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Hades, God of the Underworld, was very often unaware of what went on up above his head. As it was now, he had no REAL idea of what was happening with those mortals in that little league. There were a few rumors that were going around; something about one of the humans getting mated. He didn't really understand why it would cause such a rise in the others, nor did he really care. So long as the balance between life and death wasn't in any danger, it didn't really concern him.

So he was quite content to stay out of whatever it was. He never really was one for drama, and if he did know he'd probably start hyperventilating just like the others had and well he REALLY didn't care for that. Therefor, he wasn't going to interfere. Nope. He was going to stay in the Underworld, with his lovely queen and maybe once all the madness died down he'd pop up there and ask what he'd miss.

Hades had been determined. It wasn't any of his business. Drama bad.

Until he'd felt Wonder Woman's soul appear in the underworld. And then disappear. But again, it hadn't made him waver in his oath. After all, she was in that League and they brushed with death on numerous occasions. Wasn't the first time this had happened. Certainly wouldn't be last. Of course, as soon as he'd thought those things, her soul had appeared yet again.

And had stayed for a frightening amount of time, before thankfully fading out.

Then Green Lantern's soul had shown up.

His had stayed for even longer.

Almost permanently.

Followed by Batman's soul, which had flickered annoyingly for what seemed like hours before FINALLY leaving.

None had appeared afterwards. He wasn't going to interfere. He wasn't going to cave in to his curiosity and pop up like last time. No. This time he was going to remain blissfully unaware of what was going on. Let the others take care of it.

Except..

There was this part of him, the part that came with being a god, that kept nagging at him; saying over and over again that something was wrong and it needed to be fixed. And as much as it might annoy him sometimes, he couldn't ignore it. To ignore the feeling...the bond he had with Earth and it's people...it hurt too much. He couldn't shut it off; he wouldn't. Because he'd seen what doing that did to a god. And he was not going to follow in that person's footsteps.

With that thought, he teleported to Mount Olympus.

()

The last thing Green Lantern was aware of, before being thrown to the ground, was Batman approaching him. He hadn't been able to really see the man, but one didn't need to see in order to be aware of the Bat's presence. It was a type of aura he gave off; part of his creepy darkness image thing he had going on. But never in his entire life, had he ever been so happy before to see Bats. Because if anyone could snap Superman out of it, it had to be him.

And, if the softness of the mattress he was lying on, or the beeping of the machines were anything to go by, the Batman had succeeded. His more cynical side said that just because he was in a hospital didn't really mean that everything turned out okay. Cautiously, he opened his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief as he saw everyone was in the hospital wing. Yes, most of them were in beds like he was; but everyone looked to be alive.

His eyes landed on Shayera, more importantly on the cast that was on her leg.

"You're awake." Blinking, he turned away from Hawk Girl and saw Batman, who was sitting next to J'onn. Well, now that Lantern looked, it was more like slouching than sitting. He looked...like shit.

"Thanks."

Refusing to be embarrassed for thinking the obvious, he instead asked, "How's Shayera?"

"Fine. Leg's broken in three places. Had to use pins to keep the bone set. The morphine's keeping the pain at bay for now."

Lantern nodded at that, turning his gaze away from the Bat and towards Superman. The Kryptonian didn't have a mark on him, and for once he wished that he'd suffered from physical wounds as well. It just didn't seem fair sometimes...

Sighing, he took stock of his body, noting the neat line of stitches on his arm. His throat was also very tender from where he'd been held like a rag doll. Recalled the utter rage that had been flowing off the alien and fought back a shudder. What happened? If anyone would know...

Batman would. But before he asked that vital question...he realized something.

He, Hawk Girl, Wonder Woman, Superman and J'onn were all in beds. Batman was sitting by J'onn, holding his hand and looking like shit. Flash was sitting next to Superman and was staring off at a blank spot in the wall; having yet to notice that GL was awake.

So...who...?

"Who's keeping watch?"

That got him a blank stare from both heroes, and Lantern was puzzled when Flash didn't shriek and race forward like he usually would have. Come to think of it...he looked like shit too. How long had they been sitting there?

"We are."

"No, in the monitor room."

The blank looks didn't change any. "No one."

Took in their slouched postures, pasty skin and zoned out features. Stared at them for a few minutes, before nodding, and closed his eyes. "Okay."

No one.

Heh.

He shouldn't feel that pleased about it. Them leaving Earth unprotected should have riled him up, infuriated him even. Everything about the situation should have infuriated him. Superman going ballistic, his injuries, Hawk Girl's injuries...

There was part of him that was tempted to start demanding answers. Batman had to have some sort of idea what was going on and he was itching to be filled in but...

As his mind started to drift off towards unconsciousness...another part couldn't help but feel slightly touched at their actions. It was incredibly mushy and sentimental, probably due to whatever drugs they had him on right now. They were teammates and had saved each other's asses on more than one occasion. That right there said that they had to care just a little about what happened to him.

But...still. It was nice having proof.

Questions can wait, He decided before letting himself fade into the dream world.

()

There was a strange tingling sensation. It started from his head and worked it's way down to his toes. Lingered a bit on his jaw, and then on his ribs. It wasn't painful, but it was annoying; enough so for him to snap out of his half-asleep state. Which was when he realized that Clark was awake.

And x-raying him.

"Stop that." He snapped, wincing when his jaw throbbed, letting him know that while it may have healed up a bit due to contact with J'onn it still wasn't quite one hundred percent yet. The Kryptonian then turned his sights to the others and began checking on them. He'd stared for the longest time at Hawk Girl and Wonder Woman, and Batman growled as he felt the guilt coming from him. Thankfully, Flash had jerked awake once Clark had started moving, and was rambling on about trivial things, trying to get the alien to relax in his own weird way.

But there was something off about his demeanor. Something which caused him to ask, "How'd he get in, Superman?"

Normally there was always a point where the memory went blank. Usually when they touching something or someone unusual, and if they found out what or who, then maybe they could get to the bottom of this and find out just what was going on. Silence for a few seconds, then Superman cleared his throat. "I...don't know." Batman nodded, and his mind was going through a few possibilities, when he continued, "He'd been there for a few days and..."

Wait, what?! "You mean to tell me." He stated, his voice hard. "that you've known about that thing being inside you for days and you didn't.TELL.ANYONE.ABOUT.IT?"

"I-I didn't think He would do anything. He...He felt...safe." Superman finished lamely, knowing that his excuse sounded pitiful to the Dark Knight but he couldn't explain the connect he'd felt...

The hallow laugh coming from the Bat's throat made his heart sink. "Safe. Wonderful. Just fan fucking tastic Superman!"

Watched him storm out of the room and Clark bit his lip, hesitating before following after him. It wasn't really a wise choice; whenever Batman was angry the smart choice of action would be to leave the country—if not the planet. But he felt like he had to at least try and explain his actions better. Make him try and see... "B..."

Entered the monitor room behind him and sighed as he saw Batman start punching in commands. "Where are you going?"

"Home! And if you follow me I swear to fucking GOD I'll use the kryptonite."

He really means it...Superman swallowed, taking in his friend's anger. He'd pissed him off before but never like this. And he decided that if he lived through this experience he never would again. Some things were just too terrible to go through twice. "Batman, if you'd just let me explain--"

"Explain?!" The vigilante whipped around, his voice dripping with acid, causing Superman to unconsciously take a few steps back to distance himself from the utter rage that was flowing from the man. "You knew. You KNEW there was someone FOREIGN inside your mind and you told NO ONE about it. Because it felt safe. Did it feel SAFE when it was making you demolish apartment complexes? Did it feel SAFE when you were punching Diana into a car?! DID IT STILL FEEL SAFE WHEN IT ATTACKED J'ONN?! WHAT ABOUT GREEN LANTERN?! They almost DIED due to YOUR stupidity!" His voice, which had risen almost painfully in volume, suddenly died down, the Bat clutching his head.

The world was starting to spin again, tilting madly and changing colors. Knew by the way his mind was pulsing that his senses were about to explode again. He'd already pushed his body way too far today and this time he was going to pass out. Looked over at Superman, who was giving him this kicked puppy look, pleading with those eyes of his to understand. And a part of him knew that there had to be more to the story...but...

Too much. It was too fucking much.

"I can't deal with this right now!" Turning away, he punched in the last of the commands and was teleported down to the cave, it's dark atmosphere cool and refreshing. The second his feet hit the ground he was out like a lamp, oblivious to the startled voices around him.

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- How'd ya liiiiike it? Sorry if it's a bit...meh...kinda had a bit of writer's block...mmm..