Chapter 1: Interview with The Boogeyman
The Bio-Ship was fast and traveled at just the right altitude without actually leaving the Earth's atmosphere, and so we arrived at the so-called Cave of this covert Team sanctioned by the Justice League in about half an hour. Fully cloaked and without pursuit. Nightwing resisted the clear urge to interrogate me the whole time we were traveling but I noticed how he and his hero friends would look towards each other every now and then. Right, Martians are powerful psychics. They must have been hooked into a telepathic connection since as soon as everybody was onboard the ship.
And then, we arrived in a hangar through a bay door from our approach in the Atlantic Ocean. Things moved quickly from there, because within a matter of minutes all of the captured metahuman kids were officially taken into League custody and returned to their families. Zeta tubes were handy like that, quick in and out travel all over the world.
Ben was inconsolable, hanging onto me with an iron-grip I did not expect, looks like he got super strength out of this whole mess at the very least, because I know for a fact he didn't have that kind of grip strength before. I assured him as best I could that I would be okay. Well, I had several bargaining chips I could bring into play during what I hope is going to end up as a parlay with a bunch of heroes that want to throw in the worst prison imaginable and throw away the key. No pressure.
Eventually, Miss Martian helps me and together we are able to calm down Ben enough for him to let me go before he crushes any of my bones. My respect for the girl went way up just for that. Ben got transported away with some League members not long after that.
As for me, I had to stay. I had a lot of explaining to do and I had to somehow convince a bunch of heroes that I am trying to be one myself. And I had my work cut out for me, because it looks like everyone felt they should attend this questioning. All of the heroes part of this covert Team surrounded me on all sides of the Mission Room of this base. Three League members were present as well: Batman, Wonder Woman, and Martian Manhunter.
Hard light projectors constructed sturdy tables and chairs. The center of the place now looked like a stereotypical interrogation room of a police station, complete with handcuffs attached to the center table.
The three League members were seated directly across from me. Batman in the center. He formed a bridge with his hands to cover his mouth as he leaned forward. Wonder Woman had her arms crossed and was looking at me appraisingly. With notes of approval and…attraction? Well, nice to know I've still got it.
Martian Manhunter's eyes have been glowing for a while now, a clear sign of psychic power activation. Obviously, he's been reading my mind. I have trained in mundane and mystical mind defenses, but I made sure to bring them down to a minimum. Meaning personal memories not pertinent to the situation are defended, which just means anything truly intimate involving Helen and her family.
I was stripped of all of my weapons and my mask was removed. Batman insisted. I didn't argue because I needed his approval to be given a chance. One chance, to be allowed to prove Helen was right about me. That I could be better. A hero she always saw me as, even if I never really believed it myself. But I desperately wanted to.
"John Wick the Baba Yaga, also known as The Boogeyman," The Batman started after a few scant moments. "You're one of the world's most prolific and feared killers. In fact, the only person in the world that beats your kill count would be Ra's al Ghul himself, and only because he's lived for so long. You still have close ties to the League of Shadows and The Continental. Why exactly should we even be talking to you?"
And so, I make my case. I share everything I am willing and able to share. About my life up until this point, and everything about Helen and how she made me better. In every single way that mattered. And when Benjamin was taken like that, I wanted to bring justice upon those damn Reach bastards. I didn't care if the heroes wanted me to never kill, and I wouldn't barring extenuating circumstances, but I WILL bring them down.
When all was said and done, with many pointed questions from Batman and Wonder Woman, I even got checked over with the Lasso of Truth tied onto my left arm, and Martian Manhunter reading me as deeply as was ethical and necessary, I got the chance I was waiting for. Nightwing and his whole team weren't even opposed, they all got soft looks on them after I finished my whole life story essentially.
Batman then made an announcement about my fate. "You will be made a probationary member of this covert operations Team, you answer directly to Nightwing. Your performance will be heavily reviewed with every mission, and John?"
I perk up at his tone at the end. His tone got softer, noticeably for someone like him, but not much by normal standards. "I'm really sorry about Helen."
Batman and Manhunter left not long after that, Wonder Woman stayed because she wanted to speak to me. Most of The Team went to different parts of The Cave, only Nightwing stayed, he had to speak to me as the leader I guess.
Wonder Woman approached me. "John, I don't know if you remember, but we actually met before. When you would visit Helen in college and occasionally when you'd have sessions with Circe? It's me, Diana Prince." She smiled at me with such warmth and care after saying all of that.
I was stunned for several moments. Diana Prince was always a good friend of Circe, Helen too since she was Circe's number one student. "I had no idea all of this time, I don't even know why I never saw it. But damn, it's really good to see you Diana." I offer her a small smile, hoping it doesn't make me look strange.
She grinned at me, with a clear predatory hunger. So, I must be doing something right. "You know, we never did get that coffee you promised me all those years ago. Helen's gone and she's been gone a long time, John. And I've been so cold all these years. I don't want to be cold anymore."
My eyes widened at that. Just a bit. "I um, like to believe I am a man of my word. Are you free tonight? I'll just finish my business with Nightwing and we can go to a branch of the Continental. Their coffee is actually pretty great. Hotel rooms are the best, too."
Diana's eyes and grin turn quite wicked at my implication. "I'll be waiting just over there, have to make sure you don't run away from me this time." She walks off to a corner of the Mission Room, just several steps away really.
Nightwing approaches with a sheepish smile on his face. "Alright, John. I'm neither stupid nor brave enough to keep you around for much longer and risk Wonder Woman kicking my ass. Be here as soon as you can tomorrow for combat assessment. And uh, good luck tonight." Nightwing runs away blatantly after saying his piece, though I get the impression he'd deny such accusations to death.
Mere seconds after he is out of earshot, Diana has me in a firm but affectionate hug. She's hugging me flush against her body, from the front. I only have an inch or two on her height but, I felt much smaller right now. Such was the intensity of her gaze and possessiveness in her embrace.
…I must be imagining things but, I swear I could see a ball and chain in her eyes. I must be tired, yeah that's it.
"You're mine now, John Wick~" Dian tightens her grip on me, almost to the point of pain but not quite. It's kind of nice actually, to be wanted this much by such an amazing woman.
She dashes off to the nearby Zeta tube and has us go to the New York branch of The Continental. It's the best one. That could just be my personal bias talking however, my private home was in New York after all.
AN: A few readers really enjoyed the first chapter of this one, and I do so love John Wick and Young Justice. It's why I put them together like this, though not a crossover. This John Wick is a version local to the dimension. This is for the ones who were hoping this made a comeback despite the long hiatus. Feel free to check out my 2 new stories I hope to stay active in: Brockton Bay's Valor and Loving Bonnie Like a Love Song. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed it.