Justice League Nuptials 96
Bruce's eyes fluttered open. He took a moment to assess his situation. He wasn't bound but his wrist and ankles hurt, indicating that he had been.
He cautiously lifted his head. A wave of vertigo hit him. Also, his vision was still blurry.
He blinked his eyes and they began to focus. He forced the vertigo away. Feeling better, he rose to a seated position.
Barbara was lying next to him. She was still unconscious. Concerned, he gently nudged her.
"Barbara," he softly spoke her name, "wake up."
She moaned but she remained subdued. Bruce pushed against her even harder and spoke more urgently, "Barb, you need to wake up."
She came awake with a start and immediately tried to rise. The vertigo induced a wave of nausea and she ended up leaning over and vomiting. When she'd finished, she wiped her mouth, "Lovely."
Bruce retrieved one of the glasses of water that had been left for them. They'd apparently been deposited in a bedroom of some sorts. He also noted that their costumes were hanging in the closet albeit lacking their customary utility belts.
"Ra's has been busy." Bruce murmured as he handed Barbara the water.
"What?" she asked while massaging her temple with on hand and downing the water with the other.
"We're being held by Ra's al Ghul." Bruce informed her, "He brought our costumes to us but they're lacking our equipment."
"How thoughtful of him." Barbara remarked ruefully.
"Ra's is nothing if not cordial." Bruce opined.
"So, I finally get to meet the great man." Barbara quipped, "I can't say I approve of his invitation."
"Neither can I." Bruce said then hesitated, "Barbara, I'm sorry. We should've been with your father by now. It's my fault that we're late."
Barbara kissed him on the cheek, "I don't blame you. I blame Ra's al Ghul."
Bruce felt better but he was already slipping into "Batman mode." He retrieved the costumes and handed Barbara hers, "Let's get ready."
They changed and as soon as they'd finished, the door opened and Ubu stood there impassively staring at them, "Come Infidel, the Master awaits."
Batman and Batgirl exchanged a wary glance and then followed the hulking mass of muscle.
At St. Mark's Hospital in Gotham City, Commissioner Gordon looked restive in his bed, "Where's my daughter?"
"We don't know." J'onn admitted, "They were supposed to get in this morning but neither Bruce nor Barbara arrived. Nightwing is looking into it."
"I hope they're all right." Gordon sighed.
"I'm sure they are." J'onn reassured him, "Bruce Wayne is a resourceful man and your daughter, Barbara, recently passed her Police Cyber Crimes Division examination. She's a remarkable woman."
"Don't I know it." Gordon managed a wan smile, "Unlike her Old Man."
"Commissioner," J'onn grew somber, "You were faced with extraordinary circumstances. It's a wonder that you retained your sanity."
"But that's why you're here, isn't it?" Gordon surmised, "To see how much of my mind is intact?"
"To a point. The fact that you're not a rambling vegetable is evidence enough of your resiliency."
"J'onn," Gordon nearly whispered, "towards the end, I would have told them anything to stop the pain. Anything."
The Martian Manhunter realized that included the identities of the Bat clan. The Joker had no idea that Gordon knew them or they probably would have been wrested from him. The Joker's motivations had changed, or become more galvanized, now he was willing to do anything to share his world view. That included discovering Batman's identity.
J'onn psychic impression of the Joker during their brief encounter was one of a desperate man. The Joker felt his time was running out to create his magnum opus. He wanted the world to burn to the ground and to burn laughing at the insanity of it all.
"If I may," J'onn spoke, "I'd like to test something."
"Of course." Gordon said.
The Martian shape shifted into Batman. Gordon panicked and went for a shoulder holster that he wasn't wearing. When that failed, he began to jump out of the bed.
J'onn resumed his customary form. Gordon immediately calmed down. J'onn grimly observed, "I think we've discovered the heart of the Joker's conditioning."
"Oh my God." Gordon breathed, "What can be done?"
"Open your mind to me and let us see if we can't undo some the conditioning." J'onn offered, "Right now, you relate the image of Batman, and presumably his partners, with pain and trauma. Let's see if we can't restore your previous associations of respect and admiration with these people."
"Anything!" Gordon agreed, "I can't function as commissioner this way. Not in this town."
"Agreed. Now just sit back and relax." The Manhunter instructed, "Think of something warm and safe. Think of Barbara and your love for her."
"Yes." Gordon said dreamily as J'onn entered his mind. J'onn felt his way around and then plunged into the nightmares.
It was mid-afternoon in Bailya. Inside of the Dome, Lex Luthor flexed his new right hand. It was made of brushed titanium and closely resembled a natural appendage.
His right arm was in a cast and only his hand peeped out from his sling. Luthor pulled a glove onto the hand and flexed it once more. He wore a sad smile.
"I suppose I should be grateful my hand was crushed beyond repair. Now my grip is the equal to Mary Marvel's. Let's see her try that again." He declared.
"The synthetic flesh is still being developed." The Ultra-Humanite said, "Otherwise we could make it seem natural."
"You did a remarkable job, Humanite." Luthor commended him, "Now let's see who the children have recruited."
"I know Jack O'Lantern and his allies have recruited more of the defunct Global Guardians. Captain Boomerang and Plastique secured the cooperation of more of the former members of the Suicide Squad, including Bronze Tiger and the Enchantress. They then recruited Captain Cold and the members of the Flash's Rogues. Lashina and Mantis brought in Metallo, Silver Banshee, Livewire, and the Toyman." The Humanite described, "Atomic Skull and Rag Doll recruited Killer Frost, Firefly, Major Disaster, Big Sir, Major Force, and Multiplex. Meanwhile, Tala and Amazo brought in the liberated members of Dr. Silvana's Monster Society of Evil. They also located two of Plastic Man's arch nemeses. Devil Ray found the last."
"The last of which I'm highly dubious of." The Ultra-Humanite admitted, "The Weed is literally a walking, walking weed just as the Clam is a talking clam with a hat and an eye patch. Half Ape is half ape and half human. These are caricatures, not super villains."
"The Weed is a botanical genius second only to Poison Ivy." Luthor chuckled, "The Clam is a notorious pirate with an advanced sub and a reputation that nearly rivals Devil Ray's. Half Ape, well Half Ape is a scientific genius and he hates Plastic Man. That's enough for me."
"If you say so." The Humanite reluctantly agreed, "Now what?"
"Our membership rolls have doubled." Luthor smiled, "That means we can liberate our incarcerated members."
"Our new recruits may balk." The Humanite warned.
"They'll do it because they'll expect the same when the roles are reversed." Luthor explained, "That and they'll receive and equal share in the bounty that our forces brought in."
"Ah," the Humanite grinned, "greed. The universal motivator."
"Exactly." Luthor confirmed it, "Gather the troops into the auditorium. I'll address them there."
In the end, Luthor would research where the various Legionnaires were being sent and would dispatch tailored teams to liberate the captured villains. The new recruits practically volunteered in an effort to earn the millions that had been brought in. They also wanted to establish their bona fides with their new teammates so that the favor would be returned in the future. Luthor's predictions had all come true now he was just trying to prognosticate the success of their efforts.
Tala was travelling to Venezuela to meet with Ra's al Ghul. Coming with her were the Global Guardians. Luthor had decided that Batman and Batgirl would best serve as hostages. Ra's would undoubtedly object hence the presence of the Guardians.
Tala and Ra's had a burgeoning friendship blossoming. Luthor hoped that her persuasive talents would be enough to sway al Ghul. Still, he wasn't prepared to bet all upon her.
Tala was more than happy to visit with Ra's. Jack O'Lantern and his troops were disappointed to be missing out on the jail breaks but Jack realized the strategic significance of their mission and he readily agreed to go. Not only were the Guardians there to apprehend Batman and Batgirl, they were there to prevent a rescue attempt by the League.
Luthor had no doubt that there would be attempt. Batman and Batgirl had been missing during a major crisis in their beloved Gotham City. The League might be running multiple missions but that wouldn't stop them from marshalling together to track down the Bats. In fact, they had a ready reserve in Gotham itself.
He'd already planned on waiting until they'd left to begin the Legion's rescue operations. Now, he'd have to stay one step ahead of the League in order to get the Bats out of Venezuela in time. It was the ultimate game of chess and Luthor relished it.