12 Justice League Night Falls
Blue Jay flew around the kraken-like beast, maddening it as he evaded its two tentacles and six arms. Its massive beak snapped at him as he passed by. It not only possessed a razor sharp point but it was also lined with deadly rows of teeth. This thing was probably the Shadow Realms' ultimate predator. And if it wasn't, Blue Jay didn't want to meet what was.
Starman and Captain Atom immediately recognized their comrade in arms. As Blue Jay drew the monster's attention from them, they capitalized on the distraction by unleashing solar blasts and quantum bursts into the creature's flanks. Although its flesh curled and blistered off, it remained intent upon Blue Jay rather than cope with its more aggressive attackers.
This meant it was totally unaware of Sand's approach. He came to the spot where Starman and Captain Atom stood upon the "terrain", "Howdy folks!"
Starman jolted while Captain Atom spun to meet whatever new threat presented itself. Only finding himself confronted by Sand, he grew enraged; "What the hell are you thinking, sneaking up on us like that?"
"I walked up bold as brass," Sand countered, "It isn't my fault you were totally absorbed in blasting away at the creature."
Captain Atom continued to silently fume as Starman took over the conversation, "How can we assist you, Mr. Chairman?"
"Actually, I think that's my question for you," Sand revealed, "I think I know how to stop this thing."
"Yeah?" Captain Atom retorted, "So do we."
"You'll note the creature's flesh is already healing where you injured it," Sand pointed out.
The JLers studied the monster. Captain Atom was the first to respond, "Damn it."
"I can offer a permanent solution," Sand said.
"What makes you so smart?" Captain Atom wanted to know.
"Nate, they made Sand Chairman of the Justice Society for a reason. I suggest you hear him out. Before Blue Jay gets eaten," Starman suggested.
Captain Atom settled down and Sand began to explain, "This landscape is psycho reactive. I'm willing to bet the creatures that dwell here are too to a point. After all, they infect the hearts and minds of folks back home. Why would they operate on a different principle here?"
"Okay, why does that enable you to deal with the monster?" Captain Atom wondered.
"Because I'm no longer human in the traditional sense of the word. I'm a silicone life form and can probably approach the creature without being detected. Next, you'll be flying rings around it with Blue Jay to make sure I'm not spotted. And last of all, my powers included tectonic and geo force powers. My imagination wraps around those abilities so I'll be able to influence the creature's substance with them once I make direct physical contact with it," Sand laid out his idea.
"This does place you at great risk," Starman reminded Sand.
"A wise man once said, 'Risk is our business'. I'm willing to chance it," Sand replied.
"Then we'll do it," Starman decided. Captain Atom gave him a concurrent nod and they took flight. As they began their journey around the kraken, Sand approached on what appeared to be ground.
The "kraken" floated above the ground but within arm's reach. Even if it had been taller, Sand could have altered his form to be able to reach. Sand guessed that this creature had assumed this form more out of subliminal suggestion than anything else. Either Starman or Captain Atom, possibly both, had watched "Pirates of the Caribbean" too many times.
The kraken lashed out with its arms and tentacles at the trio giving it maddening fits. Sand made direct physical contact. The wave of emotions that washed over him was vile to the extreme. If this is what happened to the possessed on Earth, they would have a hard time coping after they were liberated.
He interjected his will and his emotions into the mix. The monster shuddered as it began to realize what was happening. It twisted and began the flail about wildly. Still, Sand maintained contact and relentlessly battered at the creature's very soul.
The creature suddenly released an outburst in a language so profane that it twisted the hearts of those that heard it. Everyone was suddenly glad the shadow demons on Earth hadn't managed to speak yet. The very utterance made one feel physically assaulted it was so oppressive to the soul. It were possible, the darkness around them grew even darker.
Fractures began to appear across the kraken's form. They spread until they laced every corner of its being. It began to crumble apart. Finally it shattered and fell into a heap at Sand's feet.
"I can't believe it!" Captain Atom admitted.
"That is why you fail," Sand quipped.
"Say what?" Captain Atom retorted.
"Sorry," Sand chuckled, "I spent fifty years in a test tube. I had nothing better to do than watch movies and some television. It left an impression."
"The point now, guys, is we have to exit the Shadow Realms. Fast!" Blue Jay insisted.
"How?" Starman inquired.
"Easy enough," Sand remarked, "You just follow the light."
Captain Atom scooped Sand up by the armpits, "I'll be your ride, if you don't mind."
"It'll be an honor," Sand admitted.
"Actually, it'll be my privilege," Captain Atom confided.
They burst out of the Shadow Realms portal and Sentinel waved them off. Obsidian finally realized what had happened. His agitation escalated to a point that Sentinel feared his irrational son would either breakdown completely or have an aneurism.
"Now you've done it!" Obsidian shrieked, "Now you have to pay!"
Obsidian lashed out with darkness. Sentinel and Jade erected green construct shields. They held the darkness at bay but both of them could feel the emotional and psychic assault behind the darkness.
"We have to push back, Jennie!" Sentinel urged.
"But dad…!" she feebly protested.
"I know," Sentinel's grief was absolute, "But I really don't think we can save him from himself."
Jade reached out to Obsidian through their psychic bond and what she saw in his heart and mind revolted her. She tried to shake off the imagery, "You're right. I wish there were another way. Any other way."
"So do I," Sentinel already grieved.
The Silver Sorceress could see Sentinel and Jade struggle against Obsidian. She knew her powers over the White Light of Life might prove invaluable. She just couldn't see a way of using them without affecting Sentinel and Jade as well. If they'd just clear out of the line of fire, she could act.
"Fear not," a resonant voice laced with a Middle Eastern accent said from behind her, "Your powers will not affect them. Only the darkness of the Shadow Realms and their servants shall be beaten back."
"Who are you?" Silver Sorceress asked the golden helmed stranger.
"I am Fate," Dr. Fate revealed, "I am here to set things right."
"Then why don't you do an incantation and rectify things?" Silver Sorceress wondered.
"Such a thing is beyond even my power," Fate admitted, "But it within your purview."
"But I don't have the power to affect the entire world and that's what's needed," Silver Sorceress protested.
"I can give you the power," Fate promised, "But you must supply the Light and the heart. Can you manage?"
"Do I have a choice?" Silver Sorceress asked bitterly.
"You have a choice between a world plunged in darkness and one liberated once more," Dr. Fate offered up the selections.
"Then there really isn't a choice, is there?" Silver Sorceress snidely remarked.
"The Entity chooses well yet you seem embittered by its selection. Why is this?" Fate queried her.
"Because I failed!" Silver Sorceress angrily shouted, "When Angor needed me most, I failed!"
"Through no fault of your own," Dr. Fate countered, "I have spoken to the Lord of Order over your world and she praised your actions and those of your surviving comrades. She blessed your journey to Earth."
"But even then I failed Wandjina," Silver Sorceress nearly sobbed, "And now there's only Blue Jay and I left."
"Yet you live and while you do, there is always hope." Dr. Fate counseled, "Angor lives on within your heart and memory. Pass on those recollections and feelings and your world shall not fade."
"So, they ol' 'suck it up' philosophy?" Silver Sorceress wiped away her tears.
"Crudely put but very apt in this case," Fate allowed, "Now, will you accept my grant of power?"
"It'll save the world?" Silver Sorceress sought clarification.
"Yes," Fate replied.
"But there's a price. Magic always comes at a price," Silver Sorceress remembered.
"There is a price," Dr. Fate admitted.
"What is it?" she inquired.
"The price is specific to the individual. The only way to learn is to accept the gift," Dr. Fate revealed.
"Gifts don't have a price," Silver Sorceress retorted.
"Some do," Dr. Fate advised, "And you shall not be the only one that pays it."
Silver Sorceress looked at him in a new light, "All right. Let's do this."
"You are certain?" Fate inquired.
Her laugh was a bitter one, "Of course not! But we should begin before I change my mind."
"Then choose a direction to face and I will take hold of your head from behind you," Dr. Fate instructed.
"I choose to face him," she referred to Obsidian, "I want to see my enemy."
"I really doubt you will see much of anything, actually," Dr. Fate commented as he wrapped his hands around the back of her skull. His fingers took hold of her cheekbones and suddenly she felt a rush of power. She accepted the onrush of energy but after a moment it was too much and she began to scream. And she just kept on screaming as the light poured out of her.
Carol edged near Hal even as Kara brushed up against Kyle. The Indo-Chinese troops were fixing bayonets. Suddenly a white flash rippled through the darkness. The Lanterns and Supergirl watched the sky as the darkness receded.
"But that'll mean…!" Kara excitedly pointed at the massed troops as they sloughed off darkness and their eyes cleared.
The Lanterns summoned their power batteries. Kyle and Hal recited the Green Lantern oath while Carol repeated the Star Sapphire mantra. Their rings were instantly energized.
"Not that's more like it!" Kyle enthused.
The Chinese and the Indians were in conversations with each other. Carol used her ring to translate for the two officers that presented themselves to the JLers. They each profusely apologized. Then they promised each other to restore normal border keeping operations.
"Is it real?" Hal quietly asked Carol.
She smiled brightly, "Their hearts are free. Now they're just woefully ashamed and embarrassed."
"Well, that never killed anyone," Hal opined.
"But there have been deaths," Carol sadly informed him, "OMAC and August General in Iron are accepting the surrender of all the former combatants but August General is angry with them for killing civilians."
"But they were Indian civilians," Hal replied, "So I'd say the good General has made a bold step from his parochialism."
"Ready to rejoin them?" Carol asked.
"As I'll ever be," Hal said, "And then we can check on Guy."
Carol groaned, "Do we have to?"
"`Fraid so," Hal sighed. He felt the same way.
Hal turned to Kyle and Kara, who were immersed in some secret conversation, "You two ready?"
"I'm afraid I'll need a lift," Kara said ruefully, "This sun may be great but it'll be a couple of hours before I'm fully restored."
"I've got you," Kyle promised, "I'll always have your back."
Kara studied him. At one time, when he'd been under Carol's influence, she'd had reason to doubt that sentiment. But no longer.
"I'm all yours then, handsome," she quipped.
They met up with OMAC and August General in Iron. After supervising the preparations for everyone to return to their lines, the JLers departed. They found Guy and the Great Ten where they'd left them.
The members of the Great Ten were all happy to see August General. They fell all over themselves to apologize to him. Especially Ghost Fox Killer. Carol winked at Hal during Ghost Fox Killer's offerings of restitution.
Guy was livid. Despite finally admitting that he'd been possessed and a deranged maniac, he still demanded that everyone beg him for forgiveness. August General just offered to smack him around again. OMAC turned yellow and asked Guy how long he thought he would last.
Carol just politely reminded Guy he'd been outfought and outthought by a woman. And a Star Sapphire to boot. Guy charged his ring and angrily departed. August General stayed with the Great Ten while the other departed. OMAC teleported back to the Watchtower, where Sue was relieved to start fielding such requests again.
Hal and Carol flew back to the Ferris Aircraft plant to check on everyone there. Kyle flew Kara back to their home in Los Angeles. Ray was moving out after graduating from UCLA and that would leave Kyle and Kara there, alone together.
Once Ray was gone, they'd already decided to share the master bedroom together. They were practically hopping from his bedroom to hers now. But this change would make things official in a way that they weren't now. They knew it was a big step but they finally felt ready for it.
Steel swatted Jack O'Lantern out of the way before Jack could fire off his lantern. The enraged Irishman took aim at Steel instead. Ulla got to her feet, ready to spring on Jack as he fired. But suddenly the Global Guardians' leader cleared his head.
"What the hell am I doin'?" he wondered aloud.
"Precisely the question we're all asking ourselves," Steel said cautiously.
"Look at the sky!" Ulla pointed upwards. The sun was setting off in the western distance. They all gazed about and saw that people were being freed of their internal captors.
"Wenonah!" Jack suddenly recalled, "How is she?"
"She's going to be sore and probably have a headache for a while but otherwise she's fine," Ulla promised him.
Jack's eyes fell on Owlwoman's prone form. He cradled her head and upper body, "I gotcha, darlin'."
"I wonder if this localized or a widespread effect?" Steel pondered.
"Let's see," Ulla offered.
"Wait!" Crimson Fox exclaimed as the soldiers hesitated.
Godiva dropped half a dozen to the ground, "What is it now, you frog?"
"Shut your mouth, you English tart!" Crimson Fox snapped.
Gypsy interposed herself between them, "Uh…ladies? Have you noticed the sun is back?"
"Say what?" Godiva spun to face west, "Why I'll be…?"
"Sodomized by a twelve year old boy?" Crimson Fox cheerfully offered.
"No thank you, dearie. I'd hate to interrupt your fun," Godiva smarted off.
Crimson Fox made to hit her. Apache Chief took hold of Godiva and separated her from Crimson Fox. Black Vulcan began having a very serious conversation with Crimson Fox about professionalism.
Samurai joined Gypsy, "It seems our comrades a world away must have been victorious."
"You only assume it was the Justice League," Gypsy teased, "You're just prejudiced that way."
Samurai's smile slowly crept across his face, "You are right."
"At least you can admit it. They say that's a start," Gypsy didn't relent.
"Indeed," Samurai gently chuckled, "Let us see if we can assist our teammates in talking Godiva and Crimson Fox down."
'Okay, but I think it would be easier to throw them in a bedroom together and let them work it out through any means that they choose," Gypsy retorted.
Vapor came to her senses and begged Echo to forgive her. The Wild Huntsman came just short of giving Rising Sun a new haircut. Rocket Red had knocked both Thunderlord and the Olympian out. Tuatara was congratulating him.
When those that were still conscious gathered, they met with the ranking officers of the NATO contingent and the French Army that were present and sorting things out. The French forces were rapidly restoring order and emergency services were finally responding. The JLers present offered to assist the Global Guardians in escorting the NATO force home.
Crimson Fox declined the mission and blew a saucy kiss Godiva's way. Godiva flipped her a universally rude gesture. Crimson Fox merely sauntered away thinking that Godiva wished she could. Vivian D'Aremie briefly wondered how her twin sister and fellow Crimson Fox, Constance, would react to Godiva.
"Noooo!" Obsidian screamed as the darkness receded and was shoved back into the portal by the pervasive light. He could sense the demons' plight as they cascaded back into their home dimension.
"You think you've won?" Obsidian mocked them all, "I'll just keep opening portals until you're too tired to respond. And the Shadow Realms will finally consume you!"
"Todd, I'm sorry," Sentinel offered.
"For what, old man?" Obsidian sneered, "For being the sperm donor that resulted in my birth?"
"No, that I couldn't have been there for you. Maybe I could have tried harder to find you somehow. I really don't know. But I do know your abilities are because of me and I'm sorry you were cursed with them," Sentinel shared, "Your mind is too fragile to cope with them and what they entail."
"So what're you going to do?" Obsidian scornfully inquired, "Because I don't think you have it in you to lobotomize me."
"You're right. I don't," Sentinel admitted, "But you said you were more comfortable in the Shadow Realms? Well, prepare to spend a lifetime in them."
"What?" Obsidian blurted.
Sentinel fired a force beam from his ring and it knocked Obsidian off of his feet. Next, Sentinel created a hand construct and lifted Obsidian off of the ground. Obsidian knew he was literally fighting for his life, so he unleashed as much dark energy as the damn light would allow.
Sentinel stalked towards him. He maintained the construct around Obsidian but he chose to use physical proximity to employ the final step. He began to push the construct towards the Shadow Realms portal.
Obsidian struggled and hurled down every curse he knew and created a few new ones. Sentinel was relentless in his march to the portal. When they arrived, Sentinel closed his ring hand into a fist and pressed his power ring into Obsidian's chest.
With an act of sheer desperate will, Sentinel launched Obsidian into the portal while his son screamed his name. Silver Sorceress managed to find her voice, "Clear out of the way!"
White Light poured out of her and it repaired the fissure between worlds. When that task was complete, Fate released Silver Sorceress and she collapsed in on herself. She sat on her knees convulsively shaking. Fate stood over her.
"This will pass," Dr. Fate proclaimed with a degree of compassion in his voice, "But the experience will always be with you."
He vanished as an Ankh symbol overtook him and he transported away. Anna and Zatanna came to Silver Sorceress' sides as Blue Jay hovered nearby. They could all see Silver Sorceress was haunted by her experience.
Jade bore a similar expression as she gripped her father, "You have no idea what he was like at the end."
"I have an idea, Jennie. It frightened me to the point that I finally found the strength to do what I had to," Sentinel confessed.
Anna broke away from Silver Sorceress only to have Blue Jay take her place at the other mage's side, "We may still have a problem."
"What do you mean?" Sentinel asked sharply, "Are you saying he can break free?"
"He wants to, Dad," Jade said desperately, "He's still out there, like a distant echo. And he wants nothing else but to come back and destroy our world."
"Obsidian can find a way back to Earth," Anna warned, "It won't be easy to find. It will be an improbable discovery, likely an impossible one, but it is within the realm of possibility."
"So we'll just do this again and shove him back into the Shadow Realms," Sentinel declared.
"He knows her power now. The White Light of Life is the Shadows' weakness since they are birthed and nurtured by Nekron, but experience will teach Obsidian how to fight the White Light. Kyle Rayner can become a White Lantern when need be now but he alone is not enough. The Entity will either have to choose a force of White Lanterns or let this universe perish," Anna explained.
"So how do we reason with this 'Entity'?" Sentinel inquired.
"You don't," Anna held up a hand to ward off Sentinel's expected protest, "The Entity is the personification of life itself just as Nekron is the personification of entropy and death. There is no reasoning with such forces. They choose what they shall do and when they shall so it. We can only hope that the Entity chooses to value our lives if the need should arise."
"You don't offer much hope, Anna," Sentinel observed.
"If I have learned one thing in my years, it is my limitations," Anna shared, "I know when something is beyond me like a planet is above an ant."
"But an ant has a place on a planet, within its ecosystem," Sentinel pointed out.
Anna nodded, "And therein lies our hope. We are part of this universe's ecosystem. We must have faith that the Entity will appreciate the system enough to restore it to balance."
"That's still a grim sentiment," Sentinel observed.
"It's all I can offer," Anna shared, "That and the very real possibility that such a return is unlikely."
Anna moved off and Sentinel faced jade. She shook her head, "He'll find a way, Dad. And when he does, we'll have to kill him to stop him."
Sentinel had faced that choice many times over his career, first as Green Lantern, and then as Sentinel. He'd never willingly taken a life. Could he start now? Could he kill his own son? Even if he was deranged?
"We'll find an alternative, Jennie," Sentinel assured her, "There's always another option."
Jade nodded but she didn't believe him. She'd felt Todd's rage. This could only end one way.