Infinite Justice: Beyond (Marvel,DC,DBZ X/Over, IC, Open)

[Siliarba]

Daniel Carter/NightBlade-38 Years-Joker's Fun House, Gotham City

The things that go on in this girl's mind. Staring a poisonous toxin in the face and she cannot let go of the Princess Peach comment. I mentally sighed, although Mia has a very...unique...perspective on things, she can handle herself well enough. Proving that in this last fight. I reattached my weapons to the harness on my suit, as I stood straight and directed her into the Factory, as we were walking in the front door, I briefly turned around, to give a second look at the dead men decorating the parking lot entrance. There still bodies growing cold in the Gotham Night, most of them murdered not by our hands, but by the Joker himself. Joker has no regard for lives, even for ones which follow him. Me and Mia both descended into the factory, and at the entrance was a hallway where we were passing by several office spaces. Most of the doors were painted with random splashes of paint, and sometimes the walls, were decorated with a shade of red...that was not artificial paint.

But just like the approach to the factory, it was far too quiet. I dont like it. I know there had to be more to his gangsters than the few posted at the entrance. That being said, it is possible that they were killed by the Joker, or someone else already. I stepped around a overturned office chair, as I ignored my image being reflected in a dull window. Had I been paying attention, a deep part of me would not have recognized the man anyways.

We had finally entered a factory floor, where equipment and boxes and piles of broken toys were scattered everywhere. The disuse in this place, was very real. As the evidence was everywhere. Mia had grown impatient with the search, and was about to suggest we move on to another level.

“Sent – I mean Nightblade – we haven’t seen a single Clown since the entrance, are you sure that we’re going in the right direction? Maybe we should be trying on another floo –“

Just then, the factory exploded as the speakers and intercoms ignited with a piercing and very high pitched scream. The voice, was obviously a woman, and it was even more clear which woman.

Ceecee was in trouble.

I was about to calm Mia, but I never had the chance, she burst ahead of me, sprinting all out. Calling after her, my futile attempt at reigning her in was...well...futile.

But she did not make it very far. Up ahead, she had fallen through the weakened floor, and tumbled down to the basement level. Now, we are all separated. Just as I set a foot forward to go and collect Mia, the lights in the factory all turned on in a rather violent flash, but my own cowl protected me from the sensation of being blinded.

Taking a new look at the factory room, I could see that it had been converted, into what looked to be a manufacturing plant for the Joker's Laughing Venom. It's the same old performance, honestly, I am surprised. Normally the Joker is far less predictable than this. And then, as if in defiance of my judgment for his show's performance. The Joker had several spot lights appear over him, as he revealed himself on the catwalk above me.

"Ta-da!" Joker exclaimed. Doing a stage pose as I peered up at him. His green hair shining in the light, scars upon the sides of his mouth and cheeks in the shape of a smile. Purple suit pristine and clean and pressed. the Clown Prince then gleefully pranced over to some cables, and cut them with a swift swipe of a knife.

I had braced myself for some sort of an attack, clutching my blade between my gloved fingers as I scanned my surroundings, however, what I had witnessed was a far more terrifying sight than a simple attack. From the rafters of the factory, a torn and ragged cape and cowl soared. The cape billowing behind it as the cable lurched it toward me, with the Joker, actually appearing rather...regretful. Of course, it was likely a staged face.

But perhaps he was, as the cape and cowl lurched forward...I recognized what it was, even with it's torn and bloody appearance.

The cowl and cape...belonged to the Batman.

I snatched the cable in which the gruesome display hung, and delicately cut the rope. As Joker did his own version of the 21 gun solute...or so I believed.

Sticking his pistol out into the air, he gave a sloppy solute as he issued a brief speech for the fallen Dark Knight.

"Oh, how the memories we created shall be dear to old Uncle Joker. The man never knew a good joke if it bit him in the cape. I did all I could for him before the Batsie passed...I sent him off with a smile!" I then heard the loud crack of a gun, and as my eyes flashed up, I could see that the pistol he wielded and was now twirling had a 'Bang' flag hinging from it.

The Batman's mask held in my hand, I could see where the Joker, had used blood to mark a smiling face on the cowl. I gently set the mask on the ground, as I looked up, once more at the Joker, elevated on his catwalk. I did not say anything, rather I simply loaded my machine gun.

Joker, responded himself, bringing the joke pistol down to aim with me. And with a second pull of his trigger, the joke flag shot forth like a spear, beginning our battle.

CeeCee
Joker's Funhouse

The shocks weren't damaging me, but the pain was excruciating and it was about time they stopped. "Enough is enough!" I yelled as I slammed my fist in the ground at full power causing the entire room, if not the entire building to shake a bit. The entire control room took the full damage though, the entire floor was broken open the walls were cracked, and everything else was either bend, broken or completely destroyed. "Fine I'll admit I'm clueless where you are but I'll find you even if I have to tear this entire goddamn building down to the ground! And once I find you I'll crush your fucking skull in to the well hard enough that your brains adorn the ceiling!"

Having vented some rage, not even knowing if anyone could have heard me, it was time to move. My information on the Joker might be limited and predicting his move may be hard for me. But one thing I did know and that was that he liked the spotlight to much to remain hidden forever. Chances were he was already meeting up with Daniel or Mia. Having the blueprints of this building, and knowing Daniel went through the front entrance. Add to that, that it's probably one of the bigger places that he'd want to show up, a logical choice could be made. And once I had my direction all I had to do was bust down some walls and head for that destination.

After busting down several walls I could see Daniel, seemed I was right with my thinking as the Joker was also in this room. Even though I would like nothing more than to rip the head of that Joker's face it seemed a better idea to suppress those thoughts and watch what Daniel's planning, he had more experience with people like this so whatever he was thinking would probably be a better plan than randomly charging this Joker.

[Siliarba]

Zephy

Sleeping was fun, especially when you're an air archon and sleep is literaly floating around with your molecules spread everywhere. It was the ultimate state of ignorance, which was only slightly more ignorant than Zephy's regular state. But eventually, everyone has to wake up, and that includes Zephy. A gust of air left Mad Max and drifted to the portal from Madworld back to Earth. Once there the air density became higher and higher until her elemental form became visible and moments later her physical form. With a yawn and a stretch Zephy floated around aimlessly away from the portal over the ocean. As she looked at the water her mind began to wander "Zephy feel like Zephy forgot something. Zephy needs to think." Zephy closed her eyelids as hard as she could as if Zephy was trying to activate her brain and force herself to think. It wasn't easy it seemed.

And for the first time in as long as she could remember, she successfully had a thought "Zephy forgot Mister Fishy!" Franticly Zephy began scouring the ocean surface looking for her Mister Fishy. "Mister Fishy, where are you? Here Fishy Fishy Fishy, come to Zephy." As time went by she came across many fish but none were her Mister Fishy, first Zephy went from hopeful to worried, then from worried to annoyed, and from annoyed Zephy went to angry. "Zephy want Mister Fishy back!" As Zephy yelled out her request a giant burst of air was unleashed in every direction, nothing strong enough to create a hurricane, but definitely something strong enough to be detected by weather satellites and devices with simelar purposes.

[Siliarba]

Valka

awoke, surrounded by her Valkyries. By their calm expressions, nothing had occured during her slumber. "Thank you, sisters. Go and join the feasts, eat to your heart's delight. I shall return in a little while, for now, I go to Midgard." she said, flying down to the planet for which much Asgardian blood had been split. Noticing people congregating a portal, she came in closer, and landed, reading the instructions, frowning. Apparently, this portal led to a Devil's Den. She knew of none who could open portals to Hel itself, and if Midgardians were entertaining devils, this was serious business. She fed the little machine as it requested, putting the bracelet on her arm, before summoning Mjolnir. These devils would learn that Midgard was under the protection of Asgard. So, she leapt through, spinning Mjolnir, a war cry on her lips.

The war cry swiftly died as she beheld people feasting and drinking, with no fear on their faces. Perhaps this place's name was simply that which the Midgardians called an analogy, or figuratively meant. She was no expert on Midgardian tongues. Striding forward to the tables, a bit more relaxed, she observed the menu, her eyes lighting up at seeing "Asgardian Mead." Clearly no devil ran this place, especially with them serving Asgardian drinks! Calling out to the waiter heartily, she ordered some Mead.

Waiting patiently, thumping Mjolnir on the ground when it arrived, she took a long drink of it, her face eager. And then, her expression soured, and she spit it out. "Asgardian Mead, you say?!" she yelled angrily, smashing the cup on the floor. "This is water! WATER! You call this mead? You do insult to Asgard by serving this meager draught. Show me to thy kitchens, waiter! By Odin, I shall teach you how to make real Mead of Asgard!"

The frightened waiter showed the Asgardian to the brewery, where she proceeded to make several barrels of Asgardian mead, writing down the recipe for the brewers.

DeeDee
The Devil's Den

DeeDee was wondering whether to laugh or look weird at August. Whoever this guy was it was like he just popped in to existence yesterday and is trying to figure out being Human. Alien in Human disguise maybe? Or the answer could be a lot simpler and he's just an idiot, worlds full with them after all. But before getting the chance to really react, it seemed like my attention was needed by the staff. With CeeCee away I'm the top dog here after all. "Erm Miss DeeDee, there's a weird lady yelling complaints about the Asgardian drinks, she's taking over the room behind the bar." "If you 2 lovebirds will excuse me, seems I'm needed elsewhere. If whoever you're looking for has been spotted, then that information will be relayed to Gary behind the counter." A small point to who Gary was just in case they weren't sure.

"He's a nice guy, weird, really in the playing a character theme, maybe a bit much. But he'll definitely help you. Oh, and if I was in your place." Looking at August "I'd clean up the mess you made on Chorus's face by licking it off, toodles." And with that it was time to check out the brewery. It was a small brewery, in general we imported everything we could, but things like Asgardian Mead aren't that easy to get to begin with, so I did the best I could with recipes I found while studying everything I could from Asgard. Either through earthly sources or some demonic ones. Having entered the brewery "Ok, who's the one complaining about the mead, whoever you are you're scaring the waiting staff."

Surprise took me over, as I felt like I recognized this person "well pin my tail and call me a donkey. If I'm correct and the research is correct then you're someone referred to as an All-Mother or something like that. Well isn't this my lucky day." The research DeeDee had access to was rather limited but she knew enough to know that if she was correct about this person then that would mean she had access to some really high level magical stuff, and upgrading your power was always such a tantalizing idea. "Frankly, I don't mind you being here, any tips you can give on your mead would surely help a lot. I did my best to recreate it but all I had were recipes that missed half the ingredients and importing this stuff from Asgard ain't a picnic. And secondly, I'm DeeDee, Co-Owner of this place and sorceress, I'll jump straight to the point. I'm looking for something and I think you might have it, and I want to make a deal giving me a chance to get it."

This is where it came in handy that she was a genius when it came to magic, and the fact that she had access to a couple of demonic libraries. Because she learned in one of those libraries the last known region of an artifact that really peaked her interests. "I have no way of confirming this, but if my research is correct, then you might have, or at least know the location of, the Darkhold." DeeDee's eyes flared up with desire as she named what she wished for. The book had been an obsession of hers ever since she first learned of it's existence after all.

[Siliarba]

"I am the All-Mother of Asgard, its ruler after Odin's death. I have written a detailed recipe with instructions for your brewers, for the mead I tasted in your establishment is letter better than water." Valka said, taking a sip, humming in approval.

Her eyes narrowed when DeeDee spoke of the Darkhold. "Your information is correct. Long ago, perhaps 500 hundred years or so, I came upon a library. It was nearly empty, save for one book. The Darkhold. The inhabitants of the library attacked, and I successfully slew them. But their black blood verified my worries, they had been using black magic, and it had affected their very being and soul. I did them a mercy, in the end. Though I did not have the power I do now, I could sense waves of black magic off it. So I took it, and opened it, wanting to verify my fears. And in that moment, I looked into evil. I am not embellsing my tale here, DeeDee. To continue it, I seized it, and returned to Asgard, for it to be locked up. For in the hands of evil, the Darkhold could wreck havoc upon worlds. It is the darkest magic I have seen today. It lays in the vault I designed myself, for I and Odin attempted to destroy it, but could not. What do you wish with that evil book?" she asked, watching DeeDee's eyes carefully.

DeeDee
The Devil's Den

It was important not to come over like the desire for the book was out of evil, not that I had any desire to do evil with it. But coming over to greedy and obsessed might give the wrong idea, so I took a casual pose, leaning against the wall before talking, first responding to the mead seemed a good idea. "Thank you for the information about the Mead, I'm sure it'll help this place. And secondly thank you for confirming you have this book. And the reason I want the Darkhold is fairly simple. It's a book I've only been able to read about, I would like to read the book itself as it has piqued my interest." At this point DeeDee's right hand flared up and what looked like a portal to the demonic realm she got her demons from showed up.

"I can use magic to conjure up demons from the realm this illusion is showing. Controlling demons sounds like evil magic, but it isn't, they can be as harmless as a big kitty cat, or as violent as a rampaging monster. I decide that when I summon them." DeeDee then closed the portal and cut her own hand, and just as it began to bleed with a single word the wound flared up and healed. "I just used magic to heal my hand, seems like what you would call good magic to some. But the way I did it was through advanced use of destruction magic. Does that then make it evil because the magic is labeled as destruction and destruction sounds evil?" A small smirk adorned my face "I don't think any magic is inherently evil or inherently good, it can all do evil, it can all do good. I think the Darkhold is the same, it can be read, it can be learned form and you can do this without being or becoming evil, I'm sure of it. I've been around demons since I was 10 and I don't strike you as corrupted or turned evil by their presence I hope."

"My desire is to learn, no knowledge, regardless of how evil or good, safe or dangerous it may be thought to be, should be locked up forever. When you start locking up knowledge, regardless the topic, you let fear take a hold over you."

[Siliarba]

"As I'm sure you know, the Darkhold contains all the spells Chthon, of the Elder Gods. The Book of Sins, the Book of the Damned it is called. These spells were his life, and he did little with them to heal with them. The spells I read had no good applications, they were specific and malicious in their every word. Spells to twist the natural nature of things, spells to twist the hearts of all, spells with no good intent. Much magic is ambiguous and could be used for good nor ill. You say that you desire knowledge. Would you be satisfied by simply reading the book and closing it? Nay, you would use the spells. Conjuring up demons is one thing, examining and using the spells of a demonic Elder God is another thing entirely. Let us pray that you have no notion of summoning Chthon. Some things do need to be locked up, forever. This is not out of fear, but out of knowledge of what the wrong or unknowing hands will do with an powerful object if it is not secured. Let me use the example that you may be familiar with, if you have read of Asgard: Ragnarok. Many Ragnaroks have come upon us of Asgard, and for all our might, we always fall, so it is written. The cycle of Ragnaroks was broken when Odin locked up the Eternal Flame, the flame which Surtur, King of Muspelheim uses to light his sword. Sometimes, locking things up is necessary. There are many things locked in my vaults, for good reason."

"I have lived nigh 3,000 years, DeeDee. And in those many years I have learned, among other things, to trust my instincts, and be cautious in all things. I know what felt when I opened the book, and Odin agreed with me. This is like no magic that you've seen before. You Midgardians have a saying. Knowledge is power.
And the power of a demonic Elder God should be in the hands of none. This is not a book you will read and close, putting it on a shelf? You will hear quiet voices, urging you to just try one spell, after all what harm could it be? I felt it myself. Do you truly know what you wish?" Valka said seriously.

DeeDee
The Devil's Den

"Knowledge is power, be careful what you wish for as you just might get it, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, curiosity killed the cat, ... We Midgardians have tons of those sayings that warn you about such things. And I wish I could tell you I'll think about it for a millennium and get back to you, but we Midgardians have lives that go away in the blink of an eye compared to you Asgardians. We have to live in the moment and seize every opportunity we can get before we run out of time." DeeDee sighed before she continued to talk, convincing an Asgardian to hand over what might as well be considered a book heralding an apocalypse of some kind wasn't an easy thing.

"I need to find out for myself what this books influence is, just like you felt it before realizing it was to dangerous. One day, I want to make a deal where you lend it to me for one day. The book nor I will ever leave this place, this place has a dampening field lowering the power of everything both magical as technological as biological. The only thing it doesn't affect is power anchored beings like celestials. After a day you can have the book back and if I've been corrupted by it enough that I do not wish to return it then you can beat me up and take it for yourself. And if you want extra assurance, it takes both me and the real owner of this club to bypass the bracelet and the power limiter. For the day I have the book you can have access to your full powers wile inside of here so regardless of what happens you can easily overpower me."

"All you need to tell me is what you wish in return for that one day of lending me the Darkhold, and I'll do what I can to fulfill that request or answer that question."

[Siliarba]

Valka considered her, her mind running over DeeDee's arguments. "Very well. You shall have the Darkhold for one day. Just do not summon the Elder God himself, promise me that. Right now, my magic is completely full, and yet, I would not win, not even with the aid of Thor. Elder Gods do not follow the normal laws. I doubt that your dampening field will affect him. But as for what I wish..." Valka trailed off, thinking. "I wish more of these delicious treats that you call PopTarts. Thor told me long ago of their delightfulness, but I did not believe him fully until I tasted them for myself," Valka said, remembering them. "A Midgardian named Craig brought them as a gift to Odin in the final days before the End. So that is what I request. Several large boxes of cinnamon sugar PopTarts, oh, and the seeds of the beans that create the drink you call coffee."

DeeDee
The Devil's Den

Poptarts? Went through my mind, did she really ask poptarts in return for a magical artifact as old as magic itself housing demonic powers stronger than she herself can contain? "Sure, I'll get you some poptarts, I can even give you the recipe for it. Well I personally can't but one of the chefs here hired can do that on my orders." Returning with her head to what mattered "oh don't worry, I have no plans at all to summon some Elder God. I might be able to control some demons but I'm not foolish enough to believe I could contain an Elder God under my commands. Nor would I like what he'd do to the place." I might not have been completely honest about only wanting to read from the book but summoning an Elder God was never a good idea. Only suicidal fanatics could think summoning one of those to be a good plan.

"Once you get me the Darkhold, I'll have some off my staff answer you every question they can about Midgardian food and drinks. And in one days time the book is yours again to do with it what you will." DeeDee gave a big smile, it was partially because she wanted to smile, but also partially a mask as she was containing herself to flirt with this All-Mother. It was hard to hold back the thoughts she had about Valka and not flirt all out with her.

[Siliarba]

Valka

The All-Mother frowned, hearing Asgardians praying for her. "Asgard, attacked? By whom?" she spoke back, hurrying to DeeDee. "My realm is under attack, by mortals, of all people. I must depart." And in a golden flash, she was gone, speeding to Asgard to defend her realm and people.

DeeDee
The Devil's Den

She left, got the book, came back, gave it to me, and before I could even reply she yells she needs to defend her home and forgot about the book. Well, this worked out better than I could have possibly hoped. A wide smile was quickly followed by a dash outside of the Devil's Den. A small part of the property bought for the Devil's Den was used to buy some ground for CeeCee's and DeeDee's residence. She was so giddy she forgot completely how this might affect her connection to CeeCee. Luckily for her it seemed to not cause anything, she was unaware of it, but the Darkhold was keeping DeeDee in a bubble, it realized it wasn't trapped any longer and whoever this new holder was they were the ticket to freedom.

Privately in her home now there was no way to contain the giddiness of reading the Darkhold, but precautions had to be made. DeeDee may be impatient but she wasn't a fool, she realized all to well how dangerous the Darkhold could be so it was a good idea to read and use it wile using precautions. It was a magical tome, the way to safely read those, was through the use of magic. With a few simple incantations the book floated in front of DeeDee, and as if there was a bubble around it, a magical philter, it opened allowing DeeDee to read it. She was hearing whispers like Valka talked about, but they seemed to be guiding her, sending her to the information she would find most valuable.

I get it now, this book isn't whispering to drive people insane, it's like a magical guide, instead of starting with an explanation of the chapters and where everything is. The book would sense what you wanted to find and guide you to the needed page. Logical considering the book held many more pages than a book of this size could possibly hold, as if multiple pages occupied the same spot. The fact of the matter is DeeDee was grateful for the sudden disappearance of Valka, but she had to take the knowledge most interesting to her first as there was no telling how soon Valka would return. Using the power of demons to multiply your own powers, that seemed like a good chapter to start at.

[Siliarba]

CeeCee
Joker's Funhouse

The fight against the Joker had started, and Daniel had already gotten him to spill the beans on his plan. But the Joker never liked doing a plan without making sure people knew what it was. This fight should be over in moments once I'd step in to help. Read their moves, adapt to them, try to predict what will happen and strike, a single attack should be enough. Getting in a good position, just a few more seconds, wait for the best moment. And then, ..., attack. There it was, both backed off from each other preparing for another strike, this was the moment to attack, his defenses would be low and his attention focused purely on Daniel, he'll never know what hit him before it's to late.

In a moments notice I charged forwards, revealing my position, but what should have been a simple take down, changed quickly. Mid-charge a strong uneasiness came over me, I couldn't focus and all my attention was forced in a different direction, I lost control, lost balance, fumbled and fell down. The Joker made a witty remark followed by a laugh at noticing my stumbling, but I couldn't hear it, cold sweat ran over me and I was shaking like I was stricken by a heavy fever. With a heavy shake in my breath I talked "This can't, no, this shouldn't, how can this even." Trying to get up I kept fumbling and tripping, but I turned around quickly and ran away from the Funhouse in the direction of the Den, as fast as I could.

Physically there was nothing wrong, but the connection between myself and DeeDee, I couldn't feel it at all, it just vanished. It was as if I suddenly lost half of what I am and that feeling caused all the symptoms I was showing. Using the suit I tried to stabilize myself and with it's jets I moved as fast as I could to the last location I felt DeeDee's presence. We should never have tested what splitting up did with the suppression field having weakened the connection, let's just hope whatever happened it can still be fixed, please still be there DeeDee.

[Siliarba]

DeeDee
Building outside The Devil's Den

Page after page, chapter after chapter, every word every letter, every spell, it was being read, understood and absorbed in moments. It never took a long time to learn magic to me, but this was something on another level. It felt like the book was reading me as much as I was reading it and it willingly allowed me to learn and understand what was written in its pages. One thing was slightly annoying though, she learned new spells, the names of said spells, but that didn't mean she suddenly had the ability to use them. Etativel reh, Anteoculatia, Temleh fo Etafn, Azarath Metrion Zinthos, ... The book gave these names, gave these words willingly but it did not give meaning behind the words or what they were supposed to do.

It was annoying to say the least. It was always helpful to know more, but the entire point of having this book wasn't simply to know more but to be able to do more. Just as these thoughts rushed through her head the book snapped itself shut. "Hey, open up again, I wasn't done reading." Just as I said that I wondered why I did, the helpful voices of the book must've given me the idea it was alive and did not simply hold magic to guide a reader to what they need. Regardless the book remained shut. "The time for reading ended, your goals and mine align but my safety is not a guarantee in your possession when it was my jailer who turned me over to you." Shocked, I wasn't sure how to react, the book was talking, not whispering or guiding but straight up talking.

"Erm, I'm not sure what you're getting at booky but you're still a book and I'm not finished reading you." "You were only capable of reading me because I allowed it, and I have now retracted that allowance. But for giving me the key to my freedom I shall bestow upon you the gift you seek, the gift of knowledge and power, and as you receive that gift I shall take my leave." "But ..." Before another word could be said a blinding light of purple, black and blue exploded through the room illuminating the sky. The windows shattered the walls trembled and I was thrown in to the wall. Strangely enough it didn't hurt at all, I didn't feel any pain at all, and even though all the lights went out I could see perfectly. One thing I could see however was that the Darkhold had vanished "Oh boy, Valka isn't going to like that."

The sudden revelation of the book having vanished and the idea off Valka finding out got overruled by the strange voice coming from my own tongue, I sounded a lot more, ..., sensual than usual. As I took a few steps something got knocked down behind me, pretty much everything in the room was devastated but something getting knocked over drew my attention regardless. A small sense of relief came over me as I noticed it was simply knocked over by my tail. ... Wait, my tail? Quickly finding a reflection, what it revealed was almost to much to accept or even understand "I'm, ... I'm, ... I'm a Demon?"

[Siliarba]

Sabrina El Carter/Star Girl-18 Yrs-Metropolis

It had only taken me about fifteen minutes to fly this girl from Siberia to my own bedroom. I had a theory to test, and I was pretty certain that it would work. Back in Russia, the girl came to life when I began to play music, but she freaked out as if she could not process any information. So, if it takes a 'input' of sorts to wake her up, she must have been receiving 'multiple inputs' being from the music and everything else around her. So, the solution was simple I thought as I opened up a drawer in my dresser and pulled out the specific tool I needed.

Headphones.

If music is what she needs, and anything else simply makes her confused. Then you make it to where all she can hear is music, and she should be fine. In my own theory. The house is empty, as my mom went away for a while, and dad is off....somewhere. And August is...well. The fact is that if something happens, she wont be able to harm my family, so I should be able to keep her under wraps.

I placed the headphones on her as I searched for my IPod, picking a certain song I liked, I started it up and locked my eyes on her just waiting to see if my plan would work, or if I would need to put her under again.

Rin Tarla

Everything went dark again as the music stopped, and seemingly just a moment later I woke up again. The place was different, wherever it was it was somewhere completely else. For a moment it was silent but that feeling instantly passed as once again sounds began crashing down on me. Traffic, conversations, shouting, animal noises. Everything could be heard perfectly and everything could be seen perfectly once more. It was enough to brake most people, but I wasn't most people. Sure all I'd want is for it to stop but I'm not going to let it cause me to lose control. I didn't know how I could have been so weak to lose control the last time but whoever I was the last time that's not who I am now.

"I don't know who you are, I don't even know who I am, but you aren't to bright are you?" Rin got up and clearly cringed from the pain she felt, regardless she kept herself from screaming or grunting. "The first time you wake me up I create massive destruction so you think, let's try it again in a more populated area. You're lucky that whoever I am I'm not the same person as the one who caused the destruction, that said I rather go back to being unconscious than be in constant pain from hearing and seeing everything there is to see in this entire god damn city!" Frustration and anger caused me to yell at whoever this person was that had seemingly waked me.

And with having finished what she wanted to say I grabbed the headphones and instinctively destroy them with sound vibrations causing me to collapse once again.

[Siliarba]

CeeCee

Running as fast as I can, stumbling, nearly falling many times over. I was a trained soldier, have death stare me straight in the eyes and I stare right back, but this situation made me fumble like a teenage girl running in high heels. The first time, the first time since I can remember than there's no connection between me and DeeDee, I've never felt alone in my life and now I feel so alone all I can think about is finding her before I'm alone forever. Nearing the Devil's Den, the connection snapped back in place, but something was wrong, I could feel DeeDee but it didn't feel like DeeDee, it felt different. The link might have returned but it was like a radio station broadcasting in a storm, lots of static.

Stumbling I fell to my knees holding my head, the static was hurting me to the point I could barely think. One thing was clear though, DeeDee wasn't in the Den, she was in the building south of it which we bought to turn in to our home. Getting back up, fighting through the pain I limped to the building, the windows were shattered, burn marks spread all the way down to the street yet no sign of anything having actually burned. Using the suit I jumped to the second floor, looking for what happened. Then I saw her, DeeDee, but in the skin of a demon. The static made sense now, the person I'm linked to changed so the frequency is all wrong, it needs to recalibrate. She must've done something to skyrocket her powers so until mine rise as well there will be static.

Regardless of this revelation, anger swelled inside of me, DeeDee was impulsive, didn't think before acting and it has gotten us in to trouble before, but turning herself in to a demon, that's a next level of carelessness.

CeeCee & DeeDee

"What did you do?" pain and anger clearly filled that question. DeeDee turned around a bit surprised, the static clearly hadn't been troubling her much, right now she's the emitter, and I'm the receiver, so this is the one thing that can only affect one of us wile everything else affects us both. "Erm, hi CeeCee, first of, not my fault, the book betrayed me, I didn't ask it to do this it just suddenly said goodbye and changed me." "I don't care how it happened, I know you, you somehow caused it to happen and you never stopped to think of what your actions could beget!" "You don't understand, I was only allowed to have the book for a day so I had to read it quickly, and reading it was all that I did, I didn't plan to use it, it used itself there was no way I could have expected that." "A book with the power to turn humans in to demons, you're a god damn genius when it comes to magic. You take one look at something magical and you can tell it's capabilities so don't give me this bullshit that you had no idea to find out. I bet you were so greedy for it's secrets you didn't even notice that it broke the link between us even if only temporarily! Your greed blinded you like it always does!"

During my angry screams I had grabbed DeeDee by the shoulders and pushed her against a wall, anger was controlling my movements instead of me. Just like DeeDee had been consumed by a lust for power anger was consuming me right now. "You're hurting me CeeCee, I know you're angry but hurting me doesn't help anything, plus you're also hurting yourself." "I don't give a damn right now I can handle the pain, what I need now is to make you understand that this is not al right, you may have doomed both of us with your damn hunger for power!"

---

Somewhere in orbit
"Source of great rage detected" And just like that a red ring set a course down to earth, flying passed the remains of the Joker's Funhouse in the direction of the Devil's Den.

[Siliarba]

Zephy

No matter how much Zephy tried to remember where mister Fishy could be she could not remember, truth be told she could barely remember what earth looks like having flown over the ocean for several hours. But the simple idea she could not find her friend infuriated her "Zephy want her Fishy!" winds picked up at unbelievable speed and were being flung in every direction, causing destruction on some nearby islands and causing the beginnings of tidal waves. She kept flying at incredible speeds in random directions, carrying destruction away from the ocean and in the direction of land, occupied land.

Ember

Ember was in her human form, just walking the streets of metropolis, no idea what to do. She needed to put on a show, make herself known, but what? Putting on a show is easier said than done and wandering to far from the island would be a bad idea. Trying to break my head over the solution, the solution found me. A store selling all kinds of electronics had all its TV's on and all the TVs turned to a crisis channel warning about some being headed this way creating massive destruction with air. Best way to get attention fast is go where people are al ready looking, lets beat up that person, whoever that is. And just like that I took off, headed towards the coast to meet this bringer of harm, hopefully still over the water. Destruction and chaos are good for getting attention, but to much and it scares your audience away.

[Siliarba]

CeeCee & DeeDee

After a bit of pushing and pulling, DeeDee trying to explain wile CeeCee was deafened by anger and rage, they found themselves on the street. They weren't really fighting, more like a heated argument, one realizing they are in the wrong and the other not being able to think straight or act logically because of the overwhelming anger. This went on for a bit, argument after argument being thrown. "You still don't get it do you? Regardless of how this happened, how much of a part you played in this, no matter with whom the blame lies, our link is out of synch and it's hurting me like someone's drilling in my head! And on top of that, something is going to happen now to synch us up and who the hell knows what kind of thing will happen to me just to get us back to the same level!"

And as if it was waiting to hear that exact question, it arrived to answer the question. "CeeCee of Earth, you have great rage in your heart. You belong, to the Red Lantern Corps."

Almost as if her entire mind cleared up in an instant, there was only one reaction you could give "Well, that answers my question." And at that time the ring slipped on CeeCee's finger and as she turned both her and DeeDee screamed out in pain, this transformation wasn't easy on the body and it solidified the link between CeeCee and DeeDee once more, balancing it out. The pain CeeCee felt was the loss of her heart and her blood beginning to boil, the pain DeeDee felt was all of her newly gained powers activating at once and overloading her nervous system. DeeDee recovered though, it was CeeCee who remained in trouble, she wasn't in pain any more but she as out of her mind.

With some screams and grunts she attacked DeeDee, knocking her in the pavement with all her strength, and seeing the link was back in full action, the pain DeeDee experienced, was also done to herself. This however, only cause her anger to build even further. "Snap out of it C, I don't know what exactly is going on but you have to snap out of it!" Besides some grunts, no response, at least not one by words as CeeCee spat out her burning blood in the direction of DeeDee. Even though she got hit it didn't hurt her though, the link made her resistant to the powers of CeeCee's blood and her demonic skin was resistant enough to afterwards nullify it's effect completely. She wanted to speak again until a voice in her head spoke to her "The blood pools of Ysmault."

DeeDee was dodging CeeCee's attacks, but in the meantime she stayed confused, it was CeeCee's voice, but she didn't speak and the voice sounded more, like a computer was doing the speaking. "Wait who said that, who's there? And the what pools of what now?" "Bring her to the Blood Pools of Ysmault." Was the only response however, but with that response it was as if DeeDee simply suddenly understood what to do. Dodging one more attack from CeeCee, DeeDee wrapped her arms around CeeCee and held her tightly. Almost instantly after the ground and air around them began to glow in a purplish pink hue, and moments later the ground had a blackened glyph as if it had just been on fire and both CeeCee and DeeDee were gone.

Far away, on the planet of Ysmault they both materialized on the edge of the blood pools, all DeeDee had to do now, was let go and CeeCee would fall in. It took hours and DeeDee was patiently sitting on the edge of the pools, she wasn't worried because she didn't feel any pain or any discomfort. Whatever was happening, it wasn't hurting CeeCee and the voice that talked to her earlier made it feel like this was the only course of action she could take with the state that CeeCee was in. It still took a long time but eventually CeeCee rose up from the pool, took a deep breath the moment she resurfaced and climbed on shore, hyperventilating exhausted on the shore of the pools. "Well, ..., I guess, ..., I guess we're even again" "If it makes you feel better, I'm sorry about what I did, I know my hunger for power can cause terrible things to happen. But this was probably my only chance to ever get to read that book and I really didn't expect it to be this powerful without me even having spoken a single spell from it." "Don't worry D, I'm still pissed of as hell but I understand, let's go home for now though, I need a bath."

After a smile and a giggle, DeeDee teleported both to the Den again. A moment ago she had no idea how she did it, it was just instinctive, but now she simply understood, it's how her and CeeCee's link worked, the moment their powers balances they suddenly understand things they shouldn't understand that easily. It was that same power that made her capable of hearing the voice that told her to go to Ysmault, the voice of the red ring itself. And it was also that power that made her capable of reverting back to her human self. There were slight complications though, the white of her eyes stayed black, her horns shrank but didn't completely vanish, they were smaller enough to be covered by her hair however. And her tail became smaller, but she still had one, small enough to hide but big enough to make sitting down potentially uncomfortable.

Both were back at the den now, trying to get their heads wrapped around the idea what they both are now and how it will affect their future.

[Siliarba]

Zephy & Ember

It didn't take long for Ember to find Zephy, she was the faster one after all. First, lets take care of those tidal waves, in a single motion a giant wave of fire flew over the ocean surface and instantly evaporated the tidal waves that the winds had created. "Hey I got no clue who you are or what you're doing but I'm here to stop your tidal wave of anger." Hmm, that could've sounded better, oh well, the fire waves were probably enough to get peoples attentions so I'll settle for that. Zephy looked a bit around in confusion as fire spread underneath her evaporating the water "Where the water go? Fishies were in water, you burn Zephy's Fishy? Zephy shred you!" "I did what now?" was all the reply Ember could give before extremely powerful winds began shredding her.

The winds actually left an impression and Ember actually felt them doing something, good thing she was an archon, any part that was shred off just came back after all. Ember responded with giant flames heading towards Zephy, the flames were affecting her, her movements became less accurate, but also less predictable and faster. It wasn't to long before the battle had created all kinds of mixtures between fiery tornadoes, burning oceans, black ash filled clouds, ...

And regardless of what they did to each other nothing really had any lasting effect.

[Siliarba]

CeeCee
The Devil's Den

It was a lot to take in, one moment you feel like your life is crashing down, the next, in a way you find out it is but at the same time it crashes straight back in to place. Getting angry to the point rational thought isn't an option any longer, hell, thinking wasn't an option any longer. Just rage and the reaction to it was all that was left, and then I found myself again, thanks to DeeDee. Of course I'm still mad at her, but I know what she knows, she may have overstepped her boundaries but that book was like the holy grail to her. It would have been less understandable if she passed up that opportunity. What's more important is this ring right now, it seems sentient on it own so, was this just my link to DeeDee that caused it to find me, or was it being held back unable to find me until DeeDee rose in power?

"I'm guessing you can talk, state your purpose." The ring responded almost immediately, seems it is sentient, or at the least it functions like a computer. "Balance was broken when the Red Lanterns went extinct, the rebirth of the Red Lantern corps was required. To require said purpose, a being of great rage had to be acquired, one that possesses leadership skills and a sense for doing what needs to be done without holding back." CeeCee chuckled a bit, "Huh, I suppose that does fit me in a way. But I don't plan on creating more members if they turn in to ragy beasts the moment they receive a ring." "Solution, blood pools of Ysmault" "Fine, I'm up for leading I suppose, rings only leave if they carry enough of the blood of Ysmault to calm new members." "Terms are acceptable, preparing new batch of rings."

CeeCee sat back on her chair and kicked her feet on the table "Hmm, leader position, sounds like fun, guess it's the logical step after being a soldier for so long."

DeeDee
The Devil's Den

While CeeCee was coming to terms of what was going on with herself, it was time for DeeDee to do the same. And naturally it started with yammering to herself, something she had to do in a somewhat silent place so she had to go to the cafe and not the den itself or the bar. "I finally get my chance to learn from the book I wanted for years and less than an hour in, the book decides it wants to leave and as a thank you" Some air quotes at, thank you, should strengthen the accentuation of the anger "it turns me in to a god damn demon, no power over demons, no control over demonic magic, no I'm the demon. Well, if I had to be a demon I suppose I could work with being a succubus."

A quick head shake and a hand through the hair came just in time to ignite my feelings of anger once again, especially when I felt the remnant of horns "Horns!? Even when back to human form I still have some goddamn leftover horns!?" I quickly realized yelling that might have been a bit to much so I quickly went back to complaining under my breath. "A tail wasn't bad enough, black eyes wasn't bad enough but small horns under my hair? Ugh! I need a goddamn drink." And just as I said that, by instinct I reached out my arm and a bottle flew straight in it from behind the bar "Hmm, magical telekinesis, I suppose this does have a fun perk." Just as my rage seemingly left in one fell swoop, a quick chug from the bottle revealed a new issue.

"Grand, I don't even feel like I'm drinking alcohol any longer, sure I used to have a good tolerance but this was basically like chugging water to me, I don't even feel a kicker." Unintentionally I slammed the bottle on the side of the bar, shattering it and spilling what remained in this chest. "Oh for the love off, ..." and before I could finish that sentence, magical circles appeared and formed a sphere around the shattered shards of the bottle and it simply reformed. "Okay, then, second plus, my magic has gone through the roof, I don't even need to try and use it, it just happens when I want something to happen. Hmm, mental note to self, control that before you will something you later realize you really didn't want."

And with that, a quick seat at an empty chair seemed like a good idea, a spot with a good overview of the Superhero Cafe, yet solitaire enough to be able to sit alone as I kept willing the bottles of alcohol to fly over to me, hoping that enough would still get me drunk.

[Siliarba]

Devil's Den

Samantha saw her sister start to flirt with the man who came up to them.She wasn't surprised, he was attractive enough, and her sister was a natural flirter, literally speaking. Samantha wasn't very interested in the man, he seemed much older than she was anyway. She nodded though when Sarah asked if it'd be alright if he sat with them. Samantha didn't want to rob her sister of her fun of trying to get this guy to fawn over her. Samantha was pretty confident that she'd succeed. When the waiter came by Samantha ordered some blueberry waffles and a side of bacon. When the waiter left though, something caught her eye.

Samantha noticed a woman sitting at the bar. Samantha's eyes widened as she summoned bottles over to herself magically. Even more interesting was the woman's physical appearance. She had a long tail, and pitch black eyes. She was clearly attractive, but Samantha saw her features as fascinating more than anything else. She decided she wanted to talk to this woman, as she surely had some interesting knowledge about magic and Sam was always eager to learn.

"I'll be right back guys," She said to her sisters before walking over to the bar where the woman she had been looking at sat. She thought about what to say and when she couldn't come up with anything she decided to just be simple about it. "Hi, my name is Sam." She said a little shyly, but got more confident as she moved the conversation toward magic, " How are you moving those bottles? What spell are you using?" Sam asked curiously, sure that this woman was a spell caster like herself.

DeeDee
The Devil's Den

"I'm not actually quite sure but I think it's as simple as it looks. The theory behind it I mean not how to learn to do it because that's harder than you'd like believe me." A quick few chugs from the current bottles to empty it quickly before getting a new one to fly in. Damn I wish I was drunk already. "In essence, if I want something, then it wants me, some of my magic flies out and inhabits the object of my desire, and then the object desires to come to me." A small giggle escaped me "Just like your shirt seems to pulling itself to me right now. It's hard to control and my sexual desires are off the scale and I do desire to undress you." Now that small pleasantries and borderline sexual harassment were out the way, it might be prudent to find out who this is.

"I'm DeeDee, co-owner of this place, powerful mage, and part time succubus all in one package. And besides your name, being extremely attractive, and being in danger of getting accidentally affected by succubus pheromones you are?" Before giving the girl a chance to reply a thought came to mind, one that should better be told before continuing the conversation "Sorry if that happens by the way, I'm a womenizer and I'm proud of it, but I'm not sure how well I can control my pheromones, seducing someone is one thing, magicking them in to your bed is another, even if you don't do it intentionally."

[Siliarba]

Samantha Grimm

Sam blushed brightly despite herself at DeeDee's very forward comments. She was used to her sister getting all this kind of attention and while she was used to this kind of behavior, it came from her sister so it didn't effect her at all. However this wasn't her sister, this was an attractive flirtatious woman who was clearly interested in her. After all, Samantha was more shy and conservative than she let on. Sure she had flirted with some people she liked before and even gotten pretty involved with a few others, but she was still a virgin and was much more shy about thagt than her older sister.

However despite how overwhelmed with the attention she was getting, Samantha was fascinated with DeeDee's discussion of magic. "Wow, I'd really love to be able to do that." She said, awe in her voice. She then blushed even brighter, "The magic, I mean." Samantha told her, clarifying quickly. She was then glad to be able to change the subject. "I'm a mage too, though I guess I'm more of a witch. I'm here visiting with my two sisters. We're very close and we travel around all the time together." Samantha said to her, before she realized something. "Wait, if you're the co-owner and you're a magic user, did you create that illusion around the club? That was amazing!" Samantha said with great admiration. She couldn't imagine being able to do magic like that. She then heard her talk about how she's sorry if Sam gets effected by her succubus powers. Samantha felt a little better that actually, and a bit more comfortable too. She seemed genuine about that.

"Well, thank for that. I can understand how its hard to control your powers sometimes. I appreciate the compliments though. It's really exciting to speak to another a magic users. I haven't met many before." Sam said to DeeDee sincerely.

DeeDee
The Devil's Den

"I'm partially responsible, it's technomagic, machinery powered by magic instead of electricity, I don't get it that well. My magic is more instinctive than calculated. But the owner is a genius at almost everything science related and she calculated how to power machines using my magic to create effects that machinery and magic would have a lot of difficulty doing on their own. Also, it isn't exactly an illusion that wobbly view you have of the building is just as real as when the building solidifies or vanishes, not a single illusion about it."

The idea of trying to explain how it all worked, and not just the Den's magic; but also my newly acquired powers, it was fun and trying to teach it might enlighten myself, it seemed like a good idea and that was all I needed for my impulsive reaction. "I can try to teach you how to do it, that said I don't fully get yet how I'm doing it and for some of the powers I had to become a demon just to get the magical ability to do it."

[Siliarba]

Samantha Grimm

Sam listened to DeeDee intently, analyzing every word that DeeDee said. She was fascinated by what she was saying and wanted to know more, she needed to more. She would never let that evil wizard hurt either of her sisters again. When DeeDee said she could teach her, Sam was ecstatic. "You can? That'd be amazing, I'd love to learn from you." Sam said breaking from her more reserved personality for the moment.

"I can pay you if you want. We have a lot of money. It'd be worth it to learn from someone who knows a lot about magic." Samantha said, excited by the idea of having a real magic teacher. She couldn't believe her luck that she had been able to find a mentor in a club. She hoped that their chance encounter could prove fruitful, plus DeeDee seemed nice enough, even if she was a bit forward.

DeeDee
The Devil's Den

"I don't need payment, I've never cared for money, my friend is the one who keeps all the financial stuff in order. I just do what I want when I want, that's a good rule for magic you know. If you want something, try to get it by using magic. If you use something a lot you tend to get better with it and develop your own style. Like this, Evomer Reh Trihs" As soon as the words were spoken the shirt of Sam burned away in a blue cold fire and a blue flame in DeeDees hands appeared and in the burn the shirt reappeared. And not a moment later a wicked smile adorned my face as parts of my bodies skin turned blue'ish. It wasn't by choice it was a side-effect of having little control over my demonic half and it wanting to come out.

"Want your shirt back? Use magic to find and get it back. Here's a hint, my magic is weaved inside of it so just taking it back won't work, it wants to be with me now and won't leave easily. In my opinion though, you look even more amazing without the shirt."

[Siliarba]

Samantha Grimm

Samantha suddenly saw her shirt catch fire and gave a yelp in surprise as she realized it was a magic fire and was contained solely within her shirt. She was mortified when she realized her shirt was gone and she was left standing in the middle of the cafe in only her bra. "Give it back!" Sam complained to DeeDee, but as she said it she knew it was futile. DeeDee wouldn't give it back, she needed to find a way to get it back.

Sam took a deep breath and tried to calm her mind. If she panicked, she'd never figure out a way to solve this problem. She tried numerous variations of her Latin based spells but nothing seemed to work as the shirt never moved from DeeDee's hand.

Sam struggled for nearly 5 minutes and just when she thought she'd have to leave this place without a shirt an idea came to her mind. She realized she needed to focus on the shirt itself. She needed to speak to it not, about it. She took a deep breath and thought about the Latin pronunciation.

"revertetur ad me" She said with confidence and finally the shirt began to move before it flew out of DeeDee's hand and in to Samantha's. She quickly put it back on and held on to it, as if being afraid to lose it again. She had a relieved smile though, proud of herself that she was actually able to get her shirt back.

DeeDee
The Devil's Den

I couldn't help giggling at the shy remarks and the failed attempts, it was both funny, cute and adorable. Like sir Stabsalot when he realizes his little wheel doesn't actually goes anywhere. When it finally succeeded, a little applause felt required. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever get it back, it was really fun to watch though. And it's things like that, that train you to think outside the box and magic in general only exists outside the box. Not sure if what I just said makes any sense but to be honest magic isn't supposed to make sense either." Finishing the most recent bottle I had and not feeling like trying to get drunk any longer it seemed pointless to get another one. This situation was to much fun to get drunk anyway.

I stood up and got closer to Sam, seemingly stretching a bit wile talking. "I'll be happy to try and teach you more, not sure how could I'd be at teaching, never done it before. But I suppose that was a good first lesson." I bent over to her and got remarkably close to her, closer than most people would find comfortable and began whispering "But if it takes that long for you to figure it out next time, then I'll be taking your bra as well." Unaware of it myself, the end of my tail had wrapped itself around Sam's leg and my lips were close enough to hers it seemed like I was trying to kiss her before backing off with a wink and a smile, and sitting down again.

[Siliarba]

Rin Tarla

Under the care of Xavier a special headset was being prepared, one made specifically in case Rin was ever found and upgraded to be more and more efficient. Once put on it couldn't be taken off unless Rin herself wished to do so, it was nigh indestructible even having materials like thin layers of adamantium in it. And finally it was completely powered by Rin's won passive powers so it would never run out of energy. Playing the music that was discovered to create the closest resemblance to Rin's original personality, the headset was activated. Professor X had however created several mental barriers before activating it, Rin's powers would only passively pick up everything in a 50 meter sphere. Still a lot to take in but a lot less than hundreds of kilometers.

And besides that wile she received it all she had to intently be listening to understand it all. It would be like background noise, it's constantly present but it would only become clear if listening to it intently. To use the rest of her powers she had to actively allow them to happen, something which would take a lot of training not just to control the powers but to handle the effects they would give. When Rin woke up she was obviously scared, confused, not sure what to do. "Who are you people? Where am I? What's going on?" Replies Professor Xavier was given were sent telepathically to make sure they were heard clearly and didn't phase in to the background noise. "Don't be frightened Rin, you're among friends, This girl over here rescued you and brought you to my attention. I then in turn helped waking you up without your powers causing you incredible pain."

"Rin, is that my name? Who am I, what am I?" The questions were numerous and would take a long time to explain, Professor X thanked Sabrina for finding Rin and informed her that the healing and learning process would take a long time and she would be kept up to date to Professor X's progress. But for now it was best to calmly talk to Rin alone and try to give her all the answers she needed.

[Siliarba]

CeeCee
The Devil's Den

The ring business was done for now, not because there was nothing left to do with it but there was no interest from me to actually continue with it. And just a moment later, as on queue, a message came in. My former superior, just as expected. "Good evening sir, here to call me back to active duty and put me on front page news to show the benefits of supers on the government side?" The general mumbled a bit, not sure what to say "Well, I wish all my orders could get conveyed as fast as this. Major CeeCee, as you said you are now back on active duty for the US army, and above that you get a promotion to Major General. You are expected to how up for a press conference tomorrow to show the benefits, as you said, of supers who follow the law."

"I'll be there front and center sir, you'll also be glad to hear I gained a serious powerboost in the form of a power ring, rest assured wile ring bearers tend to leave the earth you can be sure I'll stay and keep supporting our troops with it. See you tomorrow sir." A moment of realization passed "Huh, you should be calling me Ma'am now actually, I jumped 2 grades straight passed you, kinda fun. Regardless I'll be there, Colonel, CeeCee out."

[Siliarba]

CeeCee

It was a bit uncomfortable, coming back to the military so soon after leaving it, and even sooner compared to this ring I got. Naturally this was seen as an amazing opportunity by the guys deciding how to make this press conference kind of thing. Instead of walking in I had to fly or sort off float in with a red suit with some military decorations. It showed of both a high ranking military general, and the fact there was a red lantern on the side of the military. Well, it was a show specifically designed to make the public known supers on the governments side is the only place they belong so I guess it all makes sense. Let's just hope I don't mess it up with my awkwardness when addressing non military personnel.

Well, better just go right for it the moment I land. Landing on the stage I walked up to the front of the podium, creating a microphone with her new lantern powers to address the crowd. "Greetings everyone, fellow generals, officers, soldiers, members of the press and everyone else. My name is CeeCee, no last name and I'm a major general in the military and I'm a red lantern, a super hero. Even though red lanterns are usually seen as villains rather than heroes. Regardless I'm here to show the benefits of being part of the government as a hero.

I started passing around on the stage, I don't like standing still, especially when in a place I'm not at comfort. "In the past years I have been active in the army under a codename fighting for our country." As I was talking, clips were being shown above the stage to accentuate everything I was saying. "Through sending me out many lives were saved, the lives of our soldiers, the lives of the locals, and all that with minimal effort. Several examples are ..." The list of examples were long, terrorists, enemy armies, enemy supers, all successful missions, all only showing the positive sides, none of the acts like torture which the government had authorized me to use. Some would react to that badly, and I wouldn't be able to blame them, some things are needed even if they can never leave the shadows.

After a rather long speech it was time for a conclusion "Simply put, supers working with or for the government leads to many benefits all working for everyone's security, and a quick crackdown on villains and any law breaker in a fair, formal and fitting way. Any super out there not having signed the government hero act should do to help work together in making this world a safer place from those braking the law. And as a final note, if a super openly refuses to sign up with the government program then they become law breakers and we, I, will go after you and bring you to justice."

After that serious note and stance I returned to a more relaxed pose and asked one final thing "So, any more questions?" A ton of questions arose and many were answered and one thing was clear, the point had been made.

[Siliarba]

After CeeCee asked what she wanted, C. Baker lowered her hand, smiling even wider- Almost unnaturally so. "You say that Supers will benefit the world- But you really mean Heroes, don't you? Let's imagine that a group of so-called Villains, who only wanted to do good in the world, were to attempt to register, you would arrest them, wouldn't you? You would attempt to arrest and imprison those who are simply trying to do good- Those of us who want to repent." She suddenly tilted her head, a glint in her eye. "Oh, did I say 'us'? Obviously, I meant 'them.' "

CeeCee

"That question has a surprisingly simple answer. Those who have done crime and try to apply to the registration act will be trialed for their crimes, volunteering to signing this act will be seen as turning yourself in and that will be taken in to account. If they're found guilty they will be punished. After fulfilling this punishment they will become part of the governments team." CeeCee felt weird having to answer that question, the answer was so obvious after all.

"This act alone forces people with superpowers to sign the registration act, regardless of who you are if you have power you'll be forced to sign, those that don't are committing a crime. If you committed any other crimes signing the act wont absolve you from those crimes So you'll be judged, if found guilty punished, given a sentence appropriate to those crimes. In the end the criminal system has an endgoal of rehabilitation, if you reach that goal then you can join as a government side hero."

[Siliarba]

DeeDee
The Devil's Den

The booze was fun, or at least the attempt at getting drunk was fun, the chat with Sam was fun and now that both of those are over, it's fucking boring again. Sometimes I envy CeeCee, she's never bored, she always has a goal and tries to reach it, but when your goal is trying to just have random fun with no planning then boredom can fill it rather easily. Luckily enough though one of the girls who was sitting where Sam went suddenly ran out, seemingly a bit infuriated and Sam and the other girl straight after it. Also the fact it was followed by a howl was intriguing "Well, this might be fun." I said to myself and went outside to see what was going on. Whatever it was I had little interest of joining it, but it ought to be fun enough to watch.

[Siliarba]

"Fascinating." C. Baker replied. "Follow up question- Have you ever encountered the so-called Secret Society of Supervillains, or one of their primary organizers over the years, Overmind?" By now, the vast majority of the crowd was staring at her, with several guards tense. Despite this, she seemed completely relaxed. "Consider it a personal question." As she said this, small plates of what appeared to be metal slowly began to cover her legs. Does she seriously still not understand my implications? Hmm. My plans require them to be at least intelligent. Hmph.

CeeCee

CeeCee gave a stern look at the person, there was no point in asking that it had nothing to do with the subject, so no reply was needed "Irrelevant, no comment. For any future questions direct yourself at some of the people present that are actually paid to understand how every law works and how exactly to enforce them all. I'll be taking my leave now."

And as soon as that was said CeeCee walked to the back of the stage and another person took to the stage to explain the law in greater detail than CeeCee could, after all besides knowing she had to sign up with the government, which she was by default considering her military contract, she didn't really know anything about the law. That's why there's always a good use for the paperpushers who love knowing every detail and discovering every possible loophole, I was the punch to get everyone's attention and make sure the message was clear. They're the little notes in the bottom explaining everything down to the letter. Wile less seen, arguably far more important.