Milk_Is_My_Drug
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Chapter 75: Who’s the Real Villain?
🕑 Added 2025-06-23 08:00:03 +0000 UTCThe morning sun cast long shadows across the road as Ashborn drove toward Shadow Corp, his fingers tapping idly against the steering wheel. The radio played a soft jazz tune, the kind that made the drive feel almost leisurely, until four figures descended from the sky, landing heavily on the asphalt before his car.
Ashborn hit the brakes, the tires screeching softly as the car came to a stop. Through the windshield, he observed the imposing forms of Superman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, and Shazam, their expressions stern, their postures rigid with purpose.
Ashborn rolled down the window and leaned out slightly.
"Good morning," he said pleasantly. "Standing on the road like that is dangerous, you know."
Superman stepped forward, his blue eyes hard. "We need you to come with us."
Ashborn tilted his head, his smile never wavering. "Is the following optional?"
No one answered. Wonder Woman’s eyes narrowed.
Ashborn chuckled. "I guess not. Well, wait till I park the car. We wouldn’t want to endanger civilians, after all."
Superman’s eye twitched. Without another word, he strode forward, gripped the car’s frame, and lifted it effortlessly, carrying both the vehicle and Ashborn to the side of the road.
Ashborn stepped out, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeves. "You know," he mused, "if you ever decide to quit heroics, let me know. You have a great future in parking."
Superman opened his mouth then closed it, momentarily thrown off.
Wonder Woman cut in sharply. "Enough with the stupid talk." She tapped her communicator. "Open the boom tube."
A swirling vortex of energy erupted beside them, its light casting eerie reflections across the asphalt. Superman turned to order Ashborn inside only to find him already walking through, hands in his pockets, as if this were just another casual stroll.
The heroes exchanged glances. The start didn’t go as they had expected, no resistance or objection, Ashborn went with the flow. As always he was unpredictable to them.
___________
On the other side, Ashborn found himself in a vast hall within Mount Justice. The space was packed, the entire Justice League spread around, their expressions ranging from suspicion to outright hostility. Even other heroes lingered at the edges such as the Teen Titans, watching warily.
But what truly caught his attention were the Cadmus soldiers, their new light-based weapons gleaming in their grip. And at the center of it all, Amanda Waller, her arms crossed, her gaze colder than ice.
Green Lantern stepped forward. "Hand over any weapons you're carrying."
Ashborn shrugged. Without protest, he removed both arm guards, the blue dagger, and a small firearm, placing them in Lantern’s outstretched hand.
Then, he was led to the center of the hall. A hard-light prison erupted around him, its walls humming with energy.
Ashborn studied the barrier with mild amusement. "So, no one’s going to explain anything?" He tapped the glowing wall. "And isn’t this a bit excessive?"
Amanda stepped forward. "This isn’t for you," she said flatly. "It’s for whoever might come to save you."
Ashborn’s smile didn’t falter. "And the first part?"
Batman emerged from the shadows, his voice a low growl. "We know you have a connection to the Shadow Monarch."
Ashborn chuckled. "For a moment, I thought you wanted to put me on display, an example of an upstanding citizen, or something."
Batman’s glare deepened. "Stop the games. Tell us everything you know."
Ashborn tilted his head. "I’ve committed no crime. I’m not obligated to play along with your interrogation." His tone remained light, almost conversational. "If anything, I should be suing you for this."
Amanda Waller stepped forward, her voice sharp. "You stole and hid Cadmus’s property, Galatea, knowing full well her nature."
Ashborn didn’t even blink. "Amanda, you hurt my feelings, what is a clone in front of our collaboration? But if you insist on this, you can speak to your superior… or sue me."
Batman’s growl cut through the tension. "We know you’re blackmailing or threatening them somehow."
Ashborn’s smile remained. "That’s a grave accusation. You’ll need to prove it, or that’s another lawsuit heading your way."
Superman stepped forward, his tone firm but measured. "Ashborn, there’s no need to make this harder than it needs to be. Just tell us what you know."
Ashborn tilted his head. "You’re bypassing due process because you know I haven’t committed any crimes. You have no right to interrogate me. In fact, you turned yourselves into kidnappers"
Batman’s glare deepened. "You’re hiding information about a dangerous criminal. That’s enough of a reason."
Ashborn chuckled. "Criminal? Enlighten me, Bruce, what crimes are you referring to, exactly?" He spread his hands. "Last I checked, Doomsday and the Thanagarians were stopped by this so-called criminal. No?"
Batman stiffened at the casual use of his name. Batman recovered quickly. "He kidnapped Lex Luthor."
Ashborn laughed. "And you kidnapped me. What’s the difference?"
Wonder Woman moved closer, her voice icy. "We are nothing alike."
Ashborn rolled his eyes. "You stay out of it, you have no right to speak here. Your entire island should be purged." His tone was eerily calm. "It is filled with disgusting, bloodthirsty women, good for nothing but killing, stealing, and raping."
Wonder Woman’s jaw clenched, her eyes burning with fury. She took a step forward only for the Flash to zip in, gripping her arm.
Ashborn smirked. "You gathered everyone here, afraid someone would come for me? Breaking news, no one is coming."
Superman tried again, his patience thinning. "Just share what you know. There’s no need to complicate things."
Ashborn chuckled. "I told you, I like to make friends when I can. That’s something you need to learn." His gaze swept over the League. "I am just enjoying my life without any world domination plan or villainy, yet you are making an enemy out of me for nothing but suspicion and paranoia."
Ashborn’s voice turned mocking as he gestured around the room. "Look at you all, passing judgment, kidnapping someone, imprisoning him in secret. What’s next? Public executions? Now that’s the start of Injustice"
Superman’s fists tightened. "Those shadow monsters killed without hesitation. They’re dangerous."
Ashborn rolled his eyes again. He pointed at Wonder Woman. "She’s killed people. If you let her, she will try to kill me" Then at the Green Lanterns. "They’ve killed people." Finally, at Batman. "Even you have killed before. So don’t stand there acting like saints."
Silence.
The heroes exchanged uneasy glances.
Ashborn crossed his arms, his smile never fading. "So tell me… who is the real villain?"
___________
As Ashborn faced off against the League’s biggest names, the gathered heroes and Cadmus operatives watched with mixed reactions, curiosity, doubt, and outright hostility swirling through the hall.
Near the back, Stargirl tugged at S.T.R.I.P.E’s arm, her voice low but urgent. "This is wrong," she said. "They’re treating him like some criminal just because of a suspicion."
Pat gave her a long look, his mechanical suit whirring softly as he turned. "You’ve changed a lot. I thought you hated his guts."
Courtney crossed her arms. "He’s annoying and can be an asshole, but he’s not a bad person. And he’s a decent father."
Pat sighed, glancing at the tense standoff. "The others aren’t unreasonable. If he just shares what he knows or confirms he doesn’t, this’ll be over." He shook his head. "Hopefully, he doesn’t make it harder for himself."
Courtney nodded, but her grip on her staff tightened.
___________
Nearby, the Teen Titans observed the scene with varying degrees of discomfort.
Jinx crossed her arms, her usual smirk absent. "This is ridiculous. Kidnapping someone and putting him through this? It is wrong."
Beast Boy nodded vigorously. "Dude is a weirdo, sure, but he’s never done anything real evil. Just ‘cause his company’s name sounds shady doesn’t mean he’s guilty."
Nightwing, arms crossed, kept his eyes locked on Ashborn. "There are multiple suspicious points about him," he admitted. "But if he just clarifies himself, nothing will go wrong and he will leave just fine."
Beside them, Raven stood unnaturally still. Her face was paler than usual, her fingers trembling slightly at her sides.
That man in the cell was the greatest monster she had ever known. Far greater even than her father. And the scariest part? No one else realized it.
She didn’t think for a second that the gathered heroes could stop him if he decided to kill them all. Worse, she couldn’t warn them. Not without exposing him to everyone.
For now, he was still playing human at least. But if that changed… She didn’t dare to imagine it.
Starfire leaned closer, her eyes full of concern. "Friend Raven, are you okay?"
Raven swallowed hard. "Yes. Just… a little tired."
Starfire frowned but didn’t press further.
Raven’s hands clenched into fists and glanced at her shadow as she thought [They had no idea what they were dealing with.]
___________
Supergirl stood alone watching and listening to every word, She was full of frustration. She spilled the truth and told them about Galatea hoping they will help her go after the clone, but instead everyone agreed and united to target Ashborn instead.
Supergirl didn’t want to put Ashborn through this or make things worse with him, she just wanted Galatea and now, she knew she made things worse. She felt like slapping herself for her stupidity.
Comments
EmptyBeing
I Curse u Cliff CUUUURSSSEEE YYYOOOOUUUUU
Austin Levy
Batman should be put in jail for child soldiers
