A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed and helped me to reach my goal of 100 reviews! This is the first time I have ever reached that amount and I feel honored that people liked this story enough to keep reviewing. Sadly there are only two or three chapters left before I wrap this story up. I want to also thank the reviewers who not only compliment my story but also offer constructive criticism on how I could make my writing better! I hope you enjoy this chapter because I am not going to lie, I have been anxiously waiting to get the next few chapters out, I wish I could skip right to the last chapter but sadly I can't. So enjoy!
Chapter 21
The set up
"There is no way that our people can consciously allow Earth to simply exist as it is. The chaos that rules your planet needs to be taken control of and we can not in good will allow it to continue." The Seridian high ruler said as he spoke to the JLA representatives that sat across the room from them.
"The chaos that you speak of is our way of life, it has worked for us for over 300 years. We have no need for a new reform, especially one that involves destroying all the world powers that be. At this current moment we are at world peace. We do not want that to be disturbed." Superman said looking at the high ruler with a strong gaze.
"You are currently at world peace because of us. All your divided nations have come together to try and keep our people from taking control. If we allow your planet to be the only one not under our control eventually all the nations will separate again. It is inevitable."
"You do not know humans… after every war we have ever fought this is something that we will always agree. We want the right to live as we like. Freedom is something we treasure. We like having the right to choose." Flash said in response.
"You shall still retain that right. We will not be changing many of your laws. All we want from you is your loyalty."
"And the plans and ideas for all our weapons, and of course constant obedience with out question." Batman said.
"I see now problem with that. Why should we not know what you have produced? Under our rule we would of course require to know what weapons are produced. And the amount of minerals we request will not hinder the amount you utilize yourself. Out of all the planets we have already take up under our protective wing your planet has the richest amount of natural elements."
"Earth will not bow to your regime! Earth is not a planet that will step down and allow some alien force to buy and sell us!" Hawk girl said slamming her fist down.
"We did not mean to insult you… we merely wish to offer you a more structured form of living. Nothing more or less."
"Earth does not want your structured form of imprisonment and if you know what's good for you you'll leave us out of your galactic conquest." Flash added with annoyance.
"I can see we are at another impasse. How about a two hour break and we shall resume then?" The High Ruler asked.
"Fine." Superman said.
"Dismissed."
Batman and Superman walked back to the hollow walk and Batman slammed his fist against a metal pillar, "We are talking in circles. For two months we have done nothing but argue. They never expected to let us have our way. This is their attempt at a peaceful take over."
"I know but by now they have to see we won't budge on the matter. Even Flash is knuckling down."
"I just want to get back to Gotham." Batman said looking out at the stars.
"Did something happen?" Superman asked.
"Not yet, but it will. I feel it is inevitable. Slade is planning something I know he is."
"He wouldn't… not with the contract in place. He has too much money coming to him plus the immunity. Wasting it all for some plan seems illogical."
"The man has unlimited money and plenty of places to hide, losing a few thousand here and there and having to go back into hiding is probably the least of his worries. This was a big mistake and I need to go back." Batman said.
"We need you here." Superman said.
"You don't. I have not offered anything extra. We all know that they won't budge; war is inevitable. If I knew what they had up their sleeve I would be able to…" Suddenly a Seridian messenger came up to Batman and spoke quickly, "You are wanted in the comm. Center."
Batman nodded and turned leaving Superman to wonder what he had been about to say.
Pagebreak
Slade and Robin stood before the screen and waited patiently for Batman to come into view.
"What is it?" Batman asked eyeing the two who stood before him.
"We have some news you will find most interesting." Slade said acting as if nothing had happened between them previously.
"What?" Batman asked.
"We know how the Seridian's have managed to take control of so many of the other planets in the system." Robin said triumphantly. Slade could tell the boy was enjoying this moment of glory.
Batman's eyes visibly widened and though his face was blank Robin could sense him tense, "How?"
"They have a compound, a liquid drug really. It took Slade and I awhile to figure it out but basically they hold peace talks with a planet they are interested in. When the peace talks fall through they offer to start a trading route as a sigh of none aggression and good faith. One of the things they trade with the planet is a blue liquid. What they say it is used for we are not sure, however, once the inhabitants start to use it they quickly exhibit signs of withdrawal and craving. Eventually the Seridians refuse to give them anymore unless the planet in question hands over their resources and allegiance. Once they have Seraph turns the liquid into pills, which by law are required to be taken once a day. As long as the planet and its inhabitants remain loyal they shall receive all the pills they need."
"How did you figure this out?" Batman asked.
Slade and Robin looked at each other, "Some of the villains in Gotham are aware of the war, they were contacted by Seraph and have been taking the drug religiously. They have been helping him to ready Earth for the take over." Slade said.
"We went under cover and as soon as the villains saw that Slade was in town they nominated him to be the ruler of the planet under Seraph's surveillance. He would act as the sheriff of this district of the galaxy. Seraph held a meeting with Slade to see if he was interested and when Slade turned him down he injected me with a condensed version of the drug in an attempt to force Slade into the position. It failed however since the drug only lasted about three hours before I came too and have since had nothing wrong with me." Robin said.
Batman narrowed his eyes; "We could use this to our advantage." Batman said not even bothering to mention the fact that Robin had been put directly in danger again.
"How so?" Robin asked.
"I plan to question them when the council resumes… but to make sure I have the evidence needed you two need to pretend that what ever Seraph injected into Robin worked. Slade, return to him and claim loyalty, while you work with him to get the planet ready Robin I want you to take what ever antidote Seraph gives you with out question. There maybe no side effects now but that doesn't mean some won't pop up later. Get a hold of some of that liquid and analyze it, I won't bring it up until I have absolute proof that the liquid they trade with is indeed what you claim. Keep me informed about everything going on down there, and hopefully we can bring an end to this war quickly."
"Got it." Robin said with a sharp nod, Slade also nodded but wasn't quite as enthusiastic.
"I will wait for your signal then. Good work Robin." The screen went black and Robin sighed, "That went better then expected."
"He seems to have high hopes." Slade said feeling his annoyance with the man sharpen.
"Let's get to work then."
Page Break
Seraph waited in his personal chamber and eventually his personal guard came in, "Do you have it?" He asked.
"Yes sir, Batman was contacted twenty minutes ago by two humans from Gotham. We managed to record the entire communication."
"Very good… how long do I have until I am required back in court?"
"An hour and a half in Earth hours."
"Very good… make sure I am not disturbed, I wish to go over this information alone."
"Yes sir." The guard turned and left, Seraph smiled to himself. It would all work out perfectly.
Page Break
Slade and Robin had planned on contacting Seraph right away but something unexpected had taken their attention.
"This is the third bat signal tonight!" Robin said as Slade and him in their hero uniforms leapt across the buildings.
"The villains have finally come out of their hibernation. Perhaps Seraph has ordered them to act up in an attempt to keep you busy." Slade said swinging beside the boy.
"This has to be planned, Slade, I think they know."
The two landed on a building and Slade looked at him, "I think they figured it out… all it would take is for the Joker or Two-face to have mentioned Batman's presence in the city to Seraph. The entire thing would come unraveled."
"That's true… perhaps we should inform Batman that Seraph might be aware."
"I don't know, maybe we should meet with him first. See what happens. This just keeps getting more and more complicated." Robin said.
They took off towards the bat light in hopes that this would be the final time tonight that they would have to face a villain.
Page Break
Ever since Beast boy had returned from Gotham he had been quiet and withdrawn. He kept to himself and most of the time stayed locked in his room.
The other members of the team had noticed the seconded he walked in the door, after they had ranted at him for a few moments about leaving early with out telling them they had listened as he reported the message that Robin had given him.
After delivering it he had left and gone to his room, they hadn't seen him except at dinner or when they went out to fight some villains.
Cyborg had fixed the communication problem and dismantled the security device agreeing with Robin that it was pointless and had done nothing but caused them trouble.
Now Beast Boy walked down the hall towards Raven's room, he knocked softly on the door and waited. It slid open a crack and Raven looked at him with her usual gaze of half interest.
"I need your help." Beast boy said.
"Okay…" Raven said with uncertainty, "Come in."
Beast Boy entered and tried not to look around in awe, he had never been in her room before and he found it matched her personality well.
"What do you need." Raven said allowing her cloak to fall around her.
"I need you to teach me how to meditate." Raven's usually empty face filled with a look of confusion, "And why is that?" she croaked out.
"Something happened while I was in Gotham… something bad… but I blacked out while it happened and I can't remember. I want to meditate to see if I can remember what I forgot… but I need help."
Raven stared at him, "What do you THINK happen?"
"I think Robin did something to make me mad… I know we got in a fight… but all I remember is blurs and shapes and after I yelled at him I blacked out. I woke up after the fight and was on the cave floor, my clothes were shredded."
Raven looked at him curiously and then sighed, "Did you ever think of just asking Robin what happened?"
"I did and I think he is lying to me. I think something happened he doesn't want me to remember. Something bad. I am having serious doubts about him lately and I don't know why. I just want to put an end to this."
"Alright, I will help… but you have to do exactly as I say." Raven said grabbing some candles off her desk and then taking hold of a vile of powder.
"No problem." Beast boy said eyeing the stuff Raven placed on the floor.
"Recalling memories that your mind has purposefully blocked out is difficult and dangerous. The mind blocks certain things for a reason, as a defense mechanism. Sometimes its just better not to know."
"Not this time. Robin is hiding something and I have to know what it is." Beast boy said staring her down.
"Fine, take a seat inside the candles and we can start. Find your center and close your eyes. Relax yourself and chant with me."
Together they sat there, legs crossed chanting softly, "Azarath, Metrion, Zynthos."
Page Break
"Is everything ready?" Seraph asked.
"It is… should we expect you soon?" Joker asked.
"I told the council that I had something to take care of on a distant planet. I will be there with in two days. Make sure the villains keep up their plight, I want Slade and Robin tired when they come to us. It will be easier to restrain them."
Suddenly there was a loud knock on the outer doors of the warehouse.
"Someone is here…quickly hide the bait and don't say a word." Seraph ordered.
Two-face drug the chair holding their hostage into the back room and hit her on the back of the head with his gun. "Nighty night Pussy cat." He said with a smirk.
When he reemerged a few moments later Slade was in the room talking to Seraph.
"I want the antidote to the liquid that you injected into my young tyro." The man demanded.
"Oh, of course, I will be more then glad to give it to you… if you swear allegiance to me." Seraph said.
"I do so swear as long as my tyro gets his antidote." Slade said bowing stiffly.
"Very well… but first… I want an act of trust…drink for me." Two-face reached into the blue and red box and pulled out a small vile. He handed it to Slade and the man took it.
"I thought I wouldn't be required to drink… you claimed you wanted a fresh mind; someone who was not effected."
"This is a weaker dose, it will wear off in a few hours. It is the act of drinking that I require to prove your loyalty."
Slade tilted his head back but Seraph interrupted, "Tut tut no mask Slade. I need to see you drink it." Slade's eye narrowed and he looked at the other two, "If I drink this I am giving loyalty to you not them."
"I understand, Joker, Two-face, please leave." The two left reluctantly.
Slade removed his mask and drank the liquid with out a second thought.
"Wonderful… you are perfect to be my sheriff in this territory. The antidote to your tyro's current problem is the only red vile in the box. I hope to speak again with you soon. I have plans that will need to be put into motion quickly." Seraph said.
"Very well." Slade said suddenly feeling his legs turn to jello. He leaned against the wall and started to laugh, "Don't worry, like I said… two or three hours at most." Seraph said as the screen went black.
Slade grabbed the red vile and while he was at it he took a blue one too. This was to easy, they needed to be careful, and Slade learned from experience that when things were easy that was when things were the most dangerous.
He took the vials and left trying to keep a straight face.
PAGE BREAK
Robin was in the Bat cave planning out the next step and helping Alfred in his attempts to repair the computer that had had a very large beast thrown into it.
They heard the roar of the motorcycle as it came up the tunnel what they were not expecting was when the engine died a laugh was heard.
They both looked to see Slade stumble off the bike and attempt to make his way over to the area they were in. Robin rushed over and caught the man's arm over his shoulder, "What the fuck is going on?" Robin asked.
"I had to drink his liquid crack to prove my loyalty. I didn't think anything of it; I thought my healing factor would expel it from my system quickly. It hasn't helped at all and I find I am having trouble controlling…." Before he could finish his legs gave out and Robin lost his grip. Slade's mask clattered to the ground and what Robin saw stunned him.
The man was laughing yes, but tears were flooding from his eyes and his body started to shake. "HAHAHAHA!" He cried in a very sadistic voice.
Robin didn't know what to do, "The antidote, did you get the antidote?" Robin asked.
Slade grabbed at his stomach as he fell the rest of the way to the floor and curled up in a ball. Suddenly he was out right sobbing, "HE'S DEAD!" Slade screamed.
Robin stared in utter shock; it was unlike anything he ever thought possible. To see Slade so vulnerable and to see him acting like this made Robin feel awkward but completely at a loss for words.
"Alfred, help me hold him still!" Robin yelled as he rolled Slade onto his back and started to search the man's utility belt. "THEY ARE ALL DEAD! I AM DEAD TO THEM!" He screamed again.
Robin found two vials, one with blue liquid and one with red. He made Slade drink the red one not bothering to take any himself, why should he? He had had no symptoms in the last 24 hours. He was fine so he might as well give it all to Slade.
The man drank at it greedily and then lay still. Robin and Alfred stared at him to see what would happen next and Slade slowly opened his eyes and sighed, "That… was interesting."
He sat up very slowly and moaned at the annoying pain that throbbed in front of his eye.
"I don't understand this at all." Robin said.
"What is there to not understand?" Slade asked.
"Well, when you and I drink Seraph's crazy juice we actually go crazy… when two-face and Joker drink it they just become docile. It doesn't make any sense."
"Well he gave you a more concentrated dose, perhaps he did the same to me." Slade said standing and replacing his mask.
"But why for you? You would think he would have just given you the basic drug so you would be like the other two, not a raving psycho like I was."
"I am not sure…unless he wanted to make sure only one of us drank the antidote." Slade said suddenly noticing the empty bottle in Robin's hand.
"I didn't need it… you did."
"Perhaps that was Seraph's plan all along."
"I suggest you two analyze the liquid and give your findings to Batman before things go any further." Alfred interrupted.
"Good idea." Robin said walking the blue vial over to the science table.
Slade looked at his hands and noticed they were shaking a bit. That had been a very disturbing experience. It was like everything that had ever bothered him or hurt him had all come to the front of his mind and just taken over all his nerves and senses.
He prided himself in being a man of great composure, but that had been ridiculous. Slade had been unable to control himself no matter how hard he had tried, and he had tried hard enough to make his muscles seize. What ever the drug that Seraph was using had a very powerful kick to it and it had almost made Slade rip his own head off just to stop the bright colors and harsh sounds.
He couldn't wait to analyze the liquid to see what was in it. Perhaps it would give him some interesting ideas for the future.
"You know, I always wanted to hear you genuinely laugh… now that you have I suddenly miss your chuckle… your laugh can rival the jokers it was really creepy." Robin said.
"Let's never speak of the passed thirty seconds again." Slade said stepping up next to Alfred and Robin.
"Agreed." The boy said looking at the man and smirking.
Page Break
Beast Boy had been required to take a half hour break, but he didn't want to leave Raven's room. He wanted to keep trying to extract the information that he knew was hidden in his mind.
Raven had urged him to rest saying that if he tried for to long he could hurt himself. He didn't care though because what ever was itching at the back of his head was starting to throb. He felt like he was blind even though he could see.
He was getting antsy and annoyed and hot tempered as his attempts failed one right after the other.
"It can takes years to unblock something Beast Boy." Raven had said.
"I don't have years!" Beast Boy had yelled.
Raven was in the main chamber of the tower now with cyborg and Starfire.
"I am worried… Beast Boy isn't himself, he is angry and quiet and irritable. He really wants to remember what ever it is that he thinks Robin is keeping from him."
"Do you think it is important?" Cyborg said, "I mean, what could Robin have been hiding from him that is so important?"
"I don't know but if it has him so worked up I think we should take it seriously. When I allowed myself to feel his mind it was torn. His loyalty and trust towards Robin had been shredded, his sensibility is destroyed. He is running on instincts right now and they are powerful. There is another presence in his mind, and who or what ever it is is telling him to keep looking. Something honestly happened to him while he was there and I think we need to help him remember." Raven said.
"You keep working with him, I am going to contact Robin and see what the heck happened. He may not want to tell Beast Boy because it was something a little to traumatizing."
"I don't think so." Raven said. "It really feels like Beast Boy's trust has been shattered. Which means Robin must have been doing something that was not considered morally right in Beast Boy's mind."
"Please friend Raven, do you mean to say that Robin… our leader… may be undertaking some form of illegal activity?"
"I don't know, I can't say for sure, but what ever happened between Robin and Beast boy it wasn't good and Beast Boy has changed because of it."
"Raven… I wanna go again." Beast Boy said.
They all turned to see him in the doorway, his face looking twisted and annoyed.
"Sure." She said standing and giving Cyborg a look.
"Don't over do it man." Cyborg said.
"I'll do what I want." Beast Boy said turning to follow Raven as she walked by him towards her room.
Cyborg looked at Starfire and she looked at him, they could feel his anger and it frightened them.
Page Break
"I know how they are controlling the planets." Batman said holding a data pad out to Superman. He took it and scanned it.
"An addictive substance?"
"Apparently they hold the peace talks for the single purpose of getting the planet to open communications. Once the peace talks fall apart they offer to start a trade route with the planet. They offer up this liquid in the trades, and once the people start drinking…"
"They can't stop." Superman finished.
"After awhile the Seridians refuse to give them more unless they become part of their empire. They keep the civilization docile with the drug and that's how they keep control of it all."
"Robin?" Superman asked.
"And Slade, they were undercover when they found out about it. They analyzed the drug and sent me files about the antidote. Unfortunately we have no analysis of that since Robin had to drink it."
Superman looked surprised, "Apparently a lot has happened in the two months we have been gone."
"Apparently." Batman said.
"So what is your plan?" The Man of Steel asked.
"The plan is, end the trade route before it starts. Now that I have proof, and they can't trick us into using their drugs I think it is safe to say they will forget about trying to get us to join them and focus on not letting other planets find out about their strategy." Batman said.
"This is to good to be true." Superman said motioning to hand the tablet back to Batman.
"You keep it. Study it."
"Why… you're the one that is going to need the evidence."
"Not this time. Now that we have this you don't need me anymore. I am going back to Earth… I heard Seraph had to leave to go take care of something on one of their newest planets. I think he went to Earth to take care of a few loose ends."
"Loose ends?"
"He knows Slade is poseing as me."
"How could he?" Superman asked.
"Apparently the villains in Gotham have been siding with Seraph. They took his drug and are now telling him everything that is going on. Apparently they told him they were having some troubles with me and Seraph, knowing I am up here, put two and two together."
"That's not good."
"No." Batman agreed.
"God speed to you." Superman said holding his hand out for the man to take.
Batman clasped Superman's arm up by the elbow, "Till we meet again."
"Let's make it sooner then a year and a half." Superman said with a smile.
Batman nodded and turned and left in a hurry, "If you have any problems find someone else." Batman said turning a corner. Superman rolled his eyes and smirked then turned and headed into the courtroom.
A/n: Okay this next chapter could be the last chapter I don't know for sure but you will find out at the end of next chapter whether I will have an epilogue. R&R but more importantly I hope you enjoyed it!