( A;N: Hey y'all sorry about the delayed uploads like y'all should know, I got a wedding in the family my sister's next next week so currently busy at days but I upload whenever I see requests đ tho crude but I try. Also do read my newest works
* In DC as a kryptonian but I'm not Superman* and My main work
* Ascension Games*..)
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Bane stirred from his drug-induced stupor, his massive frame straining against the thick ropes binding him to the gnarled trunk of an ancient oak. The jungle air hung heavy with humidity, thick with the scent of damp earth and crushed foliage from their earlier brawl. His venom tubes dangled uselessly, severed by Robin's precise batarang work, leaving him diminished but far from broken. Blinking through the haze, he spotted the young heroes scattered around their makeshift campâresting, bandaging wounds, murmuring strategies. A low, guttural chuckle rumbled from his chest.
"Laugh all you want, niños," Bane growled, his voice a gravelly rasp that cut through the humid stillness like a chainsaw. "In the end, Bane always has the last laugh."
The team ignored him at first, too focused on recovery. Aqualad had just rejoined them, his water-bearers glistening with residual Atlantean tech, sharing a quiet nod with Robin about perimeter sweeps. But Bane, ever the provocateur, wasn't one to be dismissed. His eyes locked onto Raven and M'gann, who was tending to a minor cut on Superboy's arm. "Hey, witch girl! Greenie! Why don't you patch me up too? My laps feeling pretty sore..." He chuckled with a nauseating look, The sheer action disgusted the girls to no degree.
Raven's hood twitched, her empathic senses prickling at the crude undercurrent of his wordsâlust mixed with venomous spite. She shot him a glare that could curdle milk, her gaze flat and laced with shadow. Not falling for the provocation she simply, hurled a pebble at Banes head and one near his privates the pebble exploded spectacularly in such a way that everyone knew if it had hit, Bane would've become the second man who would've vied for Batman's body after Ra's Al Ghul, Since he shares the same obsession with him.
( Inside joke since In Batman Beyond,
Ra's Al Ghul took over Talia's body and kissed Bruce....đ€ą Who knows if he got clapped)
M'gann flushed, her green skin shifting to a deeper emerald as she stifled a retort, but Wally zipped over with a smirk. "Dude, catcalling? That's your play? Save it for the mirrorâoh wait, it'd shatter."
Leon, who had been standing sentinel nearby, felt his mood sour like milk left in the sun. Bane's taunts grated, reigniting the raw anger from when he saw how injured his team wasâthe way the brute had tossed his team like ragdolls, nearly crushing Conner. Leon's fists clenched; he needed an outlet, something to flip the script. An idea sparked, wicked and sharp. A grin crept across his face as he sauntered over, boots crunching on fallen leaves.
He crouched to Bane's eye level, close enough to smell the sweat and chemicals clinging to the villain's skin. "Hey, big guy. You ever hear what they call a fight between a Mexican and a priest?"
Bane's scarred brow furrowed, confusion flickering before recognition dawned. Another one of the kid's stupid jokes? He scoffed, spittle flecking his lips. "Save your breath, pretty boy. Your wit is as weak as your spine."
Leon ignored the barb, leaning in closer. He grabbed Bane's shaved head with both hands, fingers digging into the tough scalp like vise grips, pinning him immobile. No tricks, no headbuttsâthis was control. Leon's voice dropped to a whisper but projected loud enough for the whole team to hear, carrying on the still air.
"Aliens versus Predators."
Pin-drop silence blanketed the camp. For a heartbeat, nothing. Then it shattered. Chuckles erupted like gunfire, building into a bluster of laughter that shook the trees. Wally doubled over, howling, clutching his sides. "That's gold! Pure gold as hell! Aliens! Predators! Oh man, I'm dead!"
Robin cracked a grin under his mask, shaking his head. Raven ever the scowler, after the previous taunts finally felt like she was breathing fresh air and smirked at Bane.
Even Bane's goonsâhuddled and zip-tied nearbyâshook with stifled snorts, one muttering, "He got you, Man. That's cold"
Bane's face twisted into a mask of rage, veins bulging. He roared, a thunderous bellow that rattled birds from the branches. "You insolent whelp! I'll snap you like a twig!"
Leon rolled his eyes, unfazed. He yanked off his sockâdamp from the trekâand crammed it into Bane's maw. "There. Peace at last. Jeez."
Fresh laughter rippled as the mood lightened. Robin stepped up. "Good call, but intel time. M'gann, read his mindâdropship details." M'gann was confused abit since they were adamant about her not using her pyschic powers before but then she remembered them saying villains are okay in that category.
M'gann nodded, eyes glowing orange as she approached. Bane thrashed, muffled curses bubbling, but her telepathy pierced through. The team circled, tension coiling anew.
Her face paled. "Coordinates: 14.2 North, 92.7 Westâ Temple ruins. Lands in two hours. Venom precursors, light guard."
Aqualad nodded. "We moveâ"
"Hold up," Leon cut in, casual. "The facility must be protected like a fortress and I'm sure this dude's got technical security, fingerprint scanners included, take his hand."
Wally Grumbled saying who's gonna carry this huge dude over, Conner came forth saying he doesn't mind. Leon simply tilted his head .. "I said hand not the person ?.."
The team blinked. Wally: "Whoa." Robin: "Harsh."
Bane's eyes widened. Leon laughed. "Kidding! Scare tactic. Robin, just scan it."
Robin knelt, capturing the print. "Done. Non-lethal."
Leon laughed saying, they were too gullible to fall for such cheap tricks. They all have nervous chuckles.
Raven side-eyed Leon and came closer to his back whispering so only he could hear. "Surrre... Not pissed at all?"
Leon chuckled wryly. " Relax, Rae I know my limits.."
She hummed skeptically but moved on.
Aqualad clapped. "Regroup. Double-time."
The team mobilized: Wally on recon, Robin hacking, Superboy hauling gear. The rest following Leon's lead as they marched towards the designated location.
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