So we now come to see the Suicide Squad go before the League of Shadows and ask for help in storming an all-out assault on the monetary that Taskmaster along with the final meteor shard are located including the way to create the Phantoms.
And to answer ggboyking's question on where Harley Quinn is, she was beaten by Spider-man and left for the Teen Titians to take into custody back in chapter 11. Seemed like such a long time ago so I don't blame you for forgetting, hell I nearly did. Thank god I wrote out my arcs in outlines so I can keep better track of this stuff.
And to the reviewer going by justafan: Thank you and if you want then by all means go for it
Disclaimer: I do not own any Marvel or DC characters seen, mentioned or used in this story
Chapter 21: Small miracles…
Nepal, May 24th 2016 4:45 AM
Peter Parker along with his band of questionable teammates both mentally and spiritually stood across a stone bridge that led up to an imposing looking fortress high up in the Himalayas. Peter tried to quell the sudden anxiety he felt at being so close to one of Ra's compounds likely filled with dozens upon dozens of highly trained ninja assassins and mercenaries.
The original spider themed assassin took a deep breath 'Okay Peter you can do this! All you have to do is walk up to the compound, hope to every god and goddess you're on good terms with that they don't attack, and somehow convince Ra's al Ghul of all people to help save the world. No sweat!'
Peter looked up at the fortress and felt his resolve crumble ever so slightly. He wasn't afraid of Ra's al Ghul in the sense that the man could and very likely kill him, but he was uneasy being in his presence both during his run with the League and even before.
He felt a hand on his shoulder causing him to look and see Deadshot looking at him with a frown "Your positive that this could work?"
Peter looked at the man before looking back towards the fortress for a moment than back to the marksman "Uh, fifty-fifty on this"
"Better than our chances at taking on Taskmaster on our own" Shark said in a growl as he scanned the building's windows and roof for any signs of movement
"Worst case scenario, I can threaten to start an avalanche and bury him and everyone on this rock several hundred feet under" Frost offered
"But I thought you said that something like that might be beyond you at the moment?" Black Spider said confused
"Hehehe… he doesn't know that" Frost chuckled coldly
"Fair enough"
Soon the odd group began it's approach twards the fortress all the while keeping an eye out for any of centruies old man's private army of assassins. Peter didn't feel his spider-sense go off so he knew they weren't in immediate danger.
When they came before the compounds main entrance which was a large wooden door Spider-man stopped and stared at the door for a moment before looking up towards the compound for several minutes, much to the team's confusion and worry sans Black Spider who was beginning to form the same conclusion that Spider-man seemed to have made. The arguably most dangerous human in history looked back at his team
"You might wanna stand back…"
"Why, you gonna knock?" Frost asked sarcastically
"Pretty much!" Spider-man said in a chipper tone before rearing back his fist and slamming it against the wooden frame of the door.
BRAKKKOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The wood shattered into thousands of pieces of small wood chips while a few stray chunks the size of a pillow went flying further into the hallway. The rest of the team had flinched at the sudden display of brute strength being exhibited by the older man. Deadshot examined Spider-man's work for several moments before rounding on the man annoyed
"You do know that we're trying to convince these guys to help us right?"
Spider-man shrugged "Yeah, I know"
"Then why the fuck did you just destroy their door!?" Deadshot nearly shouted as he waved a hand over the destroyed entrance
"Because Ra's al Ghul isn't here" Black Spider said
Everyone barring Spider-man looked to him in confusion
"What makes you say that?" Frost asked with a raised brow
Black Spider gestured around them "We wouldn't have been able to get this close to the compound without encountering members of his guard. And had he been here, they would've attacked the moment Spider-man had destroyed the door…"
"So Ra's isn't here? Great, back to square one!" Shark growled in annoyance
"I wouldn't say that Shark-y" Spider-man said as he stepped foot into the compound "Just because Ra's ain't here doesn't mean that his daughters aren't"
"Somehow that dosent make me feel better" Deadshot muttered as he and the rest of the team followed Spider-man into the compound.
It didn't take long before Spider-man came to a halt and raised his fist. He looked up towards the darkened ceiling for a moment before crossing his arms and began tapping his foot.
"You guys gonna come out yet or do I have to come up there and get you myself?" Spider-man said in a bored tone before five shapes fell several feet in front of the team.
They were garbed in all black clothing with their faces covered to the point that only their eyes were visible. They each carried a katana and what looked to be shuriken and kunai attached to a harness across their chests. They each drew their swords and took defensive poses before the apparent leader spoke in a neutral tone
"You are not allowed here traitors"
Spider-man quirked his head to the side in apparent amusement before snapping his fingers and pointing to the man who spoke "Wait a minute I remember you! Kean, how've you been? Finally made it to assassin I see!"
The man that was apparently named Kean raised his blade slightly before speaking again in a slightly angered tone "Leave now while we still allow it"
It was then that Spider-man looked back towards a tense Black Spider "Awww look at him! Hard to believe that little Kean here is all grown up and in his big boy assassin pants…" He then returned his attention to the man and spoke with a trace of dark humor in his tone "Still better off than his brother I suppose…"
It was then that Kean struck out with his sword that Spider-man easily caught with his left hand and snapped the blade in two before kicking the ninja back. He held up the end of the blade that he broke and examined it for a moment before throwing it up the air and catching it with his hand a few times before tossing it to the ground.
Kean in the meantime was slowly rising while drawing several kunai while the other members of the League of shadows tensed. It was then that a single person appeared garbed differently than their compatriots, dressed in grey cloth with brown leather armor on their chest, legs and arms and a quiver of arrows on their back. Peter eyed the person in interest and saw that it was a member of the League of Assassins, Ra's al Ghuls most elite men and women. They were like the SEAL team six of his army of assassins.
"Hold!" the person shouted in a young male's voice as he approached the two tensed sides without pause. The League of Assassin looked to the five shadows and said in a quiet but angered "You were ordered to not engage"
The five shadows kneeled and lowered their heads both in respect to their superior and shame at their actions.
One of the shadows spoke in a femine voice "Forgive us master…"
The Assassin member didn't respond as he turned his attention to the five out of place men and woman "Spider-man… you are very lucky that lord Ghul isn't present, else he would call for your head"
Peter shrugged at the fact that another powerful man wants him dead "Sorry, but it's kind of important. Now where is your all-knowing fearless and immortal leader? In Starling City trying to convince the robin hood reject to be his successor or is he trying Gotham again with the Batman? Wait don't tell me… he's finally realized the errors of his ways and is now out in the world trying to change it for the better through diplomacy and understanding instead of violence and strife."
Frost snorted in amusement "That's Wonder Woman web head"
Spider-man turned to her in surprise "Really? Well personally I think she has a much better chance than him but hey you never know-"
"Silence!" the League of Assassin member spoke up in a slightly raise and irritated tone "Lord Ghul has more important matters to attend to than entertain an out dated assassin whose time has long since passed!"
"Wow… that's just mean. Especially since I had a large role in your guys' creation and training" Spider-man said with mock sadness before saying in a more serious tone "Anyway, where's his daughters? I know one of them is supposed to be in charge of this place, someone like you a member of the League of Assassins and the four others currently above me wouldn't be here otherwise"
"Elsewhere" the man replied dryly as four other members of the League of Assassins descended from the darkness each with a poisoned tip arrow notched on their bows aimed at Spider-man and his team
"So wait, let me get this straight! Ra's isn't here, Talia isn't here, and Nyssa isn't here… who the hell's in charge then!?" Peter said exasperated that the people he needs to talk to but at the same time doesn't want to aren't even here
"…Lady Shiva is in command until mistress Nyssa returns" the League of Assassin said
"Shiva?" Peter said in surprise. The man nodded "Oh, well I need to speak with her then!"
"Why should I allow that?" the man challenged
"Because if you don't then Taskmaster, his mysterious boss man or lady and an army of super powered hard light constructs called Phantoms will slaughter everyone within a hundred-mile radius and take over the world" Spider-man said with a straight face, well his mask covered it but there was one "And last I checked this place is in that hundred mile radius"
The man was quiet for a moment as he mulled over the information he was given. The League was aware of Taskmaster's forces in the adjacent valley thanks to information by their scouts and the one spy they had in the village before it was overrun by the unknown monstrosities.
"Master! You cannot be truly considering allowing this heretic the right to-" Kean shouted out in surprise before a silent glance from the assassin silenced him
The Assassin then looked back at Spider-man "You allies will stay here under guard while I personally escort you to Lady Shiva"
"That good for you guys?" Spider-man turned to his teammates
Frost shrugged "Meh!"
Shark and Black Spider nodded while Deadshot crossed his arms and said "Just hurry it up"
Spider-man nodded before gesturing for the man to lead the way and further into the compound. As they trekked through the place Peter made out several Assassins and Shadows following them each armed and ready to pounce should he try anything. He had to suppress a chuckle at the thought of them beating him. His amusement was cut short when for a brief moment his vision blurred and his spider-sense tingled slightly.
Peter shook his head and continued to follow the man until they came to a large oriented door with images of mythical creatures on it, mostly from east Asia.
"Fancy room" Peter said as he observed the door
"These are the personnel chambers of Mistress Nyssa" the man said in a deadpanned tone
"Then why are we- Ohhhhhh!" Peter's eyes widened in understanding and had to suppress the slight feeling of hurt he felt at the realization that Nyssa has apparently moved on. It's not like he didn't expect it, but that one small part of him selfishly hoped that she would never take another lover after him because she still cared for him immensely.
Reality checks can really suck…
Peter watched the man raise his hand to knock before Peter grabbed it. His spider-sense blared as multiple men and women both Shadow and Assassin alike appeared with their weapons drawn and ready to strike. The man whose hand he grabbed remained still as he slowly turned towards Peter with narrowed eyes
Peter chuckled sheepishly "Sorry… but she is aware that I'm here right? When I ran with you guys back in the day, you had a pretty shitty habit of not telling people who were not Ra's Al Ghul this kind of thing until the very last possible minute."
"…She is aware of your presence. She was the one who sent me to retrieve you in the first place" the man stated
"Oh alright then" Peter said as he released the man's arm "Proceed"
The man made a sound of annoyance before knocking once
Several moments past before a woman's voice spoke though the door "Enter…"
The man stood back and gestured for the rest of the men and women still armed and surrounding them to disperse. Peter raised a brow and nodded towards the door
"You ain't coming?"
"She's given us orders to not disturb your two's conversation" the man said in a reluctant tone
Peter nodded before slowly pushing the door open and entering the well-furnished room. The door was closed by the Assassin while Peter ventured further into the well let space. Fur rugs, extravagant art detailing ancient Russian and east Asian stories on the walls, an entire wall filled with books on one side, a large circular bed made with the finest materials on earth with an attractive woman of Tibetan or Chinese origin sitting on it clad in a semi see through gown, a lit fire place providing heat to the room-
'Wait what?' Peter said as his eyes settled back on the other occupant of the room that he concluded was Lady Shiva.
Peter's never had the pleasure or misfortune of crossing paths with the hyper lethal woman. From what he's heard through the grape vine, she was considered one of the greatest fighters on earth, rumor has it that she was trained by the Immortal Iron Fist himself.
'Hmm should check to see if that's true or not' Peter thought as he scanned the woman in front of him
Lady Shive seemed to be around 5'8 and possessed shoulder length black hair, brown eyes and had a body that was well proportioned with both muscle and curves and from what he could make out through her nightgown, D-cup breast that seemed to have no sag at all.
In Peter's assessing of the woman Lady Shiva was taking her time admiring the former lover of Nyssa al Ghul with intrigue. He was a bit over 6'0 by her guess, muscular physique that looked similar to a gymnast or swimmer and had an air about him that screamed dangerous. From his movements she could read that he moves with a sort of grace that batman or Ra's al Ghul couldn't compete with.
'I can see why Nyssa chose this man' Shiva thought before she slowly rose from the bed and approached the now tensed man. She smiled as she came within inches of the man and looked up into his lenses. "It is an honor to meet you… Spider-man"
"Uh, same. Heard a lot about you" The spider themed man said
Shiva quirked her head to the side slightly as she observed the man that Ra's al Ghul himself once said was possibly the man truly worthy of inheriting his empire when he finally dies. Seeing him in person and hearing of his exploits over the years, she couldn't fault Ra's in his reasoning. Peter seemed to be one of those once in a lifetime kind of people that have and will accomplish great things before they finally pass.
"All good I hope" Shiva said as she began to walk around Peter, like a tiger stalking its prey
"Well you are good at what you do" Peter said as his eyes followed the hyper lethal assassin
Shiva chuckled "I don't believe good would be the appropriate term to describe me Spider-man"
Peter hummed in agreement as Shiva came to a stop in front of him again and folded her arms under her breasts "I know why you've come Spider-man"
"Oh well that'll make this whole conversation easier than" Peter replied with a shrug
"I wouldn't be so sure about that" Shiva stated smirked before making her way back towards the bed with a sway in her hips and sitting back down on the edge and crossing her legs.
"Why? There's a psychotic mercenary with an army of killer alien monsters next door. And from what I've seen they aren't what you would call good neighbors" Peter said
"You've come to kill Taskmaster and want me to use my men to stage an attack on his fortress so you can kill him because on your own, you and your 'team' would be butchered" Shiva said with a blank face
Peter's brow rose in surprise on how accurate she was before he chuckled sheepishly "…That obvious huh?"
"I may not be the most intelligent person on Earth, but I can recognize a cry for help when it's literally standing in front of me" Shiva shrugged, the action caused her gown to fall slightly and reveal her bare shoulder
"So you won't help us I presume" Peter's shoulders slumped. He knew that the chances of gaining the Leagues support was slim to none but that still didn't mean he had a sliver of hope that they would agree to aid him if for nothing else than to kill a man who would soon become a threat to whatever plans their cooking up this time
"I never said that I only said that it won't be as easy as you think… Peter" Shiva corrected
"I see Nyssa has mentioned me" Peter said since aside from Ra's and his bodyguard Ubu Nyssa was the only person who ever knew his name or addressed him as such. Talia tried to once in her typical I'm better than you fashion and Nyssa responded by beating the brat to within an inch of her life.
Was it wrong that Peter found Nyssa unbelievably hot when she's beating people half to death or outright killing them? Probably but Peter has long since stopped caring.
"Not as often as you think" Shiva said lightly as she turned to look at a map of the world today displayed on a holographic board.
'Huh, Ra's has Wi-Fi. Wonder what his search history is like' Peter thought absent mindedly before he remembered what Shiva had said in regards to Peter barely being mentioned "I take it she's still pissed about the whole… 'leaving' thing?"
"I believe she's more hurt than anything else" Shiva said before her face morphed into one of distaste "Her other lover Sara on the other hand…"
"Wait, 'Other lover'?" Peter questioned "Won't lie, but Nyssa's never struck me as the sharing type"
"I thought the same when we were together, then Sara came to the League a few years ago and Nyssa eventually brought her into her and mine's affair" Shiva said with a scowl
"Not a fan of sharing?" Peter joked
"I don't mind sharing my lover with another, but I would prefer the person to be someone that I like as well" Shiva said before she rose from the bed and approached a window that looked over the snowy caps of the Himalayas "There is something about her that I don't like for some unexplainable reason… and I don't trust her"
Peter was quiet for a moment before coming to stand beside the deadly woman "You think that Nyssa… loves this Sara woman more than you?"
Shiva was silent as she continued to stare out the window. Several minutes passed before she turned to Peter with a saddened look "It has crossed my mind more times than I care to admit and I cannot deny the evidence. For the past few months Nyssa has begun to distance herself from me and spend more time with Sara."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Really I am, it's never great seeing someone you love with someone else" Peter said as his mind flashed back to Felicia
Shiva sensed the change in Peter's mood and both stood quietly for several minutes as their minds wandered to happier and simpler times. It was then that Shiva finally spoke "Many of my men and women will be butchered by these creatures that Taskmaster has under his command"
Peter was silent before speaking in a quiet tone "I know…"
Shiva stared at Peter for a moment before saying "Take off your mask… I want to see your eyes"
Peter was surprised by the request and the sudden change of subject that he really didn't mind leaving "Why?"
"I can usually judge a person's character better when I can see into their eyes" Shiva said as she turned to the man
Peter looked back at her for a moment before he slowly pulled his mask off and made direct eye contact with Shiva.
Peter's Red tinted Brown eyes met Shiva's own brown orbs and the two held each other's gaze for what seemed like hours before she nodded.
"I will prepare my men" Shiva said
Peter nodded in relief before a look of worry flashed across his face "You know Ra's won't be too happy about this right? And if your relationship with Nyssa has become as strained as you said, I don't think she'll be able to protect you from him"
Shiva gave Peter a chuckle "Peter, what makes you think that I have any intention of staying here for any sort of punishment?"
Peter's eyes narrowed in confusion "I thought that you-"
"I had my reasons for joining Ra's. I never truly believed in his ideals but so long as my interests and his were aligned then I obeyed him… mostly" Shiva shrugged
"That and your love for Nyssa?" Peter asked as he placed his mask back on
"…Yes."
Shiva turned and made her way to a chest that was below the display board of the world and opened it. Peter watched her rummage through it for a moment before pulling out something wrapped in a long cloth and approaching him with it
"I believe this is yours"
"What is it?" Peter questioned
Shiva smiled "An old friend of yours that Nyssa has kept. I figured that it would be better suited with you than lying at the bottom of a trunk, forgotten"
Peter looked at the item for a moment before taking it and unwrapping the fabric to reveal a familiar handle that he hasn't seen in years. Peter looked to Shiva who was watching him before returning his gaze to his old sword that he's had since he first graduated the Hand's super assassin program. It seemed like a life time ago and looking back on all of the things he's done since then, it looked more like several.
Peter smiled fondly at all of the memories both good and bad as he slowly gripped the handle to his Carbonadium sword and slowly removed it from its scabbard. The white blade reflected the light from the fireplace in the distance and casted a subtle glow on Peter's masked face. He gave the blade a few experimental swings before turning to Shiva
"I thought I lost this the day I left the League. Hell, I'm surprised she even kept this. You sure she won't miss it?" Peter said as he placed the blade back in its scabbard and attached it to his back along with his assault rifle and back pack
"Nyssa hasn't been here in almost a year. I'm sure she won't notice" Shiva said a little bitterly
Peter nodded "Well let's get to it then"
Shiva nodded before she turned towards a nearby closet approached it while removing her robe giving Peter a full view of her toned backside, shapely hips and rear and powerful looking legs and thighs. Shiva could feel Peter's gaze racking her form and smirked as she removed a green version of the standard League of Assassins uniform.
Peter turned around to give the woman her privacy until her voice spoke up right in his ear which nearly caused him to flinch
"I don't mind if you watch Peter…" Shiva whispered seductively before pulling back and resumed her dressing. She had to fight back a smirk at the sight of the man seemingly nervous around her when by all accounts it should be the other way around. Shiva thought that the man had a thing for strong dominating women as she tied her hair into a braided ponytail and reached for her pair of Kusarigama's and a Ninjato.
"Y-you uh ready?" Peter asked still having not turned around
Shiva chuckled before saying yes causing the man to peak over his shoulder and be greeted with the sight of Lady Shiva dressed in an all green ninja outfit protected by leather gauntlets, a leather chest plat that seemed to be struggling to contain her breasts, her face covered, a ninjato attached to her back, a pair of Kusarigama on her waist, and her braided ponytail.
Peter stared at her appearance for a moment before saying "Shiva… if I ever meet Nyssa again, I'm going to give her a stern talking to for being such an idiot. How could she choose someone else over you!"
Under her mask Shiva blushed before a small thought entered her mind 'If Nyssa would prefer Sara, I'm sure she won't mind me pursuing Peter'
…
Deadshot and the rest of the team had been waiting for Spider-man for almost an hour before he appeared again followed by a woman garbed in a green variant of the garbs the League of Assassins seem to be wearing. He raised an eyebrow at the woman before turning to Spider-man who he saw now had a sword strapped to his back
"So?"
Spider-man nodded "Yeah, she'll help us"
The woman in green then spoke up "Me and my men will meet you at the cliff overlooking the village"
Deadshot nodded at the plan "Sounds good to me"
"The hell took you so long anyway web head?" Frost asked with amusement
Spider-man smirked underneath his mask "Oh you know… lots of pleading on my knees and begging"
Frost laughed at the image of Spider-man doing just that while Shark grunted in amusement.
And done.
So Peter finally gets his sword back that was first show in chapter sixteen briefly. He's also met the next woman who will be joining the harem Lady Shiva, decked out in her new 52 appearance… bet a lot of you thought it'd be Nyssa al Ghul. Sorry but she'll come later.
Next chapter The Suicide Squad and Lady Shiva infiltrate the monetary controlled by Taskmaster while the League of Assassins and Shadows distract his Phantom forces. We also get to see what Jocasta has been up to since we've last seen her…