Chapter 99: Beginning of the End

"So, we're going to need to bring everything we have to these negotiations. We need the US President to see that we mean business." Bruce said.

"Why don't we just take Washington?" Billy asked. "They did try to blow up Superman after all."

"Because if we try that we give more leverage to the President and he'll rally supporters on the coasts. That is something we don't need." Bruce said.

"Couldn't you and Lex just buy them out though?" Billy asked.

"We could." Bruce conceded.

"Then, why don't you?" Billy asked.

"Because buying someone out isn't the same as earning their trust." Bruce said, wondering how he was more optimistic than a fifteen-year-old.

"So, what are we going to do when we go meet the US president?" Barry asked, munching away on some donut.

"We're going to point out the obvious flaws in his logic, tell him we have him outnumbered and outgunned. And also, point out that we're offering him peace." Bruce said.

"Do you think that will work?" Barry asked.

"I think it will." Bruce said. "The President isn't a complete idiot."

Billy snorted, but before he could reply, the computer monitor in front of them beeped. Cassie's image appeared on the screen. Bruce looked at Diana, and the woman came over, she pressed the button. "Cassie?" Diana asked.

Cassie looked worried, her skin was red, it looked as though she'd been crying. "I can't get through to Conner." Cassie said instantly.

"He might be talking with Clark. Clark said he'd called him?" Diana suggested.

"When?" Cassie asked.

"At around 12 pm." Diana said.

Cassie shook her head. "Conner didn't phone Clark; I was with him at 12."

Bruce shared a look with Diana. "Where are you now?" Diana asked.

"I'm trying to get into Titans Tower, but I can't. It's as if there's something stopping me from entering. I've tried to get in touch with Red Robin and Starfire and I can't." Cassie said.

Bruce quietly got up and took out his phone, he hit Dick's number waited and then when his son picked up he asked him. "Where's Starfire?"

"I thought she was at Titans Tower." Dick said. "Why?"

"Cassie can't get through to her." Bruce said simply.

Dick took a breath and then said. "I'll try and get in touch with her." Bruce grunted down the phone and hung up.

Bruce looked at Diana who sighed. "Cassie, stay on the line."

The girl did so, though she looked terrified. A few moments later, Dick called back. "I can't get through to her."

That settled the matter for Bruce. He walked up to the monitor. "Cassie, get to somewhere safe, we're coming." The girl nodded, he switched off the monitor and then looked at the others. "Suit up." Was all he said.

Within half an hour they were up in the air. Bruce directing his plane toward New York. He wondered what could have brought this on. Was there some sort of rogue operation going on? Kate hadn't said anything about the Resistance for weeks, so he assumed that it wasn't them. But then, maybe it was. He didn't know and that was really bothering him.

They arrived in New York forty minutes after that phone call with Cassie. He landed his plane in the middle of the street near Titans Tower and got out, Barry and Diana joined him, as did Billy and Cassie. He looked at them and said. "Wait here." He walked down the street, pulling out a device as he did so. He placed the device against the walls of the Tower, whistled then waited. A few minutes passed before the thing sliced a door into the building. He turned around. "Come on." He called.

He walked into the building and immediately heard noise. It sounded like there was some sort of fighting going on above them. The others appeared at his side, he pressed a finger to his mouth, indicating that they should remain silent and then made his way to the elevator. He pressed a few buttons, the doors opened without a sound, he walked in, pressed another button after the others had gotten in and then the doors closed.

The doors opened a few moments later and they stepped out. Bruce gasped as he saw what was before them. Clark was having the shit beat out of him by Constantine, Conner was pinned by the wall, Red Robin was out cold and Starfire was dangling from the wall.

He nodded to Shazam who flew right into Constantine, knocking him out. That drew the others attention. Bruce stood there and glared at them. "What is the meaning of this?"

"We're taking out the trash." Captain Atom said.

"Why?"

"Because you're causing too much trouble."

"You're not going to win."

Shazam got thrown backwards, and Constantine stood up, wiping blood off his mouth. "Oh I think we are." He clapped his hands and a portal opened, and out stepped a giant. 12 foot tall, with long white hair and white beard. The giant looked at him and said. "You have violated the agreement, Batman."