Chapter V: All Is Revealed

Inside the Justice Society Headquarters in New York members of the Justice League and Justice Society sat around a table. Superman and Itachi were just outside of the room.

"This could be an opportunity for you to have a good impression on more heroes. I got your back in case you need it."

Itachi waved his hand, "Thank you Superman, but I'll be fine. You can introduce me though."

They both walked through the door and Mid Nite, Wonder Woman, Hourman, Amazing Man, and Liberty Belle's eyes set on Itachi. Wonder Woman raised a brow. "Who is this?"

Superman put a hand on Itachi's shoulder. "This is the man that saved Jay's life."

Everyone's eyes lit up and Wonder Woman stood up. She walked over to him and stretched out her hand. Itachi accepted the hand shake. "Well then I think I speak for everyone when I say you already have our respect. I am Wonder Woman."

"My name is Uch-..... Itachi Uchiha."

"Oh. We're using real names? Well my name is Diana then." 

Superman smiled, "Just so you know he doesn't have a hero name yet."

Batman put his hands on the table. "Let's begin this meeting. Itachi, you can lead it."

Itachi was caught off guard, but accepted the offer and cleared his throat. "3 days ago the Joker broke Andre Chavard out of prison in exchange for power. We believe that he has this power now, and we followed the trail of his associates down to Challenger Deep where there was a hole that the power came from. When I used genjutsu on Jay I saw Joker which confirms he was controlling him, and he was also controlling the man who tried to kill Amazing-Man. The Justice Society came across Chavard in ww2, so you know what this power is then, right?"

Liberty Belle shook her head, "That's impossible, we destroyed it after the War."

Mid Nite put a hand on the table, "No Libby. We didn't."

"What?!"

"Even together, Green Lantern and the Spectre couldn't break it."

Wonder Woman clenched her fist on the table. "Why would you lie to us, Charles?"

Mid Nite pressed his hands together. "We needed people to believe it didn't exist to guarantee no one would look for it."

She looked away, "Well, someone found it."

Batman cut in, "Found what? What did you bury in the Mariana Trench?"

"It's an amulet. It allows the user to take over the mind of anyone they're near."

Batman put a hand on his chin, "And Joker has clearly decided to target the Justice Society with this."

Amazing-Man asked, "Why?"

Itachi answered, "Because he wants to hurt the Justice League. He knows that you're their heros."

Superman stepped forward, "We need to get all of the Justice Society to safety."

Hourman lifted a hand, "We don't need you to protect us. We can fight our own fights."

Wonder Woman responded, "No. We've lost one already and almost lost Wildcat and Flash today."

"You're one of us too, Wonder Woman. And he's just one man."

Batman put his fist on the table. "He's not a man. He's something else. And you should never underestimate him."

Amazing-Man pointed at Batman, "And neither should you, son. I know you want to protect us. But if he can't find us, he'll move on to you. Madmen don't play by rules. If he gets control of Superman, or Wonder Woman, he could break the world."

"I wouldn't let that happen. As long as I'm nearby I can break the mind control on anyone he has a hold of."

Superman said, "That's good, but we'll have to catch him eventually," he looked at Batman, "We can fight him together. We can plan once we have all of the Justice Society and League in a safe place."

Batman put a hand on his hip, "There's nowhere on earth he can't reach."

Itachi lifted a hand, "Maybe we should go off world then. You guys have a watch tower."

Batman nodded, "bring everyone in, but no one moves by themselves. I want escorts for everyone.

Later Green Arrow and Black Canary. She crossed her arms and leaned on a door frame. "Hello Oliver."

"Hello, Ms. Drake."

"Are you here to make sure I do what I'm told?"

"No. Batman insisted we travel in pairs. I promise I didn't want to be anywhere near you two for this bit."

"He's getting more sensible."

Black Canary put a hand on Oliver's chest, "He is. Now, mom"-"I'm not running away."

"We're not suggesting that. We're just getting out of immediate danger. All of us. We're heading to the watchtower."

"Everyone?"

"Everyone. The Justice League, too."

She started walking away, "Fine, I'll just get the cat."

Oliver raised a brow. "You're bringing your cat... to space?"

"Do you know when we'll be back?"

"No."

"Then yes, I'm bringing the cat to space. Mr. Mittens." She walked into the next room and Joker was there holding her cat.

"Well, this worked out even better than I was hoping. That is just serendipity, right there. This'll make up for my last experience with That old Flash with the weird hat," She picked up the cat with blank eyes and Joker held her like a doll, "I'm really getting a lot better at this. I can see right in there. I can see what you're thinking, and-- oh! Dinah Drake, what an unseemly and violent thought," She started walking away with a fake smile. "Buh bye Mr Mittens," he held up the amulet to his face, "What was that? I don't care if you liked the cat. Oh, suck it up. It won't have time to suffer that much."

When they arrived at the Watchtower they were greeted by Hawkgirl, "Welcome to the Watchtower, Dinah. And.... Mr. Mittens. I had no idea you were joining us."

"You only dress as a bird. You don't have to over commit and be legitimately scared of cats."

"Make yourselves at home."

Dr. Fate flew forward, "No... there's someone else in there."

Dinah whispered to the cat, "I guess we're moving the schedule forward, Mr. Mittens."

Itachi realized what was going on and yelled, "Everyone cover your ears!" 'I haven't used this in a long time,' a crimson cage manifested around him and a couple other members. Protecting them from the scream of Dinah that broke the glass separating all of them from space. Although many of them flew into space unconscious. 

Batman quickly sent a message to the league, "Justice League! We've been attacked! The Watchtower! Fate and Itachi managed to protect some of us, but there are people in space!" Batman activated thrusters on the bottom of his boots and went into space, "I'm going after them, but I won't be able to reach all of them in time!"

Superman communicated through the comms, "It's alright Bruce, I'm here." 

Itachi dropped the rib cage that protected him and a couple members. As Superman was bringing everyone in, Hawkgirl yelled, "No! You can't let Dinah Drake in here!"

Black Canary lifted a hand, "Please be careful with my mom. She's not herself."

Dr. Fate put a hand on Hawkgirl, "Yes. She is herself now. He's gone. The Joker has left her mind."

Dinah covered her face with her hands, "He could see in my head. He knows so much of what I know." 

Superman walked up to her and handed her her cat, "Ms. Drake. I believe Mr. Mittens belongs to you."

"Thank you."

Dr. Fate stated, "I can't help everyone protected with magic indefinitely."

Batman stepped forward. "We aren't. Everyone into the teleporters."

Later they arrived at the Hall of Justice and Green Arrow said, "The Hall of Justice has a lot of perks over the watchtower. My favorite thing is that you can open a window without being sucked into the cold vacuum of space."

Superman and Starman split off. "Superman, we can't just wait around for the Joker's next attack. That's asking for trouble. When it comes to corrupt madmen full of power, action is required. It's something we used to be very good at."

"I know Starman. We're heading out. We'll keep our distance," Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Hawkgirl started flying off, "But we're going to search the whole country."

But Joker wasn't in the country. The next day he was having a drink in Egypt while someone in front of him kept shoveling away at the sand. He heard a tnk sound, "Tnk? That's perfect. That's the sound we were after. You can take a rest now," The man dropped over dead, "I said you could take a rest. I didn't say you could drop dead. Urgh. Are basic instructions so hard?" He looked down the hole and saw a helmet covered in sand. "So this is where you live huh?"

The helmet spoke, "It is not where we live, it is how we communicate. This is the object through which we can give our powers to you."

He picked up the helmet and wiped the sand off, "Hmm. It's a little extreme. Kind of like you're trying too hard you know? Not the first ancient evil to need a makeover," he took out lipstick and started drawing a smile on it.

"What are you doing?! This helmet is older than stars. We"-"Oh, shut up. You're Lords of Chaos. You can deal with a little defacing..... alright that works. But before I fully commit to this, what levels of chaos are we talking about here? Pet's talking and revealing our most personal secrets? Or people walking around with their insides on the outside? Neither of those are deal breakers."

"The chaos will be yours to determine. You will be our champion. Your enemies shall tremble."

He started putting the helmet on, "Okay, I'm in." As soon as the helmet was fitted onto his head, red lightning arked from him down to the ground and up into the sky as a huge dust cloud blew away from him. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

"What first?"

"Let's stick to the plan. Destroying Batman's heros still sounds like a great time. Now we get to do it with a little more style.  We just have to find them."

"We know where the Lord's of Order are. Order has always been the enemy of Chaos."

"Well that's convenient."

Dr Fate felt something, "Something is coming!"

Batman looked up from what he was working on, "Fate, what is it?"

"Chaos."

Joker hovered over the Hall of Justice, and said, "Knock knock." As he blew the building up."

There was fire everywhere, but the heros slowly rose up from the rubble dazed. Batman made a call, "Priority one! Hall of Justice under attack. He's here! Joker is here!"

"Why didn't I get ancient chaotic powers ages ago? This is a hoot," he looked down at a crowd of people recording the action and flew down to them, "Are any of you News reporters?"

One stepped forward hunched over, "Um, yes?"

"Great! Tell your people to start broadcasting. This is going to be one hell of an exclusive... the fall of Gods."

He flew back up into the sky and Superman met him up there, "Joker!"

Joker had his arms behind his back, "Superman? Are you really going to waste time on me? I'm pretty sure your friends are dying down there."

Superman flew back down to help Amazing Man and the others check up on everyone.

Joker's eyes traced across the whole battlefield until he saw Itachi who was still recovering from the explosion. "You.... I'm gonna get back at you this time," Joker shot multiple arcs of red lightning and in response Itachi quickly activated his Susanoo as all the cameras looked at him as he manifested something never before seen in this world. He surrounded himself in a rib cage which quickly grew flesh then was covered in armor.  He summoned the Yata Mirror with his left hand and took the full brunt of the blast. Joker increased the intensity of the blast and started shooting with both hands.

The rest of the heros recovered and Starman stood in front, "Itachi looks like he's in trouble. Joker!"

Joker diverted his attention from Itachi to the group of 8 walking towards him. He flew down to them, "Ooh. Final standoff time. How exciting."

"Let's see how exciting you find my fist in your"- before he could finish that phrase he was shot by lightning and disappeared. The rest of them started charging at him and Dinah Drake asked, "What did you do to them?"

In response he pulled the same trick on the rest of them besides Batman and they all disappeared. Batman was left standing there with his fist up, "What did you..? Where did they go?"

Joker shrugged his shoulders, "I... have no idea, chaos and all. Ha!" 

"You!" Wonder Woman flew straight towards Joker and punched him into the rubble, then followed up with another punch. But the third one was caught and she was thrown off.

Joker stood up and got hit by something, "Ouch. What the hell? A boxing glove Arrow?" He picked it up, "Oh, I get it. For when you want to punch someone who's a really long way away. That's... actually very practical."

His thoughts were interrupted by Black Canary, Superman, and Batman rushing at him. Batman yelled, "Superman! The helmet, take it!" Before kicking him in the head. Both him and Blafk Canary restrained Joker while Superman grabbed the helmet and started pulling on it.

Itachi saw an opportunity while Joker was being held still and decided to end it all there. He outstretched the right Susanoo arm and the Totsuka Blade started to manifest.

"No! My head! You're pulling off my head! I need that for thinking!" Superman fell for it and released his grip on Joker, "I... I didn't mean to"-"Superman no!"

Joker broke free and shot a beam straight at Superman. 'Superman you fool, you should have seen that coming.'

Joker smirked, "Ha! Oh you people. So caring. So trusting. So stupid. You have no idea how much power I'm connected to. It's so tingly," he grabbed Batman's head, "I could crush you like a bug right now, Batsy. But I have something far more fun in mind. You see... I was saving the best for last."

Superman started to stand as if he was in a trance. Itachi started to brace himself. "Yes. I have his mind. And... ew. He's just as earnest on the inside. I'm going to make sure he feels all of this. Superman. Kill everyone here, slowly. Turn them to mush. Leave Batman for last. I want him to watch. Kill the one with the cloak that has clouds on it first.

'Joker found out about the eye contact and closed Superman's eyes,' Superman dashed towards Itachi and landed a blow that Itachi blocked with the Yata Mirror. He wasn't harmed, but he was pushed back. Although before he could land another blow he heard foreign voice say, "Stop!"

Alan Scott put a dome of energy around Superman. 'This must be the other Green Lantern.'

"You? Didn't I accidentally drop you out of the sky?"

Alan ignored him and landed beside Superman, "Superman, listen to me. You're better than this pathetic maniac."

Joker pointed, "Rude."

Batman stood up, "Green Lantern's right, Superman. I've seen you move a moon. I've seen you fly into the heart of a star. These old Gods and their psychotic magic welder are nothing. You're the best of us. Fight. It."

Joker waved his hands, "Ha! Oh, that's... well, it's a little saccharine if I'm being honest. Time for some extreme violence."

"Hnnng."

"What's "hnnng"? I don't think you understand. I'm in your head. You're mine. Now do as I say. Fuck them up!" Superman broke the bubble of Green Lantern energy that covered him. "Yes!"

Superman looked at Joker, "No."

Joker put up his hands, "What's happening? What's this?"

The amulet spoke, "We've never seen this before. He's fighting us. He's incorruptible."

"Impossible."

Batman wiped blood off his mouth, "It's not impossible. He's just better than you can possibly comprehend." Superman snatched the amulet off of Joker and destroyed it. "He's Superman."

Joker flew back into a wall, "Ow." 

Wonderwoman  started walking towards him, "I will end him."

Batman stood in her way, "No."

"Stand aside, Batman. Stop protecting your monster."

"I'm not. I'm protecting you. I'm protecting the Justice League. The world is watching. We don't kill."

She pointed at him, "Batman, if you let this monster live again, you are responsible for everyone he hurts after this.:

Superman put an arm on her shoulder, "We don't kill, Diana. We have to be stronger than that. We have to be better than that."

Black Canary walked towards him, "We don't have to be that much better," She kicked him in the head and asked, "Where is my mother?"

Itachi sat off to the side and looked at the scene in front of him, 'Stronger than that? Better than that? I thought of them as officers before, but they definitely fight wars. To not kill seems senseless. Maybe it's for public reputation, maybe the people of this world would view them as villains if they started killing? I still don't know enough. This.... Joker seems more vile than Danzo ever was..... but I still need to learn more about how things work here before I step out of line. I still have to gain the trust of the League.'

A few days later the members of the Justice Society that didn't disappear went with Spectre to travel across multiverses to find where their friends were sent. And the same day Itachi sat down with the Justice League inside the Watchtower. The current members being Superman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Cyborg, Black Canary, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl, Hawkman, Wonderwoman, and soon Itachi. 

"You've all been very kind to me, but before I can be welcomed into the League"- Superman cut him off, "Itachi, you saved Jay's life and helped us defeat Joker. You're already welcome."

Martian Manhunter cut in, "Superman, you'll want to hear this. I apologize Itachi, but I looked into your mind when Joker was going on a rampage."

Itachi shook his head, "It's alright."

Batman put his hands together, "Itachi was going to tell us about his past before coming to this world."

Everyone stayed silent and sat straight up while looking at Itachi, "It's a lot. So it'll be easier if I can show you through my Genjutsu if that is ok with you all... I've lived my whole life hiding my secrets. I want to start out here living an honest life. If I'm shunned for what I've done then so be it," No one seemed to have a problem with this and his eyes turned red, putting everyone under an illusion. They saw everything, his Anbu work, the fear people had of his clan, the planned Coup, the ultimatum he was given along with Danzo's set up, his slaughter of his clan, his Akatsuki days, along with how his life ended and what he did when he was resurrected.

The genjutsu ended and everyone came back to their senses, rubbing their heads. Being shown so many different things led to a huge mixture of emotions, although there was one thing that definitely stuck in their heads after seeing all that. The slaughter of his clan.

Some held their heads looking at the ground while others glared at him, and some just looked forward. Green Arrow stood up, "You killed so many families..."

Black Canary yelled, "You.... slaughtered so many children."

Superman's eyes glowed red and he grabbed his collar, "You... you massared so many innocent people! You killed your own parents and tortured your brother!" He lifted him off the ground and Itachi did nothing to stop it.

Batman slammed his fist on the table, "Superman enough!"

Superman's eyes turned back to blue and he slowly sat him back down, "I'm... sorry, Itachi."

"It's alright, I understand."

Aquaman stood up, "I have to go back to my people now."

"Yeah, and I have to get back to Queen Industries."

Green Lantern started walking off, "I have a date with Carol today."

Black Canary left, "I just have to go."

Cyborg left, "I'm gonna help repair the Hall of Justice.

All that remained in the room was Itachi, Superman, Batman, Wonderwoman, Hawkgirl, Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, and Flash.

Batman leaned into the table, "How did you do that?"

"It's an illusion casted on your mind through eye contact. I'm sending Chakra directly to your brain, then doing whatever I want from there."

Flash rubbed the back of his head, "So that Danzo guy ruined your plan then set you up to kill your whole clan, or else something even worse would have happened..... I'm not sure if Joker has even done anything that bad."

Wonderwoman pointed at Itachi, "It seems like in your world that it was common for children to be trained as warriors to help fight nations they were at war with."

Itachi nodded, "That is correct. Us Shinobi are trained in multiple areas of combat and stealth from childhood."

Batman stood up and started to walk away, "Superman, come with me."

While they discussed Itachi's past. Joker was being tended to in the Gotham Hospital.

"Nurse. Hnnng, my teeth are too loud."

"That sounds like a problem, Mistah J."

"Harley? You came!"

She tilted her head, "You're.... happy to see me"

"Of course! The only thing preventing me from smiling more is my severely broken face," his expression softened, "I'm so sorry for what happened. There was an ancient evil in my head. I wasn't in control. You know I would never hurt you like that."

She gripped the clipboard close to her chest. "I..."

"Thank you for being here in my hour of need. I'm such a lucky clown. You know what? I will get you that Submarine. You can name it whatever you want."

She sat on the edge of the hospital bed, "Are you okay?"

"Honestly, I've been better. Punctured organs. Broken bones even Batman hasn't broken before. But I have something to look forward to now."

"Oh, puddin'."

"What...? Oh, I didn't mean you. Batman thinks Superman is incorruptible. INCORRUPTIBLE. Heh. Let's put that to the test. I saw something while I was in his head."

"What did you see, Puddin'?"

"Lois."

End: Year Zero