Chapter 10: Chapter 10 Thoughts about The Superior Spider-man
The young heroes stood in a semi-circle around the holographic briefing table in the center of the Mount Justice cave, their faces illuminated by its pale blue light. The chaotic battle with Mister Twister was still fresh in their minds, and the sudden intervention of the mysterious Superior Spider-Man left them with more questions than answers. This time, however, they weren't alone in their discussion.
Standing at the head of the room was Batman, his imposing figure radiating authority. His presence made the room feel colder, quieter, as the team looked to him for guidance.
"Report," Batman said simply, his voice calm but commanding.
Aqualad stepped forward, his expression composed but serious. "The battle against Mister Twister was… complicated. We managed to subdue it, but only with external assistance."
Batman's eyes narrowed. "Superior Spider-Man."
Robin, standing beside Aqualad, nodded. "He's not in the League database, but he's been active in Metropolis for weeks. He showed up in Happy Harbor during the fight, neutralized Mister Twister, and then took the remains for himself."
Superboy crossed his arms. "He didn't even ask. Just ripped the thing apart like it was his property."
"Not surprising," Batman said, folding his arms. "He's been operating independently in Metropolis, taking down criminals with unorthodox methods. The Justice League has been monitoring him, but he hasn't crossed any lines—yet."
Kid Flash scoffed. "Yet? He's already stepping on our turf and acting like we're just sidekicks in his show."
Robin raised an eyebrow. "We are sidekicks."
"Not the point!" Kid Flash shot back. "The point is, this guy's a loose cannon."
Miss Martian hesitated before speaking, her voice softer. "But he saved us. If he hadn't been there, Mister Twister might have won."
Superboy glanced at her. "And what happens next time? What if he decides we're in his way?"
"That's why we're here," Batman interjected, his tone leaving no room for argument. "To assess the threat and determine our course of action."
He turned to the holographic display, activating it with a flick of his wrist. The screen shifted to footage of Superior Spider-Man in Metropolis, compiled from security cameras and civilian recordings. The first clip showed him leaping across rooftops, his mechanical arms extending to stabilize his movement. Another showed him confronting a group of armed criminals, his movements precise and unrelenting as he disarmed them with ease.
"He's not like anyone we've encountered before," Batman said. "His methods are efficient but ruthless. He operates with precision, prioritizing results over cooperation."
"Sounds familiar," Robin muttered under his breath.
Batman shot him a glance but didn't comment. Instead, he brought up a recording of the battle in Happy Harbor. Superior Spider-Man's webbing crackled with energy as it immobilized Mister Twister, and his mechanical arms tore through the android's armor with calculated force.
"He dismantled Mister Twister in minutes," Batman continued. "Not just physically, but strategically. He identified its vulnerabilities and exploited them with minimal effort."
Aqualad frowned. "Do you believe he's a threat?"
"Not yet," Batman replied. "But his actions raise concerns. His technology is advanced—far beyond anything we've seen from this world. And his refusal to collaborate indicates a potential for conflict."
Robin stepped forward. "I've been studying his tech. The way he handled Mister Twister wasn't just brute force; it was surgical. Whoever he is, he's a genius. But that doesn't mean we can trust him."
"Trust has to be earned," Batman agreed. "Until then, proceed with caution. If he appears again, focus on observation. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary."
The Team's Debate
As Batman left to speak with the League, the team remained in the briefing room, the tension between them palpable.
"So, what do we do?" Kid Flash asked, breaking the silence. "Just let him do his thing and hope he doesn't turn into a supervillain?"
Aqualad shook his head. "We monitor him, as Batman said. But we must also be prepared for the possibility that his goals may not align with ours."
Superboy scowled. "I say we take him down if he steps out of line."
"That's a terrible idea," Robin said bluntly. "He's smarter than all of us combined and has tech that makes half the League look outdated. If we pick a fight with him, we lose."
Miss Martian looked at Robin. "But he helped us. Doesn't that mean something?"
Robin hesitated. "Maybe. Or maybe he just saw us as tools to get what he wanted."
Kid Flash threw his hands in the air. "Great. So, we're just his sidekicks now?"
"Enough," Aqualad said, his voice firm. "This is not a competition. Our goal is to protect the world, and if Superior Spider-Man shares that goal, we can work alongside him. But we must remain vigilant."
Miss Martian nodded, though her expression was still uncertain. "Do you think he'd ever join us? Like a real teammate?"
Superboy snorted. "Not a chance. He doesn't trust anyone. And after today, I'm not sure I trust him."
Robin, deep in thought, activated another clip on the holographic display. It showed Superior Spider-Man rescuing civilians during a chemical plant explosion in Metropolis. His mechanical arms held up a collapsing beam while his webbing secured a leaking container of toxic gas.
"Maybe he doesn't need to trust us," Robin said. "Maybe he just needs to see that we're not in his way."
Aqualad considered this. "If we encounter him again, we'll proceed with caution. But for now, let's focus on our training. The better prepared we are, the less we'll need his help."