DC: Rise Of Krios

*Krios "James," League Of Shadows Temple, Himalayas

With some exertion Krios raised his hand and brought it down in a swift motion causing the main tunnel to the Temple to collapse in on itself. It would not hold back the attacking force for long, but long enough for him to gather his few things and escape.

Walking over the bodies that covered the ground he briskly made his way to his quarters. The artillery outside had recommenced causing shakes and dust to spring up all around. Walking down the halls the Temple was feeling particularly empty. 

The brisk paced he made gave off eerie echoes in the empty halls. Whether the majority had been killed in the fighting so far, hiding or already fled he did not know. He considered checking in on Ra's Al Ghul to make sure his temporary mentor was alright but reasoned such was unnecessary.

The aged immortal could handle just about anything short of Superman busting through the door.

Walking past the library he could see the bookshelves nearly completely empty save for a few abandoned texts. Either they were not important or the swift escape of the library's guardians had them leave some behind.

Krios did not bother inspecting the few scraps of leftovers there. Anything of worth was held by Al Ghul personally and would not be left behind.

He continued his brisk pace transitioning to a jog as he came upon the living quarters and his own room.

Staring into the room he felt a sincere sense of nostalgic sadness. The small room hosted a single bed with a chest in front, a cramped desk with a few books he had checked out, and a small water basin with a pitcher. It was small, simple but fairly practical and comfortable for a old stone temple. He had no complaints about it though the mattress of some rough straw could of been better.

Stepping in he opened his chest and found his familiar hooded cloak. It still retained its tattered appearance and the burns it had received had changed the light grey colors to a more darkened black version. The League of Shadows had offered to create a brand new one with some additional special specs such as heat resistance, bullet resistance, stealth coating and a few other things but he had declined.

Oh he had them install a few of the stealth and some of the recommended armor/resistance materials in. The fact he insisted on using the same old cloak materials he bought from a vendor in Egypt annoyed and challenged the armorer and seamstresses to no end. But as he pulled the cloak over and raised the cloth face covering he felt a sense of comfort in his original gear. Call him nostalgic but he had really first emerged as Krios with this 'uniform' and it felt right.

'Don't he some idiot who insists on sticking to a gimmick,' Slade's voice from the past sounded in his mind.

Ironic he mused as he picked up a few of his keepsakes. It was ironic the 'Terminator' would complain about gimmicks when he dressed in the iconic orange and black armor.

Besides the obvious enhancements that would prevent it from burning or being shredded by bullets and some more serious damage, Krios had the armorers add a few conveniences.

For one, his cloth facemask that kept his identity hidden now had a small micro fiber mechanical component that would keep it locked up in place. The amount of times he had to readjust it or check that it was on had infuriated him to no end.

The other was something Slade had recommended he do which while simple really made life easier. Pockets, deep pockets, small pockets, hidden pockets and simple nooks and slips so he could hold all the gear he could ever want. He had considered hunting down the rare but super useful dimensional pockets that some heroes and villains had. They basically were a small bag, device or enchanted part of clothing that someone could dump 100s of pounds if not more depending on the strength of spell or science of junk into it. The only problem was the wealth of a small nation to acquire it and conversing with people he would rather avoid.

So instead he resorted to the old fashion but reliable dozens of pockets.

Mind you, he didn't actually own a lot of things. A few knives, a lock picking kit, a few notebook size books written by Shadow instructors. Filling in his cloak it felt rather empty and he determined to make sure he had a few more tools in the future.

"Better safe then sorry," he muttered before standing up and walking to his door.

With one final glance he made a closed fist and caused the roof of his room to collapse in onto itself. Large slabs of stone and rock came down fully destroying his room and any evidence that could be gleamed from it.

Perhaps he was being paranoid but he wanted to limit any chance of people finding more about himself. He still had people to protect but also did not want to deal with all the random forces seemingly out to get him.

'Few more years of growing my power and no one... I will be free to just live.'

Sighing at the thought he began walking down the corridor. His best bet was to probably head to one of the hidden hangars and hitch a ride before they all left. Worst come to worst he could just use the hangar exits to hike his way to some of the villages a few miles away. Not exactly something he was thrilled about but until he could learn to operate a helicopter or jet he was limited. Perhaps he should talk to Slade about some training...

A distinct click resounded in his mind, his telekinetic senses detected someone very familiar just around the corner hiding or waiting for him.

Krios jumped forward and unleashed a blast that crumbled a large portion of the wall sending flying debris everywhere.

A frightened yelped sounded followed by a figure dodging out of the way. Unfortunately for the individual they had rolled out of their cover directly in the path Krios was walking.

With a growl, Krios lifted the man who had been spying on him up having him hover a foot away from him floating in the air.

"Hello... Robin."

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*Barbara Gordon "Batgirl", League Of Shadows Temple, Himalayas

The Team had split doing different tasks, Kaldur, M'gann and Zatanna were busy interrogating who appeared to be the League of Shadows member in charge of the evacuation at this hangar. Wally, Artemis, and Connor were busy opening crates and checking the helicopters.

Barbara was watching this all unfold while debating whether she needed to bash Robin in the head for being so stupid as to go off on his own.

'When we get back, I am sitting him and Batman down and figuring this out,' she thought as her frustration grew.

"So far just a bunch of random books, and some historical and cultural artifacts Kaldur," Artemis shouted out.

The Team who were investigating the crates had pulled out a myriad of objects such as statues, books, paintings and other paraphernalia. While undoubtedly worth a fortune to private collectors and museums the material was fairly innocuous for a criminal organization.

Connor huffed, "Looks like all of Ra's Al Ghuls paper weights, all of this is useless."

Meanwhile Kaldur who had looked over gave them a nod,

"Don't worry, I think our friend here will be able to help us."

Zatanna had conjured some glowing chains keeping the woman tied down while M'gann had place her hands lightly on the woman's scalp. The Martian's eyes were closed while the League of Shadows woman squirmed in discomfort.

Barbara could make out the woman wording, "No... no... get out!"

Kaldur asked, "M'gann, how is it coming?"

"Roughly," M'gann said with a frown, "It seems they train their assassins to resist telepaths. I will get through it just will take a few seconds."

"I thought you could break through most minds pretty quickly M'gann," Wally said as he tried different robes in quick fashion. Each look a little more ridiculous due to them belonging to a much taller and bulkier man then the skinny speedster.

"I can but that is only in emergencies," she replied.

"Pushing too hard can fry a persons brain or send them spiraling into a stroke in which case you hurt the person and lose any chance for information."

Then with a smile she said, "I'm in. Looks like there was an earthquake a few weeks ago here, roughly same time that pulse of energy occurred. Ra's Al Ghul has been at this location for awhile... she doesn't seem to know exactly what happened... she is hiding something... something that scares her."

"You might have to put that on hold M'gann," Kaldur said drawing his water swords, "We have company."

From the mouth of the hangar appeared the group of men, maybe 15 in total, that they had saw earlier. Black fatigues with armor plating, and a enclosed gas helmet that gave the appearance of a skull. The men were armed with strange rifles of some sort and precision that screamed professional.

The lead man immediately pointed straight at them and motioned to his men who spread out and began firing at the Team.

"Take cover now!" Barbara yelled as she dove behind a helicopter near her.

Most of the Team followed her lead save for Zatanna who conjured a shield in front of her, M'gann went invisible and probably flew high, and Connor... oh Connor began charging the men with a roar.

Probably thinking he could tank any round they shot at him, Connor charged towards the black clad men only to be sent flying back from a direct hit. The shot was not a bullet but rather a blue energy beam that gave off the smell of ozone as the weapons fired.

Crashing into some box his shirt had a burned circle several inches wide and red blistering skin. Almost as if he was floating, Connor was lifted up from the crashed crates and being moved to cover. As if they could see what was moving him, the armored men fired into the air near Connor causing a yelp and another crash. M'gann had been invisible trying to carry Connor to safety when they hit her causing her to fall with a similar if slightly more severe injury.

Zatanna seeing this shouted a spell and sent flying swooshes of orange energy towards the attackers causing them to duck.

"Wally!" Barbara scream as she shot a grappling hook to the rafters above.

"Grab them!"

Wally didn't hesitate as he zoomed by first M'gann before zooming away and a second later returning and grabbing Connor as well.

Flying upwards to the rafters, Barbara could see from her angle the men hiding behind their cover from Zatanna's magic blasts. Occasionally they would fire back at her but her shield and return fire kept them pinned.

Reaching the rafters she swung her legs over one of the steel beams holding the roof allowing her self to swing downward. In that same movement she withdrew 3 batarangs which she threw with precision directly towards one of the groupings.

The batarangs hit true giving off a pulse of electricity that shocked 5 of the men. To her surprise though the men shook for a moment, they began shaking off the effects very quickly. Those batarangs had been designed to take down eve enhanced strength metas, these men were tougher the she thought.

In retaliation they began firing up into the rafters at her which she narrowly dodged by exerting her legs to fling herself into another portion of the rafters away from their firing.

[Thanks M'gann, can everyone hear me?] Kaldur's distinct voice sounded in her mind.

Barbara gave a confirmation along with the rest of the Team, even Connor though he sounded winded.

[Anyone know who these guys are!?!] Artemis growled as she duck behind a helicopter. She had begun firing arrows back at their attackers but whoever they were had pretty good reflexes as they either duck or dodged always just in time.

Connor's angry voice sounded, [Doesn't matter! We can figure that out after I kick their asses!]

A small cart the League of Shadows had been using to move the crates flew across the room crashing into one of the helicopters a few of the armored men had hidden behind. The helicopter was pushed towards them sending them scurrying for a new spot to take cover.

Zatanna and Artemis took advantage of this with Zatanna blasting two of the men with a greenish energy that caused foliage to appear and bind them tightly dropping them. While Artemis fired an arrow hitting another in the back before giving off a powerful stun explosion crashing the man out into the snow of the hangar entrance.

[I hate to say it,] Barbara said with amusement, [Connor is right, we need to deal with these guys first then ask questions.]

[Yes, you are right. We need to be smart about this, though energy weapons they are using are dangerous. We need to close the gap to press our advantage at close range.] Kaldur said.

Breaking from his cover, Kaldur began spraying across the room powerful streams of water. He kept at it wetting the various areas that their attackers were firing from keeping a constant stream from his water pack. Their attackers seemed as perplexed as the rest of the Team was with whatever he was doing. After all, even the few men who got hit directly by Kaldur simply got a little wet. From this distance their was no way his water blasts would be effective at hurting them.

Finally after expelling the last of his water he took cover avoiding the whizzing energy bolts.

[Ummm, dude, no offense, but what the hell are you doing?] Wally's confusion echoing that of several of the Team members.

Watching Kaldur and what he was up to, Barbara had a decent thought of what he was planning. The idea gave her a smile as it was reminiscent of something the Team had done on one of their first missions together. Back when things were much more simpler and easier.

At this point Zatanna had take cover near Kaldur as the energy bolts finally broke her shield. 

Kaldur with a satisfied expression said, [Zatanna, could you help me out with some electricity?] 

The magician gave a confused look for just a second before smiling and gave a nod. She appeared to have realized what Kaldur had planned and began a new spell.

"Cigam Raeh Ym Aelp, Evig Em A Rednuht Eerps!" She shouted.

From her hands a crackling of electricity appeared before she directed it towards the puddles that had accumulated.

Barbara would have doubts if this happened in any normal way but considering both of them used magic it seemed likely to work. And worked it did as the electricity shot from Zatanna hit the water and began spreading out to all the soaked armored men. Smoke started to rise off them as a few began falling to the ground from the electrical attack.

[Keep it going for as long as you can Zatanna, these guys are tough.] Barbara said through the mind link.

Unfortunately, while that was happening a few of the men not soaked by Kaldur had taken the opportunity to charge their position firing as they did so. The leader of the group led from the forefront specifically charging towards Zatanna who after a tired gasp let her spell die down.

Kaldur jumped in front of her and began to grabble with the leader of the armored men. Both of them exchanging blows that would knock down for the count any normal human being.

Wally zoomed in and began harassing the others, quick flashes of the speedster could be seen as he would zoom in to punch and zoom away. He managed to drop a few of the men.

Joining into the fight she swung down towards the just recently electrocuted wet armored men. Despite being electrocuted to the extreme they managed to get up with shaky feet, steam rising from the evaporated water. They only had a moment to recover before she slammed a foot into one, and began smashing the heads of the remaining in with some of her collapsible batons. 

The rest of the Team soon joined in fighting the armored men. Kaldur got some relief from fighting the leader when Connor slammed into the man sending him flying into a helicopter door denting it inward. M'gann transformed into a large alien gorilla esque monster and began slapping several of the men left and right.

The hangar which had moments before just been secured now had turned into a full on brawl between the Team and these armored men.

"Damn it all Commander, it is a bunch a snot nose brat heroes. Stop wasting time!"

The brawl slowed as a man dressed in a suit with a winter jacket strolled into the hangar entrance that the armored men and the Team had come through. The man wore a thick set of sunglasses but even so Barbara could see the various scars and deformities that graced his skin.

Walking towards her she could hear him swearing, 

"Stupid f%7king shit, everything has to be done by myself as usual!"

Soon he stood before her and made a reach to grab her.

Swiping his hand away with her baton she swung the other one to his head which he deftly block. For a few moments they exchanged grabbles and punches, the man showing an obvious ability in hand to hand. Enough so that when Barbara left an opening he went for it and punch her in the gut sending her flying across the hangar towards Kaldur and Zatanna.

That superhuman strength shown surprised the Team and everyone got ready to fight again in earnest when a large explosion sounded from deeper in the tunnel leading to the League of Shadows Temple.

"Oh what the f&*k now," the blond, scarred, and sunglass wearing man cursed.

That loud exploding sounds began increasing and coming closer to the hangar as the fighting paused to see what would emerge.

A few seconds later a bloodied limping Robin holding a broken arm rushed out of the tunnel.

Seeing the Team he yelled, "WE GOT TO GET OUT OF HE...."

A large concussive blast blew apart the tunnel entryway causing Robin to crash and slide against the ground from the force. Rock and stone flew everywhere making many of the combatants duck to avoid it.

From the dark destroy tunnel entry came a cloaked figure climbing over the rough broken stone.

For Barbara it was like seeing her worst nightmare come to life as an enraged Krios stalked into the hangar.