[05th January 2011]
[Stryker's Island, Metropolis, Delaware, United States of America]
"This could represent something of a difficulty indeed..." the Englishman sent as 'expert' by their allies across the sea, though he seemed to know his stuff considering the freakiness occurring. Of course he was also capable of turning into an unnatural monster according to file General Wade Eiling had seen so his understanding of the freaks likely came from being one in general "...it has been some time since they have arisen. Though perhaps it should be expected in times such as these"
Wade folded his arms across his chest and glanced over at Wonder Woman and the bizarre magic rope of truth telling at her waist "Assuming your methods have extracted the actual truth from these...creatures...Ma'am?"
She gave a curt nod "Of course it has General, I can assure you that even such beings as these proved unable to resist the powers of the Lasso. Now Mr. Blood, you are concerned at the further reappearance of these creatures?"
'As well he should be, and why they are running around our cities after their last appearance' Wade wanted to growl, but held back as officially those reports were being held secret by both their allies across the ocean and the government as well. After the blasted starfish and all the damned aliens hovering about in orbit that seemed a prudent measure to take; people farms were hardly going to inspire confidence in them, least not without riots and panic perhaps. Still it now seemed these things were operating on American soil, and apparently confident enough to strike at a powerful and connected individual like the man Lex Luthor was; though Metropolis was not what it had been before the alien invasion...nor was America in truth.
"Yes, though these are not as those that we fought in the mists of the Scottish highlands..." the red haired Englishman replied resting his hands upon his walking cane, eyes watching the silent footage of Wonder Woman's 'interrogation' of the two captured vampires "...what these are...is different, potentially a greater threat, as these two are but mere pawns and their knowledge seems...limited. But it has been a time since the Blood Red Moon has risen up..." he glanced up Wonder Woman and the winged alien woman "...I expect in response to your group coming to the public eye, and the world changing so much in recent years"
"What makes you believe so?" the Thanagarian, whose people's spaceship was now in orbit along with a seeming space station the Justice League possessed. That piece of knowledge had been rather vexing to find out about "...and why they attack LexCorp then?"
"The names mentioned, who they serve...the Blood Red Moon has waxed and waned over the centuries, but when they do gather together in force it is to deal with the protectors of mankind..." Mr. Blood nodded towards the alien and the amazon "...which yourselves would represent. You did not think you have the first such group to arise in this role, hmm?"
He sighed "Now as to Mr. Luthor, whatever concerns some may have I expect his very success, and nature as a genius, is detrimental to whatever world the vampire cult wishes to come into being. LexCorp would be at the forefront of rebuilding the damage caused by the starfish aliens here in Americas, a man of his talents would be problematic one must guess if they are being so brazen in their actions. I'll admit these pawns knew little beyond their orders, but risking such attention would indicate a larger purpose. One would suggest your League being an eventual target, along with anyone judged to have the potential to be a threat to their goals...whatever they may be at the moment"
Wade frowned "So we can expect more of these attacks?
"These two did not know, but past behaviour would indicate yes to such a question. The elder vampires know how to hide effectively, to have their own power bases even, amongst the general population so when they things such this they do so as part of a wider plan. What is going to be another concern that may complicate efforts to deal with this is when the Hunters began to arrive in response..."
'Oh great, a bunch of armed civilians running about and causing trouble is all we need on top of this madness going on' Wade growled to himself as the general outline of that particular problem was laid to them "...many will be small groups, some skilled, some less so, and driven by simple vengeance or more noble intentions. But some will figure out what happened from the news reports and will investigate...and be a nuisance one has found, where they do not leave a trail of bloodshed in their wake should they be left to their own devices. If one is lucky there shall be actual hunting organisations amongst them...I will recommend to my own superiors as I would to yourselves and your government General, to contact the Catholic Church, and perhaps the Van Helsings despite their...attitudes...and attempt to get ahead of any such issues..."
--
[05th January 2011]
[Mount Justice, Rhode Island, United States of America]
I blinked, because yes this was confusing despite knowing the whole clone thing, though the next part wasn't really expected I found sitting down at the counter surrounded by Team Roy Harper, Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Robin. Because now there were three of the red headed archer, of varying age and grumpy face, around me as I sat down to eat a sandwich during my merry little break period here in the mountain. One of the various places I could train, and teach...and generally do stuff now that the appearance of John's demon stalker had popped back into the world. Less my problem, though my Bosses were pretty insistent I remain within range of The Team, or Justice League, when not within range of SHIELD or US allied forces support.
But it was certainly a pressure in relation to my apprentice Gemma, and the multitude of other folk related to, or being known associates of, John Constantine. Cassie somewhat fell under that heading as well with her mother, but more from her dickhead Godly Dad [well his wife really] than Nergal, but it was annoyingly better [in the eyes of my bosses] to allow them to train with me under League 'supervision' when not under SHIELD protection. Two birds with one stone thinking I expect, or at least keeping the whole 'make friendly with the Justice League' approach I was supposed to be follow after all the crises. Especially with them dropping more bombshells like Clones of Roy Harper to join Superboy in the Cadmus nightmare train, and now vampires running about Metropolis, of all bloody places, fighting short-lived gene-horrors created by LexCorp.
"I'm guessing we all want me to do something, if yer all assembling around the currently-having-lunch team wizard?" I stated, muttered maybe, with a sigh as I sat down the sandwich after only managing one bite. Really a glance, the hand touching the stump of an arm, the uncomfortable shared looks between Team Roy & Co, told me what this was likely to be about. Honestly I was more surprised the likes of Batman, or Green Arrow, weren't the ones coming forward to ask the question I'd been expecting since we, the rest of the Team, had been formally reintroduced to the trio of Original 'Fuck you Ollie' Roy, 'Grrr I'm Red Arrow' Roy, and Buff 'I didn't get trained by Green Arrow, huzzah!' Roy. Not sure if he was intending to continue as Guardian, or what the state of play was going to be considering the horror show inflicted upon them;- another sign of the craziness that needed to be handled within the world right now.
"Yes my friend, we something to ask of you, now that all of the Team knows of the situation of our comrade in arms..." Aqualad began as the posse took their seats across from me in the case of Speedy Roy, Robin and Aqualad, while the other two Roys merely stood or rested against the tabletop or pillar "...and some time has passed to allow understanding to sink in, we would..."
"What Kaldur means is can you fix our...Speedy's...amputated arm?" Red Arrow Roy stated cutting off the more drawn out, and likely sales-pitch, approach my teammate was going to give. Impatient was Red Arrow in general, and right he was a bit more dishevelled than before; but considering all the stress and problems related to being an unknowing clone it wasn't surprising. So despite faintly exasperated longs his companions were giving him I merely sighed, resting my elbows on the counter top as across the way my two apprentices watched television with M'gann and Zatanna.
"Oh don't give him those looks, best be upfront about. Once I saw the injury, and I know Robin at least knows I healed up Huntress's broken back, I half expected to offer if you couldn't sort an alternate route to restore the limb..." I replied honestly "...so rather than wasting time, since you waited for some privacy, I'm guessing that the limb itself wasn't kept by Cadmus, that reattachment isn't an option?"
"No...we...don't know what happened to my...arm..." Roy, Original Flavour managed to explain in his depressed and somewhat haggard sounding state. It made me uncomfortable honestly, and one really wanted to avoid a Roy Harper, Heroin Addict, ending to all this...that'd be on me after all if I didn't act when I had the power to do so "...and...hahh...will that make a difference. Kaldur'am has suggested the aid of Atleantean biomancers, but that would be made difficult owing too..."
He motioned at the Zeta Tubes and I nodded, answering for him "Being under the ocean, where their sanctums would be, and kinda hard for you to get too"
"Yes my friend, some could come to the surface to aid in the process, My King has suggested as such, but..." Aqualad sighed in resignation "...you are correct, such arcane craft would require access to their studies and labs within the bounds of Atlantis, where Roy would be unable to travel without aid of magic...which would interfere with any rituals to try heal his injury"
I nodded, perfectly understandable; Regeneration of a lost limb was a very difficult, and time consuming, feat and required NOT having other magical effects in place to try even attempt "Yes, I can understand...as to the question; yes I should be able, and yes I will...assuming we get a slot sorted at home to do so. Doing this will burn me out afterwards, and it hurt like a bitch while I'm doing it I'm afraid...so my Bosses have the give the okay on the when due to the whole...exhausting the wizard part basically. Plus, I expect the Justice League will want to observe, as I'd rather not have Green Arrow shooting arrows at me randomly coming up it, or Zatara hovering about tutting about Dark Magic to me"
'And to watch me of course, because this is desperation avenue if they are approaching me to do' I mused silently as they laid out the case for me, and that of course they'd work around whatever needed to be done to get it to work. Details too, ones I was happy enough to give as best I could; magic could be hard to be explain, but there was always risks, and the price for ones healing in terms of mystical as well as physical costs. Because there was likely a reason the Justice League, despite knowing about this for months possibly, hadn't brought this to my, or my employers, attention I expect. Something to do with pact's with things they didn't understand, and body altering magic they didn't understand, and my general attitude probably.
--
[05th January 2011]
[Mount Justice, Rhode Island, United States of America]
This was fantastic Gemma Master found, the best Christmas break ever. Not only had she got to practice magic, and go to any awesome magic party will magic people, now she got to hang around sometimes with the Justice League's sidekicks. Even if they weren't allowed to call them that because they got all cranky about being called sidekicks, or minions, according to John; even if they totally were that in fact.
So she kept silent about the truth, instead watching as John got beaten up by the pretty blonde lady in a hand to hand spar. Kinda silly really, in a real fight he'd have just shot her, or set her on fire, or mind controlled her, just like her Uncle John would done;- if you fought criminals, or demons, or pikies you fought dirty after all. No such thing as fair fights in life as Mom always said, unless you liked losing anyway.
"Oh, shush you, it's called practicing, and you need do it to improve..." John had replied when she told him as much after he'd gotten up from the fancy training platform and all its shiny displays. Pretty cool to look at, but all it did was tell everyone he'd failed, and Gemma could tell him that without all the fancy flashing lights and stuff "...an' hand to hand is useful to have as a backup should anyone get in close. Fighter-Mage member' Gemma?"
"But you've guns an' stuff fer dat"
"Eh, true, but still good have a couple things in the bag of tricks. What'a tell you about being a good wizard in a fight?"
"Be like Batman; terrorise yer enemies from the shadows, an' always have a backup spell or weapon ready"
John frowned and gave her the look as she gave a snort of annoyance in response "Well, yeah, that too, but I more meant having a number of contingencies ready...which is like Batman I know but we don't say that..."
"WHAT"
"But Batman's not a wizard is he Robin...Robin are you secretly a wizard!"
'Wow the Blonde woman is loud' Gemma thought to herself, rubbing at her ear a moment despite the deadpan way she stated the word. John winced slightly, then sighed as he wagged a finger at her [I'll get you for this young lady, mark my words] before turning around to the Blonde woman the handful of his teammates who'd came over to watch him get beaten up...
"No, Megan I'm not a wizard"
"WHAT"
--