*James (KRIOS), Grand Central Circus Tent, Amusement Mile
The silence between James and the Joker stretched for a minute, then another, and another. The Joker kept his smiling face close to his face with a sickly smile. The contours of the pasty makeup and stench from his breath nearly made James gag. Of all the reasons James thought the Joker captured him for, working together was not at all considered.
"Um... sorry could you run that by me again?" James asked.
Somehow the smiled stretched wider on Joker's face, "Why, we would work together on a little project I am planning. Something to really grab Batsy's attention and put Gotham on its right path."
'Right path? What the actual fu$%...'
"But of course," Joker interrupted James thoughts, "Of course it has to be the best joke, something particularly special for the Bat and Gotham. I would hate to let my act get too stale or dare I say boring HAHAHAHAHA."
'Okay, I have had enough of this.'
He had spent enough time amusing this clown. While still injured he felt that he was well enough to escape. The added bonus was that his senses didn't feel any additional explosives or weird traps so he should be fine to break these weird cuffs and go on his way.
The few hours he had been knocked out helped with some of his recovery but he could still feel the aches, burn marks and tightness of his wounds. Any extra exertion made probably would tear open the bullet wounds making him bleed more. Not that you would be able to notice from the mud, blood and burnt robes he was wearing.
'Ok, here we go,' James thought as he snapped the internal locks of the cuffs.
The Joker was still laughing when the distinct crack of the cuffs on his hands sounded and they fell to the floor. James shakily stood, the continued feeling of being unnerved by the clown only grew as the mad man started hopping up and down in excitement.
"YOU! You are such a pleasant surprise! I thought you were a meta mwahahahahahaha definately explains how you escaped Batsy."
Tilting his head in confusion James said, "What are you talking about?"
The Joker laughed, "Oh my how precious you are! You really are a freshman to our world. Those cuffs you so rudely broke are rather rare. I only have some because I took the batmobile on a joy ride awhile back. They were designed by the Bat and some of his friends to stop people like you, but look at you. Really you are surprising me at every turn!"
"This just proves we need to work together! Don't worry about the planning or resources, I will handle everything. It should only take a few weeks maybe a month and it will be great!"
The Joker held his hands out and stepped forward as if to hug James. But as mentioned before, James was done with the Clown.
Before he could take another step, the Joker was blasted back into the wooden bleachers. The madman crashed into the wood snapping it with the rotting wooden beams collapsing on top of him.
Sighing at how long the night and based on the hints of sunlight peeking through the large tent, morning was, James made his way to the main flap of the circus tent. Occasionally grimacing from the discomfort of his wounds he really felt the need for a vacation before his trip with Slade to the Himalayas. Why exactly the merc wanted to take him there he did not know, but considering his training of the last few months it was definitely not going to be a fun, relaxing time.
While musing, James was about to exit the tent when he felt the presence of a few dozen individuals outside. Focusing he could feel that there was an empty space on the other side of the tent with structures of some sort surrounding it. The presence of the individuals however was strange. It felt like most were not moving and the majority were laying on the ground in different positions. The few who were standing felt... familiar though he could not understand why.
'I really need to work on that ability,' he grimaced at the unknowns facing him.
Swinging the heavy flap over he saw that it was indeed early morning in Gotham. The sun was just barely rising on what looked to be like an abandoned amusement park. Old vending stations, broken rides and a few other rotting or ragged circus tents dominated the courtyard area he found himself in. Off to the right towering even above the tent was the old Gotham ferris wheel which at 150 feet tall once boasted the tallest in the world.
His senses were also proved right as he saw a myriad of Joker goons knocked out all over the courtyard. How that had happened and so quietly was quickly answered to James from the distinct supes uniforms of the junior League team standing in front of him.
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*Barbara Gordon (Batgirl), Amusement Mile, Gotham City
Arriving at the outskirts of Amusement Mile the team immediately went to work as per the usual covert operations they did. M'gann and Zatanna took to the air and became invisible becoming their eye in the sky. Batgirl, Robin and Artemis moved through the buildings as additional scouts using the fading shadows from the early morning to stay hidden. Wally, Connor and Kaldur slowly made their way closer to the the rendezvous point based on the directions from the rest of their team.
The rendezvous point was what Zatanna's magic had showned them, the main courtyard of Amusement Mile right in front of the center circus tent.
Batgirl had kept a close eye on her friend as whatever had happened to the tracking spell had spooked the experienced magician. And while maintaining confidence she could tell Zatanna had a nervousness about her.
Arriving to Amusement Mile proved to be easy, the area seemed abandoned as it usually was. No one, not even the homeless spent time there out of fear of the Joker. His reputation was very well earned after all.
In tandem Kaldur directed the team to approach the main courtyard by foot. When they arrived they found several dozen of Joker's goons lazing about, surrounding and guarding the main decrepit tent. Their presence while not unusual for these parts still unnerved the team with the potential of their boss being around.
'Why would Krios be here of all places?'
Before she could ponder further, Kaldur spoke through their telepathic chat.
[I do not see Krios. Zatanna, are you sure this is the place?]
Zatanna's spoke confidently, [Yes, the sun tracker is never wrong. My guess is he is either somewhere in that tent or hiding around the courtyard.]
[That is great and all,] Wally's impatient voice jumped in, [But why is he here of all places with Joker's goons?]
[Does it matter!]
M'gann's voice spoke loudly causing the whole team to wince. The anger evident of her current feelings towards the criminal.
Batgirl glanced over at where Kaldur was and stared pointedly at him. He noticed her gaze and shook his head. She frowned at that but gave a nod of indication, Kaldur was the team leader and if he decided not to worry about a teammates emotional state before a fight that was his choice. She only hoped M'gann would be able to keep it in check long enough to not cause problems.
[The Joker must of got these guys from a bargain bin,] Robin's voice said quietly, [Half of them look drunk and the other half look hungover.]
[No matter,] Kaldur's voice spoke this time with authority.
[Take caution but lets split up assignments and take them out quickly and quietly. We cannot alert Krios or if he is here the Joker of our ambush.]
Following directions from Kaldur the team split up with Batgirl, Wally and Artemis going to the perimeters and Robin, Kaldur, Connor going to the center. Zatanna weaved some additional spells that seemed to muffle the teams footsteps while M'gann took to the sky invisible and reported the goons positions.
Swiftly and stealthily they went about their business and took out the majority of them without the other goons noticing till it was too late.
Robin took the last of the goons down with a well placed kick to the head and Wally rushed in to catch the man to prevent noise. If the situation and who they were hunting wasn't so intense, the telepathic chat they had would probably be cheering at how successful the mission was so far.
[That is the last of them,] Kaldur thought to the teams telepathic chat.
[Thank goodness!] Wally exclaimed, [The last few guys nearly shouted out.]
Artemis thought, [We were lucky, what is our next move Kaldur?]
[M'gann and Zatanna will take a quick look inside the main tent invisible and hidden. If Krios, the Joker or both are in there we will get in position and blitz them.] Kaldur ordered.
Tying up the last of the goons she had taken out, Batgirl could not shake the feeling that something was off. Perhaps a second sense or maybe it was just nerves. Kaldur's plan was solid and simple, perfect for their team.
'Then why does it feel like everything is going to go to shit?' She thought.
Whatever concerns she had would shortly be answered. A murmur of agreements sounded from her team inside their minds, but before they could proceed with Kaldur's plan the main circus tent entrance flap swung wide open.
Out stepped Krios, his mere presence sending a chill down the spine of many of the team. This was a individual who a few months ago humbled the team when he took the GCPD hostage in the mall. That made him one to be wary about but there still had been some confidence united they could take him. Now though? After destroying Major Crimes, killing dozens of detectives, incapacitating Batman and critically wounding the Martian Manhunter, the whole team felt somewhat lacking.
Krios looked rough to say the least. The tight fitting robes he wore were ripped, torn, bloody and burnt from all his fighting. It served as a silent reminder of how much he had grown to beat both Batman and Martian Manhunter in the same night. But they were not Justice League members for nothing. Krios had walked past the flap of the tent with a limp and a twitch that Batgirl read as pain, the fighting had taken a toll on the man.
But despite his potential injuries and damaged clothes there was still a strong sense of danger emanating from him, and his body language showed a confidence much greater then their previous fights.
Batman and her father had trained her to understand body language both as a practical and intellectual skill. Staring at beaten up Krios she could tell one very clear fact.
'He is not scared... he is not worried. He really thinks we can't stop him.'
Whether seeing him in his almost horrific state or due to what his reputation, the rest of the team was also feeling nervous.
Wally was even panicking, [Guys... is it too late to call back-up?]
[Shut it Wally, we can take him,] Connor huffed, though he did not sound as confident.
[Why is he just standing there?] Artemis's quiet voice spoke with concern.
Hearing the uncertainty and even fear, Batgirl decided to push Kaldur to get the team in line. It would not do for them to panic before this fight.
[We are here, we are prepared and we have some extra back up with Zatanna.] Batgirl thought.
[Kaldur what is the move?]
Kaldur had kept his narrowed gaze directly at Krios who stared back with a look of growing fury and perhaps exhaustion.
[I am going to try to convince him to surrender.] Kaldur thought, his gaze never leaving Krios.
Connor's annoyed and disbelief thought echoed what many of the team thought, [Seriously Kaldur? You really think this guy is going to surrender?]
Kaldur took out his two hilts, they were designed to shoot out water from his pack and he could even harden the water into two swords. For those who knew him it was a clear sign of him preparing to fight without trying to be threatening.
[No, Krios won't surrender,] Kaldur thought, [But I can distract him long enough to get us in the right position to take him down. Batgirl, Robin, Connor and Artemis I want you to keep your distance but slowly surround the courtyard. Lets keep him cornered in case he tries to run. M'gann I want you to cover Zatanna who will be preparing to hit him with some magic. Wait to release it Zatanna until I give you the word. Wally, I want you to support the teammates and move them out of the way should he try to blast anyone or throw some buildings at us.]
The Team gave their thoughts of approval though M'gann seemed resistant. Batgirl could feel the growing fury from her as she stared at Krios for what he had done to her uncle.
But now was not the time for that.
The Team began to move into their respective positions as Kaldur walked to within a few yards in front of Krios.
"So, Krios, working with the Joker now?" Kaldur said as nodded to the beaten goons.
The man stayed silent, if he wasn't staring directly at Kaldur he would of thought he hadn't heard him.
Kaldur pushed on, "I think we both know you can't escape this time. Surrender now and we can avoid any more harm. We can even get you some help for your wounds."
Krios tilted his head quizzically at Kaldur and finally spoke.
"Any more harm?"
He chuckled softly and shook his head, "I think we are far past that point. I am after all a former gangster, a thief, a torturer and ever increasingly a murderer."
[Everyone is in position Kaldur] M'gann thought, [Zatanna needs just another moment and she will have something pretty big for Krios.]
[Thanks M'gann,] Kaldur thought as he focused back on Krios.
The villain was taking slow but wide steps around Kaldur as he looked at the surrounding team members. With the exception of M'gann who was high in the air, and Zatanna who was hiding behind one of the vending stalls as she prepared her magic.
Krios would stare at a teammate while walking for a few seconds before moving on to the next one. What was going through his mind was anyone's guess, but each stare seemed analyzing, like a predator figuring out how to clamp its jaws on its prey. Each one of the team he only stared for a moment while walking but when his eyes fell on Batgirl his steps stuttered and he almost paused before moving on.
'That... that was weird,' Batgirl thought.
She knew Kaldur and Robin would take notice of that and ask questions. Unfortunately, at that moment she had no idea why her presence seem to give him pause. Though in the back of her mind she could remember their previous encounter when he nearly crushed her at the mall. He hesitated then for some reason.
Finally looping around back to where he was standing, Krios looked back at Kaldur.
"I think..." Krios hesitated.
And here he glanced at Batgirl who was standing now just off to the right of Kaldur. For the briefest second his black eyes stared into hers. The situation as a whole was unnerving but she felt in that gaze something akin to sadness maybe.
"I think I am just really tired." Krios said with a slight slump in his shoulders.
Kaldur seeing the weakness displayed pressed his point.
"Then let us bring an end to this violence, surrender now." The Atlantean said softly but firmly.
Krios nodded as if agreeing, "You are right, it is time for this to end."
Slowly Krios raised his hand to the level of his neck and brought his fingers together.
"Try to stop me now, and I promise. People are going to die."
[Zatanna now!] Kaldur yelled in their minds.
Time seem to slow for Batgirl as the team watched Zatanna step out of hiding. Her hands glowed brightly with a purplish hue that crackled with energy. Bringing her hands together she thrust them forward firing a beam that gave a eerie screech as it zoomed towards Krios.
To the villain's credit his eyes only widened in surprise before he put both hands in front of him. The air in front of him wavered and seemed to thicken as Zatanna's blast collided directly into an invisible wall.
[You didn't say he had magical protection!] Zatanna's voice grunted with effort. The beam she was firing seemed to grow with intensity as Krios held it at bay with some sort of invisible shield.
Robin quickly spoke up, [He has never demonstrated any sort of magic or magical abilities before. This is new.]
[Guys, shouldn't we be attacking him while Zatanna has him at bay?] Artemis asked as she nocked an arrow.
Kaldur gave a hum but before he give the order Zatanna strained voice jumped back in.
[ATTACK NOW! I can't hold this much longer!]
The beam she had been firing had indeed weakened whereas Krios seemed to be gaining strength to resist it as he straightened up and appeared more confident.
Batgirl and Robin reacted first by throwing explosive batarangs, one from his rear and the other to his left. Wally followed suit by speeding around behind Krios and waited for the batarangs to explode before attacking. Artemis fired her barbed shaped arrow while the rest of the team waited to press forward into melee after the range attacks finished.
That is when everything went to hell.
The batarangs reached Krios first and were on target until they weren't. Gripped by an invisible force they diverted away from him directly to Wally who ducked one but could not avoid the other exploding at his feet. Wally being a speedster managed to turn his body away before the batarang exploded sending him falling back a few feet.
Artemis arrow came next before suddenly looping around Krios head and like a guided missile flew directly back at her. Unlike Wally she did not have the speed force to help dodge it and took the arrow directly into the shoulder. The force was so great it went past tissue and muscle only stopped once it hit bone, the force was great enough to crack the bone and spin her into a broken stall that crumbled around her.
At this point Zatanna gave a gasp and the bright magical beam finally gave out freeing Krios fully.
Connor who had kept quiet and hidden in the back came roaring out and with one enhanced dash stood right in front of Krios. Immediately he began throwing punches left and right with Krios dodging most of them. However, for the punches he didn't dodge he blocked using the same shield technique to take the heavy, concrete shattering blows from the half Kryptonian.
'He has gotten stronger then we thought.' Batgirl thought. She decided to hang back while Kaldur and Robin closed in around Krios and Connor. Where M'gann was she did not know but she could imagine the Martian was biding her time.
Connor growing more angry and frustrated roar and punched the ground directly in front of Krios feet causing the concrete to be smashed and bulge out.
Rather then trip Krios up, he reacted quickly and blasted the ground propelling him back a few yards landing on his feet. Then with a swipe of his hand a thick electrical wire connected to the old ferris wheel ripped itself out of its bindings. It shot like a bullet directly to Connor who watched the it shoot past his face nearly grazing his cheek. The wire flew a few more yard before with a slight twist of Krios' hand it began to spin around Connor's neck tightening like a python with its prey. The boy's eyes bulged out and he began grasping at the thick inch thick cord that dragged him to the ferris wheel before raising him up like a noose.
Kaldur with his Atlantean water swords and Robin with his staff jumped in and began attacking as a team. Batgirl was about to join them but the struggling breaths of Connor gave her a greater priority.
Running past the trio fighting she got to the foot of the ferris wheel and began to climb. Krios had raised Connor up nearly 20 feet into the air with the makeshift noose. Hanging away from the ferris wheel made it impossible for Connor to use his legs to relief the pressure of the wire.
Climbing the ferris wheel proved fairly easy for her as she ascended to a few feet above Connor. The distance between them made it impossible for her to reach out and grab him so she used one of her grabbling hooks and fired it around his waist and pulled him towards her. The strain it caused on his neck made him cough more and the bright redness of his face was turning to a dangerous purple.
Holding him tight with one hand, she grabbed the Bat mini plasma cutter and began working on the wire.
While working, her peripheral vision showed Kaldur being bashed by a wooden stall being thrown at him and Robin being hit by a concussive blast that sent him crashing into Zatanna. She had been weaving some new spell when the boy wonder collided on her, with glowing symbols floating in the air disappearing with the loss of her concentration.
SNAP
The wire holding Connor finally cleaved in half and soon she was struggling to hold him without the support of the wire. Looking at the ground which was only 20 feet she dropped him with little worry. He might be only half Kryptonian but he could probably still take a tank round and get back up.
The superboy crashed to the ground with a loud thud, but based on his hazard breathing and groan he would fine.
She only had a moment before instincts took over and she swung her body out of the way of a blast from Krios. The blast that missed her slammed into the old ferris wheel bending a portion of the metal frame inward.
"Definitely something we need to avoid," Batgirl muttered as she shot a new grappling hook to one of the decrepit rides right before another blast hit where she was.
Swinging towards the new building she loosened her slack and got lower to the ground where she used the momentum of the swing to start running. Krios did not let up as he kept firing concussive blasts, each one getting a little closer to her as she ran and dodged.
Finally, she had ran around enough that Krios had his back towards Connor, one less thing to worry about as the he recovered from his near hanging. Standing her ground a few yards away she brought out two batarangs and prepared to throw them at Krios who now just looked irritated.
"Why can't you f&*king hold still!?!" He growled.
She needed to keep him distracted for the trap she was hoping would be sprung. So she kept silent and gave him a mocking smile.
That seemed to do the trick as his eyes narrowed and he raised his hand to continue blasting her when he stopped.
His hand lowered slightly and he gave Batgirl a strange look, one of confusion. With a slight tilt of his head he continued staring her down before to her horror the cloth covering his face showed hints of a smile.
M'gann who had been absent the entire fight and quiet had slowly and stealthily been making her way behind him. Her hands were only a foot away from gripping his head, whatever psychic attack she had planned Batgirl didn't know, only that it would not be pleasant.
But the same trick apparently would not work twice on Krios.
Before she could grab him a large chunk of concrete slammed into her side slamming her into the ground before dragging and grinding her into it for a few yards.
Krios had gave a annoyed glance in the direction where M'gann was. Her arm and head was sticking out of the concrete slab. Lifting her head slightly she looked at Batgirl and sent one word telepathic message.
[RUN!]
Krios with a grunt tore a few broken down bumper cars from their ride and proceeded to crashed them onto M'gann. Once, then twice, then as if for good measure he raised them just a little bit higher before crashing them down on top of her for a final time.
"I hate Martians... I really hate them," Krios muttered.
Turning his gaze back to Batgirl she again saw something more then the general anger and tiredness she was expecting.
'Why does he look so sad at me!'
It was a question she felt the urge to demand and answer for but now was not the time.
Neither of them made a move but stared at one another for almost a minute.
Finally, Krios sighed and raised his hand in a snapping gesture.
"If you hurry you can probably save your friends. I doubt you will be able to save Joker's henchman, you guys knocked them out all over the place."
Then with a slight grimaced expression he snapped his fingers.
SNAP!
His snap echoed loudly with a distinct snap of metal beams cracking and the groan of rusted rivets straining and failing. The giant ferris wheel made from old iron and steel shuddered, Krios had broken the supports and now it was tipping down towards them with an increasing speed.
Krios began walking away swiftly from the impending disaster. Shouting over his shoulder he said,
"Catch me and leave your friends and the henchman to die, save Joker's henchman and probably sacrifice your friends, either way don't ever get in my way again. This is my last warning, next time, I will kill you Barbara."