(AN) Is it? *GASP* Can it be? An update? The hell you say!! Well, it took awhile, but here it is. Props and love to those who have been reading and reviewing. Keep it up for the sake of a guys' ego. ; ) I hope that after a long layoff, interest is still taken with this story. I know its easy for me to say this, but it only gets better from here on out. I'm Rick James, Beeyotch!!!
Owning Batman or any other characters affiliated with DC Comics is a dream of mine, but I have to settle for fanfics, so I don't.
Chapter 12 Lessons Learned
Batman and Superman stood at the top of Monte Toro on the Island of Menorca. It was in the early morning hours with the sun still absent from either horizon. Superman stood on an uneven portion of the mountain with a look of worry on his face. He folded his arms, in complete defeat to his prior argument with Batman. Superman was not convinced what Batman was doing was a good idea. Batman had been sitting patiently on a portion of the mountain that served as a good seat.
"Not that I'm beating a dead horse or anything, but are you..."
"Yes", Batman said agitated. "I'm sure."
Superman had argued that if Batman just showed up where Slade was holding J'onn, Slade would no doubt detonate many of those nanomachines he had infected the world with. Batman had been convinced that Slade would no doubt agree to his reasoning for being on Monte Toro.
Twenty yards from Batman and Superman's position, A large portion of the mountain had risen from the ground, showing that it was an elaborate elevator. A device that had Ra's Al Ghoul's signature all over it. Batman and Superman readied themselves for what ever might come out of the elevator. A large door was now in plainview, and as it opened, Bane stepped out to greet them.
"Senores", Bane said walking towards them. "I see that you have found our base, Batman. I assure you, Slade is well aware of your incursion."
Batman motioned to Superman to hold back for a second. Batman then walked to meet Bane, who was standing with his arms folded and appeared not to be threatened.
"Batman, what business could you possibly have here?"
Batman approached Bane, unaware of his new enhanced strength. He stopped five feet in front of the monster, looking up at him.
"Deseo negociar para el marciano", Batman said to him.
Bane paused for a moment than laughed at the Dark Knight.
"Speaking in my native tongue will not flatter me, Batman", Bane said. "However, I am slightly curious. What do you wish to negotiate with for the Martian."
Batman answered the behemoth without missing a beat.
"Me. Take me to Slade."
Bane's boisterous laugh echoed around the mountain as he looked at Batman like a small child telling a bad joke.
"You are quite amusing, Batman. In our earlier battles, I did not know that...."
"Don't make me repeat myself", Batman interrupted the massive Columbian.
Bane's amusement quickly subsided as Batman dared to speak to him in a disrespectful manner.
"You do not fully understand the situation you are in, Amigo", Bane said as he closed the gap between he and Batman.
Superman was suddenly behind Batman to back him up.
"I know perfectly well....'Amigo', "Batman said. "Slade wants me, I'm here to offer myself."
"And I'll except under one condition", Slade's voice said as his voice echoed from a hidden area.
Superman scanned the area with his X-ray vision, only to find that a large portion of the mountain had been lined with lead. What they stood on was not original earth. Batman and Bane had both backed up considerably, anticipating the situation to change.
"Name it", Batman said.
Slade's voice sounded again, this time giving away some dissonance. Batman and Superman had now known that speakers were embedded into the mountain.
"Seeing that my numbers have been depleted since I lost our most recent encounter, I wish to test some of my current apprentices."
*****
The newest recruits to the Justice League's junior varsity had completed the regular morning workouts and were in the middle of the next phase. Robin was practicing using his newest gadgets, along with some of his older ones, with Nightwing as they had been battling humanoid attack drones. Batgirl and Raven had been using their abilities in battling similar attack drones. Boy and Cyborg had been in a heated struggle with flying drones that looked like baseballs. Only these spaldings were equipped with heat rays.
Diana and Starfire had been in the middle of a different type of training.
Green Lantern had joined them in trying to help with Starfire's abilities. They had been standing in a corner of the gigantic training room, away from any of dangers that the rest of the teams had been engulfed in.
"Starfire", GL started. "I want you to try something. It's an exercise that I used when I trained to be a Green Lantern."
"Will this be difficult?", Starfire asked him.
"Well, only one way to find out."
Diana had stood away from both Starfire and GL to observe and to be Starfire's support. GL had given Starfire a ten foot diameter around her.
"Now Star", GL started. "I want to you to first clear your mind. Forget anything else for now. Concentrate on yourself."
Starfire had taken a deep breath, then exhaled as she stood straight. Her arms hung loosely at her sides and her head had relaxed as she tilted it slightly backwards, closing her eyes. She was now totally at peace.
"Good", GL said. "Now, first, I need you to stand and concentrate on yourself. Think of every inch of yourself, every trait that you know defines you as an individual and I want you to understand yourself as best as you can. Understanding yourself is the first step of harnessing any type of power."
Diana stood to the side, in complete observation of Starfire. She was amazed how well Starfire had managed to concentrate on what GL had told her to do. While Diana was lost in her thoughts, GL had motioned her to walk with him away from Starfire.
"Now keep it up", GL said in a calming voice to Starfire. "I'll let you know when to break."
GL and Diana had walked away from Starfire to a secluded area of the Training facility.
"What is it?", Diana asked as they stopped far from Starfire's hearing range.
GL had a serious look on his face that meant he had something to tell her.
"I finally got the results of Starfire's blood sample back from the Green Lantern Corps."
John Stewart paused to emphasize that what he was saying wasn't going to be easy for Diana to hear. "She's a Tamaranian. Her home planet Tamaran was purged by forces from Apokolips ten years ago."
Diana did not want to hear anything like that.
"Hera....", Diana silently gasped.
"Tell me about it, and thats not even the good part", GL said sarcastically. "The Corps keeps records of every new race of beings we come in contact with, and that includes DNA samples. When we encounter a civilized race, ambassadors are chosen to give samples for us to document. Most of the time its members of government or the royal household. Starfire's DNA not only matches Tamaranian DNA, but her sample is a near perfect match with the sample that we have in our files. The Queen of Tamaran herself had donated the Tamaranian sample to us, a gesture of the pride of her people and trust to the Green Lanterns."
Diana looked at GL with a look of surprise as she turned back to where Starfire had remained in a relaxed state. She then looked back at GL, catching her voice.
"Then", Diana started. "That means that ...."
"We got another princess in the League", GL said.
Diana had thought how difficult it was going to be explaining to Starfire what happened to her planet and people.
"What happened to her people?", Diana asked.
"From what we know", GL said. "Most of them were enslaved and the planet was turned into another of Darksied's labor planets. Gathering every resource the planet had to offer. The Corps, at the time, had decided that it would not interfere with any conflicts involving Apokolips"
Diana was now angered at hearing what had become of Starfire's heritage. Diana had thought of herself in that situation. Feeling alone in the world was hard enough. Being alone in the universe was something that Diana could not begin to grasp.
"How do we tell her?", Diana barely said. "She has to know eventually."
"She has the right to know what happened", GL said. "But, I'm not sure we tell her yet. I don't think it would be a good idea to hinder any of her training. Tamaranians are special beings with special powers. I read the information of what her powers will consist of and its going to take me some time to help her discover them."
Diana thought how difficult this was going to be, knowing Starfire had little control of her emotions. When she first encountered Raven and the others, learning that she was in a metacamp, Starfire had broken down. Being informed of her planets demise was something that some time would need for just the preparation.
"But what really bugs me", GL added. "Is what the heck was she doing on earth. By all accounts, the Tamaranian royal family had been disbanded."
"Perhaps her mother had sent her to earth in an attempt to escape", Diana thought. "Like how Superman's parents did for him."
GL thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"It can't be that. Ten years ago, NASA had the technology to detect any type of spacecraft coming into earth's atmosphere. They would've found her and made her a guinea pig."
Diana turned to stare at Starfire, who was now struggling to keep her balance during her exercise, and talked to GL without looking back at him.
"We have to find out everything about her", Diana said. "Her real name. Her mother's name. Everything."
"I already had the Corps start with the information check. It shouldn't take more than a a day."
GL had walked passed Diana, back towards the area where Starfire had been keeping still.
"Ok, kiddo", GL said in an encouraging tone. "Stop and sit on the floor for a sec. Time for the next step."
*****
Static and three other young metas were all gathered on the opposite side of the mountain where Batman and Superman stood. All four were dressed in the same armored body suit that had Slade's insignia stitched over the left breast. Along with Static, there was a young caucasian male with short, blond hair who carried a mechanical back pack. A taller girl with a strange complexion and long dark hair. Finally, there was another female, shorter than the first, caucasian, with shoulder length blonde hair.
Bane had ordered them to wait on that side of the mountain. They were to be notified when to advance to the other side of the mountain. Static had been designated team leader for this operation.
"Hey , Static", the blonde girl said. "How much longer we gotta wait?"
Static whipped his head around to face her.
"Be quiet, Quake", Static quietly snapped at her. "Superman has super hearing. We can't make any noise."
"Geez, Static", the tall girl said crudely . "She was just asking you a question."
Static had not been feeling right lately. He knew somehow deep down that something was wrong. Like things were not the way they should be. Not remembering his past probably has a lot to do with it.
"Yeah Static", the other boy said. "Blackfire's right. Ease up a bit. We're all nervous here."
Static looked at all of his teammates, seeing the unsettled look on all of their faces.
All except Blackfire, that is.
She seemed a bit eager to get things going.
"Sorry guys", Static said. "Your right, Gear. Lets just focus and...."
"Static", Slade's voice said into Static's communicator.
"Uh...Yeah", Static said. "Here."
"You may now begin. Do not fail me."
"No, sir", Static said.
"Advance", Slade said then ended communication.
Static looked back at his teammates with a worried look that was soon replaced by that hardened look he had been practicing.
"We're on."
*****
Superman heard it at first, the sound of objects flying through the air. He turned his head to see where the sounds would appear from around the mountain. Batman now had heard it too. It was the sound of a small jet engine. Not loud enough to be an aircraft, probably more like a jet pack. He turned to the side of the mountain where Superman had already been waiting for the sounds to appear. Bane was anxious to see how the prodigies would perform against the world's finest heroes.
From around the mountain, behind Bane, four individuals appeared in Superman's and Batman's view. The leading figure was a boy emitting an electrical aura. He was flying on a large disk that was no doubt controlled by his powers. Behind him were three others. Another boy, flying with a jet pack. A girl that sat on a hovering boulder, a sight that caused Superman to do a double take. Finally, a girl that seemed to be flying under her own power. The four had landed next to Bane, ready for a fight.
Batman stood completely still, stewing over the sight in front of him.
Kids.
Slade had destroyed the innocence of too many children. It had to stop.
"Now, Batman", Slade's voice said again. "I suggest you do not underestimate these individuals. They have been trained extensively. David Cain, along with other experts, lent some of their superior knowledge in hand to hand combat to them. I trust you show them some respect."
Batman did not want to do this, but he knew that if he wanted to get J'onn back, he would have to oblige. He readied himself by straightening himself, not bothering to assume a martial arts stance. Superman saw this and had no choice but to follow suit.
"Forgive me, Senores", Bane said walking back into the elevator. "I must leave you to this game. Adios."
After Bane's elevator had disappeared back into the mountain, Slade's voice came over one last time.
"Attack."
Superman took to the air as Blackfire and Static took flight after him. Batman began to walk towards Gear and Quake, only to feel the ground beneath him start to shake. He leapt to a protruding slab of rock on the mountain side to regain his balance. When he landed, Gear had flown up to his position with a plasma cannon mounted on his arm. He took aim at Batman, who had seen him with plenty of time. As Gear fired, Batman leapt to the side of the arrant blast and flung a batarang at Gear's weapon. The batarang was explosive, destroying gears plasma cannon. Gear had flown backward, crying out in pain from the blast. After he collected himself, Batman had somehow been level with him in the air, delivering a straight kick to Gear's chin. Gear was unconscious immediately, already beginning a free fall. Batman had adjusted in midair, catching Gear and landing on the uneven ground carefully.
Batman placed Gear on the ground, out cold, then looked up at Quake. She was frightened with the mixture of Gear being taken out so easily, along with Batman giving her a look that would haunt her for a long time. Quake hesitated at first, but then summoned many rocks and other shards of the mountain to form a swirling cluster around her. Instantaneously, the earthly shrapnel began to fly at Batman at a deadly speed.
Batman took the unconscious body of Gear back in his arms and took cover behind a large boulder. Very quickly, the boulder began to shake and then it rose from the ground. As it hovered over his body, Batman was suddenly picked up by a flying Superman, who was playing cat and mouse with Static and Blackfire. With Gear still in his arms, Batman was let go by Superman over the area Quake had been standing. As Batman was descending towards the ground, he flung a batarang towards Quake. She stood ready to dodge it, but it exploded halfway before it reached her. The batarang gave off a flash that temporarily blinded Quake. As she was disoriented, Batman landed next to her and chopped the back of her neck with the sharp side of his right hand, rendering her unconscious. Batman carefully placed both teenagers next to eachother out of harms way. He looked down at them, subtly shaking his head.
"Kids....."
Superman was flying through the air, dodging energy blasts from both Static and Blackfire. He had flown circles around the mountain, trying to tire out the young assailants. He succeeded mildly as Static began to shorten his number of energy blasts considerably. Static lowered himself to a lower portion of the mountain to regain his strength. He landed gasping for air as he was not used to full speed pursuits just yet.
However, Blackfire was more than ready.
She began to catch up with the speeding Superman, closing the distance between them. Superman had decided that the chase would have to stop. He stopped about two miles in the air, hovering directly over Monte Toro. Blackfire caught up to him and stopped twenty feet in front him.
"We don't have to do this", Superman said trying to reason. "I know that Slade has somehow...."
"Haaar!", Blackfire shouted as she charged at Superman.
Superman attempted to dodge her, but she was almost as fast as him and with a head start.
The fact that she connected with a swift kick to his midsection is not was surprised him. What surprised Superman was that the kick really, really hurt. Reeling from her blow, Superman tried again to dodge another attack, only to be met with a barrage of energy blasts from Blackfire. He was able to take the blasts at full force and he used his full speed to fly behind her and wrap both arms around her. Trapped, Blackfire was shouting random curses at Superman trying to break his hold on her. She obviously possessed super strength, almost as strong as Diana, Superman thought. Holding her like this was like a parent corralling a delinquent child.
"Just settle down", Superman shouted in her ear. "I don't want to hurt you."
Blackfire had positioned herself properly in his grasp and with her right leg, gave Superman something that had never worked on him before.
A low blow.
Her leg whipped backwards and caught the Kryptonian in his groin region, the back fold of her knee acting as a temporary clamp. Blackfire pulled her leg back and she easily broke Superman's hold. Superman backed away momentarily into the fetal position, never feeling this particular type of pain before. Blackfire floated in front of him and turned to meet his wincing eyes. Blackfire smirked at Superman and raised her right hand to his face.
"Don't worry, Blue", Blackfire said. "You won't."
Superman, still dazed from his new pain, took four gigantic energy blasts to the face. He body reacted to the blasts by hurling downward toward the mountain. Superman impacted forty yards from where Static had been. Static began to run towards ground zero, only to be stopped as Blackfire flew down to hover over him.
"Awesome, Blackfire", Static shouted. "You took care of Superman all by yourself."
Blackfire stared at Static, not even caring for his compliment.
"I know. Next time, you losers just stay back and I'll....."
Blackfire was interrupted when a blue blur had flown from the mountain and connected a swift punch to her midsection. Blackfire didn't even have time to gasp for air as she blacked out. She was now held under an extremely angry Superman's right arm. Superman, still feeling the affect from Blackfire's kick, looked down at Static with a fury that he had rarely displayed.
Static, knowing full well this was not good, had pulled out a metal plate that he opened into a disk. He jumped on it ready to fly, only to be delayed by a fierce punch to his jaw that came out of nowhere.
Static now lay on the ground unconscious in front of Batman.
"Had to take him out before you put a hole in his stomach, too", Batman said.
Superman had descended to the ground, landing slightly gingerly. Changing his demeanor, he gave Batman an apologetic look as he lay Blackfire to the ground.
"I..I didn't mean to hit...."
"Don't worry", Batman said, then smirked. "I saw what she did to you."
Batman looked at the girl Superman had temporarily incapacitated. Batman kneeled down to check for any injuries that she may have sustained. Superman was observing Batman doing a quick check up when he noticed something that did not sit well with him.
"Batman?", Superman started. "Is it me or does she look just like..."
"Too much alike", Batman said finishing Superman's thought.
*****
Batman and Superman returned at the top of Monte Toro with Slade's four apprentices. The four metas were unconscious from their very first mission, lying on the uneven ground of the mountain. Batman and Superman had dealt with these four with relative ease. A few bumps and bruises were received, but they were mostly unscathed.
A Boom Tube had appeared twenty yards in front of Batman and Superman. Batman had Oracle contact the Watchtower to open a Boom Tube for a quick retrieval of Batman, Superman, and the four unconscious metas. Green Lantern appeared from the Boom Tube, ready to transport the prisoners via his power ring. He walked towards Batman and Superman with a look of anger brushed across his face.
"What to tell me what the heck is going on?", GL asked.
Batman had organized this operation with Superman without involving the League, knowing full well that he would be asked to explain himself.
"Lets get these kids back to the Watchtower", Batman said. "This area isn't safe for a briefing right now."
Green Lantern was not satisfied with that.
"That's not good enough, dammit!", GL shouted getting in Batman's face now. "What if Slade reacts to this with the deaths of thousands more, huh? What then?"
Batman returned GL's glare with one of his own.
"He won't", Batman simply said. "Get them to the Watchtower, now. I'm not finished here yet."
Batman and Green Lantern had a stare-off, only to be broken up by Superman.
"We'll discuss this later", Superman said pushing his friends away from eachother. "First, we get these kids back to the Watchtower."
GL knew deep down that this wasn't worth it, but he wasn't going to let Batman talk to him like he was a private.
"I'm on it", GL said as he gruffly turned and walked towards the kids. As he approached them on the ground, he was instantly stunned at the sight of Blackfire.
"Hey", GL shouted in surprise as he kneeled down by the girl. "This is a Tamaranian."
"Same as Starfire", Batman had concluded.
Green Lantern had now formed a dome around the group of metas and lifted them into a large bubble. He then looked back at Superman who was about to join them. They were interrupted by the hidden elevator coming out of the ground again. As it had risen, Superman had motioned to Green Lantern.
"Lets go!", Superman shouted before the elevator doors opened. "Batman?"
Batman was staring at the elevator as it stopped, his back to his comrades.
"Go without me", he said. "I'll be fine."
Superman knew that Batman had something up his sleeve, he just wasn't sure what. Batman always had a flare for the dramatic. GL, still levitating the young metas, had looked back at Batman, unsure of what the Dark Knight had planned.
"You better know what your doing", he said quietly to himself.
Green Lantern turned to carry the children and himself into the Boom Tube. Superman watched as GL disappeared from view and looked back at Batman one last time.
"Go", Batman said to him with his back still to him.
Superman acknowledged by flying into the Boom Tube. The Boom Tube had closed after Superman entered it, leaving Batman alone to deal with whatever comes out of that elevator.
Batman had reached into his utility belt, retrieving a small device he would leave concealed in his hand. The doors of the elevator opened, and soldiers spilled from it. They surrounded Batman, drawing automatic rifles equipped with laser sighting. Batman remained perfectly still as dozens of red dots danced across his face and body.
After he was completely surrounded, Bane had appeared form the doorway, carrying the restrained J'onn J'onz. Bane walked towards the ring surrounding Batman as it parted for him. He entered the circle of guards, throwing the Martian to the ground. J'onn was in his natural Martian form, with a power restricting collar on.
"I applaud you, Senor", Bane said. "It appears that we over estimated our pupils."
Bane now looked around puzzled, not seeing his underlings or the Man of Steel.
"We have them", Batman said. "They are now our prisoners."
Suddenly, another Boom Tube had appeared within the circle of guards. As quickly as it appeared, it disappeared, leaving the form of Slade in its wake.
"Impressive, Batman", Slade said.
Slade walked towards Batman, who was staring at him intently. Slade stopped within five feet of the Dark Knight.
"Its a pleasure to see you this way, Batman ", Slade said. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this."
"I think now is a good time to start negotiating", Batman said with red dots still fixed on him.
"Batman", Slade began. "You have nothing to offer me. Your pupils were to be ready for tests that I had set up. One of them should be dead now, if not for the teleporter. Now, before you start your petty offering, might I remind you that I still have the people of the world hostage."
Slade was walking right into it.
"However", Slade added. "Seeing that you knew situation perfectly, you must believe you have a failsafe measure."
Batman grinned.
"I suggest you stop this foolishness", Slade said.
"I know what the situation is", Batman said. "I also know that my actions could cost thousands, if not millions, of lives."
Batman lifted his right hand in front of himself, revealing a device with a switch at the top of it. His thumb hovered over the button, threatening to come down on it.
"My last visit to Gotham was educational, Slade", Batman said, laying it down. "You killed many of my people at Wayne Headquarters. What you also did was leave plenty of evidence behind. I was able to collect samples of blood from the building wreckage, thus collecting samples of your nanomachines."
Slade was looking at Batman intently with his exposed eye, feeling his first disadvantage.
"I wasn't able to develop counter nanomachines just yet", Batman continued. "So I made something even worse."
Many of the red dots covering Batman were shifting around as the soldiers listened carefully to everyone of his words.
"What did you do?", Slade said, showing his first sign of worry.
"Injected myself with a new form of nanomachines I developed", Batman revealed. "Any attempt you make to destroy certain nanomachines across the globe, my nanomachines will react to the signal you send out and destroy me as well."
Batman knew Slade wanted him all along. It was too obvious. Slade hid his anger rather well.
"Not to mention", Batman added. "The few batarangs I used against your 'apprentices' earlier that detonated released the same nanomachines across this mountain, taking ten minutes to activate so they wouldn't harm Superman or the children."
Now the red dots were going crazy.
Bane's mask had hidden his fear across his face. Slade's mask did likewise. They had been exposed to Slade's own weapon.
"The nanomachines I released today DO respond to a certain frequency", Batman continued, now drawing attention to the switch in his hand. "Release J'onn now, or I remember how many people you've killed."
Defeat was the only thing that faced Slade. He was not prepared for such an outcome this early in his design. Slade turned around to approach J'onn as he was on the ground. Bane was standing at the Martian's head as Slade approached.
"Release him", Slade said.
Bane looked at Slade dumbfounded.
"NOW!"
Bane reached down and picked up J'onn from the ground. He carried J'onn to where Batman was standing and set him down on the ground.
"Well played", Bane whispered to Batman, then walked back to where he was.
Batman reached down and picked up J'onn and supported him as he gingerly stood up.
"You alright?", Batman asked.
J'onn could only nod as his powers were still suppressed by the collar.
Batman had activated the communicator in his cowl, calling Oracle.
"Did they get all of that?", Batman asked her.
"Sure did, Boss", Oracle said.
"Open it."
Behind J'onn and Batman, another Boom Tube opened and Superman appeared. Superman had walked to Batman, taking J'onn from his grasp. Superman then turned and flew back into the Boom Tube.
With Slade, Bane, and dozens of soldiers looking on in defeat, Batman walked towards the opened Boom Tube. He stopped short of entering, turning to address Slade one more time.
"I don't doubt that you had other things planned out, Slade", Batman said. "and I have to respect that for now. But if you take anymore lives, I'll have no choice but to put an end to yours. It will take you at least a month to figure out how to decode the nanomachines in your bodies, but last I checked, you have two weeks. Get ready, Slade. After Robin passes whatever you try to throw in front of him, its just you and me."
Batman then raised his right hand one more time and pushed the button on his device.
Multiple explosions had erupted as Slade and his minions took cover. However, the detonator did not activate the explosive nanomachines, but blew open many hidden boxes Batman and Superman planted on the mountain.
As the boxes bursted open, hundreds of bats had flown out of them, swarming the mountain top. Slade's forces were in a panic as hundreds of leathery wings flapped around them at an alarming rate. As Bane was demanding the soldiers maintain composure, Slade had locked his eye with Batman's eyes, as the bats surrounded him and his people.
Batman stared back for a moment, then turned to enter the Boom Tube. As the Boom Tube closed, Batman could not notice before he left that underneath Slade's mask, Slade was smiling.
Owning Batman or any other characters affiliated with DC Comics is a dream of mine, but I have to settle for fanfics, so I don't.
Chapter 12 Lessons Learned
Batman and Superman stood at the top of Monte Toro on the Island of Menorca. It was in the early morning hours with the sun still absent from either horizon. Superman stood on an uneven portion of the mountain with a look of worry on his face. He folded his arms, in complete defeat to his prior argument with Batman. Superman was not convinced what Batman was doing was a good idea. Batman had been sitting patiently on a portion of the mountain that served as a good seat.
"Not that I'm beating a dead horse or anything, but are you..."
"Yes", Batman said agitated. "I'm sure."
Superman had argued that if Batman just showed up where Slade was holding J'onn, Slade would no doubt detonate many of those nanomachines he had infected the world with. Batman had been convinced that Slade would no doubt agree to his reasoning for being on Monte Toro.
Twenty yards from Batman and Superman's position, A large portion of the mountain had risen from the ground, showing that it was an elaborate elevator. A device that had Ra's Al Ghoul's signature all over it. Batman and Superman readied themselves for what ever might come out of the elevator. A large door was now in plainview, and as it opened, Bane stepped out to greet them.
"Senores", Bane said walking towards them. "I see that you have found our base, Batman. I assure you, Slade is well aware of your incursion."
Batman motioned to Superman to hold back for a second. Batman then walked to meet Bane, who was standing with his arms folded and appeared not to be threatened.
"Batman, what business could you possibly have here?"
Batman approached Bane, unaware of his new enhanced strength. He stopped five feet in front of the monster, looking up at him.
"Deseo negociar para el marciano", Batman said to him.
Bane paused for a moment than laughed at the Dark Knight.
"Speaking in my native tongue will not flatter me, Batman", Bane said. "However, I am slightly curious. What do you wish to negotiate with for the Martian."
Batman answered the behemoth without missing a beat.
"Me. Take me to Slade."
Bane's boisterous laugh echoed around the mountain as he looked at Batman like a small child telling a bad joke.
"You are quite amusing, Batman. In our earlier battles, I did not know that...."
"Don't make me repeat myself", Batman interrupted the massive Columbian.
Bane's amusement quickly subsided as Batman dared to speak to him in a disrespectful manner.
"You do not fully understand the situation you are in, Amigo", Bane said as he closed the gap between he and Batman.
Superman was suddenly behind Batman to back him up.
"I know perfectly well....'Amigo', "Batman said. "Slade wants me, I'm here to offer myself."
"And I'll except under one condition", Slade's voice said as his voice echoed from a hidden area.
Superman scanned the area with his X-ray vision, only to find that a large portion of the mountain had been lined with lead. What they stood on was not original earth. Batman and Bane had both backed up considerably, anticipating the situation to change.
"Name it", Batman said.
Slade's voice sounded again, this time giving away some dissonance. Batman and Superman had now known that speakers were embedded into the mountain.
"Seeing that my numbers have been depleted since I lost our most recent encounter, I wish to test some of my current apprentices."
*****
The newest recruits to the Justice League's junior varsity had completed the regular morning workouts and were in the middle of the next phase. Robin was practicing using his newest gadgets, along with some of his older ones, with Nightwing as they had been battling humanoid attack drones. Batgirl and Raven had been using their abilities in battling similar attack drones. Boy and Cyborg had been in a heated struggle with flying drones that looked like baseballs. Only these spaldings were equipped with heat rays.
Diana and Starfire had been in the middle of a different type of training.
Green Lantern had joined them in trying to help with Starfire's abilities. They had been standing in a corner of the gigantic training room, away from any of dangers that the rest of the teams had been engulfed in.
"Starfire", GL started. "I want you to try something. It's an exercise that I used when I trained to be a Green Lantern."
"Will this be difficult?", Starfire asked him.
"Well, only one way to find out."
Diana had stood away from both Starfire and GL to observe and to be Starfire's support. GL had given Starfire a ten foot diameter around her.
"Now Star", GL started. "I want to you to first clear your mind. Forget anything else for now. Concentrate on yourself."
Starfire had taken a deep breath, then exhaled as she stood straight. Her arms hung loosely at her sides and her head had relaxed as she tilted it slightly backwards, closing her eyes. She was now totally at peace.
"Good", GL said. "Now, first, I need you to stand and concentrate on yourself. Think of every inch of yourself, every trait that you know defines you as an individual and I want you to understand yourself as best as you can. Understanding yourself is the first step of harnessing any type of power."
Diana stood to the side, in complete observation of Starfire. She was amazed how well Starfire had managed to concentrate on what GL had told her to do. While Diana was lost in her thoughts, GL had motioned her to walk with him away from Starfire.
"Now keep it up", GL said in a calming voice to Starfire. "I'll let you know when to break."
GL and Diana had walked away from Starfire to a secluded area of the Training facility.
"What is it?", Diana asked as they stopped far from Starfire's hearing range.
GL had a serious look on his face that meant he had something to tell her.
"I finally got the results of Starfire's blood sample back from the Green Lantern Corps."
John Stewart paused to emphasize that what he was saying wasn't going to be easy for Diana to hear. "She's a Tamaranian. Her home planet Tamaran was purged by forces from Apokolips ten years ago."
Diana did not want to hear anything like that.
"Hera....", Diana silently gasped.
"Tell me about it, and thats not even the good part", GL said sarcastically. "The Corps keeps records of every new race of beings we come in contact with, and that includes DNA samples. When we encounter a civilized race, ambassadors are chosen to give samples for us to document. Most of the time its members of government or the royal household. Starfire's DNA not only matches Tamaranian DNA, but her sample is a near perfect match with the sample that we have in our files. The Queen of Tamaran herself had donated the Tamaranian sample to us, a gesture of the pride of her people and trust to the Green Lanterns."
Diana looked at GL with a look of surprise as she turned back to where Starfire had remained in a relaxed state. She then looked back at GL, catching her voice.
"Then", Diana started. "That means that ...."
"We got another princess in the League", GL said.
Diana had thought how difficult it was going to be explaining to Starfire what happened to her planet and people.
"What happened to her people?", Diana asked.
"From what we know", GL said. "Most of them were enslaved and the planet was turned into another of Darksied's labor planets. Gathering every resource the planet had to offer. The Corps, at the time, had decided that it would not interfere with any conflicts involving Apokolips"
Diana was now angered at hearing what had become of Starfire's heritage. Diana had thought of herself in that situation. Feeling alone in the world was hard enough. Being alone in the universe was something that Diana could not begin to grasp.
"How do we tell her?", Diana barely said. "She has to know eventually."
"She has the right to know what happened", GL said. "But, I'm not sure we tell her yet. I don't think it would be a good idea to hinder any of her training. Tamaranians are special beings with special powers. I read the information of what her powers will consist of and its going to take me some time to help her discover them."
Diana thought how difficult this was going to be, knowing Starfire had little control of her emotions. When she first encountered Raven and the others, learning that she was in a metacamp, Starfire had broken down. Being informed of her planets demise was something that some time would need for just the preparation.
"But what really bugs me", GL added. "Is what the heck was she doing on earth. By all accounts, the Tamaranian royal family had been disbanded."
"Perhaps her mother had sent her to earth in an attempt to escape", Diana thought. "Like how Superman's parents did for him."
GL thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"It can't be that. Ten years ago, NASA had the technology to detect any type of spacecraft coming into earth's atmosphere. They would've found her and made her a guinea pig."
Diana turned to stare at Starfire, who was now struggling to keep her balance during her exercise, and talked to GL without looking back at him.
"We have to find out everything about her", Diana said. "Her real name. Her mother's name. Everything."
"I already had the Corps start with the information check. It shouldn't take more than a a day."
GL had walked passed Diana, back towards the area where Starfire had been keeping still.
"Ok, kiddo", GL said in an encouraging tone. "Stop and sit on the floor for a sec. Time for the next step."
*****
Static and three other young metas were all gathered on the opposite side of the mountain where Batman and Superman stood. All four were dressed in the same armored body suit that had Slade's insignia stitched over the left breast. Along with Static, there was a young caucasian male with short, blond hair who carried a mechanical back pack. A taller girl with a strange complexion and long dark hair. Finally, there was another female, shorter than the first, caucasian, with shoulder length blonde hair.
Bane had ordered them to wait on that side of the mountain. They were to be notified when to advance to the other side of the mountain. Static had been designated team leader for this operation.
"Hey , Static", the blonde girl said. "How much longer we gotta wait?"
Static whipped his head around to face her.
"Be quiet, Quake", Static quietly snapped at her. "Superman has super hearing. We can't make any noise."
"Geez, Static", the tall girl said crudely . "She was just asking you a question."
Static had not been feeling right lately. He knew somehow deep down that something was wrong. Like things were not the way they should be. Not remembering his past probably has a lot to do with it.
"Yeah Static", the other boy said. "Blackfire's right. Ease up a bit. We're all nervous here."
Static looked at all of his teammates, seeing the unsettled look on all of their faces.
All except Blackfire, that is.
She seemed a bit eager to get things going.
"Sorry guys", Static said. "Your right, Gear. Lets just focus and...."
"Static", Slade's voice said into Static's communicator.
"Uh...Yeah", Static said. "Here."
"You may now begin. Do not fail me."
"No, sir", Static said.
"Advance", Slade said then ended communication.
Static looked back at his teammates with a worried look that was soon replaced by that hardened look he had been practicing.
"We're on."
*****
Superman heard it at first, the sound of objects flying through the air. He turned his head to see where the sounds would appear from around the mountain. Batman now had heard it too. It was the sound of a small jet engine. Not loud enough to be an aircraft, probably more like a jet pack. He turned to the side of the mountain where Superman had already been waiting for the sounds to appear. Bane was anxious to see how the prodigies would perform against the world's finest heroes.
From around the mountain, behind Bane, four individuals appeared in Superman's and Batman's view. The leading figure was a boy emitting an electrical aura. He was flying on a large disk that was no doubt controlled by his powers. Behind him were three others. Another boy, flying with a jet pack. A girl that sat on a hovering boulder, a sight that caused Superman to do a double take. Finally, a girl that seemed to be flying under her own power. The four had landed next to Bane, ready for a fight.
Batman stood completely still, stewing over the sight in front of him.
Kids.
Slade had destroyed the innocence of too many children. It had to stop.
"Now, Batman", Slade's voice said again. "I suggest you do not underestimate these individuals. They have been trained extensively. David Cain, along with other experts, lent some of their superior knowledge in hand to hand combat to them. I trust you show them some respect."
Batman did not want to do this, but he knew that if he wanted to get J'onn back, he would have to oblige. He readied himself by straightening himself, not bothering to assume a martial arts stance. Superman saw this and had no choice but to follow suit.
"Forgive me, Senores", Bane said walking back into the elevator. "I must leave you to this game. Adios."
After Bane's elevator had disappeared back into the mountain, Slade's voice came over one last time.
"Attack."
Superman took to the air as Blackfire and Static took flight after him. Batman began to walk towards Gear and Quake, only to feel the ground beneath him start to shake. He leapt to a protruding slab of rock on the mountain side to regain his balance. When he landed, Gear had flown up to his position with a plasma cannon mounted on his arm. He took aim at Batman, who had seen him with plenty of time. As Gear fired, Batman leapt to the side of the arrant blast and flung a batarang at Gear's weapon. The batarang was explosive, destroying gears plasma cannon. Gear had flown backward, crying out in pain from the blast. After he collected himself, Batman had somehow been level with him in the air, delivering a straight kick to Gear's chin. Gear was unconscious immediately, already beginning a free fall. Batman had adjusted in midair, catching Gear and landing on the uneven ground carefully.
Batman placed Gear on the ground, out cold, then looked up at Quake. She was frightened with the mixture of Gear being taken out so easily, along with Batman giving her a look that would haunt her for a long time. Quake hesitated at first, but then summoned many rocks and other shards of the mountain to form a swirling cluster around her. Instantaneously, the earthly shrapnel began to fly at Batman at a deadly speed.
Batman took the unconscious body of Gear back in his arms and took cover behind a large boulder. Very quickly, the boulder began to shake and then it rose from the ground. As it hovered over his body, Batman was suddenly picked up by a flying Superman, who was playing cat and mouse with Static and Blackfire. With Gear still in his arms, Batman was let go by Superman over the area Quake had been standing. As Batman was descending towards the ground, he flung a batarang towards Quake. She stood ready to dodge it, but it exploded halfway before it reached her. The batarang gave off a flash that temporarily blinded Quake. As she was disoriented, Batman landed next to her and chopped the back of her neck with the sharp side of his right hand, rendering her unconscious. Batman carefully placed both teenagers next to eachother out of harms way. He looked down at them, subtly shaking his head.
"Kids....."
Superman was flying through the air, dodging energy blasts from both Static and Blackfire. He had flown circles around the mountain, trying to tire out the young assailants. He succeeded mildly as Static began to shorten his number of energy blasts considerably. Static lowered himself to a lower portion of the mountain to regain his strength. He landed gasping for air as he was not used to full speed pursuits just yet.
However, Blackfire was more than ready.
She began to catch up with the speeding Superman, closing the distance between them. Superman had decided that the chase would have to stop. He stopped about two miles in the air, hovering directly over Monte Toro. Blackfire caught up to him and stopped twenty feet in front him.
"We don't have to do this", Superman said trying to reason. "I know that Slade has somehow...."
"Haaar!", Blackfire shouted as she charged at Superman.
Superman attempted to dodge her, but she was almost as fast as him and with a head start.
The fact that she connected with a swift kick to his midsection is not was surprised him. What surprised Superman was that the kick really, really hurt. Reeling from her blow, Superman tried again to dodge another attack, only to be met with a barrage of energy blasts from Blackfire. He was able to take the blasts at full force and he used his full speed to fly behind her and wrap both arms around her. Trapped, Blackfire was shouting random curses at Superman trying to break his hold on her. She obviously possessed super strength, almost as strong as Diana, Superman thought. Holding her like this was like a parent corralling a delinquent child.
"Just settle down", Superman shouted in her ear. "I don't want to hurt you."
Blackfire had positioned herself properly in his grasp and with her right leg, gave Superman something that had never worked on him before.
A low blow.
Her leg whipped backwards and caught the Kryptonian in his groin region, the back fold of her knee acting as a temporary clamp. Blackfire pulled her leg back and she easily broke Superman's hold. Superman backed away momentarily into the fetal position, never feeling this particular type of pain before. Blackfire floated in front of him and turned to meet his wincing eyes. Blackfire smirked at Superman and raised her right hand to his face.
"Don't worry, Blue", Blackfire said. "You won't."
Superman, still dazed from his new pain, took four gigantic energy blasts to the face. He body reacted to the blasts by hurling downward toward the mountain. Superman impacted forty yards from where Static had been. Static began to run towards ground zero, only to be stopped as Blackfire flew down to hover over him.
"Awesome, Blackfire", Static shouted. "You took care of Superman all by yourself."
Blackfire stared at Static, not even caring for his compliment.
"I know. Next time, you losers just stay back and I'll....."
Blackfire was interrupted when a blue blur had flown from the mountain and connected a swift punch to her midsection. Blackfire didn't even have time to gasp for air as she blacked out. She was now held under an extremely angry Superman's right arm. Superman, still feeling the affect from Blackfire's kick, looked down at Static with a fury that he had rarely displayed.
Static, knowing full well this was not good, had pulled out a metal plate that he opened into a disk. He jumped on it ready to fly, only to be delayed by a fierce punch to his jaw that came out of nowhere.
Static now lay on the ground unconscious in front of Batman.
"Had to take him out before you put a hole in his stomach, too", Batman said.
Superman had descended to the ground, landing slightly gingerly. Changing his demeanor, he gave Batman an apologetic look as he lay Blackfire to the ground.
"I..I didn't mean to hit...."
"Don't worry", Batman said, then smirked. "I saw what she did to you."
Batman looked at the girl Superman had temporarily incapacitated. Batman kneeled down to check for any injuries that she may have sustained. Superman was observing Batman doing a quick check up when he noticed something that did not sit well with him.
"Batman?", Superman started. "Is it me or does she look just like..."
"Too much alike", Batman said finishing Superman's thought.
*****
Batman and Superman returned at the top of Monte Toro with Slade's four apprentices. The four metas were unconscious from their very first mission, lying on the uneven ground of the mountain. Batman and Superman had dealt with these four with relative ease. A few bumps and bruises were received, but they were mostly unscathed.
A Boom Tube had appeared twenty yards in front of Batman and Superman. Batman had Oracle contact the Watchtower to open a Boom Tube for a quick retrieval of Batman, Superman, and the four unconscious metas. Green Lantern appeared from the Boom Tube, ready to transport the prisoners via his power ring. He walked towards Batman and Superman with a look of anger brushed across his face.
"What to tell me what the heck is going on?", GL asked.
Batman had organized this operation with Superman without involving the League, knowing full well that he would be asked to explain himself.
"Lets get these kids back to the Watchtower", Batman said. "This area isn't safe for a briefing right now."
Green Lantern was not satisfied with that.
"That's not good enough, dammit!", GL shouted getting in Batman's face now. "What if Slade reacts to this with the deaths of thousands more, huh? What then?"
Batman returned GL's glare with one of his own.
"He won't", Batman simply said. "Get them to the Watchtower, now. I'm not finished here yet."
Batman and Green Lantern had a stare-off, only to be broken up by Superman.
"We'll discuss this later", Superman said pushing his friends away from eachother. "First, we get these kids back to the Watchtower."
GL knew deep down that this wasn't worth it, but he wasn't going to let Batman talk to him like he was a private.
"I'm on it", GL said as he gruffly turned and walked towards the kids. As he approached them on the ground, he was instantly stunned at the sight of Blackfire.
"Hey", GL shouted in surprise as he kneeled down by the girl. "This is a Tamaranian."
"Same as Starfire", Batman had concluded.
Green Lantern had now formed a dome around the group of metas and lifted them into a large bubble. He then looked back at Superman who was about to join them. They were interrupted by the hidden elevator coming out of the ground again. As it had risen, Superman had motioned to Green Lantern.
"Lets go!", Superman shouted before the elevator doors opened. "Batman?"
Batman was staring at the elevator as it stopped, his back to his comrades.
"Go without me", he said. "I'll be fine."
Superman knew that Batman had something up his sleeve, he just wasn't sure what. Batman always had a flare for the dramatic. GL, still levitating the young metas, had looked back at Batman, unsure of what the Dark Knight had planned.
"You better know what your doing", he said quietly to himself.
Green Lantern turned to carry the children and himself into the Boom Tube. Superman watched as GL disappeared from view and looked back at Batman one last time.
"Go", Batman said to him with his back still to him.
Superman acknowledged by flying into the Boom Tube. The Boom Tube had closed after Superman entered it, leaving Batman alone to deal with whatever comes out of that elevator.
Batman had reached into his utility belt, retrieving a small device he would leave concealed in his hand. The doors of the elevator opened, and soldiers spilled from it. They surrounded Batman, drawing automatic rifles equipped with laser sighting. Batman remained perfectly still as dozens of red dots danced across his face and body.
After he was completely surrounded, Bane had appeared form the doorway, carrying the restrained J'onn J'onz. Bane walked towards the ring surrounding Batman as it parted for him. He entered the circle of guards, throwing the Martian to the ground. J'onn was in his natural Martian form, with a power restricting collar on.
"I applaud you, Senor", Bane said. "It appears that we over estimated our pupils."
Bane now looked around puzzled, not seeing his underlings or the Man of Steel.
"We have them", Batman said. "They are now our prisoners."
Suddenly, another Boom Tube had appeared within the circle of guards. As quickly as it appeared, it disappeared, leaving the form of Slade in its wake.
"Impressive, Batman", Slade said.
Slade walked towards Batman, who was staring at him intently. Slade stopped within five feet of the Dark Knight.
"Its a pleasure to see you this way, Batman ", Slade said. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this."
"I think now is a good time to start negotiating", Batman said with red dots still fixed on him.
"Batman", Slade began. "You have nothing to offer me. Your pupils were to be ready for tests that I had set up. One of them should be dead now, if not for the teleporter. Now, before you start your petty offering, might I remind you that I still have the people of the world hostage."
Slade was walking right into it.
"However", Slade added. "Seeing that you knew situation perfectly, you must believe you have a failsafe measure."
Batman grinned.
"I suggest you stop this foolishness", Slade said.
"I know what the situation is", Batman said. "I also know that my actions could cost thousands, if not millions, of lives."
Batman lifted his right hand in front of himself, revealing a device with a switch at the top of it. His thumb hovered over the button, threatening to come down on it.
"My last visit to Gotham was educational, Slade", Batman said, laying it down. "You killed many of my people at Wayne Headquarters. What you also did was leave plenty of evidence behind. I was able to collect samples of blood from the building wreckage, thus collecting samples of your nanomachines."
Slade was looking at Batman intently with his exposed eye, feeling his first disadvantage.
"I wasn't able to develop counter nanomachines just yet", Batman continued. "So I made something even worse."
Many of the red dots covering Batman were shifting around as the soldiers listened carefully to everyone of his words.
"What did you do?", Slade said, showing his first sign of worry.
"Injected myself with a new form of nanomachines I developed", Batman revealed. "Any attempt you make to destroy certain nanomachines across the globe, my nanomachines will react to the signal you send out and destroy me as well."
Batman knew Slade wanted him all along. It was too obvious. Slade hid his anger rather well.
"Not to mention", Batman added. "The few batarangs I used against your 'apprentices' earlier that detonated released the same nanomachines across this mountain, taking ten minutes to activate so they wouldn't harm Superman or the children."
Now the red dots were going crazy.
Bane's mask had hidden his fear across his face. Slade's mask did likewise. They had been exposed to Slade's own weapon.
"The nanomachines I released today DO respond to a certain frequency", Batman continued, now drawing attention to the switch in his hand. "Release J'onn now, or I remember how many people you've killed."
Defeat was the only thing that faced Slade. He was not prepared for such an outcome this early in his design. Slade turned around to approach J'onn as he was on the ground. Bane was standing at the Martian's head as Slade approached.
"Release him", Slade said.
Bane looked at Slade dumbfounded.
"NOW!"
Bane reached down and picked up J'onn from the ground. He carried J'onn to where Batman was standing and set him down on the ground.
"Well played", Bane whispered to Batman, then walked back to where he was.
Batman reached down and picked up J'onn and supported him as he gingerly stood up.
"You alright?", Batman asked.
J'onn could only nod as his powers were still suppressed by the collar.
Batman had activated the communicator in his cowl, calling Oracle.
"Did they get all of that?", Batman asked her.
"Sure did, Boss", Oracle said.
"Open it."
Behind J'onn and Batman, another Boom Tube opened and Superman appeared. Superman had walked to Batman, taking J'onn from his grasp. Superman then turned and flew back into the Boom Tube.
With Slade, Bane, and dozens of soldiers looking on in defeat, Batman walked towards the opened Boom Tube. He stopped short of entering, turning to address Slade one more time.
"I don't doubt that you had other things planned out, Slade", Batman said. "and I have to respect that for now. But if you take anymore lives, I'll have no choice but to put an end to yours. It will take you at least a month to figure out how to decode the nanomachines in your bodies, but last I checked, you have two weeks. Get ready, Slade. After Robin passes whatever you try to throw in front of him, its just you and me."
Batman then raised his right hand one more time and pushed the button on his device.
Multiple explosions had erupted as Slade and his minions took cover. However, the detonator did not activate the explosive nanomachines, but blew open many hidden boxes Batman and Superman planted on the mountain.
As the boxes bursted open, hundreds of bats had flown out of them, swarming the mountain top. Slade's forces were in a panic as hundreds of leathery wings flapped around them at an alarming rate. As Bane was demanding the soldiers maintain composure, Slade had locked his eye with Batman's eyes, as the bats surrounded him and his people.
Batman stared back for a moment, then turned to enter the Boom Tube. As the Boom Tube closed, Batman could not notice before he left that underneath Slade's mask, Slade was smiling.