JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE OTHER SIDE
|A Standalone Stein RP| GM: Stein|


“In other news, next Monday marks the one year anniversary of the death of Earth’s Mightiest Hero. The fall of the Man of Steel rocked the world when he valiantly fought to hold off a hostile attack from extraterrestrial forces along with such heroes as Wonder Woman and Flash and many others.

The world still hasn’t quite recovered from the attack, recent reports can hopefully alleviate some concerns as multiple governments reports Anti-Alien Defense Technologies being completed and put in to use. The megacorporation Wayne Industries touts some of the largest success rates in laboratory testings and sources state that use is becoming more commercial against defence agencies. CEO Bruce Wayne could not be reached for a formal comment. Heads of countries are urging all to show their support in any way possible for the loss of one of Earth’s mightiest heroes.

Memorial services and parades are being held in the Metropolis City Central Park starting on Monday and continuing until Wednesday. The event promises fun for the entire family.

Now, Ollie Sharpton with the weather.”

#

45 Miles Above Los Angeles, California

15:35

Diana stared out of the ocean, her eyes set on the sky, searching for something that even she knew naught.

‘Has it really been almost an entire year since you left?’

Since that day, things had never been quite the same. She’d fought a battle within her own mind, struggling to remember the events of that day, but somewhere along the way of chasing Kal to catch him, things went dark. Something or someone had stolen her memory, preventing her from remembering much of anything of that day and a few days after, when she was found among the wreckage of the battle. Reports had seen the Flash being taken hostage by the hostile forces, but no one could seem to recall how they departed so quickly.

Bruce had barely made it out of the wreckage alive, his body near broken. The Martian had immediately set to work trying to relieve survivors and help where he could and it wasn’t until 3 days later when he realized that he hadn’t heard the thoughts of the Green Lantern for some while. No reports could say they could remember the Lantern being taken, but he’d been out of viewsight of any normal human.

Dianna grabbed her head as she struggled to piece things together. A camera had caught footage of Clark being pierced by a beam of Green Light and when energy signatures were scanned for residuals, Lantern’s had been over the place. But that didn’t mean anything, did it? he was fighting hordes of them off. But where was he? Where was his body? Why couldn’t J’onn sense him?

Why did none of this make sense!? Where did the attack come from? Why then and no contact after? What was she missing? But, if Bruce couldn’t even figure it out what chance did she have? Mortal he may be, but his mind was leagues ahead. What couldn’t they see?

“Dianna.”

The Amazonian spun around, her eyes slightly frenzied and her grip of her sword unnecessarily tight. The erratic breaths left her mouth like that of a seething and frightened bull. It was with much effort that she finally leveled her breathing.

“Zauriel?”

The angel calmly extended his hand, a soft smile growing on his face as he motioned for her to step back from the ledge of his floating tower. He knew she could fly, but her face conveyed much confusion. “Come back from the ledge, my friend. That edge seems to evoke thoughts that aren’t beneficial to you.”

Dianna took one last look toward the sky of whistling winds and an azure hue. She turned back to Zauriel and smiled in return, and it even seemed natural. “I’m fine. I am.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Once the events had happened surrounding Clark, Zauriel had appeared, claiming to be a messenger of Heaven. Of course he had been met with trepidation, but he had soon proved his intention good, helping others and bearing a message that J’onn had reported to understand. In that time, Zauriel had informed that the death of Superman along with other things he hadn’t divulged had prompted Heaven and “The Presence” to take action this world and even the universe. Zauriel would act as a liaison and soldier. Apparently, Superman’s death hinted at a malicious force on the horizon, one that even scared Heaven.

“Is it time for us to head out?” Dianna asked. Now she felt stable for the most part. She felt like her again. She could handle this.

“Yes. J’onn has called all of the heroes to your Watchtower. He fears it is about to start and that the reports are true.”

“I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

#

The Watchtower

15:36

On the Watchtower, J’onn took a step back, having just sent out the mental beacons to the heroes he had chosen to band together in defense of the Earth. The beacon, a melodic series of tones followed by his voice, requesting their immediate presence, should have reached each of them instantaneously. If they chose to answer the call, they would touch the ring he had given them, causing a bubble of hardlight construct to appear, teleporting them to the Watchtower.

He waited, mulling over the events that were about the transpire, and praying to the universe that things wouldn’t become as grim as they had that day almost a year ago.

High above Metropolis City

15:36

Clouds. White and thick, they rushed passed him, obscuring his vision as he continued his fall. Although it was brief, a smile then lined the lips of the blue and red blur as a bout of dew momentarily splattered against his skin. Causing a calmness to fill his being as the he committed the feeling to memory. It was only after the sensation of water rolling over his face had been ripped away, that Conner realized he had both exited the cloud, and closed his eyes. Hence, it was as he reopened them, arms still spread out to his sides, that he suddenly noticed a series of melodic tones.

At first, he stirred. Twisting around as to face the earth he now hurtled towards in an attempt to sate his curiosity. Brown eyes scanning the skies in search of the source of the sound. Thus, when J'onn's voice subsequently reached him, the teen relaxed. Admittedly disappointed by the realization that the sound had been purely telepathic.

Annoyance filled his face.

Unlike most, if not all of the heroes that he knew of, Conner had not been 'present' on that day. Hence, all he knew was what little the others had been willing to tell him. Which, given that most of them often avoided the topic, wasn't much beyond what was known to the public. White Martians attacked, they fought back... Superman fell.

While he hadn't noticed, having fallen prey to his idle thoughts, Conner now stood suspended in mid-air. Fists balled into tight fists at his side as a private thought seemed to eat away at him from within, given form only through the pained expression which had come to sit upon his face. It deepened as he raised his left hand as to look at the ring upon his index finger. Without further hesitation, he placed a thumb against the face of the ring. Remaining motionless as a mass of light begun to envelop his being, prompting the environment around him to quickly begin to fade away.

Somewhere in the South Pacific Ocean
15:36

Orin sat cross-legged on top of the water, his trident laying across his lap. The waves broke around him as he sat meditating, staring into the living water that comprised his right hand. He broke his concentration, dipping the hand into the ocean, and noting the differences in the purity of the water. His eyes narrowed as he was reminded of the treachery that had lost him his real hand. His brother's foolishness had come at the most inconvenient time possible, shortly before the white martian menace had come to Earth in an attempt to invade. Had I still sat on the throne of Atlantis, he thought, I could have saved so many more lives. Had Atlantis loaned her aid...

The morbid train of thought was cut off by a strange noise. As a gifted telepath, Orin knew at once that the sound came from within his mind at the behest of someone else, but he readied his trident anyway, and sunk into the ocean, preparing himself for battle. The strange noise subsided, and was followed by a familiar voice. Orin's tensed muscles relaxed as he heard the businesslike, almost monotone voice of the Martian Manhunter request his presence. His mind went back to a time just after the fall of Kal-El, when the Martian had given those he deemed worthy several rings. He hadn't told them why, and until now Orin had assumed it was a purely aesthetic ceremonial piece of jewelry. The voice, however, seemed to hint at another use for the ring, telling Orin to touch it if he was of a mind to meet J'onn.

Orin frowned as the message faded from his mind, slightly frustrated at himself for not keeping the ring on him. All of his worldly possessions save the armour and clothing he wore, and the Trident he wielded, he kept hidden beneath the sea, in a deep cave he used as his lair. He was a good distance away from the cave yet, and he would have to cover a lot of water in order to reach the cave in a timely fashion. Slowly, he rose up, calling a massive tidal wave behind him, and summoning a pillar of water out of it on which he would be transported. The rogue wave crashed forward, the waters roaring around him, and he smirked at the effortless demonstration of his power. The wave covered the distance in very little time, and when Orin arrived where he needed to be, he forced the entire wave into a pillar which rose high out of the water, taking him with it. When the pillar reached it's apex, Orin leaped from it's peak, performing a downward pencil-dive, trident extended before him.

Orin cut into the water like a sword, the momentum of his great dive driving him deep into the sea. Nearing the jagged sea floor, he noted the glowing reef that signaled his cave, and swam inside. Hidden beneath a boulder was the ring J'onn had given him. He grasped it, placing it on the finger of his left hand, and giving it a slight poke with his watery right hand.The water around him shuddered, and an orb of light enveloped him. Unsure of the light's purpose, Orin readied himself, taking a defensive stance with his trident as the surroundings of his little cave started to fade away in a blinding light. Then, as suddenly as the teleportation had begun, it was over. He was standing in a bubble of water in an otherwise dry place, filled with the technology of surface-dwellers.

The bubble of water surrounding him shivered for a moment, and then collapsed with a loud splash that drenched the area around him. He looked around and took note of two figures. Both looked familiar. One, Orin recognized as the Martian Manhunter. The other looked familiar, but Orin couldn't quite place a name to the face. The young man looked almost like...but no. He couldn't be.

"Where am I?" Orin demanded, still holding the Trident of Poseidon before him.

Somewhere High In The Sky
15:37

"Captain, you must stop Clifford now. Our remote controls are out of whack currently." One of the military scientist shouted over the small intercom in the ear of Nathaniel Adams, the hero known as Captain Atom. Through the air the Captain raced after the military controlled experiment known as Major Force. The air violently rushed pass his body, the sound barrier shattered by the two men. Atom needed to catch Major Force as fast he could. Major Force was a man experimented on after Atom had involuntarily Quantum Jumped through time. Unfortunately the same thing happened to Major Force and when he was found, the military decided to take control of him; the same control that was now causing psychological problems.

Atom could barely react before Major turned around on a dime and tackled Atom toward the Earth below. Their bodies were tangled together with fists slamming into the body of the other. They tussled and struck each other until crashing into the peak of Mount Helen. A heavy quake shook the area around them whilst their bodies made a wide and deep crater. Major Force grabbed Atom by his right leg. Like a bat, he lifted the hero into the sky and swung him into the nearest rock formation. Despite the rock formation shattering on contact, Atom's body took very little to no damage. Instead he charged his hands with energy and let loose a concentrated bolt with enough force to send Major Force careening into the mountain wall.

Both men took no time in recovering and getting back to their feet. Pure light shined around Atom's hand as he charged up his attack. Major Force though was able to charge dark matter within his own hands, a feat that Atom didn't know was possible. "I'm STRONGER THEN YOU, ATOM!" Major Force roared with such ferocity with an insane look upon his face. A beam of pure light shot forth at Major Force. Moment's before the beam could make contact with the foe, he took a leap into the air and flew toward Atom. His senses caught Major's movement but, his body didn't respond in time. Major's superior physical strength and power charged within collided with such force against Atom's face that lifted his body into the air and soaring quite far across the state of Washington.

Like a meteor, the hero crashed landed on the desert county of Washington State. Atom was out for quite a few minutes from the blow. His eyes slowly opened with a heavy breath accompanying it and Atom staggering to his feet. The punch had left his jaw sore and his mind scattered for a bit. "Major Force got away." he touched the intercom as he spoke. While the military screeched about Atom's failure, the ring on his finger began to glow blue. He knew what this meant. He let go of the intercom to cut communications with the military and placed his finger on the ring's button. This was the moment that Atom was waiting for to become a better hero.

Nikolai stared at the ring that now sat on the kitchen table of his house. He had his duffel on the floor and his weapons case on the table next to the ring, he reached out for it then pulled his hand back. He bit his lip and sat there contemplating, he had never been fond of teleportation, it always made his stomach feel like it had been given shock therapy. But he remembered what the Martian had said, he would get to see her again after 3 years he would see her again. He remembered vividly the day she turned him down, he had prepared roses and food and he even purchased a half a million dollar necklace. The whole evening was planned and she showed up, she made it short and sweet and left. The three days after that Nikolai ran himself tagged without any rest, working the streets non stop. He remembered the batman telling him to stop and rest get some help, and Nikolai didn't listen to him eventually Batman threatened to have Nikolai hospitalized.

Nikolai snapped back to the present and slung his duffel over his shoulder and carried his weapons case in his left hand, he had to prove he was capable of keeping his shit together, not just on his regular route but fighting alongside the big leaguers. He put aside all lingering precautions he had about going and touched the ring, he felt like his stomach was catapulted before he was and then it got stomped on. He found himself in a large room he recognized from a blueprint of the watch tower and then he felt his stomach kick again, he curled over quickly and regained his composure. He looked around and saw an Atlantian standing in a puddle of water and then he noticed Captain Atom, and finally Super Boy. Nikolai assumed Supes Junior wouldn't be in the best emotional state. Nikolai stood there his bag over his shoulder and his weapons case in hand, he spoke in Russian at first and then corrected himself.

"I am Nikolai," he said "A pleasure to meet you all."

Star City - 15:39

Green Arrow sat on the rooftops of Star City, he looked towards the downtown area then turned towards the hills. He couldn't believe that it had been a year, when he got the news of Superman's death and then both Green Lantern and the Flash were gone. Green Arrow didn't take the news as well, he called the news bullshit and then left the watchtower to review the videos. Batman had setup a search for both the Flash and Green Lantern, while he was hurt, Arrow was the first one to join. Others joined but they gave up, saying that it's pointless and death has finally taken their lives. Either Batman gave up, but Arrow wasn't going to leave. He tried his hardest for eight months until he put it away for now due to the growth of crime within Star City.

Crime rate had gone up since Superman's death and the cops were getting beaten, the news usual reports a break-in once a day. Green Arrow had close his eye and then opened them as he heard a police siren going towards the street and he ran along the rooftops until it stopped. He looked at the building, a shooting is happened, as cops were hiding by their cop cars. One cop was bleeding and two others were dead, he should of got there eariler but he needed to save the cops and stop the bad guys. He got his bow and fired towards the roof and used it as a zipline, with his bow he ran off of the roof and fell onto the building's roof. He smiled as he got on the roof, now to do his job, saving the day. He opened the door and walked inside and saw a couple of men fired towards the cops and he saw the Clock King.

Green Arrow's primary enemy, the Clock King had been lately intested in the drugs. Arrow had been on his ass since his group killed an undercover cop after he got the drugs. Now that this was going on, he had a good time to ambush him and make the arrest. He pulled out a smoke arrow and placed it on the bow, as the Clock King got his gun and opened fired on the cops. He released the arrow and watched it fired into the wall and smoke would began to blind them, he ran for the Clock King and he punched him in the chest and then kicked him in the legs, as he fell onto the ground. When the smoke cleared, the Clock King got a clear look on Green Arrow and shouted, "Green Arrow?!" and he smiled and said, "Miss me, Clock King?". He backed to the wall and shouted, "Fire you fools! FIRE ON HIS ASS!" and Arrow backfilp as the bullets hit the ground and ran towards a wall.

He pulled another arrow, a punch bow, and fired onto a guy and he dropped his guns and fell to the ground. The other guy looked as that happend and then he got the same thing as did his buddy got. The Clock King backed to the wall and shouted out no as Arrow walked towards him but then the Clock King pulled out a knife and said, "Take this!". He threw towards Green Arrow and he ducked under the knife and he got back up and walked to the Clock King, he was going to run but then Arrow's hand grabbed his shirt and said, "Got up.". The cops were kicked down the door and amazed at the sence, everyone was tried up and the Clock King was handcruffed to a pole. A female cop found an arrow on the ground and said, "Who did this?" and another cop laughed and said, "You never heard of Green Arrow before, haven't you?" and pattened the female's back, "You'll get use to him.".

He was on the rooftop as his watch glowed, he looked at it odd. He touched the ring and found his self with Captain Atom, Super Boy, a Russian man, and Aquaman. He looked at the area, he throught he would never be back at the watchtower but he was and didn't know why. He said to Martian Manhunter as Arrow saw him, "Why am I here, Martian?".

Koriand'r, or as she is known by most, Star-Fire was mid her duties of dealing with any crime she could find. She crashed through the ceiling of a small department store, spotting numerous armed hostiles. They seemed intent on making off with numerous electronic devices! Not exactly a high impact crime....Stars arrival of course had shocked the perpetrators. Without even a warning she had set out upon them, hitting the first one with enough force to send him through an aisle and lodge him in the second.

"W-We surrender!"

The other two men dropped to their knees with terror in their eyes. Star however did not stop, Thieves are liars! She grabs both the men underneath their arm and proceeded to slam them into the floor....Both men instantly knocked out, and likely more than one broken bone. She would fly out he whole she came in, holding high in the night sky......Where on earth was she?

A trinket she had been keeping began to glow, upon touching it she was transported to a gathering of heros. She was more than aware of the transportation, but any time there is a summon such as that one, "What does one need from me? I will help where I am able.". She looked about while she waited for instruction, despite her attempt ignore it her curiosity was a tad overwhelming. Superboy did bring about a cringe but she quickly looked to another face. Captain Atom, Green Arrow, a few more faces she was not overly familiar with...The situation must be most dire. Her hands curled into fist as she looked at martian, why is he taking so long!

Ruins of S.T.A.R. Labs Detroit, Michigan
15:43

"You sure about this, Dick?"

Victor Stone, of course, was referring to Richard Greyson, hero alias Nightwing. The latter person had sought out the former in the privacy of the ruins of S.T.A.R. Labs Detroit, where Victor had undergone his transformation into Cyborg. S.T.A.R. had deemed it too much of a liability to rebuild the facility here from the damages of the alien attack and Cyborg's subsequent counterattack, and had simply salvaged what technology could still be useful and migrated to other areas. Silas Stone, in recognition for inadvertently creating a powerful means against the invasion, had the loss of his job rescinded, and now operated at the facility in Coast City.

"I wouldn't have come to see you if I didn't, Vic," Nightwing replied, rolling a glowing ring between his fingers. J'onn's psychic impulse had come out on today, of all days, the anniversary of the day of the invasion... and Superman's fall. The mental link with the heroes the Manhunter had personally visited had activated whatever hidden technology was in the rings, and it seemed to prompt the wearer to use it. Cyborg had already determined that the ring generated a hardlight construct that could efficiently warp the user to a predetermined point. Which meant now, the heroes were assembling.

"You waylaid me out here to tell me you don't want a part in this?" Cyborg thrust his arms aside in determined inquiry.

"That's not what I'm saying, Vicks," Dick swiftly replied, stepping a foot closer. "It just isn't a responsibility I can handle right now. I- we, have the Titans, our own team determined to do what it takes to knock crime down to size. We can't just abandon that."

"Yeah, yeah," Cyborg's outstretched arms went limp. "But still, why me?"

Nightwing stopped his fidgeting dead, and shot a glance nowhere as if to ponder that answer. "Victor, I trust you. I don't want to say that meta-humans are liars, it's just that, well... You're human. You know what it means to be normal, to have limits, to be sane. You haven't been born with power, or otherwise training your whole life to get power. You just, suddenly, one day became Cyborg. A permanent change in body. But besides that, you're still the same person."

Dick paced around a bit in his talk, and finally stopped to lock eyes with Victor and hand him the ring. "It's easier to live one life than two, I suppose is what I'm saying. You're still Victor Stone, just with a different name. You don't need a mask, a different voice, a flashy name; this is who you are. And you are a determined, powerful genius."

Victor took the ring in his mechanical hand, letting his large fingers feel around the shape. "You're just sayin' that to make me feel good, aren't ya?"

"You built a space station, didn't you? Called it your 'summer home'?"

"Ahah... look, Dick, I've been summoned too. I'm not going just because you won't, it's because that's the decision I already made-"

"And that's why I trust you with it, Vic. Also because it's probably easier than using that teleporter of yours," Nightwing smirked, and Cyborg smirked right back.

"Good point. Keep in touch now, y'hear? Might still need ya later." With Nightwing's nod of acknowledgement, Victor slapped a thumb on the surface of the ring, and let the hardlight envelop him. Whatever was coming, Vic was ready to defend his life, old and new, against it.

A year ago:

William Batson died. William Batson had died at 11:09 that Wednesday. His lungs stopped breathing, and his heart stopped beating in his chest. He left behind a miserable wife, and their adult son. But at 11:14, lightning struck the building. And somehow, the lightning bolt brought him back to life, like a defibrillator. The doctors were shocked upon seeing his vitals returning. William sat up, again, the doctors rushing to him. They told him what had happened, and William laughed.

“You telling me I died?” The doctor nodded, William chuckled again. He remembered what he had dreamed about when he died. The rock in the middle of nowhere, the really big, old guy telling him he was chosen for greatness. William chalked it all up to a near death experience. But as he got oriented, again, the docotrs ran their tests, William asked one simple thing of the doctor.

“H-hey.. Doctor Jones, wasn't it?”

“Yeah, Mr.Batson?” The doctor said, as he turned his head to the elderly man.

“Can.. I have my phone?” William asked him.

The doctor scoffed. “ Yeah. I'd imagine you'd want to call your wife.” Handing William his cellphone, from the table a few meters out of William's reach.

“Something like that.” William said, as he started dialing the number to his lawyer, and then he'd call the priest.

My wedding vows were technically till death do us part.

Present Day, Central City

The city had, in the last year, been through a lot. With the scarlet speedster going missing in the battle a year ago. Central City had been abandoned by it's greatest protector, the Flash. And the morale of the city has taken a serious hit. As have the rest of the world in the past year. But, as surely as there's gonna be people commiting crimes, there will always be someone there to stop them.

As was the case today, outside the First Bank Of Central City, Where the ice-powered villain, Captain Cold, and his hired guns robbed the bank. The police were unable to do anything to the group. But luckily, one senior citizen was shopping nearby, and as always, he was reminded of his dream that he had a year ago.

But the past year had proved it to be something so much more than just a out of body experience. It had given him purpose in life. But, it had also given him power. Power to do good. To make a difference.

William smiled, as he walked out of the coffee shop, being met by sirens zooming past him, to get to the bank. His mood was cheerful, as he walked into an alley, a homeless guy laid against a dumpster, sleeping. William got out a 20 dollar bill, and handed it to him.

“Don't buy drugs, please.” The older man told the 20-ish homeless guy, whom nodded, as he rose up, and headed out of the alley, peaking back into the Alley, as William cracked his neck.

SHAZAM
The bolt of lightning came down from the clear sky, hitting William, and changing the weak old man into the champion of justice, Captain Marvel.

The Captain cracked his knuckles, as he flew up into the air. The homeless guy couldn't believe his eyes over what he had seen.

William quickly flew towards the bank, where the six thugs, plus the icey villain were suppressing the police. “Betcha you miss the speedster now, haha! Happy Anniversary, Flash!” The Captain shouted, as he fired his cooling rays from the weapon in hand. The guy was a psycho, someone who belonged in Arkham, at best.

But William had a urge. An urge to mess with Cold. He landed out of eyesight of the captain, turning a few heads as he did so. But in the next moment, he started sprinting, faster than the speed of sound, making him appear as nothing but a red and gold blur.

He ran in between the police vehicles, turning heads as he did. “What the frozen hell?!” Captain Cold exclaimed, as two of his henchmen were thrown around by the blur. The scarlet hero avoiding gunfire and frost-blasts, spinning around a few times, before he stopped in front of the police cars.

A slight gasp was heard from the policemen behind him, as Captain Marvel lowered the white hood on his face. “Sorry to disappoint, Cold. But I'm not Flash. But I felt a homage to him was in order.”

The villain got furious, firing his weapon at the hero. But Marvel didn't budge. His strength allowed him to break through the ice that formed on his body. And when he had finally had enough of the captain shooting at him, he rose up his hand, a bolt of lightning erupted from his palm, hitting the Frosty Villain in the chest, rendering him unconscious.

“You've been knocked out Cold” Marvel exclaimed, a chuckle being heard from behind him. William remembered The Flash, he was a charming, and witty guy. He made people laugh when he cleared up a scene, and that's how he inspired people. But, the man still had another task to do.

He flew back to the alley, and returned to his regular state, finding his cellphone in his pocket, he'd have to reschedule dinner with his Son, he had.. Other activites to attend to, playing with the ring he had in his pocket.

He sent a text to his offspring, saying that he had a last-minute doctors appointment, and that they'd have to reschedule, as he put the ring on his finger, and pressed the device, teleporting him to the watchtower.

"So this is everyone," Nikolai said his Russian accent showing "perhaps we could move this along then Martian, I'm sure we're all curious to know what all the fuss is."

Nikolai said running a hand through his somewhat long hair, he hadn't cut it in a while and was going to need to do so soon. He looked around at his soon to be comrades, most were impressive but one caught his eye. A peculiar old man whom he knew to be the fabled Captain Marvel at least an incarnation of him. Nikolai knew most of the identities of those here from his time spent in the RRI team, most of them led fairly normal lives outside of the superhero business.

J’onn surveyed each hero as they arrived. Though he should have been relieved, even joyous at the occasion, his face remained steady. He wished he would be able to call under better circumstances, but that wasn’t the case. Trouble was looming on the horizon, and he feared the Earth couldn’t withstand an assault like before. However, his troubles were alleviated somewhat when he heard the hiss of the double doors at the far end of the observation deck, that watched the world turn below, open. A familiar man limped – though he attempted to hide it as best he could – though the doorway.

The Dark Knight made his way over to J’onn, not bothering to greet anyone. He turned directly to the Green Arrow. “Don’t play coy, Arrow. You know why you’re here. We all do. All of you signed up for this and the beacon finally came.” He turned slightly, “And Nikolai, J’onn will be ready when he’s ready. The three minutes it takes for you to wait isn’t detracting from your day. I promise.”

“Someone’s testy today, Bruce,” J’onn mumbled to Bruce as the Batman straightened himself. He seemed uncomfortable in his costume and armor, no doubt a result of his last remaining injury.

“What are you talking about, J’onn? I’m positively delighted.” Bruce’s dry voice seemed familiar to the Martian as he turned to address the heroes, wading further out in to his proverbial uncharted waters.

Another flash of light met the group as the final two of the group joined their ranks, and J’onn couldn’t help but smile. Dianna and Zauriel, their resident celestial aid, approached the group.

###

Dianna surveyed the group, taking everything in all at once. Some faces she recognized, others she didn’t. One face, however, almost sent her careening over the edge. Standing in the midst of the heroes, as plain as the sun, stood him. An Amazon though she was, Dianna found herself feeling weakened at the site of almost a carbon image of Kal-El. Her hand met her face, in an attempt to cover her mouth and she shuddered violently. How was he here!?

‘Tranquility Dianna, it’s only Connor, or Superboy as he’s known to many.’ J’onn’s voice resonated in her head, sensing her discomfort. ‘He is not Clark. We’ll discuss this later, but for now…’

###

“Now that we are all here. I would like to begin this by thanking you all for your presence. I am well aware of the significance of this week, but it couldn’t be helped. Earth may need her heroes now more than ever.”

It wasn’t like J’onn to skip formalities, but he had the growing sense that something wasn’t right. He trusted Zatanna and her intel, which is why he had called the group together in the first place, but this was working out too well. In his time fighting various forms of evil, when had things ever panned out the way they were planned?

The white-paneled conical structure in the middle of the Observation began to hum and glow. Soon, a holographic image appeared for all to see. It was instantly recognizable as footage from that day.

“We’re all aware of the tragedy that struck us on that day and how close Earth was to being taken hostage by malicious forces. However, there are murmurs across the galaxy that things are taking a turn toward the same path yet again.”

The scene shifted, showing the entirety of the Milky Way galaxy. The swirling mass produced five red dots, all pulsing slightly.

“Strange activity has been observed by contacts and probes at these areas. Upon further inspection, these anomalies have been identified as attempts at a warp jump, some entity hoping to cross a vast space in little time. The attempts, so far have been either unsuccessful but no one is sure why.”

J’onn turned his attention to the rest of the group again, as they surveyed the image that was now showing a view of the Earth.

“Recently, Zatanna, one of the most powerful magical beings in the world has reported having visions. Her seer prowess has been somewhat reliable in the past. If you couple that with the frequency of the visions, it makes for concerning news.”

The images disappeared and J’onn took the attention yet again. “If Zatanna is correct, there will be an attempted repeat of the events from last year. Some force is hoping to seize Earth once again, and we must stop them. It will take the efforts of all of us to do so. Her visions don’t reveal all, but they all centered on tomorrow. If we can work together and place heroes in key areas, we should be able to minimize the damage and prevent the catastrophe of last year.

“Now, what I’m asking for,” the Martian continued, “is your cooperation and your dedication. Not to your city, state or even your country. But dedication to the world. Where others see this as frivolous, a pipe dream, I need you all to see this as the last defense against the end of this world, our world.”

Batman stepped forward at this point, taking advantage of the silence. “Let any of you who aren’t fully committed leave the way you came. Those rings have a one-time ‘Redo’ option of sorts by tapping it three times in quick succession.” He took a step back, giving J’onn the floor once more.

“If you choose to stay, you have the option of staying here. The Watchtower is fully functional and provides living quarters that are able to be customized. There is a gym, sparring area, eatery, hydroponics garden, meditation chamber, digital archive library, arsenal and an assortment of other things.

“For those of you who wish to leave, please do so now. For the rest of you: Welcome to your new base. Welcome to the Justice League.”

“Any questions?” Batman spoke again and J’onn had to hide the slight exasperation on his face. That man could never let him have a moment, could he?

Nikolai listened to the man hunter speak for a bit and grew anxious. He wanted to know more than this, what was the force that came against us. No one would dare not with the caliber of heroes around today. He assumed a large cosmic force could come against the league, perhaps some form of lantern some kind of alien race hell bent on domination. He could recall only little about the beast that killed the man of steel, Doomsday, an appropriate name. He continued to listen to the Martian and saw his chance to inquire about the reason he was here, the only reason he was still here.

"I have one," Nikolai said looking at J'onn and Batman, "When?"

He figured the Martian would know what he meant and so would Batman, he stared into the Martians eyes and expected some form of mental communication confirming he would get to see her. He looked to the batman and saw a small facial expression, something that could have been mistaken by someone who didn't spend much time around the stone faced type as a mere twitch. Nikolai knew this slight change meant Batman wasn't happy, that or he wanted to talk about it later. Nikolai understood and gave a small nod then tossed his ring on the table.

"I'm not leaving," he said seriously " I'd like a room and if possible access to the arsenal."

As the others arrived, Koriand'r felt mixed emotions Former titans,and and some strange old man...Her shame brimmed to the surface as she turned away as if scorned. As the strange 'little' man had spoke,rushing J'onn!
How dare he, HOW DARE HE!
J'onn is (at least in the flame haired maidens eyes) Beyond reproach, not to mention..The 'little' man talks funny. Perhaps due to his 'outburst' she had been provided the distraction needed to fight back her urge to plead for her former teammates forgiveness.To further distance herself from the thoughts a voice that belonged to one of he beings that she considered to be the most powerful being on the planet....Bat-man. His words seemed to snap at the 'immature' heroes that had been summoned. It reminded her of a arhlarvar roaring at its eroiia (Or Alpha dog at its pack)
Not a single time had she seen him so much as smirk, but here he was smarting off to heroes who dwarf him in almost every ability.Her stare was forced to end as her eyes winced at the flash when Diana arrived.....Now the emotion she brought up, Humans commonly referred to it as resentment. Anyone who dares to force people so easily, now is not the time. Quickly remembering that such an old scar should have been forgotten. No sooner had she tried to look past it, Diana had the nerve to appear shocked at the appearance of Super-boy, its as if because Kal had died that it was a sin to look like him! The urge to get her rematch sparked yet again, just as her mouth opened to begin what was likely another bout between the amazonian, J'onn began his explanation. Perhaps he had picked up on her intent and made sure the situation did not pick up from there.
The explanation...No the "breaking of the news" as humans say,was one that she had been hop...preparing for. Koriand'r smirked despite her best efforts to keep the emotion in check. Particularly when Bat-man challenged her, Retreat? She had to fight the impulse to crush the ring and throw it into his face, she did well though, Only scoffing at the notion. there was not a chance that she would ever turn down this chance to make amends!

As the explanation continued she was a tad irritated with the rather vague time frame, but then again it wasn't like attacks of such magnitude send the enemy a memo. Crossing her arms as if in defiance of the enemy she had just been its flame like appearance.informed of. "I have one....Sir." It was strange feeling to serve on equal ground with the heroes that had long been considered mentors, it was only natural that she would show them the respect. "May we take the fight to them instead? Would it not be better to 'lay the smack down' on them." Her ability to use human culture had improved...it was still far from ideal. Her question had been complimented by the tips of her hair gaining its flame like appearance, Clearly she was prepared to fly across any/every quadrant at their word.

Billy took the things that the Martian and the Batman had said to the group to heart. He did think about it. But in his gut, he already knew the answer, there was no point for him to even think about it. This was what he wanted, it's what he was brought back to life to do. Billy cleared his throat, and was about to step forward, as he was cut off by the man with the accent, talking to the two Leaguers with a tone that indicated that there was something more going on.

And before William could speak up again, he was yet again caught off guard by the Amazon, whom wrongfully assumed that the kid with the S on his chest was Superman. Not an entirely unjustified thing to think. But these youngsters sure are energetic. William thought to himself.

Now, the elderly man stepped forward, removing the ring from his finger, and dropping it to the floor. "I'm staying. Someone's gotta keep an eye on you lot." William told them, his tone was upbeat and cheerful, yet, it held the authority of an elderly, well respected and powerful man.

"Now. I assume we can get put back to... Well. Earth, with this gizmo without too much of a hassle, right? It's almost time for me to take my medicine, and I forgot it on the counter." The man said, with a slightly embarrassed chuckle.

Nikolai noticed the girl look at him with a mixture of shock and annoyance. Nikolai looked at her his arms still crossed, he recognized her as the heroess StarFire. She mentioned taking the fight to the enemy and his mind raced.

"The Tamaranaen is right," Nikolai said, " Hit them before they hit Earth, no casualties on the homefront, keep the destruction abroad."

The elderly gentleman spoke and Nikolai smiled, the man seemed so full of life for one so old. Nikolai couldnt help but wonder as to what this old man was here for, perhaps he was telepathic or capable of changing forms, maybe even some knowledge of the enemy.