Chapter 30: Old Faces New Problems

Authors Note: Okay everyone, I love the feedback, the oc's and you. I hope you all stick around for more. Okay not gonna lie there is gonna be some twist and turns in this chapter. I'm not gonna explain it all now, but next chapter will I promise. Okay, let's get started.

Disclaimer: I do not own Batman.

The team was gathered on Jayden's floor relaxing for the evening. The kids were doing their homework while Thomas and Marcus were working on modifications for The Raven and the adults were watching TV. Their peace and tranquility was broken when Reaper burst through the doors.

"Jayden!" He shouted as he ripped his mask off. Everyone jumped as they looked over at Flynn. Hilary rushed over to him as did Jayden, but he paid no attention to anyone as he grabbed him by the collar of his work shirt.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Jayden snapped. "What happened?"

"Logan Crow, my old friend I told you about he's in Gotham." Reaper panted.

"So, you want to go off the little bastard?" Jayden asked curiously.

"No, I mean yes, but that's beside the point." Flynn waved off. "He said that by the end of the month that I would be dead and you would too."

"Big deal," Blaze shrugged as he continued his homework. "It's no surprise that he knows that you're with us he probably wants us dead along with you as well."

"No, there something more to it than that, I just don't know what." Flynn said as Hilary led him to the couch.

"I think I just found it." Sam said as he turned up the volume of the T.V. The news was on with Vicki Vale talking into her mic next to a destroyed armored truck.

"Reports are saying that it was an attack by The Joker, in order to free his men, while some are debating that fact since he is still holed up in Arkham." She stated. "For this truck contained Government issued equipment that was highly classified and not for the public. Reports are also saying that this has something to do with the sudden disappearance to this man, Doctor Alan Hoenheim. One of the head doctors in Arkham Asylum. One can't help question if this is petty theft and kidnapping or something more sinister. From Gotham News I'm Vicki Vale."

Thomas and Jayden's eyes widened as they both looked at each other in panic.

"We were just there no less than four hours ago." Thomas stated, still stunned at what he had just heard.

"What the fuck is going on?" Jayden groaned when they heard a knock at their door causing everyone to tense up. Jayden rushed to the door as Hilary threw him one of her .45's and followed him. They each took a corner at the door as Jayden carefully peered through the peephole. His shoulders slumped as he let out a heavy sigh and unlocked the door. He opened it revealing it to be Christina dressed in a white hoodie and a pair of jeans and the look of sorrow in her eyes.

"Hello Jayden, is Thomas here?" She asked.

"Yeah, come on in." He said as he held his arm out gesturing her to come in.

She stepped in and walked into the living room where she was greeted by Thomas.

"What happened, are you alright?" Thomas asked as his dark gold eyes looked into her dark blue eyes. She couldn't help but run her hand through his short grey hair as the two were lost in the moment. The two were broken from their trance as they heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. They looked down to see Sam with a smug grin as he sat on the floor doing his homework. Thomas was about to smack him upside the head, but hesitated when Christina wrapped her arms around him.

"He came." She whispered.

"Who?" Thomas asked as his eyebrows furrowed.

"Bruticus." She whispered. "He came for him and left me to tell you that you and the rest of your team were next."

"Like hell." Ronin growled.

"Yeah, this guy isn't going to last one day against us." Blaze gloated.

"What the hell does this Bruticus want with Hoenheim?" Jayden asked.

"Bruticus, he is very different from Thomas and me." Christina explained. "He was made for war not life. He is permanently sealed within his suit and cannot live without it, he has been missing ever since the attack on the labs."

"Wait, you can transform into a robot too?" Hilary asked.

"Sort of, you see I was created for medical purposes, here I'll show you." She said as she held her necklace which was a symbol of a Caduceus. It glowed bright as she was suddenly lifted off her feet and hovered slightly above the floor. In a flash she was in a much slender version of Thanatos's suit. The thermal suit was perfectly molded to her body giving it a feminine look, the armor that covered her was colored silver and outlined in maroon. Her torso was a two piece from the stomach with the Caduceus symbol on the chest and a Red Cross on each of her shoulder pads. The last piece was her helmet that covered her entire head and a visor over her eyes so she could see.

"Awesome," Jason said as he eyed her up. "A very feminine…build." He said sheepishly earning him a smack upside the head from Ally.

"Stop staring you perv." Ally snapped.

"Not my fault she's very-ow!" He snapped as she smacked him again.

"You weren't kidding about not being a fighter." Jayden stated as he walked around her and examined her. "Don't you have any means to defend yourself?"

"Just these." She said as she held up her armored sleeves. In an instant two barrels popped out of her sleeves as she held them up so Jayden and Thomas could examine them.

"Two riot guns, semi-automatic, the both can fire handgun ammo from .38's and 50 cal. Nothing special." Marcus said unimpressed from the corner of the couch he was sitting on.

"Thank you Marcus." Jayden groaned. "And thank you Christina you can go ahead and…turn off now."

She did that as she was cladded in her normal jeans and hoodie. Flynn walked up to Thomas and Jayden and motioned for them to follow him. They walked into Jayden's office and towards his desk. Jayden sat in his big leather chair as Thomas and Flynn sat in two smaller but comfortable chairs.

"Jayden, there a connection between Phantom, Bruticus and whatever happened to Hoenheim and whatever was on the truck." Flynn said.

"The question is why though," Thomas asked. "According to Dr. Todd's research and battle records Bruticus doesn't work well with others or at the very least he's not a honorable leader like you." He motioned to Jayden.

"Okay, we got Phantom who's an old 'friend' of Reaper, Bruticus who was a rouge project from Thanatos and who has now captured a former professor of said project along with another secret project that is now something of high priority to the secret government folks."

"Ugh, my head is in a million miles." Flynn groaned. "What the hell are these nut jobs planning?"

"Let's find out," Jayden said as he got up from his seat turning his computer towards them. The two looked up at the monitor to see a city wide map of Gotham. A red radar went off in the lower district of Gotham.

"What the hell is he doing down there?" Thomas asked as Jayden revealed a secret wardrobe behind his closet.

"He's calling us out." Jayden said as he started to remove his work clothes.

"You know it's a trap right?" Flynn asked, causing Jayden to look over his shoulder, giving him a skeptical look. "Of course you do."

"Go round up the rest of the team, we leave in five." Jayden said as he lifted his heavy coat of the hanger.

(!)

Down in the slums of Gotham many of the homeless and lower class citizens were fleeing for their lives as a group of mechanized men were causing chaos and anarchy. Some were throwing cars and other large objects, while the others were showing off their guns by shooting and burring anything they could see.

They had on the same battle armor that Two-Face used on Shadow and his team a few months back, only these ones had more weapons than before.

The Shadow Warriors had just arrived and were geared up ready to take down anyone that got in their way. They all looked on in horror and anger as they readied for battle.

"Why are they just killing everyone?" Hitgirl snarled.

"Because, they are challenging us to stop them." Reaper responded in a emotionless voice.

"And it worked." Ronin said as he drew his scalers. "Slaughtering people like animals, only a coward does this, not a warrior. This Bruticus and Phantom will die by my blades."

"Then what are we waiting for." Shadow said as his veins flared up. "Attack!"

They all let out battle cries as they charged at the mechs. The mechs turned to them as one of them signaled for the others to form an attack pattern. They all stood in a row, side by side and aimed their arm mounted chain guns.

"Primary Targets, Shadow Warriors." The mech said in a robotic voice. "Weapons free."

They all opened fired on the warriors firing bullets from their arm guns, or small lazer bolts from their shoulders and small missile pods from their chest pieces.

Thanatos and Red Crosshairs took the lead as they countered their attacks. Thanatos used his scanners to get a lock on the missile pods once he was locked he pulled out his energy rifle and fired multiple bolts at the pods blowing them up before they could reach their targets. Once those were dealt with, Red activated his powers as his iris turned into red crosshairs. He pulled out his dual dessert eagles and fired multiple rounds into each mech's head. He knew the bullets wouldn't kill them, but they would screw up their vision and target mechanism.

Each mech staggered back as their guns still fired blindly allowing the warriors a chance to attack. Higirl went in with her M4, which was loaded with armor piercing rounds, complements of Red, as she ran up and fired into one of the mechs head. She didn't like using rifles at close range but she wanted to make sure these big guys went down. Her bullets sparked with each and every hit before one of the mechs finally went down. Reaper also engaged in a close quarter's battle as he brought his blade down into one mechs shoulder.

He was expecting the man inside to let out a scream or at least a grunt of pain, but he remained silent under all that armor. The mech reached his arm up and gripped the upper shaft of the scythe and pulled the blade out of his shoulder. Reaper looked at his shoulder in curiosity as he saw no blood pour out of the wound. The mech then raised his fist and brought it down to Reapers head, obly for Dusk to jump in and block his attack. Using his Adonis strength, he gripped the mechs arm with both hands and threw him over his shoulder, crashing him into the ground.

"I got your back brother." Dusk said giving Reaper the thumbs up. Reaper wanted to make a comment on how he didn't need his help, but decided against it after that 'Brother' comment.

"Thanks…Brother." Reaper said softly as he got to his feet. "Ready to take this guy out." He said as he changed his scythe into his gun again.

"Definetly." Dusk said as he cracked his knuckles readying his strength.

The mech stood before them with his guns ready and opened fired upon them. Reaper and Dusk quikly and carefully ran towards the mech while following its movements. Reaper eventually got close enough as he aimed his gun and fired an over charge blast at the mech's chest. Upon impact, there was a small explosion as shrapnel flew out at the two. When the smoke cleared the man inside was exposed but still able to control his armor as he ran towards the two. Dusk took his chance to attack as he jumped onto the man and grabbed him by the shoulders. He gripped him tightly and with all his strength, he was able to pull the man out of the suit completely as they both fell to the ground and the armor fell apart completely useless.

"Who the hell is this?" Dusk asked as he examined the now conscious man.

"I think he was an un-willingly participant to Bruticus's army." Reaper said as he pointed at some scars around the man's torso and head. "See these, they're neural implants. He's been brainwashed."

"Sick bastards." Dusk growled.

"Yeah, come on let's go help the-" He stopped when he saw a familiar white cloak that belonged to Logan Crow. "Phantom!" Reaper shouted as he took off after him, leaving Dusk alone and confused.

"Hey wait up!" Dusk shouted as he ran after him.

Ronin, Breeze, Phoenix, Gauntlet and Shadow were still engaged with the mechs as they fought on. Shadow used his enhanced strengths to put a few dents in the armor before running his blade through the weak spot under the bottom edge of the armor plate, immobilizing the user on the inside. Gauntlet used his chain whip, enhanced with his magic, to cut through the armor and like Dusk pull the user out. Phoenix used a less powerful energy flame to burn right through the armor turning it into a flaming pile of scrap metal.

Ronin and Breeze worked together in order to finish off the remaining mechs. Using their speed and reflexes they dodged all they had to throw at them. Ally in her free time had designed a small EMP device which she could stick on to any electronic device and with a push of a button shut it down completely. She had them encase the team would have to deal with the mechs again one day, so she meant to gloat at Shadow later for being unprepared.

Ronin and Breeze stuck each device on the back of each and every mech, using their swift manuvers to avoid a direct assault. Once they had stuck on the last EMP device, Breeze pulled out a detonator and pressed the button. Nine mechs that were still active suddenly began to spark at the back of their necks before dropping to the ground like rag dolls.

Shadow and the rest of the team, minus Dusk and Reaper, joined them soon after and looked at all the down mechs in awe.

"Great going guys, you damn near took them all out." Phoenix cheered.

"How did you two do all this?" Gauntlet asked.

"It was Breeze who you should be praising; she designed some EMP grenades that manually shut down the armor." Ronin said.

"Oh, stop it was you're skills that stuck them on the mech in the first place." Breeze said.

"You both did well." Red said. "Once again, Breeze's brains have saved us. Our boss is lucky to have you." He said as he felt Shadow's eyes on him.

"Yeah, our fearless leader would be bankrupt and flipping burgers if it wasn't for Breeze." Gauntlet joked causing everyone to laugh in agreement pissing Shadow off any more.

"Yeah, well unless you want to start taking Kris to a fast-food joint while driving amused minivan there I suggest you show your leader some respect." Shadow snapped. This caused Gauntlet's expression to go from happy to afraid at the thought of losing a gourmet restaurant and driving a Lamborghini, not to mention giving her pompous ass of a stepfather something to gloat about.

"Sorry boss." He said quickly changing his attitude.

"Damn right you sorry." Shadow mumbled as he looked to his team. "Alright, where are we on the situation." Thanatos stepped up and activated his holographic data pad.

"All twenty mechs are down and out." Thanatos stated. "There are multiple people who are injured or dead, many buildings and vehicles were damanged in the process and there are no signs of Bruticus or Phantom anywhere."

Everyone was starting to get annoyed as they began to think for themselves. It was then when Hitgirl realized something was up.

"Where's Reaper?" She asked slightly worried as she looked amongst the group but unable to find him.

"Yeah, and where's Dusk?" Gauntlet asked.

Everyone started to panic as they prepared themselves for the unexpected.

"You don't think those mechs got the better of them do you?" Gauntlet asked.

"Not a chance," Hitgirl said smugly. "Reaper's scythe is built to take out anything, no way some tinker toys are taking him down."

"That's also what bothering me." Thanatos said as he went through his data.

"What do you mean?" Ronin asked.

"Those mech's were prototypes and the men using them were lifeless dolls." Thanatos stated. "They were probably seated in front of a monitor force-feeding the controls into their heads. They were mindless drones not soldiers. Then there's those suits, they were exposed in a lot of areas making the user vulnerable, like Shadow and Red showed earlier. If there were newer models they would have been less visible even more protected."

"So just as always, we get the crust while Batman gets the pizza." Gauntlet joked as he looked towards Shadow.

"Speaking of which, has anyone noticed something?" Shadow sated bluntly.

Everyone looked around and tried to figure out what Shadow was talking about. They observed all the fire and destruction when it finally hit them.

"This place is a war zone and Batman or his men are nowhere to be seen." Red stated.

"Exactly, so where the hell is he?" Shadow asked rethorically not expecting to get an answer. "He doesn't care if you're rich or poor, if you kill someone he'll show up and send you packing." Shadow said as his voice started to tremble in rage. "So…where the hell is he!?"

"Gone." A dark robotic voice said.

Everyone turned to the shadows where they heard the voice only to see another mech. This one was different from the others as he stood tall and broad. He was in dark red armor with gold edges on his armor and a round helmet like Thanatos, but his was black instead of whte.

Thanatos calmly turned off his computer and turned towards the other cybernetic warrior staring him down. The opposing warrior did the same as Thanatos growled one word through his helmet.

"Bruticus." Thanatos said in a deep voice.

"Thanatos." He replied.

"What did you mean Batman is gone?" He asked as everyone aimed their weapons at him.

"My new contractor made his way into his Batcave under Wayne Manor and had him executed." He explained as everyone tenses up. Bruticus grinned under his helmet as everyone started to panic. "Yes, we know Bruce Wayne is Batman. We also know that you're leaders name is Jayden Warney, Thanatos is Thomas Nexro Alexandra Kinsley, Jason Warney Sam Jackson do I need to go on and list every Shadow Warrior?"

Everyone really started to panic but did their best not to show it. Shadow took a step forward as he aimed his magnum at Bruticus.

"How the hell do you know who we are?" Shadow demanded as Bruticus chuckled.

"You think the Justice League would be smart enough to not make a file on every hero or vigilante they come across. All it took was a little hacking and a little patience and there, I know every one of you." Bruticus teased. "But you Shadow I learned from a very special friend."

"Yeah, well then I guess we have no choice, but to kill you all." Shadow snickered as he dashed towards Bruticus.

"Shadow, wait!" Thanatos shouted but was no good as he was already halfway to Bruticus.

Bruticus stood there unimpressed as Shadow charged at him. His veins flared red as he leaped up with his fist raised ready to strike his head, but Bruticus stepped back and easily dodged it and swung his leg around landing a kick to his shoulder sending him through a wall.

Shadow crashed through the wall of an abandoned building sliding across the dirty floor. He let out a groan as he tried to get up, but felt something pulling on his arms. He looked at them to see what was holding him down when suddenly his head was yanked back and pinned to the floor. Using his peripherals he saw something slithering under his legs and winding around them. His eyes widened as the thing that was holding him down was in fact his own shadow.

"What the hell is this?" Shadow asked in a panicked voice.

"It's called a shadow you know the thing that fallows you around everywhere and such." An all too familiar voice snickered.

"That voice…no it can't be!" Shadow snapped as he looked over to the blacked clothed figure. He lifted his hat off his head an grinned wickedly.

"Hey, long time no see pal!" Gallagher chuckled.

"Impossible I freaking killed you!" Shadow shouted.

"Yeah, I remember." Gallagher mumbled, and in an instant his shadow wrapped a tentacle around Shadow's throat. "I remembered how you slaughtered me and my entire crew, how you sent me to hell and how you killed me with my own blade." He spat as he pulled out a small sickle from his belt. "This one to be exact."

"Shadow!" Breeze yelled as the rest of the team showed up. They all stopped as they all saw Gallagher.

"Hey the rest of the boys are here, except for that Reaper and Dusk character." He said amusingly. "My new friend Phantom took care of those two."

"What?" Hitgirl and Breeze snapped.

"Oh but don't worry, you'll all be joining them real soon." He sneered.

He then lowered his left hand down to Shadow's head and placed the palm of his hand on his forehead. Just as Shadow was about to figure out what he was doing, Gallagher started to absorb the energy from Shadow's body and into his own. Shadow let out a scream of pain as Gallagher laughed maniacally as his eyes glowed red.

Without a second thought Breeze raced towards Gallagher with her staff drawn ready to strike when Gallagher raised his hand and blasted a bolt of lightning at her. Breeze let out a scream before she crashed into the wall and fell to the ground unconscious.

"Ally!" Hitgirl snapped as she aimed her dual .45's at the man. Heavy footsteps made its way into the building revealing it to be Red. He cracked his knuckles as his eyes turned to crosshairs.

"You have made, big mistake." He said in his stern Russian voice. Gallagher chuckled as he looked at the team.

"No I haven't."

Just then Gauntlet was covered in a purple hue as he was sent down onto the ground.

"Remember me?" Leonae asked as he was followed by Frost and Phantom who was now carrying two tonfa's in his right hand and Reaper's scythe in his left.

"How could we forget?" Phoenix snarled as his eyes lit up.

Gauntlet rushed up to Shadow ready to help him when Gallagher's shadow appeared in full size in front of him. Gauntlet took a swing and him but the shadow caught both of his hits and gripped his wrist tightly.

"You know Leonae always wanted your Gauntlets for himself." Gallagher snickered. "Why don't I just give them to him, do it." He ordered his shadow.

In an instant the shadow ripped Gauntlets arms clean off. Gauntlet let out a loud scream as he started to toss and turn on the ground, his blood pouring from his torn sockets.

"SAM!" Shadow shouted as he charged after him.

Before he could reach Gauntlet, something big crashed through the wall. It was Thanatos who was wearing nothing but his jumpsuit. He was broken and bloody as Bruticus went in after him. He opened up his wrist computer and pressed a few buttons.

"The Shadow Warriors are over." He said as he pressed another button.

Before anyone could do anything and explosion erupted in the center of the room knocking everyone back. Shadow was now dazed as he saw someone carry off Phoenix and Breeze. He reached a hand out to Breeze but felt someone kick him in his ribs. He looked up and saw Leonae with his claws shining from the flames.

"That bastard Gallagher wasn't supposed to lay a finger on Gauntlet," He growled. "So now it looks like I'm gonna have to make things even by carving you up."

He then gripped Shadow by his throat as Leonae raised his claw at him. As he was about to strike a dark figure appeared out of nowhere and kicked Leonae off. Frost tried to attack, but the figure pulled out a dessert eagle and fired a round into his arm. He let out a scream as he fell to the ground.

"Get Shadow out of here I got these assholes!" The voice was gruff but feminine as Red came out and lifted Shadow to safety.

"What about Breeze and Phoenix?" Shadow asked in a raspy voice.

"They kidnapped them along with Reaper and Dusk." Red growled as he dragged Shadow away.

"What's her name…?" He asked as he saw the dark figure battle Phantom.

"She says she's a friend, and right now we can't be choosey." Red said as he carried him into the Raven.

"I didn't ask that I asked, what is her name?" Shadow grunted.

"She said it was…Whisper." Red said as Shadow slumped back unconscious.