This is the 19th chapter. I don't own the series of My Hero Academia or the series of Justice League.
Court of Owls
Few months passed since Riddler was arrested for causing major blackout, making a Zero Year, destroying the power plants and the water purification, kidnapping, and attempted murder. Dick Grayson is now living in the Wayne Manor and returned as Nightwing. Barbara was astonished that Grayson is back because of the Lazarus Pit, but glad that he's back. He's now extending further to train the Bat Family, including Eri.
The Pro Heroes and the people in Japan are repairing the damages from the power plants and the water purifier while U.A. High is on suspension and there won't be any internships until further notice. Of course, the students are right now training with their Quirks in order to fight against the criminals, and continue to get to school while the UA Faculty members, the Pro Heroes, and the Hero Public Safety Commission are having serious discussion about Riddler's previous action.
Of course, the civilians are on strike and they demand that they need to defend themselves against the villains and criminals. Though, the people would rather trust the Bat Family, Catwoman, Delta, the Boondock Saints, and the Sons of batman Motorcycle Club more than the Pro Heroes, which they civilians have killed numbers of the Pros.
Now, it was a cold night in Japan when the Bat Family, Catwoman, and Delta were on patrol in order to an eye on the criminals, especially the Court of Owls since they'll be coming soon. Just as Batman and Robin were jumping from rooftop to rooftop, they come across 2 bodies were hung from a building so they move in to investigate.
"The bodies seem to be mutilated, but this wasn't just a normal attack. These wounds are way too severe." Batman states with a ponder, inspecting the bodies. "Someone was trying to draw us out."
Robin then noticed one of the Talons from the Court of Owls was about to attack by drawing out its guns.
"Watch out!" Robin shouts when she pushes me out of the way as the bullets land in a wall.
Batman and Robin got up, only to see to Talons from the Court of Owls.
"So...the Court is finally making its move." Batman said with a glare.
"It seems like it." Robin agrees.
The Talons started running towards them while Batman and Robin does the same and that's how the fight started. First, Batman delivered a punch to one of the Talons throat while Robin kicks the second Talon hard in the sternum. Both of the Talons stumble back before drawing their knives as they start to slash at Robin, but she blocks it with her gauntlets. Before the Talon even knew what was going on, Batman was on to him again. Batman delivered a hard punch to the jaw before following it up with a batarang to the arm. After that, Batman grab the Talon by the head and knee him right in the sternum, making the Talon cough some strange blood out of its mouth. Finally, Batman throws 2 batarang at the Talons, blowing them into pieces.
"What the hell?! I thought you said 'no killing'!" Robin shouts angrily.
"Those Talons aren't alive to begin with...they're reanimated corpse." Batman points out. "The Talons are the personal guards of the Court of Owls. This means they're here in Japan."
"You're not the ones, we've encountered these Talons and the dead bodies." Batgirl told him. "Since they're undead, we been using the killing methods to kill those Talons."
"The Talons are still deadly assassins at night and they're not making it easy for us back in Gotham City." Nightwing points out. "And trust me on this, Bruce, Barbara, and I have encountered them many times. And it's way before your time."
"What should we do?" Delta asks. "With the Court of Owls here, they're gonna be difficult to find."
"Simple, we're gonna find their current location." Batman answered. "They'll most likely going to attack U.A. High to get our attention. We need to move."
Eri nods as they hop into the Batmobile and speed off towards U.A. High.
"Remember, the Pro Heroes are still going to attack us after the incident months ago." Batman warned her and his team. "We aren't legal heroes, so be ready for anything."
"You don't have to tell us twice." Red Robin said. "Besides, the Pros are still in a pissed off mood."
"I don't blame them, after what the Riddler did." Catwoman agrees.
"Not mention the HPSC are having an angry mob to deal with. Guess this is what happens when they trust the Pro Heroes instead of defending themselves." Iwao told them. "I've already located the Talons, and it looks like Batman is right, they're currently attacking U.A. High."
"How bad are we talking about?" Red Robin asks.
"The UA Faculty members are fending them off, but not for long...the students are fighting against those Talons and they won't hold them for long because of the deadly arts of assassination." Iwao informed them. "You guys better pick it up and take them down!"
And with that, the Bat Family, Catwoman, and Delta are picking up their speed to head for U.A. High to save the students and the UA Faculty members from the Talons.
Once they've arrived at U.A. High, the Bat Family, Catwoman, and Delta run towards the building, but only to see that the gates has been torn down and the Talons were already attacking the students.
"First Riddler, and now the Court of Owls." Batman said in annoyance. "This is why we keep ourselves hidden behind that mask."
"Not to mention that this school only stands out like a roman candle." Catwoman adds.
They nodded with an agreement as they run into the battlefield when All Might and the other faculty members notice them as they jump into action. Batman kicks one talon into a wall, following up by grabbing two Talons and slamming their heads together. The rest of the Bat Family, Catwoman, and Delta are also fighting against the Talons.
"We need to get them to safety." Batman ordered.
They nodded as they keep taking down Talon after Talon. Eventually, Batman come across Bakugo who's just been destroying the Talons without hesitation.
"Enough...it's over!" Batman told him.
"Don't tell me what to do!" Bakugo shouts angrily.
With that, Bakugo launches a blast at him, but Batman was able to avoid. Unfortunately for Bakugo, he made Batman pissed as the Dark Knight walk towards him. A feeling of dread was practically oozing off of Batman as he approached Bakugo.
"Oh crap...Bakugo's really done it this time." Ochaco said in fear.
"Wait, what's gonna happen to him?" Izuku questions.
"I think Bakugo just pissed Batman off." Tsuyu said bluntly.
And the students were right about one thing, Bakugo just pissed Batman off which the Dark Knight is going to humiliate him. So, Bakugo tries to blast him again, but Batman quickly dodges his attack before delivering a hard punch to the nose. Bakugo is starting to get even more angry as he goes to attack, but Batman not only dodges the attack, but he delivered 2 hard punches to the sternum, causing him to cough the blood out of his mouth. Batman took a chance by grabbing one of Bakugo's arm and with one swift move, he breaks it.
"AGHHHH Y-YOU...YOU BROKE MY ARM!" Bakugo yelled as he use his other arm to try and blast him, but Batman quickly ducks down and leg sweep him.
Bakugo stands up with anger look on his face as he charges after him, but Batman deliver a hard kick to the sternum before grabbing his other arm and breaks it. Finally, Batman ends the fight by kicking Bakugo onto the ground. Blood slowly ran down his nose.
"I don't have time for one of your temper tantrums, Bakugo." Batman told him with a pant. "We have lives to save."
And with that, Batman started to walk away from the bloodied and beaten Bakugo. The Bat Family, Catwoman, and Delta have taken out the remaining Talons while Batman dealt with Bakugos little fit.
"Let me guess, Bakugo?" Red Robin inquires, earned a nod from him. "He just won't learn, will he?"
"Guess not." Batgirl answered with an annoyed sigh.
"Is Bakugo always like that?" Nightwing asks.
"You have know idea." Catwoman told him, but change the subject. "So, what's the next move?"
"We need to find their base of operations." Batman suggested. "It's probably going to be underground."
They nodded as they're walking back to their vehicles and left U.A. High. Bakugo groans in pain and tried to stand up.
"Dammit! Batman! You..."
"Young Bakugo, that's enough." All Might interrupts, earned his attention. "You need to realize that you're outmatched and made a biggest mistake."
"He's right, you just pissed Batman off and the cost is you get beaten by him." Aizawa adds with a glare. "We're gonna have a serious discussion after this is over. Students, we're gonna have to close early until those guys are dealt with."
After saving the students and the UA Faculty members from the Talons, the Bat Family, Catwoman, and Delta went to try and find the Court of Owls by gathering information from the civilians. Their search led them to the old abandoned train station.
"This must be the place." Batman said.
"True, every witness we have talked with has spotted some strange owl looking men leaving this subway station." Robin points out.
"It make sense and fitting for those owl men leaving that one spot." The voice of Eraser Head said, earned their attention. "I followed you guys when you're asking questions of the Court of Owls location."
"And I take it you closed the school early?" Batman inquires.
"With the students already in danger along with the civilians, yeah." Eraser Head nods. "I guess Bakugo still have a lot to learn about being a hero, but with his hot-headed temper and his arrogant pride, it'll take more than that."
Batman nods with an agreement.
"Alright, you guys stay here and call the others." Batman suggested. "I'm going in."
"You can't go in there alone." Robin argued. "You could be killed."
"She's right, think about it. Without backup, you'll get killed." Eraser Head adds.
"I'm going down there." Batman told them. "It's safer if you guys stay here and wait for them."
"But..."
"It's safer this way." Batman cuts her off. "I don't wanna see you ending up like the other Robins. And Aizawa, I also don't wanna see you end up like the other Pro Heroes from the Zero Year incident. Just...stay here."
Both Robin and Eraser Head goes silent before nodding as she walks back to the Batmobile and sits down in one of the seats. Batman starts to make his way into the abandoned subway station. As he's checking the area out, he heard a scream. So without hesitation, Batman run down the tunnel, but only for 2 Talons to ambush him. One of the Talons draws a dagger and stabs it into his shoulder, causing him to grunt in pain while the other Talon punches him in the face. So, Batman counter by kicking him right in the jaw. After that, Batman grab the other Talon and slam his head into the wall. Both of the Talons try to stab him with their daggers, but he's able to dodge their attacks. Batman knew that he had end this quickly as he draws 2 batarangs and throws them at the Talons, but the Talons are able to dodge the batarangs.
"Gotcha." Batman said with a smirk.
Just then, the batarangs start to beep, causing the Talons to look behind them, but it's too late when the batarangs explode, knocking the Talons to the ground. Taking this chance, Batman knocked both of them out. Once they're out cold, Batman tied them up and went deeper into the old subway station which he managed to find a secret passageway.
"Hmm...a false wall." Batman muttered, opening the passageway which revealed to be 5 people wearing the owl masks which happened to be the leaders of the Court of owls.
"Ah, welcome Batman, I'm so glad you can make it." One of the leader of the Court of Owls said.
"It's over, Riddler has been taken into custody." Batman said with a brooding glare.
"Ahhhh, Nigma was just the beginning." The second leader of the Court of Owls said. "You see for years, we worked in the shadows to turn Gotham City into our perfect utopia, but the old Batman always stopped us from doing so."
"But now that he's dead, we finally decided to make our move and you can't stop us." The third leader of the Court of Owls added.
"You're wrong. I'm going to stop you right here and now." Batman snapped.
Taking this chance, Batman draw 5 batarangs and throw them at the leaders of the Court of Owls, but only for the batarangs to be destroyed by gunshots. Batman slowly turns around, but only to see a man wearing a red helmet was none other than Jason Todd, also known as, Red Hood.
"Good to see you, Batman." Red Hood said.
"Jason?" Batman said with stunned look on his face.
Red Hood and Batman start to circle one another which to the Dark Knight, this isn't going to be good. So, he's getting into the fighting stance as Red Hood draws out 2 of his pistols from his holsters.
"How are you alive?!" Batman demands. "Bruce told me that all of the Robins died years ago in a huge battle with the Joker."
"Heh, that's the thing. After I died, the Court found my body and they struck a deal." Red Hood explains.
"What kind of deal?" Batman questions again.
"They promise to help Ra's Al Ghul in killing his worst enemy, the Court of Owls helped Ra's kill Bruce Wayne." Red Hood answered.
Batman widen his eyes as he realizes what Red Hood is saying. Jason Todd is saying that Bruce's assassination was carried out by both the League of Assassins and the Court of Owls. They've been working together the entire time.
"So, the Court helped kill Bruce and in exchange they put your body into a Lazarus Pit." Batman said, figured it out.
"Heh, your smart just like him, but that won't do you any good." Red Hood said with a chuckle, aiming his pistols at Batman. "Here's the deal, that cowl doesn't belong to you. It belongs to me, so hand it over."
"If you want this cowl, then you're gonna have to tear it from my dead body." Batman growled angrily.
With those words, both Red Hood and Batman charge against each other. Red Hood tried to shoot him with one of his pistols, but Batman was able to dodge it. Before Red Hood has any time to react, Batman deliver a hard punch to his mask, causing it to crack and Red Hood quickly stumbles back before opening fire on him again. Batman quickly dodged bullets again before throwing a batarang at the barrel of his gun, causing it to explode.
"Ugh...you little brat!" Red Hood growled.
Red Hood tackles Batman to the ground, but the Dark Knight was able to get him off. Batman then realizes that this wasn't a playful sparring match, it's a fight to the death and Red Hood is through playing around and so does Batman.
'Sorry Bruce, but sometimes rules are meant to be broken.' Batman mentally thought.
In a fit of rage, Batman stand up as he kicks Red Hood to the jaw, causing more of his mask to shatter. Red Hood used the split second in between to shoot him in the side, causing Batman to stumble back while holding his side in pain.
"You're weak, just like Bruce was." Jason taunts with a chuckle.
Batman's eyes widen when Red Hood called Bruce weak, and that's when he finally snapped. Before Red Hood can say another word, Batman deliver a hard punch to the gut, making him spit the blood out of his mouth. Red Hood tries to shoot him again, but Batman grabbed his gun and fires 2 rounds right into his leg. Red Hoods eyes widen as he sees him fire the gun into his leg.
"Ngh...You...You shot me?!" Red Hood exclaims in shock. "Batman doesn't use guns..."
"SHUT UP!?" Batman yelled in pure rage.
Batman punches Red Hood over and over, hitting him as hard as he can. Red Hood spits up blood as Batman keeps hitting him. Eventually, Batman grabs Red Hood by the arm and throw him through the wall.
"No more mercy! No more second chances, Jason!" Batman snarled. "This time, I'm gonna put you down...permanently!"
Red Hood's eyes widen, realizing that Batman wasn't lying and he made one fatal mistake for making the Dark Knight really mad.
"W-Wait! Batman never kills!" Red Hood pleads.
"I've got new flash for you, Jason, Bruce broke that rule when you and the other Robins died! He killed the Joker!" Batman growled as he slowly approaches him with anger.
Red Hood starts to crawl towards one of his pistols, but Batman just stomp his hand, causing him to cry in pain.
"Please...stop!" Red Hood begs. "Don't do this! Bruce wouldn't want this!"
But it's too late because Batman didn't respond as he hits Red Hood hard in the gut, making his cough out more blood before delivering 2 more punches to his jaw. Red Hood just lays there, bleeding from his busted lip and from his leg due to the bullet wound.
"You don't deserve to wear this cowl!" Batman shouts as he hit Red Hood again, knocking his teeth out.
Red Hood slowly looks at Batman as he draws his knife and stabs it to his side, causing the Dark Knight to grunt in pain. It also allows Red Hood to get up as he starts attacking him.
"No, you're wrong!" Red Hood snaps. "I'm the only one who's willing to make the hard choices!"
As Red Hood was wrapping a rope around his neck, he starts to try and strangle Batman, but he doesn't realize that he secretly drew a batarang. Batman took that batarang and stabbed it right into his side, making sure that he didn't hit any organs. If Jason Todd was gonna die, then Ethan Wayne will make sure that he's gonna be the one to kill him.
"Ngh, you litttle..."
Before Red Hood could finish his sentence, Batman kicked him hard in the sternum before slamming his head into the ground. Red Hood lays there, covered in his own blood and struggling to breath. So, Batman takes his opportunity to grab one of the pistols and point it right at Red Hood's head.
"This is for Bruce!" Batman snarled.
But right as he was about to pull the trigger and end this whole nightmare, the Bat Family, Catwoman, Delta, and Eraser Head arrived. Aizawa quickly used his binding cloth to pull Batman away from Red Hood.
"Ethan, stop! This isn't you!" Nightwing said. "You're not a murderer!"
"He's the reason for Bruce's death!" Batman shouts. "Him and the Court of Owls along with the League of Assassins have been working together this whole time! He deserves this!"
"No! If you pull that trigger, then you become him." Robin told him. "If you pull that trigger, Batman dies...and you become the Red Hood."
"You become just as corrupted and evil as him." Catwoman adds. "Bruce doesn't want you to do this."
"They're right, listen to them. And if you go that road, you know I'll have to arrest you for murder." Eraser Head warns him. "Remember the 'no kill' rule."
Batman slowly growled, knew that his team and Aizawa were right. He then drops the pistol before looking at his bloodied hands.
"Are you gonna be ok?" Batgirl asks with worry.
Batman silently nods before Eraser Head lets him go. The Dark Knight then walk towards Red Hood, who looked terrified after all if it wasn't for the Bat Family, Catwoman, Delta, and Eraser Head, he'd be dead.
"Help me bring him back to the Batcave." Batman suggested.
"Tch...and what are you gonna do to me when we get there, are you gonna kill me?" Red Hood questions.
Without hesitation, Batman turned around and punch Red Hood right in the nose, knocking him out. After that, the Bat Family, Catwoman, and Delta load Red Hood to the Batmobile as they speed off to the Batcave.
After stopping Jason and the Court of Owls plans, the Bat Family, Catwoman, Delta, and Eraser Head arrested the Court of Owls, leaving them for Commissioner Gordon and the police to find, but they have bigger problems, what are they gonna do with Jason? Currently, they're inside of the Batcave, sitting in front of a cell. Jason was in the corner of the cell, just munching on some food that Ethan and Dick brough him.
"Jesus Christ, Jason, you just had to side with the Court of Owls." Dick groans.
"Hey! They saved my life." Jason retorted. "Unlike Bruce, he left us to die, Dick!"
"No he didn't and you know it!" Dick argued back. "Joker killed us! We're both deadmen walking!"
"Look, Jason, I'm sorry that I didn't find you earlier." Ethan said. "You're not alone anymore. Please, just let us help you."
Jason looks down, knew that they're his best bet at actually getting him some help. He knew that it was finally time to quit the whole outlaw act, finally time to return to the Bat Family.
"Fine, I'm in." Jason replied. "But on one condition, I get to take live. I know Bruce would hate what I've become, but you need someone who's willing to make hard choices."
"Absolutely not!" Dick snapped.
But before Dick can continue, Ethan placed his hand on his shoulder. This causes Dick to look over him.
"You can't be serious, Ethan." Dick said with a serious glare.
"You know I don't like to kill, either, but for once, Jason was right." Ethan replied, agreeing to Jason's method. "We need someone who's willing to make the hard choices. I hate to say it, but Bruce's code is flawed. Some of the criminals don't wanna be rehabilitated."
"So, what you're saying is that we should go down to their level?" Dick asks in shock. "That we should kill criminals!?"
"No, that would be breaking Bruce's code." Ethan shook his head. "Like Tamao, Jason doesn't play by the rules, he could be our way around the code. I say we give the criminals 3 strikes. On the 3rd strike, we send Jason and Tamao after them...to take them down permanently."
"So, you're saying we give them 3 strikes to stay in jail and if they break out the 3rd time, that's when we send either Jason or Tamao do their thing?" Dick asks again, realizing what Ethan is telling them.
Ethan nods as he then turns to Jason, who gives him a genuine smile. At least now he knows that Ethan isn't completely like Bruce. In fact, Ethan is fine with anti-heroes and he's fine with grey areas in the laws.
"Huh, I guess you're not as stuck as Bruce was." Jason said. "You understand my mission, thank you Ethan."
Ethan look at Jason before given him a nod. Dick also looks at Jason before sighing softly. He unlocks the cell that the 2nd Robin was being held in. Jason stands up and walks over to Ethan as he holds out his hands out to him for a shake.
"I'm sorry...I shouldn't have team up with the Court of Owls." Jason apologizes with sincere. "I wanna make it right. From this day on, the Red Hood fights alongside with Batman."
"Good to have you back, Jason." Ethan said, shakes his hand. "Now, we just gotta run some tests. After all, you came back from the dead and you're taking orders from the Courts of Owls. So, we need to have you go through a psychological tests."
Jason nods.
So, after a quick wardrobe change, Ethan, Iwao, Tamao, Jason, Dick, the Gordon siblings, Eri, and Barbara are gonna take a weekend off from the fight against the Riddler and the Court Owls.
That's it for the 19th chapter.