Humanity
A.N: Forewarning, mentions of child abuse and sexual assault.
Mount Justice: 11:17am, October 4th, 2010:
Three days have past since the Injustice League's attack. Batman and I had an uneasy meet to discuss the Injustice League. He gave me a hard look and nothing else. Not a good job, or satisfactory. Just stood and left. The team wasn't any better, matter of fact, they were worse. Blake was the only one that treated me the same but everyone was avoiding me. Robin and Wally were most vocal about their displeasure. Snid comments, veiled insults, etc. M'gann was torn between what everyone thought and my feelings, she just didn't know who to stand with. Kaldur wasn't bad but I could feel his slight uneasy and mistrust around me, he tried to hide it and that is what made it worse. He thought that he could hide it from me. Connor gave me angry glares and shoulder checks. Artemis however, seem conflicted. Between going with the group and to me ask something. I enter the common area and see everyone around the dining table, wasting lunch. I grab my portions and make my way over. Robin and Wally get up immediately and walk over to the sitting area. Connor follows with M'gann second guessing before following after him. Artemis sat for a few minutes before walking over to them, an apologetic look directed over to me. "Sorry." She mumbled to me but she refused to meet my eyes. Blake and Kaldur were the only ones that remained at the table. I sigh as I sit in a vacant spot and start picking at bits and pieces, suddenly I've now lost my appetite.
I watch look up at everyone eating as I slam my fork and knife to the table, everyone jumps from the noise as I leave the room. Black Canary enters the room as I barge past her. "Matt, Batman has ordered for a therapy session between us." She says to me as I retort back angrily. "Take your order and fuck off!" I shout as I enter the gym. I take off my jacket and shirt before clenching my fists. I walk up to the pillar and began punching with all the pain, rage and hurt in my fists. The stone pillar begins cracking and breaking off pieces as I continuing punishing the stone. "Matt." I hear someone callout but I ignore them. I grunt and groan as my skin begins breaking and bleeding, Zarathos heals it instantly but my barrage just reopens them. "Matt." The voice calls out as I scream in rage as the cracks get larger. "Matt!" The voice screams, I send one last haymaker as a large piece of the pillar is broken off as I punch through the outer edge. I turn sharply and see Artemis standing within the doorway.
She has a sad expression and her face as she approaches me. I move back from her as I stare angrily. "What do you want?" I ask as she sighs. "Kaldur requested a team meeting." She says as I shake my head. "Fine, lead the way...teammate." I say the last part with venom as I walk past her. I enter the living room as I fix my shirt and put my jacket back on. I see the team and Canary gathered around as Kaldur gestures to the vacant chair. I scoff and sit. "So, what's this about? I have better things to do." I say. The team looks amongst themselves as Robin speaks. "We want to know why you killed Joker? We understand why Zarathos does it, but we have never seen you kill, we are wondering why, you chose to act like him?" He says as I stare at him. "You really think that I chose to act like him. You stupid fucking dumbass, I've always been like this, you just didn't see it. And if this is how this intervention is going to go, than I want no part of it." I say as I get up and leave, only for Blake to hold me back. I stare at him as he signs. "I know that you are hurt. They want answers, you don't have to stay but I think that this will be good, not just for them but you as well. All in all, it's up to you, my friend." He tells me as I ponder for a minute. An idea pops into my head which I crush immediately. "Don't push it down, Matthew. Embrace the chaos that made you what you are now." Zarathos says to me as I nod slowly. I walk back to the chair and sit down.
"Have I ever told you how I became the Ghost Rider?" I say as everyone has confused faces and shakes their head. "Figured. It's not a story that I find joy in. Hardly anything in my life has joy in it." I say as I stare at my hands. "Growing up in Gotham was never easy. My mother was a prostitute and a drug addict. I basically had to raise myself. The first few years with Mom we're alright but eventually I learnt, pretty quickly, that she liked other men more than me. Her boyfriends weren't any better, if not, worse than her." I say as I feel their surprise and sadness. "I learnt quickly to pick pocket the snobby rich businessmen when they leave their jobs. I robbed convenience stores to keep food on the table and in our fridge. Sometimes, I would bring food home and mom would have her fits...my back was a belt rack more often than not." I say as I feel tears well into my eyes. "It was about 5 years ago. I was about Robin's age, I was walking down the street, doing my weekly store robbing when I saw a woman walking in the opposite direction to me. Suddenly, a cop car and a van pull over to the side as two coppers and three criminals jumped out and took the woman down in the alley. I walked to the alley entrance and saw what they were doing." I say as I feel Artemis, Robin, Wally and Kaldur's trepidation. "They were pulling at her clothes, saying slurs to her. Jeering at her, laughing, etc. She was screaming, pleading for help but no one but I heard her." I say as I see horror fill M'gann's and Connor's eyes. Blake has an angry and sad look on his face. "I grew up not to care about what's happening to other people, just worry about myself. But the woman saw me. I looked into her eyes and saw her plead, heard for cry for help, and I shook my head and kept on walking, not my problem." I say as everyone stares shocked at me.
"But I couldn't get her eyes out of my head, I couldn't stop her screams. So I did something really stupid. I ran into he alley and just started swinging. Imagine that, a thirteen year old boy, with no training and no idea of what to do against five grown men with guns. I suffered for my heroic act." I say as I hang my head. "What happened?" I hear Artemis's quiet voice sound as I look up. "One of the men shot me...and I died." I say as they all stare in horror. I open my jacket and lift my shirt. Three bullet scars are seen. One on the edge of my stomach, one to my left pectoral and one directly into my heart. "When I died, I saw nothing. Just darkness, no one to greet me, no one to tell me that everything will be alright. Just...black nothingness...until I heard a voice. A voice asking me if I wanted vengeance, if I wanted to make the people that did this to suffer...to pay." I say as Wally speaks. "Zarathos." He says as I nod. "For a split second, I was going to refuse but I felt this anger, this rage at what those men did. Two cops were there, they were suppose to protect the innocent and they broke their oarh to serve and protect. I said yes...more than anything...yes." I say as everyone looks in shock. "I came too and I saw this fiery figure before me. I felt this intense surge of energy and power. He healed me. I got up and I saw the woman. She was beaten, bloody, her clothes torn off. A single bullet hole in her head, right between the eyes." I say as M'gann covers her mouth as tears fall free. Everyone, even Connor and Canary are wiping to tears away.
I checked the woman's wallet and saw that her name was Nicole Walters. She wasn't anyone special, she was just ordinary, going about her life and those...animals violated her, beat her and killed her, for no real reason. Just because they could and no one could stop them. I found a photo in her wallet of a tree that I had seen in Gotham Park. She was happy in the photo. I carried her, across town, in the dark and cold. I buried her under the tree. I didn't know this woman, and she was the one that made me truly see. The world is a cruel place that we prey on the innocent. Violently prey on them and leave them behind to rot, just like what the men did to her. I felt rage and hate for those men and I made sure that they all paid for it. The Penance Stare is something that I use sparsely but those men deserve the worst kind of hell. To be trapped within their own minds as they experience all the pain and suffering that they have ever inflicted on an innocent. And they will experience that torture for the rest of eternity." I say with anger as everyone is shocked by my story. "I realised that the guilty need to be punished for their actions. They deserve nothing but the worst treatment for their actions. That's why I killed Joker. I made a promise that the guilty would suffer. I've made sure that some live for a chance a redemption but the truly evil. Men like the Joker and the men who killed Nicole, they deserve nothing but death. And if you lot have a problem with that than you can fuck yourself. Your moral high ground means nothing when mother's, father's, daughters and sons are taken away by evil men and women. You think yourselves heroes, you are nothing but children playing dress up. Until you know the true horror and potential that humanity can inflict on itself, only than can you judge me." I say in anger as I get up and leave the room.
I walk out to the zeta hanger and pace back and forth. All the emotions, all the repressed feelings come back as I pick up a crate and throw it across the room. I collapse to my knees as I feel everything. "AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" I roar out in anguish and agony. I feel someone coming. I look up and see Batman standing before me. "Piss off, Bruce. I want to be left alone." I say as he kneels beside me and hugs me. I feel weird but I collapse into his arms. "I'm sorry, Matt." He says as he breaks from me. "I was wrong to judge. I shouldn't have done that. My own code and feelings against killing pushed you away. I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have blamed you." He says as I shake my head. "What hurt the most was that you didn't even ask why? You just threw me off like I was a criminal. You treated me like I was out of control." I say as I stand and move away. "Nothing, I say will ever make up for that. I'm...hoping that I get a second chance." He says as I look back at him. "Second chance huh? Will I get that same chance?" I ask as he nods. I think about it before holding my hand out. He takes it and shakes. "I saw the camera feed. I'm sorry that happened to you." He says as I wave him off. "What's done is done...I wanted to save her but I couldn't. The least I could do was to make sure that her killers are punished and that it never happened to another person again." I say as Batman nods. I walk past him as I enter the common room again. A green blur barges into me and hugs me. I look down and see M'gann crying with her arms around me. I hug her back as everyone, including Canary, wraps their arms around me. I feel their sadness and regret. They are sorry for what they did and how they treated me. "We're sorry, Matt. Truly." Robin says. "It's ok. Getting my history off my chest...I thank you for listening." I say as I feel everyone tighten their hold. These people can make mistakes...they can judge prematurely, but goddamn, I wouldn't change them for the world.
Mount Justice Zeta Hanger: 6:58pm, October 10th, 2010:
Combat training was today. Connor had partnered with Blake, M'gann with Robin, and myself with Kaldur. Artemis was sulking because she didn't get picked but also because of Wally's broken arm, he was exempt from combat training. Which he took full advantage of, using Shazam as personal buttler. "Great work everyone. I fact, it's been a very productive week." Canary says as training stops. "Yeah, for for everyone except Kid malingerer over there." Artemis says bitterly as she points to Wally. "Hey! Arm broken in combat agaisnt the Injustice League here." He says while sipping a milkshake. Canary chuckles as we turn to her. "I've really enjoyed being your...den mother, for the week." She says as we all nod gratefully. "Recongize. Zatara. 1-1." The zeta opens up as we watch Zatara enter the cave. He opens the zeta computer. "Access granted. Zatanna Zatara. A-03." The zeta lady says as my eyes widen. The zeta opens as a young woman steps out. I recongize the face and the curious eyes. Only now, I see a reserved look etched on her face. "Zatanna. This is the team. Team, my daughter. Zatanna." Zatara says as she steps into he light. M'gann floats down to her. "Hi! I'm-." She doesn't finish as Robin interrupts her. "Robin! Ahem. I'm Robin. Heh." He says awkwardly as I smile at the obvious attraction that he feels for the young woman. "She's M'gann. And that's Wally, Artemis, Kaldur, Connor, Blake and-." This time Zatanna interrupts as she and I stare at each other. "Ghost Rider." She says as she stands in front of me. "How's the doll?" I say to her as she smiles. "She's fine, she wants to thank her saviour though." She says as I smile at her humor. "I'm Matthew." I say as I hold out my hand. "Pleasure to meet you properly...unlike last time." She says jokingly as I smirk. "You guys know each other?" Robin says as I feel slight jealously from him. Are you an idiot. She's fucking fourteen. I'm eighteen, nearly nineteen. What's wrong with you? "Not properly, we ran into each other a few hours ago as we were leaving Bludhaven. Dad had a run in with him...but he did save my doll." She says as I nod in a dramatic fashion. "I think I speak for all of us when I say...welcome to the cave." Kaldur says as Zatanna smiles. "Thank you." She says, slightly reserved, almost bordering upset. "So, uh. Are you going the team?" Robin asks hopefully. Reel yourself back in young man.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. This is strictly a visit. I am sorry that we missed training. It might have been something that Zatanna could have benefitted from. Zatara drones out as M'gann starts a mental conversation. "Do any of you think that we're still on probation with Zatara?" She think-says as Connor follows up. "Not just Zatara. I mean, why is Shazam still here?" He points out the topic of conversation. "Because we like having him around." Wally says cockily as Artemis retorts. "You like having him around because he does everything for you at your whim." She says as Wally raises an eyebrow. "And your point being...?" He retorts back as I notice Zatanna's perplexed look. "It also makes you nostalgic for Red Tornado's tenure as our supervisor." Kaldur says as Blake notices Zatanna as well. "Um, guys." He says but everyone ignores him. "Yeah, at least he trusted us." Robin says but Connor speaks in anger. "If you ignore the fact we shouldn't have trusted him! He was a traitor." Connor says as I plead with Zarathos. "Yo, dumbasses!" Zarathos speaks as everyone looks to me. "We ain't alone here." He says as we turn to Zatanna. "Are you guys having a psychic conversation?" She says as Canary and Zatara turn their attention to us. "Cause I can't decide if that's cool or really rude." She says as Blake signs. "You are our guest and we ignored you. Please forgive us." I translate for him as Zatanna smiles. "It's ok. It wasn't something that I expected." She says as we all turn to Connor. He seems to be the most vocal about Tornado. "Ok, fine. We were talking about Tornado. It's been weeks since his attack, and the League hasn't told us anything." He says as Canary answers him. "The League is searching for Tornado, as well as the other android's that invaded the cave and their creator. T.O. Morrow. Batman's made tracking them down our highest priority." She says as Robin speaks up. "But you have found nothing. None of the above." He says but Canary retorts. "Not yet. But Tornado is Justice League. The team is not to pursue this." She says threateningly as Zatara follows up. "Why don't you all take Zatanna on a... tour of the Cave?" Zatara says as Robin scoffs. We walk into the common room as I feel magic shift in the air. I turn and see Zatanna in a more comfortable, laid back outfit. "When did you, howw did you?" Robin's question don't form as he is baffled. "We're not really taking a tour, are we?" Zatanna asks as Connor turns to face her. "No. We're hunting down that robot." He says as he glances at Kaldur. "Yes, we are." Zatanna sarcastically woos. "Oh wow. Out loud and everything." She says as I laugh. "You have some attitude, don't you?" I say as she smirks. "What about the new girl?" Artemis asks as Robin scoffs. "I'm sure she won't tell." Blake starts signing as I translate. "I say we knock her out and leave her here." Everyone turns to us as Blake smiles but quickly goes wide eyed. He signs really quickly. "That was a joke." I say as Zatanna laughs. "While I don't want to be knocked out. I can't tell...not if you kidnap me." She say as myself and Artemis smirk. "Oh, she's going to fit in great." She says as I follow up. "Damn right."
We had left within the Bio-ship. I look out the window and see Shazam trying to get Wolf to play fetch. The enhanced canine is more focused on Shazam's food more than anything else. Poor bastard. We hear Canary's voice sound over the bridge. "M'gann, the Bio-ship wasn't authorised for departure." She says as M'gann perks up. "We're kidnapping Zatanna...to show her Happy Harbour of course. Be back soon." M'gann quickly says as she catches herself. "We're 'kidnapping' Zatanna?" I say to her with a raised eyebrow as she blushes embarrassingly. "Sorry, I got nervous." I just laugh. "Sorry to ruin the 'kidnapping Zatanna' moment but where are we going?" Wally asks as Robin pulls up his holo-computer. "Batman is the World's Greatest Detective. And he searched for Tornado and Morrow in every reasonable and logical location. If we're going to do better, we need an illogical solution. A truly...dumb idea." He says as we all turn to Wally. Wally stares at all of us with bewilderment. "As a matter of fact...I do have a dumb idea."
M'gann turns the ship southward as Wally explained his idea. Blake had my train of thought immediately. "This is a dumb idea." He signs to me as I laugh. "The best ideas are the most dumb." We arrive at Belle Reve. M'gann and Connor were able to convince Warden Strange to allow us to interview Professor Ivo. Strange was ok with it, returning the favor from M'gann's and Connor's help with the prison break. We all stand in the interview room as M'gann sits in front of Ivo. "Strange has given us five minutes with you." She says as Connor acts as the bad cop in this situation. "Cough it up, Ivo. Where is T.O. Morrow and the Reds?" He says with venom in his voice. "Now why in the world, would I know where Morrow is?" He says in that annoying voice of his. "Because...and here's a dumb idea...you're Morrow's biggest competition in the evil android game. Who better to keep track of what he's up to and where?" Wally says as Ivo chuckles. "I see your point, so let me rephrase. Why would I tell you where Morrow is?" He says cockily as Robin steps forward. "Because unlike some...those two have little patience for these games." He says as he points to me and Blake. "One of them will burn you so bad, that your soul will get a sunburn. And the other has a whisper that will do more than just leave a ringing in your ears. Your choice Ivo. Tell us where Morrow is or they will force it out of you." Robin says but Ivo laughs him off. "Go ahead...try it." I go to approach him but Zatanna beats me to it. She chants something that not even Zarathos understands. Ivo sits straight out as he blurts. "Morrow's in a secret underground base beneath Yellowstone National Park. 100 metres south of Old Faithful." Everyone par myself stares in shock as Ivo covers his mouth. "Wait. What just happened?" He says as I walk out. "Thanks for the assist." I say as everyone follows after me.
The Bio-ship flies at its fastest speed as we head to Yellowstone. "Black out all external communications. Soon, canary and Zatara and definity Batman, too, we know of our visit to Belle Reve. We haven't much time." Kaldur says. Robin chuckles before turning to Zatanna. "Look, I'm trying to be all nonchalant here." He start but Zatanna interrupts him. "Why? Be as chalant as you like." She says as I look between both of them. "Oh my god. There's two of them." I say as Blake signs. "One was bad enough...but two...we're all gonna die." I chuckle at his joke. "I think we're all just trying to get a handle on your powers. Could you teleport Tornado, or Morrow to a cell, or force his bots to surrender?" Artemis asks. "Or create peace on Earth for all time? Zatara couldn't even do all that, and I'm nowhere near on my dad's level. I need to know a spell cold, or else have time to prep it. Plus, all magic requires energy which usually comes from within. I just can't make the impossible happen at will." She says as I enter he conversation. "She's right. Magic can't solve the world's problems. There are rules that must be followed. And Zatanna." I say as she turns to me. "You're correct, you're not at your dad's level, but Zarathos saw the potential in you when we first met. Don't cut yourself so short." I say as she nods gratefully to me. "So many Z's. Zarathos, Zatara, Zatanna. How many more are we getting?" Wally says as everyone, par Connor and Blake laugh. "What's our E.T.A. to Yellowstone? I'm way past ready to stuff Red Tornado into a trash compactor." He says in anger as I speak up. "Are you certain he betrayed us?" I say as he turns sharply to me. "Aren't you?" He says a so shake my head. "I'm not convinced that he betrayed us willingly. And even so, if not, it makes him the victim of his creator's programming. I would think that you of all people would understand when you are created to be weapon for others to use." I say as I feel Connor's shame as he turns away from me.
We land in Yellowstone as Kaldur activates his stealth tech. "Stealth mode." He orders as Wally presses his insignia. M'gann shifts in a black bodysuit. Artemis had been outfitted with stealth tech, pressing her insignia, her green suit changes into dark green and gray. The back hatch opens which Zatanna stands by. "I recommend you stay behind." Kaldur says to Zatanna who raises an eyebrow. "Is that an order?" She teases but he shakes his head. "No, you must do as you see fit." Kaldur says as I pass him. "Great save." He glowers at me as I chuckle. I turn back and see Zatanna shift her clothing into something that resembles her father's uniform. But obviously more feminine.
We run through the forest as we reach a large open clearing. "Ivo was right. There's something down there." Robin says as he reads his holo-computer. Kaldur runs ahead as we follow him. We are hit by a wind barrage. I hold my ground as Red Tornado appears above us. He sends vortexes that block off our entrance. "Why, Tornado? Why are you doing this?!" M'gann shouts out. Tornado doesn't answer as he blocks off the trees behind him, leaving us in a circle of tornadoes. "Who cares why? Nail him!" Connor shouts as he and Kaldur charge forward. "Bolt! To the skies." I shout as Blake nods and flies above the vortexes. "Superboy! Maneuver 7!" Kaldur shouts as Connor levels his hands as Kaldur steps on it, Connor throws him into the air as I charge forward. I try disrupting the vortexes with a fire chain vortex of my own but the wind proves to be too powerful. I hear a grunt of pain as Bolt is caught and thrown into Kaldur. The both of them crash into Connor. Artemis and Robin run forward as Artemis fires two arrows. Tornado simply changes their trajectory and fires them back. I swing my chains over and wrap them and pull them back but the blast of the arrows sends them flying. I run forward, dragging my chains as I swing them around to cut through him. He dodges as he catches them and pulls me up. I grunt in surprise as I feel his fist crash with my face before I land with a solid thud. I get my bearings and see Wally spinning, making himself into a vortex to counteract Tornado's. M'gann is caught and thrown into Wally as they both crash into me. I throw them off as I notice Zatanna stammering with a spell. "Zatanna! Watch out!" I shout but her throat is clasped around by Tornado's hand as he stares at her. He chokes her unconscious as he throws her away. I get up and and charge him, Hellfire covering my fists. I swing my fists as Tornado dodges. He grabs my throat and slams my into the ground. He punches my head into a small crater as I lose consciousness. But it's all an act. M'gann had shown us the mental image of the 'Play dead' message in the ground. I hear a new voice sound. "Quite a performance, Brother. But we both know that's all it was." I open an eyelid and see a new android standing on a rock pillar that he made. This one is darker, bigger and meaner than the ones we have already faced.
"I have all your memories, Tornado, plus a next gen processor. I know your next move before you do." He says as he lifts the message rock above his head. Everyone breaks their act as we see the android lift the rock. "Blowing a message in the sand?" The android says sarcastically as he breaks the rock and sends it to us. Kaldur, Connor and Blake leap and break the rocks by force. Oy cut two strays with my chains as M'gann deflects one away. "Zatanna?" Robin says via mind link as I turn and see her in the dust cloud. "I'm ok. But Red Tornado's getting away." She says as I notice him leave. "Is he abandoning us?" Artemis says as both her and I charge forward. "Forget about it. Focus on the big fucker!" I say as Wally charges the android. "You stand no chance against me, humans." He says with anger as he punches Wally away. "We're not human!" Connor and M'gann say as they leap and fly respectively at the android. "Apologies, I suppose the properly inclusive term is...meatbags." he says a she forms tow giant rock hands and slap them together, crushing Connor and M'gann. I run at the machine while leaping ahead. I swing my chains but the android forms a rock shield. I break through them as he grabs me and drags my head along the rock before throwing me away. Robin throws a birdarang at the android who catches it, the rang explodes but the robot is unfazed. "Tornado's memory files and my superior processing speed allow me to anticipate your eve-." He doesn't finish as he blasted by a powerful electron beam from Black Bolt. The robot gets up. "That's not possible. I have all your files. How did I not anticipate that?" He says as Black Bolt floats above him. "You have all Tornado's memories and files... Tornado never met Black Bolt beside the day he left. You don't have anything on Black Bolt." I say triumphantly as Black Bolt shoots down but the android dodges by the metal of his teeth. Zatanna chants a spell, forming the smoke around the android into a pseudo blindfold, the android holds his head in surprise as he tries to pull the blindfold off. Blake shoots over and levels two strong punches to his head before blasting him again with the beam. "Tornado never got my moves either." Zatanna says as I drop behind her. Robin soon catches up as well. "And in betting you have some good ones." He says as she looks at him weirdly. "In a good way. Sorry that came out a little bit like Wally." He says chuckling but Zatanna just laughs. "I don't mind." She says as I smile. You two are going to be such fun. The android stands on a pillar as he fires red beans into the sky. Lava is now spewing from the Earth. Lava is spreading around the clearing. I let Zarathos take control.
P.O.V Change: Ghost Rider
Zatanna turns to me as I gaze at her. She smiles at me. "It's nice to finally meet you, little witch." I say in greeting as she nods her head. I push her and Robin out of the way as a lava covered rock is thrown at us. I catch the rock and throw it back. Wally avoids another rock. "He's activating a stage 2 eruption. If it gets to 3, you can kiss the hemisphere, goodbye." He says as Kaldur'ahm follows up. "Hit him from all sides." I charge forward as the android dodges Black Bolt's beam. He catches Connor's fist and throws him away. I leap and swing my chains at his arm as I pull him towards me. He pulls me back as he tries to clothesline me. I avoid the clothesline as I land and pull his arm down with my strength, hoping to disable him, the arm holds strong and he just is face planted into the rock. He gets up and pulls the chains and I get booted across the clearing. I get my bearings and see Zatanna standing over Wally as smoke and stems changes into duplicates of the speedster. I forward and see the android breaking the duplicates with stones. The really Wally speeds and grabs M'gann bout of his hand. I feel a rumble as we all see a towering water pillar that blasts the android into the lava. "Good job." I say as I stand next to Kaldur'ahm. "I didn't do that." He says as he points out something. We all turn and see the male android from before, at the cave. He throws more water at the new android. The android tries to lift a stone lava pillar but Red Tornado comes flying in and breaks the stone apart. The android's seems unfazed by the lava as the female android comes, steaming blast after blast of fire. The male and female charge at the new android and pile onto him. "Brothers! Sister! Stop!" He shouts as they drag him under. Red Tornado shoots down and pushes him further into the lava. Red Tornado is sinking into the lava but Connor and Black Bolt shoot forward and grab him out. We watch as the volcano that the android made begins its stage 3 eruption, Wally turns to Tornado. "Tornado. We are on the verge of a Stage 3 supervolcano eruption. There's no turning back from that! We need to vent pressure, and fast! But the ash cloud will bring about worldwide nuclear winter unless you divert it!" He shouts at Tornado. "Triangulate around the pressure locus." He says to Robin. I run over and and begin sucking the lava and heat into my body. Instead of fueling it into Hellfire, I dispose of it out of the back of my head. My skull's fire is getting bigger and bigger. Artemis shoots three arrows at the locus pouts that Robin pints out, exploding arrows blow the pints. Tornado flies above us into the ash cloud. A massive red vortex forms as the ash cloud is sucked in. I kill trying to absorb the heat we all watch. The ash cloud is sent straight past the stratosphere and into deep space. The volcano behind cooling down from the released pressure. Seeing my job down, I give Matthew back control.
P.O.V Change: Matthew Spectre
We run over to Tornado who has collapsed to the ground. Robin reads his power cell levels and sees that they are plummeting. Blake nudges me and points at something. I floor and see a secret cave entrance near the edge of the clearing. We carry Tornado as we enter the secret facility of T.O. Morrow. "There. That's should do it." Robin says as he fixes Tornado's voice modulator. "Yes. I can speak again." He says as his face plate closes over. "You were willing to sacrifice yourself to save the planet." Kaldur says. "The planet would have survived. It was humanity that was saved-though not by me." He says a she turns his head to us. "My sister and brother were the true heroes this day." He says I step forward. "We were wrong to judge you. You were never the mole, never a traitor." I say as I feel everyone in the room who knew Tornado personally, hangs their head in shame. "No. I left to protect you from further attack and to find my creator. Morrow." He says as he stares up a true ceiling. "Cool! Souvenir." Wally says as he holds up a robot hand. The hand fires a laser from one of its fingertips. Blake walks over and snatches the hand from Wally before pulling the wiring out. Blake hands it back to Wally who laughs awkwardly. Robin pulls a metal leg out of the container. "Reddy, we can rebuild you, better than you were before." He says. "I do not believe I should be repaired." He says in montone. But I can sense, not literally, the guilt in his voice. "Why'd you volunteer to become our den mother in the first place?" Connor says angrily as we turn to him. "I was the pragmatic choice. I do not require sleep. I have no secret identity or second life to live." He says as Wally perks up. "But you do have advanced A.I. programming. Designed to learn, adapt, evolve." He says as M'gann slaps her head. "Hello, Megan. You wanted to become more human." She says as Zatanna approaches. "And you couldn't do that with the League. They're stiffs." She says as Black Bolt signs. "You wanted to understand not only how to be more human, you wanted to learn what it means to be human. Humans as a species are social, always being in groups and raising families, children, the young. You wanted to learn why with the team." I translate for Black Bolt. "Then the cave was not a proving ground only for us. But for you too." Kaldur says as Tornado turns his head to us. "I do not know if these statements are accurate, but perhaps they are true. And if I understand the term correctly, I believe I have come to...care...about you all." He says as I smile. "See? Practically a meatbag already." Connor says as he walks up to Tornado. "Which remains me." Tornado says as he begins reassembling himself. "Where you off to?" I ask curiously. "He is evil. But T.O. Morrow is still my father. Caring for him...is the human thing to do." He says as I nod. Tornado flies away as we walk back to he Bio-ship
We are on our way back to the cave. "So, good kidnapping?" Robin says to Zatanna who turns to him. "Actually, yeah. Best ever." She says. "Heh, first of many, I hope." He says flirtatiously to her. Whoa, down boy. "If my dad doesn't ground me for life." She says as I laugh. "So what? You'll probably ignore it anyway." I say as she smiles. The fly back goes without so much as a breeze. I look at the team that we have now. Regards of Zatara's wishes, Zatanna is here and apart of this team. We have an Atlantean, an archer, a speedster, a ninja, a Martian, a Kryptonian clone, a demon, a metahuman with the voice of destruction and now, a sorceress. Who can stop us now?