Justice League: Vertigo

Chapter 5: End Of The Beginning

Superman's burial could be classified as one of the saddest days in human history.That was the only day, when there was no crime on the streets. Even the thugs had to pay their respects to a great man. First, they would have an earth-style funeral ceremony, were everyone could come, then a personal krypton-style one, where only his closest friends could come. Kara came out and said a few words, before breaking down and crying and then being consoled by Lois Lane, who was shedding tears of her own. Bruce did not show up at any of the weddings. Since the death of Superman, he has been hauled up in the Batcave doing only God knows what.

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Today was the day that Adam was going to meet the team. He wasn't nervous. He never got nervous. Emotions like that are just a weakness. Adam never indulged himself in things like love, hatred, despair, worry, sadness or even fear. He didn't have that luxury. If there were any fluctuations in his emotions, then the whole planet would be at risk. As he stepped out of the Zeta Tube with Black Canary, there were seven people in front of him. "Adam. Meet The Team." The boy with dark glasses came up to him and introduced himself and the other members. 

"I'm Robin. And that's Kid Flash, Miss Martian, Superboy, Aqualad, Artemis and Zatanna." He met all of them. 

"Now that we're done with the pleasantries, straight to business. We are going to change things up a bit today. We will have a tournament. The winner of this tournament will get to go on a mission with the Justice League. The first fixtures will be Superboy versus Aqualad and the winner of that fight will fight against the winner of a fight against Artemis and Miss Martian.. Also, there will be Kid Flash vs Zatanna, and the winner will fight Robin vs...... " said Black Canary.,"Sorry Adam,you didn't pick a superhero name.

"Oh call me...Burnout he said."

"Ok. And Robin against Burnout. Remember, only hand-to-hand combat. no weapons, gadgets or powers." she says as they step unto the training field.

After all the fights it is finally Adam's turn. Superboy beat Aqualad, Artemis beat Miss Martian and Zatanna beat Kid Flash. Adam stepped on the training floor and set his fighting stance.

"You good?" he asked Robin. Robin nodded and Adam rushed at him and tried a kick to the head. that was supposed to be a one hit knockout but Robin blocked. Then they were cut up in a frenzy of hitting and blocking. Then Adam caught Robin's hand and flung him over his shoulder, but Robin landed on his feet. 

"I'm overwhelming you. I can see it in your eyes." asked Adam as he came at him again. "Nah, man. I'm always whelmed." said Robin, as he dodged a kick to the face. "But then, I guess you won't be feeling  the aster when I do this." said Adam while he ducked under Robin's kick andn gave him a rising knee while coming up,giving Adam the win. Adam held out his hand and helped Robin up. "Nice one." he said as they left the field.

After Superboy had beaten Artemis, It was time for Adam to go against Zatanna.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, I don't fight girls." replied Adam, looking away.

"What! But you fought Black Canary!"

'First, she's a woman, and second, my life was probably in danger."

"You don't hit girls, but I hit boys!" she exclaimed as she threw a kick at his head. He ducked under it  and hit her chest with a palm-thrust, pushing her away. "Seriously, I don't want to do this." he says while she comes at him again and socks him in the face. He jumps back and rubs his chin. "Nice shot. I really don't want to do this, but you give me no choice. He runs towards her, then as she is about to attack, he flips behind her and pins her down, with his knee on her hand and his arm on her neck. Her face turned a bright shade of red as she realized how close they were. He got off her and  helped her back to the sidelines, the he called:

"Next!"

"That would be me." says Superboy. 

"Then come on to the dance floor and let's do this."

After they had both taken their fighting stances, Superboy started the fight with a punch to the stomach which Adam blocked. Even thogh he blocked it, because of Superboy's strength, he was taken a few paces back."He throws a mean punch." Adam thought. He couldn't take much more of that so he had to start dodging. He then noticed that Superboy barely ever used his legs for anything but throws and grapples, so he didn't have to worry about low attacks. He kept dodging till he saw an opening. His right arm was in a puch and his other arm was too far pulled back for defence. Adam caught Superboy's right arm under his arm and block his left one. He gave a dragon-toothed smirk and hit him with a headbutt. Superboy stumbled back and ran to Adam about to hit him with two hands when Batman face appeared on the mainframe computer.

Everyone put their attention on Batman as he was about to give the mission briefing.

"Good morning Team. There are truckloads of Vertigo coming from here a in Happy Harbour going to three places: Star City, Gotham, Jump City and Central City. You are going to dispatch 4 two-man teams to these places. You can get your vehicles in the Cave garage. Good luck." His face disappeared from the screen. Aqualad then picked out the teams.

"I will go with Artemis to Jump City, Robin and Superboy to Gotham, Kid Flash and M'gann to Central City, then Burnout and Zatanna to Star City." Everyone got ready for the mission. Adam didn't have any thing to do, so he decided to wait in the garage. He was looking at the black and white bike that he was supposed to use.

"What are you doing here?" Said a voice behind him. He immediately materialized one of his swords, tackled the character and put his knife to the person's neck.

"Why do you like to be on top of me?" Asked Zatanna. He apologized and helped her up.

"So, any battle strategy?" She asked

"Two words : Wing it. That's my rule. I'm not good with plans or strategies."

"Let's roll out." Said Robin, coming in. Adam and Zatanna got on their bikes and set off for Star City.