NationStates

Hector Gage/The Blue Lantern-28 Yrs

I was glad to see that my intervention had turned the tides on this doppleganger. But the job was not yet finished. My ring began to flash a brilliant and vibrant blue as I felt the energy flow through me. Looking down upon the green skinned martian, I gave a corny smile as I tried to adjust to what was going on. As I had only possessed this power for a very brief time. So, I decided to allow her to take the lead. "I will let you take point on this one. Go on, and I will follow your lead." I told her as I began to consider what constructs I would be using from my ring. It was then that I spotted the Yellow clone of the Lantern and saw that she had forged a large arsenal of blades in which sped towards me at a break neck pace. In in a seemingly desperate effort to remove me and by extension my ring from the equation, and perhaps regain control of the battle.

I on pure instinct summoned a shield in front of me as the yellow blades pelted against it I was pushed back just by the sheer volume of the attack. However as she circumvented the defense by guiding the blades around the flanks of the shields I quickly shot myself above the attack narrowly missing the business end of all of the blades. But the yellow lantern would not be made a fool of so easily, as she shot at me with great speed and made her way above me, as I looked up, she constructed two large spiked slabs on both sides of me, and proceeded to try and mash me in between the two of them.

I threw out both arms as I summoned a massive suit of armor, which I had hoped would protect me, no pun intended. The pressure was great however and as she focused more and more on crushing me, the more I had to strain to keep myself from being crushed, but as she momentarily lost her focus on the Green Lantern, that had left her open to a counter attack.

Corinna Erastos-2,187 Yrs-Ur

The skin of the Kraken was slimy, and quite tough. The weapon in my hand was quite useless in the overall scheme of things and in the back of my mind, I knew the outcome of this battle, however that will not convince me to resign myself to fate. The fierce rain from the raging seas and storm collided against me as I saw another tentacle fly toward me as it wrapped around my shield, my broken arm to weak to keep a hold of it and threw it into the ocean, for ever lost to the depths. The same tentacle made a strike at me as it wrapped tightly around my body, already beginning to fracture bones as its grip continued to constrict me. With only a single free arm, I was unable to reach my sword, and the spear in my hand was snapped by the massive beast. Slowly, but inevitably I was raised higher up, until I was face to face with the monster.

Its rancid breath, likely the stench of a thousand lost souls throughout time combined with the rotting remains of vessels of past ancient fleets. The fight was over in a predictable fashion. Ares was right, without my powers...there was nothing I could do. It was then that in a shock of pain that the monster almost broke my body in half as it tightened its hold. Blood gushed from my mouth as internal bleeding intensified.

The creatures eyes were what one would expect, as it observed its minute victory, which was hardly an effort on its part. The eyes were empty of emotion, feral and fierce, like the eyes of a tigress just before she pounces on a prey. The Kraken, then let loose a roar which could shake the land and essentially left me deaf and disoriented, as if the loss of blood was not enough.

Finally bored with me, I was cast aside like a broken toy from a child. As I had ceased amusing the beast. I could not even feel the fall, as I was pulled down beneath the raging waves. At first, all I felt was the cold. Then came the burning sensation that comes with being unable to breathe, but as I was pulled deeper and deeper down. The cold became the sensation of being stabbed my a million needles and the worse part, was the endless blackness. As my corpse began to sink to the deepest parts of the ocean.

My immortal life over, I had finally achieved a death worthy of the Last Spartan Warrior.

Corinna Erastos/Archangel-2,187 Yrs-Ur

The darkness was not destined to comfort me for long. The cold left me as I opened my eyes in a realm among clouds. I looked down beneath the clouds expecting to see the earth beneath us, instead I saw the black emptiness of space where stars shone brightly unopposed by atmospheres. Knowing there should be no clouds of this nature in space, as I looked into the sky, which seemed so bright blue and like that Earth's, again, it is clear that I am not on Earth. I then began to think about which after life I had made it to. Surely this could not be Hades, and I never crossed the River Styx. No, this place is different. It is...warm. I stepped forward as I began to walk on clouds that were somehow solid enough to be walked upon. Off in the distance, I could make out water fountains that defied all laws of gravity, as they swept back and forth in intricate patterns, and even further beyond was a golden city in the center of the seemingly ever present light. My mind then flashed back to my memories on EArth and my life in Virginia, and all became clear to me.

This is Heaven.

But there must be some mistake, I have slain innocent blood. As my mind flashed back to my massacre to the Dragon Temple in China. I am not even a believer in God, growing up in ancient Sparta, a God of this concept seemed completely alien to me. I have known no other Gods than those of Lightning, War, Wisdom and the Hunt. Among any others, but each of them embody quite human traits and constantly war with each other. Even now the last of the Olympian Gods is now seeking to Ravage the lands below. He has survived only with minimal sustenance in human warfare, which has been dying off ever since the Age of Heroes began.

That is why he needed me, and I played right into his hands.

Just as I began recollecting the events of my recent past, the light from above that distant city began to sine even more brightly, to the point in which I had to shield my eyes with both arms as a voice from nowhere and everywhere at the same time began to surround me.

"You stand before my majesty, and all of my glory. You have lived the life of an immortal, and now you may rest here. But that is not what you desire, is it my child?"

The light began to die down as the voice, as God's voice died down. I recovered and stood proudly.

"The soul of a warrior is not suited to rest." I called out, heard by the God of this realm.

Indeed, that is why I offer you choice, a gift received by all of mankind. You may reside here, cleansed of all your sins to life for eternity among paradise. Or, you can accept a new power, one which I will gift to thee, and one which you will wield as my example to mankind. To show light in darkness of war and chaos. To end the reign of the last of the Olympian Gods. Yo will become, an Archangel. A guardian of our Heaven's Realm, Empowered by the Moon's Light and defender of Man's most important gift. Of choice..."

I listened as I still struggled to grasp why I was even worthy of the offer. And as if reading my mind, the God bellowed.

"Am I not omnipotent? Am I not the beginning and the end? Am I not capable of wiping away the most stained and showing them cleansed? Now make your choice, and GO!"

I stepped forward into the blinding light, as I neared the fountain. Stopping just short of it, I gazed inside and seeing that I could see right down into the Earth. As Ares began to summon a cloud of darkness to invite war unto Ur. I know that Maxwell will meet him in battle, as I could see from here that the ravenous Kraken was no more, obviously a victim of the Mad King.

I am sorry to deny you this fight Max, but this war began with me. It is I who shall end it.

I then lowered myself into the waters of the fountain, not being wet by it but instead entering into a transformation in which I descended unto the Earth, lowering myself to Ares level. Ares showed surprise once he saw my form again, although not in any resemblance that he is used to.

My wings, a new addition swept wide from me as I revealed myself. The new armor I wore was a deep saphire blue and lined with gold as a warrior's skirt made of material not of this plane flapped in the gentle night breeze. A double edged saber hung from my hip while a new spear powered by the moon's light replaced my old Spartan one.

Ares lifted his head as he attempted to look down on me.
"So, you have found a new God to kneel before in return for power? Where is that Spartan spirit where you charged a Kraken with nothing more than a spear and courage?"

My eyes slowly opened to take in the sight of the God of War opposite of me. As I held my spear upright beside me.
"It is not from where the gift comes, it is what one does with that gift...that defines them. And if you need evidence of my Spartan lineage, then I trust that you laying defeated beneath my feet, will provide you with the insight to see, that my courage, like my spirit...can be broken by neither GOD nor MAN!"

With that lightning arced across the sky, like a starting gun at an Olympic race, with blinding speed our weapons glanced off of each other as I thrust my spear into the armor of the God of War, only to have him grab the spear at it's mid section and then shove it away as he slashed me across the breast plates with his saber throwing me back and into a cliff side, which caused an avalanche to rain down into the hungry ocean below.

However, he had no time to celebrate his small victory as I with super sonic speed barreled into Ares this time with the blunt end of the spear where he was thrown back and I carried him with momentum across several miles as he was thrown into mountain in which he created a crater more than two miles wide, providing evidence of this battle to generations yet tome come. He slowly stepped from the ruins of the crater, however, his armor showed not a scratch.

"So, do you understand the futility of this fight now? With my mere presence chaos and conflict are brewing on this world, fueling me as we battle and the longer I enforce my reign, the more war will grow and become it's own beast that requires no master to feed it. Even if I cannot strip you of your ability, I can crush you and provide evidence of the superiority of war to which ever god has recycled you from the trash can in which I had left you."

I answered with a snicker of indifference which infuriated him. Summoning green blasts of energy from his hands he forced me to give some more distance as I dodged the blast then a godly bow formed in his hands as he took aim. Firing a arrow which had the length of artillery at me I unsheathed my blade and deflected the arrow taking my focus from him for a split second, he appeared above me, grabbing hold of the deflected arrow and forcibly placing it within my shoulder as I echoed in pain, as he grabbed my throat and clenched it as he empowered his blade with godly energy to vastly empower it as he attempted to run me through with it.

As he looked down, he saw that I had stopped the blade by grabbing it with both hands, blood pouring from my hands as they tightened around the blade. My teethe began to grind against each other as I let loose a scream of defiance which from the very force itself propelled Ares back.

Rearming myself I wielded both my spear in my right hand and my sword into my left. I blitzed back into action as each time our weapons crossed it would seem to man below that lightning was splitting the skies in a symphony of violence. However, his strength was not seeming to fade, and he smashed through my sword just as I avoided his armor and shoved my spear clean through his primary arm, and he felt the first true pain in his life.

But, I remembered that my new powers were fueled by the moon, and my eyes shot frantically to the sky, only to see that the moon was covered by the clouds. Knowing how I was to end this fight I began to use the angelic wings and fly higher into the sky making a shot for above the clouds, as I pulled Ares with me on the end of my spear. It was then that the moons light began to shine upon me. The light from the moon seemed to energize me. My wounds from the battle began to heal, my armor began to radiate with light, sensing that the battle was beginning to turn against him, Ares let loose a blood infused yell as he tried to throw his gauntlet hand into my face, only for me to catch the blow with my own palm, finally finished my eyes shot open with a complete blue glow.

Throwing a back handed slap I knocked him back down to the earth, but with speed so great as to seem as if I teleported I beat him to the ground and then planted my spear with the point raised straight up as he fell upon it, his armor cracking under the assault, however it failed to impale him. So I raised my arms as daggers formed from the moons spectral light formed around him as I closed my fists, they each shot into him at hyper sonic speeds. His armor finally gave way, being assaulted form all directions he collapsed beneath me.

However, gods do not yield so easily, and he forced himself to stand as he lounged at me, only I was no longer there. Now behind him I extended a arm toward him as a a large holy rune appeared around him, Ares in its center. And an instant later beams of lunar energy began to pulsate through him. I could not even hear the man howl in pain as he simply went numb with the assault. Finally, with the rune beginning to disappear. Ares fell to the earth, as all energy failed him.

I paced over to him, my spear in hand. As he weakly looked up upon me.

"Thi..s...changes...no...thing...without the Gods...you...are...no..thing...a...tool...to be...used."

I let the moment sink in for him, that his failure was complete.

"Ares, if I am nothing without a God, then you...as a fallen god." I then turned my back on him, as I began to walk back into the direction of Ur, certain Max would want to hear that his Kingdom, and Earth were safe from the Godly Tyrant.

"Are simply nothing."

Daniel Carter/Sentinel/Batman-32 Yrs-Gotham City(Earth: Beyond)

As Batgirl headed out and into the darkness of the Asylum I noticed that even in a suit such as that, she still would have been moving undetected against all but the most trained eyes, or an advanced HUD. I trailed after her as we both entered a place few would voluntarily go. The screams rang out in echoes from the asylum, some of crazed joy, others of frantic pain. I trailed behind Batgirl, keeping enough distance to cover her should she be attacked by anyone of these most dangerous enemies that are restrained by chains and medication in this fortress of insanity. Although, I kept scanning my HUD to make sure neither of us were taken by surprise. As we continued down into the Asylum, Batgirl ran into Mr. Freeze, I was about to intervene, however I saw that she had everything under control, so I instead opted to stay back and make sure no one else was around. Just after she instructed someone to either head into the slums or head here I stepped behind her, offering some advice.

"Send anyone you have helping you to the slums, we cannot all be here, at the expense of the city. We can handle Arkham, we need others to stabalize the rest of the city while we are here. It does Gotham at large no good if all of its heroes are at Arkham." I advised her, before she could react I took a look around seeing that we are in some kind of work out area for inmates. A combat knife slashed through the air and narrowly missed me and instead destroyed the controls for the lights. Leaving the room very dimly lit, I activated my internal night vision and I assumed that Batgirl had other means of seeing in the dark.

After all, she does protect Gotham.

With the aid of my night vision, I traced the slight shimmers and saw a black and red spandex clad mercenary who stepped up front and center. The 'Merc with the Mouth'. He began twirling some sai in his hands as he whistled a carefree tune.

"Now look who has escaped his own comic book." The spandex clad mercenary whistled. I was authentically confused.

"Come again?" The man let loose some laughter.

"That is just gross! But no really, since your the star of the show, your choice, you can die by the gun or if I gut you by sword."

I did not have time to respond when another figure, this time a woman of Chinese descent in a black leather jacket and red top and tight jeans appeared behind me. I did not need to look back and see who it was, for I already knew.

"Lady Shiva, did not expect you to be working with others." Her tone was no nonsense, what I would expect from someone of her skill and professional ability.

"You know who I am, then I expect you to know what happens next." But that was still not the end of it. The last of the greatest assassins revealed himself, the sound of his heavy armored boots against the cement floors was too familiar. I turned to see the mask of a man who has tormented me since I began my hero career all of those years ago.

Deathstroke the Terminator, who in his heavy armor came closer to me than any of the others. In one hand he held a large saber that he was famous for using. In the other, a severed head. It was only when he stood about seven feet away form me that I recognized who's head it was.

Slade Wilson's.

Or more precisely, the Slade of this world. Deathstroke lightly tossed his trophy at my feet.

"There is only room for one Deathstroke in both of these worlds. As my counterpart learned too late."

I did not flinch at the threat of these super assassins around me, and despite Batgirl's training, with company like this, even she must be more than nervous.

"The Court of Owls hire the three of you to end me, Slade?" The man gave a chuckle.

"They have enough Talons to do their bidding. No, this is all me. When I arrived in this world I went about telling this Earth's Shiva and Deadpool about our battles, and your exploits. About how one cannot be the greatest assassin if they have not yet hunted the greatest prey of all." He then raised his blade in my direction, uttering the last word.

"You." As we had a standoff, I spoke to Batgirl.

"Go on ahead, I will take care of these three. Any one of them could easily kill you if they so desired. You may have been trained by Batman, but these three have years even decades of killing experience. Perfecting every art at their disposal. Besides, someone needs to bring Arkham back up to shape. And it seems I will be....tied down." AS a few moments passed, I finally locked eyes with her.

"Go." I ordered, as I entered into a fighting stance, right in the nexus of the three deadliest assassins in the world. Odds I have never faced before.

Hector Gage/The Blue Lantern-28 Yrs-Earth Orbit

AS the Green Lantern and her Yellow Clone faced off I began to feel outclassed by the skill in which they handled constructs, I mean I know how to use mine as if I read a manual, but not how to effectively do so in battle. However, my mind flashed back to my job back on Earth as I remembered the kitchen and grills I used to work around. I let a smile form as I finally felt inspired and had something useful to show from my job. I propelled myself back into the fight, blasting away at the clone with blue light as I forced her into a construct that I had formed just behind her. A blender. AS I closed the top on the over sized kitchen appliance over her, I turned the construct on high as the Yellow Lantern began to be thrashed around senselessly inside of it.

"Time to show you how a master chef blends out justice." I taunted in a bad pun. Knowing that the fear powered woman inside could not hear me, but I could imagine that this attack pattern was endlessly amusing to my Green Lantern ally.

After I felt content with the swirling motion of the Lantern inside the blender, I released her and promptly forced her into a equally over sized frying pan with a burning furnace beneath it and a cover on top of the pan, keeping her down.

"Next you fry the fear out of the dish." I said, keeping up with the bad puns.

But finally, I moved on to the main event, as I removed the covering and the used the frying pan like a baseball bat and slammed the lantern into an oven. Once more, I used the power of Hope to fuel my construct, and my own bad humor to fuel my comments.

"Then finally, you turn the heat up on your opponent and cook with perfection." By now the struggling inside of my constructs had died down completely and I had guessed that it was time to hand the prisoner over to the Martian Green Lantern.

And with a ding I allowed the construct to disappear as I wrapped the clone up in blue energy as I lifted her face to face with her Green Counterpart.

"One fear powered prisoner served to order ma'am. I am the Blue Lantern, Hector Gage of Earth. Seems like we will be working together for now. Where should we go from here?" I asked as I restrained the prisoner.

Courtney Dawes/Scarlet Archer-19 Yrs-Gotham City

With my training done I was finally able to rejoin the struggle in Gotham. Which in my absence, found itself on its last legs. I was making my way to Arkham Asylum in the center of the city. I was armed with various arrows which had different armaments within them. My scarlet uniform was adorned once more as my scarf flapped brazenly in the wind as I entered the Asylum. I stepped lightly in the Asylum, trying not to alert anyone that I was here. However, as I turned a corner I saw a young female nurse in a strange life like pose with her throat slit, dead, and her eyes still open. I stopped immediately, trying to take my eyes off of the scene, but finding myself unable to. For someone to do something like this, is just...

I did not have much tome to think about it however as I could hear someone behind me.
"There you go...zombie..." I spun around to see a inmate who held a knife in his hand, and was cutting a tally mark into his shoulder. I took two steps back from him, slowly raising my bow. And as soon as I took in the sight, I realized that this man's body was covered in tally marks.

"You...you killed her?" I asked, instinctively knowing the answer.

I freed her, just like all the others. Yes, I hurt her...but I hurt myself too." The man said while pointing to a fresh cut on his gut. "This one is to remind me of her." I tried to swallow but found my mouth completely dry.

"Then that means..."

A sickened smile appeared upon his chapped lips.

"That this one is...yours." And with that I wasted no moment. I swiftly loaded a taser arrow and fired the arrow off where it struck the man dead center chest. The man began to convulse in pain as he fell to his knees as electricity pulsated through his body. I then loaded and shot a net arrow which trapped him long enough for him to be apprehended for later. Taking a step back as I prepared to leave the incapacitated man there, I chimed off.

"Never bring a knife to a bow fight."

Leaving the man flinching on the ground I continued to make my way into the medical wing as I finally ran into Batgirl. The one I had been looking for this entire time. Along with Batman, who was...different than I remember. That is not counting the several assassins that surrounded Batman, I arrived just in time for me to hear Batman tell her to leave, just as I approached her.

"We should go, he can handle himself."

Leaving Batman there as I traveled with Batgirl, I informed her how I had been training since we last met.

"Green Arrow took me in for a while. We should head to the center of this Asylum where we can get these facilities back online and regain control here. I will tag along with you, the two of us will be more effective than alone. But, you know this place better than I do, so, you can lead the way Batgirl. I will cover you." I said, lifting my bow as I signified what I meant by 'cover her'.

Rebecca I. Phillips/The Jester-20 Yrs-Gotham City

In the center of Arkham Asylum I sat upon a makeshift throne as me and Silver Queen sat next to me. The monkey I freed from the animal shelter which I had named Edward. I was gripping a sawed off shotgun which I acquired earlier in the city, with my now trademark metal cane leaning against the chair. I was looking at all of the monitors which we had rigged into the room as I watched the camera feeds looking for Batman and company, however it seemed for a while that no one would come, but just as I had given up hope for some fun tonight I saw Batgirl and a the same red clad archer that I remember from the subway. At the sight of the two of them heading my way I sprung to life.

"YEAHHH!" I yipped as jumped up on top of a ledge where a wrong step would have me fall several dozen feet below to the next floor below. "Oh, tell me Queensy, what is in the mind of a Bat? Hmm." I then gave a coy smile as I glanced down at the floor beneath us. Where about a dozen inmates her had been convinced to lend us some muscle, but in the center of the ruckus was a large titanium cage, and within it was a large creature standing about nine feet and covered in scales as I looked down on our secret weapon for today.

Killer Croc.

The beast does not need to be controlled to entertain our coming guests, but rather unleashed. Apart from him, the entertaining trap was completed by various kerosene cans rigged to explode and create improvised firestorms. But those were last resorts, even for me. As I watched Killer Croc rip the arm off of an inmate who foolishly ventured too close to his cage I leaned back into my chair on the raised platform above the floor. Edward beginning to screech in anticipation at the coming battle. I slowly stroked the Monkey's head.

"So Queen, seems Batgirl is bringing company, a red clad Robin Hood. I trust you can have fun with her, she is not bad looking either." I teased, winking at her.

"I will share a dance with the Batgirl. Oh, I do hope she enjoys the tango." I chimed. However, unable to contain myself very well I leaned over and smooched Silver on the cheek. "Oh, we are going to have so much fun!"

As I did so I could hear the chants from the crowd of prisoners below echoing for us to do a lot more than kiss. To which I grabbed the shotgun and fired a blast down into them, dropping one and succeeding in stopping the cheering. Innocently looking back to Silver Queen I shrugged.

"Guess my temper got the better of me!" I laughed as my eyes then crossed back to the monitor, all too eager to greet the young heroes to the fun house.

Daniel Carter/Sentinel/Batman-32 Yrs-Arkham Asylum, Gotham City

Just as the fight was about to begin, I watched as Deathstroke unsheathed his go to sword, and Lady Shiva entered into a advanced combat stance. But then my attention was drawn to Deadpool, who seemed to have pulled two machine guns from well...nowhere. Does he keep it in his spandex? I asked myself, but then saw Deadpool as he went from a aiming stance to as if he was explaining something. "Oh ya see, I know what you are thinking. Just where does he get these marvelous and rare weapons from? Seemingly from random? Well, I have three words for you friend." And just then he vanished and popped back into reality behind me firing off a blast from his machine guns, warned only by the fact that he had screamed, "MAGIC SATCHEL!" The bursts of fire spattered around me as I ducked and weaved through the automatic fire trying to keep my eyes attached to my other two opponents, all while Deadpool chattered off in the background. "BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGPOWPEWPEWPOWPOWBANG!" As I was entirely unable to move into an attack all while Deadpool was firing a cascade of rounds at me, Lady Shiva appeared before me and delivered a powerful spin kick which sent me flying into the air Deadpool once again used his teleportation belt and appeared in front of me this time wielding a...RPG? A collective Oh sh*t sounded in my head as Deadpool let out his battle cry.

"ULTRA COMBO!!!"

The rocket propelled grenade barreled into me as I was sent explosively flying into the opposing wall. Only to be met by Deathstroke and ruthless offensive of his favored blade, weakened, his superior speed and reflexes forced me to block the hits and minimize the damage rather than dodge them, with one arm I caught his blade stopping his attack, celebrating my small victory he unveiled his power staff and discharged a fierce concussive blast which sent me flying through a brick wall.

There is no way I can defeat them all at the same time.

I began to look around me, having a few brief moments to collect myself, having been shot through a wall and as I scanned the various TV Monitors what I saw was...myself. I was on the television, as this entire fight was. My head shot around and saw that the cameras in the rooms were tracking my movement, as I realized what this meant Deathstroke and company emerged from the other room, using the hole I had made as an entrance.

"A nice touch, isn't it?" Deathstroke cooed in a condescending tone. "This entire Asylum, this entire city will witness the death of Batman, perhaps not theirs but, The only one they have right now. The whole city and everyone in it is watching as you draw your final breaths." His tone lightened somewhat, as I began to stand up and prepare for my own counter attack.

"Theatrical I know, but if you have learned by now I am nothing if not theatrical." And with that Deadpool seemed to get excited.

"A SHOW?! Know what all shows need? A bad@$$ theme song! That's what!" And with that proclamation Deadpool once more pulled a damn boom box from nowhere, leading me to believe he had harnessed warp technology of some sort and set it on the ground in front of me. Then, with a press of a finger a somewhat fitting song began to play.

"Screw this." I muttered under my breath as I activated my active cloaking and went almost entirely invisible. I then launched myself into action, as I took note of my surroundings. there was a scaffold where they were painting the room to the back that I could use to my advantage. However, breaking my way in between them I used my near invisibility to my advantage and got the jump on Lady Shiva, delivering punishing blows to her chest and joints as I forcibly grabbed her forearm and was about to cripple her, sure enough the only one with perception to track me in this state with any effectiveness was Deathstroke, and he broke my hold on her by forcing me to pull back.

Changing directions, I charged Deadpool and landed several hard hits upon him using ninjutsu, with all I could hear was his yelling "My SPLEEN!" But the purpose of the attack was not to actually damage him, but rather to attach a cloaking device to him, making him invisible to his allies, but to my advanced HUD able to see in the thermal imaging, he was as clear as daylight to me, while I still maintained my invisibility to him.

The trap almost set, I went stealth mode and moved away as I watched Deathstroke attempt to track the movements on not only two invisible figures, but distinguish which was ally or foe as well. All I had to do was wait, as I anticipated, Deathstroke spotted the can of paint and hastily grabbed it, and once he found the invisible target, he hurled the can at him while shooting it with automatic fire to spray white paint all over the target.

Only the target he exposed was Deadpool.

A smile creased beneath my mask as Deadpool realized his situation and right as Deathstroke unleashed overkill with anti armor rounds from a 50 caliber automatic weapon. Deadpool was literally shredded to ribbons before Deathstroke could realize his mistake I began to assault him in close quarters with surprise on my side. I leveled a brutal punch into his gut as I then kicked him backwards as I moved past him and pulled a cryo bomb from my suit and unleashed it's contents onto the hapless Deadpool, freezing him over and therefore slowing his regeneration to a level that would make him irrelevant for the remainder of the fight.

He would not die of course, but he wont be going anywhere for several hours, more than long enough to be apprehended after the conclusion of this battle. Deathstroke released a dark chuckle as he recovered, as Lady Shiva approached from my blind spot.

"You predicted that I would use the paint to find you and placed Deadpool in the prime position to be the victim of it before even I knew my plan of action...that is...impressive." As he collected himself, he unsheathed his sword once more and wielded his power staff in his off hand. And with Lady Shiva closing in from behind, this fight was only just beginning.

Courtney Dawes/Scarlet Archer-19 Yrs-Arkham Asylum, Gotham city

As I saw what Batman was up against, I did not envy him in the slightest. While I am now trained, I am hardly seasoned and against such odds I would be killed quickly. But as we left him behind, I began to wonder if he would survive, or if we condemned him to death by simply leaving him with those three assassins. We continued to make our way down until we came across a room in which there were fifteen armed men, all were gathered around something as they were not pillaging the place. Batgirl found a way around and after beginning the attack I quickly armed a sleeping agent arrow which would release in gas for upon impact. I ducked behind the corner, removing myself from the area of affect for the gas. As I waited there with baited breath, I turned the corner and saw that they were crowded around a television. One in which was showing the battle with Batman, and his assassins. As I watched it, I stood next to Batgirl, suddenly finding myself unsure if we made the right move. Or if all we did was leave him to a slaughter.

"Batgirl, are you sure....are you certain we made the right choice in leaving him? The three of us would have had a far better chance of defeating them, and then we could all progress together..." My voice trailed off as I tried to convince myself of the correct decision. "He would not have left either of us to fight them..."But I knew the answer, we would only be in his way, and better to move on to where we are more useful. But the feeling of being useless was just too real.

Following Batgirl again we delved deeper into the Asylum, and as we got ever closer to the center, it seemed almost as if someone wanted us to make it there. As there was almost no resistance. However, once we arrived at the destination, I knew immediately why it was so easy to make it here.

Up on the scaffold above us, the Jester had a spot light shined upon her as she struck a exaggerated pose with a circus clown monkey perched on her shoulder while holding her cane. A woman stood behind her, in a maid's outfit with silver hair. As I looked up at the duo, it was then that we were greeted.

"Oh, welcome...TO THE MADHOUSE!" Jester crackles just as my attention shot ahead of me as a cage was released and Killer Croc was unleashed upon us.

"I will take the silver haired girl, and if Ceecee is gonna show, now is the time." I then locked eyes with Batgirl.

"You should confront Rebecca." I said, as I pulled an arrow from my quiver, preparing for the fight ahead.

Hector Gage/The Blue Lantern-28 Yrs-Earth Orbit

As the Green Lantern finally introduced herself, it did not take long before something obviously worried her. She did not say anything to me, but her facial expressions gave me the feeling that she was having a conversation in her head. I stayed put until she finished, but she did not give much in the way of direction on where to go or what to do. In fact, she asked me. "I uh.." I started off, before finally admitting it. "I am not sure." I said flatly, then lifted my ring hand in front of both of us. "I believe the ring knew you were in trouble or something was guiding it. Because it was as if I was on autopilot when I found you here. I have been a Blue Lantern for roughly ten minutes. So, I am at a loss as to what to do next." However, as I finished my statement I remembered that my children were still home alone. And I have no idea what time it is back on Earth. Thankfully we were in Metropolis at the time, so I dont have to worry about the Joker hijacking their school bus, maybe Lex trying to bulldoze the neighborhood for a new Lex Corp location, but that should be the worst of it. With that I offered a slight suggestion.

"I have left my children back on Earth, and I dont know what time it is at the moment where they are at. If you like you can follow me back there and as soon as I see them off, then we can proceed with whatever you need to do." I explained, as I had a idea.

"Ring, what time is it in Metropolis, Delaware right now?" The ring then displayed a digital clock in blue light showing that it was 05:12 at the moment. I closed the digital clock and sighed.

"Plenty of time to get back and even pick up some take out for breakfast on the way." I then looked at her.

"So, what do you say? Want to meet my completely spoiled and bratty kids?" I smiled at the bad joke at their expense. Although, it was not entirely wrong. But the two kids are starting to grow on me.

Daniel Carter/Sentinel/Batman-32 Yrs-Arkham Asylum, Gotham City

With Deadpool out of the picture, one would think that you could celebrate a victory. However, Lady Shiva immediately moved in to replace him as my tormentor and the silent assassin was able to force me backward as she threw herself into a powerful spinning kick which I managed to catch with one hand, but Deathstroke quickly moved in behind my blind side and attempted to impale me with his blade which I was forced to evade. As Lady Shiva prepared another volley of attacks, Deathstroke did something, unexpected. He began to back away, as if he was going to allow Shiva her time to prove herself in a one on one. As he sheathed the blade she went into action, I recognized the martial art she was using as a now lost style of Chinese Martial Art. The style was more than advanced, it was quick and precise focusing on fast paced strikes which were hard to track, I remember studying it at one point, and I could not seem to remember what the flaw was, as it was elusive. I ducked and weaved as I blocked blow after blow, having no time to go on the offensive as Shiva masterfully kept the pressure up.

As she leaped over me and landed masterfully behind me, I turned in haste to face her as her strikes resembled striking cobras. I needed to gain some leverage, and as I adopted a different style to counter, I placed myself in the position of the White Martian martial arts. A style that I had grown quite fond of, as I forced upon her heavy and devastating blows with a speed that was difficult to achieve with such powerful blows, the tables seemed to have turned. I forced aside her block with my forearm as I slammed my elbow just below her throat. Shiva had barely managed to evade a critical blow but despite the severe pain she was in, kept the fight up with speeds comparable to before she got hit.

However, she kept on with that same ancient style, almost as if she was waiting for something. As the fight continued on, and the various blows were either evaded or deflected it seemed that perhaps my last hit was luck. As she had certainly learned from the mistake. But as I made a sweeping low kick designed to throw her off balance and in the same motion turn the low kick into a powerful overhead kick. She threw herself into a backflip, and as she was about to land I saw it.

I saw the flaw in her form.

I charged head first into the moment so that I would not miss my chance. Throwing the full might of my power into what would be a bone crushing blow, painful but would not kill her. Shiva seemed to meld past my attack and delivered her own. She slammed both of her open palms into my chest right around my heart. Only realizing too late my mistake. I fell to my knees, almost powerless to get up as she voiced what I had just realized.

"You see it now, dont you? Only at the end do you realize that this outcome was finished the moment you decided to engage me." My chest burned in pain as I could feel my heart now struggling to beat, as if Shiva did not damage my flesh or bones, but bypassed all of that and targeted my most vital organ directly.

"The style with a name long lost to history, it is furious and precise, but that is not where it is most lethal. The style has a alluring bait, creating the illusion of an opening, that in reality, does not exist. Tempting the opponent like a starving dog with a meal to give up his safety for just a moment, to expose himself to death. The blows when mastered, are not like the crude fighting style that you employ. It does not damage the physical body on the outside, but instead transfers the energy of the attack to damage the organs directly." As she stepped closer, she then struck my lungs and liver as I fell helplessly to the ground. As she stepped around my body she then removed my helmet as she looked down into my eyes, which were filled with frustration at the position I was in, for not seeing past her trap as internal bleeding began to slowly cripple my body. She pressed the bottom of her foot against my face.

"Deathstroke did not like about you. You are the best I have had the chance of battling for quite some time. There is no doubt of that, but now I will provide you with an end worthy of your Legend. And with your death, a new evidence of my own skills." As I saw her boot heel descend to my temple my death was prevented as her foot was stopped just short of me as my quaking hand grabbed a hold of it. I swiftly brought my other hand around and delivered a fierce strike to the side of her knee cap, breaking it as she screamed out in pain. Staggering back, I managed to, with great effort stand before her once more.

"How can-" She was cut off though, as a powerful kinetic blast originating from Deathstroke's power staff slammed into her. Throwing her crippled body helplessly against the barrier of the opposite wall. Shock seemed to cover her face from the attack that she never anticipated, and from the person she never saw coming.

Deathstroke's armored form approached her now broken body as blood seeped from her forehead, and she struggled to prop herself against the wall to support her. "But...you said..." And then with one simple sword motion Deathstroke made his point clear.

"I lied."

Deathstroke's blade stopped mere centimeters from impaling the wounded assassin. As his one eye shot behind him, he saw that I had fired my grapple gun which wrapped around the blade of his sword, allowing me to stop his blade by pulling with all of my might. He chuckled, as he suddenly pulled back from his killing blow to Lady Shiva. Who was too wounded to resist.

"Saving the life of the woman who would have thought nothing of killing you Daniel? You really have not changed a bit." I stood myself up, on sheer will power alone as I prepared to face him. However, a new energy seemed to have found me as I stepped closer to him.

"This is our battle. I would hate for you to dull your blade on the blood of anyone else here." I said with a grim sense of humor. Deathstroke gave a slight chuckle.

"Well, this whole city is watching. I would hate to disappoint them." He stated as he armed himself with his sword in his left hand and a machine gun in my right. As for better or worse, this battle was about to end.

Daniel Carter/Sentinel/Batman-32 Yrs-Gotham City

Deathstroke began to step closer to me as a armored sentinel of death. This fight, my current wounds almost make me unable to resist. Yet he is in peak condition. And his peak condition, is far above mine under ideal circumstances, as a enhanced super soldier. I began to play out every scenario in my head, if there was any way Batman or Sentinel could win this day. And with my body and mind almost to the point of collapse, I foresaw my death...in all scenarios. There was no way a hero would survive this ordeal. That became a ugly reality as Deathtroke's armored gauntlet smashed into my face, breaking my nose and pouring blood all over my suit. I commanded my body to stand, to keep the fight going, but a flash bomb was dispatched precisely before me where I would have no time to react. My eyesight throbbed and refused to aid me. As I collapsed under a barrage of deadly blows form fists and kicks. The armor was severely damaged, and I began to frantically claw at the ground to escape my assassin.

As I knew fear of death. I could sense Slade's disappointment in his voice.

"Tsk, tsk. Look at the end of a supposed Legend. The man who formed Infinite Justice, who returned from death on Namek. To face down the Joker madness. To resist a full scale war. To invade Hell, defeat Trigon. And break the hold of the Black Lantern Corps from sheer will. All to end here, in the dirt. Groveling at my feet..." His voice trailed off.

"It could have been so different. Your skill is great, perhaps you may have even defeated me, had I trapped you alone. Imagine briefly with your last seconds that you had joined me. With what you have achieved without my oversight, imagine what could have been accomplished with it."

I could then hear the faint shiink sound of his blade being removed from it's sheath. I knew I was done, with my blurred sight slowly returning to me. The final words I would hear on this earth was his last taunts.

"This was disappointing. It seems both Deadpool and Lady Shiva were too much for you after all, they have robbed me of the enjoyment. Perhaps I will hunt down you wife and daughter next for personnel contracts, as a super woman and a kryptonian I am sure they will provide me with the entertainment you have failed to."

Not even Deathstroke's advanced mind could have processed the affect of that threat. With new found strength and motivation as his blade swept forward with a killing blow, my hand burst forth as my armor began to shift and change it's appearance. The visage of my true persona began to shine forth. That of Sentinel.

But Sentinel was here in only name. As it was no longer a hero fighting for Justice, but a man fighting for life. And a father and husband resisting for his family.

His blade sliced through the armor on my palm, as blood poured from my gashed hand. But even as my arm quaked from the force being pressed against it, as a tide wall holding back a storm. It would not budge.

It was then that Deathstroke delivered what would have been a punishing kick to the temple, but from instinct I ducked beneath it and then delivered my own fierce punch to his gut, cauing him to recoil slightly, but there was still far too much fight left in him. He recovered his blade and began to dance around me, delivering fierce and steady blows to me, which glanced off of my cuffs. As I used all of my strength to evade around him, the inevitable finally occurred as Deathstroke finally succeeded in planting his blade within me, but I had managed to ensure that it hit no vital organs ensuring it was only a flesh wound, then planted what could be my last trap. A small explosive device was attached to his blade, set on a timer.

As he retrieved his sword in a not so subtle manner and as I collapsed, making the appearance of being mortally wounded to deceive him into a false sense of victory, he stood over me triumphant.

"Now, you should have known that you could not defeat me fairly, Danny."

With only a couple seconds left, I gave a weak smirk.

"I am counting on it."

I then rolled away as the sword exploded, and in such close proximity, while wielding it Deathstroke was now in agony. His armor not enough to protect him from the point blank blast. As I managed to stand up and face him, my vision just good enough to take in the sight of his armor being partially blasted away, revealing the scalded and badly burned flesh beneath it. Deathstroke's own mask was falling apart as his rage filled eyes showed everything.

He had lost it.

He charged me, with power like that of a rhino and barreled into me, crushing me against a wall as he lost all reason, all tactics and proceeded to beat me as a brute. His fist smashed ribs and his knees forced me to bleed internally. My mouth now soaked in a copper filled taste I tried to defend myself against the powerful juggernaut as my plan came into fruition.

Forcing the man to overlook many things in his blood lust.

Finally, he clutched my throat and shoved me against the wall where my feet were now elevated several inches off of the ground. I gagged and struggled to breath. As I spoke.

"I...I...."

He then growled at me, as he pulled me down closer so that he could hear my final words.

"Speak louder boy! I cannot HEAR you!" He bellowed.

Your...gun."

Then a powerful, almost ear shattering gunshot cracked the air. As I had pressed the advanced pistol against his exposed flesh and fired the weapon. His grasp against me lessened, as the light seemed to fade from his single eye. Then, with a thud his body fell backwards, as the bullet had destroyed his heart. Nullifying any healing factor.

I fell to my knees next to his lifeless body. As I collected my breath. Now more able to speak, I closed his eye with my hand. Knowing that my time as a hero is done. Only now realizing that at the end, I had a lot more in common with Deathstroke...no...with Slade Wilson, than I would have ever let myself believe.

After shutting his eye, I knelt beside him. Speaking to him almost as if we were friends. After all, his own actions had severely impacted my life. In a unusual way, he helped mold me into a hero, and was the one who finally brought me down this ruinous path.

"You of all people...should have known Slade. What a man is capable of....when his family is threatened. After all, it is what has made you into the man you were. What has made me into who I am now." Standing up before finishing my statement.

"A murderer."

My eyes traced their way up, and into the cameras. The whole city saw the fight, and saw the actions I had taken to preserve my own life. But the armor was not of their Batman, or even a Batman. But of Sentinel. Only my own name will suffer for my actions. I will not stain the sanctity of the likes of Batgirl and her allies for my own chosen path.

I could hear the faint sounds of approaching footsteps, of dozens of officers forcing their way closer to me. Perhaps initially they were sent to aid me. But now, there was only one way this would end.

Then they arrived, more than two dozen of Gotham's finest. Their eyes equally as shocked by what they saw in the scene before them. Toward their front was obviously a rookie. A man with a fresh face and clear eyes with dark hair. Wearing the uniform of a simple Police Officer, the uniform that I would have given anything to wear when I was a child.

Instead, I was destined for this white and gold armor that is now stained with dirt and blood.

I stepped closer to him, and could see upon his face that he was uncertain as to what to do. The closer I got the more nervous he appeared, and his superiors were just as confused. No one mourned Deathstroke or Slade Wilson. And no one was eager to arrest me. I finally was face to face with the officer, saying but two simple words.

"Your hand cuffs." At first he seemed confused. And so I asked again.

"Your hand cuffs." I repeated. Finally, he handed them over, with a shaking hand.

In a swift motion I placed them around my wrists. Then nodded, about to give him permission to take me in when I saw to feminine figures push there way from the back. A dark haired woman with her hair cut short and a teenage girl with long blonde hair with a Super Girl styled skirt that reached just above her knees.

My family...had found me.

As the officers cleared a path for them. Tears finally began to cascade down my face as I embraced them, not as a hero of anything. But as there father.

"Whats going to happen to you...to us?" Sabrina questioned, as she began to show signs of sobbing as she tightly clutched my blood stained body.

Mayla stayed silent. Knowing that there was nothing to say for now. As I pressed my lips to my daughters ears not to tell her that everything would be alright. Not to lie to her. But to tell her of a simple truth.

That I loved her.

As my own weary face connected with Mayla's, no words were exchanged. The officers around us politely turned their backs to us, as they gave us our moment. Where we shared what would be our last kiss in a possibly very long time.

But all things come to an end. I was separated from my family, and herded by the Officer's outside. Greeted by pulsating blue lights, as I was herded into a armored police van. Leaving this city, in the hands of it's true heroes.

Courtney Dawes/Scarlet Archer-19 Yrs-Arkham Asylum, Gotham City

The metal blades descended upon me rapidly as they were quite clustered. I immediately armed myself with an explosive arrow and aimed it at the center of the metallic formation. As the arrow left my fingers and projected itself at the attack I immediately went about my next step as I armed myself with a flash bang arrow as the explosive arrow detonated dead center of the knife formation, blasting the attack off course and raining deadly blades in random directions around the battleground, I ducked myself behind a overturned steel table as I could hear the clanking sounds of metal stabbing metal. I then revealed myself from behind the improvised cover, as I made my first real attack. This time, I held three arrows steady between my fingers as I pulled back on the bow. Between my middle and ring fingers was a flash bang arrow, designed to blind my opponent while between my index and middle and my ring and pinkie fingers were boxing glove arrows. These would essentially be using the blast from the flash bang arrow as cover to blind the killer maid so that she would not see the attack of the boxing glove arrows. Thus in theory, ensuring that a hit will be scored upon her from the equal of two fists flying at speeds of between 170 and 180 feet per second. These arrows are somewhat slower than my average one because of the increased weight of the boxing glove arrows.

However, with the cover of the flash bang these should be more than fast enough to prevent this silver maid time to react. Drawing the bow back I gave a confident smile, as my mind flashed back to the times when I was untrained and simply eager. Saying good bye to those days I am going to finally prove that I have what it takes to be a hero. No matter if the foreign Batman succumbed to fear, I will be different. Letting the arrows fly from my bow I stayed behind the metal table, thinking of of as only cover, and not even once considering that the Silver Haired villain could possibly manipulate it like her knives. As I allowed my focus on maintaining distance to lead me to underestimate my opponent.

Rebecca I. Phillips-20 Yrs-Arkham Asylum, Gotham City

As I listened to the monologue of Batgirl, I slowly raised a hand to my face. AS my facial expression turned from a crackling laugh to ghostly white, and no it was not the face paint. As she got ever closer my own voice began to shake. "My..g...you are right?" My lip even began to quiver a bit. "What have I become...?" I raised a broken piece of glass to my face as I looked at myself in it's reflection like a mirror. Before violently smashing it against a rail, cutting my hand and causing some very minor blood trickle. "Hahahahahaha! I almost had you going there right? My acting is simply...." I then gave a crazed grin as I spun the metal cane around. "Smashing." But then my eyes narrowed and my brow furrowed as I let my grin twist itself in a disgusted expression. "You're joke however, is the worst kind." I spat. "And I have heard it before, and guess what Batsie Girl!" I then with a simple hand motion signaled for my accomplice monkey to rise to the highest levels of the ceiling for now. As It jumped from my shoulder and scaled the dangling ropes and metal rods around us. "It was not funny the first time!" Then, with a single finger I pointed at my own chest.

"I failed?" I then pointed the blood stained metal cane in her direction, accusing her. "You failed. This city has failed. The Joker has made me realize exactly how much of a demented gag you charade is!" But then a murderous grin spread across my painted blood red lips. "But dont you worry your pretty little Batsie head, he will get his very soon. I then jumped up on the guard rail, balancing myself with surprising acrobatic ability on it as I began to walk the distance between us with the ever present threat of falling far below present.

"Of the two of us, you are the only fake here. Hiding behind your mask, hiding behind your tools, and hiding behind your feeble ideals. What have you accomplished with that pretty cape and cowl? Nothing. I mean, you are not unintelligent, surely you must see how things are? I then jumped down from the rails now and was standing just several feet away from her. Throwing my arms out signalling for her to take a look around.

"This is what you are protecting? Look around you honey! This city is MAD! LOONEY! CRAZY! And Batsh*t INSANE! Have you ever once stopped to think that you, and the Bats are the cause of all of this? A man dressed up as a d*mned rodent is gonna attract the wrong kind of attention if ya catch my drift! Thousands of people around Gotham, looting, stealing, killing and stealing! Politicians growing fat, corruption ruling Police Officers, holy men are sacrificed and why? Because there is no why! Everything you claim to be fighting for, DOESN'T exist! The Gotham you claim to be protecting exists only in your own twisted fantasies! You refuse to see the JOKE of it all." I then leaned myself against the cane as it was apparent Batsie Girl would not see the gag of it all.

"So, taking in all of that....who is really mad? Hmm..." I then swiftly wielded the cane like a club and aimed for a strike upon the Bat Girl.

"I will make you LAUGH at the joke!" I bellowed as I swiftly directed the cane like a baseball bat toward her.

Corinna Erastos/Archangel-2,187 Yrs-Madworld

This world is...different. I had intended to return to the Kingdom of Ur but in it's place I found a portal instead. Which in turn led me, here...wherever this here is. It is something alien, as it is neither Earth or the Heavenly plane. Passing by a crowd of people I noticed that none of them seemed to pay me any attention. As if, they had some pre-programmed purpose. Distraction does not exist here it seems. As my form passed by a reflective glass pane window I saw that my divine armor had receded and I now was adorned in my typical Spartan Armor. The long raven black hair descended down my back and as I thought about it, someone who looks as outlandish as I, should draw some attention. But, I was invisible to the world here. However, I did not worry about finding Max, as the ascending spire that can be seen from anywhere in the center of the city, rising far above any skyline around it. If Max is anywhere in this world, a man of his ego would be there. As he is hardly that complex to find.

I did not pay much mind to those around me, deeming them no threat considering no one registered me. And if no one takes notice of me, then no one is likely to attack. Finally reaching the approach of the central tower it was only then that I became awestruck at the sheer size of the construct. I could not see the top of this tower and it seemed to claw the sky rather than simply scrape it. There was a large stair way before me with strong pillars supporting the tower once you reach the front gates. I spotted two guards who seemed resolute in their duties. Entirely still and focused on the task at hand.

I payed them no mind as I attempted to walk past them and was greeted by having two large and obviously alien bladed weapons crossed before me. I stopped immediately and awaited a warning from the two tall and armored guards. Now taking notice, their helmets were entirely blank. Giving no hint at a face beneath it, so I had to judge from their tone their tempers. And from their voices, which was in complete unison, there was no hint of emotion in the slightest behind their threats.

"None not invited by Master Max are permitted to enter past this point." The statement stood for itself.

"I do trust he will want to speak with me." I issued, stressing the word 'me'. "Inform him his trainern requests to see him." I ordered, hoping that the word 'trainer' would get them to move. But they answered in the same empty voice.

"We are Palace Guards, we are not permitted to abandon our posts nor pass on messages." This is going nowhere, it is like arguing with a automated machine on a phone line. Seeing any further effort would be met by the same I was about to inform them that I would await here until Max sees me, as I am sure he has some way of seeing what is happening outside of his palace short of looking from a window.

But my train of thought was interrupted by a fierce shaking in the tower, seemingly coming from inside of it. Then another, however, this never made the guards stir. Not a muscle, instead they stood silent and about ten minutes later a young woman was escorted out and briskly walked past me, the two of us locked eyes as she swiftly turned her head forward and proceeded along her path away from the palace.

It was then what appeared to be a unremarkable servant spotted me, as if he was looking for me and declared.

"Master Max knows of you. You may come seek an audience."

Finally granted entry, I was escorted to what looked less like the throne room of a king, and the temple of a God. I sighed, the hubris of humanity knows no bounds. I thought to myself, as I awaited not knowing if the man I would meet here would be the same King I once trained, or if he had been usurped by a Mad God instead.

Hector Gage/The Blue Lantern-28 Yrs-Metropolis, Delaware

Once more in my normal civilian clothing I led Julie through Metropolis. To pass the time I began to tell her about my children as I stopped outside a street hot dog vendor to purchase some hot dogs for the kids. After all, I cannot go back empty handed. I got a classic dog for myself, decorated only with mustard and ketchup and bought two chili dogs for the kids and a New York Dog for my guest, lifting the hot dog smothered with onions to the martian with a facial expression which said, Try a bite. "Micheal is the boy, he has a scar over his right eye but so far he refuses to tell me how it happened. He has a foul mouth though, as for Melody she is a hard case herself. She refuses to acknowledge me as a parent figure." I then paused for a moment. "I was, absent, for most of their lives. They only found me about a week ago." I explained, as I continued down the sidewalk.

Turning the next corner I began to close in on our temporary motel room. Just before opening the door I turned to Julie. "These kids, dont surprise very easily. So, dont worry about altering your appearance or anything." I then lowered my voice. "My spoiled kids think that I am a minimum wage loser, I want it to stay that way. For multiple reasons, so no talk about our 'other jobs'." After laying down the ground rules, I opened the door and say the two lazily flipping TV channels.

"Where have you been? We have been here for hours." Michael droned as he dashed at me to retrieve the chili dogs, and then handed the spare one to his sister. Melody chimed in without ever taking her eyes from the television.

"So, who is the green chick? A cheap hooker not good enough for ya? Had to go get yourself an alien?" Michael laughed at the joke at my expense.

"Relax, you know he could not afford a hooker. Probably stole the hot dogs." He then turned and chuckled toward Melody. "How cool would it be if our dad was the first human to catch space AIDS?"

As the two enjoyed the jokes I lowered the tone of my voice and almost growled.
"Enough." I said, and instantly the chatter stopped and both snapped to attention.

"Julie is from, out of town. And she was kind enough to see me home after a dangerous run in. I dont care how the two of you speak to me, but she will be payed your respect. Understand?" I asked, and in unison both nodded their heads.

After achieving some semblance of respect from the kids, I sighed deeply and sat down on a worn chair. Turning to Julie, I offered a warm Pepsi.

"Thank you for stopping by, I will understand if you need to be on your way. Although, I am rather certain I will need to watch over these two a while. If something comes up, you can call me." I said, subtly hinting that she could contact me on my ring if she needed me.

That is if she chose to leave rather than stay and finish her Pepsi and talk a bit.

Daniel Carter/Convict EK77042-32 Yrs-Metropolis Lock Up

I let my head lean back against the cool brick of the eight by eight cell. The cold sensation of the walls being the only thing to help keep my mind off of things. With the heavily compromises status of Gotham at the moment, going through the darkest night. I was immediately transferred to Metropolis under heavy guard. Unexpectedly this is not as hard on me as I would have envisioned. As I can still remember the feeling of the weights, chains around my neck, wrists and ankles as they attempt to restrain a prisoner that had turned himself in. Of course, I cannot expect them to take no precautions at all. With no access to the media or current events in here, I was limited to the murmurs and whispers of the prison guards. From the gist of it, this case was stirring up all kinds of controversy not just on this world, but my own as well. And that aside, not simply because I am a former hero, but also a battle of jurisdiction. Some nations within my own world have filed suits to have me transferred, but that will likely never see the light of day. Red Tape in one world and organization is bad, but trying to sue for a case that is not just international, but multiversal? That is a whole other can of worms. No one even knows where to begin.

I was awakened by a clanging of metal and iron as a guard raked his night stick against the cell cage doors.

"Wake up hero. Time to see your visitors." The broad shouldered man said flatly.

With the doors opening, the feeling from all of those years ago began to spill back into me. The feeling of being forced into something you dont want. Of having no control over your own life. And the fear that came with the chains. All those years ago as a juvenile that fear was simply being judged. Afraid to stand up and face the music. But now, that fear is far more personnel. The fear of never seeing your family again except from behind a plastic window, and speaking to them through a telephone.

A fear that was about to be realized.

I emerged into a room and drew a few glances. As other inmates momentarily looked away from whatever visitors they had and glanced my way. But that only lasted a moment, after all, we only get so long to talk. Cant waste any moments. I was escorted to seat 07 and I placed myself down in the cool plastic chair, seeing my wife Mayla, my daughter Sabrina and even my young son August who just turned eleven yesterday.

I was not there.

I picked up the phone and my wife Mayla handed the phone first to August, knowing that he would be unable to wait to say what he needed to. As he picked it up he gripped it with both hands, tears beginning to form in his eyes as Sabrina and Mayla tried to appear stronger. He was wearing blue jeans and a dark hoodie. The hoodie had my version of the Batman symbol in red on it.

"Dad...I...I...dont understand." I held the phone calmly to my ear, speaking as comforting as I could considering I was in chains.

"I know, son. I-" He then interrupted me.

"Dad, you are not coming home are you..." It was less of a question and more of an incomplete thought. As if he wanted me to finish it by assuring him I would be. So, I did the only thing a father could do. Deeply looking into the eyes of my only son.

I lied.

"Of course I will be." I then knew my time was running out. So, I reassured August the best way I could.

"In fact, you will see me very soon outside of here. I will need you to dress nicely. So you know what that means right boy?" He nodded, and then told me what it meant.

"Dont let mom pick my clothes. Ask sis if I need help." I smiled, tears beginning to water.

"Good boy."

The phone then passed to my daughter. Who picked it up and looked at me unblinking, trying to force her voice to not show the stress of the situation, ever harder after seeing me break down.

"Daddy I, it's hard."

"I know it is princess."

"No daddy, hard knowing I could break this damn window out. Knowing that I can break you out of here and no one can stop me. That with a simple stare I can burn the window to nothingness. And even harder knowing you dont deserve this. I know I shouldn't, and I wont. At least I dont think I will. Daddy, I just...have one question." I waited a few minutes before asking what it could be.

"What is that princess?"

"Do you regret it? Would you do it differently? Would you spare that man's life? Knowing taking it would lead you here? Could you have even found another way?" I leaned back in my chair. Sabrina did always ask the million dollar questions.

"I regret...not taking you to that sleep over six years ago. And I regret not helping with August's science fair project two years ago. Even if he did not need my help. And I regret not sitting you, your mother and your brother down every day, and not telling you all how much I love you. How much your grandfather loves you." I then went silent for a moment. "And how much your grandmother loves you."

I then dried my eyes. "But I can see all of you right now, because of what I have done in Gotham. And so I dont regret that, even if it is in the worst of ways." She did not look satisfied with the answer, but smiled anyways. Just as my wife took possession of the phone. The deep bags under her eyes showing just how much sleep has defied her in the past days.

"I have spoken to Daud, and he tells me he is on his way now. He also told me he is bringing the best defense attorney he could find in this world that was not taken." That was just like him, to race to the rescue bringing all his resources could command. A trait we both shared.

Daud is a man in which hell could not dissuade. Did I honestly believe that blue uniforms, lawyers and red tape would prevent him from getting what he desired? Not at all. Time was up, and I was hastily collected and separated from my family and locked into a small room with a rectangle steel table flanked by four steel chairs. I was sitting at the seat furthest from the door, facing it.

When a uniformed man finally stepped in and announced something I had been waiting to hear for a while now.

"Your representation has arrived."

And with that, two large figures entered the room. The first and most obvious and at the front was Daud, one time ally and long time friend. And the second was a tall green skinned woman, several inches taller than I but shorter than Daud. I recognized her immediately. As I had seen some reports of her when I was first researching the heroes of this world.

"Good to see you old friend. Although I did not expect She-Hulk...to be my defense attorney." I commented. On a rare occasion where my research did not yield the fact that she was among the most distinguished of attorneys.

Corinna Erastos/Archangel-2,187 Yrs-Madworld

I had watched with some pride at the hand to hand battle between Magneto and Max, any teacher likes seeing a student do well in the arts they were instructed in. However, once Magneto broke the rules of the engagement, the fight was over. The whole scene was impressive, but I believed Max naive to strike a deal with the likes of Magneto in the first place, however the chance to see his abilities in action, were well worth it. When Max asked me, from behind his new mask what it was that I sought here in Madworld, what an odd name to give a place. I did not need to draft an answer, as it simply came up naturally. "I had come to see how my student had progressed, and I am impressed by the performance displayed in your bout with Magneto. However..." My voice trailed off for a moment, as I tried to change the subject matter. "I had overheard your explanation of this place. That, has interested me, for lack of a better term." My mind then flashed back to ancient times. When I had visited the Roman capital, how I witnessed their wealth, their armies and their conquests. And because of that when I returned to Sparta I warned them that the Romans were unbeatable. Perhaps I was correct. But I see now the very fact that I had witnessed their power convinced me that they could not have been surmounted. And perhaps they could have been, history will forever know only our fall before them though.

"You say that this world is an 'Ark' Max? I wont challenge your decision. As you have said, you have seen the end of everything. Instead I will give you something to ponder, a homework assignment if you will." And with that I found a seat next to the Mad King's throne, slightly smaller and a growing feeling that it did not originally belong to me. However, I layed claim to it as I sat upon it, and as Max took his own throne.

"If you had never seen the end. Never encountered what you saw, and another came to you. Telling you of the end of everything. That it was inescapable and unavoidable, that it would be the end of everything. Would you have reacted differently? Would you still have used your ultimate power to create this...place? Or perhaps, you would have tried a different way? Let us not assume that either course will be successful, as the outcome of this has yet to be written, but to contemplate if there was more than one path to take. Or if your chosen path, is certainly the only correct solution? Or is it what you have seen, which has implanted a fear inside of you, which has made you afraid to consider what would happen in you took another way? And so now you believe you have found a way to cheat the end, by escaping it." And with that, I left the silence in the air to hang while he considered my words.

The question of if he truly believes that this is the only way, or if he only reached this conclusion out of fear of what he saw.

All those years ago, because I had seen the power of Rome, I was certain there was only one path to take. To not do battle with Rome. However, war was the Spartan way. As our discussion began to draw to a close, a great presence presented itself above Madworld. My eyes shot above me and while all I saw was the high ceiling, I could easily sense the suffocating presence of something far larger making it's entrance.

But Max, seemed not the least bit interested in the disturbance, and so I allowed myself to sit in place, trusting he had the deal figured out well enough. But it did not take long for a alien to break through the Throne room and challenge the might of the Mad God, but the challenge did not last long, as with a lead spear the opponent was ended quite quickly, and not long after, revived. In this moment I witnessed a side of Max which I thought was lost, as he cradled the former enemy similar to a father finding a lost child. I stood behind him, giving him his space as I silently awaited for him to finish, not wanting to interrupt the scene.

Hector Gage/The Blue Lantern-28 Yrs-Metropolis

I looked over the martian, only partially in a professional manner. I am single after all, but then I promptly rubbed my temple as I explained the situation to her mentally, not a process I am entirely comfortable with yet, as most of my conversation throughout my life involved physical speech. It is not you they dislike, but me. After all, you are an alien, what child does not think meeting an alien is cool? They only refer to you that way to get to me, as you can tell. I am not very popular here. They only found out about me about a week ago, and the same the other way around. I was absent for most of their lives, and they are still children. When a young child looks around and never sees a father, at first he asks why. When his mother fails to provide them with an acceptable answer, they begin forming their own answers. The truth is I was in prison for their lifetimes. And I never knew about them, and once you find out your father who was never around was instead busy counting days in the walls of a cell, that does not leave you with a very good impression, and that simply takes time to overcome.

With that, I changed the subject and looked her new clothes up and down. Speaking verbally this time.

"Oh, and you look fine by the way." And with that, I finished my warm drink and stood up, stretching as I tossed the soda can in the nearest trash bin.

"Well, I suppose that the introductions are done, you will want to be getting home." Michael piped up again.

"Oh yeah, where is that? Area 51?" I lightly popped him in the back of the head, to which he quickly fell silent. As Melody snickered at his misfortune, to which he cast a sharp 'not funny' stare back at her.

I dug in my pocket and pulled a twenty dollar bill out, placing it on the table, I allowed Melody to grab it.

"I will be taking Julie home now, should be back in a couple hours. Use that to order some pizza." I told her, as I walked to the door and opened it up, moving my hand in a 'After you' fashion.

Sabrina El Carter/Star Girl-18 Yrs-Metropolis

I could not stay here, I had left the police station as soon as Daud arrived. Old habits die hard, and I tend to isolate myself to a degree when I am hurting. I just...have a hard time connecting to my family sometimes. They are human, and I am Kryptonian and top that off I am adopted. Not to mention a clone of a figure who will always overshadow me. When the public sees me back on my planet, they do not see Sabrina El Carter, daughter of Sentinel. Instead they see Sora El, daughter of Superman, famous hero and wife of Daud. Even with the obvious age gap between us, Sora is thirty now. I am 18, the same age she was when she joined Infinite Justice. I then took a look around, seeing the families around me all complete with their parents and siblings. How they dont have a father or mother who is in chains, more so one who has done nothing to deserve it. And has done more for his world than all of the people in it could ever repay him with. So much so, he has...sometimes forsaken his own life, his own family so that he can be their hero. And do they appreciate it? No, they imprison him...again. A tear began to well in my eye and I quickly wiped it with the back of my sleeved hand. In my own Star Girl uniform now.

Not knowing where else to go, I floated upward. Rising steadily above the city and the busy sounds beneath me. Finding the highest of skyscrapers and positioning myself on the pinnacle of it. I sat there, alone as the sun set behind me and darkness after that. I was up there for hours until I was finally disturbed by a new presence. Shadows began to morph mere feet away from me and as the shadows grew larger, they began to shape themselves into a humanoid figure, and from that a more familiar face became visible as a woman who looked no older than twenty, covered in tattoos and red highlights marking her raven black hair. Clothing which was far from modest, showing off her exceptional endowments in tight black leather straps. Her sharp eyes showing age passed her physical appearance and piercings on her eyebrow, ears and bottom lip. Most likely tongue too.

My father's first love.
Morgana; Mistress of Shadows

"I have heard Sabrina." Morgana greeted, as she moved closer to me, but keeping a couple feet of distance between us and looking into my eyes where I turned away.

"Then why are you here? To tell me how sorry you are? To tell me I dont have to go through it alone?" I guessed, as her touch landed gently and almost mother like had it not been for a hint of hesitation. Not out of not being genuine, but more of her inexperience in showing any intimate feelings, platonic or otherwise. However she gave up and pulled her hand away from my shoulder.

"No, I just wanted you to know your father is innocent." She said, now I knew she was just trying to make me feel better.

"What, because he feared for his life? That his murder of Deathstroke is void? Who will believe that the great Sentinel was ever afraid for a moment...not any jury I know of." I the forced my eyes shut trying to block everything out as the wind whipped up around us. But Morgana persisted.

"No Caroline, you dont understand....he is innocent." As her words flowed into me my eyes shot open as I understood what she was trying to say, I shot to my feet and about faced to look at her.

"How do you know! We all saw it on television! Are you telling me all of that was a lie?" I commanded, forgetting I was speaking of a dear friend for a moment. Morgana sighed.

"I dont presume to tell you anything more than this. In the underworld right now, there is only one Slade Wilson. That of this world. No matter the world or multiverse, all dead go to the same place before making their final trip to whichever Heaven or hell they go. And I know all of the souls that pass into that world, our Deathstroke is still alive, I dont know how. Or even in what state he is in. Perhaps he is in a death like coma from the battle, all I can say is he is not dead." She then began to step away form me.

"Why dont you tell this to the trial! My father needs you! Why come to me?" I begged, at which a hint of annoyance flashed in her eyes.

"How would that go? The ex lover comes and claims that and all anyone will see is a desperate ex trying to save a lost love." I then tried to apologize. But then saw it.

"You still love my father...dont you?"

She looked off into the wind as the moon was well rising. Then opened a portal back into the shadow real which she would likely take back to our own world.

"Always."

As she disappeared I stood there for several minutes, digesting the new information before realizing that I would have to track Deathstroke down, and I will have to do so quickly, before my father is sentenced. My eyes then flashed a deep crimson as a final thought entered my head as I shot off into the sky.

I WILL find him, and that man will wish it was my father who ended him.

Destiny Cole/Dolphin-19 Yrs-Ember Isles

Arriving on the new earth in one of it's oceans, I could make out a collection of islands in the distance. Infinite Justice had sent me here on a mission to establish a branch of IJ here, so that any threats that originate here that could threaten our world, could be taken care of before they ever reach our world. With the secondary role of serving as a sort of representative mission for Infinite Justice on this world at the same time. I was about to make way for the nearest continent, when I felt the ocean currents being unnaturally drawn to those islands off on the horizon.

Someone else with control of water?

A rival could be...interesting.

Then, with a swift dive I swam at blinding speeds just beneath the surface of the water, my white hair streaming behind me to speeds that would be equal to around 800 mph on land. Taking just a few minutes to reach the island, and with a vibrant burst I ascended out of the water and flipped onto the shore in too much showmanship to about the point where the currents were being drawn too. And I quickly found the source.

A young woman with long blue hair suitable to a mermaid and clothing that appeared to be from another age sat on the edge of the beach, her feet in the water as it danced around her. I walked a littler closer to her, as I wanted to get her attention.

She did not seem like much, but neither do I and we both have much in common. Taking some of the salt water around her, I molded them into the shape of swans, and animating them so that they swam around her, getting her attention, I finally introduced myself.

"Hello there, I could sense that you have hydrokinetic powers too. Well, so do I." I announced in a preppy tone.

"I am called Dolphin by my friends." A entertaining thought then entered my mind. A way in which I could test my abilities against someone of a similar skill set.

"I have an idea, why dont we have a friendly bout? A training battle. Just to see what we can do with water. It would be a fun way to get to know one another, what do you think?"

Courtney Dawes/Scarlet Archer-19 Yrs-Arkham Asylum, Gotham City

She just stopped my attack as if it were a game. With a wave of a hand she stopped my own attack, and then turned it against me. So, she controls all metal, not a simple telekinetic? Well, that will be useful information. Just as I placed that information in my brain, the table I was using for cover began to shift and shape, and in moments a entire school of piranha and I found myself in the cross heirs of a double attack. Right in the middle of the colliding forces. Having no time to think I found myself on the retreat, on instinct and training pulling a grapple arrow from the quiver and aiming straight up, firing straight up, I heard the arrow latch onto the ceiling and I was quickly rappelled upward. I need to bring the fight closer to her, only, I am not very good at close quarters. But as long as she could simply send her waves of metal at me from a distance, then I would quickly tire, so finding a way to break her attack would be paramount.

I then fired a second grapple arrow, this time forming what amounted to a zip line which led straight to the silver maid. Hastily sliding down the line by holding onto my bow like a set of handles I threw my legs forward in a effort to kick into her or at the very least force her to back up. If she would not call off the attack, then I will bring that attack on a collision course with herself.

As I raced toward her, her school of piranha followed close behind me. The hope was, that if I would narrowly miss her, then her steel fish would be on a crash course, of course I am assuming their tracking is not exactly precise. Landing several feet behind her, I spun around and placed my bow upon my back and pulled a stun arrow which acted like a taser gripped it like a dagger, lounging at Silver Queen.

"Dont underestimate me!" I warned her as I hoped my modest plan managed to at the very least catch her off guard.

Rebecca I. Phillips/The Jester-20 Yrs-Akham Asylum, Gotham City

I grunted as I was thrown back by Batsie Girl's blade and as I fell backwards her two BataRangs struck forth, one missing but the other cutting through my top hat. I then sprung to my feet in an overly animated way. As if throwing a fit, I pointed a finger which at first seemed to be a simple hand gesture showing my displeasure at my top hat being damaged. But in reality, was a signal for my own primate accomplice to fall from the rafters and begin clawing at Batsie Girl before it runs away. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to find such designer brand hats in this town!?" With that the clown dressed monkey fell upon her, meant to be more of a distraction than cause any real damage. Giving me enough time to fall back as I ran to a cache of gasoline, which I began to spill all over the raised platform we are on. My mind still fuming at her comparison to me and the Joker, I am far more original I told myself combined with the seething hatred of that man I have.

I then began digging around a chest in the back filled with various and finally pulled out an Air Horn which I pointed like a gun at the now highly flammable environment. A sickened grin spreading across my face as I let loose a burst of laughter.

"Well, you know what they say, if you cant stand the heat." And with that I fired the air horn but instead of a obnoxious sound, a spewing flamethrower was released. The scaffold caught fire immediately, as the fire quickly spread the other fights going on around the room would surely be affected. Thick smoke began to rise and after a while would begin to choke us out. But I payed none of it any mind.

"Oh come on Batsie Girl, I know you must enjoy baking with me! Batgirl brownies are the special today, and I serve them charred." I growled as I struggled to see past the flames, at the result of my attack.

Daniel Carter/Convict EK77042-32 Yrs-Metropolis

I gave a slight chuckle when I heard Daud subtly offer to break me out of prison. I placed my chained hands upon the table in front of us. "You know I would not be here if I did not choose to be." I then passed a glance at She Hulk and apologized. "Sorry, I did not mean to disrespect your record, I suppose I should have noticed you from back in the Ultra corp days, but back then I often delegated the legal procedures off to someone else." It was then that my gaze turned serious as I addressed Daud. "You are aware that I was considering a guilty plea, of course you are. You know me well enough for that." I mused as I moved on to the topic at hand. "I knew you would come to my legal defense, of course I dont see how you could possibly honestly believe that my actions in that Asylum were innocent. Even a good man cannot make excuses for a wrongdoing. And with all we have been through, I would not be able to look you in the eye if I believed that I was not guilty of murder considering how hard I pressed your for your old Ultra corps for the occasional death of a convict." I then sighed and pushed my chair back a bit from the table.

"But I trust you Daud, and for that I am willing to allow Jen here to be my consul." It was then that I stood up just as the door opened, signalling that time had run out and it was now time to leave. With a nod, I awaited as four armed guards began to escort me out and into the hallway, where as we were leaving, everyone fell silent. The water cooler talk ceased and nothing could be heard aside from the footsteps. Exiting the building however, it was a whole different scene. There were large crowds on opposing sides of the station and each side housed a different crowd shouting all sorts of chants. On one side, you had phrases such as No Murdering Heroes and on the other side people screamed back Guilty of Defending. I was not surprised, by now my records from my own world were now spread across the public record of this world. So, while I have only been on this version of EArth for for a couple days, already I have achieved celebrity status as many recognize that I am comparable to this world's version of Superman or Batman. That is, a persona interchangeable with Justice.

So naturally when any icon that high falls, it causes a big ruckus. But as I was ducked into a car, I noticed one thing. Not one placard sign mentioned the loss of the life in question.

That of Slade Joseph Wilson.

An hour Later, Metropolis Court
The prosecution was being lead by Matt Murdock, a attorney in which most would be eager to make a deal with. As his reputation proceeded him, however with some confidence in my own legal defender, the green statue known as Jennifer Walters. As I sat behind the desk in the first suit I had worn in a while, it was almost comical seeing the giant green woman, stand up with her hair tied back, wearing modest and no nonsense legal clothes, high heels and...glasses. I was certain she did not actually require the glasses. The procedures went by the book until it was time to give the plea and begin the trial. As I stood up, still far shorter than my guardian I remained silent as she gave the plea.

"Not guilty your honor."

As she said so I scanned the room, and saw there were several camera crews in the back of the room, showing just how high profile this case was. And doubtless, it would set many legal precedents on legal cases between our two worlds. The judge was a aged woman in which she seemed as if the plea came as no surprise.

"Well then it is going to be a very long trial so why dont we just begin, proceed with opening statements and the prosecution may call their first witness." It was then for the first time I gave an inward laugh, realizing that with all the dangers I have faced and the odds I have overcome. Even invading Hell itself, I am now in the one spot in my lifetime where I am utterly powerless against the most cunning warriors mankind had ever known.

Lawyers.

Stanley 'Stan' Blake-27 Yrs-New York City

The smoke and lights made it hard to see, but that was less of a problem for me. As I received a private dance from the establishment's biggest attraction. Her eyes flashed with a almost supernatural sense of lust and beauty and even in the darkness I knew that I had the right target, having her grind against my more southern regions in a very seductive manner with minimal clothing articles made it increasingly difficult to, keep my focus. Not even my rather modest buzz negated her alluring spell casting. I then raised my flask, and then swallowed several gulps of a substance that resembled alcohol, and almost had the same effect, with the added affect of granting a eye sight capable of seeing past illusions, which confirmed my suspicions. In the private room with no one else around, I had about three minutes left with her. Her spinal wings which crept from her back as well as a far smaller pair which were positioned just behind a pair of twisted horns on her head.

The true form of a Succubus.

She brought her lips right next to my right ear and pressed her form against mine. Her voice ringing a deadly seductive tone as she spoke.
"I am working very hard for you. About time you worked for me." As she then rolled my head over and pressed her lips against mine. Taking only a few moments to realize that her ritual was not taking affect, as my soul remained my own. As the realization dawned on her, I whispered in her own ear.

"You wiles wont work on me...Succubus." Her face and form retreated back in a effort to judge my intentions.

"Who the hell are you?" She demanded. I leaned back and took another swig of the mysterious drink. Then began to inform her.

"You broke the contract, three human souls this week alone." That was enough to tell her why I was there, as she began to prepare to possibly defend herself. "Well, when a woman gets hungry, what would ya expect? Listen, there is no way we could work something out? Where you could, look the other way?" I ignored the temptation.

"Lilith, a Succubus who entered the human realm four years ago, has traveled from Scotland to the Americas and found a trade among humankind as an exotic dancer. But, gave in to hunger and stole thirteen souls starting last year. Another tragic tale of wasted demonic youth." I said as lit a cigarette. She then stood up and was obviou sly growing angry as her hair began to flash up and her wings went erect.

"Now you are starting to piss me off." She growled as her eyes flashed red. I raised a hand as if to shake hers.

"About fucking time, Stan Blake." She promptly smacked it away, hissing.

"You look like a fucking low life to me." I retorted quickly.

"At least I am not about to get shipped back home on the rebound bus." she was now at her ropes end and began to form her wing into a drill which she attempted to impale me with. But the drill fell short as she became clearly weakened. I could see it written all over her face. Asking what was happening to her.

I stood up and began to explain. "It was over ever since you kissed me love. That drink in my flask, is not whisky. Its all very technical, but it is a mixture of a lot of things which is toxic to your kind. When it comes in contact with the mystical make up of a succubus, first you begin to feel dizzy..." Where she promptly fell from her feet as if hungover. "Then everything begins to spin and your abilities fail you." I then placed a hand on her shoulder as I used the other hand to pull a small hand book with hundreds of spells and enchantments etched in it.

"Dont worry, you wont die. You are just going home." I told her, but it was of no comfort. Harsh penalties await demons and rouge angels who break the contracts. She wont be killed, but the next moments wont be pleasant for her either.

I began to recite words from a long forgotten language and a hellish portal opened up behind her, as she barely had the strength to turn around and look in horror at it, unable to resist further. I pitied her, a product of her own circumstance of existence. But yet, there are laws we all must follow. Even for the super natural. It was then that hellish arms reached from the portal and bound her, dragging her into the depths of hell. Closing again with no evidence to any human except a sharp rise in tempature.

I promptly exited and when reaching the outside, I pulled a flask that this time. Was whisky. Sighing deeply at another job well done. I play the role of the hero no one knows about. While Batman brings down the Joker, and everyone sees and knows him, I walk between worlds, keeping the balance and judging the paranormal which threatens us.

"You're gonna lose...." I mutter to myself as I thrust my hands in my pockets and began walking down the busy NYC streets. Not taking long before I began to follow a trail, which was growing faint but reeked of paranormal energy, down several alleys and ending at a manhole cover.

Seemingly ordinary man made objects, can often hide new worlds. Quite literally, but the trail ended here, and went down there. I kneeled down next to it, and removing the cigarette from my mouth I let myself fall in. Being enveloped in darkness and arriving at a new world, seeing a woman and a monster of enormous size. My eyes locked to the woman, which I could sense held cursed weaponry. The kind that ruins lives, but judged the immediate threat to be the goliath of a monster, I approached the blonde woman. With a slight sluggish waltz signalling I was not entirely sober.

Rolling my left sleeve up, various runes began to carve themselves across my arm. As I offered my own assistance to her in this battle.

"Bite off more than we can chew did we?" I quizzed. "Seems like you could use a hand."

Hector Gage/The Blue Lantern-28 Yrs-Metropolis

As Ju'lee began to ramble about not having a home I realized she spilled details about the Watch Tower and other locations that were not Area 51. The good news was, that words like the Watch Tower would mean rather little to Melody and Michael. So, better to act as if she said nothing at all and just go on our way. The teenage martian was beginning to grow on me, as I directed her to the door I really took note of the metal collar on her neck. And how she had never removed it, considering it does not look like a piece of jewelry, I was starting to wonder why she had it on. Closing the door behind me and exiting the apartment room and into the cool air I tried to take the conversation away from the kids and place it on her. "Well, enough about the kids and my domestic problems...what is up with that collar you wear? Even when you alter your clothes, that collar is still clearly present. There a reason for that?" I asked in an interested tone. As we placed a distance in between us and the apartment complex, I was starting to worry, about constantly leaving the kids unsupervised for periods of time. Granted, it had only been a couple hours this last time but again they were by themselves for a couple more hours. My biggest fear is coming back to see those two brats are gone.

As I tried to push these fears away, I could hear a struggle up ahead. Three older men were struggling with trying to restrain a group of four kids. And from the looks of it, the kids, about my own kids age were not willing to go anywhere with the strangers. I was about to interfere when I heard it.

"You guys are so typical, three men in long coats driving around in a suspicious van? Screams pedophile, your just missing the Milk Duds!" I heard in a young feminine voice as a young boy kicked one of the men in the shin.

How my children had ended up ahead of me, or if they were taken here by the men I did not know. But they along with two others were dragged into the van about thirty yards ahead of us as their cries were muffled, and it being late night there were not many witnesses around.

My first instinct was to morph with the ring and use it to tear the doors off of the van and pull the kids out. However, they were being collected, and transported somewhere. Chances are, there are more kids being held wherever they are going. My voice went low as I lifted my ring and was instantly covered in my Blue Lantern Uniform.

"Ju'lee, you want to repay me for helping you before? Then help me track that van, If I had my way I would tear the truck apart to retrieve my two little punks. But I dont want to risk hurting them, or anyone else in the process. I will need you to help me keep a cool head here as we find out exactly what they intend to do with these children. Covert organizations dont just kidnap kids on a whim." I explained, as I collected myself.

Then, I lifted myself into the air and looked down at Ju'lee to follow so we could pursue the van.

Stanley 'Stan' Blake-27 Yrs

As the massive beast roared and another ally appeared, I decided that if there was a situation in which I would have to resort to offensive magic, this was it. I moved my hand into my coat and pulled out what appeared to be a typical lighter, flipping the top open I then placed my rune covered left arm in front of it as I began enchanting the lighter. Rather than lighting a cigarette I used it to expel a wide ranging blast of hell flames at the intended target. The mystical properties of the flames made them far more damaging than a normal firestorm, as hell flames will 'latch' onto a target and keep burning, the problem is, hell fire, at least of this type, does not kill. It tortures instead, causing immense pain which is my objective, allowing whatever weapons this woman may have to hopefully finish it off. The bigger problem was, I had no idea of the durability of this beast, and such a spell as this leaves me drained, why I dont like fighting like this.

With the howl of the firestorm brewing, and the hell flames clawing their way at the beast, I yelled over battle for the woman to end the fight. "Whatever you were planning to do, do it now!" I warned as I tried to sustain the attack. While the flames, once attached to a victim are almost self sustaining, that is only as long as I keep the vortex from hell open, where my lighter is effectively serving as a kind of gateway. As the flames are not actually originating from the lighter.

My head began to throb as my headache worsened, the screams of the beast, and the yelling of various individuals trying to put down a monster, are very hard on a man's hangover. After all, I am always drunk. For most average people, fighting the things I see, haha, they would not want to do so sober.

Rebecca I Phillips/The Jester-20 Yrs-Arkham Asylum, Gotham City

I squinted my eyes so that I could see the result of my fire test on Batsie Girl. She had managed to evade it, mostly while only being lightly scorched by the attack, clearly in some pain as she examined herself and found that her bat symbol, and as it seemed, more importantly her cape, were no more than charred and tattered remains. She began to glow a bit, presumably to heal herself but the fun began to start as the flames faded away, my improvised flame thrower out of fuel, and as she began to grow irritated at my continued antics. She began screaming at how I burned her cape, and of all the things I have done in this very short time. That was the line I had crossed. I snickered. "It seems you take your fashion too seriously Batsie Girl, the cape was too long anyways. Did not want you tripping on it. And really, that mask? It covers about your eyebrows, If I actually cared about who you were I could recognize you anywhere but most of all." I put a appalled expression on my face. "What in the blazes is all of that white? Far too cheery for Gotham, you should learn to blend in a bit more." I did not have much time to taunt her however, as she had charged a punch and hit me with more force across the face than most men could muster.

Thrown violently back, I landed hard and skidded on the ground as I hit my back on the scaffold we were fighting on, flames now spreading around us, and triggering the fire alarms in the asylum. Water began to spray from the ceiling as the Asylum's defenses against fire kicked in, and as Batsie Girl approached me through the flames, the artificial rain poured over my face, smearing my face paint and creating thick black cascades from my eyes trailing down to my jaw and red blending into the white paint around my lips. The pain in my face from her punch was throbbing, but as I saw her approach me, the pain faded away as I could do nothing but laugh at her. The laughter even began to echo throughout the walls of the main room we are in, as I doubled over, grabbing from my clothes a collection of three playing cards, each face decorated with the image of a Joker. And their edges razor sharp. I pulled myself to my feet, still chuckling.

"You have nothing! Nothing to threaten me with! With all of your power! All of your ideals! You can beat me bloody until the stage finally sets, and you know as well as I, that nothing will change. Batise Girl, you wont kill me...out of some...misguided sense of trying to save me...and I wont kill you...." I then raised the cards as I prepared to throw them.

"Because this is just a riot, oh your such a card." And with that, I hurled the razor blade like cards at my target as I charged at Batgirl, feeling alive for one of the first nights of my life.

Courtney Dawes/Scarlet Archer-19 Yrs-Arkham Asylum, Gotham City

The queen's slash at my neck was evaded, just barely, cutting the very outer layer of skin on my neck blood trickled down and soaked into my red scarf, as I narrowly avoided the miss. But, her ruse fell through, and I received a deeper cut in my lower gut. I staggered back, placing a hand over the wound, and then removing it. My eyes went wider as I saw that the blood, was almost black. Which meant that the wound had punctured my liver. The pain shot through my body as I battled to stand up, the wound was fatal, giving me fifteen minutes at most, but with excessive movement, it can be as short as five minutes. I gave no thought to the very real possibility of bleeding out however, as I armed myself with my bow, being one of the only weapons in my arsenal not made of metal. Wielding it with my blood stained hands, I began to swing it like a club at Silver Queen, trying to use it's superior length to keep her at bay while I figured something out. It was then that the sprinklers turned on to douse the flames, and I turned my face to see that Batgirl was handling herself rather well, while I was forced into the reality, that I was outclassed.

Knowing that by her control of metal, negated most of my arrows, I instead tried to use the bow and what martial skills I had at my disposal. Knowing that if I could not defeat her, the least I can accomplish is to incapacitate her so that she wont interfere with Batgirl and Jester. But my moves were wide and predictable my bow was evaded and Queen easily struck me multiple times, resulting in me dropping the weapon. I continued to breathe heavily and grit my teeth at the pain, as I was now drenched in blood in my lower body. I finally brandished two arrows, one made of plastic so that it would not be manipulated, and the other a tear gas arrow. Lunging at Silver Queen I stabbed at her with the plastic arrow like a sai and then when I felt confident enough, I smashed the head of the tear gas arrow, releasing a cloud of the agent around us, leaving myself open as I used my last effort to slow the Silver Queen down.

Ralph the Rat-16 Yrs-Angel Island, Mobius

The grass of the island crunched beneath my boots, as I stood at the base of the alter of the Master Emerald, a artifact I had been assembling for the last two years. Travelling across the world for the scattered pieces of the Master Emerald. The alter itself was a ruin, as you could see the remains of the pillars and architecture, most of it crumbled by now. The local grass and fauna overgrown as the grass reached more than a foot in height. I then ascended the stairway, moving closer to the green emerald. I was wearing a custom made head band with a jade colored scarf and boots with a black outline. When I made it to the top, I looked up in the clear blue skies above this floating island. As I gripped two chaos emeralds in my white gloved hands. I then, held the two emeralds out in front of the Master Emerald, and on their own, the white and blue Chaos Emeralds hovered in the air around the Master Emerald. I took two steps back, as they hovered and eventually hung in place. Seemingly alone in this peaceful environment. It was then that a blast of wind rushed by me as I casually glanced to see it's source. A young 14 year old orange Hedgehog with green eyes skidded to a stop, juggling a yellow Chaos Emerald in his palm before handing it off to me.

"So, three down Ralph. Any idea where to blaze off to next? There are four more still out there you know." Remarked Solar the Hedgehog, a rather calm and generally friendly mobian who despite his speed, actually prefers to take things slow. Provided he can help it.

"I know Solar, I have sent Shade and Charm to the Mystic Ruins outside of Station Square to search for more clues. A long time ago, it was home to an Echidna civilization which at one time held the Emeralds. They tried to use them for war Solar. They were tasked with defending their ancient power, instead, they abused it and attempted to use the power for domination." I explained, my eyes still transfixed to the Master Emerald.

"What happened to them Ralph?" Solar asked from a curious nature.

"They were destroyed." I said closing my eyes in meditation. "In their attempt to seize that power, they enraged a benevolent water spirit who was a friend to the Priestess who defended the Master Emerald, and that Spirit became Chaos. A being which harnessed all of the negative energy of the Chaos Emeralds and turned it's vengeance upon that civilization. However it's anger was not sated with their destruction, and so the creature attempted to wipe away the world, only to be sealed away. Until eventually defeated by the Hero of Legend." I explained, finishing the story.

I turned around, and began to walk to the edge of the floating island, a mystical island, which under the power of an almost restored Master Emerald, hangs several hundred feet above the waves of the waters beneath us.

"No Mobian, Human or Overlander can be trusted with their power Solar, and if Scourge collects the Emeralds before we do, then this world will once again be thrown back into Chaos for a quest of power. I stood of the edge of the floating island, where a rope bridge used to connect this island to the cliff face across from it. But that bridge is long gone now. However, I gazed across the distance, and then after a blink, I opened my eyes, and then looked back across the distance at Angel Island, now standing on the cliffs. Teleporting to the other side was how I got to and from the island. As I gazed back, I saw Solar curl himself into a ball as he spun rapidly, preparing for the iconic 'Spin Dash' a technique passed down his family for generations.

Then, with a burst of blinding speed, he shot across the distance and soared over the cliffs, having charged too long and overshot, he crashed into a stone wall, creating a small crater where he impacted. I smiled and shook my head, as Solar pulled himself from the hole and gave a shameless smile.

"Better too much power than not enough." He remarked, creating an excuse for the massive head butt he gave the mountain. I then began walking off into the thick foliage of the jungle, as Solar chased after me.

"Certainly, but eventually you are going to bring that whole mountain side down." I said laughing with a shrug of my shoulders. As Solar ran after me, looking back at what appeared to be the surface of the moon, with craters of various sizes scattered all about the cliff side.

Stanley 'Stan' Blake-27 Yrs

I was surprised by the manner in which the woman, I never got her name, but that can come later and her comment about me being handsome did not escape me. My eyes were drawn to the artifacts that she wielded, and not intentionally ignoring her request, I found myself compelled to warn her about the dangers of wielding the relics. Although I was rather certain that she was already aware. "Those weapons in your hands. The gauntlet and pistol, they are supernatural in nature." I mentioned as I dug in my jacket for the flask again, opening it up and taking a swig. "Weapons of that sort have...side effects. If you have not already begun feeling the effects, you likely soon will." I then replaced the flask back in my jacket, and almost sobering up in an instant, a technique learned after years of practice. Or simply appearing sober. "Of course, your level of skill with them seems as if you have been in possession of them for a while. Normally the wielder of weapons of that sort have long lost their minds." I explained as my runes began to disappear. The danger that was present now no longer an issue. I rolled my sleeve back down as I then placed my hands in my pants pockets.

"You can call me Blake. I am a paranormal detective, things like this." I said as I waved a hand around the alternate dimension we are in. "Is how I pay my bills. Demons, rouge angels, mythical beasts, ghosts all of them exist within our world. Hidden out of sight, not really a threat most of your standard tights clad hero can maintain. So, there are men and women who can naturally see into their worlds. With no say in the matter we see the fallen angels of heaven and the worst of hell, along with everything in between. Some go crazy, locked away in asylums where their ramblings are used as evidence against their mental state. Others take their own lives and occasionally some learn to turn a dollar off of it."

Then as I threw an arm out and began tracing my finger in the air, at first looking like a crazy person but eventually lines began to form and a door way appeared. A portal of sorts, you could see into the other side and it revealed a less than maintained room which looked like a study filled with scattered books, half finished drawings, literal writing on walls, dust covered tables with empty bottles of whisky spread about. The room where I conduct my research, where many endless nights were spent with literal nightmares robbing me of sleep and sanity.

"This is not really a place for a proper introduction. I found you because of the trail left behind by your weapons. Not something you should worry about, only someone who can pick up the pull of magic and cursed weapons would pick up on it. Relics that powerful, can be hard to hide." I then finished opening the portal and stepped back from it, giving room for both the woman, and her alien friend, who I turned to recognize.

"That was some trick before, although I hate having to get mixed up in fights like this. Unfortunately, I am no expert on alien matters at all. However, if you are a friend of hers, then I suppose that is good enough for me. Feel free to stop by as well." I offered, before returning my gaze upon the woman, as if seeing her for the first time.

A natural blonde rather than that bleached crap, with soft curls through her long shoulder length hair. Misty eyes were covered by bangs that hung like the branches from a weeping willow. As if trying to hide some great hurt. A thin, but straight nose was complemented by full pouting lips. And her aroma carried with it the fumes of cigarette smoke. An ideal woman that I would likely make a pass on had we not just battled a four story demon and a pulsing migraine torturing me. So, I contented myself to step beside the portal and place a hand in front of me, chiming off in a obvious new orleans accent.

"Ladies first mam."

Hector Gage/The Blue Lantern-28 Yrs-Outside of Metropolis

I was a bit surprised, learning we could turn invisible at all in these brightly colored uniforms. But, upon focusing I was able to bend the light around me to effectively become invisible. I nodded to Ju'lee as we both gave chase to the vehicle, keeping up was effectively a non issue, as we were able to keep it easily in sight. But, my mind wondered back as to why a organization would risk kidnapping children in the middle of Metropolis. These could not be typical kidnappers, to be so bold. As we exited the city, the truck seemed to be heading in no direction of any real importance. As it was going in a direction in which there was next to nothing. It was not long before we were flying over large spaces of forests but the chase finally ended once the truck turned down a dirt road and upon approaching a dead end an entrance opened up from the ground to reveal a entrance in which the vehicle passed through. Touching down on the ground, I exited the field of invisibility as I walked closer to the same area in which the truck disappeared. Then, outstretching my ring hand, I began to phase through the door and enter onto the other side.

As I entered the complex, I began to realize just how massive this faculty is. The entrance had no immediate security, as I assumed they believed that the hidden nature of the faculty was good enough. I then turned to Ju'lee as I was about to suggest that we split up, just as my ring's encyclopedic information informed me that when away from an active Green Lantern ring, the Blue Ring has only two abilities available to it. That of flight and force field generation. I never noticed before because...well I have been around Ju'lee since attaining the ring. So, I thought better of it as well as considering that being around my Blue Ring empowers hers beyond normal levels as well.

"We should stick together. This place may be large, but with us both together I doubt they have any defenses that would be of much use against us." I suggested, as I began to lead her deeper into the complex. It had a very lab like feel to it, with the polished white walls and tile, after turning a corner, I noticed this hall way too, was in fact empty, but I did find a computer terminal. I stepped over to it, at first thinking of using it to find out what this place is, but then realizing it must have some form of defense be it passwords or something else. And I would likely just set off an alarm messing with it.

"Ju'lee, do you have any skills with a computer? Perhaps you could use this one to find out what exactly is going on here so we can shut the whole operation down." I said. But then moving to voice a concern.

"I am not the only one who thinks it is strange that we have yet to see anyone here, right? It just does not feel right." I reasoned as I stood guard over Ju'lee as I waited for the inevitable ambush or alarm.

Daniel Carter/Sentinel-32 Yrs-Metropolis

Trial Day 1

I sat behind my desk in the court room, as I observed Matt's examination of Daud. The purpose of which seemed to escape me. He must have known how Daud would paint me. I shifted in my seat as Daud explained just how great of a father that I was, and I mentally sighed. I obviously love my children, but looking back, I was so far from perfect in raising my own family. Almost always busy with work to be involved in their early lives. However, it was Murdoch's last question which troubled me. And it seemed to be aimed at Daud, not me. While I am rather intelligent, I am no expert in maneuvering a court room riddled with legal proceedings. I then could do nothing but watch as Jen Walters approached Daud on the stand. She towered over the sitting Daud and placed her two arms behind her back, looking down upon him behind her glasses and tied back green hair. She then made her first question. "Daud, how long have you known Daniel?" A predictable question, meant to lead to another I was sure. Daud did not need to hesitate for such a simple question. "For roughly twelve years. He was twenty when I met him as Crusader." Jen spoke with a crisp and to the point tone. "Thank you Daud for the precise answer. So, am I correct to assume you know him rather well. That you could reasonably judge his state of mind."

It was then Murdoch stood up, carefully and without haste, to give an objection. "I am sure Miss Walters does not intend to have Daud judge what Daniel was thinking in a matter in which he himself was not present." The judge shifted in her seat. "Sustained."

Jennifer was not phased however.

"Allow me to rephrase then, Daud, based on 12 years of interacting with Daniel as both a friend, rival and ally. Would you say that he is one to take a life, even that of a globally wanted in a premeditated manner?" Daud took a moment, and then leaned forward and answered simply.

"No."

Jen acted surprised and paced in front of him with her next question.

"Could you explain why you feel that way, after all, with what Deathstroke has put Daniel through, he would have more than enough motive to kill the assassin." Daud leaned back into his seat, as he explained.

"It goes back to the Ultra Corp. I was head of a organization which was legally sanctioned by the United States Government, and even most of Western Europe. We legally commited no murders, but state issued executions on the order of the Government, against criminals with no hope of rehabilitation or detainment. And even these were not very often, in all perhaps about several dozen were killed by the entire Ultra Corps over a period of years in multiple countries. Less than most states with the death penalty legal in the United States per year. Even with these measures, Daniel was entirely uncompromising in his ideals in preserving all life. We clashed a couple of times over the issue. Even after the civil war event, when his base of operations were being attacked by hundreds of UC personnel armed with the most advanced weapons trying to kill him and all of Infinite Justice, he defended his base and never killed once." Jen seemed satisfied with the answer, and then looked upon the Judge.

"No other questions your honor."

As she moved to sit down, I had expected Daud to be excused, however Murdoch moved with speed which I found surprising for a blind man. Swiftly positioning himself in front of Daud before he could leave. In a even and plain tone Murdoch addressed the large man.

"I thank you on behalf of your cooperation Mr. Andreas, one last question. In light of what you just revealed, if Daniel has endured all of what you have described. Never needing to take a life, then could you tell me. What changed in the matter in question? Why resort to lethal force now, if he is so renowned for never having the need to?" Daud went silent. But, the silence was enough for Murdoch, he turned around and headed back to his own seat.

"No further questions for this witness your honor."

Trial Day 3

I made my way to the witness stand, as the prosecution had summoned me forth. Placing myself behind the witness stand, I prepared myself as Matt Murdoch approached me, I could almost see his eyes latch onto me even from behind his shades. And ignoring the fact that he is blind. He lightly tapped his cane in front of him, as the air seemed to stiffen in preparation for the assault. "Mr Carter, tell us, exactly how many martial arts forms are you proficient in?" I relaxed myself as I answered. "That would not be possible." Murdoch did not seemed surprised. "That many, well, perhaps if we restricted ourselves to forms that you have mastered, we would have an acceptable number for the sake of time." Again, I leaned in and gave the same answer. "By both my own training, and other means I have acquired at least a working knowledge of every relevant martial art. On this planet and beyond, naming them all would take quite some time." Now, Murdoch feigned surprise.

"Well, let us just have a partial list of your mastered forms. So that we can get a rough idea of your martial skill." I cleared my throat and began to name them as ordered in a matter of fact tone. "

"Akido, Boxing, Capoeira, Judo, Jujitsu, Karate, Kung Fu, Muay Thai, MMA, Tae Kwon Do, Jeet Kun do, Ninjutsu, Tai Chi Quan, Sambo including Tamaranian and White Martian Martial Arts."

Murdoch seemed satisfied.
"So, it is reasonable to say that there are few, in the world, who can rival your abilities in martial combat." I knew the answer immediately.

"That is correct." Murdoch continued to lightly tap the cane.

"Tell us, about the general capabilities of you suit. Used in the matter in question." I was now well aware of what he was doing, attempting to use my own capabilities to paint the picture that I could have handled that situation without resorting to what I did, and he is possibly right. But, I did not want to find out.

"The uniform is outfitted with an arsenal of gadgets and capabilities. The armor is near bullet and knife proof, is environmentally sealed allowing me to operate near anywhere. Can see in night and thermal and x-ray vision, has an advanced HUD which can relay information on his opponents health condition, the suit has a active cloaking ability making him near invisible. BataRangs, grapple gun, smoke bombs, shock gloves, kinetic gloves capable of small explosive power, extendable titanium bo staff, cryo grenades as well as a host of other gadgets to aid in my efforts."

Murdoch was relentless.

"So, you are among perhaps the most skilled hand to hand fighters in the world, rivaled by none. And you possess technology and gear that rivals Iron Man and Batman along with the most advanced of stealth systems. Is this correct?" I paused a moment, and then answered the question in the expected answer.

"Yes." I said simply. He then dismissed himself and Jen approached, with a stone look on her face, as if she was annoyed by Matt's strategy of making me appear invincible. She stood erect and straight.

"Tell me Mr Carter, who was it that was ambushing you in Arkham." I collected my thoughts, as scenes flashed in my mind of Deadpool, Shiva and Deathstroke each aiming to take my head.

"There were three, Deadpool, a regenerating mercenary who was altered by the same organization who experimented on Wolverine. Supposedly impossible to kill. Master of hand to hand combat as well as almost any form of weapon. Lady Shiva, regarded as the greatest hand to hand fighter in the world. Defeated Batman and Nightwing at the same time. And Deathstroke, a super soldier with decades of combat experience, heightened physical abilities and senses, killed Captain America in our world and is a master in weapons and hand to hand and a brilliant strategist."

Jen blinked a couple times as if for the first time appreciating what I actually survived.

"So, you were up against three of the deadliest assassins in your Earth and ours, and you had no backup?"

"Correct."

"Well, where was Batgirl and her ally Scarlet Archer?" I then explained what few may have even considered. I did not have to fight that battle alone.

"I sent them on ahead of me." Jen paced in front of my stand, facing the Jury as she went for an emotional appeal.

"Why would you do that, when you yourself was in so much danger?" I answered truthfully and concisely.

"To ensure that they were safe. I knew they were trained, but would be unable to stand up to assassins of their caliber. I sent them away so that they would not be risked." She then turned and locked eyes with me.

"So, even when you knew that you faced odds most would never have a chance in, you thought not of yourself. But of your allies lives?" I leaned in and answered.

"Correct." And the day ended with a 'No further Questions'.

Trial Day 12

No stone had been left unchecked and no measure unused. The battle for my own life was waged with Murdoch's concise logic against Jen's emotional defense. I sat in my same seat, in which I was restricted for the past several days. Behind me, sat my family. My wife Mayla, my young son August and the seat next to him was....empty. Sabrina, I had reasoned was too afraid to be here and face the sentence. Daud and his own family sat on the other side of my wife. Murdoch stepped up, his suit crisp and his cane ready. Standing, he delivered his final address to the Jury.

"Today, is a day in which we all wish never arrived. No one wishes to see a hero fall, especially by his own actions. But the fact is this day is the result of the actions of Mr. Carter. I did not wish to play a part in a good man's conviction, but that is the job I was assigned. None of you wish to condemn a hero, but that is the job you have been tasked with. However, the prosecution has demonstrated, that Daniel Carter, no matter his past actions, cannot escape the facts. That he possessed the skills to if not defeat his opponents, then to withdraw. That he was then, and is now of sound mental state. That he was fully aware of his own actions, when he decided to use lethal force, without authorization against a man few of us pity. The law was broken, and no one, not even a hero such as Sentinel can escape from. I know it. You know it. And he knows it. Restrictions must be placed on those with power...especially those with power. And he has betrayed that power. That is all." Jen then looked over at me, with a face which said everything.

That she had done all she could do. It was almost out of her hands now. The past two weeks I spent hours reviewing with her, preparing for a guilty sentence. We both know after all...I am not leaving this court room a free man.

She stood up and her imposing figure became the center of all.

"We all know the law. Murder, even by heroes entrusted to defend us is unacceptable. But this nation recognizes the rights of private individuals to use deadly force when their person is at stake. Mr. Carter did not do what he did out of vengeance, malice or some misguided hunt for justice using lethal force. But as a man and father who wanted to survive to see his family again. Yes, he was entrusted to lead by example, and defend others. But let us not forget, that the men behind those masks. Risking life and limb, are just that. Men, fallible and capable of fear, and mistakes. Make the right decision, and do not allow this unfortunate event end in a tragedy. Thank you." And with that, she finished, and placed herself next to me once more.

The jury left to deliberate, and against all expectations, hours and days were expected. But they had reached a verdict in ten minutes. This was so fast, that Jen was almost worried that I had gotten the death penalty.

The Jury stood, with a bald man on the end speaking clearly.

"The defendant, on the charge of unlawful concealed weapons. Not Guilty. On the charge of impersonating a sanctioned hero. Not Guilty. On the Charge of Voluntary Manslaughter. Guilty. The convicted is sentenced to five years without possibility of parole."

The judge then closed the trial and I was formally a convict. Jen gave me a look, not a smile, but no obvious signs of defeat, we both knew that this was about the best we could hope for. I was allowed to say my final good byes to my family, holding my wife tightly while August squeezed against both of us. Finally whispering in Mayla's ear, I departed myself, as I was escorted away.

My time as a hero, seemingly done.

Rebecca I Phillips/The Jester-20 Yrs-Arkham Asylum, Gotham City

Batsie Girl entrapped me inside of a barrier of some sort of light as the flames erupted around us, and I could see this section of the Asylum was doomed to fall in on itself soon. I picked myself up as Batsie Girl, told me how she was not going to kill me. But neither would she save me either. To most people, this would incite some panic, but rather, as Batise Girl moved and retrieved the fallen body of her comrade, escaping just as the symphony of fire and panic choked the room. Charred embers fell from the ceiling as parts of the scaffolding fell over, covered in flames as the smoke rose to the higher parts of the very large room. The fire danced in my own eyes as the glistening colors showed off the insanity as Silver Queen looked upon me, seeing that I did not seem to react at all to the clear and present danger, I stood still as I picked up my metal cane, with the metal warm enough to lightly burn the palm of my hand, but I payed it no mind.

As the building fell down around my ears, I began to delve into a slow, crackling laughter. Which then erupted to a sadistic outburst, echoing into the speaker systems I had rigged, ensuring that the entire Asylum and everyone around it, could hear my joy.

With fire raining around me, I began a slow walk to the exit, which lead deeper into the Asylum, still slowly crackling to myself as I imagined Silver Queen followed behind me. I slowly stalked through the halls, my own shadow announcing my approach to those ahead of me, as panicked guards and inmates began to scatter away from my very voice. As if they were afraid the laughter was contagious, as often it is. Fearing for their own lives, and with the heroes retreating from the Asylum, I made my way to the wing of the Asylum where the Joker made his home at one point. His current status, is a mystery just as Batman's.

Finally arriving at the lowest levels of the Asylum, where the captured contraband was stored, the room was a large warehouse styled area filled with boxes, crates and cases. With each filled to the brink of tools and uniforms of the various costumed rouges of Gotham. I began to pace down the aisles, humming to myself. Searching up and down the rows for the Joker's captured goodies. However, I instead discovered a group of Asylum workers, perhaps nurses or laundry cleaners or some other dreary job. There were three of them, backed into a corner, with myself blocking their one way out. Slipping a knife from my uniform, I took a step closer to them, as the tried to shrink away from me, before my eyes traced a crate in which they were cowering next to with black text stamped on the side of it, Joker.

I said nothing, but I knew that what I had come here for was in my grasp. Tears streamed the faces of the women in front of me. As I raised the blade up with a twisted smile sewn across.

"Say cheese."

No amount of noise could drown out the screams from within the darkness of this Asylum.

Stanley Blake-27 Yrs-New Orleans

Upon entering my own study, if it could be called that. I paced over to the desk and threw several large stacks off the desk, not in a violent way but simply digging for something specific. Plumes of dust erupted as they hit the floor. This is the least maintained room in my humble abode, as I am not often in it. Finally, finding what I was searching for, I raised it up to the light. It was a small piece of flesh like substance, however, by being separated from whatever it was formally attached to, it was somehow visibly still alive. Then, pulling it for closer for personnel inspection, I sat myself down and faced Garnet, raising the small flesh like piece toward her, as it seemed to pulse in a rapid state. Finally, placing the disturbing object down upon the desk, it slowed down some but maintained it's heart beat like conduct. I then began to address Garnet without making eye contact at first, as if I was trying to remember subtle details on a event that happened long ago.

"Your weapons are for lack of a better word....dormant right now." I then shifted my eyes to her to stress the point, as well to convince her that I am an expert in my field. "Taking on giant demons and shadow creations is the least they are capable of, you are currently using only a fraction of their capabilities. That being said however..." My voice trailed off as I opened a drawer and rummaged through it to find a alcoholic drink. Taking a swig I refreshed myself before continuing. "There will be some sort of procedure to awaken the weapons, what that is I dont know. These weapons, as I am sure you have noticed are organic and they resonate with others made from the same source. I dont know, where they come from however. And to what extent they will change you. The only reason I bring this up is..."

I paused as my mind flashed back to an earlier battle. I had confronted a Vampire who had discovered a sword, with a similar presence to Garnet's pistol and gauntlet. The small piece of flesh is the only remaining piece of that sword to my knowledge.

"Also, if you dont know, this city you are in now is New Orleans. I brought you here though to give this to you. Should you want it, as you seem to be collecting these weapons." I said, as I motioned to the small piece of sword flesh on the table.

"There is a way, unknown to me to restore these weapons assuming they are destroyed. If even a piece survives the weapon can eventually be restored, that being said, the only reason I am choosing to give this to you, is because you seem to be able to resist their influence." I explained, finally opening one of the many books and showing a illustration of what that piece used to be.

My tone dropped a bit, as It was now time to ask for something in return.

"I would like, if you would allow it. To accompany you, wherever you go for a while. My work slate has been rather dry lately, and you have interested me. I am also certain that my expertise can be useful from time to time, after all, you may find I am more entertaining than just packing a Encyclopedia of the Strange and Weird." I joked, as I took another drink, honestly I must have had them both wondering how I manage to keep myself standing from my alcohol intake.

But as I had offered to accompany them, my mind flashed back to that vision I was struck with, just before we arrived here. Quickly deducing that the origin of that vision was this woman, Garnet.

"Tell me something before you answer that though, how often have you been having these visions?" I asked, a hint of concern in my voice as the mood dropped a bit.

Hector Gage/The Blue Lantern-28 Yrs-Undisclosed Location

The question did ring in my head, as I watched on and realized that I could have hacked the terminal using my ring, as Ju'lee was showcasing. I glanced down at the device on my hand, thinking if there was anything that it could not do. It is apparent that this ring grants far more power than my old morphing stone. It was then that both of our questions were answered, as a towering bald man dressed in a black and red leather jacket and blue jeans with a black t shirt approached us. On instinct my hand shot forth and a blast of blue energy shot out at the man, and what happened next astonished me. The man punched, the blast and that resulted in nothing less than a explosion. The blast did minimal damage to either me or Ju'lee as our personnel shields protected us from the fallout of the blast. But it was clear as to why we were given a free entrance even as the man in question did nothing but smirk.

We are test subjects.

They see this as nothing more than a chance to test their developments in advancing meta and mutant powers. Such as this man here, sending him alone rather than a whole team of security or even setting off a single alarm. We are being allowed in so we can serve as practice for their own test subjects. The man flexed his powerful arms. Confidently walking closer to us, and taping his fists together very lightly.

"I suppose the two of you are a light show, well, I can show you some of my own lights." With that the man smashed both fists together and his powers were clear now, with any kinetic force his fists create explosions. The yield of which we dont know yet but assuming larger with more force used.

The blast sent a powerful shock wave out and while I raised my own arms on instinct, my body did not move. I lowered my arms and spoke to Ju'lee as I started down the man in front of us.

"We take him together. Between the both of us, we should be able to defeat him without resorting to lethal force." I knew I did not need to convince her.

I sprung into action, levitating off the ground mere inches and with great speed maneuvering around the man and getting to his blind side behind him. With a hand motion, I prepared to send a oversized punch his way, but he was faster than expected. Instead of aiming for me, he punched the wall next to him, causing a small cave in, debris began to fall above me and on a instinct I forged a supper plate above me which resulted in me catching the falling debris preventing me from being injured, however with my attention taken off of the man, he forced himself in front of me and threw a powerful punch into my face, which was multiplied of what felt like seveal TNT exploding in my face.

I flew backwards but stopped myself, again hovering above the ground.

He knows how to use his power. And I am still new to my own abilities. Perhaps, I have underestimated this place, biding time to wait for Ju'lee to counter and give me an opening to exploit.

Ralph the Rat-16 Yrs-Station Square, Mobius

I walked through the streets, crowded sidewalks filled with humans as they went about grocery shopping, to and from work and picking up dates. Solar walked beside me, his orange fur gently flowing in the breeze as our short figures moved in and out of crowds. Solar was pretty unique for a speedster and a hedgehog, as he actually likes taking things slow and walking most places, only running when needed and I have so far clocked him at going above speeds of 600 mph. Pretty fast, but not the fastest Hedgehog. I looked around at the smiling faces, the humans hardly noticing us with the occasional one passing a curious glance, or pointing us out. But from being curious, rather than trying to alienate us, or make us feel unwelcome. Humans, different from Overlanders do not have a history of racism or hostility to Mobians, one of the many reasons I enjoy Station Square, not to mention the history of this city. The last bastion of humanity, several centuries ago, it was attacked by Perfect Chaos, a malevolent spirit, which destroyed much of this city. However, the monster was defeated, and calmed by the legend of the Blue Blur. But even he had to harness the power of the Chaos Emeralds to save the city, but that being said, it was the very same Emeralds which empowered Chaos to such a level to begin with. As history has proven, no good can come from the use of such power.

My eyes scanned upwards to the skyway, the system of raised highways which rise far above the streets below. Where the wealthy can drive to and from on a level on par with some skyscrapers, while the larger public walk or take public transport on the ground levels below it. As I gazed up, I spotted another Mobian, this one a Linx with a soft brown fur and casual brown, white and black colored clothes. I was about to move along with my business, when the sound of shattering glass erupted followed by a clear Sonic Boom. People screamed in surprise and shock as a Green Blur blazed past both me and Solar. With a single spin dash attack, the Green Hedgehog smashed through a pillar holding the Skyway section up, from the rubble and dust, amid the screams and cries of panic emerged a Green Hedgehog barely a couple inches taller tan myself.

The Hedgehog wore a crooked smirk, wore a black leather jacket decorated with flames and his eyes were shielded by sunglasses with blue lenses and white gloves on his hands. Two massive scars openly displayed upon his chest.

Scourge the Hedgehog.

I did not move a muscle amid the chaos he had created in a blink of an eye. As we both stared each other down, Solar however was obviously tense. "Ralph, whats the game plan?" Before I had a chance to respond, Scourge's grin seemed to fade away into a almost confused expression.

"Game? Well, I am sure that one such as yourself would refer to it as such, but I assure you." His eyes then flashed from behind his shades.

"You cannot even compete in my game." His gaze then locked on me.

"So, Ralph imagine seeing you here among these humans. You seem to have a knack for saving their inferior lives. You should know that in less than five minutes, I have created more than three dozen emergencies, with hundreds of lives at stake, you Rat." I ignored the insult. Retorting.

"I will protect this city Scourge." He then regained his smile.

"Of course, better your attention focused on these lesser lives. Rather than hunting the Chaos Emeralds, gotta go now Rat. Dont blink." Just as he said that though, we were both interrupted as several dozen heavily armed machines surrounded him, droids from the GUN organization, they enforce the law in many parts of the world. One of the larger mechs stepped closer to him.

"Mobian, cease your actions or lethal force will be authorized." Said the large mech in a automated voice.

Scourge peered over his shoulder, seemingly annoyed.

"I will take what lies behind door number three." And with that he leaped up into the air and launched himself into a homing attack, slamming himself against a hovering machine with a cannon attached to it's underside, from atop of it he was able to direct it's attacks to several mechs on the ground, blasting large holes in them before throwing himself into a spin attack and smashing through two bipedal mechs as he made his escape.

Solar was just about to give chase, being almost as fast as the Green villain, however I placed a hand on him.

"Let him go!" I commanded. "This city needs our help, and I am not fast enough to respond to all of the endangered people at once!" His eyes were angry but he relaxed as he thought about it, before realizing that the people here needed him more. Then, with a silent nod he bolted off and began pulling people away from danger zones.

Awakened however by a cry for help, I searched above me and saw that same mobian hanging on to the edge of the skyway, which was crumbling at a dangerous rate. As I could see the fear in her eyes, I was about to teleport to her as her grip slipped, and she plummeted downward.

I seemed to blink out of existence before reappearing in mid air, catching the fallen Mobian and the teleporting again to the pavement, I set her down. Her initial reaction was shock, but that gave way to admiration, but I did not have time to waste with her now.

"Go, and find someplace to hide! I will handle the rescues!" As I tried to pull away, she held onto my arm, turning back around the lady Mobian began to offer her own assistance.

"I am Trix the Linx, I know this city very well. Let me help you! Besides, that Green Hedgehog attacked my home, at least let me help save it." She pleaded with me.

But the answer we both received was a explosion, as flames erupted from a building, and with a nod as the only answer she received, she placed a determined look on her face as we both moved into the city, restoring the hope of it's inhabitants that they would not need to yield to terror.

Daniel Carter/Sentinel-32 Yrs-Metropolis County Correctional

Scene Theme Song

I was again placed in a prison uniform, only now, the uniform was a striped one. I sat motionless in my cell, the cold air keeping me rather comfortable as my chains remained upon my ankles and wrists even in my own cell. As I was dubbed a security risk otherwise. I then had a wise crack thought to myself, looking down at my own reminder of bondage. Well, if it makes them feel safer. With not much left to do other than wait out five years, I closed my eyes, expecting to fall asleep. However, that was just not meant to be. The room grew dark, at least it appeared so to me. Opening my eyes, the room seemed to fade away, as if into a dream as I found myself in a rather dark void. I was not lost however, and I had seen this before. It is an illusion, I am still in my cell, and appear just so to any guards looking in. This is just a way to have a private conversation with an old friend.

"Morgana." I said simply, opening my eyes.

"I do hope you have not come here intending to spring me from prison." I calmly said, as her form morphing from the shadows, on which she draws her power. She did not look a day older than last I saw her, one of her many talents. She slowly strutted closer to me.

"Actually, I was hoping to convince you to free yourself, Danny." She mentioned casually, as if saying hello after not seeing her for years.

"That is not going to happen, you should know me better than this Morgana. What happened has happened, nothing I can do about it now." She looked away for a second, as if she was about to give up the plea. But then spoke once more, not looking me in the eyes though.

"What if it did not happen?" She asked, presenting her own riddle.

I sighed. "That is a big if, I was there Morgana, not even his regeneration could help him from a altered bullet to the heart at point blank range." She then crossed her arms and locked eyes with me.

"Well, as you know I often roam the underworld, and I can tell you. He is not there. More specifically, only one Slade Wilson is down there. And we both know he did not end up in the other place." My eyes then shot open, analyzing Morgana to see if she was just telling me what I wanted to hear so I would free myself. No, thats not her style.

If she says that Deathstroke is not in the underworld, or ours is not, then the Slade from Earth:Infinite is still alive. I remained in my seated position but straightened up, now sitting erect with amazing posture. As I asked a final question of Morgana.

"Tell me, have there been any high profile assassinations, matching the MO of our lost friend Deathstroke? Anyone the media is calling a copy cat?" She stayed silent for a second. Before she confirmed what I was suspecting.

"Yes."

I then stood up, my chains shifting their weight, as Morgana turned her back and was about to fade away into the shadows.

"You are not going to use the shadow realm to pull me out of here?" She looked surprised at me.

"Thought never occurred to me Danny." I gave a sly smile.

"Ya know, there are iron bars keeping me in here." She then gave a confident chuckle.

"You would not let something like that stop you now would ya Danny?" I returned the smile, warm memories, as well as not so warm ones flooding back.

"I suppose not."With that, my cell began to return into view and the guard outside of it was still playing a game on his mobile, or watching cat videos. I stepped closer to the bars but remained several paces behind it. As I whistled to get his attention. He looked into my cell surprised, expecting I was asleep. "What is it?" The guard barked as he paused his game. I put a blank face on and gave a passive shrug. "Need to use the john." I requested innocently enough. The guard, in his mid twenties and in decent enough shape seemed to ponder the situation before relenting. "Ok, sure, sure I guess you are harmless enough. Besides, you wont make an escape in the middle of a prison. Hold on a sec." He ordered as he dug in his pocket, pulling a key and unlocking my cage door. Walking out of the cell, I tipped my head to him in a southern manner, just before sending a powerful elbow into his chest and a sharp knee into his gut. Knocking the man out, as he slumped against the wall and fell over on the ground, I picked up the key from his person, and was about to undo my own chains, before stopping and simply staring at the key a moment.

The entire hall began to move into a uproar as the other prisoners jeered and cheered me, calling on me to unlock their own cells. I instead placed the key on the KOed man's chest. Leaving my shackles where they were. And then promptly moving myself inside of the bathroom, and relieving myself I emerged back into the hall again, mumbling.

"Cannot call me a liar."

By now, three more officers descended down the stairs and drew their weapons. Each one aiming at me with about fifteen yards in between us. They opened with the predictable.

"Freeze and return to your cell inmate!" I scratched my head.

"Sorry, cant do that. I am running late, I will see myself back after all of this is over though, promise." Each of them were already beginning to sweat, beads dropping down their foreheads as they tensed for the anticipation. My eyes scanned around, spotting a steel lunch trey that the cell guard was eating off of earlier. As one of the officers, the one in the center moved a hand to wipe the sweat from his brow, I snatched up the tray and hurled it like a boomerang at the man, knocking him hard in the head as he slumped over in the officer to his left's arms, placing only one ready to fire a weapon, with that I dashed straight at them, as I leaned a powerful punch in that the officer attempted to evade, but having misjudged the length of my punch, the result was a powerful blow to his jaw. The last man conscience, the one who caught his friend was put under a second later with a blow to the temple.

I then traced my eyes to the knocked out officer who was taken down by misjudging my punch, and kneeled down next to him, removing a knife with a blade of about five inches from his person. "I need to borrow this, thanks in advance." I mentioned to the knocked out guard. I then stood up and replayed the scene in my mind, and came to the conclusion that the officer was actually pretty skilled, his failure to dodge the blow was not even his own. I then gazed down at my uniform, realizing what had happened. I gave a silent smirk, the blue and white stripe pattern, when throwing punches and kicks creates a illusion, a simple one, that the length of the blows are longer than they actually are. Making my arms or legs seemingly stretch slightly, making judging the length of the attacks hard to do.

Simple luck in other words, that I happened to be wearing stripes and that they happen to be modestly useful for something other than fashion. I then began to walk casually through the halls, whistling a simple tune as the whole prison was aware of my escape attempt. I found the dining area which was set up as a ambush position by Riot Police and SWAT Teams made a literal spartan wall surrounding me and blocking off the exits, by now the prison alarms were blaring in our ears.

A minor inconvenience. With a flick of my wrist I hurled the knife at the power junction box on the far side of the room, destroying the junction box and sending the lights out, then using my own fist to break into the fire alarm and trigger it, activating the sprinklers. Now, in darkness and water beginning to soak the floors, the officers each had to take a moment to activate their own night vision, in that time I managed to throw a kick powerful enough to break through one of the walls and expose the piping behind it, then pulling a lead pipe as a improvised weapon I charged into the middle of the fight, with the wet floors, their heavy armor and the large shields they were ill suited for fast paced close quarters combat.

For one officer, I sued my chains to wrap around his wrist, holding the shield and then tear the shield away from him. Stripped from his defense, I sent him crashing to the floor with a swift blow to his armor via the lead pipe. I repeated the process with various moves, and retrieved the knife used to destroy the junction box, as I eventually left the dining area behind, walking towards the front exit of the prison.

Leaving twenty six battered and bruised SWAT officers struggling to recover behind me.

After a few minutes, I finally emerged in the sunlight, able to see the exit to the compound ahead of me. I was surprised to see that seemingly no effort was being made to stop me. In fact, the gate to the prison was open.

Then came the 'aha' moment. It was a trap. I scanned the towers above me, and sure enough I saw a single sniper perched on the perfect spot to take me out. The man was professional in his stance with the weapon, and his breathing was controlled. Surely if he wanted to, he could plant a bullet between my eyes.

But I have other plans. I bent over, and picked up a single rock about half the size of my open palm. Then looked up and connected my gaze with the sniper. I was lightly tossing the stone in my right hand in a repeated fashion, and he trained his rifle on me. Then, in a single instant...it happened.

A gunshot cracked the sky, and I unleashed the stone through the air. The man was too slow on the draw, as his bullet skidded and ricochet across the pavement about ten feet to my right, why did he miss by such a large margin? I had knocked his gun off target with a rock thrown with the force of a hall of fame worthy fastball. A look of complete shock on his face, I simply started walking again, leaving the prison behind.

By walking straight out of the front gate.

Hector Blake-27 Yrs-New Orleans

I listened carefully and intently as she described her feelings for the weapons and the visions she had been plagued with. Well, plagued is a strong word, as it appears that she had this type of vision once before, without the adverse side effects. As she finished describing it, I felt as if it was time to rest. I stood up and motioned to the door in a slouched manner. "Sure, there are two bedrooms. Garnet can claim the middle room, just to the right and second door down. Sorry, it is small and a bit crowded in there. Boxes still packed from moving in....six years ago." I added as I began to head out myself. I then turned around and faced the alien, while leaning against the door which creaked in a prolonged way. "You can claim the living room, assuming you sleep of course. We will get out of here tomorrow." I said, as I left the two alone and slumped down the hall, quite intoxicated. The house at large was not in much better shape than the study, old whisky bottles lying around, dust collecting in many places and a slight damp feel to the air here. In fact, I am not often even here. I almost fell into what was called the master bedroom, but was barely larger than most children's bedrooms, this home is not large after all. The darkness was the defining trait until I waved a hand and lit a oil lamp from basic magic.

I allowed my jacket to fall to the floor and promptly removed layers of clothes until I was wearing only underpants and a undershirt. The shirt was partially stained and I fell across the unmade bed, which was decorated in random sheets and a blanket, the pillow had no case over it. I closed my eyes, and seemed as if I had to force myself to sleep, and even then, it would not grace me. However, with time, all things come, even if you in the end, do not want it to.

My mind raced as I slept, and seemed to take my soul with it. Like every night, my mind went to the one place that I never wanted to go again. Hell. I could swear it was not a dream, that I was actually being tortured again, the heat, searing the skin from my bones, but never falling away. The stench, so putrid and dead as to make me desire to hurl my entrails if it would relieve the sense. The shrieking screams of pain from others, no, this was no dream. Perhaps deep memories, buried by alcohol as they clawed their way to the surface. My sins were legion, my crimes damning, and so every night I am cursed to return here when sleep finds me. It was then, that in this place, I saw a familiar face. That of the Succubus in which I sent back here, as she was no longer in pain. She approached me, as her voice pricked at my very spine.

"Shhhh, don't fret now." She commanded, as he placed her hands, with nails as long as blades dancing across my shoulders. My mind raced with questions, but she seemed to pull the thoughts from my very mind. "Oh, you wish to know why you are here? After sending so many escaped demons adn evil souls to pay penance for their crimes?" She then swung her head back in a amused laugh. "Oh, honey the ways I am going to have fun with you. Let me tell you a secret" She jerked my head to her, placing her lips and teeth in my ear.

"Your fucked."

She then pulled my face away from hers, and locked eyes with me.

"I am going to do sooo much to you. But all of the torture I can inflict, will never be as great as the one thing that eats at you every waking moment of your life. You will struggle, and you will chase down leads. You will investigate and use all of your powers and skills, but you will never know the crime in which secured your place here." She uttered, as she lifted her hand, and slowly and deliberately pressing her blade like nails, into my eyes.

Then came the screams, and I jerked myself awake, not realizing how hours have passed and it is now early morning, the sun was just now pressing against the stained glass. Throwing myself out of bed, my screaming did not stop until I collided with the dresser drawer and forcibly pulled out the drawer and felt around, grabbing the first bottle of whisky I could find, and pressing it to my lips, I found it to be empty.

Throwing it violently against the mirror, I grabbed another, this one half full. Where I took several strong drinks and finally fell silent, pressing myself against the dresser shivering. Unaware I likely woke the others as I tried to force the nights dreams from my mind, or drown them with drink.

Hector Gage/The Blue Lantern-28 Yrs-Undisclosed Location

As Ju'lee revealed the secret fop this place, my own thoughts were confirmed. This is nothing more than a test to these people. I captured the being as she sent him flying via a Green Lantern kick, and the man was surrounded by a shield of blue energy. But he died not accept his fate, or the players on the other side of the controller didn't. He began pounding away at the shield with his fist, causing several explosions. At first, I believed he would kill himself, being in a enclosed space like that with no escape for the blast. However, as the dust settled he somehow was immune to kinetic force of that nature, as he was unscathed and continuing his assault. I did not waste time, and released him from his hold, only to use the ring to help me time his movements.

By counting the time it took for him to react, I got a read on the reaction time and was able to use that to my own advantage, as the man pulling the strings cannot react instantly. That being said, he did not seem to mind much and we traded blows, but being a step ahead, I was able to eventually get into a favorable position, where I bound the man by the neck, and then scrambled the device on the back of his neck to break the control on him.

The process left him knocked out, and I gently set him down near the exit. As I backed away from him. Speaking to Ju'lee.

"This place, uses mutants and metas like rats." I then turned and looked her in the eyes, not needing to ask for her help, but my expression pleaded anyways.

"My children are here. Did you uncover a set of blue prints from the terminal? So that we dont have to waste time exploring this place? We need to end this operation. To do that we will need to open the containment cells, releasing the prisoners. Then find the central hub and shut this place down, while finding my kids." I let several moments pass without a word.

"You are more experienced here. How do you want to play this? Stick together, or split up?" I asked, placing the fate of my children and everyone in this place in the hands of my new partner.

Hector Blake/The Blue Lantern-28 Yrs-Undisclosed Location

I listened to Ju'lee's advice I found myself agreeing with her. As we continued down the facility, I once more found the lack of multiple minions of some sort uneasy. And the nagging thought on why they would collect so many metas in one place, I could not seem to figure out. I pushed it from my mind at the moment, as it would be revealed in time, and we were both interrupted as we happened upon a large room. The room was a large circle in shape, with white walls and white well, everything. I took a breath.

"Why is it always White?" I asked to no one in particular.

It was then that two rooms opened up ahead of us. One door to the left and right, and from each one, an alien appeared. From the right door on Ju'lee's side, the woman was dressed in a red and black uniform complete with a cape and a mask. Blonde hair and a ravenous scowl were etched on to her features. Upon her chest, was a insignia which resembled the same type of writing which was used in my Blue Lantern and Ju'lee's green. In fact, she glowed with a red aura around her, and seemed to be a Kryptonian.

The one on my side, was some blue alien being, with a yellow uniform. The being held two melee type weapons in his hands and I could not tell if he was male or female. But, it was clear that whoever it is is a Yellow Lantern.

But what are Lanterns doing here?

As if to answer my question, the blue alien began to speak in a masculine voice.

"Well, you look surprised...you should not be. You world is home to a large ratio of super powered beings. It is a raw untapped pool of potential power for those looking for recruits. You must have many questions, such as why I am working with a Red Lantern, when I should be pulling her spine out. But, those will have to wait until just before I kill you."

The Red Lantern did not seem very talkative, instead unleashing a primal roar and blitzing toward Ju'lee using Kyrptonian speed.

I turned to my own fight, as the Sinestro Corpman used the power of fear to empower his weapons. I then formed my own Hope Energy and crafted my own blades. Knowing I was about to get my first real test.

Stanley Blake-27 Yrs-New Orleans

I clutched myself to the dresser drawer, breathing heavily. Staying there until I finally heard Garnet's voice. I did not want to answer, instead opting to keep a hold of the only anchor I had at the moment, but after a minute my senses began to return and I stood back and found some wrinkled clothes laying about, dressing myself I scooped up a bottle and opened the door, simply holding the whisky at my side. Searching for the strength to speak. "I...I...yeah, I'm fine." I assured her, as I stepped out of the room, closing the door behind me. "I just dont sleep well is all. Just give me some time to wake up." With that I finally took another drink of the alcohol and pressed myself to a wall, leaning to support myself as I addressed her.

"So, where to? Have any plans for that place you visited last night? Or did you have something else in mind?" I asked.

Trying hard to fill my head with anything but the images stained there for now.