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Attribution: Digital Artist Phil Cho provided the incredible cover image that he developed on commission for the Earth-27 wikia (more on that later) Phil's work is showcased there as well as at his website and DeviantArt page (URLs cannot be provided as per FanFiction rules) but look up PHIL CHO. I'm telling you people, you will not regret it. I have a hard drive full of his work so expect to see more of it.
Disclaimer: Once again we have a lengthy legal disclaimer. But since I'm now an intellectual rights property holder I understand the necessity of protecting my assets and those of others. But stick with it for a series-wide commentary afterwards as well as other legal binding attributions in the Epilogue.
The first major property to be addressed here today is the Sovereign Seven (S7) and related characters, wholly owned by Chris Claremont despite its being published within the DCU. The S7 were created by Claremont and Dwayne Turner. But Turner received a much smaller piece of the proceeds as the artist-designer of the Sovereigns and left the series after completing most of the first fifteen issues. Ron Lim took over as co-creator at that point. Meanwhile Claremont owned the actual property rights in total. My efforts here are a tribute to one of the greatest comic book writers of all time and of his series which unfortunately only lasted thirty-six issues, two annual issues, and a special crossover with the Legion of Superheroes.
Next of course is the Mighty Crusaders and their associated characters. The Mighty Crusaders were first published by MLJ Comics and later by Mighty Comics owned by the MLJ when it became Archie Comics. In 1983, the Mighty Crusaders were published again under the direct sales Red Circle imprint for Archie and finally shifted over to the newsstand imprint of Archie Adventure Comics beginning in issue #3. The titles included the self-named "Mighty Crusaders" and the anthology "Blue Ribbon Comics" and series starring the Fly, Shield, Steel Sterling, Black Hood, and Lancelot Strong.
In 1991, DC Comics licensed the characters for their own special imprint line called Impact Comics which ran through 1993. The characters lay stagnant until DC relicensed them for their own Red Circle line within the DCU itself published between 2009-2010 and consisted of three titles and a special issue.
Red Circle by Archie cropped again afterwards and the publication of a next gen team called the New Crusaders. Finally, Archie relaunched the characters under their Dark Circle imprint. New adventures of the Mighty Crusaders began being published again in 2017 with a multiverse called the Blue Ribbon (so named after the Red Circle's Blue Ribbon Comics) explaining the various depictions of the Mighty Crusaders by multiple publishers over wide ranging decades beginning in the Golden, Silver, Bronze, Copper through the Modern Ages. I primarily use the Impact and DCU versions of the characters but I blend in aspects of the Archie Adventure Comics as well.
The Joe Simon and Jack Kirby estates are also represented by their creator owned characters of the Fighting American and Speedboy, also published by DC Comics in 1992. The Fighting American title had been licensed by several publishers throughout the decades following its introduction in the Fifties. It is currently licensed to Titan Comics by the estate heirs.
This is all especially relevant in light of AT&T buying Time Warner for $108.7 billion in March. Now, despite being technically the largest media company in the world, the lack of theater attendance and print runs being ended and not distributed means AT&T is now worth less than the sum of their loans. DC was the first to fall to cost cutting. The entire corporate officers and editorial staff were let go. Only Jim Lee survived to spout the official line. Basically that line is we're going to direct to market videos and comics will be digital. But in practice this is amply demonstrated by how badly the DC Universe website was gutted overnight in mid-August. It was so blatant that I am now waiting to see how it functions content-wise with DC ending 90% of their titles. And as I wrote the previous line I received aneIil declaring the birth of DC Univer Infinite while will be a comics only platform with all other media being transferred to HBO Max or pay for it streaming sales platforms. I expect DC Universe Infinite to go to a pay-per title model. At which time I will solely stick with Amazon's acquired Comixology.
Then, multiple Open Source and Public Domain characters have been utilized in various fashions. Public Domain being they are free to use and depict as wanted. Dynamite, DC, and IDW are all examples of exploiters of this legal status. Alex Ross and Grant Morrison being the chief culprits. 1938 ushered in the comic book superhero with Superman in Action Comics #1. And the clamor for more created an entire literary genre. Of which three companies avoided being absorbed by competition and shifted brand names over the decades. National Comics became DC. Atlas became Marvel. MLJ became Mighty then exemplified their most popular character by rebranding as Archie Comics.
I don't write this series with any profit potential in mind. In fact, I'm legally barred from collecting any revenues. But I do it for the sake of the story itself and for those readers that are collectively brave enough to wade through this series. I'm also never offered condolences for embarking on this mad quest to begin with.
I occasionally get inadvertent inspiration from fellow fans without their knowledge. A HUGE acknowledgement goes to the Earth-27 wikia, A lot of painstaking work has blended Young Justice's cartoon universe with the Arrowverse and explanative Bat and Superman Families that transcend Earth One, Post Crisis New Earth, Post Infinity Crisis New Earth, Post Final Crisis New Earth (gets old, don' it?), and post-Flashpoint New 52 now spilling into post-Rebirth. This effort also includes non-DC properties folded into the Earth-27 DCU. These include but aren't limited to: Ghostbusters, TMNT, Supernatural, Scott Pilgrim, and OCs. The newbie is Earth-27m (Marvel) which began with select X-title characters. Think X-Men Evolution without the age gap differentials.
Some of what was recreated into Earth-27 were just to weird, wild, and wonderful not to be inspired. Earth-27 was designed has an homage to the writer/webmaster's stillborn son and art is being provided by a plethora of talent but started and mainly maintained by Phil Cho.
Hopefully the father will tolerate my adapting his reinterpretations as a worthy sidebar and salute. I admire the hard work and artistry that have gone into this project.
And please recall this is entitled "Justice League Realms: DCAU Series Part 26" for a singular reason. The march towards the concluding Part 32 is well underway and will be a prelude to the subsequent, but drastically limited in size, Justice League Beyond: DCAU Series. The remaining installments will be as follows:
Justice League Rebellion: DCAU Series Part 27
Justice League Hallowed: DCAU Series Part 28
Justice League Black Mary: DCAU Series Part 29
Justice League Tribunal: DCAU Series Part 30
Justice League Departures: DCAU Series Part 31
Justice League Universe: DCAU Series Part 32
The titles give much of what is to come away. As well as the foreshadowing of Parts 23-24. Justice League Aspirations: DCAU Series Part 25 explored the depth of consequences for the destruction of the Multiverse. It also began to hint at pockets of reality outside of the Prime Universe that still exist.
Now we know the DCAU continued after the Near Apocalypse of 2009 (Part 32) but it was shaped by that event and molded into a new reality whereby by the time Terry McGinnis becomes Batman, there are just a handful of JLers and seemingly few other superheroes. This entire series is predicated on explaining the "why" of it.
And in a side note: I will begin my work on the Justice League DCAU Anthology installments between and during writing the large scale components of the regular series. These will be chronologically be set between the large Parts of the series, between Justice League and Justice League Beyond, and well as during the Beyond phase. The idea is to scale down the scope to make a single to three chapter one-shot within the context of my version of the DCAU. An example would be my Vignettes for Ro Laren where the last ten "chapters" average 24k words apiece. I won't be assembling all of the stories under a single banner for Justice League. Each story will be separate but under the Justice League Anthology label to indicate its union with the series literary subgenre.
Ten million years ago, the first elemental developed on the planet Alistair. This plant elemental eventually became one of the first seven Green Lanterns chosen to face Volthoom the First Lantern. Another such elemental had surveyed the world upon which she'd grown in. It was governed and watched over by its own Green. And the Green nurtured the world in such a way the Fauna were appeased.
Bored and seeking a new challenge, the elemental, Zarith, accepted Carol Ferris' offer to begin again on the desolate world of Zamaron. Before their departure from the universe, the Zamarons expressed grave disappointment in the Sapphire Queen's venture. The meager sustenance on Zamaron had sustained the Malthusan females after they parted ways with their male counterparts when they became the Oan Guardians of the Universe.
But the devotees of the Emotional Spectrum of Love didn't differ greatly from their Oan brethren in their dedication to the Spectrum of Will. And they also eventually raised a Star Sapphire Corps to maintain peace across the universe. And to accomplish through joining with the Green Lantern Corps what the Zamarons had failed to accomplish with their male brethren. They sought unification through love and the amplification of their peacekeeping abilities through the allegiance of willpower.
But both the Oans and Zamarons had gone mad and declared their experiments to be failures. The Guardians raised a Third Army to remake the universal population in their image. The Zamarons had attempted to destroyed the crystallized remains of the Lost Lovers. Both efforts had ended in abject failure. So reunited in purpose at long last, the reunited Oans and Zamarons departed the universe to see what Lay Beyond.
So Hal Jordan had assumed control over the Green Lantern Corps and Carol Ferris remained the Sapphire Queen. Their own estranged relationship coloring their missions and cooperative efforts. But Carol had deduced the incessant need Star Sapphires had to join with Green Lanterns had been an expression of the Zamarons' repressed desires. Freed of their influence, the Star Sapphire Corps was liberated into seeking love wherever it would be found for the individual Star Sapphires.
And so Zarith had come to Zamaron to nurture the vestigial life still found there. And life had begun to bloom and prosper on that seemingly dead world. And so life was bolstered beyond the avenues of the Lost City and its protective canyon. Zarith's success had attracted other elementals from her home world and Carol had gladly transported them. It was a personal mission for the Sapphire Queen.
Coming from Earth, Carol was used to green vistas and blue water. Both of which Zamaron sorely lacked. But Zarith promised the components for each resided within Zamaron. So Carol had a burning hope that would have drawn a blue power ring to her.
The Sapphire Queen had agreed to host the Council of Lanterns to be held on Zamaron. Her engineers had created an open forum auditorium. It rarely rained on Zamaron and every ring wielder could create an umbrella shield anyway. Every Lantern Corps leader was present. Their two selected champions in the stands. Carol Ferris had expressly ordered her own Star Sapphires to distance themselves.
Only the two White Lanterns were dually representing their miniscule Corps. Larfleeze had declined to represent as Agent Orange. Black Hand had declined to participate on behalf of the Black Lanterns he created. Which was just as well and good. They wouldn't be missed and the two political reps would be controvershial enough. Kalea-El of Almerac and Power Girl of Earth had that effect on people.
"What are they doing here?" Atrocitus roared as he got to his feet, slamming his fist down on the granite table.
"Why? Are you afraid of them?" Sinestro postured.
"I fear nothing!" Atrocitus' spittle flew freely.
"Then sit down and do shut up," Sinestro was very impressed with himself.
"This is pointless," Hal Jordan interrupted.
"You once wore a Blue ring of Hope. What has happened to you?" Saint Walker inquired.
"And why has your compassion been squelched" Indigo-1 inquired out of concern, "You were once foremost among us and now you the lest."
"Bwah ha ha ha!" Atrocitus belly laughed.
"How I have longed for those words," Sinestro preened.
"You haven't answered me," Indigo-1 asserted, "Or have you made rudeness your ability to compell your ring into action?"
Carol waited to hear this answer.
Kara In-Ze's White Ring of Life was pulsing, "They're here."
A cascade brought the women called Cascade and Network. Rhian Douglas, Cascade, and been heir to a doomed Earth's throne. Her universe had been wiped from existence. As had the universes of the royalty/warriors known as Sovereign Seven. The other Sovereigns, Finale, Cruiser, Reflex, Indigo, and Rampart sat in the stands. Kalea and Karen Starr joined with Cascade and Taryn Haldane at the table.
"Who is the filth? And why do we sit with the Butchers of Kandor? Kalea-El and Galatea's crimes against the Kandorians are public record," Atrocitus snarled.
"For once, I'm in agreement. This is a travesty," Sinestro said with umbrage that his person should be so soiled.
"At least hear them out," Hal offered.
"Saint Walker and I share that opinion," Indigo-1 announced.
Hal could see Kyle Rayner and Kara had ben expecting the Sovereigns. And Carol had invited Kalea and Power Girl. This entire subterfuge was probably her doing.
"That is a plurality," Saint Walker advised the commanders of the Red and Fear Lanterns.
"This is why I should rule alone," Atrocitus hissed.
"Or, I should govern since I am a veteran leader and ruler of the planet Qward," Sinestro countered.
"Or you could both shut up," Kara's statement was backed with her power ring and Argoan strengths.
"Can we at least pretend we're getting to the point?" Kyle asked, "Without unnecessary interruptions from now on?"
"You forget yourself, boy," Atrocitus was on his feet again.
"This should prove amusing," Sinestro cackled.
Violet energy slammed into Atrocitus and he clutched at his heart. Carol's star sapphire glowed, "Remember my Corps can kill every Red Lantern."
"This is love?" Atrocitus spat.
"I love you enough to stop you from getting pummeled by my husband," Carol told him. Which reminded everyone that under Sapphire law, Kyle was Carol's consort. Yet he lived and slept with Kara. It was a frustrating complication for all of them. Especially since Kara knew Kyle loved her and Carol equally. But he continued to try and convince himself otherwise.
Network had the Sovereigns telepathically linked. Cascade was the first to make an observation, "This has started the way Kalea predicted. With frightening accuracy I might add."
"I still can't read her mind. That bothers me. What's she hiding?" Network complained.
"Not everything is a conspiracy, Teri," Reflex chuckled.
"Says you, Walter," Network literally stuck her tongue at him.
"Mother Ocean would drown these Lanterns," Finale predicted.
"But some are very attractive. Maybe Allah would allow for diplomatic relationships?" Rampart wondered.
"Cruiser, you don't need to eat a nine course meal," Cascade chided him.
"You know my telekinesis feeds off my body mass. If a fight starts you'll be happy I stuffed my face," Cruiser replied.
"Stay alert, the Red Lanterns are agitated and the Fear Lanterns are following their example," Indigo warned.
"And what is our purpose here?" Sinestro sneered without sneering.
"Almerac is to be attacked by the Dominators and the Khunds. The attack is imminent and we no longer have the resources to repel the invasion," Kalea announced.
"Spare us this domestic affair," Atrocitus literally spat, "You united these empires. Is it any wonder they want your blood now that they've decimated the Gordanians on your behalf? Call it repayment in kind."
"Except the two sides are only united because of external intervention," Power Girl shared, "Two women from the future have become trapped in our century. So they wish to divide the galaxy and conquer as a stepping stone out into the broader universe."
"Do these tarts have bnames?" Sinestro mocked her.
"They're called Saturn Queen and the Emerald Empress," Power Girl revealed.
Sinestro felt a stab of fear and his ring responded to it, "Luthor spoke of this Saturn Queen. She is said to be as sadistic as she is insane."
"And as powerful a telepath as she is sadistic. And she's a mistress of unbreakable hypnosis," Kalea shared, "The Emerald Empress is said to possess two artifacts of immense power: the so-called Eyes of Ekron."
There was a great deal of stirring over that. Hal spoke for everyone, "After Volthoom developed his rings, others followed his work. The Eyes are legendarily a result of one such effort."
"Does the Book of Oa list any others?" Carol inquired.
"There's a vague warning about a ring more powerful than any other emotional spectrum," Hal divulged.
"Does this fairy tale have a name?" Sinestro mockingly inquired.
"The Ultraviolet Spectrum," Hal revealed, "But all that the book says is that further inquiry is forbidden."
"Nothing is forbidden unless I decide it's forbidden," Atrocitus thundered.
"Shut up," Kalea was bored, "We have four threats simultaneously. The invasion fleets rendezvousing at Almerac, Saturn Queen and the Emerald Empress, and for your viewing pleasure, the Dark Circle is prepared to expand."
The Dark Circle being more of a cult than an empire. But they controlled a quarter of the galaxy and some said the universe. They worshipped Darkseid with a fanatical devotion and were led by two mysterious figures, the Papal Father and Holy Mother. And the meta-humans liberated from Dominator control by Valor were now held under its control. And the Dark Circle had a new insidious weapon being used across the multiverse known as the Rapture. The Sovereigns' Earths had bene ravaged by this first strike platform.
"Forgive me, but why fight for an embattled monarch?" Saint Walker asked.
"Almerac guards Earth from exploitation," Power Girl explained, "Do you want a galaxy full of weaponized meta-humans?"
"And the Rapture the Dark Circle deploys sucks all individuality out of its victims. It makes them little more than drones with a fanatical belief in Darkseid," Cascade warned, "You cannot take this threat lightly or your dismissal will cost thousands of lives and the war to resist."
"Do you have a proposal?" Indigo-1 was curious.
"No, and frankly that terrifies me," Kalea confessed, "I was hoping we could develop a working plan here and we only have four hours to do it in."
"What?" Atrocitus raged.
"It did take two weeks to gather all of you here together," Carol reminded everyone.
"Almerac can't possibly win. But we can bleed them dry. If we're sacrificed it's up to all of you to defend Earth from outside exploitation. If they want to destroy themselves, so be it. The danger posed by humanity ends,' Kalea remarked, "But so long as the meta-gene exists, no one is truly safe."
"Thank you Kalea, Karen. Cascade, you and Network will step back as well and let us deliberate. I promise it'll be quick," Carol requested.
"You used to be a Star Sapphire?" Cascade asked Power Girl as they strode away.
"It was another life," Karen Starr, the former Galatea Hamilton, replied.
"So what do we need to hear?" Indigo asked Network.
"Their minds are so rigidly disciplined it's almost impossible to read them," Network complained.
"I've got this," Power Girl knew Kalea matched her own super hearing.
"This is not our fight!" Atrocitus was apoplectic.
"Since when do you back down from a battle?" Sinestro's mocking tome offended everyone, "Do I detect fear?"
"I do not experience fear," Atrocitus was on his feet. The fact that he'd spoken in quietly menacing tones indicated the very real danger.
"I believe it is the political nature of the proposal," Saint Walker clarified.
"But the Dark Circle will swallow everyone, mind, body, and soul," Kyle reminded them, "All of you were fine with them until they barred you from your sectors."
"We don't need to intervene where we're not wanted," Indigo-1 countered.
"then we won't operating anywhere. I'm betting Kalea and Cascade didn't intend for us to engage the Dark Circle. Just the fleets," Hal suggested.
"And she's right about Earth," Carol spoke, "Disregarding that I'm from there, everyone, Darkseid included, wants the human gen factors harnessed and weaponized. The Dominators opened a very dangerous door. And Lar Gand wasn't present to defend those gen active human colonists and the Dark Circle targeted them."
"Which is why Earth needs an outer defensive ring. And they're too primitive to install one," Kara pointed out, "That leaves outside intervention. Something Maxima has provided."
"We must give hope back to this galaxy," Saint Walker urged, "The three powers are despotic at best. The Khunds sterilize worlds and their slaves suffer tortures at their hands. The Dominators genetically toy with anyone outside their species. And the Dark Circle is the most insidious of all, depriving their subjects freedom of belief."
"Well put," Kara admitted.
"I can safely say our methods vastly differ but our goals of securing the safety of our sectors and their inhabitants are fairly consistent," Carol spoke again, "Trillions of lives are at stake if those fleets reach Almerac and her empire. Can't we rally our forces and protect lives as we're meant to do?"
"Wow," Kyle was impressed one again. Hal had forgotten how silver tongued Carol could be in and out of a corporate boardroom.
"Come around more often and see me in action," Carol grinned. And Kara gave her a warm smile. Which suited Carol. She had an indecent proposal to make to Kyle and Kara.
Silence loomed until Hal broke it, "So we're in agreement?""
"I will need the remaining three hours to summon my Red Lanterns and position ourselves," Atrocitus relented.
"We should divide our forces so that each Lantern Corps is represented ta each fleet action," Sinestro suggested.
Now everyone was impressed with him. Which was what he craved. Hence forging additional yellow power rings outside his own.
"Kalea, Karen, I know you can hear us. Please bring your friends and discuss the final aspect of your mission to Dark Circle territory." Carol said.
Cascade used her power to deliver Network, Power Girl, and Kalea. Indigo-1 asked the pertinent question, "How will you cripple the Dark Circle when there are only nine of you?"
"Eight," Power Girl told them, "Kalea is returning to Almerac in service to Maxima."
"Then how, child?" Saint Walker inquired.
"First we take a detour to Earth and then we enlist the Justice League," Power Girl happily told them.
"There are concerns regarding the Power Ring in service on your world," Sinestro bitterly stated, "Jessica Cruz should remain on Earth."
"Yet you'll defy all recommendations prohibiting her going into the Dark Circle," Carol said knowingly.
"Jessica has mastered her Ring of Volthoom. Something no other Power Ring ever has. I trust her with my life," Power Girl assured them.
"You may have to," now Hal was bitter.
"And you Sovereigns?" Indigo-1 asked.
"The Dark Circle ravaged our worlds with the Rapture. But they're all gone now that the antimatter waves annihilated them," Cascade reported.
"That is ridiculous. I know for a fact the Antimatter Universe isn't growing," Sinestro lied.
"I call for a Corps vote. Each leader votes for their Corps. If you walk away you do so cleanly," Carol announced. It was a gamble given Sinestro and Atrocitus' ambitions.
"By strix I say we do it," Atrocitus surprised everyone.
"I know the price of fear," Sinestro added, "I intend to instill some."
"The Green Lanterns are all in," Hal promised.
"The Star Sapphires had already pledged Kalea our support," the Sapphire Queen revealed.
Everyone waited on the Blue Lantern and the Indigo Tribeswoman. Saint Walker spoke first, "I believe I already endorsed these actions."
"What use is compassion If we don't apply it in defending the weaker stellar nation?" Indigo-1 had made her choice.
"And now it's official," Hal rose and flew in the stars above.
The Red and Fear Lanterns followed. Saint Walker hesitated, "This will come at great cost to us."
"And yet we are fools rushing in," Indigo-1 commented.
They flew away too. Carol faced Kalea, "Give me the spatial coordinates where your remaining forces will engage the enemy. The star sapphire can alert the others."
The gem flashed as Kalea spoke, "I'll be making my way home now."
"Is it your home?" Carol asked.
"It's close enough. For now," Kalea disclosed.
"That's the third bedframe this week," Barda laughed.
"Surely you and Scott had similar problem?" Kal-El was dressing to be Clark Kent once again.
"No," Barda revealed, "Scott's lineage was from New Gensis. We Apokaliptans are sturdier. Even being raised in Granny Goodness' Orphanage could only harden Scott so much. I would've broken him if I'd ever indulged like this."
"Seems you sell him short," Clark chided.
"I tried once and I broke his penis," Barda laughed again, "He couldn't have an erection for three months. Doctor's orders. Even then, it was painful for him for the rest of a year."
"Barda, the sex has been extremely good. But this isn't going anywhere, is it?" Clark had to ask.
"No. No more emotional relationships for me. Just mindless sex," Barda admitted, "No heart strings to be broken that way."
The Justice League alarm sounded and Clark changed into Superman in seconds. Barda wore a rueful expression, "Show off. And I was hoping to break the couch today.
Superman was finally beginning to realize his only value to her was multiple orgasms.
Cascade was deathly tired from moving everyone from Zamaron to Almerac and now to Earth. An entirely new and different Earth especially from what they could see of it. They stood beside a building advertising itself as Crossroads Coffee Bar.
"We can get something inside," Power Girl promised.
"It even smells like real coffee," Rampart decided remembering his favorite haunts in Arabia.
"I'm certain the proprietor will agree," Power Girl smirked. Only discover the "proprietor" was two sisters. They introduced themselves as Violet Smith and Pansy Jones. And neither they nor anyone in attendance seemed to even notice the new patrons' colorful garb.
"This may sound strange, but where are we exactly?" Power Girl asked.
"It seem strange at all," Violet said.
"She's obtuse," Pansy elbowed her sister, "You're fifteen miles northeast of the city of Crossroads bordering three New England states. We're sitting on the center point of that nexus. But the town is in Vermont."
"That's very…precise," Power Girl commented.
"Your friend looks to be on the brink of death," Violet said, "Which I would be too after cascading to Zamaron, from Zamaron, detouring through Almerac, and landing on our doorstep."
"Who are you people?" Power Girl was alarmed.
"We're no more and no less than we appear to be, Karen Starr," Pansy promised, "Do you want to pay for the food and coffee you'll be ordering with cash or credit card?"
Power Girl took her credit card out of one of the utility pouches built into her Kryptonian armor, "Since you already know who I am, what's the point of cash?"
"Plus, you're not carrying any today," Violet ho-hummed, "And, good choice of a name. CEO Karen Starr carried much less baggage then say, Galatea Hamilton?"
"This is too weird," Power Girl fretted.
"You get used to it," Pansy assured her.
"Or you simply don't," Violet replied.
"Have any strange people showed up recently?" Power Girl inquired.
"Stranger, than say, you?" Violet asked.
"We get customers from all sorts of exotic locales," Pansy shared, "It all becomes a blur."
"In Vermont?" Power Girl didn't buy it. But the locals seemed to prove it out.
"Small towns can be a blessing or a curse," Violet explained, "Usually both at the same time."
"Your cashier seems to be fixated with Network," Power Girl observed.
"I'd better get this card to him," Pansy realized.
"Your swarthy friend is having that effect on our barista, Megan," Violet observed.
"Rampart seems to, as long as they're female regardless of the species," Power Girl shared.
"And yet he remains all alone," Violet mused, "Maybe this time will be different now that he has roots to belong to once again."
"You sound like they're staying here," Power Girl realized.
"Shouldn't they?" Violet made it sound oh-so reasonable.
"What did I miss?" Pansy had rushed back over.
"The Sovereigns are staying," Violet decided.
"Shouldn't they decide that for themselves?" Power Girl was getting irritated by this exasperating woman.
"I'll ask them," Violet lifted the counter hinge to get out.
"They'll have to work for room and board, royalty or not," Pansy called her. Violet made an unerring drive right to Cascade.
"What is happening?" Power Girl was admittedly confused.
"Life at Crossroads," Pansy said matter-of-factly, "Everyone else ordered up. I'll comp you whatever you want personally."
A deafening boom shattered the night air. Pansy groaned, "Why now?"
Lashina marched the Female Furies inside, "I want them! Now!"
Pansy came out from behind the counter, "This is neutral territory."
Lashina wore a cruel smile, "Then perhaps they'll join us outside where it isn't so neutral."
"Why the Sovereign Seven?" Power Girl was in it now as well.
"Maybe just because you killed Precious' pet before he could breed her properly," Lashina menacingly sneered, "The Master wanted more than one whelp from her."
"Then he should explain what he did with Mala's embryos," Power Girl was ready for a fight. She actually looked forward to it.
"Ladies, this is a violation of twenty-seven pan-dimensional treaties. Every realm, except for Heaven and Hell, is a signatory. You really want to roll with this?" Pansy took control, "The outer parking lot is outside the boundary if Power Girl and the Sovereigns will agree to those terms. Only if."
"We agree," Cascade decided as she joined Power Girl's side.
"Rhian, you don't have to. Violet is making some calls," Pansy informed them, "This will be settled without violence unless you want to fight."
Pansy looked to Violet, who held a mobile in one hand and held up a forefinger with the other.
"Enough talking. I want to see if these 'Sovereigns' are as fearsome as advertised," Lashina challenged them directly.
"And what are the stakes to wager?" Toby Merlin intervened.
Pansy and Lashina parroted one another with a, "Stay out of this Merlin."
"You know I hardly ever butt into other people's matters," Merlin caveated, "But this seems a good time to."
"Spare us, son of Lucifer Morningstar," Lashina spat, "Your brand of interference is known across the realms."
"I daresay it's legendary," Merlin boasted.
"I'll show you legendary, you pipsqeak," Stompa yelled.
"Calm yourself, Stompa," Lashina said before Pansy could, "Let's hear him out."
"If you win this fight, I'll surrender to Darkseid," Merlin set the terms, "But if you lose for any reason or if it's unexpectedly called off, you find the Cadre and bring them to me."
"Done," Lashina happily agreed. Pansy facepalmed. She looked back towards the bar counter. Violet was still on the phone and merely shrugged.
"Do both sides agree to the terms?" Pansy wearily asked.
"What do we receive when we win?" Cascade asked.
"That's not happening," Lashina [promised.
"Humor us," Cascade demanded.
"Crossroads is neutral territory. We'll extend that neutrality throughout these interconnected regions," Lashina vouched.
Violet gave Pansy a thumbs up. Pansy took in everyone's resolve, "All the terms have been accepted except for mine and Violet's. Lashina, you and the Female Furies are banned from this place forthwith. Second, any help offered to the Sovereigns must also be accepted by you. If you were to receive additional assistance, it would look bad to Granny but be acceptable to everyone. Are we all agreed?"
"Yes," Lashina said with gleeful anticipation of her victory.
"Yes," Cascade said with steely resolve.
"Perfectly," Power Girl looked forward to feeding people their teeth.
"Then take it outside," Pansy instructed, "Violet and I will observe and guarantee compliance of the terms set."
"Hold on to my card, Conal," Power Girl told the cashier.
"We've never had a black card here before," Conal admitted.
"Well, I just used it to buy a jet the other day," Power Girl shared.
"Why do you need a jet?" he squeaked, "You can fly."
"But I can't pixie dust people into flying with me," Power Girl explained. In actuality, she'd bought the plane for the Birds of Prey. Their black market teleportation device was temperamental on a good day.
"Can we just get to it?" Lashina angrily demanded to know.
"Yes," Cascade growled as almost everyone filed outside. Pansy included.
Wunda and Malice Vundabar stayed inside and ordered up. Conal asked, "Do you have American money?"
"We carry the coin of every planet we visit. This "United States" money seems to be your worldwide reserve currency," Wunda had learned.
"Whatever," Malice pooh-pahed, "Just give me the brownies and espresso. This is the best coffee bar on a thousand worlds."
"I'm glad you think so," Violet said dryly as she ended her last call.
"We're just supposed to deliver a message not wage war," Wunda revealed.
"Really? I rather doubt that," Violet said scornfully.
"Lashina just wants to prove she can still kick ass," Malice happily munched her pastry and washing it down with her third espresso shot.
Another boom tube split the night open. Violet was not amused, "And who is that?"
"Brutaal," Wunda took a swallow of her coffee, "He's the Dev Em of this universe."
"Another Daxamite?" Violet's raised eyebrow inspired fear.
"And a volunteer. Idiot went to Lashina's bed. There's no going back for him," Malice laughed.
"Aren't you a little young for that kind of consideration?" Violet asked.
"Give me a break," Malice groaned, "I'm still child by New God standards but I'm still over a thousand Earth years old."
The was a loud explosive sound outside and Wunda sighed, "And now the posturing can really begin."
Power Girl instantly recognized Brutaal as Dev Em and she knew he'd died of lead poisoning. But in a multiverse full of Dev Ems he could be from any universe. Even from the Prime Universe since Supreme had come from Earth-51. The idea of Brutaal being native to her universe pissed Power Girl off. She'd helped fight for Daxamite freedom from Darkseid's mind control.
Lashina's utterly obvious delight at his appearing demonstrated that Brutaal was who he presented himself as. Lashina loved him is a twisted sordid way of pain and bondage. Sadomasochism being the bedrock of their "love". Karen didn't have a problem with consenting adults sexually torturing each other. But it was simply sex, not love. Love wasn't about domination, no matter what proponents claimed.
"I see you recognize my pet for who he is," Lashina gloated.
"Why are really here?" Cascade asked.
"I bring a message from the Great Darkseid. Do not enter the Dark Circle. To so would be to invite peril," Lashina delivered the gist of it.
"I speak for the Sovereign Seven when I refuse to heed your warning," Cascade declared, "I cannot vouch for Power Girl but she is already like one of us. So I believe she'll tell directly to go to hell."
"Damn straight," Power Girl heartily agreed, "Go fork yourselves."
"Afterwards," Lashina oozed anticipation.
"I need a bath," Power Girl muttered. Lashina's blatant intentions were beyond pornographic.
"You've fought them before?" Cascade quietly asked.
"They're very, very good. But they're egotistical and overeager," Power Girl said softly back.
"Then let's do this and get it over with," Cascade signaled Network to link everyone's minds. And now that included Power Girl.
Power Girl's opening right cross broke Brutaals's "invincible" jaw. Her following left cross broke his eye socket. A knee to his face pulped his nose. At which point, Karen had acknowledge that Lashina had definitely inured him to pain. And the crazed look in his eyes told her he wasn't going down easily.
Fortunately for her he was wounded and a piss poor fighter. The latter being something shared by Dev Ems it seemed. Galatea hadn't been made a weapon. She'd been genetically and behaviorally designed to be a weapon. She didn't fight on a conscious level. Her actions and reactions were faster than her foes thought because she wasn't thinking. She didn't react. She always pressed forward and would until she died.
As he threw his own right, she pulled the arm past and drove her knee up into his diaphragm, breaking ribs that would puncture his lings unless he stopped. And frankly she didn't care if he did or didn't. But they needed answers on where he came from and why he served Darkseid. So she'd give one option and only once.
"Surrender while you still can. You've got a lot moving parts where there shouldn't be any. If you want to avoid drowning in your blood, I'd advise surrender," she offered.
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" he scornfully spat up blood.
"Actually, I could care less. I was just trying to be polite," Power Girl admitted.
That astonished him. He'd been taught all of the inhabitans of Earth were weak and spineless. Yet he now faced a veritable Female Fury.
The Female Furies and the forces of Apokolips had never directly touched any Earth populated by a Sovereign. But all seven had had been scarred by the Dark Circle and its insidious Rapture. The Dark Circle had been wise enough not to employ the Rapture within its own growing borders.
So it was, Cascade carefully studied Lashina. The woman's whips looked deadly enough but they energized. Lashina snapped a whip faster than Cascade could react and the energies coursed through her. Cascade slid through dimensions and universe, taking the whip with her to arrive behind Lashina. And Cascade discovered the whip was merely the vessel of Lashina's power.
"You're stronger than you look," Lashina observed.
"My mother would be so pleased," Cascade grunted, knowing Maitrise had so threatened a universe she'd been sealed on Earth where she absorbed the life force of the entire planet trying to escape what became a wretched hellhole. Maitrise had only spared her daughter. Every semblance of life afterwards was a product of her imagination brought to life through her reality warping power.
"Shall we?" Lashina taunted her by energizing another whip.
"We shall," Cascade growled.
Reflex was fast enough to pace Speed Queen and then use a backhanded clothesline to put on her back. Then the mountainous man neutralized her kneeling on her chest. He disarmed her of one weapon after another. Finally she was reduced to mouth whipping him. Which he almost found amusing.
Rampart encased Bloody Mary in a series of forcefields. That was his particular gift. That, and charming the underwear off of women.
"You really are handsome," Bloody Mary oozed sex appeal.
"But you want to touch far too badly. So…tempted, but no," Rampart replied.
And then Bloody Mary revealed her true nature.
Finale was delighted to meet an equal in swordplay. Gilotina wondered why her foe wore an all encompassing wetsuit all of the time even when out of water. But she wouldn't quibble as long as Finale died.
Cruiser crushed Artemiz's cyberpak with a thought. She was enraged, "You try to deprive me? You'll become a war wolf."
And Cruiser his body shift and shape to become the Unus of the new cyberpak. Artemiz looked about, "Now, who should become my new Secundus and Tertius? And what about an Akela?"
Besides being a prodigious telepath, Taryn "Terri" Haldane had two weapons in one in the shape of her scepter sword. Network's weapon had a blade at one end of the hilt and a lariat at the other. As one extended further the other retracted. And like all nobles on her world, she'd been schooled in its use since she could walk.
Network was unlike the other Sovereigns. They were all inheriting, firstborn royals. Network would never have inherited nor was she considered of any worth. So her mind reached out across vibrational barriers and she found Rhian Douglas, who also wanted to escape her scorched Earth and her overbearing mother.
And so their journey began. Network mapped out locations so Cascade could "see" them and therefore transit to them. And the recruiting drive to create the Sovereign Seven began.
Mad Harriet was used to being so unpredictable that no one could counter her movements. But Network was deep into her so-called mind. The reaches that dictated Mad Harriet's actions. So affected by the Female Furies madness, Network took on a great deal of the New God's traits. And Mad Harriet found herself almost literally fighting herself.
Bernadeth's Feron Blades were extremely lethal…if the connected with a target. Indigo was impossibly agile, acrobatic and s/he possessed a strategic mind second to none. Easily labeled cisgender, Indigo's people had been both male and female as they wanted at that moment. Not truly androgynous nor hermaphrodites, hir people selected gender on an at-will basis.
"Damn you! What are you?" Bernadeth was more concerned with Indigo's blue skin and abilities rather than hir sexuality. And Indigo wasn't answering.
Stompa prepared to ambush Power Girl when Black Mary slammed her into the ground. The Female Fury arose, smirking, "The Master is right. You are the daughter of his infernal heart."
"I'll actually take that as a compliment," Black Mary confessed before proceeding to try and beat Stompa to death.
Members of the Justice League Unlimited arrived outside Crossroads' walls as Darkseid appeared within. Violet described what had occurred as Pansy bore witness outside, "This is neutral territory. The twenty-seven realms sealed that bargain. This would be a bad time to violate that trust."
"Meaning?" Darkseid wondered.
"You have an ongoing revolt on Apokolips. If you lose control of your own Elite servants than people lose confidence in your ability to remain in power," Violet explained what he already knew, "And you know what trouble that will bring from the Lords Chaos and even from Hell itself."
"Lashina fell from grace and has just now regained my favor. She is eager to please me," Darkseid mused.
"She can please you by taking this fight elsewhere," Violet insisted.
"It will be as you say," Darkseid consented. Wunda and Malice openly stared and he growled at them, "That means get out."
"I'll have a thermos of your favorite vanilla latte waiting for your journey home," Violet promised.
"As ever, you and Pansy are treasures amongst the Realities," Darkseid was uncustomarily gracious.
"Stop it!" Malice screamed at everyone. Her pet shadow demon, Chessure bounded into the midst of the conflict.
"Too late," Wunda grounded between her teeth.
"ENOUGH!" Darkseid command echoed throughout three counties, "Cease this pointless squabbling."
"Master?" Lashina was startled to see…and hear…him.
"I gave you one task, Lashina," Darkseid's voice rumbled, "And yet you couldn't complete even that."
"I delivered the message as you instructed. They were going anyway," Lashina started strategizing defensive argument.
"So you let them die but do not, EVER, bring hostilities to Crossroads," Darkseid demanded.
Darkseid summoned a boom tube, "I will deal with you all upon my return."
Brutaal horked blood all the way to it and through it, "Your handiwork has not tarnished with disuse."
Everyone looked at Power Girl, "You want him alive? Keep him off of this world."
"Duly noted," Darkseid saw Violet exiting with his thermos, "Ah! A truly monumental prize. It almost makes it all worth it."
"Almost?" Pansy asked crossly.
"Of course, seeing you again finally makes it accordingly worthwhile," Darkseid allowed.
"Just keep saying that," Pansy pooh-pahhed.
"Greetings Kal-El. Beware the fair-haired ones," and Darkseid slipped away.
Power Girl and Network noticed they were the only blondes present.
"Is someone going to explain this?" Superman was testy.
"Small dick syndrome," Killer Frost snickered to Barda.
"You'll hurt his feelings," she warned Louise Lincoln.
"Like I care what limp dick thinks," Killer Frost retorted.
Superman's lower lip jutted out. Barda groaned, "Thank you very much. Now I have to deal with that."
"Well"? Someone?" Superman impatiently demanded answers.
"This is Crossroads Coffee House. They serve the very best coffee beverages in the known universe and beyond. They are also, strictly and enforceably, the most neutral site in the twenty-seven realms of existence," Barda explained.
"It's good to see you again, Barda Free," Violet stated.
"You know them?" Supergirl inquired.
"Scott and I would come here to meet family," Barda didn't explain further.
"And Darkseid, of all people, refused to violate this neutrality?" Power Ring had to ask.
"Why are you here and who are your new friends? Why did the Female Furies attack you?" Superman grilled Power Girl.
"Despite your incessantly rude behavior towards me, I'll share that I was getting ready to call the Justice League in on this anyway," Power Girl shared.
"That's why we came to your Earth," Cascade added, "And the only reason."
"Our Earth? You're saying you're all from a different Earth?" Superman hesitated to get involved.
"He's not too bright but he can be taught," Power Girl snarked.
"Earths, actually," Network clarified.
"What is happening here?" Superman refused to accept any of it.
"Come inside and we can discuss it in detail. Unless you drag the details out forever," Power Girl offered, "I'm running a tab."
"You have money? You?" Superman asked in disbelief.
"There's that rudeness again," Power Girl told him, "And I have more money than some countries."
Inside every arrival, previous and current, topped off their beverages, ordered new ones, and/or sandwiches and pastries. Superman noticed the locals were rather blasé about his presence. The other didn't warrant much attention but he was used to being fawned over and idolized.
"How is this possibly paid for?" he asked Pansy.
"Starrware is footing the bill," she told him with great delight.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because we know the owner," Violet said matter-of-factly.
Superman knew Starrware was an impossibly rising tech firm but he didn't know who Karen Starr was so he asked the table, "Why would Karen Starr pay for all of this?"
"Because she's here enjoying it too," Barda groaned.
"Where is she?" She asked.
"How can you be this monumentally stupid and still be a reporter?" Black Mary ground through her teeth.
Pansy slapped a issue of Forbes from the table reading collection of magazines. Karen Starr was the cover profile. Superman had to blink several times.
"You're Karen Starr?" Clark was baffled by that cognizant fact.
"I don't quite think they heard you in Toledo," Karen mocked him.
"But you?" Superman basically repeated.
"For the Source's sake! It's not difficult. She assumed a civilian identity and founded a company. A company she's displayed real genius at building," Bara snapped at him.
"Shall I move?" Wonder Woman sat between them.
"Yes," Superman said.
"Absolutely not, Artemis," Barda replied.
"Starrware stocks are with a fortune," Matrix added.
"How would you know?" Superman asked.
"She gave me some on my anniversary of arriving on this Earth," Supergirl told him.
"Me too, different occasion," Jessica Cruz shared.
"Yup, she made me rich," Killer Frost agreed.
"I also have amassed a small fortune thanks to her business acumen," Barda registered.
"I'm Starrware's VP of Acquisitions," Black Mary revealed.
"Artemis?" Superman was reeling.
"She offered and I refused," Wonder Woman told him.
"What about all of you?" Superman asked the Sovereigns.
"We've been offered employment in this inn," Cascade was pleased to say.
"You're welcome!" Pansy called across the seating area.
"Why are you refugees?" Superman asked.
"Our universes were murdered," Cascade informed him.
"I'd hardly call a collapse murder," he sniffed.
Network linked with his mind and showed seven instances of the Rapture and then the antimatter that annihilated all existence. His head snapped back when she released him and he was breathing heavy, "You saw that across thirty universes."
"Every one was destroyed originating from a single gap in the material realm allowing the Antimatter Universe to spill into it and consume it as the spill grew larger," Indigo explained, "The Rapture will be released here as well unless we traverse the Dark Circle and halt its being unleashed."
"And Maxima is facing threats as well," Power Girl explained. Kal-El knew how close she was to his eldest daughter.
"What kind of trouble is Max into now?" he asked.
"It is a trifecta attack," Reflex told him, "A fleet of Khund warships travels through space to reach Almerac. Simultaneously, a Dominator fleet is doing the same. Added to this calamity is that a person called 'Saturn Queen' has liberated the conquered Kandorians and beings known as 'Ultraman' and 'Ultragirl' will lead them to Almerac as well."
"Walter Thorsson? Right?" Superman recalled everyone's introductions when they first sat down.
"How can you know any of that?"
"Kalea-El infiltrated Saturn Queen's palace on Thanagar. The exiled Thanagarians and the Shrike Queen have returned to serve her. And it was she that united the warring Khunds and Dominators against Almerac," Cruiser stated.
Superman looked pained. Cascade and everyone caught it, "Problem?"
"Kalea is his estranged daughter," Power Girl told them.
"I can see why," Finale determined, "She's honorable and you aren't."
Superman wanted to tell her his daughter was a unrepentant sociopath that just hid it well, "That's a matter of opinion."
He looked at the Justice League Plus Two end of the table, "Does anyone else know what a Dark Circle is?"
"They're a neofascist cult that worships Darkseid," Barda explained.
"Oh, that's all," Killer Frost was flippant.
"We should go," Superman said decisively, "You haven't seen what they've seen. But it'd be worth it just thwart Darkseid."
"Of course I'm going too," Barda's hatred for her former master was beyond reckoning.
"This has to be volunteer only," Power Girl insisted.
"Take me to any battle and I'll stand with you," Artemis pledged.
"Of course I'm coming," Supergirl promised, "I already lost one universe."
"I'll come too," Killer Frost was conflicted, "If you'll have me."
"Of course we will, little sister," Wonder Woman reassured her.
"You have my back," Matrix knew for certain.
"And I wouldn't want another, fiercer warrior by my side," Barda pledged.
If Killer Frost had bene conflicted, Jessica was positively at war with herself, "John keeps saying I need to learn to do cosmic. But that's a relative term, right?"
"We'll be with you every inch of the way," Power Girl vowed.
All words Superman should have said.
"There's still that offer on the table," Violet was proving to be the collected sister versus the fiery Pansy, "It will still stand when you return."
The enigmatic sisters were constantly proving even more so. Rampart made an interesting declaration while we were outside. She threatened those Female Furies that she would 'boom tube to Apokolips to kill every woman's daughter if the building were damaged'. End quote. I don't think that was hyperbole."
"They do seem odd," Superman opined.
"Seriously, dude! They let you have a job reporting?" Black Mary was insulted.
"The city will need you with the Justice League undermanned.," Power Girl explained the lack of an invitation.
Black Mary held up both hands to ward away evil, "I am so fine with that."
"I can't read the Dark Circle from here. I need to read someone who's been there," Network warned.
"Then it's good that Bekka is a Fear Lantern and has unfettered access to that territory," Barda decided, "I can boom tube us to her present location."
"Then it's decided," Cascade announced.
"Take it outside!" Pansy yelled from across the building.
"How does she do that?" Cruiser wondered.
"Do you really want to know, lad?" Reflex asked him.
Lord Ultraa gathered his forces. Shock troops filled every available space not already occupied by sailors. His commanders met him in the flag bridge of his dreadnought. A ship class consisting of three surviving vessels.
"These women, the Saturn Queen and Emerald Empress have promised me victory. They are from the far future and predict Almerac will protect those verminous humans until major portions of the galaxy unite under a single banner. A laughably called 'United Planets'." Lord Ultraa scornfully sneered at the concept.
"Doesn't the Daxamite calling himself 'Valor' defend human colonists within the Dark Circle?" General Barto asked.
"Except reports are he vanished," Kelt replied.
"He didn't just vanish. He inhabits the shadow realm called the Phantom Zone. He will stay there for a thousand years to come," Admiral Trysta told them, "So our way is clear."
Lord Ultraa found it little wonder that Trysta commanded his fleet and his bed but not his heart or mind. Something that hadn't ruffled his betrothal to Maxima. Probably because she didn't care. She was, and remained, smitten with Kal-El.
"Has anyone tracked down Kalea-El?" Lord Ultraa quietly asked.
"Not since she departed from Zamaron," Kelt answered.
"Well, why not?" Ultraa shouted, "Do you know what kind of threat she represents? She knows what I plan for her mother. As Maxima's loyal dog she'll come for my throat."
"Saturn Queen could reprogram Maxima's mind so that she does give you a legitimate heir," Trysta suggested, "We could even have her join us for our sexual escapades."
Lord Ultraa hardly wanted to ponder a menege a trios at that moment. But he was pleased his other mistresses could participate in a group orgy along with Trysta, "No. Maxima must die. The nobles will carry me into the throne despite this republican Council of Advisors and the Chief Counsel Maxima appointed and were ratified by a vote of the common citizens. They were approved of by the rabble! What depths has Almerac plummeted to?"
"She has legalized the concept of 'rule of law' rather than imperial fiat. The emperor cannot exceed the mandates of the law as conceived of by the counselors and interpreted by the High Tribunal," Barto summarized.
"I know all that!" Lord Ultraa shouted again, "It is heretical to the concept of a supreme ruler."
"But Maxima no longer wishes to be an absolute ruler," Trysta clarified.
"She is addled!" Lord Ultraa barely refrained from screaming.
"Which is why she must die," Trysta now agreed, "But Kalea has no claim to the throne nor does she even want one."
"She's a fraud," Ultraa snapped, "She lusts for power."
"Milord, I think you're confusing a lust for power with a craving to commit mass atrocities," Kelt intervened.
Lord Ultraa merely stared at his general and a cold crept up his spine.
Kalea's intelligence report included the rendezvous point at a thousand lightyears beyond Almerac's imperial borders. From there the Khunds and the Dominators would unite to spearhead through Imperial space together. It was here that the Lantern Corps each divided their forces into four legions apiece. As each commander appointed lieutenants, they awaited the emergence of a jump gate that would translate the fleets back into the material reality.
"Why did it have to be War World?" Superman groaned.
"Because this is where Bekka would meet. It's near the rendezvous point for all the Lantern Corps," Barda explained…again.
"Rendezvous for what?" he asked, bewildered.
Killer Frost cuffed his ear, which hurt her more than him, "To intercept the aliens threatening your baby momma. And 'ow' by the way."
"Greetings Kal-El," a highly modified Brainaic revealed himself.
"You!" Superman pointed. All of the female JLers face palmed.
"Indeed," Brainiac agreed, "I am the custodian of War World now that Mongul has been displaced."
"When?" Superman asked, "How?"
"when the Black Lotus adhered itself to him and you interned him," Brainiac blandly stated.
"I did?" Superman asked.
"Indeed," Brainiac was finding this quite fulfilling.
"Why War World?" Superman was assertive again.
"Because I train and deploy professional security and armies here. For operational costs of maintaining my systems, of course," Brainiac divulged.
Barda spun, unclipping her mega wand as she did so. But Bekka's sword was already at her throat, "Getting sloppy, Barda."
"Nice to see you aren't utterly reliant on that damn ring," Barda said stiffly.
"Your Kryptonian sounds as simple as Orion," Bekka observed.
"He's not 'mine' by any means. We just enjoy carefree sex," Barda corrected her.
Killer Frost alone facepalmed, "Ew. Leave it with the heteros. That's an image I can't get out my brain now."
"Prude?" Bekka asked Barda.
"Lesbian," Barda almost sighed.
"Oh," Killer Frost heard Bekka's note of disapproval. But it was based on the fact that Malice Vundabar was the youngest New God pureblood. Bekka and Scott free made up most of the preceding generation. Only their longevity had saved the species from extinction. So it was a racial imperative to maintain sexual relations that could potentially reproduce. Barda knew she'd have to explain this later to assuage Killer Frost's indignation.
"We need your knowledge of the Dark Circle," Barda explained.
"I only have…what the hell?" Bekka felt a mind probe.
"Got us a destination!" Network boasted as she passed it to Cascade.
And the JLers and Sovereigns were gone in a cascade of dark energy.
"That was rude," Bekka snorted.
"But insightful," Brainiac decided.
Julianna Sazia arrived on Vegas Strip in a convoy of vehicles. Two SUVs per front and back of her limo cleared a path for her deployed four bodyguards each. Her limo was her personal vehicle and more heavily armored and had greater horsepower than the President's own. It was the last products that the Russian Ziv line still manufactured. They custom made them to order and the price could often pay off IMF loans.
Sazia was here to get the local Intergang affiliates in line before they defected to Pirate Blue's Syndicate Underground. Although, rumor had it a third regional option was developing and mafia houses from each conglomerate were jumping ship to sign up. Including the Las Vegas casino franchise owners.
Word further had it the financier behind this alternative had contracted a hit on her life. A contract accepted by gen actives. Or the closest human equivalents. Knightfall had provided a viable solution. She only trusted her life with two independent groups. Her loyal Disgraced being the first and some upstart mercs Sazia had never heard of.
Sazia had sought to hire Deathstroke or the Titans. But the refusal had been almost instantaneous from both contractors. It seemed Slade Wilson didn't have time and the Titans disregarded the nature of the threat. Sazia had dug into the Outlaws and discovered they only contracted against metas and only criminally inclined gen actives. Which could be useful but could also bite her in the ass.
But the Outlaws had assisted Knightfall against virtually every known international super agency when they came after her. Sazia detected that Knightfall was particularly fond of the group's leader. The Red Hood had bene a minor Gotham figure until recently. And suddenly he was very skilled and exceptionally deadly. Word was he'd been trained by Nyssa Raatko, the Demon's Hand and wife of Black Canary, the new Ra's al Ghul.
Having checked into her penthouse suite, her bodyguards stood by vigilant in shifts outside and one man also monitoring her tac radio. Sazia coded the room safe and slipped a M1911A1 inside of it. But that was window dressing for spotters. In the small of her back she still wore a .45 caliber Glock. Her strong boxes were in the casino vault and awaiting distribution.
Two hours later, the casino owners and their retinues were accounted for. Sazia authorized a pallet transfer to each owner. From there each casino would launder one billion counterfeit dollars. In exchange for the trade in real currency, Intergang had asked for a fifty percent commission. In essence, bribing each owner with five hundred million dollars. Intergang's share was for devising the scheme and printing the fake money.
"What're we? The leftovers?" Stargirl and Mike Dugan felt slighted yet again. Anna Fortune and Atom Smasher tended to agree.
"Are we still calling her Galatea or are we using Karen Starr now?" Mike asked.
"Mike, you're my stepbrother and I love you, but shut your friggin' mouth," Courtney Whitmore ordered, "Or I swear to God, I'll pop you in the mouth."
"Black Mary volunteered to stay behind which is how we know about this mission," Shayera was irked as well that no one had communicated with her.
"I'd have had to refuse. Green Lanterns are barred from Dark Circle territory. The Guardians were actually afraid of them," John Stewart revealed.
Apparently Power Ring doesn't share that prohibition," General Glory commented.
"We should be focused on threats to this planet," Owlwoman opined.
"She's gotta helluva point," Jack O'Lantern agreed, "While those yobbos are off savin' God knows what, we could face the literal end of the world."
"Things looked generally quiet before Angor faced multiple catastrophes that no one predicted," Silver Sorceress advised.
"It wasn't pretty. Laura and I are scarred for life," Blue Jay admitted.
"But still, we should seize the days we have," Anna cajoled them think of recently accepting Al Rothstein's marriage proposal.
"All hands on deck!" Col. Steve Trevor's voice resonated through building, "We have a crisis in Chicago."
"But apparently we shan't be seizing anything today," Anna regretfully realized.
"This is wrong," Patricia "Pat" Trayce radioed, "I won't be be part of the Titans after this."
"Your morality is misplaced," Deathstroke replied, "The charges that put Luthor in the GULAG were fabricated by the United Nations at Max Lord's behest. The World Court was going to exonerate him when Lord intervened yet again."
"He's still a soulless monster and shouldn't be released. Ever," Vigilante continued her argument.
"Call me when you're ready to work again. I can always line up plenty of contracts to kill criminals. That's why you signed on to begin with. Your vendetta will always require funding. Funding means working," Deathstroke replied.
"Screw you, Slade," Trayce shouted as she plucked and threw her radio earpiece on the ground and ground it into the dirt.
"You've already screwed me, Pat. At every possible moment," Slade Wilson chuckled, "Now, for everyone listening in, get to work."
Horus slammed into the mountainside and breached the GULAG's upper levels. Guards responded but they had no adequate defense against a Black Marvel. Aton Tomaz was Adrianna Tomaz's younger brother. And as Isis she'd convinced the Egyptian god Horus to save her brother's life after Anubis pulled his power away from the teen. And he has beseeched the Lords of Chaos to do the same when the Egyptian pantheon withdrew from human affairs.
Arsenal used a bow once again. He'd lost his right forearm during a mission and his replacement came courtesy of Lena Luthor. Who was also financing this "expedition".
Cheshire made it well into the prison's outer gates before she unleashed hell. Jade Nguyen had recently married Roy Harper. It seemed they couldn't be together but neither could they part ways. So that fulfilled their expectations of marriage. And their daughter, Lian, deserved to have both her parents together. Or at least in close proximity.
Cinder and Tattooed Man stood by while Cheshire and Arsenal's distraction paved a path for Deathstroke to carve his way through the front door and slaughter his way to Lex Luthor's cell. Luthor was smugly pleased to see Slade Wilson again.
"Lene sends her greetings," Deathstroke told him, "Though I don't know why."
"And how do you feel about Grant and Rose?" Luthor oozed smarmy charm.
"If you want your list of Legionnaires released you'd best get to it," Deathstroke instructed.
"How pedestrian," Luthor complained.
"Your sister is good people. Unlike her lazy and elitest scumbag brother," Slade remarked.
"You could have refused the job," Luthor retorted.
"And dismiss the chance to crack open the 'inescapable' prison?" Deathstroke chuckled.
Rocks fell from the ceiling as the mountain shook again, "Horus is feeling exuberant."
The Legion of Doom members that Luthor had liberated had gone to the effects lockers and geared up. Deathstroke produced a father box and opened a boom tube before handing the Apokoliptan variant to Luthor, "They're expecting you."
"Who is?" Luthor asked.
"I could care less," Slade admitted.
"Refreshingly honest," Luthor smiled and led the way through the tube. The Legion followed. The Titans would be pleased. They'd earned their bonus without having to "persuade" the Legion to follow Luthor.
Bill Wintergreen sent him a secure text. He'd relayed a job offer to Pat Traye and she'd accepted. Underneath his helmet's faceplate, Slade smirked. Julie Sazia had no idea of the shitstorm headed her way.
Darkseid had ordered the construction of an Evil Factory on every Earth. And with so few remaining, the installation on Earth Prime increased in importance. Its singular purpose was to activate gen factors, harness the meta-gene, and enslave the gen active for Darkseid's purposes. In its own Apokoliptan way, it was CADMUS.
"Welcome, Lex Luthor," Mokkari greeted him, "The Evil Factory is at your disposal."
"So, Darkseid is giving me access to your meta-genetics laboratory," Luthor realized.
"And its training and containment facilities. The Evil Factory exists in a tesseract. The outer building appears to be a simple shack yet we have nearly unlimited space within," Mokkari gleefully shared.
"And our geographic location?" Luthor asked.
"the highlands of Scotland," Mokkari sniffed, "The locals call the shack Brigadoom."
"And the general purpose of placing a biogenetics weaponization facility on my planet?" Luthor asked.
"You agreed to allow Darkseid access to gen actives. We've found manipulating New God genetics to be an impasse. But human meta-genes are flexible and potentially far more powerful," Mokkari's enthusiasm had returned.
"How test subjects have you acquired?" Luthor asked the basic question.
"Why none. The Evil Factory just became operational mere local hours ago," Mokkari signaled his deputy, Simian, to square away the Legionnaires.
"I have a researcher in mind. Dr. Ivana Baiul is an expert in meta-genetics and worked closely with John Lynch is locating metas, identifying their gen factors and activating them. Particulalry amongst adolescents," Luthor explained, "She should fill our mutual needs nicely."
"Indeed, sir. Indeed," Mokkari gleefully agreed.
"Dey's cuttin' tru our defenses like dey wuz budder," Malone warned Queenie Hart. Queenie was infuriated. Besides running Intergang's operations in Central, Keystone, and Dakota Cities, she ran the Illinois, Mississippi , Missouri, and Ohio regional operations. Her special task was to guard the Dial E for Evil wristbands. A task Intergang had left her poorly equipped to accomplish it seemed. Bands the Injustice Society had mounted a surprise attack to steal.
But just when Queenie was cursing Sen. Robert Ballard's name, the Intergang enforcers arrive through unknown means. Ballard having cut Angelica Blaze, the Black Seven, and Galaxy Media into Intergang's operations. But Blaze had sent the Burners in as her personal gift. Which displeased Queenie.
The anarchists were wildly unpredictable and owed no allegiance to anyone except for, it seemed, Blaze. And to make matters even more dire, the Justice League Unlimited chose that moment to arrive as well. Now the assembled criminals warily watched each other and cast hateful glares towards the Justice League, A recipe for holocaust.
Queenie prepped for an immediate evacuation, taking the dials with her.
"I'll prep the Matter Universe for subjugation while you conquer the Antimatter Universe," Saturn Queen reminded the Emerald Empress of the plan.
"My new Fatal Five and I are just departing for Qward. From there, the Antimatter Earth should be a cinch," Sarya boasted.
"Never underestimate human resolve, antimatter or not," Eve Aries warned her, "I'm beginning with Almerac to destroy its historical value. Ultraman and Ultragirl will lead my Kandorian subjects just as my unwitting partners amongst the Khunds and Dominators will joyfully lead the campaign as cannon fodder."
"I refuse to believe our future is gone and we can't return to it," Emerald Empress complained.
"Sarya, there is no future beyond Zero Hour unless we change it," Saturn Queen advised her, "We're paradoxes shifted into temporal normality because of our roles here."
"Eve, I know. The Crisis and Zero Hour are fixed points in history but beyond them is flux," Emerald Empress acknowledged.
"And so the Matter Universe could still be lost," Sarya said sadly.
"Like it was never here," Eve stated.
"Then we'd best get started," Emerald Empress decided.
"Indeed we shall," Saturn Queen smirked.