A/N: I hope you all enjoy this next chapter! Remember to leave a review and a favorite if you liked it!
Isaac Clark: I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Here's a good action packed one for ya!
Chapter 11: The Corrupt
Christian and Kara waited outside the hotel lobby for their limo. Tapping his foot impatiently on the sidewalk, Christian impulsively checked his watch. Eve was two minutes late, and that would not do. Everything had to go perfectly tonight, especially the timing. Two minutes could make all the difference, in those two minutes the governor could have cracked. In those two minutes, dozens could have died. Kara raised her eyebrow at Christian, giving him an annoyed look. "Wasn't it you who told me to be patient with this?"
"I told you it was important to be patient, not late," Christian retorted, looking back and forth from his watch to the street. Three minutes, she was three minutes late.
Finally, the long black limo pulled up in front of them, smoothly coming to a stop. Eve, dressed in her best black suit and pencil skirt, stepped out and opened the door for them. "Your ride Mr. Wayne."
Christian nodded hurriedly to her and stepped inside, quickly followed by Kara, who slid onto the seat next to him. "Step on it Eve," Christian told her as he opened up a small compartment under his seat.
"As you wish Mr. Wayne," Eve answered dryly, lurching the limousine to a speeding start.
Christian slid the small compartment out, checking to see if his real suit was still inside. In the slot, just as he had hoped, was the bat suit, ready to go.
"So what are you planning to do, beat the information out of him in public," Kara asked as she put in her earrings.
"No, if Jenna did her part, he's going to crack on his own. I've been following the investigation and the guy knows he can't even go to the bathroom without the police knowing. At this point he's losing a lot of business, and therefore a lot of his money. The governor may take drastic measures during the ceremony, or may just confess. Either way I'll be right there when he does."
Kara gave him an impressed look, "You've thought this all through, haven't you?"
"To the letter," Christian answered, "and if he doesn't confess or crack, I may just end up having to give him a little push."
"Hopefully it won't come to that," Kara said, looking out the window towards the gathering crowd. The stage was set right outside the governor's office. People were being shown to their seats, hundreds of cops all coming to one event.
Christian frowned and tapped on the window dividing the back seats from the driver, "Hey Eve, mind parking a little further away."
"As long as I don't have to carry you Mr. Wayne," Eve answered, turning the car around and parking it next to the sidewalk.
Christian stepped out of the limo and took a good breath of the cold night air. Taking Christian's hand, Kara left the limo and took a look around. Christian liked the nights in Trenton better; they were familiar. Hooking his arm around Kara's, the two walked over to their seats. As they walked over, Christian noticed snipers and other heavily armed police positioned on the roof. They were anticipating something just as much as he was.
The two sat down next to each other and looked up towards the podium where the governor would be speaking in a bit. Christian sighed, he was honestly really nervous. Jimmy's life depended on how well this night went.
"Christian Wayne? I can honestly say I didn't expect you to be here."
Christian turned to his left, where the voice came from, and saw Jenna Carmen in a black nightgown and high heels.
Smiling, he shook her hand, "Commissioner Carmen, how are you? I was just in town and thought this might be pretty cool."
Jenna sat down next to him and waved to Kara, "I especially didn't expect you to be here."
Kara smiled sadly, "Well I had to step in for Jimmy since he's missing."
"I'm so sorry about that Ms. Kent. We promise that we're doing everything we can about the Joker killings," Jenna told her reassuringly
Kara waved her off, "Don't worry about me Jenna. We Kents are strong; I'll be all right. I know you and Gotham's finest can handle this."
"Ladies, I think it's starting," Christian told them, pointing towards the governor, who was walking up onto the stage. Christian could almost smell the fear permeating off the man. The governor was pretty tall and also pretty young, with dark brown hair almost like Christian's.
"Good evening everyone," he greeted, pulling out his notes from his jacket, "I am glad you all could attend Trenton's annual honoring of the police forces of New Jersey. When I look out on this crowd, all I see are heroes. Heroes who defend their fellow men from those who wish to take advantage of good people."
Christian's teeth gritted; he couldn't bare the hypocrisy spouting from this man's mouth. He turned towards Kara to whisper his thoughts, but he noticed her eyes were wide in fear.
"Kara, what's wrong."
She turned to him and whispered urgently, "Christian, I think you forgot your other suit in the limo. Now might be a good time to grab it."
Christian nodded and awkwardly left the area, getting lots of angry glares from the rest of the audience.
He finally got out of the rows of seats and ran over towards his limo. Eve, who was standing next to it, gave him a curious look. "Leaving a little early Mr. Wayne?"
"No, just getting a change of clothes."
Eve opened the door for him and Christian jumped inside. Opening the compartment under his seat, he pulled out his bat suit and quickly got changed. Once he finished getting everything on, he dove out of the car into the ally.
As silently as he could, he grappled up the nearest building, which was a small run down apartment. Overlooking the speech, Christian activated his sonar vision. He immediately spotted three suspicious cars pulling up in front of the governor's office. Twelve men stepped out of the cars, each of them wearing clown masks and holding strange containers. Joker gas, they were going to attack the event!
Then it hit him; he knew what the governor was trying to do. He was going to frame an attack on him by the Joker, killing off a huge amount of New Jersey police. Before Christian could act, the twelve men had entered the fray. Over the tapped radio, he heard the governor whisper, "Rack 'em up."
"The Joker sends his regards!" yelled one of them, tossing a canister of Joker gas into the crowd. The people began to scream as two others threw their gas bombs, clouding up the area. The police positioned on the roof wouldn't be able to get clear shots on the clowns; it would be a slaughter fest.
Batman quickly spread his cape and glided off the roof towards one of the thugs. Before he could throw another gas bomb, Batman tackled him and threw the gas bomb away from the civilians. Two of the clowns pulled knives and ran at him yelling like madmen.
Batman quickly grabbed one of their arms and swung him around into the other, knocking him into the ground. He then kneed the clown in the stomach, twisted his arm around violently, and then kicked him onto the cold hard cement.
"I got you Batfreak!" yelled a thug, pulling a SMG from his coat.
Batman quickly rolled out of the way, then shot his batclaw out towards the armed thug. The batclaw latched onto the man's jacket with a tight grip. Batman yanked the line backwards, causing the man to come flying towards him. Sticking his arm outwards and running forward, Batman clotheslined the thug, smashing his clown mask.
Three other clowns ran at him with baseball bats that said "a bat for the bat." One tried to bring the bludgeon down on Batman's head, laughing maniacally. Batman swept at the man's foot and tripped him. The second tried to take a swing at Batman's ribs, but the Dark Knight grabbed the bat and pulled it out of the thug's hands. Batman slammed the but of the baseball bat into the clown's stomach, knocking the wind out of him, then swung it around into the third clown's leg, breaking it instantly.
A thug suddenly grabbed Batman from behind, allowing the one he had tripped to stand up and start hitting him in the gut with the bat. Batman grunted, feeling his ribs bruising after each hit. He grabbed the thug who was holding him by the hood and pulled him overhead. With a powerful kick, he sent the man flying into the clown with the bat, knocking them both to the ground.
"Look out!"
Batman heard the warning and quickly whirled around and saw a thug running at him with a crowbar. Catching the crow bar with one hand, Batman balled his hand and slammed his fist into the man's chest. The thug crumpled to the ground, wheezing and huffing, trying to get some air.
Batman turned around and saw it was Commissioner Carmen who had warned him. "Where's the governor," Batman growled
"He ran inside the building once things started going south, but we think he's armed."
"Get these people out of here," Batman told her as he walked over towards the governor's office, "I'll handle him."
"Wait, what are you going to do?" Jenna called back to him
"Get him to sing," Batman snarled.
When he got to the front doors of the building, he found they were chained shut. Using the edges on his gauntlets, he swung his forearm downwards and broke off the lock. Batman kicked down the doors loudly, to make sure the governor knew he was trapped like a rat.
Activating his sonar vision, he scanned the building for the coward. The governor had holed himself up in one of the bathrooms and was trying to climb through the window and escape. He wasn't going anywhere.
Batman burst into the bathroom and saw the governor almost halfway out the building. Grabbing his legs, he violently pulled the man back inside and onto the floor. The governor glared and struggled as Batman picked him up by the collar and slammed him against the glass, shattering part of it.
"Evening governor," Batman growled, pushing the governor up against the wall.
The governor spat at him and yelled, "What do you want?"
"Where's the Joker?"
He laughed, "Somehow I knew you were going to say that."
Batman snarled in frustration and pushed the governor's head into the side of the sink.
Grabbing his head in pain, the governor curled up as Batman kicked him in the ribs and yelled, "Where's the Joker?"
"You really think I'm gonna tell you where he is? There are some things worse then jail you know," the governor grunted, coughing out blood.
Batman picked him up again and threatened, "and I swear to God I'm one of them."
"Is he talking yet?" Superwoman asked as she entered the bathroom with Commissioner Carmen.
"Hah, you all really don't know who you're dealing with," laughed the governor, "I ain't crossing him for you!"
Rage coursed through the Batman's veins as he gripped the governor tighter and tighter. He was tired, tired of people protecting the Joker. Batman turned towards Jenna and said calmly, "Commissioner, do you mind going outside."
Jenna just nodded her head and ducked out, not wanting to even know what was going to happen.
Once the Commissioner had left, Batman kicked down one of the stall doors and threw the governor inside. Superwoman watched nervously as he broke one of overhead lights and tore out one of the wires.
"Batman, what are you doing," she asked as he grabbed the governor's head.
"Yeah, you gonna give me a swirly?" the governor jeered
Batman glared angrily at the man and told him, "one more chance. Tell me where Joker is!"
The governor merely smiled and spit at him again. Batman wiped the blood off his chest and took a deep breath.
Then, it happened. Taking the wire he had pulled from the light and the governor's head, he dunked both of them into the toilet. The water surged with electricity as the governor screamed and flailed around. Kara gasped and fell backwards, what was he thinking?
Batman pulled the governor's head out of the toilet and yelled, "Where is he!"
He just began to babble and cry, angering the Batman even more. Batman slammed the governor's head into the toilet and stuck the wire in again, causing another agonizing scream from the governor.
"Batman stop!" Superwoman pleaded, but he couldn't even here her.
Again, Batman brought the governor eye level to him, "Where is he!"
"The old toy factory! The one in the narrows!" the governor screamed, still twitching from the shocks.
"Is that all?" Batman growled, pushing his head closer to the toilet.
As he began to shove the governor back into the toilet, something caught his arm. Batman turned around and saw Superman holding him back.
"What are you doing?" he snarled at him, glaring angrily.
"This has gone on far enough," Connor told him, pulling him away from the passed out governor.
"Superman, what are you doing here?" Kara asked
Connor glared back at Batman and answered, "I could here this man's screams all the way from Metropolis."
"Then what's the problem," Batman said, standing up to face Superman.
"The problem is that this man probably has severe brain damage. Just by looking at him I can tell he might not be able to move his legs again. It's over Batman. I can't allow your vigilantism to go on like this."
Batman was about to punch Superman as hard as he could when Kara jumped in between them.
"Superman please, you have to let him continue for just a bit longer," she begged, trying to stop anyone from getting hurt.
Connor pushed her aside, "give me one good reason."
"The Joker has Jimmy!"
Connor turned towards Kara in shock. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"
"Because Batman is probably the only one who can save him from the Joker! Superman just let him continue until he saves Jimmy, for me?"
Connor looked over to Batman, who was giving him a cold and unforgiving grimace.
With a sigh, he said, "Fine, but once he finds Jimmy, he better go into retirement for good."
Batman stepped forward and protested, "What makes you…" Kara quickly put her hand over his mouth and nodded to Connor. Superman gave one last threatening glance to Batman and then flew out through the roof.
Kara let go of Batman, who immediately stormed out of the bathroom angrily. He was not going to be bullied by some self-appointed god in red and blue.
When Batman got outside he saw Commissioner Carmen and her rookie Johnson waiting for him.
"Did you get the Joker's location?" she asked, following him out of the taped off crime scene.
"The toy factory," Batman answered, pulling a device out of his belt and clicking the bat shaped button.
The Commissioner nodded and ordered Johnson to gather all GCP forces present to send them back to Gotham for the arrest.
"Are you gonna need a ride?" she asked Batman, noticing his car hadn't arrived yet.
Suddenly, a bright floodlight beamed down on them from the sky. Jenna covered her eyes as she watched a large black aircraft that was hovering over them let down a line. Batman grabbed on and was pulled back up into the ship, giving the Commissioner a quick nod. "I'll see you in Gotham."
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The Batwing jetted towards Gotham at high speed, flying lower to the ground so air traffic wouldn't be disrupted.
"Eve, will you be fine in Trenton," Batman asked over the radio link as he drove the plane.
An image of Eve popped up on the main monitor, "I'll be fine Mr. Wayne, go and finish this. Just, be careful alright?"
Batman nodded, "I'll do my best. Make sure to keep tabs on the factory as I'm arriving. Who knows what defenses the Joker could have set up."
Gotham harbor became visible as Batman approached Gotham, pulling up a bit to avoid the multiple skyscrapers. In about three minutes, he would be over the toy factory. He was going to end the Joker's game, right there and then.
The disgusting smog of the narrows was now in sight, he was now two minutes away. Batman prepared himself for high-speed ejection, setting the Batwing to auto pilot and strapping on an oxygen mask. After he set the plane to eject him once he was over his target, he took a deep breath in preparation. Hopefully he survived being flung out of a jet going this fast.
3… 2… 1…
The cockpit popped open and shot Batman high into the air as the plane flew off. He could feel the bitter cold of the high altitude he was thrown into. As he lost momentum and he began slowing his ascent, Batman let loose his cape. Pulling a string to release the fabric from the pack he had stuffed it in, the cloak shot out and expanded, becoming rigid and taking form.
Batman began a controlled glide towards the main chimney of the factory. He couldn't have gone through any of the doors and windows because multiple armed thugs guarded them. The direct approach would practically be suicide. The smoke stack was the safest route into the place and the factory hadn't been in use for years, so it hopefully wouldn't be burning.
Pulling his cape in some, he dove through the small opening at the top of the chimney. Right before he hit the bottom, though; Batman grabbed the corners of his cape and caught his fall, landing lightly on the soot-covered bottom.
Switching on his infrared vision, he scanned the complex to plan a direction of attack. Right outside the broken furnace he was in were two armed clowns looking out towards what looked like an assembly line.
After making sure no one was around to hear him, Batman burst through the opening and grabbed the two thugs by the head. Before either could utter a word, he slammed their heads together, knocking both of them out.
Batman quickly continued through the factory, using the scanner in his cowl to locate the Joker. While it may have been difficult tracking Joker down, as he didn't have a distinct shape compared to others, tracking the new Harley Quinn down was easy. She was the only woman among all Joker's forces, and wherever she was the Joker was definitely around.
Looking around the rooms and different floors, Batman finally found Quinn in the main office along with one other man. There was a group of struggling people tied to each other, probably the hostages. The Joker and Harley seemed to be watching something on a small television, but what?
Suddenly, Harley's skeleton outline turned around in his direction, put her hands by her head, and stuck her tongue out at him. They knew he was there.
Twenty cheering clowns wielding knives, flaming sticks, and iron pipes burst through all three doors, surrounding Batman. The dark knight grimaced, raising his fists readily. This was not good.
"Hey, it's my BFF! How's it going Bats?" Joker's voice cackled over one of the loudspeakers.
Batman just glared at the green security camera that had no doubt given him away. "Listen here Bats, you came a bit early and we haven't finished up the preparations for the party yet. Do you mind entertaining some of our friends here while Harls and I finish up here?" Joker asked in a mock sympathetic voice.
Batman didn't say a word; he knew a response was all the Joker wanted.
"Riiiight, well give him your best shot boys, and haaave fun! HAHAHAHAHAHAAA!"
The loudspeaker cut off with a static noise, sounding the beginning of the pre party games. The group slowly moved in on Batman menacingly, the armed psychos smiling happily.
"We're gonna cut you good Batfreak!" a couple of them yelled, pumping their weapons in the air.
Batman activated his suit's combat mode, causing his eyes and emblem to glow an intimidating red. The cowl began picking up and displaying movement from all the thugs, allowing Batman to have complete awareness of everything around him. Clenching his fists, he resumed his fighting stance, challenging any brave soul to even try an attack.
One large thug gathered his nerve and threw the first blow, swinging his lead pipe in an upward arc towards the Batman. The dark knight quickly stepped to the side and caught the pipe in one hand; elbowing the thug in the face with his free arm.
Three more thugs jumped at him, rearing back to swing their bludgeons. As if it was pure instinct, Batman punched one, grabbed the two in front of him by their heads, and slammed them together. As he pushed the two thugs' skulls into each other, he jumped up and kicked backwards, knocking the third to the ground.
Batman continued to duck, punch, and counter; his each of his moves flowing smoothly into the next. He had practically elevated his senses to a new level, becoming aware of every move, every kick, and every swing that each thug was going to take. As the fight continued, Batman practically became a machine, taking out multiple clowns at once.
Four thugs all tried to tackle him, but he quickly dived to the side and jumped off the wall, kneeing one assailant in the jaw with a deafening crack. The numbers of criminals still standing kept dropping as Batman broke legs, arms, and ribs; incapacitating each of them.
After fifteen minutes there were only two left conscious, who quickly dropped their weapons and ran out as fast as humanly possible.
As he began running up towards the main office, he could here sirens gather outside. Batman smiled a bit inside, the Joker was trapped with nowhere to run. It was over for the mad jester.
The Joker's laughter became louder as he got closer his target. "Oh Harley, this is gonna be a good one!"
"Sure is Mistah J!"
When he reached the fifth floor of the factory, he came across a door labeled, "Administrator's Office."
Backing up for a running start, Batman violently burst through the door. Harley squealed in surprise and yelled, "Sweetie, he's here!"
The large chair behind the factory overseer's desk swiveled around, and sitting in it was the Joker, smiling evilly.
"Batman! Too soon, too soon hehe! So many things aren't ready!"
Batman walked straight over to the clown prince of crime and picked him up by his purple suit. "Where are the hostages!"
The Joker laughed, "Yeesh Bats, calm down. The hostages are over there, safe and sound!"
He looked over to the corner and saw a group of eight people tied together. Batman almost sighed in relief when he saw Jimmy among them. Then a horrible realization hit him; the Joker had captured around forty people. Consumed with rage, Batman threw the Joker against the wall and snarled, "What did you do to the rest?"
"What did I, HAHAHAHAHAAA! What did I do with the rest! What do you think Bat guano!"
Batman charged towards Joker and slammed his fist into the psychopath's gut.
"HooHoo, you pack a big punch there, guy! HARLEY!"
The dark knight turned around just in time to catch the crazed woman swinging a surprisingly large sledgehammer towards him. Batman ducked under the huge hammer and swiped at Harley's legs, tripping her.
When he turned back towards the Joker, he saw that the clown had taken off, leaving his "girlfriend" behind. Batman left Harley lying on the ground and tore after him, not stopping for anything.
The Joker laughed maniacally during the whole chase, sliding down railings and sprinting up stairs. "Catch me if you can Batman!"
Batman stood at the top of the spiral stairwell Joker was running down and just waited for the right moment. When the mad clown was directly beneath him, he jumped down, fist raised high in the air.
The Joker's laughter suddenly stopped and his eyes went wide once he saw the descending shadow. The full weight of Batman landed on top of him, along with the force of a devastating right cross.
"Hehe," the Joker giggled as Batman stood over him with his foot on his chest, "You got me!"
The caped crusader glared with intense hatred at the giggling clown, as he just seemed to laugh off the pain. He had won though; the Joker had been apprehended.
Swat teams stormed the factory right after Batman caught the Ace of Knaves. The dozens of armed forces were shocked to find that most of their work had already been done. The Joker's gang was taken down and the clown himself was pinned under the Batman's boot.
"Officers," Batman said, nodding towards the swat teams, "He's down."
Hundreds of policemen escorted the Joker out of the factory, all with their guns trained on him. No one wanted to take a chance with this guy.
"Jeez, have a little faith! I mean, what's a guy supposed to do with his hands tied behind his back?" the Joker laughed, causing some of the police to take a cautious step back.
The hostages were also being escorted out, along with dozens of unconscious and handcuffed criminals. Batman glared angrily as the eight hostages were taken over to ambulances. The Joker had already killed more then half the hostages, just because he thought it was "fun". At least that madman was going to a cozy cell in Arkham now, where hopefully he would spend the rest of his life.
Commissioner Jenna stood next to him holding a mug of coffee, her breath visible in the cold air.
"It's unfortunate that we couldn't get to him on time, but at least we saved some of them," she said, taking a sip of her drink.
"I could have saved them if I had just been faster."
Jenna shook her head, "You did your best, and we got him. I'd pin a medal on you if I weren't technically supposed to arrest you."
Batman looked at her curiously, "So you aren't going to send the dogs after me?"
"No, with the return of the Joker I've been allowed to give you some leeway. Next time though; the politicians are going to want your head on a platter."
Batman looked out towards the armored car that the Joker was being shoved into. The clown was barely fighting, it seemed as if he didn't even care that he was being arrested. He had a bad feeling about this.
"Make sure to watch him closely," Batman told Commissioner Carmen as he aimed his grappling hook upwards.
"Are you not going with them?"
"I have other things I have to deal with."
Jenna laughed, "Who knew the great Batman had a life outside the cowl? I think I'm going to get some rest too. Thanks for the help."
Batman just nodded and shot the grapple line and zipped up into the sky.
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Christian smiled as he relaxed on his balcony, overlooking the Wayne estate. He was feeling great about last night. Finally, he had been able to blow the top off the whole Identity/ Joker killings. Now that those two were no longer a problem, Gotham could feel a little safer.
Eve had just returned from Trenton, bringing Kara along with her. He saw their limo pull up in the circle in front of Wayne Manor. Eve stepped out calmly, opening the door for Kara, who jumped out excitedly. Christian smiled to himself; at least Kara could put her worries to rest.
As he walked back inside, he heard their footsteps growing louder. Christian opened the door for the two women, but was beaten to it by Kara, who jumped through and gave him a super powered bear hug.
"You did it! You got him!"
Christian laughed, "Yeah, he's locked away now. I assume you heard Jimmy's name among the hostages who were reported alive?"
"Yes, God I'm so happy," Kara said, sighing in relief.
"He should be coming back to you tomorrow after the police are finished with him," Christian told her.
Eve stepped in the room, bringing in a couple chocolates and some champagne she had gotten in Trenton. "A celebratory gift Mr. Wayne?"
"I'll take the chocolates, but I think it's probably best to hold off on the drinking."
Eve nodded and placed the chocolates on the nightstand. Christian noticed she also placed a couple letters from work next to it, the kind of thing he had stopped dealing with when he became Batman.
"Hey Eve, what are those letters?"
Eve looked back over her shoulder and answered, "Oh, they're just some contracts the board needs you to sign."
Christian then noticed a cursive N on it. Smiling, he nodded towards Eve, "Thank you Eve, that will be all."
Eve walked back downstairs, leaving Kara and Christian to discuss what was on both their minds. Would Christian end his days as Batman?
"I'm going to get this over with," Christian told her, pulling out a piece of chocolate from the box Eve had just left him, "I have no intention of listening to the league's demands."
"Christian, I can't hold them off any longer. Many people are still very uncomfortable with Batman, including our own president."
Christian wondered why the president was the least bit concerned about Batman, "Kara, I don't see how me being Batman affects the president."
"Batman has long been a symbol that has caused civil unrest. You've been back for less then a year, and now people are already putting on masks and trying to take the law into their own hands," Kara answered, "You're inspiring to much distrust, especially after that episode with the governor."
"So? How is what I'm doing any different from what the Justice League does?"
"Because you are someone people can actually relate to! The whole League has super powers, which make it less likely for people who are unequipped to face the underworld to think they can do what we do. We are also an extension of the government now, so unlike you we are legally sanctioned. The people that run this country have nothing to fear from us," Kara explained
There it was again, they were allowed to break laws just because they were sanctioned by an organization.
"But Christian," Kara said in a strangely excited voice, "I have some good news!"
Christian gave her an annoyed look, "Oh?"
"Well, the league has been talking and there's a good chance you might be able to join! That way you can continue fighting a…"
"Absolutely not."
Kara stared at him in disbelief, but he didn't expect her to understand. He wouldn't become the government's personal attack dog.
"But why?" Kara asked, still trying to comprehend why he was turning this offer down.
"I don't believe in what you all stand for. The League used to be about justice and peace, but now you all are just the personal weapons of the U.S.A." Christian answered bitterly
"How are we weapons?"
"Oh really? They throw their super soldiers at me because they feel threatened by the message I'm sending. You know what that message is? It's that you don't have to sit by and let scum take over your society, no matter how powerful they might be. Your message is to obey the demands of your superiors, no matter how wrong or unjust they may be."
Christian stood, glaring at Kara, fists clenched. He was tired of blind the league's blind loyalty to one country. The group was founded upon helping the world as a whole, not settling political disputes.
"Christian, I don't know if you've realized it, but the world hates us if we act as an individual organization," Kara told him angrily
Christian snorted, "We don't need people to like us, we just need to protect the innocent. That's the point of all this, or have you forgotten?"
"What do you want me to do? The world was about to wage war on us!"
"I want you to stand for what you believe! You told me yourself that you believed in what I was doing, that you didn't want to fight me! So don't do it!"
"It's not that simple! I can't just ignore the Justice League and the United States government," Kara yelled
"How is it not? If you go against what you think is truly right, you're not a hero, just an obedient hound!"
Kara bolted from her seat and slapped Christian, knocking him into the dresser. Christian stood up shakily from the now broken furniture and walked back over towards her.
He didn't even acknowledge the red mark on his cheek. Christian just glared at Kara, his decision unwavering. "I am not going to stand by and let criminals run Gotham. Just because the Joker has been arrested doesn't mean Gotham is safe. I know right now Metropolis is a beacon of light, but Gotham is still sick. Maybe a symbol is what people need to hope for a brighter future."
"Fine, stand alone in your crusade," Kara fumed as she stormed out the door.
Before she left, she turned back towards him and said, "You know, I thought bringing you in would help the team go back to the way it was when I was a teen. I thought that maybe you could help bring back the morals and sense of duty to the people that your father had. I guess I was wrong."
Christian turned away as Kara walked out, not daring to give her another glance.
Once she was off his property, Christian opened up the letter from Nick Fox. Inside was a small note that said, "In the cave and ready for use. Good luck Mr. Wayne."
Smiling, Christian called down to Eve, "How does it look?"
Eve peeked around the door and motioned for him to follow her. The two went down to the cave, Christian anxiously anticipating what may be his greatest asset yet. Nick Fury was the best engineer he new, so whatever he made it was probably nothing less then spectacular.
Once down in the cave, Eve pulled out a small button and clicked it, causing part of the cave's wall to rotate around, revealing Christian's newest defense protocol against Meta humans.
"Eve," Christian said in awe
"Yes Mr. Wayne."
"Make sure to send Mr. Fox my thanks."
Christian continued to stare at Fox's gift for a couple more minutes, inspecting it to make sure it had incorporated his requests. When he found it was well beyond his standards, he turned back to Eve.
"This has to stay a secret," Christian told Eve, "They cannot know I have this."
"Don't worry Mr. Wayne, I'm sure that you scared Ms. Kent off for the last time," Eve responded sarcastically, clicking the button again to re conceal the secret weapon.
Christian, deciding he didn't want to get into this with Eve, went back upstairs to get some sleep. It was about two in the morning, and fighting off dozens of thugs was tiring. Eve tailed behind him, determined not to drop the subject.
"Don't you think you were a little harsh Mr. Wayne?"
"I had to get the message across," he answered
"Even so, she is your friend. All she wants is what's best for you Mr. Wayne, as do I."
Christian then realized something; Eve didn't think he could survive a battle with the league. She had been worried this whole time that he would get killed in the battle if the president had commanded it.
"Eve, I'll be fine," he told her, "and hey, if I don't make it, you'll probably get my fortune."
"That isn't funny Mr. Wayne, you have know idea what you're..." Eve suddenly stopped and stared out the window as if she was trying to see something at a distance.
"What is it?" Christian asked her, turning towards the window. When he looked out, he saw a floodlight shining up in the sky into the smog that always covered Gotham. It seemed like a normal light, except for it had what looked like his bat symbol in the middle. It was the bat signal; someone down at the GCPD had turned it on to contact him.
A/N: Well Christian basically told off Kara, so yeah. Ouch. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, please leave a review!