51 CHAPTER 50: Part 4 "Wrath Of An Titan"

*James (Krios), Sewers North of GCPD Major Crimes

The sewers of Gotham were extensive. With over 7000 miles worth of pipes large enough for a grown man to walk or crawl through, it made a perfect means escape and hiding location. 

The fact was that when referencing the sewers it also included all of the abandoned subway stations, water works, rail ways, old WWII bomb shelters and forgotten underground works. It was populated primarily by the homeless of Gotham with incredible numbers ranging as high as 50,000. Most of that population was harmless, though the occasional drug addicts and mentally handicapped were a concern, for someone like James he wasn't worried.

What he did worry about was what kept the majority of the gangs and even the psychos like Joker out of the sewers...

The sewer line he was currently wading through had a mixture of food waste and expected human waste giving a retching smell that kept him gagging every few feet. His shoes were already soaked nearly to his ankles though he did try to keep them out of the 'water' and onto the small lip of the circular bricked sewer. Unfortunately his attempts kept failing as he kept slipping on... who the hell knows what, right back into the 'water.'

This particular line was also only 4 feet high forcing James to walk hunched causing spurts of pain from his chest due to his wounds. Not that he should complain, thinking back on how things had gone, he felt like slapping himself in the head.

Oh the plan to destroy evidence against himself and Penguin he thought went well. Penguin being freed due to a mistrial and eliminating clues of his identity were well worth the risk. Killing that detective, Montoya, was also a decision he still thought worthwhile.

It was how he went about it that frustrated him.

Walking through the dark tunnel he was using his telekinesis to sense the general area around him which so far just included his cockroach friends crawling everywhere and occasionally falling from the ceiling onto his clothes. 

Reaching a crossroads, he took a right knowing it would lead him to a larger tunnel that he could stand up straight and worry less about the water mutating his foot or something. That was because it was one of the main pipes that dumped used water of the city to the treatment plants, thus it included more actual water rather then human waste. After that it would only be another 2 miles or three before he could climb up to one of the manholes and use the streets again.

"And then I can burn these clothes and take a shower," he muttered as he slipped again from the sides of the tunnel into the waste water.

Sighing he continued his trudge through the muck and literal shit. His thoughts still drifting back to the fact that it was less then a half hour ago he tortured a woman to death.

The one comfort he took was the killing of the other police officers didn't seem to bother him. Strange considering his near panic attack and mental breakdown he experienced after killing his first cop. 

He remembered the words Freeze had told him the previous year.

'The type of jobs we would need to do going forward... will require... the sacrifice of moral hesitations... Are you willing to take that next step?'

Based on the lack of feeling he had for his most recent murders, it seemed like he was. 

At that point he saw thanks to a hint of light and felt with his powers that he had reached the larger tunnel. The sound of rushing water up ahead reassured him his other senses were not failing him. The small tunnel he had walked through opened up to a near cavernous portion of the sewers. In the middle of the cavern was the main water flow, 5 feet or more deep rushing downward south to a large tunnel that would eventually dump it to Gotham's treatment plants. It was being fed by multiple smaller tunnels similar to the one James had just left, each filled with the muck and junk of Gotham's underbelly.

Sighing in relief, James saw there was some maintenance gurney's to the sides including ladders leading to the surface. Light seemed to be leaking from the top of where the ladders led giving the room a limited lighting. Across the walls of the cavern were various small metal pipes ranging from as wide as his fist to his bicep. Most likely gas lines feeding into the resident houses and businesses above him.

James pulled himself up onto a gurney and sat there letting his feet dangle. So far nothing had trigger his senses and he felt confident with a burning building collapsing on his escape route he had made a clean getaway.

Giving a breath of relief he began running his hand over the gunshot wounds. Despite ripping the bullets out earlier he could still feel some fragments from them that stayed behind. With a snarl he began pulling out the fragments the late detective Montoya had manage to hit him with. His healing abilities typically would push any embedded projectiles out of his body eventually, but it took time. 

'Might as well rip OWWW the band aid off.' As he ripped the chest bullet fragments out.

He let the fragments clatter to the gurney which slipped through to fall into the fast flowing sewer river.

It was strange sitting in a disgusting sewer with his feet dangling, it was kind of relaxing. James found himself leaning against the concrete wall, closing his eyes and listening to the sound of rushing water. Maybe it was from his wounds, or the beating from Batman, either way James felt exhausted.

He knew he had to get going, while he felt secure and safe right now it was still possible the police or even worse the Justice League would catch up.

But opening his eyes was becoming so difficult, it started to feel like he had missed out on a few days of sleep. He must of pushed himself harder then he thought. His consciousness began to dip in and out as he struggle to stay awake. Even moving his muscles seemed like an impossibility as it became inevitable he would nod off.

Still, a small corner of his mind seemed to fight the ever approaching sleep.

'Why are we so tired? This does not seem right?' His familiar inner voice murmured.

Another calmer and pleasant voice jumped in, 'Its because we collapsed a building and fought Batman. A moment's rest before we get going will be alright.'

'Wait, what is this?!?'

The soothing voice spoke more forcefully, 'Stop worrying, the time to rest is now.'

James mind began to push against the pressure of sleeping, the feeling was strange. It felt like a cool breeze had entered his mind relaxing it and...

'I know this feeling,' now the pressure had ramped up. Where once it was a soft cool blanket it now felt like ropes tightening around his mind.

'You must be calm, let yourself relax and accept the inevitable!'

Now the feeling became as if tendrils were drilling into his head. He had felt this before, months ago when he fought in the mall. It came from that Martian girl, the telepath...

'GET OUT OF MY HEAD!'

James eyes shot opened, black orbs glowed as the tiredness he felt vanished. The mind tendrils were roughly forced out bringing back clarity and his strength.

With that clarity he became aware of his surroundings such as a pair of hands that jerked back from his head with a shout of pain.

As fast as he could he got up on his feet and spun around to see an unusual sight.

The Martian Manhunt stood there with his back against the sewer wall and his hand to his head. Based on his facial features he was in pain and disoriented. Which was probably not helped when with a shout James blasted him nearly point blank in the chest. It would of looked comical to some as the concussive blast flattened his gut knocking the Martian's breath out with his eyes widening in pain and shock. Following that the Martian flew backwards through the concrete and brick with the new hole collapsing around him.

James caught off guard could only yell, "ARE YOU F&*KING KIDDING!"

Gathering himself he quickly ran on the maintenance gurney towards the tunnel he had mapped out. His mind was racing with how the alien had found him and that he had blasted one of the big dogs of the Justice League in the face. After all, Batman was a terrifying force, but one he understood. Martian Manhunter though...

As he crossed the gurney that bridged that gap over the river he found himself lifted off his feet and slammed into the railing by a chunk of concrete. 

The railing dented outward with his body and he felt what he suspected was a rib crack.

Just a few yards away where he had blasted the Martian that said figure had climbed out of the rumble and apparently utilized it to stop James. From the looks of things the Martian appeared unharmed besides some dust and a deep frown on his face.

James grunted as he stood up straight, "Listen... I know you may be mad but in fairness you were messing with my mind and that just feels like a step too far."

To his surprise the Martian nodded and began to hover closer to him before stopping a few feet. The pure red eyes were locked on him with an indescribable look.

The Martian then spoke, his voice was rather deep and monotone, "For us Martians, the use of our telepathy in such ways is frowned upon, but not forbidden."

"Your resistance to it is impressive. How did you learn to shield your mind?" The Martian asked curious.

"The truthful answer?" James said, he began to spread his telekinesis around the room.

 "I watch too much T.V."

Martian Manhunter blinked in confusion, "What?"

From the walls of the sewer various metal pipes and loose bricks were flung from all directions at the Martian. A few of the bricks manage to hit the Martian who brought his arms up to fend off the rest of the projectiles.

While the Martian was distracted James looked to the other side of the room and with a clawing motion snarled as he pulled the gurney there from its fixtures. The metal groaned and brick and concrete cracked as he tore it away before with a motion like throwing a baseball lobbed it at the Martian.

The next surprise of the night came with the Martian upon seeing the large metal gurney coming his way yelled.

"ENOUGH!"

The pipes and bricks being flung at him by James were sent flying back while the gurney began to slow and stop in midair. An unusual feeling came upon James as it felt like a pressure begin pushing the gurney back. 

'HE 'S A TELEKINETIC!?!' James mind was racing.

He started throwing more strength into moving the gurney with the Martian replying in kind. For a while both men were silent while a floating metal walkway shook between them as both pushed it towards the other.

With a snarl, James threw everything he had which seemed to shock the Martian as the gurney groaned. Then like a bullet the gurney shook one last time before shooting straight towards the Martian. 

The Martian to his credit turned intangible allowing it to pass harmlessly past him and smash into the wall. 

"Damn," James muttered stunned.

Did he just out power a League member?

The Martian turned tangible again and James began firing concussive blast at him. The next few moments saw the Martian bending and shapeshifting his body in the air to avoid the blasts with his flying abilities occasionally being used as well. All around them James fired blasts that shook the chamber they were in with brick and concrete flying everywhere.

Finally the Martian spun around a blast before his form morph into something large, long and serpentine before shooting itself directly at James. 

James let loose another blast but the Martian twisted his serpentine body out of the trajectory. The alien 'serpent' for lack of a better word wrap itself tight around James forcing his arms to his sides. The pressure began to build to the point where it was becoming difficult to breathe. To make matters worse, it felt like the Martian was trying yet again to enter his mind, though this time the familiar tendrils began hammering to get in.

At this point James started to get desperate in his effort to escape the Martian. From slamming his wrapped body into the wall to trying to rip him away telekinetically. The wall slams proved as ineffective as a toddler punching an adult. The telekinesis seemed to loosen the grip for a moment but just as quickly as it loosen it reapplied itself even stronger.

One day he needed to figure out the trick or get around whatever the resistance around living creatures was that prevented him from just hurling them. Mind you, it would of been nice if he had an epiphany like they do in the anime's at the last second and unlock his real power or some bullshit. But reality was never as kind as fiction.

As his breathing became more strained he realized he could not rely on any deus ex machina to help. It didn't help that the air was becoming clogged with some foul odor beyond that of the sewer trash. If he wasn't being choked he probably would of gagged with whatever was in the air now.

'What the hell is that?!?' He thought as he strained his neck in hopes of bringing relief from serpent body of the Martian around his throat.

Now his gasps for air had become gagging for any relief. That seemed to encourage the alien as it yet again increased the pressure. If he hadn't been distracted by the lack of air he might of been felt the incredible pain from the Martian's grasp.

The only positive development was that his mind remained firm against the mental intrusions the Martian sent. It felt like battering hams, with flashes of migraines every time he tried to break in. Yet it felt like his walls held firm and maybe even strengthen with each failed attempt.

Darting his eyes everywhere for anything that could help him, his eyes fell upon a possible salvation. Immediately an idea formed in his head, maybe he had to rethink his personal feelings on faith because a potential miracle was about to happen.

Focusing with all his might he began picking up every piece of loose metal in the chamber and started flinging them all in random directions. He tried his best to focus on striking metal with metal but the lack of air was beginning to take its toll.

The Martian with his serpentine head watched the chaos confused.

"You should calm down, this fight is over." His monotone voice said.

But that just encouraged James more as more pipes, screw and ripped portions of the walkways began crashing into each other. To the Martian it looked like desperation or Krios' power just running amoke. For James it was a desperate attempt, a last ditch effort for a chain reaction he was not sure would happen.

His mind was screaming 'HOW HARD IS IT TO GET ONE LITTLE SPARK!?!'

Off high above the two a portion of the metal walkway which had been bashed around had what little paint applied scrape off revealing its steel base. That portion of steel bounced around a bit more before hitting a old iron pipe fixture grinding against it causing it to create sparks.

At first nothing happened, and then a massive whoosh sounded in the chamber followed by a blinding flash of heat and light. The very air began to burn with even the surface of the water looking like it was on fire. Flames raced downward and inward through the various pipe fixtures that James had ripped apart earlier with some even exploding into greater flames.

What was once a dimly lit chamber now became a inferno illuminating everything and lighting aflame its two occupants with it.

For James things became a bit of a blur as he felt searing heat from the flames scorch his body. At some point he was certain his clothes had caught on fire. The Martian had screamed and released James when the fires lit around them and he knew his opponent was suffering the same fun sensation of being on fire as he was.

Whether instinctually he jumped or just dumb luck James found himself falling into the rushing river below. The cold and murky water with bits of who knows what brought immediate relief to the burning pain. The rush of water kept him tumbling under it for a few moments before he was able to force his head above the currents.

His first breath initially brought immense relief to his oxygen deprived body, but then it felt like the worst soar throat in his life. His lungs seemed to burn with a different sensation of pain he was not familiar with. Most likely he had burnt his throat and lungs with that improvised firebomb he made in the chamber. The temptation to try to drink the cold water he was being pulled along was thwarted with his unwillingness to drink feces and someone's laundry detergent. 

He floated down the 'river of shit' he affectionately called it for a few moments before he saw another chamber coming up, similar to the one he and the Martian fought in.

Using what strength he had left he started wading/swimming to where he could grab a metal bar that made up what he assumed was a maintenance ladder. The bar had a interesting slimy texture coating it that he ignored while he pulled his body out of the main river current. Catching his breath was painful but after that he began climbing the ladder up onto another maintenance gurney before lying flat on the comforting metal railing.

His breathing was heavy and coarse, he had little doubt his voice would probably sound like the evil grandpa sith dude from star wars if he spoke right now. Feeling around his body he could feel that while burnt his robes, hood and face cloth had survived better then expected. But as he tried to loosen the robes he felt pain and a sticky sensation which he suspected might of been melted or burnt skin that had fused with the cloth.

"Best leave that alone till later," he muttered as he laid there, gathering his strength.

After a minute he forced himself to sit-up, groaning and hissing from the burns he felt around his body.

"At least the gun shots have healed enough," he joked while looking around this new chamber he ended up in.

It was similar to the previous chamber except for three large tunnels scattered on other sides of the room. They were massive, 12-15 feet wide and maybe just as tall. And these tunnels seemed to have exits to the surface as he could see moonlight illuminate out of what appeared to be sporadic holes from the ceiling of them.

James had no idea exactly where he had ended up or what these tunnels were or led to. All he knew was that he had a chance to get out of the sewers and back to the surface which after his tumble with the Martian he was entirely for.

Slowly getting up he was trying to decide which one he should go through when he heard the distinct sound of voices and radios beeping coming from the nearest tunnel. This tunnel was to his right and faced slightly away from him so he could not see what was coming. What he did see were beams of flashlights, several of them illuminating its entrance and a bit into the chamber where he was in.

His shoulders drooped and he quietly said, "Your shitting me..."