And Injustice For All 2

Chapter 30: We Need To Hit Back

"Just joining us, the U.S. government has been wiped out. The president of the United States, Congress, senators, former presidents, all have been killed by a single shocking attack perpetuated by the superhero known as Aqualad. Ra's Al Ghul claimed responsibility for the attack, but it's not yet know if Aqualad was working solely for the eco-terrorist if the kingdom of Atlantis is also involved."

At the batcave...

"Is there anything I can do?" Asked Blue Beetle.

"Go home," Batman said. "Do not use your powers again."

"I'm sorry."

"What good is that?" Asked Melody. "You think that was helpful?"

"The world is imploding," Chris agreed. "We don't have time to coddle a liability."

"What do you want to do, Bruce?" Asked Batgirl.

Blue Beetle was walking when Plastic Man caught up to him.

"Kid, it wasn't your fault. Accidents happen and as they go, it's..."

"One of the worst in history?"

"Well, yea. You contributed to a mass extinction event. Let's not sugar-coat it."

"Ok, I'm going home."

"Just remember, kid. Batman can be a dick, and there's no point in trying to win his approval, believe me. We've all tried."

Blue Beetle took off.

At the house of Jefferson Pierce, aka Black Lightning...

"I need you to sleep, both of you," he said to his daughters.

*Could you stay in here tonight?"

"Of course."

Suddenly, some noises could be heard and Jefferson went to investigate.

"Senator Pierce, I'm agent Baines. We need you to come with us, sir."

"My daughters have been through a lot, agent, in the last few days. Can this wait until tomorrow?"

"I'm afraid not, sir."

The police had arrived at the front of the house.

"Dad?"

"Get dressed, girls. We're going on a quick flight."

Blue Beetle returned home.

"Mom? Dad?"

"They're not here..."

Jaime looked at where the voice came from. It was Booster Gold.

"I meant your parents are out, although in hindsight, it sounded super villainy out of the darkness."

"Booster Gold? Why are you on my couch?"

"I was tired. What's wrong?"

Jaime sat down.

"I did something... terrible..."

"I know the feeling. I know it's been a while for you, since he died. I held his hand 5 hours ago.'

"What happened to your hand?"

"Oh this? Never drink and time travel, kid. That's how you end up punching a triceratops. Teddy asked me train you."

"Really?"

"Yea."

"But Batman said I can't use my powers again."

"Well, I'm gonna train you extra hard just to spite him. First bit of training: Ignore Batman. That self-righteous bravado has to be compensating for something. And the next bit can wait until I get my 8 hours of sleep, a shower and some bacon. I don't care what order it happens or even if it happens simultaneously, but it's happening. This has to happen now."

At the White House...

"I understand," said Pierce.

"I'm sorry, Senator Pierce, but we don't have time for pageantry. This country is without a president, and you're next in line."

"Please raise your hand and repeat after me."

"I know the words. "I, Jefferson Pierce, solemnly swear that I will execute the office of the president of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

"President, the country has been hit."

"Yes. We need to hit back."

At Jaime's house...

"If you can travel through time, why couldn't you save Ted?" Asked Jaime?

"I tried, but there are people who protect the time stream. Very serious people. People who never smiled. They kept stopping me. You see, Jaime, there are things you can't change, things that don't matter to the time stream, and there are things that absolutely have to happen."

"So Ted had to die?"

"I guess."

"Why?"

"Because you, no doubt, needed to come together."

"Skeets! Good to see you."

"And you, sir."

"What do you mean we need to come together?"

"Isn't it obvious? The time stream demanded it. Meaning the fate of the world depends on the two of you."

Booster Gold knew what he meant.

"Oh. Crud..."