Continued from here part 1

Metropolis

Superman was taking a flight through the city to clear his head. He was distracted due to the death of his friend and didn't notice the jet engine rapidly approaching. When he finally heard it he was hit with a sonic canon that threw off his equilibrium and sent him spiraling away as the jet aimed toward him.

A half second before it slammed into him he realized it was Batman's. As he and the jet crashed into the street The Red Hood came down on a glider with a net gun. As Superman tried to stand Jason shot him. The net wrapped around him and he was shocked to see he couldn't break it.

Jason neared as he spoke, "The net was a gift from Zatara. I don't usually go in for the magic stuff but Bats keeps that kryptonite locked up tight."

Superman continued to struggle against the net, "What are you doing?"

Jason then revealed a pair of gauntlets glowing red, "I'm doing what Nightwing didn't have the balls for."

Just then Jason felt a tap on his shoulder. He turn and Dick punched him hard in the face sending him to the ground. He sat up, "How'd you get here?"

Dick looked down, "Zeta beam, the League considers the death of one of their own a priority so they helped out."

Red Robin came up behind Superman and began untying the net, "Sorry, he doesn't like to think things through."

Jason stood and moved to stop Tim but Dick grabbed his arm, "You need to calm down."

Jason swung but Dick caught his fist, "He didn't do it."

"Two reasons. One he was fighting some kind of monster on the moon at the exact time it happened and not even he's that fast."

Jason pulled away from Dick then shoved him back, "It had to be him!"

Tim looked up, "What, he just took a quick break from fighting a space monster and just popped down to kill someone?"

Jason again moved toward Tim, "Who else could kill Batman?!"

Dick grabbed him and practically roared, "Anyone! He wasn't a god, he was just a man in a suit. He could have died any night on the street and you know it. Now calm the hell down and think for once in your life."

Tim made a smug huff but Dick gave a glare, "That's not helping."

They then overheard an on looker, "Batman's dead?"

Dick then turned to see a teenage boy holding his smartphone up, "I take it this is already on line?"

The kid nodded as Dick sighed, "Damn it."

Superman looked down to Tim, "That's going to be a problem."

Dick then looked back to Jason and was about to say something but Jason started with his voice cracking a bit and said something Dick assumed he'd never hear, "I'm sorry."

Dick noted his voice, "We have to keep it together. Do what he taught us and keep our heads in the game. You want to cry or scream you wait till after."

Jason nodded.

***

Gotham City

Bullock and Montoya stared at a blood bath. Even Harvey was shocked by what he saw, "This isn't like him. Since when does the Joker just slaughter people with no plans or plots?"

Montoya leaned down, "I think there might be a plan, this guy here it Thomas Elliot, AKA Hush. We got a call on the wire that Tweedle Dee and Dum were found gutted earlier. He's hunting down Batman's enemies."

Bullock looked confused, "Why?"

A uniformed officer stepped up, "I think I know."

He then handed Bullock a phone he'd borrowed from an on looker, "This video from Metropolis just went on line on this site that shows supers fighting. The kid wouldn't shut up about it."

Bullock's eyes went wide as he heard of Batman's death, "Montoya, we're gonna have a bad day."

***

Ice Berg Lounge, Gotham City

Oswald Cobblepot AKA the Penguin laughs maniacally as one of his employees shows him the video, "Clean this place up, we're having a party. All drinks are half off."

***

An alley on the south side of Gotham.

Edward Nigma, Aka, The Riddler is running. He had planned to rob a bank today but his goons had been slaughtered. He now ran for his life. He tripped over a pipe laying in the alley as his pursuer approached. He looked over to see the Joker, still in his orange Arkham jump suit and covered in blood, "What do you want?"

"I haven't done anything to you."

Joker put his foot on the Riddler's chest as he looked down. His smile and laugh were absent and his face revealed no emotion, "He's gone now. We aren't needed anymore."

Nigma's screams could be heard from blocks away as Joker sliced him open. He then wiped the blood on his jumpsuit and headed on.

***

Star city.

Green Arrow is loading up his jet as Black Canary steps up, "Where are you going?"

He doesn't look back, "Hasn't even been three hours since that video went public and reports are already pouring in. Gotham is a powder keg about to go off and I can't let that happen. I owe him at least that much."

She sighed, "Gotham has other protectors."

He nodded, "Yeah, but they aren't him."

"And neither are you."

He turned, "You think I don't know that? You think I never heard all the B-List Batman jokes?"

She gave a nod, "You're not going alone."

"Didn't plan on it."

***

Central City

Dick, Tim and Jason arrived via Zeta beam on their bikes Dick had brought from the Bat-Cave. Jason looked over, "Why are we here, you think the Flash offed him?"

"No, but he knows a psychopath that's just as fast and could easily evade our notice."

Tim nodded, "You think Zoom had something to do with it?"

"Not really but its a possibility."

As the rode a red streak passed them and the Flash stopped in front of them. Tim slammed on his breaks to avoid hitting him as Jason and Dick came to a stop beside him. Flash looked them over, "I heard about Metropolis."

Dick pulled off his helmet, "We're looking for a speedster, and we figured we'd come to the expert."

Flash looked curious, "You think a speedster killed Batman?"

Dick nodded, "He had a scanner at the manor, it picked up signs of the Speed force, it kind of narrows down the search."

Flash walked over, "Can I see the scan?"

Dick looked over, "Red Robin?"

Tim opened a gauntlet on his wrist to show a monitor. He then pulled up the scan. Flash stared at it intently, "I have something similar, but you have a problem."

The three gave Flash a quizzical look as he spoke, "The frequency is off a bit. Its very close but its not right. Someone definitely wanted it to look like the Speed force, probably to throw you off the trail."

Jason leaned over, "Who's got the resources to fool Batman's equipment?"

Flash shrugged, "I can't imagine its a long list. They'd need access to similar equipment, and its not cheap. The speed force detector at S.T.A.R. labs was cost a few million to build."

Dick sat back, "So we're looking for a tech guy with either a budget or a backer."

Tim looked up, "Which brings me back to the idea that maybe Bruce was the target, instead of Batman. Have you been keeping up with Business news?"

Jason gave him a wary look, "Why?"

"Wayne Enterprises just beat out Lex Corp on a multi-billion dollar government contract. Lex is one to hold a grudge and with the C.E.O. out of the picture it leaves Wayne Enterprises vulnerable."

Flash gave a nod, "That's means and motive."

Jason sat up, "So back to Metropolis?"

Dick shook his head, "Lex wouldn't do it himself and we don't even know for sure he was involved. There's a good possibility it was an assassin and knowing Lex he would insist on only using the best and most expensive."

Jason sighed, "We need to find Ra's."

Dick slumped his shoulders, "Not sure he's gonna be any easier to deal with than Lex."

***

Nanda Parbat

Ra's al Ghul sits watching the video of the Red Hood taking Superman out of the sky. He turned to Ubu, "I believe we will have company soon."

Ubu shrugged, "I doubt the Detective's students will be an issue."

Ra's gave a blank look, "Underestimation has killed more men than can be easily counted."

Ubu was about to walk out but asked, "Did the League do this?"

"Not to my knowledge but I am very interested in meeting the man who did."

***

Justice League Watchtower.

Tim stands before a massive monitor as Cyborg attempts to help him track Ra's. Jason is pacing as Dick attempts to look patient. He looked to Jason, "You've never been up here, have you?"

"Side kicks weren't welcome when I was Robin and I haven't exactly been considered a friendly lately."

Tim then spoke up, "Guys, we have our coordinates."

Dick looked surprised, "That was fast."

Tim shrugged, "Apparently Ra's just called Alfred and gave them to him."

Jason and Dick traded wary looks. Jason was the first to speak, "That has to be a trap, right?"

Dick nodded, "Odds are good. We're still going, but be ready."

Cyborg looked over, "Should I come?"

Dick shook his head, "This is a family matter."

(To be continued)