Volume 5: The Young Wolf Seeks Home Chapter 1 Justice League: Criticism and Self-Criticism
The atmosphere in the Justice League's watchtower today is unusually solemn.
Green Arrow Oliver Queen, who had just been discharged from the hospital, was still a little weak. He walked into the Hall of Justice on crutches and was supported by his girlfriend Ms. Black Canary.
When the high-tech hatch opened, the round table in front of us was already full of people.
This scene was very similar to the last time everyone was discussing here how to deal with the alien world that crashed into the earth, but the theme of today's meeting was obviously different.
Oliver thought that all the participants were extremely serious, with such deep thought on their faces that there was not even a trace of smile.
This is clearly a statement of high emotional intelligence.
It's low emotional intelligence, so I won't say anything because it's quite vulgar.
Even the magician Miss Zatanna, who was attending the trial on behalf of the spellcasters, had a look of frustration and worry on her face. It was obvious that being the "nanny" of a group of young wizards in the past few days had made the famous unmarried white wizard feel the horror of married life in advance.
Daily fear of marriage +1!
The atmosphere was very depressing, and the pale-faced Wonder Woman sitting at the round table and the tired-looking Flash holding a cup of wolfberry tea exacerbated the spread of this atmosphere.
The most outrageous one is Cyborg.
This Justice League cyborg is still in the process of upgrading his quantum brain, so there is a thick data cable connected to the back of his head.
Almost all of the outer armor of its mechanical body has been removed, and it sits on a chair in the posture of a "mechanical skeleton". A large number of mechanical nanoworms are moving around in its body frame and reorganizing its internal modules.
To be honest, this scene looks a bit creepy.
But Green Arrow knew the origin of the scene before him. Everyone's low mood came from the shameful failure they had just suffered. Everyone here was a loser.
Even including Batman, who is dressed in black and doesn't say a word.
"Green Arrow, sit down."
Superman extended his hand to invite his companion to sit on the chair. When he saw the twitching corners of Oliver's mouth under the domino mask, Superman asked softly:
"Is your leg better?"
"It's OK. I can walk now."
Green Arrow whispered:
"It will take some time to recover. That crazy young man broke my legs and gave me a terrible potion. The pain made me see the gates of hell opening with my own eyes."
"He just took off your leg bone, how serious can it be? Stop complaining."
Wonder Woman, who was out of breath, touched her wrist and sighed:
"I still don't know how much he has taken from me. To be honest, if he hadn't thought of such a shameful and vicious way to torture me, I wouldn't have known that I had such a weakness..."
"He also took your weapon."
Arthur Curry, who was present, glanced at Diana, who looked depressed. The deep-sea brute whispered:
"I think for a warrior, this is much more serious than physical pain, right?"
"The loss of the Lasso of Truth is not a big deal."
Diana shook her head and said:
"The temple on Paradise Island still has the belt of the goddess Hestia enshrined in it. We just need to find a skilled craftsman to remake it. But you are right, Arthur.
I am a warrior, and I was disarmed, which is enough to make me a disgrace to all Amazons."
"That's better than being strapped to a rocket and dropped into your farm under the attention of the entire town, right?"
Dachao couldn't help but join in the complaints.
This mild-mannered Kryptonian seemed to recall some embarrassing scenes. He couldn't help but sighed with his hand on his forehead:
"My family was terrified, except for my stupid son who was very excited, everyone else was worried that my heroic career would be ruined.
The Daily Planet has published several articles to refute the rumors, but the adverse impact caused cannot be dissipated in a short period of time.
Worst of all, I still have to figure out how to make up for the poor harvest this year caused by the corn fields I destroyed, and explain to my family why my cousin is missing..."
"So, are you guys competing to see how miserable you are now? No matter how miserable you are, can you be more miserable than me?"
Green Lantern Hal Jordan, who was sitting in a chair unharmed, complained with a look of pain on his face:
"My lantern ring was attacked by a virus and triggered a shutdown command. This is a rare occurrence in the entire Green Lantern Corps in the past countless years.
I was ordered to write an accident report and rush to Oa Star to attend an inquiry meeting composed of 72 Lanterns.
The worst thing is that the central battery of the planet Oa has entered a self-upgrade process due to the BUG I discovered. Until the cause of the failure is found and the upgrade program is completed, all Lanterns are not allowed to overuse their lantern rings.
What the hell!
It would be fine if I lost the fight, as the Lantern is never afraid of failure, but the tragic thing is that I didn't even see the enemy, so how should I write this accident report?
The minimum requirement is 40,000 words! I can’t even come up with that number even if I rack my brains.”
Seeing that the Justice League's "misery contest" was getting more and more intense, the master who had been silent felt that he had no choice but to step forward. If this continued, everyone's morale would be completely lost.
He looked around, wondering if the "Anti-Union Tactics" that Mason had left him needed any supplementation, and then he spoke:
"Everyone!"
As soon as the master spoke, everyone stopped complaining.
They all looked at Batman.
The look in his eyes had different meanings. It was said that the old man had been brutally attacked by a strange individual in his own territory in Gotham's Batcave.
If he hadn't made preparations in advance, he probably wouldn't be here today.
According to the gossip spread by the Elastic Man who was the first to rush to support after receiving the distress signal, Batman was beaten badly by the fierce and mysterious opponent, and even his bat suit was torn into pieces everywhere.
It is said that the master was covered in wounds, extremely weak, and out of breath, as if he had suffered some kind of suspicious abuse.
"We are not gathered here today to share each other's experience of defeat."
The master ignored the gazes directed at him. He stood up and said in his signature hoarse voice:
"While this was rare, it was an unavoidable fact that we suffered terrible defeats, as our enemies cunningly caught our weaknesses and exploited them.
We can say that he is opportunistic.
But in a life-and-death confrontation, such a failure is enough to be fatal and cause irreparable losses.
This failure should alert us! We are not invincible, we should face our weaknesses and avoid them. "
"That's right."
Dachao also looked at his companions with a serious expression, and said in a deep voice:
“Is our failure really due to our lack of strength? No, absolutely not. From what I know about Mason Cooper, he is no match for any of us in terms of absolute strength.
Yet he had us in his hands overnight.
We did not lose to a powerful force.
We lost because of our mentality. We thought he wouldn't be able to make any splash, but that amazing young man slapped us hard in the face with his actions.
But, this is not a bad thing..."
"Please, Superman, don't try to turn a bad thing into a good thing at this time."
Aquaman complained:
"If we lose, we lose. We can afford to lose! I also know why everyone is gathered here today . The first failure can be attributed to underestimating the enemy and being unprepared, but if we fail the second time, there will be no excuses.
The most important thing right now is not to review, but to come up with a solution.”
At this point, Arthur looked at the master with a strange look in his eyes and said:
"I think Batman's counter-intelligence tactics have been greatly expanded. In order to protect us from being defeated by powerful enemies and to protect us from being seen through by our own people, I think we need to carry out targeted training in the coming period.
And this mission belongs to none other than Batman."
"Yes, for a guy who only thinks about how to beat up his own people, it's easy for him to design a reinforcement plan for us."
Green Lantern echoed:
“And we have to put intelligence gathering back on the agenda. It turns out that we seriously underestimated the capabilities of that mysterious member of the Star Society.
They are by no means the third-rate opponents we imagined.
They are dangerous!
We must prepare in advance.
I have sent the information of the Star Society to Oa Star, and am applying for the assistance of the Lanterns. Although the monitors do not participate in or encourage this matter, they have not stopped my recruitment efforts.
With any luck, the next time the war breaks out, we'll have powerful allies from other planets... a true group of lights!
Ha, we will be invincible."
"luck?"
Xiao Shan, who had been silent all this time, suddenly raised his head and said in a firm tone:
"We can't rely on luck for something like this, Hal! That could lead to some pretty terrible consequences. We have to be 100%! No, 500% prepared!"
These words made everyone around look at Xiao Shan in surprise.
In their impression, the Flash is a very active and kind character, sometimes a little rough but always optimistic. It is hard to imagine such bat-like remarks coming out of his mouth.
"By the way, where have you been lately?"
Hal Jordan, a good friend of Little Flash, frowned and said:
"Why didn't you answer my calls these past few days asking me to go out and relax? I thought you were traveling through time again."
"I……"
Xiao Shan hesitated for a moment, coughed and said:
"I just went out for a run. After all, being frozen by an ordinary person is too damaging to my self-esteem."
"Yeah, I heard you were still frozen naked."
Green Lantern quipped:
"It's a pity I was busy and didn't run to take some pictures so I could laugh at you."
"Everyone!"
The master emphasized his tone, causing Green Lantern to immediately make an apologetic gesture, and then stretched out his hand to pull his mouth, indicating that he would not interrupt again.
"Zatanna, please publish the information you have collected."
Batman made a "please" gesture to Zuckerberg who was listening in. The latter immediately stood up and placed a magic ornament at the center of the Justice League's round table. Soon a series of projections were released.
She took off her tall hat and put it aside, explaining:
"Our operations in Gotham have not been without success. We have captured 15 of the Star Order's spellcasters. They are currently being held in the Mystery House and are being questioned and tortured.
We have obtained a lot of valuable intelligence from several weak-willed people, but the soul curse attached to them prevents them from revealing any information concerning the core secrets of the Star Society.
We cannot determine their headquarters, their top-level structure, their modes of action and their specific plans.
What is certain at present is that the core members of this organization number in the tens of thousands, and the number of lower-level members who are used as consumables is even larger.
The most terrifying thing is that they occupy the resources of many planets in parallel worlds.
We cannot fight a war of attrition , it is unwinnable.”
"Wait, Zatanna."
Wonder Woman, who has always been very emo, suddenly raised her head, looked at Zuckerberg and said:
"There were more than just these spellcasters escaping from Gotham City that night. Are there still fugitives who haven't been captured yet?"
"have!"
Xiao Zha brushed his smooth black long straight hair and said seriously:
“Doctor Fate is personally leading the team to hunt them down, but we can confirm that there are some people in this world who are secretly helping these outsiders, and their whereabouts are quite secretive.
This is also the reason why I am attending the meeting today. We need to get intelligence support from the Justice League to search for their traces throughout the world.
The barrier that suppresses the world gate and prevents crossing the border cannot be opened for a long time.
That would compromise the stability of this world's leyline, so we must capture those who escape before it is forced to shut down."
"We must also prevent them from jumping off the cliff in desperation!"
Dachao stood up and said:
“Those people possess extremely dangerous abilities, and they have strong malice towards our world. They may create inhumane disasters around the world at any time.
We must act! "
"Yes, if we can't catch Mason Cooper, can we catch them?"
Arthur stood up suddenly, and the deep-sea rough man said loudly:
"I'll go back to Atlantis and put marine life on alert worldwide. If you need help, just let me know and I'll rush over immediately."
"I'm going too."
Wonder Woman, who still looked a little weak, stretched her wrists and stood up. The female demigod stretched her wrists and said through gritted teeth:
"I'm really mad right now and I desperately need a fight to get myself back to life."
"Cyborg?"
The master glanced at the cyborg that seemed to be down for maintenance. The latter was still in the process of upgrading its system. It responded with an electronic voice without any emotion using the backup thread:
“World Monitoring Program is online!
Energy tracking programs are in operation, and mobile communications are decentralized. Areas with residual energy characteristics have been detected in South America, Africa, and Antarctica.
Target designated, awaiting combat mission assignment."
"I'll lead the team."
Superman moved his fingers, looked at Batman, and said:
"Regarding Mason Cooper who mysteriously disappeared after that night..."
"He was a member of the Bat-Family."
The master said in a hoarse voice:
“I’ll deal with him!
After you come back, I will come up with an intensive training plan. In addition, Diana, I can help you find a craftsman who is capable of handling divine items, if you are confident..."
" I'm at ease when you do things."
Diana waved her hand and followed Superman out of the hall. She said proudly:
"The warriors of Paradise Island will deliver the Girdle of the Goddess Hestia to you and help me complete the rearmament as soon as possible."
"Well, now that we're talking about this."
Green Arrow also raised his hand and said:
"I think Black Canary and I also need to upgrade our weapons. It turns out that ordinary suits and weapons are no longer able to protect us from the attacks of the Star Society.
But I'd rather ask you for help, Batman, since you're the acknowledged master in this area than to fumble around on your own."
"Well, the plan for a comprehensive replacement has also been put on the agenda, and I have found a trustworthy master craftsman to help."
The master nodded and said:
"I will come up with the finished product as soon as possible. Green Arrow, you and Black Canary stay in the Watchtower to assist Cyborg. Flash, you follow me.
I need you to help me find the traces of Mason left in this world."
A few minutes later, the Batfighter flew out of the watchtower and headed towards the earth. In the cockpit, the master activated data protection to prevent being eavesdropped. Xiao Shan behind him took out a document and handed it over.
He whispered:
"I went to the Gotham orphanage seventeen years ago and witnessed with my own eyes the scene where Mason was sent there as an infant, and I have to say, Bruce, we really underestimated his background.
I almost had my heart ripped out by that mysterious woman."
"Um?"
Batman didn't expect that sending Flash to get the file would actually lead to something like this. He asked in a hoarse voice:
"You mean to say that Mason was sent there on purpose?"
"No, I mean that maybe Mason himself doesn't know that he is not from our world at all! He is an alien! Just like Clark , although he didn't crash-land here in a spaceship."
The Flash sighed and said:
“I saw with my own eyes that woman open a very strange door. She seemed to be seriously injured. She put Mason at the door of the orphanage and staggered away.
Someone must have been chasing her, and I went forward to help but she attacked me.
The car accident on the night Mason was adopted was also intentional. Another group of people crossed the border and tried to take him away, and I stopped them.
It was also me who guided a drunken Robert Cooper to find him at the scene of the car accident.
To be honest, I wanted to send him to you when he was still in his cradle...but I have seen with my own eyes the consequences of disrupted time, and I was also surprised to find that I had known Mason seventeen years ago.
No wonder I always have a strange sense of closeness when I face him.
I suspect he has, too.
Otherwise it would not explain why he would go easy on me while he beat up others."
Batman listened to this incredible story while opening Mason's adoption documents and his childhood belongings. He looked at a blood-stained card and fell into deep thought.
A few seconds later, the master suddenly said:
"Barry, tell me honestly, did you and Mason bring back something from other worlds?"
"Um?"
Xiao Shan was stunned for a moment, and he whispered:
"We didn't, that's against the laws of time and space, I won't do that, you know me... But, did you feel anything?
Could it be that someone from the Star Society is lurking around you?
Do you need my help finding it?"
"No need, I can't be sure, but if I need anything, I will contact you as soon as possible."
The master shook his head.
He played with the blood-stained card belonging to Mason in his hand, stopped talking but recalled the meal he had last night.
He didn't know how to describe it to Barry, but he felt something different from before during that ordinary midnight snack, a feeling that was very unfamiliar to Batman.
It's so warm that it makes people uneasy, but irresistible.
It's like...
It was like a long-lost treasure suddenly returned, and for the first time in his life he even resisted uncovering the truth behind it. However, he is Batman after all.
Tenderness was an illusion to him.
He must keep his eyes open at all times. It seems that it is time to do a "major inspection" of Wayne Manor.
