CHAPTER 30: Part 2 - "The End Of Innocence"

*James, Gotham City Mall

Pulling the hood up James looked into the mirror of the restroom he had commandeered to change his clothes. He had at first felt guilty about using the disability restroom but considering it only allowed one participant and the door could be locked it was a perfect location to hide out and change.

That and quietly yanking the security camera's cords that watched the outside of the restrooms would hide him from entering it.

It was one of the great perks of having the power of telekinesis, literally almost anything (within reason) of his immediate sight he could move. And recently even the items that were not in his sight he could feel around with his power and move.

Since the incident with the cop, he realized that he had forgone much of his training with his powers in exchange for study and work. If his former Sensei was around he would have batted him in the head for letting his training, both in martial arts and his powers slip.

So he jumped back into training with the intention of increasing his overall telekinetic strength.

It had not gone well.

His efforts of moving cars around had left him with a migraine and blood leaking from his nose and ears from the effort. In a panic, he ran to Freeze's lab and asked him to examine him to make sure he had not caused permanent damage.

Freeze had initially looked interested in examining James' brain but was disappointed when he was told to check with a scan first. The scan revealed some strain on a few of the lobes but that they were healing at a rapid pace. As could be expected from James' healing factor, that still frustrated Freeze with the cause of how.

Still, with the comfort of knowing whatever he did in training, his body would probably be healed.

'Probably,' he had thought. He worried that there was a catch or a limit to his healing. But so far with multiple gunshot wounds, falling from over 200ft, and inflaming his own brain, it seemed that it was fairly resilient.

Going back to his training he used a few of the local garbage dumps to practice what he called strength training. Using beaten-up wrecks of cars, old engine blocks, and other junk to lift, pull, throw, and manipulate in various ways.

Like before he found himself getting repeated migraines and at times bleeding ear or nose from the strain it took to lift such objects with his mind.

And after weeks of doing so, he learned very quickly, that strength training was slow and awful.

The best way he could describe it was actual weight lifting, his muscles or in this case his mind would strain and pull in the effort. This was both a physical manifestation as seen from the nose bleeds, and a mental one based on the concentration needed. The mental strain was merely a theory he believed based on research concerning telepaths who he felt had similar problems as he did. And which after reading the roster of known villains and superheroes who were was a scarily big list.

Funny enough, Telekinetics were much rarer in his world or pure Telekinetics like himself were rare. Most people who could boast the power relied on mystical artifacts/means or were elemental manipulators, meaning they could only manipulate a certain material and or use that material to lift other objects.

This lack of information on Telekinetics was surprising considering they lived in a world where gods, aliens, and magicians changed reality every other day. The most famous telekinesis users were probably the Martians but they rarely gave details of their abilities, and what few details were out publicly was more about their shapeshifting and telepathy.

Based on his research, and practice he quickly came to the realization that he would have to figure it out on his own and that it would take a while.

Strength training was a perfect example. Lifting furniture and torn-off car doors in the trash yards soon proved to be fairly easy. It was when he tried to lift actual cars that he could barely make them shake. He finally figured out his limit when with effort he lifted a truck's engine block, something in the ballpark of 350-450 pounds.

For most that would be incredible, but for James it was a frustrating hurdle that he could not move past. Even after weeks of pushing himself to this limit, he could not get past it. He knew he could, he knew instinctively he could do more, yet he could not surpass where he was at.

It was frustrating and at this point a dead end. And after considering working on his telekinetic shield or his concussive blasts he decided to focus on fine-tuning his control. Moving multiple objects at a time, moving them in elaborate formations, using his power to feel the area around him while keeping his eyes closed, and lifting objects out of sight was what he focused on.

And it proved a little more successful than strength training. When he focused he could pick out objects around his vicinity of a few dozen yards, recognizing them though was something he needed to practice a lot more, but he was making progress. He trained hard and could move multiple objects at the same time, though this was currently limited to things no heavier than chairs, and moving them in formations tended to have them crashing into each other.

It was being blind to an object but still being able to manipulate or move it where he truly succeeded. Where once he needed to see something to move it, he could now merely stretch his sense out and move it without needing to see it.

The success in his control helped make up for the stalemate he had reached with increasing his strength.

And despite setbacks, his growth made him more confident in his abilities, enough to take on the job he was dressing for in the Gotham Mall disabled restroom. There was just one thing he wished he had improved.

'I really need to invest in a better disguise' he fiddled with his face mask. Wearing jeans, a hoodie, and a face mask he bought from a sports store did not inspire much in terms of fear or intimidation. It also didn't help that besides hiding his identity and maybe keeping warm, his current

Looking back in the mirror he saw his face and felt very tired. From the outside, he looked fine, at a glance most would see him and think nothing was up. But his eyes told a different story. They still were light brown from growing up but there was something behind them that he did not like. Perhaps it was psychological, or maybe nerves, or knowing how his eyes turned black when he let loose. He was not sure, all he was sure was that he had changed, and he was not sure if it was for the better.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he strapped on the mask hiding the majority of his face. With the hood and face mask, most of his features were hidden with only his eyes being visible for someone looking closely.

He sighed, 'I look like some edgy teen with parental problems... which I suppose is true... but still... I really need another disguise.'

Taking the clothes he had walked into the mall with he dumped them into the trash, then he grabbed wads of toilet paper and stuffed them around the clothes. Taking a small plastic lighter he dropped it into the trash which caught fire quickly. He figured it was best to ensure this potential evidence was destroyed just in case. He didn't worry about the fire alarm considering what was about to go down in the next... he checked his phone.

"Shit," he whispered.

He swung the restroom door open and began half-running his way to the fire escape stairs which would lead him to the rooftop. That was where he was supposed to meet Riddler and the others before the attacks took place.

But looking at the time he was running late. The attacks had been launched and the data transfer started.

...add getting a watch to his new disguise.

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*Batman, Blackgate Penitentiary

"ROCKET!" A guard shouted before diving out of the way.

SWOOSH... BOOM

One of the last checkpoints on the main bridge leading to Blackgate exploded, wood frames and glass flew everywhere covering many of the guards in the debris. A few were more unlucky and were thrown from their position scraping across the asphalt.

Things had been total chaos when a convoy of SUVs and vans drove across the bridge gunning down the guards in the first two checkpoints before reaching the last one. The best tactical description would be a blitzkrieg through the guard's defenses. And as shown just a few moments ago, the attackers were armed with heavy ordinance. Light SMGs were probably the smallest of the weapons they were using, along with AK-47s, some grenades, and even handheld rocket launchers.

The financing of such a large attack would have cost a fortune, adding to the mystery of what Riddler's plan was for Batman.

He was currently flying the Batwing in an effort to reach Blackgate as quickly as he could when he saw the fighting that was going on. It truly looked like a scene from a war movie, with the Blackgate guards manning positions behind cars and barricades while the attackers swarmed them with bullets and explosives. Sirens had sounded from Blackgate as the prison went on lockdown, no doubt the marines stationed there were getting equipped and ready to fight back. But until then, it would be the average prison guard armed at best with a sidearm and maybe a nightstick to stop the horde racing across the bridge.

Taping his communication panel he rang up Dick as he prepared to dive down towards the attackers.

"Batman? What's going on?" Dick's voice asked with concern.

"No time to explain, get the team suited up and ready to deploy now! Attacks are happening all over the city right now."

The batwing made a dive bomb on the attackers releasing cylindrical rods down onto them. The rods fell and scattered across the cars of the attackers before making a low hum. The hum began growing as electricity started to crackle around the rods before flashing in a bright burst.

Immediately, cars, phones, radios, watches, and anything electrical on the bridge shorted and spluttered out.

The attacker's cars swerved to a stop or crashed into each other as they lost power. Radios and cell phones were thrown to the ground in anger now that they were useless. The attackers would have to continue the assault on foot.

Pulling the Batwing up Batman eyed a location where he could jump out to begin helping the defenders on the ground.

"Wherever you are just get ready Dick, the attacks are distractions and I am worried about what the main reveal will be, understood?"

Dick responded swiftly "Of course, we will be ready. Robin out."

Hovering the Batwing near the main gate of Blackgate, he raised the cover of the craft and jumped down nearly 3 storeys. Unfurling his cape he slowed his descent before landing in front of the gate.

The checkpoint where he had just dropped his EMP bombs had finally been overrun. The disruption he had caused had bought time for the guards located there to make a retreat. Right now the main gate to Blackwater was partially opened to allow various personnel to rush in and out as they prepared defenses. A few of the guard's cars had been moved and set up as barricades by the Marine squads as they took up position. One man, a sergeant was shouting and ordering men left and right, the man Batman needed to speak to.

Walking up to him he could see the sergeant take notice and frown in his direction.

'Not a fan of mine I see,' he thought with concern.

Things would go much smoother if the onsite commander was willing to work with him.

Before he could make contact he felt a buzz beep in his left arm. Raising it, a small portion of the underside of his arm glowed with a data screen. Some of it was showing reports of the attacks on Blackgate, GCPD, and Major Crimes. The rest show its most important functions, his connection to the bat computer where he could access cameras, satellites, databases, and many of his hacking systems.

Right now though it was alerting him to a cyber threat his computer had detected. It had triangulated a large data transfer from City Hall to a location it was trying to determine.

Scanning the information he started to feel a great deal of concern. The data transfer was stealing some incredibly sensitive information, much of which concerned bank information.

How was this transfer happening without triggering any of the computer's security? Was there a hacker in City Hall? Maybe? He would alert Gordon to sweep the area. But where exactly was it going?

The attacks happening right now across the city while a major hacking effort was a coincidence Batman did not like.

He typed a few commands to the batcomputer to begin triangulating the transfer and alert him when completed.

BANG BANG BANG

At this point, a few of the attackers laying siege to Blackgate had made it within range of the main gate. Bullets began hitting the barricades of the car and the marines began opening fire back.

Batman rolled over to join the Marines standing at the car barricade, he drew out a few specialized batarangs. Motioning for the Marines to take cover he swung out of cover and flung the batarangs. Explosions of bright flashes and debilitating sounds caused a few of the attackers to fall to the ground clutching their ears and eyes.

One of the men who was a little further away shook his head clear from the flash bangs only to open his eyes to see a large bat figure come swinging down on him.

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*The Team, Gotham Mall

It was like a slow avalanche as people checked their phones, TVs running programs changed to emergency broadcasts and mall security started directing people out that the situation in Gotham became clear.

"We are asking our citizens to remain calm and orderly. We need everyone to return to their homes and remain there for the time being..."

The mayor's voice over the emergency broadcast started a stampede to the doors, Gothamites knew when something big went down it was best to seek shelter.

However, a few civilians of a less honorable nature saw this as an opportunity to enrich themselves.

Mall store windows were smashed, fleeing people grabbed items off the shelves, and a few even got into fistfights with the short-staffed mall security.

One particularly large man knocked over a few women fleeing and made a grab for their purses. Only to get spun around and lifted off the ground by Connor who threw him into a fountain.

Wally being the speedster that he was flashed away for a moment before returning in his hero gear with a metal case which he handed to Barbra. He quickly shot off and began knocking over looters.

M'gann had gone behind a pillar to shapeshift into her usual form and flew in the air. She began picking up people who had fallen from the stampede of fleeing civilians and set them to the side.

Kaldur had an easier time thanks to his Atlantean magic and the simplicity of his outfit. In fact, most of his regular kit was underneath his civvy clothes.

Barbra peaked inside the case, before motioning for Dick and Artemis to follow her. Wally had grabbed their emergency suits from the car and they needed to find a place to change quickly.

They found a secluded location around the corner that would keep them out of sight sufficiently. Barbra popped open the case and tossed Artemis her compacted bow and suit, before grabbing her own items. These emergency suitcases were designed by Batman to be used by many of the league members in case a situation like this would occur. The suits were designed for easy and swift application maintaining the tough integrity as expected of the regular ones, though they would have significantly less gear and gadgets.

Artemis began strapping on her green vambraces, "You think the whole city has gone this insane?"

"Knowing Gotham... yes just about," Barbra said as she swapped her pants for her suit.

Dick kept his back turned to the ladies out of respect and put on his domino mask, "We will need to head over to GCPD HQ, once we end the attack there they will be able to help out the other locations."

"Did Batman say anything about who was behind this," Artemis finished putting her costume on with pulling her cowl up.

Dick shook his head as he peeked over to see if the ladies had finished getting dressed.

Artemis was, and Barbra finished when she hooked her belt up.

"Well let's try to help this area calm down first before GCPD, they should be able to hold out," Barbra said.

Artemis nudged her, "And we can make sure your boyfriend made it out safely."

"Shut up!"

Artemis laughed before testing her bowstring out, pulling on it, before nodding in satisfaction and running off to where Connor was.

Dick stayed quiet, watching Barbra closely.

"You really do like that guy don't you?"

Barbra gave him a cold look, "Now is not the time to talk about my dating life."

Dick held his hands out, "Ok ok, it is just surprising though. You barely know him and I know you are picky about even acquaintances. It is just surprising is all..."

"Right now the city is in chaos and we have a riot going on... Now is not the time!" She gritted her teeth.

Before Dick could respond they heard a swoosh of air and Wally scream.

They both rushed around the corner to see a baffling sight.

The mall still had handfuls of civilians in it but they all now seemed hell-bent on attacking members of the team. Artemis was dodging loads of them throwing punches and trying to grab her. M'gann kept flying higher to avoid chairs and other items they were throwing her way to knock her down.

Wally was currently crashed into some mannequins and trying to stand. And charging towards him was a roaring Connor.

Dick reacted first by running in between them, "Connor what are you..."

Connor roared and started swinging his fists, there was no elegance or training. Just pure adrenaline and the desire to crush Dick.

But Dick was not an easy target. He dodged, flipped, and parried Connor's super strength to the side and slowly drew him away from Wally.

Barbra made her way over to the down Speedster and helped him back onto his feet.

"What is happening?!?" She asked.

Wally rubbed his head, "I have no idea, one second we are escorting people out and tripping up looters, and the next I am being flung across the room by Connor."

He pointed at Superboy, "Has he gone totally insane? Is this from Cadmus?"

Looking around Barbra shook her head, "No, Cadmus would not also target the civilians like such. Too much risk and liability for the government."

"Well whatever it is," he looked over to see Artemis being cornered by the psychotic mob, "We need to find a solution, and fast!"

He zoomed over to Artemis, tripping and punching the seemingly possessed civilians lightly, just to knock them out.

Taking Batman's teachings, Barbra took a moment to examine the situation to find the root of the problem. Whatever was affecting the civilians was affecting Connor, but they were not targeting each other but rather just the team... or people unaffected. Scarecrows fear toxins could induce this crazed violent effect, but then people would be fighting each other and not a targeted group. Mad Hatter was a no since no hats, maybe a telepath?

A few of the civilians who were targeting Artemis and Wally seemed to have noticed her presence and ran towards her with fists raised.

She quickly popped out her extendable staff and began defending herself.

The first man went down easy with a blow to the stomach, the second managed to dodge her staff but got a kick in the face for their effort. Two more came up behind their fallen comrades and with no concern for their injuries began attacking her.

Batting their hands away she looked up to see M'gann hovering above her focusing on Connor.

"M'gann! Link us all together"

The martian looked down back at Barbra, then closed her eyes. A hint of a vein pulse from her forehead.

[Did that work?] Barbra thought.

[Yep, Robin here.]

[Speedster 1 reads you loud and clear.]

[Artemis here]

M'gann's voice sounded relieved in their minds, [thank goodness, I was worried it wouldn't work. I keep trying to connect Connor but his mind is a total mess.]

What the team was using right now was a special telepathic link for their minds to communicate. It apparently was very similar to what Martians did on a day-to-day basis. It would allow them to communicate with each other with no concern of someone overhearing them or devices jamming a traditional communicator. The downside was the range was limited to maybe a few miles or 3 at best and another telepath could theoretically force themselves into the communication. Still, it was more reliable than the traditional methods and easier.

Parrying a few blows from Connor, Dick asked the question Barbra had, [Is this a telepath doing this M'gann?]

They could almost all feel her shake her head through the connection, [No, I can tell it is not a telepath. But whatever it is, it is fairly strong. Connor's mind is entirely focused on stopping us.]

She hesitated, [It's weird... besides rage he also has very strong emotions of happiness and...]

[And what?] Artemis asked.

[I... think it's lust...] M'gann said embarrassed.

Wally groaned, [Great, so he wants to kill us and kiss us!]

[No, not quite,] M'gann said, [The rage is directed towards us but the happiness and lust are directed elsewhere.]

Why did that sound so familiar to Dick and Barbra?

Barbra's panicked voice jumped in, [Dick could it be?]

[Ya, she would make the most sense.]

Annoyed Wally asked, [Who are you guys talking about?]

[The symptoms and the way everyone is acting are very similar to Poison Ivy's pheromone concoction.] Barbra explained.

[Wait, Poison Ivy, like the bio-terrorist?] Wally said confused.

Artemis bypassed Wally, [But wait, why would she be here?]

Dick grunted while dodging a thrown table, [Don't know and currently don't care, right now we need to focus on incapacitating these civilians. Once they are done we can focus on Connor. M'gann, your uncle was able to break the hold the pheromones had on the mind using telepathy. Do you think you can do the same for Connor?]

M'gann thought for a moment, [I think so, but we would need to hold him down and let me touch him for the best chance.]

[Understood, I will keep him distracted for now. Everyone else handles the possessed civilians, then come help me.]

Barbra chimed in, [Keep an eye out for Ivy, she must be close by. Don't approach her until we can do it as a team.]

[Agreed] they all said.

A pause followed.

[Guys?] Artemis thought with trepidation.

[Where is Kaldur?]