Boots trampled the ground. Water splashing up as men raced down the muddy streets. People rounded up, pushed with force towards the town centre. The men clad in black armour were ruthless in their authority. They kicked down old wooden doors, dragging the inhabitants from the comfort of their homes.
The town mayor was forced onto the ground, the soldiers all backed up, the red on their uniforms shinning in the dim light given off by the helicopters in the air. Tanks of unknown design rolled by, the people watched with fear in their eyes, gathered into groups, outgunned, they watched as a figure marched down the small strip formed by the troops. Clad in black. His chest held a large red dot, a red utility belt rested around his waist, two red holsters either side of his upper thighs, his boots had a red trim around th top. His gauntlets held a red trim with a small red flap. His shoulder pads where angled, each with three small red flaps. His helmet was round, a single red visor covered his eyes, concealing his identity from those present. He was tall, lean, but acrobatic in design. He marched with authority, each step he took in stride as he came to a stop before the mayor.
He bent down to the mayors eye level. "Tell me." He began, his voice masked by his helmet. "Where did those people you sheltered a few days ago go?" He asked.
The mayor blinked. "I don't know what your talking about." He answered in fear.
The figure shook his head. "Oh no. That game won't work on me." He said, raising his right hand up to the mayors chin. "So I ask again. Where did they go?"
The mayor shook from fear. "I don't know who your talking about." He repeated.
The figure groaned in anger, he stood up and turned around. "You know old man." He began, reaching his right hand down to the right holster and drawing a pistol. "And until you talk, I'm just going to keep killing your people." He said, firing a round into the head of a young woman.
The mayor widen his eyes. "Don't kill them!" He shouted.
The figure turned his head. "You going to tell me what I want to know?" He said. "Or am I going to have to kill more of your people?" He finished, motioning towards the gathered people.
The mayor nodded lightly. "I'll tell you. I'll tell you everything." He said.
The figure stepped forward. "I knew you'd see it my way in the end." He began. "So, where did those that you sheltered go?" He finished.
The mayor slowly opened his mouth. "They left just days before you came, they didn't us where they went, or why they came by." He explained.
The figure bent down once more, placing his pistol back in its holster. "You see. It's not to hard to tell the truth is it?" He asked. Flicking his left hand in the process.
The mayor widen his eyes as the figures men started to gun down the town. "I gave you the information. Let them live. Please." He said in a panicked state.
The figure chuckled. "You thought they would live? That they would be free of your sins?" He began, moving his hands to the mayors neck and snapping it. "You were blinded by your own greed." He finished as he stood up and turned around. "Burn the farmland, round up the babies and get them shipped to the training camps." He yelled, marching towards a modified helicopter. "And make sure its all done by noon." He finished as he got on.
The halls were silent, and had been since the death of Robin. The Team's resident detective and acrobat had been gone for several months. His death had hit the team hard, but they recovered from his death weeks later.
"Recognised Batman 0-2" The computerised female voice announced as The Dark Knight entered the central cave of Mount Justice. The team was silent as they gathered around the emotionless man. They did, however notice something different about The Dark Knight, he was disturbed.
"Hours ago, this video was broadcast to the world." The Dark Knight began, pulling up an video feed.
The figure stood before a camera. "Presidents, lords, kings, prime ministers, queens. Tune in as I broadcast a warning to you all." He began. "You could say that I'm an agent of the Dark Order. However, it's come to my attention that you're towns and cities are housing outlawed criminals who believe they serve the good of the world." He went on, images of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman and so on flashed by on the screen. "These criminals are a violation of our law. If you wish to prevent this fate befalling you." He said, the images of his most recent attack showing on the screen. "Then you will hunt down these criminals and execute them." He finished.
The Team was disturbed at the sight. Artemis gasped at the sight of the children, Miss Martian looked like she was about to vomit, Superboy widen his eyes in shock, Aqualad looked away and Kid Flash literally vomited at the sight.
"What sick person does this?" Artemis asked.
Batman looked at the image. "This Black Knight would do so. But what's more disturbing is the fact that infants and babies were spared the fate." He answered.
Aqualad looked down. "So that he can brainwash them." He began
"And turn them into his own personal army." Superboy finished for Aqualad.
Batman nodded. "We currently don't know why he's doing this, or what this Dark Order is. But each League member is taking a small team to their respective cities." He said.
Superboy glanced up "And we're hunting down this person." He summed up.
Batman walked forward. "No. Aqualad, you've been requested to join Aquaman, Miss Martian, Martian Manhunter has requested your aid on The Watchtower. The rest of you are joining me in hunting down this person." He corrected.
Superboy nodded, watching as Aqualad and Miss Martian left.
"So, where do we start?" Kid Flash asked, having left the room and returned to clean himself up.
Batman turned towards the Zeta Tube. "We begin now." He said.