Battle of the Rogues
With a beastly roar, Killer Croc charged towards Batman, who leaped into the air as he approached. He vaulted from the monster's back, and landed behind him.
As Croc turned to face him, Batman noticed the harness on his chest. Identifying the symbol, he dived to avoid another attack from Croc, and shot his grapple towards the Riddler. It wrapped around his cane, and before he could react, the cane was whipped from the Riddler's hand.
Batman opened up the cane, and before Croc could again attack, he pushed the button. Croc roared in agony as the harness sent waves of electricity all over his body. He then collapsed to the ground, growling softly.
However, Batman had barely enough time to breathe before a bullet barely missed him. He turned to see Two-Face aiming straight at him, and made a run for it. As Two-Face continued to shoot, Batman used his grapple to fly up to the next level up.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" growled Black Mask, "Get after him!"
"Deadshot, you're with me!"
The two made their way up the nearest staircase. At the top, they each went in a different direction - Deadshot to the left and Two-Face to the right. For a few moments, there was silent anticipation as the others watched them search for Batman.
Suddenly, a Batarang knocked the pistols from Two-Face's hands. The others then watched Batman leap towards Two-Face, knocking him to the ground.
Deadshot turned, and, seeing Batman rise to his feet, opened fire. Batman used hi grapple to swing to the other side of the room, and while in the air, threw Batarangs to disarm Deadshot. He landed, and then sprinted towards him. Reaching him, the two engaged in a short scuffle, but Batman defeated him with a swift punch to the face.
"For what you did to Wesker …" he said, as Deadshot groaned, "you deserve much worse."
All of a sudden, an explosion knocked Batman to the ground. Looking over the railings, he saw Riddler arm himself with what looked like a large purple question mark.
Batman quickly got his feet, and leapt over the railing to the ground. As Riddler threw the question mark, Batman sprinted as the bomb exploded on impact with the ground. As he ran, Firefly also seized the opportunity to throw his own bomb. As it narrowly missed Batman, it erupted in a stream of fire.
"Impressive …" said Riddler.
"Thank you, I am quite proud of them," said Firefly.
"If it's not too much trouble," said Black Mask, "could you two lovebirds please STOP THE BAT?"
As Batman forced open the doors to a storage area, Firefly and Riddler followed, with Scarecrow not far behind.
The storage area was dark, and the villains could barely see the large boxes and chairs.
"Spread out," said Scarecrow.
The three separated, and began to scour the entire room.
"I don't like this …" thought Firefly, "This is the kind of place where he has the advantage - dark, open spaced … scary …"
Just then, he felt two hands grab his shoulders. He yelled as loud as he could as the hands dragged him backwards. Hearing the yell, Scarecrow and Riddler ran towards the source.
"Over there!" called Riddler, pointing.
"In that case," said Scarecrow, "perhaps it's time the Bat had a lesson in fear!"
He pulled out a large cartridge gun, and aimed in the direction Riddler was pointing.
"Wait! What about …?"
Before Riddler could finish, Scarecrow had pulled the trigger. The cartridge hit the floor, and the two could hear gas expel from it.
"No … please!"
Scarecrow grinned as he and Riddler approached the scene. As the gas faded, they examined their victim, but, as Riddler had anticipated, it was not Batman.
"No …" groaned Firefly, his helmet removed, "C-closing in … the walls … no, please!"
"Claustrophobia …" muttered Scarecrow, kneeling down beside him, "Interesting …"
"Uh, Crane … just in case you've forgotten, Batman's still in hiding."
"Well, whilst I administer the antidote, you go find him," said Scarecrow, taking out a vial and syringe from his jacket.
Riddler looked around the room nervously, before heading off for another search.
"You're not thinking of leaving us soon, are you, Batman?" he said, trying to appear confident, "I mean, Black Mask put so much effort into this little get-together, and it would be such a shame if our special guest were to ruin everything."
"I have no intention of leaving, Edward," called Batman from the shadows.
Riddler looked around, panicking as he searched for him. All of a sudden, he heard the whooshing of pellets falling to the ground, which then exploded, enveloping him in a cloud of gas. He coughed heavily, as he tried to look upwards. As he did, he gasped as he saw Batman descending quickly towards him.
Outside of the room, the others saw the gas surround Riddler, and heard him groan as Batman landed. A moment later, they saw Batman leap through the doorway, roll and land crouched on the floor.
Almost instantly, Poison Ivy armed her miniature crossbow and shot an arrow at him. Batman ducked down, as it flew over his head.
"It's been far too long, Batman," she said, smirking as she armed herself.
Sighing, Batman was on the move again as Ivy continued to shoot. He made his way towards Ivy, taking down Two-Face and Black Mask as he did. However, just as he was within reach of her, he felt his cape being pulled back, before he was thrown across the room.
"Nice try, Batman!"
Bane then ran forward for another attack, as Batman rose slowly to his feet, putting on his electrified knuckle-dusters as he did. As Bane reached him, Batman went on the offensive, attacking with electricity-powered punches.
As they fought, Scarecrow, Riddler and an uneasy Firefly left the storage room, as Two-Face and Black Mask rose to their feet.
"Ivy!" yelled Black Mask, "Move in for the kill!"
Ivy turned around, and searched the bag she had brought with her, taking out a large plant-like pouch. As Batman leapt backwards to avoid Bane, she threw the pouch at him.
As soon as it hit, the pouch erupted, and vines wrapped themselves around his body. As he struggled to break free, Bane grabbed the vines and using them as a harness, threw Batman into a wall, and then across the floor. The impact weakened Batman, making it more difficult for him to break free.
"Now, Tetch!"
Mad Hatter walked towards Batman, searching his inner coat pocket. He pulled out what looked like a small microchip, and knelt down beside him.
"No … No!"
Batman struggled against Ivy's vines, but he couldn't stop Mad Hatter placing his hand under his cowl, and attaching the microchip onto the back of his neck.
He then stepped back, as Batman continued to struggle against not only the vines, but the influence of Hatter's mind control device. However, he soon succumbed, and lay still on the floor, his mouth hanging slightly open.
"We did it!" cried Hatter, "We finally captured Batman! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"
There was an awkward silence once he stopped, his arms raised. He awkwardly put them back down.
"So …" he said, clearing his throat, "now what do we do?"
Just then, the crowd heard a rough growling. They turned to see Croc rise to his feet, and turn towards Batman's still body.
"I say we kill him now!" he roared, as he began to approach him. However, he had barely walked five steps when …
"AARRGH!"
The harness had electrocuted him again.
"Down, boy!" smirked Riddler.
Croc turned to him, growling menacingly.
"I swear to you … when I get out of this harness, I am going to tear you LIMB FROM LIMB!"
"Well, until that time comes …"
Riddler waved his stick tauntingly, and Croc subsided, glaring at him.
"Now, now, Croc," said Black Mask, as the crowd parted to allow him access to Batman, "don't be too hasty. We have to still to use him to lure the Justice League."
"Does he really need to be alive though?" asked Firefly.
"Yes, Lynns, he does. If we kill him, then the League will come down on us like a ton of bricks. We keep him alive, then his team-mates will be distracted with worry about his well-being, and a distracted opponent is a vulnerable one."
"Well … can't we at least unmask him?"
Black Mask turned to Firefly, who stepped back.
"You seem to be on edge, Lynns," he growled, "What troubles you?"
"Nothing …" he said unconvincingly, "It's just … I'm starting to worry about this plan of yours, and I mean … shouldn't we seize this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity before it's snatched from us?"
"You … question my plan?"
"Well, it's like Batman said …"
"Batman?" scoffed Black Mask, "Batman, my intellectually-challenged friend, is well known for using psychological manipulation to plant doubt in people's minds. He wants you to think we don't stand a chance, but I have full confidence in this plan."
"Well, it is your plan, but … who's to say that it couldn't be altered slightly, to ensure optimum success?"
"You mean … besides the person who's not only paying you for your services, but also the one who broke you out of Blackgate in the FIRST PLACE?"
Firefly could not think of a good response, and instead hung his head in shame.
"Let me make just one thing clear … to ALL of you!"
The crowd were slightly startled by Black Mask's sudden outburst. It was not over yet though.
"I'm well aware that Batman's words got to a few of you, and it's completely understandable for you to have doubts. However, the important thing to understand is … I'M THE ONE IN CHARGE! If it wasn't for me, Bane, Firefly and Deadshot would still be in Blackgate, and the REST of you will still be in Arkham! I'M the one that freed you all, this is MY plan and, unless you trust me, we won't stand a CHANCE against the League!"
"So … unless you want to go back to prison or the asylum, I suggest you search within yourselves for some confidence, and I suggest you do it FAST!"
"Geez …" muttered Riddler, "and I thought Joker had a short fuse …"
"Now …" called Black Mask, "anyone ELSE have anything to add?"
There was silence within the group, although some exchanged looks.
"Good …" he continued, straightening his tie as he composed himself, "Now … Tetch?"
"Yes, Sionis?"
"I'm placing you in charge of Batman. If anyone else tries to get to him before we face the League, you know what to do."
"Oh … of course I do …"
Hatter grinned as he pulled out another microchip from his inside pocket.
"The same microchip used on both our hostages," he explained to the group, "I attach this, and the victim instantly obeys any command I give. Anyone care to be my third victim?"
Sionis laughed, placing his hand on Hatter's shoulder.
"I've always liked your style, Tetch," grinned Black Mask, "but I warn you, if I find out you've been peeking underneath the Bat's cowl, and believe me I will if you do, you'll answer to me."
Hatter nodded in understanding.
"Now, gentlemen, Ivy … it's time to make preparations. We'll need to inform Gotham's Finest of the Bat's capture, and lure the League to Gotham. We'll also need to form a plan of attack for the League - we can't just all attack randomly."
"Perhaps we could use my fear toxins on them," said Scarecrow, "Force them to face their greatest fears."
"Hmm … inspired, Crane, but we'll have to slow down Flash and Superman somehow first …"
"Well … I'm sure I'll have something in my bag of tricks," said Ivy.
"Perhaps we should have some sort of brainstorming meeting," suggested Bane, "Put together some ideas?"
"Indeed," said Black Mask, "We want this plan to go without a hitch. After all, this sin't just about power, or even defeating the League."
"What else could it be about?" asked Two-Face.
"Making Batman suffer … and there's no better way to do that than to threaten his precious friends."
The crowd muttered in approval of this plan.
"My comrades," he continued, "after years of turmoil, we are finally going to rid ourselves completely of Batman. We'll destroy him emotionally, take away his precious secret identity … and then …?"
"KILL HIM!" roared the crowd.
This chapter is the end of "Act 1", which focused on Batman. The rest of the founding members of the League will be brought in in the following chapters ("Act 2").
Hope you're all enjoying the story, and please review. :)
