Land of Heroes: DC Style comes from Harbinger of Kaos. I just write the reactions, and I still down own any of the characters.
Chapter 16: When the Bat is away…the Spartan fights like hell
Everyone decided that this would be the last part of the day. As they episode loaded, everyone wondered if they would be seeing another version of their adventures. Arrow idly wondered if he himself would be making an appearance.
New York, Manhattan…
"Manhattan?" Flash said, seeing where the location was, "I think we might see the big guy get his own adventures now."
Batman said, "That would be a change of pace. So far we've only seen him taking part with missions with us. Let's see how he does on his own."
John was currently outside the high rise hotel located in the more prestigious area of the city, the reason for this a case he had taken a couple of days ago from a mother who was frantically worried for her eldest daughter whereabouts. One Maria Ramirez to be exact while the missing daughter was named Esmeralda, who two days ago was last seen at a club near her college but never made it home.
Batman blinked as he saw the case. It seemed familiar. Kidnappings of college girls and others around that ae were not uncommon. At Gotham University there had been more than a few missing persons, either from girls eloping with a boyfriend or falling to something far more sinister.
The young woman's mother had waited a standard 48 hr. wait period but with no sign she searched his agency out after hearing of their many exploits and successes. He took the case and immediately began questioning everyone who knew her, from friends and colleagues until a close friend of her pointed him towards a local nightclub Esmeralda and her friends frequented.
There he questioned the bar tenders and owner and was told that they had seen her two days ago and that she left in with a man who they have never seen before that night. Finding the club had security cameras installed he requested to look at the videos of that night, seeing no harm in it the owner gave him copies of the feeds to help him.
The video showed him her arriving to the club, dancing with her friends and then going to the bar for a drink, it was at the 10 minute mark she was approached by a slightly older man, he would hazard a guess that he was in his late 20's.
Cortana had identified him as one Vincenzo Gigante Falcone, the son of Sofia Gigante Falcone, the current head of the Falcone mafia based in Gotham. The man was a real piece work according to his synthetic friend as he had been tried multiple times for extortion, rape, drug trafficking, protection rackets, prostitution rings… the man had done much but could never be convicted due to either "lack" of evidence or witnesses, supposed police brutality or someone taking the fall for him at the behest of his mother.
Batman clenched his fist. Falcone was a notorious crime family in Gotham and it looks like they were about to run afoul of the super soldier. This was not going to end well for them.
Arrow said, "Falcone? The mafia family? I almost feel sorry for these guys."
Superman rubbed his chin. At the daily planet, he remembered writing a story about the family and their notorious exploits. He didn't have many interactions with them as they typically stayed away from cities like Metropolis, Central City, and other cities that had superpowered protectors.
It a while but they soon found him living out of a high-priced hotel, from there he spent many days and nights keeping silent vigil of the building that housed the notorious criminal as he sat in his vehicle. Cortana was monitoring the phones, cameras and computers in case anything popped up, nothing yet but they were sure the girl was there as all other places Vincenzo visited showed no sign of her.
His luck finally kicked in as Cortana alerted him of movement, she sent a feed of the hotel surveillance system to his ride where he could see his target being "escorted" outside by one of the man's goons. The video would probably be latter scrubbed or go missing but that was not his priority right now, instead he waited on them to appear at the front of the hotel.
He pulled out some binoculars and spotted them soon enough as they waited for a car to arrive, the young woman looked drained from what he could tell. Not broken, not yet at least, but getting there much to his anger and disgust. Vincenzo for his part looked as if he owns the world before smirking at poor girl who flinches at the sight, the man simply enjoy her discomfort.
Diana clenched her fist and hoped that the Spartan would deck the man for what he had done to this woman. Her thoughts were shared by many of the others who hoped to see the crime family member be knocked off his high horse by the Spartan's two hands.
John's grip on the binoculars tightens at that sight. If the opportunity presented itself he would be taking measures against that man…extreme ones if the situation called for it.
*It's a good thing Diana is not present right now.* He thinks as his thoughts go over how to get his pound of flesh on the man. Normally he wouldn't be feeling this way but his job had started to make him act more free with his emotions.
While they were glad the Spartan was using his emotions more, it seemed like this time it may land him in some trouble.
He soon moved out as his target got in the car and were driven away, it took a while and careful maneuvering but he kept himself at a distance and never lost sight of them. They soon reached the docks, clearly something of interest was about to go down.
Leaving the Hog in a secure location he moved to area he saw the car park, it was a bit time consuming as he had to be careful not to be spotted but he soon reached a large warehouse.
He closes in and peers inside to get a better look, the car is there and so is Vincenzo but no sign of Esmeralda. He wished he had come in armor but it was still being rebuilt and upgraded after his battle with Hades.
*It is just a tool, not a crutch.* He could feel Chief Mendez chiding in the back of his head and focus on the matter at hand. First thing was to get inside and find her and perhaps see what that criminal was doing here.
He crept quietly looking for an entrance and found it, a dilapidated door that had seen better days. There were no windows so no way to tell if someone was on the other side so he took a gamble and decided to open it, pulling out his combat knife he wedged between the frame and the door while carefully listing for any signs of movement on the other side.
After a few moments he managed to get the door open and cautiously made his way inside, he stored his knife and pulled out a FN57 from his chest holster while keeping the other one holstered for the time being.
There were plenty of empty boxes of various sizes that provided him with ample cover as well a few guards around the place but no sign of the vehicle, still he was determined to find the girl and would continue his search.
Finally he found it near the wide entrance to the building where cargo was brought; there were two bodyguards outside with a pair of Uzi's out. No sign of the girl or her captor but if he were to hazard a guess they were inside the car.
*How do I confirm it and how do I get her out if she is there?* He thinks before sending a message to Cortana.
-You called Chief?—
"Have my location tagged but don't alert NYPD just yet, I think our target is here along with the young woman."
-Got it. — He heard her reply before his attention was drawn towards two more cars arriving.
"Looks like things are about to get serious, be prepared to alert the authorities." He says before cutting off communication.
Vincenzo stepped out of the car moving towards the lead car where another finely dressed man stepped out and embraced him in comradery. More men stepped out all armed as well, he counted seven though they were clearly not as professional as the two limo guards as they were not making much of an effort to appear as serious.
"Oh man," Flash said, "This is getting tense."
J'onn said, "I am curious to see hwo the Spartan will deal with these threats without his armor. It is obvious that he prefers not to rely on it, but against so many odds, using it would be preferable."
Superman said, "Don't forget, the family asked John for help, not the Spartan. If the Spartan were to rescue her, someone smart enough could connect the dots."
*Must be part of the family or a close friend…whatever counts as friends in his line of "work"* the Spartan thinks as he sees the two move towards the office cubicle followed by several men with briefcases, one of the guards near car moved with his employer while the other remained behind much to his good fortune.
He moved quietly towards the car, weaving from cover to cover until all that remained was an open space, the threat of being spotted was high but he would likely never see another opportunity like this. He waited until he was sure the guard turned away from his direction and hoped he could get her out before one of the guards spotted them and alerted the others.
His moment soon came as the man standing guard turned away and left his back unprotected. He holstered his gun and dashed forward as quickly and as quietly as he could, sadly the man was turning back so he forgoes stealth and just rushed him at speeds not normally seen in a man of 6'7". The guard turned at the sound of footsteps but was too late to prevent a large fist from hitting him in the temple and knocking him out... and possibly cracking the man's skull.
Everyone winced and hissed at the brutal punch.
Giving no time to rest he took the man's weapon and frisked him for keys, once found he opened the passenger door and look inside while keeping the weapon and his senses at the ready he soon found the young woman huddled as far away from as possible.
She definitely matched the picture given to him, light browned skin, raven hair and chocolate brown eyes. She was definitely a looker or would be if it weren't for the black eye on her left or the tired, worn and fearful looks marring her features.
"Esmeralda, my name is John Mendez, I am a detective hired by your mother Maria to find you and bring you home." He said quickly as he pulled out his badge.
"Hey! Who the fuck is that by the car!?" He heard up top.
Arrow said, "Damn it."
Flash said, "So much for Plan A. Time for plan B."
Lantern asked, "There was a plan B?"
"Please trust me, we must leave now!" He spoke urgently to the frightened girl as he held out his free hand to her.
Despite everything she went through Esmeralda craved freedom from her captor and practically lunged for the hand that promised to give it to her. John helped the girl the rest of the way by pulling her out noting she lost the high heels she was wearing the process but ultimately concluded they would have hindered her more than help.
As he stood with her by her side he noted Vincenzo and his group rushing towards the m after having heard the shout. He decided to buy them time as he raised the Uzi and fired, filling the hair with a staccato of gunfire.
Their assailants ducked the hailstorm of deadly metal and could only watch as the Spartan fired at the guards above them as they ran towards the entrance he used to infiltrate the building.
"Stop them! Stop them right the fuck now!" Vincenzo shouts in a fury his men knew all too well would only lead to him lashing out at them.
John kept firing behind him before throwing away the empty weapon and pulling out one of his pistols while holding onto Esmeralda who was doing her best to keep up while not looking back. They soon reached the entrance he used and choosing to forgo any delays the Spartan let goes of her hand and plows through the wooden door at full force.
*CRASH!*
The girl is surprised momentarily before her hand is grabbed again by her savior and once more they resume their fast pace escape. Behind them the sound of many men running can be heard as they reached the doorway and begin to open fire on the escaping duo.
The escaping duo had just reached a corner when a stray bullet ricochets of the ground and into her calf.
"AAAHH!"
Everyone was on the edge of their seats, except for the stoic members, as they saw the young girl go down."
John wasted no time and immediately picked her up in his arms before running at full tilt as only a man as augmented as he could. By the time their enemies reached the area he was a fairly good distance away much to their shocks.
"Get to the cars; I see his ride parked up there!" One of them shouts as he and the others scramble back to the entrance to continue the chase.
John in the meantime was reaching the fence when he realized that he had to get the wounded woman over it, the problem was her wound would not allow that.
*First thing first.* He thinks as he gently lowers her on the ground. Having gone on a stake out he had dressed casual as to not draw attention, he only wore a jacket to hide his holsters, now however he took it off before ripping off the sleeve of his shirt.
"I can't remove the bullet right now so I will have to make do with this, it will hurt at first but it is necessary or you will continue to bleed." He gently says to her as he prepares to bandage the wound.
Lantern said, "Good call. It won't mean anything if she bleeds out on the way to the hospital."
"D-do it!" Esmeralda replies as she readies herself.
John doesn't hesitate or flinch when she cries out as he wraps up the wound as best he can; he's seen and been through worse after all. After that is done he looks to the fence, he could probably carry her on his back but that would be more of a hassle and time was not on their side, so he went with a more direct approach and grasped it in his hands and pulled.
*SCHREECH!* The metal rungs that held the metal soon snapped under the strain of the man's strength as he pulled back the metal mesh to let him carry his VIP more easily.
Esmeralda remained quiet through it all, she may be in pain but even she could tell that there was something about the man's abilities that told her he was far above average, she chose to keep this to herself as now was not the time to question the man who was pulling from the Hell she had been experiencing.
Batman raised an eyebrow and thought, 'Given how she has witnessed his abilities, she may end up putting two and two together…however, she is smart to prioritize getting out of there first, as opposed to questioning.'
He soon picked her up again, minding her wound as he did so, they then made it through the opening and he set her down in the seat of his vehicle and strapped her in.
He spared a look to see if anyone followed them and much to his dismay he spotted several cars rushing their way to his position.
"Damn…" He muttered before moving towards the driver's seat.
*Cortana, I have the asset but pursuers are inbound, alert NYPD and check if Diana is free to provide back up.* He sent to his partner as he activated his ride and practically fused the petal to the floor.
What followed next was a high speed chase through streets one would expect from a Hollywood movie. Unfortunately the gunfire was real as their pursuers shot at them with little regard for innocent bystanders.
*I could really use some back up here Cortana.* He sent to his partner as he fired back at one of the three cars pursuing them.
-The police are inbound but Diana is being held up, apparently some woman in a skimpy black dress named Tala is attacking a museum for an artifact that was unveiled there.—
Diana facepalmed as she said, "Of all the times…really?"
Lantern said, "Such is our life princess. Always at the worst possible time."
*Wonderful.* He sarcastically replies as he swerves into the car of one of the henchman on his right, forcing one of the gunmen back into the vehicle before he fires the last three rounds in his gun at them. The splash of red on the back seat window told him he nailed one though if he was dead could not be confirmed.
The car on his left swerves into his vehicle causing the young woman currently kneeling down in the seat to cry out, whether in panic or pain he knows not, he spares her a quick to make sure she is all right as he presses the "gas" petal harder to coax more speed out of his machine.
As he and his pursuers make a hard left the sounds of sirens could be heard.
"Hold on Esmeralda, back up is here." John reassures her as he empties one of his guns magazines, taking a chance he releases one hand from the steering wheel to pull out a clip.
The third pursuer, one containing Vincenzo, rams them from behind making him almost lose the clip. He quickly reloads and fires at them multiple times, breaking the windshield in three places though sadly not hitting any of the occupants.
"This is the police! Stop your vehicles and drop your weapons!" The cruiser's speaker let out to all involved. John would have gladly done as asked but current circumstances denied this, sparing a glance at the side view mirror he cursed.
"Fuck you cop!" Shouted one of the henchmen from the left vehicle as he leans out of the window and pulls out a shotgun and another on the opposite end aims his pistol at the officers.
Flash said, "Yeah, that never works."
*Can't have that.* The Spartan thought as he rams their car to prevent them from shooting. The shotgun wielder falls out as a result and gets up close and personal with the back wheel while pistol user is pushed back in. He soon straightens the vehicle and fires at the driver who barely has time to cry out before the bullets made contact with his head.
The car slammed into a parked Taxi that luckily was empty, though its' driver was less than pleased as he shouted at the participants of this chase. John would have just seen that as typical New Yorker's attitude but was too busy once more evading the remaining two vehicles.
The gun blasts were now more numerous as evidenced when one managed to hit him in the left shoulder to his great displeasure. Accelerated healing or not, he hated the worried looks he got from Cortana, Diana or Barbara when someone managed to hurt him, as ever since the Hades battle they took to guarding him somewhat.
Lantern chuckled and said, "Trying to guard your man, eh princess?"
Diana didn't' respond and simply huffed as she turned back towards the show.
He ignored the pain as the bullet was pushed out of his shoulder before returning fire, he took note that two more police cruisers had joined in and the lead car was firing on the car on the left. He aimed low this time and blew out one of their tires, the driver tried to keep control but soon spun out of control and was slammed into it causing the other two cruiser two stop leaving only his car and Vincenzo.
*Time to put an end to this.* The Spartan thought as he sees a curve up ahead. He pressed down hard on the accelerator and slowly gained ground. He imagined Vincenzo was screaming at his driver to pour on more speed...just as he wanted.
"Hang on Esmeralda!" He shouted at her just before he slammed the brake while turning hard causing the vehicle to draft into the curve and face his pursuer. He took aim at the driver and fired as quickly as he could and left it to his luck to see them through…it did not fail as they struck hard, causing the lifeless body to pull the steering wheel as it slumps to the side and making the car flip in the air as it took the curve before...
*CRASH!*
John felt nothing as he stared at the wreck, all that matter was to confirm the kill.
Batman suddenly had a very bad feeling in his gut. If he had killed Vincenzo…then things were about to go downhill…very fast.
"Is everyone all right!?" He heard from above him, both he and Esmeralda turned to look up to see Diana float down towards them, she didn't look worse for wear but the signs of battle were present.
"We are fine Wonder Woman, somewhat rattled with some wounds but mostly fine, can you please look after Miss Ramirez? I must check to see if there are any survivors and she would more than likely feel more secure with someone with your abilities with her." He said to her in a way that showed he did not know her more than the average person did.
She would have protested but figured the man had his reasons for his requests, besides it was the least she could do for arriving late to help so with that in mind she nods and moved towards the wounded girl.
He says nothing but nods back before pulling out his other weapon and holstering the other and makes way for the wreck.
It was strangely quiet as he approached the ruin car and he reached it much sooner than he expected. The driver was dead of course so he didn't bother to look there so he headed to the other side…he found what he was looking for there in the form of a bloody Vincenzo gasping his final breaths halfway out of the back seat window.
The man in question had shards of glass in his neck and was bleeding out that the Spartan didn't bother to take aim; he also didn't feel the need to grant the man a merciful death as he stares stoically at him.
"Maybe now your victims can rest, rest knowing you won't be around to claim new ones Vincenzo." John spoke at the dying criminal before turning away just as the man's eyes finally glazed over and gave one final gasp.
Flash shuddered at the soldier's tone and said, "That is not going to end well, is it."
Batman, surprisingly was the one who answered, "No it isn't."
The police soon arrived along with the other emergency services, frankly that was the least of his concerns as he moved towards the Amazon and young woman.
"No survivors." Was all he said to them before the Police swarmed the area.
Gotham City, One Week later…
Her son was dead.
That is what the current head of the Falcone family, Sofia Gigante Falcone, thought as she stared at his motionless body lying inside the casket she got for him. Her only son was gone from this world, taken from it by nothing more a private detective too stupid to learn not mess with her family.
"Bats…Arrow," Flash said, "You have more experience with the Falcone family than we do…how bad is this going to get?"
Batman answered, "Very."
Arrow said, "Yeah…let's just say that if the guy who wrote the godfather took notes from these guys…his movie would have been banned from a lot of theatres and probably wouldn't have made it to the shelves."
When news reached her that Vincenzo had been killed, she had been numbed to it at first. She had been barely aware when she ordered the news confirmed, and when this was done she had screamed and wailed against it that it took two days for her to calm down enough to ID and claim his body from the morgue.
Now here she sat in the funeral home where he lay surrounded by her most trusted bodyguards and confidants.
One of her men quietly approached her before kneeling next to her to speak.
"He is here Signora Falcone."
"Let him inside and give him the information I requested." She replies without turning away from the coffin.
It took a few moments before she was joined by another individual who quietly sat next to her. The bench groaned under the person's considerable weight.
"Oh boy," Flash said, "This can't be good."
Arrow said, "Knowing them…it isn't. The question is…who is she talking to?"
Superman said, "We can count out a few of them as nobody is that big. There are a few work for higher who reach that size…but I can't tell who it is yet."
"I have a job for you, one a man of your skill set can complete without too much trouble. In the folder you will find your target." Again the figure remained quiet but she heard papers shuffle so she pressed on.
"My men will bring the family to my estate, you however will bring me him, and I don't care about his condition except that he mustbe alive. Am I clear? You can shatter his bones, tear his muscles but you bring him to me alive, is that understood Bane?" She asks as she finally turns towards her asset.
The man in question was garbed in a black trench coat and fedora…though it was strained against his massive frame, at 6' 8" tall and bulging with muscles the man known as Bane was an imposing sight at that was without the use of his enhancer.
Batman and Superman's eyes widened. Batman had tangled with Bane multiple times, their earlier encounter leaving him broken and in a coma. Superman remembered the incident where he had to take Batman's place when he got brainwashed by Brainiac. He knew that he wasn't a pushover especially with that formula in his veins.
"Si signora Falcone, I will bring you your quarry alive, though in what condition depends on how much of a fight it gives." The South American born mercenary/assassin calmly replies.
"So long as he lives long enough for me to place a bullet in his skull I don't care what you do... though if you can bring him to me screaming in agony I may feel inclined to give you a bonus." She adds at the end and receiving a nod in turn before the man got up to leave and leave his latest employer to mourn her son as well as let her rage fester.
In the meantime he pulled off the photo of his target, one John Mendez, staring back at him stoically.
*Let see what challenges you can give me hmm?* He thinks before crushing it.
Flash said, "Um…this is bad right?"
Batman said, "Yes. Bane is nearly unsurpassed in strength and his skills in combat are not to be underestimated."
Arrow said, "So he's another muscle head, big whoop."
A cold glare came across his face as Batman said, "He is a master of several martial arts, has mastered stealth to the point that he can rival me, has withstood more pain than any normal man can withstand…and he is just as intelligent as he is strong."
J'onn brought is hand to his chin and said, "Based on what you've told us…he is dangerous…what aws that device on his arm?"
Batman answered, "Bane uses a special device to inject himself with a steroid called Venom. It enhances his strength even further."
Flash said, "Dang…he almost sounds like an unarmored, un-enhanced Spartan."
The next day, New York City…
John was currently having lunch at a local Deli with Miranda and Barbara. Cortana was still dealing with the Mjolnir's reconstruction…as well as proofing it against the supernatural without much success.
"Has this Doctor Fate or Zatanna been able to respond?" He asks his CO.
"Nothing on the good Doctor according to Boy Scout and Mr. Dark said she was dealing with personal matter before he left on this mission to find this Ras Al Ghul." Miranda replies carefully so as not to draw attention from anyone listening in.
"Who came up with those names?" Barbara asks humorously as takes a drink from her Ice Tea.
"Who else but the team's best marathon runner and comedian." The Commander says with a smirk as the other woman chuckles.
John was glad the former criminal was getting better acclimatized to working with them, the League still didn't trust her fully but she was progressing nicely.
"So John I hope you haven't forgotten about tonight." The Cheetah woman suddenly brought as she looked the Spartan.
"I haven't Barbara; I will pick you up at 6 o' clock as agreed." He replies kindly.
Two days after the battle with Hades the former criminal had come to him with two tickets to an outdoor show featuring one of the city's premier symphony orchestra's. He was surprised she would go out of her way to do this for him but she said it was to thank him for all his help as well as make him take a break.
Flash chuckled and said, "You might want to step up your game, Diana. The cat lady might beat you to the punch."
Cortana and Miranda encouraged him to take up the offer so tonight he would take her to enjoy a night of classical music.
"Commander, what is the status on Diana and her fellow Amazons?"
"Well we are still setting up their apartments; Donna has agreed to living with her sister while the other two are still getting used to being away from the Island though Diana is making sure they keep out of trouble…especially Artemis." Miranda stressed on the elder of the two redheaded sisters after she nearly pummeled a man for looking at her sister in an appreciative manner.
Diana sighed and said, "At least they are getting used to man's world…it is going to be an uphill battle it would seem."
Batman said, "They haven't been a part of the world for years. They are going to have a hard time telling a lustful leer from an appreciative glance."
Diana thought back to her own admirers and those who fantasized about her and thought, 'I know the feeling all to well.'
"Well… at least she didn't do anything to give away who she was staying with or she would have blown your identities." Barbara comments dryly.
"It's a work in progress Barbara; they have been secluded from the world for hundreds of years and it will take time for them to adjust. Especially for Artemis, I get the feeling she holds a particular grudge against men but I would rather not pry in her affairs unless it becomes necessary." The Commander says diplomatically to her companions who nod in agreement.
"And how are Donna and Alexia taking the move Commander?" John asks as he eats.
"Heh, like two kids taking their first steps into the world, they are simply fascinated by everything and it is only been a few days. It was kind of like what Diana went through though since Donna is younger she is more eager while Alexia is a bit more reserved in her wonder…strangely enough she asked if our crimson clad friend could pay her a visit in regards to a promise he made." She chuckles when she recalled how red the woman got when she requested this.
Flash cheered and said, "Way to go, Wally!...thank god Artemis wasn't here to hear me say that."
Arrow said, "Eh…I won't tell her…maybe."
"I hope her sister does not hear of it, she may actually try to harm him regardless of his speed." John comments with a frown marring his features, he did wonder how to show the woman that not all men were filled with dark intentions towards women. He would leave it for now until such time an idea came; now however he would have to deal with a recent occurrence in his life.
"Oh my God! You're that detective who saved that young woman." A woman suddenly spoke up making him look up as she approached him with visible excitement. He had to fight off a groan born from irritation; the media had been having a feel day with the incident, and him by proxy ever since it broke that he had saved Esmeralda and killed Vincenzo.
That night he had been subjected to in detail questioning from both the NYPD and reporters on the scene. He had taken the Police questioning in stride as they were doing their duty and could not fault them for it even though some chided him for not reporting this sooner. The media however loved to write about everyday heroes as much as the super powered variety so they had quickly latched onto him much to his chagrin.
Though as soon as Esmeralda's mother heard the news it was clear she was incredibly grateful towards him for saving her daughter and Esmeralda reciprocated as she hugged him tightly before being taking to a nearby hospital. He was glad to have helped the family and he gave them his word that if they ever needed his help to call him and he would gladly aid them.
Many of the diners were looking at the scene curiously, so after the woman asked if she could take a picture with him and him indulging her he and the women soon got up and left. He made sure to ignore the occasional smirk the Commander through his way…though he didn't understand why Barbara was frowning instead of joining the Commander's mirth.
Flash said, "does anyone else really want to see what happens when the guy finally gets it through that steel-like skull of his that they want him?"
J'onn said, "It should prove entertaining."
Arrow said, "It also shows that we really should keep the masks. With all the people we save daily we'd probably be swarm with adoring fans…and haters alike."
He shelved that for latter, perhaps he could ask during their outing.
*And won't that be odd?* He can't help but think, still it was just between friends so there was no reason to delve deeper into it…right? He shook his head before following his companions.
Unknown to them they were being watched by a fairly large man from an alley.
"So that is him…I think I may enjoy this assignment." Bane said to no one as he followed them with his eyes until they were out of sight. Quietly he stepped back into the shadows.
*Tomorrow, tomorrow I will break him, for today I shall let him have a moment of peace before I come for him.*
Arrow said, "Oh this this going to be good."
Later…
John arrived at the designated time at the home the doctor; it was a small two story house they bought for her that was near the clinic she worked at. It was decided that to prove his trust in her desire to reform to grant her some small liberties, one of those was to live on her own away from the complex where he and the others lived in.
There was some reluctance from the others at first but they decided to trust his judgment. He was pleased it was not misplaced as the woman had not once tried to leave the city or divulge any of the knowledge of him and the others in any way.
Stepping out of the Hog he made his way to her door and knocks.
"Coming!"
Moments later he was treated to the sight of the Dr. Minerva dressed in a black dress that enhanced her curvaceous figure. It reached past her ankles while barely touching her stilettos with a slit on each side and tastefully cut at her chest that left enough of her cleavage visible for any man to take note of it. She wore a light application of makeup and a pair of gold earrings while her hair was done in a neat braid that reached her shoulders.
"You look very nice Barbara." He comments with a small smile directed at the woman who blushed slightly.
Arrow and Flash had to resist the urge to wolf whistle at the sight of the lovely doctor. The men, expect for J'onn and Batman, gave the woman an appreciative glance. She was quite lovely.
"Thank you John, you look very dashing as well." She comments ashes takes in his form dressed in a variation of the Spartan dress uniform, it was missing his many medals and ribbons but given how many he had it was better this way.
"Yeah, he'd probably strain to walk, even with his strength, carrying all those medals around," Flash said.
As the woman turned to lock up the house he remembered something Cortana mentioned to him for this occasion, as she turned to face him he offered his hand to her and as she took it he escorted her to his vehicle and helped her sit inside before making his way to the driver's side.
Soon they were of for the night and in the doctors opinion it was one of the best she could ask for as she watched the man enjoy the musical pieces played and let the tension she always saw him carry leave him for a few hours.
Afterwards she asked if he would like to have dinner with her to top of the night and he agreed. They stopped at a rather formal restaurant in the more high class part of city per a recommendation made by Cortana when asked if there were any good restaurants nearby.
The AI knew what the doctor was up to so she made some quick moves in the places computer system to get them a nice table and discreetly gave the woman a wink much to her embarrassment.
Flash chuckled and said, "Who needs Craigslist, Tinder, or any of those dating websites when you have Cortana?"
All in all though she was quite thankful towards the artificial woman help for doing this for them and for not trying to sabotage her attempts to get closer to the man who saved her life and gave her a new lease on it.
When he finally brought her home she gave him a quick peck on the cheek that caught him of guard before entering her home. John was stunned for a moment before shaking it off, though he did feel a bit warm afterwards and found it wasn't unpleasant.
Unknown to all, as the duo's day was coming to a close another event was taking place at the home of the Ramirez family, one that would have far reaching consequences.
Flash said, "Oh crap, with everything going on, we forgot about the Ramirezes."
Ramirez family home…
Currently the family of three made up by Maria head of the household and her eldest daughter Esmeralda and her youngest son of 12 Melchor were enjoying a late night movie.
After the events that took place the small family tried to stay as close as possible to help Esmeralda get through the ordeal. She occasionally suffered from nightmares that required one of them to be near her or help her move around the house due to her wounded leg.
Esmeralda was under no illusions that there was a quick fix, so she gratefully accepted her mother and brother's care as well as thanking her friends who visited her daily to check up on her.
"I am going to the kitchen, do you need Melchor?" Their mother asks kindly as she stands from the sofe.
"No mama."
"You Esmeralda?"
"No mama, I am fine at the moment."
With that she headed for the kitchen for a drink of water, however as she drank the back door that lead to the backyard was blasted open by a shotgun shell.
*BLAM!*
"AAAAHHH!" She screams as she sees men coming in, one of them aims a Taser at her and sends two wires into her arm before shocking her.
"Get the little bastards before someone calls the cops!" She barely hears as she convulses.
"MAMA!" Her children soon scream before unconscious claims her; the last thoughts going through her mind are to pray that someone save them regardless of what happens to her.
Everyone glared at the screen as they saw the abduction. The sight of the family caught up in the crossfire scared them somewhat. They only hoped that the Spartan…or John Mendez would be able to save them.
The next day, Halsey Investigations Agency…
After the outing and a good night's rest and hearty meal the Master Chief made his way inside the building that hosted their day job. It was a 10 story building where he and the Commander bought some of the office space on the sixth floor to set up their agency.
The commander was currently working on a surveillance case while he was sitting at his desk going over their case files in need of organizing. It was a slow day thankfully and nothing serious or dangerous had come up so he was thankful for that at least, though his attention was soon claimed when...
*KNOCK!* *KNOCK!* *KNOCK!*
"Hmm? Yes? Who is it?"
"Delivery for John Mendez-Halsey, it is a fairly large package sir and I require your signature please." He heard on the other side of the door, from the tone and accent he would say it was definitely Hispanic in nature possible South American.
"And the big brawler enters the scene," Flash narrated dramatically.
"I see, very well I am coming." He replies as he got up and headed toward the door, as he opened it so he was not greeted by a dutiful delivery man but a rather large fist to his face that snapped his head back.
"In blood will suffice." The man said before John shut the door on reflex as his mind recouped…and was promptly denied as the massive man's arm easily tore through the flimsy door, grabbed him by his shirt where he was pulled out with enough force that the Spartan was thrown hard enough his back slammed into the corridor wall and left an impression on the plaster.
Everyone winced. They all had a feeling that the Spartan could take it, but there was no doubt that had to sting.
He was then kicked in the chest through that as well making the people on the other side cry out in shock as they watched him come through it. That shock did not end as a near seven foot tall man dressed in black, steel toed boots, fingerless gloves, leather pants and muscle shirt wearing an ominous luchador mask with tubes coming out of it tore through same the hole the Chief made.
The chief recognized him though from the files they had on Earths criminals and given what this man was most famous for he knew he was in for a fight.
"Bane." He spoke neutrally despite the blood on his lips.
"So you've heard of me Mr. Mendez, I am here to acquire your presence for my current employer. You may resist if you like, it makes the victory more satisfying for me." The mercenary replies in a dark tone before he moved towards the man.
John was not in the mood to accommodate him so took a loose boxing stance before charging in much to the villains surprise before he too charged in with a right hook thrown as soon as he was in range.
*Let the game begin!* Bane thought with growing excitement, he loved when his targets put up a fight instead of cowering in fear.
Flash said, "He enjoys fighting, doesn't he?"
Batman simply nodded.
John ducked under the arm and threw a right straight punch to the other man's kidney but Bane used the spin he was in to have it only graze him and then back hand him by striking his unprotected face.
John's head reeled but came back quickly as he batted away another punch and tackled the other man to the ground and began to rain blows onto his head, or tried to as Bane covered up fairly quickly grunting with each blow.
*His fists are like steel!* the mercenary thought as he weather the storm before striking like a cobra and batting away another fist before using the same hand to grab John by the back of his head and into his swing elbow. This stunned the Spartan enough to have Bane deliver another right hook that toppled him to the side; if he weren't trying to capture him he would have commended the man for his skill and strength.
Bane got back up quickly and moves fast towards his prey, this man was not going down as a fast as he thought he would. The file given to him said he had been a soldier; he had faced soldiers before both average and specially trained and this man felt like the latter only more given how much his blows hurt and how quick he was despite his size and bulk.
His opponent got to his knees but he quickly rushed in and dropped kick him in the ribs to further deny him any ground.
"Oof!" The kick put him on his back, which was a foreign feeling to him when not done by say Li or Fred who surpassed him in CQC skill.
Flash said, "I'm beginning to see why you don't like fighting this guy, Bats. If he can go toe-to-toe with the Spartan…that shows how tough he is."
Diana said, "It also doesn't help that John has to suppress his healing nanites to keep the image of a normal man."
Bane followed by flipping onto his feet and continuing his assault by quickly scooping the man up into his arms and hurling him into one of the nearby cubical walls shocking much of the still gawking office worker who had yet to flee... with some even taking out their phones and recording the fight.
"Seriously?" Arrow asked, "A fight to the death is happening right in front of them and they're just recording it on their phones?"
Superman said, "The modern age everyone."
Before he could continue five security guards rushed him with their batons raised and tazers out.
*Miserable pests…I might as well make this quick.* He thought as he moved the dial on his hand to release a small amount of VENOM into his system. Not enough to hamper his judgment but would boost his body enough to make quick work of them. As soon as the substance entered his bloodstream his muscles bulged in size as it began its work.
The first guard to reach him had his arm raised and thus made an easy target as he grasped it and easily broke the bone, the man barely had time to scream before he was viciously backhanded with enough force his jaw broke.
The second one came in and managed to jab his side with a tazer, only it did not do much as damage as he hoped as Bane quickly grabbed the man by the throat and threw him into a support column, the back of the man's head left a stain of blood from where it struck.
A third guard began to strike him desperately with his baton upon his back but that soon ended as the muscular mercenary snapped his neck as soon as he caught him. Another he kicked in the face the man's neck snapped and the other was had his sternum broke from a vicious knee thrust before he was punched out by the villain.
The spectators could only cringe and cry out in the face of such brutality being displayed here and wondered when the police would arrive to put a stop to it.
Arrow said, "They'd probably be there sooner if someone would call the police already…also…I just have to ask…aren't there any negative effects of that venom stuff?"
Batman answered, "Large doses can mess with Bane's mind, turning him into a brute. He only overdoses if he needs to, which I believe he may end up doing in this fight."
As the guards fell John was getting his bearings after he was thrown through a cubicle wall and landing on a hard wood table. Hearing the cries of pain and fear he pushed pass his pain and ripped off a nearby printer from its place, and threw it at Bane's back to get his attention and cause some damage.
*SMASH!*
"Argh!"
Bane turned towards the direction the object was thrown and soon spotted the Spartan as he rushed him before throwing a right kick towards his jaw and nose. Bane barely managed to turn before contact so he was only struck on the cheek but still it was a strong kick that rocked him.
John took what he could get and immediately went for a kick to the other man's left thigh that buckled him and left him open for a left hook that brought down where the Chief soon began to kick the man's mid-section viciously.
Any other man would have already been out of the fight but given Bane's above average physique and the VENOM serum flowing through his body he weathered the storm before lashing out and blocking an incoming kick before leg sweeping the Spartan of his feet.
John got back up as did Bane though the latter spat a wad of blood showing he did incur some damage.
"Very few men and women can cause me this much trouble much less hurt me, but congratulations are in order Mr. Mendez for you can join their ranks!" He yells as he rushes in at the man he was played to capture. John said nothing but met his charge and soon both men were locked in struggle to overpower the other.
Batman said, "And now…he is going to get serious."
Arrow said, "Wait…that wasn't serious?"
Batman said, "If you manage to hurt him Bane will go all out if he can. However, since he needs John alive, he is going to attempt to beat him half to death."
John broke the stalemate first by pulling Bane forward into a knee thrust into his stomach; this was soon followed by left-right-left punch combo in the same spot that doubled the villain over.
The Spartan clasped his hands and raised them to drive them into the back of the masked man's head but Bane had other plans as he pushed passed the pain and lunged into the other man's stomach and lifting him up and running into the nearby cubicles.
John could only grunt as he was used as a makeshift battering ram, he tried to regain the momentum of the fight but that was not to be as his back exploded in pain as it collided with a concrete support column. His troubles grew when Bane began knee him repeatedly in the stomach before slamming his fist into the man's jaw, had it not been coated in a special alloy he would have shattered it.
"Damn this is brutal," Arrow said, seeing the tactics the soldier and the mercenary were using."
As it stood though he was brought back up and punched back down by his opponent two more times, the final punch had him on his knees where Bane prepared to deliver another blow but got a surprise instead when the Spartan suddenly threw a uppercut into his groin…THAT he felt all right as he groans in pain before his face as the Spartan head slams into his face breaking the masked mercenary's nose.
All the men wince at the brutal display and how that must have hurt, especially with the super soldier's strength.
John didn't hesitate to capitalize by clapping his foe's ears as he stood up and further unbalancing him, thus leaving him open for the Spartan to grasp him by the back of the man's head and slamming his already damaged face into the column and there he began to rain blows to the man's midsection.
Bane went to back hand him to gain some breathing room but his enemy just ducked under that and swung at his face as a response making him turn all the face his right before the man began to pummel him again.
The people in the office cheered the Spartan on as he laid into the masked criminal only to stop as Bane finally caught a break and dodged one fist that slammed into the column and then in a mirror of the Spartans own action, grabbed John by the back of his head and slammed his forehead into it leaving a splash of blood on it.
Everyone winced as no doubt the big buy was going through a lot of pain right now.
John at that point wills his nanites to not heal the very visible damage so his identity couldn't be compromised; he was going to get bloody murder from Cortana for it though. Bane on the other hand upped the dosage of VENOM to counter the pain and give himself a boost; he gritted his teeth as the hyper steroid began to take affect before refocusing on the task at hand.
He would give the man credit for forcing him to go this far though; still it would not deter him from accomplishing his mission.
John turned to face the man who clearly showed signs that he was even stronger now, he briefly thought of the times Insurrectionist used "Rumble" drug to match him and his Spartan brothers and sisters and the trouble it caused them.
Superman said, "It seems like the Spartan's world has it's own version of venom. I can only imagine what it does to them if they can match the Spartan."
Batman said, "The side effects are probably a lot worse."
Still he pushed past that and ran at the man and began to attack, Bane new level of strength made him weather the blows that met his body, he took the bone breaking punches and on a right hook back stepped before launching a vicious straight at a speed the Master Chief did not expect as it struck his face hard and turned him a full 180.
Bane however was not done as he gripped the Master Chief by the scruff of his shirt and his belt where he pulled him upwards towards a ceiling light…
*CRASH!*
Before gravity took the Chief into the rising knee thrust to his stomach that made him spit out blood.
"Guh!"
Batman nearly flinched visibly as he felt a flare of phantom pain from his back, remembering when he too had fallen victim to Bane's backbreaker.
"We are not done yet Mr. Mendez!"
The large man shouted as he once more grabbed the Chief in the same manner as before only this time it wasn't so he could become acquainted with the ceiling but rather ran with his stumbling quarry and threw him through the hole he had made into the wall and straight into the man's office and into the filing cabinet and coat hanger he kept.
John's world was blurred by the trip and the fall but not enough to realize he now had the means to put an end to this fight as he sees what was in front of him.
"It has been a most challenging duel Mr. Mendez, but sadly it has come to a close now you shall be accompanying me to see my employer." Bane spoke confidently as he approached the downed Spartan who looked to be struggling to get up as he was on his hands and knees.
The mercenary had just reached him and grasped his shoulder when his prey suddenly turned and…
*BLAM!* *BLAM!*
The league froze when they heard the obvious sound of gunfire.
Bane's eyes widened in shock as he looked down to see two growing stains of blood on his stomach area, he looked at the Spartan who had one of his guns in the hand he was seemingly using to hold his chest.
"No…"
"The game is over Bane." That was all John said before pulling the trigger again and again at the man who had beaten him to capture him. The VENOM numbed the pain but could not stop him from being pushed back by the multiple rounds until finally his head snapped back as one bullet finally found its mark in his eye.
John finally lowered the gun once empty and let exhaustion finally take him; he was tempted to reactivate the nanites but…
"NYPD!" He heard someone shout outside his broken doorway.
*The NYPD really must work on that response time.* He dryly thought before he collapsed onto the floor, he just knew his troubles were far from over.
Silence…pure silence.
Flash said, "Damn. I actually thought the Spartan was gonna get captured…looks like I was wrong."
Batman said, "He also took lethal means to win. Bane's death is going to leave a vacuum that someone is going to need to fill."
Arrow said, "Plus…with killing Bane under his belt…he's going to get a lot more customers, I think."
Superman said, "Yeah…but I think he just opened a huge can of worms."
One hour after the battle, Falcone estate, Gotham…
Sofia was currently in her study drinking her afternoon tea as she awaited news from Bane. She had already been informed on the capture of the family and was now only waiting on the main target of her revenge.
*RING!* *RING!* *RING!*
The phone next to her chimed as if in response to her thoughts.
"This is Falcone."
-Signora Falcone, Bane is dead. — One of her men spoke in utmost seriousness as he conveyed the news of the fail acquisition.
"…I'm sorry could you please repeat that? I must have misheard you because it seemed like you have just said that Bane is dead." The tone of her voice would have cut steel given its sharpness.
Flash said, "And now…she's really pissed."
-It is confirmed, Bane was killed by the detective after a struggle ensued, according to what informants we have in the NYPD the man held him off and then shot him repeatedly at point blank.—
"So are you telling me he failed? That the man who murdered my son is still loose!? IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE FUCKING TELLING ME!?"
-Signora…-
"No! Shut up, just shut the fuck up and let me fucking think!"
The irate woman struggled for a moment before finally talking to the man.
"All right, here is what you will do and you better not fuck this up or there will be consequences, severe consequences." Sofia threatened as she relayed her instructions before hanging up brusquely. At that point she grabbed the cup she was drinking from and threw it at the wall in a fury due to Bane's failure.
*My son will be avenged! Even if it costs me everything I will see that whore, her brats and that bastard dead and buried in a shallow grave! Do you hear me Vincenzo? I will avenge you my son, I swear it!*
The woman may have not realized it at the time, but very soon she would realized she had declared a blood feud on the wrong man.
Batman said, "This is not going to end well."
Flash said, "I have a distinct feeling the coroner is going to be going through a lot of bodies when this thing is over…and the super soldier isn't going to be one of them."
