Hey y'all sorry for the long waiting period. I have some other obligations, so there won't likely be any concrete updating schedule. But I promise that any wait will be no longer than a week. And as always please review, I can't know if this story is any good without feedback, can I?
Scant moments later, the heroes found themselves in the Watchtower, the seat of the Justice League's power and influence. Superman and the original seven were first and soon the rest of their team joined them.
Almost the entirety of the Justice League's roster was in attendance. Dozens of heroes milled around. It was rare for so many of the League's members to be in one place at one time, and it was never a trivial matter.
At his station on the Monitor station, Mister Terrific stood over them. He gestured at the returning Leaguers, "Welcome back. Sorry for the rush but we really needed you to come quick."
Superman said, "It's all right Michael, but where's the fire?"
"Follow me down to the hangar. The away team just came back." Several of Mister Terrific's T-Spheres wove around his belt and lifted him off of the platform, he glided down and started leading the way to the hangar. Everyone curiously followed him.
Superman arched an eyebrow at Batman who shook his head. He didn't know what this was about either. And in all the time they've worked together, Superman knew that anything Batman didn't know was almost always cause for concern.
The superheroes worked their way through the Watchtower's corridors until they reached a massive cargo elevator. Several dozen of Earth's greatest heroes boarded the elevator and it rumbled down to the hangar.
Mister Terrific was completely silent the whole way and not an idle word was passed. Everyone there was tensed, waiting for something to happen. When they arrived they filed into the hangar.
A Javelin and transport where docked and in front of it stood Aztek and Orion. They and a few others had comprised the search team, Orion in particular had been anxious to find his good friend Lightray but now his masked visage gave nothing away. Aztek was neutral in bearing as well.
Mister Terrific addressed Aztek, "Aztek please tell everyone else what you told me."
The Ultimate Man said, "I think it better to show you."
Atom Smasher came out of the rescue transport bearing multiple large crates. Doctor Light carried the last crate in a field of pure white and set it down in front of the assembled League. She floated over to the keypad on it's side and inputted a code.
It slid open and there was an immediate ripple throughout the crowd. Some stirred where they stood and started muttering. Others gasped at the grim sight within. And some simply stood disbelieving at what they saw.
For within the crate was a sculpture of bodies. The greatest terrors of the planet were encased within an icy prison. Parasite, the Shade, Copperhead, and dozens more were held within.
Their mouths gaped open into eternity and their faces evoked a primal and utter terror that few have ever witnessed. The sheer weight of their collective fear and horror was enough to unsettle all present. Even Batman narrowed his eyes at the sight and his jaw clenched.
Superman broke the oppressive silence, "J'onn can you see if…"
The Martian Manhunter outstretched his hand, "They are still alive. Faintly. Their mental state is… disconcerting. They are aware of us but their sanity is on a knife's edge. If we are to rescue them we must do so, delicately."
Superman nodded and gestured to Aztek, "Tell us exactly what happened."
Aztek nodded, "It was an interesting journey to say the least."
Earlier…
Aztek sat at the pilot's seat of a Javelin fighter. In the other seats were Doctor Light, Starman, Orion, Rocket Red, the Ray, and Atom Smasher. A transport crewed by Justice League support staff trailed behind.
Aztek spoke to his team, "We'll be there in a few minutes. Be on the lookout, we don't know if Darkseid left any surprises here or what else may have come calling." Aztek had some of the most diverse powers and was a skilled tactician, his selection of team leader was sound.
Doctor Light snorted, "Please. As if anything short of an army could take us on." Doctor Light was an expert scientist as well as a superhero. In the field she would provide crucial support duties and scientific analysis.
The Ray chuckled, "You've got that right sister." In addition to flight and light manipulation powers, Ray Terrill could turn himself into an energy form and avoid most of the danger of navigating a battlefield.
Orion cracked his knuckles, "Yes. Any in our path shall fall before our wrath." As well as having a personal stake in this mission, Orion was one of the fiercest warriors in the League and would never rest until they were victorious.
Starman laughed in that manner peculiar to royalty, "Simmer down, Genesian. Or you'll give yourself heart failure and fail to deliver your wrath." Starman was an expert in personal space travel and could provide air cover with enthusiasm.
Atom Smasher laughed his deep basso laugh that made the chairs shake. He was one of the youngest members of the League, but he was no rookie. On this mission he provided most of the old-fashioned muscle power.
Rocket Red grinned with his helmet in his hand, "I am pleased to be agreeing with Prince Gavyn. Orion must how you say… lighten up!" Rocket Red could take a lot of punishment and dish out even more. His armor could help him handle a lot of dangerous tasks with ease and minimal concentration.
Aztek cut in, "All right, team settle down. We're only a few seconds out. We scan the surrounding area for survivors or anything of interest then we head for the main debris field. Me, Rocket Red, and Doctor Light on a search pattern the rest of you on hold in case something happens."
Soon, they dropped out of FTL and found themselves in a field of wreckage. Various and sundry pieces of machinery floated around, mixing with an asteroid field. It would take quite a while to find anything.
Aztek set the Javelin to auto-pilot on a scan cycle. He approached the rear of the Javelin and waited for everyone to properly suit up. He placed a mouthpiece on his helmet and opened the door.
He, Doctor Light, and Rocket Red exited and began their search of the debris field while the two ships did the same. For a long while, all the junk they saw was just that, junk. Until Rocket Red cut in, "I sense something is being close by."
Dmtri Pushkin also had an empathy for machines in addition to his armor. No doubt his sixth sense caught something. The Russian flew towards a piece and his teammates were on his heel.
It wasn't another piece of junk. It was an escape pod. And not of any human make. It was from a New Genesian craft. And inside it was Lightray. Aztek called the rescue ship, "We've got one! Swing by to pick up this pod. The life support was nearly shot and he's unconscious."
Orion burst in over the line, "Lightray?"
"Yes. It's him. But stay focused. We've still got a job to do. The docs will take care of him."
"Very well." Orion's tone was surly and not at all pleased.
The trio helped pull the pod towards the rescue ship when it came by and loaded it onto the bay. A team of medical personnel rushed out and began to cart away Lightray for emergency treatment.
Orion's voice entered the channel, "How is he?"
The senior medic answered, "He took a bad hit but he should be fine. Don't worry sir."
"…Thank you."
After that excitement, they began searching again. They were no traces of Braniac that they could find. It seemed that the explosion of Luthor's ship wiped out even more traces of Braniac.
Or something else got here first. Aztek sincerely hoped that wasn't the case. What they did find was somewhat more macabre. Doctor Light had found it floating among the dark destruction, an icy blue object. She flew towards it and her eyebrow arched at what was inside. In it was the rest of the Secret Society. Dozens of super villains encased in ice. They stared at it for a long moment.
Rocket Red shook his head, "None should suffer in a way like that."
Doctor Light shrugged her shoulders, "If you ask me, they got what was coming to them. Leaving them would solve a lot of our problems."
Aztek sternly said, "No Doctor. Our mission is to rescue survivors. All of them."
Doctor Light sighed, "If you say so." She captured the block with her light and carted it off to the rescue ship.
"Okay, nothing more to find here. Let's head to the center of the blast." The three heroes and their cohorts in the Javelin made for where the majority of the destruction had occurred.
Aztek's enhanced senses identified what remained of the main hull. It had been split into two major pieces. Both were still quite large even after the destruction, "Ok, the rest of you come on out. We need everyone to search this one."
The team regrouped and split into two smaller teams. Aztek lead the Ray, Starman, and Rocket Red, to one piece. Doctor Light led Orion and Atom Smasher to another. The Javelin and the rescue ship remained parked outside.
Aztek and his team fanned out into the depilated structure. Every system had been catastrophically shut down. There was no air, no gravity, no light. Rocket Red activated the light on his shoulder and his compatriots used their powers to make their own.
Starman sniffed, "These surroundings are quite…. unseemly."
Ray snorted, "Well, I'm sorry our dangerous mission doesn't have clean surroundings for you, your highness."
"Quite all right my good man."
"I wa-… never mind."
Aztek and Rocket Red quietly chuckled while Ray rolled his eyes at them. Starman seemed not to notice and kept floating forward. Eventually they followed him and searched throughout the ruined vessel.
They found nothing except dark, empty, and claustrophobic rooms with the occasional gaping hole into the void. Aztek addressed Rocket Red, "Dmitri. Do you feel any active systems."
"Nyet, comrade Aztek. Are you seeing anything?"
Aztek shook his head, "No, I'm not getting any readings. We've been at this for a while, let's g- hold up. I'm getting something. Here, the systems are running at a minimal pace. And I see a few heat signatures, five minutes that way."
"Da, I feel it now, too."
Aztek said, "Let's go." And he led his team towards the site.
Eventually they found a room that had an intact door and had been fully shut. Aztek whispered, "In there. Stack up. On three I bust in the door and we secure anyone dangerous. Clear on that?" Of course it was almost certain any they found were dangerous and wouldn't respond well to intrusion.
There were nods all around. The four-member team took position outside the door and readied their weapons. Aztek held up a hand and counted to three. Then he made a fist and pumped it. He stood in front of the door and using his super-strength he ripped it off of the track and threw it to the side.
He was the first one through the door with the others on his heels. And they faced some unexpected opposition.
Meanwhile, Doctor Light's team was having no such excitement. The trio of heroes searched fruitlessly, throughout their section of the ruin. The ship had had most of it's contents blown apart or sucked into space.
Orion grumbled, "This is a waste of time. We should get back to the Watchtower with what we found. And then execute Luthor's pawns for what they did to Lightray."
Atom Smasher said, "Settle down big guy. You know we still have a job to do and we won't be doing any executing either."
Doctor Light said, "I would agree with Orion normally but you're right Atom Smasher. We need to make sure there's nothing here that will endanger us later. Besides you can't execute anyone for assault."
Orion grunted but said nothing. Finally, the trio found a large hall. Even after some time it still showed the scars of conflict.. Orion regarded the scene, "I would say this is where Luthor and Grodd had their battle."
Doctor Light nodded, "It would seem so. Let's see if we can find where they brought back your dad." Orion spat on the floor as soon as she said it, and the Doctor raised her hands.
A luminescent trail of white lights flowed towards another room. She gestured to her teammates and they followed her. The room had held all manner of machinery, but most of it had been completely ruined.
Doctor Light inspected the partially intact equipment, "Hmm. This looks like nothing I've seen before. There are all sorts of strange components and wiring… as if our buddy Luthor was trying some sort of new invention. But I'd bet this is where they did it. Maybe the boys at the lab, like Atom or Steel can get something off of this."
Orion nodded, "I can smell the stink of my father all over this place."
Atom Smasher chuckled, "In the void of space, that's saying something." As he said it, the young man felt something… wrong. Something vile. Twisted. Sick. A chill went down his spine and a palpable sense of dread filled him. He stood still staring at nothing for a moment.
Doctor Light shouted, "Hey! Rothstein! You with us?" Atom Smasher shook his head and the feeling passed, "Yeah, yeah I'm good. Sorry, just clocked out for a second."
"Well don't let it happen again, got it?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Alright. Well there's nothing here. Not even any Braniac pieces."
Suddenly, the channel crackled to life, "Light!" Aztek's voice was strained and he was obviously in duress.
"What is it?"
"We've got contact! Can you regroup?"
"On it, we'll be there in a few minutes. Doctor Light out."
The Doctor motioned to her teammates, "Come on. Let's save them from embarrassing themselves." She flew off with Orion in his exo-skeleton behind her. Atom Smasher shook his head and ran after them.
The trio rushed through the base turned vessel, until they found where their piece floated away from the other one. Orion flew over the gap and Doctor Light followed with Atom Smasher in a containment field.
They flew as fast as they could and arrived not three minutes later. And they saw the problem. For though, Darkseid had destroyed their headquarters apparently some had refused to die.
Major Disaster, Bloodsport, KGBeast, Lady Lunar, and Electrocutioner were locked in combat with their friends. Aztek and Rocket Red fought Bloodsport, Electrocutioner, and KGBeast in close combat.
Ray and Starman flew around in a shooting match with Lady Lunar and Major Disaster. But something was wrong. These villains were never top-tier threats. But somehow they were holding their own against the Justice League. And something was… different about them.
Atom Smasher couldn't figure out what that was, before Dr. Light and Orion joined combat with them. He filed that thought away for later and stepped into the battle himself. Every step became heavier when he grew over seven, then ten, to fifteen feet tall.
Orion joined the melee while Dr. Light took to the air. Atom Smasher decided to help take care of the threats on the ground. Aztek's super-strength contended with the genetically engineered KGBeast. But where there had been an assassin's mask there was the visage of a demon of hell and every punch was charged with hellfire.
Aztek should have beat the villain easily but he could only hold his own. Rocket Red was doing no better. Somehow Electrocutioner was as living electricity and not simply a man with powers. Every charged punch from him sent Rocket Red scrambling to dodge and screams of pain wracked Rocket Red when he wasn't face enough. Bloodsport who was only a regular human was now a monstrous ogre and moved with an unsettling speed and strength. Drool slobbered all over him and festering wounds and scars marked his puckered skin.
The League had faced much worse before, but this was no conscious fear. Rather it was an almost an undercurrent of it. It reached them on an instinctual level that had nothing to do with logic or reason. Fear that made brave warriors hesitate when they should have struck.
Orion paid it no mind as he flew off of his exo-skeleton and bodily slammed into Bloodsport. In fact seeing a monstrous opponent only made him hit harder. Seeing that, the mood seemed to have been broken and the heroes regained their courage. Rocket Red dodged another electric punch and delivered a right cross that made the villain fly at Atom Smasher who slapped him down into the ground with a crackle.
Aztek caught one of KGBeast's punches and twisted his arm and moved the larger man into a choke hold. KGBeast tried to move his prosthetic cannon to shoot Aztek but couldn't angle it right. But could move it to point at Orion who was engaged in a fistfight with Bloodsport. Orion was brutally beating the villain who was backing away slowly and could only return a hit or two that was easily blocked.
Aztek was not having any of it, "Oh no you'd don't!" And he kicked KGBeast to his knees and his arm pulled at the cybernetic limb of the villain. It seemed as if Hellfire spread over Aztek's body and he gritted his teeth in agony as he wrenched the arm out of its artificial socket and the demonic assassin screamed. The flames went out as Aztek clobbered KGBeast over the head with his own gun. The assassin went limp and collapsed on the ground.
In the air, Major Disaster was no more a mortal but a flying demon. Lady Lunar was a vengeful and angry witch. Starman and Ray had to mostly avoid their attacks for fear of being killed and barely returned fire.
Until Dr. Light appeared and charged Lady Lunar, "As if you scare me, you uppity bitch!" A halo of light surrounded her as she sent a beam that slammed into the villainess and pinned her to the bulkhead.
Atom Smasher grew even taller and grabbed Major Disaster's arms, "He's all yours, boys!" Starman shouted, "Begone, from my sight foul creature!" He fired a blast of starlight that caught Major Disaster square in the chest and blew him into the bulkhead where he fell in a heap.
Ray turned into a golden light that flew into Lady Lunar and slammed her even further into the bulkhead. Dr. Light released her and Ray flew above Lady Lunar to slam her to the ground with his hard light form.
The heroes assembled around Orion who was beating Bloodsport into the ground. Even the master martial artist could do nothing to fight back, as his face was a mass of bruises and cuts. Aztek spoke up, "Orion."
"Fine." Orion grabbed Bloodsport's shoulders and slammed his helmeted head into him. Bloodsport was granted the bliss of unconsciousness. He stood up and said, "What could do this to them?"
Aztek said, "I think I know who." He turned to a shadowy corner and called out, "It's you isn't it?"
A cackle echoed throughout the room, from everywhere and nowhere at once. A booming sound that ringed in their airs and a low tone that whispered at them. A figure walked out of the shadows. He was garbed in a blue suit with cloak.
And as he fully came into the light, a bleached skull with eyes came into view.
"Doctor Destiny."
"You are correct, would-be victor. It is I Doctor Destiny."
He regarded them with his lid-less eyes and Atom Smasher felt sick to the stomach, he longed to pound that creep but waited for Aztek's lead. Aztek asked Doctor Destiny, "How are you and the others even alive?"
The villain sighed, "I had been assigned to make sure those that defected from Grodd's side were sufficiently…. cowed. But my psychic powers sensed something very wrong. A force of pure malevolent evil even greater than myself."
"I took precautions and sealed myself and my charges. I steeled their minds to survive what would happen next. Of course Luthor left us, I can't blame him. So until now, I'd been directing my new allies to scavenge a vessel so that we might return. Until I sensed someone else coming."
His skeletal face spread in a parody of a smile, "Though it seems now that you're here, I won't need to work any farther. I will defeat you, destroy your minds, possibly kill you, or enslave you I'm not quite sure. Then I will go after your friends."
Aztek shook his head, "Ain't happening 'doc."
Doctor Destiny laughed, "It has been a long while since, I've faced the Justice League."
"But the first time I did, I nearly defeated your leaders. The most powerful heroes on Earth, all by myself."
"I've learned since then. And though my powers may not be at their fullest, they are still sufficient to best you. What makes you think you lowly errand boys can defeat me?"
Aztek smiled, "Because we learn from the past too. And because it's our job."
Doctor Destiny sighed, "One last chance."
Ray said, "Stuff it up your ass, you creep."
"Very well." Suddenly the shadows around him became tendrils and Doctor Destiny grew. His eyes turned red and his body gained spikes, horns, and claws. What stood before them now was a horror that no mortal should ever lay their eyes on. The very ground turned into a bloody battlefield. The air stank of carrion and death. The sounds of anguish and terror bored into their minds.
The stuff of nightmares and insanity.
And then Doctor Light laughed, "If you think that's gonna scare me. You got another thing coming." She strode confidently forward. The scientist was followed by Orion, the warrior who glared at the monster with murder in his eyes. Then came the prince, Starman who regarded the scene with haughty disdain. Then Rocket Red, who had seen his fair share of horror in his life. Ray, a man hardened by childhood and trauma. Atom Smasher, who had youthful confidence and unshakable will. And finally, Aztek the Man of the Millennium.
Before them the horrors disappeared one by one and the monster shrank and shrank until Doctor Destiny was normal sized and they stood before him.
He gasped, "How is this even possible! You should all be broken!"
Atom Smasher said, "Because we're the Justice League. And we never give up." He stepped forward and picked up Doctor Destiny by the lapel and put him up to his face. When the villain looked at Atom Smasher, he saw something that made his features contort in terror.
He screamed as Atom Smasher punched the villain into a bulkhead and he fell to the floor. His skeletal appearance gave way to an average looking man and the illusion shattered entirely.
"There goes Johnny."
Ray flew over to Doctor Destiny, "Wow. Whatever you did to get him worked up, it doesn't look like he'll be joining us again any time soon."
Aztek said, "Good work team. Let's get these villains locked up and as much salvage packed as possible. We need to leave for the Watchtower two minutes ago."
The heroes went to work transporting the villains into a specially prepared holding tank on the rescue ship and transferred the mysterious machinery as well.
They boarded the Javelin and were about to set off. Right before they jumped into FTL, Atom Smasher looked through the viewport at the wreckage. He felt something. But before he could think any further about it they jumped into FTL and flew home.
Presently…
Superman thoughtfully regarded the gathered objects and the team before them. The prisoners sat in a surly row inside a mobile reinforced cell and the remains of Luthor's machine was gathered inside a crate. Lightray had already been brought to the infirmary.
Superman smiled at the seven heroes standing in a line, "Each of you has performed fantastically. You stayed calm and carried out the mission without loss of life. There may be a few kinks to work out, but it was an outstanding job well done. Congratulations."
Even Dr. Light and Starman looked embarrassed by the praise. Aztek composed himself, "Thank you, Superman. I feel me and my team need some R and R."
"Of course, in fact we all do. We'll finish processing the villains to the custody of our friends down there. We can have our boys here work on getting that ice sculpture melted. Then Luthor's machine will be catalogued and after that I say we take a break. The world can deal without us for a few hours wouldn't you say?"
There were shouts of approval all around and Superman smiled. An hour later of dealing with grumbling villains and heavy lifting and they were done. Orion left to watch over Lightray but basically everyone else crowded into the main hall, which had been set up for a party by the staff.
Upbeat music blared over the speakers and the mission monitors displayed films or video games that were played with laughter and joy. The lights had been dimmed and a dance floor set up. Food and drink of every description sat on a long row of tables.
They laughed, ate, drank, danced, and partied. They played games, told stories, and made jokes. They flew around near the ceiling or clustered on the ground. Even reclusive heroes like Question seemed to be having a good time. They had beaten an alien invasion. They had dealt a massive blow to the world's villains. And they had made it through with their friends and comrades alive.
They were incredibly happy and hopeful, and had every right to be. But as Atom Smasher sat at a table drinking a soda listening to Stargirl, Obsidian, Vibe, Gypsy, Hawk, and Dove chatter he felt the same alien sensation from before. On a primal level, it made him dread the coming days.
He wasn't the only one who wasn't in the party mood. Apart from the other heroes the founding members and Aquaman were gathered in a side room. Even Flash looked grim.
Batman spoke first, "I trust all of you could see the implications of that mission?"
J'onn said, "Yes. They never found Grodd's body."
Hawkgirl interjected, "And we all know how that always turns out."
Wonder Woman's brow furrowed, "Even more troubling is the fact they found no traces of Braniac. How?"
Aquaman frowned, "Or who? And for what purpose?"
Flash shook his head, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."
Green Lantern said, "For once, Flash is right. There's some other force at work here too. Braniac couldn't have moved himself."
Superman nodded thoughtfully, "Yeah. And we have no clue what it is. We all need to keep a close eye out for the near future while we rebuild."
Batman said, "Somehow, I feel that we're missing something. But I don't see what."
"That… unsettles me."
The group was silent for a long time.
And over at his table Atom Smasher thought he could finally place what caused his worry. It seemed crazy. But under the cheer of his friends he thought he could hear, no, he felt… laughter. But this was very, very different. It was not the laughter of a joyful soul like those around him.
It was something that should stay in the darkest thoughts and corners of the mind. Something wrong. Something… sick.