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Around here should be when you begin to see a diversion from the main Injustice storyline. Being that Batman will ultimately become the tyrant, it obviously has a different dynamic than if its Superman and Wonder Woman.
Central City, Missouri, USA
15:53 PM EST
14th of July 2013
The air was breezy and all together, calming to the senses. But nevertheless, Tim Drake, known better publicly as Red Robin, maintained his appearance in a jacket and beanie. His previous antonymy he used to enjoy, now a distant memory, even though it was barely a month ago that he, Batman and his brothers had revealed their secret identities to the world at a UN press conference for all to see.
As he walked down the streets, people either going about their business, or watching the public TV screens on the latest news of the Batman-led offensive to enforce peace on the world. He thought back to what he went through in those last few weeks.
It had only been days after Gotham was destroyed that he, along with the clan, as well as Martian Manhunter and Hawkman had gone into Bialya and captured its dictator and put an end to his genocidal campaign.
Since then, Batman had been leading them to enter every conflict zone on the planet.
As far as he could tell, everyone – Dick, Stephanie, Damian, Selina and Barb - were all devout believers in the cause, just as he had been...
His contact had made the meeting. The means of contacting him to arrange it had been hard and dangerous. But it was worth it. They would soon talk to each other in a few minutes.
It was a few days after that conference that he began to stop and think if what they were doing was truly the right thing, in truth, there had not been any actual events before then, but he had largely kept those growing feelings to himself, giving no indication of his doubts until two days ago. During their grief and pain, preventing more death and destruction happening to others was almost intoxicating. To have a mission once more, to ensure that another Gotham never happened again, it all seemed right in that moment.
Now… the powers they had given themselves as a world police in other people's affairs… it no longer seemed to be the best solution. They were becoming something they weren't meant to be.
And that was why he was here.
Flashback – 2 days ago
Wayne Manor, Gotham City, New Jersey, USA.
12TH July 2013
17:46 EST
The Batcave had changed like everything else.
When once it had been a quiet and would often host one or two people on average. Now it was always spiralling with activity. Teleportation gates constantly flickered on and on to and from the Watchtower, Batman would assign new orders and areas of responsibility to all Leaguers and Clan.
Barbara, like them, was busier and more active than he had seen her, always acting as tech support for teams going into the danger zones.
Patrolling Gotham had been one thing, it had been another to keep the world at peace. That was according to Batman.
He had been out for days upon end straight, not taking a break; Columbia, Korea, Somalia and elsewhere.
Up above, the house had also changed.
The manor felt empty these days. In better days, he'd have been let in by Alfred. Asked about his day, and what he had going on in life. Witty banter and all… but most importantly, to have such a good man as a friend. No, family. Yes, that was Alfred. A man who'd always had the answers, always been one of the three people in the world he felt he could go to, to talk to.
Alfred was dead though, and even though they lived, the other two no longer felt like the people they had been.
He hadn't had a substantial conversation with Barbara since she had embraced him in a painful embrace at the sight of Gotham's destruction. After that, she had spent the rest of those days downloading files and data, keeping herself busy and distracted to not deal with her pain, of the loss of her city, her parents and friends. Then Bruce gave them this new mandate, starting at Biayla and now everywhere.
He watched her as she worked at the Bat Computer, a new outbreak of violence in the Congo apparently, Red Hood, Hawkman and Green Lantern were on their way.
He noted the countless coffee cups and a jug near her. Even during the worst crisis' in Gotham, he'd never seen her this occupied. Her eyes were totally transfixed to the screen.
"Hey." He spoke. Trying to stir up some conversation, he'd talk to her about anything at this rate.
"Hi, Tim." She replied. not even stopping what she was doing.
He stood there, awkwardly, on the screen, he witnessed Hawkman and Lantern break up the clashing crowd, Red Hood pointing guns at both sides.
"Disperse. Now!" Jason yelled. The sight of all three heroes was enough for them to obey his commands, and the two sides ran back into the directions they had arrived in.
Another conflict stopped, he supposed.
"Babs… can we talk." He quietly asked.
"I'm busy, Tim. Come back later." She dismissed, annoyed.
She was his girlfriend, the two had been in a relationship for the past two years, and had been able to strike an amazing, rare balance between their regular lives and their nocturnal ones.
It had all gone now though. That all felt like a lifetime ago
"Babs, please."
She went some moments, still typing and sending information and data, before ultimately, she turned around to face him.
"Okay, what is it? "She asked, arms folded. Seemingly eager to get back to her work.
He was caught off guard by her bluntness. She had never been that way to him, or anyone in fact. But recently, she had changed… and as the days and missions went by, he was beginning doubt it was for the better.
If any of it was for the better.
He scratched the back of his head. He had recently had another buzzcut. It felt like he'd never get it short enough. He half leaned; half sat on a nearby bench.
"How are you holding up? Come on, Barb, we haven't had a real conversation since…" he avoided stating the obvious. A pained look on her face in reaction to the hint even now.
"I'm fine… I'm just working. Of course, I miss Mom and Dad, but I'm making peace with it slowly. We're doing what's right, and what happened in Gotham won't be happening again." She said with finality.
"Yeah…" he awkwardly mumbled.
She raised an eyebrow at that.
"Is something wrong with that, Tim?"
He didn't look her in the eyes. He kept his own downcast.
"I've just had some thoughts. I don't want us to go too far, that's all."
That did not gain a good reaction.
"What do you mean, too far, we're making the world safer. If that troubles you so much, then leave."
That hurt. Less than a month ago. He and Babs had taken rare time off. The Monarch Theatre in Gotham, the new Ninja Mime. Terrible movie, but to see her, happy, smiling, laughing and genuine hope. That was his Babs… now, he saw an angry woman, in no mood to compromise on anything.
It seemed his shock had stunned him that a new gate opened. In came his Bat Clan brother, Dick Grayson, more known as Nightwing. The one who had first worn the Robin suit but had also defined the role.
With him, Koriand'r, or just Kory to those close to her, and even better known to the world as Starfire.
Whatever it looked like, was enough to draw the two's attention, as they promptly came over.
"Hey guys. Everything good here?" Dick asked. His normal and friendly exterior, which had begun to slowly return as time went on.
Barbara kept her glare and arms folded.
"Maybe you should ask him." She sneered venomously.
They looked puzzled, eyes turning to him. He still leaned back but did not look up to make any eye-contact.
Unlike Barbara, Kory and Dick simply seemed confused.
"What is she talking about, Tim?" Starfire inquired. Her bright emerald eyes more pronounced in her concern.
"I was just talking. About what we've been doing lately… do you think we're maybe going too far?"
The two seemed speechless, unable to conjure an answer.
But it was again, Starfire, who spoke up.
"Tim, don't you see. We're making the world better, piece by piece, stopping war and ending strife, saving lives. She paused, taking a seat next to him. A reassuring hand on his shoulder.
In truth, her easy answer was not a surprise. Starfire was perhaps one of the most outspoken heroes in the Justice League, along with Hawkman, Manhunter and Captain Atom in support of Batman's mandate.
Her commitment and support had endured her more than ever to Dick, who'd recently broken up with Donna Troy as a result of their fundamental disagreements on the new way. The Titans and Young Justice were now defunct as a result of the growing divide in the superhero community, former members now choosing their sides. Those with Batman, and those who oppose him, behind Superman and Wonder Woman.
These were dark times. Maybe worse than any time since Darkseid's first invasion, or the worst that the Joker could throw… even Luthor's destruction of Gotham was beginning to pale against what it had laid the foundation for.
It was one thing to fight a galactic invader, or an organised group of bad guys, but it was worse to go against friends.
The line between good and evil was clear for all to see back. No thoughts or questions.
Now, the lines were hazier than they'd ever been.
"But at what cost, Star? We're beginning to cross the line from protection to interfering."
Nightwing stood in front of him. Taller and muscular than him. He noted some new bullet dents in his armour. More pronounced in on the blue bird signa in the centre.
"Look man… none of us would have ever dreamed of this. I don't want this anymore than Batman. But we have an obligation now. We have a choice to either stand back and wait for some evil son of a bitch to top Luthor, or we stand strong, and don't hesitate to make a difference." He gestured and spoke honestly.
Tim only sighed.
"I just… I don't know now…"
"Then leave." The voice of Barb spoke. She didn't even look at them as she wheeled herself back to the Bat Computer.
"Babs…"
She began typing none-stop again. Loosing herself to the mission.
"Barbara, there isn't any need for that." Dick defended him. Chastising Oracle for her harsh words.
That seemed to make something in her snap.
"Then either stay or go, Tim! I'm sorry if my tone offends you." She roughly turned her chair back around to face the three shocked people.
"We lost everything! We lost our city, lives and our identities." What seemed like a dry sob escaped which she quickly wiped with the back of her sleeve.
"If it takes us to stop playing nice Mr jolly superhero every day, every night and to have a few more people scared to prevent what happened to Gotham, mom and dad, Alfred, Talia, Zatanna's dad and Canary's mom, I'll happily do that!"
He knew his heart had sunk, but his pain was nothing compared to Barbara, and nobody could truly challenge her. Not right now.
As if on quo, an emergency signal emitted from the Bat Computer. A new worldwide prototype security monitor had been installed to keep the team aware of all conflict, potential, happening or planned, worldwide.
The argument had gone, Barbara returning to Oracle, whipping herself around to analysis the issue.]
"Oracle, all available members: we need assistance" came the familiar voice of Batman, who's voice boomed through.
"Copy that, Batman, what's the situation and where?" she responded at once.
*Khandaq-Biaylan Border city. Middle East*
18:51 EST
12th of July 2013
Smoke and rubble were all they saw. Buildings, homes and streets were pulverised.
The city looked as though it had been trampled by a giant. He only hoped Flash had managed to get everyone out in time.
This had been origin of the tracking beacon Batman had left them.
He had caught word a few hours earlier before he himself had returned to the Batcave that there was some mass attack on this city. What stood out most was the location, no more than a mile from the official territory of Khandaq; a country so isolated and closed off, it makes North Korea look like Disneyland. There had been almost no fighting this side of the country. Fear of what they would awaken from within the ancient kingdom kept it that way.
It had been a prime base for the Biaylan military during their war against the rebels. It had not been a week ago that the League had ordered a ceasefire between the sides.
Fires lit the night as the four, himself and Nightwing in one of the Batwings, Starfire and Cyborg, who individually flew themselves.
Batman, Captain Atom, Manhunter, Green Lantern and Zatanna had gone in. but coms had been buggy since then.
"Keep an eye out, guys. They should be around here." The ships beeping proving his word. The further ahead they went, they so explosions and shapes of figures engaged in a fight.
Batman, Atom, Zatanna and Lantern were engaged with Black Adam, Bruce himself keeping up via his recently made battle suit, specially designed to combat high-powered beings. While the combined four were wearing on him, he was getting an upper hand as they battled amidst the ruins of the city.
All three were on the ground, he picked up Guy by the throat, and seemed ready to deliver a killing blow.
"Take him down!" Nightwing ordered.
The Batwing fired its machine guns, Starfire her bolts and Cyborg his cannon, drawing the ancient being's attention.
"Facing some despotic maniac was not how I pictured my day going." Cyborg snarked.
The rage-fuelled Adam came charging right towards them. He was so fast, he ended up grabbing Cyborg by his throat.
"Agreed." Adam sneered. "You should have stayed where you were.", as he said the last few words, he ripped off an arm. Victor screaming in pain. "And not gotten in the way of my retribution, half-man." He finished. Dropping the still screaming man.
A super-powered fist from the side stopped Black Adam's gloating. Batman leapt up, knocking the God back down.
For a while, the battle continued, Nightwing and Robin himself, not having any powers, stayed in the Batwing and helped as air support, raining down missile and gun runs. The team of five that consisted of Batman, Zatanna, Captain Atom, Green Lantern and Starfire eventually became too much for the ruler of Khandaq, who was eventually subdued to the ground by Starfire and Captain Atom as he struggled to get out of their grip. Seeing their enemy down, they landed the Batwing and got out. Joining the others as they stood behind Batman.
"You're finished, Adam." Batman stated coldly. His usual exposed chin covered as part of the black armour of the suit. The mechanical modulator making him sound more demonic than man.
"No! I will have my revenge! Someone in this city fired a shell into my country, killing children of Khandaq." He made a break to get out, only with Atom and Starfire to smash him down harder, making the earth shake beneath them.
"I am Khandaq's leader, it's protector and it's wrath! My country and people will suffer no such attack without retribution, so long as I have power!" he announced defiantly. Fully confident in himself.
Batman's next few words chilled Tim to the bone.
"Then we'll just take it from you. Zatanna."
As ordered, a grim-faced Zatanna took some steps forward, her hand on her head, as she started a chant in some magical language.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Red Robin asked, Batman's eyes still lay on what was happening. "Telepathy. Zatanna will enter his mind, take over his body, and say the word to remove the spell."
"The spell takes some time to work, and it can only last temporarily. And I'll be vulnerable." Zatanna informed.
At that, he walked up to Batman, Zatanna having stopped her spell, looking at him, as were the others.
"But if you make him say the word… he's ancient. We have no idea if he'll survive the transformation."
Batman glared at him. Annoyed and irritated.
Tim remembered when there was a time when Bruce would never consider making a move that even had a low chance of killing someone.
Not anymore.
"Then ask if there is any other way."
He went up to the still struggling Adam, who tried to hide the dread at the thought of losing control of himself.
"Look Adam, tell us there is another way to stop you from killing anyone else. For your own good." He emphasised.
"You cannot. I will kill without mercy! I will slaughter anyone who threatens Khandaq. I will tear whole nations apart if I must!"
"Then we'll put a stop to you." Batman announced. Zatanna went on with her spell.
Adam's true last words would not stop haunting Tim.
"Know that you are no different than me! You are choosing the same path I did, Batman. Your end will be the same!"
He desperately thrashed in a futile last-ditch effort to escape. Batman simply looked on. Eyes coldly detached
"You will bring peace. You will bring order. But they will fear you like they never did before!"
Zatann's chant stopped. Her eyes going blank. Batman held her as her body collapsed in his arms.
Black Adam calmed. Starfire and Atom backed up, as did they all.
"SHAZAM!" the voice of Black Adam called. A huge mass of yellow and bright lighting crashing down to the earth.
Smoke filled the quiet and silent air. Before they knew it, Zatanna regained consciousness in her own body.
Red Robin, nor the others really knew what to expect, they kept up their guard as they walked up to the rubble, the main area where Adam had been lain.
The sight before them was sad and pathetic.
Instead of the all-powerful being, who ruled his nation with an Iron-fist almost single-handily, whom for years, had been a top-level threat for even the most powerful league members. Tall, powerful, domineering and handsome, able to go toe to toe with both Shazam and Superman.
No. It was an old man. Naked and gaunt. With a stringy and messy white beard. A broken look in his grey eyes. His mumblings where no more than a child's whisper.
"Sha… sh… sha" Atom placed his red-gloved hand over the old villain's mouth. Wanting no chance of him to regain his power.
Present day
The sounds of the traffic were loud and obnoxious. Rush hour had just hit as he walked through the green light to the Café, where he had arranged this meeting.
Glasses, Brown jacket, hat and muscled like hell, he thought to himself. An easy description of whom he had arrived to meet.
The man sat there at an outside table. Calm and collected, reading a recent edition of Picture News with his empty cup of coffee.
Tim walked up. Getting the man's attention.
"Fancy meeting you here." He quipped.
"Agreed… fancy that." Replied the man. An all too familiar face looked up.
The face of Clark Kent, also known as Superman.
Tim took his seat.
"Seriously though. Thanks for coming." Stated Clark.
"Yeah… look, I… I wanna say I'm sorry about Kara. I know it can't possibly mean anything now, but Batman and everyone else all grieve for her. We all miss her."
Clark shut his eyes for a second. Before nodding.
"Thank you, Tim, and this means a lot."
"Yeah, and I've thought about it, and… I agree." He took a big pause. The true meaning of what he would be doing, now evident right in front of him.
"I'll be your spy."
