Chapitre 3: Chaos in Bludheaven.
Batman and Diamondhead began to fight the horde of monsters one after the other, Gentleman Ghost intervened by shooting lasers at them but they were fast enough to dodge and reflect the attacks.
Batman punched them and threw explosives at them while Ben shoots crystals at them. Gentleman Ghost would continue his summons while growing more frustrated by the second.
Diamondhead was having similar thoughts and decided to end the hordes and let Batman handle the rest.
'This is getting us nowhere; the monsters just keep coming and coming. Time for an AOE.' Diamondhead.
"Hey! Can you get some height?" Diamondhead asks Batman.
"What for?" Batman.
"I'm gonna crush them all at once." Diamondhead.
Batman nods and pulls out his grappling gun, he latches unto a building and lets Diamondhead unleash his attack.
Diamondhead sprouts thousands of crystals from beneath and pierces every monster, except for ghosts, in the area, even those that were being continuously summoned would be pierced the moment they appeared. Batman decided to analyze his abilities while aiming one of his Batarangs towards Gentleman Ghost.
'That form's abilities are quite exceptional, must prepare contingencies after this whole ordeal.' Batman thought as he threw the Batarang towards GG.
Gentleman Ghost is hit by the Batarang and then grab it; he uses his staff and shoots a laser against it.
"You're gonna need more than that, Batman." GG.
"Give up while you can, Craddock. I'm not in a good mood." Batman.
"Well, you're free to leave, Batman. But what about the innocent citizens of Bludheaven, whose souls are about to be extracted?" GG.
"What?!" Batman.
"You see, after all of these years being unable to die, I devoted myself to make life miserable to you and as many heroes as possible, however, this body limits my abilities and growth extremely."
"Which is why I came to the conclusion that instead of devoting myself to the dead, I should try to be back amongst the living. Fortunately, I was contacted by a nice gentleman that had the perfect solution." GG.
Ben takes advantage of the monologue and transforms.
"In exchange of all the souls in Bludheaven, he'll make a physical body for me. Isn't that lovely?" GG.
"This is sick, even for you, Craddock." Batman.
"It may be so, but who cares! Now, if you excuse me, I'll---" Gentleman Ghost was punched in the face.
The one who punched him was a white spectral figure with a purple eye in his face. Ben transformed into an Ectonurite, whose name is Ghostfreak.
"Sorry for interrupting, but I haven't eaten anything and would like to finish this shindig as fast as possible." Ghostfreak.
"But how?! No mortal should be able to touch me!" GG.
"Well, for starters, I'm not exactly "alive", and second: I posses an even greater power in the night than you." Ghostfreak.
Ghostfreak rips his chest open and exposes six purple tentacles with black stripes, the center of his chest begins to glow purple and shoots an ectoplasmic beam at Gentleman Ghost.
Gentleman Ghost counters with his own blast of otherworldly energy and a clash occurs. Ghostfreak and Gentleman Ghost are at an impasse until Batman interferes with some Batarangs.
GG was hit by the Batarangs and lost focus, enough time for Ghostfreak's ray to overwhelm him and push him back. Gentleman Ghost gets pushed back and phases through various buildings until the beam stops.
'That took a toll.' Ghostfreak.
Batman makes his way towards GG with Nth metal handcuffs but when he arrives, he notices that GG was nowhere to be found. Ghostfreak arrived seconds later and wondered where he went.
"There's a chance that the ritual to get his body back has reached its final phase. If we don't hurry, every person in Bludheaven will suffer a fate worse than death." Batman.
"Tough luck, he's a ghost. And unless you have some sort of "ghost tracking device" you have no way to---" Ghostfreak was interrupted when Batman took out a small device from his utility belt.
"If you want to help, follow me, if not, don't get in may way." Batman pressed a button on his armguard and soon after, a motorcycle came for him.
Batman rode his cycle and went towards where the tracker was signaling.
'Ah, I forgot that he's got an infinite storing belt for everything and the vehicle calling devices, how can he not feel the weight of that stuff?' Ben thought.
Ben presses the Omnitrix in his chest and transforms into XLR8. XLR8 begins to run towards Batman, he and the caped crusader keep the same speed.
Eventually, both of them arrive at an abandoned building and stop.
"Is it here?" XLR8.
"Yes, the tracker's readings are through the roof." Batman.
"It's just that…look at this place, there's no way every citizen in Bludheaven could fit in here." XLR8.
"Word of advice: Never underestimate magic, no matter how nonsensical it can be." Batman.
Ben changes into Diamondhead and both of them enter the house. Batman, still trying to comprehend the Omnitrix to its full capacity.
'It seems that not only can he change at will, but he can change from quite the large capacity. Including the blue fast one, he's already transformed into 4 different species.'
'Not to mention that "scan" that his watch did, I'll have to inform Clark and John to keep themselves as far away from this guy as they can, no need for him to get Martian and Kryptonian DNA should he not have it registered.' Batman.
And Ben, as careful as always, was having his own thoughts on the matter.
'Man, I'm starving. Sure, saving the citizens is important and all but I'm so hungry that I could finish a whole buffet, which I might.' Ben.
The duo kept walking and, in the meantime, Ben continued his questions.
"So, what about the boy wonder? Shouldn't he be here with you?" Diamondhead.
"I sent him back to Gotham before Bludheaven got enveloped in its veil. How were you not affected by it?" Batman.
"I guess the Omnitrix, is keeping me safe by locking me out of my human form, and you?" Diamondhead.
"I've pondering about why and have come with the conclusion that it may be a sleeping spell." Batman.
"That doesn't answer my question." Diamondhead.
"I've trained my mind to be capable of overcome small hypnosis and to remain conscient by various days without sleeping. Also, I've consumed a pill to help me with this." Batman.
'No shit, aint that convenient.' Ben.
"Noted, but why's this important?" Diamondhead.
"Gentleman Ghost's objective was to sacrifice the souls of every citizen in Bludheaven in exchange for a new living body. Knocking out all of the civilians and then send his monsters to gather them is the most likely possibility." Batman.
"Any ideas on his helper?" Diamondhead.
"There are too many sorcerers with the abilities to perform this ritual, but I think we'll find out soon enough. Why don't you explain some of your abilities, I'll need to know to make an efficient battle performance with you." Batman.
"Ok, sure." Diamondhead.
'He doesn't have enough info and wants me to add some, can't say I blame him. Between fighting a formidable enemy alongside an unknown ally, I can see why his stress levels are skyrocketing. Might as well tell him to prevent him from knowing my train of thought.' Ben.
"Well, this one uses crystals. Blue guy is fast. Ghost shoots purple beams, has tentacles, intangibility and flight. There's the fire guy that Robin fought. There's a strong red guy with 4 arms. A fish guy with a strong jaw. A flying bug that shoots stinky goo from its eyes and mouth. A blind hypersensitive orange dog. A small smart amphibian-like dude. A green-black-white guy that upgrades technology." Diamondhead.
"Are those all?" Batman.
"I think I've got more, but they're locked for some reason so, I'm stuck with 10." Diamondhead.
"I see… thank you for your information, I think we'll be able to foil Craddock's plans." Batman.
"Why does he have a beef with you anyway? Shouldn't he be fighting Hawkman?" Diamondhead.
"A year and a half ago, I was summoned to the 1960's by Jason Blood, an immortal human bound with a demon, he was wrongly accused of being behind a crime and requested my help. I, alongside Sherlock Holmes, Wattson and Blood, managed to uncover James Craddock as the true killer and caught him." Batman.
'So, Sherlock Holmes is canon, huh.' Ben.
"Craddock was found guilty and was sentenced to be hanged. He blames me for my intervention and has sworn to take vengeance towards me one of these days. It just so happens that Hawkman has foiled some of his plans and also earned his hatred." Batman.
"I think you've got nothing to do with the judicial system of the 1960's. What was the crime anyway?" Diamondhead.
"Craddock made a deal with a demon to make his soul immortal in return of some maiden's (Virgins, it's just that maiden sounds better for a Batman line) souls. He was actually too close on succeeding, should I had not been there that is." Batman.
"For a guy with no powers, trouble sure likes to knock on your door, huh?" Diamondhead.
"You don't know the half of it. I've said personal things about myself, your turn." Batman.
'Shit!' Ben.
"I was kicked out of my orphanage at 6, the guy was also misusing the funds to fill his own wallet. I escaped and found a van in the woods, it had a body but I reported it to the police and even left some evidence for the case, which I was lucky that the suspect was found guilty." Diamondhead.
'A case with a missing van? Yes, it was 4 years and 5 months ago. Victor Zsasz was the murderer, he claimed he ditched the body like that out of a whim of feeling how that felt, he then confessed that it wasn't fun for him.' Batman.
After some more talking, and hiding key information, they arrived at the depths of the house.
"This is it, the energy readings come from here, ready?" Batman.
"I would be an idiot if I weren't." Diamondhead.
Diamondhead burst the door open and they entered the room. The red cave-like patterns with an ominous red color decorating it. Both Batman and Diamondhead were in shock after seeing the thousands of citizens strapped to the walls and grunting in pain while looking more and more dried up.
"This is disgusting." Diamondhead.
"Couldn't agree more." Batman.
"Now then, why would you say that?"
Batman and Ben look at the middle structure in the room, the structure resembles an altar, with Gentleman Ghost strapped in the middle of it while the energy of every citizen draws towards him, and on top of it, two figures can be seen.
One is a man with pale skin, wearing dark Victorian-era inspired clothing, complete with a top hat and cane, embodying the look of an elegant yet sinister magician.
The other figure is a woman with fiery red hair, reminiscent of flames, and her eyes glowing with slit pupils, she wears a full black uniform resembling her scales and shaping as a tail and horns.
"Brother Night, Ember." Batman.
"What's their deal, I have zero clue about them." Diamondhead.
'I've been living the past 10 years (Yes, he was reincarnated not transferred) here but barely have any info in the key players in here. Really need to up my game once this is over.' Ben.
"Brother Night is a powerful sorcerer who controls the shadowy, supernatural underworld of San Francisco. At his side is Ember, who's a powerful sorceress or supernatural entity who allies herself with Brother Night in his endeavors to control the mystical underworld, she's also a dragon." Batman.
"Damn…" Diamondhead.
"Greetings, Batman and… whoever you might be. Sorry for the cold reception, but I was busy keeping my end of the deal." Brother Night.
"Why are you helping Craddock?" Batman.
"I'm just doing my fair part of a deal, Batman. An immortal soul is more valuable than what any of you can imagine." Brother Night.
"Once the clock marks midnight, all the souls will wither away and the process will be complete. No one can stop this." Ember.
"What time it is?" Diamondhead whispered Batman.
"11:35. We still have time to stop this." Batman.
"Oh, but you won't, Batman. We've made sure to call in enough forces to either destroy you or keep you at bay." Brother Blood.
He snaps his fingers and more monsters begins to spawn from the shadows of the cave, surrounding our two heroes.
"Do we have a plan B? I don't really know much about stopping magic rituals." Diamondhead.
"Don't worry, cavalry's already here." Batman.
Just as he spoke those words, a portal opens and two figures appear from it, one is a man wearing a classic magician costume, minus the top hat, and the other wears a golden helmet with a blue costume.
They're Giovanni "John" Zatara and Dr. Kent Nelson, who is also known as Doctor Fate.
'At this point, I'm not even gonna question when he did that.' Ben.
"Of course, I should've expected you to call your mystical able friends." Brother Night.
"Apologies for the delay, Batman. The barrier around the city was quite formidable, should you had not informed us about this when you did, I'm afraid we could've missed it." Zatara.
"Eldon Peck, your actions go against the fate of the lives of citizens in Bludheaven. Cease this ruinous action at once and I shall consider not imprisoning you soul in the tower of fate." Doctor Fate.
"Ha! In case you have forgotten, I made this place my own dominion, and soon enough, you'll have nothing to bargain here." Brother Night.
Bend sneakily transforms into XLR8 and dashes towards the altar.
"After I finish extracting all these souls, no one will be able to go against my---" Brother night was interrupted.
Both he and Ember and punched in the face and pushed over the altar, making them fall quite the distance.
Everyone but Batman looked at him confused and he just shrugged.
"Look, monologue all you want after this is over, we have less than half an hour to stop them from killing the whole population of this city, ok? Ok." XLR8.
'Also, I'm starving!' Ben.
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