Epilogue
The door to the realm of Halloween Town's worlds burst open as a large black raven emerged from the other side. As the door closed up behind the raven, it opened its wings, releasing all the surviving members of the Outsiders in the House of Mystery's living room. It was a sobering sight that would've left all of the most hardened warriors and adventurers with a moment to regain their breath. They were all battered and bruised, some worse than others. Those that were better than others looked up, breathing a sigh of relief at being back in the House of Mystery.
The large black raven that had brought them all into the house reverted back into Raven's normal form. Bronze Tiger's attack had knocked her for a loop and the strain of being cut off mid-spell had made her feel bloated and in need of release. All the emotions of terror, hatred, anger and Punchline's sadistic glee had been enough to overload any other empath, but she was at the forefront of it all. She looked at her allies as they each tried their best to get back up. They all groaned and moaned in pain from their injuries while trying to gather enough strength to speak a coherent sentence.
"Okay, whoever has anything broken, wounded or in some pain, sound off." Sideways flipped himself over to breathe better.
"Here."
"Ouch."
"I'm in constant pain."
"Ditto."
"That appears to be everyone." Cain groaned, getting back to his feet. "Thank you, Ms. Roth and Mr. Scott for getting us out of there."
"Don't mention it. Whoever needs the most help, come to me, I'll see what I can do." Raven took off her cloak revealing her face.
Metamorpho held his chest, trying to pull himself together as best he could. The pain wasn't anything new for him, but the explosives that Nite Owl-Owlman has used on him burnt him good. Some relief would be nice if Raven could muster it. But a quick look at Green Lantern told him that he wasn't the most needy patient.
"Check up on Alan first, I think his arm and hand are broken." Metamorpho nodded to the downed lantern.
"I'm… alright…" Alan struggled with the pain and his will fighting for domination. "Check on the young and women first."
"Don't worry, I'm bruised and may have a concussion but I'll live." Sideways pulled out his now cracked phone. "But that bastard broke my phone, now it's personal."
Cain turned to look at Sideways, clearly not in the mood for jokes. But other than giving the young hero a slight glare, he didn't act in any violent fashion. It wasn't his fault that the now named Owlman had betrayed them. Or that he'd planted a traitor amongst their own ranks along with his two furies to aid his mad endeavor. If anything, Cain blamed himself for picking Owlman as his first recruit. He had been around the longest and his analytical mind always carried that cynical tone to it. He could've stopped this madness from spreading if he'd known about it coming.
"If anyone should hunt that man like a dog, it should be me," Cain said. "I've collected all manner of stories about betrayals no one sees coming and I fell for one hook line and sinker. I should've crushed his head when I first met him."
"Hey, you weren't the only one that was fooled," Yolanda helped Alan to Raven's side as she looked over his wounded arm in a green cast. "I was with you guys only a fraction of the time and I couldn't tell what he was planning. I've met all kinds of evil men and women in Los Angeles, but what he's planning… Es más que una locura."
"I do not understand the language she speaks but I fully agree with her." Alan winced as Raven examined his arm. "His plan is madness itself. And I've met my share of crazy. AAHH!" Alan screamed as Raven's magic snapped one of his bones back in place.
"Sorry."
"We all knew that Owlman, as he calls himself, was trouble when he wanted to add Punchline and Blackfire to the team. But the one I'm really angry at is Bronze Tiger." Metamorpho punched his palm. "How could he actually buy that total destruction of the multiverse was a good thing?!"
Yes, the betrayal of Bronze Tiger had struck the team hard. They had expected it but to receive it from someone that they saw as an ally was a tough pill to swallow. Which made no sense, as Bronze Tiger was against many of Owlman's actions and decisions. What better way to keep tabs on the people you'd be betraying than by putting a Toyan horse amongst them. A Judas would be more appropriate.
"I sensed his emotions before he knocked me out. He felt conflicted, he didn't want to do what he was doing." Raven used her magic to help fix Alan's arm. "Owlman must be forcing him to do all he's done."
"That means there's still a chance to stop them." Sideways got up with a jump. "Ow, still a little sore. But the sentiment is still there."
Cain wasn't one for blind optimism, but he at the very least did see what Sideways was saying. They were still there and Owlman's plan needed to be stopped. There was still time to end this madness. But where to start would be the better question. They were hurt and their enemies had squandered off to god knows where.
"If you choose to continue this hunt, know that it'll end with either the end of the multiverse or Owlman's." Cain stood up. "We have much work to do and we'll need allies."
"Where are we gonna get more allies while looking for Owlman and his Legion of Doom?" Metamorpho asked. "Should we put up posters or something?"
"Before we came together, another team fought to save the multiverse," Cain said. "We need to find them. Or call them to us and explain the situation to them."
"You know that would sound crazy right?" Yolanda questioned. "Not to mention that we'd need allies to outpace Owlman's madness."
"There's always a method to madness, Miss Montez."
The Outsiders turned around to the source of the new voice. They all turned to see a man with red hair, fair skin a white shirt, black pants and a color-shifting coat over his shoulders. He looked all too at home amongst the strange and weirdness of the House of Mystery. With a sure stride, he reached the living room as everyone but Cain got ready to fight.
"Alright, my fashion statement friend, who are you and what are you doing here?" Sideways asked.
"Stand down, Sideways." Cain got between the youth and the new guest. "I didn't expect you to be here waiting for us, Rac Shade. This is not a simple visit now is it?"
"I'm afraid not. Allow me to introduce myself to your allies, Cain. I am Rac Shade, The Changing Man. Son of Lord Oberon and Lady Titania." Cain gave them a bow. "As for what led me here, Dr. Destiny's actions have been brought to the attention of other realms. So, we've come to lend you a hand."
"We?" Yolanda asked.
"He's talking about us, my fair cat lady." Oliver Queen, the Glyph Archer Green Arrow walked out of the shadows followed by Barry Allen, the Star Racer Flash.
"You guys didn't think we'd miss a chance to get the gang back together, did you?" Barry smirked.
"Though we could've gone with a less spooky local." Deadman phased through the ceiling. "This place gives me the heebie-jeebies. And it ain't even October."
"AH! ¡Un fantasma! ¡Un fantasma de verdad!" Yolanda screamed, pointing at Boston.
"Yeah, yeah, we know." Deadman shrugged. "The rest should be here in a sec."
Everyone followed a scream as six people jumped out of a room with large green tentacles and lobster claws reaching out for them.
"Get back!" Blue Beetle of Star Command fired a plasma cannon at the creature.
"I've watched enough on the internet to know to roast things like you!" Kara the Ninja Woman fired her heat vision, cutting through the tentacles.
"And stay there!" Static Part-Time Hero added his own electric blast to the mix, pushing the beast back inside. "Creepy tentacles are bad enough without the lobster claws."
Harley Quinn the Space Mallet kicked the door shut, letting out a breath.
"Phew, man, what a rush. Jerry was so much fun." She smiled at the rest. "We should invite them for lunch."
"Harley, that thing tried to eat us. Let it starve." Jinx the Fury of Magic placed a seal on the door with her wand. "This place is a damn maze of dangers."
"I couldn't agree more, Jinx. Which is why I told you to stick together," Shade said. "Now that we're all together, shall we?"
"With pleasure, Shade." Cain shook Shade's hand. "Let's save this story."
"Hello!"
Everyone turned to see the Creeper all battered and bruised, bleeding some green blood with a smile on his face.
"I've got two questions for you all," Jack said. "1. Where is Owlman? 2. Does anyone have a bandaid?" He asked before passing out.
To be concluded…