The "World of Heroes" DC RPG Season VIII

[Byrd Man]

​

"Master Bruce," Alfred calls from the intercom in the study.

"Yes?"

"I believe your presence is required in the cave."

"On my way."

Pushing away from my desk, I make my way to the bookshelf and pull a copy of War and Peace from the shelf. With a metallic clank the bookshelf slides to the right and reveals a hidden staircase behind it. Taking the steps two at a time, I come out into the cave where Alfred is working on my adopted son and former sidekick Dick Grayson.

"What's going on?"

"It seems that Master Richard took quite a nasty fall."

"Dick, are you alright? Can you hear me?" I ask as I look over his battered body.​

 

[Karem-Knight]

​

"Master Bruce," Alfred calls from the intercom in the study.

"Yes?"

"I believe your presence is required in the cave."

"On my way."

Pushing away from my desk, I make my way to the bookshelf and pull a copy of War and Peace from the shelf. With a metallic clank the bookshelf slides to the right and reveals a hidden staircase behind it. Taking the steps two at a time, I come out into the cave where Alfred is working on my adopted son and former sidekick Dick Grayson.

"What's going on?"

"It seems that Master Richard took quite a nasty fall."

"Dick, are you alright? Can you hear me?" I ask as I look over his battered body.​

I open my eyes looking up at the Cave's ceilings, feeling a lot better, Alfred might have let me doze off before he told Bruce I was here; he puts a warm towel over my head as I look up at Bruce and finally manage to say something only to be interrupted by Alfred.

"I've managed to conjure up the bullet wound and give Master Dick some painkillers, the only thing really needed is rest for now."

He wipes his hands off all of my blood and puts the surgical kit to one side before walking back towards the Cave, Bruce repeats his question again and this time I answer.

"Hey Bruce....I've had better days, had a run in with Deadshot....think someone might be after me. Me and Huntress manage to capture him, should be locked up or something."

I sit up as Bruce gives me a helping hand as we walk over to nearer to the Bat computer.

"Anyway, how's life on your side of things?" I say smiling.

 

[Byrd Man]

"Hey Bruce....I've had better days, had a run in with Deadshot....think someone might be after me. Me and Huntress manage to capture him, should be locked up or something."

I sit up as Bruce gives me a helping hand as we walk over to nearer to the Bat computer.

"Anyway, how's life on your side of things?" I say smiling.

After a few quick keystrokes, I bring up the scene on Crime Alley.

"What you're seeing is no illusions. It's my belief that The Spectre was killed in Crime Alley, by a bullet, no less. I have a name for the man believed responsible."

Another punches on the computer keyboard bring up a bald man in a suit.

"Randolph Meyers. He was a mid-level mobsters before my death. But now, I believe he's running the Cult of Crime. Prometheus was running it last year before you and Tim helped me put a stop to it."

I look at Meyers and shake my head.

"I've been looking for him for two straight nights now, with no luck. But somebody will talk...someone always talks."

 

[Optikal]

Space Sector 2814

Ysmault

Many years ago in Space Sector 666 they came. Monsters of metal. Cold and unfeeling, they exterminated all life without exception. Worlds died, whole planets and races were wiped out indiscriminately by their hand. The metal death they called Manhunters.

This is the legacy of The Guardians Of The Universe. The Manhunters were the greatest shame of the self imposed little overlords. Originally created by the Guardians as a universal peace keeping force, the machines came to the conclusion that the only way that peace would reign would be if all life was annihilated. Only five beings made it out of Space Sector 666 alive.

And now the last of those five stands over his army the crimson warmth of rage fed by memories of countless victims of the Oans arrogance.

Across the blackness of space, a red ring whizzes through the darkness seeking its target. It finds it amongst a floating litter of debris and scrap. Whizzing amongst the ruins of scrapped ships and other flotilla, the ring slides itself onto the crooked finger of a partially constructed robot.

<WELCOME TO THE RED LANTERN CORPS>
​

Space Sector 3601

Biot

Hank Henshaw, the Cyborg Superman and Red Lantern flexed his newly constructed limbs, giving a satisfied smile at the workmanship there. He turned to face the million pairs of eyes that looked upon him.

Henshaw held up his hand, where a ruby ring sat glowing upon his finger. "What you look upon is unlimited power. The strength of a million raging souls sealed and channelled through this weapon. With this power and with our numbers, we can bring justice to the universe. I stand here as your new Grandmaster and representative of the Red Lantern Corps. Join me and we will wipe the universe clean".

[LEADERSHIP PROTOCOL ACCEPTED. NEW GRANDMASTER CONFIRMED]

Henshaw looked on as each emotionless face stared back at him Without emotion, he turned and began to walk, a contingent of the group flanking him. "We will travel to Ysmault and join with the Red Lantern Corps. We will work to meet their goals, and in doing so we will grant them what they are after... ...or what any of us is truly after".

​

"It feels... Strong. Powerful. Beautiful. It feels like death".
​

​

 

[wiegeabo]

I stand in the street of a neighborhood in Coast City. I take off my helmet and wipe my brow, the urge to run momentarily gone. After what happened on Oa, and then having to tell Carol all about it, I just feel drained.

I only hope Wally's made progress tracking down Bart.

"Hey Mister!" I turn around and see something that takes me back decades.

A lemonade stand.

An honest to goodness lemonade stand.

Despite myself, I can't help but smile. "Can I help you?" I ask the little girl.

"Are you a superhero?"

"That's right, Miss. I'm the Flash. Well, one of them."

"You look tired."

"Well...you just wouldn't believe they day I've had."

"Want some lemonade?"

I smile again. "Sounds like just what I need." She pours me a cup and hands it to me. I gladly take a sip.

And have to keep from swallowing my own face.

"Hits the spot," I say in little more than a whisper. "Sugar-free lemonade?"

"The best lemons and water, Mr. Flash." The girl smiles proudly. "Fifty cents," she says, sticking her hand out.

I nod while trying to breath again. I dig around and pull out a bill. "I've only got a doll-"

"Thanks!" She snatches it right out of my hand so quickly I almost wonder about her having a possible connection to the speed force.

"No problem."

My comm sputters to life. "Jay this is Wally. Come in. We need your help..."

My heart instantly sinks at the sound of Wally's voice. He hasn't found Bart yet. Or...maybe he has, and...

"Another?" the girl asks, already pouring more.

"Sorry, have to go." I tap my communicator and start running back to Central City. "What have you got, Wally?"

 

[Andy C.]

I'm wasting time here. Not to mention a lot of energy.

The man with the golden glowing hair is extremely fast--I'm pretty sure he's actually teleporting at times--, very strong, and knows how to fight. Punches and kicks come at me in flurries when he gets in close, blasts of energy streaking at me when I get some distance. He's like if Diana had a set of laser guns attached to her hands.

He's putting up one hell of a fight. I, on the other hand, am just trying to get him to listen for a second.

"Listen!--*oof!*---I'm not the--*nnngh!*--not the one you're looking for! The --*hrk!*--the other invader, I'm out to stop him!"

"LIAR!" he shouts, a wave of energy knocking me back. "The other one already told us the same story! There are so few of us left after him....I won't let the same thing happen again!!! HaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA....."

The golden aura swirling around him intensifies, and his hair grows longer, all the way down to his waist. The next time he hits me, it actually hurts.

He's charging up his attacks--that's what those pauses are. I was hoping I could talk him out of it, but if I'm going to end this fight, I'm going to have to go on the offensive. Fortunately, I don't have to charge my powers to use them.

"KAAAA-MEEEEEE-HAAAA--wha?"

*BOOM!!!!*

One solid punch is enough to break through that energy aura and interrupt whatever he was trying to do. It's shaken him up, but he's still up and fighting.

"I'm telling you, we don't have to do this!"

"KAAAIII-YOOOO-*nngh!*"

*BOOM!!!!*

Another punch and he goes crashing into the ground. Before he gets back up, I'm on him, my fist driving him back into the ground.

*BOOM!!!!*

Three punches, and he stays down.

"N-no....must...keep fighting...."

"How about we give that a rest," I say, sitting down next to the crater where he's lying, "And you tell me what happened here..."

 

[Watchman]

"Both Dark Alliance were failures, the Syndicate, and every superfluous 'team-up' ended in astronomical defeat. Forgive me and the rest of the Secret Society, if we do not hand over the reins on some Green Lantern nonentity and follow you lock step."

"That hurt, Luthor. Soon your meaningless words won't mean anything."

A group of some of the worst, villianous minds gathered around the table. At one head sat the Black Hand, skull on table, book in hand. The other end was Luthor clad in green trench coat and purple outfit. Gathered around the table were Sivana, the Brain with Monsieur Mallah bodyguard, Grodd, Mr. Mind, Circe, Vandal Savage, and Queen Bee.

"What is this gibberish? You've been spewing that nonsense all night. Frankly, I grow tired and am ready to rip you in half." Savage said.

"Perhaps, I shall take control of his mind and make him rip his mind out of his skull."

"No, you won't Grodd. You've already tried to look into my brain but you were afraid what you found in there." He roared at him, "as for you Savage you had since the time man first flopped out of the sea. I give you a chance to give in and become part of the new order. You don't have a choice."

"Heh."

"Silence, Sivana."

"This is problem with you. Always, the infighting that destroys your partnerships. I can cut that out."

"You might have impressed the serfs and scum of our crowd but we are supercrime professionals. You are not even worthy to lick the boots of my power armor. What makes you think you can lead us? How can that thought even stray into your head?"

"What if I told you that evil has already made its play," he place the book on the table, "now I'm telling you that you can be a part of his glory. Give in and worship the Crime Bible. Become his disciple."

"Hah!"

"Contact me again, Black Hand, and there will be consequences." Luthor had disappeared and so did the others.

"The skies are red with death, Luthor. The rest of you have chosen your destiny. Now you will pay for it. Your minds will be ripped out of your heads and replaced with one thought."

 

[Karem-Knight]

After a few quick keystrokes, I bring up the scene on Crime Alley.

"What you're seeing is no illusions. It's my belief that The Spectre was killed in Crime Alley, by a bullet, no less. I have a name for the man believed responsible."

Another punches on the computer keyboard bring up a bald man in a suit.

"Randolph Meyers. He was a mid-level mobsters before my death. But now, I believe he's running the Cult of Crime. Prometheus was running it last year before you and Tim helped me put a stop to it."

I look at Meyers and shake my head.

"I've been looking for him for two straight nights now, with no luck. But somebody will talk...someone always talks."

I take a look at the picture of The Spectre dead on the streets of Crime Alley and all thoughts of my current case dissolve on the magnitude of something that's coming. "My God....."

"Bruce, this seems pretty major. Who ever these guys are, looks like they've got someone too powerful on their side of things. I mean, first Prometheus, then that Godfrey guy who kept going on about......oh my god......"

The thought of it comes to my head, almost instantly as Bruce looks at me worried. "Godfrey! He kept talking about himself and the New Gods, Bruce.....do you think maybe Darkseid has something to do with this!?"

 

[Byrd Man]

The thought of it comes to my head, almost instantly as Bruce looks at me worried. "Godfrey! He kept talking about himself and the New Gods, Bruce.....do you think maybe Darkseid has something to do with this!?"

"That could be a possibility....but what does Darkseid gain by killing Spectre?"

I turn away from Dick and stare out into the darkness of the cave.

"With Darkseid, order and control are his main two reasons for doing anything. As to why he would kill Spectre, I'm not sure. I think before we chalk this up the forces of Apokolips, I should have a ...conversation with Randolph Meyers."

 

[Keyser Soze]

[BLACKOUT]loneliness + alienation + fear[/BLACKOUT]

What the hell are you gibbering about, Hammond?

[BLACKOUT]No! Stop thinking it, stop! + despair + self worth STOP IT![/BLACKOUT]

I'm interrupted from my "conversation" with Hammond by my cell door opening, and two guests stepping in. Salaak, and....

"Carol!"

"Hal!"

I run to my wife, and embrace her tight. I look up at Salaak.

"Please, Salaak, do me one favor.... throw up a psychic shield, at least until Carol is gone."

Salaak nods, and Hammond's voice finally stops chipping away at my mind.

"I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too. What are you doing here?"

"We came here with the Zamarons, me and Guy. He's a Star Sapphire now..."

"Guy! A Star Sapphire? HA! He'll never hear the end of this..."

"We need to get you out of here...."

"I'll fix this, soon. I promise. Don't worry, just...just stay with me for a while. It's been too long...."

 

[Keyser Soze]

Sector 2814
Ungara

The planet Ungara took just 24 Earth hours to fall to fear.

It started when the sky filled with yellow light. Then they came. An army of terror incarnate. Homes were burned to the ground, women and children were incinerated in the streets, and the monument to Abin Sur was blasted into pieces. Each one instilled fear in the citizens of Ungara in their own way, seemed to feed off it. But worst of all was the white man, the apparent ringleader. The images that projected from his yellow ring.... they were unspeakable. Those who saw them felt their sanity crack.

Before long, the infrastructure of Ungara - its government, its police - had been dismantled, and a new order had been established in its place. The rule of fear. Ungara was conquered, and a sign was scorched across the entire surface of the planet, a flaming yellow brand that could be seen from space.

The sign of the Parallax Corps.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

 

[Temple Fugate]

"Mr. Hex! Mr. Hex! Please, please help my husband!", said an old mexican woman with small children clinging to the hem of her dress.

"Calm down, yeh old buzzard. Whatssa matter?" Jonah Hex growls as he sits reclined in front of the sheriff’s office where he had just collected the reward for bring in the Ghallagher boys, grey Confederate uniform still sweat soaked from the long ride back from whence he found the outlaws.

"Please sir, My husband had ridden on to Star city to get supplies and was expected to be back in 3 days, and its been a week! Please Mr. Hex, my husband would never dessert his family!"

The small frontier town of Minerston was right between the Mexican border and Star City in a mountainous valley, a lot violence and crime came from both sides which meant good business for Jonah Hex.

"Mmm, my fee is $150 a head an I expect yeh to pay in advance" Hex grumbled as he looked down at his ignored newspaper, knowing they wouldn’t be able to pay his fee. A worried look strikes the face of the old woman and her two children.

"All we have is $100... our life savings. Please, it’s all we have to offer!" The old woman pleads with Jonah stepping forward. Without looking up from his paper Jonah growls,

"Sorry ma’am, if’n I give you a deal then all the other skunks will expect me to be lenient on meh fees"

The woman turns and begins to walk away with her children, hand in hand, crying for the loss of a father and a husband. Jonah Hex grumbles and continues to read his paper when a small tap is felt on the toe of his boot. It’s the woman’s little boy.

"Please suh, please find meh pa" said the little boy staring up at Hex with sad brown eyes.

Jonah remembers what it feels like to grow up without a father. His had sold him away after his mother had abandoned him. The feeling was crippling, being alone, no great father to protect you from farm. Jonah was robbed of his childhood having to look out for himself, something he could never get back.

The little boy had begun walking back to his mother, dejected and crying.

"WAIT!" Hex shouts walking after them. The old woman turns around with the same mournful face as the boy. Jonah Grabs the $100 that was still in the hand of the old woman.

"Cubs shudd’n grow up without a pa tuh be lookin after ‘em. I’ll find ‘im fer ya, and I’ll take your $100"

"Oh thank you Mr. Hex! Thank you" The woman’s tone becomes elated while the two children dance and laugh together. The boy’s little sister stopped dancing and looked concernedly up at the famed bounty hunter.

"How are you going to find daddy?"

Jonah looked down at the little girl, a pink dress and brown curly hair that had the face of an angel, then looked towards her mother and said,

"Ma’am, thar’s only one thing ‘tween here and Star City and thet’s land owned by Quentin Turnbull"

 

[Keyser Soze]

Sector 2814
Ungara

"I must say, Arklilo, this was a highly successful conquest."

The Joker lounged on a deck-chair, positioned neatly on the top of a small hill of flaming corpses.

"Well don't make yourself too comfortable. We're leaving."

The Joker used his ring to fly over to the hulking drill sergeant, the most senior ranking officer of the Parallax Corps out on this particular excursion.

"Goody, I love to travel! Where are we going next?"

Arkillo looked out at the assembled army of the Parallax Corps. The entire Corps was 7200 strong, and 500 of them were stationed here. A dozen or so would stay behind here on Ungara to maintain order. The rest were coming with them.

"You'll like this, Earthman. We're going to your home."

 

[Byrd Man]

Oa
Warrior's Bar

"Like what you've done with the place, Vath."

"Really?"

"**** no."

I down another shot at the bar that used to be mine. Vath Sarn and Isamot Kol turned the place into their own haven, even going as far as to remove the live sized statue of your's truly.

<Attention, Star Sapphire Gardner, your presence is required at the Oan Citadel>

"You heard the ring, Vath. Time to for me to fly."

"What about those shots you just had?"

"Put it on my tab."

Sarn shoots me a look.

"The purple outfit is temporary and you know it. Guy Gardner was born to sling a green ring. I'll be back, rest assured."

"We'll see, Earthman."

I push off the barstool and fly out the door. The Zamarons and Guardians are hovering outside the citadel.

"What's shaking, blue people?"

"Trouble looms in Sector 2814. The Paral-"

"You will not speak their names!"

"A group of Yellow Lanterns are moving in Sector 2814. Their path indicates their destination is Earth."

"When do we scramble the troops?"

"As the protectors of 2814, you and Sapphire Ferris-Jordan will report to Earth as soon as possible along with Sapphires from the closest twelve sectors."

"And the Green Lanterns?"

"We will not bend to the whims of these yellow brutes," one of the Guardians spits out.

"The protectors of 2814 shall be capable of handling anything that happens."

"Are you kidding me? This is Sinestro and the Parallax Corps. They're unleashing the dogs on Earth. How can only three GLs be enough?"

"We will not fall victim to fear and the Blackest Night!"

"By not acting, you give into the fear of the Blackest Night coming to pass."

"We will not be lectured by you! You and your Violet defenders should be enough for Earth. As for the defenders of Sector 2814.....send word to Salaak, Hal Jordan is to be released and reinstated into the Green Lantern Corps on a probationary trial. He will be escorted by Alpha Lanterns at all times."

"Lantern Gardner, prepare the Star Sapphires to rendezvous on the edge of Sector 2814. If the Parallax Corps does indeed launch an attack on Earth, we will defend it."

I smile and nod.

"You ladies don't have to tell me twice."

 

[Red_Robin77]

Space Sector 2816

The Red Lantern ring fired through space, intent on it's destination, not letting anything get in it's way. That didn't really fit with what me and John Stewart were planning.

"Reckon we can take this thing down?" John asked, flying by my side.

"Well, I'm hoping so. If not, then...well, we'll be in trouble," I reply, nearing the ring.

The ring was nearing a planet, hard to tell which one. If we were going to do something, then we better act now. I nodded to John and he instinctively acted. He formed a rifle in his hand, and looked through the scope. He flew by my side still, aiming, ready to take it down. He squeezed the trigger, and an emerald net fired out from the tip of the gun towards the red ring.

I let out a burst of speed and charged after the ring even faster, forming a huge baseball glove with my ring, hovering just in front of the ring. The green net hit into the ring, wrapping itself around it. The ring shifted inside, before it was smothered by the huge glove, holding it inside. A tiny red light could be seen, growing brighter and brighter. I struggled to hold the ring, before John came and supported it with a massive green cage throwing itself over the hand.

"That should hold it for long enough!" John nodded, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks for your help with this one, John," I nodded to my colleague.

"Anytime. I better head on back to 2814. Make sure they lock that thing up tight!" he tells me as he glides off.

"Will do," I promised him, as I took control of the cage.

<Honor Guard Lantern Rayner. Your presence is required on Oa immediately.>

"Isn't it always? Tell them I'm en route, ring."

Space Sector 0

As I hovered above the emerald planet of Oa, and nod towards Kilowog as he heads over to me.

"What've you got for me there?" Kilowog asked, as I held the cage.

"Red Lantern ring. Another one for the batch," I told him as I handed it over.

"Aww, just what I wanted."

"I thought you'd like it. Gotta run, the little blue guys want me," I smirked to him as I'm about to take off.

"No need. They want you to head on down to Sector 2814. You better move it before Parallax arrives," my large friend told me.

"Thanks for the heads up. Good luck with the ring."



Space Sector 2814

I glided into the sector of my homeworld, to be greeted by John, his ring gleeming.

"Well, that was quick," he smiled as I went up to him.

"Got any idea how many scary yellows are heading our way?" I asked, trying to get a feel of what the hell I was up against.

"Nope. All I know is that we've got backup from the Zamarons."

"So we're getting help from girls in bikinis? This shouldn't be too bad..." I smirked to John.

 

[wiegeabo]

I've never been scared of anything in my life. Took on some of the greatest heavyweights in the world. Got my blood pumping, that's for sure, but never was scared. I didn't win all my fights, new I was going to lose more than a few before they even started, but I didn't let it get to me. I stepped right into the ring and went down swinging.

And when I decided to first put on a costume and fight the mob, I did so without hesitation. When I was called to fight in a war, I went. When the government said unmask, I told them to kiss my ass. And when I died...I did it standing on my feet.

And yet I can't get myself to knock on this door.

It's not because there's an enemy standing on the other side. There's no fight waiting for me. Well, hopefully there isn't. Although there'll probably be a lot of hard feelings. You see, on the other side of this door...

...is my son.

The son I never knew I had.

Now do you understand why this is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

"...aw, screw it." I rap my knuckles against the door.

"Come in."

Oh god, he even sounds a little like me. My heart's beating faster then when I went up against Ray Robinson. Of course, I ended up landing a haymaker on him that took him down in the second.

I don't think this is going to be that easy...

 

[Keyser Soze]

"Ssssssssh! Please don't cry Marty!"

Christy was too old to be babysitting. She was starting college soon. But Ms Ferris paid well. And lately, she'd been working up a lot of hours looking after their son. Maybe a nanny is what they needed.

It was late at night, and Christy needed some sleep herself. But baby Martin just wouldn't stop crying! Obviously he missed his mom and dad. Where the hell were they? Both of them. It was far too late to be working at this hour. What, were they out partying or something? They're parents now. They need to think about their kid, and be responsible....

"Okay okay, let's see you."

But she couldn't complain too much. She adored little Marty. He was such a beautiful boy, and she knew that no matter what they were up to, Ms Ferris and Mr Jordan loved him very much. How couldn't they?

Christy took Martin outside onto the balcony of their apartment. The cool night air seemed to soothe him, and he stopped crying.

"There, there. Hey Marty, look up in the sky!"

It was filled with what looked like shooting stars. Hundreds of them, all a bright, glowing yellow.

"It's beautiful."

 

[Karem-Knight]

"That could be a possibility....but what does Darkseid gain by killing Spectre?"

I turn away from Dick and stare out into the darkness of the cave.

"With Darkseid, order and control are his main two reasons for doing anything. As to why he would kill Spectre, I'm not sure. I think before we chalk this up the forces of Apokolips, I should have a ...conversation with Randolph Meyers."

I walk towards where Alfred put my uniform and put on my over-shirt as my leg harness stays in tact, Alfred does do miracles. "Whatever happening Bruce...it seems to go way beyond just crime lords and cults. If you need my help, feel free...you know I'll always help you out..."

I grab my mask and turn on the mask, I've been lying here since last night; Barbara is probably worried sick. So I take the quickest way home.

"....by the way, you don't mind if borrow one of the bikes do you?"

***

I drive through Gotham in under fifteen minutes and then race like hell back to the Clocktower trying to avoid having to explain myself. I then come up to the window jump up and Barbara is just starring at me blankly; "I am SO sorry..."

She gets up and take away her joking expression, hugging me and kissing me on the cheek. "Don't worry, Helena told me everything....thank god you're alright!" She looks down to my leg harness noticing that Alfred has taken care of it, touching my uniform she laughs. "What!?" I asked confused, "You've been gone all night...have a shower for Christ's shake, and brushing your teeth wouldn't kill you!"


We wake up the next morning in bed and most of my wounds have healed quite well, I spend most of the day just watching TV and helping Barbara clean around the tower. Just taking it easy for most of it; by around six o'clock Barbara is back at work as Oracle.

"Dick, would you mind making me some.....Dick!?" She spends the next few miniutes looking for me and then she comes down to the railway line me, her and Tim set up during Bruce's absence and she looks at me. "Dick!! What are you doing!?"

In my costume, I sigh knowing I shouldn't have kept this a secret for the whole day, I left the cave with the intention of going back out on patrol and tracking down these guys. "Come on, Dick. You got attacked by Deadshot three nights ago and nearly died for God's shake.....you need rest!"

To most couples, this would be a ridiculous major thing; but to us this is just as normal as getting some new car insurance.

"Someone is causing a bunch of disruptions and stealing money from the banks all around Gotham and the country, these guys...whoever they are managed to get one of the world's greatest assassins on me. I'm going to find these guys....because to be honest....."

"....I'm really angry at them!!"

 

[wiegeabo]

The young man has his back turned to me while he types at a computer, headphones in his ears. "I know, Maxine. I'm late for training. But someone on the internet is wrong about something and I'm correcting them."

"That's...good, I guess. But I'm not Maxine."

Tom quickly spins around in his chair, pulling his headphones out. "Oh. Um...hi. They told me...you were...um, back."

I gulp and scratch the back of my head. The kid's as nervous as me. "Yeah, they told me that you were...well..."

"You're son?"

"Yeah. Yeah. About that."

"Hey, I get it. You hooked up with mom, and she never told you about me. No hard feelings."

Somehow, I'm both relieved and hurt by his attitude. And I'm not sure why. "Listen, I just...wanted to say..." Well, this is going swimmingly.

"You wanna get a beer?"

"I'm not twenty-one."

"What's your point?"

That's the first smile I get out of the kid. "Alright."

***

"...and this is my getting knocked out by Rocky himself. Never been so proud to go down in a fight before. Getting hit by that guy was an honor. And, anyway, I got him back the next year."

One hour and a couple of six-packs later, and I'm showing Tom around the gym. "You know, when you asked if I wanted to get some beers, I thought you meant hitting the bars. Not coming to this old place."

"Yeah, well this old place has a lot of memories. And it's helped put some good people on the street fighting the good fight. I bet I could teach you a thing or two."

"Sure you could, old man."

He did not just call me an 'old man'. "From what I've heard, you haven't been on the team long enough to be so cocky."

"Hey, I know i can't take on the big guys like Grundy by myself. I'm just saying, a guy like you, with no powers...yeah, I think I can hold my own."

Just what I wanted to hear. "Let's see what you got, kid." I toss him a sparing mask.

He catches it. "You're kidding."

"I just wanna see some of your moves. See what the JSA's been teaching you kids while I've been gone." I toss him a pair of gloves, which he catches, juggling the mask and his beer. But he doesn't spill a drop.

Heh. Guess the kid's mine after all.
"Ok, ok. I'll show you a few things." I can't help but grin he he slides his gear on and I grab a pair of gloves.

I get into the ring with the kid, warming up with a few punches to the air. "You're not going to wear a mask?"

"Heh. Nah, I'm not worried about hurting this ugly mug."

"I was worried about hurting your brain."

We start circling each other. "Whatever little brain I've got left is already immune to punches. Take your best shot."

Tom tries a few test punches, just feeling me out, getting a sense of me. Smart. It's just a sparring match, but the kid's not being stupid about it. And I like his form. A bit rough, but I've seen much worse in my day.

I do a quick side-step, Tom follows, but it takes him twice as long. "Not really light on your feet yet, eh?"

"Jay's said the same thing."

"Well, that's not fair. No one's as light on their feet as Jay." The kid chuckles. The kid tries a couple of quick jabs that I knock out of the way with ease.

"You're dropping your left there." He picks it back up, and throws a couple of more. His left goes down again. "Still dropping it."

"Yeah, yeah." He tries a rough combo. I just block and land a nice cross to his left side. Nothing too hard, just a wake up call. But Tom loses his footing and lands on the mat.

"You ok, kid? I didn't mean to-" Next thing I know, Tom's landed an uppercut that sends me flying across the ring. I land on my back hard and taste blood in my mouth.
​

Tom on his feet in a second. "Geez, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you that hard."

"Where the hell did that come from?"

"I don't know."

I spit the blood out and smile. "Let's see that again, kid."

 

[Karem-Knight]

I walk towards where Alfred put my uniform and put on my over-shirt as my leg harness stays in tact, Alfred does do miracles. "Whatever happening Bruce...it seems to go way beyond just crime lords and cults. If you need my help, feel free...you know I'll always help you out..."

I grab my mask and turn on the mask, I've been lying here since last night; Barbara is probably worried sick. So I take the quickest way home.

"....by the way, you don't mind if borrow one of the bikes do you?"

***

I drive through Gotham in under fifteen minutes and then race like hell back to the Clocktower trying to avoid having to explain myself. I then come up to the window jump up and Barbara is just starring at me blankly; "I am SO sorry..."

She gets up and take away her joking expression, hugging me and kissing me on the cheek. "Don't worry, Helena told me everything....thank god you're alright!" She looks down to my leg harness noticing that Alfred has taken care of it, touching my uniform she laughs. "What!?" I asked confused, "You've been gone all night...have a shower for Christ's shake, and brushing your teeth wouldn't kill you!"


We wake up the next morning in bed and most of my wounds have healed quite well, I spend most of the day just watching TV and helping Barbara clean around the tower. Just taking it easy for most of it; by around six o'clock Barbara is back at work as Oracle.

"Dick, would you mind making me some.....Dick!?" She spends the next few miniutes looking for me and then she comes down to the railway line me, her and Tim set up during Bruce's absence and she looks at me. "Dick!! What are you doing!?"

In my costume, I sigh knowing I shouldn't have kept this a secret for the whole day, I left the cave with the intention of going back out on patrol and tracking down these guys. "Come on, Dick. You got attacked by Deadshot three nights ago and nearly died for God's shake.....you need rest!"

To most couples, this would be a ridiculous major thing; but to us this is just as normal as getting some new car insurance.

"Someone is causing a bunch of disruptions and stealing money from the banks all around Gotham and the country, these guys...whoever they are managed to get one of the world's greatest assassins on me. I'm going to find these guys....because to be honest....."

"....I'm really angry at them!!"

Gotham Docks

It's been four days since my encounter with Deadshot where I nearly lost my left leg, thankfully Alfred helped patch me up. On the other hands, Bruce has a Cult of Crime that he has to deal with that could possibly go way beyond simple criminal organizations and Tim's been doing some soul searching right now, kind of like how I did when I grew out of the Robin mantle. It's up to me and Barbara to help figure these guys out and exactly who they are working for, I did some new research on the guy dressed as Killer Moth; Derrick Matthews last night on the Bat computer- after consulting some of his friends he was dealing with they gave me information on a new weapon and drug shipment the group has made in moving some of their Gotham shipments elsewhere. I don't intend for that to happen.

I slowly enter the warehouse and see from the inside what's going down as they move various crates from the building site to various vans, five of them to be precise. As I look on over, I see two men who seem to be in charge of the operation.

"Hey come on, hurry up!!"

"Yeah, you heard what the bosses said....they want this building cleared and burnt to the ground by two A.M.!!"

Tom and Tad Trigger, known as the "Trigger Twins", who ever these guys are they have a wide variety of super criminals in their hiring from small fish like these guys, Killer Moth to bigger leagues such as Killer Croc and Deadshot. The twins still keep their cowboy themed appearance in check. I use my infer red sensors to check out the area to see what these guys have in their hands. I get everything from black market weapons, designer and street drugs to Thangarian and other alien technology. I start to wonder if Intergang is whom I'm after, but this seems a little too familiar for my tastes.

"YEEEEEEEEE HAWW!!"

Doing my most offensively stereotypical Texan impression, I jump down from my hiding spot and go straight to the main two and from behind they try to get a good angle at me for a kill shot but I knock them off their feet.

"Holy ****!!" One of their goons gets one of the weapons and starts firing at random trying to hit me, there's only about twenty of them here including the twins, piece of cake. Throwing some smoke bombs I cloud the area and use the chaos that the dealers are in to my advantage knocking most of these guys from a free life and lead them to even worse criminal records.

"Let's get out of here!!"

"Naw, not until I clip that bird boy's wings....I've wanted to do it for years!!"

The other twin sighs and joins his brother in trying to find me they circle to room for what seems like an eternity to I have them right where I want them.

"You know, I feel think it's really great how you two work with each other!"

They scream in panic and start trying to fire but both my fists dent themselves in each of their chests as they feel the pain, getting my esticma out and bash them on the head. "I mean you both weigh it out with each other until the end....that's something you rarely see nowadays.." I then grab both their heads and force each other's skulls with force as they fall to the ground.

"It shows how you enjoy each other's company!" I look around the room and mostly everybody has been taken out, this time I might have done my job a little too well. I then look to my far right and see one guy looking nervously and running away from the warehouse and I kept help but smirk.

Running ahead I jump as high as I can flip various times and then land my feet on his back as he lands on the ground and I grab his hair. "Let's make this quick....who are you working for!?"

"I'M NOT SAYING ANYTHING!!!!" The response I expected and as tempting it is just to hurt him again just as Bruce would, as I did when he was gone, I just grab him up and push him against the wall and let him stare at me. "Look! Your friends and colleagues are going to jail and the police are going to be here any minute, now unless you want me to fly you around the city thousands of feet in the air till you tell me what I want to know; then just don't say anything...."

"Okay, okay....whatever you say....all I know is that, we were doing this for the Shark. We got orders and a load of other guys did as well, we were moving them from here to either Metropolis or Star City...or somewhere in between, apparently some guy named Brick works with The Great White, He's been running this end of the business in Gotham, someone else does another thing....they're all quiet as hell about it!"

The Great White Shark, I've heard his name a few times defiantly a newcomer in Gotham but gaining power fast.

"Where can I find him?"

"I think I heard one of the Trigger Twins saying he's been staying at the Vanguard Building's top floor....but he's not the number one guy, I don't know how big he is....I swear!!"

"All I needed to know...." I grab his wallet and take a look at his I.D. his name is Sam Furnel, twenty three years of age and from Gotham City. "I'm going to let you go Sam. But you have to promise me that you're living a legit life, and don't think I won't come out looking for you because I will! Now go..."

He nods and runs off, from the looks of it he seemed like a guy down on his luck and needed some money. I feel better knowing that I didn't just beat the pulp out of him and send him to Blackgate, I get out my grapple and then go on for my search for The Great White Shark.

***

Vanguard Building

Warren White sat down in his hotel room smoking a cigar and drinking a glass of whiskey and just enjoying the solitude of his evening, his warehouse moving operations had been running smoothly for the past two weeks and besides the vigilante Nightwing's involvement with his boss' banking movements, he hired Deadshot and appears that the crime fighter was wounded.

As he enjoyed the silence and watched the reports of the world's finance a sound alerted him at the door. "Who's there!?" He said getting the berrata from under his shirt and looking round the building for whoever was inside. As he came towards the balcony he then felt his arm snap and saw his gun go to the floor.

"AH...****....who the hell....you!!" The Shark saw Floyd Lawton, Deadshot inside his hotel room in full gear again. "How did you get out!?"

"I have my ways....cops fell of a railway bridge, took a few bucks to get the subway and make a phone call. Talked to your boss...said he isn't happy with you."

The sudden fear came over Warren's body as he looked in shock at the announcement Lawton said. "What....he....he, talked to you!? Why in the world would he? How!?"

"His connections allowed him to, and besides...he told me that he had a change of heart about the Nightwing hit. But that he would still pay me, for one....yours."

"Lawton...COME ON...WE CAN BE BIGGER THEN HIM, YOU...KNOW HOW HE IS, HE'S JUST AS FAMOUS AS THE JOKER.....COME ON!! JUST LIS-..."

http://www.**************.com/images/users/uploads/9357/Suicide%20squad%20deadshot.jpg

BANG!

BANG!

Warren White, the Great White Shark upon his disfigurement found a new way of life to achieve anything he ever wanted, but that was now over as he lay on his hotel floor shot down dead.

-------------------------------------

Lawton a couple of blocks away smoked his cigarette and went to the payphone to talk to his new hirer about the now complete contract. "It's done. You won't have to worry about Sharky again..."

"Good....he was scum. But it will be difficult to find a new person to handle my affairs in this city..."

"You know, I got to say...I'm surprised you've managed to sustain your "company" this far, what with your condition and reputation and all. Not that it's a bad thing, you're paying me."

"Well, I was on the other side of the law for a while you know; damn good at it if I say so myself, took that approach to help my new method of business."

"Huh. So, tell me where's my money going into again?"

"It'll be in your new Swiss bank account, use the alias Marco Duo and you should be set....you're very good at your job, Mr. Lawton."

"Yeah thanks. Out of curiosity is this hit on Nightwing still on?"

"I should really be going now."

"Alright, well goodbye Mr. Dent or should I say Two Face..."

"We'll be in touch, Lawton. We'll be in touch!"

 

[Blacklight]

My heart instantly sinks at the sound of Wally's voice. He hasn't found Bart yet. Or...maybe he has, and...

"Another?" the girl asks, already pouring more.

"Sorry, have to go." I tap my communicator and start running back to Central City. "What have you got, Wally?"

"That's just it, Jay... We've got nothing. I can't find Bart anywhere..." I said, trying to hold it together.

The next second, Jay was standing in front of me and Hunter in the Flash Museum, and his expression was that of worry.

"Savitar knows we're looking for him, and he's been staying two steps ahead of us since he's come back..."

My god... Lord knows what Savitar has done to Bart. I can't believe I've failed him like this. I know he can take care of himself, but against someone as powerful as Savitar, he had no chance. I should've warned him. I should've done something...

Turning away, not being able to face my predeccessor, I started coming to a quick realization.

"This is all my fault, Jay. I took a gamble trapping Savitar in the Speed Force and now I'm paying the price..."

 

[wiegeabo]

"That's just it, Jay... We've got nothing. I can't find Bart anywhere..." I said, trying to hold it together.

The next second, Jay was standing in front of me and Hunter in the Flash Museum, and his expression was that of worry.

"Savitar knows we're looking for him, and he's been staying two steps ahead of us since he's come back..."

My god... Lord knows what Savitar has done to Bart. I can't believe I've failed him like this. I know he can take care of himself, but against someone as powerful as Savitar, he had no chance. I should've warned him. I should've done something...

Turning away, not being able to face my predeccessor, I started coming to a quick realization.

"This is all my fault, Jay. I took a gamble trapping Savitar in the Speed Force and now I'm paying the price..."

"We;ll find him, Wally. That's a promise. Bart isn't dead. If he was, Savitar would already be coming after us."

"That's a good point. Didn't Savitar say something about a war? Why would he want Bart for that?"

I consider Hunter's words. "Recruitment? Maybe he wants Bart to be his apprentice." I shudder at the thought.

"We need to get inside his head." I see the profiling gears turning in Hunter's mind. "He wants something. And he may seem to act rash, but there's a plan. A reason for what he does. There's a reason he took Bart. And if Bart's not dead, there's a reason for that too."

"So, what does that all mean?"

"If he still has Bart, I'm not sure. If he's let Bart go...then he's left him somewhere important. He's been trying to get a message across to the three of us. What if Bart's another message. Then he'd leave him somewhere that would send that message. Somewhere important to us, or Bart, or both."

 

[Temple Fugate]

A long time ago Jonah Hex was in the calvary for the Confederate States. With him in this group of rough riders was his life long friend Jeb Turnbull. Jeb was a modest man with great ambitions, every bit his father’s son. Jonah and Jeb took care of each other in the war. If a yankee soldier ever managed to get behind on of them the other always had a clear shot on him. Yes sir their friendship was made of steel, even Jonah’s black sympathies didn’t bother Jeb. You see, Jonah had grown up with the minority, specifically the indians. He grew to respect them, not like them, but respect, and this was the same for the slaves and free black folk that roamed the Southern States.

This is what eventually led Jonah to surrender himself to the Union Army. He figured they also respected all people. Taken as their prisoner the Union officer fiercely interrogated Hex to find out where his platoon was to no avail. Unfortunately the officer’s assistant noticed a red clay only native to one area on the horse of Jonah Hex. With this information the Union army was able to capture Jonah’s platoon, including Jeb, and throw Jonah into solitary confinement. Rations of food were running pretty short in this Union camp, so the malevolent Union officer hatched a plan; he had dug an escape tunnel underneath Jonah’s cell so Jonah could try and break out his fellow soldiers and then be gunned down by the Union guards. Everything played out as he planned. Jeb was the first one shot. Of the 100 soldiers in the platoon, 5 survived. These soldiers concluded Hex had betrayed them, and would vow revenge on him, they also told Jeb’s father Quentin Turnbull of Jonah’s trechery. Quentin Turnbull promised that day that before he died he would know Jonah Hex had died for having killed his son.

That vow against his life was what rampaged in Jonah’s mind as he rode the lonely miles to the Turnbull estate. After 10 straight hours of riding it came into view, a large white house with a wooden fence all the way around, wrapped in barbed wire. As he got closer Hex saw the guards post at the fence, all dressed in the familiar grey, all very large men.

"Best be turnin ‘round, this ain’t public land". The chief guard said as Jonah rode up to the entrance to the estate.

"I need tuh talk tuh the old cuss" Jonah growled rising his eyes to meet the young guard’s, revealing his hideously disfigured face. A surprised look came over the young man’s face and his hand started to migrate to his pistol.

"There are a lot better choices yeh could be makin boy" Jonah said with a sneer that could have given the devil a fright. The boy’s hand trembles then drops, with a downturned head he steps aside.

"Whar is he?" Jonah snarled riding in.

"T-the back... tending his garden with S-Solomon"

The garden was in its own fenced in area. Solomon, Jonah’s old friend from better times, was Quentin’s black servant and was pruning shrubs as an old man with an eagle headed cane watch from underneath an umbrella with his back to the prairie.

"Ah’m lookin for a man named Juan Diego thet came ridin by here a week back" Jonah said, gun drawn. The old man jumped out of his seat and whipped around, livid at hearing his mortal enemies voice.

"Get off my land you traitorous whelp, Solomon send for the guards" The old man yelled with a deep booming voice, that made Solomon jump and run himself.

"Don’t bother yeh old cuss, they ran off yella when they saw me comin"

"Hmph!, well I know nothing of the man you are looking for, now leave at once!" said Turnbull with the air of dominance he was always able to impose of those lesser then him. Jonah stepped forward, grabbed Quentin by the collar and pressed his gun to Quentin’s throat.

"Juan came ridin through here a week ago and never made it to Star City, I suspek yeh know somthin, maybe yuh just need the right motivation" Hex almost happily growled pressing the gun into Quentin’s fleshy neck even harder.

"Alright...alright... my men have been kidnapping travelers and taking them to Sand Point where a man uses them for God knows what, just... please... leave me be..." the man was sweating harder then normal under the hot desert sun. He was telling the truth also.

"Hmm, awright Tunrbull, but if’n you wrong, Ah’ll be comin back fer yore hide" and with that Jonah Hex spurred his horse and started heading East towards Sand Point. When he was out of site Quentin Turnbull pulled out a piece of technology that wouldn’t be seen for over 100 years, and spoke into it.

"Sikes, are you there?"

"Yes sir, what do you need?" an electronic voice answered.

"Jonah Hex is on his way, be ready"
__________________________________________________________________

Hex had been on the trail for 2 days, the normal time it would take to get to Sand Point from whence he came. Sand Point was a craggy hilly area that could easily hide masses of people. Hex dismounted before the hills and slowly crept up to the top of a hill, looking around he saw no one. He figured they must have operated at night so he waited in the shadows gun always drawn. He had sent his horse off so as to not arise suspsicion that someone may be around.

Sure enough when the sky had gone black, a caravan of men on horses and wagons showed up. The men stopped in the middle of the valley and began to unload the wagons. They were full of people, chained at the ankle and the wrists. A slave ring. Since The illegalisation of slaves a few years back they become popular. Hex saw Juan unloaded and set before a strange machine. Not being a good time to make himself known Jonah continued to wait. One of the men went to the machine and turned it on, what looked like a wall of light grew from the ground. Juan Diego was tossed into it along with others, they disappeared from site.

"What in the hell is goin on here?" Jonah Hex said, half surprised, half angry. As he lined up a shot on the man pushing people into the light Hex felt a crushing blow to the back of his head. Spinning around wildly Hex was able to vaguely make out the figure of a man looming over him.
______________________________________________________________________________

Jonah Hex woke up in the hot desert sun. The area he was now in was flat. People were coming in and out of mines, chained, and being whipped by guards. Hex found that he himself was now chained at the ankles and wrists, but not with restraints he was familiar with. A gruff man with a rifle was standing next to him, sneering.

"Wh-whar am Ah?" a groggy Hex asked to his unkown captor with a quick alarmed voice.

"Jonah Hex, welcome to hell" the man said and then gave Hex a rifle butt to the head, knocking him out cold.

 

[Blacklight]

"We;ll find him, Wally. That's a promise. Bart isn't dead. If he was, Savitar would already be coming after us."

"That's a good point. Didn't Savitar say something about a war? Why would he want Bart for that?"

I consider Hunter's words. "Recruitment? Maybe he wants Bart to be his apprentice." I shudder at the thought.

"We need to get inside his head." I see the profiling gears turning in Hunter's mind. "He wants something. And he may seem to act rash, but there's a plan. A reason for what he does. There's a reason he took Bart. And if Bart's not dead, there's a reason for that too."

"So, what does that all mean?"

"If he still has Bart, I'm not sure. If he's let Bart go...then he's left him somewhere important. He's been trying to get a message across to the three of us. What if Bart's another message. Then he'd leave him somewhere that would send that message. Somewhere important to us, or Bart, or both."

"Good thinking, Hunter. But the only place I can think of where he would leave him is here..." I said turning to the museum.

Savitar has always wanted to prove he's better than me as well as destroy everything I know and love, so leaving Bart the one place dedicated in my name would get the message Hunter refers to across.

Unless...

"Let's try Titans Tower again..."

 

[Karem-Knight]

Daxam airspace, Sector 1760

I float endlessly in space for what feels like an eternity, not because I'm bored or that things have been quiet recently; but that things are going to get way beyond all of our control. I'd just found out that by granting me the power of Ion, something of which I thought would help prevent the coming of this onslaught has only just started it.

And that my death will be the start of it.

I've let my ring shut off all communication and have only just let it keep my airspace for the past two days, or weeks..I've truly lost count. Right now all I can do is just stare at my home world.

Daxam, it's strange if you asked me if I ever wanted to go back there I would never answer but now that I just learned that my very being with the Corps affects the entire fate of the universe? It seems too tempting not to just go back there and just hide away from anywhere but there. Just die peacefully, away from the Corps and maybe I can prevent the Blackest Night. But, what if the next bearer fails and it still comes to pass? What can I tell my self then, that I at least I tried to stop it by not doing it?

I sigh as I just try and enjoy the silence of space it's self, maybe since all the other Lanterns call it nonsense maybe it is; but seems to coincidental. Dammit, there I go again. I just wish there was someone I could talk too.

"There you are! I was looking all around Oa for you!!"

"Arisia!"

Arisia, Green Lantern of Sector 2815 used to romantically involved with Hal Jordon, my first mentor for some time before his eventual turn to Parallax. I've only spoken to her a handful of times but each has been pleasant and flirty, but I'm not in the mood for that now.

"Where have you been? You missed out on a lot, Gardner joined the Star Sapphires and Isamot has the new Warrior Bar.....are you okay?" She notices my distance and how I'm starring at my home planet with confusion it takes me a second to realise that she stopped her first part of the conversation as she creates a construct for us to sit on.

"Do you miss it? Your home, I mean..."

"For a while, no....never thought I'd have to go back there....but now? Sure would make my life a lot simpler."

"Yeah, it must be hard....your planet didn't have much exposure to alien life; me on the other hand, my Dad and Uncle had been part of the Corps. Before they died, guess I was just used to it.....add to that you've got Ion. That must be a major responsibility on your hands...."

I sigh. "You have no idea...."

Silence arums us again as I still stare blankly at my home; I feel so guilty for doing this to her but I can't help but try and figure out what to do. How am I supposed to have this power and just be "okay" with it, I knew there was a catch and not just use it when the Guardians allowed me to, no there was something else...and the universe may just be worse for it.

"Listen, Sodam....there's been warning of some group that have yellow rings coming down to Earth, in Sector 2814...we think they may be linked to Parallax and Sinestro, the Guardians have said that the Earth Lanterns stationed there, a long with some Star Sapphires should be enough, but me and Tomar Ru are talking and we've decided to help them.....but we're not sure if that'll be enough. We were thinking, if you joined us in the fight then maybe that would help some other Lanterns rally there?"

I look at Arisia for a moment and contemplate what she says, I guess this is where I decide if I should stay as a member of the Corps; or live a normal life in Daxam. After a few seconds I turn to her.

"Let's go!"