( A;N: Huzzah !!! We've reached 50k Words in this fanfic !!! Idk what that does or mean but Huzzah to me honestly I never thought I'd stick to this one, Almost quit multiple times but hey thanks to all of you đ I didn't and I thank you all for that ... Enjoy the chapters cuz it's about to deviant from the original storyline soon)
P.S. Do read my main work Ascension Games and give your thoughts on it im trying .
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"Be careful!!! That guy fights *dirty*!!" Wally yelled, still clutching his bruised side as he hung back, reduced to a mere bystander in the chaos.
Leon flashed a huge, predatory grin. "Dirty? Heh, I *love* dirty." He dropped into a low stance, legs braced steady behind him, upper torso leaning forward like a coiled spring. With a burst of speed, he shot toward Bane, the air whistling past.
Bane matched the challenge, mirroring Leon's aggressive posture while bellowing over his shoulder to his goons. "You idiotsâhandle the rest of these brats! Don't let them interfere!"
"Hey... *Lucha libre*! Remember *this*!" Leon roared, hurling a crackling Ki blast straight at Bane's chest. Bane instinctively shielded his eyes, bracing for another blinding flashbang. But this was no trickâthe raw energy detonated on impact, a searing explosion that hurled Bane meters backward through the night air.
"Gaaarrrghhh!!!! This *bitch*!!!" Bane howled in agony, his massive frame tumbling into a thick oak tree. The trunk splintered with a thunderous crack, acting as an unintended cushion that halted his momentum. Enraged, he unleashed a guttural roar that echoed through the forest, veins bulging in his neck as pure fury ignited his eyes.
But Leon was already there, a blur of motion. He unleashed another Ki blastâBane dodged this time, twisting his bulk aside with surprising agility. Too late; it was a feint. A blinding flashbang erupted in its wake, white-hot light searing Bane's vision. The villain staggered, cursing blindly. Leon capitalized instantly, launching a flying double-kick into Bane's knee. The crack of bone echoed like gunfireâBane's leg buckled, shattered.
"Arrrgh! You littleâ!" Bane bellowed through gritted teeth, pain lancing up his body like fire. In a desperate surge, he snatched Leon's leg mid-air and heaved, slamming him toward the ground with earth-shaking force.
Bane had forgotten: Leon could fly. And he had super strength. Mid-throw, Leon halted his descent with a flare of energy, hovering defiantly. His eyes narrowed, a smirk twisting his lips. "*Bad* Idea." He spun his entire body in a whirlwind, channeling the momentum into a devastating roundhouse kick that connected with Bane's thick neck. The impact was brutalâa sickening thud that sent the villain crashing to the dirt, finally down and gasping.
Around them, the rest of the skirmish wrapped up swiftly. Raven's shadows writhed like living tendrils, coiling around clusters of goons and pinning them helpless. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos," she murmured, her voice a cold whisper as the darkness tightened. M'gann, heeding Conner's urgent warning, phased intangible through a hail of bullets and choking gas clouds, holding her breath as she disarmed the attackers with telekinetic flicks.
"Phew..." Leon landed lightly, wiping sweat from his brow with a theatrical exhale. "I won't deny itâthis guy was a *workout*. No wonder you all lost. Dude even tanked a leg break like it was nothing."
Robin, Conner, and Wally exchanged grim nods, their faces etched with defeat. They'd charged in so optimistic, brimming with Young Justice fireâonly to get dismantled. Saved by a newcomer. The sting burned deeper than any bruise; their underestimation had turned a sure win into humiliation.
Robin gripped his fingernails into his palms until they drew blood, his jaw clenched so tight it ached. *How did we screw this up so bad?* Conner stared at the ground, fists balled, while Wally's usual cheer dimmed, his green eyes flickering with self-doubt.
Leon caught the solemn vibe rippling off themâthe heavy silence thicker than the night fog. He shook his head, striding over with easy confidence. "Hey, losing isn't the end of the world. First mission pressure, right? You guys softened 'em up, gave us the playbook on their moves. We had the edge because of *you*. It wasn't a big Lossâjust don't underestimate again. Enemies like these? They don't fight fair. Honor, codes... that crap's for chumps. They play to win, dirty or not."
( Wow I'm lecturing Dick Grayson how to fight ... The sun must be rising from the east today or was it the west?)
They nodded mutely, but their expressions only softened a fractionâraw pride still smarting. Leon chuckled low, clapping Robin on the shoulder. "Give it time. Bruises heal, lessons stick. This is *my* first official superhero gig, but it ain't my first rodeo. Been at this hero stuff solo for a year now."
* It's been years for me!! * Wanted to yell out Robin but held it in, fists clenched. The Humiliation laid bare at his feet, the memory would haunt him tonight.
Leon moved ahead, walking briskly towards Raven.
What puzzled him, though, was Robin. *The Bat-kid's been in the game longer than me. How'd he fall to that bastard? Rookie mistakes.* Leon filed it awayâ he'd dig into that later, maybe over greasy diner food and bad jokes.
Nearby, M'gann floated to Conner's side, resting a gentle hand on his broad shoulder. Her smile was soft, laced with concern. "You okay, Conner? That was... intense."
He turned, locking eyes with herâthose piercing blues softening just for her. He shook his head faintly, then mustered a small, grateful smile.
Robin stood apart, still grimly silent, tilting his face to the starless night sky. His narrowed eyes pierced the darkness, fists clenched at his sides. The weight of Batman's shadow loomed heavier than ever, a silent promise to get strongerâor break trying.
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