บท 6: Chapter 6 Heroes
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! You're telling me that someone knows your identity! This Rider guy subdued you and took off your mask!".
Currently underneath Mount Justice, several members of The Team, a group of protégés belonging to the current members of the Justice League crowded around a saddened red head, her currently expression was one of fatigue rather than anxiousness or hatred.
Currently sitting beside the tired Barbara Gordon was a cute green skinned young woman in a white shirt with a red 'X' on the front. A blue cape hung loosely on her shoulders.
"It's okay Barbara. I'm sure the Justice League will find this Rider and bring him in. I'm sure of it!".
She tried to console the depressed Barbara Gordon, whom she had only met today, but she only received a fake smile as a response.
"It's fine M'gann. Thanks".
Four teens in the room couldn't tell the fake smile from a real one, but Batman's current protégé knew better.
"Barbara. You told us that this Rider was stealing from criminals. And that he was trying to "escape", right? Did he insinuate Gotham, or something else?".
Robin, or Dick Grayson as he was more commonly known to The Team, crossed his arms and rubbed his chin in contemplation of Gray's words.
Barbara looked up at Batman's current protégé and her younger friend, a hint of hope visible in her eyes.
"I think by his tone he meant Gotham. He didn't seem like the type to have leverage over".
Dick nodded his head and asked another question.
"And this Rider character.... he didn't kill or injure the criminals at the docks? He only incapacitated them?".
She nodded once more.
The first Robin smiled as if realizing something which aroused the interests of the other members of The Team.
"You figure something out Dick?", asked Kid Flash, the protégé of the Flash.
"If you found something out you must tell us. If we are to help Batgirl and bring this man to justice", said Aqualad, protégé of the Aquaman.
Dick Grayson smiled and drew the other five members of The Team in, whispering to them, unknown to them that their conversation was being listened to by the Justice League.
"So Batman.... this Rider guy really knows your identity? Does that mean we all might be burned?".
On a large round table, the members of the Justice League sat, their expressions varied and their thoughts mixed. They all looked at Batman, whose facial expression was neutral and unconcerned, his tone and words sounding not worried, but his true thoughts anything but so.
"I don't know. This Rider possessed speed equivalent to yours Flash and the limits of his strength are unknown. His skill with the spear was noted, and his armor was covered in ancient Greek lettering. He could deflect bullets and his armor was strong enough to withstand hits from a 39mm. How he found out my identity I do not know. But he said to Barbara that he would take money from criminals in order to leave Gotham. She noted that he only knocked out the criminals guarding the money, the most severe injury being some heavy bruising".
A beautiful raven haired woman beside Batman looked up at the image of Gray who had installed his Rider Class Card, looking up at the armor he wore with a bemused expression.
Her voice oozed seductiveness, a common trait of the Amazonian.
"It's certainly Greek alright. The runes covering the armor are not just for decoration. They are words of power and contain powerful magic behind them.... whoever he is, he is certainly someone with knowledge about the Gods. Maybe even one of them".
The red clothed man on the other side of the table chuckled lightly and waved his hands in denial.
"Diana, I understand that he is Greek in origin, but why do you have to talk about magic? He's probably just like me and Kid Flash, a metahuman with a speed enhancement. The green lightning is a new touch but not everything has to be about "the Gods" or "magic"".
Wonder Woman narrowed her eyes at the comment of the Flash, and crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at Barry.
"The Spear looks familiar but I can't place where I've seen it before. I'll ask my mother about it and see if she has any answers for us".
Batman nodded.
"For now I'll let him run around Gotham until we get a better understanding of his powers and origins. So long as he continues incapacitating his opponents and stealing their financial power, this, "Rider" is hitting the crime families of Gotham were it hurts the most. If he steps out of line, or reveals my identity then....".
The other members of the Justice League nodded.
They all had people they wanted to protect. They all had lives in which "normal" people could be used as leverage. It wouldn't be the first time a villain found out their identity ans used it against them. Nor would it be the last.
Batman continued,
"Once we have a clear understanding of his power, or if we find out his own identity, I'll make a move. However, even if we don't, I'm sure The Team would happily help Barbara fight Rider, even if was only to grasp his abilities. Perhaps he's just trying to make a living".
The Flash let out a fake cough.
"Selina Kyle!".
Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Superman let out a faint chuckle at the mention of Batman's little squeeze, and the Dark Knight glared at the speedster with a look that could stop a bull in its tracks.
He continued.
"Until then we wait for either Wonder Woman to return, or Rider to make a mistake. There are new superheros popping up all over the place and an even greater number of villains to match them. Diana said that many supporters of Ares have been popping up in Gateway City, and I've been noticing them in Gotham City as well".
Superman, or Clark Kent as he was known to the Justice League, nodded in unison with Batman.
"I've had the same thing. Men and women handing out fliers to the Church of Areopagus, trying to convert the citizens of Metropolis. Even us heroes cannot forcibly change the beliefs of the people. Nor can we limit the actions of the followers of Ares....".
The Justice League fell into a short silence.
Batman was the first to notice the change in atmosphere in the room, and immediately started speaking to counter it.
"Just try and observe their actions for now. Rider is secondary to Ares. The former is a Greek speedster and the latter a God of War. Our priorities have already been set".
They all nodded.
In this Age of Gods and Men, it took more than just wisdom and knowledge to counter threats to the Earth's well being, something that they would find out very soon.
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