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The Silhouette and The Forge
Chapter 40
Jaina stepped forward rebar in hand ready to bash Samantha’s skull in. Samantha turned towards the sound and looked up in fear. Halfway to her Batman placed himself between them.
“Jaina that’s enough. She’s beaten.”
Jaina scoffed. “No, it's far from over. She may be beaten, but she has much to answer for. Now step aside so I can get justice for what she has done.”
Jaina tried moving around him only for Batman to continue blocking her. “This isn’t justice Jaina. She will be punished for what she has done and all the lives she has taken. But not like this. You can still walk away with your hands clean.”
Jaina glared up at Batman, teeth grinding against one another. “It isn’t just for Gotham or her insane plan I was trying to stop. It’s for killing my parents!” Her eyes had tears threatening to spill out. Jaina tried her best to hold herself together but it all came crashing down on her.
The entirety of the night with everything that happened couldn’t be held back any longer. Jaina fell to her knees bawling her eyes out letting out all the pent-up emotions. “Please… please just let me.” She managed to get out between sobs feeling a hand on her shoulder.
Unbeknownst to the others Batman was doing his utmost not to do what he so desperately wanted to do when Jaina told him what Samantha had supposedly done. Looking over his shoulder leveling his now ex-girlfriend with the meanest glare he had given anyone to date.
Even Joker hadn’t managed to get this big a reaction out of him. He found himself tempted to do what he sometimes wished to do but kept himself in check.
Seeing Jaina breaking down like this revealed that Samantha may have killed her parents when she was a child…
It all reminded Bruce of his innocence being destroyed, setting him down the dark path he walked to this day. How easy it would be he thought to himself looking at Samantha who had tried to crawl away but froze like a mouse before a hawk.
Her exposed neck. How he wanted to wrap his hands around it and watch the life that filled her eyes fade away. For a moment he contemplated going through with the act. Doing what he always had done he restrained himself.
A long moment Batman, Black Cat, and Samantha stared at one another unsure of what was going to happen. Everyone besides Jaina could feel the tension bleeding off of Batman, each of them holding their collective breaths.
Wrestling control of his emotions Batman managed to get a hold of them. It helped that the more tactical part of him pointed out how it could have been a lie either from Jaina or Samantha herself.
Turning around to Jaina who had managed to get her sobs to a controllable level he lowered himself down to eye level with her. He contemplated whether he should say what he wanted to but went through with it anyway.
Whatever consequences come of it he will bear. Right now he had someone who went through what he did all those years ago and unlike him, she found the one who took them. A few words from someone who understands was something he could have used. Maybe it would have gotten him to do something else with his life.
“Jaina I understand more than you could imagine what you are going through right now. But killing Samantha however nice the feeling would be right now won’t bring your parents, or anyone else she has killed back.” Batman said with her listening staring into his eyes her crying silenced. She looked up like what he said hadn't deterred her from this path.
Batman continued, “I know what that feeling is like wanting to exact retribution for what was taken. Doing any number of horrific acts upon the one who took what we love and care for from us. But it eats away at us, turning us into things we are not.”
Jaina’s hard gaze softened if only a little thinking over what Batman had said.
Batman abided by the no-kill rule for reasons beyond not becoming the thing every Gothamite fears around every corner.
The memory of that little girl in that fire made him realize early on in his career that people need something to believe in. Something that gives them hope. When a child fears him despite never harming them and he can’t bring himself to comfort them-- can he truly call himself a hero?
He can never forget the state he was in after what happened to his parents. He does what he does to ensure no child goes through what he did. To give them a life that he was denied. Helping the people of Gotham as best he can.
He doesn’t want Jaina taking a darker path than he had. Despite suspecting her of being a member of the Court judging by the state of Samantha she had tried to stop her. She was willing to fight for the people of the city.
Like Harvey Dent. He can’t let her fall like Harvey. Someone who seemingly cared about the people.
Jaina sat upon the ground before slowly nodding at him. “Alright.” She said the word like she was grudgingly letting go of something she couldn’t bear to live without. “Get her as far from me as possible.”
Which is what Batman aimed to do. Black Cat positioned herself closer to Samantha so she wouldn’t get any ideas about escaping. Batman stepped closer to her, his shadow grew submerging her in it. The whites of her eyes were wild and afraid, looking around for any way to escape.
A sound made her pause slowly, turning around to see in the distance a man in a green and white suit with a glowing green dome with the trail of green coming from his hand floating in the distance.
Another figure that anyone in the world would immediately recognize. Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, capable of leaping tall buildings in a single jump. Flying high above blowing out fires with his breath like the Big Bad Wolf from the old fairy tales.
Cape fluttering in the wind with the S emblazoned on his chest easily spotted by them even from this distance acting like an emblem of hope for all. Even in Gotham despite the rivalry that Gothamites had with Metropolis they still held respect for Superman.
A rush of air had them turning to see none other than Wonder Woman floating where part of the room once was. Hands on her hips, a serious look on her face.
“Batman I am heading down into the hole to see if there are any survivors that need help and to find this Silhouette.” She said more than she asked. She sounded like she didn’t even like doing that. Batman nodded at her. “But before I do that you all need help this building isn’t safe--”
“We have it handled Wonder Woman. Go look for survivors. Be careful, Silhouette is dangerous if he survived Klarion.” He cut her off.
“More like Silhouette should be careful if he encounters me.” She said confidently. Most would agree with her not knowing much about Silhouette.
For a moment Wonder Woman looked like she wanted to say more but looking at each of them taking longer than the others when her gaze landed on Samantha. Samantha surprisingly stared back at her almost defiantly if Jaina was to put a word to it.
She seemed to accept that she couldn’t win now after Jaina and Silhouette did their coup. The tension in Samantha wanting to continue fighting however pointless it was, faded away seeing the Justice League in Gotham. Particularly a proclaimed demigod who can rip apart steel like it’s paper floating a few feet from you tended to do that.
Wonder Woman turned back to Batman nodding. She paused seeing the young girl beside him. She gave her a light smile and nod of respect. Said sidekick watched her nod back awkwardly before she flew over and down into the hole in the ground.
Cuffs in hand Batman stepped closer holding Samantha’s hands behind her back. She made no move to try and escape. She was like a doll, just sitting there letting him move her around when needed.
“So you weren’t bluffing?” Jaina said aloud, looking off into the distance, seeing the League get to work cracking down on the various gangs that had helped fight off the Court.
Bruce didn’t like it. From relying on the gangs to fight them to knowing they would use the chaos to do as they pleased. Knowing Silhouette was part of the Court made him even more worried. Concerned about Silhouette using the Court for whatever their goals were.
He had a feeling the one Klarion was referring to was Silhouette. He especially didn’t like that Klarion appeared in Gotham without him knowing until it was too late. Even if the League wasn’t here for him he was thankful for the one time they appeared in this city it was the time he showed up.
He had overheard their conversation. It raised more questions than answers. The Court had met Klarion before, even managing to gain a favor from him.
The saving grace for them all was that Samantha with a slip of the tongue managed to turn him against her mentioning the thing that was anathema to him.
Order.
“No. I wasn’t.” A partial truth.
He was bluffing about how soon the League was coming. Batman was thankful that Klarion wasn’t in the mood to fight them oddly enough within Gotham. Which was something he would look into later on.
Jaina for her part made no move to run. She was no fool. She could handle someone like Samantha who had no real fighting experience being pampered all her life. But she had no delusions about thinking she could take on Batman. She had a way to escape.
She had no issue going to court over this, since a good lawyer would see her absolved of any charges. If it came down to it they could show her trying to stop Samantha putting all the blame on her along with the rest of Gotham satiating their vengeance against the Owls that needed to be taken care of.
In her heart Batman’s words about those feelings eating away at her turning her into a monster made her hesitate about killing Samantha. Jaina would kill her no matter what.
She still felt the simmering rage that was eating away at her inside. She understood what Batman was saying. She even appreciated him talking to her, showing a vulnerable side she never believed was there. He too had suffered a loss like she had.
That or he was an incredible actor. He was right that what she felt right now was eating away at her. But she wouldn’t let it change who she is. She wouldn’t destroy the woman that her parents would be proud of.
But Samantha had to die. Jaina wasn’t optimistic enough to say that it wasn’t revenge. A large part of it was. But a part of her that agreed with Batman acknowledged that it wasn’t all of it.
To avenge her parents as much as it was revenge. To avenge who knows how many people she had killed in cold blood. To ensure she can never hurt another person again. With how long she had been in control of the Court with no members even being aware she was a part of it.
There was no telling just how much knowledge, resources, and secrets she had at her disposal that Jaina wasn’t aware of. It would be nice to have such things in case Gotham needed help beyond what they could bring to the table.
But Jaina saw Samantha for what she truly was. A sentient cancer that would infect and poison all who crossed paths with her. She was too dangerous to go on living. Jaina swore she would die one way or another. No matter what.
That thought quickly ended with several rumbles followed by cracks and crashes coming from the hole in the ground. It was shaking the building they were in making it groan with pieces of it falling around them.
“Black Cat, grab Jaina, we need to leave.” Batman was all business. Easily picking Samantha up but he paused seeing Jade wasn’t moving. He looked back seeing Jaina was gone.
“We don’t have time.” He said hoping Jaina was fine while mentally noting she was either an incredibly skilled individual, had powers, or had someone working for her to get her out of her quietly and quickly enough without them noticing.
Both of them using their suits made it to the ground safely with Samantha firmly in their custody.
…
To think I believed this night was going to be easier than it turned out to be. Forrest Gump's mother was full of it when she said life is like a box of chocolates. More like a box of what kind of crap you want raining on you today.
Unlike my attack, Klarions didn’t turn everything into molten slag to my relief with me having a means to get out of this pit.
Using chakra threads to grapple hook my way up out of the now molten pit that was at one point in time a coliseum. Wall walked my way back up before freezing in place seeing what just popped up on my HUD.
The Justice League is in Gotham. This night just keeps getting better…
Moving far faster trying to get out of this hole before one of them found me. Moving at a solid pace rushing to get out before abruptly stopping seeing a figure flying down into it.
Lying myself flat against the wall blending in far better with the shadows I see none other than Wonder Woman herself quickly flying into the hole past me.
Waiting a moment seeing her continuing onward deeper into the hole I immediately beelined it up the wall even faster knowing they brought the heavy hitters with them.
Multiple alerts telling me several of my hidden manufacturing plants across Gotham were getting hit. Badly. The defenses were getting if not already destroyed. It happened so fast that some didn’t even get a chance to put up much of a fight.
Safe to say with the numbers showing when they were hit before going offline the Flash was here as well.
Did they bring all of them?!
How was this fair?! Doesn’t Batman normally keep them out of Gotham? Sighing to myself before letting it go. I just needed to get up top and back to one of the safe houses and everything would be alright.
Stopping abruptly when a rush of wind came from below, Wonder Woman was back up floating in the air like she was looking for something. I blended in with the shadows just like last time.
Except this time it was like she was getting directions from someone while she looked everywhere but where they told her to look. After several tense seconds, she eventually looked in my direction.
“Thanks Superman I can take it from here.” She said, floating closer, her gaze sweeping the entire area before finally spotting me.
Standing up fully, finding no point in hiding any longer. “You know I find it rather odd that the Justice League was called in to handle little ol’ me. I will admit it is rather flattering.” I said waving a hand at myself while acting like a shy schoolgirl.
“Don’t flatter yourself. We were here to help handle the Court of Owls and Klarion when he appeared. You just happened to be collateral. Will you surrender yourself willingly?” She said, cocking a hip.
Finding myself thankful my mask made it hard to figure out where I was staring. The woman may as well have been a goddess of beauty given form. Those piercing blue eyes with her raven black hair made it look like a majestic thunderstorm. Beautiful and awe-inspiring but deadly.
“Hmmmm… surrender myself willingly?” I mused aloud. “How about… no.”
Wonder Woman didn’t look surprised flying closer before turning to her side smashing a piece of rock to the side shattering it into pebbles.
Chakra threads attach to nearby pieces of rubble falling into the pit from above each one aimed for her blind spots. Yet she managed to smash each one. Rushing further up the pit knowing if I engage her now I might not be able to win. Not through brute force because I have no idea if I am stronger than her.
But the issue isn’t just her. The other League members for all I know could be on their way here. A few plans depended on me getting out of here now but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if they ‘captured’ me now. It would raise some questions if I popped up again after the fact which I would rather avoid revealing.
One piece of rock instead of punching it to pieces she grabbed it twisting in one smooth motion tossing it ahead of me making me slide to a stop. Sidestepping the fragments with the part of the wall crumbling from the impact falling into the pit.
Wasting no time she closed the distance throwing a fast punch that I leaned my head out of just in time feeling the wind brush against me. The force of it would have toppled over a normal man.
Wonder Woman undeterred picked up her speed. Each punch is coming in faster and faster. Each attack goes for shots that would knock me out or make escaping difficult. A punch at my temple made me bring up an arm to block it. I wished I hadn’t.
My arm didn’t break from the force of the blow but it vibrated deep down into the bone with a dull ache. Sliding back several meters with her not far behind. Taking the opportunity with another piece of debris she batted it aside with a casual backhand.
What she didn’t expect was for me to swing on a thread Spider-Man style curving around. “Woohoo!”
A look of determination crossed her face watching me zip past her. She was even faster than before now using more power. Moving well past what most street cars could hope to match.
Using my control of the threads to adjust the angle and speed dodging each punch or kick she tried to land.
“You know I expected a lot better from a former All-Star Squadron member who helped found the Justice League. Rather disappointing.” I said trying to mess with her head and psyche her out, making capturing me more difficult.
It seemed to work with her narrowing her eyes, a huff of air escaped her nostrils not unlike that of a bull.
“I’ll prove you wrong by making you eat those words along with your teeth.” Wonder Woman bit out.
She flew up and over slamming down right where I would have been had a last-minute adjustment to the thread let me skirt by it. I was an idiot for thinking I was safe when she missed. The rock and dust obscured her enough that I couldn’t see her before a rock shot out.
Narrowly avoiding it slamming into my shoulder with a quick side step before a fist moved so fast it dispersed the shroud of dust that enveloped me.
Both arms crossed against my chest blocked the punch. My eyes widened at her doing a dirty trick of all things and the force behind the blow. The punch was unlike any she had done so far, sending me flying off the wall taking a chunk of it with me since it was stuck to my feet.
Glancing down at the hud seeing both arms had minor fractures across the ulna and radius. My sense of touch was reduced enough not to distract me but remained in case an injury happened and I wasn’t aware of it. I didn't want the test run ending prematurely after all.
If my pain receptors weren’t turned down so much the pain would have been a far greater distraction. She gave chase not once letting me out of her sight. She won’t let me get away so easily it would seem.
“If it’s a fight you want then so be it,” I told her calmly despite the dangerous situation.
“I am not looking for a fight but since you refuse to surrender you leave me with no choice. Now give up, you can’t win.” She said with a look of determination. Trying to reason with me which I could respect.
“Oh, now why would I give up a chance at a dance with someone who can keep up with me?” I snarked back threads extending out from one hand spinning me around falling rubble. One particular flip and twist sent the rock stuck to my boots sailing at her face and like with everything else she just blasted right through it.
Her constantly smashing into the wall had caused it to rain more than it was before shaking it all loose. Despite the numerous large chunks of debris coming at her she plowed through what she couldn’t evade getting far closer than I preferred.
It was kind of scary to be honest. What looked like a supermodel that would put the ones from my old life to shame shrugging off large pieces of cement without a single injury to show for it save the dirt-smearing parts of her.
Spinning on the spot midair before hitching a ride around Wonder Woman who paused guard up seeing me spin faster and faster like a top.
A hand reached out for the thread she no doubt could feel keeping me attached to her but it stopped when a smaller rock was aimed for her temple coming in like a meteor. It was grabbed out of the air despite moving faster than the naked eye could keep up with.
A flex of her hand crumbled it to dust. Before she could touch the thread to yank me closer I had gained enough momentum. Dizzy from spinning too fast but I locked it in using the momentum with chakra further enhancing me.
Spinning past several rocks before kicking out knee-first first right past Wonder Woman’s guard who was not ready for such speed. Moving so fast that it took a moment for sound to catch up with me slamming my knee right into her temple.
Wonder Woman’s eyes widened before spinning end over end right into the other side of the wall in the pit. The wall crumbled under the force with cracks running up and down the length of the wall before a large section of the wall slid down.
The wall fell apart sounding like cinderblocks grinding and falling down a mountain. Swinging around avoiding pieces dozens of meters long. Going from rock to rock before latching onto one particularly big piece sticking to it running the length of it before leaping off.
Landing into a spin skidding to a stop grateful to be back on the surface.
“I guess she just couldn’t hang with someone who could keep up,” I say aloud, tutting to myself. “Oh well, time for me to head home…”
One step. One step was all I managed to do before a tremor ran through the ground and I leapt back. What was a street that was slightly damaged and had seen better days was now shattered. The road and sidewalk had massive cracks looking more like the Grand Canyon than it did a random road in Gotham.
Floating above it was none other than Wonder Woman. “Don’t worry. This is far from over and it’s just getting started.” Wonder Woman said, cracking her knuckles looking none too pleased with me.
Despite hitting her with something that would have outright turned a normal human to paste she looked mostly fine if not annoyed… with an odd look.
It almost looked like she was excited.
What’s terrifying to me is that even a metahuman would have been knocked out if not dead from a debilitating hit like that. The only thing that I had to show for it was a scuff on her cheek with some dirt on her head.
I have no clue if I managed to even give her a bruise…
Just like every other time she moved even faster but this time her punch sent out a boom with sound catching up after. Too fast for me to raise an arm to defend myself. Watching powerless as her fist moved so fast that air was dispersed around it.
The instant it made contact I was sent flying. A rush of air followed by me tumbling end over end before slamming back-first into and through a building's wall. Hearing a crack come from my shoulder with a bone-deep vibration along my body was a sign enough that she managed to break something.
Slamming into and shattering multiple desks in what must have been an office space before coming to a stop when I hit the other wall. Slowly peeling off of it like a wet piece of bologna stuck to the wall before hitting the floor face-first.
“Ugh.” I groaned out before making myself get back up knowing she wasn’t going to just let me lie there.
The suit's autostim feature activated, making my shoulder snap back into place with a sudden flare of pain but nothing that I couldn’t handle before it faded away like it never existed. Fading away flexing my arm then my hand seeing full motor control had been returned.
Leaping, sticking to the ceiling in preparation. Just in time when Wonder Woman came flying into the room through the newly made hole in an impressive burst of speed.
She looked around before speaking into what must have been a communicator. “I am currently fighting Silhouette. Be warned he is far stronger and durable than we had initially believed.”
She dropped to the ground head sweeping across the room stepping forward her red boots clacking against what was left of the shattered tile. It sounded like a lion's claws tapping against rock. Any other time I would be ogling her especially with that red, gold, and blue one-piece armor.
“I know I broke your shoulder and who knows how many bones joined it after that hit. I am still holding back so unless you want this to get worse you will surrender for your own sake.”
With a mental flex, all the chakra keeping me stuck to the ceiling was gone. A hit of Jet, along with various potions in small doses filled my mouth with my senses dulled yet it had done nothing to the terrible taste. Then the iron of blood chased after the rest.
Time slowed to a crawl yet Wonder Woman was still moving her head almost like it was real time. Scary. Hearing the sound of my uniform rustling her guard went up.
Looking up at me hands raised ready to defend or attack but she wasn’t expecting a disc tossed her way with numerous metal wires wrapping around her. Arms restrained against her chest I took full advantage.
A flying kick that almost hit her head but she leaned back so well that it would make limbo champions green with envy.
The many wires overlapping each other that they almost looked like metal tentacles groaned in protest as Wonder Woman slowly freed her arms. A couple of dozen even snapped with metal pings echoing across the room.
Never thought the Reem blood would get used but with the greenhouse in the workshop I can afford to use it after learning of what it could do. Didn’t know how much of a boost it would give me but from the looks of things it was a lot. Even for me with all my enhancements.
Crouched on all fours my leg doesn’t so much as sweep for hers more like it shot out like a cannonball. Like she was before my leg came far faster than she had anticipated knocking her off her feet.
It didn’t matter because she immediately flew up into the air with one last grunt of exertion breaking through the wires. With a boom the floor beneath me cracked from the force of my jump fist outstretched hitting her cheek.
Her face was one of shock and surprise eyes wide in disbelief before she crashed through a newly made hole in the wall. Only to immediately fly back right when I am about to leave.
With a war cry one leg raised high up nearly parallel with her body before slamming it down. Not having expected her to come back so soon with no time to dodge both arms were raised.
The axe kick slammed down making me grit my teeth. My legs almost buckled under the pressure but they held strong. The building was shaking as its foundation from the force of the kick was being put to the test with the walls cracking and several floors above us caving in if the crashes from above were anything to go by.
The floor beneath me cracked and cratered from the force behind the blow.
Concrete pieces were uprooted each as big as my torso. Yet I had no broken bones unlike her last hit which was weaker than this. It still hurts, but unlike before I can hang with her for now.
I should have taken that Reem blood a long time ago. If it wasn’t for the gas mask Wonder Woman would see an ecstatic smile similar to a child’s on Christmas morning.
Undeterred by this new development she spins mid-air even managing to drag some pieces of the building closer with the mini tornado she was creating, even dragging me closer.
A leg swept out for my side, both arms raised braced for the hit. Slamming into me making me grunt before sliding a few feet even with me being in a crater and using chakra to keep me in place as my feet dig trenches in the concrete.
My arms remained intact despite her using much more strength this time to my relief. Capitalizing on the moment time slowed down again an arm wrapped around her leg holding her in place. She grimaced realizing she just gave me an advantage.
Instead of trying to retreat she doubled down, going fully on the offensive. Something I could respect.
Drawing herself closer about to throw a punch while the room looked less stable the more we fought. Weaving to the side, I grab it with one hand. Holding it with no small amount of effort straining under the power behind the fist.
Her other fist was already on its way towards my temple. Taking inspiration from her initiative, leaning back with the swing going wide, my arm now having let go of her leg before both of my legs are raised into the air. Her eyes widened knowing what I was about to do.
She had enough time to bring one arm up before the mule kick impacted her arm making her grit her teeth. My legs pushed more and more but the cherry on top was the chakra laced at the bottom of my boots.
Overcharging the chakra like I did when I first tried to learn wall walking before an ear-piercing boom blasted out across the building. I was thankful I had a perfect memory since I could forever relish the look of shock on Wonder Woman’s face when she was sent headfirst into the ceiling.
My enjoyment was cut short when I was sent flying back carving a trench into the concrete with my now aching back through the rest of the building then through another wall.
Bouncing off into the side of a car sending it skidding a few meters across the road. Forcing myself to look up, I was greeted by the sight of the building collapsing to the ground with Wonder Woman doing her best Apollo 11 impression into the sky far above it.
Made me want to chuckle while my body healed enough for me to start moving again. Prying myself out of the car running down the street trying to get to one of the lead-lined sewers to ensure the flying Boy Scout can’t be their eye in the sky, eyespying me.
Making it to a four-way road that looked straight out of an apocalypse movie before a red blur slammed into me. Stumbling back, getting my balance under control with something slamming into me again. Within a few seconds, several dozen punches had occurred.
They didn’t do much beyond annoy me since both my body and suit were more than capable of handling it. Glancing around not seeing him I took a step to get sent back several feet.
“Alright, wise guy. Let’s see you do that again.” I said aloud across the empty street. Standing taller with my back straight issuing a challenge I hoped Barry was foolish enough to go for it.
To my relief, he rushed forward slamming multiple punches into my head knocking me around. His hits despite looking like they were random they were anything but that.
My perfect memory showed a pattern. He aimed for the head to disorient along with a few other body shots like my liver. He realized he needed to be more precise going for specific parts since I wasn’t going down with traditional methods. Then he moved down to my chest.
Preemptively my chakra coated my chest when his fist hit my solar plexus only then did he realize something was wrong.
“Whoawhatthehell!” He said like an old VHS tape set to fast forward.
He slowed down enough for me to see his iconic red suit with yellow bolts of lightning decorating it. He strained to pull his hands free but they were firmly stuck right where I wanted him.
“Cool trick right?” I asked him, reminding him of who he was now stuck to.
“Uh… yeah it is. How are you doing this?” He asked sounding worried now.
“Oh, that’s easy!” I exclaimed to him, holding a finger up like a teacher. “It’s the same thing that I am going to do to your kneecaps.”
Flash did a double-take, shaking his head like he just imagined what he heard. Slamming both of my knees into his with a sickening crunch.
“Agh!” Flash cried out both legs dangling on the ground neither knee currently capable of holding his weight. Grabbing both of his wrists with him watching on in horror.
Spinning around like a merry-go-round Flash’s legs flailing uselessly in the air. A mini cyclone started to form around us before a monumental heave tossed him straight into the front of an empty Gotham metro bus.
The front caved in metal crunching with him firmly embedded in the vehicle acting like an ugly Christmas ornament.
“Ugh…” His groan told me that I hadn’t gone too far.
Brushing my hands off heading towards the sewer grate but stopping when a certain Amazon princess looking a little worse for wear landed on top of the escape route.
A rustle of fabric in the wind had me turning to see Superman himself looking at me, arms crossed like a disappointed dad.
A green glow had me turning to see Hal Jordan smirking down at me.
“It’s over Silhouette,” Superman spoke up. He sounded not necessarily confident. More like it was a fact. Something he and I could both agree on for different reasons.
“You're right. It is over.” I responded clasping both hands behind my back looking carefree despite staring down some of the strongest beings on the planet.
It helped that the countermeasures to keep them out of the city had been activated at long last with the green light appearing on my HUD. Took the engineers long enough to get the ball rolling.
“I’d recommend you all head back to your cities as soon as possible. Thanks for handling the local bird infestation by the way. Easily worth five stars on my review of you guys.” I tell them with a chuckle while shaking my head.
“I don’t think so. We are not going anywhere without you in cuffs buddy.” Green Lantern said not budging an inch.
“I agree, you're not going anywhere Silhouette. All of you be cautious, he is far stronger than he looks.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice Wonder Woman. Not after watching him launch you out of that building.”
Wonder Woman’s gaze had momentarily snapped to Green Lantern giving him a stern glare. Shrinking under her unimpressed gaze he wore a grimace.
“Sorry.” He said both hands held up placatingly.
When they started to circle in on me like a pack of wolves Superman froze for a second looking like he just heard something that didn’t sound right. Turning his head in the direction of Metropolis a look of disbelief was now on his face.
The others picked up on it but didn't take their gazes off of me.
“What’s wrong Superman?” Wonder Woman said eyeing me like one would a viper.
“Metropolis is in chaos.” He said in disbelief. Whirling on me looking ready to punch my lights out. “What did you do?”
Kicking the ground with my boot looking like a child feeling guilty under the gaze of their father. “Oh, nothing much… simply enjoying the moment the mice realize the cats aren’t around anymore to stop them from playing.”
Manage to get the better of Wonder Woman +100
Surprise the Justice League +50
Defeated the Flash +100
Perks gained: -Rapid Engineering (Honor Harrington) (400CP)
When it comes to technology, quality may beat quantity, but quantity has a quality of its own. A quality you well understand. You have a deep knowledge and skill at building shipyards and support systems, not to mention ships and their weapons, that focuses on building a lot of them very quickly, instead of building them to be the best in the world. Your product may not be the most lethal or best defended or longest sensing in the galaxy, but you know how to churn out entire fleets of the stuff in the time it would take others to make a prototype.
-Everybody Knows Kung Fu (The Matrix) (400CP)
Whenever you've needed a quick boost in skills or maybe you need to know how to drive that motorbike, your Operator has managed to get through to you. It's awfully handy to download such skills in a short time... that's probably where you got the idea. Through careful sifting and experimentation, you've learned how to copy your skills onto data files and store them for giving it to others later. You'll need some kind of neural connection to make use, but even a data file should be handy, right?
