C512 Spider-Man (Patreon)
Content
In a secluded meeting room, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the other members of their faction gathered to discuss their approach to handling Batman's impending arrival. It was a somber and grave conversation as they grappled with the weight of their actions.
They weren’t stupid. They knew that Batman would quickly learn about what they did in the prison cells. Killing so many criminals, irredeemable or not, will no doubt p*ss off Batman. And they knew he wouldn’t sit still.
“…” A nervous silence filled the room as everyone contemplated the chaos to come.
Superman, with a furrowed brow, was the first to break the silence. "Batman will undoubtedly confront us about the executions. Our actions, while necessary in our eyes, go against everything he stands for. How do we handle this, and how do we convince him that it was the right choice?"
Wonder Woman, her eyes reflecting the same turmoil, chimed in. "We need to make it clear that they were beyond redemption, that they were a threat not just to us but to the world. The likes of Brainiac, Thawne, and others like them have caused untold suffering. It was our duty to ensure they could never harm anyone again."
Cyborg, his metallic features revealing a sense of unease, added, "But we also need to consider how we can prevent an all-out conflict with Batman and his side of the League. We can't afford to be divided, especially now, when we’re trying to shape the new order of the League."
Superman nodded in agreement, recognizing the need for unity. "Yeah, we should try to reason with them. Batman's a strategist, and we should try to present a strong case for our actions. Convince him that this was the only option."
As their conversation continued, the tension in the room remained high, but they hoped to resolve the coming conflict with words alone. They knew that their once-united League was at risk of splitting, and the consequences of that division could be dire.
…
Meanwhile, as Superman and his faction were hoping to solve things peacefully, Peter perked up in his seat, catching Tony’s attention. “They’re here…”
Hopping to his feet, Peter walked to the lobby of the Justice League, followed by Tony, who already activated his suit. Outside the floor ti ceiling windows, Peter let out a whistle as he watched an small army of heroes standing outside.
“Hey! Did he copy my suit?!” Tony asked, eying the man at the front of the arming forming outside.
Batman, in a mechanical Iron Man-like suit, led his faction to the Justice League headquarters. His eyes glowed in a green light, which matched the sleek outlines on his suit. He came for a fight and seemed to bring along the Kryptonite as well.
Peter shrugged as he and Tony casually stepped outside. “It does look alot like your armor, doesn’t it? Though I doubt he has any of your tech.”
Tony glared at Batman unhappily. “Jarvis, when did he scan my armor?”
Jarvis replies. “I apologize, sir, but there’s no record of any scans.”
As Tony was trying to figure out how Batman reverse engineered a template of his armor, the doors behind them opened once again, revealing Superman and a long trail of League members.
As the two sides stood across from one another with Peter and Tony at the center, Superman's eyes landed on Batman and widened as he caught sight of the armor he was wearing, realizing the presence of Kryptonite. It was a calculated move, a clear indication that Batman was ready to take extreme measures to make his point.
Superman began, his voice laced with regret and determination. "I know what you all have seen, and I understand how it looks. But we need you to understand the reasons behind our actions. These were not decisions taken lightly. Each of those criminals we executed posed a clear and present danger to the world, a danger that we couldn't allow to persist."
Batman, on the opposite side, his mechanical suit a constant reminder of the the impending battle, remained stoic. His voice was cold as he responded. "You slaughtered those people in their cells like animals. Actions like these can never be justified. We stand for justice, not vengeance. You took the law into your own hands, and you executed prisoners without a trial. This goes against everything we stand for."
Superman attempted to plead with his longtime friend, his voice tinged with desperation. "I had to make a difficult decision for the greater good. I hope you can understand that. I didn't want to put the world at risk by keeping those individuals alive. Their powers and ambitions were a threat we couldn't ignore."
Wonder Woman, who had long shared Superman's view but had never voiced it, stepped forward to support him. "I, too, felt that these villains had exhausted every chance at redemption, and would no doubt escape their imprisonment at some point. We're not evil, Batman. We're just trying to protect the world."
Black Adam, a formidable figure in his own right, nodded in agreement. "We must look at the bigger picture. Some threats cannot be held at bay with mercy alone. We had to take action to prevent further suffering."
Flash, unable to contain his anger any longer, interjected, his voice charged with accusations. "This isn't the League I joined. Before these two," he pointed to Peter and Tony, "showed up, we never even thought about killing anyone. They've corrupted our values, and it's time we got back on the right path."
Peter and Tony, caught in the middle of this intense standoff, attempted to mediate. Peter's voice was earnest as he spoke. "We understand your concerns, Flash, but not every situation can be resolved without making difficult choices. The world is not black and white. Sometimes, there is no other way to protect innocent lives but to kill those that would threaten them."
Tony chimed in as well. "We've seen firsthand the devastation these villains can cause. Sometimes, it's not about corruption but about adapting to the changing times. They’re just doing what's best, and we’re offering some guidance based on experience."
Despite the attempts at resolution, it was clear that both sides were entrenched in their positions. Batman remained unwavering, his hatred of murder in any form clear. "This can't stand. What you've done is murder, and I can't make exceptions, not even for friends and colleagues. I have no choice but to place you under arrest."
The room grew even tenser, and the threat of imminent conflict loomed. It was a moment none of them had ever anticipated, a fractured League, divided by ideals and actions that seemed irreconcilable.
“He knows he isn’t a police officer, right?” Tony whispered to Peter.
Peter nodded. “Yeah, I told him that already, but I don’t think that he cares.”
Wonder Woman turned to Batman, her eyes filled with sorrow. "Please reconsider what you’re about to do. We can't allow our differences to destroy everything we've built. We're supposed to be a team."
But Batman's response was resolute. "I'll do whatever it takes to uphold the principles we stand for." He says as he turns to Superman. “The same principles that you once stood for as well.”
Instantly after those words left his lips, the atmosphere crackled with tension as the two factions faced off, their once-united alliance now fractured beyond repair. A mere spark would ignite the powder keg of conflict.
Superman and his faction, their actions justified in their eyes, were prepared to stand their ground, even if it meant clashing with their fellow League members. Batman, resolute in his commitment to justice, stood firm, prepared to arrest his friends for the murders they had committed.
And with a powerful rush of air, the clash began.
Cyborg, surrounded by the hum of his mechanical body, was immediately attacked by Aquaman, the sea king's trident clashing against Cyborg's integrated weapons. The air echoed with the sounds of metallic strikes as the two collided.
Wonder Woman, her lasso in hand, clashed with Green Lantern, their fighting styles a stark contrast. The green constructs formed by the power ring met Wonder Woman's agile, sword-wielding techniques. Sparks flew as they exchanged blows, each determined to prove their point.
Flash, his speed a blur of crimson, darted across the battlefield, taking on both Peter Parker and Tony Stark. He delivered lightning-fast strikes, creating afterimages that left his opponents disoriented. Peter's spider sense tingled as he barely evaded each assault, while Tony's armor provided him with some much-needed protection.
Black Adam, radiating electric energy, faced off against the formidable Martian Manhunter. Their powers clashed, as Black Adam's might and Martian Manhunter's many abilities created a mesmerizing and destructive battle.
Superman and Batman, the leaders of their respective factions, locked eyes from their original positions. Their unwavering gazes were filled with sorrow and determination. Their clash, a confrontation between two pillars of the League, was inevitable.
As the tie sides fought with all their might, the area became a battleground. Debris and sparks filled the air as powers collided, and technology clashed with ancient weapons. The very foundations of the headquarters trembled under the strain of the conflict.
Each member of the League was a titan in their own right, and the battle was a mesmerizing display of their abilities. It was a testament to the power of the strongest organization in the world.
And as the clash unfolded, Superman looked to Batman, a sad frown on his face. “We don’t have to do this… We can stop the fighting before it gets out of hand and solve this peacefully.”
Batman looks at him for a moment, contemplating his offer before shaking his head side to side. “No, I think we’ve done more than enough talking. It’s time for action.”
A/N: 1648 words :)