72 Justice League Convergence
"You knew about CONTROL and the World Army and you didn't inform us?" J'onn asked tersely.
"It seemed prudent to gather hard evidence since you typically dismiss my investigations as flights of fancy," Question calmly replied.
His collaborators seemed to be taking their cue from the Question. The Huntress, Anna Fortune, and Atom Smasher were completely unruffled. They were also completely unrepentant. J'onn admired the former and detested the latter.
"Very well, what have you discovered?" J'onn tried switching tactics.
"Very little beyond what Katana already told you. Max Lord's complicity is well established. Amanda Waller's is far less clear. I've actually heard rumors that the World Army has detained her," Question shared.
"Why?" J'onn was surprised.
"For refusing to hand over Checkmate's reins of power," Question revealed, "My informant also revealed that Waller had learned of a UN initiative to remove the Justice League's legal status as a city-state."
"For what reason?" J'onn inquired.
"Presumably to put the JLU under the World Army's jurisdiction," Question surmised, "In other words, directly under Vandal Savage's thumb."
"I see," J'onn did indeed, "I need to confer with the Founders and the command staff."
"Take your time despite the fact we don't have any. Max Lord needs to be removed from his post. Sooner is much better than later," Question spoke.
J'onn was uncertain of how to reply when Sue burst into the conference room, "J'onn we have a situation."
Sue noted the Question and the Huntress' presence, "Good, you two are already here. You'll be needed for this."
"May I ask why?" J'onn inquired.
"Alfred Pennyworth has contacted us from Wayne Manor. Bruce Wayne has been taken hostage," Sue informed them all.
"Indeed," the Question mused with some delight, "This distraction should prove amusing."
Sue ignored his obvious delight, "I've already called in Nightwing and Catwoman. They'll be transiting to the scene through their own vehicles."
"If I may, can I suggest yet another member for this little errand of mercy?" Question wondered.
"Who would you suggest?" J'onn spoke before Sue could remark.
"Katana," Question stated. The Huntress began nodding her approval.
"Why?" Sue wanted to know.
"Because I am safe in assuming that costumed foes are on scene, correct?" Question asked.
"Alfred reported the presence of Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, a duplicate Bruce Wayne, and two unknown assailants. One male and a female dressed as a provocative rabbit," Sue reported.
"Provocative rabbit?" Huntress snorted.
Sue's shrugged, "Alfred's words."
"Katana has demonstrated a singular talent for dealing with enemies," Question reminded them.
"According to Shayera she skewers them," Sue retorted, "As the body count on the cruise ship attests to."
"I do believe Katana had Ri's assistance in that case," Question remarked.
"They shouldn't be on this damn team!" Sue snapped.
"You said the same about Catwoman yet now you sing her praises," Question pointed out.
Sue literally growled. J'onn intervened, "Katana's addition to the team is approved. Sue, will you contact her and prepare a teleport transition for her from San Francisco to Gotham City?"
"I had a rendezvous with Barbara Gordon. She is going to be joined by Nightwing and Catwoman and they are going to convoy everyone to Wayne Manor," Sue informed him.
"They still can," J'onn dryly observed.
"All right," Sue said snippily and she retreated out of the office.
"What about Al and I?" Anna interjected.
"Atom Smasher will be put on standby status," J'onn disclosed, "You, however, will be joining Zatanna and Jakeem Thunder at Fate's Tower. Since it is your actual home, I'm certain you will feel comfortable there."
"Of course," Anna said merrily, "I'm sure Khalid will appreciate the company. Ever since Nabu chose him as the new human host for Fate, he's been moping around the place like a sullen schoolboy."
"Then he and Jakeem should get on famously," J'onn quipped.
It was said so straight-faced that it took everyone but Anna a moment to realize he was joking. As it was, Anna's eyes danced with mirth. She was finally entering the Martian's inner circle.
"I'll spare the teleport technicians the hassle," Anna stood. She leaned down and kissed the seated Atom Smasher, "Keep the faith, Handsome Stranger."
And then she was enveloped by a ball of energy and the bubble suddenly popped and she was missing. Question muttered to himself, "She has to teach me that."
Bruce Wayne was taken hostage by the merest of flukes. Alfred went from serving lunch, which Bruce had insisted on eating with Alfred, and diverted to opening the front door. To his utter shock and surprise, he was confronted by another Bruce Wayne.
"Master Bruce?" Alfred tentatively asked.
"Not quite," the ersatz "Bruce" broke into a vicious smile that Alfred knew his charge was incapable of.
The duplicate Bruce pushed past Alfred. As he did so, Poison Ivy became revealed. Behind her strode a woman so pale that she was almost an albino. Her platinum locks and pink eyes certainly suggested albinism. And her garb was utterly disgraceful in the way it displayed her womanly attributes.
Alfred depressed the silent alarm button located next to the coat closet. In the breakfast nook, the multiple red lights hidden around the room began to flash. Bruce was immediately on his feet.
The bay window next to the table suddenly froze and a hurled object shattered it. Bruce looked beyond the frozen and broken ruin of the window and spotted two figures. They were both familiar.
Mr. Freeze was a longstanding foe of Batman. The second appeared to be a modernized version of the Red Hood. This startled Bruce. Batman had already confronted one Red Hood. That Red Hood had been dropped into a vat at Axis Chemicals and transformed into the lunatic known as the Joker. Since he knew the Joker was dead, who was the imposter?
Mr. Freeze took aim with his cold gun and Bruce broke for the door. The china hutch behind where he'd stood froze over. Bruce was indignant as he slammed into the door and broke it down. The china in that hutch had been his mother's and some of the pieces had even belonged to his maternal grandmother.
Bruce came upon the fateful trio in the parlor. He assumed his double was really Clayface. The fact that his arm elongated and formed a scythe confirmed it. He ducked under Clayface's swing and went for Poison Ivy and the mysterious rabbit woman.
"Bruce, stop!" Ivy commanded.
Bruce found himself grinding to a halt. He struggled with all of his physical and mental might but he'd been a thrall to Ivy's brand of lipstick before. But when had he been dosed?
"Aw, poor baby," White Rabbit said sympathetically, "It's horrible to be a prisoner in a body that's no longer your own. Trust me, I can relate."
"I don't even know who you are," Bruce grated.
She flashed a seductive smile, "Most call me the White Rabbit. But you can call me anything you want."
Bruce just gave her a glare while Ivy smirked. Clayface resumed his "Bruce" guise in its entirety, "I'd better round up the butler."
"Yes, we can't have him answering the front door. That's your job," Ivy reminded him.
"Meh," Clayface bellyached as he trudged off.
"All right, Bruce. Sit!" Ivy ordered. Bruce plopped into a wingback.
Mr. Freeze and the Red Hood entered the parlor. Red Hood's voice was modulated as he spoke, "The front door was open. I've taken care of that."
"Now we just have to keep them off the east lawn," White Rabbit remarked, "Otherwise they'll spot a large hole in an otherwise unmolested wall."
"You have Wayne," Mr. Freeze said in his chilly monotone, "What does it matter how it was accomplished?"
"Because stately Wayne Manor is equipped with a silent alarm system," White Rabbit revealed, "Clayface literally shoved the butler into its trigger. I can only assume that it was activated. That would explain dear Bruce knocking the door down to get in here. That and you're overzealous insistence upon trying to capture him yourself."
"Why should I answer to you?" Mr. Freeze was indifferent to her chastisement, "Who are you anyway?"
"Haven't we already done the meet and greet?" White Rabbit quipped.
"Look, the first goal has been accomplished. When Batman arrives we can achieve the next. Any so-called 'Bat Clan' members that happen our way will be eliminated as well," Red Hood tried to soothe the building tensions.
"You may be our Injustice League representative, dear heart," White Rabbit smirked, "But that doesn't grant you any authority."
"I'm the only one here that has command experience," Red Hood argued.
"And you betrayed your team to the League of Assassins. Nyssa Raatko rewarded you by creating your new guise and keeping you in mind until the Injustice League arose and needed another member," White Rabbit retorted, "And yes, I know all about your sordid little history with Batman. That's why I'm willing to let you pull the trigger. But if you even consider turning on us as you did the Outsiders, I'll end you."
Bruce's ears perked up. The Outsiders had been a super team that formed after the Justice League came together. Not surprising since they'd been put together by Jason Todd.
Batman had encountered Jason Todd while he was trying to steal the custom wheels off of the Batmobile. He'd fought with Batman rather than attempt a futile flight from him. The boy had been well trained and Dick had left Gotham City for a world tour, abandoning the Robin guise as he departed.
Batman briefly considered training Jason to be the next Robin. But the boy had been consumed by rage. The possibility of his losing control and killing someone had been too real. So he cut Jason off after a few months of training.
Jason had then adopted his own costumed persona of Red Bird and gathered other costumed adventurers. Only three people survived the ambush that decimated the Outsiders. And as far as Bruce knew, Katana, Speedy, and Metamorpho still weren't discussing the event.
Now it seemed there was a fourth survivor. The very one that had led the others into a fatal trap. Bruce had a guess as to who it was but he wanted to know for certain.
Clayface returned, "The butler's gone."
"This is a big house. He could easily elude you," White Rabbit opined. She turned to Ivy, "Take the boys and show them how it's done."
"You heard the bunny," Ivy said, "It's time for a hard target, room by room search."
"I don't do searches," Mr. Freeze haughtily declared.
"But you do blow holes in walls?" Ivy snarkily asked.
"It was a window," Mr. Freeze said tonelessly.
"Who cares?" Ivy wondered, "Now there's a draft. And it's one our target can escape through. If you won't search, you'll guard the hole."
"Very well," Mr. Freeze conceded.
He re-entered the dining nook and Ivy gave White Rabbit a longsuffering look, "The fragility of the male ego."
"This too shall pass," White Rabbit assured her.
Ivy and the others began their search. Bruce knew they wouldn't find Alfred. He was already in the Bat Cave. He'd secured the clock door and was summoning help. Bruce just wished he could clue his would-be rescuers into who they would be facing.
"Don't worry. I won't let them harm you. I like you," White Rabbit reassured him, "Our issue is with Batman. Unfortunately for you, you fund Batman's little endeavors. So this makes you a target. But you won't be for long, I promise."
White Rabbit pointed a finger down into Bruce's shoulder and sized him up and she circled around him. Her smile reminded Bruce that real rabbits were highly sexualized creatures. It seemed their human namesakes might be as well.
"You do stay in shape," White Rabbit said with some delight, "Most billionaires just let themselves go. They're so obsessed with making money they forget that the best activities require endurance."
White Rabbit suddenly wrapped her arms around Bruce from behind. She whispered into his ear, "Do you like to play games? Because I do. And my new favorite is 'what turns Bruce on'?"
Bruce suddenly knew he was in for a ride.
Nightwing rode up to Barbara's position on his motorcycle. Selina Kyle's Porsche was already parked beside Lt. Gordon's unmarked police cruiser. Nightwing wasn't sure he should approve or not.
Catwoman had come a long way in her tenure with the Justice League. She'd surprised everyone. Even Batman, who had subsequently bedded her for a time. He supposed the fact that she was privy to all of Batman's secrets made her a natural ally.
The Question and the Huntress were also privy to Batman's other identity as well. But Katana wasn't and Nightwing objected, "What's she doing here?"
Katana was impassive as the Question answered, "I requested her presence."
"You know what's at stake here," Nightwing retorted, "She's a threat. Besides, she'll probably dice everyone up."
"She's well aware of the Justice League's usual methods of operation. She's willing to abide by that code," Question assured him.
"I still…" Nightwing grated.
"Nightwing," Barbara intervened, "Katana briefly worked with Black Canary and a woman called Starling in Gotham. She's knows what to do. She's possibly even better than Black Canary."
Nightwing knew the high esteem Barbara held Dinah Lance in. To say that took a lot. He nodded his acceptance of the situation.
"I'm probably outvoted anyway," Nightwing dryly remarked, "So who's in charge?"
"I am," Barbara informed him.
"Excuse me, Lieutenant. But you aren't a JLer," Nightwing protested. The unspoken anymore came across loud and clear.
"Nevertheless, the situation is a reality," Barbara replied, "Call Sue or J'onn if you want to argue the point."
"I know enough to know I'll lose," Nightwing allowed, "So what's the plan?"
"You and Catwoman will seek out an alternative entrance," Barbara covertly referenced the Batmobile's entrance to the Bat Cave, "The rest of us will approach from the front gate and see what happens."
"That could be dangerous. Bruce Wayne isn't defenseless. If he's been taken, the opposition will be stiff. It's better to seek another way in," Nightwing advised.
"I'm not incompetent, Nightwing," Barbara scolded him, "I'm the only one that will knock on the front door. The others will flank either side of the manor and affect an entrance."
"I don't like it," Nightwing confessed.
"You don't have to like it," Barbara's voice was flinty; "You just have to do it."
Nightwing suddenly wondered what had happened to the Barbara Gordon that had once been Batgirl.
Barbara's cruiser had dropped the Question, the Huntress, and Katana off at the front gate. They were making their way towards the manor across the grounds. Question and Huntress were approaching from the south. Katana chose the northern approach. Barbara came straight in.
She knew Nightwing and Catwoman were probably in the Bat Cave already. The route to the cave was shorter than the manor's. She exited her car and knocked on the front door. To her surprise, Bruce answered.
"Can I help you, Lt. Gordon?" "Bruce" asked.
Barbara immediately knew this was an imposter. Bruce hadn't been overly friendly since the divorce but he still called her by her given name. Odds were this was Clayface.
Matt Hagen had been an enormously popular actor before the car accident that disfigured him. His obsession with staying attractive had led him to Roland Dagget. Dagget had been angered and immersed Hagen in the compound that transformed him into Clayface.
As Batgirl, Barbara had fought Clayface on more than one occasion. So she knew there was one way to be certain. If she was wrong, she could always apologize later.
She rammed her foot up into his genitals. Her boot plunged into Clayface's body. Barbara pulled her foot free and backed up.
"Okay, Hagen. The game is up," Barbara declared.
"Aren't we just too clever?" Clayface chuckled. He shifted into his blob-like natural state, "You're going to wish you hadn't done that. All we wanted was Batman. But you'll be a nice bonus."
Barbara felt a sense of relief. She'd feared that Bruce's kidnappers had learned of his secret identity. If they had Bruce and were still expecting Batman to arrive, it meant they were still clueless. Weren't they in for a rude surprise?
Barbara knew her pistol, her taser, her CURB, and her handcuffs were useless against Clayface. So she broke and ran. Hopefully she could reach the pool before Clayface caught her. As her feet pounded across the lawn, she heard Clayface's cry of rage as he pursued.
Question and Huntress prowled through the trees. Some of them seemed to be new growth. They were much smaller and far suppler than the mighty oaks that dominated the grounds. They seemed to be a bizarre hybrid between a poplar and a weeping willow.
Suddenly the tree vines began wrapping around their limbs and torsos. Hefted into the air, the couple was suspended in mid-air with their arms outstretched from their bodies. Gentle laughter floated through the grove.
Poison Ivy strolled through the glen, "It seems my babies have caught intruders. Don't you know it isn't polite to skulk?"
"And it's better to hijack a house and hold hostages?" Huntress snapped.
Ivy gave her a pitying look, "Poor dear, it must really rile you to be helpless. All that rage is futile when you're hanging by a thread, isn't it? Of course, your need to control every situation explains your taste in men."
"You have no idea of what you're talking about," Huntress said in an eerily calm, still voice.
"Too bad I'll never know the truth then," Ivy said, "This trap was meant for Batman. You just happened to spring it. I guess I'll get my test run while these precious creations tear your arms and legs out of their sockets."
At Ivy's unspoken command, the trees began to pull.
Katana saw Barbara round the corner with Clayface on her heels. She briefly pondered aiding Lt. Gordon. She opted not to. She'd read Barbara's body language. There was far more to her than the surface indicated.
Gordon didn't move like your typical police officer. She moved with poise and grace of a samurai. Her eyes held the same kind of resolve and cunning. Gordon was a fighter. Katana rather pitied Clayface.
In order not be seen, Katana finished jimmying the poolside door. Sliding it open she entered into the manor. She moved with a stealth born of a lifetime of training and practice. She could walk across rice paper without leaving an imprint. These halls were simplicity itself.
She heard the controlled breathing of her foe before she spotted him. It was muffled somehow. She presumed it was because of a helmet or a heavy mask of some kind.
She swung around the corner to the foyer with the SoulTaker in motion. She missed…but just barely. Her opponent was obviously shaken by the experience.
Katana read his body language. The red helmet covering his face left her no alternative. Something else was bothering him and it wasn't his close call.
"It can't be," the Red Hood's modulated voice whispered, "You're dead."
"And how would you know this?" Katana wondered, apprehension filling her gut.
"Because I saw you die!" Red Hood declared.
Katana's world schismed. The only people that thought she was dead were those that had fled the demise of the Outsiders. Half of the assassin force had withdrawn when they thought victory was assured. No one that remained lived to refute that claim.
But now she had a survivor standing before her. She would get the name of the Outsiders' traitor from this wretch before he died. And then he would spend an eternity trapped within the SoulTaker.
"You have a name that I want," Katana was preternaturally calm; "I want it before you die."
"You mean if I die," Red Hood replied.
"No, you will die today. How easily you die is your choice," Katana promised, "Tell me who betrayed the Outsiders and I will kill you instantly."
"Not a chance in hell," Red Hood vowed.
"So be it," Katana said as though it were simplicity itself, "You have chosen the way of pain."
She attacked before Red Hood had even registered her last statement.
Nightwing and Catwoman emerged from the clock door. Alfred locked it again after they'd cleared it. Alfred had informed them that he had left Bruce in the dining nook. There were two access points to that room. One was through the parlor and the other was through the kitchen. Nightwing took the kitchen route while Catwoman made her approach through the parlor.
Nightwing swung the kitchen door open with a wingarang poised. The door suddenly froze. Its weight rent it off of its hinges and it shattered as it collapsed onto the floor. Mr. Freeze stood aloof at the other end of the room, inscrutable as ever.
"Predictable. We set a trap for Batman and we get his protégé. There is no justice," Mr. Freeze complained.
Nightwing hurled his wingarang at Mr. Freeze's helmet. It bounced off the clear enclosure. Nightwing suddenly realized that Freeze had upgraded his dome-like helmet. Glass would have at least cracked. There was a thunk when the wingarang struck. It had to be a Plexiglas of some kind.
Mr. Freeze took aim again. Nightwing ducked into the kitchen. The doorway iced over. Nightwing grabbed a frying pan from the overhead rack. Mr. Freeze stepped into kitchen and aimed his weapon again. Nightwing rushed him but instead of shooting at his attacker, Mr. Freeze froze the floor.
Nightwing slipped on the icy surface, "Whoa!"
He landed at Mr. Freeze's feet. Freeze stared down at him, "Have you any words for posterity?"
Nightwing didn't respond so Mr. Freeze commented, "Pity."
Then he employed his cold gun.
Catwoman burst into the parlor only to find the White Rabbit still behind Bruce. One arm was wrapped around his neck and she was breathily whispering into his ear. Her other hand had slipped into his pants and there was a distinct jerking motion going on.
Catwoman was incensed. He was actually aroused by this shameless hussy. That was her job!
White Rabbit at least pulled her hand out of Bruce's pants as she stood. Catwoman was heartened to see Bruce's look of relief. White Rabbit's pink eyes were filled with anger.
"You're not Batman," she declared.
"What was your first clue?" Catwoman smarted off.
"Now, now, no need to be catty despite the obvious affectation," White Rabbit scolded her.
Catwoman pulled her whip off of her waist, "You've got two seconds, bitch."
White Rabbit stooped and wrapped her arms around Bruce's neck again, "Or what? You'll risk marring this handsome face? I don't think so. Now run away and find a litter box to call Batman from."
"This may surprise you, but I'm pretty damn good with this thing. Good enough to take your morbid little eye out without touching Bruce Wayne," Catwoman warned her.
"But how committed to your cause are you?" White Rabbit mused, "Are you willing to take the hostage out of the equation?"
"What are you talking about?" Catwoman impatiently demanded to know.
"Let's find out," White Rabbit decided. She kissed Bruce on the cheek, "I have faith in you, lover. Now kill Catwoman."
To Selina's shock and horror, Bruce rose from his chair and came at Catwoman.