Chapter 25: A mortal among the gods

New York, Ground Zero

Stewart and Q jumped outside the jeep just in time to see explode on top of the monster…. they rolled over and felt the sting of the warm asphalt as they hit the ground, even with their eyes close they felt the heat from the explosion in their faces…all their pain and suffering, all there doubts and fears put to the test…they looked at the flames hoping that was enough….it wasn't….the orange flames didn't engulfed the monster, it was truly unstoppable.

-There's not much time. If we can't shut that monster down, the entire world is doomed!- Q's voice was raspy because of the fumes he had inhale out of the explosion.

-I suppose this is a bad time to say "I told you so."- The green lantern responded with disdain.

-We've just hit that 'thing' with a vehicle full of gas, it didn't even slow him down- Q was running out of tricks, he felt it was…pointless.

-I saw it, but I still don't believe it. - John Stewart voice was low and yet powerful, like he realized something just that minute…his eyes were glowing bright green.

-Oh no! You are not going to do it!- Q's voice just figure it out, John was going to going to use the remaining power of the ring, when the ring is keeping the only thing that is keeping him alive….he is sacrificing for the same people that are hunting him, that made him a leper….he is doing something courageous and…stupid.

-We had some fun Q- John Stewart was starting to fly and drifting away.

-Yes we did John, we did- Q's reply with tears in his eyes.

Interstate, 15 minutes to New York.

-Ugh!- Huntress screamed out of pain and disgust… she was having morning sickness and she was scared out of her mind.

-What's wrong Huntress?- The Martian Manhunter felt something diffuse and yet powerful…she felt Q's presence, even that he couldn't because of all the fear that was spreading in front of us…it was like psychic connection….but he didn't have time to study that right now…something is happening fast.

-I..I don't know- Huntress replied trying to keep the pain in check.

-Don't worry Huntress, we'll get there- The Martian Manhunter tried to reply in a monotone tone in order to reassure her.

-We better….because I'm not having this baby alone- Huntress replied trying to hold back the tears.

The Martian Manhunter bites his lip because he honestly didn't know.

New York, Ground zero

John quickly tried to cut the distance between the Batman and the Monster…. he had only one shot to stop him, he didn't know what was going to happen after the ring was depleted from energy….Hal Jordan was explicit….the ultimate of honor is not how to die, but how to live…and until this point he was very proud so far…never backing down or taking a shortcut…always facing his enemies head on.

But a powerful draft of wind pushed him to the sidewalk…it was… of bluish color...it was the Superman…the monster quickly pulled back and grabbed the Superman's cape towards the building, a Judo Grab…just like so many he attempted successfully over the years a marine, standard close quarter combat…John couldn't believe what went through his mind….this monster was a soldier.

The superman's body was thrown into the air at 150 miles per hour and John Stewart had to make a quick but impossible choice…bring him back or stop the monster? He chooses his friend and used the ring to safely guard Superman from the hit…. He then collided to the floor, exhausted beyond redemption…

He opened his green eyes and muttered: Sorry…Bruce, then his eyes fades away, the ring was no more.

The monster quickly cut the gap between him and Batman, they all fail to stop him…Green Arrow, the Flash, Green Lantern, The Question and even Superman proved to be no match to the "super soldier", he was now the way of the future….he gently grabbed the Batman who seemed to be a broken puppet….he delicate try to rip off the mask to find out the ultimate question…Who is the Batman?

He leans forward, his stinking breath drawing closer to him….

[Grabbing his wrist] Don't even think about It.-The Batman responded without opening his eyes….a burst of sulfuric acid was delivered into the monster's face…

Argahhhhh!!! The monster screamed while throwing the Batman away towards an empty parking lot, his body just took the hit and rolled over, just a merciless victim of gravity…he couldn't deflect the pain anymore…after all he was only human.

The monster was throwing a tantrum, the pain was too much…so he did like any soldier would to…he grabbed his face with his powerful fingers and took out the burning flesh…. He opened his eyes just to realized that on his eyes was deeply scarred, he couldn't see….his peripheral vision was down, but he only had to get close to him…and break his scrawny neck.

He looked at Batman who was lying helpless 50 yards away…he was running towards his mark, like a powerful beast to destroy an antelope in a national geographic special, not a hunt, but a carnage….he gets more speed and just when he is about to reach him…he gets hit from the side, he gets blindsided by something that resembles a rhino…..he hit threw the monster 35 yards to the side….not bad for the Wonder Woman.

-I am Diana, Princess of the Amazons! I won't be denied! - The Wonder Woman Shouted from the top of her lungs.

-Diana….- The Batman's voice was cracking up.

-I know- Diana's fist were ready, like they're never been before

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