Welcome back to The Injustice Wars. Last time, the rescue mission for Belial Aether went... pretty well. Well as in they got Belial out of there, and he got enchanted by Starfire, as did she by him. But not so well as in Darkblood got his hands on some of Belial's energy. But what does he want it for? Today we find out. So read on to discover the vile truth...
(Our scene opens back in the Republic's lair, where the team is reflecting on what just happened)
Blaze: Well, that rescue op could have gone better.
Aero: I wouldn't say that.
Vandal Savage: The child is right. We did get Belial out of there.
Belial Aether: I can see the same problem she can, V. They still got my energy.
Hawkgirl: What could he do with it anyways? It's probably significantly weakened since it was removed from you.
Belial Aether: Even then, it's not a power the forces of darkness should possess.
Starfire: Well what are we specifically dealing with here?
Belial Aether: Using that green magic, one can revive the dead...
(Needless to say, this catches everyone off guard, as almost everyone in the room has someone they want revived.)
Blaze: Wait, you can revive the dead?
Belial Aether: Being the Son of Anubis gives me dominion over the dead, yes. But I swore to my father that I would never use this ability. Needless to say, when he finds out what's happening, I'm probably in big trouble.
Vandal Savage: Nonsense, the power was stolen from you. I'm sure your father would understand.
Blaze: If he can even find you in this universe.
Belial Aether: Good point, I hadn't thought about that detail. (Realizes something) How rude of me, we've gone this far, and I haven't even thanked you for saving my life.
Blaze: You saved my life, I save yours. Repaying a debt.
Belial Aether: I can certainly say, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Blaze: I think we can all agree on that. (Remembers something) In regards, Starfire, will you stay and fight with us?
Starfire: Of course. This world needs protecting now more than ever. But as to which your factions... I'm still unsure.
Belial Aether: Why don't you act as ambassador between the two?
Starfire: Hmm... that seems like a very good idea.
Blaze: Then our little alliance is growing. I say we make this official.
Vandal Savage: Agreed. If nobody minds, I think this is the perfect occasion to break out something I've been holding onto for a long time.
Belial Aether: That being?
(With that, Vandal Savage opens a wall panel, revealing an old wine bottle and four glasses.)
Vandal Savage: I've been saving this for two and a half centuries now. Bought this wine off Thomas Jefferson when I stayed at Monticello shortly after the American Revolution.
Belial Aether: Surprised it's not vinegar by this point.
Vandal Savage: Perks of having centuries of knowledge in preserving spirits. (Pops the cork and pours a few glasses) Anybody have an objection to a nice red?
Blaze: You'll hear nothing from me.
(At this point, Blaze, Vandal Savage, Belial Aether, and Starfire)
Vandal Savage: A toast. To the Republic and the Legion, and our alliance. May it one day restore this world to it's former glory.
Blaze: Here, here.
(With that statement made, the four toast their alliance, and actually drink two century old wine)
Belial Aether: Wow, that's surprisingly smooth.
(But as the festivities start here, we transition back to the Nameless City, where Darkblood and Enchantress examine the sample of Belial's necromantic power they captured.)
Darkblood: Now, we can finally begin.
Enchantress: I must warn you, without the master of this power, we'll have no control over who is brought back.
Darkblood: I can live with that. Just so long as they prove obedient warriors.
Enchantress: That much should be true.
Darkblood: Excellent.
(With that, Darkblood sticks his hand into the container and absorbs the energy into himself, at first causing him a bit of pain as a strange light reflection comes off of him for a moment, one that should look very familiar. But it doesn't last long as soon the necromantic energy is literally screaming from the Dark Aether being infused into it. And then, Darkblood slams his fist into the ground, causing it to crack and glow with green energy as four hands break through the surface and start pulling their bodies up, revealing King Shark, Man-Bat, and Killer Moth, all with green energy trailing from their eyes. But the fourth figure emerges not with a zombie like groan, but instead a familiar and haunting laugh, revealing a familiar purple suited, green haired, bleached faced figure with a Glasgow Smile, in addition to the green energy trailing behind his eyes.)
Joker: Did somebody call for an encore?
Enchantress: Joker?!
Darkblood: Now this should prove most interesting.
Joker: (Looks to Darkblood) I take it you're the one responsible for this.
Darkblood: Yes.
Joker: Looks like there's a debt here. I'm prepared to settle up.
Darkblood: Agreed. And you owe me big time.
Joker: Looks like this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
(And on Joker's unsettling cackle, our tale ends for now)
And that looks like a good spot to end for today. So, good news, the Republic and Legion are finally in a full alliance. Bad news, Darkblood now has four previously dead villains in his ranks, including the Joker, AKA the one who started all of this in the first place. That's going to be pretty bad. Also, fun fact, the glowing eyes were inspired by The Green Man, a character from Dark Knights of Steel, a currently ongoing comic title that puts the DC characters in Medieval Times. The Green Man is a hybrid of Lex Luthor and the Joker that wears a Green Lantern Ring. Bad combo, I know. But I liked the visual of the green energy over his eyes, so it stuck with the other three as a condition of revival. So, now the Empire has gained the power of the dead, so how will our heroes react to this revelation? Tune in next time to start finding out! Same time... same channel!