The Watchtower
Batman sat before the screens, broadcasting different news channels with the same news. Venom struck again, dismantling and disabling Metallo as if he were nothing but a toy before fleeing.
Behind Batman stood the core members of the League, who all had their attention directed at Wonder Woman.
"Diana, you were there." Green Lantern said. "Why did you do nothing to stop him?"
"It's much more complicated than that." Diana said sharply, hands on her hips. "Besides, I wouldn't worry about being killed, though. Venom is not evil. Nor is he crazy."
"Are you even serious?" Superman shouted. "He murdered over 100 people in Gotham in less than a week, and he dismantled Metallo beyond repair. How is he not evil?!"
"Eddie Brock told me." Diana said as she crossed her arms. "He told me Venom has not even hurt one innocent because he's giving them the justice they want. He even saved my life while I was trying to save yours. Besides, Metallo abandoned his humanity long ago. Why else should he be allowed to live?"
Superman grimaced. He hadn't heard anyone criticize him since Livewire, plus Eddie Brock was different than any other detractors.
"End results or not, he's still a killer." Batman retorted.
"And don't think you're not guilty, Batman." Diana added sternly. "You inflict grievous bodily harm on those whom you fight, leaving them bedridden in the hospital for months on end. How can you say that Venom is worse?"
"Because the criminals I fight eventually recover." Batman said unapologetic.
"And when they do, more people get hurt or killed!" Wonder Woman shot back. "Do you hear anyone complaining about Venom's methods? They have no reason to fear him!"
"And how long until those people get hurt by him?" Batman challenged.
"Do you always see everyone with an anti-hero status as a villain, Bruce?" Diana asked, glaring back at him. "Do you see me or my sisters as villains because of where we were raised and trained to be warriors?"
Surprisingly enough, it was Martian Manhunter that also took Wonder Woman's side in this conversation:
"I must concede with Diana's words. Most of the people appear to hold a feeling of respect for Venom. A quick search on the internet would let you know easily of their opinion of him. Most people have thanked him for killing criminals that have caused the most suffering towards them. After all, the Joker has escaped more than three times from prison.
Adding to this is Sean Ashburn Kruger's support for vigilantes who have used lethal force more than once despite his distaste for violence. He even publicly made it clear when Venom stopped Intergang from robbing one of Global Tech's main banks. With his connections to the government, there would be no doubt he will do everything in his power to keep Venom out of our reach.
Still, I believe we should at least try and communicate with him."
"What? You're suggesting we let him on the team so we can keep his hunger for human flesh at bay?" Arrow asked with a frown. "No wonder Speedy can't stand you guys."
"This is different." Black Canary said sternly. "We just have to get through to him before he strays away from his path. We can show him there's such thing as second chances."
"I doubt it." Diana muttered silently, knowing that that type of strategy had blinded both her and Helena for years from their true goals.
"How do we know when or where he'll hit next?" the Flash asked.
Superman stood up. "I think it's time we ask Mr. Brock some questions."
Global Tech, Sean's Office
Eddie skimmed through the folder containing files on the world's most powerful metahumans and normal vigilantes, ranging from Poison Ivy and Livewire to Deathstroke and Deadshot.
"So, how do you think we'll get ex-bad guys over to our side of things?" Eddie asked.
"Easy. We offer them money, protection, a base of operations, and a full pardoning of their past crimes." Sean answered. "Hey, some of them might even want to volunteer, unlike their Squad days. For some of them with powers forced upon them, my guys in the labs have already developed new tech to help slightly reverse their conditions and reintegrate them into society."
Eddie began to smile at the plans his friend had made. This wasn't someone who made money and technology for personal gain or misguided attempts to bring peace, like Luthor or Drake. This was someone who genuinely wanted to create a better world where death and suffering cease to exist.
'And the haters say he's in it for the money.' Venom quipped.
"Okay, who do you think we should recruit first?" Eddie asked.
"Volcana." Sean said, setting a picture of a young woman with long fiery red hair. "My satellites were able to track her down to an old warehouse almost outside of Metropolis."
"Wait." the Venom tendril said with a tone of panic. "Are you seriously recruiting someone who's got one of our weaknesses?"
"Hey, calm down!" Eddie scolded his other. "The lady was experimented on by some shady business like you were in the Life Foundation. We just gotta give her a chance."
The symbiote stared at his host and Sean for a moment before coming to his agreement, "Fine. She touches us without permission, we keep our distance."
"C'mon. I thought you like having physical contact with hot super chicks through me." Eddie said with a smirk before turning to Sean. "What about you? Who else you gonna recruit?"
"I'll contact the rest to make things easy for you." Sean said. "I'll be starting with Deathstroke."
"Deathstroke the Terminator?" Eddie paled.
"I thought Metallo's supposed to be the Terminator?" Venom asked, feeling a bit bummed out they wasted their reference on the android.
"Right now, he's hiding out in one of his safe houses in Jump City." Sean said. "I'll try to contact him about the offer."
"And if he refuses?" Eddie asked.
"Then we'll just give him a head start like Cadmus once did, only he'll have time to think about the proposal."
Eddie looked down to the floor as he considered this. There were some villains with good intentions that weren't much of a team player, but if he could use the right words that can get them to fight for the right thing, then there would be no problem at all.
"Alright, we're set." Eddie concluded as Venom retracted back into him. "We'll just head back to our mansion, take whatever might come in handy with us, and we're off."
"Good luck, you two." Sean said, waving both his friends goodbye as they walked out the office.
'You know, Volcana doesn't sound too bad after all.' Venom spoke up as Eddie walked through the halls. 'She looks and sounds hot. Pun intended.'
"See? I told you you didn't have to worry about her." Eddie said with a smile before it quickly faded. "It's Black Canary you gotta worry about. High-pitched scream and all that. Wait till you hear how she sings with that."
'…Can we add her as a mate too?'
"You are messing with our common sense." Eddie muttered.
Eddie was overlooking the city on the roof of the Global Tech building, surveying the citizens going about their day, but he was preparing for the formation of his new team.
"This is gonna piss off the League." he spoke up.
'So?' Venom asked. 'They won't be able to pull anything off now that Sean's backing us up.'
"They'll still probably act all high and mighty and try to shut us down." Eddie said. "They always rely on the law, so we ain't got shit to be afraid of."
"I hope your manners are still running, Mr. Brock." a young female voice said behind him.
Eddie let out a girlish yelp as he turned around and saw Supergirl hovering in the air arms crossed and a glare on her face.
'Great, the Girl Scout's here.' Venom snarled. 'And she didn't even bring any cookies.'
"Don't sweat it, I got this." Eddie whispered.
"What was that?"
Both host and symbiote cursed themselves mentally for forgetting that Supergirl had super-hearing, just like her cousin.
"Nothing. Just talking to myself." Eddie said. "So, is there anything we can help you with?"
"Actually, you can start by telling me what yours and Sean's problem is with my cousin." Supergirl said, making the reporter raise an eyebrow.
"I don't know. Maybe it's because he's too focused on his ego to see the good Venom's done." Eddie said with a shrug.
"What does that mean?" Supergirl asked.
"Well, he thinks just because he's got all that power that he has the right to decide who's guilty." Eddie clarified.
"That's not true." Supergirl argued.
"Really? Then why did he try to force Venom to go to prison?" Eddie asked.
"Well, he's a killer." Supergirl said.
"True, but what kind of people is he killing?" Eddie pushed further.
This caught her off guard. Superman had told her that Venom hunted and killed criminals, but was never specified as to what kind.
'So innocent, so careless.' Venom commented, and Eddie glared mentally.
"Venom's been killing criminals without giving them a fair trial." Supergirl said. "He's not giving them a chance to change."
"Is that what your goody two-shoes cousin fed you?" Eddie scowled. "Venom is not hurting anyone. All he's doing is picking off the rotten apples from the tree. Trust me. The world's better off without them."
"Really?" She asked as she crossed her arms. "What makes you think he has the right to be judge, jury, and executioner?"
Eddie sighed. "It's so it won't happen again. These psychopaths always find a way to get out of prison scot-free with either money, connections or threats to cause more suffering than they had last time. Don't tell me that you wouldn't be glad when Lex Luthor dies someday, right?"
Supergirl didn't want to admit it, but he did have a point. She hated Luthor for trying to kill her cousin as well as the rest of the Justice League. Whenever she helped the League take down threats like him, they would always see him out by the end of the month causing more havoc against them. She always thought about why neither Superman nor Batman won't just kill their enemies, and the only answer was that they'd be no better than them. That answer has bothered her sometimes, but she let it slide later on.
"But… what if people end up getting hurt?"
'How long do we have to keep putting up with this ideal bullshit?' Venom snarled in frustration.
"He'll take responsibility." Eddie answered. "Unlike the so-called Justice League. They never think that letting people like the Joker and Luthor live makes things worse for the world, and second chances are not an option for them anymore. They think it just happens on a regular basis, and those killed by those maniacs are just seen as 'casualties of war', and they don't know it's their fault for letting it happen."
"But killing them just makes us feel worse than them and every other villain." Supergirl said.
'There they go again. Feeding their children lies.' Venom growled. 'Try pushing her deeper.'
"That kind of thinking is just a bullshit excuse." Eddie said as Supergirl saw the grim expression on his face. "We can't always please people. No one appreciates what superheroes have done for their good. All they ever see are people who let scum that kill their friends and family walk free. They don't want only justice, they want results."
Supergirl gasped silently. In her years of working with the Justice League, she always thought that believing in justice and letting the courts do their work would give people hope, but she never thought of the more negative aspects that come with it. At first, she thought the people were being ungrateful, but from what Eddie had just said to her, she now understood why.
"You wanna know what makes Venom different from the other 'take no prisoners' types of heroes?" Eddie asked. "He knows which criminal is forced to do the things they do to help those they love and which criminal kills innocents just because. Forgiveness can't stop that kind of evil, but the death sentence can."
He headed towards the door, but stops as he gives Supergirl one last look at her. "We're not the ones clouding your judgement, it's having an image and an ego that does. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
With that, he exited the roof through the door, leaving Supergirl alone to her thoughts, pondering Eddie's words.
"Kara, come in." her communicator went off, breaking her out of her thoughts as she answered her cousin's call.
"Yes, Kal?" she asked in a rather shaky voice, already taking in what Eddie said about her cousin and the rest of the Justice League.
"Did you find Brock?"
"I did. We just talked on top of the Global Tech building and…" she sighed, knowing that her next words will tick off Superman. "…he said the same things he said to Wonder Woman about us. That we're not doing any better just by holding back."
"Kara, whatever he or Sean says is not true." Superman tried to assure her. "They're trying to keep you off track, and we won't find Venom in time if they do. Don't let them get to your head."
"Understood. Call you back." Kara said as she cut off the connection, though she still thought about what Eddie said before.
'We're not the ones clouding your judgement.'
Volcana made a long trip to the warehouse to see a contact about a stolen item. She really hoped the asshole didn't stand her up, or what was worse, was some super-secret government agent who was going to arrest her and make her return to them. Cadmus, honestly, they were backed by the government, and they wanted to weaponize people like her. Claire wasn't that fond of that, so she did what she had to make an honest living.
And given how a nine to five wasn't exactly the best idea for someone who was wanted by the government, she settled for stealing items. She stood, quite a sight to behold. Her flame colored red hair came down past her ass, and both drew attention away from it. She wore a pair of sunglasses to hide her exotic orange eyes. She wore a tight white top and a pair of black leather pants, with a leather jacket to match.
Claire Selton was hot, and she knew it. She heard someone inside, so the next stop was picking up the case and walking towards the door. She opened it, only to see a figure leaning against the wall, and she knew who it was.
"Eddie Brock?" Claire asked. "You're the contact? Are you really that desperate to get an interview with me?"
"No, no, I'm not the contact." Eddie said. "Matter of fact, there never was a contact with a shiny valuable to begin with. We just needed you here so we can discuss business."
"So, you're here to take me to the government." Volcana said.
"Well, not really." Eddie said. "It is government-related, but this is something you can't refuse."
"Look, sweetie, I'll level with you," Volcana said. "I want to have a normal life, have a nice picket fence, a steady job, a husband, and two point five children. Nice, quiet life, but the problem is, when I started setting things on fire, that was the end of any normal life."
Eddie stopped. She sounded sincere, but he didn't know.
She took a step closer towards him. Eddie tried to keep his eyes off of her body, but it was beyond difficult. Volcana was extremely beautiful, alluring, and hot, no pun intended. She was also very dangerous.
"And the government cut my parents a deal, to help me control these powers, and allow me to live a normal life." Volcana said. "They wanted to know how I ticked, what made me powerful. They put me through experiments, and decided to make me one of their top operatives. They had me do some really bad things."
She moved a little bit closer towards Eddie. The reporter could not tear his eyes away from her curves. She was hot, it was a shame she was a criminal.
Fortunately, not for long.
Volcana stopped, she noticed Eddie struggling not to look at her.
"Believe it, or not, the government rarely has the best interests of the people in mind." Volcana said. "If they have a small group of super-powered mercenaries at their disposal, then the United States would have weapons which they can point at any country who gets out of line."
'You were right… she and I are a lot alike.' Venom admitted.
"Well, this time it's different." Eddie said with a smile as he snapped out of his stupor. "The government won't be able to use you or anyone with powers as lab rats anymore. Thanks to one Sean Ashburn Kruger."
"The Sean Ashburn Kruger of Global Tech?" Volcana asked with surprise and interest. "What does he want me for?"
"We're putting together a team to do what the goody two-shoes League won't." Eddie explained. "We'll let you join if you hurt, kill, possibly, very possibly, burn very bad people."
"Say we help you. What do we get out of it?" Volcana asked.
"Sean can get you and the other recruits full pardons from the government, thanks to his and his company's connections with them. This is your chance to be a real hero unlike that shitty League. We'll give the world the justice it deserves."
That sounded good actually. Finally being able to use her powers for a special cause, free from the Boy Scout and the League's radar, plus she found someone she can flirt with easily.
"Count me in." Volcana said, but then looked confused. "But… who's gonna be the leader of this team?"
"You're looking at them." Eddie said as the tendril with Venom's face formed from his back, shocking Volcana.
"What's wrong, Claire?" Venom asked. "Thought you had the hots for strong men."
Volcana broke out of her stupor before letting out an amused giggle at the symbiote's pun, even if Eddie didn't find it that funny.
"So, San Francisco's top reporter is actually Venom." she said bemusedly. "Makes me wonder who would be smart enough to pull off that gag."
"I almost doubted you when you had one of our weaknesses at your disposal." Venom said. "But now that you gave us a recap on your life as an experiment, I started to like you. We have a lot in common as experiments."
"Talk about rekindling a relationship." Volcana quipped. "I think we'll get along just fine."
"You won't regret this, Claire." Eddie said with a smile as the symbiote retracted back into him before gesturing to the motorcycle in the middle of the room. "Now, hop on. My bike's just been filled up, and I'm saving most of it once I head back to Gotham."
"You got your own ride?" Claire asked with interest as she saw the reporter hop on his motorcycle. "Now you're the type of guy with more edginess than Boy Scout."
Eddie blushed a bit as he started his vehicle. "Grab anywhere you want."
"You mean anywhere~?" Volcana teased, giggling as she saw Eddie's blush deepen.
"I mean, hold onto me. Tightly." Eddie corrected as Volcana sat behind him.
"Like this?" Volcana asked seductively as she wrapped her arms around Eddie's waist, flustering the reporter even further.
'Got anymore innuendos in mind?' Venom asked. 'I sure do.'
"…Ah, fuck it." Eddie muttered as he gave up. "Welcome to the fold."
Global Tech
"And what do I owe to the honor of this visit, Kruger?" Slade Wilson, the man known as the Terminator or Deathstroke, asked as he faced the young CEO.
"Well I have an offer to make to you, Wilson. And this is the only offer you can't turn away from."
"I'm all ears." Slade was never one for dawdling. If it appeared the twenty-year-old CEO just brought him here to waste his time he was going to make sure his next shot didn't miss.
"Then I won't waste your time. I'm forming a special team sanctioned legally by our government to hunt down and eliminate the criminals that the League won't. Sort of like Waller's Suicide Squad minus the explosive chips in your head and way more freedom."
Deathstroke wasn't what one would call a team player. He preferred to handle things on his own. "And you wish to recruit me for this team?"
"It'll be worth your time. I can handle any payment within reason of course. What I really need is someone of your talent training most of the people I plan on recruiting in weapons and hand to hand combat skills. Even the lowest level of combat arts I know are far beyond what most people in this world is capable of unless they're an alien or are nearly godlike in power."
"I assume you no longer care of your reputation? If this group is going to be sanctioned you're going to be put in the limelight. Many who worked for you will question your decisions like with Cadmus."
Sean let out a faint exhale, "Well, when it comes down to it, I think keeping innocent people safe is far more important than my own image and my morals. If my morals demand I ignore and let people murder innocent children just because killing said murderer would go against that moral then such morals aren't very good ones. Any idiot who argues killing someone like that makes you like that were never in such a situation and does not have the right or the moral understanding to make such a thought. "
Deathstroke sat quietly taking in all the information given to him. The kid was always different from his previous clients and right now it was being proven.
"An interesting proposition. For now I will go along with it, but I need time to see how you run your operation before I fully commit. There is one thing I am curious about. Who else are you recruiting?" He needed to see if the boy had any idea on forming team cohesion.
"Currently I have Venom appointed as the leader."
"Is such a recruit wise? Considering his hostility towards assassins with no regard for life? If they're even called assassins for that matter?
"Don't worry. He might get along well with people sharing his profession." Sean said. "Just as long as they don't involve innocents in the crossfire."
"And you're sure of this?"
"I know of it."
Deathstroke picked up the hidden meaning of that response. He chose not to make a comment on it. "Who else?"
"Pamela Isley. She hasn't come on board yet, but I am sure with a little more prodding she will join us. A botanist of her skill level would be useful in terms of dealing with poisons and toxins. I know she cares greatly about the environment, but I can show her how to properly save it without the use of threats.
Then there is T.O. Morrow who will be one of the candidates for our technological heavies. I've already contacted him hours ago, so he'll be here in no time.
There is of course Sinestro, who will be a tricky one to convert, but I'm hoping to get him to come around. From what I understand, the reason he switched from Will power to Fear is for his strong desire for justice. Of course that sense of justice has been warped, but a sense of justice nonetheless, he just needs to be reminded why he went down this path all those years ago.
Then of course I wish to recruit Cheetah, her knowledge on genetics will be useful and the list goes on. "
Listing off Captain Cold, Deadshot, and a few other names.
"And you think you can recruit these people?"
"I know where most of them are. It's just a matter of motivating them to join to which I think for most of them will be easy. Since so many of them turned to crime out of desperation, all I need to do is be the key to their salvation and by coming through I'll earn their loyalty. Unlike the leaders of the passed Injustice Society, I'll earn that loyalty and devotion instead of bribing them or using fear henceforth avoid setting myself up for inevitable betrayal."
While Deathstroke wasn't one-hundred percent on board it would be a lie to say his interest wasn't peeked. He would observe and see what the kid does from this point on and see if he had what it takes to pull this little team of his together or if he would fail.
"Deal."
As soon as that was done, a beep went off on Sean's phone and he pressed on the button to answer it. "Yeah, Vic?"
"Sir, you have a guest in the lobby." Vic said. "Someone named Claire Selton."
"Looks like our next recruit's more eager to join." Sean said. "Bring her in."
Eddie's Mansion, Afternoon
Right after dropping Volcana off at Global Tech, Eddie returned to the mansion nearly ten minutes minutes later, much faster than walking. Opening the front gates with his key, he entered before parking his motorcycle in the garage.
"Honeys. We're home." he called out, but there was no answer.
He checked the kitchen to see if his exes were chatting with each other, but it was empty.
That was when he found a note on the table.
Went out for a stroll. Just a chat between us girls.
-Annie and Zee
'Payback at its finest.' Venom commented.
Eddie sighed as he went to the living room and grabbed the remote before turning on the television, but the screen displayed static instead.
"That's funny. Sean told me it was new." Eddie said before a bolt of lightning shot out of the screen and landed next to him.
The bolt manifested into a young woman with white-blue skin, frizzle-spiky hair, blue eyes and lips. She wore a black leather leotard well fitting in her hourglass figure, with a zigzag neckline that showed parts of her chest, and her midriff, blue gloves, and black thigh high boots.
The woman was none other than one of Superman's enemies, Livewire, who was once a Superman-bashing radio DJ named Leslie Willis, until an accident during a storm in her concert celebrating her show's third anniversary transformed her into an electric being.
Even though Eddie didn't like her attitude back then, he still felt she didn't deserve this fate, and this offer was the only chance to change her for the better.
"Hello, handsome." Livewire said seductively.
"Hello, Leslie." Eddie said making her blink before smiling.
"Aw, you know my real name." Livewire purred, trailing a finger on his face, making him smirk at her.
"Who doesn't know your real name anymore other than fly boy?" Eddie said, making her giggle.
"True. Ever since he made me into this, my life's been a little hectic, but maybe you and your friend could help me out with that."
"In what? Getting rid of your powers?" Eddie asked making her scoff.
"Please. Do you really think I want to get rid of them when I can actually help people like you do?" Livewire asked. "I've heard you and Sean are forming your own team to be better than Boy Scout and his old school League."
"How'd you get that?" Eddie asked curiously, but then it quickly dawned on him. "Oh, right. Transferred yourself to electronic signals. So, what do you wanna get from that?"
"Oh, you know. My old looks back when I'm on my free time and then switch back to this and help others like you and Snaggletooth." Livewire said, making him chuckle at her nickname for Venom.
'Still better than being called a parasite.' Venom muttered.
"Funny. Anyway, if we help you in being able to switch from your old body to this one on your free will, what guarantee do we have that you'll help others for real this time?" Eddie asked, making her smirk before pulling him into a kiss, pulling away ten seconds later.
"Does that answer your question?" Livewire asked.
"Not exactly, but I'm not complaining." Eddie said making her smirk.
"Look. Truth is I was more than willing to help others once I was in jail for my screw ups, but Superman kept getting in the way and said I would never change." Livewire said.
"Big shock there."
'Pun intended.'
"He's always been an asshole." Eddie finished. "Alright, Leslie. I'll…"
"It's Livewire, honey. I like it better." Livewire said making him smirk.
"Alright, Livewire. We'll see what we can do." Eddie said as Livewire retreated back into the television, which then began to switch to the sports channel.
Eddie turned off the TV before he headed towards the garage where his motorcycle was kept, ready to head back to Gotham to search for more members.
The garage door opened, and Eddie revved up his motorcycle's engines, ready to take his leave once more.
By the time the door was open, his eyes widened as he saw the last people he or Venom expected to see.
"Shit/Shit."
The Justice League was here.
"Hello, Eddie." Superman said kindly. "I hope we're not intruding."
"Where are you off to?" Hawkgirl asked.
"Back to Gotham to grab my stuff from my apartment." Eddie answered simply. "Plus, I got an idea for another story when I get back. And it's on how the Justice League was able to find my new mansion."
"Look, man." the Flash spoke up. "We're not here to cause trouble."
"We just want some questions about Venom." Black Canary said. "We were hoping you could help us find him before people get hurt."
"As far as I know, I think he's taking his job of protecting the innocent more seriously than you guys." Eddie scoffed, making the majority of the League frown at his response. "If you'll excuse me, I've got a job to do."
"First, we want answers. Now." Batman said firmly with his infamous Bat-Glare.
That was when something unnerved him.
Eddie gave him a glare of his own, which possessed an aura that almost surpassed Batman's.
"Eddie, please." Wonder Woman spoke up before things could escalate. "I know there are differences between you and us, but you need to trust us just this once."
Eddie shifted his gaze from Diana towards Supergirl, and saw the look in her eyes. The look that said, 'Please, Eddie, don't make things worse'.
'Come on, Eddie.' Venom urged his host. 'Do it for the girls.'
After a few tense seconds, Eddie hopped off of his motorcycle with a sigh.
"Fine. You guys try anything funny, and my attorney's gonna have a word with you." Eddie said. "And by attorney, I mean my girlfriend."
Unbeknownst to them, Livewire was hidden in one of the mansion's satellites, listening to every word and summing up exactly what was on Eddie's mind.
"Oh, shit."
BUM BUM BUUUUM! What a cliffhanger!
Sorry if I took so long. I was busy studying for my finals on Wednesday, so I didn't have all the time in the world, but with Winter Break around the corner, I'll have more time to upload new chapters quicker!
Anyway, it looks like the recruitment has begun. So far, there are three members that have immediately joined, while things are gonna go downhill for Eddie/Venom now that they are in the League's custody. How will they get out of this predicament? Will Wonder Woman or Supergirl do something now that Eddie got through to them? Find out in the next chapter!