"Batman, a word?"
The Dark Knight came to a stop, turning his head to look over his shoulder. He found Black Canary and Green Arrow approaching him, the latter having called out his name. He turned around to face the two as they came to a stop in front of him.
"What the hell have you gotten us into?" the archer bluntly asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Canary shot him a look, but she didn't contradict him.
"You're going to have to be more specific," he retorted.
Arrow leaned closer to him. "Do you have any idea how bonkers it is up here? We're sitting on a veritable powder keg."
Batman blatantly looked to Canary. "What's going on?"
"I'm sure you heard about Arrow's dustup with Captain Atom," she began. He had heard of it, so all he did was nod. "And ever since, we've been seeing...inconsistencies."
"Meaning?"
"What kind of club are you running up here?" the Emerald Archer nearly exploded. It was a credit to his discipline that he hadn't shouted it. "There's little to no planning; it's like the League expects to go into any given situation, defuse it, and leave as the hero. And none of that has happened since we got here."
Never let it be said that one should ever meet their heroes. "And now you've seen what it's like dealing with metas day in and out," the dark-clad vigilante responded coolly.
"Considering you're up here, that doesn't speak very highly of you either," the blond man retorted.
"And we crossed that line," Canary muttered, shaking her head in disgust. "Alright, let's just cut to the chase. The Justice League isn't anything we thought it would be and the both of us were wondering what you were thinking in recruiting us."
"One, don't sell yourself short," Batman responded. "I wouldn't have encouraged you if I didn't think you were up for it. And two, I only invited you. Arrow just happened to overhear and wanted to tag along."
He received a glare from the Emerald Archer, but the man couldn't really refute that. However, it was Canary that rebutted, "So this has nothing to do with you wanting another set of eyes and ears, does it?"
Batman returned his attention to the blonde vigilante. He didn't say anything, just stared until she further explained herself. "Ever since we've been up here, we've felt like we've just been spying on the others. You've probably even noticed that we haven't really befriended anywhere here."
He didn't see how that was his fault, but if they needed a reason…
"I also know you're someone I can trust," the dark-clad man relented. "I know you can handle yourselves whatever the situation, which is more than I can say for the new metas. Because of that, you're not going to sugarcoat what they need to hear. One mistake can cost someone their life, we all know this well. When people get powers, that sense of self-preservation has a tendency to get tossed aside. However, not everyone is invulnerable to bullets and sometimes superheroes need to be reminded of that."
"And in regard to the spying?" Arrow pressed.
"I can't say that was my intent, but I did expect you to be observant," Batman admitted.
Green Arrow stared at him before shaking his head in disgust. "For someone that isn't known for talking, you just said a lot of words meaning yes."
Black Canary crossed her arms over her chest as she shifted her weight from one leg to another. "And you couldn't tell us that before?"
Batman raised an eyebrow. "If I asked you to join the League to be spies, would you have said yes?"
"Probably not," Arrow replied.
"Instead you wanted us to do it naturally," Canary continued. "You do realize how manipulative that is, right?"
"If you think I wanted spies, do you honestly think I would have only recruited one other person?" Batman rebutted. "Or that I would even need to be so open about it? There's security features in just about every hallway and room on the Watchtower. A computer program designed to flag key words could do just about all the work I needed."
"So why didn't you do that?" Arrow questioned.
"Who says I haven't?"
Both blond vigilantes looked up at the ceiling and began scanning the hallway they were in, looking for the security cameras and audio receivers that must have been there. "I'll admit, I did hope your more paranoid tendencies would be utilized, but it wasn't entirely necessary. I do trust you to make the right decision though, and should something strange, if not wrong were to appear, you would be able to recognize it. One thing I have discovered about myself over the years is that I lose perspective when it comes to the League. So I thought if there were others like me that felt everything wasn't as it appeared to be, it would help me remain objective."
"Well, I can safely say that things aren't all they are cracked up to be," Black Canary said after a moment. "I do wish you had told me this when you approached me about joining."
"I think the both of us have proved ourselves quite capable," Arrow added as well. "We're not people that work for you, or are just extensions of you. We're your equals."
"Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some more spying to do," Canary finished, a hint of bitterness in her tone.
The two blonde vigilantes turned and began walking away. Batman watched them go for a moment or two before he called out to them. "There's something happening in the League."
That caused the two of them to stop and turn to face him again. "What else is going on in this superhero-y Heart of Darkness?" Green Arrow complained.
"You wanted to be treated like equals," Batman responded, "and equals share their concerns. There's something...changing the League. Making them darker."
"Go on," Black Canary prodded, taking a step back towards him.
He shook his head. "Not here, not with so many people with super-hearing that can overhear."
"Then where?"
"Where else?"
It was hard to think of Kori as any kind of royalty. It was even more difficult to think that where she came from that royalty could even be a thing. A world where coups were the norm and it was based on who thought they should be running things because they could do a better job...was not that far-fetched, but that you could have any kind of royalty involved in a thing like that made the head hurt.
Yet, it was a thing. It was a thing, it was happening, and it was happening here. Cassie trusted Kori with her life, no ifs, no ands, no buts. The Tamaranean was like a big sister who also acted like a little sister. You could not get mad at her and stay mad at her.
Her sister on the other hand…
Cassie didn't like her, didn't like this other royal Tamaranean, and had no plans of ever liking her. She didn't trust this newcomer either and was watching her like a hawk. Every movement from that swagger, the way she talked, hell, the way she looked at everything in the tower was an insult, and the blonde hated to be insulted.
But this was for Kori. So, out of respect and like for her friend, Cassie was going to do her best and not make a scene. This was gonna be tough, perhaps the toughest thing she had ever done, and that was saying a lot.
The grand tour for the Grand Pain in the Ass started in the tower's lobby. Noncommittal responses were expected because it was a damn lobby. What could you say other than "it's nice," or "boring"? No, the real test of patience was gonna be on the upper floors.
The library was dismissed much like the ground floor lobby. "Classrooms," which were little more than window dressing, got no response. The training room got some interest with how large it was, the equipment design for metahuman use, and that there was an aerial obstacle course fit in there somehow. Everything in there you needed to keep some superpowered teenagers fit and ready for a fight. The bedrooms and personal areas were skimmed through, take a guess why. The most used room in the whole tower, their living room and kitchen extension got what was a polite "oh, that looks nice," reaction.
Queen of the Pain in the Asses was clearly not impressed with the set up.
"Yes, yes, the whites really bring out the blacks and reds," the alien queen, whose name Cassie was not bothering to learn, droned.
Kori, whether she picked up on it, or was ignoring it, continued without pause. "I find my favorite location to reside in the tower is on the roof, primarily during after midday. The heat is quite enjoyable and—"
"It has a great view, I know." So dismissive, wasn't she? The blonde did not like the attitude, even if it reminded her how she sometimes acted with Red.
Speaking of, the rest of their little team was keeping their distance, but you knew they were watching both of these orange-skinned ladies. Everyone was waiting for the other shoe to fall. There was no doubt that it would fall; the only question was when.
Kori was still a trooper. "When the sun lowers and reaches the horizon, the colors remind me of home. The sky is nearly the same color and the waters red like—"
"The lake? Yes." That cape was making more noise than this queen, or empress, or grand whatever. "Is this all this planet has to offer? Visuals and changing colors?"
"Whatever do you mean?" the younger of the two alien sisters asked.
Cassie was frowning as she listened. Oh, she had a good feeling where this was going. Perhaps she might have been wrong about the other shoe falling. No, she wasn't wrong about it falling, just what form it was going to take. Immediately she was shooting a look to the first person who would look up at her and found Raven giving the blandest look ever, but giving a nod of understanding.
"Do you think I kept myself in the palace day in and day out?" Now that was a drawl if she ever heard one. "Even as Grand Ruler, I stepped out once in a while to meet with the people. I spent time with them. I enjoyed what they enjoyed."
"Excuse me, Grand Ruler, but I feel I need to tell you that this planet is not Tamaran." Ah, Gally boy there, who was acting more like a chauffeur, or escort, was speaking up. "There is no way to know how safe it is. It is only because of...I spoke to the people in the immigration satellite about the presence here and matters were made to keep us safe. The people of this planet are not going to be as...going with it."
That got a chuckle. Cassie didn't like the sound of it. "Oh, Galfore, you worry too much. If you think the people of this planet are a danger to me, you have forgotten that I know how to protect myself."
"And you do not know their fighting skills. They were able to defeat Despero. What else can they fight?" That was a name that the blonde did not know. There was a conversation happening here, one she did not know about, and it was irritating her. Everyone knew she did not like being irritated.
"Then it is good that Koriand'r is here, correct?" The black-haired Tamaran favored the orange-haired alien with a look. "She has gone out among these humans before, right? She would be able to warn me of any trouble should it happen."
"There should be no trouble at all," Kori piped up. "Much of the evil-doing in this settlement alone is handled by myself and my friends. Many problems occur during the night cycle of the day."
A black eyebrow raised up, a gesture that surprised Cassie. She hadn't thought about it before, but why would an alien species with no connection to them be able to do the same facial expressions? You could read the skepticism from that simple expression, the rising of that eyebrow.
"Evil-doing," the older sister repeated. Then, she shook her head. "Oh, Koriand'r, you are still so young, and naive. You haven't changed at all, have you?"
Kori stood taller. "I have done much changing, Sister. I have learned many things on this planet. I am not the same girl you last saw."
"Really? I have not been here long, but you are already putting the past behind you," the dark-haired queen responded.
"That is one thing that I have learned. I have seen too many people on this planet hold on to the past, so much so that they caused harm to themselves and to others. So many destroyed themselves because they were unable to and I do not wish the same for myself," Kori answered the challenge. "There is much in our past that...needs talking. It is my wish that first we engage in happiness first—to have fun. Then we may resolve our problems."
Cassie found herself looking away. Even if she sounded so innocent, Kori had really hit on something there, something that rang true deep within herself. Was Kori really willing to forgive after everything? The blonde herself found herself struggling with that concept and Red would know that. She had a tendency to hold on, grudges in particular.
Just what had this Tamaranean exile been learning while on Earth?
Seconds ticked by, painfully too. The older Tamaranean sister had not said anything, not yet. She just stared at her younger sister. Then her head lowered and turned from side to side, shoulders lifting up and falling down as a chuckle slipped out.
"If that is what you believe, very well." Up went the head, dark eyes flashing, almost literally, but that might have been a trick of the eyes. "Show me this planet, Sister Dear. Show me this 'fun' you mentioned. Show me everything this planet has to offer...and then we'll talk. Just like you want."
It was nearly blinding how bright Kori's smile was. "Indeed, I will. Come, we must change and engage in the doing of our hair. It is a necessity on this planet for females to do so."
"The doing of our what?" Big Sister blinked, somehow caught off guard, and then stumbled forward as the little sister grabbed her arm and started dragging the elder off. "Wait, what?!"
Huh, that was weird. The tall and confident alien queen didn't look so tall, or confident as she was pulled out of the large room, leaving only the rest of them and the enormous nanny behind.
Speaking of, the nanny rubbed at his eye and sighed. "This gives me memories."
Gotham State University was a premier research facility, ranking as one of the oldest, if not illustrious universities in the country. While it did not have the Ivy League status as Harvard and Yale did, its accomplishments were no less diminished.
Standing across the street from the main library—a large, square building eight stories high—Faust looked up at his old employer. He had done much research here; it was a sort of homecoming for him. To his left was the Shade, looking no more impressed than he usually did; to his right was Dr. Alchemy, ever the enigma.
"Remind me why we're here again?" Shade asked as he adjusted his grip on his cane, keeping its end on the ground.
"We seek the return of our divinity," Faust answered him, "and in order to accomplish that, we need my research."
"So we don't screw up the rituals," Shade finished for him. "That part I get. What I want to know is why it's here."
"Academia is obsessed with the collection and preservation of knowledge," the former professor explained. "Even the parts that may embarrass them. Much of the research I did for Maximillian Zeus was started here and stored upon my departure. No doubt when our activities came to light, they buried it with the other embarrassments."
"Sounds about right," the thin man grunted. "I wonder what other 'knowledge' this place is embarrassed about."
"Nothing as groundbreaking as my research," Faust assured him. "Mostly it's with the university's reputation, such as donors and staff. The street in front of us used to be named after a famous football player that played here once." Football, he internally snorted. What a waste of one's time, especially at a facility that was supposed to be teaching younger generations. "It was renamed when he was convicted of domestic violence and murder."
Shade whistled. "I think I remember that. Ran that girl over with his car, right?"
"As fascinating as this is, if we wait here all night, we are going to be spotted," Dr. Alchemy interrupted.
The cloaked man was right, of course. "Gentlemen, if you would," Faust gestured.
The three of them crossed the road, heading right for the main doors of the library. Shade was the one to open then as he raised up his cane and tendrils of shade stretched out and pulled on the door handles. They passed through the open doors and entered the lobby.
The lobby wasn't anything spectacular, just merely a place for elevators that led to the upper and lower floors, which were located to either side of them. Opposite the doors, this area opened up into the main library, tables and shelves full of books stretching out across the large room. Some of the tables were filled with students studying, a worthy endeavor, their books piled nearby.
Unfortunately, they had chosen the wrong night for their studies.
Dr. Alchemy held up the Philosopher's Stone, using its power to seal off the room. Glass windows became opaque, dulling whatever light passed through them. A wall silently grew up behind them, stopping when it reached the ceiling. Emergency exits turned into steel blockades.
And then Shade went into action. This time he unleashed a flood of shadows from his cane, which swarmed over the students and library staff. There were cries of surprise and terror as the black mass descended onto them.
Faust then glanced to where a security camera was present. He was about to deal with it himself before the surrounding polished stone that comprised the walls and ceiling suddenly swallowed it up. All over the room, each camera was dealt with, disappearing into whatever surface they were attached to.
"I think we have this room covered," Shade grunted. "What's next?"
"The entire building, my friend," Faust told him. "We have sacrifices to gather and a space wide enough to implement our ceremonies. I'm confident you can open up a space for us."
"Easily." Shades grabbed ahold of the tables and chairs and bookshelves, lifting them up into the air and pushing them out of the way, clearing a large area in the center of the room. Faust approved of this method as the books weren't tossed around the room carelessly. He would need to thank Shade for his consideration.
"If you would scour the rest of the building, Dr. Alchemy?" he suggested to his other comrade. The cloaked man merely nodded before he began rising into the air on a stone pillar, heading up to the ceiling, which formed a hole, one he disappeared into.
Seeing as Shade had this room secured, Faust decided to go perform his own task. His research was needed and naturally the place it would be kept would be in the basement. It was the university's equivalent to sweeping things under the rug, so to speak.
"Lanuae me," he chanted and was promptly swept away by smoke and fire.
It had been a long time since John felt foolish. He was a Green Lantern with indomitable will and a marine's discipline. The way he had went about swinging his dick was inexcusable. Superman had been right, every damn word of it. They were facing the world's most paranoid man and they had to assume he suspected something. In their line of work, if Batman suspected something, it was damn near fact.
Damage control was needed. Shayera was seeing to that at the moment while he went to cool off. If he tried anything right now, it would just aggravate things further, on that all three of them agreed. Once adequate time had passed, he would return and do his part in pacifying the League.
There were only so many places he could go, though. There was the training area, but that would certainly have League members present. The last thing any of them needed was for the new recruits to see him take his anger out on the practice drones. It would only solidify that he was losing control.
He wasn't hungry, so the cafeteria was out. Pacing the hallways wasn't much better. So John found himself in his quarters, laying on his bed with his arms resting behind his head.
It was a good thing too as his comm link suddenly beeped in his ear. "This is Lantern," he responded immediately.
"Are you secured?"
John bolted up to sit on his mattress, a hand slapping down on his ear. What the hell was Killer Frost doing calling him up here? If he hadn't been isolating himself, this would have brought up so many damn questions. "What the hell are you doing calling me?" he demanded.
"Answer the question, are you secured?" Frost pressed.
The scowl never left the Lantern's face. "In fact, I am, and you're lucky because I'm on the Watchtower."
This didn't dissuade the icy woman in the slightest. "What I have to tell you can't wait. There's been...a split in the Legion."
Was that right? "What kind of split?" he questioned.
"A few of the members went psycho on everyone. They blindsided us and announced that they were going on their own. Went on and on about being gods, or some shit."
John narrowed his eyes this time. Being Gods? If he wasn't mistaken, that sounded like those Pantheon guys the present Justice League kept fretting about. He needed to confirm this. "Tell me who these guys are exactly. I don't want to make any mistakes."
"It was the Shade guy, the one with the stone...uhhh, Alchemy, or something, and then—"
John didn't need to hear any more of Frost's stumbling identifications. It was the Pantheon and it seemed they were on the move. Perfect. "Do you have any idea on where they were going?" he asked then, cutting off whatever Frost was prattling on about.
"As it turns out, yes. We have our own communication system, like your Justice League, and we're able to track our own. So far, these guys went right to Gotham. We're closing in on the signal now and…"
There was a pause, one John felt with every passing moment. It was suspenseful, which he found unnecessary and forced. "It's some sort of large building, or a lot of them. A school of some kind?"
That wasn't very helpful. Apparently whatever technology the Legion used, it wasn't all that good, or Killer Frost just didn't know how to use it. Probably both. "Can't you give me something more specific? I don't have time to fly around every large building in Gotham."
"Hold your horses," Killer Frost muttered. Again, she went quiet before, "Got it. It looks like Gotham State University."
"Lantern out," John said before he cut off the transmission. Swinging his legs off of the bed, he set his feet on the floor before he was on the move, leaving his room. He needed to tell Shayera about this tip and quickly. If they could scramble a team, they could take these guys down.
And with the right company, they could make that permanent.