The "Ultimate DC Universe" RPG, Season 3.0

[Saved]

Gordon's palms sweat as he drives nervously down the road. He's anxious, worried, and frustrated. Tonight, things just seem to go from bad to worse. And, unfortunately, Gordon only sees the hill getting steeper and steeper.

Gordon tries to focus on his work, keeping the "what ifs" and "possibilities" out of his head. An imagination is a wonderful thing, but under pressure, it can often exacerbate a problem larger than it is; and with the problems Gordon faces tonight, he prays that they won't grow.

Suddenly, Gordon is shaken by the sound of a ringing phone. He feels a vibration in his pocket, and quickly realizes what the disturbance is. Carefully, he takes his hand off the wheel and slips it into his jacket pocket. He grabs his phone, and pulls it out. Not caring to check the caller ID, he flips it open, and holds it up to his face.

"This is Gordon." He says in a rushed tone.

"Jim, it's me." A dark and familiar voice says. "We need to talk." Gordon lets out a sigh, and adjusts the phone on his face.

"You never cease to surprise me, you know that?" Gordon takes in a deep breath, and collects his thoughts. "What is this about? I've got time, but...not a lot of it."

 

[Batman]

Suddenly, Gordon is shaken by the sound of a ringing phone. He feels a vibration in his pocket, and quickly realizes what the disturbance is. Carefully, he takes his hand off the wheel and slips it into his jacket pocket. He grabs his phone, and pulls it out. Not caring to check the caller ID, he flips it open, and holds it up to his face.

"This is Gordon." He says in a rushed tone.

"Jim, it's me." A dark and familiar voice says. "We need to talk." Gordon lets out a sigh, and adjusts the phone on his face.

"You never cease to surprise me, you know that?" Gordon takes in a deep breath, and collects his thoughts. "What is this about? I've got time, but...not a lot of it."

"That makes two of us.", I starkly reply, seeing the darkness of the skies above me traded in for gray, gloomed daytime clouds. "Your men will find the prisoners of Blackgate Island embedded in a wall of flames. I've sealed off bridges the best that I can, but for the most part, the entire area's succumbed to the worst. Most of the prisoners have escaped, and if they're not within the city's limits, they will be by dawn."

With a carefully timed leap, I spread my cape out, and dive into Gotham's skyline, catching the wind upon it's wings. There's a slight static interference for a moment, as Jim is about to reply.

"-Ignore that,"

"I've been keeping up to date on the attacks that followed. It's too late for me to do a thorough investigation on the Major Crimes Unit, but I wouldn't mind taking a look at any evidence you've compiled. Assuming The Joker left any to find."

The cape guides me along Gotham's puzzle of skies and buildings, as I try my best not to be killed by an unexpected impact. I can tell from Gordon's breathing that he's been just as hard at work on this as I have. Which means that whatever happened at the Police Department, it was bad. But it is The Joker we're dealing with...

"I need to meet with you before the sun rises. Where would be best for you?"

 

[Saved]

"That makes two of us.", I starkly reply, seeing the darkness of the skies above me traded in for gray, gloomed daytime clouds. "Your men will find the prisoners of Blackgate Island embedded in a wall of flames. I've sealed off bridges the best that I can, but for the most part, the entire area's succumbed to the worst. Most of the prisoners have escaped, and if they're not within the city's limits, they will be by dawn."

With a carefully timed leap, I spread my cape out, and dive into Gotham's skyline, catching the wind upon it's wings. There's a slight static interference for a moment, as Jim is about to reply.

"-Ignore that,"

"I've been keeping up to date on the attacks that followed. It's too late for me to do a thorough investigation on the Major Crimes Unit, but I wouldn't mind taking a look at any evidence you've compiled. Assuming The Joker left any to find."

The cape guides me along Gotham's puzzle of skies and buildings, as I try my best not to be killed by an unexpected impact. I can tell from Gordon's breathing that he's been just as hard at work on this as I have. Which means that whatever happened at the Police Department, it was bad. But it is The Joker we're dealing with...

"I need to meet with you before the sun rises. Where would be best for you?"

"Best?" Gordon asks in a sarcastic voice. "There's not really a 'best' place for us to meet in Gotham right now. But, as far as secure, I'm hoping my office would be the location."

 

[Andy C.]

ex Luthor​

"Certainly, Lex", replied the Senator.
Luthor was doing good to keep his composure, but Ross knew that he was frustrated.
And he had every right to be, given the situation.

"What did you have in mind?"

"Despero thinks he's going to have the government bow down before him tomorrow. We can easily destroy him right then and there, but I think it would be prudent to undermine him first."

Lex felt a rush of inspiration as he talked. Already he was in a much better mood.

"One of our Society brethren in the Senate will call for a vote for a surrender to Despero, and it will be your duty to lead the charge against it. The vote will pass, but by a narrow enough margin that you will still come out as a hero of the people. Meanwhile, as the President is hurried to safety, I will publicly denounce Despero, and after the military is formally ordered to stand down, a 'rogue faction' of General Eiling's soldiers will drive the alien out of the city with a few of my new toys.

"After a few of the government's super-weapons fail, we let our pawn pretend to be king for a little while. Then we sit back, wait for Superman and his kind to overthrow him, and resume with Wildfire as normal. I'm aware that it's a little lacking in terms of long-term strategy, but in this case there's no real need for it. Despero dies before the week is out."

Luthor had every confidence in this plan, despite coming up with it practically on the spot. He had the resources and connections to make it happen, and would remove the alien blight with little lasting effect on his larger agenda. By this time tomorrow, the world would be in a state of panic, unsure of their fate...but his victory would already be assured.

"So...are you still on for golf on Saturday?"

 

[Catman_prb]

The waiting room at the airport was packed full of people, all waiting noisily for the next plane. Black Mask was sitting with his hat down over his face, bandages around his stomach. He sighed. There was a particular girl, around twelve with blonde pigtails, who was screaming the house down. He stood up from his seat with a groan and hobbled over towards her and her mother.

"Excuse me, ma'am. Any chance of you getting your kid to shut the hell up?" he asked, as polite as he could manage.

"Who the **** are you?" the woman asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Really? I am so glad you said that," he said, taking the hat off and tossing it away. The woman screamed louder that the child. Roman pulled a pistol out of his coat and shot her in between the eyes. Everyone in the airport started screaming and running for the doors. Black Mask dropped down and looked at the little girl.

"Wanna know how I fit so much stuff in my jacket?" he asked with a grin. She nodded "It's magic!"

He shot the little girl in the throat, then stood up and started firing wildly at the growing crowd. He chuckled quietly to himself.

"Sometimes....I just can't help myself," he muttered quietly.

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Looking up to the sky, J'onn watches as his twisted counterpart breaks free of the Lantern's construct and charges to attack Hal.

"But first we must deal with these abominations", J'onn stated, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he prepared to fly off to aid the Lantern.

Hal is caught by surprise as the chalk-white monster breaks through the construct, shards of green energy raining to the ground before disappearing.

"Oh cra--" he begins, quickly focusing his mind on a protective barrier around himself.

A thick wall of emerald appears, separating the two. However, Green Lantern has no real time to gather his thoughts on enforcing his defense, before the Martian Manslayer reaches it. With snarls of rage and a few wild slashes and punches, the wall crumbles.

With unimaginable speed, the Manslayer darts toward Hal, it's eyes a glowing red.

"Ring? Divert all energy to enhance the protective aura. I have a feeling this'll be a doozie." he whispers to the ring, which immediately goes to work. He feels the usually warm embrace of the protective field surrounding hugging his body grow hotter and more constricting.

Mere moments before the Manslayer makes contact, when Hal could practically count the teeth in it's mouth, a massive gust of wind and a blue streak shoots upwards, taking the Manslayer with it. Looking down to see Superman still on the ground, Hal reroutes the energy in his ring back to normal, as he lands beside the Man of Steel.

"So I guess that means we're helping the right one?"​

 

[Spike_x1]

Hal is caught by surprise as the chalk-white monster breaks through the construct, shards of green energy raining to the ground before disappearing.

"Oh cra--" he begins, quickly focusing his mind on a protective barrier around himself.

A thick wall of emerald appears, separating the two. However, Green Lantern has no real time to gather his thoughts on enforcing his defense, before the Martian Manslayer reaches it. With snarls of rage and a few wild slashes and punches, the wall crumbles.

With unimaginable speed, the Manslayer darts toward Hal, it's eyes a glowing red.

"Ring? Divert all energy to enhance the protective aura. I have a feeling this'll be a doozie." he whispers to the ring, which immediately goes to work. He feels the usually warm embrace of the protective field surrounding hugging his body grow hotter and more constricting.

Mere moments before the Manslayer makes contact, when Hal could practically count the teeth in it's mouth, a massive gust of wind and a blue streak shoots upwards, taking the Manslayer with it. Looking down to see Superman still on the ground, Hal reroutes the energy in his ring back to normal, as he lands beside the Man of Steel.

"So I guess that means we're helping the right one?"​

"You bet, Hal." Looking on for just a moment more, Superman said "His name's J'onn. I met him before, back when our Earth was being invaded." Like a crack of thunder, the heroic Martian Manhunter laid a heavy right hook to his white doppleganger's jaw.

"Seems like a good guy." Superman smiled briefly to Hal as the two interdimensional heroes rocketed upward to help J'onn. The smile from earlier having vanished, Clark's face was hard and focused as waves of heat erupted from his eyes and began to envelop to Martian Manslayer.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

The Manslayer went intangible a split second before the searing beams of energy made contact.
With a hiss, the White Martian flew at the Man of Steel. Rolling to the hero's side, the lightning fast Manslayer slashed with his razor sharp claws, raking the hero across his back.

Suddenly the Manslayer reared back, clutching his head in pain as he let out a howl.

J'onn charged in, a blur of green and blue, slamming into the Manslayer's back with his shoulder and sending the creature smashing into the concrete below.

"Are you all right", J'onn said as he turned to Superman.

 

[SenseiofCheese]

J'onn charged in, a blur of green and blue, slamming into the Manslayer's back with his shoulder and sending the creature smashing into the concrete below.

"Are you all right", J'onn said as he turned to Superman.

"Tag, I'm it!" Hal called out as J'onn J'onnz went to the aid of Superman.

Flying downard towards the street, specifically the large crater in the center of which lay the Martian Manslayer, Hal knew they had to keep pushing at this thing; never let it get a chance to breathe.

A massive jade boxing glove was projected from Hal's power ring. Soaring through the air, the gigantic glove struck the white Martian just as it had begun to get to it's feet. With a bonecrushing slam, the monster was hurled up in the air. "That's a little Ali for ya." he quipped, before the boxing glove was replaced by a emerald box that closed around the Manslayer.

J'onn's doppelganger seemed defeated. Laying inside the green box, barely moving, surely it was out for the count.

Turning to face the other two heroes, Hal called over to them. "I think our little friend here is ou--"

*WARNING WARNING WARNING*

The ring's frantic alert blared through Hal's skull, but he was too late. The Martian Manslayer had become intangible, slipping effortlessly through it's cage. With a hard shoulder to his back, Hal was sent soaring down towards the street, screaming in agony. But it seemed the doppelganger would be using the same tactic Hal was, as right before he hit the ground he felt himself stop mid-air. Held up by the neck, feeling like the veins in his head were about to explode, Hal looked into the manic eyes of the Martian Manslayer, as they began to glow red.

 

[Spike_x1]

The Manslayer went intangible a split second before the searing beams of energy made contact.
With a hiss, the White Martian flew at the Man of Steel. Rolling to the hero's side, the lightning fast Manslayer slashed with his razor sharp claws, raking the hero across his back.

Suddenly the Manslayer reared back, clutching his head in pain as he let out a howl.

J'onn charged in, a blur of green and blue, slamming into the Manslayer's back with his shoulder and sending the creature smashing into the concrete below.

"Are you all right", J'onn said as he turned to Superman.

Clark reached around to feel where the villain had clawed at his back. The sharp pain told him that the Manslayer was not a threat to be taken lightly. Superman pulled his slashed red cape in front to have a look at it. "Your friend's making me mad. My mom sewed this for me."

Turning to face the other two heroes, Hal called over to them. "I think our little friend here is ou--"

*WARNING WARNING WARNING*

The ring's frantic alert blared through Hal's skull, but he was too late. The Martian Manslayer had become intangible, slipping effortlessly through it's cage. With a hard shoulder to his back, Hal was sent soaring down towards the street, screaming in agony. But it seemed the doppelganger would be using the same tactic Hal was, as right before he hit the ground he felt himself stop mid-air. Held up by the neck, feeling like the veins in his head were about to explode, Hal looked into the manic eyes of the Martian Manslayer, as they began to glow red.

Looking up at the burst of noise from Hal's shouting and the Martian Manslayer's wild attacks, Superman and J'onn were a pair of blue streaks through the sky. The Man of Steel rammed into, and carried away, the monster at speeds faster than a speeding bullet, pulling him away from the Green Lantern. In the very next instant, before the creature could counter attack or turn intangible, Superman came to a complete stop in mid air, while letting the momentum of their flight force the Martian Manslayer to smash through the brick wall of an abandoned warehouse.

Looking back over his shoulder at the other two heroes, Clark shouted "Is Hal alright?"

 

[Johnny Blaze]

J'onn turned to regard the Green Lantern, inspecting him both physically as well as mentally.

"Nothing a vacation won't fix", quiped J'onn as he turned his attention back to his evil counterpart as it smashed through the roof of the warehouse.

The White Martian wasn't so white any more. It's body was now tinted with the rusty color of blood. But the Manslayer still fought with ruthless determination, despite his many wounds.

I'm going to need a drink after this one, J'onn thought as he exhaled and charged the beast.

J'onn turned invisible and came in at the Manslayer as he was about to attack Superman. Before either the Martian or Superman could engage each other, J'onn's invisible fist connected to the Manslayer's jaw.
Bone shattered and flesh tore, as the Manslayer was launched up into the heavens.

Do not be alarmed, came J'onn's voice in the heads of his allies, we will be able to coordinate better if I establish a mental link.

Green Lantern, how intricate in detail can you make your constructs?

 

[SenseiofCheese]

J'onn turned invisible and came in at the Manslayer as he was about to engage Superman. Before either the Martian or Superman could engage each other, J'onn's invisible fist connected to the Manslayer's jaw.
Bone shattered and flesh tore, as the Manslayer was launched up into the heavens.

Do not be alarmed, came J'onn's voice in the heads of his allies, we will be able to coordinate better if I establish a mental link.

Green Lantern, how intricate in detail can you make your constructs?

Hal's entire body shivered, as he felt his mind connect with both J'onn's and Superman's. He had never experienced anything like it. He could actually feel J'onn inside his head. Pushing back the discomfort, as well as the doubts about whether or not he knew how to do this, he thought hard on his answer.

If I can imagine it, I can make it. What did you have in mind?

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Excellent, I am now mentally imprinting a design of the prison cells of Mars. They were specifically designed to keep a Martian in, including keeping them from phasing out.

The image appeared in Hal's head. It was like a movie, showing the constructing of the cages from very beginning. Showing every little detail of every step of it's creation.

Superman and I will keep him busy long enough for you to trap him.

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Excellent, I am now mentally imprinting a design of the prison cells of Mars. They were specifically designed to keep a Martian in, including keeping them from phasing out.

The image appeared in Hal's head. It was like a movie, showing the constructing of the cages from very beginning. Showing every little detail of every step of it's creation.

Superman and I will keep him busy long enough for you to trap him.

Hal was frozen still in mid-air. Every muscle in his body tensed. He no longer saw the sky in front of him. He no longer heard Superman or J'onn. All he saw, and sensed, was being on another planet. It was beautiful, that much he sensed without being able to look around. His head, and his eyes, were stuck on the construction of the holding cell J'onn had mentioned.

The fact that J'onn was a Martian, the last of his kind much like Superman was, was not lost on Hal.

As he watched closely, Hal could only hope the Man of Steel and the Martian Manhunter could hold the manic beast at bay.

 

[Catman_prb]

Tommy stepped out of his car, and locked the door. Earlier this evening a young boy boy had been bled to death in the clocktower the school that he attended. The boy had been identified as fifteen year old James King. The reports he had carried out himself identified that cause of death was due to a lack of blood in the body, combined with severe trauma caused by the series of wounds he had recieved. The disembowelment had been carried out after he died. King's major organs had been extracted and, one could assume, eaten by the murderer. This could be put down to the half eaten kidney at the crime scene, though it did seem odd to Tommy to leave such important evidence there.

He turned up the collar of his trenchcoat as the rain started to fall in earnest. It seemed that due to extreme circumstance, such as the disappearance of Loeb and the violent attacks by the Joker, that the case seemed to have fallen into Elliot's hands, even though he wasn't technically qualified to be in charge. Still he wasn't complaining, and neither was anyone else it seemed. He splashed through a large puddle that soaked his trousers and through his shoes. He cursed quietly and pulled the trenchcoat closer around him.

"Where's the body," he asked the officer who stood next to the police tape that cordened off the docks.

"Down at the end of pier one," he said, taking a deep drag of his cigarette. Tommy glared at him, and plucked it from his mouth, dropping it onto the ground and stepping it into ash.

"Those things'll kill you," he muttered, stepping over the police line and into a small puddle of blood. That was the second time in as many days. If his shoes were stained red after this, there would be hell to pay.

A trail of darkening blood led to pier one. Tommy had to follow it with his torch in the twilight. The wet wood was slippery and he had to steady himself more than once. He had reached the very end of the pier when he found the body. She looked eighteen, maybe younger. Her eyes were glassy, but plastered with shock. She was naked, but that didn't make much difference. She was covered in blood. And her limbs were missing. From the look of it, they had been sawn off. Tommy turned away, bitterness etched on his face. He walked back up to the officer who was standing next to the tape.

"This is sick," he spat.

"We found this," the officer said, handing Elliot a calendar. Tomorrow's date was ringed in red. Tommy's eyes flicked up.

"You shouldn't have moved this," he mumbled "I'll take this back to the lab and run some tests. A team'll be down in half an hour to collect the body,"

 

[Batman]

"Best?" Gordon asks in a sarcastic voice. "There's not really a 'best' place for us to meet in Gotham right now. But, as far as secure, I'm hoping my office would be the location."

"I'll be there."

The wind changes current as I shut off my cowl's communicator. I loosen the wingspan and dive downward, just above O'Neil and 5th. Gotham's Major Crimes unit is nearly two blocks away - plenty of time for me to scout the area for any of the escapees before I rendevous with Gordon. Who, judging by the tone of his voice, really isn't in the mood for visitors at this point.

Can I blame him? The entire city descends into madness within a matter of hours. Four of the most dangerous psychotic minds still on the loose, deliberately let loose onto every establishment of social order. And ontop of it all, I've neglected Gordon's personal connection - Harvey Dent, the orchestrator of this madness. It has to be tearing him up inside that his friend has become the monster he is today. If I knew Dent, I'd better understand.

But if that's the case, then Jim has to understand that Gotham lost Harvey a long time ago. It only has Two-Face, plaguing it's innocents and trying to destroy the law he was once an agent for. Dent's psyche is so fractured that he can't see the effects his raid is having on innocent people. If, by any means, anyone is innocent in his eyes. I know it's not an easy reality to accept for those closest to him, but it's nessecary to do so. We have to stop him, and as much as I'd like to believe otherwise, I cannot do it alone.

The glider catches a stronger current, as I come just above Wayne Plaza. The streets are practically deserted - news of the attack must have spread fast. It's almost a relief, knowing many escaped before anything worse could happen. But there are others who aren't as fortunate... and tonight, they're the ones devastated most by this. The longer they stay in Gotham, the more prone to danger they'll be, and I'm beginning to wonder if there's anything I can truly do to substantially change that. If there's anything this night has proven, it's that being one man trying to save an entire city isn't without it's illogicalities.

And damn him for showing me that.

"-ster Wayne,", Alfred chimes in, just as my communicator manually reactivates itself. "Are you availible to speak?"

"Go ahead, Alfred."

"Not to state the obvious, sir, but Bruce Wayne is recieving an almost dizzying amount of telephone calls at the hour. Your investors, attornies, representitives and so forth."

I guide along the corner, heading towards Gotham PD.

"Come up with an alibi. A buisness venture, some sort of escapade... whatever you see fit to use. You're better at that than I am."

"As I'm well aware. But some are quite harder to convince than others that one of the most wealthy men in the world can't attend to matters of financial importance during a crisis like this."

"Then we'll have to leave them to their curiosities,", I reply. "I have more important matters to deal with."

"Perhaps I should have specified. There are the rather mundane lawyers and attornies,", He begins with a pause. "And then there are those genuinely concerned. Particularly, Ms. Quinzell."

I remain silent. Not because I don't know how to respond, but because I don't want to admit that up until this point, Harleen had been the farthest thing on my mind. Even though we've shared a strong connection over the past few weeks, it's growing fainter with every night that I have to step out and pursue finding Two-Face. Being both Batman and Bruce Wayne is not a concept that's new to such clashes of interests, but I have commitments to her. And if the last people I felt truly close to were my parents, well... it speaks volumes about where my life could potentially lead.

I don't want Harleen becoming another Vicki Vale. She doesn't deserve to be hurt by the same reasons, and to a lesser extent, I don't want to be continually cursed by those reasons, either.

"Is she on hold?"

"No, but I have her on re-dial. I assume she's to be the exception for any... alibis, as you put it."

"Patch her through."

"..." "To this frequency? Are you sure about that?"

I narrow my eyes at the streets below me. I remember there's still a job to do, and the task at hand of meeting Gordon. By all accounts, I shouldn't waste my time with matters of a more personal interest. But... I can't explain it, but I have to. She's a remarkable woman, and for all she knows, I've been spending my nights romancing someone else. I need to tell her that I'm alright, at the very least.

Another lie to add to the list.

"No,", I answer flatly. "But keeping up a cover isn't a choice anymore, Alfred. It's a nessecity."

"As you wish, sir. The connection is being transferred now."

A second passes, as I hear the ring of her telephone blare into the cowl's hollow earpiece. I notice they're hard to make out with the winds, up here. Spotting a nearby rooftop, I make a sudden turn, and let the cape guide me downwards. With a release of the fabric and roll, I land just on the edge, in the moment that Harleen finally picks up.

"H-hello?", She asks, a bit groggily. I almost forgot that it's nearly five in the morning.

"H-, ahem...Harleen? Hey. It's Bruce."

"Bruce?!", She asks back, slightly alarmed. "Oh, thank god! I've been trying to reach you all night. I've called the Manor twice, and-"

"I know,", I reply. "Listen, I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but I was out of town for a spur-of-the-moment thing. I heard about all the chaos... are you okay? Did it affect you?"

"Me? No. No, not really. They didn't attack Arkham,", She explains. "Where are you now?"

"I'm,", I begin, looking at my surroundings. "I'm in the air. The flight back, I mean. We're just now hovering over Central City."

"What were you out of town for?"

"Buisness, strictly. I've been pooling around at a couple of different companies for a new job."

"Oh. Did you find one?"

The wound in my shoulder from that knife-wielding maniac begins to sting as I speak.

"A, ah... a couple knicks. But no bite. It was really a complete bore,", I explain. "Are you at home? Did I wake you?"

"Actually, I fell asleep by the phone at work. I was really worried,", She states. "Can I see you when you get back? We need to talk."

As I expected.

"Well, I need to take care of a few things first, but... how about a late lunch? There's this great place that just opened on 7th that I thought you might like."

"Sure. That sounds fine,", She muses. "But please, Bruce, be careful coming home. I don't know how bad things are, but..."

"Oh, well, I've heard it's pretty bad...", I add, peering down at the scene of the Courthouse, just a few blocks ahead. "But, yeah. You know me. Anyway, plane's heading into a bad area, so... I'll see you at lunch?"

"Definitely. I'll see you then. I lo-"

She pauses.

"Hmm? I'm sorry, I didn't catch that last part."

"I... nothing. It's nothing. I'll see you later."

Before I get the chance to respond, she hangs up. Her behavior was... odd. Probably due to fatigue. Probably embarassed for what I was sure she was about to say, or just stressed because of recent events. Probably all, or none, truthfully. But I have plenty of time to dwell upon it's meaning later. With a leap, I spread my cape again, and loom over Gazette Square. I have to get to the crime scene at MCU as soon as possible, because whether Gordon or anyone else in the city will admit it...

They don't have a hero like Dent anymore. But they'll always have me.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

ex Luthor​

"Despero thinks he's going to have the government bow down before him tomorrow. We can easily destroy him right then and there, but I think it would be prudent to undermine him first."

Lex felt a rush of inspiration as he talked. Already he was in a much better mood.

"One of our Society brethren in the Senate will call for a vote for a surrender to Despero, and it will be your duty to lead the charge against it. The vote will pass, but by a narrow enough margin that you will still come out as a hero of the people. Meanwhile, as the President is hurried to safety, I will publicly denounce Despero, and after the military is formally ordered to stand down, a 'rogue faction' of General Eiling's soldiers will drive the alien out of the city with a few of my new toys.

"After a few of the government's super-weapons fail, we let our pawn pretend to be king for a little while. Then we sit back, wait for Superman and his kind to overthrow him, and resume with Wildfire as normal. I'm aware that it's a little lacking in terms of long-term strategy, but in this case there's no real need for it. Despero dies before the week is out."

Luthor had every confidence in this plan, despite coming up with it practically on the spot. He had the resources and connections to make it happen, and would remove the alien blight with little lasting effect on his larger agenda. By this time tomorrow, the world would be in a state of panic, unsure of their fate...but his victory would already be assured.

"So...are you still on for golf on Saturday?"

"Sure", smiled Ross.

It was a good plan. Simple, but with a good chance of success.
It would raise their image to the public and potentially eliminate a few of the obstacles in their way.

You continue to impress, Luthor.

"But you better watch out. My short game's gotten better."

 

[Saved]

"I'll be there."

Silence. Dead quiet from the other end of the line. Gordon hears a click, and then a fuzzy sound. He runs his finger over the keypad, and pushes in a button, ending the call. He throws his phone over to the passenger side, and grabs his radio with his free hand. Pushing in a button on the device, he holds the speaker up to his mouth, and begins to speak.

"Gordon here." He says, keeping close eye on the roads as he turns onto another street. "This is Gordon, anyone read?"

"Yeah, we got you Captain." A voice responds. "What's the situation?"

"I'm heading back to the MCU. I have to review the information you guys have compiled."

"Alright," the officer says compliantly. "We'll tell the guys outside your allowed on sight." Gordon shakes his head, letting out a frustrated breath.

"No, no." He says, patting the wheel in frustration. "I've seen the crime scene. I was there. Fax any photos, documents, or notes you've compiled to my office. I'm going there."

"With all do respect, Captain, why not just come see us at the scene? Make things a lot easier." Gordon pauses, his mind moving fast. Right now, he's stuck between a rock and a hard place. Things are tough enough as it is, especially with the kidnapping of the comissioner. Gordon knows that his men don't have all the information, but with help from the Batman, they may have a shot.

Unfortunately, the Batman isn't a trusted member of the force. In fact, by law, he is a vigilante. A criminal himself. Talking with him, let alone sharing top secret documents with him is a criminal offense and a felony. Gordon knows he has to keep this as secret as possible, and make up a good story to cover any tracks.

"Loeb's gone," Gordon says sternly. "We've got Gotham in an uproar of chaos and our unit is spread thin." Gordon pauses, taking in a deep and calming breath. "Easy isn't in our dictionary." Gordon lowers the speaker for a moment as he turns another street, watching the side walks for any strange activity. Strange enough, no one is on the streets tonight. No one important. "Fax me those documents, rookie. That's an order."

"Yes, sir." The man says in a reluctant voice.

"Oh, one more thing, kid." Gordon says quickly, hoping to catch the man before he cuts the connection. "Don't let anyone in my office until I get there." Gordon says, covering up his motive once more. "I don't want those faxes tampered with."

"Yes, Captain." The line cuts off, and Gordon hangs the speaker up on the side of the console. He lets out a sigh of relief and places his other hand on the wheel.

"I can't believe this." He says, lifting his hand off the wheel and rubbing it through his hair. "Lying, cover ups, conversing with known law offenders?" Gordon wipes the sweat from his brow, trying to calm himself and keep a level head. "I guess they're right. There aren't any 'clean cops' in Gotham."

****​

A few minutes later, Gordon parks his car in the lot at the MCU. He grabs his phone from the passenger seat, and carefully tucks it away in his pocket. Hastily, he steps out of the car, locking the doors and slipping his keys into his jacket.

Gordon walks swiftly to the building, watching the skies above him with his peripheral vision. In a few moments, Gordon reaches the building. He walks up the stone steps, and pushes the door open at the top, walking inside.

He walks through the lobby, and soon finds himself at the desk. The officer there is a woman, her hair red and long. She nods to him, and shoots him a smile. "Hey, Captain. Heard about the heroics tonight. Nice work."

"Thanks, Nancy." He says, his mind focussed on other things. Gordon walks past her, continuing on his way. Suddenly, he stops. He turns back, and walks to the desk.

"You ever consider being a negotiator, Captain?" She asks with a grin.

"I thought that was already my job." Nancy laughs, and Gordon's stress lessens a bit. He clears his throat, and puts his hands on top of the desk. "Nancy, did you get any word from Maggie?" Gordon asks with concern.

"No, Jim." She says in a sympathetic voice. "Why, where is she?"

"I don't know." Gordon replies with worry, his voice wavering. "How about Grayson? Get any word from him?"

"No, no calls from him either." The officer responds. She notices the distress on Gordon's face, and quickly becomes concerned.

"Dammit, where the hell is everyone?" Gordon asks rhetorhically, frustration palpable in his tone. "Where the hell is my unit?"

"Sorry, Jim, I can't tell you. I'm sure they're fine." She says to Gordon, hoping to calm him as best she can try.

"Yeah, sure." Gordon says, unconvinced. "Thanks, Nancy. I'll be in my office. Hold my calls." Gordon walks off down the hallway, turning at the stairwell, and walking up to the next floor.

In only a few minutes, Gordon stands outside his office. He takes the keys from his pocket, and puts one in the door. He turns the key, and opens the door, walking inside.

As he steps over the threshhold, he instinctively puts his hand to the wall and flips the light switch. To his surprise, the lights in his room don't turn on, and Gordon sighs heavily. "Yeah, great."

Jim takes off his jacket, and throws it over the back of a chair in the room. He walks over to his desk, and places his keys and phone on top of the many papers litering his desk. He hears a noise behind him, and turns quickly. As he looks, he hears the familiar sound of the fax machine start, printing the documents he requested. Paper slips out of the machine, and falls into a bin below.

Gordon turns back, and puts his finger on the lamp on his desk. He turns the knob on it, and the lamp's bulb illuminates, casting a dull light onto his desk. "At least that works." Gordon says with an irritated tone. Suddenly, Gordon perks up, standing tall. His body quickly loosens, and a weak smile comes to his face. "I should've known you'd be waiting for me."​

 

[Spike_x1]

Hal was frozen still in mid-air. Every muscle in his body tensed. He no longer saw the sky in front of him. He no longer heard Superman or J'onn. All he saw, and sensed, was being on another planet. It was beautiful, that much he sensed without being able to look around. His head, and his eyes, were stuck on the construction of the holding cell J'onn had mentioned.

The fact that J'onn was a Martian, the last of his kind much like Superman was, was not lost on Hal.

As he watched closely, Hal could only hope the Man of Steel and the Martian Manhunter could hold the manic beast at bay.

As J'onn concentrated on giving as much detail on the containment cell to Hal as possible, Superman followed the careening Martian Manslayer into the sky. It was true that the villain was a force to be reckoned with, but Clark was still the faster and stronger one between the two opponents. He was on top of the Martian within moments, burying the creature under layers and layers of ice by using his Arctic breath.

Now with the weight of several tons of ice surrounding him, the Manslayer's uncontrolled ascension lost all momentum and he began to fall back down to Earth. Just as Clark dug his fingers into the large block of ice, intending to carry it safely back to his companions, it was made clear to him that he had once again underestimated the Martian Manslayer. The freezing temperatures that Superman had exposed the Martian to had done nothing to incapacitate him, and a clawed hand phased straight through the walls of ice surrounding him and buried its intangible claws deep into Superman's chest.

"ARRRGH!!" screamed Clark as the Martian Manslayer quickly phased the rest of his body out from the block of ice, while keeping his hand inside of Superman. Having the monster's claws moving through him felt as if his internal organs were being torn apart and moved around. Almost as a reflex action in response to the intense pain, a wave of heat vision, so intense that it was plainly visible to the naked eye as being a blanket of solid red energy, exploded from the eyes of the Man of Tomorrow and cut the Martian Manslayer in half like a blowtorch through butter.

The Manslayer's evil laughter was cut short as he burst into screams of agony, his hand pulling out of Superman's chest, and both halves of his body losing flight and falling down to the ground many stories below.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Edited (Please Delete MB)

 

[SenseiofCheese]

The Manslayer's evil laughter was cut short as he burst into screams of agony, his hand pulling out of Superman's chest, and both halves of his body losing flight and falling down to the ground many stories below.

Even though Hal Jordan's senses were completely overwhelmed by the information that J'onn J'onnz was beaming into his mind, he could still feel the air around him become hotter. Even through the shield supplied by his power ring, the Green Lantern felt sweat begin to drip down his suit.

Finally, as if a metallic rod was being pulled out of his spine, the visions went away. Gasping for air as the normal surroundings returned to him, Hal took a few seconds to regain his senses.

The first thing he saw was Superman, clutching his chest in pain. Falling towards the ground were the two halves of the Martian Manslayer's body. Looking up to J'onn, Hal called out.

"Huh. I guess that takes care of th--" he began, but was cut off by a frantic J'onn.

"No! He has not been defeated, Lantern! LOOK OUT!"

Once again, Hal was caught off guard by the Martian Manslayer. The blood curdling roar coming from below sent a shiver down Hal's spine. Turning and, purely on instinct, focusing all his energy on visualizing the martian prison cell imprinted in his mind, Green Lantern let loose with the power ring.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAARGGGHHHHH!!!"

When Hal opened his eyes, he saw the Martian Manslayer's monstrous face mere inches from his own, separated by a thick layer of emerald will power. Slashing wildly at it's prison, the Manslayer was causing Hal a considerable amount of pain. It was almost out of pure spite towards his attacker that Hal managed to maintain the prison cell.

As his entire body began to shake, Hal gritted his teeth and used his shoulder to wipe sweat from getting in his eye.

"HNNNGG....GAAah...J'onn...I hope...NGGGH...there's a part two to this plan...."

 

[trustyside-kick]

Orin awakes his slumber, and in the process awakes his two 'guests' as he sits up on the edge of the bed. A woman's hand lays upon his shoulder, another wrapping around, locked on his arm. Orin found himself much more welcomed once he slayed the sea monster.

"Don't go, darling. The tides haven't even changed yet."

"Yes. Come back to bed."

Orin grunts as he pulls away from the two women, getting up from the bed. He walks up to the window, staring at the underwater city around him. The building was airtight, preventing the outside water from rushing in. It was the design of every building in Poseidonis.

But while it had become a comfort to some Atlanteans to remain dry if they wish, it would never be something Orin could get used to. He grew up with the waves of the ocean, swimming and playing as far as the eye could see. The entire ocean was to himself it seemed.

"Love?"

"Will you two shut up? I do not even know your names, yet you talk to me with such words of infactuation and you speak of myself as though I am your one, true, love."

Orin turns around, looking at the two women. There is sadness in their eyes, but Orin knows not to think of it much. They were simply 'loose' women who slept with the hero who killed the Kraken. They did not care for love, only for that fact.

He walks back over to the bed, and two women smile. However, their mood soon shifts as they see him begin to put his clothes and armor-scaled shirt and gauntlets back on. He doesn't even look back as he exits the bedroom, wishing to leave without interruption.

Ever so eager to submerge, Orin waits impatiently in the room between the building, and the outside. Slowly, but surely, the outside door begins to open, and the water starts to rush in. Orin slowly begins to dip into the water, his eyes closed as he relishes in its refreshing comfort. When he is submerged enough, he swims out of the room, and the door behind him shuts.

Swimming through the city, Orin seeks to find the leader of Poseidonis; an Atlantean by the name of Vulko. However on his way, Orin runs into a small little Atlantean boy and gets himself in a situation he did not truly expect.

"You...you're Orin of Atlantis! I saw you the other day, one hand gripped tight around a tentacle of the Kraken, another holding your sword firm. You were marvelous."

Orin smirks, kneeling down to eye level with the child as he imitates the previous battle.

"Marvelous, you say?"

"Yes! Like, like...like nothing could stop you or get in your way! You were vicious. You were ferocious, you were--"

"Just passing by."

The kid smiles at Orin and the aquatic hero pats the kid on the head. The little boy leans in afterwards, as if about to whisper something.

"Now, I heard you were a man of many talents and tricks."

"Tricks, you say?"

"Yes! I heard, that the very sea creatures heed to your beck and call. That you can command them. Are the things I've heard true about you, sir?"

Orin looks around for a brief moment, toying with the young boy's excitement, and then looks at the young boy with a serious look. He arches his eyebrow, just before looking around once more.

"Can you keep a secret?"

Smiling, the little boy nods his head.

"Yes...Such a thing is true."

"Then why, must I ask...didn't you just tell that mean ol' Kraken to leave Poseidonis?"

"Some creatures are untammable. It does not matter how much you try. It's their brains, you see. They have such small minds, unlike you and I. They are so dumb and barbaric, that they cannot even make out the message. So, as you can see, I did what I had to do."

The young Atlantean imitates Orin once more, acting out the scene where Orin was wrapped by all of the Kraken's tentacles just before he tugged with all of his might, ripping all eight clean off.

"Exactly. What's your name?"

"My friends call me Lagoon Boy."

The little boy swims off to his friends, who spot him from a short distance, and Orin can see them starting to play again. Naturally, the young one he had spoken to played the role of Orin, and the othes acting as different tentacles of the Kraken. It brought a smile upon Orin's face.

But what he had set for today was a serious matter. And so, his smile fades away as he swims off.

 

[trustyside-kick]

Orin has been standing in the center of one of the very large rooms in one of the most important buildings in all of Poseidonis: The Courthouse. Chatter amongst the elected members of the Poseidian Council seems to fill the room, and all the while their elected leader Nuidis Vulko does nothing but stare at Orin.

A more moments pass, and Vulko brings the meeting to an official beginning.

"It is time that we begin the issue in which we all gathered here to discuss."

Vulko points at Orin as his eyes are locked on his fellow members, scanning the entire room.

"Some of you believe this man is a menace to Poseidonis, while others of you look at him as a hero. I think before we can decide just what to do with the man, we must first learn more about him."

Commotion erupts again, the very Council arguing with itself between the members. Vulko takes his gravel, and slams it down however, restoring order in the meeting.

"Enough! Now, who will be the one to start the questioning?"

"I will."

The Atlantean who gets up from his seat, and walks down to the floor where Orin peacefully awaits, is an Atlantean known throughout more than just Poseidonis. Leader of the religious group whom worships Poseidon and Poseidon alone, Daus approaches the aquatic hero.

"Where do you hail from? Of which tribe did you originate from?"

"I hail from the womb of the Sea herself. My alleigiance is to no one."

"The Sea herself? But what of your father and mother? You have a father and mother, do you not?"

"If I was to claim a mother of my own, a father of my own...then it would be the Sea."

Talk spurs from the Council once again, and anger begins to fill Daus' eyes. Everyone can see it in his eyes. The conversations die down as Daus turns around, walking towards where Vulko sits.

"Milord this is blasphemous! You as I remember the beautiful Lady Cora; wife of Lord Kordax. She fled the very city soon after her husband's fate. 20 long years...20 years we haven't seen her! The being here wears the Curse of Kordax! Do you not all see! This here is the son of Kordax!"

"Yes! And Lord Poseidon sent that foul Kraken to kill the vermin!"

"He's a menace! He will only bring death and destruction to Poseidonis!"

The outburts of some of the Council members brings a smile Daus' face. A smile he wears proudly as he looks to Vulko as he too listens. Vulko looks to the rest of the Council, each of them giving him different expressions. Some believe Daus' accusations, while others show themselves against such an idea.

"Curse or not...he saved Poseidonis from the vile Kraken. You choose to believe that Poseidon sent the Kraken, knowing that he would be there...you choose poorly, Daus."

"You renounce your religion, Vulko? You wish to face Poseidon's wrath?"

Daus turns around, facing Orin once more and points his finger. He starts to walk around Orin in a circle all the while Orin's eyes are closed as he breathes slowly, relaxed.

"Lord Poseidon bestowed a Curse upon Kordax and his kin! If you all cannot see that this man here, is a reflection upon that Curse...then you do not care for the Fate of Poseidonis! Many of you were there that day, when Kordax laid, tied to the pillar. The very creatures of the sea swarmed our beloved city, eating away at his flesh!"

Lowering his arm, Daus walks back up to Orin. Orin's eyes still closed, Daus breathers heavily as he stares upon Orin's calm face.

"Let us try this again, hmm? Where do you hail from? Is your Father and your Mother not the late Kordax and late Cora?"

Orin opens his eyes, almost startling Daus with how he does it.

"All I have ever known and all I have ever been, is one with the Sea. Oceanus is my father. Tethys...my mother."

Infuriated, Daus backhands Orin across the face. Orin is unmoved and unfaltered however.

"You speak of the father and mother of all Gods of the Sea?! You place yourself as though you are a God?! A blasphemer! That is what I say!"

Daus turns around, outstretching both hands as if to embrace his fellow Council members.

"His own arrogance will be enough to stir the Old God's hatred! He must be forced to leave Poseidonis!"

Yelling and shouting fills the room within seconds. Much of the Council calls for the execution of this man, the rest call for his freedom. Daus returns to his seat, one of the two who remain quiet in the Council. The entire time, he and Vulko stare at one another; a smirk upon Daus' face. Vulko picks up his gravel, and smacks it down, restoring order.

"Place him in the dungeons."

Two Atlantean guards walk out to Orin, grabbing him by the arms. As Orin leaves the building, behind him is the both the celebration and lamentation of the Council.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

I do, replied Hal mentally as he watched the Manslayer try to tear himself free from his emerald cell.

Hal, lower him to the ground, stated J'onn as he flew down the street and hoisted a large tanker truck over his head.

Green Lantern carefully lowered the enraged and caged White Martian to the ground as J'onn placed the truck down next to it.
J'onn punched a hole in the back of the tank trailer, and gasoline began to spill out. The gas quickly swarmed around the prison cell and the Manslayer slowly stopped his escape attempts as he began to realize what was happening.

Superman, J'onn spoke mentally as he backed away, carrying the tanker truck out of the way. J'onn took a deep breath as he readied himself for what was about to happen.
The Manslayer gazed across the gap into J'onn's eyes as he simply stood within his cage, perfectly still. The monster's eyes were pools of rage, promising nothing short of an agonizing death.

Light it up.

 

[Spike_x1]

Still clutching his throbbing chest, Superman was rocketing downward in the direction of the fuel that J'onn was spreading around his villainous counterpart. For what this monster has done by taking part in the carnage on this world and the senseless slaughter of its people... I hope the population of this Earth is watching, because this is for them.

Superman's eyes burned with only a dim red glow in the pupils, but the invisible beams of heat vision would have been more than enough to melt steel. Fortunately that all the beams had to do on this occasion was spark a little bit of flammable fuel and the flames started roaring.