FOUR BOYS: The Path We Seek
Chapter 16: Allies
"A good person? Well… I don't really like that term. Because to me, it just seems to mean someone who's good for you. And I don't think there's any one person who's good for everyone."
...Mount Justice...
"How are they?" Green Arrow asked, Black Canary shook her head.
"Physically fine I mean, Lightning is still unconscious but the superhealing is helping. Superboy has been treated. Both are struggling, S said R was the one to shoot L and Dr Sterling thus causing her death."
Green sighed as he scratched his head, "Gosh what a mess...Roy is upset, though not at them it seems, I'm kind of glad they hit it off so fast. Artemis is well also, nothing life threatening aside from the concussion."
They did not have time to rest after defeating the Injustice League, changing there course to the school after the emergency signal from Red Arrow. They arrived at a scene they had not hope to find. Batman had been notified and they soon arranged the med-bay. Dr. Serling had perished, L had been critical at a point.
Flash and Red Tornado arrived soon after. They took over the med bay with Doctor Mid-Nite to treat the young ones.
...Wayne Manor...
An echoing sound made the occupants of the manor jump in surprise.
"Dear Lord what was that?!" Alfred said as he picked up the dinner plates.
Bruce Wayne, Gotham's white knight, playboy and for the heroes otherwise known as 'Batman' frowned.
I don't know Alfred. I'll go check. He went to the batcave, checking on the perimeter close to the Wayne Manor he had found nothing out of ordinary, expanding the coverage radius though he found what it looked like a helicopter.
"What does it seem to be, sir?" Alfred asked as he made his way out of the elevator. Bruce turned to suit up.
"It seems it is a CH-47F Chinook, a military helicopter, it impacted 1000meters away from the cave's entrance. The cameras haven't catch any heat wave of movement I'll go check for survivors." The butler nodded.
"Be careful, Master Bruce." He warned, the other nodded as he rode the Bat-mobile out of the cave.
...
Riding for roughly 7 min on the forest he soon found the catastrophe. Surprised how it had not exploded and everything seemed calm.
He neared it slowly, entering the machine. Wires hanging loosely some throwing out lights, the smell of smoke, the humidity of the forest and the darkness that with each passing moment grew.
'What is a helicopter flying off route.'
The cracking wires iluminated the scene further, he could not contain his shock seeing the familiar uniform, mop of silky black hair now slightly wet and pale skin.
"Renegade." He whispered.
The boy was quiet as he laid in a slight pool of blood, wet bangs covering his eyes.
Getting out of the initial shock, Batman moved to check on to the vitals, weak pulse but still there, long strained respiration which meant broken ribs . The Bat's expression turned more grim when his glove came out red from under the head. The impact must have caused the injury.
"Renegade." He tried calling.
No answer. He placed the kid into the bat mobile carefully minding the injuries.
Giving a rough check for any other person or any other possible clue he turned back to the task at hand, getting into the vehicle and contacting Alfred at the other side.
"A, get the med bay ready, call the doctor."
"Done sir, she is on her way. I supposed I should prepare for the worst." Came the voice of his friend at the other side of the intercom.
...
After the call the ride back was uneventful and quiet. Batman gripped the steering wheel tightly. 'How had this happened, he had never felt so lost. The events had unfolded in a way he had never expected, one after the other, everything was falling.'
First: A signal guided them to Cadmus, letting them discover four boys who called themselves 'weapons created to destroy them'
Second: Further evidence had let Aquaman to track down David Kane, the current investigation led to believe the man is much more than a simple scientist. The Light seemed to have allies all over the globe. They were aware not only Kane but Ra's Al Ghul was implicated with the group and six other members whose names hadn't been disclosed.
Third: The boys had somehow won over the heroes and he couldn't deny that even himself had gotten attached. They were now caring for Lightning and Superboy, against some member's opinions on trust. They had not rule out the possibility they could be programmed and would be likely to fall out of control as what happened with R, but that didn't mean they would leave the clearly lost kids on their own.
Fourth: The Flash and Red Tornado had call disclosing the files they've found at the orphanage, or more like an abandoned camp that had been clossed after it had been opened just for 4 years, contained a list of the names of the children that where kept in the place. Some names where crossed out and some where circled, no particular trait was shared between the kids, other than the fact that their parents had either sold them, abadoned them or if not they were killed to obtain the kids.
Five: Renegade's code had brought to light some hypothesis as to what The Light was planning aside from the destruction of the League. The information was filed with gaps, missing lines and rumors of a possible new weapon, chemical compounds and tests to be conducted.
Six: The mission of Happy Harbour had not ended well. The Fog was missing, Artemis and Lightning were injured severly in the altercation. Dr. Sterling was dead. Superboy had also supplied, R had warned them to stay away from the Light and something about a subtance was being created to complete their skills but also turn them into mindless weapons. Water had also presented a different personality, more much merciless, unemotional and firm, as to which they suspected that´s what the raven had meant. It was clear they needed answers as to what the 'Last Substance' was.
Seven: Batman was currently entering the Bat-cave, one of the most secure and hidden places on Earth. With Renegade, the injured boy who had said his mission and purpose was to kill the Dark Knight, as he had also done much to guide them to the Lights plan until now. Water's whereabout were still unknown.
Eight: They needed answers. Needless to say... The Dark Knight was not happy.
...
Alfred looked as his charge descended from the vehicle and turned to hold onto his passenger. The butler was surprised when he saw a boy instead of a soldier or someone akin.
Batman placed the boy into the med bay's bed.
He was still unconscious and breathing difficultly. "A boy." he gasped, "Dear heavens could it be, is he..."
"Yes, Renegade. He is the boy I've been telling you about, A."
Alfred nodded to Batman and began working to see the extension of injuries before Dr. Leslie arrived. Both man gasped not only as the already known injuries, but more at the once covered skin that was marred in bruises. Arms filled with various needle bruises. And red slashes that couldn't have been from much ago. His ankle was severed also.
Batman growled, he was fuming, Alfred was also mad as much as he was worried for his 'son' and this broken boy. So he kept his expression schooled and worked efficiently while Dr. Leslie arrived.
As soon as she assesed the scene, she professionally schooled her expression as well and got to work, Alfred assisting her.
...
"What in the heaven's happened to this boy, I swear Batman if you are training kids into crime fighting-"
"I'm not." He stated, his voice low.
"He was trained and force into this by an organization who call themselves, The Light. However if the boy were to chose the path as a crime fighter I won't oppose and offer to train him-"
She stopped her work and turned at the hero, her eyes burning with rage, "Are you out of your mind. Why would you want this boy to continue this kind of suffering? You want him to become the next Batman."
"No!"
"Please lets us calm ourselves." Alfred intervened.
"Don't think you have the right to tell him what he should become. Please don't let him fall into this life." She said, the shock of the boy's current state along with the young appearance had Leslie over the edge. As far as she knew Artemis was the youngest and she was not part of the Justice League.
"I would never force him to become something he doesn't want to, but I will not stop him either if he choses this path. What I mean is that whatever he chooses I will support him." Alfred eyes widened at the revelation. The look of determination and care was one the butler was not used to, but was otherwise welcomed.
Bruce went back to the scene in order to check on it once again, or maybe clear his mind a bit or maybe preventing himself from destroying half the batcave when Leslie and Alfred needed to concentrate and Ren needed to rest.
...
Assessing the helicopter he deemed the impact was coming from below, it didn't seem to be from a manmade weapon though. The panel was broken, no route set. He soon found and dislodge the flight recorded, also taking the fire arm that laid thrown on the ground, a slightly opened panel near the seats had him checking, eyes narrowing, it was a diary.
Getting back to the cave, he had cleared his mind enough to get to work.
...
He looked through the glass at the Bat cave's med-bay, they had wrapped the boy's head and ribs, he had a mask on to help with breathing. His ankles and arms had been wrapped as well, he now wore light blue pajamas surely Alfred had kept them from when he was young and decided to use them. Bruce was thankful, the boy seemed more calm, the painkillers taking effect. He was also relieved to have him here instead of him being with the Light.
They needed to get Water out or there as soon as possible as well.
After some time Dr. Leslie left pleased with the treatment and the boy's condition that continued to improve rapidly. Alfred accompanied her to the door as Batman took the time to sit besides the unconscious figure.
"Master Batman, I see you are going to spend your time here." Alfred stated as he returned.
"I can't leave him alone A. He doesn't know this place and can't be left without supervision. Also as for what I saw in the scene, there are some things to be discussed." Alfred nodded, he looked at the boy, he had notice the reddened eyes and tear-streaked cheeks on the pale face. 'How where there so many people who seek to do acts just for their own benefit not caring who they use and destroy in the process? INHUMAN.'
The butler sighed, "I guess I can't sleep as well, I will clean for a bit. Perhaps some hot chocolate may alleviate the atmosphere."
"Thank you Alfred." He replied relieved. He was thankful for the butler, his friend, who had taken upon the role as a father figure and tutor for him, not leaving him alone to fight his demons probably ending in the wrong side. He found himself wanting to be that support for the boy.