Milk_Is_My_Drug
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Chapter 41: Reflections In The Watchtower
🕑 Added 2025-05-23 06:09:15 +0000 UTCThe moment the trial ended, the Justice League surged forward, surrounding the broken figure of their comrade. Batman, once the towering symbol of unbreakable will, lay motionless on the ground, bruised, bloodied, and beaten beyond recognition. His mask barely clung to his face, which now bore the consequences of every blow. His chest heaved with shallow breaths and blood trickled from the corners of his mouth.
Superman lifted him gently, urgency radiating from his usually composed face. The others flanked them, forming a protective escort as they rushed him into the medical wing, a grim silence accompanying every step.
The crowd left behind stood still, stunned. The murmurs grew louder, no longer whispers but waves of disbelief.
Ashborn hadn’t just won. He hadn’t even come to win.
From the very beginning, it was clear now, Ashborn didn’t care about victory, surrender, or justice. He had sought a stage. A chance. A legally sanctioned moment to drag a myth down to earth… and beat him there.
And Batman, and all his staunch defenders, had handed him that chance.
Now the public wrestled with the aftermath.
If a supposed “civilian,” no matter how rich or eccentric, could destroy the legendary Dark Knight in a fair fight… what did that mean about the hero they had revered for so long?
“Why does a businessman fight better than a vigilante who trained his whole life?” one voice asked aloud, echoed by countless others.
Individuals who knew Ashborn on a more personal level or watched his stunts before began to revisit memories of Ashborn’s past—his confrontations with the Joker, his calm during chaos, his dismissive attitude toward threats others cowered before. At the time, many assumed he was reckless or lucky.
But now… it all carried a different meaning.
He hadn’t needed saving.
He’d never been in danger.
Ashborn, it turned out, had always been capable. Always in control. Even without weapons, even in the worst moments, he was more than he let on.
And then came the most uncomfortable question of all—the one none dared to voice before:
Was Batman really irreplaceable?
If the gadgets and the resources—, if all of it were handed to someone else with enough training and willpower… would they too become the Bat?
The very foundation of Batman’s mythos trembled.
___________
Ashborn, meanwhile, had changed back into his simple attire—dark jeans, a grey shirt, and a black overcoat slung lazily over his shoulder. As he stepped out of the changing room, he found Amanda Waller and Lex Luthor waiting for him near a quiet corridor.
Lex was the first to speak, a half-smirk playing on his lips. “I didn’t know you had formal training.”
Ashborn chuckled, brushing a stray hair from his eyes. “I don’t,” he said. “But I’m a quick learner… and I keep myself in shape.”
Lex didn’t argue but he clearly didn’t believe that.
Amanda Waller, however, had her eyes on a bigger picture. She was already thinking two moves ahead.
“Thanks to you,” she said coolly, “I’m going to get more support than ever. You didn’t just question the future of the Justice League, you took down one of their most respected members on neutral ground. Publicly. Fairly.”
Ashborn gave a dry chuckle. “Glad someone is pleased with today’s play.”
He turned slightly, taking a deep breath as if savoring the moment.
“I’ve had enough violence for one day,” he added, stretching his neck. “I’d like to return to my peaceful, laid-back life. If that’s still allowed.”
Without another word, he turned and walked away, hands in his pockets, posture relaxed, like a man who’d simply finished a morning jog.
Amanda watched him go, her expression unreadable.
“He’s good at this game,” she said quietly to Lex. “Pity he’s not as emotionally invested in it as you.”
Lex said nothing.
___________
Ashborn made his way through the lingering crowd, their gazes trailing him with whispers of awe, confusion, and silent respect. His stride was relaxed, his expression calm. Near the edge of the parking area, a sleek black car waited, and Rex stood leaning against the hood, arms folded, his face unreadable.
As Ashborn approached, Rex straightened. “When did you learn how to fight like that?”
Ashborn opened the door and smirked over his shoulder. “I told you I outclass him, didn’t I? But you didn’t believe me. Have a little faith.”
Rex didn’t answer right away. He sighed, following Ashborn around to the passenger side. “Just… try to avoid danger next time. Stay safe.”
Ashborn gave a short chuckle as he slid into the driver’s seat. “I don’t like violence anyway. Too messy.”
Before Rex could respond, a voice drifted in from behind them, laced with disbelief and reprimand.
“Seeing you like that, I don’t believe you one bit.”
Ashborn turned to see Supergirl approaching, arms crossed, her golden hair catching the fading light. Her eyes burned with disappointment more than anger.
“You didn’t fight to win,” she continued. “You fought to mayhem Batman. I still can’t believe you actually did it.”
Ashborn raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “Will you make up your mind already? First, you didn’t want me to get beaten and asked me to surrender. Now, you’re upset I gave him the beating of his life. He could’ve avoided that if he’d surrendered.”
Supergirl scoffed. “When I said that, I didn’t know you could fight. Now, the whole thing reeks of deception. From the very beginning, you were aiming at him. You wanted to beat him. Humiliate him.”
Ashborn didn’t deny it. Instead, he let a smile pull at the corner of his mouth. “He came to my office. Insulted me. Damaged my property. Punched me in the face. As much as I like to avoid violence, I couldn’t just let that slide, could I?”
Supergirl exhaled slowly and looked away for a moment. “You do realize you’ve effectively made the entire Justice League despise you now, right? That’s… not great for you.”
Ashborn shrugged. “Well, now they know I’m not just a snobby rich jerk.” He gave her a wink. “I’m a strong snobby rich jerk. I’ll manage.”
Without waiting for a reply, Ashborn climbed into the car, Rex following close behind. As the engine hummed to life and the car began to pull away, Supergirl remained standing there, watching, a long sigh escaping her lips.
Inside the car, Rex glanced at Ashborn. “You do realize the girl likes you, right?”
Ashborn kept his eyes on the road and smirked. “I’m not an idiot.”
Rex raised an eyebrow. “So… why not ask her out? She’s quite pretty, if you ask me.”
Ashborn let out a quiet chuckle. “Dating comes with too much responsibility. I’d rather enjoy my life before I commit to something like that.”
Rex blinked. “You can do both. I see no conflict.”
Ashborn shook his head. “If I do something, I do it to the best of my ability. If I date, I’ll take it seriously. That means time, energy, and responsibility. And right now…” He paused, glancing at the rearview mirror. “I’ve got other things to do. And even, if I don’t, it will probably not end well”
Rex frowned slightly. “You sound like you’re planning something.”
Ashborn didn’t answer. When his involvement with Cadmus came to light, he had no doubt the heroes would consider him a second Lex Luthor.
___________
The corridor leading to the observatory deck of the Watchtower was silent. Supergirl stepped inside, her boots quiet against the metal floor. Ahead, standing still with arms crossed behind his back, Superman gazed through the vast window, Earth spun slowly in the blackness of space—peaceful and serene.
“Hey, Kal-El,” Kara called gently as she approached. “How is Batman?”
Superman didn’t turn, but his voice was low and thoughtful. “He’s fine. Physically, at least. It’ll take a few weeks for a full recovery.”
Kara nodded, coming to stand beside him. She folded her arms and stared down at Earth as well. “I talked with Ashborn.”
That got Superman’s attention. He turned his head slightly, listening.
Kara continued, “He admitted everything. Said it was all on purpose. He wanted to humiliate Batman... because of what happened at the office.”
Superman sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly. “Bruce was out of line. I didn’t like how he acted, either. He was angry, and Ashborn’s attitude only made things worse… but I never expected this to be the result. That Ashborn would retaliate so quickly…. trap us all in a public spectacle.”
He looked away again, brow furrowed. “I should’ve stopped Bruce the moment he started treating Ashborn like a criminal. But I didn’t. And now… Batman’s broken and humiliated publicly, our reputation’s taken a hit, and worst of all…”
He paused.
“We might’ve created something worse than Lex Luthor,” he finally said. “A more capable version. Ashborn said it himself, he doesn’t have an ego to feed. That makes him far more dangerous. More unpredictable.”
Kara didn’t speak for a moment.
Then she said softly, “I don’t think Ashborn will ever turn into a second Lex. He’s not like that. But…”
She smirked.
“He’ll definitely be a jerk to you from now on.”
Superman’s serious expression cracked into a small smile. “I’ll gladly take a jerk Ashborn over a Lexified Ashborn any day.”
Kara laughed quietly.
Comments
Matthew Gonzales
Haha was really hoping for one more chapter of reactions from everyone, this a good one thanks for the chapter
