OK, here's the next arc for New Golden Age of Heroes: Sweet Dreams. Based in part of the Sandman comics from Vertigo and the episodes involving Dr. Destiny in the Justice League cartoon. As you know, I only own my OCs. So please Read, Review and Suggest away!

Sweet Dreams Part 1

(Gotham City, New Jersey. Arkham Asylum. April 3rd, 18:34)

Arkham Asylum, the home to many people in need of psychological care, be it criminal or normal people alike. Several of Batman's longest enemies were currently within the premises of this gothic, multi-building establishment.

In the mess hall, many of the criminals were sealed up from the regular patients and staff from a large glass wall that allowed the staff to see them, but also so they could target none of the normal people who were there for treatment.

At the moment it was Dinner Time and both sides were eating their supper, which was a wide array of food so the inmates/patients were fed and kept healthy for their sentences or treatments, either one was available in the asylum.

On the Civilian side, a man was sitting near the glass that separated the two sides as he twitched a bit. The man in question seemed to be a pale man with wrinkled skin and shaggy brown hair, his chocolate brown eyes blood shot and over several dark bags, and his body appeared to be a skeleton with a hint of a pot belly due to how thin his arms were.

He groaned as he rubbed his head, as a man on the criminal side looked over with a scowl. The man in question had dark brown hair that reached his neck, brown eyes with a curious stare under a pair of purple framed glasses and a very faint goatee forming due to not having a chance to shave. He was currently wearing a simple white shirt and a pair of black pants, typical attire for the asylum inmates. He adjusted the glasses he wore as he says, "Jonathan Skyler Dee, an interesting man here in this asylum."

"What's so interestin' 'bout dat guy, Nygma?" Asked a growling Cajun tone as he looked to see a 7 foot tall humanoid being with dark gray-green scaled skin with clawed hands, razor-sharp teeth and yellow-amber eyes and a bald head. He was wearing a similar attire but wore what looked like a shock collar around his neck and a hat on his head, a fiant growl escaping his lips.

"Well my semi-reptilian friend, it's because he is on the same league as any of us." Said the man, known as Edward 'Riddler' Nygma, looking at the man, known as Waylon 'Killer Croc' Jones.

Another man at the table flipped a coin, wearing a half black and half white T-shirt and a pair of orange pants as well as he caught it. The man in question had a scarred face on his left side with dark brown hair with a burnt gray on the left side, with a pale left eye and a good dark blue eye. 'what's so special about him? He's about as twitchy as a rabbit." He said in a gruff tone.

"I think you may care if you once knew him, Harvey." A female voice said as he growled in annoyance, looking at one Poison Ivy, now wearing a white t-shirt that she tied up to expose her stomach area and a pair of black pants and a flower in her red hair. "He used to be nicknamed 'Doctor Destiny'."

"Destiny…wait, I know that name! He was a scientist here in Gotham University." Two-Face said, his voice now a more neutral tone, revealing the other side of the scarred villain. "I did work with him during my time as a lawyer."

"Indeed. All the stress of his work has lead him to having many trouble sleeping…he's been here about a month without so much of a nap." Riddler said as he looked at him. "Gotta say, for a man without a month of sleep, it's impressive he is still alive. Did you know that a person cannot go without that much sleep without hallucinating? The closest thing to sleep that man has gotten is when he's sedated, and that's only so long, never a good amount."

"Who cares, really?" a voice said as they saw Victor Zsasz in the room near their table, picking his fingernails with a knife but also having a shock collar around his neck to keep him from attacking anyone, his tallied body on full display.

"Yeah, if some punk can't sleep, it ain't no skin off of our noses." A growling tone said as a large mass of tanned clay-like mud growled, pitch white eyes glaring at the man from the other side. A large man who had a fairly large head just kept quiet, playing around with some Lego-like toys on his table after he was finished eating before he broke it apart again and then putting it back together.

"You all behaving?" a voice asked as they all turned and chuckled as the man on the other side saw him as well; he was a tall man clad in a all black jumpsuit with a glass dome on his head with tubes going intot he helmet, releasing a blue aura, making the man look like he had blue skin with a face mask over his nose and mouth area.

"Victor Fries…long time." Said Edward with a nod. "I thought you were a free man since working for CADMUS?"

"I am at the moment. I am here on business so I thought I'd say hello." Victor said with a nod. "I am gonna stay in my old room however since it's a tedious flight to Washington." He looked up and asks, "John Dee I presume?"

'That's him alright, been here about a month and he's not one stick of sleep." Two-face said with a nod as they all looked at him with frowns.

"Riddle Me This, my friends: How much is a good sleep's worth?" Riddler asked with a small grin as they all looked at John, who was getting nervous at so many criminals looking at him.

'Why-why are they looking at me? Do they want to kill me? Why would they want to kill me? I didn't do anything to them. Oh right, they're criminals, of course they don't need a reason to kill me, but why? Why me? I did nothing wrong…' John thought, looking scared as he began to scoot away from the glass nervously.

"Mr. Dee? A package from your mother." A guard said as John looked at him. He was a big, dark skinned man with dark brown eyes and a goatee noticeable on his face, but the oddest thing was a metallic, three-hooked hand hat held a package for him.

"Tha-thank you, Mr. Cash." He said as he took the package as Cash gave a glare to Croc, who gave a neck motion to him as he showed off his fangs. John looked nervously as he opened the box, revealing a odd-looking black box with the words, 'Materioptikon' as he picked up a letter."

It read, 'Dear son. I know this past month has been tough on you, but you worry us all very much. I found this at a peddler shop in Europe during one of my trips. The owner said it's said that this stone can allow a user to dream pleasantly, so I thought it could help. So please son, get some rest. Love, your mother." John wiped his eye as he looked at the box curiously.

(Later…)

(John Dee's room in Arkham. April 3rd, 22:02)

John sat in his bed, looking at the box as he looked at the time. He took a breath and opned it, revealing a brilliant-looking ruby talisman with a black leather strap that helps it stay around the neck.

He put it on as he says, "Pretty…" he then groaned as the ruby glowed ash e fell back on his bed, as he snored faintly, as he looked at peace for once.

(Uknown location. Unknown time)

John then found himself in a strange area, that looked like he was in outer space as he saw what looked like a glowing road ahead. "Incredible…" He said as he looked in a mirror and he saw himself before he got the way he was now: a man who was on the short side but he had thick brown hair, calm chocolate brown eyes and a thin but fit body. "I-I'm myself again…I am dreaming now."

He chuckled as he looked around as h says, "This is extroninary! I am in a plane of existence that no man has ever seen before!" He then saw what looked like various whisps of smoke as he felt them and heard voices on the other end. "Hmm?"

He walked in and saw a large room with various question marks everwhere as he saw a child sitting there, muttering, 'I am smarter than they are, father…I'm smarter than everyone…"

John walked over with concern as he asks, "Son, you alright?"

"Who, who's there?!" he asked as he jumped back, looking scared as he backed up, John putting his hands up.

"Easy there, I am not gonna hurt you." John said in reassurance as he saw the Child's eyes look behind him as he turned and went wide eyed in shock as he saw a ghostly figure coming in, growling.

"It-It's him!" The boy screamed in fear as he suddenly turnedi nto the Riddler, surprising Dee as he saw the figure jump down and kick him, making John run away out of the smoke and back into the main area as he saw many more images appear before him.

"Dr. Woodrue, please! Don't do this!" a woman screamed as he saw Poison Ivy before her transformation being forced against a wall of experimental chemicals as a man gave her a smirk.

"Sorry miss Isley…but Mr. Boyle said you have to go…but I want to give you a parting gift." He said with a smirk as it suddenly vanished before it changed into Ivy appearing before Woodrue, glaring darkly before he was thrown into a chemical batch that led him to fly through a window.

Another showed Victor being thrown into a vat of chemicals, screaming in pain as he coughed, inhaling many of the chemicals as his skin started to turn snow white. Another showed Humpty Dumpty sobbing as he stitched together a dead old woman, whispering, 'I'll bring you back granny, I'll bring you back…'

John began to pant in fear as he saw Waylon getting hit by a stick by a man saying, 'You're a little freak, Waylon! How the hell can you even exist!?' before it showed Harvey getting beaten by a man as a giant coin came in and nearly crushed them both.

"Make it stop…" John said, gripping his head as various voices began to chant a name, catching his ears as he looked up.

"BATMAN! BATMAN! BATMAN! BATMAN! BATMAN…" The voices began to say the name over and over again, as John backed up in fear as the gem glowed brightly as the smoke began to take a shape, growling as it took a form, making him scream in terror as he saw a ragged version of Batman appear, his eyes glowing bright white as he glared at him.

"Sta-stay back!" John said as he ran away from him, as he just stalked slowly. John looked to his left and saw a Victor slashing his arm to start his tallies, and another where a man was in a tea party having fun and giggling away with a woman near by, who was groaning and wearing a familiar blue dress.

"It wil never stop…you must give in…" a voice said in John's mind, making him grip his head. "You must accept this as it is, Dr. Dee."

"Pleasant dreams my backside…this is a NIGHTMARE!" He screamed in terror as he stopped, the voices still coming in not just from the Asylum, but from all of Gotham…and even the world. "…that's what this all is…in the end…" he gripped his fists as he says, "It's not fair…I just want a good night sleep…I want these voices to STOP!"

"I can help…" a voice said as he turned to see the nightmarish Batman walk forward, as h suddenly turned into a figure with a ragged robe. "If you will accept me that is…I can help stop ALL pleasant nights…after all, if we cannot dream, why should they?"

"Yes…lets show them true suffering…and make it eternal…" John said with a laugh, a mad laugh as the rags went over him, morphing over him as he continued to laugh evilly as it formed over him.

(Elsewhere…)

(Star City, California. Downtown. April 3rd, 21:33)

At a warehouse, a group of thugs with a white-haired Chinese woman grunted as she yells, "Come on ladies, let's get this shipment out of here! Our buyer will be expecting us in 30 minutes."

"Sorry, but your transaction is over due." A voice said as she turned and saw an arrow nearly hit her as the group looked up to see the Justice League glaring down at them; Green Arrow and Batman along with their sidekicks to be exact.

"China White, you're under arrest!" Batman said as the group went down onto the ground and glared as Robin looked around as he heard the ground shake.

"What was that?" asked Spoiler as China smirked at this.

"I had a feeling you would butt in, Green Arrow, so I had a little insurance." China said as she pointed behind them, causing the group to turn to see an 8-foot tall being walking forward, growling at this. "He's for hire if you can believe it. Some of your friends from the Titans know him well…"

A deep growl is heard as the figure came into the light as a towering giant came forward with a growl, revealing him to be made entirely out of dark gray concrete and dark red eyes. China's thugs then aimed their weapons at them, all smirking at this.

"Hmm…so lets see that's…" Mia began to count them up. "That's one, two, three-50 of you, 52 counting your boss and the walking statue there, and 5 of us."

"And last I checked, many of your members are asleep since they're mostly day shift. They don't go prowling at night" A thug said as Robin looked at him at this.

"Yeah…but we made an organization idea with that." Robin smirked as the group looked confused at this before a sonic scream is heard as the group turned to see Cinderblock was sent back, before growling and turning around to see the cavalry who arrived.

"Sorry we're late." Wildcat said as he walked up with Black Canary, Alchimia, Katana, Martian Manhunter, Geo-Force and Cyborg as they all glared at them.

"Say hello to 'Nightshift'." Alchimia said as he cracked his knuckles under his gloves.

"I am still getting used to these timezone differences." Katana said as she cracked her neck a bit, as her sword glowed a bit. "Hush, Makeo." She said in annoyance.

"But I had chosen a better name. Say hello…to the 'Outsider' Unit." Said Geo-Force as his hands glowed with energy, his eyes shining a bit.

"J'onn, you, Cyborg and Geo-Force take on big ugly. We'll take the goons with China." Said Canary as Manhunter nod as he and the other two went to the giant as Etrigan growled at this.

"What is this creature exactly, Cyborg?" asked Manhunter in curiosity as the monster roared out, firing it's fist forward, making J'onn glow a bit as he made his body into steel, shattering the stony fist upon impact as he glared at this.

"He's called Cinderblock. He used to work for Deathstroke way back when. Been freelance these days." Said cyborg with a glare as Geo-Force glowed.

"What rock is rock, so I can control him. In theory…" Geo-Force said as his eyes shined as he tried to lift cinderblock into the air.

Meanwhile, Katana ran through several thugs, blocking bullets with her sword with fast speed before kicking a man away and chopping a gun from the one on his left, glaring ahead. An arrow flew by as she gave a smirk to Speedy, who smirked as she gave a small wave in return as it got the guy in the shoulder.

"Reminds you of the time we took on that nutty fencer. What was his name again?" asked Green Arrow as he slammed a thug nearest to him aside as Batman ducked around a man's arm and jabbed his elbow in his chest before delivering a electro-charged punch to the man in front of him.

"The Cavalier. And yes, I do remember. You were still that dangerous vigilante. If I remember right, my first night in Star City, you nearly shot me in the face with an arrow-piercing arrow." Batman said as Arrow rolled his eyes, unaware of a strange aura coming from an alleyway.

"Now boys, behave yourselves." Wildcat said as he bashed two goon's heads together, looking at them with a flat look as Batman just gave a small nod as robin knocked down a goon with his bo-staff, unaware of the area getting odd.

China White growled as she got her gun out while Canary kicked a few goons away, while Cinderblock got sent flying into a wall as Manhunter and Cyborg kept him there while Geo-Force used his Geokinesis to keep him pinned to a wall.

"Alchimia, if you don't mind?" Cyborg asked as the alchemist nods as his chest glowed a bit as he slammed down, making the stone keep the behemoth from moving, roaring in anger.

"Man, that guy needs a chill pill." Alchimia said, patting his hands together as he saw China White aiming a bazooka at them, making the remaining goons go wide eyed while Manhunter scowled.

"This isn't good." Katana said flatly as Robin gave her a look that said 'no duh' as China smirked.

"Say good night, heroes." China smirked, unaware of a figure standing behind her as the others looked shocked at the figure.

"Good Night." Said a quiet, soothing voice as China looked behind herself in shock to see a tall, cloaked figure with a gas mask-like helmet with bug-like eye holes and a long hose-like nose coming out of it, a bag on his side and wearing an all-black cloak over a simple black and pants combo, and was barefoot and had exposed hands, which were white as chalk.

"Who the hell are you?!" China asked with a glare as the man simply looked at her with the helmet before taking out a few strands of sand and throwing it into the air, making it glow as it went into the air, making the grunts, China and Cinderblock suddenly look drowsy before falling asleep, making the League look at him oddly.

"And you are?" Batman asked with a scowl as the man calmly removed his helmet, revealing a pale man with pitch-black eyes and shaggy, upright black hair and very faint stubble.

"I am a being behond comprehension…I am a being that transcends dimensions. But you may know my by a simple name: Dreams. I am of the Endless, a race of beings that bring to life all thought." Said the figure, his voice soothing and soft as he looked at them. "Your friends are in danger. Many lives are…but this being wishes to take in the Justice League when they are vulnerable."

"And how da hell do you know that?" asked Wildcat with a scowl, looking at him suspiciously. Dream only looked at him calmly as Tim cringed at the sight, disturbed by the being's black eyes

"I am the master of Dreams…however, a powerful artifact with a portion of my power, the Dreamstone, has been taken from me during my time away. But now I must have it back before this man does lord knows what…this man will give never-ending nightmares. He is known as Johnathan Dee, but is going by 'Dr. Destiny'. I felt his presence recently and you can help me." Dream said calmly as the others looked at each other. "First we need to get all your friends together, now."

"Right…we'll make some calls." Batman said with a nod as they all got their com-links online. Dream watched calmly, looking downcast at this as he looked up, seeing dark aura filling the sky as he frowned.

(Metropolis, New York. Kent Apartment. April 4th, 00:45)

Lois hummed a bit as she was getting out of the shower, wrapped in her bathrobe as she yawned a bit, exhausted from another day of work as she heard the table phone ring. She yawned as she says, "Kent residence, Lois speaking."

"Lois, do not let Clark go to sleep." Batman said on the other end, making Lois scowl a bit.

"OK Wayne, it's midnight and I got no time for your really strange sense of humor. Clark's been busting his butt all day. Not just at the Planet, but he stopped 5 fires, 3 bank robberies, a hostage situations, AND volunteered to find some kid's lost dog. So excuse me for saying that he's exhausted. He may be solar powered, but his stamina can only go so long." Lois said with a scowl.

"There is a man with an artifact that can go into your husband's dreams, Lois. You need to wake him up before it's too late! I'm gonna get to the Kent farm and hope that Kara isn't in his thrawl." Batman said as Lois went wide eyed as she dropped the phone in a panic as she went into their bedroom.

"Clark!" She said as she looked around and saw Clark was asleep as she went over to try and shake him awake and saw him groaning, but not waking up. "Oh no…this isn't good…"

(Central City, Missouri. Allen residence, 23:05)

In the middle of the night in Central City, a dark red blur was passing through until it got to the front of a suburban home. Jay Garrick ran towards the house, as he knocked hard, anxious.

"Ugh, Jay?" Iris asked as she opened the door and asks, "What is it? Why are you here at this ungodly hour?"

"Barry's in trouble!" said Jay with concern. "Carol Ferris, you now Hal's girlfriend, she just called CADMUS and told them that Hal is going through a fit just after J'ons called it in. Wildcat called me to help."

"Barry?" asked Iris as the two went and saw Barry was groaning, gripping his head in pain. "Barry, honey! Calm down, it's gonna be OK…" Jay looked concerned at this, not liking this.

(Smallville, Kansas. Kent Farm. April 4th, 00:20)

"Kara, wake up. Come on…" said a older woman with graying brown hair and dark blue eyes, looking at her husband, a man with a balding head and dark blue-green eyes, looking to the girl with concern as a orange cat with a white streak on the back pawed at her, mewing as she groaned.

"No…no…" Kara moaned, scared out of her mind as she tried to get away with whatever was appearing.

(Fawcett City, Illinois. Billy's Apartment. April 3rd, 23:33)

Billy groaned in his sleep, gripping his blanket in pain as Tawny looked with concern, his fur bristling as he says, "So…someone has found the Dreamstone…and is using it on my partner. This is not good…" He looked up as he says, "The Endless must know about this…it will disrupt the balance in the realm."

(Washington DC. Diana's Apartment, April 4th, 00:39)

"Diana! Open up!" Amanda said, standing outside the Amazon's apartment as she banged her fist harder on the door. She growls in frustration as she nods to Snapper, who nods back as he snapped his finger, making the two appear inside.

The room was simple but livable with a high ceiling and many photos on the walls and a few vases. In the back was a bedroom, where groans were heard as Amanda and Snapper went inside and saw Diana in her sleep, groaning in pain as she mutters something in Greek.

"What is this?" asked Snapper as Amanda scowled, not liking this as she looked outside.

"A war…a war within the mind. We need to work fast, before it's too late." Said Amanda, glaring at this, unaware of a figure watching from the shadows, his eyes piercing blue.

End of Part 1

Man, this was hard to write given the vacation I wetn on. But I hope you all were patient and didn't mind the wait. Please let me know what you think and please Read, Review and Suggest away!