Universe: DC and Marvel (I think I want to name my new combined
universe..but I don't got a name yet. Any ideas? Let me know.)
Characters:
MAINS: Batman, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Scarlet Witch, Green Lantern,
Raven, and Wonder Woman
EXTRAS: Some People...
Disclaimer: All characters (except made-ups) are owned by DC and
Marvel Comic Companies. I am just a fanfic writer please don't eat
me. Oh and request to use any made-ups in your own stories please.
E-mail: nightcrawlers_faith@yahoo.com
Author: Christopher Tyler Johnson
Date Started: 12/03/03
Date Finished: On Going Story
Summary: Logan, Nightcrawler, and Batman back at Wayne Manor. Kurt
and Bruce discussing stuff. Logan goes out on town. A fight scene and
Green Lantern leaving Justice Avengers. Girls show up...gah and more stuff you'll have to read
it
Title: Defenders
Episode 3: Defenders!
. . . .
Batman sat at the chair in front of his computer. His mind racing over files and images of the fiasco in Gotham Park. The power display and arrival of the Teen Titans to Green Lantern, Iron Man and Wonder Woman flying in. Damn you Diana why do you always have to be like that? Bruce thought glaring at the screen which had a front page of the Gotham Examiner on it. It read on bold black letter, BATMAN WEAK?.
Cursing under his breath Bruce shut the computer down spinning around in his chair. The moment his chair was turned around he saw Kurt
Wagner. The blue elf was hidden in the dark folds of the Bat Cave.
Bruce put his hands together, he was in his full Batman costume his cape draped over both sides of the chair he was in. Nightcrawler on the other hand was dressed in a pair of jeans and a button up red silk shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
"What can I do for you Kurt?" Bruce said his eyes narrowed as Nightcrawler flipped forward teleporting mid flip to land to Bruce's left.
"You want us gone?" Kurt said looking down at the sitting Batman. At that the dark knight rose to his feet to face Nightcrawler his arms crossed.
"I don't want this power in my city." Batman said his whole body tensed he was not happy about the display of power the evening before and Kurt wasn't helping it.
"Well its here. And after last night..."
"Last night will fade." Batman stated crossing the room towards the stairs out of the cave. Kurt called to him as he walked out.
"No! No it won't! Whether you like it or not that has made you look pathetic and your adversaries know it." Kurt finished as Batman disappeared up the stairs into Wayne Manor pulling off the mask as he went. He must have been upset according to Kurt's information he never wore the suit out into the Manor.
Just as Kurt finished that thought his phone began vibrating in his pocket. The movement surprised him and he fell onto his butt unable to move in time. He was still weak from his teleport to the moon base. It had been his farthest teleport ever. Second place was the time he had teleported himself and Cannonball out of a nuclear blast in Russia all the way to Paris.
Pulling the phone from his pocket Kurt was met with the small picture of his girlfriend Wanda Maximoff. Smiling Kurt clicked the phone on putting it to his ear, "Hello beautiful."
"Kurt. How are you feeling. You should never have teleported that far last night." Wanda said in a disapproving tone.
"I couldn't let him hurt you." Kurt said slightly offended by his current girlfriend. But she continued and he realized how right she was.
"I am the most powerful Chaos Witch on this planet. If I had tapped into my full power I would have cleaned the floor with Dr. Doom." Scarlet Witch finished then Kurt heard a softness in her voice, "Its just I don't need you hurting yourself on my behalf."
"I apologize but I love you Wanda and I would do it again in a heart beat."
"But Kurt..." Her voice came slowly over the mechanical connection, "...to have your powers boosted by X-Man wasn't your smartest move ever."
"I know. But I knew my body could take it. When I battled Fabion Cortez he boosted my powers to the point that I could have gone to Pluto had I wished it. Of course all I could do was lay there in pain as I teleported bout every millisecond." Kurt said with a small chuckle remembering the time he had fought alongside the X-Men in Genosha.
Wanda let out an audible sigh. She continued with a small twinge in her voice, "I am going to use the teleporters to come down to Gotham Park. Meet me there."
"Done."
. . . .
Logan sat in a chair in the kitchen slicing a salami slowly. He knew that he still belonged in the super hero business. He knew that it was his place to help people because of all the wrong he had done he owed it to society. Taking a piece of the meat he casually tossed it into his mouth. Alfred the places butler stood a few feet away wanting to make Logan the food but Logan had refused. He didn't need old men waiting on him.
Logan quietly ate the food when he looked up he saw Bruce walk into the room wearing a business suit, "I am going to work. Alfred prepare the car." Bruce said coldly as he turned to Logan.
"Can I do something for you." Logan said raising an eyebrow eating another piece of salami. Bruce looked at him in disgust.
"Leave my city."
"Really Bruce. You need a new line. Plus Kurt decided you need us." Logan said popping another piece of salami in with a snide smile at the Batman.
"I do not need anyone." Bruce said glaring at Logan. Logan stood up moving towards the fridge when he heard Bruce whisper under his breath, meta-human scum. Logan whirled his claws popping out two on both sides of Batman's neck.
Batman reacted almost instantly. Falling backwards out of claw range his legs came out snapping hard into Logan's own planted feet. Logan dropped like a stone. Growling Logan grabbed Batman by the ankle yanking him in close.
He brought his claws in hitting Bruce hard in the jaw. Batman grabbed both of Logan's hands bending his wrists to the side head butting Logan hard in the skull. The effect hurt Bruce a lot more then he thought. Dammit Bruce remember he has a metal skeleton.
Logan smiled flinging Bruce across the room into the wall. Rolling to his feet he growled as Batman himself stood up. "Don't touch me."
"Don't call my species scum asshole." He hissed diving at Batman. Bruce sidestepped and brought a knee into Logan's stomach using his arms to shove the feral mutant into the refrigerator. Logan growled as he got up again, "You can't win. I am already healed." Batman was about to rebuttal when a green orb formed around him pinning him to the wall and a second tendril of green snapped around Logan's hands hanging him from an imaginary pulley system on the ceiling. Green Lantern stood in the door frame a few feet away from the two men.
"Now now children. What did mommy say about fighting?" Green Lantern asked his left hand in his jean pocket as he held his right one out green energy flowing from his wing.
"Put me down!" Wolverine snarled slashing at the green rope which kept moving just out of his reach.
"Only if you two stop fighting. I need to talk with Bruce." Kyle said and he dropped the two men. Logan was dropped on his head and Bruce on his feet. Batman straightened his suit and tie before crossing to Green Lantern.
The two men left leaving one fuming Wolverine alone on the kitchen floor. Growling Logan rose slashing the refrigerator door milk pouring out the top of the three slashes.
. . . .
Wonder Woman sat atop a large building in Southern Metropolis. It was a building of no importance the only reason she was on it was to be alone. She was growing tired of things and realizing life wasn't all she had hoped years ago. Only one thing remained in her eyes, Bruce Wayne. She still loved him.
She missed him deeply but could never admit it to him. Though on some level she was sure that he knew. He had a way with these things. He just seemed to know people. But it wasn't just that it was the hope he inspired in people.
It was ironic that the outcast of heroes, the man every hero secretly hated on some level or at least feared gave people the most hope. His symbol in the air of Gotham City truly meant something to those people. It was really his city and those people fought on because of him. Gotham had an undying spirit, a spirit in the shape of a bat.
Standing tall in her classic Wonder Woman outfit Diana lifted off the building flying over Metropolis slowly. She came to his big city because she could really muse here. People were not surprised by heroes in the air. This was a city of super powers and her presence would draw little attention.
Flying slowly and with no destination in mind Diana heard a soft click. A click that was audible above all others. It wasn't that it was louder it was just that this click was defined, a gun's bullet moving into the chamber. Men had to be dumb to try a shooting in Metropolis didn't they? Diana didn't have time to locate the gun because it was instantly shown to her.
A bullet whizzed past her left shoulder barely missing the heroine. She looked down and saw a man in solid black his gun already reloaded. He wasn't using normal bullets they were tipped with something some metal. She had seen that in the millisecond it had taken for the bullet to go by. It flew differently and the vibration was off for a normal bullet.
Diana dived planning to end this quickly. She couldn't risk him shooting anyone innocent. Landing on the building she believed that the gun shot had come from she narrowed her eyes looking for her attacker. Then she spotted him or at least the edge of him as his black trench coat whipped around the corner of the building over the edge.
Running Diana came to the edge seeing a gun wielder running down the fire escape. Jumping straight down she beat him to the ground as she indented into the pavement with a hard landing. Standing straight she turned to face the black clad killer. But he had expected her movement. Diana was blown backwards by a small level bomb sending her into the brick of the building. The man jumped down and put a pistol to her forehead. He pulled the trigger but the bullet never struck Diana. She had already ducked out of the way and hit her attacker hard in the stomach.
The man doubled over but didn't take long to recover kneeing her in the stomach he pulled another gun from seemingly nowhere and shot both down Diana's back as she drove him off of her. She stood flexing her arms as he fired again. Moving to stop the bullet with her power bracelet the ammo drove deep into her wrist through the bracelet.
"AGH!" Diana screamed collapsing to the cement.
"Make sure they know who sent you on. Frank Castle gives his regards." The Punisher said cocking his gun and moving to fire into Diana's skull.
. . . .
Bruce Wayne sat at his desk fuming. He had gone to work more angry then he had planned. He had a meeting with a man from Oscorp this afternoon but he had no time to get ready for it. In all reality he had no urge to meet with an Osborn company but he was fairly sure it was a buy out offer. Ever since there owner had been proven as the Green Goblin the company had tanked.
Tapping his pen up and down on his desk Bruce cursed knowing he had three super powered beings at his mansion. Kyle had asked for a place to stay and of course Batman had accepted. While he didn't like people in his city Kyle Rayner had saved his life before and he was a good kid if a little misguided.
But Logan, that feral little man was more then Bruce could take. He had the urge to shove a bomb in his mouth and hold it shut. But Batman never would. The Wolverine, as ill-tempered as he was, was one of the few people Bruce didn't mind having around. He was more useful in a fight then Nightwing and that was saying something.
Wolverine's companion Nightcrawler, the demon, now he was unique. His teleportation could be very useful and his dark appearance wouldn't draw much attention in Gotham City as long as he kept to the night. Bruce had his computer on in front of him with the Microsoft Word program open. He was supposed to be writing an acceptance letter for the Governor's ball but he really wasn't in the mood. Gotham City was naming Bruce Wayne the most loved philanthropist of Gotham and were giving him some sort of cheesy award. It didn't really matter but it was great public relations.
Suddenly the door to his office swung open and his secretary was apologizing profusely as a man came barging into Wayne's office, "Bruce Wayne! I have a bone to pick with you!"
Rising from his seat Batman crossed to the gentleman who had barged in, "Do I know you..."
"Oh don't play dumb! You were the one that did this to me!"
The man hissed holding out a newspaper business section. The headline read, Wayne Television News Coverage Drives Local Station Out Of Business.
"I don't understand..." Bruce said when in all reality he had already figured it out. This man was Samuel Giamamoni the Italian mob lord with connections to the Kingpin who had owned major stock in all the local news stations.
"Oh don't play dumb with me...I know you know the Bat...probably staged that park event!" The man said and flipped Bruce Wayne off placing his finger an inch from his face. Then the man turned and angrily stormed from the room.
"Should I call security?" Bruce's secretary asked quietly and Wayne told her there was no need. He was leaving. But this wasn't over a man like that would be back later in force. Most likely backed by the Kingpin's money and man-power.
. . . .
Raven sat alone in her room at the Titan Tower. She was flipping through her journal her eyes scanning the doodles and angry messages. This was where she released emotion. In the safety of her room Raven would pour emotion into this journal. Anger, sadness, and even a happy most people probably didn't know she had. All but one person, Nate Grey. That powerful psychic boy had always known more about Raven then anyone else even the original Titans.
Closing the journal Raven stepped into the hallway only to be nearly clipped when Beast Boy and Superboy came zipping past. "GAR!"
Raven screamed pinning herself to her door. She couldn't stand it here with these people. They were all so loud and she wanted nothing more then to be away.
Beast Boy who was currently in the form of an ostrich morphed down into his own persona and smiled, "Raven...."
Raven shook her head and walked calmly down the hall until she rounded the corner into the main open level of Titan Tower. Down below her reading was Nightwing flipping through the pages of any Emily Dickinson poem book. Raven floated herself down to the lower level landing behind the couch Dick was resting at.
"Hello Raven." Dick said repositioning himself on the couch so he was laying down as he flipped to the next page in the book, "Raven have you ever read Dickinson?"
"Yes." Raven said adjusting her knee high boots so they didn't pinch as much. She was also wearing fingerless black gloves with a tube top and shorts. Over the entire outfit she worse a simple cloak the hood off rolled in a pile down her back.
"Her incite on death always amazed me." Dick Grayson said obviously more interested in the book then his friend at the moment. Raven looked around her eyes searching for one purpose, to find Nate Grey. She could feel his soul close, he was at the Tower.
* Looking for me beautiful? * Came his soft voice in her head. She smiled and turned as he came floating in on his own telekinetic power through the open balcony window. Her mutant boyfriend looked as great as ever as he landed with few steps to her side.
Nate's hand traced up her arm and he kissed Raven deeply on the lips. She pulled back after a moment her eyes locked with his, "What's wrong?" She inquired sensing something was different about him.
"Nothing..." He said and she narrowed her eyes.
"You are lying...you're...you...you're afraid of me." Raven said pushing away from him into the couch. Nightwing looked up out of the corner of his vision. He didn't want it known he was watching and was good at hiding it but from one of the Earth's most powerful psychics
and Raven hiding things was not number one on the list of easy things to do.
Raven turned knowing what this was about. Her power display back at the park. Raven entire body lit with energy and she shot through the balcony the windows snapping open in front of her as she flew into the sky above San Francisco. Raven shot into the air spinning in the clouds turning to glare at Titan Tower.
* Raven stop! * Nate called flying out of the tower after her.
* No. We are through...you can't trust me. *
* I can! * Nate called back through the psychic link. He was becoming quickly larger as his telekinesis propelled him towards Raven.
* No, its better this way. I need some time Nate. I do love you but I can't right now...not now. * Raven said and shot away through the air the conversation obviously over. Raven knew Nate would never follow her, he respected her to much.
. . . .
Wonder Woman's body tensed as the Punisher cocked his gun. She waited until just the right moments before snapping the gun and hitting Castle hard in the jaw. She leapt onto him and broke his left arm pinning him to the wall, "Sloppy Castle."
Frank Castle said nothing as he waited for her to kill him.
That was the honorable thing, better to die here then fail. He had decided that Diana should be punished for the wrongs she had done during her career. Obviously he hadn't judged her as well as he should have. He cursed under his breath as she tied him up with her lasso. Obviously adamantium tipped bullets weren't enough to bring Wonder Woman down.
Diana sat on the ground knowing Frank Castle was going nowhere. She slumped backwards into the wall and punched the brick making a dent hard in it the pieces of brick crumbling around her hand.
Wonder Woman back handed Punisher hard across the face and untied him shooting away into the air leaving the unconscious Punisher lying in a heap on the alley floor. Wonder Woman was tired and felt so alone.
From a distance a tall blonde male watched Diana fly. He stood perched atop the Daily Planet ball. Wielding his hammer his cape flapping in the wind Thor watched Diana as she flew into the clouds. He was going to follow her, she was upset and did not need to be alone. Thrusting Minjour out in front of him the Thunder God flew silently through the air after Diana.
Wonder Woman paused mid air inside the density or at least mist covering of the cloud. She spun to face Thor as he came into the cloud behind her. She crossed her arms looking into the god's eyes. "Can I help you Thor?"
"Diana. As thy leader ...as thy friend I doest think thou needeth to speak." Thor said his cape flapping in the wind slightly as he locked eyes with his old teammate. Diana had left his team because of Batman. Well according to Stark, Mr. Wayne had quit.
"Why?" Diana said knowing full well Thor could see her pain. He knew she didn't fit with the Justice Avengers anymore. She just didn't click with them. She fit with only one man, Batman. And despite both of there fighting it they both wanted it all the same.
Thor despite his outside feelings on Earth felt connected to Diana. He and Diana were kindred, children of powerful beings and both foreign to this plane. Thor looked at her and said softly, "Ye have been removed from my team."
Diana nodded knowing why and knowing deep down that Thor was right. She had worn out her welcome and it was time to move on. She said nothing as she flew out of Metropolis' gray sky leaving Thor behind.
. . . .
Nightcrawler stood in nearly the same spot everyone had been fighting at mere days ago. He stood in his jeans and tan button up collared shirt deeply kissing the Scarlet Witch. Wanda wasn't holding back either in her long jean skirt and red tank top she was letting passion flow into the two lover's embrace.
Kurt pulled back brushing a strand of hair from Wanda's face, "I love you."
Wanda smiled her hand coming to the side of Kurt's face her arm along his chest, "I know; I love you too." Wanda kissed Kurt lightly then closed her eyes for a moment before pulling from Kurt's firm yet supple hold. Wanda slid back down onto her knee and pulled a box from seemingly nowhere.
"What...Wanda, no." Kurt said then stopped realizing what he had said, "I mean no I am supposed to ask."
"I have never been that traditional. Kurt Wagner will you marry me?" She asked her big brown eyes locked with his. The demon appearing mutant took the box opening it up to reveal a white gold enlarged band with one scarlet and one indigo stone in it. Kurt smiled a devilish smiled and took Wanda back into his arms kissing her, "Is that a yes?"
"God damn it woman. I will never believe the things you pull." Kurt said and slid the ring on over his finger.
Wanda jumped up her legs wrapping around his waist as he held her close. His tail flicked up playing at the edge of her shirt as the light of the mid-Gotham day played across the shadows of the park. Only three other people were in the park and all three were clapping for the newly engaged.
Leaning in Kurt whispered in her ear, "We're going." With that he teleported the two. He teleported them to the edge of the park where Alfred stood waiting with Bruce Wayne's car. A Bentley that Kurt had picked out with the old butler.
Alfred was being very helpful. He had set up the heroes rooms ahead of time and was more then willing to drive them around. Batman would never fire him and if anyone could convince Bruce to let the people stay it was Alfred.
Kurt piled into the car with the Scarlet Witch. He slid her into the back kissing her deeply as the dark windows rolled up. The blacked out car made it very private for the two heroes as Kurt passionately kissed his new fiancé.
. . . .
Logan realized they weren't going anywhere. They had in essence moved in. Kurt hadn't planned on leaving anytime soon and now it was starting to become apparent they upset Batman. Which honestly Logan just loved. He and Bruce respected each other but the two had never truly been friends. Neither man was the type. Wolverine was honestly bored with himself sitting alone in Batman's library.
He had been reading, yes Logan read. People assumed the feral mutant to be dumb he was far from that. He actually deeply enjoyed novels and the reading of them. His favorite author was Tom Clancy. The guy's book on a mutant hacker taking over the world wide web was extremely interesting. Sage had actually given Logan the book.
Taking a breath in Logan greeted Kyle, "Hello Lantern."
"Oh I didn't know you heard me." Kyle said coming the rest of the way into the study, "No hard feelings about earlier?"
"You didn't hurt me." Logan said with an unfeeling tone.
"I'll take that as a yes." Lantern said sitting down in the arm chair opposite Logan. Kyle watched as for a moment as Wolverine said nothing simply flipping through the pages of his book. Kyle almost stabbed himself for his next comment, "So you reading?"
Logan raised an eyebrow as if to ask if he was serious and Kyle shuddered. He knew in reality he could probably take Wolverine fairly easily as long as he knew where Logan was but that didn't mean that the man didn't strike fear into his heart. He was infamous and a legend. He'd been around as long as Superman and Captain America. You didn't get any bigger in the super hero circles then those two. You knew the man you were in the good.
Green Lantern on the other hand wanted nothing to do with the Justice Avengers. He felt shadowed there. He was always in a way being watched by Hal's shadow. It was as if the entire Justice Avenger's faction wanted to make him into Hal Jordan. He would never be and could never be Hal Jordan. What scared him most was that maybe someday he would be Jordan and he would snap trying to kill his friends. Kyle didn't want that.
Lifting his left hand up Kyle began playing with his ring. He had long wondered at why he had the power. I mean he had found it and its not as if he was the best thing the Lantern Corps ever shot out. Logan stood and looked down at Kyle.
"Look you want to go grab a drink? I am sure Al will get us something." Wolverine said catching Kyle of guard and the boy didn't respond for a few moments before collecting himself.
"Sure what about Kurt..." He never got to finished his sentence as he was interrupted by Logan mumbling something about witches and banging. Kyle wasn't sure if the man wasn't already drunk. But that was ludicrous as Wolverine honestly probably couldn't get drunk thanks to his mutant ability. More of a curse for the feral man than anything else.
Sweat dripping down his black hair tips mixed with a cheap gel Kyle got up following Logan out in the main hall. The shorter man flipped a black leather jacket on with ease over his massive shoulders. He reached out opening the door on a beautiful woman that Kyle and Logan both knew well, Diana.
Wonder Woman stood tall in a pair of skin tight jeans and a black sleeveless shirt. Her hair was pulled back and she had her classic star earrings dangling from both ears. She looked very beautiful the sun shining in across her making waves across her black locks.
"Well are you gentleman going to invite me in or gawk all day?" Diana said wiping a piece of hair from her brow. Logan stepped aside his icy exterior unthawed by Diana's attitude. He had seen worse from Storm on a bad day.
After a quick hug with Diana Kyle watched as Logan exited swinging his leg over his bike. Kyle whispered quickly, "Look I have to run...Logan."
Diana nodded, "I'll be fine. Is anyone else here?"
"All kinds of people are apparently staying here...but home. No I don't think so." Kyle said and with a smile and wink.
Diana sighed, "Go ahead before the runt dies of waiting. I'll be fine its not like I haven't been in this house before." Diana shut the door behind Kyle and looked around the dark mansion. Bruce always kept things to dark. He liked things in the dark and it had always driven Diana insane. The man was so deep and had such emotion when he chose to express it. It was late afternoon now and Bruce always arrived home around six-thirty if he was going to stay consistent. And that was frankly something Batman always was, consistent as hell.
Diana walked forward and heard a small electronic noise similar to that of a video camera. Looking up into the potted plant above the front entry way she saw the reflection of glass. So perhaps Bruce already knew she here spying with his tools. Smiling Diana blew a kiss to the camera and made her way to the kitchen area. She intended to confront Bruce. Force him to either own up to the feelings between them or to tell her no finally.
. . . .
Kyle was sitting on the back of Logan's bike. Logan was smoking and the cigar puff kept rolling back into Kyle's face. He had made himself a helmet with an air-sanitizer built in out of his ring's energy. Kyle and Logan hadn't spoken for the first bit of the ride. But out of nowhere Kyle distinctly heard Logan utter, "She's out of your league."
"What?!" Kyle yelled although he had heard Logan just fine.
"She wants the Bat. You haven't got a snowballs." Logan said tossing his cigar as he veered his cycle off the road to a bar just at the edge of Downtown Gotham. Logan hopped off popping his neck with a disgustingly metal crunch.
"Who said I liked her?"
"Your scent when you saw her. Your temperature raised and you started sweating more." Logan said with a half grin, "Just a little advice. You don't have a chance."
"Fine." Kyle said a little offended and a little relieved. He was glad someone else finally knew about his little crush. He had been staring for a long while now. Diana was the only one of the Justice Avengers who seemed to care about him. Whether or not that lead to a relationship honestly didn't matter to Kyle.
Stepping through the doors of the bar alongside Logan he glanced up seeing the sign above the door, Crescent Bar and Grill: No Lawyers. Apparently this place didn't like lawyers to much. Good thing Kyle was a starving artist here with an asshole. Sitting down in at the bar it took mere moments before they had steaks and beers at hand. The place was pretty empty, it wasn't even time for the dinner rush yet.
Logan suddenly froze seeming to strain as he took a bite of his steak.
"What is it?" Kyle asked and was instantly hushed by Logan. The man simply held to fingers up and whispered, 'be ready for a fight'. Logan stood turning and Kyle mimicked him as three larger men in suits came to the bar.
"We're going to have to ask you gentlemen to leave." The biggest of the three said his black Armani suit reeking of money. It made both heroes sick.
"On what grounds?" Kyle said having had a couple of bar fights in his life. He wasn't exactly worried by three normal guys in suits.
"Mr. Giamamoni asks it and he owns the place."
"Does Mr. G want us to forget he is bombing a place tonight too?" Logan said blowing smoke off his cigar into the mans face. This was more then the hired hand could take. He hit Logan hard in the face knocking the man into the bar.
Logan reacted instantly coming around with a right roundhouse to the man's face followed by an uppercut into his chest. Kicking off the man's shoulder he crumpled in a pile at Wolverine's feet.
The other two narrowed their eyes and pulled pistols out facing them towards Logan and Kyle. Kyle smiled, "Please." He laughed green energy forming a large wolf man between the two sets of men. The wolf reached out taking the guns. He leaned in drooling green saliva on the men who both essentially peed themselves. Kyle and Logan both his one of them felling them with one punch each.
"Now what was that about exactly?" Kyle asked but just as the words left his mouth he looked seeing nearly every patron in the bar and some who seemed to have come from nowhere were pointing very high tech weapons at the heroes. Kyle erected a green shield over him and Logan just as energy blasts shot in their direction.
"You need to learn to pay attention. I overheard them saying they are bombing Wayne Corp. headquarters tonight. Then I heard this Mr. G say he wanted us removed. He recognized me from the papers." Logan didn't say anything else as he snarled and dived from behind the shield into the fray of hired hands.
Kyle took a different approach forming a pack of large green wolves at his command. These wolves were very effective and quick. Lead by his still formed wolf man the pack tore into the Italian Mob men. It wasn't long until the walls blood splattered the fight was over. Mr. G had somehow slipped out during the excitement but it didn't matter. They knew what was going down or at least Logan knew. Kyle was frankly still mostly in the dark.
. . . .
Cold water dripped from the ceiling of the Batcave. It made an echoing noise in the silence surrounding the heroes gathered. Logan stood near the stair into Wayne Manor slowly dragging a cigar down his lips. The smoke curled up around his head like a black tear from the depths of boiler room. Puffing out the essential immortal looked down at Wonder Woman now in her full stars and stripes arms crossed in front of her.
"So where is Batman?" Kyle Rayner said popping his knuckles. His eyes were lit lightly behind his mask as he rested back in Batman's chair before the large computer system in the cave. Dancing in front of Kyle were two small "Rockem Sockem" robots made from his rings energy.
"We don't know. According to Wayne Enterprise security cameras he left the main office around six-thirty. But he hasn't come home, Alfred doesn't know where he is and Batman has not been spotted. We're coming up empty handed." Nightcrawler said from his position directly behind Rayner. His indigo tail flicked in the soft console glimmering as he finished the search Logan had asked him to perform.
"What does it say?" Wonder Woman asked her eyes narrowed in contemplation as Nightcrawler teleported over to the print out he had just ordered up.
"Lets see..." Kurt said pausing his tongue coming out over his dark demon lips, "Samuel Giamamoni. Italian mob lord based in Gotham City. Controls large amounts of underworld funds. Been known to be closely associated with both the Kingpin of New York City and Gotham's own Two-Face more formally known as..."
Wonder Woman cut Kurt off, "Thank you honey. But why do we have this information?" Wanda Maximoff asked finally stepping forward. Her red and black cloaks that surrounded her swaying slightly as she came into the light. She had been holding back trying to work out information on the Mystical Plane this entire time.
Kurt looked to Logan raising his eyebrows as is passing the question. Logan pulled his cigar out shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans. On the upper half Logan wore a black and yellow version of his old blue and yellow spandex. The sleeves were torn and the skin tight shirt looked worn underneath his leather jacket.
"He is bombing Wayne Headquarters tonight." Logan said shrugging, "Overheard it in a bar. Then Fido over their helped me kill things."
Kyle smiled raising his hand as if to say, Hi I'm Fido. Standing up Kyle brushed himself off, "So lets go kick some ass. I mean come on thugs with guns? We're a bit out of their league."
Wonder Woman nodded, "I agree and with Bru...I mean Batman missing we can't just sit by and let it happen."
"Fine how do we get there? Batman didn't exactly leave instruction manuals on how to make those run." Kurt said thumbing over his shoulder at the three Batmobiles and two Batplanes spread out behind him.
"My ring can get us there easy." Kyle said, "But we should probably get moving. Sundown comes soon."
Logan nodded and turned up the stairs, "Meet out front. Five minutes." The short feral man came running upstairs. He exited from behind the clock entrance to the cave and made his way down the hall. Ears pealed to every noise that was occurring. He could hear Alfred in the kitchen quietly washing plates from Dinner and a soft click as the front door closed.
He thought he had smelled her. Going forward quietly he came round the corner to block the black cloaked figures path. The young woman lifted her head meeting his eyes without fear.
"Hello Raven. How can we help you?" Logan asked and the rain soaked girl stared up at him unblinking.
"I am looking for Batman." She said her voice cracking slightly. Logan nodded and explained he wasn't home turning his back on the girl. Logan didn't dislike Raven. In fact given time he might even consider her a daughter as he did Jubilee or Shadowcat, "I'm not leaving until I talk to him."
"Then wait." Logan said as if that was obvious. Just as he finished his words Wonder Woman and Nightcrawler came around the corner.
"Try to be nicer Logan. I could hear you." Diana said and then stepped aside to speak to Raven alone. Kyle and Wanda came up next. Logan could hear Wanda telling Kyle not to worry and that he had proved himself a hundred times over.
"We ready?" Kurt said and Kyle nodded to him powering up the ring. A green version of Alfred opened the door with a bow. Smiling his pearly whites Kurt put his arm around Wanda's waist turning to Diana and Raven, "You ladies done speaking?"
"Yes. Raven will be coming with us." Diana held with a tone that said no arguing would occur. Kyle nodded his black locks seemingly to float momentarily in suspended animation as he covered the area with what appeared to be a space ship with seats designed for each member. Climbing on he powered up flying into the night sky.
Arriving over the main building Kurt looked down off the green jet they floated upon. Below them three black vans were pulling into the garage. "That's our boys. Has to be."
Just as his words finished a rush of air brushed past them and a screech was heard. Kurt barely had time to register it as it passed again. The Vulture. Kurt knew little of him. He sucked life and fought Spiderman numerous times. Kurt believed him to be in the employ of Kingpin which would explain his appearance here.
"He is mine." Wonder Woman said shooting into the air, "The rest of you handle the vans."
"Be ready for more surprises people." Kurt said teleporting to the ground outside the garage. Slinking inside holding to shadows the dark mutant crept slowly watching as the vans emptied. Batman's security force had already been engaged and shut down. It appeared to be a sleeping gas, nothing a little brimstone wouldn't dissipate. Pulling his sword from its sheath Kurt began teleporting all around the men at intense speeds. He heard a few of them screech about the demon one. Ignorant pieces of slime.
It was about this time that Kyle, Logan, Raven and Wanda joined the fray. Kurt stopped teleporting the air filled in purple smoke thick as water. He flipped his sword up disarming two of the hired thugs. He heard a call from the distance.
"Asta meton sintost!" Raven hissed one of the vans lighting with black energy smashing hard into a group of the hired men. At this point many of them scattered heading right for Raven. They were well trained and dodged her attempted blows well firing twin shots with their energy rifles. A green soda bottle appeared around Raven absorbing the impact of the blasts.
"Cause she's all shook up." Kyle sang a pair of hands forming out of the bottle to swat her attackers. Scarlet Witch had moved to the van disarming the weapons. It didn't take her long as she simply hexed them into duds. The real fear in the fight was Logan. The man had kept claws in so far but he had torn through half the troops in minutes. The group had given up spreading out and seeming to disappear.
Wonder Woman came floating down a lassoed Vulture in her arms. Green Lantern had left the garage caging the attempted escapees. He had them all quickly barred in green cells. Kurt walked to Diana's side, "Have fun?"
"Yes it was easy. Second rate by today's standards." The clay woman said dropping Vulture, "He told me everything. Weak minded male."
"I agree with her." Logan said his claws still in his fists, "I didn't even go claws out and we won in minutes."
. . . .
Kurt and the others came into the mansion. They had stayed for nearly five more hours getting all the police matters settled as well as personally transferring Vulture to Rykers via Justice Avengers teleporters; Diana, Wanda and Kyle still had full access to them.
Entering the dark mansion it didn't take long for them all to notice Batman sitting in the easy chair Logan had occupied a couple days ago, "I want you all to stay. I've had Alfred prepare you all rooms. Raven, Nightwing contacted me about your wishes to be trained. I grant them. I want no discussions from any of you just a simple yes or no. Will you stay, this city needs a larger collection of Defenders." Batman said his cape draped as if a flowing river of lava over his entire body so it seemed Bruce was like liquid as he rose from his chair.
"Yes. I could use the change." Kyle said with a queer smile.
"Yes." Kurt said and heard the quick yes that followed from his new and still unannounced fiancé. Logan mumbled a yes most likely not leaving Kurt side for a while. The two needed each other. Raven's answer was obvious the only real cliffhanger was Diana.
Staring deeply into Bruce's eyes his old flame watched him with a hateful lust, "Yes." Diana said slowly. Things would change between them and she would stick around for that any day.
END
universe..but I don't got a name yet. Any ideas? Let me know.)
Characters:
MAINS: Batman, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Scarlet Witch, Green Lantern,
Raven, and Wonder Woman
EXTRAS: Some People...
Disclaimer: All characters (except made-ups) are owned by DC and
Marvel Comic Companies. I am just a fanfic writer please don't eat
me. Oh and request to use any made-ups in your own stories please.
E-mail: nightcrawlers_faith@yahoo.com
Author: Christopher Tyler Johnson
Date Started: 12/03/03
Date Finished: On Going Story
Summary: Logan, Nightcrawler, and Batman back at Wayne Manor. Kurt
and Bruce discussing stuff. Logan goes out on town. A fight scene and
Green Lantern leaving Justice Avengers. Girls show up...gah and more stuff you'll have to read
it
Title: Defenders
Episode 3: Defenders!
. . . .
Batman sat at the chair in front of his computer. His mind racing over files and images of the fiasco in Gotham Park. The power display and arrival of the Teen Titans to Green Lantern, Iron Man and Wonder Woman flying in. Damn you Diana why do you always have to be like that? Bruce thought glaring at the screen which had a front page of the Gotham Examiner on it. It read on bold black letter, BATMAN WEAK?.
Cursing under his breath Bruce shut the computer down spinning around in his chair. The moment his chair was turned around he saw Kurt
Wagner. The blue elf was hidden in the dark folds of the Bat Cave.
Bruce put his hands together, he was in his full Batman costume his cape draped over both sides of the chair he was in. Nightcrawler on the other hand was dressed in a pair of jeans and a button up red silk shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
"What can I do for you Kurt?" Bruce said his eyes narrowed as Nightcrawler flipped forward teleporting mid flip to land to Bruce's left.
"You want us gone?" Kurt said looking down at the sitting Batman. At that the dark knight rose to his feet to face Nightcrawler his arms crossed.
"I don't want this power in my city." Batman said his whole body tensed he was not happy about the display of power the evening before and Kurt wasn't helping it.
"Well its here. And after last night..."
"Last night will fade." Batman stated crossing the room towards the stairs out of the cave. Kurt called to him as he walked out.
"No! No it won't! Whether you like it or not that has made you look pathetic and your adversaries know it." Kurt finished as Batman disappeared up the stairs into Wayne Manor pulling off the mask as he went. He must have been upset according to Kurt's information he never wore the suit out into the Manor.
Just as Kurt finished that thought his phone began vibrating in his pocket. The movement surprised him and he fell onto his butt unable to move in time. He was still weak from his teleport to the moon base. It had been his farthest teleport ever. Second place was the time he had teleported himself and Cannonball out of a nuclear blast in Russia all the way to Paris.
Pulling the phone from his pocket Kurt was met with the small picture of his girlfriend Wanda Maximoff. Smiling Kurt clicked the phone on putting it to his ear, "Hello beautiful."
"Kurt. How are you feeling. You should never have teleported that far last night." Wanda said in a disapproving tone.
"I couldn't let him hurt you." Kurt said slightly offended by his current girlfriend. But she continued and he realized how right she was.
"I am the most powerful Chaos Witch on this planet. If I had tapped into my full power I would have cleaned the floor with Dr. Doom." Scarlet Witch finished then Kurt heard a softness in her voice, "Its just I don't need you hurting yourself on my behalf."
"I apologize but I love you Wanda and I would do it again in a heart beat."
"But Kurt..." Her voice came slowly over the mechanical connection, "...to have your powers boosted by X-Man wasn't your smartest move ever."
"I know. But I knew my body could take it. When I battled Fabion Cortez he boosted my powers to the point that I could have gone to Pluto had I wished it. Of course all I could do was lay there in pain as I teleported bout every millisecond." Kurt said with a small chuckle remembering the time he had fought alongside the X-Men in Genosha.
Wanda let out an audible sigh. She continued with a small twinge in her voice, "I am going to use the teleporters to come down to Gotham Park. Meet me there."
"Done."
. . . .
Logan sat in a chair in the kitchen slicing a salami slowly. He knew that he still belonged in the super hero business. He knew that it was his place to help people because of all the wrong he had done he owed it to society. Taking a piece of the meat he casually tossed it into his mouth. Alfred the places butler stood a few feet away wanting to make Logan the food but Logan had refused. He didn't need old men waiting on him.
Logan quietly ate the food when he looked up he saw Bruce walk into the room wearing a business suit, "I am going to work. Alfred prepare the car." Bruce said coldly as he turned to Logan.
"Can I do something for you." Logan said raising an eyebrow eating another piece of salami. Bruce looked at him in disgust.
"Leave my city."
"Really Bruce. You need a new line. Plus Kurt decided you need us." Logan said popping another piece of salami in with a snide smile at the Batman.
"I do not need anyone." Bruce said glaring at Logan. Logan stood up moving towards the fridge when he heard Bruce whisper under his breath, meta-human scum. Logan whirled his claws popping out two on both sides of Batman's neck.
Batman reacted almost instantly. Falling backwards out of claw range his legs came out snapping hard into Logan's own planted feet. Logan dropped like a stone. Growling Logan grabbed Batman by the ankle yanking him in close.
He brought his claws in hitting Bruce hard in the jaw. Batman grabbed both of Logan's hands bending his wrists to the side head butting Logan hard in the skull. The effect hurt Bruce a lot more then he thought. Dammit Bruce remember he has a metal skeleton.
Logan smiled flinging Bruce across the room into the wall. Rolling to his feet he growled as Batman himself stood up. "Don't touch me."
"Don't call my species scum asshole." He hissed diving at Batman. Bruce sidestepped and brought a knee into Logan's stomach using his arms to shove the feral mutant into the refrigerator. Logan growled as he got up again, "You can't win. I am already healed." Batman was about to rebuttal when a green orb formed around him pinning him to the wall and a second tendril of green snapped around Logan's hands hanging him from an imaginary pulley system on the ceiling. Green Lantern stood in the door frame a few feet away from the two men.
"Now now children. What did mommy say about fighting?" Green Lantern asked his left hand in his jean pocket as he held his right one out green energy flowing from his wing.
"Put me down!" Wolverine snarled slashing at the green rope which kept moving just out of his reach.
"Only if you two stop fighting. I need to talk with Bruce." Kyle said and he dropped the two men. Logan was dropped on his head and Bruce on his feet. Batman straightened his suit and tie before crossing to Green Lantern.
The two men left leaving one fuming Wolverine alone on the kitchen floor. Growling Logan rose slashing the refrigerator door milk pouring out the top of the three slashes.
. . . .
Wonder Woman sat atop a large building in Southern Metropolis. It was a building of no importance the only reason she was on it was to be alone. She was growing tired of things and realizing life wasn't all she had hoped years ago. Only one thing remained in her eyes, Bruce Wayne. She still loved him.
She missed him deeply but could never admit it to him. Though on some level she was sure that he knew. He had a way with these things. He just seemed to know people. But it wasn't just that it was the hope he inspired in people.
It was ironic that the outcast of heroes, the man every hero secretly hated on some level or at least feared gave people the most hope. His symbol in the air of Gotham City truly meant something to those people. It was really his city and those people fought on because of him. Gotham had an undying spirit, a spirit in the shape of a bat.
Standing tall in her classic Wonder Woman outfit Diana lifted off the building flying over Metropolis slowly. She came to his big city because she could really muse here. People were not surprised by heroes in the air. This was a city of super powers and her presence would draw little attention.
Flying slowly and with no destination in mind Diana heard a soft click. A click that was audible above all others. It wasn't that it was louder it was just that this click was defined, a gun's bullet moving into the chamber. Men had to be dumb to try a shooting in Metropolis didn't they? Diana didn't have time to locate the gun because it was instantly shown to her.
A bullet whizzed past her left shoulder barely missing the heroine. She looked down and saw a man in solid black his gun already reloaded. He wasn't using normal bullets they were tipped with something some metal. She had seen that in the millisecond it had taken for the bullet to go by. It flew differently and the vibration was off for a normal bullet.
Diana dived planning to end this quickly. She couldn't risk him shooting anyone innocent. Landing on the building she believed that the gun shot had come from she narrowed her eyes looking for her attacker. Then she spotted him or at least the edge of him as his black trench coat whipped around the corner of the building over the edge.
Running Diana came to the edge seeing a gun wielder running down the fire escape. Jumping straight down she beat him to the ground as she indented into the pavement with a hard landing. Standing straight she turned to face the black clad killer. But he had expected her movement. Diana was blown backwards by a small level bomb sending her into the brick of the building. The man jumped down and put a pistol to her forehead. He pulled the trigger but the bullet never struck Diana. She had already ducked out of the way and hit her attacker hard in the stomach.
The man doubled over but didn't take long to recover kneeing her in the stomach he pulled another gun from seemingly nowhere and shot both down Diana's back as she drove him off of her. She stood flexing her arms as he fired again. Moving to stop the bullet with her power bracelet the ammo drove deep into her wrist through the bracelet.
"AGH!" Diana screamed collapsing to the cement.
"Make sure they know who sent you on. Frank Castle gives his regards." The Punisher said cocking his gun and moving to fire into Diana's skull.
. . . .
Bruce Wayne sat at his desk fuming. He had gone to work more angry then he had planned. He had a meeting with a man from Oscorp this afternoon but he had no time to get ready for it. In all reality he had no urge to meet with an Osborn company but he was fairly sure it was a buy out offer. Ever since there owner had been proven as the Green Goblin the company had tanked.
Tapping his pen up and down on his desk Bruce cursed knowing he had three super powered beings at his mansion. Kyle had asked for a place to stay and of course Batman had accepted. While he didn't like people in his city Kyle Rayner had saved his life before and he was a good kid if a little misguided.
But Logan, that feral little man was more then Bruce could take. He had the urge to shove a bomb in his mouth and hold it shut. But Batman never would. The Wolverine, as ill-tempered as he was, was one of the few people Bruce didn't mind having around. He was more useful in a fight then Nightwing and that was saying something.
Wolverine's companion Nightcrawler, the demon, now he was unique. His teleportation could be very useful and his dark appearance wouldn't draw much attention in Gotham City as long as he kept to the night. Bruce had his computer on in front of him with the Microsoft Word program open. He was supposed to be writing an acceptance letter for the Governor's ball but he really wasn't in the mood. Gotham City was naming Bruce Wayne the most loved philanthropist of Gotham and were giving him some sort of cheesy award. It didn't really matter but it was great public relations.
Suddenly the door to his office swung open and his secretary was apologizing profusely as a man came barging into Wayne's office, "Bruce Wayne! I have a bone to pick with you!"
Rising from his seat Batman crossed to the gentleman who had barged in, "Do I know you..."
"Oh don't play dumb! You were the one that did this to me!"
The man hissed holding out a newspaper business section. The headline read, Wayne Television News Coverage Drives Local Station Out Of Business.
"I don't understand..." Bruce said when in all reality he had already figured it out. This man was Samuel Giamamoni the Italian mob lord with connections to the Kingpin who had owned major stock in all the local news stations.
"Oh don't play dumb with me...I know you know the Bat...probably staged that park event!" The man said and flipped Bruce Wayne off placing his finger an inch from his face. Then the man turned and angrily stormed from the room.
"Should I call security?" Bruce's secretary asked quietly and Wayne told her there was no need. He was leaving. But this wasn't over a man like that would be back later in force. Most likely backed by the Kingpin's money and man-power.
. . . .
Raven sat alone in her room at the Titan Tower. She was flipping through her journal her eyes scanning the doodles and angry messages. This was where she released emotion. In the safety of her room Raven would pour emotion into this journal. Anger, sadness, and even a happy most people probably didn't know she had. All but one person, Nate Grey. That powerful psychic boy had always known more about Raven then anyone else even the original Titans.
Closing the journal Raven stepped into the hallway only to be nearly clipped when Beast Boy and Superboy came zipping past. "GAR!"
Raven screamed pinning herself to her door. She couldn't stand it here with these people. They were all so loud and she wanted nothing more then to be away.
Beast Boy who was currently in the form of an ostrich morphed down into his own persona and smiled, "Raven...."
Raven shook her head and walked calmly down the hall until she rounded the corner into the main open level of Titan Tower. Down below her reading was Nightwing flipping through the pages of any Emily Dickinson poem book. Raven floated herself down to the lower level landing behind the couch Dick was resting at.
"Hello Raven." Dick said repositioning himself on the couch so he was laying down as he flipped to the next page in the book, "Raven have you ever read Dickinson?"
"Yes." Raven said adjusting her knee high boots so they didn't pinch as much. She was also wearing fingerless black gloves with a tube top and shorts. Over the entire outfit she worse a simple cloak the hood off rolled in a pile down her back.
"Her incite on death always amazed me." Dick Grayson said obviously more interested in the book then his friend at the moment. Raven looked around her eyes searching for one purpose, to find Nate Grey. She could feel his soul close, he was at the Tower.
* Looking for me beautiful? * Came his soft voice in her head. She smiled and turned as he came floating in on his own telekinetic power through the open balcony window. Her mutant boyfriend looked as great as ever as he landed with few steps to her side.
Nate's hand traced up her arm and he kissed Raven deeply on the lips. She pulled back after a moment her eyes locked with his, "What's wrong?" She inquired sensing something was different about him.
"Nothing..." He said and she narrowed her eyes.
"You are lying...you're...you...you're afraid of me." Raven said pushing away from him into the couch. Nightwing looked up out of the corner of his vision. He didn't want it known he was watching and was good at hiding it but from one of the Earth's most powerful psychics
and Raven hiding things was not number one on the list of easy things to do.
Raven turned knowing what this was about. Her power display back at the park. Raven entire body lit with energy and she shot through the balcony the windows snapping open in front of her as she flew into the sky above San Francisco. Raven shot into the air spinning in the clouds turning to glare at Titan Tower.
* Raven stop! * Nate called flying out of the tower after her.
* No. We are through...you can't trust me. *
* I can! * Nate called back through the psychic link. He was becoming quickly larger as his telekinesis propelled him towards Raven.
* No, its better this way. I need some time Nate. I do love you but I can't right now...not now. * Raven said and shot away through the air the conversation obviously over. Raven knew Nate would never follow her, he respected her to much.
. . . .
Wonder Woman's body tensed as the Punisher cocked his gun. She waited until just the right moments before snapping the gun and hitting Castle hard in the jaw. She leapt onto him and broke his left arm pinning him to the wall, "Sloppy Castle."
Frank Castle said nothing as he waited for her to kill him.
That was the honorable thing, better to die here then fail. He had decided that Diana should be punished for the wrongs she had done during her career. Obviously he hadn't judged her as well as he should have. He cursed under his breath as she tied him up with her lasso. Obviously adamantium tipped bullets weren't enough to bring Wonder Woman down.
Diana sat on the ground knowing Frank Castle was going nowhere. She slumped backwards into the wall and punched the brick making a dent hard in it the pieces of brick crumbling around her hand.
Wonder Woman back handed Punisher hard across the face and untied him shooting away into the air leaving the unconscious Punisher lying in a heap on the alley floor. Wonder Woman was tired and felt so alone.
From a distance a tall blonde male watched Diana fly. He stood perched atop the Daily Planet ball. Wielding his hammer his cape flapping in the wind Thor watched Diana as she flew into the clouds. He was going to follow her, she was upset and did not need to be alone. Thrusting Minjour out in front of him the Thunder God flew silently through the air after Diana.
Wonder Woman paused mid air inside the density or at least mist covering of the cloud. She spun to face Thor as he came into the cloud behind her. She crossed her arms looking into the god's eyes. "Can I help you Thor?"
"Diana. As thy leader ...as thy friend I doest think thou needeth to speak." Thor said his cape flapping in the wind slightly as he locked eyes with his old teammate. Diana had left his team because of Batman. Well according to Stark, Mr. Wayne had quit.
"Why?" Diana said knowing full well Thor could see her pain. He knew she didn't fit with the Justice Avengers anymore. She just didn't click with them. She fit with only one man, Batman. And despite both of there fighting it they both wanted it all the same.
Thor despite his outside feelings on Earth felt connected to Diana. He and Diana were kindred, children of powerful beings and both foreign to this plane. Thor looked at her and said softly, "Ye have been removed from my team."
Diana nodded knowing why and knowing deep down that Thor was right. She had worn out her welcome and it was time to move on. She said nothing as she flew out of Metropolis' gray sky leaving Thor behind.
. . . .
Nightcrawler stood in nearly the same spot everyone had been fighting at mere days ago. He stood in his jeans and tan button up collared shirt deeply kissing the Scarlet Witch. Wanda wasn't holding back either in her long jean skirt and red tank top she was letting passion flow into the two lover's embrace.
Kurt pulled back brushing a strand of hair from Wanda's face, "I love you."
Wanda smiled her hand coming to the side of Kurt's face her arm along his chest, "I know; I love you too." Wanda kissed Kurt lightly then closed her eyes for a moment before pulling from Kurt's firm yet supple hold. Wanda slid back down onto her knee and pulled a box from seemingly nowhere.
"What...Wanda, no." Kurt said then stopped realizing what he had said, "I mean no I am supposed to ask."
"I have never been that traditional. Kurt Wagner will you marry me?" She asked her big brown eyes locked with his. The demon appearing mutant took the box opening it up to reveal a white gold enlarged band with one scarlet and one indigo stone in it. Kurt smiled a devilish smiled and took Wanda back into his arms kissing her, "Is that a yes?"
"God damn it woman. I will never believe the things you pull." Kurt said and slid the ring on over his finger.
Wanda jumped up her legs wrapping around his waist as he held her close. His tail flicked up playing at the edge of her shirt as the light of the mid-Gotham day played across the shadows of the park. Only three other people were in the park and all three were clapping for the newly engaged.
Leaning in Kurt whispered in her ear, "We're going." With that he teleported the two. He teleported them to the edge of the park where Alfred stood waiting with Bruce Wayne's car. A Bentley that Kurt had picked out with the old butler.
Alfred was being very helpful. He had set up the heroes rooms ahead of time and was more then willing to drive them around. Batman would never fire him and if anyone could convince Bruce to let the people stay it was Alfred.
Kurt piled into the car with the Scarlet Witch. He slid her into the back kissing her deeply as the dark windows rolled up. The blacked out car made it very private for the two heroes as Kurt passionately kissed his new fiancé.
. . . .
Logan realized they weren't going anywhere. They had in essence moved in. Kurt hadn't planned on leaving anytime soon and now it was starting to become apparent they upset Batman. Which honestly Logan just loved. He and Bruce respected each other but the two had never truly been friends. Neither man was the type. Wolverine was honestly bored with himself sitting alone in Batman's library.
He had been reading, yes Logan read. People assumed the feral mutant to be dumb he was far from that. He actually deeply enjoyed novels and the reading of them. His favorite author was Tom Clancy. The guy's book on a mutant hacker taking over the world wide web was extremely interesting. Sage had actually given Logan the book.
Taking a breath in Logan greeted Kyle, "Hello Lantern."
"Oh I didn't know you heard me." Kyle said coming the rest of the way into the study, "No hard feelings about earlier?"
"You didn't hurt me." Logan said with an unfeeling tone.
"I'll take that as a yes." Lantern said sitting down in the arm chair opposite Logan. Kyle watched as for a moment as Wolverine said nothing simply flipping through the pages of his book. Kyle almost stabbed himself for his next comment, "So you reading?"
Logan raised an eyebrow as if to ask if he was serious and Kyle shuddered. He knew in reality he could probably take Wolverine fairly easily as long as he knew where Logan was but that didn't mean that the man didn't strike fear into his heart. He was infamous and a legend. He'd been around as long as Superman and Captain America. You didn't get any bigger in the super hero circles then those two. You knew the man you were in the good.
Green Lantern on the other hand wanted nothing to do with the Justice Avengers. He felt shadowed there. He was always in a way being watched by Hal's shadow. It was as if the entire Justice Avenger's faction wanted to make him into Hal Jordan. He would never be and could never be Hal Jordan. What scared him most was that maybe someday he would be Jordan and he would snap trying to kill his friends. Kyle didn't want that.
Lifting his left hand up Kyle began playing with his ring. He had long wondered at why he had the power. I mean he had found it and its not as if he was the best thing the Lantern Corps ever shot out. Logan stood and looked down at Kyle.
"Look you want to go grab a drink? I am sure Al will get us something." Wolverine said catching Kyle of guard and the boy didn't respond for a few moments before collecting himself.
"Sure what about Kurt..." He never got to finished his sentence as he was interrupted by Logan mumbling something about witches and banging. Kyle wasn't sure if the man wasn't already drunk. But that was ludicrous as Wolverine honestly probably couldn't get drunk thanks to his mutant ability. More of a curse for the feral man than anything else.
Sweat dripping down his black hair tips mixed with a cheap gel Kyle got up following Logan out in the main hall. The shorter man flipped a black leather jacket on with ease over his massive shoulders. He reached out opening the door on a beautiful woman that Kyle and Logan both knew well, Diana.
Wonder Woman stood tall in a pair of skin tight jeans and a black sleeveless shirt. Her hair was pulled back and she had her classic star earrings dangling from both ears. She looked very beautiful the sun shining in across her making waves across her black locks.
"Well are you gentleman going to invite me in or gawk all day?" Diana said wiping a piece of hair from her brow. Logan stepped aside his icy exterior unthawed by Diana's attitude. He had seen worse from Storm on a bad day.
After a quick hug with Diana Kyle watched as Logan exited swinging his leg over his bike. Kyle whispered quickly, "Look I have to run...Logan."
Diana nodded, "I'll be fine. Is anyone else here?"
"All kinds of people are apparently staying here...but home. No I don't think so." Kyle said and with a smile and wink.
Diana sighed, "Go ahead before the runt dies of waiting. I'll be fine its not like I haven't been in this house before." Diana shut the door behind Kyle and looked around the dark mansion. Bruce always kept things to dark. He liked things in the dark and it had always driven Diana insane. The man was so deep and had such emotion when he chose to express it. It was late afternoon now and Bruce always arrived home around six-thirty if he was going to stay consistent. And that was frankly something Batman always was, consistent as hell.
Diana walked forward and heard a small electronic noise similar to that of a video camera. Looking up into the potted plant above the front entry way she saw the reflection of glass. So perhaps Bruce already knew she here spying with his tools. Smiling Diana blew a kiss to the camera and made her way to the kitchen area. She intended to confront Bruce. Force him to either own up to the feelings between them or to tell her no finally.
. . . .
Kyle was sitting on the back of Logan's bike. Logan was smoking and the cigar puff kept rolling back into Kyle's face. He had made himself a helmet with an air-sanitizer built in out of his ring's energy. Kyle and Logan hadn't spoken for the first bit of the ride. But out of nowhere Kyle distinctly heard Logan utter, "She's out of your league."
"What?!" Kyle yelled although he had heard Logan just fine.
"She wants the Bat. You haven't got a snowballs." Logan said tossing his cigar as he veered his cycle off the road to a bar just at the edge of Downtown Gotham. Logan hopped off popping his neck with a disgustingly metal crunch.
"Who said I liked her?"
"Your scent when you saw her. Your temperature raised and you started sweating more." Logan said with a half grin, "Just a little advice. You don't have a chance."
"Fine." Kyle said a little offended and a little relieved. He was glad someone else finally knew about his little crush. He had been staring for a long while now. Diana was the only one of the Justice Avengers who seemed to care about him. Whether or not that lead to a relationship honestly didn't matter to Kyle.
Stepping through the doors of the bar alongside Logan he glanced up seeing the sign above the door, Crescent Bar and Grill: No Lawyers. Apparently this place didn't like lawyers to much. Good thing Kyle was a starving artist here with an asshole. Sitting down in at the bar it took mere moments before they had steaks and beers at hand. The place was pretty empty, it wasn't even time for the dinner rush yet.
Logan suddenly froze seeming to strain as he took a bite of his steak.
"What is it?" Kyle asked and was instantly hushed by Logan. The man simply held to fingers up and whispered, 'be ready for a fight'. Logan stood turning and Kyle mimicked him as three larger men in suits came to the bar.
"We're going to have to ask you gentlemen to leave." The biggest of the three said his black Armani suit reeking of money. It made both heroes sick.
"On what grounds?" Kyle said having had a couple of bar fights in his life. He wasn't exactly worried by three normal guys in suits.
"Mr. Giamamoni asks it and he owns the place."
"Does Mr. G want us to forget he is bombing a place tonight too?" Logan said blowing smoke off his cigar into the mans face. This was more then the hired hand could take. He hit Logan hard in the face knocking the man into the bar.
Logan reacted instantly coming around with a right roundhouse to the man's face followed by an uppercut into his chest. Kicking off the man's shoulder he crumpled in a pile at Wolverine's feet.
The other two narrowed their eyes and pulled pistols out facing them towards Logan and Kyle. Kyle smiled, "Please." He laughed green energy forming a large wolf man between the two sets of men. The wolf reached out taking the guns. He leaned in drooling green saliva on the men who both essentially peed themselves. Kyle and Logan both his one of them felling them with one punch each.
"Now what was that about exactly?" Kyle asked but just as the words left his mouth he looked seeing nearly every patron in the bar and some who seemed to have come from nowhere were pointing very high tech weapons at the heroes. Kyle erected a green shield over him and Logan just as energy blasts shot in their direction.
"You need to learn to pay attention. I overheard them saying they are bombing Wayne Corp. headquarters tonight. Then I heard this Mr. G say he wanted us removed. He recognized me from the papers." Logan didn't say anything else as he snarled and dived from behind the shield into the fray of hired hands.
Kyle took a different approach forming a pack of large green wolves at his command. These wolves were very effective and quick. Lead by his still formed wolf man the pack tore into the Italian Mob men. It wasn't long until the walls blood splattered the fight was over. Mr. G had somehow slipped out during the excitement but it didn't matter. They knew what was going down or at least Logan knew. Kyle was frankly still mostly in the dark.
. . . .
Cold water dripped from the ceiling of the Batcave. It made an echoing noise in the silence surrounding the heroes gathered. Logan stood near the stair into Wayne Manor slowly dragging a cigar down his lips. The smoke curled up around his head like a black tear from the depths of boiler room. Puffing out the essential immortal looked down at Wonder Woman now in her full stars and stripes arms crossed in front of her.
"So where is Batman?" Kyle Rayner said popping his knuckles. His eyes were lit lightly behind his mask as he rested back in Batman's chair before the large computer system in the cave. Dancing in front of Kyle were two small "Rockem Sockem" robots made from his rings energy.
"We don't know. According to Wayne Enterprise security cameras he left the main office around six-thirty. But he hasn't come home, Alfred doesn't know where he is and Batman has not been spotted. We're coming up empty handed." Nightcrawler said from his position directly behind Rayner. His indigo tail flicked in the soft console glimmering as he finished the search Logan had asked him to perform.
"What does it say?" Wonder Woman asked her eyes narrowed in contemplation as Nightcrawler teleported over to the print out he had just ordered up.
"Lets see..." Kurt said pausing his tongue coming out over his dark demon lips, "Samuel Giamamoni. Italian mob lord based in Gotham City. Controls large amounts of underworld funds. Been known to be closely associated with both the Kingpin of New York City and Gotham's own Two-Face more formally known as..."
Wonder Woman cut Kurt off, "Thank you honey. But why do we have this information?" Wanda Maximoff asked finally stepping forward. Her red and black cloaks that surrounded her swaying slightly as she came into the light. She had been holding back trying to work out information on the Mystical Plane this entire time.
Kurt looked to Logan raising his eyebrows as is passing the question. Logan pulled his cigar out shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans. On the upper half Logan wore a black and yellow version of his old blue and yellow spandex. The sleeves were torn and the skin tight shirt looked worn underneath his leather jacket.
"He is bombing Wayne Headquarters tonight." Logan said shrugging, "Overheard it in a bar. Then Fido over their helped me kill things."
Kyle smiled raising his hand as if to say, Hi I'm Fido. Standing up Kyle brushed himself off, "So lets go kick some ass. I mean come on thugs with guns? We're a bit out of their league."
Wonder Woman nodded, "I agree and with Bru...I mean Batman missing we can't just sit by and let it happen."
"Fine how do we get there? Batman didn't exactly leave instruction manuals on how to make those run." Kurt said thumbing over his shoulder at the three Batmobiles and two Batplanes spread out behind him.
"My ring can get us there easy." Kyle said, "But we should probably get moving. Sundown comes soon."
Logan nodded and turned up the stairs, "Meet out front. Five minutes." The short feral man came running upstairs. He exited from behind the clock entrance to the cave and made his way down the hall. Ears pealed to every noise that was occurring. He could hear Alfred in the kitchen quietly washing plates from Dinner and a soft click as the front door closed.
He thought he had smelled her. Going forward quietly he came round the corner to block the black cloaked figures path. The young woman lifted her head meeting his eyes without fear.
"Hello Raven. How can we help you?" Logan asked and the rain soaked girl stared up at him unblinking.
"I am looking for Batman." She said her voice cracking slightly. Logan nodded and explained he wasn't home turning his back on the girl. Logan didn't dislike Raven. In fact given time he might even consider her a daughter as he did Jubilee or Shadowcat, "I'm not leaving until I talk to him."
"Then wait." Logan said as if that was obvious. Just as he finished his words Wonder Woman and Nightcrawler came around the corner.
"Try to be nicer Logan. I could hear you." Diana said and then stepped aside to speak to Raven alone. Kyle and Wanda came up next. Logan could hear Wanda telling Kyle not to worry and that he had proved himself a hundred times over.
"We ready?" Kurt said and Kyle nodded to him powering up the ring. A green version of Alfred opened the door with a bow. Smiling his pearly whites Kurt put his arm around Wanda's waist turning to Diana and Raven, "You ladies done speaking?"
"Yes. Raven will be coming with us." Diana held with a tone that said no arguing would occur. Kyle nodded his black locks seemingly to float momentarily in suspended animation as he covered the area with what appeared to be a space ship with seats designed for each member. Climbing on he powered up flying into the night sky.
Arriving over the main building Kurt looked down off the green jet they floated upon. Below them three black vans were pulling into the garage. "That's our boys. Has to be."
Just as his words finished a rush of air brushed past them and a screech was heard. Kurt barely had time to register it as it passed again. The Vulture. Kurt knew little of him. He sucked life and fought Spiderman numerous times. Kurt believed him to be in the employ of Kingpin which would explain his appearance here.
"He is mine." Wonder Woman said shooting into the air, "The rest of you handle the vans."
"Be ready for more surprises people." Kurt said teleporting to the ground outside the garage. Slinking inside holding to shadows the dark mutant crept slowly watching as the vans emptied. Batman's security force had already been engaged and shut down. It appeared to be a sleeping gas, nothing a little brimstone wouldn't dissipate. Pulling his sword from its sheath Kurt began teleporting all around the men at intense speeds. He heard a few of them screech about the demon one. Ignorant pieces of slime.
It was about this time that Kyle, Logan, Raven and Wanda joined the fray. Kurt stopped teleporting the air filled in purple smoke thick as water. He flipped his sword up disarming two of the hired thugs. He heard a call from the distance.
"Asta meton sintost!" Raven hissed one of the vans lighting with black energy smashing hard into a group of the hired men. At this point many of them scattered heading right for Raven. They were well trained and dodged her attempted blows well firing twin shots with their energy rifles. A green soda bottle appeared around Raven absorbing the impact of the blasts.
"Cause she's all shook up." Kyle sang a pair of hands forming out of the bottle to swat her attackers. Scarlet Witch had moved to the van disarming the weapons. It didn't take her long as she simply hexed them into duds. The real fear in the fight was Logan. The man had kept claws in so far but he had torn through half the troops in minutes. The group had given up spreading out and seeming to disappear.
Wonder Woman came floating down a lassoed Vulture in her arms. Green Lantern had left the garage caging the attempted escapees. He had them all quickly barred in green cells. Kurt walked to Diana's side, "Have fun?"
"Yes it was easy. Second rate by today's standards." The clay woman said dropping Vulture, "He told me everything. Weak minded male."
"I agree with her." Logan said his claws still in his fists, "I didn't even go claws out and we won in minutes."
. . . .
Kurt and the others came into the mansion. They had stayed for nearly five more hours getting all the police matters settled as well as personally transferring Vulture to Rykers via Justice Avengers teleporters; Diana, Wanda and Kyle still had full access to them.
Entering the dark mansion it didn't take long for them all to notice Batman sitting in the easy chair Logan had occupied a couple days ago, "I want you all to stay. I've had Alfred prepare you all rooms. Raven, Nightwing contacted me about your wishes to be trained. I grant them. I want no discussions from any of you just a simple yes or no. Will you stay, this city needs a larger collection of Defenders." Batman said his cape draped as if a flowing river of lava over his entire body so it seemed Bruce was like liquid as he rose from his chair.
"Yes. I could use the change." Kyle said with a queer smile.
"Yes." Kurt said and heard the quick yes that followed from his new and still unannounced fiancé. Logan mumbled a yes most likely not leaving Kurt side for a while. The two needed each other. Raven's answer was obvious the only real cliffhanger was Diana.
Staring deeply into Bruce's eyes his old flame watched him with a hateful lust, "Yes." Diana said slowly. Things would change between them and she would stick around for that any day.
END
