Independence Day
Gotham Park, Gotham: 12:39pm, July 4th, 2010:
P.O.V: Matthew
Leaning on the side of the bike, I watch as Robin toys with Mr Freeze. A large shape flies overhead and unravels his cape...always with the theatrics. Batman punches through Freeze's glass helmet and knocks him out. The Dynamic Duo stand there tall and proud...or broody, with Batman. I walk over to them with a slow clap in my stride. They turn their attention to me. "Well done guys, that was amazing...a bit slower than your usual time." I say sarcastically as I brush my hand over one of the frozen civilians, the small amount hellfire melts the ice fairly quickly. The man panics and just runs away...smart.
"You could've helped." Batman drones out but I just shrug. "It would've been over before you got here and I can't take all the credit...this is still your city." I quip and he just grumbles. "So...you exicted? Today's the day." Robin says as he walks up the me. "Like the thousands of times I have said...I'm not joining your superhero boy band." I say with exasperation. "Come on... it'll be fun." He tries to push. "My answer is no but to stop your pestering...I'll come by and see you get inducted...sound fair?" I say as Robin smiles. "Thanks Matty...I appreciate that." I glower at the nickname but smile nonetheless. "Whatever." I say as I walk but to my bike. "What happened to the Charger?" Robin asks. "I decided that I need a change. I still have the car and no your not having it." I say as Robin pouts. "See you in Washington." I say as I drive off towards Washington DC.
Washington DC, 2:00pm, July 4th, 2010:
I rock up to the Hall of Justice. Got to give the League credit...go big or go home. I see Batman with Robin. Green Arrow with his protege, Speedy. Weird name for an archer. Aquaman with his protege Aqualad. Now there's just one more that should be here..."oh man." I turn and see The Flash arrive with his own protege, Kid Flash. "I knew we'd be the last ones here." The yellow clad teen moans as I laugh. Fastest people in the world and always arrive late. Ironic.
"Hehe..." I chuckle to myself as I walk up to the group. "Who the hell are you?" Speedy says to me...that's just plain rude. "Me? I'm just a guy." I say as stand in front of them. "This is Matthew Nygma...he is here as a guest and as a potential recruit." Batman says to the leaguers as I scoff. "My answer is still no." I say as Robin chuckles. "Just wait." He says as I glower at him. "Ohh...nice ride." I hear Kid Flash say as he speeds over and starts inspecting my motorcycle. He starts brushing his hands over it. I suggest an idea to the Rider who chuckles. My eyes glow as I let a little bit of hellfire heat come off the bike. Kid Flash cries in pain as he pulls his hands back and swings back and forth. "Don't touch the bike mate." I say as I notice Batman's glare. I shrug as I see Aqualad smirk and Robin holding his stomach from laughter. Speedy just stands there, brooding. Pull the stick out mate and have a laugh. "What the hell was that?" Kid Flash says as he speeds back over to us. "Forget about it." Batman says as he walks to the Hall. We are get the unasked order and follow after him.
"Whoa, is that Batman?" "I see Flash and Flash Jr." I hear people. I just find it hilarious...superheros are now the new celebrities...can't go anywhere without someone flashing their camera. The Rider hates. Hates the attention...even though he isn't getting any of it. "His name is speedy, duh." "No, Speedy's Green Arrow's sidekick." "Well that doesn't make sense." I hear two bloke having a conversation and finally someone other than me finally acknowledges the weird ass name.
"Glad we're all here." Aqualad says. "Have all four sidekicks been in the same place before?" Kid Flash quips as I feel intense hate come from Speedy. "Don't call us sidekicks...not after today." He says with venom. Jesus...he really needs to pull the stick out. "Sorry. First time at the hall...I'm a little overwhelmed." Kid says as Robin retorts. "You're overwhelmed... Freeze was underwhelmed. Why isn't anyone just whelmed?" I come up behind him and playfully snack him on the head. "Because the rest of us think properly." I say as I stroll past him. "Ok seriously, who is he?" Speedy says as I stand before the Hall's doors. "They are very annoying." The Rider says as I nod. "Now you know how I feel when you say something annoying." I quip and the Riser growls at me. "Who are you talking too?" Aqualad asks me with a raised eyebrow. "Oh...just myself. Need a genius opinion every now and then." I reply as Aqualad smirks at my retort.
The doors open to see the massive statues of the founding members of the League. I can sense the wonder and awe from the sidekicks. "Such pretentious vanity...disgusting." I nod my head in agreement...very, very pretentious. The steel doors with an 'authorised personnel' sign opens as two tall men walk out. A green skilled humanoid, known as the Martin Manhunter. And a red metallic humanoid with a blue cape and yellow markings. The android, Red Tornado.
"Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, Kid Flash, welcome." Manhunter speaks in a soft monotone voice. He turns and gestures everyone to follow but Red Tornado stops me as he presses his hand agaisnt my chest. The Rider always said not to harm the innocent...but that is only innocents with souls. I stare angrily at the rudeness of the android. "Authorised personnel only." He says in a flat robotic voice. "He's with us...let him in." Batman says as Red Tornado turns to Batman and back to me. His hand drops before strolling away. I flex my jacket before following after the group.
We arrive at a large library. "...and of course, our library." Manhunter finishes as Flash gestures to the open space. "Make yourselves at home." He says as Robin, Kid Flash and Aqualad relax on the chairs. Speedy stands with his hands on his hips...anger rolling in waves. I stand back on a side table and pick up an unsolved Rubix Cube, I start trying to solve as I hear the computer scan the league members. I heard something about four ice villains attacking on the same day...who the fuck cares. "That's it? You promised us a real look inside, not a glorified backstage pass." Speedy says as he stands before the league members. "He is as arrogant as he is stupid." The Rider states as I watch in amusement as the red clad archer makes a fool of himself. Speedy gestures to the windows as tourists look within and flash cameras. Not much of a secret base, is it? "Who cares what side of the glass we are on?" He say in anger. "Roy...you just need to be patient." Green Arrow tries to defuse the situation but Speedy is having none of it. "What I need is respect." I choke on my breath and give out a quiet laugh. Everyone turns to me as I clear my throat. "You got a problem?" Speedy says to me with narrowed eyes.
"Yeah...the fact that you are demanding respect when bitching and moaning. Almost like a child." I say in a condescending tone. His eye twitch under his domino mask. The Rider is howling in laughter at the burn...pun intended. "They are treating us like kids...worse like sidekicks." He says as he turns his attention to the others. I wanted to something but my piece had already been said. I drone out the conversation. Whine, more whining...fucking hell, it's just whining. "...orbiting satellites called the Watchtower." I perk up at that bit of news. Clever...very clever. I see that Green Arrow has turned to Batman who is just glaring a hole through the blonde. Before Arrow can say anything, I speak. "Someone fucked up." I say as Arrow turns to me. I shrug non-chalantly.
Speedy throws his hat to the ground in a fit and walks off. "Guess their right about you three." He says as he walks past the others. "Your not ready." He says as he stares at me. I smile at his arrogance. "The world is much more menacing on your own...try not to get chewed up by it." I say as I chuck him the solved cube. He catches it and glares at me as he walks away. "Douchebag." I say as he exits the library.
An alarm blares as the big guy, Superman, graces the computer screen. "Superman to Justice League. There's been an explosion at Project Cadmus. It's on fire." Ohh, fire is always fine. Batman walks up to the screen. "I've had my suspicions about Cadmus. Maybe this will present the perfect opportunity to in-." Before Batman can finish, another face pops up. One that one recongise. "Satara to Justice League. The sorcerer Wotan is using the Amulet of Attan to block out the Sun. Requesting full League response." He says as I trail put of frame...just in case. "Superman?" Batman questions. "It's a small fire...local authorities got it covered." The big guy says as Batman switches a button. "Than Cadmus can wait. All leaguers assemble at Zatara's position. Batman, out." He says as the screen shuts off before turning back to the others.
"Stay put." He says, ohh, bad move. "What? Why?" Robin says in a shocked voice. "This is a League mission." "You're not trained." Aquaman and Flash say respectively. "I meant that you're not trained for this mission." Flash says. "There will be other missions. But for now let us handle this." Aquaman follows up. "So stay put." Batman drones out with his infamous glare. The three of them walk towards the restricted door, for leaguers only. Batman turns his attention to me. "Watch them." He says as I feel the Rider growl. I agree with his annoyance...I'm not a fucking watch dog.
"My king...I thought that he trusted me. What secrets could they be also keeping from us?" Aqualad states as I sigh. "Maybe some that are better left in the dark...until the right moment." I say as they turn to me. "How do you figure that?" Kid Flash says to me. I ponder for a minute. "Do you believe in Fate...Mr West." I say which makes all their eyes go wide. "How'd you-.?" He doesn't finish as I interrupt. "Do you?" I say as he shakes his head. "Well...I do. I don't think that it's a coincidence that two events happen at the same time. Not like this. Cadmus is something that Batman wants to investigate. However, a sorcerer deemed that today...of all days is the one that forces all members of the league together. Now...you three have a choice...sit by and wait...or make something of yourself and step out of your mentor's shadows." I say as I lean back on the table.
All three of them are quiet for a minute. Myself and the Rider wait with baited breath for something to happen. "What is...project Cadmus?" Aqualad states as I silently cheer. Hook, line and sinker. "Don't know. But I can find out." Robin says as he heads to the computer. I lean up on the table and watch him hack the computer. And of course it's the same system as the Batcave. Batman should really invest in different passwords. "Hehehe." I feel the Rider laugh at my joke. Thanks. "Ok...project Cadmus. Genetics lab, here in DC. That's all there is, but if Batman's suspicious, than it's worth investigating." Robin says as he smirks. I chuckle at his thought process, he's already made up his mind. "Solve the case before the League does...it would be poetic justice." Aqualad says. Ok, ok. Things are getting interesting. "Wait, wait. You guys are going to Cadmus? Because if you're going, than I'm going." Kid Flash says as they turn their attention Aqualad. "So just like that? Are we a team on a mission?" I see that Aqualad is thinking about it. Smart...assess the pros and cons. "We didn't come for a play date." And just like that, Robin has a way with convincing people. All three of them head to the door as Robin turns to me. "Matty? You coming?" Robin says as I growl again at the nickname. "I told you, I'm not apart of this hero shit. And I told you to stop calling me 'Matty'. I say to him. He just shrugs and runs out. Kid Flash follows behind as Aqualad double glances at me. "We could use the help of it goes bad." He says...he is asking help from someone that he doesn't know. I don't know if that's naivety or optimism. "Sorry p'all. Not my business." I say as Aqualad nods in respect and follows after the other two.
I get up and walk to the full size mirror in the library as my shape changes from me to the Rider. "Why didn't you go with them?" He asks as I shrug my shoulders. "Hero business is not our forte...plus it's stupid." I say. The Rider paces back and forth. "You said something about Fate before...I believe in Fate. It has a plan for us...all of us. Even me. I feel that something major is about to happen in the next few hours. For good or bad, I don't know. But I would like to find out." He says as I get the feeling of hope from him. "What are you planning to get out of this?" I ask him. "Maybe...I think that we need a change. We have been alone for so long. We have made a lot of enemies. Wouldn't hurt to have a few friends." He says as I sit back on the floor. I ponder for a minute. He is right...we do have a lot of enemies...hero stuff is something the Rider despises but maybe he thinks that we can make it work. Oh, we won't be a hero, no way. More of a... necessary evil. "Where do we start?" I ask the Rider who has an evil smirk on his...skull...bone face? How the hell does he have expression anyone?
Later that evening:
I drobe the bike to where Cadmus is. The Rise says that he feels a lot of negativity here. Something bad has happened or will happen. I walk past the puddle of water and the firemen, before throwing a chain at the open window and pulling myself in. I see a computer which Robin probably hacked. Files that are thrown everywhere. I walk to a corridor and see an open elevator with a able going down. Down? I walk over and see that the shaft goes way down deep, this shouldn't be here. I jump on the cable and slide down to its end. I swing over to the open doors while pulling the grappling hook back in. I hook it on, Robin would want this back.
"Rider...see if you can track them." I ask the Rider who hmms. My eyes glow as I sense the presence of a lot of souls...some of them are very dark and corrupted. Something really bad is going on here. I feel Robin's soul...being the most familiar of the trio and I turn a corner and find a small creature stating up at me. It's small horns glow as I feel something in my head. "Leave! Parasite!" The Rider yells as the small creature wails in agony as it holds its head, the creature falls dead to the ground. "What the hell was that?" I ask. "Mental intrusion. Little bastard thought that he could control me...HA!" The Rider states as I continue on my way. So Cadmus has little creatures that can control minds in this deep underground secret facility. I am never doubting Batman's gut ever again. I turn a corner and see a large open walkway with dozens of electricity generating creatures. Seems Cadmus found a way to stay off the grid. "What are you doing here?! Are you with those intruders?" A man says as I see a blue clad man with a yellow helmet and shield on his arm. "I don't want any trouble. Just looking for my friends." I say as dozens of creatures. These ones are skinny, with really sharp claws. "You're friends started this trouble. Take him, don't let him escape!" The man shouts as I let the Rider out.
P.O.V Change: The Rider
I swing my chains as I cut through these corrupted abominations. Life is only for God to create. This is an aberration of nature. I will correct it. Their souls will spend an eternity in torture for the horror that they have wrought. I take great pleasure of teaching them that fact. I roar as I wrap a chain around one of the creatures and tear it to pieces before being damned. The creatures give no such feeling of fear...but the man does. I turn my attention to him as he runs to me with his shield. I grip the edge as I hold it back. The man tries to push further into me but I give no ground. I chuckle and throw him down the hallway. He scurries away as the creatures continue coming. I twirl them in a wrap around and incinerate them all. I pull the chains back around my arms as I give control back to Matthew.
P.O.V Change: Matthew
I feel my skin grow back. Something that I never got used to. When my flesh burns away, I don't feel it because the Rider is in control but when I come back, I feel the skin grow back and it's very uncomfortable to feel your skin grow and stitch itself back together. I feel where Robin went as I head down a corridor and turn another corner. I see an elevator door open as I look down and see the lift right there. The Rider empowers my legs as I jump down and land with a thud. I light my hands with hellfire and push through the metal. The super heat of the hellfire burns through the thick steel like butter. I drop down and see the difference in design with this floor. Weird red rock coats the walls, they almost look like they are melting. Strange blue and red circles are randomly coming out of the walls. I reach my senses out and feel the souls of Robin, Kid Flash and Aqualad. I walk down the right hallway. I hear voices as I hug a corner. "Get some G-trolls down here and get this door open!" I glance and see a doctor, possibly the one on charge, yelling at the man from before. "They are already on their way...but I don't know where the other intruder went. He had great power. I suggest that we use the G-trolls to muscle down on the fourth intruder." The man said to the doctor. "That intruder will get what's coming to them. But for now, we wait. Plus...you realize that we can't let those intruders go, do you?" The doctor said as me and the Rider growl in anger. "Doc, these aren't your typical meddling kids. You don't want to get on the wrong side of the Justice League." The man in blue said. Weird. He is concerned about them when before with me, he was incredibly aggressive. The little creature from before is preached on his shoulder, as well the doctor. I suddenly notice the blue skinned horned...thing behind the doctor. "What the hell is going on down here?" I whisper to the Rider. I notice the little creature on the man in blue shoulder, its horns are glowing. This must be the way that they telepathically communicate. Fascinating but incredibly invasive. I drive my senses through the thick door and feel the souls within...strange, there's a fourth. I hear muddled noises, similar to crashes and bangs going on. For a minute there is noise and then silence. I glance around the corner and see the thick door pulled down as I young man with black hair, blue eyes and a white full body suit with a red 'S' on it stands there, emotionless. I see the very close resemblance between him and the big guy. "A clone...interesting." The Rider states as the doctor walks next to him and gazes down at the knocked-out bodies of Robin, Kid Flash and Aqualad. "Attaboy." The doctor says to the clone who continues to stand emotionless. A clone of Superman...this got a whole lot harder.