Metropolis, Delaware, United States of America
7:19 PM EST, June 7, 1992
"What do you want?" Superman asked the Army's prized soldier, Triumph.
Their fight was short, with both knowing the superhuman can't be beaten in a fist fight. The glow around the soldier's hand faded. In response, the superhuman's eyes stopped glowing. Landing on the building's floor. Glaring at the soldier. After all he has been through, soldiers aren't something he approves of.
"We are on the brink of war. There have been several small attacks in the last few days. The major attack was thwarted by you." Triumph answered. Superman knew what attacks he was talking about. It wasn't surprising the government would be involved. But what does it have to do with him. "The President task me with putting together a task force to deal with this threat."
"And you want me."
The soldier nodded and the superhuman sighed. It seems that the world was closing in on itself. Panic over Meta, the former Soviet's nuclear arsenal, and now this. There was no doubt trouble hiding in the shadows. If he was going to join, they'll need someone. Extending his hand out, the soldier accepted. It was done. They were to be a team.
"We're going to need to stop at Gotham."
"Why?"
"For a potential friend."
Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
7:26 PM EST, June 7, 1992
Breaking into the most secured military building in the world was surprising, easier than Eddie imagined. He had practically thrown away his career, freedom, and everything in between. But he needs to know what was going on. An unscheduled military convoy, opening attacking the Army, the Feds stonewalling him, then he is attacked in broad daylight. Too much for a simple communication error. As he speedily typed onto an empty computer terminal, he kept an ear out for patrols. When he found the file, the detective discovered so much more than expected.
They were transporting a Black Ops weapon from Lex Corp to Alan Scott Air Force Base. But the only ones who knew of the weapon were Lex Luthor and General Lucien Gates. As the detective was about to close the file and leave, he noticed an attachment on it. Expanding, he discovered the truth. Several attacks across the globe. Skirmishes, explosions, break-ins. The list of dead was slowly rising. He had stumble upon something bigger. As he scanned the files, the jingle of keys caught his attention. The door opened and he ran. Knocking a pair of guards over. As fast as light, he exited the building, racing towards Central City.
Kusong, Republic of Rhelasia
7:28 PM EST, June 7, 1992
So much has changed. The Soviet Union was gone. Everything North Rhelasia had taught Koa was a lie. The outside world was far more advanced, kinder, better, and free. As he drank a glass of tea, he savored the taste. It was sweet as the Felren Fruit on Graxosian. After all this time, he could all that Earth had to offer. For once, he felt like a fool. As he finished the tea, Lanai Bokeo walked in with a tray of food. She had welcomed into her home, while he took care of his wounds. The woman was kind and offered him food. As she sat down, the Lantern thought of the food in North Rhelasia was like. Rice with pork twice a week. He truly was a fool.
"So, can you tell me about those gizmos you made appear out of thin air." Lanai asked.
"They were just some alien technology I learned about at boot camp." he answered, raising his hand to show her his ring. "This is my Power Ring. It allows me to create them and so much more."
"So you're an alien." she asked, confused. He chuckled, shaking his head. While she was smarter, he understands the confusion.
"No, I'm human. The ring chooses its lantern. When it chose me, I was trying to escape North Rhelasia. From there I became this sector's protector."
"Wait, you're from North Rhelasia?" she asked before he could tell more.
He grimly nodded. The Lantern wasn't proud of his service. But he hopes his past won't make her hate him. If it does, then he will accept it and leave if she wants him to. It'll be the least he could do after everything she's done for him. The risks she took for him. But to his surprise, she put her hand on his shoulder.
"That is brave." Her words took him by surprised. But before he could respond, his ring beeped. "What's that?"
Koa projected a map of the region, revealing a Daemonite signal in the mountains of North Rhelasia. The ring translated the intercepted signal. Reading it, his eyes widen. They were planning an attack. Force North and South Rhelasia into war. Bolting up, he bowed in respect to the woman.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go." he said, rushing out. Before he got to the door, Lanai grabbed his hand. He turned and stared at her green eyes.
"Be safe." she said and he nodded.
As he closed the door behind him, he took to the morning skies, leaving his lantern at Lanai's home. He felt it would be safe there. Gaining attitude, his ring's radar showed squadrons of mixed matched fighters. He didn't have time to deal with them. Picking up speed, they tried to communicate to him. He didn't bother trying to talk back. In response to his silence, they fired missiles. Putting power into a bubble shield, he braced himself. The missiles hit the shield, but he was fine. When the fighters broke off from the chase, he knew the DMZ was below him.
Entering the hostile airspace, radar picked up four fighters heading straight for him. They didn't even bother with hailing him. They fired four missiles. When they hit his shield, only three detonated. The fourth smashed into pieces. When the hostiles came into sight, he went right past. They were a distraction. If Daemonites are planning the attack, he needs to be fast. Nothing the Ground Forces have can withstand the alien threat. Diving to the mountains, the four fighters dangerously followed. When the signal origin came in his sight, he slowed down, levitating down. The fighters weren't so lucky. One fighter wasn't able to get out of the dive, crashing into the mountainside.
Landing on the ground, the Lantern scanned the area. While there were no Daemonites here, they have their tech around this area. Walking around, he found a Daemonite landing craft. No signs of lifeforms. Scanning the area, the ring picked up the trail of the aliens. Marching ahead, he heard cannon fire. Racing into the air, he saw towers of black smoke. When he reached above the site, dozens of armor were in flames, bodies littered the ground, and Daemonites patrolling the small base. As the Lantern was about to scan the site, he spotted what appeared to be large cement blocks nearby the base. Focusing the scan there, his heart stopped for a moment. Uranium and Plutonium.
The four blocks opened up, launching the nuclear missiles. The Lantern blasted the missiles one by one. Each exploding in an inferno. Debris fell to the earth as the Daemonite soldiers opened fire. Learning from his last experience, the Lantern created a Havanian siege cannon. The large four barrel turret weapons rained hell onto the Daemonite. Putting each hostile in his sights, he destroyed their nanotech, exposing them to the Earth environment. Cutting their lifespan. When half of the attack force was exposed to the environment, the exposed soldiers began a retreat into the woods. Trying to lose him. While the intact nanotech armed Daemonites took to the skies. Moving his sights to the airborne threat, he sent many Daemonites to the ground.
Chasing them down, he realized they were making for their ship. Adding a Rann AA Launcher, he targeted their last hope for escape. When only three Daemonites were left airborne, he fired the launcher. The landing craft blew a crater in the side of the mountain. The remaining hostiles turned, firing everything they got at him. As two remained, missiles struck their backs. It did nothing to the armor, but the Lantern created a bubble around him. Dozens of fighters swarmed the scene. Firing at the aliens and the Lantern. The old fighters were no match to the alien weaponry. The ring's radar detected more squadrons racing for them.
Focusing back on the aliens, he used the siege weapon to success. The last Daemonite flew away and the Lantern gave chase. With the North Rhelasia aircraft closing in from all sides. The last alien was good at maneuvering, but the overwhelming force was too much. Once he was in the Lantern's sight, there was no mercy. The siege weapon destroyed the nanotech, letting the hostile fall to the Earth. One threat over. Next was the Rhelasia Air Force.
Fighters from the decades were firing missiles, rockets, and guns at him. His shield bubble was able to protect him as he accessed the situation. The ring's charge was down to twenty-two percent. He had to get back to his lantern. Blasting his way to the border, he knew Rhelasia was about to erupt into war. The Daemonites got what they wanted, but the death toll has just been cut. And he will remain here. Doing what he should have years ago. Bring freedom.
Lost Lake, Louisiana, United States of America
7:59 PM EST, June 7, 1992
Shayera's boots mushed against the lake shores of Louisiana. The distress signal had come from this area. But she wasn't finding anything. But if it was indeed Daemonite, then it could be about anywhere. They were known to be the most ruthless infiltrators. So much so that many thought they were just myths. But the distress call was certainly from the alien race. As she flew over a riverbend, she spotted a red object up ahead in the lake. Flying over she found an a small assault craft. Taking a deep breath, she dove into the water. Swimming down, she grabbed her mace. Smashing to side door, revealing a squad of dead blue Daemonites floated in the water. They looked strange, yet frightening. Swimming to a console, she downloaded all of the data in it. If the myths were true then the Earth was in grave danger.
Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany
9:05 PM EST, June 7, 1992
Rain fell on the hotel's window as Diana rolled around in her sleep. She dosen't normally stuggle in her sleep, but tonight was different. In her mind, she was walking thorugh Hell. The firery pits burning her skin. The ash covered walls were sharp as she brushed past them, cutting her arms and legs. At the passage she was traveling, a dark throne greeted her. Cautiously, she walked forward. Expecting a trap. Butdespite the fire, she was cold. A sense of dread overwhelmed her.
"Princess Diana." a eerie voice said behind her. Turning around the warrior saw a pale man in black Greek armor with red trimmings. She bowed down in respect to the god.
"Lord Hades." she greeted. She didn't expect to meet the God of the Dead. King of the Underworld.
"My nephew told you about what was to come in Berlin. But he wasn't able to finish telling you about the war we were about to enter." Hades said.
Diana thought of Triton's warning. The light that interrupted their conversation. She thought if they could be connected. The god chuckled, concern growing on her face. She wondered if she did something to offend the god. To her surprise, he patted her shoulder. Helping her up, he smirked.
"The beings you are to go to war against are going to tear the Earth apart before burning it themselves. Olympus is tearing itself apart. We can't fight for humanity this time. You will have to rise to this challenge. Put your trust in mankind again. Live. Good luck." he said as the scene grew dark. She woke up in a cold sweat. Her breathes heavy.
Taking a moment, she calmed herself. Looking up to find a flaming ring hanging in her room. Leading to a forest road. It seems Hades wanted to send her somewhere. Grabbing her armor, she quickly changed. Once she crossed the ring, it closed on her. This was a one way trip. Examing the dark road, she wondered why Hades sent her here. But the sound of tracks rolling caught her attention. Grabbing the shield off her back, she drew her sword. Headlights shined in the treeline. She braced herself. When the vehicle came in her sight, the driver put gas into speed.
They crashed into her shield, lifting in the air. When the crunch of it dropping the two men inside quickly got out. Rushing to the driver, she stabbed him in the back. He swung at her, the blade slicing his torso. Their wounds healing in a near instinct. Swing the sword, she chopped off the head. The blue creature bursting from the falling limp body. It tried to smash her, but she ducked, getting behind it. Climbing up it's back, she plundged the sword into it's skull. The creature fell, limp. Rushing to the rear of the vehicle, she saw the second man working with the wiring of a large missle. Replacing the sword with her lasso, she tossed it over the man.
Flinging the man over her, dropping him straight the ground. His head cracking from the impact. The second creature burst from the man, roaring at her. Charging, it smashed it's arms down trying to crush the warrior woman. She dodged each attack. Tossing the lasso around it's neck, she slid under it, flipping down. Marching on top of it, she tied it's hands together. It tried to break the lasso in vain. Gripping the lasso, it glowed.
"Who are you?" Diana asked.
"Corpsman Scout Houp." the creature was forced to answer.
"What are you?"
"A Daemonite."
"Why are you here?"
"To conquer the Earth." it stutted before dying. Lossening the lasso, she had few answers and many more questions.
Gotham City, New Jersey, United States of America
9:41 PM EST, June 7, 1992
The explosions in Rhelasia haunted Kal. Hundreds were already dead. He feared the peace talks will fail. So much was going on. This world was tearing itself apart. Looking at the night sky he watched as the clouds show the searchlight's signal. A owl brightly signing. Triumph was able to pull it out of retirement for this one moment. The soldier didn't understand why they need a man who no one has heard of until now. But without the backing of the government or powers, the Owlman put himself on the same trail as they were on. As they waited, Triumph walked over, finished with his phone call.
"A MGM-52 was stolen with a live W70 warhead." Triumph said.
"I know. I heard the fight that stopped it." Superman said, slightly surprising the soldier.
"Flash breaking into the Pentagon, Rhelasia at war, nuclear weapons being stolen. Who the hell is organizing these attacks?"
When the sentence was finished, the searchlight shattered and both men braced for a fight. Looking over at a steel beam above them, they saw a shadow crouching menacingly. It's white glowing eyes glaring down at them. Unlike the Triumph, Kal relaxed. This wasn't a dire threat. Putting his hand up to relax the soldier, he walked forward.
"Got what you need from Lex's computers?" Superman asked.
"Working on it. What you want?" Owlman asked agitated.
"We need help."
The vigilante dropped down, surprising making no sound to the human ear. Getting closer, he and Triumph studied each other's movements. Trying to find out if the other is a threat. Clearly neither man trust the other.
"What help do you need?" Owlman asked.
"I'm putting together a task force. To deal with the current threat." Triumph answered.
"Good luck." Owlman said before turning away.
"Wait, got on this path before anyone. We could use your help." Superman said. The Owl turned his head, showing only part of his face.
"I'm not into the hero business. Just wanting to keep Gotham safe. If you two want to go save the world, then go on ahead. Besides two Metas can deal with any threat." he said before jumping off the building. The teammate rushed over to check on the masked vigilantee, finding nothing below them. The soldier looked over at the superhuman.
The Cave, Gotham City, New Jersey, United States of America
10:02 PM EST, June 7, 1992
The darkness of a cave tunnel was shattered with the headlights of the darkened AMMAV. The driver had just left two superhumans, covering his tracks. Thanks to them, the Court of Owls would be worried if the signal was for them. It would have blew his entire mission. As the vehicle entered the main cave, he slowed down to a stop. Immediatly, he felt something off. Exiting, the armored vehicle, he saw Alfred on the computer. The man was never on the computer. As he walked up the steps to the main floor, the butler turned around.
"Master Bruce. I see you returned safely." Al said.
"Is something wrong Al?" Bruce asked walking over to a table, noting a strange black box. Looking at the computer scene, he spotted schematics for Wayne Tech satelite systems. Something the butler wouldn't be looking over. Grabbing an adhesive pellet from under the cape, he prepared for a fight.
In moments a blue being exited the butler. As it slammed down, the owl grappled away, slamming a adhesive at the large being. It pressed a finger on the box, letting liquid metal roll up it's arm. The human knew it was nanotech. Whatever these things are, they were advanced. Launching owlarangs from his gauntlet, they pierced the being's skin. In response, the being raised it's arm as a weapon formed around it's wrists. Opening fire as the Owl ran through the rock formations of the cave. He tossed a smoke pellet ahead, ducking down.
As the blast went right by him, he grabbed a taser. When silence filled the cave, he peeked around the corner seeing nothing. Concern grew in him. Something grabbed him from behind, tossing him into a rock spire. Before he could get up, a foot stomped down on him repeatly. The pain shot through his body as the being pointed the wrist mounted weaponry at him. Taking a risk, he sprayed the being leg with explosive gel. Igniting it, the blast tore into the being, forcing out a roar of pain. The blast ripped apart the vigilante's mask, scarring his face. As the hostile staggered back, the human rushed up, flinching from his broken bones. Before he could act, the being charged, tackling him forward. Tossing the man down a cliff, crashing into rock formations, pludging into bitter cold rushing water. Keeping his head above the water, he was blinded by the darkness. He kept himself calm, panic would be suicidal. Before he could get his bearings, his head hit something with a thud, knocking out him out.