The "World of Heroes" DC RPG Season VII

[Byrd Man]

"My goodness, it's perfect," is all Alfred mutters as we enter the restored Batcave.

Dick and Tim put it back together almost exactly as it was before. The major difference is the glass case next to Jason Todd's Robin outfit.

This suit belongs to me.

"A fitting tribute, if I may say so."

Alfred's thoughts are cut short as I punch the display case and shatter it.

"Then again, you never one for nostalgia."

*********************​

"Bruce?" Even through the ear piece, Barbara's voice is filled with emotion.

"I'm here. Give me a sit-rep."

"OK," she says as her tone shifts back to business.

"GCPD scanners are calling for all avalible units to the Gotham Opera House, it seems Prometheus is making his last stand. Dad's there, and Nightwing and Robin are on the way."

"Joker?"

"I can't track him. I think he's with them, but I don't know for sure....what exactly do we do about him?"

"We'll deal with that when it comes time. I'm on my way to the Opera House."

"Good luck. It's good to hear your voice again."

I go offline and begin dressing. It has been over a year since I suited up, but everything fits perfectly.

The pants, the gloves, the cowl.

"Are you ready, sir?"

I turn and look at Alfred as the shadows of the cave bask me in darkness.

He recoils a bit as he sees the look in my eyes.

Batman is back.

*********************​

There's a fleet of police cars outside the Opera House as I watch from the adjacent roof.

It's not accident Prometheus picked this place for his endgame. In many ways, this is the place Batman was born.

Through the cloak of darkness I glide from the roof and crash through a window into the dark Opera House.

Whatever Prometheus has planned, tonight it ends.

 

[trustyside-kick]

He drops into the water of the nearby docks as fast as he possibly can. Swimming through the ocean, his destination is clearly ahead. Originating from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, not too far from Poseidonis The Eel's maelstrom begins. The closer Aquaman swims towards the start of the great storm, the harder it becomes for him to swim.

Him. The former King of the Seven Seas. There is not a spot of water he has not covered on this large, blue, Earth. Not a storm that he had not been able to travel through safely with sheer ease. But the closer and closer he gets to where the sperratic turbulence of the tide is originating from, the harding it is for his muscles to pull on through.

He sends out a telepathic call to some nearby sperm whales, using their large body mass to help keep the water ahead of from pushing against his own self. And then, he finally sees it. A tidal wave rising higher and higher from the surface of the water like he had never seen before. As he looks to his left and his right, he sees several more tidal waves. The Eel's threat was no bluff. He activates his JLA comm.

"Aquaman to all active and reserve JLA status members. I don't know if you all have seen the televised threats, but The Eel's threat is most definitely real. Right now I'm near the southern tip of Greenland, and about to meet the tidal wave head. By the looks of it, Coolidge has unleashed several tidal waves spanning in all directions. From the look of things, Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, Eastern North and South America, and Antarctica are most likely also going to be hit first. I will do my best to stop the one in my path...but I cannot stop them all. Aquaman out."

BZZZTTT!!!

The JLA communicator I keep in my pocket starts to buzz and go off. I fish it out of my pocket and check it out. Incoming message from Aquaman.

"This is the Greenie Meanie, I read ya loud and clear Fishman, come on back good buddy!"

Jumping onto the back of one of the sperm whales, more and more herds of them come towards the region. The skies around him being to rain and thunder, the wave are getting close; but the Marine Marvel presses onward. His left arm outstretched, he begins to tap into the raw power of his waterhand. It glows brilliantly, and at first his plan appears to work.

"--zzt. Aquaman, this is Firestorm. I was already in the region, and currently headed into the Gulf of Mexico. Gonna do my best to keep the the lower half of the U.S., along with Central America and the Caribbean from being wiped out."

Grunting, Orin cannot even respond. His mind is much too focused on his task at the moment. Using his mystical hand for taking control of water has yet to be something he has had much practice with. But he does his best, keeping the tidal wave from picking up speed; but he has not stopped it just yet.

"--zzzzt. Red Tornado reporting. I'm heading for New York, hoping to encounter the tidal wave in that region. Although I would not consider my region fully taken care of. Further assitance would be suggested."

"AHH....AARRGGH!! NOO!"

His effort is not enough, and he is knocked back from the strain of stopping the great force of nature. The tidal wave begins to pick up speed once more, and Orin is onto his next idea as he jumps off of the back of the large sperm whale, and dives into the ocean.

--ztt. Green Lantern John Stewart here. Looks like I returned from Oa at a good time. I'll tend to Africa, but any sort of help is more than welcome. Cannot let all of that willpower go to my head."

The tidal wave now closer, picking up speed, the whales in the region have all swam away; not even their large gargantuan sizes can stand the pressures of the waves pushing them back as they do. But the Aquatic Ace gives it his all, swimming into the heart of the maelstrom. He finally stops swimming against the current, and now allows his body to flow with the tidal wave. As it turns him about, he spins himself around more and more.

"AAAAAAHH!!! YAAH!"

Using his spinning motion, he has now turned the tidal wave into a typhoon; keeping it locked in place. He keeps spinning about in the water down below, and aims his waterhand upward to tried to keep the typhoon from spinning into the shores of Iceland. He lets out one more telepathic cry, and the typhoon starts to crystalize and harden. Very soon, it's entirely ice. And finally, the Marine Marvel stops spinning about.

"You should've known I was on the way anyway. I knew you wouldn't contact me right away. Same old Orin. Doesn't know when to call for help."

Panting, and letting his muscles relax, Orin gladly accepts Garth's help as the former side-kick takes him by the shoulder.

"There are...more, Garth. I've contacted the JLA, but...not all have...responded back."

"Woah woah, take it easy old friend. You gotta let your body rest a second. Whose checked in yet and where are they headed?"

"Firestorm...Gulf of Mexico. Green Lantern J--John Stewart is heading for Africa. And...and...and R-Red Tor--tornado is near New York. Oliver...hasn't checked back in yet."

Garth starts to wave his hands about in a circular motion, preparing a teleportation spell. His eyes glow brightly and he looks at Orin.

"I'll head to the Gulf. Don't take too long catching your breath now."

And then, Tempest is gone. A dolphin swims by, and Orin takes mount as it veers eastward. His next destination? Eastern Europe. The other regions are soon to be attended to. He has to do what he can to help slow down the tidal wave heading there.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Aquaman to all active and reserve JLA status members. I don't know if you all have seen the televised threats, but The Eel's threat is most definitely real. Right now I'm near the southern tip of Greenland, and about to meet the tidal wave head. By the looks of it, Coolidge has unleashed several tidal waves spanning in all directions. From the look of things, Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, Eastern North and South America, and Antarctica are most likely also going to be hit first. I will do my best to stop the one in my path...but I cannot stop them all. Aquaman out."

As Aquaman's emergency transmission ends, J'onn J'onzz opens the channel to reply.

"This is The Martian Manhunter, I am on my way to Africa to lend assistance."

 

[trustyside-kick]

As Aquaman's emergency transmission ends, J'onn J'onzz opens the channel to reply.

"This is The Martian Manhunter, I am on my way to Africa to lend assistance."

"Alright J'onn. John Stewart should be waiting for you. I'm now making my way towards Eastern Europe. I can already see the massive wave now, but I'm still too tired to quicken my pace. I just hope I'm not too late."

The dolphin Orin rides on picks up speed, and the Marine Marvel starts to focus as much as he can. Extending his mystical hand outward, he points it in the direction of the tidal wave. Mustering all the telepathic energies he can and channeling it through his waterbearer hand, as his fingers split apart, so does the tidal split into 5 weaker and smaller tidal waves. The intensity in the glow lessens, and his concentration over the water ceases.

"That...makes things a bit easier. Now if I can only--uh oh."

As if alive, the tidal waves suck in together and merge back into a much larger wave. Clearly it's The Eel's doing as he remains hooked up to his machine. The fact that the machine has magnified his telekinesis in such a manner...the Aquatic Ace honestly isn't surprised. He is up against a Force of Nature...that has its own mind. Activating his JLA comm, Aquaman calls out to his allies.

"I need...assistance. I think The Eel has caught up to our antics. He so easily undid what took...so much out of me to accomplish and...my feat is now much harder than before."

 

[Keyser Soze]

"Alright J'onn. John Stewart should be waiting for you. I'm now making my way towards Eastern Europe. I can already see the massive wave now, but I'm still too tired to quicken my pace. I just hope I'm not too late."

The dolphin Orin rides on picks up speed, and the Marine Marvel starts to focus as much as he can. Extending his mystical hand outward, he points it in the direction of the tidal wave. Mustering all the telepathic energies he can and channeling it through his waterbearer hand, as his fingers split apart, so does the tidal split into 5 weaker and smaller tidal waves. The intensity in the glow lessens, and his concentration over the water ceases.

"That...makes things a bit easier. Now if I can only--uh oh."

As if alive, the tidal waves suck in together and merge back into a much larger wave. Clearly it's The Eel's doing as he remains hooked up to his machine. The fact that the machine has magnified his telekinesis in such a manner...the Aquatic Ace honestly isn't surprised. He is up against a Force of Nature...that has its own mind. Activating his JLA comm, Aquaman calls out to his allies.

"I need...assistance. I think The Eel has caught up to our antics. He so easily undid what took...so much out of me to accomplish and...my feat is now much harder than before."

"Looks like you could use a hand."

I fly down from behind Arthur, forming a construct of a giant dam in front of the tidal wave towering in front of us.

 

[wiegeabo]

Samantha has been asleep on the floor for the last couple of hours. She's been that way almost since I brought everyone back home. And Mary and I have laying together since not long after Samantha fell asleep.

And I don't plan on moving.

And then my ring comes to life.

Samantha can tell something's happening. She turns slightly in my arms to look back at me. "What is it?"

"Nothing."

"You can't lie to me." She turns to face me. "What is it?"

I hold my hand up. "A signal on my ring. League signal. But I'm not the only member of the League..."

"Which means they wouldn't be calling you if it wasn't important. Take the call."

I sigh and let the message come through.

"Aquaman to all active and reserve JLA status members. I don't know if you all have seen the televised threats, but The Eel's threat is most definitely real. Right now I'm near the southern tip of Greenland, and about to meet the tidal wave head. By the looks of it, Coolidge has unleashed several tidal waves spanning in all directions. From the look of things, Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, Eastern North and South America, and Antarctica are most likely also going to be hit first. I will do my best to stop the one in my path...but I cannot stop them all. Aquaman out."

"I-"

She puts her finger on my lips. "Go. Hurry."

I look into her eyes, then lean in for a kiss. I break our embrace and flair my ring to life

"You look damn good in that uniform," she says with a smile.

I smile back. "I won't be long." Then I take off.

Status reports from other League members start rolling in, and I join in. "Sinestro here. I'll cover South America."

I will my ring forward, and the sky around me explodes with speed. And the, still thousands of kelikams from land, but moving unbelievably fast, is a wall of water high enough to drown a contentment. That may be an exageration...but not by much.

I pour on the speed. "Must...get...ahead..." I push past the crest of the mega wave and push on to gain distance. And when I'm finally far enough away, I turn in the air and face the rushing wall.

With no time for any other plan, I extend my hand and a barrier forms from my ring. I focus, and the barrier grows...and grows...and grows. And the water rushes at me.

"This...is going to hurt."

 

[trustyside-kick]

Several miles north of Atlantean waters
Underwater

The Eel's plan is going perfectly. It was calculable that Aquaman would try to stop all six tidal waves. But even the Marine Marvel is not fast enough to do the task alone. So what would be the most probable move next? Signal the Justice League. Another factor that The Eel has made in his calculations of the scenario at hand. The Eel has every scenario played out, for The Eel is always in control; just the way he likes it.

"Gentleman, it would seem that the Super Friends have gathered about. Although I believe I'm tired of viewing the satellite images and prefer to get a more...personal scope of things."

Without even commanding his minions to enter the codes, The Eel uses his telekinesis to raise the machine from the ocean floor. His minions and colleagues swim away as fast as they can in their scuba suits as the gargantuan machine rises to the surface of the ocean. Using the water around him to levitate him, The Eel rises high above the machine just enough to get a view at the tidal waves in the distance.

"All who oppose suffer to the power of the Eel. Time to remind these heroes that."

Swirling the water around him still, the diameter of the vortex widens rapidly. Spinning at such a great speed, the maelstrom becomes violent and turbulent. With one mental push in all directions, the water ripples sporadically, increasing the force pushing the 5 remaining tidal waves.

"Looks like you could use a hand."

I fly down from behind Arthur, forming a construct of a giant dam in front of the tidal wave towering in front of us.

The former Sea King turns around, not facing the newly arrived Hal Jordan but rather the water eastward. He can feel it in the water. The intergalactic hero hovering above Orin with his green damn construct is completely oblivious to what Aquaman now knows. He turns to Hal.

"Hal! Watch ou--"

The water around Aquaman and below him churns violently, knocking the seaward hero off balance and splashing under the current. The great dam construct starts to crumble as the pressure in the water increases immensely until it finally shatters and the tidal wave presses onward.

Status reports from other League members start rolling in, and I join in. "Sinestro here. I'll cover South America."

I will my ring forward, and the sky around me explodes with speed. And the, still thousands of kelikams from land, but moving unbelievably fast, is a wall of water high enough to drown a contentment. That may be an exageration...but not by much.

Rising back to the surface, Orin calls out to Hal.

"Hal. Every region except for the Antarctic seems to be accounted for. I'm going to head there now."

The Marine Marvel dives into the deep, but rather than heading south as one would expect, he heads further east. What Orin needs, is to conserve his strength for when he confronts the other tidal wave. He cannot do that if he swims all the way south at top speed to reach Antarctica at time. So he turns to the other alternative: hatches. Atlantean waterway portals scattered throughout the world will get him instantly in the nearby Antarctic region.

Finally spotting the hatch, Orin swims to it. As he passes through the hatch, as he exits through the other side the water suddenly gets much more chilly. Swimming westward now, and rising to the surface Aquaman comes face to face with the tidal wave.

 

[Byrd Man]

​

I stalk silently through the opera house shadows while the sounds of gunfire fill the air outside.

I hear the sound of bootsteps almost too late.

WHAM!

The punch hits me on the edge of my shoulder, it's a glancing blow but powerful enough to send me stumbling forward.

Obviously, my time out of the costume has made me rusty.

"We knew you were coming," the imposter Batman chuckles as he strikes again in the darkness. My gauntlet blocks the blow.

"For the past year, I've been under Godfrey and Prometheus' thumbs, acting as their muscle. It was part of the deal, my life of him."

It's my turn to strike, as I kick at his thigh. He grabs my ankle and twirls me in the air. I fall to the ground hard and see stars.

"I'm glad you came, now I can get out of this goddamn looney bin."

I flip up and strike fast, hitting him hard in the chest. He stumbles back and coughs heavily.

"You son of a *****, I now it's you now. I told Grayson it'd be a matter of time before you showed your face again."

I stand back in a defensive position as he continues to prattle on.

"To hell with this," he grunts as he tosses the cowl to the side and pulls out a pistol.

"See, Bats. You're not the only one who can return from the dead...."

A swiftly thrown batarang knocks the gun from Slade's hands.

"Fine, I can take you on with my bare hands. Got any new last words, Batman?!" Deathstroke roars in anger as he charges me.

"Shut up."

Throwing my cape into his eye, I blind Slade and wrap my arm around his neck as I get behind him. He struggles in my choke hold, but he slowly loses consciousness.

I let Deathstroke's body slump to the floor. His breathing is steady and rapid. He'll be out for a few hours at the least.

They can throw all the imposters this city has at me, it'll never be enough.

My brief skirmish with Deathstroke has given me some insight, Prometheus is working with someone named Godfrey.

It doesn't matter if Godfrey is a lacky or the puppet master pulling the strings, he'll be counted among the guilty as I restore order to Gotham.

I turn away from Slade and continue my journey through the shadows.​

 

[Karem-Knight]

"Whatever he's called, he needs to be stopped." I say as I look between Tim and Dick.

"Try and contact Oracle. If we can pinpoint Prometheus' location, then we can end this tonight."

I look towards Alfred.

"I need you to follow me to the cave. Time is short, we've got work to do."

Alfred's stoic look is replaced by a slight smile.

"As you wish, Master Bruce."

"Right. You heard the man, let's go!"

I press the remote control link to get the motorcycle to come to my position and within moments it does so. Tim's comes to him a second later and we hop on and that's when it both hits us.

"Where's Joker!?"

"I put a tracer on him. We'll catch him, right now we have to go to the Opera House- Oracle just notified me of!"

-----

Arriving at the Opera house, I see a complete squadron of police cars with Gordon trying to reassure them. "Go inside, I'll catch up with you in a second."

Tim nods and grapples to the main building. It's going to be weird not barking the orders around here any more, but at the same time it will be a relief. I jump from the sky scraper and towards the police men who all aim their guns at me with the red lasers pin pointed all over my body- I put my hands up.

"Lay down your weapons men! This is one we can trust..." Wow, a whole year of protecting this city. And I didn't even hear a "oh hey Nightwing". It just goes to show how much of a mess Gotham has become with Bruce gone.

"Commissioner, can I talk to you in private?" He looks confused as he walks over. Weird thing is, this guy could be my father in law; might be one of the rare cases where they get along.

"What is it, Nightwing? I thought you'll be in there."

"I'm going in there in a second. There's something I've got to tell you..."

"Prometheus? We know already, him and Godfrey are in there causing all this chaos. It's time to end this now...if only he was here."

"That's the thing Jim...he's back!"

I'd hate to spoil the moment for Bruce, but someone has to tell him. If he doesn't know he'll send out too many police men to make sure me Gotham doesn't lose Robin and Nightiwing.

He looks at me stunned and awe shock.

"What!? Are you sure it's not one of those Batman imposters..." I smile, and he realises just how much that took him by surprise. "But...how!?"

"It's a long story. Just thought I'd tell you. Still, I need you to have the policemen to make a distraction and clear the streets!"

Gordon nods as I shoot the grapple up and head into the Opera building to catch up with Tim.

 

[Red_Robin77]

"Fair enough," I reply, considering what we should do. "We have to do it quickly though, careful or not. We don't know how long it'll be before the rest of it comes to light, could be a day, could be a year, but we need to be ready if it comes up fast."

"We'll be ready for it, no worries about that," Kilowog assured me.

I nod and look around at the ruins surrounding us. How could this happen? It was something that seemed impossible, but Oa has been struck at it's nerve center. The Guardians won't act and it's up to us three. But we need something to inspire everybody, to rally with us. Something. Or someone.

"I've got an idea," I tell the other two. "I'll be back later."

I took off into the sky, an emerald glow surrounding me. As I reach the green sky I slow down and look around at the damaged planet. I lift my ring up and look at the symbol emblazed upon it.

"Ring, get me communication to Sodam Yat."

 

[Catman_prb]

Tim stalked through the shadows of the Opera House, batarang in hand. A few metres back he'd found evidence of a fight, and a pistol on the ground.

"You're a little late,"

Robin glanced over his shoulder to see Slade Wilson standing in a batsuit without his cowl.

"I thought you were dead," he said, gripping his batarang tightly.

"I thought he was dead," Wilson said, shrugging "The more you know,"

"Are we going to fight now or something? Cos I'd rather cut through the small talk,"

"Your choice," Deathstroke muttered, leaping towards the Boy Wonder, pulling a knife from somewhere on his utility belt.

Tim ducked under the blade, grabbed the mercenary's wrist and punched him twice in the face.

"So, how you been?"

Roundhouse kick. Parry. Left hook. Sideswipe.

"Well your daughter's pregnant with my child,"

"Are you sure it's yours?"

"Why do people keep asking me that,"

"Well in that case I'm just going to have to kill you doubly,"

"Go for it,"

 

[Karem-Knight]

Tim stalked through the shadows of the Opera House, batarang in hand. A few metres back he'd found evidence of a fight, and a pistol on the ground.

"You're a little late,"

Robin glanced over his shoulder to see Slade Wilson standing in a batsuit without his cowl.

"I thought you were dead," he said, gripping his batarang tightly.

"I thought he was dead," Wilson said, shrugging "The more you know,"

"Are we going to fight now or something? Cos I'd rather cut through the small talk,"

"Your choice," Deathstroke muttered, leaping towards the Boy Wonder, pulling a knife from somewhere on his utility belt.

Tim ducked under the blade, grabbed the mercenary's wrist and punched him twice in the face.

"So, how you been?"

Roundhouse kick. Parry. Left hook. Sideswipe.

"Well your daughter's pregnant with my child,"

"Are you sure it's yours?"

"Why do people keep asking me that,"

"Well in that case I'm just going to have to kill you doubly,"

"Go for it,"

I enter the Opera house quietly, it's dark in here. Just like Bruce likes it and I'm guessing Prometheus would too; climbing down the air vent I look down to one of the hallways and find possibly the best example of "worst time to meet your father in law" ever.

"Honestly, today just keeps getting weirder and weirder!"

I jump out of the air vent and fly towards Slade with a high powered kick to his back. He falls over, and by that time I also remember that he was found dead in Star City a few weeks before Bruce "died". Guess it's because we've fought so many times.

"You know Dick..you really are a slow learner!"

Deathstorke gets out a switch blade which I manage to block with my estimca stick. "I don't know Slade. Maybe it's cause you were such a terrific actor when you masqueraded as Batman!" I should have realised it was him when I fought him those two months ago, but the only thing that left me otherwise was that I forgot people don't always stay dead.

He gets a quick punch to my chest and kicks me down to the ground, I flip back up and use his body as a hurdle. And get back to Tim's aid. Deathstroke, Promethues..this Godfrey guy has it in for Gotham and defiantly for Bruce.

"Funny isn't it? That I'm dressed up as Batman and I'm going to kill two former Robins!"

"I don't find it funny."

I look towards Tim for a second.

"Think we can take him?"

 

[Karem-Knight]

"We'll be ready for it, no worries about that," Kilowog assured me.

I nod and look around at the ruins surrounding us. How could this happen? It was something that seemed impossible, but Oa has been struck at it's nerve center. The Guardians won't act and it's up to us three. But we need something to inspire everybody, to rally with us. Something. Or someone.

"I've got an idea," I tell the other two. "I'll be back later."

I took off into the sky, an emerald glow surrounding me. As I reach the green sky I slow down and look around at the damaged planet. I lift my ring up and look at the symbol emblazed upon it.

"Ring, get me communication to Sodam Yat."

Sector 1760

I sit down quietly over looking my home planet. I don't like it there but for some reason that could be nostalgia? I look down on it. In more ways than one, ever since joining the Green Lantern Corps I have been given the responsibility to protect all life and store order in it. But luckily for me Daxam is so terrified by the prospect of other life forms that they manage to just stay in their planet in their own sheltered lives.

As I sit down quietly my ring starts to beep all of a sudden I look at it and the message comes on.

INCOMING MESSAGE FROM GREEN LANTERN OF SECTOR 2814 NO.3 KYLE RAYNER


Kyle Rayner!? This must be serious, I immediately respond.

"Hello Lantern Rayner, this is Lantern Sodam Yat. What's the situation?"

 

[Red_Robin77]

Sector 1760

I sit down quietly over looking my home planet. I don't like it there but for some reason that could be nostalgia? I look down on it. In more ways than one, ever since joining the Green Lantern Corps I have been given the responsibility to protect all life and store order in it. But luckily for me Daxam is so terrified by the prospect of other life forms that they manage to just stay in their planet in their own sheltered lives.

As I sit down quietly my ring starts to beep all of a sudden I look at it and the message comes on.

INCOMING MESSAGE FROM GREEN LANTERN OF SECTOR 2814 NO.3 KYLE RAYNER


Kyle Rayner!? This must be serious, I immediately respond.

"Hello Lantern Rayner, this is Lantern Sodam Yat. What's the situation?"

"Lantern Yat, good to hear from you. Could you meet me down here at Oa? We could do with a hand at finishing the clean-up," I tell him as I survey a group of Lanterns towing away a batch of Red Lantern bodies.

"Tell me, are you still connected with Ion?" I ponder, curiously.

 

[Catman_prb]

I enter the Opera house quietly, it's dark in here. Just like Bruce likes it and I'm guessing Prometheus would too; climbing down the air vent I look down to one of the hallways and find possibly the best example of "worst time to meet your father in law" ever.

"Honestly, today just keeps getting weirder and weirder!"

I jump out of the air vent and fly towards Slade with a high powered kick to his back. He falls over, and by that time I also remember that he was found dead in Star City a few weeks before Bruce "died". Guess it's because we've fought so many times.

"You know Dick..you really are a slow learner!"

Deathstorke gets out a switch blade which I manage to block with my estimca stick. "I don't know Slade. Maybe it's cause you were such a terrific actor when you masqueraded as Batman!" I should have realised it was him when I fought him those two months ago, but the only thing that left me otherwise was that I forgot people don't always stay dead.

He gets a quick punch to my chest and kicks me down to the ground, I flip back up and use his body as a hurdle. And get back to Tim's aid. Deathstroke, Promethues..this Godfrey guy has it in for Gotham and defiantly for Bruce.

"Funny isn't it? That I'm dressed up as Batman and I'm going to kill two former Robins!"

"I don't find it funny."

I look towards Tim for a second.

"Think we can take him?"

"I don't need to think about it," Tim spat, leaping forwards, pulling the cape on Slade's batman outfit up and over his head, bringing his knee up with a loud crack.

Wilson staggered for a second, before stabbing the Boy Wonder in his shoulder. Robin punched him three times in the face and brought his knee up between Deathstroke's legs as the man twisted the knife in his shoulder. Tim grit his teeth and grabbed the mercenary's shoulders with one hand, pulling his grapnel out of his belt.

"Get to Batman. Now," Tim growled, before turning back to the struggling Slade.

"So Wilson, we've never really talked about what happened to Supergirl in great detail," Robin spat, firing the grapnel up into the rafters and winching the pair of them up "Let's chat,"

 

[Karem-Knight]

"Lantern Yat, good to hear from you. Could you meet me down here at Oa? We could do with a hand at finishing the clean-up," I tell him as I survey a group of Lanterns towing away a batch of Red Lantern bodies.

"Tell me, are you still connected with Ion?" I ponder, curiously.

Opening a portal to Oa and enter it I reach their in seconds, the Ion power increases the transportation rate dramatically as I appear before Kyle Rayner.

"I do indeed Lantern Rayner; but I'm under strict orders from the Guardians to use it states of emergency. I'm guessing it's to help with this wreckage."

I say coldly. Oa is in a worse state than I thought after the Red Lantern battle.

 

[Red_Robin77]

Opening a portal to Oa and enter it I reach their in seconds, the Ion power increases the transportation rate dramatically as I appear before Kyle Rayner.

"I do indeed Lantern Rayner; but I'm under strict orders from the Guardians to use it states of emergency. I'm guessing it's to help with this wreckage."

I say coldly. Oa is in a worse state than I thought after the Red Lantern battle.

"Yeah. And something else..." I begin as I lead him down to the planet, to help dispose of some Red Lantern bodies.

"This is going to happen again. A lot. And the smurfs aren't going to do anything about it. We need to prepare for hell, and we have to rally everybody to help. Who better to rally than the man joined with Ion?"

 

[Karem-Knight]

"Yeah. And something else..." I begin as I lead him down to the planet, to help dispose of some Red Lantern bodies.

"This is going to happen again. A lot. And the smurfs aren't going to do anything about it. We need to prepare for hell, and we have to rally everybody to help. Who better to rally than the man joined with Ion?"

As we fly down with Rayner using the construct of a pile driver and picks some Lanterns up, mine stops half way as I get distracted by his comment.

"Me!?"

Rayner looks at me with his construct in mid air.

"But I'm just a rookie....I'm not even as experienced as half the other Lanterns are!"

 

[Watchman]

​

I stalk silently through the opera house shadows while the sounds of gunfire fill the air outside.

I hear the sound of bootsteps almost too late.

WHAM!

The punch hits me on the edge of my shoulder, it's a glancing blow but powerful enough to send me stumbling forward.

Obviously, my time out of the costume has made me rusty.

"We knew you were coming," the imposter Batman chuckles as he strikes again in the darkness. My gauntlet blocks the blow.

"For the past year, I've been under Godfrey and Prometheus' thumbs, acting as their muscle. It was part of the deal, my life of him."

It's my turn to strike, as I kick at his thigh. He grabs my ankle and twirls me in the air. I fall to the ground hard and see stars.

"I'm glad you came, now I can get out of this goddamn looney bin."

I flip up and strike fast, hitting him hard in the chest. He stumbles back and coughs heavily.

"You son of a *****, I now it's you now. I told Grayson it'd be a matter of time before you showed your face again."

I stand back in a defensive position as he continues to prattle on.

"To hell with this," he grunts as he tosses the cowl to the side and pulls out a pistol.

"See, Bats. You're not the only one who can return from the dead...."

A swiftly thrown batarang knocks the gun from Slade's hands.

"Fine, I can take you on with my bare hands. Got any new last words, Batman?!" Deathstroke roars in anger as he charges me.

"Shut up."

Throwing my cape into his eye, I blind Slade and wrap my arm around his neck as I get behind him. He struggles in my choke hold, but he slowly loses consciousness.

I let Deathstroke's body slump to the floor. His breathing is steady and rapid. He'll be out for a few hours at the least.

They can throw all the imposters this city has at me, it'll never be enough.

My brief skirmish with Deathstroke has given me some insight, Prometheus is working with someone named Godfrey.

It doesn't matter if Godfrey is a lacky or the puppet master pulling the strings, he'll be counted among the guilty as I restore order to Gotham.

I turn away from Slade and continue my journey through the shadows.​

The Batman had made it into the lobby. For a few moments the room was in complete darkness. Suddenly, a light turned on the top of a red staircase. Standing, at the top was Godfrey. He was wearing a black suit with a red tie. He also a red armband with a black omega symbol on it and black gloves.

"My, my, now the show can really begin," he started to walk down the stairs. With each step he took another light turned on.

"We've been waiting for you. Now you have a front row for the start of the age of ignorance, the beginning of Apokolips." Now he was close to Batman. A spotlight covered both of them. Batman could make out his red eyes. "So what are we waiting for?" He snapped his fingers and music came from the main hall. A full orchestra was playing.

"Wagner's Götterdämmerung. Let's toast to the coming of the Fifth World with the destruction of Gotham. Oh where are my manners?" He extended his hand, "Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth of taste. Ive been around for a long, long year, stole many a mans soul and faith."

 

[Byrd Man]

The Batman had made it into the lobby. For a few moments the room was in complete darkness. Suddenly, a light turned on the top of a red staircase. Standing, at the top was Godfrey. He was wearing a black suit with a red tie. He also a red armband with a black omega symbol on it and black gloves.

"My, my, now the show can really begin," he started to walk down the stairs. With each step he took another light turned on.

"We've been waiting for you. Now you have a front row for the start of the age of ignorance, the beginning of Apokolips." Now he was close to Batman. A spotlight covered both of them. Batman could make out his red eyes. "So what are we waiting for?" He snapped his fingers and music came from the main hall. A full orchestra was playing.

"Wagner's Götterdämmerung. Let's toast to the coming of the Fifth World with the destruction of Gotham. Oh where are my manners?" He extended his hand, "Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth of taste. Ive been around for a long, long year, stole many a mans soul and faith."

I grit my teeth and drive my open hand into Godfrey's face. The force of the slap sends him reeling away from me.

"I don't know who or what you are, and I don't really care. Whatever it is, it ends now."

I leap back and toss a batarang at Godfrey.

 

[Watchman]

I grit my teeth and drive my open hand into Godfrey's face. The force of the slap sends him reeling away from me.

"I don't know who or what you are, and I don't really care. Whatever it is, it ends now."

I leap back and toss a batarang at Godfrey.

A second batarang come sailing down intercepting the other. Godfrey gets up glaring at the Dark Knight. His face has went from amusement to anger.

"You dare? You dare touch a god?! I'll teach you obedience when I scrap your mind out." The sound of two gunshots were heard. When they struck the ground flames erupted around them. A shadowy figure landed before them.

 

[Blacklight]

"Don't worry, Wally", Hunter says as he cracks his back.
"We'll figure out a way to bring him down."

"I hope so, Hunter. I really do..." I stated solemnly yet truthfully to my friend.

"Listen, Hunter... there's something I want to say to you..." I began, placing my hand on his shoulder.

"Ever since the Dark Alliance was defeated and you started helping me to protect Keystone and Central City, I have to say that this past year you... You've proven to me that I made the right decision in convincing you to use your powers for good, Hunter, and that I can count on you."

"What I'm trying to say is... you've made me proud, Hunter." I finished as I held out my hand for him to shake.

 

[Byrd Man]

A second batarang come sailing down intercepting the other. Godfrey gets up glaring at the Dark Knight. His face has went from amusement to anger.

"You dare? You dare touch a god?! I'll teach you obedience when I scrap your mind out." The sound of two gunshots were heard. When they struck the ground flames erupted around them. A shadowy figure landed before them.

I let out a low growl as I strike the imposter in the face with my boot heel.

"The two of you have poisoned the city long enough."

While Prometheus is absorbing the blow of my boot, I swing at Godfrey with a calculated punch to the stomach.

 

[Watchman]

I let out a low growl as I strike the imposter in the face with my boot heel.

"The two of you have poisoned the city long enough."

While Prometheus is absorbing the blow of my boot, I swing at Godfrey with a calculated punch to the stomach.

As soon as Prometheus landed onto the floor he kicked himself back up. When Batman finishes punching Godfrey he lands a hit across Batman's chin.

"We are the poison that entered Gotham when you died. We emerged when hope was killed. We created the new Batman when the city cried out for it. Show them what we taught you."

"Judge others, enslave others, kill others. ANTI-LIFE JUSTIFIES MY HATRED!"

 

[Byrd Man]

As soon as Prometheus landed onto the floor he kicked himself back up. When Batman finishes punching Godfrey he lands a hit across Batman's chin.

"We are the poison that entered Gotham when you died. We emerged when hope was killed. We created the new Batman when the city cried out for it. Show them what we taught you."

"Judge others, enslave others, kill others. ANTI-LIFE JUSTIFIES MY HATRED!"

My lip drips blood as I stumble backwards. The imposters' last statment combined with Godfrey's talk about being a god makes things click together.

"Darkseid."

A swiftly thrown batarang knocks the ray gun out of Prometheus' hand.

"What do the New Gods and Apokolips have to do with Gotham?"