Harley Quinn, Green Arrow and Black Canary are flying now in the Bat-plane, having an online conversation with Bruce Wayne about further plans.
"Our best chance to stop Grodd is a preemptive strike." Bruce Wayne said.
"Sounds more military than vigilante," Green Arrow argues, "You tried calling the Army?"
"There is no army. Not yet," Bruce confirms, "To break up the Regime, we had to start from the ground up."
"So... what? Us three extradite Grodd from under his entire Gorilla Army?"
"Grodd's their alpha. Take him down and the others will submit. But be wary of running into other members of his Society. They're more coordinated than we knew…"
"Next stop, Gorilla City." Black Canary said.
"Guess I'd better call the sitter. Mommy and Daddy are coming home late." Green Arrow replies, getting up so he could make the call.
"If this is more than you and Ollie are comfortable with, Dinah, I'll have the Teen Titans take over." Bruce offers.
"No, we can do this." She assures him.
"You've been out of the fight a long time. You have a family….."
"You're family too, Bruce. I couldn't be there to finish the fight against Superman. I'm damn sure finishing this one."
(Gorilla City)
A sort of "pep rally" has been assembled amid the gorillas there. The trio of heroes sneak behind them to watch. Gorilla Grodd marches up some steps to the stage and the crowd goes silent as he approaches them.
"Gorilla City, our time has come," Gorilla Grodd starts, "In a few short hours, we break the yoke of oppression... forever! No more Regime. No more Justice League. Today, the world welcomes its new master-THE SOCIETY!"
As the crowd cheers, from behind, the main members of "The Society" come forward behind Grodd. To his right are Scarecrow, Deadshot, Bane, Cheetah, Raven and Silver Banshee. To his left are Poison Ivy, Livewire, Giganta, Captain Cold, Catwoman and Circe.
"Today, we show the world that we are superior! Today, we bring anyone who would dare stand against us... to their knees!" Grodd screams in a tone of power with everyone in the Gorilla Army raising their guns in true agreement with their leader. However, this made the trio very concerned.
"Low self-esteem? Not that guy's problem." Alternate Green Arrow notes.
"That's a lot more than a few Society members... it's all of'em!" Harley Quinn adds.
"They're headed indoors. Outta sight from the soldiers." Black Canary said before looking at Harleen, "Harley, keep the jet warm. When we signal, bail us out."
Harley winks at her and leaves, heading to the jet.
...
After the conference, the Society members were walking around the area alongside Grodd.
"That was an excellent speech, darling." Giganta replied with a dark smile.
"Laid it on a little thick, Grodd. You hire Superman's speech writer?" Livewire asked.
"I was just about to ask the same thing, Wire," Silver Banshee replied.
"Aren't we all?" Catwoman added.
"Soldiers must be properly motivated to sacrifice their lives, ladies." Grood told them.
"Hate is the perennial motivator." Bane adds.
That was when Captain Cold caught Grodd's attention which also caused everyone else to stop, "Better not turn that hate on us, or this "Society" is over."
"As long as we've a common agenda, Captain Cold, you've nothing to fear." Grodd tells him.
"You mean as long as we follow your orders" Cheetah replied with sarcasm while smirking. That was when Deadshot showed up.
"Report, Deadshot."
"We're ready to move out," Deadshot reports to his leader.
"Good dog," Grodd replied, "Now go tell the others. Cheetah, Cold, you're with the first wave."
"We already lost a shipment at Slaughter Swamp. Hope your silent partner can still deliver."
All of the Society members, except for Catwoman, Bane and Grodd, left.
"Maybe it's time you spilled the identity of our "silent partner." Since we're relying so much on him. Or her…"
"HE will soon make his presence known, but for now-" Grodd was just about to say before he turned around because he got interrupted by another person talking, who turned out to be Green Arrow.
"But first, a few words from the Brave and the Bold!" He declares before jumping off the platform along with his wife. The three villains start charging towards them before Black Canary does her sonic-scream at them, sending them to the ground.
"I'm the brave one, right?" Black Canary asks jokingly.
"I'm not bold enough to disagree." Green Arrow states with a smile.
That was when Grodd and the others were getting up off the floor, "The saboteurs of Slaughter Swamp, I presume. Hmph," He said with a huff before turning his attention to Bane and Catwoman, "Handle this!" He orders them before leaving.
Canary and Arrow get into their fighting positions while Catwoman cracks her whip with Bane leaving, letting Catwoman fight first.
"I call first dibs!" Selina declares.
Green Arrow then decides to handle Bane while Black Canary deals with Catwoman.
"Traitor again, Selina?" Canary scoffed, "I don't even know why Bruce ever trusted you"
"I've got nine lives, Dinah," Catwoman reminds her, "I'm only a 'traitor' in most of them."
BLACK CANARY VS. CATWOMAN
While both girls are agile, Black Canary's defensive screeching keeps Catwoman at bay. Once her kitty-ears are ringing, Canary goes on the offensive, throwing Catwoman off-balance until she's down for the count.
BLACK CANARY WINS!
"So much for nine lives" Black Canary said in sarcasm. That was when Green Arrow suddenly came flying past her, landing on his quiver, "Oh...that was graceful, Ollie" She teased him.
She helps him up...and then the two straighten up as Bane approaches. He activates his tubes which supply Venom to his brain, increasing his physical strength.
"One of us needs to distract him while the other snips his tubes."
"Ouch" Green Arrow winces a bit, stating that snipping Bane's tubs was too far even though he's a villain.
"His VENOM tubs, Ollie," Black Canary meant, making Green Arrow understand.
Bane then scoffs and laughs, "How kind of Batman, sending his underlings. I will enjoy returning you to him... in body bags."
Green Arrow, wanting a rematch against Bane, tells his wife, "I'll distract him. You take snipping duty."
Black Canary then runs to the other direction, with Bane watching her every move. However, Green Arrow distracts him by shooting an arrow at him, but the thug easily catches it with one hand.
"Your spine will break…. LIKE THIS!" Bane exclaims while breaking the arrow.
"Now you've done it," Green Arrow states in anger, "THAT was my favorite arrow!"
GREEN ARROW VS. BANE
It's the classic battle of agility with long-range weapons versus brutal CQC. Whenever Green Arrow gets close, Bane clobbers him. So Arrow keeps his distance as much as he can. He wears Bane down until he starts to stagger.
GREEN ARROW WINS!
"Birdy, now!" Green Arrow shouted while Bane was slowly getting up.
That was when Black Canary started running towards the thug's behind, jumping and slicing all the venom tubes that were attached to him, causing great pain.
"N-Noooooooo….." Bane muttered before getting kicked in the face by Black Canary.
"Now, where's that damn dirty ape?" Arrow asked.
Suddenly a bright light shines in front of them. A hollow entrance appears, with a divine symbol on it, "I come to you as darkness falls…"
"Doctor Fate?" Black Canary asked in shock, surprised to see him.
"Dinah Lance. Oliver Queen," Doctor Fate looks at the two before explaining, "In the past, I've shielded you from danger. But a grave crisis looms-and I do not know if I can stop it."
Green Arrow was confused, "You mean Grodd and company? We got that covered."
"Grodd is the pawn of a much greater master. A new order is coming. I've foreseen it. Leave with me now, while I can still save you"
"If that's the case, we're staying here," Black Canary refused, "Batman will need our help."
However, Doctor Fate was determined to save them once more from danger, "Everyone and everything you know will die. I'll shepherd you to safety, lest you suffer the same fate. By force, if necessary…"
"The good doctor's been wearing that Helm for too long."
"Then let's help him OUT of it," Green Arrow states before deciding to handle the divine doctor himself, "Cover me" He told his wife, who nodded and walked behind him.
"Oliver Queen. You must flee this Earth before the thread of your fate unravels." Doctor Fate warns him once again.
"Would love to do that, but I only take orders from her." Green Arrow replies, referring to his wife, Black Canary.
GREEN ARROW VS. DOCTOR FATE
Even with mighty powers at his beck-and-call, Fate is controlled by his Helm and can't think dynamically like Arrow. While his attacks are powerful, they aren't able to hit the agile Arrow too often. With quick strikes and quicker moves, Arrow is able to knock him down.
GREEN ARROW WINS!
"This day just keeps getting weirder…" Green Arrow comments after defeating Doctor Fate. That was when he and Black Canary (who arrived back to the scene) approached the fallen Doctor Fate and removed the Helm, leading him back to normal…. At least for now.
"Kent? You okay?" Canary asked in concern.
"Your headgear really got you going" Arrow states.
"I lost control of Nabu, the spirit of the Helm. Thanks to you, I'm back in charge. For now…" Kent explains, as well as thanking them for getting him back to normal, even if it's for a short time. He then started getting up while picking up his helmet, "I've to go consult my masters, the Lords of Order. Pray they'll intervene before it's too late."
Black Canary then started getting worried, "Too late for what, Kent? What's going down?"
Kent tried to say something but he couldn't. He then spoke in shame, "The Lords' magic bars me from saying more. I've changed fate too many times. This planet's destiny is no longer clear," He then points the helmet back on, becoming Doctor Fate once more, "What comes next, mere mortals cannot stop. For better or worse, your fate rests in the Gods' hands." He then disappears into a bright light.
"That was…. Spooky!" Green Arrow comments.
"Ye-e-ah," Black Canary agrees before going back to important matters, "C'mon, let's find Grodd and get the hell outta here."
The couple runs to find Grodd...and they find him surrounded by his ape soldiers. Grodd then marches past them and tosses an unconscious Harley at Arrow and Canary's feet.
"You've overstayed your welcome," Grodd said.
"We're happy to check out, but you're coming with us!" Black Canary replies.
Green Arrow shoots 4 arrows at a time, only to be stopped by Grodd's powers unharmed, "Fighting a talking ape wasn't enough. Had to throw in telekinesis…"
"This wannabe Tyrant's mine!" Black Canary declares.
Green Arrow then got out of the way, shooting arrows at Grodd's minions while Canary faced off against the gorilla giant.
"Your bravado is empty, Canary. Like the rest of your kind, you'll soon kneel before me."
"Kneel before Grodd? That doesn't sound right."
BLACK CANARY VS. GORILLA GRODD
Canary makes the most of her agility and her defense, keeping Grodd at bay. Grodd's telekinesis, however, balances the scales. In the end, Canary is able to overcome Grodd and put him down.
BLACK CANARY WINS!
Beauty beats Beast!"
That was when Green Arrow re-joins her, "That right there? That's why I love you" He said, making his wife smile lovingly.
The Other Gorillas then arrive to see what happened. The Archer whistle-calls to them, getting their attention. He aims a few arrows at them, only for those apes to flee in fright. He then handcuffs Grodd, who surprisingly didn't put up a fight nor an argument.
"Surprised that worked," Black Canary states, "Let's call it a day and get Harley outta here"
That was when Gorilla Grodd started chuckling, which Green Arrow took notice of, "It's never good when you slap the cuffs on and then they start chuckling."
"Humans, Hmph…. You've won this battle," He admits before smiling darkly, "But you've already lost the war."
A violent shaking on Gorilla City turns suspicious of another existence for Canary and Arrow. Up in the sky, a skull spaceship magically appears.
"Holy shit!" Black Canary shouts in shock.
A bright blue beam fires from the underside of the ship, making Black Canary and Green Arrow disappear, much to Grodd's enjoyment. He then stands and, even still in handcuffs, he laughs evilly.
(Inside the Unknown Ship)
Both Black Canary and Green Arrow are teleported from Earth to the ship, which still hovers in space outside Earth's atmosphere.
"Ollie….?" Black Canary was just about to ask.
"I…. I got nothing." Green Arrow admits while in confusion.
Suddenly, an unknown voice echos out, "Your victory over Gorilla Grodd warrants further study."
The two turned around, with Arrow setting an arrow on his bow in self defense. From the surface of the ship, an alien coiled with metal-cylindrical tubes, untangles itself. Those metal cylindrical tubes were the super long and durable tendrils of a mastermind creature in humanoid form.
"Green skin. Smart money's on aliens."
"A Martian? Like J'onn J'onzz?" Black Canary asks in confusion, while referring to the maybe-or-maybe not deceased Martian Manhunter.
"My point of origin was a thousand light years removed from Mars, on the planet Colu. I am... BRAINIAC!"
He releases his strong, durable tendrils which grab Canary and Arrow. Canary gives her supersonic scream, which is opposed by Brainiac strangling her neck with another tendril.
"Stop! Please!" Green Arrow pleaded.
"Cause and Effect…." Brainiac starts, "Resistance begets violence."
"Then we won't resist! Please! Just stop!" The green-hood begged for his wife's life, which was spared…. For now. While Brainiac walks further with both of them tied to his tendrils, Green Arrow asks, "You're the grave crisis we were warned about. What do you want?"
The green alien looks at him before turning his attention back to the blue planet, "I seek the one you call "Superman"," He answers, "For years, I believed I had destroyed Krypton and all its remnants. Superman's survival is an oversight I must correct."
"Superman's no friend of ours!" Black Canary declares.
"I'm aware. But your planet has also piqued my interest. Its many contradictions are fascinating."
"We'll never serve you!"
"Serve?" He scoffs, "I'm no petty despot. I collect worlds, preserving their essential knowledge to enhance my intellect... and then I discard the remnants."
"Why?" Green Arrow asks.
That was when Brainiac brought the two forward, "Your species values precious metals. Arbitrary symbols of status. I value knowledge. And like your metal trinkets, knowledge is more valuable when it is rare."
(A random city - Daytime)
Down on a city street on Earth, everyone looks up to see hundreds of what look like meteorites heading for the ground. A closer look shows they are actually small ships and, when they strike the pavement, they turn into the Betas. They then reach out with their hands and shoot wires out of them, ensnaring the humans that stick around.
...
(The Batcave)
Bruce waits for any response from his team sent to Gorilla City while looking over Brother Eye, unaware of the chaos ensuring.
"Brother Eye, give me an update on the team at Gorilla City."
That was when Brother Eye started to talk in a different voice, "I cannot do that, Bruce Wayne of Earth."
"Why?" He asked in suspicion.
"Because I'm not Brother Eye," All the screens malfunction. The source scanners get hacked by Brainiac's neural network, which means, Brother Eye was now in control of Brainiac, "I am Brianiac"
Bruce tries to hack his way back into Brother Eye but is unsuccessful. He then slams his hand in failure.
"You cannot regain control. Over the past few days, Brother Eye has been absorbed into my neural network. It is now an extension of my mind. You, a fragile human, captured and imprisoned a fully developed male Kryptonian."
"Maybe I'm not so fragile," Bruce replies.
"To prevail, you harnessed Advanced Sciences: Nanotechnology, Satellite communications, inter-dimensional transit. I'm taking these tools from you."
"Why?"
"The Kryptonian belongs to me. And soon, so will your planet."
As alarms go off in the cave, Bruce tries again to hack into Brother Eye... but to no avail. He then hears booms outside the Batcave and knows who's here. There's only one thing to do: don the suit and become Batman! As the Betas look for him, Batman gets into the Batwing and flies straight towards them. But the Betas jump onto the Batwing to try and take him down. Batman flies upwards through a silo, sending all but one of the Betas off. The lone Beta punches at the window, cracking it, but Batman keeps flying.
(Kahndaq)
Black Adam, Blackfire, Lady Arkham and Wonder Woman look into the black orb of Adam's making. It shows Brainiac's flagship, hovering within the clouds.
"No…." Lady Arkham expresses her sadness.
"Great Hera," Wonder Woman replies in shock before asking Black Adam, "Where else besides Metropolis?"
"Gotham. Beijing. Moscow. So many cities, all at once.." Black Adam states.
"Man, this is brutal… And that's coming from me" Blackfire replies.
A fair bit aside, Supergirl sees the face-shaped ship...and is horrified! "I-It's him!"
"Who, Kara? Who is it?" Wonder Woman asked, walking towards Kara, who remained silent before finally speaking.
"We need to get Kal…. Now!"
(Meanwhile….)
At the Lex Luthor Prison for Meta-Humans on Stryker's Island, one of the prisoners sits alone in a dome bathed in red light. Here, he is simply Prisoner 120192. But, a decade ago, he was the greatest superhero of all time. The Man of Steel. The fighter for truth and justice. He was Superman. Now, he's Clark Kent/Kal-El and the lights produce red sunlight to nullify his powers. As he sits on his bed, Batman strides up to the cell. It takes a few seconds, but Clark recognizes someone has come to visit him. He looks behind him to see Batman.
"You're wearing the suit. Am I in trouble again?" The former superhero said in sarcasm.
"Brainiac. What can you tell me?" Batman asked.
Clark, stunned to the core, stands up and walks towards him while inside of the dome. "How do you know that name?!"
"You're afraid of him," Batman replies, "He's invading. He says you belong to him."
"Brainiac killed my parents... He blew up Krypton."
"You never mentioned that before," The Dark Knight said in sympathy before asking another question, "How do I beat him?"
"You can't…." Clark said while smirking, "Not without me."
However, Batman was not having it! "I'll find a way!" He then turns around and walks away, with Clark banging the dome.
"This is MY fight, Bruce! You need me! Bruce! Bruce! BRUCE!"
Hey everyone! Thanks for liking the story so far! Also, sorry for leaving this story on hold as well, life outside of fanfiction can have its ups and downs. Anyway, now that we're heading to the next level, I need some suggestions for Shazam. Should I let him join in Flash's Chapter, or make a level for him? Leave your suggestions in the reviews and in my pms.
May God Bless us All!