The "World of Heroes" DC RPG Season VI

[Shlee]

A flood of emotions hit Roy like a freight train. He didn't even look at Ollie, he just stared at the wall.

"Wh.. wh... wait. Are you sure. He's not just faking it or something? He's not setting a big ass trap to catch the DA by making them think he's gone? No. Bruce can't. He can't be gone. The world needs Batman. Give me a minute Dick, and I'll be right there."

Roy leaned over his daughter, tears streaming from his face once again.

"Honey, that was Uncle Dick. Uh, Uncle Spooky is uh... god. He's gone, sweety, and Uncle Dick needs me. But if you need me to stay here with you, I will. It's up to you, princess."

Roy hugged his little girl, closely and fatherly.

Lian looked up at Roy with her one good eye and the tears started to form. How many times was she going to have the face the hurt and death of those around her that she loved? Her little heart was breaking but she knew that Uncle Dick needed her dad more than she did right now. She'd be safe in the hospital.

"It's okay, Daddy, go see Uncle Dick... Tell him I said sorry, okay?" she squeezed Roy's hand, as much for her own comfort as to give some to her father. "The nurse's are real nice, an' I'm sleepy anyway."

She gave Roy a feeble smile, mustering up all the courage and strength she had and finally pushing Roy's hand away. "Bye Daddy. I love you."

 

[trustyside-kick]

The Marine Marvel has yet performed another sort of 'miracle' in this Clash of Gods taking place within Gotham City. Soon, Sinestro should be able to feel his strength returning to him as Aquaman is done with his part. Smiling, as the reformed villain shakes his head, Orin crosses his arms.

"You know, Sinestro. That was a pretty heroic thing you did there, why I--"

Looking to the side, expecting to see Jay Garrick, Orin stops in his words, uncrossing his arms. A look of confusion placed upon his face, Orin looks around him, seeing a red blur moving sporadically. Next, he finds Poseidon's trident missing from whence he left it on the concrete behind him.

"Oh no...Jay..."

Without truly thinking to act, Orin's legs spring into action, running after the Scarlet Speedster. A futile attempt, of course, for Orin's land speeds cannot compare even for a second to that of any of the Flashes. But the hero runs anyway. He runs, with fear for what his friend will do.

"JAY!"

There comes a price with wielding Poseidon's trident. And if that person grasping the trident cannot override the seductive nature of the trident with all of its power and might...the price can be temporary insanity.

He's seen it before. He's seen it...happen to someone he never wanted to see glance at as he did that day. Bearing witness to such insanity was nothing short of horrifying when happening to a friend.

Garth, the longtime friend, ally, and practical adopted son of Aquaman, once succumbed to the possesive persuasion of the trident. It caused him, to do things he would have never normally have done; irrational things. Hurting the ones around him and the ones he loves were only few of the things that occurred.

Even the purest of men, can be swayed to act anything but pure. Even the strongest of men, can become weak when grasping its might. Orin had deduced when he first saw it happen to Garth, that the trident in his posession had twisted his mind. And the longer he held it, the worse his condition became.

The very memories of that day, haunt Orin now, as he left Poseidon's trident out of his watch for but a few seconds. In his futile attempt to attack Doomsday/Brainiac, Jay Garrick must've gotten desperate; not knowing what he was getting himself into.

And frankly? Orin doesn't wish to know what is going on his head, making it that much more difficult when he could so easily telepathically do so. Fear, aside from the fear of what he did to Croc, stops him though. All he does, is run. That's all he can do, really, if he doesn't want to somehow hurt Jay.But what is to stop Jay from hurting himself? Hurting everyone in the vicinity of the battle?

Time finally seems to slow down, or so it seems, as the original Flash slows himself down, to stop and attack Doomsday from all over. Orin can hear Jay shouting, as if taking vengeance for all of their fallen friends, and it eats at his heart. Jay's not in the right mindset, and he should have never let a man who was already clearly in desperataion--with the previous attempt at the villain's life--even touch with but his finger...Poseidon's trident.

But before Orin can do anything, Jay loses control, and an explosion occurs, blowing everyone, including Black Adam--whom flew back into battle--and Orin away, just as Orin was getting close. The impact is strong as it is wild, knocking Orin into an apartment complex. The building, soon after, caves in on itself.

"AAAAAAHH!!!"

The last few moments, before Orin's mind slips into unconsciousness, he relives the image of Garth, and how he let it happen again.

 

[Andy C.]

One of the prices of having super-senses is that sometimes you can't ignore the things you don't want to see or hear. A thousand different places are crying for my attention, both in Gotham and across the world. I can hear everything, I can see so much...

...and I don't know where to even start.

Jay Garrick has taken Poseidon's trident, an artifact that with power even Arthur regards in awe. The blast has knocked the remaining heroes back...and Brainiac is still there.

A few hundred people are trapped in a damaged skyscraper in Metropolis, and rescuers haven't been able to reach them since the bomb blasted out the lower floors.

The Joker's escaped his arrest, killing the policeman I'd hoped would put him away for good.

Robin and Hazard are doing what they can to keep the rest of the city sane.

Sinestro is barely keeping himself alive.

One of the computers in the Fortress is reporting anomalous signals from within the Phantom Zone.

Diana is slipping in and out of consciousness, having lost too much blood.

I can see and hear all of this...

....then I see Batman's symbol in the night sky...and I know what to do.

"Atom?" I say into my communicator. "Still with us?"

"A little shaken up...I mean, I can't believe Batman--"

"We can mourn him later--are you ready on your end?"

"I....yes."

"Activate in three..."

I focus on my target, while the Gotham skyline becomes a blur around me.

"....two..."

As the monster gets to his feet, I close in, faster than a speeding bullet.

"....one..."

Not even a twelfth level intellect will see this coming.

"NOW!!!!"

Carrying Brainiac/Doomsday with me, I throw myself up into the sky, and the Atom activates the device.













*BOOM*

The Boom Tube is only open for a second, but when it closes...

....we're both long gone.

 

[trustyside-kick]

What exactly had happened, I do not know. First, the Flash known as Jay Garrick grabbed that trident--in which I've seen Aquaman hold on his person--and he unleashed a most catastrophic attack on the monster. I have known Jay Garrick for years, and never have I known him to be so vicious and full of rage. His attack, was of such a massive scale, that I had to pull myself out of rubble of a pile of cars in a parking lot just across the street from the explosion.

Then, when the villain still did not accept defeat, something peculiar happened. It was if some sort of portal was opened, and Superman intervened just at the right moment. Where he and the abomination have traveled to...I do not know.

As I fly, landing in the street, I see the speedster I do not know if he is in awe with what has just transpired with himself but a few moments ago or what Superman had done. I look past it for now, as I spot the shining artifact that seems to be filled with unmatched power: the trident. Slowly, I levitate over to where it had remained from the explosion. As I draw closer to it, I can sense the magic in which it possesses.

A most peculiar weapon, it is. As if it was Crafted...for Gods. Out of pure curiosity, I pick up the trident.

"Amazing...such...power..."

With this item, I could dispose of any threats to ever face Khandaq. Such power...is it not mine for the taking? I can so easily--

"No..."

I drop the trident. With all my will, I force myself to drop it. Suddenly, such thoughts of utilizing the item have faded from my mind. There is only but one way to describe what it felt like to wield such a weapon: seductive. And yet, when I've seen Aquaman hold such power in his two hands he remains true and pure; unaffected by its treacherous persuasions.

And that is why I must return it to him. It has chosen its master; it will have no other. None, and none alone, can tame the power that lies within this weapon. I have chosen a great ally in my fight for Khandaq's safety. I am for certain, great things will occur from our alliance.

I pick the trident back up, fighting the seductive nature of it. Luckily, the Courage of Mehen guides me and protects me from losing myself in its potency. When the explosion occurred, and I was blown away into the parking lot, Aquaman flew the other direction. Spotting the destroyed building in where that was, I know where the King is. And so, I fly once more.

The first thing I do is dig the artifact into the ground beside me, as I pull off the rubble from the destruction of the building.

 

[twylight]

I uncross my legs and slide off the car. There's an initial silence after the roaring sound of the fight only moments before. Hmm..Well that probability went unused. I stash it away for the future. It's a whopper, and one easily applied to anyone.

I walk past the shocked faces of the heroes and slip into the car, tossing out one more probability on a bunch of looters, causing them to slip and fall. Their huge loads of TV's, iPods and CD's flying into the air as they slip.

Yep. If this has taught me anything...I work better alone. I flick down the visor and put on some glasses a business card fluttering into my lap. I pick it up study the green avatar mask on it, flipping it over in my fingers I find a phone number on the back. She doesn't give up does she? I survey it, turning it over in my fingers for a moment. No, I can be good, I don't like killing, but, I start the car and pull out, letting the wind carry the card away. What are probabilities anyway? Nothing more than unplanned things, totally unpredictable.

The lights turn green all the way down the street and the masses of panicked people and police officers move out of my way like a wave. I love my life.

 

[The Question]

IC: Jimmy Olsen

Jimmy was not having the best of days. He woke up an hour late, had no food in the kitchen, missed his bus, his pike was in the shop, the city and been hit with a bio weapon that was killing people in the streets, he was trapped in his apartment, and he was having a hard time reaching his friend Clark. The phone rang as Jimmy impatiently tapped his foot and fidgeted with his hair to show any omniscient beings who may be watching his life just how impatient he was. After six rings, the phone clicked, and music started to play.

"Aw crap..." Jimmy muttered under his breath.

From his phone, he heard the all to familiar sound of: Believe it or not, Clark isn't at home, please leave a messaaage at the beep! I must be out or I'd pick up the phone! Where could I beeeee? believe it or not I'm not hooooome!

"goddamnitihatethatthing..."

Another click, and the cold pre-recorded voice of a woman said "At the tone, leave a message, or press one for more options. To leave a callback number, press five. *BEEP*"

"Clark, pick up the phone! Just...please be home! God damn it I...please, just pick up...I...oh ****...I..."

Jimmy hung up, and through his cell phone against the living room couch. Of course, technically, it was also the kitchen couch, but I digress...

He sat, cradling his head in his hands, and, realizing he was making quite a show of things, lay back on the couch and tried to relax. Pull yourself together, Jim, he thought to himself. Panicking isn't going to help. Just stay put and wait for emergency services. CK was smart enough to get to safety before the bombs went off. He's always on the ball with stuff like that. You're just worried ever since Lois disappeared...

Jimmy sat up with a jolt, and grabbed his phone from under him.

"Lucy..." he said to no one in particular.

He paused for a second, struggling only slightly to remember the number, and then dialed like the fate of the world depended on it. Two rings, and then an answer.

"Hello?"

"Ron? Ron, it's Jimmy. Are you guys all right?"

"We...Sam and I are fine. But...Lucy was out shopping when..."

"Oh god..."

"Listen, Jimmy, I need to keep the line open in case she calls."

"Of course."

Jimmy hung up, and sat there as if there was a lead weight in the pit of his stomach. He hadn't even gotten around to saying "things couldn't possibly get worse" yet, and the rock bottom had just given way for even greater depths. God sure was one step ahead of him that day. And there Jimmy Olsen sat, alone, in his apartment, silently. Only one word escaped his lips to break the silence.


"...Luce."

 

[Catman_prb]

Tim sprinted down the street, his cape billowing behind him. Splashing through puddles at the side of the road, he headed towards the looters that were smashing their way into an electronics shop. He stopped right in front of them, glass and bricks all over the floor, staring the looters down. He was vaguely aware of Rose running up behind him, but he wanted to get this over with before she had the chance to hurt anyone.

You must look like such an ass. Standing down at the little people, cape blowing in the wind.
Hush up.
Oh, snappy.

"These are bad times. I can understand that you're scared. But this isn't the way to go about it. Go back home to your families and wait for this to be over. I've had a bad day. This is your one warning," Tim growled, looking at the group of people who were stuffing laptops into a duffle bag.

"**** you, man, **** you," one of the looters shouted, pulling a pistol from inside his coat.

Tim moved fast, faster than he could believe. He reached out with his hand and grabbed the criminal's wrist, lifting his whole arm up in one hard movement. The man fired on impulse, the shot going up in the air and lodging itself in the ceiling. Tim brought his knee up between the man's legs with a crunch. Squealing, the man dropped to his knees. Tim grabbed his ears and brought his knee up again into his head. He fell over onto the ground, and Tim kicked the gun away.

"Anyone else?" he hissed.

The looters looked at each other, waiting for something to happen. He vaguely wondered why Rose hadn't arrived yet. Maybe she had found something else to do and left him to it. There were four men left in front of him, a mix between confused and angry. Then one of them charged, a huge knife in his hand. Tim sidestepped the lunge, and pushed down on the knife weilders back, hard. He fell to the ground and cracked his head on the floor.

He turned, letting out a roundhouse kick on impulse. The next attacker was knocked in the jaw and he fell backwards. Tim followed it up with a quick punch to the gut, before throwing him through the broken window. Another man dived for the gun that Tim had kicked away, but Batman's apprentice knocked one of the display TVs onto his head. He fell to the floor, out cold.

The last man had a knife as well. He seemed more skilled with it than the other guy, slowly circling Tim, who had put his hands up in the air, palms facing towards the knife man. He lunged, and for once, Tim wasn't fast enough. He felt the knife being dragged across him and he cried out. Countering, he brought the hell of his palm up into the man's jaw, sending him onto the floor. He staggered out of the shop, to see Rose waiting for him. Her face showed apparant interest, and he smiled. That may've been the first time that he had seen her showing anything other than rage. He brought his arm to his stomach, and he could feel blood spreading over his costume.

"Not bad. Surprised me there boy wonder," she asked raising an eyebrow.

"Looter slashed my arm," he grunted in explaination.

My god. You're disappointed aren't you? You wanted more?
No I didn't.
You wanted something else though. What is it I wonder?

"Where were you?" he said, looking up at her sitting himself on a low wall near the shop.

"I thought you needed some time to yourself," she said, shrugging.

Typical Rose.
What, an apathetic *****?

"Why," he whispered suddenly.

"What?" she asked bluntly.

"Why...wasn't it me?" he asked quietly "Why can't I die? Why was it Bruce?"

You do realise that you just gave his name to Rose?
I don't care.
You should.
It doesn't matter anymore. It's just a name. Not an identity. A name.

"WHY WON'T I DIE!" he screamed suddenly, surprising even Rose, much less himself. He jumped up from the wall and threw one of the bricks that lay about the floor through a window of the electronics shop. He stood still for a second, aware of Rose staring at him, panting slightly. He brought his hand to his brow, rubbing his head.

"Sorry," he muttered "I'm sorry,"

 

[Eddie Brock]

SUPERBOY

As I open my eyes, my senses are flooded with pain. I lift my head, and I can hear the bones in my neck cracking. I'm lodged in a massive pile of rubble. Reaching into my pocket, I examine Cassie's earrings. Somehow, they managed to survive Doomsday's attack. I smirk slightly as I hear her voice in my head. I love you. My smirk, however, quickly turns into a wince. I look over to see that my other arm is buried under huge pieces of debris. Focusing all of my strength, I roll my body to the other side until I hear the rubble shifting. Finally, my arm is free.

Sitting up straight, I place two hands on my lower back as I crack it. Every bone in my body is sore. If I feel this way, I can only imagine how the others feel after a brush with Doomsday. It impresses me that they can withstand what must be unbearable pain. These people - these heroes - never cease to amaze me. Maybe that's why I often feel unfit to stand amongst their ranks.

"Unngh," I groan as I pull myself to my feet. As I look at the scene, however, something is terrifyingly wrong. Where's Doomsday?!
​

 

[Saved]

Tim sprinted down the street, his cape billowing behind him. Splashing through puddles at the side of the road, he headed towards the looters that were smashing their way into an electronics shop. He stopped right in front of them, glass and bricks all over the floor, staring the looters down. He was vaguely aware of Rose running up behind him, but he wanted to get this over with before she had the chance to hurt anyone.

You must look like such an ass. Standing down at the little people, cape blowing in the wind.
Hush up.
Oh, snappy.

"These are bad times. I can understand that you're scared. But this isn't the way to go about it. Go back home to your families and wait for this to be over. I've had a bad day. This is your one warning," Tim growled, looking at the group of people who were stuffing laptops into a duffle bag.

"**** you, man, **** you," one of the looters shouted, pulling a pistol from inside his coat.

Tim moved fast, faster than he could believe. He reached out with his hand and grabbed the criminal's wrist, lifting his whole arm up in one hard movement. The man fired on impulse, the shot going up in the air and lodging itself in the ceiling. Tim brought his knee up between the man's legs with a crunch. Squealing, the man dropped to his knees. Tim grabbed his ears and brought his knee up again into his head. He fell over onto the ground, and Tim kicked the gun away.

"Anyone else?" he hissed.

The looters looked at each other, waiting for something to happen. He vaguely wondered why Rose hadn't arrived yet. Maybe she had found something else to do and left him to it. There were four men left in front of him, a mix between confused and angry. Then one of them charged, a huge knife in his hand. Tim sidestepped the lunge, and pushed down on the knife weilders back, hard. He fell to the ground and cracked his head on the floor.

He turned, letting out a roundhouse kick on impulse. The next attacker was knocked in the jaw and he fell backwards. Tim followed it up with a quick punch to the gut, before throwing him through the broken window. Another man dived for the gun that Tim had kicked away, but Batman's apprentice knocked one of the display TVs onto his head. He fell to the floor, out cold.

The last man had a knife as well. He seemed more skilled with it than the other guy, slowly circling Tim, who had put his hands up in the air, palms facing towards the knife man. He lunged, and for once, Tim wasn't fast enough. He felt the knife being dragged across him and he cried out. Countering, he brought the hell of his palm up into the man's jaw, sending him onto the floor. He staggered out of the shop, to see Rose waiting for him. Her face showed apparant interest, and he smiled. That may've been the first time that he had seen her showing anything other than rage. He brought his arm to his stomach, and he could feel blood spreading over his costume.

"Not bad. Surprised me there boy wonder," she asked raising an eyebrow.

"Looter slashed my arm," he grunted in explaination.

My god. You're disappointed aren't you? You wanted more?
No I didn't.
You wanted something else though. What is it I wonder?

"Where were you?" he said, looking up at her sitting himself on a low wall near the shop.

"I thought you needed some time to yourself," she said, shrugging.

Typical Rose.
What, an apathetic *****?

"Why," he whispered suddenly.

"What?" she asked bluntly.

"Why...wasn't it me?" he asked quietly "Why can't I die? Why was it Bruce?"

You do realise that you just gave his name to Rose?
I don't care.
You should.
It doesn't matter anymore. It's just a name. Not an identity. A name.

"WHY WON'T I DIE!" he screamed suddenly, surprising even Rose, much less himself. He jumped up from the wall and threw one of the bricks that lay about the floor through a window of the electronics shop. He stood still for a second, aware of Rose staring at him, panting slightly. He brought his hand to his brow, rubbing his head.

"Sorry," he muttered "I'm sorry,"

Rose stares at Tim for a moment, looking at him in silence. She shakes her head and waves her arms, running what he said back through her head to see if she heard him right. "Wait, wait, wait." She says, holding up her hand as if to stop him from speaking. "Bruce? You mean, like, Bruce Wayne?"

She stares at Robin who looks down at the ground, his mind shot, his emotions wild. Tim nods his head to Rose, confirming her suspicions. "Damn," she says, her voice surprised and regretful. "You are so lucky I'm not evil anymore." She says with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood. Rose notices Robin not smiling, and she lets out an awkward sigh. "Dammit, Tim." She says shaking her head. "You know I'm not the comforting type."

She lets out a heavy sigh, dropping her hands to her side. She grabs the back of her mask tightly, and pulls it from her face. Her long silver hair falls down her back, and she shakes it from her face. "Tim," she starts, trying to think up the right words. "Look, I know you miss him. Probably more than most of them. But, think." She pauses, thinking of how to say this right. "Would he want you mopping over his death? Would he want you crying and lashing out?" Rose walks over to Tim, and puts her arm on his shoulder.

"No." She says, smiling. She takes her hand and puts it under his chin, lifting his head up. "He'd want you to remember what you told him. He'd want you to continue what he stood for, right? Keep fighting that good fight you heroes do. Keep those rules he instilled in you." Rose forces a smile as she grabs Tim's arm.

"Life's ugly," she says, taking her mask and wrapping it around his wound. "This world is cruel to the evil and the good." She ties her mask around the cut, using it like a makeshift bandage to stop the blood. "Sometimes, when things get bad, all you have left are memories." She sighs as she tightens the knot. "You just gotta be grateful for the good ones you have." Her smile suddenly fades as she thinks back to her memories, her past, and all the pain she's faced throughout her life. She lets go of Tim's arm, and turns around, walking off aimlessly down the street, staring into the sky. She puts her hands on her hips and watches the dark clouds, trying to forget the hardships of her life.

"Tim, don't dwell on the bad," she calls back, still staring into the sky. "It'll eat you alive and make you bitter." She frowns, her expression one of remorse and pain. "Like me." She whispers to herself. "Just like me."

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Zachary Zatara
​

What just happened?

I stare up into the sky, where there was a deafening 'boom' a moment ago, and a tube of brilliant light swallowed both Superman and Doomsday.

What just happened?

I look down with a wide-eyed expression, asking anyone who'll listen. "What just happened?"​

 

[Catman_prb]

"Tim, don't dwell on the bad," she calls back, still staring into the sky. "It'll eat you alive and make you bitter." She frowns, her expression one of remorse and pain. "Like me." She whispers to herself. "Just like me."

He laughed. He laughed loud and long. The laugh was a cry of insanity, echoing out into the universe. It had been a long time since he had laughed, and never like that. If he were with a different person, they would be scared or worried. As it was, Rose just turned about and looked at him, mildly bemused. He wiped a tear away from his eye as the laughter stopped. He gave Rose a weak smile.

"You know...you're right. Absolutely and totally right," he said, walking towards her now.

Kiss her you ****ing idiot.
Wait and see. I don't want to end up with a broken neck.
Fair enough.

He stopped, close to her. She didn't move backwards, just stared him down. He smiled slightly again.

"Thankyou," he muttered. He moved closer, far too close.

"Really. Thankyou," he whispered.

 

[Saved]

He laughed. He laughed loud and long. The laugh was a cry of insanity, echoing out into the universe. It had been a long time since he had laughed, and never like that. If he were with a different person, they would be scared or worried. As it was, Rose just turned about and looked at him, mildly bemused. He wiped a tear away from his eye as the laughter stopped. He gave Rose a weak smile.

"You know...you're right. Absolutely and totally right," he said, walking towards her now.

Kiss her you ****ing idiot.
Wait and see. I don't want to end up with a broken neck.
Fair enough.

He stopped, close to her. She didn't move backwards, just stared him down. He smiled slightly again.

"Thankyou," he muttered. He moved closer, far too close.

"Really. Thankyou," he whispered.

Rose stares at Robin out of the corner of her eye, eyeing him up closely as he moves closer to her. "Robin," she asks in an annoyed tone. She grabs his arm and holds him at bay, turning to him and staring him in the face. "What are you doing?"

 

[Catman_prb]

Rose stares at Robin out of the corner of her eye, eyeing him up closely as he moves closer to her. "Robin," she asks in an annoyed tone. She grabs his arm and holds him at bay, turning to him and staring him in the face. "What are you doing?"

Oh ****, oh ****, oh ****.
Haha, tough break buddy. You're about to get your neck broken.
I don't see why you're laughing. If I die, you die with me. You're just a voice in my head remember.
Oh. ****.
Exactly.
Well two options. Power on and hope for the best, or back out now and live to tell the story.
Okay...don't panic...she's only one person.
One person that can break you.
You aren't helping you know.
Oh screw it. Go for it. Worst that can happen is that she lops your balls off.
...Why do you see that as a good thing?
Do you have to be a ***** all your life?

"Tim," she said again "What are you doing?"

Point of no return.
May god have mercy upon our soul.

"What does it look like?" he said quietly, and then he kissed her.

It wasn't a huge romantic thing, but it was real. He held her sides as best he could while she held his arms in a firm grip. Blood was seeping out of the wound on his arm and running over her hand. His face was bleeding from at least a dozen cuts, and he was sure she had a few scratches too. They weren't the most sane people in the world, and he knew that she wasn't the perfect match for him. But it was heaven none the less. Her lips were softer than he would ever have thought, and she smelt of sweat and blood, with a slight hint of vodka. It seemed pleasant to him, odd as it may seem. He closed his eyes, expecting some retribution from her, someway for this dementedly perfect moment to be ruined. It wasn't romantic. It wasn't poetic. It was real.

 

[SuperFerret]

Zachary Zatara
​

What just happened?

I stare up into the sky, where there was a deafening 'boom' a moment ago, and a tube of brilliant light swallowed both Superman and Doomsday.

What just happened?

I look down with a wide-eyed expression, asking anyone who'll listen. "What just happened?"​

I pull myself to my feet, pooling and reforming as if I were liquid.

"Superman happened. I only pray that he has this under control."

 

[Saved]

Oh ****, oh ****, oh ****.
Haha, tough break buddy. You're about to get your neck broken.
I don't see why you're laughing. If I die, you die with me. You're just a voice in my head remember.
Oh. ****.
Exactly.
Well two options. Power on and hope for the best, or back out now and live to tell the story.
Okay...don't panic...she's only one person.
One person that can break you.
You aren't helping you know.
Oh screw it. Go for it. Worst that can happen is that she lops your balls off.
...Why do you see that as a good thing?
Do you have to be a ***** all your life?

"Tim," she said again "What are you doing?"

Point of no return.
May god have mercy upon our soul.

"What does it look like?" he said quietly, and then he kissed her.

It wasn't a huge romantic thing, but it was real. He held her sides as best he could while she held his arms in a firm grip. Blood was seeping out of the wound on his arm and running over her hand. His face was bleeding from at least a dozen cuts, and he was sure she had a few scratches too. They weren't the most sane people in the world, and he knew that she wasn't the perfect match for him. But it was heaven none the less. Her lips were softer than he would ever have thought, and she smelt of sweat and blood, with a slight hint of vodka. It seemed pleasant to him, odd as it may seem. He closed his eyes, expecting some retribution from her, someway for this dementedly perfect moment to be ruined. It wasn't romantic. It wasn't poetic. It was real.

Rose and Tim break apart, their kiss ending quickly. Tim stares at Rose, and she stares back, taken off guard by his action. Speechless, she just looks at him. Staring. She doesn't know what to say. What to feel. This was so...unexpected. So out of character for him, she thinks. Rose sighs, closing her eyes and looking down. She turns around slowly, breathing lightly as she thinks.

"Tim," she starts, her voice surprisingly calm. "You're going through a trial here. An inner turmoil. These things can make a person...desperate. Make them do...strange and irratic things." She looks up, staring at him in a stern look. "I'm not going to be that. I'm not going to be part of a vulnerable feeling." Rose puts her hand on his shoulder, giving him an awkward smile as she tries her best to somehow be...sympathetic.

"Trust me." She says, patting him on his arm. "This wouldn't be right. I don't think it's what you want, either. Mourn for your mentor, but don't loose yourself in your grief."

Rose turns and begins walking off down the street. Sirens blare in the distance and lights flash. She steps over broken building parts and firey pieces of debris as she continues her journey down the streets of Gotham.

The fight for Gotham isn't over. She knows this, and so do the other heroes. Gotham has lost a hero today. A knight to it's people. This loss inspires madness, a madness Rose knows too well. She runs off down an alley, looking for crime to fight, and criminals to stop. She isn't a hero, but she isn't a villain either. She's simply her own agent, working to do what she thinks is right.

 

[Catman_prb]

Rose and Tim break apart, their kiss ending quickly. Tim stares at Rose, and she stares back, taken off guard by his action. Speechless, she just looks at him. Staring. She doesn't know what to say. What to feel. This was so...unexpected. So out of character for him, she thinks. Rose sighs, closing her eyes and looking down. She turns around slowly, breathing lightly as she thinks.

"Tim," she starts, her voice surprisingly calm. "You're going through a trial here. An inner turmoil. These things can make a person...desperate. Make them do...strange and irratic things." She looks up, staring at him in a stern look. "I'm not going to be that. I'm not going to be part of a vulnerable feeling." Rose puts her hand on his shoulder, giving him an awkward smile as she tries her best to somehow be...sympathetic.

"Trust me." She says, patting him on his arm. "This wouldn't be right. I don't think it's what you want, either. Mourn for your mentor, but don't loose yourself in your grief."

Rose turns and begins walking off down the street. Sirens blare in the distance and lights flash. She steps over broken building parts and firey pieces of debris as she continues her journey down the streets of Gotham.

The fight for Gotham isn't over. She knows this, and so do the other heroes. Gotham has lost a hero today. A knight to it's people. This loss inspires madness, a madness Rose knows too well. She runs off down an alley, looking for crime to fight, and criminals to stop. She isn't a hero, but she isn't a villain either. She's simply her own agent, working to do what she thinks is right.

Wow. Bet you wish she broke your neck now.
Shut up.
Oh don't get pissy with me just cos the girl blew you off.
If you don't shut the hell up, right now, I'm going to a shrink.
Okay jeez, no need to threaten a guy.

He briefly considered running after her, telling her that it was what he wanted. But it wouldn'tve been right. Emotional displacement. Losing one person, and latching onto another. It would be wrong to found anything on that.

Anything like what? You want to start seeing this girl? Cos of one little kiss? Are you a ******? That's a serious question.
We all have to make sacrifices.
What?! No you don't!
She doesn't want to be part of a vulnerable feeling. I'm vulnerable right now.
And so what?
And nothing good would come of it.
So you just have to stop being vulnerable then.
Yeup.
Any idea how you're going to do that?
Nope.
Remember Bruce? When he was vulnerable? What would he do.
Lock himself away from the world.
Isn't he what you want to be?

He sighed and turned, reaching into his utility belt and pulled out a small black button, which he pressed. He returned it to its rightful place, and brought his cape around his front. A few seconds later, the batmobile appeared out of no where driven by an autopilot. He jumped in the car and stopped for a second. If he were Bruce Wayne, he'd drive away right now.

But what was Bruce in the end? A sad, lonely old man. Because he locked himself away from the world. I don't want to be Bruce.
And finally, he understands.

He drove up the street slowly, and stopped when he came next to Rose. He lowered the top of the batmobile.

"I think we should go back to the battle. I can't hear any more fighting," he said, not looking directly at her "Would you like a lift?"

 

[Eddie Brock]

I pull myself to my feet, pooling and reforming as if I were liquid.

"Superman happened. I only pray that he has this under control."

Rubbing my sore neck, I float over to where the Martian Manhunter and Zach are standing. Superman?

"Superman did this?" I ask aloud. The Martian nods. "Then I see no reason to be worried."

I gently land - even though the soft landing still sends tingles up and down my battered body. A little more yellow sunlight, and these feelings should wear off. I'll just deal with it in the meantime.

 

[Andy C.]

The sound of the Boom Tube opening was thunderous, even deafening, when we went in.

Coming out, there's no sound at all.

Because where we are, there's no way for it to be heard.

I know you can hear my thoughts, Brainiac, I say to him in my head, so I hope you're listening. A lot of good people are dead because of you. In Metropolis, in Gotham, in Khandaq, and God knows where else. I'm going to make sure no one ever dies because of you ever again.

So here we are...

...at the heart of the galaxy. The super-massive black hole that will, in time, consume the billions of stars and planets in its orbits. You wanted to see the end of things? Well, here it is.

Already, while we're still countless millions of miles away, the gravity is pulling us towards it.

That body you've inhabited will be crushed into a singularity, as close to nothing as the laws of physics can get. It will destroy Doomsday in every sense of the word. And if your programming survives, there will be no force in the universe that will pull you out.

The monster thrashes, trying to break my grip, but at this point it's a useless gesture. The apocalyptic force of gravity gone mad has ensnared us both.

All the deaths you've caused, all the needless destruction...and this is what you'll get for it all. If you manage to survive in there, you'll have all of eternity to ask yourself if it was worth it.

Goodbye, Brainiac.

And with that, I hurl him towards the titanic mass of oblivion. It will be hours, perhaps days, before he crosses the event horizon, but the fight is truly and completely over.

Unfortunately, the gravity is too strong for me to escape, either. Maybe if I was still at 100%, but even that's doubtful. After all the useless fighting, my strength is practically gone.

I never did find Lois, or pay my last respects to Kara. I won't be around to rebuild Metropolis, or hunt Joker down to make sure he stays in prison. Still, I managed to save the world from the deadliest threat to set foot there, and turn this nightmare into something that might resemble a victory.

All in a day's work for Superman.

I'm not too far behind the monster now, as we're both passing into the ergosphere. There won't be much longer now.

I'll bet Bruce isn't going to be too happy to see me so soon.





































All of a sudden, the pull of the black hole stops. Time and space itself stand still.

"You are still needed in this world, Kal-El of Krypton."

I turn to look at my rescuer.

"Can't really say I expected to see you..."

"...Metron."

 

[trustyside-kick]

There is much rubble. While I could so easily smash, and tear, and thrash my way through, I do not know exactly where Aquaman's body is amongst this building; I may end up caving him in even more.

As I am tearing away, slowly, piece by piece, I hear the sound of someone approaching the battlefield. I drop the piece of rubble in my hand, tightening my grip as if ready to wage battle once more, and turn around. What I find, is Aquaman's former side-kick Tempest. He walks up to me, dripping wet, and panting.

"You...were...supposed...to take me with you...Adam. I just swam from the Mediterranean Sea to the Gotham City Harbor in...I don't even know how quick! I mean, what time is it?"

He looks at the pile of destruction before him, all around him, and arches his eyebrow.

"Where's the baddie?"

"Superman...did something. It has been some time since then. Help me, your friend is here somewhere. As you can see, the battle had no limits in its ferocity."

The young man nods, and starts to pull off the debris and rubble from the apartment building. It does not take long, with an extra hand, until we finally find him. I spot him first, and throw him over my shoulder. I walk over to Tempest, suggesting our next courses of action.

"With the threat dealt with, perhaps it would be best we head to Atlantis now. I held to my end of the bargain, Atlantean, I only hope you hold to yours."

He nods in agreement, spotting where I left the trident. He walks over, bends over, and picks it up.

"Can't forget this."

"The power...it does not eat away at you?"

"First few times, it did. It really did. That was a while back though. But, I don't know...maybe it finally found me worthy? I am the Prince, after all...in a way."

"And Aquaman...with such a powerful tool. Why does he not carry it with him with all times for absolute victory in his trials? He could so easily avoid the unncessary time spent with dealing with any fall-out."

The young man shrugs, smirking.

"Guess he thinks it is too much power for one person? That it shouldn't be used unnecessarily? Abuse it too much, and maybe he too will succumb to its seductive desires."

I nod, understanding every word Tempest replies to me with, and it fills me with great confidence in my new allies. Atlantis and Khandaq will do a many great things to fight this new act of terrorism. Khandaq will finally hold onto peace without being frightened for when it will one day be taken from them. Because that day shall never come; never again. I start to rise into the sky, when Tempest stops me with his words.

"Uh, Adam? Wrong direction."

He smirks once more, pointing downward, then starts to head towards the Gotham City Harbor.

 

[Green Lantern]

Lian looked up at Roy with her one good eye and the tears started to form. How many times was she going to have the face the hurt and death of those around her that she loved? Her little heart was breaking but she knew that Uncle Dick needed her dad more than she did right now. She'd be safe in the hospital.

"It's okay, Daddy, go see Uncle Dick... Tell him I said sorry, okay?" she squeezed Roy's hand, as much for her own comfort as to give some to her father. "The nurse's are real nice, an' I'm sleepy anyway."

She gave Roy a feeble smile, mustering up all the courage and strength she had and finally pushing Roy's hand away. "Bye Daddy. I love you."

"I love you too, princess. You sleep good, and I'll be back tomorrow."

Roy leaned over and kissed Lian on the forehead, before turning to Ollie.

"Thank you Ollie. When I get back, I'm going to talk to you about something."

Roy turned back to look at his daughter one last time. He was choked up with emotion as he left the hospital. He didn't live through the first time the Dark Alliance struck at the hearts of heroes, rather he had been one of the first casualties. The death toll this time around put the first rendition's attacks to shame. This time they had lost a Kryptonian, and Bruce. As he hit the street, he dialed up his commlink again.

"Dick, I'm coming. Don't do anything I would."

Before waiting for a response from his friend, Roy changed the channel.

"Oracle, I need to get to wherever Grayson is, and as soon as you can."

 

[Eddie Brock]

BATWOMAN

The night is still. The city lights blot them out, but the stars twinkle somewhere in the sky. The full moon seems closer to Earth than it's ever been. In fact, the only thing that looks out of place in this peaceful Gotham night is the orange hue emitted by the crashed spaceship in Crime Alley. But even that seems distant, dream-like. The city has quieted down - so quiet, in fact, that if one were to listen, they could almost hear the flapping wings of a bat.

But then there are those who never sleep. There are those who wait until everyone else is asleep so they can go about their 'business.' They are opportunists, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And with the recent insanity, they have chosen tonight to make their move. Everything was going well. They didn't expect things to go terribly wrong. Life's funny that way.

"Get the van started!" a tall black man commands his associate. In his arms, the black man cradles a large television set. He and his friends decided to loot an electronics store in the twilight hours. The neighborhood remained eerily quiet - even after the gang shattered a display window to get inside the store. Even so, they're getting jumpy, and they want to start loading up.

The associate that was commanded is shorter, pudgier. He's clearly the weak link of the 'organization.' He just nods and shuffles out the door to the unmarked van parked alongside the street. As he approaches, he notices that the front tire on the passenger side is flat. Kneeling down, he finds a small piece of metal - shaped like a bat - lying in the street by the tire. It sends chills up his spine. Just then, he hears the creaking of the van's rear doors.

He knows better than to look - especially after what he's just discovered. But he's not particularly bright, and he lumbers cautiously over to the rear of the van. In the dark of the night, he cannot see inside the getaway vehicle. Squinting exaggeratedly, he leans forward to peer inside the van. That's when something reaches out and grabs him. He gasps airily, but the noise is too quiet for his fellow looters to hear. One down.

Inside the store, I crouch behind a counter. Peering up, I survey the situation. On the other side of the counter is the black man, his back turned to me. In the far corner of the room, a third looter is dumping cell phones into a large bag. I reach for my belt and draw three shuriken, holding them between my knuckles. With a sharp flick of the wrist, I launch the shuriken at the fluorescent lights above the man in the far corner.

In the ensuing chaos, I stand up and clasp my hand over the black looter's mouth. I pull him up and over the counter, slamming him to the floor below. One correctly used pressure point later, he's out cold. Two down.

Crawling quietly around the counter, I watch the last thief. He's bending down to examine one of my shuriken. Now's my time to strike. As I draw my grappling hook, the man mutters, "Oh, no! The Batm--ULLLK!" He's cut off when I ensnare his ankle with my grappling hook. I reel him in rapidly and pin my elbow into his throat, keeping him from speaking.

"Don't finish that," I warn menacingly.

BANG!

"AAAAAGH!" I yelp helplessly as the bullet hits my shoulder. I turn around to see a fourth looter holding a smoking gun. There's a fourth looter? I only counted three! Nonetheless, I don't stall, for fear that he'll get another shot off. Tucking and rolling, I take cover behind the counter again - this time from the other side.

The man approaches his downed associate as I sneak around the counter. He checks his friend's pulse to verify that he's still alive. As he stands up, he points his gun wildly. "What are you?!" he asks, his tone a mixture of fear and rage.

"I'm Batwoman," I whisper into his ear from behind. As he turns, I throw open my cape. The frightening display causes enough hesitation from him that I can grab the hand with the gun. He gets another shot off, but this one misses entirely. Utilizing special tactics I picked up in training, I snap his trigger finger. The gun falls to the ground. A sweeping kick takes out his legs, and the resulting fall knocks him out. Four down.

I reach around my back and feel my shoulder. Thank God that this suit is made of a light armor - and not just fabric. Otherwise, I'd need much more serious medical attention. As it is, I'll get home and put some ice on the wound. I'll end up with a nasty bruise, but it's better than bleeding out from my shoulder. All in all, I'd call this night a success - even if it was a sloppy one.

I wonder if his beginnings were anything like this.
​

 

[Saved]

Two Face​

I walk away from the window inside the apartment. The earthquakes and tremors stop. Perhaps the battle has ended? It makes no difference to me. My mind is elsewhere, my thoughts eating away at me.

I walk into the bathroom, hearing a voice calling to me. As I flip the switch on, I see my reflection on the cracked mirror above the sink. I see my face. The old me. Harvey Dent, District Attorney. Hero of Gotham's people.

As I stare, my face begins to burn, bringing a sharp pain all across the scarred skin. I put my hand over my face, covering my eyes as I try to endure the vicious pain. Suddenly, I hear a voice. Laughing at me. Mocking me.

"Harvey, Harvey, Harvey," the voice says. I drop my hands at my side and stare into the mirror. The image has changed. It's not Harvey Dent anymore. It's my evil side. My Hyde. "You didn't think we were through, did you?"

"Through?" I ask, the good in me strangely in control.

"Yes, Harvey. You control Gotham's crime. All of the underworld." I see the face grin, malicious and evil. "It's what we strived for. Power. Control."

"You wanted power!" I yell. "I wanted justice!"

"And now, you have it. All the pain you've endured has been paid in full. You now have power."

"I never wanted this!" I shout.

"But you did," it smirks, its scarred skin hideous and frightening. "You and I. Together. Two beings working for one cause."

"Batman is dead."

"Along with Gotham's spirit." He growls. "This is what we waited for. Without the Batman, we can rule Gotham! We can be the final authority. You the judge, me the jury," he smiles widely, his sharp and ugly teeth gleaming. "Us, the executioner."

"I don't want this power," I say reluctantly. "It's not right. It's not me."

"What are you, Harvey? A coward?! Giving up all we fought for?"

I stare at the face, it staring back at me. He's right. This was our goal. And we achieved it. But, now it's different. Now I've changed. I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want this evil on my conscience.

Suddenly, I look up, staring myself in the eyes. "You always said chance is fair. The only fairness in our world." He nods, grinning widely. I pull the coin from my pocket, grasping it between my fingers. I hold it up to the mirror, shoving it into my other self's face. "You want the power? Fine. We'll do it our way. Let fate decide. Leave it up to chance."

"Fine, Harvey. Scarred, I gain control and rule Gotham."

"Heads," I say, cutting him off abrubtly. "I do with it what I want. No matter what it is." My scarred self grins, staring at me intently with a burning fire in his cold heartless eyes.

"Fair's fair." He nods. Shaking, I lift my arm, pushing the coin over my thumb with my finger. I flick the coin up in the air, sending it high above my head. We both watch it, each hoping the outcome is what we want. It slowly descends, and I catch it in the palm of my hand.

"It's heads," I say with a smile, trying to force away my nervousness. Of course it's heads. But the question is, which head? Good or evil? Perfect or flawed?

Let it be clean.

Let it be scarred.​

 

[Byrd Man]

In this business, you learn that there's a time to mourn and then there's a time to take action. In many ways, what I'm doing is both. This is the best way I can think to honor Bruce's memory.

"Oh ****!"

Anytime you have something big happen in a city, doesn't matter if it's an earthquake or the football team winning the Super Bowl, you always have people who are dumb enough to think they can throw a brick into a window and get away with it.

We call these people looters, and they are very dumb.

The three looters I crashed into start to run, the one who was dumber than the rest, the one who shot at me, he get's taken out first.

"You with the gun, you picked the wrong day."

WAP!

My escrima stick stricks him dead in the nose, breaking it in the process.

With the other two, I use my wing-dings and rope to trip their legs out from underneath them.

"Now, looting for food. I can see that...but looting fifteen pairs of sneakers? Is there a brain inside that thick skull I like to pound on, or do you guys just think you won't get caught?"

Using the rope, I hang up the three would be looters by their ankles from a light pole.

"You guys should keep 'till morning. That's when they pick up the garbage."

Even though my heart is still heavy and Bruce's death still fresh in my mind, I can't help but smile. It's been awhile since I've been in Gotham, and I truly miss it.


​

 

[Byrd Man]

Star City,
Oliver Queen's Apartment

The two beams of light that are us appear into the apartment and takes shape. Me with Lian in my arms, she's still tired from the hospital and sleeping.

"Dad!"

Connor leaps off the couch as soon as he lays eyes on us.

"Oh, god..."

"Sssh, keep it down. She's sleeping."

Connor plucks her out of my arms and looks at Lian as he holds her. His eyes stop at the massive bandage covering half of her face.

"That monster."

With Lian out of my arms, I finally get a good look at myself, my face is bruised and cut, my hair all messy from the fight with Slade. All over my costume, I've got blood. Most of it my own, some of it Slade's and Lian's.

"Connor, son. Do me a favor."

Connor looks at me as he lays Lian down on the couch.

"Get me a beer."

For the first time in what feels like forever, I flop down on the recliner and relax. But not for long, as my eye catches Lian stirring on the couch.
​

 

[Johnny Blaze]

No.

Flash watched on as Superman disappeared with Doomsday/Brainiac, a feeling of dread growing in his gut.

Be safe, Boyscout. Don't need to bury another friend today.

Wally did his best to push his concern away, knowing it will only compound things.

The Flash looks around, trying to locate Jay after his savage assault on the monster.

There you are.

In a flash, Wally is standing alongside Jay Garrick.

"Those were some major moves there, old man", Wally smiles.
"You okay?"