Gotham City-Ace Chemical Plant
Deadshot was humming to himself while listening to Beethoven's 5th as he set up the practice targets. He then put on a blindfold and waited until he heard those famous four notes.
"Da-"
BANG!
"Da-"
BANG!
"Da-"
BANG!
"Daaaaa!"
BANG!
Working in rhythm with the musical masterpiece, he danced around, shooting all his targets, entirely based on memory. Since he had been lying low for a while, he had to practice not only his marksmanship skills but his memory and timing as well. He couldn't afford to be rusty when he jumped back into the action. It was a dog eat dog world in Gotham. As the symphony continued to play, Deadshot took off his blindfold and smiled at his work. As always, he never missed. His aim even without his vision was right on the dot. He was so satisfied with his work he didn't' realize someone was standing behind him.
"I usually prefer Baroque over the Classical, but I guess, every man has his taste," a condescending voice croaked.
Deadshot turned around and found himself face to face with a short man in a pompous suit with a monocle and umbrella.
"Be careful Ozzie," Deadshot teased. "You know I never miss, even when I'm jumpy."
"It's Penguin now," the short man corrected and he took a step forward. He wrinkled his nose at the stench from the place.
"I take it hasn't been going so well my friend?"
"Well some of us rather keep our honor than be a rat. You think you can just go back to being the Penguin after what you did?" Deadshot retorted. Penguin's transition from criminal to informant for Batman didn't go over well in the criminal populace.
"I'm not a rat. I'm a man who knows when to take a good opportunity. I hope you will do the same soon," Penguin sneered as he helped himself to a seat without invitation.
"What do you mean?" Deadshot asked curiously. Penguin may have been a rat but he still paid well when he needed a job done.
"I take it you heard our mutual friend is now dead?"
"Yeah. Funeral's in a few days. Remind me to send flowers," Deadshot said with mock regret. "So what?"
"Deadshot," Penguin sighed as he began to wipe his monocle with a handkerchief. "You and I are one of the few people to have scuffled with the Batman without being sent to Arkham. We are the only sane gentlemen left in Gotham. Why should we let the maniacs and brutes take control of the city?"
"So you're already trying to re-establish your territory," Deadshot pointed out sharply. "You're trying to beat out the others before they start staking claims."
Penguin sighed.
"With Batman gone, there's going to be a power vacuum. Every freak and lunatic and two-bit crook is going to try to take advantage of his absence."
"So what do I care? More clients for me…"
Penguin just grinned.
"In times like these, it's better to be on the winning side," Penguin remarked calmly as he put his monocle back in place.
"And what makes you think you are going to be the winner?"
"Because I'm savvier than the rest. The Riddler may be smart, the Joker may be creative, and Dent may be an excellent strategist, but they don't really understand the game as well as me. I was smart enough to jump ship when Batman was gaining momentum…"
"By being an informant and a stooge. Didn't you avoid going to jail over that whole Batwoman incident because you snitched? A lot of crooks you screwed over were trying to hire me to kill you. Luckily for you, I was distracted with that Waller bitch."
"By saying that, you make it sound like I sold out. I would rather describe it as taking a lucrative holiday. And a very lucrative holiday these past years have been for me."
"What do you mean?"
"Being Batman's informant allowed me to make quite a lot of money from small smuggling and trafficking jobs. Short term it wasn't as profitable as one would think. However over time, it added up. I have almost restored my former wealth because Batman willingly turned a blind eye."
"But you now want a bigger piece of the pie."
Penguin grinned.
"What can I say? It's all business. That's why I've come to you, my friend. Regardless if I step in this incoming war or not, it is coming. It's times like these that it helps to have powerful allies."
"That's not my style. I'm a merc," Deadshot pointed out. "Besides, a gang war can be good business for me. Plenty of you guys will be paying me to do your dirty work and no one will target me because they'd rather pay the money to hire me than waste it in trying to kill me."
"This isn't a typical turf war. This is a war for Gotham's own soul. Many people are going to jump in and it won't be limited to the usual mobs. Dent, Joker, and maybe even Riddler will be attempting to seize power as well. And I'm going to win," Penguin said with much confidence.
"What makes you so sure?"
Penguin pulled out his obnoxiously long cigarette.
"You don't mind if I smoke?"
Deadshot responded by bringing his wrist gun next to the cigarette's end. Pulling the trigger he shot a single bullet.
BANG!
The small spark of it was enough to ignite Penguin's cigarette.
"Not at all…" Deadshot remarked.
Penguin took a puff.
"Now why do I think I will win? Well, like I established earlier, my time as an informant has allowed me to gain plenty of resources and multiple contacts. However, my biggest advantage is that deep down, I'm a businessman. A businessman who knows when to act and not to act. These so-called super criminals may be stylish and have their own gimmicks like I do, but they get too caught up in their own egos. Long ago, I learned in order to profit in crime you can't make it personal. It makes very bad business. Luckily I learned that after that Batwoman destroyed my operation."
"And so you became a snitch," Deadshot finished.
Penguin scowled.
"You can't deny my friend that I probably have the best chance right now of coming on top in this war. Like I said, it is going to be probably the biggest war we've seen in Gotham for a long time. It's going to be dangerous."
"You should know me Ozzie, I don't care if I live or die."
Penguin sighed.
"Look Cobblepott," Deadshot said while trying to sound professional. "You can use me if you need a few hits done or something but don't expect any loyalty from me. I'm on my own."
"I see," the Penguin said sadly as he got up and turned to leave. "It's a shame. To think I was considering helping you."
"Helping me?" Deadshot asked in spite of himself.
Penguin grinned; he had the hitman's interest now.
"If you work for me, not only will I provide you protection and benefits, but I will give you the one thing you want most in this world."
"No thanks. I'm not a fan of assisted suicide."
"HAA!"
Penguin squawked out a laugh that caused Deadshot to flinch a little.
"Floyd, I know what you really want. You are a caged bird that just wants freedom. How you interpret that freedom is up to you. However I do know I can help you become somewhat freer than you are now."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Penguin grinned like the cat that just ate the canary even though he was more fond of birds than felines.
"The Iceberg Lounge has not only attracted the scum and elite of Gotham but even the politicians from D.C. I have enough contacts and political clout that with a phone call or two, I can end Amanda Waller's hunt for you. You can be a free man again will no longer have to worry about the U.S. Government trying to bring you in. You can actually walk down the street again in broad daylight."
Deadshot was thinking over Penguin's offer. It was tempting and it would be nice if he had a little degree of freedom again. If he had to owe his services to the Penguin, it wouldn't be too bad.
"Fine," Deadshot said while extending his hand to shake. "We have a deal. But you promise to get the Feds off my case?"
"Floyd," Penguin said while clasping his two small hands around Deadshot's own. "I'm a man of my word."
Themyscira
Diana watched as her jet zoomed by the clouds. She would be near her island home soon. It would be perfectly sunny, like it always was as a true island of paradise. For some reason flying had managed to calm her down. She didn't feel angry or upset anymore. She was focused and had found her center. It was almost like she was out fighting again. The sight of her island in the distance brought her back to earth. She couldn't deny how her heart rate was picking up. She was so glad she was coming home now. It would be good to see her mother.
Speak of Hades, there she was standing on the landing site waiting for her. Diana couldn't help but laugh at the sight of her mother trying to maintain poise with that wide loving smile on her face. Diana landed her jet smoothly and popped the cockpit open as she jumped out.
"Diana!" Hippolyta said happily as she ran up and hugged her daughter. Diana was a little taken aback by her mother's overt display of affection.
"What's going on Mother?" Diana asked a little nervous.
Hippolyta laughed and broke away to look into her own daughter's eyes.
"I'm sorry. The omens for what happened the other day were bad. Io had prophecized that the world was in great danger. I…we were worried about you. But I prayed to the gods that they would protect you and it looks like they did."
Diana couldn't help but feel a little guilt. She hadn't even considered that her mother and sisters who were probably worried sick about her. But at least she was home now.
"Come daughter," Hippolyta commanded as she put her arm around Diana's shoulder. "We have much to catch up with."
Fortress of Solitude
Superman stared at the statue of his parents. After he was told he was given a week off from the League, he decided to head to the Fortress of Solitude. He wanted to be alone for awhile. Lois wasn't too happy about that but she respected his decision. He was so lucky to have her. He didn't deserve her. Currently, he was pacing back and worth while brooding over his own failures.
Why? Why did Bruce have to die? It should've been him. Darkseid invaded earth only because of him, not Batman.
Superman heard Darkseid's warning before they fought again.
"I hope you appreciate Kal-El; that everything that happens from this point is on your head."
He should've listened to that warning but he was too proud and stubborn. Now Batman was dead because of that arrogance. If only he hadn't fallen for that stupid trap.
SLAM!
CRACK!
"NAAARRGGGHH!"
Superman slammed his fist against the wall in frustration while letting out an angry cry. He ignored how the wall cracked from the impact. He didn't deserve to be called Superman. He didn't deserve to wear the crest of El. He was a failure and a disgrace.
"You're merely a man." Superman heard Darkseid's voice taunting him again. Superman ignored it and began to stomp away. But the voice in his head was persistent. Even though it was his own imagination, he had no control of it.
"Who will die next? Wonder Woman? Flash? Green Lantern? How many more will have to die to save you because of your failures?"
"Shut up!" Superman roared angrily at nothing.
Darkseid's voice chuckled.
"Now I finally found the real way to defeat the great Kryptonian. Just show him the blood of his friends that is on his hands…"
Superman collapsed and fell to his knees. He began to weep and he didn't care if it made him look weak because it honestly made him feel better. It was drowning out the voice in his head. Grief was able to get him to focus his mind. For a while he just kneeled on the ground and kept apologizing profusely to his fallen friend while letting the tears fall. It felt good. It was okay to cry right now because he was alone.
Themyscira
Diana tried to eat the food that she and her mother had been feasting on but it didn't taste well. Diana was sure it had nothing to do with the food. Themyscira always had excellent cuisine. It was probably because she was just distracted. Her mind kept drifting away. She was worried about the world as usual. But she was even more worried about her friends. She worried about Superman the most. Lois had called her while she was flying to let her know Superman had flown to the Fortress and locked himself in it. Diana could only advise Lois to let Clark have some time alone. He needed it.
But she was worried about the others. Poor J'onn returned to the League on the same day a close friend of his died. Knowing the Martian, it was probably paining him greatly inside. As for Wally, he was still young but at the same time a lot more mature than he was in the past. Diana believed he would get by. Still, she felt like she should be there to comfort him. Then she thought about Shayera and John. Who knows how they were taking it? They both were very proud and stubborn people. Who knows how they would react?
"Is everything alright my sun and stars?" Hippolyta asked, noticing Diana didn't seem to be listening to her.
"I'm fine," Diana said quickly. Hippolyta gave Diana a look she used to give her when she was a little girl. Despite being a grown woman, it still scared Diana and she couldn't help but break eye contact with her mother.
"Daughter," Hippolyta said sternly. "I'm your mother. Don't lie to me…"
Diana sighed.
"In the last battle we weren't completely victorious…"
Hippolyta gave Diana a confused look. Diana took a deep breath before elaborating.
"I…the Justice League lost a good friend. He was actually one of the men who helped us save Themyscira from Hades and Faust."
"Which one?" Hippolyta asked with concern. She may've not been completely trustworthy of men, but a hero of Themyscira was still a hero of Themyscira. Diana sighed again.
"The one in black."
"The one without powers? The ordinary man?" Hippolyta asked with surprise. Diana felt anger at that remark.
"He didn't have powers because he didn't need them Mother! He had saved the world and countless of lives many times with his own hands! He died while saving the world again!"
"I meant no disrespect towards him Diana. I'm sorry," Hippolyta quickly apologized. Diana calmed down.
"It's just I still have a bad habit of forgetting how important mortal men can be sometimes," Hippolyta explained with regret.
Diana sighed before standing up.
"Where are you going?" Hippolyta asked.
"I just want to go on a walk," Diana called back as she left. "I'll be back soon."
And with that, she left the palace and began to explore the island. The sun had already set so it was pretty dark. Still, Diana knew every corner and inch of the island and could explore it blindfolded. She wasn't upset at her mother. She was just angry at herself. She had reservations of allowing Batman to go fight Darkseid but she let him do it. She should've known better. It wasn't that she felt guilty or was blaming herself. It was more that she was mad she didn't see it coming. She was mad she so stupidly forgot how mortal Bruce was. She was so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't been paying attention to where she was going. When she realized where she was, she froze.
She had reached the secret opening to Tartarus. Diana felt a chill running down her spine. Why was she here? Was it by complete accident or was her subconscious telling her something? If Bruce was dead, maybe she could still reach out to him in the afterlife and have one final talk with him? No, he wouldn't like that. He would rather rest in peace. But still, she couldn't help herself and started walking down the steps. It didn't take her long to reach the underground cavern. The pit was like the last time she was there; damp and dark. The doorway was sealed shut while glowing slightly. She slowly approached it with trepidation.
For the most part, her rational mind was restraining herself. She should know better than to even think about opening those doors. Hades couldn't be trusted. Besides, it would be difficult to open the door without the keys. Yet a small part of her couldn't help but wonder that if she opened the door, she could bring Bruce back, or at least talk to him one last time. She wanted to let him know how sorry that she and the rest were for his death. And maybe tell him something else...
But then she shook her head. It was too risky. Hades would try to escape if she opened the door. She couldn't risk that. But he did claim he was her father. She refused to believe in that, but if she pretended to accept that he was her father he might be lenient towards her. Maybe as a favor to his "little girl" he would allow her…
"He won't be there," said a calm voice on the other side of the cave.
Diana jumped and turned around to see her mother was in the pit and was looking at her daughter with the utmost sympathy.
"What are you talking about?" Diana asked, trying to not sound guilty. Hippolyta sighed and walked to her daughter slowly.
"I, like you Diana, would often come down and stare at the door whenever we lost a fellow sister. I've been tempted to sometimes just open it and tell Hades if he really did love me, he would bring them back. But in the end, I knew it's not worth the risk. He can't be trusted. And besides, we shouldn't disturb the dead."
Diana bowed her head in shame. It was just foolish wishful thinking. She would never do that. Her mother was right; it was not worth bringing one life back from the dead to doom the lives of others. No matter how great that life was. Diana then looked into her mother's eyes with curiosity.
"You said he won't be there?"
Hippolyta looked at the sealed door.
"Tartarus and Elysian Fields are reserved to only those who believe in our gods. Based on from what you've told me of your friend, I doubt he'll be there. He didn't seem like the type to believe in what we do."
Diana felt a little worried.
"Then where is his soul?"
Hippolyta sighed.
"Probably in some other afterlife. Who knows? There are some things beyond our understanding."
Diana turned around and looked at the doorway to Tartarus. Despite being the threshold that separated the living from the dead, it looked relatively boring and harmless. Diana couldn't help but stare at the markings on the door. She never really had the chance to examine it properly before because getting close to those doors always made her feel uneasy. Looking closely at the doors, she noticed there were little carvings and paintings that depicted the story of how the doors were sealed. Diana grimaced when she saw one painting depicting her mother being seduced by Hades. Some things should be in the past and forgotten forever. She was about to turn around and head out when another painting on the door caught her eye.
From what Diana could guess it was the final battle that led to the Amazons imprisoning Hades. Diana recognized her mother who was in the front lines of the Amazons, forcing the shadow back into Tartarus. It was the image next to her mother that caused Diana to pause. She could tell it wasn't an Amazon. The artist made a concentrated to effort to emphasize it was a man who was just as black as the shadow symbolizing Hades. The male warrior was helping Hippolyta push the shadow back into Tartarus. What was a man doing with the Amazons?
"Mother," Diana asked confused. She never recalled any of the gods to take the shape of a normal man in battle. "Which god is that?"
Hippolyta bowed her head.
"Once again daughter, I admit I sometimes forget how important mortal men have been to our history despite their faults."
Diana looked at her mother with shock.
"The gods casted Hades out of Olympus and stopped him from unleashing the Titans, but they left the battle on Earth to us Amazons. They wouldn't intervene and thus Man's World was up to grabs for Hades as a consolation prize. We were the only thing standing in the way and thus a war broke out on this once barren island. It was a long battle, lasting two months. Many of our own people perished in our last stand. It became clear we would eventually be defeated. But then in our darkest hour, the fates sent us a gift."
"What?" Diana asked. She felt like she was a little girl again hearing her mother tell all the tales of the gods and their champions.
"The fates sent us a great man. We thought he was a spy for Hades but apparently he had no memory of who we was when he appeared before us. Some of us thought he was a god pretending to be human. Regardless, he did something that truly amazed us. He proved to be a great warrior by his ability to wield the legendary sword of Perseus. The same sword Apollo cursed that only a warrior pure of heart can be worthy to wield it."
"I thought the sword was lost," Diana interrupted. "I remember Artemis specifically telling me the sword has been lost forever."
Hippolyta sighed sadly.
"It is now. The man had managed to wield the sword of Perseus which had been prophesized by Io as the key to defeating Hades. With him and the sword we repelled the dark forces and sent Hades back into the underworld where he belonged."
Diana was feeling like she had been duped her entire life! This mysterious man seemed important enough to the Amazon history and yet her mother neglected to tell her.
"Why did you keep this secret?" she demanded, feeling slightly betrayed.
Hippolyta sighed.
"Forgive me daughter. Like I said, I often forget how even though many men are wicked, there are still some noble and good ones out there. I just choose to not remember sometimes. I'm not exactly sure why…"
And with that Hippolyta turned around to leave. Diana still had one more question.
"What happened to the man?" Diana asked curiously. Even though she just learned about this forgotten male warrior in Amazon history, Diana couldn't help but feel an intense interest in the mysterious man.
Hippolyta sighed sadly not even turning around.
"He died," she explained and Diana could tell she was truly sorry.
Before she knew it, her mother had left her alone in the cave again. For the first time in her life, Diana truly identified with her mother. It was hard losing someone you respected in battle while you lived. Would Diana maybe in a few thousand years choose to not remember or mention the male heroes like Bruce who died alongside her? Diana took one last look back at the door before deciding it was time to leave. She and her mother needed to stop living in the past. It was time to move on. Like her mother, people needed to look to her for guidance and she couldn't afford to be grieving all the time on past losses.
