CHAPTER 136

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[David Lance POV]

The days passed without any events or signs of any coming. The timeframe Batman had given me to learn about the plan being a clear exaggeration or not, better to be prepared before something happens way before it happens than to not be prepared at all.

By now, I had fully memorized every step of the plan, even the parts I didn't have to play or help with.

But I had done all that days ago.

Right now, I was training.

To better increase my odds against Superman. I had to take 5-U-93-R in order to level the playing field to acceptable terms. However, I was still inexperienced when it came to using the power boost these pills brought.

I needed to feel fully comfortable with said power boost in order to use the power efficiently. And to do that, I was training.

Besides that, I was thinking of a way to deal with Superman's flight ability. Because even if the 5-U-93-R pill leveled the field from a purely physical point of view, it would do nothing if Superman decided to make the fight an airborne one.

Then again, if everything played out well, just like Batman was planning, there would be no need to make countermeasures for his flying ability. Be that as it may, I was a fierce believer in the saying that says that no plan ever survives contact with the enemy.

It is how one reacts to the unexpected that decides if one succeeds.

"Black Bolt," Batman's voice snapped me out of my train of thought.

Wiping the sweat off my forehead, I turned around to face the Dark Knight, giving him a nod to continue with whatever he wanted to say.

"How's the training going?" Batman asked, looking around the area I was using for training.

~Good enough,~ I replied. So far, I had gotten used to the boost of strength the pill gave, but I was still struggling with the massive increase in speed, both physically and mentally. Though, to be fair, the mental part was coming along well all things considered, maybe because those things usually come naturally. ~I'm still adapting to the increase in speed, so I've been running all day, basically.~

"Good," Batman nodded before falling into silence, his body tensing a bit in lingering pain from the wound Superman had left on his back the last time they faced each other.

For a few moments, I waited for him to continue, but when it became clear that he had nothing else to say, I decided to ask a question that had been bugging me for some time now. ~In your plan. It's clear you want to capture Superman. Instead of killing him, why show mercy?~

I had expected Batman to give me one of his usually cryptic replies, but instead, he answered my question with a simple and straightforward answer. "Because if we kill him, we're no better than him."

I paused for a second, contemplating his words. ~Don't think of my question as an intent to actually try and kill Superman, but I went through some of your files. And in most of the encounters you had against the Regime, you have lost allies. And I thought, at a certain point, who's the one really killing them?~

Batman glared at me, his jaw clenched in anger. "You hacked into my computers?! And now accuse me of killing my allies?!" he growled.

I stared back at him, unfazed by his display of anger. ~I can't really judge or accuse you of anything, nor am I interested in doing so. I don't know what you've been through. I don't know the weight you are carrying every day, so I can't fully comprehend most of your actions. But that's neither here nor there; my question was when is taking a life better than sacrificing one?~

"Your curiosity over morality and philosophy doesn't give you the right to pry into the Insurgency files!" Batman snapped, taking a step towards me in anger.

I smiled at him, a calm, empty smile. ~Don't talk about morality with me. You're the one using one of your friends to manipulate me, well, two, if you count Harley collecting DNA samples for you every night.~

Batman's anger turned into a look of surprise at my words before he went back to his usual mask of control. "You are an unknown. A threat. And until proven otherwise, I will continue to treat you as such; therefore, information is key."

I shrugged. ~Feel free to keep investigating all you want. I won't hurt you or anyone if I can help it, but I also don't crave your approval. I will simply do what I must because that's who I am.~

Batman remained silent for a few moments before he replied. "Think whatever you want. But know that if you ever overstep your boundaries again, I will not hesitate to take you down."

I met his gaze, my eyes hard. ~Instead of making new enemies, how about you take down the ones you already have?~

Batman's eyes narrowed at my words before he turned around and started walking away, his cape flowing behind him in the wind. I watched him until he disappeared from sight before I turned back to my training.

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Two days after my talk with Batman in the training room. Batman summoned everyone to the base early in the morning, even members of the Insurgency I had yet to meet, like Zatara and Catwoman. Once everyone had gathered, he informed us that the time had come and that this would be the last chance the Insurgency would ever have to stop Superman.

He also advised us to take the little time we had before everything started to say our goodbyes, to family, to friends, to partners, to their children, their wives, and their husbands.

"Well, ain't that a pessimistic way to look at things?" Harley said, crossing her arms over her chest before she let out a giggle. "That's Batsy for ya. Anywho, goodbye, Bolt!"

I turned to Harley, giving her a look that said, really?

"What? I was just doing what Batsy said. Now that I'm a hero, I must act in an overly serious manner," Harley replied, imitating Batman's voice. "I brood, in the darkness, because the day is too bright to brood, but even then, I brood in a dark room."

At times like this, I wish I could let out a hyena-like cackle because that joke was top-notch.

~Well, I'm off to... for the time to come. Good luck saying all of your goodbyes,~ I signed before turning around and walking toward my room.

However, before I could take more than two steps, Harley stopped me.

"You could do that, very fun and all, or I could make you some company," Harley said with a wink.

I considered her offer for a few seconds. Even after all the training I put myself through; surviving was still not a guarantee. I might as well enjoy what could be my last moments while having some fun.

~Alright then, Harley Quinn,~I replied with a nod before leading the way to my room. Harley happily bouncing and skipping behind me.

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[A few hours later.]

A few hours of fun later, the time had finally come, well, not only the time had come... but enough about jokes. Having done what we all set out to do after Batman summoned us early in the morning, we all gathered in the main room of the base, fully equipped and ready for battle.

Batman walked up to the center of the room; his eyes scanned over everyone before he started to speak. "This is it. The final battle against Superman. We all know what's at stake here. We can't fail."

I cracked my neck from side to side.

"I have no doubt that each and every one of you will give it your all out there," Batman continued, giving everyone a look. "Now let's go stop the Regime, once and for all."

With that said, Batman led the way out of the base, with all of us following close behind. As we exited the base, breaking into groups as per the plan, as I walked onto the surface, I couldn't help but notice how the sky was darker than usual, almost as if it was preparing for a storm.

"Are you ready for this?" Dinah asked as we walked away from the others to reach our method of transportation.

I looked at her and, with a heavy heart, nodded.

"Well, one of us had to because I'm not," Dinah said with a nervous laugh before she opened the door to the vehicle, a truck. Once we were both in and buckled, Dinah started the car. "I guess that's part of being a mom, maybe."

I nodded. ~I heard someone say that the moment you have a kid, your life is no longer yours. It belongs to someone else as well.~

Dinah chuckled. "Oh, ain't that the truth."

With nothing more to say, Dinah started driving. The drive was a silent one. Not much to talk about when you are about to risk it all, literally. In our own way, we both knew that this could be the last time we saw each other alive, and that made the situation all the more bittersweet.

I would ensure she survived.

The destiny of this world didn't have the right to leave Connor alone in this accursed world.

Sister or not, I vow to ensure her return.