The "World of Heroes" DC RPG Season VIII

[Keyser Soze]

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.

A giant yellow tarantula descended from the night sky, pinning Batman down onto the roof with its legs. With Batman restrained, The Joker lowered himself before his old foe, hovering inches above the roof.

"As much fun as it is to catch up, I'm not here to fight. No, you see, there are supposed to be two Corps members per sector..."

The Joker opened his hand, revealing a yellow ring. It flew out of his hand, heading towards Batman.

"...and I'm looking for a partner."

<BRUCE WAYNE OF EARTH, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO INSTIL GREAT FEAR...>

 

[wiegeabo]

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?"

"Agreed. If we don't find anything we'll meet back here in five seconds."

We run off, and I veer over to the entrance to the lower levels. Cyborg wasn't really clear on where the Titans were, but he did say he'd make sure the security systems would accept us. I really hope they won't cause any problems for Hunter.

It takes me a couple of seconds to check out the lower lever. This place is like a twisting maze. I spend another second checking the levels above.

I sure hope Wally's having more luck...

 

[Saved]

Titans Tower

Inside the wreck room of the teenage superheroes’ headquarters, two of the team’s members sit quietly before the row of large open windows. Through the glass, a view of San Francisco can clearly be seen, allowing the heroes the perfect lookout to keep watch over the nearby metropolis. The sun wanes in the sky above the city’s buildings, casting a magnificent glow over the landscape. Another typical day on the West Coast continues, going by smoothly and without incident.

As the two Titans rest on the floor, they meditate, holding still as they breathe deeply and calmly. Megan Morse, the team’s newest addition, leads the meditation; her concentration strong and focused. “Now, clear your mind, Zachary,” she says in a still and tranquil manner. “Forget everything and think of emptiness…a void with no emotion, no memories, and no color.” Breaking his focus, Zach opens his eyes and lets out a heavy sigh.

“Why am I doing this again, Megan?” He whines. Megan calmly keeps her position, maintaining her breathing, keeping her eyes closed.
“I told you, Zachary, if we ever face a telepath you have to keep your thoughts under control. Without control, you could reveal important information – or worse, become susceptible to the enemy.”
“Come on, Megan,” Zach scoffs, a wide grin coming over his face. “I know all about this stuff. You have to be weak-minded for it to work on you. I saw Star Wars.”


“That is a movie, Zach.” Megan explains, her voice still unwavering. “Even the strong willed can be overcome by a powerful telepath.” Zach grunts, unconvinced by his team mate’s argument. “Besides, do you want someone reading your personal thoughts all the time?”
“Won’t happen,” he says confidently, leaning backward on his arms and breaking his stance. “I’ve got enough mental power to hide any thoughts I don’t want read from mind readers, anyway.” Megan opens her eyes and turns her head toward Zach, staring directly into his eyes.
“Then I guess you wanted me to know you’re picturing me naked right now?” Zach’s jaw drops and his eyes widen, embarrassed and shocked simultaneously.
“Uh…” Quickly wrangling up an excuse, he shifts into his smooth demeanor and smiles a proud grin. “Heh, yeah. I think I was being pretty generous.”

Before Megan can say a word, Superboy suddenly storms into the room, moving swiftly with both power and purpose. “Conner,” Zach says, shifting his attention to his friend. He looks at his team mate’s face and notices something off about his expression. “Dude... what’s up?” A menacing frown descends over the hero’s face as he stands in silence, pausing for a moment as the muscles in his body become hard and tense.

“Yo, fearless leader, come on – what’s going on?”

“Yes,” Megan says, rising to her feet slowly. “Conner, what’s the matter?”
“The tower under attack? The city in trouble?”
“…not the city.” Superboy suddenly speaks, his voice low and ominous. “Earth.” He raises his arm and points out the window, directing his team’s attention to a strange aggregate of lights in the distance. As the team looks closer, the lights seem to multiply as more appear by the second in a sparkling flashes of yellow bursts. “Titans, with me.” He calls, waiving for his friends to join him as he moves briskly down the hallway. “It’s an invasion.”

 

[Saved]

As the yellow orbs continue to rain down from the sky, the Titans make their way fearlessly toward the coast. Superboy soars toward the city ahead, his eyes remaining fixed on the skyscrapers, focused on the task at hand and nothing else. He’s been distant these last few weeks; detached from his friends and the world. Taking over as team leader has forced the young hero to realize how grim things are, how difficult life has become for he and his team. The constant loss of friends and family has taken its toll on him, causing him to grow up faster than he’d like. The responsibility of keeping what’s left of the Titans together has consumed him now, making him determined to see things through – even through the darkest night.
Flying fast, Superboy leads the pack, moving ahead of Miss Martian who carries Zatara by his arms, dangling him above the ocean as they try to keep up. “Yo, Conner, what’s going on?”
“We’re in public, Z.” He calls back, keeping his eyes fixed ahead. “Secret identities and all that.”
“Right,” he says, agreeing ambivalently. “Superboy – what’s up with the yellow meteors?”
“They’re not meteors. At least, I don’t think they are.”
“Well, what are they?”
“Not sure. The media can’t get a glimpse of them. Every time they rush to the scene of a crash the coverage gets cut off. Whatever these things are, they’re alive – and they’re camera shy.”

Megan turns to Zach, a look of slight confusion on her face. “…Was that a joke?” Zach shrugs his shoulders, unsure of Conner’s tone.
“You’re the mind reader. By the way, you know I could cast a spell and hover there. You don’t need to carry me.”
“This seems faster,” Megan replies quickly. “Besides, I like making you feel uncomfortable. You males humans get so defensive about these things – it’s fascinating.”
“…socially awkward doesn't begin to describe you, Megan.”

“Cut it out you two,” Conner calls back. “Stay alert. Anything can happen at any-“ Suddenly, a bright flash fills the air above them. A purple glow is cast over the area, shining brightly in the waves beneath them as it grows rapidly closer. “MOVE!” He shouts, alerting his team as he flies toward them with all his might. He grabs the two Titans in his arms and forces them back, pushing them out of the way of the falling object, having it miss them by fractions of an inch. A large wave erupts from the water as the purple ufo crashes into the ocean. A spray of cool mist blows across the Titans’ faces, wetting their skin as they catch their breath; recovering from the sudden impact.
“Holy crap…” Zach says, breathing in a labored breath.
“You guys okay?” Superboy asks instinctively, still holding onto his friends in a protective manner.
“I’m uninjured, Kon-El.”
“Yeah, man we’re okay. … Um, you can stop hugging me now.” Superboy ignores Zach’s comment and turns his head, staring at the center of the rippling waves. He focuses his eyes intently, hoping to find the object through the blue waters with his enhanced vision.
“I can’t find it… I don’t see anything down there.”
“What, now it’s gone?!”
“…impossible. No…no, it’s not gone. It’s still down there.”
“But you can’t see it. How do you know?”
“…I’m not sure.”

Zach lets out a heavy sigh as he puts his hand to the side of his head, resting his face in the palm of his hand. “You know, just once I’d like one of my questions answered…”

 

[Green Lantern]

As the yellow orbs continue to rain down from the sky, the Titans make their way fearlessly toward the coast. Superboy soars toward the city ahead, his eyes remaining fixed on the skyscrapers, focused on the task at hand and nothing else. He’s been distant these last few weeks; detached from his friends and the world. Taking over as team leader has forced the young hero to realize how grim things are, how difficult life has become for he and his team. The constant loss of friends and family has taken its toll on him, causing him to grow up faster than he’d like. The responsibility of keeping what’s left of the Titans together has consumed him now, making him determined to see things through – even through the darkest night.
Flying fast, Superboy leads the pack, moving ahead of Miss Martian who carries Zatara by his arms, dangling him above the ocean as they try to keep up. “Yo, Conner, what’s going on?”
“We’re in public, Z.” He calls back, keeping his eyes fixed ahead. “Secret identities and all that.”
“Right,” he says, agreeing ambivalently. “Superboy – what’s up with the yellow meteors?”
“They’re not meteors. At least, I don’t think they are.”
“Well, what are they?”
“Not sure. The media can’t get a glimpse of them. Every time they rush to the scene of a crash the coverage gets cut off. Whatever these things are, they’re alive – and they’re camera shy.”

Megan turns to Zach, a look of slight confusion on her face. “…Was that a joke?” Zach shrugs his shoulders, unsure of Conner’s tone.
“You’re the mind reader. By the way, you know I could cast a spell and hover there. You don’t need to carry me.”
“This seems faster,” Megan replies quickly. “Besides, I like making you feel uncomfortable. You males humans get so defensive about these things – it’s fascinating.”
“…socially awkward doesn't begin to describe you, Megan.”

“Cut it out you two,” Conner calls back. “Stay alert. Anything can happen at any-“ Suddenly, a bright flash fills the air above them. A purple glow is cast over the area, shining brightly in the waves beneath them as it grows rapidly closer. “MOVE!” He shouts, alerting his team as he flies toward them with all his might. He grabs the two Titans in his arms and forces them back, pushing them out of the way of the falling object, having it miss them by fractions of an inch. A large wave erupts from the water as the purple ufo crashes into the ocean. A spray of cool mist blows across the Titans’ faces, wetting their skin as they catch their breath; recovering from the sudden impact.
“Holy crap…” Zach says, breathing in a labored breath.
“You guys okay?” Superboy asks instinctively, still holding onto his friends in a protective manner.
“I’m uninjured, Kon-El.”
“Yeah, man we’re okay. … Um, you can stop hugging me now.” Superboy ignores Zach’s comment and turns his head, staring at the center of the rippling waves. He focuses his eyes intently, hoping to find the object through the blue waters with his enhanced vision.
“I can’t find it… I don’t see anything down there.”
“What, now it’s gone?!”
“…impossible. No…no, it’s not gone. It’s still down there.”
“But you can’t see it. How do you know?”
“…I’m not sure.”

Zach lets out a heavy sigh as he puts his hand to the side of his head, resting his face in the palm of his hand. “You know, just once I’d like one of my questions answered…”

Kara's eyes flickered open underneath the flowing current of the San Francisco bay. She realized she was sunk into the mud, buried to the top of her neck. She remembered all of her time in paradise, but relished this second chance at life. She concentrated as she thrust her body upward, tearing free of the mud. She was so ecstatic to be alive again that she didn't notice the heat enveloping her, as the water in the bay boiled as she flew toward the surface. Seconds later she erupted from the bay towards the sky.

 

[Karem-Knight]

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!!"

The large member of the Parallax Corps makes the first move as we create a large shields protecting us from his mace attacking us, then more beams of yellow light come out to us.

"Anyone got a plan!?" I ask my team-mates urgently, "There may be more of their Corps here right now. But we're all more experienced then they are with our rings, fly quickly and attack them!"

"Got it!" We break up our shield and fly all in opposite directions as Tomar Ru creates a large focus attack on four Lanterns, Arisia manages to hold down two and throw them the side and land hardly onto a building. I create a series of small daggers and launch them to the group leader who blocks them out. He then creates a large whip that comes into contact with my face as I land to the ground below.

"Sodam!" I hear Arisia say as she races down towards the brute whom I think is called Arkillo in rage sending a green radiated blast. He blocks it and grabs her with a claw and throws her to the ground, I get up and react. "LET HER GO!" I run towards him as a series of yellow animals come out of no where come after me.

"If you are here to fulfil a death wish, I say congratulations, mission accomplished!"

Arkillo mocks me as I battle his constructs, he thinks that I'm just another Green Lantern, but he's wrong. I have willpower incarnate on my side and something else, I remember the last time I was here on Earth...the yellow sun; it gave me abilities- flight, super strength, laser eyes and others. That's when I notice all the Parallax Corps members in this city, I then create a bubble and push away Arkillo's constructs away.

"Hey, Ugly!! I have something you want...."

He stares at me with interest and let's go of Arsia.

"I helped Hal Jordon stop your boss when he was possessed by Parallax. That's right, I have the power of Ion....and if you want to to get rid of me, come and get me!!"

I then shoot up into the skies as I hear Arkillo's monstrous voice from the ground. "ALL NEAR BY PARALLAX CORPS MEMBERS! ION IS ESCAPING, I REPEAT ION IS ESCAPING, ALL FOLLOW MY LEAD NOW!!!"

As I fly up towards the planet's atmosphere, I look down on the ground and see over fifty of this Corps' coming up, chasing me. Pulling my head up, I try and get more out of the ring's flight capability as I try and use one of my two secret weapons.

"Ring, percentage of Ion power being generated?"


0.00% ION POWER TEMPORARILY DENIED DUE TO DISOBEYING GUARDIAN RULES.

'Brilliant..." I sigh, that just makes things a bit more difficult. I then take a moment to ponder my other two sources of battle; "Ring, how much yellow sunlight have I stored and what's my ring charge?"

FOUND 64% YELLOW SUNLIGHT CHARGE IN SYSTEM. POWER RING LEVELS AT 55.9%

"Good enough...uck!!" A yellow claw comes out of no where and binds my neck crushing it as a Yellow Lantern comes in front of me smiling, "Looks like I got him!" he says. Using my anger I punch him in the chest, only to find that his organs in my finger tips and blood pouring out of his chest.

"Oops..."

PARALLAX OF SECTOR 1248 DECEASED, SCANNING SECTOR 1248 FOR REPLACEMENT.

He falls from my grip as all the other Parallax Lanterns stare at me in awe and dare to say it, I think their scared. I just smile at them; "Here we go!"

They all start blasting yellow bolts as my green shield prevents it, I create a series of hard light aliens and members of the Corps I can think of and to start distracting the yellow lanterns as they try and get rid of them, but I fly quickly using my natural biology and fly through a series of them; cutting them in half.

PARALLAX OF SECTOR 3467 DECEASED, SCANNING SECTOR 3467 FOR REPLACEMENT

PARALLAX OF SECTOR 2829 DECEASED, SCANNING SECTOR 2829 FOR REPLACEMENT

PARALLAX OF SECTOR 879 DECEASED, SCANNING SECTOR 879 FOR REPLACEMENT

By passing Corps' law, I don't use the power ring to kill my enemies, I use my other powers to even up the playing field; without Ion it's gotten trickier to use the power ring and need to get used to these other powers. All of a sudden I get hit by a series of yellow boulder and trapped in a yellow dome.

"So...a lantern that doesn't mind killing for a change!!? GET OUT AND LET'S FIGHT MAN TO MAN!!!!" Arkillo flies with me in a box then throws me from the sky to a highway down below as my impact creates a temporary shock wave in it. Flying towards me he creates yellow tanks that come running towards me and bombard me, using a shield I block them out before he gives me a canon blast of yellow energy as I get knocked back to the floor again. He comes running with a yellow sword, smiling


"SAY GOODNIGHT, LANTERN!!!' He brings the sword coming next to my face but I block it with another force field and create a vice crushing his hand.

"You've got a really big mouth, you know that!?" I use a blast of heat vision onto his chest to give him a painful burning sensation and uppercut his jaw as he goes flying through the air, creating a large bubble for him I then throw him right down to the ground, then flying towards him I use my heat vision on his left hand, where his ring is and cut his finger off.

"ARRRRRGHHHH!!!" He screams in pain, he then gets up charging towards me but I grab him by the neck and hold his tongue.

"Shut up!"

I rip his tongue from his jaw and throw it to the ground before knocking him out with my fist, I create a green construct and encase him round the bubble.

"This is Sodam Yat of Sector 1760, I'm giving you Arkillo Parallax Lantern of Sector 674; send him to the Sciencels!"

​

 

[Byrd Man]

A giant yellow tarantula descended from the night sky, pinning Batman down onto the roof with its legs. With Batman restrained, The Joker lowered himself before his old foe, hovering inches above the roof.

"As much fun as it is to catch up, I'm not here to fight. No, you see, there are supposed to be two Corps members per sector..."

The Joker opened his hand, revealing a yellow ring. It flew out of his hand, heading towards Batman.

"...and I'm looking for a partner."

<BRUCE WAYNE OF EARTH, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO INSTILL GREAT FEAR...>

The yellow ring hovers in front of me, calling and beckoning me.

"There's a difference in being able to scare superstitious and cowardly criminals and terrifying innocent people."

I clear my throat and speak clearly.

"Voice command: lenses and ears."

UV lenses slip over my regular opaque ones, and an extra layer of protection covers my ears.

"Voice command: Flash bang"

BOOM!

The twelve flash grenades I placed on the rooftop go off simultaneously, creating a blinding light and deafening nose. The light and sound break Joker's concentration, allowing me to slip free of his monster.

 

[Byrd Man]

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 Sinestro is not the only traitor to the Green Lantern Corps."

I toss up a shield and duck behind the giant bull statue on Wall Street.

"I ain't a traitor, Fatality. I was kicked out for running my mouth too damn much."

I hear a clicking sound and see a gigantic yellow scorpion standing on the bull above me.

"How ya doing?"

I blast away from the monster and project an violet can of bug spray.

"Get outta here!"

I spay the scorpion and watch it wither away.

"Funny, Gardner. But your mouth will be your undoing."

"Yeah, and not having eyes in the back of your head will be yours.."

"What?"

One of my wingwomen blasts Fatality in the back with a violet bolt of energy. The Parallax Corps member disappears in a flash of purple.

"Jesus Chirst, you vaporized her!"

"No, I did not. The ring indicated she has the ability to love, no matter how dormant it is. I simply sent her to Zamaron for reeducation. She will be imprisoned inside a crystal case and emerge as a member of the Star Sapphire Corps."

"So you shanghied her into joining our side...can't say I approve of that off hand...but what the hell. C'mon, let's go."

With the Star Sapphire at my side I bolt out of New York and head west, looking for the next Parallax Corps member to beat the snot out of.

 

[Catman_prb]

Gotham City

"What's that in the sky?"

"Is it a bird?"

"Looks more like a whale,"

"You're both wrong - it's some kind of manta-ray,"

Tim Drake sped through the streets of Gotham on his bike, Stephanie Brown clinging on weakly to his back. In the sky above him was a colossal creature that partially resembled a giant stingray. There was a crackling of energy, and the street lights began to dim. Stephanie's grasp grew weaker.

"Come on Steph, hang in there," he murmured as he sped towards the cave.

"Batman? Oracle? Come in," he shouted into the commlink in his ear. He looked up at the behemoth above him, that was surely interfering with his signal somehow.

There was a crash as something large and winged crashed into the side of the bike, knocking it over and sending the passengers sprawling along the hard roadside. Tim looked up at the creature that towered over him, resembling a pterodactyl.

"Shall we kill the girl first?" it asked, showing an alarming number of teeth.

"Bring it," Tim growled, launching himself at the creature. It easily back handed him, knocking him back against the ground.

"What the hell are you?" Tim asked, wiping blood from his mouth.

"We are fear," the grinning monster said, advancing towards him.

 

[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.

Star City, outside the gang meeting

Me and Roy managed to get the information of the meeting between Villanci and a Star City crime lord, apparently he's the main boss in the entire city. We watch from the near by building waiting for both of them to arrive.

"Thanks for the help by the way Roy..."

"No problem, Dick. Always here to help out." As he says that, I think about Slade and how Roy deserves to know, but what are the chances he would go out to find Deathstroke again? Can I take the risk? I try and focus on the stake out and finally find out just what the hell this organization is about. We see a limousine park up outside the warehouse as four men dressed in suits come out of the car.

"There he is!" Michael Villanci, medium build and medium height with black hair; kind of hard to pick out in a crowd. Guess that's why he managed to come out of the radar all this time, focusing my binoculars Roy does as well as we see the man that's waiting for Villanci.

"Nice of you to turn up." We hear say from the short range microphones in our scope sights as Villanci nods "Sorry, we got held up halfway; the boss wanted us to have this meeting go as smoothly as possible."

"Let's make this clear, that schizophrenic nutjob isn't as big as he was, the Dark Alliance is gone. And when he went around playing dress up, that was when most of us had enough and that's when we spread ourselves out! You and Shark are the only ones still working with him...."

"Yes, Mr. Brickwell....but the half the money you own still belongs to him. And he would like it back."


"Just like I thought, Brick." Roy says. "Brick? Is that what he calls himself!?"


"It's a funny name, yeah...but this guy is powerful. Me and Ollie wants him with a bomb and didn't even phase him, particularity invulnerable!"

"Great..." I say with a sigh when all of a sudden I get an incoming call in the com-link.

"Nightwing.."

"It's Oracle. I just heard there was an explosion in the Star City Resort Hotel downtown, only one room where Michael Villanci was staying in. They found his body, well what was left with it."

"But Villanci's right there...we can see him in plain view!"

"Yeah, but whoever he's working for wasn't happy. Chances are who ever is in there is a shape shifter...wait...Dick you have to go in there, now!!"

"Why!?"

"I just saw surveillance from this morning..a bunch of guys were planting stuff there, looked like explosives! Dick you have to get there..."

"Roy! We're going in..." I say without hesitation and jump towards the warehouse. "Wait, what's going on...."

"It's gonna blow-"

BOOM
The force of the explosion sends me and Roy back and we hit the ground, my back hurts as I see Brick coming out from the debris.

"YOU!" He says, his clothes torn as he stares down at us with anger running, Roy takes the initiative. "Here you go, big guy!!"

Throwing grenades at Brick, it forces him back he then gets a series of arrows and fires mostly explosive ones stunning him. That's when I know not to hold back with this guy, getting a zip line I capture his legs; jump out and kick him by the back. It hurts but managed to knock him down.

"You're gonna pay for this, you two!! I've had enough of Green Arrow and his friends!!"

"We didn't cause the explosion, you were set up!" I say as he breaks the lines, Roy gets in his way shooting another arrow but he throws him out of the way like he's nothing. That's when I run out of options, jumping out of the way I press a few co-ordinates on my gauntlet and throw a small tracer at Brick; he doesn't even notice. The cost of this however is that he kicks me next to Roy as I land in the alleyway.

"We might want to stay here for a moment...."

"Why?"

"I'll kill you....I'll.......oh ****..." the Batplane I borrowed from Bruce comes flying down the wide street at full throttle and flies towards Brick with all it's power.

"Get an explosive!"

"No problem!" Roy then gets out a whole bag full of them and taking the pin off one and it hits the plane as another massive explosion comes toward Brick. We then walk over to see him unconscious.

"How long till the police get here?"

"Five minutes...he'll be in a cell by nine."

"Huh.....want to get something to eat?"

"Sure."

 

[Watchman]

Yellow, violet, and green lights shine through the night sky. The earth has become host to the opening shots of a new war. The prophecy was falling into place. It was time to unleash his power, to show his hand. While their soldiers play in their pointless games his hand will crush them all.

An decrepit giant sits in his office, slamming his cane on the floor. The body was almost useless. He only needed the body for a few more days. Once the Black Hand did his deed the world would face his true power. Reality itself was coming apart at the seems and now Darkseid was here to mend it, bend it to his favor. The war would quicken it.

"Yes, master?"

"It is time, Desaad," Boss "Dark Side" spoke with heavy breaths, barely able to get each word out.

"Send the Black Hand to Oa. The Guardians will pay for their interference and then I will destroy all that they protect. All will be mine. My will be done."

"As you wish."

*********
Coast City,

"His acolytes, the time has come."

Godfrey, in his more traditional outfit, stood in his makeshift church of crime. Black Hand stood next him clutching the skull. They stood in front of an alter where the Book of Crime sat with a skull resting on top of it. In back of him hung a large black flag with a red Omega symbol on it.

"Yes, let the skies bleed red, the world will crack when we show ourselves. The Guardians of the universe will burn and the spirit of willpower will dissipate under his grasp. The corps of resistance will be dragged down, beaten, and remade in his image. All for him, all for Darkseid."

The room was filled with people in different costumes but all wearing the same helmet. All they just needed to be is activated.

"His Justifers, let the world burn! Destroy the infidels of Anti-Life. Let those that cherish freedom, their mind, their emotions be wiped out. You are his limbs, your our his fist that crushes all resistance, you are his boot that stomps the light of freedom."

"We are Darkseid," the crowd said in unison, "anti-life justifies our actions."

"Yes! Now what must you do!"

"Die! Die for Darkseid!" Godfrey turned to Black Hand.

"They wait for your signal. Granny waits for you. Go Black Hand," Godfrey activates a boom tube.

Black Hand steps through finding himself not on Earth anymore but Oa.

 

[Keyser Soze]

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."

Sector 2814
Earth

The voice I hear as I enter the orbit of my homeworld is a familiar one, but not one I ever thought I'd hear again. Can it really be Barry?

"I'm heading to Central City," I say to Boodikka.

"No, Jordan, you are to be under our guard, and there are higher-priority areas designated for us to attend to."

"Well attend to them! You can track me through my ring, you'll know where I am. Carol, go to Coast City, make sure Martin is safe."

We all go our separate ways, with me heading to Central City. When I arrive at the source of the distress call, I'm amazed to find that my ears did not deceive me.

"Barry! How?"

 

[Karem-Knight]

Star City, outside the gang meeting

Me and Roy managed to get the information of the meeting between Villanci and a Star City crime lord, apparently he's the main boss in the entire city. We watch from the near by building waiting for both of them to arrive.

"Thanks for the help by the way Roy..."

"No problem, Dick. Always here to help out." As he says that, I think about Slade and how Roy deserves to know, but what are the chances he would go out to find Deathstroke again? Can I take the risk? I try and focus on the stake out and finally find out just what the hell this organization is about. We see a limousine park up outside the warehouse as four men dressed in suits come out of the car.

"There he is!" Michael Villanci, medium build and medium height with black hair; kind of hard to pick out in a crowd. Guess that's why he managed to come out of the radar all this time, focusing my binoculars Roy does as well as we see the man that's waiting for Villanci.

"Nice of you to turn up." We hear say from the short range microphones in our scope sights as Villanci nods "Sorry, we got held up halfway; the boss wanted us to have this meeting go as smoothly as possible."

"Let's make this clear, that schizophrenic nutjob isn't as big as he was, the Dark Alliance is gone. And when he went around playing dress up, that was when most of us had enough and that's when we spread ourselves out! You and Shark are the only ones still working with him...."

"Yes, Mr. Brickwell....but the half the money you own still belongs to him. And he would like it back."


"Just like I thought, Brick." Roy says. "Brick? Is that what he calls himself!?"


"It's a funny name, yeah...but this guy is powerful. Me and Ollie wants him with a bomb and didn't even phase him, particularity invulnerable!"

"Great..." I say with a sigh when all of a sudden I get an incoming call in the com-link.

"Nightwing.."

"It's Oracle. I just heard there was an explosion in the Star City Resort Hotel downtown, only one room where Michael Villanci was staying in. They found his body, well what was left with it."

"But Villanci's right there...we can see him in plain view!"

"Yeah, but whoever he's working for wasn't happy. Chances are who ever is in there is a shape shifter...wait...Dick you have to go in there, now!!"

"Why!?"

"I just saw surveillance from this morning..a bunch of guys were planting stuff there, looked like explosives! Dick you have to get there..."

"Roy! We're going in..." I say without hesitation and jump towards the warehouse. "Wait, what's going on...."

"It's gonna blow-"

BOOM
The force of the explosion sends me and Roy back and we hit the ground, my back hurts as I see Brick coming out from the debris.

"YOU!" He says, his clothes torn as he stares down at us with anger running, Roy takes the initiative. "Here you go, big guy!!"

Throwing grenades at Brick, it forces him back he then gets a series of arrows and fires mostly explosive ones stunning him. That's when I know not to hold back with this guy, getting a zip line I capture his legs; jump out and kick him by the back. It hurts but managed to knock him down.

"You're gonna pay for this, you two!! I've had enough of Green Arrow and his friends!!"

"We didn't cause the explosion, you were set up!" I say as he breaks the lines, Roy gets in his way shooting another arrow but he throws him out of the way like he's nothing. That's when I run out of options, jumping out of the way I press a few co-ordinates on my gauntlet and throw a small tracer at Brick; he doesn't even notice. The cost of this however is that he kicks me next to Roy as I land in the alleyway.

"We might want to stay here for a moment...."

"Why?"

"I'll kill you....I'll.......oh ****..." the Batplane I borrowed from Bruce comes flying down the wide street at full throttle and flies towards Brick with all it's power.

"Get an explosive!"

"No problem!" Roy then gets out a whole bag full of them and taking the pin off one and it hits the plane as another massive explosion comes toward Brick. We then walk over to see him unconscious.

"How long till the police get here?"

"Five minutes...he'll be in a cell by nine."

"Huh.....want to get something to eat?"

"Sure."

Star City Police Headquarters

After quickly getting a sandwich from a near drive through, me and Roy headed down the police quarters in full-costume; though I had all the time in the world to tell him about Deathstroke, I leave it till later. It's not something I want totell him in the middle of my case and probably the only likely break through I'll get.

When we arrive there we come in through a window as a police woman walks past us and smiles at us. "Well, well....if it isn't my favourite superhero?" Roy smiles and kisses her "I'm doing fine..how's the best looking officer in the city?" She chuckles "Okay, you may have taken down Brick...but that doesn't mean you can flirt with me all the time."

"Well...I didn't do it alone obviously." He points to me as I just humbly smile and wave to her. "He's down stairs, we have a few high powered guards...but I'm a little worried why he hasn't tried escaping us yet." We follow her down the stairs into the holding cells and not surprisingly, Brick has the largest one.

"Good cop, bad cop?"

"Which one would I be?"

"You kidding me? You may have been raised by Batman but you're the biggest pansy with fighting skills I know...."

I laugh and get the awkwardness of my situation out of the way as we walk into the holding cells and see Brick sitting down with a patient expression on his face.

"I'd like some orange soda."

He says and I intermediately feel in a bad situation but remind myself that this is how the guy probably works. Through fear and making people think he's above everyone else, when really he's not.

"I don't know about that Danny, you're already too sweet."

"Heh...Arsenal....and Nightwing. Two men I'm sure are gonna have a price on their heads after this is all over!"

"What's your connection with Michael Villanci and The Great White Shark?"

"None. They're dead..."

I underestimated this guy not only is he quite powerful, he also knows the loop holes of the justice system. I should have listened more closely to Babs about her information on him, defiantly someone I can see Green Arrow and everyone having a hard time coping with.

"Yeah well, that's where you'll probably end up as well if you don't tells us. If they got killed what makes you think someone isn't after you? You may be hard to hurt Danny...but you're not invincible!"

I forgot almost how good Roy was at summarising the bad guy's flaws like that; never afraid to make things a little dirtier when they need to be. Brick goes silent for a moment and thinks before continuing the conversation.

"What do I get for giving you any information?"

"Same thing I told Penguin, whoever the main boss behind this group is...he obviously has a strong hold on all of your separate businesses and his reach stretches the entire company. If you tell me who he is then maybe things can go back to the way they were."

"I don't name names.....but I can tell you this; he's in your hometown. Gotham, if you can track down the Calculator then you'll find whose been running the show all this time."

"Is that it!? Listen, I know it's only a matter of time before you get out again...but you tells us who this guy is or...."

"We got what we came for...let's go."

Roy gives a small look of confusion before following me to the door and out of the headquaters, time that I finally headed home.

Star City Station

After leaving the police station I changed back into my civilian clothes and with the old Bat plane destroyed, it was best just to get back to Gotham the old fashioned way via train. Roy decided to come with me as I departed wearing a hoodie and jeans while I got my old leather jacket.

"Hate to see you go, short pants..."

"That name never gets old for you, does it?"

"Heh, I'll keep saying it till one of us dies...."

As we wait by the platform I check the time and the train would be here in five minutes I let out a sigh and look to the ground, knowing I have to tell him.

"Hey! Come on, it's not that bad a nickname!"

"Roy, before I go...I need to tell you something."

My expression says it all; he looks at me confused again but also worried this time. "Yeah sure Dick...what is it?"

"I should have told you sooner....it was just before Bruce came back but I wasn't sure....me and Tim fought him and Promethues a month ago they were dressed as Batman......he's alive, Roy."

"What? Who.........no...."

"I'm sorry, I should have told you sooner but I...."

"How!? I killed him, strangled him....it isn't.....are you..."

"Roy, I fought him with Tim and...."

"Why didn't you tell me!!!? That bastard killed Tera, Vic, Kara....he even tried to get to my daughter Dick, blinded her in one eye!!!! Why didn't you tell me....."

"Roy, I'm sorry! I wanted to but I was worried...."

"Know what!? Just forget it.....see ya around!"

He walks away angrily as I try to get him back but it's too late as he rushes off, I just close my eyes and sigh. "Dammit..."

"All boarding for Gotham City! Attention, all boarding for Gotham City!!!"

I then walk over to the train and get on my way back to Gotham, I try to think about the case and what Brick said but I can't and just keep feeling guilty about not telling Roy.

Arkham Aslyum

Harvey Dent sat in his cell thinking of his plans and how Nightwing once again interrupted them, the former boy wonder was becoming more of a nuisance than Batman was recently. Dent tried to keep himself occupied without the constant sound of teasing that Two-Face would throw his way, when all of a sudden the entire compound shook and a beam of yellow light hit the building.

"What the hell..." Harvey said rushing to his cell window when all of a sudden all the doors in the entire Aslyum opened wide as a fish looking alien hovered above the mad house.

"ATTENTION! I AM ROMAT-RU, PARALLAX CORPS LANTERN OF SECTOR 2813...MY FELLOW LANTERN OF THIS SECTOR HAS TOLD ME TO FREE ALL OF YOU...YOU KNOW HIM AS THE JOKER YOU ARE FREE TO GO!!!!"

A massive amount of screams of joy came to all the inmates as they all rushed outside of their cells and ran riots to the end out of the Aslyum as the yellow lanterns cleared a path for them away from the guards. However, Harvey stood there watching by as he got out his lucky coin and flipped it.

It landed scarred side up.

"....well, Harv...looks like we're free to go!"

 

[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!"

As the ring takes me higher and higher, I get a better view of what's happening. From horizon to horizon I see yellow lights descending to the surface. Among them are a few purple flashes, hopelessly outnumbered. It's right about now I really wish I knew what was going on.

"Hal? Jon? Kyle? Anybody! I could use some help here. How do you use these damn rings?!"

Request for training already acknowledged. Approaching optimal altitude for safe hyperspace traversal.

"Doing what for the what now? I don't want to go anywhere. I need to get back to Earth."

 

[Byrd Man]

I climb higher into the sky, heading west towards Chicago when an emerald blip catches my eye.

Request for training already acknowledged. Approaching optimal altitude for safe hyperspace traversal.

"Doing what for the what now? I don't want to go anywhere. I need to get back to Earth."

"Holy Hell," I say as I come to a stop beside the elderly crime fighter.

"They'll give anybody a GL ring."

 

[wiegeabo]

I climb higher into the sky, heading west towards Chicago when an emerald blip catches my eye.



"Holy Hell," I say as I come to a stop beside the elderly crime fighter.

"They'll give anybody a GL ring."

Finally, somebody. Even if it is Guy.

"Don't just float there and yammer on. Tell me how to control this thing before I end up halfway across the universe."

 

[Byrd Man]

Finally, somebody. Even if it is Guy.

"Don't just float there and yammer on. Tell me how to control this thing before I end up halfway across the universe."

"Settle down, gramps."

I cross my arms and smile at Wildcat.

"First Scott, then you...give Garrick a power ring and you can start the Geezer Lantern Corps..."

Grant shoots me a look that tells me what he'd do if he didn't need me.

"A power ring is a weapon of willpower, pure and simple. You gotta picture something in your mind and do it...like so..."

A violet beam shoots out of my ring and turns into a purple dragon. The dragon glides through the air, belching violet fire. The dragon evaporates with a wave of my hand.

"I just hope you aren't too punch-drunk to actually stay focused."

 

[wiegeabo]

"Har, har. Tell me again why that dragon was purple and not green?"

Ok, willpower. I can do willpower. I went 15 rounds against Joe Walcott, I can do this.

"Ok ring, land my back at the Brownstone right now." I just keep floating higher into the sky, the air thining to the darkness of space. "Stop. Right. Here."

Still nothing.

"You've got to be kidding me."

I reach deep down. To the way I felt that time I was at an 8 count against Archie Moore. Took everything I had to get up from that cross he landed on my. But I got up.

"I. Said. Stop"

Willpower override detected. Manual control re-enabled.

I suddenly lurch to a stop way above the Earth. But at least I'm not getting any higher. "That's more like it."

 

[Byrd Man]

"Har, har. Tell me again why that dragon was purple and not green?"

Ok, willpower. I can do willpower. I went 15 rounds against Joe Walcott, I can do this.

"Ok ring, land my back at the Brownstone right now." I just keep floating higher into the sky, the air thining to the darkness of space. "Stop. Right. Here."

Still nothing.

"You've got to be kidding me."

I reach deep down. To the way I felt that time I was at an 8 count against Archie Moore. Took everything I had to get up from that cross he landed on my. But I got up.

"I. Said. Stop"

Willpower override detected. Manual control re-enabled.

I suddenly lurch to a stop way above the Earth. But at least I'm not getting any higher. "That's more like it."

"There ya go! After all breaking in newbies for all those years, it's your turn to be the rookie. And about the color change, I got kicked outta the GLC for asking too many questions. I took up with another faction in this little corps war. Looks like you're my replacement, Grant."

Far down below us, something explodes.

"Damn. Looks like we're needed. Stick close to me and I'll teach you a thing or two."

I smile and blast off towards the explosion below.

"Keep up, rookie!"

 

[wiegeabo]

Gardner takes off. "Call me rookie again, kid, and I'll give you this ring back when I shove my fist into your face."

Focusing myself again, I will my ring to fly. And take off in the completely wrong direction.

"WHOAAAA!!!!"

I flail about as the ring spins and loops me around worse than any rollercoaster I've ever been on.

"What's wrong with this thing?"

Ring is responding to Corps member's directives. Detection of fear overriding willpower.

"Fear? I ain't scared on anything." But even I don't believe it. First I die. Then I find out I have a son. Now I've been drafted into an intergalactic space patrol and have no idea what I'm doing. I'd be crazy not to be scared.

But I don't like being scared. And I'll not have it controlling me now when it never used to. So I take a deep breath, calm my heartbeat, and look at my ring.

"Fine. You want a master who's in control? You've got one. Now you do what I want before I send you packing back to your little green creators."

Willpower connection re-established. Ring under control of Green Lantern 2814.3.

"I guess that means me. Alright then, let's go." And for the first time since it landed on my finger, the ring does exactly what I want. I shoot back down towards Earth, flames briefly licking my protective field as I scorch through the air.

I zoom right past Gardner.

"Hey, slow-poke! Do try and keep up with the old guy."

 

[SuperFerret]

Sector 2814
Earth

The voice I hear as I enter the orbit of my homeworld is a familiar one, but not one I ever thought I'd hear again. Can it really be Barry?

"I'm heading to Central City," I say to Boodikka.

"No, Jordan, you are to be under our guard, and there are higher-priority areas designated for us to attend to."

"Well attend to them! You can track me through my ring, you'll know where I am. Carol, go to Coast City, make sure Martin is safe."

We all go our separate ways, with me heading to Central City. When I arrive at the source of the distress call, I'm amazed to find that my ears did not deceive me.

"Barry! How?"

"It'sabouttimeyougothere,Hal.Trustme,I'maspuzzledastowhyI'mbackasyouare." Another yellow beam narrowly misses me, passing between Hal and I. I'd slow down, but the beams have been getting closer with every time I went faster. "YoumindtakingcareofSinestroforme?

 

[Byrd Man]

"I guess that means me. Alright then, let's go." And for the first time since it landed on my finger, the ring does exactly what I want. I shoot back down towards Earth, flames briefly licking my protective field as I scorch through the air.

I zoom right past Gardner.

"Hey, slow-poke! Do try and keep up with the old guy."

I speed up and fly right beside Wildcat.

"Just be careful with these yellow dudes. Your ring runs on willpower, theirs runs on fear. Since you're....new, you might have trouble against yellow objects. It's an impurity in the rings known as Parallax. That's the thing that took control of Hal when he wigged out a few years back. Just do your best to overcome fear, and we can win this."

Leaving green and purple energy trails, we blast come down through the sky and into Chicago. Weaving through the buildings, a yellow blast of energy whizzes by.

A blue-skinned Parallax Corps member charges at us, wielding a yellow sword.

 

[wiegeabo]

I speed up and fly right beside Wildcat.

"Just be careful with these yellow dudes. Your ring runs on willpower, theirs runs on fear. Since you're....new, you might have trouble against yellow objects. It's an impurity in the rings known as Parallax. That's the thing that took control of Hal when he wigged out a few years back. Just do your best to overcome fear, and we can win this."

Leaving green and purple energy trails, we blast come down through the sky and into Chicago. Weaving through the buildings, a yellow blast of energy whizzes by.

A blue-skinned Parallax Corps member charges at us, wielding a yellow sword.

The creature sneers and roars, threatening to drink my blood and defecate it on my loved ones.

"Oh, please." He brings the sword down on my head, but the blade just shatters. I pull back and punch it square in the face. The sound of breaking bone is universal. It's eyes roll down, and it drops to the street below.

"Fear? Like that guy has anything on Johnny Sorrow."

Another pair drop down on us. I don't even hesitate as I launch myself at them. I punch and kick like a madman, and before I know it, I'm actually laughing. The ring protects me from any injury and amps up my blows. I might as well be shadow boxing. I don't even get covered in their blood.

In less than a minute, I've put these two palookas on the ground. I think one even starts crying for his mom. "I could get used to this."

I turn back to Guy, grinning like a kid on Halloween. "How was that, boss?."

 

[Keyser Soze]

"It'sabouttimeyougothere,Hal.Trustme,I'maspuzzledastowhyI'mbackasyouare." Another yellow beam narrowly misses me, passing between Hal and I. I'd slow down, but the beams have been getting closer with every time I went faster. "YoumindtakingcareofSinestroforme?

"Sinestro's dead," I reply, trying to push the enormity of this situation to the back of my mind, "Whoever is behind this... it's not him."

Then again, I've been wrong about Sinestro being dead before. I've been wrong about Sinestro in a lot of ways...

I look up at the direction of the yellow beams. This is real long-distance, coming from deep orbit.... the moon. I recall the messages from Kyle and Sodam I've been hearing, and speak into my GL ring.

"This is Jordan. Are you guys anywhere near the moon? We're under fire from a sniper, can you see if you can find the shooter?"

 

[Byrd Man]

"Fear? Like that guy has anything on Johnny Sorrow."

Another pair drop down on us. I don't even hesitate as I launch myself at them. I punch and kick like a madman, and before I know it, I'm actually laughing. The ring protects me from any injury and amps up my blows. I might as well be shadow boxing. I don't even get covered in their blood.

In less than a minute, I've put these two palookas on the ground. I think one even starts crying for his mom. "I could get used to this."

I turn back to Guy, grinning like a kid on Halloween. "How was that, boss?."

"Not too shabby, pops. But you're relying too much on close-range attacks. Punching and kicking are good attacks, but a good ring-slinger will be able to pick you off before you even get close enough to hit 'em."

I've never been big on teaching...but I could get used to this.

"We can work on that in a-"

Another member of the Parallax Corps, this one a lady with hair covering her face, attacks us with a pack of yellow hellhounds.

"Looks like somebody's about to get neutered!"