#43: It All Falls Down (Part 2 of 3)

KOBRA, the deadly religion of chaos that strives to bring an end to the civilised world by dragging it down into the age of Kali Yuga has risen, striking against the JUSTICE LEAGUE and discrediting them in the eyes of the media. Their machinations have caused the dissolution of the GLOBAL PEACE AGENCY, and the formation of STORMWATCH, a militant , UN-backed organisation with a mandate to keep order in the world of superheroes and villains by any means necessary.

After a series of adventures that resulted in the retirement of AQUAMAN, HAWKMAN and the MANHUNTER FROM MARS from the team, the JUSTICE LEAGUE have their backs against the wall, but with BATMAN and WONDER WOMAN in Las Vegas chasing a lead, their luck might just be changing—the TATTOOED MAN was a loose end KOBRA didn’t anticipate, and now he’s face to face with two of the most dangerous members of the League! But is he scared? Oh no, not when a group of super-strong, super-durable, super zealots known as PLANETMASTERS arrive on the scene to keep him-- and the secrets of KOBRA-- safe!

Join us, as the JUSTICE LEAGUE rides once again, as the adventures of the World’s Greatest Superheroes continue--!


Planetmaster had shown himself to be a ruthless, dangerous enemy. He had managed to restrain Superman, to throw a punch so hard that it knocked a tooth out of Aquaman’s mouth; he had taken two of the most powerful members of the Justice League and hurt them. That was one. One Planetmaster. Right now, there were six. Six super strong, invulnerable armoured villains stood between Batman and Wonder Woman and the Tattooed Man.

“You took everything from me,” said Abel Tarrant. “Green Lantern prevented me from bringing about cosmic armageddon* and I was locked up for my efforts. They removed my ability to project my tattoos. I lost my reason for being alive.”


“We would like you to know that this is not personal,” said one of the Planetmasters. “But we have pledged ourselves to the cause of Kobra. We are faithbound to Lord Naga.”

“You pledge your allegiance to a mad man,” said Wonder Woman. “Your apologies are meaningless.”

“Our apologies carry the weight of our belief behind them,” said another one of the Planetmasters. “And now that you stand in the way of true progress, it is clear that you are heathens. We take no pleasure in ending your lives, but we shall end them nonetheless.”

Batman threw a batarang at the chest of the Planetmaster talking. It lodged into the armour ineffectually.

“You honestly believe that would stop me?” said the Planetmaster.

“No,” said Batman. He held up a detonator. “This might.”

The explosion propelled the Planetmaster outside into the pouring rain, where he spun head over heels and rolled to a stop in a pile of garbage bags across the way.

Batman glanced over to Wonder Woman. “Semtex-lined. Would you do the honours?”

“Gladly,” said Wonder Woman.

The Queen of the Amazons hurtled toward the main cluster of Planetmasters and sent them scattering, but the advantage was momentary. One of the unfazed villains grabbed the Dark Knight by the throat and lifted him up off the ground while the four that Diana had taken on were restraining her and pummelling her in equal measure.

“You can’t win,” said the Planetmaster holding Batman. “You never could. The serpent has its body wrapped tight around the world. There was never anything you could do to stop it. You are already dead, the blood just hasn’t left your body yet.”

Batman attempted a nerve pinch but the flesh of the Planetmaster’s face was as solid as steel. The Planetmaster grabbed Batman’s attacking hand with his own free appendage and began to twist.

“If you pledge your allegiance to the cause I will spare you, Batman.”

“That wasn’t part of the plan,” said Abel. “You were supposed to kill him. You have to kill him.” The desperation in Tarrant’s voice was obvious. The fear. “Please.”

The Planemaster released Batman’s fingers and held up an open hand in the Tattooed Man’s direction. “You should leave, Abel. You do not have the stomach for what comes next. The Dark Knight of Gotham was never going to--”

“Excuse us,” said Superman. Arms crossed and eyes glowing. Rain pouring down from on high and him, the Kryptonian Man of Steel, flanked by Green Lantern and The Flash. Wonder Woman stood with them, freed from the clutches of the Planetmasters by an emerald construct.

“The thing about a communication black spot is that when an area of a city suddenly goes dead, you kind of notice,” said Green Lantern. “And if your friends were last seen in that immediate area, it raises questions. You’re not exactly smart, are you?”

The Planetmasters regrouped in the downpour, making gestures across their chests as they prepared for the next phase of the fight.

Superman continued, “I’m going to have to ask you to release that man. He’s Justice League.”


The Planetmasters charged toward the Justice League, splitting the group of five heroes away from each other. Six super-powered zealots and one manic former villain, against the Justice League. They were outnumbered.

“You’re not from around here,” said Superman. He was dodging the punches thrown by the Planetmaster that zeroed in on him. “With a glance I can see that your physiology is alien. Why are you doing this?”

“Our reasons are our own,” said the Planetmaster.

“Kobra wants to bring about the end of the world, how could that possibly be a good reason?”

“It is what our faith demands of us.” The Planetmaster feigned left and Superman dodged right into a hard right, sending the Man of Steel skidding back into the empty building behind him. The masonry rocked and began to crumble. The Planetmaster followed Superman in.

The Flash grabbed Batman and sent a superspeed enhanced kick between the legs of the Planetmaster. The low blow didn’t faze the villain, and it didn’t make him any happier.

“Well, I had to try,” said The Flash. Before the villain could retaliate, Batman and The Flash were gone, away from the scene of the battle, to the edge of the city limits.

“You all right, Batman?”

“They’re designed to survive space travel unaided,” said Batman. His arm was injured, but he didn’t let on. “Their power set might be greater than Super--”

The Planetmaster had followed them, his otherworldy physiology allowing him a modicum of his own superspeed. The alien zealot grabbed The Flash by the neck and threw him into the air. Batman was taken by surprise-- an emotion that he found aggravating in this instance-- but didn’t have time to retaliate.

“You are brave,” said the Planetmaster. “You would have made a great member of our church.” He hoisted the Caped Crusader up by the neck and began to squeeze, the world beginning to blacken instantly.

From behind, Green Lantern appeared with the rest of the Justice League in tow. After lowering his teammates to the ground near Batman, John Stewart surrounded the Planetmaster in a construct and accelerated his ascent into the sky.

Without missing a beat, Stewart caught the Flash on a green platform and lowered him gently to the ground, all the while shooting up into space with the six Planetmasters in tow.

“What’s he doing?” said Batman.

“I don’t know,” said Diana. She had a bruise across her face, and a cut across her lip. There were marks across her body where she had taken punches.

“We have to, we have to,” Superman staggered toward his comrades. “We have to help.” He swayed, only to be propped up by The Flash before he could fall. The Man of Steel’s face was like tenderised meat. “I just need a second.”

“You need to heal,” said Batman. “Lantern can handle himself. This is his speciality. We’re undermanned and underpowered. No offence.”

“None taken,” said Superman. “I’m going to recharge and meet up with John.” He squinted in the direction John had flown. “I think you’re right, Batman.”

“Six of those Planetmasters just took us to task,” said Wonder Woman. “Are you sure--”

“I am,” said Batman. “John Stewart can get the job done.”


"I don’t care who you are, I don’t care what you are, Earth is protected," said Green Lantern.

Behind John floated six sets of dismantled Planetmaster armour in an emerald bubble. "That means hostile action from your church will not be tolerated."

The Planetmasters stood naked on the surface of the moon. They were motionless, watching the Green Lantern who had stripped them of their armour.

"I know you can’t respond, and to be fair, I don’t give a damn. You’re going to take a time out here until I decide to throw you in a Sciencell on Oa. You’re through."

John floated backwards. The Planetmasters watched him go, resentment growing on their faces. He had taken their divine right to travel the stars from them. Removed the armour that was their badge of holy office. That slight would not be tolerated.

"And when I see any of your brothers back on Earth, I’m going to scoop them up and throw them right here with you," said John. "I’ll see you when I see you."

Green Lantern departed back to Earth orbit and was met half way by Superman. The injuries he had sustained at the hands of the Planetmasters had already healed thanks to exposure to the Sun.

The Man of Steel glanced behind John and then looked at his fellow hero.

John shrugged and the two of them headed back to Earth.

Back on the moon, the nude Planetmasters joined hands, closed their eyes and began to pray.


“That didn’t end particularly well for you, did it, Abel?” said The Flash.

“Hey man, just watch it, watch it, I was coerced, that was all against my will,” said the Tattooed Man.

The Tattooed Man cowered in the corner of the tattoo parlour as the members of the Justice League present loomed over him.

“No, you weren’t,” said Batman. “Now I made a promise to you.” He cracked his knuckles. “Unlike the Planetmasters, I keep my promises, Abel.”

“K-keep that f-freak away from m-me!” said Abel. “What do you want? Just ask your damn questions and keep that lunatic away from me!”

“Where is Science City?” said The Flash. “Where is Lord Naga?”

“I don’t know that,” said Abel. “You think he’d trust me with that information?”

Wonder Woman unclipped her lasso. “There’s one way for us to find out.”

Diana looped the lasso around Abel’s hand. “Where is Science City?”

“Naliiva,” said Abel. He slapped his hand around his mouth. “No, this isn’t fair. You can’t do that.”

Batman grimaced. “I’ve contacted Las Vegas PD. They’re en-route.”

“Naliiva?” said The Flash. “Is Abe allowed to just make places up?”

“We need to get back to Laputa,” said Batman. “Now.”

“Batman, what’s wrong?” said Wonder Woman. What was that she heard in his voice? Fear? Never. Knowing.

“Now,” said Batman. He triggered the teleport and the three figures vanished, leaving Tarrant alone in the tattoo parlour, sirens beginning to blare in the distance.

“Oh, no,” said Tarrant. The words rolled out of his mouth slowly, methodically. “How will Kobra ever forgive me for spilling their secrets?”

Abel smiled. His smile became a grin and then he laughed, louder than he had any right to. As the police entered the parlour, he looked the officers dead in the eye and his expression shifted.

Serious. Dedicated. Holy.

“Faith to Kali Yuga.”


The Justice League assembled in the main meeting room. Batman stood with his back to the team, while his colleagues sat waiting for the Caped Crusader to fill them in on why ‘Naliiva’ had seemingly spooked him.

Batman finally broke his silence. “Naliiva is a ghost story. A country that only the worst of the worst can access, hidden to all satellites, invisible to the naked eye. Protected.”

“I’ve never heard of it,” said Green Lantern.

“I wouldn’t expect you to,” said Batman. “The only reason I know about it is because I had a mole in Checkmate before the intelligence agency reshuffle.”

“You had a mole in Checkmate?” said Superman. “Gutsy move. Who was it?”

“Paul Kirk,” said Batman. “Manhunter*.”


“Ballsy,” said Green Lantern.

Batman ignored him. “Kobra must have access to Naliiva. From what Kirk told me, it’s deserted, mostly. No one spends much time there unless they need to. It was the site of a biochemical attack over twenty years ago. High levels of radiation. High rate of mutation.”

Wonder Woman shook her head impatiently. “If we know where they are then why are we sitting here, instead of taking the fight directly to Kobra’s door?”

“Because I don’t know where Naliiva is,” said Batman.

“What about Kirk? Does he?” said Superman.

“Kirk is off the grid,” said Batman. “I haven’t been able to communicate with him for months. I have my own agents investigating that.”

“Batman, Incorporated, on the case,” said The Flash. “How do we get there? How do we gain access to a secret city?”

“That would be where I come in,” said The Guardian.

Green Lantern lurched out of his seat, ring flaring. “How did you get in here?”

“I invited him,” said Batman.

Superman shot Batman a look, then faced The Guardian. “I’m sorry to hear about the Global Peace Agency*.”


“We were too optimistic,” said The Guardian. He removed his helmet and extended his hand to Superman. “I’m sorry we had to do the cloak and dagger act before all this went down. Sullivan explained the situation?”

“Yes,” said Superman. He accepted Harper’s hand and nodded. “Henry Bendix is an unknown element to us. Maybe you could fill us in when we’re done here?”

“Happily,” said Harper. “Naliiva first. I was there, boots on the ground, when Marshall Kafka detonated the biochemical weapon in the capital city. Barely got out alive.”

“So you know where it is?” said Wonder Woman.

“Kafka had access to some bleeding edge technology back in the day. He stole the biochemical weapon from a parallel world. The shimmer field generator that keeps the city away from prying eyes is the exact same. Getting in isn’t going to be easy. Thankfully, I have people working on that right now.”

“Does everyone have their own secret army here?” said The Flash.

“Don’t you?” said Green Lantern.

The Flash smiled. “How long before we get in?”

“Soon,” said The Guardian.

“Then I’m not too late,” said Aquaman, as the King of the Seas entered the room. “I apologise for my dramatic entrance, but you can’t turn down an opportunity like that.”

“No one else is,” said Green Lantern. “Good to see you, Arthur.”

Wonder Woman looked concerned. “Is Poseidonis--?”

“Protected,” said Aquaman. “But if you have the location of Kobra, that might bring me closer to finding my brother Orm, and he has to answer for his crimes.”

Wonder Woman smiled. “It’s good to have you back.”

“I’m not alone,” said Aquaman. He turned to the door and Mera entered. “With our current membership depleted, Mera volunteered to join us until the situation is resolved.”

“When Orm had our trust, he betrayed it,” said Mera. “I will not allow his brand of evil to infect the surface world. We know that results in the seven seas suffering too.”

“Welcome to the Justice League,” said Superman. “Eight against Kobra? Surely we can do better than that.” He drummed his fingers against the table, contemplating their next move.

“Superman, if you’re thinking what I’m thinking,” said Batman. “You have my vote.”

“The recruitment drive can wait until we can afford finesse,” said Superman. “But there are dozens of former Justice Leaguers who are on the reserve list. Dozens who would answer the call if we made it.”

“Then let’s ask,” said Aquaman. “An army. To defeat Kobra once and for all.”

The Guardian watched as the Justice Leaguers discussed this. It made perfect sense to him. He placed his helmet back on and put a finger to his ear. “Angela, how goes the lock?”

{We’re still having trouble piercing the shimmer field, but not long now. Are you where I think you are?}

“I am,” said Jim. “When this is all done with, I’ll introduce you. Keep me informed.”

“It’s decided then,” said Wonder Woman. “Superman, will you do the honours?”

Superman pressed a button on the holographic console that appeared before him. He cleared his throat. “Justice League emergency. All reserve members report to Laputa for mobilisation.”

An automated voice rang out above their heads. <Ten Justice League reservists have changed their status to ‘Active’.>

<Thirteen.>

Batman smiled. No one noticed apart from Wonder Woman.

<Twenty.>

“Wait, did we just invite Guy Gardner back into the Justice League?” said John.

“You take the good with the bad,” said Barry.

<Twenty seven.>

“Well, guess I’ll put the kettle on,” said The Flash. “Sounds like we’re going to need it.”


“The Justice League will come here,” said Ocean Master. “Sure as the tides.”

“Orm, Orm, Orm, you should know by now that I do not fear the Justice League. If anything, they fear me,” said Lord Naga. “I shared the location of Science City with Brother Tarrant to mock them. Naliiva is inaccessible to them. They will scratch and claw at our door but when the time comes for them to enter, they shall find the door locked and the key absent. We shall laugh and we shall cheer.”

“Really?” Ocean Master clutched his trident and smiled. “That is why you should be prepared for the hell they will bring with them.”

“You have been a boon to this crusade, Orm, your advice has been instrumental in our latest strike against the world, but please do not ruin the goodwill I have extended to you.”

Ocean Master stood and walked past Lord Naga. “You found me when I was broken and battered by Black Manta’s attack on Poseidonis*. Your doctors restored me to my former glory. But when my brother rains his fury down upon our heads, no warnings I make now will pale to the true glory of his rage.”

*Aquaman #25.

“I’m not scared of Aquaman,” said Lord Naga. “Very few are,” he chuckled.

“It’s not Aquaman I’m saying you should be afraid of,” said Orm. “It’s my brother. The King of Atlantis. There is a difference. This is a man who has had his capital torn asunder by your machinations. You have not seen my brother angry, Naga. I have.”

“The Justice League are hindered by their simplistic morals and code, but my followers believe in Kali Yuga, the end of all things. Planetmasters stand ready to break the faith of any man or woman that stands against us. My personal strike force guard Science City. The Lanceheads stalk the corridors and the Bestowed convert the unbelievers we captured to our cause.”

“I would take my leave then,” said Ocean Master. “Our business is concluded.”

“Don’t you want to see the ineffectual gropes of the Justice League?” said Lord Naga.

“I would rather not be here when they try,” said Orm.

“Shadow Thief?” said Lord Naga. “Take Ocean Master wherever we wishes to be.”

The darkness peeled off the wall of the room they were in and took human form. A female face jutted out before twisting into that of a man. “The Shadowlands await your destination, ex-King.”

Orm smiled. “As far away from here as possible.” He took a step through Shadow Thief’s figure and vanished, then the portal folded in on itself and the Shadow Thief himself / herself was gone from the room.

“Or maybe the door will be open,” said Lord Naga. “Maybe the key will be in the lock.” He laughed. “And maybe the Justice League will regret their actions against me today.”


“Firstly, thank you for answering the call. We need your help and you’re here, and for that you have our eternal thanks,” said Superman.

“You talk as if we wouldn’t drop everything and come running if you asked,” said Big Barda. “If our friends need help, we help.”

“Thank you, Barda,” said Wonder Woman. “As many of you will know, the media have been influenced into turning against the Justice League, with Kobra at the centre of this conspiracy.”

“Yeah, and we all know it’s bull,” said Blue Beetle. “Just wish the news cycle would get it out of its system.”

“We should be so lucky,” said The Flash.

Superman continued. “At 9PM EST last night, Kobra effectively stole a top secret facility known as Science City. As a result, the United Nations has shut down the Global Peace Agency and Kobra has access to an arsenal of world-ending weaponry. This cannot be allowed to stand.”

A rumble of discussion moved through the assembled Justice Leaguers. The meeting room had expanded to allow them all to fit in, walls had descended into the ground and the ceiling had risen.

The Guardian looked uncomfortable, but gripped his shield tight and continued to watch Superman talk. He had stood before armies before, said the words that would inspire them to give their all for God and country, but this was something else entirely.

“That was six hours ago. We have the location of Science City. We are about to depart. Guardian?”

Harper cleared his throat. “The rogue nation of Naliiva is protected by a shimmer field. Pulling that curtain back is one hell of a job, something that can’t be done with the teleporters available to us here, but I have a team working on modifying--”

A shimmering orange portal spread from the ground up in front of the assembled Justice Leaguers.

“--Speak of the devil.”

“What is that?” said The Flash, as he examined the hole in space that suddenly appeared.

“When you’ve been around as long as me you acquire a lot of knick knacks. In my case, I have quite the collection of advanced technology. I work with a team that restores said technology and we figure out practical applications for it. My best scientist, Angela, calls this a Door.”

“None of the alarms are sounding,” said Blue Beetle. “Klaxons should be blaring. I should know, I helped augment the security system last year.”

The Guardian nodded slowly. “Doors bypass any security procedures you might have in place. You ever wonder how I appear wherever I want to appear without any warning?”

“I thought you might be Batman’s big brother or something,” said Booster Gold.

“I’m afraid not,” said the Guardian. “This will take us where we need to be. When you’re ready, Superman?”

Superman looked around the room. “I had hoped that Kobra was done with when the Global Peace Agency united the world’s intelligence agencies in a final strike against them. I think we all know that these things are never as easy as that. So now it leaves us, the Justice League, to do what we do every single day. To ensure that evil gains no further grip on the world, and that the sun rises tomorrow. We’re about to walk through a portal to a city that we have no intel about. No clue what Kobra has planned. Our plan is simple. The Flash will go through first, to gather intelligence, and then once he gives the go-ahead, our taskforce will follow, and we will remove Kobra from the board.”

“Going to go for a quick run in a rogue nation,” said The Flash. “They won’t even see me.”

“Before you go, Angela gave me these,” the Guardian held out his hand, and no one could see what was in his palm.

Superman focused his vision, then arched an eyebrow. “Nanotechnology?”

“To enable radio telepathy, yes,” said the Guardian. “I’ve noticed you haven’t been having any of those long, awkward, silent conversations recently. I assume, since the Martian Manhunter left, you’re without your telepathic link. She suggested this alternative.” The near-invisible bugs in his hand activated, and spread out across the room, landing in the ears of those gathered.

{Radio telepathy activated,} said a female voice. {Conditions optimum. Can you hear me, Jim?}

{Angela, you are on the line with the Justice League. Please do not swear,} said the Guardian. You could hear the smile in his thoughts.

{Heard nothing but good things about you, Angela,} said Superman. {Glad to have you onboard.}

{Oh, man, you just made my day,} said Angela. {Good luck, guys.}

The Flash grinned. “I don’t need luck. I need a running start.”


The world the Flash emerged into was grey. The skies had no colour to them other than that grey, there were no clouds, just the dull blur of emptiness that had hung over the rogue nation of Naliiva for decades. The Flash made no sound as he emerged from the Door and into an abandoned building, but he was ready for anything.

Barry peaked out from the interior of the building and could see dozens of Kobra foot soldiers patrolling the abandoned streets. Beyond the dull, ruined buildings the Flash saw Science City, an oddity in the skyline of this secret state that was hidden away from the rest of the world.

The Flash ran, careful to avoid getting too close to the soldiers or let his slipstream whip up too much of a wind. He was fast enough not to be seen, but slow enough not to break the sound barrier. A sonic boom would do him no good, and he knew better than to draw attention to himself in situations like this.

Barry vibrated his molecules ready to phase through the wall of the Science City building, but suddenly found his legs become leaden. His brow furrowed as he slowed involuntarily, and then looked down at his feet, only to fall down and skid to a stop against the wall of the building.

“Did you really think it was going to be that easy?” said Lord Naga, as he leaned against the wall casually.

“Kinda,” said the Flash. “What you got going on, some kind of null field?”

“Nothing so fancy,” said Naga. The Flash grimaced as the villain beckoned the Turtle, one of his enemies from Central City, to join them outside Science City’s walls, flanked by a group of Planetmasters. “Just a visit from an old friend who got lonely in Iron Heights. We find some of our best men inside those institutions.”

“Hello… Barry…” said the Turtle. “Long… Time… No…”

The Flash stood up and made a move toward the Turtle, but the Planetmasters intercepted him easily, and held him fast.

“…See…” finished the Turtle

“Yeah, yeah, nice to see you too, Turtle. Why don’t we grab a coffee sometime? For the time being, you can maybe leave?”

Lord Naga approached the Flash, his masked face hiding any expression he might have worn. “Bravado. I love bravado. I think it’s fascinating how much one can have in the face of death.”

“You’re not going to kill me,” said the Flash.

“You’re right, of course,” said Naga. He lifted up his foot and slammed it into Barry’s shin, snapping the bone. The Flash crumpled in pain, but refused to scream. “But I’m going to put you in a room with the Turtle, and I’m going to have one of our best break every bone in your body. And while you can’t run, I’m well aware your accelerated healing will knit you back together in no time. But I wonder how well your body will knit itself if the bones aren’t set properly?”

“You… didn’t let me… finish,” said the Flash.

“Oh, through gritted teeth, do tell,” said Lord Naga.

“You’re not… going to kill me… because my friends… are right behind you,” said the Flash.

Naga turned around with a start and looked past the Planetmasters, but there was no sign of the Justice League. He laughed and turned back to the Flash. “That was funny,” he said, but immediately after, he saw that an orange portal had opened up behind Barry, and out stepped Superman, cracking his knuckles. “Oh.”

“Oh indeed,” said the Flash. The rest of the Justice League emerged, ready for a fight.

“I’ve been looking forward to this,” said Superman, as he flew straight at Kobra, fists first.

NEXT TIME: Justice League versus Kobra! Science City Zero spills open! Lord Naga unleashes his ultimate weapon!



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