Mount Olympus

Being teleported by a god from the depths of despair below the Earth's surface to the highest point in Greece was not an experience anyone would find enjoyable. But it wasn't strong enough to wake Freddy Freeman up from the coma he had been placed in from absorbing Achilles' courage. About half a day passed before he was roused. For some reason he found himself on a chaise-longue, where a beautiful girl with red hair and large blue eyes was offering him figs whilst and a very handsome young man with tanned skin poured him a cup of wine. "Where the hell am I?" he asked, worried his time in Tartarus had all been a dream. "You're not in hell anymore, lovely lad," the boy said, stroking his face far too intimately for Freddy's liking. "You're in the lap of the gods now," the girl told him, "Handsome stranger." Freddy then felt something on his upper torso and noticed that she was now rubbing olive oil on his chest. "Um, not that I'm complaining, but who are you both?" he asked, as the cupbearer stood tall to answer him.

"I am Ganymede, prince of Troy, and this is Hebe, wife of the great hero Hercules and daughter of the goddess Hera. I serve the lord Zeus as his cupbearer. Hebe was given the job as an appeasement to her mother." Hebe slapped Ganymede's arm briefly in play as she continued to rub the chest of their guest. Freddy then noticed something else about the two of them. Apart from being extremely good-looking, they were both teenagers, around his age. Hebe was sixteen at a push and Ganymede probably the same. "Why are you both," he began to ask nervously, "Well…" "Gorgeous?" Ganymede coquettishly ate some grapes as he knelt closer to him once more. "No, I get that, you're gods," Freddy replied, "Why are you both kids?" "Kids?" Ganymede laughed, "Oh I see. Well I died young and the lord Zeus…he liked how I seemed so to speak…and raised me to Olympus as his eternal cupbearer. Hebe is the goddess of youth. Therefore, she will never age beyond what anyone would consider youth. She ages as humans do. During the Stone Age she was constantly prepubescent. She only made it to sixteen around five hundred years back. When you lot start living a bit longer she might make it to her twenties, but she'll always be a child to you all." Ganymede then tried to rub some honey on Freddy's lips but Freddy swatted him away. "Uh, look guys, as grateful as I am. I am here on a mission. Have you seen a very tall man with pointy ears and black hair?"

"Oh, Black Adam," Hebe said, a look of admiration on her face at the mention of the Kahndaqi king, "He's with my husband at the minute wrestling." "Where exactly?" Freddy asked, and she pointed towards two men in the near distance grappling. One was distinctly Black Adam, while the other was long haired and handsome but radiated an arrogance no mortal could ever transmit. Then again Freddy had met Lex Luthor. The problem was then that this fellow, evidently Hercules, was being trounced by Black Adam easily. Hardly worthy of the bravado. Beside them, a man with blonde hair and red eyes whom Freddy recognised as Ares clapped and laughed while he ate some grapes. Adam then lifted Hercules up out of respect while Hebe marched over and scolded her spouse. "You're such an embarrassment," she shouted into his face, "Mother was right about you, you're not fit to be my husband." Ares then walked over to Hebe and began kissing her neck as he placed a hand on either of her shoulders. "He was never worthy of you, sweet sister," came the silky, serpentine voice of the war god, "He's not even a real god. Just a burly mortal."

Hercules then leapt at his half-brother who vanished with Hebe behind the brute and caused Hercules to fall on the ground. Even Black Adam had to laugh at that. "You are not as you were, mighty son of Alcmene," the divine champion sardonically noted, "Why did your father strip you of your divinity?" The God of Strength stood up, and wiped the muck from his face, replying, "He judged me unworthy for attacking his beloved bastard born of an American harlot, the Sandsmark girl." Ares then grabbed Hercules by the neck. "Speak of Cassandra like that again, and I will crush your genitals into blood," Ares threatened, sparking fear in his half-brother for the first time all day, "Consider this a lesson in manners towards women." Hercules was released from the vice like nature of the God of War's grip then. "You respecting women, brother?" Hercules laughed, wiping himself down as he stood up, "That is beyond the pale indeed." "A woman killed me did she not," Ares solemnly noted, betraying an affection not just for Wonder Girl, but Wonder Woman also, "Why shouldn't I give her gender respect?" "No, there's more to it than that, isn't there?" Hercules prodded, attempting to enrage the war god yet again, "Far more." Freddy was then brought towards them on Ganymede's back. "Bit less of the roughhousing, guys, please?" Freddy said to Adam. "You're as much a boy scout as Batson," Adam snorted, though he looked happy to see Freddy had recovered.

"This is the lamefoot you spoke of, Adam," Hercules said slapping Freddy heavily on the back and knocking him and Ganymede down. "I thought your strength was gone?" Freddy said, as he spat out muck while Adam helped him up. "No, just my godhood, lad," Hercules laughed, "I could still crush any invalid such as yourself like a twig with my pinkie finger." That angered Freddy a little too much. "Make another crack like that and you'll be talking out of a tube, bastard," the former Captain Marvel was filled with righteous fury. Adam was a little distressed to see Freddy was only getting used to having Achilles' courage. "What did you call me, legless one?" Hercules asked, the anger apparent in his visage. "A bastard, for that is what you are, both by name and background," Freddy smirked, "Last I checked a married man slept with a married woman to make you, and your father wasn't Amphitryon." Adam then held Hercules back as he bellowed, "I'd rather be a bastard than a lame cripple."

Ares started laughing that cannily evil laugh he always had, impressed by the young mortal. "I see you and my charming half-brother are getting along handsomely, Freddy," he nodded. "How did you come back from the dead, Ares?" Hercules said with scorn, embodying how inflamed his anger was. "Freddy and Adam here helped me escape," his half-brother informed him, "And we tricked Achilles into abandoning his post. Persephone is not going to be happy with that. Now, young Freddy here wishes for your strength, brother." "My strength?" Hercules laughed, "Bah! This lamefoot could not hope to even hold a flagon of ale let alone hold me down long enough to make me submit to that." "No," said Freddy channelling Solomon's wisdom, "But I can help you in other ways. I require the services of your brother, Hermes and father, Zeus as well. Perhaps, if I put in a good word for them to restore your divinity, at the end of my sojourn I can gain your strength." Hercules was about to react angrily and attack the crippled boy, but after digesting his words, smiled with relish at that proposal. "I like your idea," the hero of antiquity grinned from ear to ear, "If you have the wisdom of Solomon, no doubt your words are more honeyed than mead. And my father does so love flattery. Very well, I accept your offer, young lad. Convince my father to restore my divinity and you shall have my strength."

Odym

Saint Walker was someone who knew patience better than most. Since in many ways it begat hope. His all-consuming purpose was knowing that in the long run, all would be well. People suffer and die, but despite that, those who live can make something of themselves. In losing his family, he saved his people by reigniting their sun, thereby giving purpose to their loss. He had never met the Batman (well, he had met Dick Grayson in the cowl, but not Bruce Wayne) but Hal Jordan had spoken of his tragic beginnings with him from time to time, as had Donna Troy. To Saint Walker, even if Mr Wayne would never realise this, he was the epitome of his philosophy that where there was life, there was hope. Bruce Wayne had lost his parents, and made the world a better place through the man he became, as both a symbol of hope to those in Gotham who do not live by the sword, but also as a founder and leader of the Justice League, who had saved Earth from various threats both within and without. Whilst he may have intended the symbol to strike fear in his enemies, it had become one of hope to those who had their hearts attuned to their better nature. In many ways, when Saint Walker had met Dick Grayson, he realised that the son understood that better than the father. That he wanted Batman to be a symbol of hope more than fear, because he knew that hope is the strongest of all emotions and can affect the most change.

He regularly had thought processes like these during his meditative days. Odym was a planet at peace since the Green Lantern Corps had defeated Krona and the Blackest Night had ended. Ophidian had returned to them, while Ganthet ruled the Corps justly and wisely. "Thinking of Earth are we again, Saint Walker?" the aforementioned Guardian inquired as he floated towards his inaugural Corpsman. "Ah, Ganthet, it is good to see you," Saint Walker smiled, "And yes, I was." "Well met. I am always pleased to find a fellow intellect who loves that world," Ganthet smiled. "It is a fascinating world, Ganthet," his followed acknowledged, "One at the heart of the Emotional Spectrum. Do you truly believe that life itself and thereby all emotion first originated there as was claimed by the Entity?"

"No. Certainly not. Although, it did from a certain point of view. That is life in this universe did not begin there, to make such an argument would be preposterous. My civilisation was already old by the time the first primordial ooze landed there. But I have been meditating myself, and I have come to realise that maybe the Emotional Spectrum and the Entity have their origins on Earth."

"Surely that is a contradiction."

"Not at all. You're familiar with the concept of cyclical reality?"

"That a universe dies and subsequently another universe takes its space in existence. Of course."

"Well then, maybe the Entity was once a human. Either a human from a universe prior to our own…or a time traveller. With the nature of reality as strange as it seems, who is to know? The multiverse has died and been reborn many times. I do not know. Personally, I think it is safe to say that I can identify one embodiment from the Emotional Spectrum as a contemporary of you and I."

"And who would that be, Ganthet?"

"Why, Hal Jordan of course. One day, or perhaps he already has, Hal Jordan will become Parallax."

"But he already was."

"Yes and no. I postulate that we took the Entity's suggestion it created Parallax on Earth far too literally. I believe that Parallax was from Earth but that the Entity did not create it. The Entity merely…was an equal to it."

"But is the Entity not the Light of Life itself?"

"Is it? It might be to our universe but it seems like a fairly limited creature all things considered. Nekron and the Black Lanterns still threatened it to a great degree. If it is the Light of Life, then surely it is the omniscient creator of us all. Why were we not aware of it until now…and why has life and death been so fickle for so long?"

"Can we truly understand what God is, Ganthet? Mayhaps the Entity is but another instrument in Their divine will."

"Perhaps. But I am becoming more and more convinced that the Entity was once a human being. Because Parallax most definitely was Hal Jordan. I do not have a shadow of a doubt about that. Everything he did as Parallax, was based on his own base desires, and not simply to inspire fear. But we cannot blame the present-day Hal Jordan for these actions. I have also considered that maybe Kyle Rayner is Ion, or that he will be. I cannot be sure, but meditation does create interesting thought patterns, does it not? I-oh dear."

Ganthet's sudden concern was brought about by the being who landed before them. It was a Green Lantern. But not just any Green Lantern. The greatest of them all. Thaal Sinestro. Deposed Lord of Korugar and founder of the eponymous Sinestro Corps. "What are you doing here?" Ganthet asked scornfully as Sinestro approached them and bowed. "Is that any way to talk to an old friend?" the Korugaran sarcastically answered, "I came here to speak with Saint Walker. Your candour is not appreciated by the way, Ganthet. I have always held the highest respect for you." "You have a lot of nerve, Sinestro," Ganthet answered, his face a mask of anger, "wearing a Green Lantern Power Ring." "And why do you support your brothers and sisters when they have cast you out?" Sinestro queried, receiving no answer, "Not forthcoming? I thought not. Leave us, Ganthet. My words are for your Corpsman only...I have word from Kyle Rayner, and the Guardians would not be pleased to know I spoke to more than one of your number now would they?"

As Ganthet silently acknowledged the necessity of secrecy, Sinestro and Saint Walker flew off towards a waterfall to privately discuss their business. Kyle Rayner had been keeping them abreast of information concerning Hal Jordan, but he'd only managed to get news to Sinestro recently of his own movements. "Still no sign of Hal?" Walker asked aloud. "None," was the honest answer of the greatest Green Lantern, "I have been to Earth and Carol has found no sign of him either. She has gone to see Indigo-1 to…report on events occurring on her world. Also, you heard about Ryut? The Psions had the tenacity to strike them like that?" "Yes, I did," Saint Walker bowed his head in sorrow, "But the Psions were defeated by Tamaraneans, I heard. Despite how emotional they are, I know of none among the Red Lanterns. These were Tamaraneans on a quest. With Lobo of all people." "Lobo?" Sinestro laughed, "It must be the exiled princess and her brother with him. I heard about what Queen Komand'r has done to her sister and her husband's old R.E.B.E.L.S. team. This does not bode well. Queen Komand'r has been in talks with the Psions and rumour has it…her father-in-law."

"Father-in-law? You mean Brainiac. But Vril Dox despises his father, he would never condone…"

"He is a consort and a pragmatist. And what he doesn't know won't hurt him. But an alliance of Tamaraneans, Psions and Brainiac is frightening to say the least, especially when the Psions have already attacked a Lantern Corps. We must assemble our allies among the Corps once more to tackle this issue."

"But Hal isn't…"

"I already have two men in mind to replace Jordan. Two Lanterns who would prove invaluable in any conflict."

Before Sinestro could finish elaborating, what appeared to be a Tamaranean royal cruiser seemed to land beside them. Out from it stepped two Tamaraneans, one distinctively older and taller than the other and two figures they couldn't help but recognise. The feline Red Lantern known as Dex-Starr and the feared mercenary, Lobo. "Oh, dear," Sinestro muttered to himself as the Czarnian stalked over to them with a cigar in his mouth, "As the Earthers say, 'Speak of the Devil and he shall appear'." "We're looking for Ganthet and Saint Walker," the large brute bellowed. "I am Saint Walker," the Blue Lantern answered flying up to Lobo's face in his meditative position, attempting to avoid confrontation, "What is it that you seek on Odym, friend?" Lobo then grabbed Walker by the neck. "Listen, I ain't your friend," the Czarnian's patience was by now too thin even for the divinely kind attitude of the Blue Lanterns, "We're looking for a base that might burn down the whole fragging universe. Somewhere hidden in this galaxy with an army planning some kind of grand assault." "We are looking for the same thing," Sinestro angrily said pointing his power ring at Lobo, "Now release my friend." "Who the frag are you?" Lobo aggressively asked, bringing his face down to bear on Sinestro as he relaxed his grip on Saint Walker. "I am Thaal Sinestro," was the reply of his antagonist. "Sinestro, eh?" the mercenary chuckled, relaxing a bit, "Seems you've changed sides."

"I fight for the good of the universe. Be that as my own man or a Green Lantern, it matters not."

Ryand'r then placed his hand on Lobo to move him away. "Forgive my friend, Sinestro," the young prince said, almost genuinely, his disdain for the tyrant of Korugar apparent all the same, "I would say it is an honour to meet you, except your corps has caused untold devastation across the stars." "Are you Tamaraneans unable to perceive colour?" Sinestro mocked the young man, "As you can see by my colours, I am not a Yellow Lantern any longer." "I meant the Green Lanterns," Ryand'r came back, sneering a little, "The Yellow Lanterns don't have masters who massacred an entire space sector." "No, and neither do I," was Sinestro's cool and honest reply, "I work behind the backs of the Guardians with the likes of Saint Walker here to the best of my ability, no more than Rayner or Jordan have done in the past." Ryand'r merely scoffed at him as Ganthet arrived to defuse the situation.

"It seems we have more guests," the blue monk bowed, "Greetings, I am Ganthet." "Greetings, most noble of your race," Merand'r said, bowing with genuine reverence upon recognising the name, "I have heard tales of you from my days as a smuggler and your legendary founding of a corps which actually does good for our universe." "Thank you, Tamaranean," Ganthet bowed his head once again, "That means a lot coming from one of your species. As someone who is still learning emotion, it does well to be accepted by those who wear their hearts on their sleeves." Ryand'r impatiently dismissed his protector's concerns. "Ganthet, we have more pressing matters than your own self-importance!" Ryan shouted, "My sister and niece have been captured by an evil man from Earth, who says he's bringing her to an interstellar base of some kind. We don't know where."

"Evil man from Earth? There are plenty of heroes there to assist you."

"They won't know where an interstellar base is, will they?"

"I do not take your tone very kindly, young prince. Remember you are not surrounded by ordinary Tamaraneans who worship the ground you walk on. Odym is a universal home for all who seek hope."

"Forgive me, it is just…they are family. That and my other sister works with this evil man from Earth."

"Queen Komand'r?" Sinestro asked, putting his hand on Ryand'rs shoulder, showing a fatherly concern which belied his stern and patrician demeanour. "Yes," Ryan nodded sadly, "Blackfire, as some may know her." "I think I know where your interstellar base might be," the Korugaran replied. Sinestro then activated his power ring and displayed a map of their sector. "What do you mean by this?" Ryand'r asked, pointing at the star map. "We received intel that Queen Komand'r has been working with none other than Brainiac," Sinestro informed him, "See this image…" An image of Brainiac's traditional skull shaped ship was seen standing above a planet in Sector 2813, accompanied by Tamaraneans descending alongside Psions and killing the people below. "I have a feeling that your interstellar base…is some upgraded form of Brainiac's ship," Sinestro continued, "And not even a Green Lantern could break into that."

Gotham

Catwoman and Catgirl were not the Dynamic Duo, but they managed. Selina Kyle had always denied to herself the fact Carmine Falcone was her father. The Riddler had once convinced her she was born in Italy to Falcone's wife, but in reality, she had known that untrue. Her mother had been the daughter of an old crime boss that Falcone was an underling to and had been sleeping with her mother not long before Selina was born. Maria's dark, Mediterranean hair was always noted in her daughters. Selina knew that Brian Kyle was a filler husband for a Mafia comare, and that was what made him such a cruel, abusive drunkard to his wife's girls. Because he knew they weren't his. They were old mob boss Carmine Falcone's. Now years afterward, Selina had found a young girl whose father had died when she was very young. Her father being the Holiday Killer, Alberto Falcone, Selina's half-brother. And not knowing she was her aunt, Kitrina Falcone had dubbed herself Catgirl. With the events in Gotham, Barbara Gordon had approached Selina who was hiding out with Kitrina on the down low. Now the two of them were working free-lance with the GCPD helping to capture criminals or bring innocents to some of the Sons of Batman's safe zones. Selina found it hilarious. The whole notion that Bruce would want a gang to follow him. But then again, he already had a lot of young people at his beck and call to wage his little war against crime.

Selina Kyle always loved cats of course, and she tended to get on with people who emulated cats like Kitrina. If there's one person she hated who did fit that bill it was Tommy Blake. Catman. A deadbeat, game hunter who had gotten into similar, feline ideals to herself. With reports of Jason Todd's capture by Batgirl, Black Bat and Arrowette coming in to the GCPD, all the vigilantes in Gotham were on the lookout for the rest of Task Force X. The insidious Suicide Squad were known to do the dirtiest of deeds on behalf of the government, and if it weren't for Red Hood's foolish sentimentality, he'd probably have killed Nightwing and co. by now, or at least attempted it. Steph had radioed Selina saying Jason had revealed that they were in two teams. One had Deadshot, Bane and Scandal Savage while Catman, Ragdoll and Black Alice were at the Clocktower to try and salvage some of Oracle's tech for the boss. And Catwoman and Catgirl were getting ready to jump in and ambush them.

"This shit is useless!" Catman shouted angrily as he kicked Barbara Gordon's old hard drive against the wall. "That's because Oracle has probably moved everything," Black Alice shouted back as Ragdoll hung from the ceiling, "Red Hood said to move on to Wayne Tower if there's nothing left here. Said Earle wants some of Tetch's weapons for a counter-attack." "Fine, better radio Red Hood then," Blake scowled. Catman activated his comms device while he stared out the main window of the tower. "Jason? Red Hood? Jason, come in, this is Blake. Where the fuck are—" Blake was knocked to the ground by a massive high heel colliding with his face as the glass smashed. Ragdoll was then taken down with a whip right off the ceiling as Kitrina stuck her large nails at Black Alice's throat. "Goddamn Selina Kyle, again!" Catman spat blood out as he pushed himself up, "Bullshit!" Selina then picked up his comms unit and said "Bane? Deadshot? Scandal? If any of you know what's good for you, you'll head straight to City Hall and turn yourselves in. That or the GCPD lockup, which is where I'm taking your comrades." A large, ostentatious voice with a slight Hispanic accent then said from the other end, "Ah, the cat is among the pigeons now, it seems. Very well. We shall do so, just to see if our commander is willing to set us free." Catwoman knew Bane would have a trick up his sleeve, but she hoped it was so he could escape Thawne's clutches rather than theirs.

As Selina and Kitrina began escorting the three villains to the GCPD lockup where they would be placed under the care of Harvey Bullock and Alfred Pennyworth, the Calculator considered these events. He watched it all from his laptop, as he sat in the DEO. Task Force X were expendable, but better to have a Trojan Horse than simply take out two cat burglars with them. Noah Kuttler pressed a button to arm the bombs within the heads of his operatives. Bombs which would devastate the bases of his master's enemies. Activating his webcam, he saw Ra's al Ghul appear on the other end. "Mr al Ghul, it seems our operatives are being taken to the main base of the GCPD," he told him, stirring his coffee disinterestedly with a tea spoon, "I'd recommend alerting us before you move your forces on the lockup. Stay in touch."

The Phantom Zone

Echoes. That's all that was in this place. Echoes of people who were alive but not alive. It was like living in Hell, except very cold and constantly hearing the voices of people you don't know in the distance. No one you knew to torment you, just other prisoners. Most of them aliens. Lex Luthor was not a man to easily admit his own mistakes, but he couldn't deny searching for the Black Power Ring without ever fully comprehending what it was and getting himself trapped in here was one of them. Thankfully, Lex was no idiot. He'd managed to survive easily enough. One didn't want for food in the Phantom Zone, so he just made it his business of laying low and being like a shark. Constantly in motion so that he would never lay down and die. He felt empty in here. Like his true self wasn't here but in the other universe, yet his consciousness was trapped in this limbo. It was hard to describe how he knew his own physical form was in the Phantom Zone, and yet it felt as if that was the part of him outside of it, when all of him was there. The Phantom Zone is not a place for any living thing. And if he wanted to escape Lex needed to find those who had power here. People he never historically had a great relationship with. Kryptonians.

It would take weeks on end before Lex ever saw another life form in the Zone. Mostly he just saw a black, spiralling emptiness, as if he were in outer space, but he could breathe and there was gravity. Not that he needed to breathe. Not now he was here. No stars though. The only sources of light seemed to be people unlike him. People who had given up and died. Lex knew he was right to hate Superman from this place alone. Not so much on an individual basis, but because it was his people who created this glorified crypt and dared to dub it a prison. But he had heard also that this zone housed its own indigenous phantoms. Not unlike predators when convicts of old were sent to Australia, these creatures must long for one of the prisoners to slip up and be ensnared in their trap. It would only be a matter of time for any normal person to fall for that. But not Lex Luthor, the smartest man alive. Superman would have given up long ago without his precious sun to empower him. Lex wouldn't, because he was a human. And a brilliant human at that. He didn't have the crutch of infinite power to hold him back from greatness.

A shard of glass was on the rock underneath where Lex stood. He had ripped up his suit and tie into a makeshift cloak to cover more of his body, but the suit trousers remained intact as did his formal black shoes. Even if there was no wind in the Phantom Zone, it remained as cold as the Baltic. Looking into the shard, Lex saw his own face. He was much more scarred than he had anticipated. He had felt some teeth shake loose from his gums on the journey, but he hadn't realised nearly half of them were departed from his mouth. Not to mention he had a beard. A magnificent beard. If only that level of hair were on his scalp. Both of his eyes were bloodshot to the point where one of them had lost its original green hue. He also felt hungry even though he didn't require food. Blood sugar wouldn't go amiss. He could eat forty cakes right now if only he had the means to steal them. Imagine that. Being so hungry he needed to eat forty cakes. As many as four tens. That's terrible.

Crawling up the rock enclave he was lying upon, Lex could feel voices growing closer to him. The Phantoms. Or some Kryptonians who felt the need to eat like him. They'd tear him apart. Even without the yellow sun, some of them seemed to keep it going like a battery in here. He could see some of them flying. He was afraid they might be the ones who would recognise him. Any who had been on New Krypton would. Zod and his followers. Lex knew he'd be anathema to them for his crimes. And that was the feeling in his gut which outweighed his false hunger as he was lifted up from the rock with full force and felt as if he were flying through the air. Resisting this attempt to capture him, he was swiftly rendered unconscious.

Lex then found himself suspended and naked in a vat of some kind of goo, with some kind of cyborg creepily observing him. The cyborg's human parts seemed as if they had been burned from him and part of his brain was somewhat visible. "Brainiac?" Lex asked through his breathing apparatus. The cyborg laughed and Lex then noticed a bit of a dark goatee. "No, I am not the Coluan who stole Kandor," the decrepit Kryptonian shook his head, "I believe we have met before, Mr Luthor. My name is Jax-Ur." Lex actually laughed a little through the breathing apparatus even though his lungs felt as if he'd smoked a hundred cigarettes a day from breathing in the Phantom Zone. "You're looking a lot worse for wear," Lex modestly smirked, "Bit like myself. Last I heard Jax-Ur was burnt alive by the Nightwing and Flamebird duo who were around for a while." "That was to purge my body of Vohc's influence," Jax-Ur candidly continued, "I am the greatest xenobiologist who ever lived, Mr Luthor. Like yourself, I always keep backups of my consciousness. I managed to graft what was left of my corpse onto this robotic form quite perfectly."

"How unsophisticated. When I died, I transplanted my brain into a younger clone body and told everyone I was my son. Had hair again. It was wonderful."

"Forgive me if the Phantom Zone seems to lack the resources of LexCorp."

"Well, naturally. So, where is he? Where's Zod?"

"The great general is holding court."

"Court? Who does he think he is? Kublai Khan? Well this place certainly isn't Xanadu judging by the state of the laboratory."

The laboratory was rather grotty with black granite surrounding the walls and only small balls of light barely brighter than the flame of a candle illuminating them. The electricity seemed to be primitive and run by a makeshift generator positioned beside Luthor's tank. "Your technology is fiercely anachronistic, Jax," Lex mused, "Zod clearly has been struggling since his return here. And I take it the crown prince is not in favour?" A scowl appeared on the scientist's face in reaction to Lex's smugness. "That is none of your concern, Luthor," he dismissed. "On the contrary, Superman's son interests me greatly," Lex smiled, knowing he was getting to the heart of the matter, "You think I don't know who the boy is? Lor-Zod. Or as I know him, Christopher Kent. He'll be very happy to see Uncle Lex, I should say." That was when a large imposing man with a dark beard and the gait of a military officer walked in, garbed entirely in black with a white beret atop his head. "Well, if it isn't Dru the Magnificent?" Lex joked, gaining no reaction from the butt of his jape. Jax perplexedly looked at Zod. "He is comparing me to a stage magician," Zod coolly told his scientific advisor, "A pantomimic farce on his world. Apparently, a lot of them have my acquired taste in facial grooming."

"I have been searching for you for a very long time, General."

"Do you think I care, Luthor? Of all your race you have been known for your unprecedented hatred for my own."

"That's something we have in common, General."

"My hatred of your race is justified. Your kind destroyed our new planet, killed our greatest mind, Zor-El, and had the audacity to defy our people despite the fact we could crush each and every one of you with one finger. You should have kneeled before us all! But like the insects you are you keep fighting back. Your hatred of our kind is based on naught but envy. Envy for our superiority. Your personal animosity to my people, is simply because Kal-El has been the object of affection for a certain pretty journalist."

"I do not hate Kryptonians unjustly. Just Superman. And as a human being, the top of the food chain on our homeworld, I find it ludicrous that we should bow before your lot regardless of our capabilities compared to your own. Humans were not made to kneel, Zod. And if I don't kneel before Kal-El, there is not a chance in Hades I shall kneel before you."

Zod then burst his hand through the tank and grabbed Lex by the throat. "You are a termite, Luthor," he said through gritted teeth, but remaining calm and collected, suddenly dropping Lex to the floor,"Albeit one with some degree of intelligence. Loath as I am to say it, I need you. More specifically, my family does. Jax-Ur's brilliance needs to be combined with your own, since you're are the only scientist to successfully perform a procedure combining human DNA with Kryptonian."

"Human and Kryptonian? You mean my creation of Kon-El. What of it?"

"My son, Lor, is dying. Outside of the Zone he suffered rapid aging due to the fact time runs differently there. Jax-Ur speculates that a successful gene splicing with human DNA could ensure that his body stabilises to both dimensions."

"And why do you want that? Will he not live normally here?"

"He might, but we can't be sure. That and…I can hardly conquer your world and not have an heir to take my place as its Emperor, now can I?"

Brainiac's Skull Ship

"What are these lifeforms you bring before me, Eobard?" the Coluan scientist formerly known as Vril Dox but now known universally as Brainiac said observing the group of prisoners his new ally had just secured from Mi'ran. Some were known as superheroes on the planet, Earth, and a handful were well regarded beyond it. He sat tall and resplendent on his throne, the command centre of his ship, his brain connecting him to wires, which were the nerve centres of the vessel. "That is not my name any longer, Brainiac," Thawne corrected him, "And I helped break you out of jail on Colu, so you owe me at least the respect of addressing me by my proper title." The prophet gesticulated towards the genius before continuing, "And as to my new guests for you, I think the rightful queen of the Tamaraneans and her daughter, famed as a messiah, will be good subjects for observation. I can't keep them on Earth, so maybe it would be best if you held onto them. I want the little one alive. The Hybrid Messiah is a valuable weapon to defend my world with." "Very well," Brainiac said, bored with the political rubbish falling from the metahuman's mouth, "And the human who thinks he's Thanagarian is here as well? And another hybrid…that little girl is half Rannian, half Terran. Fascinating." Adam Strange lunged whilst Superboy-Prime held onto him tightly with the aid of Slade Wilson. "You touch her and…"

"Shut up, Terran. Your insectoid existence is as meaningless to me as any creature. A hybrid means more than a species I have previously studied. You are certain I will have the Kryptonian/human children when they are born?"

"Guaranteed, Brainiac," Thawne responded, though without any honesty, "Guaranteed. I've gone to enough trouble to get them off world only to have two new ones be born on me. Have to deal with them quickly and cleanly, don't I? Now, you have successfully eliminated the Indigo Tribe?"

"Yes, their members have been captured and the Central Power Battery assimilated. One escaped, though. The one known as Indigo-1, as you asked. She will likely assemble allies from the other Corps as we predicted."

"And the Yellow Lanterns?"

"They think they're on side, but Arkillo has gone to find Sinestro and try and get him to resume leadership. Do not fret though, Mongul is still willing to cooperate and he commands the bulk of their forces."

"Good. I hope you and he will be at the council meeting later."

"This is my ship. I am always present. Get your dogs to bring these prisoners to their cells."

As Kyle, Carter, Adam, Alanna and Aleea were taken to different cells, Slade himself personally escorted Mar'i and Kory to a nearby holding cell with Thawne by his side. "I trust you will be discreet on this matter, Slade," Thawne pointedly reminded him, "If not for my sake then for your son's. I have ensured Wintergreen keeps an eye on him at Belle Reve. And if you play your cards right, Joey will live and Grant will be returned to you again." "And what of Rose?" Deathstroke asked. "I assure you she is alive," his employer reminded him, "After all, how else could I have met her in my teens."

"You're talking cryptic mumbo-jumbo again…Eobard."

"Now, Slade…don't be so daft. I would have thought a man of your intellect would know when he's talking to his betters. And how to address them. Make sure Brainiac doesn't go too far with these two. You're staying here with them until the grand assault."

"What is this grand assault, anyway?"

"None of your business. But trust me, when it's done, nothing will be able to stand in my way. Once it's done, the Earth will be mine."

"Such a beautiful vision of things to come…"

Thawne then stalked off as Slade opened a holding cell door and shoved Kory and Mar'i within. "Shout if you princesses need food," he said, feinging completely disinterest, "I'm sure Brainiac has some concentrated protein somewhere given he's still somewhat organic. Not what you're used to, I'm sure, your highnesses, but I have to eat it too, so any complaints you have will be fully noted and appreciated on my part." Deathstroke then turned and taking his mask off, Mar'i finally got to see his face for the first time. The face of an old man who looked rather dejected, with an eyepatch over one of his eyes. "Good luck," he earnestly told mother and daughter, "You'll need it." As he turned to walk away, he suddenly stopped, and turned towards Koriand'r who had remained uncharacteristically silent since their arrival. "Thawne called the child a hybrid," he spoke knowingly, "Judging by the pupils…I'm guessing the father is human." All he received from Kory was a nod reply. "Her father must be…" Slade began. "Dick Grayson," Kory sullenly interrupted under her breath. For the first time in a while, without a hint of malice behind it, Slade smiled as warmly as a summer's day. Mar'i was actually a tiny bit frightened by it. "Who else I suppose?" he said, almost as if discovering the girl were his own grandchild, "Parents should take care of their children, Koriand'r. That's a lesson I should have learned when I was your age. I didn't. Now look at me. Also…if you don't make it…I'll make sure the girl is protected. I swear it. On the memory of my sons."

"Why, Slade?"

"We've known each other for over ten years. I've grown to admire you Titans in my own sick way. And I never thanked you, Kory. For killing Adeline. My wife. She was in pain and I couldn't do it. You made that leap and gave her peace. I also owe this girl's father for saving Rose from me. I swear I'll get her back to Earth and to her father if you can't do it. Just…say the word."

"Slade…"

"What?"

"Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me for anything. I don't deserve it."

In the grand meeting hall of the skull ship, Komand'r, a representative of the Psions, Brainiac, Mongul and a once again living Katar Hol of all people stood round as Eddie Thawne walked towards them. He was wearing combat boots and a black jacket with sunglasses and a red beret on his head to denote his authority over the council. "The Grand Council of the Galaxy is in session, then," he ostentatiously announced, "Here is my report from Earth. Gotham is subdued and the Kryptonians are no more. Except, for the ones in the Phantom Zone. They shall be useful in the days to come. New Atlantis and Themyscira didn't fall for Circe and Black Manta's respective false flag attacks, as we expected. So, Arthur Curry and Princess Diana are leading an embassy to Queen Hippolyta as planned. Everything is coming together nicely. Queen Komand'r, how goes the offensive?"

"Rann is subdued," Blackfire replied icily, "The government now recognises me as their sovereign, and thanks to your Kryptonian dog I have the civilian population in line as well. Our Psion allies are going to lead another strike at the Red Lanterns on Ryut with their renewed army of Lobo clones. And, we have secured my sister and the false Hybrid Messiah. Though, why they are still alive I have no idea." The queen received a smirk from Thawne. "You are not the one spearheading this alliance, Komand'r," he wagged his finger, "I let you kill your own grandmother and slaughter hundreds of her followers today. You're getting greedy by wanting those two dead as well. And besides, you haven't gotten to the most important part of your report. Your husband's little experiment?" "The mutant is ready to be deployed," she replied, anger at being denied her sister and niece still apparent, "His energy powers will be invaluable in the grand assault when we infuse him with the lights we have obtained."

"Excellent," Thawne remarked, "Quite exceptional. The Massacre at Mi'ran whilst unnecessary, has given your men good target practice. Now, Katar Hol, former Hawkman…tell me, is Thanagar on side?" Katar looked longingly at Thawne, with a disrespect combined with a desire to do good by him. "First give me Shayera," the former policeman all but begged. "Which one?" Thawne joked, "Mother or daughter? Didn't you sleep with both of them?" Katar seemed angry and prepared to lunge when Thawne rolled his eyes and used his power to make Katar feel his death once more. "I dragged your soul from Limbo at great cost, Hol," Thawne kept his cool as the subject of his torture kept resisting, "Now is your planet on side?!" Katar screamed in agony as Thawne continued to twist him. "The councillors have voted in favour," he struggled in response, "They feel…that an alliance with Queen Komand'r and Krona would be…in our favour!" Thawne released him and Katar began scrambling for breath as he vomited blood. "Now was that so hard, bird boy!" Thawne smiled, delighted he had the opportunity to physically cow one of his allies today, "And I have your replacement here for you to play with when he wakes up. The human, Carter Hall. Your past life." "Give me Shayera," the Thanagarian whispered through the blood gurgling in his mouth. "When you help us take Oa," Thawne sternly corrected him, "Not before." Blackfire then uncharacteristically offered Katar a hand to help him stand up, but he tossed it away. "I want nothing to do with you, murderer!"

As his two allies glared at one another, Thawne just kept snickering. "Brainiac? Are you sure the ultimate weapon will be ready once we have all the lights of the Emotional Spectrum?" he asked the genius sincerely. "It will be, Thawne," was the mechanistic, calculating reply of the Coluan, "But it will need a body to power it." "Well, we can't use Captain Comet," Thawne noted. "A simple Tamaranean body will do," Brainiac reassured him, "Their ability to channel starlight into projectile energy will allow my planetary destroyer to work wonders. The universe will be our hostage. My ship shall fly through the skies with none to resist it. And my first target once we have finished the grand assault, will be Colu."

"Don't forget Daxam. Or anywhere with a red sun. Present company excepted, Mongul. We can't have those god-like beings around. Which is why I'm hoping Zod will spare a few shock troops to use as cannon fodder for the assault."

"I cannot believe you haven't even talked to Zod yet," Komand'r frowned. "All in good time, my beautiful queen," Thawne whispered in her ear, trying to make her uncomfortable, but Blackfire showed no sign of it, "Zod is arrogant and vainglorious and all he wants is for people to respect his power and grandiosity. He sees himself as the people of Krypton's natural leader since their world's destruction. But don't worry, he'll see what a fool he's been when he and his people are butchered in our simultaneous attacks. So, we know the plan of attack. Mongul?" The yellow alien smirked. "My corps will annihilate the Star Sapphires, but spare Carol Ferris," he smiled with glee at the prospect of such slaughter, "Then we shall advance on Oa."

"While that is happening," Komand'r continued, "my Tamaranean army will aid the Psions in taking out the Red Lanterns. We shall likewise advance on Oa when Thawne recovers the astronaut from S.T.A.R. Labs. Then we shall use the astronaut and Captain Comet to create the power necessary to spread the yellow impurity throughout the army. My army will then join the Sinestro Corps en route to Oa." Upon the conclusion of Blackfire's report, Thawne looked to the Thanagarian policeman expectantly. Katar gulped and braced himself. "Thanagar will lend its troops to Queen Komand'rs against Oa, in exchange for a betrothal between…between my and Shayera's son with her unborn daughter. A union that will cement our two empires into one raging across the stars."

"You have a son?" Komand'r questioned. "A secret prince, a bit like your sister's child," the former Hawkman nodded, "His name is Katar Hol as well. Shayera had him not long after my death." "Excellent," Komand'r whispered softly rubbing her stomach maternally. "And I," Brainiac said, "will use my army from my bottled cities to prepare for the final battle. I will advance on Oa with the cloak of the yellow impurity aided by Mongul so the Green Lanterns' firepower will be useless." "Finally," Thawne continued, "I will ensure a small Kryptonian strike force from the Phantom Zone to use as cannon fodder before any of our armies act. Then we will take Oa, slaughter the Guardians so their emotionless tyranny over the cosmos is at an end and our peoples will be free to expand. Then, we proclaim our lord and master as the new Guardian of the Universe. All hail Krona!" The council then turned to see Krona floating above them all and chanted Thawne's latest mantra in unison as they saluted him. Thawne seemed to do so as well but it was tinged with sarcastic laughter in the knowledge that this grand assault would be a disaster for all involved. He was never going to share power, even with Krona. And it was time his alien benefactor learned that hard lesson the same way his beneficiaries would.