Justice League II: Dread

Chapter Fourteen: Blüdhaven

Blüdhaven, 8/23/15, 1:30 AM

Nightwing worked fast as he tracked Bruce's signal using the video-message transmission.  He knew exactly where he was, but it was going to be tough to find him and save him while also going to Mount Justice in Farfield Harbor.  Batman was in Blüdhaven while the Team was in Farfield Harbor, Virginia.  He had to make a choice now.

The world needed Batman, but it also needed the Team, and they were his friends.  But Bruce was like a father to Dick, despite everything they had all done in the past, he did love them all deeply.

"Starfire..."  He whispered clenching his hand in a fist, she would have wanted him to save them.  

But who should he save?

He looked up as he realized that he had to save Batman first.  Else, he would never get the chance again.  He trusted the Team too much to know that they had each other's backs, but Bruce he had no one backing him up here.  He was alone.

Dick quickly grappled to the next rooftop and leaped over gaps on the solid stone buildings.  He was in the older part of the city.  The Joker had taken Batman to an abandoned storage building.  Classic.

Dick quickly flipped over as he landed in front of the building.  It was most definitely a trap.

He walked forward as his eyes darted around looking for anything that could be used against him, or anything hiding in the dark.  Suddenly, he heard the loud crazy voice of the Joker from hidden speakers all around the front of the storage building.  Dick looked inside through the glass windows seeing a figure sitting in a chair with their head down.  The figure looked up slowly widening their eyes.

"Nightwing!   No!"  It was Batman for sure.

"You're too late boy!"  The Joker laughed taking a new voice, "Hunny!  I left the oven on!  I think it might-!"

BOOM!

The building erupted in a huge explosion and flames burst out as Dick leaped back and went tumbling down from the force of the blast.  He looked up as smoke filled the area and quickly put a gas-mask on  in order to breathe.  He ran in with sweat beading down his face.  He ran in through the flames breathing heavily and looking around madly.  He looked over as he saw the burning wood of the chair.  He ran over seeing a glint from a piece of armor.  He picked up a piece of the burning armor seeing the infamous cowl.

The Batman was dead.

"No..."  Dick whispered as he held the cowl and looked on the floor seeing blood splattered all around.

He looked down as he saw a hand laying there as well.  Bruce's right hand had been cut off before the explosion.  The blood around it was dry as well.  Nightwing looked back as he heard sirens beyond the flames.  He gripped the cowl and quickly kicked the armor into the fire grappling away into the night.

He had been too late.  Bruce died because of him tonight.

The Joker would pay for this.

Chicago, 8/23/15, 1:02 AM

Hawkman's eyes were wide as he sat on the edge of the rooftop with Firestorm, well the two that were Firestorm:  Martin and Ronnie.  The two had just explained their story to him, Count Vertigo and Mammoth were both on their way to Belle Reve, Martian Manhunter was on his way to greet them.

"Look, I really think you should meet him.  He could help out with this...gift."  Hawkman explained, "But I understand if you don't wish to."

"That sounds fine to me."  Ronnie shrugged looking over at Martin.

"Me too.  At least someone can."  Martin nodded in agreement, "But uh...what is your story?"

"My story?"  Hawkman asked lifting an eyebrow, "Well...I was just an ordinary man.  My name is Samuel Rivers.  I was obsessed with Hawkgirl as a young man and wanted to be just like her, so I researched ways to do so and after many years, here we have Hawkman."

The three quickly became friends after the time they spent talking.  After almost an hour, the three knew all about each other.

Samuel looked up at the sky as he checked his watch.

"There he is!"  Ronnie yelled pointing up as a green figure began floating down towards them.

"Ah, Hawkman!"  Martian Manhunter yelled reaching the rooftop and looking over at the other two, "Who are these two men?"

"This is Firestorm."  Hawkman sighed, "Show him."  He said looking to the two.

Ronnie and Martin glanced at each other and both took a deep breathe as they touched their hands together.  Hawkman expected some sort of flash or burst of energy, but nothing happened.  The two were still standing there with their hands touching.

"Um...I suppose this is very interesting."  Martian Manhunter scratched his head as he watched, "That is legal now, you know."

"No!  We're not-"  Ronnie sighed and looked to Martin, "How do we do it?"

"I'm not sure perhaps with more force?"  He suggested and the two slapped their hands together, but nothing happened.

"Damnit!  How do we do this?"  Ronnie yelled doing it over and over again with more and more annoyance.

"Well maybe if you tried harder!"  Martin yelled as the two slapped their hands together.

"Well maybe if you weren't such a-!"  Ronnie yelled slapping him and suddenly a bright red energy enveloped the two as they combined together.

Hawkman widened his eyes as the flash subsided and the hero he had seen before in Ronnie's body stood there.

"Meet Firestorm."  Hawkman laughed as Martian Manhunter stood stunned.

"Incredible!"  He said watching, "I've never seen anything like it!"  He walked forward, "I'm guessing fire-like powers?"

"Radiation, fire, all that area."  Firestorm laughed.

"Well as long as you don't use it on me, we should be fine.  I think you would make a fine addition to the Justice League!"  Martian Manhunter exclaimed, "But of course, it won't be that easy."

"What do you mean?"  Firestorm asked tilting his head.

"You have to be put through several tests, and act as a lone hero for at least a year."  Martian Manhunter explained, "You'll be examined and watched by us and we will determine if you are Justice League material."

"I guess... I guess that makes sense..."  Firestorm sighed, "I just thought...We just thought we might be able to join now and have someone help with...with this."

"I understand, but we have no one else with your abilities other than... Captain Atom!"  Martian Manhunter nodded, "I know exactly who can help you  Come with me!  We can go find him immediately!"

"That sounds great!"  Firestorm exclaimed, "He can teach us!"

"We shall, but first..."  Martian Manhunter turned towards Hawkman now.

"You have been tested and watched Samuel."  Martian Manhunter smiled, "You have caught Count Vertigo and Mammoth... with some help."  He glanced over at Firestorm and nodded, "But you have proven that you are truly a hero.  I already cleared it with Superman and Batman yesterday.  You are now a full fledged member of the Justice League."  He handed over the key-card that all Justice League members received.

"Welcome."  Martian Manhunter nodded, "Now, we should head to the Hall immediately.  Unfortunately, all zeta-tubes are down currently, Red Tornado informed me it was due to a system failure, but we can all fly.  So, let us go!"