Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or DC Comics
"Talking!"
'Thinking!'
"Demon!"
Jung
Sebastian Clark watches as David Cain fights and defeats the Talons like they were nothing. He has to say that this was perfect. This new Talon is perfect for the Court of Owls. The only thing that is holding him back from becoming a full Talon that is under their control is the thirst for vengeance. The best assassin in the world was killed by a fourteen year old. Sebastian can see that Naruto Uzumaki could be the best Talon they could have if David were to kill him. If David Cain could fight and defeat Naruto Uzumaki, then the Court of Owls could have a Talon the likes of which they never had before. Though that causes some problems as Naruto Uzumaki only gotten stronger over the years; while David Cain has been dead for the last ten years.
"What are you thinking, Grandmaster?" asked one of the Owls
"I was thinking that we can use David Cain to make another Talon. Naruto Uzumaki can be the perfect Talon we could ever gain," said Sebastian
"I was thinking the same thing, but David Cain will most likely fail. But in the off chance that he were to kill Naruto Uzumaki, then we could finally take Gotham once more,"
"Yes," Sebastian knows this but knows that the Batman would still give them problems if they don't kill him off, "And even if the off chance that David Cain were to fail; Naruto Uzumaki has children that we could use for our gain in the future."
Sebastian Clark has a plan coming to mind. David Cain will be of use to them with him becoming a Talon, attacking Naruto Uzumaki in the hopes that they'll gain a new more powerful Talon; and even if David Cain were to fail then they'll target his children. Yes, this could be the chance that they're looking for to take Gotham and rule like how they wish. With Naruto being their Talon the Batman wouldn't be able to stop them. The Justice League wouldn't be able to stop them. Yes, this is their chance.
-Nth City-
"Take her wings!" yelled out one of the Manhawks.
It didn't end so nicely for the Manhawks as Kendra uses her memories of her past lives to break free and attack the Manhawks that are trying to take the wings she's wearing, "Back the hell off!" throwing a punch to a Manhawk's face.
Hath-set and the Queen are off in the distance watching as Kendra defend herself, "I have to admit, this isn't what I had in mind when I'd see you once more. Even though you've just gained your memories you are quite skilled,"
Turning to face Hath-Set, "You want me to fight for your queen's amusement, Hath-Set?" yelled out Kendra
Turning to the Queen, "Yes," was the only thing Hath-Set said.
"Fine! But let's make this fight between," Lady Blackhawk grabs the metal bars and using great strength to rip off the metal bars, "And me!"
While Kendra haven't had her memories for very long; just long enough to know how to use her past memories in a fight. The suit that Lady Blackhawk is wearing gave her the extra strength needed to rip the bars off from their hinges.
Kendra points to the Queen that is standing and watch as this whole thing is happening, "So you're Hath-Set's girlfriend? Who are you?"
Hath-Set throws a nasty punch to Lady Blackhawk's face, "She is know in Hawkworld as Queen Shrike. And she has ruled this pathway between Earth and Thanagar for centuries," he raises his dagger over the downed woman, "I've left you and Hawkman a trail of crumbs, and like the hubristic birds you are, you followed them straight here. Once I capture your brute of a mate, everything will become clear!"
Lady Blackhawk counters with an uppercut, "I don't care what you're here to do or what you want with us, Hath. THIS TIME YOU DIE FIRST!" the woman still remembers all the feelings with how she died. Dying sucks and she really doesn't want to feel it again.
Queen Shrike came behind Kendra and hits her with her golden wings knocking the woman to the ground, "Shiera," the Queen reaches up to her golden helmet, "I always said you have your father's rage," she removed her golden helmet to reveal that she is in fact Thanagarian, "And your mother's resolve,"
"Mother?" what Kendra met by mother was in fact Princess Chay-Ara's mother. That shouldn't be possible because Princess Chay-Ara lived over five thousand years ago.
Hath-Set hits Kendra on top of her head knocking her out, "The bright light my daughter bathed us in was quite tantalizing, Hath," said Queen Shrike, "I noticed that even the anceint scar on my body has completely disappeared,"
"Yes, my Queen, old wounds healed and new ones to inflict." stated Hawkman and Lady Blackhawk's oldest enemy.
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Down below Hawkman is leading the newly formed army through the darkness of the night. They are going to end this war that has been raging for thousands of year between the Lionmane and Manhawks.
-Tanami Desert, Australia-
J'onn and M'gann go to the top of M'gann's home to look up at the starry night skies. J'onn has been quiet for some time with the knowledge that there is another Green Martian. M'gann hasn't said anything for she knows that J'onn has always wanted another survivor to come forth.
"Time is of the essence; her psychic defenses may be down. We must join our minds and locate a telepathic signature that could give us a lead," M'gann says for the first time. She knows that they have to act fast for this Green Martian has been around and killing innocent people.
"Are you up to this, M'gann?" J'onn asks because he knows that she isn't at a hundred percent.
"You bet I am, J'onn," M'gann says for she needs to do this.
"Focus then; across the globe. Hunt for any telepathic anomaly that indicates a departure from the norm."
J'onn and M'gann take each other's hands and closed their eyes. Opening their minds up to each other and to the world. Reach far and wide to the whole planet. M'gann knows to never try this by herself for all those minds could be overwhelming. The White Martian heard how at one point J'onn was forced to open his mind to the whole world and disappeared for several months to gather himself to silence all the voices.
"I think I sense something," stated M'gann
J'onn feels it as well, "Yes, I've locked on it also. There's a telepathic black hole in the center of Star City."
J'onn didn't stick around and headed straight for Star City. He heard of how a massive forest grown where there once was destruction. Something is there blocking telepathic signatures going in or going out. It's a perfect place for someone to hide. With that being said, J'onn aims to find out way.
-The Atlantic-
Arthur and Mera swim through the strong currents with them heading for the coast. Arthur told his wife the visions the White Light gave him. While she doesn't outright believe them, but with the things that she'd seen in the last few years seeing has become believing.
"The White Light gave you a vision-"
"Of a boy I've never seen before. With some kind of eel tattoo spiraling around his arm," Arthur spoke out for the image has been burned into his mind.
"Eel tattoo?" that sounds kinda familiar to the redhead, "Arthur, I-"
But before Mera could finish what she was saying a blinding White Light appears right in front of them.
"Hello, Aquaman!"
Deadman and Dove appeared under the water. The married couple quickly and safely up to the surface. While they weren't too far underneath the surface they still had to make sure Deadman and Dove didn't suffer from the pressure changes. While those that live underneath the water don't have to fear that; those that live up on the surface have too.
Breaking the surface Boston takes in the fresh oxygen, "I ask for the Ring to take me to Green Lantern and it dumps me underwater?"
"Do you remember camp brighton, Boston?"
"What?" that was such a strange question for the Ring to ask.
"You use to love swimming."
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Arthur and Mera takes Boston and Dove to a nearby island where a fire was started up to warm the two land walkers. The married couple didn't stick around for too long when the Blackest Night ended to return home. They knew Boston Brand came back from the dead, but haven't seen him since. They both wonder why he is here along with Dove while wearing the White Ring.
"I thought I was getting the hang of using this Ring, but it's still got a mind of its own. I mean, no offense, Aquaman, but I'm not exactly sure why it brought me to you instead of Green Lantern,"
Aquaman can understand what Boston is talking about. No one wants to be dumped in the middle of nowhere, "Maybe it wasn't just me you were drawn to, Deadman. The oil spill seems like something a protector of Earth would be drawn to," Deadman told Aquaman how the White Ring is looking for a new wielder to protect Earth.
"Or maybe this is why Earth needs another protector?"
"Those were the exact words the Ring used, Dove?" Mera asked Dove since she was there too when the Ring spoke out.
"Close, I'd guess. The gist of it was that Deadman. Aquaman, Hawk and all the others were resurrected to play a part in preparing for the arrival of someone else," Dove explains this to Mera.
Mera can now understand what Arthur talked about with that vision he had. He has a purpose to fulfill why he was brought back. The redhead has to wonder what else the other have to do.
"Maybe it was that guy you saw in your vision?" Boston asked Aquaman with him rubbing his hands over the fire.
"But you said all the vivsions were different,"
"Hawk's was,"
"What did you see, Deadman?" Aquaman asks since he would like to know what the wielder of the White Ring saw.
"Nothing. Look, I just want whoever this other hero is," turning and tries once more to take off the White Ring, "And I'm guessing it's the person who's supposed to be wearing this Ring; to step up and take it,"
"Not until the thirteen do what they've been asked to do."
"Then that's what we do. Deadman, you go to everyone and tell them what you've told us,"
"But-"
"If there's someone else out there meant for that Ring, we need to find them. The world needs all the heroes it can get. In the mean time, I need to find this boy,"
"Arthur," her husband turns to his wife, "I know who he is. And I know why we have to find him."
-Silver City, New Mexico-
Jackson sits on his porch holding and staring at the ship in the bottle that's in his hands. A heavy down pour brings Jackson out of his train of thought. Lightning flashes that brighten the lands before the rain just keeps coming down. Standing up and slowly stepping out into the cold rain, and reaches up. The eel tattoo on Jackson's arm begins to glow with the water spirals around his arm.
Closing his eyes as more of the rain water gathers together and spiral around the young man. Gills open up on the sides of Jackson's neck. The water enters the gill which caused some discomfit for this is the first time breathing water in, but become normal. Jackson opens his eyes with them glowing now. The young man raise his arms even higher with webbing opening up on his hands. The power Jackson is feeling is overwhelming.
"JACKSON!" this caused Jackson to break out of the trans which caused him to drop the ship in the bottle, "Jackson, what are you doing?" Jackson's father asks
"No one was around, Dad, I-"
"Son, you know we can't take risks like this. You know that," Jackson's father wishes for no one to find out this secret.
"I…"
"Your mother and I don't want to lose you,"
"You won't, Dad,"
"Jackson, it's not that simple. We love you," Jackson's father just doesn't want to lose his son for his abilities.
"I… I'm sorry, Dad. I've been feeling so pent up. I feel like I'm going to explode, but… I won't do it again,"
Hugging his son, "Okay, son. Okay. But I think it's time,"
"Time for what, Dad?"
"Time for the truth."
-Star City-
Flying through the clear skies overlooking the star shaped forest right in the middle of Star City. J'onn can see the beauty of this forest that once was a dead land that no one knew what to do. When Prometheus tried to teleport Star City away for reasons for the sole reason because it is the home city of a member of the Justice League. Ninety thousand people dying for reasons of a mad man. But now that there is a beautiful forest showing life will come and bring a new day.
"Astounding," says J'onn for it reminds him of the forest that will be taking shape on Mars soon, "Simply astounding. But if the vision I was given by the White Lantern is correct," the Last Martian lands in the forest, "I will have to burn down this place or miraculous growth to destroy the only other Green Martian left in the universe. But there is no way I will allow myself to be controlled by something I do not completely under…"
J'onn stops for his eyes start to burn. Covering his eyes as a bright red light shines through his fingers. Bubbles start to form along J'onn's arms as the heat from his eyes is burning through his hands till it was just too much. His heat beams blast through his hands as it became too much for him to contain.
-Elsewhere-
"Remember shoppers, a half gallon of Nicky's Vanilla Fudge Twirl is on sale for a special bonus club price of $1.99!" says the voice over the intercom.
Humming softly while pushing a cart full of items. D'kay D'razz enjoys this for she is preparing for the coming party. Behind D'kay is blood. Lots and lots of blood. In the freezers are full of dead bodies with blood leaking out. D'kay came to this store and killed everyone inside just to shop.
"Hey, moms! Don't go home without checking your baby bucks account! We have a wide variety of products on sale this week from Dino Diapers to Lulu's Baby Food!" D'kay stops to get a better look at the baby food, "We're proud of our new expanded organic food section! Don't forget to stop by and take a look!" the Green Martian continues on wheeling through several pools of blood from several dead bodies that she took her time killing, "You are what you eat!"
-Star City-
J'onn made the mistake of keeping his mind opened when he enter the forest. The voices just became too much for him.
'Telepathy… can't control… cacophony… of thoughts… from across the Earth…'
"The Green must die!"
'Bombarding me… raining on me… Everyone…' J'onn starts to transform with his left leg growing bigger along with his left arm growing in size.
"You must burn it away!"
'Everyone wants something… wants nothing… wants someone…' growing in size for J'onn loses control more and more of his body as his head gain in size.
"You have returned for a reason!"
'To save… to be saved…" J'onn fires his heat beams the cut through several trees, 'To kill… to be killed… To love… to be loved… To hate… to be hated…' causing destruction across the forest with him knocking a few trees down.
"You have returned for a purpose!"
"You're a big fella. And I like big targets! This place continues to have plenty of surprises."
Green Arrow makes himself known with him firing two arrows at Martian Manhunter. He's been her in this forest since he was brought back to life. The Green Archer just couldn't make himself known to the world for he doesn't know what to do. The two arrows go into Martian Manhunter's back causing him to roar out in pain.
"You must choose!"
"Choose life!"
"Choose death!"
'Isolation… Desolation…'
J'onn turns and gives Green Arrow an upper cut with the Green Archer hits a large tree behind him. With a white symbol glows that causes the Last Martian to take him attention from Green Arrow to the tree.
"Damn tree's… drawing all kinds of attention…" Green Arrow says for it is kind of a little difficult to breath.
"Focus!"
"Focus your thoughts!"
"Do not deviate!"
"Assume control!"
With the light shinning brightly Green Arrow can make out that this monster he was fighting is in fact Martian Manhunter, "J'onn? Is that you?"
"Embrace me!"
"Embrace you!"
J'onn touches the tree with the White Light shinning now out of J'onn. The White Light causes the Last Martian to transform back to normal.
"Let life win!"
"Let death win!"
"This is not the Green you will burn!"
"This is not the forest you will raze!"
Images of a red sand wasteland comes to J'onn's mind as the tree absorbs the White Light. Becoming more powerful then before. Like if it was feeding off from the White Light.
'Life… Life on Mars… Life on Mars… Love on Mars…'
"Holes in souls!"
'Souls in holes…'
"Climb out!"
While this was going on D'kay screams out in pain for she feels the pain the J'onn is feeling. Images of them both clashing on the Red Planet comes forward to their minds. J'onn fighting for he has brought life to Mars, but the cost may have been too much. While D'kay wants J'onn to forget Earth and focus on Mars. The pain is so intense that both of them have tears running down their faces.
"Take hold!"
"Let go!"
'Wake up…'
"Dream the dream!"
'Love is vengeance…'
'Vengeance is love…'
-Elsewhere-
D'kay stares at the ground with tears hitting the bloody floor. The images of J'onn planting trees so that life once more can grow on Mars. So much she wished for Mars to return to its former glory. The beauty of Mars that was once called the Red Jewel of Sol.
"Mars… It's alive…" whispers out D'kay.
"Drop a suggestion into the manager's box and automatically enter yourself to win a romantic getaway for two to Bermuda Courtesy of Poseidon Cruises! And don't forget our sale on new Couble Stuff Chocos!" D'kay turns and look at the cookies that the intercom just spoke about, "Remember, ladies, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach!"
-Star City-
Green Arrow looks around to see that some of the trees are withering away and dying. He doesn't know what is happening since this is the first time the forest is showing death. The whole time he has been here the forest has all about life.
The Green Achier turned to the Last Martian, "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!" yelled out Green Arrow for he doesn't want this forest to die. The memories of Prometheus of destroying his city are still fresh in his mind. He grabs the two arrows in J'onn's back, "Get away from the tree! You're killing it!"
"I am John Jones!" shouted out J'onn with him transforming into John Jones, a detective from Middletown. The first identity he used when he first came to Earth.
"You are not John Jones!"
Digging the arrows around, "You're killing everything!" Green Arrow shouted into J'onn's ear.
"I am Josh Johnstone!" with him taking another identity.
"You are not Josh Johnstone!"
Green Arrow pulled out the two arrows from J'onn's back, "You're destroying the whole damn forest!"
"I am a Black Lantern!" J'onn transform into his Black Lantern form.
"You are not a Black Lantern!"
"Figured this tree might need some protecting; just never thought it'd have to be from an old friend!" said Green Arrow with him throwing an arrow that cuts a vine. That was another thing that Green Arrow didn't know what for some reason the tree called out to him to protect it. Like how he was the protector for Star City; he became the protect for this tree that has the symbol of the White Lantern Corps right on it.
"You are J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter!"
Two five hundred pound logs come swinging down crushing J'onn between them. Green Arrow jumped away right before they could crush him.
"Sorry to go all Return of the Jedi, J'onn, but I know you can take it." said Green Arrow for he know it to be true. Working with some of the strongest people on the planet you learn who can take a punch like it was nothing, and J'onn happened to be one of those people.
That being said, even Green Arrow knows that people like those have limits. He drags the down Martian away from the glowing tree. He knows that Poison Ivy were to learn about this tree she might come here and protect it like it was the last tree on Earth.
"Hey, White Lantern Tree of Light!" called out Green Arrow, "If you got any magic that could help me lift a three hundred and fifty pound Martian you might want to toss some my way; otherwise this whole forest is going to be toast!"
Like a wave of death several of the trees die, the leaves change different colors, branches fall from the trees.
"C'mon, damn it; wake up, J'onn! I could use a little help here!" dragging the Last Martian through into a part of the forest that wasn't been effected by the wave of death.
"Then might I suggest letting go of my arms, Ollie…" groans out the Martian Manhunter. Green Arrow turned to get a look at J'onn, "So we can effect a new strategy,"
"Which is what exactly?" he helps J'onn to his feet.
"To run out of here as fast as we can." they take off running as death takes more and more of the forest.
"Helluva plan there, J'onny, boy!" stated Green Arrow, "So much for living up to your JLA Master Tactician Status!"
"That Tree of Light with the White Lantern symbol; what do you know about it?" J'onn knows just how powerful that symbol can be from the Blackest Night. A tree that is about life having that symbol must bring a lot of power.
"Not much; except that it mayy have something to do with screwing up the powers of anyone who enters this forest!"
Know what Green Arrow is talking about for his powers went out of control, "Once I landed here it was as if my mind and body were at war with each other! That's why I'm unable to fly at the moment,"
"Yeah, tell me something I don't already know!" Ollie is kind of glad now that he doesn't have any powers.
"The same White Lantern that resurrected me also spoke to me hours ago; showed me a vivsion of a forest engulfed in flames. And I was the one burning it down,"
Green Arrow leaps up to swing from a tree branch, "So you what, rolled shome dice and picked this forest?!" Ollie says with a little venom.
"It was the only spot on Earth, Oliver, with a telepathic black hole that I-"
"Couldn't read any minds in so you made it a damn target!"
J'onn doesn't have to be a telepathy to know what Oliver is thinking, "It is not the forest from the vision; that is what the White Lantern symbol on the tree revealed to me. I have no intention of destroying it now!"
"Sure as hell doesn't look that way to me!"
"Since my return it seems I bring a certain level of toxicity to all plant life in my immediate vicinity," confesses Martian Manhunter
"That's a damn good reason to finally get your green plagued ass out of my forest right now!" Green Arrow quickly says for he doesn't want this forest to become a wasteland once more.
"Fascinating. Complete regeneration," J'onn turns around to see that the dead trees returned to life once more. Just like how spring comes when winter ends.
"Unfucking believable," seeing is believing with this line of work.
"And my telepathic powers are once again back to normal," J'onn says with him fully standing up.
"That's good to hear, but feel free to hold off on paying me any visits until you fix this killing all plant life things, J'onn,"
"Of course," J'onn can see what Oliver means by it, "The solitude of such a beautiful place can be quite tempting. I would never willfully jeopardize something you hold so dear, Oliver," destroying a beautiful forest that was once a wasteland. The Last Martian can see that Oliver wants to protect this forest for it means more then just that.
"Get out of my head, J'onn; you know I hate it when you use your telepathic-"
"I was not in your head. It was an obvious observation of both of our… situations," J'onn knows well enough to read people minds when the time calls for it, "I have been given a second chance at life and I hardly believe it was so that I could hide away from the rest of the world,"
"I hope that tree hug can help you more with the visions you're having,"
J'onn takes to the skies, "It did. I am going back,"
"Back where?" called out Oliver
"Home."
-Amnesty Bay-
A hurricane comes crashing down onto Amnesty Bay. The heavy down pour comes it extremely difficult for any ships to sail through the waters. Black Manta walks through the heavy down pour like it was nothing because of his armor.
"Where is he?" Black Manta ask to no one, "Where is your son?" Black Manta comes to a stop right in front of Arthur Curry's grave. Even with him back the tombstone was never moved.
He rips the tombstone out of the ground just to smash it, breaking it. Lightning flashes brightening up the dark skies.
"Looking for Aquaman?" Black Manta jumps out of the way for one of the Death Squad members breaks the ground with harden water covered fists, "We're looking for you!"
Black Manta shocks the Death Squad member with electricity at the palm of his hands. He turns around to see a few more Death Squad member rushing towards him wielding harden water weapons, "Who are you?" Black Manta asks.
One of the Death Squad member cuts through Black Manta's armor, "The warnings about you were exaggerated surface dweller. You cut easy,"
"And you," energy gathers in Black Manta's helmet before unleashing a blast of heat that burns the Death Squad member. He turns to blast another Death Squad member, "BURN EASY!" Black Manta throws a knife, "You're fish. Fish come out of the water and they die!"
The remaining Death Squad members surround Black Manta, "ENOUGH!" everyone turned to see Siren standing there, "It's been a long time, David. We're not here to restart our war. We need to work together. We need to find your son." she is holding up water that takes the shape of Jackson's head.
-Pittsburgh University-
Firestorm is standing right in front of a football with him and the ball being the only thing in the room. Professor Stein watching on the other side watching and recording.
"I'm testing a theory. Can you and Ronald transmute that football?" asked Professor Stein.
'Into what?' Ronnie asks
"What did you have in mind?" Jason voiced the question for Ronnie since he too would like to know.
"How about a globe of the Earth? A plastic globe?" Professor Stein wants to see if they can do something that is simple, yet hard.
"Plastic? Sure, I can-" black mist comes out of Firestorm's hands, "What's going on? I know this,"
"Of course, you do, Jason. But does Ronald?" Professor Stein knows that Ronnie knows how to change the molecular structure because he learned when they both were Firestorm, but he only knows so much.
'Do I know the molecular structure of plastic?'
"I'd gather your powers aren't fully functional because they're now being fueled by the mind in conjunction with the body. So whatever Ronald knows, or in some cases doesn't know,"
"Some cases?" he turned to look at Ronnie's floating head that only he can see, "I'm guessing no,"
'Plastic is bad for the environment anyway. Hey, how about water? I know water!' Firestorm focus and turned the football into water.
"Why would the powers change?" asked the one question that both Jason and Ronnie never thought about before.
"The Firestorm Matrix bonded with Ronald much more than it ever did myself. In a way it even rejected me, transforming me briefly into a Fire Elemental. Maybe to distance me from Ronald. It saw something in him, and then the Matrix saw something in you too, Jason, didn't it? It chose you," Professor Stein learned that the Firestorm Matrix is more then just a complex device. It gained a will for itself with the more people it bonds with, "And now that the Matrix is fully bonded to you both, Firestorm is going through yet another metamorphosis. A Final Stage, I mentioned. You're becomig more powerful than you could imagine. But also as unstable as nitroglycerin. Take off your glove."
Firestorm takes off his glove to see that his whole arm is made out of fire, "What the hell is going on?" Jason asked with both him and Ronnie taken back by the beauty that their arm is giving off.
'Let go of me, Jason! Separate!' Ronnie can feel that something is wrong.
"Not until Professor Stein gives us the okay to try," Jason doesn't feel anything wrong unlike Ronnie.
'Just do it, Jason! something's wrong!'
"Ronnie, calm down!"
Professor Stein placed a hand on the glass, "Boys, please! You can't argue!"
'What do you mean we can't?' Ronnie shouted out since both he and Jason have been arguing every since they became Firestorm.
"What is it, Professor?"
"You could upset the Matrix," says Professor Stein with him trying to find the right words to explain what the Firestorm Matrix could do if it goes meltdown.
'Upset the Matrix? I thought the Matrix was just… a bonding form of energy or something. Like the force keeping atoms together,' Ronnie used the Matrix years before his death and thought it was like glue.
"The truth is, I never thought through the accident that triggered the creation of Firestorm. I thought it created the Matrix, but… I was arrogant like the rest of them. And most likely wrong. When Ronald and I first met, I was attempting to validate my theories on the existence of the Big Bang. That there was an actual spark that preceded the existence of the universe. And I think that day I not only proved the existence of that spark; I captured it."
That's what Professor Stein believes. The power that the Firestorm Matrix is unlike anything on the planet, or anything that came to the planet. The ability to transmute matter on the atomic level and change matter is something on the level of godhood. And somehow Stein managed to do just that by creating the Firestorm Matrix.
'Is that the voice we've been hearing?' Ronnie asked for it could be the voice that has been wanting to get out.
"It's possible,"
"But you're saying the Matrix is-" Jason touches the Matrix that is sitting on his chest.
"The Big Bang. The trigger for the starting the universe. Or restarting it in this case,"
'Restarting it?'
Professor Stein turns around to look over the readings that Firestorm is giving off, "The universe is an endless cycle of explansion and contraction. It lives and grows for billions of years, and then it collapses and starts again. According to countless scientists, including the Atom. This universe's expiration date is long overdue. The burden of this creation… of what you are…"
'What?'
"What are we, Professor Stein?"
Stein just stares at the picture of Albert Einstein. Stein remember reading that Albert Einstein regret his work on the Manhattan Project for the many hundreds of thousands of lives he ended. He may of not pulled the trigger, but he did help create it. Albert Einstein said that if he knew that his work would end so many lives, then he would of became a watch maker. Professor Stein can understand what that man has said. His work could do so much damage.
"Together you're the most dangerous being in the universe." Professor Stein told the cold hard facts to the boys. For they could possible end all life throughout the universe. Just like hoe Darksied was looking for the Anti-Life Equation.
-Gulf of Mexico-
"You were sent her to kill me. Black Manta has a son who's the key to stopping your people from destroying the Surface World. What else haven't you told me, Mera?" Aquaman demands as both he and his wife through the strong currents.
Arthur and Mera left Deadman and Dove behind for they could get to Black Manta's son quicker. During their trip Arthur kept thinking about how his wife, the woman who he fell in love with, married, and had a son; ton find out that she was sent to kill him and through Atlantis into chaos.
"That's everything. And if we can get to Manta's son we can stop my Sister before-"
Arthur cuts her off, "I'll find him, but I'll do it myself,"
"Arthur-"
Aquaman swims ahead, "I need to process everything, Mera. And you need to find some else to help you hold back your people until I find Manta's son. We can't do everything right now. The stakes are too high. And quite honestly I need some time alone."
Mera watches as her husband leaves her behind. The redhead knows she deserved this. Hiding a massive secret like this from the person she loved the most. A secret to end Arthur's life and the possible chance to start up a war with Atlantis and the Surface World. Mera just hopes that she can save her marriage before it could end for good.
-Rio Grande, New Mexico-
Mr. Jackson drives along with him son down the coast of the Rio Grande. The boy's father has been going over his words during the whole drive. Trying to tell his son the truth about everything from his powers and from where he came from.
"How much farther, Dad?" Jackson asks his father
"We're here, Jackson,"
"And where's here exactly?"
"The place your mother and I always knew we'd have to bring you," the vehicle came to a stop, "The cottage,"
"The cottage? I didn't we had a cottage," if Jackson knew about the cottage he could have had summer getaways when summer came, "Dad? What're we doing? Why was Mom so upset when we left?" Jackson still remembers how his mother didn't want the both of them to go.
"Because she knew this day would come. And so did I,"
Following his father out of the truck and make way towards the cottage, "Dad, just tell me what you need to tell me,"
"You know how much you mother and I have tried to protect you," all the times they stopped him from swimming, times going to the lake, the coast, or joining the swim team for his school.
"Because I change when I hit water,"
Unlocking the door and making their way inside, "More than that. More than I probably can imagine," Jackson's father wonders over to the center of the cottage to remove a sheet that is covering a large sea shell.
"What the hell is that?"
"A chest," Jackson's father still remembers that night all those years ago when he and his wife came down for the weekend and a woman with red hair came out of the sea holding a baby and the large sea shell, "A woman gave it to me and your mother fifteen years ago,"
"It belongs to her?"
"It belongs to you," he holds up the sea shell that has two pincers like it part of a crab was added to it.
"It belong to me?" Jackson is having a hard time believing this.
"Jackson… you're not our son," Jackson's father finally told the truth, "A woman rose up from the sea with your in her arms. That was the first time your mother and I laid eyes on you. She said your real parents weren't fit to raise you. She asked us to. She said that your would save the world from a war between land and sea," Jackson follows his father back outside, "But she also said one day she'd come back. And that we'd have to give you up. It wasn't long before we knew we could never do that. We both loved you so much. So we ran. Far from the water. From the oceans. Jackson…? Jackson, say something," he wants to know what his son is thinking. While he may not be his real father; he was still raised just like his real son. The love is real.
Jackson turned around to show that he is crying, "Is Jackson even my real name?" he marches over to the man that he called father for fifteen years, "Who am I, Dad? Is it in this chest? Is every secret locked away?"
"I don't know,"
"You told me I was born different, but you don't really know that either, do you? You don't know why I am the way I am. Will what's in the chest tell me?"
"Your mother and I tried to open it, but the woman said only you would be able to-"
Jackson touched the chest, "Dad? What's happening?"
"Your powers are being activated because you're being tracked. BY ME!" Black Manta makes himself known to the father and son duo. Black Manta fires a small spear from a mount on his wrist that pierces the chest.
"Get in the truck, Jackson! NOW!" they both run and get inside the truck with Jackson at the wheel.
"But, Dad, I can't-" Jackson starts to panicked from Black Manta attacking them along with not knowing how to drive.
"You can drive. Just get in!"
Jackson started the engine and drives with if Black Manta just standing there watching them drive off.
"GO!"
"Dad, what do we do?"
"For once," Jackson's father grabs the wheel and have them drive close to the cliffs, "We head towards the water. I knew something was happening; the ponds drying up around town, the rainfall and lightning ten times what's normal. I knew something was coming bu I was too scared to do anything,"
"Dad, stop! We're heading towards the cliff! It's suicide!"
"Not for you," he steps on the gas which causes the truck to speed up, "Tell your mother I love her. And know how much I love you!"
Jackson right then and there understood what his father is planning, "Dad-" the truck drives off the cliff. Everything slows down with the truck coming closer and closer to the surface of the water; before breaking that surface.
Black Manta leaps from the cliff that would make an Olympic driver green with envy, and dives into the river down below. He swims down to the truck before a torrent of swirling of water hits the villain causing him to fly out of the water.
"LEAVE US ALONE!" Jackson commands the water with his tattoo glowing with the magic in it.
Black Manta rises out of the water staring at Jackson, "Unexpected," moving through the water with speed that he shouldn't but thanks to his armor, "But interesting," with him grabbing hold of Jackson's arm, "What did they do to you?" with his eyes glowing like they are fixing to fire.
"Back off!" Jackson's eyes glow brightly before the water is pushed back along with Black Manta. Jackson turned to his father, "Dad, we're getting out of here right," he leaps with his father hanging off of him. They both came crashing down on the shoreline.
"Your son is more adept than I would've suspected, Manta. It's surprising," says Siren with her pointing a harden water sword towards Jackson and his father.
"It's disappointing, Siren. You made him like you," stated Black Manta with him standing next to her.
"No, he's different from us," Siren says for he was made for war.
"Stay away! Leave my Dad alone!" Jackson leaps to his feet and charges forward towards Siren and Black Manta.
"He is not your father," Black Manta raises his arm, "He is nothing but another man I've killed."
Black Manta fires his harpoon from his arm mount. Before the harpoon could hits Jackson's father it was caught by none of than Aquaman. Aquaman booked it for several leagues when he felt the water moving like it was being commanded. He arrived just in time when Siren and Black Manta came together.
"Aquaman!"
"Manta!" Aquaman breaks the harpoon, "I've been waiting for this."
-Gotham City-
Sebastian watches Cain finishing up another training session with the Talons that they have. He looks over to the doctor that makes sure that all the Talons are working properly.
"When will David Cain be ready to fight Naruto Uzumaki?" asked Sebastian for he wants to have a new Talon ready by the week.
"With how Cain is moving along it shouldn't be more than a day, Grandmaster. Though we did have some trouble getting our hands on some Fear Gas. Scarecrow hasn't made any for some time with him still be locked up in Arkham, but we're obtain some. But why do we need Fear Gas?"
"That's good to hear. Very good to hear. The reason why we need Fear Gas is because Mr. Cain uses the gas during fights so that he may know fear. Mother said that Naruto Uzumaki was exposed to Fear Gas, but overcame it. Something that not even the Batman could do without help. Someone who overcome Fear Gas by will alone; that is something. Have him ready for I want that new Talon."
David Cain stares off into space with the last remnants of his life coming to surface.
-Flashback-
David's eyes open. The white assassin stands to his feet. He rotate his neck popping his neck. Naruto pops his knuckles and drops into his stance. David spreads his arms out giving a stance that leaves him open for an attack from all sides. Looking not to be rude Naruto rushes David to swing out his leg. David catches Naruto's foot to pull his leg out and to make an opening. Not letting that happen, Naruto swings his other leg and delivers a kick to David's face. Spinning on his hands Naruto jumps up to land a few blows to David's chest. The older assassin clap both of his hands on Naruto's ears for him to savagely punch Naruto in the kidneys.
Taking a few steps back Naruto regains his footing only for Cain to grab the spot he'd just punched. Naruto knees David in the side to spin around with David catching his arm. Not letting up, Naruto slams his other elbow into David's face over and over again using his super strength. A few teeth fly out of David's mouth as he was forced to let go. Shouting Naruto delivers a hard knee to David's chest, brings his hands together and brings them down to the side of the older assassin's head, before wrapping his arms around Cain's neck. Yelling at the top of his lungs and using his super strength, the blonde snaps David Cain's neck with enough force that his face did an 180.
-Flashback End-
Making a fist so tightly that the sound of bones pop. The anger of the man that killed him is still alive. Made a name for himself while Cain was forgotten. David Cain will have his revenge. When Naruto Uzumaki killed, he'll go to end Sandra Woo, then the League of Assassins. Everything will burn and when everything is over; he'll be the one standing at the top.
-Pittsburgh-
Professor Stein goes over his notes, "Think of yourselves as a living version of the large hadron collider underneath the Franco-Swiss border,"
'The what?'
"There were rumors of how dangerous it was; some said every time it was used there was a one in ten billion chance of turning the universe inside out," stated Jason for he read all the reports that he could get his hands on.
"Yes, rumors. Maybe unfounded. Maybe not. But the fact here is; every time you and Ronald argue you're causing a destabilization in the Matrix. The more you're at emotional odds, the higher the chances of triggering a new Big Bang," Professor Stein turns around to hold up on of his notes that has the Firestorm Matrix on it along with the equation of the force it would need to cause the next Big Bang.
"And what are the chances of that, Professor?" Jason asked since both he and Ronnie need to know just how far they can go.
"At an emotional equilibrium, near zero. But agitated? One in a million. Maybe one in a hundred thousand,
'So we're basically one giant control/alt/delete button for the universe?' Ronnie asked the simple question.
"You two blow up, and everything in existence will be destroyed. Leaving only the two of you,"
'Only us?' Ronnie couldn't believe what he just heard.
"And me. Righteous!" says a voice from out of nowhere.
"Did you hear that, Ronnie?" Jason asked for he wants to make sure that he wasn't the only one who heard it.
'The Matrix?'
"No!" black smoke comes out of the Firestorm Matrix, "Not the Matrix!" a black hand comes out of the Matrix, "The Matrix is a thing, dude!" another black hand comes out of the Matrix with Firestorm himself being split in half, "I'm a somebody!"
An explosion of black death washes over everyone. The safety glass that would normally protect people on the other side shatters.
Jason lays on the ground separated from Ronnie, "Jason Rusch. Rage. Love. Hope," Ronnie laying on the ground separated from Jason, "Ronnie Raymond. Will. Fear. Avarice," Stein was the only one still standing, "And Professor Stein. Compassion. This is gonna be so boss!" said Deathstorm for now he is free from the Firestorm Matrix.
Stein rushes over to the downed boys to make sure that they're okay, "Please! Don't kill them!" the Professor pleads to Deathstorm.
"Chill, Professor. I'm not gonna kill them. I'm going to hurt them," hissing out, "I'm going to put Ronnie and Jason through so much emotional torture. I'm going to make them hate each other. You already know what that'll do. You told them. They get too upset with one another and KA-BOOM! There goes the neighborhood. And that's all I want, old dude. The death of every living thing!"
"What are you?"
"Oh, man, am I glad you asked! You can call me," Deathstorm creates a tombstone with his name 'Deathstorm' on it. Deathstorm grabs Stein by the throat. Decay. Blackening. Cracks form and creep up Stein's neck from Deathstorm just holding him, "How hardcore is that?"
"Th- They're going to stop you," Stein managers to get out.
"I'm unstoppable. I'm Death Personified. And I'm still around because Jason and Ronnie won't let me go. They created me," Deathstorm leans forward to the Professor, "Let me tell you the secret of the universe, Professor. There's not good or evil. There's only dead or alive,"
Trying to look away from the Black Lantern for he smells of death and decay, "I don't believe that. They don't believe that," Professor Stein protests about what Deathstorm just said.
"Yeah. You know Ronnie better than me, don't you? You know every failure and insecurity he has festering inside him that's turned this moron from a hero into a zero. I'm not going to kill you, Professor. After all…" Deathstorm absorbs Stein into himself just like how Firestorm would absorb someone to become whole, "A mind's a terrible thing to waste!"
-Along the Rio Grande-
All hell broke loss with members of the Death Squad coming and charging forward. Aquaman taking a blast from Black Manta. And Siren leading the charge.
"I'm surprised to see you here, Aquaman. But I'm pleased! Stated Black Manta for he turns up the power of his beams.
"Where is she? Where's Mera!?" demands Siren for she wants to kill her sister with her own hands.
Aquaman commands the water to crash into Black Manta forcing him to guard against it, "Run, kid!" the King of Atlantis tells Jackson, "Get to the road!" Aquaman summons more water that pushes Siren and her Death Squad down stream.
Following what Aquaman said both Jackson and his father take off running towards the road. Jackson turned his head to see Black Manta chasing after them, "Dad? Black Manta, he's-"
"Just run, Jackson!"
Black Manta leans out of the way before Aquaman punches a tree that uproots, "You can't keep me away from that boy," he holds up a knife, "After all… you know how important sons can be to their fathers."
-Pittsburgh-
"Don't worry about Professor Stein, Ronnie. I brought him aboard the death train. Choo choo! Damn, this is a good brain to pick through. Sure the scientific stuff is as about as interesting as watching Save By the Bell reruns, but it's going to be useful. Almost as useful as the personal anecdotes," Deathstorm can feel the power. The knowledge. Everything, "The Professor always saw you like a son. That's why he's so disappointed in what you're doing now,"
'Get out of my head!' Stein grunts out.
"If you're going to life life hiding from it in the bottom of a bottle, why live life at all?"
Ronnie who stand up on his own feet with his arms blocking the heavy winds push him back, "You're right. Let him go! Please! Take me instead!"
"You? You don't know jack all, Ronnie," Deathstorm doesn't see the use in having Ronnie instead of Stein. But decides to have something else, "How about this? Kill Jason and I leave you and the Prof along. I promise. Jason hates you anyway. How could he not after what we did to his girlfriend?"
"He didn't do anything," Jason said for he knows that Ronnie regrets what he did as the Black Lantern, "That was you, the Black Lantern Firstorm!"
"It's Deathstorm, dude!"
"Whatever! C'mon, Jason," Ronnie throws his hand out, "You like rage, dude?" they both come together and become Firestorm with Ronnie taking the driver site, "How about the fury of Firestorm?!"
-Along the Rio Grande-
"I still remember the sound your son made when I gut him like a fish. A whimper!" Black Manta knows just how much Aquaman wants to end him. Not just for the death of his son, but for his very own death.
Aquaman tackles Black Manta, "You can't hurt me anymore, Manta! There's no one else you can use like that!"
Black Manta blasts Aquaman point blank with his blasters, "What about Mera? Or is that over? If you're here, that means she finally told you the truth I've always known. About what her people did to me. About what they wanted to do to you!" he fired his harpoon into Aquaman's shoulder, "You were the last to know," the King of Atlantis uses his trident to lean on because the harpoon in his shoulder is coated in poison that can effect him. Black Manta leans forward with him placing his hands on Aquaman's chest with currents of electricity running through his whole body, "How sad."
-Detroit-
Alvin Rusch, the father of Jason Rusch stares at the wall of awards and trophies that his son collected over the years. Showing just how smart he is.
"How'd you get so damn smart?" Alvin said with him turning away, "Had to be your mother. Because all you got from me was grief and anger. I've never been there when you needed me, Jason. I've always been worried about myself," he grabbed his left shoulder, "Even more so after the accident. After I lost my arm… I lost so much. I deserve a trophy too. World's Worst Dad…"
Black mist gathers around Alvin without him even knowning, "Hey, Alviiiiin!"
"What the hell-?"
Deathstorm teleported with Firestorm following him to find out where he is heading. Firestorm didn't know that this is where the Black Lantern was heading.
'Dad?'
"Look out, people! Daddy Rusch is in the house!" Deathstorm absorbs Alvin into his body, "I brought you here because I'm going to need a little help screwing with Jason too, pops. You two have never got along, right? Tell me why!"
'Mr. Rusch?' Professor Stein couldn't believe that Deathstorm brought Jason's father into this.
'Stein? What's going on? What's-' but before Alvin could finish the Black Lantern cut him off.
"C'mon, kids!" Deathstorm opens up a portal before fling through it, "Road trip!"
-Along the Rio Grande-
Kicking Aquaman away, "No Atlantis. No Tempest. No Mera. What do you have left to life for?" Black Manta asks with each punch and kick.
Aquaman regained his footing with him thrusting his trident at his oldest enemy, piercing through his suit. What Black Manta has said is true. Atlantis never wanted him for being half Atlantian, having blonde hair and blue eyes. They only took him when when he defended Atlantis from Black Manta's first attack that nearly destroyed them. With his most trusted friend now dead with the end of the Blackest Night. And finally with his wife revealing that she was sent here to kill him. It would break a normal man, but Arthur Curry is not a normal man.
Jackson and his father reach the road with a truck heading towards them, "Dad! There's a truck! It's not slowing down!"
Black Manta flies out of the treeline with him hitting the truck. The truck came to a stop with Aquaman opening the door on the passenger side.
The King of Atlantis says, "We need a lift," he turns to Jackson and his father, "Get in." Aquaman looks in the mirror to see Black Manta standing up as the truck drives off.
"So, ah… Where are we going?" asked the truck driver
"Just drive fast."
They drive for several miles till they passed the border for New Mexico. Aquaman looks down for he looks at the chest that Jackson's father carried throughout the whole ordeal. He turns around to face Jackson.
"Give me your hand," he tells Jackson
"What-?" the King of Atlantis didn't wait for he grabs Jackson's hand and place it on the chest. His tattoo glows with the Atlantian royal symbol with it opening up, "What's in it?"
Aquaman takes out a parchment and carefully opens the parchment; revealing a map that leads to somewhere, "Something that tells us where we need to go next."
-Silver City, New Mexico-
Firestorm chases Deathstorm through the portal that leads them to who knows where. He knows that he has to do something to stop Deathstorm.
'We can't let him get away! He can't-'
A rope was made that wraps around Deathstorm, "A giant lasso? That's weak, dudes!" the rope withers away.
"He's right, Jason. A freaking rope lasso?" Firestorm couldn't believe that they both tried with the lasso.
'Professor Stein and my Dad are fused with him, Ronnie. What am I supposed to think of?' Jason couldn't bring himself to hurt both the Professor or his father.
"Destination; arrived!"
Deathstorm throws his hands wide open that causes a boom with both him and Firestorm appearing in Silver City, New Mexico. Firestorm crashes onto the ground.
Firestorm looks around to get a grip with both his head and Jason's spinning around, "Jason… Do you remember that vision we saw?" he asked his other self.
'The… White Lantern…' Jason couldn't believe that Deathstorm brought them here. That White Lantern glowing in the dark of the night.
Kneeling down before griping the handle of the White Lantern, "The source of all life on Earth! Radical!" tightening his grip as the White Lantern darkens and cracks, "Man, it's heavy," with great effort Deathstorm lifts the corrupt White Lantern, "But not when it's infected a little, huh? I destroy this thing and I destroy all life on Earth,"
"NO! You will not destroy the White Lantern," says a booming voice that comes out of nowhere
Stein, Alvin, and even Deathstorm looks around for where the voice comes from, 'Who is that? Stein?' Alvin asks not just Stein, but Deathstorm as well.
'I don't-'
"You will bring the White Lantern to me. And you will bring me an army," clouds appear around Deathstorm with the power swirling around him, "The thirteen who live must be stopped. The new savior must never be chosen. The power of life will belong to me,"
Deathstorm grins at this, "You heard him, dudes!" black energy rushes out of the Black Lantern's body with each of the forms of energy taking shape. The black energy forms the Black Lantern visions of all those that came back to life; all thirteen of them, "Rise!"
-Author's Note-
I'm back bitches! I wanted to take a break and I did take a break. Last year around July I wanted to take a break and somethings happened; but now I had my break and I'm back.
