Murder at Wayne Manor

Chapter 7

Metropolis, May 28th, 19:32 EST

I pause to take in the chaos that has erupted around us, the scene surrounding me one of my biggest fears since we defeated the Thanagarians coming to fruition right before my very eyes. The world's worst villains have decided now to be the most opportune time to gather together to create mayhem while the Justice League is down a member and in the midst of rebuilding.

J'onn had picked up on the band of degenerates as they had just started their pillaging of Metropolis, sending us all here as quickly as possible. Now, we are in a battle, not only to stop these thieves, but also to make it known that the Justice League is still here and we're still watching.

Green Lantern is in a heated battle with Sinestro as Superman tries to stop Giganta. Flash is easily dodging Heatwave's fire while Shade tries to outmatch J'onn. I look down at Killer Frost who is lying unconscious at my feet, knowing that this is just the beginning as Diana trades blows with Cheetah.

I immediately get to work tying up Killer Frost while at the same time trying to keep Diana in my sights. It's not that I don't think that she can handle herself. On the contrary, she has more than proven herself extremely proficient in a fight, a highly stilled warrior that has impressed even me.

For some reason, I feel an inexplicable need to keep an eye on her, an innate draw to protect her and stay near her at all times just in case she does need backup.

I've also discovered that she and I work very well together. Our ability to read one another's movements and to adjust accordingly is seamless and uncanny, making her my first choice to be by my side going into a fight. It's as if we instinctively know what the other is going to do as we simultaneously watch each other's back, working in sync as if we were almost one mind. It is both amazing and unsettling at the same time, something that I've rarely experienced with another.

I plant my boots firmly on the ground, drawing my batarang. Blockbuster barrels towards me in an attempt to keep me from getting to Star Sapphire and Atomic Skull who are just exiting a jewelry store with bags in each hand.

A slight smirk tugs at the one corner of my mouth, knowing that this buffoon only knows how to destroy and hit. There's not much precision or nuance to his moves. I throw my batarang at him, watching as it explodes in his face, temporarily disorienting him. I don't waste any time in following up with an electrified bola, wrapping him up and knocking him out in one fail swoop.

I risk a quick glance at Diana to see her wincing in pain as she battles Cheetah, but don't see any visible injuries at the moment. I don't have time to think about it as Atomic Skull decides to drop his loot and join in the massive fray that has erupted in the heart of Metropolis.

I race to take on Atomic Skull as Sinestro flies past me, landing on top of taxi cab with a loud groan. Green Lantern moves in to help Superman take down Giganta as J'onn finishes off Shade before going after Star Sapphire. Grodd comes out of a bank at that moment, causing even more people to scatter in order to keep from being dragged into the mêlée.

"Come on, little bat," Atomic Skull taunts me.

I stay where I'm at, staring him down with a fierce glower. They have managed to destroy several cars; loot at least six stores, and are in the process of demolishing downtown Metropolis all because they believe that the League can't handle them right now.

Well, they are about to find out otherwise.

"Are you too scared to face me, Bats?" Atomic Skull continues to mock me, but I don't rise to his baiting.