It has been 2 years since I started this fic and a lot has happened since then….I own you a completion to this fairly complicated storyline and I own the characters some justice… to everyone that has supported this story thank you! we are now approaching the last 4 chapters…each one coming within a week of each other…hope you have enjoyed them….because I have.
Chapter 22: The price we pay….
For we pay a price for everything we get or take in this world, and although ambitions are well worth having, they are not cheaply won.
Lucille Maud Montgomery
New York, ground zero
(Q Narrating) You cannot write stuff like this…. Hal Jordan, the Myth…the first and most emblematic of the green lanterns, he looked at me and instinctively noticed my despair…I wanted to talk, but I knew I couldn't say anything logical….he knew it too.
Ha landed very softly, so gently than you would have expected him to weight no more than a feather and yet his body mass was as huge as batman if not superman, the scarlet speedster humbly turn his head down while he got close to John…. He looked around with those white eyes trying to remember the surroundings…he remembered from time to time what was being human and all, he didn't seemed to care about the damage or the ruckus the army was making to get their tanks in position for one last stand….he said something in a inhumane language but John seemed to understand because he opened his eyes…he grabbed the ring from his hand and then quickly plunged it into the injured chest…. I was going to touch him but to be honest (and don't tell Huntress) I was scared.
-What happened? - John eyes seemed to change from green to bright green.
-You have been stabbed- Hal Jordan's voice never seemed so clear…. He lifts the rod from the ground still wet with his blood
-How is this possible? Am I dead? - His eyes looked at Hal in disbelieve….he touched the injury, there was no scar…he still was bleeding into him.
-The ring will protect you for a time….it can fix some of the damage and help you with the pain… but it cannot heal you…. In a short time you will have a difficult decision to make, if you choose to stay here with the humans you will die- Hal Jordan was inexpressive, he felt neither happiness nor sadness…he was simply the ring.
Hal looked at us with merciful eyes, he then stood up and without saying a word just disappeared.
(Q narrating) As improbable as it may seem the world appear to stop for a minute while everyone starting grasping the idea of al powerful being just vanishing into thin air… because as soon as the lantern disappeared the shooting recommence… fiercer this time… like bullets with purpose….the odds were against us.
-! Stop! - A powerful voice resounded over the shots… It was the Batman.
Gotham City, Sylvia's apartment (At that precise moment)
-Honey are you ok? - Sylvia tried to look for signs of distress in the Martian Manhunter¨s face….for a minute he was out of it, he tried to block the distress but couldn't because humans cannot read minds, but they can sure read expressions and his face was terrible.
-I…. I have to go- The Martian Manhunter was moving towards the windows when an arrow came his way and landed in the family portrait that was lying next to the bed.
-Next time I won't miss- Helena's voice was hoarse but full of determination.
-I know you wont, I can read your mind- Martian Manhunter replied with conviction.
-Then you know what I am thinking, let's cut to the chase…. I want to be there- Helena's eyes were glowing with anger…she was pregnant, not dead.
-But…but the baby- the Martian Manhunter was trying to cope with the idea of getting a pregnant woman to a battlefield.
-I know you won't hurt him- Helena was getting inside the Huntress Mode…she need to be strong for her, the baby, and for the fool she felt in love with.
-Lets go- The Martian Manhunter replied.
Ground zero, New York (U.S. Army)
-Prepare ammo- Captain Goico was screaming at their infantry soldier, a condecorated veteran with 9 tours he personally took appoint as the liaison with the Cadmus project, he was scared but never overwhelmed… especially worth this new ammo…. High pressure aluminum cartridges…it would burn at 3,000 degrees, even Superman would have felt the sting on that… he wanted his place in history, as the 200 soldiers from his battalion.
Someone just popped smoke but they have no place to….it's a lockdown.
Washington D.C.
Nobody in a powerful position wants to feel played, especially the United States President.
-I need to know what the hell is going on New York. - The President's voice was very dark and moody….he knew he was being manipulated but didn't know who the puppeteer was.
-We have confirmed of an explosion of nuclear magnitude in Downtown New York- the four stars General replied with a monotone voice… we are having a lockdown in all communication outside New York, including the internet.
-Radiation Poisoning? - The president asked fearing the worst.
-None- The General replied.
-What happened then?- The President has never heard of an explosion without collateral damage.
-Superman- The General replied and then said: the 21st Army division is on site, they have order to drop the hostiles with SABOT rounds.
-SABOT rounds? Armor Piercing rounds in Downtown New York? Are you crazy…who gave the order?- The president was astonished.
-You Mr. President, when you signed the petition against the justice league, you clear a go-no go protocol for immediate action- the General seemed perplexed with the president answer.
-Where is Amanda Waller? Gen. Eiling?- The president wanted to held someone accountable for this fiasco.
-They are AWOL- The General quickly replied.
- Can we stop the attack against the justice league? Can we break radio silence?- The President asked with little hope.
-No- The General was truly sad because it was going to be a massacre, nobody wants to go out like that.
-God have mercy on our soul, because congress would not- The president replied almost to himself while looking towards the east side of the building, towards New York.
New York, Ground Zero
(Q narrating)The green arrow popped tear gas to create a smoke barrier and win some time, he wanted to escape, make a run for it, but the Batman didn't flinch, the message was clear, we wil make a stand like free people, if we hide know we would have lost the battle; there was no way the military was going to start shooting such a powerful ammo onto New York without first getting clear, strong and solid targets…the scarlet speeder help john getting up and I was still looking for my fedora hat…it has been a nice road towards immortality I might said, there are just something that never quite add up.
-Shut up- John replied trying to get into a fighting stance.
-What did I said?- Q responded with sarcasm.
-You were talking to yourself, again- John responded with some affection, he then added – let's do this-
John looked at the Batman and then at the green arrow, he had no words to express the emotion he had to hold one last stand with his fellow friends… then he looked back watching as Diana was 25 feet up in the air, not quite ready to leave the man she learn to love….it is going to be over soon, he told himself while the smoke started to clear…
-The price we pay….- Batman started the sentence.
And then there was nothing to be heard but the pounding of an M-16, what a glorious way to go.
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