Chapter 4
Money Talks
"This is costing an insane amount, Evil" The mysterious voice on the speakerphone said. "I am already way over budget and still nothing to show for it. I want results."
"Boss." Evil responded as he reviewed the tape of Batman, Clayface and Killer Croc, "You have asked for the destruction of one of the most mysterious, resourceful, and frankly toughest person on the planet. I have been under time constraints from the beginning. Frankly this is not easy work."
"When I hired you, I thought you would be able to get the job done." The Boss remarked.
"And I will, but I can't do it alone no matter how hard I try. The only man to beat him was Bane, who did so with much effort." Evil responded.
"Then why not unleash the inmates in Arkham again? Like Bane did."
"First, most of the inmates that were utilized are out at the moment. Second, Batman has created contingencies since then. Third, it's tripe to repeat something exactly, I want my own spin on it."
"UGGH, All I want is what I originally asked for, the money returned on my plans will guarantee any payments you want, but only so far." The Boss said frustrated.
"Did you get him."
"Deathstroke, he should be to you very soon."
"Good, and the other?"
"I am in negotiations, I think I can gain his cooperation on ego alone."
"Really, interesting."
"When you believe you are above all mortals, then presenting a mortal that has beaten metas like Superman does grab at the ego of a man like him."
"I was hoping we could find a way to bring him in, but he must strike before Deathstroke and Deadshot."
"So what in the meantime."
"I have a distraction for him, one he will probably not think twice about."
"My lawyers are ready."
That night, over Gotham
Batman swings from the tops of buildings in his normal routine. The night is his, but he knows something is coming to threaten him, and possibly his city.
Croc and Clayface were out on bail in hours. He thought, the lawyers kept way too good of locks on their records, I couldn't find any trail to who paid them or why they would represent such low level thugs. Add to the fact that these lawyers are the type that have $100 lunches daily, you have a pretty interesting mystery.
I passed word to Oracle, Tim, and even Selina, nothing on this "Evil" character yet. Not even a whisper in the underground. J'ohn searched the league data base but nothing from anyone who has delt with a villain specifically called Evil, even had Clark check the files of as many papers he could, still nothing. I have to assume "Evil" is an alias, but who would be so brazen and bold to call themselves Evil.
At that moment, Batman catches a glimpse of a knife cutting through his rope. "WHO?"
Is all he can get out before he begins to fall. Someone else wants to have fun. He thinks as he reaches for his launcher Aim at the direction the knife came in WHUMP!
He hooks into another building and easily swings to see a familiar adversary in front of him atop a building emblazed with the sigh "Ocean Corp" with huge neon letters. "Prometheus" He yells aiming himself at the assailant. "You picked the wrong night to search me out!"
Batman aims his swing to hit Prometheus, but Prometheus jumps away at the last second
"Honestly, Batman." Prometheus quipped, "By now you should know I have all your moves uploaded to my helmet. Including those from your Bat-rope, as well as a dozen counter-moves."
Batman lands crouched near Prometheus "Of course, so I guess I have to get creative."
At that point the combatants met, Blocking and countering each other to a near stalemate. Both fail to contact the other until Batman decides to take the battle in a new direction as he jumps towards Prometheus, who easily dodges and lets Batman go over the edge of the building.
What, how could he be so foolish Prometheus thought as he went to look over the edge, however when he does he just hears a familiar WHUMP is hit square in the jaw by a Bat-a rang. The Bat-a-Rang manages to hook the edge of the building to which Batman retracts his rope quickly to find Prometheus staggered, but still standing.
"Y-You gave up your launcher when you were falling." Prometheus said stunned.
"Idiot," Batman said sternly "I always have a spare."
Batman glides over in front of a huge neon letter of "O" on the building they are atop. "You are just a loser with a fancy helmet, without it you are less than Penguin as an adversary."
"I am your equal, I defeated the entire Justice League."
"Once, but almost doesn't count." Batman remarked, "and after that you couldn't do a thing worth a-"
Prometheus got up and interrupted "I'll kill you!" He yelled as he charged. But Batman seeing his rage used his lack of clarity against him. He dodged and force Prometheus into the Neon "O" which exploded with sparks. However it was not enough to put down the villain.
Batman went for what he thought would be the final punch, but Prometheus blocked him easily.
"Not yet, Batman." Prometheus said, "I still have more tricks."
Batman tried to get past Prometheus's defenses but the fighter blocked him at every turn. Finally, Batman thought he saw an opportunity for a kick, but Prometheus grabbed his right leg in mid strike.
"Not so mighty when someone knows every move you will make." Prometheus Quipped.
"So I have to get creative." Batman remarked as he leapt into the air, meaning to bring his left foot to Prometheus's temple, but again, Prometheus dodged. Batman landed with his right leg twisted in Prometheus's grasp still
"Like I said Batman-" Prometheus began to brag, but was interrupted when Batman twisted in the opposite direction, again bringing his left foot into contact with Prometheus's helmet this time. The kick shatters Prometheus's helmet and both men fall down onto the rooftop.
"I just had to get creative." Batman almost quipped as he picked himself up and grabbed Prometheus around the collar.
However Prometheus began to laugh.
"What is so funny?" Batman said.
"I got the message on the helmet before you destroyed it." Prometheus lashed.
Just then a sonic boom could be heard in the far off distance.
"He is coming for you." Prometheus continued. "My backup, I wasn't even sure if he would."
Batman began to look up, hearing the noise come even closer, like an oncoming train.
"Who, Superman?" Batman thought out loud as the sonic boom now took on the sound of distant thunder as whatever it was slowed to sub-sonic speeds.
"You wish, just a simple kryptonite ring would get you out of that one."
Then on the horizon, Batman could see just barley a dot in the night sky.
"He hasn't got that weakness, but he could take on Superman easily." Prometheus continued to taunt as Batman set him down to get a better look at his apparently oncoming assailant.
"You have a real problem now, Batman, of all the heroes this one has most of Superman's abilities and non of the weaknesses, in fact he has no weaknesses that anyone is aware."
The person now had gotten much closer, but still not close enough to see him for certain.
"he is following my tracer." Prometheus taughted on, "and will be here in mere seconds."
"Who?" Batman said obviously angry Who he thought who has Clark's powers and non of his weaknesses, unless it's-
"He is the ancient guardian, the black lightning, and you Batman are doomed."
At that point the flying man was quite visible in the night sky, and Batman felt a sinking feeling in his gut. of all heroes and villains, this one, and his archenemy would be the toughest for the fact they had no obvious weaknesses. Many in the hero community often downplay him and his rival, but I always knew they were two of the toughest to defeat. Now I have to come face-to-face with-
Shazam's Arch enemyBlack Adam
