Chapter 12
Mount Justice
Kaldur and Robin were in the center of the hollow ring, duking it out in hand to hand combat. Kaldur threw a right-straight and Robin back flipped out of the way earning him points, however, Kaldur dipped down and swiped the boy-wonders feet out from under him, "Fail: Robin."
Kaldur helped Robin up with a smile just as M'gaan and Conner entered the room from the hall to their left, they were talking casually with the Martian innocently putting her hands behind her back, "You know they're a couple, right?" Robin whispered as he grabbed his jacket and swung it over his shoulder.
Kaldur turned his attention to M'gaan as she walked slightly closer to Conner than one might call normal
Kaldur smiled, "I believe I knew before they did."
Just then from the opposing corridor came Draken, Artemis, and Wally strolling and talking casually, or well, Wally talking while the Vampire and archer just listened to his babbling.
"Should we tell them?" Robin inquired as he looked back to Kaldur.
"It is not our place."
Wally looked over to Zatara and Captain Marvel as they talked and over-saw the training. "So, if Zatara is our baby sitter of the week, why is he still here?" He chided as he then took notice that Marvel was eating a candy bar vigorously, "And why is he eating my snacks!"
"Recognized: Batman A02," the computer interrupted Wally's complaining allowing entrance to the greatest detective on Earth. The dark knight walked into the room ignoring everyone with a stoic expression and walking directly into the holo-ring, "Computer, display national news."
The computer complied and opened up a large holographic screen projecting the news where Cat Grant began narrating the events from earlier that day, "The initial attack was short lived but, Metropolis was only granted a short reprieve," the video displayed a massive plant creature coiling itself around a building and crushing it into rubble with its tight constriction. "Even with the intervention of Superman and the Justice League there seems to be no end in sight," the video displayed Green Lantern cutting through vines, Hawk-girl being tossed into a building, and Superman rescuing two people from a collapsing structure.
Robin stepped forwards, "Should we get out there?"
Batman was quick to respond, "No." He firmly ordered, "The League will soon have the situation under control, that's not why I'm here." Batman turned and opened up virtual records of their previous mission reports, "According to your intel Sportsmaster supplied Cadmus' Blockbuster formula to Kobra."
Wally stepped forwards, "Who combined it with Bane's venom to create Kobra Venom!"
Kaldur continued, "Which the Brain used to create his animal army."
"The Brain also used inhibitor collars like the ones at Belle-Reve Penitentiary to control the poor animals," M'gaan added
Artemis raised a brow and looked around, "Batman, is it possible that these plant thingies are on Kobra Venom too?"
Batman nodded in agreement as he pulled yet another virtual screen up displaying chemical test results, "I had Green Lantern run a spot analysis; divine cellulose does contain trace amounts of a Kobra Venom variant."
"These cannot be coincidences," Kaldur stated firmly stepping forwards next to Robin and the others, "Unrelated criminals are cooperating with each other worldwide."
"Exactly," Batman confirmed, "It is now clear that our enemies have formed some kind of secret society of super villains; the attack on Metropolis and Central City are only the beginning."
Robin began typing away at a holo-screen, "You got that right," he typed away on his gauntlet and brought up multiple holo-screens behind Batman showing multiple cities from around the world being attacked by plant creatures. "Plants have sprouted in Taipei, Gotham City, Star City, Paris…" each screen turned to static suddenly and simultaneously.
Wally spoke up, "Uh, dude?" he asked wondering why Robin had lost connection.
"It's not me; someone is cutting the satellite signal, all satellite signals!" Just as he said this, all five screens displayed the same live video feed of a man with a purple suit and pale white skin breathing on the glass and whipping it for good measure.
"Ladies and gentleman!" the Joker shouted wildly as he cackled, "We interrupt your regularly scheduled mayhem to bring you… this important announcement," he panned the camera over towards a group of men in colorful costumes, "From the Injustice League."
"We are responsible for the attacks on your cities," he spoke in English but his accent was clearly Japanese, "If you wish to save them a ransom of ten-billion American dollars is required; delivery instructions have been sent to the United Nations, there is no time-limit, however; the longer you wait…"
Joker took out a switch-blade and gently dragged it across the camera-lens, "The more we get to have our jollies…" his laughter kicked up again, even louder than before when suddenly the feed switched back to static.
Robin fiddled with the holo-screen, replaying the video footage and pausing it for everyone to see, "Count Vertigo, Black Adam, Wo-Tan, Atomic Skull, Poison Ivy, Ultra-Humanite and The Joker. That's seven heavy hitters..."
"There's your secret society," Wally announced as the image zoomed out at the group of super-powered villains facing the camera.
"Not so secret anymore," Artemis added as she folded her arms across her chest.
Kaldur raised his hands to shoulder level, "Perhaps they figured we would deduce the truth and found no reason to hide any longer."
"Yea? That was their mistake, I think it's time we kicked some plant-creature butt!" Wally said pumping his fist in the air as the others only looked slightly annoyed at him not getting the full picture.
Batman stepped forwards, "The Justice League will handle the plants; I have a different job for this team, a more important job."
"Awe man," Wally groaned in disappointment as Artemis punched him in the arm
"With so many plants, attacking so many different locations at once, there must be a control center; your job is to neutralize it," Batman outlined their mission briefly as Zatara and Captain Marvel glanced at him.
Zatara stepped forwards with a concerned expression, "You do realize what you're really asking them to do?"
"They're ready," he assured without hesitating.
"Ready for what?" Wally asked receiving another punch to the arm from Artemis, this time a much harder one as he stomped his foot in aggregation.
"Would you quit that?!" He shouted as she gave him a coy smirk.
"Hello Wally, if the Justice League are fighting the plants; who do you think we'll be fighting?" She waved her hand in the air trying to get him to figure it out himself.
"Them…" Draken pointed up to the screen of villains causing Wally look up at the image and loosen his jaw, "Oh."
"Well, Batman, I hope you're right," Captain Marvel finished putting his hands on his hips.
"And I hope you can locate the enemy, Zatara?"
"If Wo-Tan is involved? There should be some significant dark-magic looming around the central-command; from their i can pin-point their exact location," Batman nodded and summoned a holo-key board, typing a few commands before a large holographic globe appeared before them.
Batman turned and looked over to Zatara, "Do it."
"Erehpsimeh eht ni cigam krad tsom eht kcart," his eyes turned bright yellow and the holo-globe spun quickly before freezing with a single dot landing on a large swamp in New Orleans, across the country but, not out of reach.
Injustice League Hideout
Joker's gloved fingers danced above several holographic screens, each displaying a different chemically-enhanced plant scenario which the demented clown seemed to control, "Kobra Venom's got nothing on good ol' Joker Venom," Joker cackled maniacally as he continued to manipulate the vines worldwide destroying buildings and attacking people with no end in sight.
"Both work well in concert," Count Vertigo added as Joker continued his rampage; Poison Ivy leaned down and wrapped her arms around the base of a giant stem that extended towards the ceiling and out of the abandoned observatory they used as a lair.
"Yes, but we are putting considerable strain on my baby," Ivy tightened her grip on the plant causing part of it to turn a bright shade of green in response to her pheromones.
"We will keep her safe and healthy, Ivy," Vertigo assured her before turning to buff man on a piece of equipment above him with a skull engulfed by emerald-flames, he stood next to an outlet like pedestal waiting for orders, "But she requires more power!" Atomic Skull said nothing as his entire head exploded with a radiating energy which then extended into his hands on the pedestal and funneled through the roots, into the stem of the plant causing it to grow several large healthy green-leaves and thicken considerably.
Suddenly, a red light filled the building as a loud alarm began sounding throughout the headquarters, "Perimeter breach!" Vertigo announced
"Then I suggest you all get busy." A figure from the shadows said
"What about you?" Joker asked the figure
"I intend to pay an old friend a visit."
Louisiana Bayou
The flight to New Orleans was undoubtedly quite as Draken sat in the seat next to the pilot's and M'gaan steered the ship at mach four, the team was silent as a thick
"I still have my misgivings concerning this mission." Draken said a he eyed the hidden Helmet of Fate, which was concealed in a bag
"Relax Draken, we'll only resort to plan B if things go haywire." Robin said
"Knowing our luck things might go haywire." Draken signed
"If things do go haywire, I'm sure you can handle it…being our big gun and all." Conner said with a yawn
"Don't Patronize me." Draken said before noticing M'gaan put hand to her head in distress, she leaned back and used both hands to clutch her temples this time, grunting slightly, "What's wrong?"
"She's dizzy," She said trying not to lose focus on steering the ship as it slowed down significantly.
"Who? Artemis?" Wally asked looking over to the archer who shook her head in protest.
"I feel fine," Artemis noted as Draken quickly realized what M'gaan was talking about.
"Not her, the Bioship," Draken said as tried to telepathically calm the ship
"Can't keep the camouflage, barely keeping altitude," M'gaan focused her thoughts on keeping the ship in the air but, it caused her to lose the camouflage and any hopes of evasive-maneuvers.
Vertigo stood on a patch of grass at the edge of a swamp sending his disorienting-waves into the air in the direction of the intruder which their radar detected, hoping to get him or her to reveal themselves and his wish was granted as the crimson Bioship melded into view; Vertigo pointed up at it and shouted out, "There it is, Black Adam, go!"
A tall, buff man in a black skin-tight suit with gold-trim and a white cape leaped into the air at super-sonic speeds striking the under-belly of the Bioship and knocking it from its flight-course and sending it twirling into the swamp-lands below. Adam planted his heavy boot onto the roof of the ship and ripped open a hole in the organic-hull, just big enough for him to see the team, this caused M'gaan to grip her head in agonizing psychic pain alongside Draken who had telepathically linked his psychi with the ship
"He's hurting her!" She shouted as a distressed Draken quickly tackled Black Adam off of the ship and into the air.
"There goes our big gun!" Wally yelled as Thick swampy vines reached up and wrapped around the ship dragging it underneath the murky-waters; Artemis watched as the water begun pouring into the ship at incredible rates, "No way I'm almost drowning three nights in a row," She grabbed a miniature re-breather from her belt and pressed it to her lips, she took a quick inhale from it before handing it to Wally and grabbing her own.
"Thanks?" he suspiciously took a deep breath and dived underwater as Kaldur turned to M'gaan.
"Miss Martian open a hatch!"
"Hello Megan." She said still recovering from the mental-stress, she slapped herself in the forehead and morphed gills into her neck before diving under the water and psychicly melding an opening in the hull allowing everyone to swim out and to safety.
They climbed onto a small patch of ground and watched the vines forcibly drag the bioship further under the water; M'gaan brushed the hair from her eyes and glanced over to Kaldur, "She's just in shock; she'll need some time to recover," Just as she finished her thought they were all brought to their knees by a mental-attack in the form of a disorientating headache.
"Vertigo!" Kid Flash shouted as he forced himself to turn and face the foreign-villain with his receding hair-line and headset-like device sending waves of nausea at them.
"That's Count Vertigo, to you, peasant."
Kaldur forced himself to his feet and flung an orb of lightning at Vertigo's abdomen, knocking him backwards for a moment. Conner took this opportunity to jump at the Count but, was sent into the dirt as Draken crashed into him, courtesy of Black Adam.
"Miss Martian and Robin disappear and achieve the mission objective; we'll hold the rest of them off," Draken used the mental link to give his instructions before helping Conner to his feet.
The two nodded as M'gaan immediately floated up in camouflage mode while Robin back flipped into the trees and leapt out of sight
"Friend of yours?" Conner asked as he dusted himself off.
"Hardly." Draken said as he glared at Adam. "To think I would be facing another heavy hitter in the space of one week."
Black Adam surged with mystical lightning as he extended a palm at Conner and fired a bolt of golden electricity, however; Draken stepped in the way and used his Scythe to absorb the energy
Adam backed away in confusion, "Allow me to repay you back for attacking me!" he fired the wave of mystic energy into Adam's chest sending him through a tree-trunk and into the swamp.
"You never told me your Scythe could absorb energy." Conner said
"Not energy, magic." Draken said. "Though I fear my little stun has aggravated our opponent."
"Perceptive as always Draken." Both Draken and Conner turned to see a Red haired female with an Umbrella approaching. "I always liked that about you."
"Lenore." Draken said in shock as he recognized the vampire
"It's good to see you again." Lenore said with a genuine smile. "Though I would have preferred our meeting were under better circumstances."
"Friend of yours?" Conner asked again
"Are you in League with these villains?" Draken asked ignoring Conner's question
"In league with these barbarians? No." Lenore answered. "I'm merely running errands for Camilla. You know how she is."
"Who's Camilla?" Wally asked while eying Lenore. "More importantly who is she?"
"You shouldn't be worrying about my identity right now." Lenore said as Adam floated into view with Vertigo, Ultra-Humanite, Ivy and Atomic Skull beside him
"Miss Lenore, do you intend to aid us or are you merely here to chat with the enemy?" Vertigo asked
"I've told you before Count, I'm a diplomat, not a fighter." Lenore said before turning to Draken. "Incearca sa nu mori."
Nodding curtly, Draken dashed towards Adam before swinging his Scythe at the Thunderer. Adam ducked and lunged upward. He caught the blade and yanked it out of Draken's arm, slamming his knee into his chin. Draken hopped back as he brought his hands together and pushed forward, unleashing a sharp stream of Hellfire which engulfed Adam's skin. Adam screamed in pain and threw a lightning bolt through the stream, blasting Draken back.
Adam followed with a furious flurry of fists to Draken's face but the Vampire evaded most of the attack before driving his heel into Adam's stomach and followed him down, creating a large tremor that shook the island. Willing his Scythe back into his hand, Draken slammed his weapon into the ground creating a massive gust of ice that froze Adam.
Adam's eyes turned black and lightning burst all around him, shattering the ice prison and blowing Draken into the air. Draken managed to catch himself in the air just in time to receive a kick to the stomach by an enraged Adam.
Draken barely steadied himself from the attack before Adam trapped one arm and wheeled him about. The vampire found himself on the ground with his arm in a lock. Adam sent a sweep through the elbow, making Draken scream as his arm snapped backward. The Thunderer flew up into the air and pinned Draken to the ground with a muddy hand before blasting him through the island.
Draken threw his good hand out; raising his Scythe to block the large bolt of lightning from Adam. Draken gritted his teeth as he pushed forward, reflecting the attack back onto Adam. Being hit with his own attack Adam dropped after an earth-shattering explosion to take a kick to his ribs.
Having gained a breather, Draken winced in pain as he snapped his broken arm into place as his healing factor kicked in. Draken flexed his now healed arm as he prepared himself to face Adam again
Wally, Artemis, Kaldur and Conner all stared up in shock as they watched their leader duck it out with Adam. The other villains present also looked surprised but had other plans.
Conner was staring up at the incredible battle when he was struck in the back by a beam of radiating energy sending him face first into the mud, Atomic Skull continued the blasts energy to keep him pinned while Count Vertigo sent waves of nauseating psychic attacks to keep them all off balance.
Artemis caught her second-wind first and pulled an arrow back on her bow aimed at Atomic Skull who paid no attention to her; she fired it but, it never made contact as the projectile was intercepted by Ultra-Humanite who caught it inches from Skull allowing it to explode in his face which he didn't even flinch at. Ultra-Humanite dashed over and grabbed Artemis by the neck lifting her up above his head squeezing ever so slightly which slowly cut off her air supply; Poison Ivy allowed roots to dig them selves to the surface at Kaldur and Wally's feet releasing a toxic neuron-gas which would paralyze them, only Wally had seen this before and immediately held his breath running at super-speeds in circles around the clouds of gas, sending it up into the atmosphere. He ended his sprint by sending a left-hook into Ivy's chin which knocked her over tumbling into the dirt, he looked around and noticed Artemis in trouble, "Get her, i've got Artemis," Wally pointed at Ivy as Kaldur noddd.
He used his top speed to dash over towards Ultra-Humanite, before he reeled his fist back and punched with all his strength knocking him over as he dropped Artemis promptly who immediately made her way to the speedster's side.
Artemis was about thanking the Speedster for saving when suddenly the figure of Draken blitzed past her with Adam in his hands; the force of the speed blitz was so strong that a gust of wind pulled Artemis, Kaldur, Wally, Vertigo, Atomic Skull Ultra-Humanite, Ivy and Conner off the ground and several feet away each one landing with a thud.
"Adam, you fool! Watch where you are going!" Vertigo screamed as Draken pinned Adam to the ground with his left hand and knee while using his free right hand to pummel him into the ground; each strike shaking the ground and sending shock-waves across the forest making it even more difficult to battle their individual opponents.
Conner stood up and saw Atomic Skull shaking his head still disoriented and trying to get his balance back; He used this to his advantage and super-sped towards the stumbling villain before uppercutting him in the chin sending him into the air and through a mound of toppled trees, pinning him beneath the weight.
Conner looked over to Count Vertigo who had Kaldur pinned to his hands and knees on the ground with a barrage of mental attacks. Conner leaped into the air and drop kicked Vertigo into a tree, cracking the bark and knocking him unconscious; he followed up by walking over casually and ripping the mental head-set device from his ears and crushing it in the palm of his hands.
"Is that it?" Conner glanced around noticing Ultra-Humanite heading towards him. "I hate monkeys."
"I believe that is a gorilla." Lenore corrected while sitting on a tree
"Same difference." Conner said
As Ultra-Humanite charged at Conner, a beeping noise caught their attention
BOOM!
Conner turned behind to see the giant plant creature that once stood was now burning mush with Miss Martian and Robin standing on top.
"Timber." said Robin
"Children?!" The team looked up to the ruined building to see Joker climbing out from the rubble, "Children foiled our plan? Inconceivable! Unacceptable! Retrabutionable!" He grinned and drew a pair of switchblades. "That last one might not be a word. So sue me!"
"Kill them, kill them all!" shouted Vertigo.
Joker and Atomic skull joined the fight as Ultra-Humanite tackled Conner. He fell into the swamp water and got a least half of it in his mouth. He spun around to face the primate and punched him in the gut.
"Enough" Wotan yelled as he suddenly appeared before firing a spell towards Conner, Wally and Artemis. Screaming in pain, the trio fell to the ground and were about to lose consciousness when suddenly the blast disappeared.
"The Helmet of Fate." gasped Wotan.
The team spun around and true to Wotan's words was the Helmet of Fate in Kaldur's hands
"No Aqualad, don't!" yelled Kid Flash but it was too late, Kaldur had become Doctor Fate. With his new status He flew off to battle with Wotan.
Meanwhile away from the others, Draken and Adam both turned at the sight of Dr Fate's appearance. This caused Adam to lose his edge allowing Draken to imbue Hellfire into his Scythe before slashing Adam in the chest, injuring and also knocking him onto his back and forcing him through two-miles of swamp and trees.
Draken spoke in between hard, exhausted breaths. "Surrender Adam. Even if you defeat me I doubt you would be able to take down Dr Fate in this state."
"Don't get cocky," Adam said. "You are far from claiming victory."
"You know, these are times I hate the Leagues no kill rule." Draken signed before throwing the first punch. Adam caught it and threw one back. Draken caught it and they started floating at a stalemate. Adam grimaced and lightning surged through his arms with Hellfire engulfing Draken's hand. Both fighters fists collided in an intense show of power, knocking each other into opposite directions. Draken recovered first before bursting into the sky, following Adam as they crossed the forest. Adam caught himself before ducking a kick from Draken as he caught his leg, whipping him into the foot of the hill. Draken landed hard on his feet
Adam raised his hand, gathering a ball of lightning that shined brighter than the sun. Thinking fast, Draken started firing fiery balls of Hellfire into the sky. Adam sped left and right, dodging the waves. He stopped to realize that Draken kept missing. "What are you doing?!"
"Blocking your escape!" Draken said. The balls of Hellfire stopped in the sky in a sphere around Adam. The Thunderer's eyes widened. "This is the end!" Draken clapped his hand together and floating orbs of Hell closed on Adam and his attack, shaking the sky with a bright, fiery explosion riddled with lightning bolts. Draken flew through the blast with his fist cocked back, receiving a front kick that crushed his rib. A battered, bruised, injured Adam furiously flew out of the blast with a cry of rage, throwing a volley of punches into Draken's face followed with a kick into the side of his leg. He darted forward with a knee strike and grabbed the back of Draken's head, breaking his nose on his knee. Adam whipped Draken into the ocean as their fight went past the island.
A bloodied yet healing Draken, burst out of the Ocean with his entire body surged with a dark aura. The sea started spinning around the islands and the half moon present began to slowly turn red
"Now you've done it!" Adam barked as he started gathering a massive ball of lightning into his hand. "I will enjoy ripping your flesh from your bones…"
As Adam continued to rant, Draken's Sclera were now red, as though they were filled with blood. With speed that would make Wally jealous, Draken sped towards Adam with the pure intent to kill him
"No you don't!" Adam shouted on seeing his opponent approaching him at great speed. Stretching forth his hand, Adam unlessed a large surge of lightning at Draken hitting the Vampire dead on, making every muscle in his body twitch.
Blinded by rage, Draken powered through the attack while also absorbing it into his Scythe. Unable to stop his attack, Adam was left wide open for Draken to drive his Scythe into Adam's chest, causing the Thunderer to cease his attack as he crashed into the Island like a meteor, landing just a few feet away from the other fighters
That's when the Justice League showed up. The Injustice League members looked at the near dead form of Adam and the floating Vampire who's Scythe was covered in blood. To Vertigo, it was a Miracle Adam was still alive with the way he was bleeding
"Surrender, this is your final warning." Draken managed to say through the blood lust
The Injustice League members looked at each other before putting their hands up in surrender.
"There will be another day." growled Vertigo.
Joker snapped. "Another day…. ANOTHER DAY! THERE WON'T BE ANOTHER DAY! NOT FOR ANY OF US!" he laughed and as he moved his hands, plants roses and spit out green gas.
"Joker venom spores don't breathe!" warned Batman.
"Fear not!" voiced Doctor Fate. He summoned his symbol and the gas started to disappear. "Fate has intervened."
They all turned to look at Joker.
Joker frowned "We'll that didn't turn out the way I planned."
Batman made a move towards him but Draken was faster he sped up to him and back handed him hard knocking the jester unconscious.
He turned to the rest of the Injustice League. "Anyone else wants to try something?"
They all seemed quiet as the Justice League took them away.
The team then brought their attention to Doctor Fate who was using Kaldur's body. Wally was stormed with rage. "What were you thinking!" he yelled. "How could you let him put on the helmet!"
"KF" snapped Robin as he glanced at M'gaan who was starting down at her feet with shame. Artemis put her hand on her shoulder.
Kid Flash sighed. "Nabu will never let him go. Kaldur will be trapped as Doctor Fate forever." he whispered.
"Fate." Draken said in a threatening tone as he stepped up to Dr Fate.
"There is no need for violence boy, though the next time someone puts the helmet on, I will not release said individual." Doctor Fate stared at him for a moment before removing his helmet and showing Kaldur before them, causing everyone to let out a sign of relief
"Nabu let you go." gasped Kid Flash.
"He almost did not, but he said something about not having a competent host to face a Blood Frenzied Vampire Lord." replied Aqualad.
"Speaking of Blood Frenzy." Conner turned to Draken. "Are your eyes going to stay that way?"
"No." Draken replied as his Sclera and the moon went back to normal. "Where is Lenore?" He asked as he noticed the vampire wasn't among the captured Injustice members
"Gone." Batman said stepping forward. "In the meantime you all should rest. And Draken?"
"Yes."
"We'll talk later concerning your actions today." Batman
"Of course we will." Draken signed
Unknown Location
Vandal walked up to Lex Luthor, Queen Bee, Klarion the Witch Boy, Ra's Al Ghul, the Brain, and Black Manta all standing side-by-side watching the same screens, "with the Injustice League standing as our proxies; we are once again free to operate with impunity,"
"What do we do about the Vampire." Queen Bee turned to face the people in front of her as a figure stepped out from behind them.
"Leave Dracula's Spawn to me." Camilla said