Author's Note: I forgot to address the events of Ultimatum in the first Act. Each Act roughly takes place during 1 day. The events of Ultimatum occur between these events.
The breakdown so far.
Day 1- The Greatest Story Never Told/Act 1
Day 2- The end of Act 1/The Attack on the Oil Platform/The meeting/Giganta's attack
Day 3- Ultimen Investigated/Act 2/Ultimen Escape and Attack Lord/Ultimen vs League/Long Shadow Joins/League
The Greatest Story…Finally Told
Act 2Scene 1
Something was up.
Batman had worked hard to learn how to read people. He could stare at someone, and after a few moments, tells exactly what mood he or she was in. He could spot tells lefts and right, the nervous twitches and subtle shakes. When you didn't have bracelets that could deflect bullets or a chest that could stop a train, it was good to know when your enemy was getting ready to go for their gun.
Walking through the Watchtower, passing by fellow heroes, the Dark Knight was getting the signals loud and clear.
People were pissed.
Batman was use to people being leery around him. Hell, he'd be disappointed if they weren't. He needed to always be conveying a sense of danger, of fear in those around him, even in his allies. First he let them get use to him, then it would be the public…then the villains. And for him, that wasn't an option.
But the emotions coming off of the heroes were almost enough to make him pause. There was an air of tension all about him, and he could feel eyes staring daggers at his back.
Turning his head sharply, he narrowed his own eyes at Stargirl and Dr. Light, who were both standing to his left. But instead of cowering under his gaze, the two of them stood taller, matching his glare with their own.
"We are going now, is that ok, Master Batman?" Stargirl said curtly.
Batman frowned. "Excuse me?"
"We are seeking your permission to go get something to eat. Are you done with us, or are there any worthless tasks we can do for you?" Stargirl asked.
"Is this some kind of game…"
"I will take that as a yes." Dr. Light said, before turning on her heels, Stargirl following after her. Batman was left standing there, shocked.
'Did they just walk away from me?' he wondered in anger. 'What is the matter…'
'Batman, the meeting is about to begin.'
The Dark Knight sighed. 'Coming J'onn.'
Scene 2
"Mordru is currently in custody, and we are working with the police to determine how best to deal with him." J'onn said to the group. Sitting around the table were Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman. Flash had been unable to attend, attending to Central City, and Hawkgirl…
"The effects of Mordru's spells seem to have caused no lasting effect." J'onn continued. "We have thoroughly looked over everyone and all proved to be fine." Wonder Woman and Superman glanced at each other before looking away. Physically they might be fine, but having shared a mind and body between them and Batman was an experience that would leave mental scars for years to come. "Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman…would you inform us of the events at the oil platform?"
Superman nodded, standing up and relating what had happened. "The platform had dug to deep into the ocean floor, unleashing molten creatures which attacked the platform. Aquaman aided us, but the threat was neutralized by the Ultimen."
Green Lantern frowned. "That's the 3rd time this month they have gotten involved. Are we sure we can trust these kids to be running around playing hero."
"They aren't 'playing hero', John, they are heroes." Wonder Woman frowned. "I admit, they come off pretty…what's the word?"
"Cheesy?" Superman offered.
"Yes, cheesy. But they mean well. Long Shadow provided to be a big help in dealing with Giganta and Bizarro."
"Pun intended?" Superman asked dryly.
"I don't like it." Batman said. "They haven't proven themselves…they are just out showboating…trying to make money…"
"are we talking about the Ultimen still?" Green Lantern asked. Batman glared at him, and GL held up his hands. "I'm just saying, word has spread around quick about you and Booster Gold…a lot of the new members aren't happy."
"I'm not here to make them happy." Batman said sternly.
John sighed. "Listen, the guy was a pain, I know. He always wanted to be in the lime light, just like the Ultimen and Maxwell Lord. But we also can't have half of the watchtower mad at you…how can we expect them to follow your orders?"
"They'll follow them." Batman said simply.
"We are getting sidetracked." Superman said. "We are not here to discuss Booster Gold. We are here to discuss…"
"Flash." J'onn said.
"Flash." Superman paused. "huh?"
"Flash…he is contacting me…turn the monitors on and switch feed to LNN."
"Metropolis?" Wonder Woman questioned, clicking on the monitor. "An attack."
"No…" J'onn said, eyes glowing. "Flash says…we need to see it for ourselves."
Act 3
"This is Snapper Carr, with this special report." From within the studio, Snapper walked over to a TV displaying the image of the Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman. "The Justice League. They are the protectors of earth, defenders of the weak, heroes to the masses. When we are in trouble, we can always count on them to save us.
"2 days ago, Metropolis was attacked by the sorcerer Mordru. The Justice League fought him off, and in the end, saved the city.
"Or did they?
"Ladies and Gentlemen, what if I told you that while the Justice League did battle with Mordru, a greater threat had arisen. One that nearly destroyed Metropolis, the United States…and the world. One the League ignored. And when their secret was in danger of being unveiled…they silenced the only man they believed could reveal the truth."
Snapper paused, letting the audience wait for him to continue. After a moment, he continued, out of the corner of his eye watching the monitor as his image was replaced with that of the original members of the League standing on a tower, looking down at the masses.
"Our Special Report: The Just-Us League."
&&&
"What is he talking about?" Wonder Woman asked. "What other threat?"
Superman glared at the screen. "What do they mean, we silenced someone?"
Green Lantern looked at Batman. "Did Booster say that he 'saved the world' when he was suppose to be on crowd control?"
The rest of the League looked at the Dark Knight, before turning once more to the screen.
&&&
"Mordru's attack. Surely, it will go down as one of the darkest days in Metropolis. But not because of what the sorcerer did. Oh no…it is because of the threat that they chose to ignore.
"At Star Labs, Dr. Brown and Dr. Tracy Simmons had been at work on a device to replicate the effects of black holes." The image on screen switched to a picture of the two. "However, 2 nights ago, an accident occurred."
The screen switched once more to Dr. Simmons, who was seated across Snapper.
"There was an explosion…our device somehow created a black hole within the chest of Dr. Brown. He was dazed, confused, wandered out of the building, without realizing that he was drawing everything around him into the black hole. Worse still, as time went on, the black hole grew stronger."
"And what of the Justice League?" Snapper asked. "Surely they came to help."
"No." Tracy said sternly. "They didn't. Infact, they never have come to see us. Half of Star Labs was destroyed, and the Justice League still hasn't sent anyone. I guess they like to break things and leave the little guys to clean up."
&&&
"What is she talking about?" Superman asked. "Why didn't we know about Star Labs?"
"I'm afraid we did." Green Lantern said. "We got a call from them yesterday…we…"
"Ignored it." J'onn said. "With the Oil platform, Giganta, and Metalo attacking Star City, we simply didn't have the resources…"
"How couldn't we?" Wonder Woman asked sternly. "We have over 100 members."
"And none of them can go on a mission without a senior hero there." Batman said quietly. "Green Lantern was dealing with Metalo, Flash was in Central City, Superman and I were with Aquaman finishing with the Oil Platform, you were at the jail…"
"And I could not leave my post." J'onn said softly.
Superman shook his head. "We need to change that policy…"
"It's coming back on." GL said.
&&&
"Welcome back. When we last left, Metropolis was in danger of not just the sorcerer Mordru, but also from a moving, breathing black hole. The Justice League, choosing to focus on the more flashy threat, left the city in peril. But luck, it would seem, was on our side. Luck, in the form of a hero known as Booster Gold. We continue our report."
The screen switched to video of Booster doing various heroic work, from helping stop mugger to apprehending bank robbers
"Booster Gold. He's a hero many of us probably don't remember. He is the man from the future, who came back to past to aid us. Many have compared him to a young Flash or Supergirl, Metropolis' newest upcoming hero.
"But while the Flash was made a senior member of the Justice League, what happened to Booster Gold?"
The image changed to footage of him sitting on a curb, waving people by.
"He was placed on crowd control. A hero that has a force field projector, the ability to fly, enhanced strength, energy blasters on each wrist, and a host of other gadgets…regulated to watching police lines while non-powered heroes like Green Arrow and Batman are allowed to fight.
"More shocking, crowd control is apparently seen as punishment for heroes. An anonymous tipster informed us that the League sees crowd control as the weakest position. You heard it here, folks…protecting citizens is a punishment the League dishes out. Not an honor.
"But why is Booster Gold so important? Because while other heroes ignored others, Booster Gold broke rank and helped people."
The screen showed images from Skeet's video recorder of Booster diving into a burning building, helping deliver a baby, and saving an old woman.
"People who would have been abandoned, thanks to the "Only Care about Making a Scene" Justice League." Snapper said. "It was during one of these acts of heroism that Booster Gold witnessed the destruction at Star Labs, and sought to help. We turn once more to Dr. Simmons."
Tracy appeared on screen, sitting straight and proud as she spoke. "He made sure I was alright, and when I told him what had happened…he bravely offered to help me."
"All by himself?"
"Oh no. He tried to call the Justice League."
"And their response."
Tracy gave a disgusted smile. "Booster played it off as if they felt he could handle it himself…but he was just trying to keep me calm. In reality…the League blew off his warning."
&&&
J'onn's eyes went wide as his conversation was played, thanks to Skeets' sensitive microphone.
&&&
"So, Booster Gold was able to save Dr. Brown?" Snapper asked.
"Yes." Tracy said. "He risked his own life, threw himself into the black hole, just to save all of us. He could have easily ran…hid…but when he was needed, he was there."
"And I assume the League was thankful?"
"Hardly." Tracy said. "Booster took me out to dinner afterwards…I had to ask him…and he showed up."
"He?"
"Batman." Tracy said. Footage of the date, featuring Batman beating Booster up, rolled as Tracy talked. "Here he insults me and shoves me away…"
"Horrible!" Snapper exclaimed.
"And here he tells Booster he is Watchtower bound. Booster saves the world while he was off showing it up for the cameras, and who gets beaten?" Tracy scoffed. "Maybe he's mad that Booster did what he couldn't."
The footage ended with Booster laying beaten in the remains of the table, Batman stalking off.
Snapper shook his head as the screen came back to him. "What did Booster say?"
"He said Batman was allowed to do that."
"Allowed?"
"Of course…since Batman is part of the founding council, he can do what he wants…the rest of the founders too, I guess."
"Shameful. But I must ask…Booster Gold has been accused of showboating too. Why is he different from the rest of the Justice League?"
Tracy smiled. "Booster walked away after saving me. He didn't ask for a thing…infact, he seemed not to consider himself a hero at all."
Booster's comment about heroes getting to kiss the girl played.
"He didn't make a big deal of any of this. His grand moment to show up the League, and he remained silent. While, I might add, Superman was giving a press conference."
Footage of Superman talking about the League saving the day played, before switching back to a full shot of Tracy.
"Tell me…who do you think the real hero is?"
The screen shifted to Snapper Carr in the studio.
"As an interesting endnote to this story, Booster Gold is no longer a part of the Justice league. Whether or not he was kicked out for going against the orders of Superman and the rest of the founders remains to be seen. But what I know, personally, is that it is a sad day when true heroes are victimized and frauds abuse their power as part of the 'Just-us League'." Snapper paused. "Coming up, a story about a group of heroes we know we can count on: The Ultimen."
&&&
Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Green Lantern, and J'onn all sat there, utterly stunned.
Beep Beep
Reaching numbly for the com link, Superman clicked it on to hear shouts of disapproval.
"Hey cous?" Supergirl said, her tone mockingly sweet. "Me and a bunch of leagues want to talk to you."
