Avenging Justice 2:

Caught Between an Ultron and a Doomsday

Part I

Earth, Missouri, Central City

Three years, it had been three years since New York had been attacked and nearly leveled. In that time the economy had been hit hard, and contractors in Metropolis found a new opportunity. They knew all about rebuilding quickly, even if Superman tried to keep the damage to a manageable level. Soon, loans were taken out, companies grew, and even federal help was given to rebuild the city.

For the Scarlet Speedster, Flash, most of the last three years was a blur. The crew back at the lab had taken the wolf boy, Jin, as one of their own and became a surrogate family for him. While he had been assisting the Avengers, and Batman's top secret new league, his people had been there for the kid. Barry couldn't be more pleased, or less surprised. His family, his friends, were a special bunch. He wouldn't trade them for anything.

He would trade all the obstacles in his way though. He was running late to Jin's graduation, and it wasn't a lack of speed. On his way, the Trickster decided it was a great time to rob a new credit union. Whoopee cushion bombs were one thing, but he had nearly killed a guard with a joy buzzer electrocution device. Barry half remembered one of Batman's villains using a similar device. He really hoped this kid wasn't trading with the Joker.

"C'mon kid, you're makin' me late here," Flash said as he appeared by the Trickster. "Just come quietly, I hear their having pudding at Juvie."

Before the delinquent could even utter a word, he spasmed, and fell down limply. Behind him, was another new friend from three years ago. Bolt floated in the air, electricity cracking all around him. Flash couldn't resist smiling, knowing that Trickster would be okay, just wake up with a devil of a headache.

"Hurry, you're going to be late!" Bolt said, before he disappeared into an electrical socket nearby.

"Cheater!" called out Flash, as he sped off.

Behind them were several of Central City's finest, to collect the now unconscious Trickster. Long ago they had gotten used to the jovial, and quick hero. His cast of allies growing didn't concern them too much, but it did concern certain civilian right's groups. Flash they were okay with, because he was just fast, but Bolt scared the hell out of them. Apparently, they thought he was one bad day from becoming an executioner.

That was bogus, the kid was a good. Well, now he knew he was getting old, Bolt wasn't more than eighteen or nineteen. Which meant he wasn't a kid, at least not by any legal standard. Still, Flash couldn't shake the fact or the urge to think of the mutant as one. If only Wonder Woman could hear his thoughts now, she'd have a good laugh. Batman would of course give him that look that went through you, while Superman would just gently pat him on the back. John, he'd be the one to give Barry the most grief, but in that Marine way John had.

Luckily, he made it back to STAR Labs, and moments before Jin "Wolfheart" Akechi stepped up on stage. Changed back into his regular clothing, Barry Allen was there beside Iris, who he gave a quick hug to. She shot him that look, letting him know she'd not missed his almost tardiness. He gave her a quick smirk, and she gently elbowed him.

"For the fastest man alive, you sure do cut it close," she teased him.

"Ran into a tricky situation, luckily Kyle was there to lend a hand," he replied.

She nodded, "I wondered where he went. Good thing you made it, though. Jin needs us all."

"I know," he gently cupped her hand. "We're all his family, have to be there for family."

Jin stepped up to the podium, on the hastily, but lovingly made stage. Beside him came Kyle sliding to a halt. Jin caught the sight, with Kyle's tie still caught in the air, and the wolf teen shook his head. His adopted brother, and a bit of a goof when you got to know him. Was it just three years ago that fate had thrust this group together?

Jin cleared his throat, and tried not to look at the crowd that had come to see him graduate. It was small, jut the Star Labs personnel, but still more than he had expected. On his best days he didn't like crowds, even small ones. Mostly this was because of the danger they were to him. Unlike some mutants, he couldn't easily hide in plain sight. Being covered in hair, with lupine features, made one stand out a bit.

"Thank you all for coming," he started. His voice cracked, and he winced, but Kyle was there to give him a thumbs up. It was nice to have a brother to urge him forward. "I had this whole speech planned out, and several quotes from famous figures. However, looking at you all now, the words sound so hollow. You, who made me feel safe, showed me I could be accepted.

Maybe those who don't know me deserve the speech I wrote, the verbiage showing an intellect defying my appearance. You all, though deserve better. You deserve words from my heart. So, I apologize if my speech is short, or overly long winded, I just know what I need to say.

Three years ago a lost and adrift soul was found by a flinger of lightning, and one who ran as swift as it. Coming here, I was sure I'd be dissected and studied, instead I was welcomed and made to feel like a person. In an age where people like me are hated, I found nothing acceptance. This was something I wasn't used to.

Then each of you pushed me, guided me, and became my fiercest supporters. Despite the many hours I agonized over things, each of you had a perspective to share. Each time, I found a way to grow beyond what I thought were my limits. Most amazing was to see the look in your eyes, as I did so. I didn't see people looking at a monster, but of someone they were proud of.

In short, as I embark on the next scary part of my life, I have innumerable aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters. Each one willing to be there at the end of a face time session, or loving email. Even simple recorded words of comfort or wisdom, but most of all a little part of you travels with me. I know this, and it gives me comfort, more than words can relate. I was given a family, and that I will never forget."

Jin did talk for a while more, but that point, many in the crowd were already misty eyed. More was afoot that night though, and while STAR Labs celebrated the young mutant's graduation, a yellow and red blur raced across the city. A beautiful young woman in ice blue, looked for something to warm her, eternally needing heat. While simian eyes gazed upon the skyline, mind seeing and hearing the thoughts of the inhabitants of several city blocks.

Earth, New Jersey, Gotham City

Robin flew threw the air, well fell with style. Like his mentor, Batman, he used his cape to glide and the grappling hooks to move from building to building. He moved agilely, a hint at his previous life as a circus performer. Where Batman had to learn as he did the job, this was the part where Dick Grayson had an intuitive leg up on Bruce Wayne. He had been raised to defy gravity.

It was moments like this, high above the streets that he could almost lose himself. Such freedom, and up here the orphan below was gone. It was almost like his family was up here flying beside him. He could almost hear his mother's soft laugh, and his father's shouts of glee. A new voice had been added, it was more somber, darker, but also just as important. This gravelly voice told him he had the power to make a difference.

As if to accentuate that fact, a scream reverberated up to the gliding teen. Followed by a gun shot, Robin dived toward the commotion. He didn't need to see the shadow in his peripheral to know Batman was doing the same. With perfect timing, Robin slowed himself and landed behind the gunman, while Batman landed in front of the victims.

"Holy Shit! It's the Bat!" the gunman raised his weapon to fire again, but Batman stopped him.

"Stop," the dark and menacing figure growled. "Behind you."

Confused the attacker hesitated, which was more than Robin needed. From his back he pulled out two batons. One he introduced to the attacker's wrist, and was rewarded with a snapping sound. The second he followed up with a well placed hit below the chin. The gunman's head jerked up, and instantly he fell to the ground.

Batman turned, his protégé had done very well, now it was time to look after those in the wrong place at the wrong time. As expected, when a nearly six foot bat shaped man falls out of the sky, with nary a scratch, they were attempting to beat an expeditious retreat. Luckily they were also clumsy in their flight, so he was able to gently stop them.

A young couple on a date, one of them was shot. The injured one had a very soft look, less sharp angles. To others it might have mattered, but not to Batman. They were victims of violence, and he had dedicated his life to stopping such things. The least he could do was aid them, now that they were relatively safe.

From his belt, he pulled a gel pack and slapped it on the injured person, "This will seal the wound. Hold it till the ambulance gets here. You'll be safe, the police are on their way."

Before they could blink, the dark scary bat thing was gone, and the brightly colored young man waved before he too was gone. The couple were frightened, both by the attack and their saviors. Still, they only had a few moments to collect themselves before the night was changed again, this time by the red and blue of Gotham City Police Department cruisers.

Batman and Robin's night wasn't over by a long shot, as the Bat Signal appeared in the sky. Just another night in Gotham City, but this one would change the Boy Wonder. Neither of the Dynamic Duo knew that going into the night, but by the end, Dick Grayson would prove what a man he was turning into.

Commissioner Gordon stood on the rooftop, waiting. The urge to light his pipe was heavy, but he'd promised Barbara to quit smoking. He could use a few puffs though, even a cigarette would help his nerves now. The urge got worse as he looked at the information from the crime scenes. It wasn't that long ago that he had counted the man as a friend, now he was just another looney in town.

He didn't hear the Dark Knight land, but instead there as a feeling that came over him. Many of the crooks brought in by the vigilante shared a similar feeling, like a dark presence enveloping you. It gave them great fear, scared them, made them stupid. To Gordon, it was the feeling of retribution, of justice delayed and delivered. Unsurprisingly, it was a source of comfort for him, but one of dread to those who preyed on the innocent.

"What do you have, Commissioner?" Batman asked, not wasting time.

Jim Gordon turned, paused as he saw Robin, "I'm not sure this is one for the kid. Is it wise to have him out in the city like this?"

"We have common history, he'll be safe," Batman replied. Then waited in silence.

Commissioner Gordon shrugged, "I trust you. Dent's back in town. He was upstate in prison, but managed to escape. We're not sure what he's back for, but he's hit the Natural History Museum and oddly City Halls records department.

The first made sense, they were doing an exhibition of several priceless artifacts, all based on deities with dual names, identities or faces. Several of the owners of those artifacts have received ransom letters."

"What was taken from the records department," Batman was keen on that crime.

Gordon shook his head, hang going towards his pipe, but it wasn't there, "Nothing major was taken. Unfortunately I only had Bullock to send over for that, and he hasn't had any breaks in that case. All he said was that the place was ransacked, with records thrown about haphazardly."

"Let's see the crime scene photos," Batman said. Looking through them, he nodded and spoke again, "See all the files, they're a diversion. We're meant to think he was just randomly searching, but they're all surrounding files with the names, Goldenmeyer, Goldman, Gold, etc. Wasn't his girlfriend named Goldenstein?"

"Gilda, yes, but she hasn't been seen since he went to prison," Gordon replied.

Batman frowned, "But her father is still a prominent sculptor. He owns a gallery."

"I'll send a unit out to pick him up, put him in protective custody.." Gordon turned around, only to find the rooftop empty. "How does he do that?"

Robin didn't feel the freedom anymore, just rage, long held anger bubbling to the surface. Years ago, watching his family fall to their deaths, all because of one man. He remembered screaming, calling out their names. He remembered weeping uncontrollably, feeling the cold world enter his life. Then came the man who showed him a way to deal with his grief.

Bruce Wayne had taken him in, give him shelter, and shared with him a common pain. See, Bruce was an orphan as well, his parents taken from him by a common criminal. At the time, Dick Grayson hadn't known the secret that would come. Over the days, to weeks, he and Bruce had formed a bond over that shared tragedy.

Eventually though, Bruce was forced to share more with the boy, as the only thing that could quell his rage, was action. Not the reckless action of a boy thrashing out, but the action of a mission. That too was something that Bruce understood, so he had started to train Dick as his protégé, and took him to the cave. Afterwards, with the hope of facilitating justice, Dick had turned the corner. Gone as the angry, withdrawn kid, and reborn was the funny, confident and talented young man.

Robin had given Dick Grayson an outlet, and now finally he had the ability to avenge his family. Two Face had taken them from him, murdered them in some twisted version of what he called justice. This was what he had trained for, pushed himself for, and he wasn't going to let his family down.

He pushed down the image of Alfred and Bruce, of the reserved butler giving him wise words. He didn't want to think about that, he might forget, and he didn't want to forget his family. They were important, their lives mattered. Yet, try as he might, he couldn't. There was the smell of Alfred's cooking, his gentle demeanor and his dry wit.

Robin pushed it down, not realizing he screamed as he did so. He needed to be angry, needed that strength to mete out justice for his family. The image of his mother and father, broken on the ground, did bring fresh rage to his mind. It was quickly replaced by Bruce with his hand outstretched. Again with Bruce at his school, for a play he was in, clapping just as loud as any other proud parent.

"Robin!" Batman called, as the teen landed on the nearby rooftop.

Robin rounded, his batons out and ready to strike, "Don't, he's mine!"

"I know what you're feeling," Batman said, the gravel slowly exiting his voice. "What is your plan when you find him?"

Robin stomped, "He killed them, in front of me! I'm going to kill him!"

"That isn't going to bring you any peace, trust me," Batman said. "Go home, you're too close."

Robin leaned back into fighting posture, "I'm not going to let them down, with you or without you, Two Face is mine."

"This won't bring them back, and it won't bring you peace," Batman said, gently for him.

Robin felt his rage boil, but he knew it was misdirected. He wanted to fight Batman, but only because he knew he couldn't hurt the other man. All that pain he had been training out of himself, had just suddenly returned. He just wanted it gone, and taking out the man who did it to him, should do the trick. Still, Bruce had shown trust in him, and slowly his rage bled away.

"We'll do it your way," Robin sighed, feeling like he'd already gone ten rounds. "For now."