Legends of the Batman #12

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Legends of the Batman #12
World’s Finest
Part 4:
Battle for Metropolis

Written and Edited by Daniel Dyer

(Editor's note: Do not read this until you read Legends of Superman #12)

Metropolis has seen better days. The city’s protector was attacked by a squad of villains on a suicide mission to kill the invincible. They may have succeeded too, if not for the intervention of the Batman. But when Dr. Polaris decided to make a power play, he used Parasite and Killer Croc as his foot soldiers while generating an electro-magnetic barrier around the city. Superman was drained by Parasite and taken prisoner, leaving Batman and the assassin Deathstroke to save the day. Now, the Dark Knight and the deadly super soldier stand, looking on at Dr. Polaris.

“Any thoughts on how to deliver this,” asks Wilson as he holds up the dart.

The Bat just looks on at Polaris. Then he looks out at the magnetic grid, noticing what appears to be an instability. Finally he looks out in the distance and sees a blue and red blue flying strait for the evil doctor.

“Polaris!” yells Superman as he punches Emerson, but his blocked by a magnetic barrier.

“I see you’re recharged. But not even you can get past my barrier.”

The Bat watches this intently. “A few,” he answers Deathstroke and takes the dart. “You help Superman distract Polaris.”

“And you’ll do what?”

But the Bat keeps walking, dropping from the rooftop.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

“Sullivan,” Batman roars into a communicator. “Status report.”

On the other side of the communicator, Chloe responds, “Hello to you, too, oh dark and scary creature of the night.” There’s a pause. “You were right. Freeman and the Parasite were both taking off the game board.”

“And Livewire?”

“Unknown, she recharged and then split. How’s things on your end?”

“You can send a team for Croc and Boomerang.”

“What of Emerson?” asks Chloe.

“We’re dealing with it.”

“How exactly are you...?” But the line goes dead. “Great.”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

High atop Metropolis, as Superman hammers against Polaris’s barrier. “Stop this, Emerson! You’re ‘enforcers’ are finished. You can’t win!”

“Sorry, but Emerson’s not home. Only Polaris exists now!” he states as he sends out a charge, blasting the Man of Steel backwards.

That’s when Slade fires a rifle at Dr. Polaris, unfortunately, the bullets stop in mind-air.

“Ah, ah, ah. You should know better, Wilson.” Polaris then turns the bullets back around, shooting them to Slade. One hits the rifle and the other hits his shoulder. “Now, I think it’s time for you to die, Wilson.”

As Superman is about to charge Polaris, he hears a low, husky voice, “Clark, wait.”

“Huh?” He looks around on the ground and notices the Dark Knight standing in an alley.

“Listen. I have a plan...”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Dr. Polaris glides down closer to Slade. “Mr. Wilson I’m shocked at you.” Polaris moves several metal plates from a rooftop generator and folds them around Slade, levitating him. “I could squeeze you till you pop. The Legendary Deathstroke. You are nothing compared to me.”

Superman watches, wanting to intervene. “No,” he hears. “I know what you’re thinking. Wait for it. I’m sure she’ll make her move.”

“Hey, Master Magnet!”

“Huh?” Polaris turns to see Livewire zapping straight for him, coming from the magnetic grid.

“Sparky’s baaaaack!!!”

And Livewire zaps herself into the gauntlets, sending surge after surge through the doctor and Deathstroke falls to the rooftop.

As the Batman sees the magnetic grid vanish he yells, “NOW!”

Superman speeds at Livewire, breaking the connection just as Batman comes up behind Polaris, injecting him with the dart, which causes him to pass out.

“Let go, Superjerk!” Livewire demands, making her skin crackle with electricity.

“Miss Willis,” calls out the Dark Knight before he punches her with his gloved fist. His rubber insulated gloved fist.

“Was that really necessary?” asks Superman.

“She’s out,” he states plainly. The Bat looks back for Deathstroke but finds him gone. “Wilson’s gone, though.”

“Hey, five out of six. Pretty good considering the odds.

“Pretty good isn’t good enough.”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

That night, in Clark’s apartment, as he answers a knock at the door.

“Chloe?”

“Hi. Can I come in?”

“Sure. We need to talk.”

Chloe walks in. “Nice place.” She looks at Clark, seeing his worried expression. “Don’t worry, Clark. I’m not gonna tell my superiors your secret. I’ve kept it all these years.”

“About that. When did you find out?

“That night in Smallville. The night of that ‘tornado’.”

Clark’s face is a complete blank.

“Ya know, Clark. Those three kids in weird outfits. They gave you this,” explains Chloe as she pulls out the ring with an “L” on it and hands it to Clark.

“I... never knew how I got it. How did you get it?”

“Our Bat friend got it from your apartment. He knows, too.”

“I know. He can keep a secret.”

“So they wiped even your memory? You thought there really was a tornado?”

“Yeah. I... I do remember these three new students. They... I never saw them again after that day, though.”

Chloe pulls out a picture. “Was this them?”

Clark looks at it, focusing on the image of Imra as the memories begin flooding back. “I... I remember. They told me... I was destined to be... Superman.”

“How could they know?”

“They said they were from the future... a part of a Legion of... ‘super-heroes’.”

“Time travel? That’s a new one.”

“I guess so. Here,” he gives Chloe back the ring. “Keep it. It might even come in handy on the job.”

“Thanks. Well... speaking of the job. I should get back to Washington. I have some explaining to do.

“Its was good seeing you again.”

Chloe laughs. “Yeah, maybe my next visit will be less stressful.”

As the door shuts behind Chloe.

“Done reminiscing?”

“Hi Bruce. Done skulking out on my window ledge?”

“Funny. I just want to let you know I’m leaving town,” Batman explains.

“I’m touched. Didn’t peg you for the type for long good-byes.”

“And here’s a going away present.” The Bat tosses a file through the window. “The entire file the DEO has on you. They don’t know anything. Sullivan is being straight. She has kept no documented evidence on your identity. She’s keeping everything she knows in her own head.”

“Thank you, Bruce.” Clark reaches a hand ouit the window to shake it, but the Bat is already gone. “Guess you’re the type for short good-byes.”

The end

(Editor’s Note: Be here in January for Legends of the Batman #13, with its brand new writer.)