A/N: I hope you all enjoyed my prologue (I don't usually do them). Here's chapter one. Remember to leave a review or a favorite if you really liked it!
IsaacClark: Yeah, Siren will be the femme fatal, but she's going to be a little different then Catwoman.
Guest: I'm going to try and incorporate some more villains from other heroes for this story. It's going to need a large cast.
Chapter One: The Prison
"Mr. Wayne! Mr. Wayne!" reporters called to him, their video cameras shoved in his face and their cameras blinding him with their obnoxious flashes. Christian just smiled and shielded his eyes as he walked into the large courthouse. Eve followed closely in suit, fending off interviewers and the other hazards of being famous.
"Mr. Wayne I have your petition right here," she told him, pulling out her clipboard and signing it herself. She folded the page in an envelope as the two walked through the heavy wooden doors.
Christian took a look at it, and then slipped it into his pocket. He and Eve continued down the hallways of the court, walking with a purpose. Christian's lawyers began to follow him, telling him of possible fines and business relationships lost due to this course of action. He just waved them off, not moving his eyes from his pathway.
He knew how important this was. The future could change dramatically for better or for worse depending on the outcome of this meeting. Held in the Gotham courtroom, the meeting involved every nation on earth.
"Mr. Wayne!" the reporters kept yelling to him, "Mr. Wayne, what has sparked your interest in political matters? Is this more about Lex Corp then the actual issue?"
Eve moved in-between the cameras and Christian, blocking him from the media.
"Would you like me to write a statement sir?" she asked him as she drafted one on a free sheet of paper.
"No thanks Eve, I don't think I should have to justify my actions."
This caused an outburst of applause and uproar from those forced to stand aside. Eve smiled and tucked the pen behind her ear. Christian continued to give his winning Wayne Family Smile to the news as he entered the main courtroom.
Inside he saw a tall bald man and a brunette woman standing in the middle of the isle waiting for him, each with fake smiles plastered to their faces.
"Mr. Wayne, I'm glad you could make it on time," the man greeted, shaking Christian's hand.
Christian gave an equally fake face and said, "Oh Lex, you can call me Christian. I think by know we're on a first name basis."
Luthor chuckled, and so did Christian. He knew how to play this game just as well as Luthor did, even if the cut throat businessman had about thirty or so years on him (though Luthor for some reason looked as if he was in his late thirties). Christian knew how to look the innocent flower while be the serpent underneath.
"So Luthor, before we get started I must know how my fathers old rival is doing," Christian asked in a friendly tone.
Luthor chuckled lightly, "I've been doing wonderfully, thank you for asking. I see you went the personal attendant route instead of the butler route like your father. Mercy here has been working as my security and attendant for as long as I can remember."
"Well my father actually hired Eve to keep track of me back in my more wild years," Christian told him, noticing that Eve shivered a bit when she heard Luthor.
Luthor patted him on the back, "Well Christian, it is a shame we are on the opposite sides of this argument."
"Well I we are both professionals, I'm sure we can handle the competition. May the best man win, I say."
"Yes," Luthor muttered to himself, "in that case this should be easy."
The director of the assembly took his seat in front of them and called out loudly, "Order! This meeting is now in session!"
The delegates from around the world sat down in their respective chairs, along with Christian and Luthor.
Christian picked a small tracking device off his coat and handed it to Eve. He whispered to her, "Would you mind disposing of Mr. Luthor's tracker?"
"Of course Mr. Wayne, anything to get as far away from that man as possible. I can't believe I was compared to that… half human woman."
He nodded to her as Eve quietly left the room to stick the device on the nearest bus to Smallville. Taking a sip from his water, Christian looked through his notes, making sure everything was in order. Eve had organized everything perfectly, just as he had expected.
"We are all here to discuss the containment facility known as the Armageddon State. Would anyone like to say anything before we begin?"
A delegate from France stood up and asked, "Do you mind explaining what the Armageddon State is, for those who have not done their reading?"
The ambassador nodded and began reading off his notes, "The Armageddon State is a containment facility built and funded by Lex Corp. Its function is to contain all criminals labeled as "Super Villains" along with their associates, as well as the labeled "Heroes" they fight against. Luthor, would you like to explain in more depth?"
Luthor nodded and stood up, smiling like a crocodile, "Hello my good men and women. For too long have the so-called heroes and the villains threatened society they create. These all-powerful beings and psychopaths have waged a war that has caused an innumerable amount of damage. They have no regard for others around them or the laws of society, only their hatred for each other. For those of us without these abilities, all we can do is watch in abject horror as they tear everything apart! So what can we, the normal people, do to protect ourselves? We set aside an area where these warriors and barbarians can settle their differences without hurting anyone else! In the Armageddon State, we will allow them to live however they choose, but within reason."
The different representatives began murmuring amongst each other, discussing the issue quietly. The ambassador wrote Luthor's first statement down in his book and then cleared his throat, silencing everyone in the room.
He nodded towards Christian and said, "Mr. Wayne, I understand you are making a rebuttal as to why Armageddon State is not the best course of action?"
Christian pulled on his tie a bit and looked over to Eve, who gave him an approving nod.
"People of the committee, is this how we show gratitude? These heroes have saved our earth numerous times from multiple threats! We cannot lock someone away because of what they might do, that isn't due process. Heroes such as the ones on the Justice League cannot be held responsible for the villains they fight either. There will always be bad people in the world. There were people like these criminals before any super heroes. The only difference between then in now is that there are people willing to stand up against injustice, to show us that we do not have to live in fear. I say free the heroes, allow them to fight for the innocent and defend them from the corruption that plagues society!"
More mutters came from the committee as Christian sat down next to Eve, who gave him an approving pat on the back. Christian sighed and looked over to Lex Luthor, who was still smiling confidently.
He knew from the start this was an uphill battle. Luthor had paid off all the right people, possibly even the ambassador, to make sure that Christian didn't stand a chance.
After multiple debates and conversations, the meeting was coming to a close. It looked as if most were in favor of Lex, fearing their own power would be ripped from their decadent fingertips.
The ambassador motioned for four other officials, holding the documents for Lex's project under his arm. The officials walked over to him and huddled in a group, chatting and coming up with a decision.
Eve tapped her pencil nervously, while Christian simply observed corruption at its finest go to work. After they finished talking the group broke up and the ambassador stood in front of his podium, ready to make a decision.
"The council has come to a decision," he announced, tapping his papers together, "and it has voted in favor of Mr. Lex Luthor. While Mr. Wayne brought up very concrete points, we believe that it just isn't safe to have such a power out of check. Effective immediately, all Meta humans and other vigilantes involved with the justice league are ordered to turn themselves in, along with any associates. All 'super criminals' and their associates will be relocated to this holding facility as well. The council is sorry it had to come to this, we cannot risk the safety of average citizens."
Eve dropped her pencil in disbelief, while Christian just glared adamantly at the ambassador. Tightening his fists angrily, he forced a smile on his face as he stood to shake Luthor's hand.
The ambassador stood in the middle to make sure no one was too bitter about the outcome, and patted both men on the back.
"You put up a good argument," Lex told Christian, giving him a backhanded smile, "but you must remember I have many more years of experience. You mustn't blame yourself."
"Well you were very persuasive Mr. Luthor. Of course, you have always had a silver tongue," Christian responded, shaking Luthor's hand on top of his fake compliment.
Luthor nodded and called "Mercy!"
His attendant followed him outside, along with a mob of press folk. Christian glared at the unforgiving businessman as he walked out. Once he was sure Luthor was out of his hearing range, Christian called over to Eve.
"Shall I get the car Mr. Wayne?" she asked him softly
Christian nodded, "We need to find a different approach. Jesus, Luthor's bought off the whole system."
The two speed walked over towards the limo, Christian staying calm and resolute. He scowled the whole way to his car, trying to figure out a way to stop something as big as War City. He was on his own, seeing as four weeks ago the leaders of the Justice League had been captured and held in custody until the hearing. The hearing he had just failed to stop.
Eve opened the door for him, and Christian slid in. Once inside, he pulled a laptop from a secret compartment in the seat and turned it on, connecting it to the bat computer.
"Eve, get us home as fast as possible," he told her while he updated the case file.
As they pulled out of the garage, a large armored vehicle with soldiers stopped them.
Eve rolled down the window and asked, "Can I help any of you?"
The soldier forced open the car door and grabbed Eve violently. Eve struggled and tried to break free, but the man was too strong for her.
"Ms. Evelyn Wesson, you and Mr. Wayne are under arrest for attempting to collaborating on an escape plan from War City. You both have the right to remain silent!"
Three other soldiers pulled Christian out of the car, ripping his jacket as they did. He didn't dare fight back, so not to give them any suspicion of his true identity.
"What's the meaning of this?" Christian yelled in his best rich snob voice, pulling weakly against the soldiers' grip.
"Your struggling is more pathetic then your lady friend's" one of the armed men laughed as they pulled them to the armored truck.
Christian threatened, "you should see me when I'm trying."
This caused the other soldiers to laugh even harder, not even thinking that he had any fighting skills. One of them walked over to him holding a police baton.
"Nighty Night Wayne" he growled as he pulled it back and struck Christian on the side of the head.
He began to lose consciousness, his vision growing dark as he heard Eve yell to him, "Mr. Wayne, Christian!"
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Christian began to slowly regain his consciousness; his head throbbed with pain from the hit he took earlier. As his vision returned, he looked around and tried to get a grasp on his surroundings.
The room he was in was dimly lit, the only light shined brightly in his eyes.
He found himself still in his business suit and bound tightly to what looked like a surgeon's chair. When he looked around, he saw multiple televisions, all of them flashing between the Lex Corp symbol and the Armageddon State logo. It was official; he had become Lex Luthor's political prisoner.
"Ah, you're awake I see,"
A sharp pain shot through Christian's body as the man electrocuted him from behind. He cried out in pain as the electricity crackled on his skin.
"Come now Mr. Wayne, you have had enough rest," the man taunted in a calm voice, sending another shock through Christian's body.
Christian suddenly recognized the voice that was speaking to him. He knew this confrontation would happen sooner or later, but not like this.
"Identity?" he growled, "I thought… I thought the Joker killed you…"
"Come now Mr. Wayne, were you not listening to anything I said three years ago? One cannot kill a belief."
Christian's eyes went wide with fear. Identity had said that to one man only, Batman.
"Yes Mr. Wayne, I'm afraid your arrogance has cost you dearly. You assumed that you were above all others, that you were invincible."
Christian's mind raced, trying to figure out if Identity actually knew his secret. He could have just been bluffing, so Christian decided to stay on guard. Another shock surged through him, more powerful then the ones he had received previously.
Christian took a couple seconds to regain his breath, and then snarled, "Shut the Armageddon State down! It's a disaster waiting to happen!"
Identity chuckled, "No, no the disaster hasn't even begun yet. Armageddon State is only the beginning. As for you, I'm just glad you are here to witness it first hand, BATMAN!"
His secret was out. Identity knew exactly who he was, and who knows whom else he might have told.
Finally, Identity stepped in front of him, allowing Christian to see him in person for the first time. The red oni mask was caked with blood and its beady eyes stared holes into his soul.
"I don't believe I will be needing this as of right now," Identity told him, pulling off his mask and placing it on the surgical tray next to him. The face under the mask was a young man with dark brown hair, not unlike Christian's, with black colored eyes. He had a defined chin, as well as a long scar running across his cheek.
"Well Mr. Wayne, while I admit our first run in was quite enjoyable, I do believe a proper introduction is in order."
"You, I saw you during the council meeting. You were one of the board members!"
Identity nodded and said, "I must say, publicly campaigning against the Armageddon State was a risky move on your part, a move that I too easily took advantage of. I do hope you enjoy your stay here. The league will be most pleased that I have captured you."
Christian tried to think on what league would want him captured. It couldn't be the Justice League, but what other league did he know?
"Do not worry Batman, I do not intend to tell others of your true self. But I do warn you; if push comes to shove I will reveal your secret. Operation Doomsday will go as planned, no matter what," Identity threatened, "Now get up and you will be escorted out of my facility."
Three Armageddon State guards stepped in and grabbed Christian by his arms and dragged him out of the room, throwing him into a dark chamber. He heard the door close behind him and the lights suddenly flashed on, blinding him for a moment.
"Mr. Wayne!" Eve cried happily, running over to him away from the other inmates, who began smiling hungrily at her.
"Eve, thank God you're alright," Christian sighed with relief as his secretary gave him a quick hug.
One of the prisoners stepped forward and laughed, "Oh, she ain't safe yet pal."
Christian glared at him and threatened, "Don't even try it punk."
All three prisoners started cracking up, "Oh no! Look at big bad Wayne, trying to protect his sexy little piece of ass!"
"C'mere baby, I'll show you a good time," one joked, moving towards the two threateningly.
Right as the prisoner reached out to grab Eve, Christian took a hold of his arm and twisted it violently, breaking it. He then pulled the man in closer and kneed him in the groin and yelled, "Try to get use out of that thing now!"
"Get him!" yelled the other two, charging towards him. Christian ducked under their attacks and rammed his shoulder into them, slamming them into the side of the elevator with surprising force. With a powerful kick, he took out both of them, leaving their unconscious bodies leaning on the side of the elevator.
"Stay close to me," Christian told Eve as they lurched to a stop. Eve nodded nervously and picked up one of the knives the three criminals had left on the floor.
When the doors slid open, a crowd of men, jeering and booing, greeted them. Eve stuck to him, brandishing the knife to try and ward off the predators.
"Don't show any sign of fear," Christian murmured, "Stand up straighter and keep walking."
Christian's first priority was to get Eve to safety. Once they had reached a place where she could hide, he had to figure out what he had heard from Identity. Operation Doomsday, what was that? It didn't sound good.
Eve took his advice and began her usual calm and collected pose. As the two strut forward, they noticed a couple prisoners closing in, looking menacingly at them. Christian clenched his fists, readying himself for another fight, when suddenly three arrows flew overhead and hit the offending prisoners, letting out a non-lethal shock.
A woman dropped down in front of them, holding a green bow. Her long hair was done up in a pony tail and she wore a green mask and suit.
"Mr. Wayne, Ms. Wesson, follow me," she yelled in a commanding tone of voice. The other criminals obviously didn't feel like getting electrocuted as well, so they simply backed away as the woman held her bow up threateningly.
"Who are you? Where are you taking us?" Christian asked, feigning as an innocent bystander.
"Names Artemis, and I'm taking you to the only remotely safe place in this god forsaken city," she answered as she lowered her bow.
They had gained a good amount of distance between themselves and the mob of psychopaths, and hopefully it would stay that way.
"I've been keeping track of your campaign," she told them as they began walking cautiously through the allies and streets of the Armageddon State, "and I'd like to say thanks for trying to stand up for us. I knew from the start that Lex probably had the whole thing rigged, but it was good to see someone looking out for the league."
Artemis continued to fend off menacing criminals as they walked towards their destination. Eve and Christian had no idea where they were going, but practically anywhere was better then where they were originally.
"The Flash told me to grab you before the prisoners could eat you alive. We've been hiding pretty successfully for days now, and I figure you should be safe with us."
Christian arched his brow curiously and asked, "Why is the Flash in hiding? Doesn't he have super powers?"
Artemis nodded and answered, "I'll let him explain that to you."
The group arrived at a small, rundown apartment on what looked like an abandon street. The archer with the golden blonde hair knocked on the door three times and murmured an inaudible phrase. The door swung open and let the three inside, then closed with a click behind them.
Artemis led them upstairs into a small room, where the Flash was sitting at a dim table, waiting for them. Christian noticed that his suit was ripped in multiple places and he had several fresh cuts. What was most noticeable though, was the large metal collar stuck around his neck. It looked like it was locked on tight, possibly some sort of tracing device.
"Hey Christian! Please have a seat," he told him, gesturing to the chair next to him. Christian sat down and nodded to Eve, who secretly began recording the conversation.
"I must say, it's an honor to meet you Flash," Christian greeted, holding out his hand
The Flash turned it down, "Don't give me that crap man, she already knows."
Christian sighed in frustration. He would have rather had his secret kept a secret.
"Wally, what is going on? Where are the others?"
"That's the problem, I have no clue. I was thrown in here with Arty over there, and I never saw the others."
Christian looked at him as if he was trying to mess with his head, "You have super speed. Just run around the whole district really quickly and find them."
Flash sighed in disappointment and then pointed to his collar, "See this thing? It was given to everyone with superpowers here. It suppresses my abilities, rendering my speed useless."
Christian took a closer look at it, but even he couldn't figure out how to remove it. It was Luthor tech, which was something he was not acquainted with. It was going to take someone who knew his or her way around the megalomaniac's technology.
"I can't get it off," Christian told him, "especially not without my equipment back in the cave."
The Flash nodded and said, "See, that's where you come in. You don't have any powers, so I was hoping that you might be able to help the situation."
Christian nodded, "Alright, I'll do it."
Eve ran over to him and tapped him on the shoulder. When Christian turned his head, Eve whispered in his ear, "Mr. Wayne, you don't have your suit or any of your gear with you. Don't you think investigating this would be quite impossible without it?"
Christian stood up and motioned for the three in the room to follow him. He walked them all up to the roof and looked up at the sky. It didn't look like they had any dome covering the top of the Armageddon State. Once he finished observing the sky, he clicked a button on his watch and then threw it near the center of the roof. Christian then stepped back, making sure everyone was clear of the middle.
After a couple of seconds, a large metal pod fell from the sky and landed in front of him. Christian approached it and typed in a password to open it up. Steam was released as the pod container slid to the side, revealing his bat suit and a small laptop. Christian grabbed the laptop and handed it to Eve.
"It's connected to the bat computer," he told her as he pulled the suit out of the pod, "It should allow us to access certain case files and programs from it."
Eve nodded and held the laptop under her arm, moving to the side so Christian could go downstairs and change.
"Wait," Atemis called, "what about the rest of us?"
"You are welcome to help me look," Christian answered.
Artemis nodded and stood with the others on the roof, waiting for the dark knight to join their cause.
A/N: I hope you all liked it! This storyline, as you noticed, will be like the arkham city one. Don't worry though, there will be elements and plot twists that will deviate a lot from Arkham city as well.