…Arkham Asylum
"Robin, what're you doing?" Nightwing asked.
"I'm standing with heroes. Superman, Wonder Woman and Cyborg, while you stand with villains, Killer Croc, Zsasz and Mad Hatter. Who's really on the wrong side."
Wonder Woman whispered as she spoke into her com "Cyborg are you patched in?" she waited for a response. "Alright, open door eighty-three. Zsasz."
The door that was in front of Zsasz opened, but before anyone could take a step he disappeared. "What happened to him?" Nightwing asked.
"Flash" Batman answered.
"Cyborg, door eighty-four's next. Mad Hatter."
The same happened with Hatter. Cyborg entered the room. "Stop this, no more doors" Batman warned them, but Cyborg ignored him and was about to open the Riddler's door when Batman touched a button on his utility belt which caused Cyborg to collapse in pain.
"What did you do?" Wonder Woman asked crouching to check on her friend.
"Stop it Batman!" Superman demanded.
"Argh!" Damian ran forward, kicking Nightwing out of the way, then attacking Batman. He immediately started losing, but he managed to tap the button and rip the device from Batman's belt.
Cyborg recovered. "Thank you… Robin."
"Don't mention it."
"Batman, now you'd resort to hurting your friends" Superman said.
"It was obvious you weren't going to stop. You can't do this Superman."
While the two rehashed the argument they already had about ethics Cyborg resumed opening the cells, and the Flash continued to take some of the villains.
But, after only a few of them were taken all the doors suddenly opened and the flash ran into Killer Croc, getting thrown backward.
A massive fight began, all the villains and inmates pitted against the heroes.
Solomon Grundy crashed through the floor, grabbing Damian by his head and slamming him against the floor. Rather than being helped by Batman as you might expect, Superman burned a hole through Grundy's torso and tore the hand apart that was holding onto Damian.
…Elsewhere in Arkham
Green Arrow was running furiously down the halls, toward the control room.
He found Harley Quinn, pressing all the buttons that correlated with the cells, laughing manically. "Oh, hello Greenie."
"Harley, I'm gonna need you to back away from the controls." She sighed and pushed against the desk, rolling backward on the chair.
He looked at the screen and fired an arrow at Harley, which expanded into a net, attaching her to the wall so that he could help the others.
He jumped over Croc and fired several arrows that knocked out some of the inmates.
But in the midst of the fight Nightwing and Robin started to argue. "You should be standing with us Robin."
"Not when you're wrong. Not when Superman is right, the Joker deserved to die, and his way is better, we can't just expect them to get better after therapy, look at the Joker, he turned his therapist into a villain."
"Killing isn't the answer Robin, it goes against everything we were taught."
"You were taught! I was taught by my Grandfather first, he trained me to be a weapon, to kill! Batman showed me another way! But I agree with Superman on this!" in his anger he tossed a baton at Nightwing.
Typically, Nightwing would've been able to catch it, but he was too distracted, and it hit him in the head, knocking him out and then unable to fight back Killer Croc slashed him, cutting into his flesh deeply.
"Nightwing!" Batman rushed to his side, his blood pouring from his wounds. He tried to patch him up as best he could, but he needed to get him out of there.
"I… I didn't mean to" Damian ran over.
"Get away from him!" Batman pushed his son back.
The last of the inmates were defeated, tied up and when the other leaguers arrived they put they in the back of several armoured trucks. Superman grabbed Damian, holding the boy closely "It wasn't your fault, he's not dead, I can hear his heartbeat. He'll be okay."
Superman waited for Flash to enter, "can you take Nightwing to the Watchtower, help him…"
"No!" Batman yelled. "You've done enough!"
"We're only trying to help Batman" Flash tried to help but Batman picked Nightwing up and took him to the plane.
…Batcave 2.0
Batman had put Nightwing on a table, he was silent, trapped in a coma, while Alfred watched over him, sitting in an armchair.
Bruce was in another room, repeatedly striking a dummy, the bandages he had wrapped around his hands began ripping. Blood getting left on the dummy with every punch as he tried to rid himself of his frustration.
"Bruce!" a familiar voice called out to him. Selina Kyle, or better known as Catwoman. She ran over to Bruce and took his hands, dragging him away from the dummy. "What happened?" she asked.
"I…"
"Okay don't tell me, but just for once don't be Batman, don't be the mask." She held him close.
Over the next few weeks nothing gets better. Lex Luthor is discovered in a bunker beneath Metropolis with his head of security, he joins Superman as his best friend (he was never evil in this universe).
…Batcave 2.0
Sitting around a table were Batman, Catwoman, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, Huntress and Captain Atom. There was one more participating in their meeting. Aquaman, but he was communicating via an encrypted network.
"I'm sure you've all guessed why I've brought you here. To prevent Superman from going any further with all this, he needs to be stopped" Batman said.
"We know, and we're all ready. So, what's are plan of attack?" Captain Atom asked.
"I've heard they're developing a new weapon from an inside source. But we need to confirm what this weapon is, to do that we need to replace one of the members with a sleeper agent. Obviously Martian Manhunter will replace whomever we take" they all agreed.
"So how do we kidnap one of them?" Green Arrow asked.
"When multiple countries attack one another, they have to split up. Typically, the Hawks remain as a pair, we can take them and replace them, it's believable that Hawkman or girl could free the other and in that interval, we can replace one of them."
"Should be easy enough, but what if they don't split up?" Captain Atom asked.
"They will, count on it" Batman responded.
"Till then what do we do?" Huntress asked.
…Somewhere in Syria
A terrorist group was hiding in a cave, hundreds of members moving crates of weapons and supplies into the caves tunnels. The terrorists were unaware that above them Hawkgirl and Hawkman were hovering with Wonder Woman.
But they weren't the only ones staying out of sight. In a nearby town, built less than a mile from the cave, Batman was atop the bell tower, watching with binoculars. Catwoman was by his side, the others positioned in the town nearby as well.
"Ready. They'll attack quickly. When they do Atom, you need to take Wonder Woman out of the equation, so we can get the Hawks alone. Manhunter, pick one and replace them."
"Understood" Captain Atom responded.
Wonder Woman and the Hawks flew toward the cave. The Hawks each attacked the fortified bunkers, but Wonder Woman never reached the ground, she was tackled by Atom.
Hawkman noticed and tried to follow, but Martian Manhunter threw Aquaman at him, knocking him out of the sky by grabbing one of his wings so that he couldn't fly. "Get off me!" Hawkman tried to toss him off but Aquaman was strong enough to hold on until they crashed.
"Sorry, but we need you" Aquaman stated as he punched Hawkman, followed by Manhunter slamming him into the sand with all his strength. "Is he out?"
"Yes, I just need a second to look into his mind." Manhunter shifted his form, changing so that he had perfectly copied Hawkman.
Aquaman picked the unconscious Hawkman up and put him over his shoulder. "I'll take him back to the town." He ran off leaving Hawkman (Martian Manhunter) to help Wonder Woman.
With his help they overpowered Captain Atom, beating him into the ground (mostly Wonder Woman).
They were going to capture him when an arrow hit Wonder Woman, exploding and knocking her back. Then a Canary cry forced her to her knees while Huntress retrieved Captain Atom.
But it wasn't over. Hawkgirl had called the League and Flash arrived with Hal. Attacking Batman, Catwoman and Green Arrow.
They needed the plane to get back but with Hal and Flash there they couldn't risk revealing it.
"It's not too late. Join us" Flash pleaded as he stopped in front of Green Arrow.
"Sorry, but no. We won't follow you down that path."
Hal cut the conversation short by dropping a bus on Ollie, luckily, he was able to dodge, barely. "Flash, deal with them" he pointed to Huntress and Black Canary as they drove toward the town with Atom on the back of the bike.
"On it" he ran toward them, punching Huntress and knocking her off the bike. Then he took Captain Atom with him.
Canary tried to stop him but then Wonder Woman grabbed her by the leg and threw her against a rock. "I won't let you stand in his way."
"He's wrong Diana, you have to understand that."
"No, he isn't. I've been waiting for him to make this decision for years. Now that he has, I won't let you and Batman stop him" she kicked Canary then punched her.
"This is over" she wound up to punch Canary when Huntress put two devices over her ears. She immediately fell down, unable to move because of the electric current running through her body.
"Come on, we have to help the others" Huntress helped her to her feet and together they went to the town riding the bike.
Flash beat Catwoman, Hal beat Green Arrow, both of whom were knocked out. But it wasn't all loss for them, Wonder Woman was also beaten. But the two Hawks still remained in the fight, along with the Flash and Hal.
Batman had snuck away with Selina and Ollie, putting them in the plane while all of them were distracted by the arrival of Black Canary and Huntress.
While he was in the plane he received a call from the President. "What is it, I'm not trying to be rude but we're in the middle of a fight."
"I know. I just wanted to let you know we're sending you some help, a new member to your team. One you can trust."
"Who?"
"Metallo, a recent experiment to try and build a weapon to fight Superman, unfortunately with the League he wouldn't be able to beat Superman, but as part of your team he might be effective."
"How can I trust he won't be reporting to you everything we do?"
"Because, I can't trust the government. There's no guarantee that Superman hasn't infiltrated already, and it won't be long before he comes for us, the experiment was off the books and those involved have been scattered."
He ended the communication and a blip appeared on the radar. "Everyone we have a new ally arriving, according to the President they can help."
The members of the League gathered, Hawkman holding the unconscious Wonder Woman in his arms. "Where are Batman, Ollie and Catwoman?" Hal asked.
"We need to find him" Flash searched the area and came back. "Nothing, but I didn't complete my search. There's a chopper coming, no idea who's inside but they're probably here to help."
When the chopper landed, they were waiting, all except Hawkman who was asked to take care of Huntress and Black Canary. Because he was actually Manhunter though he let them get to Batman and the plane.
Aquaman also got to the plane at the same time. The remaining capable fighters were: Batman, Huntress, Black Canary, Aquaman and Captain Atom who was waking up.
They all watched as Metallo stepped out of the chopper, striking Flash, sending him flying through the air and then grabbed Hal crushing the hand with the ring on it. "Where's the Bat?" he asked as he glared at Hal.
"Let him go!" Hawkgirl struck Metallo, but her attack wasn't enough to beat him, it only knocked hi ma few metres and gave enough time for Hal to get to his feet and Flash to return. "We should call Cyborg, get the others here."
"Agreed" Flash nodded. "Cyborg, this is Flash. We've engaged Batman and his group, but someone else is here, and Wonder Woman's been knocked out."
…Watchtower
Cyborg turned as Shazam and Superman returned from their mission. "Good, you're here. The others are in trouble. We need to help."
All three of them stepped into the teleporter.
…Syria
As soon as they arrived Batman's eyes widened, having detected his arrival. "We need to go. Now" the others looked at him.
"What is it?" Canary asked.
"Superman, Shazam and Cyborg arrived. We need to leave. Atom get our new friend out of there, we have to go."
Captain Atom flew to Metallo, firing a massive blast at the Leaguers and grabbing Metallo. "Can you fly?"
"No."
"Then we have to go."
Metallo didn't resist and they went to the plane. They took off and were followed by Shazam and Superman. "Shazam and Superman! They're following!" Atom called out to Batman.
"Metallo, your power source is kryptonite isn't it?"
"Yeah."
"Do you have any ranged capabilities?"
"Yeah" he smiled, opening the landing bay door. The green light in his chest grew more intense until a beam shot from his chest, hitting Superman. While he attacked Superman Atom blasted Shazam, knocking him backward, although it didn't beat him he had to help Superman.
They had escaped and gained a new member.
…Watchtower
Superman and the others were back at the Watchtower, with the files displayed on the holo-computer, floating in the centre of the table, displaying the files on their new enemies. They didn't have much on Metallo, just his name and his power source.
"We need help" Flash suggested. "If he has people with him now I guarantee that he'll get more."
"Yeah, that stands to reason but who do we get. Who can we ask that'll be an asset" Wonder Woman added.
"Wonder Girl and Starfire helped us with your parents, so did Raven, they might be willing to join us. It's not as if the Teen Titans are together anymore" Cyborg suggested.
"I could ask the other Lanterns when they return but I doubt that the Guardians will support our change in tactics."
"Then we need to figure out how to keep them out of our business. Hal go to the Guardians and find out if they know anything yet" Superman ordered.
"You got it. I'll leave right after this meeting."
"I can ask Raven and the others. Is there anyone else?" Cyborg asked.
They thought for a moment. "We could ask Red Hood. He already thought the way we do now, and he was trained by Batman and the League of Shadows. He'd definitely be an asset" Lex Luthor suggested.
"Alright, then I'll go with Robin to talk to him." Robin nodded, acknowledging Superman's decision and grunting in agreement.
…Gotham
Red Hood burst through a window, shooting at several thugs that blocked his path and then grabbed their leader. "Wait!"
Red Hood held him out over the three-floor drop. "I'm only gonna ask once, where's Black Mask?" he pointed a gun at his head.
"You ain't gonna kill me… bats don't kill…" the man struggled trying to get free.
"One, is doing that going to help. If you break free you'll fall. Two, do I look like the Bat to you?" he dropped the thug, letting him fall.
Inches away from the ground he stopped falling. His leg tied by a cord.
He hung there for a few minutes before Red Hood emerged. "See, I'd be happy to let you die, but I need info. Tell you what, you give me what I need, and I'll let you go. A chance to go straight. But you have to give me Black Mask first."
"Alright! Alright! He'll be at the harbour. He's getting a new shipment of guns, we lost the last one so he's overseeing it… please let me go" the thug pleaded.
Red Hood threw a Batarang at the top of the cord, it began beeping at a steady rate. "It'll detonate in two minutes, then you'll be free."
He got on his bike, which was in a nearby alley.
…
On his way to the harbour Robin drove next to him, also on a bike. "We need to talk Hood."
"No, we don't" he sped up.
Robin sped up as well. "You know what's happening. We want you to join us, we know you want the same thing."
"Do you even have a plan to beat Bruce?" Jason asked.
"Not yet, but we're expanding out team. Building one that can defeat father and his."
"Alright, help me get Black Mask, then I'll help you."
"This will only take a few."
"Yeah, he has quite a few men, so it probably will take a few minutes."
"I meant seconds."
"Unrealistic goal."
"I brought help."
"Help?"
"I'll gave you a few clues. He wears a red cape and a large 'S' on his chest."
"Seriously?" Red Hood said a little surprised.
…
The two Bat's arrived on the harbour, Robin using his batons to knock the criminals out while Red Hood used his bare hands.
*KATHOOM*
Superman arrived, sinking the ship filled with guns. "He's here" Damian commented as he watched two thin red beams burn through the thugs' guns and pick Black Mask out of the crowd.
"This is what you wanted right?"
"Yeah."
"We'll take him to our prison."
"You have a prison now? How is it any better than the places they already breakout of?"
"Our prison has superheroes guarding it. Besides if they break out the risk the same fate as the Joker" Robin responded.
