Naruto: Tenth Dragons Poison
11
Blinding Fate
All had been maintained since the group had been formed. Things had become quiet by this time, only hearing the sound of all that was taking place in the city below. This ranged from the many trafficking vehicles to the several voices of those who walked the streets in all directions. This minor delay only gave them additional time to think, each plotting in their minds what would be the best move to make going forward.
It was in the brink of this that the wait would soon come to an end. The first step taken was alerting, all looking his way as he closed in with every step taken.
"You're finally done, good," Flash said being the first to speak. "I was hoping we wouldn't have to wait for too much longer."
"If you don't mind me asking, who was that you were speaking with just now?" Superman inquired with the cross of his arms.
"Nightwing," Batman answered. "Being that he's currently in Gotham I decided to key him in on the situation."
"I can't argue against that, there's no telling what to expect with the coming hours." Green Lantern said.
"Was he alone?" Cyborg asked.
He immediately turned to face him after hearing what had been asked.
"Come again?" Batman questioned.
"When you got in touch with him, was there anyone else with him at the time?"
"Yes," Batman confirmed. "He was not alone."
"Any idea who he was with?" Green Lantern asked.
"There were a few others with him, he only spoke of one of them," Batman replied. "Superboy."
"Superboy," Superman questioned before uncrossing his arms. "No way that could be coincidence; did Nightwing tell you what brought him here?"
"Apparently he found out about this whole scheme the same time Kid Flash did, and since he knew we'd be meeting here to look into the other side of things I can only assume he wishes to assist us."
"I wouldn't doubt it," Superman said. "Which means Nightwing already knew about this whole thing before you even called him."
"How far are they from our current position," Cyborg asked. "Is there any way of knowing?"
"Hold on."
He took the next moment to look down, activating the device which was strapped to his. It took only seconds to showcase activity, watching as their movements progressed.
"Roughly two miles," Batman informed. "And given the speeds they're moving at they should be here within the next eight to eleven minutes."
"Sounds about right."
"So what happens now," Cyborg asked. "We wait for their arrival?"
"I think that's the best option at this point," Superman said in response. "With a gain in numbers we'll be able to correlate broader search, and with Superboy's tactical telekinesis that could work as an advantage helping us to find what we're looking for."
"Agreed."
"In the meantime don't you think we should get in contact with the others," Flash suggested. "There's no telling what could be going on from their end."
"I'm all for that," Green Lantern said. "I too am wondering how things are shaping up with the infiltration."
"I think we all are." Superman said.
"Leave it to me," Cyborg announced. "I'll contact Wonder Woman, I'm sure she'll have an update for us on the matter."
"No doubt."
"Then go ahead and make the call," Batman said. "The rest of us will remain quiet while you do so as not to interrupt."
"Very well, I'll make the call now."
With that silence came back to the front, all standing their ground not only in wait for information to be gathered but for the arrival of their friends and comrades.
It all seemed to have frozen within that moment, the uptight look on her face telling the full story. It motioned, watching every strand of hair sway from one side to the other with a subtle hiss. Their presence could not be seen on the surface, hidden behind that of a Noh Mask. Even with this blocking element there was no doubt in her mind, she knew who it was.
"It's her, but why… why would she appear at a showing such as this?"
The thoughts that came in the following moments were broad. What had first been believed to be a small meeting of sorts was now turning into something on a higher scale. This growth in weariness was quickly noticed; taking only seconds before the sound of someone stepping up to her right side could be heard. Still on high alert she immediately centered her eyes that way to now find him at her side.
"You don't look as optimistic as before." Kid Flash expressed. "Is everything alright?"
Her eyes simply wondered back to where the stage could be found, laying her eyes back onto the person of interest before speaking again.
"Kid Flash, do you see that woman there?" Black Canary murmured.
He hadn't really paid that much attention to her appearance when she had first ascended to the stage, taking those next seconds to look her over. After a small period of time passed he turned back to face her with a clueless shake of the head.
"No, I can't say I've ever seen that person," Kid Flash admitted. "Why, is that someone we should know?"
"Medusa," Black Canary simply put with her eyes still glued to the stage. "That's her, no doubt about it."
"What," Kid Flash snapped lightly. "Are you sure?"
She nodded in response.
"I'm positive."
"Wait," Kid Flash said with a pause. "Are you thinking this is the same Medusa who can turn anyone into stone just by looking at them?"
"Yes."
"That would explain the mask," Kid Flash said now turning for the stage as well. "But why would someone like her be at something like this, totally a style wreck."
The two focused all attention to what was going on up front, monitoring an apparent conversation which was going on between her and Mirror Master.
"I don't get it, how come we haven't progressed with this auction or whatever it is they've set for tonight?"
"I can only imagine they're discussing inner details for what is to come next," Black Canary replied. "If you don't mind I'm going to ask that you remain quiet for the next minute or so."
"Why, what's up?"
"I'm going to contact the others," Black Canary answered. "This is something they need to know."
"Go right on ahead, no word shall be spoken from me unless prompted."
She couldn't help but be moderately humored by this comment. Without further ado she attended to important matters, pressing down to the ear piece which sent out the signal… listening to the ring that came in those next seconds.
The wait seemed to drag for all who stood there gathered. After several minutes of wait he had finally stepped back into the fray, all wanting to hear what information he might have to deliver for them.
"Well, what did she say?" Superman said being the first to speak.
"Nothing to report," Cyborg replied. "Wonder Woman nor any of the others had yet to hear back from Black Canary as of yet."
"Your conversation was lengthy," Superman said quick to point out. "Surely you discussed more than just the situation surrounding the meet Mirror Master is hosting."
"Of course, I also gave the details on where we stand on our end."
"Good, wouldn't have done it any differently myself."
"With all this lack of information it really makes you wonder what's going on down there." Flash commented.
"Perhaps," Green Lantern agreed. "But we have to trust in the others that they'll get the job done the right way."
"I have no doubt that they will."
The two were soon interrupted by his message to give.
"Incoming." Batman reported as he looked down at the device clamped upon his wrist.
"Incoming?" Flash questioned after turning to face him.
That very moment brought the overhang of a shadow, causing all to look upward as three unidentified figures soared down from the dark sky above. They landed with much care, making only that of a low end thump with the landing.
"Hope we didn't keep you all waiting."
"Nightwing, Superboy, Huntress," Batman greeted. "Is it just the three of you?"
"Well actually there were six of us in all." Nightwing informed.
"Were," Superman questioned with the rise of a brow. "What happened to the other three who were with you?"
"After gaining additional information on the matter from Batman we decided to split into groups of two."
"That's right," Huntress added. "The others are already looking into possible leads, hopefully something will be found in regards to what could have caused what was picked up on your scan."
"What part of the city have they chosen to search?" Flash asked.
"The south end." Nightwing replied.
"Which leaves the North, East, and West to us," Flash said. "So how do you guys want to play this going forward?"
"First things first," Batman said. "We first need to spring a plan for how we'll move on from this point, once that is taken care of we'll split into groups of two."
"Groups of two," Huntress questioned. "Why not three."
"We'll cover much ground that way."
"Kind of hard to disagree with that." Superboy said finally entering the fray.
"Now that we're all here I think it's about time we began discussions," Green Lantern said. "The sooner we get to the bottom of this the better."
"Agreed." Huntress said.
"The plan has already been set," Batman reminded. "Have you already forgotten?"
"He's right," Superman man said. "We already agreed we'd search areas of the city with low frequency signals."
"What lead to that decision?" Nightwing asked out of curiosity.
"There's a strong chance whatever created the tear within our dimension is sitting somewhere here in Gotham." Batman replied.
"And it's not just a hunch, from what the scanners were able to indicate from the Watchtower this if definitely where the height of the disturbance came from." Cyborg added.
"Even so, why the choice to search low frequency areas?" Superboy asked.
"Because we believe there's a chance whatever was used in the process is being hidden away," Batman theorized. "Chances are in some place surrounded by a signal disrupter of some kind."
"Setting up a game of guess and check," Nightwing said beginning to catch on. "Not a bad strategy if I must say so myself."
"Now that we're all down with the game plan shouldn't we begin the search," Huntress stated. "Talking is only getting so far."
"Not before the groups are put together, which I've already decided on," Batman said looking over the group as a whole. "Since the south end is already accounted for that leaves all other sides to us."
"I think it would be a good idea if I contacted the others and let them know the updated plan." Nightwing said.
"And you will, as soon as we're done here," Batman replied. "Nightwing I want you and Flash to search South/West."
"Sounds good to me." Flash said.
"Superman, Huntress, North/East and North/West will be your terrain to handle," Batman said as he continued to look over those who stood before him. "Cyborg, everything South/East will be for you and Green Lantern to investigate."
"You got it."
"Superboy, that leaves you with me." Batman declared.
"But all areas have been assigned," Superboy said quick to point out. "Where will you and I search?"
"At the heart of it all," Batman replied turning to face him. "Crime Alley."
This gave him the answer he seeked, not needing to say another word as Batman focused his attention back to the group as a whole once more.
"You all know your stance, now let's move," Batman commanded. "There's no telling if time is a factor before another move is made."
"You heard the man, let's get started." Superman reinforcing what had been instructed.
With those final direct words they all took off, heading into the directions that had been assigned to them. This left just the two of them, several seconds passing before either of the two chose to spoke.
"So, what happens now?" Superboy questioned.
His head slowly tilted up, away from the tracking device upon his wrist.
"I've keyed in on two areas within two miles from where we stand now that are showcasing low frequency," Batman reported. "If we move quickly it shouldn't take very long for us to reach the first site."
"I'm all ready when you are."
"I expected to hear that much."
He then reached down for his belt, grabbing hold of the utility belt as a spiraling scream could be heard from a block or so away.
"Help!"
The two immediately looked to one another upon hearing this.
"Sounds like a child in distress," Superboy said. "Think we should."
"Let's go," Batman interjected. "We'll set back to the map once this is handled."
"Loud and clear."
With that the two took off, heading into the direction where the cries had come from. This required them to scale downward, taking little time for them to reach the streets below.
"It came from over there." Superboy said pointing right.
It was in the mist of this that a blinding light appeared from around the side of the building, heading straight for the two of them.
"What is that?!" Superboy exclaimed.
"Let's move." Batman stated.
"No worries," Superboy replied holding his hands out in front. "I'll simply shield us with a."
Before he could finish that last thought all had become blind to the eye, feeling as if all consciousness had been lost in one flash.
There was something dangerously wrong, with every pushed attempt there was nothing to be received in return. Only the emptiness of an endless ring continued to pass through. It was only then that it all finally started coming together.
"Even with boost communication I can't get in contact with anyone on the outside since entering this room," Black Canary mused to herself. "They must have tighter security than any of us had been anticipating."
The thought of this only resulted in the clutch of her fist, knowing the caution level had risen with this known fact. This only raised her awareness as well. Wanting to assess the rest of the situation she turned back for the dark hall they had traveled through to reach this room, finding the route to be now blocked by a massively large man who stood watch. Who they were was unclear, being that they too wore a cloak just like everyone else in attendance.
"This is far from the expected; things are far from being favorable."
The most important thing now was to keep a high focus, there was no telling what the coming minutes might bring. Her sights were ejected from the exit as she turned to face the front once again, coming to find the two standing on the stage locked in conversation.
"What could the two of them possibly be discussing?"
There was no real way of knowing. Waiting was the only option at this time. A shattering sound erupted moments later, one which not only grabbed the attention of all who stood in wait, but Mirror Master as well.
"What was that?!" One questioned.
"It sounded like it came from behind the curtains." Another spoke.
It was obvious that concern had sparked amongst all, not taking long for her to hear him speak once again.
"Canary, what was that?" Kid Flash asked.
"There's no telling." Black Canary replied.
"Think we should make a move?"
"Not yet, stand your ground," Black Canary instructed. "Let's see what happens from here."
Not even a second after those final words escaped her lips a bright light flashed free, breaking free and apparently burning the curtains in its wake as its trail lashed forward.
"Run for it!" Someone in the far corner of the room spoke.
But there was no reacting to it, nor escaping it. Before anyone had the chance to make a move they were all engulfed in the burning light which lashed out, feeling as if their very essence was being sucked away all within that one moment. Was this truly the end?
To Be Continued