Chapter 14

Discussions and Surprises

(Unknown Location)

Circe and Cheetah stood in a dark chamber that featured a curved desk, statues of different warriors throughout history, and a display of various weapons. They waited before the desk, as their leader was going over the data on the image screen in front of the two women.

"Most interesting!" said a deep voice from behind the screen.

"What is it, all I see are numbers?" Cheetah responded with a look of puzzlement.

"It's what the numbers, or data, are showing, my dear. According to this, the storm that appeared in Florida was caused by an unknown type of energy - NOT a force of nature," the figure said to her as he highlighted one area of the screen.

"That is surprising to hear. So it would seem that someone, or something, created this unknown storm!" Circe added.

"Correct, but as to who and why, that is the question," stated the shadowy figure.

The screen then changed, showing video footage of Cheetah's fight with the unknown hero on the roof of the hotel. The cat themed villain looked angry at knowing the fight had been recorded.

"From what I saw from our hidden surveillance drones, several heroes that are part of the Justice League and their covert team were present at the resort. But yet, this one is a mystery to me," Cheetah remarked.

"Do you know who this hero is?" the figure asked, looking at the two.

"He calls himself Spider-Man, which sounds like a stupid name to me. Who names themselves after a bug anyway," Cheetah answered as she crossed her arms.

"Spiders are not bugs, they are arachnids. And while I do agree with you on the name, he is quite a formidable foe with his speed, strength and those web ropes of his," Circe added.

"I don't seem to recall a hero with that name. Perhaps he's a newcomer that the League is training, or one of those young Metahumans who was experimented on by the Reach last year," the shadowy leader commented.

"If he pops up again, we will be ready. I owe him another thrashing anyway!" Cheetah snarled as she extended her claws.

"Your need for fighting is so boorish. Why can't you just enjoy the comforts of a man, like I do?" Circe responded with a wicked grin.

Before Cheetah could respond to her, their leader raised his hand, which made her stop. "You know the rules my dear, NO Fighting in my office. Now leave, Circe and I have some things to discuss in private," the figure said as he gestured her out.

Cheetah snarled in response to being so abruptly dismissed, and shot an angry look at Circe as she went out the door.

"I thought she would never leave. Now, what do you want to discuss my dear," Circe said as she came around to face the leader, who embraced her as the room went dark.

(Arkham Asylum)

Located outside of Gotham City lies the infamous mental institution for the criminally insane. It's here that most of the most twisted and dangerous villains that terrorized Gotham are detained. While the security isn't as heavy as Belle Reve Penitentiary, the location had been under going refurbishments, and new security measures added to keep the inmates from escaping.

The facility was about the size of two Football stadiums in length with two mile-high stone walls along the perimeter with guard towers and security towers in place in certain spots. The only entrance was through a solid steel door that was connected to an electrified fence that was before the stone walls on the inside.

Pulling up to the entrance was the police car that Commissioner Gordon drove. He had been called here by Batman, as the hero wanted to discuss something with him and Warden Sharp.

After all the years that Gordon knew Batman, it didn't surprise him that the Dark Knight wanted to meet at this time of night. "I wonder what it could be this time," Gordon thought as his car went through the gate.

Once inside, he parked his car in the visitor section, then walked over to the entrance. He saw Batman waiting for him. "Glad you could make it Jim," he said to his old friend.

"No problem. What's the reason for this late night visit?" Gordon asked in a gruff tone.

"It's a long story, but I'll let you know once we see the warden." That was only response he got as the two went inside and were lead by two guards to the area on the east side.

In this section was the office of Warden Quincy Sharp. A stout man who was in his early fifties, even though he looked older due to the loss of his hair on top. He wore thick glasses which made him look important. Like always, Sharp wore a dark gray suit with a white shirt and red tie. And he didn't look happy to see ether Batman or Gordon.

"Couldn't this have waited til tomorrow? I have a dinner reservation in 30 minutes!" Sharp complained as he looked at his watch.

"This is important Warden. I have reason to believe that Scarecrow as escaped again," Batman responded calmly.

Both man were surprised by this. "IMPOSSIBLE! Scarecrow has been locked up in his private wing since we put him there!" the warden responded in disbelief.

"I'm going to agree with Sharp on this one," Gordon added as he looked at Batman. "What makes you think that Scarecrow is on the loose?"

"I got a report from the Justice League that some villains in Florida attacked a beach resort using robots, each one equipped with Fear Toxin," Batman answered.

"Wait, which resort was it? My daughter was down there with her friends," Gordon stated looking worried.

"I was told it was the new Wayne Enterprises resort, but Superman said that those staying there were out when the villains attacked," Batman responded. While he didn't like the idea of lying to Jim, he knew that if Jim found out Barbara was dosed with Fear Toxin, the man would make finding Scarecrow a personal matter.

"Did your fellow heroes happen to see Scarecrow in Miami?" Sharp asked, to which Batman replied no.

"Look, just because some villains had Fear Toxin in their robots, it doesn't mean they got it from Scarecrow. They could have bought it from a dealer or someone who worked with that crazed man," countered Sharp.

Batman was getting annoyed at the warden's disbelief, but before he could do anything, Gordon stopped him. "Look Warden, why don't we just go see if Scarecrow's here."

"Fine by me." Going to his desk, Sharp pulled out a set of three cards, each one marked in a different color.

Following the warden, Batman and Gordon left his office as they went with the guards to a section on the other side of the asylum. They walked passed many of the inmates who were asleep in their rooms or awake as they looked at the men walking passing them.

Once the men reached the new section, the warden inserted the first key card as they walked past a solid steel door, the next one was a circular door that opened in a spiral motion. The last door had a laser grid which turned off as the group entered a large room that had a electrified floor around a single cube shaped cell that had a bed and toilet. On the bed was a form that looked like a person that moved up and down.

"See? He's safe and sound in his cell, so now if you will excuse me," Sharp said and he was about to leave when Batman stopped him.

"Hold on there, somethings not right!" He then told the Warden to turn off the floor grid which made the man think he was crazy.

"Look Sharp, take my advice. Don't argue with him and just do it," Gordon stated to the man as he gave him a look of annoyance.

"Fine, you two can look. I'm staying here."

Once the floor had been turned off, Batman and Gordon walked over the cell. Using the voice-activated machine which only opened to Gordon, the Warden and the staff members, the two stepped inside and went over to the bed.

"Wake up Crane, we have some questions for you," Gordon ordered to the villain, but got no response. Before could ask again, Batman pulled off the blanket which revealed a robot who turned to face the two, then stood up as it opened it's mouth.

"Hello Batman, if your listening to this, it means you discovered I've escaped from Warden Sharp's so-called secure traps. Sorry I didn't make my escape known, but I have places to go and people to experiment on!" Once this per-recorded message ended, the robot collapsed onto the floor.

Both men looked at each other, then at the Warden who looked scared at seeing this. "Alert the guards, I want this place under lock down NOW!" Sharp shouted to the two guards.

"Don't bother, Scarecrow's long gone by now. Probably left some time ago," Gordon said to the man as he came back.

"BUT HOW? THIS ROOM IS THE MOST SECURE PLACE IN ALL OF ARKHAM?" shouted the red-faced warden.

"That's what I intend to find out Warden!" Batman said as he was holding the robot then walked away from the man who just stared at the hero.

"He's got this, now why don't you get going to have your dinner?" Gordon responded as he walked away with a smirk on his face.

"So any theories?" Gordon asked.

"Not yet Jim, but once I have some, I'll let you know," Batman answered as the two made their way back to the entrance, then headed back to Gotham.

(Washington D.C.)

August 7th

The capitol of the USA was busy as always, even in the early morning. While most people ether drive or take the subway trains home, Wonder Woman preferred to fly

Due to her years of experience, the amazonian had been careful not to track attention when coming home. Landing in a alleyway, she changed out of her suit and into her regular attire of a blue jacket, white shirt and matching blue skirt, becoming Diana Prince once again.

Normally after this, she would walk straight home. But tonight Diana decided to walk towards the nearby park which was located across her apartment building. She liked going through the park as it was peaceful in the morning and offered a chance to relax after a hard night of hero work.

The previous night had been busy for Diana. After what happened in Florida, she spent her time trying to find out if anyone knew the whereabouts of either Circe or Cheetah. But none of her leads knew anything about her two enemies.

It was surprising to learn that those two would work together. Not to mention the company that was with them. Solomon Grundy was assumed to be a legend, but then again people once thought the same thing about Amazons and Atlantians.

"Who could have brought those two together, not to mention those other villains?" Dinah wondered as she walked. But nothing came to her as continued walking. After 10 minutes, she stopped to rest on an empty bench.

Diana calmed herself as she looked at the scenery. It was peaceful here, and the trees and wildlife reminded her of Themyscira. Lately she had been thinking about her island home. It had been a long time since she had seen her mother and fellow Amazons. Of course, this was due to her duties with the Justice League.

It was also due to the arrival of Peter Parker. She felt sorry for him being far away home, while another part of her was also angry at the one who did this to him. "Thanos is truly a monster, I hope that he is brought to justice for his crimes to the universe!' Diana thought as she got angry for a bit.

But she soon calmed herself down, then got up to head for home. As she started to walk, she noticed the squirrels nearby stop as they all looked up at the sky. Then all of them, along with the birds and other animals ran away into the woods.

Surprised, Diana looked around to see what could have startled the animals, but saw nothing at first. Then she looked up and realized a ring of dark clouds now filled the skies above the park, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. Other people who had been enjoying early morning strolls through the park stopped to look up and take pictures or record videos on their phones.

Alarmed, Diana tried to call in the League, but found got static on her earpiece. After this she ran into a clump of bushes were she changed back into her suit, then headed straight into the center of the storm.

The sounds of lighting were heard, but no strikes were seen as Wonder Woman flew upward. "This storm is similar to what brought Parker to our world. Could this mean that someone else is coming as well?" she wondered, keeping a lookout to see if something would happen.

She didn't have to wait long, as after a few seconds a huge flash of light appeared, which blinded her at first. Once it faded, Diana opened her eyes and saw no damage around the area. But saw two figures laying on the ground in front of her.

The first person was someone dressed in a black suit that looked like a cat. There were highlights of silver in certain areas such as the face, hand and chest. The second person a young woman in her early 20's. She had dark brown skin, and braided hair which had been curled up on the sides of her head. Her clothing was a orange jacket over a black jumpsuit. One her right arm was some kind of beaded necklace.

Diana also noticed two kinds of weapons that the young lady was holding that looked like gauntlets. Both were colored silver with highlights of blue.

She then heard a groan come from this person, which let her know they were alive. "Thank the gods!" she said to herself, then saw the storm clouds separate when she turned around.

"Just like what happened in Florida, the storm disappears not long after it appears?" Diana said, then activated her earpiece. "Batman it's me. Another storm appeared just like the other day...yes I saw it myself...there were two people this time...both are alive...Okay I'll bring them to you at Wayne Manor."

Once the conversation ended, Wonder Woman picked up the two strangers as she headed off towards Gotham City.

To Be Continued.