CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: SHOWDOWN

Zatanna had no doubt that the telepathic call she had sent out would bring Dreamslayer here quickly, nor did Guy Gardner doubt that he would be alone. Since absorbing the dream essence of the dead in Paris and Kooey Kooey Kooey, the natural abilities of the Gray Man's body would have made Dreamslayer far stronger than ever before. Not forgetting Stone Ridge, whose citizens were expanding the Gray Man's infection to the rest of the state. At least, the situation was containable in the Worgi, where artificial barricades had been erected to quarantine the Teasdale virus. When Dreamslayer arrived, he would undoubtedly have the company of his Extremists companions whom he would have restored to their former state with enhanced strength and abilities.

As for the Crusaders plan of attack, Guy had their strategy mapped in accordance with Zatanna's requirements. Everyone was given their orders regarding their placements when the Extremists made their appearance. Although none of them had voiced it, the Crusaders were impressed by Guy Gardner's abilities as their new leader, particularly the veterans of the JLI who remembered how Guy had behaved in the past. Guy had always been forceful, which was one of the reasons why Ted and Booster had suggested him for the top spot. However, his aggressive nature had been tempered with wisdom and that was something he never possessed before. Ted and Booster had started to see something of the Green Lantern he might have been had it not been for the injuries of his past. What surprised them most was his willingness to listen to opinions other than his own. The plan he had formulated had the basis of all their input. Although there would always be an element of surprise in this encounter, they were confident that they would be able to defeat the Extremists.

"Did you manage to get Catherine?" Guy asked Booster as he returned from the Blue Beetle Bug that was hovering safely above the island.

"Yeah," Booster replied promptly. "I told her that we were confronting the Extremists here and that this area was to be cordon off from all ship traffic."

"Good," Guy nodded with approval. "That will keep Doctor Diehard and Dreamslayer from using any innocent civilians for target practice." He looked at Booster and noticed the slight grimace running over man's face. Although it was difficult to see the real extent of his injuries under his combat suit, Guy knew they were significant. He could see the bruises and lacerations on Booster's face and wondered how much pain Booster was really hiding. "How are you doing?"

As if taken back by the question, Booster took a few moments to answer. "I'm alright. Just a little sore." He replied trying to hide the pain. He had broken ribs that still throbbed, deep lacerations on his back that reminded him quite acutely that they were present and more bruises than he knew what to do. However, Booster was adamant that none of this was going to keep him from this fight.

"You sure about that buddy?" Ted voiced his concern. "You took quite a beating."

"Look," Booster said starting to become a little irritated. "We've got to stick to the plan and I'm a part of it. I'm not backing out because I've got a few bumps and bruises."

"We all know you got a little bit more than that Booster," Beatriz started firmly with equal concern. "You almost got yourself killed."

"I can manage." He said shortly. "Come on Gardner," he turned to Guy for support. "I've been in worse fights."

"Yeah you have been," Guy nodded. It was his call whether or not he wanted Booster in this confrontation. There was a time when he would have taken all the glory for his own. These days however, Guy knew how to be a team player and he also knew how to be a leader when it was required. "If Booster says he is okay, then we're just going to have his word for it." Guy said conclusively, indicating that this matter was now put to rest.


"Thanks Guy." Booster said gratefully. "I owe you."

"Just don't get yourself killed." Guy retorted. "I'm not wasting money on a funeral wreath for you."

"You're all heart." Booster remarked. "And very bit of it granite."

"As long as you know it." He retorted. "Now back to business. Have we got a handle on Doctor Diehard?"

"I've got an idea." Ted remarked even though he was still preoccupied with Booster's welfare.

"Just make sure he doesn't get a chance to bring down any more nukes." Guy warned. "You know what he did last time, not to mention here."

At that, everyone instinctively looked at the arena they had chosen to wage their final confrontation with the Extremists. The island was whole again but none of them could forget what they had seen just a few short hours ago when this entire area was a wasteland of nuclear destruction. Although the white sands and sparkling blue waters disarmed the seriousness of the situation, the danger to this place could not be denied. Zatanna explained that what she had done to restore it required much power and concentration. She would not look forward to preforming that spell again if Kooey Kooey Kooey fell to the same fate again.

"Booster, you've got to keep out of sight until Zatanna or Bea gives you the signal." Guy reminded as he ensured everyone was clear on their placing during the battle. This would make Ted and Beatriz a little less concern if Booster was out of the way for most of the fighting.

"Whatever you say Skipper." Booster answered, pleased that he was still being involved despite the order.

Guy let out a low growl at the title, giving Booster a dirty look before continuing. "Sigrid, don't waste time with Tracer. Take him down and take him down fast. He may look like a reject from a werewolf film but those claws of his can tear through meta-human flesh." He preferred to call Sigrid by name because he was still unaccustomed to thinking of her as Ice. However, despite that one eccentricity, Guy had come to respect her abilities a great deal. She may not be Tora but she certainly had Ice's spirit.

"Understood." She nodded quickly, agreeing with his assessment of her chosen opponent. The injuries she had seen on Booster Gold were considerable, even if he was in denial about their effect on him. Sigrid would not underestimate anyone who could cause so much harm to another.

"General," Guy turned to Donovan Wallace. "You know what to do?" The young man who was the newest member of the superhero community in their group had remained silent for most part, allowing the veterans to plan strategy. However, even if he was a novice, the rest of the group knew that Donovan had natural ability and intelligence that made him hard to beat.

"I am to take Gorgon out." The General answered.

"Right." Guy replied. Gorgon had done considerable injury to Sigrid when they battled. While she had proven she could best Gorgon in combat, Guy preferred to even the odds a little by having General Glory face him instead. With the General's super strength and flight ability, Guy was confident that he would be able to dispatch the tentacled villain quickly with little injury to himself.

Finally Guy turned to Zatanna, "I don't mean to tell you your business with this guy but until you are able to put your spell into effect, let Beatriz take her shots. She can't beat him but she can weaken and unbalance him. That ought to give you and Booster the opening you need." Guy felt genuine concern for Zatanna and a little more than that for Beatriz. He hated letting them face Dreamslayer alone but he had to be on hand to deal with Lord Havok. None of the heroes who radiated any kind of energy could engage Havok without unknowingly recharging the villain's power with their own. Since his powers came from his Vuldarian genetic code, he was in no danger of giving Havok that advantage. He had shown once that Havok was no match for him.

"I understand." Zatanna replied sensing the emotion behind his warning. Guy counted her as one of their own even though they had only worked together a short time. She was aware of the bonds she was forging with this team and knew that while their camaraderie was new, it was nevertheless a friendship. "Fire and I will give each other plenty of cover."

"I'll be okay Guy," Beatriz reassured him. "I'm tough. I go out with you remember?"

Guy offered her an intimate smile before adding gruffly. "Just keep your eyes open and get your pretty butt out of there once Zatanna does her stuff."

"My butt though pretty, does know how to duck." She agreed.

While there was still time, Ted took an opportunity to speak to Zatanna. Instinctively, she stepped away from the others so that they could have some privacy. Once this was over, she would have to do some serious thinking about her feelings for him. Zatanna had not been involved in a long time because men found her abilities daunting. There was always a part of them that could not help thinking that perhaps their affections for her were the product of some enchantment and true feeling. Zatanna sensed no such suspicions in Ted Kord. In fact, his emotions were pointedly clear and required no clairvoyance to decipher. It radiated from him in such warm waves that she could not help being affected by it. There was a sweet gentleness about him, hidden deep beneath the humour he wore like a magic shield. It concealed many insecurities he seldom shared with anyone.

"Are you going to be okay?" He asked, trying not to sound possessive because no real understanding had been exchanged between them.

"I'm the only one who can do this." Zatanna said confidently. "You know that."


"I do." Ted nodded slowly, "it's just that..." He paused. It was so difficult to come out and say what he really felt without Blue Beetle waiting in the wings to take control.


"I know." She said, saving him the trouble of making his feelings known. Since she was telepathic, it felt unfair to make him go through it. "I know you care Ted and if it makes you feel any better, I do too."

His eyes seem to light up with that revelation and the smile he produced was simply endearing. "I've never been very good with women you know."

"Really?" She looked at him mischievously. "I would never have guessed."


"See," he declared gleefully. "I am rubbing off on you." Ted was about to make further comment when suddenly he saw her expression changed. Her eyes darkened and her brow knitted as she met his gaze. "He's coming." She stated.

"Now?" Ted demanded, forgetting all thoughts of their personal relationship, such at it was.

"Now." Zatanna confirmed with a quick nod.

Ted flung around to the others. "Guy!" Ted called out. "Dreamslayer is on his way!"

***********

Only Guy Gardner was standing on the beach when the Extremists arrived.

A pinprick of light glimmered in mid air when suddenly it expanded into a web of energy that opened a doorway through space and time. Tracer emerged first. He sprung out of the wormhole with the predatory grace of a tiger about to spring onto a helpless victim. He landed on his haunches, muscle rippling through his body as he landed on the sandy beach. Tracer's head turned sharply towards him as a breeze carried Guy's scent to him. A vicious smile stole across his face as claws extended for the fight.


Behind him, Lord Havok simply stepped out of the wormhole as a man might step off a bus. His armour showed none of the damage that had been inflicted during their battle earlier. It gleamed in the sunlight as Lord Havok looked around to survey the situation. Like Tracer, he located Guy almost immediately. Even from a distance, Guy could see his eyes narrow with hatred. Guy had no doubts that Havok wanted a rematch after his defeat in Paris. Gorgon and Doctor Diehard emerged from the portal showing no signs of their battle with Sigrid or Beatriz. As expected, the Extremists had undergone repairs under ministrations of their more empowered comrade.


Dreamslayer was the last one to emerge from the wormhole before it flashed out of existence. The villain took a long look around the island and did not appear happy at the state of the island. Considering that it was he who had reduced it to a nuclear wasteland less than a day ago, Guy could understand Dreamslayer's annoyance even if he did not share any enthusiasm about committing genocide. It would not take them long to get here, Guy thought to himself. Even as the notion passed through his head, he saw the Extremists approach.

The Extremists covered the area between them quickly and fanned once they reached him. Guy showed no little concern at being surrounded by them. Guy Gardner possessed one virtue that wall always consistent. He did not know the meaning of the word fear. Fear did not exist for him, not after all he had faced in his life.

"I am impressed." Dreamslayer declared, gesturing to the landscape around him. "Your witch does good work."

"She's not a witch," Guy said with a comfortable drawl. "She's prefers to be called a magician."

"Well," Doctor Diehard added with a malicious sneer. "Too bad about the people though or couldn't she conjure them up too?"

Guy tried not to let the remark effect him and merely shrugged. "You fight the fights you can win."

"You're not going to win this time." Lord Havok hissed. Judging by the sound of his voice, it was all he could do to keep himself restrained.

"You want to rumble with me again, pal?" Guy turned to him and offered a derisive smile. "I could use the exercise."

"I'll tear you apart!" Havok roared viciously.

"Where are the others Tracer?" Dreamslayer asked, knowing that his companion was able to pick up the scent of any other warm body in the immediate vicinity. Tracer's range was extensive, he could tell if there was anyone else on the island.

"I can't smell them." Tracer replied annoyed that he could not scent out prey. Instinct told him that this hero would not be standing out in the open all alone. Against the five of them, it was tactically suicide. However, the man before them was confident and without fear. Usually, he could sense when prey was afraid but he could detect nothing of the sort from the superhero called Warrior.


So he is a brave son of a bitch, for dead meat. Tracer thought.

"They're here and this is an obvious trap." Dreamslayer stated without question. "Where are they Gardner?"

"Around." Guy replied, indicating that was all he was willing to say.

"Whatever your ineffectual plan is, I guarantee you it will fail." Dreamslayer continued. "You've never been able to beat me without the sorceress and she's dead."

"You never know until you try." Guy replied, sensing that Dreamslayer was no good with answered questions. The man did not like surprises as he disliked not knowing why Guy had lured him here if it was not to fight.

"Maybe your screams will bring them out." The huge and obese Gorgon taunted, the tentacles of his head moving around like uncoiled serpents. His eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses but Guy had no misgivings that the man was any different from his blood thirsty companions.

"It will take a thinner man than you to do it, fat boy." Guy retorted. He could see them seething with rage at their earlier defeat, even Lord Havok who was know for his ruthlessly calm behaviour was enraged to the point of frenzy. Only Dreamslayer maintained any control over his emotions, superior in the notion that he could easily defeat Guy if he wished.

"I'm going bust you up good!" Gorgon shouted, spittle flying from his mouth.

"Enough of this," Dreamslayer glared at Guy. "My friends need to taste blood Gardner, I'm afraid in the absence of your friends, you will have to do."

Guy did not need to hear any more. Without warning, he spun around and started running. Dreamslayer watched him race across the sandy beach. He appeared to be heading towards an outcrop of rock in the near distance. "How quaint," he said to Lord Havok. "He's allowing us a chase."

"He's not going to get far on foot." Lord Havok noted.


"Then go get him." Dreamslayer ordered.

**********

Guy did not know if they were following him and honestly, he was about to stop and look. He did not intend to let any of the Crusaders do something he was not prepared to do himself, thus he had decided to be the bait that separated the Extremists from Dreamslayer. He knew Dreamslayer would remain behind because he had his lapped dogs to do the menial work, which involved capturing him dead or alive, which ever came first. Guy could hear Tracer's approaching voice in his ears, taunting with all sorts of pain when they caught up with him.


Dream on creep, Guy thought to himself as he leapt onto the outcrop of rock and started climbing up. An explosion erupted next to him, impacting on stone and sending jagged shards at him. Guy did not need to look over his shoulder to know that the blast had originated from Lord Havok's arsenal in an effort to slow him down. Although sharp pieces of rock bit into his skin, Guy continued over the rock and jumped to the sand on the other side. His feet gave way under him as he landed. Guy rolled with the fall and was on his knees and running again in seconds.


Beyond the outcrop was the face of a cliff wall on the other side of the island. At high tide, much of this inlet would be submerged underwater. However at low tide, it revealed a narrow cleft that had been carved out from years of erosion and hidden by the outcrop of rock. As Guy heard another blast discharge behind him, he jumped out of the way as the blast impacted on the ground behind him, raining sand around his ears.

"We're coming to get you!" He heard Tracer cry after him.

"Like hell you are." Guy said under his breath as he stopped running and turned around and saw that they were almost on top of him. A few more minutes and they would have caught up to him.

"Now!" He shouted through the open channel of his signal device.

********

If he had not been poised for an attack of some sort, the column of green flame that came shooting out of the sky could have incinerated his physical body on the spot. Dreamslayer jumped out of the way just as the flames reached him. As he fell, he heard the loud woosh of sand being fused into glass by tremendous heat. Dreamslayer rolled across the ground, his back covered in sand as he scrambled to get back on his feet. The attack on his physical form surprised him because he had believed these costume buffoons would have learned by now that he was much too powerful for such measures.

He looked up and saw the woman called Fire, making a pass to send more flames in his direction. A part of him was enraged by the audacity of her to dare to harm his body in such a way. Even if she was a manifestation of fire, he was going to destroy her. Dreamslayer flung a bolt of mystical energy at her but she seemed ready for the attack. Beatriz moved out of the way as the bolt flew past her.

"You're agile." Dreamslayer declared. "But you're no match for me and you know it." He sent another blast of energy at her that she carefully avoided again.

Beatriz was at home in the sky and after years of flying, she knew how to avoid such blasts even if she knew she could not do this indefinitely. At some point Dreamslayer would lash out and she did not know if she could handle the power of his attack when that happened. For the moment, Booster and Zatanna were staying out of sight as planned by Guy. The object here was to disorientate Dreamslayer before Zatanna and Booster could act.

"Let's see you prove it." She sent another blast of fire at him.


This time he was ready for her. An invisible shield sprang up to protect him and the flames bounced harmlessly off the surface, carried away by a breeze that rendered it impotent.

"Your move." He smiled through the shimmering heat of the air around him.

Beatriz knew then she could not defeat him but she was going to give him a fight he was never going to forget. She poured more flames around him, encircling him and his shield in a wall of fire that send columns of dark smoke rising into the air. Dreamslayer remained behind his protection unperturbed but unable to attack because it required lowering his shield to do so. Despite his awesome powers, he was alive only because he possessed a body through which he could function. Without it, he was a simply a disembodied spirit with no way to effect the physical world.

At all costs, the body of the Gray Man had to be protected.

"Your tire me with your impertinence!" Dreamslayer roared and exhaled loudly as if letting out a held breath as he vented the full measure of his formidable powers. The shield around him exploded outward, sending waves of energy that stole the air around the flames snuffing them out completely.

Beatriz had one moment of clarity in which to react before the wave of energy reached her but it was moment to late. The wave hit her as if she had flown into a brick wall at top speed. It knocked the wind out of her as she was thrown backwards. The pain that wracked her body robbed her of her ability to concentrate and she lost flight. The last thing she saw as she fell from the air in spiral descent was the sea rushing up to meet her.

Dreamslayer watched her fall into the water with a loud splash, breathing hard. Despite her ineffectual attack, she had caused him to expend a large amount of energy. Walking towards the shore, he decided she would die for that insult. Around him, wisps of green flame were struggling to remain alight on the sandy ground with little success. He could see the woman rising to the surface after she had made her initial impact.

Suddenly, he slammed into an invisible wall in front of him. What outrage was this? Dreamslayer thought furiously as he placed his hands in front of him and found that there was an invisible barrier before him. Allowing his hands to move over the unseen surface, he realised that he was trapped inside a force field of some kind. It possessed almost as much strength as the one he had erected to protect himself from Fire. Suddenly a voice penetrated through the anger of his inner thoughts.

"Welcome to the end Dreamslayer." Zatanna's voice said coldly.

**********

The Blue Beetle was the first one to emerge from the cleft, followed by General Glory and Ice. Their objective was simple, to separate the Extremists from Dreamslayer at all costs. Guy had gambled on the villain considering himself too good to give chase to what seemed to be obviously a trap. He counted on Dreamslayer being prepared for an attack by Zatanna, not Beatriz. However, in order to make any of it work, he had to lure the other Extremists so that Zatanna could put her part of the plan into action without interference.

"Guy, are you okay?" Ted called out to ask as he flew overhead.

"Just peachy!" Guy shouted back as Ted raced towards Doctor Diehard, like a blue projectile.

While sadism and brutality could be mimicked to near perfection, it required more sophistication than any computer is capable, to produce true intelligence. The original Extremists were a group of blood thirsty murderers but their success had been attributed to their intelligence. The replicants who now lived their lives did so only because of programming. Yet programming was simply not enough to make these facsimiles completely identical to their flesh and blood counterparts. It had been easy to lead them into a trap because their programing had been designed for them to obey their baser instincts. The Extremists were known for their savagery and their designers had used this trait as the blue print for their creation. Intelligence had not been a high priority.

Doctor Diehard was no sooner able to conceive that he and his companions had been lead into a well-orchestrated net before he was dragged into the air. He looked up frantically as the beach became distant below him and saw the Blue Beetle keeping him airborne by his dark cape.

On the ground, the others wasted no time in deciding whether or not their comrade required assistance. Tracer snarled viciously at Guy, baring his teeth in malignant rage. His body contracted like a spring, preparing to launch when he heard Lord Havoc shout in unmistakable warning. "He's mine!"

"Come on." Guy narrowed his eyes and taunted as the armour clad villain approached him slowly. This would be a bare knuckled, blood fisted battle to the death, Guy realised. The idea of such down and dirty brawl sent his blood boiling, answering the call of some Vuldarian thirst he never seemed able to quench. Fortunately for once, he was not held back by notions of morality. Lord Havoc, the man was dead. This creation before him was without a soul and without flesh.

"I'm going to tear out your heart before I'm through." Lord Havoc said through clenched teeth. "Nobody beats me, nobody!"

"I did." Guy retorted as they circled each other, like two titans about to wage war over the earth. "Give me what you got Havoc," he glared at the icy cold eyes staring at him through the slits of armour. "Give me hell and watch me eat it, tin man"


Once again, Havoc did not like being reminded that he was a facsimile of the original. His entire personality program hinged on his ego and his knowing that he was Lord Havoc, leader of the Extremists. "I am Lord Havoc!" He screamed almost in protest as he sprang towards Guy firing all weapons on his body armour. Enormous bolts of power rippled at Guy who quickly morphed his body into something more formidable than flesh. His skin began to transmute. Molecules began shifting and altering, turning soft tissue into high density material impervious to nothing short of a complete anti-matter detonation. In the blink of an eye, Guy's body had transformed into thick Vuldarian battle armour. The blast impacted against his body hard but Guy managed to remain on his feet. The power of the weapon had increased tremendously and Guy was forced to dig his heels into the keep standing.

"Try harder." He sneered once the barrage has stopped and Havoc paused to reload. Guy started forward during the interval, his arms morphing into weapons as he advanced. Judging from the strength of Havok's attack, Guy had been correct in assuming Dreamslayer would have enhanced his powers after their defeat earlier.

Lord Havoc raised his arms to fire again not allowing Guy to close the distance between them. His other companions were having battles of their own to contend with and the Extremist did not intend to endure another humiliating defeat. "I'm going to kill you hero." He said with cold hatred, the memory of their previous encounter gnawing away at him.

"Better than you have tried pal." Guy said as he hands turned into gun barrels and two columns of incendiary fire surged forward.

Havoc jumped out of the way without hesitation. Even with his armour, the Extremist was agile. He landed in the oncoming rush of waves against the shore line. Guy immediately resumed his attack, sending another jet of fire at the villain. Havoc released his weapons through the fire. Some of its artillery impacted on Guy's body but it was not enough to stop the former Green Lantern by any means. Instead Guy ran forward and brought him down with a full body tackle. Both men landed into the water with a loud splash.


Knowing the risks to engage his opponent in a physical combat, Havoc flipped Guy over his head and scrambled to his feet. Guy recovered quickly and did not allow Havoc the chance to fire again. He threw a focused kick that connected in the centre of the villain's chest. Havoc staggered from the blow but still remained standing. Guy refused to allow him the opportunity to take a breath, dropping down and then bringing the Extremist down with an effective leg sweep. Havoc hit the water hard, his entire body impacting with a loud splash. Guy rose to his feet and moved in for the kill.

However, Lord Havoc was far from done.

As Guy approached, the replicant sat up abruptly and discharged all weapons in his armour's arsenal. The following blast sent Guy flying backwards through the air. He hit neck depth water with a tremendous splash. Even with his Vuldarian protection, Guy felt his body ache with pain as he surfaced. He emerged just in time to see Havoc rushing towards him preparing to resume his attack.


Time to put this creep out of commission, Guy thought to himself.

As Havoc fired again, Guy dropped beneath the surface of the water. The blast impacted harmlessly against the waves, sending a spray of froth and salt into the air. Almost frenzied by his rage, Lord Havoc continued firing, releasing multiple energy bolts in the charged sea. Sea water began to bubble from the heat of the energy of his weapons, until steam rose from the frothing ocean surface. He was almost beyond reason. The need for vengeance had completely obliterated the calm deliberation the original Lord Havoc was said to possess. Beads of moisture began to roll down his armour as water condensed on its flawless finish. Yet despite all his rage, Havoc saw no signs of blood or a body. Until he saw Gardner dead with his own eyes, he could not be sure of anything.

Only when the internal systems of his amour indicate that he was pushing it beyond its limits, did Lord Havok finally stopped firing. Inwardly, he knew he was wasting precious energy in this exercise when he had yet to see any evidence of his attacks producing a victory. He stood breathing hard, allowing the swell of rage inside him to be still. Around him, the ocean showed similar wisdom. The water stopped frothing. After a while, the foam was broken up the rhythmic currents of oceanic waves, snaking bath and forth in a see saw approach to the shore. He was still standing in waist deep water and knew he should withdraw to dry land. While his suit was moisture protected, the high salinity content of sea water could effect its electronics. However, he could not rest easy. He did not for one moment believe that he had killed Gardner.

If not, where was the bastard?

He would ponder that question when he was out of the water, Lord Havok decided. Glancing at the beach, he saw his companions engaged in combat with the rest of the Gardner entourage. Tracer had disappeared into the jungle and the female who was fighting him, had chosen foolishly to follow. Behind his mask, Havok allowed himself a wicked smile. She would soon learn better. On the far side of the beach, it appeared as if the good Doctor did require assistance. The new improved Blue Beetle was launching a formidable attack as was the hero called General Glory, who at the moment was soaring into the air, dragging Gorgon with him.

Suddenly, he heard a ripple behind him and turned sharply around just in time to see something shiny breaking the surface of the water. It emerged slowly, rising from the depths as a new born god might have done in ancient mythology. Every inch of it gleamed in the sunlight. Its brilliance enhanced by the water running down its metallic limbs. For a moment, Lord Havok wondered if this was some illusion until the silvery head rose to meet his eyes and he found himself staring into Gardner's green eyes.

Guy Gardner, Warrior waded out of the water. His body having taken on the consistency of liquid metal seemed fluid as he approached. Havok could see ripples and tiny waves where there should have been muscle and sinew. There was a moment of clarity as both men faced each other and knew inexplicably without clairvoyance or foresight that this time would be last. Time slowed to a crawl as Havok raised his weapons to fire, not caring whether he was pushing his suit to its limits or not. The Vuldarian's body morphed again and this time it surged forward like elastic, crossing the distance between himself and the enemy.

The full volume of Guy's substance slammed into Havok as if the elastic band had been pulled and released. Havok managed an angry cry as he fell backward, feeling the viscosity of Guy's flesh ooze into the eye slits of his armour. Once penetrated, he felt it harden and suddenly there were fingers against his cheek. He clamped his eyes shut and uttered a guttural scream of rage as those fingers pulled back.

The armour containing Lord Havok's skull snapped in half. Guy stood above the decapitated body of the former Extremist, with pieces in both hands. Each fragment sparkled with residual energy and spat fiery embers in all directions. The designers had no knowledge of the man beneath the armour and saw no reason to create him inside it. The eyes that had stared at Guy with so much hatred were the only things that had been recreated. Mitch Wacky's creations had been about illusion. In this case, the illusion even deceived itself.

Wires and conduits spat synthetic fluid and Guy looked down at the remnants of Lord Havok's head in his hands. The body twitched spasmodically, trying to re-route to other systems in order to keep functioning. Guy did not know whether or not it would work, however he did not want to wait around to find out. He tossed the pieces aside, taking a moment to ensure that they sank to the bottom of the sea. They may a slight break in water before disappearing beneath the waves. He morphed his two sharp metal claws and dug them into the chest cavity of the headless replicant. When he pulled back, he heard the screeching sound of metal tearing as the body of Lord Havok was eviscerated.

With that, the replicant finally stopped moving and Guy Gardner left Lord Havok to the sea.