Avenging Justice 3:
To Infinity and Anti-Life
Part XXX
Earth, Delaware, Metropolis
Lois looked over her words, all crafted and meticulously set to do two things. The first was to convey the facts, and the second was to do so without any bias, at the very least keep her own prejudices at bay. She was tired, more tired than she'd been in a long time. Things were adjusting to his absence, and she couldn't say it was for the better.
It was more than the world coming apart though. She had tried to hold it together, but she really was missing him. Despite herself, she found that she missed his goofy act, his sense of humor. The ability for this strong man to live among people, and do so with a humility that astounded her. As Clark he was the nerdy, goofy gumshoe reporter that people loved, even if he was the butt of a few jokes. At the same time, he flies off into the air, and descends to those in the worst days of their lives.
She felt tears about to fall, but she pushed them back down. Made of sterner stuff was the daughter of General Samuel Lane. Still, she felt the hollowness in her heart, and went to the balcony to look for him. She half expected him to float down from the sky. That boyish grin on his face, and an apology for making her worry. That would be just like him, and despite her iron will, her cheeks wetted.
"I miss him too," Supergirl said, descending from overhead.
She looked tried, there were clear circles under her eyes, and her posture was that of someone on an all night study binge. Even as she landed, her landing was rougher than it should have been. She stumbled over to a one of the chairs on the porch. Lois had put several all weather, and extremely comfy, chairs for the times Superman would stop by. Now his cousin was collapsing into one.
Lois, handed her a blanket, 'You look like hell."
"I've had better days," Supergirl forced a smile. "I just came back from the fortress, and then did a few circuits around the Earth. I just can't explain it."
Lois, put an arm around the teen girl, "Just rest, when weas the last time you slept?"
"That's not important, the body…" the girl trailed off.
Lois felt her tears coming again, but pushed them down, "Just rest, we can talk about this later. I'll call the Danvers, they've been worried about you."
"Yeah, they're nice, but I can't, I have to get back out there," Supergirl said, even as she leaned back, her eyes growing heavy. "Have to find Kal-El."
This stopped Lois in her tracks, "What was that?"
"He was in the rejuvenation matrix, but he's missing," Supergirl absently said as darkness fought against her will. "The robots were incapacitated, they're the visor guy."
Lois left quickly, running for her phone. She had left it on charge, been using it the whole day, but instantly called the second of her emergency contacts. The first on her list, well that was the subject of this call. The phone rang, and when it was picked up, she could detect just a hint of interference. If she brought this up to the person running this, he'd have it fixed next time, mostly because he hated being able to be tracked.
"Ms. Lane, is there something wrong," came Alfred's voice.
Lois kept her cool, "He's missing. Supergirl just got here, and she says his body is missing."
"I'll contact the League at once," Alfred said immediately.
This time Lois let her cool go, "What about him! They're supposed to be friends. I know he's been lying low, but this is Superman we're talking about."
"I know, Ms. Lane, he will make this a priority," Alfred explained. "Right now he's not in any condition to help. Trust me, when I tell you that he'll move Heaven, Earth and Hell itself to find him."
Lois felt deflated, "I'm sorry, it's just…"
"You've been strong for everyone," Alfred's warm caring smile came across the line. "You've been keeping tabs on those new heroes, been working, and have been there for the Kents. He would be proud of you. Know you have my deepest respects."
Lois smiled, "You're good at this. He's lucky to have you. Just pass this on please, I need to go check on a very tired super teen."
"Fear not, the message will be passed on," Alfred said. "If there is anyone who can do a miracle, it would be Superman. Keep your eyes to the sky, Ms. Lane."
Lois hung up, and then brought Supergirl into the apartment. Placing the tired teen girl on the couch, she covered her up with a warm wool blanket. She made sure to put a pillow under her head, and then went back to the window. She stared out into the slowly darkening sky, looking for a gleam, a streak, a symbol.
Earth, New Jersey, Gotham City
Bane threw a wall at the dark figure coming out him. This wasn't Batman though, the three claws coming out of each hand were testament to that. That being said, this guy dressed like Batman, except for the streaks of yellow in the suit. He saw the wall break apart, several pieces hitting this new dark figure. There was a howl of pain, but no slowing down. Possible that this one had more protection in their armor, though that would have to be really advanced.
Bane changed approaches, leaping off, like he was about to flee. Then he came up, and grabbed the chasing figure by the throat. Hitting the button for a burst of VENOM, he slammed the dark figure through brick chimneys and into a nearby steel pole. The figure grunted, even as falling bricks tore into exposed flesh. What caused Bane's spine to chill, was how quickly those wounds closed back up. That and the metal claws coming for his head. He tossed the angry man away, and was impressed as the dark figure landed gracefully.
"Are you one of the Bat's allies?" Bane asked.
The dark figure smiled beneath his cowl, "I'm the best at what I do, and what I do to scum like you ain't very nice!"
The dark figure leapt onto Bane, and despite all his maneuvering, the big man had a hard time getting away. He landed a massive uppercut that would have killed anyone, but only temporarily dazed the dark figure. Then this crazy bat fan was on him again, those deadly knives lacerating his arms, and one leg. Bane made sure to keep them away from the cables leading to the VENOM tanks. It looks like this guy wanted to make things fun!
The two battled, while another looked on, finding the whole situation very alluring. He leaned in, his furred neck hiding a wide grin, and let out the laugh that had given him his name. Then he leapt into the fray. Both would make it so much more fun, though he'd rather have the runt to himself. But that's how the eggs crumble or the cookies break, something like that. For the Hyena, it was all about the laughs, and making Dark Claw suffer!
"Dark Claw, on your left," Sparrow called out as she sent a burst of pyrotechnics into the face of Bane.
She landed hard and sent a swift kick into Bane's vulnerable back of the knee. She had to put her full strength into it, but the man did fall. However, she wasn't expecting him to turn as he did. His arms grabbed her up, and started to crush her. Sparrow instinctively shot out another burst of pyrotechnics, blinding him and her. Much to her relief, he let her go and she rolled away. Pulling out one of her clawrangs, she prepared to throw. However, the temporary blindness kept her from doing so, and when her sight did clear, Bane was gone.
However, the Hyena was still there. She heard his cackling as he and Dark Claw tangled. Claw normally wanted her to stay out of the way when they fought, but now she had to help, she'd let the other guy get away. Before she could though, both Hyena and Dark Claw tumbled over the side. She rushed over, to see Claw using his metal claws to slow his descent, at the expense of the outer wall of the building.
Hyena meanwhile landed, got back up and laughed again, "Come on Puny Claw, you got to do better than that. I'd almost say your heart wasn't into it."
"Creed, we will end this, before you hurt another living thing," Dark Claw launched off the wall and sunk his claws into the larger figure. "Your insanity can't infect this world."
Hyena laughed and bit down on Dark Claw's shoulder, making the hero howl in pain. Then Hyena followed up with several attacks from his own claws, but these of a more organic nature erupting from his fingertips. His baying laugh bouncing off the nearby alleyways, and causing several inhabitants to scurry for shelter. The Hyena was having the time of his life, even as Dark Claws metal claws ripped through his spleen.
Just as quickly, the organ healed and so did the other slashes Dark Claw had done. Hyena launched onto Dark Claw and they became a ball of metal, teeth, claws and flesh. Blood flew, and skin was lacerated, healed and ripped asunder again. The two evenly matched foes taking their best shots at each other, but only later did Hyena realize Dark Claw was leading him to a more abandoned part of town.
Sparrow tried to keep up, but both of the foes were really going at it. Her focus on her surroundings was gone, which was how she found herself meeting the rooftop hard. Per her training, she came around, to face this new combatant, only to see what looked like a ghost faced man step out. Her heart stopped a couple of beats, even though she'd never seen this guy before. There was something off about him, and he screamed of danger.
"Are you one of his new pretty birds?" the white faced, ruby lipped and permanently smiling man said, cackling. "He has such a thing for strays, for such a brooding, dark avenger. But we all have our types. Mine are easily manipulated psychologists, where just one little push and they're calling you, 'Puddin.'' Now, do we do this with the crowbar, or do I leave you mutilated for all to see?"
Sparrow sent a burst of pyrotechnics at the devil clown thing, and then used one of her clawrangs to cut the bindings. Much to her surprise, the clown thing was there, and so was his crowbar. She felt it impact her side, and what felt like her ribs wanting to break. Sparrow moved, and heard the crowbar clang off the rooftop. It only occurred to her later that if she'd remained still, the impact would have been on her spine.
"Oh, he has trained you well," the figure cackled. "Well let Uncle Joker finish your training. Hold on this part will hurt!"
His face turned from smiling to frowning concentration as he whipped the crowbar up. Sparrow wasn't quick enough, and felt the world turn upside down. She landed hard, her jaw in immense pain, and her head groggy from the blow. She wanted to move, but the second blow to her right leg, just above the kneecap sent another bolt of pain shooting through her.
"Hoohoo, heehee," Joker cackled. "You're in for a night, we're going to do this right and savor the experience. Uncle Joker has much in store with you, just know you'll never be the same again!"
With that the Joker began to laugh maniacally again, raising his crowbar up to bring more pain down. His hand didn't move, a line attached to a batarang stopped him. He turned, and a gloved fist smashed into his face, followed by a boot to the midsection. The Batman was getting slower and softer since his disappearance. Except this wasn't Batman. As the Joker looked onto the new combatant, this was most definitely a Batgirl.
"What is this, the Bat starting a harem or something?" Joker quipped. "That's not fair! Maybe I'll just take one as my own!"
Batgirl said, "Not tonight, Joker, time to say night night!"
Her insides were near liquid, Batman had been specific about staying away from the Joker. She just couldn't sit there and watch what he was going to do to this girl. So, she entered the fray, and quickly began to send punches and kicks his way. He took a few hits, and then used the crowbar against her shins. Even despite her armored boots, those blows still hurt. She didn't show it, pushing back the pain, and looking for an exit.
"Oh, he's trained you well," Joker said. "Not well enough though, it's time to clip some bat wings, and see who the girl is underneath."
Sparrow got up, and sent her strongest blast of pyrokinetics at him, "Eat this you asshole!"
Batgirl took the opportunity to throw down a smoke bomb and then sprinted at Sparrow. Even before the other young woman could protest, she sent them both over the edge. Already her grappling hook was out and they swung from that rooftop towards safety. Still, Batgirl couldn't fight the feeling that things had changed, and that she should be very afraid.
Joker watched with a smile on his face. That had been interesting, but not the fight he had been wanting. He'd have to look those two up again, because they meant something to Batman. No matter what, he and Batman would be doing their dance till one was dead. Batman wouldn't ever kill him, his one rule. Joker wouldn't ever kill Batman, because then his suffering would end. As such their dance would go on and on for all time. That is, till Batman did finally break his rule, but then his true suffering would just get going.