how John's posture shifted. She knew something, yes. She knew a lot of things. She sighed for a second and explained it to the two men:

"As Bruce mentioned, John's aging slowed to a 1:14 ratio, allowing him to live longer than a normal human would be able to, and still be physically capable of performing near difficult tasks with little issues." She looked to the two. "But, it's not forever." she stated.

"What are you talking about?" Superman asked.

Wonder Woman looked to John again closely. Taking a few to collect herself before revealing the information. "His body was finally catching up physically." she explained. "Since there's no real way of stopping it, all he could do was wait." She looked to the two. "That's why the exobytes saved him and gave him a second chance. It halted the effects of the physical overdrive his body was going through. Keeping him at the age to be physically fit and continue to perform his duties without question." Both Batman and Superman were silent allowing her to continue. "John is the definition of a real hero. Never giving up, never surrendering, continuing to fight for what you believe in. . . He fought tooth and nail for his country, yet. . . he felt his country didn't appreciate his efforts." She looked to the two. "Plus he does miss Helen." she added. "Regardless of all those things, I see it as more of a blessing from Olympus. As though they were soley responsible for allowing him to get this chance."

Superman looked at John, seeing him just staring out the window. "I really wish their were more men like him in all honesty." Superman said.

"That makes both of us." Batman added. "I think we could use a man like him. If his experience alone isn't enough, then his knowledge, skills, and training should back that up."

Wonder Woman nodded in agreement. "I think we should see about getting him up to speed."

Superman nodded. "Agreed. I for one feel a patriot like him would add the edge we need."

"Provided the villains don't have 'him' on their side."

Wonder Woman scoffed at that statement. "HE is dead. It would take a miracle or a stroke of luck for him to survive the mouth of the Volcano."

"Lets focus on John for now." Batman concluded. "Diana, did you want to grab his attention or should one of us do it?"

Another fun one explaining how he was able to live and gain the exobytes in this universe.

Spartan One is property of Yours Truly.

Shot taken in DC Universe Online.