Post by Batman on May 19, 2012 20:39:45 GMT -5
Doctor Fate: Arkham Asylum- 1938 The Asylum is filled with people seemingly having similar symptoms Paranoia , Depression. All of them suffering from multiple symptoms. Arkham Asylum modern day.. The low security wing has doubled its number of patients in the past week. The number of people was unheard of even for Arkham Asylum. Inside one of the low security cells a man carved symbols into the walls. Screaming about rats in the walls but he continued to carve symbols likely not known by anyone in the Asylum.
Aquaman: The side of a wall of the Asylum exploded in, sending debris everywhere as smoke and dust filled the hall. Water burst from the smoke, splitting into two directions and shooting down along the hall as though it were alive. Reaching the ends, it churned and then spread out before forming a solid wall and blocking the hall off from being entered. As the dust began to settle, a figure strode in, dressed in an orang, scale mail shirt, green finned pants and gloves, weilding a shining, golden trident in his right hand. This hall... this was where they were being kept. Flicking his wrist, more water shot from the back of his trident, forming another, hard water wall construct behind him. They wouldn't escape him.. he couldn't allow it. The King of Atlantis walked forward towards the cell directly in front of him and his left hand shot up and then tore the door clean from its hinges, hurling it back as he stepped inside. The woman inside cowered from him, her eyes wild as she clawed-
Aquaman: back. Orin knew this look well and it was her posession of it that brought him here. "N-!" she started to scream but her whatever she was to say was cut off by the quick strike he made with his Trident, ending her life. Pulling his weapon free, thick black liquid began to ooze from the wound, filling the cell with an unbearable stench that would make any not used to the smell empty their stomachs on the floor. The culling of the hall continued until Orin reach the final cell. Inside was an elderly man, his room thick with the stench the others had once their occupants lives were ended, and covered in strange symbols and writings written in the same black ooze. The man's body was covered in cuts and gashes, hunks of his skin missing as he sat in the corner, wild gaze resting on Orin's form as he stood in the entrance. The Atlantean King closed the distance, moving cautiously as the signs within the room warned him to take care. As he closed within a few feet of the man, he shot
Aquaman: up with speed that was unfitting for the finest of humans, but not near enough to escape Orin. His left hand shot up, catching the man by the shirt and slamming him hard into the wall. "I'a, I'a-AAHH!" he screamed as his stomach was impaled by the Trident. The ooze shot out from around the prongs of the Trident, smaking Orin's shirt, before a turn of both his wrists ended the man's life. Removing his weapon from the body, he turned and slowly began to make his way towards the hole he had made for his entrance, the water walls churning still.
-The dark brown hair lined with silver on the man’s head sat patiently in the darkness of his garden, a bed of plants sat in front of him while the bench seat next to him was empty. The backyard was dark. James Gordon could only see through the will of the moonlight.- “What do you got, Jim?” –A voice of darkness, deep, and raspy. Gordon sighed and said.- “I heard you were out of town…I knew you’d come back despite rumors you were moving on to a more global scale…” –Batman stood behind the bench in the shadows over Gordon’s shoulder, his head hunched down some as Batman’s gaze looked towards the ground. Neither men looked at each other but, their gaze kept on whatever was in their line of sight.- “It’s complicated, Jim. I’m needed but, so are you…” –Jim tried to hide his frustration.- “And what about this city? Are we partners or-…” –Jim trailed off with a sigh. Batman then said changing his tone to a dim one.- “Jim…I’m not leaving. The other heroes and I are apart of something bigger. The world is at stake. <c>
I need you to understand that I will be here when I can be but, for me to continue on my mission I need your help…” –Jim was surprised that Batman said his last four words; it’s been how long since Batman has said that to him? Jim turned and looked at Batman to make sure he was speaking to the same man. Batman looked to Jim and spoke.- “I have to come out of the darkness. No longer can people see me as the renegade vigilante destroying their city. I’m willing to work with your people.” –Jim shook his head and stood up.- “I-…No! I can’t do that! You can’t do that. If you bring the police into this, then mobsters, thugs, psychopaths will get away with their crimes. We need someone like you. <c>
We need someone who’s not afraid to break the rules…Someone to rattle the cages, you said it yourself. Look, I understand that-…” –A feminine voice would then call out…Batman’s gaze shifted to the backdoor where Barbara Gordon spoke.- “Jim? It’s Detective Bullock, he says there’s a break in at Arkham…” –Jim’s eyes would widen at the thought. He turned to look at Batman who was already gone.- “Alright, I’ll be right there.” <c>
-As Orin was able to kill the first victim with his break in, his second would soon follow just as Batman arrived at the Asylum. Batman stepped into the scene noticing the stench of the black blood, Batman would throw up in his mouth but, he would swallow and not allow himself to be affected by the stench any longer. He closed the facial mask, concealing his lips and chin. The body suits breathing system came online and a microphone inside the helmet. The black blood clued Baman that something strange was here, this wasn’t a person it was something else. Batman’s detective vision would detect a thick contamination of iron with acid, if this were a human they probably would be taking medication for such a disorder as porphyria but, this was almost as if…The *entire* body was plagued by it which didn’t make any sense at all.-
Doctor Fate: : Batman should take notice of the clamy skin, and slits on each victims neck. The black blood also regestered an unknown compound mixed with uniodized salt(sea salt).
Doctor Fate: (I'll handle the clues Batman. Fate will likely make an appreance later in the night)
Aquaman: He had finished with most of the hall before Batman had arrived at the Asylum and by the time he entered the hall, the water walls had fallen to the floor as his foot made contact with the edge of his "entrance". His hearing picked up the sounds of the Dark Knights footsteps as he entered, even above the sirens as they screamed their signal noise. It was the garb the man wore that made Orin stop. Something about it... However he had no reason to fight the man and so continued out, walking out without a care. His mission here for the moment was done. But he had to search the rest of the city... everything so far was coming from here... this city. This point. But why? What did it hold that would bring their power here? It was mystery that he would not solve but kill. There was no other choice.
-Batman would place his hands on the openings on either side of the first victims neck, it was then he saw the killer. Batman stood up preparing to defend himself when the man walked past him., he recognized Batman’s existence but, simply walked away. Batman armed an explosive batarang as Orin approached.- ‘Make a single hostile move and you’re as good as crippled for the next nine months…’ –Batman thought, planning his attack of striking this man in the stomach with the explosive, calculating damage over 75% of his body, the close range would moderately affect Batman but, he would be able to walk away with no problem. Batman would lower his defenses as the man moved past, his attire, his outfit was unusual.- <c>
-Had Batman’s eyes not be opened from his team work with The newly formed Justice League, Batman would question Orin as he walked past.- “Did you kill these men and women?” –Batman’s voice was a bit more respectful than his usual conduct.- “I wouldn’t go outside. The police are surrounding the building, you could get hurt.” –Batman suggested to Orin, hoping to avoid any more bloodshed.-
Doctor Fate: The openings were not cuts,or slashes infact they appeared to be natural.
Aquaman: Orin raised an eyebrow at the threat Batman made to him, "Do not threaten those you cannot win against." His voice was cold and he started to step out once more before Batman continued speaking. His response to both statements was simple: "Yes." And then he exited once more from the hole. Sure enough, there were police officers surrounding the building and at his appearence their guns all raised to him, the sounds of hammers being cocked back and shot guns being "pumped" as he stood there for a moment. "I don't have time for this," he called out to all of them and then he leapt into the air, a standing leap far above four stories high. Orin sailed through the air above the police, hitting the ground once more and leaping again.
-Batman’s eyes narrowed at Orin’s random words responding to his thoughts.- ‘Heh. He must know my reputation.’ –Batman would hear the police talking in confusion and amaze of Orin’s leaps but, in that moment of hesitation, Batman grabbed hold of a body and slugged it over his shoulder and began carrying it out of the asylum. He leaped off the edge of the island and promptly landed on the hull of the Batwing which was being remote controlled by Alfred Pennyworth inside the batcave. Batman placed the body inside the Batwing before taking off.- “I’ll fly manually, Alfred.” –Police Helicopters began following an d pursuing at Orin, making the Batwings escape all the more easier but, it also allowed Batman to find out where Orin was. <c>
-Batman began preparing the computer for automatic control.- “Take the control Alfred…” –Batman instructed while opening the cockpit to the batwing and then climbing onto the hull. The police helicopters were shouting.- “Wanted suspect, stand down or we will open fire! You are a suspect in a crime against the City of Gotham. Comply!” –Batman would then hear inside his helmet.- “Sir, do you have any plan on how to stop this man?” –Batman took sight of Orin amongst the trees and forest, they were quite a ways from the city but, Orin was closing distance. Batman:- “I’ll think of something…” Alfred: “With due respect sir, perhaps you should call one of your new friends-…” –Batman would cut Alfred off.- “No time for that. Prepare to give me suppressing fire for the cannons then withdraw and keep a safe distance.” –Batman waited for Orin’s next leap before he jumped down and began gliding to intercept Orin. <c>
-Batman would land behind Orin as he hit the ground with his leap. Batman armed a taser and revved its electrical spark.- “Stop where you are.” –Batman thought.- ‘Look at me…Come on, let me take your attention from the city just a for a few seconds…’ –Batman’s other hand reached for a flash bang concealed underneath his cape. Orin’s attention should’ve been naturally focused on the display of the sparking gun in Batman’s left hand aimed directly towards him.-
Aquaman: Paused for a moment as he listened to the helicopters chasing after him, closing his eyes and cursing under his breath. There was just no TIME for this. He needed to pick up the trail, track it down to the source and this constant harrasement was going to make that impossible. As Batman began to move in on his position inside the Batwing, Orin would land and then strike the ground with his Trident. Immediately its magics would set into action, the Atlantean King disappearing from sight and tracking. The sudden act of being there and then not would almost certainly give pause to everyone and even if it did not, it should not matter. Orin had a mission and time was of more essence than any save but a very select few knew.
-As Batman opened the cockpit, Alfred spoke.- "Sir, he disappeared." -Batman closed the cockpit and began looking over the scanners. IR scanners, night vision, motion sensors picked up not a trace of someone down there.- "He was there and suddenly gone." -The police helicopters would look around the area, searching for him, Batman wouldn't waste his time and continued to fly back to the batcave. Once in the Batcave, he immediately retrieved the body and brought it to the lab for studying. Alfred would make a sarcastic remark.- "I suppose the Batwing's seats will need cleaning..." -Batman placed the body onto the table and then immediately removed his gloves and placed on a pair of latex surgical gloves that be began to poke and prod at the body with. He examined the clammy skin when suddenly, Batman raised an eye brow. He poked and pressured the skin with his finger, attempting to feel its density; was it thick and solid or slippery and soft?
If it was dense, he would reach for a surgical knife and attempt to slice into the clammy skin with it.-
Doctor Fate: The skin was thick, and slippery, It was almost like the scales of a shark, smooth one way, razor blades the other way, the eyes were diolated and the pupils were big and black, almost pushed apart by the thick skull. The teeth were apparently filed down to points but there was no markings to indicate such had been done, even stranger there were multiple rows of the teeth numbering in the hundreds. Inside the body the lungs were nearly noexistant. Small shriveled. the heart however was engorged and filled with the black oily fluid.
-Batman used the computers to scan the body and analyze its layers of skin and organs, when he noticed the rows and layers of teeth. Batman pulled off the latex gloves and tossed them into the trash can, he began using the computer to simulate the inside of the body and navigate through the systems, first examining the gills on the side of its neck, it would be some time before Alfred arrived in the room to speak.- “Sir, I have their Arkham files ready when you are…” –Batman continued to explore the body for the next hour before moving to the Bat computer to analyze the Arkham files on the individuals.-
Doctor Fate: -When they came to the asylum they seemed normal each of the victims signed themselves in. This made the other inmates uncomfortable causing them to scream about things that were in the dark. Hunting them.-
Doctor Fate: -All the victims had 2 things in common other than genetics.- None of them were from Gotham...and they all belonged to the same church"
-Batman would naturally begin pursuing each of these ties, particularly looking up the church and its location. Batman prepared to submit information of the victims to Commissioner Gordon’s cell phone before waiting to see its distance; perhaps it would be best if Bruce Wayne investigated the church. Batman would also look into possible contacts, who had complained about the new patients when they arrived and how long they had been in Arkham.-
Doctor Fate: -The church's location popped up in several places throughout the United States. Gotham being the newest, and at the same time being the third oldest. This was not the first time this church had operated within Batman's city. The last time was 1937. Before the government went in and shut the church down for cult like activity. The Church of Tides.
-Batman narrowed his eyes and then began sending the coordinates to the Bat mobile (Tumbler). Batman stood up and began preparing his utility belt, arming a specialized grappling hook; harpoon rifle and various other gadgets. The most prominent item aside from the harpoon gun was his choice in grabbing Mr. Freeze’s ice pistol that he holstered onto his belt and began making his way to the Bat mobile. Alfred would intercept Batman, handing over Batman’s gloves.- “Leaving so soon sir?” –Batman’s deep voice spoke more like Bruce Wayne at this point.- “Yes. I think I know where our killer might be heading. Don’t wait up…” –Alfred yawned.- “Aye sir…” –The bat mobile would stop just a few blocks from the Church’s old building, before Batman took to the rooftops and began moving on foot. Stopping across the street from the building, he pulled off his belt a pair of binoculars and began looking over the buildings structural integrity.-
Doctor Fate: There was apparently no activity within the church only one light was lit in the entire building and that light was dim almost as if it was torch light, the smell of blood coming from a broken window.
Aquaman: Orin had continued on his search into the city, deciding that it was prudent to remain invisible. It would at least save him the trouble of dealing with the police "force" and their apparent Caped Crusader. He did not much care for whoever the man was and why he had bothered showing up to the Asylum. Greater forces were at work behind the scenes and he needed to cut the stalks. The Trident had led him to the church and its rooftop he now silently dropped down ontop of, not needing to maintain much of a low profile aside from careful steps. Right hand gripping the shaft tightly, he reached up and opened the wooden shutters of the belltowers, carefully climbing inside before letting the Trident's magic disapate.
-Batman raised his grappling gun when he spotted the movement of the towers shutter; Batman fired the hook in order to pull him across the gap between the buildings. Swinging onto the building, he reloaded and made his way to the shutter by foot. He opened it, aiming his grappling hook towards anyone who might try to attack him. Batman kept silent; as he hoped whoever was there a moment ago would move on and offer Batman the opportunity to enter without such a trace. If Orin had moved on, Batman would activate his detective vision and prepare to sneak behind Orin. If Orin was still there, Batman would quietly say.- “Who is it that you’re hunting…or should I ask, *What* is it that you’re hunting?”
Doctor Fate: - Within the main area of the church where service would normally be held. There was a blood stained alter, torches lit on each column . A bathtube filled to the rim with blood and salt water. Tadpoles swimming in the bloody water chunks of rotted meat floating in the water. The tadpoles seemed to be eating the blood and meat. High above there was a cage hanging by a rope with a small girl locked inside of it crying. Runic symbols covered the walls which Orin could read as "Seal of the North Gate"
Aquaman: He continued deeper into the bowls of the church, his eyes easily adjusted to the darkness as his ears remained alert to the sounds of movement. The stench was horrendous here, the smells assailing his nose and making its nostrils raised at the scents but he continued forward. There was a village far worse smelling than this on the coast. Reaching the door to the main area, Orin paused as he heard footsteps behind him and a quick glanced behind him made his lips press together tightly. The damned man from the Asylum. "Be quiet," he whispered back hotly before looking back to the door. The Atlantean didn't care if the man followed him, let him die if that was how it was to be as long as these things were stopped. Opening the door, his ears caught the sounds of the girl crying and he slowly made his way towards the cage before he caught what the words read and it gave him pause... -end-
-Upon being silenced, Batman crouched and followed behind Orin. He activated his detective vision and spotted the girl through the walls, he looked down and spotted the tadpoles and their pool of blood.- ‘I don’t approve of his methods, then again…I never expected to see someone capable of teleporting a skyscraper sized machine into a vortex like Doctor Fate…Whatever we’re dealing with might be supernatural.’ –Batman holstered his grappling gun and pulled off his shoulder a harpoon gun; it was a modification and combination of two regular grappling guns attached to each other along with a larger sized hook. Batman reached his hand to the side of his helmet and began adjusting his vision to notice anything on other spectrums of light and vision.-
Aquaman: Walking over to the water, he called back over his shoulder, "Do not free the girl." It was a cold statement, but one that needed to be said. Batman had proven foolish enough to follow him into the church, much less getting involved at all, but he would not allow him to make his work any more difficult. Aqua blue eyes gazed down at the tadpoles for a moment and then touched the end of his Trident to the water. Light coursed through the water a moment later as he cooked the creatures alive as he wondered what was special about this city.
-Batman followed along curious about the girl, she was crying but she didn’t seem to recognize them yet.- ‘She’s too distracted with something else…Lets keep it that way.’ –Batman’s detective vision detected the rise in heat as Orin increased the temperature of the bloody water. Batman began looking over the walls, separating from Orin; he began making his own way through the room, when he felt the floor suddenly turn sticky. His vision would shift through spectrums to locate the slime on the floor, very thin layer, barely noticeable until stepped on. The stench was fowl and admittedly it burned the inside of Batman’s nostrils, at which point he was reminded of the facial mask. He activated it a second later, protecting his mouth and nostrils.-
Doctor Fate: The girl's crying stopped as Aquaman said not to free her. The act was over. She continued to sit and watch as her little brothers and sisters were fried by Aquaman. She began to hum to herself"La la la...All Gods children are all going to die." She smiled to Batman with a fanged grin. Her eyes shifting black smelling him. " My Daddy will peel the flesh from your bones for this. " She looked no older than 5 years old, but her vocabulary was that of a much older person. "Ia Dagon!"
Aquaman heard the words and immediately he turned from the pool towards the girl. "He will not rise. I will prevent it. Die knowing that!" Trident raised, a bolt of lighting shot from the prongs, arcing through the air and striking the cage and the girl. He had no pity for these things for, even as young as she, they could not be allowed to live. His gloved hands gripped the Trident tightly as the lighting did not let up until there was nothing left the girl save ash. Ash they could do little with.
-Batman turned to acknowledge the girl speaking, he blankly watched her when his attention shifted to Orin who openly assaulted the cage with a lightning arc. Batman watched until Orin was done and Batman would inquire.- “Might’ve been able to get more information out of her…Who’s her father?” –Batman’s voice spoke almost like a robot, as the speaker projected a metallic voice encased within the helmet, his eyes were glowing a bright blue as he appeared almost inhuman. He aimed his harpoon slightly around the area as if expecting something to come rushing to the girls defense.-
Doctor Fate: The golden ankh appears from nowhere lighting up the room. Fate glanced to Batman and Aquaman He glanced down at each of them and he said" Aquaman...I see you have already met Batman. This is not what we were seeking. A lesser sect. The Cult they have gotten better at hiding themselves since last time. " He glanced towards Batman and he said" I am sorry that this has included you my friend, but this goes far deeper than you are allowed to understand. He noticed where the girl had been and he said" I see you learned from last time not to fall for these traps Orin." He could feel the magical energy still around the cage." If you had opened the cage the creature would have tried to devour you..and it would have been much stronger than it looked." The golden cape fell over him and he said" Did you learn anything?" He looke to the ruins on the wall and he said" Seal of the North Gate...it is as I feared...Batman we need the Justice League..."
Aquaman: The sound of magical power caught his attention and Orin turned his gaze up to see the sight of Fate appearing over head. He gave the sorceror a nod before looking back to the cage. The girl.. she had nothing to deserve the end that she simply had to be given and yet now... in the aftermath of it, he had feel the emotions of the act. Fate was correct.. he had fallen for it before. His want to protect life, and the first time the want to save it, had cost him dearly... Hearing that others were needed for this, however, brought Orin's attention back fully to the situation at hand. "NO!" he roared, rounding on his heel and pointing his Trident towards the man, "I will not trust this to those who have no idea what is happening! If all that we've seen is true then we are on much less time than we've had! You know who will come if we fail and we can't afford to risk that with amatures to this!"
-Batman’s attention would be startled and defensively he would aim the harpoon towards Fate’s ankh before lowering it and switching to hold onto the gun by the barrel, removing his hands from the trigger and fore grip. He stepped a little closer after displaying the sign of lowering his guard some.- “Before I go calling people in, perhaps you should explain to me what we’re dealing with. Who are the Cultists here and what are they trying to do that would bring you into this, Doctor? Aquaman doesn’t seem to want our help…If the fate of this city is at risk then I will call the Justice League, regardless of what *you* want, Aquaman.” –Batman growled his last words at Aquaman but, the Microphone would translate it to seem robotic and less empowering with aggression and emotion.-
Doctor Fate: "We have no choice. We must try to prevent this you know as well as I do that preventing it is far more important at the moment than our time table. " He crossed his arms under his cloak and he paused " Arguing will not change the facts that we need them if we are going to prevent our extinction. The prophecies are very clear." He glanced over to Batman and he said" It is not just the fate of your city Batman but the fate of the entire world. What we are dealing with are creatures older than the concept of time. Have you ever asked yourself what came before man? These things came to our planet eons ago.. the cults worship these creatures as gods. They are fueled by nothing but desire and instinct. Compared to these creatures we are little more than insects..."
Aquaman: "Prevention is why we much move fast, Fate! And we can't dragging ignorant ones along behind us worry about their sanity!" Orin countered. Would help be an asset to the battle before them? Yes, but the risks.. to think of them was bad enough but the reality of what would happen should they loose control of themselves... their faculties slip away. It was frightening. When Batman seemed to try and intimidate him, Orin turned, his eyes narrowed to swords, "I am no mood... Fine," he finally uttered, setting the end of the Trident against his thigh, "I won't be listened to. Call your League."
“You’re referring to old gods? I know a little bit about them from literature and writings of praised authors. You’re saying they’re real?” –Batman thought the idea was outrageous never the less his actions didn’t delay and began slinging his harpoon over his shoulder and pulled off his belt the cryptographer and began attuning it to the Bat Mobiles computer, using the device to communicate with the bat computer, he opened the keyboard panel and almost like a text message Batman was opening a link to all Justice League com-links that Batman had given everyone prior to parting ways.- “Batman to the Justice League…Batman to the Justice League.” –Batman pressed a few more buttons before making the communicators receive a message.- “Batman to all League members, an emergency has occurred in Gotham. Doctor Fate is here, all units converge as soon as possible. Once you enter Gotham, I will be able to track your positions. Batman out.” <c>
-Batman closed the cryptographer and looked to Fate.- “I sent the message. Expect them to be arriving within the next half hour…What’s our next move?”
Doctor Fate: Nodded to Batman and he looked to Orin.and he stopped and said" Batman perhaps you should find someplace to keep the Martian until this is finished. The Old Ones they are powerful. There Psychic abilities will easily overpower someone with the power he does..He could be a threat to all of us." He paused for a second and he turned back to Orin. " As always my friend I seek a better way. We will decide that once the Justice League have assembled. Finding the cults and destroying them would be the main objective for some of you. Fighting the Old Ones who are already awake will be a job for others. " He glanced to Batman and he said" If you would like more information my library is stocked with the knowlege of these creatures. "
Doctor Fate: Thought it best that they were not in the bloody church if anyone arrived, Aquaman had just disintegrated a small child. And the police would like not take kindly to everything that had transpired there. Not to mention whatever Fish they didn’t fry would likely return to the location. He would keep watch over it but the lower beings were not his concern. He had teleported them to a rooftop a little ways away from the church. He glanced to Batman “ I know that you must be confused..that child wasn’t a child at all. It would have attempted to devour you had you freed it from the cage. Killing it was humane..if you allow yourself to humanize these creatures you jeopardize our mission..”
-Batman looked at Fate and nodded some, taking his words and heeding them.- “I have the Bat mobile a few blocks away.” –He tapped his belt and pulled off a small control device that he used to radio the car to his location.- “We can reunite on the Wayne Tower, one of the highest points in the city. No one should disturb us there. Is that reasonable?” –Batman’s eyes shifted between Doctor Fate and Aquaman. Batman would think to himself.- ‘That’s right, be nice to Aquaman. You’re only setting yourself up for a sucker punch.’ -Batman was curious though, would Fate simply teleport them as he has in the past.-
Aquaman: "Or I'll kill you," he added on darkly to Fate's final statement. When Batman finally left he looked to the sorceror with his right hand clenching tightly around his Trident. "You are inviting more chance of failure into this, Fate," he said through clenched teeth. Orin always had a difficult time trusting newcommers into this war and he could not be blamed. Each time they had brought in another they had lost their sanity and needed to be put down.. Saving them was not an option for there was always the risk that they would fall again. Glancing back to where Batman had exited, "As you said, however, we must leave. Are you teleporting us or do I need to start running?"
Doctor Fate: " Calm yourself, Orin." He glanced to his friend and he said" You were not trusting of me either when we first met, This man may seem strange, but he is a good man, His friends are good people....I only pray that the martian does not show for this battle. He is weaklink..his powers are psychic. Telepathy more specific. " He glanced and he said" As always I seek to find a better way...how many of your people will die if we do not stop what is coming? Humans, Atlantians....even the gods themselves shudder at the return of the Great Old Ones. We need Batman and his friends to hold back the smaller forces while we take our battle to the bigger threat." With that he opened his hands out wide the glowing Ankh appeared the world shifted around them and they were ontop of Wayne Tower.
Superman: Standing at his computer, Clark hit a few more keys as Diana put the last of his robots down for the count. "I have to say...Amazonian martial arts are truly something to be admired," he joked while turning around. Before he could say anything more however, he heard a noise behind him and turned to see his screen flashing. He hit a key and looked back to Diana, "Batman's calling us to meet at the top of Wayne Tower. It's urgent." Kal-El hovered up into the air and started towards the exit of his Fortress leading the way as he quickly crossed from the Artic to Gotham, leaving their travel time being mere minutes.
-GREEN LANTERN- Hal was presently asleep, resting on something soft and warm with a little button digging into his face. He reached up and felt it, his hopes immediately being dashed as he realized it was just his Air Force blues shirt. Sitting up, he looked around and tried to figure out what was going on and why he was even dressed in these. Before he had time to think, there came a beeping noise and he reached over to pick up this communicator thing that Batman had given him and the rest of the league not too long after dealing with the Koreans and the robot thingy and what all else and... Shaking his head he put it into his pocket and held his ring up. The green halo appeared above his head and slid down his body, forming the green domino mask over his eyes and then the rest of his Green Lantern uniform. In a matter of seconds he was off, reaching Gotham not too long after Superman and Wonder Woman arrived at the tower and then just a minute or so after they landed he was. "So... what's going on? What would be dictator or world conqueror's pee pee do we need to slap now?"
WonderWoman: She had what most women would refer to as a "glow" from her exhibition, not so much an outright sweat. He spoke and she drew in a breath and nodded. "Let's go," she said with a smile, already wearing her battle armour and helmet to avoid damage to her face. It appeared Lantern was the last one to arrive. She knew Superman, and she had met Lantern and Fate previously. The man with the black cowl and cape was familiar and then... Of course. Her eyes went directly to the trident; she didn't recognize the warrior, but if Poseidon's champion was here, this would be serious. She squared her shoulders; it seemed with each step forward, two tumbled back.
Aquaman: "You are also more than the others I had met and have met since. That man is just a human. A liability. And if he or any of the others jepordize this world.... you know I will kill them," he responded and then they were gone. Fate had struck a chord within him, however, before the appeared on Wayne Tower. Speaking of Atlantis and its people, of even the oceans themselves and the life within them, was a dangerous thing. Doing so was as likely to earn the King's respect and loyalty as it was an opened stomach. As the others began to arrive, he turned away from them before catching a clear sight of any and instead looking out towards the city. He didn't need to be "briefed" on what was to come for he knew all to well...-e-
-Batman reached the Wayne Tower just a minute after everyone else had, he swung to the top of the building and climbed over the ledge to see all other heroes already waiting for him. Unlike all of them, Batman was unable to fly, shoot lasers, mystical strength, mind control, Super speed, or create constructs…He was an ordinary man amongst these people, his gaze immediately noticed that J’onn wasn’t present, a man who had come to be trusted to Batman almost as much as Superman. Batman would take leadership and explain.- “Doctor Fate and Aquaman here have news of a threat that is approaching. I recommend we listen to what they have to say…Fate.” –Batman’s dark glare shifted from the Justice League members immediately to Doctor Fate and Aquaman.-
Doctor Fate: "How much do you know of the history of your planet? Of the Cosmos....Because what we face threatens all of existance.. The Great Old Ones are gathering ..some still sleep and if we can keep them like that we will save the planet....Princess what do you know of the Gods that came before the Gods of Olympus? Green Lantern What do you know of the great Imprisioned god in the center of the Universe? What do any of you truly know about what we are up against. Any knowledge could very well save The North Gate is opened. Which means that the stars are aligning we do not know how many others are opened. If we can stop them we stand a chance....And time is of the essence. Weeks at most."
Superman: The Man of Steel looked to the others as they began to gather, his gaze lingering on Fate and the unknown, armed man. He didn't like the feeling he got from him. Violence... anger... and he could feel the magic coming from the weapon he weilded and it made his skin bristle. When the Doctor began to explain things after Batman arrived, Superman crossed his arms over his chest and listened, memorizing everything so that he would not forget it later. When the questions came about the past of this planet, he thought for a moment and then remarked, "Another Kryptonian supposedly came to Earth during the height of Ancient Egypt. He was a legend on Krypton and why my father chose Earth as the place to send me."
Green Lantern: Hal looked up and over at Superman, raising an eyebrow but keeping silent for the moment. He was trying to stay out of this one until he was told specifically something to do. This talk was started to sound a bit above his pay grade, even if he was a Green Lantern. Essentially though, he was just a beat cop with a area that covered just a few billion miles of space all just for him. So when Fate spoke to him, he shrugged, "I dont' know much. The Guardians keep a lot of stuf about the begining of time to themselves." He shruged and leaned his weight to his right leg, resting his hands on his hips. As time went on something in his mind finally clicked and he shouted, "That's it!" He finally rememered why he was in his blues. It was because he'd had to report to his commander and Carol while they both chewed him for mising the key, test flight run and then he realized..."Sorry. Work stuff. Continue on."
WonderWoman: As Fate spoke Diana felt the blood rush from her limbs. No... No... This was going to be bad."How?" she asked. They had been imprisoned in the very depths. It made sense now as to why Poseidon's champion was here. She took a slow and steady breath, never letting on that she was nervous, feeling numb and tingling at the moment after hearing what they were up against. As Hal spoke he drew her gaze but she shook him off; her level of respect for the man in green was lowered almost every time they interacted. Her assessment of him, right or wrong, was that while very brave and capable on the field, he wasn't very smart. Her attention went back to Fate waiting for an answer, flicking to Orin every so often, wary of the Atlantian.
Aquaman: was silent as the deliberation between others. He had nothing to say that would be listened to for Fate would just tell him to calm down as he caught the others up to speed with as much knowledge as they had time for. But the fact remained: they DIDN'T have time for it, even if the time wasn't "right" yet. The longer they delayed the longer the cults went unopposed while they worked their machinations.
-Batman’s gaze remained quiet like most but, as no one seemed to speak much, Batman took the initiative.- “Apparently we’re dealing with some form of old gods.” –Batman looked to Hal Jordon.- “Think back to 4th grade literature…” –Batman’s gaze shifted to Superman and Wonder Woman.- “We’re dealing with creatures on the scale of the Universe. They will use the better parts of us against us. Everything you think is strength…Prepare for them to use it against you…”–Batman looked to Fate as if expecting a nod of approval for what he had said. Batman’s voice wasn’t that of a growl but, a deep voice of a man; Bruce Wayne notably only to Superman who would’ve heard the Billionaires voice over television or press conference.-
Doctor Fate: -Nodded to Superman and he said" Yes Superman, The Kryptonian you speak of was worshiped as a God. as were his two Thanagarian allies." He waited for a moment and he said" Then that is settled, You will seek out the East Gate in Egypt disrupt the ceremony anyway. Possible...but I warn you..There is an Old One who is very active there. Normally he is no threat to mortals except those who seek him out. The snake is not they type to deal with mortals lightly...a warning his poison is lethal even to you..I fear the sun's light will not heal you before you die from it." He glanced to the Green Lantern and he said" Where is the Thanagarian Female you brought to Earth?" His eyes were glowing as he spoke, but for a reason, he was looking into the past of his friends. Seeing what they knew. And he said" The dormant god is no threat at the moment. Cthulhu must awaken and feed before his master can be freed." He glanced to Diana and he said" So your gods have not kept you blind to the fact---
Doctor Fate: --That is good... Your gods were not strong enough to actually wipe them out infact the Titans were almost destroyed by them. He crossed his arms and he said" Be calm my friend." to Aquaman and he stopped and looked to Batman and he said" You are correct Batman...Lovecraft was a prophet...he thought he was simply talented..the point is there are 4 more gates. The last cannot be opened before the stars are right."
Jonn: had gottent he call and could hardly beleive the rotten timing that the man possessed. Batman calling an emergency meeting of the League at Wayne Towers. Yeah. we're they trying to set up a big bill board saying we're the Justice League? Well in any case, he landed upon the balcony, walkiing forwards with his hands in his pockets, those red eyes peering this way and that, noting the presence of Doctor Fate and A new face that he was not yet aquainted with. He looked towards the people there, his hairless brow raised and he nodded his head to them. "I apologize for my lateness. I was looking into another matter. What is the situation?"
WonderWoman: Diana was more comfortable going to Egypt and fighting against the ancients than she had been against the modern mechanisations of war. At least these she understood. Magic, ancient Gods and powers beyond the control of mere mortals. They were flying across the desert as she turned her head to Kal, "Do you know what we are going to do? I mean, really understand?" Her voice was earnest, wanting him to be prepared for the worst.
Doctor Fate: Looked to J'onn and Batman" You will go to a town known as Rivermouth. It is on the west coast. " He crossed his arms over his chest his golden cape falling down infront of him. He turned his gaze to J'onn." Keep your wits Martian Manhunter, These things that we battle will try to turn your power against you." He looked to them and he said"Time is of the essence."
Superman: "I have an idea but it wouldn't matter to me if I didn't. My home is threatened and I'm going to defend it against any odds. Ancient gods and magics.. if it threatens the Earth I'll fight it," he answered with an unwavering tone.The one thing he was sure of was that he would protect this planet, no matter what he had to fight. He had already lost one family and home before he could even comprehend it and Kal-El would not allow that to happen again. "We're heading to one of the pyramids in the Valley of Kings. But the legend of the Kryptonian that came to Earth in the past was written in an ancient Kryptonian dialect and the translation to what I speak could be off." Superman led the way forward, keeping a fast pace as his eyes continued to scan the landscape in front and below
them.
-Batman turned his attention to J’onn as he appeared.- “Just in time. Superman, Green Lantern, and the Amazon left.” –Batman then noted to himself.- ‘I’ve got to find out what her name is, exactly…’ –Batman then turned his attention to Doctor Fate and immediately armed his cryptographer. Inputting the location, he heard the device beep.- “Got it.” –He looked at J’onn.- “Follow me.” –In what seemed like seconds, the Batwing flew alongside the building, and Batman used his grappling hook to swing onto it. Batman waited to see if J’onn would board the Batwing or fly on his own way before he took off for the west coast, Batman opted to fly at top speed, forsaking all restricted flight zones and avoiding all high air traffic sectors of the country.-
WonderWoman: (not long... sorry... ) "He's an anthropomorphic creature," she said, following him. "He represents the very basic fears of humanity." She explained about the god that was most likely to be residing in Egypt. "He is one of the most clever of the Gods, and very easy to anger." She continued to explain, trying to keep herself parallel to him as they flew. "Even the Olympians keep clear of the Old Ones."
Jonn: Raised an eyebrow to those gathered around and then he turned and followed the Batman out to the balcony. There he watched as the black jet approached from overhead. There he flew up following the man to the cockpit, knowing that the man preferred his mental privacy, and disliked mental communication. High speeds made accurate information exchange rather limited. And there he sat in the back seat, those red eyes peering out to the city through glass while he nodded his head to his friend. "What is the situation."
Superman: He heard the syllable 'anthro' and immediately his mind heard Jimmy screaming FURRY!!! That had been a rather disgusting day that he wished he could forget, but never seemed to fully be able to. However, as Diana continued to explain the situation he tuned back into her words. "Then we'll have to be careful. What else do you know?"He understood the seriousness of what they were face, but he wouldn't shy away from his responsibility. A bit more time passed and finally they arrived at the Valley. Kal flew a few more miles before suddenly saying, "There. That one," and he pointed with his finger before flying down and landing. Standing before the large entrance, Superman used his x-ray vision to scan the inside first before they ventured into the bowels of the pyramid.
Batman: “Ancient creatures long before the starting of time are attempting to arrive through ancient gates placed here on Earth. These creatures are sleeping but, they still exert an amount of telepathic ability, stories suggest that they have the ability to drive any man insane…There are four gates; one of them is already open. We’re splitting up to close the gates and hopefully delay their arrival for another millennia or so.” –Batman explained things roughly, it was a lot to take in and even he didn’t understand the full situation. The Batwing was fully loaded and equipped with everything Batman would need.- “We just need to hope that the others hold their own gate while we protect ours.” –Batman looked below as it was soon enough they were arriving on site.-
WonderWoman: She landed softly in the sand. "He's very eager to anger," she reiterated, "But like all Gods is easily flattered into compliance. Acting humble will make things easier for us, if you can manage it." She eyed him, wondering if the Man of Steel ever had ever had to willingly submit to someone dark in order to save the world. Could he do it? Diana didn't doubt her own core; she was a warrior, born, raised and trained. This is what she was meant for; fighting the ancients and paying service to the Gods, even the old Gods that were not hers were still Gods.
Old Ones: 'He lies to you martian.' a deep voice from no where ran through his head. Withing the Valley of Kings the Pyramid was not made on the inside as a normal pyramid. It house a few Kryptonian crystals and symbols. These Symbols told the story. The Kryptonian arrived on Earth and realized he had godlike power. There was also a symbol marked beside the others. It marked the entire Temple as if to erase the story of the Krytonian.( upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/78/Yellowsign.JPG )
Jonn: Listened and shook his head lightly as he peered out the window. He knew the objective was a delay tactic. There he looked towards target site, a Small town of sorts. When the phsyic attack began, his eyebrows raised. "I've endangered the mission. I should not have come." He stated to his friend as he stared at the small town. "It's attempting communication. I will attempt to sheild us from it." he stated extending his mental powers outward and around him and Bruce. ~Who are you?~
-Batman shifted his head, concerned that J’onn was hearing it. Batman thought.- ‘So soon?’ –Batman then said.- “If you become possessed…Will a tranquilizer affect you?” –Batman was already preparing for a backup plan, he didn’t expect his partner to go insane on him but, J’onn was ultimately a more powerful being. Batman landed the vehicle in the park of the small town, and jumped out, he looked around and spoke into his communication device and activated his detective vision.- “Fate, this is Batman. J’onn and I have just touched down. Also, J’onn is hearing voices…What are we looking for?” –Batman assumed it was a church, when Batman spotted a church, a hobo ringing a bell.- “Christmas in july funds! Christ-mast in jully-eye-sons er *Funds!*” –The man waved his bell carelessly in a half torn up Santa outfit.- <C>
-Batman pulled off his belt the cryptographer and spoke into it.- “Cloak…” –The Batwing would suddenly begin shifting its armor plating, reflecting the scenery of the trees in the part, the vehicle would appear almost military camouflaged as its armor took in the light of the trees and reflected it back. A person would have to stand within twenty feet to notice the vehicle or the odd shading. The cockpit would be concealed by a protective door that reflected the trees as well. By night fall the entire vehicle would be pure black and unnoticeable even with a flash light placed upon it.-
Old Ones: This Symbol was everywhere inthe town, it was the town seal on City Hall, It was on the man hole covers. Even on the Church. The sign outside the church read" God is a Lie." There were no people on the streets. The smell of the town was bad, rottted fish, and something else. there was a bridge on the opposite side of the town which lead to the Light house. The church had no lights.
Old Ones: ~I am the truth.~
Old Ones: the voice answered back
Doctor Fate: "Do you recall the symbol in the church at Gotham? It will appear almost identical keep reminding him that the voice can not harm him and it is telling him lies..It knows his power his thoughts and will use them against him but unless he can identify the voice I cannot help him."
Jonn: shook his head lightly as he reached into his pocket and produced something that would most likely get the Batman's attention. "Napalm. If I become comprimised, spray this on me. It will ignite and I will burn. I will not be harmed badly, but it will be mentally taxing... But we cannot afford me to be comprimised at this junction." He stated giving Batman the ultimate paralyzing and fear generating agent. Whether or not the man put it together that this was his ultimate fear, he did not know. When they landed, he got out with the man he looked around towards the town his red eyes peering this way and that and then he eyed the grafetti on the sign and tapped it. "Someone wishes to send a message. That there is no 'god' to help us. I pray to the ancient goddess that she did not hear that." he stated simply as he walked forwards. ~The Truth is a subjective term, shifting on the wanton basis of anothers point of view.~ He stated as he walked forwards nodding his head towards Batman. "What
Jonn: Symbol is he referring to?" He asked.
Old Ones: ~No little Martian, What you know is a lie, what you understand is a lie, your existance is a lie.~ A police officer began patrolling. He was large, and ugly. he sniffed the air, walking into the local gas station. Looking to the girl."New Girl...Come here." This voice was rustic, and almost like a hiss. He looked to her and he said" Have you noticed anything strange?"
-His face was sober as J’onn produced the capsule, he blinked watching it for a moment as J’onn explained and then gave it to him. He would simply place it on his belt and speak no more of it. Batman began walking towards the church when he stopped across from it, standing on the sidewalk Batman pointed at the symbol of a head with multiple tentacles escaping the body.- “That symbol, It’s…Everywhere.” –Batman looked to his left and saw down the street, the main road in town led to the city hall that had the same symbol. There was also a gas station that was lit up and had some movement inside it. Batman narrowed his eyes slightly as he took in the environment.- “Perhaps we should investigate here first…”<c>
–Batman crossed the street and opened the church doors, to look inside. A chilling cold draft rushed over him as he looked through the darkness with his detective vision active. The church smelled of rotten fish, much worse than the air outside. The building was completely empty, no furniture, nothing.- Batman backed away and looked to J’onn.- “Perhaps the gas station…” –Batman began approaching the Gas station, before moving into the darkness behind the building.- “You go in…I’ll keep an eye out. See what you can find out. We’re looking for the gate or anything remotely symbolic of a gate.” –Batman spoke deeply and boldly to J’onn.-
Jonn: Looked towards him as he spoke about the symbol and he raised an eyebrow. "In the senses of esthetics... it's hideous." He commented as they walked on and he peered towards the gas station as Batman moved to the doors that kept the church closed. And he looked over the man's shoulder before he peered towards his friend. "If we are looking for a gate or passage way. A door would do it. A yard Gate perhaps? Heavy metal. A cellar gate perhaps... What is this smell?" he asked as he looked towards the city, peering down towards the various peoples and then he looked towards the gas station in question. He nodded his head as he walked forwards listening to the plan and there he shifted from the martian man hunter to that of his detective alias.
Jonn: The long brown trench coat swaying in the wind as he approached the sliding doors that opened and he eyed the man at the counter and the young lady there. "Good evening..." He stated as he walked to the refridgerator and pulled out a two litre of root beer, and approaching the cashier. "... Quite the bit of mess out there on the streets. What's going on? Festival? Gang?"
Old Ones: The police officer stopped at the sight of J'onn " 'nother new comer?" He moved away from the girl sizing J'onn up. There was blood on his uniform, spotted in several places all over the suit. It was obvious this police officer had killed people, and he did so with his bare hands with the amount of dried blood on his sleeves. The girl looked terrified of the police officer. The Officer looked to the man and he said" Better get outta town new comer."
Old Ones: The girl watchs as the officer leaves and heads towards the light house. She looked to J'onn unwilling to answer his questions but passing a note than read" Help me"
Old Ones: -The Skeleton of the man looked odd to say the least. The skull looked more like that of a fish. The rows of teeth lik that of a shark. The police officer would walk all the way to the light house, opening the door and walking in other voices could be heard inside -
Jonn: Dark eyes narrowed at the uniform as he left and that one fist clenched in his pocket. Oh there was a primal urge to hit him. But that would mean exposing them, and as far as he knew they were trying to keep it extremely low for the time being. As the man left he watched the doors slide closed before he turned his head to look at the neck of his coat. "Acknowledged. Officers uniform covered in dry blood. Recommend extreme caution." he whispered as he approached the young lady and saw the note. He raised an eyebrow to her and then he looked towards her. "Young Lady, I can help you, but I need information. What is going on here." He stated.
Old Ones: -she looked scared and she said" I'm not from here, I moved here a week ago, and I was given a free room at the hotel,but the first night I had the feeling that something was watcing me through the window and when I looked out I saw something move across the roof tops. The people here they aren't people, they are all monsters. You can look around the children are really weird to they look at you like your food. All the people smell like fish, and the mayor is the worst of them all. I've heard that he has powers. Like those heroes you read about in the newspapers."-
-Batman watched as the officer went into the light house; he began to think about how he could handle this. He armed his line launcher and fired it across the way, swinging his body across the street, he landed on the roof of the small building before retracting the device and then using his grappling hook to pull himself towards the light at the very top of the tower. He climbed inside and looked around. Batman:- ‘The smell of rotten eggs and fish…I hear voices downstairs, perhaps five men? At least…The sign up front said Join or die…Cthulhu…Not very subtle.’ –Batman then pulled out an explosive charge and began setting the timer.- ‘Ten minutes…I shouldn’t need-…I shouldn’t *give* them more time than that…’ –Batman began sneaking his way downstairs of the light house.- ‘This seems all too familiar…’
Old Ones: www.kenmeyerjr.com/gothic/cult.jpg ) "Ia Hydra Ia Dagon Ia Cthulhu." could be heard repeating as Batman made his way down.- J'onn would hear something that sounded like a large dog growling behind him.The Girl seemed not not notice.-
Aquaman: The side of a wall of the Asylum exploded in, sending debris everywhere as smoke and dust filled the hall. Water burst from the smoke, splitting into two directions and shooting down along the hall as though it were alive. Reaching the ends, it churned and then spread out before forming a solid wall and blocking the hall off from being entered. As the dust began to settle, a figure strode in, dressed in an orang, scale mail shirt, green finned pants and gloves, weilding a shining, golden trident in his right hand. This hall... this was where they were being kept. Flicking his wrist, more water shot from the back of his trident, forming another, hard water wall construct behind him. They wouldn't escape him.. he couldn't allow it. The King of Atlantis walked forward towards the cell directly in front of him and his left hand shot up and then tore the door clean from its hinges, hurling it back as he stepped inside. The woman inside cowered from him, her eyes wild as she clawed-
Aquaman: back. Orin knew this look well and it was her posession of it that brought him here. "N-!" she started to scream but her whatever she was to say was cut off by the quick strike he made with his Trident, ending her life. Pulling his weapon free, thick black liquid began to ooze from the wound, filling the cell with an unbearable stench that would make any not used to the smell empty their stomachs on the floor. The culling of the hall continued until Orin reach the final cell. Inside was an elderly man, his room thick with the stench the others had once their occupants lives were ended, and covered in strange symbols and writings written in the same black ooze. The man's body was covered in cuts and gashes, hunks of his skin missing as he sat in the corner, wild gaze resting on Orin's form as he stood in the entrance. The Atlantean King closed the distance, moving cautiously as the signs within the room warned him to take care. As he closed within a few feet of the man, he shot
Aquaman: up with speed that was unfitting for the finest of humans, but not near enough to escape Orin. His left hand shot up, catching the man by the shirt and slamming him hard into the wall. "I'a, I'a-AAHH!" he screamed as his stomach was impaled by the Trident. The ooze shot out from around the prongs of the Trident, smaking Orin's shirt, before a turn of both his wrists ended the man's life. Removing his weapon from the body, he turned and slowly began to make his way towards the hole he had made for his entrance, the water walls churning still.
-The dark brown hair lined with silver on the man’s head sat patiently in the darkness of his garden, a bed of plants sat in front of him while the bench seat next to him was empty. The backyard was dark. James Gordon could only see through the will of the moonlight.- “What do you got, Jim?” –A voice of darkness, deep, and raspy. Gordon sighed and said.- “I heard you were out of town…I knew you’d come back despite rumors you were moving on to a more global scale…” –Batman stood behind the bench in the shadows over Gordon’s shoulder, his head hunched down some as Batman’s gaze looked towards the ground. Neither men looked at each other but, their gaze kept on whatever was in their line of sight.- “It’s complicated, Jim. I’m needed but, so are you…” –Jim tried to hide his frustration.- “And what about this city? Are we partners or-…” –Jim trailed off with a sigh. Batman then said changing his tone to a dim one.- “Jim…I’m not leaving. The other heroes and I are apart of something bigger. The world is at stake. <c>
I need you to understand that I will be here when I can be but, for me to continue on my mission I need your help…” –Jim was surprised that Batman said his last four words; it’s been how long since Batman has said that to him? Jim turned and looked at Batman to make sure he was speaking to the same man. Batman looked to Jim and spoke.- “I have to come out of the darkness. No longer can people see me as the renegade vigilante destroying their city. I’m willing to work with your people.” –Jim shook his head and stood up.- “I-…No! I can’t do that! You can’t do that. If you bring the police into this, then mobsters, thugs, psychopaths will get away with their crimes. We need someone like you. <c>
We need someone who’s not afraid to break the rules…Someone to rattle the cages, you said it yourself. Look, I understand that-…” –A feminine voice would then call out…Batman’s gaze shifted to the backdoor where Barbara Gordon spoke.- “Jim? It’s Detective Bullock, he says there’s a break in at Arkham…” –Jim’s eyes would widen at the thought. He turned to look at Batman who was already gone.- “Alright, I’ll be right there.” <c>
-As Orin was able to kill the first victim with his break in, his second would soon follow just as Batman arrived at the Asylum. Batman stepped into the scene noticing the stench of the black blood, Batman would throw up in his mouth but, he would swallow and not allow himself to be affected by the stench any longer. He closed the facial mask, concealing his lips and chin. The body suits breathing system came online and a microphone inside the helmet. The black blood clued Baman that something strange was here, this wasn’t a person it was something else. Batman’s detective vision would detect a thick contamination of iron with acid, if this were a human they probably would be taking medication for such a disorder as porphyria but, this was almost as if…The *entire* body was plagued by it which didn’t make any sense at all.-
Doctor Fate: : Batman should take notice of the clamy skin, and slits on each victims neck. The black blood also regestered an unknown compound mixed with uniodized salt(sea salt).
Doctor Fate: (I'll handle the clues Batman. Fate will likely make an appreance later in the night)
Aquaman: He had finished with most of the hall before Batman had arrived at the Asylum and by the time he entered the hall, the water walls had fallen to the floor as his foot made contact with the edge of his "entrance". His hearing picked up the sounds of the Dark Knights footsteps as he entered, even above the sirens as they screamed their signal noise. It was the garb the man wore that made Orin stop. Something about it... However he had no reason to fight the man and so continued out, walking out without a care. His mission here for the moment was done. But he had to search the rest of the city... everything so far was coming from here... this city. This point. But why? What did it hold that would bring their power here? It was mystery that he would not solve but kill. There was no other choice.
-Batman would place his hands on the openings on either side of the first victims neck, it was then he saw the killer. Batman stood up preparing to defend himself when the man walked past him., he recognized Batman’s existence but, simply walked away. Batman armed an explosive batarang as Orin approached.- ‘Make a single hostile move and you’re as good as crippled for the next nine months…’ –Batman thought, planning his attack of striking this man in the stomach with the explosive, calculating damage over 75% of his body, the close range would moderately affect Batman but, he would be able to walk away with no problem. Batman would lower his defenses as the man moved past, his attire, his outfit was unusual.- <c>
-Had Batman’s eyes not be opened from his team work with The newly formed Justice League, Batman would question Orin as he walked past.- “Did you kill these men and women?” –Batman’s voice was a bit more respectful than his usual conduct.- “I wouldn’t go outside. The police are surrounding the building, you could get hurt.” –Batman suggested to Orin, hoping to avoid any more bloodshed.-
Doctor Fate: The openings were not cuts,or slashes infact they appeared to be natural.
Aquaman: Orin raised an eyebrow at the threat Batman made to him, "Do not threaten those you cannot win against." His voice was cold and he started to step out once more before Batman continued speaking. His response to both statements was simple: "Yes." And then he exited once more from the hole. Sure enough, there were police officers surrounding the building and at his appearence their guns all raised to him, the sounds of hammers being cocked back and shot guns being "pumped" as he stood there for a moment. "I don't have time for this," he called out to all of them and then he leapt into the air, a standing leap far above four stories high. Orin sailed through the air above the police, hitting the ground once more and leaping again.
-Batman’s eyes narrowed at Orin’s random words responding to his thoughts.- ‘Heh. He must know my reputation.’ –Batman would hear the police talking in confusion and amaze of Orin’s leaps but, in that moment of hesitation, Batman grabbed hold of a body and slugged it over his shoulder and began carrying it out of the asylum. He leaped off the edge of the island and promptly landed on the hull of the Batwing which was being remote controlled by Alfred Pennyworth inside the batcave. Batman placed the body inside the Batwing before taking off.- “I’ll fly manually, Alfred.” –Police Helicopters began following an d pursuing at Orin, making the Batwings escape all the more easier but, it also allowed Batman to find out where Orin was. <c>
-Batman began preparing the computer for automatic control.- “Take the control Alfred…” –Batman instructed while opening the cockpit to the batwing and then climbing onto the hull. The police helicopters were shouting.- “Wanted suspect, stand down or we will open fire! You are a suspect in a crime against the City of Gotham. Comply!” –Batman would then hear inside his helmet.- “Sir, do you have any plan on how to stop this man?” –Batman took sight of Orin amongst the trees and forest, they were quite a ways from the city but, Orin was closing distance. Batman:- “I’ll think of something…” Alfred: “With due respect sir, perhaps you should call one of your new friends-…” –Batman would cut Alfred off.- “No time for that. Prepare to give me suppressing fire for the cannons then withdraw and keep a safe distance.” –Batman waited for Orin’s next leap before he jumped down and began gliding to intercept Orin. <c>
-Batman would land behind Orin as he hit the ground with his leap. Batman armed a taser and revved its electrical spark.- “Stop where you are.” –Batman thought.- ‘Look at me…Come on, let me take your attention from the city just a for a few seconds…’ –Batman’s other hand reached for a flash bang concealed underneath his cape. Orin’s attention should’ve been naturally focused on the display of the sparking gun in Batman’s left hand aimed directly towards him.-
Aquaman: Paused for a moment as he listened to the helicopters chasing after him, closing his eyes and cursing under his breath. There was just no TIME for this. He needed to pick up the trail, track it down to the source and this constant harrasement was going to make that impossible. As Batman began to move in on his position inside the Batwing, Orin would land and then strike the ground with his Trident. Immediately its magics would set into action, the Atlantean King disappearing from sight and tracking. The sudden act of being there and then not would almost certainly give pause to everyone and even if it did not, it should not matter. Orin had a mission and time was of more essence than any save but a very select few knew.
-As Batman opened the cockpit, Alfred spoke.- "Sir, he disappeared." -Batman closed the cockpit and began looking over the scanners. IR scanners, night vision, motion sensors picked up not a trace of someone down there.- "He was there and suddenly gone." -The police helicopters would look around the area, searching for him, Batman wouldn't waste his time and continued to fly back to the batcave. Once in the Batcave, he immediately retrieved the body and brought it to the lab for studying. Alfred would make a sarcastic remark.- "I suppose the Batwing's seats will need cleaning..." -Batman placed the body onto the table and then immediately removed his gloves and placed on a pair of latex surgical gloves that be began to poke and prod at the body with. He examined the clammy skin when suddenly, Batman raised an eye brow. He poked and pressured the skin with his finger, attempting to feel its density; was it thick and solid or slippery and soft?
If it was dense, he would reach for a surgical knife and attempt to slice into the clammy skin with it.-
Doctor Fate: The skin was thick, and slippery, It was almost like the scales of a shark, smooth one way, razor blades the other way, the eyes were diolated and the pupils were big and black, almost pushed apart by the thick skull. The teeth were apparently filed down to points but there was no markings to indicate such had been done, even stranger there were multiple rows of the teeth numbering in the hundreds. Inside the body the lungs were nearly noexistant. Small shriveled. the heart however was engorged and filled with the black oily fluid.
-Batman used the computers to scan the body and analyze its layers of skin and organs, when he noticed the rows and layers of teeth. Batman pulled off the latex gloves and tossed them into the trash can, he began using the computer to simulate the inside of the body and navigate through the systems, first examining the gills on the side of its neck, it would be some time before Alfred arrived in the room to speak.- “Sir, I have their Arkham files ready when you are…” –Batman continued to explore the body for the next hour before moving to the Bat computer to analyze the Arkham files on the individuals.-
Doctor Fate: -When they came to the asylum they seemed normal each of the victims signed themselves in. This made the other inmates uncomfortable causing them to scream about things that were in the dark. Hunting them.-
Doctor Fate: -All the victims had 2 things in common other than genetics.- None of them were from Gotham...and they all belonged to the same church"
-Batman would naturally begin pursuing each of these ties, particularly looking up the church and its location. Batman prepared to submit information of the victims to Commissioner Gordon’s cell phone before waiting to see its distance; perhaps it would be best if Bruce Wayne investigated the church. Batman would also look into possible contacts, who had complained about the new patients when they arrived and how long they had been in Arkham.-
Doctor Fate: -The church's location popped up in several places throughout the United States. Gotham being the newest, and at the same time being the third oldest. This was not the first time this church had operated within Batman's city. The last time was 1937. Before the government went in and shut the church down for cult like activity. The Church of Tides.
-Batman narrowed his eyes and then began sending the coordinates to the Bat mobile (Tumbler). Batman stood up and began preparing his utility belt, arming a specialized grappling hook; harpoon rifle and various other gadgets. The most prominent item aside from the harpoon gun was his choice in grabbing Mr. Freeze’s ice pistol that he holstered onto his belt and began making his way to the Bat mobile. Alfred would intercept Batman, handing over Batman’s gloves.- “Leaving so soon sir?” –Batman’s deep voice spoke more like Bruce Wayne at this point.- “Yes. I think I know where our killer might be heading. Don’t wait up…” –Alfred yawned.- “Aye sir…” –The bat mobile would stop just a few blocks from the Church’s old building, before Batman took to the rooftops and began moving on foot. Stopping across the street from the building, he pulled off his belt a pair of binoculars and began looking over the buildings structural integrity.-
Doctor Fate: There was apparently no activity within the church only one light was lit in the entire building and that light was dim almost as if it was torch light, the smell of blood coming from a broken window.
Aquaman: Orin had continued on his search into the city, deciding that it was prudent to remain invisible. It would at least save him the trouble of dealing with the police "force" and their apparent Caped Crusader. He did not much care for whoever the man was and why he had bothered showing up to the Asylum. Greater forces were at work behind the scenes and he needed to cut the stalks. The Trident had led him to the church and its rooftop he now silently dropped down ontop of, not needing to maintain much of a low profile aside from careful steps. Right hand gripping the shaft tightly, he reached up and opened the wooden shutters of the belltowers, carefully climbing inside before letting the Trident's magic disapate.
-Batman raised his grappling gun when he spotted the movement of the towers shutter; Batman fired the hook in order to pull him across the gap between the buildings. Swinging onto the building, he reloaded and made his way to the shutter by foot. He opened it, aiming his grappling hook towards anyone who might try to attack him. Batman kept silent; as he hoped whoever was there a moment ago would move on and offer Batman the opportunity to enter without such a trace. If Orin had moved on, Batman would activate his detective vision and prepare to sneak behind Orin. If Orin was still there, Batman would quietly say.- “Who is it that you’re hunting…or should I ask, *What* is it that you’re hunting?”
Doctor Fate: - Within the main area of the church where service would normally be held. There was a blood stained alter, torches lit on each column . A bathtube filled to the rim with blood and salt water. Tadpoles swimming in the bloody water chunks of rotted meat floating in the water. The tadpoles seemed to be eating the blood and meat. High above there was a cage hanging by a rope with a small girl locked inside of it crying. Runic symbols covered the walls which Orin could read as "Seal of the North Gate"
Aquaman: He continued deeper into the bowls of the church, his eyes easily adjusted to the darkness as his ears remained alert to the sounds of movement. The stench was horrendous here, the smells assailing his nose and making its nostrils raised at the scents but he continued forward. There was a village far worse smelling than this on the coast. Reaching the door to the main area, Orin paused as he heard footsteps behind him and a quick glanced behind him made his lips press together tightly. The damned man from the Asylum. "Be quiet," he whispered back hotly before looking back to the door. The Atlantean didn't care if the man followed him, let him die if that was how it was to be as long as these things were stopped. Opening the door, his ears caught the sounds of the girl crying and he slowly made his way towards the cage before he caught what the words read and it gave him pause... -end-
-Upon being silenced, Batman crouched and followed behind Orin. He activated his detective vision and spotted the girl through the walls, he looked down and spotted the tadpoles and their pool of blood.- ‘I don’t approve of his methods, then again…I never expected to see someone capable of teleporting a skyscraper sized machine into a vortex like Doctor Fate…Whatever we’re dealing with might be supernatural.’ –Batman holstered his grappling gun and pulled off his shoulder a harpoon gun; it was a modification and combination of two regular grappling guns attached to each other along with a larger sized hook. Batman reached his hand to the side of his helmet and began adjusting his vision to notice anything on other spectrums of light and vision.-
Aquaman: Walking over to the water, he called back over his shoulder, "Do not free the girl." It was a cold statement, but one that needed to be said. Batman had proven foolish enough to follow him into the church, much less getting involved at all, but he would not allow him to make his work any more difficult. Aqua blue eyes gazed down at the tadpoles for a moment and then touched the end of his Trident to the water. Light coursed through the water a moment later as he cooked the creatures alive as he wondered what was special about this city.
-Batman followed along curious about the girl, she was crying but she didn’t seem to recognize them yet.- ‘She’s too distracted with something else…Lets keep it that way.’ –Batman’s detective vision detected the rise in heat as Orin increased the temperature of the bloody water. Batman began looking over the walls, separating from Orin; he began making his own way through the room, when he felt the floor suddenly turn sticky. His vision would shift through spectrums to locate the slime on the floor, very thin layer, barely noticeable until stepped on. The stench was fowl and admittedly it burned the inside of Batman’s nostrils, at which point he was reminded of the facial mask. He activated it a second later, protecting his mouth and nostrils.-
Doctor Fate: The girl's crying stopped as Aquaman said not to free her. The act was over. She continued to sit and watch as her little brothers and sisters were fried by Aquaman. She began to hum to herself"La la la...All Gods children are all going to die." She smiled to Batman with a fanged grin. Her eyes shifting black smelling him. " My Daddy will peel the flesh from your bones for this. " She looked no older than 5 years old, but her vocabulary was that of a much older person. "Ia Dagon!"
Aquaman heard the words and immediately he turned from the pool towards the girl. "He will not rise. I will prevent it. Die knowing that!" Trident raised, a bolt of lighting shot from the prongs, arcing through the air and striking the cage and the girl. He had no pity for these things for, even as young as she, they could not be allowed to live. His gloved hands gripped the Trident tightly as the lighting did not let up until there was nothing left the girl save ash. Ash they could do little with.
-Batman turned to acknowledge the girl speaking, he blankly watched her when his attention shifted to Orin who openly assaulted the cage with a lightning arc. Batman watched until Orin was done and Batman would inquire.- “Might’ve been able to get more information out of her…Who’s her father?” –Batman’s voice spoke almost like a robot, as the speaker projected a metallic voice encased within the helmet, his eyes were glowing a bright blue as he appeared almost inhuman. He aimed his harpoon slightly around the area as if expecting something to come rushing to the girls defense.-
Doctor Fate: The golden ankh appears from nowhere lighting up the room. Fate glanced to Batman and Aquaman He glanced down at each of them and he said" Aquaman...I see you have already met Batman. This is not what we were seeking. A lesser sect. The Cult they have gotten better at hiding themselves since last time. " He glanced towards Batman and he said" I am sorry that this has included you my friend, but this goes far deeper than you are allowed to understand. He noticed where the girl had been and he said" I see you learned from last time not to fall for these traps Orin." He could feel the magical energy still around the cage." If you had opened the cage the creature would have tried to devour you..and it would have been much stronger than it looked." The golden cape fell over him and he said" Did you learn anything?" He looke to the ruins on the wall and he said" Seal of the North Gate...it is as I feared...Batman we need the Justice League..."
Aquaman: The sound of magical power caught his attention and Orin turned his gaze up to see the sight of Fate appearing over head. He gave the sorceror a nod before looking back to the cage. The girl.. she had nothing to deserve the end that she simply had to be given and yet now... in the aftermath of it, he had feel the emotions of the act. Fate was correct.. he had fallen for it before. His want to protect life, and the first time the want to save it, had cost him dearly... Hearing that others were needed for this, however, brought Orin's attention back fully to the situation at hand. "NO!" he roared, rounding on his heel and pointing his Trident towards the man, "I will not trust this to those who have no idea what is happening! If all that we've seen is true then we are on much less time than we've had! You know who will come if we fail and we can't afford to risk that with amatures to this!"
-Batman’s attention would be startled and defensively he would aim the harpoon towards Fate’s ankh before lowering it and switching to hold onto the gun by the barrel, removing his hands from the trigger and fore grip. He stepped a little closer after displaying the sign of lowering his guard some.- “Before I go calling people in, perhaps you should explain to me what we’re dealing with. Who are the Cultists here and what are they trying to do that would bring you into this, Doctor? Aquaman doesn’t seem to want our help…If the fate of this city is at risk then I will call the Justice League, regardless of what *you* want, Aquaman.” –Batman growled his last words at Aquaman but, the Microphone would translate it to seem robotic and less empowering with aggression and emotion.-
Doctor Fate: "We have no choice. We must try to prevent this you know as well as I do that preventing it is far more important at the moment than our time table. " He crossed his arms under his cloak and he paused " Arguing will not change the facts that we need them if we are going to prevent our extinction. The prophecies are very clear." He glanced over to Batman and he said" It is not just the fate of your city Batman but the fate of the entire world. What we are dealing with are creatures older than the concept of time. Have you ever asked yourself what came before man? These things came to our planet eons ago.. the cults worship these creatures as gods. They are fueled by nothing but desire and instinct. Compared to these creatures we are little more than insects..."
Aquaman: "Prevention is why we much move fast, Fate! And we can't dragging ignorant ones along behind us worry about their sanity!" Orin countered. Would help be an asset to the battle before them? Yes, but the risks.. to think of them was bad enough but the reality of what would happen should they loose control of themselves... their faculties slip away. It was frightening. When Batman seemed to try and intimidate him, Orin turned, his eyes narrowed to swords, "I am no mood... Fine," he finally uttered, setting the end of the Trident against his thigh, "I won't be listened to. Call your League."
“You’re referring to old gods? I know a little bit about them from literature and writings of praised authors. You’re saying they’re real?” –Batman thought the idea was outrageous never the less his actions didn’t delay and began slinging his harpoon over his shoulder and pulled off his belt the cryptographer and began attuning it to the Bat Mobiles computer, using the device to communicate with the bat computer, he opened the keyboard panel and almost like a text message Batman was opening a link to all Justice League com-links that Batman had given everyone prior to parting ways.- “Batman to the Justice League…Batman to the Justice League.” –Batman pressed a few more buttons before making the communicators receive a message.- “Batman to all League members, an emergency has occurred in Gotham. Doctor Fate is here, all units converge as soon as possible. Once you enter Gotham, I will be able to track your positions. Batman out.” <c>
-Batman closed the cryptographer and looked to Fate.- “I sent the message. Expect them to be arriving within the next half hour…What’s our next move?”
Doctor Fate: Nodded to Batman and he looked to Orin.and he stopped and said" Batman perhaps you should find someplace to keep the Martian until this is finished. The Old Ones they are powerful. There Psychic abilities will easily overpower someone with the power he does..He could be a threat to all of us." He paused for a second and he turned back to Orin. " As always my friend I seek a better way. We will decide that once the Justice League have assembled. Finding the cults and destroying them would be the main objective for some of you. Fighting the Old Ones who are already awake will be a job for others. " He glanced to Batman and he said" If you would like more information my library is stocked with the knowlege of these creatures. "
Doctor Fate: Thought it best that they were not in the bloody church if anyone arrived, Aquaman had just disintegrated a small child. And the police would like not take kindly to everything that had transpired there. Not to mention whatever Fish they didn’t fry would likely return to the location. He would keep watch over it but the lower beings were not his concern. He had teleported them to a rooftop a little ways away from the church. He glanced to Batman “ I know that you must be confused..that child wasn’t a child at all. It would have attempted to devour you had you freed it from the cage. Killing it was humane..if you allow yourself to humanize these creatures you jeopardize our mission..”
-Batman looked at Fate and nodded some, taking his words and heeding them.- “I have the Bat mobile a few blocks away.” –He tapped his belt and pulled off a small control device that he used to radio the car to his location.- “We can reunite on the Wayne Tower, one of the highest points in the city. No one should disturb us there. Is that reasonable?” –Batman’s eyes shifted between Doctor Fate and Aquaman. Batman would think to himself.- ‘That’s right, be nice to Aquaman. You’re only setting yourself up for a sucker punch.’ -Batman was curious though, would Fate simply teleport them as he has in the past.-
Aquaman: "Or I'll kill you," he added on darkly to Fate's final statement. When Batman finally left he looked to the sorceror with his right hand clenching tightly around his Trident. "You are inviting more chance of failure into this, Fate," he said through clenched teeth. Orin always had a difficult time trusting newcommers into this war and he could not be blamed. Each time they had brought in another they had lost their sanity and needed to be put down.. Saving them was not an option for there was always the risk that they would fall again. Glancing back to where Batman had exited, "As you said, however, we must leave. Are you teleporting us or do I need to start running?"
Doctor Fate: " Calm yourself, Orin." He glanced to his friend and he said" You were not trusting of me either when we first met, This man may seem strange, but he is a good man, His friends are good people....I only pray that the martian does not show for this battle. He is weaklink..his powers are psychic. Telepathy more specific. " He glanced and he said" As always I seek to find a better way...how many of your people will die if we do not stop what is coming? Humans, Atlantians....even the gods themselves shudder at the return of the Great Old Ones. We need Batman and his friends to hold back the smaller forces while we take our battle to the bigger threat." With that he opened his hands out wide the glowing Ankh appeared the world shifted around them and they were ontop of Wayne Tower.
Superman: Standing at his computer, Clark hit a few more keys as Diana put the last of his robots down for the count. "I have to say...Amazonian martial arts are truly something to be admired," he joked while turning around. Before he could say anything more however, he heard a noise behind him and turned to see his screen flashing. He hit a key and looked back to Diana, "Batman's calling us to meet at the top of Wayne Tower. It's urgent." Kal-El hovered up into the air and started towards the exit of his Fortress leading the way as he quickly crossed from the Artic to Gotham, leaving their travel time being mere minutes.
-GREEN LANTERN- Hal was presently asleep, resting on something soft and warm with a little button digging into his face. He reached up and felt it, his hopes immediately being dashed as he realized it was just his Air Force blues shirt. Sitting up, he looked around and tried to figure out what was going on and why he was even dressed in these. Before he had time to think, there came a beeping noise and he reached over to pick up this communicator thing that Batman had given him and the rest of the league not too long after dealing with the Koreans and the robot thingy and what all else and... Shaking his head he put it into his pocket and held his ring up. The green halo appeared above his head and slid down his body, forming the green domino mask over his eyes and then the rest of his Green Lantern uniform. In a matter of seconds he was off, reaching Gotham not too long after Superman and Wonder Woman arrived at the tower and then just a minute or so after they landed he was. "So... what's going on? What would be dictator or world conqueror's pee pee do we need to slap now?"
WonderWoman: She had what most women would refer to as a "glow" from her exhibition, not so much an outright sweat. He spoke and she drew in a breath and nodded. "Let's go," she said with a smile, already wearing her battle armour and helmet to avoid damage to her face. It appeared Lantern was the last one to arrive. She knew Superman, and she had met Lantern and Fate previously. The man with the black cowl and cape was familiar and then... Of course. Her eyes went directly to the trident; she didn't recognize the warrior, but if Poseidon's champion was here, this would be serious. She squared her shoulders; it seemed with each step forward, two tumbled back.
Aquaman: "You are also more than the others I had met and have met since. That man is just a human. A liability. And if he or any of the others jepordize this world.... you know I will kill them," he responded and then they were gone. Fate had struck a chord within him, however, before the appeared on Wayne Tower. Speaking of Atlantis and its people, of even the oceans themselves and the life within them, was a dangerous thing. Doing so was as likely to earn the King's respect and loyalty as it was an opened stomach. As the others began to arrive, he turned away from them before catching a clear sight of any and instead looking out towards the city. He didn't need to be "briefed" on what was to come for he knew all to well...-e-
-Batman reached the Wayne Tower just a minute after everyone else had, he swung to the top of the building and climbed over the ledge to see all other heroes already waiting for him. Unlike all of them, Batman was unable to fly, shoot lasers, mystical strength, mind control, Super speed, or create constructs…He was an ordinary man amongst these people, his gaze immediately noticed that J’onn wasn’t present, a man who had come to be trusted to Batman almost as much as Superman. Batman would take leadership and explain.- “Doctor Fate and Aquaman here have news of a threat that is approaching. I recommend we listen to what they have to say…Fate.” –Batman’s dark glare shifted from the Justice League members immediately to Doctor Fate and Aquaman.-
Doctor Fate: "How much do you know of the history of your planet? Of the Cosmos....Because what we face threatens all of existance.. The Great Old Ones are gathering ..some still sleep and if we can keep them like that we will save the planet....Princess what do you know of the Gods that came before the Gods of Olympus? Green Lantern What do you know of the great Imprisioned god in the center of the Universe? What do any of you truly know about what we are up against. Any knowledge could very well save The North Gate is opened. Which means that the stars are aligning we do not know how many others are opened. If we can stop them we stand a chance....And time is of the essence. Weeks at most."
Superman: The Man of Steel looked to the others as they began to gather, his gaze lingering on Fate and the unknown, armed man. He didn't like the feeling he got from him. Violence... anger... and he could feel the magic coming from the weapon he weilded and it made his skin bristle. When the Doctor began to explain things after Batman arrived, Superman crossed his arms over his chest and listened, memorizing everything so that he would not forget it later. When the questions came about the past of this planet, he thought for a moment and then remarked, "Another Kryptonian supposedly came to Earth during the height of Ancient Egypt. He was a legend on Krypton and why my father chose Earth as the place to send me."
Green Lantern: Hal looked up and over at Superman, raising an eyebrow but keeping silent for the moment. He was trying to stay out of this one until he was told specifically something to do. This talk was started to sound a bit above his pay grade, even if he was a Green Lantern. Essentially though, he was just a beat cop with a area that covered just a few billion miles of space all just for him. So when Fate spoke to him, he shrugged, "I dont' know much. The Guardians keep a lot of stuf about the begining of time to themselves." He shruged and leaned his weight to his right leg, resting his hands on his hips. As time went on something in his mind finally clicked and he shouted, "That's it!" He finally rememered why he was in his blues. It was because he'd had to report to his commander and Carol while they both chewed him for mising the key, test flight run and then he realized..."Sorry. Work stuff. Continue on."
WonderWoman: As Fate spoke Diana felt the blood rush from her limbs. No... No... This was going to be bad."How?" she asked. They had been imprisoned in the very depths. It made sense now as to why Poseidon's champion was here. She took a slow and steady breath, never letting on that she was nervous, feeling numb and tingling at the moment after hearing what they were up against. As Hal spoke he drew her gaze but she shook him off; her level of respect for the man in green was lowered almost every time they interacted. Her assessment of him, right or wrong, was that while very brave and capable on the field, he wasn't very smart. Her attention went back to Fate waiting for an answer, flicking to Orin every so often, wary of the Atlantian.
Aquaman: was silent as the deliberation between others. He had nothing to say that would be listened to for Fate would just tell him to calm down as he caught the others up to speed with as much knowledge as they had time for. But the fact remained: they DIDN'T have time for it, even if the time wasn't "right" yet. The longer they delayed the longer the cults went unopposed while they worked their machinations.
-Batman’s gaze remained quiet like most but, as no one seemed to speak much, Batman took the initiative.- “Apparently we’re dealing with some form of old gods.” –Batman looked to Hal Jordon.- “Think back to 4th grade literature…” –Batman’s gaze shifted to Superman and Wonder Woman.- “We’re dealing with creatures on the scale of the Universe. They will use the better parts of us against us. Everything you think is strength…Prepare for them to use it against you…”–Batman looked to Fate as if expecting a nod of approval for what he had said. Batman’s voice wasn’t that of a growl but, a deep voice of a man; Bruce Wayne notably only to Superman who would’ve heard the Billionaires voice over television or press conference.-
Doctor Fate: -Nodded to Superman and he said" Yes Superman, The Kryptonian you speak of was worshiped as a God. as were his two Thanagarian allies." He waited for a moment and he said" Then that is settled, You will seek out the East Gate in Egypt disrupt the ceremony anyway. Possible...but I warn you..There is an Old One who is very active there. Normally he is no threat to mortals except those who seek him out. The snake is not they type to deal with mortals lightly...a warning his poison is lethal even to you..I fear the sun's light will not heal you before you die from it." He glanced to the Green Lantern and he said" Where is the Thanagarian Female you brought to Earth?" His eyes were glowing as he spoke, but for a reason, he was looking into the past of his friends. Seeing what they knew. And he said" The dormant god is no threat at the moment. Cthulhu must awaken and feed before his master can be freed." He glanced to Diana and he said" So your gods have not kept you blind to the fact---
Doctor Fate: --That is good... Your gods were not strong enough to actually wipe them out infact the Titans were almost destroyed by them. He crossed his arms and he said" Be calm my friend." to Aquaman and he stopped and looked to Batman and he said" You are correct Batman...Lovecraft was a prophet...he thought he was simply talented..the point is there are 4 more gates. The last cannot be opened before the stars are right."
Jonn: had gottent he call and could hardly beleive the rotten timing that the man possessed. Batman calling an emergency meeting of the League at Wayne Towers. Yeah. we're they trying to set up a big bill board saying we're the Justice League? Well in any case, he landed upon the balcony, walkiing forwards with his hands in his pockets, those red eyes peering this way and that, noting the presence of Doctor Fate and A new face that he was not yet aquainted with. He looked towards the people there, his hairless brow raised and he nodded his head to them. "I apologize for my lateness. I was looking into another matter. What is the situation?"
WonderWoman: Diana was more comfortable going to Egypt and fighting against the ancients than she had been against the modern mechanisations of war. At least these she understood. Magic, ancient Gods and powers beyond the control of mere mortals. They were flying across the desert as she turned her head to Kal, "Do you know what we are going to do? I mean, really understand?" Her voice was earnest, wanting him to be prepared for the worst.
Doctor Fate: Looked to J'onn and Batman" You will go to a town known as Rivermouth. It is on the west coast. " He crossed his arms over his chest his golden cape falling down infront of him. He turned his gaze to J'onn." Keep your wits Martian Manhunter, These things that we battle will try to turn your power against you." He looked to them and he said"Time is of the essence."
Superman: "I have an idea but it wouldn't matter to me if I didn't. My home is threatened and I'm going to defend it against any odds. Ancient gods and magics.. if it threatens the Earth I'll fight it," he answered with an unwavering tone.The one thing he was sure of was that he would protect this planet, no matter what he had to fight. He had already lost one family and home before he could even comprehend it and Kal-El would not allow that to happen again. "We're heading to one of the pyramids in the Valley of Kings. But the legend of the Kryptonian that came to Earth in the past was written in an ancient Kryptonian dialect and the translation to what I speak could be off." Superman led the way forward, keeping a fast pace as his eyes continued to scan the landscape in front and below
them.
-Batman turned his attention to J’onn as he appeared.- “Just in time. Superman, Green Lantern, and the Amazon left.” –Batman then noted to himself.- ‘I’ve got to find out what her name is, exactly…’ –Batman then turned his attention to Doctor Fate and immediately armed his cryptographer. Inputting the location, he heard the device beep.- “Got it.” –He looked at J’onn.- “Follow me.” –In what seemed like seconds, the Batwing flew alongside the building, and Batman used his grappling hook to swing onto it. Batman waited to see if J’onn would board the Batwing or fly on his own way before he took off for the west coast, Batman opted to fly at top speed, forsaking all restricted flight zones and avoiding all high air traffic sectors of the country.-
WonderWoman: (not long... sorry... ) "He's an anthropomorphic creature," she said, following him. "He represents the very basic fears of humanity." She explained about the god that was most likely to be residing in Egypt. "He is one of the most clever of the Gods, and very easy to anger." She continued to explain, trying to keep herself parallel to him as they flew. "Even the Olympians keep clear of the Old Ones."
Jonn: Raised an eyebrow to those gathered around and then he turned and followed the Batman out to the balcony. There he watched as the black jet approached from overhead. There he flew up following the man to the cockpit, knowing that the man preferred his mental privacy, and disliked mental communication. High speeds made accurate information exchange rather limited. And there he sat in the back seat, those red eyes peering out to the city through glass while he nodded his head to his friend. "What is the situation."
Superman: He heard the syllable 'anthro' and immediately his mind heard Jimmy screaming FURRY!!! That had been a rather disgusting day that he wished he could forget, but never seemed to fully be able to. However, as Diana continued to explain the situation he tuned back into her words. "Then we'll have to be careful. What else do you know?"He understood the seriousness of what they were face, but he wouldn't shy away from his responsibility. A bit more time passed and finally they arrived at the Valley. Kal flew a few more miles before suddenly saying, "There. That one," and he pointed with his finger before flying down and landing. Standing before the large entrance, Superman used his x-ray vision to scan the inside first before they ventured into the bowels of the pyramid.
Batman: “Ancient creatures long before the starting of time are attempting to arrive through ancient gates placed here on Earth. These creatures are sleeping but, they still exert an amount of telepathic ability, stories suggest that they have the ability to drive any man insane…There are four gates; one of them is already open. We’re splitting up to close the gates and hopefully delay their arrival for another millennia or so.” –Batman explained things roughly, it was a lot to take in and even he didn’t understand the full situation. The Batwing was fully loaded and equipped with everything Batman would need.- “We just need to hope that the others hold their own gate while we protect ours.” –Batman looked below as it was soon enough they were arriving on site.-
WonderWoman: She landed softly in the sand. "He's very eager to anger," she reiterated, "But like all Gods is easily flattered into compliance. Acting humble will make things easier for us, if you can manage it." She eyed him, wondering if the Man of Steel ever had ever had to willingly submit to someone dark in order to save the world. Could he do it? Diana didn't doubt her own core; she was a warrior, born, raised and trained. This is what she was meant for; fighting the ancients and paying service to the Gods, even the old Gods that were not hers were still Gods.
Old Ones: 'He lies to you martian.' a deep voice from no where ran through his head. Withing the Valley of Kings the Pyramid was not made on the inside as a normal pyramid. It house a few Kryptonian crystals and symbols. These Symbols told the story. The Kryptonian arrived on Earth and realized he had godlike power. There was also a symbol marked beside the others. It marked the entire Temple as if to erase the story of the Krytonian.( upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/78/Yellowsign.JPG )
Jonn: Listened and shook his head lightly as he peered out the window. He knew the objective was a delay tactic. There he looked towards target site, a Small town of sorts. When the phsyic attack began, his eyebrows raised. "I've endangered the mission. I should not have come." He stated to his friend as he stared at the small town. "It's attempting communication. I will attempt to sheild us from it." he stated extending his mental powers outward and around him and Bruce. ~Who are you?~
-Batman shifted his head, concerned that J’onn was hearing it. Batman thought.- ‘So soon?’ –Batman then said.- “If you become possessed…Will a tranquilizer affect you?” –Batman was already preparing for a backup plan, he didn’t expect his partner to go insane on him but, J’onn was ultimately a more powerful being. Batman landed the vehicle in the park of the small town, and jumped out, he looked around and spoke into his communication device and activated his detective vision.- “Fate, this is Batman. J’onn and I have just touched down. Also, J’onn is hearing voices…What are we looking for?” –Batman assumed it was a church, when Batman spotted a church, a hobo ringing a bell.- “Christmas in july funds! Christ-mast in jully-eye-sons er *Funds!*” –The man waved his bell carelessly in a half torn up Santa outfit.- <C>
-Batman pulled off his belt the cryptographer and spoke into it.- “Cloak…” –The Batwing would suddenly begin shifting its armor plating, reflecting the scenery of the trees in the part, the vehicle would appear almost military camouflaged as its armor took in the light of the trees and reflected it back. A person would have to stand within twenty feet to notice the vehicle or the odd shading. The cockpit would be concealed by a protective door that reflected the trees as well. By night fall the entire vehicle would be pure black and unnoticeable even with a flash light placed upon it.-
Old Ones: This Symbol was everywhere inthe town, it was the town seal on City Hall, It was on the man hole covers. Even on the Church. The sign outside the church read" God is a Lie." There were no people on the streets. The smell of the town was bad, rottted fish, and something else. there was a bridge on the opposite side of the town which lead to the Light house. The church had no lights.
Old Ones: ~I am the truth.~
Old Ones: the voice answered back
Doctor Fate: "Do you recall the symbol in the church at Gotham? It will appear almost identical keep reminding him that the voice can not harm him and it is telling him lies..It knows his power his thoughts and will use them against him but unless he can identify the voice I cannot help him."
Jonn: shook his head lightly as he reached into his pocket and produced something that would most likely get the Batman's attention. "Napalm. If I become comprimised, spray this on me. It will ignite and I will burn. I will not be harmed badly, but it will be mentally taxing... But we cannot afford me to be comprimised at this junction." He stated giving Batman the ultimate paralyzing and fear generating agent. Whether or not the man put it together that this was his ultimate fear, he did not know. When they landed, he got out with the man he looked around towards the town his red eyes peering this way and that and then he eyed the grafetti on the sign and tapped it. "Someone wishes to send a message. That there is no 'god' to help us. I pray to the ancient goddess that she did not hear that." he stated simply as he walked forwards. ~The Truth is a subjective term, shifting on the wanton basis of anothers point of view.~ He stated as he walked forwards nodding his head towards Batman. "What
Jonn: Symbol is he referring to?" He asked.
Old Ones: ~No little Martian, What you know is a lie, what you understand is a lie, your existance is a lie.~ A police officer began patrolling. He was large, and ugly. he sniffed the air, walking into the local gas station. Looking to the girl."New Girl...Come here." This voice was rustic, and almost like a hiss. He looked to her and he said" Have you noticed anything strange?"
-His face was sober as J’onn produced the capsule, he blinked watching it for a moment as J’onn explained and then gave it to him. He would simply place it on his belt and speak no more of it. Batman began walking towards the church when he stopped across from it, standing on the sidewalk Batman pointed at the symbol of a head with multiple tentacles escaping the body.- “That symbol, It’s…Everywhere.” –Batman looked to his left and saw down the street, the main road in town led to the city hall that had the same symbol. There was also a gas station that was lit up and had some movement inside it. Batman narrowed his eyes slightly as he took in the environment.- “Perhaps we should investigate here first…”<c>
–Batman crossed the street and opened the church doors, to look inside. A chilling cold draft rushed over him as he looked through the darkness with his detective vision active. The church smelled of rotten fish, much worse than the air outside. The building was completely empty, no furniture, nothing.- Batman backed away and looked to J’onn.- “Perhaps the gas station…” –Batman began approaching the Gas station, before moving into the darkness behind the building.- “You go in…I’ll keep an eye out. See what you can find out. We’re looking for the gate or anything remotely symbolic of a gate.” –Batman spoke deeply and boldly to J’onn.-
Jonn: Looked towards him as he spoke about the symbol and he raised an eyebrow. "In the senses of esthetics... it's hideous." He commented as they walked on and he peered towards the gas station as Batman moved to the doors that kept the church closed. And he looked over the man's shoulder before he peered towards his friend. "If we are looking for a gate or passage way. A door would do it. A yard Gate perhaps? Heavy metal. A cellar gate perhaps... What is this smell?" he asked as he looked towards the city, peering down towards the various peoples and then he looked towards the gas station in question. He nodded his head as he walked forwards listening to the plan and there he shifted from the martian man hunter to that of his detective alias.
Jonn: The long brown trench coat swaying in the wind as he approached the sliding doors that opened and he eyed the man at the counter and the young lady there. "Good evening..." He stated as he walked to the refridgerator and pulled out a two litre of root beer, and approaching the cashier. "... Quite the bit of mess out there on the streets. What's going on? Festival? Gang?"
Old Ones: The police officer stopped at the sight of J'onn " 'nother new comer?" He moved away from the girl sizing J'onn up. There was blood on his uniform, spotted in several places all over the suit. It was obvious this police officer had killed people, and he did so with his bare hands with the amount of dried blood on his sleeves. The girl looked terrified of the police officer. The Officer looked to the man and he said" Better get outta town new comer."
Old Ones: The girl watchs as the officer leaves and heads towards the light house. She looked to J'onn unwilling to answer his questions but passing a note than read" Help me"
Old Ones: -The Skeleton of the man looked odd to say the least. The skull looked more like that of a fish. The rows of teeth lik that of a shark. The police officer would walk all the way to the light house, opening the door and walking in other voices could be heard inside -
Jonn: Dark eyes narrowed at the uniform as he left and that one fist clenched in his pocket. Oh there was a primal urge to hit him. But that would mean exposing them, and as far as he knew they were trying to keep it extremely low for the time being. As the man left he watched the doors slide closed before he turned his head to look at the neck of his coat. "Acknowledged. Officers uniform covered in dry blood. Recommend extreme caution." he whispered as he approached the young lady and saw the note. He raised an eyebrow to her and then he looked towards her. "Young Lady, I can help you, but I need information. What is going on here." He stated.
Old Ones: -she looked scared and she said" I'm not from here, I moved here a week ago, and I was given a free room at the hotel,but the first night I had the feeling that something was watcing me through the window and when I looked out I saw something move across the roof tops. The people here they aren't people, they are all monsters. You can look around the children are really weird to they look at you like your food. All the people smell like fish, and the mayor is the worst of them all. I've heard that he has powers. Like those heroes you read about in the newspapers."-
-Batman watched as the officer went into the light house; he began to think about how he could handle this. He armed his line launcher and fired it across the way, swinging his body across the street, he landed on the roof of the small building before retracting the device and then using his grappling hook to pull himself towards the light at the very top of the tower. He climbed inside and looked around. Batman:- ‘The smell of rotten eggs and fish…I hear voices downstairs, perhaps five men? At least…The sign up front said Join or die…Cthulhu…Not very subtle.’ –Batman then pulled out an explosive charge and began setting the timer.- ‘Ten minutes…I shouldn’t need-…I shouldn’t *give* them more time than that…’ –Batman began sneaking his way downstairs of the light house.- ‘This seems all too familiar…’
Old Ones: www.kenmeyerjr.com/gothic/cult.jpg ) "Ia Hydra Ia Dagon Ia Cthulhu." could be heard repeating as Batman made his way down.- J'onn would hear something that sounded like a large dog growling behind him.The Girl seemed not not notice.-