The "World of Heroes" DC RPG Season VIII

[Byrd Man]

Zamaron
Sector 1416

"Alright, listen up...."

Five hundred half-naked alien babes at my command....Good lord, could it get any better than this?

"Two hours ago, the Green Lantern Corps detected movement in Sector 2814. It's believed that a group of yellow light wielders, the Parallax Corps, is on a course to attack Earth. Now, the Guardians won't get off their blue asses to do anything, so the Zamarons say we'll fight them."

Most of the women favor me with hard stares. Pretty obvious they don't care too much for a man in their group.

"Why are you leading us? You may have been an honor lantern in the Green Lanterns, but here you're just an average Star Sapphire."

"It's a fair question, Dela. Reason I'm here is because I have experience dealing with other corps. I was on Oa when the Red Lanterns attacked, I've went up against Mongul and his orange ring....and I've fought Sinestro a dozen times...also wore his ring a time or two."

"It'll be just us against this Sinesto Corps?"

"Not entirely. The three Green Lanterns from 2814 will be there...and an old friend contacted me on the way here from Oa, seems there's a small group of Lanterns directly disobeying the Guardians and coming to Earth to fight. Anymore questions?"

"Yeah...we do we leave?"

"How about nowish."

I turn my ring towards the giant violet power battery.

"Let's charge 'em up, ladies!"

For hearts long lost and full of fright,
For those alone in blackest night,
Accept our ring and join our fight,
Love conquers all-- With violet light!

In a gigantic wave of purple energy, we all disappear from Zamaron.

 

[Byrd Man]

"P-p-please don't drop me!"

"I like to think I'm a patient man...but you are testing my patience. Randolph Meyers. Tell me what you know."

The pudgy man I have suspended twenty stories over the pavement is Morti Wise, small time bookie and former associate of one Randolph Meyers.

"I haven't seen Randy in almost six months!"

"Why?"

"He-he got hooked up with some wrong people. Crazy people! He started acting c-crazy! T-t-t-talking about the apocalypse."

"Apocalypse? How was it spelled?"

"I don't k-know. He never spelled it, only talked ab-about it."

"Where is he now?"

"I d-don't know. I swear to God I don't know!"

************

Dick may have been on to something, and now I need to try and get confirmation. Back in the cave, I tap into the Justice League's computer. Clark's communicator is out of service, the same with Hal. While Wally and Diana's are switched to busy. It leaves me only one choice.

"Well if it isn't my favorite fascists returned from the grave."

"Nice to hear from you too, Ollie."

"I know there was a rumor floating around that you were back. What happened?"

"It's a long story, we can catch up some other time. Do you know where Clark is?"

"Supes? Hmm...last I heard, he was navigating the stars looking for something...or someone."

"How long did you hear that?"

"Hell, I don't know. Few months after the whole Dark Alliance mess. Why are you looking for Clark? Got a Boy Scout knot that needs to be tied?"

"More like an alien despot is roaming through Gotham."

"Kinky..."

"I have reason to believe that forces from Apokolips are in the city, causing trouble for some reason that I haven't figured out. I also believe they may have killed the Spectre."

Green Arrow whistles through his teeth.

"Didn't think anything could touch him."

"Someone or something did. I can't tell if it was advanced technology or magic."

"If you think Darkseid and his bad brood are actually planning something in Gotham, give the Justice League a ring....speaking of which...when you gonna join back up?"

"I don't know. I've thought about it. Next time you have a membership drive, I'll be sure to sign up."

"Be sure and do that. Like I said, anything comes up let me or Dinah know. We'll be there in force...well, as much force as we can muster. Some of our members are stretched thin. Hal's dealing with some GL stuff and Wally's got his hands full in Kansas."

"Too many threats, too little time. That does seem to be going around these days."

"Yeah. Look, I gotta run. Good to have you back, Bruce...even if you are a fascist nutcase."

"It's good to be back, if only to talk to a liberal bleeding heart like yourself."

"See ya."

Ollie goes offline, leaving me alone in the cave with nothing but my thoughts.

Apokolips agents in Gotham....for what reason, exactly?
​

 

[Karem-Knight]

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!"

Vanguard Building

"Dammit.." It's the only thing I can think to say when I come inside and see The Great White Shark's body on the floor, two bullets to the head and his blood sprayed on the window and I immediately go on-line to my com-link.

"Oracle, it's Nightwing. I've got some bad news....our only link to the big bad behind this is dead."


"Dammit!"

"That's what I said."
"Okay, maybe I can dig up some information on known contacts that White had before he died."

"Looks that way, I'll look around the crime scene and see what I can find. Nightwing out."

I take a look around the place, the assassination defiantly wasn't more than an hour ago as the blood is still wet and the body is still here and when the cleaners come in, they would have found him and panicked. Same reason why the guns must have been silenced, if an actual gunshot was heard then I wouldn't be here.

Looking over the door, it seems that the killer came in from the window that was open in the penthouse since all others were shut, and the door is still locked. No body would waste time locking a door, plus only White's fingerprints show up over the handle. No security cameras at all in here either, White was smart and obviously felt safe.

I come out of the balcony and see the streets completely covered in people and no one else jumping from rooftop to rooftop but me. I jump out and get my glider flying through the city, the only thing that I can get to is who would have a motive to kill White. Competition or to keep him quiet, it's obvious that he wasn't working alone; this operation is too big for him, it needed to be someone with a reputation and the resources to do something like this.

In Gotham City, there's only one person I can think of who has both.

***
The Iceberg Lounge

"What a pleasant surprise...."

"...Nightwing. Ready to beat me or make a joke this time? <quak>.."

"Save it Copplepot...I need answers."

I fold my arms and stare at him angrily as he takes another drag out of his cigarette, and sits down on his leather back chair. "Do tell me, fellow bird."

"For the past month, someone has been destroying bank databases across the country; here in Gotham, Metropolis, Opal, Star City you name it. I went out to investigate and the only main link I could come up with is Warren White, The Great White Shark who I just found dead inside his temporary home."

"Hmm, unfortunate for Mr.White...I felt that he could have had a very pleasant future working with me. <quack>..."

"Since then, I've come into contact with Killer Crock, The Trigger Twins, Killer Moth and Deadshot. The last one which tried to kill me, all of them have had a link to you in the past."

"Yes, in the past. But I'm legitimate again and don't dabble in that line of work anymore."

"You've been "legitimate" for the one hundredth time Copplepot. I want to know about who White was dealing with..."

"I don't know, maybe you should try asking someone else. Maybe Killer Croc."

So far all I'm doing is giving Oswald facts and he's just giving me wisecracks, usually the roles are reversed but maybe I can use his ego to my advantage.

"Forget it..." I sigh "..I knew this operation was too big for someone like you." I walk towards the window as his umbrella comes to my leg but I grab it by my hand and push Penguin forward as he quacks again.

"Change your mind?" I smile, knowing I have him now.

"Okay, okay...<quack> I'll tell you one thing. One! But what's in it for me?"

"Well, think about it, without your competition here in Gotham, you'll be top dog again. And maybe this time you can last longer than one year without a visit from me or my friends."

He sighs looking up at me. "Alright..White was partners with Michael Villanci, some old school guy who deals in weaponry and drugs. White's the brains but he has the connections."

"Where can I find him?"

"Last I heard, he was in Star City...he's staying there a while too. Meeting with some others down there, all I know <quack>!"

"Thanks...by the way, once this is over I'm going to find out why you know so much.." I then grapple out of here and into the city as I can hear Penguin's rage from a block away.

 

[Karem-Knight]

Edit

 

[SuperFerret]

Feeling yourself die is a decidedly odd feeling. Especially if you die like I did, running not just for my life, but for the lives of billions of others, multiple universes worth of lives. Running, running, running so fast that I literally could feel my body come apart molecule by molecule, atom by atom, electron by electron.

But, as odd of a feeling dying is, it&#8217;s nothing compared to going the opposite way.

My body, if you can call the cluster of anions and cations that seems to pass for it at this moment, tingles as bit by bit, electron by electron, atom by atom, molecule by molecule its being reassembled. Molecules form and cluster together to become cells, cells group to make tissues, tissues combine to create organs, organs begin to work together as systems, systems maintain homeostasis of the entire body.

And covering it all, a thin layer of red cloth that hugs my now-solid form as it hurtles from God-knows-where to wherever-I&#8217;m-heading at speeds that make even me dizzy. I try to slow myself instinctually, pumping my legs as I wonder where I am, where I&#8217;m going, how I got here and why suddenly I&#8217;ve been apparently ejected from Paradise.

First I feel the Speed Force ripple outward around me, like water would as a fish jumps out of a pond. Then I feel something solid beneath the soles of my boots and I stop running, planting my feet and skidding across the surface and finally letting my eyes focus on what&#8217;s around me.

&#8220;What in the world&#8230;?&#8221;

&#8220;Hey Flash,&#8221; a police officer says to me, &#8220;you should know better than to disturb a crime scene like that.&#8221;

&#8220;Oh,&#8221; I say sheepishly, feeling stupid now instead of odd, &#8220;sorry.&#8221;

I'm back in Central City... What just happened?

 

[Keyser Soze]

All over the world, the Parallax Corps descended. This mission was well planned, with groups assigned to various central cities across the globe's major countries. In New York City, The Joker led his band of fear-mongers on a path of destruction.

"You five, head for the UN headquarters in Manhattan," The Joker said to part of the group, "Feel free to take the scenic route, and lay waste to Times Square and the Empire State Building on the way."

The Joker turned to face the rest of his batallion. He thought of yellow armies bringing terror to every corner of the earth. It made him smile.

"The rest of you spread out, from Broadway to Greenwich Village, I want every square inch of this town to know fear. We'll give the city that never sleeps a waking nightmare it'll never forget. Kill the children, rape the women, and make the men watch. Now if you excuse me, I've got an errand to run."

With that, The Joker flew out past the edge of the island, out to a very famous landmark.

"Lady Liberty. What have you done for me lately? HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

With a series of energy blasts from his ring, the Statue of Liberty was blasted into so much dust. Oh, how he loved this! The power to fly, to create whatever popped into his mind. How beautiful it was, to be limited only by his own imagination. And that was endless...

 

[Keyser Soze]

Sector O
Oa

Salaak walks in on Carol and I in the middle of a passionate kiss, standing there awkwardly.

"What is it, Salaak, can't you see we're in the middle of something? Or is that against regulations too?"

"You're free to go."

I stare at him for a moment, confused.

"What?"

"Earth could be at risk. A group with yellow rings calling themselves The Parallax Corps has emerged..."

"Well that's it, the prophecy is complete, we've got all the colors of the rainbow..."

"I cannot comment on that, Jordan, and The Guardians won't either. They won't acknowledge it, they're only sending a small force to deal with the problem. That includes you. You'll be under the guard of the Alpha Lanterns at all times, this is a trial run. Try not to let that big ego of yours screw it up."

I exchange smiles with Carol. Salaak passes her violet ring to her, and she turns into Star Sapphire. Then he turns to me, holding the ring over my hand. As it gets close, it regenerates my Green Lantern uniform.

"Okay... so we find whoever's responsible for going after my home... and we kick his ass."

"Your ring, Jordan."

Salaak drops the ring in my hand. I put it on, and I feel the power coursing within me.

"Thanks for filling up the tank for me before you gave it back."

"Hmph. The quicker I can get you out of my sight, the better."

Taking Carol by the hand, I walk out of the sciencell.

"Oh, and Jordan?"

I turn around to face Salaak.

"Good luck.

I nod, and smile. And then I'm gone. When Carol and I are up in Oa's orbit, we're met by a group of Alpha-Lanterns, led by a familiar face.

"Hello Boodikka."

"Jordan. I am not so much surprised they let you out of your cage as I am shocked they took so long to put you in one in the first place."

I don't blame her for hating me. Once upon a time, I sliced her arm off and left her for dead.

"We'll settle old grudges later. I want to get to Earth as soon as possible, before something really awful happens."

...

Sector 2814
Earth
Coast City

Martin Jordan lay in his crib, awake. He wasn't crying. He was too afraid to cry. Though he was too young to comprehend what was going on in the next room, he had heard the crash, then he had heard Christy's blood-curdling screams of terror. Then he heard nothing.

Then the monster came. It was hideous, monstrous, a vile hag with four arms and a massive cage growing out of its back. And the cage.... it was filled with babies.

"There there, little one. I'm here to save you. Save you from the tyranny and deceit of a life under the green light. You are still young. It's not too late for you."

The hag was covered in Christy's blood. It was too late for her.

"You will forget your parents, their faces will fade from your memory, and soon I will be the only mother you have ever known."

The monster leaned over Martin's crib, a long, bony hand reaching down and wrapping its spindly fingers under his back.

"You belong to Kryb now."

And now, Martin Jordan cried.

 

[Byrd Man]

After my conversation with Ollie, I hit the rooftops in my search for Randolph Meyers...or what's become of him. Near the docks a light in the sky catches my eye.

It's the bat-signal...only it's not. Someone has corrupted the image into a distorted symbol.

It takes me ten minutes to reach the roof of the GCPD building cross town.

"Whoever is here," I growl as I glide down from the rooftops above.

"You have my attention."
​

 

[Keyser Soze]

After my conversation with Ollie, I hit the rooftops in my search for Randolph Meyers...or what's become of him. Near the docks a light in the sky catches my eye.

It's the bat-signal...only it's not. Someone has corrupted the image into a distorted symbol.

It takes me ten minutes to reach the roof of the GCPD building cross town.

"Whoever is here," I growl as I glide down from the rooftops above.

"You have my attention."
​

Standing on the rooftop, waiting for Batman, were none other than Thomas and Martha Wayne.

Or rather, glowing yellow constructs of Thomas and Martha Wayne. But they looked so lifelike, down to the last detail.

"I just want you to know, Bruce, I'm proud of you," said Martha.

"And I just want you to know, Martha, that I'm horny," said Thomas.

Then Thomas and Martha began kissing. Like, French kissing. Off came the clothes, and now Batman's parents were standing before him, buck naked. They dropped down onto the ground, and started making love. Wild, hot, passionate love.

"Oh yes, Tommy, screw me harder! MORE!"

"You like that, dontcha! You filthy hussy! Doctor Wayne has some medicine for ya..."

And then Thomas and Martha began decaying. Their skin sagged, peeled, and eventually started falling off. Their eyes collapsed into their skulls, and their insides began seeping out and disintegrating. But still they went at it like rabbits.

"YES! YES!"

Before long, it was just a seething, rutting pile of yellow mush that lay before Batman. For constructs, this was all incredibly lifelike. But finally, the construct faded and vanished. And The Joker stepped forward, dressed in a Parallax Corps uniform.

"SURPRISE! Miss me?"

 

[Byrd Man]

Standing on the rooftop, waiting for Batman, were none other than Thomas and Martha Wayne.

Or rather, glowing yellow constructs of Thomas and Martha Wayne. But they looked so lifelike, down to the last detail.

"I just want you to know, Bruce, I'm proud of you," said Martha.

"And I just want you to know, Martha, that I'm horny," said Thomas.

Then Thomas and Martha began kissing. Like, French kissing. Off came the clothes, and now Batman's parents were standing before him, buck naked. They dropped down onto the ground, and started making love. Wild, hot, passionate love.

"Oh yes, Tommy, screw me harder! MORE!"

"You like that, dontcha! You filthy hussy! Doctor Wayne has some medicine for ya..."

And then Thomas and Martha began decaying. Their skin sagged, peeled, and eventually started falling off. Their eyes collapsed into their skulls, and their insides began seeping out and disintegrating. But still they went at it like rabbits.

"YES! YES!"

Before long, it was just a seething, rutting pile of yellow mush that lay before Batman. For constructs, this was all incredibly lifelike. But finally, the construct faded and vanished. And The Joker stepped forward, dressed in a Parallax Corps uniform.

"SURPRISE! Miss me?"

I don't give me the satisfaction of responding, instead I toss an exploding batarang straight for his heart.

BOOM!

The explosion rocks the rooftop. When the dust settles, Joker is still smiling in his new uniform.

"Does that answer your question?"

 

[SuperFerret]

I bend down and examine the blood spatter on the ground. Luckily, my dramatic entrance didn't disturb it. I'm still confused how and why I'm suddenly the Fastest Man Alive again, but I figure that since I messed up this crime scene upon arrival, I might as well help out with the investigation.

I'm still the Flash after all.

"It looks like your assessment was right, Officer," I say, pointing at the trajectory of the spatter, "this man was clubbed from behind. Not a pretty way to..."

ZZZT!

The sound was familiar to me, and I turn, expecting to see an old friend, but all that greets me is chaos.

ZZZT!
ZZZT!
ZZZT!

Yellow beams of light rain down on Central City, people run panicked everywhere, trying in vain to dodge the assault. Each and every beam I see hits its mark.

Yellow energy. Sound of a power ring. Signs of Sinestro.

ZZZT!

I feel the incoming beam before I hear it or see it. Finally, one beam misses its target, but even then, it just barely missed me.

I scan the sky, looking for the source, when another beam comes down at me. I see it coming this time and start running. Seems that whoever this sniper is, I pissed him off by dodging, so I'm a priority target now, and that's fine by me.

Where's Hal when you need him?

 

[Keyser Soze]

I don't give me the satisfaction of responding, instead I toss an exploding batarang straight for his heart.

BOOM!

The explosion rocks the rooftop. When the dust settles, Joker is still smiling in his new uniform.

"Does that answer your question?"

"Heh. Well guess what? This time I don't only have the brains on my side..."

A giant yellow hand - twice the size of a full-grown man - emerged from The Joker's ring and pimp-slapped Batman right off the rooftop, sending him crashing into another rooftop nearby. The Joker flew after him.

"....now I've got the brawn too."

 

[Byrd Man]

"Heh. Well guess what? This time I don't only have the brains on my side..."

A giant yellow hand - twice the size of a full-grown man - emerged from The Joker's ring and pimp-slapped Batman right off the rooftop, sending him crashing into another rooftop nearby. The Joker flew after him.

"....now I've got the brawn too."

The blow from Joker sends me reeling. My ears ring and I taste blood in the back of my throat....but my mind stays clear. Joker appears to have the powers of Sinestro. He's using a power ring, a weapon that requires concentration and focus to wield.

I pull myself up, pulling flash grenades and smoke pellets from my utility belt. When Joker comes again, I'll be ready.

 

[wiegeabo]

Tom and spar for another half hour. But no matter how I poke and prod, how much land punches, or let him land punches, he can't seem to knock across the ring again.

Tom staggers over to the corner and leans against the ropes, panting heavily. I lean my arm on the ropes next to him, my heart rate barely up, and not a bead or sweat on my forehead.

"Told you, my powers only work when I change."

I lean down and grab a bear from the bucket. "Yeah, the others told me about your ability. Guess the name Wildcat isn't the only thing that got passed down."

Tom gives me a dry look, but there's humor in his eyes. "Toss me one of those."

I reach down for another and pass it to him. "Well, tell me this. If your powers only work when you change, just how the hell did you knock me for a loop?"

"...I'm just that good?" Now it's my turn for the dry look. "Listen, I don't know. What do you want from me?"

I smile. "I don't want anything from you Tom. I'm just trying to get to know you."

"I told you, I don't need you trying to be a dad and make up for lost time..."

"And I'm not trying to do that. I'm just trying to be your friend. And if you don't want that, I'm trying to be your teammate so you don't go gettin' your head knocked off by Vandal Savage."

"Who?"

"Lord, kid. Didn't they teach you anything?"

"I haven't gotten through all the villain files yet."

"Well, kid, let me give you a little back-story. Ya, see, Vandal Savage-"

One of the windows to the gym explodes inward as light fills the place. "What the hell?!"

Ted Grant of Earth. You have the ability to overcome great fear. Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps.
​

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me!"

Before I can react, the ring swoops down and plants itself right on my finger.

"Um...this happen often."

Spoiler

"Honestly...I could answer that both ways."

 

[SuperFerret]

The Moon.

Bedovian was getting irritated. Not by much, but it is there. This red one was fast, and moving targets are always much harder to hit. It is possible. It just requires more focus and a steadier hand.

Outside Central City, Earth.

I'm making zig-zagging circles around the outside of Central City, moving faster and faster, yet the beams keep getting closer and closer. My fingers go to my right ear, under the wing on my mask. Amazingly enough, my Justice League communicator is still there. Yet another oddity about my return, but ironically, everything is just happening so fast that I'm actually being forced to play catch up. I just hope that they can still pick up my message, what with how astute Bruce is about changing the channel every few years or so.

"This is the Flash. I'm in trouble, so I'll make this quick. Central City is under attack by Sinestro. Requesting back up."

I add, "Also, I'm alive again. Let's hope that lasts a little bit."

 

[wiegeabo]

"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..."

Standing outside the tower, I look up. Shouldn't take us more than a few seconds to scour this place...again.

"Ok, this time Wally, you start at the top. I'll take bottom. Hunter can cover the middle. Let's go."

We get about ten steps before Wally and I suddenly drop back down to normal speed.

"What the heck?" I take a few test steps. Nothing. And then, as if everything has always been normal, the speed kicks back in.

"Um..."

 

[Green Lantern]

“Aunt Kara, what’s wrong?”

The younger Kara went up to her aunt and sat beside her. “Is it cause you miss Streaky? I miss Streaky.”

The older blonde woman smiled at her niece. “I do. I miss Streaky and I miss Kal. I miss Kon, and I miss Cassie. But most of all, I miss Bart. Every day that passes here, though more beautiful than anything I have ever imagined, every day with you is a blessing. Even so, I can’t help but feel I don’t belong here. This world is Paradise, but I’ve not done enough to earn it. I wasn’t able to save Argo. I wasn’t able to stop the Dark Alliance. I don’t even know if I did enough to save Bart.”

Kara stared longingly at the radiant and luminescent waterfalls that she remembered from her homeworld. When she had died at the hands of Deathstroke, Rao had seen fit to send her to the resting place of all her people. She was now among almost all of Krypton, in a paradise taken from the best parts of her world. She had been reunited with Kay, which brought immense joy to her sorrow filled heart. Not a day had passed in this paradise that she had not spent with the younger girl, and not a day would. Most of the time this kept her mind from thinking of Earth and the friends and family that were still fighting the never-ending battle. Or so she had thought, but her battle? It had ended.

“Bart? Which one was he again?”

“Bart? He was the insufferable one. The one that annoyed anyone and everyone. The one that would never stop moving, but I wouldn’t have had him any other way.”

“The fast one?”

Kara sighed. “Yeah, the fast one.”

The two Karas watched the sun set over the Jewel Mountains.

***********************************************************

Elsewhere in the Nether realm a powerful conclave was meeting.

"My avatar is dead."

Spoke a man with a white flowing beard.

Another man with a white beard was seated next to the first, though this one was distinguished by the toga and olive branches that adorned him.


"My own champions are not enough to defeat this threat."

A man, much grizzlier than the first two, missing an eye, spoke next. "Me own kin and best warrior be on a quest for the good of Asgard."

"I have one. But we have seen that vengeance will not work against such odds. We need a champion that is not fueled by rage or anger. One that is fueled by much more powerful emotions. Love, compassion, willpower."

"And who might this champion be?"

 

[wiegeabo]

"So...what do you do now?"

"Um...I don't know?"

"Didn't Alan ever talk about he used his ring?"

"Sure, but his works on magic. Corps rings don't. I don't know what the hell I'm doing."

Request for training understood. Departing to Oa for immediate training.

Suddenly I'm floating in the air.

"Dad?!"

"I'm not doing it! How do you stop this crazy thing?!"

"Dad! Wait!" But I can't. Suddenly I'm floating outside the gym, getting higher and higher in the sky. And the higher I get, the better I can see all these streaks of yellow descending to the ground.

"Just great. Something big's going down and I'm being abducted by jewelry. Where's Jordan when you need him."

Establishing contact with Lantern Jordan.

"Say what? Hal? Hal, can you here me? It's Wildcat. I've got a damn green ring on my finger and don't know how to use the blasted thing!"

 

[Byrd Man]

Sector 2814
Planet 38 C
Earth

Me and the rest of the Star Sapphires come out of trans-luminal speed just outside of the moon's orbit.

"Ring, scan planet for hostiles with yellow energy signatures."

A violet beam shoots out of my ring and races around the globe.

<499 hostiles with yellow energy signatures detected>

"499? Where's number 5-"

VOOM!

The head of the Star Sapphire next to me explodes, blanketing my face with blood and brain matter.

"Goddammit, sniper Throw up your shields and get cover!"

<Star Sapphire 312 deceased. Scanning Sector 312 for replacement>

The ring shoots by my and disappears into the reaches of space.

The sniper's shots bounce off the shields we've managed to put up. I swivel around and point to three of my fellow Sapphires.

"You, you, and you, swing around the dark side of the moon and flank this coward. The rest of you get down Earth side. Love's in danger, families are being torn apart and homes are being destroyed. Let's protect lives and love."

The three sapphires respond and fly around the moon while I lead the charge planet side.

"Everyone split up. Half of you follow me down to Earth's Western Hemisphere. The other half of you follow Star Sapphire Dela to the Eastern Hemisphere."

We all break ranks as we hit the atmosphere. I bark out orders and disperse the group through North and South America, with me taking one of my favorite cities.

New York

With three Star Sapphires as my wing...women, I buzz through the skyscrapers of New York at dizzying speeds. A yellow blast of energy whizzes by my head. A Parallax Corps member is standing in the middle of Wall Street.

"Guy Gardner."

"It would seem I'm not the only traitor to the Green Lantern Corps."

 

[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.
​

Space Sector 2814

Ysmault
​

He could feel the power of the gathering light surging through the spectrum. It fed into him like a distant, rumbling drumbeat. The sound of war and anger, rage and death.

With each passing moment the drumbeat grew louder and stronger. It fed his hate and nourished the fire coursing through his body.

Atrocitus rose from his seat and regarded his Corps, a writhing mass of wild eyes and snarling jaws. Their rage pulsed as one and Atrocitus revelled in it. The drumbeat fuelled the Crimson King into an almost euphoric state of awareness and the light called his attention. With his back to the giant Central Power Battery behind his throne, he raised his lantern and placed his ring facing it.

With blood and rage of crimson red,
Ripped from a corpse so freshly dead,
Together with our hellish hate,
We'll burn you all-
That is your fate!​

"The day of reckoning has come!" he roared, holding his fist in the air. "The light is gathering and the prophecy is unfolding. We have bloodied the Oans on their own terms before now and soon we shall dine on their hearts. We will rend and tear and burn.

We are many.

We are strong.

WE ARE INVINCIBLE!"

His feral Corps roared their approval and raised thier ring-fists into the air, before blazing into the blackness of space en masse. Atrocitus himself lead the charge.

The Crimson King would have his day, yet.

 

[Andy C.]

I listen to my former opponent's story, trying to figure out why he was so eager to attack me. Everything about it, all the terrible things that happened to his world, it all stinks of Zod.

"...one by one, we tried to stop him. Not one of us stood a chance. I've never seen anything like it...so much power, and he didn't even need to charge it!"

"And no way or reason to keep himself in check, either. Zod's lost his mind, so he's not holding himself back anymore."

"I can see that. We lost so many....so much of our world is destroyed....I can't even find the Dragonballs to wish them all back. But I won't stop searching...I have to get them back..."

As he mutters to himself, another rift opens. I don't know how long it will remain open, or if another one will open up again, so I have to go and see where it goes. Zod isn't here anymore, which means he's more than likely doing this to another universe again.

"I have to go--if there's any chance I can find Zod and stop him, I need to take it. Don't worry; your family and your friends will have the justice they deserve. And keep practicing--you actually managed to put up a decent fight against me. If Zod comes back, you'll need to fight even harder."

I leave my spiky-haired compatriot to the reconstruction of his world, and fly into the rift.

When reality stabilizes after God only knows how long, I see I'm in yet another Earth, and yet again, I'm too late.

"Stop right there!" a voice shouts! "I don't know you, but I know those rifts! And whoever comes out of them is nothing but trouble!"



...isn't anyone ever willing to actually listen to me before they attack?







MEANWHILE

Metropolis, like the rest of planet Earth, was in a state of panic.

A swarm of yellow lights had descended on the planet, bringing hideous creatures intent on doing unspeakable things to the people below. Women screamed, men ran for cover, children howled for their parents. Families huddled together.

The City of Tomorrow had been gripped with fear once before.

A thousand feet underground, a man flipped a switch, determined that it would never happen again.

"Not in my city, you don't."

Generators thrummed and whirred to life. In separate rooms of the massive subterranean complex, Livewire, the Silver Banshee, and Metallo all screamed in unspeakable agony.

In the city above, Ampa Nnn was suddenly reduced to atoms, his entire molecular structure shaken apart by an indescribably powerful focused blast of sonic shockwaves.

*YELLOW LANTERN 3157 DECEASED. SCANNING SECTOR 3517 FOR REPLACEMENT.*

Miles away, Bur'Gunza was entangled in a web of electrical energy that overwhelmed his shield, then roasted him into dust.

*YELLOW LANTERN 3561 DECEASED. SCANNING SECTOR 3561...*

In the streets of Suicide Slum, Flayt was blasted into nothing by a combined burst of red, green, and gold Kryptonite radiation.

*YELLOW LANTERN 2751 DECEASED..."

All across Metropolis, a web of small, nearly invisible turrets and drones came to life, turning the entire city into an impenetrable maze of death for anyone wielding a yellow ring. The man underground had meant for this measure to be a special 'surprise' for the return of the city's favorite champion, but with such a crisis bearing down on the world, he was forced to play his hand.

On the streets below, fear gave away to defiance. Cheers went up, the crowds rallying every time another Yellow Lantern was reduced to cinders and dust. Their favored champion may be gone, but in their hearts, they knew who their savior was on this day.

Once the skies were clear, a massive translucent green dome began to form around the entire city.

It's amazing how much work one can accomplish when the whole world believes one to be dead.

With no one looking for him, and the alien gone, he was able to set his play into motion.

As the rest of the world gave way to panic and fear, Metropolis was impregnable.

Metropolis was safe.

And after so very, very long....Metropolis belonged, once again, to Lex Luthor.

 

[Blacklight]

Standing outside the tower, I look up. Shouldn't take us more than a few seconds to scour this place...again.

"Ok, this time Wally, you start at the top. I'll take bottom. Hunter can cover the middle. Let's go."

We get about ten steps before Wally and I suddenly drop back down to normal speed.

"What the heck?" I take a few test steps. Nothing. And then, as if everything has always been normal, the speed kicks back in.

"Um..."

The Speed Force. There's some kind of disturbance... I can feel it. And not just any mormal disturbance. No... That was something that felt strangely, yet vaguely familiar. But whatever it is, it'll have to wait.

"We'll have to figure it out later. Our first priority is Bart. Once we find him we'll figure out what just happened. Sound good?"

 

[Green Lantern]

That night in paradise, Kara did as she usually did, and sobbed herself to sleep. It was a side to her that Kay rarely saw, but one that came out often in private. She didn't understand her feelings, having always believed that death would be a peaceful release from her violent life, but she had not had one night that came and went peacefully for her since arriving in paradise.

She awoke in the morning as the sun rose over the beautiful Kryptonian horizon. She smiled as Kay came bursting through the room, the only thing that made her time here bearable.

************************************************************

"Are you sure this girl is ready to carry this burden we will place upon her?"

"Do not let her appearance deceive you Jehovah. She is among the greatest warriors Krypton has ever known."

"Ah, but will she readily leave paradise and her loved ones for this quest?"

"I have watched over her since she joined my realm. She is not happy in paradise. She is not ready to be at peace, there is more for her to accomplish."

"Then we shall trust your judgment Rao."

************************************************************

Kara and Kay were running through a meadow, chasing each other when they saw him. Approaching the two girls was a man in ancient Kryptonian armor. His hair almost glowed it was such a deep red, his eyes were an icy blue. This man seemed to have an aura around him that inspired faith and calm. As he neared, she dropped to her knees, knowing in her heart who this man was.

"Great Rao."

"Rise child. Be at ease, for I come to you with an offering of hope."

Kay was silent as Kara stared into the man's compassionate eyes.

"What is it Lord?"

"Kara Zor-El. Last of the daughters of Rao, last daughter of Krypton. Only one of your race and kin is left alive to represent the honor of Rao. You came to Rokyn before you felt your job was done. Why can you not find peace, Kara Zor-El?"

"I do not know Lord. I wish to have serenity, but it will not come for me. I can not help but think of my friends and family I have left on Earth. I feel as though I abandoned them, that I failed them when they needed me most."

"You do not need to feel as such, Kara Zor-El. For I wish to offer you a second chance on your adopted planet alongside your cousin, Kal-El. I too feel that you came to Rokyn too early, for much more is fated of you Kara Zor-El. I offer you an outlet of my power, to be my harbinger of peace in the universe. However, I will need you to defend the universe against an oncoming storm. Will you accept this quest?"

Kara could not believe her ears, she looked to where Kay had been, but the younger girl was no longer there. In fact she was no longer in the meadow she had been in, rather she was among the stars.

"Worry not, Kara Zor-El, for if you accept my offer, Kara Dor-El will not remember your brief stay in Rykon, not until you return when the time is right."

"Great Rao, that was the only thing that would have kept me here in your beautiful paradise. With that assurance, I accept your offer and your quest, tell me of the oncoming storm."

"That is something you must find out for yourself as you find yourself back among humanity. The answer will present itself. I send you now to return to Earth and the living universe."

************************************************************

As yellow stars had fallen earlier in the night, it came as no surprise to the citizens of San Francisco when another star fell from the sky, this one seemed a pastel purple, as it crashed into the Bay, near Titans Tower.

 

[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!"

Sector 2814, Earth's Moon

Me and Arisia fly towards the planet that has seemed to have had the most chaotic and most deadly interactions with alien lifeforms, as we fly down Tomar Ru comes down to greet us quickly, standing in front.

"Good to see you, Lantern Arsia and pleasant to meet you Lantern Yat...though time is of the essence. It appears that another Green ring has entered the planet and another earthman will be joining our Corps, but it's only us, the earth Lanterns and some Star Sapphires against this Parallax Corps."

"Okay, so looks like Corps members are limited down there....you ready Sodam?"

"Always...where around the planet are these Corps members attacking?"

"In the country known as America, home to all Earth Lanterns."

"Let's go!"

We fly down all three of us towards the planet as Tomar Ru contacts all the other Lanterns stationed there; "Attention! All Lanterns on Earth, this is Tomar Ru of Sector 2813, I'm joined by Araisia of Sector 2815 and Sodam Yat of Sector 1760, also holder of Ion. We're coming down to help you!!"

Flying down at great speeds we come across a city with several skyscrapers and one of which has been desecrated by some of Sinestro's minions, when all of a sudden a great yellow light comes towards us sending us flying backwards. Shooting back up to where we were I look to Arisia and Tomar Ru in confusion as I see seven Yellow Lanterns coming towards us lead by one.

"KILL THE LANTERNS!!"

 

[Karem-Knight]

Somewhere between Gotham City and Washington State

My talk with Penguin proved quite useful for once, he gave me the location of Michael Villanci, Warren White's partner in this business I've been tracking down, Penguin said that Villanci left Gotham three days ago to Star City to talk to another crime lord with the ties to this organisation that's been troubling me for days. Too many people are busy at the moment to come with me for the ride luckily for me, I have friends in this town.

"How's the flight?' Barbara talks to me via the communicator as I sit in one of Bruce's old planes that he let me use. Really need to stop doing that, think he might be getting annoyed by that.

"It's going fine, little boring. But I should be there in the next two minutes or so."

"Okay, just remember to come back before tomorrow morning. We're having lunch with my Dad, and I'd hate for you to miss it."

"No problem."

Star City

I land the plane in an outpost me and Bruce used to have here back when Ollie and him weren't so tense around each other, well less tense. It's about five miles from the actual city but luckily I have a bike stationed here, my Intel said that I should meet him at the western part of Star to meet him and that he can help me find out where Villani is hiding and who he is meeting.

Driving through the area of town, it looks drastically different from the rest of the city; deserted and tattered if I didn't know better I would think this was an area of Bludhaven or Gotham. I stop the bike and take a good look for my partner when all of a sudden I hear a scream from near by. "HEY! GET THE **** OUT OF HERE, WE DON'T NEED ANY MASKS TELLING US WHAT TO DO!!!!"

BANG! The sound of gun fire gives me the initial reaction to jump out of the way as the bullet hits the bike which is bullet-proof as I see a gang of what appears to be about five men all starring towards me. "Oh ****...that's the guy who knows Batman!!! RUN!" I smile, there was a time where I would hate that, but now it proves useful. I jump into the air and greet one of them with by landing both my feet into his jaw. Getting my esticmas out the other four have a brash encounter with the swift pieces of metal in both my hands as I quickly get rid of them.

THAWP!

I turn around on the sight of the familiar sound and see a man with a shotgun screaming in shock and pain as he gets knocked out and falls to the ground. I turn around and smile.

"How you doing, hot pants?" Roy says with a smile on his face walking to him I give him a high five and pat him on the back. "It's been alright..we got a lot of catching up to do!"

"You're telling me, heard that Bruce came back! Was worried that after a while you'd end up becoming mr. "Dark and Brooding" full time."

"Come on, you know me better than that."

"Anyway, what brings you to Star City this time?" He asks and I then remember about Deathstroke coming back from the dead, how I've known all this time and still didn't tell Roy. I contemplate but I need his help to find out about who's organizing these crimes, I then go on ahead and tell him straight up of what I need help with. "There have been a series of crimes that I stumbled upon in Gotham, but they go all over the globe where loads of data from banks have been deleted and made to look like bank robberies. Some were successful in taking extra cash, some weren't; but all managed to get this deleted. My search brought me to two Gotham crime lords, Warren White- The Great White Shark and Michael Villanci who were apparently partners....I heard Villanci headed off here to Star three days ago to meet up with members of this group here."

Roy nods, "I think I may know where this Villanci guy is heading...it's going to be tough though."

***

Michael Villanci sat in his hotel room quietly waiting by the side phone next to his window eagerly waiting for it to ring. He had been working for his boss for the better part of two years now, his right hand man for the entire crime empire that Two-Face held and re-obtained. After his short tenure as vigilante, Michael felt it was best to stay on his boss' side rather than against- after Two-Face's part in the Dark Alliance he managed to become the most powerful crime lord in America, but only a select few knew they were dealing with him or that he was even still operating.

Suddenly the phone rang, "Hello?" Michael asked impatiently.

"It's me, Dent."

"Oh sorry sir, I've just been on edge these last few nights."

"Understandable...you know the plan of course don't you?"

"I'm a little vague. All I know is that we're "ending" our agreement with Brick and Star City..."

"I've paid off the guys here, we're going to do more than that to Brick! I've hired a shape shifter to have your disguise and as of right now several of other men are planting the explosives in the building..."

"But sir....Brick is invulnerable! That won't do anything, it'll only attract police attention!"

"Exactly, he'll be sent off to the police station and be prosecuted on a fair trial...."

"Okay...does the shape shifter know that he'll be killed?"

"No...and neither do you. Sorry, but I've grown tired of this crime-lord cliché, there's just no....fun in it. Goodbye!"

"What!? N-"

BOOM!

And with that Michael Villanci's hotel room was caught in a heaping blaze of fire and he died for being nothing more than loyal to a schizophrenic.