Injustice: The Path To Hell (DC Comics)

Thursday, 1st October, 18:15

Rhode Island,

Happy Harbour,

The Cave.

Silence filled the Cave as the team absorbed the information they had just been given. The attack on Metropolis had been huge news on its own, but what made it even more shocking was the revelation that the very substance coursing through the plants was Kobra-Venom—the same enhanced drug that Sportsmaster had once attempted to purchase from Kobra earlier this year which they had thought they had prevented.

The implications were staggering.

'Not only that but the theory that someone—or some organisation—is orchestrating all of this from the shadows is looking more and more concrete.' Esau's thoughts echoed the silent conclusions of the rest of the team as they pieced everything together.

Between the use of Kobra-Venom, the inhibitor collars from Belle Reve that Brain had used to control the animals, and now this? It was all far too coordinated to be brushed off as just a coincidence.

As Dick worked at his computer, his search quickly revealed that Metropolis wasn't the only city under attack.

"Plant creatures have sprouted in Gotham City, Paris, Star City, and…" Before he could finish, the screens abruptly went dark.

"Dude?" Wally asked, eyes narrowing.

"It's not me," Dick said, fingers flying across the keyboard in an attempt to regain control. "Someone's cutting into the signal—all satellite signals."

At that moment, the screens flickered back to life, and the Joker's grinning face filled the display. His manic smile stretched wide as he leaned in, knocking on the camera with exaggerated amusement.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he drawled. "We interrupt your regularly scheduled mayhem to bring you this very important announcement."

A flip knife appeared in his hand as he turned the camera to reveal a group of shadowed figures standing behind him.

"From the Injustice League."

The camera zoomed in on Count Vertigo, and the Joker erupted into laughter, his cackle sending a chill through the room.

"We are responsible for the attacks on your cities," Count Vertigo stated smoothly. "If you wish to save them, a ransom of ten billion American dollars is required. Delivery instructions have been sent to the United Nations. There is no time limit, but the longer your government waits…"

"The more we get to have our jollies," the Joker whispered menacingly, grinning before the screen cut to black.

Esau remained silent, his mind racing.

Something about this felt off.

Too… generic.

'If this group is really the secret organisation behind everything, was all of this—everything they've done—just to pull off a basic ransom plot?' That didn't track. 'It doesn't add up. There's something else at play here… but what?'

"Roger that, Aquaman," Batman said, drawing their attention. The team turned to face him, waiting for his assessment.

"You want to prepare the ransom as a fallback," he stated. It wasn't a question—it was a fact. "But it won't come to that."

Meanwhile, Dick was already scanning through the footage, identifying each member of the Injustice League one by one.

Count Vertigo.

Poison Ivy.

Ultra-Humanite.

Atomic Skull.

Black Adam.

Wotan.

As he listed off each name, his voice grew increasingly alarmed. "Seven heavy hitters. Probably behind everything and everyone we've fought up until this point."

"There's your secret society," Wally muttered.

"Not so secret anymore," Artemis pointed out.

Yet, despite this revelation, Esau and Barbara shared a glance. Neither of them was convinced.

None of this made sense.

'If this was the true force working in the shadows, why would they suddenly go for a ransom demand? Why go through all this effort—coordinating years' worth of operations—just to fall back on a basic terrorist demand?'

It didn't fit with their previous actions and judging by Batman's expression, he wasn't convinced either.

"Perhaps after India, they realised we would deduce the truth and saw no point in hiding anymore," Kaldur suggested.

"Yeah, well, that was their mistake!" Wally grinned, fist clenched in excitement. "I say we go kick some plant-creature butt!"

Before Wally could get too carried away, Batman swiftly cut in. "The Justice League will handle the plants. I have a different job for this team."

Wally deflated slightly, looking unimpressed. Artemis jabbed his arm, silently telling him to shut up.

"With the plants attacking so many locations simultaneously, there must be a central control system," Batman continued. "Your mission is to find it—and destroy it."

Zatara, standing off to the side, frowned. "Do you realise what you're asking them to do?" There was a note of concern in his voice. Leaving such a crucial task to the younger team was a risk, a very dangerous one.

"They're ready," Batman said without hesitation.

-X-

Thursday, 1st October, 18:45

Arkansas,

Bayou Bartholomew.

Sitting quietly in the Bioship, Esau scanned the data files Barbara had transferred to him on the Injustice League. He had already read up on a few of their members—Atomic Skull, Poison Ivy, the Joker, and Black Adam—but the others were more of a mystery to him.

The Joker was a homicidal maniac and Batman's archenemy. Possessing a genius-level intellect, an indomitable will, and above all else, a completely unpredictable nature, he was one of the most dangerous individuals alive.

Esau wanted him taken out fast.

While the Joker wasn't anywhere near as powerful as some of the other villains on the Injustice League, his unpredictability made him the biggest wildcard—one Esau wasn't willing to gamble on.

Pamela Isley, aka Poison Ivy, was another of Batman's rogues, but more widely recognised as an eco-terrorist. A former botanist who had gained total control over plants, she was a deadly threat—especially given that the Injustice League had chosen a heavily forested location for their base. That choice had not been random, the battlefield had been set to her advantage.

Then there was Black Adam—or Teth-Adam, as he had once been known. According to Captain Marvel, he was the former champion of Shazam, one who had fallen from grace. His power was immense, capable of going toe-to-toe with the strongest members of the Justice League. He was, without a doubt, the single most dangerous enemy they would face here. If left unchecked, he could dismantle their entire team and end the mission before it even began.

Albert Michaels, aka Atomic Skull, had once been a researcher at S.T.A.R. Labs before joining the criminal organisation SKULL. In an ironic twist, the very treatment offered to him by SKULL's scientists had worsened his condition, while simultaneously granting him the ability to project bioelectric energy in the form of atomic blasts through his visor.

Next was Count Werner Vertigo, a scion of the Vlatavan royal family, armed with an implant that could disorient opponents. Judging by his positioning among the Injustice League, he seemed to be the one in charge. Taking him out early could cripple their chain of command, giving them a significant advantage.

Then there was Ultra-Humanite, a highly intelligent enemy of Superman. His original human body had begun deteriorating, forcing him to transfer his mind into the body of a gorilla. With abilities like telepathy and telekinesis, he was an exceptionally dangerous opponent—one who could potentially pick their team apart one by one.

Finally, there was Wotan, an ancient sorcerer and long-time enemy of Doctor Fate. A master of the mystic arts, he was someone Esau needed to keep Superboy away from. Kryptonians were vulnerable to magic, and Esau wasn't about to risk exposing one of their strongest fighters to something that could completely neutralise him.

'Now I need to figure out the best way to pair our team against them.'

Ideally, Superboy should be the one to fight Black Adam, but his weakness to magic made that too dangerous—especially against an opponent who had fought and beaten Superman. Which meant…he would have to take on Black Adam himself.

Esau wasn't particularly thrilled by that prospect.

Before he could dwell on it further, Miss Martian suddenly groaned, clutching her head in pain. The team immediately turned to her in concern.

"Are you alright?" Superboy asked, worry evident in his voice.

"Dizzy…" Miss Martian murmured, her expression clouded with confusion, as if unsure of what she was experiencing.

"Martians get airsick?" Wally asked, brow raised.

"She does look a bit greener than usual," Kid Flash muttered, echoing Robin's thoughts.

"Not me. Her."

Artemis frowned. "I feel fine."

"Not you—the Bioship!" Miss Martian exclaimed. "She's trying to shield us, but—"

Before she could finish, the Bioship lurched, spinning out of control. Miss Martian struggled to regain control, but the ship refused to stabilise. Just as she finally managed to steady it, something massive struck them from below.

A powerful force sent them hurtling through the air, spiralling towards the swamp below. They crashed into the muddy water, the impact leaving all of them momentarily dazed.

Before they could recover, massive plant roots erupted from the water, wrapping around the Bioship like constricting serpents. The ship resisted, trying to pull free, but the roots were too strong, anchoring them in place.

Miss Martian let out another pained cry, clutching her head as if something was attacking her mind. Then, the roof of the Bioship was ripped open—revealing the imposing figure of Black Adam staring down at them.

"He's hurting her!"

With a cry of fury, Superboy launched himself upwards, slamming his fist into Black Adam's face. The impact sent the villain flying off the ship, momentarily removing the immediate threat.

But there was no time to celebrate.

The roots tightened their grip on the Bioship, yanking it under the water. The interior immediately began flooding through the hole Black Adam had made.

"No way am I drowning two missions in a row," Artemis muttered, grabbing a respirator as the team prepared to evacuate.

Miss Martian, adapting quickly, formed gills and swam to the ship's lower hatch. She forced it open, allowing them all to escape into the water.

They surfaced near the shore, crouching low as they watched the Bioship being completely submerged.

"This is not going well," Batgirl muttered.

Esau silently agreed—just before a powerful wave of vertigo slammed into them.

Every member of the team collapsed to the ground, clutching their heads as the world around them spun.

"Vertigo!"

"Count Vertigo to you, peasant!" The villain's taunting voice rang out.

Superboy attempted to lunge at him, but before he could close the distance, Black Adam intercepted him. The ancient warrior struck him twice in rapid succession, sending him crashing into the ground.

As the vertigo slowly began to subside, Esau forced himself to his feet, pushing through the lingering disorientation. His mind snapped back into focus.

They were outnumbered, outgunned, and on the back foot. If they didn't act now, this mission was over before it even began.

{"Leave Black Adam to me!"} he commanded through the mental link. {"Kid Flash—take out Vertigo immediately and move on to Ultra-Humanite with Wolf. Batgirl, Robin—support Wally if needed, but your primary target is Poison Ivy. Aqualad—you're on Atomic Skull. Miss Martian, Artemis—you handle Wotan. Superboy—wait until the others are engaged, then take down the Joker. Hit him fast and hard. Then take out the control system."}

The team exchanged glances, steeling themselves.

By Aqualad's side, the water stirred as he prepared to create a distraction—readying himself for Esau's attack on Black Adam.

The tension stretched for only a moment. Then—

{"Now!"}