Breathless
Written by Unoaranya30
Chapter 19: When Nightmares Come True
JLA Universe
Mountain Cave East of Coast City
"Whoa! Where did she go?" Wally asked. Only Superman had experienced these sudden appearances and disappearances and he had only shared them with Batman. All of the others present stood in shock. Not that it was much easier for Batman or Superman.
"She went back to whatever universe she came from and she's welcome to stay there. She is dangerous and unpredictable," Batman answered flatly.
"I just hope she doesn't run into the white monster she claimed was Martian. It had her captured when she appeared last time. It was pretty fearsome, powerful and it was obvious what it had planned for her. It had some rather nasty slobber. It got some on me when we fought and there was a little on Di-ana." Superman shivered in revulsion at the memory.
J'onn and Barry both looked up at him suddenly.
"It is true then. The creature Protex is alive. I only hope that this is not the one I imprisoned but one from another universe. I say this not because I wish another planet to suffer as mine did, but because if the one I imprisoned is alive and loose here on earth then I guarantee that his two hundred remaining soldiers are alive and here as well," J'onn informed the group grimly.
"That's the creature that attacked my fiancé!" Barry almost shouted.
"You fought him as well?" Batman asked.
"No. Someone or something attacked and killed my fiancé a couple of months ago. No one was ever captured. She was covered in disgusting viscous saliva and her heart had claw marks on it, yet she had no wound marks on her flesh. We were planning on asking Superman for help in solving the mystery and capturing the killer when all of these attacks started," Barry explained.
"Sounds like the creature I fought. He could become invisible and intangible," Superman agreed.
"It is definitely a White Martian. They have all of the abilities of green Martians. They are quite base in their drives. They conquer, humiliate and destroy everything. My planet is dead because of them and I alone survive of my race," J'onn confirmed.
Everyone was quiet for a moment. It was apparent to all why, although J'onn was extremely kind, that a deep sadness seemed to cling to him.
"Is this, White Martian, here in our plane of existence?" Hal asked Superman.
"I don't think so. When I fought it yesterday, it disappeared just as I was getting the upper hand, like Di-ana disappeared just now. I assume he is back where he came from, but there is no way for me to know if he was able to come back," Superman answered.
"We are well rid of that raven haired witch. She would have only caused discord. She already had you in her spell, Superman. We must now focus on protecting this planet and ourselves of course. I would suggest building ships like our own, capable of traveling through space and either a satellite or a station on your moon. This way you can use the weapon you described to us earlier without fear of damaging the earth's atmosphere," Kator observed.
Everyone perked up at the suggestion. After more discussion, it was decided that Green Lantern's friend would be contacted to help with some of the finances. Batman agreed to help as well.
The Hawkmen volunteered to bring nth metal from their home to help build the base.
Green Lantern offered to bring alien metal that he had discovered in one of his space adventures and Superman volunteered some of his Kryptonian technology.
Wally was very excited. "We're gonna build a space headquarters! So this means we're a team! That is the coolest! I know I feel safer already! We should call ourselves something! Like maybe, "The Lightning Bolts"! You know cuz we get wherever there's trouble really fast. Or we could call ourselves, "The Moon Men", you know, if we build a base on the moon. We could even do something like, "The Intergalactic Gang" or Team or Defenders or League or something like that. We have people from four different planets here! Okay. So which of my names do you all like?" Wally kept looking from one person to the next expectantly.
Superman nodded. "We worked very well together and I would love to continue to work with every one of you. We all have different backgrounds, different abilities but we all worked together to save our cities and our planet and it looks like the danger isn't over. I hope that we are able to defeat whatever is coming our way and continue to be friends. I have to say that I feel at home around all of you, even not knowing who all of you are, I can tell that you are all seeking to make your world a better and safer place. I imagine it would be even safer if we pooled our resources."
Kator smiled. "We six owe you our lives. We consider you our friend and will consider it an honor to defend and fight and die by your side if need be. We are warriors and will be happy to share our knowledge, technology and our lives with you and each of your friends."
Shayera and the four wingmen smiled and nodded their agreement.
Barry patted Wally on the shoulder and smiled. "I guess it's obvious that the two of us are in. We worked this well together knowing little to nothing about one another, I can't imagine what we will be capable of once we have trained and worked together for a while. I'm not demanding or requesting that anybody else do this but since we already know all of the Hawkmen's name's and we know that Black Canary's real name is Dinah, I think it only fair that I share my true identity with you."
Barry pulled back his mask revealing his short blond hair, blue eyes and strong, intelligent and kind face. His reveal was unexpected but it brought a smile to everyone's face's especially Dinah's. "My name is Barry Allen. I'm a forensic scientist and live in Central City. I never dreamed I would be here working with so many powerful and interesting heroes. I just want you all to know that it is an honor to know you all."
"Thank you," Dinah smiled.
Wally quickly ripped down his mask, which didn't cover his hair anyway, to reveal a lightly freckled green-eyed young man of fourteen. He looked mischievous and hyper but his eyes were kind, warm and intelligent. "I'm Wally West," he blurted. "I think Superman should be our leader because nothing can hurt him and he's really nice, but I think you should get a different girlfriend. She was very hot but not very nice. Batman's and Hawkman's girlfriend's are really pretty and nice too. You should find someone like that."
Shayera and Dinah laughed, as did Barry, Hal and Superman. The Hawkmen were not given to mirth but all smiled at Wally's honest outburst. J'onn was not accustomed to laughing either but he understood and found that he liked the young man's enthusiasm and straightforwardness.
Batman didn't laugh, he didn't even smile, but he didn't scowl either. He instinctively liked everyone present. He couldn't say that he didn't like the idea of Dinah being called his girlfriend but he was nervous that everyone was already revealing his or her secret identities to each other. He was not about to. He planned on showing Dinah and maybe Superman but it was too soon for him to trust the rest. Still, it was the others that had saved his life from the Daxamite alien. He would have to consider. It would definitely not be today.
J'onn stepped forward next. "This is my true form. My true name is J'onn or at least the part that you would be able to pronounce. I was known as J'onn J'onnz on my home world. Here on this world I am known as detective John Jones. You may call me either one."
Hal was a little bit more hesitant than Barry or J'onn to reveal his identity simply because he had never shared with anyone before. Not his mother, brother, girlfriends or friends from work. But then he realized that it didn't matter to him if anyone knew or not, especially his new friends. "Remove disguise," he commanded his ring. He stood before them in his civilian attire. He friendly brown eyes met with each of those present and lingered just a little longer on Shayera and Dinah. This was unconscious on his part. It was a habit that had become second nature, but even in the lingering, his eyes showed an appreciation of their beauty more than a disrespectful hunger.
"My name is Hal Jordan. I was chosen to become a Green Lantern just over six months ago. My training is just about done and I've already been on a few space missions," he added proudly. "I think we should call our team, 'Green Lantern and the Justice Warriors'. Don't you guys like the sound of that? Personally I think it has a nice ring to it." He chuckled good naturedly as he lifted his ring and enveloped himself again in his uniform and green energy.
Most laughed, and Superman finally stepped forward. "Forgive me for not revealing my identity yet. I know that the prisoner is unconscious but I don't' want to take a chance. There are too many innocent people who could be hurt if my secret is known by an enemy."
"What are we going to do about our prisoner? He gives me the creeps even more than Di-ana did." Black Canary shivered at the memory of the alien's words and promise.
"There is no prison strong enough to hold him here on earth and I'm not a soldier. I don't think I could bring myself to kill him, but I can't leave him to hurt any of you or anyone else for that matter. It's probably best if I keep watch over him until we decide what to do." Superman looked thoughtful.
"Hey, Superman. Let me take care of him for you. I, well, we actually, took him down without your help earlier, just Golin, Santor and myself. I know the Guardians have prisons for super powered criminals. I'm sure they'll take him off of our hands and give him the justice he deserves. I could take him now while he's still unconscious from the whooping you gave him," Green Lantern suggested.
"I like your idea but I hate to send you alone with him. He's very powerful," Superman pondered.
"He will not be alone or defenseless. I will accompany him," Golin volunteered.
"As will I," Santor stepped forward.
The two veteran soldiers nodded to each other and Green Lantern. "We are soldiers and will not hesitate to end his miserable life if he chooses to attack or in any way threaten any of us." Golin made clear.
"It is a good plan. He will be far away from earth, in a prison he cannot escape and I am sure that knowing his three captors have the means and the willingness to kill him will keep him in check," Kator agreed.
Hal smiled relieved that Golin and Santor would accompany him. He encased the still unconscious Daxamite in green chains and an energy bubble; shook hands with everyone, smiled charmingly at Shayera and Dinah and then encased himself, Golin and Santor in a protective bubble of energy and disappeared into space with a parting, "I'll see you all in a couple of days!"
"I must return to my civilian life for a while. There is work to be done and a friend that I must speak with," J'onn informed them as he lifted off the ground. "I will keep these com-links close by always. If any of you need me I will be there in a moment." With that he disappeared into the sky.
"We should return to Thanagar to retrieve materials for building our base. I will request leave from my father to work here with you. I am sure he will be pleased to have such powerful allies. It seems that the universe is getting to be a very dangerous place and that our two planets share a common enemy. This will also give us the opportunity to repair our ship or perhaps I will return with a Thangarian Star Cruiser. There are not many ships better armed or faster in the universe."
The four headed to their ship. Shayera looked back, smiled and said, "We will return soon!" A moment later the ship had disappeared into space.
The remaining five looked at each other. "I need to get back to Gotham," Batman started.
Dinah smiled, "Yes, you have to clean up so that you can meet my mother."
"Before we head back could you two stop back at my Fortress? There's something I'd like to give you two," Superman requested.
Batman looked somewhat startled but Dinah blurted out a loud yes rather quickly.
Barry smiled, "I would love to see your Fortress but I need to get some sleep. I work early tomorrow."
"Uncle Barry! You're too tired to go see the Fortress? I want to see it. Can I go with them?" Wally asked excitedly.
Barry looked at Wally unsure of what to say.
"I would be happy to have you two at my getaway home," Superman smiled.
Dinah looked at Batman expectantly. Batman looked back at her, sighed and said, "There's room for two more in the jet."
"Alright! Let's go, Uncle Barry!" Wally grinned enthusiastically.
The four boarded the sleek, black jet and were about to follow Superman when Batman noticed a light on his console flashing. There was news an alert about a shipwreck in the Caribbean from the night before. He called Superman into the ship and the five listened to the report. The survivors all told of a hideous monster that had destroy the ship and killed and eaten many of the crew and passengers. They also said that a large blond haired man in orange gold and green had fought off the monster and he and a beautiful red headed woman had rescued them all and then disappeared into the depths of the ocean.
While they listened to the report it was interrupted with news of some sort of powerful flash of light, a rift in the sky and a glimpse of some sort of tropical paradise by one of the helicopter pilots.
The five looked at each other. Superman smiled. "Looks like we have another stop to make before we get to go home."
Batman set his course for the Caribbean and blasted off in that direction.
"Man, I love this team!" Wally shouted.
======S======
Syndicate Universe
Ivy Town
Molecule Man's Laboratory
Ray was sweating bullets. He was a coward when it came to pain. He had always been. He realized now as Owlman struck him viciously for the fourth time that as bad as the pain was, his anticipation of it had been worse. He thought it somewhat amusing that he could detach himself and look at it his torture as a psychological breakthrough for himself. The realization didn't keep him from screaming from the pain though.
Owlman knew just how and where to strike a person to intensify and maximize the pain he wanted to deal. It didn't seem to matter to him what Ray instructed him to do or his explanations of why Superwoman didn't reappear instantly. He wanted to torture him so he did.
Ray had explained that it would take ten minutes before she reappeared. Owlman had just smirked. "That will give me ten minutes to hurt you just in case you have lied to me. If she appears in ten minutes then you will just have received a severe beating. If she does not then we'll move onto slowly beating you to death." And he had begun striking him methodically, scientifically and with a sadistic smile on the visible part of his face.
Ray screamed in physical pain but he was also quite satisfied with himself. He had not only given Owlman the proper code to teleport Superwoman to the lab from wherever she currently was, but he had also given him the code to lock onto Ultraman, Power Ring and Johnny Quick to teleport them to the Bermuda Triangle. There were three he hoped he would not have to deal with again. He hoped he survived long enough to see Superwoman make mince meat out of Owlman.
Ray felt a third rib crack and all he could do was groan.
"Ten minutes are up. She's still not here. Looks like we move on to the beat you to death stage," Owlman sneered down at him.
Ray tried to wheeze out a, "Wait!" but he didn't have the strength. He closed his eyes waiting for the beating to continue but he felt Owlman tense and turn and heard the angry voice of Superwoman.
======A======
Apokolips
The Citadel
Desaad groveled on his face at the foot of the dais that led up to the throne of perhaps the most powerful, ruthless and absolute ruler in the known universe, while behind him rose the shrieks and screams of four captured soldiers of the resistance as they were slowly being tortured to death. The dark lord that sat there quietly and detachedly observing and brooding was truly monstrous in size. He was a wide as Desaad was tall and when he stood, he was over seven feet. Limbs torso and head were thickly muscled and hard and grey like death. His skin was rocky in appearance and the hellish red eyes set in the emotionless grey stone face smoldered with deadly power. There was truly nothing in the universe that he feared. All who had ever opposed him or stood in his way, he had crushed beneath his feet. Slowly the absolute lord of Apokolips turned his gaze down until it rested on his groveling servant, advisor and master torturer, master other than himself.
"Rise, my servant. You have discovered something worthy of my attention." The red eyes stared down at the diminutive figure that had his face buried in the cold, stone floor. It was not a question but a demand for an answer to the disruption of his current activities.
Desaad rose to his feet slowly but kept his eyes glued to the stone floor. "I have, Lord Darkseid. It is something that I believe will be of great interest to you. The last remaining Daxamite that was sent to the planet earth after the defeat at the hands of the Thanagarians," There was an angry rumble from the throne; Desaad quickened his pace to get to the point, "The one, who called himself Tor-Den, has been captured by some super powered beings. There is a Green Lantern, a few Thanagarians, humans, a being who seems to be referred to as a Martian, I imagine this means he was originally an inhabitant of one of the moons of that galaxy, and two other beings that will truly be of interest to you. A female of beauty beyond compare that was able to survive mating with the Daxamite and a full blooded Kryptonian who defeated the Daxamite with a single blow."
Desaad continued to stare at the stone, waiting to see his master's response. He was sure that he would not kill him. He was too valuable. His spies discovered enemy plots all of the time and when they did not, they invented. So there was never a shortage of prisoners to torture and experiment on. He recognized one of the screaming prisoners when he had entered the throne room. He had been caught plotting to escape from Apokolips to New Genesis. He would probably eventually be boom tubed there, but not in one piece.
Darkseid had been close to throwing Desaad out, especially when he had reminded him of the defeat at the hands of the cursed Thanagarians, but he became very interested when Desaad mentioned the beautiful woman and the full-blooded Kryptonian. Although he occasionally would take a female to use for his pleasure and had done so more frequently since having captured so many Daxamites, it had been awhile since he had sired any offspring. There were a few Daxamite females that he was certain he had impregnated but he had killed them for trying to escape him. He would have to see if this woman of great beauty was of any interest to him.
Darkseid had been searching for full-blooded Kryptonians for some time. Centuries before he had led a raid on a small colony out in deep space. The inhabitants of the colony had turned out to be Kryptonian soldiers and scientists. The colony had been situated on a moon in a galaxy with a yellow sun. Needless to say the small group of Kryptonians had wiped out his raiding party and he had boom tube back to the safety of Apokolips defeated and alone. He had vowed to one day conquer the Kryptonians. Later he had taken power from his parents and killed them, becoming more powerful than any being on Apokolips and gaining the power of the omega effect. By the time he had turned his attention to destroying Krypton, he found that it was already destroyed.
Now he spent his time and resources in searching for scattered Kryptonian's and plotting to overthrow New Genesis and crush all who were a challenge or threat beneath his feet.
"Show me the woman and the Kryptonian," Darkseid commanded as he leaned forward on his throne.
Desaad produced a holo screen and instantly all that had transpired in the mountain cave from the moment the Daxamite had regained consciousness to the moment that Superman had again rendered him unconscious was played out before the dark lord.
When it was done he sat back contemplating. "You have done well, Desaad. I want both brought to me. One will give me offspring and the other will become either my soldier or food for my hell hounds."
JLA Universe
Outskirts of Ivy Town
Ray Palmer's Home
Ray woke up disoriented. There was a moment of panic before he realized that it was not that his leg was broken and out of joint laying at a weird angle to his body, but his wife's leg draped across his torso and sticking out from under the covers.
Ray smiled to himself for having solved the case of 'the wrong leg' so quickly. He didn't feel too sleepy at the moment and knew that the night was young. Checking the clock he saw that it was already past midnight. He had expected it to be earlier. Slowly, he disentangled himself from his sleeping wife and went to his computer, logged in and began going over his research.
He was very excited about his breakthrough but realized that he couldn't really share it with his wife. Most of his idea's and experiments really bored her. It wasn't that she was unintelligent. She was very accomplished and a sought after lawyer. It was just that she seemed to find most of his ideas sounded like science fiction. Ray was pretty sure she still had no idea how he had gotten home so fast and that after all of his explanations she still didn't believe that he could shrink down to an atomic level. He hadn't bothered to demonstrate because he realized that he'd already spent most of his and her weekend off locked up in his lab. His pretty, smart and patient wife was beginning to act bored and impatient. So he wisely dropped the matter and focused on Jean for the rest of the evening.
Jean had wanted him to order the pizza, order a movie and she had wanted some attention. He had felt a little flustered until they had gotten to the, 'some attention' part. That had made him forget about his breakthrough for quite a while. But now he was awake and refreshed and he wanted to play with his discovery.
Ray stood up from his computer and dug out the blue and red outfit that he had made from the bottom of the little pile of clothes they had made when they had gotten to the 'some attention' part of their evening and put it back on. He assumed it could shrink with him because of the white dwarf star matter that was on it or on his belt. He decided that he would investigate that at a later date.
Picking up the phone, he dialed his lab and adjusted the dial on his belt to shrink and travel through the phone system. He shrank, but nothing seemed to happen. He turned the dial again to see if he had made it. He remembered that it had been so quick the last time that he hadn't even noticed the change.
He was still in his living room. He had to think for a moment to figure out what was wrong. He knew he'd dialed the right number. Then it hit him. There was no one at the other end to pick up! O well, he would just have to drive himself back over. He stopped. His car was at the university and he couldn't take Jean's car. He would most certainly lose track of time and she had to be to work in the morning. He was debating waking her up to ask her for a ride but knew instinctively that it would not be wise to make a happy contented Jeanie an unhappy and grumpy Jeanie. So he discarded that idea. He flopped down on the couch in defeat. He wanted to shrink! Sure he could shrink at home or anywhere as long as he had his belt on but he didn't want to shrink just anywhere! He wanted to shrink at his lab!
He sat slumped on the couch with a frowny face. He was defeated in his own home. He had almost given into the alternative of shrinking in his own house when he remembered that there was security at the college twenty four seven.
With a victorious smile on his face he stood up and reached for the phone.
Ivy Town College
Protex had realized that like the college where he worked with Ray, this college had next to no one on the weekends. The very few souls that were around would be perfect to bring him back to full strength. He was already on his third security guard. He figured there was one more, two tops, just waiting to be his power snacks. He knew there had to be one in the dispatch office with all of the camera's and phones and probably one more patrolling on foot. Morphing into the likeness of the third guard he had devoured, he entered the college and began making rounds. He reached out with his telepathic powers and sensed the fourth guard two floors above him. With a nasty grin and a drool of anticipation he phased through the floors until he was just behind the guard.
The guard sat watching a movie on the television in the campus activity center. The movie was about aliens attacking the earth. He realized that the aliens were supposed to be Martians. They were extremely tiny but at least they seemed to be making mince meat of the pathetic humans. He moved over and stood behind the fourth guard. His shape was visible in the television screen but the guard was half asleep and didn't notice right away.
Just then his radio went off, "Dispatch to Mobile Three.
Dispatch to Mobile Three."
The guard sat up looking at his radio. It was obvious that he was not Mobile Three.
"Dispatch to Mobile Eight." A pause, "Dispatch to Mobile Eight." No response. Protex looked down at his uniform and wondered if he was either of the two guards that had been called. It didn't matter the uniform was him and this guard and the one in dispatch would soon be fueling his slowly healing body.
"Dispatch to Mobile Five." The voice from dispatch sounded a bit concerned.
The guard sitting in front of Protex lifted his radio, "Mobile Five to Dispatch. What's going on?" He sounded like he had just woken up and he sounded nervous. Both were true.
"Dispatch to Mobile Five, I can't raise Mobile Three or Mobile Eight. I haven't tried Mobile Seven yet. Could you go and see what is going on? I can see both of the cruisers outside and it looks like the engines are running."
"Mobile Five copy. En route." Mobile Five stood up and turned around. He found himself facing Mobile Seven. He turned white and jumped back with an involuntary yell of surprise and shock then broke out into a big grin. "How long have you been standing there?" He chuckled.
"Long enough to hear panic in the voice of my last snack and long enough to smell my current one," Protex said with a wicked grin.
The guard looked at him confused for a moment but let out a scream of terror as his fellow guard transformed into a large white nightmare and attacked.
A few minutes later Protex stood up from his last meal. He already felt almost one hundred percent. He had vowed a dozen times in the last several hours that the Ultraman twin and Owlman would pay for nearly killing him. He headed down to the Dispatch area for the last part of his meal.
Just as he reached the door and started to phase through the phone rang and the dispatch guard picked it up.
Syndicate Universe
Space
"Take on the winged monsters and the ships! I will deal with this one!" Jur-Li shouted his command over the com-link that Power Ring had provided.
Major Atom and Power Ring began mowing down the Parademons. Nuclear Man made his way to the hull of one of the fifty ships and touched it. Instantly, alien metal was turned into paper. With a sneer he ripped it open and moved on to the next ship.
Jur-Li was satisfied with what he saw from his team but had little time to dwell on it as the large man like monster with the antennae of an insect was upon him. Both struck simultaneously. Both were sent careening away from one another.
Jur-Li shook his head to clear the cobwebs. This creature was very strong. He hated to admit it but it was possibly as strong as he was. Tracking, he saw the creature was also recovering from his blow and searching for him. With a snarl, Jur-Li attacked, unleashing his heat vision into the creature as he closed the distance. He stopped just as he reached the monster to deliver another blow. Too late, he noticed that the creature had not budged and seemed to be glowing with power.
The monster grabbed his fist with his left hand and struck him in the face repeatedly with blinding speed and tremendous power. Jur-Li wrenched his hand out of the creature's vise like grip and kicked it viciously in the stomach.
He gave a satisfied grunt when he saw that he had knocked the monster away. He could tell that his left eye was swollen shut, but it was healing quickly and he was still trying to understand what had just happened. It seemed that hitting the monster with his heat vision had powered it up even more. He would have to refrain.
He didn't have time for any more reflections or planning as the creature was upon him striking with speed and power. Jur-Li retaliated with everything he had. He did not hold back in speed or power and the two looked like a big green and blue blur moving through the space around the Apokoliptian Death Fleet.
Major Atom and Power Ring continued to annihilate the winged monsters as if they were flies while Nuclear Man moved from ship to ship, completely destroying them and any inside that could not survive in space.
Ultraman ached all over from the blows he was receiving but he saw that he was giving as good as he got and that his opponents fighting skills, while considerable, were not quite on par with his own. He also noted that his opponent seemed to be weakening. He was moving just a little slower than he had at the beginning and he seemed to grimace just a little more when his blows connected.
Jur-Li smiled to himself. He was going to win and he was going to rip the creature's limbs off of it.
Mantis had felt certain of victory. He had noted the shock and the pain plain of the man creature's face with every blow he had given but now he was not so certain. The man creature showed no sign of giving up or fleeing or weakening. In fact he found that he was being worn down by the man creature. It was time to use a little more than just raw power. Channeling energy to his right hand he struck Ultraman full in the chest, encasing him in a solid block of ice.
Trapped for the moment, Ultraman realized he had seriously underestimated his opponent and that he would likely pay for that with his life. The creature was upon him before he could free himself but was knocked away by a beam of green energy as Power Ring came to the rescue.
Guy continued to blast the creature with his ring until he noticed that he couldn't stop. The creature was absorbing the energy from his ring! "A little help here!" he shouted into his com-link.
Major Atom blasted the creature away with a burst of nuclear energy. This made him release his pull on Power Ring's ring but now he was absorbing Major Atom's energy.
Major Atom figured out what he was doing but he wasn't worried. He could absorb energy as well and as soon as the creature decided to blast him in return he would simply absorb his energy back.
Meanwhile, Jur-Li burst free of the ice that the monster had encased him in and flew to the attack. Parademons tried to cut him off but he just cut them in half with his heat vision without slowing down. He saw that Nuclear man was on his tenth ship already and that Power Ring was slaughtering the winged demons but he looked visibly shaken.
"What is the matter, Guy?" he asked.
"Not sure how much time I have left on the ring. That thing drained a lot out of it." Power Ring answered.
"Head home. We have it under control now. Soon they will have no ships and no soldiers. Recharge and be ready. They may decide to send more our way," Jur-Li commanded. He didn't wait to see if Power Ring obeyed or not but turned and sped to attack and give Major Atom a break. Seeing what Major Atom was doing gave him an idea.
At the moment Major Atom was absorbing a prolonged and concentrated blast of energy from the monster. "Don't fire back at him!" Jur-Li shouted over the com-link.
Major Atom looked and understood. He shot up out of Ultraman's way as he slammed into the green monster. The two exchanged savage blows and it was obvious that both could feel the power of the other.
Mantis had never faced a stronger opponent in battle. He assumed that Darkseid and Orion were at least this strong if not stronger but he had never had the pleasure of facing Orion in battle nor would he ever face the dark lord who had given him his powers. He realized that his cold touch had done nothing to this warrior so he tried his thermal touch. The warrior didn't seem to flinch. They were fighting next to a one of the ships now. Mantis decided that he would give this warrior a taste of his anti-matter touch. Channeling the dark power to his right hand he struck at the blue suited warrior.
Ultraman saw the creature's hand suddenly pulse with a dark and unnatural energy and blurred out of the way. The hand struck the hull of the ship. At first nothing happened, but then the hull began to glow and pulse with the same energy as the creatures hand and then it exploded.
Jur-Li sped away from the explosion and turned to find the creature right on his tail. He avoided the dangerous hand and found that he suddenly outmatched the creature in speed and strength. Using this to his advantage he pounded the monster with all of his might. Major Atom attempted to help but he warned him away. He suspected that if he were to absorb any energy that his strength would return and apparently using his strange dark energy power drained him of strength.
Ultraman planned on draining him of every ounce of strength that he could. He gave a satisfied grunt when he noticed the creature's hand return to normal. The blows that he landed still hurt but not like the first ones and it was obvious that the blows he gave the creature were doing more damage now.
Jur-Li tried to grab the creature's neck to snap it but found himself encased in ice again. He counted himself lucky that he had not been touched with the black energy as he shattered his way out of the ice prison. The green and yellow monster seemed spent and before he could reach it an energy tunnel or teleportation tube seemed to open up behind him and he disappeared into it.
Ultraman looked around satisfied with the battle. Nuclear Man was destroying ship after ship. Of the fifty there were twenty one left. The space around him was littered with the body parts of the winged monsters and the insides of the monstrous ships.
"Let's finish these pathetic excuses for alien invaders and head ho…"
There was a bright flash of light and Ultraman was gone.
Syndicate Satellite
Iron and Johnny Quick watched as Power Ring rapidly approached the satellite. They could not see the battle but they had been able to hear everything that was said and knew that they were winning and why Power Ring was heading back.
Johnny was gloating. "Looks like another flawless victory for the Syn…"
Iron watched in shock as both Power Ring and Johnny Quick disappeared in a flash of light.
Apokolips
The Pits
Lashina was strapped to a cold, upright metallic table. She could not move her limbs or head but she could see several wicked looking instruments that she could only assume were used to torture, maim and humiliate those at the mercy of Granny or Desaad. Neither was present at the moment but there were other that she could hear being tortured in other rooms and areas of the pits. She felt a helpless despair knowing that no matter what she did, she would always be at the mercy of these loathsome monsters. She told herself that she would not be maimed because they wanted her to be a Fury and because Grayven was the dark lord's son and wanted her body and looks intact for him to use and abuse at his pleasure. The thought made her wish that they would disfigure or maim her.
"So, you are my next patient."
Lashina jumped in her bonds at the sound of the unexpected scratchy voice. Before her stood the small purple robed figure of the much feared advisor and master torturer of the dark one. She felt herself sweating anew and felt a jolt of revulsion shoot through her when he touched her bare leg with his small clammy and claw like hands. It was a feeling she had experienced time and again since falling into the hands of Gravyen.
Desaad seemed to be reading something from a chart. "Let's see. It says here that you cry too much and that you kill too quickly." He ran his small claw like hands over her bare stomach, scratching her with his nails. "Is this true, slave?" The question was accusatory and there was a hiss of displeasure in his raspy voice.
Lashina's body simply shook in fear and revulsion at his touch.
Desaad continued to touch her body for a moment more then stopped and continued reading. "Hmmm, it seems that you are already being physically raped and it looks like you are slotted to spend a week as Kaliback's plaything when I am through with you. That is too bad. I had so many tools here I could have used on you. They worked wonderfully on your blond friend, by the way. She left here a new person. I believe, broken, bloodthirsty and compliant, would now best described her."
Desaad continued, "Do not worry, my dear, you will be just as broken, bloodthirsty and compliant as your friend when I am through with you. Oh, wait. I have to leave you with a little of your own will and mind for Kaliback to finish destroying! Well, we will work with what we have. So let me see, you are already being violated physically but you have not truly experienced a true mental or spiritual violation until you have spent some time with me. Let us not waste any more time. We will begin with some simple mental recalibrations. Those will seem just as invasive as the assaults you have endured but if you are a good patient perhaps on our last day of treatments I will use some of those on you as well." Desaad smiled malevolently at her.
Hitting a button on his wrist, Desaad began lowering a large robotic helmet over her head. As the helmet came down Desaad produced a syringe with a dark orange fluid in it. Still smiling he said, "This toxin will attack your nervous system and produce excruciating pain and you will be unable to relax. It will be quite dark in there and you will be scared but do not worry. Soon the week will be over. You will be fearless and deadly and the slave of our beloved Kalibak for a week."
Lashina heard him cackling as the darkness and pain engulfed her.
Syndicate Universe
Ivy Town
Molecule Man's Lab
Owlman felt the energy shift in the room just a moment before he heard Superwoman's voice.
"…didn't mean to upset you…"
Superwoman looked around disoriented for a moment and angry as she realized where she was. She was still only half dressed from her encounter with the Daxamite. Just as she realized that she was not alone in the lab, a gas pellet struck her full in the face. She backed away, coughing. It was some sort of tear or knockout gas. She could feel the effects but they were minor and would wear off in moments. Toxins and poisons affected her but she could recuperate from most of them very quickly.
She saw that Ray was strapped to a table and that he had been or was being tortured. Just before he struck she knew that she faced Owlman. She smiled to herself. This would not be a difficult fight. Owlman knew many tricks and was a peerless hand to hand fighter but he was a fool if he thought to take her one on one. Her wrists were not bound so she had all of her abilities unchecked.
A line came through the smoke and trapped her wrists loosely. She simply jerked the line to herself, rolled onto her back and kicked up at what should have been Owlman's body. Instead it was one of Ray's instruments that her feet connected with and sent crashing into the far wall. Di-ana executed a quick kip-up right into Owlman's hand as he smashed another pellet of gas into her face. She felt her lungs aching and her bronchioles constricting and spasming. Feeling somewhat sluggish, but not defeated, she head butted Owlman, sending him sliding across the room as she crashed to her knees.
Owlman stood up, dazed and in pain, and threw four of his electro blades and two explosive blades into the smoke without aiming. Two of the electro blades and one explosive blade struck Di-ana, knocking her back to the ground. One electro blade struck the collar around Ray's neck, one struck the far wall and the second explosive blade hit one of the table legs where Ray was strapped.
Ray yelled in pain as the table tipped over and he felt part of the blade pierce his neck. As he hit the floor he realized that the collar was destroyed as well as one the restraint on his left wrist. Freeing himself, he grabbed his belt with the yellow dwarf star shard and shrank down to an inch. Owlman was struggling on the floor with Superwoman. He was trying to secure her wrists before she could fully recover and she was struggling to recover before he had her bound. Owlman was truly skilled and deadly and he moved like a man possessed and with a purpose, but Di-ana moved just as determinedly and with every second that passed she was getting stronger.
Ray leaped over to his teleporter, returned to his normal size and punched in some coordinates and a destination. Di-ana was bound but she was up and facing Owlman. There was a flash of light and the gloating Owlman disappeared.
Superwoman stared at him suspiciously, "If you think that you can have me, you are sorely mistaken. Even bound, I am much more than a match for you. Release me and I will spare your life."
Ray tossed her one of Owlman's blades. "Here. Release yourself. I only wanted to get rid of Ultraman, Power Ring, Johnny and Owlman. Some of the others as well, but not you. I was hoping since I already got rid of both Owlman and Ultraman for you that maybe you would want to show me a little gratitude."
Superwoman looked at him suspiciously, "And if I do not?"
"Well, I could always bring Ultraman back here." He had his hand poised over a button on his instrument.
Superwoman smiled wickedly, "You are showing some spine, Ray. Come let us see if your new back bone can survive an encounter with me."
Ray smiled. He did not care what happened out in space at the moment. He didn't even care what happened to him. All he cared about was that he, Ray Palmer, spineless, cowardly professor, laughing stock of the Syndicate, was about to have willing sex with the most beautiful and powerful woman in the world. When he was through he thought he might teleport his cheating wife out into space for humiliating him for so long. Then he forgot about everything else.
JLA Universe
Themyscira
Bedchamber of Princess Diana and Donna
It was night once again. The prisoner was secure in his cell. King Arthur and Queen Mera were in the royal guest chambers. They were chambers that had been built with the palace but never used since there were no visits from anyone to the magically cloaked dimension that was the island of Themyscira. The Queen, Diana, and in fact, the entire Amazon nation were pleased to have the king and queen of the sea as friends and allies. They had given them a tour of the palace and all of the safe areas of the island and made an alliance with them in a strong bond of friendship.
The queen was a bit concerned about how the sea king would affect her Amazons, especially her daughter Diana. He was very handsome and powerfully built and it was obvious that he knew it. Still he had shown great respect to all the Amazons he had been introduced to, his eyes had not wandered and he was obviously in love with his queen and she with him.
Diana, for her part had not shown any physical interest other than being obviously impressed with his physique and manners. She had asked her later why she had been taught that all men were so evil if this beautiful man had come to their aid and been so respectful of their laws.
Hippolyta had expected this, and had explained that men like their new friend, the king, were the exception rather than the rule, but in any case she would soon find out for herself, since she had been appointed champion and would be venturing out into the world of men soon.
She felt some anger at the thought of losing her lovely daughter so soon. She was so young and had so much to learn still, but she remembered how she had fought in the tournament, the blessings of the goddesses and her bravery and cunning against the two aliens and she smiled proudly and sadly to herself. Her daughter was ready. She would learn as she grew and with each experience and challenge just as she had. She prayed that she would never experience the humiliation and shame of being betrayed and forced by a man and trusted that the gods would keep her baby safe. She focused on her daughters again and smiled as she watched them excitedly talking about the adventures of the day.
"Tomorrow we will be attacked again! And we will meet more allies!" Diana was explaining enthusiastically to Donna.
The reminder that a portion of Diana's dream was yet to come to pass wiped the smile from the Queens face. There was more danger for her daughters ahead and with every fiber of her being she wanted to whisk her away and hide her where danger and evil would never find her. But she knew that she couldn't.
It was late. The day had been grueling, both physically and emotionally for all, especially for the queen. They traded stories and hopes for a few more minutes and then the three lay down to sleep. It came rather quickly for the them. And it was deep.
Not long into the night a shadow stood in the room just as he had the night before. The man with wings moved like a spirit. He disappeared in the moonlight and reappeared in the darkness and shadows as he moved. It was like seeing smoke take form or a form become smoke.
Tonight he moved to the Queen's side first. Bending over and reaching down, he gently touched her mind. "See again, beloved queen. Your visions will be troubling and you will not remember them when you wake but they will serve you well when the time comes."
Hipployta opened her eyes. She saw a large, powerfully muscled man with coal black hair chained in some evil looking device. He seemed to be mostly naked and he had been badly beaten and tortured. She could not see his face but there was a puddle of tears, saliva and blood on the floor. She could hear him sobbing unashamedly. He spoke to her. His voice was thick and he was hard to understand but he seemed to be asking her forgiveness. She heard herself requesting his forgiveness in return and then realized that she was in chains and that she was not alone. Hundreds of her sister Amazons were in chains as well.
She felt a knot in the pit of her stomach of fear and helplessness and then the weeping man began to fade. She found that she was trying to reach out him but he was gone.
She closed her eyes to shut out the sad and hopeless image and when she opened them again she found that she was still bound. Her hands were chained behind her back and her neck was in a thick collar. A chain connected her to her best friend and advisor, Phillipus, who was in front of her. Looking around she realized that all of her Amazons were chained before and behind her in the same manner. They were surrounded by large yellow and orange man like creatures. They were all very tall and hugely muscled. The landscape was barren and desolate and the sun burned down with tremendous heat.
Hippolyta saw a large, yellow monster coming towards her. She was sure that what she was seeing she had seen before. The alien stopped next to her and laughed as his large hands groped her. She spat in his face in disgust and revulsion and her sisters cried out indignantly as the creature lifted her to her feet and pulled her head back by the hair.
She closed her eyes for a moment. This had to be a dream. She knew that she could not endure such an attack again. She heard a yell of indignation, but this was masculine in sound. Her eyes flew open and she suddenly knew that she had witnessed this before.
The yellow monster dropped her as two dark haired boys dropped from the sky slamming into him and knocking him away from her. She noted with wonder that they were dressed in Grecian garments and that they were older than her Donna but younger than her Diana. They were perhaps fifteen and well muscled, they fought the yellow monster together as one and although they seemed dwarfed by the yellow monster, they held their own and fought with skill and fury. She felt proud and sad knowing that even if they defeated this creature there were too many for them to survive.
The yellow monster knocked one away and he fell at her feet. He was up instantly. For a moment their eyes locked and she saw that his eyes were the most beautiful sky blue and filled with deep concern and the fiercest determination. He spoke to her twice and then threw himself back into the fight.
She thought that she could hear her little Donna's voice behind her whispering encouragement but she couldn't get the words of the boy out of her mind. She was certain she had heard him call her grandmother. She reached out for the young men. More of their captors were there now. She realized that her hands were no longer chained and that she had her sword in her hand.
The image faded into darkness and the queen fell into a deeper sleep.
The shadowy form moved to the younger princess. A shadowy hand moved gently over her dark hair and touched her mind. "Today you will save your family, little one."
Donna was transported to the beach. She saw many of her sister Amazons lying still on the ground. What looked like a man in green was fighting and defeating her sisters that were still standing. She saw their new friends fighting against a man that moved like the lightening that Zeus sent from the sky. Diana was fighting fiercely against a large, powerful and cruel looking man in blue. She seemed to hold her own for a bit but then began to lose badly.
Donna flung herself at the man striking him to the ground. She began to rain blows down on his head and face but he swatted her away easily. She landed in a heap on the sand and leaped up to renew the attack. She was desperate to save her sister. She saw that Diana was back on her feet but she looked terribly hurt.
Diana and the man clashed and Diana was again thrown to the ground. Just as Donna launched herself at him once again she heard a voice. "Quickly, to the portal child. It will open for you. There you will find help. Go!"
Donna turned without questioning the voice and raced into the sky and passed through the portal but then everything began to fade she thought she saw a man like the one hurting her sister racing towards her with a large dark shadowy winged monster pursuing him and then the vision was gone. She turned restlessly but a second touch from the shadow plunged her back into a deep slumber.
The form moved to the older Princess. "There is not much time for you to dream tonight, blessed champion, but you must again see a glimpse of your peril." With a touch Diana was plunged into a similar vision to the one she had seen the previous night.
Again she saw her mother and sister Amazons fighting a losing battle against a large powerful man whose face was full of rage. He knocked the seasoned Amazon warriors away from him with terrifying ease. She flew to intercept him.
When he saw her he ignored everyone and attacked her with a speed and fury unlike any she had ever seen before. He had all of her skills plus a speed and power that left her reeling. She felt her bones snap as he broke her arm and cracked a rib. She could not get him off of her and there was a leer on his face.
He struck her in the face and she saw stars. She waited for another blow to fall she suddenly felt his weight leave her. Forcing herself to focus she sat up and grasped her mother's sword with her good hand. Still seeing double she saw little Donna raining blows down on the man. The sight caused her to forget her pain and she leaped to her feet and raced towards the two. She saw little Donna flung away like a little rag doll and then the man was attacking her again. She was fighting on sheer instinct now. She slashed with all of her speed and saw with satisfaction that she had opened a couple of wounds on the man's face and arm but in the next instant she was back on the ground. The leering face was above her again and a bloodied fist was descending. Her vision began to blur and fade but she thought she saw little Donna flying towards her with her attacker's twin behind her and a large dark winged beast of the air close behind him. And then the vision was gone. There was only darkness and quiet and then she heard an urgent voice.
"Wake up, Princess. The enemy is here."
A/N:
My apologies again for the long wait in between updates. Have had some difficulties with WiFi since a recent snow storm. I'm giving up on the shorter chapter idea. I wasn't posting any faster anyway. This way even if you have to wait a while, you at least get a little more meat out of the story. Hope all who celebrate had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all a Happy New Year. Thanks to all who have taken time to read and review. See you all next chapter