Risk It All: Fresh Hand (ch. 36) (Patreon)

"Jin," Father spoke, his tone decidedly even as he stood outside of her cell. He wore a black and white martial arts robe with a detailed white tiger that started at the hem, its head curling around his right shoulder to bare its teeth. It looked like something that an American teenager might wear because it looked cool, then look back at regret when they developed an actual taste in style. However, Father projected strength with it.

"Father," Jin returned, knowing that she cut a far less imposing figure in her bright orange prison slacks, the top half tied around her waist leaving her torso clad in a white tank top. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun, the dyed streak in it already fading. Her prison cell was pretty terrible and overstuffed with a dozen other cellmates. The walls were covered in scratch marks and tallies and insane gibberish.

Apparently, she wound up in the Joker's old cell in Arkham since it was one of the few places that could act as a prison and was within the big walls put up.

"I expected you to escape by now," Father spoke, a disappointed edge in his voice.

To that, Jin shrugged, "It would have been pretty easy, but I was using the time to meditate." To think. "Ren beat me. Pretty badly. Part of that was that I was too confident, but he gained strength way too fast to be normal. I mean, if he was distilling Qi pills from the spirit beasts we made, then it would make sense, but he beat me before it even started." That was the confusing part.

Something just didn't add up with her cousin. Jin had plateaued when she was thirteen. She had reached the upper most limit that was available to cultivators. The Elders and Father had still been stronger than her, but that was just experience making a difference. That, and the fact that she was young and they were old as dirt. Ren only found out about their family history in the past year according to her father. More than that, he didn't have access to their martial arts tomes or histories.

All the same, Ren had beaten her. He beat her after she had her first qi pill after slaying a proof of concept artificial spirit beast, which took her strength to intoxicating heights. The first marked improvement she had in years. He beat her with a style that he developed himself.

That wasn't normal. Her defeat shamed her, and Jin accepted that shame. It wasn't an excuse or justification either. Ren was proving to be an entity that was so far outside the norm that he couldn't even be celebrated as a prodigy. He was something else entirely. And she knew that the next time that they fought, he would be even stronger. It was thrilling and frightening.

Father frowned ever so slightly but offered a small nod, "So long as you learned something from your time here, then all is forgiven." He said, gesturing for her to step out of her cell. Jin paid no mind to those that watched her leave with envy -- they were trash that didn't even recognize their own powerlessness.

"I didn't think I was going to get picked up at all," Jin admitted, following in step with her Father as he led the way. This wasn't normal either. She should have been left in that cell until her dying day, or until she escaped. Her family wasn't the type to bail their kid out of the drunk tank like a normal family would.

"Optics," Father answered, striding past those that sat in the halls of the makeshift prison. Cots lined the walls that inmates were cuffed to, though that didn't stop them from making noise or trying to lash out at those around them. Jin was shocked that the world was bothering with prisons at all. She figured things would go back to the olden' days when dangers to society were dealt with permanently. "Great-grandfather decided that it would be unbecoming to have one of our blood in prison, deserved or not."

"So, he asked politely and I'm out?" Jin questioned, earning a small tilt of the head from her Father. So, not politely. "Huh. Soft power is weird."

"Our family has always held a great deal of influence. The world simply knows it now," Father stated before they reached the front door of Arkham Asylum. Once they did, a loud clap of thunder rang in her ears before a portal of some kind appeared before them. It was a pitch-black void that was surrounded by strands of light. Father didn't hesitate to step into that void, so neither did Jin.

The moment she did, Jin saw that she was back home. Only there were some subtle differences as they arrived under the red arch that marked the entrance to their home. The courtyard leading up to the arch was filled to the absolute brim with people on their hands and knees, completely soaked in the torrent of water that poured from the sky. Some of them looked like they were on the verge of death, others looked fresh but discouraged. All the while, a speaker stood before them while two servants prevented either her or her father from getting wet with offered umbrellas.

"The weak have no place in the Heavenly White Tiger Sect. Should you die from a mere pestilence on our hollowed grounds, then know you died with the honor of attempting to enter our glorious sect!" The speaker called out. And, as one, those trying to enter responded.

"Glory to the Heavenly White Tiger Sect!" They chanted, one ill-looking man collapsing with a hacking cough. Still, with a shaking body, he pressed his forehead to the stone to continue his beseeching to enter the sect.

Jin waved off the drenched servant, pushing the umbrella so it covered her, leaving Jin to be drenched by the rain. It was the closest thing she had to a shower in weeks. Prisoners were at the bottom of everyone's concern. She savored the feeling of water against her skin as her clothing rapidly became soaked, drenching her to the bone as they walked up the steps to her family manor. Sadly, any traces of her Uncle's exploits of burning the entire compound down was scrubbed away like the 'shame' that it was.

The manor was located in the mountains, built at the peak of one that stood above the clouds on most days. The manor was tall with a good half dozen stacked roofs, each one marking a different floor. There were tall walls around the compound itself, an ornate gate that was opened for them to display those that had earned the right to learn from them. It was the basics -- punches, kicks, how to take a blow. They were building up their foundation first. Then they would learn how to cultivate.

"Honored Masters!" The initiates called out to them, bowing at the waist as they clasped bloodied fists. If they were shocked by her appearance, then they didn't show it as they walked by to enter the manor that she grew up in.

"Any of them worth mentioning?" Jin asked as they stepped inside, water dripping from her.

Father shook his head, "Some have talent, but it remains to be seen if they manage to cultivate their true potential. The fact of the matter is it's a culture shock. Even among dedicated martial artists. Normal humans simply lack the willpower to meet our standards." He said as she left a trail of water. "I'll let you know if there are any worth devouring."

Jin gave a hungry smile at that, undoing her tight bun and letting her soaked hair fall. The inside of the manor was richly decorated -- vases, pots, and weapons from every era of Chinese history. And more than a few that predated the idea of China itself. Servants cleaned up her trail of water without complaint. "I'd rather go hunting," she admitted.

The praying mantis gave her blue balls. She had nearly killed it, only for the Justice League to deny her the prize. And after her defeat, Jin's focus was on making another breakthrough with her martial arts. She had read every scroll in the compound. For years, she knew exactly how to reach greater heights, but she lacked the strength and the materials to reach them. It was maddening.

"We have something to discuss with the Light before that. Make yourself presentable. Traditional styling, my daughter. The Elders desire to make… an impression." Father said, and Jin rolled her eyes to the heavens and made an indignant grunt. One of the servants gasped at the disrespect. She must be new. The lack of respect between generations wasn't anything new and Jin never hid it.

Still, it wasn't like she could tell the old fossils to kiss her ass. Not when she had been disgraced with defeat so recently.

So, she let herself be bathed and dressed. The servants scrubbed away at her skin, getting rid of a month worth of prison stench. Then they dried her after lathering her up with oils and lotions. Jin held out her hands while she was dressed -- she was perfectly capable of doing all of this herself, but it was just so much more convenient to just… not. Why exfoliate her skin when she had a half dozen servants do it for her and call it an honor? People called spa days a luxury and every day was one for her.

The hot pink strip in her freshly trimmed hair stood as a stark contrast to the traditional black and white dress that she wore. Her little rebellion that would never end against the old shits that were determined to control every aspect of her life. Hopefully, they would croak before they rediscovered immortality. And if they didn't, Jin fully intended to kill them once she was strong enough. Out with the old and in with the new.

Some hours later, Jin found herself kneeling next to her father, just behind him to convey the proper respect. Before them both was their grandfather, just with her there was an extra great tacked on there. Bai Song. The Great Elder and Sect leader for the past eighty years. He was a real piece of shit. The kind that killed half the human population because of his ego. He wanted to feel important before he finally died.

Jin hated him. Her grandparents weren't much better. Sure, she didn't particularly care that half the human population was put in the dirt, but she hadn't gone along with the plan because she wanted to feel like she mattered. It wasn't vanity that drove her action. It was a desire to live in a world where everyone mattered. Everyone behind the wheel when it came to control over their lives -- not money, not their corporate boss, not god either. Just people making choices for themselves.

She kept her indignation to herself as the video call began, holograms being projected of the members of the Light.

"This was not the plan," Lex Luthor started, cold anger in his voice. The man had genuine rage in his eyes that was conveyed perfectly through the hologram. Klarion the Witch boy was muted because he was doubled over, clutching his stomach as he howled in silent laughter. "Select exposure. A controlled release. Not this… whatever this even is! You've killed the economy, global trade, and industry! Humanity has all that it needs to take to the stars and I can't build any of it!" He snapped, glowering at Bai Song, who simply leaned on his gnarl wood cane.

"While I have seen some benefit due to the arrangement," Queen Bee, who now ruled over Bialya and Qurac with an iron fist thanks to her disproportionate military spending. Jin guessed the mentality of 'fuck those kids going to school, we need more tanks' paid off. No good deed goes unpunished and every bad deed gets rewarded. "Overall, I, and the Light, would have appreciated… some forewarning." She continued, her tone diplomatic.

Bai made a dismissive sound, looking straight ahead at the hologram directly before them. Vandal Savage the Immortal. Another old man that had done exactly fuck all with his incredible lifespan. "It was a test to see if you were worthy of my attention," Bai said, arrogance dripping from his voice. Jin couldn't stop herself. She rolled her eyes so hard they just about flew out her head.

And that's how she knew she could be seen by the Light because Ra's Al Ghul nearly smiled.

"As you see, we are," Vandal Savage responded, a gruffness to his tone that betrayed the fact that he also wasn't satisfied with what had happened. "Queen Bee's point remains -- even with as little as a few weeks, the Light could have prepared for this and we would be in a very different position. However, a warning was not given. The Light is a partnership. We are among equals. There is no first among us." Outright bullshit, but whatever.

Bai sneered so hard that Jin hoped he pulled something, "The Song Dynasty has no peers."

"If that were so, then we would not be having this conversation," Vandal Savage pointed out.

"We are speaking because my foolish grandson believes that you are worth something. As he is my chosen heir, I have decided to allow him to handle this matter -- but know this; you exist at my benediction. Prove yourselves valuable to my dynasty and you shall prosper. Prove useless and you will suffer annihilation." Bai told them in no uncertain terms.

It might have been an empty threat before, Jin could admit that much. But that was before her family took control of a quarter of the planet and gained access to skills and techniques long since lost to them. Vandal Savage could say what he liked, but even with her passing understanding, she understood that her family was the first amongst equals. And, right now, it was well within their power to wipe out the Light.

With that, Bai left the room, not even sparing her a glance as he did so. So much for getting dressed up. Once the sliding door had closed, Father offered Vandal Savage a small, conciliatory nod. "I understand that the circumstances are not ideal, but I do believe that the Light are in a prime position to benefit from the situation."

"I'm not," Lex Luthor answered. "My company is paralyzed. Even with my resources, it's become completely untenable to produce enough to meet demands. Wayne, Kord, and Queen are all set to surpass LexCorp on account that they're using advanced alien technology. I'm effectively being cut out. The favors I cultivated over a decade are completely worthless because you and your family either killed those that owed them to me or invalidated them." Lex was pissed. As in actually deeply furious that was only just barely restrained. "None of which would have happened if you sent so much as a letter declaring your intent. I could have prepared for this. I didn't because I assumed no one would be this stupid."

Ra's offered a small nod, "My own network suffered similar losses. With most of the world under martial law, my agents on the civilian side are currently without work and my influence is limited."

Klarion was still muted, but based on how things looked, he didn't have any complaints.

"What is the goal behind this?" Vandal Savage asked, undercutting all the bitching.

Father flicked his wrist and a screen appeared before all of the holograms. "This is the layout for my plan. In short -- the initiates shall be pushing out of our sanctuaries to relieve the strain. Means of production that be focused in China for the world, at least until we do as Lex Luthor promises, and take to the stars. An endeavor that he will spearhead. During the meantime, Queen Bee holds the world's largest oil reserves that can still be extracted."

Father could dress it up how he liked, but it was obvious that these were orders. He was telling them what would be done.

"In the meantime, our focus shall be to ensure that every human becomes meta-human, develops arcane abilities, or learns to cultivate to at least an initiate level. As such, when humanity does take to the stars and we become a fledgling empire, humanity is not found lacking in martial talents when compared to other species -- such as Kryptonians."

Lex Luthor frowned, "Easier said than done. Again, it could have been arranged with forewarning, but the initial chaos is over. The death toll that you seek can't happen again without a complete social collapse."

To that, her Father smiled. "There's no need for any more unnecessary death. I believe I have a plan that will satisfy all of your concerns. As well as make the Light the de facto leaders of the world -- but, first," Father said, just as he caught Luthor's interest. "I would like to make a proposal. In recent times, we have seen the effectiveness of the heroes black ops team, of which my nephew is a part. While he is undoubtedly a major contributor to its success, I believe that it would be prudent to flatter the heroes with mimicry."

Another screen appeared, this one something that Jin could actually see. "I have reached out to Deathstroke to oversee a dedicated covert team for the Light. Of which, my daughter Jin shall lead." The rest of the info was a potential team. Ra's Al Ghul frowned at the picture of a fourteen-year-old girl called Cassandra Cain, whoever that was.

Who caught Jin's attention was a white-haired girl with an eye patch over one eye -- Rose Wilson, codename Ravager, daughter of Slade Wilson, codename Deathstroke. Jin decided that she liked the look of her. There was a deranged glint in that single blue eye of hers. She seemed fun.

Mammoth, a Kobra-Venom test subject, would be on the team as a heavy hitter. Some pissant midget called Gizmo would be as well.

"An interesting proposal, one worth exploring," Lex remarked. "But I'm far more interested in this plan of yours." He outright stated, the situation wearing his patience thin.

Father smiled lightly, "It's a simple thing, truly. Even better, the heroes shall only help us in this endeavor. By the end of it, no matter what they do… we will control the fate of humanity."

…

"He's doing what?" Clark Kent, though at the moment he donned the persona of Superman, questioned, flying over what had once been Chicago. It was deemed to have suffered too much damage and it wasn't large enough to house even a fraction of the population needed, so it was passed over. Now, however, Clark was hoping to reclaim it.

The crystalline structure, the same material that his Fortress of Solitude was made out of, was rapidly growing to become a secure wall. The AI manifestation of his father warned against utilizing the technology, even during the worst disaster that Earth had ever seen. He understood the logic. Even when the Guardians of the Universe offered so very little to help humanity. He fundamentally understood what their concerns were.

Humanity, after this, was currently on the course to not only abandon earth, but become an aggressive empire. Already they had the technology to reach Mars in less than a day. The wounds of this event -- of being forced to hide behind walls, cowering at forces they couldn't hope to beat, was going to inspire rapid militarization. The wounds would become painful scars. Already there were voices demanding that they should relocate to Mars. Regardless if the Martians wanted them there or not.

Still, Clark brought forth the technology. He was a weak man at heart despite his strength. If he could help someone, then he would help them. In the future, he could look to help guide humanity down a better and more peaceful path. For now, he just concerned himself with dealing with the massive overpopulation of major cities to alleviate the pressure.

That, and what Ren Song was currently up to.

"He's established his own sect, as he calls it: The HWTFAS," Diana answered, a quiet amusement in her tone that was overshadowed by how tired she sounded. How tired they all were.

"An acronym?" Clark questioned, frowning as he watched the Red and the Green begin to stir in the ruins of Chicago. Mighty beasts began to emerge from where they laid dormant while vines, grass, and flowers began to grow into monstrous creatures. The moment they caught sight of each other, they began to battle, further destroying the city. It was convenient at the moment because he would be demolishing it all anyway, but it was still alarming.

"The Heavenly White Tiger Fist Ain't Sh-" Diana started, earning a startled chuckle from Clark.

"Right, I should have guessed." It would t be true to say that he didn't have some doubts about Ren at the start, but the young man had rapidly proven he had a good heart. And that he could hold a grudge. "I know he was looking to teach the Team some of his breathing techniques, but I never heard of any development there." That had been weeks ago. Clark didn't expect to hear of any development for at least a few more.

"Kid Flash has gotten faster according to the Flash, but that's all I've heard," Diana answered. "Admittedly, I've fallen out of touch with the Team and Ren. I only learned that he wanted to establish his own sect when he wanted to clear it with the League." There was shame in her voice, but there shouldn't be.

He hadn't spoken to his parents in a week at least. The aftermath of the disaster was taking a huge toll on all of them. Martial law was helping, even if Clark found it distasteful. The influx of metahumans was also proving to hurt as much as it helped -- there were many that answered their call. Just as there were many that used their powers selfishly. Clark understood why they did it. Still, he wished that they wouldn't. Overall, they were barely hanging on, chipping away at a mountain of issues that only seemed to grow larger by the second.

Clark was about to respond when something caught his attention -- a creature erupted from the ground with explosive force, and when the dust cleared, it revealed what had once been a bearded dragon. Now, it was something else entirely with thick armor-like scales, its body producing an incredible amount of heat that Clark felt flying a good hundred feet above. The source of the heat was revealed when magma dripped from the salamander's mouth that it unleashed on the encroaching vines that snaked over the lesser creatures.

Ren's father explained what the beasts were. They were enhanced to a baseline, but they could cultivate by feeding on large sources of Qi. Meaning humans. Those that ate a great deal began to evolve into something more than just enhanced animals. They developed traits that made them far more dangerous than they would normally be.

"Ren wants to go public with his sect. He's worried that his family in China is going to ensure that they're the only option when it comes to baseline humans being able to cultivate. So far, he's been proven right. The Song family has been subjugating the other sects in the area," Diana continued, bringing his mind back to the conversation as he watched the Red and the Green struggle. The destruction to the city was devastating, with magma freely flowing over the streets and vines the size of buildings smacking down on the ground.

Clark didn't know what to make of the idea. He could see the benefits and the downsides quite clearly.

"That's a lot of pressure on him," Clark voiced his greatest concern. He hadn't thought Ren was ready to be team leader. He had hoped that role would have gone to Kaldur. The fact that he had been wrong was a relief, but his concerns were still valid -- that was a lot of responsibility for a young man to take in normal circumstances, more so given that unlike his counterparts on the Team, Ren didn't have years of experience or years of tutelage under a mentor.

"I believe that he can handle it," Diana spoke in favor.

That tipped the scales in her favor, but Clark did have another concern. "I think it's too early. The situation is volatile as it is. The Song family proved the power of martial arts, and if Ren desires to teach publically, a lot of people are going to want to learn. I'm worried that most of them won't have pure intentions." Clark admitted, drifting up when his keen hearing picked up a new sound.

Looking to his left, he saw Poison Ivy. Bruce had always said that she was a world class threat that, for the most part, flew under the radar t. And sure enough, in the past month, that fact was proven all too true.

"We shall make you suffer for this! For every blade of grass you trampled underfoot!" Ivy screamed at the top of her lungs, riding a root that shot forward at incredible speeds. Clark's lips thinned as he saw first hand what Bruce had reported -- the empowerment of the Green had adverse effects on Poison Ivy. She was stronger than ever before as seen when the root knocked over the growing crystal wall. She only ever referred to herself as part of a whole now. Clark was forced to wonder how much of Pamela Isley was left in the woman and how much was an avatar for the Green.

"The Team is being expanded. Let's wait until we manage to release some pressure on the cities, let Ren get used to leading an expanded team, and then we can address going public with his sect." Clark voiced, starting to descend. When the plan was to level the city and replace it with crystal fortification, things were getting out of hand.

"I agree. I will give him the news."

Good. One less thing to worry about.

…

"Okay, that's not supposed to happen," I voiced, looking at the training area inside our multidimensional room. It had a pretty big sparring area that I was using as a testing field for the various amounts of progress the Team made with their breathing styles. Wally saw the most progress, surprisingly. The kind of progress that brought him to just shy of Mach 2, nearly doubling his speed.

Robin had seen decent enough progress. The same could be said for the others with Kaldur bringing up the rear. It wasn't a lack of talent, just biological differences -- his lungs made an adaptation for his gills and he also used magic for his waterbending. I wouldn't say it was impossible for him to learn, but it was starting to look like I would have to find a different way to teach him.

However, at the moment, that was the furthest concern I had.

"I did it on accident last night," Conner admitted, frost emoting from his mouth as we looked at the layer of ice that formed in the floor and free weight, thick icicles forming where the ice didn't completely cover. I'm not entirely sure what was going on, to be honest.

In the past few weeks, the focus had been on expanding the Team's lungs and making them more powerful. The current goal they had to reach was to inflate an inflatable ring with a single breath. Conner saw the most progress on account of his Kryptonian biology, but this…

"You have ice breath?" I questioned, scratching my head at the scene. It was pretty weird, to be honest. It was a simple thing to make your breath hot or cold, but Conner had taken it to an extreme and I had absolutely no idea how. "Actually, try to heat up your breath, like-" I started, and Conner tried.

In response, fire licked at his lips as a small stream that was abruptly ended when he snapped his mouth shut. He looked at me, silently demanding an explanation. I could only shrug my shoulders, "I have no clue," I admitted without hesitation. "I'd say ask Superman, but I don't think he has either of those powers."

To that, Conner smirked to himself, eyeing the iced over gym equipment. "He doesn't, does he?" His issues with Superman were well established at that point, so the remark didn't surprise me. Still, the odd mutation of his breathing caught me off guard.

However, before I could think more on it, the door to the gym opened up. Zatanna stepped through, her expression one of concern. "We have a mission. It's Dr. Fate."

That caught my attention -- Dr. Fate had fallen into obscurity after the second World War, but in the past month he became the most recognized superhero on the planet. He was the reason that there was a humanity left at all.

"It's complicated, and I don't know all the details… but he's dying. And his successor needs to be rescued."

A myriad of emotions passed through me at that, but I pushed them all to the side.

Things had changed. The missions that we went on… the stakes had never been higher.

This was a mission that we couldn't afford to fail.

"Alright. Let's get it done, then."