Chapter Eleven: Dispersal

It was true. Richard had recently left under complaints that Batman was being too overprotective- and in truth, he had. He had tried to neglect the loss at first, but he soon began to suffer physically and mentally- a detriment on his crime busting endeavours. Thankfully, like the Chronicler had forgotten to mention- no, he didn't, it just wasn't the right time- Bruce had found a very interesting person with boundless potential.

He had parked the Batmobile in a dark alleyway before going off to fight Catwoman. It was a long and tiring ordeal, and the Bat was glad to be able to go home and relax for a while. However, when he got back to his car he was surprised to see a young boy fixing- no, stealing his tires! The thought was infuriating to him- who even had the right to do that? But he accepted it; as he later learned after offering to take the kid, Jason Todd, home, the tires were supposed to help him earn some cash and hopefully get off the streets. Batman would not let an innocent child waste away like that.

Jason was at first kept at home, Bruce and Alfred unsure of what to do with him; Bruce because he wanted to keep him safe and Alfred because he thought integrating him into society would be a problem. However, one night the manor had been invaded by a thug, with Wayne off on patrol and unable to do anything to stop him; surprisingly, however, the boy was able to keep him off! It was at that moment that the detective knew he couldn't stay without a sidekick any longer. He was going to make the kid a Robin, whether the actual Robin liked it or not. And yes, Richard had actually kept the mantle of Robin. What an ungrateful little-

"I know, Bruce. But you do not seem to realize that Robin can do things without your support. Has he not before, with Young Justice?"

"Yes," Batman sighed. "So he has." His gaze hardened. "Enough of that. You're obviously aware of things that haven't happened yet. Can you tell us what exactly he's going to do?"

"I'm going to guess… stop an alien invasion?"

"Shut up, Barry."

"Hey, I'm just saying."

"Flash is right," Hawkgirl advised. "It seems we've been taking on a lot of those recently."

Green Lantern saddled up to his friend. "Well in that case, J'onn, what's your reasoning behind letting Robin do so himself? And when will he do so? Oa'll have to know about this sooner or later."

"On my last check," Manhunter said, "soon, most probably. And he will find solace in those he does not know, as we once did, and patch the holes that have formed."

"Heh," Flash chuckled. "Sounds pretty cheesy to me. You sure this isn't just the plot of some bad Leagues crossover fanfiction?"

"I would not be surprised."

The Chronicler insisted it was not, and to be patient.

Superman smiled. "People like the Justice League. People liked Young Justice. What can you do?" He stood up and motioned everyone else to do so as well. "Anyway, I think that's enough for now. Obviously we're not making much headway on the issue. It's probably best to return to your cities and wait to see what happens."

"But Clark," Wonder looked at him concernedly, "we don't know where this may be happening."

"Good point, Diana. Where are they landing, J'onn?"

"Jump."

He frowned. "Jump? Where?"

"Jump. That is the name."

"The name of your command?"

Aquaman facepalmed. "I think he means… that's where they'll jump?"

"Jump City."

"That song's very stupid."

"Uugh! I don't think he means that-"

"That is where they will land, yes. Jump City."

"But is it where Clark'll land, or is it-"

"Jump City, California… right?"

Everyone looked at Flash concernedly.

"What? It's perfectly viable they'd go there. Everyone in the hero business is in that city. Can't blame 'em, really. The beaches are nice…"

"Aliens are invading Earth for the 'lovely beaches' and destiny is forcing us to stand by and watch," Batman deadpanned. "We're doomed."

"Mmmphgrnn!"

They had all been strongarmed by huge reptilian creatures with surprisingly large ears. Gordanians, Lewa shuddered to think as he struggled against his captor. Why were they able to find her so easily? And how come he couldn't use his powers?

"Inhibitor bracelets," a low voice sneered. "Do you like them? I'd figured they would be perfect for you, after you were able to hide this rutan'gah so easily. What say you, Glatorian?"

"We didn't hide her," Gresh said. "Somebody else did. She only came to us."

"And I'm not a Glatorian," Lewa frowned.

"Was she recommended to do so by that 'perfect little angel' brown one? Because I know all too well that he is a fake. A phony, if you will. And hush," the reptile breathed. "You are."

Kiina growled. "Malum! Knew that little weasel was up to something. Why did you trust him?"

"Oh, is that his name then? Malum?" He laughed. "Ha! It figures Glatorian would make up such stupid names. Malum. Atero. Ironside. Please don't force me to listen to this hilarity anymore."

"What's your prejudice against Glatorian, anyway?" Gresh asked.

"You are all scum. Degenerate savages who seem to have no sense of sociality and self-pride. Disgusting. I don't even know why 'Mata Nui' would even reform this wasteland for you."

"He did it because he CARED!" the Tajunan roared.

The Gordanian walked up to her and smiled in her face. "Please. I haven't gotten the full specifics of your history yet but I'm sure he only tried because some naïve optimists forced him to. And besides," he smiled, placing a blaster near her helmet, "why has he not aided you here, with your 'friend'?"

"He wasn't forced to! He helped us because that's what he wanted-"

"He's trapped in the Ignika," Lewa sighed. "And… um… no. I'm a Toa. Toa Lewa Nu… Toa Lewa. Ask any Matoran or Turaga and they'll tell you so."

"Mmmmph! Hmmpnhhmph!"

"'Matoran?' 'Turaga?' This is rich! You are undoubtedly some of the stupidest individuals I have ever encountered. Why do you choose to save the rutan'gah if you know she is a slave, bound to the Gordanian Army? Why do your idiotic friends reveal the locations of major cities to potential enemies…" The alien snapped his fingers. "Like that? And why, why, why must your senior citizens be so daft as to threaten to kill us all?"

"Hey, wasn't me, buster. You're the one who was talkin' about enslavin' the girl and the like."

A geriatric blue Agori, carried in the arms of an officer, was brought forward.

"Old Man Ike!" Kiina squealed. "Why did you…"

"Yeah, kiddo, it's me," the Agori sighed. "Couldn't let such misogyny go unnoticed an' all."

The blue Glatorian sighed. "Ike, you're a male in a village primarily dominated by females. Who are you to talk about misogyny like that?"

"Who'd I be for not talkin' about it?"

"An embittered old crone," Gresh muttered.

"I heard that, kid," 'Ike' crowed. "Don't think you'll get away with that so easily! I've got some new elemental powers, see, and I'll-"

The officer quickly tightened his grip. "Stop! You'll hurt him!"

"See!" The reptile sneered. "Why is he talking about such blasphemous issues? Such time would be better spent solving the friction between your numerous villages-"

"Shut your mouth."

"What did you say?"

"Yeah, you heard me. Shut your mouth. You don't get a speech-say in this either."

He turned to Lewa. "And… how so?"

"You already ruined all your chances at negotiation by comin' here. If she wanted to go, she should be able to go. No need to follow. Second, I know this is stupid to say, but why would you listen to Akhmou? Little Karzahni-spawn tried to infect everyone in Po-Koro with shadow-balls!"

"Trackers, obviously."

"Oh. Right. Still, though… he's Akhmou. Nobody listens to him. It's why the Turaga sent him on that stupid mission-trek in the first place. And anyways, why the hay'd you do that to her? Tanika, anyway?"

"Tanika?"

"Yeah, that's her name!"

"I believe it is…" The being sighed. "Koryand'r…"

Lewa frowned. "Whatever. Point is, she was an innocent little girl, and I'm sure she didn't like being hustled into a ship to work for you. Slavery shouldn't happen, period. It's cruel-demeaning. Stuff along those lines is wrong, and that's what makes this Toa business. Which is to speak-say… if my Toa-brothers and sister were here, I'm sure they'd assist-help out."

"MMMMMMMPH!"

"Why aren't they here? Did you do something to provoke them?"

"No… no I didn't? Why would I?"

"Your big mouth is clearly enough to get anyone to die of boredom, judging by my mens' expressions." He jerked over to his troops. "It's the truth."

"Shut up! It's not!"

"Lewa…"

"No, Kiina-sister! Tahu-brother was bad enough; I don't need snake-invaders to ruin my day too!"

"Wait… so it was Tahu? Why would he…"

"He hates me! He thinks I'm useless!"

"The amount of you wretched lot I've encountered seems to prove your point-"

A faint breeze began to blow, rustling up some dirt.

"I don't care if you have to kill me or whatever. Go back to Karzahni and leave Tanika alone."

"The Lord and Lady would have to say otherwise, Glatorian. She needs us. It's part of the peace treaty with Tamaran. Can't break it."

"Have you ever asked her?"

"Hmmph…"

"She wouldn't tell us. Too invested in her own little world to care." He smiled at the memory. "Thinking of leaving to take revenge on your sister, rutan'gah? How cute. I'm sure she'd never accept that."

"Mmmph!"

The wind began to pick up.

"I said, leave her alone!"

"She's our property! We can do what we want!"

"Shut u-"

"Both of you quiet down!"

"This argument doesn't involve you!"

"I thought you were for our efforts."

"Why does any of this matter? I simply wish to know why you would take in the rutangah-"

"I wouldn't be a Toa if I didn't-"

"You mean you wouldn't be a hero in general-"

"I don't care!"

"You should!"

"Don't act like you lot own this place, we do too-"

"Why. Did. You. Shelter her?"

"I told you I HAD TO! SHUT UP!"

"Mmm… HHMHMHMHMPHHHMHM!"

The wind was now, surprisingly, blowing fairly rapidly.

"Stop trying to disable the collars!"

"I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO!"

"No you don't! Why did the Great Beings make Marendar?"

"That was two hundred thousand years ago!"

"You have no right to take the rutan'gah. It is considered stealing-"

"SCREW YOU!"

"HHHMMMMMMMPHHH!"

"I want to go home-"

"NOBODY CARES-"

"I really should just take my blaster and off-"

"QUIET!"

"NO!"

"I HATE TOA!"

"I hate you all."

"I'm serious! I'll-"

"Quiet."

The wind died down.

"All of you."

The reptile turned to this new arrival. Quivering in shock, he quickly knelt down and bowed.

"L-Lord Trog'aar! Your Majesty! It-It is good to see you again!"

"I regretfully cannot say the same for you, H'ssiah."

"No matter- no matter at all," H'ssiah breathed. "W-What brings you here? I thought you were-"

"I was slumbering, yes," Trog'aar intoned. "Yet I was quickly roused when I found that the Stormfront had stopped- no slave in tow. It fell upon my humble self to find her."

"Well- you see-"

"I see nothing. Nothing but inferior robotics and a very dangerous prisoner."

"What about-"

The lord sighed. "You? Oh, I see you. You bumbling around and not getting any WORK done! Miserable little vermin."

"Could you not place the blame on these stupid Glatorian or the rutan'gah instead?"

"Please, do not use the word rutan'gah again. It is much too old, quite like the inferior shielding technology that allowed her to escape."

H' gulped. "Um- I was commanding the ship! I did not know- why- but I-"

The bigger Gordanian strolled up to his lieutenant and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "No need to harm yourself over these frivolous little things. The moment has passed. Clearly, I was endangering the initiative by resting myself when I should have been helming the damn procedure from the beginning. Back to the ship, Lieutenant."

"Wait- you don't mean…"

"Have your ears been damaged by this annoying screeching?"

"As a matter of fact, they have! But that doesn't put-"

"You forget my ears are more vunerable than yours. Worthless pansy. I should not have placed faith in you. Back to the ship."

"But-!"

"Back to the ship, you fool! I swear to Zorg. You are very much an embodiment of the Kas'tern Toubea'm. It is maddening."

ssiah began walking out of the cave, but looked back to his lord in sadness. "May I-"

Trog'aar kindly answered him by giving him the boot.

WHUMP!

He looked at Tanika and the trio, both in admiration and irritation. "Now then," he smiled, "what to do with you?"

"You… you could start by leaving Spherus Magna," Lewa spat.

"Of course. That is a given. No… what am I going to do with you?"

Kiina scoffed. "Don't even try anything. We don't want any trouble."

The Gordanian sighed. "I am aware. But," he raised a clawed finger, "H'ssiah, while incredibly dimwitted, did have a point. You took in the girl, knowing that she was a slave, and had the intention to shelter her regardless of the consequences. I cannot let that go unpunished."

"By whose law?"

"The Gordanian Constitution. As it states, 'Properties of Gordania are properties of Gordania and may not be stolen by anyone else.' Despite your good wills, you did exactly as written. Sadly, this will not do."

"How're you gonna kill us?" Lewa exhaled. "Torture? Animal murder? Interspace ejection and therefore asphyxiation?"

"Don't be daft," Tro'gaar scowled. "We Gordanians are not that unmerciful. No," he said, gesturing to the other troops, "I think those things are much too cruel. In my personal opinion, imprisonment in the Palace will do. Do you all agree?"

"Yeah!"

He grinned. "Very well then. I apologize for the hassle, Glatorian," he said, beginning to walk out, "but such is the way of law. Come, my men. We must make up for the lost time spent looking for the slave. The press is waiting."

Some did not move.

"Gentlemen? I thought the order was given to move?"

One pointed back to a crack in the wall.

"I do not see anything of importance there. Come along."

Others looked back there too, and continued to stay put.

"Men! We must move! Lady Tra'lina requires my services fairly soon, and you will not like her when she is angry-"

SMASH!

Rubble fell out of the crack, giving way to rising dust that revealed an opening to have been made in the crack. Tro'gaar frowned and walked to it to get a closer look.

"Lord Tro'gaar!"

He perked. "Hrrm?"

Hug! "Aaaww, Lord Tro'gaar. I was worrieds I was never goings to see youse agains."

"Hello, Admiral Jone'z. I was fairly worried as well. What details can you give on your…" he frowned at the Glatorian and Matoran, "journey?"

"Oh, loads!" Jone'z grinned. "We was downs in the tunnels beneaths this ridge- pretty interestings stuffs, I tells youse what!"

"Do not listen to him," Sm'ist deadpanned. "He has been off his rocker as of late."

The lord glowered at the new arrival. "As I was aware, Corporal, this is Admiral Jone'z I am talking about. Jonesin' Josie, if you can remember that far back? He has always been off his rocker."

"Even so, you cannott deny this planet has excited him far too much to be normal-"

"Yeah, he's rights! We saw crystals, and murals, and an honest-to-gods pool of protodermis! Useds by the Great Beings, Tro'gaar! You remembers 'em?"

"The Great Beings?" Tro'gaar frowned. "A tad. I seem to recall them creating our wildlife- but that would be a bit too nostalgic to mention, I think. What is so important about this… protodermis, again?"

"That's the things! We don'ts know! Akhmou heres says it's tieds to your destiny- which coulds be anythings! Think of the possibilities, man!"

"I can think of many, and none of them are good."

"No, Sm'ist, he has a point. Continue, man. Have you tried it yet?"

"Nah, he says it's too dangerous- can't blames 'im. Don't wanna gets killed, now do wes?"

"We don't…" He hummed. "Yes, that is true." Turning to the Glatorian, he added, "It seems you would know quite a bit about protodermis, if this little robot is to be believed. Tell me… have you tried it?"

"Well…"

"I don't know?"

"Tell me!"

"Okay, okay!" Lewa sighed. "I have… once. Turned me into a Toa… Nuva. General upgrade, really. I don't know if it's really my destiny. Heard it might adhere to your destiny, though…"

"Interesting. What of you two?"

"Nah."

"Never tried it."

"Well then… that is quite interesting! For a mere liquid to give you such power, as I see… Jone'z is right! The possibilities are endless…" He looked to the ground. "He is also right, though, that the thing may be dangerous…" Sigh. "It appears we may need to test this further. LIEUTENANT!"

"Y-yes, my lord?"

"Come back here. I have an assignment for you."

"Coming, sir!"

Lieutenant H'ssiah was back in a flash- not before another bomb exploded, of course. Tro'gaar was quick to notice.

"I do hope you have not bombed the place, Lieutenant?"

"Huh?" H' shook his head. "Maybe… a little…"

The lord glowered, then settled down. "No matter. It should be in the past now. I have an assignment for you, H'ssiah."

ssiah perked. "Oh? And what might that be, m'lord?"

"Admiral Jone'z reports he has found a cache of something called 'protodermis,' which this robot reports has increased his power tenfold. I feel it may help the Gordanian cause greatly- however, its properties are hazardous, and we are obviously naught to test them. Therefore, I am assigning you to take the Glatorian and try it for yourself."

"You- you mean it?"

Tro'gaar exhaled. "Yes, Lieutenant, so I do. Now go, before I decide to dunk you in on my own time."

"You weren't going to do so before?"

"No… surely you know I am at least that merciful."

He quickly found his feet hugged. "Oh, of course I do, Lord!" H'ssiah saluted him. "I won't let you down, Your Majesty. Count on it!"

"Oh, I am already counting. One… two… three… four…"

"You don't think he's going to try and kill us, is he?"

Gresh looked at his friend worriedly. "Why would he?"

"Protodermis is dangerous, brother. One wrong-bath in the stuff and you could find yourself a Kopen-servant to a Rahi Nui! Obviously, it's not that severe, but there's a very good luck-chance you'll die… I didn't even know I was still alive in that tube, remember?"

"Yeah," Kiina said. "That's true. It's really a gamble though, isn't it? There's no telling whether you pass or fail its test, so… isn't it worth trying?"

"Maybe," Lewa sighed. "I don't know. It wouldn't be right to go at it again, lest I-"

"Come here, you scum!"

Oh no.

"Hey! What's the big idea?"

"You're walking with me, Glatorian. I'm to lead you to your destiny."

The Toa began pulling at his captor, using his air powers to try and weasel his way out of the grip. "Destiny? What destiny? I don't even learn-know my destiny! How could you?"

"I don't. Don't be airheaded, pest…"

"Heh," Lewa chuckled. "It's funny because I'm an airhead… No! You can't do that!"

"Hrrrphmmm!"

"And why not? I have orders from Lord Tro'gaar. They must be obeyed."

The warrior growled at him. "I won't let this happen!"

"It is your punishment…"

Aw hell no. That wasn't happening. Not on Lewa's watch.

Desperate to get out of H'ssiah's arms, the Toa began doing the one thing he thought he would never do. Drawing on all his power, he called on the wind to coalesce around him, forming a protective sphere. His eyes began to glow, brilliant neon green lighting up the cave. The air began to move rapidly, brushing everyone and smelling faintly of the forest.

The wind asked Lewa if he knew what he was doing. Lewa said he wasn't sure… but it had to be done.

Before he pulled the trigger, the ex-Toa Nuva gazed upon his friends one last time. Kiina, Gresh and Tanika looked at him, desperate to find a way out. Malum and Akhmou were indifferent, the Po-Matoran even happy. The two smaller Gordanians… Smith and Jones, he was sure, observed him in awe. The biggest, Lord Trogdor, was the happiest of all, royal demeanor threatening to break under his excitement.

Lewa sighed. He knew… Tahu had advised him not to try this, for fear of major damage, but the situation seemed desperate enough to ignore it…

He was going to do the Nova Blast. Karzahni help them all.

"Jump: 175 Miles, L.A.: 214 Miles," marked the three-quarter point on the Dixon Highway, the main road between Metropolis on the east coast and Los Angeles on the west. Cacti and small grasses littered the desert sand, winds periodically carrying debris over the concrete line; the highway itself separated the land into two, jamming itself into the ground using construction tools and extending far off into the distance, vanishing from sight at the foot of some nearby mountains. The setting sun projected a warm orange light over the land, causing the road and its inhabitants to brightly shimmer. At the moment, the population was a scant two; whether this was because of the harsh conditions (a good 100 miles without a rest stop!) or a simple refusal to take any non-aviation modes of transport was unknown. Nevertheless, that was all that could be said about the area at the moment, a dark red motorcycle with a stylized 'R' emblem and a nondescript black Toyota plodding down the street and leaving a trail of dust in their wake.

The shiny metallic cycle belonged to a lanky young teen, dull brown bomber jacket and pants complementing his pale skin and spiky, skunk-like hair. He remained focused on the drive ahead, uncaring about much else but his destination; if he were to take his domino mask off, one would be able to see his eyes intensely staring into the distance. This was Dick Grayson, or as he now preferred to call himself, Robin.

The Toyota was… well… a Toyota, faintly scratched and bearing dust marks no doubt from previous bouts with sandstorms. Inside, a tall, well-to-do man with a combed white beard, blue and orange jumpsuit and sinister black eyepatch held the wheel, listening to 80's rock on the radio, while a portly old gentleman sporting a white tie and suit and a black shirt (the clichéd butler outfit) and a shiny bald head studied a map beside him. The Chronicler did not know their names at the moment, but he had no doubt everyone would find out sooner or later.

AW SNAP WE IN TROUBLE NOW

1. Jason's origin story is obviously Post-Crisis (Pre-Crisis, he's an acrobat who is orphaned then taken away by Bruce. EXACTLY the same as Dick's, right down to the hair colour. Jeez.)

2. More "explanations" for why the League didn't help Robin out. They suck. I'll use their actual reasoning (Zatanna is disturbed by Raven's aura) when the time comes.

3. The argument between H'ssiah and the Toa/Glatorian was very hard to right, only because the payoff is so so sweet. It's Lord Tro'gaar! The character who should've been leading things from the start, but ended up getting shafted for some... OC. Don't worry, he'll be attacking Earth like he's supposed to.

4. Are the Gordanians dark enough, actually? They didn't seem so in the episode, but I'd imagine they'd be very vicious to any species that's not theirs. Even one they don't know very well.

5. Hoo boy. I know what you're thinking. "Why the hell is he using Energized Protodermis as an excuse to send Lewa into the TT world?"

Well... for starters, it's convenient. I don't think it'd make much sense to have him captured by aliens or slung into space or something, or even to leave for that matter. Second, I did some research and the stuff actually appears to be sapient. So it could do what it wanted.

Third...

It's a fanfiction, really. Doesn't have to follow canon to a T. In fact, inserting Lewa pretty much breaks it. No skin off my nose. If it makes you feel any better (for anyone who is hurt, anyway) the scene doesn't last very long and it's not fully explained come arrival. Just assume Lewa was destroyed then rebuilt on Earth. (The Nova Blast is a more interesting thing to think about as is.)

6. Another three guesses as to who that is and what he wants.

Sorry for the harsh "rant" back there. Just wanted to "clarify" something. Read and review!