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Kryptonite was the absolute worst. Kryptonite and magic were just torture, especially with the red sun. Superman knew his own anger often got the best of him, especially since he never got angry often. Superman took no chances when it came to Jon and his well-being, and now, it seemed his anger backfired. He should have listened to Batman, and he knew it. Now, he was trapped, caged against his will inside a capsule prison with the rest of the Justice League in their own capsule prisons.
Panting, Superman began remembering how he specifically got to this point. It started with Jon's disappearance. Jon was at school as usual. He usually took his morning classes three days a week with Damian, who voluntarily helped him study at the library occasionally. That's right! Damian was also studying with him, wasn't he? They were at Metropolis University that day. Then, suddenly, Superman could no longer hear his son's heartbeat. Batman also confirmed Damian's track had lost its signal. However, he had assumed Damian was trying to go off the grid again. It wouldn't be the first time.
Superman was sure Jon was fine. After all, the young man was 18 years old and had gone against Doomsday before. It wasn't like he was incapable of taking care of himself. It didn't lessen his worry, especially since Damian's disappearance was equally involved. That was what Batman had concluded from his investigation. The boys were last seen in the Metropolis University Library studying before leaving. Then, they seemed to have disappeared together, only having been last seen from security footage as Superboy and Robin eating on the roof together before jumping off into an ally with no security cameras. No witnesses have seen the boys there.
The World's Finest began investigating together to gather clues on their sons' disappearance. They didn't want to extend farther than it already was, and their sons had just gone off-world. Jon was an adult, and Damian was 16. It wasn't as if the boys needed a babysitter. Even so, the fathers didn't want to take the chance if their sons were in grave danger. Superman also finds it strange that Jon takes off without informing or shooting him a text.
During the investigation, Flash disappeared as well. It did not take long for Batman to discover the connection between Flash's disappearance and that of the boys. Both cases included residue of magic that Batman took to Zatanna to confirm that they came from the same spell caster. However, what made this much more frightening was when Wonder Woman found a familiar Batarang that clearly was not Batman's but belonged to someone he was familiar with.
"Owlman."
"B, I don't think this one is Owlman. This is clearly designed for Talon, but... he's never uses magic," Tim stated, helping in the investigation as Red Robin while holding up the Razerang.
"What does Talon want with my son!?" Superman demanded angrily. He was aware of the Crime Syndicate from Earth 3 and their evil. They cared about nothing but absolute power and authority. Ultraman even kept his son hostage, or at least that's what he thought until Jon regained memories of his years on Earth 3, which were taken from him. Superman wasn't given a lot of details, but Jon had been kept prisoner by the Ultra Sons, who had used their rescue of him to keep him there for six years. Jon had confirmed this after his return from off-world.
"Clark, I'm just as furious as you are, but we need to think clearly if we're going to find our boys. For all we know, the Crime Syndicate could be involved," Batman stated.
Perhaps agreeing to involve the Justice League or at least Wonder Woman and Green Lantern was a mistake. Superman was so naive to believe that their help would help find the boys and perhaps find themselves in a different position than Flash. Unfortunately, Hal was the next to disappear, followed by Superman, who heard that heartbeat, allowing his wrath to go after the young villain before being hit with the red sunlamp. Now, here Superman was, waking up to the red sun beating down on his body and weakening him to that of a human.
Vision blurred, Superman blinked a few times to get a good look at his situation and surroundings. He was clearly strapped inside a capsule of some sort with kryptonite laced to the straps entrapping him inside here. The capsule had a plastic shield in front of Superman with holes just in front of him to give him room to breathe. It did not improve the situation outside of the cool air blowing inside to prevent humidity inside the container. At least Talon was generous enough for that .
The rest of the Justice League were found inside similar containers, Wonder Woman tied with a black lasso that Superman could only imagine what it was. Hal no longer had his ring on him and was in PJs, informing Superman that he was taken in his sleep. Flash was frozen solid, unable to escape. It seemed as if he was taken in his sleep as well. Batman seemed to be the only one awake, who appeared to be contemplating ways to escape. Despite how young he was, Superman was surprised that Talon could subdue Batman this well.
"Bruce..." Superman groaned.
"Conserve your energy, Clark. Talon is here," Batman told Superman.
Hearing footsteps was a clear sign that Batman was right. The room was pitch black, with only a few lights to see in the dark. Superman's keen senses were weakened by the red sun from the world they were now in, so all he could make out of the young man was the shape of his hooded cloak – the cape going down to his ankles, some red gloves, boots, and mask, and his body shape. Talon's hair flattened, the hood covering the top of his face with his bottom half showing that familiar jawline. He appeared to be using a large computer that resembled the Bat Computer, but it was rounder to match the room's architecture.
"Talon, what did you...?" Superman weakly groaned, feeling the fatigue from the red sun.
"Shhhhh, your vitals are still getting used to the red sun from my world. It will take a while for all of you to get used to this planet's atmosphere," Talon stated plainly.
" I'm fine. You haven't answered my question about the boys," Batman stated bluntly.
"In a moment. I'm still making preparations and you still shown signs of fatigue."
"God, what the hell?" Flash groaned, feeling the coldness of the ice entrapping him.
"Your bodies should be in the process of recovery," Talon stated, walking from the computer to some machine, pressing a button as the plastic shield slid open, and then the lights came on. Talon made his way to Wonder Woman to gently remove the black lasso.
"We must be on Earth 3. I can feel it," Wonder Woman moaned as the Justice League got a better view of their surroundings.
In front of the capsules containing the Justice League was a large round table covered in a colorful tablecloth, chairs, plates, silverware and... balloons? Talon had brought over a three-tier cake that was white on the top, gold in the middle, and black at the bottom, with gold flowers and a "Happy Birthday" topper. Now, Superman needed clarification. Was this a birthday party, and why was the Justice League here?
"Okay, back up here, why are we being held hostage inside a... party room?" Flash asked, his voice laced with confusion.
"It's Big Brother's birthday. He's never cares for birthdays, and I wanted to give him something special. I thought he'd love it if I kidnapped all of you as a gift, " Talon grinned excitedly, which was so innocent and childlike that it made Superman speechless.
"Seriously? Is this kid for real!? " Flash exclaimed, not knowing how to process this.
"This is... sweet... but you still committed a crime by kidnapping us and the Super Sons, " Wonder Woman reprimanded Talon disapprovingly.
"Kidnapped the Super Sons? What are you talking about? " Talon asked, confused as the sound of a door opening was heard, and Talon grinned excitedly. "You got a tour of the Owl's Nest?"
"Yeah. It's not as great as Dami's, but... B, why are our dads and the Justice League held hostage? " Jon asked who was with Damian. Both were in their Superboy and Robin costumes, Damian glaring at Talon while Jon looked at this like it was any other day of the week. "You didn't tell me you were going to kidnap them!"
"I told you, they're part of the surprise for Owlman! " Talon grinned excitedly.
"Yeah, but... " Jon groaned, facepalming as Damian sighed.
"I keep telling you, you can't reason with anyone from Earth 3, " Damian said.
"Hey, you kidnapped me on our first meeting! I know Talon's a bit unorthodox, but he's not a bad guy, " Jon defended as Damian responded with a glare.
"Tt this same guy held you hostage on Earth 3 for six years while erasing each year's worth of memories just so you could live with him forever."
"Okay, so B's a bit questionable when it comes to friendship-making 101."
"Ultraboy was in on it too."
" The point is Talon isn't a bad person, and this is who your dad becomes in this universe! " Jon exclaimed, making Damian roll his eyes. "Not to mention, I never get to see Chris."
"You're too trusting, " Damian stated.
"What's wrong? I brought your dads and the Justice League here just like I promised, " Talon said with a saddened facial expression, his hands behind his back and looking down with childlike eyes despite being no older than 18.
"Wait, this Talon's supposed to be Bruce? " Flash asked with blinking eyes as Hal finally seemed to be over his fatigue.
"God damnit. A birthday party and I'm in my night clothes, " Hal groaned.
"I was never this... " Batman stated grimly as Damian turned his eyes to his father.
"The Lazarus Pits here has the opposite effect of the ones from my grandfather. Unlike with Jason, it made you more... " Damian explained as Flash smiled warmly. "Docile."
"Awww, so it's a sweeter Bruce Wayne, " Flash cooed as Talon flushed bashfully.
"I don't think Big Brother will be happy. I even made the cake with his favorite dragon fruit, " Talon moped.
"No, no, you definitely got us. I'm sure he will be very happy, " Flash said, looking at the rest of the Justice League. "Co'mon, let the kid have this one."
"Flash, " Batman warned grimly.
"I'm in my night clothes, but I suppose I can live with this, " Hal shrugged.
"He could've asked first, but I suppose I can't expect more from any version of ourselves here, " Wonder Woman said, seemingly impressed with the party. She smirked slightly, turning to Batman. "I'm also curious about a cake made by Bruce Wayne without any help. " Batman responded with a glare.
"Well... Jonno's alright and it seems the boys did come by their own choice. Also... " Superman said, turning to Batman with a sly smirk. "you never told me you had an older brother, Bruce."
"I don't... at least not one that's alive, " Batman admitted, having read his parents' journals and diaries. His mother did give birth to a baby boy before Bruce named Thomas Wayne Jr, who unfortunately died from tuberculosis. He didn't think that Thomas Wayne Jr. would have become Owlman in the only universe where he survived. What terrible irony.
Looking at Talon with better lighting, it was clear this version of himself was definitely more naive and innocent. They still committed evil atrocities but did not intentionally hurt anyone. He was likely doing this to please Owlman, who happens to be his older brother who died in most other Earths. Batman couldn't admit that a part of him would be willing to go through all of this to see a smile on his parents' faces. It's doubtful his maturity would have changed that. Had there been an older brother in the mix... even Bruce couldn't answer if he'd have been Talon with or without the pits.
"Is the cake made with real dragon fruit? " Batman asked Talon, who grinned excitedly.
"Yep! I made it all by myself! " Talon replied excitedly.
"Pfft that's a first for Billionaire Bruce Wayne, " Hal snorted before being met with a glare.
"No. Alfred is not on this Earth, " Batman replied as the happiness in Talon's eyes deflated.
"Big Brother said he had to punish him just like Mom and Dad were punished at Crime Alley. He brought me back because I did nothing wrong. I don't know what Mom and Dad did, but it must've been bad, " Talon said sadly, arms behind his back.
"I can imagine... however, I'd like you to release us after the party. Gotham needs Batman and Robin in our world just as it needs Owlman and Talon in this world."
"I know. Did Mom and Dad do bad in your world too? " Talon asked meekly.
"No. They were very good people and so was Alfred. They made me who I am today, " Batman assured, which made Talon smile gratefully.
"I'm glad, " Talon replied, then turned his head when he saw Owlman in the security cameras coming inside. "Big Brother's coming! " He ran to the entrance of the Owl's Nest as Wonder Woman smirked slightly at Batman.
"You're not a bad kid, Bruce. Though, I would've preferred less kidnapping, " Wonder Woman teased.
"At least now I know where Damian gets that from, " Superman teased.
"Quiet! My intention wasn't kidnapping , " Damian defended as Jon gave him a sleepish look.
"Uh-huh, so why did you kidnap me and strapped me on the table in the Bat Cave when we first met? " Jon asked, grinning teasingly.
"You were a hazard and gave Goliath frostbite! Of course, I was going to take you in for testing! " Damian argued.
"Uh-huh and the Teen Titans?"
"It was a test and Grayson said it was fine."
"GOT CHA! Happy birthday! " Talon cried as soon as the doors opened, jumping into Owlman's arms, whose expression was more unreadable than Batman's, which is saying something. An older boy slightly older than Jon was seen beside Owlman in a darker red and blue suit with a U in the diamond and a dark blue cape that was almost black. He had wavy dark brown hair.
"So, I was right about something being off, " Owlman said plainly.
"And I was right about it being fine, " Ultraboy said, rolling his eyes. He acted less optimistically than Jon, and his entire personality was moon-like. Superman could see the young man's blue eyes were filled with past losses.
Owlman sighed, walking into the Owl's Nest, frozen when he saw the entire Justice League trapped in capsules without escaping. He turned to Talon.
"You did this? " Owlman asked, his voice sounding impressed.
"Yep! You always talk about how you'd like to decorate the Justice League from the other Earth as trophies, so I brought them as trophies, " Talon replied, grinning proudly.
"That doesn't sound fun, on top of making us think you kidnapped Superboy and Robin, " Hal stated sourly.
"I wouldn't kidnap my friends! " Talon defended with puffy cheeks.
"I'm impressed, Talon. I'm to assume you did this without the use of magic? " Owlman asked.
"Sure did! " Talon grinned. Then, he blushed a bit. "Outside of getting them here, of course."
"Is that where the magic residue came from?" Flash asked.
"Apparently, " Batman replied grimly.
"I don't know why you should be surprised. You could have learned quite easily as Talon has, " Owlman said plainly.
"Listen, as great as this is, is it possible we can... you know... be unstrapped and... trapped? " Flash asked politely.
"But that would defeat the purpose of kidnapping you, " Talon replied.
"They don't need to be chained up to be trapped. There's no way of them escaping from the Nest, " Ultraboy reminded his partner.
"Good point."
"I'd also like to not see Dad being strapped like a mental patient, " Jon stated as Talon sighed.
"Fine! " Talon replied, pressing a button to release the straps.
"Is this dragon fruit? " Owlman asked.
"Yep! " Talon grinned, which made Owlman smile rarely.
For the Justice League, celebrating each other's birthdays was a common tradition, even despite Batman's dismissal of the idea. However, celebrating one of their enemy's birthdays was especially rare, let alone being invited to one. Though, this one included some very unorthodox methods. For the most part, it didn't seem Owlman cared too much about the Justice League's capture, being he found no meaning or purpose to life or anything. Nothing mattered to him. Even Batman didn't see a single thing that Owlman would find meaning or care for... until now, that is.
While grumbling and eating the cake, which was very delicious, he noticed Owlman's demeanor was... different. It was the same effect Jason had on Batman when he returned as Red Hood, only the opposite. When Jason came back, and Batman discovered he had a killer son, he began detaching himself from Bruce Wayne gradually to the point he completely lost himself. For Owlman, it has the opposite effect, where he begins to show some humanity that Batman has never seen before.
"You never told us you befriended anyone from Earth 3, " Wonder Woman said, smiling with interest.
"Talon stripped all of my memories here over the years. He meant well, but... he is being raised by Owlman, " Jon shrugged.
"And is supposedly my opposite. You'd think we'd be enemies, " Damian snorted.
"Ultraboy is also technically my older brother. It's complicated."
"Really? " Wonder Woman replied, her eyebrows rose as Jon nodded. She turned to Superman, who seemed to be speaking with Ultraboy.
"Are you... Chris? My son has told me about you, " Superman asked as Ultraboy nodded, biting his bottom lip.
"When Braniac took you and Mom, I was sent here. I waited... hoping you would come save me but... it never happened. I had to escape and, when I did, I saw you and mom with Jon... happy. I felt selfish to take that from you, " Chris confessed.
"Wh- No, of course not! I don't know what happened or how we could've... I know you're my son and I can tell I raised you. I'm so sorry I don't... I almost forgot Jonno too and I wish I could gain any of those memories back. I really wish I could, " Superman said as Ultraboy shot him an awestruck look.
"Does it not bother you who I am? I've d- I've done things you wouldn't be proud of. I don't even know who or what I am anymore. Jon has every right to hate me, but he never does. I don't understand any of it, " Chris said, squeezing his eyes shut before feeling two strong arms wrapped around them.
"Don't think of it. I don't think I'd come out of your situation as Superman either. I'm who I am, thanks to Ma and Pa. You don't need to be perfect or Superman to remain as my son. Knowing you're here gives me hope that maybe this Earth isn't doomed to be ruled by dictators and ruthless criminals, " Superman promised as Chris smiled, hugging his adopted father back.
"My real father is Zod. I... had learned that when Braniac moved me here. He called me Lor-Zod, " Chris said as Superman parted, still shocked.
"Oh.... OH! " Superman responded, seeing it as he had seen a child of General Zod's named Lor-Zod. Then, this would mean... "I see. I think I understand now."
"Huh? " Chris said, cocking his head.
"It's... I'll tell you when we're alone, " Superman promised as Chris nodded.
"Is eavesdropping the norm for you? " Owlman asked Batman, who responded with a glare. "Hm."
"You're different, " Batman stated factually.
"It doesn't matter."
"Not everything. In the past, nothing mattered to you. Not life, death or destruction. It could all go to hell. Something about me made you different, " Batman concluded.
"Perhaps. I do need an heir, " Owlman smirked slightly, but Batman shook his head.
"It's more than that. I'd like to know what it is about me that made you decide to choose me in this world as your new Talon, " Batman demanded, showing his intense glare as Owlman looked out at Talon, who seemed to be sitting next to Jon, having a conversation with Wonder Woman. Behind those bright blue eyes were filled with innocence and something else .
"You're the only one I've met untouched by the cruelty and filth of this world. Criminals of all kinds can push a man to destruction and sin. The rest of your friends are all affected by it in different ways have crossed a line or two. You, though, have remained constant in what you will or will not do. No matter what mask you wear, I still see the eyes of the little boy whose life was taken at Crime Ally. Until I met you, I was certain our parents' crimes would eventually corrupt your soul. Then, I watched both your sons become corrupted, our father as Batman, yet you still stay the same."
"I never thought I would be the one thing you thought mattered."
"We're Wayne's. We have a talent for hiding our true emotions, especially with a mask, " Owlman said. He removed his owl mask, revealing an older man who looked more like their father, only with three gashes across his right eye. Batman felt something in his throat, a great wave of emotions the moment he saw his brother's face from this other world. That really is his brother. "If one thing can remain untouched, it matters for every reason. Don't change, Bruce."
Batman removed his mask, replying, "I never intended to."
As promised, the Justice League was returned back home. Talon promised to ask before kidnapping anyone from their world again. At least he's trying.