“I am chaos. I am power. I am destruction. I am mighty. I am king.”
Those were the words of the once great ruler of Apokolips, the planet of shadow and fire, Yuga Khan. Apokolips had once been in his iron grip but that was before HE betrayed Khan and took the throne for himself. Now he preys on the weak and battles the strong. The arrogant fool. However if he wants a challenge…then wait until he meets me.
***
Sirens sang through the night air as a nearly silent figure raced down an alley, not looking back as a police car pulled up to one end of the alley and another parked on the end the figure sprinted toward. An officer exited the vehicle and pulled out a revolver.
“Freeze! We have you surrounded! You can’t escape!” the officer shouted down the alley at the approaching man, a seemingly unrelenting force.
“Can’t escape?” he repeated.? “We’ll see.”
The young man picked up his speed, charging straight at the nervous policeman.
“I said freeze!” the officer hollered, his gun shaking in his hands.
The man suddenly leaped onto a dumpster, propelled off that and over the police officer’s head. The cop barely had time to react as he swung around only to see the man roll beneath the police cruiser and onto the next street. The officer from the other end of the alley ran to his side, out of breath.
“What the hell was that guy?” the new arrival asked through gasps.
“Either he’s incredibly talented or he’s just full of miracles.”
***
The apartment was small, dusty, and plain. White walls surrounded the room, with no pictures or coloring of any sort. The floors were wooden and creaky. No furniture besides a small cot. The door to the apartment opened with a moan as Scott Free stepped in, sweat covering his face.
Wow. Getting away from the police this time was a little bit more difficult than I had anticipated. Oh well, at least I got away. I’ve gotten out of that prison four times now anyway. And it was nothing compared to the dungeons on Apokolips.Scott sat on the bare bed hearing the springs below the mattress screech. The New God looked out the window at the stars. Somewhere deep out there a war was raging. He didn’t want any part of it. He had had enough of Apokolips. Scott would have liked to never have to go back there but something in his heart was begging him to.
Barda. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you there. For all I know you could be dead. But I promise you, if you’re alive I will come to rescue you. Then we can…Scott had never known love. While being captive in Apokolips it was only a term. But even that term was warped, twisted into something evil by Granny Goodness, like just about everything in that hell. Every day, he imagined what would happen if he did save Barda. Would she just say ‘thanks’ and leave. Or could they actually…be together? Scott hadn’t realized how much he cared for the former guard of his dungeon cell.
I’m not sure if I’m THAT good of an escape artist to go back to Apokolips and succeed in being able to get out alive again. I doubt it. If only I were bette…Scott turned around quickly to find a short old man, his face filled with wrinkles and his eyes staring straight into Scott’s.
“Hey kid. I’ve seen your little ‘acts’ out there against the cops and I have to say I’m impressed. You could be just as good as Houdini…” the man said, his voice cold yet, a strange warmth somewhere mixed in.
“Who are you?” Scott questioned, cautiously.
“Name’s Oberon. Interested in a job?”
***
The bright sunlight shown down the paradise known as New Genesis. The children played, the trees grew, and the birds sang. But in this heavenly domain, one man was not so easily fooled by what appeared to be a peaceful sunny day. For he knew that very close to them, one of the greatest evils in the galaxy plotted, waiting for the perfect opportunity to attack. While other residents of New Genesis laughed and smiled, this man spent his days thinking up strategies and how to defend the planet. This man’s name was Orion. And he believed he was New Genesis’ only hope for survival.
Orion paced up and down the gardens of his home. His silver helmet shone in the bright day but underneath, his eyes were filled with confusion and desperation. Ever since the pact had been broken with Apokolips, which was nearly two months ago, Orion failed to rest. Apokolips could strike at any moment and Orion knew this, so he had to make sure he would be prepared.
“Must you always desire battle?” A calm soothing voice broke the powerful New God’s concentration.
Orion turned to see a man dressed in robes, his hair white and clutching a staff. Highfather Izaya.
“Forgive me, Father, but I fail to see why Lightray and everyone else is so calm. The pact is broken which means Darkseid and his forces could come at any minute! I will not pretend to ignore that Apokolips is nearly upon us!” Orion explained, frantically.
Highfather approached Orion and put a hand on the warrior’s shoulder.
“You are powerful, Orion but I do not think you are powerful enough alone to defeat Darkseid. So even if they did attack and you were prepared, that still doesn’t mean we’d stand a chance with just you alone.” Izaya said.
Orion stared into the wise leader’s eyes.
“You must not waste time preparing for something that you are not even certain is coming.” Izaya concluded.
Orion let out a quiet sigh as he turned his back to Highfather Izaya and stared up at the sky. What appeared to be a shining red star in the sky was really the center of all of the hatred and anger in the universe, Apokolips. Orion was haunted all of his life by the planet being so close.
“You are wrong, Highfather. I know they are coming,” Orion turned back to Izaya. “I do.”
***
The stone floor of Barda’s dungeon cell was cold and dusty. She sat against the wall for days, staring at the ceiling. Her armor was taken away at her arrival to the dungeons. Barda’s memories flashed with thoughts of the moment she saved the former prisoner, Scott Free, and then having to be separated.
I am sorry, Scott Free. I believed I could escape like you but I was foolish to believe so.The metal door to the dungeons swung open with a crash as Kanto, the master assassin of Apokolips, strutted in. His face full of scars from being electrocuted by Barda’s rod in the battle with the soldiers from New Genesis. Kanto’s eyes were fixed on Barda like daggers and full of malice. He unlocked the cell and slipped in like a snake.
“You know, Barda, I warned you about this in nearly the exact same spot you are sitting in, months ago. But you failed to listen and acted with stupidity,” Kanto sneered.
“Like I would ever listen to a pathetic slime like you. I would gladly give up my position as leader of the Furies if it meant not having to look at you suck up to Darkseid.” Barda spat on the floor near his foot.
“That fool, Free, must have really gotten to your head.” Kanto’s eyes shifted to the ceiling thoughtfully, “You loved him didn’t you? The mighty Barda defeated by the meaningless word known as love. That’s irony for you. It’s a shame really that you prevented me from slitting his pitiful little throat.”
Barda lunged forward grabbing Kanto by the neck and slamming his back against the cell bars.
“Do not speak ill of Scott Free. He is a greater man than you will ever be,” Barda growled.
“Then…tell…me, traitor…” Kanto coughed as Barda tightened her grip. “ If he’s so great…why…hasn’t he come…to save you? Guess you meant…less…to him…than you thought,” Kanto taunted merrily even as the pressure increased on his neck.
Barda’s eyes widened. She flung Kanto to the hard floor. She just stared at the floor for a second as Kanto got to his feet, rubbing his now bright red neck.
“As you can see, Barda. There is no escape for you. Free was just lucky.” Kanto exited the cell, locked it and then drew his gaze to her once more.
“There’s nothing I hate more than disloyalty and treason.” His eyes stabbed at hers like a dagger as he left the dungeons.
And once again Barda was alone, secluded from the rest of her world in a cobweb filled cell, with no one to talk to or even look at. She sat up against the wall thinking of Scott.
He was NOT lucky, Kanto.***
“No one who journeyed into the forest beneath Supertown was ever seen or heard from again because of the monstrous creatures known as the Bugs of New Genesis!” Lightray exclaimed dramatically as the children cringed with fear.
“Those are just fairy tales, Lightray, there’s no such thing as Bugs on this planet,” Orion’s voice boomed as he walked into the room, the children looking horrified of him.
“You never know,” Lightray replied, jokingly.
Orion examined the group of kids. All so young and not fully aware of the danger that was so close to their home.
“You can leave now, kids. Next time I’ll tell you the story of the time Orion and I faced the ogre Steppenwolf and his troll, Kanto!” Lightray laughed and gave a wink to Orion.
“Ogres and trolls? That’s not how I remember it,” Orion said coldly.
“Why let the children know that we were ambushed by Apokolips soldiers and captured? Why allow them to picture what Apokolips looks like from close up? I’d rather tell them a story of knights and dragons than gods and parademons. Wouldn’t you?” Lightray explained, the remaining children walking towards the exit.
Orion pondered this thought for a moment.
“Better to let them know what’s really out there,” Orion answered.
Lightray knew he would not be able to persuade his friend to see his point so he didn’t debate further. They left the room and walked down the hallways of the citadel.
“You come here for something?” Lightray wondered.
“I wanted to make sure you knew that I caught a Parademon near the planet. Spying.” Orion clenched his fist.
“Have you told Highfather?” Lightray questioned.
“Not yet. He does not see the seriousness of the situation. This proves that Apokolips is planning to come for us soon,” Orion assured his happy go lucky friend.
“What’d you do with the parademon?” Lightray asked.
“What do you think I did with it? I destroyed it of course.” Orion stared out the windows of the hall, looking at the bright blue sky.
Lightray frowned. The first thing he had ever killed was a parademon. He remembered how hard it had been to take a life, even one so bred for evil as a parademon’s. But to Orion it was so…easy.
“So what are we going to do? I mean it’s pretty much you and me against all of Apokolips,” Lightray said trying to push the memories of the Parademon away.
“I’ll come up with something.”
***
*SNAP!*
Lashina’s whip smacked against Mad Harriet’s face, throwing her to the ground. Lashina had only a second to smile at her small triumph for Stopma was upon her. Lashina leapt backwards dodging Stompa’s punch. Lashina and Stompa’s eyes met and they both were ready to kill each other if they had to.
“AH!” Stompa roared running at the new head of the Female Furies.
Stompa’s charge was shaking the ground as Lashina snapped her whip. The weapon wrapped around Stompa’s left leg and Lashina tugged. The force of Stompa’s fall seemed to make the entire planet tremble.
Lashina grinned wickedly at her victory.
“Impressive, Lashina. Very Impressive. Looks like Granny taught you well,” the deep almost manly voice of Granny Goodness announced.
Lashina turned to her leader and bowed.
“Thank you, Granny. I find it’s good to keep practice in combat, so we won’t be caught off guard if New Genesis ever comes here again,” Lashina said.
“It looks like I made a smart choice in promoting you after that bad egg, Barda, betrayed us to save Scott Free.” Granny smiled at Lashina.
“Free was a pathetic waste of space. Trust me. I saw how much of a coward he was during our torture sessions.” Lashina giggled, thinking of the pain she inflicted.
Granny patted Lashina on the head.
“Keep up the good work, my little cherub. We must make Darkseid extra happy nowadays. Especially with that fool, Godfrey resurrected by Darkseid’s Omega Effect.” Granny growled.
“Yes, Granny.”
***
“A job? What kind of a job?” Scott questioned the small old man called Oberon.
The elderly man took a seat on Scott’s mattress.
“As an escape artist, kid. You could be the next big thing. The Houdini of our time. You’ll be remembered throughout the ages. A legend,” Oberon assured Scott but the New God wasn’t so sure, considering he had no idea who this Houdini person was.
“I can see it now. MISTER MIRACLE! THE WORLD’S GREATEST ESCAPE ARTIST!” Oberon beamed at Scott, dramatically.
Scott just folded his arms and looked the man unenthusiastically.
“And I’ll help you the whole way, kid. Considering where you’re living, I’m guessing you don’t have a lot of money.” Oberon glanced around the bare room for a moment.
“What do you mean by ‘help’?” Scott wondered, defensively.
“As your manager. I’d set up where you’re performing. I have connections, kid. While you worry about what trick you’re going to pull off, I’d be dealing with the business issues. Money, paparazzi, the whole nine yards,” Oberon explained the situation.
“But why should I do it? What do I get out of all of this?” Scott stared into the man’s wrinkled face.
“Well, it’s a lot easier way to make money than ‘sneaking’, more like breaking, into places and taking stuff. That’s gotten you into quite a bit of trouble with the police,” Oberon said knowingly.
“Look…I’m not really from around here. I don’t know how to get money normally so I have to do it my way,” Scott replied.
“Oh and also, saving girls from punks isn’t helping you. I hear the police think you’re some kind of vigilante. You need to cut that out. It’ll hurt your career.” Oberon pulled out a card with his name and number on it.
“Just call me if you make up your mind,” Oberon finished and walked towards the door.
Scott picked up the card and watched Oberon open the door to leave.
“Next Houdini, kid. Next Houdini!” Oberon called as he left the room.
More with this Houdini person.***
Highfather Izaya stood on the balcony of the citadel overlooking the beautiful city of Supertown, floating high above the ground of New Genesis. There was a strange feeling in the air. A cold sensation. Something off…he had to see what the Source knew.
Izaya walked quickly to his quarters with haste.
***
The Source Wall was the great boundary that separated this world from the powerful essence known as the Source. Legend described it as being passable, though any who tried to pass and failed were trapped inside the wall, becoming part of it. Statues to a forgotten crusade.
A shadowy figure levitated in front of the wall, the silhouette’s eyes red like fire.
The time has come. Your release is imminent…Yuga Khan.***
The home of Darkseid, a near impenetrable fortress overlooking the slaves and peasants of Apokolips, heavy with fear and defeat. They would never even think of rebelling knowing of what the consequences would be. The residents of Apokolips’ spirits had been crushed by centuries of being under the rule of the ruthless Darkseid. Hell would not even compare to this torturous land of firepits and monsters. Deep in the fortress was the throne room of Darkseid. Seemingly a place of majesty with its long hall and throne, the throne room was a room where evil plotted. Planets were destroyed due to plans discussed in this ‘kingly’ room.
An enormous table was in the middle of the throne room. Seven chairs were positioned around with one being far greater in size than the rest. The massive door to the throne room slowly opened, and Kanto stepped into the room, the light from the firepits outside shining on his scarred face. Clad in his usual quasi-Renaissance garb, he looked around somewhat nervously but saw that no one was there. He took a seat at one of the chairs and waited, pulling out a small dagger and fiddling with it in his hand, appearing rather annoyed by being the first to arrive.
The door opened minutes later with Granny Goodness appearing from the outdoor hallway. She approached the table, appearing quite smug. She took the seat on the left side of the largest. Kanto looked up from his small blade and smirked.
“Well if it isn’t Granny? Haven’t seen you in awhile. Been busy brainwashing more captives into being your pets?” Kanto chuckled slyly.
“Do you have a problem with my methods, Kanto dear?” Granny asked him, a grimace on her face.
“Oh not at all,” Kanto answered innocently but then becoming serious, “if it were me in your position, we wouldn’t have captives, let alone be brainwashing them. We’d have a lot more cemeteries.”
“Ha! I’m sure. That’s the reason you don’t have my position!” Granny’s deep voice laughed.
“Suuure. I bet I’d be a great leader of the FEMALE Furies.” Kanto rolled his eyes sarcastically as he went back to playing with his knife.
There was a loud creak as the door to the throne room swung open, hitting the wall behind it. Kalibak stomped in, his bestial appearance seeming even more animalistic as angry mutters escaped his mouth.
“Rough day?” Kanto sneered joyfully but all Kalibak did was give him a look as if he wanted to tear his head off.
Kalibak took a seat at the far end of the table, arms folded impatiently. He breathed deeply like a hoarse after a race, Granny just grinned at the large empty seat next to her, and Kanto tapped the table with his blade. The door opened slowly, a man emerging from the darkness of the hallway outside. Glorious Godfrey. His fiery red hair shifting gracefully as he walked to the table. He was the most handsome of Darkseid’s elite, with a face that seemed to be carved by angels of Heaven, though Heaven could be no further away from his true character. His heart full of evil and darkness, the God of Persuasion took a seat, looking at the other members, twitching as he did so. Godfrey had learned to keep his mouth shut after Darkseid had disposed of him for not shutting up. His arrogant nature was still present though he knew that Darkseid had only decided to bring him back due to Godfrey having a manipulative effect on people which the villainous ruler of Apokolips could use.
“Well if it isn’t ‘Glorious’ Godfrey,” Granny spat.
“I have no desire to speak to you, witch. I only wish to speak the Great One himself,” Godfrey hissed.
“You’ll only do that if you can perk up the courage to open your mouth in his presence. I mean the last time you spoke to him about military action, he killed you. He may not be so merciful to bring you back next time,” Granny said knowingly.
“Funny, Goodness. I wonder what he’ll do to YOU the next time one of your Furies betrays us.” Godfrey showed his perfect smile with pleasure.
Granny began to stand up when the door to the throne room opened and the form of Desaad, the most skilled torturer on Apokolips, dressed in his usual hooded robe reached the meeting and sat in a chair, ignoring everyone else’s very existence.
Minutes passed as the group of elites waited. Kalibak’s face seemed to grow redder with every minute that passed until finally he smashed his fist on the table and said,
“I’M SICK OF WAITING! WHY WERE WE CALLED TO THIS MEETING IF ONLY TO WAIT! LET’S JUST START WITHOUT H…”
“Silence, Kalibak!”
Out of what appeared to be no where two figures stepped out of the shadows at the end of the throne room. One was shorter with a tall green hat and emerald colored clothing. Steppenwolf. He was the uncle of Darkseid and general of Apokolips’ forces. The other was much greater in size wearing a blue tunic and bearing a stone like face with what seemed to be two hot embers for eyes. Darkseid. The dictator of the planet Apokolips.
Kalibak got to his feet, hastily and bowed low.
“Forgive me, father. It was not my place.” Kalibak looked at Darkseid’s foot as he kneeled.
“Arise my son. We do not have time for your pathetic pleading.”Kalibak got up and sat back down in his chair. Darkseid sat himself in the largest chair at the table with Steppenwolf, ever the right hand man, in the seat next to him.
“My elite, we have many situations to discuss. Where do we begin?”***
Izaya entered his chamber to see that words of fire were on the Wall. A message from the Source!
SHADOW WILL COVER LIGHT
THEREFORE HEAVEN AND HELL MUST UNITE
BUT BE CAUTIOUS OF COVENANTS LONG DEAD
Highfather Izaya read the message three times over and then turned to Magnar who had just entered his chamber.
“Get me Orion and Lightray immediately.”
***
Lashina hated this part of the job. Guarding the door outside of the Elite meeting. She preferred when it used to be Barda’s duty as leader of the Female Furies. But now it was her job. Lashina felt second rate doing this. All of the ‘important’ people were inside while she had to be waiting outside. Sometimes these meetings went on for hours and hours.
Lashina suddenly heard a noise from the hallway down to the left of her.
“Who’s there?” she called, backing up.
There was a tap on the ground behind her. She turned around, whip at the ready, but once she looked, her face was filled with horror.
***
“…that’s where I believe New Genesis’ true weakness is. If we take out Orion, the rest of their defenses will fall apart,” Kalibak told the rest of the table.
“And you think killing one of the head honchos of New Genesis is going to be easy?” Godfrey looked at Kalibak as if he were an idiot.
“It wouldn’t be easy, but it’s not impossible either.” Kanto had his feet up on the table, still playing with his knife.
Steppenwolf glanced to his left at Darkseid’s reaction to the conversation. Darkseid remained silent, his crimson eyes surveying their faces. Steppenwolf followed Darkseid’s gaze to a disturbingly quiet Desaad.
“And you think you can accomplish the task of ridding us of him, do you, Kanto?” Kalibak growled.
Kanto gave a sinister smirk, his eyes now dueling with Kalibak’s.
“Why yes. Yes I do.”
“Yeah right. You don’t even have the strength to kill him. If anyone should be the one to do it, it should be me!” Kalibak spat.
“Calm yourself Kalibak. You will not face him again. You had your chance last time those fools were here. And you disgraced us with your defeat.” The room became still with these words.
“Yes…Father.” Kalibak sat back down.
“Orion is not the key to victory. The path to a swift and decisive triumph is…”At that, the huge door exploded from its hinges and sliced through the table. Kanto, Godfrey, and Desaad slid to the ground away from the hurtling door. Everyone ignored the split table and stared at the silhouette in the entrance.
It was a mighty and tall man, with an appearance much like Darkseid’s. A pale stone-like face and well built. But the most notable similarity was…the burning red eyes. The newcomer was dressed in gold armor with a rectangular scarlet gem in the middle of the chest. In the stranger’s hand was a whip dragging something behind him. The Elite were on edge, prepared for the worst.
“I think you lost something.”The stranger’s voice was deep, menacing, and cold. He pulled the whip up revealing Lashina snared at the other end, by the neck.
“…Granny…help me…” Lashina was nearly unconscious.
Kanto’s fingers were inches from one of his daggers, ready to lunge upon his prey.
“Release her.” Came Darkseid’s harsh tone, commanding and stern.
The stranger’s eyes and Darkseid’s eyes met. Each so similar to the other.
“As you wish.” The new arrival’s words were nearly as chilling as the dictator of Apokolips’.
The man’s grip on the whip loosened and it fell from his hands, Lashina taking deep breaths, trying to regain her composure.
“What do you want?” Steppenwolf had drawn a sword made of electrical energy.
The newcomer ignored the general completely, still looking at Darkseid.
“I have some business to discuss,” the man said to Darkseid.
“I’ve had enough of this!” Kalibak roared as he sprinted towards the stranger.
The enemy’s ember eyes lit up and a pair of beams emerged from them and slammed into Kalibak, throwing the Elite across the throne room and into a wall. Darkseid flinched for a moment in surprise.
The Omega Effect?
Steppenwolf and Kanto took a step forward, ready to take a shot at the powerful opponent.
“Stay back,” Darkseid ordered his men and then turned to the man.
“State your purpose or be prepared to suffer a most agonizing death.” His eyes shone bright red.
The Elite waited for what was next.
“Don’t you recognize me father?” The man smirked.
“My name is Grayven and I am your son.”NEXT TIME: Who is this mysterious Grayven? What does Highfather want Orion and Lightray for? And will Scott Free take Oberon’s offer?
