Thank you for waiting, a load of revision and exams delayed this update.
As ever, I sorrowfully admit that I do not own Buffy or the DC comics characters mentioned within, despite many pleading letters to Santa Claus.
Thanks for the Reviews, more requested.
"See what, Impulse?" demanded Robin
"Theentiretown'sjust,sorta,collapsed,intoacrater.Nowayanyonesurvivedthis! Plustherearesomepeopleherewholookfunny,one'sgotaneyepatchandonesreallyshortand onelooksalmostasoldasMaxbutwithglasses!Pluseyepatchguysaidthiswassortathierfaultbutnotonpurpose" exclaimed Impulse
While Impulse was reporting to his leader, the Scoobies were having their own discussion.
"Buffy, that's Impulse of Young Justice!" exclaimed Andrew, "if he's here and talking to someone, Young Justice won't be far behind, if not others. Mmmm, I, ah, We could meet Robin!"
Xander added "And if we want to keep a low profile, we should leave before we meet a load of super-heroes. And that's 'meet' as in 'be locked up on suspicion of causing craterriness! Though meeting Robin would be cool…"
"Thanks Xand, let's book everyone!" ordered Buffy
"Oracle, give me a picture of that man you want for questioning, I think Impulse has found him and I want to be sure." Commands Robin.
Merely 10 second's away at the start of the conversation, Flash, the fastest man alive, overheard 'let's book everyone'. Being a trifle impulsive, though not on the scale of his 'cousin' Bart, He decided to take matters into his own hands.
Running towards the Scooby Gang at light-bending pace in order to surprise them, he himself was surprised at being tripped up by a dark haired girl who must have been on the school bus where he couldn't see.
"Ah ah ah, no running in that outfit, you'll get it all dirty when you trip." She gloated at the speechless speedster (Wally is not often speechless, so make the most of it!) as she tosses some rope at him which wraps around his legs. Flash tries to vibrate his way free and fails.
"What…how did you do that?" (Darn, not speechless for long after all) "Why can't I get free?" asks Flash.
This is the scene as the Super-Cycle transporting Young Justice arrives at the brand-new Sunnydale Crater. There is a bright yellow school bus near the edge of the crater. Impulse is already searching the rubble at its bottom. There are a group of teenage girls, accompanied by two older girls, one blonde, and the other brunette, an elder gentleman who Robin, thanks to long exposure to Alfred, recognises as British and, thanks to Oracle, as Rupert Giles, wanted in relation to a London bombing, and a young dark-haired man with an eye patch over one eye, standing around something near the school bus. Robin's trained eye notices a scarlet boot protruding from the gaggle with a distinctive yellow decoration on it.
"SB, get in that group, Flash is in there and I want to know why. WG, you help him. Secret…"
"Robin, these people make me feel weird." Utters Secret "They feel both dark and light at the same time, its, its, just really weird! Like someone mixed Darkseid with Highfather."
"OK, SB, WG don't hurt them, just get Flash."
"You got it 'Fearless Leader', the teen of steel is on his way!" cries Superboy.
"Not to mention, say, me?" counters Wondergirl.
The two teenaged heroes flew towards the gaggle of girls and guys, only to encounter a resistance that stunned them. Trying to reach Flash, Wondergirl was easily restrained by a pair of the teenaged girls, while Superboy was knocked 30 yards by a single punch. The men looked shocked at the furious females who surrounded the pair. As Arrowette, Robin and Secret prepared to join the fray and relieve their beleaguered team-mates, Oracle's voice came over the com-link:
"Robin, Batman is on site and 'recommends' that you maintain position until he makes his move."
"Acknowledged Oracle. Guys, we hold. For now."
From behind the school bus strode a living shadow, an 'urban myth' that causes fear in the hearts of criminals everywhere. As the Dark Knight of Gotham City entered the fray, the on-looking teenage heroes were amazed. Batman moved in a blur of motion, each hand flinging a pair of batarangs to thud home on the foreheads of the teenaged girls. Flinging a gas grenade into the centre of the teenaged troublemakers, Batman becomes a ghost lost in the smoke. Within a minute half the mini-slayers were unconscious, and the others sporting bruises that would hurt later. As the slayers regrouped, Buffy Summers made her way to the front of the group.
"Wills', get rid of this smoke would you!" she called out to her best friend.
"Sure Buffy, goddess, hear my plea, summon the wind an' it pleaseth thee!"
A mystical wind drew the smoke from the battlefield, leaving the shadow of the Bat to loom over the small form of the Chosen One. Batman covered his surprise at the dissipation of the smoke. Buffy covered her surprise at the lack of 'slayer-sense' buzz from her opponent. As they squared off for battle, Buffy decided to indulge in her traditional belittling of the opponent.
"A guy running around dressed like that must be touched in the head, I'd say almost, 'batty'. Then again, the mask does add an air of mystery, but frankly I'd date a vamp before a loon."
"And she has!" piped up Dawn from the rear of the group.
"Hush Dawnie" said Xander.
Buffy and Batman leapt into action, Batman going for a right hook, Buffy blocking with her left arm then riposting with a side kick. Batman flew back ten feet, but back flipped as he went, landing on his feet. Buffy jumped at him in a flying kick, but Batman caught her leg and used her momentum to throw her to the ground. Buffy landed on her back, skidding a couple of yards. As she stood, she assumed a fighting stance reminiscent of Keanu Reeves in 'The Matrix'. As Batman moved to attack her a British voice called out;
"Stop!" in such a commanding tone that both Buffy and Batman paused.
"Buffy, did you think this through? I mean, Batman is a member of the Justice League…" started Giles
"Not officially though, which I've always thought unfair…" interrupted Andrew
"Thank you Andrew." Continued Giles "Most likely, he is here to investigate the disappearance of Sunnydale into that hole in the ground. As such, attacking him is likely to get us a) arrested, and b) into conflict with the numerous meta-humans running around the planet."
"But Giles, he attacked us!" complained Buffy.
"Only because you are holding Flash prisoner." Gravelled Batman.
"Once again, he attacked us, with no provocation, we were just about to question him when those kids…"
"Young Justice"
"Thank you Xander. Young Justice turned up and attacked. By the way, is the dark and broodiness of you meant to impress?"
Hearing this, Robin began to snort withlaughter and, after a moments pause, the rest of YJ (minus Impulse, who was still combing the crater) joined in.
"Who are you people?" demanded Batman "How can a twenty-year-old fight me. And why is Rupert Giles here when he is wanted for questioning in England."
The Scoobies and mini-slayers looked bored at Batman's questions, until Batman mentioned Giles.
"Giles, why would the English police want you?" Asked Willow
"I would imagine it has something to do with the Council being blown up and my technical kidnapping of Kennedy and Molly."
"And for that, I'm taking you in." growled Batman.
"No you're not…"
"Heyguy's.I'vefoundsomeoneintherubble,butsomethingswrong.He'ssmoking, likehe'sonfireorsomething." Impulse's search had paid off.
"What's he look like?" demanded Buffy
"Thin,blondeandonfire,Iguess."
"Spike…" murmured Buffy "Wills, can you get him to L.A. before he combusts on us." She glanced at Batman "You know where."
"On it." Was the reply from the red haired Wicca.
"Now, Mr tall-dark-and-batty, go away."
"Batman, maybe you should go. I think my team can handle this and…" started Robin.
"If Batman could converse with me, I think he would find it in his interest and that of a Mr Bruce Wayne to leave us in peace." Interrupted Giles. "Xander, Dawn, if you would accompany me. Kennedy, could you restrain Andrew from either following us or messing up Buffy's 'conversation' with, ah, Robin."
Behind Batman's cowl, Bruce Wayne's eyes narrowed if this man thought a teenaged girl and slightly older boy were enough to protect him, then he was mistaken, but… a matter of interest for both Batman and Bruce Wayne had to be investigated, if only to mask the link between the two. – Sometime I think like Harvey-, thought Batman.
"Sure thing Giles." They chorused, with Xander using 'G-Man' instead of Giles.
As Young Justice assembled in front of the slayers, Robin was amazed to see that most of the girls Batman had knocked out had regained consciousness.
"We have some questions…" stated Robin, his team arrayed behind him.
"Ask away, we don't guarantee answers though." Answered Buffy
"Well, what are you people? Normally when Batman hits someone, they're out for hours."
"That's easy, we're Slayers, Vampire Slayers to be precise…
A short distance away, Gules and Batman had begun their discussion.
"Well, to cut a long story short, if either myself or my charges are detained with any hint of a 'heroes' involvement, said hero's civilian identity will be revealed." Said Giles.
"Preposterous." Growled Batman
"Not so, Bruce…"
Cliffhanger, yay me! Secrets revealed, secrets kept. What will the next instalment have to bring? For the answer, keep an eye out for my updates!