AN: This fic was inspired by a fan's challenge over at the SM/WW fan archive some time back. In the original JL/JLU episode "Hereafter", Superman gets hit by Toyman's weapon, and while everyone (save Batman) thought he was dead, it turned out that he had in fact been sent to an alternate future. Well, according to the challenge this fan had posted, what if instead of getting sent to the future, Clark gets sent to the distant past? And what kinds of things end up happening to him as he's trying to find his way back? And what kind of people will he meet? Of course, the challenge does get specific in regards to who he meets and such, but I think I'll keep that to myself for just a little while longer (although I'm sure a few already know what I'm talking about).

Since I had remembered that challenge specifically, I pitched the idea on the SM/WW message board, since I didn't have an idea how to do it at the time and the challenge somehow got deleted when the fan archive got updated. But as I started to think about it a bit more, ideas started coming and I finally just said to myself, why not? So here I am.

I don't know who pitched the challenge first, but to that person, thanks for putting that idea out there!

Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing in regards to the Justice League, they belong to DC Comics and their respective creators.

Chapter 1 – Getting bearings

"Matter can't be created or destroyed; just changed from one form into another." – Batman

Somewhere in time…

If he had never known what it was like to be stiff before, Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman did now.

Opening his eyes and trying to blink the tiredness out of them, Clark found himself looking up at the sky, but instead of seeing overcast clouds much like what he had seen before he got hit by Toyman's ray gun, he was seeing…an afternoon sky?

What in the world…?

As he tried to get the concrete slab off him to get up, Clark found that his body felt like he had been lifting heavy weights (or at least as heavy as can be for a Kryptonian anyway) non-stop with no rest in-between. Every muscle felt drained.

As he brought his right hand toward his face to clear his throat Clark then saw something he hardly ever sees. His hand had cuts and bruises on it. Not only that, but as he looked around he saw a yellow sun burning brightly in the sky.

Okay, I've been hit hard enough to get bruised and even bleed, but I was only hit with a ray gun, not kryptonite. So how exactly is my hand like this, and for that matter, how did I end up in the middle of a clearing with…cars?

Feeling it best to focus on the current situation, Clark then called out to see if anybody was around or even within hearing his voice with no success. Then as he placed his index and middle fingers of his right hand to his ear to find that he still had his JL headset in place, and from what he was able to pick up, it was still working.

And you thought the technology you had was the only way to go, eh, Bruce? Clark thought to himself as he remembered suggesting to Bruce to incorporate Kryptonian tech into the equipment they used on the Watchtower, including the headsets.

"Superman to Justice League, I'm not sure if you can pick this up, but somehow I've been either transported to someplace else on Earth or another planet with a yellow sun. In addition, my powers don't seem to be working for some odd reason. I'm not picking up any of your homing beacons or any other audio signals of any kind. However, if on the off-chance you do manage to hear this, I'll be keeping this channel open and hope to either meet up with your position or have you meet up with mine; Superman out."

Deciding not to waste any more time, Clark then tore off part of his costume's sleeves to bandage his hand and then walked over to the set of cars, found a crowbar among the rubble, walked over to the closest car and pried open the trunk to see what supplies he could salvage, a process he repeated for the rest of the vehicles. Once he was done, he had amassed two spare fuel cans, a bucket, rope, a set of flares, a small metal hammer, a pipe longer than his arm, and a pack of energy bars with a picture of Flash sponsoring them.

Because the clearing was surrounded by forests, Clark knew right away that trying to use one of the cars as transportation was out of the question, so he decided the best thing to do was scope out his surroundings so at least he would get the lay of the land. After a long while Clark then came back to where the cars were and mentally ran over what he was able to scope out. It seemed that although there were a great deal of forests and vegetation in this area, it looked as if though there was some kind of pathway about 2 klicks (2000 meters) northeast to where he was, which indicated that people had in fact passed through here. Now having something to go on, Clark decided he would make his way there first thing tomorrow morning, since his body was still feeling stiff which meant putting his supplies together and checking the area out used up the whole afternoon.

Using some sticks, one of the flares, and a bit of fuel from one of the cans to start a fire, Clark then detached his cape from his Superman costume and draped it over his shoulders as he warmed himself up, all the while deep in thought.

So let's recap…somehow, instead of getting vaporized by Toyman's weapon, these cars (and myself) ended up getting transported someplace else. Now I don't know if I'm still on Earth or if I'm on some other planet, but the fact that there's a pathway two klicks from here does indicate that I'm not alone and that people have passed through here which can also mean that there has to be some kind of settlement not too far from here. Hopefully once I get there (wherever it is) I'll be able to get a better sense of where I'm at and how I can get home. Ma, Pa, and Kara have to be going nuts by now…

All of a sudden Clark then heard a rustle in the distance followed by a growl. Although his super hearing, much like the rest of his abilities-was on the fritz, it was still good enough for him to pinpoint exactly where it was coming from (mostly). After he heard the first growl, he then heard several more growls, then more rustling, which was starting to get closer. Getting up and ignoring the soreness in his muscles, Clark then saw a pack of wolves entering the clearing where he was.

And me without any dog-food to hand out. He thought sardonically.

Acting quickly, Clark then made his way over to his supplies, grabbed the pipe he had found earlier and started banging the hood of the red car with it, hoping the noise would startle the pack.

Then he grabbed one of the sticks from the fire and walked toward the wolves, swinging the burning branch as he did so, which made the wolves start to back away, but not enough.

I don't want to start a forest fire, but I've got to drive these things off somehow…

Taking a chance Clark then threw the branch at two of the wolves, which instantly drove them off. Not wanting to waste a moment Clark then reached for another burning stick and swung it twice at the remaining pack before he threw it at them. The wolves then backed away for a moment and then stopped, until a growl from who Clark guessed was the alpha male then caused the pack to then turn and leave.

Once he saw them all take off and didn't see or hear them anymore Clark then quickly headed over to where the branches were and while they were still burning, the flames hadn't yet caught up to everything else around them, so he quickly placed the sticks back to where the main fire was and was able to put out the few small flames that were starting using a combination of his own feet and the surrounding dirt.

That was too close. He thought once he checked around and made sure there were no extra fires save the main one. If I run into them again, I'm gonna need more than burning sticks and a pipe.

As he then looked at the pipe he was still holding in his right hand Clark then studied it a bit before he swung it around a few times.

And the wheels started to turn…

(Some hours later)

Besides the occasional chirping from crickets, the only sound that could be heard was the hissing coming from the bucket as Clark dipped his new weapon into the water he had drained from one of the cars.

It had taken some time, but between using some flares, the hammer, the concrete slab from earlier, and the bucket, Clark managed to turn the pipe into a makeshift sword.

It may not be like one made in a couple weeks, if not months, but it'll have to do. Clark thought as he kept the sword submerged for a little while longer before taking it out completely and then using a cloth he had found in one of the car's glove compartments to wipe it clean.

Not too bad Clark. Not too bad at all. He thought as he inspected the blade one last time.

Satisfied with his handiwork, Clark then reached over to a makeshift sheath he had put together made out of the outer leather skins from one of the car's seats and placed his sword in it. Already feeling tired and hungry he then walked back to where his supplies were, grabbed some energy bars, and sat back down by the fire.

Lightspeed Energy Bars, huh? Well, let's see if they live up to the name. Clark thought with a small smile as he opened one and chowed down.

The sound of birds chirping roused Clark from his slumber as he yawned and stretched out his arms (which to his relief, didn't feel as stiff as yesterday) before he pressed the radio tuner button to see the time and adjusted his seat back up to its original position. Then he reached for his makeshift pack of supplies on the seat next to him (along with his sword) before stepping out of the car.

Well, made it through the night, no problem. He thought as he adjusted his pack on his shoulder and attached his sword and sheath to the side of his costume's belt.

Based on what he saw on the car's clock, it was about 9:30 AM or so. Since he knew he would be in for a long walk, and since he still could not use his powers (although his body felt more recovered, which indicated a good sign), he snacked on three energy bars for breakfast, along with a pair of coconuts he found on a tree nearby. After breakfast he checked the area one last time to make sure he wasn't forgetting anything and then set off for what he hoped would lead him to the pathway.

(Elsewhere…)

"Okay my friends, let us finish up with our breakfast and push on." Spoke a tall, mighty, yet arrogant man to his band of fierce warriors as they finished their morning meal before they picked up their few supplies (mostly weapons) to head off to their own destination.

"Not that I (or the rest of us for that matter) mind heading off on yet another quest Heracles, but why are you so anxious to head to this city you spoke of?" Asked one of the men.

"Probably to prove once and for all that he is not a eunuch I'm sure." Joked another man to which Heracles then walked over to him, grabbed the man by his neck and hoisted him up five feet off the ground.

"Next time you wish to jest, do so carefully." Heracles said with a threatening tone in his voice.

"M-My apologies Heracles." Choked the man. "I meant n-no disrespect."

"See that you don't." Heracles said as he released his comrade before he turned to the first man that spoke.

"My friend, I am eager to go to this aforementioned city for several reasons. The first being that there is something there that I need to obtain as one of my labors; the second is to show that even an elite Amazon woman can be bested, one way or another."

"Well, you not need say more." Spoke another warrior. "In all the foes you have faced, no beast or man alive can stand a chance against you, and I pity any anyone foolish enough to do so."

"Indeed my friend." Heracles said boisterously. "Although I must admit, I actually will relish that kind of opportunity if it should present itself. So to that end, let us go!"

(Somewhere else)

In a distant city, activity was bustling everywhere, but even for a city consisting of a tribe of fierce, beautiful women, there was still time to relax and prepare for the daily tasks ahead, specifically in the form of a morning feast.

However, for one woman, there seemed to be a look on her face that was very hard to discern. At a glance it seemed like there was anticipation and exhilaration one moment, and then bewilderment and anxiousness the next.

One of the women took notice of this and walked over to her to see what was troubling her.

"You seem introspective there Menalippe." Spoke the woman. "Is everything well?"

Hearing her leader's voice shook the Oracle of the Amazons out of her reverie and back to the present.

"Oh, um…yes Queen Hippolyta." Menalippe replied.

"Are you absolutely sure sister?" Hippolyta asked with a tone that said she wasn't being fooled.

Having always found it difficult to lie to someone she not only considered her queen, but also her friend made Menalippe throw caution to the wind.

"No. I'm afraid not." The Oracle answered. "In fact, it is very difficult to say."

"Perhaps if you say what it is, it may help." Suggested another Amazon named Timandra. "Sharing the burden does help relieve a troubled soul."

"The night before, I had dreamed perhaps the strangest dream in a long time." Menalippe said.

"Well, Morpheus was never known for being straightforward when it came to dreams themselves." Spoke Penelope, the Amazon's archivist.

"What did you see in the dream?" Hippolyta asked.

"I saw…a journey, a man…crossing the lands…in search of something."

"That's it?" spoke another Amazon named Io in an almost scoffing tone.

"No…there's more." Menalippe said. "I'm not sure what, but I know there's more."

"I know that things will not be the same as they are now and everything we know will change. Whether it will be for good or ill, I do not know."

No sooner did Menalippe say this did everyone in the chamber then pay close attention - specifically Hippolyta and her blood-related sister Antiope. While many of Morpheus's images could easily be dismissed as just dreams and nothing more, the fact that their own oracle had seen these dreams and spoke of them in a way that was almost for certain did raise some concerns. Although the Amazons had a great deal of love for peace and friendship and prized those principles above conflict, they were also known for being battle-ready when necessary.

Deciding to lighten mood Clio, who was one of the scribes then spoke.

"Was the man you saw a dashing knight?" She asked with a half-joking, half-dreamlike tone to which some Amazons laughed while others just rolled their eyes in amusement and semi-exasperation.

"No." Menalippe replied before she spoke again. "Not a knight, but something more than a man…a crusader…a warrior…a hero."

AN: So what do you think? I hope I didn't give away too many spoilers in this opening chapter.