Post by HoM on Feb 23, 2016 5:35:58 GMT -5
Previously, in JUSTICE LEAGUE…
STORMWATCH has been defeated and the GLOBAL PEACE AGENCY has been reinstated, leaving the JUSTICE LEAGUE back on top of the world!
While the world keeps turning, the team have faced what comes their way and been victorious in the end, but as we enter a new year, what challenges await the World’s Greatest Heroes?
It all begins here…
With all this in mind, please join us now for the continuing adventures of the JUSTICE LEAGUE--
“As long as there is peace, there will be the threat of war.”
The voices floated across the void.
“There cannot be peace without war coming first.”
Darkness receded as light approached.
“There cannot be war without peace having passed.”
Spreading fast, it became clear that the light was actually an inferno.
“One leads to the other, never-ending.”
The world stood below, turning to ash.
“One rises from the ashes of the other.”
A figure stood amongst the ruins of the world, his armoured visage turning toward the dreamer.
“Bloodshed. Terror. Horror. Violence. The children of war.”
The armoured figure reached out and with his hand wrapped around the throat of the dreamer-- he squeezed--
Wonder Woman opened her eyes and awoke in Themyscira House’s bed chambers, the thrashing sounds of the Manhattan rain dulled by the enchantments at the walls. Her skin was prickled with goosebumps, a physical occurrence she rarely experienced.
Dazed, Diana entered the bathroom and ran the tap. She splashed her face with water, and looked at her tired reflection. She gasped when her eyes found the markings around her throat. Bruises left by the grasp of a dream.
“…Ares,” whispered Wonder Woman, the markings quickly fading.
JUSTICE LEAGUE
Issue Fifty-One: “Dreams Of War And Annihilation”
HoM / ARTTEACH / BOWERS
THE WASTELANDS EAST OF BIALYA:
Regardless of how it was portrayed in the western media, Bialya wasn’t a hellhole. By no means was it a utopia, but at least Colonel Rumaan Harjavti ruled relatively consistently, even if there were occasional flare-ups of the hereditary madness that fuelled his visions.
Rumaan was a running joke to the international community. Capable of flying off the handle at a moment’s notice, the bane of the many ambassadors who wanted to maintain positive relations with the suspected-nuclear-enabled nation, but never stepping over the line that would send chaos into the world.
Rumaan’s current obsession was Khandaq, the neighbouring kingdom who rejected overtures from the Bialyan government to create an alliance. The slight was enough to drive Rumaan into a fury, and with military movement on either side of the border… it would be terrible if something escalated the situation…
Not far from the nation’s capital, hundreds of workers excavated a historical site, tonnes of dirt and sand lifted out of the immense pit by their steady digging, their hard work already having produced a hole deeper than most buildings’ foundations. As of yet, they’d found nothing.
“Why are we doing this?” said one of the workers. “Why do we continue entertaining the Colonel’s madness?*”
“Quiet, Alam. Few others here share your treasonous views of the government. Besides, I heard this place came to Harjavti in his dreams. According to him, a weapon of great power sleeps beneath the sands of the wasteland, just waiting to be found for the next eternal battle.” He grimaced. “Did you see the shrine he had built near the royal palace?”
“Yeah. I didn’t recognise the markings on the walls.” Alam shook his head incredulously. “But a dream? We truly dig for a madman.”
Suddenly, the worker’s pick collided with something metal. The vibration sent from the tip of his tool to his hands was intense, and he felt his body quake before the feeling faded.
The second worker grinned. “Perhaps you talk too soon?” He looked over at the men overseeing the dig and cupped his hands. “We found something!”
The other workers swarmed over to where the pick had found metal and quickly uncovered a large, metallic shell in the shape of a man.
“What is this thing? Some kind of statue?” said Alam.
Before the second worker could answer, the gigantic mechanoid grabbed him and squeezed, breaking his spine instantly. The workers screamed but the armoured menace was loose, and nothing would stop its rampage…
Wonder Woman stepped through the glistening orange portal that led to Laputa, the Justice League’s island headquarters, and emerged behind the Guardian and Hawkman, both poring over satellite footage fed directly into the Justice League’s computer banks.
Outside, the Justice League’s base was ravaged by the tropical storm currently moving across the globe, but the structural integrity of their island was secure, no fear of damage coming to the buildings, or those inside. Soon the storm would pass over them, the silence of the eye moving overhead, until the winds raged on once more…
“Another country is on the verge of war,” said Hawkman. “Their neighbour country has been accused of aggressive acts close to the border, and troop movements are concerning.”
“That’s the thirteenth then,” said the Guardian. He grasped his forehead, a low whistle emanating from his lips. “The whole world is at boiling point. Why is this happening and why now? Why today?”
Wonder Woman stood silent behind the two warriors, a concerned expression on her face. This was antithetical to her mission in Patriarch’s world. War breaking out at such speed across the face of the Earth? Who could be responsible? Who indeed…
“…Ares,” said Wonder Woman. “The God of War. Ares. This has his evil stench all over it. Somehow he’s manipulating the temperament of the world.”
“How do you know?” said the Guardian.
Hawkman placed a hand on the Guardian’s shoulder. “If she knows, she knows.”
James Harper leaned back and breathed in slowly. “Right. Okay. So what do you suggest we do?”
“I had a dream last night. Ares stood atop the ashes of the world. My dreams sometimes take on a prophetic quality… I only pray that the dreams were a warning, and not a vision of the future.”
The two men looked at each other nervously. “A dream?” said the Guardian.
“Yes. What’s wrong?”
“That’s why we’re here at this unsociable hour,” said Hawkman. “I dreamt of war. Hawk Knights falling at the hands of the Rann sky military. I nearly returned home via Boom Tube… the fire in my blood took time to cool before my senses returned to me. My sources back home on Thanagar tell me that all is quiet. War is not being waged.”
“Yeah, me too. Same as Hol but deduct sky pirates and add Nazis,” said the Guardian. “I’m simplifying, but we had dreams of war and now the world is on the brink. It’s an epidemic.”
“Some kind of psychic infection, perhaps?” said Wonder Woman. “A fever of war transmitted by the act of sleep. Of dream. Then perhaps it’s not Ares, but that was simply… no. No. I can feel it in my soul. This is Ares. I need to speak to Athena.”
“You’ve not mentioned your pantheon for a while,” said Hawkman. “How do you even go about conversing with the gods?”
“I have not held congress with them for some time,” said Wonder Woman. “My attention has been diverted away from Paradise Island and my patrons, instead focused more on my mission out in the world. With the Justice League, too. Perhaps it is time I journey to Olympus and request council from Athena herself…”
“If this is Ares, you shouldn’t go alone,” said the Guardian. “You need back up.”
“Not just anybody can walk the halls of Olympus, James,” said Wonder Woman.
The Guardian smiled. “Hey, I’m not volunteering myself for this.” He motioned behind Diana. “But how about some gods of our own?”
Wonder Woman turned to see Big Barda and Mister Miracle standing ready for action. Scott was clearly grinning under his mask. “We would never leave you hanging when you need us the most. Especially when my best dreams of escape are interrupted by nightmares of Apokolips raining fire down upon the world.”
Barda nodded. “Our own New God of War is busy hunting for his father across the cosmos with the rest of our pantheon, I would rather enjoy meeting an Old God of War in his stead. And breaking his skull open if needs must.”
“I’m thankful this place is protected against the prying eyes of those who might peer down from the skies,” said Wonder Woman. “Ares wouldn’t take too kindly to such threats.”
“Threats?” Barda looked legitimately shocked, then her mouth shifted into a wicked smile. “It was a promise.”
“You three are on reconnaissance then,” said the Guardian. “We’ll continue to monitor the situation Earth-side. Demonstrate some of our own divine intervention if any situations escalate down here.”
“I’ll contact the rest of the active team,” said Hawkman. “Get as many bodies on the island, ready in case of emergency.”
“Good call. Good luck, folks. Call if you need anything,” said the Guardian, patting his shield. “I’ve fought so-called ‘gods’ before. They never live up to my lofty expectations.”
Athena, Queen of the Greek Gods and Goddess of Wisdom sat at the edge of the scrying pool and watched as three figures stood in front of the physical door that stood atop Mount Olympus, visible to few, accessible to even less. If you were blessed, or held the right magicks in your heart, you could knock, perhaps even open the door. Athena watched as Wonder Woman knelt and began to pray.
“Respectful to a fault,” said Athena, as she waved a hand across the pool and the three Justice Leaguers were pulled into the halls of the gods. “Welcome to Olympus, champions of the mortal world.”
“My lady Athena, it is an honour to be in your presence once again,” said Wonder Woman, who quickly took a knee. Barda and Scott looked at each other but made no move.
“For you, perhaps. Your comrades, less so?” said Athena.
“Athena, we’re not exactly the worshipping types,” said Scott.
“Oh?” said Athena, cocking an eyebrow. She paused for a moment to yawn, then turned her attention back to the Justice Leaguers.
“If Wonder Woman vouches for you, then of course, we are honoured,” said Barda, bowing. Scott joined in the action, though he looked apprehensive in the action.
“What brings you to the halls of the gods, Diana?”
“Ares manifested in my dreams,” said Wonder Woman. “I wondered if Morpheus himself sent the images as a warning. Some coming storm with the God of War at the helm.”
“Morpheus is currently in a deep slumber,” said Athena. She pulled the veil away from the scene, and the four of them stood in the God of Dreams’ chambers, around the sleeping form of Morpheus. “An incantation has rendered Morpheus in a constant state of sleeping.”
The God of Dreams lay perfectly still apart from the steady breathing that came with being at rest. Strings of dark light rose from his eyes, nose and ears, thickest from his mouth. The darkness twinkled like a star field, and wended up toward the ceiling, where it pooled to show Earth hanging in orbit, suspended in the void.
“Poisoned?” said Mister Miracle, trying not to be distracted by the marvel above their heads.
“We have our suspicions,” said Athena. “Asclepius does not believe the effects will last indefinitely. But for now, he sleeps.”
“There’s your smoking gun,” said Mister Miracle.
“The war dreams,” said Athena. “You believe them to be connected to Morpheus’s own slumber?”
“You know of the dreams?” said Wonder Woman.
Athena laughed quietly then opened her eyes wide, focusing on her words. “Everyone seems to forget that I’m not just a God of Wisdom. I’m a God of War, too, Diana. Conflict is not just Ares’ domain.”
Wonder Woman couldn’t help but be concerned over her patron’s body language. Athena almost seemed disconnected to what was going on, her eyes lolled shut for moments at a time before she realised she was drifting off. “My lady, I apologise for my impudence, but are you all right?”
“Ares’ dream epidemic is strongest on Olympus, but while all the gods sleep, I remain awake, a thread of power from these dreams… keeping me here, cognisant. If I am kept… awake… albeit… only slightly, then know that Ares is drawing power from the dreams. .. Our judgement is clouded, while his remains crystal clear. You must… must… stop him… he and his… his…” Athena collapsed and Wonder Woman caught her before she could hit the floor.
Wonder Woman felt her heart heave as she watched her patron collapse. The Goddess of Wisdom’s name left Diana’s lips as the champion of Themyscira rushed to her side, fear forming at the fringes of her being. “Athena…” gasped Wonder Woman. Something terrible was coming—something terrible was here—and it had taken the gods out of the equation--!
“Justice League emergency,” said the Guardian, as the klaxons blared. “Details incoming.” The screen in front of him filled with information, and his eyes widened as the facts came in. “Holy Christ, get me satellite coverage on the Bialya wastelands.”
The computer conducted the task diligently, and soon enough, the Justice League’s satellite zoomed in on the events unfolding in the wastelands of Bialya. There was an immense hole in the ground, and signs of chaos leading from the pit to the west, the Bialyan army following close behind. Marching straight toward the border of Khandaq. Oddly enough, even though they could see the military might of Bialya, there was no sign of what caused the initial chaos, apart from heavy, thudding footsteps deep in the desert sands.
“Who called it in?” said Hawkman, checking his armour.
“One of Colonel Harjavti’s advisors,” said the Guardian. He almost smiled at the insanity of the situation. “I never thought I’d have lived to see the day where someone from that regime actually wanted to do some good.”
“It looks like they dug up something that they shouldn’t have,” said Hawkman. He picked up his mace. “I’m going down there. If whatever it is reaches Khandaq, we’re going to have a war on our hands.”
“I’m getting some weird readings across the board,” said Cyborg. “Some kind of… energy signature following the troop movements.”
Blue Beetle began clicking his fingers rapidly, working a thought through his head. “I think it’s a manifestation of the… quote unquote ‘spell’ that’s been cast across the world,” he said. “Jeez, when did my speciality become ‘weird science’, guys? When did that become my major? If we allow that manifestation to reach optimum levels and, I don’t know, trigger? Trigger, then I think it could be the tipping point. Set off these kinds of events across the world.”
“Where are you getting all that from, Beetle?” said Hawkman.
“I’ve been studying up on all the weird, esoteric nonsense we deal with on a month-to-month basis. The temporal event last month that the Guardian told us about with the past and present colliding, going back to the Black Sun incident, the Starro migration, every crazy science thing where physics goes crazy-- that’s my bedtime reading. This has all the hallmarks of a very dangerous moment in time. We need to lock it down.”
“You and me both. I wish Wonder Woman hadn’t taken our tank with her,” said the Guardian. “I’d have liked to have Barda on the ground for this…”
“Who are you kidding? Wonder Woman is one of the tanks,” said Hawkman. “Where’s Majestros?”
“Uh, guys?” said Blue Beetle. He stood huddled around a monitor with the Atom and Doctor Light.
The Guardian pulled up the feed on the screen the trio were watching,
Across the world, in the middle of trouble, Majestic floated before the Bialyan army, arms folded.
“Seven Devils, that arrogant--” cursed Hawkman. “Door!”
“I see,” said Majestic.
Towering over the desert was an immense automaton of unknown design to the Kheran warlord.
Black and silver armour glistened in the high desert sun, red nodules throbbing with energy across the automaton’s body. On the back of the thing, an odd, keyhole-like void was present, a curious configuration of gears and cogs rotating visibly under the surface. It had thin slits for eyes and as Majestic looked the thing over, the slits began to glow.
“By order of the Justice League, I demand that you--” The automaton swatted Majestic out of there and sent him barrelling out of sight. A split second later, the Justice League were on the scene, and Majestic was back-- and angry.
“You’re being played,” growled Hawkman, directing his anger at the leader of the army, his words translated instantly into the relevant language by his helm’s speakers. “You’ve been infected with a war fever by--”
“Our prayers were answered,” said a General, his English clunky but clear. “Bialya worships a new god.”
Hawkman was tapped on the shoulder. He raised his mace and turned, and saw a glint of a smile before he was punched into the ground.
Ares laughed. “Hello, Justice League. Are you ready for war?”
Majestic grabbed Ares by the shoulders and dragged him up into the air. The God of War pummelled at the chest of the Kheran, but the hero didn’t buckle. Ares intensified his attack, punching and punching and punching, but Majestic arched up, into the sky.
“You’re not Superman,” said Ares, his helmet flying off as the atmosphere began to thin. “Alien, but different.”
“I am Majestros of Khera!” roared Majestic, blood dribbling from his mouth. The blows of Ares had ruptured his insides, he could feel his torso ache and demand relief, but he refused to relent. “And I deny you!” He lifted Ares up above his head and then threw him down, straight toward the automaton engaging the rest of the Justice League.
A massive cloud of dust raised up on impact, and the League covered their faces. Hawkman dragged himself up from the hole he’d been punched into, his helmet buckled and his teeth red with blood, while Doctor Light raised her hand to the Bialyan army.
“Stop this! Your actions could ignite global Armageddon!”
Ares stood up, back straight, as the mechanoid continued its march toward Khandaq’s border.
“That’s the idea, my dear doctor,” said Ares. He patted the automaton’s side. “The Annihilator suit will reduce that nation to dust, and oh, how the dominos will fall. Now is not the time for peace. Now is the time for--”
Majestic swung a fist into Ares face, knocking him back, sending the bulking, towering lord of war careening through the ranks of the soldiers behind him.
“I am sick of speeches,” said Majestic. He crouched down, spat blood, and then drew a line in the sand with a finger. “You will not take one step further. There will be no war today.”
“But that’s all I am,” said Ares, drawing his blade. “I once was the lord of the underworld* but Diana ensured that the kingdom of the dead was taken away from me**.”
“You mistake me for someone who cares,” said Majestic. “Lay down your arms and turn back. You may still survive this day, so-called God of War.”
Ares scoffed. “‘So-called’? Read your history books, alien! I am all that ever was when conflict reigned! And I am your end!” He dove toward Majestic and the hero took off, meeting him halfway and swatting Ares’ sword away, into the crowd.
The Annihilator took a step forward and Doctor Light raised her hands, and the surrounding area around the battle began to darken. Globules of energy were sucked into her being, and she strained, containing the radiation as she prepared herself, glowing brighter and brighter all the while. The space around her began to dim, appearing to become blindspots in the eyes of those who watched.
“World’s going dark, what’s happening?” said Beetle, his BB Gun raised and aimed at the army behind the Annihilator.
“I’m scanning across all visual frequencies-- Kimiyo is absorbing ambient light from the area, intercepting it before it reaches our eyes. She’s turning herself into a battery--” Cyborg’s eye widened. “--Oh, crap, we need to take cover.”
“What? Why? Oh, oh no, I get it--” said Beetle. He grabbed the Atom and the three men turned, taking cover behind the large frame of Cyborg, whose sensors popped up out of his back to monitor the situation.
Doctor Light screamed as she blasted the Annihilator armour with an assault that caused the desert to fade from view momentarily. Beneath her, the sands turned to glass, and the Annihilator was engulfed to such a degree that no one could see the automaton, white dots filling their eyes instead.
Hawkman caught Doctor Light as she fell back, but she refused to stay down. “Did-- did I--?”
Scorched white, red nodules throbbing blue instead of red, the Annihilator was perfectly still after the onslaught, the desert surrounding him blasted to glass.
“I don’t know,” said Hawkman. “Stay down.”
“No,” said Doctor Light. “That thing could start a world war that will end us all.”
The Annihilator rumbled back to life, and began its slow march toward the Justice League.
“Oh, Seven Hells,” whispered Hawkman.
“I gave it… everything…” said Doctor Light. “I’m empty.”
“Get clear,” said Hawkman, as Doctor Light stepped through one of the Justice League’s portals back to Laputa’s medical bay. Katar turned to the others. “Any ideas?”
“Nth metal might disrupt the magical nature of the thing,” said Beetle. “You got some swing in that arm of yours?”
Hawkman grimaced. “One way to find out.” Hawkman raised his mace and shot up into the sky, before descending toward the Annihilator. “For Earth!”
“Did he just--?” said Blue Beetle, watching Hawkman dive toward the Annihilator. “Oh, okay. So we deal with the army?”
“I’m surprised they’ve not killed us yet,” said the Atom.
“Shocked and awed by the flying folk and the light-blasting lady,” said Beetle. “They’ll get over their stage fright soon enough. C’mon!”
“I’ve checked the halls of the individual gods, and they’re all asleep. They won’t even awake to answer my prayers,” said Wonder Woman. “Did your Mother Box tell you anything about Morpheus’ condition?”
“I’m afraid not, Diana,” said Mister Miracle. “There’s nothing more we can do here. They’re Gods. We need to find the cause of the problem and undo it, then they should return to normal. Their normal. Subjective normal.”
“We need to find Ares,” said Big Barda. “And beat an answer out of him.”
“Happily,” said Wonder Woman. “I had thought he’d been quiet for too long. It seems as if he’s been plotting something on a scale we couldn’t have imagined. Disabling his brother and sister Gods prevented their intervention. Now it’s just us.”
“We’ve fought Gods before, Diana. I am a God,” said Mister Miracle. “We should return to Earth and see if the others have found anything.”
In the wreckage of the previously-decommissioned tank, Batman wrenched the General up by the throat and grimaced as the sociopath ranted in his face. “This is my moment, Batman! My war! This is my calling! You can’t do this to me! Not--”
Batman knocked him out with a punch, and watched him crumple to the floor. “Back to juvie hall for you.”
Commissioner Gordon approached the scene with his service weapon raised-- but when he saw the General out of action, he holstered it. “Damn shame.”
Batman cocked an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Gordon handcuffed the General and hoisted him up. “You know the kid’s story, I’m sure.”
“Ulysses Hadrian Armstrong. A dangerous psychotic who just so happens to be a teenager. Burnt down the military academy he studied at. Killed dozens. A criminal, Jim.”
“And according to the doctors at the hospital, they thought he had overcome his military obsession and was turning over a new leaf,” said Gordon. “Guess they couldn’t have been more wrong. Then again, all that nonsense he was spouting about this being his moment… I have to say, a lot of folks down at Central are having the worst dreams. Myself included. Felt like I was back in the Middle East.”
“Dreams?” said Batman.
“Ha, that piqued your interest, didn’t it? Yeah, gunfire and violence. Like being back in the desert,” said Gordon. “I’ve had the dreams before. We all do, those of us who served. But this… they’re so intense… can…” He clutched his head. “Hrm. Just thinking about it hurts.”
Batman’s brow furrowed. “I’ll look into it, Jim. Stay out of trouble.” He fired a grapnel up toward the rooftops, and vanished from sight. {This is Batman, Justice League status: Active. Tell me what’s going on.}
“Good God,” said the Guardian. He considered stepping through space and facing off with the Annihilator, but a proximity alarm went off instead-- something was on Laputa that shouldn’t have been. “What now?”
He activated the live stream from the cameras aimed at the harbour, and couldn’t help but be astounded at the furious storm raging outside.
“Is that?”
James enhanced the feed and was shocked to see a woman, wrapped in swathes of cloth, standing on the harbour at the base of the island. The woman, soaked to the skin but obscured by the shadows cast by the protective walls surrounding the island, stood, the thunderous waves that licked at the top of the wall splashing at her feet.
Harper grabbed his mask and rushed to the exit closest to where he saw the woman and opened the heavy doors, only to be struck by the immense winds that were whipping the waves up outside. He gripped the handle nearest the door before he braced himself, his costume quickly soaked through by the torrential rain, and pushed out to the outside where the storm raged.
“Oh, God,” whispered the Guardian.
Behind the woman a wave crested, towering over the island and her, spelling instant disaster if it impacted against her small frame.
“What am I thinking-- Door.” A rectangular, orange portal swirled into existence beside Harper and he stepped through, grabbing the woman as he appeared next to her, then pulling the two of them back to safety. He sealed the metal shutters separating the outside and the interior of the base, and felt the island shake as the wave hit.
“Lady, you sure picked the wrong moment to turn up unannounced-- who the hell are you?”
“Does Diana not speak of me?” The woman ran her hands across her face and through her long, purple hair. “I had thought us enemies of the deepest kind. Does she not mention the witch queen Circe?”
The Guardian raised his fist ready to knock the woman down but she hurriedly raised her own hands in surrender.
“No, no, I’m sorry, you mistake my grandstanding for intent-- I just-- sometimes it’s difficult to break a habit of villainous monologuing,” Circe smiled mischievously. “My ex-lover is currently inflicting war across Man’s World, and I thought now would be best to take my leave of him. You see--” she began to remove the layers of cloth-- robes, the Guardian gathered, “--I’m pregnant with his child, and while he has evil intent, I intend nothing but love for our child. Justice Leaguer-- I have no idea who you are supposed to be, by the way-- I seek asylum from the God of War himself.”
“You have chosen the worst day for this,” said the Guardian.
{This is Batman, Justice League status: Active. What’s happened in my absence?}
The Guardian didn’t take his eyes off Circe. {Gods of War and witch queens, Batman. It’s going to be a long one.}
NEXT ISSUE: ARES grows more powerful as the psychic war fever grips the world, and the only thing that stands between him and world domination is WONDER WOMAN and the JUSTICE LEAGUE. But when the Witch Queen CIRCE stands revealed as his betrayer, will the God of War's almighty rage be something they have a prayer of defusing before the planet descends into chaos?
“I’m surprised it took so long for your kind to find me,” said Lord Naga, standing behind the body of Grace Choi and the shredded remains of Red Tornado. “I mean, I would have thought I’d be public enemy number one, even if there are already two of me in custody*.”
Black Canary breathed in sharply, stepped in front of her teammates, and unleashed her sonic scream. Naga stood his ground, even as his cape was torn to shreds, and it was amazing to see he was only pushed back ever so slightly, rather than bowled over and left clasping his popped ears.
“Oh, Canary, that’s rude,” said Naga. “I’ve gone toe-to-toe with Superman. You think a bit of a shriek will send me to my knees?”
“Yikes, no wonder the League wanted nothing to do with him, this guy yaps,” said Plastic Man. He sent a fist flying toward Naga’s face, but a hand caught it before it could impact. Eel was shocked. “Grace! What are you doing?”
“There is no god but god,” said Grace, in a flat monotone, clutching Plastic Man’s prehensile fist in her own.
“Oh, I made a new friend,” said Naga. “She took care of your robot for me. Do you want to know how I did it?” Grace yanked Eel forward and Naga took a hold of his hand with his own bare fingers. “Plastic Man, incapacitate Manhunter, Huntress and--” A crossbow bolt shot through Naga’s shoulder and out the other side, causing the leader of the Kobra cult to cry out in shock.
Plastic Man turned to Naga’s attacker and swung his other fist around before she could say something scathing, knocking her off her feet and into the back wall. Manhunter made a move toward Grace but Eel wrapped his arm around her torso and threw her toward Choi, who knocked her out with one punch.
Animal Man, Batwoman and Black Canary were left standing, and in complete and utter shock. “Plastic Man-- Grace--“ started Barbara.
Animal Man reached into the Red and went Rhino. On all fours he charged toward Lord Naga, disregarding anything else around him. He was about to shift into African Elephant, over six tons of mass against this insipid cult leader, but Grace stepped in front of Lord Naga and he screeched to a halt, only to be entangled by Plastic Man and punched repeatedly in the face by his teammates. Africal Elephant only helped him so much, and it wasn’t long before he was unconscious.
“Faith… to Kali… Yuga!” spat Naga, wrenching the bolt out of his arm. “You didn’t think to bring backup?”
“What did you do to them?” demanded Batwoman.
“I shared my gift with them,” said Naga, brushing his hands over the face of the battered Animal Man. “Plastic Man, bring your other unconscious teammates over to me, please.”
Black Canary stepped over the body of Huntress. “Don’t you touch--” Eel slapped her out of the way and she turned her Canary Cry on him, sending ripples through his body. Even as the sound wave ploughed into him, he dragged Huntress and Manhunter over toward Lord Naga.
“Justice League, this is Batwoman, we have an--” Batwoman checked her comms but the signal was being jammed. Lord Naga simply laughed at her attempt to call for help.
“Toe-to-toe with Superman, Batwoman! I have every contingency in place, including comms jamming,” said Lord Naga. “Grace, please break Black Canary’s jaw.”
Grace Choi moved toward Canary, who grimaced at the sight of Grace pounding toward her, fists raised. Dinah flipped over Choi’s head, well aware that a fistfight wouldn’t end well for her. But with her martial prowess, if she could just knock her out, get her out of the game-- she took Grace’s legs out from underneath her with a spin kick and was about to perform a Canary Cry in close proximity, modulated at such a level as to knock her out, when Plastic Man-- who had restrained Batwoman with one arm-- wrapped a hand around her mouth and twisted, dislocating her jaw instantly.
Dinah cried out, but was unable to speak, her jaw swelling before it was able to relocate. Grace grabbed her foot, dragged her down, and punched her square in the mouth, knocking her out and finishing the job Plastic Man started.
“If my other disciples wouldn’t get so jealous, I’d be half-inclined to keep you all,” said Lord Naga. “My own set of Outsiders…”
“How… are you… doing this?” spat Batwoman.
Naga pushed his fingers across Batwoman’s face, covering her mouth, and spoke slowly. “Stop moving.”
Batwoman did as she was told.
“Good. Well behaved.” Lord Naga began to unclasp his mask and with one theatrical flourish, revealed his face to Barbara. “I am, of course, who I always was.”
“Jason Burr,” said Batwoman. “How are you here? What are you doing?”
Jason’s skin was pale grey, horrific, scarified scales covering his flesh. His eyes were the greenest green, reptilian irises visible when Batwoman stared at him. “You won’t be in much position to do anything about it, so why not have some exposition?”
Burr looked over to Plastic Man. “Bring the Outsiders over here, please.” The Outsiders were dragged to his feet, and Naga patted Plastic Man on the shoulder. In turn, he touched the faces of each member of the team. “You will forget everything that happened here.”
Finally, Burr turned back to Batwoman. “My brother thought he was the brains of the operation. But his first mistake was keeping me locked in the dark for thirty years. At first, I was his prisoner, but when they began their experiments on me, I soon learned I had the potential inside me to become something great. I shed my skin, you see, and that husk can become an exact duplicate. You know of mad Jason and good Jason, up in the outside world. Their predilections were decided by my second ability. My touch compels action. If I shake someone’s hand and give an order, they’ll do just that. Instant recruitment. Instant control. That’s how I got your Grace over there to tear Red Tornado to bits when they arrived. I’ve been tracking you since you arrived in my Arctic base. Good work on the DNA lock, by the way.”
“You were your brother’s prisoner, he kept you locked up--”
“For appearance’s sake,” said Jason. “As soon as my powers manifested, I took control of Kobra through him. It was I who killed the pretender King Kobra last year. After every action I returned to the relative comfort of my cell, and I, of course, had access to the teleport matrix behind the wall.”
“But the experiments he had performed on you--”
“On my command, dear girl. They were used to help enhance my power. Extend my compulsion touch,” said Jason. “At first my control was only for the duration of skin-on-skin contact. Now I need only a slight touch, and then I can continue to give orders. For example--” He looked over to Plastic Man. “--Go to sleep.” Eel keeled over. “Simple.”
“But you… you faced off against the Justice League… you could have taken control of Superman, Wonder Woman, any of them--”
“When it wasn’t the exoskeleton around my dear dead brother, it was mad Jason out in the world. Good Jason, compelled to have no memory of being the leader of the cult, faced the test of Wonder Woman’s lasso.” Jason laughed. “I was scared that it might pick apart the truth then, but I programmed not an ounce of bad in him. I saved that for me.” He looked at his scaled hand. “Of course, my compulsive touch is my gift, and mine alone. The duplicates I created have only my wits and my programming. They know, are, everything I want them to be, and nothing more.”
“You ordered your own brother into your cell to give you the perfect alibi,” said Batwoman.
“You’re getting it now,” said Jason. He looked down and could see Batwoman clench her fists, and he slapped her across the face. “Do not resist me.”
Batwoman swallowed, something in her chest clenching.
“Good. Good. So yes, Jeffrey came running down and I swapped places with good Jason. Told him to unclip my brother’s gun holster and shoot him when it was clear that Jeffrey couldn’t be talked down. I pushed dear brother to madness then and there, before those soldiers came down. Gave him every bad thought inside me. Drove him a little mad.”
“That’s why he was ranting when they found him,” said Batwoman.
“You’ve got it, you clever girl,” said Jeffrey. He clipped his stone mask back over his face and nodded. “Now, I have no wanting to rehash old arguments with the Justice League, so killing you is out of the question.” He rolled his fingers across Batwoman’s cheek as she struggled. “You will forget you ever saw me down here.”
“Nnnnno,” growled Batwoman. She was the last Outsider standing, but the touch of Lord Naga was so overpowering, she could barely think straight.
“You will forget you ever came this far or I will make you kill yourself,” hissed Naga. He leaned in close to her ear. “I could do so much worse, but if you think, killing you would be such an inconvenience. The Justice League think me defeated, locked up, or harmless. There are two of me out in the world, and the third, the true me, lurking in the shadows, waiting for my moment to strike. If you go, forgetting what you’ve seen, you might be able to find me once more, you might be able to strike me down before I ruin the world. So, you can either forget, or die horribly. Make a choice, Batwoman.”
Blood dribbled down from Barbara Gordon’s nostrils as she tried to resist Lord Naga’s powers, but he had his hooks in her-- at the last moment, she gasped, exhaled like every bit of air in her lungs was tainted, then passed out.
Grace Choi stood perfectly still nearby, unable to override the command given to her by Lord Naga. He turned casually, and walked over to her. He took her hand and smiled, rubbing his thumb against her palm. “Take your teammates and return to whatever place you call home. Once you’re on the other side of the portal, you will claim you were attacked by, oh, I don’t know… that damned Secret Society of Super Villains. Let them take up your time. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” replied Grace.
“Thank you, young lady. Now, go,” Lord Naga turned away from her and headed down the corridor to his science centre, where the next stages of his plan were about to unfold.
STORMWATCH has been defeated and the GLOBAL PEACE AGENCY has been reinstated, leaving the JUSTICE LEAGUE back on top of the world!
While the world keeps turning, the team have faced what comes their way and been victorious in the end, but as we enter a new year, what challenges await the World’s Greatest Heroes?
It all begins here…
With all this in mind, please join us now for the continuing adventures of the JUSTICE LEAGUE--
JUSTICE LEAGUE ROLL-CALL:
THE ATOM | THE BATMAN | BIG BARDA |
BLUE BEETLE | CYBORG | DOCTOR LIGHT | THE GUARDIAN |
HAWKMAN | MAJESTIC | MISTER MIRACLE | WONDER WOMAN |
“As long as there is peace, there will be the threat of war.”
The voices floated across the void.
“There cannot be peace without war coming first.”
Darkness receded as light approached.
“There cannot be war without peace having passed.”
Spreading fast, it became clear that the light was actually an inferno.
“One leads to the other, never-ending.”
The world stood below, turning to ash.
“One rises from the ashes of the other.”
A figure stood amongst the ruins of the world, his armoured visage turning toward the dreamer.
“Bloodshed. Terror. Horror. Violence. The children of war.”
The armoured figure reached out and with his hand wrapped around the throat of the dreamer-- he squeezed--
Wonder Woman opened her eyes and awoke in Themyscira House’s bed chambers, the thrashing sounds of the Manhattan rain dulled by the enchantments at the walls. Her skin was prickled with goosebumps, a physical occurrence she rarely experienced.
Dazed, Diana entered the bathroom and ran the tap. She splashed her face with water, and looked at her tired reflection. She gasped when her eyes found the markings around her throat. Bruises left by the grasp of a dream.
“…Ares,” whispered Wonder Woman, the markings quickly fading.
JUSTICE LEAGUE
Issue Fifty-One: “Dreams Of War And Annihilation”
HoM / ARTTEACH / BOWERS
THE WASTELANDS EAST OF BIALYA:
Regardless of how it was portrayed in the western media, Bialya wasn’t a hellhole. By no means was it a utopia, but at least Colonel Rumaan Harjavti ruled relatively consistently, even if there were occasional flare-ups of the hereditary madness that fuelled his visions.
Rumaan was a running joke to the international community. Capable of flying off the handle at a moment’s notice, the bane of the many ambassadors who wanted to maintain positive relations with the suspected-nuclear-enabled nation, but never stepping over the line that would send chaos into the world.
Rumaan’s current obsession was Khandaq, the neighbouring kingdom who rejected overtures from the Bialyan government to create an alliance. The slight was enough to drive Rumaan into a fury, and with military movement on either side of the border… it would be terrible if something escalated the situation…
Not far from the nation’s capital, hundreds of workers excavated a historical site, tonnes of dirt and sand lifted out of the immense pit by their steady digging, their hard work already having produced a hole deeper than most buildings’ foundations. As of yet, they’d found nothing.
“Why are we doing this?” said one of the workers. “Why do we continue entertaining the Colonel’s madness?*”
*Translated from the native tongue of Bialya
“Quiet, Alam. Few others here share your treasonous views of the government. Besides, I heard this place came to Harjavti in his dreams. According to him, a weapon of great power sleeps beneath the sands of the wasteland, just waiting to be found for the next eternal battle.” He grimaced. “Did you see the shrine he had built near the royal palace?”
“Yeah. I didn’t recognise the markings on the walls.” Alam shook his head incredulously. “But a dream? We truly dig for a madman.”
Suddenly, the worker’s pick collided with something metal. The vibration sent from the tip of his tool to his hands was intense, and he felt his body quake before the feeling faded.
The second worker grinned. “Perhaps you talk too soon?” He looked over at the men overseeing the dig and cupped his hands. “We found something!”
The other workers swarmed over to where the pick had found metal and quickly uncovered a large, metallic shell in the shape of a man.
“What is this thing? Some kind of statue?” said Alam.
Before the second worker could answer, the gigantic mechanoid grabbed him and squeezed, breaking his spine instantly. The workers screamed but the armoured menace was loose, and nothing would stop its rampage…
LAPUTA:
Wonder Woman stepped through the glistening orange portal that led to Laputa, the Justice League’s island headquarters, and emerged behind the Guardian and Hawkman, both poring over satellite footage fed directly into the Justice League’s computer banks.
Outside, the Justice League’s base was ravaged by the tropical storm currently moving across the globe, but the structural integrity of their island was secure, no fear of damage coming to the buildings, or those inside. Soon the storm would pass over them, the silence of the eye moving overhead, until the winds raged on once more…
“Another country is on the verge of war,” said Hawkman. “Their neighbour country has been accused of aggressive acts close to the border, and troop movements are concerning.”
“That’s the thirteenth then,” said the Guardian. He grasped his forehead, a low whistle emanating from his lips. “The whole world is at boiling point. Why is this happening and why now? Why today?”
Wonder Woman stood silent behind the two warriors, a concerned expression on her face. This was antithetical to her mission in Patriarch’s world. War breaking out at such speed across the face of the Earth? Who could be responsible? Who indeed…
“…Ares,” said Wonder Woman. “The God of War. Ares. This has his evil stench all over it. Somehow he’s manipulating the temperament of the world.”
“How do you know?” said the Guardian.
Hawkman placed a hand on the Guardian’s shoulder. “If she knows, she knows.”
James Harper leaned back and breathed in slowly. “Right. Okay. So what do you suggest we do?”
“I had a dream last night. Ares stood atop the ashes of the world. My dreams sometimes take on a prophetic quality… I only pray that the dreams were a warning, and not a vision of the future.”
The two men looked at each other nervously. “A dream?” said the Guardian.
“Yes. What’s wrong?”
“That’s why we’re here at this unsociable hour,” said Hawkman. “I dreamt of war. Hawk Knights falling at the hands of the Rann sky military. I nearly returned home via Boom Tube… the fire in my blood took time to cool before my senses returned to me. My sources back home on Thanagar tell me that all is quiet. War is not being waged.”
“Yeah, me too. Same as Hol but deduct sky pirates and add Nazis,” said the Guardian. “I’m simplifying, but we had dreams of war and now the world is on the brink. It’s an epidemic.”
“Some kind of psychic infection, perhaps?” said Wonder Woman. “A fever of war transmitted by the act of sleep. Of dream. Then perhaps it’s not Ares, but that was simply… no. No. I can feel it in my soul. This is Ares. I need to speak to Athena.”
“You’ve not mentioned your pantheon for a while,” said Hawkman. “How do you even go about conversing with the gods?”
“I have not held congress with them for some time,” said Wonder Woman. “My attention has been diverted away from Paradise Island and my patrons, instead focused more on my mission out in the world. With the Justice League, too. Perhaps it is time I journey to Olympus and request council from Athena herself…”
“If this is Ares, you shouldn’t go alone,” said the Guardian. “You need back up.”
“Not just anybody can walk the halls of Olympus, James,” said Wonder Woman.
The Guardian smiled. “Hey, I’m not volunteering myself for this.” He motioned behind Diana. “But how about some gods of our own?”
Wonder Woman turned to see Big Barda and Mister Miracle standing ready for action. Scott was clearly grinning under his mask. “We would never leave you hanging when you need us the most. Especially when my best dreams of escape are interrupted by nightmares of Apokolips raining fire down upon the world.”
Barda nodded. “Our own New God of War is busy hunting for his father across the cosmos with the rest of our pantheon, I would rather enjoy meeting an Old God of War in his stead. And breaking his skull open if needs must.”
“I’m thankful this place is protected against the prying eyes of those who might peer down from the skies,” said Wonder Woman. “Ares wouldn’t take too kindly to such threats.”
“Threats?” Barda looked legitimately shocked, then her mouth shifted into a wicked smile. “It was a promise.”
“You three are on reconnaissance then,” said the Guardian. “We’ll continue to monitor the situation Earth-side. Demonstrate some of our own divine intervention if any situations escalate down here.”
“I’ll contact the rest of the active team,” said Hawkman. “Get as many bodies on the island, ready in case of emergency.”
“Good call. Good luck, folks. Call if you need anything,” said the Guardian, patting his shield. “I’ve fought so-called ‘gods’ before. They never live up to my lofty expectations.”
MOUNT OLYMPUS:
Athena, Queen of the Greek Gods and Goddess of Wisdom sat at the edge of the scrying pool and watched as three figures stood in front of the physical door that stood atop Mount Olympus, visible to few, accessible to even less. If you were blessed, or held the right magicks in your heart, you could knock, perhaps even open the door. Athena watched as Wonder Woman knelt and began to pray.
“Respectful to a fault,” said Athena, as she waved a hand across the pool and the three Justice Leaguers were pulled into the halls of the gods. “Welcome to Olympus, champions of the mortal world.”
“My lady Athena, it is an honour to be in your presence once again,” said Wonder Woman, who quickly took a knee. Barda and Scott looked at each other but made no move.
“For you, perhaps. Your comrades, less so?” said Athena.
“Athena, we’re not exactly the worshipping types,” said Scott.
“Oh?” said Athena, cocking an eyebrow. She paused for a moment to yawn, then turned her attention back to the Justice Leaguers.
“If Wonder Woman vouches for you, then of course, we are honoured,” said Barda, bowing. Scott joined in the action, though he looked apprehensive in the action.
“What brings you to the halls of the gods, Diana?”
“Ares manifested in my dreams,” said Wonder Woman. “I wondered if Morpheus himself sent the images as a warning. Some coming storm with the God of War at the helm.”
“Morpheus is currently in a deep slumber,” said Athena. She pulled the veil away from the scene, and the four of them stood in the God of Dreams’ chambers, around the sleeping form of Morpheus. “An incantation has rendered Morpheus in a constant state of sleeping.”
The God of Dreams lay perfectly still apart from the steady breathing that came with being at rest. Strings of dark light rose from his eyes, nose and ears, thickest from his mouth. The darkness twinkled like a star field, and wended up toward the ceiling, where it pooled to show Earth hanging in orbit, suspended in the void.
“Poisoned?” said Mister Miracle, trying not to be distracted by the marvel above their heads.
“We have our suspicions,” said Athena. “Asclepius does not believe the effects will last indefinitely. But for now, he sleeps.”
“There’s your smoking gun,” said Mister Miracle.
“The war dreams,” said Athena. “You believe them to be connected to Morpheus’s own slumber?”
“You know of the dreams?” said Wonder Woman.
Athena laughed quietly then opened her eyes wide, focusing on her words. “Everyone seems to forget that I’m not just a God of Wisdom. I’m a God of War, too, Diana. Conflict is not just Ares’ domain.”
Wonder Woman couldn’t help but be concerned over her patron’s body language. Athena almost seemed disconnected to what was going on, her eyes lolled shut for moments at a time before she realised she was drifting off. “My lady, I apologise for my impudence, but are you all right?”
“Ares’ dream epidemic is strongest on Olympus, but while all the gods sleep, I remain awake, a thread of power from these dreams… keeping me here, cognisant. If I am kept… awake… albeit… only slightly, then know that Ares is drawing power from the dreams. .. Our judgement is clouded, while his remains crystal clear. You must… must… stop him… he and his… his…” Athena collapsed and Wonder Woman caught her before she could hit the floor.
Wonder Woman felt her heart heave as she watched her patron collapse. The Goddess of Wisdom’s name left Diana’s lips as the champion of Themyscira rushed to her side, fear forming at the fringes of her being. “Athena…” gasped Wonder Woman. Something terrible was coming—something terrible was here—and it had taken the gods out of the equation--!
LAPUTA:
“Justice League emergency,” said the Guardian, as the klaxons blared. “Details incoming.” The screen in front of him filled with information, and his eyes widened as the facts came in. “Holy Christ, get me satellite coverage on the Bialya wastelands.”
The computer conducted the task diligently, and soon enough, the Justice League’s satellite zoomed in on the events unfolding in the wastelands of Bialya. There was an immense hole in the ground, and signs of chaos leading from the pit to the west, the Bialyan army following close behind. Marching straight toward the border of Khandaq. Oddly enough, even though they could see the military might of Bialya, there was no sign of what caused the initial chaos, apart from heavy, thudding footsteps deep in the desert sands.
“Who called it in?” said Hawkman, checking his armour.
“One of Colonel Harjavti’s advisors,” said the Guardian. He almost smiled at the insanity of the situation. “I never thought I’d have lived to see the day where someone from that regime actually wanted to do some good.”
“It looks like they dug up something that they shouldn’t have,” said Hawkman. He picked up his mace. “I’m going down there. If whatever it is reaches Khandaq, we’re going to have a war on our hands.”
“I’m getting some weird readings across the board,” said Cyborg. “Some kind of… energy signature following the troop movements.”
Blue Beetle began clicking his fingers rapidly, working a thought through his head. “I think it’s a manifestation of the… quote unquote ‘spell’ that’s been cast across the world,” he said. “Jeez, when did my speciality become ‘weird science’, guys? When did that become my major? If we allow that manifestation to reach optimum levels and, I don’t know, trigger? Trigger, then I think it could be the tipping point. Set off these kinds of events across the world.”
“Where are you getting all that from, Beetle?” said Hawkman.
“I’ve been studying up on all the weird, esoteric nonsense we deal with on a month-to-month basis. The temporal event last month that the Guardian told us about with the past and present colliding, going back to the Black Sun incident, the Starro migration, every crazy science thing where physics goes crazy-- that’s my bedtime reading. This has all the hallmarks of a very dangerous moment in time. We need to lock it down.”
“You and me both. I wish Wonder Woman hadn’t taken our tank with her,” said the Guardian. “I’d have liked to have Barda on the ground for this…”
“Who are you kidding? Wonder Woman is one of the tanks,” said Hawkman. “Where’s Majestros?”
“Uh, guys?” said Blue Beetle. He stood huddled around a monitor with the Atom and Doctor Light.
The Guardian pulled up the feed on the screen the trio were watching,
Across the world, in the middle of trouble, Majestic floated before the Bialyan army, arms folded.
“Seven Devils, that arrogant--” cursed Hawkman. “Door!”
THE WASTELANDS EAST OF BIALYA:
“I see,” said Majestic.
Towering over the desert was an immense automaton of unknown design to the Kheran warlord.
Black and silver armour glistened in the high desert sun, red nodules throbbing with energy across the automaton’s body. On the back of the thing, an odd, keyhole-like void was present, a curious configuration of gears and cogs rotating visibly under the surface. It had thin slits for eyes and as Majestic looked the thing over, the slits began to glow.
“By order of the Justice League, I demand that you--” The automaton swatted Majestic out of there and sent him barrelling out of sight. A split second later, the Justice League were on the scene, and Majestic was back-- and angry.
“You’re being played,” growled Hawkman, directing his anger at the leader of the army, his words translated instantly into the relevant language by his helm’s speakers. “You’ve been infected with a war fever by--”
“Our prayers were answered,” said a General, his English clunky but clear. “Bialya worships a new god.”
Hawkman was tapped on the shoulder. He raised his mace and turned, and saw a glint of a smile before he was punched into the ground.
Ares laughed. “Hello, Justice League. Are you ready for war?”
Majestic grabbed Ares by the shoulders and dragged him up into the air. The God of War pummelled at the chest of the Kheran, but the hero didn’t buckle. Ares intensified his attack, punching and punching and punching, but Majestic arched up, into the sky.
“You’re not Superman,” said Ares, his helmet flying off as the atmosphere began to thin. “Alien, but different.”
“I am Majestros of Khera!” roared Majestic, blood dribbling from his mouth. The blows of Ares had ruptured his insides, he could feel his torso ache and demand relief, but he refused to relent. “And I deny you!” He lifted Ares up above his head and then threw him down, straight toward the automaton engaging the rest of the Justice League.
A massive cloud of dust raised up on impact, and the League covered their faces. Hawkman dragged himself up from the hole he’d been punched into, his helmet buckled and his teeth red with blood, while Doctor Light raised her hand to the Bialyan army.
“Stop this! Your actions could ignite global Armageddon!”
Ares stood up, back straight, as the mechanoid continued its march toward Khandaq’s border.
“That’s the idea, my dear doctor,” said Ares. He patted the automaton’s side. “The Annihilator suit will reduce that nation to dust, and oh, how the dominos will fall. Now is not the time for peace. Now is the time for--”
Majestic swung a fist into Ares face, knocking him back, sending the bulking, towering lord of war careening through the ranks of the soldiers behind him.
“I am sick of speeches,” said Majestic. He crouched down, spat blood, and then drew a line in the sand with a finger. “You will not take one step further. There will be no war today.”
“But that’s all I am,” said Ares, drawing his blade. “I once was the lord of the underworld* but Diana ensured that the kingdom of the dead was taken away from me**.”
*Way back in Wonder Woman #8
**That was in Wonder Woman #26
“You mistake me for someone who cares,” said Majestic. “Lay down your arms and turn back. You may still survive this day, so-called God of War.”
Ares scoffed. “‘So-called’? Read your history books, alien! I am all that ever was when conflict reigned! And I am your end!” He dove toward Majestic and the hero took off, meeting him halfway and swatting Ares’ sword away, into the crowd.
The Annihilator took a step forward and Doctor Light raised her hands, and the surrounding area around the battle began to darken. Globules of energy were sucked into her being, and she strained, containing the radiation as she prepared herself, glowing brighter and brighter all the while. The space around her began to dim, appearing to become blindspots in the eyes of those who watched.
“World’s going dark, what’s happening?” said Beetle, his BB Gun raised and aimed at the army behind the Annihilator.
“I’m scanning across all visual frequencies-- Kimiyo is absorbing ambient light from the area, intercepting it before it reaches our eyes. She’s turning herself into a battery--” Cyborg’s eye widened. “--Oh, crap, we need to take cover.”
“What? Why? Oh, oh no, I get it--” said Beetle. He grabbed the Atom and the three men turned, taking cover behind the large frame of Cyborg, whose sensors popped up out of his back to monitor the situation.
Doctor Light screamed as she blasted the Annihilator armour with an assault that caused the desert to fade from view momentarily. Beneath her, the sands turned to glass, and the Annihilator was engulfed to such a degree that no one could see the automaton, white dots filling their eyes instead.
Hawkman caught Doctor Light as she fell back, but she refused to stay down. “Did-- did I--?”
Scorched white, red nodules throbbing blue instead of red, the Annihilator was perfectly still after the onslaught, the desert surrounding him blasted to glass.
“I don’t know,” said Hawkman. “Stay down.”
“No,” said Doctor Light. “That thing could start a world war that will end us all.”
The Annihilator rumbled back to life, and began its slow march toward the Justice League.
“Oh, Seven Hells,” whispered Hawkman.
“I gave it… everything…” said Doctor Light. “I’m empty.”
“Get clear,” said Hawkman, as Doctor Light stepped through one of the Justice League’s portals back to Laputa’s medical bay. Katar turned to the others. “Any ideas?”
“Nth metal might disrupt the magical nature of the thing,” said Beetle. “You got some swing in that arm of yours?”
Hawkman grimaced. “One way to find out.” Hawkman raised his mace and shot up into the sky, before descending toward the Annihilator. “For Earth!”
“Did he just--?” said Blue Beetle, watching Hawkman dive toward the Annihilator. “Oh, okay. So we deal with the army?”
“I’m surprised they’ve not killed us yet,” said the Atom.
“Shocked and awed by the flying folk and the light-blasting lady,” said Beetle. “They’ll get over their stage fright soon enough. C’mon!”
MOUNT OLYMPUS:
“I’ve checked the halls of the individual gods, and they’re all asleep. They won’t even awake to answer my prayers,” said Wonder Woman. “Did your Mother Box tell you anything about Morpheus’ condition?”
“I’m afraid not, Diana,” said Mister Miracle. “There’s nothing more we can do here. They’re Gods. We need to find the cause of the problem and undo it, then they should return to normal. Their normal. Subjective normal.”
“We need to find Ares,” said Big Barda. “And beat an answer out of him.”
“Happily,” said Wonder Woman. “I had thought he’d been quiet for too long. It seems as if he’s been plotting something on a scale we couldn’t have imagined. Disabling his brother and sister Gods prevented their intervention. Now it’s just us.”
“We’ve fought Gods before, Diana. I am a God,” said Mister Miracle. “We should return to Earth and see if the others have found anything.”
GOTHAM CITY:
In the wreckage of the previously-decommissioned tank, Batman wrenched the General up by the throat and grimaced as the sociopath ranted in his face. “This is my moment, Batman! My war! This is my calling! You can’t do this to me! Not--”
Batman knocked him out with a punch, and watched him crumple to the floor. “Back to juvie hall for you.”
Commissioner Gordon approached the scene with his service weapon raised-- but when he saw the General out of action, he holstered it. “Damn shame.”
Batman cocked an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Gordon handcuffed the General and hoisted him up. “You know the kid’s story, I’m sure.”
“Ulysses Hadrian Armstrong. A dangerous psychotic who just so happens to be a teenager. Burnt down the military academy he studied at. Killed dozens. A criminal, Jim.”
“And according to the doctors at the hospital, they thought he had overcome his military obsession and was turning over a new leaf,” said Gordon. “Guess they couldn’t have been more wrong. Then again, all that nonsense he was spouting about this being his moment… I have to say, a lot of folks down at Central are having the worst dreams. Myself included. Felt like I was back in the Middle East.”
“Dreams?” said Batman.
“Ha, that piqued your interest, didn’t it? Yeah, gunfire and violence. Like being back in the desert,” said Gordon. “I’ve had the dreams before. We all do, those of us who served. But this… they’re so intense… can…” He clutched his head. “Hrm. Just thinking about it hurts.”
Batman’s brow furrowed. “I’ll look into it, Jim. Stay out of trouble.” He fired a grapnel up toward the rooftops, and vanished from sight. {This is Batman, Justice League status: Active. Tell me what’s going on.}
LAPUTA:
“Good God,” said the Guardian. He considered stepping through space and facing off with the Annihilator, but a proximity alarm went off instead-- something was on Laputa that shouldn’t have been. “What now?”
He activated the live stream from the cameras aimed at the harbour, and couldn’t help but be astounded at the furious storm raging outside.
“Is that?”
James enhanced the feed and was shocked to see a woman, wrapped in swathes of cloth, standing on the harbour at the base of the island. The woman, soaked to the skin but obscured by the shadows cast by the protective walls surrounding the island, stood, the thunderous waves that licked at the top of the wall splashing at her feet.
Harper grabbed his mask and rushed to the exit closest to where he saw the woman and opened the heavy doors, only to be struck by the immense winds that were whipping the waves up outside. He gripped the handle nearest the door before he braced himself, his costume quickly soaked through by the torrential rain, and pushed out to the outside where the storm raged.
“Oh, God,” whispered the Guardian.
Behind the woman a wave crested, towering over the island and her, spelling instant disaster if it impacted against her small frame.
“What am I thinking-- Door.” A rectangular, orange portal swirled into existence beside Harper and he stepped through, grabbing the woman as he appeared next to her, then pulling the two of them back to safety. He sealed the metal shutters separating the outside and the interior of the base, and felt the island shake as the wave hit.
“Lady, you sure picked the wrong moment to turn up unannounced-- who the hell are you?”
“Does Diana not speak of me?” The woman ran her hands across her face and through her long, purple hair. “I had thought us enemies of the deepest kind. Does she not mention the witch queen Circe?”
The Guardian raised his fist ready to knock the woman down but she hurriedly raised her own hands in surrender.
“No, no, I’m sorry, you mistake my grandstanding for intent-- I just-- sometimes it’s difficult to break a habit of villainous monologuing,” Circe smiled mischievously. “My ex-lover is currently inflicting war across Man’s World, and I thought now would be best to take my leave of him. You see--” she began to remove the layers of cloth-- robes, the Guardian gathered, “--I’m pregnant with his child, and while he has evil intent, I intend nothing but love for our child. Justice Leaguer-- I have no idea who you are supposed to be, by the way-- I seek asylum from the God of War himself.”
“You have chosen the worst day for this,” said the Guardian.
{This is Batman, Justice League status: Active. What’s happened in my absence?}
The Guardian didn’t take his eyes off Circe. {Gods of War and witch queens, Batman. It’s going to be a long one.}
TO BE CONCLUDED
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NEXT ISSUE: ARES grows more powerful as the psychic war fever grips the world, and the only thing that stands between him and world domination is WONDER WOMAN and the JUSTICE LEAGUE. But when the Witch Queen CIRCE stands revealed as his betrayer, will the God of War's almighty rage be something they have a prayer of defusing before the planet descends into chaos?
Meanwhile, The World Keeps Turning; Part 5
An Outsiders Adventure
THE ARCTIC:
“I’m surprised it took so long for your kind to find me,” said Lord Naga, standing behind the body of Grace Choi and the shredded remains of Red Tornado. “I mean, I would have thought I’d be public enemy number one, even if there are already two of me in custody*.”
*As of Justice League #44
Black Canary breathed in sharply, stepped in front of her teammates, and unleashed her sonic scream. Naga stood his ground, even as his cape was torn to shreds, and it was amazing to see he was only pushed back ever so slightly, rather than bowled over and left clasping his popped ears.
“Oh, Canary, that’s rude,” said Naga. “I’ve gone toe-to-toe with Superman. You think a bit of a shriek will send me to my knees?”
“Yikes, no wonder the League wanted nothing to do with him, this guy yaps,” said Plastic Man. He sent a fist flying toward Naga’s face, but a hand caught it before it could impact. Eel was shocked. “Grace! What are you doing?”
“There is no god but god,” said Grace, in a flat monotone, clutching Plastic Man’s prehensile fist in her own.
“Oh, I made a new friend,” said Naga. “She took care of your robot for me. Do you want to know how I did it?” Grace yanked Eel forward and Naga took a hold of his hand with his own bare fingers. “Plastic Man, incapacitate Manhunter, Huntress and--” A crossbow bolt shot through Naga’s shoulder and out the other side, causing the leader of the Kobra cult to cry out in shock.
Plastic Man turned to Naga’s attacker and swung his other fist around before she could say something scathing, knocking her off her feet and into the back wall. Manhunter made a move toward Grace but Eel wrapped his arm around her torso and threw her toward Choi, who knocked her out with one punch.
Animal Man, Batwoman and Black Canary were left standing, and in complete and utter shock. “Plastic Man-- Grace--“ started Barbara.
Animal Man reached into the Red and went Rhino. On all fours he charged toward Lord Naga, disregarding anything else around him. He was about to shift into African Elephant, over six tons of mass against this insipid cult leader, but Grace stepped in front of Lord Naga and he screeched to a halt, only to be entangled by Plastic Man and punched repeatedly in the face by his teammates. Africal Elephant only helped him so much, and it wasn’t long before he was unconscious.
“Faith… to Kali… Yuga!” spat Naga, wrenching the bolt out of his arm. “You didn’t think to bring backup?”
“What did you do to them?” demanded Batwoman.
“I shared my gift with them,” said Naga, brushing his hands over the face of the battered Animal Man. “Plastic Man, bring your other unconscious teammates over to me, please.”
Black Canary stepped over the body of Huntress. “Don’t you touch--” Eel slapped her out of the way and she turned her Canary Cry on him, sending ripples through his body. Even as the sound wave ploughed into him, he dragged Huntress and Manhunter over toward Lord Naga.
“Justice League, this is Batwoman, we have an--” Batwoman checked her comms but the signal was being jammed. Lord Naga simply laughed at her attempt to call for help.
“Toe-to-toe with Superman, Batwoman! I have every contingency in place, including comms jamming,” said Lord Naga. “Grace, please break Black Canary’s jaw.”
Grace Choi moved toward Canary, who grimaced at the sight of Grace pounding toward her, fists raised. Dinah flipped over Choi’s head, well aware that a fistfight wouldn’t end well for her. But with her martial prowess, if she could just knock her out, get her out of the game-- she took Grace’s legs out from underneath her with a spin kick and was about to perform a Canary Cry in close proximity, modulated at such a level as to knock her out, when Plastic Man-- who had restrained Batwoman with one arm-- wrapped a hand around her mouth and twisted, dislocating her jaw instantly.
Dinah cried out, but was unable to speak, her jaw swelling before it was able to relocate. Grace grabbed her foot, dragged her down, and punched her square in the mouth, knocking her out and finishing the job Plastic Man started.
“If my other disciples wouldn’t get so jealous, I’d be half-inclined to keep you all,” said Lord Naga. “My own set of Outsiders…”
“How… are you… doing this?” spat Batwoman.
Naga pushed his fingers across Batwoman’s face, covering her mouth, and spoke slowly. “Stop moving.”
Batwoman did as she was told.
“Good. Well behaved.” Lord Naga began to unclasp his mask and with one theatrical flourish, revealed his face to Barbara. “I am, of course, who I always was.”
“Jason Burr,” said Batwoman. “How are you here? What are you doing?”
Jason’s skin was pale grey, horrific, scarified scales covering his flesh. His eyes were the greenest green, reptilian irises visible when Batwoman stared at him. “You won’t be in much position to do anything about it, so why not have some exposition?”
Burr looked over to Plastic Man. “Bring the Outsiders over here, please.” The Outsiders were dragged to his feet, and Naga patted Plastic Man on the shoulder. In turn, he touched the faces of each member of the team. “You will forget everything that happened here.”
Finally, Burr turned back to Batwoman. “My brother thought he was the brains of the operation. But his first mistake was keeping me locked in the dark for thirty years. At first, I was his prisoner, but when they began their experiments on me, I soon learned I had the potential inside me to become something great. I shed my skin, you see, and that husk can become an exact duplicate. You know of mad Jason and good Jason, up in the outside world. Their predilections were decided by my second ability. My touch compels action. If I shake someone’s hand and give an order, they’ll do just that. Instant recruitment. Instant control. That’s how I got your Grace over there to tear Red Tornado to bits when they arrived. I’ve been tracking you since you arrived in my Arctic base. Good work on the DNA lock, by the way.”
“You were your brother’s prisoner, he kept you locked up--”
“For appearance’s sake,” said Jason. “As soon as my powers manifested, I took control of Kobra through him. It was I who killed the pretender King Kobra last year. After every action I returned to the relative comfort of my cell, and I, of course, had access to the teleport matrix behind the wall.”
“But the experiments he had performed on you--”
“On my command, dear girl. They were used to help enhance my power. Extend my compulsion touch,” said Jason. “At first my control was only for the duration of skin-on-skin contact. Now I need only a slight touch, and then I can continue to give orders. For example--” He looked over to Plastic Man. “--Go to sleep.” Eel keeled over. “Simple.”
“But you… you faced off against the Justice League… you could have taken control of Superman, Wonder Woman, any of them--”
“When it wasn’t the exoskeleton around my dear dead brother, it was mad Jason out in the world. Good Jason, compelled to have no memory of being the leader of the cult, faced the test of Wonder Woman’s lasso.” Jason laughed. “I was scared that it might pick apart the truth then, but I programmed not an ounce of bad in him. I saved that for me.” He looked at his scaled hand. “Of course, my compulsive touch is my gift, and mine alone. The duplicates I created have only my wits and my programming. They know, are, everything I want them to be, and nothing more.”
“You ordered your own brother into your cell to give you the perfect alibi,” said Batwoman.
“You’re getting it now,” said Jason. He looked down and could see Batwoman clench her fists, and he slapped her across the face. “Do not resist me.”
Batwoman swallowed, something in her chest clenching.
“Good. Good. So yes, Jeffrey came running down and I swapped places with good Jason. Told him to unclip my brother’s gun holster and shoot him when it was clear that Jeffrey couldn’t be talked down. I pushed dear brother to madness then and there, before those soldiers came down. Gave him every bad thought inside me. Drove him a little mad.”
“That’s why he was ranting when they found him,” said Batwoman.
“You’ve got it, you clever girl,” said Jeffrey. He clipped his stone mask back over his face and nodded. “Now, I have no wanting to rehash old arguments with the Justice League, so killing you is out of the question.” He rolled his fingers across Batwoman’s cheek as she struggled. “You will forget you ever saw me down here.”
“Nnnnno,” growled Batwoman. She was the last Outsider standing, but the touch of Lord Naga was so overpowering, she could barely think straight.
“You will forget you ever came this far or I will make you kill yourself,” hissed Naga. He leaned in close to her ear. “I could do so much worse, but if you think, killing you would be such an inconvenience. The Justice League think me defeated, locked up, or harmless. There are two of me out in the world, and the third, the true me, lurking in the shadows, waiting for my moment to strike. If you go, forgetting what you’ve seen, you might be able to find me once more, you might be able to strike me down before I ruin the world. So, you can either forget, or die horribly. Make a choice, Batwoman.”
Blood dribbled down from Barbara Gordon’s nostrils as she tried to resist Lord Naga’s powers, but he had his hooks in her-- at the last moment, she gasped, exhaled like every bit of air in her lungs was tainted, then passed out.
Grace Choi stood perfectly still nearby, unable to override the command given to her by Lord Naga. He turned casually, and walked over to her. He took her hand and smiled, rubbing his thumb against her palm. “Take your teammates and return to whatever place you call home. Once you’re on the other side of the portal, you will claim you were attacked by, oh, I don’t know… that damned Secret Society of Super Villains. Let them take up your time. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” replied Grace.
“Thank you, young lady. Now, go,” Lord Naga turned away from her and headed down the corridor to his science centre, where the next stages of his plan were about to unfold.
TO BE CONCLUDED