Young Justice: We Are Not Special
InfiniteWriter
Prologue: A Brand New Age
The White House
Washington, D.C.
July 4, 2012
03:16 P.M.
"Finally. The battle for retribution is over," announced Lex Luthor, the new Secretary-General of the United Nations. He won by a land-slide. Elections went up soon after the latest Secretary-General was killed.
The crowd standing in front of him cheered and screamed. The people wanted justice. The betrayal of their heroes hit home to the people of Earth. They put their faith in the Justice League to protect them. They never thought they would need protection from them; they never thought they would turn.
"These criminals, murderers, will now pay for the lives they took." Lex paused then look towards the remaining members of the League before finishing his statement. "With their own."
The crowd came to life. They were jumping up and down. They punched their fists into the air. "Justice! Justice! Justice," they chanted. "Justice for the people!"
With his hand, he silenced them. "I am not one to condone public executions at this grand of scale, but we can all agree that these traitors deserve this treatment and much more for their crimes."
The crowd roared with approval. The audience was standing in front of the one of the world's best known buildings: the White House. This event would have taken place in New York, the headquarters of the United Nations because this was a worldwide affair, but that city was destroyed. The attackers were none other than the Justice League. The city was in ruins. Not even the Statue of Liberty survived. Washington, D.C.'s destruction was prevented though. All thanks to the one and only Lex Luthor. He had invented a toxin that attacked the nerves, striping all powers and abilities, and would then leave the victim unconscious. For Superman, the toxin was re-engineered into a gas with traces of kryptonite. The Man of Steel didn't stand a chance.
The League ended up killing most of the world's leaders because when they attacked, the UN had assemble to discuss the rejuvenated war in North and South Rhelasia. Afterwards, the Earth went on lock down. Any available information about the League was released to the public. An organization unknown to the people, the Light, came forth and helped. They had the resources and tech to take down every known hero on the planet. Nobody questioned the miracle. The Light also had the most sacred piece of information a hero held dear: their identity. Armed with their secret identities, the world called for all heroes, partners, sidekicks, and vigilantes to turn themselves in to their local governments. All allies and supporters of the League were also taken. No one was spared.
The people of Earth came to call this event The Purge.
Months later, on the United States's independence day, four out of the seven founding members were facing the first of many public executions. Batman was nowhere to be found. There had been reports that the Batman suffered life-threatening injuries. It is highly unlikely he is still alive. Atlantis was in ruins and Aquaman has not been located yet. Any information about the Flash was unknown. But Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter were still alive.
"Now, the main event." Two soldiers each carrying a box walked up to Luthor. The crowd look on as Lex pick up a gun. "Since these heroes no longer have the ability to use their powers, I can use an ordinary gun." He stopped to look at Superman. "You still have your unbreakable skin so I will have to use a very special gun for you."
The prisoners were ordered to stand up from their kneeling positions. Their inhibitor collars were shown for all to see. They can not escape. They were not blind-folded. Their expressions were blank. Only their eyes showed their emotions of sorrow and regret. Luthor went up behind each former hero and delivered one shot to the back of the head.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Three bodies dropped to the ground. Lifeless.
The previously excited crowd was silent. They had waited a long time for this moment. Despite their hatred and anger, nobody knew how to react. Three more of the world's most powerful heroes were now dead. By their human, mortal hands. That moment didn't last for long. A group of soldiers walked up to remove the bodies. Lex already had the other gun loaded and ready to fire behind Superman's head.
"For a special treat," Luthor started off. "I will allow the former blue boy scout to speak his last words to the public." He walked in front of Superman. "Come on, Superman. What do you have to say?"
Superman looked straight into the camera. "To Young Justice and to Superboy-"
Mt. Justice
Happy Harbor, Rhode Island
July 4, 2012
03:20 P.M.
All was quiet in the mountain as the Team watched helplessly as their mentors were gunned down in the Mission Room. Batman, wearing a hospital grown, sat in a wheelchair. He was still recovering from his major injury to his spine. The doctors that were still loyal to the League said there was a good chance he would never walk again. Dick stood behind him. His signature sunglasses placed over his eyes. His chest was wrapped up in bandages. His battle with the Joker hadn't been pleasant. Superboy and Miss Martian stood off to the side. Conner had his arms wrapped around M'gann to comfort her. Wally was standing next to Robin. His left leg and right arm were in a cast. Artemis sat silently in the background. Like Batman, she was in a wheelchair also. She had serious wounds to her body and to her face. She needed the chair because she wasn't strong enough to stand on her own. Aqualad, suffering his own wounds, stood tall and proud in the front.
They listened silently as Luthor went on about what happened and why the heroes of Earth all deserved what was coming to them. He wanted to prolong this public execution as long as he could. It wasn't everyday that you get to best and kill your enemies at the same time. Each of them masked their anger for the situation. Superboy and Artemis did not hide theirs for long. Superboy was griping a small key with Superman's symbol of the front of it. Superman give him. It was the key to the Fortress of Solitude. Clark said it was time he learned of his heritage. Their archer had placed a death grip on Green Arrow's bow. She hadn't let that bow out of her sight ever since she was rescued.
They each held their breath as each member fell. They had the same problem the crowd of people had: they didn't know how to respond.
Superboy tensed when Lex walked in front of Superman.
"For a special treat," Luthor started off. "I will allow the former blue boy scout to speak his last words to the public. Come on Superman. What do you have to say?"
The residents of the mountain leaned forward. Superman was the most powerful being on the planet. His family crest had come to symbolize hope, peace, and justice. He literally was the picture of a perfect being. It was an amazing separation of human and god. Superman is the most human of us all. Then he does an unfathomable feet. It is difficult not to think of him as a god. Killing Superman was unimaginable. Unthinkable. Impossible.
Superman looked straight into the camera. "To Young Justice and to Superboy. If you are still out there, do not give up hope. We may be gone, but you guys are still here. You have to become the Justice League. Conner, you have to become Superman, now. It is you responsibility to the people and to your name. They may not realize it now, but there will be a day when they will need you. That day might not be tomorrow, but it will come. Do not be mad at them. They do not know what they are getting into." Superman stopped and bowed his head.
"Is that it," Luthor questioned.
Clark Kent raised his head one last time. "Conner you need to know that I am sorry. For anything. You are my son. I am very proud of you. I'll always be there, Conner. Always. It's not the powers. It's not the cape. It's about standing up for what's right. For truth. As long as people like you are out there, I'll be there. Always. Goodbye, Kon-El."
The crowd stood silent. Once again, they did not know how to react.
Conner was having an emotional battle within himself. He also dreamed about being like Superman. He wanted to be Superman. Flying next to him, battling his foes, receiving admiration and approval from him had been his goal. Even though he was his clone, deep inside, he wanted to be his son. Seeing him for the first time and witnessing his face of disgust, broke him. This is the man he wanted to be, but that man did not want to acknowledge him. Now here he is, apologizing and claiming his clone as his offspring and successor in his last words. I have to become Superman, Conner thought.
"That was sweet," Luthor admitted. "Very noble. But your little speech was pointless. Your sidekicks and your son are as good as dead Clark." With that, Luthor pointed the gun to his head. "Goodbye, Superman." Young Justice could count sixteen seconds before the Man of Steel laid dead on the ground with a kyptonite bullet in his skull.
Luthor smiled. "It is over. Everyone has been brought into the Light."
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the mentioned characters or published materials. If I did, I would have made a whole in show for the Team based off the plot line for Failsafe.
AN: This is a story that I have been working on for a good while. I no-way near finishing it, but I decide to post what I have so far. Hopefully, I will be inspired to finish writing it. I have a set the plot line to this story, but I am open for suggestions! Read, Review, and/or PM!