The "Ultimate DC Universe" RPG: Season 2.0

[SenseiofCheese]

Beginnings. Part 2.

Dr. Kirk Langstrom nervously paced back and forth, routinely alternating between wiping the sweat from his brow and readjusting his tie, outside of the boardroom.
The day before he had received notice that he was to meet with the board of directors to "discuss" his latest researches. He knew very well, however, that this was no more a discussion than he was a superhero. He was being called to justify why he had been wasting money on tests and materials that these small-minded idiots deemed useless.

His thoughts were interrupted by a hand coming down on his shoulder in turning his body.

"I said they're ready for you, Dr. Langstrom! Didn't you hear me?"

"What? Oh, yes, sorry. I must have been pretty deep in thought."

The man, an assistant who had always been rather friendly to Kirk, smiled reassuringly. It only served to make Kirk even more nervous than he was. "Well, you better get in there, they're getting pretty impatient. You know how it is."

"Yes, well, alright. Wish me luck, Frederick."

"You won't need it Dr. Langstrom, I know you'll do great."

----------

5 minutes later

The fat suited man at the other end of the large wooden table, a large bearded man identical to the one beside him sitting at every side, laughed condescendingly and looked at his colleagues.

"Dr. Langstrom, you can't be serious! These studies you have been wasting our money and resources on are boardering on insane!" The man laughed once more. "You are telling us that you can impart the bat's ability to see with sonar, as you so eloquently put it, on humans. What next? Are you planning on recruiting The Bat-Man to aid you in your quest? Or maybe Santa Clause can be of service?"

The room roared with laughter, and Kirk Langstrom felt indescribable anger build up inside him. Never one to raise his voice, he once again wiped sweat from his face. "Please, I'm telling you, with the right equipment I can perfect th-"

"Dr. Langstrom! Your studies have been in vain! You have NO reliable results, in fact, you have NOTHING to support this claim of yours, and you want us to throw MORE money at you?!"

"Dr. Phillips, I do have results! I feel confident that my latest attempt at isolating the genes that allow echolocation will be a success!"

Dr. Phillips sneered at Kirk, along with his fellows.

"Yes, we have read all about your serum, Dr. Langstrom. Correct me if I'm wrong, but have the few animals you have tested it on not died no more than a few hours later?"

"Yes, but I now know what I was doing wrong!" Suddenly, Kirk felt his voice start to fail him and he felt as if he had been struck in the face. The room swam in front of his eyes and even though he was watching Dr. Phillips' mouth moving, he didn't hear a word.
He felt as if his head was splitting in two, and his eyes as if they were going to explode.
It was almost a relief when he felt his body hit the floor.

​

Beginnings. Part 3.

"....shock to his body...."

"....a massive spinal tumor..."

"Uunnggghhh...."

For the last few days after his blackout, Kirk had periodically woken up to the slight whisper of voices around him. Each time he had managed to pry his eyes open, staying awake just long enough to let the mind-numbing pain in his back push him back to unconsciousness.

"He's waking up, let's hope it sticks this time."

Kirk was too sedated to think clearly. The last thing he remembered was standing in the conference room, wanting to reach across the table and choke the life out of the bastards trying to shut him down. And then he remembered the pain.

"Wha...where...."

His voice came out as a hoarse screech, barely audible. The two women in the room rushed over to him and firmly held him down.

"Dr. Langstrom? Dr. Langstrom, I'm Dr. Thompkins, you're at Gotham Memorial Hospital. Do you understand?" the older woman's gentle voice called out to him.

None of this made sense to Kirk, even as he felt the sedatives slowly lose hold over his body.
He coughed loudly, and his throat felt as if it were on fire.

"Gah...Wh.What happ--" he was cut off by another violent cough, as the younger of the two women, the nurse, stood up and walked out of the room.

"Your nurse has just gone out to get you some water. Dr. Langstrom, you've just had a very serious accident. You blacked out a few days ago, and you've been mainly unconscious since then. Dr. Langstrom, try not to move."

Kirk couldn't remember blacking out, which was to be expected he knew. But as the doctor went on, a rush of panic and fear washed over him. Even though he knew what this had to mean, he would not believe it until he heard it from her.

"Wh...WHY CAN'T I FEEL MY LEGS!?!!" Kirk Langstrom's horrifying scream traveled through the hospital's corridors.



​

 

[Batman]

Hal Jordan was flying high.

He could see the scene infront of him as vivid as it were happening still. The pounding sand that dusted across his windshield. The thrust of the control stick, as Hal made a daring loop up and above the deserts of Iraq. He could even hear his buddy, Ace, calling in to his headpiece and pleading with him to stop showing off. But Hal simply grinned, everytime he heard that, knowing that Ace was just jealous he couldn't have pulled it off first. He was back in the good old days. The days when the only care in the world he could have was getting his 42 fighter jet back home without a tanker leak. They were the days of his service in the air force.

Those were the days Hal truly missed.

So it was only fitting that a slight look of disappointment crossed his expression, as he suddenly realised it wasn't real. He wasn't in the cockpit of his jet anymore. He was surrounded in blackness, and the sound of Ace's voice was slowly being replaced with the loud snarl of an alien beast. Opening his eyes, Hal painfully lifted his head, realising that he was still in the woods. He was bleeding, and worse, his ring had seemed to stop working, as he was now dressed in his corpsman uniform, instead of the Green Lantern battlesuit that adorned him when the ring was charged at full capacity.

Despero growled, loudly, staring down at him. But he wasn't free to attack Hal. Looking back, as he pushed himself up, Hal realised that Despero was encased within an emerald bubble. Abin Sur floated above the monster, carefully, yet effortlessly holding the bubble in place with the energy of his ring. Katma Tui rushed over to Hal, as he continued to stare blankly at Despero, and grabbed him.

"Come on. I think it's safe to say you've had enough excitement for today, rookie...", Tui stated, throwing Hal's arm around the back of her neck, lifting him off of his feet.

But Hal didn't agree. He had just had the first big fight of his life, and it had ended in a matter of moments... and not by his own hand. There was an overwhelming sense of disapproval in his own actions, as Hal looked away from monster, limping over to a nearby tree as Katma Tui sat him down, allowing him to breathe, and feel his slightly cracked ribs for the first time. Wincing in pain, Hal watched as Abin Sur looked over at him, and floated downwards, to the ground level, while keeping Despero contained.

"Are you alright, Hal Jordan?", Sur asked, genuinely concerned.

"Peachy keen, Abin,", Hal responded, in pain. "This bastard the scoundrel that took down that ship?"

"Affirmative,", Katma Tui responded, bitterly towards Despero. "He was trying to seize the cargo within when I was transporting it to Sector 2976."

"Wait, what? He was desperate his hands on a bunch of luggage?", Hal asked.

"I was transporting parts for an interstellar cruiser, Jordan.", Tui sharply responded. "If you think me to be one of your Earthian stewardess', you have me mistaken."

Hal smirked, in between his pain.

"Wouldn't think of it. I know a few of those, and believe me, none of them were red.", Hal quipped, looking over at Abin. "Who is this guy, anyway?"

"He is the intergalactic fugitive known as Despero, hailing from the planet Kalanor.", Sur responded, looking towards the grinning beast as he suddenly seemed contempt in being captured. "The Guardians have been seeking him since murdering the last Corp of this sector, in search of the mystic flame of P'ytar."

"And soon, Lanterns, I shall rip out your hearts as easily as I ripped out his.", Despero threatened, before slamming his forearms forward, into the bubble, only shaking it for a short moment as Sur concentrated his strength.

Hal stood, painfully, looking upon the monster with a sneer.

"Tough words, bubble boy,", Hal began, in a tone that obviously annoyed Despero. "What's so great about a bunch of fire that it means having to killing an innocent Corpsman?"

"You're as insolent as you are foolish, human,", Despero snarled back. "The flame of Py'tar bestows great power upon those who are worthy to wield it. Perhaps the greatest power in the universe! I would kill a thousand of your kind to posess even a third of it's might!"

"Yeah?", Hal asked. "Well let me tell you something, pal. The minute you came to on this planet, you were asking for all the trouble in the world. Earth is my home. And I don't take murderers stalking it lightly. So you can take your flame and shove it, for all I care."

Despero seemed to calm, at something.

"Your home?", Despero asked, a demented smirk on his lips. "Then mark my words, human. By the dawn of my homeworld, and for the glory of Py'tar, I swear to you that it shall become mine!"

Hal rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. I've heard scarier speeches in the cafeteria.", Hal responded, before turning to Abin. "What say we get this clown back to OA? Let him be the Guardians' headache, now, instead of ours."

Sur nodded.

"Very well. However, I feel it is best to advise you not to accompany me back for the span of twenty four of your Earth hours."

Hal's eyebrow raised.

"What, now?"

"Your ring.,", Katma Tui acknowledged. "During your encounter with Despero, it was damaged. Now it can barely hold a charge to get you out of the atmopshere, much less make a trip back to base."

"...Oh.", Hal responded, blankly, before looking down at his hand, and at the weapon itself.

"And since you are only a trainee, and thus are without a standard Corps power battery, it must be given time to repair itself manually.", Sur continued. "Though after your work today, that may become a non-issue, Hal Jordan. You did exceptionally against this outlaw."

Hal smirked.

"Bet you anything the Guardians won't see it that way."

"You would be surprised,", Sur responded, before floating into the sky, along with Tui, as they both glew an emerald light. "I assume you would be contempt in staying on your homeworld, for the time being."

"What the hell,", Hal stated, with a shrug. "I could use a break from trainee Gardner's snoring anyway."

With a wave, Hal watched as the two Lanterns departed upwards, and headed away, Despero laughing demonically as they broke through the clouds above. Shaking his head, Hal looked down at his ring again. For too damned long, he had let the ring run the course of his life. Now, he had his chance to take a little bit of it back. And he was going to make it count.

Closing his eyes, Hal willed the ring to life, as it coated him back in the suit, as good as new. Opening his eyes back up beneath the mask of the Lantern, Hal stared up at the sky. He knew where he wanted to be. He knew where he needed to be. The ring flashed brightly, as he smirked again.

"Ring? I'm headin' home."

 

[Catman_prb]

Catman
​

Tom dragged himself down the street, desparetly heading for the clinic. He had a gunshot wound in his shoulder and his left thigh. Blood was running down his leg and pooling on the pavement whenever he stopped moving. He gasped with pain, before crawling forwards a bit more.

He didn't know what the hell kinda sick game Black Mask was playing, and to be honest he didn't really care. He just needed to reach the clinic. It was only a few more metres. He remembered an ambush when they tried to break into the government base in Gotham. They'd been waiting for them. Pistolera was shot in the forehead in the first 5 seconds.

The Ragman had thrown himself over a grenade, saving Deadshot, who Tom presumed was still alive. Scandal had gone down in a bloody mess. Tom didn't see Cheshire go.

He saw the glow of a neon sign, proclaiming the Leslie Thompson Free Clinic. He burst through the door, and was dazzled by the whiteness of the room. He faintly heard some shouting, and screaming before he passed out on the floor.​

*​

"Mr. Blake?" came the soft voice. Tom opened his eyes. An elderly woman looked down on him piteously.

"How do you know who i am?" he said groggily. He was still in his Catman suit.

"You donated some money to the clinic a few months ago. I recognised you as soon as i took the mask off,"

"Ah right," he said nodding in understanding. "And you are?"

"Doctor Thompson. So how come you ended up with three bullet wounds?"

"Three?"

"Two in the thigh and one in the shoulder,"

"That'll explain why it hurt so much," he said grinning. She laughed.

"I assume you were doing something illegal," she said taking on a suddenly dissaproving voice. It reminded Tom of a disappointed school teacher.

"And why do you assume that?"

"Because those claws of yours were covered in other peoples blood,"

"Ah...right," he said nervously. He could bolt out of the window if it came to it.

"I know someone like you. Actually i know someone completley opposite to you. He fights people, just like you. However he does it for the right reasons,"

"Like?"

"To keep people safe. He's trying to make up for something he had no control over,"

"Riight,"

"However, you do have some things to make up for, i assume," she said sternly again. Tom nodded.

"Well, your patched up as good as i can get you, i'm going to discharge you,"

"Already? How long was i out?"

"Two weeks. Think about what i've said Tom,"

"I will. Thank you Doctor. Can i trust you not to tell anyone about this?" he asked, as he limped towards the doorway.

"Discretion is my middle name,"

"Another time then Doctor," Tom said. He left the clinic, a different man than when he'd entered.
​

 

[SenseiofCheese]

It had been a few days, since Katar's battle with the man in the black mask, and still he could not get it out of his head. The early morning sun had just risen, it's golden arms stretching in through his newly repaired apartment window, while he lazily drifted through the early edition of the Gotham Gazette.
A million questions raced through Katar's head, no answers readily available to him. Thoughts of his long lost Shayera began to run together with the memory of his ribs cracking like a twig and his blood filling his mouth, as he lay beaten at the hands of a madman.
In the manic ocean of thoughts, the questions fighting to be the first one answered, one of them was as stone-cold and persistent as the day it had first entered his mind: He had to find Shayera.
But where would he begin his search?
The newspaper he had been flipping through, paying no mind to what was written on the pages, suddenly grabbed his attention.

Mysterious Winged Man Saves Woman

.....when asked to describe her savior, Doris Fletcher, 75, said "He swooped down, these giant wings flapping all over the place, and saved me from those awful flying men that were all over the city... ...He had massive bird-like eyes, like a hawk, and a big beak"
Doris Fletcher's neighbors, when asked for comments, denied having seen anything, but all testified to Ms. Fletcher's long standing alcoholism and frequent outbreaks of hallucinations.
Eric Jefferson, 47, had this to say: "You don't listen to a single word that old harpie says...Wasn't too long ago she said she saw that Bat-fellow swinging around here."
How this reported hero, Hawk-Man, and Gotham's mysterious Bat-Man are connected, if at all, remains to be seen.

Fantastic, Katar thought to himself. He wanted, in no way, to share the spotlight with the much reported Bat-Man, whose infamy was rivaling Bigfoot's. At least, he thought, at this point, I'm just one of a drunk woman's many insane ramblings.

No sooner had he turned the page than another headline caught his eye.

Aberdour Castle now open to tourists

Katar remembered the name quite well, and upon looking at the photograph accompanying the article, a man in his sixties with his wife standing in the shadow of the massive castle, he knew this was where he would being his search for Shayera.
Aberdour Castle was, well, his. In one of his many lives, most cut short by the monster he had finally wiped from existance, he and Shayera lived side by side, as King and Queen, of Aberdour, in Scotland.
Finally, Shayera. We WILL be together once again. Katar felt a sudden burst of hope light up in his heart, as his eyes studied every word on the page.

The Grand Opening will be held October 1st
Aberdour was originally owned by the de Mortimer family in the 12th century. It passed to the Douglases in 1342. The Earl of Morton later....

Finally...​

After what had seemed like an eternity, night had arrived. Katar had meticulously studied the article in which Aberdour's history was recounted, even though he himself had been a rather big part of it.
His mind was racing, the thought of being one step closer to Shayera keeping him awake. But in the midst of his heartbreaking anticipation, he couldn't help but worry. What if he were to travel to Scotland, scour each and every inch of Aberdour Castle, and come out empty handed?
No. He would not let himself think of it.
The grand opening was only 5 days away, and he had much to prepare. He would not be able to walk into the castle claiming to be King Conan Douglas , resurrected in the body of an archaeologist. Neither could Katar Hol, the Hawkman, go far without raising suspicion. The only way he would be able to enter the castle was as just another guest. As Carter Hall.

So close. I can feel you Shayera, just out of my reach. Please wait, just a little longer.

Katar stared out the window of his apartment, feeling as he was completely useless. He could do nothing but wait, and if anything, Katar Hol was a man of action not patience.
As he counted the stars, a quick thought, which Katar had at first dismissed, shot to the front of his mind.

I guess....I guess it wouldn't hurt to practice a bit for my trip. I was hardly reborn for a week before I ran into a murdering psychopath, who knows what kind of trouble I'll get into overseas.


Try as he might to convince himself that it was a bad idea, and he knew that it was, he couldn't help himself. Even though he wouldn't admit it to himself, he did love the feeling of the air rushing past him as he soared through the sky. The rush he got when he sent his fist flying into the ribcage of the Black Mask.

This is dangerous, Katar. Don't do this.

Oh, hell. Let's take them out for a spin.

​

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Beginnings. Part 3.

"....shock to his body...."

"....a massive spinal tumor..."

"Uunnggghhh...."

For the last few days after his blackout, Kirk had periodically woken up to the slight whisper of voices around him. Each time he had managed to pry his eyes open, staying awake just long enough to let the mind-numbing pain in his back push him back to unconsciousness.

"He's waking up, let's hope it sticks this time."

Kirk was too sedated to think clearly. The last thing he remembered was standing in the conference room, wanting to reach across the table and choke the life out of the bastards trying to shut him down. And then he remembered the pain.

"Wha...where...."

His voice came out as a hoarse screech, barely audible. The two women in the room rushed over to him and firmly held him down.

"Dr. Langstrom? Dr. Langstrom, I'm Dr. Thompkins, you're at Gotham Memorial Hospital. Do you understand?" the older woman's gentle voice called out to him.

None of this made sense to Kirk, even as he felt the sedatives slowly lose hold over his body.
He coughed loudly, and his throat felt as if it were on fire.

"Gah...Wh.What happ--" he was cut off by another violent cough, as the younger of the two women, the nurse, stood up and walked out of the room.

"Your nurse has just gone out to get you some water. Dr. Langstrom, you've just had a very serious accident. You blacked out a few days ago, and you've been mainly unconscious since then. Dr. Langstrom, try not to move."

Kirk couldn't remember blacking out, which was to be expected he knew. But as the doctor went on, a rush of panic and fear washed over him. Even though he knew what this had to mean, he would not believe it until he heard it from her.

"Wh...WHY CAN'T I FEEL MY LEGS!?!!" Kirk Langstrom's horrifying scream traveled through the hospital's corridors.



​

It had been explained to him three times over. But as Kirk Langstrom stared down at his legs, he couldn't believe it.
Paraplegia.
He could hear the doctor's words echo in his mind, long after she had left the room.

"I'm so very sorry, Dr. Langstrom...But you will never regain the use of your legs."

Polyneuropathy, the doctor had called it. The simultaneous malfunction of peripheral nerves throughout the body. Kirk laughed to himself, but more out of disbelief than anything else.
Disbelief quickly turned to anger, however. Francine had left him. His bosses had dismissed his ideas as the insane ramblings of some psychopath, and now his own body was starting to fail him.

Something had to be done.

And then, like a swarm of bats, it washed over him. This is how he would prove them wrong.
​

 

[Andy C.]

"I'm well aware of the situation, General Pickford, but bringing in the Army right now would result in half of the city being destroyed. My own security forces are being equipped right now with the tools to handle the situation. In the extremely unlikely event that they should fail, then the Army has my blessing to do whatever they like. Until then, you have got to trust me."

Lex Luthor hung up the phone.

Since dispatching the trio of so-called heroes towards Brainiac's ship, he had monitored them very closely. Superman and the Batman had infiltrated the ship itself, while Wonder Woman was putting on quite a show with the army of OMACs. All in all, though, it was a futile gesture. From the technology that Lex had seen inside that ship, Brainiac would easily destroy the three of them.

And that's when Luthor would send in the cavalry.

If Brainiac held to their bargain, then the LexCorp security forces would appear to run the OMACs out of Metropolis for good, and Luthor's name would be held high once again, at its rightful place above Superman and everyone else.

And if Brainiac sought to go back on it, well...the binary fusion cannon installed beneath the LexCorp Tower would do the trick.

"Attention all security forces," he spoke over the intercom, "report to the roof for combat briefing in five minutes. It's time to end this little invasion."

 

[Eddie Brock]

"Dad, I'm home!" I announce as I walk through the door. I toss the keys to my car onto the coffee table in the foyer. "Dad?"

I look around the house. The walls are covered with marine artifacts. It's your typical summer home, with tons of windows and an open floorplan.

Must not be home. . .

I look out the window over the sink, and I see the ocean. There's nothing more beautiful, in my opinion. Having nothing else to do, I decide to go take a quick swim.

I go out the patio door, and it's literally ten steps from the beach. Once I walk onto the golden sands, I ditch my University of Miami t-shirt and jog towards the water. Feeling the cool, salty water hit my skin is the most refreshing feeling in the world.

I decide to swim out as far as the reef - the same reef for which Mercy Reef is named after. When I get there, I quietly observe the wildlife. It's such a fascinating ecosystem, and every creature knows its place.

Off in the distance, I spot some dolphins. A smile creeps onto my face as I get a crazy idea. You see, ever since I was little, I always knew that I swam pretty fast. But as I got older, I started to realize that I was going faster than anyone else. It even got to the point where I could out-swim a speedboat. So now, I wanted to test myself against something that knows the waters as much as, or more than, I.

I force myself forward, and almost instantly I'm racing through the water. In the blink of an eye, I've caught up to where the dolphins are. They instinctively know what I'm doing, and they decide to play along. Next thing I know, I'm rocketing through the ocean with the dolphins in tow.

I then realize that I have yet to come up for air. I also know that I'm good at holding my breath, but this was on a different level. This was almost like I was BREATHING underwater. It sounds silly, I know...but I don't know how else to explain it.

I stop for a moment as these realizations come to me, but my dolphin friends continue onward. Moments later, they start racing back in the opposite direction. At first, I think they're still playing around.

Oh no, you don't!

That's when I see a dark object approaching me from the deep. Rather than sit around and find out what it is, I take off in the direction from which I came. Before I know it, I'm back at the reef. I wave goodbye to the dolphins as they return to where ever their home is.

As I get out of the water, Dad is there.

"When did you get home?" he asks as he tosses me a towel.

I begin to dry my hair as I explain, "I just got in a minute ago."

"What about the University of Miami?"

I frown. "I don't know."

Dad frowns back. "I thought you liked it there."

"I do," I assure him. "It's my home away from home. But that's just it. . .it's not my home. I feel like I should be here, in Mercy Reef."

"Why?" Dad questions in puzzlement.

I shrug. "It's just how I feel. This is where I grew up. . .this is all I know."

Dad nods. "You're an adult now. Far be it for me to tell you what to do with your life."

There's a long pause before he asks, "Hungry?"
​

 

[Byrd Man]

In an instant Barry was at his cousin's side.

"Whoa! Hey, kiddo, you're alright. Calm down. Kay? Zoom... well he did things to you that I can't imagine. But you're gonna be alright. The stuff he did... well it made you... better. You're like me, not him. Thank god. Your dad would kill me if you were all anatomically incorrect and yellow. Plus, he already wants the movie rights to your story."

Barry grinned at the teenager as he lifted him back to the hospital bed.

I nod my head and lay back, sweat rolling off my head. My heart's thumping and I take a deep breath and try to relax.

"Why do I feel so funny? I mean, you seem normal, but.....everything seems so...well...slow."

 

[Green Lantern]

I nod my head and lay back, sweat rolling off my head. My heart's thumping and I take a deep breath and try to relax.

"Why do I feel so funny? I mean, you seem normal, but.....everything seems so...well...slow."

"You'll get used to it. Welcome to the high speed world of a Flash, kid."

Barry grinned at the prodigy on the bed.

"Don't worry. We'll get the bastard who did this to you. It could be worse, too. you could have ended up yellow and dickless like him."

He helped the teen to his feet.

"What dya say? Race me for Chinese food?"

 

[Byrd Man]

"You'll get used to it. Welcome to the high speed world of a Flash, kid."

Barry grinned at the prodigy on the bed.

"Don't worry. We'll get the bastard who did this to you. It could be worse, too. you could have ended up yellow and dickless like him."

He helped the teen to his feet.

"What dya say? Race me for Chinese food?"

I flash a sideways grin at Barry.

"Okie dokie...last one there pays!"

Just like that, I'm gone from the room, my hospital gown falls on the floor as I change at superspeed. I'm already out the hospital and racing through Keystone City.

"Damn. I don't know where to go...Too bad Mapquest doesn't work at superspeed."

 

[Green Lantern]

I flash a sideways grin at Barry.

"Okie dokie...last one there pays!"

Just like that, I'm gone from the room, my hospital gown falls on the floor as I change at superspeed. I'm already out the hospital and racing through Keystone City.

"Damn. I don't know where to go...Too bad Mapquest doesn't work at superspeed."

Impulsive brat. Heh. I'll leave a note at the house. That way he knows where to go...

In less than a minute a note was tacked to Barry's door.

Bart, when I said Chinese... I meant Chinese. Real not Americanized. Meet me at the Courtyard, in Beijing, CHINA. Bring your Visa.
Your cuz,
Barry

 

[Byrd Man]

Impulsive brat. Heh. I'll leave a note at the house. That way he knows where to go...

In less than a minute a note was tacked to Barry's door.

Bart, when I said Chinese... I meant Chinese. Real not Americanized. Meet me at the Courtyard, in Beijing, CHINA. Bring your Visa.
Your cuz,
Barry

Barry Allen's Apartment
Keystone City, Kansas
3:23 P.M. CST

I come to a stop at Barry's door and glance at his note.

"Well played, Cuz. Well played."

I dissapear, leaving burning track marks outside his door as my sneakers smoke from the superspeed.

The Courtyard
Beijing, China
11:30 A.M. Local Time
15 Seconds Later, Bart Allen time.

"Well played indeed."

I appear across the table from Barry, slow clapping with my hands.

"I gotta tell ya, I'm loving this superspeed thing. We should come up with a name for me. You're The Flash and wear red. I can wear blue and call myself Blue Blur!"

 

[Green Lantern]

Barry Allen's Apartment
Keystone City, Kansas
3:23 P.M. CST

I come to a stop at Barry's door and glance at his note.

"Well played, Cuz. Well played."

I dissapear, leaving burning track marks outside his door as my sneakers smoke from the superspeed.

The Courtyard
Beijing, China
11:30 A.M. Local Time
15 Seconds Later, Bart Allen time.

"Well played indeed."

I appear across the table from Barry, slow clapping with my hands.

"I gotta tell ya, I'm loving this superspeed thing. We should come up with a name for me. You're The Flash and wear red. I can wear blue and call myself Blue Blur!"

"Yeah. About that. I don't think you're ready to play superhero Bart. Its a dangerous game. Look what happened to... Iris."

Barry looked down into his saki and hid the tears from Bart.

 

[Byrd Man]

"Yeah. About that. I don't think you're ready to play superhero Bart. Its a dangerous game. Look what happened to... Iris."

Barry looked down into his saki and hid the tears from Bart.

An awkward silence lingers betweens us as I fight for something to say.

Well, Iris didn't have superpowers.

That's what I want to say. But, I bite my tounge and move on.

"I...I know, but. The only family I have are you and mom and dad. They have their own bodyguards already. I know you can handle your own. What's the point of me getting these powers if I can't but them to use and help people?"

 

[MST3K 4ever]

The Atom hovers on the roof trying to catch her breath.

I can't keep up this pace for much longer...if I don't think of something soon I may have to crawl into a shoebox and hope everything turns out okay in the morning. Not exactly following Batman's orders, but at least Rachel & the others are safe at Star-Labs...Star-Labs

She then looks over to Star-Labs.

Wait a minute!!!! These things electronic units are just like any other electronic units...granted they're using advanced technonlogy...but when you get to it they all use the same principals and so forth. Using the satellite units on the roof if I sent a hyper-sonic pulse at the right frequency through the Emergency Broadcast System those electronic units should in theory short-out...or at the least shut down for a time. It's worth a shot.

The Atom heads to Star-Labs and begins making the adjustments to the computers to execute her idea.

 

[Green Lantern]

An awkward silence lingers betweens us as I fight for something to say.

Well, Iris didn't have superpowers.

That's what I want to say. But, I bite my tounge and move on.

"I...I know, but. The only family I have are you and mom and dad. They have their own bodyguards already. I know you can handle your own. What's the point of me getting these powers if I can't but them to use and help people?"

"The point of you getting those powers is just the unfortunate circumstance that Zoom is out to do anything he can to hurt me. I'm sorry you got involved in this, kid, but you're not mature enough to handle the responsibility of being a superhero. Your dad will flip when I tell him what happened, and even more if I let you play sidekick to me. Not to mention the fact that I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you died in the 'line of duty'"

 

[Blacklight]

​

Gotham City, Last Night...


"Go! Go! Go!"

"Runaway! It's the Z!"

"We're screwed!"

"Why does everyone insist on calling me that? I do have a name..."

I was chasing three bank robbers that stole a couple thousand dollars from the Gotham Bank.

"How is she doing that?"

"What are you?"

"I'm magic."

I cornered the criminals in an ally. I gently descended in front of them. One of them fell over in fear.

"I believe you stole something that doesn't belong to you..."

The man that fell over quickly got back up and tried to run from me.

"Ruuuun!"

"Ezeerf!"

The man became suspended in place, only able to move his face. Still whimpering. The other two men started to pull out their guns. They were both aimed at me.

"Eci!"

Then the barrell of the gun was covered in ice, and the man dropped the gun, the other one, however, fired four shots.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

The bullets came towards me fast.

"Pots!"

The bullets then stopped about an inch away from my outstrectched arm.

"Did she just say 'pots'?"

The bullets fell to the ground at my feet.

"Sisenekelet!"

I then levitated the man with the gun and flung him into the brick building wall. He was unconscious.

"And then there was one..."

The man then posed like he was ready to fight me, hand-to-hand.

"Ok, buddy. You obviously have a ass-whooping wish...."

I pulled my wand from my thigh holster, and his eyes became widened when it extended into a staff.

"...and your wish..."

I then poised myself for combat...

"...is my command."

He ran at me, unprepared. He would never know what hit him. I twirled my weapon in a helicopter like spin above my head which I moved in front of where his face was going to be...

SWAK!

Direct hit. He grabbed his face in pain and blood poured from his nose. I then took advantage of this opurtunity to jab my bo into his chest, then swooped down below and hit the back of his knees, causing him to tumble and fall down on his back. I then stood back up and de-extended my wandstaff. I then raised my wand and prepared for the finale.

"Tnemtraped ecilop mahtog ot tropelet!"

Then small rings of magical symbols surrounded the robbers and transported them to Gotham Police Department.

"Too easy. Noitativel!"

And with the bags of money in hand, I took off into the skies. I quickly headed over to the bank, and in midair, dropped the bags into the arms of a policemen out front...

*************************************

Metropolis Theatre, Metropolis. Right Now...


I waited in my dressing room listening to the radio, preparing for the event.

::"And in other news, Gotham City Bank was robbed last night, but the group of criminals' plans were put to an end and they were stopped by the mysterious vigilante known as "The Z" that has been stopping crime allover Gotham, Metropolis and Keystone. Due to the Z's heroic actions, the money wasreturned and the bank robbers are in Gotham Police custody..."::

I finished my makeup and got ready.

"Music to my ears..."

Then an announcer came on in the theatre.

"Now! Ladies and Gentlemen! The Mistress of Magic herself! ZATANNA!!!"

Then the sound of an audience clapping filled me with hope.

"Also music to my ears."

Then I walked on stage and took a bow.

*************************************

2 Hours Later...

"...And now for my final act! Sawing a woman in half!"

An assisstant of mine came on stage with a sawing box. I then opened up the top and escorted her inside. Her head popped out one end, and her feet stuck out the other end. Two more assisstants of mine walked out and sttod at both ends of the box, closing the top and securing the woman in. I stood behind the box and the woman looked nervous. She'd be allright.

"Was!"

Then a saw poofed into my hand. I placed it gently on the top as I muttered a spell under my breath.

"Flah ni tilps..."

Then I made it appear as if I was sawing through the box when I wasn't. Then my assisstants slid down two ends where I pretended to saw, so no one could see inside. The woman in the box continued to be nervous. Then my assisstants moved both halves of the box to other sides of the stage. I then walked over to the feet half. The assisstant on that half then removed her stiletto heeled shoes.

"Behold!"

I then pulled a feather out of my sleeve and the assisstant moved behind the box half, and I started brushing the feather against the woman's feet repeatedly. As I was doing this, simultaneously, the woman started laughing loudly. She must've been a newbie assisstant, considering that the older models pretend to laugh. I stopped when the audience believed that the woman was actually split in half, because she was.

"Now to put her back!"

The assisstants then replaced the halves of the box and I pulled out my wand, and tapped the box with it.

"Niojer!"

Then when the spell took effect, I opened the box, and the assistant came out unscathed, and I bowed as I recieved a standing ovation.

************************************

I returned to my dressing room and turned the radio back on...

::"Breaking News! Robotic monsters are taking over Metropolis! A huge spaceship is floating in the sky! Wonder Woman and the mysterious Batman and Superman have appeared on scene! They're destroying the city! Large-scale evacuations have been blocking traffic..."::

I sighed and magically transformed my outfit into my crime-fighting suit.

"A magician's work is never done. Siloportem!"

​

 

[SenseiofCheese]

It had been explained to him three times over. But as Kirk Langstrom stared down at his legs, he couldn't believe it.
Paraplegia.
He could hear the doctor's words echo in his mind, long after she had left the room.

"I'm so very sorry, Dr. Langstrom...But you will never regain the use of your legs."

Polyneuropathy, the doctor had called it. The simultaneous malfunction of peripheral nerves throughout the body. Kirk laughed to himself, but more out of disbelief than anything else.
Disbelief quickly turned to anger, however. Francine had left him. His bosses had dismissed his ideas as the insane ramblings of some psychopath, and now his own body was starting to fail him.

Something had to be done.

And then, like a swarm of bats, it washed over him. This is how he would prove them wrong.
​

​

The bright morning sun washed against the windows of the cab. Kirk sat in the backseat, silently pondering to himself the nature of his plan. He knew damn well that it wasn't ethical, and he was pretty sure it was illegal as well. But this just wasn't fair. If everything was to be taken away from him, he would at least leave with his research.

The taxi pulled up on the sidewalk in front of his place of work; the magnificent Gotham University, a building that, no different from any other in this city, towered above the people flocking in and out.

Kirk had gotten in his wheelchair that morning and found it almost unnatural. Every push of the wheel reminded him what a failure he had become. He was unemployed. Disgraced. An invalid.
He had sneaked out of the hospital, something he was not supposed to do under any circumstances, and called a cab. As it turned out, being a cripple gained you no sympathy in Gotham City, as his taxis were frequently stolen by others.

But now, he was here. He pushed open to car-door as the driver sighed to himself and reluctantly got out. The man had walked over to the trunk of the car and popped it open, picking out the wheelchair and unfolding it by the door. Kirk steadied himself, grabbed the side of the door and began to heave himself into his chair.
The driver attempted to assist him, grabbing him by the side. Kirk violently shook and punched at the baffled man.

"LET GO! I can do this my own damn self! Get your hands off me, RIGHT NOW!"

"Fine man, just trying to help"

Kirk pushed himself out of the car, holding himself up on two hands. His legs fell, lifelessly, out of the car and hit the floor. The fact that he didn't notice this until he looked down, caused him to feel a sting he was too proud to show.
His hands began to quake under the pressure, and suddenly, his body could hold no more and he crashed to the ground.

"Aauugh!"

The driver exclaimed and got down to his knee.

"Oh for Pete's sake, guy, let me help you out here!"

"NO! I..I can do this! I'm a doctor, I'm not some weakling! I...I can do this....." Tears of rage swelled up in Dr. Langstrom's eyes. His whole body quivered with anger. But it was useless.
He stopped resisting and let the driver pull him up into his chair.
Like a helpless child, Kirk angrily thought to himself.

------


Kirk Langstrom moved towards the building. As he swam through an ocean of enthusiastic, bright-eyed students, he felt resentful towards every one of them. For every look of sympathy and pat on the back he got, he faked a glance of appretiation and mumbled. "Yes...Yes thank you...Thank you...I will, thank you"

Finally, after what had seemed like a three hour tour, he reached the door. Before he could even plant his hands on the door, a student had run up to him.

"Here, let me get that for you, doctor."

Again, he mumbled his thanks and went inside.
He had not even gotten past the lobby when he was intercepted by a security guard, who towered over him.

"Dr. Langstrom, welcome back. How are you?"

"I'm quite alright, thank you Steven. I just need to go upstairs and get a few of my things and I'll be on m-"

"I'm sorry, doctor..." The guard pressed his palm against Kirk's shoulder, preventing him from moving. "I can't let you do that. I've been asked to escort you off the premises."

A third wave of unimaginable rage washed over Kirk, his whole body beginning to shake. "WHAT!?!"

"HOW DARE YOU!"

"Doctor Langstrom, calm down. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave, right now."

"I HAVE WORKED HERE FOR FIFTEEN YEARS! AND NOW I'M BEING THROWN OUT LIKE A STRAY DOG!"

"Doctor Langstrom..."

"NO! GET OUT OF MY WAY! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY! I DEMAND YOU LET ME UP THERE AND GIVE ME BACK MY FILES! THEY'RE MINE! THEY'RE MY GODDAMN RESEARCHES!"

Kirk's face was red with anger. As all the blood in his body seemed to rush to his head, Kirk began to punch at the guard, who wasn't even moved by his blows.
"That's it, Dr. Langstrom, I asked you nicely.." The guard exclaimed and grabbed Kirk by the shoulders. He forced him down into his chair and forcefully began dragging him out, dozens of students and fellow workers stopping dead in their tracks, all eyes fixed on the display of pure unfiltered rage.

"THEY'RE MINE!!! NOOOOO!!! GAAAAAAaAAAAhhHH!!"

----------------

30 minutes later, Kirk sat alone in the dark. He had gone into an alleyway near the university, and sat there, with his head in his hands, sobbing.
It wasn't supposed to go like this, he thought to himself.
He was supposed to get engaged and married to Francine. They were going to have kids, he would be promoted....
He was NOT supposed to end up alone, unemployed and in a wheelchair.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of light steps behind him.

"Excuse me.."

"I'm fine, get leave me the hell alone" Kirk haphazardly threw his hands towards the stranger.

"I wont take up much of your time, Dr. Langstrom" The stranger had gotten Kirk's attention. The voice didn't sound familiar, and as Kirk turned around he saw that the face was not one he had seen before.
A tall, rather chubby man in a business suit, wearing glasses with rims thicker than most. "I, uh, couldn't help but overhear all the commotion. As I understand it, there's something inside of that building that is yours, and the people inside don't plan on giving it to you, correct?"

"What? Who the hell are you?"

The fat man chuckled and buried his hand in his breast pocket. "I'm nobody, Dr. Langstrom. My employer, however, is a man who is well versed in the art of getting what you want. When you're done here, I suggest you give him a call."

The man pulled out a business card and handed it to Kirk, who hesitantly reached out and grabbed it with both hands.

"I..I don't understand. How do you know who I am?"

Again, the man in the business suit laughed. "My employer will be expecting your call."

The man swiftly turned around and left Kirk in the alley. Still confused as to what had just happened, he lifted to card to eye level and inspected it.

"Who the hell is Black Mask?"

 

[Byrd Man]

"The point of you getting those powers is just the unfortunate circumstance that Zoom is out to do anything he can to hurt me. I'm sorry you got involved in this, kid, but you're not mature enough to handle the responsibility of being a superhero. Your dad will flip when I tell him what happened, and even more if I let you play sidekick to me. Not to mention the fact that I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you died in the 'line of duty'"

I take a minute before finally answering.

"One. My dad wouldn't flip, I mean the only reason he cared about me this time is because I was arrested. He's always gone making films. Two, I won't die. I'm just as fast as you, I can handle anything they throw at me. And about the immature thing...I know I can be childish at times, but this run in with Zoom has changed my outlook and I want to work on changing my ways. I was given these gifts by fate, just like you. Although it was in a diffrent way. What kind of person would I be if I had these powers and didn't use them?"

 

[Batman]

IC:

​

The waiting game was getting rather boring, fast.

As The Joker had sat atop his hideout roof, lounging about in an everyday, multi-colored beach chair, it occured to him: Sure, watching the world die would be a hoot. Perhaps the finest, quality entertainment that money could buy, even though it probably wasn't costing anybody a dime. But in truth... Why let the invaders have all the fun? What would be the purpose? Even though he had come up to the roof to watch their failure, it became increasingly evident... nay, borderlining obvious, that these extraterrestrials had the potential to actually complete their task. And if they succeeded... where would be the comedy? Where would the laughter go? Where was the insanity, of it all?

That's what led The Joker to his conclusion. And that's why, at this very moment, he stood upon the streets of Gotham City, armed with only the contents of his overcoat, and pranced around as if he were just another citizen. As the citizens around him screamed and ran, as a result of what was unfolding in the skies, The Joker calmly trotted along, a smile wide on the face beneath his mask, as he threw his cane up into the air, and caught it. Very soon, though, many began to realise that he was there. And from the looks upon their faces, as he continued, he was attracting alot of attention. Looking over, he chuckled, and tipped his hat.

"Lovely evening, is it not?", He asked, as if he were oblivious to the dire circumstances at hand.

Then, without warning, a pistol flew from his sleeve, and landed in his palm, as he grasped it and fired, instantly marking the nearest bystander through the skull, spraying blood across the steet as the victim fell, dead. The shocked citizens of Gotham City immediately screamed, loudly, and cleared the area, as The Joker cackled madly and began firing more rounds randomly around him. One by one, more corpses fell within the crowd, as the pedestrians fled the madman that walked toward them at a steady pace.

Why was he killing random pedestrians? Because it was brutally, sickeningly ironic. All while these so-called 'day to day' people were losing their minds over a couple of floating cycloptic Star Trek rejects, it took a certified and classified loon, no less, to fearlessly go about his buisness as usual. So the moment he started shooting them, well... think of how much they'd lose their marbles then. It was a thought that left The Joker no less than thrilled, as he imagined the reprocutions of what he was doing now. Downing someone's mother, someone's father, someone's child, someone's lover... It was all so wonderfully, chaotically thrilling!

So much so, that The Joker decided he was going to celebrate.

Whistling loudly into the air, The Joker listened as a van screeched around the corner, speeding into Gotham City Square and coming to an instant halt. Snapping his fingers in a joyous rhythm, The Joker stood idly by as several clownfaced goons came rushing out of the van, and instantly attacking random citizens around him. Ah, it was a good day to be alive. Walking amongst the unfolding chaos as if it weren't there, The Joker cleared his throat, walking across the street and tripping over a helpless old man that was trying to flee one of his men. As the thug caught the old man, and began beating him senselessly, The Joker chuckled, and called out to the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Observors of the arts, and mentally twirled! I dedicate this next little number to a good ole' girl, a fine one at that!", The Joker announced, taking his hat and throwing it into the air, before leaping atop a nearby bench and throwing his hand out, swinging around a streetlamp in a cheerful glee.

"You may know her as the average, everyday lass! But I like to call her unfiltered, unreasonable, unforgettable insanity!"

Landing ontop of a nearby car, The Joker snapped his cane in two, revealing a dagger-like blade within. The same he had used on countless occasions. Twirling it in his fingers as he threw up one leg, then two, in a strange dance, The Joker leaped from the car, and re-entered the crowd, not stopping for a second to assess what he was about to do. The anticipation was unbearable as it was.

"When the world is full of care, and every headline screams despair,", The Joker sang, before instantly slicing open the throat of a passing bystander. "When all is rape, starvation, war, and life is vile... then there's a certain thing I do which I shall pass along to you, that's always guaranteed to make me smile...!"

Suddenly, The Joker's thugs began to simultaneously hum a tune. As if they had been practicing for this very occasion for months. The sane members of the crowd didn't know what to make of it at all. But then again... that was the gag!

"Go LOO-OO-OONY, as a lightbulb battered bug, simply LOO-OO-OONY, sometimes foam and chew the rug!", The Joker proudly continued, throwing the knife straight between the shoulder blades of a nearby woman, so harshly that the blade protuded from the other side, in her mid-section.

"Mister, life is swell in a padded cell, it'll chase those blues away... you can trade your gloom for a rubber room, and injections twice a day!"

Reaching into his pockets, and pulling out another pistol, The Joker picked the other back up and fired in both directions, not particularly caring if he even hit one of his own men. Infact, he assessed... that'd just be a bonus.

"Just go LOO-OO-OONY, like an acid casualty! Or a MOO-OO-OONIE, or a preacher on TV! When the human race wears an anxious face, when the bomb hangs overhead..."

The Joker twirled, on one foot, firing into the air above, before shooting another set of pedestrians on both sides of the street.

"When your kid turns blue, it won't worry you... you can smile and nod instead!"

Running up, before sprinting, The Joker approached a bleeding woman who was suffering one of his gunshot wounds. Grabbing her by both wrists, The Joker threw her onto the street, her hand in his, and began dancing with her, despite her obvious and weakened protests.

"When you're LOO-OO-OONY, then you just don't give a fig...", The Joker continued, looking straight into her eyes with his hate-filled own. "Man's so PU-UU-UNY, and the universe so big...!"

Picking her up by the feet, and throwing her over his shoulders, The Joker threw the screaming woman into the crowd of attacked pedestrians, as some of his thugs tore into her aswell. Spinning a few times more, as if a graceful ballerina, The Joker turned to the corpse with his knife in it, and ripped it from the wound.

"If you hurt inside, get certified, and if life should treat you bad..."

Twirling the knife above his head, The Joker grabbed a nearby pedestrian from his goons, and forced him on his knees, before ruthlessly carving the blade into the helpess man's face.

"Don't get EE-EE-EEVEN, get mad!", The Joker finished, with a loud, final cackle, before revealing the now disfigured man, as his lips were split open into a bloody, agonising smile.

Throwing the victim aside as if he were nothing more than a ragdoll, The Joker lightly pranced back to the middle of the Square, and too a bow, amidst the screams of pain and death that surrounded every corner around him.

"Let's see those alienistic amatuers top that! HAHAHAHAHA!", The Joker howled, holding his gut.

That's when the shot rang out.

The Joker and his group froze, as did everyone else, as a solumn figure stood in the shadows of the fog that had draped over the city's streets with the night. The Joker peered, as the figure held a smoking pistol above his head, before walking forward, straight for the manic clown. Several of The Joker's men prepared to attack, but The Joker, amused, signaled them to stop where they were. Marching forward, The Joker tucked his bloody blade underneath his armpit, as the figure approached him, his features becoming increasingly clearer.

The Joker paused, as his newfound associate was fully revealed.

"Jiminy Christmas!", The Joker exclaimed. "I'll be a monkey's travestite hooker of an uncle! It's you!"

"Hello, Joker. Fancy meeting you, here...", The figure began, half smiling, and half sneering, suitably enough, casually flipping a silver dollar coin between steps.

"I think it's time we had a little chat.All three of us."

 

[Venom160]

Scarecrow

Alex Suloven is used to the screams, hell that comes with the job description as orderly at Arkham Asylum. But for once he wishes that these nut jobs would just shut up. This among many thoughts race through his head as he carries a box labled "Paitent #41287's personal effects" into the maximum security ward. He quickly peels off the label as he comes around the corner to the last cell at the end of the hall.

"Hey Alex how it goin?"

"Eh can't complain."

"Good good, whats with the box?"

"Oh just a gift for my daughter, I didnt wanna leave it sitting in the break room cause I don't trust the other guards as much as I can throw them."

"I hear ya. Why are you here so early? Your shift doesnt start for another half hour."

"I thought id let ya clock out early."

The guard is silent for a moment and just shrugs.

"Whatever, thanks dude I owe ya one."

Alex watches as the guard turns the corner.

""God help me for what im about to do."

Holding the box under one arm he turns to the door and unlocks it. He pushes it open and walks into the darkened cell.

"Did you bring it?"

The high pitched voice sends a shiver down Alex's spine as he places the box on the ground infront of him.

"Yes, now will you do as you promised!"

A pair of skinny bony arms reach out from the darkness and seizes the box.

"Ofcourse, as soon as im out I'll have my contact administer the antidote to the fear toxin thats courcing through you wife and daughter's veins. Tell me? Are they at the point that they're clawing their own eyes out?"

"Please......don't let them die."

"Oh I promise you poor wretch of a man. After all im a man of my worrrrd. By the time you get home your wife and daughter will be as good as new."

"But how are you going to get outta here? As soon as you walk outta this ward every guard will be after you."

As if answering his question load sirens start echoing throughout the entire Asylum.

"What the hell is that."

The figure walks into the light spilling in from the hallway.

"Phase two of my escape."

Scarecrow

"....has become a warzone as a riot has broke out in Arkham Asylum. The police have cordoned off the area in preperation to reclaim the Asylum. We'll go now live to...

Alex Bell watches in shock at the events taking place that he fails to hear his apartment door open and close.

"Boo."

Alex jumps and looks over to sees a Scarecrow standing there.

"Damn Craine you scared the hell outta me."

"Good, did you bring everything?"

"Yep but I tell ya it wasent easy aquiring those chemicals..."

"Which is the reason why your being so handsomly compinsated."

The Scarecrow heads over to a large dufflebag and starts pulling out beakers of chemicals and proceeds to start mixing them.

"Um Craine what about the other cargo."

The Scarecrow stops for a second.

"Ah yes the other cargo."

He pulls out a small vile of clear liquid and a syringe.

"Where are they?"

Alex points over to a nearby closet.

"Had to tie them up, they started to get violent."

The Scarecrow lets out a sinister laugh as he fills the syringe.

"Good, I was starting to think that you didnt follow my instructions with the mixture."

Alex remains silent as the Scarecrow walks over to the closet and opens it revealing a woman and her young daughter tied up, both have duct tape over their mouths to muffle their screams. Their eyes start to bug when they notice the Scarecrow looming over them. Their screams starts to fade as Scarecrow injects the antidote into their system.

"What are we going to do with them?"

Scarecrow throws the syringe in the trash and heads back over to the chemicals.

"Take them home, and start to spread the word."

"Which is?"

Scarecrow pulls back his sleeves revealling two small machines on his wrists, he pulls empty vials out of the machines and quickly fills them with the chemicals that he was mixing together. He inserts the vials back into the machines and flexes his wrists causing a green mist to shoot from the machines.

"Panic."

 

[trustyside-kick]

IC:

The ride was long and most uncomfortable for Despero, not that his caretakers would care much. He had been a longtime fugitive and murderer chased by the Guardian of the Universe's "police". It was only a matter of time until he was capture.

Still filled with anger and bloodlust from the brief battle with the Green Lantern trainee Hal Jordan, he speaks to the two Green Lanterns taking him back to Oa.

"I actually liked that Green Lantern, you know. The human. Yes, you may want to watch out for that one though, Abin Sur. He was so very much like the first lantern to ever feel my wrath. Oh, this one may have only been a trainee...but he committed almost every mistake the latter did! Full of ambition and emotion, allowing it to cloud his judgment and reasoning...and do you know what else I saw when I probed the young lantern's mind?"

"Nothing you have to say has any importance nor would I care if it did."

"Is that so, now? Then you will do well to remember that despite all the heroic valor and willpower....all that witty sarcasm and banter...I saw great fear. Mark my words, Abin Sur...watch over that one. For if you choose to ignore it, you could be too late. Then what would you and your precious Guardian masters do?"

"They...they are not my masters, they are simply my superiors. They...we share the same motives and goals as do...as do all Green Lanterns: to preside over the cosmos and grant its innocents safety."

"Is that what you think, Abin Sur? I was not quite convinced. I believe I sensed a bit of doubt in your words."

Abin Sur turns his head away from Despero, and immediately Despero's mouth widens with glee as his third eye glows bright.

"And now, Abin Sur, I can sense great fear in you! Hahahahah!"

Kamta Tui looks over at Abin Sur and their eyes meet briefly. She does not know quite what she sees exactly, for he quickly turns away, as if frowning for a brief moment. He then looks up ahead, as he spots their destination not too far ahead: Oa.

"It is you who should feel great fear, Despero. For when we land, Green Lanterns will be everywhere, watching your every move...as far as the eye can see."

Despero only smiles wider at the thought and chuckles like a mad man. Abin Sur looks back at him again, and Despero's third eye glows and he simply nods, and again Abin Sur looks away.

"Surely you seek your doom, Lanterns. The closer you bring me to the Guardians of the Universe, the closer you bring me to my desires."

The two lanterns this time give Despero no acknowledgment in his last few words as they descend. Immediately they are greeted by fellow lanterns, all impressed when they see the prisoner. Katma Tui turns to Abin Sur briefly.

"I'll go with them to escort Despero myself personally to his prison cell. You can take the pleasure in telling the Guardians of his arrival...okay?"

Katma Tui continues to look at Abin Sur, confused at where his mind seems to me lost to.

"...okay?"

"Sorry. Sounds like a plan."

And so the two split. Katma Tui goes of with the other lanterns who help her contain Despero in a green glowing bubble, and Abin Sur starts heading towards the Guardians. A skilled lantern such as he shouldn't fear any kind of a warning about a mad and clearly savage criminal such as Despero...but he still cannot quite tell if Despero was indeed lying about what he saw in the new trainee Hal Jordan or merely telling the truth. Either way, Despero would achieve his goal of making Abin Sur sweat about it.

 

[Spike_x1]

There was a deadly silence for a moment, as Batman's threat hung between them.

Then, Brainiac began to make a low humming sound, followed by brief, staccato noises that were almost like barks. These horrible barking noises rose in pitch and volume, the sound resonating throughout the chamber.

Brainiac was laughing.

"You will excuse the crudity simulation; I do not currently have the physiological components to generate actual human laughter. However, my programming tells me that doing so would be the appropriate response to your illogical proposal, Mister Wayne. The two of you are hardly in any position to make threats."

He regarded the two of them with great curiosity, as well as a good deal of caution. Kal-El, his physical powers energized far beyond those of any other being he had thus far encountered, could very well destroy this ship were he so inclined. And Bruce Wayne was one of only a handful of Ninth-Level Intellects he had ever met; the only human he had seen to surpass this was Lex Luthor, and even then, Brainiac had his doubts about the limits of Wayne's mental capacities.

These two were very real dangers to the experiment. This is why Brainiac would have to negotiate with them from a position of power. And at the controls of his ship, he could wield more than enough power to deal with them.

"Before you attempt to destroy this experiment, I believe it would be well for you to know that I do not intend to harm anyone. The upgrade is for the betterment of all living things, yourselves included.

"A Kryptonian, whose physiology and unique circumstances of habitat have granted him abilities that would make him by all rights omnipotent. A human, whose exceptional intellect and unparalleled willpower have made him one of the two finest examples of his species. You are both of great interest to me, as is the Amazon and her unnatural abilities.

"Unfortunately, she is currently too unstable a variable. She cannot be allowed to interfere, and therefore will be removed from the experiment. For the two of you, however, I have much in store."

Brainiac began to squat down, before sections of the floor beneath him rose to meet him. Sitting down in this newly-created throne, he gazed down at the two with an air of regality.

"SInce my primary function is the betterment of all life, it would be unfitting of me to allow your curiosity to go unassuaged. If you have questions, now would be the time to ask."

From the very moment that the two heroes had entered the massive ship, Superman had been scanning the structure with his X-Ray and microscopic visions. He was both curious and surprised to find familiar technologies incorporated throughout the vessel; Kryptonian, Coluan, Thanagarian, and several others that he recognized from his father's archives. It was even more astonishing, however, that there were thousands of other distinct forms of technology that were completely foreign to Kal-El. This Brainiac had to have been traveling the galaxies for decades to have accumulated all of this machinery.

All of this, though, paled in comparison to the complexity and sophistication that Superman saw when he looked into the skeletal form of Brainiac himself, that was now in front of them:

Brainiac's body was composed of trillions of microscopic computers, each one adapting to, and processing, the surrounding information. It was amazing to see on such a level.

Superman stepped forward and looked into the circuitry of Brainiac's skull, waiting to see what components would be firing in response to his question; "You've obviously been around your share of the universe, Brainiac. Something tells me that Earth hasn't been your first attempt at this experiment of yours." As hard as he tried, Superman couldn't keep the anger and frustration out of his voice, "What happened to your other attempts?"

 

[Catman_prb]

Black Mask
​

Roman sat in his office, transfixed by the television. He was watching "The Zatanna Show - Live from Metropolis". He laughed. He knew that if you saw a woman in half, a) it takes twice as long as that and b) there was blood. Lots of blood. He'd wasted an Armani Tux on that b*tch.

"Mr Mask, your 10 o'clocks here to see you," squaked the secreatary over the tannoy. She sounded quite annoyed.

"Thank you Miss Potts," Roman said into the microphone on his desk. He looked at the door expectantly.

It opened, and a man in a wheelchair came in slowly. There was a look of frustration Roman had seen in many eyes before this. He'd seen it in his own when he'd been shown his new face. That was before he bled the plastic surgeon who'd botched it like a pig.

Romans' secreatary came in ahead of the man, walking curtly around him. He put a note down on his oak desk.

This bastard shouted at me when i tried to help him through the door.
Betty x

Then she walked back, without glancing at the man in the chair. Roman smiled. He had a feeling he was going to like this man.

"So what can i do for you Mr...Langstorm? Langstrome? How do you pronounce that? Oh, never mind i'll just call you cripple," he said grinning. This was going to be funny.​

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Man-Bat

Kirk positioned his chair across from the man, whose face looked like something taken from a horror movie.

"It's, uh, Lang-strom." Kirk mumbled, more to himself than to the man, who, and he now saw why, was called Black Mask.
"Mister, uh, Mask? Kirk tried not to look at the man's face more than he had to.
"I don't really know why I'm here. An associate of yours approached me the other day and, well, handed me your business card. He told me you were in the business of getting people what they want?"

Kirk, who was at this point wondering whether the faint stench of blood was in the air, squirmed in his chair. He didn't much like this Black Mask character, nor did he trust him any more than he could throw him.
​