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Clash of Realms	By : RaphaelTMNT Category: -Misc Anime > Crossovers Views: 3294 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Justice League, Rosario Vampire or Dark Stalkers nor the characters from either of the three series. I do not make money from writing this story.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Clash of Realms
CHP8: A Meeting with the League

Tensions were high as prisoners who decided to take part in the qualifiers round of the battle royal sat within the waiting room. The first wave of participants in group A were already out in the arena duking it out and those in group B listened in to the sounds of blades clashing, bodies dropping and screams of torment. The rules were pretty simple, anything goes which included killing. Any given opponent was deemed eliminated when either KO'd, ringed out or killed. Both Luke Fox and Dinah Lance sat across from each other, clad in gold and silver armor respectively. Both agreed to take part in the event for one reason and one reason only, which was likely true for many others. Those who were fortunate enough to make it to the battle royal and place in the top five would be given the ultimate prize, their freedom!
This was exactly the driving force for many and if it meant putting their lives on the line while putting on a show for the royals they were all for it. The arena in question used for the qualifiers round was much smaller in comparison to where the main event would take place, the battle royal sure to be grand as it seemed to be every year. Soon the commotion and sounds of battle died down and those within the waiting area in group B knew that the time for battle was upon them. Luke and Dinah hadn't fought alongside each other very much so they didn't have the luxury of team chemistry, but that wasn't such a big deal as everyone else would be fighting with the mindset it was every man for himself. Already the team advantage would give them a better chance at placing in the top three which would advance them to the next round of qualifies.
Bodies of fallen warriors who were unable to stand on their own or killed were removed from the ring by Vindellorien guards and in the following minutes the bell sounded indicating the beginning of the next wave, both Luke and Dinah standing as they collected their weapon of choice and headed through the tunnel with all the other participants. There was no eye contact or a word spoken between them as they had already discussed strategy well in advance and knew what they needed to do. The sun shined bright over the contestants as they exited out of the tunnel and into the sizeable ring, thirty of them total and there had to have been at least have been three hundred to four hundred royals observing from the stands which was still quite a bit considering the main event wasn't until several weeks.
The stadium was said to have been a lot large and slight differences in the rules, but none more glaring then the fact that the limiters placed on the prisoners would be removed, meaning contestants could battle in their true forms and at full strength which would play as a heavy disadvantage to both Luke and Dinah, but the mechanism around her neck would also be removed which meant the return of the canary cry. The queen and king weren't present, nor was the prince but the princess and their second daughter Isla was with the two vampire guests included. Miukei and Lailay sat side by side in the stands and very much enjoyed the brutality and blood spill that occurred in wave A and they were hoping for action comparable in B. It was Isla that took notice of both Dinah and Luke and that's where her eyes remained.
"What a series of events," Lailay licked at her lips. "That was lovely but some of those combatants appeared to lack little to no combat experience at all."
"Clearly," princess Sienna shook her head. "Do remember these are prisoners, not warriors and if before imprisoned they were without training that would explain why. But I can assure you when it comes to the main event not long from now, you both shall witness the best of the best go at it."
"One question," Miukei repositioned in her chair slightly. "I overheard two guards last night, referring to the upcoming battle royal and its ban on Vampires, werewolves, Kitsunes and the phoenix species... why is that?"
Both Isla and Sienna tried speaking at once and as a result both women laughed.
"This decision was made after long discussions between several parties involved in the tournament management and for the sake of keeping things interesting and... fair, this decision was anonymously made," Isla informed.
"I see," Miukei nodded her head. "Tournaments typically come down to warriors from those exclusive species, but this battle royal is sure to be grand regardless."
"Indeed it will," Sienna added.
The four of them quieted, as well as everyone else in the stands as the bell again rang, indicating the starting of the battle. Luke and Dinah stayed close together as they moved in on the closes combatant. Their aim was to either ring out an opponent or knock them unconscious, aiming to stay away from killing at all costs. A warrior standing over seven feet tall raced toward them throwing down an axe over them which they jumped out of the way of. Another carried a chain with a long blade at the end which he spun around and tossed out at them which wrapped around the wrist of Dinah as he pulled her forward and down onto the ground. Luke quickly raced in and cut away the chain with his blade as Canary jumped to her feet. They didn't have much time to react as another appeared out of nowhere launching into the air and throwing out a spinning kick which knocked them both over and the other opposite to them.
Three of them which included Luke and Dinah dodged incoming arrows from across the ring, but the fourth didn't as they passed right through his exposed neck and he fell to his knees, bleeding out! In another section of the ring a former assassin turned slave disarmed two of their weapons and slashed their throats before kicking both out of the ring. Another came at him from his blindside and tackled him to the ground as he struggled to fight him off. Similar activity ensued not far from them as one fighter spun through the air dropping his leg over the head of one and knocking him out cold as his helmet fell to the ground. But from behind he was kicked to the ground and avoided an attacker stabbing at him as he rolled away.
On the other side of the ring Luke threw his head to the side as a staff was swung at him and in throwing himself forward Luke forced a small dagger into his side which tore through his armor, and Luke finished things off with a knee to his chin. This was just enough for the opponent to lose his balance and stumble out of the ring. Another nearby shouted as a sword was put through his chest and knocked out of the ring by two separate persons. To her right a fighter came within an inch of Dinah who spun around kicking at his covered face and punching at his chest which he grabbed, lifting her over his shoulder and tossed her toward the ledge, put with balance and precision she kept herself in. She quickly flipped back into what was considered a safe zone and eluded someone's two sided blade, ducking under the boot of another that came rushing in and then connected with a powerful left hook his chin.
A strike from the palm of Luke sent him pushed him off balance as Dinah leg dropped him out of the ring. And almost simultaneously the duo flipped up as they were charged by three and with their hands together they kicked each of them out as they flipped overhead. By this point it wasn't just Isla who specifically kept a close eye on the two but Miukei as well. The vampire had a nag for spotting highly skilled fighters and the two of them were just that. It appeared as though others throughout the ring noticed this as well as they moved in on the duo. Without even realizing it four of them were up on them in a matter of seconds and slashing away but their armor held up against the blows that did successfully land. During this stretch the two of them were partially separated from each other but were confident in their own distinct skills. Luke disarmed an incoming target and took hold of his wrists kneeing him in the face and chest, before releasing him and elbowing the opponent out of the ring.
Dinah and another went at each other full speed with her landing countless punches and kicks, as he became overwhelmed before knocked unconscious. From up high another came down on her grabbing and Pulling at Dinah's hair as another punched into her stomach and then a third kicking at the back of her legs as she dropped to a knee. Dinah quickly spun her way out of trouble landing two punches to one's chest and jumping back as another swung a blade. A couple shurikens were thrown from across the ring which took down two fighters that were closely engaged. Not far from that was Luke who dodged from side to side and rolled over the ground as an axe was thrown. In a hurry he punched at the one who was responsible knocking him into another nearby.
Jumping back to give himself a little space Luke sword fought with two persons as Dinah made her way back to his side from the left and they again fought together. At this point those in the stands were roaring as both Dinah and Luke had become fan favorites, but as they were slaves they were without names. A combination attack by the two sent shockwaves through a combatant's body as they followed up with a combination kick that saw him out of the ring. For the next several minutes there were dozens standing from their seats with anticipation, some unable to sit.
Canary and Luke ran at one who Luke disarmed him of weapon and Dinah slid under tripping him up as Luke forced him off his feet and crossed him up with a left hook and Dinah popped up as they knocked him out of the ring together. As the numbers were lowering those around noticed the disadvantage they had, as not only did each individual display exceptional fighting abilities but they were grouped together. However it was top four that advanced and with that idea it still more or less remained a free for all. One combatant close lined another as the fighting commenced, but he forced himself up and fought against his attacker. And for the next several minutes the intensity never really died down but in the end both Dinah and Luke stood tall as the bell sounded with only four fighters that remained standing as the bell sounded, indicating the end of the battle wave. The crowds cheered louder than they had for wave A as the two hugged it out, relieved to not only have advanced to the next round, but made it through with their lives intact.
"Now that's what I came here to see," Lailay applauded as she looked to both Isla and the princess. "What are the names of those two?"
The vampire pointed out towards them.
"They're without names," Isla responded as she looked to the vampire. "That is how it is with all our prisoners, they're simply here to entertain and serve."
Miukei said nothing but the two had garnered her attention and she looked very forward to seeing more of them as the battle royal drew nearer. With her eyes back on the ring and going unnoticed by the others, Isla breathed a sigh of relief as she marched over the steps leading to the exit.
"Where you going?" Sienna called out to her. "Wave C will soon begin."
"I've seen what I wanted to," Isla waved her off. "There is something I must discuss with my unit, you can tell me about the rest later."
The princess made no effort to stop her, as she knew just how busy both her siblings got in the positions they held.
Three weeks later
Just as it had been under Wayne manor, Sasha found that her time inside the castle was going to take adjusting to. But this time around there were noticeable differences and what stood out more than anything else was her loneliness. She had been shacked up in her room for the past hour reading through adventure stories before a woman with purple hair stepped into the room. She had red eyes with a slit through them and she wore a casual green dress with brown boots.
"Good evening lady Sasha," Selene Kayeda smiled down on the child vampire. "I'm here to get you ready for dinner and tonight will especially be pleasant."
"Oh really, how?" Sasha asked.
"Your sister Moka will be in attendance and so too will your brother in law, Tsukune. You'll need to be on your best behavior as we'll have royal guests appearing and you'll finally get to meet him; the vampire that will be mated to your mother."
Sasha's legs dangled back and forth as she sat atop the bed.
"I don't get it, why aren't mommy and daddy together? Isn't that the way it's supposed to be, why aren't they mated?"
Selene chuckled at the innocent question and the way Sasha moped.
"It's complicated little one... very complicated," she breathed out. "Perhaps one day you'll understand, but for now let's get you into something nice so that you'll be ready for dinner."
"K," Sasha hopped off the bed, but had yet another question. "Kayeda -san, why doesn't momma pay more attention to me? She's always going out and when she's here, she's always busy with something else and no time for me."
The vampire again stuck out her lower lip as Selene laughed, her expression beyond cute. There were many ways she could have answered the question but she decided to stick with the truth.
"Your mother is someone of great importance to the vampire civic and even the entire yokai realm as a whole, much like your grandfather who rules over this realm. She'll make time for you when she can, but until then you'll just have to be patient as she just recently reclaimed her spot as ruler of vampires. Her rank as Dark Lord gives her far superior authority than any single faction in the entire monster world."
Sasha groaned with her arms crossed while Selene led them toward the closet and together they looked through and picked out something for her to wear. Just as it had been like with her father Sasha received a downpour of questions from both her mother and Akasha's attendants. Since then a bounty had been put on Jitoshi Ichiro's head and a prize for anyone with information regarding his whereabouts. The door to their left slowly opened as two persons entered. Sasha recognized the first as the emperor but she hadn't any idea who the second was.
"Grandfather!" Sasha jumped up happily as she skipped over to his side and gave him a hug. "Did you bring sweets like last time, please gimmie chocolate?!"
Apollo laughed patting her shoulder.
"Well let's see," he smiled reaching into his robe. "Oh look here, a lovely flower for the beautiful young lady."
The emperor set it over the left side of her ear.
"You look marvelous, just as your mother."
Sasha wasn't at all amused with his frolics, grumbling as she rolled her eyes.
"Lame, I want candy," she whined with lowered shoulders.
Selene, Apollo and the other beside him all got a kick out of her and it was at this point Sasha really took notice of this person.
"Whose he, grandfather?" Sasha posed, pointing directly at him.
"Oh, this fellow," Apollo looked to the individual. "He's no one important, just your uncle Fafnir."
Selene couldn't help but laugh and also amused at seeing this side of Apollo that she so rarely saw and this only ever happened when he was surrounded by those he considered family. He became so much more eased, humorous and down to earth.
"Uncle," Sasha blinked a couple times. "Yur momma's brother?"
"Tsh, something like that," Fafnir quietly griped.
Truthfully he was still bitter with Akasha's return and how his father handled it. He understood the self-sacrifice she made to write out those wrongs but for him that one decision didn't excuse all the bad she'd done. A termination of her Dark Lord rank would have sufficed and restrictions on any power or authority given, if any at all. Had it been himself or any of Apollo's other children, Fafnir knew it would have been that way, but with her the golden child; the emperor held Akasha on what seemed to be an exclusive pedestal. She was untouchable by his punishments and critique, or at least that's the way it seemed.
But despite all that he wouldn't hold Akasha's actions against Sasha, as she was just an innocent party in all of what took place.
"Nice to meet you," the dragon gave her a thumbs up with a smile. "Have you enjoyed living the yokai life?"
"It's okay," Sasha shrugged. "But I really, really miss daddy and nii-san and want to go home. Why can't I call them from here? Momma says there's no connection."
The child vampire then looked back to Apollo wagging her backside with her hands clasped together.
"Please grandfather, I want candy! Candy, candy, candy!"
Apollo chortled as he again reached into his robe and revealed a stack of lollipops, chocolates and other choices.
"Candy!" Sasha shouted happily.
Apollo pulled back as she jumped trying to grab at the stacks which he lowered back into his robe.
"Oh come on, no fair..." Sasha grumbled.
"Dinner is just upon us young lady," Apollo patted her over the head. "We can't have you filling up on sweets before then, or your mother would have a fit."
Sasha just shook her head.
"No it's okay, I'll just pretend to be hungry and mommy will never know."
Fafnir was the first to laugh, followed by his father and then Selene, her attempt at trying to persuade him a failure. From then they departed out into the hall where Sasha pulled at Selene's dress.
"Kayeda-san, is it true you're a doctor that knows how to treat all monsters and yokai?"
"It indeed is," the purple haired vampire nodded. "It took a full century to really grasp this talent and passion. I've studied and dissected thousands of different species, treating wounds, disease and formulating cures. I suppose you could call me the medic of the Asagaothree."
"That's so cool, are the others nice as you?" Sasha asked.
Selene giggled as they continued down a set of steps.
"You're Akasha-sama's daughter, they will adore you with all their heart just as I have."
It was in the main lobby where it was most crowded with guests. Apollo was away from his estate but under the roof of Akasha's castle was like another home away from home. The emperor was usually well received in the Kingdom Hiklorhan, though there was a portion that either feared, despised or indifferent to his policies and the way he went about ruling, but this could be said about any monarchy he chose to visit.
"Tsukune, Moka-nee!" Sasha raced passed everyone.
Moka patted Sasha over the back whose arms were wrapped around her.
"Happy to see you too, Sasha-chan," Moka smirked.
Most the guests filling in through the front entrance were vampires but there were a couple exceptions and two of those persons approached.
"Is this her, is that Sasha?!"
"Yukari-san Ruby-san," Tsukune greeted both witches before turning and looking down at Sasha. "Yup this is her, she can be a little bit shy at first but once she gets to know you, you'll see that she's full of energy."
The two witches slowly moved in on the child vampire who tightly held onto Moka the entire time.
"They're friends Sasha-chan, don't be afraid," Moka assured her.
The vampire slowly released her hold on Moka as she built up the courage to say hello, as the two witches properly introduced themselves. They weren't the only non vampires in attendance, as a couple stepped through the front entrance with locked arms.
"Hey look over there," Yukari pointed to the couple. "It's Mizore-san and Yukari."
The entire group looked in that direction as the snow woman and her husband stopped short of the assembly.
"Good to see you all again and looking good for that matter," Hironari was the first to speak, the husband of Mizore. "And who is this small one?"
"Sasha," Moka answered. "She's my little sister."
"So this is her," Mizore's eyes lit up as she dropped to her knees in front of the child. "Aren't you just the cutest? My name is Mizore, I'm a close friend of your sister. We went to school together."
Mizore sucked on her lollipop as she stood and faced Moka.
"You should have told me she was going to be here, I would have brought the kids. I dropped them off at mother's place before we made the trip here."
"Sorry, guess that sort of slipped my mind," Moka shrugged. "There will be plenty of other opportunities for her to meet your children."
"Certainly," Yukari chimed in. "We'll have to set something up, I just know the kids will love her."
Mizore felt similarly and simply just nodded her head before setting eyes on the emperor who was just a couple feet away but in a conversation with a group of five and with her husband right beside her, that's where she went. He was family to her in ways that most didn't know. And in just a little over a minute the Dark Lord herself appeared out into the sizeable space. She was dressed in a dark blue gown with a black bow tied in her hair. Akasha took only a three steps before she stopped at the echoes of whistling and she turned looking. It was someone unknown to her that approached, or at least it appeared that way on first sight.
The individual opposite her had light short spiky brown hair, red eyes with a slit through them, standing at 5'11 and wearing a dark red suit with under gray shirt and black tie. She studied his features and it was at this instant that she felt she'd seen him somewhere before but she just couldn't remember when or where.
"Long time no see, aye Akasha," he spoke, but he saw the uncertainty in her eyes as he laughed. "Always knew you had potential, even from back then but no one could have guessed you'd grow into the phenom that you did. And time certainly hasn't diminished your beauty, that's the great thing about us vampires. Damn I'd say you're even pretty now, then you were all those..."
"Who're you?" Akasha cut him off.
Again he laughed but even louder this time.
"Geeezz I really thought I would have left more of an impression, that and you can't forget that I was your very first..."
Akasha's eyes focused at this assertion as she moved back somewhat and inspected him more closely and that's when her eyes widened knowing exactly who this man was and he chuckled at the look in her eyes.
"Fumiya Ichiro!" Akasha lowered a hand over her chest as her heart rate accumulated speed.
It was back in the fifteenth century that they met, attending the same academy inside the palace of the emperor and he was also the very one that stole her virginity.
"You remember my name," he smiled with pride, running a hand through his hair. "I'm touched, but I suppose I shouldn't be bitter. Not all of us have amounted up to what you've done in the past couple centuries."
Her brain spun as she recalled memories of those days and how this very person single handedly destroyed one of her friendships that had potential to be so much more. He only laughed as he took off walking away and enjoying very much the tortured look in her eyes, but he stopped just after a couple steps.
"To be honest I'm a much different person than I was back in those days, a couple kids but the wife and I separated nearly eighty years ago but we were together for nearly ten decades, so there's that. We've kept in contact since then and have remained pals... I really did let a good woman slip through my fingers."
"What happened?" Akasha inquired.
"My urges for living high and reckless, as well as my love for other women... well I think you know where this is going. No disrespect intended, but you're smokin! Too bad nothing became of you and I."
Akasha grimaced with clinched fists as she looked to retort but then Ichiro waved her off as he continued walking.
"Nice seeing you princess, hopefully we'll see a lot more of each other in the future and good luck to you and Orsic."
The Dark Lord held herself back from marching after him as she remained calm, taking a few deep breathes and that's when she looked across the room and spotted Colton Orsic surrounded by a group of five women who were all draped over him, two of which kissing at either side of his neck and one even lightly biting at his ear. If that wasn't bad enough Colton's hand was over the buttock of one and he squeezed as she giggled and Akasha couldn't feel more embarrassed. With her eyes locked on him the pink haired vampire marched that way with clutched fists but she only managed to get halfway across the room before she bumped into someone that pulled her off to the side.
"Father," she looked up at Apollo.
His eyes however remained on Colton who he'd been surveying for the last minute and it was absolutely distasteful and disgusting. To think this man was to be mated to Akasha within the next couple months yet here he was without a care in the world entertaining himself with other women.
"May I have a word?" Apollo questioned simply.
"I'll handle this!"
Akasha again marched forward but she was held back by him with a firm grip.
"Let him make a fool of himself, there is something we must discuss."
Once her resistance had come to a stop Apollo released his hold of the vampire and pointed to a door off to their left and he led the way as she followed.
"It's mommy!" Sasha spotted her mother from another section of the room.
Moka and the others were much too occupied and didn't notice as Sasha took off running and settling into the next room Akasha stood in front of her father with crossed arms and clearly unsettled.
"What?" she rolled her eyes, agitated with Colton.
The emperor took a couple moments before speaking.
"You're soon to be mate disgraces you and this family with such conducts. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you do not love this man then I strongly suggest you back out now... even if that means enduring the hundreds of suitors that'll come your way. I stood by and watched you make this same mistake before, granted you were in love with Shuzen in that instance but this time that cannot be said."
"And how would you know?" Akasha glared.
"Your eyes my child, I can see the truth in them. That however isn't what I wanted to touch on, but it is Colton's behaviors that brought this to my attention. It has to do with the girl and her future, Sasha."
At this point their eyes were locked and Akasha didn't flinch.
"Is that the sort of person you want to raise your child, the human Wayne is just as Colton and such behavior will only affect young Sasha negatively as I've stated? The decision is yours but I suggest you keep that child under your care for the next several years and..."
"And keep her from seeing her father! I could never do that, she loves him and he loves her and he would protect Sasha with his life!"
"I'd like to believe that, but a man such as that will otherwise find himself sinking into his wealth and the party life of carelessness. What this child needs is a mother and father that are willing to show their affection and guidance, both of which I question if this man is capable of. He's a far cry from a good role model and Sasha living under a roof with that, my grandchild I simply will not tolerate."
Colton already had her on edge and angered but now this further added to that irritation.
"You shouldn't say things about people you don't understand, and to say he doesn't love her is despicable! And there isn't any man out there that would provide better direction then him, you don't know him like I do!"
Apollo's eyes lingered on her the entire time and he couldn't believe any of what was coming out of her mouth, defending someone like that who was essentially blemished with too much money and could do some good if he so chose to do so.
"Enlighten me child, please tell me the difference between a Bruce Wayne and Colton Orsic? You're allowing your past feelings and the fact that you share a child to cloud your judgement. Such a man would lead your daughter down the wrong path, and he'd shape her into a party rat like himself. You're better suited to raise that child as she is a vampire."
"And keep Bruce from seeing her, I cannot and will not accept nor let that happen. He is her father for crying out loud!"
"My child," Apollo backtracked as the pink haired vampire had misunderstood. "That isn't what I..."
The door behind them shot open and standing in the doorway with clinched fists and rage filled eyes was Sasha.
"Darling," Akasha lowered a hand over her heart as she raced to Sasha's side and dropped to a knee. "What's wrong?"
"Why mom?" Sasha cried as she looked up at Apollo. "Why did grandfather say such cruel things about dad, that stuff isn't true?"
Akasha stretched her arms and pulled Sasha in while she held back tears.
"There, there he didn't mean to say those things," Akasha caressed her lovingly and spoke softly.
"Yes he did," Sasha shook her head as she forced her way out of Akasha's hold. "Daddy is the best dad in the whole world and does lots of good for everyone, he isn't like what you think."
It was then that Akasha decided to step in as she didn't want Sasha speaking out of place.
"That'll be enough," the Dark Lord smiled lowering a hand over her shoulder. "Dinner will be ready soon, are you hungry?"
"Daddy protects people with his own two hands!" Sasha shrugged Akasha off as she stepped forward. "He and nii-san are the greatest duo to ever live, Batman and Rob..."
Akasha quickly jumped forward covering Sasha's mouth with a single hand but by then it was already too late, and Akasha could see it in her father's eyes. He allowed this claim to truly sink in and if true it explained a lot, particularly his daughter's attraction to this man that beforehand seemed no different than any other billionaire with too much time and money.
"Excuse me child," Apollo's eyes specifically fell over Akasha. "Did I hear right, is what she said true?"
Though over eighty percent of his time from awakening had been spent on the yokai realm, the emperor knew all about the human world's uprising in super beings and their quest for bringing peace. He had particularly heard many stories about the alien kryptonian, the Green Lanterns and the amazon princess, but he wasn't oblivious to the caped crusader, dark knight and most notably referred to as the Batman.
"It's the truth, I swear it!" Sasha ripped Akasha's hand away.
Apollo however wanted to hear it from his daughter who by then wouldn't look him in the face and if this was fact, why hide it? The very idea of this unsettled him as he believed his beloved child to be transparent but as of late that didn't seem to be entirely true.
"There you are," Moka entered the room. "Mother, there's guests here from Yundervelt here to see you."
"On my way," Akasha stood as she took Sasha's hand and knew Moka's arrival couldn't have come at a better time. "Let's go Sasha."
Moka led the way as the three of them exited and for a moment Apollo just stood, going through his thoughts and he knew one way or another Sasha's allegation needed to be confirmed or denounced. The human male was the father of his grandchild and if he was secretly the Batman, Apollo felt it his obligation to know.
Days later
It was just after midnight and the streets had been relatively quiet but then came the bright signal in the sky as he stepped on the gas and gathered speed, arriving at GCPD in a matter of minutes. He leaped upward and atop the building but standing there in front of the signal wasn't who he expected to see as the individual slowly turned with a cane in hand. He was dressed in a brown jacket with dark colored jeans and a white under shirt. Not one from either side spoke for as the yokai just charted him with great detail before exhaling.
"Do you know who I am?" the emperor inquired.
The dark knight remained still and silent with no answer as a stare down ensued.
"No answer huh," Apollo chuckled and especially looked at the caped crusader's chin and lips. "Very well, then I shall take the initiative... Mister Wayne."
Batman's eyes narrowed as he clinched his fists and not even for a moment did he look away from Apollo.
"Was it Akasha?"
Continuing on as if he were clueless any further was pointless and he knew eventually it would come to this. There was so much he knew about this man all thanks to Constantine, but he knew it was beneficial not to reveal this very knowledge. There was no telling if at some point that very decision might become crucial.
"The visit to your home now has clarity," Apollo went on. "How much of that was true and how much an act, boy?"
"Who told you," Batman glared.
This left them in a standstill for some moments as Apollo took a deep breath.
"It was the child, young Sasha and to her credit she was simply defending you. Regardless of what is true or not, I will give credit where it is due. The child loves you, so you've clearly excelled in that matter."
"There are other ways you could have made contact, the signal isn't something to be so casually used. What do you want?" Batman inquired.
"To say we got off on the wrong foot is an understatement and I'd like to have a sit down with you at some point. My daughter has been very avid about how great a man you are and I'd like to discover this for myself. I cannot decipher what's true from false, but I will."
"You done?"
Apollo wasn't particularly fond of Batman's somewhat authoritative tone in trying to rid himself of the emperor.
"Eventually we shall get around to that, but there is something else that led me here and it has to do with your team... the Justice League. I'd like to converse with you all."
Batman glared as he took a step forward.
"If you think you can just show up here and make demands, you have another thing coming."
This left them in another stoppage as Apollo held his position and thought long and hard about how he'd respond. For a while they just stood there before the emperor spoke up.
"That wasn't a demand, simply a request. I wish for a better biosphere between our two worlds and coexistence down the line and this league of yours is very much a driving force of inspiration it seems not only here but in the realm of yokai. I wish to hold a council and speak with the entirety of your team. I've lived for many millenniums and I know a thing or two about leading and carrying on the right way. I have other means of contacting your team, but this is the quickest and most efficient. So what will it be?"
The caped crusader didn't answer as he instead stepped forward and shut off the bat signal. With a small pad removed from his belt the caped crusader wrote something down just before handing it to Apollo.
"A time and location, don't be late."
Apollo took the piece of paper into hand skimming it over and looked up to speak, but he was gone! The Batman had completely vanished and even as Apollo looked off the roof's ledge there were no signs of him.
XXX
He descended in the old service elevator from the Westien building into the bowels of the basement far into the ground. It had been his return to the human world in quite some time but his mind was fixated on one thing, the elimination of what some were calling a bat god and the almighty queen. There were many ways he could have went about his approach or possibly gotten the knight's attention as he'd done his research but he had an even better idea. The Batman was known as king of Gotham undisputed but in further digging and research the king of vampires came across something very, very intriguing. There was said to be others, a faction hiding out in the depths, darkest corners of the city and secretly controlling things and allowing the masses to believe the Batman had control when in fact it was they who pulled the strings and allowed his crusade to go on.
They weren't the easiest bunch to dig up but he'd been around for centuries and had spent chunks at a time in man's world and so he knew his way around and how to get information. And now here he stood disguised as one of them and attending one of their supposed mandatory meetings and he looked to make his move and take control of this faction and bend it to his will. As he made his way down the dark hall he took notice of a single file line leading into a larger room and for the time being he was willing to remain patient as he had been and just as himself every other individual wored a white mask covering their faces and by this point he had also memorized their chant, catchphrase which was repeated over and over by so many as they entered into the room.
"Beware The Court of Owls, that watches all the time, ruling Gotham from a shadowed perch, behind granite and lime. They watch you at your hearth, they watch you in your bed speak not a whispered word of them or they'll send the Talon for your head."
Yes this was exactly it, they were exactly what he needed to draw out the bat as it would also give him eyes and ears throughout the entirety of Gotham. Little did a single of them know that as they piled into the large space the intruder among them had servants of his own on standby locking off each and every exit as the last of them piled in and took their seats. The intruder however remained standing looking upward at who was clearly the leader and spokesman. The intruder wasn't in anyway interested in sitting through one of their little meets and only waited around until he received clearance from his outside help through a small communications device inside his ear. Up front the meeting was just about underway as the leading member began speaking but was quickly cut off by the intruder who pushed out of his seat and made his way down the aisle.
"My brothers and sisters tonight marks the beginning of something grand," the masked intruder raised his arms above his head. "Tonight we make change and I shall be the one to rid this city of its disease in the form of a bat. We shall strike him down where he stands and before now perhaps you didn't have the means to do so... but not anymore."
Side conversations and whispers ensued within the crowds as the talon atop the podium looked down on this unknown.
"It's uncanny for one to disrupt the gathering, are you unaware of how things work here? An owl doesn't speak out of turn!"
The masked intruder simply laughed as he lowered his hood and tossed his mask aside, revealing red eyes and baring his fangs.
"I'm no owl," he bared his fangs. "I'm that of a bat, Demitri Maximoff the ultimate vampire warrior and this court is now mine! I shall shape Gotham as I see fit, starting with the fall of the Batman!"
Demitri blitzed the leading owl as he buried his fangs deep into his neck, draining him of his blood as other court members watched in horror as he ultimately tossed him aside after taking just enough to put him under his control, wiping away the blood from his lips.
"You will all become my puppets!"
The vampire zipped through the crowds moving at speeds that they were barely able to follow as more and more of them were subjected to his bites with blood splatter and those that could ran for the exits in horror but quickly found they were locked in and just as the others there was no escaping Demitri Maximoff's wrath!
XXX
It was out in the middle of nowhere he stood, surrounded by lots of trees, bushes and there was even a lake out in front of him with plenty of stones and boulders about. He hadn't any idea if this location was deliberately selected but it had quite the view and the moon's light reflected bright off the lake's surface and throughout the surrounding trees were the sounds of birds chirping. Such a peaceful environment almost prompted him to take a seat, close his eyes and just meditate as the air seemingly could be no fresher.
In his right hand was that of his cane while his opposite hand rested inside the pocket of his robe as he paced around in front of the lake and patiently waited. It was after another minute of waiting that a vivid light appeared behind him which he turned and faced that way and when it died down there were five persons standing before him and in the middle was Batman who stepped forward in front of the emperor.
"You wanted a meeting with the league," Batman stopped short of him.
Apollo took a close look at the group as he removed a hand from his pocket and scratched at his chin.
"Where is he," Apollo looked around before his eyes fell back on the dark knight. "Superman... I do not see him amongst this bunch."
"Unavailable," Batman responded. "This isn't the entire team, but it's whose available so talk or we leave."
Behind the caped stood both Green Lanterns, Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz. Also in attendance was Cyborg and Wonder Woman who sided with Batman.
"Emperor of the monster world," Wonder Woman offered her hand as they shook hands. "Batman has told us very little about you, but we know the essentials. You wish to speak with us about a possible alliance?"
Apollo simply shook his head as he lowered his hand from hers.
"No, I'm here for an entirely different reason and the delay in this gathering has lingered for longer than it should have. No more than a month after my awakening some years ago I learned of you bunch and your methods."
Simon raised an eyebrow beneath his mask as this person seemed to be implying something through just his tone.
"What of it?" Cyborg questioned cracking his knuckles.
Apollo especially looked over this individual for an extended period taking note of his cybernetics as the emperor was knowledgeable on the various types of metals and materials throughout both the human world and yokai realm and what he saw before him was unique and unlike anything he'd seen. Much as it intrigued him he didn't want to waste precocious time discussing something that was far passed the point to his visit.
"As I was eluding to," his eyes returned to the entire group. "The reputation of your league since I went dormant has risen to unimaginable lengths... you lot referred to as gods and deities. Have you thought for a moment you're going about it all wrong, that you may be doing more harm than good?" Apollo stared them over.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jessica bit back. "The world is better because of our combined efforts."
"I shall put it all out on the table and make it clear, so that you bunch understand. For millenniums I've endured in this world and in that time I've rarely come across some of what is in your division and those in the past that have held such strength as what your league possess looked to conquer by force."
It was then Simon that chuckled.
"Apollo is it?" the Green Lantern spoke up. "Trust me man, I doubt you've seen anything that has near the firepower we do."
"Lantern," Wonder Woman looked back at him as she shook her head, as she knew the last thing they needed was an argument breaking out. "You were saying?"
The amazon's eyes again reverted to the emperor who cleared his throat as he continued.
"From what I've observed and heard I find it difficult to put trust in beings such as yourselves. Learning of your operations in the world of man, has made me question you all time and again," the emperor spoke as his eyes narrowed for a moment. "I've listened to legends and tales of the amazon race of warrior women and a hidden island, but that was it... tales. Yet here one stands in the flesh. And then there's those like Superman who've seemingly fallen from the sky, aliens and demons from other worlds. So now I ask, to what end... what do you lot wish to accomplish, what is your goal?"
"What is it to you? This isn't your realm and nor does your jurisdiction span to these parts," Simon inquired.
Wonder Woman frowned upon the lantern who shrugged his shoulders and backtracked.
"Each and every one of us does what we do for our own reasons but share the same goal. We wish to protect those that are unable to do so themselves and inspire along the way."
"Inspire you say. There are many ways in which one can go about inspiring without bringing attention to one's self. You wish to inspire, yes. The path you all walk so casually with your tails held high is paved in ruin." The emperor paced back and forth with his cane in hand. "And what have you all truly accomplished, will the world be better off or worse for what you've done?"
"We've saved countless lives, stopped catastrophes, and done things that would otherwise be impossible for others," Batman glared. "I haven't any idea what you're suggesting, but the league is just fine without your opinion."
Even as he stood there the caped crusader continued to play the role of the unknown, but he knew so much more about the emperor and his past. He wasn't one to trust so easily, even if the person in question hadn't given him a reason not to.
"I carry with me wisdom and if the likes of you all wish to truly make a difference you should take into consideration some of what I say. I'm not here to impede or tell you how you should go about doing what you do, but I have a vision and that vision includes coexistence with humans at some point." Apollo replied.
"And what does this wisdom of yours say we do?" Cyborg asked.
The emperor again cleared his throat as his thoughts flowed.
"It is your methods where the problem lies. Whether you believe it or not humanity could very well have been put in a worse spot with the emergence of your Justice League. Man as it stands now will never truly accept beings such as yourselves with so much power and abilities to do things they could only dream of and with that comes fear and inevitably hatred to which some will seek out your very annihilation. Now I ask again, have you lot truly done anything to improve man's world. Let's say for instance tomorrow comes and you were all erased."
"That a threat?" Cyborg inquired, not particularly fond of his tone.
"Let him finish," Wonder Woman replied.
Apollo immediately continued on.
"How would mankind handle with the absence of its so called heroes that they so heavily rely on? In essence it could be looked upon as a spoiled child that got everything he or she wanted with minimal effort. What I elude to is with such a heavy presence and operating out in the open as you do, you folk have spoiled mankind who so heavily relies on your doings and this holds them back from their true potential. Humans are capable of doing anything when they put their minds to it, but so often they allow their ambitions, greed or thirst for power to sidetrack them from growing and reaching their true potential. The species of man is the greatest creation, and to me they're all like priceless gems that must be protected and given the opportunity to flourish."
The group of Justice League members went silent as they took several seconds to really ponder his words.
"What would you have us do, go into hiding and work from the shadows?" Simon questioned.
It was then almost all eyes fell on Batman and it went without saying as they knew exactly how he operated on his own.
"I'm not your master or emperor so I will not force my views upon you, but it is something you should all consider. However I must say you're regarded in positive light within my realm and that is all I leave you with."
The emperor turned his back as he walked off and a portal opening in front of him.
"Where are you going?" Wonder Woman called out to him.
"Home," Apollo only slightly gazed over his shoulder back at her. "There is much on my plate with a potential crises shaping and I shall stop it before it does. Keep a lookout, we shall meet again."
Apollo stepped through the vortex as it closed behind him, leaving behind the JLA who for some time said nothing as each reflected on the conversation. It was Jessica that eventually spoke up first, running a couple gloved fingers through her hair.
"I thought he was kinda cute..." she smiled whilst Simon face palmed.
It was then Wonder Woman who looked to Batman.
"When and where did he find you and what is your relationship with the monster world's emperor?"
"Long story, Diana," Batman gazed at her from the corner of his eyes.
"Okay, but do you trust him... should we trust him?" the amazon princess stepped in front of the caped crusader.
To be continued
- 7
- 8
- 9
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Clash of Realms