10 Justice League Night Falls
Shayera called the Watchtower to route her request for the Justice Society's help through the Justice League's leadership. The working relationship between the JLU and the JSA was still formative at best. Many League members felt stymied by having to hand over operations to the Justice Society. Many felt that the Society's members were either too old and out of touch or too young and ill prepared. That fact that nearly half of the JSA's membership had once been JLU teammates didn't seem to affect their thinking.
J'onn promised to reroute Shayera directly to the JSA but he warned her he wished to speak with them first. Shayera's voice became amused at that, "Warning them about me?"
"Hawkman is a member of the Justice Society now," J'onn reminded her, "I am certain he has spoken of you."
"Like I said," Shayera retorted.
"Be at peace, Shayera. I am sure the JSA holds you in the highest regard." J'onn assured her.
"Unlike how most of our team holds them?" Shayera ruefully asked.
J'onn knew that problem was growing but the only solution was greater cooperation with the Justice Society. Experience would prove the JSA's ability to handle a crisis, "I know of what you speak. This will be a good lesson in the fallacy of such thinking."
"Ever the optimist, eh J'onn?" Shayera wryly inquired.
"You know me too well, I fear. Please hold the line," J'onn instructed.
"Patch me into the JSA," J'onn instructed L-Ron.
"Sure thing, your Gumbyness!" L-Ron enthused, "Any excuse to talk to Roxy. Hubba hubba! What a woman! I haven't met anyone like her since J-Lo and I broke up."
"I'm pleased you are showing such an interest in someone else outside of the League, L-Ron," J'onn shared.
"How can I not?" L-Ron wondered, "That gal overheats my circuits."
J'onn wasn't sure he was pleased to hear that. Since Roxy and L-Ron were on duty most of the time, and could multitask vast quantities of data at the same time, so they were in frequent contact during the more idle periods of the JLU and JSA's schedules. Still, J'onn knew the value of a friend so he didn't want to interfere.
The Justice Society had formally inducted its new members a few hours ago. Before formal training began, they were shown the monitoring station and the library computers dedicated to research by Mr. Terrific. Red Beetle brought up the obvious question.
"If you have a dedicated AI, why do we need a live person manning a monitor station?" she inquired.
"`Cause it's good for you fleshpots to do something," Roxy huffed from beside her.
Red Beetle had started since Roxy's avatar had been across the room a heartbeat before. Roxy grinned, "Sorry. Couldn't help but overhear."
Red Beetle could tell the AI was mirthfully unrepentant, "Why don't you spare us the lie and just admit you found it funny."
Roxy snickered, "But you should see your expressions when I do that! Priceless!"
An image Red Beetle's face during her fright floated in front of her. She adopted a rueful grin, "Okay, I'll admit you got me. Just quit it, all right?"
Roxy slapped off a sloppy salute, "Yes, ma'am! I…"
Roxy's holographic eyes went wide and she vanished. Red Beetle looked to Mr. Terrific, "What the hell was that?"
Mr. Terrific smiled, "I think we're getting a message. Might be a distress call. Now's a good time to test ride this equipment. Red Beetle, you're up first."
Red Beetle wanted to protest, she really did, but she'd promised to give the JSA a go; "Riiight."
Roxy appeared over the center table where Sentinel, the Flash, Hawkman, Sand, Hourman, and Jesse Quick were seated, "Head's up! I've got an incoming message from the Justice League."
A holographic 2D image of J'onn floated before Sand, "Hello, J'onn. Is this business or pleasure?"
"Business I'm afraid," J'onn said unhappily, "Please direct Roxy to access the ISA satellite network and to hone in on Detroit, Michigan."
"Got that, Roxy?" Sand inquired.
"I'm on it!" she enthused, "I…whoa!"
A picture of Detroit appeared. Near its center was the black mass, easily seen from orbit. Roxy accessed the satellite and refocused a tighter view from it. Now John's construct wall could be seen as well. The darkness was straining against it and it began to overrun the wall.
"Damn!" John snapped as the growing darkness simply passed through its containment. He sought out Shayera.
"Shayera, I…" he said as he joined her side as she circled the mass overhead.
"I saw it," she said grimly.
"How's it going with the JSA?" John inquired.
"I contacted J'onn to patch me through and now I'm on hold," Shayera griped, "L-Ron piped in elevator music while I'm waiting."
John checked to see that Shayera's hands weren't near her mace as he chuckled, "The little guy is just trying to help."
"He'll be 'little' when I'm done turning him into scrap," Shayera threatened.
"I'm sure it'll only take a minute or two," John offered.
"Stop trying to cheer me up, John," Shayera warned.
John surrendered to the inevitable. Shayera's mind was on the mission. She'd be much friendlier once the crisis was averted. Either that or L-Ron would be much smaller and in quite a few pieces.
J'onn apprised Sand of what he knew and then he transferred Shayera into the conversation. Since she was using her signal device's earpiece, she had no visual transmission to display. Roxy kept J'onn image up and running while Roxy piped Shayera's voice into the room.
Mr. Terrific had moved the new members to the table and they took seats. Simultaneously, Roxy had recalled all the JSA members scattered throughout the sprawling compound. Many of whom she had to contact through their own signal devices since she couldn't project imagery to their locations.
The entire Justice Society was now present. Isis had handed Osiris over to his nanny so he was well cared for while she learned of the threat they now faced. Roxy created a cube above the table. Inside of it, J'onn was displayed alongside the satellite imagery. Shayera's voice rang throughout the chamber.
"…and that's about the size of it," Shayera finished her report.
"But you think this is Todd?" Sentinel asked sorrowfully.
Shayera's voice softened, "I'm sorry, Alan. But this doesn't fit the Shade's motif. And I've had L-Ron patch in the location of where James Rice lives. His apartment is at the epicenter of this mass."
"How soon can we fly?" Sand asked Blackhawk and Mike Dugan.
"The Raven is prepped and reached to go at a moment's notice," Mike eagerly answered, "I can have STRIPE up and running in a few minutes."
"I'm not sure that's necessary, Mike," Sand replied.
Mike looked crushed before Stargirl spoke, "Pardon me, Mr. Chairman, but I don't think you know what you're talking about."
This irked Sand and seemed to amuse the other senior team members, "Oh really? Then why don't you enlighten me, Star?"
As happy as Stargirl was to have someone use her nickname from earlier in her career, she had a point to make; "Pat and Mike have completely redesigned the STRIPE mecha. It's got equipment you're not familiar with. Equipment we may need. And just in case you've forgotten, STRIPE is a remote mecha now. That means Mike will actually be here. So if we get sucked into limbo or something, Mike and Roxy will be here to shout out for help."
Sand had to admit he was impressed. He hadn't dealt with Courtney since her Star Spangled Kid days and even then just in a brief encounter where the original JSA team had briefly reunited to help her and Pat deal with the Dragon King and Shiv. Her argument was well conceived and she made some good points. And Mike was gazing at his stepsister with grateful eyes.
"Okay Star, You've made your point. Mike, man your station. STRIPE is coming with us," Sand decided.
Sentinel turned to Blackhawk. The entire Blackhawk Squadron was on tap to fly the JSA around. They were also utilized by the DEO to undertake missions they weren't inclined to talk about. Blackhawk himself was free to assist the team today.
"Blackhawk, how long do you estimate it'll take to get everyone aboard and underway?" Sentinel asked.
"Five to ten minutes tops. If I open the Raven up we'll be in Detroit ten minutes later," Blackhawk answered.
"You have something to say, Alan?" Sand inquired.
"Yes, I'm going to contact Jennie. She may have an insight into Todd's behavior. The connection they have gives her insights into his actions. I'll catch up when I can," Sentinel promised.
"I suppose I can't convince you to do this in the air?" Sand wondered.
"It could take longer than the ten minute commute," Sentinel rebutted, "Also, it may get a little personal. Todd may not like or appreciate me but I still want to respect his privacy as best as I can."
"I don't think Todd understands what he's missing out on, Alan," Flash said.
Sentinel smiled gratefully, "Thanks Jay. I'll be right behind you all."
"Sand, do you honestly think we should take the entire team?" Wildcat quietly asked.
The four new members stirred and Sand knew he had to tread carefully, "I think we should, Ted. When the Justice Society first formed we didn't know a whit about each other. We learned in the field. We learned what each of us could do and that we could rely upon each other. I don't see why we can't do the same now. Our new members have enough skill and experience that they caught the attention of our partners in the DEO. Why shouldn't we give them a chance?"
That seemed to settle Wildcat's doubts, "Your call, Boss Man."
Sand noted that Mr. America., Lightning, Red Beetle, and Ri also seemed settled in, "Okay everyone, let's get to the Raven."
"One suggestion, Mr. Chairman," Black Adam spoke up.
"Go ahead, Adam," Sand allowed.
"I suggest that the Marvel Families and Galatea push ahead and support the Justice League members on the scene," Black Adam suggested, "We can all easily out fly the aircraft."
Black Adam nodded to Blackhawk, "Not to be disparaging."
"No offense at all, Adam," Blackhawk chuckled, "I know the limitations of my craft and you all and Tea can easily out fly her."
"Is it agreed then?" Black Adam inquired hopefully.
"Agreed, just don't solve the problem before we get on the ground," Sand joked.
"Why ever not?" Black Adam asked.
Mary and Isis snickered. Junior grinned. Captain Marvel frowned. Sand was a little flustered.
"Well…I…uh…" Sand stammered.
"I am jesting," Black Adam assured him. Adam turned to the others, "Are you with me then?"
The Marvel and Black Marvel Families exited. Galatea kissed her husband and then set out after them. Sonic booms could be heard mere moments later.
"And they're off and running!" Roxy commented.
"Now it's our turn," Sand rose and led the JSA to the Raven.
Lady Blackhawk caught up with Blackhawk in the Raven's cockpit, "Could you use a hand?"
"Don't you have any Blackhawk Express flights scheduled?" he asked.
"Jake and Smiley have it covered," Lady Blackhawk explained, "If I fill out one more form I'm going to scream."
Seeing Blackhawk smirk, she added; "And then I'm going to grab a plasma gun and go postal."
"Does this base really qualify as a post office?" Blackhawk mused.
"It's the spirit of the thing," Lady Blackhawk quipped, "That and the massacre. Can't forget that part."
"Then I guess you'd better come with," Blackhawk decided, "For all our sakes."
Sand popped into the cockpit, "STRIPE just loaded himself. The rest of us are strapped in."
"Save you," Blackhawk observed.
Sand smiled, "I'm a silicone lifeform. You couldn't kill me if you wanted to."
"Strap in anyway," Blackhawk directed, "It'll make me feel better if nothing else."
"Aye, aye," Sand remarked and ducked back into the passenger lounge.
"Now that that's settled," Lady Blackhawk grinned, "Let's lean on the loud pedal."
"I do believe your wish will be my command," Blackhawk informed her.
"About damn time," Lady Blackhawk smarted off, "You only had to get married and pussy whipped to finally start listening to me."
"I've always listened to you, Zinda. I just didn't agree with you," Blackhawk revealed.
Lady Blackhawk suddenly felt very flushed.
Galatea and the assorted Marvels arrived in Detroit inside of four minutes. They joined Shayera's circuit around the periphery. John had been helping the emergency services people evacuate the area as the darkness continually encroached on an ever expanding boundary.
Shayera filled them in on what had happened since her last report to Sand. Black Adam turned to Captain Marvel, "Do you think we should go in?"
"You're asking me?" Marvel wondered.
"You seem to get disgruntled when I issue orders, well intentioned though they may be," Black Adam explained, "We are both champions of the wizard, if of different eras. Isis and I are referred to as 'Black Marvels' not only because our powers derive from the Egyptian deities but also because we are champions of a different order. I am content to restrict my leadership to the Black Marvel Family while you command your sister and your junior counterpart."
"Thank you so very much," Captain Marvel dryly retorted, "Like they'd listen to you anyway."
"They know the voice of experience when they hear it," Black Adam threw at him.
"I'm not the one that went nuts and had to be entombed for four thousand years," Captain Marvel shot back.
"Do you two need to be in a room alone to settle this?" Shayera inquired.
Mary and Galatea interposed themselves between the feuding champions of Shazam. Mary spoke to Captain Marvel, "Adam is right."
"Why do you always take his side?" Captain Marvel snapped.
"Because he's usually right!" she threw back at him.
"Look, we can split up," Galatea suggested, "I'll go with the Black Marvels and that'll leave the rest of you to work as a team."
"Okay, what's our objectives?" Captain Marvel wanted to know.
"The Black Marvels will investigate what's happening to the people Shayera described as being possessed by the darkness," Galatea offered, "That leaves you three free to pursue the source."
Captain Marvel nodded, "Sounds good. Right Mare?"
"Humph!" Mary snorted.
"I suggest Black Adam's team coordinate with John," Shayera suggested, "I can lead the Marvel Family approximately to the heart of this disaster."
"Good fortune to you," Black Adam wished his rival Marvels.
The Black Marvels flew off and Shayera banked, "Follow me."
She took them to the heart of the morass and began to circle again, "That's the belly of the best. It all seems to have started down there."
"Don't worry," Captain Marvel assured her, "We've got this."
The three Marvels plunged into the inky mass. She wondered if even the combination of the Wisdom of Solomon and youthful zeal would prove to be enough this time around. She broke off and returned to her overhead vigil where she could watch the spread of the disease.
John briefly described the sight of the mindless victims coated in darkness. Black Adam thanked him for his insights and then the Black Marvels and Galatea plunged into the shadows. They flew along and then came to a gathering crowd. They halted.
Black Adam took hold of one of the men by the arms, "What madness grips you?"
The man just stared back at him with black, soulless eyes. The crowd then converged on the trio. Isis and Galatea fought them off but then pulses of rippling darkness began to swirl about and converge on the positions.
Hands reached out from the darkness and grabbed a hold of the ladies. Isis lifted off of the ground and tore the hands from their arms. As she rose into the blackened sky, the hands crumbled and turned to ebon dust.
Galatea was struggling with the dark grip as well. But her heart burned bright with hope and she used her heat vision to slice off the hands at the wrist and joined Isis in the air. Galatea was severely shaken.
"It…it was like they were inside of me. All the anger and rage I used to have came back and I was drowning in hate," Galatea confessed.
"Yet you broke free," Isis observed.
"Since then I've discovered love. I just clung to that," Galatea shared.
"Where is Adam?" Isis suddenly asked. The murky darkness made it difficult to see.
Galatea used her vision powers. Suddenly she gasped, "Oh no!"
Black Adam was drowning in his own soul as the darkness overwhelmed him. Layer upon layer of it coated him, creating a second skin. Finally, he felt himself consumed by the same madness that had led to his imprisonment in Shazam's tomb.
The darkness sloughed off of him as Isis and Galatea came to land behind him. Isis reached out for him, "Beloved?"
Galatea pulled her back just in time to prevent Black Adam's backhand from connecting. Galatea spun her off to the side, "That is not Adam! At least not anymore."
"What?" Isis was close to panic now, "Adam! Why won't you speak?"
"He can't," Galatea surmised, "That's Adam's body but it isn't Adam in control of it."
"Then what is?" Isis asked in a hushed voice.
"There are things moving inside this darkness. Whatever they are, they aren't human. But as we discovered, they can't really affect us either. They need humans to affect this world. Human hosts to manipulate objects and occupy this realm," Galatea guessed.
"Then how do we break their hold on Adam?" Isis demanded to know in a panicky voice.
"I wish I knew," Galatea admitted.
The Marvel Family descended through the stygian darkness. Waves of it ebbed and flowed from a single apartment building. Seeing its concentration centered at an apartment whose door seemed have been broken down, they entered.
Inside a man floated in the air. He was beaten and bruised but he was also being probed by the darkness itself. Fingers and hands held him in place and held his eyelids and mouth open. As he saw the Marvels he tried to scream a warning but his throat was raw and ravaged from all of the crying out that he had already done. His body was too weak from years of dissipation.
The torture had been in brief spurts in order to prevent James' own physical weaknesses from killing him and causing the pain to end. Obsidian felt that was too easy of a death. It had to be drawn out. It had to last and James had to know it was at Todd's hand.
"Help me get him down," Captain Marvel requested. He and Junior struggled with James' bonds but it seemed beyond even their combined strength. Captain Marvel turned to seek Mary's assistance, "Mare? Can you…?
Obsidian stood where they'd left Mary, "I don't think she's interested in helping you anymore. She's come around to my way of thinking."
"What have you done with my sister?" Captain Marvel demanded to know.
"Why nothing and yet everything," Obsidian laughed. He stepped aside to reveal where Mary had stood behind him. Her Marvel uniform, like Black Adam's was now completely black and devoid of the gold accents and thunderbolt motif. Her eyes were pure black and yet were filled with malice.
"I think she'll take care of the problem you represent," Obsidian taunted.
And then Mary attacked.