Chapter 7: The Drums of War

Wonder Woman and Black Adam were flying towards the borders at tremendous speeds. He had a determined look about him. She could tell he still wasn't pleased with the idea of evacuating the citizens of Kahndaq, but after the talk with both Captain Marvel and Diana he knew that it was the best course of action. The warrior in his still screamed to take the fight to them and break them apart in front of their own men. Then again he also knew that it could make martyrs out of the dead. Still, he felt that if they wished to contest his power and avenge their fallen he would happily stand ready. Regardless of how he wanted to handle this, it always came back to Diana being right.

Just mere minutes ago he stood before his people and made the announcement that with or without the help of the American military they would be carrying out of the evacuation. The cheers that were prevalent moments before came a deafening silence. "My people, this decision does not come with ease. I would not ask this of you, except to say that words of wisdom has been brought to me and if I am to keep you safe through this storm I must weather it myself. I cannot risk any of you suffering through this."

A young man shouted back at Adam, "We would stand and fight with you, leader! We cannot allow them to destroy our homes and attack you while we do nothing! Running is not what you would do Mighty Adam!"

"I know, Mushek. However, sometimes it is better to retreat and live to fight another day. Our freedoms do come with a cost, this time I am the one who must pay. In future it could be any of you, but not today."

The boy looked surprised, "You know my name..."

"Yes, as I know them all as any leader should." Adam walked toward Mushek and took him by the hand, shaking it as if he were an equal. "The sacrifice you make today will bring us closer to peace. That is a cause worth fighting for, do not underestimate the importance of that role." Mushek's startled expression turned to cheered as he started chanting Adam's name once more. The crowd started with him and soon, Adam realized truly what sort of effect he had on the people. He knew that they loved him because he protected them, but he never knew they would die for him so readily. These weren't soldiers, they were people. None had any more training in battling a combat ready solider than they had at leading them, yet somehow they believed they could stand together. There was a humbling thought to Adam, and one he wouldn't soon forget. "You all inspire me, I will deem myself worthy in your eyes once more." The cheers could be heard for at least a mile as he and Wonder Woman took off.

They reached the borders and the media started to swarm. Adam held out his hand in a stop motion. "I apologize, we do not have time to discuss things in detail. I am here to see whoever is in charge of this military convoy." Adam looked around, seeing if he could spot a command tent anywhere about. Walking towards him was a lean older man, birds on his collar indicating he was a Colonel and staunch look about him.

"Well, looks like we have us a couple of visitors. What can I do for you Wonder Woman?"

"Actually it is more what you can do for Teth-Adam, Colonel...?"

"Westlake, Colonel Harry Westlake. So you're Black Adam, eh? You're a lot taller than I thought you'd be."

"Please, call me Adam, Colonel. I wish to speak to you about a matter of urgency. May we step outside the prying eyes of the cameras?"

"Of course." As they started to walk towards Col. Westlake's tent, the sounds of people following weren't far behind. Wonder Woman stopped and turned to meet the faces of the reporters. She gave a stern look to them as they got the picture that no one was supposed to follow. Lois Lane stood in the back as Wonder Woman looked towards her.

"Come on guys, they're going to go all hush, hush on us again."

"You lose your nerve, Lane?" One of the reporters asked.

"Sure have, and unless you want a pissed off Amazon on your case you'd best lose yours too." The reporter looked at Wonder Woman who loomed over him giving him a stare that could freeze someone's soul.

"Alright, I get the point. No admittance."

"Thank you all for your understanding, time permitting sometime later I will try and speak with you. Most likely though, I will not have the opportunity until after all matters concering Kahndaq are at a close." The reporters turned around and walked away almost in a huff. Lois stayed behind for a moment.

"Things that rough, Diana?"

"Off the record?"

"Of course."

"There is tensions mounting and it is not from Adam himself. The people of Kahndaq are in considerable danger because of the way Adam handled the battle that came across his borders. They want his head and there is little we can do to prevent it outside of Kahndaq."

"Probably for the best, Clark says that the political debate on whether to remove Adam is at an all time high."

"He is correct. There is a lot of factors that the delegations do not have the facts on, now that I have them I understand better that he isn't the problem. It is the world around Kahndaq that will cause a bigger threat."

"Attack him covertly and make him the bad guy when he starts to fight back."

"Yes."

"Diana, don't you think that "Superman" and a few others might be some help in this situation?"

"Absolutely not. They are better planning a way out of this than being directly involved right now. In any case I have to go and speak with the Colonel. Is he an agreeable man?"

"He's a good guy, lot of country sensibilities. He'll give you the time of day, just don't be pushy or demanding."

"Thank you Lois, say hello to your husband for me." Diana rushed into the tent.

"Let's get down to brass tacks, Mr. Adam. What is it you're looking for on this side of the border?"

"Assistance. I need to get my people outside of the country and quickly."

"And entire nations worth of people?"

"Kahndaq is the concentration, everyone else camps in the deserts and should be able to avoid what I believe to be coming."

"What is coming?"

"War. The Quraci group that was fighting the Supremacists have taken it personally that I killed their men. They plan on bringing a fight to my lands, but I do not want the people to get hurt."

"Well, I'm sure we could do something. However, I don't know where to place these people."

"Colonel, I'm asking you please. Let us find someplace that might take them. The invasion of Kahndaq will happen through tunnels they've constructed under the sands."

"You know they are likely to place a guard watching the skies as we haul people out."

"I have three heroes that are willing to help in that regard. If you need more than that, so be it."

"You truly don't like these superhero types, do ya?"

"I respect their place, but after the time I've had over the course of 2 days trying to convince two of my guests that I am not the same man, I grow tired. The will see me as I am, or not at all. I cannot fight any further battles than the ones currently before me, they will have to wait." In mid-sentence Wonder Woman entered. After hearing his thoughts she nodded in understanding.

"I hope that your actions will soon prove all you need to. Colonel, I can vouch for him. The people cannot all fight this...." she stopped for a moment and turned her ear towards the skies. Something was flying overhead and going fast. Adam and Diana stepped outside as they saw two figured clad in robes flying at mach speeds towards Kahndaq. "We are going to need an answer soon, Colonel."

She went to leap in the air and Adam reached out grabbing her arm. "Stay here and negotiate terms, I authorize you to do what is necessary to get my people out. I will go after them!" She landed and looked at him with concern.

"Gods be with you Adam. " He nodded and took off. As he aimed himself back towards his home he gained tremendous amounts of speed. The thunder cracks of his breaking the barriers were heard by all.

The two men turned when they heard the sound and saw Adam in full rage as he flew towards them with the intent to bring them down any way he could. One extended out his hand and a fist of sand came from the ground smashing Adam downwards. The force of the blow took him down with a tremendous thud. As he looked upwards he saw the other coming at him as the hand gripped around his body. As the other reached Adam, he extended his fingers and started to become corporeal He stuck his hand into Adam's skull and barely phased back into to his solid form and slowly pulled it out. "Do you feel pain, Black Adam? The Wraith will not allow you to suffer for long, for you at least gave that courtesy to our brothers."

"I will take your life from you! I will be free of this!"

"I think not!" The figure started to phase yet again and crept his hand forward, "I want you to feel this enter and then feel it turn whole again right before your head explodes." He cackled as it started to near his face when Adam looked up to the sky.

"SHAZAM!" The Wraith looked to the sky in shock as the lightning started to strike. He wasn't full phased out yet, but he attempted to while trying to fly away from it. The magical bolt was quicker than him however. His scream was like a tortured animal as the electricity and magic surged through him as he was between two world. The bolt's work was soon done and it split him in two. His entire body solidified as both pieces hit the ground as an almost gelatinous mess. The hand that gripped Adam was now glass much to the shock of his other assailant. Adam called the wizard's name again and transformed back into his powered state. The hand broke with little effort, pieces of glass started to shatter off as Adam flexed his muscles. The attacker started to panic and created a sand golem to fight Adam. Adam saw the giant rise from the ground. He shouted to the back of him. "What do they call you?"

"I am known as Sandstorm."

"Sandstorm. Then so be it, Sandstorm! I will remember your name so that when it is asked who the mangled corpse is that litters the ground I can answer them." The golem came near Adam and took a swing with its massive arm. It hit Adam and pushed him to the ground. It started to collapse in on itself over him, but to Sandstorm's surprise he didn't cry out in anger or fear. For a moment, Sandstorm hovered looking to see if any movement came. Soon a hill starting to get created and then a man emerged. The man was angered, but he had little worry as the golem was easily created again. As it started rising from the ground Adam started to fly in a circle around him. As he did it created a tornado of sand which started to pick up the shattered glass.

Sandstorm saw the tornado and tried to form something, but the strength of Adam's speed was too much. He pushed as hard as he could to get control of the sands in this control even control the winds that Adam was kicking up. Nothing was helping the situation. Adam was tapping into pure anger. The funnel of sand and glass started to come towards him as he started to feel fear gripping his heart. He would be shredded or choked to death if this enemy had his way. He thought long and hard and started to scream, "I SURRENDER! DO YOU HEAR ME ADAM OF KAHNDAQ? I WILL NO LONGER FIGHT!"

Adam wasn't slowing down his pace and he realized that saying the words wasn't going to do much good in those high winds. He realized the only course of action was to get on his knees and beg. He descended fast and dropped to his knees he just shouting pleas and begged for mercy. Adam saw him drop and he too ended his storm. He flew into the eye and stood there as the sand flew out as cloud. As it settled back over the desert, Sandstorm looked up and saw Adam standing there. Adam walked towards him and grabbed the foolish man by the throat. "You will tell me the plans of attack, or I will make your death slow. Perhaps I might make you live in great pain."

Sandstorm looked him in the face with terror in his eyes. He knew that Adam meant what he said, he'd be killed for no other reason than to satisfy his own bloodlust. He considered what would be done to him by his own people should he talked. The problem was that the one person that did him damage was now lying about the desert where his entrails were flung by the winds. No one was coming for him. "The plan is in motion. There is another team heading in from your southern border, there are several tunnels that you have not discovered that will be bringing troops in to start a purge of Kahndaq. It is happening now! They will kill them all just to provoke your attack! It is all happening now!"

"WHAT?! I should kill you, but I won't…" Adam broke his arms and legs. He grabbed him and flew back towards the military envoy and threw him. "TELL THEM, MAGGOT! AND PRAY YOU NEVER MEET ME AGAIN!" He turned and with all of his speed he flew back to Kahndaq.

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Captain Marvel and Hawkman were trying to get people into a place where they could wait for trucks, and other such transport vehicles. They found bunkers that the terrorist installed to keep stores of weapons. They checked to make sure that tunnels weren't entering or exiting each one, but even those few bunkers they found it wasn't enough to house all the people. They looked to buildings, but they feared collapse if they should be attacked first. The only other place that might house the people was the palace, but that was the first place the enemy would attack.

"What are we going to do with them all?" Captain Marvel asked.

"I have no idea, there's no safe locations, and we can't know where the tunnels are. So for all we know we're leaving them as sitting ducks in those bunkers. I don't know what to do here, Marvel. I've told them to find places to hide that will keep them out of sight and safe from the oncoming onslaught. They nodded, but I could have just told several people to go to their deaths. This isn't my kingdom, I can't be sure where things should be. The only place else that might save them is if the hide in the crypts, but that's sacrilegious to desecrate a tomb."

"It might not be an issue too much longer where to hide them. I see something in the distance." Hawkman turned and there were several figures in the air. At least 5 and from what he could see Raptor was leading them.

"Great, it wasn't bad enough… Where's the Kahndaqi army?"

"They're standing ready, but I'm hoping to avoid having to use them in this battle."

"The tunnels were just for metahumans, Marvel. They were for an invasion force. If there's a few hundred of them, and just say 60 or 70 of us, we're looking at a Zack Snyder feature."

"You watched that movie?"

"Kid, I lived through stuff like that."

"Really? I can't imagine what that would be like."

"It's watching most, if not all, of the people you went into battle with never come home. The point was to make a stand and show that they wouldn't go quietly unto their deaths. It's war Marvel, and unfortunately you're gonna be involved in this one. I don't wish that on anyone and you're welcome to go. I'd almost insist, but this is where you have to make the choice."

"I can deal with this, I've seen people die."

"Ask yourself if you really think that prepared you for this? Most men aren't, but you aren't most men. You're not even a man yet, you're just a kid that looks like a full grown man. You're going to learn a valuable lesson that we seem to overlook when there's tons of other bright costumes around us, war is hell and people are going to die."

"I know, but I'm hoping we'll stem the tide of that. That's what we do."

"Sure kid, Save who you can and try to incapacitate the enemy if possible. I mean really stick to the values you hold dear. That's the one thing you've got in this situation, but know that sometimes the only choice they'll give you is death. I don't envy you, Billy. I'm sorry that you're here."

"Do you think it will come to us killing people? We're heroes, right?"

"We are and we don't kill, unless we are left with no choices."

"Like Superman with Doomsday."

"A lot like that."

"I've always been told there's choices, no matter what."

"In a sense that's true, it's a final choice. In wars those types happen a lot. They call it no choice because it was the last and only option. Let's pray we don't run out. For your sake and theirs."

"I'm no killer, and I won't do that so long as there's a breath in my body."

"To be like you, Billy. I envy the optimism that you have. Adam, Diana, and I know these times better than any and the unfortunate happens. We hold out if we can, but if it comes down to it we will do the deed. We do it to make sure the innocent survive, no matter what."

"I don't know if I'm prepared for that, but I will do what I do best."

"And what is that?"

"Hold on to hope." Hawkman smiled at Marvel. He nodded as the wave of enemy made it to the city. The two shook hands in silence and took to the skies to meet their quarry head on.

Raptor spotted the advancing heroes and stopped his men so that they could look at the two that dared defy their mission. "These two are merely fodder. We are here for Black Adam. If they get in your path do what you have to in order to reach the palace. Detonator & Scream you will attack from the east side, await the arrival of Flare then start to destroy it level by level. Creature & Acid Rasheed, you will attack the west walls. You will meet Blur there. As for me, I have a score to settle with Hawkman!" They started to fan out to go to their appointed tasks. Raptor went headlong towards the two heroes.

The heroes saw the split and that Raptor was barreling towards him. "Go stop the others, I'll deal with Raptor."

"You can't do that alone."

"Don't argue, there's more than enough playmates with those other guys on the loose. If Raptor does a number on you again we're out one of the heavy-hitters, GO!" Marvel looked for a second, waiting for Hawkman to change his mind, but he took off.

Hawkman's gaze never left the oncoming villain. He gripped his mace tightly, making sure the tether was secure over his wrist. Raptor's wings and talons glistened in the sun, he was intent on ripping the hero apart. Hawkman's wings flared out as he hovered, "Come on you bastard, I'll give you the shot you want." Raptor covered the distance and the sound of crashing metal covered the air.

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Captain Marvel caught up to one group quickly. They had made it to the palace by the time he was convinced that Hawkman didn't need him. He thought to himself how silly it was to ask, with Wonder Woman and Adam at the border, who else was going to defend against the metahuman onslaught? Hawkman was right, attacking Raptor was a bad idea for him. He could dodge all the live long day, but one good swipe and it could be all over. As he reached the palace walls, he saw that the troops left behind to defend against human enemies were already dead. Someone it looked as if blew them up from their insides. He looked and saw a being moving at superspeed, that was going to be a problem. Marvel could move fast, but was he fast enough for this? On the other hand, as he looked up towards the top of the palace there was a huge beast knocking down pillars. It wasn't there before, but now it was and it was doing a great job of destroying everything in sight. It screeched a horrid sound as Marvel approached.

"Infidel! You come to sate my hunger?" Creature flung his tail towards Marvel. He moved out of the way just before the whip like object flew past him. The tail changed direction and struck Marvel hard in the chest sending him flying backwards. He applied his own force to slow his flight down and went back blazing as a red, gold and white blur. "You have spirit, Infidel! I like that!" He swung his tail again and as he did, Marvel caught it.

"And I have your tail too, and I like that even more." Marvel started to spin faster and faster as the beast started to scream in terror. His partner Acid Rasheed saw his friend being swung and stopped his attack. He was trying to find some way he could bring down the hero and fast, but it was too late. Marvel let go of the tail sending Creature flying towards the deserts. A crash was seen just moments after as he hit the sands causing a huge cloud. Marvel turned back and got his face doused in Acid. It stung his eyes slightly, it was almost as if he'd dumped orange juice in his eyes.

His attacker didn't let up as the acid ate away Marvel's shirt. Marvel covered his face to avoid further but, as he moved forward his attacker kept moving back. Practically blinded, Marvel tried to swing a couple of times but the more he tried the more acid was dumped upon him. "Feel the fury of Acid Rasheed!"

"Acid Rasheed, huh? How about Breathless Rasheed instead?" Marvel changed his tactics started to fly in circles around his attacker. As he moved quickly the vortex started to remove the air from the center and it started to cause Rasheed to black out. Marvel was about to completely knock out the villain when an explosion set him jetting away. As he laid upon the ground he saw Rasheed and one of his cohorts still flying in the air. Soon he was joined by one other flying menace and the two ground metas.

The superspeedster looked him over, "I know of this one. He is a brother of Adam's."

"We share similar powers, but we're not quite the same."

"That is alright, infidel. We will not split hairs as to those differences." The group of them started to make their move Marvel had to do something fast.

His hand were firmly on the ground keeping him up as the they loomed in closer. He got a bright idea in his head, if he can only keep the speedster busy. He looked to the sky, past them and nodded his head. The speedster saw and turned to look. 'Good!' Marvel thought and he started to pound his palms on the ground causing it to quake as which made those on the ground unsteady. Marvel took advantage and flew through the guard walls of the palace and then straight up to get airborne as a barrage of fire started to reign just behind his position. He saw the aerial team moving in again. He sighed and said to himself, "I hope Hawkman's having an easier time of it than I am."

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Hawkman and Raptor kept a firm grip on the other's wrist so their weapons were ineffective. Raptor dug in his talons, which Hawkman replied with a head butt. The beak on his helm was sharp enough to gouge as it found meat to dig into as he moved his head in a downward motion. Raptor disengaged, because he knew that while he could hurt Hawkman enough to at least make him short a weapons hand, too much more of his opponents blows would render him unconscious and at this height that might be enough for death.

Hawkman looked at his wrist. Nothing major cut, he did manage to puncture it enough. I was lucky that the heroes wrists were thick, otherwise the those talons could've shredded him. Raptor started to unleash a barrage of telekinetic dart, some of them actually hit Carter in the shoulder and a few in the side, but luckily he was able to dodge the bulk.. He swooped down and then back up, Raptor followed his movements, but was left with no choice than to turn to meet his aged foe. He was surprised of the dexterity that Hawkman had, he instinctively tried to bring his wing around to protect him like a shield but it was too late. As his face turned to confirm where exactly Hawkman was he met the mace which raked across his teeth cracking them into shards. Blood flew from his mouth, his nose gushed and one eye was now puffed up. The world went black for a moment, but to his credit he didn't fall. He instead swung his hand up and caught Hawkman in the chest. The would cut a lot of meat out. The wound was deep, but not too deep. It was going to scar worse that anything, but it was lucky not to hit bone. Better yet, it didn't go deep enough to reach his heart. The sting of the blow was the worst part of it. Almost as if the metal had been soaked in alcohol first. He started to consider poisons, however there wasn't much time to worry about that. Raptor was regrouping and it wouldn't be long before he just kept an onslaught of attacks running.

Raptor considered that his darts wouldn't be effective until Hawkman was too punch-drunk to dodge any longer. He had no idea how long that would take, as it was he didn't think he was too far from that state. The mace blow still hurt minutes later. His jaw was broken, which means no talking. That's a bad thing because if he can keep the hero distracted with banter than perhaps he might get the chance to catch him off guard. Of course, that didn't really work so well the last time either. He pondered how long it would be before he passed out from sheer blood loss. It wasn't letting up and neither would the hero. He thought how fitting it was that he should fight the Hawkman, he felt that they had so much in common. If it were a different time or circumstances had been better they might've regaled each other with tales of being men with wings. Raptor was well-versed in the histories and myths of many infidel lands. He thought if it should come that he needed to attack it might help just in case their champions should come to fight. He thought that he and Hawkman succeeded where Icarus failed. They didn't melt and the sun felt so close that the metal should burn them alive, but no. If he never fought another opponent then he would count himself fortunate to have fought this one.

Hawkman started to blaze toward him when a black and gold figure appeared in between. There Black Adam hovered as he stared at the enemy. "You are the one that dares attack my guests. You lead men who murder my armies. You who dares to threaten my people. You who is foolish enough to believe that even with your pretty wings that will assassinate me!"

"Adam, don't! He's mine!" Adam's face never turned to look in questioning.

"You wish him?"

"I've fought him to this stand still, I claim my warrior's rights!"

"So be it, Khufu. Count yourself very luck that he will be the one to stop you. He may leave you intact."

"Adam, there's a barrage of metahumans attacking the palace, Marvel went in their alone to deal with 'em. He hasn't come back to help me yet and I don't see the non-meta ground troops thinning out. He's going to need help!"

"Yes, he will." Adam turned towards the palace and rushed. And as Hawkman said there were 5 there. One of them caused explosive discharges, which he was using to keep Marvel off guard. Adam clapped his hands together as it shook the ground and sent a shockwave through the air.

"THE LORD AND MASTER HAS RETURNED! KILL HIM!" Detonator shouted and was the first to respond. Adam felt the air around him charge and he saw a strange glow. Moments later the charge blew up in a violent burst of flame which engulfed him. He lost view for a moment only to have the flame parted by a fist with a similar energy pattern as had caused the explosion. As the fist made contact it exploded sending Adam backwards. He broke through the palace and tore up much of the floor with his back. Detonator followed him in slowly to see if he could make out where Adam had fallen. As he peered in a fist met his nose crushing it and fracturing his skull. The blood poured out of his mouth and nose like a faucet.

Acid Rasheed followed after his fellow terrorist. As he saw Adam punch him he diverted course to the wall. He started to lay out a thick layer of acid in cracks and crevasses which caused them to start crumbling further and making it so unstable that it started to cave in. Adam looked for a moment as rubble and debris started to fall from the ceiling and the floors gave out. They damaged the castle enough to where his crashing into it must've caused that much more instability. The palace was going to collapse and quickly. He was angered, but it would do him little good now. He grabbed the unconscious Detonator and flew out. As he created a great thrust of air the palace started to crumble to the ground. He dropped off the villain and looked for the culprit that had helped it along. The culprit smiled at the angered lord of Kahndaq. "You shall take Acid Rasheed seriously!"

"Will I?" He went jetting towards him.

Blur was fighting Marvel, causing him great amounts of pain. At least one bone was broken that Marvel knew of thanks to the constant vibrations of the speedsters hand passing through his body. It shattered which means his body would have to stay in mediation while it healed. He didn't have time for that. The speedster, however became less interested as he turned to see Adam going after his cohort. He ran towards Adam and vibrated through him. As he did Adam concentrated calling up the lighting that surged through his body after the transformation. The speedster tried to resist it but as he left Adam's body the lighting started to really effect him. He screamed in pain and had to stop running. The lighting was too much. Every bit of movement he took caused enough friction to keep the electricity dancing. However, it did give Acid Rasheed the time he needed to start blinding Adam.

Rasheed poured acid into the eyes of his quarry. The blinding effect started to get at Adam. He reached out blindly towards Rasheed, but the villain was evading him. Eventually Adam stood completely still. He felt the acid pouring on him which meant he was still fairly close. Adam listened and tried to pay attention to shadows. Eventually Adam knelt picking up a rock. The acid maker started to pour all he had into it, he didn't want Adam to use any sort of ammunition. It was too late though, Adam felt him pass by in a circle motion and as he timed him he threw the rock and buried it deep with Rasheed's cranium. The acid stopped and the sound of a body crashing into the ground followed. Adam wiped away the acid and looked at the twitching body of his enemy. Blur laid there in pain as he watched his comrade get killed.

"Infidel! Murderous pig! You are unclean and should be eradicated from this world and the next! No hell is good enough for you! Your soul should be rend from your body and your corpse placed as a symbol that all hope is lost in your kind. You who have gifts and think that you are above these things, that you can kill ours for entering your lands, but will not soil his hands to fend of a true invasion like that of the Americans!"

"They fight to free people from tyrants like you, why should I care if your hide is ripped asunder if you support acts of terrorism?"

"We are freedom fighters! Liberators of our country from capitalist dogs that want to end our ways because theirs is better!"

"I care very little for your plight. You attack unprovoked because they have a way of life different than yours as well. Perhaps no one is just in their causes, but whatever the case may be it is not the problem of this nation! You have brought death and suffering to my home and for that you should die and believe me Blur, you will die."

Marvel worked through his pain to fend off against Scream and Flare. He was fighting hard to try and put one into the path of the other. He hoped that if he could get Flare to get close enough he might back able to have him get hit with Scream's attack. However, that was easier said than done. The Marvel's maneuverability wasn't nearly as good as he was used to. As soon as he got within distance to hit Flare, the villain would concentrate a blast towards the hero's face to keep him blinded. 'They sure love doing that!' Marvel thought to himself. Scream's effect was disorienting enough. Between the two he couldn't hear or see a thing. He wasn't feeling the need to fly because if he tried he might do more damage than good. He got an idea from Solomon that perhaps he needed to create a whirlwind effect. Adam at least could deal with it, but the others would have difficulty. Marvel stopped trying to advance and started to spin like a top which started to create a vortex that sucked the two villains in. Marvel felt the flame end and he could hear again, however there was a slight ringing in his ears. When he felt comfortable enough he ended his spin which threw the villains into the ground. Marvel was very disoriented after that, but at least he had a moment to regroup before he had to fight them again. He fell to his knees.

Adam saw him fall. "Are you alright, Marvel?"

"I hope! I can see others flying in! More villains I think. The big one I tossed earlier is coming back with them."

"Dammit! We need to stop them! Are you capable of flying?"

"I need to rest a moment, I'll be there as soon as I can!"

"Recover quickly, death rides on the winds!" Adam bolted towards the oncoming villains. He plowed through the line killing one as they approached. He turned to took at the others. "Which one wants to avenge him?" Creature turned into a fearsome looking beast. It was as nothing Adam had ever seen before. He looked over the creature whose wings were like that of a bats. He had fangs like that of a venomous snake and the claws of a large cat. Creature lunged forward as the other 2 with him started to fire various things at him. One fired shards of metal at him while the other fired lightning. Creature's arms became that of an octopus and wrapped around Adam as the others took turns trying to pierce or fry the leader's skin. Adam flexed hard against the tightening tentacles and ripped them apart. He reached out for the lightning caster in mid bolt and turned him towards the shard thrower. The metal that grew from his body only helped to electrocute him as the lightning danced around his body. Adam turned the foolish metahuman around. "You fool boy, I command the lighting. Did you truly think that your pathetic bolts would do me harm?"

"I care not, I am here to teach you about war! Look and know the lesson I bring!"

"A kitten would teach a lion the art of war?" Adam snapped his neck and dropped him to the ground. "I hope the lesson you have been taught follows you into the next life, boy!"

"Perhaps I might still teach you!" Creature returned, his arms grow back and ready to fight.

"Resilience. This battle might actually be worthy of my skills!" Creature flung a clawed hand forward. Adam went to grab it and started to squeeze to break it when another tentacle came and hit him across the face. The Black Marvel corrected himself as several others started to come as a hail of whips towards him. Adam started to catch them as they started to retract within the body of his enemy. It was meant to draw him closer in. The fangs of the snake became that of a spider, though Adam couldn't tell what sort it was. The effect had to be something much worse as it the snake's would be as poisonous. He was drawn it closer towards the maw of Creature, the salivating mouth of this beast struck out at his prey. What he got in return was a broken pair of fangs. He screamed in utter pain as the venom poured from its mouth. "Your attack might have been more effective had it not been for my body being more dense than a steel wall and if I wasn't naturally immune to poisons. However, I applaud the originality." Adam grabbed Creatures mouth and pulled until it ripped the head of the foolish man off.

Marvel looked towards the fight and saw the last body fall from the sky. He was disgusted that he couldn't do anything. His ribs were starting to heal, but it wasn't fast enough to help. He kept on his knees, still disoriented by pain and his whirlwind tactic. He looked down to the ground for a moment when blinding light from the north turned his face back skywards. "That has to be Nazi… By the Gods, what more do we have to endure before this ends?"

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Hawkman and Raptor were both bloody messes still hovering in the air. Raptor wouldn't be able to hold on for much longer, but that didn't mean he gave up. The fight was glorious, a real test of his abilities as he saw it. If he lost to the infidel it would be shameful, but he still thought of the true glory of fighting this man. Raptor spread his wings wide and took off towards Hawkman with such abandon. He knew that the only way he was going to come out of this victorious is to take him out with a lucky blow. It was an all or nothing attempt. He saw Hawkman braced for what was coming as he stuck his talons out first in an attempt to ram them into his chest. It would fillet the hero if that happened. As it was, Hawkman's harness was hanging on for dear life, too much more would surely kill him. Raptor knew it and felt that in a blaze of glory he could die knowing he took down this hero. So there would be no shame after all!

Hawkman hovered there as Raptor came at him, in his head he kept telling himself to wait. A barrage of screaming in his mind to hold on just for one more second, one more… Then as the talons were near to touching him he spun over Raptor's head. The talons and the tips of Raptor's wings shredded feathers from the heroes own set, but as he turned around he brought the mace to bear against the back of Raptor's head. The blood exploded from the villain as he started to fall from the sky. Hawkman reached out and grabbed him by the robes and gently brought him back down. He turned Raptor over and saw that the Nth metal skeleton inside this boy had been severely damaged. If he wasn't dead, he would be. He placed his hand on the boy's chest, "I'm sorry."

He took to the air and saw military forces from Qurac pouring in. He hadn't seen anything like it since that day on a shore in England when Nazi forces tried to invade. He and several of his teammates waded through those forces like they were water and each one of them fell to the might of the combine heroes. He saw a concentration of them heading towards the palace and knew that they'd swarm over Adam and Marvel in no time. If they had any chance of survival he'd have to stop some of them first. The issue was that he was but one and not bulletproof like his companions. People fired upon him as they spotted the figure, to which he responded with evasive maneuvers. He knew the best tactic was to find pockets of insurgents trying to cause more sneaky damage like planting bombs and such. He sought them out looking to find some sort of shield he could use to cover him if he went and waded into the bigger force.

He looked around and found one such group setting up a improvised device. They were hooking it up to explode with a landmine style trigger. One false step and there would be a mass of meat where once a human stood. Hawkman seethed with hatred as he saw them planting it in near by sand. He swooped down from the skies and as his shadow crossed their paths they started to draw their guns. He came back for another pass and he swung his mace at the leads weapon. The mace hit and the snap of the man's wrist was an indication that he'd succeeded and causing him enough excruciating pain to keep him out of the action for a small time. Other shots rang out as he swerved to miss the hail of gunfire coming towards him. He had to find a way to disarm the bomb He was afraid that enough prepping had been done that any wrong move would set it off. Bombs like these were often filled with shrapnel of all sorts and meant not only to blow up the individual next to it, but to completely shred them so as to make sure that they wouldn't by some miracle survive. He was going to have to question them some how, some way. The only way he could see to do it with any sort of success was to find a way to take them by surprise.

He flew away fast. They looked at him speed away as if something had truly frightened him. It caused the insurgents to scream in victory that they made the mighty hero leave. Their shouts and parties made three of the five go back to their job of setting the bomb while one helped to snap the wrist of his leader back into place. Hawkman gave them a few seconds to go back to their plan. They were still being speedy about things, but they were focused on the task. Around a building the former Pharaoh flew with the grace of any actual hawk. He reached his targets while they tried to bring their weapons to bear. He rushed into them shoulders first and carried the three working on the bomb into the other two laying on the ground. He started using his mace as they got up to knock them unconscious and loosen a few teeth for the foolish terrorists. One, however, he left conscious.

"How do you stop it?" he spoke to the man.

"Go to your hell, Infidel!"

"You've got a choice, speak with or without your teeth. I'll make it hurt bad."

"That is no threat, Infidel!"

"Then perhaps this is!" Hawkman brought his mace and planted it into the lower two ribs of the man with some force. He heard the crack and the man shrieked in pain. Hawkman's face tightened and his teeth were bared and turned to anger. "Do you want to talk now or do we see what the other ribs sounds like breaking?"

"You will not frighten me!" The terrorist was terrified at this point, but he tried to keep his brave face on to the hero. It wasn't working and he knew that Hawkman knew it.

"Are you sure you don't wanna talk it now?"

The terrorist stood stiff lipped trying to follow the teachings of his leaders; tell nothing to one not of your own. He winced through the pain and Hawkman pulled back the mace again. He looked down at the Nth Metal weapon with widened eyes. As the mace started to charge again at him he started to tear up and sweat. It stopped short of the target as the man screamed out. "I WILL TALK! PLEASE, DO NOT KILL ME!"

"How many more of you are setting up bombs?"

"There are 8 in various places around the city. I do not know exact locations!"

"And how do you disarm them? TELL ME!"

"They are set with foot triggers buried in the sand. If you find the device you can cut trigger wire."

"Wouldn't that set off the bomb?"

The terrorist shuddered when he realized his trick didn't work. His eyes gave it away, which was responded with a back hand to the lying man's mouth. "Now how about telling me how to disarm it!"

"There is a switch in the device. It is a small metal piece that you need to move it to the left. It is the pressure switch. The more you push it over the more pressure you'd have to exert to set it. If you push it over all the way it would take a tank to trigger it."

"You better not be lying to me!"

"I am not lying, I swear it!" Hawkman pushed him towards his waking cohorts. He stood over them as kept the mace ready to strike.

"Your guns, toss them in front of me." They acted as he said. As the weapons piled up here he started to smash them with his mace. They looked at him as if they wondered if they'd be next. As he grabbed the device and set it to the highest pressure point a bright light filled the sky to the north.

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Wonder Woman saw the black and gold blur for a moment as he flung a person towards the encampment. She and the general rushed towards the individual who was writhing in pain. The first thing she saw was the oncoming of the media about to mob him. She ran to him and stood there in between the reporters and this person. "This is not for the media at this moment."

"Alfonso Ferrera, WLEX News Division. This is a violation of our first amendment rights!"

"Mr. Ferrera, I know you wish to keep your ratings up and your watchers informed. I believe however that if it violates the safety of any people, soldier or civilian, then it is well within the rights of the military and acting UN members to keep the information private until it can be properly given to the media."

"You mean you want to feed us a line, while you keep secrets? That's highly irregular for Wonder Woman, wouldn't you say? I mean you are purported to be a lie detector, or is it just for those that you don't like?."

The patience of Athena took hold. If she had been any other Amazon or not feeling herself, she might've felt the urge to strike this man for questioning her honor. She was a diplomat, which meant despite such remarks she kept a smile on and tried to explain herself. "I assure you, my powers work with anyone. I do not hide the truth from anyone without reason, and generally there is very little reason for me to do that. The loss of human life is one of those reasons. You are welcomed to take that how you will, Mr. Ferrera. I caution you though, if such secretes are revealed and it does cost lives, you will be sought after as a criminal. I will bring you to the courts myself and leave you to face them."

"Freedom of the press, Wonder Woman."

"Insofar as no one dies, Mr. Ferrera. Your freedoms end where someone else's begins. Now if you will excuse me, I do have more pressing matters to attend to. Please feel free to slander my name as you have been known to already. I am sure your credibility will further plummet." She picked up the man and walked him towards the command tent.

The General had a table brought in for him to lay on as they reset his bones. As they snapped them back into place he howled in pain. Gen. Westlake looked at him with some interest. "I wonder who this cuss is?"

"I do not know, but I will." She put the lasso around him and bent in to talk. "Who are you?"

"I am Sandstorm, of the Quraci Liberation Front."

"You were going to Kahndaq?"

"My colleague and I were sent in to surprise attack Adam once the others had done their job."

"How many others did you send?"

"I know of twelve in different position to attack. There was an elite team sent in advance. We were part of elite team two."

"You are attacking Qurac now?"

"Yes. We have been sent to kill Black Adam, but he attacked us first. My partner Wraith is dead, but he sent me in to tell you what it was that had transpired as he went back to his homeland to fend off the invasion force."

"As must I. General Westlake, I need you to stand ready for any wounded we might be able to get to you. I hope to have the insurgents on the run back this way into your hands."

"Can't you just let us go in?"

"Regulations General. I would do so in a moments notice. However, such acts I fear will not serve as a bridge between friendship, but only as a reason for further attacks. Your presence outside the borders serves as a reminder that you may talk with Adam, but you are not allies. Thusly it will make sure that no one attacks him for supporting you. He does not support the war other than as a removal of terrorist group. Past that agenda he is not willing to, as you say, back your play?"

"I understand. We'll stand by and be ready to receive any wounded you can get to us."

"Perhaps then you can take me." She turned in shock and anger. The voice belonged to Batman. No sooner did he appear than Superman beamed into the location. The General stood back and stared at these figures, unsure of what to do.

"I think I'll step out… if that's okay with you."

"Thank you General. I hope that these two will soon follow. What were you doing here Batman?"

"The situation has become unstable, and you need help. Regardless of Adam's wants, we're needed."

"You know the situation well, Batman. You cannot just enter Kahndaq any more than the United States can. What are you playing at?"

"Invasion forces are in play, people are dying and you're still tiptoeing around him. This war could escalate everything. We need to stop it before everyone in costume gets taken out."

"Batman, she can't just break Adam's rules like that."

"Superman, how could you let him do this? He could jeopardize everything!"

"You know he does as he will when he believes it's in the interest of the greater good."

"You knew he was coming here?"

"I had a hard time tracking him, but I found him."

"And you thought not to tell me about it? I'm sure there was someone on this 'planet' that could've informed me he was here or on his way."

"I'm sorry, Diana. I was just trying to make sure you were okay. We were working on a way to help you out of this just in case it went south, just as you asked."

"You were to stave off any threat of a bigger war! If it came to this, you needed to stop it from affecting the rest of the world. Allow our memories as heroes fuel a reason to stand together and put an end to the terrorist threat all over the world. Help us to make the message that we did what we have always, save the world!"

"Saving the world, Diana?" Batman turned to ask her. "Do you think going to Kahndaq is truly saving the world?"

"I do not have time for these questions! You two have wasted enough time when Kahndaq needs me the most! You have him Superman, take him back to the Watchtower!"

"He won't keep me out. Diana get it through that head of yours, you need us this time. Lives will need to be spared, that the all but Marvel, will see to ending. You all are ready to kill, we're better than that. The League could stop this! Even Superman and I could be enough to bring this to an end!"

"You refuse to go, then? Are you saying that you will disregard my wishes regardless of what I ask? You would put our friendship that far on the line for that? Are you prepared for the consequences of such actions."

"This goes beyond friendship, Wonder Woman. I cross that line to save a hero her reputation, which is needed in this world. If you support Adam through this, you will lose it. People hate him for a reason, he's proven to be untrustworthy. Regardless of what truth he's told, it's not fact. It's what he believes enough in that it fools your lasso. He's powerful, powered by beings on the same level as those that created the lasso. I respect its power, but if these powers of others surge enough, will its effect be broken?"

"It held Ares! It made him see truth! Do you claim Adam to be stronger than Ares, who was maddened on the power of the wars of man?"

"Old dogs and new tricks, Diana."

"You've put our friendship on the line and as teammates, Batman. I give you this final warning, leave."

"No."

Diana's foot flew through the air slowing itself only so far. Batman went to block the kick coming towards him, but as he did she spun in the air and kicked him in the chest sending him flying backwards. She still managed to pull her strength so as to not kill him. She saw him move his hand towards his belt, just ever slightly. Not many could spot it, she pulled the tiara off her head and tossed it at him. It cut his cape off as the shoulders. The tiara returned and she placed it back on her head. As Batman stood up the cape fell to the ground. They stared at one another, her eyes showed the fires in which an Amazon forges herself. Superman moved in between them. "No more. I'll take him home, Diana. I'm sorry, we wanted to make sure that you had more support. Marvel and Hawkman are good, but we felt like if Adam became a threat you might want the extra hands."

"We will talk about this later! The constant reminders that I am underestimated have gotten very old. When next we meet Batman, I will have your apologies or you will have me as your enemy! Now if you both have wasted enough time!"

"Just remember, Wonder Woman. If you had just let us go, any lives lost might've had a chance."

"You arrogant…" she stormed forward as Superman blocked Batman from the approach of the Amazon. As she was about to forcibly removed Superman from the front of her quarry a light shined brightly above the camp. There Captain Nazi floated, he had a golden glow of a flame around him. It was as if he was on fire, but it was magical flame. His eyes glowed with the same flame. It was as ethereal as that of Green Lantern's energy glowing around him. As the military fired upon him, he too fired back large amounts of flame which scorched the flesh from bone. The media ran to evade the oncoming firefight. The three heroes stopped what they were doing and went straight to work to save the non-metahumans. The trinity put aside their differences to do what was necessary; to be heroes.