Concentration.
Concentration was key.
Oliver Queen, AKA "Shadow Archer," sat perched amidst the chaos that unraveled itself below him.
They were supposedly The Crow's top field-commanders, but work had been dry as of late. Nothing fancy, but hey, it paid the bills. It was supposed to be a simple drug run. Till these..."Justice Something-or-other" bozos came in and wrecked the van.
Vulture was already down, while Groover and Samurai were being pinned back by a massive zombie-looking muscle-head.
Oliver fired an arrow at the thinner, scrawny-looking member that was shooting makeshift missiles out of his cane. The arrow was laced with a high cyanide dosage. Instantly fatal. They needed some kind of win right now.
Unfortunately, the group's resident flyer caught it before it could hit.
The last thing Oliver saw was a constructed pink fist headed his way...
"Fuckin' brutal, man."
Slipstream and Superwoman stood over a group of unconscious bodies.
"These guys never stood a chance." Superwoman says. "But their just the help. It's expected."
"Speakin' of help, where are Ultra and Owl?" Asks Slipstream.
"On their way." Replies Superwoman, stretching her arm. "Attending to some interrogation. Owlman said his little bitch was gonna meet us here?"
"His sidekick?" Asks Slipstream.
"No. His ex-sidekick." She replies.
"You mean former ward." Says a stern voice. "And I thought I told you to leave Bludhaven, whore."
The two turn to see a man dressed in a domino mask and yellow-black jumpsuit; a bird-patten somewhat integrated into an otherwise static ensemble. He had an intimidating air to him, not unlike Owlman. Of course, him being younger toned that factor down some. The man jumps down next to the two Supers.
"Hello to you too, Crow." Says Superwoman, making a sarcastic two-finger salute. "Owlman sent us here, actually."
"I don't care about the wimp over there, but you need to be gone yesterday." The Crow says, thinning his eyes in Superwoman's direction. He brandishes a mini-staff of sorts (that auto-retracts in the process) and points it at the Amazon.
"Do I really look that weak?" Slipstream whispers to himself as the other two continue their stare-down.
"Owlman's gonna be pissed if you don't work with us. You know that...right?" Replies the villainess, a gleefully base smile on her face. "Not that I mind beating your face in, but this isn't the time. Besides, if me and you are fighting, who knows what other jobs these vigilanties'll hamper during?"
Crow was silent for a moment. Being a former assistant to Owlman, the two had a friendship of sorts. They worked together, told each other close personal secrets, protected one another. Like a family. A family that made the lives of others miserable, but still a family. Hell, he'd have been long dead if Owlman hadn't plucked him off the streets. He owed everything to Bruce. For better or worse.
Besides, the whore was right. In-fighting just gives these vigilantes more fodder. They all had talents needed to take this possee down. They needed each other.
"Sigh..." Crow sighs, re-folding his staff into a pocket-able object. "Fine. But you are an asset to me only, not a friend. The very moment we finish all of this, you leave or you die."
"Real scared, I am." Superwoman says, stifling a laugh. "Keep your threats where they're coming from: your ass."
"A-Anyway, how long has this been going on?" Asks Slipstream, eager to put the stewing tension on hold.
"After Owlman's help was attacked, they've started targeting my men." Says The Crow. "They aren't discreet about it, either. They clearly WANT to be noticed. I've seen them targeting small hoods, but they chose now of all times to grow a pair."
The Crow reaches into his utility belt, taking out two small plastic bags.
"I scoured the scene before you got here." He says. "One of these is a dead tissue sample, the other is some kind of pink-violet substance. Do either of you recognize either of these?"
"I'm not the science-y type." Says Slipstream. "Don't look at me."
Superwoman looks at the bag containing the substance.
"Looks familiar." Says Superwoman. "First day I came to Bludhaven, this weird flying woman was spraying pink light at...somebody. She was pre-occupied, so she didn't concern me. Couldn't tell you who it was, though. If you're so big and powerful, how come you don't keep tabs on all the local Supers?"
"I do." Says The Crow. "There is the occasional straggler. No system is flawless. Eventually find them, though."
"And we will." Says a voice.
From one of the rooftops comes Owlman, with Ultraman flying right next to him.
"Took you boys long enough." Says Superwoman. "Any luck on you're gossip hunt?"
"Turns out one o' the boys we roughed up was their informant." Says Ultraman. "Sure enough, they're stationed right here in Bludhaven, warehouse on Twelveth Drive."
"Good." Says The Crow. "I intend on making an example of them. Or killing them. Dunno how I feel yet."
"Not alone, you aren't." Replies Owlman sternly. "This group has attacked my men as well. If they're able to attack more than a few Super posses in less than a week, they aren't your everyday hood. Besides, we need to establish our own rep."
"Piggybacking off of me, eh?" Asks The Crow rather warmly.
"You know it." Says Owlman, smiling back.
"Very well." Says The Crow. "I'll send a scout there."
The Crow takes a cellular phone out of his utility belt.
After a few rings, a weary "yes" answers.
"Trent, I need you to scout the warehouse on Twelfth for me." Asks The Crow. "No need to do anything, just observe. I know it's your day off, but..."
"No problem, Crow. I'm on it." Replies the voice, as The Crow puts the phone away.
"Awful warm for a crime boss, aren't ya?" Asks Ultraman.
"People are more willing to stick with a kind boss than a murderous one." Says The Crow. "Motivates them to think, too. Helps root out the schemers and inspire the zealous. Besides, being nice doesn't mean I tolerate weakness. But, back to business..."
The Crow tosses the sample-bags towards Owlman.
Owlman catches them, viewing them with the eyes only a detective would have.
"Dead flesh...Fits the description of the leader perfectly. Solomon Grundy: A former government captive brought back to life in a top-secret German experiment. However, it went haywire and put his body into a permanent state of un-life. He escaped using his new-found strength. Didn't think he'd end up playing hero..."
"How do you know all that?" Asks Slipstream.
"If you have to ask that, then you don't know the Owlman." Replies The Crow.
"I'll tell the story another time." Says Owlman. "Lets just say Bruce Wayne was involved. As for the substance, it's nothing Earth is capable of producing. It has no geometric makeup. My guess? Some sort of solidified energy."
"So, should we head over to Twelveth?" Asks Ultraman. "We'll logic this shit later."
The warehouse was nothing special. The bare basics.
Still, Solomon Grundy and the Justice League found it suitable to their needs.
Some basic beds, and the occasional canned food was enough for now until they got a real base.
Solomon had been in captivity for months during the war, (before his curse was inflicted by the Germans) so he was used to scrounging. Granted he didn't have to eat now that he was undead. But it was the small things that let him know he was human at least in spirit.
Gadgeteer too, was homeless before he was taken in by a family that cared for him. Poor kid abandoned by his parents, he turned to tinkering and mechanics' work to get by. Solomon found him, and decided to support him, despite not having a roof over his own head. Those who stick together survive together.
The Quizzer and Starlight Sapphire on the other hand had just recently joined the League, and promised to assist them in finding a home (and maybe some benefactors) once they made some progress here. But for now, it was better to just stay in one place. Especially considering who oversaw Bludhaven, The Crow, it would look suspicious for Supers to just come in and out of town every other day; and they would eventually be traced back to their places of origin and hunted down. They didn't need that noise. Not yet. They needed to be noticed first. Progressively, mind you. Crow would probably come running to a natural disaster on the first day, but would wait until a month's opposition to investigate otherwise. Once people saw a beacon of hope, they could use it to stand up for themselves. Rebel against the villains and scum that have reduced them to near-nothing. And finally take their town back.
They had just come back from stopping a mass-mugging, and confidence was high. The only one worried was Solomon. They had recently traded up from fighting basic hoods (which they still did) to battling The Crow's men directly. The plan was to be noticed, after all. And sooner or later they would be. For better or worse.
"You're worrying too much, mate." Says Quizzer, twirling his cane in his hand. "We did some good. Relish in it."
"Maybe." Says Solomon, flicking another piece of dead skin off his shoulder. Being undead had it's advantages, but also it's nuisances. Felt like an animal whenever he started shedding skin. His compatriots didn't seem to mind, but glances from onlookers reminded him of what he was now. "How's Carol doing?"
"Peachy." Says The Quizzer, making a sign with his eyebrows.
"Were you two...?" Asks Solomon.
"Eh...Yeah...Sorry..." Says the Quizzer.
Gadgeteer walks towards the two. An Oriental teenager wise beyond his years, he serves as the team's gadgets expert and hacker. Sort of like Owlman...only good.
"Careful of love." He says. "It's powerful, but it can hamper ya too. Keep it outta the field, yeah?"
"I dun' need ta be ear-bashed by the kid that's barely got pubes." Says the Quizzer jokingly. "I know when ta keep it in me daks."
Solomon just shakes his head, priming back his long hair in the process. He notices Carol staring out the window nervously.
"What is it, Carol?" Asks Solomon.
"There's this guy that keeps walking nearby the warehouse..." Says Carol.
"This is a public city, sheila." Says The Quizzer.
"He's circled the place five times now and occasionally tries to look in." Says Carol. "I don't like this."
"Neither do I." Says Solomon. "Gadgeteer, send one of you're little friends to greet him, but be subtle."
"Can do." Says the Gadgeteer, pressing a button on a remote control.
A small bug-shaped robot churns to life, flying out of a hole in the warehouse roof. The mech uses it's sensors to detect the onlooker.
"Real subtle." Sarcastically chirps Grundy.
"I try." Chuckles the Gadgeteer in response.
"Uh-oh!" Shouts the onlooker, as he prepares to run. He is in no danger however, as a blast away from the two finds itself hitting the robot, reducing it to a pile of ashes in the process. Prompt another blast near the onlooker's foot to scare him off. What scared Grundy the most though were barel visible shadows moving on the rooftop across the way...and they were getting bigger.
Carol and the others are understandably spooked.
"We've been found!" Says Solomon. "Justice League, prepare for combat!"
So, Crow finally played his hand. Hopefully defeating him would give them the chance to clean up Bludhaven. Send a positive message. They were definitely noticed now. Understatement of the millennium.
They've been waiting. Small raids, basic hamperings. Taking out small parties of Crow's men. Just waiting for him to notice.
If they could just take him out, maybe there'd be some hope for this city yet.
Still, this was too soon. He clearly underestimated The Crow, or overestimated The League's strategy.
The Quizzer prepares his staff, while Star Sapphire presses her ring, as a combat costume envelopes her. The Gadgeteer begins outfitting himself with basic weaponry.
All Solomon could do was crack his knuckles. Finally, he'd get his hands on the asshole that essentially destroyed Bludhaven. And once they took him down...Maybe others would follow suit. "Not now." Grundy thought to himself. "Baby steps."
Just then, a red-blue streak bursts through the entrance, as wall parts and debris fall everywhere.
The streak reveals itself to be none other than Ultraman, the Villain of Steel.
"Heya there." Says Ultraman. "Did we miss the party?"
Owlman, Superwoman, and The Crow jump in from what remained of the windows, while Slipstream rushes next to Ultraman in a nanosecond.
Solomon Grundy couldn't help but hold back a swallow. Not just The Crow, Two crime-lords and three renegade Supers, one he recognized as local. Were they banding together?!
He and Starlight were the only real Supers of the League. This could be a problem.
"Suggestions, Boss?" Asks The Quizzer.
"Well, well. Looks like we gotta couple a' boy scouts." Says Ultraman.
"Boy Scouts don't get very far in Bludhaven." Says Owlman.
"Especially when they're wasting money..." Says Slipstream.
"And I control the money around here. " Says The Crow. "And if you're wasting money...You're insulting me."
"Is that all that matters to you?!" Asks Solomon, appalled. "People are dying in the street, laying in their own filth while Supers and Costumes like you prowl around and prey on what little of a world is left."
"People like you are what make this world the way it is!" Starlight Sapphire shouts, hovering next to Solomon.
"We don't need mob bosses 'round here, we need soup kitchens!" Shouts The Quizzer.
"Oh, really?" Says The Crow. "Before I came, this city had no purpose. It just existed; like a wart on the body. It had nothing unique to offer. Just another town as unmiraculously boring as the colonies of old. But now that I'm here, Bludhaven has more money than Jed Matthews has accrued in his lifetime! And if you control the money, you control everything. And with control..."
"...You can make things happen." Chimes in Owlman.
"Then why haven't you?" Asks Gadgeteer. "For five years, we've been under your boot-heel, yet you haven't done a damn thing for this city. No kitchens, no studios...Not even a casino, which I imagine would be up your alley. But no, you just take, and take, and take. You haven't even expanded!"
"I don't feel like it." Replies The Crow. "This city is mine. It's people are mine. And that's all that matters. The strong take from the weak. That's how life is."
"That's what you do with power. You use it." Says Superwoman in agreement.
Slipstream notices the oddity that is Superwoman and The Crow in any sort of agreement, but keeps it to himself.
"I've been tortured and put through hell. But y'know what? I bounced back. People can progress. These so-called 'weak' piss-ants you belittle have a strength idiots like the lot of you will never have. Strength of heart." Says Grundy. "And no, it isn't about control at all. You just like fucking with people."
"Maybe. Maybe not. Who's to say?" Replies The Crow with an evil smirk.
The rest of the villains chose not to say anything. Owlman however just watched proudly.
If his eyes had been visible, they'd be beaming out of joy.
Solomon just growls violently.
"Whatsamatter?" Asks Ultraman. "Doggie wanna bite?"
"Justice League, let's take this city back! Kick some ass!" Solomon shouts, signaling the League to attack.
"Boys...Shut these pussies up." Says Ultraman, watching calmly with folded arms.
The tension that had enveloped the warehouse had exploded into outright chaos.
Ultraman and Grundy rushed towards each other like two rabid dogs. Owlman and the Gadgeteer went head-to-head, while The Crow throws an Owlrang at The Quizzer who replies in kind with a missile of his own. Superwoman and Starlight Sapphire begin trading blows. Slipstream traverses the battlefield, causing mischief for pretty much everybody that wasn't a friend.
Solomon Grundy blocks a punch from Ultraman by trapping Ultra's fist in his grasp. He delivers a punch with his other fist that sends Ultra flying back.
Ultra replies with an extension of laser beams. The beams end up stunning him long enough for a rush-punch. Ultraman then issues a smorgasbord of attacks, each one audibly cracking bones and sinew. Of course, Grundy being undead; this doesn't hamper him as much as it would the common person. After the barrage, Grundy cracks his arms back into regular place and re-enters the fray.
"Y'know the good thing about zombies?" Grundy says. "We always come back!"
"All it takes is a headshot..." Replies Ultraman, aiming a set of eye-lasers at Grundy's head. Grundy puts up a rotting arm in defense. He barely reacts to the roasting of his flesh, instead slowly progressing towards Ultraman, similar to a heavy-armored knight.
Ultraman quickly catches on to Grundy's strategy and fires a vat of freezing breath at the ground Grundy was walking on.
All it does is stop Grundy from moving forward. Grundy uses his weight to prevent himself from falling by moving as little as possible.
Solomon manages to use the ice to propel him away from the frozen area...Only for Slipstream to run up from behind, circling Solomon to form a miniature tornado.
"Don't turtle! It gets ya banned!" Shouts Slipstream as he speeds up progressively. As he runs faster and faster, Solomon begins shedding even more skin. The shedding intensifies, as even skin tissue and weak muscles begin spreading.
"Makin' a mess there, Slippy!" Shouts Ultraman jokingly.
"AAAAGGGHHH!" Shouts Solomon, not out of pain, but frustration.
Slipstream eventually reaches the highest speed he can maintain without destroying the warehouse.
In a messy spectacle, Solomon's arms and legs find themselves on the ground, as Slipstream slows down.
Grundy's head finally lands smack-dab between Ultraman and Slipstream.
Unlike what they expected, the head remained dead rather than talk.
"Should we dismantle the head, too?" Asks Slipstream.
"Nah. It's crueler to leave 'em like that." Replies Ultraman.
"Good point." Replies the speedster.
Starlight Sapphire meanwhile assaults Superwoman with a barrage of constructs in an aerial battle. She starts with an alien flying creature, of whose fake wings Superwoman rips apart.
"Try to be creative, honey." Superwoman says smugly.
"Good idea." Replies Sapphire, as the second construct transforms into a doppelganger of Superwoman that rushes at the original.
"I claim copyright infringement!" Chuckles Superwoman, punching through the construct with ease.
It withstands a single attack, and prepares to resume it's struggle.
However, a red blur catches the construct from behind, dismantling it before moving on.
"Maybe Slipstream wasn't such a wimp, after all. Nah, it was just a fluke." Superwoman thinks to herself as she brandishes her lasso, throwing it at Starlight Sapphire.
Sapphire thinks ahead, forming a wall with her ring that renders the lasso harmless.
She then forms construct missiles, which are fired at Superwoman.
Superwoman begins flying in eccentric loops, causing most of the missiles to collide into one another. Three of the missiles are still hot on her tail. With haste, she rushes towards Star Sapphire, causing her to put up a construct shield. At the last minute however, Superwoman flies upward just above Sapphire.
The enemy realizes too late as the missiles collide with her. The first one breaks her shield, while the other two knock her to the ground. Superwoman finally slams her fist into the downed Sapphire's thighs, knocking the wind out of her. Broken and battered, Superwoman walks to her defeated enemy.
"H-How...?" Sapphire mouths.
'If I wasn't holding back..." Superwoman whispers into Sapphire's ear. "...You'd be a mess of gibs right now. But don't worry...I'm sure The Crow'll think of something more creative. And if he doesn't...Oooh, the fun we'll have together!"
Defeated and taunted, Sapphire enters into a shock-induced seizure, with Superwoman's smile being the last sight she sees before finally giving out.
The Quizzer is in direct conflict with The Crow, exchanging martial arts attacks.
"Good on ya." Says The Quizzer, as Owlman dodges staff swipe after staff swipe. "Yer livin' yer rep."
The Crow keeps a watchful eye on every one of The Quizzer's movements.
"Got a quiz for ya. First question: Can an Owl fly without wings? They're birds, of course they can't!"
After another seven swipes, The Crow removes his retractable Bo-staff, splitting it into two sections with which he uses to immobilize The Quizzer's cane. With a jerk, he uses the segments like a fork, throwing the staff (And by extenstion, The Quizzer) downwards onto the ground. The Quizzer however performs a back-flip, staff and all. Pointing it at The Crow, more missiles come flying out of the question mark-shaped cane.
"Gonna take more'n that ta walk away with the million dollar prize!"
The Crow begins rushing towards The Quizzer, dodging projectiles using a mixture of flips and contortions that many would see as impossible. No, nothing was impossible. Especially for one trained and honed from infancy to move. To weave.
Dick Grayson had always been a gifted acrobat. Working from a young age as a circus performer alongside his parents, his life was forever changed when a band of corrupt cops sabotaged The Flying Graysons' circus equipment in retaliation for some of his father's whistleblowing, causing his parents to fall to their deaths in what would be their final performance. Dick survived, but developed a pathological hatred of law and order. The villainous crime boss Owlman saw the parallel to himself in Dick, and in an act of most rare kindness, took the boy in like a son. He taught him all about criminology, stealth tactics, martial arts, and the idiosyncrasies and hypocrisy of the law; before releasing unto the world: A trained killer forever destined to do battle with so-called heroes and do-gooders. To battle the concept of law itself. And so far he was winning. At least in Bludhaven.
Whilst dodging the projectiles, The Crow assembles his Bo-Staff segments into a singular weapon. The moment he gets within attack range, Dick swipes the surprised Quizzer's chin with the staff, stunning the foe. Continuous strikes to The Quizzer's chest area pressed him further towards the wall, having dropped his combat-cane after the second. Upon hitting the wall, The Crow delivers an impact with an edge-end of the staff unto the middle The Quizzer's right arm. The CRACK is audible throughout the warehouse.
"AAAAAHHHHHH!" Screams The Quizzer.
"Here's a quiz for you." Says The Crow. "Question one: What have I just broken? That would be your ginglymus, also called the hinge joint; which allows you to bend and move your arm."
The Crow delivers another blow, this time to a very specific point on his left leg. The screams begin to intensify.
"Question Two: Will you ever walk again? Not without surgery." Says The Crow. "Your leg getting heavier? That's your meniscus shattering. In other words, I've destroyed what lets you disperse your weightfrom your legs, like a chair support."
The Crow backs off as The Quizzer is forced onto one knee due to his injuries.
"You fucking-" He starts, before being interrupted by another staff swipe, this time to the stomach. The blow forces out blood.
He was new to the whole superhero gig. Sure, he could handle himself, but the choice to don a costume wasn't one he took lightly. A lot of heroes were your cookie-cutter "save the day" type. Usually grim and gritty, given the overabundance of super-villains nowadays. But someone light-hearted, maybe not hip, but quirky...Maybe that kind of hero would garner some attention. Raise some spirits. Unfortunately, it looks like it attracted the wrong kind of attention. Edward Nigma didn't feel bad, though. There was good in even the smallest of actions. Even the one code he was about to violate...
The Quizzer digs into his left pocket with his free hand, taking out a gun.
"I...I knew this would happen...But maybe I can take one of you bastards with me..." Says The Quizzer, as he aims directly at The Crow.
Being faster, The Crow swipes at the free arm with his Bo-staff, as the weapon falls harmlessly onto the ground.
"Last question: Will I let you live long enough to use you as an example? You answer me." Says The Crow, aiming his weapon right at his enemy's throat. An impact in the right place would kill The Quizzer outright, or at least turn him into a vegetable. Depended on how creative Crow felt at the moment.
"F...Fuck you..." Says The Quizzer.
"Wrong answer." Says The Crow.
No creativity this time. Business before pleasure.
Thing about that, pleasure WAS business.
The Crow twirls his staff briefly, before slamming it onto the back of The Quizzer's neck. The instantaneous impact disrupts The Quizzer's connection to his spinal chord, killing him instantly.
The corpse lumps to the floor, as audible echoes of sorrow emanate from his allies.
"NOOO! Edward!" Shouts The Gadgeteer, who just witnessed the first casualty of the Justice League. "Monsters!"
The Gadgeteer was a gifted inventor.
Mechanical robots, a jet-pack, attack weapons...
How had this kid slipped under Owlman's radar?
If he hadn't had Damian under his wing, he might've recruited this kid. Unfortunately, he didn't seem physically strong. A Talon needed a well-rounded skill-set.
Owlman hurls two Owlrangs at more of the Gadgeteer's bug mechs.
The enemies were small, but annoying.
Of course, dodging the Gadgeteer's various contraptions was also of importance.
Unfortunately for the hero, there wasn't always strength in numbers.
The Gadgeteer flies towards Owlman using a jet-pack, unleashing a metallic fist from one of the arms on his jet-pack.
Owlman quickly takes out a gun-shaped contraption, firing it at one of the supports of the Gadgeteer's jet-pack.
The jet-pack was apparently electrically-powered, as the electromagnetic pulse fired from Owlman's gadget causes The Gadgeteer to swerve randomly, eventually nicking a nearby wall.
The nick wasn't enough to crash-land him, but it definitely messed up his navigation. Any attack plan he may have had was cinched.
Owlman fires again, only for the enemy to get his bearings and swerve out of the way.
"I won't fall for the same trick twice." Says The Gadgeteer.
He didn't have to. The gun was just a distraction from the Grenade he had thrown down.
An EMP Grenade, designed to disable electronics by sending an electro magnetic pulse, disrupting the electric flow of every electronic within range. Owlman went out of his way to increase the force of his projectile weapons beyond their typical limit. A little tinker here, a program there...Sure, this required hours upon hours of busywork, But the results never lied.
It detonates, just as the Gadgeteer (Owlman thought that name was a mouthful) was aiming a blade-arm at the Caped Collabateur.
The explosion knocks the foe from his robotic perch, (breaking the blade as well) as a defeated boy crawls from the inert wreckage.
Owlman walks towards his fallen foe, standing menacingly over The Gadgeteer.
The Gadgeteer quickly presses a hidden button mounted to his belt buckle, expressing clear surprise when it does nothing.
"A modified EMP Grenade." Says Owlman. "Double the effect and force of your average military weapon. This didn't just disable your machines, it fried their circuitry. Without extensive repair, they'll never be useable again."
The Gadgeteer couldn't say anything at all. Sure, he had know-how. Portable mechs, missiles, transportation vehicles...but Owlman was clearly on another level. He hadn't expected to win the fight, but he fought anyway. Didn't lessen the sting of defeat, though.
"I must say this is good work...For someone with little resources." Says Owlman, picking up a fraction of the now fractured blade-arm. "How you obtained these materials is a curiosity in and of itself."
Owlman throws the wreckage portion to the ground with utter indifference.
"I had you pegged as better than this, and you didn't satisfy." Continues the villain. "Shame, really. A part of me considered taking you in. Not as anything official, mind you...but an asset, perhaps. Pity then that I must dispose of you. Still, It's all the same I suppose. There would be that nagging conscience I'd have to break out of you. Too much time and hassle."
Owlman reaches into his utility belt, taking out a stylized blade, fashioned in the shape of a bird claw, which he grips with his left hand.
Using his right hand, he wraps his hand around the boy's throat, pulling him up off of the ground.
The Gadgeteer struggles futilely, as the grip of one much stronger than him proves naught to be released.
He was scared, he knew that for certain. But he knew the risks being a superhero entailed. Still, he was only human. (Ironic, really, considering his preference for machines in and out of combat) He couldn't lift buildings within a single bound or shoot lasers out of his ass, but he meant something. Solomon had taught him that. To see the others sprawled out on the floor in defeat didn't undermine it like he thought it would have.
In fact, the inside knowledge that Solomon could come back (Being a zombie) and Sapphire wasn't killed outright (Which means a possibility of escape) comforted him in a weird way.
Owlman faces the blade portion of his weapon to The Gadgeteer's neckline, inching it towards it's target.
As the pain from the slicing began to manifest, his eyes darted over to his defeated comrades.
There would be others.
Owlman released The Gadgeteer from his grip, the body landing into a now-developing pool of blood.
Gadgeteer's eyes yet again darted to the bodies of his comrades, as his own sight began to fade.
"Hope..." He mouths, as death finally catches him in it's embrace.
After the battle, the Syndicate re-convened in the center of the warehouse.
"Ok...Well, that happened." Says Ultraman casually. "Didn't have much fight to 'em, though."
"Doesn't matter." Says The Crow. "The thorns in my side are gone, and after a rumor or two, you all will have the build-up you need."
"It was boring, though." Says Superwoman. "They should've been harder to kill."
"They had potential." Says Owlman. "Leave it to having no resources, benefactors, or strategy."
"Besides, we still got that pink broad and the zombie." Says Ultraman. "They ain't dead...In the traditional sense, anyway."
Slipstream was uncharacteristically silent compared to the rest.
Ultraman looks at Slipstream, who appeared lost in thought.
"Something buggin' ya, champ?" Asks Ultraman.
"Nah." Says Slipstream. "Well...It's my first time in the field. Killing people, no less."
"Well, you technically didn't kill anybody." Says The Crow.
"I was still a part of it." Says Slipstream, visibly stressed now. "I'm just a thief that magically got powers. I...I'm not some assassin. I...I need to be alone right now!"
Slipstream rushes out of the warehouse, leaving a gust of wind in his wake.
Ultraman and Owlman look at each other knowingly.
"Sigh...I'll talk to 'im." Says Ultraman. "But first, what about the mess?"
"My people'll cover the mess." Says The Crow. "And I owe you all a favor now."
"How about relinquishing all of your territory?" Asks Superwoman jokingly.
"Don't push it." Replies The Crow. "Anyway, you all are forming a group, yes? Any thoughts on what you'll be calling yourselves?"
"None yet." Says Owlman. "We're sort of dipping our toes at the moment. A good team needs time and trust to develop. This isn't the same as going it solo."
"There you are again on friendship..." Says Superwoman.
"Friendship is a bonus...Or a side-effect, depending on your point of view." Replies Owlman icily. "Trust however, is universal. For better or worse."
"Speakin' of teams, why not have this kid join up?" Asks Ultraman, pointing at The Crow. "He's more'n capable."
"He's also the only one controlling Bludhaven, as well as my former protege." Says Owlman. "I'd be disrespecting him by prying him from his roost. Besides, now that we're piggybacking off of his popularity at the moment, we have stakes here; barring Superwoman of course. That has benefit. Why ruin that?"
"Your'e just worried about your little birdie." Says Superwoman mockingly, pounding her fists together. "And with good reason."
"So, we meetin' in Metropolis, like before?" Asks Ultraman.
"Fine." Says Owlman. "Now, if you'll excuse us, me and Crow have some catching up to do. Friday, Chezz Johny's. Be there. And make sure Mister Allen is as well."
Saying nothing else, The Owlman and his protege grappling-hook their way out of the building from the windows, leaving Ultraman and Superwoman alone.
"Sometimes I wonder just how close those two really are." Says Superwoman. "Maybe they're fuck buddies? Who knows?"
Ultraman stares Superwoman down, being sure to get her attention.
"Look, I know you ain't exactly a team player, but we ain't on Themyscira anymore." Says Ultraman sternly. "You can't just demean your teammates all the time. A quip's a quip, but eventually, somebody's gonna retaliate. And none of us are gonna help ya. At least not the way your actin' now."
"Who says I need any of you?!" Yells Superwoman. "I could break The Crow and deliver him to Pigeon-shit any day I want!"
Ultraman walks up to Superwoman, getting directly in her face.
"Play nice." Says Ultraman. "Or thing's'll happen."
"What are you gonna do? Huh?" Asks Superwoman angrily.
"You don't wanna find out." Says Ultraman, flying off without another word.
All Superwoman could do was stare at the shadow her body cast upon the floor of the warehouse.
Barry couldn't take it.
He had found his way to an isolated bench near the Bludhaven border.
He knew what he was getting , he had advance knowledge of these guys' M.O.'s, so why was he pussing out now?
He enjoyed the battle with the Justice League, certainly. Hell, it was awesome when he whipped up the tornado.
So, what was nagging at him?
Like The Crow said, he hadn't actually killed anyone. Grundy was dead from the get-go, and Ultraman did most of that damage.
Hell, all Slipstream did for much of the battle was run around being a dick, really.
"Hey, you ok?"
Slipstream turns to see Ultraman, hovering down onto the ground next to him.
"I wanted to be alone, you know." Says Slipstream.
"Sometimes, bein' alone can be just as unhealthy as influence." Says Ultraman. "You ain't the only one who's had to adjust."
"Your'e a super-villain." Says Slipstream. "Not a cheap hood or some pickpocket. You kill people as a hobby!"
"That's a big exaggeration, but that aside...Y'know I'm not from Earth, right?" Asks Ultraman. "Y'know? Krypton, military planet, insane guy blew it to shit?"
"And?"
"Soldiers have to be trained." Says Ultraman. "I wasn't no exception. I wasn't born an asshole. First time I incinerated a guy, I felt exactly what you're goin' through now. Kept askin' myself. 'Is this me?' 'How could I face myself?' But you adjust to it. It's kinda like gettin' laid. You feel guilty the very first time, but that goes away after a while. You keep tryin' and tryin'...And eventually, you adjust."
"I'm not sure if that's something I wanna adjust to." Says Slipstream.
"Then hang up the costume while you still can." Says Ultraman. "Look, we all got our uses. I'm the muscle, Owlman's the brain, Superwoman's...A crazy bitch, but that's between us."
"And me...?" Asks Slipstream, "What's the speedster thief that can barely make a dent in anybody got to offer?"
"You might not be the sharpest sword in the armory..."
"Gee, thanks." Says Slipstream.
"...But your'e crafty." Says Ultraman with a chuckle. "You fight dirty. And you can out-race any schmuck in the known world." Says Ultraman. "Might sound like a useless power, but like Owlman said: It ain't just about makin' things dead. And when you gotta make things dead, you do it fast, efficient. Owlman and me might make theatrical plays out of it, but you don't have to. What I'm sayin' is: Don't worry so much about it. It'll come natural. Until you feel your'e comfy, just focus on runnin' and gettin' shit done as best ya can. I know that ain't the most helpful advice, but..."
"Nah. It's...it's good." Says Slipstream, sighing heavily. "You tried, that's good enough. I'll sort the rest out on my own. For now, I just...gotta keep cool."
"There ya go." Says Ultraman smiling.
Ultraman gets up from the bench, hovering into the air.
"Well, gotta get home. Don't wanna miss MacGruber." Says Ultraman. "You gonna be alright?"
"I'll be just fine." Replies the speedster with a slight smile. "And...thanks."
"No prob." Says Ultraman, flying away. "Chezz Johnny's on Friday."
"Got it." Says Slipstream.
And with that, the two scatter.
"Sector 2814, again?"
"It isn't our fault Sinestro grew a conscience. You are our best operative after him, so it is only logical to send you." Says the Blue-skinned Overseer of the whiner. "Rumor abounds that he has escaped to Earth. Being from there, you shouldn't have any trouble searching for him...Would you, Mister Guy Gardner?"
