Revelation

Matthew Spectre's New Apartment, Gotham City, 10:24pm, September 30th, 2010

Bruce has outdone himself now. The condo, I'm in now used to be an old GCPD building before the city converted it into apartments. And lucky me, Bruce gave me the top suite. Large windows, open floor, so much space to myself. (1) Bruce did tell though that if I wrecked this one, street will be my new home. Let me tell ya, that man is terrifying. It's not has strength or how he fights, no. It's his fucking mind, he can fuck you up in 100 different way but when he puts his mind to something...it's fucking terrifying. I feel my phone vibrating as I check it. A text from Jade.

'I have something. Where can we meet?'

'240 Centre Street. Top suite.'

I reply back as I wait for her. Batman is pleased with the little bits that I'm getting but he needs something more solid but he is worried that I'm getting too...attached. I won't deny that I am...but I'm not going to let it affect me, I'll do what needs to be done. I sense someone on the roof. My bedroom door slides open as Jade reveals herself in her Cheshire gear. "Hello, dear. Love the new place." She says as she takes off her mask and approaches me. "Needed a new place, especially after the one I wrecked." I say as I pull her in close as she wraps her arms around my neck. "Ain't that the truth." She reaches up and kisses me as I respond in kind. We break as I smile down at her. "How have you been doing?" I ask before she breaks from me and walks into the kitchen. "Same old, same old. The Shadows are really quiet, Ra's has been leaving the compound a lot lately. But just last night, he came back." She says as I stand across from her. "Why? Why leave than come back?" I ask as she shrugs and pours some wine. "I don't know. But I found out who he's been talking too. Or at least one of them." She says as my eyes widen. "Who?" She slips her glass before pulling out a photo. I recognize that smug smile and bald head anywhere. "Lex Luthor?"

I say in surprise as I look up and see her smirk. "Imagine my surprise?" She says sarcastically as I look at the photo. Ra's and Lex together. "This doesn't make sense. Ra's wanted Luthor dead...unless, Taipei was just a big show." I say in frustration. "Seems that way. Both of them got what they wanted." She says as I raise an eyebrow. "A peaceful Rhlesia with Luthor's weapons...peace doesn't last long when you have animosity like North and South Rhlesia." She says as I nod. "Peace means bankruptcy for assassins." I say as she laughs. "Now that is the truth." She says as she sits at the table across from me. I look at the photo again. "What do they get out of this though? What do they want?" I say as she shrugs. "Power, money, influence, whatever gets their kicks in. Do these men really want anything else?" She asks for which I shake my head. "This has to run deeper than just that...what about the others? Anything else on the ones that Ra's has been talking too?" I ask her but she shakes her head. "It was hard enough getting that photo. I don't have a lot of movement nor influence with what Ra's or Luthor or whoever they are and what their planning." She says as I nod. "Not even their voices?" I ask as she ponders for a minute. "I do know that he was talking to two possibly three people." She says. "Any idea?" I ask as she points to the photo. "Well we know one. But I do remember a woman's voice." She says which surprises me. Ok, new details. "Any accent to pinpoint a suspect?" I ask as she thinks. "A Middle Eastern dialect but I could be wrong. I don't think I am though." She says which sends me thinking. A Middle Eastern woman, who has to have the influence of power to communicate discreetly with the likes of Luthor and Al Ghul. I ponder for a split second before one oerson comes to mind. "You have an idea of who it could be?" Jade asks as I nod. "I have a hunch but I'm going have to talk to Batman about it. What of the other voice?" I say as I notice her shiver. "This one is very calm, almost unnerving so. He speaks with a deep commanding voice. I picked up a conversation between this voice and Ra's and the voice seems to be giving orders. Ra's obeys no one. He doesn't take orders, he gives them." She says as I widen my eyes. "Any idea of who it could be?" I also as she shakes her head. "No idea. But if he is giving orders to Ra's than he must be pretty powerful or influential or both." She says as I nod.

"Whoever these people are, they are manipulating a lot but they are keeping their identities close to the chest." I say as Jade chuckles. "You could find out who. You know one already." She says as I shake my head. "No, too much of a risk. If I get the information from Luthor than the rest of them will figure out that their discretion is not as strong. And for people this secretive and paranoid, they'll look for any leaks. Can't risk your cover like that." I say as she laughs. "Ah, you worried about me?" She asks. "Isn't it obvious?" I sarcastically say back to her. "Yes it is. It's very endearing. Didn't think you would care." She says as I clench my fist. "Of course I care. What makes you think I didn't?" I ask her. She just sits there while drinking her wine. "You really think that I don't? I do care, Jade. I don't you to risk your life for this. Especially for this. I care because because it's the truth. I do care about you." I say with a tinge of anger as she looks at me. "Why? Why do you care? I'm just an assassin who has done so E really bad shit, why would you care about me?" She asks which makes me sigh. "Ever since you approached me about looking out for Artemis. I saw that hint of hope. That after all this mess, you would be with your sister again, finally have the chance to repair the bridge between you. I want to make that happen! I want to be able to see you, Artemis and Paula all together, happy to be together. So sorry if this is a big shock to you but it's the truth... I want to see you, Artemis and Paula together because I know it will mean everything to them because...all three of you deserve to have some happiness in your lives. So don't think for a minute that I don't give a shit." I say with anger as she stares wide eyed at me. I get my anger under control. I don't know where all that came from...but I'm glad that it's out.

Jade stands up and walks over to me. She gently places her hand across my shoulder blade as she caress my cheek with her other hand. I turn to her and look down into her eyes. She stares back with tears as I reach up and cradle her face, wiping her tears in the process. "Thank you." She whispers as I lean my head across hers. "Do you want to see them?" I ask her as she stares back at me. "You don't have to approach them but I think you should see them." I say quietly too her as she nods slowly.

Building across from Paula Crock's Apartment:

We kneel down against the roof wall as I pass Jade the binoculars. "302...second last window from the top left." I say as she focuses the binoculars. I look ahead and with my heighten sense of sight, I can see Artemis and Paula in the living room, eating dinner. I can see that they are laughing about something. I hear a sniffle as I glance at Jade wiping her tears away. "I shouldn't have left her...I shouldn't have left her." She says as I move over and hug her. "You were a child, Jade. It's not your fault." I say but she shakes her head. "I abandoned her. I said that she would slow me down. I left her with him. I should have taken her with me." She says with anger as she wipes her tears. I say nothing because nothing I say will help her now. She needs to get it out of her system. I just hold her comfortingly as she snuggles into me.

Matthew Spectre's Apartment:

After Jade had exhausted herself with her crying. I brought her back to my apartment so she could catch some sleep. I lay her on my bed as I move back into the living room. Before I leave, I feel a hand grab onto my own. I turn back to see her looking at me. "Please stay." She says with sadness in her voice as I nod. I remove my clothes, leaving me in my sweat pants. Jade removed her kimono, leaving her in a bra and underwear. I lay in the bed as Jade pulls the covers over. She snuggles up to me as I pull my arm over her, keeping her close. "Ah, that's cute." Zarathos says as I smile. "It almost sounds like you approve." I think back to him. "Not approval...just acceptance. You care about her. Possibly maybe something more. Being mad about it will get me nowhere because you'll just ignore me." He says as I laugh to myself. Thanks, Zarathos, appreciate your opinion. I think sarcastically which he just growls in response.

Next Morning:

I woke up slowly as I rolled over, my hand gals and hits nothing. I open my eyes and see that Jade is gone. I see a note on the bedside table. 'Thank you for being for me. I had to go, sooth I couldn't be there when you woke up. P.S. you are very adorable when you sleep'. I chuckle at her humor. I get up and go about my morning. I try the TV on and see the what's up in the news. I nearly trip when I see a massive plant creature thing sprouting from Metropolis. The plant however gives way and collapses onto the street. "What the fuck?" I say to myself as I bolt back into my room and change into my gear.

I walk up to the old phone booth. "Recongize. Ghost Rider. B-07." The zeta lady says as I'm teleported to the cave. I walk out and see that no one is around. I walk out but I sense someone in the corner. I turn and see Zatara walking up to me. "Ghost Rider." He says with a tinge of anger. "Zatara. Are you our supervisor?" I ask as he stares at me. "Why ask questions, you already know the answers to?" He asks sarcastically as I feel his mistrust and anger at me. I nod my head in understanding. "You don't like me very much. I can understand some level of why." I say with an obvious tone. "Yes...imagine my surprise when I found out that the boy that I ran into a few years ago was the host of the Spirit of Vengeance." He says. As he stares down at me. "I'll be watching you very closely." He says with a veiled threat as he walks past me. I feel Zarathos anger at the disrespect but nonetheless, I reel him back in. I turn and walk into the main common area where I hear giggling. I enter and see M'gann in the kitchen while Connor leaps over the couch and stares at the static TV. M'gann is furiously stirring the cake mix as I stare inbetween them. "Everything alright in here?" I ask. "All good, nothing to see." Both M'gann and Connor say in tandem as I smile. "O...K." I walk past them while keeping my gaze. I walk into the gym area and close the door. I reach out with my heightened senses as I hear a dual sigh. "That was close." M'gann says as Connor follows up. "Too close." I smile at that. The poor fools, they have no idea. I think joyfully as I turn to the large concrete and granite pillar in the centre of the gym. This bad boy was Connor's idea to improve our strength. Since myself, Connor and Blake have the strongest strength, we needed something other than a punching bag. I crack my knocking before leveling quick technical punches agaisnt the stone. Batman had made this with Superman's help, creating a concrete granite pillar is not easy. I punch quicker as I twirl into a spinning elbow. My elbow cracks the stone but it holds strong. If I was using all my strength, this pillar wouldn't even exist. Connor uses this to test his strength. While myself and Blake use it for our technical strikes and combos. Much better than asking someone to spar, especially with the risk of cracking a ton or erupting their heart. I leave one last solid punch to the pillar which makes small cracks.

I walk out of the gym and see Kaldur and Blake having an arm wrestle. Kaldur is strong, no doubt about it but he is having a really tough time with Blake's strength. Kaldur got so desperate he even tried to use his other hand but Blake just smirks and slams Kaldur's arm down. Blake smiles as Kaldur laughs. "You are indeed very strong. Very strong. You might be stronger than Matt." He says, hold on a minute. "Hey, hey, now. Those are fighting words." I say as everyone starts to gather around. "Wanna bet on it?" Artemis says challenging as I raise my eyebrows. I look at Blake who simply shrugs and holds up his arm. "Alright than." I say as I sit, I grasp Blake's hand as Robin covers our fists with his hand. "Place your bets. Place your bets. Who's gonna win? The Notorious Ghost Rider or the Mighty Black Bolt. Ready...set...wrestle!" Robin says dramatically as he releases our hands. Blake and I push with force against each other as the others cheer for their favourite. "Come Bolt, kick his ass." Wally says. "I got ten bucks riding on you Matt. Don't mess it up." Artemis says while Robin and Connor cheer. "Go! Go! Go! Go!" Me and Blake are trying with as much strength as the table can handle. I am able to push Blake's arm down before he suddenly starts smiling at me. My eyes widen in shock as Blake starts to push agaisnt me. He overpowers me as my arm is almost against the table. I glow my eyes as I fuel Hellfire into my muscles. The table starts cracking under pressure as Blake grits his teeth. The prong starts glowing with electron energy. We come back to he middle as no one seems to be going anywhere. This is it...what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immoveable object...this. The floor underneath is starting to break as the table begins bending from our pressure.

"Batman to team. Report to zeta hanger."

Batman's voice sounds as Blake and I let go. "Goddamn it." "This sucks!". Those are some of the complaints from the others. "Seems like we won't find out whose stronger." I say as Blake smiles. "Well, let's go see what the Big Bad Bat wants and than later, we can come back to me bearing you." I say as Blake shakes his head. "No? What do you mean? I am stronger than you." I say as he levels his hand and tilts back and forth. "What do you mean 'so-so'? You think you're stronger than me?" I ask as he nods. "Oh, Oh. This was all business before but now...now it's personal." I say jokingly as Blake smiles.

We walk out and see Zatara and Shazam in the zeta hanger. Shazam is eating one of Wally's granola bars. "So if Zatara is our babysitter for the week. Why is he still here?" Wally says as he point to Shazam. "And why is he eating my snacks?" He says which we all just laugh. Batman enters the zeta hanger. "Computer, national news." He says a the hologram pops open. "The attack as short lived but Metropolis was only granted a short reprieve. And despite the intervention of the Justice League, there seems to be no end in sight." Cat Grant says as we watch as monstrous plants, like the one from earlier attack Metropolis. Superman and the other Leaguers were able to save who they can but the plant is relentless. "Should we get our there?" Robin asks as Batman turns to us. "No, the League will soon have the situation under control. That's not why I'm here. According to your intel, Sportsmaster supplied Cadmus's Blockbuster formula to Kobra." Wally follows up. "Who combined it with Bane's Venom to create Kobra Venom." Robin then speaks up. "Which the Brain used to create his animal army." Connor then follows while petting the wolf. "And upgrade Wolf." He says, yep. Still with the very generic names.

"The Brain also used the same collars like the ones used at Belle Reve." M'gann says. "Batman, is it possible that these plant thingys are on Kobra Venom, too?" Artemis asks worriedly. "I had Green lantern run a spot analysis. Divine cellulose does contain traces amounts of a Kobra Venom variant." Batman says as he brings up a hologram on the plants cell. "These can't be coincidences. Unrelated criminals cooperating with one another worldwide." Kaldur says. "Exactly. It's now clear that our enemies have formed some kind of...secret society of super villains." Batman says as he glances at me, I glance back with a look. "The attack on Metropolis is only the beginning." He says as Robin types away on his holo computer. "Got that right. Plant creatures have sprouted in Gotham City, Paris, Star City, Taipei..." He doesn't finish as the computer screen goes static. "Dude." Wally says questioningly. "It's not me. Someone's cutting the satellite signal. All satellite signals." He says as the screen fixes on a pale man with green hair and a sick smile. Myself and Zarathos growl at the image. "Joker." I growl with anger at the man. "Ladies and Gentlemen.bwe interpret your regular scheduled mayhem to bring you this important announcement..." The sicko says as he takes out a knife and pans the camera to 6 other individuals. "...from the Injustice League. Ha! Ha! Ha!" Joker laughs as the camera zooms on the blond hair man in the middle. "We are responsible for the actions on your cities. If you wish to save them. A ransom of 10 billion American dollars is required." He says with a thick Eastern European accent. "Delivery instructions have been sent to the United Nations. There is no time limit. But the longer your governments wait..." The man stops speaking as the camera pans back to Joker. "The more we get to have our jollies." He says as he starts laughing with insanity ridden in his voice. The screen goes static once again.

Batman glances at me while I shake my head, no. He nods discreetly before reaching his hand to his ear. "Roger that, Aquaman. The UN will prepare the ransom as a fallback. But it won't come to that." Batman says as Robin starts typing vigorously. The screen rewinds to the image of the 6 individuals. "Count Vertigo, The Joker, Poison Ivy, Ultra-Humanite, Atomic Skull, Black Adam, Wotan. 7 heavy hitters. Probably behind everyone and everything we've faced." He says as I mentally groan. Don't jump to conclusions. "There's your secret society." Wally follows up. "Not so secret anymore." Artemis says as I decide to play along. "We have disrupted their operations. Maybe that decide to not bother to conceal themselves anymore. Which means, we now have the intel to go after them and stop them." I say as Wally fistbumps the air. "Well that's their mistake. Right now, I say we go kick some plant creature butt." He says but Batman ends his train of thought. "The Justice League will handle the plants. I have a different job for this team." He says as Wally complains. Artemis punches him in the arm. "With the plants attacking so many cities simultaneously, there must be a central control system. Your mission is to destroy it." Batman says as Zatara questions him. "You realise what you are really asking them to do?" My brain kicks in...oh. This will be a fun one. "They are ready." Batman says as Wally questions him. "Ready? For what?" Artemis punches him in the arm again. "Oww, what the hell was that for?" He says. "Hello, Wally. If the big guns are fighting the plants, who do you think we'll be fighting?" She asks sarcastically. "I don't know, I guess we'll..." He doesn't finish as Artemis points to the screen. Wally follows her arm as his eyes widen in realisation. "Oh...that makes more sense." He says as I laugh. "It made sense, you just didn't get it." He glares at me while myself and Blake smile.

"Well, Batman. I trust you're correct." Zatara says. "I trust you can locate the enemy." Batman throws back at him. "Indeed, Wotan's membership gives me reason to suggest sorcery is part of how the plants are controlled. Robin, if youl will provide a holo-map, I'll search for signs of concentrated sorcerous activity." Zatara says as Robin pulls up the map. Zatara hods his hands up and starts speaking in a foreign language. The map stops spinning as a red dot pings on a location. "There. That's where you'll find the Injustice League's central control system." Zatara says. "Coordinates locked in. Louisiana Bayou." He says as Kaldur speaks up. "We're on our way." He says as we all run to get changed into our gear.

Louisiana Bayou:

We are now flying over the bayou as everyone sits in silence. This will be out biggest challenge yet. Robin is checking his birdarangs. Artemis fixing her trick arrows. Wally getting some more energy in. Connor is petting Wolf, keeping him from falling over. Black Bolt is fixing his uniform as he breathes in and out in a calming fashion. I clench my chain covered fists before opening them again. "What's in the duffel?" Wally asks to Kaldur. "Plan 'B'." He simply responds as I hear a groan, we all turn to M'gann. "You ok?" Connor asks worriedly. "Dizzy." She says as Robin raises an eyebrow. "Martians get airsick?" I look at him with a deadpanned look. Really? "She does look a bit greener than usual." Wally says as I mentally slap myself. You idiots, she can fly, why would she have airsickness now. "Not me, her." M'gann says as we look to Artemis. "I feel fine." She says but M'gann waves her off. "Not you, The Bio-ship. She's trying to shield us but..." M'gann doesn't finish as suddenly the ship shakes violently back and forth. I brace myself against the turbulence the ship is suddenly hit with as everyone, par Black Bolt, scream in panic as we crash down into the swamp. We look out the windows and see large plant tentacles breach the water and wrap around the ship. We hear a thud as Black Adam pulls the top of the ship open. M'gann groans in pain. "He's hurting her!" She says as I speak up. "Black Bolt!" Blake shoots from his seat as he flies into Adam with so much force, that Adam is blasted from the ship. Bolt flies out of the hole as he tries to pull the ship up but Adam comes blitzing back. Water starts to fill the bridge as Artemis gets pissed off. "No. No way I'm nearly drowning 3 missions in a row." She says as she puts a breather in her mouth before passing Wally one. I let Zarathos take control.

P.O.V Change: Ghost Rider

The change releases Hellfire which boils the water around me. I dive under the water as Kaldur'ahm points to the hatch that M'gann opened. "Out. Everyone out." He says as they swim through the open hatch. We make our way far from the ship as we breach the water. My fire had been put out. I look ridiculous. I burst hellfire out as I'm instantly dry. That's much better. We watch as the bio ship is pulled under by the plants. "She's in shock. She'll need time to recover." M'gann says worriedly. I feel someone coming as I dodge out of the way of the vertigo wave. The team is driven to the ground by dizziness as I step out of the shadows. "Vertigo." I growl out as I hear a boom and see Black Bolt and Adam shooting past us. Bolt drags Adam's face along the ground but Adam blast him with a bolt of lightning. They resume their chase away from us. "You seem to have brought a strong foe." Vertigo says as he glances at Bolt. "You are out numbered Vertigo. You can't beat all of us." I say as he snarls. "Arrogant peasant!" He screams back Kaldur'ahm juggling's him on water that sends him into the trees. "Robin, Miss Martian. Disappear. We will keep them busy. You too complete the mission." I hear Kaldur'ahm say in my head. Adam comes back from wherever and punches Kaldur'ahm. Wolf tackles him but Adam throws him into Artemis and Wally. I swing a chain at Adam and pull him to me. Swing my fist downwards, his face is battered from my fist into the dirt, as he skids past me, I hear Black Bolt coming back. I whip Adam around and throw him towards Black Bolt who blasts him with his electron beam. The blast sends Adam flying through several trees.

I run after Adam with Black Bolt above me. Adam roars in rage as he swings a tree at Bolt who is sent flying miles away. Adam turns to me and swings the tree nut I cut down it with my chains. Grabbing one of the seperated trucks, I swing it back to him. He crashes to the ground with the tree on top of him. I run forward and feel a thunderous blow to my head, Adam pulls me into another tree. I catch his fist and head butt him before punching him with a chain covered fist. I whip my chain around as he tries to fly away but I pull him back down. He tries to overpower me with his strikes but he is weak and unrestrained. I punch his fist with my own as he reels in pain. He swings again, as I fluidly duck under and land tow blows to his liver, he groans a she punches again but I feel back and land an uppercut which sends him up. He doesn't get far as I wrpa him in chains and pull him back down. I swing him around but he changes his trajectory and kicks me in the head, he pulls on my chains as he swings me into the truck of a tree...head first. He lifts me up but I elbow him from behind my back as he reels. Knowing that he's outclassed, he flies faster than my chains wrap around him. "Damn." I growl as I make my way to where the control system is. Take it out and then take out the Injustice League. I hear branches breaking as I see Robin runaway from...Ivy. So she didn't take my warming. The plants around are all burned as I breath hellfire. Ivy panics in fear as she escapes the blaze. Walking through the fire, I keep my gaze on her. "I know you...you were in Arkham some years ago...I let you live because of your dedication to The Green. Now...you pay the price for your arrogance." I say as she backs away in fear. She sends plant after plant to strike me, grab me, drown me but they all burn before even touching me. "Please! I'm sorry! Don't kill me. I didn't know. They paid us. Please!" Ivy pleads with her life. "Wait...she knows something. Someone is pulling the strings. Please find out what." Matthew says to me as I growl. "Who paid you? Who told you to do this?" I ask as she starts crying. "They wanted us to attack. They said that if we get captured, we would be freed within hours of our deal. They said that we would be paid behind our wildest dreams!" She says as I step closer. "Who? I want names." I say to her. "Lex Luthor and a woman. I do not know who she is but she was dressed like royalty." Ivy says as I feel Matthew in my head. "Queen Bee. It matches what Jade said yesterday. A woman, with connections to Luthor and said that they would be paid. Queen Bee is a dictator of a powerful and unchecked country. Money is no issue especially not with Luthor either." He says as I nod and caress Ivy's cheek. "I won't kill you...but no good deed goes unpunished." I say as I leave molten scars, like a brand down her cheek as she whimpers in pain. I softly chop my hand on her head as she is knocked out. I lean her agaisnt the tree.

I look overhead and see Wotan, Vertigo and Adam transporting the others in a magical cage. The Bio-ship comes flying down which takes out Wotan. The cage breaks as everyone falls. Adam rushes and catches Vertigo. I hear a boom as Black Bolt comes flying back and picks up everyone out of the sky.

Bolt lands and places everyone down as I run to meet them. Ultra-Humanite, the intelligent Gorilla stands before us with a specialised gun. "I hate monkeys." Connor growls as both him and Wolf charge the gorilla. Vertigo and Adam come back down as myself and Bolt charge the disgraced champion of Shazam. Adam attacks us as I notice Wally, Artemis and Kaldur'ahm attack Vertigo. Adam throws a punch which I deflect, raising a knee to his chin, he reels back as Bolt flies forward and tackles him into a tree. Bolt blasts his beam at point blank range which explodes. Adam is sent flying through the trees. We hear beeping as we turn to the large plant in the centre of the control system. The beeping comes from all the bombs that Robin laid. The beeping stops as they all go off.

We see Robin and M'gann be blasted off the roof by Atomic Skull who lands in front. I stand before him. "Let's see if you can handle Hellfire." I growl as he blasts a severe amount of radiation at me. I hold my hand up and take the blast, Atomic Skull applies more pressure as I buckle to a knee. Taking the radiation and fueling it into my Hellfire, I am reaching a level that I didn't deem possible. Fiery wings sprout from my back as flames covered my entire body.bi March through the fire and grab hold of Skull's face. His radiation stops as everyone stares in amazement of my new appearance. "Not much apparently." I say as I slam him into the ground. I stare at Joker who is laughing at me. You dare! I speed to him while grabbing his tie lifting him up above my head. "Oh, are you going to end me? Go on! Do it! Show them who you really are!" Joker screams as I narrow my eyes at him. "Zarathos! Don't do it!" Kaldur'ahm calls out to me but I read this man's, no this...evils...soul. The thousands who have suffered. The innocents that have been taken. I throw the man to the ground behind me. I hear him chuckling. "Guess not even demons want to kill me. Ha!" He says as I turn sharply and knock him to the ground. He looks at me as I gaze at him with fiery rage. Hellfire is blazing so much that my skeleton is revealed and the wings shape into that resembles a dragon's wings. "NOW YOU DIE!" I roar but before I cover him in Hellfire, I'm blasted away but a magical beam. I crash into the command centre. My energy levels are plummeting come the making of control to keep the Hellfire from spewing is catching up to me. I give control back to Matthew so I can get this fire under control again.

P.O.V Change: Matthew Spectre

I'm shifted back as I get up with a groan. All that power, if Zarathos held out for any longer, my body wouldn't be able to handle the strain. I walk out of the centre wobbly as I see everyone being shocked with magical lightning from Wotan. I notice that Kaldur is holding something shiny. The Helmet of Fate. "No, Aqualad. Don't!" Wally screams but Adam bashes him away which Connor returns in kind. Kaldur puts the helmet on his head as sheer bright golden light is blasted out. The light dies and there stands Doctor Fate. I fear Wotan's fear as Fate flies up to him. "Wotan, you are mine." Fate decrees with his deep commanding voice. Wotan blast his magic at Fate who returns with his own. Fates magic proves superior as it cuts through Wotan's magic. The golden hits him as he into he command centre. The beam changes into golden chains which wraps him. I see Robin dealing with Joker. Connor and Black Bolt are hammering down on Adam. Artemis and Wally are making Ultra-Humanite's life miserable with speed punches and trick arrows. Atomic Skull is almost out of it but he is still giving his all agaisnt M'gann. I turn to Vertigo who gazes at me. "You are weak. Your form was most impressive but now...you are nothing." He says as I speed up to him, really close. He backs away in surprise as I grab him and headbutt him. He collapses to the ground completely dazed. "But still better than you." I say with indifference.

I watch as Wotan is gaining an upper hand on Fate. I notice Adam flying at me as I duck, Matrix style as I grab his leg and swing him back as Black Bolt flies in and delivers a flying knee to his head, knocking him out cold. I nod to Blake who nods back in thanks. I feel other souls inbound as look up and see the Justice League arriving. Wotan is knocked down by Zatara. I run over and whip him up before delivering a mean hook to his head, knocking him out. The Injustice League carry their unconscious allies to a circle as we all surround them. "It's over." Batman says as Vertigo comes too to see the League. He goes wide eyed but eventually holds his hands up. "There...will be another day." He says with a groan. "Another day? Another day!" Joker screams out. "There won't be another day. Not for any of us." He says while laughing as he lifts his hands and starts typing, more like piano playing. Plants sprout from the ground as it's spores explode, releasing a toxin gas. The gas almost reached us as Fate hovers above. "Fear not!" He shouts as an arkh forms which draws in all the gas. "Fate has intervened." Fate declares as Joker begins laughing. I match over to him in anger. Batman tries to stop me but I battered him away. I grab Joker by the neck. He is still laughing as my eyes glow bright with Hellfire. "Do it...kill me." He says while still laughing. "Matt! Don't do it! You do this...and he will win." Robin shouts at me. I breathe in before...twisting.

A loud crack is heard as I drop the Joker. I watch him crash tot he ground with lifeless eyes. The only running through his mind, was that he was surprised that I did it. I feel judgement looks from everyone, par from two. "He didn't win...I just sure that we didn't lose." I say as I walk off, Fate floats down in front of me, preventing me from leaving. "I do to want to fight you. But you try and stop me from leaving...I'll fight you too." I say but Fate nods his head and steps aside. I feel everyones surprise. "The Spirit of Vengeance is a necessary evil. To hinder you is to hinder Order. You may go." He says as I walk past him.

I sit on a broken tree trunk with Ivy's unconscious body sitting close. "It's done." I hear someone say as I look to see Kaldur standing before me. "How did-." Kaldur interrupts me. "Kent was able to convince Nabu to let me go...I want to talk about what happened with he Joker." He says as I notice Batman and the others approach. I sigh before looking at him. "I read souls. This you know. Imagine the horrors that Joker inflicted on the innocent, all those people dead and in the dirt, while he stood. I didn't do what I did so I would feel better. I did it because it had to be done. Joker was always on Zarathos's list, we just couldn't find him. It's done now and I don't regret it. Everyone that Joker killed can finally rest, now that their killer is being punished." I say. Batman stands before me. "Do something like this again...and you can find somewhere else to go." He say as threateningly as he walks away. Everyone par Blake follows him as I feel their judgemental eyes. Kaldur oats me on the back before going with them. I feel Blake's hand on my shoulder as I look up at him. He has a comforting smile on his face as I nod thankfully. At least I have someone in my corner.

Unknown Location: No P.O.V

"Impressive. The plant creatures have proven their usefulness as potential weapons. More importantly, the so called heroes, now believe that our secret society has been revealed and crushed. Most interesting is the wedge that the Ghost Rider was splintered in the team of the young heroes. The nature of the Rider can not be hindered for long and soon he will see his true purpose." A man says as he steps into he light. He is a towering me with a long cloak on, as well as a formal uniform. Three scars run down from his left side of his face to the right. "With the Injustice League as our proxies, we are once again free to operate with impunity." The man says as he gazes at his allies. Queen Bee, Ra's Al Ghul, Ocean Master, Lex Luthor, Klarion and The Brain. "And shadows still conceal our Light." The man finishes with a pleased smile.

A.N: (1): Think Daredevil's Apartment from the Netflix series.