Chapter Two: Ion Punch
Blackout shouldn't believe what was going on. Firstly there is two of her, secondly the other her was a villain unlike herself, and thirdly all of the people that she had devoted her life to fighting were now good guys. In simple terms, Blackout was lost without being lost. But the worst thing she was going to face was not herself, but her worst enemy turned hero. It made her skin itch with just the thought and she couldn't even scratch it because Aqualad deemed it unsafe to release her from the restraints.
So she was standing around, with Superboy to her right and Miss Martian to her left. It was obvious that the young Martian had a crush on Superboy; she kept throwing looks at him every other second hoping to catch him doing the same. Blackout couldn't blame the green girl though, Superboy was quite the looker, and the phrase tall, dark, and handsome came to mind. But what really intrigued her about Superboy was the fact that he was alive. In her world he was dead; for Blackout, Superboy was the deciding factor for her to believe that she was in an alternate universe. That didn't mean that she shared this information with the teens though.
Blackout sighed; it wasn't often that she was glad that one of her enemies was alive. Superboy glanced down at Blackout when she exhaled, but he said nothing. In Blackout's opinion Superboy looked horribly bored but she wasn't about to put herself in a situation to relieve him. She wouldn't have to either because Batman soon arrived, perma-frown in place and looking as foreboding as ever. Blackout shifted uneasily when he stepped in front of her, nothing had been said as of yet, but she was sure that was about to change.
"Report." Batman commanded and listened to the team of young heroes recount the tale of Blackout's capture, the whole time however Batman never looked away from her. When they were done talking and silence came over the group was when Batman finally addressed Blackout.
"You'll come with me to the Hall of Justice for interrogation after that we'll decide what to do with you." Batman nodded to both the teens to release Blackout. She immediately scratched at her arm.
"Any objections?" Batman asked but Blackout was sure it was merely a formality and an afterthought.
"Many, but we can save that for later." Blackout huffed sliding her eyes to Superboy's. She wouldn't admit it but Superboy's presence grounded her to this reality. If she could she would like to demand him to stay with her, but the confusion would cause more harm than good. So Blackout quelled her desire for mental safety and moved toward Batman. Only Robin shuffled when she did, it was obvious that he was uneasy around her.
It was a short time later that a transport arrived, no one had spoken to her in the time that they had waited but to her surprise just as they were boarding the helicopter Superboy said Good luck. Blackout didn't turn and she wasn't even sure the send off was meant for her, but she felt a bit more secure as she buckled herself in. Batman glared at her the whole trip at least she thought he was. Blackout imagined that he was disgruntled because he couldn't sit in the front with the big kids. They finally touched down on the roof of the Hall of Justice and Blackout was ushered out of the helicopter by Batman. Waiting for them was the Martian Manhunter and Blackout stopped in her tracks. They all watched her reactions waiting to see if she would bolt. Blackout clenched her jaw and stepped forward; she had her pride too. Batman and the Manhunter exchanged a few words, undoubtedly about Blackout and she was motioned to follow.
The inside of the heroes fortress- if you could even call it that, was very highly decorated with pictures, banners, and trinkets depicting some hero or another; Blackout thought it was disgusting. It was still hard medicine to swallow the thought of so many murderous heroes doing such good deeds, disgusting.
"How long is this going to take?" Blackout asked she was tired of being left out of the loop when it came to her well being. Batman was the one that turned to regard her they still kept walking though.
"The Manhunter is going to read your mind to see if you're a threat to the populace. After that the League will meet and decide if you're safe to release or what facility you will be residing in." Batman was stern but not as harsh as he had appeared earlier; maybe he was putting up a badass front for the teens?
"I'm not from here you can't lock me up. I have my own battles I'm supposed to be fighting; I was in the middle of one before I was sent here. Don't think you can decide my fate just because there are more of you, I'm not like the Blackout that you know." Blackout growled she wouldn't be tossed around like some child; she had people to protect back home.
"How were you transported?" Manhunter asked causing Blackout to swing around defensively, it was instinct but she didn't strike him. Both Manhunter and Batman observed her behavior she was indeed not identical to the Blackout they knew from reports. They shared a look.
"I was fighting Void, he has the power to create dimensional pockets, usually short distances. But he was sporting some new gear and it amplified his abilities. He was dropping my teammates from buildings but I didn't think he could send someone to another universe. It's ridiculous." Blackout explained she hated the fact that she had underestimated her enemy.
"I see." Was all the green man said and Batman seemed to store the information for future use. No other words were exchanged until they had Blackout in a stereotypical white interrogation room equipped with an overheard florescent light and small desk with two chairs. Blackout didn't sit she leaned against the wall with her arms crossed refusing to look at either of the two men. Batman sighed surely thinking that her actions were childish.
"Please, have a seat." The Martian Manhunter gestured towards the seat furthest away from the door. Blackout still didn't move, her uneasiness was beginning to reign over her and she'd be damned if she complied so quickly. Batman approached her but he could see her growing hostility so he didn't get any closer.
"It won't take long." Batman trying in some way to convince her to take her seat so that Manhunter could begin. Blackout inhaled quietly and closed her eyes; it took a moment but she eventually uncrossed her arms and took a seat across from the Martian Manhunter.
"Thank you, I apologize for any discomfort that you may feel." Blackout took him in apathetically; tried to at least. He exhaled and closed his eyes but Blackout never felt that uncomfortable-ness when someone pokes around in your head.
"Try not to resist, think of something calming." Manhunter told whether it was to soothe her or make his job easier she'd never know. Blackout tried to do as he said; mental imagery had never been a skill she was good at. As she attempted to reflect the word calm as a picture in her brain a very surprising thing came up 'Superboy'. She squashed the idea as her cheeks burned at their highest point, instead she thought of a starless night with overhead clouds that were invisible due to the darkness, the air had a touch of rain to it but it wasn't storm clouds; it was a nice summer rain.
"That's very good." Manhunter praised and Blackout almost lost the scene playing within her head. The Martian Manhunter had always unnerved her and his voice didn't help. Blackout brought her image back and focused on it the best she could, but she could feel him delving into her brain.
A young girl, in the appearance of Blackout clutched a large callused hand, smiling a gapped tooth smile. A deep chuckle had her little head jerking up to meet eyes that matched hers, though they were surrounded by crow's feet.
"Don't laugh Daddy! You'll make 'em lose again!" The little Blackout yelled in indignation. Her father plopped an over-sized baseball cap onto her tiny head and laughed again at the silliness of his daughter.
"Don't worry honey; they'll win today because you came to see them play." He replied as mini-Blackout shoved her hat around so she could peer up at her daddy.
"Darn right they will!" She exclaimed looking around with her wide ember eyes and spotted the slushies.
"Oh Daddy, can I get one?" She called pointing excitedly at the sweet drink. Her father smiled and led her over to the slushie stand and asked her which one she wanted to which she replied with green; lime had always been her favorite.
The man behind the counter smiled and told her to enjoy the game while handing her the half frozen drink. The little Blackout had squealed happily and looked down into her lime slush.
Blackout winced suddenly; a memory was brought to the forefront of her brain.
Blackout stood in front of an incubation tank, an eerie glow emitted from it. Blackout looked down at her hand where a vial of glowing green liquid was clutched and she felt like her very soul was breaking.
She clenched her head and stood up roughly. She slammed her fists on the table startling both The Martian Manhunter and Batman.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Blackout yelled sweat trickled from her forehead and her breathing was ragged. Tears pricked her eyes, from the sadness of the memory or from the anger she felt towards the green man for digging it up she didn't want to know. The Martian Manhunter's expression was one of pity and confusion and Blackout's hatred sparked within her chest.
"We're done here." Blackout bit out through her clenched teeth. Manhunter stood from his chair and looked about to say something before the air within the room seemed to become charged.
"Blackout calm down." Batman commanded but that only made Blackout more hostile. The charged ions in the room began to crackle like rock-pops and little electrical sparks snapped in seemingly random spots. Manhunter bowed his head to the young girl and spoke his apology at intruding on her again.
"Stay the fuck outta my head!" Blackout yelled, more pops and cracks resounding in the room. Batman growled at the girl, he motioned for his green friend to leave the room so that he could attempt to calm her down. He complied and gave her another pitying look before departing.
"Take a deep breath." Batman told but didn't approach her; he knew what electricity could do, even with his rubber suit on. Blackout didn't respond to Batman, she was still breathing heavy and looking for an escape; it made Batman wonder exactly what had been dug up.
"Blackout." Batman tried again, he succeeded in gaining her attention and took a few more steps towards her. Blackout's intensity dropped along with the popping and crackling ions. With one last cry of anger she slammed her fist onto the table and created a nicely shaped dent of the same make.
"I hope you got what you were after because that will never happen again." Blackout declared.