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Disco Mummy scowled at her computer screen. There were various wiki sites dedicated to compiling public, and not so public, information regarding superheroes and their enemies. She'd only used her real name, unspoken for almost five thousand, on the deeds of transfer and titles of incorporation when she'd transferred ownership of Ryder Conglomerate from the blind trust "Disco Mummy" had placed it in before legally transferring every asset to herself.
But someone clever had connected the outlying information and created a wiki profile on her. Without specifically calling out the owner of Ryder as being Disco Mummy. Which avoided certain legal entanglements. Ryder and its subsidiaries had diversified as never before.
Bruce Wayne owned forty-percent of Wayne-Powers Tech preferred stock. Derek Powers owned forty-five. But he'd held sway over the remainder of the stockholders. Until fifteen percent was mysteriously divested and sold to Lex Luthor. Of the remaining general stock, Disco Mummy held eighty-five percent. She also held twenty percent of Kord Industries, had gotten the gutted remains of Cale Tech, leveraged buyouts of twenty percent of Lord Industries and Max Lord's Innovative Concepts. She forced hostile takeovers of dozens of smaller competitors. Karen Starr was one of the few holdouts that still owned Starrware in its entirety.
Hauser Arms also resisted stock option. MARS Corporation and Caldwell Armaments had sold major stock offerings to Disco Mummy. And even the Global Concern had opted to accept investments from Ryder Conglomerate itself. Her recent corporate coups had been acquiring sizeable portions of Queen Consolidated and Palmer Tech. Felicity Smoak was wary but Smoak Tech was in negotiations with Ryder for an investment package.
All in all, Disco Mummy had learned the world of corporate finance in a matter of two years. And she'd learned to dominate that world. Even Lena Luthor and LuthorCorp had opened the way to investing in the fiefdom.
But now, a plethora of wiki sites threatened her ambitions. Before yesterday, no one could have possibly connected Erishkigal Narayana to the infamous Disco Mummy. She was named after two Sumerian goddesses. Erishkigal, the goddess of death and the underworld. And Narayana, the chief goddess of lust. And Disco Mummy exemplified the best traits of both. Or at least those traits she believed to be the best.
Sumeria had considered human sacrifice and ritualistic sexual practices acts of worship and devotion. Disco Mummy had been very devout. She had her staff at Ryder simply refer to her as Ms. Erish. They had no concept of where her name derived from or who it really belonged to.
But someone with time, patience, infinite resources and malice had pieced her puzzle together. Added to that, she'd found a letter included with her morning mail. An envelope addressed in blood instead of ink had spirited the letter to her. Disco Mummy used a dagger brought with her out of the tomb she'd been sealed in to open the envelope.
It was enchanted with counter spells to ward off any malicious attacks attached to the letter within. The note inside was painstakingly written in blood using a quill. And it wasn't an animal's blood. It was very human in origin.
Disco Mummy had used the dagger in ritualistic sacrifices. First had been the sex on the altar until she came seven times. Then she carved out the beating heart of the very awake and aware chosen sacrifice, she came for the eighth time. Her subjects were so devoted to her they would submit to any demand she made of them. So with the blessings of the priests and temple prostitutes, she made weekly sacrifices of men and women alike. Sometimes twice a day.
And she'd known pleasures with her horses and trained jackals. But she'd preferred human sexual partners. A little beastiality was well and good in between human partners but it was limited in scope. At least people were creative. But all of the remembrance was making her horny.
The letter was an invitation written in an obscure dialect. It was obscure because it was a corrupted angelic script. One utilized by fallen angels, demons, and their worshippers. The letter was signed by Amomodat Ashtad, which was Persian for Immortal Justice. Or, the long buried name of the Crimson Queen.
A long-held secret that Disco Mummy had cracked. And that had prompted Crimson Queen's little jaunt in Los Angeles with the Injustice Society. So it seemed Crimson Queen had been provoked by Erishkigal learning her true name. And those that gained knowledge of a true name held power over the named. So Amomodat was retaliating by disclosing Disco Mummy's identity to the world.
And now she was requesting a parlay at the single most exclusive club in the world. It was where the famous, the elite, and the powerful went to flaunt their lovers, who weren't their wives, husbands, or intimates. In a perverted attempt to be overtly "decadent", many of the eye candy roles were filled by transmen and transwoman. The people bringing them unwilling to realize their own prejudice of what was unseemly. The trans folks were normal and the nat gens were abnormal.
It was place of utter discretion. It was a Fight Club redux. No one ever discussed or revealed what or who was inside the club. Those that tried lost everything they valued.
So, it was obviously a trap. And Disco Mummy knew that location wasn't the trap. The trap was the seeming innocuous nature of the letter. Crimson Queen had no intention of attending her scheduled parlay because she assumed Disco Mummy would already be dead. And the first rule of immortality was you never willingly walked into a trap.
Crimson Queen knew Erishkigal could exorcise the succubus out of her. That would return the body to death and exile the demon back to Hell. That was what Amomodat feared. She'd already condemned her sister, Suri to mummification and eternal servitude to Disco Mummy. Scarlet Rose had entered into a pact of Crimson Queen's bodily liberation from the succubus with no strings attached other than if the Crimson Queen refused to participate. And so both sisters were now damned.
And Scarlet Rose was not only condemned but she was enslaved to Disco Mummy. But, she would die if Erishkigal released her from her curse or if Disco Mummy herself died. Which would take a lot considering she was already an undead mummy. But Amomodat considered her a very real threat because not only could Disco Mummy drive the demon out, it would cast a protection spell so Crimson Queen's body could never be animated by another demon. Something the succubus would be punished for by no less than Aradia Morningstar in the ranks of fallen angels. She did not take kindly to having her plans thwarted. The only Fallen crueler was Lucifer himself.
For appearances sake, Erishkigal retained a team of bodyguards. Four maintained her security to, from, and at Ryder. At her condo in Three Towers, two maintained a presence outside and two in small room adjacent to front door. Three out of the four day shift guards were male. It was a gender split at night. The women manning the interior post.
Gunshots rang out before her driver could arrive with the armored vehicle. Her detail head pushed her behind a concrete pillar while her bodyguards dealt with a numerically superior force.
"Stay behind there, Ms. Erish," the security head requested. Disco Mummy obliged but she was already bored. The gun duel served no purpose other than to test and diminish her detail. The bullets couldn't harm her and Crimson Queen knew that. But a public assassination attempt would draw a police presence her way and hinder her response to the attack. It seemed the succubus did pay attention to Amomodat's every memory. Because this sophisticated gambit was beyond succubi who only understood sex, intimidation, domination, sadism, and lust.
One of Disco Mummy's guards was mortally wounded. Another was grazed but otherwise unharmed. A third had taken two rounds in the ballistic plated inside her vest. The detail commander was unscathed. But three of Crimson Queen's assassins were dead already. Two more were bleeding out. One had been hit by Erishkigal's SUV as the driver got involved. And two had successfully fled the scene. Disco Mummy wanted to interrogate the dying but police cruisers began arriving thereby blocking her from doing so.
No less a personage than Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon arrived to conduct a facet of the open investigation. Barb took Erishkigal back to the cafeteria and ordered two coffees before beginning the questioning. Ostensibly it was for Disco Mummy to make an official statement, press charges, and aid in the investigation with whatever knowledge she possessed regarding motive for the attack.
Det. Renee Montoya was the investigative lead on the case and was taking witness statements from the detail commander and securing medics for the wounded. All a bit of a surprise considering Montoya had been dead for several years until a few weeks ago. But Erishkigal could sense the woman was from an alternate Earth.
"Erishkigal Narayana is a very unusual name," Barbara stated.
"Is it?" Disco Mummy asked.
"Ms. Narayana I have to ask a series of standard questions," Barbara informed her.
"Please, call me Erish," Disco Mummy requested.
"I'd prefer avoiding familiarity," Barbara replied.
"I insist. Americans mangle my name. It's…irritating to listen to," Disco Mummy told her.
"And where are you from originally?" Babs asked.
"Around," Disco Mummy stated.
Barb took in Disco Mummy's appearance. Her wild mane of raven hair was braided at one temple. Her gray eyes were uncannily piercing. Her skin complexion wasn't Caucasian or Semitic but somewhere in between. And her marbled black and red leather bodysuit was the epitome of flamboyance. The woman wanted to be noticed and yet gave nothing away to reveal who she was.
"Did you know I had to access corporate records to learn who you are?" Barbara inquired.
"I'm a very private individual," Disco Mummy told her.
Which Barbara registered as the second lie she'd been told already, "Who would want you killed?"
"The 99% comes to mind," Disco Mummy retorted.
"Disco Mummy stole this corporation from Ruby Ryder moments before Ms. Ryder took a header out a fortieth-story window," Barbara recalled.
"Perhaps she was depressed," Disco Mummy quipped.
"And yet, the company was placed in a divested trust whereupon you bought it at market value having appeared out of thin air," Barbara continued, "Why would she sell to you?"
"Perhaps she needed funding," Erishkigal was amused by all of this.
"For what?" Barbara asked, "Please, indulge me?"
"I would gather Disco Mummy has an agenda. Money helps push agendas forward," Erishkigal "theorized".
"Yet you own sixty percent of the stock of this major corporation. And you even bought outstanding shares to accomplish that. Where did your funding come from?" Babs asked.
"If you had done your homework you'd find I had to disclose that information to the federal government," Erishkigal was getting bored again.
"So we come back to it. Who would want to harm you?" Barbara repeated.
"A very long list of disgruntled CEOs and financiers," Disco Mummy replied, "I might as well draw a card from a deck of names to determine the 'who' of it."
"We could move this conversation to the GCPD if you prefer," Barbara threatened.
"And every answer would remain the same," Disco Mummy was amused again.
"You know who it is and you're refusing to share," Barbara decided.
"I know a great many things and generally don't share any of them," Disco Mummy divulged.
"You've just become a person of interest," Barbara advised Erishkigal.
"I feel honored," Disco Mummy stated.
"That means no leaving town and stay by the phone," Babs insisted.
"So be it," Disco Mummy conceded.
"I'm assigning you police protection," she told Erishkigal.
"I have very expensive security. And it works admirably," Disco Mummy replied.
"It'll soothe my nerves," Barbara lied.
"I rather doubt your nerves get so easily rattled," Disco Mummy quipped, "But you have to face the tax paying voters."
"And I'm certain word will get out about my egregious waste of resources," Barbara scowled.
"Now, did I say that? I certainly didn't imply it," Disco Mummy smirked.
"We're done for now. I'll ask that you come the station to file charges and make an eyewitness statement. We'll continue this line of questioning then. But otherwise, you're free to go," Barbara had to concede, "But you still contend that you don't have a primary suspect for who arranged this hit."
"This is Gotham. It could be rabid squirrels I neglected to feed in Robinson Park," Erishkigal shrugged.
Barbara had just made it her mission in life discover everything there was to know abut Ms. Narayana.
The security detail had been bolstered at the behest of the contractor. Four sentries stood outside her domicile exchanging contemptuous glares with the GCPD uniforms. Her usual two bodyguards were within the condo but were mounting sweeps every four hours. And two were stationed out on her balcony despite the inclement weather. When her house staff left for the evening, Scarlet Rose emerged from Disco Mummy's private office.
"Suri," Disco Mummy greeted her.
"Erishkigal," Scarlet Rose acknowledged the greeting. Disco Mummy had avoiding hiring the Zither Security Group due to its close ties with LuthorCorp and the Legion of Doom. And the Luthors had familial ties with Crimson Queen and Scarlet Rose.
"Lots of extra security," Suri said in Farsi.
"Your sister tried to kill me today," Disco Mummy was nonchalant.
"Why?" Suri was confused.
"Because I can kill her," Erishkigal reminded her.
"Better you should have killed each other," Scarlet Rose lamented.
"But if I die then you die," Disco Mummy was matter-of-fact.
"Better that than this existence," Scarlet Rose complained.
"You chose our deal. Quite willingly I might add. I honored the bargain when your sister forced the penalty clause into being enacted," Disco Mummy reminded her.
"And I hate her for it," Scarlet Rose angrily declared.
"Amomodat offered a parlay. I want to accept but I want a change of venue. Her choice of locales would enable her to do away with me and no one would halt her or report my death. It's a social hotspot infamous in its ease of disposing unwanted lovers or enemies.," Erishkigal told her.
"And you're mentioning this why?" Suri asked.
I happen to know your sister's current whereabouts," Disco Mummy shared, "I want you to broker the meet."
"How do you know I won't betray you?" Scarlet Rose inquired.
"I don't. But that simply adds to the intrigue," Disco Mummy smiled beatifically.
"You really are insane," Scarlet Rose decided.
"A simple label applied to things people refuse to understand," Disco Mummy commented.
"And where will you be?" Scarlet Rose asked.
"Out," was all Erishkigal would say.
"And you're wearing that?" Suri was skeptical.
"I could wear nothing. It usually achieves results," Disco Mummy snickered.
"But nothing says 'kill me now' than stealing my sister's signature color," Scarlet Rose warned.
"Good," Erishkigal wore a manic smile.
Disco Mummy's Meridian provided security detail met resistance at the entrance to the Iceberg Lounge. It escalated to the point, three of Empress Penguin's personal agents blocked entrance to the nightclub. Pussy Katnip, Bird of Paradise, and Jinx looked ready to lay down their lives to enforce the lounge's policies. Erishkigal respected that.
"Stand down," Disco Mummy instructed her detail, "I'm certain Empress Penguin's security arrangements will be quite adequate and completely feminine."
The Iceberg Lounge had been rebuilt in a month's time after its destruction in Empress Penguin's bid to cripple Knightfall, Emperor Penguin, and the Five Family's operations. No one knew where Empress Penguin's funding derived from. One of her targets had been Gotham's staunchest and oldest families. Families known to Batman and the Justice League as belonging to the Court of Owls. But since the staggering losses the Court endured Stateside, and focused on Gotham, it was
little that after the League of Assassins decimated the Court's worldwide operations and assassinated its Owlman, Lincoln March, it was little wonder Helena Lincoln March had abandoned Spyral to assume control as the Owl Matron and focus on restoring the Court's relevancy on the global scene. Her revenge against her hated uncle, Bruce Wayne, could wait as could reconquering Gotham from the League of Shadows.
Erishkigal turned every head as she confidently strutted her way through the Iceberg Lounge. Bird of Paradise led her but it was unnecessary, Disco Mummy had spotted Empress Penguin from across the entire establishment. And, Disco Mummy could sense Regina Swann's other-dimensional origins. Unless Erishkigal was mistaken, Regina hailed from the same Earth as Montoya.
"Erishkigal Narayana?" Empress Penguin offered her a seat.
"You can simply call me Erish. It seems easier for you people, regardless of which Earth you hail from," Disco Mummy insisted.
"You have me at a disadvantage," Regina's eyes narrowed.
"You're Regina Swann, the Empress Penguin. You're the newly crowned crime lord of Gotham City. I, on the other hand, am more frequently referred to as Disco Mummy," she revealed.
"I…see," Regina said, and believed she did. But she was wrong.
"I'm here to do you a singular service in exchange for a simple favor. You'll find it an equitable transaction," Disco Mummy promised.
"I'm listening," Regina admitted.
"I will grant you unlimited access to Ryder's supplies, shipping networks, and procurements and all I desire is a reference to Nyssa Raatko with the hopes of procuring the services of the League of Assassins," Disco Mummy shared.
"You're very forthright, Erish. Let me be equally candid, where's your proof of intent?" Empress Penguin inquired.
Erishkigal snapped open her clutch and removed a single USB drive, "All the legal documentation and contracts are on this ready to be printed, and filed, electronically. My electronic signatures are already attached."
"Let me review these and tell you my decision," Empress Penguin rose to depart, "Please enjoy my hospitality in the interim."
"My pleasure," Disco Mummy agreed.
Erishkigal had ordered herself a martini labelled a "cardinal sin". She'd ordered a second before Empress Penguin returned with hard copies.
"I'm amazed at your generosity in this matter," Regina admitted.
"I find myself in need of allies," Disco Mummy admitted, "Aligned interests secure strong alliances."
"So it would seem," Regina snapped her fingers and an army of lawyers beckoned forth, "The worms never fall far from the apple."
"Before I finalize the printed documents, do you have a contact for me?" Disco Mummy inquired.
"Nyssa and Ra's al Ghul are otherwise occupied but I was given permission for you to approach one of the seven members of the League of Shadows. She happens to be in Gotham for the fortnight," Empress Penguin revealed, "I have her location."
She slid piece of paper across the table, "She says she knows you."
Disco Mummy glanced over the paper, "Yes, Dazaar and I have worked together in the past."
"Have you now?" Regina was intrigued.
"It seems despite all the supposed veneers of civilization you lacquer on a society, when they gather they still perform the same sexual sacrifices I was accustomed to," Disco Mummy observed the crowd.
"Sin is the biggest business of all no matter how it's prettied up," Empress Penguin agreed. She hesitated before adding, "If Dazaar decides you've wasted her time, you'll die."
"Then you'll inherit Ryder," Erishkigal said blithely.
"I'd prefer gaining acquisitions by other means," Empress Penguin admitted, "I already like you."
"And I, you," Disco Mummy found herself being truthful. She usually detested the living.
"But you really intend to fake your own death?" Regina asked.
"Indeed," Disco Mummy confirmed it.
"And I get a controlling interest in Ryder Conglomerates," Regina could hardly believe it.
"Now we have an understanding," Erishkigal decided.
"And the League?" Empress Penguin inquired.
"I don't require safety, I require a termination," Disco Mummy revealed.
"They excel at that," Empress Penguin admitted.
"Ma'am, we have a…visitor," Bird of Paradise announced. "Visitor" equaled problem in this case, "A 'Crimson Queen' is here to see Ms. Erish."
Regina glanced at Erishkigal, who nodded, "Show her in."
Crimson Queen brazenly sashayed to the table, "Erishkigal."
"Amomodat, this environment must make you ravenous," Disco Mummy acknowledged her.
"I confess I'm tempted to rape with more than my eyes," Crimson Queen disclosed.
"I'm allowing this in order to accomplish a negotiation. So come to terms and keep your shit together," Empress Penguin ordered.
"You won't want me to while I fist and eat your asshole and pussy," Crimson Queen leered.
"Charming," Regina deadpanned.
"I know," Crimson Queen had delighted herself. Almost as much as actually carrying through would.
"Here are the ground rules: no casualties, no feeding, and no property damage," Empress Penguin commanded.
"All of my favorite negotiating tools," Crimson Queen coquettishly pouted.
"Save it," Empress Penguin advised, "I'll stand in as a witness."
"Don't try and pretend this has anything to do with Suri. You had your chance to help and chose yourself over her well-being," Erishkigal did her own advising.
"Leave my sister's name out of it," Amomodat demanded.
"Where was that fiery concern when it counted?" Disco Mummy inquired sharply, "And she's hardly your sister, is she? Lex Luthor murdered Amomodat Ashtad. You just stole her corpse and her memories. I threaten you because I can rip you out of that pretty body and cast you back to the pits of Hell. And it's a legitimate concern because I'm going to do it now that you've attacked me. But as a parting gift, I'll give you Scarlet Rose's soul to take with you."
"I walked the fields of the dead and the damned you sacrificed to me. And again when Sumeria fell to the Assyrians before they collapsed before Babylon. Of course, Persia crushed them all," Amomodat boasted.
Regina knew she was in the middle of a blood feud stretching back through history. And she was in waaay over her head.
"But Alexander devoured Persia. The Romans built on that wreckage. The Germans undermined the Romans and now we have this pathetic excuse of a world needing to be dominated," Erishkilgal retorted, "Are you that would-be conqueror or can you only sexually consume individuals on your way to supposed power?"
"I've feasted on the wretches that wanted five more moments of gratuity after their empires were crushed and they were left for dead," Crimson Queen tried to rally.
"Is that your best?" Disco Mummy scoffed, "Blasting from grave robbers opened my tomb and I dug my way through a ton of sand to meet this wretch of a world. Despite the advances in weaponry, they're divided and can be divided further. Until they rip their neighbor's throats out for a scrap of whatever. And at that moment I'll bring salvation. No one will have to worry for their lives anymore."
"You're not planning on ruling are you?" Crimson Queen realized.
"No," Disco Mummy snarled, "My salvation is from the burden of living."
"You're insane," Amomodat blurted.
"And you'd be right," Erishkigal confirmed it, "Five thousand years of isolation in the dark with nothing but scarabs for company will bend one's outlook. And nothing in this world is an improvement."
"You haven't seen the last of me, Erishkigal," Crimson Queen vowed.
"I'd be disappointed if it were so," Disco Mummy confessed.
"Pussy Katnip, please escort Her Majesty from the premises," Empress Penguin tasked her bodyguard. She gave Disco Mummy several nervous glances, "Erish, what you said about ending human life, is it true?"
"Absolutely. But I'm immortal so I have time to wait until humanity has decimated itself and the dead outnumber the living. I'll raise the dead as mindless mummies and mummify the living so they can serve. And we'll tend to this planet as we were meant to," Disco Mummy clarified her ambition, "So your life is yours to live in its entirety."
"We'll see," Regina thought of the Crisis and the Monitor's purpose for her on Earth Prime.
Back in her condo atop one spire of the Three Towers showpiece built by Charise Carnes, Disco Mummy spoke with Scarlet Rose, "Suri, your sister tried to confront me tonight in the Iceberg Lounge. That's bold even for her."
"She's scared and has every right to be," Scarlet Rose replied, "Or that thing riding her body is."
"I offered to release you if she submitted to me," Disco Mummy revised recent history.
"And she refused," Scarlet Rose would have dined on ashes but the taste in her mouth was always ashen.
"She actually didn't refuse. In fact, she hesitated at the offer. I believe she's bought into Amomodat's memories. Which is advantageous," Disco Mummy decided.
"How?" Scarlet Rose asked.
"Because you will be my emissary offering enough of an olive branch to agree to meet on neutral ground," Disco Mummy revealed, "And I'll leave my acolytes behind."
"Why me?" Scarlet Rose asked.
"Because you distract Amomodat and even make her feel guilty," Disco Mummy told her, "She'll want to believe you. And wherever she chooses to meet, it'll be yet another trap."
"Do you know where she is?" Scarlet asked.
"Suri, the succubus has a life of its own, but Amomodat is a corpse. Of course, I've always known where she is," Erishkigal smirked.
"Then send me," Scarlet Rose insisted.
"I wouldn't have it otherwise," Erishkigal gloated.
Lena Luthor kept apartments for Lex, Luna, and herself inside every LuthorCorp building. Of course, the autistic Luna wouldn't leave Smallville but there was always a slim possibility she'd venture out to join family. Crimson Queen was occupying Luna's always unused apartment.
Lena had finally realized the creature calling itself Amomodat had no real interest in her own son. He was a pawn to gain power over Lex. A pawn intended to manipulate Lena's familial loyalties. And if Crimson Queen's interests weren't aligned with Lena's own long-term ambitions, she'd have sealed the succubus in concreate and had it left in the ocean.
Crimson Queen had used LuthorCorp's resources to track down Disco Mummy's real identity through myths and legends. And it came as a startling surprise to learn the Sumerian princess owned Ryder Conglomerates and vital percentages of many major corporations. Erishkigal Narayana had leveraged herself with a strategic brilliance one wouldn't expect from a five thousand-year old animated corpse. And she'd managed to break the curse of wearing her wrappings without sacrificing her eternal youth.
Erishkigal's family had ruled Mesopotamia for a hundred generations. Her popularity and raw charisma had threatened the elites and so the terrible curse was cast upon her and her supposed damnation of being sealed in a tomb for all of eternity.
But fate liberated her and destiny had her align herself with Luthor interests in overthrowing Bailya's queen and submitting ownership to a elect united front comprised of corporations It was imperialism at its worst and a new working model for LuthorCorp at one end and the Legion of Doom at the other.
But Lena had already had enough of Crimson Queen's antics, "You're a fool. If you'd followed my lead Disco Mummy would off balance. Instead you focused her like a sharpened razor. I know Amomodat was a brilliant strategist but you are not. Your impulsiveness has jeopardized the entire campaign. And she's cemented an alliance with the Empress Penguin, the undisputed criminal overlord of Gotham."
"I may be forced to tolerate your failings but I won't accept them," Lena coldly proclaimed, "What will Lucifer or Aradia Morningstar have to say?"
Crimson Queen knew the price of failure or irrelevancy was entrapment without a host body, "What do you suggest then?"
"Ms. Luthor? There's a…mummy asking to speak with Ms. Ashtad," Eve Tessmacher reported.
"An opportunity awaits," Lena decided, "Please show her in, Eve."
Ms. Tessmacher was delighted to. Scarlet Rose was escorted to Lena's corporate office. Lena was disappointed it wasn't Disco Mummy.
"Suri," Crimson Queen blurted.
"Amomodat," Scarlet Rose stiffly replied.
"I bring word from Erishkigal," Scarlet Rose began without preamble, "She agrees to meet in a neutral location. And alone. So, I know how best to betray her."
"We're listening," Lena allowed. So Scarlet Rose elaborated.
"I wondered how long it would be before you skulked on my balcony," Disco Mummy glibly remarked as Batman entered her dwelling place. The guards on the balcony already being unconscious.
"I know who you are, Erishkigal Naryana," he warned her.
"It seems anyone with broadband knows these days," she complained, "And yet my names don't define me. They only project what I could reflect. Don't you agree, Bruce?"
Batman met her with stony silence so she continued, "Your chosen name is your true name while the names your parents left you are an illusion for pubic consumption. My names were to inspire me to greatness and they have. Disco Mummy was chosen to obscure who I truly am."
"You are not a goddess," Batman iterated.
"Nor would I choose to be one," Erishkigal retorted, "But your casual relationship with your own psyche could provide a bestseller for Dr. Quinzel."
"Harley Quinn only learned my secrets by aiding the Joker in torturing Tim Drake," Batman growled, "Did you learn my identity from Harley?"
"I've never even met Harleen," Disco Mummy informed him, "But I have met Bruce Wayne if you recall. Harleen Quinzel chose to leave her life behind and to never betray your implied trust. Have you had that heart looked at?"
Batman lapsed into stony silence. Erishkigal continued her litany, "I must compliment you on this 'Batman Beyond' look. It's far more intimidating that your classic outfit. And the red bat emblem sets it off nicely. But it's little wonder you can no longer fund Batman, Inc."
"Erishkigal, I know about your escalating war with the Crimson Queen. My sources also shared that you've brokered an alliance with Empress Penguin," Batman shared.
"Sources?" Disco Mummy scoffed, "You mean Barbara Gordon, singular. She divorced you but is still faithful. Or should I rephrase that to 'loyal'?"
"If you didn't learn anything about me from Quinn, then where did you obtain your knowledge?" Batman wanted to plug the leak.
"From the Joker," she answered.
"He'd dead," Batman stated flatly.
"And I commune with the dead for a living," Erishkigal reminded him, "What do you think mummies are? And I'm named after the goddess of death and the underworld. Have to set my sights high after all."
"You want to the world," Batman accused as though this were an appalling ambition.
"Why would I?" she asked, "At least while people are still on it."
"You're insane," Batman realized.
"People keep saying that tonight," Erishkigal remarked, "Perhaps I'm the last sane voice. Or I'm completely off my nut. Either way, I'll win."
"I will stop you," Batman vowed. His heart seized.
"Don't make promises," Disco Mummy warned, "Because I'll take them to heart. But my quarrel isn't with you. It lies elsewhere outside of Gotham."
She released her hold on his damaged heart and he asked, "Where then?"
"Lena Luthor just announced the venue," Disco Mummy announced.
"Where?" he growled again.
"Elsewhere," Erishkigal replied.
"How can you possibly know what Lena Luthor decided?" he has seeking an excuse to arrets her.
"I told you, I commune with the dead," Disco Mummy snickered.
"Are you free from her?" Crimson Queen sounded concerned.
"No. As long as she holds the enchantment, I'm her slave. And I will always be an undead mummy," Scarlet Rose answered.
"Can she force information from you?" Lena asked.
"Again, no. She can compel actions but my mind is my own. She does grant her servants that mercy," Scarlet Rose revealed.
"And you're merely here to deliver and receives messages?" Lena sought clarification.
"I'm also a distraction for Amomodat," Scarlet Rose admitted.
"It seems be working," Lena complained.
"I need information to bring her or she'll send someone else to force it from you," Scarlet Rose warned.
"Suri, I can save you," Crimson Queen pledged.
"Demon, you couldn't save my sister. You only inhabit her body. Why would I want your brand of salvation?" Scarlet Rose asked.
"Because I am Amomodat in every way that counts for something," Crimson Queen promised.
"And the fact that you believe that is your own damnation on this Earth," Scarlet Rose grated.
"Tell Erishkigal the meet is in Coral City in three days' time. We'll meet outside of the abandoned auditorium," Lena announced, "The police are paid off and won't interfere. LuthorCorp will provide the enforcers to kill Disco Mummy."
"How? She's invulnerable," Scarlet Rose complained.
"Every mummy should fear fire," Lena wore a predatory smile.
"And when she dies I finally do as well," Scarlet Rose was relieved.
"Have a good death, Little Suri," Crimson Queen offered.
Her reply was anatomically attractive for a succubus.
Disco Mummy had encountered Irma Playatski in the Eighties when her path crossed with that of Dazaar the Arch Fiend. Dazaar was one of the few people that Erishkigal had revealed her given name to. Before Amomodat splashed it all across the Internet. Dazaar had known Nyssa Raatko since their days in the Russian Imperial Court.
Dazaar had been a minor Polish noble. Nyssa had bought a title after fleeing the life of a serf in the Ukraine. Dazaar had rescued Nyssa from poverty. In exchange, after each survived Auschwitz, Nyssa was found by her father and immersed in the Lazarus Pit. Rather than claim inheritance as Ra's al Ghul's eldest, Nyssa requested that Dazaar receive a similar treatment. And both joined the League of Assassins.
Nyssa ascended to the role of Demon's Hand to her wife's Demon's Head. Dazaar earned her place at the seven seat League of Shadows. Since Nyssa bought Gotham from Empress Penguin, Dazaar was in town to arrange operations within the city. And for the loyal service of Regina Swann.
Scarlet Rose was unaware that Disco Mummy saw, heard, smelled, and felt every one of Suri's senses in the background of her mind. And while Batman had been diverting, her focus had been on Scarlet Rose's perceptions. And she knew of Lena's intended treachery. And everything made a certain kind sense. Crimson Queen was obviously off the rails and Lena was trying to reestablish a semblance of order. A missive that would have dire consequences for Erishgical if Dazaar chose to remain aloof.
Oliver Queen's death had marked Dinah Laurel Drake Lance in a way that surpassed even the death of her husband, Larry Lance. Of course, Larry had been a soldier serving beside Dinah. Their torrid marriage burned fast and bright before Larry died. And to complicate matters further, Larry's sisters Sara and Laurel had left military service to enlist with the League of Assassins. David Cain saw it as an experiment in his training methods. Ra's al Ghul saw her sisters-in-law as an unnecessary distraction.
Even Cain's choices in code-names were insulting. Sara was the Canary and Laurel the Lark. To add insult to injury, Cain had located Dinah's long missing mother, Lauren Dinah Drake, and begun training her as an operative called Songbird.
Dinah's time as Ra's al Ghul in Nanda Parbat had even changed her appearance. She no longer colored her hair blonde and had cut it short after growing its natural roots out. So now, Dinah had darker hair than her brunette wife. Many saw these developments as having Nyssa's hand behind them. But Dinah wasn't a woman to be easily steered or trifled with.
Empress Penguin's introduction got Erishkigal passed her through Dazaar's guards, not that the woman was deadly enough in her own right. Dazaar was glad to see her, "Erish! It's been decades."
"I once assisted you on a sensitive matter," Disco Mummy reminded her.
"I know but I can't help you without a favor first," Dazaar lamented.
"Nyssa," Dico Mummy understood.
"Nyssa," Dazaar said sadly, "We have an anomaly we can't understand."
"Describe it," Disco Mummy was curious as to what the vaunted League of Assassins needed help with.
"There are two Ra's al Ghul's," Dazaar was flummoxed, "They are identical even down to their gen factor. But one is a criminal calling herself 'Black Siren'."
Disco Mummy began to laugh. Dazaar found her mirth irksome, "Care to share?"
So the theory of alternate Earths came to, as well as the brewing Crisis, "There are dozens if not hundreds of refugees from infinite Earths on our world now."
"All at behest of this 'Monitor'," Dazaar was tracking the conversation.
"Not all. His opponent is also seeding the universe with agents," Disco Mummy shared, "Empress Penguin is one such refugee working for the Monitor."
"The prophecies spoke of these days but they were so incredulous as to be ignored," Dazaar admitted.
"Spend five thousand years sealed in a tomb to emerge with your youth intact and nothing seems quite so incredulous anymore," Erishkigal admitted, "And I saw your target this evening."
"Where?" Dazaar was eager to learn.
"In the employ of Empress Penguin," Disco Mumm smirked.
"This why we need you. You have native intelligence and observations skills," Dazaar sighed, "Lady Shiva has her fists and a devotion to her duty of killing everyone."
"Which isn't necessarily a bad thing," Erishkigal opined, "But you happen to be fortunate that I arrived when I did. There's still time to introduce you to Black Siren."
"Why is there a time limit, Erish?" Dazaar asked.
"The Iceberg Lounge offers an after-hours service when they are forced to stop serving alcohol. We have twenty-one minutes before the doors are locked and Empress Penguin retires until late this evening," Erishkigal explained.
"I'll have Lady Shiva meet us there," Dazaar decided as she grabbed a jacket.
"Always a pleasure to work with Sandra Wu San," Disco Mummy quipped.
"You've worked beside Lady Shiva?" Dazaar was surprised she hadn't heard about it.
"Not exactly," Erishkigal warned her, "She doesn't like to admit it."
Dazaar decided she'd rather not know. She was blissful in her continued ignorance.
"Erish, what an unexpected turn of events. I'd have expected you to visit Dazaar by now," Empress Penguin admitted as Jinx brought them to her mistress. Lady Shiva was being stared down by Pussy Katnip and Bird of Paradise. But Sandra Wu San was calculating all the ways to kill them both in six seconds.
"I am Dazaar," the Arch Fiend revealed, "I have need to speak with a woman in your employ."
"My agreement with the League of Assassins precludes my handing you people to be executed." Regina countered.
"And why would I kill her?" Dazaar asked.
"It's the League of Assassins. It's in the name," Empress Penguin argued.
Dazaar looked to Erishkigal. She shrugged and snapped her fingers. Every living person in the building not in Empress Penguin's employ mummified. The ruined husks shambled as an impromptu army on Regina's forces.
"I believe your women are vastly outnumbered. I'll spare you but their lives are forfeit unless you bring out Black Siren," Erishkigal demanded, "I regret this had to come between us but our alliance is legally binding. And I need her help more than I need yours at this time."
"I must speak with Black Siren," Dazaar reiterated.
"Why?" Regina inquired.
"That need not concern you," Dazaar was haughty about it.
Erishkigal rolled her eyes, "Because Laurel Drake is another alternate Earth doppelganger for Ra's al Ghul."
"I see," Empress Penguin realized the understandable implication, "Jinx, has Black Siren returned from her chore?"
"She delivered your message and is relaxing," Jinx answered.
"Bring her or no one rests tonight. At least of the temporary in nature kind," Regina instructed. She stared at Disco Mummy, "I'm learning to hate you already."
Erishkigal shrugged, "I'm used to it."
Jinx brought back Laurel Drake and Dazaar had a quiet conversation with her. When she was satisfied, Dazaar collected Disco Mummy. Empress Penguin stopped them, "What about my cjustomers? They'll be missed."
"The process is irreversible. But I'll find uses for them. The League of Assassins will provide reasonable causes for their disappearance unrelated to you. Fair enough?" Erishkigal asked.
"It's agreeable," Regina allowed. Dazaar found it amusing that she hadn't been consulted. But Erishkigal had achieved the result she desired. Now, she just had to persuade Nyssa and Dinah to honor her pledge to Disco Mummy.
Three days later, Scarlet Rose stood atop a building adjacent to the parking ring around Coral City's abandoned and highly vandalized auditorium. The interior was filled with drug users and sex trafficking camps. The sheer filth proving that even the ancient world was clean by comparison.
"Why am I here?" Scarlet Rose asked.
"I thought you'd want to personally behold the fruits of your labor," Erishkigal told her, "Now, unwrap your bindings as far as modern mores will allow."
Scarlet Rose couldn't resist and she knew it. At a point, Disco Mummy told her to stop and to take the mirror she was offering. Scarlet Rose was horrified.
"No, I don't want to," she begged.
"Do it," Erishkigal compelled her.
Scarlet Rose cringed and then saw the face she'd last seen in a mirror. There were no signs of embalming, mummification, or withering, "I don't understand."
"Call it a gift. You've earned the right to your own face," Erishkigal told her.
"But why?" Scarlet Rose asked.
"Suri, if you're going to protest I can reverse the spell," Erish warned.
"No!" Scarlet Rose said a little too hastily.
"You don't have to die here today," Erishkigal offered, "I know this is a trap. It wouldn't be a Luthor scheme without a trap. But if I were to miraculously survive, I can release you not from death but from my service. Just think about it."
"I…don't know what to say or how to say it," Scarlet Rose was dumbfounded.
"You will," Erishkigal assured her, "Your sister just appeared. We who about die permanently and all that…"
She left leaving Scarlet Rose conflicted. She didn't trust Erishkigal nor should she. She was a master manipulator rivaled only by Amomodat. At least she hadn't promised to resurrect her sister. Erishkigal could raise a body but not its soul or essence. Since the brain stored information chemically the mummy would have its previous memories to a point. Those same chemicals decomposed over time. That was where the succubus had taken immediate possession of Amomodat's body and everything, including the memory of feelings.
Erishkigal watched as Lady Shiva took her post, "She's a noncombatant."
"So the Arch Fiend promised. Therefore it is League law unless overridden by the Demon or her Hand," Sandra Wu San pledged.
"Now to spring the trap," Erishkigal sighed.
What she found was that Amomodat was accompanied by Mercy Graces and Veronica Cale. Never a good sign. Amomodat's demon was a fluff head when came to tactics. Lena was too precise, but Mercy was a former soldier. And a damn good one.
"You did come alone," Amomodat gloated, "Only a fool walks into a trap."
"It seemed a good idea," Erishkigal stated.
"Surrender and we'll…" Mercy began.
"Burn me alive?" Erishkigal interrupted, "I'd rather you didn't."
"You're not even alive!" Amomodat screamed at her.
"What is it they say about black kettles?" Erishkigal pretended to forget.
"Take her," Mercy said into her ear mike.
One of Erishkigal's least understood abilities was that she could sense the presence of life all around her. So she'd detected the Retaliators and Team Luthor. American Crusader led the charge. She shattered his psionic shield with a singe punch. Then she mummified him.
Pitting him into her defense, he blocked Deadeye's arrows and Red Dragon's pistol fire. She casually mummified them as well. Mercy was irate.
"Retaliator Two, you're up," she ordered.
Kite and Ladybug flew in for an aerial attack as Machinehead, Storm-God, and Behemoth approached from her rear. And she rather liked her rear. American Crusader off to slow Behemoth down. His cosmic ray powered body slower to decompose.
Deadeye and Red Dragon killed their teammates and Erishkigal resurrected them. Pitting them all against Storm-God, Erish worked her magic on the man inside the Machinehead armor. And he joined American Crusader against Behemoth. But she eventually snared the man-infant as well.
And everyone opposed Storm-God. Photon blasts burst Retaliator bodies announcing Major Max's cosmic arrival. After what had seemed an eternity, Storm-God fell before Erishkigal's magic. And he attacked Major Max. In order to finally defeat him, she had destroyed Stormbringer, his axe. And she blew a hole through his dense chest.
Rather than continue, Major Max said farewell to the planet of her birth and flew off into the cosmos. Mercy angrily turned to Veronica, "Send in your Metal Men."
Veronica had designed her own Metal Men, loyal only to her and through her the Legion of Doom. Knowing the robots weren't remotely alive, Erishkigal knew it was time to summon her force and spring the trap she'd built around Lena's.
Lady Shiva deployed the assassins assigned to the task by Dazaar. Veronica's Metal "Men" were a work in progress. They'd never deployed into field before so no one, especially Veronica, knew what to expect. But Team Luthor was the kill squad. They had to distract Erishkigal until Team Luthor could approach undetected.
Lady Shiva was perhaps the greatest melee fighter on Earth Prime. Her lethal skills only surpassed by her loyalties to the Demon. Veronica ordered what was left of Uranium to retreat.
Syanide and Shado worked together against Agantha. Silver was a soft metal, and vulnerable to Shado's physical attacks. It was also highly conductive so Syonide's electro whip wreaked every kind of havoc. Veronica pulled her out before she was permanently damaged.
Bronze Tiger only feared one man, and he and Lady Shiva had worked together to cripple Richard Dragon. But assisted by the Dagger, Bronze Tiger systematically tore Plutonium apart. There wasn't enough left to salvage.
Alias the Dragon and Nang Tu were pitted against Cobalt. And here Veronica faced another extensive loss. Lead Girl fought Sin and Tiger Woman. Sin was actually Thea Queen. Another of Oliver Queen's bastards. The half-sister to Conner Hawk and to Emiko Queen, Dinah had despaired at finding another abandoned child discarded by Oliver. Dinah was hardly a mother but she brought Thea in and trained her herself.
Sin was a natural. Even more so than either Conner or Emiko. So it was, Sin was supervising Tiger Woman for Dinah rather than having the veteran observe Sin. Lead Girl was made of a pliable metal. So she was torn to chunks within minutes. Only the interior endoskeleton heeded Veronica's frantic cry to return to her.
Chaos Kitten destroyed the glittering Iridia without the robot even defending herself. Iron Girl was the mightiest Metal "Man". So it was Fury dealt with her. Aresia Lowell's code-name was appropriate. Aresia had never forgiven the world for being born into it or the Amazons for rescuing for her. Iron Girl simply didn't stand a remote chance.
Canary and Lark used their sonic weapons against Gold before using highly charged electrical batons to short the robot out. And so ended their first mission with the League of Assassins. Merlyn and Dark Archer used explosives to blow Mercury Girl to chunks. And Venus, Aphrodite's half-human daughter, dealt the blow to the final robot. Unlike the goddess of love, Venus was a warrior pure and simple. She shattered Zirconium with a single blow from her bronze sword.
"Kill them all!" Amomodat snarled at Mercy.
"What? No! Urk!" she found Amomodat's hand in her chest crushing her heart.
"Dr. Cale, you're in command now," Amomodat told her.
"Eff you!" Veronica took what remained of Metal Men and departed.
"Team Luthor, you are clear to proceed," Amomodat altered her voice enough to be confused with Mercy, "Prepare die, bitch,"
"Get your people clear of here!" Erishkigal commanded.
Lady Shiva recognized Erish's royal lineage in that moment.
Team Luthor surrounded Erishkigal and Luthor One dictated terms, "Surrender and they live."
"Or I don't surrender and simply kill you all," Erishkigal countered.
"Lady, there's twelve…" the sentence went unfinished as ever security agent died and was reanimated.
Amomodat was clapping as she approached, "I really will have to dirty my own hands after all."
"It seems you already dirtied one," Erishkigal remarked.
"Always so glib," Amomodat disapproved.
"No! You won't do this!" Scarlet Rose interposed herself between her mistress and that which pretended to be her sister.
"Agree to peaceful coexistence and I'll release Suri from my control. And she'll stayed restored as she is for all time," Erishkigal offered.
"No,..you can't," Amomodat protested.
"Why can't I?" Erishkigal asked.
"Why would you? You can destroy me," Amomodat fretted.
"I could but I no longer wish to and because I can," Erishkigal replied.
"But I tried to kill you," Amomodat continued to protest.
"If you hadn't bothered to notice, all three of us are already dead," Erishkigal noted, "I can do this and I will do it. You just have to accept it or reject it out of hand."
"You need to answer why," Amomodat demanded.
"Because I proved what you are. I could crush you like an insect. But sometimes when the ant narrowly escapes, it learns not to provoke the sandal," Erishkigal laid it out.
"I am not an ant," Amomodat was indignant.
"And yet again I prove who you really are," Erishkigal sighed.
"Amomodat, take the arrangement and I'll accompany you," Suri offered.
"She's free to leave with me?" Amomodat sought clarification.
"With my blessing," Erishkigal admitted.
"I guess I can't refuse," Amomodat almost sounded disappointed.
"You could but you really shouldn't," Erishkigal advised.
"Thank you, our paths shouldn't cross again," Amomodat offered.
"My most fervent desire," Erishkigal promised.
"Thank you for this," Suri said gratefully.
"Just go," Erishkigal urged them. She had matters to wrap up with Dazaar. And she'd deceived both of the sisters. Erishkigal was totally prepared to exorcise the succubus from Amomodat. She had the spell prepped for instant usage. And Suri was as much her slave now as ever before. And she was the perfect spy because she didn't realize her every sense reported back to Erishkigal. So if Amomodat ever chose to betray her, Erish would cast both sisters into Hell.
Meanwhile, Erishkigal Narayana played the long game in her quest to annihilate human life.