Chapter 2

Kara yawned a bit as she woke up on her bed to smell something being cooked. Then, she woke up to see that Ace was missing from her bed, startling her, thinking that Cadmus had captured Ace and Issei.

However, as she flew downstairs, Kara was surprised to see Issei was in the kitchen cooking and serving breakfast, which consisted of eggs, bacon, pancakes, and fresh fruit.

Kara was so captivated by the smell that she almost forgot why she had flown down in such a hurry.

"You can cook? I didn't know you could make food this delicious," Kara said before seeing Ace in her pajamas, sleeping on the couch. Kara raised a brow, wondering what she was doing down here until Issei spoke for Ace.

"Ace woke up...nightmare...I comforted Ace...but she...wished to...sleep...near me." Issei said as Kara was still getting adjusted to Issei's speech until she noticed how Issei was very tall and fit for someone of his age, as well as the numerous scars on his body that made Kara wonder if they hurt him when he was outside all night.

"Ah, don't worry about Issei. He's fine, but the scars serve as a reminder for Issei. He'll be fine, but Issei needs time to adjust to his new surroundings." Ddraig said, holding out a cup of coffee for Kara, who accepted it and thanked the Dragon before Kara sat down and enjoyed the breakfast that Issei served her. Ace slowly woke up and thanked Issei for the meal, saying that she enjoyed the food as well.

Issei let a small smile appear on his lips as he thanked them for the compliments before heading to the farm to scout out the area. Kara wanted to stop him and tell Issei that he should eat, but Ddraig stopped her before Issei left the house and carried on his scouting.

"Why did you stop me?"

"Because it would do no good. Issei is the type of person who cares more about the well-being of others than himself. I want to help him with that issue since he's stubborn and always throws himself in harm's way to protect his loved ones. I know he's basically invincible, but even with all of the power within him, Issei is still a tortured soul who wishes to protect the lives of others without caring about himself. I'm the only reason his mind hasn't broken, or Issei is falling into depression."

Ddraig said as he looked down at his coffee and had a sad look on his face while looking back on Issei's torture by Brainiac.

Kara knew from what Ddraig told the Justice League yesterday that Issei was dedicated to his name, meaning 'honest soldier' with emphasis on the soldier. However, Kara still wanted to help the unfortunate soul be able to open up to life.

"Ddraig," Kara asked, causing Ddraig to look at her before Kara continued. "What can you tell me about Issei? His personality. Who he was before Brainiac. His hatred for Batman. Something that I can use to help him adjust to life here."

Ddraig could tell that Kara meant every word and had no intentions of harming Issei or Ace, so he decided to let her know about Issei's life.

"Well, if you really want to know who Issei was before Brainiac, then be prepared for a whirlwind of emotions," Ddraig said before he began. "It all started with a sixteen-year-old boy going out on a date with a Fallen Angel."

For the next hour, Kara learned more about the man behind the armor, Issei Hyoudou, and who he was before he became a tortured soul who lost almost everything he loved and held dear to his heart.

This helped her plan how she would help both Issei and Ace adjust to life outside of Cadmus.

Ddraig was glad that the Kent family was accepting of Issei and Ace, so he didn't mind giving them some ideas on how to help them since the two had opposite problems.

Ace was a lab rat and forced to do inhumane experiments for an organization that didn't give a shit about her or even care about her well-being. They only saw her as a weapon, and it was people like Cadmus and Batman that made Ddraig's skin crawl since he had seen that kind of discrimination in so many lives with his previous partners before Issei. Even when he was with Issei, he despised how discrimination and Fear made the ugly sides of people appear on their faces.

That's why Issei and Ddraig personally made a vow that if they found troubled children like Ace, who had been cheated out of childhood and loved ones, they would look after them.

Issei, on the other hand, issues dealt with being stubborn and wishing to protect the ones he loved, which Ddraig admired and grew concerned with since, during the war with Brainiac and with Rizevim, Issei was tempted to go all out and even sacrifice all of his humanity to have the power to destroy not just Trihexa but also Rizevim. The soldier wasn't one to die so easily. However, no matter how many times Ddraig told Issei to rest, even when Brainiac invaded their world, Issei still fought to protect and save as many lives as he could until the day came when Issei was captured and couldn't do anything to save anyone.

Ddraig could tell that the Kent Family could help Issei with not just responsibility but also help Issei and Ace with their issues when it comes to their emotional states, so what's the problem with a dragon lending a claw to help out his brother and little sister.

A Month Later.

Johnathan Kent had seen many things in his life since adopting Clark, but the newcomer Issei was a good man since the Knight seemed to be enjoying the feel of something other than metal for who knows how long.

Johnathan also saw that Issei was a responsible lad who seemed to enjoy helping out on the farm and tending to the animals, especially the rowdy horse, which seemed to hate everyone, even Kara.

The horse was actually an old girl who had been put through the horse races so many times that she nearly died from exhaustion until she was rescued from her previous owner, who tried to give her some 'medicine' to help the demon horse run faster.

Johnathan was more than happy to take the horse in, but the horse seemed to be content with just himself and Martha Kent.

That is why Johnathan was shocked to see the horse allow Issei to touch her and feed her carrots.

"Well, I'll be darned. I've never seen Eclipse warm up to anyone as fast as you," Johnathan said, Issei tilting his head in confusion. The horse nuzzled his hand some more for more attention, which Issei reciprocated. Issei smiled at Eclipse, placing her head over his shoulder to hug him.

"She...is very...warm," Issei said before hugging the horseback until he let the horse go and began to help Johnathan with the other jobs around the farm, such as watering the garden, tending to the crops, checking the tractor and car for no issues, and fixing any issues on the barn and fences.

Issei was very helpful in the maintenance and repair work. His strength allowed him to easily ensure that there were no issues with either of them, and he even dealt with the issues in the barn.

The crops, however, were a problem for Issei since he tried hard not to destroy them but accidentally ended up squishing half a basket of apples. This was how the Kent couple learned Issei's dislike of apples, much to Kara's amusement and making Ace giggle at the thought of the Knight being so powerful but hating a simple fruit.

That is why Kara began to help Issei learn to control his strength. She could tell that Issei was gentle with people and animals, but he struggled the most with crops and other things.

Kara was happy to help Issei enjoy a few things on the farm, such as the warmth of the sun and the cool breeze blowing through the landscape. She even asked Issei to 'help' with her chores, which may have made Kara look lazy, but if Issei was offering to help, then how could she refuse such an offer?

Especially since Kara actually challenged Issei to an arm wrestling match, which ended with Issei winning and taking Kara's share of dessert before Issei split it with Ace, who thanked him for it and hugged his waist.

Ace also experienced a bit of a change during the first week at the farm. She struggled to show much emotion around people who weren't Issei or Kara, which led to an emotional breakdown when she accidentally broke a plate, thinking she would be punished. Martha calmed her down by telling her it was not an issue.

Given her background, Ace was a very emotionally challenged girl, and Issei understood it better than the Kent family, which is why Ace had a nightmare. She went to Issei, who kept the farm and house safe during the night, and stayed at his side before Ace fell asleep, comforted by his aura and presence.

Ddraig also helped Ace adjust to life on the farm by helping her with her emotional development. Since Ace's powers were influenced by her emotional state, both Ddraig and Issei helped Ace learn to control her emotions, such as rage, sadness, Fear, and disgust, which seemed to give her even more power. At the same time, happiness and love brought Ace back to the world.

Ace's powers impressed Kara, who was amazed by Ace's powers of Telepathy, Telekinesis, and Perception manipulation. Ace then explained that those who are already insane are somewhat resistant to her powers but not immune. However, Issei was an exception to that one since Ace feared connecting to Issei's mind after she collapsed just after a minute of his memories of his time as Brainiac's prisoner.

A month passed, and the Kent family was happy to have the two former escapees with them on the farm. It was also nice to have some company when Kara was with Clark back in Metropolis.

Also, both Ace and Issei were smart academics, and Streetwise was more Issei's level than Ace's since Ace was taught at a high school level while Issei was at a college level. This impressed Kara since she was begging Issei and Ace to help her with her homework at school. This made Issei smile since it reminded him of when he taught Asia the Japanese language and helped her in her studies.

However, Clark Kent visited the family for the past month to check on Issei and Ace and see how they were adjusting to life on the farm. Granted, Issei seemed to be speaking a bit more fluently, but his pattern was still broken.

Ace, on the other hand, was a bit more confident. She was happy to go with Martha to the store for groceries or to do some activity Martha thought would help Ace out of her shell.

Granted, Ace still prefers to be near Issei half the time, but Ace has grown closer to the Kent family and begun to trust them, especially Kara, and even calls her big sister, which makes Supergirl so happy that she breaks the sound barrier after hearing Ace call her by the name.

Issei enjoyed Clark's company and even learned more about the son of Krypton and the many villains he faced and still faces, such as Livewire and Metallo, until Clark asked Issei why he destroyed Metallo instead of hindering him.

And the answer scared Clark.

Flashback

"Metallo...was hurting you...with the stone. He tried...to harm Ace...He deserved death. The lives...the blood...the pain...the ones...Metallo killed...screamed for revenge...so I delivered it.'

"But we're not here to play God."

Issei looked at Clark and tilted his head. "But...why allow people like...Joker, Lex Luther, Gorilla Grodd, and others to be alive? Do...you not fear...what they will do...to your loved ones?"

"Of course I do, but killing them makes us just as bad as them."

"And the lives...that they killed...are meaningless then?"

"No. That's not what I-!"

"But...you just said...killing makes us like them...then what...about the rapist? Serial killers? Murders? People who don't desire change?"

"That's not how the Justice League does things. We lock them up for the court to deal with."

"And the lives...who died...because of them?"

"They'll get their revenge the right way."

Issei looked at Clark Kent before speaking one line that scared the Kryptonian.

"You...remind me...of Michael. A man..who allowed innocents to suffer...while the wicked grew."

End Flashback.

After that argument, Clark was afraid of Issei's views on Justice, so he liked the idea of Kara taking both Issei and Ace to Gotham to visit Barbara Gordon, but Clark was hoping that Batman could help Issei's view on Justice.

"You keep staring at your coffee, and it'll get so cold that even heat vision won't warm it up," Johnathan said, startling Clark before he thanked his father and took a sip of his cold drink.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I was thinking back to my talk with Issei."

"Are you worried he might do something wrong?" Johnathan asked. Clark sighed but nodded before speaking to his father.

"You know I would never kill or harm innocents, but what Issei said, it scares me since-"

"Does it remind you of the time you were brainwashed by Darkseid and forced to attack Earth, resulting in almost killing Kara?" Johnathan said, surprising Clark before Jonathan continued.

"Clark, as long as I've known you, I know you regret the consequences of that day and still blame yourself. I won't say that you'll turn into a murderer, but you must understand that even you have desired to kill before and the ones you wish to kill you hesitated against. Remember when you wanted to kill Lex Luthor after the many times he tried to kill you just for existing? What about Darkseid and when you nearly killed him after breaking free of his control?"

Jonathan explained as Clark looked like he was being scolded until Johnathan continued to speak to his son.

"Clark, all I'm saying is that you should give Issei a chance. You see Issei as a version of you and think he should be like you, but he isn't you, Clark. Issei was a human and a broken man who was barely functioning when he came here, but now, after your mother and I helped him better understand him, thanks to Ddraig, Issei is able to show more empathy and compassion. Issei is opening up to us, and sure, he isn't like you and the other members of the league, but he's a kind man who wishes to protect the ones he loves. Sounds familiar, Superman?"

Johnathan explained as he left Clark alone while looking at his reflection in the coffee before seeing the Justice Lord version of himself, the man who killed Luthor and became a dictator, the alternate universe Superman who killed Joker after losing Lois Lane, and then himself.

Clark hated both of his alternate versions, but he couldn't deny that both were part of who he was. So, Clark made a vow that he would never become like them. Superman would make sure that if he ever became like the alternate version of himself, someone would stop him from crossing that line.

"Maybe Dad's right. Issei isn't me, and I hardly know anything about him." Clark said, then looked at the time to see that Kara, Ace, and Issei should be arriving in Gotham City right now.

"Perhaps that'll help me better understand who Issei is as a person," Clark said before drinking his coffee and groaning about how cold it was.

"After I warm up my coffee."

Gotham City.

"Kara!"

"Barbra!"

Supergirl and Batgirl shouted as they hugged each other, squealing about catching up before Barbra noticed Issei and Ace standing behind her friend.

"Oh, and you both must be Issei and Ace, right? My father told me all about you guys." Barbra said this was technically true since Bruce Wayne told Gordon about Issei and Ace coming to Gotham, which would hopefully help Batman deal with a contingency plan to deal with the two new members of the league and dealing with the criminals plaguing Gotham.

Barbra saw Ace inspect her as if she were a stranger to her until Issei walked forward and introduced himself, shocking Barbra with how tall Issei was compared to most of the other men in her life.

"Issei Hyoudou...Nice to...see you." Issei said before shaking her hand, which gave Ace more strength as she introduced herself to Barbra before getting close to Issei again.

"Don't worry about Ace. She's not used to being around many people, so it takes her a while to warm up to people." Kara explained, and Barbra was surprised by this before leading the trio to her home, where they began to settle in the police commissioner's home. However, Issei sensed they were being watched until he told Ace to go with Barbra and Kara, which Ace did without any hesitation since she stayed by Kara's side.

"So what's this case that you and Batman are working on?" Kara asked after they got settled in the house, and Ace asked to go to the bathroom.

"Remember when I told you about Joker busting Krane from prison?"

"You mean Scarecrow? Why would that clown want Krane? Isn't his main thing making people live out their worst fears?"

"Yes, but Joker said he wanted to give all of Gotham a smile during the parade that was going to happen this week. Unfortunately, we don't know how he's planning to distribute some gas since we think that's why Joker wants Johnathan—his skills in chemistry and to combine his Fear Toxin with the Joker Laughing Gas.

"Are there going to be large balloons or something at this parade?"

"No. It's some charity event for nature and such, mostly due to the protestors wanting to stop the mayor from destroying the botanical gardens that were reclaimed after Poison Ivy was locked up back in Arkham."

"And there will be tons of flowers at this parade?"

"Yep, but even if the two of them did create their combined gas, they don't know flora to release it to a large area, especially a city, and the Gotham Police are boosting security to prevent any crimes from happening," Barbra explained making Kara curious as to why her friend invited her to the parade.

"I wanted to catch up with you after we took down Livewire, Harley, and Ivy. I also wanted to meet Ace and Issei since Batman has been curious about them for a while now. Thirdly, we could use some extra muscle to find out where Joker and Scarecrow are before they strike at the parade. Joker is smart, and he's probably got some way to get the gas into the parade if they haven't already made it."

Kara thanked Barbra for being honest as the two began to chat. She forgot about Ace and what she was really doing since her eyes narrowed while she was closed, speaking to her brother/protector.

'Issei. Did you get all that?' Ace asked before receiving a response from Issei.

{Yes...}

'What will we do?'

{Keep them...busy. Learn...all you can...while I...do my own...investigation.}

'Okay. Be careful, Issei.'

{I will return. I promise.}

'I know.'

Ace said before cutting off her connection with Issei. She then washed her hands to sell the story while praying that Issei would be safe and save the people of the city from the Clown Prince of Mayhem.

Meanwhile, with the broken Emperor.

Issei felt the connection was cut off as he walked down the streets of Gotham, admiring some of the scenery before walking into an alley far away from the commissioner's home.

"So, we're playing detective now?" Ddraig asked as he pulled out a detective hat and pipe before blowing into it, making bubbles. This caused Issei to laugh a bit at the image before him until Issei gave no verbal response but a nod.

Issei continued to walk through the alley before a pebble flew through the air and almost hit his head, forcing Ddraig to catch it and causing Issei to look up at a red helmet.

"Hey, you're the guy known as Issei, right? I want to talk to you," the man behind the helmet said before he ushered Issei to follow him. The Emperor nodded as he leaped onto the rooftop and looked to see that the man was none other than Red Hood himself.

"I heard about you from the old man and how you didn't hesitate to rip apart that tin can Metallo or nearly kill Batman," Red Hood said before pulling off his helmet to reveal his face. This made Issei nod in acknowledgment of Jason Todd's appearance since Issei knew of the broken boy who was abandoned and tortured by the Joker for almost two years in Arkham Asylum.

"Ah! Red Hood, or do you prefer Jason Todd?" Ddraig asked. Jason pointed a gun at Ddraig, who laughed at the sight of the gun before pushing it out of his way.

"I wouldn't try that if I were you. Now, what do you want with Issei?" Ddriag asked, making Jason sigh as he put the gun away before speaking to Issei.

"I bet you don't know about the Joker busting Scarecrow out of prison, but that psycho needs him to make a gas that'll spread through all of Gotham and cause the people to laugh and live their worst fears until they die. I already have a crew with me to find Joker and Scarecrow, but I need a heavy hitter, someone who wouldn't hesitate to kill, which is where you come in, Issei. I need your help." Jason explained that Ddraig was surprised by this since he's seen in the other worlds how Joker was a monster that had to be killed, but the 'moral code' of heroes prevented Batman because he was afraid of becoming like Joker.

Ddraig has seen many people like those 'great heroes' like Superman, Batman, and even Wonder Woman have their codes not to take an innocent life, but all those codes did was prevent them from doing what had to be done. Both Ddraig and Albion's partners have seen both the good and bad of the world in many factions, and many times, their code only delays the killers from taking more lives with deadlier plans.

Issei has killed a few times, but he never kills unless he has to protect his loved ones. Issei nearly killed Diadora when he captured Asia, Raynare when he took Asia's life for the Twilight Healing, Kokabiel when he tried to restart the Great War, Rizevim when he released Trihexa, and finally Brainiac.

Issei has had the urge to kill those who didn't deserve mercy. It was hard for Issei sometimes since there were a few good people like Vali, but others like Cao Cao were troublesome since his crimes were cruel to the many lives he'd taken. Still, he did pay for his crimes by working to repair the damage after the war until Brainiac killed him.

Issei then looked at Jason and recalled the many times in other worlds that He had seen Jason become broken in so many ways. This made Issei recall the times he feared that Kiba would become an avenger should he have killed or gone rogue for revenge on his past.

Issei's mind was calm as he nodded in response to Jason's request before extending a hand out towards him.

"I...will help...but only...if we kill...the Joker," Issei said, making Jason smile in response before taking his hand.

"Agreed, and don't worry. The Joker will die. I swear on my name," Jason said before giving Issei a cellphone.

"I'll contact you about the plan later, but I have a job for you. In order to find Joker and Scarecrow, we need someone who knows more about plants since I have a feeling Joker will be using the parade to his advantage. The problem is that there's only one villain in Gotham who knows more about plant life than anyone I know." Jason explained before Ddraig asked.

"You wouldn't happen to mean Poison Ivy, the environmentalist with plant-based powers, right?" Ddraig asked, making Jason sigh in response.

"I'd be lying if I said no."

Ddraig looked at Issei for a moment, who seemed calm, before speaking to Jason.

"Did...you inform...Batman...of your...plan?"

Jason was silent before looking away from Issei.

"I can't forgive him. He abandoned me, replaced me, and left me with that psycho clown for two years!" Jason shouted as he then punched an AC unit before groaning at his broken fist. Issei walked over to Jason and placed a hand on the bruised and broken knuckle; a green light left Issei's hand and healed the broken hand, shocking Jason.

"You shouldn't punch...in rage," Issei said, and Jason was shocked by the Knight's reaction. Issei looked down at Jason before patting his head, shocking Jason a bit until Issei spoke to him.

"I'm sorry. No one should suffer as much as you did," Issei said before taking his hand away from Jason. Ddraig looked at Issei for a moment before speaking to Jason.

"We can go speak to Poison Ivy, but it's best you speak to Batman about your plan. I'm sure he'll be able to help," Ddraig said before Issei summoned his knight armor on his body, shocking Jason of the tall Knight. Then, Issei leaped into the air and summoned his wings, which expanded to a twelve-foot wingspan.

Issei then flew through the night sky, taking in the sights of the city lights before spotting the asylum and landing a few miles away.

"Huh. It's an interesting place to hold villains instead of an actual prison. So what's the plan to get in?" Ddraig asked before Issei became his female counterpart, which he used to deceive others and was created thanks to his powers of Asmodeus.

Issei's female form, Amou, was a very beautiful girl with a curvy figure. She had long dark brown hair that reached to her knees and dark brown eyes. She then snapped her fingers and had a uniform appear on her body. It was a form-fitting black dress with a low backside and no straps, black high-heel boots, and elegant black gloves with red lines running up the length to end with circles.

"Ah, going for your alter ego? Nice way to play it safe." Ddraig said that he knew that when Issei turned into his alter ego, his nickname, The Embodiment of Lust, came into play.

Amou then cleared her throat before her eyes became more of sirens as she used the Lost Sacred Gear known as Perish Symphony, also known as the Song of God, as a Longinus Class Sacred Gear. This Sacred Gear gives the user the ability to manipulate and generate music, an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are:

Pitch (which governs melody and harmony). Rhythm (and its associated concepts of tempo, meter, and articulation). Dynamics. The sonic qualities of timbre and texture.

Its base powers include soothing angered hearts, influencing thoughts and actions, and even inducing sleep for a certain amount of time. However, the Sacred Gear is much more complex in its abilities. It is considered the fifth most powerful Sacred Gear after Innovate Clear.

It was also implied that one of the past wielders (and the most powerful) was none other than the Pied Piper. Other wielders are rumored to be Mozart, Bach, and even Beethoven.

Brainiac actually enjoyed the art of music and recalled how the Leviathan Heiress was able to use songs to control dragons. So, he used Perish Symphony to aid Issei in manipulating others, which worked wonderfully with his female alter ego.

Ddraig smiled as Amou began to walk towards the asylum while summoning some popcorn.

"Time for the siren to take her stage," Ddraig said as Amou began to sing.

"Hey, going to the parade this weekend?" One of the guards asked while patrolling the area before his partner replied.

"Nah. I signed up for a double shift this week. I'm trying to earn some extra money for my second anniversary with my wife."

"No way, man, congratulations!"

"Thanks. We've always talked about wanting to go to a nice tropical island, you know, to get away from the chaos and such."

"Yeah, I get it, but hey, congratulations on you and your wife making it to two years."

"Thanks, man. I'm hoping I'll live long enough before Joker and Scarecrow try anything.

"Yeah, no kidding." The single guard said before something began to echo in the air as if it were singing.

"Hey, do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"It sounds like someone is singing."

"What? Man, you're crazy!" the married guard said as the voice began to rise and echo through the yard.

The guards were shocked by this as a thick fog began to roll into the yard as well while the singing got louder.

The guards were about to radio it in until they saw Amou appear in the mist, her voice being raised high into the air. The guards were shocked by her appearance until their bodies collapsed as if they were lulled to sleep.

Ddraig watched in amusement as Amou approached the asylum. Her enchanting voice echoed through the air, drawing the attention of anyone nearby. The guards at the asylum were entranced by her song, their movements slowing as they listened intently before they fell asleep.

Slowly and surely, the guards became more relaxed, making it easier for Amou to slip past them unnoticed. Ddraig grabbed an access key, opened the asylum, and removed the security cameras while Amou continued her performance, her mesmerizing song guiding her.

Amou made her way deeper into the asylum, navigating the halls with ease while the prisoners were shocked to see a woman stroll into the asylum, which made them slowly succumb to her song as well until Ddraig pointed the way to Poison Ivy's cell and approached it confidently. Ivy looked up as Amou entered, her expression curious but cautious.

"Who are you?" Ivy asked, eyeing Amou warily until Ddraig replied for Amou, who was still singing, causing her song to resonate throughout the whole asylum.

"We are but humble travelers, drawn to your presence by the beauty of your spirit," Ddraig replied, while Amou's voice still carried the enchanting melody.

Ivy seemed intrigued by the dragon's words, her guard lowering slightly as she listened to the song that echoed in her prison. Ddraig took the opportunity to engage Ivy in conversation, subtly probing for information about Joker and Scarecrow's plans.

"So why would the Joker break Scarecrow out of the prison?"

"Because Joker needs the doctor's skills in his fear toxin to make the gas spread far to cover the whole city, but little do either of them know that I made a plan to counter the gas should it ever happen," Ivy said as her defenses continued to weaken, her trust in Amou and Ddraig growing with each passing moment.

"But you also care about someone else, yes?" Ddriag asked, with Ivy moaning in arousal as the song continued to soothe her soul.

"Yes. Harley Quinn. I'm worried about her since I haven't seen her since she broke out with Joker." Ivy said in worry as her feelings for Harley began to be revealed to the dragon, who was already aware of this since, in Brainiac's ship, there were many files in heroes and villains that he prepared Issei for should he ever come across.

"Well, why don't we take you out of here? I'm sure if you help us, then you can save Harley and kill Joker." Ddraig said, shocking Ivy as she smiled at the idea before agreeing to work with them, giving Ddraig a chance to unlock her prison.

"Mm! Fresh air. So much better," Ivy said as she moaned, her skin becoming a healthy shade of green before the trio began to leave the asylum. Amou's song faded away as they left the asylum behind.

Outside, Ddraig chuckled as he watched Amou's transformation back into Issei.

"Well played, Issei. Looks like we have what we need," Ddraig said, impressed by Issei's skillful deception.

Issei nodded, his expression serious as he processed the information they had gathered. With Joker and Scarecrow's plans now laid bare, it was up to him and Red Hood to put an end to their scheme before it could unfold.

As Issei and Ddraig made their way out of the asylum with Poison Ivy in tow, they saw Red Hood waiting for them outside, his arms crossed and his face serious.

"Did you get what we need?" Red Hood asked, his gaze flickering between Issei and Ivy.

Issei nodded, with Ddraig explaining the information they had gathered about Joker and Scarecrow's plans. "We have the details. Now, what's the next step?"

Red Hood took the information, scanning through it quickly before nodding in approval. "Good work. Now, we need to track down Joker and Scarecrow before they can execute their plan. Ivy, do you have any idea where they might be hiding out?"

Ivy thought for a moment, tapping her chin as she recalled the last time she had seen Joker. "Last I heard, Joker was holed up in an abandoned amusement park on the outskirts of Gotham. It's one of his favorite hideouts."

Red Hood nodded, turning to Issei and Ddraig. "Alright, we'll start there, but we'll need that flower Ivy has that can deal with the gas. Ddraig, can you take her there?"

"Of course," Ddraig said before Ivy stopped him.

"Thanks, but I have my travel system. I'll get the flower and meet you there," Ivy said before a massive flower bulb appeared from the ground and covered her up until it went back underground with Ivy.

"You think she'll help us?"

"Ivy is many things, but she does care about Harley and hates Joker as well as anyone who tries to harm the parade." Red Hoof said before Issei cracked his knuckles, a determined look in his eyes.

"Let's kill the clown," Issei said after sending Ace a message about what was happening.

Ace nodded as she walked through the house, seeing that both Kara and Barbra were asleep on the couch because Ace had knocked them out with her powers before. Ace then began to change into the Batgirl costume to hide her identity before informing Issei that she would be meeting him at the park.

While Issei was speaking to Ace about the meeting place, the trio made their way to the abandoned amusement park, the night air thick with tension as they prepared to confront Joker and Scarecrow.

As they approached the entrance, they could hear the faint sound of laughter echoing through the empty halls, sending a shiver down their spines.

Mostly Red Hoods since the nightmares of his torture were strong until he spoke to the others.

"Stay alert," Red Hood whispered, his hand hovering over his gun as they entered the park. "Joker's tricks can be deadly."

Issei and Ddraig nodded in agreement, their senses on high alert as they moved cautiously through the darkened corridors.

Ddraig then vanished back into Issei, who understood his reasons before. They heard the sound of footsteps approaching, and they quickly ducked behind a nearby concession stand, their hearts racing as they waited for the source of the noise to reveal itself.

To their surprise, it was Scarecrow who emerged from the shadows, his face painted with a manic grin as he walked through the park, humming to herself.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Scarecrow said, his voice dripping with malice as he spotted the duo hiding in the shadows. "Looks like we've got ourselves some new test subjects, Joker!"

Before they could react, Joker himself appeared behind Scarecrow, his signature grin stretching from ear to ear as he clapped his hands in delight.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Joker echoed, his voice tinged with madness as he surveyed the duo before him. "A knight in shining armor and my old sidekick, Red Face! How delightful!"

Issei clenched his fists, his eyes narrowing as he stared down the clown prince of crime, recalling all the things Joker had done before Red Hood pulled out a gun and aimed it at Joker.

"Joker, it's over. We know about your plan and are here to stop you."

Joker's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with malice as he stepped forward, his hand reaching for the gun at his side. "Oh, but you see, dear boy, the fun's just getting started! And as for your little plan, well, let's say I have a few tricks up my sleeve."

With that, Joker snapped his fingers, and the ground beneath their feet began to rumble as a series of explosions rocked the park, sending debris flying in every direction.

Issei and Red Hood leaped into action, dodging the blasts as they fought their way through the Joker's henchmen. Their skills and powers proved to be more than a match for the clown's twisted army.

Issei then roared, scaring the goons, leaving themselves open for Red Hood to deal with them until Joker booed them both.

"Boo! You are ruining the fun!" Joker said before looking at Scarecrow as the Master of Fear pulled out his fear toxin at the ready as he prepared to unleash his most terrifying nightmares upon them.

"The gas has already been completed, but let's see how well Red Hood can hide from his fears!" the Scarecrow shouted as he laughed, the gas enveloping him and causing him to become his nightmare self.

Scarecrow then emerged from the Fear Gas as a tall, nightmarish creature with features resembling those of a scarecrow and a skeletal corpse; his eyes and mouth glow bright orange, with a chained hook-like sickle.

Red Hood breathed heavily as his head began to show the hallucinations of his time back in Arkham Asylum, with that psychotic clown torturing him, making Scarecrow laugh and enjoy the boy's Fear. However, what shocked the Master of Fear was that Issei didn't seem affected at all.

He was standing there with a blank look in his eyes as if he was dreaming about something.

"What?! I don't understand! Why aren't you afraid?" Scarecrow shouted as he tried to figure out what was making the boy not show Fear since even Batman showed Fear under the influence of the Fear Gas.

However, Issei didn't pay the man any mind since there was some truth to the Fear Gas. In his mind, Issei did see the hallucinations of his friends, family, and loved ones dying, begging him to save them. All they did was remind Issei of how sad he was that he couldn't save them instead of Fear, which is why his right eye began to shed a tear instead of Fear, surprising Krane.

"W- What are you feeling? You cry since you appear to be under my Fear Gas, so why don't you show me some fear?!" Krane asked in shock. Issei's eyes seemed to return to normal, and then Issei looked at Krane and punched him so hard that the Scarecrow was sent flying into the merry-go-round.

Issei then walked towards the ride while his body seemed to transform.

"You claim to be the Master of Fear just because your father abused you as a child," Issei said as he continued to walk towards Krane, who was slowly getting up and moving away from Issei's approaching form.

"Do you have any idea of what I've endured?" Issei asked as his eyes began to glow with a certain power that forced Krane's body to freeze in position. However, his eyes and ears remained open to the words of the broken man.

"I've endured Hell."

Issei's eyes turned blood red.

"I've seen Death."

Dragon wings emerged from the Emperor's back, making him appear more threatening.

"I've embraced darkness too many times I could be married to it."

Issei's body slowly began to transform into more of a beast.

"I've felt, heard, tasted, experienced, and was forced to watch the memories and fear of my friends, my family, my loved one die over and over and over again."

Krane continued to try to move, but his body denied him any movement. The figure kept walking towards him as if the Grim Reaper was approaching his mortal body.

"It fucked up my mind so much that I thought a coma was the best way to free my mind, body, and soul from that pain. But I lived through it and used it to live and protect."

Issei's armor began to change to a more bloody crimson color, with his fangs appearing more vampire-style than a dragon.

"Your version of Fear is nothing more than a mere child who thinks he can control such a thing all because he was tortured by his bastard of a father and had so much of that Fear Gas in his blood that he developed an addiction to it."

Krane was frozen with Fear as he looked at Issei's body, which became more and more horrific as the Emperor began to grow. In contrast, bats, rats, spiders, snakes, lizards, bugs of all kinds, and wolves began to form around him, scaring Krane as his eyes widened at the sight of Issei Hyoudou before him as something more terrifying than even Batman.

"Now then, Johnathan Krane, you claim to know real Fear?"

Issei asked before his cold and sinister laughter echoed through the park. Krane was unable to move a muscle until the face of a Demonic Eldritch Horror appeared before Scarecrow, making him feel like nothing but an insignificant creature before a God.

"Then allow me to show you what true Fear is!"

Issei shouted as Krane's mouth opened, and his screams echoed through the park with the animals tearing into his skin and consuming him. The animals showed no mercy as their master willed them to destroy the man before them with their claws, fangs, venom, and any other tool at their disposal.

Issei let his pets have their fun before walking towards Jason. He placed a hand on his head, removed the helmet, and used Twilight Healing to calm his mind. This worked, as Jason began to breathe a bit easier until he collapsed in Issei's arms, with the Emperor calming down the tortured boy's mind.

Issei then used a small whirlwind to blow away all of the Fear Gas, revealing Krane's true form was unharmed. Issei's powers struck Fear into the heart and mind of Scarecrow because he was able to achieve a vampire dragon form with the eyes of Balor and the powers of the many vampires that were given to him by the Vampire Faction.

Issei looked around to see Joker was gone but sensed Ace approaching them. Ace flew with her telekinesis and landed next to Issei before looking down at Red Hood.

"Is he okay?"

Issei nodded before calling the police about the Scarecrow being found at the park, leaving the shivering Krane curled up in a ball, scratching his head and body and muttering to himself to get rid of them.

"Please...Please..."

Issei then stopped as he looked back to Krane's body before sighing and giving Jason to Ace, which was a bit of a struggle since Jason was taller and bulkier than her. Issei walked back to Krane, placing a hand on his head, and calmed him with Senjutsu before he left Krane asleep on the ground.

Ddraig smiled at this as he knew Issei wasn't the type to torture his enemies before patting Issei on the back.

"You did a good thing, Issei. I'm proud of you. Now let's go see how Poison Ivy is doing with that flower." Ddraig said as both Issei and Ace flew with Jason in the air towards the botanical gardens where Poison Ivy was preparing the antidote to deal with the Jokers Laughing Fear Gas.

The stage has been set, and now the Broken Emperor shall reveal his ideals and how he deals with villains.

With Poison Ivy.

"So the good news is, the sample you got for me from Krane is definitely a combination of Joker Venom and Scarecrows Fear Gas. However, if what this information is telling me, then it's not for a gas to send through the city. Still, an explosion, but this doesn't make any sense since if they wanted to cover the whole city of Gotham, they need to get the gas high enough for it to rain down and cover the whole area." Pamela Isley said as she looked over the sample and formula that was used to make the fusion.

"So, wait a minute. You're saying it's weak if it doesn't make airborne?"

"That's right. In order for the gas to cover all of Gotham, balloons have to be launched airborne and blown up at the same time, but that makes no sense since flowers can't do that, and there are no balloons at the parade, with the security forces making sure there aren't any."

Pamela said in confusion while Jason tried to figure out how Joker would go through with the plan and why leave Scarecrow behind.

Ddraig and Ace were playing solitaire while Issei was standing next to a giant Venus Flytrap that seemed to be calm around him before Issei spoke to them.

"Fireworks..."

Jason and Pamela were shocked at this before Issei spoke to them.

"Fireworks...at the parade...around the end...of the parade..."

Jason and Pamela's eyes widened as Jason looked up at the parade floats and for any fireworks before finding what he needed.

"I got it! It's a new firework powered by a new energy fuel that doesn't harm the environment. It'll be launched at the end of the parade. It'll be so high that the fireworks will cover all of Gotham for all to see! That's got to be it!" Jason said before Pamela looked at Issei with curious eyes and asked.

"How did you know about the fireworks?"

Issei looked at her before responding to the question.

"I...used the...newspaper," Issei said, showing a newspaper opened up to the front page. Pamela was surprised before Issei spoke to her.

"You...cared for...nature...yes?"

"That's right. I...went through a lot when I was a human until I was injected with so many toxins and became this. After I became connected with Mother Earth, something just..."

"Awakened within you?" Issei asked, causing Pamela to be shocked before she replied with a smile.

"Yeah. Can you connect to the Earth as well?"

Issei didn't respond but placed a hand on the ground as a few flowers appeared until they wrapped around each other to form a crown. Issei picked up said crown and, placed it on Pamela's head, and did a little bow for her.

"A Queen...deserves a crown..." Issei said, making Pamela blush. She started to feel her heart beat very loudly, and she could feel the Earth connecting to Issei as if the Earth saw him as a protector, a gentle giant, a king.

Pamela wanted to ask him another question until Jason stopped her.

"I just got word. The fireworks hunch was right, and it looks like they're getting attacked by a group that's calling themselves the Royal Flush Gang."

"I've heard of those kids. They're basically superpowers kids who were in Cadmus before the Joker freed them, and now they work for the clown. There are four of them. One can control metal, one is a pyro, the other can stretch, and the last one is basically another Bane, strong as oak but very hardheaded." Pamela explained, Issei's body shaking, worrying Pamela and Jason before Ace spoke to them.

"He's not in pain. He's laughing," Ace said. Issei continued to laugh until his body stopped shaking, making them both relax until Jason began to discuss the plan.

"Well, head over to the fireworks company and check on the damage and where they possibly took the fireworks while Pamela and Issei pose as people of the crowd." Jason explained, and Issei agreed to this. Pamela was fine with the arrangement until she stopped Jason and asked.

"Can you ask if Harley was with them?" Pamela asked before Jason nodded his head. They were getting ready, with Issei wearing civilian clothes, Ace acting as their 'daughter,' and Pamela acting as their' mother.'

However, while they were preparing for the operation, Ace was making a call to Kara and left a voicemail.

"Kara. Listen carefully." Ace said, hoping Kara would be able to receive the message before it was too late.

Meanwhile, with the Wall.

"Are you sure the Royal Flush Gang working with the Joker are the same kids?" Amanda asked, and Doctor Grant nodded before Waller decided their next move.

"Preapare Galatea. We'll need her to bring them in quietly. We don't want the Justice League to know about our own Kryptonian." Amanda said before Doctor Grant nodded and ended the transmission.

"We need those kids to make sure that our country can be protected from the Justice League when they turn against us. Which is why I'm hoping you'll make sure that there are no issues with the extraction, right Lex?" Amanda asked, Lex Luthor smiling at Amanda before replying to her.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure that you're not held responsible for them and hide behind the scenes like I always do," Lex said before adjusting his suit. Hopefully, when I make my appearance in Gotham, it'll help me gain some more followers as well so that I can donate a generous amount to my favorite charity."

Waller rolled her eyes at Lex's wording before the bald businessman left the Wall alone. She then sighed, looking at a picture of Ace with a sad expression on her face.

"I hope you're doing well, Ace. Out of all the five kids, you deserved the most freedom after all that's happened to you." Amanda said that before leaving her office, she was hoping to extract the Royal Flush Gang before they helped the Joker do more harm than good.

Scene!

All the pieces are falling into place.

Let's see what happens next when Cadmus and Luthor make a move in the Dark Knights domain.

See you next time!