Invaded
Chapter Twenty: Endgame
Author's Note: Leave a review and enjoy.
The Watchtower
June 20
07:16 PM EDT
"The natural disasters have escalated. The rest of the League is spread thin, saving lives across the globe," Captain Atom explained as a live video feed of Doctor Fate taming a massive tsunami played on one of the holographic screens behind him.
"It's Black Beetle's MFDs," Blue Beetle said, elaborating, "The Magnetic Field Disruptors the Reach seeded at multiple locations across Earth. They're causing a deterioration of the planet's magnetic field, which in turn is causing these not-so-natural disasters."
A holographic display of the Earth projected from Blue Beetle's chest. "I can locate all MFDs, but each is defended by Beetle-tech drones programmed to run until the MFD can build enough steam to go chrysalis and end the world."
A series of small, blinking beetle icons littered the Earth. Within seconds, a pale blue light engulfed the holographic Earth before exploding.
"So, how do we shut them down?" Captain Atom asked.
"I don't know," Blue Beetle admitted, "because Black Beetle didn't know. There's no failsafe. This was an endgame."
"Incoming transmission from United Nations Secretary-General Tseng Dangun," the computer droned as the transmission feed connected. Collectively, we groaned as Lex Luthor's face appeared.
"Secretary Tseng was kind enough to let me borrow his frequency as I have a possible solution to our mutual problem," Luthor calmly explained.
"A problem created by the Light when they joined forces with the Reach," I hissed, folding my arms. Atom, who stood perched on Captain Atom's shoulder, nodded.
"Perhaps," Luthor dismissed me, "but as I believe you know, the Light always planned to betray the Reach. Lex Corp has developed anti-Reach software, a virus that should disable their Magnetic Field Disrupters," Luthor revealed, holding up a small flash drive for us to view.
"Now, I believe time is of the essence," Luthor notes somberly.
Metropolis
June 20
08:16 PM EDT
"Every single Magnetic Field Disruptor must be disabled before they chrysalis to guarantee Earth's safety," Captain Atom briefed, "Each MFD is protected by multiple Beetle-tech drones and each drone is equivalent to a Beetle warrior."
Hunter sighed, folding his arms over his chest. We hadn't really spoken since before the summit.
"Blue Beetle has located twenty-one drones. There are forty-two of us here, so you'll be in squads of two," Captain Atom concluded.
Luthor held up an egg-shaped pod, continuing, "You'll all be issued multiple Reach-tech eggs containing my anti-Reach virus software. While one hero runs interference with the drones, the other only has to physically touch his or her egg against the MFD to disable it."
Hunter glared at Luthor, whispering, "You think we can trust Luthor?"
I shrugged, whispering, "It's his world, too. Luthor always does what benefits him, and saving the world benefits him."
"Alright, I have your assignments. We'll distribute these eggs and go," Captain Atom explained before reading names off a clipboard.
"I hope Harmony's okay," I muttered.
"She's safe in the manor," Hunter assured me.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Luthor announced, "the fate of the world is your hands."
"Cap paired us together," Kid Flash revealed, appearing in a blur in front of Hunter and I.
"Of course he did," Hunter muttered before trudging in the direction of Captain Atom and Luthor.
"What? Is it something I said?" Kid Flash questioned as he lifted me into his arms bridal style before running towards the nearest zeta-tube.
Paris
June 20
04:34 PM CEST
"All squads report in," Lucas Carr instructed.
I grunted as I zigzagged through the air, avoiding the Beetle drone lasers. The tornado behind the Eiffel Tower inched closer with each passing second.
Kid Flash beelined under the Beetle drones, drawing their attention as I shot several obrs. I smirked as one of my orbs successfully hit one of the Beetle drones. It erupted in flames, crashing into the ground.
I flew lower, landing beside Kid Flash. He cradled the anti-Reach egg virus under one arm like firewood.
"Ah, the Eiffel Tower and the ever romantic City of Lights," Kid Flash romanticized in a poor French accent, "We definitely have to come back here."
I raised my hand, shooting several large orbs at the final Beetle drone. It exploded, circling out of the sky.
"You know," Kid Flash grinned, "when we don't have a world to save."
I rolled my eyes, smirking, "There will alway be a world to save."
Kid Flash gripped the anti-Reach egg virus with both hands, retorting with a smirk, "Not in retirement!"
Before I could respond, Kid Flash dashed directly towards the MFD. After a few seconds, the MFD slowly stopped whirling before crashing onto the ground. Kid Flash beelined toward me, almost toppling me over as he embraced me tight. I laughed as he spun me around before pressing a firm kiss on my forehead.
"Omega squad has successfully shut down their MFD," I reported.
The Watchtower
June 20
Unknown Time
"Asami has successfully deployed the egg and disabled the MFD," Black Canary reported; Lucas Carr toggled with the holographic screen, grinning.
"Good job Theta Squad. Twenty-one squads deployed, twenty-one MFDs destroyed. This mission was a success! We have done it!" Lucas Carr excitedly declared.
"We missed one!" Atom revealed, toggling with a holographic screen, "The Earth's magnetic field is still being disrupted."
"Blue Beetle to Watchtower," Blue Beetle's voice echoed as Lucas Carr accepted his transmission.
"I'm reading a twenty-second MFD in the Arctic, hidden from my previous scans by Earth's North Magnetic Pole. Sending coordinates," Blue Beetle informed.
Atom sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "There are no zeta-tubes in the Arctic. How are we going—"
"Don't worry, gang," Flash assured, "I've got this."
"Wait, what?" Atom questioned, "It's too dangerous. You need backup."
"Bart!" Blue Beetle shouted. There was a brief moment of silence before Blue Beetle revealed, "Bart's gone. He's making his way to the Arctic."
Small whispers erupted throughout the Watchtower as we anxiously waited for Flash's report.
"Flash to Watchtower," Flash announced, "The Magnetic Field Disruptor—it's already gone chrysalis. And I'm not sure if the egg—"
Atom quickly interrupted, reading the incoming scans, "The egg is useless now. You're too late."
"What now?" Flash questioned.
"Incoming transmission," the computer droned. Lucas Carr accepted the transmission; Luthor appeared on the holographic screen, saying, "Now, you run."
Flash quickly protested, "Hey, I'm no quitter. There's gotta be another—"
"I didn't say run away," Luthor scowled, "I said run. Together, you and Impulse should be able to negate the chrysalis by running counter to its energy flow."
There was a brief pause before Flash questioned, "Is it really that simple?"
"I wouldn't call it simple. You'll be attempting to siphon its power with your own speed trails. It'll take a massive amount of kinetic energy," Luthor explained.
"Kinetic energy?" I repeated, stepping forward, "I can manipulate kinetic energy but only in the form of—"
"Recognized: Kid Flash, B-04," the computer droned Kid Flash's departure. I frowned, staring at the whirling zeta-tube.
"Your energy orbs should be able to siphon some of the chrysalis power," Luthor theorized.
"Phe?" Nightwing questioned, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"I have to get to the Arctic now," I said, flying towards the zeta-tube.
Nightwing eased the bio-ship onto the snow with ease. We filtered out, instantly shielding our eyes from the snowy winds caused by the MFD.
"Where do I aim, Atom?" I shouted, hovering high in the air.
"At the top!" Atom instructed.
I flew higher, outstretching my hands; a small orb flickered between my hands. It quickly grew in size until it shot forward, hovering over the chrysalis. I inhaled deeply, watching as the growing orb began absorbing bursts of energy from the chrysalis.
The three speedsters began to speed up as the chrysalis slowly began showing signs of deterioration.
The massive energy orb siphoned a massive amount of the chrysalis energy before dispersing in a burst of red and blue light. I exhaled, descending quickly; Nightwing caught me, steadying me onto my feet.
"They did it!" Miss Martian shouted as the snow slowly stopped whirling around us. Collectively, we all ran in the direction where the MFD once was.
As the snow slowly settled, I could clearly see Impulse and Flash. They were folded over, heaving heavily. Aqualad approached Flash, helping him stand as Impulse leaned against Blue Beetle for support.
I scanned the area for Wally, growing nervous at the lack of his presence.
"Where's Wally?" I whispered, glancing around helplessly. I could feel the hot tears welling behind my domino mask.
Flash shrugged off Aqualad's hand, slowly trudging towards me.
"Where's Wally?" I repeated as Flash stood an arm's length away, bowing his head and swallowing hard.
"Barry," I whispered, voice cracking as I suppressed a sob, "Please, where's Wally?"
"He wanted me to tell you—"
"No," I sobbed, inhaling sharply.
"He loved you," Flash whispered, placing his hands firmly on my shoulders.
I gasped, collapsing onto my knees. I clawed at my chest, hyperventilating as I sobbed. I knew this feeling that was slowly overcoming me: I was losing control. Yet, it felt different this time.
NIGHTWING'S PERSPECTIVE:
A glowing red aura surrounded Phoenix as her body slowly levitated. Even with the white film of her domino mask covering her eyes, I could see the familiar red glow. Her fists clenched, igniting orbs in each one. Instead of their usual round shape, the orbs were omni-directional; it was as if she were having problems controlling and forming the orbs.
"Ashley?" Artemis called out, taking a slow step forward.
The red glow in Phoenix's eyes intensified before lasers shot out of her eyes, slicing the ground below her violently and erratically.
"We have to do something!" I shouted, shielding my eyes from the snow.
"Are we not going to talk about the fact that she can shoot lasers from her eyes?" Artemis shouted, throwing herself out of the way of the lasers' path.
"I can't even do that!" Superboy shouted.
Flash remained silent, tilting his head back to stare at Phoenix.
"Do not attack!" Aqualad instructed, "We do not want to provoke her!"
"I think she's well past the point of provoking!" Superboy shouted before tackling Miss Martian to the ground, saving her from Phoenix's unknowing fury.
The sound of the ice cracking beneath us seemed to snap Flash out of his daze. He spun one arm rapidly, forming a small tornado that lifted him upwards. With his free hand, he grabbed Phoenix's ankle; the lasers' shooting from Phoenix's eyes flickered off as her eyes glazed over with a glowing white.
Slowly, the two floated down until Phoenix flew only inches from the ground. Flash slowly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Phoenix collapsed into his embrace, unconscious.
Mount. Justice
June 20
11:16 PM EDT
We stood on the shores of Mount. Justice's remains, awaiting for the arrival of the Leaguers who were on Rimbor. Faintly, the familiar green glow of a Green Lantern's creation illuminated in the night sky as it grew closer; within minutes, the green jet had landed and the Leaguers filtered out.
"Are we too late?" Superman questioned as he stared at the remains of Mount. Justice.
"Aqualad, what happened here? And why is Phoenix wearing an inhibitor collar?" Batman glared at Aqualad.
"Fear not, the crisis has passed through at a terrible cost," Aqualad answered.
"What happened?" Batman hissed as his glare shifted to me.
I sighed, "Well, it—"
My wrist computer beeped loudly before Lucas Carr's transmission began playing, "Watchtower to anyone! The Watchtower is under attack! Requesting immediate help!"
"Let's go!" Batman shouted. The Green Lanterns raised their fists as a green orb surrounded the Leaguers. Within seconds, they were making their way to the Watchtower.
"Are we just going to sit here?" Superboy questioned.
"I'll stay with Phoenix," Impulse offered, glancing at Phoenix's unconscious body in the Super-Cycle.
"Bring her to Star City," I instructed, "Queen Manor has a med-bay."
PHOENIX'S PERSPECTIVE
Queen Manor, Star City
June 29
05:23 AM PDT
A sudden jarring sense of motion jolted me forward. I gagged, forcibly choking on a ventilator; I opened my eyes, grimacing at the bright fluorescent light above. Blindly, I yanked at the wires connected to my body.
Distorted voices yelled around me as a series of hands pushed me down.
I began to cry—or attempted with the ventilator in my throat. The sob came out as a mixture of groaning and gargling. Before I could muster enough strength to fight whoever was holding me down, a cold sensation in my arm alerted me.
Within seconds, I could feel myself slowly drift asleep again.
Slowly, I fluttered my eyes open; the fluorescent lights above had been dimmed. The small room was illuminated faintly by the glowing monitors of machines and holographic screens that displayed my vitals.
Instantly, I knew I was in the medical ward of the Arrow Cave at Queen Manor. I attempted to clear my throat which caused me to cough. With a slight groan, I pushed myself forward into a sitting position. I glanced around the small room, noticing the wheelchair which had been parked by the room's only door.
I inched towards the edge of my bed, grimacing as a sharp pain surged through my core. I reached for the IV pole, pulling it towards me. I pushed myself off the bed, standing on my own two feet.
Gripping the IV pole tight, I used it as support as I inched towards the wheelchair. Beads of sweat gathered on my forehead before I finally allowed myself to collapse onto my knees. Heaving heavily, I lifted my hospital gown enough to examine the source of my pain. Stitches on the left side of my abdomen... great.
I grunted, rising to my feet using the IV pole as support. Gradually, I made my way to the wheelchair. I flopped into the wheelchair, successfully attaching the IV pole to the back of the chair, and wheeling out of the room. The hallway that led to the main section of the Arrow Cave was barren and dimly lit.
Batgirl was the first to notice me; she abruptly stopped talking, mid-sentence to gawk at me. Nightwing stood in front of her, reading a screen on his wrist computer. Batgirl nudged him, gesturing towards me. He turned, looking at me with visible shock.
Slowly, the chatter in the room died down. Within seconds, Black Canary and Green Arrow pushed through the crowd, crouching beside me.
"How do you feel?" Canary asked, pushing stray strands of hair away from my face.
"Tired," I croaked, "What is everyone doing here?"
Green Arrow sighed, visibly searching for the right words.
"You ruptured your spleen," Canary informed me, "You displayed a new power. Do you remember anything?"
My stern expression faltered as the memories flooded into the front of my thoughts. I had almost forgotten about Wally's ultimate sacrifice to stop the Reach's final MFD from crystallizing.
"Wally's... dead," I whispered slowly.
Canary nodded her head, cupping my hands in her own; it was obvious she was nervous, waiting to see if I would lose control again. Green Arrow rose to his full height, wheeling me further into the room.
"Why is everyone here?" I repeated, slightly louder.
"There was an attack on the Watchtower," Nightwing revealed, "The group you had investigated—the Red Lotus—they successfully infiltrated the Watchtower, bypassed security measures, and attacked Bialya."
Batman continued, "We know Hunter has successfully linked the Order of the Red Lotus as a League of Shadow's assassin group. He was also able to provide proof that they were working for the Light."
Harmony pushed through the crowd, running towards me. She lunged at me, awkwardly embracing me in a hug. I moaned at the surge of pain but still attempted to embrace her.
"Are you okay?" Harmony questioned, pulling away.
"Yeah," I assured her before returning my attention to the gathered heroes.
"Why is everyone here, as in my house," I clarified.
"When they attacked Bialya," Nightwing paused, "they used the Watchtower."
"It's starting," Batgirl said as she pointed to the massive holographic screen with the muted live feed of the UN conference. The entire room fell into utter silence as the program was unmuted.
"As acting Secretary General of the UN," Lex Luthor paused, "I am here to inform you, the people of Earth, that your beloved heroes have failed you. The Justice League had a satellite equipped with weapons of mass destruction, a binary fusion generator, and more. Not even mere hours after Earth's successful battle against the Reach, the Justice League tries to assert themselves as Earth's dictators. By fate, something in their plan was flawed which caused their orbiting satellite to crash to Earth, sadly killing millions in Bialya," Luthor explained.
My mouth parted in shock. I glanced around the room, noticing the injuries on some Leaguers.
"After much thought, the United Nations has come to a unanimous conclusion. Mr. President, if you will," Luthor said, stepping to the side to allow the President of the United States to stand behind the podium.
"Tonight, I do not just address my fellow Americans, but my fellow humans. Recently, an act of terrible violence and barbarism has been committed against us that claimed the lives of 2.3 million in total. Those responsible will be held accountable and brought to justice. After speaking with fellow world leaders and working diligently with the UN, we have come to a mutual agreement and begun a course of action. Effective immediately via executive order #199-021, otherwise known as the Hero Registration Act, all superhero and vigilante activities are hereby outlawed. All heroes and vigilantes must turn themselves in and face justice for the crimes committed. Those of alien origin may return to their planets peacefully under the notion that they will not and cannot return to Earth. Those who resist will be labeled international terrorists and will be hunted with the full might of a globally coordinated military. All heroes and vigilantes have one month from this date to turn themselves in peacefully before the manhunt begins."