CHAPTER 134

[Barbara Gordon's POV] 

Batman had apprehended Scarecrow but the citizens were still acting on the drug's effects. Luckily, Alfred was able to replicate the antidote in that short amount of time. Since it wasn't injected into their systems and were drugged by inhaling it, the antidote worked the same. 

We continued to help the affected citizens, calming them down until we noticed the Batwing soaring above the city, dispersing the antidote into the air like a protective shield against the toxin. Alfred skillfully controlled the Batwing remotely, and as the antidote spread, the citizens began to regain their senses, and the nightmarish illusions faded away.

Finally, the dark cloud of terror that had engulfed Gotham was lifted. Bruce handed Scarecrow over to the police, and he was swiftly taken to Arkham Asylum.

However, Batman's paranoia kicked in as he expressed concern over Scarecrow's claim of hidden bombs in the city. He believed Scarecrow wouldn't bluff about such a disaster he intended to unleash with glee. We set to work, scanning the city for potential bomb signatures, but initially, our search yielded no results. Expanding the search, we were surprised to detect a radioactive signature on a rooftop.

Bruce and I quickly headed to the location, leaving Raven behind as backup in case things turned sour. There, we found four bombs, already deactivated. These bombs were rigged with fear toxin, ready to unleash their deadly payload on detonation, claiming the lives of those who would have been in the range of the explosion, while capturing the sanity of the rest. Thankfully, whoever had disarmed the bombs left them behind for Batman to find, leaving their identity as another mystery. 

As we returned to Wayne Manor, my thoughts drifted to Raven's date earlier, reminding me of how dangerous of a person he was. While he hadn't committed any crimes, his violent actions towards Jason still haunts me. Jason, who was skilled in combat, had been beaten and broken by him. 

He had chosen not to be a hero, opting instead for a life devoid of responsibility, which troubled Bruce and I. I resolved to look out for Raven and warn her about his true nature, hoping to keep her safe.

Jason being as stubborn and hot headed as he was, he confronted Tom again and came back semi-traumatized. He didn't tell what he had experienced at his hands but he never spoke of him again. 

Then again, there's that incident with Joker. The event with Joker, emphasized the immense power Tom possessed. A mad man who was considered too dangerous by everyone, even Bruce warned Jason and I not to fight Joker. But Tom went toe-to-toe with him and completely shattered Joker's mind. 

If he had been a hero he would have been one of the strongest allies we have. Yet he had chosen not to be one, opting instead for a life devoid of responsibilities and use his strength however he pleased, living a boring life of a shut-in teenager. 

I guess I just have to look out for Raven and tell her about his true nature. After all, she did agree to our girls weekend just to pull me out of my depressive cycle. Although Kara wasn't able to make it this time but I was actually having fun with Raven around. 

… 

From the dark skies, Ace flys over the skyline of the city buildings and drops the remnants of the bomb on the rooftop where Batman had his battle with Scarecrow. "Look what I found, good thing I was in the city for the weekend or else it would have been a whole different thing right about now." I would say with a casual tone. Or at least that's how I would have done it but it's better Batman doesn't see Ace in Gotham for a while, or else he would figure out that I'm currently living in Gotham City and go on a full blown manhunt for me. 

*Click!!!*

The sudden "click" snapped me out of my thoughts, and I released a relieved sigh. I had managed to locate and disarm the bombs just in time. The faint click indicated that Scarecrow had remotely triggered the last bomb, a testament to his twisted mind. Fortunately, my speed saved the day.

Though I could easily have disposed of the bombs, I decided to leave them behind for Batman to find. It would serve as a reminder that I had a favor owed, a card to play if I ever needed it. With that settled, I made my way back home.

"Look who's back. It's lover boy," Jason teased, his mouth full of a late-night snack he had scavenged from my fridge. Given their voracious appetites, I realized I needed to restock groceries more often.

"Isn't it way past your bedtime?" I retorted, a smirk forming as Leo tried not to burst into laughter at my comeback.

"Don't forget, this is around the time I used to go out for patrol. Old habits, you know," Jason replied, his tone light. "But seriously, what took you so long?"

I nonchalantly answered, "Just had to deal with a few bombs here and there. No big deal," as I reached into the fridge for a chilled drink.

"Bombs?" Jason's eyes widened, and Leo turned to me with an intrigued expression. My casual remark made it sound like defusing bombs was a walk in the park.

After taking a swig, I turned to Jason, "Leo's given me the lowdown on the Outlaws. I've made a decision."

"Spill the beans, then. But first, let me ask you something," I interrupted, curiosity gleaming in my eyes.

"Sure."

"What do you think about Tyrant Ace?"

Jason's face lit up at the mention of that name. "Are you kidding? He's like the coolest person alive. Ended Joker without even breaking a sweat. The way he did it, with style and flair, was just... mind-blowing. He's like true justice, doesn't care about the world's rules, just does what he thinks is right. And honestly, most of the time, it is right. He's exactly what the world needs, man."

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "You sound pretty taken by him. You do know why he's called a 'tyrant,' right? From a different perspective, he's practically a villain."

Jason's enthusiasm didn't waver. "Yeah, but he's never harmed any civilians. Plus, he earned that name because anyone who crosses him pays for it."

"Now you just sound like a fanboy. It's a bit unsettling," I remarked, suppressing a chuckle. I could see his admiration for Ace going beyond the norm. I decided to press on a bit.

"What if I told you that Tyrant Ace is actually a member of the Outlaws, the group Leo here belongs to?"

"No way. Seriously?" His excitement was barely contained, quickly covered up by an attempt at nonchalance. "I mean, big deal, right?" he added, clearing his throat.

"It's true. He just operates more discreetly," Leo chimed in, grabbing the TV remote to check the latest news downtown.

Jason's gaze turned to me, suspicion flickering in his eyes. "If you're not part of the Outlaws, then how do you know so much about them?"

"Chill, detective. No need to go all Sherlock on me." I shrugged, evading a direct response. If Jason was going to be staying with me, he'd figure out my secret eventually. I'd deal with the fallout when the time came.

As Jason leaned in, clearly still curious, Leo's voice cut through, saving me from further questioning.

"Hey there," Leo's urgent voice drew our focus to the television. We turned our heads to see Jason's astonishment mirroring our own.

"Unpredictable Assault: Wonder Woman's Unprovoked Rampage in City Park." The screen displayed chaotic scenes of Wonder Woman unleashing her powers on unsuspecting citizens and even the authorities.

Silence hung in the room as we struggled to comprehend the inexplicable actions of a hero known for her virtue. But the shock intensified as the next headline flashed across the screen, momentarily leaving both Leo and Jason speechless.

"What the...? No way." Leo uttered, his eyes glued to the screen. "No freaking way." My own reaction mirrored his the moment I saw the headline.

'Superman Shot, His Life Hangs in the Balance,' flashed across the screen, accompanied by footage of Lois Lane gripping Superman's hand as he lay on the pavement with police officers who set a parameter around them.

The atmosphere shifted, the casual banter vanishing, replaced by a sense of urgency and disbelief. The news was a game-changer, and none of us could anticipate what lay ahead. Well, except for me off course. No one would have been able to pull it off if not for Lex Luthor. "So let's finally on the move."