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Mind Games, chapter 3
1.
Match stood at attention before a select group of the JLA.
"Their minds were completely burnt out," J'onn reported. "Not only will their powers never return, but it's unlikely that they'll ever come out of their comas."
"Our identities are safe then," Match noted.
"Did you know that pushing them so much could do permanent damage?" Wonder Woman asked.
"I thought they'd have a better sense of their limits."
"Did you know?" Batman repeated.
"I was aware that it was possible. I know that I can burn myself out if I push too hard, so it makes sense that others with psionic powers could as well."
"Did you give them no other option than to push themselves so far?"
"I was angry and desperate. It was one possibility that could occur."
2.
Max returned to the Kent's farm. Things were returning to normal.
"How'd the meeting go?" Conner asked.
"They weren't pleased with what I did," Max said. "It may have been preferable to have merely beaten them to a pulp. However, it would not have guarded our secret."
"Did you know what was happening?"
"I had a certain lack of sympathy for them. They kidnapped us, used mental blasts on you and Clark, and were discussing mind wiping us to serve them. I had little concern for their well-being."
Conner gave him a sympathetic look. "You had to make a difficult choice. I'm sorry that I wasn't more help. It sounds like you had a rough time up there; they must have grilled you pretty hard."
"They're not happy with my actions. In retrospect, there were other options to take, but anger was clouding my judgment."
"Well, you can rest now. It's over."
Max shook his head. "There's one other thing that I have to do. It's quite possibly going to be the hardest one of them all."
"What is it?"
"I need to talk to Dan."
3.
"Hey," Max said.
"Hey," replied Dan.
There was an uncomfortable pause.
"I figured out who you and Conner are," Dan said. "I can't believe I didn't figure it out earlier. It should have been obvious."
"I didn't mean to deceive you. They weren't all my secrets to share."
"I know. I'm just not sure that it helps."
"I'm still who I am."
"This changes things. It'd be dumb to pretend it didn't."
"I want to be here for you. I care a lot about you."
"I need some time to think about it."
4.
Glorious Godfrey approached the throne room, feeling nervous. He did not have good news to report.
"What is it?" Darkseid asked.
"Sire, the group of psychics we had been cultivating on Earth to weaken it for our assault...they've been destroyed."
"What!" Darkseid roared. "Who's responsible for this? Who dared to interfere with the plans of Darkseid?"
"I'm still investigating, sire," Godfrey said, cringing. "It's still early, but...I believe it's the Kryptonian and his spawn."
Darkseid's eyes glowed with malice. "Find out. If they are responsible, then I'll have my revenge on them all."
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This was more of an epilogue than a separate chapter, but the events needed something more to close them.
I must apologize for the odd scene breaks I've been using. I haven't been able to get the ones I used to use working. If anyone has any idea on how to do that, please let me know.
Any and all comments welcome!