AN: You see that date right. I posted this chapter in April 2017... another six months after chapters one and two. Did I mention my absence? Nope. Honestly don't know what the heck is going on with the AN at the top either. Also... if you look at the AN's on the other 2016 chapters, you'll see that they've got a slash through them, so apparently I also lacked consistency with that. If anyone has answers as to why I only seemed to update this story in April and October, please feel free to let me know. All I have are more questions, and this was the last thing posted, so... there are no answers. 

AN: This will be hard to write... I'm going to have to keep the maniacal laughter to a minimum so that my family doesn't think I'm insane. On a side note... it is like 12:00 pm, and it's darker than it was at 7:00 am. What the heck, weather? Just rain and get it over with already.

Shadows enveloped the the city as the two super-powered people fought for victory, one large and bulky, dressed in a horrible imitation of the American flag, the other small and skinny, wearing a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt, his eyes glowing red, dark shadows flowing around him.

"Ready to die, Superturd? I think you would look so much better as a pile of bloody bones and guts..." Crimson taunted, shadows launching at Superman like spears.

The man of steel dodged the shadows, glaring at the boy. "I'm not going to be the one dead here, child. You don't want to fight me. I got you donuts."

Crimson cackled, the sound sending chills down Superman's back as he shuddered at the horrible sound. "You wish." He launched more shadows at Superman, this time one of them managing to graze his shoulder, the blood drawing out from the wound and mixing with the shadow, Crimson's eyes seeming to light up an even brighter color of red.

"What just happened?" Superman asked, feeling surprisingly weakened, horrified to find that the wound didn't heal like it was supposed to.

"Oh? That? That's nothing... just me stealing your blood and absorbing some of your powers. No biggy." Crimson smirked at him, lunging at the hero with new strength and vigor.

Superman swung at him, aiming a punch for his head only to have the boy move out of the way quickly, his punch hitting empty air. He twisted, flying up into the air.

Crimson followed him, shadows enveloping them as they fought, increasing in altitude over the city.

Although Superman was considered to be one of the more powerful members of the Justice League, he appeared to be no match for the boy he was fighting, taking heavy damage that never seemed to heal.

However, Crimson was also the recipient of several wounds, a cut on his head bleeding down into his eyes, making them seem even more red as he continued to fight, his strength growing with every cut that he made on the once impervious man of steel.

"You should give up, Supes. I really don't think being a hero is your calling. You really should look into journalism. And maybe a pair of glasses." Crimson snickered, using the opportunity given by his words to shoot shadows towards Superman's chest.

Superman barely managed to dodge, shocked by Crimson's words. How did he know about his secret identity? Did he tell others? What about the rest of the Justice League? Did the Crimson menace know about them too?

He started fighting with renewed vigor, knowing that if he didn't defeat Crimson here, then there was a chance that he would spread word of the Justice League's identities, and completely ruin any chance that they had of protecting the earth.

Unfortunately, Superman was too injured to put up much of a fight, his powers severely drained, cuts and broken bones causing pain to flood his body.

Crimson laughed softly, noticing Superman's distress. "Awe~ Why so distraught, Supes?" He teased, raising his arms as shadows flooded the air around him, building up in one massive wave. "Get traught. Or get dead." He launched the shadows at the superhero, cackling darkly as the darkness enveloped Superman.

Superman struggled, feeling the shadows seep into his bones, stealing his will to live, absorbing his remaining powers as he fell towards the ground.

This was the end.

Superman knew it.

Crimson knew it.

The helpless people of the city who were watching the battle knew it.

Superman crashed to the ground, giving up on fighting as his body slowly drained of energy, the shadows writhing and feeding off him like some kind of malignant parasite.

He felt his eyes drift closed, the light at the end of a long tunnel appearing. Superman started to drift towards the light, hearing the calling of his dead planet, his people welcoming him home.

Suddenly however, a boy appeared in front of him, blocking his journey towards the light.

Raven black hair, brilliant blue eyes, and a sad, broken looking smile, the boy looked oddly familiar.

"Stop. Please. It isn't your time yet... you have to live. You have to go and warn your friends. You have to fight for this world, fight against the darkness that seeks to destroy you." The boy said quietly, staring at him with his wide blue eyes.

Superman frowned, shaking his head. "It won't work. He beat me. A child... a child beat me. Something that powerful... we cannot win against it."

The boy shook his head, offering Superman his hand. "You can. And you will. I can help you. I... I need to help you. You call yourself a hero, yes? Then save those who need saving. Save this world."

"Who are you? Why are you so interested in doing this?" Superman asked, frowning at the boy who was growing more and more familiar with every passing second.

A small, sad, smile flitted across the boy's face for a moment before he shook his head. "My name is Dick Grayson. And... and I am Crimson. Or at least... it is my body that he is using. You have to stop him. You have to. Stop me." His form flickered slightly, his voice fading as he spoke a few last words to the hero. "You have the strength to do it... just promise me... promise that you will kill me..."

Superman watched it surprise as the boy disappeared, and he suddenly felt some of his power returning to him, his eyes snapping open as he slowly sat up, managing to gather enough strength to shoot off the ground and into the atmosphere, flying towards the Watchtower, the headquarters of the Justice League.

"Just last a little longer, kid... we'll save you yet." Superman mumbled to himself, landing at the Watchtower and stumbling in through the entrance, collapsing onto the floor as his fellow Leaguers hurried over to him, their questions blurred as blackness flooded his vision, and he passed out.

Meanwhile, Crimson had destroyed yet another city, the blood from his victims giving him more power as he retreated to his hideout to rest, feeling weakened by his fight with Superman, his host's body needing time to recharge before he took on more of the Justice League.

Deep inside of Crimson's mind, an ever growing smaller ruminant of Richard Grayson smiled softly, knowing that help was on the way, that if he could just try to delay the demon a little bit longer, last through the torment for just a little bit longer, then he could finally be at rest.

He could finally know that the demon was gone and the earth was safe.

He could finally find a small measure of peace.

He could be with his parents again.

AN: Welp. That's done. So... I didn't kill him. For some weird reason, you people didn't vote for that as much. I did however use Supes as an opportunity to display some more of Crimson's powers and add a little bit more of our favorite birdy in there. Hope you guys enjoyed, and I'll see you next time! ~Sky out~