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Mordru and Wotan were tearing their way through New York City. Mordru had apparated amidst Manhattan's traffic alongside the East River. He'd subsequently battered his way through to the United Nations compound. The facility was now a pile of rubble.
Most of the UN diplomatic missions had evacuated when it became apparent that Mordru was headed their way. The agency staffers however had remained behind and hoped beyond hope that the predictions of catastrophe were overblown. They'd died knowing they'd chosen poorly.
Wotan had plowed through Brooklyn until he'd reached the Hall of Justice. The JLU staffers got most of their personnel teleported to the orbiting Watchtower. The International Security Agency was sharing the facility until the JLU could manage to rebuild.
At this point, that seemed further away than ever. The Hall no longer existed and a crater sat in its place. The UN had already balked at the cost of rebuilding the facility after its destruction at the hands of the Almeracians under Kalea-El's command. The prospects of another Hall of Justice being built this soon after the loss of a barely opened facility seemed dismal.
But the two mages weren't unopposed. The NYPD was out in force, evacuating those that they could and putting up static defenses to slow the sorcerers down. They had increasing experience in such events thanks to the Atlanteans and the aforementioned Almeracians recent invasions.
But they had help in the form of the Teen Titans. The Titans had split their team in half and were engaging both seemingly unstoppable foes. Protector led the Manhattan team. With him were Red Arrow, Bunker, Skitter, and Kid Flash. Wonder Girl commanded the Brooklyn team and she stood alongside Raven, Beast Boy, Solstice, and Flamebird.
Mordru cast a barrier spell and was moving through the city once again. His mystical barrier pushed anything not fixed and stationary out of his way. This included the NYPD's weapons fire.
Bunker created a pillbox around Protector's team and Mordru's spell wall passed over them. Now they were inside the sorcerer's inner defenses.
Wonder Girl, Raven, and Solstice concentrated on slowing Wotan down. Wotan chuckled at the thought, "It will be a welcome opportunity to deal with little godlings such as yourselves."
He then attacked them.
Beast Boy and Flamebird assisted the evacuation efforts. They were able to get to people the police and emergency responders couldn't clear a way to. Police Lieutenant Dan Jurgens gathered the two Titans.
"We've got radio chatter that something called the 'World Army' is on its way to reinforce us. We've been ordered to hold until they arrive and then we're pulling out," Jurgens shared.
"Then we have to move faster," Flamebird said confidently.
"Yes, we do because World Army units are already moving through Manhattan and the Boroughs. Where the hell they came from is a mystery but they'll be here inside of ten minutes."
"Then I stand by what I already said," Flamebird firmly asserted.
Mordru was annoyed by the Teen Titans' harassment. Their participation hadn't been part of his deal with the White Rabbit as she negotiated her price for his release. He was to play kingmaker and erect Vandal Savage as lord and master of this world. A mere placeholder in Mordru's name.
The Titans swiftly realized that their efforts were barely distracting Mordru but their only hope was to slow him down long enough for the JLU to respond.
Wotan had been surprised by the ferocity of the Titans' attack. Wonder Girl could block and disrupt nearly any spell with her cursed bracelets. Raven vanished in a puff of smoke every time he tried to focus on her. And Solstice's energy bursts actually hurt.
Wotan was tired of waiting for the World Army to arrive and pretend to drive him away. The godlings had seriously annoyed him and had to be dealt with. That's when a third party hired by CONTROL arrived to intervene.
Deathstroke's Titans team had been hired by Vandal Savage to clear any costumed obstacles out of the World Army's path. By extension that meant they would also sweep them out of Mordru and Wotan's way. His eight person group split in half just as the Teen Titans had before them.
Ravager led the Brooklyn team. She opted to confront Wonder Girl personally. Tattooed Man manifested his tattoos as living creations and sent them after Raven. Sword in Waiting dealt with Solstice. Meanwhile, Cinder drew out the remaining Teen Titans by attacking the NYPD with her pyrokinetic powers.
Deathstroke led Arsenal, Cheshire, and Gunslinger against the Manhattan group of Teen Titans. Arsenal was a volatile element in this engagement in Deathstroke's opinion. As Speedy, Roy Harper had been a founding member of the Teen Titans. But as Arsenal he was facing them in combat, potentially mortal combat.
Gunslinger was another variable. Gotham Police Detective Patricia Trayce had been on the run for some time when Slade Wilson approached her. Trayce had been implicated in several vigilante killings of high level mafia figures. With Barbara Gordon, Renee Montoya, and Harvey Bullock closing in on one side and the Batman on her heels as well, Trayce had left Gotham.
She then traveled the world engaging in single person assaults on criminal organizations. Slade Wilson had rescued her from certain death on one such occasion. That was when she learned he was infamously known as Deathstroke the Terminator. Slade had offered to take Trayce in and train her. The opportunity seemed too good to be true. And the attraction between them was palpable and had driven them between the sheets, or whatever was handy, in dozens of countries under various contracts.
Ravager had been a potential complication. Rose Wilson was Slade's long abandoned daughter. But they'd been reunited when Deathstroke began to hear tales of a young woman with gifts mirroring his own. The criminal organization known as HIVE had recruited Rose. Then they had garbed her in the same Ravager uniform that they'd given Slade's son, Grant.
Grant had died in HIVE's service. Deathstroke decided if Rose really was his daughter, she wouldn't die by HIVE's hands. He pulled her out of HIVE's clutches and together they toppled HIVE's empire and slain their queen. Rose was so pleased to finally know who her father was she willingly abandoned all other connection in the world to be with him and serve as his protégé.
Cheshire was the first to select a target. She chose Kid Flash because she had a history with the Flash. She found it delectable that she could be the instrument that eliminated his cousin.
Gunslinger chose to deal with Skitter. Her weapon of choice was a .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifle. It had a range that was over mile in distance. Although Skitter was mobile and airborne, Gunslinger felt confident she would hit her target.
Arsenal chose to confront Red Arrow. Both were protégés of Green Arrow. One a current and the other a former. Arsenal had completed his transformation from being Green Arrow's "Speedy" by casting aside his bow and taking up the crossbow instead.
Arsenal was still feeling slighted by Green Arrow passing over Speedy to lay the mantle of "Red Arrow" upon Mia Deardon. He was revolted that she was a former prostitute and had contracted HIV. Roy Harper had dealt with drug addiction and had had paired with Protector when they decided to clean up and attack the drug cartels. In fact, it had been Arsenal that arranged for Protector's inclusion in the Teen Titans.
But Arsenal put himself beyond all of that. Red Arrow had the curse of HIV. She could develop AIDS from it. So therefore he would put her down before she languished from a slow death.
Deathstroke knocked Bunker out before the Titan even knew the mercenary was there. Now he got to face Protector, "Give up while you still have the chance. I beat Nightwing when he was still Robin. I defeated all of the original Teen Titans. All of them left except for Beast Boy. Speedy became my Arsenal. You're already beaten. You just haven't acknowledged it yet."
"We'll never back down," Protector vowed.
"The World Army is on its way here," Deathstroke informed Protector, "They are equipped to deal with Mordru and Wotan. So you can all leave New York willingly or I'll hand your collective asses over to them when they get here."
"No deal, Slade," Protector stood firm.
"You're funeral then," Deathstroke said amiably.
Ravager opened her assault with a .44 caliber Desert Eagle auto mag pistol. The round was arguably among the most powerful in the world. Wonder Girl intercepted and swatted aside every round. Then she witnessed Ravager exchange clips in a matter of seconds. Added to her surprising strength and stability for a teenaged woman with such a slight frame, Cassie Sandsmark didn't know whether or not to be afraid or impressed.
Wonder Girl was further amazed as Ravager leapt at her as she hovered in mid-air. Ravager used her twin swords to drive Cassie to the ground. Wonder Girl utilized her bracelets to block the staggeringly swift sword strokes. She almost peed her pants when Ravager broke through her defenses and sliced Cassie's cheek.
Wonder Girl broke free and headed into the air again, "Who are you?"
"I'm Ravager," she answered, "But maybe you'd get a better grasp of who I am if you knew who my father was."
"No, I probably won't," Cassie pooh pahhed the idea.
"Why not?" Ravager taunted, "After all your father was a god. Zeus made it with Dr. Sandsmark and divine seed always hits the mark so you were conceived."
Cassie's eyes narrowed, "And how would you know that?"
"Because, like you, I take after my father," Ravager boasted.
"Does he only have one eye too?" Wonder Girl scornfully asked.
"Yes," Ravager said confidently, "I sacrificed my eye to prove my willingness to follow my father's orders and prove my loyalty once and for all."
Wonder Girl had a very bad feeling about this, "Your last name wouldn't be Wilson would it?"
"Yes, it is," Ravager brightened, "I'm Rose and my father is Slade Wilson but you know him better as Deathstroke."
"Oh hell," Cassie decided that this had officially become a very bad day.
Solstice couldn't draw a bead on Sword in Waiting. The Vietnamese mercenary possessed enhanced reflexes and speed. Solstice grudgingly accepted the fact that if she were on the ground he would easily slice and dice her before she saw him coming. So she stayed airborne.
Sword in Waiting tired of Solstice's game. He threw one sword after another at her. It had the affect of driving back to the ground but now he was disarmed. Solstice smugly thought she'd simply finish him off.
Sword in Waiting dove towards his blades as they both lay before her. He was up and on one knee when he thrust his blade through her abdomen. Solstice coughed and then coughed. She spat up blood and then began convulsing.
Sword in Waiting let her fall down and then pulled his sword out of her. He gave her a pitying look, "You really should have let me simply kill you. The neurotoxin secreted by my blades guarantees a slow agonizing death. But I shall stand over you and if you manage to beg me to kill you, I shall oblige."
The Tattooed Man watched with glee as his manifestations mauled Raven. What he was unaware of was that her empathic senses caused to share Solstice and Beast Boy's pain. She could heal them if she could reach them but the accursed pack of living tattoos hounded every time she tried to teleport. Whenever she reappeared so did they.
Tattooed Man decided it was time to end the fun. The dragon that covered his entire back peeled off and then inflated into reality. It smelled Raven and roared. Taking flight the dragon circled a few times before roaring again and diving. Tattooed Man's other manifestations scampered away from Raven as the dragon belched fire at her.
Cinder had routed the NYPD and torched two city blocks with her pyrokinetic abilities. Beast Boy had already been badly burned trying to stop her. Cinder had lost track of the fallen Titan so Flamebird was able to get to him and drag him out of sight.
Bette Kane knew she had to face Cinder alone. But as Flamebird she'd faced the Atlantean hordes and survived. If an army couldn't kill her what chance did one human flamethrower stand?
Flamebird left Beast Boy behind and came up on Cinder's left side. Running up to the older woman, Flamebird released a backspin kick to Cinder's face. Bette followed this up with an entire series of punches and kicks.
But suddenly a giant pillar of fire of Biblical proportions surrounded Cinder and Flamebird retreated with only minor burns. Bette knew she needed a plan but that was Jason's are not hers. Bitterly Flamebird thought that at least if she died here today she wouldn't have to watch Protector and Red Arrow's romance blossom further. It really was revolting.
Cheshire kept dodging Kid Flash and Bart Allen was getting irritated. Kid Flash had begun his hero career under the name "Impulse" and the name was apropos. Kid Flash was nothing if not impulsive.
That impatience and underestimation of his opponent made it possible for Cheshire to leap upon his shoulders. Reaching down, she raked his arms with her sharpened fingernails. Seeing she'd drawn blood, she dug in even deeper.
Kid Flash came to an abrupt halt and threw Cheshire off. She landed on her feet and watched Kid Flash with some amusement. However, Bart was in a foul mood.
"Are you nuts?" Kid Flash demanded to know, "Who freakin' does that?"
Cheshire wore a sultry smile as she shrugged, "A mother does what she has to in order to feed her child. Now, with your overcharged metabolism I'd guess I have about five minutes to kiss it and make it better. Play nice and I'll kiss other things too."
Kid Flash was utterly speechless. Cheshire shook her head, "No? Too bad I would have made your first and last time memorable. For me at least."
Kid Flash's stomach cramped suddenly and his vision blurred as he got woozy. Cheshire noticed it, "You poor dear. My estimate was way off. It's good thing you refused my offer. I hate it when a partner dies before I climax."
"Are you completely crazy?" Kid Flash could barely stand.
"No," Cheshire smirked, "I'm just breathing. Which is something you're going to stop doing any second now."
Gunslinger cursed as Skitter evaded another shot. She knew Skitter's compound eyes when she was in insect form gave her near wraparound vision. But Gunslinger had another recourse.
Exiting the stage, Gunslinger stole a motorcycle parked along the street and proceeded to the Empire State Building. Going to the upper observation deck she gauged Skitter's flight path. She was making regular circuits so Gunslinger chose which bars to slip her rifle barrel through.
Gunslinger slowed her breathing and patiently waited for Skitter to fly right into her sights. She only had to wait less than a minute. Gunslinger took the shot.
Arsenal stared down Red Arrow as Mia nocked an arrow and took aim at him. Arsenal snorted in disgust, "So you're the kid Ollie replaced me with. Can't say I'm impressed. You've got a winner's past."
"I may have chosen to run away but I was forced into prostitution and I managed to stay clean," Red Arrow replied, "Something you couldn't manage."
"At least I'm not a stinkin' AIDS patient," Arsenal snapped.
"Y'know, I used to want to meet you, Speedy," Red Arrow confessed, "Green Arrow had nothing but good things to say about you up until you joined the Suicide Squad."
"At least I served my country," Arsenal grated, "Something a leftist like the high and mighty Oliver Queen can't say. And it's 'Arsenal' now."
"I don't care if you call yourself Puke Face," Mia replied, "I can't say I'm impressed either."
"So what do you propose we do?" Arsenal was curious.
"You'll note I have a hunting tip on my arrow," Red Arrow warned him, "If you don't walk away I will put you down for good and Ollie will thank me."
"And leave my daughter an orphan?" Arsenal asked.
Red Arrow hesitated over Lian's fate. Arsenal fired his crossbow while she was distracted.
Bunker came to and found Deathstroke toying with Protector. Of course, that meant he was kicking the ever loving stuffing out of Jason. Bunker erected a wall between the combatants
Deathstroke spun and fired a blast with his staff. Bunker barely had time to build a shield. Deathstroke twisted the emitter end of his staff and then lobbed it over Bunker's fortification. The staff's power cell detonated from an overload as it hit the ground. The blast broke Bunker's concentration and threw him off of his feet.
Bunker groggily got to his hands and knees when he noticed Deathstroke's boots standing nearby. He wearily looked up to see Deathstroke aiming a pistol at his head. Then he witnessed a muzzle flash. Bunker collapsed lifelessly on the ground.
"Nooo!" Protector raged.
"Take a look around," Deathstroke advised, "Your Titans are already beaten if they're even alive. Join my Titans and live a life rich with adventure and material rewards. You'll actually change the course of history as governments fall and others are propped up."
Protector spotted Arsenal looming over Mia. A crossbow bolt stuck out of her chest. He focused solely on Deathstroke.
"You bastards," Protector was physically shaking, "I'll see you all dead if it's the last thing I ever do."
Deathstroke put two rounds in his chest, "Can't have that. Can we?"
The World Army arrived as the panic stricken citizens took hope at the sight of mechanized infantry and air support arriving. Amphibious landings took place at the docks. And the World Army's units immediately engaged Mordru and Wotan.
At first the battle seemed even but it quickly became apparent that it was decidedly lopsided in the World Army's favor. Wotan and Mordru were eventually forced to signal for a parlay. In Brooklyn, General Sovok represented CONTROL. But in Manhattan, CONTROL spoke for himself.
"Excellent work," Savage congratulated Mordru, "It was completely believable."
"The world is yours, Vandal Savage," Mordru assured CONTROL, "But just remember you sit upon the throne in my name and I shall return some day."
"We'll see who arrives first, you or Darkseid," Savage mused.
"You'd best pray it is me," Mordru counseled him, "Darkseid has chosen Lex Luthor as his satrap. I have placed my faith in you. There can only be one."
"So the movies say," Savage jested.
Mordru gave him a scathing look, "Hold this world and your future will be assured."
"It already is," Savage boasted.
Mordru gave him a withering smile before disappearing in a miasma of light.
Savage summoned his spokespeople, "Gather the network and other media press corps. I have an announcement to make."
The press fell in place like rabid dogs. Savage was pleased to see this. It would make swallowing his pronouncement much easier if the news outlets sold it for him.
"Citizens of the world, I am Vandal Savage. I am Supreme Commander of the United Nations World Army. This army was banded together and forged for exactly threats like these," Savage explained, "I am here to make an announcement in the wake of the activation of the World Army. From this point on, all national militaries and police forces will answer to the offices of the World Army. We will dictate policy and hand out assignments."
Seeing the stunned look on the press corps' faces, Savage eased off a little, "From this day forth you will be protected. You will be safe. What else could you ask for?"
And then CONTROL allowed himself a victorious smile.