Legacies Issue 3

My name is Otis Mills, and I'm in way over my head here.

[July 4, 2010]

[Keystone City]

A few hours ago, a Green Lantern ring and a letter from John Stewart were delivered into my hands, hundreds of Earth's greatest heroes fell trying to save the citizens of Keystone City from a mysterious ball of energy, and once the energy finally disappeared, it was replaced by a group of super villains looking to claim Keystone for them.

Skip ahead to now. I'm standing my ground in the ruins of Keystone, among what seems to be the Justice League's replacements, pretending to be Earth's sole Green lantern.
Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, Yellow Arrow, and Green Lantern stand next to the injured Ray Terrill ready to defend the surviving citizens and heroes. Across from them is Lex Luthor, accompanied by super villains Captain Cold, Heat Wave, Cheetah, The Trickster, Weather Wizard, and Killer Croc.

Christianity sees archangels as the highest level of angels. It's hard not to compare them to this new group of heroes, seeing as at the moment, they are the most powerful beings on Earth. All hope seemed to be lost, and these 5 arrived as if they descended from heaven to save this city.

“Luthor, you aren't taking this city.” Superman's booming voice makes the villains uneasy, but Luthor is still in a state of shock.
“I haven't spoken to you in years my son, and you return wearing that...that outfit.” He turns his head in disgust.

Son? Heh, if Luthor honestly expects us to believe that he's this new Superman's dad he must be crazier than I thought he was.

“Quit yer yappin Luthor, are we gonna put these guys on ice or what?” Captain Cold jokes, aiming his freeze gun at the heroes. Superman's eyes begin to glow red, and a blinding red light evaporates the Captain where he stands faster than the heroes can blink.

Superman....killed Captain Cold? What the hell is going on here?

As the heroes watch the ashes fall to the ground, Wonder Woman draws her sword and turns to them.
“Are you just going to stare or are we going to prevent these lowlifes from tainting this city?” The battle erupts, and the heroes split into groups to take care of the villains.

Killer Croc thrusts his fist towards Batman, who dodges the blow. Meanwhile, Green Lantern is keeping his distance from the fight.
“I don't know who you are, but I could use some help over here!” Batman yells out frantically while simultaneously avoiding Croc.
“I'm trying!” The Lantern responds by squinting his eyes and holding out his fist.

I can't concentrate. So much is happening, I had a hard enough time figuring out how to fly and make simple constructs. I'm too nervous, I'm sweating buckets. Why am I even here? I'm either going to get myself, or something else, killed.

Croc averts his gaze to the injured Ray Terrill, and Batman knows what he is going to do. As the dark knight sprints over to protect Ray from a potential attack, Croc follows.

I have to do something, I have to....

A green wall appears in front of the monster, giving Batman a clear path to Ray. Croc turns towards Green Lantern breathing heavily with anger in his eyes. Otis lets out a nervous laugh.
“Heh, I guess I had a good run as Green Lantern.”

I hope to God I know what I'm doing.

Batman reaches Ray and helps him to his feet.
“It's a miracle. I can't believe you came.” Batman walks towards the Batmobile with Ray keeping his balance by putting his arm around his shoulder, and Batman hears a scream. Looking over his shoulder, he sees Wonder Woman tossing a lifeless Cheetah to her side.
“Don't call us a miracle yet.” Batman responds.

I'm running from this monster like a coward as I see Wonder Woman kill Cheetah. I thought these guys were heroes, since when does the Justice League kill? Even I know that a real hero can always find a way to handle a situation without killing, it looks like they haven't even considered any other options.

“Oop!” Green Lantern trips on a piece of debris and Killer Croc stands over him.

Oh God, he's gonna eat me.

All of a sudden, Croc arches his back and screams out in agony. He turns around and a golden arrow is lodged in his scaly spine. Yellow Arrow is standing across from him, and she pulls three more arrows out of her quiver.
“There's more where that came from ugly.”

Whew. I thought I was a goner. Are those arrows gonna be able to stop him though?

“This is Linda Park-West reporting from the ruins of Keystone City. A new group of heroes have arrived to fight the--” The youthful Trickster jumps in front of the camera and grabs the microphone from the recently widowed reporter. Heat Wave stands next to him, oscillating his arm and weapon so that none of the camera crew tries to run or switch the camera off.
“Hello world, this is the Trickster speaking on behalf of the rogues. Don't adjust your TV, we're in control. In memory of Captain Cold, we're gonna take this city, and finish off the rest of your heroes just for fun.” Before he is able to speak again, a red blur moves past the camera, leaving Trickster and Heat Wave on the ground.
“Don't you rogues ever learn?” The scarlet speedster reaches down and helps the disoriented Linda Park-West up.
“Keystone is the Flash's city.”
“Bart?” She whispers to him, and in turn he nods his head and sprints into the battle.

“Fall!” Killer Croc stays standing despite the fact that he is riddled with arrows. Mia reaches into her quiver and realizes that it is empty.
“You heard the lady.” A large green fist appears in front of Croc and punches him until he finally hits the ground. Yellow Arrow looks over to see Green Lantern drenched in sweat. Before they are able to catch their breaths, the Weather Wizard approaches them and begins firing bolts of lightening at Green Lantern, who is deflecting them with green shields.
“Why won't it hit you? My wand, it must be malfunctioning.” The villain claims.
“Of course, it's always the tools that the bad work smith lays the blame on.” The Lantern replies while trying to keep his constructs solid. The wizard creates dense fog in front of GL's face, breaking his concentration as well as his shield.

Superman flies through and knocks out the Weather Wizard while barking orders to Green Lantern.
“Listen rookie, if you can’t handle yourself, go home!”

He yells at me like he's my superior. What gives him the right? He wears Superman's clothes, but he hasn't convinced me that he is in fact Superman. Hell, I can barely tell if he's a good guy.

Superman continues his flight until he reaches Lex getting into his helicopter and grabs him.
“Where do you think you're going, dad?”
“What are you going to do to me? Kill me? That was a nice stunt you pulled with Cold, but you don't have the guts to kill me.” Luthor laughs off the choke hold until he sees Superman's eyes begin to glow red. A hand is placed on the man of steel's shoulder.
“Don't do this Superman.” Superman shrugs Batman's hand off of his shoulder. His grim voice becomes softer. “Conner--”
“No!” Superman tosses Luthor to the side and confronts his old friend. “Conner Kent is dead! Being referred to by my human name is offensive; the man in front of you is Kon-El. I was given this Kryptonian attire by the last son of Krypton, and I intend to continue the legacy of the fallen planet, not this one that is full of...betrayal.”
“All of us were given these costumes, but this responsibility wasn't handed to us so that we could go against everything that our mentors worked for.” Tim responds.
“Yeah, well, did you ever think that maybe our mentors were wrong? Look what happens when you let hatred and fear run rampant all over the world. The inhabitants of this world become too weak to defend themselves, and villains think that they can do anything because they thrive on the fact that their crimes will only be met with slaps on the wrists. We need to make examples, even if they are as extreme as killing a former president who thinks he can get away with all the evil he has been a part of.” Superman's eyes glow red again and he quickly turns his head to face Luthor. He notices something, and his eyes return to their normal state.
“Don't make me stop you Superman.” Captain Marvel walks towards him. Superman, unparsed by the threats continues to walk towards Luthor. Captain Marvel flies over forward and punches Superman, knocking him off of his feet.
“Stay down, don't make me say the word.”
“Still can't say your own name, huh Marvel?” Superman jokes.
“I don't use those words anymore.” He replies. Superman begins to stand and Captain Marvel clenches his fist.
“Shazam!” A bolt of lightening travels down from the sky, and it strikes Superman down.

[Justice League Watchtower]

“You just send that poozer on over to Oa when you can spare 'im Bats.” On-screen is the big pink Green Lantern, Kilowog.
“Thanks. We might need him around for a while, at least until we figure out exactly what went on in Keystone.” Batman speaks into the computer.
“Yeah, sorry to hear about what happened down there. We lost four of our best Lanterns today. How many of your guys survived?”
“That we know of, The Ray, Firestorm, and Hotspot, among others, are getting treated for injuries, and I just received a call from Connor Hawke, Ollie's son. Most of those who were active prior to today gave their life though.” Tim lowers his head as he lists the casualties. “I'm going to have to get back to you later. I'll be sure to keep you informed on when the memorial service will take place. Batman out.” The calm, peaceful Oa on the computer screen switches to its contrast: news reports on the ugly events that had taken place in Keystone. He then walks over to the round table where the heroes sit. Superman and Wonder Woman sit on one side of the table, while the rest of the team sits on the other side.
“They're scared of us.” Wonder Woman whispers to Superman.
“Good.” He responds to her.

“There's a lot we have to talk about.” Batman starts the discussion.
“What's to discuss? That ball of energy took out Keystone along with just about every superhero on Earth! What we need to do is focus on finding new heroes.” The Flash yells out after his eyes are tinted green for a split second.
“We need to figure out who did this and punish them!” Wonder Woman slams her fist into the table. “What are you afraid of finding out Bart?”
“Uh, who's Bart?” Green Lantern speaks up, his voice shaking.
“Someone get this rookie out of here.” An annoyed Superman speaks. Green Lantern stands up with newfound confidence, his ring emitting a bright green light.
“Get me out of here? I have yet to see why you're any better than me. You kill, you fight with team mates. Who the hell do you think you are?” Superman follows suit and stands, his eyes glowing red.
“I can decide who deserves death. I'm the Goddamn man of steel. I'm Superman. ” Everyone in the room stares at Superman and Wonder Woman with a shocked look on their face. Batman walks to within inches of Superman.
“Ever since I've known you, you have sought out to be like Superman. Back when you thought that you would never be able to grow older, you complained about having to be a kid all your life because you would never be Superman. When you found out that Lex Luthor's DNA was used along with Superman's to clone you, you were worried that you couldn't be Superman with evil in your blood. So now you're wearing Superman's clothes, and you know what? You've never been further from becoming Superman. All those years, you were right. You will never be Superman. You're a disgrace to the name.” The two men clench their fists.
“I'm more than Superman ever was. I'm not weak like he was. Like all of you are. I'm a God, and I embrace it.” Superman responds without blinking. The room is silent for what seems to be an eternity.
“Get out.” Batman says in his gritty voice. “Now.” Superman and Wonder Woman walk towards the transporter room, and Batman stops him with a snide remark.
“Clark Kent may have died yesterday, but it was you that killed Superman...Conner.” Superman punches a hole in a nearby wall and walks outside the room. Everyone in the room that was in the Watchtower 5 years ago is struck with a feeling of deja- vu.