Chapter 16 - 16. Aftermath

A.N.

Hi all messed up the release last week. chapter 14 & 15 were switched. To be fair I set it on a timed release. 

On another note, quite a bit of people are recommending I use "" rather than ''. I hear you. So as much as '' saves me a few microseconds when writing, I'll instead switch to "" for you. Hahaha. 

Thank you all for supporting this story so far. I hope you enjoy. 

Cheers!!!

---

Kara sits on a couch, watching over the resting mercenary. On his lap, Toji' s caterpillar monster is snoozing while she gently pats its head. After the loss of Ra's al Ghul, the League of Assassin's retreated with whatever was left of their master. Kara carried Toji and brought him under the cabin's secret basement where the Bat family hid a secret boom tube that led to their base at the Hall of Justice. Everyone was shocked at their sudden appearance, but at that moment, Kara didn't care. Her and the rest of the team led the dying mercenary to the med bay. After half a day's work, they managed to stabilize him. 

It was chaos after that. Kal, her lovable cousin, was screaming at everyone. Diana was more reasonable as she tried to asking proper questions. Batman, on the other hand, was being his gloomy stoic self which didn't help anyone.

The door to the med bay opens and Barbara walks in with a plate of food. She hands it to Kara who happily munches on it, giving bits and pieces to the little monster on her lap. "How are you not grossed out by that thing?" asks Barabara, watching with disgust as the thing's tiny hands squirm with delight.

"What do you mean? I think he's pretty cute". Kara rubs the thing's chin making it wriggle some more.

Barbara watches the thing before looking at their patient. "How's he doing?

"Better. His wounds are stable. From the number of scars on his body, he's been in a few life-or-death situations already. This might just be another Tuesday for him". Kara frowns as she looks at the man's scars.

Barbara studies her friend and then smiles. "So- you and him, huh".

Kara blushes. "I mean it's not yet official. You think I should make it official when he wakes up?"

"Dude, you only dated him twice. And it's not even a real date. You were interrogating him the whole time".

"Yeah, well dating is literally just an interrogation but with food. Plus, if you add up the hours we had together, it's pretty much like five dinner dates already. Maybe even six".

"Kara, look at him. He's a merc!"

"Well love is blind", says Kara, crossing her arms.

"Love is also speed-running, apparently", responds Barbara as she rolls her eyes.

"Yeah, well-"

"Fine, you win", her friend says, both hands raised in defeat. "Whatever. Just don't come crying to me when your love story turns into a tragedy. Or worse, a harem. It's horrible. Trust me, I know".

Barbara shrugs as she leaves the room. Kara sighs, pitying her friend and the things Dick put her through. "Just so you know, if you cheat on me, I won't be as nice as Barbara".

Toji opens his eyes. "How did you know?"

"That you were awake? I was listening to your heartbeat the whole time. It sped up when I talked about making it official", says the girl with a wide grin.

Toji looks at her with an impassive face. "Kara, we barely even know each other. There are things about me that-"

"It's okay. I'm in no rush either", she says in a gentle tone. "We'll let future Kara and Toji figure that out. For now, let's just keep doing what we're doing and go from there".

Toji studies her and eventually nods. Kara looks into his eyes and gives him a gentle smile.

"Food?" asks Kara, suddenly louder and more upbeat.

"Sure".

Kara then sits next to him, the two of them sharing a plate while Kara gossiped about everything that happened the past few days. Toji simply listened as he enjoys her company.

---

Bruce looks at the computer, watching everything that happened that night. He observes as the Meta Killer stabs Ra's al Ghul. Watching how things unfolded, Bruce has a feeling that this death would be the immortal man's final one.

Remembering how things had gone after that gave Bruce a headache. Clark and the rest of the Justice League had cornered him with questions. He eventually managed to calm them down and the group continued the discussion in the meeting room.

---

"What's this really about?" Batman turns and sees Superman's scowling face.

Batman turns on a hologram and the Meta Killer appears. "Over the past few months Toji, the Meta Killer, a known metahuman has made a name for himself as a mercenary.

"As you all know, he mainly takes contracts that target other metahumans. For some reason, he's managed to get the attention of the Light". Batman flips a switch and the hologram switches to Lex Luthor, Queen Bee and Ras al Ghul, all known members of the villainous organisation. "I managed to confront Luthor and confirm their growing interest in the Meta Killer".

"What does this have to do with what happened to Kara and the rest of the kids?" asks Superman impatiently.

Batman sighs. "Luthor contacted me. He warned me about Ra' s al Ghul's plans to take Toji. He said that if the Justice League interfered, then the League of Assassins would have to make things more personal between us and the Light".

Superman's scowl deepened. "Do they know about-"

"Yes", answers Batman. "Knowing Ra's, he's already figured out most of our secret identities. Although, I doubt the rest of the Light knows about our personal lives. As twisted as it is, the primary members of the League of Assassins still hold to a code of Honor".

"Would that be enough?" asks Wonder Woman.

Batman shakes his head. "No. It's why I made counter-measures for when they decide to move against our families. However, with Ra's al Ghul truly gone, I'll have to figure out a way to convince they from doing anything rash".

The hologram switches again, now showing the Meta Killer stabbing the Ra's and him transforming into something they could barely recognize.

"How did he even do that? Isn't he just gonna come back again after he does the magic bath thing?", asks the Flash.

"I doubt it", Batman responds. "Throughout the months, we've discovered that the Meta Killer uses weapons imbued with magic. It's how he managed to overpower Supergirl. As of this moment, it's safe to assume that whatever he did to Ra's will remain permanent".

"Isn't that a good thing. I mean I get it that we have a no killing rule, but Ra's is a terrorist".

This time, it's Batman's turn to scowl. "No. Ra's al Ghul's death will leave a power vacuum. Now that he's gone, others will try to take over the League of Assassins. As bad as he was, Ra's managed to hold the League with an iron grip. Without him, we don't know how much chaos the fight for power will eventually cause".

The room grows quiet at that.

Superman looks at Batman. "We still don't understand why the Light wants the Meta Killer".

"They want him because of this". Batman changes the hologram, now showing the Meta Killer's profile. It then focuses on his DNA.

Everyone stares at it quizzically except for the Flash who suddenly gasps. "That's impossible".