23 Chap 22: Battle and 'gains'
[Batman P.O.V. ]
Everyone is gathered and discussing our next move, a lot of heroes are here me, Superman, Flash. All the original 7 are here and even more.
All for one person. ZANE
Some think that's a lot and unnecessary like the Lanterns, Flash and more but I don't buy it. He has shown strength that match Superman, intelligence and immunity to telepathy and that's only what he has shown, I'm positive he is hiding more, I'm not sure if he is a perfect clone of Superman but I know he is more that's why all the numbers. I just hope I overestimated him enough.
"All ready?"
Everyone nod to Batman's question and prepare themselves.
"Remember the heavy hitters will wait outside while the rest will confront him and try to solve the matter peacefully or lure him outside"
"I still think that's overkill Batman, the guy didn't even do anything wrong!"
The Flash shares his opinion, again and I see some nods and looks of disapproval here and there agreeing with him.
It has been... chaotic in the last couples meeting especially when the matter concerns Zane. A lot disapprove with what we are doing some just didn't want to participate and those who did, only did so after a lot of discussions and negotiations, to give him the right he deserves and only question him with reason and no excessive treatment.
"He is dangerous and can become a threat till we know his objectives" shares Superman from his side. And I agree it's true he has done nothing to warrant such an act. But I know it, I can feel it within my bones he's hiding something preparing and I- we can't take that chance we're already dealing with so much we need to act now before it's too late.
And so we moved me, green arrow, black Canary, J'onn who's gonna stay invisible and red Tornado. The guys who are gonna wait outside are Superman, Wonder Woman, the hawks couples and more like the Lanterns, Flash and Captain Atom.
We use the Zeta-tube to teleport to Mount Justice and we come along the young team. I can't help but feel proud seeing them, they came a long way till here. A small part of me feel guilty and begin to question if what we are doing is the right thing, after all Zane had a hand in this but I crushed all the doubts I have to harden my will. What's important is the mission.
"Batman! What's happening is there a mission?" The kids surrounded us and started barging us with questions. Yeah they need more discipline, more training.
"I want you all to go to your rooms and stay there until further order and do NOT go out until we say otherwise"
"Wha- why?" "What happened" again with barrage of questions.
"We have important matter to deal with" I say trying to calm them down and show them how serious the matter at hand is.
"You are here for him aren't you?" Ah Robin, as observant as always. He has grown a lot in this team and I can't help but smile proudly internally but I don't show anything on the outside, obviously and just glare.
"What are you talking about who are they here for?" Asked the rest their faces changing some in worry some in realization and some with a frown.
"They are here for me" speak the voice we were waiting for. I heard his steps before entering the room, he didn't try to walk silently nor float or run for that matter he just walked in, hands in his pockets like nothing is happening. That doesn't make me comfortable at all.
"ZANE"
He knows, as expected. But why is he still here if so. Arrogance? Confidence? Or does he believe he can talk himself out of it? Unlikely but I hope so.
"What? Zane, what happened?"
"I'm sure there's a misunderstanding or something."
"Yeah we can talk it out right?"
It hurts me a little the amount of trust they show him and what we will have to do if things got out of hand but...
*chuckel*" Haha, it's okay guys, I told you before didn't I. It was bound to happen." He smiles and calms them down and I see looks of realisations. It seems he already talked to them about it, probably why he was meeting them individually. Robin didn't say what they talked about aside from saying it's not important, but I knew there was something.
He's prepared, too prepared I can't help but tense my muscles even more now. What did he prepare for us?
He looks our way and says nothing, I notice his eye flicker for a brief second it's hard to notice but I saw it, he knows J'onn is here!
"Zane I'm sorry we have to do this but-.." Black Canary begin to talk but he cut her off, she was one of the opposed side to this operation, aside from Tornado she spent more time with him and I feel guilt and unwillingness in her voice.
"So you did choose this path after all huh...well there was a 68 % chance you'll do it." He says and I try not to show anything on my face but the others not so much.
"Yes I knew from the beginning you won't leave me alone and wanted me to stay under your watch, you knew you couldn't force me and since you are the careful guy, you thought me staying with the young team was a better choice than taking me to the tower, till now" he says while looking at me.
"Maybe I will learn something like the kids are doing and maybe with time I will grow to care too much and decide to stay with them, plus you thought probably me and Superboy can develop some family bond or something seeing we both came from the same place."
He takes a look at the kids and around the place only a small smile on his face and nothing else.
"That why you had no problem agreeing with me staying here and playing the caretaker.
You thought I was doing you a favor so you readily agreed. But now since I am going out more freely without you able to watch or find me and after the fiasco with your bf the joker and Dr. Fate you finally decided I am a threat right Batman? I wonder how do you plan to subdue me you won't throw the kids card at me now would you?" Every word he says is true the hitting nail was what happened with Dr. Fate if even magic didn't do much to him than we don't know what he's capable of and I doubt any of my contingencies will be effective.
"Anyway let's move outside to see the rest who are waiting for me, we don't want to destroy this place after all no?" He chuckles to himself and gives us his back and start walking.
Ofcourse he knows and it seems conflict is inevitable. He start walking and we follow, carefully watching every move of his. He is not worried about us attacking nor of the numbers.
"Don't worry kids nothing bad will happen, I would say you better stay here but I know you won't listen so please don't interfere okay, you can't do anything and you won't change anyone's opinion anyway" he told them and I understand the hidden message. He won't back down without a fight and he's ready.
I press a hidden button underneath my cape to warn everyone else.
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[Young justice]
After walking outside we stay a distance away watching all the heroes surrounding Zane, some flying some readying their weapons some saying some stuffs or just apologizing or saying he is dangerous. Quite hypocritical coming from one of the strongest people in the world. And Zane just float slowly, his clothes changing to his suit.
"We should do something" Superboy says while clutching his fists. He is the most annoyed one right now, if Zane didn't speak with him and hinted about this happening and without the meditation training he taught him his anger would have let him do some stupid things.
He can't understand why is this happening, how is he any different than Zane? Why do they treat him differently and.... will they treat him the same in the future? Just because He's powerful?
Superboy or as he like to be called now Conner admits that he was angry and jealous of Zane at first because of his power, his mind, everything. But he came to accept himself and respect Zane. Now he's not sure what to do.
"Yes but who should we help and why is this happening?" Megan can't see this anymore, on one side is her uncle on the other is Zane who always supported her and made her feel welcomed.
"We won't do anything" Aqualad as their leader said while frowning a bit.
"But we can't just-" Wally tried to argue, he was also conflicted who do you choose when your mentor goes against the one guy who tried to help you in a way no other had?
"I know, but this is not a battle we can interfere with as much as it hurts me to say this but Zane is right we are not ready to this sort of conflict" Aqualad cuts him before he could continue.
"That's not a reason to stand down!!"Robin is having inner conflicts at the moment. He knows how Batman thinks, or he'd like to say he knows and understand why this is happening but at the same time he also doesn't see any reason for all of this, Zane never did anything wrong so why?
"Robin, I know how close you are to Batman and want to prove yourself to him, but think about it who do we help. And why?" Aqualad let it sink for a while and cobtinue to say" Tell me this, why is that happening? What did Zane ever do wrong and did anyone ever tried to talk to him?
It was obvious since the beginning, they are treating him differently. I once disobeyed my king for Superboy and now I'm doing the same by not interfering and listening to what he told us. For Zane"
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[3rd P.O.V]
"I can see a lot of unwilling faces here, I hope after this we can still be friends? Don't worry I won't take it hard on you, what do you say Flash?" Zane spoke, some found it amusing, some got more uncomfortable and some thought he was mocking them.
Flash smiled wryly, he along with Captain Marvel also spoke with Zane the most beside Dinah and was one who objected this strongly. But that how working with a team, one as large as this one is.
He just smiled confidently like always gave him a thumb up and said: "Sure buddy I won't kick your ass so badely" this managed to alleviate the mood a bit even Zane chuckled a bit.
"Enough" well not everyone was happy like Batman, Superman, Captain Atom and the Hawkman. Whatever Hal the green lantern wanted to say as a joke he just kept it to himself as the air around everyone just got heavier and muscles tenser.
"*Sigh* Hope this will be fun atleast" those with high senses could hear Zane's words before everything started.
<*pssht* *fwish* "Guhk!" *fwish*>
You can see Zane dodging a punch from Superman and giving him one in return to his gut sending him flying away quite the distance then explosions, around Zane several explosions be it from Batman. Green Arrow or anyone who use ranged weapons or has some kind of energy attack.
After waiting for couple of seconds everyone can see him still flying, not a scratch or even a dirt on him. "Aaahhh" a war cry is heard and Hawkman, the Captain and several other flying heroes attacked.
Some things were visible, you can see a punch or a kick, you can see the energy attacks hitting or dodged, the Lanterns construct getting destroyed like nothing or just, ignored.
But sometimes stuff just happens and no one can see. All you know is something or someone is sent flying somewhere, some noticed a black eye on Hawkman, he either got pittied or just nothing. Not everyone likes him really.
Even the Atom, supposedly as strong as superman don't look as shining silver as ever.
The battle is ever changing one second they're are up and the other they are just flying around, till they finally managed to get him on the ground so the rest who can't fly could join.
Canary cried but beside pushing him for like a step back nothing much happened, she could swear this cry could destroy buildings if not a mountain but the only reason she even managed to push him is because of the force behind the vibrations and because Zane didn't give the attack any mind not because it was effective.
Dinah knows this won't hurt him, well she hoped she still want to fight and win against him in skills alone, not like this but still. At least she's having fun.
Speaking of fun. Everyone heard a *pang* voice and stopped. All looked at Zane who's looking at his hand then at Wonder Woman who's facing him with a curious gaze while her hand massage her butt.
Some audible gulps can be heard in the background but beside that it's silence.
[Zane P.O.V]
Hmm... I look at my hand after giving Wonder Woman a spank on her ass. Round and chiseled, but soft too.
I did it out of curiosity of course... nothing anyone can say will change that. Just want to see how it differ from Holly, yeah for research purposes, yes that's it.
I give her a look and she doesn't seem to mind it that much, only raising an eybrow.
The men are gawking at me and I see the Flash giving me a 'how does is feel?' look.
I wink at him. I swear he did a military salute with a tear running down his cheek faster than he ever ran since we started the fight.
"Oh, I'm not sorry but I was really curious. Always wondered why you dress like that. Is it like a custom thing?" Of course I had this prepared, don't want to look like a pervert.
"You're the first one to question me about it" Wonder woman for some reason doesn't look offended, thank god. But If before I had her curiosity now I had her attention.
"Really? Like no one ever told you anything? None of them?" I raise an eyebrow at that, I'm sure someone must have commented on it right?
She shake her head in denial and look around confused.
"Hmm probably they don't dare, trying not to offend you or something. Respecting your choice or something like that." I say after looking around myself.
I put my finger on my chin like a thinking posture and look at the flustered men all looking away.
"Or maybe they are just perverts and embarrassed to talk about it. Yeah that make more sense." Oh I already see some blushing, and the flash mouth about to touch the floor, if it was an anime it probably would have.
She gives them a look, squint her eyes a bit and everybody either avoid or try and fail to say something. The women around give them an unimpressed look.
"You know, I'm very interested in Themascyra but I heard no man is allowed there really a shame I would have liked to learn more about you culture and historical values." I mean there's no problem with some socializing right? I know that the best friendships start this way.
"Yes sadly only women are allowed there that why I am in the land of men trying to breach the difference." She says with a sad smile but turned to determination at the end.
"Hmm very difficult but who knows, tell you what how about I beat those guys and we can go somewhere to talk and discuss more in private?" I see some woman giggling and hiding their smiles behind their hands.
She gives me an amused smile and says:" If you could, maybe I'll think about it"
"Oh" I was joking actually, I didn't think she will accept. Is it her warrior spirit, like a respect to another warrior or something? Maybe she's just getting along with my whims? Pretty cool "deal then"
"Wonder woman, focus" says Batman. His face is darker then usual, I wonder why.
And we fight again, some heroes are fighting harder for some reason. Like they are giving their all and trying to go beyond the limits. Are they jealous or want to prove themselves to the ladies?
Well the ladies are having fun atleast. Oi, don't try to kick there!! Look at the cheeky smile. It won't hurt but still you don't kick a man there period!!!
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[Hours later]
[Young Justice]
The team stood there where they were watching amazed, flabbergasted, impressed and full of sweat. They were just watching not fighting but even they felt a little bit ridiculous.
That was THE Justice league, all against one. And they were losing.
Nothing they did worked against Zane, whatever punch or kick he received he just shrugged, dodged or countered.
Weapons no matter what they were didn't work, Robin is sure Batman's utility belt is almost empty by now, Artemis can say the same about Green Arrow arrows. They both can see how they became frustrated.
Everyone saw Batman frustrated for the first time. Wally wished he had recorded this.
Unknown to him, Megan remembered to do so after she saw the fight was not that serious and looked like something out of a movie. No one was getting hurt after all, not too much at least. Not Zane that for sure!
She was watching and rather sensing the whole battle. She noticed the mental fluctuation of her uncle's telepathy and felt how they just litterally bumped against an impenetrable wall that is Zane's brain.
She and probably her uncle too knew that Zane could counterattack if he wanted apprent from the sheer control and mastery he's having all in the middle of a fight one-against-many.
She actually felt grateful he didn't, her uncle too because he stopped and tried to get physicall, phasing, going invisible and even using telekinesis. Nothing worked.
Aqualad was impressed to say the least, he was amazed at the martial mastery he was witnessing, or was able to anyway. He knew Zane was a master of hand-to-hand combat, he never scored a hit against him after all. But he always thought that is because he was not good enough or need more training.
But witnessing Zane playing around every-single-heroe who came physically close to him! he even used his king's weapon against him more masterfully!!!
Wally was in deep thought, he always knew his mentor was faster than him he was always running after him hoping to catch him but now? He knew he'll never be that fast and even if! Zane just stomped his foot on the ground and destabilized him, when the Flash and Tornado tried some tornadoes attack? Zane just used his arms in the opposite direction and produced his own tornadoes, Red Tornado's power aside, do you know how fast you have to move to be able to do that? He knows and he can't do it this easily.
Maybe he should trust Zane this time and use what he gave him?
Connor was having similar thought as Wally, should he too use it? He saw how Zane just tossed everyone who came flying at him aside, he could sense the heat of his heat vision going against Superman's. Even the man of steel was starting to get some bruises what about the others then?
After watching for a while the team noticed that Zane apparently had enough and started to eliminate everyone. Those who didn't stay down after a punch or a chop got paralyzed by an acupuncture hit. A nasty attack everyone experienced atleast once.
After he was finished with the heavy -superpowered- hitters he walked slowly to those 'normal' without power.
It was quite funny how he just ignored those who just, sat down tired and surrendered. He even joked with Canary too before tackling her to the floor in an inappropriate position and whispered something in her ear.
Even Connor couldn't hear what he said but he noticed Dinah getting her cheek flushed and how she shivered a bit. Maybe he used cold breath?
Well Megan who's equally getting red won't tell him what happened that for sure.
Let's say next time she won't 'forget' not to read others mind.
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[Zane P.O.V]
I walk slowly to Batman's direction, who is being helpled by Robin, I didn't do him any real harm he is still human after all, actually I didn't harm any 'human' only the supers and then only some broken bones and fractures nothing dangerous.
I walk to him and crouch to his eye level and say: "Now that we have this out of the way, here what is gonna happen. Like I first said since day one I don't want to be hero but I won't be a villain too so, no worry you won't see me robing a bank or something." I could hear Batman's teeth grinding against each other. I don't know if it's from pain or anger or something else, but I noticed his hand going to a Hidden compartment inside his cape.
You still hiding something Batsy? Well let's see it.
"But I still do like to take a walk and talk with some smart people and have discussions with them it's one of the little things I like to do, so if I ever found myself surrounded by any of you with the intent to fight me, I won't be nice like today and depends on my mood some might need to retire after. Okay?" I bring my hand and put it on his shoulder, just that I don't use strength or push or anything just that. I am impressed he didn't flinch or react but he's body betrayed him, it's obvious he's uncomfortable.
"But when I'm not busy and you are interested in forcing you code and opinion on me you can still come and bring your friends with you. Practice is alway good after all."
This time I put some pressure under his shoulder and bring him closer " And one last thing Batman, the Doctor, she's the only person I see as a friend who I can freely talk to in this universe, so make sure not to bother her okay. And if I find any cameras or hearing devices in her apartment I will pay you a visit and do the same, and I promise you, you won't be able to find them."
I get closer to his ear and notice his hand already has what he wants "I'm not interested in watching how the nice Alfred do his tea. Are we clear. Bruce?" And that probably made him snap because the next thing he does is hitting me with a green rock.
Kryptonite.
I don't move or flinch obviously, I just look how the kryptonite fell from his hand after his hit did nothing but hurting him.
"Ah kryptonite, I was looking for something like that, couldn't find it thank you for your donation" I take it hurriedly before it start hurting Connor, who started to pale even from distance.
It made me feel a little bit weaker, like for one second then nothing. It's small piece after all but useful nonetheless.
I stand up and start walking but then I stopp when I hear his voice " What.. are you?"
I turn back and walk to him again and he tenses, even more as I crouch to his level again " Well what do you think? You can ask and maybe I'll answer" I answer him with an amused smile.
"You are not a clone of Superman, at least not just that" he says with confidence, his voice back to his domineering self even thought he's not breathing as easily as ever. He spent the last couple hours running and jumping around after all. But still impressive.
"Oh, then what am I?" I ask with the same smile not showing anything.
"Martian" "!!" "You have Martian DNA too"
He said with the most confidence like he cracked some code to a difficult case or something. Well he's called the best detective after all.
Megan is having her eyes wide open after she and the rest approached us.
"You can call me uncle too if you want Megan" I joke with her as a confirmation to Batman's statement. "Oh by the way, I approve. Just make it official already will ya" I give her and Connor a look and twirl my brows suggestively which take Megan out of her shock and she in turn hide between her hands, from how red she became you'll think she shapeshifted to red skin. Connor too had a blush and just turned his head away. While the rest just smilef and giggled.
I turn to Batman again and "Anyway if that all I will take this, as a trophy" take his utility belt and walk away again while taking any kind of tracking and or any technological devices that can watch or hear me.
Hmm... I turn a little and see superman on the ground 'should I take his cape too?' Nah not really that fancy like Batman's belt. 'But I will take a mace, Nth metal is valuable after all and hard to find.' I go to Hawksman and take his mace from his hand, he resisits and try to say something from his bloody mouth 'I did a number on him didnt I' but I don't care and punch him in the face again making him go cold 'never liked the guy, now even more' and walk away amidst all those awake who flinched from the punch, this time I don't stop till I fly away.
I thought about taking the Lasso of truth too but Wonder woman was nice it's obvious she didn't want to do that only following the masses, beside don't want my nonexistent relationship with Themascyra to go down the hole, who knows if they started a war because it's an 'artifact of gods' or some bullshit like in that one Flash paradox movie when the Amazonian went against the Atlantian and almost destroyed the world, another reason why I didn't take the trident.
Anyway I have a kryptonite and Nth metal to study it components and see if I can reproduce them with Eve's power.
See how to turn kryptonite to different colors and then reproduce them too. There's a lot of bullshit one can do with them, maybe some will grant me the same power as their effects or just grant me immunities like I gained from the green one now.
As for Nth metal this is another project all together, I read that it has reality altering effect and whatsoever and even if not I feel some gravity and magic nullification along with little power augmentation from this mace. So whatever come from it will be useful. Imagine my suit or androids made from this metal. My inner scientist and inventor is itching for some work but that for later.
Have to gather or find more of these rare metals, like elements x or some stuff.
Now where should I go? I'm leaving this planet soon but I want to travel around it first. There are still some places to visit and see.
Well I will go see Serly, I didn't see her since I came back. I told her I was busy with something and will explain later. Guess now is later.
Hmm... I'll tell her to take some time off work I am sure Batm- Mr. Wayne won't object to it. Yes I can take her to travel together, it will be more fun with someone.
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Author:
What do you think about this chapter? The 'fight' with the league, and the whole leaving thing. I wanted to write a more exciting fight scene than this but quite honestly Zane is just op for them and I don't like drama and long fight narratives. I just decided to describe some things make it funny and stuff.
Now what do you think Zane next move would be and what do you want him to so?
Have his own base? Scour the the galaxy? Have some people loyal to him or just leave this universe? For now.
I am thinking of starting a new volume with massive timeskip direcrly to the second season, have to re-watch it first.
Anyway like always bless me with your ideas, comments and ofcourse stones.
Peace.
