Post by Dark Nightwing on Sept 8, 2006 13:31:04 GMT -5
Keep posted for updates. I've been working on this a lot lately and I wanted to show everybody what I got so far. I still have a ton left to write. I'm not even out of the first act yet. I don't have a title yet either. Anyway, any criticism, good or bad, would be greatly appreciated.
"Amongst the darkness, there is static of white and brown. No gravity exists. No scientific law applies. The only inhabitants of this vacant land are that of Lex Luthor and Darkseid. Neither of them feels anything, save the ever existing boredom brought on by their own personal greed. The anti-dimension is a most horrendous place. The shadow zone was modeled after this unsavory existence. But now it is time. Ubu! Prepare the device! Through a mix of modern technology and ancient magic, a rift shall appear. A portal that is my greatest chance at a future," narrates Ra's al Ghul.
The scientists scramble around, like that of ants in the sand. The numerous computers are wired to a large machine with a giant pit. As the servant Ubu pulls the crank, the portal begins to open at the top of this pit.
"Ubu, I shall need you to hold my legs," commands Ra's. "I do not wish to be trapped in nothingness. I have avoided that for six hundred years."
The mighty servant Ubu grabs his master by the legs and submerges him into the dark, swirling portal. The look is that of which Ra's described: darkness filled with salt and pepper static. Amongst this, floating around is Lex Luthor.
"Good evening. Though I doubt you knew it to be evening," says Ra's.
"What do you want?" questions Lex, with a hint of boredom at this intrusion.
"I have come to make a proposition. We have had some rather hard times as of late. We share a common enemy. We keep getting people in costumes interfering with our vision of the world. In exchange for helping me, I will set you free from this place. I may ask you another task later, but it is of no importance of you at this moment. Will you join me?"
"It has to be better than this place."
"Good. Just grab my hand. Up Ubu!
Ubu pulls out Ra's and Lex. Lex looks around at all the computers with a hint of envy.
"Of course, I can't take them all out with just you and myself. I found some people that would be willing to work for hire."
In the crowd stand Clayface, Scarecrow, Bane, Mad Hatter, Grant Walker (from the episode of BTAS Deep Freeze), Killer Croc, Deadshot, and KGBeast.
"So did you just decide to go to Gotham, or were they the only ones interested?" laughs Luthor.
“Tell me everything you know about the Justice League Unlimited. I am most interested in the seven founding members.”
The Metro Tower gleams in the distance. While the majority of heroes live in the space station, a few are monitoring the Earth base. Superman is accompanied by Steel and Stargirl. On the computer screen appears Green Arrow.
“Good day Superman.”
“Good afternoon Green Arrow. What do you need?”
“Mr. Terrific would like those two to come up for a meeting. I think it is a morale booster or something. If you want, I could come down there.”
“That isn’t necessary. I can take care of myself. Just have them back soon.”
“Will do.”
Steel and Stargirl teleport away. Superman hears something at the entrance. He uses his X-ray vision to see Lex Luthor banging on the doors. Superman flies down as quick as he can through an elevator shaft.
“What took you so long?” snorts Lex.
“What are you doing here?” Superman says coldly.
“Some welcome I’m getting, especially since I defeated Darkseid. By the way, he dropped this.”
Lex pulls out a weapon on Superman.
“You remember the agony matrix, don’t you?” grinned Lex.
Superman is convulsing in pain on the ground. Lex walks into the base and is followed by Ra’s al Ghul and Ubu.
“Your plan worked beautifully. I am quite impressed,” approved Ra’s.
“Are you sure that your part of the plan is done?” questions Lex.
“Very much so, but if you will excuse me, I have other things to attend to.”
“Like what?”
“We are about to cut the head off our enemies. I must see that the numerous limbs do not interfere. Come Ubu! We shall let our new friend get to work.”
The shimmering watch tower in space looms over the Earth. Inside, Stargirl and Steel have just been teleported back to the space station.
"I don't see why I'm not taken seriously," debated Steel. "I've been up in the tower for a long time. I don't get why I can't be leader of some of these missions. In all fairness, I should be one of the founding members. I would have been there in an instant during the alien invasion that brought the Justice League together. Superman knew me at the time. I should have been there."
As they are walking, Steel accidentally bumps into the Creeper.
"Watch out, Tinman. I'd hate to get your shiny suit all grimy," threatens Creeper. "I'm not afraid of you. You want to fight?"
Creeper starts jumping up and down, stamping his hands on the ground. He then continues to imitate a bull. Finally, he resumes his jumping.
"That guy is weird," says Steel after they walk away from Creeper. “I don’t see why he is even up here. He is insane.
Above them is Mr. Terrific. He is watching an incoming message from Mars.
“J’ONN! You have to see this!” screams Mr. Terrific.
J’onn flies over to receive the incoming message. On the screen is unmistakably another Martian.
“If anyone can hear this, my name is Ma’en. I am the last of the Martian race. I believe that I felt some sort of brainwaves in the distance, but I could not communicate. I only know this is the language that is spoken. I have been salvaging technology for so many years. However, the last of my provisions have now been depleted. I hope someone gets this message before I’m gone. I don’t want to die alone.”
“I must go,” says J’onn.
“I figured as much. Who do you want to go with you?” inquired Mr. Terrific.
“I must go alone. This is a Martian problem. Anyone else might frighten the poor soul. It would seem that I am not the only Martian left after all.”
“Even so, I don’t want to risk anything. I’m going to assign you Speedy and Cybrook. How much you want to include them is your business.”
“Very well.”
Bruce Wayne is saying goodbye to the fellow guests of a charity event. He gets in his car, where he notices that in the passenger seat is a video cassette with a label reading “PLAY ME!” He opens the glove box, where an 8” TV is inside. He puts the tape in the VCR. Bruce starts to drive home. On the screen is Ra’s al Ghul.
“It is nice to speak with you again Detective. I have missed our little adventures. Unfortunately, I am not here to reminisce. I would like you to meet me at Gotham Docks. I have something you find to be very valuable.”
Ra’s goes off screen, while Ubu brings out a tied and gagged Alfred.
“ALFRED!” screams Bruce.
He does a complete U-turn in the middle of traffic.
Steel and Stargirl meet Green Arrow in a private room.
“So when’s the meeting?” asks Stargirl. “No one has said anything about it.”
“It was delayed,” assures Green Arrow. “Most people don’t know about the meeting. It was something that Wonder Woman wanted to do. If you have any questions, ask her.”
“Where is she?” asks Steel.
“I’m not sure. We should just wait for an announcement. Until then, why don’t we practice some? How about it?”
Stargirl and Steel nod.
Ra’s al Ghul watches the waves collide with his ship. He notices the numerous bits of litter all around the dock. The color of the water is close to black. A cesspool of oil and litter are present everywhere he looks.
“It is sad to see what man has done with the world,” says Ra’s. “I have spent over 500 of my 600 years of life trying to preserve my planet. Earth has given me an unnaturally long life span thanks to the Lazarus pits. I owe it the environment to return the favor.”
The sound of screeching tires are heard in the distance.
“Ubu! Bring out Mr. Pennyworth!” demands Ra’s.
Ubu walks out of the inside of the ship. On one of his shoulders, he is carrying an unconscious Alfred. The sound of the tires gets louder. In the road entrance to the docks, Bruce’s car comes into view. As it approaches, Batman jumps out of the moving car, which lands in the ocean.
“That was reckless detective,” comments Ra’s. “I hope no one saw you in that car. It could bring about some questions. Now I see, you have tinted windows. Your ingenuity always fascinates me.”
“WHAT DO YOU WANT?” barks Batman.
“I want to save your life. I am also saving your butler’s life by bringing him aboard my ship.”
“Let Alfred go!”
“As I said before, I am not letting Alfred go. He would die. However, if you do not come with me, I will have Ubu make sure that he wishes he WERE dead. Come aboard. But I don’t want any tricks from you. Take off that utility belt, your gloves, and your cape.”
Batman follows the orders and walks onto the ship. Ubu promptly takes out his sword and hits Batman in the back of the head with the hilt, knocking him out cold.
Stargirl and Green Arrow are practicing in the main part of the Watchtower. Green Arrow is firing numerous arrows, while Stargirl tries to deflect them. Steel is conversing with Mr. Terrific.
“I really could start leading some of these missions,” mentions Steel. “I’m a natural born leader.”
“I know you would,” assures Mr. Terrific. “You have proven yourself time and time again. It just isn’t up for me to decide. The founding members have to agree that you can get the job done. You have to go through an evaluation.”
“When can I get that done?”
“I’ll put you down for an appointment, but it will be quite some time.”
“Oh, well thanks anyway.”
Stargirl hits one of the arrows with her staff. Unfortunately, the arrow deflects.
“HEADS UP!” screams Green Arrow. “That is an exploding one.”
Everyone ducks for cover. The arrow doesn’t hurt anyone, but it does blow up the teleporter.
“ARROW!” screams Green Lantern. “What do you think you are doing? You know you aren’t supposed to be practicing in here.”
“It was my fault,” admits Stargirl.
“Nonsense, he knows not to do that,” dismisses Green Lantern. “Arrow, I want you to wait for me in the conference room, NOW!”
The Javelin is approaching Mars. J’onn is behind the wheel, while Speedy and Cybrook (Cybrook is basically a female version of Cyborg) are both sitting in the passenger’s seat.
“So,” says Speedy “is this your first trip to Mars too?”
“Yes,” acknowledges Cybrook.
“And where are you from?”
“Earth.”
“You don’t talk much, do you?”
She does not answer but just looks out into space, at the upcoming Mars.
“This is just my luck. I’m sent on one of the few assignments I ever get to go on, and there is no excitement or personality to accompany-”
“Quiet!” interrupts J’onn. “We have just landed on Mars. Both of you stay here. If I am in danger, there are suits in the back that will protect you from the radiation and they will supply you with oxygen.”
J’onn walks out onto the surface of Mars. He looks around and remembers his life as it was. He sees his wife. But then it all fades away. Nothing is left but rubble. J’onn reverts back to his Martian appearance. He sees in the distance the other Martian. He calls to it. The other Martian runs quickly over towards J’onn.
“I am not the only Martian anymore!” screams J’onn. “Tell me all that you have been through.”
The Martian replies, “Well… uh… I-”
“I understand,” assures J’onn. “You are shy and unaccustomed to this language. I assume you would rather I read it from your mind.” J’onn closes his eyes and opens them very suddenly. “I can not read your mind. This does not make any sense. All Martians can read each others mind. Unless… you’re not a Martian.”
At these words, the Martian changes its right hand into a row of spikes. The spikes take J’onn by surprise and knock him down to the ground. His eyes are all foggy as he looks at the Martian. Its body begins to get larger and the skin begins to darken to a mud color. Standing before J’onn is Clayface.
Steel and Stargirl are walking through the cafeteria.
“We should go see Green Arrow,” suggests Stargirl.
“Yeah, I think that Lantern really chewed him out,” adds Steel. “I figured he would be down for the dinner by now.”
They go to Green Arrow’s room. Inside are various pictures: on of the old ones Green Arrow has his bow and arrow ready to shoot, one of the newer ones has him and Black Canary holding hands, another old one shows him and Speedy side by side, one of the new ones shows him and the Green Lantern Kyle Rayner enjoying a pizza together in Italy, and many more highlight the room. As the two visitors look at the various pictures, Stargirl scowls upon seeing the picture of him and Black Canary. At the back of his room is a small escape pod.
“Why does he have that?” asks Steel.
“He is a little paranoid of the league,” explains Stargirl. “My Step dad helped him to put it in. It is the only transport on the whole watchtower outside of the hangar.”
“Where is he? I thought he would be here by now.”
“Me too,” says Stargirl with a bit of worry in her voice.
An alarm goes off Steel’s forearm computer.
“What is it?”
After looking at the computer, Steel says “It looks like there is an abnormal amount of an unknown gas floating through the air. I don’t know if this is a problem, but I’m going to go tell Lantern.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“What about the gas? I have my own oxygen reserves in my suit that is directly linked to my helmet. I will be fine, but you…”
“I’ll wear this oxygen mask. It has plenty of air, while we search to Green Arrow.”
“We’re not searching; we’re going to inform the Lantern.”
Batman awakens chained to a rounded, thick pole. He begins to assess the situation. The pole extends starts at the wood platform that he is standing on and it extends to the ceiling. The surrounding floor is nothing more than a thin sheet of glass. Above are countless floors of glass, just like this one.
“We’re in a prison cell.”
Batman looks around. The voice is coming from underneath the glass. He calls out “Alfred?”
“Yes, it’s me,” confirms Alfred.
“We need to get out of here.”
“We can’t.”
“Why not?
“Because the only way to get out of here is to go up. The pole that we are both chained to is the only way to get out. It works by conveyer that brings us down. The chains are to protect us from trying.”
“But we must.”
“If you try, the glass will shatter. If the glass shatters, then you will fall to this floor, shattering it as well. Not to mention that the glass could kill me.”
“What about basic needs?”
“There is food being pumped into your veins, even as we speak. I believe that this is only a temporary holding cell because it was not made for long-term use.”
“Are you okay? You sound different.”
“I’m not okay. Out of all the years that I have served you, I have never once been disappointed by you, not once! But the way you just took Mr. al Ghul’s bait was not the right thing to do.”
“I did it protect you.”
“You should think of the world rather than you. How could you be so selfish?”
“So selfish to save your life?”
“Yes. You know that Ra’s al Ghul is a global terrorist. He does not delve into cat burglary or swank night clubs. He does not have a vendetta against Detective Bullock. He is out to change the entire world. Your love may have been at the cost of humanity as we know it.”
“I’m sorry.”
Speedy checks his watch.
“How long has he been out there?” asks Speedy.
“Precisely one hour,” says Cybrook.
“I’m going to check on him.”
“No I’ll go. I don’t have to breathe. It would be safer for me to go.”
“What about the radiation?”
“This isn’t my first time into space. I’m not too worried about it.”
Cybrook goes outside the javelin. The red planet is very desolate. No sound can be heard. Far in the distance, red dust can be seen overhead. She uses her binocular vision to zoom in on the scene. Clayface is beating J’onn with metal boxing glove hands. Some of the blows cause J’onn to spit blood. Cybrook’s leg’s turn into wheels so that she races across the dune. When she arrives, her wheels switch back to legs. Clayface notices her so he drops J’onn to the ground and redirects his attention to her. Clayface changes his arm into a giant a hammer. She dodges the attack and changes her arm into the laser blaster. She fires straight at his face, causing a giant whole. But soon after, his face takes back its original form. He uses his right leg to sweep her off her feet.
J’onn gets to his feet. He is still dizzy as blood runs out his nose. He can see the Javelin far in the distance. Clayface has now engulfed Cybrook in himself.
“This is weird,” says Clayface. “I can’t feel a heartbeat. I guess the way to get to you is to crush every circuit you have. Something feels funny.”
The sound of screeching tires is heard as Cybrook has turned he legs back to wheels to escape from Clayface. J’onn and Cybrook look in horror as Clayface began to approach them both again. Over their shoulder, an arrow zooms right past them. It hits Clayface directly.
“What is this?” questions Clayface. “You think an arrow…”
Clayface begins to freeze, starting where the arrow hit. After a few agonizing screams, he is completely frozen. J’onn and Cybrook look behind them to Speedy.
“I told you I should have gone with you guys,” says Speedy.
Steel and Stargirl have arrived at the founding member’s meeting room. Inside is Green Lantern, Shayera, and Wonder Woman.
“We have something that is really important,” says Stargirl.
“Yeah, I think we should evacuate the tower because there is a gas leak of some unknown kind,” announces Steel. “Now it could be a false alarm, but just to be safe.”
The three members have a very glazed over look. They do not seem to be themselves at all. Green Lantern suddenly attacks. Steel is knocked to the ground.
“What is going on?” asks Stargirl.
“It must be the gas,” says Steel. “It has affected their minds. Let’s get back to the hangar.”
Steel uses his jets on his feet to quickly escape. Stargirl is attacked by Shayera before escaping. Stargirl is unharmed, but her oxygen mask is destroyed. They both race as fast as they can back to the Green Arrow’s room, where Steel stops.
“What are we doing here?” asks Stargirl.
“You are going back to Earth,” says Steel. “You may be coming under the effects of the gas right now. We need to get you out of here.
“But my Stepdad.”
“I’ll take care of him. I’m going to get to the bottom of this. In the meantime, I want you to inform anyone else you can about the situation. Okay?”
The door to the room begins to take a pounding.
“Uh… okay.”
She gets in the pod. Steel watches it glide through space. The door is nearly broken free. Steel looks at the door and picks his hammer up slowly. The door is finally broken free. Shayera flies through the door with her mace in her hands. Steel quickly deflects her attack with his hammer. Then, when she is off balance, he gives a punch to the face. Finally, he picks the hammer up and gives her one in the stomach. She is out cold.
“Sorry ‘bout that,” says Steel.
Batman is about to fall asleep. He and Alfred have not talked since Batman apologized. Suddenly, the pole begins to move upward. After about a hundred levels of the prisons, Batman arrives at the top. Ubu and Ra’s al Ghul are waiting for him. Ubu undoes the chains.
“Why are you setting me free?” questions Batman.
“I thought you might like to use the restroom facilities and join me for dinner,” answers Ra’s. “Your butler will come along as well. You need not worry. Ubu will take care of him. In the meantime, I thought I would show you around.”
“Where am I?”
“You are the detective. You tell me.”
“Hm, the air is strange. It feels like the majority is pure oxygen. Which means a lot of air is required. If there is no natural air, then there must be a reason. Given all those flights of prison cells, you have ample amounts of vertical space. And we met on a ship, so we are at the bottom of the ocean.”
“Precisely. We manufacture the oxygen by converting the H2O back into its original form. It is some what ironic, isn’t it? Two highly flammable gases come together to make water. Just another thing I love about this planet.”
“So what do you want with me?”
“I want the utopia. I’ve told you before, but this time I have eliminated all of the variables. I have put events into motion that will bring about both of our dreams. There will be no crime, no corruption, no harm to nature, and no need for you to continue your crusade, for we are now in… the ARK!”
“The ark… sounds cheesy.”
“You are familiar with the great flood from biblical times that destroyed all but one family and all of the animals aboard? Well, this is the exact same thing. Except this time, we shall survive. I chose you to survive because you are the best humanity has to offer.”
A submarine emerges from a large pool to the right of them. A man dressed in a blue and black suit similar to Mr. Freeze emerges. His face has become a light shade of blue, while his hair still shimmers white beneath the glass shield.
“Mr. Walker here shared my idea for a utopia. He is now one of my leading persons in my pursuits. So tell me, how did the destruction of Oa fair?”
“Well,” says Walker with a nervous look. “I wasn’t able to destroy it… but I did manage to take the Green Lantern Central Power Battery out.”
“I am most disappointed with you. While we won’t get any interference from the Lantern Corps, they could come to Earth to try to topple my new regime. Never the less, we will continue on course.”
Lex Luthor also climbs out of the sub.
“They had better security than Sinestro had told me,” says Lex. “It has been too long since he was a lantern."
"Amongst the darkness, there is static of white and brown. No gravity exists. No scientific law applies. The only inhabitants of this vacant land are that of Lex Luthor and Darkseid. Neither of them feels anything, save the ever existing boredom brought on by their own personal greed. The anti-dimension is a most horrendous place. The shadow zone was modeled after this unsavory existence. But now it is time. Ubu! Prepare the device! Through a mix of modern technology and ancient magic, a rift shall appear. A portal that is my greatest chance at a future," narrates Ra's al Ghul.
The scientists scramble around, like that of ants in the sand. The numerous computers are wired to a large machine with a giant pit. As the servant Ubu pulls the crank, the portal begins to open at the top of this pit.
"Ubu, I shall need you to hold my legs," commands Ra's. "I do not wish to be trapped in nothingness. I have avoided that for six hundred years."
The mighty servant Ubu grabs his master by the legs and submerges him into the dark, swirling portal. The look is that of which Ra's described: darkness filled with salt and pepper static. Amongst this, floating around is Lex Luthor.
"Good evening. Though I doubt you knew it to be evening," says Ra's.
"What do you want?" questions Lex, with a hint of boredom at this intrusion.
"I have come to make a proposition. We have had some rather hard times as of late. We share a common enemy. We keep getting people in costumes interfering with our vision of the world. In exchange for helping me, I will set you free from this place. I may ask you another task later, but it is of no importance of you at this moment. Will you join me?"
"It has to be better than this place."
"Good. Just grab my hand. Up Ubu!
Ubu pulls out Ra's and Lex. Lex looks around at all the computers with a hint of envy.
"Of course, I can't take them all out with just you and myself. I found some people that would be willing to work for hire."
In the crowd stand Clayface, Scarecrow, Bane, Mad Hatter, Grant Walker (from the episode of BTAS Deep Freeze), Killer Croc, Deadshot, and KGBeast.
"So did you just decide to go to Gotham, or were they the only ones interested?" laughs Luthor.
“Tell me everything you know about the Justice League Unlimited. I am most interested in the seven founding members.”
The Metro Tower gleams in the distance. While the majority of heroes live in the space station, a few are monitoring the Earth base. Superman is accompanied by Steel and Stargirl. On the computer screen appears Green Arrow.
“Good day Superman.”
“Good afternoon Green Arrow. What do you need?”
“Mr. Terrific would like those two to come up for a meeting. I think it is a morale booster or something. If you want, I could come down there.”
“That isn’t necessary. I can take care of myself. Just have them back soon.”
“Will do.”
Steel and Stargirl teleport away. Superman hears something at the entrance. He uses his X-ray vision to see Lex Luthor banging on the doors. Superman flies down as quick as he can through an elevator shaft.
“What took you so long?” snorts Lex.
“What are you doing here?” Superman says coldly.
“Some welcome I’m getting, especially since I defeated Darkseid. By the way, he dropped this.”
Lex pulls out a weapon on Superman.
“You remember the agony matrix, don’t you?” grinned Lex.
Superman is convulsing in pain on the ground. Lex walks into the base and is followed by Ra’s al Ghul and Ubu.
“Your plan worked beautifully. I am quite impressed,” approved Ra’s.
“Are you sure that your part of the plan is done?” questions Lex.
“Very much so, but if you will excuse me, I have other things to attend to.”
“Like what?”
“We are about to cut the head off our enemies. I must see that the numerous limbs do not interfere. Come Ubu! We shall let our new friend get to work.”
The shimmering watch tower in space looms over the Earth. Inside, Stargirl and Steel have just been teleported back to the space station.
"I don't see why I'm not taken seriously," debated Steel. "I've been up in the tower for a long time. I don't get why I can't be leader of some of these missions. In all fairness, I should be one of the founding members. I would have been there in an instant during the alien invasion that brought the Justice League together. Superman knew me at the time. I should have been there."
As they are walking, Steel accidentally bumps into the Creeper.
"Watch out, Tinman. I'd hate to get your shiny suit all grimy," threatens Creeper. "I'm not afraid of you. You want to fight?"
Creeper starts jumping up and down, stamping his hands on the ground. He then continues to imitate a bull. Finally, he resumes his jumping.
"That guy is weird," says Steel after they walk away from Creeper. “I don’t see why he is even up here. He is insane.
Above them is Mr. Terrific. He is watching an incoming message from Mars.
“J’ONN! You have to see this!” screams Mr. Terrific.
J’onn flies over to receive the incoming message. On the screen is unmistakably another Martian.
“If anyone can hear this, my name is Ma’en. I am the last of the Martian race. I believe that I felt some sort of brainwaves in the distance, but I could not communicate. I only know this is the language that is spoken. I have been salvaging technology for so many years. However, the last of my provisions have now been depleted. I hope someone gets this message before I’m gone. I don’t want to die alone.”
“I must go,” says J’onn.
“I figured as much. Who do you want to go with you?” inquired Mr. Terrific.
“I must go alone. This is a Martian problem. Anyone else might frighten the poor soul. It would seem that I am not the only Martian left after all.”
“Even so, I don’t want to risk anything. I’m going to assign you Speedy and Cybrook. How much you want to include them is your business.”
“Very well.”
Bruce Wayne is saying goodbye to the fellow guests of a charity event. He gets in his car, where he notices that in the passenger seat is a video cassette with a label reading “PLAY ME!” He opens the glove box, where an 8” TV is inside. He puts the tape in the VCR. Bruce starts to drive home. On the screen is Ra’s al Ghul.
“It is nice to speak with you again Detective. I have missed our little adventures. Unfortunately, I am not here to reminisce. I would like you to meet me at Gotham Docks. I have something you find to be very valuable.”
Ra’s goes off screen, while Ubu brings out a tied and gagged Alfred.
“ALFRED!” screams Bruce.
He does a complete U-turn in the middle of traffic.
Steel and Stargirl meet Green Arrow in a private room.
“So when’s the meeting?” asks Stargirl. “No one has said anything about it.”
“It was delayed,” assures Green Arrow. “Most people don’t know about the meeting. It was something that Wonder Woman wanted to do. If you have any questions, ask her.”
“Where is she?” asks Steel.
“I’m not sure. We should just wait for an announcement. Until then, why don’t we practice some? How about it?”
Stargirl and Steel nod.
Ra’s al Ghul watches the waves collide with his ship. He notices the numerous bits of litter all around the dock. The color of the water is close to black. A cesspool of oil and litter are present everywhere he looks.
“It is sad to see what man has done with the world,” says Ra’s. “I have spent over 500 of my 600 years of life trying to preserve my planet. Earth has given me an unnaturally long life span thanks to the Lazarus pits. I owe it the environment to return the favor.”
The sound of screeching tires are heard in the distance.
“Ubu! Bring out Mr. Pennyworth!” demands Ra’s.
Ubu walks out of the inside of the ship. On one of his shoulders, he is carrying an unconscious Alfred. The sound of the tires gets louder. In the road entrance to the docks, Bruce’s car comes into view. As it approaches, Batman jumps out of the moving car, which lands in the ocean.
“That was reckless detective,” comments Ra’s. “I hope no one saw you in that car. It could bring about some questions. Now I see, you have tinted windows. Your ingenuity always fascinates me.”
“WHAT DO YOU WANT?” barks Batman.
“I want to save your life. I am also saving your butler’s life by bringing him aboard my ship.”
“Let Alfred go!”
“As I said before, I am not letting Alfred go. He would die. However, if you do not come with me, I will have Ubu make sure that he wishes he WERE dead. Come aboard. But I don’t want any tricks from you. Take off that utility belt, your gloves, and your cape.”
Batman follows the orders and walks onto the ship. Ubu promptly takes out his sword and hits Batman in the back of the head with the hilt, knocking him out cold.
Stargirl and Green Arrow are practicing in the main part of the Watchtower. Green Arrow is firing numerous arrows, while Stargirl tries to deflect them. Steel is conversing with Mr. Terrific.
“I really could start leading some of these missions,” mentions Steel. “I’m a natural born leader.”
“I know you would,” assures Mr. Terrific. “You have proven yourself time and time again. It just isn’t up for me to decide. The founding members have to agree that you can get the job done. You have to go through an evaluation.”
“When can I get that done?”
“I’ll put you down for an appointment, but it will be quite some time.”
“Oh, well thanks anyway.”
Stargirl hits one of the arrows with her staff. Unfortunately, the arrow deflects.
“HEADS UP!” screams Green Arrow. “That is an exploding one.”
Everyone ducks for cover. The arrow doesn’t hurt anyone, but it does blow up the teleporter.
“ARROW!” screams Green Lantern. “What do you think you are doing? You know you aren’t supposed to be practicing in here.”
“It was my fault,” admits Stargirl.
“Nonsense, he knows not to do that,” dismisses Green Lantern. “Arrow, I want you to wait for me in the conference room, NOW!”
The Javelin is approaching Mars. J’onn is behind the wheel, while Speedy and Cybrook (Cybrook is basically a female version of Cyborg) are both sitting in the passenger’s seat.
“So,” says Speedy “is this your first trip to Mars too?”
“Yes,” acknowledges Cybrook.
“And where are you from?”
“Earth.”
“You don’t talk much, do you?”
She does not answer but just looks out into space, at the upcoming Mars.
“This is just my luck. I’m sent on one of the few assignments I ever get to go on, and there is no excitement or personality to accompany-”
“Quiet!” interrupts J’onn. “We have just landed on Mars. Both of you stay here. If I am in danger, there are suits in the back that will protect you from the radiation and they will supply you with oxygen.”
J’onn walks out onto the surface of Mars. He looks around and remembers his life as it was. He sees his wife. But then it all fades away. Nothing is left but rubble. J’onn reverts back to his Martian appearance. He sees in the distance the other Martian. He calls to it. The other Martian runs quickly over towards J’onn.
“I am not the only Martian anymore!” screams J’onn. “Tell me all that you have been through.”
The Martian replies, “Well… uh… I-”
“I understand,” assures J’onn. “You are shy and unaccustomed to this language. I assume you would rather I read it from your mind.” J’onn closes his eyes and opens them very suddenly. “I can not read your mind. This does not make any sense. All Martians can read each others mind. Unless… you’re not a Martian.”
At these words, the Martian changes its right hand into a row of spikes. The spikes take J’onn by surprise and knock him down to the ground. His eyes are all foggy as he looks at the Martian. Its body begins to get larger and the skin begins to darken to a mud color. Standing before J’onn is Clayface.
Steel and Stargirl are walking through the cafeteria.
“We should go see Green Arrow,” suggests Stargirl.
“Yeah, I think that Lantern really chewed him out,” adds Steel. “I figured he would be down for the dinner by now.”
They go to Green Arrow’s room. Inside are various pictures: on of the old ones Green Arrow has his bow and arrow ready to shoot, one of the newer ones has him and Black Canary holding hands, another old one shows him and Speedy side by side, one of the new ones shows him and the Green Lantern Kyle Rayner enjoying a pizza together in Italy, and many more highlight the room. As the two visitors look at the various pictures, Stargirl scowls upon seeing the picture of him and Black Canary. At the back of his room is a small escape pod.
“Why does he have that?” asks Steel.
“He is a little paranoid of the league,” explains Stargirl. “My Step dad helped him to put it in. It is the only transport on the whole watchtower outside of the hangar.”
“Where is he? I thought he would be here by now.”
“Me too,” says Stargirl with a bit of worry in her voice.
An alarm goes off Steel’s forearm computer.
“What is it?”
After looking at the computer, Steel says “It looks like there is an abnormal amount of an unknown gas floating through the air. I don’t know if this is a problem, but I’m going to go tell Lantern.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“What about the gas? I have my own oxygen reserves in my suit that is directly linked to my helmet. I will be fine, but you…”
“I’ll wear this oxygen mask. It has plenty of air, while we search to Green Arrow.”
“We’re not searching; we’re going to inform the Lantern.”
Batman awakens chained to a rounded, thick pole. He begins to assess the situation. The pole extends starts at the wood platform that he is standing on and it extends to the ceiling. The surrounding floor is nothing more than a thin sheet of glass. Above are countless floors of glass, just like this one.
“We’re in a prison cell.”
Batman looks around. The voice is coming from underneath the glass. He calls out “Alfred?”
“Yes, it’s me,” confirms Alfred.
“We need to get out of here.”
“We can’t.”
“Why not?
“Because the only way to get out of here is to go up. The pole that we are both chained to is the only way to get out. It works by conveyer that brings us down. The chains are to protect us from trying.”
“But we must.”
“If you try, the glass will shatter. If the glass shatters, then you will fall to this floor, shattering it as well. Not to mention that the glass could kill me.”
“What about basic needs?”
“There is food being pumped into your veins, even as we speak. I believe that this is only a temporary holding cell because it was not made for long-term use.”
“Are you okay? You sound different.”
“I’m not okay. Out of all the years that I have served you, I have never once been disappointed by you, not once! But the way you just took Mr. al Ghul’s bait was not the right thing to do.”
“I did it protect you.”
“You should think of the world rather than you. How could you be so selfish?”
“So selfish to save your life?”
“Yes. You know that Ra’s al Ghul is a global terrorist. He does not delve into cat burglary or swank night clubs. He does not have a vendetta against Detective Bullock. He is out to change the entire world. Your love may have been at the cost of humanity as we know it.”
“I’m sorry.”
Speedy checks his watch.
“How long has he been out there?” asks Speedy.
“Precisely one hour,” says Cybrook.
“I’m going to check on him.”
“No I’ll go. I don’t have to breathe. It would be safer for me to go.”
“What about the radiation?”
“This isn’t my first time into space. I’m not too worried about it.”
Cybrook goes outside the javelin. The red planet is very desolate. No sound can be heard. Far in the distance, red dust can be seen overhead. She uses her binocular vision to zoom in on the scene. Clayface is beating J’onn with metal boxing glove hands. Some of the blows cause J’onn to spit blood. Cybrook’s leg’s turn into wheels so that she races across the dune. When she arrives, her wheels switch back to legs. Clayface notices her so he drops J’onn to the ground and redirects his attention to her. Clayface changes his arm into a giant a hammer. She dodges the attack and changes her arm into the laser blaster. She fires straight at his face, causing a giant whole. But soon after, his face takes back its original form. He uses his right leg to sweep her off her feet.
J’onn gets to his feet. He is still dizzy as blood runs out his nose. He can see the Javelin far in the distance. Clayface has now engulfed Cybrook in himself.
“This is weird,” says Clayface. “I can’t feel a heartbeat. I guess the way to get to you is to crush every circuit you have. Something feels funny.”
The sound of screeching tires is heard as Cybrook has turned he legs back to wheels to escape from Clayface. J’onn and Cybrook look in horror as Clayface began to approach them both again. Over their shoulder, an arrow zooms right past them. It hits Clayface directly.
“What is this?” questions Clayface. “You think an arrow…”
Clayface begins to freeze, starting where the arrow hit. After a few agonizing screams, he is completely frozen. J’onn and Cybrook look behind them to Speedy.
“I told you I should have gone with you guys,” says Speedy.
Steel and Stargirl have arrived at the founding member’s meeting room. Inside is Green Lantern, Shayera, and Wonder Woman.
“We have something that is really important,” says Stargirl.
“Yeah, I think we should evacuate the tower because there is a gas leak of some unknown kind,” announces Steel. “Now it could be a false alarm, but just to be safe.”
The three members have a very glazed over look. They do not seem to be themselves at all. Green Lantern suddenly attacks. Steel is knocked to the ground.
“What is going on?” asks Stargirl.
“It must be the gas,” says Steel. “It has affected their minds. Let’s get back to the hangar.”
Steel uses his jets on his feet to quickly escape. Stargirl is attacked by Shayera before escaping. Stargirl is unharmed, but her oxygen mask is destroyed. They both race as fast as they can back to the Green Arrow’s room, where Steel stops.
“What are we doing here?” asks Stargirl.
“You are going back to Earth,” says Steel. “You may be coming under the effects of the gas right now. We need to get you out of here.
“But my Stepdad.”
“I’ll take care of him. I’m going to get to the bottom of this. In the meantime, I want you to inform anyone else you can about the situation. Okay?”
The door to the room begins to take a pounding.
“Uh… okay.”
She gets in the pod. Steel watches it glide through space. The door is nearly broken free. Steel looks at the door and picks his hammer up slowly. The door is finally broken free. Shayera flies through the door with her mace in her hands. Steel quickly deflects her attack with his hammer. Then, when she is off balance, he gives a punch to the face. Finally, he picks the hammer up and gives her one in the stomach. She is out cold.
“Sorry ‘bout that,” says Steel.
Batman is about to fall asleep. He and Alfred have not talked since Batman apologized. Suddenly, the pole begins to move upward. After about a hundred levels of the prisons, Batman arrives at the top. Ubu and Ra’s al Ghul are waiting for him. Ubu undoes the chains.
“Why are you setting me free?” questions Batman.
“I thought you might like to use the restroom facilities and join me for dinner,” answers Ra’s. “Your butler will come along as well. You need not worry. Ubu will take care of him. In the meantime, I thought I would show you around.”
“Where am I?”
“You are the detective. You tell me.”
“Hm, the air is strange. It feels like the majority is pure oxygen. Which means a lot of air is required. If there is no natural air, then there must be a reason. Given all those flights of prison cells, you have ample amounts of vertical space. And we met on a ship, so we are at the bottom of the ocean.”
“Precisely. We manufacture the oxygen by converting the H2O back into its original form. It is some what ironic, isn’t it? Two highly flammable gases come together to make water. Just another thing I love about this planet.”
“So what do you want with me?”
“I want the utopia. I’ve told you before, but this time I have eliminated all of the variables. I have put events into motion that will bring about both of our dreams. There will be no crime, no corruption, no harm to nature, and no need for you to continue your crusade, for we are now in… the ARK!”
“The ark… sounds cheesy.”
“You are familiar with the great flood from biblical times that destroyed all but one family and all of the animals aboard? Well, this is the exact same thing. Except this time, we shall survive. I chose you to survive because you are the best humanity has to offer.”
A submarine emerges from a large pool to the right of them. A man dressed in a blue and black suit similar to Mr. Freeze emerges. His face has become a light shade of blue, while his hair still shimmers white beneath the glass shield.
“Mr. Walker here shared my idea for a utopia. He is now one of my leading persons in my pursuits. So tell me, how did the destruction of Oa fair?”
“Well,” says Walker with a nervous look. “I wasn’t able to destroy it… but I did manage to take the Green Lantern Central Power Battery out.”
“I am most disappointed with you. While we won’t get any interference from the Lantern Corps, they could come to Earth to try to topple my new regime. Never the less, we will continue on course.”
Lex Luthor also climbs out of the sub.
“They had better security than Sinestro had told me,” says Lex. “It has been too long since he was a lantern."