Naruto: Tenth Dragons Poison

Chapter 9

Meet Within the Shadows

Things had now gone to the next level, wondering just what it was he spoke of.

"Explain," Batman said taking a step forward. "What do you mean it all begins and ends here?"

"It's just as it sounds," Cyborg said in response. "Why else do you think we chose to meet here instead of the headquarters?"

"I'll be the second to say I have no idea what you're talking about," Flash said. "Care to fill us in on what it is you're talking about?"

"Let's make it fast," Superman said. "There's much work that needs to be done from our end."

This last statement only raised more questions to be answered.

"Then let's hear it." Batman said ready to be briefed on what it was they referred to.

"Very well, we'll start with why we've chosen to meet here," Cyborg said looking to continue. "As you know we've detected a breach within our own dimension, one which originated here."

"What?!"

"That's right," Superman confirmed. "That's why the decision was made to have our gathering here."

"We were also hoping you might have an idea for what might have conspired." Green Lantern added.

"If that had been the case I would have contacted you all right away."

"Well, what about possibilities," Cyborg asked. "I know you keep a large record of who comes in and out of Gotham, were there any names that showed up in the past weeks that ring a bell?"

"Better make that months," Superman said. "If someone was able to create a tear through our dimension it only makes sense that they've been at it for months."

"That's all well and said," Flash stated. "But how can we be sure that the tear through our dimension was caused from within and not from someone on the outside?"

"Because the demographics already examined point one way," Cyborg replied. "That being that the rip in our dimension was caused from within."

"I guess that answers that."

"If this situation is as damaging as you've hinted at why aren't the others here," Batman asked. "Where is the rest of the League?"

"That's just the thing," Cyborg began. "After our initial discovery of this breach we trailed onto a possible lead."

"It seems before our systems were able to latch onto the disturbances someone else did," Superman said being the first to inform. "With that known fact we piggybacked that signal which led to a person of interest."

"Finally, some good news," Flash said pleased to hear. "And what did this scan amount to?"

"One of yours." Green Lantern replied.

"One of mine?"

"Yes," Cyborg replied. "The system we patched into led us to a location just outside of Central City, a wireless feed which we know Mirror Master has known to have used before."

"Wait," Flash said holding up a hand. "Are you saying Mirror Master has something to do with this?"

"That we can't confirm at this time," Superman replied. "All we know is that he has knowledge of the crack in our dimension as the rest of us."

"Do we know where he is now?"

"I was just about to get to that," Cyborg said in response. "After homing in on the signals origin we were able to gain insight on his most recent activities."

"I can't wait to hear this."

"There's been a set meeting," Green Lantern said being the first to say. "One which has been scheduled for tonight."

"A meeting for what?" Batman asked.

"Weapons trade," Superman replied. "It seems they've been planning this for months, its unfortunate it took us so long to gain insight on the matter."

"You hinted at more parties being involved," Batman said. "Do we know who?"

"That is still unknown, all who have been in contact with Mirror Master for these past weeks have been doing so through untraceable means."

"Which probably means they've been meeting in person," Batman said leaning toward the obvious answer. "Do we know where this meeting is being held?"

"Yes," Cyborg replied. "In a discreet location in New York, just right outside of Gotham."

"Then if that's the case then give me the coordinance," Flash said with a rising energy. "I'll head over and put an end to this whole ordeal immediately."

"It's not that simple." Superman said.

"What do you mean?"

"If Mirror Master does have something to do with the breach within our dimension there's only one way to find out," Superman said in response. "What better way than through infiltration?"

"You don't mean?"

"That's right," Cyborg confirmed. "We've sent three of our own in disguise to attend the meeting, if anything is learned we'll know about it soon enough."

"Good," Batman said pleased to learn. "That leaves us to work things from this end."

"That was the intent when we called to have you both assembled here."

"Ok, now I'm lost," Flash said quick to admit. "I'm aware the tear in our dimension was created from somewhere in Gotham, but what's here that's so important that we're not infiltrating that meeting being held as well?"

"Because we believe whatever caused the tear is tech based," Cyborg replied. "And that this machine, or machines are still hidden away somewhere here in Gotham."

"Ok, that makes sense," Flash said. "So where do we start looking?"

"Area's with little to no electrical signals."

"Why is that?"

"It's only a hunch, but there's a possibility whatever was used to erupt our dimensions boundaries has a signal jammer installed," Superman replied. "Thus making it difficult to track by any device."

"That actually makes sense."

"Taking our time with this search will be key," Green Lantern said. "We don't want to miss anything."

"In that case it can only help if we increase in numbers." Batman said.

"What are you implying?"

"That we call in backup," Batman replied. "Not just anyone, but any who are specially equipped for this task."

"Who did you have in mind?" Superman asked.

"Before we get into that there's a call I need to make," Batman said stepping off to the side. "This won't take long."

They all looked on, watching as he made his way over to the edge of the building a few yards away.

"I wonder who he could be contacting." Green Lantern questioned.

"I'm sure whoever it turns out to be will be more than useful," Cyborg said in response. "In the meantime we need to start coordinating a plan for how we're going to proceed when we split."

"Agreed." Superman said.

"Hold on," Flash said raising a hand. "I have a question."

"What is it Barry?"

"Not that it really matters, but I was wondering who was sent," Flash replied. "You know, to infiltrate this get together Mirror Master is apparently hosting."

"We sent four in all as not to cause suspicion," Superman replied. "Green Arrow and Wonder Woman were given the task of monitoring things from outside of the facility while Black Canary and Kid Flash were sent in using disguises to infiltrate the meeting itself."

"Good everything should go according to, wait… did you just say Kid Flash," Flash asked with the raise of a brow. "You chose to send him over me?"

"You weren't answering your phone at the time," Cyborg explained. "And since this meeting of theirs was commencing at the time we had no choice but to call him in, he was the fastest of all known contacts that could get there in the quickest fashion."

"That makes sense, but I still have to question the choice of sending him in," Flash said. "Bart isn't exactly known for his acting skills."

"Not to worry, it was made clear Black Canary would do the talking if it came to that." Superman informed.

"I don't know," Flash said looking to the sky. "I just don't have a good feeling about this."

"About what?"

"… Everything."

Though no one else chose to admit, this was a surfing feeling which was shared by all who stood in wait. No matter what was to come they were ready to take on whatever it may be head on.

Anticipation was now at its height. It was almost completely silent, only the subtle sound of the waving flame across the room. A rising urge surfaced to the fold as the wait went on, one which felt as if it had gone on for days. It was that next moment that something crept through the walls, a sound… footsteps?

It only continued, becoming louder with each passing second. The door located below the hanging torch across the room soon after, letting them know the time had come as a dark figure stepped into the room.

"My lord, they have been assembled as you've asked."

A grin fell into place upon hearing this, wasting no time in responding.

"No need for further delay… send the shinigami in."

To Be Continued