Avenging Justice 2:
Caught Between an Ultron and a Doomsday
Part XXXVI
Earth Orbit, Justice League Watchtower
Martian Manhunter watched as a city appeared orbiting the moon. Using the most advanced optics and sensors, he zoomed in on the dead city. Buildings miraculously intact stood darkened and lifeless. His mind wandered back to Mars, and how lifeless it was now. Something went through him, an odd sensation of want to turn back time. The loss of his home, hitting his heart again.
"Per Iron Man's calculations, the city is in a stable orbit around Luna," Martian Manhunter keyed to Superman and the rest of the League.
Superman's voice came across the comm system, "I'll head out there and check things out in a moment. Everything quiet?"
J'onn looked at his screens, "News reports out of Kansas are coming in. I'll send Hawkman and Hawkgirl to investigate."
A noticeable worry had crept into Superman's voice, "I'll head back, how close is it to populated areas?"
"Right now, just on your roadways, but it is headed towards city populations," J'onn affirmed. "I'll keep you in the, how they say, the loop."
Earth, New Jersey, Gotham City
"Ms. Vale, I can't allow you in here," a heavy-set security guard cried out.
Vicki Vale, photojournalist extraordinaire, and under contract with many national news agencies, pretended not to hear. There was a story here, half the city was under siege. The break out from Arkham Asylum had meant that overnight, the GCPD had been overwhelmed. One of those psychos was bad enough, but with all of them on the street, the situation was most dire.
If her latest reports were right, Riddler was holed up in his usual haunt. His hired muscle keeping the other ne'er-do-wells away. Meanwhile Killer Croc was stalking the dark alleys and sewers beneath Gotham. Joker was in a stolen police car, joyriding through the streets. Every so often he'd pull out a large forty-four caliber pistol and blast away one of the innocents. Poison Ivy had taken over the botanical gardens, and for the most part was keeping out of the way, for now.
There were reports that Black Mask was amassing an army to take on Penguin's own gang. Throwing a wrench into that plan was the introduction of Scarface's people into the mix. The violence was just getting started, and already there were innocents in the crossfire. The hospitals were filling up as the chaos brought with it casualties.
There were more loonies on the loose, but she came here because the mayor and his cabinet were very much hiding here in City Hall. Commissioner Gordon was unreachable, as he currently was holed up in GCPD headquarters. She didn't blame him, at least he was attempting to stem the tide. The one thing missing was the Batman, and she really hoped he made a rare day time appearance. Gotham needed its Dark Knight.
Her source had advised that a certain city council person was hiding out here. Security was lax, but up till recently, the crime had been at a manageable level, for Gotham. Behind her, Vicki heard the huffing and puffing of the guard. Obviously, she wasn't going to lose this one as easily as others. Still, she had a way of getting into places others didn't want her to be. The key was an exit strategy, and she was formulating that one on the fly. It was as she rounded another corner, that Vicki Vale heard a voice that made her blood run cold,
"You've been a naughty little politician. Lying to your constituents about bringing back jobs, while shipping your jobs overseas," Two-Face boomed. "Still, it's the embezzling that took the cake. Swindling your workers out of millions on their insurance, just so you could afford that little beach house in Mexico. I don't know if I should be impressed or angry, being two minds of most things."
Vicki Vale doesn't have to hear the coin being tossed into the air, flipping end over end. She's seen it firsthand a couple of times, and she knows what comes next. The coin was one of those trick ones, with two heads on each side. However, due to an accident, one of the heads is disfigured, like Harvey Dent himself. Unblemished, Harvey wins out and nothing happens. The other side, Two-Face wins, and horrible things happened to the victim.
Two-Face's scarred side made the attempt at a smile, "Looks like I get to have a little fun. Boys, make sure we're not interrupted."
By this time the overweight security guard finally caught up with Vale, and only Vicki's hand kept the guard from giving away their position. With the loud gasp muffled, Vale heard the first wet smack of flesh hitting flesh. Taking out her camera, she quickly got into position, taking several shots. She knew this was going to get bad.
Turning to the security guard, "Get back to your post and call the cops."
She turned again as another wet smack echoed across to her hiding place. The shuffling of the security guard was louder than she thought it should have been, but she was experienced. There was a state where one's senses were sharpened, usually at great moments of fear, trial or stress. Like watching a criminal attack a city council person, with only your camera and wits to protect you. Yeah, Vicki had been here before, more times than she would like to admit.
"Hey Boss, we got issues, some fat rent a cop just ran by," one of Two-Face's thugs called out. "No worries, Benny's got 'em."
Another coin flip, another grim grin, "Judgement rendered, finish them." Two-Face went back to his ministrations on his target. "Now, where were we, councilor?"
Moments later, "Benny" brought the security guard into the room, worse for the wear. There was an obvious shiner forming over one eye, alongside a split lip. That was the least of the injuries, current and potential. Up to the security guard's head came a pistol, large caliber and ready to end a life.
Breaking glass, large shards of falling material interrupted Two-Faces beating and the execution of the security guard. A black form fell from the building's ceiling, and crashed into the thug nearby to "Benny." With no wasted motion the dark form sent Benny to the floor, and with the flick of a wrist, sent something towards Two-Face. From her hiding place, Vicki secretly did a fist pump.
The last thing Benny saw was a dark boot meeting his face. The last thing he heard was Two-Face shout an obscenity as the batarang hit his hand. The other thugs of Two-Faces gang came at the Batman, most with the trepidation of facing down a demon with their bare hands. Sure, they had knives and guns, but the Bat was invulnerable to those, and ate your soul if it wanted.
Batman made short work of them, in a flurry of violence that left many with a future hospital visit. They'd live, though, but the legend of the Batman would grow, as each one would claim it was like fighting the night. They would describe it as if the dark shadows and gloom had come to life, as if the Batman had turned the sun off and left them in darkness.
Two-Face managed to pull his target in front of him, knowing through their history, that the Batman had a code. Despite the coin's judgement, the Batman still believed in the Justice of the courts. The man who had been Harvey Dent alone, knew better. The only Justice was fate, luck, whatever you called it. Guilty or Innocent, it was all up to chance. Good people were sent to prison, the Guilty were set free on technicalities. Those who victimized others, got passes, while first time offenders sometimes got the maximum punishment. He created his own justice now.
Fate interceded again, like when he was born again, with acid splashed over his face. A single flash stole his attention, and it was all that Batman needed. Throwing another batarang and then a smoke bomb, Batman disappeared. Two-Face growled as the projectile struck him between the eyes, and for the briefest of moments, let go of the councilor. That was all the time needed, as Batman yanked the victim away and smashed a fist into Two-Face's midsection.
He followed up with a several more blows, sending Two-Face's weapon flying away. The criminal though didn't go down quietly. Between them, they exchanged several blows. Thanks to Batman's training and armor, he came out the better, with Two-Face lying on the ground gasping. Still, the criminal began crawling towards his fallen weapon. The twisted soul that was Two-Face wouldn't go down easily, and it took a hard kick to finally stop him.
"You can come out now," Batman said in his gravelly voice. "Ms. Vale, get to safety."
Vicki Vale gave him a warm smile, "You're always there."
"Not always," came his reply. "Tell the city that I'm still here, not to lose heart."
She came close, far closer than most people would get, "It's bad out there. The people are scared."
"They aren't the ones that need to be afraid," Batman said calmly. "Gordon's people will be here soon."
Just as quickly as he had arrived, Batman was gone, leaving nothing but the shadows. However, that made Vicki Vale feel comfortable, she didn't fear the dark or the light. With their protector, Gotham had learned not to fear the night, unless you were preyed upon the innocent. Then you had every right and need to fear the night, because its vengeance came in the shape of a bat.