Chapter VIII: Double Agent

Itachi landed near Aquaman who was about to enter the ocean. He turned around, "Itachi, what are you doing here?"

Itachi walked close to him and looked up at him, "How are you feeling?"

Aquaman scoffed and turned away slightly, "My entire kingdom has been scarred and I've been told to ignore what the surface world does to my oceans," he looks at him, "How do you think I'm feeling? I doubt you've had to deal with this before."

Itachi looked down, "Well when I was younger, a beast that dwarfed mountains nearly destroyed our village, but our Hokage defeated it, then as an adult an....associate of mine wiped out my village. I do have some understanding of your pain. I just hope you don't turn on all of us after what Superman has done."

Aquaman's expression lightens. "I'm.... I'm not sure who I can still call my friends after today. I fear that we may never be the same."

Itachi shakes his head, "I've tried talking to him, but this? The League? It's all over, things will never be the same again. I have a feeling that Superman may still be able to be normal again, but with Wonderwoman by his side there's no hope..... although I'm not known for my tact or abilities to change people's minds, so I'd need assistance," Itachi starts walking back to the Batwing, "I won't ask you to help me if you don't want to, but if things get worse then Superman will force you to do something that endangers your people. Contact me if you ever want to help."

Aquaman nods and walks into the ocean.

Some time later on the Gotham News Channel where the reporters had unnaturally wide smiles, "Tonight on Gotham 2, our continuing coverage of a nation divided. While our own poll shows most of Gotham is in favor of Superman's recent actions after the terrible events in Metropolis, there are many who oppose them. And one of the more vocal opponents joins us in the studio tonight. Doctor Boone, thank you for being here," the doctor sat in the dark where half his body was covered, "We appear to be having some difficulty with our lights, as soon as"-"I'm sorry, Doctor Boone couldn't be here. Channel two. Twin anchors. A nation divided," the man stepped out of the light and revealed himself to be Two Face. "I couldn't stay away. I tried, but the coin....." he aimed his gun at them and they recoiled putting their hands up. "And now we have to find out which one of you I'm replacing tonight."

The male anchor bit his lip, "No. Please."

Two face flipped a coin in the air, but as it came back down Two red beams burned it into ash. "NAARGH! No, what was it? Heads or tails?"

Superman appeared in front of Two Face and he asked Superman, "You must have seen. Tell me. Please."

"No," he looks at the news anchors, "Are you all right?"

The male anchor with still wide eyes said, "He was going to.... right her. With everyone watching, he would have..."-"Yes."

The female anchor shook his hand, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. I'm just glad I was nearby. Now, I need to"-"Wait! Before you go. Could I ask you some questions?"

The male anchor walked up, "Julie. He said he had to go," but he was ignored, "Please. You're a journalist. You know how important it is for the public to be informed."

"We've met before haven't we?"

"Yes. We've met. Well, I've met Clark. At the Pulitzers."

Superman frowns, "Yes. I lost to my wife."

"You were nominated. You're a wonderful writer. But, I hope you'll forgive my saying, Lois Lane was far better."

He smiles, "Yes, she was."

They both sat down and she asked, "Do you think Lois would approve of the more.... proactive role you've taken in the world?"

"I hope so. In a way, I'm doing this because of her-- because of something she said to me."

"It's been widely reported that you killed the Joker. Did you?"

"Yes."

"I doubt there's a single soul in this city who thinks you did the wrong thing."

"I wish you were right. But there are those who continue to defend these psychopaths," he looks at the camera, "It's why I'm in Gotham today. There's something... sick in your city. These twisted individuals who have hurt your city time and time again cannot be allowed to do so anymore."

Batman watched in his cave with Nightwing and Robin and said, "Get the plane ready."

Robin asked, "Why? Where are we going?"

"I will no longer allow them to kill and maim and terrorize and then be 'treated.' The onus has always been on getting these people the help they deserve. They deserve nothing. Their illness can no longer be an excuse for your threatened society. YOU DESERVE to know that they can never threaten you again. One of these madmen permanently scarred this world. Myself and my fellow Justice League members have decided that these criminals must be taken away, far from Gotham. I promise you, they will never threaten you again."

The three of them started running towards the plane. Batman states, "I know why he's in Gotham."

Robin asks, "Why? What's happening?"

"They're going to Arkham!"

Robin stops and crosses his arms, "So what?"

Batman gets in the pilot seat, "We don't have time for this, Damian. Get in the plane."

"Sure. I'll get in. So long as we're flying to Arkham to help Superman burn it to the ground."

Niggtwing tilts his head, "Damian, you're thirteen years old. How are you the darkest thing in this cave?"

Batman says, "We need to leave. Now."

Robin points at Batman, "Have you considered for a single second that you might be wrong? You self righteous, arrogant"- Batman and Nightwing fly off in the Batwing before he can finish his thought.

Nightwing looks at Batman and smiles, "You do see his point. Right? You know how annoying it is when you don't answer? I mean, you may think it illustrates your point, but it's also just kind of douchey."

"You were never as stubborn as Damian."

"No. For someone to be THAT stubborn, they really have to be directly related to you, but both of us remember what it's like to be an angry teenager."

"You understand, don't you? You know why we can't let them do this?"

"Of course, but you've had way longer to indoctrinate me."

He looks at Dick, "Dick...."-"It's okay, Bruce. I get it. Now, let's go defend a bunch of horrible murderers from the world's greatest heroes."

Itachi was also watching the news. 'If only this was the only thing you did instead of taking over nations then we wouldn't have a problem..... Should I go? Now might be my last chance to establish an alliance with Superman and get on the inside to figure out his future plans....,' Itachi decided to act on this and got in uniform

While he was preparing to go there, a fight had already started in the prison between the inmates and all of the heros. Damian was being particularly brutal in his beatings, "I am so sick of all of you. You think you deserve help? After everyone you've hurt. You think Society owes you freaks anything?!"

Nightwing looked over at Robin, "Robin, that's enough!"

Robin looks back at Nightwing, "You're as bad as him! Superman is right. They don't deserve our protection. Even Itachi would agree."

Nightwing goes back to fighting, "He probably would. But Robin doesn't beat people once they're down!"

"You're not Robin anymore!" Robin threw his baton at Nightwing who was looking away, "STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO!" but this time Nightwing didn't see it coming, and the hit to the head made him lose his balance. He stepped back a couple of times before falling back onto a rock that his neck landed on as there was a subtle crack.

He didn't get up, and Robin walked over slowly, "Nightwing?" He knelt down to Nightwing and slowly reached out a hand, "Dick..?"

Superman, Batman, Wonderwoman, and Flash raised up from a hole in the ground. Superman clenched his fist, "Enough! Grundy is down. Everyone back in your cells!"

Batman glanced over at Robin who had tears streaming down his face, "I... I'm sorry."

Batman's eyes became wide, "You.... what did you do?"

"He always...."- Batman clenched both sides of his head and walked over, "What did you do?!"

"I didn't mean to..."- Batman pushed him away from Dick, "GET OFF OF HIM!"

Robin grabbed both sides of his cape, "I didn't...."

Superman walked up to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, "I know, son."

Batman with a dropped jaw and still wide eyes slowly reached out his hands to Nightwing and picked him up as the heros and inmates looked on in silence. Batman carried him out of the building with pursed lips the whole time.

Shortly after Itachi arrived not knowing anything about what occurred. Superman noticed his presence, "Itachi? What are you doing here?"

"I've.... had a change of heart. Although I'm still hesitant about what you're doing worldwide, I've always thought this Asylum was pointless since I first found out about it over a year ago, so I'll help you with rounding up these inmates."

Superman smiled, but Wonderwoman narrowed her eyes and drew her lasso, "Is that so? I'm having my doubts about your intentions."

Superman put a hand on her shoulder, "Diana, I think"-"It's alright Superman. I'll gladly put myself under the lasso's influence," he grabbed the lasso.

Wonderwoman was taken very slightly aback at how willing he was, but quickly stated, "Why do you want to help Superman? The lasso compels you to tell the truth."

Itachi maintained strong eye contact with Wonderwoman and a blank expression, "I believe in ending the threat of all villains we've dealt with in the past year and more. I've always despised that you all willingly put them in cages knowing that they would break out and kill more innocents. That is what I believe in."

Wonder Woman's expression eased up and Superman smirked, "See? He's fine, he's had the right idea since the first time we've ever met him," Superman put an arm on Itachi's shoulder, "Itachi, I'm sorry that we've held you back for so long.... we've been filling ourselves up with self righteous thoughts that we were saviors, when in reality we were just prolonging deaths. You're part of what has opened my mind up to that."

Itachi smirked as his memory returned back to normal, 'A simple self inflicted mind wipe genjutsu. When holding the lasso I genuinely thought what I was saying was the truth, well..... I still do. But that isn't my only motive for being here,' Itachi finally takes notice of all the rubble and unconscious inmates around him, "I thought Batman would be here at some point. Did he not come."

Superman tensed up for a second then looked off to the side, "Yes, but.... he left."

Itachi tilted his head at the body language of Superman, 'Is he avoiding telling me something about Batman? Well they're still on bad terms, so it's a given.' At least this is what he had thought at first, but he quickly realized that all of the heros had some kind of avoiding grief stricken look on their faces,"Did I miss something?"

Superman and Wonderwoman looked at each other, before Superman cleared his throat, "Itachi.... Nightwing has died."

Itachi stood completely still for a second processing what he heard as his eyelids spread far apart, "Huh?"

"Superman looked down, "Damian threw a baton at him in a slout of anger, and his neck unexpectedly fell right on a rock, killing him instantly. It was... a tragic accident."

Itachi's eyes remained wide and his jaw was slightly open. He didn't say a word and simply turned around and left. Wonderwoman opened her mouth to call after him but Superman put a hand on her shoulder, "Don't. Excluding Batman, he was the closest League member to Nightwing. He'll need some time."

Itachi walked all the way back to his home and sat on a couch. His face remained mostly expressionless, excluding the tear that fell from his face, 'I never beat him in a sparring match a single time."

A couple nights later Itachi was training harder than he has in awhile when he received a knock on the door. He got a towel to rub away his sweat and opened the door, "Batman? What are you doing here?"

"Itachi, I heard you over your comms a couple nights ago, it seems like you've decided to join Superman.... but I'm not entirely convinced."

Itachi's head lowered, "I'm assuming that you want me to join you?"

"I want to at least listen to what I have to say... I know that we disagree on a lot, but we both know that world domination isn't right. You once mentioned before that you were a double agent for your clan and your village. If you'll agree with what I have to say, then I want you to be a double agent again."

Itachi looked at the ground for a while before looking back up at him, "Alright. I'll come."

Later deep underground there was a gathering of random heroes including Batman, Batwoman, Huntress, Captain Atom, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Black Lightning, Aquaman, and Itachi.

"Thank you all for joining us."

Green Arrow lowered his head slightly, "I said I'd listen. I didn't agree to join anything yet."

Everyone gathered around the table and Aquaman and Itachi noticed each other and nodded at each other. Batman put his hands on the table, "You know why you're all here."

"Captain Atom said, "Of course. What's our plan of attack."

Later Itachi was in Kahndaq with Superman's team to help him take over the country. Although he was taking a more passive role in the battle and tended to Green Lantern who was down with healing Chakra. "Green Lantern is down everyone."

Cyborg, who was nearby, held up his scanner, "Something is approaching fast."

Superman asked, "Is it him?"

Cyborg turned his arm into a blaster, "It better be. Because, whatever it is, I'm about to bring it down hard," his eyes narrowed, "That's it. Fly towards the giant cannon you stupid mass murdering"- Black Adam appeared right next to him and tore off his arm, "Looking for this?" And he punched him to the ground, "You should not have stood in the way of my retribution, Half Man."

His speech was interrupted by Wonder Woman who dropped kicked him in the back which sent him flying. And Superman followed up with another kick which sent him into the ground. They both restrained him and Shazam flew over to them. "You're done, Adam."

Black Adam yelled with a contorted expression, "I am not done. Someone fired a shell into my country. They killed children of Kahndaq. I am Kahndaq's leader, it's protector and it's wraith. My country will suffer no such attack without vengeance. So long as I have power."

Wonderwoman glared, "Then we will take your power," She pulled out her lasso."

Itachi walked over to observe and Shazam asked, "What are you doing?"

"Asking him a question. Shazam, hold him," She wrapped it around his neck, "Know that you cannot lie while touching the lasso."

Shazam had furrowed brows and looked at Wonderwoman, "Wonder Woman. If you compel him to say the word... he's ancient. I don't know if he will survive the transformation."

"Then ask him if there's any other way."

He looked back at Adam, "Adam, tell me how we stop you from killing again?"

"You cannot. I will kill without mercy. I will slaughter anyone who would threaten Kahndaq. I will tear whole countries apart! And know that you are no different to me. You are choosing the same path. Your end will be the same. You will be the same. You will rule. You will bring about peace. But they will FEAR you."

Wonderwoman clenched the Lasso, "Black Adam."

Shazam looked away and closed his eyes while pursing his lips. Black Adam tried leaning towards him, "Billy! Promise me."

"Tell us."-"Promise me that Kahndaq will be safe!"-"What is your magic word?"

"SHAZAM!"

Black Adam's previous muscular build turned into that of a skinny old man with messy hair and beard. "He's alive."

"Sh...sh.."-Wonderwoman covered his mouth, "No."

Shazam walked around and came across a father with his two kids and he started speaking their language, "It's alright. The danger has passed."

He received a glare in response, "Passed? How? We are surrounded by angry, powerful Gods who would decide our future."

"I understand."

"You DON'T understand. How could you? You are one of them. Go back to your skies, angry God. Do not pretend to understand us"

Later that day Itachi opted to stay behind in Kahndaq, and he walked towards Black Adam who sat on rubble back in his muscular form. Black Adam glanced at him, "What do you want, dog? Has Superman decided to take more from me than just my pride?"

Itachi shook his head, "I'm here of my own volition. I've come here because I understand"- Black Adam chuckled, "Understand? You're too young to understand t"-"No, I've known war since I was child, and in the world I'm from I've dealt with something similar to this. I've come to make an offer."

Black Adam raised a brow and maintained eye contact with Itachi, who smirked in response. 'If I'm gonna take down Superman then I'm gonna need a lot of allies to insure my victory. Eventually, I might even turn some of Superman's team against him, guys like Black Adam will help me make sure of that.'