"Is it true that Paragon murdered Lex Luthor as revenge for Superman's death?"
"Unfortunately, that is something I cannot confirm nor deny at the current moment given that an investigation is still ongoing."
"What of the video that was leaked? The one where Paragon vowed to assassinate the alleged leaders of the Light?" The reporter asked, a frown on my face as Batman responded.
"As I said, I cannot confirm nor deny such things as we are still investigating them. If it is discovered that Paragon was indeed responsible and that he made such threats, he will be treated like every villain who does such things."
"Man, I fucked up," I murmured, Batman not saying anything as he turned the TV off.
"You did. Right now, the only reason we have not handed you over to the United Nations is because the Light will most definitely alter the records to have you in their custody.
Therefore, you will stay here in the Watchtower under the surveillance of both Green Lantern and Hawkman until we have finished our investigation," I know there's no investigation as they were most likely trying to figure out how to get the charges off of my name.
Unfortunately, I do not believe that there was any way they were going to get the charges to disappear unless Batman took the backseat and Bruce Wayne helped me.
"I understand."
"How are you doing with Superman's passing?" he asked again and I looked up at him before shaking my head with a smile. Yet, both of us knew that the smile was far too forced to trick him.
"Somewhat okay, I think. I just wish I didn't miss his funeral," I murmured, Batman simply staring at me before he turned and left the room.
"Get your rest. I have a feeling the coming days won't give you much time to do so," He spoke before closing the door behind him, leaving me alone in the room.
That was just how it seemed as I could hear the static of the hidden cameras and microphones in the room. There was no longer kryptonite lining the walls, but my handcuffs still had some fragments embedded into them.
I shifted in the bed, staring up at the ceiling at the faint reflection of myself. It was as shocking as ever to see that tired look in my eyes that was not there before, the look being the result of what happens when your mind is taken over by Chaos Magic.
'They finished Project Doomsday...and I killed Lex. Man, where did the Young Justice canon go?' I thought as I laid back down, letting out a soft sigh as I looked out at space.
The last thing I saw was the sight of my reflection staring back, a wide grin on his face as his eyes were a deep scarlet.
"Trigon's little girl may have stopped us, but it's only a matter of time before your anger boils over and when that happens, it's going to be glorious."
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"Are we certain that both of us are needed here?" Wonder Woman asked as she and Batman stood behind the Justice League liaison.
They were in the United Nations' meeting room and her eyes flickered from person to person as the leaders of the world began to take their seats.
"Yes. As the representative of Themyscira, your vote may count in securing Paragon's freedom. I am simply here as a member of the Justice League that needed to be present."
"Ahem! Can everyone hear me?" Wonder Woman's response laid forgotten as the Secretary General finally spoke up, flanked by a half dozen aids.
The room gradually quieted as everyone turned their attention to him, Batman and Wonder Woman stepping closer to their liaison as the man cleared his throat.
"I thank you all for gathering on such short notice. This emergency session has been called by Batman here to address the incident surrounding Genomorph known as Paragon."
'So, they're not acknowledging him as part Kryptonian,' Batman thought as he narrowed his eyes behind his mask, watching as both the Secretary General and a few leaders turned their gazes towards him.
"His involvement in the death of Lex Luthor and the destruction of multiple facilities linked to the terrorist organization known as the Light has been made public knowledge. Therefore, the Justice League has requested to speak on his behalf."
'You're up,' Batman turned his eyes to Wonder Woman, who gave a subtle nod as she ignored the rapid flashes of light from the cameras that turned to her.
"Paragon is not the villain your media paints him to be. He was manipulated, his mind twisted by the Chaos Magic of the Lord of Chaos known as Klarion.
Adding in the grief he experienced with the passing of his blood relative Superman, the magic took his mind victim and committed atrocities he would never think to do."
"With respect, Ms. Wonder Woman, the footage shows him attacking Luthor without hesitation," The German delegate spoke with a raised hand. "Even if he was influenced, how do you justify sparing someone capable of that kind of destruction?"
"By remembering who he truly is," Wonder Woman spoke with a soft tone. "If it were not for Paragon telling us, the Light would have never been made public.
He was the one who risked his life so if you ignore all of his good deeds does that make you better than the Light?" No one said anything as she finished speaking, the Secretary General keeping his gaze on Batman.
"Batman, you were the one who captured Paragon, correct?"
"I was the one who brought him in," Batman answered. "He did not run nor did he resist. The very second the spell was broken, he surrendered."
"You expect us to believe this was not premeditated?" The Russian delegate spoke, leaning forward. "That he just so happened to lose control right after Superman's death?"
"Do not look for a scapegoat to calm your votes. Lex Luthor was part of an organization that-"
"Allegedly. We never knew if he was and never will," The Russian delegate interrupted, Batman not saying anything as he nodded.
"He was allegedly part of an organization responsible for metahuman trafficking, genetic experimentation and planetary destabilization."
"Have we all forgotten who was the one that saved more lives from being lost during the Silent Hour?" The liaison asked as she looked up and the Russian delegate grimaced when everyone looked at him.
"We do not. However, that is its own thing. Global cannot be bend for one of your own. What will the people say when they find out that heroes are supposedly above the law?"
"That is enough, Mr. Pushkin," The Secretary-General spoke up, the Russian delegate nodding as the older man turned to look at the heroes.
"A decision will be made within the hour. You may remain until then," The man spoke, walking away with his aides following close.
As he finished speaking, the world leaders stood up and left, the two heroes watching them leave as they stayed quiet.
"This is not going how we expected it to," Wonder Woman murmured as the final person left, Batman staring at the door with a grimace.
"A decision was already made. We need to prepare ourselves for when it is announced."
"So, control? What of the justice that we represent?"
"Justice died with Clark. Now, it's politics."
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"We have been discussing the correct verdict that needs to be made here to day," The Secretary General began, but neither Batman nor Wonder Woman felt good as they awaited the decision.
"While there is sufficient evidence to indicate that Paragon was under the influence of Chaos Magic, the extent of the destruction and the confirmed death of Lex Luthor cannot be overlooked.
Therefore, in the interest of global security, Paragon is to be remanded to Stryker's Island Penitentiary for an indefinite period. At least, until such a time comes where both the UN council and the League agrees that he no longer poses a threat."
'As expected,' Batman thought with a frown, holding up a hand to stop Wonder Woman as she went to take a step forward.
"I understand, but do not cause a scene here. You do that and his sentence may be lengthened," He murmured, the woman gritting her teeth as she took a step back.
Turning his gaze back to the world leaders, he narrowed his eyes when he saw some of them having smirks on their faces.
'Very well. If they were using underhanded tricks to win, then we can do the same.'
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"This is some bullshit," Wally grumbled as he sat at the main computer of the cave, glaring at the Secretary General on screen as the man handed out the verdict.
"Normally, I would tell you to not say such things, but I am in agreement," Kaldur spoke with a frown, turning his gaze to M'gann.
"M'gann?" Artemis noticed his gaze, but they were not surprised to see the girl stand up and walk away.
"We'll go," Rocket spoke as Kaldur stood up, the teen giving a thankful nod as she along with Artemis and Zatanna followed after the Martian.
"Robin, what are the chances of Chris being released in the coming years?"
"In one year's time? 0%. In five years' time? I'd give it a 10% at most. In a decade's time? That's a 50/50, but it would be useless by then given that the Light would most likely control half of the world by then."
"In that case, we-"
"-will do nothing," Batman cut Kaldur off, the three teens turning to see him descending the entrance walkway along with Red Tornado and Martian Manhunter.
"What do you mean we'll do nothing?"
"You will do nothing because you are a covert unit or have you forgotten?" Batman asked, Robin looking to the side with a glare as Wally frowned.
"So, what? We're just supposed to watch as our friend is hauled off to prison?"
"No, you're supposed to wait. We have it handled," Batman spoke, but turned his head when Wally scoffed.
"Sure, you have it handled."
"Speak your thoughts clearly, Robin."
"I just want to know how you can call this handled when Chris is going to jail and you're not even trying to appeal the decision. If you were, you would be with the Secretary-General and not us."
"Wally, calm yourself," Kaldur spoke up as he placed a hand on Wally's shoulder. The teen didn't say anything as he stared at the three heroes before shrugging Kaldur's hand off.
"If Superman was here, he'd fight tooth and nail for Chris. It's just sad to see you're not doing the same."
"Wally!"
"Let him go," Martian Manhunter spoke up, stopping Kaldur as Wally walked away with Robin following after him.
"I apologize for that. It's just..."
"Emotions are high and they are looking for a scapegoat. We understand," Batman spoke, turning and walking back to the Boomtubes with Martian Manhunter following closely.
However, the man stopped just in front of it, Kaldur blinking as the cowled hero turned his head and spoke.
"However, I was not lying when I said that we will handle it. Just give us time."
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"Huh, I half-expected me to go in a pod," I murmured as I stood up from the bed, my hands cuffed in front of me with Meta-Human Nullifying handcuffs as Batman cuffed my feet together.
"They did ask for you to be send in a pod lined with Kryptonite, but we managed to talk them away from that. In exchange, Wonder Woman and Flash will be escorting you."
"Got it. Well, it's been one fucked-up year for me and I guess it's only to get worse," I spoke with a smile, holding out a hand that Batman looked at.
"Come on, one hand shake."
"...Very well," He responded, grasping my hand firmly and shaking it. I raised an eyebrow as he nodded, the man letting go as I clenched my hands and followed after him.
"I do apologize that it has come to this, Paragon," Wonder Woman spoke as Batman and I left the room, a smirk on my face as Flash patted my shoulder.
"There's no need to worry. Besides, prison might do me some good," I responded, chuckling as she just smiled before I followed after the two of them.
"Where's everyone else?"
"Forced to stay on Earth before the government decides to get the ridiculous idea that one of them wants to break you free," Flash responded, making me shake my head as we stopped in front of the Boom Tube.
It activated without its usual call signs, making me raise an eyebrow as I looked back to see Batman standing quietly.
"Bats, thank you for...everything that you did."
"It was my pleasure," He spoke, my smirk turning into a soft smile before I turned. With a deep breath and an exhale, I took my first step through with Flash and Wonder Woman following after.
"Now," A voice spoke in my mind as shadow-like tendrils erupted from the ground, wrapping around the legs of the surprised Wonder Woman and Flash.
I immediately undid my handcuffs before leaping upwards, rolling into the cargo bay of the Bio-Ship as it became visible for a brief moment.
Unlocking the cuffs on my feet, I spun and threw them out. Taking one final glance at the two heroes below, I waved with a sad smile as the doors closed.
"I'm guessing this was the plan?" I asked, looking at Match, M'gann, Dubbilex and Raven as we rocketed into space.
"Indeed, brother," Match nodded, a smile on my face as I walked forward and hugged him tightly.
"What of the other Genomorphs?"
"Already at our destination. The Green Lanterns helped us move them," Dubbilex answered, making me smile as I let go of Match and hugged him.
"And your bike, Rae?"
"Firstly, stop calling me that. Secondly..." She trailed off as she pointed outside, a chuckle escaping my lips when I saw the Sphere placed in the corner of the cockpit.
"Good. M'gann..."
"You and I are going to talk when we get to our destination and no, you're not going to get out of this one," She answered curtly, my smile spreading as I nodded.
"Right. Wait, what is our destination?" I asked, my eyes widening as we turned around the moon and stared at the red planet in the distance.
"The planet that I called home and the new home for the Genomorphs. We're going to Mars."
A/N: A bit of a short chapter this week, but this is in preparation for the next chapter because I think that one's going to be extra-long.
Anyway, we performed a heist to steal a Kryptonian and now we're heading off-planet.
Next chapter: Life Is Not Bad He-I lied.
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.
Anyway, as always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one...
Ba-Bye~!