I guess I have to state this every time I do a chapter. I do not own any of the characters presented in this story except for Serenity and a couple of others. I had a very, very long chapter coming, but I decided to split it up a bit. I realize that this is a pretty complex story, so I'm taking my time in resetting things so that players and sides can be established and clutter can be removed.
The President sat in the oval office and made faces into the camera right before it was time. He tried to look as serious as he could, with Amanda Waller and the first lady just out of view.
President- Good morning. Our country was founded on the principles of equality for every man, woman, and child. This great nation was founded on the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. From the colonists, to the abolitionists, to the leaders of the civil rights movement, the equal rights movement for women, and the freedom fighters of this country in Iraq and Afghanistan, this great nation of ours has always stood for freedom. Last night, there was an attack on our freedom. An Amazon named Artemis, a representative of Themyscira, attacked and caused extreme damage to the city of Metropolis. This was an unprovoked terrorist attack and an attack that cost not only property, but more importantly, American lives. We have lived in a world of fear and a world of terror; Superman's actions last night proved that some of our heroes have chosen to prematurely discipline us, but not their own. Artemis is from the same island as the Justice League member Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman is Princess Diana of Themyscira; she is the princess of that island. I should also say that she has not been present or had any contact with this administration or the United Nations since this incident has happened. Her disappearance from the public eye raises a lot of speculation as to her involvement in this terrorist attack. In the past, Queen Hyppolyta has been very anti-American; the amazons rejected my offer to visit the island one year ago on the basis that I was a male. Knowing the full scale civil war on Miracle Island, where countless men are being slaughtered by rogue Amazons led by Cleopatra, a cult leader and mass murderer, and knowing that Miracle Island and Themyscira are just two sides of the same coin, we have strong evidence linking the two to Artemis' actions last night. So, as President, my job was to act swiftly in the defeat and elimination of terror. We bombed 'em this morning. I have a message for Queen Hyppolyta, Cleopatra, and all those of you who practice terror… the people of the United States are the heart and soul of democracy and we will not tolerate your brand of terror. As a matter of fact, I spoke to Queen Hyppolyta and I told her just that. We will unleash the greatest military force on you that you have ever seen if you practice terror, and our weapons are a lot bigger and more potent than anything you've got. Overnight, we have taken more than three thousand Amazons into custody who are living here in the United States. One of those taken was Cassandra Sandsmark, who is not an Amazon, but has worked with them under the alias of Wonder Girl. Wonder Woman is wanted for questioning and the Justice League had best turn her in, or she had best turn herself in. The freedom that our forefathers set out and established must not be crushed by the axises of evildoers. While I certainly mourn the loss of Lex Luthor and was looking forward to competing against him in the general election, Lex Luthor was funding these Amazon terrorists. Perhaps there is something to be learned for his unfortunate death.
Themyscira's sentries sounded the alarm the moment the planes flew over. The large hawk-like birds flew up to meet the twin black jets, but were gunned down by the stealth silvery runners alongside them. The bombs fell, as little Amazon children still slept, as their guardians awoke and grabbed their weapons and readied for the attack, as Queen Hyppolyta herself stumbled out of bed, as her guards rushed to her side to get her to safety, but her only command was for her armor… the bombs fell and a great warrior nation, a nation of wise and strong women, women of wonder, found itself burning as death has hit.
"Brutality"
Chapter Five
"Legends of The Fall"
"Our love must die…
Touch my tears
With your lips
Touch my world
With your fingertips
And we can have forever
And we can love forever
Forever is our today
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
Forever is our today
Who waits forever anyway?"
--Queen, "Who Wants to Live Forever?"
"This is Superman to all members of the Justice League. Send J'onn your coordinates and we will see you at the Watchtower. We have a very important meeting."
Huntress, Black Canary, Green Arrow, and the Question are in the Gotham sewer, of all places. After Superman killed Luthor, there was a small riot and rather than fight the mob, which is what Huntress attempted to do, they made their way underground.
Green Arrow- What do you think? Should we do it?
Huntress- You can go back if you want to; I'm not. I didn't like Luthor and he is responsible for plenty of deaths. Believe me, I won't miss him, but even I know something isn't right when the ultimate boy scout kills him with that much ease.
Green Arrow- It was as if he didn't even think about what he was doing… he just did it… Question?
Question- We should wait, but I think it might be a good idea to get out of the sewer.
Black Canary- For once, something we can all agree upon.
Huntress- Watch your mouth, Barbie.
Black Canary- What did I say? You're just trying to put yourself over me… if I didn't have so much patience, you'd be on your back by now.
Huntress moves at BC and the blonde assumes a fighting stance. Once again, Green Arrow and Question step between them.
Green Arrow- Listen, we don't have time for this bickering; we're stuck with one another and we're just going to have to deal with it until we hear from Batman. For now, let's get out of this place and go somewhere to change.
Black Canary- I've got an apartment nearby. We can set up there.
Huntress- There's no way I'm going to set foot in your home. We can go to my apartment. I've got a computer and I know Blondie here well enough to know that she isn't computer literate.
Black Canary- Forgive me if I've got a more traditional approach to locating criminals.
Green Arrow- (looking at Question) This is going to be a looooong walk.
The Watchtower… Superman stands in front of a large computer generated image of the world while the massive assortment of league members are present looking at him. Throughout the map, there are little lights flashing.
Superman- Tokyo, Japan… a new ninja clan, calls itself the Hand. Boston, Massachusetts… new group led by some elitist named Sebastian Shaw, calls itself the Hellfire Club. Central City…. Bizarro and Solomon Grundy have been sighted in the company of someone calling himself Dr. Octopus, along with a large blonde female named Stunner. Los Angeles, California… Black Tom and the Juggernaut, never heard of them, but they'll be hearing from us soon. Juggernaut claims he's unstoppable; we'll show him unstoppable. London, England… Queen Madeline and her Court of Chaos. Miracle Island, just off the coast of northern Africa… Cleopatra and a cult of murdering Amazons, one of which was protected Lex Luthor, who as it turns out, was funding them. New Orleans, Louisiana… the Thieves Guild, led by a mutant named Belladonna. And speaking of that, I'm also undecided on how to proceed with this 'mutant' fuss that's been all over the news. I'm particularly curious about a group of mutants who are inhabiting a mansion in Westchester, New York. As our universe seems to continue its merging, we can only hope that whatever we're being merged with behaves in an appropriate manner and knows that the authority on the safety of this world is the Justice League. It's time the JL became more proactive. There are numerous hot spots on this map I am showing you and this league was founded for the purposes of eliminating all of them. There are countless numbers in Gotham City and New York, but we will work our way to all of them.
J'onn/Martian Manhunter- What about your own actions? What about the murder of Lex Luthor?
Superman- Lex Luthor was funding terrorists, was connected to Cadmus, which is plotting to destroy us, and is a murderer. His presence was an abomination in and of itself.
J'onn- You are not the Superman I remember. Ever since your return during Doomsday's attack in Gotham City, you have behaved differently.
Superman- I'm the same person; I've just caught up with the times, J'onn. The world has changed and we have not been strong enough. We have the ability to destroy this planet; we have the power to rule this world if we so choose to, but we choose to protect the innocent and those weaken than we are! I was captured by Cadmus and I suffered… I am tired of watching this world suffer… I am tired of seeing this League do nothing but sit back and react. We know where they are; let's go take them out!
John Stewart, better known as Green Lantern, comes and stands near Vixen/Mari. She is none too pleased with it and moves to another part of the room.
GL- Mari, why are you acting like this? You've been avoiding me ever since we got back from Metropolis.
Vixen- You've been avoiding my feelings ever since (raising her voice and looking at Hawkgirl) Shayera Hol came back.
Shayera hears Vixen and makes her way over towards them, Flash quickly slides between the two ladies.
Flash- Ladies… how are you guys doing today? Well, we are in outer space, so perhaps I should say night? I mean, when you're in space, is it day or night or what?
Shayera- If you must know, Vixen, I am still in love with John.
Green Lantern's jaw drops.
Vixen- And if you must know, HawkGIRL, he's my boyfriend and you better stay away from him before you get your hawkeyes clawed out.
Shayera- Forgive me, I was under the impression by your behavior a few seconds ago, that YOU were trying to stay away from him. I saved you from Artemis, Vixen, you should be thanking me.
Vixen- I saved you from myself and a personal butt kicking from me… you should be thanking me.
GL- Shayera, Mari, please…
Vixen- Save it, John. You can't blame this on anyone but yourself. And a word to the wise, HawkGIRL, this is strike two for you with me. I don't mind being your teammate and fighting by your side, but when you get into my relationship… it's personal.
Vixen goes to her quarters.
Shayera- I think I'm going to go get started on being proactive. I'm taking a Javelin down to earth. Let me know how this goes.
Flash- Aren't you glad you've got me around to help you get through this? You're a regular mack daddy, GL.
GL- Flash…
Flash- But seriously, John, you're going to have to make a choice and be clear about it. You've got two great women who both obviously want to be with you. Shayera's come clean, but it was obvious when she came back. You can't keep hurting both of them, even if you're hurting too.
J'onn- This is unacceptable. You must consider turning yourself in for his murder, Superman.
Superman- (chuckling) I'm quite sure they wouldn't have a cell that could hold me. I escaped Cadmus' capture and I have returned stronger and more confident than ever in our ability to defeat them.
J'onn- Superman, murder was never your way. This is the single event that turned the Justice League into the Justice Lords. This deeply troubles me, especially with the disappearances of Batman and Wonder Woman and the mergings.
Supergirl- Batman and Wonder Woman are probably on the invisible jet making out.
Superman- Ha ha ha ha… you must not have known that Batman had a secret meeting with Lex Luthor hours before the speech he would've given, condemning our team. He and Wonder Woman disappeared right before Artemis attacked Metropolis. Luthor was funding the Amazons of Miracle Island; one of them was present while Batman was there. It all makes perfect sense to me… Batman and Wonder Woman may have betrayed us.
J'onn- I strongly doubt that.
Superman- J'onn… love… it can make you do some crazy things.
J'onn- I am under the suspicion that you have been exposed to some form of mind control. Come with me to my quarters and let me probe your mind.
Superman- Forget it. My mind is fine and it's made up. I did what I had to do to protect the planet from a grave danger.
J'onn- You killed a man in cold blood.
Superman- Well, let's just ask those here what they think then, J'onn. Do any of you here have a problem with what I did?
Stone silence… but J'onn can read their thoughts and he knows that many of them do, they're just scared and in awe of the legendary hero.
Superman- Didn't think so. I'm going to go to my quarters and get ready to take a little trip.
J'onn- Where are you going?
Superman- To pay the President a little visit.
(My pain is immense as the water is dumped on me and I feel the electric shock through my body. Even my tears feel as though they are on fire… how long have they been at this? How long have they been trying to break me? Bruce… I hear his voice and I am reminded of my morning workouts… he would give me a spot, as if I needed one… every time I'd lift the mammoth weight up, he'd make some little comment… somewhere between sarcasm and sincerity… AHHHHHHHHH!!)
Ras- Yes… scream, Wonder Woman, scream for your master… Fatale, apply more power to her… I feel she is beginning to soften.
(The redhead with the pupiless eyes and the killer smile moves forward and it begins again. She sticks the wires into my wrists and I feel every vein in my body blaze into a running current of pain. Her face, white as death and her smile, so vacant of any humanity… what is this woman?)
Ras- Fatale was the best assassin perhaps on the face of this earth. An Amazon of another culture, her women were conquered and tortured, made into slaves of a despot named Tsunami Tairan. She swore that she would never speak until her people are free and her nation is liberated. Would you, dear Princess, ever have that sort of will?
(AHHHHH!! I am screaming and I do not recognize my own voice as my vocal cords are pushed to their limits…Bruce, where are you? If this is the end of me, let me not die without seeing your face one… more time… they have me bound, the most humiliating position for an Amazon to be in… they have beaten me… they have stripped me of my uniform, but they could not remove my bracelets… Ras insisted my royal tiara stay on… this humiliation…they have tormented me here amongst these stalagmites and overwhelming fumes from the Lazarus pits… I was created from this sort of murk and it is quite overwhelming… my pain is immense, but I think of the children I've held in Rwanda, dying of starvation and disease… I think of the rape victims that I teach self defense to in India… I think of those kids at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, those little children that have been stricken with terminal illness and light up at the sight of me… and I think of Bruce and his own pain… and my pain for loving him… it's not so bad, you see… not when I know how much others have suffered…not with…UUUUNNNNHHHH… Hera!)
Ras- Artemis was turned, and you will be turned as well, Princess. By now, my daughter has located and destroyed the detective, and if not, he will certainly die here. But you… we will make you in our master's image once you are broken and turned.
Wonder Woman/Diana- I… will… NEVER… surrender… to you!
(The fist hits my jaw and I feel my face crack and the blood go up my nose… the redhead, Fatale… she hit me… mmmpphhh… the next blow was to the upper stomach and I hold my air in as best I can, but this one hurts… MMMPPPHHH…. that one was to the same spot… I feel my toes curl off of the gravelly ground I am hanging just above… my body has been stretched and I could tell she was holding back on her first two punches to my stomach… I know she can hit a lot harder. There is an Amazon way that the woman doesn't show emotion. I am a master at this, because if you show no emotion, then your opponent doesn't know whether you are hurt or not. I've been hurt, but my eyes are the only thing that will show emotion. If I groan loudly from a blow, or groan at all, then you have really gotten me good)
Ras- Very good, Princess… this is our fourth time testing you and you continue to show impressive resistance. It will all the better when you are serving our master.
(OOF!… that punch dug in right below the navel… it hurts so much… I am a woman and I consider myself to be somewhat sensuous and aware of my body… a woman's essence is her stomach, my very core and her weakness and vulnerabilities rest in her stomach. My stomach is beautiful; I do six hundred crunches for my upper abs…they are very tight and very strong But my navel is extremely sensitive… and my lower abs are very soft… this is where she is hitting me… I have to lay off the ice cream Donna (Troy) and I eat… the punches weaken me… UMMM!! I don't know how to take them and keep a straight face…this is my weakness in the physical sense and in the mental sense… much like my upper abdominal muscles are hard… so is the outward attitude I display… WHULLLFFF!! but below my core, I am sensitive and vulnerable… Bruce…this is what I hide inside… what hurts me… what makes me weak for you… OUGHHH!!… as she hammers my stomach, I feel as though I am a pipe being hammered from the inside out… my head hangs forward, my toes barely touch the gravel floor and I feel them spread and curl with every blow… I can no longer hold my groans in as she continues her assault… I want to break free and get my hands around her neck… it is as if she is punching me and no even moving… she is so fast… but the fumes… the blows… my mind drifts off to a simpler time… we were on a mission in Paris… Bruce and I… we arrived separately, me, doing my ambassador duties and he, buying another mansion… but we stopped a plot by a cheesy villain named the French Friar to blow up four children's schools…the actual mission was easy because the Friar surrendered the moment he saw us… I then dragged Bruce to every school in Paris for the next two days to make appearances of good will as Wonder Woman and Batman… he was slightly annoyed ha ha)
Ras- Fatale… the master… he awakes!!
(I feel the binds release me and my body falls… Artemis… she carries me and throws me back in my cell… I try not to pass out amidst the fumes and the wet stink of this place… right now, breathing is a mission…)
"Diana…Diana… is that you…"
(Longshadow… he's here in the corner on the floor… he's been beaten as well… but they are saying he is too weak… great Hera, why did I bring him here? I took him under my wing; he became my student… and I have failed him…he's dying… he's going to die… and all he wanted was to be a part of the Justice League… all he wanted was to be a part of…me)
"S-s-s-s-so…c-c-c-colddd…"
(I drape my body across his and press myself against him… he's lost a lot of blood… I need to keep the pressure on somehow… this cell is freezing, but it is so hot near the pits… I can warm him… I even rub my bracelets together to generate heat and place them on his wounds…)
Diana- Be still now, Longshadow. Be still and rest; I am going to get us out of here.
LS- What… about Batman?
(Bruce… I hear Ras al Ghul's voice and I can see outside of my cell from my position atop Longshadow. The large coffin is open and there's something very massive… a shadowy hulking figure in blues and grays… the letter A on his waist… I sense so much power inside of this monster… what is he? Who is he?)
Ras- Lord Apocalypse…I have--
Apocalypse- WHY HAVE I BEEN AWAKENED FROM MY REST?
Ras- My lord, Artemis has passed her test and is fit to serve you as War. But there is a situation I must make you aware of.
Apocalypse- WHAT IS IT THEN, SERVANT?
Ras- My lord, the last of your horsemen, Death, she has been put into play. Is it her time of testing, or have the fools in Cadmus sent her out before you would give me my orders?
Apocalypse- EVERYTHING IS GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN, THEN. THE TIME OF THE GREAT PURGE WILL SOON BE. THE HUMAN FOOLS AND THEIR SILLY CONQUESTS. THEY KNOW NOTHING OF POWER AND SURVIVAL; WE WILL DESTROY THEM ALL.
Ras- And what of the Justice League and Superman? We have captured the Wonder Woman and we have been trying to turn her, but her will is strong… a lot stronger than her friend, who is dying. The Batman is still missing and the Croft woman is in my daughter's possession. Perhaps, my lord, with Death now in play, we do not need Cadmus, or Superman. Perhaps the time for the Purge can be now.
Apocalypse- WE WILL PURGE SOON ENOUGH, MY MINION. PAY THIS HUMAN BATMAN NO MIND; HE IS NO THREAT TO ME… I AM ETERNAL. IF THE WOMAN WILL NOT BE TURNED… KILL HER. OUR HUMAN SERVANTS CALLING THEMSELVES CADMUS… OUR TIME TO OVERTAKE THEM IS NEARLY AT HAND. I WILL CONTACT DEATH AND SHE WILL DEAL WITH BOTH CADMUS AND THE SO-CALLED JUSTICE LEAGUE.
(I have to get free… I have to stop this madness… but sooo… so weak…)
Apocalypse- READY MY SHIP. WE WILL LEAVE THIS PLACE AND DESTROY THE LAZARUS PITS… MY TECHNOLOGY CAN TRANSPORT THE FLUID WITH EASE, BUT MY SACTUARY HAS BEEN FOUND AND IT MUST BE DESTROYED. SOON, THIS WILL NOT MATTER. RAS AL GHUL, TAKE BANE MY HORSEMAN PESTILENCE AND BEGIN THE ATTACK. WHEN I ARRIVE, I WANT TWO CITIES TAKEN. FATALE MY HORSEWOMAN FAMINE, BREAK THE WONDER WOMAN… OR KILL HER.
(I see Fatale and Artemis approaching our cell… they grab me, but I spin kick Artemis to the ground… I was always the better… but Fatale… she drops me with a sidekick that thuds against my chest and sends me down coughing. Artemis lifts me up and cracks me across the jaw with a right cross then takes my wind with an uppercut to the pit of my stomach… I double over and Fatale hits me with an axe kick to the back of my neck, sending me down on my aching stomach… moments later, I feel myself being strapped into the binds and the electricity crackling through me again… I have never felt so weak.. So useless… Bruce… I long for you…I am not supposed to feel this way… I am not supposed to be the damsel in distress… but right now, I feel so vulnerable… my will could not possibly be being broken… no… I can't surrender…)
"Diana…"
(Bruce… I hear his voice and the pain disappears… I know I can get through this… I know I can end this…)
"Diana… come in…. Batman to Wonder Woman…"
(AHHHHH!!)
"Diana… I'm coming to get you out of there. I'm in a tough spot right now… trying to get out from under a lot of debris, but hang in there. You're strong and you're focused; you know that and so do I. I will save you."
(AHHHHHH!!…no no NO!! I will NOT give them the satisfaction of hearing another groan from me! I will fight against this horrible pain!)
Diana- Bruce… I love you… but you must come quickly… I don't know how much longer… we can last down here… Apocalypse is here.
Bruce/Batman- What? The apocalypse is here?
Diana- No… Apocalypse… huge and powerful monster… we may be facing our greatest challenge…AHHHHHH!!
Bruce- Hold on Diana.
Diana- Bruce… Bruce… AHHHHH!!
(The binds shatter and I pull myself free… I drop to my knees and look up at my captors with a smile… I broke their little toy and there's nothing they can do about it…Bruce… I don't know what's in store for me, but I hope you save the world and not try to save me… my fate may be sealed here…then I see Artemis' fist and it all goes black…)
Superman walks into the Oval Office and is surprised at how unguarded the White House is. Under the present circumstances and with recent events, he would've expected security to be on full alert. As he uses his x-ray vision, he can see that the President is not the one sitting in the chair.
Amanda Waller- Hello, Superman. Welcome back home.
Superman- Where is the President?
Waller- Oh, he had a golfing trip to go on. You know, there's a private golf course for him right under this building, in the bunker. You can't see down there, though; the walls are lead. You see, Superman, we had a feeling you would be showing up, after the bombs were dropped on Themyscira, just not so soon.
Superman- You tell the President that if something like that ever happens again, I'll personally impeach him. That was completely uncalled for and undermined the authority of the Justice League. You tell him to either leave matters to us, or be prepared to have me end his term before the general election.
Waller- Oh you will, will you? Such bravado coming from someone so easily defeated by Cadmus the last time. You have no idea what you're up against. You are the one who should be watching your back, Superman.
Superman feels weak in an instant as Waller shows him her kryptonite ring. He drops to his knees and tries to rise, but to no success.
Waller- See… you will learn where your bread is buttered and you will continue to do as we say… that means staying out of our way. You know what we have and you know what we can do. If I blink, Lois Lane dies… Ma and Pa Kent become the victims of a man made flash flood.
Superman- You… won't… harm… them…
Waller- Oh, but I will, Superman. And the Amazons of Miracle Island blame you for the attack yesterday… the one that drew Serenity away from Luthor's side long enough for you to kill him…it happened so fast, didn't it? But that wasn't you. You know who it was… it was HER. Our ultimate weapon, and you don't want the world to know about HER, now do you?
Superman- Go… to hell… Waller… no one … will believe… your lies…
Waller- But she does. She's so angry with you; she wonders why you would abandon her.
Superman- She's… a… clone…
Waller- Why don't you tell her that? Superman, do us a favor and STEP OFF. Cadmus' true purpose is not to destroy the Justice League; we can do that any time we want to. We can even do this.
With that, Superman found himself sitting back in his quarters on the Watchtower.
The Batcave… Dick Grayson/Nightwing and Tim Drake/Robin are sitting at the control desk.
Alfred- Care for some more tea, Master Dick and Master Tim?
Dick- Please, Alfred. Under these circumstances, we need to drink as much of that tea as we can.
Tim- Anything to keep us from going crazy.
Alfred- Very well then.
Dick- I still can't believe they took Cassie.
Tim- I still can't believe we haven't heard from Batman yet.
Dick- If it's one thing I've learned over the years, it's never to count him out.
Tim- I know, believe me, I know, but things have never been like this before. So many events happening so quickly.
Dick- I understand where you're coming from, Tim. But he'll figure it out; he always does. How's it going trying to reach the Watchtower?
Tim- I'm still working on it. There are so many firewalls I'm trying to bypass. I've used all the codes Batman gave me; the problem is that there's something else blocking it. I'm almost certain that Cadmus set up another wall after they discovered Luthor had given copies of that disk away.
Dick- Green Arrow, are you there?
Across town, in Gotham's lower south side, Green Arrow picks up.
Green Arrow- Still at Huntress' apartment, but we'll soon be in route to join you, Nightwing. Any word from Batman yet?
Dick- No word. His line is open, but he's not answering. And we can't get through to the Watchtower to warn them either.
Green Arrow- Our lines to the Watchtower are down also. I don't know what's going on. They were still open a few moments ago. I still can't get over Cadmus and the United States government going into business with Ras al Ghul.
Dick- That one stunned me too, GA. Go into business with a terrorist to eliminate other terrorists. And still no Osama Bin Laden.
Green Arrow- They figured once they got Ras to take out the other baddies, they'd just take him out with the spy they've got in his outfit.
Dick- Yeah, her identity doesn't surprise me, but I don't think she could kill her own father. Back when I was Robin and we fought against Ras all those times, I'd wonder if Talia was secretly sabotaging his plans. Plus, Ras is an enemy of the Justice League's most intelligent member, no offense.
Green Arrow- None taken. Why do you think we're still on earth and not up there in the Watchtower? I still can't believe the stuff that's on this disk. They've got so much information on us, so many files. They know the layout of the Watchtower completely; they've got spies and workers throughout the base; they can turn our power off with the click of a freakin button! And they've got the Annihilator.
Dick- The bombs are the most immediate problem for us. We've got to get in contact with J'onn and warn him or else the results could be really bad. But there are some files that they don't have. It surprises me they don't have files on a few "old friends" of mine. I'm considering making a few phone calls and having a "class reunion" here at the Batcave once you guys get here.
Green Arrow- Good idea, because we're gonna need all the help we can get the way this is looking. Let's just hope we can get through to the Watchtower to warn J'onn about this disk. Are you on the same page as I am.
Dick- Yes… oh my God.
Green Arrow- Who is she?
Dick- She is what we would call a "worst case scenario."
On the Watchtower…
Superman is in one of the training facilities cutting loose on robots. The Man of Steel's mind is a torrid mess of conflicting thoughts. He is fighting against himself, fighting thoughts and motivations planted inside him by something else, and at the same time, fighting the values he's had inside him since birth. Did he really kill Lex Luthor? Now, his actions seem only a blur… when he remembers them, it is as if he is someone else watching the assassination take place. Has he truly made the world a better place, and at the same time, saved himself from facing his worst nightmare come true? Or is he just a slave to powers so much weaker than is he is, but so vastly more evil and more manipulative?
"Clark…"
Superman- Batman. I see your earpiece link is working. How's Egypt treating you, traitor.
Batman- Just to you, Clark. I can't get through to J'onn for some reason. But I am able to contact Wonder Woman and a few others.
Superman- You mean Green Arrow and that group? You think I couldn't hear their heartbeats from across the street when I killed Luthor? You think I didn't notice that they weren't present for the meeting this morning? I could fly to that apartment right now and take those traitors to custody.
Batman- Is that what Cadmus has you telling the others? That we're all traitors somehow working with Luthor against the Justice League. What hold do they have on you, Clark?
Superman- They don't have ANYTHING on me, Bruce. They have NOTHING on me because I am unstoppable and I could take them all out with the snap of my fingers.
Batman- Yes, you're so super, and so angry so quickly. Then why don't you do it? If you can really end all this madness, why don't go ahead? Still trying to fight off that weak dose of mind control you were given? Or is it something else?
Superman- I… don't know what you're talking about.
Batman- You were captured by Cadmus and given an assignment. That assignment was to assassinate Lex Luthor. Apparently, they also gave you a little attitude adjustment. I can tell you've been fighting against it… but your own arrogance is preventing you from overtaking it.
Superman- You talk to me about ARROGANCE?
Batman- Search yourself, Clark. I've been told about Luthor's assassination and about your actions on Miracle Island… you slaughtered those Amazons. Were you secretly in on the bombing of Themyscira as well?
Superman- That's where you're wrong, Bruce. I had nothing to do with the massacre on Miracle Island and I didn't know that Themyscira would be bombed. I didn't know Artemis was coming to Metropolis.
Batman- Then what did you know, Clark? When you were in their custody, what did you learn?
Superman- I…I…
Batman- Come on, Clark. You've got to think and fight off the aggression. Cadmus is under the control of an immortal and very powerful being named Apocalypse. I believe his technology was used in your own "disorderly conduct." I don't think Amanda Waller is aware of what has infiltrated her little outfit and that's the danger of going into business with Ras al Ghul.
Superman- You learned all this from that disk Luthor gave you.
Batman- I haven't studied it fully because there's so much information on it. But everything I've learned so far has either dropped my jaw or just pissed me off.
Superman- Then there's something you don't know about.
Batman- And that is?
Superman- Cadmus' last plan to destroy and discredit us. It's what hit Miracle Island. She's what hit Miracle Island. The survivors described the attacker as wearing an S on the chest, but that wasn't me and it definitely wasn't Kara because she was fighting Artemis.
Batman- Then who was it?
Superman- I have a daughter.
Batman- Wonderful.
Superman- Cadmus used my DNA with another's and through what I gathered is Apocalypse's technology, they were able to make a clone… a female, just as powerful as I am, if not more powerful. Brought up on memory implants just like the Ultimen… but perfect… not flawed. She's so full of rage and confusion, when I was there, I saw her.
Batman- And she's under the influence of Apocalypse… if Artemis is War, and Fatale is Famine, and Bane is Pestilence, then…
Superman- That leaves Death. Bruce, they could kill Lois, Kara, they could wipe us all out. She's that powerful.
Batman- Where's your strength, Clark? And by the way… who else's DNA was used to create this clone?
Superman- Wonder Woman.
Batman- …
Superman- She thinks we abandoned her. She's full of hate for us.
Batman- I suggest you evacuate the Watchtower and turn yourself in to the Green Lantern Corps.
Superman- I'm going to make this right, Bruce. You don't understand. I will seek out my daughter and together, we will defeat Apocalypse.
Batman- You're still speaking in Nietzsche-isms, Superman.
Superman- Very funny. But I will succeed, Apocalypse will be destroyed… I took down Darkseid and I'll take down Apocalypse. I'll--
Batman- SUPERMAN!!
There are the sounds of multiple BOOMS on Superman's end. Meanwhile on Themyscira, Queen Cleopatra of Miracle Island, a beautiful woman, 5'9" 140 lbs with buttermilk skin and shiny silvery blue eyes, and long braided hair, dressed in white and carrying her spear meets Queen Hyppolyta, who is surrounded by her Amazon guard. Serenity is with Cleopatra and the two Queens share a word. When Cleopatra speaks, her voice is like a melody, an urban melody, there's so much jazz and blues in her voice.
Cleopatra- We appreciate your hospitality, my sister.
Hyppolyta- Miracle Island was hit hard by a relative of Superman's, and my daughter Diana is still missing.
Cleopatra- I have word that Atlantis has fallen to an invading force led by the terrorist Ras al Ghul… both Aquaman's Atlantis and Prince Namor's Atlantis… they took both cities in a matter of hours. They took Miracle Island yesterday, as you know. I would have stayed there and fought to the death, but Serenity would not have that.
Serenity- My Queen's safety and the preservation of my Amazon sisters is my top priority. You are both aware that they will be coming here next?
Hyppolyta- How are you so sure?
Serenity- I know this… I can sense it. Lex Luthor warned me of a being named Apocalypse who would soon rise and terrorize the world. Your own Artemis is working for him. I am ready to fight against this monster to the death.
Hyppolyta- And what of the Justice League?
Shayera lands holding her mace.
Shayera- We had nothing to do with it.
Serenity- And why should we believe you?
Shayera- Because I'm here. Oh no… that can't be…
In the sky, far up as far as the eye can see, the Watchtower burns… in Egypt, the Lazarus pits are nearly empty as a large Shi'ar styled spaceship full of robotic clones of Apocalypse is charging up to depart. Talia, Artemis, Fatale, and Apocalypse are getting on board the ship. Talia finds a nice private area of the ship.
Talia- Beloved, are you there?
Batman answers and responds…
Batman- Yes Talia.
Talia- You must hurry, beloved. We are leaving for Themyscira; my father and Bane poisoned both cities of Atlantis. They are now in Apocalypse's possession. They have conquered Miracle Island and they have loaded many many weapons for the invasion of Themyscira. Something has happened on the Watchtower as well.
Batman- I'm already here… Robin, come in.
Robin- (from the Batcave) I'm here; we've been worried about you--
Batman- Listen, I'm sending you the coordinates to my location in Egypt and my homing signal. Apocalypse is planning an invasion of Themyscira.
Robin- Who's Apocalypse?
Batman- Long story. I need you to get Nightwing, Green Arrow, and the others and go to Themyscira.
Robin- But what about you? We can come to Egypt and pick you up.
Batman- No. Go to Themyscira… and Robin, if anything happens to me, Alfred will take care of you.
Nightwing- Batman, I have some back-up coming. Zantanna is hear also. There's also a player you don't know about because I assume that you haven't completely analyzed the disk Luthor gave you. Cadmus took Superman and Wonder Woman's DNA and--
Batman- I am aware of that. Get your crew together and go to Themyscira. I hope your friends have grown up, Dick. You know, they're not teens anymore.
Nightwing- Well, not all of them… we're going to make a stop at the containment facility in Washington and get Wonder Girl.
Batman- Do what you have to…Diana… are you there?
(I hear his voice… his low, dark voice… so full of concern for me)
Diana- I'm here, Bruce… I'm just weak.
Batman- They're going to blow this place up. We still have a chance to stop them. Diana, I've got a lot of bad news, but I'm going to save it for later. Now, we've got to stop Apocalypse.
Diana- Bruce… Longshadow…he's dying… we have to get him help…
Batman- And we will. But now, we have to stop Apocalypse. They are going to invade Themyscira.
(And those words are all I need… something swells up inside of me… I can no longer hold it in… the pain is so great… but my rage… my hatred for this place and these people… invade MY home…NO!! The door to my cell flies off as I carry Longshadow out into and murky fumy caves. Despite the liquid being nearly gone, the fumes are still overpowering, but I cannot concern myself with that. I see the monster… Apocalypse at the top of the ramp leading onto the ship)
Apocalypse- AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! IT'S TOO LATE, FOOLISH WOMAN… YOU ARE UNFIT TO SERVE WITH ME… I HAVE ONE WHO IS FAR YOUNGER AND MORE POWERFUL!! YOU WILL DIE HERE, AHAHAHHAHAHA!!
(A series of explosions are set off and the whole place is collapsing as I see Apocalypse's ship blasting fire everywhere… his mechanical laughter… that monster… Artemis faces me… my sister, my rival… turned into something evil by this monster… I don't have time to waste)
Diana- Longshadow… be still, I'm going to have to put you down.
Artemis/War- I've been waiting a long time for this moment, Diana. After I kill you, the mantle of Wonder Woman will be mine and this world will belong to Apocalypse. You don't know how long I've waited to--UNNNHHHH!!
Diana- Wait a little longer.
(My fist cracks against her jaw and my boot kicks her in the chest, a blatant sign of disrespect, as females do not hit each other in the chest, but a sign that sends her flying into her master… but no! the monster's body just opens up and she passes through… what sort of creature is this? AARRGHHH!! His eyes shoot red beams that hurt me as I go down…there are rocks falling everywhere…I see Batman rushing to me…)
Batman- Diana!!
Diana- Stop… Apocalypse…
(He grabs me and throws me out of the way of a falling boulder… as powerful as I am and he still wants to protect me… how sweet…I regain my feet and Longshadow has his foot on the nose of the ship… he has grown in size and is holding the roof of this place… trying to stop it all from caving in on us… but the monster… Apocalypse… grows in size and meets Longshadow face to face…he will kill him unless…)
Wonder Woman flies up and lands a thunderous blow to Apocalypse's jaw… despite his gigantic size, the immortal mutant is rocked by the blow. He morphs his shoulders into machine guns and begins to fire at Wonder Woman, but she is able to avoid his blasts. However, more of the place is being destroyed and Longshadow continues to struggle holding it all together.
Apocalypse- THE TIME TO LEAVE THESE WEAK MISERABLE FOOLS IS NOW!! WAR, FAMINE, DESTROY THEM!!
Artemis flies towards Wonder Woman, but Batman's grappling hook wraps itself around her and down she goes. As she struggles to break it, a specially made nerve gas hits her. Wonder Woman continues to land blows on Apocalypse and avoids his blasts. The monster shoots blades from his body at a rapid rate, trying to spear Diana, but Diana avoids them… unfortunately, they are hitting and severely cutting Longshadow… but he continues to hold together the roof. Apocalypse's robotic clones begin flying out of the ship and firing on Wonder Woman as Apocalypse shrinks back down and reenters the ship. Batman now finds himself engaged in a fight with Fatale… the redheaded assassin fires lightning fast kicks at the dark knight detective and has Batman backing up. Batman is wearing a gas mask to protect himself from the fumes and from his own gases as he shoots a pellet at Fatale, only to have the assassin swat it away and hit him across the face in the same motion. Batman sees a flash of red, blue, and gold, and the assassin goes down without making a sound. Diana grabs Fatale by her throat and squeezes… the assassin still wears a smile on her emotionless face.
Diana- You are the one who refuses to speak… you tortured me!! Now beg me for mercy!!
Batman- Diana… that's enough!
Diana- No it's not!! Do you have any idea what she has put me through?!
An explosion knocks Batman and Diana ten feet away from where they were moments ago.
Diana- Bruce… are you alright?
Batman- I will be once we stop Apocalypse.
Longshadow's body collapses as Batman shoots a homing beacon onto the ship. As Longshadow falls, he smashes one of the ship's engines.
Batman- We can still stop them.
Diana- I'm going to go for it now!!
Diana flies right at the ships closing door… but something intercepts her, something fast, female, and familiar… her shoulder rams deep into Diana's stomach, stealing the air from the already battered Amazon. As Diana lands on the gravelly ground and watches as Artemis and Fatale quickly board the ship, she glances at the face of this new player… a tall girl with long curly black hair and dark blue eyes… an Amazon… but wearing a black and red uniform with a cape… and is that a blood red S on her chest. Her eyes suddenly are ablaze as Diana looks at this girl in wonder.
"You abandoned me, Mother… abandoned me… for HIM!"
Batman can only look in the direction the beams come from before they burn him… Batman is now horribly burned across his torso and head… Diana screams and goes to his aid as he lands right by Longshadow, who looks at Diana…
Longshadow- Did I do well, Diana? Did I do the heroic thing?
Diana- Yes, you did, Longshadow… you did well…Bruce… Bruce… say something…
Longshadow- Diana… it's Bruce again…
Diana- He's badly hurt, Longshadow…he's burned badly…Bruce…
Longshadow- Tell me something, Diana… could we have ever…you know… been together…
Diana- No…I'm in love with Bruce… and I'm going to get both of you to safety before this place collapses on us… I just have to get you to my jet… lots of medical equipment there and two healing chambers.
Longshadow- No, Diana… you don't have to do that for me… I love you… I always will… thank you for helping me be a hero.
Longshadow's heart stops beating and Diana begins to shed tears as she is on her knees, one hand on Longshadow's heart, the other on Batman's… she can still hear the ship's noise as it blasts through up through the roof of the catacombs and out into the hot Egyptian sky…she stands and prepares to take them out of the collapsing cave… all she has to do is get Batman to the medical equipment in her jet, even as she mourns Longshadow's death…but a hard boot to her belly doubles her over with an OOOOUUUUGGGGHHHH!! She clutches her stomach and looks up… Her heart freezes as she sees her new challenge… the tall, muscular vicious, black haired gray skinned assassin looks down at her and at the blood she just vomited on his boot as he takes a bite out of a Snickers bar.
Lobo- Hey Wonder Wench… not going anywhere for a while?
To be continued…