(Late Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. I'm so sorry for the late update, I still need to finish a scholarship I'm doing to help pay for college, but I wanted to update True Heroes Book 3 before I continued with that. Again, I'm sorry for the delay.)
killian rainey: Those weren't mercenaries; they were just men who decided they waned to end her for her past. Batman…he…well, you'll eventually find out. The moon and the mysterious people, well I'm wanting that to be a surprise. They're fixed on their belief of no killing, most of them anyways. Rose will return.
Gemm1mt: Thanks.
Chapter 11: Interrogation of Interest
(The Watchtower, several minutes later)
Drew growled under his breath, eyes narrowed and glaring at the man. Godfrey snarled in anger as he tried to break out of the chair he is chained to, the chrome reinforced titanium steel links of the chains are fit tightly to hold him to the chair. Wolf snarled at the sight of him, lips peeled back and all of his fangs bared in rising agitation. The shapeshifter kept a somewhat calming hand on the beast's head, the wolf only not lunging at Godfrey only because of the ninja's hand. No longer in his ninjutsu garb, he stood in civilian clothes…but he didn't need his weapons to deal with Godfrey if worse came to worst. Batman had ordered it, but the shapeshifter refused. Wonder Woman had to convince him to disarm, but she knew he wasn't…not completely. But for right now…everyone is gathered around Gordon Godfrey for information.
"Batman, maybe everyone shouldn't be here for-" Nightwing started to say.
"No, they need to hear with this man knows. The serious nature of this new reality, and all of you need to know how to prepare for it." Batman replied then spoke to the congregation of the League and the team.
"We can handle it, Nightwing. Besides, we really do need to learn everything he knows." Supergirl said.
Nightwing was about to protest, but realized it was pointless…they sensed there was little time, and the need for everyone to be prepared as possible as quickly as possible meant information needed to be spread quickly and understand…even if the means to those ends weren't…pleasant. Batman's eyes narrowed at Godfrey, who just scoffed back.
"Does that usually work for you?...Huh, Batman? You just scowl at whatever pathetic mortal is in your grasp and they just shiver….hm?...spill their guts as you humans…or the Earthlings say?" Godfrey chuckled, amused by the Dark Knight's glare.
"It's ironic, you claimed to be a patriotic human, law and order…all that bullshit. But look at who you really are: a lying, invading, manipulative coward." Red Hood scoffed, disgust thick within his voice.
Godfrey's smirk instantly changed into a scowl.
"Lying, manipulative I'm proud of…invading, well, humans are often that too…aren't you?...a coward? A coward?! How dare you call a god that. How dare yo-yah!" Godfrey hissed but was quickly interrupted by a backhanded slap from Batman.
"Who are you?! What do we not know already?" Batman asked his series of questions, his voice void of emotion and nonsense.
Godfrey scowl instantly changed to a smile and he started laughing.
"My true name is Glorious Godfrey, of the almighty planet which I no doubt believe you've been heard called by it's name: Apokolips." Godfrey proclaimed, his chest puffing out in pride as far as it could go while locked in the chains.
Some of the group laughed at hearing his name, which only made Godfrey roll his eyes in annoyance and agitation. Drew raised in an eyebrow at hearing the name, part of him not surprised yet couldn't help him feel slightly amused. Batman turned around to glare at those laughing, and all laughs stopped as well as smiles. The shapeshifter turned to the group then back to the New God as did Batman.
"Tell me everything…now!" Batman growled, teeth bared in growing agitation.
"You think I'll give up what I know…for what? A growl? A snarl? You think that intimidates me?" Glorious Godfrey scoffed, a mocking smile spread across his face.
"I'll do worse." Batman snarled, his voice thick with anger and every word dripping with venom.
"Like what? Sic your beast on me? Again? You're the real coward Batman. You send a fool without a face and the son of darkness to drag me up here…to your childish little playhouse. Instead of you: the leader of the Justice League, the Guardian of Gotham City, the man criminals of Earth fear far and wide…I thought you led by example…it seems the mightiest of men is nothing more than a mouse. You are the true coward; you can't claim you are noble because you cannot live up to your claim of righteousness…you're a fraud Dark Knight." Glorious Godfrey said, all laughter gone from his voice, eyes narrowed and sending daggers at the Dark Knight.
Batman quickly snatched him around the throat with his left hand, a vice like grip tightening slowly, just like the growing snarl of his frown turning more and more vicious. Superman took a step forward to stop the Caped Crusader, but Nightwing moved a hand in front of him to stop him. The Man of Steel gave an alarming visage to the young man, but Nightwing shook his head to him. The Kryptonian stepped back, reluctantly.
"Tell. Me. NOW." Batman growled, his grip tightening with every word.
"All…agh…you…rrr…to now…is…this world…heh…ack…will be ours." Glorious Godfrey chuckled while coughing as the Dark Knight choked him.
"Batman, we won't get anything out of him...not like this…we have something, but not enough." Wonder Woman said, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Batman growled, eyes narrowed furiously at Godfrey.
"Batman!" Nightwing called out, walking up to his former mentor.
Nightwing knelt down quickly and whispered something to he Dark Knight, whose expression slowly calmed. Batman released his grip and Godfrey coughed as air filled his lungs again suddenly. The Caped Crusader stood up and turned to the rest of the group, who stood stunned and shocked.
"Any problems?" Batman grunted, eyes leveling and directed at the group.
"No." Kid Flash gulped.
"No sir." Blue Beetle quickly replied, his voice thickly emphasizing his nervous demeanor.
Plastic Man gulped fearfully, as did many other Leaguers and members of the team. Supergirl looked nervously at her cousin, who didn't return a comforting look. The Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, rolled his eyes in annoyance. Red Hood looked to the group and then heard lightly growling, turning to see Drew and Wolf both slightly baring the teeth, realizing the sounds were coming from them.
"Good." Batman grunted, crossing his arms.
The group stood in awkward silence for several minutes.
"So…what now?" Green Arrow asked nervously.
"I need more time with him, break him do…alone." Batman said.
"He's not afraid of you, Bats. I have a feeling he's not going to break." Hal interjected.
There was a mild blaring sound that rang throughout the tower.
"Please don't tell me what I think that is." Black Canary groaned.
"It's the alarm for an urgent message from the White House…the president is calling…" Superman said.
Most of the group glanced to one another alarmingly and with great anxiety.
"Ah hell." Red Hood groaned.
To be continued…
(Again, sorry for the late update.)