PART 2: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
Oh Rock of Ages, do not crumble
Love is breathing still
Oh, Lady Moon shine down
A little people magic if you will
Chapter 7: BRIGHTON ROCK
Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States of America, lay in quiet disarray. Beneath the tranquil skies, politicians ran amuck, searching for ways to reassure people that they were not facing a wide-scale famine, that the strange disease that had spread from the Amazon Rain Forest all the way to the frigid Canadian north was nothing to be concerned about, and that the police all around the nation were keeping the streets safe from chaos. One man walked through the halls of the White House to the Presidential Office. "General St. John at your service, sir," he said, introducing himself. "We have a situation."
The President looked up at him with a cool glance, "What kind of situation don't we have?"
"We have just received word form the Justice League that a high speed alien vessel is on its way, and the expected landing point is in your own front yard," the hard-line general said. "I think we should evacuate you from the city."
"I imagine that Superman has the situation under control."
"He is pursuing the object -" the General began, but was quickly interrupted by the complacent Commander in Chief.
"Then there is nothing to worry about, now is there?" The President looked at the General, "Now if you could stop wasting my time as it is. I have important papers to sign, a tax-increase to veto, and more paperwork. Then there's reports of an epidemic, and we need to get relief to Jump City. These are important, immediate problems, General."
"Sir, please listen -" the General tried to plea, but there was no talking to the President who gave him a sharp glance.
"You are holding up important business, General. So, if you would kindly remove yourself from my office," the President did not look at him again. The General hesitated, and then rose his voice as loud as it would go.
"The object will arrive at least ten minutes before he will, sir." There was a pause. The President looked up at him, almost frightened, "I'll get security in here immediately."
"You do that," the President said, quietly. There was a crash outside, and he turned, haunted, to the phone. He picked it up and was greeted with the news. He hung up angrily. "Well? Get them in here now!" The General nodded, and the security team was in the room within seconds. They huddled protectively around the President. There was a moment where no one dared breathe. Then there was a sound like a great pounding of thunder upon the roof. The ceiling gave way, crushed into a fine dust. When it settled, the fearsome armored form of War stood before them.
"I've come seeking the man you call President." War strode over to the group that was assembled. Glancing downwards, War commented, "I see you have experience in worshipping things that fly. Good." War floated above the ground.
"I am him," the General said, walking towards War, "I am the President."
"Kneel," War said, his voice calm and testing. The General complied quickly, kneeling before War. "You are not he. A leader would not so easily kneel before a conqueror. No, you have the taint of war upon you. I like that." War took the sword and brought it around to cleave the general's head off of his shoulders when the President pushed his way past his bodyguards.
"I am the real President, I'm the man they're protecting." War seemed pleased, ceasing the swipe inches from the General's head. "What do you want?" demanded the President. War cocked his head and looked amused.
"I want you to declare a state of War."
"That's not within my powers!" The President yelled.
"Then what good are you?" War commented. "Plead before whoever it is that holds power over you, tell him to declare War, a War that will be between brother and brother, father and mother, nations and states, all their people warring against one another. This nation, is it not the mightiest? Let it be an example by which all should live. One Planet, Under War." War brought the sword, harmlessly, to his side. "Kneel before your new God."
"Never," the President said, his voice quivering. War's gestures remained bemused. "No matter what you do, no matter what you say, I will never kneel before you."
"Ah, I see. You have faith in your Superman. Very well, I'll make him kneel before me, and you in turn will fall before my might." War patiently took a seat behind the President's desk. There was the ticking sound the clock made as minutes counted down. "He will be here presently, won't he?" The President didn't answer, but War didn't bother waiting. "Ah, there he is." The hero to end all heroes descended upon the White House. He held his strong jaw high with pride and looked at the situation with a tough compassion.
"Stop this."
"Why?" War asked. Again, there was a second pause, and then the Horseman continued. "I see it as the right of all conquering forces to hold the old leaders in custody until that time when their fates are decided. I am the conqueror, you are the conquered. Kneel before me."
"Never," Superman said, defiantly. War didn't speak for a minute, his body convulsing, caught in the throes of laughter. "What's so funny?" Superman demanded to know. War looked through the slot on his armor and stared at Superman, almost unbelieving.
"Fifty Five worlds already I've conquered, and so far none of them have come close to this one. I'm feeling something I haven't felt since --" the figure stopped to think, "- since I was last here. It's something about the atmosphere. Your world is fun. I enjoy this world. I'm sorry I have to do this to your planet."
"Then stop," Superman said, trying to reason with the horseman. "We'll go easy on you but only if you stop your warpath."
"I'm sorry, Superman," War said, "But you've got to do what you've got to do." He drew his sword and leveled it with the Man of Steel. Superman grabbed it and with his hand crushed the blade. This only brought more laughter to War, who still bore his eyes at Superman in disbelief. Superman was almost taken aback by the expression. He let go of the sword and backed away, suspecting some surprise attack. "Look," War said, "The sword isn't made of steel." Superman looked at the metal. It was green and glowing with a faint light.
"But -" Superman said, feeling his knees buckle under the weight of his body. "How?"
"How?" War asked. "You really want to know? Then kneel." Superman felt his knees give way, bringing him down to the floor fast. War smirked, "My blade is blessed by the new Goddess of this universe. She has given me the power to conquer any foes, even Kryptonian enemies such as yourself." Superman tried to rise from the floor, pain wracking at his every bone.
"I won't let you!" Superman said, his voice a low, husky whisper. War did not pay him any mind as his brought his fist towards the helmet. Though it did not harm the Horseman, it did knock the helmet onto the ground where it landed with a heavy thud. Black hair spilled out like a waterfall, landing far below War's shoulders. He turned around to look at Superman. "You're a..."
"A woman? Surprised? Don't be." It was the last thing Superman could remember hearing. A sharp pain throbbed through his head and he fell to the ground with the same heavy sound as the helmet.
**************************
Khashoggi sat in his room, idly filing through the papers from the day. He stamped them with almost arbitrary grades, looking closely at the name and glancing at the paper. He may be lazy, but he had perfected a style of grading that relied not on effort from his part but from promise.
He came to the only paper he would grant top marks. "Destiny. Mad the Swine. Whatever name is really yours," he said, "I have to thank you for giving me something to work at."
"And what would that be?" The voice sent a chill down Khashoggi's spine. "We don't have time to chat idly, sir. We have business, dire, dire business." Khashoggi turned to look at Destiny, who stood there, different than before. Where once he had been a teenager, he could now see the gradual lines on his face.
"You've aged again." Khashoggi rose from his seat. "At least in your mid twenties now, aren't we?" he asked. "Or early thirties," he admitted, on closer inspection. "What business are you talking about?"
"Pamela has --"
"Ah, women." Khashoggi smiled, "You've likely just experienced something that all men must one day face. The attraction to the fairer sex. Now, I know at first it may seem distracting, perhaps even infuriating, but eventually you'll see that they have a garden of secrets to find."
"That's not what I'm talking about!" Destiny said, bringing Khashoggi face to face with him. "Pamela has betrayed us. She's working for Hell now."
"Tartarus is the Greek equivalent for Hell, my boy," Khashoggi answered. Mad's intense glare persuaded the scoundrel teacher to rethink his approach. "What are you talking about?"
Destiny's hair lanced forward, and they began to search Khashoggi's room. They traced each book they found like a Librarian's fingers. And carefully, gently, it took the book it had found and brought it over to them. "Look," said Mad the Swine, and Khashoggi did look. He had brought out the Bible. He had opened it to the Book of Revelations.
"This is --" Khashoggi looked at Mad carefully, then heaved his breath and looked at Mad again. "No, it's not preposterous, is it? Explain to me the problem, my boy. Let me help you."
Mad looked at Khashoggi, and taking his hand carefully, he opened up the book to the beginning. "Here is when it began."
"Genesis, how appropriate." He looked at it, "On the first day and so on and so forth. So, illuminate me."
Mad frowned, "While certainly above mortals in his abilities, our Father in Heaven is not completely omnipotent. While His power created the cosmos, it was by and large a learning experience. Before humanity, there were six prior attempts at creating the world we know."
"I see," Khashoggi answered, "And what does this have to do with the here-and-now." Destiny looked at Khashoggi wearily, and then opened the book before the beginning, tearing pages out of the thick cover.
"This is before the creation. Our God created a prophet, someone to inform his people of their times ahead. While certainly there are many who are revered as prophet in these days, there was only one Prophet. This man has died."
"I see," Khashoggi said, "And this is impossible. Things are happening wrong, is that what's going on?" He continued to say, "And Pamela? How does she fit into this?"
"I will explain if you'll only let me, sir." Mad looked carefully at the book. "It's the only divine author in this book. It was recorded at the beginning, and it is the only complete Word." He traced the pages, trying to find the portion he sought. "And so it came to pass that, in his stride, the forces of the Dragon would attempt to make Creation their own. And so the four seals were wrought from the iron of the mind. And so the Riders would remain dormant. The Dragon sought out these that were called Riders upon the end of their era and with their seals broken by the seeds of his power, they took upon the ghastly spirit forms and with them came the four harbingers of the Apocalypse. They that are called War, Famine, Pestilence and Death."
"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," Khashoggi mused. "A Prophet who heralded the end whose time has come prematurely. The Devil himself. All these make sense, but what about you?" He scoffed, "Archangel Destiny who came to warn the human race that their time has come?"
"I am Son of God, the one my Father has entrusted to judge the living and the dead and to bring those worthy to a kingdom that will have no end."
"Oh, really." Khashoggi looked at the pages, "Interesting parlor trick, my boy. How did you do that? Tampering with reality again?"
"I -- yes, but I needed to show you the book so that you --"
"I'll play along for now. It sounds quite like an adventure, helping the forces of Heaven stop the forces of Hell and all. However, I do not enjoy being toyed with. Even by someone as dear to my heart as you." He looked at Mad, "I've come to think of you, my boy, as the son I never had."
"I am," Mad said, hesitating a bit, "Honored, sir. However, Pamela is not the only one whose seal had been broken. Ichabod's has as well. I've removed the seed that was influencing him, and it seemed to restore him, but I've not been able to repair the seal."
"You shouldn't be able to," Khashoggi said. "I'm a man who knows the intricacies of the human mind probably better than anyone. What happens in a mind can be influenced by a catalyst, but cannot be completely commandeered. You're going to have to find a way to make him repair his own mind."
"But how can I do that?"
"Allow me to do that." Khashoggi looked at Mad, "Where are they?"
"Ichabod is currently," Destiny muttered, "Unresponsive. He's in the infirmary on campus." Khashoggi only looked on expectantly, "I do not know where Pamela is. Or how to find her. Unlike most people, I can't just find her. It's that Raven's fault."
"Raven? Of the Teen Titans?" Khashoggi asked. There was somewhat confirmation, "Oh, this is too rich." Khashoggi looked at the wall in deep thought. "I know of a super-powerful satellite that could locate our missing associate. A super-powerful space camera called Jove."
"And we can access it?"
"We? We can't, but I can. In the meantime, do you have something you could be doing?"
"I suppose, but --"
"Let me handle this, Mad." Khashoggi put his hand gently on the young man's shoulder. "Trust me," he said. "You do trust me, don't you?"
"Forever, sir." Destiny's hair wound itself tightly into a braided ponytail.
**************************
The Emerald Bar was a small restaurant in Brighton that, like most things in the town, was owned by Mr. Loren Jupiter. It was a comfortable family restaurant with a cozy atmosphere and a local flavoring. The walls were adorned with posters from the school's football team, celebrating the team's approaching season. Serving the tables at breakfast time was Gar Logan, the civilian persona of the newly dubbed Changeling.
He looked idly to the television screen by the bar for news. His new hidden identity made for an exciting lifestyle, one that had both the benefits of being an ordinary person and of being a teenage superhero. And while he was expecting some news to come up, he was internally hoping against it. Gar had a deep secret.
He was enjoying the life of a simple busboy and waiter. It was boring. And something about that excited him. He didn't have to be in the limelight, but when he served a table, people eagerly listened to his stories and jokes. He was beginning to fit into the community. It wasn't like anything he'd ever been through before. "Gar!" an older gentleman sitting by the window said, "C'mere, my boy. Tell me, why aren't you in school?"
"School?" Gar said, "Well, it'd by too complicated for me. I like the simple life."
"I know, my lad, but I see great potential in you. You remind me of myself when I was your age. I took my first part-time job when I was only a boy. Oh, how excited I was." Gar inwardly rolled his eyes, but kept up the appearance of rapt interest.
He eventually said, "Do you need anything else to drink?" The gentleman looked at his empty coffee mug and shook his head.
"No, no. I'll have to be going any minute now."
"Okay, then."
"Oooh! Let me show it to you!" the radio blared its empty ga-ga.
"Fred!" Gar yelled, "Turn it off that annoying Oldies station." There was a moment before he heard the comforting mindlessness of modern music. "Thanks." The chef looked out of the kitchen door, and pointed to a table in the corner where a young man had taken a seat. "Oh, gotcha Fred."
Gar walked over to the young man. "Can I help you?" he asked. The young man looked up at him. His pale, sunken face looked at Gar's. He didn't speak immediately, so Gar started to say, awkwardly, "I'll just, well, let you think a bit longer, then?"
"No," he said, a voice whiney and definitely striking Gar as nerdy. "I'd just like a cup of coffee. Black. Can you do that?"
"Easy, sir." Gar walked over to the kitchen, "Just a coffee, Fred. Nothing added." Gar walked back over to the young man, "It'll be ready in a minute."
"It'd better be." Gar looked at the young man angrily, but turned to the kitchen to pick up the drink.
"Breaking news! Alan Scott High School is experiencing freak wind storms. Known criminal Bromwell Stikk has claimed responsibility."
"Oh, great. That loser again. Hey, Fred, handle this guy, will you? I've got to, er, get Mr. Jupiter. This sounds like big trouble." Fred gave an 'a-okay' gesture as Gar ran out of the building. He shrugged, and changed the radio back to his station.
"And with a smile----! I'll take you to the Seven Seas of Rhye!"
***********************
The winds swept through the school with a frightening force, and with it swept in panic. The doors banged against the frames and windows were broken open. Students hid behind desks and constructed barricades. Teachers worriedly watched after the events, organizing and lending their strength to the efforts.
Above all this sat, on a throne of twisters, the devious Mr. Stikk. His coat billowed in the powerful gusts. He looked down on the school with the distant look of a mad god. And he laughed when he saw a student caught in the winds and thrown into the storm. Buses lifted from the ground with the force of his powers. He cackled.
The winds brought the student who had been thrown out up to face Bromwell. "Hello," said he, "What's your name?"
"My name is, is," the student, a young girl stuttered, "Cass."
"Well, Cass. That's short for Cassandra, isn't it? I have a favor to ask you." The winds forced the girl closer to him, "Find Lilith Jupiter, and bring her to me."
"Who?" Cass asked, frightened.
"Lilith Jupiter. Red hair, green eyes." Stikk scowled, "Don't you know anyone in this town, girl?"
"No, I just moved here!" Cass declared. Stikk's expression darkened. "I don't know who it is you want! Don't hurt me, please!"
"Child, child," the haggard man said, "No harm will come to you. But, is it too much to ask that when I say something you think about how to answer. If you don't know who she is then find someone who does." The winds carried the girl back to the ground. He sat on his throne of winds and awaited the redheaded girl's arrival. "Why am I surrounded by idiots?"
"The answer to that question is that they feel intelligent around you!" a familiar voice called.
"You again?"
The Changeling laughed, "Yes, me! And this time Mr. Sticky-poo, with your cute little walking cane and all that jazz, you're going down."
"You're a horrible comedian," Stikk commented. "And I prefer the name Mr. Twister!" There was a long pause before Changeling burst into a fit of laughter.
"You think I'm a bad comedian? That's the corniest name I've ever heard!"
"Excuse me?" Mr. Twister said annoyed, "But really. Changeling."
"Shut it!" Changeling yelled. "I like my name. It's got a certain, I don't know, Je nais se quoi."
"Do you even know what that means?" Twister said.
"No, but it sounds good." Twister laughed, throwing out a blast of air towards Changeling, who ducked to the side and brought himself into the air as a bird. Moving through the air with the greatest of ease, Changeling could dodge anything Twister threw at him. "Ha! You can't touch me!" Twister looked a bit angry at this. "Come on! Try!"
Twister created an updraft in front of Changeling, "Okay." Twisters appeared above Changeling, threatening to touch down as he was shot upwards. "That good enough for you?"
"Perfect!" Changeling yelled. Twister looked to see that instead of a bird coming towards him, a whale was about to descend upon him. His winds couldn't keep something that heavy adrift in midair, and he turned his efforts to escaping. But, as the shadow got larger and large as it approached him, he panicked. Then, just as suddenly as he had become the whale, he transformed again, taking the form of a gorilla. He grabbed Twister and grasped at a power-lines below. He slid down to the ground and deposited Twister on the ground. "There," he said turning back into his normal form, "Gotcha." He picked up the walking stick and looked it over. "Wow, fancy."
"Give that back, you incorrigible cur!"
"Watch your language!" Changeling said. "Anyway, let's just get rid of this little number," he broke the stick in two and tossed it to the side, "And get you to the proper authorities." He took a bow, "Thank you, thank you! I'm here 'til Thursday. Try the Tofu!" To his surprise, there was a loud uproarious cheer. The students ran up to the Changeling, eager to catch a close glimpse at their local superhero. "Hey! Watch it! How's it going? Wow!"
He laughed as some of the kids asked for autographs and he gladly obliged so long as one of them would provide him with a pen. What Changeling didn't notice was that Lilith Jupiter watched the proceedings without a pause or gasp. She just smiled knowingly.
***********************
The waves moved aside for him. He hadn't the faintest recollection of time. Had it been an hour? Or perhaps it had been much longer. Whatever the case, the transformation was now complete. His thoughts didn't reach out as far as they once did, but it was irrelevant. He moved through the waves without a trouble. His eyes glowed menacingly, frightening away any who dared try make a meal of him.
He had to leave the waters. They were no longer the battlefield. The twinkling of lights played against the water's surface.
He broke free. He reared his head upwards, water from it fell into the air. He looked around, trying to make sense of where he was. The climate was warm, and the sun was high. He looked to civilization in the distance and continued to swim towards it.
***********************
"That was most excellent," Loren laughed. "You did wonderfully, Garfield." Gar grinned. "To think, you managed to stop that super-powered threat without so much as a blink of the eye. I'm impressed."
"What do you think? Was the costume a bit much? I'm working on a few other ideas," Gar said. "You'd be amazed what Mr. Richards can whip up in a few minutes."
"Well, I liked the costume, but the colors need work. I'm thinking more purple, less red and white."
"I like the red and white," Gar said. "But I can see the purple logic there." There was a knock at the door, and Lilith poked her head through. "Er, hi, Lilith!"
"Gar," she said, "We need some help out here. Big order for Judge Hall and his guests. Fred's swamped, and Bette's still not here." Gar nodded, and headed to the kitchen following Lilith. "I'm sorry, I know you're on your lunch break, but I just can't handle an order this big."
"It's all right!" Gar said. "I don't mind helping you."
"Thank you, Gar," Lilith said. She handed him a tray filled with food, and she took one herself. They walked over to the center table, where a party of ten people sat around the table. The Judge, his wife, and his sons -- Gar recognized them as Hank and Don, Lilith's friends -- sat at the head of the table, while some fancy-dressed gentlemen he hadn't seen before. "Okay, here you go," she listed out the meals, and handed them to the ones who had ordered them, as did Gar. "And Clam Chowder?" a man to Gar's left had ordered it. He took it off the tray, some of it dripping down the side of the bowl, and placed it at the front of the man.
He didn't notice his watch begin to spark, but Lilith did. She subtly tried to get Gar's attention. "Now, Mr. Hall. You were saying?" one of the men said.
"Oh, of course. About this new costumed vigilante. Our little city's been devoid of the attention of the meta-human danger before he appeared, but after he had appeared in the Dove Street Mall, we had to deal with a man who controls the wind that held our children hostage in their own school. I don't see this is a good thing, gentlemen," he said, taking a sip of his meal. "I see it as a danger."
"But, dad," Hank commented, "He did save us from that guy twice." Gar's illusion device began to fritz on and off rapidly. No one had noticed besides Lilith.
"Gar!" she whispered harshly, but he was listening raptly to what the judge had to say. She shook him, but that only turned the disguise off completely. She panicked, and in order to disguise this took him and placed his face on her bosom. She flushed red.
"I realize this, Hank, but still it stands that we don't even know who he is or where he came from. And the fact that all the animals he turns into are green is a bit unsettling," Judge Hall said.
"I usually agree on this, father," Don said, "But Hank's right. He did save us. And besides, a green man shouldn't be that hard to find. Er, Lilith?" Don looked at the waitress, a bit concerned and a bit jealous. "Is Gar all right?"
"No!" Lilith said, anxiously, "In fact, I'm just going to lead him to the bathroom so he can just you know and stuff thanks bye!" She hurried over to the rest rooms and released Gar. "You should be more careful!" The disguise had flickered to on again.
"What?" Gar looked at his watch, which was dripping with clam chowder. "Aw man! I am not green!" he screeched.
"Sure," Lilith said.
"You did not see anything!" he said, again.
"Sure."
"And I am not a super-hero!"
"Sure."
"Aw man," Gar muttered, "How does Robin do it?"
"By being antisocial, I figure," Lilith said. "Gar, calm down. I knew it was you the first time I saw you."
"But you said that your dad didn't let you see me," Gar said, "Because my skin color would have scared you and made you faint." Lilith laughed. "What? What?"
"Since when do I listen to my father?" Lilith said. "And it was me who found you in the first place. You washed up onshore nearby our house, and I saw you when I was walking home from work. You worried me."
"Er, sorry," Gar said. "I mean, I want to keep this whole secret identity thing a secret, and I nearly just blew it in front of a guy who hates me."
"Judge Hall's a bit old-fashioned. He ignored the likes of Superman and just compares everyone to Batman, and much to Bette's chagrin, thinks that everything related to Batman is just taboo."
"So why is she so into Robin?"
"Claims she was saved by him one time when she was on vacation in Gotham with her Aunt Kathy, whatever else she says is fangirl drivel. About being the first real Batgirl or something," she rolled her eyes.
"Oh brother."
"Tell me about it. Is that thing staying on?" Lilith asked. Gar shook it, and nothing happened. "Good. Let's get back to work."
"Sure." Gar hesitated, "Hey, can we, er, talk?"
"After work? Sure."
***********************
Loren Jupiter sat anxiously in his car, chauffeured about to the airport on an emergency meeting. His secretary had said that there was a meeting he had forgotten about, and for the life of him he was certain there wasn't any scheduled for now, but the sincerity in his secretary's voice led him to believe there must be.
Whoever it was, it seemed he was waiting for them when they arrived. He came to the car and asked, "Is this Mr. Loren Jupiter?" to the chauffeur, who nodded. Loren opened the door, and the person sat down next to him. "Thank you for coming. I know it's on short notice, but I'm sure that you'll like what I have to say." He hefted a briefcase over, and opened it. Within were countless rows of bundles of hundred dollar bills.
"I'm not sure if you're trying to buy me for some reason," Loren said. "I don't even know who I'm talking to."
"Oh, of course. My name is Khashoggi. I'm interested in recruiting you to build me a ship."
***********************
Bette Kane had been stopped on the street by a strange man with long, wild hair and a scar across his right eye. She paused, not sure what to do. She was late enough as it was, but this man had stopped her in the middle of the street and didn't seem to move. "Excuse me."
"Where am I?" he asked.
"You're in Brighton."
"Where is Brighton?" he asked.
"It's by the coast in South Carolina," she explained. "Why?"
"Where is Jump City?" he asked.
"A way, way, way lot norther."
He seemed to be thinking. "Have you seen a green-skinned person recently?"
"You mean Changeling?" Bette asked. "Are you looking for him?"
"No," the man said, "I'm looking for Beast Boy."
"I think you should look a bit up north," Bette said. "We only have a Changeling here. Same ability, different name. Maybe they're related?" The man paused to think, then spoke.
"Where is Changeling?"
"I don't know, he only shows up when there's trouble." Bette moved to leave, "I need to get to work."
"I'm sorry. If you see him, tell him that Aqualad is looking for him."
***********************
The zoo was where Gar went to think. Something had been bugging him. He looked at the monkeys, carefree as they leapt from branch to branch. He leaned against the posts between him and the pit and looked down. He didn't hear anyone approaching him, but regardless, someone spoke up.
"I thought I'd find you here." Gar turned around and looked into the eyes of Lilith Jupiter. "I said we were going to talk. Why'd you run off?"
"Stuff," Gar said. "I just got lots of things to sort. I was going to find you after I was done thinking. But right now there's just too much in my head. I'm not used to thinking this hard." Lilith smiled.
"You're always so sad, Gar. It's like you know more than you let on." He squirmed. "Talk to me."
"I know that the world's about to end," Gar told her. "Don't believe me, do you?"
"The world's going to end, is it?" Lilith said. She smiled, "Well, it's still going on so may as well enjoy it."
"Yeah, that's my life philosophy. Life's a party and I'm the animal." Lilith smiled. "You like that, huh? I've got a million of them."
"You've got an interesting sense of humor, Gar," she admitted. "That's what I like best about you. You like to laugh."
"I miss my friends, they never laughed at my jokes, but I still miss them. But there's a lot more to this than anything else." Gar said. "Look, I've not been completely honest with anyone. I'm not the great hero I keep making myself out to be."
"Then what are you?"
"I was Beast Boy, you know, of the Teen Titans." He looked at Lilith's reaction, and then continued, "Just one of the team - the weakest link too. On a team where you can be beat up by the only one without super powers, you're not exactly the most important member."
"Is that what's bugging you?" Lilith asked, "That you think you're not good enough?" Gar nodded and bowed his head. He heard her laugh and then felt her hand touch his face, "Look at me, Gar. Don't be silly! You've proven to us that you're a real hero. Stopping robberies, saving damsels in distress, and more. You're our hero. We love you, Gar."
"I couldn't save one of my best friends, though." Lilith looked at him. "Aqualad, he's dead." Lilith placed a hand on his shoulder.
"No, he's not," Lilith said. "He's looking for you."
"Don't make stuff like that up. I saw him, he was eaten whole by the Leviathan."
"Bette met a man who said that Aqualad was looking for you," she said, "So I'm not making this up. Come on, let's go look for him. Maybe he can give you some answers."
"I don't believe this," Gar said. "It sounds like a trap."
"Then we'll just deal with it as it comes." Lilith turned to drag Gar along, "Come on!"
**********************
"While it's true we are one of the world's largest conglomerates, and we did once possess a shipyard, that was years ago," Loren Jupiter said, "Back when we were in the Gulf. We don't build ships anymore."
"I know, but my last ship was one of your models," Khashoggi said, "Luxury class, but with enough power to outrun a torpedo. I loved it dearly, but unfortunately, it's beneath the waves now." He gave a gesture, "I know it's a bit much to ask, but can we at least talk over blueprints? I would be willing to purchase them from you to bring to a proper ship contractor."
"I suppose," Loren said. "We can go to the main HQ in the city." He motioned to the chauffeur, who nodded. "Look, Mr. Khashoggi. What is your line of work?"
"My line of work? Well, growing up I was a student at the HIVE Academy for Extraordinary Young People. Following my graduation, I became a contract mercenary who has been involved in several civil wars in South America, before coming into the role of a Drug Baron in Venezuela, where I eventually made a large fortune, enough to purchase my first ship from you, per my specifications. I then moved my business to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, where I became the master of a party ship. Following a run in with the Teen Titans, it sunk, and well, I'm now working again as a teacher, but I'm looking for a new opportunity."
"What?" Loren Jupiter said, "Stop the car!" Khashoggi laughed and put a hand on Jupiter's shoulder.
"It's nothing to worry about," Khashoggi said, "It was a joke."
"Never mind then," Loren said. "You worried me."
"Yes," Khashoggi laughed. "I do that. If you don't mind my prying," Khashoggi began, "I was also wondering about your Jove Space Camera. I'm fascinated by it. The lens magnification is extraordinary."
"Why, we're quite pleased with it. It's a prototype, still, but by the end of the month, we're hoping to get a military funding for it. Though the applications go long beyond just spying."
"Oh, so very true," Khashoggi said. "I'm just utterly fascinated by it. The stars, you see, are where the Gods used to put heroes in old myths and legends. They always fascinated me. Did you know that Jupiter is what the Romans called Zeus, the Greek God of Thunder and King of Gods?"
"I did," Mr. Jupiter said. "Why do you ask?"
"Curiosity," Khashoggi answered. "I want to know what kind of person you are. Now, tell me about your family."
*********************
The man from the sea was seeking a place to wait when he found himself being carefully scrutinized by a man's eye. He felt a bit uncomfortable with this, and quickened his pace, but the man stepped in front of him. "I was wondering, aren't you a unique sort, if you could do me a favor?"
"What kind?"
"I am looking for some way to inform my sister of something," the man said. "My name is Jared. My sister is currently being held under lock and key by a man named Loren Jupiter. It's a sad state of affairs."
"Your sister is being held captive?" the man from the sea asked. "What do you wish to inform her?"
"Of a way to freedom." Jared took a package from his bag and gave it to him. "Contained within are the materials she'll need to escape. Maps, diagrams, what have you."
The man from the sea looked a bit suspicious. "Are you sure this isn't some kind of ruse?"
"Of course!" Jared said. "She's my sister. I could never hurt her." The man from the sea hesitated, and took the package. "Please, she's being held captive in the main building downtown."
"Why can't you do this yourself?"
"Jupiter knows me too well. I wouldn't be able to get past security."
"What makes you think I can?"
"You look like a superhero," he said. "Everyone trusts a superhero."
He thought that over. "Well, all right. I'll do it." Jared thanked him, and the man from the sea was on his way.
*******************
"I haven't seen him," Bette answered. "Last time I did, he was heading closer to the sea." Gar thanked her and walked down along the way she gestured. Lilith looked a bit pensive.
"It's not going to be easy to find him," she told Gar. He said nothing. "But cheer up. I'm sure we'll find out what you wanted to know." He mumbled something morbidly. "Chin up," she ordered, and he followed immediately. She waved to a car in the distance. "Daddy!" Loren Jupiter's car came to a halt in front of them.
"Lilith!" Jupiter said, rolling down the window. "I'd like you to meet Mister L. O. Khashoggi."
"Khashoggi?" Gar asked.
"Hello," the familiar voice of the deranged entertainment master. "Pleasure meeting you both. Who is the young lad?"
"My name's Gar," Gar answered. "I think we should be going."
"Nonsense!" Khashoggi said. "It's always a pleasure seeing a familiar face again. How about we all go out for something to eat after Mr. Jupiter and I discuss business matters?"
"Sounds lovely," Lilith said. Gar tugged on her sleeve, causing her to round about fiercely. "What is it?"
"Don't let him fool you. His voice causes subtle suggestions to go into your head. It's creepy, and once they get in there, there's nothing you can do about them."
"Quite charming a theory," Khashoggi said. "I may look past my prime but my ears still work. You're right, Mr. Logan. It's nice seeing you again." The window pulled up as they bid them good bye, and the car raced to the main building downtown. Gar looked angrily after it.
"I don't believe him," Gar said. "He's so smarmy. We sunk his ship and he still just laughs at us. I wouldn't mind making him eat that smile of his."
"Gar!" Lilith laughed. "This isn't like you."
"I know," Gar said, "But if it weren't for him, we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place."
"Don't worry. I'm sure Aqualad's all right," she assured him. "And after you find him, you can go back to Jump City, and everything can be back to normal again."
"No!" Gar protested. "I want to stay here. I like it here."
"But what if your friends need you."
"They won't," Gar said. "I was just their comedy relief. They probably don't even notice I'm gone."
"I know they miss you," Lilith said resolutely. "Cheer up."
Gar paused before he said, "We should follow him. I don't trust him. He's not the sort to do anything where he doesn't have a complete control over the situation. I'm worried for your father."
"Okay," Lilith said. "I guess dad won't mind if I borrow his car."
********************
The man from the sea was named Tempest. He also wasn't an idiot. He looked carefully at the package, and carefully opened it. It wasn't often people just came off of the street and asked him to deliver packages. And that was a sure sign that whoever had given it to him couldn't be trusted. He didn't expect to see what he saw when he did open it.
The only thing inside it was a photograph, beautifully framed, and a note. He opened it. The message was simple.
Tempest frowned and hurried to the main building of Jupiter Industries.
********************
"And this is where we control the Juno Satellite," Jupiter explained. "Would you care to see a demonstration?"
"Wonderful!" Khashoggi said. "I always wanted to see a satellite with the capability to take a close-up of someone from outer space." He looked eagerly at the machine. "Now, how does this work?"
"Simple really," Jupiter said. He began to explain the controls when the doors were burst open. "What's going on?"
There were sprinklers going off down the hall, and the water was scalding to the touch. Security looked helpless against it. The man standing in front of them was Tempest, who looked angrily at them. "Khashoggi. I should have guessed you'd have your hand in this. Where's the girl?"
"What girl?" Khashoggi asked. "Who are you, anyway?"
"I am Tempest," he said, "And I want an answer."
"I'm sorry, boy," Jupiter said, "But what girl is it you're asking about?" He looked honestly confused at the young man's anger.
"You know very well what girl," Tempest accused.
Outside, Changeling and Lilith ran up to find the sprinklers holding back the security team. "What's wrong?" Changeling asked.
"We can't turn off the sprinklers," a security officer said. "This man just burst through and--"
"I'll handle it."
"Thanks, Changeling," the security officer said. "But how you going to get by that water?" Changeling turned into a rhinoceros, "How's that going to help?"
"He's using something that won't feel anything immediately," Lilith explained. "He's pretty smart, isn't he?"
"Never would have thought of that," the security officer said, watching the rhinoceros tip-toe to the door. Changeling transformed back after he crossed the sprinkler trap, and opened the door.
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Jupiter exclaimed. Tempest looked tense, biting his lip. "Changeling, thank God you're here!"
"Hi boss," Changeling said. "So, another one of Haze's goons. Well, I hate to disappoint, but I don't think I even need to use my little pinky against you."
Tempest looked back at Changeling. "What are you doing? He's kidnapped an innocent girl."
"What?" said generally everyone in earshot.
"No, no, no," Changeling said. "Mr. Jupiter didn't kidnap anyone. But he's had trouble with someone trying to kidnap his daughter." The sprinklers slowly dribbled to a stop. "Wait a second."
"You know, he looks familiar," Khashoggi said, "Did I know your father?"
"You knew me personally," Tempest said angrily. He turned to Changeling, and after a second asked, "Beast Boy, is that really you?"
"Aqualad?" Changeling exclaimed. He looked scrutinized Tempest closely. "Aqualad! You're alive. But I saw you eaten alive!"
"I survived," Tempest said, "And I gained -- well, let me show you." He turned on the sprinklers, but the water didn't fall straight, but instead turned at a right angle towards Changeling. Tempest's hand glowed with power. "What powers the Leviathan had are now my own. I'm his successor."
"That's a bit weird," Changeling said. "You get eaten by the guy, and then you replace him?"
"I'm sometimes surprised by life's little quirks, myself," Tempest said. The security rushed into the room, looking a bit bewildered. "Is this his daughter?" Tempest asked, showing the picture to Gar. The girl was younger, but it was unmistakably Lilith. The boy next to her looked vaguely familiar. He wondered if he liked black coffee idly.
"Yes," Changeling said.
"Are you okay, Daddy?" Lilith asked, taking her father in her arms.
"I'm fine, dear, I'm fine."
"I'm so embarrassed," Tempest said. "Can you forgive me?"
"I suppose," Jupiter said. "But what is with all the hostility towards Mr. Khashoggi."
"Well earned," Changeling said. "Trust me." Khashoggi looked a bit tense. "What are you here for, Khashoggi. Really?"
"Well," Khashoggi said. He looked ready to flee. His leg swelled up, and exploded suddenly. "Oh my," he said. "That didn't sound very appealing." The room looked around for a sign of what had caused it. The room began to tilt, and everyone fell towards the door. Then it tilted the other way. The occupants were shook up.
"This isn't right," Lilith said. "Who's doing this?"
Tempest looked out the window. "There's someone out there!" he said. Jupiter looked out as well.
"Impossible," he said, "This is the fifth floor. There's no way we could be this close to the ground." The room was indeed only one floor above the ground. "What's going on?"
"Perhaps it's our perception," Khashoggi suggested, walking along quite fine without his leg. "It's a series of illusions."
"Thank you for that observation," Changeling said, "But what do we do about it?"
"I'd suggest you go down to the ground level and deal with him," Khashoggi said, "But I'm no expert on this. How about I leave a collect call at the Titan Tower. They might have an idea. Oh, what sort of message to leave."
"Quiet." Gar turned into a pterodactyl. "Grab hold, Aqualad."
"Tempest."
"Whatever," Changeling said. Tempest held on as Changeling descended to the ground. The second they left the window the distance seemed even greater than one floor. There were clouds passing casually by. "Just an illusion."
"Careful, now." They landed gently. The man in front of them seemed to be wearing a mask shaped like a stylized skull, and a cape that put Skeletor to shame. Tempest looked a bit confused. "This is the newest villain this town has?"
"We're a bit of a slow-paced, hi-family values lo-super heroics town," Changeling explained. "Okay. What do they call you? Mr. Bones?"
"Ha," the man responded. "I've heard you're a bit of a comedian."
"Then we can get on without introducing me. This is Tempest," Changeling said, "My friend and associate."
"Wonderful. Your little sidekick," the man laughed. "New addition. I'm not sure it fits your dynamic though."
"We're not here to discuss the dynamics of a super hero, we're here to fight. But before we can do that, we kind of need to know your name," Changeling said. "So could you at least tell us what they called you in junior high so we can get this over with? I've got a more important villain to take care of, you know."
"I'm sorry," the man said. "You know me as Haze."
"So you're the joker that's been stalking Lilith Jupiter," Changeling said. "This is going to be so satisfying." He found his legs felt too heavy to move. Looking down, they were tree-trunks. They were closer to an elephant's feet than a human's. "Hey! Stop that!" He repeated to himself that it was just an illusion and began to move. He eventually picked up pace. "This is worse than Khashoggi," he muttered as he fell flat on his face.
"How is he doing this?" Tempest asked. He found himself up to his knees in fish. "Ack!"
"I thought you liked fish."
"Long-time phobia," Tempest explained. Changeling chuckled. "It's not funny!" Haze moved past them without so much as a word.
"Come back here!" Changeling instructed, only to pound his head into a barrier that appeared in the middle of his path. "Ow! Come back and fight like a man!"
"They're losing," Lilith said. "And he's coming this way."
Khashoggi hummed, "It is a lovely day." He looked engrossed in what he was doing. "The Amazon. Certainly a good place to foster the growth of disease, wouldn't you say?"
"What?"
"I'm sorry. Do you think I'd be able to find Pestilence in the Amazon?"
"I guess," Lilith said. "But what does that have to do with anything?"
"Oh! You were talking about that superheroing outside. I don't know," Khashoggi said. "It's just so boring. They should try an introspective piece on the state of Arkham Asylum. I'd watch that." He continued his search. Lilith took him by the ear, much to his surprise, twisted it, and pointed to the door.
"Go. Help them." Khashoggi stuttered in pain, hitting a print button, before finally conceding.
"Fine! Fine!" he yelled, "I'll help them." He muttered angrily as he went for the door.
As Haze went for the front door, Tempest grabbed him by the cloak. With a whirring sound, the cloak came to life, wrapping around Tempest's hands and throwing him towards the wall. There was a hiss. The cloak he had grabbed was now serpentine, and was snapping at Tempest's arm. He broke free, moving back. Haze opened the door and opened it. The doors became a gaping maw. Changeling looked at it, and then turned to Tempest. "This is not going well."
"No," Tempest said. "It isn't. It reminds me that time."
"Oh yeah," Changeling said. "But remember, stick together and we've got it."
"I don't think his powers are natural," Tempest added.
"You don't?" Changeling looked pensive. "Do you think he's using a machine to amplify his own thoughts?"
"Sure of it. Why do you ask?"
"I know someone who could do that," Gar explained. "He wore a stupid bucket on his head."
Khashoggi met Haze halfway downstairs. "Hello." There was a burst of fire that emerged between Haze and him, but he didn't move. "Nice trick, but it won't work on me. They already used my own ability against me."
"So I see. You're not exactly someone I'm familiar with," Haze said, "But get out of my way." Khashoggi moved to the side, happily. "They're in the next room on the right." Haze followed his instructions unconsciously. Tempest and Changeling looked at Khashoggi as they entered the lobby. "Up the stairs, next room on the right," he explained.
********************
Haze was surprised by the room he was in. There were mirrors stored here, as well as computer equipment. A water tank, filled with fish, supplied the only light to the room. If they were hiding in here, it wouldn't be too long. He hurried to a closet, only to find it empty. He looked under the desks that were set up, but not a trace was found.
The door opened and closed. Haze looked up quickly, but then ducked down.
"We know you're in here," Changeling said. "Come out." Haze didn't move. "I smell you!" Changeling said. "You smell like a fine gorgonzola." Haze cursed. Looking up to see if Changeling was bluffing.
A dog-shaped snout looked at him, "Hi." He nodded to Tempest. "Do it."
An illusion of a cat sprung up, but Changeling didn't respond. The kitten turned into a super-model, but Changeling still didn't move. There was a sound of running water, as the sprinklers and the water tank both moved. Haze ducked for cover. "So you are running something electrical," Changeling said. "What connections do you have to Steve Dayton."
"A grant," Haze said, "For my research on the human psyche."
"Oh, fancy," Changeling said. "I know a bit about Mr. Dayton too. He has a rebellious adopted son, for one thing, and that he doesn't like people using his research for evil! Hit him, Tempest," the water burst forth. "He also doesn't like his pot getting wet." The water turned at a right angle, and launched at Haze. "I think that's a wrap."
"Not bad," Tempest said. They both exchanged high-fives. "We're a good team."
"The best!" Changeling laughed.
********************
They looked at Haze's face carefully. "He can't be more than 25," Gar commented, idly. "But he managed to alter the Mento-Helmet to project illusions instead of just lift things."
"I recognize the face," Jupiter said, carefully, putting a hand gingerly to Haze's cheek. "Jarrod."
"Jarrod?" Gar asked. They sat around Haze's prone form in the Brighton Hospital. "Hey, where'd Khashoggi disappear to?"
"He did help us," Tempest conceded, "I suppose if he got away, he got away. Besides, he didn't do anything bad, really."
"I guess." Mr. Jupiter didn't seem to hear them. "Er, Mr. Jupiter?"
"Daddy?" Lilith asked. "What's wrong?"
"He's the one who gave me that package," Tempest said. "I guess these are for you." He handed Lilith the package with the picture and the note. She took it and looked at it.
"That's me," she said, "When I was four. And the boy next to me," she trailed off. Jupiter finally spoke.
"Is your brother." Jupiter looked a bit concerned. "When you were born, your mother passed away from complications during child birth. It affected Jarrod deeply, and he came to resent me for it. When he was fifteen, he ran away. You were too young to remember. I tried to find him, spent every resource I could to find him, and still nothing. The idea of the Juno Satellite came from the idea of being able to find someone in a crowd."
"You built it to find him," Gar said.
"I imagined it to find him," Jupiter said, "But it would have never worked." Jarrod stirred, but his eyes did not open. "I wish I could have told him everything I wanted to tell him."
"He'll wake up," Lilith said, resolutely. "I know he will." She looked at the letter. "You're fifteen today, Lilith," she read, "And I wanted to tell you how much I miss you. I want to take you away from our father. After all he's done, he'll only hurt you like he did our mother."
"Poor guy," Gar said. "I wish there was something I could do." There was the ringing of a cell-phone. Eyes turned to Lilith, who embarrassedly picked up her phone and answered it.
"Bette?" she asked. "What is it? What do you mean Superman's on TV? From Washington?" They turned on the television set.
"Superheroes of the world," Superman began. His voice seemed wooden and hollow.
His speech was played under the newscaster's voice. "The news today of an extraterrestrial army set on conquest has shaken up the nation. Superman has issued a plea for all known super heroes to join forces to stop the coming enemy." The label 'War of the Worlds' came up on the screen. Various heroes were seen hurrying to Washington DC. "When questioned, the President voiced his support of the war effort, and called for all the Earth to join arms."
"Something's not right here," Gar said.
Lilith took Gar's hand, gently, "You're needed, Superhero."
"I'm not going," Gar said. "I told you that, already."
He stormed out of the room. Leaving the remaining people inside confused. "I'll go talk to him," Tempest said.
"No," Lilith said. "I'll talk to him." Tempest looked confused. "He's my responsibility, after all."
"He is?" Lilith laughed. "I'm confused."
Mr. Jupiter looked up from his vigil. "Lilith," he warned. "Be careful."
"Oh, dad," Lilith laughed. "I'll be fine." She followed after Gar. Tempest looked at Mr. Jupiter.
"I promised myself, I'd never let anything harm her," he explained, sadly.
"You've done a good job," Tempest answered, sincerely.
********************
"Gar!" Lilith called after the green individual, "Gar!" He disappeared into the Mad Mod's. She groaned. "Gar!" Lilith opened the door to see Neil Richards looking a bit confused. "Did Gar just run hiding?"
"Yes, luv," Neil said, "Why's he in such a sour mood, anyway?"
"He's got to go someplace," Lilith said, "And he doesn't want to."
"Oh, reminds me of leavin' behind me beloved Chorleywood," Neil said. "It's a quiet lil' town close enough to London t'let me get in the swingin' scene, but far enough away for me old man to actually be a bit 'appy. Besides, there's bingo nights every day, and the Rose n' Crown's got the best food in all of England."
"Er, where is he?" Lilith asked.
"Snuck right out the back way," Neil explained. "Prob'ly 'eadin' for the the zoo, as usual."
"Thanks, Mr. Richards," she said, running out the front way and heading to the zoo.
"Nice gel, that one," Neil said to himself. He continued sweeping up the store.
*******************
"Gar," Lilith said, as he approached his favorite spot. "I've been waiting."
"Lilith," Gar said, "I don't want to talk about it." Lilith grabbed hold of his hand and held on strong. "Lilith, please."
"Gar," Lilith said. "You're needed out there."
"I'm needed here," Gar answered. "I belong here."
"Gar," Lilith repeated, firmer this time, "You're needed out there. You can always come here again, I know my Dad'll welcome you with open arms to come and visit. Hopefully even Jarrod will recover, so we can be a family again."
"I don't want to leave," Gar said. "What if I don't come back."
"You will come back," Lilith said. "And I believe in you. But right now, your friends need you. They need you because you're just as an important part of their team as Robin is, even if Bette thinks he's all the team needs."
"Do you really think so?" Gar asked.
"I know so." She planted a kiss gently on his cheek. "Now are you going to go do your duty, or hide here? If you choose the second choice, I reserve the right to put you in a dog-house."
"I guess I, er," Gar paused, "A real dog house? With my name over the door and everything?" There was a nod. "That's a tough choice, but I'll go with the first one." He was rewarded with a kiss. "Oh, wow."
Lilith laughed. "My hero."
**********************
"They're empty," Hawkgirl muttered. "All of them controlled by remote. Half of them are holograms over smaller ships. Whatever supreme force this is, it's certainly not the normal kind."
John Stewart was currently repelling Sinestro's assault. "I recognize the makes of some of these ships. Whoever assembled this thing is a collector. Excuse me, quickly," Stewart said. He forced Sinestro back into a wall, and prepared a barrier for the counter attack. J'onn emerged from one of the ships.
"They are not empty," he explained. "There are children maintaining the engines."
"What?" Hawkgirl screeched. "Who could have done this?"
"Him," Wonder Woman explained, carrying Kanjar-Ro by the collar.
"Okay buster," Hawkgirl asked. "What's the big idea?"
"I don't know," Kanjar-Ro blathered, "It was all War's idea. We were going to mount a huge war, Meta-Humans versus Normal Humans, apparently. And this was just one of War's schemes."
"War?" Wonder Woman asked. "Who is War?"
"War," Sinestro answered, "Is a genius." He swung a yellow mace at the Green Lantern. "War has planned out a course of action so precise, that when it was pulled off without a hitch, you didn't even notice it."
"Why are you telling us this?" J'onn asked. John Stewart shot Sinestro through the hull of a ship.
"Because he's certain they've already won."
"Uh, guys," The Flash's voice came through on the Comm-Link, "We're in big trouble here. Superman's just kind of organized every superhero on the planet to meet in Washington."
The Justice League looked to one another. There was a sense of foreboding in the vastness of space.
From a mother's love is a son estranged
Married his own, his precious gain
end chapter 7
A/N: Chorleywood is where I spent two years of my life. I love that little retirement home dearly. And the Rose and Crown is a real pub there. And they do make exceptional food. If you're ever in the area, you should try it out.