Gotham City, NJ | December 31st, 2013

The Kane Estate was still bustling a few hours in as more guests poured into the residence, mostly to grasp onto Phillip Kane’s status as he cheerily touted his newest achievements. I could tell in Katherine’s step and manner that she didn’t particularly care to be around this crowd for long—a likely trait that reared its head during her decade of military deployment. But Katherine has had experiences that would be hard to shake and it’s much more than the military for her, she has seen the tragedy that Gotham sows and it affected her much like it did me when I lost my parents. It always does seem like Gotham’s darkness is like a wild pack of jackals, a recurring theme of death and misery that pushes aside good souls for the sake of pushing them into the sullen dirt. It’s something I intend to change with my continuing role with my crusade against every criminal element in the Gotham-Bludhaven metropolitan area.

“As a kid, you really don’t see this for what it is.” Katherine comments after a brief period of silence as we stand on the balcony overviewing the Gotham skyline across the River Merchant.

“Gotham or the people inside?”

A chuckle leaves her voice as she looks off into the distance. “Both, I guess.”

She’s right, as a kid Gotham felt divine and perhaps it was better that way. To see the two-faced reality of people and the viciousness of Gotham’s underbelly before it struck and at that age... I handled it pretty poorly at ten, but if I was any younger—the thought strikes an unnerving chill in my spine.

“We both tried to abandon all of this, Kath, but we couldn’t. It just reeled us back in—it’s a curse.”

“I don’t like it. I’d give anything to be back in that desert right now.”

That comment is peculiar, though, I’m not going to press it.

“You would’ve came back eventually, even so.”

If she was anything like I was, the obsession of Gotham’s shadow that loomed behind her would have dragged her back sooner or later and perhaps whatever happened in the military happened for a reason. Though I do worry what her disposition will bring in a city like this. It gets my thoughts moving and I start to worry about the worst outcome as I generally tend to do.

“…maybe.” She muttered as she pressed her hands on the balcony’s rails.

“Moving on from this dreary subject, why don’t you go check up on your cousin? I hear you two were fairly close when she was younger.”

Katherine laughed at my comment, “Bruce, she’s like sixteen now and I’ve been gone for a decade. Outside of a brief memory, I doubt she cares at all. But Aunt Bethany does want me to do that as well, so maybe I should do that—maybe there’s some connections to be had.”

“If there isn’t, you can create one—after all, you are pretty much back in Gotham for good, right?”

“True enough, I guess.”

Empire City, MA
8:59 P.M.

”This is Empire City’s favorite - News on 13!”

”We begin this morning with breaking news; police officials say that an abandon warehouse is being held down with more than a dozen hostages. We take you live to Amy Kirk -” The scene switches from a young, handsome man that has a trimmed blonde beard that almost makes you wonder why he doesn’t just shave it off. His name is John Williams, one of Empire City’s most respected news anchors and normally he has the inside scoop to the latest and greatest - which is why Spirit is now watching it.

A slightly older woman appears on screen standing in front of a warehouse near the docks. Her hair is a fiery red and has piercing green eyes with a beautiful face and a beautiful shape to her body. Cynthia knows her well - they have contacted each other in the past and Amy often goes to the Spirit when the law is too corrupt or too busy to handle the real threats. Her father is one of the lead detectives by the name of Paul Kirk, and while he also works with Spirit, he has been far harder to rally to her side in the name of good.

”Thank you, John. Behind me -” Amy motions behind her to the scene of half a dozen police cars, a S.W.A.T van and more than a dozen officers pacing and circling as spotlights focus on the warehouse. ”- police have gathered to hopefully negotiate the freedom of the hostages and avoid bloodshed. As it stands those holding the men and women have not come forth with any demands. The situation started when the kidnappers called into the police station threatened to kill their hostages, giving directions, and then hanging up...”

The image of Amy shrinks down into the top-right corner of the screen, revealing John still at his desk and leaning forward as he asks, ”now Amy, is there any information on the kidnappers? Any clue to what they want or what they’re trying to do?”

”No, John, as far as we can tell, it’s almost like they’re trying to get attention - from who or why, we don’t know.” Cynthia always thought Amy was smart and that comment alone made her wonder if they had wanted her attention. She has a more public light cast on her as of lately - with saving the city and being a new member of the Justice League. Even without the League being forthcoming about their new member, it put a spotlight on her and she knew how that affected things. Batman was the perfect example for this, always drawing out the bad guys by stirring up the criminal element.

She turned her eyes away from the store window where several T.V. sets where tuned into channel thirteen. She knew she had to slip into the warehouse and diffuse the situation before anyone got hurt, but if they wanted her attention, the inside could be lit up like Christmas and be an ambush. In that moment, she had an easy plan and took a breath before stepping into the shadows.

Moments later she was on the backside of the warehouse, ducking out of sight as one of the patrol officers was shining a light around to make sure all exits were covered. ’But if they die, it doesn’t matter what exits are covered,’ she thought to herself as she lifted herself onto a box. Peeking through a window, she could barely make anything out - the window was barred up with wooden planks, but no light was coming from inside. If this was an ambush for her, it didn’t seem like a good one - maybe it was a terrorist group trying to make a political statement.

It wasn’t important right now though. She melded into the shadows of the wall and came out the other side, like she was walking through a doorway and blinked for a moment. These powers of darkness gave her an edge of her opponents, such as being able to see better in the dark. Spirit was confident at some point she would be able to see in complete darkness, but her abilities were still growing, but it was still enough to see the six people tied up in the middle of the warehouse in crystal clarity. It was a bit strange though not to see anyone guarding them, but it was easy to think they were just guarding the windows and exits themselves.

She jumped down, using the shadows to glide her down, like a slowfall in front of the group as they shot their eyes up in surprise, some of them beginning to moan behind the tape on their mouths. She glanced around before darting forward only to be suddenly knocked back.. Spirit rubbed her forehead and looked up, seeing a bubble-like shield shimmering in the darkness before disappearing. Behind her, she heard a few claps, causing her to quickly jump to her feet and spin around.



”Now that we have your attention, miss Spirit ...”

Atlantic Ocean
Above Atlantis

The small yacht rocked back and forth as the small swells of the ocean caressed its hull. The trip to Atlantis's waters was an easy one, though Diana kept herself aware at all times. An attack from Ares and Hera's forces could come from any angle at any time, a fact that was certainly beginning to wear on Diana's nerves. The battles would come sometime soon, and she needed to keep her senses sharp and aware. But for now, she had to convince Orin that the time had come for them to draw swords together yet again to protect the world.

"So Atlantis is really down there, huh?" Cassie was amazed as she peered over the side of the boat into the shimmering green water below. The council of Amazons had not wanted the girl to come along on such an important assignment, but Diana insisted. She was a daughter of Zeus and an Amazon in training. There was no other person that Wonder Woman wanted by her side on this journey to the depths. "How did it survive."

"It's believed Poseidon protected his people as the city sunk to the depths," Diana explained as she took a seat next to the young girl. "His magic sustained them and has kept them thriving this entire time. They have harnessed the magics of the ocean to create a powerful society. I have fought with their King Orin in the past."

"Do you think he will agree to help us?" Cassie met Diana's eyes.

It wasn't an easy question to answer. Orin was a hero of the highest order, that much was certain. The man, however, was no fan of the surface world. He had clashed with some of the other heroes in the Justice League on occasions about what the humans were doing to the sea. If he didn't see a threat to his people or his domain, there was a chance he would not join them in their struggle against Olympus and Ares. She returned Cassie's stare, hoping to seem confident, "I do not know, but Orin is an honorable man and a warrior. I have faith we will be able to convince him to join our cause."

"I should have joined debate team," the teenage demigod muttered.

Wonder Woman stood and stood proudly over the water's edge, calling to the King of Atlantis, "Orin of Atlantis, Diana of the Amazons calls to you for a parlay. I require access to Poseidonis."

As she finished speaking, the sea in front of the boat began swirling into a whirlpool. It started as a small torrent, before it escalated into a churning funnel of furious white water. From the center of the cone emerged a large chariot pulled by two massive great white sharks. The chariot parked itself next to the boat, and Diana turned to Cassie, "Come, young one. It's time to see the world beyond the waves."

"Atom."

"Kara."

Kal's voice was weak compared to the boisterous words of his comrades. He was glad to have them in the area attempting to save his life. The kryptonite radiation felt like too much at the moment. The human feeling of weakness began to settle over him. Despite his body's denser structure, to him it felt as though he was as squishy as Bruce Wayne. The red robber lifted Clark from the floor till Clark's feet could barely touch the ground. Higher and higher he lifted his victim; all the while wearing a smug grin. Clark was worried about what could happen next. It was not a worry about himself but a worry about if Kara would be safe from these robbers. She was young and still inexperienced. If they could bring him to his knees then he was scared of how she would fair without him.

"I'll crush you and then her. The little one might be fun to play with."

"Yeah. We can bottle her up."

The sunlight pierced through the blinds, touching upon Clark's face. The warmth of the sun was the most refreshing feeling during a crisis of Kryptonite Radiation. The feeling shot through his body, his cells soaking in the UV Rays like a sponge. It only lasted for a few seconds before he was violently thrown across the bank near the vault. It felt good to be out of the red robber's grip and away from the kryrptonite radiating robber. Clark wanted to unleash his heat vision or bring the roof down on them but, the hostages were still in the building. He couldn't willfully bring his all against the men with the thoughts of the harm the hostages would take.

"Atom, handle the green robber. His Kryptonite radiation is too much. Kara, watch out for the robber with red veins. I'll handle the hostages until I've charged enough." Clark ordered the other heroes.

The Atom was still trapped but she wasn't too worried about running out of air anytime soon. All she had to do was keep shrinking every so often and there would be more air. However this was a quick fix and sooner or later she'd shrink too small and literally get lost in the surface of the desk. That was when she saw a certain Maiden of Might show up and take care of the magnet and the robber who had been holding her captive. This provided Atom with the distraction that she needed and she quickly escaped.

She floated up and said, "All-right let's see how good you guys are without your toy!" Just then she heard Superman give the order to take out the green one. No matter how many times she worked with the Justice League or with any of the other heroes when Superman said her name Atom always felt a jolt go through. Here was the guy who had set the standard for the rest of them to live up to and he was talking to her. Atom would often wonder if the others felt the same way as she did.

The reality called her back to work as the Green one said, "Oh no you don't Superman! I'm about to make my legend. I will be the man who killed Superman!"

The Atom looked around and saw something on a nearby desk that would do the trick. She floated down and shifted her weight so she had her normal strength. Quickly she picked up a potted cactus and hurled it at the Green robber. The cactus embedded itself in the side of the robber's face who quickly dropped to the ground. He writhed in agony and was screaming, "AHHHHHHHHH! YOU LITTLE ------! I'll KILL YOU!"

Atom floated quickly to him and said, "Do you have any idea how many times I've heard that line? it never happens. Time to put you out of commission once and for all." Atom looked around and floated to the security guard and grabbed his handcuffs and quickly handcuffed the robber to a desk.

Atom said, "That ought to keep you out of the way for a while." she then turned her attention to the red one who was making his way to Kara. Atom said, "I'll do what I can to distract him so you and Kara can come up with a plan. Hope Green Boy being out of the way helps you both."

Atom began to float over to the red one and realized she had no idea what to do when she got there. Time to improvise.

With that Atom shrunk down and entered through the ear and began to wreck havoc with the robber's inner ear. The Atom knew the robber was getting dizzy and having trouble focusing then The Atom began to feel strange. The Atom knew this might happen if she did this plan of attack, but she didn't think it would be this fast. She knew Superman & Supergirl would hear her, at least that was her hope.

Atom said, "Hey I know Kryptonite can kill humans much slower than a Kryptonian. However at my size the Kryptonite is making me feel not quite so normal. Whatever you two are planning please make it fast. don't know how long I can keep this up."

With nothing in particular to do for the night while the trio waited around until midnight, the teens soon turned to Bette's extensive Blu-Ray collection which naturally featured numerous new releases. When they couldn't decide on anything from there, they turned to the internet and they eventually settled on 'Kick-Ass 2'. Dick hadn't been particularly fond of the first installment but he knew Harley enjoyed senseless violence and gore so he didn't protest too much as he settled into a two hour eye sore that featured a girl who actually had a worse 'potty mouth' than Miss Quinzel. Bette ensured the group had snacks brought to them as one of the Kane's staff delivered a variety of popcorn and chips to the room along with some soda and other drinks. They did however ensure that the young teens were kept free of alcohol much to Bette's dismay. As the movie went on, Dick kept himself preoccupied with the food in front of him, munching away on a bowl of popcorn he had commandeered to himself, Looking up he noticed that Bette herself was looking quite bored with the movie while Harley was obviously amused though Dick would bet Bruce's fortune it was because of how ridiculous the movie was in comparison to what it was actually like to suit out and take to the streets.

Looking back over at Bette, Dick couldn't help but admire her definitively female figure as he felt his gaze lingering longer than it needed to. Sure, he had a crush on Barbara Gordon but that didn't mean he was going steady with her. After all he was Richard John Grayson, 'Lady-Killer' and Casanova Extraordinaire. Alright so he added that last parts himself, but Dick was a flirt and he couldn't deny himself the opportunity to steal a gaze at the lovely female in front of him. Heck perhaps Bette herself might even have noticed Dick, he knew he was bulking up with all the training Bruce was putting him and Harley through. Alfred had to drive Dick to the man just last week because of how tights his shirts were getting. Though he remained slender, he wasn't the scrawny kid he had been two years ago anymore.

Looking up, he noticed Bette quickly look away as the large screen turned from the ridiculous ending to credits as the two girls turned around to face him. After brushing off some teasing about how much popcorn he had 'inhaled', the banter faded into chatter as the three teens began to talk about school and gossip only to eventually devolve into the topic of school dances and popular music. This of course led to Bette breaking out in random song only for Dick to join in as Harley rolled her eyes. Though Bette had other ideas as she quickly went to her closet and pulled out a karaoke machine and hooked it up to her TV as she pulled Harley to her feet to join her as the two bopped their way through some Ke$ha. As the trio ripped their way through about five songs there was suddenly a knock on the door as another of Bruce's cousins, Katherine Kane opened the door smiling as she asked to join into the karoake. Dick smiled widely as he invited her in before the now group of four kicked off some Journey together. About another hour passed as Dick grabbed the mic by himself and hit the random button only for the machine to bring up 'I Wanna Sex You Up' by Color Me Badd which he gleefully started into as he pointed alternately at Kath and Bette for the duration of while the three girls nearly killed themselves laughing. Another knock could be heard on the door as Dick finished his song as Bethany opened the door, her eyes widening with surprise as she looked a little shocked to find Katherine with the 'children'.

"The ball is about to drop, come join everyone for the countdown." Bethany said sweetly, though Dick knew it wasn't so much of a request as it was an order based on everything Bruce had told them about the Kane family.

"Would you look at that!" Dick said smiling wide, "It's almost midnight, time sure does fly when you're having fun." As they walked out the door, Dick put his arm around Harley as he smiled mischievously before speaking and raising an eyebrow at Harley. "Hey Harls, wanna be my midnight kiss?" Dick asked as he laughed before wincing from a quick elbow to the ribs. "How about you Bets?" Bette just smirked and kept walking as Dick fell behind calling out to the group. "Anybody?" Shaking his head he chuckled he ran to catch up, entering the main room as everyone gathered yelled out 'TEN'.

The count down to the New Year had finally begun.

| P L A N E T • G R A X O S • I V |

The two Lanterns stood within the Guardian ship Sentinel, standing on opposite sides of the central, round work table over which a holographic detailing of the crime scene was depicted in horrifying detail. The young monk was still visibly unsettled by the experience of having witnessed such a travesty, while the grizzled H'lven merely chewed on one of his odorous cigars in apathetic disregard for the emotional fetters which lay like landmines before them on their mission. Inbetween the youthful inexperience and the jaded outlook of the veteran, the ship's artificial intelligence processed the raw data from Ch'p's ring with perfect, stoic detachment. Aya had no feelings on the matter, either for or against. Information was merely a collection of numbers, calculations, statistical probabilities, and logical hypothesis.

"There were three Bolovaxians," the computer's detached voice supplied, as three indistinct shapes appeared in the holographic recreation, drawing Kai-ro's attention for the familiarity of the form.

"Bolovaxians?" the Chinese monk echoed, obviously not wanting to believe his ears. "But... they don't leave their homeworld," the boy stated, somewhat haltingly for the implication that left regarding the one Bolovaxian which both of them knew. And knew well.

Kilowog lived in exile for the honor of having been chosen by the same ring which had chosen them.

"Not if they're known criminals," Ch'p noted dryly, barely sparing his trainee a glance as he spoke. "Bolovaxians like to take a shit in the galactic backyard. Repeat offender? Just toss him off-world. Let the fracking universe deal with the problem."

"Blue Lantern's assessment of the Bolovaxian criminal justice system is crude, but correct," Aya noted, the synthetic, disembodied voice echoing around the interior of the ship. "Homeless, unaware of the galaxy at large, and seeking means by which to satisfy the basic needs of organic lifeforms, exiled Bolovaxians become easy targets for Consortium recruiters who desire them for their imposing physical characteristics."

"What about the Tamaranean?" Ch'p inquired sharply, staring hard down into the holographic image.

"It is feasible that the hair could have come from a legitimate visitor to the home, and may not be connected to the crime."

"We're a long way from Tamaran," the H'lven retorted with a snort. "Inquire with the dock masters. Ask whether any ships passing through have carried three Bolovaxians and a Tamaranean."

"Processing," the computer responded obediently.

"What's a Tamaranean?" the young monk inquired finally, looking over the crime scene projection at the floating rodent. "I've never heard of that world."

"Trouble," Ch'p supplied in answer, the cryptic response eliciting a non-verbal expression on the human's face which clearly illustrated he had expected something more. "Warrior society fueled on emotion. They get stronger the more pissed off they become."

"Blue Lantern, a vessel arrived two days ago from the Antedaen System. Passenger manifest included three Bolovaxians and a Tamaraen."

"Where's that ship now?" the H'lven demanded.

"The ship no longer appears on any manifests; however, it's departure was not logged by any star port authority."

The chipmunk-like Blue Lantern swore under his breath. "Aya, where was the ship last recorded?" Kai-ro asked.

"The ship landed at docking port ninety-four."

"Please send planetary coordinates to my ring for docking port ninety-four," the young monk requested.

"Someone could just have deleted the departure data from the records," Ch'p commented dryly.

"Correct, in which case the local star port may still have physical copies of records," the young monk countered politely. "Even if not, someone may recall witnessing the ship depart. In either case, a likely avenue for investigation."

The H'lven snorted, spitting tobacco into a trash receptacle. "Frackin'-A. You're starting to sound like a frellin' cop." Dropping what remained of his gnawed cigar into the bin, the Blue Lantern gestured for his Green trainee to move out. "Aya, see if you can do a trace-back on the records. See if anything was deleted or modified."

"Acknowledged. Good luck, Lanterns."

Gotham City, NJ | January 1st, 2014

It’s one-thirty in the morning. Takhwìkàmën lies still in the early whispers of the night, as my eyes look over the many notes I have jotted down from assorted cases from the previous year. It is here in this cavern that I feel the most comfortable, mulling over the research aspect of the process. However, there is one thing that eludes me as I look over this variety of information, one card—a card that has taunted me for what soon will be more than a week, the card of what is perceived as a highly religious bringer of death. But what has eluded me outside for the fact that this non-canonical religious card depicting Evelyn De Morgan’s famous illustration is not simply the odd choice of symbolism but rather the fact that I hadn’t found one trace of evidence or clue to link this case to anything which immensely bothers me. There’s a zealous maniac out there working in the shadows free from the law that is as vicious as they are illusive.

With my hands shuffled in my pockets I try to make sense out of it, perhaps I missed something? I admit that I have been rather distracted lately between League responsibilities, the Bruce Wayne image, the wards, argumentative debate with Alfred, and of course several facets of what I have to face as Batman. The False Face Syndicate is growing hungrier and stronger in Bludhaven, Mario Falcone has revitalized his crime family, and the Dimitrovs have taken a bit of control during this winter season from the Valestras who are on the brink of replying to these eastern european upstarts. Though, there’s still this weird feeling in my gut where today just happens to look a little less dim and harrowing. I didn’t expect the party at Phillip Kane’s to be anything but a distraction but seeing my cousin, Katherine, again was something… pleasantly nostalgic.

“A peculiar card.” Alfred’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts as my eyes glance over to him—he’s perched to my left, overlooking my notes.

“He’s taunting the police.” – or me, of which doesn’t matter if it’s me or the police since the man who is so loving of Azrael to the point where he’s like a ghost; a ghost that is here in Gotham blending in so well that nobody not even me can sniff him out.

“Indeed, but I truly doubt you staring at it for an hour longer will employ new evidence. As morbid as it may be, he’ll turn up when he strikes again, and eventually he’ll slip.”

I frown, unpleased by that answer even though I know it to be the likely scenario to fall-back on. I advert my eyes back to the card itself. It is exactly what I don’t want to happen. To just accept this deceptive zealot to keep at it eats away my soul as my resolve to find him strengthens. Even if I went undercover as Matches Malone I wouldn’t even know where to begin to start with sniffing this guy out—knocking on the cathedral’s main door wouldn’t lend me any useful hints, besides that was the first thing I tried and a circle will get me nowhere.

I loosen my form away from the table, there’s more problems in Gotham to look at, especially on a holiday where drunks run rampant.

“Harley, Dick. We’re going on patrol.”

The waters of the ocean swirled around Diana and Cassie as they relaxed on the chariot taking them down to Atlantis. Diana had often marveled at the technology and magics of the Atlanteans. The fact that the two of them would have no problem breathing in the underwater kingdom was a feet unto itself, but the great city of Atlantis was a whole other thing entirely. The city would dwarf those of man, and its beauty would put Paris to shame. She thought it was a shame most humans would never see the wonders of Atlantis, but then, humans often ruined what they were given. Perhaps it was for the best.

"We're really not gonna run out of air, right?" Cassie asked worriedly.

"No, child," Diana smiled. "We are under the protection of Orin. We have nothing to worry about."

"He's part of the Justice League, right?"

"Indeed," she nodded. "But he has no love of humans. Do not speak to him unless spoken to. And do nothing that might upset him."

"Come on," Cassie smiled mischievously, "when am I ever upsetting?"

"Would you like me to answer that question" Diana joked.

"Ouch, sis," she feigned insult. "Ouch."

Diana shook her head and smiled before something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. She turned and said, "There it is."

From the depths, lights began to come into view through the water. They grew as they got closer and closer, becoming like a dazzling star field far under water. The city began to come into view, the spiraling, coral towers were lit with bio-luminescent algae, sparkling in the salt water like a skyscraper at night. The streets below it were paved with shale, smooth and glistening against the soft, blue glow of the algae. Dolphins and sharks circled around the spires of the buildings like giant birds of prey, and schools of fish darted through the streets like traffic through the streets of New York. Diana saw no people, but the soft light emanating from the windows of the homes told her that many were laying down for the night.

"It's beautiful," Cassie gasped.

"Indeed it is," Diana agreed. "One of the wonders of the Universe. The great palace is even more of a sight to behold."

The large seahorses pulling the chariot dipped down towards the streets, and the buggy slid comfortably into position. The city was even more impressive from this vantage point, with the tallest buildings towering over them like a group of peaceful leviathans. The Atlantean architecture was a mixture of classical Greek and Roman styles with a dash of their magical proficiencies thrown in.

Cresting over a hill, the chariot came into view of the great palace of Atlantis. Pink, blue, and golden corals combined to make a striking rainbow of color. The main fortress of the palace was a tall, twisting tower topped in an adornment shaped like the great weapon of Atlantis, the trident. It glittered in the glow emanating below like the chariot of Apollo crossing the sky.

"He's not compensating for anything, is he?" Cassie smirked. When Diana gave her a stern look, she shrugged, "Just getting it out of my system."

The chariot pulled into an entry way to the palace, and the fresh air filling the chamber wiped away the bubble they had been traveling in. Cassie looked impressed as the two demigods stepped from the buggy. A cadre of guards emerged from the one door of the area and surrounded the two women, putting Diana on guard. This had never happened with Orin before. But she quickly got the reason why. Flanked by the high Atlantean guard entered Orm, brother of Orin. He carried the fabled trident and wore the crown of the sea upon his head, "Diana. I am charmed you have graced me with your presence. I did not think you would pay your respects to the new King of Atlantis."

Orm had been a thorn in Orin's side all his life, and now it seemed as if he had finally achieved his goal of obtaining the throne.

"Orm you snake," Diana drew her sword. "What have you done with Orin?"

"That's none of your concern," the Ocean Master smiled crookedly. "You have more important things to worry about. As for me? All I have to do is ponder what reward I will receive from Ares and Hera for turning you over to them."

Queen Clinic, The Glades
Star City, CA

The clinic was as busy that night, as it often was on the weekend. A lot of drunks and junkies were there for some food or water, others were bleeding from muggings or bar fights in the rough side of the city. The Glades had improved since the Green Arrow had come to the city, but it was still largely a cesspool. Oliver had managed to take some of the highest level pushers off the streets, but he knew nothing significant would change until he was able to take down Count Vertigo. He was the head of the snake, and until that head was cut off, the drug trade in Star City would thrive.

"How are we doing, doctor?" Oliver asked the man in charge of the clinic. Doctor Richards was brilliant, and had great empathy. He could be making more money somewhere else, but he graciously agreed to work for Oliver to help the people of this city.

"Nothing we can't handle, Mister Queen," he smiled as he sent a bandaged man on his way. "Nothing unusual for a Friday night."

"Yea," a voice called from another one of the other examination rooms, "nothing unusual about treating another drunk with a stab wound. You know how to show a girl a Friday night, Mister Queen."

Doctor Felicity Smoake, straight out of med school. He was surprised when she came to work for him. She seemed to be a certified genius from all her references. She could be doing important work, but she was a bleeding heart who wanted to help save her city. Equipped with a sarcastic wit, she never seemed to let the deplorable conditions of the Glades get her down. She was drop dead gorgeous too. It was distracting to the archer, but he tried to keep that out of his mind. She was an employee.

"I do my best, Doctor Smoake," he smiled. "Now, you seem to have everything in hand, I think I'll head home for the night."

Oliver walked confidently out of the clinic and towards the private parking lot in the alley behind it. He wasn't headed home though. Once he was next to his audacious Lamborghini, he flipped a switch. After a momentary delay, the wall of the warehouse the car was parked next to slid open and engulfed the mogul and his ride. In the seemingly abandoned space lay the space he coordinated his crime fighting activities. Rows of screens monitoring police and fire activity over the city lined a wall, and his vast collection of weapons and armors were stored around the warehouse floor.

Almost on cue, his phone rang. Seeing it was Detective Diggle, he answered, "Detective."

"Glad to see you're answering your phone again," Diggle said in a half-whisper.

"Well, I'm keeping solid food down, so I figure I can kick a few criminal's heads in," Oliver responded, sitting down in front of the screens. He couldn't deny that it felt good to be back here. When he started his little crusade he wasn't sure if it was just an ego trip or an adrenaline rush, but he thought it might not of been the right thing to do. But as his first year progressed, and the more people he helped, Oliver realized this city needed Green Arrow. He was no longer doing this to prove he could or to bridge his life on the island to his life at home. He was doing this for the people of Star City. That's what mattered. "What have I missed?"

"You're not going to like it," Diggle sighed.

"I'm a big boy, Dig," Oliver said, scanning the city's crime reports. "Lay it on me."

"The Triad has come back. With a vengeance."

Oliver's hand balled up into a fist, almost instinctively. The Triad were the ones he had fought on the island. They were one of the primary drug suppliers in the city, and he had thought he took care of them. "I put their leader behind bars. I routed their safehouses."

The anger was palpable in his voice. Oliver had spent the better part of a year trying to get the Triad out of Star City, and now it seemed as if all his hard work was for naught.

"I know," Diggle responded. "They were quiet. But last week we had a hit on them. Matches their MO. Chatter on the streets is there's a shipment coming in tonight. Dock 52."

"Did you tell your colleagues?"

"And worry about one of the dirty cops in my unit finding out I knew?" the detective laughed. "Not a chance."

"Good," Oliver stood and grabbed his bow, "I don't need anyone in my way."

The comments shot at Kara-El from the super-powered criminals didn’t faze her, of which she made blatantly clear as she kept an un-faltered expression as her eyes shot back at them. The persona that the media expected from Superman and his relatively new sidekick was one that was an unwavering representation of the gold standard of morality—this gold standard was something that was still very alien to Kara, but her cousin who echoed as more of a guardian and father figure tried to make her understand that as best as he could.

Kara’s mind shot to the matter at hand as Superman warned her of the man that radiated crimson but before she could dread or even act about the red-veined criminal he was quickly and efficiently cast down by a lugged cactus from The Atom, this of course caused him great pain but it was his friend that emitted green that Kara had to be focused on and the young kryptonian knew that. Understanding that he had to be dealt with immediately Kara’s mind shot to the thick vault door that could easily contain him until specialized police could detain him which to her was a sound plan, but the fact that they dealt Superman a tough hand earlier caused a sense of intimidating tension in the young girl’s mind. In a blur Kara sped to the metal and retrieved the door as she pinned the green-veined one to the floor with the metal before carefully rolling it around him. This of course, did make Kara rather drained with just being so close to a sensational energy that made her to a point rather nauseated. Backing off, she took some distance and moved her glance back to Superman.

Was that it?

“I think that’s all of them.” Kara stated with a smirk, keeping her composure around the hostages.

Diana's chains clanged off the hard coral that formed the floor of her cell as she struggled against the bonds. Next to her, Cassandra sat calmly, staring at the wall of the prison, "So this is terrible."

"I have been in tougher situations," Diana gritted her teeth and pulled on the chains yet again.

"Would you stop, it's clearly not going to do anything," Cassie sighed.

"True," Diana nodded. "I'm merely wasting my strength."

"So who was fishface back there?" Cassie asked while kicking a small shell between her feet. It was a moment like this that Diana realized how young her half-sister was. She was but a girl, now facing a tidal wave of gods and heroes. Yet here she sat, defiant and proud like any young Amazon would beside her. There was more to her than met the eye, and in the end Diana knew that would prove invaluable. "Didn't seem to be much of a fan of yours. Or mine. I guess."

"Orm is the traitorous brother of Orin," Diana allowed the venom to flow in her words. "He has attempted to overthrow the king's rule several times, and has attacked the surface world as well. He is a powerful sorcerer, and he has seemingly struck a deal with our enemies that gives him both the crown and significant power over the rest of the earth."

"Sounds like a fun guy," Cassie scoffed.

As the two shared a small, sisterly smile, they heard a commotion outside their cell. Fighting raged on the other side of the door, and a magical bolt slammed into the wall, crumbling the coral and causing the door to slam to the ground. Two of Orm's guards were thrown, unconscious, into the cell. As the dust settled, a young Atlantean stepped into the cell, brandishing weapons made of what looked like solid water.



"My name is Kaldur'ahm," he said in a deep, confident voice. "Come with me. My King needs your assistance."

The hostages smiled in happiness as their protectors proceeded to stop the robbers from causing any more harm. Praise was anchored to the core of Clark who had untied and freed the hostages from their restraints. His strength had slowly but surely returned to his body from the lights of uv rays scouring through the windows. Kryptonian cells felt the rejuvenating effect of the Sun bringing them to life unlike what the radiation of the robber had done to the cells. Untying the last of the hostages, he lifted her into his arms and rushed the young woman into the care of the police that had arrived. Only a blur distinguished Clark from the world around him as he ran at super speed to return to Kara and The Atom.

"I see you two clean up nice." Superman gave the other two heroes a smirk. Kara's defeat of the robber gave Clark a rather pleasant feeling. She was getting better at fighting off villains and showing just how heroic she was. It was a great moment for her to be able to defeat the opponent that was causing even Clark a problem. As the police filed in to secure the area, Clark made his way over to Kara and Atom. "That was tougher then expected." He commented while placing his hand on Kara's shoulder.

Atom floated up at eye level with Clark and Kara an hovered in place. She let a sigh of relief and said, "This was a textbook definition of a team win, but there are somethings that trouble me to put it mildly."

She looked around to make sure no one was by chance eavesdropping for a quote that could be taken out of context, or if someone might be able to use what she said later. Atom said, "First off these guys had Kryptonite in their veins. I know Kryptonite isn't exactly a rare substance, but it's not readily available either and yet these two small time losers not only have it, but again it's inside of them. Not to mention they knew the right time hit the bank. Towards the end of the day when you have people not really paying attention and just trying to get out of here." She floated over to the desk and then floated back to Kara and Clark and said, "That magnet they used on me. That kind of strategy just seems like it's way out of the league for these two. There were only two of them. Why not more? They had to have known that just these two with Kryptonite in their veins wasn't going to be enough. That others would find about this situation and come to help out " Atom shook her head and said, "This whole operation just seems like it was too easy in some cases. Like it was a badly scripted wrestling match."

Atom floated down to the desk and looked over the remains of the magnet and said, "This thing isn't something that can just be whipped up in a garage. In order for it to work with the iron in my blood it has to synced up to my bio-rhythms as well."

She floated back to Kara and Clark and said, "Maybe I'm seeing things that aren't there, but it almost seems like we were being tested in some way."