Loss of Control

Chapter 9 Escape

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the original storyline that I am spinning off of. They are property of DC comics and probably a lot of other people I'm not aware of to credit.

Author's note: While I know it could be a possibility that Batman could have a signal blocker, where would the fun be in making it too easy? I think better yet, he creates one to carry because of this experience. Besides the battles on this round are about to close anyways. ^_~

Lex sat at a desk, his hands threaded together under his nose, leaning over in deep thought and interest as he watched the security monitors with growing distain. He had planned with many out comes in mind and the Justice League winning so far wasn't a problem, it was just annoying it was headed that way. Oh well, spilt milk…. He'd have to cut his losses today… He picked up his smart phone and pressed a few buttons on the app he had installed to make his control more portable. While he may have lost two already, he was not yet ready to release Captain Atom… He was going to restore Brainiac and therefore still needed the Atomic man's aide. The others well with the spell Tala put in place he wasn't truly losing anything. Satisfied Lex called Captain Atom back, instructing Metamorpho to cause more trouble.

Turning around to look at the purple witch, Lex dropped one hand to his side as he leaned back in the chair and regarded her, "We need an exit my dear." He softly ordered with a sweeping gesture.

Tala who had been standing across the room, pulled away from the wall and nodded, "Of course…" She started to open the portal but realized perhaps she was giving herself away and added an endearment as an afterthought, "baby."

John assuming his vacuum would handle Metamorpho for the moment dropped down to see if he could help free the rather enraged Thanigarian from the stone that was encasing her legs and back and starting to creep up her wings.

Shayera was still trying to shatter the stone from her, but the more she broke the more chunks flew up and momentarily liquefied before landing on her and adhering to her arms and face. When John landed beside her, he chuckled, "You look to be a little stuck there."

Shayera growled, "It's NOT funny!" she bit. The stone changed consistency again, from stone to more of a pink taffy. To Shayera's shock she felt the taffy tug her arms and legs hard. Forcing her to turn around and swing her mace at John, connecting with his stomach. The Green Lantern stumbled back at the sudden strike letting out a grunt as he doubled over in pain.

"I got the message." He grunted wondering if he had pushed her too hard with the teasing…

"It wasn't ME!" Shayera called out to him, as she fought against the taffy's pull. How could he believe she would do that to him during a battle of all places?! He could be so infuriating at times.

John put a hand up trying to calm the girl as he still doubled over started to back pedal to get some space to deal with her.

While John was dealing with the winged girl, Rex created Sodium and Water out of his arms and watched with delight as the Vacuum bag shattered with the resulting explosion.

Vixen skidded to a stop beside batman when her target took to the air thus negating her current attack. Captain Atom hovered high above them both as he pointed his two arms at the pair and released a large explosion of power. Both animal based heroes leapt to the sides to avoid the attack. Behind them where John and Shayera were doing their own battle a large explosion also occurred. When they looked back up, Captain Atom was nowhere to be seen.

Vixen frowned and summoned the power of an Eagle's sight with her necklace. "It's like he just…. Left…" Vixen muttered with a frown. Still searching the room, a bit of metal caught her eye from behind one of the desks in the room… Bruce frowned and clenched his fist, He had hoped to save Captain Atom in this raid too, but they'd have to figure out where he went first… Batman turned to the door, he was going to gamble and go after the Captain. Before he even took 3 steps Batman found he had a new problem blocking his path. Metamorpho stood there shooting fire.

Flash was still in pain but he was finally getting enough oxygen to his mind to recall the situation at hand. Leaning against a toppled machine to help him remain standing Wally quietly watched. When the fight had ended, Dr. Stevil had tried to make a break for it, but Captain Marvel had managed to grab him before he escaped and was also watching as the last few stitches were finally added to Wonder Woman's laceration. Superman was in what appeared to be shock, that he had caused the destruction around the group, that he was responsible for Wally's current state…

Wally sighed, while it would take longer to fully recover and his right side was still throbbing with at least one broken rib… He could at least enlist the Justice League members to help get Wonder Woman and him to wherever the others were… "Captain Marvel, Sups, the others should be here somewhere and we need to get to them."

Clark looked over at Wally guiltily, "Right. I'm sorry Flash…" He gestured to the speedster at a loss for how to fully make amends.

Wally tried to give Superman his best cocky grin, though he wasn't too sure it was successful based off of the continued throb of pain, "We all have our moments. I made my own fair share of mistakes with Grodd… You can ask GL."

Clark let out a breath to try and hide the snicker that desperately wanted to pass his lips. Superman had heard about that debacle, John had been livid to put it nicely. I mean the Gorilla had gotten control of Flash not just once but TWICE in the same twenty four hours. Clearing his throat, Clark nodded, feeling a bit better at the grace Flash had just shown him. It always amazed him how Flash could take the tension out of a situation so easily.

Billy looked over at the other two, He appreciated that Superman actually looked sorry for what he had done, but he never understood how the Flash was so carefree all the time. Seeing the doctor finish the procedure, Billy held up a hand, "Thanks, now get away from her."

Dr. Stevil was quick to comply not wishing to be on the receiving end of Captain Marvel's muscles. Undoing the restraints, Billy gingerly cradled the sleeping heroine in his arms. He'd saved people sure, but it felt wired holding Wonder Woman in his arms. She was so vulnerable, so different from the kind power house he knew…. Maybe he wasn't disillusioned by all of the heroes yet… "Let's go." He stated simply.

Superman gave a nod and offered a shoulder to Wally to aide him in walking down the corridors, to which Flash was grateful.

A green pair of scissors tried to cut through the pink taffy like substance controlling Shayera's movements, Shayera despite her struggle to stop herself, was in flight dodging the blades of the scissors and making her way closer to John Mace raised and ready. "Lantern!" She called out to her ex.

John narrowed his eyes concentrating on trying to cut that stuff off of her and staying out of reach at the same time…. Seeing how Hawkgirl gracefully dodged all of the cuts thus far, John decided to change tactics and try to capture her in a green bubble to limit her movement. Firing several streams of green out to encase the winged warrior, Shayera growled as her body nimbly avoided them all. Leaving the bubbles forming in her wake like a monotone firework show. If she could just get control of one arm, or one wing…. Still struggling she breathed hard, struggling was putting a lot of stress on her form and Shayera stopped fighting for a moment to try and plan, it would do her no good to tire herself out….

As her body continued to work its way through the traps and towards John, the Thanigarian experimentally flexed and focused on trying to move one appendage at a time… Though the goo was holding her fast.

John having moved into a corner and out of room to run finally made a judgment call, lowered his shield.

"What are you doing?!" Shayera yelled, angered that he wasn't even going to defend himself from her. That was so unlike the John she knew!

"Trust me!" He called to her as Shayera felt her mace arch downward towards Green Lantern's head. Cringing Shayera put her full effort into stopping her own arms, feeling her muscles protest at the sharp pull in two directions at once. Eyes closed unable to watch, "John!" She screamed as she felt her mace connect with something hard.

Vixen was quick to summon the speed of a horse but not fast enough to completely avoid getting hit by the fire. Hissing at the burn that was now gracing her left calf she focused on moving quickly to compensate for the injury. She wanted to investigate the bit of silver she had spotted earlier, it may just be a paperclip, but what if it was something more? Besides with the speed she now was using it would only be a moment for her to check it out.

Bruce used the grapple gun to attach itself to the ceiling and allow him to swing into Metamorpho. The soles of his feet connecting with the changeling, but they splashed upon contact – the other small comlink flying across the room. Batman landed with a splash to the ground. Bits of Metamorpho splattered on his boots and around the floor. Clicking open his utility belt, he grabbed a handheld item and then, twisting, Batman was quick to engage the meta human once more, taking a swing at Rex's head. Once again it liquefied and droplets stuck to the Dark Knight's glove. Taking another hit Batman made sure to pull the pin and drop the freeze grenade onto Metamorpho with it.

Leaping back Batman shielded himself from the blast as Metamorpho froze solid.

Vixen had zipped over to the desk, and picked up the small item she saw, to her shock it was a comlink! Glad she had followed her first gut feeling, she picked up the offending electronic and crushed it.

Shayera opened her eyes, breathing hard, with tears in the corner of her eyes that she was desperately trying to keep from falling, expecting to see John's injured head before her instead the entire surrounding had taken on a green glow, he'd caught her! The pink goo slid to a more relaxed position on her form finally releasing her from its control. "I'm ok now…" She stated flatly, just relieved, her legs folding under her as her knees buckled.

John smiled at the angel he held in the green bubble in front of him, he had cut it close but, he'd finally caught the winged minx.

Vixen stood by the desk, watching John and Hawkgirl. Now that the battle was done she allowed herself that luxury. The look on both of their faces, it bothered Mari… She felt the tendrils of hurt swirling in her stomach and raising up to try and over take her eyes. Clenching the fist that held the broken comlink harder she stamped it back down. She'd talk with John back at the watchtower and give him a chance to explain…

Batman Also saw the scene playing out before him, "If she's ok, get her out, and grab him." He briskly ordered, anxious to try and find where Flash, Captain Marvel and Diana were. Hopefully Captain Atom and Superman were with them too…

John coughed a bit to hide the embarrassment coloring his face as he swiftly lowered the orb holding Hawkgirl before releasing her and encasing the frozen Metamorpho in his green glow.

Turning Batman started to stride toward the door, he was biting back the urge to run… He opened it and started into the hallway, fully expecting the others to follow him.

Vixen, cast one more look at the man she loved and Shayera before deciding to follow Batman out, if she walked with John now, she'd want to talk…

Hawkgirl rose to her feet and pushed off the ground, her muscles were a little sore but she could still handle herself. Not wanting to talk much with John right now herself, she flew towards the hall tossing out a, "Thanks."

John seeing everyone hurry out, levitated Metamorpho's Ice cube with him and gave pursuit.

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