This chapter features a little time jump from the prison break, hope it isn't too jarring. Enjoy!
One Month Later
June 14th – 9:15 p.m.
Fortress of Solitude
19 days until Darkseid's invasion
A lot had changed in the month since the prison break, mostly for the better. After Thomas's impromptu declaration of the heroes' innocence public support began to turn back in their favor. Godfrey had been suspended by GNN and was being investigated by a FBI/CIA task force. But the biggest thing working in favor of the heroes now was that Checkmate was doing an utterly terrible job of supporting the police forces of the various cities across America. Striking while the iron was hot, Thomas sent out the various heroes who had joined up or been freed from captivity. They set out in teams to once again begin patrolling the streets of their respective cities. Artemis and Dinah traded off Star City patrol duties with Red Arrow and Cheshire. Wally was back to running the streets of Central City while also tending to his uncle, who was healing nicely now that his speed had fully returned. With two speedsters up and about, Thomas was never more glad that Oliver and Bruce had set them up with practically unlimited funds before Checkmate had closed in around them, otherwise Thomas wasn't sure how he'd have managed to feed, cloth, and equip all the heroes stationed at The Fortress. Blue Beetle and Wonder Girl handled Coast City with Beast Boy, who was quickly becoming a public favorite. Nightwing had rounded back into shape and just completed his first patrol of Gotham only a few days ago, though was still plenty of issues to deal with, the least of which was not Damian Wayne.
The Outlaws faced a much different situation. While the other heroes were either healing or out patrolling, their particular unit was not faring so well. Jason had hardly been sober since Tim's death, spending most of his time in his room drinking or drunkenly mourning at the makeshift memorial for the fallen heroes inside the Fortress's hangar. Everyone tried to keep the 18 year old from the booze, but he somehow always found it or procured a new one in some unfathomable way. Maya's pregnancy was now 3 months or so along as was really beginning to show. She had changed her mind about going into the field. Thomas really couldn't argue with that decision, but Cameron was fully committed to working with The Outlaws. The other problem was that of Arsenal. Ever since Red Arrow had begun spending his days at the Fortress, things had been tense between the two. Arsenal was more prone to anger, enough to make Thomas bench him until he could cool off. Now that he was alone in the command center, Thomas leaned against the computer console and put his head down, wondering what in the heck he was going to do. He was alone in his thoughts until a far too peppy voice dragged him back to reality.
"Why so glum Thomas?" The independently mobile Barbara Gordon sprang into the room with a wide smile on her face, cane in hand. She'd spent 8 months in that wheelchair and had only been walking around with a cane for a few days after two weeks on crutches.
Seeing his friend's mood did little to lighten Thomas. "Well, my team is falling apart B, and I have no clue what to do."
Barbara's smile faltered, and then brightened again when she thought of a plan. "Well, I dare say you've been running yourself into the ground lately. Take a break, get out and enjoy the fresh air. You definitely deserve after everything you've done lately."
"And just where am I supposed to go?" Before Gordon could answer a new face popped into the command center.
"How about Themyscira?" Superman's voice caught the two off guard.
"Supes! You're awake!" Superman smiled and Thomas's exclamation.
"That certainly seems to be the case. How long was I out for?"
"31 days, give or take. Back to 100 percent?
Superman scoffed. "Not even close."
"Come again?"
"My powers are back, but I still have next to nothing on reserves. I spent 35 years soaking up the sun's rays, gave me quite the reserve of power. Now, I have to start from scratch. I figure I could fly around the world maybe twice before it gives out completely."
"Any way to speed things up a bit?"
"Yeah, this solar suit." Superman gestured to his black suit. It was nearly all black except for the silver symbol of the House of El on the chest. "This should help me absorb solar radiation quicker. You seem awfully interested in my power level. Something I should know about?"
Barbara jumped back in the conversation. "Not right now. You said something about visiting Themyscira. Might I ask why?"
Superman shrugged. "Thought I should check in with Wonder Woman. Dinah told me she made it back to the island in one piece, but hasn't been seen since. I would go find Bruce, but apparently he's back in Gotham scrounging up his toys. Besides, while we're flying Hawkeye can catch me up and what's been going on."
"That sounds like a good idea, plus there just might be a little surprise waiting for you." Barbara's voice had a suggestive tone to it, one that Thomas found very annoying.
"Fine, Supes. We'll hit up Themyscira. We'll be leaving in the morning. In the meantime there is something I need to fill you in on."
Gotham City – 9:15
While Thomas was preparing to head to Themyscira, Batman and Nightwing were busy beating the crap out of some bank robbers. Nightwing felt the familiar and satisfying crunch as he brought his fist down on a man's face.
"It's been way too long."
Beside him Batman gave a grunt of agreement. He went about tying the perpetrators up for the police before the duo took off into the night.
Stopping on a rooftop Nigthwing brought a situation he knew Batman was doing his best to ignore. "I know you just got back on your feet and all, but you really need to talk to the kid. And before you start, Alfred already ran the DNA, he's yours. Well, yours and Tali's."
Batman didn't answer, instead shooting off his grappling line to a nearby building with Nightwing playing catch up. As the two were grappling between buildings a familiar light shone above them. Seeing the bat symbol lighting up the night sky seemed to put the two at ease, as though another piece of the world was being put back in its proper place. The duo changed course and made their way to the top of the GCPD. There they found their old friend Commissioner James Gordon waiting for them.
Batman landed first, staying in the shadow as he spoke. "Evening Jim."
Hearing his old friend's voice made Jim jump in fright. "Damn! Never thought I'd hear your voice again. When they said a guy dressing up like Batman was beating criminal's faces in, I thought I'd turn on the old light. Just in case." Jim knocked on the metal bat symbol welded on to the skylight.
Nightwing jumped out of the shadows. "Can't believe they didn't tear this out."
"Believe me, they tried. But you two built up a lot of good people here at the station and we weren't about to let them take it away."
If Batman were capable of tearing up, he just might have at Jim's statement. "Thank you, old friend." Bruce was suddenly very aware of the changes Jim had gone through in the past year. He was even thinner, though that could have been due to the advancing age. But his face had taken on a more haunted look. Batman realized what he must have been going through. "Batgirl sends her regards."
Jim turned to where he assume Batman was standing. He just stared wistfully before replying. "She's alive?"
Nightwing ran over and put a hand on Jim's shoulder. "Yeah, she's just fine. When we got cut off from Gotham during the purge, we had to go into hiding."
Gordon's eyes filled with tears at the news. He wiped eyes before turning to Nightwing. "If anyone else had told me that Grayson, I would have decked them for taking my daughter away from me."
The use of his last name shocked Dick, though Bruce was unaffected as he rightfully thought Jim had figured out the game years ago. "You knew?"
"I've known ever since I caught a glimpse of her in that damn costume. She was so determined to fight the good fight, but I couldn't see it. When word came down that Batman was arrested, I realized how stupid I had been and just how wrong this whole situation had become." Gordon let out a long breath, trying to keep himself from losing it completely. He eventually recovered stood up straight. "But she's alive, you're both alive. And now you're back. And I've got a job for you."
Nightwing beamed at the offer. "We've got a string of burglarizes on the East side, pretty high end stuff. Perp's a pro, my money's on Catwoman. Feel up to taking her down?"
Nightwing took the file from Gordon's hand only to have to Gordon pull him back. "Sorry, I never even said thanks for saving her."
Nightwing gave the man a confident smile. "That's the thing, commish, you'll never have to."
After leaving the roof, it didn't take much time to locate the burglar. The duo beat the police to the most recent crime scene in the natural history museum, predictably in the wing housing the priceless diamonds. Nightwing was not impressed. "Gordon said this was professional. It's like they want to get caught."
A sultry female voice called down from above. "That's because I do, birdboy." The owner of the voice vaulted down from the rafters, landing directly in front of the dynamic duo.
Bruce hardly reacted, except for speaking. "Selina."
Catwoman responded simply by strutting right up Batman and planting a deep and passionate kiss right on his lips. Nightwing thought for sure Batman would arrest her, but he was in for a shock when Batman returned the kiss.
After he picked his jaw up off the floor Nightwing tried to figure out what was going on. "Uh, Batman?"
The only response was the sounds of two people having one hell of a make out session. "So are you are at least going to make her give the stuff back." When there was still no response Nightwing realized he was the third wheel in this situation. "Right, I'll just be on my way then."
Dick shot his grappling up to the roof, only to be scared half to death by the voice of a child. "Has father always had a romantic relationship with Catwoman?"
Nightwing spun around. "Jesus Damian, do not sneak up on me like that!" Dick calmed down before speaking again. "Were you following us?"
"Tt, it was not difficult. Stowing away on the Batwing was the most difficult part. For a vigilante you talk too much, makes you easy to track."
Dick started laughing. "So I suppose that's my only flaw right?"
"Mostly."
"Wait, you aren't going to insult me? You've spent the last few weeks constantly berating everyone you meet at the Fortress, especially Jason, but not me?"
"Grayson, I do not wish to have this conversation with you."
Dick playfully shoved the younger child. "Too late, you brought it up."
Damian crossed his arms over his makeshift Robin costume. "There is no way you will let this go?"
Dick gave the kid a devilish grin. "Not a chance, lil' D."
Damian huffed in frustration. "Fine, of all father's protégé you are by far the most skilled. Todd is too reckless and violent, and I can now add that he is an apparent alcoholic at the ripe age of 18. Drake was a pathetic excuse of a fighter."
Damian's words caused Dick to tense up and cut the boy off. "D, you ever say that again I will hit a child. Tim was my brother, Jason's too. He just isn't exactly responding well to Tim's death. I know you didn't know Tim, but you had better respect his memory."
Before Damian could try to backtrack a loud feminine yell was heard from the museum, causing Dick to rush over and cover and Damian's ears. "We're leaving."
June 15 – 10:30 a.m.
Themyscira
After Thomas filled Superman in on the situation with Darkseid the previous night the ride to Themyscira was quiet. At least until Superman started asking questions.
"So, you've doing a great job trying to pick up the pieces, but you wouldn't happen to have a plan would you?"
"It's in the works. I was kind of hoping you, Bat's and Wonder Woman could figure something out. I put out the call to Big Barda, figured we could use her expertise in the planning stage at the very least. She said she'd be at the Fortress tonight. And the Guardians are feeding us live intel on Darkseid's movements. Over half his army is still neck deep in a war of Tamaran, so we've got about 18 days to get things squared away. And for the most part, we do. The only thing to do now is to devise a plan. Which is I guess half the reason we're here." Hawkeye brought the plan down on the beach of Themyscira as Superman asked on final question.
"And what's the other half?"
Thomas didn't answer; instead he let a blonde haired girl race into the Javelin after she dropped the ramp. "Kal!"
Superman was definitely caught off guard when the girl hugged him so hard that she lifted him up off the chair. Not many people could lift a Kryptonian, even if he only at 50% strength.
"Uh, hello?"
The girl set Kal-El down, realizing he probably had no clue who she was. "Uh, hi. My name's Kara. Kara Zor-El."
The girl's full name caught Superman off guard. "Did you just say Zor-El?"
Thomas laughed at the look on Superman's face. "Ha! She's your cousin, dude!"
Hawkeye's laughter brought Kara's attention to him, which meant she ran over to give him a quick hug to say hello. Thomas tensed up in preparation for the pain, but it never came.
Kara stepped back after setting him down. "Yeah, I've got my strength under control now. Diana's been training me really hard."
"I most certainly have." All eyes snapped to the rear of the ship where Diana stood in full Wonder Woman regalia. Her eyes locked on Superman and she blushed slightly after realizing she was staring. "It's good to see you again Kal."
Superman seemed lost in something in Diana's chest region and had to be nudged back to reality by Thomas. "Oh, yeah. Hi. I guess."
Wonder Woman was even further embarrassed at Kal-El's reaction to her, so she decided it would be best to leave. "Kara, we need to get back to training."
The three watched as Wonder Woman flew away. Thomas playfully punched Superman in the arm, instantly regretting it as he grabbed his hand in pain. While he recovered Superman answered his unspoken question. "We kind of kissed right before the whole Mumbai debacle."
Thomas nodded. "And now you're confused about how to handle it. It's been a year, after all."
Kara felt her presence wasn't needed and decided to leave as well. "Well, I've got get back to it." She sped over to give Kal another hug, doing the same with Thomas, but lingered to give him a peck on the cheek. "See you later."
Thomas stood in the ship, momentarily feeling elated at Kara's gesture. The feeling was temporary because he noticed how Superman's eye was twitching when he saw what happened.
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