A/N: We're winding down to the finish. But don't worry, there will most likely be a sequel. I've already got a few canon villains I'm playing with as possible bad guys. Oh, and the mid-season finale of Arrow sounds like a perfect place to start the sequel. *sniffles then bawl eyes out* MY BABIES~~~

Chapter 60 summary: In which Helios and Diana explain and Flash sulks.

Explanations

Helios watched the trio leave apprehensively. A glance out the window revealed clouds on the horizon. It would seem there would be a rainshower soon. He hoped Mokuba's little group did not get drenched before finding the Regent.

"Kaiba said you knew we were gods," Yuugi said softly. "Is that true?"

Helios sat on the windowsill absorbing the sun's energy while it could still shine. "Yes," he said. "It is. I'm honestly surprised none of you were aware."

"How're we supposed t' know?" Jounouchi said, crossing his arms and leaning back against the wall. "No one told us n' we don' feel any different."

"He's right," Marik said moving to sit in the corner. "If anyone would've figured it out first, it would've been my sister. But..."

"She didn't," Ryou said, sitting next to Marik. "None of us want to die," he said quickly, "we just...don't want to be immortal either."

Helios shook his head. "You are truly a peculiar group. I have never met anyone so reluctant to accept immortality. Most humans I've met would jump at the chance."

"My sista's not part o' the Court," Jounouchi said softly. "Neither are my parent's. I'll out live 'em." He bowed his head and tightened his crossed arms. "Serenity."

"Is that your sister's name?" Helios asked. "Serenity?"

Jounouchi turned his head away. "Yeah. I got a Japanese name and she got a Western name."

Helios smiled gently. "My sister's name is Selene," he said. "She is my life."

Jounouchi looked up at him through his blonde bangs. "Yeah?"

"Yes," the Titan replied nodding.

"What's she look like?"

Helios gazed out the window and answered. "She's taller than me, but not by much. She has silver white hair that's so long, it brushes the ground even when she ties it up. Her eyes are silver gray and she has a gentle heart. She fell in love with a human but gave him immortality and refused to consecrate their love to prevent the same fate of Eos's lover befalling him."

Jounouchi listened quietly. "You miss her," he said after a few seconds.

"I do," Helios said. "Greatly. But I know she is safe."

"How?"

Helios grinned. "Because the moon is rising," he said nodding to the small silver orb hanging in the sky. "We are thought to guide the moon and the sun through the sky so they don't loose their course. But that's not necessarily true. They are locked in their own dance, moving on their own. We are actually their personifications. We aren't the only ones, but we're part of the few left alive in this day and age. The Greek pantheon is popular enough that we still have worshipers, however few they may be."

"What do worshipers have to do with it?" Bakura asked stepping back so Yuugi could sit down in the chair by the window and Yami could settle on the armrest.

"Our pantheon is one of the few that requires worshipers to continue existing," Helios said. "It's why there are so few of us left and why Zeus is hesitant to start an inter-pantheon war."

"I see," Yami murmured. "You aren't as powerful as you once were."

"Nowhere near," Helios said, shaking his head. "Had I still been at the height of my power and joined my fellow Titans in fighting Zeus, we may have defeated him before getting almost completely wiped out. At least I'd like to think so. But I suppose we'll never know now."

"Do we need worshipers?" Yuugi asked looking distinctly uncomfortable. "Because, I'm not sure I like that idea."

"I'd wager you already do," Helios replied casually.

"Eh?!" Ryou gasped. "But- I- We- WHAT?!"

Helios tilted his head to hide his smile from the flustered boy. "Not here on Earth," he corrected. "In your Shadow Realm."

"What do you know of the Shadow Realm?" Yami asked suspiciously.

"Nothing much," Helios replied. "I have my suspicions based on things I've heard secondhand, my own observations, and using logic. I'm guessing it's a realm that connects the different realities and dimensions together like a glue that can be inhabited similar to the way Dark Matter interacts with reality but cannot be overtly detected. I'm willing to bet your worshipers are the Monsters living in the Shadow Realm or perhaps the Shadows themselves. Maybe even both."

Yuugi and Yami looked at each other. "That...would make sense," Yuugi said carefully. "Although," he blushed, "I'm not sure how I feel about it."

"I know what you mean," Helios said. "Imagine having to rely on that worship to keep you alive."

"Do we?" Ryou asked, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.

"I doubt it," the Titan said reassuringly. He cast his eyes around the room cautiously before voicing the question that had caught his interest before Mokuba and his group left. "You said the Regent, Kaiba, could not be separated from his your god Obelisk's card. That doing so explained why Obelisk is growing weaker. Is that true?"

"It is," Marik said. "The gods are intimately connected to their representatives. I don't understand it fully-"

"Neither do we," Yami said. "We're learning as we go."

Marik nodded grimly. "Because of that, we aren't sure what would happen if they were taken away from their rightful holders. Although, judging by what happened to Obelisk, I think we can say with certainty that it's not good."

Ryou cleared his throat. "Obelisk took his card from Yami and Yuugi and gave it to Kaiba," he said. "I remember feeling Kaiba's hold over the Balance become much more stable. It was like watch a seesaw finally stop moving and settle perfectly parallel with the ground. It was strange and right." When the group stared at him in surprise, Ryou blushed. "I am the Scribe for a reason, you know," he said sulkily.

"We're not judging, Yadonoushi," Bakura said, mussing Ryou's hair fondly as he laughed. "We're enjoying the benefits of your fantastic memory."

This time Ryou's blush was from pride. "I try," he chirped.

"There's also the matter of Kaiba leaving the Court so suddenly," Yami said. "That was not the best thing to do." He turned to Helios. "Did Kaiba seem," he hesitated, "drunk when he left here?"

Helios shook his head in confusion. "No. He did have trouble walking straight though. Is that what you mean?"

Yami nodded seriously. "Unfortunately yes. I can say from personal experience, forcefully leaving Court without going through the proper channels can be...well-"

"Disorienting," Bakura finished. "It's like vertigo on steroids."

"So that plus bein' separated from Obelisk's card then cuttin' himself off-" Jounouchi started.

"He's back now," Yuugi said softly. "He's back, he's just faint. He's shielding."

"I don't blame 'im," Jounouchi muttered. "I'm still mad at Ra m'self."

"Why?" Helios asked.

"They didn' tell us 'bout our immortality thing," the blonde huffed in frustration.

"I doubt he knew," Helios said. "If you didn't know, how could he?"

"I agree," Marik said. "It makes sense. Osiris was surprised,mthat much I know."

"So was Ra," Yuugi said softly.

Bakura grumbled. "Of all the times for that Kaiba midget to run off when we need Ra-Horakhty."

"He's going after his brother, 'Kura," Ryou said. "I'd do the same for you."

Bakura smirked. "You'd better, Yadonoushi," he said, pinching the back of his reincarnation's neck and rubbing. "I did the same for you."

"That still begs the question," Marik said seriously. "Other than us, who else knows?"

"I told Diana," Helios said earning startled looks from the Shadow users. "She would have figured it out on her own eventually. She is Greek and the process of humans becoming gods is not unfamiliar to her. She will tell the Justice lEague tonight if she hasn't already."

"And who'll they tell?" Jounouchi mumbled.

"No one," the Titan said firmly. "I have Diana's promise to keep it only within our circles. She will not be made an oathbreaker."

The Pharaoh nodded. "I believe you. Let's hope no one talks then."

"Speaking of talking," Bakura said, tsrutting over to the wall mounted television and reaching for the remote. "I wonder how the press conference went?" He switched on the device and muted it as he searched for the local news channel.

"-orm over Starling City?" a reporter asked.

"That was the work of one of our allies," Superman replied.

"Another member of the Justice League?" the reporter pressed.

Superman shook his head. "No," he said firmly. "But a friend."

"Who is it?"

"I'm afraid I don't have their permission to divulge that information," the superhero said, turning back to the crowd for another question. "Yes?" he said, nodding to a petite woman near the front. She started talking but Superman shook his head. "I'm sorry, but you'll have to speak up, please."

"This new ally," she said. "Are they a friend of Arrow's?"

"I believe so, yes," the hero replied politely.

"I think the main question here is will this ally be a threat to Starling City?"

Superman was already shaking his head. "No," he said firmly. "The ally only acted in the defense of their own and friends. They won't bother Starling City or anyone or anything unless attacked first."

"Were they attacked?" she asked with interest.

Superman nodded. "Yes, they were, rather viciously in fact."

"So you're saying they acted in self defense?"

"I am," Superman said nodding. "They almost lost one of several of their own before acting. I'd say their patience and ability to put up with that kind of attack for as long as they did should be praised."

"Are there more than one?" another reporter asked.

Superman nodded. "Yes."

"So we have another group of unknown superpowered people on our hands?" The same reporter demanded.

Superman sighed. "You're implying the Justice League is the only group of superpowered people in existence which you all know to be false. There are quite a few people who have superpowers, many of them prefer to maintain their simple lives in peace." He smiled. "I don't blame them. I'd go back to my old life if I could in a heartbeat. If they want to stay inconspicuous, let them. So long as they don't cause trouble, we won't bother them."

"And Shadow Thief?" a male reporter hollered over the hubris. "What about him?"

Superman bowed his head. "Shadow Theif never actually existed." He raised his hands when the explosion of voices rose drowning him out. After a moment, he folded his arms and waited out the insanity until it got quiet enough to talk. "I'd appreciate it if you let me finish my thought before interrupting me," he said politely.

"Well, well," Marik said, standing to come over and watch. "The boy scout has a backbone. Who knew?"

Back on the screen, Superman began speaking once more. "As I was saying, Shadow Thief never actually existed. He was the result of a semi-sentient weapon that took over the mind of an innocent man."

"Who?" someone yelled.

"His identity will remain confidential unless he gives us his expressed permission to reveal it or does so himself," Superman replied. "He was just as much a victim in this as the people who died here."

"Are they putting the blame of the murders on Shadow Thief?" Ryou asked in growing surprise.

"How's that?" a man nearby called out.

"The weapon was semi-sentient as I said. It did what it was programmed to do and forced it's host to kill people. We still don't know how he managed it and that might forever remain a mystery but I can personally guarantee Shadow Thief is gone for good."

"How?"

"The storm you saw form over Starling City was created to distract the enemy so we could destroy the device with the help of our allies," Superman said. "Honestly, we could not have done it without them."

"Is it also true," a new voice called out, "that Lex Luthor of LexCorp became a victim of Shadow Thief's?"

Superman began to answer before being pushed aside for Hawkgirl to take the podium. "Yes," she said. "It's true. Luthor is currently in a psychiatric ward. No, we will not be divulging the name of the ward for privacy and security purposes. If LexCorp wishes to release that information, it's up to them. Not us."

"You said the device was destroyed," a reporter called out.

Hawkgirl nodded. "It was, yes."

"Are you sure of that?"

Hawkgirl smirked and rested a hand on her hip near her mace. "The device was magic based. It's now tiny pieces which will be incinerated."

"She's a good liar," Marik said impressed. "Not even the slightest hint of deception."

"And the man Shadow Thief possessed?"

"He's recovering at a confidential location until he's fully recovered from the experience," she said.

"Will any charges be made?"

Hawkgirl shook her head. "No. The guilty party has been dealt with and the first victim of Shadow Thief, his host, will be freed."

Bakura muted the television and chuckled. "I like her. She's amuch better liar then Superman."

"But the people seem to respect Superman's words," Yuugi said. "He's an icon for them." They watched as Superman and Hawkgirl left the stage and flew away. "They're probably heading back to the Watchtower."

"Yes," Helios said.

"Pity really," Jounouchi mumbled.

"What?" Ryou asked curiously. "Why?"

Jounouchi shrugged. "I'd've like to see their reactions to Wonder Woman's news, is all."

Yuugi grinned. "I would too."

Bakura grinned. "Then why don't we?"

"Well," Hawkgirl said, fluffing out her wings after the teleport dropped her in to the main room of the Watchtower. "That was fun. I'm beginning to see why you hate the media so much."

"We got off easy this time," Batman said. "It could've been much worse."

"I believe we have the Shadow Court's Field Spell to thank for that," J'onn said. "It prevented the more," he paused, "newsworthy components hidden from view."

"As much as I don't like to admit it, J'onn's right," Green Lantern said. "We do have the Court to thank for that."

"We can't forget they killed someone though," Superman said.

"And we covered for them," Flash said, his usual high energy drained somewhat. "So now what?"

"Now suggest we get coffee," Wonder Woman said coming in from the break room. She looked around. "Where's Arrow?"

"He could not make it," J'onn said. "I got word from Diggle. Apparently Arrow is indisposed at the moment."

"Indisposed how?" Superman asked. "We agreed to meet tonight."

J'onn nodded. "I know, but I was told Kaiba came and Arrow is helping him."

"Helping him?" Green Lantern asked. "With what?"

The Martian shook his head. "I do not know. But I get the feeling it was not my business."

Diana nodded. "Kaiba's probably telling him then."

"Telling him what?" Hawkgirl asked.

Diana sighed. "I have news I think would be easier given after we all sit down and have a drink."

"I'm scared," Flash said, raising a hand. "I call the first coffee," he zipped into the break room and sat down on the couch with his coffee.

When everyone had joined Flash with their coffee, Wonder Woman took one last sip of her drink before speaking. "I spoke to Helios," she began. "I asked him why he wanted asylum from a group a humans."

"I've been wondering that myself," Batman said. "What'd he say?"

"That's where things get interesting," Diana said. She crossed her legs and leaned back on the couch, bracing for the onslaught of questions. "He didn't take refuge with humans because the Shadow Courtiers aren't human. They're gods."

"What?!" Flash gasped. "Like legit Zeus-lightning gods?"

Diana smirked and waited for the hubbub to calm down before replying. "Not exactly. They aren't gods like Zeus and Helios. They're immortal, so they won't age anymore but they can still be killed or die of a disease or something."

"Okay, I'll bite," John said. "How did that happen?"

Diana shook her head. "Probably over time. It's not entirely uncommon. It happened fairly frequently in my mythos. But as much as I would like to say that's it, there's more."

"Dear lord give me strength," John muttered.

Diana smiled sympathetically at her friend. "They aren't gods of Earth."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Flash asked. "What? Are they aliens or something? No offense to present company."

Superman shrugged and J'onn and Shayera nodded. "None take," the Thanagarian said calmly.

"No, they are from Earth," Diana said. "They just aren't gods of Earth. They're gods of the Shadow Realm."

"You mean like the 'Shadow Realm and Earthbound Shadow Kingdom' Shadow Realm?" Flash said.

The Amazon princess nodded. "That one. Helios said it's something like the Dark Matter your scientists theorize exist."

"Dark Matter," Batman said thoughtfully. "So a realm that's here and not here."

"Exactly," Diana said. "My guess it the Shadow Realm permeates every world in the multiverse, holding them together, and alternately affecting and being affected by each."

"Dark Matter would be a good comparison then," Batman said thoughtfully. "Not perfect, but close."

"Another thing," Diana said, "Helios said the duty of the gods is to protect Earth or their charges from enemies from other worlds outside our own."

"So aliens?" Flash asked confused. "Again, present company excluded."

"No. I mean beings from another world entirely," she said.

"So another reality or dimension," J'onn said.

"Right."

Shayera took a sip of her cupped and fluffed her wings. "But by that definition, Helios should be fighting the Court not seeking help from them."

Diana shook her head. "No, because the Court is not interested in causing trouble. They're defending their world, the Shadow Realm, from Earth."

"From Earth?" John gasped. "What... How can we hurt the Shadow Realm?"

"Think about it," Batman said, his eyes narrowed as possibilities raced through his head. "The Shadows are from the Shadow Realm and people use them when the Shadows infest their souls. Someone who is connected to that world could conceivably damage it. And even someone who isn't could still accidentally cause harm." He lifted his head. "And if anyone ever reached the Shadow Realm, what do you think they would do?"

"Look for natural resources to mine," Flash said soberly.

"Try to establish trade with the locals hopefully," John said.

"Fear of the unknown," J'onn said calmly. "It is a driving factor for many races, not just the Human Race."

"Exactly," Batman said. "They're taking measures to ensure the Shadow Realm is protected against us."

"Man, I kinda wanted to see it," Flash grumbled.

"They're protecting it against more than just us, if your theory is true," Shayera said. "If this Shadow Realm really is connected to the multiverses, then they have to protect it against possible attacks from every world all the time."

Diana nodded seriously. "My thoughts exactly."

"So where does Arrow fall in all this then?" Flash asked curiously.

"He'll probably be the middle man," Shayera said. "If we want to contact the Shadow Court, we'll go through him and vice versa."

"Sounds good to me," the speedster said. He shook his head in envy. "Damn lucky bastard."

Shayera grinned and patted the superhero's back in a sisterly manner. "On the bright side, I hear Marik is into polyamory."

Flash groaned and everyone, even J'onn and a group of Shadow users listening in through Noa's connections laughed. Well, all but one.

"He has a crush one me?!" Marik exclaimed and Bakura's chuckles devolved into mad cackles.