The "World of Heroes" DC RPG Season IX

[Optikal]

Previously:

Spoiler

PRIDE
.Chapter 3.
​

Blake grunted in pain as his arm was twisted almost out of its socket. Bronze Tiger was possibly the best martial artist in the world and as he sent Blake into the ground, Catman knew he could not beat the man in direct combat.

"Stay down". Tiger commanded, hovering over his adversary, but just out of striking distance.

Blake laughed and spat a thick wad of blood from his mouth, his feral glare regarding the warrior. "Come on Tigger, we both know you don't have the stones to finish this!"

Bronze Tiger shook his head and dropped back into a fighting stance. "Your death wish is pathetic Blake. Come now, meet your end".

Catman dragged himself to his feet. Fire lanced through his body under his ribs but with gritted teeth he shrugged it off. Like lightning, Tiger leapt forward...

*BLAM BLAM BLAM*

Three shots shattered the wide windows of the large house and Bronze tiger crumbled to the floor. Catman glanced around and sniffed the air. His senses didn't need to be called into action though as the man who had fired the shots emerged from the darkness.

"Lawton?!" Catman exclaimed, fist curling around the long blade he had just scooped up.

"Live and in the flesh, kitty cat" Deadshot exclaimed.

"You're here for the prize?" Catman asked, circling the man.

"Yup!"

"Well then you're going to have kill me too" Catman snarled.

Deadshot laughed and turned away from Catman. "Maybe another time. For tonight at least I'm here to watch your back and make sure you complete the mission".

Catman scowled and watched the assassin as he nonchalantly lifted his mask and lit a smoke. "You serious? Who sent you?"

A thin cloud blew out from nostrils as Deadshot exhaled. "Some schmuck called Mockingbird. Told me he's sent you and I had to back you up or complete the job if you went down".

"Heh" Catman snorted. "Nice to know my employers have faith in me".

Deadshot snorted and shook his head. "So long as the money rolls in who gives a f**k?"

Catman nodded in agreement. "We better hurry, this 'Gray Man' is supposed to be a pretty serious bit of work. We get the box and we get out".

"Nice easy payday" Deadshot grunted.

"What are we going to do with Tigers body?"

"He's not dead" Deadshot said "just unconcious. 3mm more to the right and he would have been though. We leave him, serves as a message of intent".

"You're a sick puppy Deadshot" Catman remarked, heading for the stairs.

PRIDE
.Chapter 4.
​

"Guess it's got to be behind door number three here..." Deadshot grunted as the pair made their way to a locked door at the end of a long hallway. Every other room had been sacked and turned upside down in search of the gilded box.

"Shoot the lock" Catman instructed, stepping aside for the assassin to do his work.

Deadshot raised his wrist mounted weapons and fired off a couple of shots, taking out the lock with relative ease. The room inside was dark but it radiated an uncomfortable warmth. Deadshot glanced at Catman and swept a hand out, "You first" he said, stepping out of the way.

Catman sniffed at the air. It smelt musky and was tinged with sulfur. Every sense screamed that there was danger in the room. Catman steeled his nerves and stepped into the room. As his eyes adjusted to the gloom he saw that the room was empty apart from a small table upon which sat the gilded black box. The box itself was unremarkable in its design, merely boasting smooth black sides. Though it was unmistakably the source of heat from within the room.

"Grab it and let's go!" Deadshot hissed from somewhere behind him.

Catman didn't want to go near the box and he had to force himself to swallow down his fears. Every fiber of his being screamed warning of the evil contained inside of it. Snarling in frustration at his own growing sense of fear he grasped at the box and spun from the room, exiting out into the brighter lit hallway.

Deadshot glanced down at the box in the trembling hands of the worlds greatest tracker. "Is that it?" He questioned.

Catman glared into the masked face of Floyd Lawton and nodded his head. "You brought transport? I want to get rid of this thing as soon as we can".

Deadshot glanced at the box and back into the eyes of his fellow mercenary. "So I'm not the only one feeling like I'm about to piss in my spandex?" He quipped.

"I've never felt anything like it" Catman agreed. "Whatever the hell is in here, it's definitely bad".

"It's worse than either of you could ever imagine"

Both men found their exit blocked by a hulking creature, glistening white teeth and small black eyes both on full show. Next to him stood a woman dressed in yellow and red, a mask over her face and two long blades in her hands. She leaned against the wall nonchalantly as the big creature next to her flexed and cracked her neck.

"King Shark" Deadshot snarled.

"...And Lady Vic" Catman finished.

"We're here for the box. It's probably best that you just hand it over fellers" Lady Vic said.

"You know that ain't going to happen" Catman growled, gripping the box tighter to him.

"Well then, looks like we're just going to have to take it!"

 

[Watchman]

Marvel looks at Luthor with a glare that Achilles would even be impressed with and says, "All that might be true Lex but right now I know you're using energy to hang on for him and that is the thing that desire and goal that is driving you. The people in this room and I are not even a blip on your radar, just as long as you live long enough to see him."

The Doctor looks at Marvel and says, "Who in blazes are you all talking about?"

Marvel replies without breaking his look with Lex and says, "Up, up and away."

"Ah, I see that wisdom of Solomon really strained itself on that one. Go play with two-bit hack jobs like Sivana." He started to cough again. He look at the red stains on his hand and mockingly wave Captain Marvel away.

"Don't you have a monkey to fight? I still have much to think about and I don't want to do in a new zoo order."

 

[MST3K 4ever]

"Ah, I see that wisdom of Solomon really strained itself on that one. Go play with two-bit hack jobs like Sivana." He started to cough again. He look at the red stains on his hand and mockingly wave Captain Marvel away.

"Don't you have a monkey to fight? I still have much to think about and I don't want to do in a new zoo order."

Marvel replies, "Grodd's plan is unraveling people are being cured. He will be out of commission soon enough and the only thinking you'll be doing, if you survive, is in...wait a minute. Wait a minute!"

The look of shock and realization nails Marvel.

He asks, "Why if you're dying would you....HOLY MOLEY!"

Marvel takes off out the window.

Why would Luthor want his greatest enemy to see him in this condition? Weak and dying? Unless he possibly wanted to take Superman with him! I got to get to the White House and hope Superman is normal again to warn him!

 

[Watchman]

He waits until they are all gone. He slips a clear canister out of his jacket. Thankfully, the doctors didn't strip him of all of his things after they stabilized him. Law enforcement was still discussing what to do now that they had greatest criminal in the world in their clutches.

"I wonder what you'll say?" Lex spoke to the canister. "I wonder what will your reaction will be after I do this. You should know that nothing is impossible, especially in my hands." He takes out a gun.

"Let the new age begin." He loads the canister into the back of the device.
******

"...in business news, the ever growing LexCorp has made another leap and this time into the world entertainment. It was just a week ago that LexCorp had started a chain of restaurants, coffee shops, fast food stops, and food line. LexCorp will add movie theaters, record label, movie studio, and a multitiude of television channels including a twenty four hour news station. This is already on top of a growing empire that includes food, clothing, publishing, and nearly every other product on in our lives. At a press conference new C.E.O Leonardo Happenstance briefly talked about LexCorp's expansion."

"LexCorp is so much more now. We are everywhere and everything. We are no longer a business but a way of life."

The very same C.E.O stepped out of a NewWave Kingdom coffee cafe, sipping on a black coffee.

"Black as my old master's heart," he wore a pure white suit with black shirt and a red tie. On each side of him were women in white dresses with matching hair.

"That's a good cup of coffee. What did we tell those hippie protesters?"

"That the coffee was grown organically in a villiage by poor South American farmers...." one of the women stated

"...which we gladly share the profits with...." the other continued.

"But in fact we get in from a military junta that rules over their people with an iron fist. Our boss might not know all the facts. I need to have my fun." The three stopped in their tracks. The limo was covered in spray paint. Surrounding the car was a gang of teenagers and twenty somethings, all shaved bald with matching purple trench coats.

"You are the scum of the Earth" one shouted, "a patron saint of ignorance that dirties a great man's name."

"I was wondering when you people would show up...."

"Shut up," he leap off the car's hood, "we're here to make an example of out you Happenstance. You and others that wish to crush us with their Fascist's heel. Luthor fought off the forces of Darkseid and will return to bring us to a new golden age of enlightenment." Happenstance's/Godfrey's bodyguards each took out a baton that erupted with light on each end.

"Now if you don't want to be killed with space kung-fu, I suggest you listen and join me."
*********

"Hurmph, where are we Luthor?" Flashes of multicolor light passed beside them. The monkey and the man walked along a catwalk made of light.

"This? This is the multiverse. We are able to pass through it as easy as walking into another room."

"What are we doing here? Another part of your ingenious plan."

"No, just thinking. A find a stroll through a billion worlds puts my mind at ease."

"So you spend your days lounging about while your doppelganger does all the hard work. I didn't know you have gotten that lazy."

"And here was I worried that when the monkey civil war broke out on Earth that you would switch sides."

"Frankly, Grodd's going native agenda repulses me. I wear million dollar suits and drive billion dollar cars why would I want to go back to law of the jungles and such. I've signed up with you to play around in the greatest science lab in the universe but you have been very coy Luthor. One would say paranoid." Luthor gave a sharp look toward his ape companion.

"I don't think you can comprehend the situation. I'm trying to break down these wall of reality. We are trap in here. He could be all of us do you understand. I've seen it with my eyes. They showed me and I destroyed them."

"What in the great chimp of the moon are you talking about?!"

"We are in concept war now. I am now the new Messiah, the savior to entire group of people even if they don't want to admit it. We need to save the world, Cornelius."

 

[SuperFerret]

The
GlassGRODD Menagerie
Part Eleven: Evil Turns In Upon Itself​

“Active Evil is better than Passive Good." - William Blake


I recoil in pain as the electricity courses through my form, falling to the floor. My eyes water and my nose runs, but I make it shakily to my feet. A fleeting thought passes through my mind.

This is not going as I had forseen. Circe must've tipped her hand too early.

"It's... not over yet... human."

"No, Grodd," I say, releasing the unconscious sorceress from the Lasso as I fly at the megalomaniacal gorilla, punching him solidly across his jaw, "your reign is over."

Grodd rolls with the blow, somersaulting backwards and grabbing my wrist with his foot, flipping me as he continues the motion. I land on my back, the beast above me, taunting me as he rains attacks on me.

"Allow me to display why males are the dominant in my species."

 

[wiegeabo]

"RRRAAAAGGHRRR!!!!"

Despite it's terrifying roar of undiluted hate, the red lantern's attacker presses on without a moment's hesitation.

The red lantern takes another series of blows to its head and body. It (being the correct term since it's race has no gender) can only manage a weak strike of its own. The attacker just smiles as he rubs his jaw. The blow didn't even draw blood.

But the moment of distraction is enough for the red lantern to have a clear thought despite its rage, and it decides to flee. It dives away, dropping through the atmosphere, leaving behind a blazing trail of fire. Just before hitting the ground, it pulls up, skimming along surface, weaving between mountains. It's a good thought the lantern had, taking a moment to regroup and catch its breath.

Unfortunately, the nature of red lanterns precludes clear thinking for most ring wielders. And if this lantern had been able to think beyond the need to retreat, it would have realized that it's attacker would only fly high above, rather than waste time in a direct chase.

And that's just what the attacker does. While its target pointlessly juts back and forth between mountains and outcroppings, the attacker calmly watches from the skies. waiting for the moment to strike. Once the red lantern emerges from the mountain range, that's exactly what the attacker does.

He dives down like a predator stalking it's prey, creating a blade of energy in front of it, slicing through one of the unsuspecting lantern's arms. The lantern howls in pain and rage. The attacker reverses his direction, launching back towards the wounded lantern. But despite the pain, the lantern puts up a barrier of flame to burn its attackers very soul. And it does stop the attacker.

It just doesn't stop the half dozen beams of energy that lance around the flames, and converge back onto the lantern. The red lantern's final scream is drowned out by the sounds of its body disintegrating.

Ring Status Report: Red Lantern 286 Deceased
Space Sector Scan 286 For Replacement Sentient.

The ring starts to leave for space, but is captured in a sphere of energy. A struggle ensues, the ring beating itself against the walls of its confinement, but the bubble holds strong. The attacker focuses his energy, and then concentrates on the necessary feelings, drawing upon the emotions he needs.

The red ring recognizes this, and its struggles stops. The attacker drops his bubble and grabs his new ring in his hand. The first new ring of many...

 

[Eddie Brock]

I've never wanted to hit an ally. Not until now. The pink girl has no right to step into my business. I just met her, and now she's saying I need to reconnect? What does she know? What right does she have?

"Yea, thanks for the help, Green Arrow," I nod to the senior hero. "Shall we head back to the Tower?"

"Let's," I agree quickly to avoid any further discussion of the previous topic. I can tell Cassie's not happy, and even though I think the conversation's worth having, now is hardly the time. I turn to Miri and clear my throat. "If you want to follow us, we can go back to Titans Tower and get a proper introduction."

 

[sumowrestler]

Miri​

Miri looks puzzled at the woman who yelled at her.

Why would anyone not want to embrace love? The connection I felt between these two was strong at one time? What happen that could rip such strong love apart?

Miri then shakes her head when the guy speaks to her.

"Yes, I think going with you to this Titans Tower might prove to be informational. I've got very many questions about this strange planet that had drawn the worst in the Universe to itself not too long ago."

 

[Andy C.]

Superman, or what he used to be, flies around blindly and unaware. The ceiling begins to shake and the walls crumble with each pass. I drop my taser gun and turn just as Superman crashes through the wall and grabs me.

We fly out of the White House and I grapple with the feral animal that was once my friend. His claws dig into my back and break the skin. I wince and struggle against his iron grip. "Clark," I say through gritted teeth. "Let me go!"

I free an arm and spray Superman in the face with an aerosol compound of the antidote. He roars and swats at his face. Letting me go fifty feet above the ground. I freefall for a moment before letting my cape go rigid and gliding to the ground. Superman struggles and fights against the compound up in the air. It's not as fast acting as ingesting or mainlining the antidote, but he'll be back to normal in a few minutes.

I just hope I can survive against him for that time.

Dark man spray mist in my face.

There is pain all over. Pain. Sickness.

I shake and twist as pain goes all over. Cannot stop the pain!

Scream, shoot heat from eyes. Burn holes in sky.

Other men come towards me. Throw them away. Leave me alone.

Dark man makes pain.

Head......hurt!

.....pain.....

......changing......

......mind......flooded......with thoughts.....

....images....

....names.....

"...Bruce?"

I fall to the floor.


After what feels like hours of agony as my body reconfigures itself, I pull myself back to my feet.

Looking around, I see how much damage I did. Thank God it's not worse.

"Is everyone okay?"

 

[Catman_prb]

I reach Batwoman just in time. The Jokerz green gas is floating eerily down Maine Street, the gang members walking behind, wooping and cheering like some deranged marching band. Batwoman was taking cover behind a burnt out car, waiting for the opportune moment to make her move on the clowns. Obviously she hasn't dealt with Joker gas before...this has a distinctly old school vibe to it. I soundlessly drop down behind her and pass her one of Bruce's breathers. I've got to give her credit. She only jumps a little.

"How many?" I ask, quietly as I can.

"Only five or so. They're all armed - they've shot at a couple of police officers already," she whispers. I nod.

"We need to end this quickly. You take the one with the gas canisters, I'll hold the others off,"

Before she can answer, I've moved off shouting, waving my arms and generally making myself a target. These aren't hardened criminals, they're opportunists. They've used a greater threat to mask their own insane sense of fun.

"Hey kids!" I yell.

One of them turns towards me, a beret placed at a jaunty angle across his head. That makes him the boss then. An underling tries to grab me from behind, and I spin on the spot with my escrima sticks raised, catching him on the chin. He falls to the ground, spitting blood and teeth. The next one I launch a double footed kick at, hitting him in the stomach. He bends double as I land on the ground. I quickly push myself and bring my fist down on the back of his head, knocking him down.

I look around me. Batwoman has successfully turned the gas cylinders off, and knocked the guard out. Beret's run off, but otherwise it seems a job well done.

"Good work. We need to get back in contact with Oracle, find out what's going on with this whole Grodd situation,"

"Grodd's behind all this?"

"Well...he's behind all the people turning into animals certainly. The rest of it, I have no idea,"

"So where do we-"

-BANG-

I turn quickly enough to see Beret run off hooting into the shadows. I'm about to take off after him, when I turn and see the blood seeping over Batwoman's suit.

"Aww....****," I mutter.

Okay, new plan.

***
​

I fire a grapnel and use the auto-winch to reach the window of the Watchtower, Oracle's base of operations. Batwoman's in my arms, stirring in and out of consciousness. Her bullet-wound isn't a bad one...I just don't think she's been shot before. It's certainly an experience. I lift her in through the window, noting the broken glass. I lay Batwoman down on one of the clearer tables, knocking the junk off first. The state of the room hits me.

"Oracle? What's going on?"

Then I notice her, my fiance, passed out in the middle of the floor.

"Babs? Jesus Christ!"

I go to her.​

 

[Optikal]

Previously:

Spoiler

19.41

The crimson motorcycle thundered down the streets of San Fransisco, weaving in and out of traffic furiously. Ignoring the angry beeps of horns and the occasional red light, Roy Harper found himself using all of his skills to not cause a major accident.

As he powered into a corner he found himself left with no choice but to stop. Traffic had piled up in front of him and people were running towards his direction, terror on their faces. Roy pulled the bike away, heading for a nearby alleyway. As he pulled the bike to a stop he glanced at his watch.

19.45

Cursing, he whipped off his jacket and placed a familiar red domino mask over his eyes. From the bikes satchel he withdrew a collapsible bow and a clutch of arrows. Racing from the alleyway he leapt up onto the hood of a car, giving himself the momentum to leap up onto the roof of an old white RV. Further down the road cars were flying into the air, mixing the crunch of metal with peoples screams and the roars of a monster.

Standing in the road, a huge mountain of a beast roared its frustration to the sky as it hammered its mighty fists into a -thankfully- deserted bus. Red Arrow knew the beast instantly.

"What the hell?" Arrow cursed to himself, as he nocked an explosive arrow to his bow string. Feeling the fletch of the arrow against his cheek, Roy loosed his weapon and without waiting for it to punch into the chest of the monster, he was already moving.

The beast roared as it sought out its attacker in the confusion. Arrow leapt from car to car, producing a trio of arrows that sang through the air and exploded in the face of the Shaggy Man. The creature stumbled back, thrown off-balance. Despite the scent of burning hair filling the air around him, Shaggy Man appeared otherwise unhurt. Roy cursed and considered calling in help but wasn't sure who was in the area. Instead he hit the button of his communicator, sending an all-points alarm to any other hero of The League or The Titans in the area. Sucking in a deep breath he moved into space as the monster charged him.

Roy rolled at the last second as the beast swung his huge fist towards the hero. He could smell the acrid breath pour over him as he ducked and leapt and created enough distance to pop off another arrow. As he did, the monster grabbed another vehicle, a maroon sedan and raised it above his head. Roy knelt to a knee and loosed an arrow, watching with joy as it punched it's way into the fuel tank under the car and a fiery ball of wrath engulfed the head of the creature. As the smoke cleared though, the creature stumbled forward, its eyes bulging with rage.

"What do I have to do to put you down?!" Roy growled, drawing another arrow. Then it hit him! Removing the tip of the arrow on his bow he replaced it with a short round tip and began to move once more as the beast came upon him. Ducking under more wild swings, Roy vaulted from a car roof onto a truck and leapt down the other side, ducking low and using the traffic to obscure the monsters view of him.

19.54

Roy glanced out from behind the car and caught sight of the beast, snarling and sniffing the air, seeking his quarry. Roy leapt out into the road, waving his arms in the air. "HEY! FURBALL! OVER HERE!" he shouted.

Shaggy Man spun and howled, baring dripping yellow teeth as his bellow echoed from nearby buildings. Roy ignored the chill shuddering down his spine and nocked the ball tipped arrow, letting it fly with a wish and a prayer. As the beast ran the arrow hit its target, slamming into the beasts mouth and exploding. Shaggy Man stuttered in its charge and grasped at it throat. Within its mouth a thick foam rapidly expanded from the exploded arrow tip and filled the throat, mouth and nose of the beast. Shaggy Man gasped and gagged but the foam expanded and began to harden, dropping the beast to it's knees and finally to the ground.

Red Arrow stood over the body of the beast as a dark shadow fell from above. Glancing up Arrow saw Hawkman and Captain Atom dropping from the sky.

19.57

"Arrow. What's happening?" Hawkman asked.

"A new Shaggy Man apparently" Roy nodded towards the downed beast. "I managed to down him with an expanding sealant arrow into the mouth. Restricted his airways".

"Smart move" Atom nodded approvingly.

"Listen, can you guys take over from here? I've got to be somewhere?"

Atom landed and patted Roy on the shoulder. "Of course. You get out of here, me and Hawkman will clean this up".

******​

Lian Harper swallowed hard as her small shook almost uncontrollably. She squinted hard, trying to look through the series of bright lights that obscured her vision.

In front of her another girl dressed in green danced across the stage towards her, her green tutu sparkling in the stage lights. "Come on! We have to save the garden!" she sang.

Lian glanced at her and glanced back to the crowd assembled. From the side of the stage her teacher was waving energetically, encouraging her to speak. Lian shuffled uncomfortably and adjusted the patch over her eye.

"We really need to hurry!" the little girl repeated.

20.07

Somewhere in the hall a door creaked and Lian squinted to see her father trying his best to sneak into the hall. With a wide grin she turned to her co-star and grinned. "Let's do it then Tink!" she sang back, giving her performance everything she had.

The hall of the community center hummed with the enthusiastic chatter and praise of the people who were enjoying the party there. They had just watched a group of children perform as part of a charity drive to drum up support for helping kids out in the projects. Lian Harper, daughter of the Red Arrow, Roy Harper raced across the room and leapt into a huge hug from her father.

"Was I good, dad?" She asked as he planted a kiss on her cheek.

Roy looked to the woman next to him and grinned before turning back to his daughter, his eyes full of pride. "You were great sweetheart, absolutely brilliant!"

Lian laughed in delight as Roy let her go and she wandered off towards a group of other girls who had also performed. Roy turned back to the woman next to him. "Thanks for coming tonight Kendra, I'm sure Lian appreciates it as much as I do".

"It's nothing, I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else tonight" Kendra Saunders replied, resting her hand on Roys arm. "How come you were late?"

Roy took a drink from the plastic cup he was holding and shook his head. "There was a bit of chaos downtown. A new Shaggy Man. I got caught up in it and had to take him down".

"You took him down by yourself?" Kendra frowned.

"I was lucky" Roy shrugged. "A bit of quick thinking immobilised him and then Cap Atom and Carter showed up".

Kendra flinched a little at the mention of Hawkmans name but didn't follow it up. "Still, that's impressive Roy" she complimented.

Roy blushed a little and quickly took another drink from his cup trying to hide his embarassment at the compliment. "It was wierd, I mean there didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. And in the city in the middle of the day. It doesn't make much sense. And that's before you even consider who this new one is".

"Well we can worry about it later. Just enjoy tonight for what it is".

Roy nodded and smiled to himself. "Yeah, I will. But I meant what I said before... Since Donna left, you've been a great help and Lian really likes you. So you know, thanks Kendra. For everything..."

With the smile returned she planted a gentle kiss on his cheek and rested a hand on his back. "It's fine. Really".

Roy took her hand and squeezed it a little, letting the moment between last a moment longer. Finally he let go and moved away towards his daughter. Kendra, still smiling followed not too far behind.

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Dark man spray mist in my face.

There is pain all over. Pain. Sickness.

I shake and twist as pain goes all over. Cannot stop the pain!

Scream, shoot heat from eyes. Burn holes in sky.

Other men come towards me. Throw them away. Leave me alone.

Dark man makes pain.

Head......hurt!

.....pain.....

......changing......

......mind......flooded......with thoughts.....

....images....

....names.....

"...Bruce?"

I fall to the floor.


After what feels like hours of agony as my body reconfigures itself, I pull myself back to my feet.

Looking around, I see how much damage I did. Thank God it's not worse.

"Is everyone okay?"

Marvel approaches the White House lawn and sees Superman starting to come around to his senses.

He lands and says, "It doesn't appear that there is any catastrophic damage. That being said we could have a new and uglier situation brewing."

Marvel looks at the group and says, "Luthor. He's currently in the hospital and dying. However he is holding on to see Superman."

He looks at Superman and says, "Here's my question; if Luthor is dying then why would he want his mortal enemy to see him in such a weakened state. Unless he was possibly holding long enough so that he could take you with him? Or take the rest of humanity for that matter."

He looks around at the group and says, "It's safe to say that when we hold 4 aces somehow someway Luthor always tries to make sure he's holding 5."

 

[J'adore]

A bright, white light engulfes my vision. The light takes shape of a bat emblem, quite similar to the one I use to wear -- Back when I was Batgirl. The white, shining, emblem fades, slowly turning in to a gold complexion. I see a black silhouette run towards me, the figure's form clearly of a young girl. Then, piece by piece, color appears on the female silhouette. First, I see a long explosion of red hair, that carries streaks of a gingery shade. Her skin is pale, yet crystal clear and smooth. Her eyes are a darkening emerald and her lips seem to be quite voluptuous. Oh, god. That's me! "Dick! Dick, wait up!"

I hear Batgirl's call cry out infront of me. I remember that day. The first time Dick and I went on our 'Dynamic Duo' adventures. We were so naive back then...Young, foolish, ignorant to say the least. Batgirl comes closer and closer, her face painted with a large, genuine, grin. She stops in her tracks and allows her breath to catch up with her. I always did have trouble with that sprinting. But for one split second, our eyes meet. I expect some kind of time relapse to happen or perhaps the world to explode around us, but we breifly begin to make contact. Her gloved finger tips brush against my bare wrist, and her smile begins to fade.

"Where...Where am I?" I find it amazing, that I've managed to choke out a whole sentence. Well, a few words. I can't actually believe I'm asking myself a question. And not just myself from the past hour, but myself, from the past ten years. I don't know what I was expecting, but Batgirl begins to chuckle, extending out her right arm. She seems to be holding a small, grapple. Oh...that grapple. The grapple I stole from Dick, then painted it pink, just so he would never take it back.

"Welcome...To Hell..." I quickly jump to my feet, spinning around on one heel. Standing before me is Helena. But, not in her usual Huntress garments, but in the costume of Batgirl. I'm shocked by her reply, and I struggle to find words that I can speak. I slowly move my right hand through my hair, brushing it back from my face. I realise that, young Babs is no longer behind me. Instead, it's just Helena and I. I look around, examining my exact location. Four white walls, with one silver chair in the centre. Helena stands behind the chair, with a crossbow in her hand and her mask torn to shreds. "Hell...I'm-I'm dead?"

I don't feel dead. I feel pretty alive, actually. Infact, I don't feel any type of pain. It takes me a moment or two to realize that she's not actually talking to me at all. Well, not me, as in present me, but me, as in newly-paralyzed me. This is obviously during Gotham's run as a 'No Man's Land'. The events that lead up to dear old Sarah, being shot down by the Joker. I can't bare to even look at Helena any more...The memories of that period just cause a stain in my mind, and I even find myself clutching my chest as my heart releases a strong pain of despair. "Not quite..."

I hear the broken voice of Cassandra. Her asian accent lingers in my ears and 'Helena' rips off her shredded mask, to instead, reveal Cassandra herself. Her small, thin eyes, fix to my face, scanning my emotions quickly. I rub my temples, just wanting to slip away from this whole 'mess'. I look down at myself, just to check I'm not in any form of 'Hospital' clothes. And no...I'm still in my high-waisted pinstripe pants, my satin, steel blue blouse. My hair's tighed back in the high ponytail it was and my eyebrows are just as plucked as ever. I must still be out cold on that damn floor..."Then where the hell am I!?"

"The Watchtower...Coolness..." And then, from behind me, I hear the annoying, teen voice of Stephanie Brown. We've only ever met a few times, and I don't really have any time for her. She went under the name of Spoiler...Dunno if that's still working for her, but Dick and I have no idea why Tim puts up with that bimbo. And why Rose hasn't slit her throat already. Cassandra bites her lips and slowly walks away. To hell with her then. "Triple coolness!"

Then, I hear a voice that is not familiar. A young, red-headed, beauty, who seems to have freckles splattered across her sun-kissed skin. Her lips are too small for her face, and seem like they are always puckered. Her eyes are a deep, baby blue, that make me want to jump in to her iris and swim in it. The two teenagers stand together, Stephanie eating a packet of Chips, with her mouth wide open as she gawps. The un-familiar teen smiles right at me, flashing a small wink. "You--You saw me! How'd you see me?"

"Of course I saw you, silly!" She giggles, before Stephanie steps forward. She pauses her laughter for a brief moment, but only holds the pause for no longer than five seconds. Stephanie unleashes a roar of laughter, encouaring the un-familiar teen to resume her laughter. Kids, right?

"Babs? Jesus Christ!"

Oh great...Another frickin' vision, just what I need...

"Dick!?"

I suddenly realise, this isn't the dream. This is reality. My actions take a hold of me and I throw my arms around my fiancee, breathing in that awful aftershave he wears. I notice, through the corner of my blacked out eye, a woman, sitting behind him, with blood trickling down her. Huh, go figure.

"Cheshire! Cheshire!" I breath. I struggle to control my breathing and clutch my heart, before kneeling over and releasing a whole lotta sick. Mm, delightful.

"Cheshire!? Where is she!?" I pant.

Cheshire's gone. And only a blood trail to prove she was ever there.
​

 

[Byrd Man]

"...Bruce?"

I fall to the floor.

After what feels like hours of agony as my body reconfigures itself, I pull myself back to my feet.

Looking around, I see how much damage I did. Thank God it's not worse.

"Is everyone okay?"

I nod and go against every impulse to wince in pain at the bruised ribs caused by Superman's tackle.

"More or less."

He lands and says, "It doesn't appear that there is any catastrophic damage. That being said we could have a new and uglier situation brewing."

Marvel looks at the group and says, "Luthor. He's currently in the hospital and dying. However he is holding on to see Superman."

He looks at Superman and says, "Here's my question; if Luthor is dying then why would he want his mortal enemy to see him in such a weakened state. Unless he was possibly holding long enough so that he could take you with him? Or take the rest of humanity for that matter."

He looks around at the group and says, "It's safe to say that when we hold 4 aces somehow someway Luthor always tries to make sure he's holding 5."

"Luthor can wait. He's a problem, but he's not the main one."

********
​

​

"No, Grodd," I say, releasing the unconscious sorceress from the Lasso as I fly at the megalomaniacal gorilla, punching him solidly across his jaw, "your reign is over."

Grodd rolls with the blow, somersaulting backwards and grabbing my wrist with his foot, flipping me as he continues the motion. I land on my back, the beast above me, taunting me as he rains attacks on me.

"Allow me to display why males are the dominant in my species."

My batarang whistles through the air and strikes the gorilla in the skull. A glancing blow that doesn't do much than annoy him, but it distracts him long enough for Diana to land a solid punch and knock him off her.

 

[Bounce]

"Cheshire! Cheshire!" I breath. I struggle to control my breathing and clutch my heart, before kneeling over and releasing a whole lotta sick. Mm, delightful.

"Cheshire!? Where is she!?" I pant.​

​

"Gone."

The son of the Bat lingered in the shadows of the Tower window. Using the link that his father had provided him, zeroing in on Nightwing's war against the motorcycle gang had been too easy. Not to mention entertaining. Damian supposed that he ought to have helped, particularly since Batwoman had gotten shot, but no one needed to know that he'd been watching them. Besides, if she wasn't good enough to avoid the sights of a bike gang then she definitely wasn't cut out for 'Gotham's Finest'.

Since he'd spoken and revealed himself, the League of Assassins uniformed child pushed back the cowl on his gray cloak and stepped into the Tower proper. Turning his head away from Grayson and Gordon, the boy nodded to indicate a line of blood which streaked the inside of the apartment. "But there's a blood trail there that doesn't belong to you, so I think there's your answer," Damian stated dryly, stooping down to inspect the blood splatter for himself. Fresh blood had such an appealing color. Standing again, the child turned to stare at the pair. Nightwing and the Oracle, the former of which had held back the hair of the latter while she emptied the contents of her stomach.

They were obviously both professionals.

"The original boy wonder," Damian remarked, as he stared over at Richard Grayson. The unnerving thing about Damian were his eyes. Identical in every respect to Bruce's, but totally devoid of anything human. They were merely slivers of ice. "I'd say its an honor, but Alfred tells me it's bad manners to lie to someone's face."

Reaching into a pouch on his belt, the young assassin produced a set of vials which he held up to the light. "This is a cure for Grodd's beast bombs my father made," the young al Ghul-Wayne said. If they believed him, then they'd be able to figure out for themselves who sent him. And why. And if they didn't believe him, at least Damian getting to watch Richard versus the biker game had been amusing. Made it so the evening wasn't a total loss.

Damian hesitated as he started to just toss the vials over at Richard. Grayson had his hands full with Oracle sick and Batwoman bleeding. Dividing the vials so that he had two in one hand and one in the other, the boy looked back at Richard and said, "How about I help Gordon with hers. You should help Cain."

Tossing the vial up into the air and casually catching it behind his back, Damian warned, "It's something of an acquired taste, so you might want to take it with something. Especially if you're nauseous."

 

[Eddie Brock]

Miri​

Miri looks puzzled at the woman who yelled at her.

Why would anyone not want to embrace love? The connection I felt between these two was strong at one time? What happen that could rip such strong love apart?

Miri then shakes her head when the guy speaks to her.

"Yes, I think going with you to this Titans Tower might prove to be informational. I've got very many questions about this strange planet that had drawn the worst in the Universe to itself not too long ago."

I nod. I'm sure we all have a lot of questions right now, so it's best we just sort them out at the Tower. I whistle to Krypto, and he hops to my side. I'll take him back to the Tower to make sure he's okay, too, before letting him run off alone.

Beast Boy turns into a giant green falcon, as Cassie, Megan, and I take to the air. Megan's carrying Zach - something I'm sure he's secretly thrilled about. Checking to make sure Miri's following, I head in the direction of the Tower.

Moments later, we arrive. We all touch down, and I pat Krypto on the head, saying, "Go inside, boy!" He runs off happily, and I turn to Miri with a smile. People tell me I look like Kal when I smile. "Now that our lives aren't in danger, we can actually introduce ourselves. I'm Superboy."

 

[sumowrestler]

I nod. I'm sure we all have a lot of questions right now, so it's best we just sort them out at the Tower. I whistle to Krypto, and he hops to my side. I'll take him back to the Tower to make sure he's okay, too, before letting him run off alone.

Beast Boy turns into a giant green falcon, as Cassie, Megan, and I take to the air. Megan's carrying Zach - something I'm sure he's secretly thrilled about. Checking to make sure Miri's following, I head in the direction of the Tower.

Moments later, we arrive. We all touch down, and I pat Krypto on the head, saying, "Go inside, boy!" He runs off happily, and I turn to Miri with a smile. People tell me I look like Kal when I smile. "Now that our lives aren't in danger, we can actually introduce ourselves. I'm Superboy."

Miri
​

Miri looks around the tower. The walls were mostly gray with some sort of decorations on them. There seems to be a screen standing on its own.

"What is that free standing screen used for? Is it how you view the outside world? This room could use some color with all of this gray around."

Miri then turns her head towards Superboy realizing that he spoke to her.

"Oh, as I said out in the city, my name is Miri and I'm a Star Sapphire. We represent the Violet end of the Emotional Spectrum. Our emotion is love and we seek to build or restore lost love. Without love, this universe would be a very dark and lonely place. I was curious about this planet due to a couple of things. The first is why someone like Darkseid would want to control it especially using the Black Lantern Battery. Death is a part of life but to use it as a tool is wrong. The other reason is my very limited chats with Sapphire Carol Ferris. She is associated with one of your sector 2814 Green Lanterns by the name of Hal Jordan."​

 

[Eddie Brock]

Miri
​

Miri looks around the tower. The walls were mostly gray with some sort of decorations on them. There seems to be a screen standing on its own.

"What is that free standing screen used for? Is it how you view the outside world? This room could use some color with all of this gray around."

Miri then turns her head towards Superboy realizing that he spoke to her.

"Oh, as I said out in the city, my name is Miri and I'm a Star Sapphire. We represent the Violet end of the Emotional Spectrum. Our emotion is love and we seek to build or restore lost love. Without love, this universe would be a very dark and lonely place. I was curious about this planet due to a couple of things. The first is why someone like Darkseid would want to control it especially using the Black Lantern Battery. Death is a part of life but to use it as a tool is wrong. The other reason is my very limited chats with Sapphire Carol Ferris. She is associated with one of your sector 2814 Green Lanterns by the name of Hal Jordan."​

Violet ring-bearers. I've certainly seen weirder. And Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern? Just how much does this girl know about our world?

"I'm Beast Boy," Gar announces as he quickly shapeshifts from a lion to a bull to an eagle and back to his human self. He grins.

"And I'm M'gann M'orzz, but you can call me Megan," Megan says politely. "Or Miss Martian. Whatever you prefer."

 

[trustyside-kick]

"Because with our luck this is a minor setback and he will be on the attack once again. He is much more powerful than he normally is. I just witnessed Superman effortlessly dispatch Despero prior to this after I was controlled and forced to try to take him down. To be honest...I am not looking forward to a rematch. Though, if it comes to it..."

Getting into a defensive stance, waiting for the timing to be right as he looks at the blue and red clad former hero, the Marine Marvel takes a deep breath.

"...I guess I won't have a choice."

After what feels like hours of agony as my body reconfigures itself, I pull myself back to my feet.

Looking around, I see how much damage I did. Thank God it's not worse.

"Is everyone okay?"

A great sigh of relief has fallen from the Marine Marvel's lips as the concoction of an antidote Batman had successfully used on Superman finally goes into effect. Yet still, it takes the former Sea King every ounce of his will for his knees to not shake. It is an odd feeling. Countless times he and his colleagues have gone up against odds that never were in their favor in saving the world.

But his biggest nightmare was the thought of facing an uncontrollable Superman gone feral and wild. Who is to say that Grodd even had much of a control over Clark after he transformed? For all Aquaman knows, the chance of having to save Grodd from Clark is just as high as having to save themselves. This would mark the second time that Orin has witnessed Superman's raw and uncanny increase of power.

Such a thing dwells heavy on the Aquatic Ace's head much like before. This cannot go overlooked.

My batarang whistles through the air and strikes the gorilla in the skull. A glancing blow that doesn't do much than annoy him, but it distracts him long enough for Diana to land a solid punch and knock him off her.

As Grodd stumbles from Wonder Woman's hard blow, the genius intellect gorilla spots that Superman is no longer bound to the magical bomb that had transformed him into a Lionmane of sorts. As it is clear that the disadvantage is his, the villain starts to try to flee.

"Oh no you don't, Grodd."

Sending out a telepathic blast, the Marine Marvel knocks Grodd off balance just enough to catch up to him. Gorilla Grodd may have the marveling attributes of a gorilla, but Orin has lived nearly his entire life maneuvering around the harshest depths of the ocean. His agility on land and speed is more than enough to grab the villain by his shoulders, and swing him about.

"The last time you got away..."

Aquaman continues to spin about at great spin. Turning and turning as he keeps hold of the gorilla villain.

"...people had trouble sleeping at night. The ways you delved into the very security and privacy of their lives and homes with your virus."

Finally letting go, aiming for Superman, the Marine Marvel smirks. While Clark was not aware of Orin's plans, the solution to the matter at hand is simple.

"This time you shall be brought to justice."
​

As Aquaman finishes his words, the villain's head connects with Superman's opposing fist, knocking the villain out cold. As Orin does what he does he knows that it could stir an odd response from Clark, but he quickly comes to the villains side and checks for a pulse. Still alive. Not the most noble thing to do, as surely Clark is concerned of what is going on, but he simply had to be sure he hadn't lost control of his strength. Awkwardly, Orin stands up, and looks at Clark with both a look of relief and concern.

"It is done."

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Violet ring-bearers. I've certainly seen weirder. And Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern? Just how much does this girl know about our world?

"I'm Beast Boy," Gar announces as he quickly shapeshifts from a lion to a bull to an eagle and back to his human self. He grins.

"And I'm M'gann M'orzz, but you can call me Megan," Megan says politely. "Or Miss Martian. Whatever you prefer."

Zachary Zatara

"And I'm the Magnificent Zachary Zatara. Am I famous in outer space? Who am I kidding, of course I am." I give the alien chick a wry smile and wink at her.

I never did get with an alien chick before.

"So, uh, not that we don't appreciate the help and all....but what are you doing on Earth? Because you're kind of late for the Lantern Party we had a while back."
​

 

[sumowrestler]

Zachary Zatara​

"And I'm the Magnificent Zachary Zatara. Am I famous in outer space? Who am I kidding, of course I am." I give the alien chick a wry smile and wink at her.​

I never did get with an alien chick before.​

"So, uh, not that we don't appreciate the help and all....but what are you doing on Earth? Because you're kind of late for the Lantern Party we had a while back."​

Miri
​

Miri looks over to the group and then sees the funny dressed boy who thinks he is famous for some odd reason.

"You, my young one, long to be loved but I have to wonder if you truly know who or what you want from that person. Do not worry, such a thing will come to you over time. Love has a way of showing itself to us in its time. As for my reason for being here, I was in fact here during what you called a Lantern Party. It seems that the War of Light help cause the coming of Darkseid to this planet and therefore the Sapphires including myself came to the aid of this planet. The Sapphire that you may be most famaliar with is Carol Ferris. I think she either flies planes or own planes. During that short time, I became very intriguied by this planet and requested to come back to study it more indepth. Eventually I'll have to report to Sapphire Ferris but until then I'm here to learn and help out where I can."

Miri then turns her attention to the two green members of the group.

"Nice to meet you Beast Boy and M'gann M'orzz. By your names I would say you aren't related but by your looks I would guess you are. What kind of aliens are you two?"​

 

[MST3K 4ever]

A great sigh of relief has fallen from the Marine Marvel's lips as the concoction of an antidote Batman had successfully used on Superman finally goes into effect. Yet still, it takes the former Sea King every ounce of his will for his knees to not shake. It is an odd feeling. Countless times he and his colleagues have gone up against odds that never were in their favor in saving the world.

But his biggest nightmare was the thought of facing an uncontrollable Superman gone feral and wild. Who is to say that Grodd even had much of a control over Clark after he transformed? For all Aquaman knows, the chance of having to save Grodd from Clark is just as high as having to save themselves. This would mark the second time that Orin has witnessed Superman's raw and uncanny increase of power.

Such a thing dwells heavy on the Aquatic Ace's head much like before. This cannot go overlooked.



As Grodd stumbles from Wonder Woman's hard blow, the genius intellect gorilla spots that Superman is no longer bound to the magical bomb that had transformed him into a Lionmane of sorts. As it is clear that the disadvantage is his, the villain starts to try to flee.

"Oh no you don't, Grodd."

Sending out a telepathic blast, the Marine Marvel knocks Grodd off balance just enough to catch up to him. Gorilla Grodd may have the marveling attributes of a gorilla, but Orin has lived nearly his entire life maneuvering around the harshest depths of the ocean. His agility on land and speed is more than enough to grab the villain by his shoulders, and swing him about.

"The last time you got away..."

Aquaman continues to spin about at great spin. Turning and turning as he keeps hold of the gorilla villain.

"...people had trouble sleeping at night. The ways you delved into the very security and privacy of their lives and homes with your virus."

Finally letting go, aiming for Superman, the Marine Marvel smirks. While Clark was not aware of Orin's plans, the solution to the matter at hand is simple.

"This time you shall be brought to justice."
​

As Aquaman finishes his words, the villain's head connects with Superman's opposing fist, knocking the villain out cold. As Orin does what he does he knows that it could stir an odd response from Clark, but he quickly comes to the villains side and checks for a pulse. Still alive. Not the most noble thing to do, as surely Clark is concerned of what is going on, but he simply had to be sure he hadn't lost control of his strength. Awkwardly, Orin stands up, and looks at Clark with both a look of relief and concern.

"It is done."

Marvel sees the situation winding down and says, "I'll be right back."

In a flash he takes off to a nearby defense contractor warehouse.

He lands and sees the foreperson with a name tag of "Edward"

Marvel says, "Excuse me ahh Edward I need a few slabs of your Metallo to help deal with a villian."

Edward is in awe of seeing Captain Marvel.

He stutters and stamers for a second and says, "Sure thing. Can I just get a quick picture with my camera phone of you for my son. He is a big fan of yours."

Marvel says, "You have video with it?"

Edward nods and Marvel asks, "What's his name?"

He replies, "Jason"

Marvel nods and gives Edward the cue to record. Edward nods back.

Marvel says, "Hello Jason. Today your father helped The Justice League capture a dangerous villian. Be proud of him and the work he does here and for our country. People like him are our the true heroes of our world. Stay in school and study hard. Bye now."

Marvel nods and Edward plays it back and smiles.

He says, "Take as much as you need and thank you Captain Marvel."

Marvel nods and grabs 6 slabs of Metallo.

He then takes flight back to the White House where he fashions an orb that can be opened and closed.

Marvel says, "That should be strong enough to hold Grodd for now."

 

[Byrd Man]

It's a quiet night at the Medical Examiner's office. Going on 3 A.M. and all that's come through the door tonight is a victim from a head-on collision on the interstate. I finally decide to make my move, stalking through the shadows towards the morgue. Officer Partlow is too busy listening to his hand-held radio to notice me slip past the guard booth. The ME on watch tonight is Nora Fields, who's currently so consumed with paperwork that she doesn't even hear the soft rustling of my cape.

I find the section listed for John Does and go through the drawers until I pull back the one I'm looking for.

Here he is, a bullet wound to the gut and a bullethole burrowed into his forehead. The stories are true.

"The Joker is dead."

I should be happy.

I should feel a sense of relief. The circle of violence is broken for once and for all. But I don't know how to feel. This man was scum, he senselessly destroyed countless lives all for the sake of his twisted style of comedy. But does that mean he deserved to die? Maybe, maybe not. That's not up to me to decide.

What's up for me to decide is if he deserves justice. He may have deserved what he got, but murder is murder. Even if it's trash like Joker, it's still wrong. I know what I need to do.

"I'm going to find out who killed you," I say under my breath to Joker's body. "I'm going to bring them to justice. Not because they beat me to the punch, not because of your actions to rescue me from the League of Assassins a year ago, but because even someone like you shouldn't be murdered in cold blood. I believe that's true, and I would go all against I stand for to let this one murder slide. I'm going to find out who did this because I'm me and you were you. I will bring them to justice."
​

 

[wiegeabo]

Indigo Lanterns are such a curious tribe. Incredibly enigmatic beings from a world so remote, not even the Guardians know their language. Their powers, too, are equally perplexing. Drawing on compassion, they heal the sick and give comfort to the dying. And yet, when near other rings, they can take on those abilities as well. Not to mention their ability to teleport unlike any other Lantern Corps.

It's the teleportation that makes them so difficult to track down. Unless one happens to know a location where mass suffering occurs. Or creates one.

"Tok Nok, Tek Kol Nok Lok."

The Indigo Lantern kneels next to one of the many injured lying and moaning on the ground.

She puts her hand on the alien's forehead, and he immediately seems to calm down.

"Luk, Nok Tak, Kel..." the Indigo leaps to the side just before the blast of energy strikes her.

Rolling quickly, she's on her feet in an instant, the energy of her Corps protecting her from the next assault. And the next. But she remains on defense only so long before replicating the energy of her attacker and turning their own light against them.

A fierce battle is waged. Some of the wounded try to crawl away from the fight, but the attacker does not not worry over them, and the Indigo does not have the time, although her heart bleeds for their suffering. The attacker's constructs are vicious and deadly, but largely ineffective. Mostly because the Indigo seems to be just as experienced a fighter, and uses her own version of the attacker's light for offense.

Still, the attacker presses on, knowing that giving her a single moment, a second of time to think rather than react-

The ground before the attacker explodes, causing a moment of blindness. By the time the light pushes the debris away, only a flash of indigo remains. The blasted teleportation.

The attacker stands there among the injured and thinks, ignoring the moaning and cries. He knows that with the next Indigo, a new strategy will be required...

 

[Catman_prb]

Damian hesitated as he started to just toss the vials over at Richard. Grayson had his hands full with Oracle sick and Batwoman bleeding. Dividing the vials so that he had two in one hand and one in the other, the boy looked back at Richard and said, "How about I help Gordon with hers. You should help Cain."
​

Tossing the vial up into the air and casually catching it behind his back, Damian warned, "It's something of an acquired taste, so you might want to take it with something. Especially if you're nauseous."

"Fantastic," I say grabbing the two vials of antidote, and swallowing one instantly. I freeze as the taste registers in my mouth, then quickly try not to bring the formula back up again. We'd been lucky so far not to be affected by these 'beast bombs' - I'm sure it was only a matter of time. I kneel down next to Batwoman and unstopper the vial.

"How is it?" she croaks.

"Tastes like sewer," I reply "And I can confirm that with some certainty giving my line of work,"

She laughs with a little cough and shakes her head.

"Not that, this," she says, pointing at the gunshot wound.

"It's not that bad," I reply confidently "We'll put you in some of Oracle's civvies then get you down to the hospital,"

She nods, her eyes fluttering as she accepts Bruce's antidote. I look at Damien, the boss's son.

"Hows your night been?" I ask casually.