The Echo

Mount Olympus

Dionysus moved casually among the other Gods. He was looking for one in particular, Aphrodite. As he passed the others he heard bits and pieces of their conversations. They were the same, tired arguments and discussions they'd been having for millennia. Looking at his brothers and sisters, a wave of sadness came over him. He pressed on. He found her where she had been before. Dionysus stopped and just looked at her. Even to another God she was breathtaking. Aphrodite was perhaps the most beautiful being in creation. Again she sat silently on a hillside overlooking a nightmare landscape. A light white gown hung loosely from her perfect body. Her hazel eyes were flecked with gold and they seemed to be staring very far away. There wasn't a smile on her face, but she didn't have a frown either. It was impossible to tell what she was feeling or thinking. As he stood watching her, Dionysus saw her lips move and could barely make out what she was whispering.

"A forge to test and strengthen even the mightiest of souls."

She didn't seem to even notice he was there. Dionysus looked out over the landscape and could only imagine the nightmare it must be to end up in such a place. He looked at Aphrodite and couldn't help wondering why this beautiful creature had returned to watching this specific location.

"What a grim, hellish place,' Dionysus said. "Why does this fascinate you so?"

Aphrodite looked up at him and gave him a small smile.

"The House of Dust.' she reminded him. "I can't seem to take my eyes off it, Dionysus. Look at it, they crawl in the dirt; dust and grit their only food. They had no faces, no eyes to see. They never come in contact with another, so they are always alone with the wind howling endlessly. It is a world completely devoid of love. Never to touch another, always alone, without the hope of love, what could be worse than this?"

"I remember,' he said. "Why are you still thinking about this, Aphrodite? You said last time it was because someone had manipulated your Champion. Why now?"

She looked into the distance for a few moments, as if something in the swirling sands had caught her attention.

"Enki, Anu, Marduk, Ba'al, Dagon, Shalim and Ishtar," she recited.

"Names out of the past,' he replied.

"Yes,' she nodded. "Once they ruled the skies over this world too, Dionysus. One by one they faded away into the mists of time. No temple fires were lit for them this night, no sacrifices offered and no worshippers to see their reflection in."

"That is the way of the world, Aphrodite,' Dionysus offered.

"Yes,' she agreed. "That is how it always has been. None of our brothers or sisters even grieved for any of those other Gods passing. They were too full of their own power to see the lesson right in front of their eyes. I think they are still in denial of that basic lesson of history."

"But you are not, I take it?" He asked.

"I know how everyone sees me, brother,' she replied with a sad smile. "Capricious, vain, self involved are just a few of the kinder words used. They used to fear me. Do you remember?"

"Beauty such as yours makes people do many things,' he countered. "It can be very dangerous, so they had a right to be afraid."

"I suppose, but beauty obscures other qualities as well,' she said. "They forget I've been called many names in many different places. I was there with Enki, Ba'al and all the others. I didn't share their fate, but I saw how it happened. I see the same thing happening here on Olympus."

"You believe we are vanishing?" He asked.

"Our time is coming to a end, yes,' she replied. "Once Zeus and the others held sway over vast populations. What now? Our beloved Amazons are all that are left. They have jointed the world again. There is a storm coming, Dionysus. The outcome is in doubt. New Gods could easily win and our Amazons lose along with the rest of the world. Events can change just like that. If one doesn't appreciate that simple fact they will join Enki and the others."

"Are you suggesting we will all fade into the mists of time like them?"

"Yes."

"I'm not sure I agree with you,' Dionysus offered. "The Amazons have believed in us for all of their lives, they wouldn't turn away from us now."

"Do you know of Sheol?"

A shudder went through Dionysus at the mention of the word.

"Yes. The place of darkness to which all the dead go, both the righteous and the unrighteous, regardless of the moral choices made in life, a place of stillness and darkness cut off from the world."

"The inhabitants of Sheol are called the "shades", entities without personality or strength,' Aphrodite explained. "That is where Enki and the others are now, Dionysus. That is the fate of all of us."

"I don't believe that,' he objected. "Even if it were true, what could we do? It's the way of the world, as our brothers and sisters know."

"That is why they ignore it,' she replied. "They don't want to accept it as their fate and do nothing to stop it."

"You think otherwise, I imagine?" He asked.

"Yes, fates change, for Gods and Heroes,' she stated. "I will not go quietly into that eternal night."

"What will you do?"

"I will once more join the land of the living,' she replied. "Mortals have learned to accept a demi-God from another planet, an immortal Amazon princess and so many other fantastic beings, why not the Goddess of Love? Love is always needed, so my strength will grow once again."

Dionysus saw the smile spread across Aphrodite's face.

"The others will not be happy."

The Watchtower

Something as simple as a text or a phone call can change everything. You're moving along dealing with your everyday problems and worries, thinking you have a handle on life and maybe even a bit of control. Then you get a message. A friend or family member is in trouble. It doesn't matter what the nature of the problem, just that it's serious. Your mind shifts into high gear and scenarios from worst to best play out in the blink of an eye. Your natural instinct is to want to do something, but what?

The last thing you want to do is to make the situation worse. Your rational mind tries to balance legitimate concerns against your fears. You try to remind yourself that what's really important is your friend or family member. Old issues are forgotten, disagreements put aside as what is truly important stares you in the face. Suddenly what you thought were problems and worries seem so less important, meaningless really. Everything's changed. Your priorities are completely different than they were just a few moments before. Something as simple as a short message can do that.

The main conference room was crowded to overflowing. It was barely controlled chaos. Hippolyta's reemergence, Mary's miraculous pregnancy, the Golden Goddess and Darkseid's response seemed to bring an opinion from everyone. Barda showing up with Lashina only added to the tension. There was no love loss between her and many members, but Zatanna's arrival shifted everyone's focus.

"He's in hell,' she said. "It might be impossible to get him out."

"Then let's go after him!" Kara shouted. "We can't just leave him there!"

Many voices rose in agreement.

"We should storm the gates of Tartarus if that's what is needed,' Diana added.

"If we all go, we risk losing everyone,' Zatanna replied. "If we're going to rescue him, I think it has to be a small group, two or three at the most."

"Agreed,' Jonn said. "His return is a priority, but there are other threats that have to be dealt with too."

"I'm going,' Kara flatly stated.

"As am I.' Lashina spoke up for the first time.

"The hell you are,' Diana replied. "I wouldn't trust you any further than I could throw you."

"I'm going, Princess,' Lashina said, staring Diana in the eye. "Without him I can never return home, so if it means going to hell, well, I grew up there."

Batman, the Martian Manhunter and Black Canary shared a look. It was Batman that spoke first.

"Barda, why don't you escort Lashina to the cafeteria so she can get something to eat before she goes to Hell?"

"NO! She is not going!" Both Diana and Kara shouted.

"We need to discuss this in private," Dinah said, and then gestured or Barda to get Lashina out of the room. As if to antagonize Diana and Kara one last time, Lashina smiled as she waltzed out of the room. Once the doors closed, the argument started in full.

"We can't trust her!"

"She'll use this to make sure he never gets back!"

It was Jonn that finally put a stop to all of this.

"We have other issues that weight on this,' he said. "I spoke to Mary and Mordred; they believe Darkseid is on his way here. If that is the case, the last place we want Lashina is on the Watchtower."

"Put her in jail,' Mari suggested. "Lock her up, she's committed enough crimes as it is."

"Unfortunately there is not enough time for that,' Jonn continued. "She would resist and we would have a battle on our hands when we should be preparing for Darkseid."

"I'll take her with me when I go,' Zatanna offered. "I think there is a way to make sure she doesn't pull a fast one."

"How?"

"Wonder Woman's lasso,' Zee explained. "Whoever goes in is going to need a tether to this world to get back out. If I understand it right, it stretches to an almost infinity length. Hell is an illusion from what I understand, its power to burn away all falsehoods will serve us."

"I'm going then,' Diana stated.

"Me too,' Kara announced.

"I don't think that's the best idea,' Zatanna replied. "Hell is sort of magic based, Kara, which is your weakness same as your cousin's."

"I don't care, I'm going," Kara flatly said.

"No,' Jonn offered. "I understand your feelings, but with Darkseid on the way that means we are going to need our strongest members to fight him. That goes for you too, Diana, Earth needs you here."

"Then I will go,' Hippolyta said. "I'm still technically Wonder Woman and the lasso is with me."

"No, my Queen, I will do this,' Artemis said, moving forward. "I have some experience with Hell, so it should be me that goes."

Diana was shocked by this and moved over to Artemis.

"Artemis, why? You don't' have to do this."

"We each have a role to play, Diana,' Artemis replied. "I thought mine was something else, but events have changed it. I will go and help rescue Superman."

Diana had tears in her eyes as she hugged her. The two women held each other for several moments.

Batman and Dinah moved over to Hippolyta and Phillipus.

"We'd like to ask you two to help with Mary,' Dinah began. "She's frightened and feeling alone. Being pregnant is something you've dealt with. Our physicians will do all they can, but someone just to be there with Mary would be a major help at this point."

"Mordred and Billy are with her now, but they are both as frightened as she is,' Batman added.

"We will help her, but once the battle is joined, our place is there,' Hippolyta replied.

"Agreed."

They all gathered around he table once more.

"So it is agreed,' Jonn said. "Zatanna, Artemis and Lashina will rescue Superman, while the rest of us will prepare for Darkseid's invasion."

Some were reluctant, but finally they all agreed.

"Is Constantine going to be your guide?" Dinah asked.

"No, he's not keen on the idea of going to hell,' Zatanna replied. "We'll just have to figure it out as we go."

Hell – The Dust Bowl

In every direction the chocking, swirling dust was so thick you couldn't see the hand in front of your face. The fine grains battered against your skin, getting under your eyelids and into your mouth. Clark felt powerless against it. He dropped to his knees, his eyes in agony. The constant howl of the wind was the only noise. His shouts of pain were swallowed up along with everything else.

He knew he was in hell. Denial of that fact wouldn't get him anywhere. He still didn't know why. He wasn't dead or at least didn't believe he was dead. It wasn't like the description in Dante's Inferno or the one Pastor Brown had preached on Sundays when Clark was a boy. He remembered being terrified as he sat there listening to this authority figure go into great detail about the torments that awaited the damned. It seemed one lifetime of punishment wasn't enough. An eternity of sorrow waited for everyone that broke the rules.

Later as a young man he'd stopped going. He'd seen too much, experienced other worlds, listened to prophets and Gods speak of alien concepts and ideas. He began to wonder if all roads lead to the same place, or if each individual experiences it in a unique way only they can imagine. Yet when he found himself here in Hell, it was Pastor Brown that came to mind. The torment of the damned, that's what this was all about.

At each level fewer and fewer people continued on. The greatest loss had been on the first level. Clark had realized it was fear. If you can't overcome your fears, then you truly are lost for an eternity. He pulled his cape around him, trying for any protection against the wind and dust. It got in his mouth and nose and made it difficult to breath, never mind think. Thinking was what he had to do, though. All the powers in the world weren't going to solve this riddle. Thought, rational thought, man's greatest achievement and what separated him from the beasts of the fields had to be his salvation.

Tearing off a piece from the bottom of his cape, Clark fashioned a blindfold. He couldn't see anyway, but he knew he had to keep moving. Next he made a crude mask to cover his mouth so he could at least breath without the dust invading his lungs. Wrapping the rest of the cape around him for whatever protection it could provide, he staggered to his feet and began to slowly walk. Forward was the only direction he had, but he vowed to keep moving.

Apokolips

Darkseid looked down at his war-ravaged world dispassionately. Millions were dying and the Golden Goddess's forces were on the march towards victory. A few less hungry dogs didn't matter in the grand scheme of things. He had withdrawn his elite and they were now gathering to him. He would venture to Earth and cut off the head of the snake, the Golden Goddess herself. She was a worthy opponent, but she'd overplayed the board. Like any chess master, Darkseid knew the game wasn't won in the first few moves, unless your opponent was reckless or overwhelmed. He was neither of these things. He would kill her and then conquer Earth for good measure. It was long overdue for it to fall before him anyway. It would be a message to the rest of the universe that he was now and forever the master of the Fourth World.

The Watchtower – the Infirmary

Growing Up.

Each in their own way must come to grips with growing up. Some of us are forced to do it early in life, while many put it off as long as possible. It would be nice to believe one thing can cause the change in everyone, but that would be fantasy. We only need look around us to see others that are physically adults, yet act anything but.

Maybe it's the fear of losing our youth or the acceptance of responsibility that makes us hesitate. Maybe it's the thought that once we grow up we'll slowly watch as all our hopes and dreams fade. Maybe it's just as simple as being afraid to grow old.

We can fight, delay it, deny it, ignore it, but with each passing year the illusion becomes thinner and thinner. Eventually, like it or not, we have to face the truth. Growing up is just another part of life and it happened to all of us sooner or later.

Mary, Billy and Mordred were each facing this prospect. Each was dealing with it in different ways. For Billy it was fear, fear of things changing. Yet he was also a hero and the things Shazam saw inside him were always there. The world had changed around him, but he had something to focus on now, Mary. His sister needed him and the hero emerged once again.

Mordred was lost. He had been tossed and battered by the forces of the past and the future. He was out of place in time and knew not which way to turn. His only family, his mother was part of the nightmare that had become his life. His transformation after a thousand years only allowed seeing her for who she really was. She was a user and as sad as it was to admit, he had always been one of the used. He stood at the side of a young woman he barely knew. She was pregnant with what amounted to his child. How and why, he didn't know, but he felt the connection with her. He glanced over at her brother and saw a determination that hadn't been there a few hours before. As lost as Mordred felt, he needed to be up to the challenge that was right in front of him.

He had been a child for a millennium and thought as a child. Now it was time to put childish things away.

Mary Marvel was somehow holding it together, despite everything that was happening. She was so confused about where her place in the world was and the events of the last few weeks had only intensified that confusion. Physically she looked like an adult, but what did that really mean? She felt no different than before, yet the world seemed different everywhere she looked. She only needed to glance down at her extended belly to feel the panic creeping closer to the edges of her mind.

She wasn't ready for this, she thought, yet it was going to happen either way. It seems there was no going back. Whether she was ready to grow up or not was a moot point. She was going to have a child and that meant life was going to change. Tentatively she raised her trembling hands to both Billy and Mordred. They both clasp her hands in theirs. They would do this together. The future was unknown and frightening to each of them, but it was long past time for them to all grow up.

The High Plains

Vigilante and Wildcat had been riding for hours. The people of Marionette had thanked them and they said their good-byes to Vampirella. Silently they headed out of town, moving east. What they had been through in that small out of the way town seemed to linger in each other their minds. They had come out here with questions. They were the questions we all face sooner or later. Mortality, growing old, physical decline, these are the sorts of things most of us only consider late at night when sleep won't come.

Like aging athletes, Vigilante and Wildcat knew they were closer to the end than the beginning. It seemed like only yesterday they'd started all this, yet their bodies told a different tale. If it was the end, what now, they had both wondered? So many sacrifices had already been made for this life, how do you just walk away? Normal men their age were just in the middle of their lives. They were looking forward to grandchild, paying off the mortgage and spending more time with their spouses. Those were things Vigilante and Wildcat had sacrificed by choosing this life.

They didn't regret what they'd done, but as they pulled into the lonely rest stop a sort of peace settled over them. In of all places, it had been in a small town that was barely a blip on the map that they found some of what they were looking for. The desperate people they found felt powerless against the villains preying on them. What they needed were heroes, plain ordinary everyday heroes.

They might be a step slower, but being heroes hadn't changed for Vigilante or Wildcat. The missions to other worlds and fighting alien attacks were probably behind them, but people still needed heroes, even broken down old ones. The battles might not be as grand, but they were just as important. Once they had accepted this, they were free again. Their minds could turn to other things, a home, family, and a life outside of their careers.

Vigilante turned and smiled at his friend.

"You know I think I still own a ranch down near the border,' he said. "Nice little town a few miles away. The ranch is probably falling apart after all this time. I could use some help getting it running again?'

"Are you offering me a job?" Wildcat replied. "I don't think I'd like working for you."

He smiled. Vigilante shook his head.

"Not a job, a partnership, pardner."

"I like the sound of that a lot more,' Wildcat replied.

Both of their League communicators went off before they could discuss it more.

"We need all members,' Jonn's voice came over the line. "An attack by Darkseid is eminent."

"Roger that, Jonn,' Vigilante replied.

"We'll be there,' Wildcat added. He looked over at Vigilante as they both put their communicators away. "I guess that nice little town and that falling down ranch will have to wait."

"Well, it ain't going anywhere,' Vigilante replied. "Neither is the offer."

"Let's just hope I don't have to save your ass again for you to keep it." Wildcat said as he fired up his Harley.

"You saved my ass? Hell, boy, one of them werewolves must have hit you on the head or something,' Vigilante protested. "If it wasn't Vampirella or me pulling your bacon out of the fire, you'd be pushing up daisies back there in Marionette."

"You tell yourself whatever you need to, pal, I think we both know the real truth."

Wildcat roared off, as Vigilante shouted after him.

"This conversation ain't over by a long shot, pardner!"

He fired up his bike and took off after his friend.

Hell – The Edge of the river Styx

Zatanna, Artemis, Lashina and Barda stood watching as the ferryman slowly made his way to their side.

"I still wish you'd let me come with you,' Barda protested. "I grew up on Apokolips too. I've seen Hell before."

"We need someone as an anchor for the tether to work, Barda,' Zatanna replied. "Once we enter the illusion, we don't know what we will find. We need you and your strength to pull us back if it comes to that."

"How will I know if it comes to that?"

"We'll pull on the line,' Artemis suggested. She was standing at the waters edge, the lasso in her hands. She turned and walked back to the others. She handed the end to Barda, and then looped it around her wrist. She moved over to Zatanna.

"Give me your wrist."

Zatanna did and Artemis looped it around her wrist and tied a small knot in it.

"We don't want it slipping off once we get over to the other side." She explained. She moved over to Lashina.

"Give me your wrist."

"Is this really necessary? The idea of that lasso disgusts me,' Lashina replied. "The idea of being tied up in it is even worse. I'm not afraid of what is on the other side."

"I don't give a shit what you want, Lashina,' Artemis said. "I don't like you and don't trust you, but I'm not losing anyone over there, even you. No one gets left behind, Lashina, now give me your fucking wrist!"

Reluctantly Lashina held out her wrist and Artemis looped the lasso around it. Lashina winced at the contact.

"It burns!"

"It doesn't react well to evil,' Artemis offered as she tied a knot. "Maybe it will burn yours away. Let's hope there is something more to you, Lashina."

Lashina growled and grumbled, but didn't reply.

The ferryman landed and the three got on. Barda held on with one hand as she waved to them. As they disappeared into the mist, the lasso went slack. Suddenly it jerked in her hands and nearly pulled her into the water. Whatever primordial beasts resided in those stygian depths thrashed about moving closer to her by the second. Barda strained with all her might to hold on and pull herself away from the water. Her muscles burned as she grunted under the effort.

Two slender hands reached out and took hold of the lasso. They pulled with Barda and she finally made some headway. When she was back on her feet and away from the water she looked at her unexpected benefactor. Her breath caught in her throat as the most beautiful being she had ever seen stood smiled at her.

"Who are you?" Barda finally managed to ask.

"A friend,' Aphrodite replied. "Those three will need all the friends they can get."

Hell – the Wasteland

How long he'd been walking blind, Clark wasn't sure. His direction didn't seem to matter, as one way was as good as another. At first he didn't even notice it, as the howl of the wind had become second nature to him. He slowly realized it had stopped and silence hung in the air. Tentatively he took off the blindfold and squinted. A white sun hung low on the horizon. He felt no warmth or energy from it. If anything it seemed his strength had been sapped from being in this place so long.

He let his eyes adjust and took in his surroundings. Emptiness was the best word for it. Clark was completely alone. He tried using his vision, but whatever this place was his vision didn't seem to work here. He started walking again, towards the sun. He began to see the landscape was devoid of life, yet the reminders of the past remained. Crops withered and dried up dotted the ground. Old abandoned cars and houses soon appeared. It was like the world of a Ghost town, except nothing was centralized. It was dead, no sound, no wind, no life.

Sweat rolled down his face and soaked him through and through. Still there was no heat, no warmth from the sunlight. He walked and walked until he thought his feet would give out and then walked some more. He thought he heard something up ahead, but thought it might be just an illusion, an eidolon summoned to play tricks on his mind. Hoarse with thirst, he tried running to get closer. The image didn't disappear, but grew in definition as he drew nearer. An old abandon farmhouse sat in ruins. In the shadows on the porch a figure sat on a rocking chair gently swaying back and forth. Clark made it within twenty yards before his legs gave out. Gasping for air, he looked up.

"Stranger?"

"Yes, Kal-El, I've been waiting for you."

The rocking chair moved forward and The Phantom Stranger came into the light.

"What are you doing here?" Clark asked, his voice raspy and dry.

"I'm not really here,' the Stranger replied. "I'm but a phantom in this place come to talk to you."

"Why?"

"It is the role I've been cast,' the Stranger replied.

"Do you know why I'm in Hell?" Clark asked. "Can you at least tell me that?"

"You are being tested,' the Stranger explained.

"Tested?"

"Yes, you are on the Hero's Journey, Kal-El."

"Why?'

"That is the way of things. You are not the first and will not be the last.' The Stranger said. "From Gilgamesh to Osiris to Moses and the Buddha, all must take the Hero's Journey"

"Why? I-I don't understand any of this.'

"In a monomyth, the hero begins in the ordinary world, and receives a call to enter an unknown world of strange powers and events. The hero who accepts the call to enter this strange world must face tasks and trials, either alone or with assistance. In the most intense versions of the narrative, the hero must survive a severe challenge, often with help. If the hero survives, he may achieve a great gift or "boon." The hero must then decide whether to return to the ordinary world with this boon. If the hero does decide to return, he or she often faces challenges on the return journey. If the hero returns successfully, the boon or gift may be used to improve the world." The Stranger told him.

"That's all wonderful,' Clark replied. "But why me?"

"Because the world's needs a Superman,' the Stranger replied. "You are unique in the entire universe. You are the hero that can transcend time, if you realize your true potential and achieve it. This age and those to come need you to be that hero, Kal-El."

"Again, why? There are other heroes and will be more in the future,' Clark said.

"But without you as the first, the example, all their fates will change,' The Stranger stated. "There is a storm coming and everything hangs in the balance. The future branches off in so many different directions from this point. What you do is the key."

Clark was having trouble breathing. The dust seemed to have formed a barrier between his lungs and the atmosphere. He couldn't raise himself off the ground. He dipped his head, trying to find the air to ask another question.

"Why?"

When he looked up the Stranger and the abandon farmhouse were gone. Clark collapsed and lay on the dead ground.