[Ţ̛̼̗͙̞̠͕̲͍̺̈͂̈̽͌́̊̄̚į̴̨͉̱̬̼͍̼̎͛̽̈̔̃͞ͅm̵̧̗̟͚͎̒̒͋̓̅̐́̕͘̚ẻ̵̢̘̻̭͍̤̤̌́̂́̾̚͟͟ą̶̟̗̝͍̘̼̱͇̣͂͑̎̏̒̈͘͞ǹ̵̢͚̮̠̤̽̀͒̀̋̚ḏ̨̛̰͓̣̱͉̣̞͑͊͆̆͘͠͞ S̰̟̟̺͕̞̟͆͂̍̎̾̋͟͠p̷̨̯͕̪̤̃͌̽͋̌̆̄͆͂̕a̶̝̜̦̹̮͉͇̔̉̃͑͘̚͝ç̶̯̮̣̖̃̊̉̒͌͟͡͠͝è̴̲̘̯͇͇̜̜̜̥̆́͌̀̈́ i̜̟̞͇̗̺͂̾̍́̕͡͡s̨͖͈̼̟̹̔̏̀̓̍̈́͝ R͎͔̬̘̩̦͐͆̐̏̈̀̓ͅë̶̤̦͍̹̘̜͕̤̆̔̽̐͟͡l̸̨̬̱͈̙̓͂̆͛̌̀̎͝a͔̦̥͔̭̣̺̋̂͊̍̿̈̋̑́̐t̷̨͈̼̮͖́̊̾͂̓̾͒͂͘͞ͅi̷̛̲̥̪̺̫̻̱̞̅̀̂́̽̕͟v̧̱͖̱̯̰͉͚͋̅́̒̿̊́̈͢ȩ̴̘͎͎͖͖͋̾̒̉͒͞..]

[Ş̵͖͈͍͙̜̙͓̞͒́̊͆̚i̬̣͕̘̲͕͑͋͒̍̐̉́̚͢͟͡g̢̨͔͚̤̬̞̝̠̅̃̃̓͗͢i̫̱͉̳̟͕͊̆̄̐̊͂̐͒̕̚l̡͎̟͔̗̯̿̽͆̏͊͢,̺̦̰̙̱͇̟̈́̊̓̏̅͆̏͢͢͞ C̴̦̞̲̱͉͎̻̻̟̦̑̿̐̑̉̀̓͒̚͝i̴̲̯͙̺͇̝̗͔̒̊͘̚͠t̡̠͔̘̳͔̫̯̀͐̓͐́̄͘͠y̷̙̥̫̜̜̑̓̋̒̊̏̿̐̉͂ o̱̣̹̤͓̅̂͌̉̒̄̏f̵̨̣͍̝̥̻̮͚͒̉̇͐̄̈́̓̊͡ D̨̼̤͈͕̼́͊̂̾̇̅̚͘ö̧̤̟̭̺̪̭͙̗́͛̑͋̃̾͘͝o̤̝͈̩͆̏̉̈̆̽̿͢͠r̴̡͔̫̻͕̥͉̆͛̒̐̐̍̿̽̂ș̢̡͚̞̟̣̖̳̅̀͂͂̍̈́̊͝͞͠.]

'Well this is a novel way of defeating the bad guys; BY THE POWER OF LEGALISED BRIBERY AND DEMON LAWYERS!' Artemis growled silently into the mental link as she sat, sat, across the table from the brain eating, mind controlling, monster with the others. This was just ridiculous, instead of getting up and trashing the bad guys, who were right there in front of them, Skulls and the two Green Lanterns, and Mom, had decided they were going to negotiate with them. This was like something Lex Luthor would do; even her blasted father or sister would have at least tried punching this smug monster in the face till it died.

'Hey, whatever works as the Boss says. That and trying to fighting our way through the Foundry filled with weapons and weapons forgers from all corners of the Multi-verse, well,...that doesn't seem like the best idea really. Might cost us a small fortune, but if we get the rings and Lantern lady over there back and stop squidy spilling the magic doorway, so...success I guess?'

'Why aren't we just punching them?' Superboy complained in response to Skulls as they all glared hatefully at the monster as their lawyers engaged in LEGAL COMBAT as they described it. Something that involved lots of hissing, snarling, and smoke, as their horrible whatever it was called Pathrotakus the Unspeakable of Zimzir (or Pat for short), argued with the monster pet monster '...they are obviously evil, ugly, and needing a good punching I think. We could take the brain monster and his guards!'

'We probably could, but that don't mean we'd survive long the wrath of the dudes who own this place...' Skulls muttered back, in the slightly odd 'tone' the M'gann said was due to him 'thinking' into the mind link rather than being in the link in the way they were '...because it is their place, and we ain't the law here and now. Just another bunch of dopey yokels from planet nowhere shouting accusations at another paying customer...and, well...just because we can't get him here and now doesn't mean he'll escape what he has coming to him'

'We're saying we won't touch him in exchange for getting back the Lantern and the rings Skulls! The one he kidnapped after murdering another Lantern and however many people before that!' Artemis projected back folding her arms across her chest and continuing the glare coldly forward at the monster. Easier to do now they sat behind some sort of magical protection than when they'd first walked in and evening glancing at the disgusting tentacle faced creature had provoke a dreadful feeling of fe...unease...within her. Now everything was just awkward as they all sat around a big stone table with their 'guides' behind talking in their not-really-greek and the enemy before them.

'Well...technically we already have the rings back already, but Lantern hyper-tech recall whatever bs powers;- s'why the friendly magical engineer is bring very much a friendly magical engineer and not trying to help squidy over there murder us I suspect. Look guys, not the ideal ending but we don't always get those in places like this and getting back alive, with kidnap victim, stolen property, and removing where we're from is good enough in my book to say mission success'

'I think John's right...' M'gann offered nervously '...I don't like the feel of the...Mind Flayer, he feels wrong, and strong, and just...ughhh so wrong and...'

Artemis hated having to agree on inaction, they were all here and had two Green Lanterns, three if the kidnapped one actually fought, Wonder Woman, Red Tornado, and magically summoned demon guy; it just seemed wrong to be talking it out. Still, Mom and Skulls seemed to think this was the best option, as did the Lanterns and Red Tornado but that didn't matter so much, so Artemis mentally sighed back in agreement that she and Superboy would remain calm. A bit of relief there at least she found; the awkward between herself and Connor had lessened, and Skulls hadn't been overly concerned about it beyond trying to have everyone work together.

Good, but also annoying in its own way too not have any reaction to her making out with their Kyrptonian teammate; Megan had certainly been agitated about it after all. Artemis crushed down upon the thoughts quickly just in case any 'leaked' into their silent conversation now that Megan had suddenly decided to be friends with John all of a sudden rather than being distrustful and fearful of him after the Belle Reve incident. Best to change the subject then Artemis decided as it seemed actual fighting seemed to be momentarily off the table as the played spectators to everything like a bunch of idiots.

'What was that part about different Earths that our guide was going on about?'

'Hmm?'

'Don't hmmm? me Skulls' she asked more cheerfully at his moment of confusion '...you know earlier on when Colonies of Wherever was talking about Earth. Or Earths and her not being excited about anybody being from Earth till the story got old and there being lots of Earths out there'

'Ohhhh, yes! I had forgotten that, why would there be many different Earths? Is that why there are human here who are not from Earth?' Megan asked seemingly happy to talk about anything but the current situation before them along with an interested mental grunt from Superboy sitting on the far side of Skulls '...would that mean there are many Marss' as well?'

'Hmm...maybe, probably...completely likely even' Skulls thought back after a moment's hesitation as he figured it from all the obscure magic stuff he seemed to know because he was a priest. Somehow. Though evidently not of the whole Christian celibacy part, which was good to know for future reference she figured noting to ask him more on his pagan religion with real actual God to summon '...though my knowledge is generally limited to potential alternative earths, or broad sweeps of universes that might exist. Really when my God offered knowledge and such I was more interested in the magic spells and such than random dimensions that may or may not exist'

'Like...of us?'

'Well, yes, and evil versions maybe too M'gann so that's to remember as well. This place draws from the entirety of the multiverse, and you could end up a world just like ours except I dunno...Superman appeared in the Soviet Union as a communist, or there's a Justice League but it has a different roster, or formed due to different reasons'

'You don't sound too eager to explore them Skulls?' she queried back at his seeming reticence as she watched Green Lantern display something from his ring to the old guy (who might or might be human) who was the 'judge' of this idiocy. It was dreadful; they were giving knowledge to the monster, well this 'Great Foundry' and its owners, to agree to having his memories 'deleted' or 'blocked' somehow. Creepy to think you could do that, either by magic or technology; she wanted down the rabbit hole...and she'd certainly gotten that now didn't she?

She could almost hear the sigh in the reply even as Skulls sat stone face beside her with hands on his staff and mask illusioned away again. Someday she'd get him to explain how he did that, it'd be so useful to learn 'Honestly, some maybe...but you don't know where you'd end up here, and even alternate earths aren't always going to be safe if any of what I know is true. Worlds similar to ours, or ones without superheroes and supervillians at all"

"Wow, no one with superpowers? That sounds wierd, but not too scary either' Megan asked and getting another hesitation before a reply.

'No...earths I'd be afraid of are Masquerades, where yeah, sure, there isn't loonies like Wotan or the late, unlamented, Injustice League running about but...there are powerful things hidden beneath a facade of everything being normal. Like Wizards, or Vampires, or such. Word to the wise if we do stumble across such a world where everything looks ehem *normal* but agents of something called the Foundation appear, run, and don't stop till you get out of that dimension. Though hopefully it doesn't exist'

'What doesn't exist?'

'The Justice League M'gann, except secret and made up of humans only who hide *unnatural things* from ordinary people'

'Hmph, and how are they going to stop someone like me without superpowers?' Artemis resisted bristling at Superboy's words, she'd worked hard for her skills and it grated occasionally to have it pointed it out in such a way.

"Batman could, as could a few others Connor. You need to be careful of underestimating people...' Skulls came back with both amusement and seriousness in his tone '...mostly because if what I know is true. Well, then it's like a secret Justice League as created by an unholy alliance of Batman with a limited moral compass, Lex Luther, and John Constantine...oh with no limits on measures taken. Hence the lesson for the day Team; sometimes you need to know when to fold'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run'

Artemis glanced at him 'Are you...quoting a country and western song at us as wise words?'

'Hey! Knowledge comes in many formats, Kenny Rogers was being very profound...and now I have to pay the piper' she heard in reply as his thoughts 'tone' turned darker and more irritated as the conversation turned to him and he was asked to stand and place something on the table in the 'truth circle' there. Magic knowledge apparently, and something bad in the sense that Skulls clearly didn't want to give it away as he handed over a scroll to the *lawyers* dragged from the deepest pits of hell to arbitrate this *dispute* as they called it. Her body tensed as the chanting started, staffs banging on the ground, but held herself sitting and not grabbing for her bow as Skulls, Wonder Woman, and the Lanterns placed their hands upon the table along with the monster and spoke (hissed hatefully) words at each other.

"Lantern Omoto, come here" Lantern Stewart spoke after a few seconds of silence as Artemis joined the others in standing, then placing her hands on the table. The captive Lantern, dressed in rather revealing attire and barefoot, came forward silently eyes almost seeming empty and robotic as the tentacle faced horror seemed to smirk at them darkly; speaking only as the captive Lantern came to stand beside the others and something...seemed to click in her head.

"Our business is concluded is it not brave heroes? Now I shall walk away and enjoy my new found knowledge and repaid investment? Such a shame one cannot bring me to justice as you keep bleating like about like the cattle you are"

Artemis tensed, though Skulls arm shoot out and halted Superboys and her's almost movements "Peace, we cannot do anything..."

Then Skulls smiled back pleasantly "Though. Now that our agreement is bound in blood and magic I must inform you, in the interests of our...pact, that I immediately dispelled my illusory script indicating there is Ilithid Noble currently within the Great Foundry attempting to reverse engineer a weapon to aid his restoring the empire. Oh, and I maybe, totally, might have previously paid several prostitutes to spread word of that fact prior to this meeting, back when we enemies of course. And magically I cannot do so for you going forward anyway"

The monster tensed, power seeming to flood him as the room darkened around Artemis before the old man judge guys voice boomed out as the demonic *lawyers* sneered at each other, and at everyone else "STOP! If you are to kill yourself by breaking a Pact before the Bells at the least kill yourself outside. This is a place of business and word, not of suicide!"

"You shall pay for this"

Skulls smiled in response to the creature as Wonder Woman looked at him with narrowed eyes and the two Lanterns nodded amongst themselves at something unspoken between them and Artemis's teammate "I'd wish you luck, but I'd rather you didn't survive in truth. So, have fun running the Gith gauntlet squidward. We've been negotiating at least several hours, I'd imagine there's quite a number just waiting outside to say hello and have a cup of tea with you"

'Skulls...what just happened?' she asked as the enraged monster turned and stormed out of the room.

'As you yourself said; the power of legalised bribery and demonic lawyers at work my dear Artemis, now let's...'

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