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"Brutality" part 3
"Perceptions"
"Tonight on WDDL news, more on the capture of Clayface by the mysterious hero known as Daredevil. Who is Gotham City's latest masked crime fighter and is the city big enough for both he and the Batman? More on this at…"
"—but the bodies of the children were so mutilated, they could only be identified through dental records. This discovery moves the total death count to nine. And still, police have no leads in the case of this child killer, who refers to himself as the Pied Piper. In a possibly related story, Portia Renaldi, the four-year-old daughter of famed Italian compser Victor Renaldi, is now missing. Her father was here for a special concert to benefit AIDS research and vows…"
"—makes you wonder what the hell they're doing up in that big hunk of junk in the sky when there are child killers and monsters down here on Earth. I'm voting for Luthor; he'll straigten 'em out."
"—despite the assassination, the Red Sox still managed to win, forcing a game seven at Yankee Stadium. No one truly knows what happened in Senator Carter's suite, however, some witnesses claim to have seen a black-haired woman wearing all red and carrying two sais leaving through a ventilation shaft. President Bush released this statement…"
"—Lara owns five mansions and was taught the art of being a lady in English etiquette classes. However, Ms. Croft says that her true passion in life is searching for lost artifacts and adventuring. Next on It's Good To Be Lara Croft, Lara gives us a private tour of her spacious…"
"—even after the little duck man, who claims his name is Howard by the way, was removed from the stage screaming profanity by Luke Cage, hero for hire turned Britney's bodyguard, Britney refused to go back on and finish her set. Destiny's Child also pulled out after the incident. But luckily, fans were treated to a three-hour set of Alicia Keys, who was joined on stage by good friend, Christina Aguilera who was originally there only to make a guest appearance. Britney was heavily criticized for walking out, especially after she insisted that she go on stage last, instead of Aretha Franklin, who the concert was in honor of. Cindy Lauper had harsh words for Britney's backstage conduct before the show, saying 'She acted like a little b…"
"—shows Bush's approval rating continues to drop as both Kerry and Luthor gain ground. Nader, however, is still right around two percent. Luthor is scheduled to make a speech in Gotham City tomorrow… wait! What's that? We're going to go to Tom Dailey who's in Gotham City, where the Justice League is battling a monster. And losing…"
Perceptions. Watch a bunch of television screens through the window of a Gotham City Radioshak and you'll get plenty of them. The Justice League has thrust itself into battle against the US Government created monster, Doomsday. Already, Batman crashed his bat-jet into Doomsday, but to with no effect. Wonder Woman has hit the beast with her hardest blows and Supergirl has blasted him with her hottest beams, but both have been plucked away. To the league's credit, Green Lantern has managed to circle off the battle zone from the rest of the city, but as the battle rages on, the perceptions of the onlookers are that the league has trapped themselves in a cage with death.
"We have to keep on him," Vixen says, "Don't lose focus!"
"I'm with you girl!" Supergirl says as Vixen channels the power of the elephant and she and Supergirl charge Doomsday. Doomsday kicks Vixen in the stomach, sending her flying away with an "OOOOOOOF!" and wraps his fist around Supergirl's head.
"NO!" Diana screams as she attacks. Doomsday responds by grabbing Diana's head inside his fist and slamming she and Supergirl together and dropping them. Batman rushes to Diana's aid but can only manage to pull Supergirl out of the way as Doomsday does a jumping stomp, landing on Diana's stomach and grinding his foot deep into the agonizing Amazon. Suddenly, Superboy emerges from the rubble, lifting Doomsday off the ground. "Thought you had me beat, ugly?" Superboy says angrily as he tosses Doomsday to the ground.
Longshadow grows in height. "How would you like a taste of your own medicine?"
He steps on Doomsday and grinds him into the ground.
"Good job, Tonto," Superboy says, "Looks like that's a wrap."
Of course, the other leaguers know better. Doomsday emerges from the top of Longshadow's boot, breaking bones. "ARRRGH!" comes from both the pained Longshadow and the angry Doomsday.
Green Lantern kneels by Vixen, who is channeling the power of the snake to correct her shattered ribs and broken spine. "Are you okay?" he says genuinely concerned
"Don't act like you care," she says and rushes back into battle. Batman is looking after Wonder Woman. "J'onn," he says into his commlink, "We don't have enough to even contain him, we need back-up."
"We need to get him away from the main city," Diana says, "I'll do it!"
"Diana, no!" Batman says as Wonder Woman flies into Doomsday and tries to batter him back with punches, but he doesn't even budge. Supergirl joins her. The two synchronizing their punches, manage to make the monster give ground.
"Ladies," Superboy says, lifting Doomsday by the seat of his pants with one finger, "Allow me!"
Using his tactile telekinesis (which allows him to lift anything he touches), Superboy tosses Doomsday a mile outside of Gotham City.
"That was real smart kid," Green Lantern says, "Now we'll have to hunt for him!"
"Hey, I was just trying to help," Superboy replies
Flash disappears then reappears. "I found him."
Wonder Woman turns to Supergirl, "Thanks for the save back there."
"Just paying you back for saving me earlier," Kara replies, "But it changes nothing between us. Once this is over, I'm going to find Kal. With or without the Justice League."
Watchtower containment cell…
Shayera didn't even think about it. The pure horror of it all made her attack. Only minutes ago, Johnny Blaze's skin burned off his bones to reveal the Ghost Rider. Shayera swung her mace with all her might, only to miss and find herself backhanded to the ground.
"Do not stand in the way, woman," Ghost Rider says, "Innocent blood has been spilled. I will not rest until I have my vengeance."
"I'm not letting you out of hear!" Shayera says as she swings her mace at Ghost Rider's head. He dodges it, grabs the handle, and throws Shayera into the wall. "You speak as though you can stop me," he replies and begins to walk out, "I am Ghost Rider, the living spirit of vengeance. Nothing can stop me until vengeance is mine."
Ghost Rider leaves the containment cell, but is met by Fire and Ice. Fire blasts him with no effect. "I am made of pure hellfire," he says laughing, "Your foolish attempts fall short!"
He pushes both of them aside and makes his way towards the hangar. "Stay out of this," Shayera says, "I let him out and I'll take care of it. He's too dangerous!"
"It's either help you with him or fight Doomsday, Hawkgirl," Ice says
"Doomsday?" Shayera says, "The League needs me! We have to take down Ghost Rider so we can help the League!"
Shayera, Fire and Ice quickly catch up with Ghost Rider at the hanger. "Okay Skeletor," Ice says, "Come along nicely!"
Shayera faces Ghost Rider. "You will not leave," she says
"Really?" he replies. Fire and Ice are knocked down by Ghost Rider's big black motorcycle as it leaves a trail of flames in its wake. "NO!" shouts Shayera as she attacks him. He grabs her by her throat. "You are very powerful, but very foolish," he says staring at her, "Perhaps, you can be of use to me."
He invokes his Penance Stare. Shayera is instantly under his control. "Your will is broken too easily, child," he says, "Come!"
"Not so fast, baldy!" Ice says but Shayera jumpkicks her in the jaw and backfists Fire across the cheek. Both women go down as stunned as they are shocked.
With that, Ghost Rider opens the hanger gates and drives his motorcycle off the deck and into space. Shayera puts on an oxygen helmet and follows.
"How are we going to explain this to Martian Manhunter?" Ice says
"I already know," J'onn says telepathically, "The main problem is Doomsday. Get to the transportation disks; you both are going to help in Gotham City."
Elsewhere…
His pain. His hate. But is he meant for hate? Is he meant for pain? All he has felt the passed few hours, which, to him are an eternity, are hate and pain. He can resist no longer his desire to hate. To hurt. No more moral resistance. He understands now. It is his destiny to make the world right by making evil suffer. He is mankind's savior. He is ready…
Off to the side, Amanda Waller stands next to a shadowy figure. "I don't like the looks of this," she says
"You don't have to," the shadow says, "everything is going according to plan."
"The election is coming up," she responds, "The Justice League is still active and Luthor is gaining momentum in the polls. If Luthor is elected and finds out about this operation…"
"Let me deal with Luthor," the shadow replies, "And," it says pointing at the man suffering from pain and hate, "we'll let him deal with the Justice League. His training and transformation are complete. Release him. It is time."
Gotham City…
The added presences of Booster Gold, Fire, Ice, Steel, Huntress, Elastic Man, Plastic Man, Zantana, Green Arrow and Black Canary are not making much of a difference against Doomsday. He seems unstoppable and he has put many of them down. The mist of fire and gas has made it difficult for the leaguers to find one another as the monster's rampage continues. Batman is catering to the wounded and Wonder Woman is fighting Doomsday alone now. Her knuckles are bleeding profusely as she lands deathblow after deathblow, but to no avail. Doomsday lands a crushing uppercut to Diana's stomach, and rock hard abs turn to jelly as she gasps and drops to one knee semi-conscious. As he lifts his hand up for the final blow, "Not so fast, ya ugly bastich!" Lobo says as he nails Doomsday from behind, "She's my kill! Ya can't have her, ya ERRRKK!"
Doomsday grabs Lobo by the throat and throws him down. Lobo is up quickly and pulls his knife and chain, "Now THIS is my kinda fight!"
At that very moment, Ghost Rider and his bike slam into Doomsday from above while Shayera attacks Doomsday with her mace. From the burning effects of entering Earth's atmosphere, Ghost Rider's bike temporarily became a fireball. "Nice bike," Lobo says, "My work here is done. Geez, an' I thought I was ugly!"
Lobo picks up the dazed Wonder Woman and carries her off to the side. He caresses her in his arms and sniffs her hair before cutting a small lock of it for his own. Then he leaves her on the ground and fades into the shadows.
Lex Luthor has been in his hotel room for quite some time. No statements to the media just yet. Not until he ties his tie, puts on his cologne and makes his way to the site of the fight. He hears a gunshot, the scream of his bodyguard Chastity, and the sound of his door opening. He grabs his gun only to turn and face a woman with blood red hair to match her blood red uniform with black trim. She's holding a large machine gun and has eyes without pupils. "Who are you?" he says
She touches him and he drops instantly. He feels like he's starving to death. She smiles. A man walks in behind her. He looks to be nearly seven feet tall and wearing a black mask with tubes leading from the back of his head to a device on his right forearm. "Bane," Luthor says, "What in God's name happened to you?"
What Luthor is referring to are the large splotches of reddish black sores all over Bane's visible skin. A hooded man walks in between them. He removes his hood. It's Ra's Al Ghul.
"Forgive Fatale; she has a famine-izing effect on people. Lex Luthor," he says, "my master has a message for you…"
Gotham City…
Batman kneels beside Diana. "Diana," he says, "wake up."
"Bruce," she says slowly, "Is Doomsday beaten? Did we win?"
"Not yet," he replies, "Rest. You've done your part."
"Batman," Longshadow says, "Zantana needs you. I'll take care of Wonder Woman."
He knows that under most circumstances, he'd be forming a strategy or giving the other leaguers directions. Diana would have to use her own discretion. This is HIS city; HIS people are in danger… but all that matters is her. Her safety. He can't lose another. "I'll take Wonder Woman with me," Batman says, "She's too close to the warzone."
"Hey Hothead!" Superboy says as he joins Ghost Rider, "Welcome to the party!"
"You!" Ghost Rider says as he moves passed Superboy and looks at Longshadow, "You are the one!"
Ghost Rider removes one of his gloves to reveal a bony hand flaming with hellfire. He places it on Longshadow's face and Longshadow screams. Diana leaps to her feet only to have Shayera block her way. "He's KILLING him!" Diana screams, "MOVE!"
Diana manages to throw Shayera out of the way just as Ghost Rider is letting go of Longshadow. Longshadow's face resembles silly puddy, but he is alive. "Vengeance has been served," Ghost Rider says, "But more blood has been spilled. The monster! His doomsday has come!"
"Leave it to me," a voice from above says. In a blur of blue and red, something hits Doomsday hard enough to tear him in half. Supergirl's swollen face smiles in joy as a stone-faced red-eyed Superman hovers over the battlefield. He uses his heat vision to incinerate the remains of Doomsday. "This fight is over," Superman says to Batman, "Clean up and report back to the Watchtower."
"He's never talked to you like that," Diana says
"I know," Batman says, "This is not good."
Back at the Watchtower, the next few hours were a blur. The injured league members went to receive medical attention. Longshadow is in a holding cell after surveillance cameras show that he planted the bombs. He insists that he didn't know what happened, which prompted J'onn to do a mind scan on him. Turns out every time he falls asleep, he undergoes a form of mind control that led to him planting the bombs. Despite Diana's rebuttals, he is under watch. Ghost Rider is free to roam the halls of the Watchtower, despite many leaguers disapproval. Surprisingly, Superman insisted on it. Shayera came out of her hypnosis, but some, like Diana, are once again questioning her commitment.
Diana lands a right cross that sends Shayera flying into the wall of the Watchtower training room. "Is that the best you can do, Hawkgirl?" she says. She flies in on Shayera and gives her a double-fisted shot to both sides of her ribs. "UNNNH!"
Shayera manages to hook her arm around Diana's neck and sends a few uppercuts into Diana's stomach just above her Wonder-navel. Diana makes no noise, but the sound of the fist hitting her abs only makes Shayera want more. "I'll take my piece of you," she says, "Win, lose or draw!"
Diana pries herself free. "Oh, you won't be winning!" she says and hits Shayera with a combination of punches to her bare stomach, sending the winged woman down from the air groaning and gasping. Diana lands and kicks Shayera in the chest, "UUUFFF!" a blatant sign of disrespect because it is said that women don't hit each other in the chest. "That shouldn't have hurt," she says, "Since you have NO HEART!"
Diana lifts Shayera up by her throat, "I trusted you; we all trusted you," she says, "I can deal with you being here, but Longshadow would never have been hurt and a lot of teammates would be fine if it wasn't for you letting Ghost Rider get loose. I could care less about what's going on with you and John, but it does say something about your character. You are a troublemaker and I will not turn my back on you again."
With that, Diana drops Shayera, stares the weakened Hawkgirl down, and turns to walk away. Shayera has tears rolling out of her eyes as she watches Diana go. As Diana gets about five feet from the door, she feels a terrible pain in her back, "ARRRRRRRGGGHH!" she screams and turns around. The second shot from the mace hits her in the stomach, one of the spikes cuts her costume and her navel. "HEEEEEUUUNNNFFF!" Shayera pushes her up against the wall and Diana goes down. Shayera steps on Diana's stomach pressing her heel down on her navel. "Does that turn you on? Is that what Batman likes?" She says as she lifts up her mace, "I could kill you if I wanted to. You just said you weren't going to turn your back on me and look at you."
Diana could only look and listen in pain and disbelief as Shayera points her mace at her. "I AM your teammate, whether you like it or not. You're stronger than me; you're faster than me, and you're a better fighter. I admit that. But winning is everything to you and I just beat you because I'm willing to cheat. Remember this and back off."
"This isn't over," Diana says. Shayera presses her foot down on Diana's stomach harder causing her to moan a bit. "It is for now," she replies and walks out. Vixen was watching the whole time and feels her own spirit drop a tad.
Wonder Woman's quarters a bit later…
"She must feel like she's on top of the world," Diana says to Bruce, "No sense of honor whatsoever."
"Are you hurt?" he says
"I've got a stomachache," Diana replies, "but other than that, all that hurting is my pride. She humiliated me. But she did NOT beat me."
"I think I can help with the stomachache," he says as he slips his hand under her nightshirt, "but your pride, well, I'm sure that will come back."
"Of course it will; I'm practically invincible and unbeatable," she says moaning as Bruce touches her sensitive stomach, "I want a baby."
"Where did that come from?" Bruce says puzzlingly. Diana kisses him deeply on the lips. "Bruce, I think I'm in love with you."
They both pause. Bruce gets up and gets ready to leave. "Don't do this to me," Diana says, "Don't leave me like this."
"Diana," he says, "We… I just…"
"What?" she says, her eyes tearing up preparing to hear the worst again
"I think I'm falling in love with you too," he says, "I don't want to lose you. I don't ever want to see you in pain. You are starting to mean more to me than anything. Like today with Doomsday. And I think that's the problem."
"Problem?" she says, "Bruce, I can take care of myself. You need to stop analyzing everything and just go with the…"
At that moment, in Batman's earpiece, he hears a voice he didn't expect to hear.
"Batman," the voice says, "I hacked into your earpiece. None of the league know. I must speak with you immediately. Meet me here in Gotham. I'll contact you. It's urgent that I speak to you. I have important information about some things."
"Luthor," Bruce says angrily
"What about him?" Diana says, "Don't change the subject!"
"I have to go," Bruce says as he puts on his cape and cowl and leaves. As he reaches the hangar, Superman's voice is heard over the intercom, "Going somewhere?" he says
"Wouldn't you like to know," Batman says with a sense of humor hiding suspicion
"Just be careful, Batman," Superman says
Egypt…
Ra's Al Ghul kneels before a hulking shadowy figure.
"RISE RA'S AL GHUL," the shadow says, "YOU'VE DONE WELL. THE HUMANS ARE TOO STUPID TO REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE SIGNED THEIR WORLD TO ME. ONCE MY STRENGTH REGAINS, I SHALL CRUSH THEM ALL!"
"Master," Ra's says, "What of the remaining horsemen? Surely they can handle the so-called Justice League."
"YES," the shadow responds laughing, "WAR MAY HAVE FAILED ME, BUT THAT WAS MY INTENTION. FAMINE AND PESTILENCE ARE READY FOR MY ORDERS, AND DEATH IS AMONG THE JUSTICE LEAGUE NOW. MY FOUR HORSEMEN WILL SERVE ME WELL AND I SHALL RULE FOREVER. IT IS MY DESTINY."
To be continued…