3rd Person POV:

Dick crashed onto his hotel bed in the early morning. The Bat-Family had quickly moved to New York and started searching for Joker only to once again find no trace of the clown.

Dick's mind was racing. The group had been searching for 48 hours and hadn't found a single trace of the Joker. Everyone from the street level thugs to the higher ups in the various mafia families and triads haven't heard or seen anything related to the Joker.

Dick sighed and turned on the tv as he relaxed into his bed. He eventually settled on the GBS news channel and groaned when he saw the coverage.

Godfrey: "That's right folks, we're here live at the U.N general assembly in New York for the first appearance of the newest Secretary General, Lex Luthor."

Godfrey and Cat Grant stepped aside as the camera focused on the stage in the background. Lex Luthor slowly walked to the center of the stage, waving and smiling for the cameras and cheering crowd.

Cat: "Luthor has promised to unite the world in the aftermath of the failed Reach invasion as well as providing a stronger hand to law enforcement around the world, pledging to create a board to help coordinate the many law enforcement agencies of every nation in the battle against super powered criminals."

Dick couldn't help but roll his eyes as the camera followed Luthor around as he signed autographs for the crowd of people close to the stage.

Cat: "Luthor has also pledged to re-evaluate the Justice Leagues charter and the U.N's relationship with the League. This comes after numerous complaints about covert teams of heroes working for the League and violating the charter. The complaints have so far been presented without evidence, and the countries putting the formal complaints forward have refused U.N investigators access to the scenes the violation supposedly took place."

Godfrey: "Yes folks your ears aren't lying to you, we finally have some government officials who will uphold the rule of law and rein these loose cannons so often call heroes in. Hopefully Secretary General Luthor can force the Justice League to remain accountable to the people they supposedly protect."

Dick groaned in annoyance before turning off the tv and passing out a few moments later.

————————————————————————

A large number of Joker's crew were assembling their weapons and ammunition in a very large open room. The small army of criminals had assembled police body armour with automatic weapons of all kinds. Joker laughed as his men attached gas masks to their belts in preparation for the attack.

Joker loaded a handgun before stuffing it inside of his signature purple jacket and laughing.

Joker: "Has the video been sent?"

Criminal: "Yes boss. The recording was delivered to the proper address, though I'm not sure how you expect this Vandal guy to get it from the weird temple."

Joker: "It did, our partner assured me it would. Is everything ready?"

Criminal: "Yes, the ambassadors are just entering the assembly room now."

————————————————————————

(Y/n) POV:

We saw it on the news before I got the alert from ISAC. A massive explosion at the U.N.

Zatanna changed us into our mission gear with a quick spell and I grabbed my rifle from the hidden armoury in our apartment.

We raced to the closest zeta tube and teleported to New York. When we stepped out into the street we knew there was no way we would get to the U.N in time. The busy late morning traffic had completely ground to a halt as emergency crews and first responders tried to get through. Most police and SWAT units I saw had just abandoned their vehicles and started running through the gridlock.

Zatanna: "There is no way we can get there in time."

(Y/n): "We'll just have to run. You'll probably want to change your shoes."

Zatanna: "No, they look so cute."

Zatanna clicked the heels of her designer boots together and smiled at me. I couldn't help but smile back, that was until I noticed it. Her mischievous smile. I knew what was going to happen before she even started the spell.

Zatanna: "Etativel (N/y) dna I."

I didn't even bother complaining, it wouldn't do a thing. We swiftly lifted off the sidewalk and started flying towards the burning U.N assembly building.

————————————————————————

3rd Person POV:

Smoke filled the hallways of the assembly building as Joker's men cut their way through the unsuspecting security guards.

Joker shot the last guard and forced his way into the assembly hall with his small army following close behind.

Joker: "Hello, ambassadorks!"

Within moments Joker's men had completely locked down the assembly hall and set up the joker venom bombs. After the bombs were set up and active the men split into their pre-assigned groups and locked down the entire building.

The ambassadors were forced to stay in their seats as Joker sat in the General Secretary's chair and turned on the microphone.

Joker: "Everyone of you thinks you're important, that you're a part of some high order of society and above the rest of us. We're just bugs to you! Today, today I'll prove you all wrong. The guardians of your high society will fall into madness with one simple push, it'll be my greatest joke yet and the best part is.... I didn't even come up with it."

————————————————————————

(Y/n) POV:

Zatanna and I landed in the center of a hastily prepared command center in the street about half a block away from the U.N building.

The scene was complete chaos. Nobody knew who was in charge as the vast majority of the first responders were still stuck in traffic. The rag tag group of law enforcement that had arrived were struggling to get an idea of what exactly was happening.

The police were in the middle of a heated debate as to what to do, the argument stopped the second they saw Zatanna and I.

I can see a group of reporters watching eagerly with G. Gordon Godfrey and Cat Grant at the front of the group.

(Y/n): "Listen up! I'm agent Vanguard with the Division and I'm taking command of the situation. What do we know?"

SWAT: "Agent, we've set up a perimeter around the assembly building but haven't been able to gain entry. The hostile forces have the entire building locked down."

ISAC: "Security recordings retrieved."

(Y/n): "Alright ISAC, let's see what you got."

3rd Person POV:

(Y/n) played the security recording retrieved by ISAC. The video showed Joker and his men storming the assembly hall and slaughtering anyone they came across. The recording bounced between cameras, showing Joker's men locking down the building and setting up defensive positions all throughout the building.

(Y/n): "The longer we wait the higher chance the ambassadors die. I'm ordering an assault."

SWAT Officer: "Are you sure that's the right call? What if they start executing the hostages once the fighting starts."

Kelso: "It is the right call."

Everyone turned to see Kelso walking into the makeshift command center.

Kelso: "Sorry I'm late, traffic was hell."

(Y/n): "Good to see you. They entered through the sewer system and most likely have guards watching it. We will repel down to the roof and breach the office floors, working our way down to the assembly hall and secure the building as we go."

Kelso: "Good call kid."

(Y/n): "Thank you director, I'll scramble the helicopter."

Kelso: "Make sure everyone has their gas masks ready and filters changed. The joker venom will slowly eat through the filters but the masks should give you a few minutes to get to safety."

As (Y/n) and the officers immediately got to work, Kelso grabbed Zatanna's shoulder and pulled her aside.

Zatanna: "No, I'm going in with you."

Kelso: "Wow you two are perfect for eachother. You're both stupidly stubborn."

Zatanna's cheeks heated up for a second before (Y/n) arrived and sided with his old mentor while fixing the filter on his mask.

(Y/n): "Kelso is right. You'll be useless to the fight if you have to put on a mask and I don't want to risk you getting hurt again."

Zatanna groaned and rolled her eyes. Once she looked back at (Y/n) she realized he was still scared of bringing her on his missions. She gently grabbed his hands and attempted to calm his nerves.

Zatanna: "I'm not going to get shot. It's going to be okay."

(Y/n): "Z-Zee... when you got hurt... it was my fault. I shouldn't have brought you on that mission, it was all my fault that we got captured by the Hunters."

Zatanna: "Shh, we made it. Every mission has risks, you know that better than anyone. And besides, we're professionals."

(Y/n) couldn't help but look into Zatanna's eyes and smile.

Batgirl: "That's one word to describe you two."

Kelso, Zatanna and (Y/n) turned to see Nightwing and Batgirl walking towards them with Batman and Robin close behind.

Batman: "Has the perimeter been secured?"

(Y/n): "Everything's ready."

Batman: "Good. The quicker we end this the quicker we can find out who set the Joker free."

(Y/n): "I couldn't agree more, Kelso, let's go. We have a job to do."

Batman: "We will deal with the Joker. You leading a police strike into the building will just get people killed."

(Y/n): "Fine, but whatever you're going to do you better do it fast."

Batman didn't respond to the agent. He swiftly used his grappling hook and propelled himself to the roof of the closest building.

Nightwing and Zatanna hesitated for a moment, they both looked back at (Y/n) and he motioned for them to follow Batman. Despite both of their resentment towards the Dark Knight for his poor treatment of (Y/n), Zatanna and Nightwing followed him.

Kelso: "You know... I was expecting you to put up more of a fight."

(Y/n): "It's like talking to a brick wall. In his mind your idea is never going to be better than his so there's no point arguing over it."

Kelso: "I think that reminds me of somebody."

(Y/n): "Shut up."

————————————————————————

*Small Time Skip*

Batman, Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl and Zatanna were on the roof of the assembly building. Nightwing called Miss Martian and Superboy for support, hoping they could get here in time.

Nightwing: "We really could use your help in New York."

Superboy: "We're already on our way. We should be there within the hour."

Nightwing: "Thanks."

Nightwing ended the transmission and turned to face everyone else on the roof.

Batman: "We can't afford to wait that long. Joker could start killing the hostages at any moment."

Robin: "What's our plan?"

————————————————————————

Kelso and (Y/n) were setting small explosive charges along the back service entrance to the assembly building. Their plan was to blow a small hole in the wall before the two of them would swarm in and quickly cut down any opposition on their way to the assembly room.

As Kelso placed the last of the explosives (Y/n) turned and started walking back to a parked delivery truck that the pair planned on using for cover. As (Y/n) walked to the truck he caught a glimpse of a figure looking down on them from a nearby rooftop.

(Y/n)'s eyes narrowed as he saw a hint of orange on the figure's wrist. He kept his gaze on the rooftop until Kelso snapped him out of it when she ran back to the truck.

Kelso: "Hey, kid! Let's go!"

(Y/n): "Yeah, yeah... sorry. Just thought I saw something."

Kelso's mood changed on a dime as she cautiously looked around to ensure they were alone.

Kelso: "You've seen them too... right?"

(Y/n): "Y-yeah... who are they?"

Kelso: "They're agents... at least I think they are. I'm not sure what's going on, but we can't worry about that right now."

(Y/n) was certain that the topic needed to be addressed later but for now he pushed it to the back of his mind. Seconds later the explosives detonated and the two agents stormed the building.

————————————————————————

A short time later Batman, Nightwing and Robin were spread throughout the assembly room, hiding in the rafters as they slowly moved around, disarming bombs whenever one of Jokers men wasn't looking.

(Y/n) Kelso had swiftly cut through all of Joker's men in the rest of the building, leaving a massive trail of bodies behind them as they went.

Zatanna and Batgirl walked carefully through the assembly room under the protection of Zatanna's glamour spell that completely concealed their presence.

The pair were careful not to make a sound as they went about disarming the bombs that were right beside Joker's men.

Outside the room, (Y/n) and Kelso were debating what to do. They hadn't heard any fighting so they assumed that Batman and the others hadn't attacked yet.

Kelso: "On the security recording it showed Joker having a remote detonator for the explosives."

(Y/n): "ISAC can scramble all enemy radio signals. We'll breach the room and Joker won't be able to detonate his bombs, he'll be caught off guard and by the time he realizes what's going on it will all be over."

Kelso: "Exactly. I'll place the charge."

ISAC: "Unknown transmission intercepted. Decrypting.... "The heroes are in the room with you. The target is with them."

(Y/n): "It's a trap!"

Moments earlier, inside the room Joker was rummaging through the Secretary Generals desk, tossing random objects across the room while a gavel he brought rests on the desk.

Joker: "Aww Mr.Secretary. Did our ex-pal Vandal Savage screw you over too? It almost makes me want to spare you.... Almost."

Suddenly the phone rang on the Secretary's desk and Joker quickly answered it while speaking in a cartoonish voice.

Joker: "This is Secretary Joker! Mr.Luthor can't come to the phone right now but I'd be happy to kill him for you!"

???: "The heroes are in the room with you. The target is with them."

Joker smiled and hung up the phone. Zatanna and Batgirl weren't paying any attention to the clown. They were focused on deactivating the cluster of joker venom bombs infront of them.

Suddenly Joker threw the gavel at the cluster of bombs in the center of the room. The gavel housed a small explosive and the blast knocked Zatanna off her feet, shattering the glamour spell and leaving the two heroes completely exposed and surrounded by Joker's men.

Zatanna and Batgirl froze as every single one of Joker's men pointed their guns at them.

Joker: "I just hate uninvited guests, don't you?"

Zatanna: "Dleihs!"

Batgirl dove behind Zatanna and threw batarang at each of the criminals facing her. As the magic shield absorbed the majority of the bullets Batgirl pushed herself to her feet.

Batman, Nightwing and Robin dropped down as Joker's men started flanking Zatanna and Batgirl, in order to get a clear shot at the two.

The main door exploded and collapsed off its hinges. (Y/n) and Kelso stormed in and each shot the closest criminal to them.

Without saying a word, Kelso and (Y/n) engaged in a firefight with Joker's men. The agents swiftly carved a path around the side of the assembly hall, attempting to secure all possible exits before Joker can slip away.

Joker: "Wow, I've never been one to stick around a place this crowded with so few smiles... let's change that!"

Joker pressed the detonator only for nothing to happen. Joker threw the detonator to the ground in frustration and pulled out a handgun and grenade. The clown jumped over the desk and threw the grenade at Zatanna's shield. The explosion went off as the brutal fight between the agents and Joker's men was drawing to a close, with the agents shooting the last criminal in the kneecap before Nightwing smashed his baton in the back of the criminal's head.

Zatanna was forced to drop her shield as the canisters beside her started releasing the joker venom.

Zatanna: "Sag raeppasid dna eraps su!"

As Zatanna's attention was focused on the gas she couldn't see Joker pushing himself up off the ground and aiming his handgun at her.

Batgirl: "Zatanna get down!"

Batgirl pulled out a batarang as Joker suddenly turned the gun towards her and fired. (Y/n) spun towards Batgirl and Zatanna with fear in his eyes.

The shot echoed throughout the room as Batgirl stumbled back and collapsed. The shot had impacted her stomach and blood was already flowing out. The large caliber decimated her light body armour, causing Batgirl to immediately fade in and out of consciousness.

Nightwing raced across the assembly hall and dropped to his knees beside Batgirl, immediately putting pressure on her wound as she gasped for air.

Nightwing: "Hang on! VANGUARD HELP! Please get a medic!"

(Y/n) had already called for EMT's by the time he reached Nightwing's side. As (Y/n) and Nightwing started desperately working on Batgirl in an attempt to save her, Joker broke down laughing. The clown was so preoccupied with his laughter he didn't even notice Batman bearing down on him.

Batman proceeded to beat the Joker and knock the clown unconscious as quickly as he could before rushing to Batgirl's side.

Kelso: "Kid the police are swarming the building, we've got to get her to Kandel."

Nightwing: "Please... please hold on."

Batgirl: "I... I... love y..."

Batgirl laid her head back and her eyes slowly closed. Nightwing started panicking and gently shook her in a desperate attempt to keep her awake.

Miss Martian: "Nightwing where are you-No!"

Superboy: "I'll get her to the bio-ship!"

After (Y/n) and the EMT's stabilized Batgirl, Superboy picked her up and rushed to the bio-ship with Nightwing right behind him.

(Y/n) turned his attention to the Joker's unconscious body on the ground and narrowed his eyes.

(Y/n): "Kelso, give me a hand. We're taking the fucking clown."

————————————————————————

*Small Time Skip*

Dick, Zatanna, (Y/n), M'gann, Conner and Artemis were spread out in a small waiting room in Washington General. Artemis had just shown up and despite looking terrible herself she managed to calm Dick down when everyone else had failed.

Barbara has been in surgery for the last two hours. Barbara's father, commissioner James "Jim" Gordon, rushed into the waiting room with Kaldur and Raquel close behind.

Gordon: "Dick! How is she?! Where is she?!"

Dick: "S-she's still in surgery..."

Gordon: "What happened?!"

Dick: "I-it was Joker... I'm so sorry I-I should've stopped it I should've-"

Dick was on the verge of breaking down and stopped his panicked rant when Commissioner Gordon hugged him. Dick started lightly sobbing as he struggled to control his emotions.

(Y/n) had his gaze fixed on the small garden out the window. His mind was racing as he tried to think of what would cause the Joker to randomly attack the U.N. There didn't seem to be a clear motive and there was a distinct lack of some joke theme that the clown usually put on.

Zatanna wanted to comfort Dick and assure him that Barbara would pull through, but she was so worried that she wouldn't. Zatanna felt responsible for Barbara getting shot, it was her glamour spell that failed after all.

It wasn't long before Kandel opened the doors to the waiting room and stepped inside. Everyone jumped up and turned to face her. (Y/n) knew the defeated look on her face and his heart almost stopped. Fear gripped the agent as Kandel looked at Jim Gordon and Dick.

Gordon: "H-how is she Doctor?"

Kandel: "Not good. The shot perforated her stomach and penetrated the large and small intestines. We repaired what we could but... there's been too much damage."

Dick: "No..."

Gordon: "What... what's next?"

Kandel: "We can keep her comfortable, but you'll need to make a decision on whether or not you want to keep her on life support."

Gordon: "That's my little girl in there... Are you telling me there's nothing to be done?"

Kandel: "I'm saying you need to call the rest of her family, get them here as soon as possible."

M'gann: "We are her family, we're all she has left."

Kandel: "In that case, I'm so sorry."

Kandel moved over to (Y/n) and placed a hand on his shoulder. (Y/n) flinched at the contact and refused to lift his gaze to meet the doctors.

Kandel: "I'm so sorry, (Y/n)."

Without uttering another word (Y/n) left. Nobody tried to stop him. (Y/n) walked outside the hospital and entered the bioship.

Inside the cargo hold, Batman has the Joker handcuffed and on the ground. Batman had been taking out his anger on the Joker and mercilessly beating the criminal.

(Y/n): "That's enough. Throw him back in the bird cage and go be with Nightwing. He needs you now more than ever."

Batman didn't say a word as he threw Joker into a small cage that was tucked into the corner of the cargo hold.

(Y/n) let Batman walk past him before he moved into the main area of the bio-ship. He grabbed a small duffel bag that he left in the shop when they first brought Barbara to the hospital.

(Y/n) pulled out a file containing everything he's found on the Guest House since he first learned of it from Keener's recorded message to him.

He unholstered his handgun and stepped into the cargo hold. The clown started laughing as (Y/n) aimed his handgun at him.

(Y/n): "When this is over, you will be dead."

Joker's laughter died down as Artemis, Zatanna, Jim Gordon, Dick, Batman and Kelso stepped into the bio-ship.

(Y/n): "Tell Kandel to bring Batgirl down here."

Artemis: "You heard Kandel, she said there's nothing they can do."

(Y/n): "No, but there are doctors who brought me back from the dead. If they did that, I'm betting they can save Batgirl."

————————————————————————

Barbara was loaded up in the bioship's main area in a portable hospital bed with every bit of equipment needed to keep her stable, Kandel insisted that she accompany the group and they welcomed her aboard with open arms. Kandel and Kelso sat in the bio-ship's main area as (Y/n) approached them with Zatanna and Dick close behind.

M'gann was flying the ship towards Gotham so they could bring Barbara to her family and toss the Joker back in Arkham.

Conner, Kaldur, Artemis and Raquel were spread throughout the main area, nobody wanted to go in the back with the clown. Even when he was caged, he still terrified everyone.

(Y/n) handed the file to Kandel and her eyes widened as she opened the file and started reading the first page.

Kandel: "Death and Recovery Report."

(Y/n): "It's only recently that I've gained access to this. I've been lied to my entire life, turns out I was dead for almost a week. I need you to read this and figure out the parts I don't understand. I need you to use this to save Batgirl."

Kelso: "(Y/n)... for the longest time you didn't believe that the Guest House was real."

(Y/n): "Yeah... I didn't. If you need to you can reach out to Dr. Streiten, he should be eager to answer any questions you have."

Kelso: "Streiten has gone off the grid. He disappeared four days ago, we can't find him."

(Y/n) was blindsided by this. His mind started racing and was pulled back to the transmission ISAC intercepted.

Gordon: "Please... please just try."

Kandel: "Alright... I'll get started."

As Kandel started flipping through the pages of (Y/n)'s medical report the agent slipped away and entered the cargo hold where Joker sat in his cage with Batman watching over him.

(Y/n): "Take five, I need a minute with the clown."

Batman hesitated for a moment before walking into the bioships main area without saying a word. Kelso slipped in the bio-ship sealed the door to the main area, giving the group an illusion of complete isolation.

(Y/n): "I want you to answer my questions and maybe I'll let you go back to that sad excuse for an asylum instead of putting a bullet in your head."

Joker: "No thanks... HA HA HA! My head is still ringing from the last visitor."

Kelso: "Your last visitor left you with a head."

(Y/n): "That's not a mistake we will make."

Joker smiled and lightly laughed. The agents waited for the clown to stop before resuming the interrogation.

(Y/n): "I want to know about the phone call. Who was it?"

Joker: "Oh just a fan of mine. I have many people who appreciate a good joke and just want to thank me for bringing a smile to their face."

(Y/n): "Let me be clear. You have no rights. You have no lawyer. The only thing keeping me from throwing you out of this ship is the very weak heartbeat of my friend. And the only incentive agent Kelso has for not tearing your tongue out is that you use it to answer my questions. Is that clear?"

Joker smiled and held back laughter. (Y/n) was using every bit of his strength to not put his fist through Joker's face.

(Y/n): "Who was on the phone? Who ordered you to shoot Batgirl?"

Joker: "I've never been a follower and I don't take orders very well. I prefer to flow freely like a leaf in the wind, a happy clown just making people smile."

(Y/n): "Answer my question or I'll start cutting off your fingers."

Joker: "They said you'd never do anything like that. Not while the heroes are in the other room."

Kelso: "Who?! Who said that?!"

Joker: "Someone who just wants to see. They wanted me to target the other one, but tormenting the Bat is much more fun."

(Y/n): "The other one?"

Kelso: "Zatanna... she was paired up with Batgirl."

(Y/n): "Who ordered you to target Zatanna?!"

Joker: "A very mutual friend of ours. I'm a very simple man and she made me so angry with her rules and conditions, she's a lot like you. Driven to get her answers... but I guarantee you this, a good old joker promise! Her boss didn't foresee this! They wanted me to shoot the magician, but Batman cares so much more about his little brat followers I couldn't pass up the opportunity."

As Joker broke down laughing everything came crashing down on (Y/n) all at once. The agent was gripped with fear as the realization hit him like a tidal wave.

(Y/n) stumbled out of the cargo hold and into the main area of the ship. Kelso ran after him and grabbed his arm as everyone turned to face the agents.

(Y/n): "This is still about me..."

Dick: "What?!"

Kelso: "Whoa, kid. Rewind the tape a bit, what's about you?"

(Y/n): "Kelso, when the Division brought me back from the dead. The Clairvoyant couldn't see how. He and Natalya are desperate to learn how they did it. They... they released the Joker and ordered him to shoot Zatanna."

Kelso: "Forcing you to let her die, or figure out where the Guest House is and how they brought you back."

Dick: "Only he didn't shoot Zatanna! He shot Barbara!"

(Y/n): "He wanted to torment Batman, that's the only thing he cares about! We are going to the Guest House, we are going to save Barbara, I promise. M'gann, set a course for Burma after we drop the clown and Batman off at Arkham."

————————————————————————

*Small Time Skip*

Northern Burma

M'gann: "I'm sorry, but do you mind telling us how you found this place?"

(Y/n): "Two weeks after the Reach were escorted off Earth I snuck aboard a cargo transport to the fridge. Once I made it to the archives I started looking through travel arrangements for senior Division personnel around the time I was killed. The Guest House was rumoured to be a WW2 era bunker, so I started crossing them off, eventually finding that all but this supposedly partially collapsed one was the only one unaccounted for by Burma's military."

Gordon: "You think bringing Barbara to this place will help us save her?"

Kandel finally stood up before (Y/n) had a chance to speak. She closed the file and held it close to her chest while she looked down at the ground.

Kandel: "Look, we're chasing ghosts. This file is filled with secrets we probably will never understand. Experimental drugs, unknown surgical procedures I've never heard of, frankly, I only understand about 60% of what's in here."

Kelso: "Let's say we can find where the Division treated you and we were able to replicate the procedure, there's the other obvious question."

Dick: "Which is?!"

Kandel: "Whether we should."

The room fell silent and Kandel sighed before opening the file again.

Kandel: "(Y/n), your transcripts are in here, from the surgery's. If this file is even partially accurate, I fear what will happen to her should we start any procedure."

(Y/n): "Nobody here is suggesting that we submit Barbara to the torture I went through, but if there's some drug or anything that we can use to save her we have to try."

Kandel sighed before moving to check on Barbara in her hospital bed.

(Y/n) shifted his gaze to Kelso and immediately noticed the saddened look on her face.

(Y/n): "You disagree?"

Kelso: "No. I think we should do everything we possibly can to save Batgirl. But we need to acknowledge that doing so will give the Clairvoyant exactly what he wants."

(Y/n): "It's a risk we have to take."

*Small Time Skip*

Kandel was flipping through the file and checking Barbara's condition when Dick and Jim Gordon finally broke the silence that had gripped the cockpit for over an hour.

Dick: "How is she?"

Kandel: "Deteriorating and I don't know how to stop it. The only thing I find remotely interesting is something called GH-325. (Y/n) was injected with it and minutes later his cells showed signs of cellular regeneration."

Dick: "I-is that even possible?"

Kandel: "It shouldn't be. And even if this miracle drug does exist, we don't know where to inject it or how much. I fear we may put her through the torture (Y/n) went through, and he only made it out because they wiped his mind..."

M'gann: "We're here."

Everyone looked out the window to see a small entrance to a bunker. The entrance has been updated and repaired since WW2, leaving the group of heroes to wonder what they will find inside.

The bio-ship landed on a small stretch of land out in front of the bunker. The bunker is built into a mountain overlooking the ocean.

(Y/n) quickly grabbed his helmet and strapped it on before grabbing his rifle and backpack. In a few moments he was ready, before anyone else could say anything he stopped in front of the door and dictated what everyone was to do, all while in full tactical gear and with enough ammunition for a small war.

(Y/n): "M'gann, you need to stay with the bio-ship in case we need a fast exit. Kandel, Dick and Gordon will watch over Barbara with Zatanna, maybe you can use your magic and slow or stop Barbara's deteriorating condition. Raquel will stay outside of the ship to guard it, we don't know who or what is around here so we need a rear guard and you're it."

Conner: "And everyone else?"

(Y/n): "Will follow me inside. The Guest House is not a SHD facility, be prepared for potential resistance. ISAC's had no contact from inside."

Artemis: "This place could be abandoned."

(Y/n): "Let's hope not, we need the people inside to work on Barbara."

Kandel: "I'll have Dick and Gordon help me prep Barbara so we can move her at a moment's notice."

(Y/n): "Good, we do our jobs right, and this will all end peacefully."

Kaldur: "What if they do not wish to help us?"

Kelso loaded her rifle and racked the charging handle before smiling at Kaldur.

Kelso: "I'll say pretty please."

(Y/n): "We need the doctors alive and the place intact. If it does go sideways I'll need Artemis and Kelso with me to help determine what Kandel needs to save Barbara. And then we take it. Let's move."

The group exited the bio-ship and quickly made their way to the entrance. The door is large and metal with a single security camera watching the entrance.

Once everyone assembled in front of the door a voice spoke out from a speaker built into the security camera.

"How was the drive from Istanbul?"

(Y/n): "Countersign?"

Kelso: "No clue, never heard it. ISAC doesn't have anything for it in our database."

(Y/n): "This is agent (L/n) with the Strategic Homeland Division. We don't know the counter but we have a team member in desperate need of medical assistance. We know she can be treated here. Open the doors, maybe we can work something out. Do you copy?"

"How was the drive from Istanbul?"

(Y/n): "We're looking for medical assistance. A person's life is at stake. Will you help us?"

"How was the drive from Istanbul?"

Kelso: "Pretty please," it is."

Kelso pulled out her handgun and shot the camera as (Y/n) moved up to the electronic lock on the large metal door. Within a minute he had used ISAC to unlock the door and secured the entrance into the bunker.

(Y/n): "Let's move!"

Kelso and (Y/n) took point, quickly moving down the large tunnel that was big enough to drive a truck through. The hallway was dimly lit by lights on the ceiling with pipes running parallel with the tunnel leading down deeper into the mountain.

The steady decline eventually lowered the group enough so that they couldn't see the light from the entrance. After two minutes of running, they arrived at an elevator.

The doors opened instantly for them, revealing an empty elevator. (Y/n) quickly entered the elevator and used his rifle to open the maintenance hatch before jumping up and pulling himself on top of the elevator.

Kelso: "Kid, I trained you well."

(Y/n): "Take credit for everything I do later, let's go."

After everyone climbed up on top of the elevator, (Y/n) used ISAC to lower the elevator down. There was only one stop programmed into the elevator. After an awkward and lengthy descent, the elevator arrived at its only stop.

Conner: "I can't communicate with M'gann, she's too far away for the link to work."

Kaldur: "The radio isn't working either."

Kelso: "Trust me, it's better that way. You don't want them hearing the horrible death we're walking into."

Everyone but (Y/n) gave Kelso a confused and slightly scared look.

Kelso: "Sorry, I have a terrible sense of humour."

(Y/n) dropped a small drone into the elevator as the doors opened, revealing an antechamber with a set of glass doors.

(Y/n): "Antechamber with glass doors, lights are out and I can't see anything past that."

Artemis: "Well, they know we're coming."

Kelso: "Let's go say hello."

(Y/n) was the first to drop down into the elevator, leveling his rifle and shouting out "Clear" when he was certain there was no immediate danger.

The group moved up to the glass doors and Kelso started hacking the last lock with ISAC.

(Y/n): "Once we enter the room, split up and find cover. Artemis we didn't have time to grab your gear so stay close to Kelso and I."

Kelso: "Call it, kid."

(Y/n): "Let's go."

Kelso activated the door controls and the two large glass doors slid open. Everyone rushed in and spread out. Kelso, Artemis and (Y/n) hid behind a few desks close to the entrance that were covered in paperwork. Conner moved off to the right and pressed up against a large concrete pillar. Kaldur was crouched behind a large trolly with metal cases stacked on it.

Suddenly a burst of gunfire erupted from the darkness, forcing the heroes to duck and stay behind cover. Once the burst of gunfire stopped, (Y/n) cautiously looked up over the desk he was hiding behind.

(Y/n): "We've come for medical assistance but if you continue firing on us, we will defend ourselves!"

Just as (Y/n) finished his sentence another burst of gunfire rang out, sending papers flying off the desks and forcing the agent to quickly duck behind cover.

Kelso: "I count two shooters!"

(Y/n): "Light them up!"

Kelso threw a flashbang in the general direction of the shooters. The gunfire stopped briefly, allowing (Y/n) and Kelso to surge forward. The agents returned fire and forced the two shooters, who were now visible, behind cover.

Kaldur lunged out and sent a blast of water at the closest enemy. The blast knocked the man out of cover and Kelso quickly shot him, three well placed shots in a fraction of a second. The body crashed down onto the concrete floor with blood shooting out and coating a nearby metal storage box.

Conner grabbed a metal storage box off a nearby trolly and threw it at the guard fighting (Y/n). The guard saw the case flying towards him and ducked just in time to avoid being hit.

(Y/n) knew he had the advantage as the guard was distracted and quickly closed the gap between them.

(Y/n) dropped to the ground as the guard aimed his rifle at him and they both fired one shot. (Y/n)'s shot connected with the guards stomach just below his plate carrier and the guards shot barely missed (Y/n)'s helmet.

The guard scrambled back and collapsed near a concrete pillar. (Y/n) quickly advanced and kicked the guards gun away before he had a chance to grab it.

Kelso: "All clear!"

(Y/n) grabbed the guard and sat him up against the pillar while putting pressure on his stomach in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

(Y/n): "The medical staff, where are they?"

Guard: "Med staff.... Doesn't stay here..."

(Y/n): "We're looking for a drug, GH-325, maybe it can help you."

Guard: "I-it's you... you came back..."

(Y/n): "I... I know I was brought here, I think, I don't really remember any of it."

Guard: "T-the timer..."

Artemis: "We have a serious problem!"

Kaldur: "What?"

Artemis: "Semtex and lots of it. I found a timer... we have just over ten minutes."

Kelso: "It must have been a safety protocol, if the guards had eliminated us then they would stop the timer."

When (Y/n) looked back at the guard his head was slumped over. After checking for a pulse (Y/n) silently cursed, realizing the guard was dead and that they wouldn't have enough time to fully search the facility.

(Y/n): "Artemis, you and Kaldur start working on the semtex. Conner, Kelso and I will split up and start looking for the drug."

Without waiting for anyone to respond (Y/n) broke into a sprint, moving further into the facility.

Kelso: "Let's go!"

(Y/n) soon arrived at an intersection. With one path branching off with the word "Power" and the other labeled with "Medical". (Y/n) started running down the medical hall and soon came to a row of doors each with their own label painted on in large black letters.

(Y/n) could hear Conner and Kelso running down the hall towards him and see the light from their flashlights as he pushed open the door labeled "Viewing". He briefly struggled to open the heavy door but soon pushed it open enough to slip inside.

A single row of office chairs, each with a small table beside them stood before a slanted glass window overlooking a surgical room. At one end of the surgical bed, the large metal machine with numerous small mechanical arms designed to operate on a person's brain.

As (Y/n) stared at the horrifying device the flashes of the open brain surgery he was awake for came crashing back to him. He saw Streiten pleading with the nurses to let him die as his own voice screamed out in his head.

"LET ME DIE!"

"PLEASE JUST LET ME DIE!"

Conner and Kelso crashed through the door and were initially just as shocked as (Y/n).

Conner: "Is this where... they experimented on you?"

(Y/n): "Yeah..."

Kelso grabbed (Y/n)'s wrists and gently pulled him out of the viewing gallery. Conner quickly followed and shut the door behind him.

Kelso: "Hey! Listen, whatever happened in there, it's over, you beat it. You survived something nobody else could, I need you to keep being you no matter what we find down here, and I need you to help find this drug."

(Y/n): "Yeah... alright, let's move."

Kelso: "Atta boy."

The group quickly moved down the hall a few doors until they came across a door labeled "Storage: Biohazard". (Y/n) threw open the door before anyone could say anything and stepped into a small room filled with biohazard suits and a window looking into a larger room filled with different kinds of biohazardous material.

Conner: "We should put suits on before going in there."

(Y/n): "There's no time, grab those rubber gloves, they will be enough."

(Y/n) quickly moved to the far end of the room and used ISAC to nye pass the electronic lock on the airtight door.

Once the group stepped into the vault they instantly started looking through the rows of glass jars and small glass bottles filled with various colourful drugs. Large medical equipment for mixing and making the liquid drugs was also stuffed in the crowded room, making it almost impossible to navigate the rows without bumping into something.

Conner: "I really wish Barbara was down here. She'd know what most of this stuff is or at least what not to touch."

(Y/n): "There, a locked refrigerated cabinet at the end. Kelso grab the keys."

As Kelso raced back to the front of the room to grab the set of keys hanging by the door, (Y/n) and Conner used their flashlights to look through the glass door in an attempt to find the desired drug.

Kelso: "Here, watch out."

As Kelso opened the small medical fridge (Y/n)'s heart sank.

Conner: "I-I'm not seeing anything labeled GH, much less the specific one we're looking for."

(Y/n): "Move back. I'm opening that grey biohazard canister at the bottom."

(Y/n) reached into the fridge and grabbed the canister. The biohazard canister was about the size of a football and was simply labeled with "Biohazardous Material".

As (Y/n) opened the canister a green sensor light activated, illuminating to substances inside but casting an eerie green glow across the immediate area surrounding the fridge.

As (Y/n) mumbled to himself while looking through the vials the group heard footsteps approaching. Kelso spun around just in time to see Kaldur come running into the room.

Kaldur: "We couldn't stop the timer. We have four minutes."

(Y/n): "I'VE GOT IT!"

(Y/n) carefully handed a small vial containing a thick blue liquid with the label GH-325 to Conner.

(Y/n): "Get this to Kandel as fast as you can!"

Conner broke into a sprint and was followed by Kelso. Kaldur was about to exit the room when he noticed (Y/n) looking at a small stack of metal crates clustered in the corner.

Kaldur: "We need to leave now!"

(Y/n): "Yeah... I'm right behind you."

Kaldur hesitated for a moment before (Y/n) reassured him that he would be out in a moment. Kaldur reluctantly left the room as (Y/n) slowly walked towards the metal crates.

The agent quickly shoved the crates out of the way, revealing an air tight door with the most horrifying thing painted on the front in the same black blocky letters that are used throughout the facility.

"Project: Vanguard"

————————————————————————

Conner had just smashed through the glass door and taken the elevator up with Artemis. Once they exited the elevator they sent it back down for Kelso and Kaldur who were waiting for (Y/n).

Conner and Artemis ran up the ramp and into the bio-ship. Everyone in the main area was desperate for news about what they found.

Dick: "Did you get it?!"

Zatanna: "What happened down there?!"

Artemis: "M'gann get us off the ground or it'll fall out from under us!"

M'gann: "On it!"

Conner quickly moved over to Kandel, Dick and Jim Gordon before taking the vial out from his pocket and handing it to Kaldel.

Conner: "Here."

Kandel: "How much and where?!"

Conner: "I-I don't know. There wasn't any med staff, we found it in a biohazard lab."

Kandel: "Shit. Okay... okay, I've got this."

Gordon: "She's spiking again!"

Kandel: "Dick hold her down, Zatanna get me a needle!"

————————————————————————

Gunshots rang out. Kelso instantly recognized the sound and knew it came from (Y/n)'s rifle. She broke into a sprint, leaving Kaldur by the door without saying a word.

Kelso rounded the corner and continued sprinting down the medical hall, desperate to find (Y/n) as she knew they were running out of time fast.

Kelso: "(Y/n)! Kid, where are you?!"

Kelso suddenly saw (Y/n) come limping out of the darkness, dragging his rifle on the ground as he pulled it from the sling attached to it. His face was white as if he'd just walked out of the most horrifying encounter of his life and his right sleeve was torn off.

Kelso: "(Y/n), what the hell?! Clock's not slowing down. It's about to get really warm in here. Hey, you with me?"

(Y/n) had a thousand yard stare as he tried to limp past Kelso only for her to grip his shoulders and lightly shake him.

Kelso: "Hey! Everyone but Kaldur is already out. They took the drug up to Barbara."

(Y/n): "NO! Don't give it to her! The drug! They can't give it to her!"

Kelso: "Okay okay common. We've gotta move!"

(Y/n) seemed to snap out of his dazed state and broke into a sprint with Kelso. They met Kaldur at the corner as he decided to come after the agents and the three quickly made their way to the elevator.

As the elevator arrived at the entrance to the bunker the ground began to shake. The bio-ship swooped down and lowered the ramp for the agents and the Atlantean as the ground started to cave in. Once everyone was aboard the bio-ship quickly flew up into the safety of the sky as the mountainside collapsed in on itself.

(Y/n) forced his way past Artemis and Conner, who were waiting for the group, and stumbled into the main area of the bio-ship.

(Y/n): "No! Don't give it to her!"

Everyone froze as Kandel had just injected the drug moments before (Y/n)'s entry.

Kandel: "I was losing her anyway, what harm could it do?"

A tense moment of silence gripped the cabin as they all watched the heart monitor for any change. Suddenly Barbara's body started shaking violently as her heart rate spiked.

Gordon: "How do we stop this?!"

Kandel: "I-I don't know!"

Dick: "Barbara, hang on! Please hold on!"

Over the course of a few minutes Barbara stopped shaking. Her heart rate slowed back down to a normal pace and everyone let out a sigh of relief as they watched her condition improve on the monitor.

Dick: "What... what just happened? What was that drug?"

Kaldel: "I don't know. All I know is that it worked."

(Y/n) was still gripped with fear. He couldn't take his eyes off Barbara and when he finally did he moved back to the cargo hold without saying a word.

Zatanna cautiously approached Kelso and noticed the concerned look on her face.

Zatanna: "What happened down there?"

Kelso: "I'm not sure. One minute he was fine and the next it was like he'd seen a ghost."

————————————————————————-

M'gann stopped at Gotham General Hospital and dropped Kandel, Barbara, Dick and Jim off so that they could keep an eye on Barbara's condition but she was clearly improving. The drug had started to heal the tissue and even stopped the bleeding.

M'gann then flew the bio-ship to Zatanna and (Y/n)'s apartment and dropped the pit off along with Kelso.

(Y/n) was eager to go home and sleep but Zatanna asked Kelso to tag along with them so they could hopefully figure out what happened when (Y/n) was alone in the Guest House.

The second (Y/n) walked through the door he tore off his plate carrier and helmet and placed them in a pile beside his rifle before gently taking off his backpack and placing it on the floor. He slowly walked over to the couch where he collapsed onto it.

Zatanna grabbed some water bottles for the group and handed them out as Kelso sat down in a chair across from (Y/n).

Kelso: "We saved your friend's life today. Why aren't you happy about it?"

Zatanna: "Why were you screaming to not use the drug?"

(Y/n) grabbed the water bottle and opened it before letting out a stress filled sigh.

(Y/n): "Seeing what I went through... I just got scared that she would suffer, like I did. I-I don't think I could've survived watching someone I care about suffer like that."

Zatanna and Kelso both shared a concerned look. They both aren't sure they believe (Y/n)'s words, they came too easily to him for someone who's struggled to open up in the past.

Kelso: "The gunshots. I heard you empty a magazine at something or someone. What was that?"

(Y/n): "Nothing, it was nothing. Just me... venting."

Zatanna: "You know you don't have to lie to us. We will always be here for you no matter what. Whatever you found down there, it doesn't change that. Please just promise me you'll share one day, whenever you're ready."

(Y/n) slowly lifted his head to look at Zatanna as she sat on the opposite end of the couch. His eyes are watering and he's on the verge of tears. Zatanna quickly moved over to his end of the couch and hugged him as the tears started to flow down his cheeks.

(Y/n): "W-what... what did they do to me?"

(Y/n) completely broke down in Zatanna's arms as she did her best to keep him together.

————————————————————————

*Flashback: Guest House*

*Four Minutes Before detonation*

(Y/n) pushed over the door labeled "Project: VANGUARD". The rush of cold air sends a shiver down his back as he searches for a light switch, eventually finding one and turning the lights on.

The room has an active computer terminal on the left and what looks like a cryochamber on the right. (Y/n) initially moved over to the left and connects ISAC to the computer.

(Y/n): "Download everything. I want a copy of everything this computer has access to."

ISAC: "Starting download.... Download complete. Retrieved 42 files and 37 audio files."

(Y/n) slowly walked over to the other side of the room and examined the cryochamber. At the bottom of the chamber are several clear tubes filled with the same thick blue liquid, leading to a large chemical contraption that splits up and mixes the liquid with other chemicals before letting the liquid flow into small vials each labeled "GH" followed by a number ranging from 5 to 400.

(Y/n) carefully examined a small contraption that looked like a coffee maker. The machine had a large blue button on the base and (Y/n) cautiously pushed it, hoping it would activate something.

The machine turned on and the circular base with a small overhang lit up. (Y/n) placed his hand on the glowing light, thinking it was another button of some kind.

Suddenly the machine opened up and a clamp sprung up, trapping (Y/n)'s right arm to the machine and pulling it in.

(Y/n) screamed out in pain as he felt three needles tear through his combat shirt and start injecting something into his arm. Despite his best efforts he couldn't pull his arm out. Once the needles finished injecting the drug into his body the machine spat out three empty vials all labeled GH-14. (Y/n) finally managed to tear his arm free of the machine and examined the three needle marks. The machine had completely torn off his right sleeve from the elbow down.

(Y/n) pulled his attention back to the cryochamber and then used a console to drain the green liquid substance from the chamber. His head was spinning from whatever drug GH-14 is.

As the liquid was draining (Y/n) could start to see the outline of a body, though it was just the top half, cut clean in half just above the waist and with organs spilling out as the chamber drained. When the liquid completely drained (Y/n) was horrified.

Suspended by metal cables in the cryochamber, with the tubes connected to the inside of its body, was the decomposing body of an ancient Reach explorer.