The White House,,,
"I... want to talk to Batman." Superman said as he sat behind his desk.
The Shadowman stood by the door saluted before walking out into the hallway. Superman sighed as he put his head in his hands.
"What do you want Kent?"
Superman looked up to see Batman standing in the doorway. The Shadowman stood behind him.
"Leave us."
The Shadowman turned and walked away.
"Aren't you supposed to be finding my son?!"
"I'm working on it."
"Working on it?!"
"I have several more important cases at the moment. I've been keeping an eye on what Conner has been doing recently."
"Don't say his name."
"I'm waiting to see when he cracks and joins the rebels."
"You think he will?"
"It's inevitable. He hasn't come round to our way of thinking."
"And... what about this Deranger person?"
"...Working on it."
_____________
Metropolis
"What are you thinking D?" Kid Thunder asked.
"On a plan."
"For what?"
Deranger looked up clearly being annoyed.
"Well I dunno Kid! Let me see! Um... how to deal with The Brain taking a dozen of my men? On my wife being pregnant? On what to do when Superman decides to search every building in Metropolis for his son?!"
Kid Thunder looked surprised at the sudden outburst.
"Look. I'm sorry. I didn't know how much pressure you were under."
Deranger sighed.
"We need an advantage. Supes just killed Hawkgirl on public television. We need to strike him hard and let him know we aren't kidding around."
Kid Thunder was silent for a second.
"Kill the kid?"
"No. He's our bargaining chip. In case Supes ever knocks on our door we threaten to blow his head off."
"Plus we don't want Superman committing to making our lives a living hell." Escrima said as she walked in.
"Have you figured out what to do with the kid yet?" Deranger asked.
"There are a lot of villains out there who'd be grateful for taking hold of the kid's neck."
"Like?"
"Star Sapphire for one. Do you know how pi$$ed she i-"
"Jericho Quinn."
Deranger glanced towards the door to see:
A member of the League of Assassin's was stood in the doorway.
"Who the hell are y-"
Kid Thunder fired an energy blast towards the Assassin who easily jumped out of the way before rolling towards him and grabbing his arm.
"This doesn't make sense!" Kid Thunder yelled as Lady Shiva calmly held his arm. "Shouldn't I be... burning you up?!"
The Assassin smiled.
"Insulated armor."
"Okay everyone!" Deranger yelled. "Calm down!"
"Who the hell is she?!" Escrima yelled as she pointed one of her metal rods at the woman's throat.
"Her name is Lady Shiva." Dernager said as he slowly pulled his pistol out. "What are you doing here... and drop Kid's arm. He didn't mean anything."
"You have several weapons pointed at my throat Jericho." Shiva said calmly.
"All of which will kill you if you don't leave my friend alone."
Shiva considered her options for a second before shrugging.
"I have an offer for you."
"And what would that be?"
"We want you to join the League of Assassins...."
_______________
The Watchtower...
"Batman. I wish to speak with you." Martian Manhunter said as he phased into the Watchtower's control room.
"Shouldn't you be torturing Captain Marvel J'onn?" Batman asked.
"You have the means to destroy the rebels do you not?"
"Of course."
"Then why haven't you?"
Batman frowned.
"Do you understand how these things work J'onn? Rebel forces are like ants. Stamp one out and a dozen more seem to spring up. However... when you find the nest of the problems and destroy THAT. The Ants leave. Why do you think that is?"
"They are disheartened. They see no reason to carry on."
"Which is exactly what we're planning to do J'onn. What? You don't think that... you, Diana, Superman and Zachry could search every city on the planet and find them? Truth is... you could. However MY way. Is better. I'm not simply going to break the rebels. I'm going to shatter their every hope of ever trying to stop us. But... THAT. TAKES. TIME. Understood?"
Martian Manhunter was silent as he floated in midair.
"That will be all..."
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