Artemis eyed the towns remains closely. Her eyes shifting along the ash, streams of smoke pulled away into the sky by the light breeze. Torn, burnt cloth flapped from broken supports. The charred bodies of those who were trapped inside their homes rested among the ruins.
Wally bent down and picked something from the wreckage. His hands brushing off a small teddy. "This is..." Wally began, pausing as his own eyes swept across the town centre. "Wrong." He finished, placing the teddy at the base of the fountain.
Batman stepped forward and kneeled down before a set of tracks. He placed a single finger upon the track, his eyes narrowed. "These tracks aren't from any known tank." He said, lifting his head up slightly as he looked at the foot marks. "Neither are these footprints of any known boot." He added.
Superboy rolled his fist. "The bastard who ordered this is going to pay." He said with anger.
Batman slowly stood up. "Agreed Superboy." He began, bringing up a holographic screen. "I've got the Batcomputer running analyse on the bullet shells you found." He said.
Artemis walked over. "Any match?" She asked.
Batman shook his head. "So far none." He said, brining up the case file. "Whoever this Black Knight is. He's smart, far smarted then any villain we've faced before." He paused, his eyes narrowed quickly. "His appearance also coincides with the recent ploy by The Light." He added.
Wally blinked. "You think there're connected?" He asked.
Batman gave a small nod. "I doubt it's a coincident that he appeared at the same time." He said, his holographic screen bringing up The Lights most recent plan. "I believe Razor Claw's attack on the mayor of Metropolis was anything more then a distraction set up so that The Lights new partner could deliver his threat upon the world." He finished.
Wally crossed his arms. "You think he's been gathering his forces?" He asked.
Artemis narrowed her eyes. "That would explain why we've never heard about him before." She added.
Batman allowed the holographic screen to vanish. "Artemis, during your time under Sportsmaster, did the Shadows ever make mention of knowing a Black Knight or someone remotely close to him?" He asked.
Artemis closed her eyes in thoughts. "I don't think so. The closest the Shadows ever were to someone like this was either Black Manta or The Hive, both of which don't have the focus on this, neither do they follow the same theme." She answered.
Superboy sighed. "So this guys a new player?" He asked.
Batman nodded. "All the evidence so far points towards that." He paused as he turned around to face the setting sun. "For now, we need to find my evidence and a lead." He finished.
Vandal Savage stood tall within The Lights meeting room. Ra's Al Ghul stood of to the side, Lex Luthor stood by Queen Bee, Black Manta stood by The Brain and Klarion stood by himself. "The Light is in session." He announced.
Luthor looked at each of the members. "It seems we have to decided how to deal with this new problem." He said.
Manta glanced at Savage. "How did he gain such forces in such a limited amount of time?" He asked.
Savage narrowed his eyes. "That is a question best suited for another in the room." He answered, eyes falling upon Ra's. "Are you positive that he won't be an issue Ra's?" He asked.
Ra's remained still, his eyes slowly moved to fall upon Savage. "My heir will not be an issue." He answered.
Manta remained unsure. "Are you positive that he'll remain by your side till your time does come?" He asked.
Ra's allowed a smile smirk to form upon his lips. "He is loyal, I've provided him with the means for revenge, and the resources to achieve it. But I've also provided him with a second in command." He said sinisterly.
Manta Narrowed his eyes. "I still don't trust him." He said.
The doors behind them opened. Black Knight slowly walked in, his helmet remained upon his head, but another figure stood by his side, a female, she walked alongside him, a small black cape rested along her back. Her outfit was mostly black, her helmet rested upon her head, a red visor rested where her eyes would be. Her gauntlets had a red lining, so too did her boots. Her red belt held a small skirt.
"Trust Manta? I don't trust you at all. I only tolerate you because I have to." Black Knight said, his helmet masking his voice.
Manta narrowed his eyes. "And if I were to deem you unreliable, a failure, a target to eliminate. What would you do?" He asked.
The female turned her head slightly. "Then I'll get to have some fun when I tear your limps from your body." She said, her helmet also masking her voice.
Savage allowed a small grin to form upon his lips. "Black Knight, Black El." He began. "You have demonstrated that you won't back down from a fight, or be threatened by others." He paused, glancing at Ra's. "You truly are the right choice as Ra's Al Ghul's heir." He finished.
Black Knight remained silent, Black El followed suit. Ra's walked over to them and took them to the side. "We'll meet after this session has ended." He said, waving them out.