Chapter 20
A/N: Hey everyone! Welcome to the next chapter! I'm happy to see all've y'all's reviews and glad to see y'all here again! Remember, I just own my OCs.
/comms/
Telepathy/flashbacks
Metropolis, October 1, 08:08EDT
Cars honked at one another as they tried traversing through the early morning city traffic. The sidewalks almost equally crowded as people walked to their jobs, to stores, and wherever else they needed to go as the day progressed. Among them, a woman was talking on her phone trying to hear over the bustling city noise. In her other hand, a purple leash stretched out as a small dog trotted forwards, nearly tripping a man in glasses as he walked towards the Daily Planet. Stopping, the small dog sniffed a fire hydrant, before yelping as the ground shook, causing the hydrant to be shot from its spot, sending a spray of water into the air.
From the cracks surrounding the exploded fire hydrant, vines began to creep from the ground, growing larger as they began to emerge further, pushing the concrete back. The woman stumbled back, landing on her butt and dropping her phone as her dog yapped at the massive vines as people screamed in terror around them. The ground trembled as a larger vine ripped through the asphalt, a large bud at the end of it blooming into a massive flower as others began to bloom alongside it.
Some would have almost considered them beautiful. However, that feeling was short-lived as one of the blooms shot down, its petals locking onto a cop car, nearly crushing the officers as they leapt out of the way. Glass shattered and rained down on the street, deafened by the sound of creaking metal and people's screams as the flower lifted the car into the air and hurled it into a building.
-.-
Mt. Justice, 13:24EDT
Kaldur stepped aside as Robin tossed a punch his way, causing his younger teammate to grit his teeth as he continued to evade his attacks. Spinning out of the way of a kick, Aqualad whirled on his heel and tossed his own punch as the boy sprung back, putting some distance between them. The older boy chased after, barely ducking a well-timed punch from the Boy Wonder as he struck. Leaping up, Robin swung around to kick him and Kaldur leapt back, dodging the strike.
From the sidelines, they could both hear Onyx and Skylar laugh. "You almost had him that time."
"Like you could do better!" Robin challenged flipping behind Aqualad and kicking him in the ribs.
"I could, but it wouldn't be as fun as watching you two play chicken."
"Ha ha," Robin sarcastically laughed as he left the ring throwing a punch to his friend's arm. Not that it did any damage, if anything, Onyx's scales hurt his knuckles more. Something slammed into his legs, and slammed him to the ground; groaning, Robin looked up to see Nightmare smirking as his tail settled back against the ground. "Yeah, I should've seen that coming."
"No kidding," Onyx said helping him up.
"Well, Onyx are you willing to see if you can fight as well as you think you can?" Skylar asked, elbowing him playfully.
"I would, but it'll have to wait cause the lovebirds plus one are inbound," Onyx replied pointing in the direction of Superboy and M'gann whom were walking in with Amber.
"Ah," Skylar crossed her arms, "things are gonna get interesting then."
"I think we all knew they were dating before they did," Kaldur replied.
"Who didn't?"
"Artemis and Wally," Skylar deadpanned.
"So who's gonna tell them?" Onyx said motioning to the incoming archer and speedster.
"Seriously," Robin muttered, "how do you keep doing that?" It was frustrating. Sneaking up and startling his comrades was one of his favorite pastimes and he hadn't even been able to do it to any of the hybrids. He avoided Sky cause she'd probably set him on fire, but Amber and Onyx were fair game. But they always knew he was around. Amber was obvious now that he had figured she was an empath on some level giving their missions and Batman's own notes. But Onyx…he always knew and it was annoying.
It was when his friend tapped his nose the Boy Wonder nearly facepalmed. The answer was literally staring him in the face and as obvious as a neon sign. Smell. Nightmare relied on his sense of smell. It wasn't like he hadn't seen his teammate use it on missions to track targets or anything. Of course he could identify him by his scent.
"So are we telling them or not?" Skylar smirked, putting her hands on her hips.
"It is not our place."
The redheaded girl rolled her eyes, "Pft, you're no fun."
"But imagine Wally's face when he finds out on his own?" Nightmare offered.
Skylar went quiet, pursing her lips in contemplation. "Touché."
"So," Wally started as he approached the group, if Zatara's our babysitter of the week, what is he," he motioned to Captain Marvel, "still doing here? And where did he get my snacks?!"
The speedster did not notice Robin, Remix, and Nightmare share a guilty glance.
Fortunately they were saved from answering as the Zeta Tube started up. "Recognized: Batman—02."
"Computer, national news," the Dark Knight demanded as she stormed over.
Cat Grant appeared on the holoscreen, standing in the midst of a destroyed street. "The initial attack was short-lived, but Metropolis was only granted a short reprieve," she said the footage swinging to two massive plants in the downtown area. The massive vines of one coiled around a building, cracks spreading along the glass panes as it squeezed. Eventually, the audio of the footage was deafened by the noise of the building collapsing. Superman swooped down, plucking people off the collapsing rooftop as the Hawks dove past, their maces shredding through the vines. "And despite the intervention of Superman and the Justice League, there seems to be no end in sight."
"Should we get out there?" Robin asked.
"No, the League will soon have the situation under control."
"Then why are you here?" Skylar asked crossing her arms with a raised brow.
"According to your intel, Sportsmaster and the hybrid known as Serket supplied the Cadmus blockbuster formula to Kobra."
"Who combined it with Bane's Venom to make Kobra-Venom," Wally interrupted.
"Which the Brain used to create his animal army with the help of Serket and another hybrid known as Barbarian," Robin added.
"And upgrade Wolf," Superboy said ruffling the canine's fur.
"The Brain also utilized inhibitor collars," M'gann chimed in, "like those in Belle Reve Penitentiary."
"Serket was also seen in Bialya with two other hybrids," Amber pointed out.
"Two of whom worked with Ocean Master and Black Manta to attempt to steal Atleantean research and kill Queen Mera."
"Batman," Artemis spoke up, "is it possible these plant-things are on Kobra-Venom too?"
"I had Green Lantern run a spot analysis. The vine's cellulose does contain trace amounts of a Kobra-Venom variant."
"No way these are coincidences. Unrelated criminals operating with one another worldwide, sometimes with the same personnel."
"Indeed," Batman acknowledged. "It's clear now that our enemies hade formed some kind of secret society of supervillains. And the attack on Metropolis was only the beginning."
"Got that right," Robin agreed typing on his hologlove, causing several more news feeds to pop up around them. "Plant-creatures have sprouted in Gotham, Starr City, Paris, Taipei—hey!" he exclaimed watching all the feeds cut into static.
"Dude."
"It's not me!" Robin snarled typing quicker. "Someone's cutting into the satellite signal—all satellite signals."
The static vanished and all went quiet as violet and green flashed in front of the camera before the owner stepped back, revealing an all too infamous figure. A blood red grin splitting his snow-white face as he tapped the camera with the tip of a bloodied knife. "Hello ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, sorry to interrupt your regular mindless mayhem, but we have an…important announcement from the Injustice League." The madman grinned spinning the camera to reveal a group of figures: a redheaded woman with sickly pale skin wearing green, an evil Captain Marvel, Ultra Humanite, Atomic Skull, and two Dracula impersonators.
"We are responsible for the attacks on your cities," the first Dracula impersonator spoke. "If you wish to save them, a ransom of ten-billion American dollars is required. Delivery instructions have been sent to the United Nations. There is no time limit. But, the longer you wait…"
The camera turned back to the Joker as a wider grin somehow crossed his face. "The more mayhem we get to spread," he laughed. "Remember kiddies, take your time. There's no rush, no need to fret. So turn that frown upside down! Afterall, you're never fully dressed without a smile!"
The feed cut out to the madman's laughter, and Batman turned tapping his commlink, "Rodger that Aquaman, the UN will prepare the ransom as a back-up plan, but it will not come to that."
Robin typed on his pad, rewinding the feed to highlight the members of this Injustice League. "Count Vertigo, the Joker, Poison Ivy, Ultra Humanite, Atomic Skull, Black Atom, and Wotan. Seven heavy hitters. Probably behind nearly everything and everyone we've faced so far."
"There's your secret society."
"Not so secret anymore."
"Perhaps after India they realized we would figure out the truth and saw no point in hiding any longer?" Amber suggested.
"Perhaps."
"Well, it was their mistake," KF grinned slamming his fist into his palm. "Right now, I say we go kick some plant-creature butt!"
"Plant's don't have butts."
"You know what I mean!"
"The Justice League will handle the plants," Batman stated. "I have a different job for this team."
"Aw man," Wally groaned before yelping as Artemis smacked him upside the head.
"With the plants attacking so many locations simultaneously there must be a central control system. You mission is to destroy it."
"Holy shit," Skylar whispered.
Beside the Dark Knight, Zatara gulped. "You do realize what you're really asking them to do?"
"They're ready."
"Holy shit this is really happening!"
"What's really happening?" Wally questioned.
Artemis punched the speedster's arm. "Hello, Wally! If the League is out fighting the plant-monsters, who do you think we'll be fighting?"
"I don't know! I guess we'll…" he trailed off looking back to the screens. "Oh…"
"Well Batman, I trust you're correct," Zatara conceded.
"And I trust you can locate the enemy?"
"Indeed," Zatara nodded. "Wotan's involved, meaning sorcery is part of how the plants are controlled. Robin, if you would provide a holomap."
The Boy Wonder nodded, typing on his glove and pulling a holograph of the globe.
"I'll search for signs of concentrated sorcerer activity. Zatara gave the boy a nod as he stepped forwards raising his hands, "Etacol eht ecruos fo eht ecnabrutsid!" On the globe, a small red dot appeared. "There, that is where you will find the Injustice League's headquarters and their central control system."
"Coordinates locked in: the Louisiana Bayou."
"Let's go!"
-.-
Gotham City, 19:49EDT
Massive vines slammed down on the overpass, causing cracks to spread along the surface as people scrambled to escape the plants. Their screams were drowned out by the crushing of metal and the shattering of glass. Before long, those noises were too covered by a louder sound. A black jet dove between the buildings, firing missiles at the plant. Explosions rocked the monster, causing one of the vines to fall off, landing on the highway. On the bottom of the jet, a hatch opened as it soared closer, dropping a dark green gas which dissolved the plant on contact.
Seizing the opportunity, Captain Marvel landed at the massive plant's base. The overpass trembled as he jammed his hands underneath the main structure, trying to pull it out as its roots fought to keep the monstrous thing trapped within the ground. Parts of the roadway collapsed, freeing the flailing roots and allowing the hero to lift the mutant plant from the ground and fly it into the atmosphere so he could dispose of it in space.
On the ground, Zatara formed a bubble around himself as the Batplane zipped by, dropping more of the gaseous weed-killers the Dark Knight had hastily developed. Levitating off the ground, he watched as more vines clawed their way from the earth, seeking to destroy anything and everything in their path. "Tes erif ot eht seniv!"
At his words, flames erupted along the surface of the vines, causing them to writhe and screech as the fire ate through them. On their surface, small blooms opened, revealing what appeared to be seeds. However, the hero didn't have much time to figure out before they explodes, releasing a green gas into the air, engulfing the nearby firefighters. What happened next, chilled Zatara to the core.
Through the thick green haze, he could hear the uncontrollable laughter of the men, watching as they stumbled out of the fog, covering their mouths in an attempt to block the gas. Not that it was effective. He could still hear their laughter and see their shoulders shake from the uncontrolled seizing of their muscles before each of them collapsed due to the effects of the Joker Venom.
-.-
Bayou Bartholomew, 18:52CDT
Laughter filled the chamber as the owner watched the firefighters go down. "Kobra-Venom's got nothing on good ol' Joker Venom!" the Clown Prince of Crime grinned wiggling his fingers as he controlled the plant puppets wrecking havoc on the various cities.
"Both work well in consort," a familiar accented voice purred, causing Joker to glance over his shoulder as he saw Count Vertigo.
An interesting name in Joker's opinion. "Tell me Count Vertigo, does your powers, plus your title make you the Duke of Puke? Or would it be the Count of Klutzes?" He grinned upon getting no immediate reaction. "Does the idea make you nauseous?"
"Enough Joker!" Poison Ivy snapped as she knelt down by the roots of the central node. Her palm spread across the root, allowing a green glow to return to the graying extremity. "We do not have time for your games as my babies fight to keep this plan going!"
At her words, Ultra Humanite ran up, tapping something on their pad causing the technological parts incorporated into the plant to glow. "We will keep her healthy Ivy," Wotan reassured. "But she requires more power. Skull!"
The grey, zombie-like being looked up at him. Giving a quick nod, his head began to glow and he fired it into the conductor. The gray color of the trunk began to fade rapidly as a lively green consumed it. New leaves even emerging from the influx of energy.
Watching it all, Count Vertigo took a breath. Now that Joker was done fooling around, it was nice to see they were all getting back on track spectacularly. "Remarkable what a little teamwork can accomplish." His moment of peace was then broken by the shrill shrieking of the alarm. "Intruder alert! Find them! And end them!"
-.-
The Bioship was silent as they entered the borders of Louisiana's Bartholomew Bayou. Nightmare's tail tapped as he watched the ground below. Without a doubt it wouldn't be long before the bad guys knew they were there. An operation this big had to have some sort of security. The main question was: when would the attack occur?
Turning away from the window, he checked his belt. His lasso was secure, and so far it looked like their were no unneeded knots that would hinder it. Bending over in his chair, he picked up his sword and shield; his mother had told him they were only for major and extremely dangerous missions, and this seemed to qualify. Hanging the shield on his back, he worked to attach the scabbard to his belt as the others checked their own gear around him.
"So…what's in the duffel," Kid Flash asked, breaking the tense silence that had enveloped them. Following his direction, the rest of them turned to look, spotting a dark bag at Aqualad's feet.
"Plan B."
"Let's hope we don't need it," Aurora spoke.
M'gann groaned, leaning forwards in her chair as she removed a hand from the controls to rub her temple. "You ok?" Superboy asked.
"Dizzy."
"Martian's get airsick?" Robin questioned.
"She does look a bit greener than usual," Kid Flash frowned.
"Not me, her."
"I feel fine," Artemis said.
Skylar shrugged, "Don't look at me."
"I feel it too," Aurora said. "The Bioship…she's worried?"
M'gann nodded stiffly, "It's like she's getting ready to shield us from something."
"From what?"
The answer came as electricity arched over the ship as lightning hit it. The ship swerved trying to stay in the air only to be slammed into the murky waters by a second bolt. Those inside the ship grunted as they were jerked around as the ship skipped along the water, before coming to a stop, allowing most of them to feel the ache in their bodies from the lightning that the Bioship had mostly taken upon herself. The area around them shook again, and they all watched to see the same massive vines their mentors were fighting in Metropolis curling around the Bioship, pulling them under the water.
The top of the ship shook as something landed on it. M'gann cried out, holding her head as she felt ice cold shoot through her brain as she sensed her ship's agony. Something stabbed through the hull, causing M'gann and Aurora to grit their teeth in pain as the spear like object was joined by an identical one, the very ends curling like claws to get a grip. Neither the telepath nor the empath were prepared for the Bioship's shriek as ice spread around and the two impaling objects ripped away from each other, causing the hull to fracture like glass, revealing a pale girl with white hair in a grey suit, four long, armored spider-like legs coming from her back.
Superboy lunged, throwing a punch towards the girl only to be hit by a torrent of water, shoving him to the floor as it flooded in and she ship began to sink further into the murky swamp waters.
"Nope, no way I'm almost drowning three missions in a row," Artemis said pulling out a rebreather and handing it to Kid Flash.
"Oh, wow, thanks."
"M'gann, we need to get out, open a hatch!" Superboy said.
"Hello M'gann! Of course." Gills formed along her neck as she dover underwater, and willed a hole to open in the bottom of the Bioship.
"Out, everyone out!" Aqualad led the way out from the sinking ship. Swimming out the bottom they all came to a stop as two girls floated in their path; one with blue scales and a long tail, and the other with white tentacle hair. "Kuleana. Atamai," their team leader snarled pulling out his waterbearers.
"Good to see you again Kaldur," Kuleana grinned, baring her sharp fangs. "Did you miss me?"
"Surrender," Atamai ordered. "You have no other choice."
"On the contrary," Aqualad replied raising his maces, "we do."
Kuleana grinned, her finned ears pinning to the sides of her head, "I was hoping you'd pick the hard way." Shooting forwards like a missile, she collided with Kaldur, pinning him to the riverbed.
"I'll handle them! The rest of you, finish the mission," Aqualad ordered shoving her off as he swung his mace, narrowly missing her as she grabbed his arm and kicked him in the gut.
"Kaldur! You can't take both of them alone!" M'gann protested.
"I do not have to beat them, I just have to hold them off."
"I'll stay with Aqualad, you guys go!" M'gann said transforming her legs to a mermaid tail as she swam at Atamai, using a telekinetic blast to knock her away.
The rest of them crawled to shore, some panting from holding their breath. "Do…do you think they can take them?" Kid huffed as he watched the surface looking for a ripple to indicate the battle going on below.
"Oh, I doubt that," a new voice purred. All of them whirled on their heels, spotting Serket, Barbarian, a dark-skinned boy with what seemed like metal armor, the girl who tore a hole in the Bioship, a boy with colorful wings, and in the front, a girl with glowing red eyes, massive golden wings and a spined tail swaying behind her. "But I think you should be concerned about yourselves first."