The "World Of Heroes" DC RPG Season V

[Karem-Knight]

​

The sun shines bright, even through the thick window-drapes. I toss and turn in my bed, trying to get some semblance of sleep, but every time I close my eyes I see that damn clown staring deep into me and laughing as he drowns.

I sit up, alone in the mansion. Wayne Manor. For a while, I only considered it my father's house. After a while, I grew to accept it as my own. Now, it belongs to no one. It's only a cemetary for those I loved. I walk down into the cave and put on the suit. I can't stand the ghosts in my old home.

I add new logs into the computer. I exercise. I brave going into the manor, freshen up, put on a suit, and go to Wayne Tower, where I lived when Tim as the Red Hood and Parasite destroyed the manor. I might come back here--the manor is too big for one man to live. I sit in my office, going through paperwork, going into meetings, until finally, the sun goes away, leaving the night.

I put on the real suit and drive through the city. I divert from my usual patrol, just moving through the city, stopping muggings and robberies when seen. It isn't until the hard pavement turns to gravel that I realize I'm driving towards Gotham Cemetary.

I stop, open the door, and leap out, realizing what I'm here to do. I walk through the gates, going through a path I could do with my eyes closed. A few rights and lefts, and I walk up to a hill to see them.

Thomas and Martha Wayne. My parents.

I stand near them, nearly touching the stone. I think of everything I can remember about them. I remember the night, of pearls and gunpowder. I remember the hours before, seeing Zorro on the big screen slicing up the bad guys with the wit and charm only those in swashbuckling movies can achieve. I remember my mother holding my hand in the dark, and I turn to see my father, enwrapped by the screen, with the same grin I had. I try to think of birthday parties, dinners, my mother's scent and my father's brief but powerful showings of love when he was at home, and not at the hospital...but it's mostly a haze. I close my eyes, and think as hard as I can, and I realize--I almost remember nothing about them besides their murder.

Have I done this intentionally? Did I sacrifice my memories, along with so many other things, for my War?

I wish...I wish to remember something good around them, if only one thing. At this moment, I could give up everything else, if only for that.

I kneel down to the headstones, empty, grasping them for...wholeness, only finding cold marble.

Suddenly I hear a scream, a loud, gravelly scream.

"DAMN YOU!"

I turn to the direction of the sound, I walk towards it, lightly, through the shadows.

"DAMN YOU--WHY?!"

I see the back of a man, slamming his fist to the ground.

"I WAS HAPPY! I HAD A STABLE LIFE! A WIFE WHO LOVED ME! WHO I LOVED! IT WASN’T THE ACID THAT CREATED THIS MONSTER! IT WAS YOU!!”

I look at the gravestone, the words "Johnathon Dent" carved in. The man collapses into a heap, whispering a word I cannot hear. I walk silently, closer to the man, when I heard it.

"Gilda."

Two-Face.

"Harvey?"​

Harvey turned his head round to see an all to familiar friend, And to Two-Face an enemy.

“B-Bats…..?”

Harvey get’s up, trying to contain his demon.

What are you doing Harvey! Are you trying to get into more and more **** in this city? He’s a traitor he’s nothing but a Halloween costume.

Leave me alone Two-Face! Just go away!

Harvey got a hold of himself to speak the truth.

“B…Batman…I…..nee…need…….help………..”

Harvey went down to his knees again.

“It’s Two-Face……I…..He’ss……DETROYING ME!”

Harvey turned around and pointed at his father’s grave.

“All because of that BASTARD!”

Good Harvey, Say it say what you REALLY feel!

Harvey ignored Two-Face and looked at his father’ grave.

“…..You….y…you….don…don’t know….what It was like…..everyday…..of….torment!”

Then Harvey’s head shook violently.

“I…I. Don’t know want to do anymore Bats!….”

Harvey’s tears resurfaced.

“G-Gilda….is….dead….My Dad died a year ago……I killed Janice……you and Jim see me as nothing but a freak…..cause of this stack of meat on my head, I….WHAT AM I GOING TO DO….I HAVE NOTHING!”

Harvey fell down to his knees again crying and crying.

 

[Green Lantern]

I feel my stomach goes cold as Roy screams out for help. I snap my bow back onto the back of the quiver and run as fast as I can through the jungle. My hand goes to the small blade Natas gave me after he taught me sword play.

"GET AWAY FROM MY BOY! ASS-HOLE!"

I leap through the underbrush, my sword drawn high as I strike Mad Dog on the shoulder. The blade sinks into his skin and almost hits the bone.

"AHHH!"

I swing my leg around and kick him in the the chest. The sword makes a wet sound as it dislodges from Mad Dog's shoulder and he falls back into the underbrush. He's down but not out.

"You alright, Roy?"

I hold my hand out as he grabs it and stands next to me. Mad Dog starts to get his bearings and pick himself up.

"You know the drill. You hit him high, I hit him low."

I grab my bow and pull an arrow out of the quiver. I string it, pull back and let it fly.

Both archers let arrows fly at the same time, and the snarling Mad Dog yelped in pain as he was pinned by his biceps to two nearby trees.

Both bowmen looked at each other and spoke in unison. "Good shot toddler/fogie."

They stared at each other and then started laughing.

"So, time to head back stateward?"

 

[Byrd Man]

Both archers let arrows fly at the same time, and the snarling Mad Dog yelped in pain as he was pinned by his biceps to two nearby trees.

Both bowmen looked at each other and spoke in unison. "Good shot toddler/fogie."

They stared at each other and then started laughing.

"So, time to head back stateward?"

"I guess so. I don't know about you, but I could do with a nice shower and change of clothes. I'm starting to smell like Solomon Grundy's gym socks"

*******

​

A few hours later and the Arrowplane is flying high away from the island, I take one last look back before my cellphone starts to buzz.

"Huh, guess it's hard to get service on a desert island. See, I told you we should have made a coconut phone."

I press the button and the automated voice kicks on.

"You have....three new messages, first message...."

BOOP!

"Ollie, it's Hal. I'm gonna be off the planet for awhile. If you need anything, tough ****."

I smile a little as Hal's phone clicks off.

"Second message...."

BOOP!

"Um...O-Ollie? It's Ted....I'm in Gotham with the other Birds wondering where you are. Call me when you get a chance, bye."

"Third message...."

BOOP!

I hear her take in a breath and I know who it is before she even says one word.

"Ollie.....you son of a *****! Where the hell are you! You better get your ass to Gotham or I'll shoot an arrow where the sun don't shine!...Later."

Mia slams the phone down and I rub my hurting ear.

"Well, Roy. Looks like I'm headed to Gotham. Come with?"

​

 

[Spike_x1]

Oh God

Spinning around, Joe stared in awe at the camera filming him. The simple blinking red light above the lens made his heart sink and he spine shiver.

Suddenly, a screen made of hard light materialized in the air in front of the Atomic Skull. The grinning face on screen made Joe want to vomit even more.

"Surprise, Bone-head! You're on Candid Camera!"​

"Prankster!" Joe shouted in anger at the green suited maniac on the screen before him.

"Congrats, Martin. You win your No-Prize!" Loomis was grinning wickedly and sitting back in his chair, obviously content that he had outsmarted the Atomic Skull. "I admit you had some of us going for a while after Schott helped you out of your cell. And here we thought that the Toyman had gone AWOL. I suppose I'll have to deal with that pudgy little pedophile sometime later. Y'know, in a different world, I think he and I could've actually been the best of buddies."

"What the hell is going on here, Prankster?!" shouted Joe in anger again. As hard as he tried, Martin couldn't seem to activate his metagene. What he'd give to show this clown the power of the Atomic Skull!

Ignoring the question, the Prankster seemed lost in his own mania, "My best guess is that Schott's a bit pissed that the Silver Banshee killed the Adversary, or I suppose she technically only killed Cary Richards, the child whose subconsciousness spawned the Adversary. Oh well. Kid didn't wanna join up, and we all know that you can't make an omelet without breakin' a few eggs. And for once, the yolk's not on the big blue boyscout's face, hehehe!"

Joe was disgusted. These psychos had killed a child?! "Damn you, what are you murderers doing!?!"

"Oh no, heh. I suppose if you're seeing this recording, then you've probably already figured out that the prank wasn't meant for Big Blue at all this time."

Recording?

"Nah, this time, the joke's on everyone else! You see, my dear Mister Martin, the other chumps all thought that there was a new player in town, taking up where Luthor left off a few months ago, bringing the homies all together and getting us organized. We were just waiting for someone to step up and take the lead after the Parasite tore through us and Luthor left us for dead. It was a... Noble cause, don't you think?"

Joe was practically blind with rage. Even with Metallo's radiation dampeners placed throughout the facility, he could feel his anger fuelling his powers, bringing them to the surface once again.

"We recovered the technology left over from the dead Blackrock and Bloodsport, and we were hoping to get Terra-Man's tech too, but whatever. No big loss to hear that he actually survived Rudy's attack. Who wants to control a few weeds anyway? We sold the weapons to the highest bidders."

Joe's eye was twitching in frustration. That's where the new Blackrock came from!

"It was a good front," continued the recording of the Prankster. "I had to keep the other lummoxes' attention away from the real scam, after all. I made them think that I was just another screw, passing down orders from Noble. And they bought it! The suckers bought it! And look at them now..." the screen panned sideways, revealing dozens of rows of stasis chambers, holding all of the villains in a deep slumber. All of them! The Banshee, Metallo, Bizarro, Riot, Neutron; almost every single villain who called Metropolis home was locked away by the Prankster! "The thing about Superman's army of rogues is that the vast majority of them are thugs. Sure, they're thugs who've gained almost peerless power over the years, but they're still mindless thugs all the same. Even I was surprised at how easily I got samples of their weaponry, DNA, and technology, and then lured them into stasis." The camera turned back to the Prankster. "Of course, some of the lesser ones backed out early enough to avoid being caught in stasis, but...

Loomis smiled wider and picked up a large cake at his side. "And now it's time to celebrate, my flaming skulled compadre'! I've got the abilities of an entire army of supervillains at my disposal. Me! The Prankster! More power than even the Parasite or Amazo have ever dreamed of! AHAHAHAHA! For all you know, this recording might've been taped hours ago, and I might've already gone out and ruled the world by now, loser!"

As if to add a final insult, the Prankster hurled the cake at the camera, blocking any further video capture and turning the screen black. Sweat was pouring from Joe Martin's face and he was growling in white rage. An explosion of nuclear fire suddenly erupted within the sealed room in the Prankster's headquarters. Through sheer willpower, the Atomic Skull had overloaded the radiation dampeners and finally managed to bring his fiery visage to life again:

"We'll see about that."

 

[MaskedManJRK]

Harvey turned his head round to see an all to familiar friend, And to Two-Face an enemy.

“B-Bats…..?”

Harvey get’s up, trying to contain his demon.

What are you doing Harvey! Are you trying to get into more and more **** in this city? He’s a traitor he’s nothing but a Halloween costume.

Leave me alone Two-Face! Just go away!

Harvey got a hold of himself to speak the truth.

“B…Batman…I…..nee…need…….help………..”

Harvey went down to his knees again.

“It’s Two-Face……I…..He’ss……DETROYING ME!”

Harvey turned around and pointed at his father’s grave.

“All because of that BASTARD!”

Good Harvey, Say it say what you REALLY feel!

Harvey ignored Two-Face and looked at his father’ grave.

“…..You….y…you….don…don’t know….what It was like…..everyday…..of….torment!”

Then Harvey’s head shook violently.

“I…I. Don’t know want to do anymore Bats!….”

Harvey’s tears resurfaced.

“G-Gilda….is….dead….My Dad died a year ago……I killed Janice……you and Jim see me as nothing but a freak…..cause of this stack of meat on my head, I….WHAT AM I GOING TO DO….I HAVE NOTHING!”

Harvey fell down to his knees again crying and crying.

I almost don't want to help him. He's probably caused as much death and mayhem as The Joker. But he was a friend, many years ago, and I remember Harvey, free of the demon inside of him, trying to comfort me after Joker killed the last connection to my family that I had left.

"Harvey, I don't think you're a freak."

I walk closer to him, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"You don't have to do this to yourself. Let me help you. You can get your mind back together, you could get doctors that could repair the damage to your face. You don't have to be alone, here."

I lift my hand from his shoulder and extend it out, for him to accept.

 

[Karem-Knight]

I almost don't want to help him. He's probably caused as much death and mayhem as The Joker. But he was a friend, many years ago, and I remember Harvey, free of the demon inside of him, trying to comfort me after Joker killed the last connection to my family that I had left.

"Harvey, I don't think you're a freak."

I walk closer to him, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"You don't have to do this to yourself. Let me help you. You can get your mind back together, you could get doctors that could repair the damage to your face. You don't have to be alone, here."

I lift my hand from his shoulder and extend it out, for him to accept.

Harvey tries to reach up.

No Harvey!

Why not!?

Why not? You can’t get rid of me! You and I both know that! He’ll just send you to Arkham again he’s nothing but a worthless freak in a costume.

Harvey stood up looking at his coin, He flipped it, it was scarred.

Two-Face got his gun out and pointed it at Batman.

“Well Bats I think you know what out answer is! If you want to help Harvey you have to get through me!”

 

[MaskedManJRK]

"Hub City Hell: Part II"
​

MAN ARRESTED FOR HOLDING AND SELLING ALIEN-TECH
Found inside an alien device disguised as a hot-dog vendor
By Vic Sage

HUB CITY -- Jacob Brashier, 47, was found by police in an alien storage device, tipped over, making him unable to escape, by police early this morning. When asked about how he got there, Brashier admitted that he was storing and selling alien technology, and that he was found whilst in a business deal by Hub City's infamous vigilante, The Question.

According to Brashier, he and his sellers were confronted by the vigilante, and the three tried to chase him down. The two sellers were able to escape, and so did The Question, but not before tipping the hot-dog vendor stand over, not allowing Brashier to escape.

"If I didn't have a cell phone, I probably would be still in there, rotting," said Brashier while he was being placed in a police car, Hub City's finest trying to pull Brashier away from the press.

One of Hub City's police officers, Lieutenant Izzy O'Toole, commented on Brashier's incarceration, saying that he is cooperating with the police to find the men that he was selling to, in exchange for a lessened prison sentence. However, O'Toole was unable to comment on what Brashier sold to the men, or if he even knew what it was.

Representatives of STAR Labs were also present at HCPD's headquarters earlier today, picking up the alien tech that Brashier used. When asked, they said that it was what they called a "Space Amplifier," which enlarges inside the object the amount of matter that can fit within it. However, the representatives were unable to comment further on the origin of the device, or how Brashier was able to get it.


I look through my newest article, checking for any misplaced facts or style errors. Satisfied, I e-mail the article to my editor, close up my desk, and start walking out the office.

As I walk through the bull-pin and around the offices, I can't seem to find Nora anywhere. I haven't seen her since Syd's breakdown a few days ago. Going to have to look into that later.

Right now, I have some follow-up questions for Brashier...

***

I have to bite my own tongue to keep from laughing. Apparently, a giggle does slip through, since Izzy elbows me. But, I can't help it.

Brashier's sucking on his own damn thumb! I calm down and turn back to Izzy.

"Thanks for giving me a few minutes with him, Izzy. You sure you won't get any trouble from 'Hub's Finest?'"

"Yeah. Toilet's blocked here, so we always have to use the bathroom near the offices. Happens sometimes, right?

"Good. Thanks again."

"No prob."

Izzy walks out, towards the aforementioned offices. I turn back to the cell and pick open the locks. I open the door and look at him again, half-tempted to pull that thumb out, just to see what happens. Not thinking of a good reason why not, I pull it out and watch him shift and moan in his sleep. His eyes slowly pull open and I get down, so he can see me as he wakes.

Jacob Brashier does what any sane, rational man would do should he suddenly wake to the vision of a weird guy with a fedora and no face--he freaks the hell out.

"AAAAH! No--no no no no--get away get away from me! No no go away go awaaay DON'T EAT MY SOUL!"

"Eat your soul? That's a new one. Not interested in anything to eat--unless you have more hot dogs--I just want to ask you some...questions."

Brashier settles down and sits up from his bed. "You said that just to make a pun out of your name, didn't you?"

"Yes. Stop stalling me. I need some information about your buddies and what you were selling to them."

"I already told everything I know to the cops."

"I find that hard to believe. How did they contact you?"

"Private line I have for my business affairs."

"Did you see where it was from?"

"I have Caller ID, but it turned up as Unavailable, par on the course for most of my transactions."

"Was the caller either of the two men that picked up the package?"

"I doubt it. Can't tell the voice--used some sort of filter device--but he spoke more seriously then the two bozos that were going to pick it up."

"So you don't know what was in that package?"

"Other then the 'Crime Bible' nonsense those guys were babbling about? No."

"How did you get it if you don't know what it is?"

"Another business transaction. Same deal--unavailable identification, different sounding voice, asking me to store a package in my warehouse for someone else to pick up. I went to a bank with permission to open a safety deposit box in New York, got the package, and walked away."

"Hmm...alright. I think I got enough to at least find some options here. Thank you for the information." I turn around, open and close the cell door. I re-lock it and start walking out the door. I turn back to Brashier and tell him: "Oh, and if you tell the cops I talked to you...while I can't eat souls, I know a very scary man in Gotham who can. Just FYI."

I walk out the door and into the cold, smoggy night air of Hub. I pull my cell out of my coat and call a number as I start walking back to my Challenger.

"Hello?"

"Tot. Got anything on that Crime Bible thing I told you about?"

"Not a whole lot. There's not a mention of it in any of the historical documents I found. No news about it's recent discovery in archaeological or historical journals. I even braved looking through Google and Wikipedia. Not a single bit. The only information was from the Oracle lady you told me about. How did you get that number, by the way?"

"An ex of mine."

"Fair enough, mystery man. Anyway, she told me that she heard contacts of hers speak of rumors about some book embedded with chaos magic. She tried to get operatives to retrieve it to hand it to Doctor Fate for safekeeping, but the book somehow was able to slip away."

"You realize how surreal that response was?"

"Either I'm going senile or the rest of the world is going with me. Sorry I couldn't find much else."

"Don't worry, Tot. I think I got enough info so I know what I'm getting into. Now it's just a matter of finding them. Thanks a lot. Bye."

I hang up the phone and slip it back in my pocket. So, a strange book filled with chaos magic? That's a new one, here in Hub--we have enough fun with the three out of three governmental systems that's corrupt.

Am I strong enough to handle this strange new enemy? Gangs obsessed with future-tech is one thing, but chaos magic? That's a job for Superman, superheroes--I'm just some schmuck with no face in a nice suit.

Don't talk like that, Sage. You promised you'd protect this city. You're going to try to stop Intergang, one way or another; and if anything comes up that's too big for you, just--

I notice that my Challenger is on blocks. The windows are broken, the sides are scratched, and it smells as though someone left their mark like a wild animal on the front seat. I notice something dangling from the windshield wiper. I pull it out--a note, saying:

Charles Victor Szasz,
Stop asking questions or we'll do what we just did to your car on you!
-- You-Know-Who

I look around me, seeing if I can find anyone around me. Damn it, the bastard's been tailing me! Worse still, there's probably a reason why the bold-ed "questions"...

Oh well, like it actually worked. I'm still going to track down Intergang. I'm still going to beat the living crap out of them and drive them out of Hub. I'm still going to get this stupid Crime Bible out of their hands and with someone who can be trusted for it. Now I'm adding another one to the list: I'm going to find the low-down, dirty son of a b***h who trashed my car and I'm going to leave my mark on HIM, figurative and literally. ​

 

[trustyside-kick]

Orin and Poseidon appear out of no where, in the land of the Gods; Mount Olympus. Orin, holding the dead body of his son Koryak, takes a step forward when Poseidon stops him.

"A few things you must understand, Sea King, before you enter the realm. It is a privilege to roam these lands. Such is a privilege of what I offer you. Not just any man can walk among the gods, nor can any man just look upon them with his own two eyes."

Orin doesn't nod at Poseidon, he just starts to walk forward once more. Again, Poseidon stops him.

"Oh and...you cannot seriously think you are going to be bringing him in like that. Please, allow me to at least clea--"

"Don't you touch him. Lay not a finger on him, God."

"You ungrateful--watch your tongue! Here, all bow to the name of Zeus; he will not take your blasphemies or lack of care for your words lightly. You will do well to remember that!"

The two continue to walk down the road, leading to the great stairs that reach to the skies of Mount Olympus. Orin's heartbeat is steady, racing only ever few seconds before dropping back down to normal. But not out of fear or worry, but out of anger. He can care less about what Poseidon has warned him.

The seven generals of the Atlantean army all are allowed an audience with Mera. A few have come back from the war with injuries, but none paid the ultimate price; their life. The bow down before her, and she speaks.

"You requested to speak with me, generals?"

Governor Posidious swims forth, and bows.

"Yes, milady. We did our best, and we won! The battle has been won, and the war has ended. There are no traces or Ocean Master, however, and we were unable to obtain any prisoners for questioning. I'm afraid all the surface men we found were already dead when we got there, floating in their own pools of blood."

"I see. Today has indeed been a dark day for our people. Despite all the chaos, how much destruction came to the city?"

"A good half of the city alone was devastated by the impact of the crushing water as the dome was breached, milady. And with all the fighting that eventually came into the city...I'd say there isn't much left."

Mera closes her eyes and lowers her head. A guard enters the room, swimming towards Vulko, whom was sitting in the corner, and Vulko stands up.

"Mera! They've just found Garth swimming towards the city!"

"I see. Vulko, I'd like you to personally welcome him back to the city; I'll reach his wife and son myself. And Vulko...after you've met up with Garth, I'd hope you could return to me with ideas on rebuilding the city. It won't be easy."

"Yes, milady."

Orin and Poseidon finally reach the summit of Mount Olympus, where the Council of the Gods remain present. Poseidon enters first, with Orin following behind as he continues to hold his dead son's body. All the gods seem to silently become disgusted with the presence before them; only Zeus speaks out.

"Poseidon! Brother! What is this madness?! You allow this stranger to enter with that...that corpse?"

"That corpse you are speaking about is my son."

"And who are you?"

Orin looks around, seeing all the gods, and spots Athena, Demeter, and Hermes. Demeter and Hermes try to act like they do not recognize him, but Athena does not turn away; Zeus notices as her eyes meet with Orin's.

"Athena! You know this mortal?"

"He's Orin of Atlantis, brother. I forgive you for the boy, but he would not come here unless I agreed to his terms."

"Orin of Atlantis? Why should we grant him our audience? Hmm? Why should I--"

"Because I'm demanding your audience."

The skies seem to grow black and lightning cracks in the sky as Zeus grows angry.

"You dare interrupt me?! Ares! Dispose of this...this...vermin! Get him out of my site!"

 

[trustyside-kick]

Ares rises to his feet, grabbing one of his beloved axes, walking towards Orin. But Orin doesn't budge a bit as the god comes his way, he only turns his head his direction and speaks.

"Ares. The God of War, I see. Hmm...I'd thought you'd be taller, what with the way Diana described you."

"Ah! So you're a friend of the little princess, huh? Then you should be thinking about an escape route, mortal. Because I'm going to show you things you've never thought was capable of being done to a man."

"I see you're foolish and a bit egotistical in your age, godling. You've watched countless battles and wars...but you've only begun to imagine the mere drop of what I've witnessed at first hand."

Ares grows irritated, and starts to pick up his speed as he descends upon Orin. And just as he is about to hurl his axe outward at Orin, he lowers his arm as Orin speaks.

"Become aware of your next actions, godling. I do not wish to fight you."

"You think you have a choice, mortal? My father decreed you leave his site, and he's ask me to do so."

"I know all about your father and his...decrees. I assure you, it means little next to nothing."

Ares is face to face with Orin, but still, Orin doesn't budge. Ares raises his axe up high, as if about to strike down Orin, with his smile showing through his helmet.

"If you know about my father's decress, then you know I must obey them."

"Hmm. Guess I was depending you shared some of your brother and sister's traits."

"What?"

Zeus stands up from his seat, immediately summoning a lightning bolt to his hands, and pulls his arm backward. Ares walks to the side, giving Zeus a clear target and bows out of respect for his father's wishes. Still, Orin doesn't budge.

"You dare question the nobleness and loyalty of my own children, mortal? Surely you wish to face death! Because that is the only thing you will find here!"

"Father, no!"

Athena hurls from her seat, and finds herself between the two. For a few seconds, Zeus keeps his hand steady. But after those few seconds, his hand seem to shake. It's as if he is trying to decide in his mind whether or not to strike down Athena herself for her actions against his wishes.

"Father, allow the mortal to speak. Yes...I do know him. And so do Hermes and Demeter as well! Despite what little respect he has shown you so far, father...I know that he is a good man. And despite your word...we did help his friends after the princess and her companion came to you for aid."

Athena goes down on her knees, and then bows before her father. She seeks mercy, but she doesn't have to. In short time, the lightning bolt in his hand withers away. He feels betrayed that her, of all his children, would defy him like this. He sits down, and signals Athena to rise. She does so, and turns to Orin.

"You have the eyes and ears of the Council of the Gods now, friend of Diana. Please, do not misuse it."

Orin bows to her out of respect, and Athena bows back. She then turns to face her father, bows to him, and walks back up to her seat. Orin stands before the Council of the Gods, and as intended, he now has their full attention. He walks forward, and lays down Koryak's body before them.

"This is not the first of my troubles, Gods of the Ancient World, but another to add to my already large lot. It seems I am cursed by The Sisters of Fate, to forever feel agony and pain. If that is what must be done...then so be it. I dare not challenge The Sisters of Fate. But when that Fate, is in the hands of the Gods? This I cannot allow. I cannot allow the life of my people and my loved ones be in the hands of the Gods if they are not watched carefully. You there, Zeus. How many children do you have? Don't answer that. You probably have too many to list out and name. Me? I've had two sons. Both have been taken from me by my enemies. I've had to suffer the deaths of two sons...do you realize how such a thing feels, God? Do you realize what it's like, to wish that you died in their stead? But instead, you live on...trying to live the best you can...for them."

The Council of the Gods remain silent, but Orin expects an answer. He is frustrated, and tired, and strucken with pain; the worst imaginable.

"...No father should have to bury his son. It has come to my attention that the fate of my people and my family was in the hands of but a group of Gods. You bickered and you argued at each other like children, and as children you decided to be careless. You wonder what I mean, because in the end, Zeus decreed that no God take hold of the situation...this decree, this...trust, was broken. Oh yes, Mighty Zeus. It seems you have much more work ahead of you than you think."

"Now, don't you think you're going to--"

"Aha! There's one of the problems right there!"

Orin points at Poseidon after his outburst, keeping his eyes on Zeus. He sees Zeus' eyes shift to the side slightly, and then back to his. Then, Orin starts to walk towards Poseidon, continuing to point.

"Here before you, is one of the few that wished to conspire against your wishes! No! Do not look at Athena, Demeter, or Hermes. For they are not the others that I speak of!"

"You little ingrate! I brought you here to--"


"You see! Still he wishes to silence me! Because he knows I speak the truth. He, along with your other brother Hades are the gods I speak of, Lord Zeus. Them along with your maggot of a nephew, Triton, have transpired against your wishes. You lurk here, in this paradise...this world shaped and molded to your desires...but you do not see the outside world for what it really is. And then you begin to wonder why outsiders, or as you like to call mortals, do not remain loyal? You wonder where the faith and religion has gone to? You turned your backs against the mortal world first long ago, Ancient Gods. And then, when the Fate of many are placed in your hands, again you turn your back, looking the other way. I know dolphins who are more dependable and trustworthy than thee."

 

[MaskedManJRK]

Harvey tries to reach up.

No Harvey!

Why not!?

Why not? You can’t get rid of me! You and I both know that! He’ll just send you to Arkham again he’s nothing but a worthless freak in a costume.

Harvey stood up looking at his coin, He flipped it, it was scarred.

Two-Face got his gun out and pointed it at Batman.

“Well Bats I think you know what out answer is! If you want to help Harvey you have to get through me!”

Why am I not surprised? I grab the barrel of the gun, jab my hand, fingers raised straight, and jab into the inside of his wrist, taking out a nerve cluster in his hand. The gun slides out of his fingers and I take the clip out and dislodge the barrel, throwing them all away.

"Don't make this hard for yourself, Two-Face. I'm really not in the mood to be messed with."

 

[Karem-Knight]

Why am I not surprised? I grab the barrel of the gun, jab my hand, fingers raised straight, and jab into the inside of his wrist, taking out a nerve cluster in his hand. The gun slides out of his fingers and I take the clip out and dislodge the barrel, throwing them all away.

"Don't make this hard for yourself, Two-Face. I'm really not in the mood to be messed with."

Two-Face stood up starring at Batman.

“Bats….I’m sorry….I….I….I can’t live like this…..ARGHHHHHH!”

Harvey stood up.

Snap out of it Harv!

Two-Face takes his gun out and points it at Batman.

“You know me Bats, I always bring TWO of everything, And plus I never make the same mistake TWICE!”

Harvey pointed the gun at himself.

ENOUGH of this!

WAIT!

Two-Face managed to maintain Harvey for a moment.

“Well Bats, I’m warning you. Harvey doesn’t mind doing this RIGHT now. He’s sick of me, I suggest you let me and him go. Or else!”


Harvey stepped back and started pacing out of the grave yard into the woods.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

Two-Face stood up starring at Batman.

“Bats….I’m sorry….I….I….I can’t live like this…..ARGHHHHHH!”

Harvey stood up.

Snap out of it Harv!

Two-Face takes his gun out and points it at Batman.

“You know me Bats, I always bring TWO of everything, And plus I never make the same mistake TWICE!”

Harvey pointed the gun at himself.

ENOUGH of this!

WAIT!

Two-Face managed to maintain Harvey for a moment.

“Well Bats, I’m warning you. Harvey doesn’t mind doing this RIGHT now. He’s sick of me, I suggest you let me and him go. Or else!”


Harvey stepped back and started pacing out of the grave yard into the woods.

I assess the situation, considering how much of a chance I have to shoot the gun away from his hands with a Batarang before he pulls the trigger. Not liking them, I pull my hands up and take a step away.

"When Harvey stops minding, I'll be there, waiting."

 

[Karem-Knight]

I assess the situation, considering how much of a chance I have to shoot the gun away from his hands with a Batarang before he pulls the trigger. Not liking them, I pull my hands up and take a step away.

"When Harvey stops minding, I'll be there, waiting."

OOC: JRK, If you don’t like me bunnying you like this I’ll edit.

After a while Two-Face reached to the woods, exhausted he sat on a tree almost kneeling putting his hand on his head.

He’s gone for now, We got to keep moving you idiot!

NO MORE!

What?

I said no more of this I’ve had it with you! With Batman, With Gordon, With Joker, With Penguin, Scarecrow, Catwoman, Robin, Croc, AL of them! I can’t take this anymore!


Well what are you going to do Harvey? You’re stuck with me!

I DON’T HAVE TO BE!

What are you going to do Harvey? IGNORE me? So that I build up and up while you get “Treatment” and then when everything’s fine with you I’LL pop up. And this time I’ll be the Harvey Dent! Not Two-Face nothing will stop me from being the dominant one!

Harvey went silent for a minute gripping onto his coin, And his gun he stared at it.

Oh! Is that what you had in mind Harv? GO AHEAD! Worthless coward. After all that time your Daddy beat you and you cried you’ll think you would toughen up but NO!

You’re just a worthless piece of trash from Gotham. Haha. Wow Harvey you really sank this time SUICDE!

SHUT UP!

DO IT! If you really wanna get rid of me? Go ahead no one will miss you, Gordon and Batman will have a field day. Gotham will be relived that you’re dead.

NO! that’s not true! They want me back! I can’t come back.

That’s a lie and you know it!

No…


DO IT!

NO!


DO IT!

NO!


DO IT!

HAHA! Worthless I knew it, You don’t have the guts to that do you? You can’t even kill yourself the one way you can get rid of me and you won’t do it!

Did you call me WORTHLESS? WORTHLESS! I’m not worthless! You’re the one who’s worthless you’re just a fragment of my Imagination!

Oh really Harv?

You know it!

Well, I think the fact that I managed to do all this warrants SOME success does it not?

Oh enough of this!

Harvey got out his coin.

THIS! Is the last time, Scarred you win and I’ll just continue the torment. Heads? I get to make our final kill!

Harvey flipped it waiting for the coin toss to go his way, He placed the gun on his cheek.

All of a sudden a Bat rang knocked the coin away into the distance.

“NO”

 

[MaskedManJRK]

​

I watch as Two-Face runs away, taking my friend with him.

If he thinks I'm honestly going to let him escape, then he's even crazier then he looks.

I press a button on my belt, and the Batmobile darts in-between gravestones towards me. I get in and start following, staying far enough behind for him not to notice. He runs into the woods and I jump out of the Batmobile, continuing on foot.

I stand a few meters away from him, under a tree shrouded in shadows. I watch as he drops to the ground. He eventually pulls out his hands, one hand holding the scarred coin, and the other his gun. His mouth moves and sound leaps from his throat, but I either can't hear it or he's only making noises. He stares at the gun and suddenly puts it to his scarred temple, finger poised at the trigger. Like before, I can't throw a Batarang and disarm him, not without the possibility of the bullet still going through him.

Finally he drops it, and I let out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding. Finally, I hear fully what he's saying. His voice is clear and tormented--Harvey.

"This is the last flip. Scarred--you win, and I let my torment continue. Tails--I make our last kill."

He flips the coin as I take out a Batarang--my aim is impecable, the center-bottom point of the blade slamming into the coin, sticking in.

"No!"

"Yes."

I walk out of the shadows, facing the two men before me.

"Harvey, I need you to take hold of Two-Face. Please. Come with me. I can take you to Arkham, get the best doctors around. They can fix your face, they can destroy Two-Face once and for all. I just don't want to have to beat you half to death and toss you back in.

"Don't let him win, Harvey. Take back your mind--it is yours to command, not his."​

 

[trustyside-kick]

Of all the gods, even Zeus remains silent. He does stand however, but even then no sound utters from his lips. He looks down on Orin, and Orin lowers his arm, walking back over to his dead son's body. He picks Koryak up, and starts to walk away, towards the steps of Mount Olympus. But Zeus' attention is shifted, as Poseidon grows worried, but most of all furious.

"Brother! You cannot just let him--"

"Will you hold your tongue, brother?! Or would you rather further humiliate your and my name any further?"

"It would seem you have my answer, Poseidon. Lurk the waters in shame, God. Shame for what you tried to do, and shame for your failure as a father. You see, I tried to save my son, Poseidon...I tried..."

Orin starts to take a few steps down the stairs, when he stops, turning slowly at Zeus, and bids him farewell.

"Mighty Zeus. I'm sure you'll understand that Triton will remain a prisoner of Atlantis. Locked up until I say otherwise."

Zeus brings his attention back to Orin, and nods back in respect. Orin then turns around, walking down the many steps before him.

"What are you talking about? You couldn't honestly believe--"

"That mortal was no actor. There was no doubt in that man's words. He didn't falter, and he didn't have trouble getting them out. It seems to me that he's been waiting...eagerly...to get what he wanted to say out. And do you know what, brother? He's right. It is we who have turned our backs on humanity; not the other way around."

Hermes stands up as well, but he doesn't do so to interrupt or speak out, he flies towards Orin's direction, down the steps of Mount Olympus.

"You don't honestly wish to walk down all those steps, do you mortal?"

"I have a long ways ahead of me, Hermes. The means of getting to my destination mean little; I know where I'm going."

"Then please, on behalf of myself and the other gods, allow me to help you, mortal. I give you my wings and my service. Take my hand."

Orin continues to walk down the stairs just a few more steps when he stops, looks over at Hermes, and nods. He brings Koryak's body over his shoulder, getting a firm grip with his arm wrapped around him, and takes Hermes' hand with his other. The two begin to fly down the stairs.

"And where is it you wish me to take you, mortal?"

"...to Gotham."

And the two swooped down the stairs, and out through the portal at the gates. Within a few seconds, they were in the world of humanity once more. Allowing Orin to get a better grip, Hermes picks up speed, and the two head to Metropolis.

Garth swims through the waters of Atlantis, shocked and sick with the scene before him. The once Crown Jewel of the Deep, now a shattered kingdom. Vulko and a few soldiers swim his direction.

"Garth! Thank goodness! Where were you? We never saw you return from your journey and--"

"How could it happen? Atlantis its...how?"

"Come with me, boy. There is much to discuss. It seems we are going to have to do much work to rebuild."

The group swims into what was before the gates of Poseidonis, and enter the once domed city. To Garth it's like swimming in an underwater graveyard; both Atlantean and human corpses alike. He sees ruined buildings, and damaged ships. He sees survivors, doing the best they can to hold on, and swims rapidly as he sees a young girl stuck beneath rubble, alive only because a pillar fell over before, holding her very home from crushing her.

"...there there, child. Where's your mom and dad?"

The girl doesn't quite scream, but she also doesn't quite stay calm; she is emotionless. No older than probably 2, she doesn't understand much, but she points at something behind Garth. He turns her head, and he sees to Atlanteans floating nearby dead. One is a female, and the other is a male; the girl's parents.

 

[Karem-Knight]

​

I watch as Two-Face runs away, taking my friend with him.

If he thinks I'm honestly going to let him escape, then he's even crazier then he looks.

I press a button on my belt, and the Batmobile darts in-between gravestones towards me. I get in and start following, staying far enough behind for him not to notice. He runs into the woods and I jump out of the Batmobile, continuing on foot.

I stand a few meters away from him, under a tree shrouded in shadows. I watch as he drops to the ground. He eventually pulls out his hands, one hand holding the scarred coin, and the other his gun. His mouth moves and sound leaps from his throat, but I either can't hear it or he's only making noises. He stares at the gun and suddenly puts it to his scarred temple, finger poised at the trigger. Like before, I can't throw a Batarang and disarm him, not without the possibility of the bullet still going through him.

Finally he drops it, and I let out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding. Finally, I hear fully what he's saying. His voice is clear and tormented--Harvey.

"This is the last flip. Scarred--you win, and I let my torment continue. Tails--I make our last kill."

He flips the coin as I take out a Batarang--my aim is impecable, the center-bottom point of the blade slamming into the coin, sticking in.

"No!"

"Yes."

I walk out of the shadows, facing the two men before me.

"Harvey, I need you to take hold of Two-Face. Please. Come with me. I can take you to Arkham, get the best doctors around. They can fix your face, they can destroy Two-Face once and for all. I just don't want to have to beat you half to death and toss you back in.

"Don't let him win, Harvey. Take back your mind--it is yours to command, not his."​

“NO YOU IDIOT, DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND!”

For once, Harvey Dent was against Batman.

“THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY! ARKHAM WON’T DO ANYTHING, Surgery won’t do anything!”

Harvey paused for a moment.

“You think all these things can be resolved don’t you?”

“Again and again I’ll escape, me and Harvey again and again I’ll carry him along with me. All till we die, We’re not like the rest who came here cause of you! Oh no we’re here because WE do the things your’e not wealing to do.

If it wasn’t for me and Harvey, Carmine Falcone, Maroni they’ll still be ruling Gotham. Hell I even got rid of Thorne for you months ago!”

“Gotham needs me! Harvey needs me!”

Harvey snapped back.

“I’m sorry Bats, You….gave me no choice!”

Harvey said grabbing a tree branch and hitting Batman in the head with it.

He then ran to his escape.

 

[Oh Snap!]

Edit.

 

[trustyside-kick]

"This is it?"

Hermes overviews the scene before him as he lets Orin down on the docks. At first he scratches her head, but then shrugs.

"Why would you want to be here? Doesn't look so special."

"Don't tell Batman that."

"Who?"

"Never mind. Thank you, Hermes. May your journey back be a safe one."

"And you as well, farewell, mortal."

And in a second, Hermes vanishes from Orin's sight, flying back with intense speed. Orin brings Koryak's body down from his shoulder, and holds in with both hands as he walks down the Gotham Port. His trip here is a simple one, but the importance of it to him is greatly important. It has come to attention that the most recent formation of the JSA had its headquarters in Gotham, and among that group, there is one that Orin seeks.

As he walks around the city looking for the brownstone building, a few people turn their heads at his direction, in complete shock and awe. When Darkseid striked, the threat made by the Atlantean generals was broadcasted all over the United States. Rumor of Aquaman's death and war with Atlantis was fueled by President Luthor himself. Yet here he is, walking down Gotham City with a dead boy's body in his arms.

But as everyone that sees Aquaman passing by sees he holds a boy's body in his arms, some look away, and some look even more shocked. No one approaches him; it's as if he's all alone walking down the streets of Gotham.

He tries to recall the location of the JSA Brownstone, and manages to take all the necessary turns. As he walks up to the door, he puts Koryak over his shoulder, and finds the door is unlocked; he walks in. Walking down the hall, he calls out, hoping to find an answer. For a moment, there is none. He sighs and lowers his head. But as he is about to turn around, a somewhat elderly woman starts walking down the hall.

"Yes, can I help you?"

"Uh, yes, ma'am. I'm--"

"Aquaman! You're one of the JLAers, aren't you?!"

"Well, um...used to be. Excuse me, but...can you tell me where I can find Doctor Mid-Nite?"

"Pieter? He's actually at the Gotham Hospital, just a few blocks away."

"I see. Could you enlighten me on the exact way to get there?"

A few minutes pass by, and Orin spots the hospital just a streetlight away. Paying no attention, he walks across as the light is green, and cars almost swerve trying to miss him. And as the drivers pop out of their windows to yell and bicker, they become silent as they see him carrying the dead body of Koryak.

As he enters the sliding doors of the hospital, immediately he grabs the entire attention of the front lobby, and two hospital personnel approach him, trying to take Koryak from him.

"Sir, you're going to have to let go. Just fill out the paper work and we will get him set up and--"

"I'm looking for Doctor Mid-Nite. Take me to him."

The two men try vigorously to break Orin's grip, but it's no use. Still standing calmy, he repeats himself. One of the girls at the front desk starts to dial the phone.

"I need to speak with Doctor Mid-Nite, please."

"Sir. SIR!"

Losing patience, Orin starts to walk down the hall, dragging the two men along with him until they let go of his arms. They both scratch their heads as the doors close in front of them. He finds himself at an elevator, but does not know what floor to up to to. In his frustration, he punches the wall, causing a sudden shake. The elevator to his left rings, and the doors come wide open. Walking out of the elevator as Orin turns is Doctor Mid-Nite.

"What seems to be--oh my god. Come with me, we need to get him on a bed, quickly!"

 

[wiegeabo]

"Where's Alan?" I ask as I enter the computer room and quickly scan the faces I see. Karen, Sandy, Albert, and Rick are all there. Mr. Terrific works the system and replies.

"Alan was on his way but he intercepted a distress call from Sinestro in Canada."

"Sinestro?"

Terific nods. "Last he said, they were on their way here. Courtney and Jakeem are on their way as well."

A light on a board blinks and Terrific presses a button. "Terrific."

A familiar voice fills the speakers. "Micheal, it's Pieter. Someone may want to get down here. Aquaman just showed up at the hospital."

"Aquaman?! He's not dead?!" I ask over the line.

"No Jay, he's here."

We look at each other wondering how he cheated death, and what this meant for the threats his generals made against the surface world. "Why's he at the hospital? Is he hurt?"

"No, it's...you better just come down here."

"I'm on my way." I turn back to the others. "I won't be long."

I run out the door.

***

Below us, a red streak shoots out from the building. "I wonder where he's going," Scott says.

We land in front of the Brownstone. But Scott stops me before I can walk through the door. "So, you're really not going to tell me what all that was about."

"It's not important."

"Not important? They could have killed you."

"They wouldn't have."

Scott crosses his arms, indicating his refusal to move without a satisfactory answer. "Why?"

"We can stand here and talk about this, or we can go inside and deal with a matter of real importance. It's your choice."

Scott stands there and stares at me. After what feels like an eternity he drops his arms. "Fine. But only for now. I'm not going to let this drop."

"If you say so," I say. We walk inside.

***

It only takes me a few seconds to get back to the hospital. Not knowing where else to go, I run up to the ICU where Dinah sleeps. And that's where I find Mid-Night, along with the supposedly deceased Aquaman. And a young man resting on a bed...No, not resting.

"Arthur. What happened?"

 

[trustyside-kick]

"Where's Alan?" I ask as I enter the computer room and quickly scan the faces I see. Karen, Sandy, Albert, and Rick are all there. Mr. Terrific works the system and replies.

"Alan was on his way but he intercepted a distress call from Sinestro in Canada."

"Sinestro?"

Terific nods. "Last he said, they were on their way here. Courtney and Jakeem are on their way as well."

A light on a board blinks and Terrific presses a button. "Terrific."

A familiar voice fills the speakers. "Micheal, it's Pieter. Someone may want to get down here. Aquaman just showed up at the hospital."

"Aquaman?! He's not dead?!" I ask over the line.

"No Jay, he's here."

We look at each other wondering how he cheated death, and what this meant for the threats his generals made against the surface world. "Why's he at the hospital? Is he hurt?"

"No, it's...you better just come down here."

"I'm on my way." I turn back to the others. "I won't be long."

I run out the door.

It only takes me a few seconds to get back to the hospital. Not knowing where else to go, I run up to the ICU where Dinah sleeps. And that's where I find Mid-Night, along with the supposedly deceased Aquaman. And a young man resting on a bed...No, not resting.

"Arthur. What happened?"

His expression is stiff and as strong as his bones are, almost stone cold. It has been for the past few minutes since he entered Gotham. He must look and remain strong. No leader nor King could afford to do otherwise. But alas, he finds it harder and harder with each glance he makes at his dead son's body. Doctor Mid-Nite starts to examine the body.

"I--uh...Aquaman, I'm not exactly sure what to tell you, but...he's dead. By the looks of it, he's been dead for quite a while. Why did you--"

"I know that, Doctor Mid-Nite."

His response alone took a good amount of his strength to not break down in tears. He stands up from where he was sitting, looking at Jay Garrick as he does so, and walks over to Koryak's dead body. He brushes his hair back a bit, and runs his hand down the boy's cheek. Finally, he looses all sense of control over his emotions and turns back over to Jay.

"...Look at what they've done to my boy."

He drops to his knees, and begins to sob. And in a few seconds, all the rooms, all the halls, all the elevators and stairways can hear the cries and screams of a broken man; a broken father; a broken King.

 

[SuperFerret]

Upon The Martian Manhunter's approach to the isolated crystal fortress that housed, many a time, a wandering and often plagued Man Of Steel's company, five figures darted out from within it's walls, and ascended to the Martian's view. They all stared upon him with dead, mechanical eyes... but the bright insignia emblazed upon each one's chest instantly told the Martian that they, too, were apart of the Fortress' brilliant construction.

A Superman robot, one of which floated among the center of the five, approached the Martian, and scanned his physical structure instantly. At first, the biological blueprint was mostly unrecognisable... but upon scanning the figure that rested within the Manhunter's arms, the robot's programming instant shifted to that of a greeting. Because it was then, that the robot realised that within the arms of J'onn J'onnz lied it's master, and original programmer, abiet in an unconcious and beaten form.

"J'onn J'onnz,", The robot spoke, upon retrieving records that Clark himself had spent numerous hours establishing into the database of the technological remnants within the Fortress. "Kal-El Has Granted You With Temporary Access And Control Over The Fortress' Technology, With The Added Request Of All Kryptonian Mechanical Units To Be At Your Complete And Solitary Aide."

In truth, Clark had granted this to many who needed it. Batman, Wonder Woman, Lois Lane, Superboy, Supergirl, and Steel, among other allies and friends. In the event that he, himself, should ever fall, and needed what lied within the Fortress' walls. Now, it seemed, that time was at hand, as The Superman Robot looked up at J'onn, awaiting his first request.

"How Can We Be Of Assistance, J'onn?", It asked, in a recorded voice eerily similar to Superman's own.

Later...

With Kal-El safely recovering in the Fortress's medical ward, with the Superman robots flying this way and that, performing whatever duties Kal had given them, I had time to meditate.

Opening my mind, I searched for those I would soon contact, in hopes of recruiting them for the League. Bruce was dealing with his usual parade of difficulties, this time involving one Harvey Dent. I'll surely have to wait before contacting him. Arthur was filled with anguish, his mind jumbled with grief, I'd pry further, but my respect for the friendship we share prevents me. Another recruitment I'll need to put off for now. Sinestro, with the aid of Alan Scott, had just chased off a small cadre of villains and is now heading towards Gotham City, as are Ollie and Roy. With Batman, Aquaman and the still comatose Black Canary there, and Sinestro, Green Arrow and Arsenal on their way, it seems as if Gotham is the most reasonable destination for me.

But, I will wait until Kal-El wakes. I still need to discuss this with him.

 

[wiegeabo]

His expression is stiff and as strong as his bones are, almost stone cold. It has been for the past few minutes since he entered Gotham. He must look and remain strong. No leader nor King could afford to do otherwise. But alas, he finds it harder and harder with each glance he makes at his dead son's body. Doctor Mid-Nite starts to examine the body.

"I--uh...Aquaman, I'm not exactly sure what to tell you, but...he's dead. By the looks of it, he's been dead for quite a while. Why did you--"

"I know that, Doctor Mid-Nite."

His response alone took a good amount of his strength to not break down in tears. He stands up from where he was sitting, looking at Jay Garrick as he does so, and walks over to Koryak's dead body. He brushes his hair back a bit, and runs his hand down the boy's cheek. Finally, he looses all sense of control over his emotions and turns back over to Jay.

"...Look at what they've done to my boy."

He drops to his knees, and begins to sob. And in a few seconds, all the rooms, all the halls, all the elevators and stairways can hear the cries and screams of a broken man; a broken father; a broken King.

God, what do I say? What can I say? Pieter and I just look at each other.

I kneel down next to Arthur and put a hand on his shoulder. "Arthur, I-" I look up at Pieter, then back down. "I'm sorry."

"I can't pretend to know what you're going through. I've never has a child. But I can understand. Barry was like my son. And losing him...And there's Dinah." I look at the bed. "I almost lost her. I almost took a man's life because of it."

Arthur is almost lost, staring at his son on the bed. And that makes me wonder. "Arthur, why did you come here? Why are you not in Atlantis with your family?"

 

[trustyside-kick]

God, what do I say? What can I say? Pieter and I just look at each other.

I kneel down next to Arthur and put a hand on his shoulder. "Arthur, I-" I look up at Pieter, then back down. "I'm sorry."

"I can't pretend to know what you're going through. I've never has a child. But I can understand. Barry was like my son. And losing him...And there's Dinah." I look at the bed. "I almost lost her. I almost took a man's life because of it."

Arthur is almost lost, staring at his son on the bed. And that makes me wonder. "Arthur, why did you come here? Why are you not in Atlantis with your family?"

He gets a hold of himself. It takes a few seconds and a lot of deep sighs, but he eventually gets a hold of himself. He wipes his hand across his nose, and stands up, walking towards the door; he stops under the doorway.

"Atlantis is...lost. All is lost. The city is in ruins and the dome...has shattered. The taste that you take in as you breathe is drenched in human and Atlantean blood alike. The very water you swim in, is a murky, dark, red, in most areas around the city until the tide moves it along, further and further down the oceanscape."

He turns around, clenching both of his fists, raising them in mid-air as if about to shout out blasphemy to the heavens, but he doesn't. He tries to remain calm, and lowers his arms.

"They came with their weapons. They came with their hatred. They came with their ships...They came with their men...and I wasn't there. They breached my city, slaughtering endlessly at any man, woman, or child, that was not their own. I wasn't there in time...I was too late. I'm...always too late. Never fast enough...never. The ocean has been my playground all my life...yet I wasn't fast enough."

Smashing his fist into the wall behind him, again Orin almost loses himself to his rage and emotion, and it causes a sudden shake in that floor of the hospital as his fists punctures through what used to be the wall of that hallway. But as before, he tries to stop, taking another deep breath, and just slowly sinks, sliding down the side of the remainder of the wall. As he falls down to the ground, he brings his head back.

"...And then I lost him. Mera's fine...Garth...he wasn't there for the entire battle. But I have no doubt he is either in care of the amazons with Diana or back at Atlantis with his family and mine."

For a second, Orin continues to look upward, confused and angry as ever, until he brings his head back down and looks over at Jay and Pieter.

"Fourty thousand years that dome remained impenetrable...I'm gone for a few weeks after the Darkseid incident and I come back with all that I loved in ruin. What kind of a King does that make me, Jay? Pieter? What kind of a father does that make me, that I cannot even protect my loved ones?"

"I'm not here to judge you, Arthur. I am truly sorry for what you've been through, and that you've seemed to have gone through it alone. I--"

"No...I pushed Diana and Garth away when they wanted to help. I told them it was my battle...my fight...my responsibility. I'm always pushing others away it seems..."

"I'm here now with you, because you wanted my help. Now...how may I be of service to you? We cannot do anything to save your son, but you already knew that. So what is it?"

Orin stands up, struggling to do so, for his knees feel weak in his current state, and he almost falls trying to slowly walk over to his dead son's body. He places his hand upon Koryak's chest, where beneath was once a beating heart, and turns to Pieter.

"I needed someone I could trust to clean his body...for the funeral. My people have much to worry about, especially our hospitals. There are plenty of wounded and still breathing, trying to get their lives back on track. No need to waste room for the already dead. Can you do this for me, Mid-Nite? It is all I ask."

"Ok...Ok. Yea, but it'll take some time. Do you want to wait here, or back in the lobby?"

"Neither. I have something else I must do before I return to Atlantis."

Pieter nods, and Orin starts to head out the door, but stops and turns to Jay. As he turns, his fists clench and a tear runs down his eye.

"The monster who did this to him, wished to destroy even his corpse...so that he may not even receive a prince's burial...he tried to deprive me even that right...but at least I stopped that...You're the Flash, Jay...one of few. You men are the fastest things alive...how do you deal with the times you don't get there in time? I have the monster in shackles back in Atlantis...and all I can think about doing is torturing him for eternity, even though I know Koryak wouldn't have wanted it that way. How do you fight such urges?"

 

[wiegeabo]

He gets a hold of himself. It takes a few seconds and a lot of deep sighs, but he eventually gets a hold of himself. He wipes his hand across his nose, and stands up, walking towards the door; he stops under the doorway.

"Atlantis is...lost. All is lost. The city is in ruins and the dome...has shattered. The taste that you take in as you breathe is drenched in human and Atlantean blood alike. The very water you swim in, is a murky, dark, red, in most areas around the city until the tide moves it along, further and further down the oceanscape."

He turns around, clenching both of his fists, raising them in mid-air as if about to shout out blasphemy to the heavens, but he doesn't. He tries to remain calm, and lowers his arms.

"They came with their weapons. They came with their hatred. They came with their ships...They came with their men...and I wasn't there. They breached my city, slaughtering endlessly at any man, woman, or child, that was not their own. I wasn't there in time...I was too late. I'm...always too late. Never fast enough...never. The ocean has been my playground all my life...yet I wasn't fast enough."

Smashing his fist into the wall behind him, again Orin almost loses himself to his rage and emotion, and it causes a sudden shake in that floor of the hospital as his fists punctures through what used to be the wall of that hallway. But as before, he tries to stop, taking another deep breath, and just slowly sinks, sliding down the side of the remainder of the wall. As he falls down to the ground, he brings his head back.

"...And then I lost him. Mera's fine...Garth...he wasn't there for the entire battle. But I have no doubt he is either in care of the amazons with Diana or back at Atlantis with his family and mine."

For a second, Orin continues to look upward, confused and angry as ever, until he brings his head back down and looks over at Jay and Pieter.

"Fourty thousand years that dome remained impenetrable...I'm gone for a few weeks after the Darkseid incident and I come back with all that I loved in ruin. What kind of a King does that make me, Jay? Pieter? What kind of a father does that make me, that I cannot even protect my loved ones?"

"I'm not here to judge you, Arthur. I am truly sorry for what you've been through, and that you've seemed to have gone through it alone. I--"

"No...I pushed Diana and Garth away when they wanted to help. I told them it was my battle...my fight...my responsibility. I'm always pushing others away it seems..."

"I'm here now with you, because you wanted my help. Now...how may I be of service to you? We cannot do anything to save your son, but you already knew that. So what is it?"

Orin stands up, struggling to do so, for his knees feel weak in his current state, and he almost falls trying to slowly walk over to his dead son's body. He places his hand upon Koryak's chest, where beneath was once a beating heart, and turns to Pieter.

"I needed someone I could trust to clean his body...for the funeral. My people have much to worry about, especially our hospitals. There are plenty of wounded and still breathing, trying to get their lives back on track. No need to waste room for the already dead. Can you do this for me, Mid-Nite? It is all I ask."

"Ok...Ok. Yea, but it'll take some time. Do you want to wait here, or back in the lobby?"

"Neither. I have something else I must do before I return to Atlantis."

Pieter nods, and Orin starts to head out the door, but stops and turns to Jay. As he turns, his fists clench and a tear runs down his eye.

"The monster who did this to him, wished to destroy even his corpse...so that he may not even receive a prince's burial...he tried to deprive me even that right...but at least I stopped that...You're the Flash, Jay...one of few. You men are the fastest things alive...how do you deal with the times you don't get there in time? I have the monster in shackles back in Atlantis...and all I can think about doing is torturing him for eternity, even though I know Koryak wouldn't have wanted it that way. How do you fight such urges?"

Pieter and I just stand there in utter shock. Not only has Arthur lost his son, but he's lost his kingdom. Something happened down there, in the depths. We on the surface were insulated from it by miles of deep blue water. And Atlantis had to face those horrors alone.

"Arthur, I'm not sure what I can possibly say. I've been too slow before, and...and it's one of the worst feelings in the world. My only advice...be with your family. They can be your biggest source of strength and comfort. And they'll need you just as much as you'll need them."

I put my hand on his shoulder. "If you need our help, the JSA is there for you. We'll do whatever we can to help rebuild your city. You don't have to do this alone."

 

[trustyside-kick]

Pieter and I just stand there in utter shock. Not only has Arthur lost his son, but he's lost his kingdom. Something happened down there, in the depths. We on the surface were insulated from it by miles of deep blue water. And Atlantis had to face those horrors alone.

"Arthur, I'm not sure what I can possibly say. I've been too slow before, and...and it's one of the worst feelings in the world. My only advice...be with your family. They can be your biggest source of strength and comfort. And they'll need you just as much as you'll need them."

I put my hand on his shoulder. "If you need our help, the JSA is there for you. We'll do whatever we can to help rebuild your city. You don't have to do this alone."

"...Family. I'm not sure how I can go back and face them. I had something else I feel obliged to do first...but perhaps I don't. Perhaps...I'm just running again. I haven't seen Mera since before the Darkseid incident, and when she tried to comfort me earlier, I pushed even her away as I poured out my anger at Poseidon...she just wanted to be there for me."

Orin's fists loosen up and he takes a deep sigh. He turns, looking down the hallway, but before he takes another step, he briefly turns back at Jay and Pieter.

"...I'll consider it, Jay. Thank you. And thank you, Doctor Mid-Nite for your help as well. I must be off now."

With those words, Orin bids the two farewell, and takes one last look at Koryak, before he turns heading out the doorway, down the hall to the elevator. He walks in, but he doesn't turn around. He just runs his arm down the panel, and finds the button for the Lobby. As the doors begin to close, he never turns back. He remains to face the wall of the elevator until he reaches the bottom floor of the lobby, and then turns as he walks out.

The first thing he does when he exits the hospital, he starts heading back to the Gotham Port. As he walks along the docks, he looks up at the sky, as if looking at something as he gathers his thoughts, and then dives in. He doesn't swim, though. He just lays back, floating atop the waves, allowing the current to move him along.

"It's so...peaceful here..."

He has two things on his mind...and he will allow Fate to decide where it takes him. He doesn't quite see it, but he hears the splash of dolphins jumping out of the water for a quick breather, and then diving back into the deep. Allowing his thoughts to come together, he will wait before he makes his decision. The more he tries to float quietly and think, the more audible nature comes.

He floats for a few minutes, enjoying the breeze of the air, and the hypnotic movement of the waves that guide him. He could sleep he feels so relaxed. With his enhanced hearing, he hears the sound of baby sea turtles making their first trips into the ocean. Some struggle, for the incoming tide pushes them back, and some even get pulled too quickly. But the unfortunate do not drown, for they receive aid by their mother, to help guide them into the open sea. Words form from Orin's lips in unison.

"...Not today."

Normally, such a thing never happens. A mother sea turtle almost never sees her children after her eggs are laid into the sand. When the eggs hatch, and the babies breathe in their first breathes of air, it is their own survival instincts that guide them into the sea. However, Orin didn't wish to allow nature to take its course, so he guided her back to them.

There would be no more death of children today, there had been enough. And as Orin remains to float, the same group of baby sea turtles swim by him, for he feels the ripple in the water. And he hears them rejoice in their minds, for having found their mother, and the mother does the same. A smile comes upon Orin's face, and he too submerges into the deep.