Alright, business is fixing to pick up after this episode as we just rounded third to head for home with all the pieces falling into place.
5.
Bhutan - South Asia
October 05
16:16 UTC
Sitting on a large stone throne deep inside his fortified stronghold, Ra's Al Gual monitored the situation occurring in California. The TV sitting on a rolling stand displayed pre-recorded footage from the previous day on a smaller screen in the upper right corner while the main image was of reporter Vikki Vale with the currant situation being aired behind her. The reporter's voice was amplified within the cavernous chamber, which was lined with green tapestries bordered with gold. A long, red carpet created a walkway among the dark gray stone making up the floor. An abundance of candles provided light, casting their glow from elaborately made golden stands, which shone brilliantly in the fire's glow.
"...the second day of this, this dome over Jump City still has everyone outside racing to discover what it is. As I have stated earlier, no one from the military is willing to comment on the government's stance on the situation; however, the Justice League is giving us some information but has not yet-"
"Father."
Drawing the leader of the League of Shadows' attention, Talia, his daughter, marched up to beside the TV and stood. Chancing a glance at the screen, she heard the same news reported earlier in the day, and yesterday, with nothing new added.
"Father, you summoned?"
Reaching for the remote, Ra's turned the television off then stood from his seat. "Please, daughter, walk with me."
The walk Ra's invited his daughter on was a long, quiet one, taking several concealed paths through parts of the temple his mountain base was established in. Passing through the rear entrance of the Shadow headquarters, the two ended up overlooking a large training area with an equally large amount of black clad Shadow warriors working on bettering themselves with becoming deadlier than they already were.
With one hand on the rounded stone guardrail, Ra's watched his men perform katas, spar with each other, or train with the weapons they were most adapt at using on the tan colored mat. Every movement was performed with perfect precision, all to Ra's' high standard.
"Do you think me a fool, daughter?" Ra's asked calmly.
"I know what this pertains to, father. I'm surprised it took this long for you to address it," Talia responded as she too looked the warriors over.
"Damian was to have the detective killed and receive his estate. Solidifying the Shadow's place within Gotham. And yet, the subliminal messages I have imprinted in my grandson have shown to not have taken affect. Care to tell me why?"
Turning her back on the guardrail, Talia leaned against it and crossed her arms. "You already know the answer to that, father."
"Indeed I do." Taking a step closer to Talia, Ra's placed a loving hand on her cheek. "It was my dream to have Bruce as part of the League of Shadows. To have him as your husband and take my place one day. But seeing as my more, extreme plans, have been derailed, I am forced to ask, why still maintain your love for him?"
Moving away from her father's touch, Talia turned back to look over the group far below. "Because I still believe he is the one. We conceived Damian. There was love in that. I do not believe he has abandoned it completely. But he has abandoned the League of Shadows."
Moving a few strands of hair behind her ear, she turned to face her father. "Now, if I may ask a question."
"You may. But be wise as to what it is."
Taking a deep breath and nodding, Talia stared her father directly in the eye. "What was your reason, the real reason you joined the Light all those years ago? You have never been one to work with others so why them? To what purpose?"
"The purpose is the same as I have always wanted," Ra's answered. "To cleanse the Earth of it's destroyers and have it restart as it should be."
"But this elaborate?"
"Answer me something, daughter. An immortal man wants the world as his own. He has two options, wage war, or silently make deals. Which would be the smarter choice?"
"War would destroy what he wants."
"And deals steadily weed out those around him."
"You, you wanted the others out of the way, to, to not have competition?" Talia asked. "Do you have a hand in-"
"Mister Savage wanted to enslave humanity. Brain wanted to create his own utopia through perverse scientific experimentation. The Atlanteans wanted the oceans, simplistic but still in my way. Klarion was only useful for his powers, despite wanting to turn the Earth into his own personal playground. And then there's Queen Bee and Lex Luthor. Wanting to be gods and rule all they see."
"But how?"
With a grin, Ra's turned and placed both hands on the stone railing. "From the moment The Light was formed, the endgame was always the same. Complete dominion over the Earth without the involvement of those seen as 'heroes'. We were to show the world it does not need men and women in capes and tights. It needs men and women who know how things work and can manipulate them for the benefit of the, as the youth of the world have said, long game. First the Justice League would be rendered useless as the trust all held for them would deteriorate and die. The involvement of a younger generation halted our first of several long term plans. Over the years, we have enacted plans to distract, test, and at times, reduce those choosing to fight a losing battle against us. Victory or defeat, all would be revealed to have served a purpose."
"And that is?"
Looking back at his daughter, he continued. "After the world lost faith in their protectors, we would begin our take over from the inside. As it did not go according to plan, we made adjustments already mapped out for us. With how things are, Luthor would enter the presidential race, becoming the leader of the US on the platform of saving the world from an alien invasion. The Apocaliptic war would only serve to have people distrust the heroes, but they somehow succeeded, bringing a stop to us having to step in and end the war, as per the deal Savage made in exchange for one third of the population given as payment. Originally, Lex would then continue to unite countries, as demonstrated years ago with two warring leaders and their peace treaty. After his first term, Queen Bee would have another world power strike the United States, placing the seed for another World War. Brain would create the next biological weapon meant to wipe out millions of people as those in control of the oceans had their forces join in on the war. I would then use my forces to assassinate key figures on all sides, continuing the war until only the worse weapons would be used. Before it would resort to that, unfortunate knee jerk reaction by the countries, the biological weapon would be released, killing humans but leaving plant and animal life unharmed. In the end, Savage would lead the survivors to a new life devoid of war, devoid of boarders, yet subserviant to The Light. I would then have my chance at forming the world as it should be, with nature in charge, not man. Of course, I had my own plans not involving the rest of my colleagues."
"You wanted them all to fall," Talia said with disbelief.
"After they did their part, why not take over myself?" Moving away from the rail, Ra's adjusted his cloak as he went back into the temple. "Their way was too destructive for my liking. However, I was more than anticipating for them to eventually turn on each other. But pride, greed, and impatience took care of that for me and this demon is proof of that. One thing having an unnaturally long life has taught me, be patient and humble. Everything works out when you do. And as for Bruce, maybe one day you will have your bat and son under the same roof as you. As of now, I only have to bide my time before the next extinction will be lead by me."
With her father fading into the darkness, Talia could only stare after him with her jaw slightly open. She knew The Light was a grouping of the most influential of people, but to go so far as to destroy not only the superheroes of the world, but to eradicate most of the population on Earth was more than she thought they would do. Although it was unexpected that her father would have managed to silently play his peers like he did, it really should not have been. It was one of his talents.
Jump City - Safe House
October 06
08:59 UTC
Hunched over a work table, Tim, still in his Robin uniform with his mask lying on the table, worked on an ongoing project of his. A soldering gun sparked as he moved it along the electronic components located within a thick layer of flexible material. A bead of sweat dripped down his brow, causing him to wipe it off but not stop his work.
"Excuse me," Starfire said as she tapped the Boy Wonder on the shoulder. "But, may I ask a question of you?"
"Sure, go ahead, Kori." Not bothering to look up at her, Tim continued to move the soldering gun along the wires he had spliced.
"I am confused. You are named Robin and the small child is named Robin. So which one of you is the real Robin, Tim Robin?"
Putting a hold on his work, Tim raised his goggles and looked for the younger Robin. He found him performing a kata with what looked like sharpened Bird-A-Rangs on the ends of his bo staff. Some of the moves were even kill shots on invisible opponents.
"Um, can you get back to me on that?"
"Everyone, gather up." Moving on Wonder Woman's words, the group gathered around the computer Nightwing was sitting at with Superman and the Amazon waiting nearby.
"Since we don't have a way to get backup, we have to work very carefully," Superman began. "We'll split into two teams. Wonder Woman will lead strike team Alpha against Trigon himself with Green Arrow, Hawk, Dove, and Starfire. The rest, Beta, will be lead by myself to cause a distraction in the city, hopefully getting Trigon's attention as we engage our turned team members. We need to strike fast to allow Alpha enough time to get to the island where Green Arrow will infiltrate Titan Tower and activate the self destruct sequence in the computers and hopefully take Trigon out. The rest of Alpha will keep him on the island and get Green Arrow out of there before the bomb goes off."
"But what if that doesn't destroy this thing?" Hawk asked. "I mean, we're the new guys so, what do we do then?"
"It should be enough to at least injure him greatly," Nightwing told him. "The force of the blast would be enough to sink the island, so if Trigon doesn't know about the powder keg he's sitting on, it should be enough to take him out, or injure him in the least. If it's the latter, it gives Fate time to heal his body completely before challenging him again."
"We move out in thirty," Superman ordered. "Take everything you need and keep your heads on a-"
"Wait," Green Arrow said as he moved forward. "What in the world is that?"
Looking at the computer screen, the group saw a black and purple light appear close to the harbor away from the massive group of people. It slowly grew brighter until several figures stepped out of it. Hidden from view, the young teens known as the first Titans hurried to get under cover as a group of citizens walked dangerously close by. Taking position within a nearby bank lobby, the five teens could be seen pointing to the island while preparing to move out.
"Are those-" Black Canary said.
"They'll be found," Wonder Woman commented. "We move now. Robin, older Robin. Take little Robin and Batgirl to intercept the Titan group. The rest, stick with the pla-"
Interrupting Wonder Woman, a loud reverberating bang echoed through the room. The sound of dozens of people could be heard upstairs as they came bursting in and began tearing up the building hiding the safe house.
"How did they know?" Black Canary asked.
"Get Fate in the weapons vault and be ready to run!" Superman ordered.
Before the group could even register what they needed to do, they heard a snarl from behind them an instant before Hawkman was attacked by his possessed wife. Jumping on his back, the winged alien woman attacked is face in an effort to blind him while using said feathered appendages to fend off the others around them.
"Get her off him!" Wonder Woman ordered.
"No!" Hawkman shouted. "Leave her to me! Get Fate's body to safety!"
Above the basement, at least a dozen civilians had broken down the doors and windows to gain access to the wash-a-teria above the League's safe house. Washers and dryers were tossed aside as the people tore the store apart until the possessed Batman stepped in. With glowing red eyes, he looked over the area and took out a small explosive device. Clearing the way for him, the possessed people watched as he placed the device on a semi-hidden coin changer machine and wrapped his cape around himself once he stepped away.
A small explosion later, and the way was clear for the mindless people to enter the basement when Superman and Wonder Woman came bursting through the floor. Those not yet down the steps were pushed back as the Kryptonian and Amazon cleared the way for the others to get out. Once in the streets, the two teams went about their ways to carry on the assault against Trigon when Batman snared Superman by a boot with a grapple gun.
Being the last to get out of the building, Superman drug the Dark Knight into the middle of the street and landed, snapping the cable with ease as Batman landed on his feet.
"If there's any part of you in there, Bruce," Superman said with a hand raised, "don't do this. Stand down."
Still kneeling, the white skinned, red eyed Batman took a Bat-A-Rang out and readied it to throw. His narrowed eyes targeted the Man of Steel with the intent to take him down.
"Bruce," Superman said.
Standing, Batman moved a portion of his cape from covering his right arm.
"Bruce."
Batman's other hand then moved to grab a capsule from a belt pouch.
"Bruce!"
"Hail Trigon," Batman said as he flung the capsule and Bat-A-Rang at Superman.
-Titan Tower-
Sitting on the semi-destroyed building, Trigon opened his eyes slightly. His hands flexed, digging into the structure as he grinned from knowing what the last of the mortal heroes were up to. They would never be able to even reach him, let alone save their city. The two teams, he could see everything, hear everything. And they would not stand a chance.
-Just a reminder, Hawkman only knocked his wife out when she was attacking him. It's not the same as what Beetle did to break Trigon's hold over Scarecrow.-