The "World of Heroes" DC RPG Season VIII

[Optikal]

The three-headed monster pounces on me. Tossing my ring forward, I create a purple shield. The monster slams against it, creating minute cracks in the shield.

This monster is a big *****, that's for sure. But I ain't afraid. Even if I ain't slinging a green ring, I'll never be afraid.

"Hey, jerkwad! Here's a taste of the power of love!"

I thrust forward with my shield, battering the monster away. I charge Atrocitus, a violet spike jutting from my power ring and aimed for his throat.

For some damn reason, I got that Huey Lewis song from Back to the Future stuck in my head.

The Chimera melts as Atrocitus, bleeding heavily from the wound at his shoulder and the pain in his lower abdomen fuelling his power, creates huge claws upon his own, already formidible fists.

As Gardner closes in upon him, Atrocitus sees from the left, the familiar face of Amon Sur, a crimson whip lashing out to wrap around Garners throat. Guy is thrown back as the new Red Lantern corralls him. Atrocitus closes in, watching the Star Sapphire struggle with the choking construct. "How does it feel Gardner? How does it feel to be outnumbered and out-matched? How does it feel to look into the eyes of your executioner and realise that you are truly powerless to stop the crimson tide?"

Atrocitus turned to Amon Sur and nodded as he wrestled with Gardner. "Kill this insect Amon. I've had my fill of his interference".

 

[Byrd Man]

The Chimera melts as Atrocitus, bleeding heavily from the wound at his shoulder and the pain in his lower abdomen fuelling his power, creates huge claws upon his own, already formidible fists.

As Gardner closes in upon him, Atrocitus sees from the left, the familiar face of Amon Sur, a crimson whip lashing out to wrap around Garners throat. Guy is thrown back as the new Red Lantern corralls him. Atrocitus closes in, watching the Star Sapphire struggle with the choking construct. "How does it feel Gardner? How does it feel to be outnumbered and out-matched? How does it feel to look into the eyes of your executioner and realise that you are truly powerless to stop the crimson tide?"

Atrocitus turned to Amon Sur and nodded as he wrestled with Gardner. "Kill this insect Amon. I've had my fill of his interference".

Amon Sur. Of all the ****ers in the galaxy...it has to be the one not worthy to carry on his daddy's legacy that does me.

"You have no idea how much I'll enjoy this, Earthman."

The whip tightens around my throat. The edges of my vision begin to dim.

"waolmhusa"

Sur brings me in closer, slightly releasing his grip on my throat. His hot breath stings my face.

"What was that, Gardner?"

"You forgot to hold down my ring hand!"

Just like that, a violet rhino crashes into Amon Sur. The force of the blow sends the Red Lantern gliding through the air. The rhino stops and I leap on to the purple construct, riding it as the animal turns its attention to Atrocitus and charges the Red Lantern leader.

"Let's see how angry you get when you got a rhino's horn up your red ass!"

 

[Green Lantern]

The image of his cousin's mortal form floating above him fills Conner with a sense of nostalgia. Emotions sweep through him, memories filling his mind of the good times when things weren't so complicated and perverse. "...You're alive..." As he begins to drop his guard, a cautionary thought suddenly pops into his mind. He remembers the fight with Powerboy - the painful betrayal - all because he droped his guard for only a moment.

"Wait," he says in a stern voice, pulling back hesitantly."I watched you die. I saw you fade into the afterlife... You can't be Kara." He raises tenses his body as his eyes begin to burn a deep red, thin smoke billowing from his corneas. "Explain. Now."

As she calms, and breathes slowly, preparing to explain her new mission, the wings of flame disappear from her back leaving instead her traditional cape. She spoke in a whisper that she knew only Kon would be able to hear.

"Kon. Conner. It is me. Remember that time you slipped laxative into my slice of Ma's apple pie? Only I caught you and made YOU eat it? Would a doppleganger know that? I've been given a second chance Kon, like Kal before me. I have a mission, and thats to balance the forces of good and evil in this upcoming war. That is why I am back."

The second part of her statement was loud enough for the whole team to hear.

 

[Catman_prb]

The Batcave

"This is not good," Tim said, pulling off his mask as the large metal blast door rolled back into place covering the cave.

"What, the alien invasion or anything in particular?" Steph asked, trotting after him as he stalked over to the computer.

"Just generally," he said, smirking. Looking over at his blonde companion, he was mildly amused to see the look of wonder on her face.

"Remind me to give you a proper tour when the world's not ending," he smiled.

"Uhhu," Steph said.

Tim tapped at the computer until the comms screen came up.

"This is Red Robin, broadcasting on emergancy frequencies. Batman, Oracle, Nightwing, Superboy, anyone out there reading me? What's going on on your end? Do we have any idea who these people are? Over,"

There was the sound of something breaking upstairs and muffled voices. Tim dropped into a defensive stance, drawing his bo staff.

"I demand that you unhand me you common street walker!" a haughty, and slightly shrill, voice called out.

"Shut up you little brat!"

"I don't suppose we could all stop breaking things for five minutes to check and see who's in the cave?"

"Honey, I'm home," Tim sighed to himself.

"It's okay Alfred, it's us," he said to the room at large.

Rose, Alfred and Damian appeared at the foot of the stairs, all of them looking absolutely furious.

"Oh, it's the cuckold," the small, black haired boy said brightly.

"You wouldn't believe what that little ****'s done-" Rose started.

"Don't want to hear about it - impending apocalypse," Tim said, hastily holding up his hands.

"Isn't there always?" Rose said, looking increasingly close to punching something.

"Do you hear that?" Steph said, her head twisting around frantically.

"And who's this?" Rose asked, putting her hands over her swollen belly and glaring daggers at the blonde superheroine.

"This is Spoiler,"

"Please, Steph," she said absently, looking at the large bulkhead that appeared to be glowing yellow "I think they're trying to get in,"

 

[SuperFerret]

"You're right."

I look over the wreckage of my car. Joker did a number on it, that much is certain.

"Enough nostalgia for now. I was sent word a few minutes ago about a breakout at Arkham. We need to get there and help contain the escapees anyway possible."

"Then we shouldn't dilly-dally." I rush over to Bruce, grabbing him and running the both of us over to Arkham Asylum in no time. "Sorry about that, but I figured you'd want to get over here as soon as possible."

 

[Keyser Soze]

I need to find Martin. I need to find my son...

I don't know what I'm doing here! I'm flying on auto-pilot, hoping a plan will formulate in my head somewhere along the way. Damnit, Hal, you can't do it like this, not this time!

I'm broken from my thoughts by Amon Sur flying past me.

[/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/SIZE]Just like that, a violet rhino crashes into Amon Sur. The force of the blow sends the Red Lantern gliding through the air. The rhino stops and I leap on to the purple construct, riding it as the animal turns its attention to Atrocitus and charges the Red Lantern leader.

"Let's see how angry you get when you got a rhino's horn up your red ass!"

Guy Gardner. I'm in no mood to laugh at the color of his wardrobe anymore. But my attention is drawn to who he is fighting. Someone I've not seen in a long time.

"Atrocitus."

As much as I want to just fly off in search of my son, I can't just leave this to Guy. I know all too well how much damage this animal can cause to a single Lantern. I circle overhead, waiting for Guy's construct to hit its mark before getting involved directly.

 

[Byrd Man]

"Then we shouldn't dilly-dally." I rush over to Bruce, grabbing him and running the both of us over to Arkham Asylum in no time. "Sorry about that, but I figured you'd want to get over here as soon as possible."

"Just warn me next time you do that."

The first thing that catches my eyes is Arkham's outer wall, or lack thereof.

"Batman," a familiar voice calls out.

"Cash."

Aaron Cash. A rational man trying to keep order in an insane asylum, not unlike myself. An attack from Killer Croc left him one hand short, but even that didn't bring him down. A good man in a world gone to rot.

"What's the situation?"

"Most of the inmates have been recovered by these Green Lanterns, but a few are still around."

My comm beeps. Not Justice League, but a special one used by the people in Oracle's network....the "Batman Family" as Ollie once sarcastially called us.

"Excuse me," I say to Cash and Barry as I listen to the transmission.

"This is Red Robin, broadcasting on emergancy frequencies. Batman, Oracle, Nightwing, Superboy, anyone out there reading me? What's going on on your end? Do we have any idea who these people are? Over."

"Batman to Red Robin. I'm at Arkahm with Flash. There's been a massive break out of inmates by members of this Parallax Corps. They seem to be twisted versions of the Green Lanterns, using power rings fueled by fear. Batman out."

I turn my attention back to Cash.

"How many are loose and how long ago did they escape?"

"It's only been about twenty minutes ago. We got search parties coming the country. Somewhere in the neighborhood of a hundred are on the loose."

"I guess it's a good thing that I brough the World's Fastest Man with me."

I pull a batarang from my belt and turn to Barry.

"At least try to save me a few."

 

[Keyser Soze]

South Dakota
Mount Rushmore

"You know, I really don't know why more people haven't done this before..."

The Joker finished off the chiselling and sculpting with the ray of his ring. Now, next to the four dead Presidents, the grinning face of The Joker marked the fifth face to be carved into the surface of the mountain.

"Oh Joker, you handsome devil! HAHAHAHAHA!"

 

[Watchman]

Arkham Asylum,

The skies fill up with fire. This is surely the end of the world, Dr. Arkham thought to himself. Arkham and a few guards made their way through the deepest bowels of Arkham.

"Are you sure you want to be down here, Doc? I say let the spacemen deal with him."

"Now, now. We can't let that happened to one of the patients."

"Screw that. My men are dying up there from god knows what and you are wasting our time down here, for what?"

"Answers."

They made there way to a giant steel door. It use to be the cell for Killer Croc until the Asylum built a special cell to hold him. Now it belongs to one of Arkham's more unusual cases. Father Thomas Riley. A pious man who one day change. One killing spree later and here he was. He complained about voices of dead gods shouting in his head. What was the one that settled in his mind? Kal...something. Thomas was in the normal wing until he started to change. He grew and his manners got more animalistic. After hospitalizing Croc Aaron Cash insisted that they move him down here. He continues to change and devolve. He on eats raw meat. Not to mention incredibly strong. The door swung open.

"Thomas? Thomas are you there? It's me Dr. Arkham." The only answer was the sound of dead meat being torn.

"Thomas?"

"Have you brought me more meat?" Tossing animal bones at the guards.

"No, but I've come for answers."

"Heh, we fatten on the ruination of good souls, doctor. Desaad found yours too poisonous. Not enough strength."

"What the..."

"Why are you here?"

"Waiting," more eating sounds.

"For whom?"

"My father."
******
Oa

"Strange, the being bears the symbols of the Kryptonian. But physically, he is entirely human." Screens show Superboy Prime, Black Hand, and the black lanterns tear through the Green Lanterns.

"They draw closer."

"Prepare for conflict."

*******
"Contact with the Lanterns on Earth has been severed. A strong Psi-Shield blocks any..." A fist goes through the Green Lantern.

"Shut up, loser." Rookies, newbies, try their hardest to fight off the terrible new threat but they have been outgun. Death is not an option for them only Darkseid.

"Yes, my master demands audience with you, Guardians," Black Hand says. He walks through the battle, clenching the skull. Black light appears whenever a beam of green heads for him. He stands next to a wall and raises the skull. A blast blows apart the wall. Black Hand walks in. He stands face to face with the Guardians.

"Mortal, you dare?!" They swarm him blasting green energy at him. He is thrown back but gets back up.

"Your will against my master's."

"Your master is nothing more than a dying god that has crawl his way from the final darkness of reality. He has poison everything with his return. This was a suicide mission." A Green Lantern crawls his way in.

"Guardians...I will save you..." Superboy Prime grabs his hand, squeezes, and tosses the body.

"Do it, Black Hand, let's take these blue idiots down."

"You're not from this reality."

"It can't be....the multiverse.." Black Hand's fires a construct of clawed hands at the Guardians. Some get knocked down, the others entangled into the construct. Black Hand, though, starts to convulse. He head convulses faster. Then stops. Someone else is speaking from his mouth.

"Guardians," the voice is much deeper and grander, "you have broken the pact between us. Now I have broken reality itself. I will eradicate any notion of the Guardians from existence."

"It will be you that falls, Darkseid."

"You now the prophecy of the Blackest Night, Guardians. No matter how hard you try to ignore. Ripped from the very pages of the book of Destiny the enemies of the Green Lantern Corps will destroy them and who your greatest enemy? The one that will crush thought in his palm?"

There was silence.

"Darkseid is." Superboy Prime flies into the air to attack the Guardians.

"Which one are we looking for?!" He knocks into a few Guardians but is easily taken down by them.

"Enough, Darkseid when we find you will be expelled from time for crimes against the multiverse."

"Your word is no longer law, mine is. There is an interloper among you."

"I'm sorry," one of the female guardians speaks up. Superboy Prime fires his heat vision knocking her down.

"Do you understand how easy it is for the gods to rip out a mind and defile it?" The female guardian voice started to change and her head was twitching. Black Hand place his hand against her head.

"Rise, Granny!" Black light emitted from his touch with a scar forming along her face. Her scream went from normal into what sounded like a thousand insects screaming in pain. For a moment there was silence and then a terrible laugh. It sounded like a voice horse old woman with insects chattering. Green and black constructs of insect legs formed out of the Guardian's back and she rose into the air.

"Come to me, my children. A new plaything for Granny!"

 

[Karem-Knight]

A few minutes after my meeting with the Green Lantern, I immediately run across the various rooftops and buildings trying to hunt down some of the escape inmates along the area, I manage to find some low-key guys whom just have some minor conditions and actually need the treatment that seems to be working for them, others on the other hand; are not.

Jumping to an alleyway, I feel the brush of a knife against my arm as it just only misses by sheer luck, landing on the street I see someone whom I know I cannot allow to get free.

"Hmm........I've always wanted to have a go against you....."


"Zsasz!"

I then notice the position I'm in, despite all that's going on it's too dark in this alleyway for me to truly capture what's going on; just as he likes it. Within moments, the freak comes running towards me with his knife; I duck down to kick his feet but he's already grabbing my by the shoulders with his blade against my neck.

"Now for you to become like the other zombies, Nightwing!!" I feel it brush against my throat as a small drop of blood comes pouring out, I use my body weight to make him fall to the ground, but his grip on the knife is too strong, luckily I have one last flash bomb left.

"You know, Zsasz; you really need to lighten up!" As I say the pun I've used a million times, I close my eyes as I hear him scream and throw him over my shoulders to the concrete. Turning my night vision on, I now have an advantage against him but am mistaken when a horde of maniacs come running towards me with machine guns. "DIE!!!!!!!!!" Dodging the bullets by the skin of my teeth I throw a few batarangs to stop them and jump kick one in the chest while I break the legs of a few others; by the time I turn back I notice Zsasz had disappeared.

"Dammit...." All of a sudden, my com-link comes online as I hear a familiar voice on it.

"This is Red Robin, broadcasting on emergancy frequencies. Batman, Oracle, Nightwing, Superboy, anyone out there reading me? What's going on on your end? Do we have any idea who these people are? Over."

"Ti- I mean...Red Robin, it's been a while buddy! Wish I could catch up later, but I'm at Arkham helping out with this breakout that one of the Yellow Lanterns caused."

"My father has arrived at Arkham, Grayson. I think you should leave it to..."

"Okay, Damien I get it; your his son, we know. I'll rendezvous with him now, Nightwing out!"

Getting out my grappling hook I shoot out to the next nearby scraper and search the area looking for Bruce, when I notice a streak of red blurring my eye sight and I smile. Good to see you, Wally.

"I guess it's a good thing that I brough the World's Fastest Man with me."

I pull a batarang from my belt and turn to Barry.

"At least try to save me a few."

The Flash comes next to Bruce as I come towards them offering them a helping hand, landing on top of a few thugs I smile at them.

"Batman, I guess you got my message and thanks for the help....Flash..."

As I look at the man in the costume, I instantly know it's not Wally but I defiantly know who it is and in shock I just gasp as he looks towards me for a mere second and I just say without thinking.

"Mr. Allen!?"

 

[Harlekin]

<RING!>

The woman got up from her seat, anger creasing her face.
&#8220;Who could that be?&#8221;
&#8220;Ignore it&#8221;, her brother said, motioning for her to retake her seat.
&#8220;They&#8217;ll go away, Mona&#8221;, her other brother agreed. &#8220;Please continue&#8221;, he said to the man seated before them. The man nodded slowly, his eyes shifting between the three siblings. He was sweating profusely. Carefully, he flipped open the briefcase that was on his lap. His hands fumbled with the locks.

<RING!>

The woman called Mona was set to rise again, but she was held back by her brother&#8217;s hand on hers. His other hand rung the bell that was on the table separating him and his brother. A butler appeared immediately in the doorway. His hair was greying, his clothes dishevelled. There was the smell of alcohol on his breath.

&#8220;Yes, master Brooks?&#8221; he slurred.
&#8220;Will you see who that is, Jervis?&#8221; The brother speaking was obviously the oldest of the three siblings. &#8220;And keep them out&#8221;, he added.
&#8220;Right away, sir.&#8221;

<RING!>

The butler hurried to the front door.

&#8220;Coming!&#8221;

<RIIIINNNNNGGGG!>

He opened the door just slightly. A friendly looking face came up to the small gap.

&#8220;Bard, Jason Bard.&#8221;
&#8220;I&#8217;m afraid the family can&#8217;t take visitors right now.&#8221;
The stranger grinned. &#8220;They&#8217;ll want to see me.&#8221;
&#8220;I&#8217;m sorry, sir, but not today&#8221;, the butler said and he moved to close the door. Quickly, the stranger wedged his cane in between the door and the jamb. He easily overpowered the drunk butler and opening the door, stepped inside.

&#8220;Sir, you can&#8217;t--&#8221;
&#8220;You&#8217;re Jervis right? Come on, you&#8217;ll want to see this.&#8221;

Jason Bard moved past the butler, taking large strides. The private investigator used his cane to support his busted up knee. It tipped and tapped against the wooden floor of the hallway as Jason Bard walked.

&#8220;And since you are his blood relatives--&#8221;

The doors to the living room swung open. The lawyer stopped talking. The siblings turned in their seat. Immediately the younger brother and Mona stood up, anger etched into their faces. Jason Bard walked in, arms stretched out in an inviting gesture. He held his cane up in a theatrical manner. The butler was coming up behind him.

&#8220;Jason Bard, at your service&#8221;, he exclaimed as he swung his cane about and pointed it at the lawyer. &#8220;You can stop reading that now.&#8221;
&#8220;Mr. Bard, what is the meaning of this!?&#8221; The elder brother had stood up as well.
&#8220;Oh, don&#8217;t you remember, Mr. Brooks? You hired me to find your father&#8217;s last will and testament.&#8221; Bard reached into the pocket of his trench coat and produced a piece of paper. &#8220;Well, I found it. The real one that is.&#8221;
His cane was still held on the lawyer. &#8220;That, my friend, is a forgery.&#8221;
The lawyer started sobbing. The briefcase fell to the floor.
&#8220;Ah, well, that is overdoing it a little.&#8221;
&#8220;Mr. Bard, explain yourself!&#8221;
&#8220;Oh, I will&#8221;, the detective replied, smiling. He moved to the bar in the corner of the living room. There was a bottle of whisky on the counter. Bard picked it up and poured himself a glass.
&#8220;Good year.&#8221;
Before he could take a sip, Mona Brooks slapped the glass out of his hand. It shattered to pieces on the floor.
&#8220;Going to be hell to get that out of the carpet&#8221;, he said wistfully.

Raising his cane, Bard gently pushed the Brooks sister aside.

&#8220;Now, as I was saying. The testament I hold in my hand is the real deal, the will your father actually wrote up.&#8221; Bard turned his attention to the lawyer. &#8220;They actually made you present it to them? That must&#8217;ve been gut-wrenching, knowing you have a forgery on your hands. No way, they could get someone write up something remotely like your lawyer&#8217;s legalese. Still, who would cross the Brooks, right?&#8221;
He looked to the older brother.
&#8220;What&#8217;s your net worth again, as a family?&#8221;
The man didn&#8217;t reply. He was grinding his teeth.
&#8220;Your father was well-liked, but pretty much a mystery. Nobody ever had a clue what he wanted.&#8221; Bard walked to the butler, putting his arm around the man&#8217;s shoulder. The man&#8217;s mouth had, figuratively, dropped to the floor. &#8220;Except Jervis of course, he tipped you off to daddy having a will. Just didn&#8217;t know where the old man hid it. So you played the game, actually hired someone to look for it. Had me run all over town. Then just chance upon it in some old desk.&#8221;
The private eye locked eyes with each of the siblings.
&#8220;And you never really expected me to find it.&#8221;
He smirked, looking at the butler, who looked back. There were tears welling up in his eyes, but he smiled too. Bard handed over the will and then turned back to the Brooks siblings.
&#8220;Spoiler alert. The butler gets the money. Guess daddy didn&#8217;t care much for his backstabbing kids.&#8221;

Suddenly, the younger brother charged forward. He held out his hands to grab Bard&#8217;s neck, but the investigator acted promptly, his cane shooting out and striking the man across the face. He was knocked cold immediately.

Jason Bard smiled.

<RING!>

&#8220;Ah!&#8221; He looked to Jervis. &#8220;Here&#8217;s company. If I know one of the attending officers, he&#8217;ll want something to wash down the taste of this mess with. Are the drinks ready, Mr. Jervis?&#8221;
&#8220;Always, sir.&#8221;

 

[SuperFerret]

"Just warn me next time you do that."

The first thing that catches my eyes is Arkham's outer wall, or lack thereof.

"Batman," a familiar voice calls out.

"Cash."

Aaron Cash. A rational man trying to keep order in an insane asylum, not unlike myself. An attack from Killer Croc left him one hand short, but even that didn't bring him down. A good man in a world gone to rot.

"What's the situation?"

"Most of the inmates have been recovered by these Green Lanterns, but a few are still around."

My comm beeps. Not Justice League, but a special one used by the people in Oracle's network....the "Batman Family" as Ollie once sarcastially called us.

"Excuse me," I say to Cash and Barry as I listen to the transmission.

"This is Red Robin, broadcasting on emergancy frequencies. Batman, Oracle, Nightwing, Superboy, anyone out there reading me? What's going on on your end? Do we have any idea who these people are? Over."

"Batman to Red Robin. I'm at Arkahm with Flash. There's been a massive break out of inmates by members of this Parallax Corps. They seem to be twisted versions of the Green Lanterns, using power rings fueled by fear. Batman out."

I turn my attention back to Cash.

"How many are loose and how long ago did they escape?"

"It's only been about twenty minutes ago. We got search parties coming the country. Somewhere in the neighborhood of a hundred are on the loose."

"I guess it's a good thing that I brough the World's Fastest Man with me."

I pull a batarang from my belt and turn to Barry.

"At least try to save me a few."

"I'll try." I say, rushing off. I've knocked out and deposited roughly twenty or so escapees back into their cells, when I come across a horrifying scene.

Killer Croc, barely even out of the building, sits atop a pile of mangled guards, chewing casually on what looks to be a human femur. The sight is so shocking, even among all the chaos, that I come to a dead stop.

"The Flash. Figured that they'd send someone wearing a darker color."

I'm stunned. He sounds so nonchalant, so reserved to the fact that he's outclassed. Why shouldn't he though. Chances are, he'll be sent back to Arkham, only to break out and kill and eat again. My fists instinctively clench, and in the next instant, Croc is on the floor, motionless.

One punch, one punch that surely could've killed him if I had wanted to (and I'm ashamed to admit that I was tempted), is all I needed to knock him cold. Behind me, I see guards with the appropriate restraint devices approaching. They should be able to handle Croc from here.

I swiftly return to Batman's position.

"Bruce, you've got some seriously messed up villains."

I'm halfway through my sentence when another hero joins us.

The Flash comes next to Bruce as I come towards them offering them a helping hand, landing on top of a few thugs I smile at them.

"Batman, I guess you got my message and thanks for the help....Flash..."

As I look at the man in the costume, I instantly know it's not Wally but I defiantly know who it is and in shock I just gasp as he looks towards me for a mere second and I just say without thinking.

"Mr. Allen!?"

He looks vaguely familiar, but the voice makes it click in my mind.

"Dick?"

 

[wiegeabo]

"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...

Five seconds later and the three of us are standing outside Titans Tower again. And we can't help but notice that none of us have Bart.

I sigh. "Where should we go next?"

"I really thought he would be here. It's the perfect place for Savitar to send a message."

"But we searched every inch of the Tower. He's nowhere in there." My forehead crinkles at the way Wally says that.

"What're thinking, Jay?"

"Yeah...we searched everywhere inside. But not outside."

"We would have spotted something on our way here."

"...what about the roof?"

"Wh-" Wally stands and thinks on it for a second. "I didn't..."

"Neither did I..."

We look at each other, and then tear off back to the tower. We blaze a trio of streaks right up the side and onto to the roof.

And stop instantly.

"Dear god."

"BART!"

We're at his side in the smallest fraction of a second.

"This is bad."

"Why isn't he healing?"

Wally carefully picks Bart up in his arms, getting only the slightest of moans from him. He's bruised and beaten, covered in dried and caked blood. His limbs hang at odd angles from obviously breaks, and his breaths come on staggered rattles. There's no telling how long he had been left up here baking in the sun.

"I'm afraid to move him."

"We need to get him inside. The Titans can help." Wally nods, and moving slower than anyone named Flash has a right to move, we carefully take him down below.

 

[Harlekin]

There’s a bar on the corner of Kane and Finger.

It’s called Finnigan’s.

You don’t come into that bar unless you’re a cop, were a cop or are related to a cop.

When you enter Finnigan’s, you’ll find the retired police lining the bar, sipping their beers, reminiscing about the old days with their partners, taking calls in the radio car. You’ll see the rookie officers sit at their tables. They can be loud and boisterous or calm, silent and respectful to the men and women that inspired them to become police in the first place. Those cops with a few years under their belt walk between the bar and the tables, picking up wisdom on one side and dispensing it on the other.

In Finnigan’s, the officers whose lives were lost in the line of duty line the walls.

But what about the ex-coppers, the ones who left voluntarily or by force? In Finnigan’s there’s a special table way in the back room. At any point of time, you’ll find a number of familiar faces, still buying or getting a round of drinks. These men are departmental legends, often living on in infamy.

Sitting at the table tonight are Jason Bard, Harvey Bullock, Sam ‘Slam’ Bradley and Stan Kitch. Cards and chips are scattered in the centre of the round table. An opened whisky bottle with a stack of shooter glasses is set up beside it. The game being played is Texas Hold ‘Em, Gotham rules.

The room smells of scotch, cheap cigars and sweat.

“Ha! You mean to tell me, you never caught old man Withers at it?” Bullock bellowed. He leaned forward, his flabby arms and hands raking in the chips. There was the stub of a cigar in his mouth. His hat sat loosely on his head, his hair was greasy. “Every summer, he’d be down by the harbour, up on tiptoes”, Bullock mimicked the man’s movements, “checking out all the girls’ dressing rooms.” He laughed.
“Must have been before my time, Harv”, Bard replied, dealing a new game. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up and he’d loosened his tie. His cane was set against the side of his chair.
Slam Bradley went into a coughing fit as he picked up his cards. The cigarette nearly flew from his mouth. When he’d stopped coughing, he took a satisfying drag from it. “Didn’t Withers croak a few years back?”
Bullock nodded and tapped his fingers on the left of his chest. “Heart gave out.”
“I heard he was checking out a girl”, Stan Kitch added, “and when she looked up, old man Withers recognised his granddaughter. Shock knocked him out straight.”
“Poor bastard.” Bullock put out his cigar. “Fold.”

Just then, the door opened. The foursome turned to see a young man step into the room. When he spotted the four, his eyes widened. He was like a deer caught in headlights.

“Oh, I’m sorry”, he stammered. “I thought this was the bathroom.”
He turned around to leave when Bullock called out to him. “Hold it, rook.”
From his seat, he grabbed a chair standing to the side and pulled it to the table.
“Sit yer ass down.”
The rookie police officer complied, his knees shaking.
“What’s your name, kid?”
“Jake. Jake Collins.”
“You know who these guys are, Jake Collins?” Bullock gestured to the others.
“Uh, no, no, sir”, the young man stuttered.
Bullock smiled. “Well, let me introduce ya.”
He pointed to Kitch, who was easily the best dressed of those present. “That’s Stan Kitch, used to be one of the top lieutenants on the force. Traded it all in to become a defence attorney. Got hisself a nice job behind a desk.”
Next up was Slam Bradley. “The old geezer there’s someone you will have heard of. Slam Bradley.” Collins nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. If he ever comes onto your crime scene, you best forget about it, kid. Slam’s smarter, quicker and meaner too. You’ll be filling out forms for weeks.”
“The grinning fool you see there”, Bullock pointed out Bard. “They call him Jason Bard. He’s a wiseass, thinks he got it all figured out. Took a bullet to the leg, but don’t let the cane fool you. He’s good on his feet when he needs to be.”
Bullock was silent then and he looked at Collins. The rookie looked back.
“And you know who I am?”
The man nodded quickly.
Bullock grabbed the whisky bottle and a glass. “Good, get a drink in ya and stick around.”

“We’ll tell ya some war stories.”

 

[J'adore]

The Batcave

"This is not good," Tim said, pulling off his mask as the large metal blast door rolled back into place covering the cave.

"What, the alien invasion or anything in particular?" Steph asked, trotting after him as he stalked over to the computer.

"Just generally," he said, smirking. Looking over at his blonde companion, he was mildly amused to see the look of wonder on her face.

"Remind me to give you a proper tour when the world's not ending," he smiled.

"Uhhu," Steph said.

Tim tapped at the computer until the comms screen came up.

"This is Red Robin, broadcasting on emergancy frequencies. Batman, Oracle, Nightwing, Superboy, anyone out there reading me? What's going on on your end? Do we have any idea who these people are? Over,"

There was the sound of something breaking upstairs and muffled voices. Tim dropped into a defensive stance, drawing his bo staff.

"I demand that you unhand me you common street walker!" a haughty, and slightly shrill, voice called out.

"Shut up you little brat!"

"I don't suppose we could all stop breaking things for five minutes to check and see who's in the cave?"

"Honey, I'm home," Tim sighed to himself.

"It's okay Alfred, it's us," he said to the room at large.

Rose, Alfred and Damian appeared at the foot of the stairs, all of them looking absolutely furious.

"Oh, it's the cuckold," the small, black haired boy said brightly.

"You wouldn't believe what that little ****'s done-" Rose started.

"Don't want to hear about it - impending apocalypse," Tim said, hastily holding up his hands.

"Isn't there always?" Rose said, looking increasingly close to punching something.

"Do you hear that?" Steph said, her head twisting around frantically.

"And who's this?" Rose asked, putting her hands over her swollen belly and glaring daggers at the blonde superheroine.

"This is Spoiler,"

"Please, Steph," she said absently, looking at the large bulkhead that appeared to be glowing yellow "I think they're trying to get in,"

Rose stepped back, her hands still tight on her stomach.

"Who's trying to get in?"

"Some creepy aliens, look a little bit like pterodactyl. Nothing a pregnant girl should be capable of."

Snarling at Stephanie, Rose stepped forward, placing her hands by her side.

"I didn't ask you,"

Stephanie lifted back up her hood, slowly lifting out her bat cane, clutching it with a tight grip she stepped forward in self-defense position. The glowing light soon grew and the walls around them started to shake.

"Ladies, let's save this cat fight until after this alien breaks in."

Trembling, Stephanie geared up again, taking a small gulp. Soon, a voice echoed the room. "We are fear!"

 

[Karem-Knight]

"I'll try." I say, rushing off. I've knocked out and deposited roughly twenty or so escapees back into their cells, when I come across a horrifying scene.

Killer Croc, barely even out of the building, sits atop a pile of mangled guards, chewing casually on what looks to be a human femur. The sight is so shocking, even among all the chaos, that I come to a dead stop.

"The Flash. Figured that they'd send someone wearing a darker color."

I'm stunned. He sounds so nonchalant, so reserved to the fact that he's outclassed. Why shouldn't he though. Chances are, he'll be sent back to Arkham, only to break out and kill and eat again. My fists instinctively clench, and in the next instant, Croc is on the floor, motionless.

One punch, one punch that surely could've killed him if I had wanted to (and I'm ashamed to admit that I was tempted), is all I needed to knock him cold. Behind me, I see guards with the appropriate restraint devices approaching. They should be able to handle Croc from here.

I swiftly return to Batman's position.

"Bruce, you've got some seriously messed up villains."

I'm halfway through my sentence when another hero joins us.



He looks vaguely familiar, but the voice makes it click in my mind.

"Dick?"

"How did you....you were gone for so long...does Wally know...." The sound of the Arkham inmates coming from behind alerts me back to the task at hand.

"I'll figure it out later, right now we have over a hundrend escaped inmates; there was a Green Lantern named Sodam Yat who managed to contain most of the other inmates but I don't know for how long. I think we should concentrate on the higher threats that have escaped for now."

 

[Byrd Man]

"I'll figure it out later, right now we have over a hundrend escaped inmates; there was a Green Lantern named Sodam Yat who managed to contain most of the other inmates but I don't know for how long. I think we should concentrate on the higher threats that have escaped for now."

"Agreed. Spread out through the woods and find as many inmates as possible."

"Me and the guards are fanning out, too," Cash says. He awkwardly holds a shotgun, his good hand on the barrel and the hooked hand stays near the trigger.

"Good. It'd be best for the guards to stay in packs two."

"This ain't my first breakout attempt, Batman. You costumed boys do your job, we can do ours."

I nod and disappear into the woods.

 

[Optikal]

Amon Sur. Of all the ****ers in the galaxy...it has to be the one not worthy to carry on his daddy's legacy that does me.

"You have no idea how much I'll enjoy this, Earthman."

The whip tightens around my throat. The edges of my vision begin to dim.

"waolmhusa"

Sur brings me in closer, slightly releasing his grip on my throat. His hot breath stings my face.

"What was that, Gardner?"

"You forgot to hold down my ring hand!"

Just like that, a violet rhino crashes into Amon Sur. The force of the blow sends the Red Lantern gliding through the air. The rhino stops and I leap on to the purple construct, riding it as the animal turns its attention to Atrocitus and charges the Red Lantern leader.

"Let's see how angry you get when you got a rhino's horn up your red ass!"

Atrocitus managed to whirl away from the assault at the last second, his ring forming a dripping, snarling construct of a monsterous dragon. The crimson beast spat thick plasmic flames towards Gardner and his construct, lighting up the sky with its scarlet terror.

"You talk too much Guy Gardner. Your babbling does not escape the rage and the hate emanating from you though. I can feel it, Lantern. I feed from it. If you embraced your true emotions, you would be draped in crimson!"

Atrocitus fell back a little as the force of the warring constructs pushed each of them to their limits. "It's a shame you're too weak and pathetic to accept it! Your hate will consume you Gardner, and I will be there, aty the end, to feast upon your heart!"

"Atrocitus."

As much as I want to just fly off in search of my son, I can't just leave this to Guy. I know all too well how much damage this animal can cause to a single Lantern. I circle overhead, waiting for Guy's construct to hit its mark before getting involved directly.

From the corner of his eye, Atrocitus noticed another familiar face. THis night was getting better and better. As he focused his rage into his construct, He saw Amon Sur recover and felt the Red Lanterns rage grow exponentially at the sight of Jordan.

"YOU!" Amon roared, charging the Green Lantern. "That ring belongs to me! I am its rightful heir! Give it to me, thief... or BURN!"

A hot stream of fiery death lanced its way towards Hal Jordan as the Red Lanterns took on both corpsmen.

 

[Catman_prb]

Rose stepped back, her hands still tight on her stomach.

"Who's trying to get in?"

"Some creepy aliens, look a little bit like pterodactyl. Nothing a pregnant girl should be capable of."

Snarling at Stephanie, Rose stepped forward, placing her hands by her side.

"I didn't ask you,"

Stephanie lifted back up her hood, slowly lifting out her bat cane, clutching it with a tight grip she stepped forward in self-defense position. The glowing light soon grew and the walls around them started to shake.

"Ladies, let's save this cat fight until after this alien breaks in."

Trembling, Stephanie geared up again, taking a small gulp. Soon, a voice echoed the room. "We are fear!"

"You're really starting to bore me," Tim said, twirling his bo staff in his hand.

A yellow construction of some hideous creature appeared before the teen hero, who quickly struck it to one side with a harsh blow to the head.

"Steph, protect Rose and Damien," Tim said, taking a step towards the yellow lantern.

Before he could go much further, a small blur of black with a silver streak sped past him. Damien leapt upon the alien, slashing down with a long curved knife.

"Damien, no!" Tim shouted, moving towards the fight.

"Prehistoric piece of crap," Damien screamed, stabbing at the shreiking creature. One movement cut off the creatures hand, letting forth a jet of oily black blood. The yellow glow from the ring faded, leaving the small black haired boy knelt over the aliens body, repeatedly slashing at the corpse with violent hacking movements.

Tim could only stare.

"Jesus,"

 

[J'adore]

"You're really starting to bore me," Tim said, twirling his bo staff in his hand.

A yellow construction of some hideous creature appeared before the teen hero, who quickly struck it to one side with a harsh blow to the head.

"Steph, protect Rose and Damien," Tim said, taking a step towards the yellow lantern.

Before he could go much further, a small blur of black with a silver streak sped past him. Damien leapt upon the alien, slashing down with a long curved knife.

"Damien, no!" Tim shouted, moving towards the fight.

"Prehistoric piece of crap," Damien screamed, stabbing at the shreiking creature. One movement cut off the creatures hand, letting forth a jet of oily black blood. The yellow glow from the ring faded, leaving the small black haired boy knelt over the aliens body, repeatedly slashing at the corpse with violent hacking movements.

Tim could only stare.

"Jesus,"

"For god's sake, Rose! Stay back!"

Stephanie put her arm about before a raging Rose.

"I didn't ask for your help," Rose hissed as she pushed Stephanie to a side. Stephanie regained her balance and stepped forward in front of Rose. The two girls then stared in amazement as they watched Damien viciously stab the creature.

"Tim! Do something, stop him!"

Rose continuously tried to shove Stephanie out of her way, but every time she put strength into it she failed, clutching her stomach.

"Listen, Rose. I'm not doing this because I care about you, I'm only protecting you for Tim."

Damien had soon stopped hacking at the creature, speckles of black blood splattered across his face. He breathed slowly and heavily, dropping the knife. "Job done."

"Urm...Tim..." Rose's eyes widened as she saw the hacked off limbs of the creature starting to move.

 

[Catman_prb]

"For god's sake, Rose! Stay back!"

Stephanie put her arm about before a raging Rose.

"I didn't ask for your help," Rose hissed as she pushed Stephanie to a side. Stephanie regained her balance and stepped forward in front of Rose. The two girls then stared in amazement as they watched Damien viciously stab the creature.

"Tim! Do something, stop him!"

Rose continuously tried to shove Stephanie out of her way, but every time she put strength into it she failed, clutching her stomach.

"Listen, Rose. I'm not doing this because I care about you, I'm only protecting you for Tim."

Damien had soon stopped hacking at the creature, speckles of black blood splattered across his face. He breathed slowly and heavily, dropping the knife. "Job done."

"Urm...Tim..." Rose's eyes widened as she saw the hacked off limbs of the creature starting to move.

Damien picked up the yellow ring from the creatures wildly flailing hand, raising the knife again with glee in his eyes.

"Alright Chucky, enough," Tim said, grabbing the boy's arm and twisting it, making him drop the knife to the floor with a clatter.

"Let go of me you degenerate freak," Damien yelped, pulling his arm away and rubbing it. Tim noticed the ring in his hand.

"Give me the ring Damien," the young man warned, a hard edge to his voice.

"Why should I?" he asked, raising his head haughtily.

"Because I'm telling you to," Tim said, his voice icy.

Damien made an exagerrated show of extending his forefinger and placing the ring upon it. Before he could do so, Tim backhanded him violently, wresting the ring from his finger. Damien gasped in shock.

"My father shall hear of this,"

"Too damned right he will," Tim said, turning around.

"Are you alright Master Timothy?" Alfred asked.

"Please don't let the little sociopath get his hands on any more knives," Tim sighed, handing the butler the curved blade.

 

[Keyser Soze]

From the corner of his eye, Atrocitus noticed another familiar face. THis night was getting better and better. As he focused his rage into his construct, He saw Amon Sur recover and felt the Red Lanterns rage grow exponentially at the sight of Jordan.

"YOU!" Amon roared, charging the Green Lantern. "That ring belongs to me! I am its rightful heir! Give it to me, thief... or BURN!"

A hot stream of fiery death lanced its way towards Hal Jordan as the Red Lanterns took on both corpsmen.

I evade the blast of red energy from Amon Sur's ring. I know from experience that stuff eats right through a Green Lantern's defenses. I batter Amon Sur with a giant boxing glove.

"It wouldn't matter if I gave the ring to you, Amon. The last time you stole it, you couldn't get it to so much as spark. I hate to say it, but if your dad was here today, he'd be ashamed. Palling around with the monster that killed him? I'd worry about making you angry, but it seems I'm a bit late for that."

 

[Byrd Man]

Atrocitus managed to whirl away from the assault at the last second, his ring forming a dripping, snarling construct of a monsterous dragon. The crimson beast spat thick plasmic flames towards Gardner and his construct, lighting up the sky with its scarlet terror.

"You talk too much Guy Gardner. Your babbling does not escape the rage and the hate emanating from you though. I can feel it, Lantern. I feed from it. If you embraced your true emotions, you would be draped in crimson!"

Atrocitus fell back a little as the force of the warring constructs pushed each of them to their limits. "It's a shame you're too weak and pathetic to accept it! Your hate will consume you Gardner, and I will be there, aty the end, to feast upon your heart!"

"That's where we differ, big boy."

Sweat drips down my brow as I push my rhino against his dragon.

"I may be rough around the edges, sure. I may have a temper...but I never lose control. Even though I ain't a part of the Green Lantern Corps anymore, I still got control!"

I surge forward and my purple rhino shatters Atrocitus' dragon.

"I got willpower, Jack. Something a beast like you never had."

 

[J'adore]

Damien picked up the yellow ring from the creatures wildly flailing hand, raising the knife again with glee in his eyes.

"Alright Chucky, enough," Tim said, grabbing the boy's arm and twisting it, making him drop the knife to the floor with a clatter.

"Let go of me you degenerate freak," Damien yelped, pulling his arm away and rubbing it. Tim noticed the ring in his hand.

"Give me the ring Damien," the young man warned, a hard edge to his voice.

"Why should I?" he asked, raising his head haughtily.

"Because I'm telling you to," Tim said, his voice icy.

Damien made an exagerrated show of extending his forefinger and placing the ring upon it. Before he could do so, Tim backhanded him violently, wresting the ring from his finger. Damien gasped in shock.

"My father shall hear of this,"

"Too damned right he will," Tim said, turning around.

"Are you alright Master Timothy?" Alfred asked.

"Please don't let the little sociopath get his hands on any more knives," Tim sighed, handing the butler the curved blade.

Stephanie stepped out of the way from Rose, who ran to Tim's side. Damien stood in the darkness in the cave, his arms folded. Stephanie slowly wondered over to him, bending down to his height.

"You alright?"

"What do you think, girl!? That beast of a boy just attacked me!"

"Ms Brown, I think you should leave the boy." Alfred stated as he walked passed her. Stephanie nodded and walked away.

Stephanie's eyes locked on to Rose hugging Tim. Jealousy and rage filled her up. Walking casually over to the two, Stephanie stepped in between them, smiling gently at Tim.

"There's more out there, Tim,"

 

[Red_Robin77]

Ted and Sodam got involved with some Red Lanterns, wherever the hell they came from. In the end, it's just me, John, Arisia and Tomar staring at the Yellow Lantern, and I nodded to the others. John formed his gun and fired away at the alien, while me and the other two charged, a giant rocket formed on my back, that made me collide with the sniper.

Green bullets flew on past me as I formed a drill and started using it against the creature, Arisia swung around a giant mace, Tomar smashed it with some kind of cool alien sword. The creature feebly knocked me and the other two off, and just as I'm about to leap onto it again, I see something. A light. I recognised it, and before I knew it, a group of Star Sapphires knocked into the Parallax Corps member, taking out the enemy.

"Well, glad the cavalry arrived. Who sent you lot up here?"

"Star Sapphire Gardner told us of the sniper," one of them explained to me.

Guy? A Star Sapphire? Guy in a leotard? If he wasn't in the middle of a battle, he'd be laughing his head off right now.

"...Huh. Anyway, come on, we've got a bunch of creepy yellow guys and aliens with anger management to sort out. Let's move!"

As I said it, the other three Green Lanterns flew off into the space battle above my home, followed by the group of Star Sapphires. Why didn't it always end in battles? I glided off into the battle, conjuring up a futuristic gun into my two hands.