The "World of Heroes" DC RPG Season VIII

[wiegeabo]

I dive down amongst the colored lights. Space battles aren't the best place for a brawler like me. But I didn't just spend five minutes kicking an alien's ass to prove I was a Lantern for nothing.

I drop in behind a couple of yellow beasts and fire off a whole load of blasts from my ring across their backs. I don't know how much I actually hurt them, if at all, but they both go spinning off into the distance. I make the mistake of watching them spin out, and slam right into a big red monsters shooting out flames.

Big Red grabs my by the neck, instantly turning this from a space battle to hand-to-hand combat. And I smile at that thought. I plow my fists into his elbow, bending it the wrong way with a snap. He lets go of my throat with a roar of pain. Willing a couple of rockets onto my own elbows, I use the extra speed they create to crack his jaw with my now spiked-gloved fist.

Of course, the guy is big for a reason, and, with surprising speed, connects with a solid backhand. "Why, green one?!"

The surprise in his voice catches me off guard. "Uh...me green. You, red. Ain't that enough?"

I swear the thing rolls his eyes at me. "What a waste of power you greens are. We are fighting together, you waste of lifeforce!"

"I-wait, we what?!" The creature points into the darkness between groups of Lanterns. "What?"

"Look."

"I am look...what the hell?" It's only when I take a moment to actually see what's happening, that I notice the darkness isn't really dark. Not completely. In fact, I can see that it's a moving, writhing mass.

"What the hell is that?"

"It's who we are fighting." The red lantern bursts towards the dark, leaving me behind for a second. Until I get hold of my senses, and tear into space to catch up.

"What are they?!" The red lantern actually seems to smile a little, assuming it's face is capable of smiling.

Very quickly we're close enough to actually make out what the writhing mass is. And I'm chilled to the bone.

"Black Lanterns." And with an odd mixture of anger and joy, the creature drives right into the middle of the mass, burning away bodies as fast as they appear.

"What the hell did I just get myself into?"

 

[The Question]

Wayne's butler walked off to tell the big guy I was there. When he came back, he said:

"Master Bruce will be up in a moment. Would you like something to drink?"

"Green Tea?" I said.

"Just a moment," he said, strolling of towards the kitchen. A minute or two later, Bruce walked out to greet me.

"Of all the people I expected to see, you're not one of them. What can I help you with, Sage?"

"Two things, now that I think about it," I said. "Both pertaining to very big trouble. First is the church of crime. I was able to track down a member. I got a name out of him. Said that whoever's at the top goes by the name 'Boss Darkside.' Thought you should know. The second..."

I reached around in my pants pocket and pulled out the red ring.

"I found this. What can you tell me about it?"

 

[Byrd Man]

"Two things, now that I think about it," I said. "Both pertaining to very big trouble. First is the church of crime. I was able to track down a member. I got a name out of him. Said that whoever's at the top goes by the name 'Boss Darkside.' Thought you should know. The second..."

I reached around in my pants pocket and pulled out the red ring.

"I found this. What can you tell me about it?"

"I know of the Church of Crime. The man I talked to called their leader Randolph Meyers. Said he had been acting strange for months. If what you found out is right. This Randolph Meyers and Boss Darkside are one in the same. Then whatever is going down is bigger than the normal scum that infests Gotham."

I stop and look at the ring in the Question's hand.

"That appears to be the same ring those Red Lanterns who invaded Earth were wearing. I crossed paths with a few of the Yellow ones. Joker was one of them. As if he couldn't get any worse. I came across one of the yellow power rings and have it down in the cave right now. If the red ring is anything like the yellow one, then it's forged of alien metals. Very similar to a Green Lantern ring, except for the emotion behind it. The green rings run on willpower, the yellow ones rely on their wearers ability to instill fear into people. And the red ones, from what I gathered, run on pure anger and rage."

 

[The Question]

"I know of the Church of Crime. The man I talked to called their leader Randolph Meyers. Said he had been acting strange for months. If what you found out is right. This Randolph Meyers and Boss Darkside are one in the same. Then whatever is going down is bigger than the normal scum that infests Gotham."

I stop and look at the ring in the Question's hand.

"That appears to be the same ring those Red Lanterns who invaded Earth were wearing. I crossed paths with a few of the Yellow ones. Joker was one of them. As if he couldn't get any worse. I came across one of the yellow power rings and have it down in the cave right now. If the red ring is anything like the yellow one, then it's forged of alien metals. Very similar to a Green Lantern ring, except for the emotion behind it. The green rings run on willpower, the yellow ones rely on their wearers ability to instill fear into people. And the red ones, from what I gathered, run on pure anger and rage."

"Huh," I said as I looked at the ring, turning it between my thumb and index finger.

"I guess that explains why it felt like I knocked back a mixed drink of Red Bull and adolescence when I tried to put it on."

The butler walked in, carrying a cup and a teapot on a tray.

"Your green tea, Mr. Sage."

"Thank you," I said.

He set the tray down on a small table next to an armchair. I sat down and poured myself a cup. I nearly took a sip before I remembered I was still wearing my mask.

"Oh. Right."

I hit the button on my belt buckle and released the blue smoke from it's canister.

"Don't mind the gas, it'll evaporate in a second," I said as I peeled of my mask. It took a sip of the tea. It was good. Quality stuff, but then I should expect that from a rich guy with a British butler.

"When I first found it, it talked to me. It said I had great rage in my heart. Does that mean I'm a part of their club?"

 

[Blacklight]

"When you live as long as I do, change is slow coming."

"Well, it's great having you back in the game, J'onn. You've been like a ghost lately."

Soon enough after my call went out, a bright flash of light appeared and out came my reinforcements.

Booster, Diana and Ollie all came out single file, and behind them were our reserve members: Zatanna, Red Tornado and Captain Marvel. But no Atom though... Strange. I wonder what Ray's up to now? And I can't help but feel like we're missing somebody. I can't put my finger on it...

Oh yeah! Superman's still on his space expedition... How could I forget him?

Oh well. We'll have to make due without him. But we could use Bruce, Hal, Dinah and Kyle right about now.

Not mention Dick. Lord knows where he is at a time like this. Leave it up to ol' shortpants to show up late to the party.

"Sorry we're late. But something's screwing with out tech. We could barely get the teleporter to work log enough to get to Zatanna's so she could help us grab Tornado and Billy before zapping us here."

"It's okay, Booster. What's important is that you're here now. Besides we're still waiting for the JSA, Titans and the Birds to show up."

"Any word on Hal or Bruce?"

"Your guess is as good as mine on that one..."

"What about Superman? Is he still in space? We could really use him right now..."

"Unfortunately. But we can't afford to wait for him to come back. We're gonna have to take down Darkseid ourselves."

I look at my teammates, all of them with that familiar determination in their eyes.

"Now... anyone have a plan?"

 

[Byrd Man]

He set the tray down on a small table next to an armchair. I sat down and poured myself a cup. I nearly took a sip before I remembered I was still wearing my mask.

"Oh. Right."

I hit the button on my belt buckle and released the blue smoke from it's canister.

"Don't mind the gas, it'll evaporate in a second," I said as I peeled of my mask. It took a sip of the tea. It was good. Quality stuff, but then I should expect that from a rich guy with a British butler.

"When I first found it, it talked to me. It said I had great rage in my heart. Does that mean I'm a part of their club?"

"I don't think so. I've amassed some information about the Green Lantern Corps over the years. If these red rings are anything like theirs, it doesn't work until it's worn. From what I saw of the Red Lanterns, you'd know if you were part of their group. They seem to be a bunch of snarling, drooling maniacs without the capacity of free thought. They appear to live for one reason, and the reason is to hurt and kill."

 

[The Question]

"I don't think so. I've amassed some information about the Green Lantern Corps over the years. If these red rings are anything like theirs, it doesn't work until it's worn. From what I saw of the Red Lanterns, you'd know if you were part of their group. They seem to be a bunch of snarling, drooling maniacs without the capacity of free thought. They appear to live for one reason, and the reason is to hurt and kill."

"That's not anger," I said. "That's psychosis."

I rubbed the little piece of red metal in my hand.

"Hrm..." I said, thinking. Powered by anger. Funny thought. Did it mean anger in general.

Other questions started popping into my brain.

"And now that I think of it, since when is willpower an emotion? And why is it the ability to spread fear with yellow but not the other two?"

I took another sip of tea. Then, I remembered something. Something that I hadn't even noticed when it happened.

"Wait," I said. "Did your butler call you Master Bruce?"

 

[Byrd Man]

"That's not anger," I said. "That's psychosis."

I rubbed the little piece of red metal in my hand.

"Hrm..." I said, thinking. Powered by anger. Funny thought. Did it mean anger in general.

Other questions started popping into my brain.

"And now that I think of it, since when is willpower an emotion? And why is it the ability to spread fear with yellow but not the other two?"

I took another sip of tea. Then, I remembered something. Something that I hadn't even noticed when it happened.

"Wait," I said. "Did your butler call you Master Bruce?"

"Yes," I reply curiously. "Alfred has always called me that. I used to protest, but after awhile I finally gave in. Anyway, about your other ring related questions. I'm afraid I'm in the dark about the intricacies on the power rings and how they exactly work. I'm sure either Jordan or Stewart or Rayner would be the best people to talk to. And if you can't find them, then maybe approach Gardner for help, but I'd recommend asking Scott before him."

 

[The Question]

"Yes," I reply curiously. "Alfred has always called me that. I used to protest, but after awhile I finally gave in. Anyway, about your other ring related questions. I'm afraid I'm in the dark about the intricacies on the power rings and how they exactly work. I'm sure either Jordan or Stewart or Rayner would be the best people to talk to. And if you can't find them, then maybe approach Gardner for help, but I'd recommend asking Scott before him."

"I'd like to get in contact with them, if possible. I want to know if I should be worried that this thing chose me. Or if it might be useful."

 

[Byrd Man]

"I'd like to get in contact with them, if possible. I want to know if I should be worried that this thing chose me. Or if it might be useful."

"Here," I say as I pull a device out of my pocket. "I don't know if you have one, but this is my old Justice League communicator. This is your best bet at getting in touch with one of the Lanterns."

 

[Green Lantern]

"Well, it's great having you back in the game, J'onn. You've been like a ghost lately."

Soon enough after my call went out, a bright flash of light appeared and out came my reinforcements.

Booster, Diana and Ollie all came out single file, and behind them were our reserve members: Zatanna, Red Tornado and Captain Marvel. But no Atom though... Strange. I wonder what Ray's up to now? And I can't help but feel like we're missing somebody. I can't put my finger on it...

Oh yeah! Superman's still on his space expedition... How could I forget him?

Oh well. We'll have to make due without him. But we could use Bruce, Hal, Dinah and Kyle right about now.

Not mention Dick. Lord knows where he is at a time like this. Leave it up to ol' shortpants to show up late to the party.

"Sorry we're late. But something's screwing with out tech. We could barely get the teleporter to work log enough to get to Zatanna's so she could help us grab Tornado and Billy before zapping us here."

"It's okay, Booster. What's important is that you're here now. Besides we're still waiting for the JSA, Titans and the Birds to show up."

"Any word on Hal or Bruce?"

"Your guess is as good as mine on that one..."

"What about Superman? Is he still in space? We could really use him right now..."

"Unfortunately. But we can't afford to wait for him to come back. We're gonna have to take down Darkseid ourselves."

I look at my teammates, all of them with that familiar determination in their eyes.

"Now... anyone have a plan?"

"Well Ollie, I'm not quite my cousin, but I hope I'll do. If you have room for me that is."

Kara touches down near the Leaguers.

"I've fought him before, and it hospitalized me, but I have new tricks up my sleeve, so I say lets do this."

Kara has no fear in her eyes as she makes her declaration, just hope and courage.

 

[wiegeabo]

"Well, it's great having you back in the game, J'onn. You've been like a ghost lately."

Soon enough after my call went out, a bright flash of light appeared and out came my reinforcements.

Booster, Diana and Ollie all came out single file, and behind them were our reserve members: Zatanna, Red Tornado and Captain Marvel. But no Atom though... Strange. I wonder what Ray's up to now? And I can't help but feel like we're missing somebody. I can't put my finger on it...

Oh yeah! Superman's still on his space expedition... How could I forget him?

Oh well. We'll have to make due without him. But we could use Bruce, Hal, Dinah and Kyle right about now.

Not mention Dick. Lord knows where he is at a time like this. Leave it up to ol' shortpants to show up late to the party.

"Sorry we're late. But something's screwing with out tech. We could barely get the teleporter to work log enough to get to Zatanna's so she could help us grab Tornado and Billy before zapping us here."

"It's okay, Booster. What's important is that you're here now. Besides we're still waiting for the JSA, Titans and the Birds to show up."

"Any word on Hal or Bruce?"

"Your guess is as good as mine on that one..."

"What about Superman? Is he still in space? We could really use him right now..."

"Unfortunately. But we can't afford to wait for him to come back. We're gonna have to take down Darkseid ourselves."

I look at my teammates, all of them with that familiar determination in their eyes.

"Now... anyone have a plan?"

"Darkseid?!" I slide to a stop in front of the growing group. "Oracle didn't say anything about Darkseid. That would have been a good piece of information to give out, Wally."

"Well Ollie, I'm not quite my cousin, but I hope I'll do. If you have room for me that is."

I start smiling at the sound of Kara's voice before even turning around to see her. Mostly because I never thought I'd hear it again. Soon after getting engaged to Bart, Deathstroke brutally killed her. Her death crushed Bart and our family.

But, not long ago, she came back from the dead. Just in time to help us fight off the Lantern invasion. Since then, she and Bart have seemingly been spending every second together. And Joan and I have been so thankful for her return. Deathstoke also killed Bart the day Kara died, except he left Bart alive so he could suffer with the loss. But with Kara back, it's like Bart's back as well. He smiles and laughs and, with the exception of his speed, is back to normal.

Kara touches down near the Leaguers.

"I've fought him before, and it hospitalized me, but I have new tricks up my sleeve, so I say lets do this."

Kara has no fear in her eyes as she makes her declaration, just hope and courage.

"Well, if it's Darkseid we're taking on, we'll certainly need every trick we have."

 

[Byrd Man]

"Well, if it's Darkseid we're taking on, we'll certainly need every trick we have."

"What are our chances of putting Darkseid in the Speed Force? Darkseid sicced the Black Racer on Wally and I, and we made quick work of him by leaving him in the Speed Force. What if the combined might of three Flashes doing the same to Darkseid?"

 

[trustyside-kick]

OOC: Previously...

Poseidonis, Atlantis
In a valley outside of the dome

We rendevous with Mera, whom I told to meet me outside of the dome. The Dweller shares his peace of information that he already just recently filled me in on and she is speechless after a good while. I hug her for support, because The Dweller is the second person to tell her that what her life has been for the past few decades has been false and that she will know happiness again once we remedy the situation, and she eventually calms down and gives a smile of joy across her face.

"Now we just need to find a way to bring Aquaman back and--"

"Aquaman? But...he's not too far."

"What?"

I stare at her with shock. Shocked and confused I take a moment to think over in my head. This doesn't make sense. Why didn't you say this sooner when I asked her about Orin?

"Yes. He remains always at his hideout away in the Aquacave. Orm Marius. Famous for being the Favored Son of Atlantis; her hero."

And that is when all hope I briefly had was shot down. So that is what Hagen and Triton offered Orm when he cast that spell that changed everything I ever knew or loved. He's always been jealous of Aquaman's right to rule and natural habit of being loved by all of the sea. Now it is the time that I find out that there is an Aquaman...just not our Aquaman.

I turn to the Dweller.

"We need to venture to the Aquacave."

"No one knows where it is, Garth."

"...I do."


The Oblivion Bar

The Shadowpact remain at the bar, with some like Blue Devil and Detective Chimp enjoying drinks. Nightmaster remains in thought, just like the rest of the team has been since Tempest mysteriously and magically disappeared. Since that time they did not try to pursuit, fearing that it could indeed be a trap. However Nightmaster is not the only one to think that he was telling the truth.

He is just the only one to speak his mind.

"We need to investigate this Atlantis situation. I believe every word that kid said."

"Then how do you explain him warping out of here--The Oblivion Bar of all places--right in the middle of a questioning? Looks like to me that whoever sent him here, found out what we were doing and pulled him out."

"I have to agree with Jim, Ragman. The kid looked like he was desperate and frightened for someone to listen to the truth. And he chose us. The Shadowpact. We gotta answer his call."


The Aquacave

They make good time traveling to the Aquacave. It was true that when Garth was donning the red and blue Aqualad costume it was his idea and suggestion to Aquaman that they have a defined base of operations. One day the young Atlantean side-kick lead Aquaman to a place that was unknown to him, and as the Marine Marvel entered the domain. Inside he found that Garth had even taken the liberty to decorate it with rarities of the sea and other items from their many adventures.

But this was not Tempest's Aquacave. Instead of the bones of a sea leviathan hanging on one of the walls as they entered instead the group found the severed head of several Aquaman rogues such as The Fisherman and The Human Flying fish adorned on its walls.

As they entered the main chambers of the Aquacave, they found themselves greated by the Marine Marvel of this skewed timeline. The Aquatic Ace of these bizarre seven seas. The new and current Sea King for all denizens of the dark waters to love and admire.

"No one has ever ventured these quarters unless they were personally brought here by myself for torture and questioning. Consider yourselves lucky. But remember to know your place..."

"...you will speak when Aquaman tells you to speak."

 

[SuperFerret]

"What are our chances of putting Darkseid in the Speed Force? Darkseid sicced the Black Racer on Wally and I, and we made quick work of him by leaving him in the Speed Force. What if the combined might of three Flashes doing the same to Darkseid?"

"It's definitely worth a try. However, Darkseid is a powerful being, and we'll need a number of contingency plans."

"And here we are, without the master of contingency plans. Anyone think we should send someone to recruit ol' Bats?"

 

[Eddie Brock]

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Zach agrees reluctantly. "Besides, we're all pretty close now. It's good to know your allies as well as you know yourself."

"Good point," Megan says with a smile. "It also helps to build our trust, making us more efficient as heroes and friends."

"Cause we're the three best friends that anybody can have, cause we're the-" Megan shoots Zach a sharp stare, her smile changing to a stern expression. "What? I love that movie."

"Speaking of movies, why don't we go out tonight?" I suggest with a smile. "It feels like it's been forever since we acted like normal teenagers. Besides, I hear Inception is awesome."

Zach shrugs. "I don't get the Christopher Nolan obsession. His stuff's not that good." After I stare Zach down for a moment, he sheepishly admits, "Okay, it is. But I read the spoilers online."

"Come in, Titans."

All three of us turn in the direction of the communicator sitting on the counter. I look back at Zach and Megan, but they don't seem to have any idea what's going on either. I guess they wouldn't, huh?

I pick up the communicator and say, "This is Superboy."

The other end of the line crackles for a moment before saying, "Superboy, this is Oracle. We need all available Titans down at Coast City immediately."

I look at Zach and Megan. We are all available Titans. "Understood." I put down the communicator. "Well, so much for a normal night." I smirk as I look at Megan. "Rock, paper, scissors for who has to carry Zach?"

"Oh, ha ha."

 

[trustyside-kick]

A shuriken cut through the air, embedding itself squarely in the center of the masked goon's head. A hair down in either direction and the edged throwing knife would have buried itself into an eye. Without a sound, the man fell over backward as the gray and black suited figure landed softly. The shuriken would have cracked the man's skull, but the point would have blunted itself on bone. The man is unconscious, and will be for awhile, but he's not dead.

If Jason had taken him out, he probably would be.

So why, then?

A moment of reflection provides the boy with no answers. Did he act to save the man's life? He was just a worthless low life. Did he do it to make his father proud then? Damian had no father.

The boy says nothing. Waiting to see what Jason will do next.

Jason Todd- 'Sculpting'
-------------------------
I walk over the body. The did good. He's got precision. However he left him unconscious. No need to do anything drastic. Not with what I have planned. What I have in store for Damian to witness and partake in later will be enough to scrape away any sort of guilt in taking out crooks. I kneel down though, as though I care to examine it.

"Good enough. I want you to have the dramatic entrance. Go climb up the wall, and go to window nearest of where you see the scumbags robbing this joint. You'll know when to come crashing in."

And granting the boy a grand entrance, I make yet another very direct one. He's probably wondering what I'm trying to teach him. You see, Bruce would use smoke and mirrors to strike fear into villains to make himself some sort of an urban legend. Too much damn effort; takes too long too to go into effect. All you gotta do, is bust in, take them down...and then make them wish you would kill them with what comes next.

I take out some plastique from one of the compartments in my jackie, and spread it on the doors of the bank. By the time I'm done placing it, Damian is starting to climb up.

Good boy.

I take a few steps backwards, pull out one of my guns. I unload the exactly one .40 shotgun shell from my Public Defender pistol and replace it with one .45 colt rounds.

"Ready...aim..."

*BOOM*
Fire.

Now that's how you make an entrance. The bank alarms go nuts. The flames cause the sprinklers to go insane so now the goons inside are wet...which means the floor is wet. Police should be here within the next several minutes. By this time, Killer Moth should be heading over to the door. I walk in, opening the chamber of my Public Defender and putting that one .40 shotgun shell back in. 5 shots.

That's 4 too many but I like to keep the barrel full.

"Looks like someone's beggin' to die."

"Been there. Done that. Say, have you got into that safety deposit box yet?"

I hear one of the regular idiots that I paid to take this job and hire Killer Moth running from the outside of the building. The shmuck thinks I'm oblivious to it but that's why I wanted the floor to be wet. Not hard to hear his footsteps going for the side door. But I let him think he has the upper hand.

"That's our business. You tryin' to get a cut of our juice, n***a?"

And he thinks he is so clever pulling a gun behind my back like that.

"What can I say, I love Kool-Aid."

I raise my hands up, my Public Defending hanging losely around my finger. This is where the fun begins. Killer Moth walks up to me, his cocoon gun ready to fire. It fires a stream of sticky threads all at once. Great for entrapping a victim so you have all the time you need to torture them, or make a run for it as they lie there helpless.

But the very purpose of that gun is going to ruin his night tonight.

"Now see, this doesn't seem very fair does it? You guys came for the box, I came down for the box. But you guys have more guns. More firepower. More...kick to the party."

I grab hold of my Public Defender and shoot at one of the windows.

 

[trustyside-kick]

The Aquacave

When I heard from Mera that the Ocean Master in this timeline reality was actually Aquaman...I expect my encounter with him to be slightly different. All these years that I knew Orm, he essentially wanted everything that makes Orin...Orin. I thought that if he ever did get it, over the years the fun would die out kind of like how after a few months of a child playing with his or her new toy they get bored. But nope. It's clear.

Orm likes being in Orin's place. This isn't going to be easy.

He sits into the throne that I assure you was not in our Aquacave and smirks as he leans forward.

"You've yet to strike. And while you have stumbled upon my lair the fact that you've remained humbled before my presence lets me know that you are no enemy of mine. So what is the purpose of this visit?"

"How shall the Favored Son of Atlantis assist you?"

No one steps up or speaks up. Mera and The Dweller look to me because it was my idea to come here. I figured that since the Ocean Master was the only way the spell worked that Hagen and Triton concocted, he is also key to un-doing it. I have to be real careful with my words with what I'm going to have to eventually say. Gonna try to take baby steps with it though.

Orm may have a different life in this timeline but doesn't mean himself as a person has changed.

"There is going to be an attack on Poseidonis. All of Atlantis is going to be in peril and if Atlantis falls, the rest of the world soon will. This here is the Dweller of the Depths. He saw it all in one of this visions."

"Atlantis fall? Hahahaha. While I am on watch? I think not. But tell me, mage. What have you seen? Tell me so that I can be ready for this. I am ever so eager to thwart this evil doers plans. I am the Marine Marvel. The Aquatic Ace. The mastermind's head behind such an attempt will be added to my wall."

"Buildings will collapse, and the very seafloor will quake. Darkness from the corners of unknown depths of the sea and very world will emerge and Atlantis will be overridden with chaos and destruction. None will be spared, say for the purpose of serving their new master. Those who try to refuse...will find it very hard to; their will will be broken."

"You speak of insanity, Dweller."

"No. He doesn't. And the only way to save not only Atlantis but the world is to bring back the Once and Future King. I know this is going to be hard to accept, Orm. But please listen to us. Believe us. All of this? It is a lie. A false reality for Atlantis crafted by Hagen and Triton. We need to undo what they have changed. Once we do that, King Orin should return."

"King Orin? The very first King of Atlantis when the depths brought it to its watery grave?"

"No. Not that King Orin. Our King Orin...Aquaman."

Now I have to simply hope that he takes it better than I think he will. And at first...it almost looks like he is. The smirk he wore before we began to speak has returned. He is even...chuckling under his breath? Wow. This was easier than I thought. Looks like Orm is different in this timeline after all. Looks like he--

"Aquaman...hahaha...this Orin you speak of is Aquaman."

Aw crap. Orm hasn't changed at all.

"I AM AQUAMAN!"

"YOU KNOW THAT I AM! YOU'VE COME HERE TO TRICK ME! OH, I BELIEVE YOU THAT AN ATTACK IS ON ITS WAY. AND YOU ARE HERE TO DISTRACT ME. I WILL TARE YOU APART!!"

 

[The Question]

"Here," I say as I pull a device out of my pocket. "I don't know if you have one, but this is my old Justice League communicator. This is your best bet at getting in touch with one of the Lanterns."

I took the communicator from Bruce. It was a small golden disk, with a darker colored button with the original Justice League logo on it.

"Thank you. Green Arrow gave me something like this a while back," I said. "But it's back home, and I think it's an outdated model. Last time I used it the only person I could contact was Jordan, and he was on sabbatical at the time."

I put the communicator up to my mouth and pressed the button.

"This is a message to any Green Lantern who can hear this. My name is The Question. I've worked with Green Arrow and Batman in the past, and I'm calling from Batman's communicator. I've recently come into the possession of one of the red rings used by the aliens who attacked, and I need some help dealing with it."

 

[Byrd Man]

I took the communicator from Bruce. It was a small golden disk, with a darker colored button with the original Justice League logo on it.

"Thank you. Green Arrow gave me something like this a while back," I said. "But it's back home, and I think it's an outdated model. Last time I used it the only person I could contact was Jordan, and he was on sabbatical at the time."

I put the communicator up to my mouth and pressed the button.

"This is a message to any Green Lantern who can hear this. My name is The Question. I've worked with Green Arrow and Batman in the past, and I'm calling from Batman's communicator. I've recently come into the possession of one of the red rings used by the aliens who attacked, and I need some help dealing with it."

After Sage finishes transmiting, another voice crackles through the communicator.

"Uhh, Question...is Batman with you?"

"I'm here, Oracle," I reply.

"Good. I received an all points notice from Flash. He needs all the help he can get in Coast City. Something to do with Darkseid."

Vic and I exchange looks. "I'm on it."

"Okay. Oracle out."

She goes offline and I look at Question.

"Are you up for a flight out west?"

 

[The Question]

After Sage finishes transmiting, another voice crackles through the communicator.

"Uhh, Question...is Batman with you?"

"I'm here, Oracle," I reply.

"Good. I received an all points notice from Flash. He needs all the help he can get in Coast City. Something to do with Darkseid."

Vic and I exchange looks. "I'm on it."

"Okay. Oracle out."

She goes offline and I look at Question.

"Are you up for a flight out west?"

"Of course. Knowing our luck, I have a feeling this might have something to do with 'Boss Darkside.'"

 

[Byrd Man]

"Of course. Knowing our luck, I have a feeling this might have something to do with 'Boss Darkside.'"

I nod silently. Sitting up from the study chair, I walk across the room and to the grandfather clock. Turning the clock's hands to 10:45, the time my parents were killed, the massive timepiece swings open to reveal a descending staircase.

"Let's go."

Vic follows me down the steps and into the cave.

"Master Bruce," Alfred announces from the top of the stairs. "I hate being the bearer of bad news....but it seems Damian is not in his room."

I stop in my tracks. Damian, my son, is missing. Did the boy leave on his own accord, or is something else going on?

Right now, I have to put that aside and focus on what's going on now. A crisis involving Darkseid, the man I believe responsible for killing the Spectre a few weeks back.

"Okay, Alfred. Check the alarms and video feeds to see if he's still on the grounds, or escaped into the city. Relay the information to me on my flight out west."

"Very good, sir."

He turns and leaves out the doorway. I continue down the steps and into the area where my suit rests. Within five minutes, I'm fully dressed and ready to go.

"Alright, Vic," I say as the Batwing comes to life on the cave's runway. "If you're ready, let's get going."

 

[The Question]

I nod silently. Sitting up from the study chair, I walk across the room and to the grandfather clock. Turning the clock's hands to 10:45, the time my parents were killed, the massive timepiece swings open to reveal a descending staircase.

"Let's go."

Vic follows me down the steps and into the cave.

"Master Bruce," Alfred announces from the top of the stairs. "I hate being the bearer of bad news....but it seems Damian is not in his room."

I stop in my tracks. Damian, my son, is missing. Did the boy leave on his own accord, or is something else going on?

Right now, I have to put that aside and focus on what's going on now. A crisis involving Darkseid, the man I believe responsible for killing the Spectre a few weeks back.

"Okay, Alfred. Check the alarms and video feeds to see if he's still on the grounds, or escaped into the city. Relay the information to me on my flight out west."

"Very good, sir."

He turns and leaves out the doorway. I continue down the steps and into the area where my suit rests. Within five minutes, I'm fully dressed and ready to go.

"Alright, Vic," I say as the Batwing comes to life on the cave's runway. "If you're ready, let's get going."

I applied my mask, and released the gas to seal it to my face and cause the coloring in my hair and clothes to shift from red and brown to black and blue.

"I've got a mask on my face, a gun strapped to my side, and an alien doomsday device in my pocket. I am the definition of ready."

 

[Byrd Man]

I applied my mask, and released the gas to seal it to my face and cause the coloring in my hair and clothes to shift from red and brown to black and blue.

"I've got a mask on my face, a gun strapped to my side, and an alien doomsday device in my pocket. I am the definition of ready."

The batwing tears out of Gotham and up into the sky. Along with Oracle's message, Martian Manhunter sends out a psychic message. After the jet flies over St. Louis, I send out my own message to the Manhunter.

J'onn, this is Bruce. Question and I are en route to Coast City. We'll be there soon.

 

[wiegeabo]

"What the hell are these things?!"

No one responds to my questions since they're all far too busy dealing with the Black Lanterns. I swear, it's like they're numbers are somehow still growing.

I blast another of the creatures in the chest while driving my leg into the face of one behind him. A flash of yellow below turns out to save me from a surprise attack as a yellow lantern slams into another one of the black lanterns. I see another black lantern erupt into flame as a red lantern drills through it's body.

And then the damn thing reforms.

"Well...that can't be good." I launch forward and blast the pieces apart again. It buys us some time, but it's body starts reforming around the rings again.

"Now that's an ideOOFF!!!" I'm hit from behind, a pair of arms wrapped around my waist, another pair bind my arms, and a tail curls around my neck.

"Join us!"

"Like hell!" I steal a trick from Alan's book and a green boxing glove loops around and punches the thing's head right off.

I grows back.

"All is one in Da-"

SHRED

Green blades slice and dice the dark lantern to ribbons. "Are you injured?"

I turn to face my new best friend. "No. I'm-" I push the beaked lantern to the side and blow another one of the undead beasties apart. "-just fine. Thanks for the assist."

"Thank you." He extends his hand. "This is the proper earth custom?"

I give it a quick shake. "Familiar with Earth, are you?"

He takes off for a mass of green lights and I follow. "I've spent a lot of time with Hal Jordan. Do you know him?"

"Sure do." We strike at a trio of black lanterns on a fast hit and run sweep.

"So which one died?"

"Died?"

"Who did you have to replace? Jordan, Stewart, Gardner, or Rayner?"

"Ah. Gardner." We each grab a black lantern in a giant hand and clap them together. It's kind of fun wielding this thing when you don't have to worry about killing the bad guys.

"I'm not really surprised."

"But he didn't die. He was kicked out. Joined the Sapphire Corps."

"...ha...hahahahahahahaha..."

"Yeah, that was our reaction too." We chain up a black lantern and rip it in half. I don't know if this guy is a telepath or not, but it's like we've been a team for years. "The name's Ted. Ted Grant."

"Tomar-Tu. Ready for some more action?"

"That's why I was picked, I guess."