Legacy Part I
"The End"
Written by Artemis, Story idea by WonderWoman
Summary: The death of the Justice League by Darkseid leaves a world in ruins. This summary sucks intentionally. ;) Batman/Wonder Woman, ANGST!!!!, romance, action/adventure.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, especially all these DC characters. So nyah-nyah!
A/N: I'm juggling three storylines here, which will all come together eventually. Please bear with me.
**********************************************************
Part I, Chapter II**********************************************************
"Hey J'onn."
"Wally. How is the pain?"
"Coming back. Can I have some more of that stuff?"
"Of course." J'onn pushed another ten cc's of morphine.
"Can you give me more?"
J'onn looked directly into his eyes. "Are you sure?" The Martian's voice was completely somber—he wanted to be sure of what Flash was asking.
Flash's eyes were bright as he stared back into J'onn's.
"Please."
J'onn nodded and injected another ten milliliters into the intravenous line. He stood there and waited for Flash to open his eyes again.
"More please."
J'onn frowned and pushed five more cc's.
"Thanks buddy." Flash closed his eyes.
The Manhunter kept his fingers on Flash's radial artery and monitored his pulse, which slowed immensely, but fortunately never ceased. Flash's ragged breaths became more regular and slower in frequency.
Sleep well, my friend.
J'onn maintained his vigil by Flash's side long into the night, constantly monitoring his thoughts. Whenever Flash's mind strayed into a nightmare, J'onn guided him back to happier memories. And so it was with a smile, that the Fastest Man Alive passed his final breath.
**********************************************************
Kalibak stared at the dead pair at his feet and sneered in disgust. "They are holding . . . hands . . ."
"May I my lord?" Darkseid's chief scientist was very interested in both the Green Lantern's ring as well as dissecting the Hawk's wings—perhaps he could splice some of her DNA with that of a Parademons' . . . and her claws—very interesting . . .
"DESAAD!"
"Sorry my lord," Desaad bowed his head.
"Yes, take them, just get them out of my sight," Kalibak said wearily. The Hawk managed to get a few hits in before he was forced to kill her. He didn't want to show how much pain he was feeling. And the Lantern . . . just thinking about the green fist made him growl. Fortunately, the fool lost his concentration once the Thanagarian fell. He picked up her mace and charged it, comparing it to his own beta club. Fairly advanced technology—certainly more so than the idiots on this planet. He was seriously considering recommending to his father that they strike Thanagar once this planet was spent. He glanced towards the power plant in the distance and reminded himself that, unfortunately, his father cared little for acquiring technology.
He turned his back just before the plant exploded. Never flinching, he fell into step beside Desaad. Two demons were dragging the bodies to Desaad's makeshift lab.
"Careful with the Hawk. I need her wings intact."
Kalibak chuckled, "You are going to have a lot of fun with her, aren't you?"
"I've never had the pleasure of a Thanagarian on my table, so yes, I will enjoy this, immensely."
"Kalibak!"
He turned and immediately grinned. "Ladies. You have good news?"
The Female Furies grinned back. Lashina flicked out her metal lash and Kalibak recognized the holographic helmet of Orion rolling to his feet.
"My dear brother is now helpless I see."
Mad Harriet held up her metal claws, covered in blood and giggled.
"Was."
"Excellent job. I will even allow you to tell my father the good news personally."
Once the last of Artemis's cyber hounds left, on the heels of the Furies, Desaad turned to Kalibak.
"My lord," he coughed and looked down at Orion's helmet.
Kalibak groaned and nodded. "Take it."
**********************************************************
"Batman?" Tim peered into the dark.
"No, no." The shadow stepped forward, his voice different, "Master Tim, it is I."
Tim stood in place, frozen.
"My apologies sir." Alfred pulled off the mask and cape and grinned sheepishly. "I have found this a more effective means of scaring thieves and looters who wander these tunnels."
"I just assumed you were dead when I heard looters sacked the Manor."
"I was left for dead, Master Tim, but I managed to get down here before those dreadful demons made their rounds."
Alfred stepped back and bowed, hand extended, "After you."
Tim returned a sad smile. He limped alongside Alfred into the Batcave. Alfred had enough discretion to walk slowly and ignore his disfigurement, at least for now. He knew the elderly man had his ways of getting information, from even the most stubborn of people. Reminded of Bruce, Tim's eyes immediately started tearing. Staring at the chair before the Batcomputer, he realized he was waiting for Bruce to turn around and make a dry remark about his tardiness.
The bundle stirred and Tim glanced down into the cherubic face.
"I see you've brought a friend." The Englishman's eyes looked upon the baby with a father's tenderness. "May I?" he asked as he held out his arms.
Tim gave him a shaky nod and handed over the infant. He watched in amazement as Alfred cradled the baby boy and spoke in a hushed, playful tone, "And what is your name, my young sir?"
"I, uh, haven't named him yet."
"You, Master Tim?" Alfred frowned, "He is—"
"Oh, no," Tim shook his head emphatically. The former Robin glanced around the cave. "This is his son."
"Oh . . . OH." Few things had ever passed in Master Bruce's thirty-three years of which he was not aware, but this was most certainly one of them. Upon composing himself, he asked, "And the mother?"
Tim still felt guilty about leaving her behind. He winced.
**********************************************************
"Where is he?"
"Probably with Alfred."
Both Tim and Scott reflexively glanced in the direction of Alfred's final resting place.
Scott swallowed, "Let me show you what I've done so far."
Tim, grateful for the distraction followed him to his lab. He looked at the pile of metal and wires. "So Mr. Miracle, what the hell am I looking at?"
"Okay, I'll admit it's far from completion. But at least now I know what I'm doing."
"That doesn't make me feel any better," Tim deadpanned.
Scott rolled his eyes, "Up until a couple of hours ago, I was still working on the 'how.' As in how were we going to get the Bat to another dimension, planet, whatever." He beamed and gestured to the device, "Now it's simply a matter of how fast can I build this."
"And 'this' is?" Tim touched a few of the wires and frowned.
"Oh, right," Scott grinned, "This is a variation of the interdimensional tube that sent me to Earth all those years ago."
"You could use it to get Barda," Tim's voice was genuinely enthusiastic, filled with hope that his friend had finally found a way to be re-united with his wife.
Scott's face fell a little. "Actually, I'm not completely sure where Batman will go once it's activated." He sighed and winced apologetically, "I'm still working on that part. But I'm not completely sure if Himon, the scientist who originally designed these on New Genesis, ever knew either."
"Oh, because who would intentionally come to Earth?" Tim's sarcasm was belied by his god humor and smirk.
The scientist grinned, "Now you're getting it!"
Tim shook his head and rolled his eyes. "What sort of power source are we talking about here?"
Once again, Scott was apologetic, "That is going to be a problem."
"What kind of problem?"
Both men turned and looked up to the towering dark figure behind them.
"Hey Bats." Scott looked to both men as he continued. "There's no technology on Earth that can deliver the correct charge. We're talking very high intensity, for a fairly short duration."
"Nuclear?" Tim offered.
"Oh no. Wrong kind of power—that would just fry the circuits and there's no telling what would happen to anyone caught in the portal."
Both Tim and Batman frowned. Scott held up his hands, "I'm working on it. I'll come up with something. Just give me a little more time."
Before he could get a response, a woman's voice called over the speakers. "Parademons sighted in Robinson Park."
"I'm on my way."
Batman ran to the Batmobile, as Tim patted Scott on the shoulder, "Back to work."
"I know, I know."
**********************************************************
J'onn patted the rest of the dirt in place and stared towards the heavens.
Diana.
J'onn, this is not exactly the best moment to talk.
I am coming to help you.
No. Find Shayera and John.
Diana, I know what you have planned. I cannot allow you to go through with this.
They may still be alive. Besides, with your abilities you may be more valuable than any of us.
More valuable than--Goodbye J'onn.
The Martian sighed. Too many sacrifices were made today. But he wanted some of Diana's hope, so he flew west towards Shayera and John's last known co-ordinates. As he flew over the country, the cries of survivors pierced his brain. So much anguish and he could do little to block it out—the pain was simply too raw. He sensed the presence of Kalibak and Desaad long before he saw the orange glow of their camp. He realized, as he got closer, that it was not their camp at all, but the glow of a burning power plant. Performing a quick sweep of the area, he closed his eyes upon finding no human sentience, but Darkseid's people were definitely in abundance.
J'onn landed with a soft footfall on the outskirts of the enclosure. Kalibak and Desaad were together and Desaad was thinking about Thanagarian physiology . . .
Shayera!J'onn phased through the wall, but hid in the shadows of the furthest corner. Despite acting in an unofficial capacity as the Watchtower's physician/nurse, it took him a moment to register what he was seeing. His heart stopped and his stomach lurched.
Shayera's body was splayed out prone on the cold metal table. Her wings were removed and to the side. Kalibak's fingers played idly with the feathers as he watched Desaad with a bored expression. Desaad, however, was anything but bored. His face was twisted in delight as he bent over Shayera's back, gloved hands covered in blood—her blood. J'onn eyes glowed from orange to red and struck them both telepathically with as much rage as he could muster.
Kalibak staggered to the floor holding his head. "What . . . what is this . . ."
Desaad fell backwards, pulling his tray of dissection tools with him. The largest, the scissor-like device he used to cut off Shayera's wings, impaled him through his torso. He never stirred again.
J'onn crossed the room to Kalibak, who was still clutching his head as he lay curled on the floor.
"Stop . . ." Darkseid's only living son managed to gasp. He held up a shaking fist towards the Martian. J'onn's fury only grew when he recognized the Green Lantern's ring.
YOU THREATEN ME WITH HIS RING!J'onn glared and sent another psychic wallop into Kalibak's brain. The villain shuddered and drooled. His fist fell to his side as he stared up at J'onn vacantly.
Stepping over the now prostrate Kalibak, J'onn walked to Shayera's body. He slipped on gloves and delicately sewed up her back as best he could. He washed away the blood with a gentle touch. First placing her broken wings on her back, and then covering her with a sheet, he flipped her body over carefully to look at her face one last time. J'onn smiled at her as he stroked her hair away from her face.
J'onn looked around the lab and spotted John's body crumpled in the corner. He lifted the Green Lantern onto another table and cleaned his wounds as well. Once John's face was cleaned of any blood, he carried them both outside and dug a shallow grave. He knew the camp was asleep, not that he was concerned about being caught. He laid his friends onto the soft dirt and buried them together.
Fly into that endless sky, Shayera. And John, let her take you with her.
**********************************************************