Chapter 12 The Detective and the Wall-Crawler

The Justice League prided itself on its security—an intricate web of cutting-edge systems designed by some of the brightest minds on Earth and bolstered by intergalactic technology. From Bruce Wayne's unparalleled technological empire to the advanced innovations provided by their extraterrestrial allies, their defenses were considered impenetrable.

Until now.

No one in the League could have predicted that their Zeta Tube—a cornerstone of their operations, capable of instantaneously transporting heroes across vast distances—would be breached. It wasn't just improbable. It was unthinkable. Yet the unthinkable had happened.

And what made it worse—what sent shockwaves through the League—was not just the breach itself. It was the identity of the perpetrator.

Spider-Man.

Not only had he hacked the Zeta Tube's secure network, but he'd used it to transport himself directly into Mount Justice, the hidden base of the League's young protégés. As if his audacity weren't enough, he had then contacted the League directly to announce his arrival, leaving them no choice but to respond.

The alarms in the Watchtower erupted, a shrill reminder of their vulnerability. Superman, Wonder Woman, and Flash immediately set off from their respective cities, heading for Mount Justice with grim determination etched on their faces. Batman, however, moved with calculated precision. He activated the nearest Zeta Tube, his mind working through scenarios as he prepared to confront Spider-Man himself.

Why was he here? What was his endgame? And how far was Spider-Man willing to go?

The transport activated.

[Recognized: Batman, 02]

The moment Batman materialized inside Mount Justice, he strode forward, his presence commanding. His eyes swept the room, quickly taking in the scene. The young heroes were tense, forming a loose circle near the center of the room. At its heart stood Superior Spider-Man, his arms crossed, speaking with Kid Flash, whose posture bristled with barely contained frustration.

"Your impulsiveness and short-sightedness will compromise the team," Spider-Man stated, his tone calm yet cutting. "The mission in Santa Prisca—you were reckless, and it nearly cost you everything."

Kid Flash's fists clenched. "I did what needed to be done," he snapped, trying to defend himself. "You weren't there. You don't know the whole situation."

Spider-Man's mechanical lenses narrowed slightly as he leaned forward. "Oh, I know exactly what happened. I reviewed the data. Your choices weren't about necessity; they were driven by ego. Rushing in without a plan, relying on luck—it's amateurish. And it's unacceptable."

Kid Flash's eyes flashed with defiance. "People's lives were on the line! What was I supposed to do? Wait? Think about strategy while they died?"

"Yes," Spider-Man replied coldly. "If it ensures the survival of the team. Your recklessness endangered everyone, and that's not a risk I'm willing to ignore."

The room seemed to grow smaller as the tension thickened. Kid Flash squared his shoulders, his voice rising. "You don't get it! You don't know what it's like out there making decisions under pressure, when seconds are all you have!"

Spider-Man's voice dropped an octave, sharp and precise. "I know exactly what it's like. I've operated under pressure far greater than you can imagine. And in those moments, I don't have the luxury of thinking small. Neither do you."

Kid Flash faltered, the weight of Spider-Man's words pressing down on him. The room was deathly silent as the young speedster searched for a retort but found none.

That silence was shattered by Batman's voice, cutting through the tension like a blade. "Spider-Man," he said, his tone calm but carrying an unmistakable authority, "what exactly are you trying to accomplish here?"

Spider-Man didn't turn to face him, his attention still locked on Kid Flash. "What needs to be done," he replied, his voice measured but unyielding. "Teaching a child to stop playing hero and start thinking like a strategist."

Batman stepped forward, his dark silhouette dominating the space. His tone dropped lower, colder. "You don't teach by humiliation. You teach by example. If you're here to turn them into soldiers, you're in the wrong place."

Spider-Man finally turned, his lenses gleaming as he faced Batman. "I'm here because your protégés' mistakes are as dangerous as any villain you face. If they can't handle the truth, they don't belong in the field."

Batman's gaze hardened, his voice like steel. "Truth doesn't break people. It builds them. But the way you're handling this? You're not teaching strategy you're teaching fear. And fear makes them weak."

Spider-Man's jaw tightened, his fists curling at his sides. "You may have time to coddle them, Batman, but I don't. The enemies I've faced wouldn't hesitate to exploit their naivety."

"And the enemies I've faced," Batman replied coolly, "don't stop because you push too hard. You break them, you lose them. If you're as brilliant as you claim to be, you'd understand that." His cape swept behind him as he stepped between Spider-Man and Kid Flash, shielding the younger hero with his presence.

The room held its breath, the silence heavier than ever as the two men stared each other down. Kid Flash stood frozen behind Batman, his frustration now replaced with uncertainty.

Spider-Man's lenses flickered, the faintest hum of movement betraying his thoughts. After a tense beat, he spoke, his tone now quieter but still resolute. "Perhaps," he said, "you underestimate what's truly at stake here. But for now, we will have a civil discussion—between us. Not the League."

Batman remained unmoving, his gaze never leaving Spider-Man as the tension in the room grew thicker. This confrontation wasn't over—far from it.

Batman remained unmoving, his gaze never leaving Spider-Man as the tension in the room grew thicker. This confrontation wasn't over, far from it.

With a deep, controlled sigh, Batman reorganized himself, his thoughts already shifting to the next steps. This was only the beginning, and the stakes had just been raised.

Moments later, the rest of the League arrived. Superman, Wonder Woman, and Flash were the first to materialize, followed shortly by Martian Manhunter and Red Tornado. Their presence was like a wave of power, but the tension in the room didn't ease.

Superman, his cape billowing behind him, took in the scene with a sharp, concerned glance. "What happened here?" His gaze flicked to Spider-Man, then to Batman, sensing the unresolved conflict hanging in the air.

"Spider-Man's here to teach our young heroes... a lesson," Batman replied, his voice cold but measured.

Wonder Woman's eyes narrowed. "A lesson? By what means?"

"I'm simply ensuring they learn to operate with the seriousness their role demands," Spider-Man said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "The stakes are higher than any of you seem to understand."

Flash, ever the impulsive one, immediately stepped forward. "What exactly do you mean by that? Are you saying we're not serious enough?"

Before Spider-Man could reply, Batman intervened, his voice low but commanding. "Enough!" he snapped, stepping between Flash and Spider-Man, his towering presence imposing a sharp pause in the room. "This isn't the time for your theatrics, Flash. Stand down, all of you."

Batman then turned to Spider-Man, his gaze icy and unyielding. "And you," he said, his voice low, almost dangerous, as he pointed directly at the web-slinger, "I believe you owe me an explanation."

Superior Spider-Man didn't flinch. His mechanical lenses gleamed, and his posture remained rigid with superiority. Without waiting for a response, Batman strode toward the secure room, his cape flowing behind him like a shadow. With a curt motion, he indicated for Spider-Man to follow. Reluctantly, Superior Spider-Man did, his calculated steps trailing Batman's, but his presence remained a reminder that his own agenda was far from over.

As Batman and Superior Spider-Man disappeared into the secure room, the tension in Mount Justice only deepened. The young protégés, still reeling from the sudden confrontation, exchanged uneasy glances. They had seen their mentors face off before, but this felt different. There was no certainty of a resolution, no calming words. Just the cold weight of a looming storm.

Kid Flash, his usual energy subdued, paced near the center of the room, running his hands through his hair in frustration. "What the hell was that about?" he muttered under his breath. "We're just trying to do our best. What right does he have to come in here and tear us down?"

Wonder Woman, ever the voice of reason, stepped forward, her expression calm yet filled with concern. "I understand your frustration, Wally," she said, her gaze sweeping over the room. "But I think we need to see the bigger picture. What exactly happened? What led to this confrontation?"

Aqualad, the group's mediator, took a deep breath before speaking, his voice steady but measured. "It started when Spider-Man arrived unannounced, bypassing all security protocols to breach the Zeta Tube. He appeared here without any warning. But it wasn't just a casual visit—he had a clear agenda. His goal wasn't just to observe or offer advice; he wanted to join the team, to take charge, and position himself as the one to lead us."

Aqualad paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the group. "He also conducted an assessment of each of us, evaluating our strengths and weaknesses, using that as a basis for his... critique. His methods, while direct, felt more like an evaluation than genuine mentorship." he finish

A heavy silence hung in the air as the young protégés exchanged uneasy glances, each one clearly uncomfortable with the idea of Spider-Man's "assessment."

"I see," Wonder Woman said, her voice calm but laced with concern. Her piercing gaze shifted from Aqualad to the rest of the team. "It's understandable that his approach would make you uncomfortable. No one should feel reduced to a mere object of evaluation. But we need to understand the bigger picture—what exactly does he want, and why now?"

Superman, always the optimist, spoke up, his tone a mix of hope and pragmatism. "I guess we'll find out once Batman and Spider-Man are finished with their talk," he said, trying to ease the tension. "But for now, let's stay focused. We'll get to the bottom of this—together."

A/N:

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