How long have been here? Mato asked.
About three days. Rock answered.
She looked down at her body, most of her skin had healed to the point where it no longer caused Mato any pain. She had vision in both eyes and her arm was growing back nicely, as expected.
One more and I will be healed enough for you to emerge. Rock said.
I-I'm not sure I can. Mato stammered.
Mato? Rock asked.
I-I d-don't want to, I want to stay in here.
Mato, this is your world. The human world. You cannot hide in me forever.
Mato stayed silent.
What about Yuu? She will miss you, you are her friend.
I wish I could see her.
Rock started to stand up.
Black Rock Shooter what are you doing? Mato asked.
I am taking you to see Yuu.
But what about the Justice League?
I will explain to them. Rock said as she tied her hospital gown at her back and padded, barefoot, over to the door.
She pressed a button on the door-frame and frowned slightly as a red light flashed above it and a harsh static buzz came from the door.
We're prisoners, it wouldn't make sense to allow us to walk around freely. Mato said.
Or they underestimated how we heal and didn't bother to assign a guard. Rock suggested, looking around.
The white tiled room was completely sealed, various pieces of medical equipment were spaced evenly across the walls, cabinets and counters full of tools and supplies were placed between the ten beds the room contained. Rock assumed, as she rummaged through the room, that there must be some kind of ventilation system allowing oxygen to filter through but she couldn't find any evidence of it.
Is there any way of hacking the door? Mato asked.
Maybe. Rock answered. But I do not know how.
She closed her eyes and summoned the Rock Cannon to her left hand, it felt awkward and cumbersome with it not being in it's usual place. As she lifted it she struggled to keep it steady.
What's wrong? Mato asked.
It feels wrong, heavy. It is not where it should be. Rock answered looking at the weapon
Isn't there anything you can do?
Maybe.
Rock concentrated, gradually the cannon shrank into a thin shaft with three ridges running along it's length and a slightly thicker section near Rock's hand with zigzagged grooves.
Is that?
Yes, it is the wand I created when Strength and I were in Azkaban.
I remember that.
Do not dwell upon that place Mato, it is gone now anyway. Rock cautioned.
She pointed the wand at the door and fired, a brilliant blue bolt of energy exploded out of the tip and ripped the door and frame from the wall. Sparks of electricity arced in the air and against the shredded metal.
Rock carefully stepped through the gaping hole out into the corridor.
Yuu was lying in bed staring at the ceiling when she felt an explosion rock the station. She sat up quickly and looked around in a panic.
"What the hell was that?"
I don't know. Strength replied. Doubt it was anything good though.
"Should we go and find out?" Yuu asked.
I don't know, on one hand we could help, on the other it wouldn't look good for us if we just walked out of here without permission.
"Since when do you care about permission?" Yuu asked, puzzled.
Since our fate is in the hands of strangers, one of which we cannot even touch.
"Are you… Scared?" Yuu asked.
Frustrated, it feels like he's cheating. Strength spat.
"Everyone has a weakness." Yuu stated.
But we don't know what that is, we don't even know if we should fight them. They're like the adult version of the Titans.
Yuu groaned and flopped back down on to the bed.
"It's been days though, how can they still be debating? We're not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things."
We're different, you heard Superman, he sounded worried. They don't know what we can do, especially Black Rock Shooter.
"What about her? She's tough and fast but so are you. You're the same." Yuu said.
If that were true then I would've won every time we fought, but you remember what she's like.
Yuu closed her eyes, she didn't like thinking about Insane Black Rock Shooter.
She's relentless, brutal and damned near impossible to stop. We both know that. "I'm sure the League have fought hundreds of enemies like that." Yuu argued.
But I'm guessing they all had ulterior motives, like world domination or crap like that. A general, overall plan and something that can be exploited for a weakness.
Yuu nodded.
"Makes sense."
We don't, we're unpredictable. Hell, the only reason I gave up against Superman was for your sake.
"My sake?" Yuu asked.
Seeing Black Rock Shooter burnt like that and knowing that Mato must be in so much pain because of it. Strength explained.
"So we're your weakness?" Yuu muttered.
And our greatest strength, you gave us life and we love you for that.
Yuu smiled.
"Thank you, Strength, I needed that."
You're welcome.
"So, we're going to find out what that explosion was?" Yuu asked brightly.
Of course, can't miss out on the fun, can we? Strength laughed.
Rock walked through the large station, alarms were blaring and flashing red lights shone everywhere. She stopped at a large window looking out into space.
Wow, it's so beautiful. Mato whispered.
Rock nodded in agreement.
She turned as a faint breeze caused her gown to flutter slightly, a black man encased in a green glow floated towards her.
"Stop!" He demanded. "Return to the infirmary at once."
Rock just stared at him, puzzled as to why he was glowing.
"Return at once." The man said once more.
Rock raised her left arm out straight, pointed away from her, and blasted a hole in the wall she was standing next to. She dove through as a green, translucent claw materialised out of nowhere and tried to grab her.
Smoke and debris filled the area as Rock crawled through large machinery and thick cabling, eventually coming to a small open area she could stand up in. Looking up through the dust, she saw grating with light flowing through it. Reaching up on tiptoe, she pushed against the grate with her wand and found it moved easily. As she climbed up and got to her feet in the new area the man from the corridor appeared through a wall next to the door.
"I don't want to hurt you girl." The man said calmly.
Rock shook her head and tried to sign something, forgetting her hand was still missing and almost dropped the cannon wand.
I don't think you can talk to them. Mato said quietly.
The man extended his hand which had a green, glowing ring, and translucent chains appeared in the air around Rock. She flipped over them as they tightened around her, she pointed her wand at the man and fired.
The explosion knocked him back into the wall he had appeared from, denting it and she ran. Glancing around the large area, it appeared to be a hangar of some sort. Five of the sleek spaceships that had brought her here were resting on the floor, Rock ducked behind one and peered under it. The man reached up to his face and appeared to be saying something.
I only wanted to see Yuu. Mato moaned. I didn't expect a fight.
Nobody expects a fight. Said a voice.
Rock's eyes widened, that wasn't her.
Do not be alarmed, I am speaking to you telepathically.
Rock's grip on her wand tightened as her eye ignited.
No no no no no, don't do that! Mato pleaded.
Why not? Asked the voice curiously.
You'll make her mad! Mato said desperately. We only wanted to see our friend!
Then why did you not tell that to Green Lantern? The voice asked.
Black Rock Shooter doesn't speak to anyone! Only me! Please stop!
Very well.
Rock scrunched her eyes up and banged her head against the spacecraft repeatedly.
"I told you not to do that!" Strength screamed at the green man from her trial.
"I thought that maybe I could reason with her and find out what she wanted." The man said sadly.
"You've just pissed her off!" Strength said angrily. She looked over her shoulder at Superman who was holding her arms tightly.
"Could you get off me?"
"Not until you explain." Said Diana.
Strength sighed and looked at the three people around her.
"Look, could you at least tell me your names first?" She asked. "I already know Clark's."
"I am J'onn J'onzz." Said the green man. "And this is Diana, ambassador to Themyscira."
"I'm Strength, Otherself to Yuu Koutari, my human companion. Right now Black Rock Shooter is upset, she has a…" Strength said hesitating. "History. With people poking around in her head, she doesn't react well to it."
"It sounds like you're understating the reality." J'onn said.
"Alright, maybe a little. If she gets too emotional she'll tear this station apart." Strength said slowly.
"Batman and Hawkgirl are already heading down to the hangar." Diana said to Superman.
"She needs a friend to help her, not more targets for her anger!" Strength shouted.
The pressure on her arms was released.
"Kal-El? What are you doing?" Diana asked.
"She's right, if we can end this peacefully we should try." Superman said. "Besides, I don't think Bruce would be too happy if he had to pay for another Watchtower."
"Fine." Diana huffed, crossing her arms.
"Lead the way." Strength said urgently.
Black Rock Shooter! Calm down! Mato cried.
Rock snarled as she sprinted across the hangar and leapt up onto a spacecraft, she span around and quickly rolled to the side as several batarangs hit the spot she had been moments before. She fired her wand at Batman and ducked as Hawkgirl swooped down and swung at her with a spiked mace crackling with electricity. She locked eyes with Batman from across the open space then back-flipped off the spacecraft onto the floor. As Hawkgirl came around for another attack, Rock dodged the mace and grabbed Hawkgirl's ankle. The momentum flipped her up onto the woman's back and she unleashed a bolt of blue energy in the woman's back.
Hawkgirl crashed to the ground as she lost control of her wings and Rock landed neatly before running towards Batman.
"Hawkgirl is down!" A tinny voice from Diana said.
"Damnnit!" Strength muttered as she followed the League members. "This is what happens when you think you know everything!" She yelled.
"This'll be over soon enough." Diana snarled. "We're here."
They stopped outside of a large pair of double doors, they opened to reveal a warzone. Smoke filled the air and sparking wires dangled from the ceiling, metal plates littered the floor as three of the spacecraft stood as burning wreckage.
"What happened?" Superman asked in shock. "How could one girl cause all this?"
"Because you consider her a girl." Strength said sharply. "She's not."
"Well, she wanted to speak to you." Diana said coldly. "So speak."
Strength hurried into the hangar.
"Black Rock Shooter!" She yelled.
Rock's head snapped up at the sound of her name.
Distracting her enough to allow a long length of floating green chain to ensnare her.
"No!" Strength shouted. "Stop!"
"Do what she says John." Superman said from behind her.
"No!" Countered Batman, his suit battered and torn.
Rock strained against the chains, glaring at Batman, her muscles tensed.
Strength walked towards Rock.
"I'm sorry, I told them not to intervene." She said sadly.
Rock looked down at Strength and nodded slowly, she could hear Superman and Batman arguing in the background but ignored them.
"This whole world is messed up, everyone is either too powerful or too weak." Strength said, gripping one of the chains and pulling.
They stayed firm and refused to move, she glanced over her shoulder to look at the League. Superman, Batman and Diana were talking amongst themselves loudly. Green Lantern was floating above them and Hawkgirl and J'onn J'onzz were nowhere to be seen.
"Even a team of the worlds apparently greatest heroes aren't above petty squabbling." Strength said shaking her head. She looked back at Rock.
"Is Mato still there?" She asked.
Rock nodded.
With a slow breath out, Strength swapped with Yuu who was in tears. She looked at the bound form of Rock and placed a hand on her face.
"Mato, I'm sorry for dragging you to England in the first place. I don't know what you're going through and I can't imagine what happened with you with Slade but please remember you're not alone."
"Quiet." Superman said sternly. "Look." He nodded towards Yuu and Rock.
"What's she doing? She's going to get herself killed!" Batman snapped.
"John, let her go." Superman said.
Green Lantern nodded and removed Rock's chains, they watched as Rock stepped forwards towards Yuu. Batman readied a batarang and Diana prepared to rush in.
"I guess they finished their tantrum." Yuu smiled sadly.
Rock nodded slowly, looking at the League.
"No no no, Black Rock Shooter, look at me." Yuu said, gently guiding her head to look at her.
"Mato, you're one of the strongest women I know. Kind, compassionate and loving. It's okay to be hurt and scared, I know you're probably feeling lonely." Yuu said, taking Rock's hand. "But Strength and I will always be there for both of you."
Rock's eye spluttered out.
"Atta girl, as soon as Black Rock Shooter's hand is back you can come out." Yuu smiled.
Rock took a step backwards.
"Easy, easy. It'll just be the two of us. You and me Mato, nobody else okay?" Yuu said, raising her hand slightly. "Baby steps, it'll be slow. We'll go at your speed okay?"
Rock looked over Yuu's shoulder and nodded.
"Right, them." Yuu sighed as she followed Rock's gaze. "I bet Superman has super hearing as well."
She turned back.
"Hey Superman, did Batman pay for this station because he's compensating for something?" She whispered lowering her head.
A small smiled crept onto Superman's face which he quickly hid.
"Did he react?" Yuu asked looking up.
Rock nodded.
"This is a private conversation Clark, piss off." Yuu muttered.
Sign it to Black Rock Shooter, she'll translate to Mato. Strength suggested. Tell me and I'll tell you how to move, just remember to say the words in your head, not out loud like you usually talk to me.
I know, I just prefer it.
Me too, it's a nice reminder that I'm a part of you.
Superman frowned as Yuu muttered to him.
"What is it?" Batman asked.
"She's smart, she realised I could hear her, they're not saying anything anymore." Superman replied.
"She's just standing there." Diana said, looking over.
"Should we do something?" Green Lantern asked.
"No need, looks like they've finished." Batman said.
Rock and Yuu strolled over to the four and glared at them.
"Next time we have a personal conversation, I'd appreciate it if no one eavesdropped." Yuu scowled.
"You're in no place to make demands." Batman growled.
Rock crossed her arms behind Yuu.
"Can we just take them back already?" Superman said wincing. "I'm getting a headache from all of this."
Rock uncrossed her arms and stepped closer to Yuu.
"Can we share a cell? Mato is in a bad state, mentally, she needs my help." Yuu asked.
"Fine." Batman said bluntly.
Think they know? Yuu signed subtly as she lay on the sole bed and looked at Rock.
No, but it will not be long before somebody finds out. Rock signed back, still in her hospital gown.
Shit. Yuu said, sitting up. How long before your hand is working?
Another day. Rock replied, looking down at the reforming flesh.
We need to be ready in case we need to leave before then. Yuu signed.
Rock nodded.
"I don't like this." Batman said, hunched over a monitor.
"What?" Asked Green Lantern sitting down next to him, holding a mug of coffee.
"They haven't said a word to each other in hours." Batman replied. "They're using a kind of sign language I don't recognise."
"They've probably realised that we're monitoring them." Green Lantern shrugged. "And started using their own language they made up as kids, I mean they're what? Fourteen, fifteen?"
"I don't like it." Batman said again.
"I still don't understand why you are so convinced they're as dangerous as you say." Green Lantern said as he sipped his coffee. "That girl put up a good fight, sure, but even together they're no match for us as a team."
Doors slid open as J'onn walked in.
"J'onn!" Green Lantern said. "How's Hawkgirl?"
"Better, the damage to her wings was only superficial. Temporary paralysis caused by a high energy output to the nerves in her back, a few days and she'll be fine." J'onn J'onzz reported.
"See Bruce? Everything's fine." Green Lantern said, taking another sip.
"I would have to disagree." J'onn said.
"Eh, how do you mean?" Green Lantern asked.
"Consider how she defended herself against yourself, Bruce and Shayera on her own. Remember that she was also missing her hand." J'onn stated.
"Literally single handedly." Batman growled, turning back to the monitor.
"Indeed." J'onn agreed.
"But we subdued her, and Kal-El captured both of them on his own." Green Lantern argued.
"He didn't capture them." Batman replied, not looking up. "They gave in."
"Why?" Green Lantern said.
"I imagine it was because of the injuries sustained by the one called Mato." J'onn suggested.
"You saw her John, third and fourth degree burns on ninety two percent of her body. And Clark said that she was still standing, even after that." Batman said.
John shook his head.
"I'm still trying to believe she's alive after that." He shuddered. "I can't imagine the pain she was in."
"With burns of that severity there tends to be little pain as the nerve endings are destroyed." J'onn said. "However she heals at a remarkably rapid rate, it would have been agonising as her nerves grew back."
"Didn't you sedate her?" Green Lantern asked.
"I did, it had no effect." J'onn told him.
"Okay, so she's tough." Green Lantern said. "I still don't see the issue with them."
"The dampening fields in the cells haven't stopped them." Batman said looking at Green Lantern
"Their power does seem to come from outside of our universe, it is possible that it's not nullified by the forcefields." J'onn suggested.
"That's not possible." Green Lantern cried.
"No, it's not." Batman agreed. "But that doesn't change the fact that it doesn't effect them."