"Justice League, its good to see you," said Gerald Groenig, the president
of the United States.
"And you as well," said Superman. "How can we help you?"
"The White House, along with every other nation's capital, has received a rather . . .disturbing broadcast. From the looks of things, we have a situation that may be out of our hands."
"Really."
Groenig nodded. "Here it is." His image was suddenly replaced by a different face, the one of a bald man in his thirties or so with tan skin, a diamond stud in his ear, and an immaculate Armani suit.
"Hello," he began amiably, "I would like to thank all the world's leaders for taking the time to receive my broadcast." His words were in slightly accented English with multilingual subtitles being displayed below. "My name is Lucas, last name is irrelevant, and I am the prime minister of Grenat, a small island country located just off the coast of Africa. As I'm sure most of you have noticed, the weather patterns of our humble planet have . . .changed a little. Or perhaps a lot, regardless, the one thing we can all agree on is that you will start having major problems soon.
"I, regrettably, am going to have to take responsibility for this. That's right, my agents are at this very moment securing their control over the earth's atmosphere. For those of you out there who are scientifically minded, I'm sure I don't have to explain what exactly complete control entails. The power to make droughts, the power to make floods, the power to create another Ice Age.
My demands are quite complex, and I do not have time to go into them now, so for the moment, just contemplate what can happen if they are not met. The most foolish thing you can do at the moment is dismiss me, underestimate me, because know this: I will not hesitate to lay waste entire cities, it means nothing to me. I have a little demonstration in the works that should leave you with very little doubt as to the veracity of my claims, so stay tuned. Its coming."
Lucas smiled, and then his image winked out, reverting back to the President's. "What do you think?" he asked.
Superman frowned. "It's a far-fetched claim, but I wouldn't dismiss it. Have you ever heard of the country of Grenat?"
Groenig shook his head. "Its not on any map, and its undetectable by our satellites. I've never heard of it in my life."
"Neither have I. Unfortunately, that means that we cannot do anything, until this demonstration of his. The thought is uncomfortable, but it's the only option."
"Very well then Superman, any help you could offer would be most appreciated."
Superman nodded and the screen went blank. He turned to J'onn. "What do you think?"
"It is imperative that we locate this island. I have the feeling that this man, Lucas, was being honest."
"But how? How could someone alter the earth's atmosphere so easily. Its hard to imagine."
"Most things that we encounter in our line of work are," said a voice from behind them. Superman craned his head around, seeing Batman in the doorway, Wonder Woman behind him. "Glad you could make it."
The Batman didn't acknowledge this. He simply strode past Superman and up to the computer console, tapping a few buttons and opening up a different chart. No time wasted in frivolous greetings, he was direct and to the point.
He hadn't changed a bit.
***
"The chain of events has begun," Olivia said, half to herself and half to Kari. She looked up at the sky. "Our master has requested a sample of what this device can do."
"I wouldnah mind seeing one myself."
"Hmm." The albino girl ran her delicate fingers over the cool, hard surface of the cube. "Mentrel fristi saknogh, laferne das!" she commanded, her soft voice uttering commands in a strange, ancient language that may as well have been Latin for all Kari knew. She was simply muscle, and her purpose was to protect Olivia from anything that threatened to stop her in this most delicate stage of the operation.
"Watch," Olivia's voice was hushed, just barely above a whisper. She raised her hands, the sleeves of her cloak falling down to her elbows. An inky darkness, rose like a vapor out of her fingertips. It seemed almost tangible.
The inky blot rose higher and higher and higher into the air, constantly changing form.
"What is dat?"
"Our demonstration." Olivia smiled, and then dropped her arms forcefully. "Cerion!"
The inky blackness diffused itself through the sky, becoming a larger and larger black dot against the simmering sun. A shadow began to form directly over the two, providing a cool, sharp contrast to the baking sun.
The darkness kept spreading, and the shadow became larger and larger, it was like watching an eclipse.
"What have you done?" breathed Kari.
Olivia just smiled.
***
Flash poked his head in the kitchen, nose sniffing. "Whoa that smells good," he said as John took the pizza out of the oven.
"Shouldn't you be on a date with your PS2 or something," remarked Hawkgirl.
"Hardly. Anyway, Supes wants us all in the monitor room."
John turned around. "Why? What's the matter?"
Flash shrugged. "Not quite sure. Something about the atmosphere or something." He flashed a grin. "I had no idea you could cook GL, but do us a favor and ditch the apron, 'kay."
Green Lantern ignored the remark and was already striding toward the door. Hawkgirl followed suit, taking the time grab a slice before leaving.
***
"And that's our basic situation," Superman informed them, concluding his briefing. "We've got an unknown leader of an unknown nation claiming responsibility for a worldwide heat crisis and promising a demonstration of some sort."
"He sounds like a nut," commented Hawkgirl.
"No argument there," concurred Green Lantern. "Is he the only one who claimed responsibility though?"
"Yes." It was Batman who answered the question, having just turned around from his computer console. "I hate to say it, but I believe him. It's the only plausible explanation, this cannot possibly be a natural atmospheric fluxuation, its too rapid."
Diana leaned against the wall. "So whats the plan?" she asked.
"If I may make a suggestion," J'onn interjected. Once he had their attention, he continued. "We should split into three teams."
"Three?" The question came from Flash.
"Correct. In my opinion, we should have three main objectives. One, find and neutralize this Lucas." He put an emphasis on the last word. "Two, he alluded to agents of his who were actually the one's manipulating the earth, we need to locate them as well. Three, some of us need to stay behind to act to direct the others, using the Watchtower's computer and communication systems."
"I'll deal with Lucas," Hawkgirl volunteered.
"I'll join her," Green lantern added impulsively. Hawkgirl turned around, an eyebrow raised.
"I could help find his agents," said Superman.
"Yeah, I'll go with Supes," Flash remarked. "Better than being cooped up here in the Watchtower. J'onn, you coming?"
"Yes, I suppose I will."
It went without saying then, that Batman and Wonder Woman would stay behind on the Watchtower. Wonder chanced a peek at the Batman, but like always, he showed about as much emotion as a rock. Indifferently, he nodded. "I'm afraid I can't give you all much of a starting point. Lucas has given a general region of his whereabouts, but as we know, his island country isn't on any map and is undetectable by satellite."
"Yeah, but that makes it conspicuous in its own right," Lantern said. "All we have to do is find the one area that doesn't show up on any of our scanners, and we've found Grenata."
"Grenat," corrected Flash.
"Yeah, whatever. Anyway, my ring should be able to help in that regard." Even as he said it, John felt a small pang of sadness. Here it was, another threat to the world and once again, he was no longer John Stewart, but the Green Lantern, an entity who possessed incredible power, but all thanks to a little ring. He reached into his pocket and withdrew the emerald band, sliding it onto his finger. Almost instantaneously, his street clothes were transformed into his uniform. "Hawkgirl and I will keep in touch as often as possible," he told Batman. "Let us know if anything happens that we need to know."
Batman nodded.
Still slightly mystified that Green Lantern had volunteered to work with her, Hawkgirl walked over to John, eyeing him with a curious expression. It wasn't that she minded, just the opposite in fact, but she was certainly surprised.
He looked down at her. "Ready?"
She nodded.
AN:// Thank you for the reviews. As you may have noticed, I've updated the first chapter, since the one that I posted originally was slightly incomplete. The new update has more back story, so if you haven't read it, I'd certainly encourage you to.
This fic does not take into account the events of Wild Cards, as should go without saying. At this point, John and Shayera are just becoming friends, although that will soon change.
This fic is based in the JLA animated verse, even though I will bring in characters such as Oracle, who exist in the comic verse.
Well, I hope you like and I hope you'll tell me what you think, suggestions and even constructive criticism welcome.
Pleasant Day
"And you as well," said Superman. "How can we help you?"
"The White House, along with every other nation's capital, has received a rather . . .disturbing broadcast. From the looks of things, we have a situation that may be out of our hands."
"Really."
Groenig nodded. "Here it is." His image was suddenly replaced by a different face, the one of a bald man in his thirties or so with tan skin, a diamond stud in his ear, and an immaculate Armani suit.
"Hello," he began amiably, "I would like to thank all the world's leaders for taking the time to receive my broadcast." His words were in slightly accented English with multilingual subtitles being displayed below. "My name is Lucas, last name is irrelevant, and I am the prime minister of Grenat, a small island country located just off the coast of Africa. As I'm sure most of you have noticed, the weather patterns of our humble planet have . . .changed a little. Or perhaps a lot, regardless, the one thing we can all agree on is that you will start having major problems soon.
"I, regrettably, am going to have to take responsibility for this. That's right, my agents are at this very moment securing their control over the earth's atmosphere. For those of you out there who are scientifically minded, I'm sure I don't have to explain what exactly complete control entails. The power to make droughts, the power to make floods, the power to create another Ice Age.
My demands are quite complex, and I do not have time to go into them now, so for the moment, just contemplate what can happen if they are not met. The most foolish thing you can do at the moment is dismiss me, underestimate me, because know this: I will not hesitate to lay waste entire cities, it means nothing to me. I have a little demonstration in the works that should leave you with very little doubt as to the veracity of my claims, so stay tuned. Its coming."
Lucas smiled, and then his image winked out, reverting back to the President's. "What do you think?" he asked.
Superman frowned. "It's a far-fetched claim, but I wouldn't dismiss it. Have you ever heard of the country of Grenat?"
Groenig shook his head. "Its not on any map, and its undetectable by our satellites. I've never heard of it in my life."
"Neither have I. Unfortunately, that means that we cannot do anything, until this demonstration of his. The thought is uncomfortable, but it's the only option."
"Very well then Superman, any help you could offer would be most appreciated."
Superman nodded and the screen went blank. He turned to J'onn. "What do you think?"
"It is imperative that we locate this island. I have the feeling that this man, Lucas, was being honest."
"But how? How could someone alter the earth's atmosphere so easily. Its hard to imagine."
"Most things that we encounter in our line of work are," said a voice from behind them. Superman craned his head around, seeing Batman in the doorway, Wonder Woman behind him. "Glad you could make it."
The Batman didn't acknowledge this. He simply strode past Superman and up to the computer console, tapping a few buttons and opening up a different chart. No time wasted in frivolous greetings, he was direct and to the point.
He hadn't changed a bit.
***
"The chain of events has begun," Olivia said, half to herself and half to Kari. She looked up at the sky. "Our master has requested a sample of what this device can do."
"I wouldnah mind seeing one myself."
"Hmm." The albino girl ran her delicate fingers over the cool, hard surface of the cube. "Mentrel fristi saknogh, laferne das!" she commanded, her soft voice uttering commands in a strange, ancient language that may as well have been Latin for all Kari knew. She was simply muscle, and her purpose was to protect Olivia from anything that threatened to stop her in this most delicate stage of the operation.
"Watch," Olivia's voice was hushed, just barely above a whisper. She raised her hands, the sleeves of her cloak falling down to her elbows. An inky darkness, rose like a vapor out of her fingertips. It seemed almost tangible.
The inky blot rose higher and higher and higher into the air, constantly changing form.
"What is dat?"
"Our demonstration." Olivia smiled, and then dropped her arms forcefully. "Cerion!"
The inky blackness diffused itself through the sky, becoming a larger and larger black dot against the simmering sun. A shadow began to form directly over the two, providing a cool, sharp contrast to the baking sun.
The darkness kept spreading, and the shadow became larger and larger, it was like watching an eclipse.
"What have you done?" breathed Kari.
Olivia just smiled.
***
Flash poked his head in the kitchen, nose sniffing. "Whoa that smells good," he said as John took the pizza out of the oven.
"Shouldn't you be on a date with your PS2 or something," remarked Hawkgirl.
"Hardly. Anyway, Supes wants us all in the monitor room."
John turned around. "Why? What's the matter?"
Flash shrugged. "Not quite sure. Something about the atmosphere or something." He flashed a grin. "I had no idea you could cook GL, but do us a favor and ditch the apron, 'kay."
Green Lantern ignored the remark and was already striding toward the door. Hawkgirl followed suit, taking the time grab a slice before leaving.
***
"And that's our basic situation," Superman informed them, concluding his briefing. "We've got an unknown leader of an unknown nation claiming responsibility for a worldwide heat crisis and promising a demonstration of some sort."
"He sounds like a nut," commented Hawkgirl.
"No argument there," concurred Green Lantern. "Is he the only one who claimed responsibility though?"
"Yes." It was Batman who answered the question, having just turned around from his computer console. "I hate to say it, but I believe him. It's the only plausible explanation, this cannot possibly be a natural atmospheric fluxuation, its too rapid."
Diana leaned against the wall. "So whats the plan?" she asked.
"If I may make a suggestion," J'onn interjected. Once he had their attention, he continued. "We should split into three teams."
"Three?" The question came from Flash.
"Correct. In my opinion, we should have three main objectives. One, find and neutralize this Lucas." He put an emphasis on the last word. "Two, he alluded to agents of his who were actually the one's manipulating the earth, we need to locate them as well. Three, some of us need to stay behind to act to direct the others, using the Watchtower's computer and communication systems."
"I'll deal with Lucas," Hawkgirl volunteered.
"I'll join her," Green lantern added impulsively. Hawkgirl turned around, an eyebrow raised.
"I could help find his agents," said Superman.
"Yeah, I'll go with Supes," Flash remarked. "Better than being cooped up here in the Watchtower. J'onn, you coming?"
"Yes, I suppose I will."
It went without saying then, that Batman and Wonder Woman would stay behind on the Watchtower. Wonder chanced a peek at the Batman, but like always, he showed about as much emotion as a rock. Indifferently, he nodded. "I'm afraid I can't give you all much of a starting point. Lucas has given a general region of his whereabouts, but as we know, his island country isn't on any map and is undetectable by satellite."
"Yeah, but that makes it conspicuous in its own right," Lantern said. "All we have to do is find the one area that doesn't show up on any of our scanners, and we've found Grenata."
"Grenat," corrected Flash.
"Yeah, whatever. Anyway, my ring should be able to help in that regard." Even as he said it, John felt a small pang of sadness. Here it was, another threat to the world and once again, he was no longer John Stewart, but the Green Lantern, an entity who possessed incredible power, but all thanks to a little ring. He reached into his pocket and withdrew the emerald band, sliding it onto his finger. Almost instantaneously, his street clothes were transformed into his uniform. "Hawkgirl and I will keep in touch as often as possible," he told Batman. "Let us know if anything happens that we need to know."
Batman nodded.
Still slightly mystified that Green Lantern had volunteered to work with her, Hawkgirl walked over to John, eyeing him with a curious expression. It wasn't that she minded, just the opposite in fact, but she was certainly surprised.
He looked down at her. "Ready?"
She nodded.
AN:// Thank you for the reviews. As you may have noticed, I've updated the first chapter, since the one that I posted originally was slightly incomplete. The new update has more back story, so if you haven't read it, I'd certainly encourage you to.
This fic does not take into account the events of Wild Cards, as should go without saying. At this point, John and Shayera are just becoming friends, although that will soon change.
This fic is based in the JLA animated verse, even though I will bring in characters such as Oracle, who exist in the comic verse.
Well, I hope you like and I hope you'll tell me what you think, suggestions and even constructive criticism welcome.
Pleasant Day