See No Evil: Starting Line (ch. 76) (Patreon)

"It's a very rare thing for one of my children to achieve greatness on their own, I am sad to say," Vandal Savage remarked as we watched the mushroom cloud spread up and out, acting as a gravestone to Infinity Island and Ra's Al Ghul. I watched him die. No last minute fakeouts, or pulling a disappearing act, or teleporting out at the last second. The blast claimed him, obliterating every cell in his body. He was dead. For good.

One less thing to worry about. Only about a billion left.

"I do hope that you aren't expecting a heartfelt reunion from me. There won't be any tearful hugs just because you spawned me. I mean, thanks for banging my mom and knocking her up -- I'm probably the best thing you've ever done for the world, but I'll still put you in the dirt if you give me a good reason," I returned. Working the son angle was an unexpected development. I'm not sure if he genuinely thought that would change anything.

Family was more than just shared blood.

I spared him a glance, trying to guess what his game was. He already had me admit to crashing the economy. He had me admitting to murders. And taunting a pretty shitty parent. The optics weren't great. I was already making moves to roll with the punches that the Light would be throwing, but there was only so much I could do. Flipping the situation to my advantage needed more than just counters.

"How can you speak to our father like that?" Kassandra demanded, fully buying into the father-son bullshit. She really just believed everything that Savage said wholesale, huh?

I gave her a flat look, "Because what difference does it make?" I asked her, my gaze flickering back to Savage. "I just took out the League of Shadows. Son or not, I doubt daddy dearest is going to let that one go. So, what does it matter?"

I could hear Kassandra grinding her teeth, but she stopped when Savage chuckled. "On that point, you are very much correct. This little display was meant to keep you in line. A reminder that we can kill the people that you love at our convenience," he admitted freely. And I suspected that follow up was about to come a lot sooner than I had hoped. "The next time that a Boom Tube appears under someone's feet, it might lead into a pit of lava or the vacuum of space."

I swallowed my first retort. He was taunting me. Poking me into a reaction.

He was testing me. He knew that I knew that I would be punished for this. I couldn't just take out one of the mainstay members of the Light over, in their eyes, a pissing contest. And he was seeing if I would take the punishment with grace. Regardless of what it might be.

I worked my jaw for a moment, "And the next time we teleport, you might find yourself inside the sun." I returned his posturing threat with one of my own. Savage met my gaze, his eyes narrowed into a mild glare. He was trying to unbalance me. Reveal that I was his 'kid', make some idle threats, and make me submit. I don't think he was a man that was used to having peers, despite the slogan of the Light. "Look, I get it. I do. But this is going to happen every single time."

I couldn't take the punishment with grace. If the Light got a good, clean hit on me, then it would be a knockout. With the stakes so damn high, I had to keep winning this game. The Light and the Reach were in league to fuck me. If I didn't start swinging, they'd fuck me into the dirt and I'd never leave the hole that they left me in. Despite the nice words and shared dreams, I proved too unwieldy to be a pawn.

And Vandal Savage didn't get to where he was by leaving loose ends.

So, I gave him what he wanted. If I had to get hit, then I wanted to choose where so I could counter him and put him on his ass.

"You're young. Sixteen years old," Vandal Savage remarked. And I had almost forgotten about that fact.

I offered a smirk sharp enough to cut, "I'm turning seventeen soon enough." And I was on paper.

"You're young," Vandal Savage stressed, turning to face me as the boat gently rocked with the tide. "I'm fifty thousand years old, my son. Do you have any idea the countless number of times that I have stood where you are? To be so convinced that my arrogance was confidence because I never lost? That because I always won it meant that I couldn't lose?" He asked me, his tone flat and harsh.

I really didn't like how he was talking down to me like he actually was my dad.

And I really didn't like how he was trying to take control of the conversation. I had to take control back and I had to paint a target on my cheek to convince him to hit there with all of his strength. Otherwise, he was going to make me confess to more…

Hm.

"I'm sure you have. I'm not dismissing you or what you've done. I don't even want to know the number of times you've changed the world. I mean, how many legendary figures are you? Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, Gilgamesh, and who else?" I questioned, interjecting smoothly with a shake of my head. "But that's my point. You've changed the world, but you've never controlled it. For fifty thousand years you've walked the planet and you couldn't even stop a punk-ass brat like me from snatching the world out of the palm of your hands. You won't control the world. Not like I will."

Vandal Savage made a sound of distaste while I gestured to Talia, who silently watched the mushroom cloud. "You can barely control the Light, much less the fate of the universe. How in the fuck do you intend to battle things out with Darkseid of all people-"

Vandal Savage lunged for me, grabbing me by the throat and pushing me against the ledge of the boat. Revy appeared instantly, the barrel of a gun pressed against his temple, but he didn't seem to notice as he glared at me, his face twisted into a snarl. "How do you know that?!" He hissed at me, and I just smiled.

"You mean your little deal with the New God of Tyranny?" I questioned, not at all bothered. That, I will admit, might have been an overstep on my part. I wanted to unbalance him, but I should have gone with something else. "Not that hard to figure out with the right tools. But you haven't answered my question -- what's the plan? I'm curious. Because, as far as I can see, your plan is fucked. You can't handle me, much less Darkseid."

It was the truth, though. And when I saw the expression on his face, how it twisted, I knew I overstepped by a mile. Good.

"Watch your tongue, boy. You are meddling with forces that far outstrip your imagination," Vandal Savage growled, his grip tightening on my throat, but my barrier kept him at bay. That was the glorious thing of metaknowledge. I so very rarely got to use it like this -- as an offensive weapon.

I gave him a winning smile, "I think I know more than you if you honestly think you're more than a means to an end to get his hands on the Anti-life equation. That deal of yours? What a fucking joke," I said, pushing back as his grip on my throat lessened. Vandal Savage looked absolutely floored. The kind of expression that told me I got him exactly where I wanted him. I could practically see the cogs swirling in his mind, the questions that he was asking himself and the possibilities that he was considering. "But, since you didn't answer my first question, let me ask you this -- is it bullshit? The whole thing of humanity dominating the universe and blah blah blah?"

Vandal Savage slowly withdrew his hand, "No," he growled out, still paying no mind to the barrel of the gun at his temple.

"Then here's my offer -- back the fuck off. Step back, stop what you're about to do, and let me step up to the plate. You had your chance and you fumbled the ball right into my hands," I made the offer. An olive branch that we both knew was absolutely worthless. Because we both knew he wouldn't accept.

He regarded me and I think for the first time, he was looking at me like I was his peer, not a means to an end. I think he was even considering pretending to accept to get me to lower my guard. However, after a moment, he spoke, "You are an addict."

My eyes narrowed into slits as I bristled, but he continued.

"You aren't addicted to drugs or alcohol or even women like some believe. You're addicted to power. Power and control. And like an addict, you lash out blindly and destructively every time you think someone is threatening your stash," Vandal Savage uttered with contempt. "I expected better from you, Vergil. I expected someone that had accomplished so much so quickly to be more than a junkie."

As expected, he was good. He knew exactly where to poke to get a reaction.

So, I gave him a fucking reaction.

"If that's how you want to play it, then fine. But I don't tolerate threats. I'm sure you understand. And the Light… well, you are all very much threats to the future of humanity," I said, activating an order via my contacts. And, almost as if in response, a Boom Tube opened up behind Vandal Savage. Revy tensed her finger on the trigger, but I held her at bay with a gesture. Now wasn't the time to kill Vandal Savage. It might be more convenient, but I had wound him up.

I gave him a target and I knew he was going to hit me there. And, even better…

If I punched myself in the face, then I got to control how hard I was hit.

"It's been a fun chat. Let's not do it again," I said, giving Vandal Savage a wave. Kassandra watched me uncertainly, thoroughly caught off guard with the turn of events. I guess that this might be pretty weird for her since she thought that I was her half-brother. None of them said anything as Vandal Savage and his daughter vanished through the Boom Tube, leaving Talia where she was. I guess without the League of Shadows, they were cutting her loose.

And that really wasn't my problem.

"Vergil, what the fuck was that?!" Revy snarled at me, anger in her voice as she grabbed me by the shoulder, whipping me around to look at her and Cass. Who looked at me with a distinctly unhappy expression. I think it was the maddest I had ever seen her.

"That was a pissing contest," I admitted, sparing a glance at Talia. She just knelt there, looking forlornly at the mushroom cloud. Really depressing. "And I won it. For now. That being said…" I trailed off, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. I only just now realized that my heart was absolutely pounding at my chest. My mind was racing a million miles a minute, waiting for the Light's big move as I wrestled with seizing the initiative.

Because, if I was wrong, then I would be shooting myself in the foot.

"I… don't like you… when you're like that," Cass told me, her tone thoroughly blunt. She crossed her arms, glowering at me with disapproval. I swallowed thickly as I averted my eyes, feeling the words stab daggers into me. How well had I managed to shield Cass from who I truly was deep down? I was certain that she knew, but she wasn't like Tifa. Cass got blood on her hands once and rejected killing.

And I had never stopped. I was about to get a lot more blood on my hands.

"Let's… just go home, alright? We can discuss this there," I said, inputting a command to teleport us out. Revy, Cass, and I's bodies glowed brightly as we were being teleported. Revy gave a pointed look at Talia.

"What about her?" She asked me, a barely hidden request in her voice. It was tempting to give the order. Talia was one hell of a loose end to leave untied, but Cass was already pissed off. And murdering her would put Bruce on my tail when he came back because they had a weird romance thing going on.

I took a deep breath and sighed, "What about her?" I activated the teleportation, my vision filling with a bright light. We left her on the yacht to decide her own fate, which would probably involve trying to kill me at some point on a quest of vengeance. When the light faded, I found myself in my office with Revy and Cassandra.

As soon as we returned, I dragged a hand over my face as I all but collapsed in my chair. I sent a message to Tifa, who I saw had gathered up 2B and Miranda. I saw the immediate look of relief on her face as she started to march towards my office. With them on their way, I looked to Cassandra, who took a seat in her chair, looking between me and Revy.

"You… killed Shiva. My mother," Cass spoke slowly and deliberately. Revy responded by taking a seat of her own and kicking her feet up on my desk. "She was hurting. Inside. You… were very cruel to her."

"I was," I agreed instantly. "She kidnapped you. She knew about you and what you suffered, but did nothing. I was angry with her because she was using her issues and turning them into justifications to hurt you." I attempted to mollify her, but Cass' lips thinned in response. "I was cruel to provoke a reaction and to give the Light what they wanted -- me looking bad."

"So, you're done with them?" Revy questioned, cocking her head to the side.

I offered a small nod, leaning forward in my chair. "They aren't done with me, sadly." I admitted. Things were complicated. The timing was bad and I was starting to think it was done intentionally. If it was just the Light to deal with, then this would be a lot simpler -- kill Queen Bee, send Vandal Savage into the sun, murder Lex Luthor. With them out of the way, the Light more or less falls a part. There would be Black Manta and the Brain to contend with, but I doubt they would continue the work. Klarion would need to be wooed to make sure he didn't bring Savage back, but…

It was doable. I had made preparations since the very beginning.

However, there was the Reach to contend with. The Justice League was still in space. If I took out the Light, then that would only leave me to counter their influence on Earth. And my influence would be taking a hit because I knew that the Light would be prepared for me to kill them and would leave a damning parting gift from beyond the grave.

My hands were tied. Sort of. I had already entered the ring with the Light and I needed to control the fight, but I couldn't leave the Reach unattended for too long.

As if to agree with me, I received an alert.

A sigh escaped me, "Motherfuckers," I muttered under my breath. The Light was going for my proverbial throat. And I was going for theirs.

Cassandra frowned deeply at me but she got up. I watched her walk over, idly wondering if I was in for a slap. Instead, I was faintly surprised that she curled into my lap and rested her head against my shoulder. "Thank you for coming," I heard her say into the nape of my neck. I guess she was choosing to not be angry at me even if she did have reason to be. It was a relief.

I had to make a split second decision. I provoked the Light and they were coming for me. I knew where and I knew how hard. I needed to flip this on its head, but I didn't see a lot of great options to do so. Not in a way that would set me back possibly years or leave Earth at the mercy of the Reach. And…

Huh. Huh.

I had an idea.

Tifa barged into my office, exclaiming, "Cass!" She ran over, an expression of pure relief as she crossed the distance, glomping the two of us and gathering us both up into a powerful hug. I savored the sensation for a moment, the two of the most important people in my life holding me. 2B lingered nearby, clearly wanting to get in on the group hug, but not wanting to intrude. Until I gave her a gesture to. "I was so worried about you. I just heard that you were gone, and I…!" Tifa whispered fiercely to Cass, giving me a look of gratitude.

I gave her a small nod, telling her that everything was going to be okay. Because I was going to start making moves. I had to make the best of a bad situation. I didn't like it, but it was what it was.

Queen Bee's assassination was underway. As was the Brain's. Lex Luthor was making his own moves based on a second alert that I got. Vandal Savage was in the wind and I never had a bead on Black Manta.

"Tifa -- all of you," I spoke, going to stand up, much to the puzzlement of Cassandra and Tifa. "I'll need you all to take care of things for a bit. Revy, how do you feel like a trip to an alien planet to grease some wheels?" I asked her, making her eyebrows climb up high.

All the same, a wolfish grin tugged at her lips. She could smell blood in the water, "Sounds fun. Who am I bringing?"

"Whoever you have to to get the Justice League back home," I told her. The League being off planet did offer me some freedom of movement, but them being gone was a negative for me now. The situation had changed drastically. The Light and I weren't just posturing anymore. We were formally at odds.

I thought this day would come in a few years. When Lex was done with his term as President. Goes to show how disagreeable I could be when I wanted to be.

Revy nodded and I turned my gaze to Miranda, "Take care of business. On your end, it should be fine but you're going to go on the offensive with a list of targets," I told her. Miranda frowned slightly, but offered a curt nod.

Lastly, I turned to Tifa, Cass, and 2B. All three of them were giving me increasingly worried looks, "Everything is going to be fine. I promise. I have a plan."

"And if it doesn't work?" Tifa asked me, grabbing my hand and giving it a tight squeeze. I squeezed back.

Then I was properly fucked.

But I didn't think I was.

In lieu of answering, I leaned forward and kissed her. She leaned into the kiss, sensing that something was wrong, but she trusted me to take care of it. To take care of us. I appreciated the trust. I didn't even need to explain the situation to her, she just had faith that I would take care of things.

Breaking the kiss, I got confirmation that Queen Bee was dead. I had my androids returned the white phosphorus bomb that she had tried to return to me. The Brain, however, had managed to get away. I suppose the ability to teleport at any time would do that, but it was still annoying.

Looking to Cass, she darted forward, giving me a proper hug. 2B joined in as we said a silent farewell. For now.

Letting go, I took out my cards and set them on the desk. Reaching up, I pulled my contacts from my eyes for the first time in what felt like forever. I don't think I had removed them in nearly a year at this point. My eyes felt weirdly naked without them. Setting them into the card that was left empty, I felt completely naked despite being dressed in a three piece suit.

I shrugged off my blazer, then my tie and tie clip that housed my barrier. I took off my gloves, and then my vest, leaving me as unprotected as I've ever been.

I brushed a finger over the back of my deck, giving my girls one last lingering look. Then I winked and gave them a reassuring grin. "See you all soon. Keep an eye on the news," I told them, sending a loving look at my girls.

But, all the same, I marched towards the door to my office. I popped a button at my neck, and then another, leaving some of my chest exposed. The wine red dress shirt was form fitting as I rolled up the sleeves. Without my contacts or my cards… honestly, I barely felt like the same person. There was so much of the situation that I was missing as I entered the elevator and hitched a ride up to the surface. I couldn't see from a million different angles. All I had was my own two eyes and they were beyond limiting.

Vandal Savage was right. I was an addict. I wasn't looking for drugs or booze or chasing a high. But, even now, I was chasing power and control. It was because I was an addict that he would never see this move coming. Not until it was too late.

I arrived at the surface soon enough. Stepping out of the building, I spared a glance at the mural that had been painted on the wall of the Sainthood Enterprises HQ -- a picture of me standing before a rocket and the solar system. The tag line got a smirk from me.

"The future is now, old man," I quoted with a chuckle, the irony not at all lost on me. With a shake of my head, I started walking down the street. On the roads that I had built in a city that I remade in my image. There was nothing of the old Gotham to be found as I made my way through the increasingly crowded city. The streets were clean, the air was pleasant, and the people… the people were happy.

Tucking my hands into my pockets, I made my way down familiar roads, letting my feet carry me to the edge of Gotham. The Light would be making their moves and it was killing me to not know exactly what they had planned. I felt like someone had scooped my eyes right out of my head.

It took longer than I expected. I made my way all the way to the edge of Gotham and I started walking out of the city itself. I walked down a familiar highway that was dense with the cars of people entering the city for the opportunities that I had made. Hell, even the grass was a little greener on the sides of the road. I'm sure that people noticed it was me as they passed by. I kept Gotham to my back as I made my way down the highway, the sun shining overhead.

I didn't stop walking until I arrived somewhere familiar. A fork in the road just off the highway.

I took out an old slip of paper and spared a glance at its crumpled surface.

Go left for greatness. Go right for safety.

A smirk found its way on my face as I took a seat at the fork in the road. I folded the slip of paper that I had landed on this road with a year ago and I flicked it away, leaving it another piece of garbage on the side of the road. "I'd say I found greatness," I muttered to myself before I heard it. The sound of sirens. I didn't move from my spot as they got louder and louder. Before long, I was able to see the flashing red and blue lights.

A half dozen squads cars appeared, racing down the street. Flying above then were the Sentinels, who I gave my exact location. A sigh escaped me as I pushed myself to my feet, dusting off my pants as the lead squad car stopped, the driver getting out.

My gaze met James Gordon's, seeing the suspicion in his eyes as he approached. I held out my wrists to him with a smile on my face, making his gaze flicker down to them, then back to my face. He worked his jaw a moment, and for a split second, he looked so damn tired.

"Vergil St. Jude," he began, slapping cold iron cuffs on me. "You're under arrest for murder, fraud, and conspiracy. You have the right to remain silent…" he read me my rights with practiced ease before leading me to his car.

But my smile never left.

I was exactly where I wanted to be.