Injustice: Shock Value
The age-old prophecy has been fulfilled, and the overlord Darkseid was vanquished by his own son, the New God Orion. Apokolips now remains in a constant power struggle. However a new threat approaches Earth. A string of tragedies has brought about the deaths of hundreds. Places across the world, including Coast City are left in shambles after devastating attacks, though most are unrelated and have more to do with the weakened state of the Justice League.
Meanwhile, Atlantis is in mourning after the young prince Artur was murdered by the treacherous Black Manta. Superheroes are pressured into placing their loved ones and relatives under protection. In order to survive, enemies of the law have resorted to forming alliances with the unlikeliest of foes.
The metahuman trafficking crisis has been dwindling ever since Lex Luthor's dismissal from the United Nations, and the immortal Vandal Savage becomes cornered as more setbacks continue to hinder him from completing his master plan. A usurper lurks in the shadows of the Light.
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Everyone on the team had gathered in the Hub's mission slash living room to address the recent news of the young prince's death. Most chose to stand. Dick Grayson stood stone faced in front. At his side was his girlfriend Kory Anders and the veteran hero Artemis Crock.
On the couch, Virgil Hawkins sat close to Cassie Sandsmark, like always. Cassie might not know it, but he considered her his best friend since leaving Dakota. They spent a lot of time goofing around, talking about nothing, and exercising. Together the two of them have grown, in more ways than one. They still have ways to go of course, but he was glad he had her otherwise the life would be a bit more dreadful, especially with the recent events. Despite the Outsider's continued successes, things felt worse than ever.
It's been very somber and quiet as of late. Virgil and others on the team have been indulging in parties and entertainment to take their mind off of, well, everything. Yeah it's awful, but laying around all miserable wasn't doing anyone any good anyway. So Virgil chilled like he usually would, no offense intended. But when it was time to get down to business, he knew better than to mess around, especially during times as sensitive as this.
The others here were Jaime Reyes, Bart Allen, and Eduardo Junior. Jaime has been jittery, and has been whispering things to Bart and the Beetle. They had something going on, but Virgil wasn't about to pry.
Lia was with the team's new detective, Angel. The two of them are wary of Virgil. Virgil was thinking about how beautiful Lia was while the two of them were being mentored by Black Lightning. Lia's a telepath, and told him she knew exactly what he was thinking, including the stuff about what he thought about her butt. They haven't been on speaking terms since. But at least it's not as bad as it is with Angel. He had no idea why she didn't like him either but whenever she got the chance she would find some way to insult him.
Virgil would bring it up, but Angel was Garfield's recent squeeze, and he didn't want to make a scene about it. Besides that, Angel O'Day warned the Outsiders about the animal Grodd, which is how she was brought onto the team in the first place. Angel is one of the only people here capable of carrying out investigations and handling cases and reports especially when Oracle's not around. Angel has on occasion even functioned as the Team translator, as not everyone had the capacity to speak any language like Starfire could.
Victor was with Violet. The two were basically siblings, apparently. There's been talk of Victor being promoted to being in the League, which both Virgil and Garfield really hope isn't the case, as that would really lower the already awful morale. Victor and Static became buds over the past few weeks.
Then there was the new girl, Courtney Whitmore. She was extremely popular with the general public, almost as much as Garfield was. The last two present were Tara and Forager, both of whom Virgil almost never talked to, though they were friendly and treated him like family. A family is what they consider the Outsiders to be, more so than just a team of crime fighters.
Anyone else not present either defected, or is being mentored. Arrowette quit the life, Wendy is with Red Tornado, Andie is with Metamorpho, Traci is with Zatanna. Robin left after his falling out with Cassie. Diana had the idea of lassoing him and asking him who he loved. Simply put, he gave the wrong name. Didn't take long for Spoiler and the mysterious Orphan to bail as well, especially after Barbara went missing. With so many heroes out of Gotham gone, Grayson seemed like he had it worst out of everyone.
"Good. Everyone's here." Tigress said. "I'm sure all of you are already aware of what we're here to address, so, we'll just get right to it. Martian Manhunter, one of the original seven founders of the Justice League was killed in action a few days ago. We believe he was a victim of a criminal conspiracy, likely members of the Light, though we haven't uncovered the true nature behind his death outside of guesswork."
He remembered being told by Jefferson that J'onn, before his death, was losing his sense of humanity, and thus reason for fighting, after seeing the lack of compassion from the people they protect, as well as the increase of hatred towards metahumans, aliens, and the League. People are giving up on the word hero. He hoped J'onn at least found some peace before he died.
Martian Manhunter's death deeply affected Miss Martian. She became cold and distant. 'It's a mess. I've been a mess.' She had said solemnly. Those are the last words M'gann said before leaving for wherever she needed to go. Martian Girl hugged the girls and took the Bio-Ship. Forager teared up when they left. M'gann was never much for conversation when it came to Virgil, but she was still one of the people he depended on. She left without the man she was supposed to get married to as well. Superboy left a short time after.
"Other members of the League were killed in the past few months. Doctor Fate, Elongated Man, the Firestorm Martin Steen, Steel, Dove, Batman.." Nightwing grimaced and maintained his composure. "There are also those missing in action and presumed dead. The Atom, Batwoman, and the Green Lantern Simon Baz. Because of that, we will be taking precautions to ensure you're with another member of the Team, every hour of the day."
Virgil took notice of Tara looking to Garfield in concern. As one of their 'leaders' as far as the public and the media was concerned, Logan would make for an obvious target.
Most everyone took the news well, mostly because they didn't know them outside from the occasional collaboration. Violet was the most choked up. She was the most empathetic of the group. When the Outsiders were barred from helping the League, Violet spent the entire day sobbing. The Team didn't help in the evacuation of Coast City on the request of many of the League members who felt that they were too young to be exposed to the sight of that many innocent people dead.
"After the arrest of the Justice League's chairman Black Lightning, the League has been placed in a state of suspension. Any and all missions have been halted, though leaguers outside Earth are following what remains of the Green Lantern Corps." The acting head of the League and his old mentor, Jefferson Pierce, is facing trial for alleged negligence as chairman of the Justice League. He took sole blame for many catastrophes, though Virgil knew he was protecting the other heroes. "I ask for all of you to fully cooperate with the feds should they approach you. League is already walking around on eggshells as is, don't want them using us as extra ammunition for reasons to dismantle the League." People in power spin the facts to push an agenda. It's why his mentor and his favorite uncle are both sitting in jail cells right now.
Tigress told them, "I don't want to see any of you wearing collars unless it's by choice."
The stigma of wearing inhibitor collars have been lessening since they decided to start wearing them to play sports. It makes games a little more fair when they couldn't use their powers while partaking in some healthy recreation. After some unfortunate incidents though, the government started using collars as instruments of control.
The superhero Fire's dismissal and mistreatment still pissed him off. Really shows what the people know when all they do is restrict and pester the ones protecting them. Fire is forced to wear a collar, and is being monitored by the government, facing charges of treason, spying, and destruction of government property. She also faces harassment from civilians as well. The nicest thing he's heard so far was that she was a freak.
Americans blamed the Justice League for failing them. Using fear as a means to be granted more authority, president of the United States, Joan Dale has been making some rather suspicious moves outside of wanting the Justice League to cease operating. She proposes a new bill that will protect the good people of America from outside threats. The League and the Outsiders have yet to unpack the full details of what the politicians have planned out, but their militaristic actions overseas and in their own country has got some people worried, even if it's allegedly in the name of peace.
Nightwing continued, "After what happened to the son of King Orin, our main priority now is making sure any friends and family of any heroes are safe. The Justice League is offering any of your loved ones protection, at least for the time being. I'm not supposed to say this, but I feel like you all deserve to know. Artur isn't the only one that's been targeted recently. There has been word of family members disappearing overnight."
The faces of his father and friends flashed in his mind.
"We'll need to act fast to ensure the people we love are kept safe." Tigress said.
Everything happening these days always seemed like worst case scenario.
Static clenched his fist. For all he knew they might have already..
"Where will they be brought?" Blue asked. Virgil remembered Jaime had a sister too. Virgil hasn't seen his sister for awhile, after she disowned him. Even back then, the Hawkins siblings tend to fight and disagree on pretty much anything. Virgil had a bias towards criminals, which shouldn't be a surprise seeing as how he's always fighting them. When he found out his sister was dating one, he voiced how stupid she was and made many other inappropriate comments, though he stands by some of them.
"The Watchtower will be used as a safe haven," Tigress said. "Other arrangements can be made as well."
Cassie saw a rare look of worry on Static's face, though it was subtle. He thought to himself slightly hanging his head, hoping they were alright.
Virgil always had a happy go lucky attitude just going with the flow, not even worrying about putting on a mask, and it's worked out so far. If his father and his friends really were in danger, then that was on him. He was going to have to return home - to that city of violence, and regret. The place where rioters took his mother away from him. Dakota City. His dad still continues working there at the community center. Even though Virgil chose the life of heroism, it was his pops that never gave up on that town. Virgil felt a small tinge of guilt for never trying to make things better there. Virgil was fine seeing the people he left behind, but his hometown was a place he could live without.
He felt the touch of Cassie's warm hand. The chipper blonde wasn't usually the comforting, sentimental type, but she knew understood what troubled him. Static with eyes half open, looked through the heated glass window. The outside night was illuminated by lights. The whole room was full of tension. Static knew he wasn't the only one worried, though day by day the crew made it seem like nothing was ever bothering them. Their quietest meeting dragged on as his mind wandered to times he spent with a redhead he had loved.
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Author's Note: Hiya. This is based on Injustice. LGBT+ and female readers will NOT enjoy this self-indulgent story. If you identify as either, please, close the tab!
