Present
BLACK CANARY'S HOUSE
Miss Martian POV
Black Canary's house is entirely what you would expect. It was a gym with a bedroom off to the side. There was a kitchen but it was basically part of the gym. It was apparently owned by Wildcat many years ago but he has since handed it down to her. She had only been here a couple of times. She didn't know why she had been called here.
When she walked in she saw Black Canary punching a punching bag. But the interesting thing was that the bag had Green Arrow's face on it.
"M'gann!" Canary had not hear me come in...even though I got here an hour ago. "Please take a seat."
"Okay, what did you want to talk about?" I was still looking at Green Arrow's beat up photo.
"It doesn't have to do with that," she dismissed. "You heard about what happened with Savage right?"
"Somebody kills and immortal and placed their body in the Hall of Justice who hadn't heard."
"But do you know about the message?"
"What message?"
"This is for Blue Beetle and Kid Flash. Robin comes next."
"Oh so he wants to help-Wait what?" None of them had discussed what happened to Robin in years. It's not like it was our fault, Joker got to him before we could stop him. Then Batman got to Joker. It's not like our little secret mattered in this Batman, Robin, and Joker affair. Though we all felt a little relieved when he died, since we could keep our secret, even if stopped shortly what Ravager ended up doing. "I thought the Robin thing was buried- in many ways literally-years ago. What do you think it means?"
"Nightwing thinks that whoever did this must have connected all hero deaths to the Light." Black Canary explained.
"So this guy is a friend," M'gann remembered. "And all he wants to help us avenge Robin's killer's-The Light of course. Or at least that's our story."
"And were sticking to it but, I think we should get the old group together if whoever killed this Savage knows more than some of our friends. Just in case."
"And if he did. Then what?" She was part of the reason we ended out little Cabal. I want to see her admit it.
"Then... can you do it again?" Black Canary asked M'gann. M'gann knew what that suggestion meant.
"I thought we agreed to stop doing that after what happened with Ravager," I taunted her with that statement. Come on admit I was right. That the Light needs to be countered as aggressively as possible.
"And since then we've lost Tula, Ted, and Wally to the Light!" She said angerly. They both looked down at the thoughts of their fallen comrades. "Maybe, no, it was a bad idea to give up the hard line on the Light," Black Canary admitted.
"What are you going to do if this guy knows what Robin, well the previous Robin, knew about what we did?" M''gann said in victory as she converted Black Canary to her side again. "After what happened with the Ravager disaster in Bialya, even I don't think we should go full personality realignment again."
"Why not?" Black Canary asked rhetorically. "It was only a disaster for Queen Bee."
She knew what I wanted to hear. After what Queen Bee did to Marie Logan... Whatever it takes, I promised myself. "Whatever it takes."
"I'm sure this new guy would do the same."
"So how do we find Savage's killer?"
"We wait. Somebody who paints a message in blood has theatrical tastes that imply he will eventually reveal himself as the showman. When that happens we find him and help or 'fix' him."
THE BATCAVE
Nightwing POV
The entire 'Bat-family' has assembled in the Batcave. We all tend to huddle around the main computer and Jason's Robin costume for these meetings. Usually Batman is the first here and Alfred has some food made out for us. But today both of them seem late.
"Where's Alfred? I need foooooooooooooooood? Or else I will eat one of you," Spoiler told us, staring at Barbra funny, who legitimately worried at Spoiler's stares.
"Well Barbra does look tasty," I say as Barbra gives me a 'not funny' look. Spoiler licks her lips. "Apparently the old man's fridge broke down, ruining the food. He just came back and is now and is making food as we speak."
"Designation 02, Batman. Designation B20, Robin"
And there is the head of the family. Predictably Spoiler asked the first question.
"Does this meeting have something to do with the fake Batman?" Everybody wanted to know about this. Who would possible have the courage to intimidate THE BATMAN.
"No." He quickly answered.
That actually surprised everyone in the room. What could possibly make Bruce more concerned than an imposter Batman and call an emergency meeting?
I thought he would be flippant about that, like he was when Robin-Jason-used a hologram set to have the Justice League make a pool in Mt. Justice. Though he was mostly entertained by that one. "This is about Scarecrow and Deathstroke."
"Scarecrow?" Nightwing asked. "He's back after all these years?"
"It appears so." Batman said. Batman then turned on the computer to show video footage of some dead bodies, many of them metas. "He seems to have developed a new form of his toxin. This one is transmitted via needle and gives the recipient meta human abilities."
"So Scarecrow now has superpower drugs!" Batgirl exclaimed.
"Apparently, but with one flaw, anybody who seems to take is at high-bordering on absolute-risk of death instantly." He then showed footage of a man inserting himself with a syringe then dying. "But that's not my main concern?" He then took off his cowl. "Deathstroke was protecting several of the deceased users bodies when he told me that he wanted to kill my son." The girls then looked at Robin and Nightwing. "My man-whore son." he elabortated. They all looked at Nightwing.
"Hey what are you all looking at me for?" I said. They all sported a 'are you serious.'
"Because you are a man-whore," Batgirl said. Ok of course my ex would say that.
"Wha- I haven't-what did I-" I struggled for words for a while before Batman questioned me.
"Who did you do what to?" Batman asked.
"How do you know it's not Tim?" I said pointing to a shocked Tim.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA," Barbra and Stephanie both laughed, falling to the ground, at the idea of Tim being a playboy. "You can't be serious right?" Tim frowned because he felt he was being mocked but he would rather not defend himself.
"Because he is a virgin and you are named Dick," Batman said. Why would he know if Tim is a virgin? How would he even-Nevermind.
"What about him?" I said pointing to Jason's costume desperate to get the allegations away from me.
"Well, I know he did kiss Deathstroke's daughter once." They all looked at him with confusion for suggesting that Deathstroke is actually trying to kill someone already dead. "But don't think you can use the dead to get out of this one."
"Listen if you want to be a man-whore, prepare to face the consequences," Barbra said.
"Wait could this have something to do with the Arkham Knight." Tim asked.
"The who?" Spoiler asked.
"ALERT ALPHA LEVEL THREAT DETECTED, ALERT ALPHA LEVEL THREAT DETECTED."
Bruce instantly pulled up a computer that had video from city park. And there was an AMAZO, using a canary cry and heat vision before setting up a Rocket force field.
"Is that an AMAZO," Robin asked.
"Yeah, yeah that appears to be one," Batman responded. None of them had yet processed what they were up against until their eyes all widened.
Then Batman accessed the Justice League's communications. "This is Batman to all League members available converge on Gotham City Park, we have another AMAZO appears to have already adopted powers of Superman, Rocket, and Black Canary. Batman, Nightwing, Robin, Spoiler, and Batgirl are all on route."
"Superman, two minuets out."
"Icon, two minuets out"
"Oh dear, and here I thought you would all have some of my cucumber sandwiches." Alfred said.
"Everybody Batwing now."
Deathstroke POV
"This is Vicky Vale reporting live outside Gotham Park where Batman, Superman, and several other heroes have engaged in the robot known as AMAZO-" he turned off his phone when he heard all he needed.
It wasn't an actual AMAZO but the robot will seem like one for long enough to fool them. If we had an actual AMAZO we would use it for something better than a distraction.
Wayne Manor had a four layers of scanners. Layer one, aerial in case of a helicopter of other aircraft based attack, these consisted of missiles and lasers. Layer two, lawn sensors incase of foot assault, triggered alarms and lasers. Layer three, internal manor security, has knockout gas and a trap system that allows for titanium doors to hold invades. Layer four, the Batcave... nobody knew what was there because everybody who had tried had not remembered when they woke up in Arkham or Belle Reve.
There was also the Butler, ex-SAS but little else about his past, even his marital history is just a rumor. He shouldn't be a problem for me.
"Dr. Sivana can you fire the EMP now," Deathstroke asked.
"Loading," Dr. Sivana said. "Firing in 3... 2... 1..."
BOOOOM
"The EMP was directed at the Manor, it will last about 2 minutes, made to keep Batman from noticing we are here until too late."
Deathstroke was already running. I could make it down to the cave in 50 seconds where he would most likely be confronted with the butler.
I was wrong.
I met the butler at 35.
"Dear god," he said before Deathstroke darted him. The butler then fell to the floor.
Deathstroke saved time with taking out the butler here rather than down there. Deathstroke rushed into the Batcave by blowing up the grandfather clock. and the metal wall behind it. Thanks Reach tech. The cave layout was similar to what Ra's produced for me when I was working with the Light.
I instantly ran towards the compartment where Batman kept his most dangerous equipment, at least in theory according to Ra's.
"Damien I- AHHH," He was hit in the back, did one of Batman's sidekicks stay behind.
"Well Slade it's been a while." THIS #^&%ING GUY.
"The Arkham Knight. Prepare to have your $ handed to you." I then charged at him with a sword which I used to deflect one of Arkham Knight's bullets. I swung and hit the ground as Arkham Knight rolled off to the side.
"Looking for the area bellow the Batmobile hanger," Arkham Knight said before two magic swords appeared.
"Great now I know where to look kid," Deathstroke replied. I then swung my own sword at Arkham Knight's.
"Yeah right, the League of Shadows had the intel. Which you probably got from them during your enforce sting." They parried and both jumping back.
"Ok, so you didn't spill the beans on Batman, but how did you know about my league intel?" he asked. I then pulled out a gun and started firing at Arkham Knight who jumped behind a computer.
"Your daughter." He hit my gun with a knife immobilizing it.
"#^$! YOU." I then charged at him, but Arkham Knight then threw me to a lower platform. Arkham Knight jumped at him so Slade rolled off to the side.
"Overprotective Father-in-law, that's a new trope." Then the Lights came back on. "Emp to take out the security and see if you can find a kryptonite weapon, that plan seems moot now that the security is back up."
"You will be tagged too kid." Deathstroke then released a smoke bomb which allowed him to escape.
Arkham Knight POV
"So what, I've already won," I declare.
Well Slade is gone, and he didn't get a kryptonite weapon. I then looked over to realize that there was something next to the computer.
"Huh, well I'll be damned," I said out loud. I walked over to see my Robin costume in a case. I looked down and saw a photo. It was taken the after their first day as Batman and Robin. Must be some sort of memorial.
"WARNING SENSORS TO GO OFF IN 90 SECONDS."
My suits internal warning system in his mask brought him out of nostalgia. Gotta get out of here.
I could try to escape via manor, but the sensors outside will probably pick me up. I could use my override-NO, they cannot even suspect I am alive until my vengeance is complete. I could go out via Batmobile escape but I'm going to need one of them. Luckily I know which one to steal.
I ran over to the Batmobile I stole the tires off all those years ago, luckily Batman had me put them back on (well some tires, since the tires I stole was still in his room-I had checked).
Easy to pick the lock on this thing.
Arkham Knight jumped into the driver's seat with 30 seconds left and drove down the tunnel to get out. Got out with 16 seconds.
"Felicity, I'm out with a Batmobile." he said over communications.
"You stole a Batmobile?" she asked.
"I stole the tires when I was 11," he bragged.
"You stole the tires?"
"Did I never tell you how Bruce and I met? Either way, I want to keep this, so prep the storage facility bellow the Tower."
Three Hours Later
Spoiler POV
"ALFRED," the entire family said in uniform.
"I apologize I-" Alfred tried to say.
"You don't apologize when you are hurt," Tim said.
"I'm sorry I-"
"Did you not just hear what he said," I replied.
"What happened?" Batman asked with concern.
"The mansion lost power, I went to go check upstairs, where I ran into our old friend Deathstroke." This sent them into a state of shock.
"Deathstroke was here!" Robin exclaimed
"Ok whatever you did Nightwing, go apologies for it." Spoiler said.
"Once again I didn't-Wait what did he want?," he tried to say. Throwing his hands in the air.
"Guys he made it to the cave," Tim said in panic, calling from down the hall.
They all walked over to see the grandfather clock entrance was blown open.
They walked down and saw that the place was mostly intact, but there were battle scars on the ground. Sword marks and a few bullet shells. Was there a fight or something?
"Computer." Batman said. "Play the last day security footage." The computer then showed cameras from across the cave. Then one showed somebody for a while. "Freeze playback."
"That's Arkham Knight!" Robin said.
"So this Arkham Knight now knows our identities," Batgirl said.
"Well we already knew that," Robin replied.
"Wait what!?"
"While disguised as Batman this guy told Cassie."
"So now your girlfriend knows all of our identities as well as this guy," Spoiler said.
"Pretty much."
"Computer rewind." The computer went back to what appeared before the Black out. "Computer play forward at quarter time." Then it showed Alfred eating a sandwich before it became black and eventually Arkham Knight and Deathstroke were fighting.
"Wait he was fighting Deathstroke," Nightwing said.
"Computer rewind and play with audio," Batman commanded.
"EMP to take out the security and see if you can find a kryptonite weapon, that plan seems moot now that the security is back up," the Arkham Knight said.
"Deathstroke was after kryptonite and Arkham Knight knew there was some here as well." Batgirl asked. The video then showed Deathstroke set off a smoke bomb then escape.
"Ok that's how he got out, what about Arkham Knight?"
The footage then showed him stare at the Robin memorial and pick up the photo bellow it, before running into the hanger and taking a Batmobile.
"Did he just steal a Batmobile?" Nightwing said. "Even I don't have one." He was jealous.
"So did he come here to steal a Batmobile at the same time Deathstroke tried to steal kryptonite at the same time a fake AMAZO attacked Gotham City?" Spoiler asked.
"No, he came here to stop Deathstroke, the fight and conversation on video confirm that," Tim said. "Maybe Deathstroke or Arkham Knight put out the fake AMAZO as a distraction."
"But was he trying to help us or was he merely trying to fight Deathstroke," Batman asked. "Which Batmobile did he steal?" Batman then looked through the database. "I want that one back, intact too!" Batman declared.
He had tons more what made this one so special.
"Why would be trying to help us?" I ask.
"Threat management," Batman said.
"What?"
"Basically he views Deathstroke-and probably the Light by extension-as a greater threat to his objectives than us and tried to help us out as a balancer against him," Batgirl explained.
"Which begs the question," Batman said. "What does this guy want?"
UN BUILDING
Lex Luthor POV
Well this was interesting. Apparently Ra's al Ghul was snatching up all of our deceased acquaintance Vandal Savage's assets, and it appears that the Brain was helping him as well. He had been doing this for at least a week now. While we have not had a meeting in that time, you would expect at least some update on this endeavor. While the Enrea crisis (made of one of our Queen Bee's making) would take up a lot of his time, this would probably be more worthy of his attention.
"I knew you were not just coming to talk to me about your neighbor," Luthor told her.
"Of course not, those barbarians do not deserve our attention," Queen Bee reminded him. The Bialyians had a condescending view of their neighbors.
"I get that this seems suspicious but rather than get worked up about it lets wait and see if these two tell us."
"And if they don't? You are the one to make preparations in case of a betrayal."
"And what makes you so sure that this is betrayal."
"The Themysciran Embassy Attack."
"That was good for Godfrey's ratings and I fail to see the connection."
"There was a Lazarus Pit under it." This actually gave Luthor pause for thought since it implied that Ra's masterminded the attack.
"Plans will be made for the two of us to cut the others out in case of an emergency."
"What about Klarion?"
"We let him in if he wants but he is always going to make his own choice knowing him. Oh I assume you heard about your neighbor."
"What about it?"
"President Horne has gotten the council to recognize the monarchy in-exile over your rebels."
"WHAT. Surely the Russians-"
"They did my dear."
"This is an act of aggression against Bialya. The security of my nation depends on control of this nation."
Bialya has historically had control and non-control over Enrea. Early-Arab slave traders were foiled by sub-Saharan Africans who constantly freed them. Later conquers from Enrea enslaved the population of Bialya. British colonists were able to manipulate Bialya without actually invading by taking their southern neighbor and launching a series of destructive border wars. Independent Bialya attempted to colonize (a word her idiot grandfather used) it as soon as the British left (to the condemnation of Nehru and Suharto themselves). This is their most important country from a security perspective.
"Perhaps you should have a conversation with him."
"I will!" she stormed out of his office.