Post by Batman on Mar 9, 2013 18:46:59 GMT -5
Episode One:
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Story By: Slade and Hal
Heroes: Batman, Black Canary, Flash, Green Lantern, Superman, Wonder Woman.
Villains: The Centre
Rogue Gallery: Violence in the major cities as increased. Ritual Stabbings, Brutal Cult activity has been reported from Gotham all the way to Coast City. The police have their hands full with these ritualistic murders for weeks. Less have been reported in Metropolis than in Gotham. New York and other cities without heroic activity have had higher death tolls.
Superman: "No... please Mr.... Don't..." Toys closed in around the child, cruel and crude in design as they brandished weapons at the young child. Tears streamed down the young boy's face which was red from crying. His eyes were big, bloodshot, and filled with fear as he continued to back away while a chunk, stout caucasian male chuckled softly. "Let's play together...We will have a grand time together.." The young boy screamed for help as the toys were almost upon him when, suddenly, two red beams shot through the ceiling and cut through the animated things like hot steel knives through melted butter. A loud crashing sound followed naught but a second later and bursting through the roof was the Man of Steel himself. The look on his face was stone... cold.. and it was the best that Clark was able to do to hide the anger that burned within his chest. "You're going back to jail, Schott," Clark spoke as Kal-El, but the fire in his chest only raged harder as his teeth clenched together.
"NO SUPERMAN! You will not spoil our fun again!" and from within his coat, Winslow Schott, the Toyman, pulled a device out and started to lower his thumb towards one of the buttons on it. It exploded just as the pad of Schott's thumb touched, causing the man to cry in pain and clutch at the injured apendage. His pained eyes looked towards Supermanm as a red glow faded from the crystalline blue eyes of the superhero, before, in a blur of red and blue, the Man of Steel had lifted the man up by his collar, "I don' thave the time for your games, Toyman," and Kal-El thumped him on the head, knocking him unconscious. Roughly dropping the stout man to the floor, he turned and knelt down before the child. "It's okay," Kal said softly, the stone cold look leaving his face and replaced by a smile and concerned eyes, "Are you alright?" "He...he...he was... and..." the boy stammered, trying to get out the sentence. "Shh... It's okay, Rodger," Superman stood and walked over to him slowly, a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm here to take him back to jail.. and get you home." Rodger was struck partialy dumb struck at this and so Kal, carefully, put an arm around the boy and lifted him up then grabbed the collar of Schott with his free hand. In a moment, he had exited the warehouse through the same hole he had made on entrance. It took just a couple of minutes to drop Toyman off at one station and Rodger at another, admittedly a good ways from where Superman had dropped off Schott. Back in the air aftert saying his goodbyes to the boy, he flew over the city. What was going on here? He knew what Toyman was... but those toys weren't like anything he had made before. They were terribly made... that they even functioned with their shoddy construction was a miracle. Then... there was also the general state of the city. Crime had jolted up exponetially for the city and from what he caught from various radio stations and signals, this was happening across the world.
Wonder Woman: Diana took a deep breath, shaking her head as she watched the violence ripping apart her adoptive city. She had adopted Gateway City as her new home in the Patriarch’s world, and now something had followed her, or at lease she had presumed as much. There was much about the violence that screamed religious sacrifice and violence to the Amazon, even while the police and media were extolling that the violence was random. Her blue eyes closed for a moment and she tipped forward, going back into the fray, leaving the safety of her “Wonder Dome.” She was gifted by the Gods, descendant of one of the greatest warrior nations to ever grace the planet. Charged to bring peace and the Amazon Ideals to the Patriarch’s world, Champion of Olympus, she was known as “Diana,” to her friends, but to the greater world, the title “Wonder Woman,” was her most defining, and fitting, moniker.
On the streets of Gateway City a scream alerted Diana to a specific area of trouble. Turning down an alley, she came across a group of young men standing over something, or more likely someone. “Excuse me,” she called, standing behind the group. A few faces turned to look at her. “Git lost!” one of the men called. “This ain’t about you and your kind,” another pointed an accusing finger at her. Right, she thought to herself, raising an eyebrow. “Lou, why don’t you show Wonder Bra where the exit is?” the man who appeared to be the “leader” of the group said, with one of the thugs peeling off from the group. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “You know, I really don’t get that,” she said, shaking her head. “You’ve seen what I can do... and still you wish to challenge me? Very well, I’ll try not to hurt you too much.” It didn’t take long for her to dispatch Lou, nor the three men who followed him.
Left with only the “leader” of the pack, and the intended victim, who appeared to be an already abused young woman, Diana crossed her arms. Run, she thought to herself. C’mon; just run. As if picking up on her thoughts, the large man turned to try his hand at escaping down the alley. She loosed her lasso from her hip and whipped it out, lashing the man around his knees. With a simple jerk of her arm, a twist of her body, he came crashing down, his head contacting with the pavement and leaving him dazed. She deposited him, and the rest of his crew in one of the dumpsters they had the girl pressed up against, where they belonged. Her hands bent the metal of the closing mechanism jamming it in place. The police should be able to pry it open with some equipment.
“Are you alright?” she asked, extending a hand to the girl, obviously shaken and a little beaten. She nodded, taking the offered hand back to her feet. “Do you have a cell phone?” Again, a nod. “Call the police. And get checked out by a doctor, okay?” The girl, probably barely out of high school, nodded again as Diana turned around. “Wonder Woman?” The voice was deceptively strong, not what Diana would have expected from someone who had just been taken out of the kind of predictament that she was, which caused Diana to pause. “Thank you.” She smiled. “You’re welcome.”
“Nothing to water down the city’s national crime rate news than a little fun at the Mayor’s second term fundraiser…With tonight’s event, it will un-dubitably go down in history as the biggest event of the year as Gotham’s richest, intellectual, sharpest, and finest will all be represented at tonight’s gala…All except Billionaire playboy, Bruce Wayne…Though the notorious party crasher has a record of making an entrance without announcement, perhaps we will see him here tonight.” –The news anchors spoke as exhaling and jingling of metal bars rang out through the gym. Bruce Wayne ‘s exposed shoulders and arms were tense and sweating while his white muscle shirt clung to his skin while he continued to lift his longer half of his body off the ground. Suspended six feet off the ground, he continued to count while Alfred entered the room with a tray of water in his hands. A white towel slung over the elderly man’s shoulder.-
“I suppose with most of Batman’s villains locked up in Arkham or pending trial, there isn’t much use for the Batman, now is there?” –Bruce’s gaze stared at the wall while he lifted his torso past the metal bar like a gymnastic exercising. His blue eyes hardened at the thoughts of Selina and Talia. A stabbing of pain in his heart, one that he hadn’t felt in so long.- “Well, I suppose if there is no need for Batman, there is no need for Bruce Wayne then, huh?” –Alfred looked at Bruce, expecting some kind of reaction.-“I haven’t given up, Alfred…I’m just keeping myself busy.” –Bruce dropped down to the mattress and walked over to the man. Bruce’s sweat pants were tight against his legs, constricting the fabrics ability to flail while he swung them. Alfred frowned and softly spoke.- “I suppose…” –Bruce took a bottle into his hand and popped its top to slurp the dispenser before dropping the bottle to his stomach and then wiping his eyebrow on his left shoulder.-
“There’s more that needs to be done. The Joker, Scarecrow, Two-Face, Riddler, Ivy, Harley…And yet Crime reports are soaring.” –Alfred nodded.- “But they are news reports, Master Bruce.” –Bruce shook his head.- “No…I’ve been keeping count…It’s actually increasing…Something is wrong. Something is missing.” –Bruce walked over to the mirror and looked at himself for a moment.- “I need to shave…” –Bruce said calmly and then walked into the locker room to prepare his electric razor. Alfred came to the doorway.- “Does this mean you intend to go on patrol tonight?” –Bruce nodded looking into the mirror.- “Any lead is a good lead…I don’t care if the police find it or I do…Someone has to find out who is coordinating this increase in crime.” –Alfred smiled and then spoke in reminding words.- “I do recall that you ‘do not believe in coincidence’ hm, sir?” –Bruce didn’t reply, as it wasn’t necessary to. He stroked his bare chin before turning to look at Alfred.- “I’ll handle this alone, Dick can stay in and take care of his homework.”
Flash: Captain Cold, Boomerang, Mirror Master.. Gorilla Grodd. All names that were plaging the Central City news paper department. Even the The Trickster seemed to have the handle of all that was central city. The Central City PD was doing all they could to keep the crime down to a bearable level, and Barry Allen was struggling to keep up. If it wasn't a super villian related heist, it was robbery, and murders. Central City, a good ol' farm town city, with a southern charm to it- was far from. It was endanger of hitting Gotham City levels. It was tiring, being the Flash this much, this often. He was losing touch with Iris, the two not having seen eachother in a while. Barry had receeded into his work. Whether it was a lab coat, or while wearing a suit, and doing the detective thing. He'd worn out several Flash costumes this last week alone. So much, that his 20 spares, each of his rings, in which he'd super compressed his outfits, and placed them in his flash- rings.
While at home, Barry pressed down on the ring, which ejected the suit, and the gasses that'd held them supercompressed. Quickly changing out of his torn Flash uniform, and into a fresh suit, it took Barry only miliseconds to leave his apartment, and back on the streets. With the alarm ringing through the jewerly store, Barry Allen- the Flash changed directions. Feet skidding along the pavement, in the process of redirecting his momentum to the sound of the Alarm. Of course, the one there was the Trickster, recently freed from his short stint in prison. "What.. what has driven you all to this madness? You all attack the city, like it's going up in flames tomorrow?! This is your home too!" Barry shouted to James Jesse. He knew the man was unstable, infact, he'd done as much he could to help the boy. But when the gun was turned on Barry, he had no choice but to react. First, in hyper speed, he stripped the Trickster of his weapon, and whirrled around him, suspending him midair.
Starting the trip back to the County Medicenter, where James was normally kept under observation, and on his medicines. He'd later have to question the doctors as Barry Allen, for he was already off of his meds, and it was barely a day since the Flash had checked him in. Something was definitely smelling funny. Unlike the others, Barry didn't really have worldly knowledge of any events. He'd been focused intently on cleaning up Central City, his home.
Rogue Gallery: The young woman who Wonder Woman had just rescued all color faded from her eyes for a moment only her pupils remained. Her voice changed to that of a deep male voice." You are different from other Lesser Beings.You are Stronger. " Then she snapped back to normal, In Central City the same thing happened to Flash. James looked to Flash. “You Are Different than other Lesser Beings…Faster.” Before his eyes returned to normal. While Superman was listening to the radio signals he to heard something strange. A voice in his head.” This will not get any better, You are aware of this yes?” There was no one near him no one could be seen through any form of vision. “And you are not strong enough to stop it alone.” The Bat Signal lights up the sky as Commisioner Gordon waited for Batman to show.
-The sound of Dick Grayson rang out through the gym as he raced into the room.- “Alfred! Bruce! The Bat Signal is lit!” –Bruce placed his razor down and looked at Dick.- “You’re staying home, Dick. Take care of your homework…I’ll handle this, tonight.” “But Bruce, come on. It’s Batman & Robin…Not--” –Bruce waved his hand.- “I need you as backup. Whatever is going on, I need no distractions. If I need help, I’ll page you.” –Dick frowned and crossed his arms. The teenage boy was almost a man of his own, Bruce felt he was lacking in some areas of development.- “Right…whatever you say, Bruce…Can I-..” –Bruce sharply spoke.- “No. Just do as I told you.” –Bruce left the gym and went into the batcave, lifting a switch by the elevator, suddenly the room lit up with dark blue lights revealing the platforms suspended above the ground, the cave wasn’t directly below Wayne Manor, but it was directly linked to Wayne Manor allowing Bruce to quickly access it.
-Stepping off the elevator he approached towards the armory where he began suiting up into his armor. In a moment he would emerge Batman. Walking to the Bat Mobile, the Burton 89’ model, the cockpits sliding door allowed for his body to leap and slip inside. Sitting down he ignited the jet engine thruster and went soaring out of the Batcave just as the cockpit door slid around him. In minutes Batman arrived at the Bat signal where he crouched by the edge of the building, looking for Commissioner Gordon.- “Commissioner.” –His voice spoke in a low, deep, raspy voice that seemed to contain the underlying anger and rage within him. The feral beast within kept at bay by whatever moral code he followed and by his understanding for humanity.-
Black Canary: The Black Canary crouched next to a gargoyle on a ledge across the street from the The Grande, Gotham's 5 star hotel where the mayor was having his fundraiser that night. Purposly ignoring the city's elites in their finest dress, that would cost more than most people's paychecks. Her eyes were instead focused on a man, who appeared to be one of the staff from the hotel who was helping the guests from their cars, slipping items into his jacket pocket. Another night of Gotham's glamour, that was the fifth item of jewelery the man had pocketed. She sighed inwardly to herself, another night of glamour. Dinah had been doing patrols every night this week, and was working half days at her florist shop. The double duty was taking its toll on her, but she had to do it. Crime was up and something was off. Muggings, kidnappings, and more theft than she usually saw in a full month, all in a week.
The lack of sleep was starting to show under her eyes. She shook her head, her blonde hair swaying, to try to focus. The man had slipped into the crowd and went missing for a moment, the next she saw he was in a sports coat, blending in with the reporters, working his way to a side street, go time. She slipped around the corner and flew down the fire escape in the side street, jumping off the last landing coming down on his shoulders, slamming him to the ground, she rolled into a crouch and pinned him to the ground grabbing his arms, to keep him in her pin, like a wrestler would. "Havig a nice night?" she smirked, blue eyes looking a bit dull from lack of sleep. He turned to look at her and she gasped it was one of the managers from the hotel! "What the hell is wrong with this town." she muttered to herself, "It's like everyone is taking up crime. Are you all possessed?" she groweled slamming him into the ground for emphasis.
Wonder Woman: Diana’s eyebrows drew close together as she turned to fully face the girl. “What did you say?” she asked, tilting her head to the side. “Thank you?” the girl said sounding more than a little confused by the Amazon’s quizzical gaze. “No, after that...” Diana urged, taking a step towards the woman. “I... I didn’t say anything at all...” the girl protested. “Hm...” Diana said, turning back around. She walked to the edge of the alley, but something still didn’t feel... right. She turned to look back over her shoulder, eyeing the girl as she fished her cell phone out and called the police. “Yes, yes, Wonder Woman saved me...” the girl spoke into her phone. Diana smiled then took to the air. Sirens were going off all over the city; surely she could busy herself for the entire evening putting out small fires, but something told her that there was a bigger problem to be dealt with.
Rogue Gallery: Gordon looked to the sky lighting a cigarrette. as he heard Batman's voice." Batman, We have another cult attack, It's at the church on cersant street, My officers are trying to get in but they aren't taking chances with the hostages inside. We know they are going to "sacrifice" the hostages IF we go in or not, but We can't take the chance."
Superman: Through the air he flew, crystalline blues gazing across the horizon of Metropolis. "What the...?" the Man of Steel muttered as he immediately stopped and began to look around for who it was that spoke to him. Cape flying by him and billowing in the wind, Superman perked his ears up and tried to focus on the voice as his brain picked apart all the sounds that he had been listening to so that he could lock clearly on the voice itself. "What was that?" Kal questioned himself, hovering midair even while a knot slowly formed in him throat. The voice had spoke true a concern that weighed on his mind. While Gotham had made the news first about the abrut rise in crime it was well... Gotham. However, when the crime rates increased across the world, even in Metropolis and to WHAT they were... the seed of doubt had been planted in Clark's mind. No matter what he seemed to do across the world and even in Metropolis proper, nothing would apparently stem the tide and he had grown concerned to the point that he had started to make Lana walk around with a miniature gravity gun and a phase knife for protection. Yes both were highly... irregular thanks to their capabilities and even design along, but with what came to Metropolis on a regular basis one could not truly blame him for preparing her.
“Have your men make the parameter. I’ll go in, five minutes…” –Batman turned and leaped off the ledge and into the alleyway while his body glided towards the pavement below. He landed towards the edge and began rushing to the Bat Mobile. In moments he was on the scene, parking two blocks away from the scene itself, a couple of citizens were able to glimpse and spot the blur of the Bat Mobile quietly moving through the streets at a ridiculously fast speed. He looked over the Church building, peering from an apartment building across from it, blue eyes scanned the exterior before he tapped the side of his helmet to activate detective vision. The side allowed him to locate body signatures within the building, but it also permitted him to analyze structural integrity and status. A small ping from the line launcher would connect his building to the church tower where he swung overhead and landed upon the roof, slanted and steppe.
Batman’s gloves gripped onto the roof and climbed into the bell tower where he flew into a small tower within the church. His detective vision was now capable of giving him a body count as well priority of targets.- He tapped his wrist console and began adjusting the cowls sensors to locate knives and bludgeon objects in the hands of the suspects. He snuck into the second floor overseeing the Church’s main pews and sermon podium to observe what exactly was going on.-
Flash: "Lesser beings.. what? James?" Before the boy could manage a response, he'd tried to run away. "Wh....what did you say James?" James had a sly smile, then a laugh, sounding similar to the crazed sort of laughter that the Joker was used to. Barry without a second thought, Barry had re-captured James, and escorted him back to county. After a long tiring day- call it a month. The crime wave- atleast the supervillain sort had been explained. Later on in the month, Central City was going to unveil a statue to the Flash. All of his hard work was paying off. Finally, when he got home, he took off of his Flash outfit, and seated himself on the couch, in a muscle shirt and boxers. He'd managed to stare at the dull hue of the TV, for a short while. He'd smiled at the sight of Iris on the news, though that smile had faded, when she moved on to the news going on otherwise in the states. "Well, nice to know it's not just me." He'd grumbled some, and turned off the tv, not even letting the news get on about Gotham City. He'd looked over to his answering machine, and the number flashed. 4 new messages. He knew who they were from. He didn't have the heart to come up with a lie about where he'd been. He wasn't trying actively to avoid her. Though, she reported on the crime within the city. She must have understood. Though, he could be doing better, on the effort that was required to call her. Let her know he was alright. They were dating after all.
Rogue Gallery: The Voice returned to Superman's Head. "Do not be alarmed Superman, I am speaking to you telepathically. This world is in danger and you cannot fight it alone." A glowing gold Ankh appeared infront of him." I am Doctor Fate. " He crossed his arms over his chest looking to the man." You will need the help of others if you are to defeat what is coming." In Gotham the cult would drag members to the cross, tie them to it and slice their chest open with a very sharp knife."Our Master demands sacrifice!" 12 robed figured with more hostages."We will cleanse this world." There were 3 bodies already laying dead on the ground. GAnthet a Guardian of the Universe contacted Hal via ring communication." Hal Jordan... There is a power growing on your home planet, one that threatens to destroy the entire world. The Guardians can feel it's power."
Doctor Fate at the same time as speaking to Clark appeared before Diana. "Diana Princess of Themascara I am Doctor Fate. This threat is much larger than you beleive. These attacks are world wide. You are not strong enough to battle this on your own. You must band together with other heroes as your mother did during her time as Wonder Woman."
Black Canary: Black Canary was leaving the hotel, she had taken the managers keys and locked him in a linen closet. She used one of the hotel phones to report the theft and dropped off the keys and folded up coat full of jewlery to a surprised bell clerk, telling him it was for the police giving him a wink. She slipped out of the back of the hotel, one down, dozens more to go. Dinah looked up and saw Batsignal, looks like Gotham's Dark Knight was keeping busy too. At that moment she saw 4 squad cars racing down a street toward Cersant street, it was an old part of town. She dashed down a couple allys to dumpster and pulled her gleaming purple motorcycle out from behind it. She jumped on it started it with growly purr and took off racing after them. she turned on her police radio, to see what was going on. There was a standoff at an old church with the police, a hostage situation. She deduced that Batman was already there. She wove through traffic like it was standing still, blonde hair blowing in the breeze. She went down some back alleys and ended up a block away parking in an alley, she pulled an earpiece out of a pouch on the bike and put it n place. She remembered this church she had done some deliveries for funerals when it was still a church, it had been closed for years. She watched the police for a bit and snuck past to a back entrance to where deliveries used to be made she slipped in, working down a back halway slipping into the large door ways to stay hidden. she tapped the earpiece. "Are there bats in this belfry?" she whispered with a smirk.
Wonder Woman: Perhaps more used to seeing beings appear from nothing and vanish just as easily, perhaps too much so, Diana was not phased by the sudden appearance of Fate. The idea that this was a worldwide phenomenal was problematic, but to Diana the more worrisome thing was that it was something she could not face alone. There were very few who could compete at her level, and never before had something been so large, such a threat, that they had to band together. From time to time she had worked with others, but the Amazon was starting to get the feeling that this would be bigger than that. And the evocation of her mother, of the Justice Society of America was cause for concern as well. The heroes of today, Superman, the modern Black Canary and Green Lantern, the Flash, Batman, ... Even herself compared to Hippolyta, they were stronger than their JSA counterparts. “I see,” was all she said.
Superman: The moment the voice in his head stated that there was trouble on the horizon he had bolted at speed from Metropolis. A bit of paranoia on his part led him to think that Brainiac was returning, but with a force greater than what he had fought again previously and there was good reason. Kal-El knew very well what he had fought with was not the truth face of his foe and had spent over a year waiting and trying to prepare as best as was possible for what seemed to be the most destructive threat he had face. While Mongul was powerful, he had a method that didn't involve the kinds of chaos and destruction that even the phantom of Brainiac had caused. Superman touched down outside his Fortress of Solitiude, waited for the doors to open just enough for him to enter before he shot forward. Within moments he was standing at his computers with fingers moving at blinding speeds while he scanned the space around Earth. Kal's face hardened as his fingers moved as, with each screen blank of anything save for what one would expect to be in space, he grew more worried that there was more he was missing.
-Batman analyzed the situation and determined these men were the cause of the murder. He looked around searching for any of them that were isolated, alone and secluded that he could begin taking them down. He crouched and walked along the edge of the second floor railing, watching them, waiting for them to make a move while sliding two batarangs off his belt in preparation to throw at the cultists. His aim was towards their hands, the best method to disarm and render the cultists neutralized. Batman’s black cape followed behind him, wrapped around his shoulders with the front opened exposing his belt buckle, abs, and chest offering a free array of movement with his arms. His movements kept to the darkness, avoiding stepping in front of police spot lights that lit up the glass portraits of biblical figures.- <c>
-Batman’s blues eyes kept alert and ready for any surprise cultists to jump out at him. He analyzed the scene and calculated how exactly he was going to take down the group of cultists.-
Black Canary: Canary waited a moment and didn't get a response from her earpiece from Batman, he was either there and had to be quiet or wasn't. "I'm in the hallway to the back left. working my way to the end." she whispered. She kept going and ducked behind the large drape that framed the doorway. She saw the cultists, and the bodies on the floor, she made a face. These guys were going down. she looked about and looked up spotting a dark figure on the ledge of the second floor balcony, she smiled and got into a fighting stance. Noting the positions of the cultists, she was ready.
Deathstroke: The Cultists didn’t seem to have any order about them, grabbing citizens and dragging them towards the cross. Two of the Cultists grab a woman and begin to drag her to the cross, placing the handcuffs on her wrists. “ We Sacrifice you in the name of the Centre. So that we may whiteness the cleansing and not be cleansed with you.” The Man raised the knife” You shall not whiteness the cleansing with us, but know that you paved the way.” The knife was raised in the air, and he slowly moved the blade towards the woman’s chest. They didn’t care that the police where out side and did not know the two heroes were there. 4 were secluded, 7 were surrounding the leader of the group.
Flash: Barry Allen laid back. His head held up by the firmness of his pillow. He tossed, then turned. Unable to get comfortable. Finally his eyes managed to close, and he began to drift off to sleep, only to wake minutes later, and emerge in a cold sweat. The final Flash costume, that he'd worn. He got out of bed, and quickly put it on, adjusting the top part of the suit to sit comfortably on the top of his head. Central City was normally not so overrun with crime, but as of late, the Police Force, not even the Flash was being able to keep up. He was handling it, mind you. Bursting out of his apartment, he ran off at Super speed, into the night. More cries were heard. Death tolls were up, and an exhausted Flash was doing all he could to save everyone. His physical body was nearing exhaustion, but his mental strength was propelling him from cult to cult within the city, until finally Captain Cold managed to distract the Flash. Not much for subtleness, as the Captain was busy- -c
Flash: robbing a casino blind. The give away, of course, the large hole in the casino that was sealed shut by his own ice. At hyper speed, the Flash rounded the building, and entered the main doors. His right hand drew back, as Captain Cold called out the first letter of the word "Wait." His fist stopping millimeters from his nose, Barry humored the villain. "Make it quick."
Wonder Woman: Diana flew up into the air, her back straight and her arms out stretched before her. She was streaking towards Central City. There were reports coming in from everywhere; Gateway was by far not the only city experiencing problems. The good thing about villains is that they’re always predictable, she thought to herself catching the Casino out of the corner of her eye, the typical lights that crossed through the air, reflecting on the clouds, were out. She had heard it said that when the world is coming to an end, and the normal, good people are worried about the death and destruction of the apocalypse, losing their minds, the “messed up people” are thinking “Hey, no body’s watching the Lexus dealership.” Or in this case, the Casino. <c>
Wonder Woman: Diana dropped down through the glass ceiling, knowing that there was a joke in there somewhere, but not in the mood for humour. She touched down behind cold, her arms crossed and a bored expression on her face as she looked over the villain’s shoulder at Flash. “Can we hurry this up?” <e>
-Batman stood up exposing himself for three seconds, though the cultists would have this window to spot him, it would merely alert them to his presence. A ninjitsu styled flick of his wrist would hurl two batarangs that slashed at the cultists hand, both aiming to strike the weapon first and then the man’s hand, the serrated blades burrowed into the cultists hand splashing blood from it. Batman reached down to his belt and pulled out smoke pellets. Stepping forward he placed his foot on the railing preparing to drop down into the massive group of seven men. Batman spoke allowing Black Canary to hear him.- “They’re going to flee out of the smoke. Take them down on the sides. –His soft voice spoke while dropping the pellets suddenly causing black smog to fill the room. Batman’s lens activated and allowed him to see through it as though it were tactical vision issued by the army.<c>
-Batman would still be in vision as he was above the smoke and it was quickly expanding. The last image the cultists would see of the Dark Knight was his leap into the air with large blade wings spreading out from above them. His leap seemed to freeze for a moment as he hovered above them before gravity took effect on the dimensions of his cape and his weight. He glided down landing next to two men surrounding the leader, reaching to grapple their chin and necks to slam their heads against each other. Batman’s teeth clutched together while his throat let lose a bestial growl like a savage animal. Batman’s mind flashed to a moment in time…Thomas Wayne: “Don’t be afra-….” It was enough to fuel his attacks, the anger of seeing his father killed, the thought of being helpless.-
Black Canary: Canary watched as the batarangs dug into the leader, she smirked as the smoke started to fill the room, she gave a soft sound of agreement as some of the cutlists started to flee out of the smoke towards her she, listened and waited hearing the footsteps, she spun around the curtain elbow out, knocking the first square in the chest knocking him down, she kept her momentum going, following her elbows movement down, hand catching the floor on either side of the cultist. shifting her weight to bring her leg up high to kick the next cultist who was shocked seeing their collegue go down, hitting him in the chest, her movement keeps going doing a flip as her legs follow through to land on her feet arm comming up to upper cut the next cultist as she approached the smoke, grinning. "Looks like the sermon is over."
Deathstroke: With the cultists defeated and laying broken on the floor the leader of them began to speak his voice different now.” You will be judged..You will all be judged, without the Centre there is no holding.” Before his voice changed back to normal and he began laughing like someone afflicted with the Joker’s Gas would. Mean while in Central City Cold looked to Flash and suddenly surprised at the appearance of Wonder Woman. “ There are bombs placed all over the city. 6 to be exact. You can take me in, or you can stop the bombs but even you aren’t fast enough to do both.” - Back in Gotham a Flash of light appeared in the church. A golden Ankh appeared before the two heroes. Time seemed to stand still as the hostages froze in time." His back was turned to the heroes. as he turned his helmeted head towards them." Greetings."
Flash: The Flash took off at speeds that were unmeasurable, the room itself seemed to distort from the power of which he took off, as if the walls expanded from the forced pressure at which the Flash took off. He barreled around the city at speeds much past that of sound- closer to the speed of light. Anywhere he moved, there would be a red beam- to the human eye. "1" "2" "3" Barry said, grabbing each of the bombs from various locations, to a light on a showbizness board, to the hood on a car. "4" and "5" were found quickly, as Barry tore down each spot in the city. Every nook- he quickly headed back to the casino. On the way, he noticed a hot air balloon. He tied up the bombs to the balloon, and let it float harmlessly over the city, before making his way back to the casino. While he was gone, Wonder Woman had held Captain Cold at bay. He rotated the necklace he was wearing, which seemed to be an imitation cryogenic bomb. Although, it wasn't imitation. With it turned to face Diana, he set –c
Flash: it off, and it froze Diana in place, from her fingers all the way encasing her in ice. It surely wouldn't stop Wonder Woman, but it would slow her down. "I believe the key point was stay cool." (What killed the dinosaurs. THE ICE AGE.) The bad joke, was enough to get Captain Cold running, outside to the helicopter, in which he got in and began to fly away.
Wonder Woman: She was about to reach out to him, to tell Captain Cold that he must cease his actions, but as she opened her mouth, reaching a hand out, ice encased her body. Her eyes went wide as the cold seeped deep into her bones. Diana was surprised at the speed which the ice spread, encasing her before it even registered what was going on. Her eyes closed and she brought her arm down, tensing and flexing her body to first crack the ice encasing her. A few more seconds and it shattered, falling away from her flesh which seemed to barely even register there had even been a change. Regaining herself she darted after Cold. <c>
Wonder Woman: She flew after the helicopter, hovering behind the tail for a moment. Diving, she swooped around to the front. “Down,” she said, making the gesture with her hand. Always giving people the benefit of the doubt, Diana offered Cold a chance to submit before she would force him. <e>
-With the group of cultists taken down the smoke cleared and Batman was prepared to grab the leader, as his given information was next to useless. It was then everything froze and Batman glared at Black Canary as if warning her to prepare for anything. It was then the mystical sound of the ankh appearing behind him turned his attention to Doctor Fate.- “You’re the ‘Centre?’” –Batman’s query obviously aimed at Doctor Fate. Batman’s hands were held at his sides preparing for a battle with the mystical entity.- “I’m not a stranger to magic.” –Batman stated, admitting some knowledge of the supernatural.-
Black Canary: Canary smiled as the rest of the cultists were easily taken down, bouncing a bit on the balls of her feet, her adreniline still pumping. Rounding to face the leader with batman as his voice changes sounding dark and strange. she is about say something when he bursts into laughter, obviously gone mad, she makes a face. Her expression changes to one of confusion everything seems to slow down, the free hostages starting to move freeze like someone paused their tv. "What on eart...?" she started to ask as a bright light made her wince in the dark church. Canary caught Batman's glare and nodded silently, taking a fighting stance as the armored man appeared moving to turn to see them. She looked at him wairly unsure what they were facing, the cultists didn't get to finish. "Hey."
Deathstroke: Fate Turned to Face Batman and Canary. He glanced down at the cultists and his glowing eyes glanced to Batman.” You are no stranger to Parlor Tricks Batman.” His golden cape draped infront of him and he said” I am Doctor Fate. The last remaining Lord of Order, guardian of the Cosmic Scale.” He stepped closer waving his hands changing all of Batman’s Batarangs into real Bats.” And I am only here to talk.” His eyes went to Dinah.” Do you recognize the cultists you just defeated Batman…” He moved towards the leader who was still laughing evilly “ He was an inmate at Arkham. Low security He checked himself in with a mild case of dementia.” He studied the bodies.” The Centre, the creature they spoke of is an ancient creature his power has spread to every city on the planet, anyone susceptible to hit’s power has become like this.”
Flash: The Flash returned to the Casino, as Diana had restrained the helicopter which held Cold, and the few assistants he had. The Flash began to run quickly around the helicopter, speaking to Diana as she held it in place. "Hold on tight." He drug the four out of the helicopter, using his speed as suction, like a vacuum. Barry afterwards carried them out, over the waterfountain in the air, before stopping running altogether, the 5 of them, Barry included making a splash. A few seconds later, Captain Colds gun went off, and froze all of them in a large chunk of ice. Moving quickly, Barry used friction and his hands to melt holes in the ice, freeing each of the baddies heads, rather, leaving their bodies still trapped under ice. With that done, he turned to Diana, and appeared infront of her in super speed. "Wonder Woman.. I didn't expect to see you in Central City. What brings you here?" He asked the Amazonian princess. Note that Barry knew of Diana, and of course would speak to her with respect.
Wonder Woman: “Doctor Fate came to me,” she said by means of starting her conversation. “There is more going on than just localized crime waves; it’s everywhere.” She stood in front of the Flash, eyeing the attempted criminals in their icy encasements. “We need to gather the others,” she made the suggestion. Never before had they worked as a “team,” though individuals had partnered up on occasion. “Can you go to Gotham... He and I ... We do not agree on much,” she said. She generally oscillated between mistrust and barely veiled skepticism towards Batman, though she did respect the bravery of doing what he did without any super human powers. Barry’s relationship with Bruce was much better than Diana’s. "I will go to Metropolis."
-Batman studied Doctor as the bats on his person were frozen in time.- “The whole planet?” –Batman knew it was nationwide, not planetary...The new information intrigued him, though he didn’t trust Doctor Fate.- “Hmm…” –He said thoughtfully out loud.- “The ancient monster seems like it’s your problem…What do you need from me?” –Batman’s last question spoke with impatience in his tone.- ‘A coincidence that Doctor Fate should arrive shortly after these cultists are defeated…And seems to have a preemptively planned made.’ –Batman lowered his hands to his sides and watched Doctor Fate as he spoke.-
Black Canary: She nodded looking at the guradian of order, her eyes meeting his, relaxing her pose. She gave a grim look as she heard about the creature and that his infulence was spreading and pushing people to commit crimes and murders, that it was him who had pushed the cult leader. she nodded listening to Batman's questions, reading his posture and tone, gathering he didn't trust this situation. "Is there any way we can stop the spread of his influence and his arrival? stop more cults? find some way to seal him?" her knowledge of magic and the occult was very limited.
Doctor Fate: "Your tone, posture everything about you screams mistrust Batman. " He removed his helmet and he glanced to them." But I have as much to lose as you do, and this isn't something that one of us can stop alone. Tell me Batman what will you do when people you trust begin acting like these. I'm certain a few of them have their emotional scars. What about you..What will happen when you become that." He pointed to the man laughing histerically on the floor." He looked to Canary and he said" I am gambling the lives of all on this planet in the hands of a few heroes. I have not been able to contact enough I am afraid. The Centre is more powerful than the one you call Superman. If I were to battle him at my full strength the empending battle would destroy our world. And it still may not be enough to stop it. It was never sealed in the first place. "
Flash: "Batman.. you want me to find Batman?" A touch of skepticism rang through Barry's tone of voice, before detecting it himself. "Can do. Where are we going to meet up? The old Hall of Justice, (used by the Justice Society of America?) Sounds like a good starting point. I'll see you there, Wonder Woman." The conversation was quick, and the Flash made a bee line for Gotham. He ran something close to a comfortable mach 10, making his way to Gotham City in good time.
Story By: Slade and Hal
Heroes: Batman, Black Canary, Flash, Green Lantern, Superman, Wonder Woman.
Villains: The Centre
Rogue Gallery: Violence in the major cities as increased. Ritual Stabbings, Brutal Cult activity has been reported from Gotham all the way to Coast City. The police have their hands full with these ritualistic murders for weeks. Less have been reported in Metropolis than in Gotham. New York and other cities without heroic activity have had higher death tolls.
Superman: "No... please Mr.... Don't..." Toys closed in around the child, cruel and crude in design as they brandished weapons at the young child. Tears streamed down the young boy's face which was red from crying. His eyes were big, bloodshot, and filled with fear as he continued to back away while a chunk, stout caucasian male chuckled softly. "Let's play together...We will have a grand time together.." The young boy screamed for help as the toys were almost upon him when, suddenly, two red beams shot through the ceiling and cut through the animated things like hot steel knives through melted butter. A loud crashing sound followed naught but a second later and bursting through the roof was the Man of Steel himself. The look on his face was stone... cold.. and it was the best that Clark was able to do to hide the anger that burned within his chest. "You're going back to jail, Schott," Clark spoke as Kal-El, but the fire in his chest only raged harder as his teeth clenched together.
"NO SUPERMAN! You will not spoil our fun again!" and from within his coat, Winslow Schott, the Toyman, pulled a device out and started to lower his thumb towards one of the buttons on it. It exploded just as the pad of Schott's thumb touched, causing the man to cry in pain and clutch at the injured apendage. His pained eyes looked towards Supermanm as a red glow faded from the crystalline blue eyes of the superhero, before, in a blur of red and blue, the Man of Steel had lifted the man up by his collar, "I don' thave the time for your games, Toyman," and Kal-El thumped him on the head, knocking him unconscious. Roughly dropping the stout man to the floor, he turned and knelt down before the child. "It's okay," Kal said softly, the stone cold look leaving his face and replaced by a smile and concerned eyes, "Are you alright?" "He...he...he was... and..." the boy stammered, trying to get out the sentence. "Shh... It's okay, Rodger," Superman stood and walked over to him slowly, a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm here to take him back to jail.. and get you home." Rodger was struck partialy dumb struck at this and so Kal, carefully, put an arm around the boy and lifted him up then grabbed the collar of Schott with his free hand. In a moment, he had exited the warehouse through the same hole he had made on entrance. It took just a couple of minutes to drop Toyman off at one station and Rodger at another, admittedly a good ways from where Superman had dropped off Schott. Back in the air aftert saying his goodbyes to the boy, he flew over the city. What was going on here? He knew what Toyman was... but those toys weren't like anything he had made before. They were terribly made... that they even functioned with their shoddy construction was a miracle. Then... there was also the general state of the city. Crime had jolted up exponetially for the city and from what he caught from various radio stations and signals, this was happening across the world.
Wonder Woman: Diana took a deep breath, shaking her head as she watched the violence ripping apart her adoptive city. She had adopted Gateway City as her new home in the Patriarch’s world, and now something had followed her, or at lease she had presumed as much. There was much about the violence that screamed religious sacrifice and violence to the Amazon, even while the police and media were extolling that the violence was random. Her blue eyes closed for a moment and she tipped forward, going back into the fray, leaving the safety of her “Wonder Dome.” She was gifted by the Gods, descendant of one of the greatest warrior nations to ever grace the planet. Charged to bring peace and the Amazon Ideals to the Patriarch’s world, Champion of Olympus, she was known as “Diana,” to her friends, but to the greater world, the title “Wonder Woman,” was her most defining, and fitting, moniker.
On the streets of Gateway City a scream alerted Diana to a specific area of trouble. Turning down an alley, she came across a group of young men standing over something, or more likely someone. “Excuse me,” she called, standing behind the group. A few faces turned to look at her. “Git lost!” one of the men called. “This ain’t about you and your kind,” another pointed an accusing finger at her. Right, she thought to herself, raising an eyebrow. “Lou, why don’t you show Wonder Bra where the exit is?” the man who appeared to be the “leader” of the group said, with one of the thugs peeling off from the group. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “You know, I really don’t get that,” she said, shaking her head. “You’ve seen what I can do... and still you wish to challenge me? Very well, I’ll try not to hurt you too much.” It didn’t take long for her to dispatch Lou, nor the three men who followed him.
Left with only the “leader” of the pack, and the intended victim, who appeared to be an already abused young woman, Diana crossed her arms. Run, she thought to herself. C’mon; just run. As if picking up on her thoughts, the large man turned to try his hand at escaping down the alley. She loosed her lasso from her hip and whipped it out, lashing the man around his knees. With a simple jerk of her arm, a twist of her body, he came crashing down, his head contacting with the pavement and leaving him dazed. She deposited him, and the rest of his crew in one of the dumpsters they had the girl pressed up against, where they belonged. Her hands bent the metal of the closing mechanism jamming it in place. The police should be able to pry it open with some equipment.
“Are you alright?” she asked, extending a hand to the girl, obviously shaken and a little beaten. She nodded, taking the offered hand back to her feet. “Do you have a cell phone?” Again, a nod. “Call the police. And get checked out by a doctor, okay?” The girl, probably barely out of high school, nodded again as Diana turned around. “Wonder Woman?” The voice was deceptively strong, not what Diana would have expected from someone who had just been taken out of the kind of predictament that she was, which caused Diana to pause. “Thank you.” She smiled. “You’re welcome.”
“Nothing to water down the city’s national crime rate news than a little fun at the Mayor’s second term fundraiser…With tonight’s event, it will un-dubitably go down in history as the biggest event of the year as Gotham’s richest, intellectual, sharpest, and finest will all be represented at tonight’s gala…All except Billionaire playboy, Bruce Wayne…Though the notorious party crasher has a record of making an entrance without announcement, perhaps we will see him here tonight.” –The news anchors spoke as exhaling and jingling of metal bars rang out through the gym. Bruce Wayne ‘s exposed shoulders and arms were tense and sweating while his white muscle shirt clung to his skin while he continued to lift his longer half of his body off the ground. Suspended six feet off the ground, he continued to count while Alfred entered the room with a tray of water in his hands. A white towel slung over the elderly man’s shoulder.-
“I suppose with most of Batman’s villains locked up in Arkham or pending trial, there isn’t much use for the Batman, now is there?” –Bruce’s gaze stared at the wall while he lifted his torso past the metal bar like a gymnastic exercising. His blue eyes hardened at the thoughts of Selina and Talia. A stabbing of pain in his heart, one that he hadn’t felt in so long.- “Well, I suppose if there is no need for Batman, there is no need for Bruce Wayne then, huh?” –Alfred looked at Bruce, expecting some kind of reaction.-“I haven’t given up, Alfred…I’m just keeping myself busy.” –Bruce dropped down to the mattress and walked over to the man. Bruce’s sweat pants were tight against his legs, constricting the fabrics ability to flail while he swung them. Alfred frowned and softly spoke.- “I suppose…” –Bruce took a bottle into his hand and popped its top to slurp the dispenser before dropping the bottle to his stomach and then wiping his eyebrow on his left shoulder.-
“There’s more that needs to be done. The Joker, Scarecrow, Two-Face, Riddler, Ivy, Harley…And yet Crime reports are soaring.” –Alfred nodded.- “But they are news reports, Master Bruce.” –Bruce shook his head.- “No…I’ve been keeping count…It’s actually increasing…Something is wrong. Something is missing.” –Bruce walked over to the mirror and looked at himself for a moment.- “I need to shave…” –Bruce said calmly and then walked into the locker room to prepare his electric razor. Alfred came to the doorway.- “Does this mean you intend to go on patrol tonight?” –Bruce nodded looking into the mirror.- “Any lead is a good lead…I don’t care if the police find it or I do…Someone has to find out who is coordinating this increase in crime.” –Alfred smiled and then spoke in reminding words.- “I do recall that you ‘do not believe in coincidence’ hm, sir?” –Bruce didn’t reply, as it wasn’t necessary to. He stroked his bare chin before turning to look at Alfred.- “I’ll handle this alone, Dick can stay in and take care of his homework.”
Flash: Captain Cold, Boomerang, Mirror Master.. Gorilla Grodd. All names that were plaging the Central City news paper department. Even the The Trickster seemed to have the handle of all that was central city. The Central City PD was doing all they could to keep the crime down to a bearable level, and Barry Allen was struggling to keep up. If it wasn't a super villian related heist, it was robbery, and murders. Central City, a good ol' farm town city, with a southern charm to it- was far from. It was endanger of hitting Gotham City levels. It was tiring, being the Flash this much, this often. He was losing touch with Iris, the two not having seen eachother in a while. Barry had receeded into his work. Whether it was a lab coat, or while wearing a suit, and doing the detective thing. He'd worn out several Flash costumes this last week alone. So much, that his 20 spares, each of his rings, in which he'd super compressed his outfits, and placed them in his flash- rings.
While at home, Barry pressed down on the ring, which ejected the suit, and the gasses that'd held them supercompressed. Quickly changing out of his torn Flash uniform, and into a fresh suit, it took Barry only miliseconds to leave his apartment, and back on the streets. With the alarm ringing through the jewerly store, Barry Allen- the Flash changed directions. Feet skidding along the pavement, in the process of redirecting his momentum to the sound of the Alarm. Of course, the one there was the Trickster, recently freed from his short stint in prison. "What.. what has driven you all to this madness? You all attack the city, like it's going up in flames tomorrow?! This is your home too!" Barry shouted to James Jesse. He knew the man was unstable, infact, he'd done as much he could to help the boy. But when the gun was turned on Barry, he had no choice but to react. First, in hyper speed, he stripped the Trickster of his weapon, and whirrled around him, suspending him midair.
Starting the trip back to the County Medicenter, where James was normally kept under observation, and on his medicines. He'd later have to question the doctors as Barry Allen, for he was already off of his meds, and it was barely a day since the Flash had checked him in. Something was definitely smelling funny. Unlike the others, Barry didn't really have worldly knowledge of any events. He'd been focused intently on cleaning up Central City, his home.
Rogue Gallery: The young woman who Wonder Woman had just rescued all color faded from her eyes for a moment only her pupils remained. Her voice changed to that of a deep male voice." You are different from other Lesser Beings.You are Stronger. " Then she snapped back to normal, In Central City the same thing happened to Flash. James looked to Flash. “You Are Different than other Lesser Beings…Faster.” Before his eyes returned to normal. While Superman was listening to the radio signals he to heard something strange. A voice in his head.” This will not get any better, You are aware of this yes?” There was no one near him no one could be seen through any form of vision. “And you are not strong enough to stop it alone.” The Bat Signal lights up the sky as Commisioner Gordon waited for Batman to show.
-The sound of Dick Grayson rang out through the gym as he raced into the room.- “Alfred! Bruce! The Bat Signal is lit!” –Bruce placed his razor down and looked at Dick.- “You’re staying home, Dick. Take care of your homework…I’ll handle this, tonight.” “But Bruce, come on. It’s Batman & Robin…Not--” –Bruce waved his hand.- “I need you as backup. Whatever is going on, I need no distractions. If I need help, I’ll page you.” –Dick frowned and crossed his arms. The teenage boy was almost a man of his own, Bruce felt he was lacking in some areas of development.- “Right…whatever you say, Bruce…Can I-..” –Bruce sharply spoke.- “No. Just do as I told you.” –Bruce left the gym and went into the batcave, lifting a switch by the elevator, suddenly the room lit up with dark blue lights revealing the platforms suspended above the ground, the cave wasn’t directly below Wayne Manor, but it was directly linked to Wayne Manor allowing Bruce to quickly access it.
-Stepping off the elevator he approached towards the armory where he began suiting up into his armor. In a moment he would emerge Batman. Walking to the Bat Mobile, the Burton 89’ model, the cockpits sliding door allowed for his body to leap and slip inside. Sitting down he ignited the jet engine thruster and went soaring out of the Batcave just as the cockpit door slid around him. In minutes Batman arrived at the Bat signal where he crouched by the edge of the building, looking for Commissioner Gordon.- “Commissioner.” –His voice spoke in a low, deep, raspy voice that seemed to contain the underlying anger and rage within him. The feral beast within kept at bay by whatever moral code he followed and by his understanding for humanity.-
Black Canary: The Black Canary crouched next to a gargoyle on a ledge across the street from the The Grande, Gotham's 5 star hotel where the mayor was having his fundraiser that night. Purposly ignoring the city's elites in their finest dress, that would cost more than most people's paychecks. Her eyes were instead focused on a man, who appeared to be one of the staff from the hotel who was helping the guests from their cars, slipping items into his jacket pocket. Another night of Gotham's glamour, that was the fifth item of jewelery the man had pocketed. She sighed inwardly to herself, another night of glamour. Dinah had been doing patrols every night this week, and was working half days at her florist shop. The double duty was taking its toll on her, but she had to do it. Crime was up and something was off. Muggings, kidnappings, and more theft than she usually saw in a full month, all in a week.
The lack of sleep was starting to show under her eyes. She shook her head, her blonde hair swaying, to try to focus. The man had slipped into the crowd and went missing for a moment, the next she saw he was in a sports coat, blending in with the reporters, working his way to a side street, go time. She slipped around the corner and flew down the fire escape in the side street, jumping off the last landing coming down on his shoulders, slamming him to the ground, she rolled into a crouch and pinned him to the ground grabbing his arms, to keep him in her pin, like a wrestler would. "Havig a nice night?" she smirked, blue eyes looking a bit dull from lack of sleep. He turned to look at her and she gasped it was one of the managers from the hotel! "What the hell is wrong with this town." she muttered to herself, "It's like everyone is taking up crime. Are you all possessed?" she groweled slamming him into the ground for emphasis.
Wonder Woman: Diana’s eyebrows drew close together as she turned to fully face the girl. “What did you say?” she asked, tilting her head to the side. “Thank you?” the girl said sounding more than a little confused by the Amazon’s quizzical gaze. “No, after that...” Diana urged, taking a step towards the woman. “I... I didn’t say anything at all...” the girl protested. “Hm...” Diana said, turning back around. She walked to the edge of the alley, but something still didn’t feel... right. She turned to look back over her shoulder, eyeing the girl as she fished her cell phone out and called the police. “Yes, yes, Wonder Woman saved me...” the girl spoke into her phone. Diana smiled then took to the air. Sirens were going off all over the city; surely she could busy herself for the entire evening putting out small fires, but something told her that there was a bigger problem to be dealt with.
Rogue Gallery: Gordon looked to the sky lighting a cigarrette. as he heard Batman's voice." Batman, We have another cult attack, It's at the church on cersant street, My officers are trying to get in but they aren't taking chances with the hostages inside. We know they are going to "sacrifice" the hostages IF we go in or not, but We can't take the chance."
Superman: Through the air he flew, crystalline blues gazing across the horizon of Metropolis. "What the...?" the Man of Steel muttered as he immediately stopped and began to look around for who it was that spoke to him. Cape flying by him and billowing in the wind, Superman perked his ears up and tried to focus on the voice as his brain picked apart all the sounds that he had been listening to so that he could lock clearly on the voice itself. "What was that?" Kal questioned himself, hovering midair even while a knot slowly formed in him throat. The voice had spoke true a concern that weighed on his mind. While Gotham had made the news first about the abrut rise in crime it was well... Gotham. However, when the crime rates increased across the world, even in Metropolis and to WHAT they were... the seed of doubt had been planted in Clark's mind. No matter what he seemed to do across the world and even in Metropolis proper, nothing would apparently stem the tide and he had grown concerned to the point that he had started to make Lana walk around with a miniature gravity gun and a phase knife for protection. Yes both were highly... irregular thanks to their capabilities and even design along, but with what came to Metropolis on a regular basis one could not truly blame him for preparing her.
“Have your men make the parameter. I’ll go in, five minutes…” –Batman turned and leaped off the ledge and into the alleyway while his body glided towards the pavement below. He landed towards the edge and began rushing to the Bat Mobile. In moments he was on the scene, parking two blocks away from the scene itself, a couple of citizens were able to glimpse and spot the blur of the Bat Mobile quietly moving through the streets at a ridiculously fast speed. He looked over the Church building, peering from an apartment building across from it, blue eyes scanned the exterior before he tapped the side of his helmet to activate detective vision. The side allowed him to locate body signatures within the building, but it also permitted him to analyze structural integrity and status. A small ping from the line launcher would connect his building to the church tower where he swung overhead and landed upon the roof, slanted and steppe.
Batman’s gloves gripped onto the roof and climbed into the bell tower where he flew into a small tower within the church. His detective vision was now capable of giving him a body count as well priority of targets.- He tapped his wrist console and began adjusting the cowls sensors to locate knives and bludgeon objects in the hands of the suspects. He snuck into the second floor overseeing the Church’s main pews and sermon podium to observe what exactly was going on.-
Flash: "Lesser beings.. what? James?" Before the boy could manage a response, he'd tried to run away. "Wh....what did you say James?" James had a sly smile, then a laugh, sounding similar to the crazed sort of laughter that the Joker was used to. Barry without a second thought, Barry had re-captured James, and escorted him back to county. After a long tiring day- call it a month. The crime wave- atleast the supervillain sort had been explained. Later on in the month, Central City was going to unveil a statue to the Flash. All of his hard work was paying off. Finally, when he got home, he took off of his Flash outfit, and seated himself on the couch, in a muscle shirt and boxers. He'd managed to stare at the dull hue of the TV, for a short while. He'd smiled at the sight of Iris on the news, though that smile had faded, when she moved on to the news going on otherwise in the states. "Well, nice to know it's not just me." He'd grumbled some, and turned off the tv, not even letting the news get on about Gotham City. He'd looked over to his answering machine, and the number flashed. 4 new messages. He knew who they were from. He didn't have the heart to come up with a lie about where he'd been. He wasn't trying actively to avoid her. Though, she reported on the crime within the city. She must have understood. Though, he could be doing better, on the effort that was required to call her. Let her know he was alright. They were dating after all.
Rogue Gallery: The Voice returned to Superman's Head. "Do not be alarmed Superman, I am speaking to you telepathically. This world is in danger and you cannot fight it alone." A glowing gold Ankh appeared infront of him." I am Doctor Fate. " He crossed his arms over his chest looking to the man." You will need the help of others if you are to defeat what is coming." In Gotham the cult would drag members to the cross, tie them to it and slice their chest open with a very sharp knife."Our Master demands sacrifice!" 12 robed figured with more hostages."We will cleanse this world." There were 3 bodies already laying dead on the ground. GAnthet a Guardian of the Universe contacted Hal via ring communication." Hal Jordan... There is a power growing on your home planet, one that threatens to destroy the entire world. The Guardians can feel it's power."
Doctor Fate at the same time as speaking to Clark appeared before Diana. "Diana Princess of Themascara I am Doctor Fate. This threat is much larger than you beleive. These attacks are world wide. You are not strong enough to battle this on your own. You must band together with other heroes as your mother did during her time as Wonder Woman."
Black Canary: Black Canary was leaving the hotel, she had taken the managers keys and locked him in a linen closet. She used one of the hotel phones to report the theft and dropped off the keys and folded up coat full of jewlery to a surprised bell clerk, telling him it was for the police giving him a wink. She slipped out of the back of the hotel, one down, dozens more to go. Dinah looked up and saw Batsignal, looks like Gotham's Dark Knight was keeping busy too. At that moment she saw 4 squad cars racing down a street toward Cersant street, it was an old part of town. She dashed down a couple allys to dumpster and pulled her gleaming purple motorcycle out from behind it. She jumped on it started it with growly purr and took off racing after them. she turned on her police radio, to see what was going on. There was a standoff at an old church with the police, a hostage situation. She deduced that Batman was already there. She wove through traffic like it was standing still, blonde hair blowing in the breeze. She went down some back alleys and ended up a block away parking in an alley, she pulled an earpiece out of a pouch on the bike and put it n place. She remembered this church she had done some deliveries for funerals when it was still a church, it had been closed for years. She watched the police for a bit and snuck past to a back entrance to where deliveries used to be made she slipped in, working down a back halway slipping into the large door ways to stay hidden. she tapped the earpiece. "Are there bats in this belfry?" she whispered with a smirk.
Wonder Woman: Perhaps more used to seeing beings appear from nothing and vanish just as easily, perhaps too much so, Diana was not phased by the sudden appearance of Fate. The idea that this was a worldwide phenomenal was problematic, but to Diana the more worrisome thing was that it was something she could not face alone. There were very few who could compete at her level, and never before had something been so large, such a threat, that they had to band together. From time to time she had worked with others, but the Amazon was starting to get the feeling that this would be bigger than that. And the evocation of her mother, of the Justice Society of America was cause for concern as well. The heroes of today, Superman, the modern Black Canary and Green Lantern, the Flash, Batman, ... Even herself compared to Hippolyta, they were stronger than their JSA counterparts. “I see,” was all she said.
Superman: The moment the voice in his head stated that there was trouble on the horizon he had bolted at speed from Metropolis. A bit of paranoia on his part led him to think that Brainiac was returning, but with a force greater than what he had fought again previously and there was good reason. Kal-El knew very well what he had fought with was not the truth face of his foe and had spent over a year waiting and trying to prepare as best as was possible for what seemed to be the most destructive threat he had face. While Mongul was powerful, he had a method that didn't involve the kinds of chaos and destruction that even the phantom of Brainiac had caused. Superman touched down outside his Fortress of Solitiude, waited for the doors to open just enough for him to enter before he shot forward. Within moments he was standing at his computers with fingers moving at blinding speeds while he scanned the space around Earth. Kal's face hardened as his fingers moved as, with each screen blank of anything save for what one would expect to be in space, he grew more worried that there was more he was missing.
-Batman analyzed the situation and determined these men were the cause of the murder. He looked around searching for any of them that were isolated, alone and secluded that he could begin taking them down. He crouched and walked along the edge of the second floor railing, watching them, waiting for them to make a move while sliding two batarangs off his belt in preparation to throw at the cultists. His aim was towards their hands, the best method to disarm and render the cultists neutralized. Batman’s black cape followed behind him, wrapped around his shoulders with the front opened exposing his belt buckle, abs, and chest offering a free array of movement with his arms. His movements kept to the darkness, avoiding stepping in front of police spot lights that lit up the glass portraits of biblical figures.- <c>
-Batman’s blues eyes kept alert and ready for any surprise cultists to jump out at him. He analyzed the scene and calculated how exactly he was going to take down the group of cultists.-
Black Canary: Canary waited a moment and didn't get a response from her earpiece from Batman, he was either there and had to be quiet or wasn't. "I'm in the hallway to the back left. working my way to the end." she whispered. She kept going and ducked behind the large drape that framed the doorway. She saw the cultists, and the bodies on the floor, she made a face. These guys were going down. she looked about and looked up spotting a dark figure on the ledge of the second floor balcony, she smiled and got into a fighting stance. Noting the positions of the cultists, she was ready.
Deathstroke: The Cultists didn’t seem to have any order about them, grabbing citizens and dragging them towards the cross. Two of the Cultists grab a woman and begin to drag her to the cross, placing the handcuffs on her wrists. “ We Sacrifice you in the name of the Centre. So that we may whiteness the cleansing and not be cleansed with you.” The Man raised the knife” You shall not whiteness the cleansing with us, but know that you paved the way.” The knife was raised in the air, and he slowly moved the blade towards the woman’s chest. They didn’t care that the police where out side and did not know the two heroes were there. 4 were secluded, 7 were surrounding the leader of the group.
Flash: Barry Allen laid back. His head held up by the firmness of his pillow. He tossed, then turned. Unable to get comfortable. Finally his eyes managed to close, and he began to drift off to sleep, only to wake minutes later, and emerge in a cold sweat. The final Flash costume, that he'd worn. He got out of bed, and quickly put it on, adjusting the top part of the suit to sit comfortably on the top of his head. Central City was normally not so overrun with crime, but as of late, the Police Force, not even the Flash was being able to keep up. He was handling it, mind you. Bursting out of his apartment, he ran off at Super speed, into the night. More cries were heard. Death tolls were up, and an exhausted Flash was doing all he could to save everyone. His physical body was nearing exhaustion, but his mental strength was propelling him from cult to cult within the city, until finally Captain Cold managed to distract the Flash. Not much for subtleness, as the Captain was busy- -c
Flash: robbing a casino blind. The give away, of course, the large hole in the casino that was sealed shut by his own ice. At hyper speed, the Flash rounded the building, and entered the main doors. His right hand drew back, as Captain Cold called out the first letter of the word "Wait." His fist stopping millimeters from his nose, Barry humored the villain. "Make it quick."
Wonder Woman: Diana flew up into the air, her back straight and her arms out stretched before her. She was streaking towards Central City. There were reports coming in from everywhere; Gateway was by far not the only city experiencing problems. The good thing about villains is that they’re always predictable, she thought to herself catching the Casino out of the corner of her eye, the typical lights that crossed through the air, reflecting on the clouds, were out. She had heard it said that when the world is coming to an end, and the normal, good people are worried about the death and destruction of the apocalypse, losing their minds, the “messed up people” are thinking “Hey, no body’s watching the Lexus dealership.” Or in this case, the Casino. <c>
Wonder Woman: Diana dropped down through the glass ceiling, knowing that there was a joke in there somewhere, but not in the mood for humour. She touched down behind cold, her arms crossed and a bored expression on her face as she looked over the villain’s shoulder at Flash. “Can we hurry this up?” <e>
-Batman stood up exposing himself for three seconds, though the cultists would have this window to spot him, it would merely alert them to his presence. A ninjitsu styled flick of his wrist would hurl two batarangs that slashed at the cultists hand, both aiming to strike the weapon first and then the man’s hand, the serrated blades burrowed into the cultists hand splashing blood from it. Batman reached down to his belt and pulled out smoke pellets. Stepping forward he placed his foot on the railing preparing to drop down into the massive group of seven men. Batman spoke allowing Black Canary to hear him.- “They’re going to flee out of the smoke. Take them down on the sides. –His soft voice spoke while dropping the pellets suddenly causing black smog to fill the room. Batman’s lens activated and allowed him to see through it as though it were tactical vision issued by the army.<c>
-Batman would still be in vision as he was above the smoke and it was quickly expanding. The last image the cultists would see of the Dark Knight was his leap into the air with large blade wings spreading out from above them. His leap seemed to freeze for a moment as he hovered above them before gravity took effect on the dimensions of his cape and his weight. He glided down landing next to two men surrounding the leader, reaching to grapple their chin and necks to slam their heads against each other. Batman’s teeth clutched together while his throat let lose a bestial growl like a savage animal. Batman’s mind flashed to a moment in time…Thomas Wayne: “Don’t be afra-….” It was enough to fuel his attacks, the anger of seeing his father killed, the thought of being helpless.-
Black Canary: Canary watched as the batarangs dug into the leader, she smirked as the smoke started to fill the room, she gave a soft sound of agreement as some of the cutlists started to flee out of the smoke towards her she, listened and waited hearing the footsteps, she spun around the curtain elbow out, knocking the first square in the chest knocking him down, she kept her momentum going, following her elbows movement down, hand catching the floor on either side of the cultist. shifting her weight to bring her leg up high to kick the next cultist who was shocked seeing their collegue go down, hitting him in the chest, her movement keeps going doing a flip as her legs follow through to land on her feet arm comming up to upper cut the next cultist as she approached the smoke, grinning. "Looks like the sermon is over."
Deathstroke: With the cultists defeated and laying broken on the floor the leader of them began to speak his voice different now.” You will be judged..You will all be judged, without the Centre there is no holding.” Before his voice changed back to normal and he began laughing like someone afflicted with the Joker’s Gas would. Mean while in Central City Cold looked to Flash and suddenly surprised at the appearance of Wonder Woman. “ There are bombs placed all over the city. 6 to be exact. You can take me in, or you can stop the bombs but even you aren’t fast enough to do both.” - Back in Gotham a Flash of light appeared in the church. A golden Ankh appeared before the two heroes. Time seemed to stand still as the hostages froze in time." His back was turned to the heroes. as he turned his helmeted head towards them." Greetings."
Flash: The Flash took off at speeds that were unmeasurable, the room itself seemed to distort from the power of which he took off, as if the walls expanded from the forced pressure at which the Flash took off. He barreled around the city at speeds much past that of sound- closer to the speed of light. Anywhere he moved, there would be a red beam- to the human eye. "1" "2" "3" Barry said, grabbing each of the bombs from various locations, to a light on a showbizness board, to the hood on a car. "4" and "5" were found quickly, as Barry tore down each spot in the city. Every nook- he quickly headed back to the casino. On the way, he noticed a hot air balloon. He tied up the bombs to the balloon, and let it float harmlessly over the city, before making his way back to the casino. While he was gone, Wonder Woman had held Captain Cold at bay. He rotated the necklace he was wearing, which seemed to be an imitation cryogenic bomb. Although, it wasn't imitation. With it turned to face Diana, he set –c
Flash: it off, and it froze Diana in place, from her fingers all the way encasing her in ice. It surely wouldn't stop Wonder Woman, but it would slow her down. "I believe the key point was stay cool." (What killed the dinosaurs. THE ICE AGE.) The bad joke, was enough to get Captain Cold running, outside to the helicopter, in which he got in and began to fly away.
Wonder Woman: She was about to reach out to him, to tell Captain Cold that he must cease his actions, but as she opened her mouth, reaching a hand out, ice encased her body. Her eyes went wide as the cold seeped deep into her bones. Diana was surprised at the speed which the ice spread, encasing her before it even registered what was going on. Her eyes closed and she brought her arm down, tensing and flexing her body to first crack the ice encasing her. A few more seconds and it shattered, falling away from her flesh which seemed to barely even register there had even been a change. Regaining herself she darted after Cold. <c>
Wonder Woman: She flew after the helicopter, hovering behind the tail for a moment. Diving, she swooped around to the front. “Down,” she said, making the gesture with her hand. Always giving people the benefit of the doubt, Diana offered Cold a chance to submit before she would force him. <e>
-With the group of cultists taken down the smoke cleared and Batman was prepared to grab the leader, as his given information was next to useless. It was then everything froze and Batman glared at Black Canary as if warning her to prepare for anything. It was then the mystical sound of the ankh appearing behind him turned his attention to Doctor Fate.- “You’re the ‘Centre?’” –Batman’s query obviously aimed at Doctor Fate. Batman’s hands were held at his sides preparing for a battle with the mystical entity.- “I’m not a stranger to magic.” –Batman stated, admitting some knowledge of the supernatural.-
Black Canary: Canary smiled as the rest of the cultists were easily taken down, bouncing a bit on the balls of her feet, her adreniline still pumping. Rounding to face the leader with batman as his voice changes sounding dark and strange. she is about say something when he bursts into laughter, obviously gone mad, she makes a face. Her expression changes to one of confusion everything seems to slow down, the free hostages starting to move freeze like someone paused their tv. "What on eart...?" she started to ask as a bright light made her wince in the dark church. Canary caught Batman's glare and nodded silently, taking a fighting stance as the armored man appeared moving to turn to see them. She looked at him wairly unsure what they were facing, the cultists didn't get to finish. "Hey."
Deathstroke: Fate Turned to Face Batman and Canary. He glanced down at the cultists and his glowing eyes glanced to Batman.” You are no stranger to Parlor Tricks Batman.” His golden cape draped infront of him and he said” I am Doctor Fate. The last remaining Lord of Order, guardian of the Cosmic Scale.” He stepped closer waving his hands changing all of Batman’s Batarangs into real Bats.” And I am only here to talk.” His eyes went to Dinah.” Do you recognize the cultists you just defeated Batman…” He moved towards the leader who was still laughing evilly “ He was an inmate at Arkham. Low security He checked himself in with a mild case of dementia.” He studied the bodies.” The Centre, the creature they spoke of is an ancient creature his power has spread to every city on the planet, anyone susceptible to hit’s power has become like this.”
Flash: The Flash returned to the Casino, as Diana had restrained the helicopter which held Cold, and the few assistants he had. The Flash began to run quickly around the helicopter, speaking to Diana as she held it in place. "Hold on tight." He drug the four out of the helicopter, using his speed as suction, like a vacuum. Barry afterwards carried them out, over the waterfountain in the air, before stopping running altogether, the 5 of them, Barry included making a splash. A few seconds later, Captain Colds gun went off, and froze all of them in a large chunk of ice. Moving quickly, Barry used friction and his hands to melt holes in the ice, freeing each of the baddies heads, rather, leaving their bodies still trapped under ice. With that done, he turned to Diana, and appeared infront of her in super speed. "Wonder Woman.. I didn't expect to see you in Central City. What brings you here?" He asked the Amazonian princess. Note that Barry knew of Diana, and of course would speak to her with respect.
Wonder Woman: “Doctor Fate came to me,” she said by means of starting her conversation. “There is more going on than just localized crime waves; it’s everywhere.” She stood in front of the Flash, eyeing the attempted criminals in their icy encasements. “We need to gather the others,” she made the suggestion. Never before had they worked as a “team,” though individuals had partnered up on occasion. “Can you go to Gotham... He and I ... We do not agree on much,” she said. She generally oscillated between mistrust and barely veiled skepticism towards Batman, though she did respect the bravery of doing what he did without any super human powers. Barry’s relationship with Bruce was much better than Diana’s. "I will go to Metropolis."
-Batman studied Doctor as the bats on his person were frozen in time.- “The whole planet?” –Batman knew it was nationwide, not planetary...The new information intrigued him, though he didn’t trust Doctor Fate.- “Hmm…” –He said thoughtfully out loud.- “The ancient monster seems like it’s your problem…What do you need from me?” –Batman’s last question spoke with impatience in his tone.- ‘A coincidence that Doctor Fate should arrive shortly after these cultists are defeated…And seems to have a preemptively planned made.’ –Batman lowered his hands to his sides and watched Doctor Fate as he spoke.-
Black Canary: She nodded looking at the guradian of order, her eyes meeting his, relaxing her pose. She gave a grim look as she heard about the creature and that his infulence was spreading and pushing people to commit crimes and murders, that it was him who had pushed the cult leader. she nodded listening to Batman's questions, reading his posture and tone, gathering he didn't trust this situation. "Is there any way we can stop the spread of his influence and his arrival? stop more cults? find some way to seal him?" her knowledge of magic and the occult was very limited.
Doctor Fate: "Your tone, posture everything about you screams mistrust Batman. " He removed his helmet and he glanced to them." But I have as much to lose as you do, and this isn't something that one of us can stop alone. Tell me Batman what will you do when people you trust begin acting like these. I'm certain a few of them have their emotional scars. What about you..What will happen when you become that." He pointed to the man laughing histerically on the floor." He looked to Canary and he said" I am gambling the lives of all on this planet in the hands of a few heroes. I have not been able to contact enough I am afraid. The Centre is more powerful than the one you call Superman. If I were to battle him at my full strength the empending battle would destroy our world. And it still may not be enough to stop it. It was never sealed in the first place. "
Flash: "Batman.. you want me to find Batman?" A touch of skepticism rang through Barry's tone of voice, before detecting it himself. "Can do. Where are we going to meet up? The old Hall of Justice, (used by the Justice Society of America?) Sounds like a good starting point. I'll see you there, Wonder Woman." The conversation was quick, and the Flash made a bee line for Gotham. He ran something close to a comfortable mach 10, making his way to Gotham City in good time.
