Chapter 2

Dick and Tim were marveling at the technology of the Watchtower, seeing all the technological details until they reached the cafeteria. There were Superman, Diana, Dick and Tim, since the other founders were in the control room in case there was an emergency. One of the greatest wishes of Dick and Tim had been fulfilled, to know the Watchtower, until Superman interrupted his thoughts.

"Then," Superman began, "You do not know where Bruce is?"

"No," they answered in unison.

"Can you tell us the story?" Diana said very nervously.

"Well," Tim began, "'It was simple: Barbara and I had homework with school and work and Dick was in Blüdheaven, so Bruce was doing the work by himself, as usual, but Alfred told us that Bruce had been working both in the League and in Gotham. Alfred was the last one to see Bruce before he left for the patrol. When Bruce did not return, Alfred believed that he had gone to work or that he had disconnected his link, and that is why he did not respond, since his vital signs were the same as hours before. Having not seen him, Alfred thought he was with Selina Kyle, you know, Catwoman, so he called me and asked for my help."

Listening to Selina Kyle's name caused great inner anger in Diana. She knew Selina Kyle's name because of a previous mission she had with Batman, but Superman told her that she was maybe a girlfriend or close friend, or not even that. Diana was ready to go to Gotham City and scold Bruce for evading his duties, or so he thought when Dick started talking.

"But Tim called me and telling me the same thing that he just told you, that Bruce did not show up, so I came to help. So we watched Selina all day. We even investigated in her hiding places and her apartment, but Bruce was not in any of those, reason why we discarded her as the main suspect. Obviously Bruce would never leave a mission for being with any woman, so there was no one suspicious."

"We even went to the Arkham Asylum before dawn," Tim said, "but they were all in their cells, even the Joker. So we thought he was with you, so we ended up here."

"Now that we have seen that Bruce is not here or anywhere known, how do we find him?" Said Dick

"There must be a way to find him, and fast," Diana said. "This can not be good. Bruce always told me he had a tracker, but I think it's not turned on and that's why we can not locate him."

Obviously, Dick and Tim knew this about Bruce, but that Diana knew about his tracker meant that Bruce trusted her completely.

"Yes, we can," said J'onn, who had arrived as calmly as possible. "Batman installed a tracking system for his suit or devices to locate him, even when he was off. But I think we need a device from you to be able to find it faster. We go to the teleporter."

"You read our mind, J'onn?" Diana asked.

"Yes, and do not complain, because I can help."

In the teleporter's room, Tim handed something from his belt to J'onn, who connected it to the computer. After a few minutes they saw the giant screen, and they found a red dot.

"I think I found it," J'onn said. It is still in Gotham City. But in an abandoned warehouse, and it seems that it is the only one that is there.

"That's in old Gotham City," Tim said.

"We must go for him," Diana said.

Dick and Tim looked at the Amazon. Tim knew that she was very much in love with Bruce, and Dick maybe noticed or maybe he did not, since he almost never saw Bruce or the league, but they did not know if he felt the same. They wanted him to find the pure love he needed and deserved, but they did not know why he chose the worst options, like Talia Al Ghul and Selina. All ended badly and they wanted this bad pair selection to end.

"Yes," Superman agreed. "We'll go Diana, Tim and Dick and me."

"Insurance?" Tim asked. "Do not they have homework?"

"No, and Bruce is our friend. We will go for it. Also, it seems that he is being held prisoner by a Mafia leader. So it will be easy."

"What are we waiting for?" asked Diana, who was already on the teleportation platform.

The three were surprised, but ran to the teleportation platform.

"J'onn, transport us out of the building. It will be an ambush," said Dick.

"Copied."

Within seconds, all four were outside a warehouse. The night was already, so there was no risk of being seen.

"Diana," Superman called, "Investigate the surroundings to see if there is someone watching, we will enter."

Diana nodded and began to investigate. She wanted to go in and save Bruce, but she knew that this wasn't going to be easy. So she would see Bruce soon.

The three men entered the warehouse, which was dark, despite having some lights. There was no sign of any mobster or supervillain, so they would have to inspect slowly, but Superman was there, so he found Bruce very easily.

"There he is," said Superman.

Everyone ran and saw Batman on his back, curiously his cape had confused him with the darkness. They called him twice in whispers, but he did not answer. They approached and saw Batman smiling very happy. It was terrifying for the three of them, because Batman was not smiling, and his smile was more terrifying than his usual cold, hard face with the hood that still covered half of his face, and apparently he did not move or speak.

Superman let out a small scream, followed by shouts from Dick and Tim, when he recognized what Bruce was wearing on his chest. It was something he did not think he would see again, that he did not want to see again, and it was bad that he was back in his friend's chest.

It was the Black Mercy plant.