I hope this chapter will be satisfactory before Superman and the founders of the Justice League help the Avengers take on Doctor Doom on their Earth. I know it may seem dumb, but there's more to superheroes than just fighting crime, or how else would teams of superheroes exist in the comics?

Chapter 3: The Newcomers

The Avengers were a little surprised that Batman sent the Batmobile back to his hideaway and was taking them through the water systems of Gotham City, but Captain America, Thor, and Black Widow weren't complaining. It seemed that Batman knew every path through and under Gotham by heart, and as they journeyed through the water system, they couldn't help but express interest in their new friend.

"I must admit, Batman, you gave us one heck of a workout up there," admitted Captain America. "I can't conceive how you managed to take on each of us without breaking a sweat."

"I've had a lifetime of practice," Batman said simply. "I was also observing each of you and I determined how well you would be in a struggle against someone with my level of training."

The Avengers shared surprised looks and then Iron Man said, "Hey, I may not be quite the martial artist you are, but we've taken on some pretty rough bad guys where we come from."

"Clearly, you have. Your tactics give away that you have experience in the field of bringing lawbreakers to justice," agreed Batman. "But there are a number of weak links in your methods that could do with being addressed."

The Avengers shared surprised looks, and then Spider-Man said, "Well, no superhero team is perfect."

"I'm not suggesting that," the Dark Knight replied. "But there are some much-needed improvements your team could benefit from."

The Avengers and Batman didn't chat much for the next few minutes of their trip through the water mains of Gotham City, but when they came to a walled-off area, Batman simply walked up to it and said, "WayneTech override H-4-15."

To the utter amazement of the Avengers, the wall rose up to reveal a long passage which the six heroes followed Batman through. He led them further into the tunnel and then to another wall, where he used a hidden computer panel to sign the Avengers in so they could follow him to his hideaway. As Batman and the Avengers passed, the computer's electronic voice announced them with each scan.

"Recognized: Batman, 0-2. Spider-Man, A-1-0. Captain America, A-1-1. Iron Man, A-1-2, Thor, A-1-3. Black Widow, A-1-4. Hulk, A-1-5."

The Avengers followed Batman until they came to one last wall, where a camera-like structure scanned each of them and raised the wall here. There came a sudden clicking and electrical buzzing, and in just a few moments, the group found themselves in Batman's personal hideaway; the Batcave.

Batman turned to the Avengers and said, "Welcome to my dwelling."

The Avengers looked around in surprise as they saw the contours of the cave. The electric lanterns illuminated the giant penny that Batman had added to his trophy collection on his first encounter with Two-Face, the robotic T-rex that had been used by the Penguin to extort funds from the Gotham Museum of Art, and contained in a vacuum-sealed case of carbonated glass was the Joker's playing card. Batman's laboratory for biochemistry, geochemistry, and microbiology caught Iron Man's eye the quickest, and Batman's supercomputer was the most intriguing to Captain America.

"Oh man, oh man, oh man!" gasped Spider-Man. "This place is awesome!"

"Rein it in, soldier," Captain America gently chided him. "Don't forget, we're here on business." Then he turned his attention back to Batman and said, "Your facility here in this cave is excellent. I don't believe I've seen a more unassuming yet well-equipped hideaway for a fellow superhero."

"Not quite as fancy-schmancy as the Helicarrier, but it sure suits you, Bats," Iron Man added.

"It serves our needs quite well," came a voice from the shadows, which sounded like it came from someone around Spider-Man's age. The Avengers jumped when they saw Batman's original apprentice, the teen hero Nightwing, bound from a crevice on the training course Batman had set up in the cave. Nightwing somersaulted his way down to greet his mentor and said, "Didn't expect to see you back so soon, Batman."

Then he turned his attention to the Avengers. "Were we expecting guests?"

"They're here on business, Nightwing," Batman replied. "I just brought them here so we could conduct it without any unnecessary interference. You know how some government folk still want to restrict the League's activity concerning crime-fighting."

"And they haven't, so we're all good," the youth finished.

Then Batman said to the Avengers, "This is my protégé and ward, Nightwing. The first young hero I've trained in crime-fighting."

The Avengers all shook hands with Nightwing and he was introduced to each of them, and then Batman went on, "Then there's Robin. He's the third teenager I've trained to bear that alias."

Robin swung into the room on a Bat-cable and then saluted Batman and then the Avengers. Then out of curiosity, Iron Man asked him, "So is there a Batwoman I don't know about?"

"Yes, but she started out on her own," Batman replied. "As for who my second official protégé is, that honor belongs to Batgirl."

"Who is me," came another voice in the dark, this time from behind the Avengers. They got quite a surprise when the redhead beauty who was the feminine yet crime-fighting extraordinare Batgirl executed a midair somersault and nailed a "Wanted" poster of the Joker with four Batarangs. She twirled two Batarangs between her fingers and then sheathed them in her utility belt.

"I like her already," mused Black Widow.

…

While the Avengers got to have personal chats with Batman's three apprentices over a cup of tea served by Alfred, the Dark Knight himself contacted the rest of the Justice League on the Watchtower to inform them of the situation and decide if there was a way for the League to help the Avengers return to their Earth and stop this Doctor Doom before he fulfilled his scheme for world domination. After a long talk over the Batcomputer, Batman turned to the Avengers and said, "The League will help you get home. But it's clear that you can't fight Doctor Doom by yourselves as he might try the same tactic he used to send you here to this Earth. You'll need help from us to conquer this threat."

Iron Man asked, "Who is the League, exactly?"

"Just follow me," Batman replied with a grin, beckoning Nightwing, Robin, and Batgirl to follow as well.

They stepped into the Zeta Tube that Batman had installed and in a quick flash followed by a brief tunnel of light and energy, the group arrived at the Justice League's headquarters in orbit around Earth: the Watchtower. The Avengers looked around the domed chamber and then saw the Earth nearly 25,000 miles away, and in the distance, the Moon was visible over the Western Hemisphere of the planet.

"Now this is even more high-tech than the Helicarrier," mused Iron Man.

"Tell me about it," said Spider-Man. "Sure gives you a grand view of the Earth, the Moon, and the rest of outer space."

Then Batman said to the group, "Avengers, I give you the founders of the Justice League."

As he spoke, the Avengers saw the other six founders of the League standing before them: on the left stood Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Flash, and on the right stood Wonder Woman and the Martian Manhunter. Superman stood as close to the middle as possible, and he said with politeness, "Welcome aboard, Avengers."

For a moment, the six other superheroes could barely think of a thing to say, and then Captain America said, "Thanks for the welcome, but where are we?"

"The Watchtower," Wonder Woman replied simply. "The Justice League's top-secret base of operations. All who stand for the cause of justice, freedom, and peace are welcome here."

Then Batman stood beside his fellow co-founders and then he gestured around the room, where the Avengers saw the other members of the Justice League: Green Arrow, Black Canary, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, Captain Atom, Zatara, the Atom, the other two Green Lanterns (John Steward and Guy Gardner), Captain Marvel, Red Tornado, Doctor Fate, Plastic Man, Black Lightning, Steel, Fire, Ice, Metamorpho, Firestorm, the Question, and Booster Gold. And they were not the only members currently there. Power Girl, Katana, Rocket, Geo-Force, Green Beetle, Red Torpedo and Red Inferno, Rocket Red, Elongated Man, Big Barda, Mister Miracle, and the Metal Men were there as well, along with the protégés of the League.

Spider-Man felt his jaw drop when he saw how many superheroes were gathered in this floating fortress in orbit, and the other five Avengers were all looking on in awe.

…

For the next few minutes, Captain America and Iron Man discussed plans for returning to their Earth with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman while the rest of the Avengers were introduced to the other members of the Justice League and their teenage apprentices. Spider-Man quickly befriended Flash, who turned out to be a remarkably insightful person when it came to being a superhero. He also liked Kid Flash's chipper mood, Green Lantern's stories about his exploits in fighting crime all over the galaxy, and Superboy and Supergirl easily liked him.

Thor was intrigued with Aquaman, for although he knew of Atlantis on the Earth he belonged to, he was surprised that in this dimension, the king of Atlantis was a founder of this band of heroes. Aqualad and Aquagirl fondly listened to Thor's story about how he came to Earth and became a hero among mortals. Thor also shared the story of how he received Mjolnir with Zatara and Doctor Fate, and he was intrigued by their knowledge of magic.

Black Widow admitted to being jealous of Black Canary's "Canary Cry" superpower, but she found her easy to relate to and made a mental note to warn Iron Man and Hawkeye not to try flirting with Canary or risk Green Arrow's rather rough response. As for Hulk, he quickly found a friend in Beast Boy and Starfire offered the best uplifting condolences she could. Raven was admittedly one hero whom Hulk was nervous about talking to at first, but she too had insight to give.

A short while later, Batman said to the Avengers, "The League agrees that we will help you return to your Earth and help you stop Doctor Doom from fulfilling his own plans for world domination."

"Are you sure you guys can handle him?" Iron Man inquired out of habit.

"No fear of that," replied Superman. "We've dealt with villains of his type many times before."

"But we can't all go," said the Flash. "I suggest that we founding members go in first and call for extra assistance if we need it."

"Agreed," replied Batman. "We head for New York City on the Avenger's Earth. It's where most of them handle crime-fighting."

The Avengers agreed to this, and then Spider-Man inquired, "So… you guys have some sort of a matter transporter we can get back home to?"

"No, but we have someone who can help us get you home and allow us to follow so we can work together to take down this Doctor Doom," answered Wonder Woman.

Doctor Fate approached and first used one of his spells for recollection to place an image of the Avenger's Earth in his mind. When he was ready, the wizard hero raised a hand and said, "I am ready. Now I will use a spell to bring the Avengers back to their Earth. While the founders of our organization are helping them face the threat their Earth is under, the rest of the League will hold the fort."

With that, Doctor Fate released a beam of golden light that enveloped the Avengers, Superman, Batman, and the other founders of the Justice League, and in a matter of seconds, they were all beamed to the Earth where the Avengers belonged.