When Justice Watches

We enter in a jungle in the sub-saharan Africa. The calm sounds of nature are replaced with the sounds of jeeps, driven by mercenaries.

(They don’t give us the location, but based on the fact that Hank is studying vibranium, and the presence of Klaw and later Wakanda, I think the location was near Wakanda, who is acknowledged to be in between Niger and Chad)

“So who is this guy?” asked one of them.

“Some egghead scientist, doing some kind of experiments or something in the jungle. He's a nobody.” Responded his copilot.

“Then why are we here?” asked the newbie again.

“Because the boss wants what this guy's got. And what he's got is the property of SHIELD.”

“So a top secret project” thought aloud Terrific, looking at the mercenaries who wanted to steal from SHIELD. He also wondered what SHIELD was studying in Africa.

“Another job involving stealing property?” noted Batman. Sure, that  was common as hell in the universe, but with that having already happened with the Wrecking Crew just two episodes ago, and then there was all the ominous warnings of the break-up…

The mercenaries quickly arrived at an open plain, where a large structure was being guarded by SHIELD guards. But, as plot would have it, the mercenaries quickly used their handy little weapons to shoot tranq darts and knock them out.

“Field journal 011962-27. Dr. Henry Pym, recording.” Inside the journal, the egghead was recording his experiment, a tall blonde fair-skinned man. An ant passed along the way, carrying a large leaf

[Hank Pym/Ant-Man]

[Biggest example of ‘small but deadly’]

“Oohh a scientist” said Booster. He didn’t know why, but for some reason, he found himself really liking this guy.

“He kinda looks like you Barry” teased Hawkgirl, messing up the speedster’s hair.

“Oh ha ha, as if I was the only blonde scientist.” Replied the speedster, shoving his sister coworker’s hand.

“He lets ants walk free in his lab?” asked Vixen, looking at the scientist. He better hope they were not dangerous, like the driver ants. Those little guys were really aggressive.

“SHIELD found a sample of the rare metal known as Vibranium outside the African nation of Wakanda. Which is pretty exciting, frankly, as I am the first scientist to ever examine the metal.” The guy’s tone couldn’t contain his excitement at studying an entire new element before anybody else.

Oh you poor guy.

“So he’s multi-faceted” noted Kimiyo. Then again, that wasn’t such a surprise. If he was working for the international defense agency, he would have to be one of the best.

“SHIELD Director Nick Fury asked me to evaluate it and make sure it's safe to be handled by humans. Don't worry. I'm sure he meant safe for all life.” He told one of the little red ants, who was looking at him. “Anyway, I'm going to test the metals reportedly unique vibrational properties.”

“Ah that’s nice of him” said Gar, looking at him reassuring the little insect.

“Vibrational properties?” questioned Steel, wondering about this new metal quality. And if it was good, well, he was always looking for upgrades.

His experiment was suddenly interrupted by the entrance explosion, the door flying right to his spot, though he wasn’t hit “You know that door didn’t have a lock on it, you could have just opened it.” He said, turning to look at the mercenaries’ pointing guns at him

“He sounds like this isn’t the first time it happened” snorted Roy, seeing the scientist unfazed.

“With how important he is, pretty sure it is not” responded his wife. She had lost count of the times the League of Shadows had done that to famous scientists.

“Dr. Pym, I presume.” Said a new voice, this one with a sleazy tone oozing, revealing an oldish Belgian guy “My name is Ulysses Klaw. I'd like to have a word with you about the vibranium sample you’re working with”

[Ulysses Klaw]

[You even sound like an asshole]

“You should make an appointment then. Contact Janet Van Dyne, and we'll all have lunch.” Sassed Hank.

“You misunderstand. I want all your research.” Laughed Klaw, in that infuriating tone of superiority “And then I'll be taking the metal.” He finished, grabbing the samples.

“Does he not see the Pym is completely unconcerned?” asked Firestorm.

“He’s probably so caught up on his hype he doesn’t realize” replied Stargirl. Oh she was looking really forward to that guy’s beating.

“I'm afraid I can't let that happen. You can't imagine the scientific advances that can be made with this sample.” Retorted Hank.

“Oh, I've already imagined a use for it, Dr. Pym. Gentlemen.” Klaw signalled, and his mercenaries pointed guns at the scientist.

“Oh wow, scientific research used to make weapons. That’s really surprising” yeesh Cit. Steel, cool down the sarcasm.

“Nobody wants to talk things out anymore. Disappointing.” Hank sighed, looking over the room “Well, we'll do things the hard way, then.”

As he said this, Hank hit a button in his belt, his uniform suddenly filling with yellow particles, before a yellow glow covered him. The mercenaries shot him, only for the darts to hit the labcoat, the scientist having disappeared.

“Wait what the heck happened right now?” asked Khalid.

“Of the possible events that could have happened, it includes invisibility, teleportation, transformation into air…” started listing Khaji-da, making Jaime facepalm.

“What happened? Where did he go?” asked one mercenary, scared.

“It doesn't matter. I have the sample. Let's go.” As Klaw said this, one of the thugs suddenly flew, looking as if he had just been punched in the face.

“Hey, he really turned invisible” noted Crush, a little disappointed. The rest of the heroes had cool powers, or at least armor. They could really fight face to face. But powers like invisibility… they were only useful for cheap shots.

The mercenaries, now alert, readied their weapons. They walked over the lab, their fear increasing. Klaw opened his handbag, revealing a mechanical instrument.

And then, one of the mercenaries yelped, looking as if he had been punched. The camera zoomed, revealing Hank, now with a helmet, and the size of an ant.

“Ok so not invisibility” noted Crush.

“He’s their atom!” said Terrific with glee. He remembered one of his best friends, who was now with, let’s face it, the time-travelling version of Vox Machina.

He just prayed he managed to rein their wackiness a little.

(Spoiler alert, he is not able)

The mercenaries gasped and decided to shoot at random. Meanwhile, Klaw quickly built his weapon, placing the Vibranium samble in a compartment.

“Goodbye, Dr. Pym, wherever you are.” Klaw shouted, before using his gun to shoot a sonic ray, destroying much more of the laboratory than the laser weapons.

“Ahhh fuck! Sonic weapons!” groaned the Kryptonians, Conner in particular.

Of the things that could harm them, those were the most annoying. Mostly for the fact that your ears kept on ringing, and you got dizzy, and puked… Fricking sonic weapons.

Thankfully, they reclined into their loved ones or received pats on the back. (Batman’s was so quick Clark nearly didn’t feel it)

Hank quickly ran, trying to get to the Belgian on time, but just as he was there, Klaw’s cannon hit him, sending him right onto the wall. Hank shouted in pain, before approaching a big red button and pressing it, making the whole lab glow yellow.

“Ohoho these guys are fucked now” laughed Artemis. They were really going to experience a literal Alice in Wonderland.

Actually, she could also experience it. She just had to ask some hero with size changing powers or magical ones. Man, they should start using their powers for more things than just beating up criminals. All work and no play? Yeah no, even heroes deserved days off.

“Enough of this. Let's go.” Ordered Klaw, and he along the mercenaries went out to the plain, only to see, to their shock, that everything had grown bigger.

“Ok, he has me beat there” gasped Atom. He had never had a shrinking base, which thinking about it was now a cool way to have a secret base.

But what method did that guy use? It probably wasn’t White Dwarf star Tech.

“Klaw, what's going on? What's happening? Where are the—” asked one of the mercenaries, before he was suddenly pulled away.

Another shout made Klaw turn to see his remaining mercenary also being kidnapped.

“No. This isn't happening.” The thief quivered, before he saw a giant red ant appear before him. Well giant to him.

More ants surrounded him, and the buzz of wings made him look up to see Ant-man riding a flying ant.

“Ooohh so he’s a meta-human?” mused Steph, seeing the ants insecthandle the mercenaries.

“No wonder he allowed the ants to walk freely in his lab” laughed Cyborg.

“Welcome to my world, Klaw. Ready to talk now?” Hank asked, to which Klaw, who clearly didn’t know how to take good offers, responded by shooting him.

The rider and his mount dodged, the sonic cannon cutting grass, before Hank jumped and head dived, punching the criminal right in his face, and doing some pretty acrobatics to fall alright.

“Hey it kind of looks like our sonic cannon” said Jaime to his trigger-happy companion.

“Bah, a mere terran weapon is no match for our superior armament!”

“Hey should we develop our own sonic weapons?” asked STRIPE to Steel.

“Yeah, we should. But maybe reserve it for when we fight heavyset people like Zod or Grundy”

Klaw got up, but Ant-man was there quickly to punch him again, throwing him a good distance… right next to his cannon. Honestly that was just bad luck.

The Belgian quickly readied his cannon, but Hank still ran to him, hitting his belt and being filled in yellow light again. Klaw shot Hank, the sonic wave pushing him, but Hank, groaning, kept steady, grew, and punched Klaw’s full body.

The yellow light enveloped Klaw too, so he became normal sized again. But now, the thief decided to cut his loses and ran like a bitch.

 Hank snorted, grabbing the sonic weapon and proceeding to examine it “Cool.”

Later, a yellow thing quickly flew in the laboratory’s direction “Hank, are you-- Oh.” That thing was revealed to be a costumed woman, her costume resembling a wasp, she even had wings to let her fly.

[Janet Van Dyne]

[The real philanthropist of the Avengers]

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHH…” fangirled Bumblebee. “Look Mal, she has my powers! Shrinking girls power!” she cheered, her boyfriend holding her up and the team doing the wave.

Seeing the danger had passed and her boyfriend was studying the sample, she returned to normal size. “Well, I guess you are okay. Never mind.” She had been hoping for a big heroic moment where she save her boyfriend dammit.

“Jan, I'm fine.” Said Hank, happy to hear his girlfriend had arrived, the mentioned hugging him from behind “Oh, but I do need a favor. There's a couple of mercenaries out on the beach. I shrank them down. Can you just make sure the ants don't eat them? Thanks.”

“Eh they’ll be fine, pretty sure he has the ants domesticated” shrugged Mick, not caring anything for the lives of the mercenaries.

“Eat them? Eww.” Guys, you’re not focusing on the murder part. Or the death part more appropriately.

Back in New York, in a large mansion, Hank and Janet stood in a laboratory. Janet walked over the room, looking over the various insects, her face denoting that she wanted to talk

“This is sad, Hank. I'm the one that makes all this possible, you know? This-- This—” Janet began, before her boyfriend, who had his face in a microscope, again, instead of on her face, cut her with a shout “Science!”

“Oookay, we now have the relationship drama” sighed Cassie. At least these problems didn’t seem too destructive.

“Right. All the business arrangements. The grants. I manage your entire life so you can do this. And it's so boring. So boring.” She finished, looking dead.

“Don’t say it Clark”

“I wasn’t going to say anything”

“I was” cut Diana, a shit-eating grin on her face “Alright show of hands, who here thinks our main benefactor would have dated her”

Immediately, the rest of the ‘Original Seven’ raised their hands, including some others like the Canarrow, and all the batkids. Batman just batglared. Because he’s Batman.

“Jan, I'm mapping insect genomes. What could be better?” Hank asked, not understanding his girlfriend’s message.

“Wow, didn’t expect him to say it so certainly” stated Orion. Even he, with his… not so stellar people skills, knew that was worthy of a facepalm.

Though maybe it was that this scientist also had many troubles regarding interpersonal relations. Which, felt nice, seeing that he wasn’t the only one to have those problems.

(This Orion characterization comes from a mix of the JLU and Young Justice versions. And Chris Yost literally confirmed the fact that Hank was on the autism spectrum. The link can be found on TVtropes, YMMV diagnosed by the audience)

A large tremor in the city suddenly rumbled, the superheroine looking out of the window “Did you hear something?”

Suddenly, the doors of a building exploded, a whirlwind emerging and throwing a poor guy flying.

This got the scientists attention “What was that?” he asked, looking up, but his girlfriend was not there. There were only her clothes and an open window.

“Ooohhh, we’re seeing her in action” fangirled Karen, shaking her boyfriend.

In the city, a cabbie was reading the Excelsior, the titulars saying:

Vigilante “Punishes” again & Man-Like “Thing” stalks upstate

Immediately, the Batfam noted down those pieces. They were now sure that foreshadowing was going to be crucial.

Before a tremor made him look the rearview mirror, to see a fricking tornado destroying everything in its path, and his car was thrown flying too!

“…I see, a villain in that reality seems to have a similar powerset to mine” stated Tornado. And even if it didn’t look like it, the android was angry.

“Don’t worry about it Red, pretty sure Ant-Woman is going to beat that thief before you can process it” reassured Plastic.

Wasp, however, was quickly on his tail “Jan? Jan, where did you go? I just replicated an ant chromosome.” Asked Hank, his tone filled with glee. “It's amazing!” you know, they should have made him interact with Spider-man. The interaction alone would have been hilarious.

Facepalms. All around.

“That's awesome, Hank.” Deadpanned Janet “Got to fly now.”

With that, she chased the tornado, shooting at it, only for the tornado to dodge and quickly pass New York’s traffic, a titanic feat. When it was gone, Janet gasped for breath, before she saw the tornado returning and nearly making her fly away.

But it stopped, revealing a person in a green-coloured metal suit.

[Whirlwind]

[Behold, the terrifying HUMAN TOP]

“Did you just shoot at me?” he laughed, his voice not what you expected from a villain “That was a mistake. Nobody shoot at Whirlwind.”

“Well, not a robot” Impulse muttered, looking at the guy who could fight with an industrial drill in terms of stubbornness.

“And one with a big ego” deadpanned Donna. Buddy, if you’re going to steal in open day, alone, you’re not a really big name.

“Whirlwind? So, what, you just woke up and thought you'd trash some college lab? Not very ambitious” Janet mocked, shooting at the clearly newbie supervillain.

“Not very ambitious? Trashing that lab just made me a millionaire.”  And like every newbie, he quickly revealed his plan. Man, he’s a little dumb. Also, arrogant. But dumb too.

“Oh hell no, he did not just say that outloud” cringed Cheshire. She couldn’t believe how some criminals could have the stupidity to loudly proclaim their crimes. Say what you will about the shadows, at least they were silent.

“Oh, crime. Well, in that case. After I take you down, we'll call the cops.” Janet sassed, making Whirlwind roar and fly towards Janet.

But the wasp dodged and used her stingers to hit him right in the eye. Ouch on one hand, but on the other, free laser surgery.

“Is that all you've got, really?” Janet taunted, standing right in Whirlwind’s armor. The supervillain, now sporting a bruised eye, got up and proceeded to attack her.

“You want to play? Let's play.” He threatened and chased the superheroine.

“Bud, she’s manhandling you. You really think getting serious will allow you to beat her?” mocked Artemis.

“If she doesn’t take this seriously, he can. Remember it Artemis, pride goes before the fall.” Scolded Roy, making the amazon scoff.

“This is unit 4-10, en route to a possible code blue, over.” One policeman said, before he shouted at seeing the supers coming in collision course.

Wasp squeaked, flying over, but Whirlwind did not, continuing his  movement and cutting the car in half with his power. The two agents were ok, thankfully.

“See?”

“So she needs better awareness, so what?” the team sighed, they were already used to the bullheadedness of their amazon.

“Look at you. You're blowing it.” Janet talked, evading the villain “You can do so much more with your powers. You can blend giant drinks. Or cool people off in hot weather. Instead, you're just going to the big house.” She chided, the villain trying to catch her while grunting.

“Yeah, maybe she needs better examples” winced Jessica.

“But the intention is what counts” M’gann tried to cheer up.

“Whoa.” Wasp then suddenly dove away, making Whirlwind look ahead and, to his surprise, a large cloud made of insects coming towards him

“Huh? What is that?” he shouted, before screaming in pain and fear as he clashed with the cloud.

“Let me guess. An ant told you what was going on.” Janet said, looking at her boyfriend riding an ant.

“A termite, actually. He was in the sonics lab when it happened.” The scientist replied.

“Yeah ok now I can understand Gizmo when he says he has a fear of bugs” muttered Wally, looking at the swarm.

Sentiment shared by many of the heroes. That giant death cloud was a little… scary.

“Sonics lab? What did this guy steal?” Janet asked, but Hank just sighed.

 “What are you doing, Jan? We should leave this to the authorities. They can rehabilitate him, he could be a valuable member of society.” Buddy, I respect your thinking, but looking at the police car from before, they are way out of their league.

And the other alternative is the giant death robots.

“What authorities? The guy just sliced through a police car!” exclaimed Hood “And they were also getting their asses kicked in the previous episodes. I don’t think they’re gonna be able to capture this guy.”

“Specially when one of their best agents was just arrested” grumbled Hawk, remembering the way the Russian spy had betrayed the archer.

“The police can't handle this, Hank. It's up to us.” You guys live in a superhero universe, it really is up to you.

“This isn't the best use of our time.”

“No, you're wrong. This is the best use of our time. This is what we should be doing. Using our abilities, your inventions, to help people.” The lovers discussed, while Whirlwind kept fighting the insects.

“Science helps people. Not fighting.” Yes, and also no. It depends on what they are used for.

The heroes in relationships, like Arrow and Canary, cringed at the marital discussion happening in plain view, open street, feet away from the supervillain.

“Dr.Pym, while I find the sentiment honourable, you sometimes need to dirty your hands.” Declared Terrific.

“Ugh! You're not getting it.”

“No, I am getting it. You're not trained for this kind of thing, and I don't want you to get hurt.” Ooofh. Ok, while he’s concerned, he’s also very wrong and going to eat his words.

“Ladies, while it may sound demeaning, I believe the doctor is simply concerned for her health, no sense of superiority” said Diana, making the female heroes grumble and nod. From what they had seen, Pym wasn’t a bad person, and maybe with his distractions he did not know the extent of Janet’s skills.

“This isn't a-” Hank continued, before a large tornado made everyone get thrown over.

“Play time's over.” Whirlwind said in a low tone. His forearm objects activated, and, as he spun again, shurikens were now thrown.

“Rule number one of fightning, never lose sight of your opponent until he is knocked out” deadpanned Tim. Even when he was going out with Steph or Cassie they had never argued right in front of villains.

Though, he couldn’t critizice them, seeing as they were pretty new to the crime-fighting scene.

“Jan!” Hank shouted worriedly, but no problem. Wasp flew and destroyed every shuriken thrown her way, sitting on a car’s hood as she returned to normal size.

“No way.” Whirlwind said, not believing that someone had just gotten away from his ‘Ultimate move’.
“Whoa.” Hank said, now having eaten his previous words.

The ladies smirked, while some cooed at the sight of Hank being completely captivated by his partner.  Not a jerkass, just someone being concerned for his girlfriend. It’s just the fucking communication troubles.
Whirlwind roared, but Janet just put her hand in his face and shot him point blank with a Sting, making the villain fall, now knocked out. Hank returned to normal size too, and Janet offered a hand to her kneeling boyfriend.

“I know it's not a game, Hank.” Wasp started “But I can do more than make money and take meetings. Together we can do more. And we can have fun doing it.” She finished with a smirk. Hey for a couple activity it really is unique.

“She’s fucking awesome” fangirled Bumblebee. She now had a new role model now.

The scene changed to show a prison, Whirlwind walking down the corridor, a chip on his nape, accompanied by blue robots. He passed in front of some cells, one had a heavily mutated guy with leonine features and wings resting in a hammock and another what seemed to be a robot playing a game.

“Huh, so this is the third prison” muttered Dick, looking at the different criminals in the cells. “Compared to the other two it seems pretty normal”

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me.” Whirlwind said, the robot’s camera turning and snapping a photo of the new convict, before it resumed his initial position, letting the audience see a holographic face on the torso.

“I can't believe you guys are sitting down for this.” He said to the resident of the cell in front of the robot, this one a guy who seemed to be made of rock… drinking tea. Dude even had a cape and the classical villain moustache! “You got powers, use them.”

“Vous êtes un idiot.” And he’s French! (just a joke, just a joke) “You don't know anything. You don't even know where you are, do you?” Grey Gargoyle mocked.

This made Whirlwind roar, summoning his power, the controlling chip failing.

“Ok if the controller chips are already failing then this prison break is going to be easier than we thought” deadpanned Batwoman”

“Yeah but look at the prisoners, they don’t even seem excited or anything” noted C.Atom.

“Warning, prisoner Cannon, David. This behavior is unacceptable Perhaps you would like to talk about this?” stated one of the robots.

“What the heck, they just talk like… oh hell, the doctor created that prison” facepalmed Sara. While some would call it getting ahead of yourself, the robots were also ant-headed.

“Try talking without your head, robot.” He mocked, destroying the guard and throwing him towards a cell containing… a mandrill reading comic books?

“David, you are making a mistake.” Stated the other robot, pointing a laser gun at David… and David just punched him and threw him right to the energy jail, destroying the robot.

“You know, at least this way they aren’t dead guys like the ones in Arkham” signalled Cass, making Hood nod while some of her team looked a little ill.

“Shut up!” Whirlwind shouted, before putting himself in front of the Gargoyle’s cell “See? It's not that hard.”

Just as he said that, a giant hand fell from the roof and pushed down Whirlwind.

“What? I can't—” Whirlwind stuttered, seeing a giant Hank and Janet.

The heroes gasped. A miniature prison? Frankly, it would really cut down on the construction costs. And diminished the risk if the villains tried to escape. On the other hand…

“The minute that prison fails it’s going to become big. Let’s hope they put it in a secure place.

“You really shouldn't insult the synthezoids, Mr. Cannon.” Said Hank. His tone wasn’t mocking, but somehow I think that made it worse for him “They're just doing their jobs.

“Hi, spin cycle.” Janet, on the other hand, was really mocking the guy. “Miss me?” she asked, as new synthezoids grabbed the villain.

“Snrk, little bee does have good taunts” laughed Hawkgirl, liking the superheroine’s style.

“Dr. Pym.” A voice said, revealing the figure of NICK FURY, now with grey hairs “SHIELD thanks you for lending a hand in taking Whirlwind down.

“…It’s in the Helicarrier.”

“The Breakout is going to be messy. Really messy”

“Uh, well, I—” Hank said in a nervous tone, before Janet cleared her throat “Well, actually, it was Jan who took him down.” He happily explained, letting his girlfriend receive the credit. He didn’t want that kind of rep, he was a scientist people!

Fury just laughed hearing that. “Maybe you should come work for me Ms. Van Dyne. The Wasp, agent of SHIELD.” Damn he never stops with the talent scouting.

“I like it.” Wasp agreed, to the horrified look of her boyfriend, who muttered “No.”

“She’s going to do it either way, at least with SHIELD she would have an experienced support network” Ava said. She had long tried to get the Legends to try to do anything not-dangerous. At least with her on the team she could help mitigate their disasters.

She should have asked for more.

“Hey, I think I can see my penthouse from here.” Wasp said, now in the main deck of the Helicarrier.

“We appreciate the tour, Director. But I'd like to get a status report on the Big House Facility. I'm a little concerned, frankly.” Hank started.

“The Big House is secure, Doctor. Everything is fine.” Responded Fury, in a grateful tone. And hey, he knew where to give good credit, and the guy in front of him deserved it.

“I created it to help people whose genetics have been altered. They need cures and criminals need rehabilitation. Not punishment.” Hank replied, not happy that the center was serving the role of prison instead of what he intended “I can't help, but notice that not a single person has been discharged yet.”

“oooph” sighed the gothamites. They knew what he was talking about, because Arkham even had personalized cells for nearly every single rogue they had.

“This is what SHIELD does.” Now if the scientist was a little more… less optimistic Fury would have a really good day “You have to trust us. We know what these guys are capable of, but I much rather talk about the two of you.” He changed the conversation, with an ease gained by years of dealing with politicians. “SHIELD could use a team like you.”

“Man he really wants a superpowered team” deadpanned Ice.

“Yeah, unfortunately he’s a government stooge. It’s not going to happen!” responded Fire.

“You want to recruit us? For real?” asked Janet, excited

“What you've done, Dr. Pym, given yourself and Janet powers—”Fury began, but the scientist interrupted him.

“Stop. If you're just interested in having your own superhuman soldiers, the answer is no.” Hank said.

“Look, Ant-Man.” Fury began, but the scientist wasn’t stopping.

I agreed to work with SHIELD to help people like Whirlwind, not to do more fighting. I'm not going to make weapons for you. You've already got Tony Stark for that.” Yeah, not sure how true that last statement is after episode 1.

“What's it like living in your own little science world, Pym?” Ooph, Fury hitting right where it hurts “You guys played hero. Took down Whirlwind. Did you even bother to ask what he stole?”

“Damn, this guy really knows how to make people feel shame” Said Black Lightning. Strangely, he noted it was like when a teacher did it to their students and they had not taken an assignment seriously. He liked his style.

“I did.” Muttered Janet, Hank throwing her a betrayed look. OK, to be fair, Hank should already know what Whirlwind had stolen.

“A sonic disrupter.” Declared Fury, his holoscreen showing the deviced before changing to “Whirlwind was working for this guy.”

“Klaw.” Hank grimaced, looking at the thief. Maybe he should have captured him in Africa.

“So, what do we think, Archenemy?” said Impulse

“Nah, he doesn’t fit in for Ant-man.” Responded Tim.

“And a clown is the best fit for a guy dressed as a bat?”

“You saw what he did with the small amount of Vibranium he got his hands on. And he's still out there. So, you two go home and think about how you want to help super-villains have comfier jail cells. Because we'll still be here making the world safer.” Damn, every word out of this guy’s mouth does a critical hit.

“Sorry.” Janet said, looking sheepish, while she and Hank got out of the room.

“Director Fury.” Called Quartermain “We just got back DNA testing on Whirlwind. The power dampeners are having a hard time with him, and now we know why. He's a mutant.”

“Mutant?”

“Must be the equivalent of our Meta-humans”

“Double the power on his collar. Then contact the Mutant Response Division. Let the Martyrs handle mutants.” Noooo, Fury, you were looking like a good guy, don’t give the wannabee villain to those assholes.

“Which may be treated… more harshly than in our world” gulped Flash. C’mon, their worlds were different, but there was no way they would be so much right? Right?

(‘cricket sounds accompanied by the whistling’)

Back in the Big House, Whirlwind was trying to break out of his jail… and failing spectacularly.

“Can't do this to me. Can't hold the Whirlwind!” he groaned, before somebody thankfully stopped him.

“Please, Whirlwind. Stop. You're embarrassing yourself.” Said his neighbor, a guy with mechanical parts on his head, who was writing on the wall. In fact, the entire wall was filled with writing

“I'm embarrassing myself? You're the one just sitting in there giving up.Why aren't you trying to get out of here?” Whirlwind whined, a little bit like a petulant child.

“Try?” asked the Thinker, finishing his equation “I have already calculated 11 different ways to escape from this prison. I choose not to.”

“Holy shit they got their own Thinker” cried Wally, remembering the pain it had been to fight the smug sociopath.

“Why not?”

“I do not need to.”

“Who-- Who are you? “

“I am just a simple thinker. Though some call me mad.” Thinker said, putting on a wig in his head “You see, I have done the math.”

“This is one of four major super-villain prisons, each holding some of the most powerful criminals on the planet.” He said, the screen showing the previous prisons and the last one, which was… a trash ship?

Then the screen showed different villains, including the Wrecking crew, the Leader, Grey Gargoyle, Abomination, and then finishing in a new guy, someone chained in energy balls like those from the Incredibles Syndrome used.

“Catastrophe is inevitable. All systems break down. We will be free, and soon.” He finished, the prisoner opening his eyes.

[Mad Thinker/Julius]

[Fantastic Four Obsessive Yandere]

“…Yeah shit’s about to go down soon” thank you Mick, for putting it so eloquently.

We now change to an African village, with tall advanced buildings. Many people were congregated in a sacred circle, some of them playing drums and many others armed, hitting the air with their spears

“Whoa what’s with the sudden change?” these were the thoughts of the heroes. They had gone from a high-tech prison to… actually back to Africa.

“It looks like an African village. However, I can only say they are not Zambesian” said Vixen. Seeing this though, made her smile at the fact that it probably meant a new African hero.

Many others felt the same. And the founders, looking at this, started thinking.

The next recruitment round (when they would get together and offer potential candidates for the league or for heroes to take on sidekicks(it is basically they look for teenage heroes and try to offer them help, mostly in the form of a teacher in someone who has similar powers)) was coming closer, and there had been talks of making the league really international.

So what was stopping them from offering an African superhero a seat? Heck, they knew of many good heroes, Amazing Man, Anansi, Impala… and maybe Doctor Mist or Black Adam, though it was more likely that they would refuse.

And then they could go even further. Diana had sung praises of a young heroine called Janissary who worked with the Red Crescent, the Russians had their own Iron Mans with their Rocket Reds, and Superman remembered some of his superfriends abroad, in particular his Japanese and Mexican one (the real ones know who I'm talking about).

“Face me! Come, Black Panther, and face the Man-Ape.” Shouted the person in the middle of the circle. He was a tall man, and I mean tall, his dark-skin heavily contrasted by the white-gorilla fur he wore.

[Man-Ape]

[Has to pay 10000 $ for his coat]

“Wow, is it me or does he sound like a jerk?” asked Beast Boy.

“Not just you”

The so-called Black Panther rose from his seat, revealing a person clad in a suit resembling a panther. And yes, the suit was black. He looked at his counsellor, who nodded and signalled the combat ring.

[T’Chaka/Black Panther]

[Obligatory dead father backstory incoming]

“Damn now that’s a presence” awed Booster. Not faulting him, the guy produced an air of “Don’t mess with me” energy.

“He kinda looks like Batman” Kara said, making the heroes look at the caped crusader.

For his part, he was silently appraising the newcomer. And from what he was seeing, he approved.

“Father, please. Do not do this.” A young dark-skinned adult told the king, his tone filled with concern.

“It is the law, my son. This is how the kings of Wakanda have chosen to rule. This is how it is written, and we will respect it.” Was the response of the king, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Oh fuck” muttered Question. As someone who knew his tropes, and with the similarities of Batman pointed out… yeah this was not going to be pretty.

“But the White Gorilla tribe, they cannot claim what is ours.” Honestly, I understand him a little. This guy who everyone knows is dangerous just comes and can possibly be crowned king after killing the current monarch, who is a pretty cool dude.

“M'Baku has made a challenge to the throne of Wakanda.” Cut the advisor “It is your father's duty as King and Black Panther to meet it.”

“Ugh, the pains that practice brought me.” Aquaman pained. While Atlantean monarchy was passed down in the family, the dueling for the throne had occurred in the old days. Mostly because of kings having multiple children. And when he had become king, the old stuffy nobles had tried to reinstate the practice.

Because… (drum rolls please) racism!

“Father, if you lose, you know what he will do to this country.” Finished T’challa.

“And this why I will not lose. Our family has protected Wakanda and its treasure for generations. The Black Panther's reign will not end this day.” Damn what a chad. Shame it wasn’t meant to be.

“Turn back, M'Baku. There is no shame.” T’chaka told M’Baku, the challenger not heeding the warning. And also, it started raining.

“He sounds like someone I would gladly follow” smiled Kaldur. A king who did not seek conflict but knew when to fight

“I have been waiting for this moment for years, T'Chaka. The White Gorilla tribe has been ignored for centuries. No longer!” M’baku shouted and charged at T’chaka.

The panther just jumped out of his reach, falling behind him. Man-ape turned, and tried to catch the king, only for the latter to effortlessly dodge every attack, and then, with a jab, hit him right in the armpit, followed by a good old punch to the face. The challenger fell.

“It was a mistake to come here, M'Baku.” Declared T’chaka “The White Gorilla tribe was exiled long ago, your mere existence is forbidden. But still I have respected you and your lands. And this is how you repay me?” yeah. After hearing this, we can only see this guy as a dick.

“Man what a dick!” the Outsiders agree with me.

“It’s like watching Batman.” Muttered Tim

“What were you expecting Red, this guy is going to be their Batman. Only theirs is also a king.”

“No, Panther, this is.” Man-ape mocked, and from the bushes, the sonic cannon emerged, and it shot an invisible soundwave which made the king shout in pain.

“NO!”

“FUCK!”

“SABOTAGE!”

“IT’S THAT GODDAMNED BELGIAN!”

Holding his head, the panther could do nothing as M’baku kicked him in the stomach. T’chaka got up, only to receive a punch to the face which launched him away. And M’baku continued, his next punch breaking T’chaka’s mask.

“Father! Let me go! We have to help him.” Shouted T’challa, escaping his sister’s? gasp, only for the advisor to stop him.

“No. We can not. This is the law. Your father respects it, and so must you.” The adviser finished, T’challa’s face mirred in pain.

Everyone looked in horror at the beatdown. But while looking at this, Clark and Diana watched Bats. To the guys who knew him, Batman looked to be his usual self.

But to them, the brother and sister he never had? They could see the signs. The clenched jaw, the sweat running from his cowl, and the fact that his hands had crushed his armbands.

As soon as the episode finished, they would move.

“So arrogant T'Chaka. That is your downfall.” Mocked the honourless villain “I never wanted your respect. Can you hear me? I wanted your hide.” And as he finished, he punched the panther so hard he was sent flying.

M'Baku roared in joy, lightning flashing behind him. “Bow to your new king. Bow to M'Baku, the Man-Ape!” he demanded, the Wakandans having no choice but to kneel.

“This is why Atlantis abandoned that practice” gloomily said Garth, bowing his head in honor of the fallen king.

The rest did the same. Because even if they did not know him personally, today a great man had fallen.

T’challa ran, not being able to handle the outcome. He went to Bast temple, kneeling in front of the panther’s garb. Looking at the statue of their goddess, he knew what he had to do.

At that, Batman, scaring everyone who knew him, did the unthinkable.

He smiled. A bloodthirsty smile.

Some of the heroes thanked their lucky stars they were already desensitized from many horrors they had fought, because that shit?

I fear no man. But that thing… it scares me.

Coincidentally, a yellow ring suddenly glowed and started flying through space.

Then, we change to a mine, showing that it is filled with Vibranium

“…well guess Pym isn’t the first guy to use vibranium” gulped Steel, his mouth open in amazement at the giant Vibranium cave.

“For generations, the Black Panther tribe ruled Wakanda. They crushed my people under their heels. But no more.” Wow, you really believe the crap you are spewing out of your mouth?

“What of the Black Panther's son? Will he return?” asked a smarmy voice, coming from someone covered in darkness… nah it’s Klaw, we all know it.

“Ohoho he will. You bet he will” Dick, showing he was his fathers son, also smiled like a kid in a candy store ready to kill you for the last candy. And somehow, he made himself look dangerous, and hot!

“It does not matter. That Panther is defeated and the kings of Wakanda do not ask for him. Even if he did, who could help him?” M’Baku ridiculed. Oh when I get to that episode I’m going to be so happy.

 “Well, I'm glad I could be of assistance.” Lo and behold, the Dutch emerged from darkness “But I'll be taking my payment now. I've got men ready.”

“Very well. As promised. The Vibranium is yours to take, Klaw.” M’baku agreed, looking at the gigantic deposit of the miraculous metal.

“It's always good to go right to the source.” Finished Klaw, even his grin looked sleazy.

“If we ever find them, we’re beating them. All in favor?” declared Kaldur.

“AYE!”

But out of the city, an individual stood ready. T’Challa, now donning the Black Panther suit, ran, ready to prepare for retaking his country.

[T’Challa/Black Panther]

[The Fresh Prince of New York]

“Let’s fucking go!” cheered the heroes, specially the Batfamily.

Meanwhile, the powered two thirds of the trinity nudged their restant member, but he only shook his head.

“We should watch one more episode and then go to sleep.”

Groaning, the heroes agreed, and the celestial artifact prepared the next viewing. The fact that it turned blood red should have told them a little about how it was going to go.

And all the while, Question fidgeted. If their team was going to ressemble the League, then they would start with 7 members. And what did you know, the seventh superhero had just appeared.

There was no more waiting. The Breakout was coming.

[Next chapter]

[.?.]