Unwanted Partnership

So, before we begin, just to let you know by popular demand, I have decided to change Esau's hero name from Typhoon to Maelstrom. This is how he will be referred to from now on.

-X-

Thursday 22nd July 2010, 21:20.

Caribbean Sea,

Santa Prisca.

Bane couldn't help but marvel at the sight before him, just because of how...pathetic it was.

Aqualad, Robin, Batgirl and Kid Flash along with three newbies that he had no clue who they were having never seen them before, all arguing over who should be the leader of their poor excuse of a team. Or more accurately, Kid Flash and Batman's prized protégé argued while Aqualad and the Deathstroke wannabe broke them apart.

However, the latter's appearance did raise a few questions.

Was this guy simply a fan of Deathstroke yet decided to become a hero?

That alone was strange and highly unlikely.

Was his costume simply a matter of coincidence?

Again, highly unlikely, but also not impossible.

Or was this the mysterious apprentice of Deathstroke, the one called Marauder who had both appeared and then seemingly disappeared a few months ago?

If so, what was he doing with the sidekicks?

Bane's eyes then turned towards the two other members of the ragtag team before him that he didn't recognise, the first and foremost being the young Martian girl. No doubt she was in some way related to Martian Manhunter and most definitely, his apprentice though she must be new because this was the first time that he was hearing of her.

The other was the young man wearing some basic clothes that made him seem like the odd one out amongst the group, that or a fan of Superman by the 'S' symbol on his chest. While Bane would never boast of having fought Superman, he was too smart to engage the man that could shrug off missiles like someone had thrown a wet paper ball at him, he sure as hell knew all about the Kryptonian's powers. Though the kid had not shown all the abilities of Superman, Bane had for the second time in the last few days been completely outclassed in a contest of strength.

Even with the remnants of his last Venom dosage still coursing through his veins, the kid had broken through his grip like it was nothing and despite being far more skilled, the kid had beaten him in short order just because of the overwhelming difference in strength and speed.

Now, if this kid was Superman's kid that would certainly be a worrying thought, yet also extremely useful, especially to him. All it would take was a few words here and Bane could have this team and especially the mysterious kid with super strength on his side. Certainly, not permanently, but long enough for him to drive the Kobra Cult off his island and once again conduct his business once more.

"Míralos discutir {Look at them argue}." Turning his head ever so slightly, Bane made sure to listen to what one of his men had to say, while also keeping his eyes on the sidekicks. "Libérate y tómalos mientras estén distraídos {Free yourself and take them while they're distracted}!"

"¡Tranquila {Quiet}!" Bane snapped, making sure to keep his voice low. "Por ahora voy a seguir el juego. Me darán lo que necesito {For now I play along. They'll give me what I need}." From what Bane was seeing, the only two to be any cause for worry were Aqualad and the kid who had overpowered him completely. Mostly because without Venom, he would be no match for them in a contest of strength and Aqualad seemed to be skilled in magic which would no doubt give him an immense advantage in a fight. He had personally never come across or fought anyone capable of using it, but he wasn't about to underestimate someone who did, not certainly in this day and age.

Bane felt a smirk come upon his face, with the help of these sidekicks, he could quite easily drive the Kobra Cult off his island. The only real problem would be the cult's champion and he could attest from personal experience that the champion was powerful.

Even with Venom, he had been overwhelmed in speed and strength.

If they fought again, Bane would make sure to not underestimate the champion again, but even then he doubted his chances of winning were very high.

No, the team of heroes would prove valuable in retaking his island.

Chuckling lowly, Bane looked to see that the team had finally finished arguing, declaring the Deathstroke lookalike, Maelstrom as their leader. "Such clever, niños." His words drew their attention, just like he had planned. "You've done so well in figuring out the story so far, allow me to fill in the rest, via my secret entrance."

Unlike the faces of the other members of the team, Bane found it difficult to read the covered face of Maelstrom, but he was able to see that none liked to see that he had spoken, including Maelstrom. But whereas the others on his team seemed at least willing to listen, Bane was getting the opinion that Maelstrom while not doubting his words, didn't like them.

Bane's eyes flickered to the Martian to see one hand resting on her temple with both eyes closed in concentration. "There is a secret entrance, but he's also hiding something." As her eyes glowed, Bane felt a sudden pressure upon his mind, and while he would admit to her being skilled, he hadn't even noticed her initial presence at first, the moment she tried to delve deeper, he could feel her easily.

"Ah, ah, ah, chica. Bane's not that easy." Allowing a smirk to cross his face, Bane cleared his mind and focused on a few simple thoughts repeatedly, just like he had trained himself to do.

A simple but effective way to keep telepaths out of his head.

Though he hadn't tested his defences against the likes of Martian Manhunter, he'd like to think his defences would hold, but he doubted that would be the case. Either way, it would buy him enough time to force Martian Manhunter to focus on other things, which in his opinion was a much smarter way for him to handle telepaths.

Just like he had expected, Miss Martian recoiled away. "Gah! He's mentally repeating fútbol scores and español. This could take a while." She admitted with a sigh and while she did receive a comforting hand from Batgirl, it was the newly appointed leader, Maelstrom that had other plans.

"No time for that. We'll have to do something less time-consuming."

Bane just shook his head with another chuckle. "It's not complicated." He said, looking to stare Maelstrom in the face and he could make out the scowl on the kid's face beneath his mask. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." While Bane kept his eyes on Maelstrom, he could see that a few of the sidekicks seemed at least willing to listen to him and even believing of his words.

"No, the enemy of my enemy is just another enemy," Bane smirked, realising that the boy may not be as naïve as some of the other children.

It certainly made things a little more difficult, but not impossible.

"Perhaps, but as you said. You, niños haven't got time to wait for the Martian to read my mind and the only thing you can offer me to tell you about my entrance is for us to ally ourselves with another. So, what's it going to be?" Bane posed the question, taking in the looks on each of the sidekick's faces.

None of them looked overly happy with the idea of working with him, yet most also seemed resigned to the idea and he hadn't even pushed them as hard as he could, how disappointing. All except for Maelstrom, Aqualad and Batgirl, the former who from body posture alone told Bane that he was never going to accept of his own volition which made Bane even more curious as to who was exactly beneath that mask of his.

Again, troublesome but not an impossibility to overcome.

After all, Maelstrom had only just recently been named leader and as a result, could be voted out just as quickly should his team be dissatisfied with him.

Especially if he was overruled by his own team on his first act as a leader and that's exactly what Bane was hoping for.

While Maelstrom seemed adamant to refuse him outright, the others at least seemed willing to work with him, though begrudgingly.

Again, it was so incredibly disappointing.

They practically reeked of inexperience and weakness.

"Maelstrom, I," Batgirl spoke up. "I think we should take him up on his offer. He has information on not only the inner workings of the factory but also gives us a way to get inside without being seen. It's worth the risk."

A true and realistic option, if he were anyone but he was.

Maelstrom said nothing, only staring at Bane who cockily smirked back as he leaned nonchalantly against the tree he was tied to.

"...Fine." Maelstrom relented finally, reaching for one of the batons at his side, which quickly extended into a sword that he used to cut through the ropes with ease.

Rubbing his wrists, Bane suppressed the urge to smile as he rose to his feet, extending one hand to Maelstrom as a show of mutual understanding and acceptance of their deal.

Except, Maelstrom simply hooked the baton back to his side, crossing his arms over his chest. "Lead us to the entrance."

Finding the whole thing amusing, Bane lowered his hand and began walking through the forest, well aware of the team following behind him and the suspicious glare of the team's leader on his back. 'Clever chico.' He admitted mentally, praising Maelstrom for his adamance to refuse his help. He had the right idea, the enemy of your enemy is just an enemy you have not encountered yet.

Unfortunately for the young hero, most of his team didn't seem to share his opinion.