Chapter 14: Crashing Down

Authors Note: Hello everyone I am glad that you all enjoyed the twist and turns of both the story and its characters. I am glad they are also starting to see the slipping of Shadow's morals and principles. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Authors Note: I do not own the Justice League.

"The lab was used for his Meta projects." Cyrus explained at the cargo in the end of the raven. The team had gathered around checking their equipment before they descended. "It was built back in the fifties for special weapons test but they ditched around the seventies and left it there. Baron took it over about twenty years ago but areas of the base soon became flooded or leveled due to global warming. He was actually ready to ditch this place."

"What are we hoping to find here?" Ronin asked.

"Adrian's son and the rift machine." Cyrus explained. "It's a combination between science and magic. That necklace Adrian used to open that archway to summon Trigon and unknowingly made him a sacrifice that is the key to opening it."

"Yes, but to do what?" Shadow asked.

"To bringing Nekron into this world."

Everyone looked startled at what he had just said. They were now had more than enough motivation to infiltrate this facility. Everyone had started to really listen to Cyrus's words.

"The rift will open and the necklace will act as his link. If he does manage to cross over to the other side you must destroy that necklace." Cyrus explained.

"Why don't we just destroy the necklace now since it's so important?" Saika asked, loading her .45's "It's not like he could get another one."

"Because Cornelius is the most powerful sorcerer in the universe and he keeps the necklace on him at all times." Cyrus chuckled. "Unless those guns of yours possess some sort of dark energy, you won't last two minutes against him." Saika glared at him but she didn't press on.

"Okay, here is the plan." Shadow said pulling up the holographic layout of the base. "I'll send our recon team in and set charges up at the gas pipe lines and the rift machine. Cyrus and I will go and get the little bastard."

"His name is Isaac." Cyrus corrected.

"I got my own thing for remembering." Shadow smirked. He then pointed at the far side of the base. "There is an emergency hatch on the other side of the frozen plain that leads straight into the underground lair. Let's get in and get out, got it?"

"Got it." Everyone replied.

"The rest of you stay here and keep watch, if anything goes wrong give us a ring." Shadow explained before heading out into the snowy landscape.

Shadow took Cyrus and his recon team consisting of Saika, Ronin, Specter and Whisper made their way inside. They had found the entry hatch on the outskirts of the facility and managed to pry of the lid. They climbed the ladder down into the underground portion of the testing facility. Cyrus held out his synthetic arm and a small holographic map appeared in his palm.

"Okay, this is where we split up." He pointed down one end of the dark and dank hall. "You guys will go that way and Shadow and I will go this way. The pipe lines are a few clicks away from the main testing chamber where the rift machine is."

"Is Baron here?" Specter asked.

"It is likely." Cyrus assured. "But I doubt it he wouldn't risk summoning Nekron so soon. It's not like he has a real bargaining chip other than taking over the world."

"Hopefully we won't have to worry about it." Shadow said. "Set the charges and get topside. No half ass, just do it." Everyone grimaced at the way he spoke. It was like he didnt trust them enough to get the job done.

Saika shook her head in annoyance. She would have cussed him out but she didn't want to risk pissing him off in his current state. He was nothing like he was five years ago. She turned ti run down the hall when she saw Specter holding out a small obsidian wrist band.

"Take this." He said handing it over to her. "And put it on your left wrist."

"What is it?" She asked before slipping it on her left wrist. She let out a yelp when the device instantly squeeze her wrist and fit perfectly to her arm.

"We call it spit fire." He said, grabbing Ronin's arm and holding it up, showing a wrist band similar to Saika's. "Thanatos and I based it off of some of Phane's blueprints and his chain arm. They are capable of firing blue plasma bolts with the same intensity of Phane's attacks. They are easy to conceal and they are solar powered."

"Green peace for the win." Saika chuckled.

"I like it, great work." Whisper grunted. She pushed past them without another word. Specter lowered the density of his visor and looked at Saika.

"The hell is her problem?" He said with a raised eyebrow.

"We're just all under pressure." She explained as they moved along the narrow halls of the facility. "It's been like this since that fucking incident in Hong Kong."

"Tell me about it, but that is also what is bothering me." Specter pondered. "For years this guy and his son have been experimenting on kids and giving them power and for what, just to kill them in the end?"

"He's trying to unlock human potential." Saika said. "At least that's what it always said in those reports. We all think he is trying to create an army against the Light incase Nekron and those Kryptonians fail him."

"He might also be preparing them for us and the Justice League." Ronin said as they stepped into one of the labs. Specter quickly walked over to a computer monitor. He pulled out a small encryption device and stuck it in the small usb port.

"What are you doing Alden?" Saika asked.

"I am pulling any data I can find on this place." He said typing away. "I may also be able to find an exact location on that rift machine."

"Great…"

Specter scanned through the computer which was mostly filled with false billing reports, blue prints and other philosophical bullshit that would humor the elegant mind of Baron. He was about to shut everything off and leave until he came upon the test subjects.

He squinted down at the screen and his mouth fell open when he saw the familiar names cross the screen.

Blaze Zephyr

Evelyn Thompson

Estella Voltare

Ethan Louis

"Oh damn it all to hell."

Specter jumped when he saw Saika sitting right behind him.

"Yeah and get this." The whole group started to gather. Whisper had a receiver on and was recording everything for everyone on the Raven. "This facility was shut down eleven years ago by the Titans. Blaze and a few others were recused and taken to star labs."

"Wait, but Estella, Evelyn and Ethan were still under experimentations." Whisper said.

"It says here this was the first lab used for their experiments for implanting the Meta gene into the DNA of young people." He scrolled the screen down. "It was easier than adults since kids take time to adapt and develop."

"You mean like puberty?" Saika chuckled as she pushed her breast up teasingly. Specter swallowed the lump in his throat and turned back. Thank god he was wearing a helmet so no one could see him blushing.

"Despite you slutty behavior,"

"Hey!"

"You are right, a lot of these records of the kids are around ten and eleven when they are implanted with the Meta gene. It takes a few years to blend into the human body and when puberty takes its toll…there are two outcomes." He started act distraught. "One, the process turns out great and their body adapts to the powers which gives them time for re-education."

"And the second choice is they die right?" Saika grunted.

"Yup."

"Shadow, are you hearing this?" Whisper asked.

"I haven't stopped listening. Baron is making his own private army out of Meta genes and abducted children." Everyone was starting to become unsettled when he started chuckling on the other end. "I always wondered how he and his son were going to rule the world after Trigon burned it to nothing." Everyone was really starting to lose their nerve now. Back on the Raven Vendetta was looking at Phoenix, Stormbolt and Monarch. Monarch looked at Vendetta with her unique eyes. Vendetta had to know what happened to her and her friends.

"Specter…is there anything on our parents, any family?" She asked through Monarch's telepathy.

"Just…they thought it would be easy that the parents disappeared. No missing persons reports, no witnesses it would just be easy is some of them died in explosions and fires."

"Please, stop." Estella pleaded. Specter couldn't see it but he knew she was crying.

"Stella I'm sorry." He sighed. Shadow spoke up.

"Every fiber of my being told me to nuke this place, but Batman said no and like a good little bitch I obeyed." He snarled. "I wanted to investigate this lead but they said it was all Luthor's dirty work because of Cole."

"That sick bastard who turned me into Phoenix." Phoenix snarled, his eyes glowing red.

"Specter, we're close to the kid." Shadow interrupted. "Find that damn machine and nuke this fucking place!" Specter let out a low growl and shut off the computer.

"Fine let's go."

(!)

Shadow and Cyrus had been walking through the dark and eerie halls of the abandoned facility. Shadow remembered when he broke in here with Ms. Martian, Superboy, Robin and Nightwing. He was just a boy wonder back then now he was the true dark knight.

"So we've been walking for about an hour and there is no one here to stop us?" Cyrus asked rhetorically. "Any thoughts?"

"We're being followed." Shadow said. "He's been on our ass since we got here, probably has someone on Ronin and his crew too."

"So what's he waiting for, a written invitation?"

"He's waiting for us to find the kid and that is just what I want." He smiled. "Let him come to us."

Cyrus was about to retort when he heard crying. Cyrus panicked and rushed down the hallway. Shadow wanted to stop him when he felt his head pulse with Monarch's telepathy.

"What is it?" He snapped.

"Shadow," Gauntlet shot back. "Phoenix, Frost, Theodosia and Vendetta they broke out and into the facility. They saw Baron go in we tried to stop them."

"Dammit!"

"Jayden, I found him."

Shadow rushed down the hallway and into a small room with the now broken door. He couldn't believe it. Cyrus was sitting on a nasty cot with a little boy on his knee. The boy looked up at Shadow and smiled at him. He was definitely Adrian's son.

"Hello, you're Mr. Shadow right?" He asked admiringly.

"Yeah, and you're Isaac Baron." Shadow said. "How do you know me?"

"You and my uncle Cyrus are friends, he told me stories." He ran his small hands up Cyrus's synthetic arm and looked up at him with a pair of adorable puppy dog eyes. "What happened?"

"I took his arm."

Shadow smiled at the familiar voice of a certain assassin. He turned and saw him cladded in black cybernetic armor covered in a black leather coat the armor had a small glowing crest in the center of his chest.

A red crosshair with a line cut across it.

"Red Saber." Shadow mused.

"Shadow." He chuckled.

"You look different."

"Yeah, after that shit with Adrian Marcas's old man spent the last few years torturing me and Adrian. I don't know how or why, but Cornelius found me and gave me an offer. I am working for Baron once again and I got only one payment."

"My life?"

"And Bingo was his name-o."

Saber pulled out his red blade and struck down at Shadow. Shadow drew his sword and blocked his strike and kicked him out of the room. Shadow quickly turned to Cyrus and Isaac.

"Get him out of here!" Shadow shouted.

Cyrus grabbed Isaac and activated his Adonis power. His fist glowed amber and he pointed at an opposite wall, blowing a big enough hole for him to escape through. That just left Shadow and Saber time to catch up.

"Shadow, you are aware that you are fighting a losing battle right?" Saber grinned, his fangs twinkling in the corners of his mouth.

"I seem to remember you saying that about five years ago." Shadow snickered. "And I also seem to remember kicking your ass into the fucking ground."

"Yes, but while you were off potty training your son and driving your daughter to gymnastics I was honing my skills and improving my power." Shadow didn't like how he brought his kids up. In fact he didn't like how he has been watching his kids. The only way he would feel safe is when this monster's head was separated from his shoulders.

Shadow brought his blade down and Saber swatted it away with his sword and reached his hand towards Shadow's face. His armored hand was fitted with golden, razor claws. It was narrow but Shadow managed to duck out of the way and suffered a few scratches on his right cheek.

Saber had torn clean through his mask. He licked Shadow's blood clean off of his golden nails and let out a shudder when he swallowed.

"I don't know if it's the Adonis, but your blood taste so sweet!" He shouted.

In a flash he was behind Shadow and started swinging his sword wildly. Shadow blocked with his blade until Saber swung his leg across and kicked his blade out of his hands. Shadow started blocking with his gauntlets until he was backed into a corner. Saber brought his blade down, Shadow blocked with both of his gauntlets.

"Why don't you ever use your powers?" Saber asked as he struggled for control. "Are you scared or is it because you are just so fucking weak you cannot control it!"

"No, it's because I don't rely on Adonis to win my battles and also you aren't worthy to die by my power!" Shadow pulled his arms apart and shattered Saber's sword. His arms were now at his sides and his hidden spikes ripped through the bottom of his palms before he stabbed the both of them into Saber's neck.

Blood squirted out of his neck before pulling back and used his powers to disappear. Shadow cracked his neck before warning the others.

(!)

Ronin and Saika both set up charges around the facility while Specter and Whisper hooked up the remaining charges to the rift machine. When everything was set, they all waited for Phoenix to show up so they could get the hell out of there.

"Welcome."

Everyone drew their guns and blades when they heard the familiar voice of Cornelius Baron. He was wearing a black coat and leather gloves as he stepped through a portal. He looked at the small group of warriors and smiled.

"I really did not think Cyrus would actually be so desperate to turn to Shadow." He shrugged his shoulders. "I guess it should have been expected, he and Adrian were best of friends."

"Monarch, we need you to send everyone down here. Cornelius Baron is here!" Specter said through telepathy.

"We're coming."

"What the hell is this asshole?" Saika shouted. She had her guns pointed at his head ready to empty her guns into his face.

"Your death," He mused as he wondered around the rift machine. "You see, like Cyrus, I did not think Shadow would turn to the Light for help, which means that they know I am going to kill them next. So how am I to take out you, the Justice League and the Light?"

"By killing us all here?"

"Exactly!"

Just then the explosives were all taken from their spots and suspended in mid-air. Ronin looked over at Baron as a sadistic grin spread across his face. A portal ripped open above them and Baron sent them through before closing the portal.

"You're too late to stop what is coming." Baron announced. "Now it is time for the world to be cleansed in fire and reborn from the ashes."

The rift machine had started cackling and glowing blue. Baron extended his arms and the machine started channeling his energy, powering it for Nekron's return. Whisper and Saika emptied their guns while Ronin threw his throwing knives at him. Specter threw few grenades his way as well.

Not a single one, including the grenades never made its mark.

"I hope you didn't forget that I made a few extra precautions!" Baron chuckled.

Three figure cladded in black armor hovered before the group of assassins.

"Allow me to introduce General Zod," He said pointing at the middle man with a vengeful look in his eye. "Faora," He nodded at the slender woman with the cold facial expression. "And Non." The third guy was taller and bigger than the two of his comrades. He was defiantly the muscle.

"And why are you clowns working for him?" Ronin snapped.

"We need a home. Baron promised us one on new Earth." He said as the three of them descended onto the ground. "We just need to eliminate some vermin."

"Well you are shit out of luck." Saika said.

The four of them lifted up their new weapons on their wrist and a small panel opened simultaneously and fired four blue beams of concentrated fire at them. The Kryptonians all flew back as another orange beam of fire struck Baron. Vendetta flew in and restrained them with her dark energy and Theodosia and Frost kept their eye on Baron.

"It's over, you lost Baron." Ronin said, twirling his scalers around in his hands. "Specter, destroy that fucking rift."

Specter nodded and pointed his spitfire at the rift machine and blew the damn machine to hell. The scrap wouldn't even fetch five pennies. Specter opened a small patch on his helmet and took a deep breath.

When he exhaled he saw his breath in blow out in front of him. He didn't think much of it since he was in Alaska, but when he felt his throat close up he knew it was something worse. Soon all the warriors fell to their knees. It was as if something was gripping their very souls. Baron stood before them and fixed his tie.

"I'm sorry my dear lost ones but it's over."

Suddenly the floor opened up in the center of the room. The warriors started to panic when hordes of young men and women cladded in black military jumpsuits all stormed the halls. They all had the same blank expressions on their face as they all arranged themselves perfectly around the warriors.

Specter recognized them from the computer, they were the lost ones.

When the floor finally opened everyone froze when a platform arose from beneath it and revealed the embodiment of death himself, Nekron.