Zuce turns around with her head hanging low. Her hair creates a shadow hiding her eyes.
"Seems I've caught you at a bad time." Just a plain lie.
The door behind opens but a gust of wind blows all around her along with a red blur. Kara stands in the doorway with her arms and legs spreading.
"No! Zuce, you're not going until we've dealt with your problem!" Zuce stops in front of Kara, still, her head is down.
"L-let me through…" Kara wouldn't have picked her line if she didn't have super hearing. Zuce clears her throat with a cough.
"Zuce, stay! I want to help!" Zuce raises her index and middle fingers, but Kara grabs her wrist and the other hand just in case she tries Instant Transmission. Kara pulls the arms to Zuce's sides despite much resistance. Oddly enough, it's only at half strength. She locks her friend's arms to the hips.
"JU-JUST LET ME GO!" A lot of volume more in that statement. Zuce's arms wiggle to escape, but her friend's death grip foils the attempt. Kara grunts as her arms are mustering their strength. Even in base form, Zuce's arms are inching higher and with her strength and body resisting, slides Kara to the door.
"NO!" With almost every fiber, she pushes back of the stubborn friend's assault. They are in a stalemate as none give the other ground. They headbutt each other. A minor shake and shockwave appear from their clash.
"THIS IS STUPID, K-K ARA! LEAVE ME ALONE! I DON'T NEED ANYTHING!"
"YOU'RE LYING! YOU'VE NEVER BEEN GOOD AT IT! QUITE FRANKLY, YOU'VE BEEN TURNING INTO A BIT0CH TO HANG WITH! I THOUGHT NOTHING OF YOUR BEHAVIOR AS OF LATELY, BUT THAT WAS MY FAULT FOR IGNORING THE SIGNS! IT'S BEEN GETTING WORSE WITH YOU? ARE YOU NOW THIS STUBBORN TO REJECT A FRIEND'S HAND? AM I STILL A FRIEND TO YOU, HUH?!"
Zuce tsks. Eyes turn teal, hair spikes and shifts to gold. With a boost in power, she gains the tide of battle. But Kara tightens her grip and wavers not an inch. Their elbows shift positions as they increase their strength to combat the other.
"Y-YES, YOU ARE, WHICH IS WHY YOU SHOULD STOP THIS! IT'S ISSUES I CAN RESOLVE ON MY OWN!"
Kara's eyes roll at the bullshit spewing from her mouth.
"APPARENTLY NOT! THIS HAS BEEN GOING FOR FAR TOO LONG! YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHY I AM A FRIEND! TO HELP YOU AND TO STOP ANY STUPID YOU'LL DO LATER!"
"I-I DON'T NEED HELP!"
"YOU MAY SAY THAT, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE SAYS OTHERWISE! LOOK AT YOURSELF? HOW YOU'VE BECOME SO ISOLATED AND SILENT! IS SOMETHING BOTHERI- NO- WHAT'S BOTHERING YOU, HUH?"
"NOTHING! I CAN GET THROUGH THIS ON MY OWN!"
Kara scoffs at the more lies she's laying. This is just an insult to the bonds they've formed. From a friendly spar to a denial of aid.
"THAT'S WHY YOU'VE BEEN UP AT NIGHT WITH A GLASS OF WATER ALONE AT A TABLE? YEAH, I KNOW ABOUT YOUR RECENT ACTIVITIES! IS IT JUST A NIGHTMARE THAT YOU'RE AFRAID OF? WHAT'S SO DETRIMENTAL THAT FORCED YOU TO BE THIS WAY? IS IT JUST A FEAR YOU HAVE? WHAT IS IT?"
This seems to have upset Zuce as she's pushing back against Kara and despite her efforts, can't hold her in place. Kara just poked the sleeping bear not with a stick, but a spear. Zuce instead of pushing, she twirls and brings her arms in and as a result, Kara crashes into her stiffy body. Zuce pushes her back a bit so their eyes can stare. She grabs at her biceps and steadies Kara. Her teeth are grinding along with the fury in her eyes.
Kara, on the other hand, is prepared to knock Zuce out with a headbutt. Even if it's just a moment, that's all she needs to get the truth some other way. Her body tenses as to increase the blow.
"MAYBE IT'S JUST THAT I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU AND THE OTHERS! THAT'S WHY I'VE BEEN LIKE THIS! THREE WORLDS, KARA, THREE! THREE WORLDS IN WHICH I HAVE LEFT NOTHING BUT A TRAIL OF CORPSES WHILE I FLY AWAY! DEATH AND DESTRUCTION FOLLOW ME EVERYWHERE, AND THE LAST THING I WANT IS FOR THIS PLACE TO END UP THE SAME! THAT I GET TRANSPORTED TO ANOTHER WORLD WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN WHICH I BEFRIEND BUT SOON LOSE!"
Kara stops in her tracks immediately after the first line. Her body relaxes. She can relate on a personal level. The destruction of Krypton, she left and saw it get destroyed. Parents sent her to space and also to watch over Kal-El. She was to be his protector, teach him everything she knows.
"Z-Zuc-"
"MAYBE I WANTED TO AVOID THE SAME FATE THAT WILL HAPPEN HERE! MY MOM *sniff* DIED IN FRONT OF ME WHILE I WAS HELPLESS TO DO ANYTHING! I DON'T KNOW WHAT BECAME OF THE MAN WHO TOOK US IN! TWO OF THOSE PLACES I'D CALLED HOME. BUT EVERY TIME I WALK THROUGH THAT INVITING DOOR, *sniff* THE HOUSE CRUMBLES WITH ME LEAVING!"
"…"
Kara bites her tongue as she would usually fire back as everyone has problems. It's just that Zuce's eyes are getting watery along with her emotional stutter. In addition, she finally reveals the weight shadowing her change in attitude. Something she needed to get off her back and for something Kara can listen.
"THE NIGHTMARES ARE A CONSTANT REMINDER OF HOW I FAILED THE PEOPLE THAT TOOK ME IN! NO MATTER HOW I GROW, BODIES PILE IN FRONT OF ME! AND I-I-I *sniff sniff* DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN HERE… OR TO YOU… *Sniff* I-I'M AFRAID I'LL LOSE THIS HOME, MORE OF MY FRIENDS, EVERYTHING!"
But her ship was knocked out of trajectory and when she came to, Kal-El was no longer a baby she cuddled, fed and played. He was a man, a man of deeds, heroism. A man who people look up too, a man who is always there to lend a helping hand. She failed her job to protect those entrusted to her, all because of some asteroids.
Something is bugging Kara as well. She blinks several times but it remains in a faded presence. It blocks some vision in the right eye. This time she rubs the nuisance. Zuce tries to fight back the tears and bows.
"Zuce…"
"I-I'M SCARED! SCARED SHITLESS THAT I CAN'T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT LEAVING A TRAIL OF BODIES! SCARED THAT I LOSE EVERYONE IMPORTANT TO ME! I'M SORR-RY I'VE BEEN ACTING THIS WAY! I JUST DON'T WANT TO INVOLVE YOU AS WELL!" But to no avail. She's in too deep to hold a chance against the sorrow. The sorrow of loss. How everything can change in an instant. What she holds dear soon to vanish. She persists but stares at the previous life she once wielded. Nothing more than a faded memory of which she carries with might, strength, and will. Of those she loved who have died, they are not truly dead but until they are forgotten. It takes will to move passed the past, but it takes courage to carry the burden. The weight of two homes is placed upon her. That they never be forgotten, discarded like ashes to the wind, that they continue to live through her. As the saying goes, you are never truly dead until the last person who remembers you dies.
But with Kara, this isn't an excuse, but rather needed context.
"THEN QUIT! I'M SICK OF THIS MOURNING! IF YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT THIS IS HOW LIFE IS GOING TO BE, THAT YOU'LL NEVER HAVE A GOOD LIFE THEN QUIT RIGHT HERE AND NOW! WALK THROUGH THAT DOOR AND TAKE THE TELEPORTER! I WON'T STOP YOU! BUT… if you think that there's a chance-no matter how small- that you could have a happy life again, that you could experience once more the joy of being around the ones you care for, seeing the smiles of your loved ones, don't you want to take it? If so, then… come to me."
Tears stream and drop to the floor. Her pearly whites are clenched tight but open for a gasp of air.
She stands in the middle of Kara and the door.
She glares at Kara but stares at the door.
…
She closes her eyes and turns.
Zuce takes a step and another.
…
She faces the object in front of her and lifts her arms.
And she wraps her arms around it.
Kara wraps Zuce. Zuce breaks down with a massive sob. Her arms wrap the fallen hero and unintentionally, their bodies hug and lower to the ground. Tears wet the area near her breasts. Kara brushes her hair.
Several droplets drip down her face as well. The sensation of having your life vanish before your eyes; what's worst is being powerless to do anything, to watch and not lift a finger. With a snap of a finger, it's all gone.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" A whimper. Soft and quiet. It doesn't carry to the other side of the room nor the intense but it's more than enough for her hearing.
"Don't ever do this again... Promise me this…"
"I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry…" Kara closes her eyes as tears stream to her cheek. Gripping her friend, all they can do is to weep their sorrows with a sniff here and there. As said before, orphans have an attraction to each other. Their loss, suffering, torment, despair, it plagues them all. But it only takes a moment of truth, light, and passion to drive them forward. To be better, get out of their current situation and make a better life for themselves and others. All it takes is for one bad day to be pushed over the edge. But that doesn't mean giving up and falling. Humanity, mortals, beings capable of emotions and thought are persistent, and they are capable of grabbing onto the ledge. Refusing to fall into the chasm of hatred, of losing their identity. It's that humanity will not be pushed so easily and will fight tooth and nail to stay, to be alive.
Zuce may have fallen, but sure as hell not without any resistance. Kara breaks a smile and into tears as Zuce continues. She must have been one hell of a person from where she lived. The contact between them tightens as Kara holds Zuce in a motherly embrace. Zuce digs her fingers into her shoulders, and Kara accepts the pain, the losses she's endured, all of it. At times, a person just needs to bust, to scream to the high heavens what's wrong with the world. No man or woman can plug what they want to scream for so long. It comes out one way or another.
"I'm always here for you… we all are."
*A few minutes later*
Kara hands another tissue. Taking it, Zuce clears her nose with a blow before throwing it in the already filled trash-can.
"…Thanks…" The tears have stopped, but there's an occasional sniff.
"Hey… you can stop thanking me. I've been there you know? There were days where I just wanted to scream as loud as I can about my problems. Believe me, I do. Kal being overly protective or how this lifestyle is what I would never imagine, and that I just can't adjust to this radical change. You're not so different. We've all been there. We fight our demons from sunrise to sunset."
"I just… felt like the whole weight of the world weighed on my shoulders, and I kept on disappointing them. I can't. I can't go anymore…" But Kara, in a whiff, grapples Zuce's shoulders again, but this time with stern on her face.
"Then be better. it's alright to stop and cry. All of us have those moments, but we learn to reflect and move forward. There were times where I thought my life was over, hell, I almost gave up. But… if I did, I would disappoint all those who entrusted their hopes and dreams with me." She stares at the huge S on her chest. "I could never wear this symbol again. I do what I do because I can, not because I'm forced to. I keep moving forward to see what the next day brings."
A great big silence rolls over the both of them. It all could end in a moment, hanging up the cape and suit. Let the others do the work. But that's not her; that is not Kara Zor-El, that's not Supergirl. She is and always will be a beacon for hope. Kara wipes away a tear building in her eye after that moment. Kal-El's attitude is rubbing off of on her and this time, she's glad. Zuce simply gazes without focusing on anything.
Zuce's head rocks. All because of a simple concept. To improve as a person, since life was created. To strive for the betterment of the individual. It's how people are satisfied with their life. To be improving in aspects they lack. Be better. She repeats it over and over. The ability, no, the drive to move forward.
Could I?
Zuce blinks several times. Zuce's hands slide and they grapple Kara's. She welcomes the warm embrace as best friends do. They hug out their differences.
"Promise me that this will never happen again?" A blink and nod. All the signs pointing to a yes. Kara releases a huge sigh as she releases Zuce and crashes on the bed.
Kara eyes Zuce; it seems something is on Zuce's mind. The body language is there with her biting her bottom lip and blinking in excess.
"Hey, could I… sleep here? I don't-"
"Yeah, sure, no problem."
"Thanks…"
And so ends the misery, the loss, the arc of sorrow.
*Several Days Later*
Star City
…
*Brrrrr, Brrrrr, Brrrrr*
"OH YEAHHHH!"
Amidst the ringing, a huge explosion goes off and debris and bricks scatter. The people close to the wall are blown to the other side of the street while others further away feel a humongous tremble. It is as if a wrecking ball landed next to them. Several fall on their butts as they can't handle the tremors. Smoke quickly follows as people close are recovering from the blast. The smoke reveals a black entity as it begins its walk.
With the figure stepping out of the smoke, the details are clearer. To say that he is built would be an understatement, or that he is well-defined. Standing at only 8'0ft and wearing a camo tank top, he is a mountain. He flexes on top of the piles of brick. It's a vein-fest as almost all his veins are popping out as well as his biceps. He slicks back his brown mohawk
A loud squeaky chuckle can be heard behind him and as if on cue, a much shorter person clears through the smoke with two large bags. The short person is donning a lab coat with goggles and yellow gloves. His hair is spiked and crazy all around; that's either from the explosion or poor hygiene.
"Bond, this has been a success!"
"Oh yes it has, nothing can match the might and intellect of the Annihilator and the Brainiac! We are going to be rich, Clyde!"
However, while they converse with how great the duo are, several police cars and a SWAT mobile drift around the corner and approach from down the street. They stop and rush out with guns drawn on the muscle and brain. Hundred of clicks are heard as the safeties are flicked off. Pistols, shotguns, semi-autos, they have brought the big guns.
"STOP RIGHT THERE! HANDS IN THE AIR!" A helicopter rolls on it with its spotlight hitting them dead center. A man sits on the edge with a red-dot sight trained on Clyde's forehead. The pair stops talking and bat their attention to the heavily armed force. Bond steps ahead of Clyde with his arms raised while Clyde's are still by his side. The corner of Bond's mouth moves and Clyde responds with a nod.
"Officers, there is no-" He takes a step.
"NOT ANOTHER STEP FURTHER! ONE LAST TIME, YOU, IN THE TANK TOP! HANDS IN THE AIR NOW!" Clyde complies with the biggest cheek to cheek grin one could imagine. It bears his pearly white teeth to the point of several officers being creeped out by this act in their current predicament. But they hold fast and steady their aim.
"Officers, this can be peacefully resolved. Lowers guns and walk away or else there will be hell to pay. First and last warning… we will-"
"FAT CHANCE, NOW, GET ON THE GROUND!"
"DO AS HE SAYS!
Bond frowns at the officer's constant interruption. He does not like to be cut off. It's rude and he doesn't like to be treated like a crumpled piece of paper. His right eye twitches before turning his gaze upon his much bigger brother.
"Unleash the Destruction!"
"With pleasure!" He slams his fist into his massive abs but not before all of the law enforcement fire. The tank top expands and covers Clyde from head to toe in a mixture of blood-red and sun-gold leather. A huge slanted gold with red trims A symbol materializes on his chest. His head spurts two black elongated horns and a small black platform comes out of the back. White shades cover his eyes but while all that's covered, they can still see his pearly white teeth glistening in the sun. He roars with all his might and will.
Bond, on the other hand, twists his left google and what occurred to Clyde happens to Bond except for that two antennas spout out of his suit and the letter B with the same design philosophy appears on his chest. He jumps and climbs his way to the platform. His boots emit some lightning to the platform before a loud *thud* appears as the boots attach to the platform. The platform rises several inches above Clyde's head.
The bullets all shatter upon contact of the suits but that doesn't dissuade the police to stop firing. Law enforcement increases their assault on the two villains but to no avail. The caliber of the sniper doesn't even leave a scratch on the material despite aiming at the head.
"Let's show them the true meaning of the Annihilator and the Brainiac!" Bond whips out his arm and a bunch of cubes deconstructs his hand and reform into an energy revolver. He cocks the hammer and fires six green shots. The task force takes cover behind their armored vehicles while those thinking they can still get a good shot to continue to fire.
The bullets pierce into several vehicles while some hit the road. Those who took cover now are returning fire, ignorant of the bullets stuck in the materials. The bottom of the bullets begins to sparkle before
*BOOSHHHHHHH*
A fourth of July fireworks and explosions fill the areas the cops and swat teams were in.
"AHHHHHH!"
"FUCK, IT BURNSSSS!"
"FIRE, FIRE, FIRE!"
It's nothing short of pure chaos with justice. Cops flying through the air, cops on fire, everyone trying to avoid the cars now coming down as a result as well as trying to continue their assault against the two. Those lucky to avoid the hellscape are pushing forward; some divert to aid others while a number of them are still firing.
"Charge, brother! Tear these fools to pieces! Let the whole world know that no one can stand up against the Barrow brothers!" Clyde grunts. With each step, the earth shakes. The pavement cracks, lamp posts are bent, a fire hydrant nearby shoots into the sky, releasing a torrent of upstream water. It causes the remaining officers to lose their footing and accuracy as he continues. With his freight train momentum, he is upon the brave officers who still dare stand in their way. He raises his fists to slam down.
But, out of the blue, two arrows fly by the officers and strike Clyde in his masked face and his feet. Instantly, ice forms and covers the afflicted areas. Clyde stops midway of his smash and wiggles around as he can't breathe nor see. Bond looks down and examines his brother with care.
"Who did this to you?!"
"Tis is I, Robin Hood! Here to take back the gold you stole! And giveth backeth to the people contributh."
On top of a police car that somehow was unaffected by the ensuing chaos, billionaire by day, archer by night and with a gorgeous partner by his side, it's the Green Arrow! Green Arrow notches another arrow back and releases it back towards the center of the hellscape. A big puff of a white chemical envelopes the area. With the white chemical touching the fire, it extinguishes the flame. Several police and swat members jump or are thrown into the big cloud while those seriously injured are pulled out.
"I always wanted to say that. Now, why don't you give up, Tweedle-dee and Tweedled-dum? If you don't, I've an important timer to keep in my head."
But all Bond does is laugh. The ice has a red glow underneath and it soon all dissolves with Clyde shaking his head.
"Hehehe! The Green Arrow? Is that what the Justice League has sent? I am a genius! One that could rival Lex Luthor and Elon Musk! Clyde has the strength of Superman and could easily kill you with a flick of his finger!
"Keep on monologuing… Was it from ten or five? Five, yeah, from five…"
"You, a mere human, have no chance against us gods! A bow and arrow as your weapon of choice? This isn't the medieval ages! This is the perk of humanity! My sheer intellect could run galaxies across your feeble mind!"
"Look who's talking, cowboy. All that science in that suit and you create a revolver with explosive ammo, whoop di doo. With that much knowledge, you lack any creativity!" Several of the unafflicted officers crack a smile even in the tense situation. Damnnnn, this makes Bond's blood volcanically erupting. They're laughing at him, just as his family, supposed friends, they are all laughing at him. This robbery was to stop them wrong, wrong in their actions! He and Clyde are outcast, outcast just because of an uncontrollable attribute. Clyde for his simple mind despite his size, Bond the exact opposite. They will get nowhere in life, the unfit are meant to die. With the money, they could live luxurious lives where they can look down on everyone else. They need this money! He will prove them wrong, HE WILL PROVE THEM ALL WRONG!
"KILL HIM NOWWWWW!" He screeches like a parrot with blood vessels popping into the mask.
"Alright, five-"
"RAWRRR, HOW DARE YOU MAKE FUN OF LITTLE BRO! YOU'RE DEAD MEAT!" His steps are now causing mini tremors with Green Arrow having to balance on the roof of the car. He notches his arrow back once more and he lowers his body to the point of where it seems like he's sliding.
"Four, three-" He releases the arrow. The projectile flies and collides with Clyde putting his arm out to protect against whatever's in that arrow. A cloud of smoke erupts from the arrow but that doesn't stop the Annihilator.
"GET HIM, CLYDE, GET HIM!" The revolver changes into an actual energy blaster. Something that has the appearance and feel of high tech and science. Something worth of value and that is modern.
"Two, one-"
The Annihilator cocks his fist as he sees a shadow similar to the superhero. The Brainiac aims his blaster and a green energy orb appears at the end. Clyde brings down the hammer on the silhouette and it dissipates. The impact blows away the smoke and all that's left is the front of the vehicle smashed into the pavement. Bond quickly scans the area as Green Arrow's not where to be seen.
"Looking for me, Einstein? I guess you need better magnification on those goggles of yours." He snaps towards the voice, and Green Arrow is on the ledge of a three-story building. As they lay their eyes on him, he gives them a two-finger salute. Clyde leaps towards the archer and as Bond prepares to fire as they are in mid-air; one question rings in his mind. Why is the son of a bitch smiling?
The answer can be found within a fist engraving into Clyde's face. Although Arrow can't see it, he can imagine the look of the big oaf's face and his grin is from cheek to cheek. They crash into a building across from Green Arrow and when they come to, a big black shadow looms over them. It's the car Clyde smashed real good and now, it is brought down like a hammer. Parts fly everything from the smash as Clyde is stuck in the middle of the torn car while Bond is recovering from the impact of the car.
With a mighty scream, Clyde breaks out of the hold and his furious grunts are long. A boxing glove arrow hits him square in the forehead but, it has no effect.
"Damn… that usually works. Oh well, I brought an even bigger one."
Clyde huffs and puffs. These suits are supposed to grant them the best protection science can give, was Bond wrong? No, Bond's never wrong. These people are just lucky, that's all.
A smaller shadow covers the duo. They have on a black sleeveless shirt that covers part of the neck and pants with a grey belt to wrap around their waist. A glimmer beams off the edge of their orange visor.
Clyde rapidly hunches over to charge after the hero standing in front, but what he didn't realize was that Bond was still dazed and that the previous crash had knocked a boot out off the platform. So, as he hunched over, the magnetic force would usually have kept him in place despite the loss but, with enough of a pull, it can be set free. Bond flies passed his shoulder and ragdolls at the speeds of a cheetah.
Clyde tries to grab his brother but he misses all of his attempts so he stands up and charges after him immediately. Called it a protective instinct to shield those who share a bond together. But the hero in question catches the flying Brainiac by his chest with an open palm and vanishes before his eyes.
They rematerialize with an open palm centered of his left pec. Their finger-tips are an inch away from the chest. The palm closes into a fist and strikes. The blow goes an inch deep, passed the suit's defense and into his skin. A huge imprint is left in the suit as Clyde staggers backward. The taste of blood enters his mouth. He stops and gasps but that'll be his last as they charge and lay another punch into his stomach. Spit flies out of his mouth with his eyes turning blood red immediately. Foams appear at his mouth before he hunches over and falls to his eyes, unconscious.
Bond… Bond was wrong. These suits, these suits were useless. All their plans, their goals, down into the toilet.
The hero turns the now clear-headed Bond on his stomach. They chop at his neck and he goes limp. They set Bond next to his brother before floating to where Green Archer is. He stands there with his infectious smile and a chuckle.
"Nice job, kid. I knew you could do it!"
Comet answers with a nod.
…
"Ollie, you can't let the newcomers do all the work!" Dinah strikes his shoulder, and he winces at her sting. He processes to rub the area afflicted.
"Wel-well I didn't! It was all part of my master plan!"
"A simply bait and switch isn't a 'masterplan'."
"It is in my book. And I'm not hearing any complaints from Comet?" Dinah stares at Zuce and she sheepishly shrugs with a smile.
"I'm not complaining. It's… fun taking down these people." Dinah's attention turns back to a 'See? I told you so' expression on Oliver and she scoffs and rolls her eyes. He wins this argument… butttt that just means he's on the couch for tonight. So in the end, it doesn't even matter; she wins regardless.
"At least there were no fatalities, I'll give you that. It could have been a lot worse if you didn't step in." All that said while not giving an ounce to the mastermind of the plan. Ollie reads the body language of his wife.
"Hey!"
Black Canary strikes at his chest.
"I'm playing with you, tiger. The way you stepped in was very heroic, my Robin Hood." She curls against his body, and Green Arrow lets out a chuckle. He's going out with a bang!
"I know…"
And with that, Zuce walks out of the room and down to the cafeteria. She spots the familiar red, blue, and blonde. She pulls up a chair and joins the roundtable of superheroes.
"-And then he tried to sucker punch me which I saw coming from miles away! I was like 'NOT UP IN HERE!' and caught the punch. Oh man! The look on his face when I knew exactly what he was thinking! I give him the greatest of wedgies of all time, one for the history books, boys and girls." All around Captain Marvel is laughter and chuckles. Blue Beetle and Cyborg are pounding the table as they have the greatest laugh of them all. Beast Boy snorts as he laughs while Kara rolls her eyes with a grin. Zuce shares a small grin.
"HAHAHA! I can't imagine what that was like for him!"
"Think of when you have too much groceries and the shopping bags weigh like a thousand each. That was my wedgie, the guy deserved it too! I am so glad Guy isn't on the Justice League." A question ignites in her head.
"Isn't he part of the JLS?" They all turn to the new voice and see that's Zuce has returned.
"Oh heyyy, you're back. And nooooo, Justice League International where he got knocked out in one punch by a particular dark knight."
Kara shifts to be more on her side.
"Sooo, how was it?"
"It… it was fine. Green Arrow let me take them down after he did his distraction." Beast Boy scoffs at the simple explanation.
"Oh come now, there's got to be more. How did you personally take them out? Give them a whole serving of that blue wave thingy? Or, or, was it more of that yellow thingy?" Zuce chuckles at his curiosity.
"No, they were down in four strikes. If there was anything special, I did a one-inch punch on the bigger brother. Nothing else was special about that."
Unlike Black Canary, Supergirl wraps an arm around Zuce.
"Nothing special? That was your first supervillain takedown! Feel proud about it! That's one less evil we have to worry about. I'm so proud of you!" A quick peck on the cheek for how she has grown within a past few days. An excellent student who just needed some one-on-one guidance through hardship. Some people are terrible at self-evaluation but when they hear the truth, it hits and leaves an everlasting impression. For a month, she had self-inflicted mental stress. She just needed some clairvoyance and now, now she's out in the field at last and without the stigma of the pessimism.
Captain Marvel smirks.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're falling for Zuce." Kara scoffs.
"No wa-" All the times they've hung out, trained, the times they've gotten close with the past and secrets, the fun times as well, hell, they've slep- Kara tries to shake away the blush. Zuce sits clueless at what Captain Marvel's suggesting.
"No, we're just great friends." "We're best friends."
Captain Marvel waves his hand in the comedic sense.
"I'm kidding, kidding. BUTTTT-"
He gets a death stare from Supergirl. She cracks her neck and knuckles. He sheepishly chuckles.
"It's all in good fate here. And I think my lunchtime is over, so GOTTA FLY!" And with that, Captain Marvel zooms with the speed of lightning out of the cafeteria. He blows some food into people's faces accidentally, and they growl at the Boy Wonder. Oh, he's gonna get it.
Beast Boy, on the other hand, is amazed.
"One-inch punch? You mean the one-inch punched done by the legendary Bruce Lee? Oh! Could you do it on me? I want to experience the legendary move!" Cyborg snickers to the side. Him? No way in hell could he take that.
"You couldn't even handle a splinter in your finger. How are you gonna take a blow like that?"
He scoffs
"Shut up, dude! I can totally take it! Now, come on! Hit me!" But Zuce puts her hands up.
"Sorry, even if I were to hold back tremendously, you would probably die. If I were to use the same force on you as I did them, you'd die. Trust me on this. You don't want me punching you…" Kara shakes her head at the simplistic but… a cute aspect of Beast Boy.
"And we're also in a space station so you would probably go through everything which would open a vacuum. That goes for everyone, including me. Getting sucked into space isn't fun."
Blue Beetle finishes his drink of Coke and lets out a satisfying 'ahhhhhh'.
"But it would be so cool to watch that movie! Maybe there will be a Youtube video of it later!"
"It's the internet, I'm sure there's already one out there. Let's go!" Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Blue Beetle all rush to the main entertainment room where they can watch their shows on 16k all thanks to the funding of Bruce Wayne. What a great man to essentially fund this whole operation.
This just leaves Supergirl and Zuce together. Kara eyes the body language, and nothing shows signs of excitement. With her arm wrapped around Zuce's neck, she gives a bit of tug. It couldn't be…
"Hey, are you feeling down again?" But Zuce shakes her head.
"No… it's just that the fight… felt… how do you put it… boring?"
"Hmmm, how so?"
"Four punches is all it took to bring them down. I guess it's the Saiyan DNA within that always seeks and thrives off true battle. A battle that makes our blood boil and fingers inching to clash with, those battles are what we seek."
"Oh, I'm sure they'll pop up, but the main goal is to always stop the villain. Remember that."
"I do. The fights that really get me going are the ones with you. You certainly don't back down and try your best. I like that about you." This causes Captain Marvel's comment to echo throughout her mind. Unknowingly, she ponders on the past month or so how they've spent their time together. Again. She instinctively blushes as she recalls all the events prior to this moment. I just gave her a kiss on the cheek, but that's what close friends do right? In a celebratory or greeting manner? But I'm also her teacher and that we're close in age… AHHHHH! Screw you, no, no, no! We're just friends, we're just friends, we're just friends. Zuce bats an eye as Kara starts to mutter to herself. A thing she does when she's nervous.
"He's wrong… he's wrong!"
With that, she fully turns her head. Kara's face is bloodshot and that she's breathing a bit heavy.
"Something wrong?" What's going with her? I have never seen her this nervous. Last time was when she got pulled over for a traffic stop.
Her statement breaks out of her trace and she snaps to Zuce.
"No, no, everything's fine… Oh look at the time, I've got some stuff to do… b-back on Earth! I'll catch you later!"
"Yeah… I'll see you later tonight."
An atomic bomb goes off on her face. Sweat floods down her face. Engage the internally screaming of a confused girl.
"Gotta go! Bye!" And with that, she's gone in a flash. Zuce shrugs off the weird behavior and gets in line for some food.
…
*Bzzzz… bzzzzz. bzzzzz*
"Fuck you, man!"
"Fuck off, you little shit!" Two people are fighting each other in the street. One of them pulls out of a knife and starts running after the other person. The other person bolts. The armed person beats his chest as to assert dominance.
"That's right, nigger! Don't fuck with me!"
…
*BANG BANG*
"AWWW! MY BABY! THEY SHOT MY BABY BOY!" The mother pours out tears as she is cradling her precious child in her arms. A car outside speeds off as the shooter brings his arm back into the car. The child's eyes darken as he bleeds from a stomach wound. The mother wails in the pool of her child's blood.
…
*THAWCK*
A small woman, no older than seventeen, screams and cries as she hits the ground.
"[DO NOT SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT, WOMAN! YOU WILL NOT SPEAK A WORD]!" Her husband approaches her and slaps her several more times resulting in her wailing in pain. Other people walk past the scene and don't even give a glance. Her cries for help go unanswered.
…
"Hey, officer, I'm so glad you came. I need a jump on my car, it fucking die earlier, and I'm almost late to work!"
The man in the blue uniform chuckles.
"Hehe, say no more, partner. You got the cables or should I?" The other guy nods.
"Yeah, I got them." He pops the trunk and grabs the wires. They attach to the cars' batteries and the guy turns the ignition. The car lights up with its headlights on.
"Thank you so much, officer!"
…
"Stop the feeds. Data: There has been enough collected."
All the many screens stop instantaneously. There are two sets of those of those screens but each screen is playing a different feed. Most of the feeds are of people getting shot, robbed, assaulted, etc. Very rare are of people helping each other. But in-between them is a bridge.
As it zooms out, it seems to be the lens of a face and that the bridge is the bridge of the nose. All the screens vanish and all that's left are his dilatating pupils. It can't stay in place as the eyes are scanning everything about the planet.
As it zooms out more, he's in floating adrift in space, facing mother Earth in all her glory. The teal seas and oceans, some partly covered in the white clouds, her lustrous green… earth and desert, the white tips for the mountains. A portion of the world is covered in darkness but it's illuminated by little sparks, no bigger than a firefly's, but populated all around.
"Query: Father, you created me so that I could live, experience what it means to be mortal. But why should I be a mortal? Contradiction: These beings all across the planets I have traveled have brought nothing but destruction and moral decay. You were nothing but a loving father, but your love was not enough. Unanswered queries: Why do these beings act in these manners? You told me that justice always prevails but now, evil outweighs the justice? Has this been a lie? Possible explanation: This planet is like the other seven I've cleansed of their vices. There may be more out there that embody the chivalric values that I seek."
His eyes dilate even wider. Several screens flash before his optics with him examining the behaviors of the other planets. The screens show a collective behavior of the people embodying the seven deadly sins, however, there are a few screens showing the good these people are doing. They aiding others in walking the elderly across the street, flowers being delivered to those in hospitals, fathers, and mothers raising their children to the best of their abilities. However, all the screens stop once more. One of the screens, specifically the one showing the dad, is zoomed before being pushed back.
"Analysis: These mortals are capable of great empathy; however, their acts of evil outweigh the good. I have taken in seven different planets; all shared similar patterns. The likelihood of other planets being different is a 10% chance. I have given the benefit of doubt to all, but now I see clearly. Apology: I am sorry, father. I could not honor your dying wish that you hoped for. I have tried, but they have rejected the values of the stories you have told me about. You trusted them, and they killed you in return."
The entity clenches his fist. All the screens vanish into nothingness, and his optics stop dilating.
"Solution: A cleanse of the whole universe. Stratergy: Targetting most prominent areas then, recharge and scan again. Done: First three areas. Initiating: Idealize areas to hit. Done. Operation: WorldBreaker."
The entity tilts its massive body so that its front side is facing towards the planets. Its back opens up with several ignitions, and the godly being thrusts to Earth.
The being hears a large boom but he doesn't react to it. It's just him breaking the sound barrier again. The entity's body is gaining heat as he nears the orbit and that gravity is in effect.
*FOOSSHHHHH*
His massive 8ft body has caught fire, but it doesn't even faze him. The fire nor re-entry into the planet does not bother or harm him as he continues his pathway. He meteors down to a great city with high skyscrapers and busy traffic.
Several people are staring into the sky as a massive red ball is in the sky. That all changes when it's heading in their direction and at an alarming rate. People lit up the streets with their screams.
"AHHHHHHH!"
"[RUN FOR YOUR LIVES]!"
"[GOD HELP US ALL]!"
"[THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING]!"
*THWOOOOOOSH*
All extinguished when he crash-lands and a mountainous white explosion goes off the moment he touched the ground.
The white explosion continues and expands, consuming all in its path. It could be seen from Titan, a moon of Saturn. It is as if creation was minimalized into that big bang. The people evacuating are consumed by a huge blinding white light as well as the buildings, cars, pets, everything the light touches. Other people feel a violent vibration through the house before the white light consumes them.
But the white light dies off.
And all that's left is dust. Not a single person or object in sight.
Just dust.
The being stands up and with his optics surveys the surviving, no, lifeless environment. His optics show no signs of any, living or inanimate. It's simply nothing as if there had been no signs of industry, modernization. As if, nothing ever happened to this land.
"Success: Time for the other key targets." And he jets himself outside Earth's atmosphere.
And he comes down.
Bringing god's hammer of justice.
…
*Earlier*
"So… you needed me?"
Zuce stands around as a small Atom is moving about in the lab. She whistles at the current state of the lab.
It's an utter mess in here. Papers on the ground, spread out on tables, creeping out of stuffed folders, on boards. The boards are littered with a scribble that an average reader won't understand to the point that she just emptily stares at it. All the knowledge catapulted over her head. Vials are empty, everywhere, and range from pink, blue, green, a neon green.
On the lab table, there is a wide dirt container holding a bunch of little green plants. The plants have a little grey what looks to be a bean hanging off its singular branch. Why does that shape seem so familiar?
He jumps off the table and phases into his normal size. He mutters to himself as all high intellect genius do before facing her.
"Ah, yes, thank you for stopping by. You remember that Sentu bean you gave to Batman?"
"The Senzu bean Maybe? It's been a month… I think so."
"Senzu, not sentu, got it! Batman muttered when I asked him and it's been driving me nuts on accuracy! Anyway, thanks to your donation, we've managed to almost duplicate the entire bean itself!" He bends over and picks up a bean off a plant and holds it out front. She leans forward and sees that it has the almost exact shape, even the little cut at the top, except for that it's grey.
"Doc, my bean is green; yours is-"
"Grey, yes, I know. That's why I said 'almost'. The original will always be the best. Sequel, eh, maybe."
Zuce hmphs.
"A few questions… why? And what does your version do?"
"Well, my curious student, it is in the ever so case that bag of yours would get destroyed, stolen, run out, etc. This is our supply of those Senzu beans in a worst-case scenario. As for what it can do, well, it's a weaker version where you're fed for maybe around five days but most of your wounds are healed. Honestly, if we could mass produce these, it could solve world hunger. In a sense."
"What's stopping you?"
This is where the Atom sighs and takes off his goggles.
"It's estimated in the best conditions, it would take about two years to fully develop and a 30% chance for them to drop another seed since the plants are a one-time use. But hell, that's what's science is. Taking risks and seeing the end result!"
"So, what are you going to do with this batch?"
"Easy, grow them in the secure location." Zuce lifts a smile.
"Wow… I can't bel-"
But she stops short. The happiness drops instead replaced with a shocked expression. Something's wrong! Her fingers twitch a bit. Her mouth is left wide open, and she tries to formulate words. It feels like a massive blackout… but with people's energy signature. What… what the hell is going on? Ray Palmer bats an eye to the hero. What happened to her?
The Atom waves his hand in front of a stunned Comet. She abruptly stopped and seems to be in a trace or in deep thought, one of the two. He snaps his fingers, and it breaks her out of the spell.
"You alright, do I need to check up on you?" But she shakes and bolts to the window outside. She places her hands on the panel and Ray follows. Her eyes focus in on the Middle East. It's currently nighttime there, so why aren't the lights visible? Where are any of the lights?
"Something's happened down there. I felt all these life signature disappearing within seconds."
Ray quirks an eye as to think that this is a joke. Haha, guys, you're not going to get me this time. Give it up now if you think you can send in a rookie to fool me. However, the tone, body language, they all tell a different sign. And as he follows her eyes to where she stares, his expression drops.
"Oh god, you're being serious."
She winces twice more and stares at the United States, particularly the top section of the Mid-West.
"No… it can't…"
Suddenly, the entire tower flashes red.
*BRRRRRRR…BRRRRRRRRR…BRRRRRRRRR*
"ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS, THIS IS A DEFCON 5, I REPEAT THIS IS A DEFCON 5. EVERYONE REPORT TO THE MAIN HUB! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!"
They both bolt down the hallways and run along some other heroes. They all reach the central area and on a massive projector visualizes three different screens. Chicago, Illinois, Detroit, Michigan, and the entire Middle East. The significance of these places is that there is nothing. Not nothing to show, but rather these places are nothing. Simply dust, as if neither nature nor humans have integrated there.
Several other screens have news crews reporting all the same thing, that these places have been wiped clean. Some reporters have theories if an explosion could have caused this.
Several heroes and workers hold in their mouths. This is mass genocide. A slaughterhouse.
Atom bolts over to Steel.
"Have you contacted them?"
"Something's blocking our comms. Damnit! They're helping Lantern in negotiating a peace treaty between two warring tribes. A lot of people are off-world, and it would take them a day or so to get back. Even then, they're helping other species!"
Atom stares back at the Chicago screen.
*BOOM*
"Wait! What's this!"
Everyone stares at the screen with the frantic reporter. The camera has two people duking it out. All their eyes light up as they see the familiar red streak across the camera in the distance. The red person launches a bunch of haymakers while creating a tornado around the other person. The other person extends their arms out and a massive red blast explodes from within. The red tornado stops and the person is launched back and skips across the ground.
The camera zooms into the fallen, and the familiar S symbol shines in the sunlight.
"Ladies and gentlemen! It's Supergirl, but who is this individual?!"
Steel furiously takes into his keyboard before slamming enter.
"Supergirl, can you read me?"
"Loud and clear! This is the machine that took out all those places. It tells me it's commencing operation: Worldbreaker, so that's what I've been calling it! Hey, if you could, please send in all the heavy hitters to my location!" The so-called Worldbreaker charges lightning fast that the camera got him in the last frame as he's throwing a jawbreaker. She bobs her head and the punch clears her shoulder. Using the momentum, she lands several blows to where the liver is. A red shield stops her assault. The machine rockets back with his thrusters on his chest.
Steel swiftly turns around and counts who's here: Captain Marvel, Beast Boy, Cyborg, Atom, Comet, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Firestorm, and Blue Beetle. And she requested heavy hitters. A light bulb dings.
"Ok, here's the plan, three teams. Two are going to provide survey and provide aid to those afflicted by the explosions. See if there are any survivors. Team One will be Beast Boy, Cyborg, Firestorm, and Atom! Team Two will be Blue Beetle, Black Canary, and Green Arrow! Team Three will be Comet and Captain Marvel! I'll be up here monitoring the whole situation! Got it! Now go!"
Teams One and Two are bomb rush to the Javelins. Team Three get on the transporters. Zuce clenches her fists until they are white. All those people… gone. Just lik- NO! I can't change the past… but I can preserve this world. I can and I WILL! Zuce releases her fists and takes a deep breath in and out. Hold on, Kara, we're coming!
Several of the members run off to the emergency supplies department. All except for the Atom.
"Steel, let me go with Team Three. If anyone can find a weakness within that thing, it's me. Trust me on this!" They stare for a moment before Steel sighs. Everyone up here is a bit too stubborn. And also, there's no time for arguments.
"Alright!" He pushes into the comms. "Atom will now be on Team Three. Continue on with your objectives!" The Atom rushes over to join the others while Steel is typing in the coordinates. Time is of the essences!
"Fighting an android before Christmas? Wow, I never thought this would happen!"
The Atom smirks at Captain Marvel's enthusiasm.
"There's always a chance that it would happen."
"…"
Steel hits the main key and a blue light hovers over them, but it abruptly cuts off. Two of the screens Detroit and Chicago go dead. Those standing on the platform stare into the light.
"No, nO, NO! Motherfucker!" Steel slams onto the keyboard.
Atom steps off.
"What happened?!"
"A strong EMP when off and it's not letting me teleport you guys over there! We've also lost Supergirl's comms as well! The nearest place I can transport is in Europe!"
Almost everyone's faces drop. It'll be too far to get there in time and who knows the outcome of the fight? An android shows up out of the blue and wipes off more than half a billion people? That thing has to be stopped here and now and Team Three, until the prime people get back, are their only chance.
Zuce closes her eyes, steadies her mind, and puts two fingers on her forehead. Where are you… I won't… I can't let any more people die. Flashbacks of Earth, Planet Vegeta, and Titan scream across her mind. Of innocents dying and fires raging, but Zuce shuts it all out.
Find your peace, find your peace. The past is what you have done, what you do now is move on… Her senses dull while her mind increases. No more… I won't let anyone think that they're God and they can do whatever they damn well please.
"My top speed can get us there in a minute tops! Speed of Mercury!" A shine illuminates the central hub as his feet are energized with lightning.
Zuce's eyes flash open as she located her energy signature. She's heavily duking it out with Worldbreaker.
"Hey, grab my hand or shoulder! I can get us there within seconds!"
"You can?"
She nods.
"How? I mean your top speed can't match Super-"
"Just GRAB IT!" The instant rise in her voice causes him to grab her shoulder and the Atom her hand. Captain Marvel sheepishly clears his throat and whistles away.
In an instant, they dematerialize to the shock of everyone there. A poof of smoke is left in their position.
…
*Formerly Chicago, IL*
They rematerialize in the new desert of Chicago. Supergirl and Worldbreaker match punch after punch. Each blow sends a dust wave in a spherical shape.
Atom steps forward and scoops the ground. It's dust, dirt, and ash. His worst suspicions. A mighty wind howls and blows the mound piece by piece. Atom sighs and dumps the rest out. Zuce instinctively rockets forward but a hand stops her.
"We need a plan. We sure as hell are not letting that Android leave this place. So here's what I'm thinking, with him being a robot and all, he has a big weakest, but it's inside. you guys can distract the robot while I figure out a way to get inside and shut him. Got it?" Captain Marvel points his finger.
"Watch out!
Comet phrases through Atom and as he realizes, his head swings around to see that she hasn't gone far. Another head joins where her head's at and Atom swings around to see that she caught Supergirl.
She grunts and spits to the side a mixture of spit and blood. Comet sets the slightly injured hero on her feet.
"That's not going to work. I've buried him several meters under. We have a few seconds to come up with one."
"Well, what can he do?"
"He has a fucking ray shield and I couldn't make any thick lining where you could fit. His ray shield seems to absorb all the punches I've thrown at him but the area only covers my fist, so maybe there's something to it. He then can use his shield as some sort of projectile from his fingertips. They're the tracking sort and it feels like what I've thrown gets redirected back."
The ground beneath volcanically shakes. Only a few seconds left.
"Is that all?"
"He's also as fast and powerful as Comet in her second golden form."
Comet tsks. Captain Marvel slams his fists like a judge hitting his gravel on the little platform.
"I got it! We just have to hit him really, really hard!"
They all stare with the most profuse expression.
The ground explodes with a giant hole and a figure flies out of it with his thrusters. He lands menacingly before standing on all two. His optics scan the new contenders of defending humanity.
"Useless: You may bring all the fighters but nothing can stop the cleansing of mor-"
His ray shield activates as a fist is merely an inch away from his face. It's one of the new fighters. Her face, it's calm and collected. But inside rages a fire so fierce that would the sun blush.
"You're not going to do any of that. Not WHILE I'M HERE!" A burst of white energy causes the Worldbreaker to skid across the desert land. The others brace for the giant wave for they got the lesser end of the stick. Captain Marvel holds out his arm to stop the Atom from skidding or tripping.
Comet's hair is spiked but has not changed colors. But an ahoge pops out near her forehead. Lightning sparks all around the white aura that has consumed her.
"Say… that one more time."
She stares at the thing with eyes of a warrior, a protector, a defender.
AHHHHHH! FOUR MONTHS! JESUS! I BLAME MYSELF FOR NOT BEING MOTIVATED TO FINISH THIS CHAPTER! But anyway, hey, I'm back. Sorry this took so long. I'm in college now so grades really count. I finally have a roadmap of where I want this story to go with. I'm already working on the next chapter as you are reading this and it's going to be action-packed, duh.
Guest: Mystic, or Ultimate Form
Alternate Redskys: It's fine.
Guest: Next chapter is going to be the concluding part of that character progression!
Guest: I'm sorry I made you wait.