Worst Case Scenario

Chapter 67: Desperate Times...

Black Adam charged, shrugging off a pair of explosive batarangs as if they were nothing.

This will not end well Batman thought, tapping a few buttons on his holocomputer. "Computer, begin download of biometric file 'Black Adam.'"

"Acknowledged" said the computer. "Download in progress."

"Is that all you can do?" Adam shouted as Batman threw flash powder. The bright light gave him a chance to vanish into the darkness.

"Coward!" Adam bellowed, eyes searching for his foe.

"If you say so" said Batman, emerging from the shadows to hurl some more explosive disks. They briefly knocked Adam off balance, but he soon recovered, picked up a tree and swung it like a club.

Batman flipped over the tree and threw his only polyurethane foam grenade. The foam only held Adam for a few seconds, but it was enough that Batman could close the distance and flip over him, leaving behind a thermite bomb stuck to Adam's chest.

The explosion was quite spectacular, sending Adam flying. This would have been even more awesome except Adam simply turned around in mid-air and flew under his own power, straight at Batman.

An instant check of his supplies lead to Batman throwing a pair of smoke pellets before leaping to the side.

Adam's hand grasped his cape.

Not good.

M'gann gasped. Somehow she'd been able to grab enough dirt via telekinesis to form a shield against Mr. Freeze's ice blast. That said, she was still trapped inside a ball of frozen dirt without a lot of air, but she could still move and think.

And when one was a Martian, the ability to think was all you needed.

The ball of ice shattered under the force of her telekinesis. Mr. Freeze spun to fire again, but M'gann lifted him up into the air and slammed him into the ground, knocking him out. Then she picked him up again and dropped him on Sportsmaster, pinning the merc.

Superboy, Red Arrow, can you two hear me? she asked over her telepathy.

They can't, actually replied Psimon. It's an unfortunate side effect of unconsciousness. But since I am not currently in a position to have a full out psychic battle with you, I'll leave you with this choice: In ten seconds, I will fry one of their brains. The other one I will spare. The choice is yours.

I don't think so she thought. I can beat you any day of the week.

I don't know about that Psimon taunted. You're weakened and exhausted, and I'd only have to hold you off for a few seconds to succeed. Make your choice.

M'gann didn't know what to do. Obviously she wanted Conner to be safe, but if she choose him at the expense of Red Arrow, would he still want to be with her? On the other hand, to be objective, Superboy was a greater asset to the Team than Red Arrow, simply by being a super-strong invulnerable Kryptonian. Though Red Arrow had more experience...

Which one? Which one to save?

Time's up thought Psimon. And your final answer is...?

M'gann replied with some rather rude Martian words and dug in with her psychic power, preparing to protect both of the boys at once or go down trying.

The attack didn't come.

Wait a second... M'gann realized. You were just trying to distract me, aren't you?