A soft sigh escaped Batman's lips as he stood at one of the Watchtower's windows, looking out at the planet below with a frown.
He had just seen the Bio-Ship fly past thanks to the tracker he had placed in Chris' bloodstream, which meant that Wonder Woman and Flash should be returning in just a few.
"Recognized. Wonder Woman: J-03. Flash: J-04. Martian Manhunter: J-07," The hero turned his head as the three figures walked out of the Boom Tube, two looking a bit miffed while the last nodded at him.
"Was this your plan?"
"Was what my plan?"
"The plan to help Chris escape from our custody and run off into space?"
"No, it was not. It was Martian Manhunter's plan," Batman spoke in a direct tone, Wonder Woman and Flash turning to MM as he nodded.
"I wanted to give Chris the opportunity to restore his mind back to how it used to be and there are very few beings that I know to have mind reading skills better than my own."
"The people of Mars. Well, I hope you two have a plan for this because the UN isn't going to like this."
"What could we do? Paragon had a plan to escape and unknown comrades that helped him execute the plan. There was nothing that could have helped us avoided it," Flash just watched as Batman left before turning to the other two heroes in the room.
"Was that...?"
"Yes, Barry, it was. Have the younger ones been informed?" Wonder Woman asked and Martian Manhunter nodded.
"Yes. For now, they were told to stay put and make sure that no one finds out about a certain member's involvement in this matter."
"Good, then all we can do is hope that your people know how to fix his mind."
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"So, whose idea was it?" I asked as Match and I sat in the back of the ship, Dubbilex right beside us while M'gann and Raven were still in the cockpit area of the Bio-Ship.
"M'gann's. When Batman told us that they didn't plan to appeal against the sentence, both her and Martian Manhunter then came up with the plan to break you out and take you to Mars."
"I'm guessing that we're going to Mars for my mind, then?"
"That is correct, brother. The Martians are some of the most capable telepaths in the universe. Therefore, if Martian Manhunter could not fix your mind, there may be someone on the planet that would be able to."
"Wait, then why did Rae tag along then? I'm sure she didn't have to," I spoke and Dubbilex looked at Match who shrugged.
"None of us know why. She just heard the plan and said that she wanted to tag along so we decided to let her. Besides, it's thanks to her magic that we were able to stop Wonder Woman and Flash from following after us."
'I wonder how different this one is from the Raven I knew,' From the few shows that I've watched, Raven always had this disassociated standpoint to everyone because she didn't want them to get hurt by her father.
However, in this one, she's a lot more open compared to other Ravens throughout the multiverse, which made me wonder just what went on in her mind.
"You won't figure out anything," Raven's voice spoke in my mind and I blinked at it as I felt my heart stopping for a moment.
"W-Wait, you can hear my thoughts now?"
"Whatever Klarion did to your mind messed up your defences a bit. I can hear your mind, but there are moments where it's just static like before."
" 'Raven, like every Raven across the Teen Titans multiverse, is a good friend'. What did I just say?"
"Raven is a good friend," She replied and I could feel a hint of embarrassment across the link as I smirked.
'So, she can't read the thoughts that references the memories of my past life, huh? Good to know.'
"What's good to know?"
"Okay, I can see how everyone finds it annoying now."
"Brother, would you two mind not being so loud?"
"I'm with Dubbilex. It's hard to keep you two out," M'gann spoke up and I chuckled as I felt Raven's amusement before the link vanished.
"Wait, what's so funny? Were you all in a telepathic call without me?" Match asked and I rolled my eyes, letting Dubbilex distract him as I leaned back against the wall.
Well, I can say that it will be entirely impossible for me to go back to Earth now unless we take care of the Light itself along with their associates.
Even then, I don't think it would be possible for me to return or remain as a hero given that the Justice League would probably be forced to arrest me immediately.
'First things first, I need to see the memories that were lost when I was under Klarion's control. After that, I need to talk to M'gann about everything. Then...I don't know what I want to do.'
"I can see that you are plagued by something, brother," Dubbilex spoke up and I looked down to see the intrigued stare he gave me.
"I'm just thinking about what to do now that I can't be a hero."
"What makes you say that you can't?"
"Mostly because the verys econd I set foot back on Earth, the Justice League would be forced by the UN to either capture me or retire their capes."
"That would be stupid of them to do. Who would protect them from the supervillains that attack on a daily basis?"
"That's the thing. The heroes wouldn't give up their capes because that would mean innocent people would be forced tos uffer without their protection. Therefore, they'd do the latter by trying to arrest me."
"But you would not let that just happen, would you?"
"And be wrongfully placed in prison? Hell no," I spoke with a scoff, Dubbilex nodding as Match frowned at our discussion.
"What if you just show them Klarion and make him confess?"
"Klarion is an ancient Lord of Chaos that has been alive for eons longer than I have. He's probably tested methods of torture on himself that no one even knows about so anything I would try to make confess would be utterly useless."
"That is true. Klarion has...ways to make you remember why Vandal Savage is still wary of him despite how he acts towards him," Dubbilex spoke and I nodded, Match sitting back with a groan as the three of us went silent.
"Why do you three feel so dejected?"
"We're trying to brainstorm a way for me to become a hero again and so far, I got nothing."
"Well, there is the option of just not becoming a hero," Raven spoke up, making me blink as I felt the others' confusion through the link.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'll answer your question with a question of my own. Do you have an actual reason on why you became a hero?" She asked and I went to respond only to stop in my tracks.
"Well, the first was to make the Light public knowledge. Along with that, there was also the reasons of saving the Genomorphs, getting them a home, saving Match and the other clones and then being officially acknowledged as a member of the Justice League."
"All of which you did," M'gann chimed in and I nodded.
"All of which I did accomplish, yes. Now, I want to get my memories back and then...huh, I guess there's me wanting to clear my name?"
"It's a good thought, but I don't think wanting to clear your name is a morally good reason to be a hero."
"I agree with her, brother. That is more of your human instinct to be acknowledged as a good person. While I do believe you can be a hero, what you need to do right now is focus less on the hero Paragon and more on the human Chris."
"What Dub said," Match spoke up and I looked between them before shaking my head with a chuckle.
"Sure. What of you, M'gann? I feel like you want to say something."
"Like I said, we'll talk more about it when we get to Mars."
"I get the feeling she wants to do more than talk," Dubbilex spoke up and I smirked as M'gann just cut her connection off, Raven doing the same and leaving us boys on our own.
"So, how long will it take us to get to Mars?"
"According to M'gann, approximately 26 days and 12 hours at the earliest," Match responded and I looked at him before turning to Dubbilex as he took out a pack of UNO cards.
"Want to play while we travel?"
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"You letting Rae fly?"
"She might as well learn given that I don't think the ship or I would want to fly for that long a time," M'gann said with a smile, sitting down beside me as Dubbilex and Match were busy somewhere in the ship.
This thing was a lot bigger on the inside than it looks.
"So, you came here to shout or to smack me for running away?"
"Do you even remember running away?"
"Bits and pieces flash by, but nothing else," I responded, to which she hummed as the two of us looked at the wall in front of us. From the sounds of it, we did speak about something important, but the only thing I could think of...
"So, do you have an answer for me?" I asked, deciding to follow my hunch. M'gann looked confused at my question before I smirked as she blushed when the context landed.
"O-Oh, right. I already gave you my answer, but I guess you were not conscious enough to hear it."
"I think I was, but I also think I just want to hear you say it twice."
"Well, my answer is yes. Before you ask, yes, I do like you and yes, I want to give us a chance," She murmured before looking up as I reached over and grabbed her hand.
"Are you sure about this, Ms. M'orzz? From what I hear, I can get quite protective of those I like."
"Oh, don't worry. I'm the exact same," She spoke with a smile, making me chuckle as I rubbed my thumb along the back of her hand.
"Well, then I suppose there's only thing to do then, is there?"
"There is?" She asked before she yelped as I pulled her closer, the two of us floating in the air with our lips just inches apart.
"Seal the deal with a kiss or is that not a custom on Mars?"
"Y-You're just making it up, aren't you?"
"You going to say no?" I whispered, a soft smile on my face as I leaned forward.
"M'gann, Raven's having trou-Oh," A soft sigh escaped my lips as Match turned the corner, M'gann immediately going invisible as I turned to see the sheepish smile on his face.
"Sorry about that, but I did not know you two were flirting in here. Also, M'gann, you're still holding onto his hand," I pulled her closer as her invisibility faded, but both Match and I raised our eyebrows when her formerly green skin was now a pale white.
"W-What?"
"Your skin is white," I responded and her eyes widened as she lifted up a hand to stare at it in horror.
"Hey, you look good. Then again, you would look good in anything so I suppose I'm a bit of a biased opinion."
"I'm not. It's a lot more unique than the green," Match spoke with a thumbs-up and M'gann stopped turning her hand green as she looked at me.
"I-Is it really?"
"Yeah, the real you over the M'gann that hides who she is is a lot more attractive."
"You always say stuff like that."
"Hey, I guess I am doing something right, then."
"So, your new job is 'emotional support alien'?" She teased and I shrugged before turning my head as Match cleared his throat loudly.
"Before this turns into something I'll never unsee, can someone please help Rae? She's threatening to phase us into a meteor if you don't go and help."
"I'll go, but this isn't over."
"Oh, I'm counting on that," I spoke with a smile, watching as she floated away before turning my head to Match as he snickered.
"You're laughing now, but just wait until I get you your girl. Oh, I'm going to be a menace to society once I'm done."
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"So, to summarize what we have all just heard, you lost custody of the last Kryptonian in the universe and your defence for that is that he just...vanished?" One of the Security council representative asked, his tone sharp. Batman's gaze didn't waver as flickers of frustration danced in Wonder Woman's eyes.
"That is correct, yes."
"Along with that, you're telling us that another Martian helped him? Would that mean that your ranks are compromised?"
"Do not twist our words, Ambassador. What we said was that the situation remains under investigation. We do not know yet who assisted Paragon or how he escaped our secure containment," Wonder Woman added, but it was not enough as some of the representatives shook their heads.
"That is not good enough, Wonder Woman. Tell me, does the Justice League still believe in being heroes and fair in justice to all or are we expected to believe you act entirely on your own authority now?"
"Calm yourself, Wonder Woman," Martian Manhunter spoke up from the other side of Batman, Wonder Woman keeping her arms crossed with a tight grip as Batman responded.
"The League remains and will remain under the jurisdiction of this council. However, with the death of Superman, the world is in chaos. If we act too rashly and focus too much on apprehending one, we risk losing far more than one man."
"You may consider him to be one man, but us here call him what he is: a threat to the peace and stability of our planet.
Releasing him or pardoning him would mean nothing to us if he continues his destructive ways. The people of this planet deserve justice and not another secret investigation hidden behind League excuses," The Russian delegate spoke with a scoff and Martian Manhunter's eyes glows as he responded.
"You speak of justice yet none of you understand truly how plagued his mind is with the whispers of Klarion."
"That may be," the Secretary-General said, leaning forward with a frown, "but we cannot build a precedent where heroes are above accountability. If Paragon was compromised, then we shall hear it from him under controlled supervision."
"What if he were to resist?"
"Then, the Council will have no choice but to authorize his indefinite detainment."
"Were you not already going to do that?" Wonder Woman asked, Batman narrowing his eyes as the Secretary-General sighed.
"We were, but it appears that the United Nations have finished deliberating. Effective immediately, Paragon is to be classified as a metahuman combatant under Section 12 of the Geneva Accords."
"Batman, our response?"
"The League will not intervene. Any attempt to receive or protect Paragon will be considered an act of insubordination against the Council and will be met with a strict response," The Secretary-General spoke up, making Martian Manhunter grimace as Batman frowned.
It appears that this was just going to get messier by the second.
A/N: And we end it off here~! A bit of travelling along with more politics, but next chapter, we jump into the alien stuff.
Next chapter: Mars is red.
Like always, you can go to my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova to read ahead on this as well as many other stories & even some that haven't been released out to this site yet. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.
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Ba-Bye~!