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» Legion World » LEGION OUTPOST » Bits o' Legionnaire Business » 21st Century Legion (vol. 2) (Page 4)

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Author Topic: 21st Century Legion (vol. 2)
Cobalt Kid
BOHICA
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The Validus Project
Part 3


It would be much later, when Nura had thought to grab as many random papers as possible, that she and Invisible Kid could piece together some information on the Dominion. What they were was obvious enough to surmise: a free-lancing group of scientist with no qualms about doing the most horrific and dangerous experiments in the world. The fact that they created nuclear warheads made it obvious they were not above selling their inventions to make money for themselves—no doubt to finance their more expensive experiments that were being done specifically for themselves. What their larger goal might be, they had no real idea for now, only knowing that they were extremely advanced in electromagnetic experiments, parapsychology, chemical enhancements on animal and human physiology and a variety of other experiments. The most hard to fathom, although not the most dangerous, being the Validus Experiment.

They were based in South America, but had somehow begun as former Nazi scientists escaping after World War II and making their way to fascist countries in South America. Some scientists went to work for the US or Russia and then made their way to the Dominion. Some were founding members of the Dominion, deciding then they would have no part in another world struggle, but would pursue their own objectives.

Some of them had experimented on themselves over the years. For some, that meant death; others, long life. For even more others, that meant they turned themselves into monsters.

This laboratory was only one, and the only one in Brazil, although it was the most remote and hardest to find, given its geographic location. Until the day the Legionnaires came.

-----------------------------

Validus stared down at Lyle, and Lyle felt a tingle on his back. He read once that you could feel it when lightning was about to strike you, and that was what he was feeling.

Suddenly Jacquie leapt into view of them all, jumping into Lyle (and revealing that she could actually see him in invisible form), and knocking him to the ground.

Validus unleashed a ‘mental lightning bolt’ and roared at the top of his lungs, as it blasted where Lyle was just standing. All of the scientists turned and saw her, and their cover was blown.

“We’ve been breached!” one of the Dominion screamed, and all at once they all began moving in various directions, swarming all over.

Lyle and Jacquie scrambled to their feet, as Ferro, Element Lad and Dreamer ran in to join them, Element Lad holding up his hands to deflect anything that could be fired at them. The Dominion continued to swarm in a confusing way, and they all braced for an attack.

“No,” said Tela, at last joining them, “they’re not going to attack! They’re running away!”

The Legionnaires all looked around to see they were indeed abandoning their lab, with experiments only half-done and still in the process of being done, and evacuating in various places. None of them missed the notion of how dangerous that could be.

“Oh my God,” said Tela suddenly. “They’re going to unleash it!” she screamed, turning towards Validus, and they all followed suit. “They’re going to unleash it on us!”

And a member of the Dominion did just that, unleashing Validus so that he’d be free of his shackles and take care of this problem for them. The Dominion all escaped through various tunnels, some stopping for their notes, others leaving them. No one bothered to touch the nuclear warheads, a point which Lyle continued to focus on.

Validus emerged from his shackles and moved towards them.

-----------------------------

Validus was enormous, and every part of his body was ripped with muscle. He stepped forward with his massive leg and instantly smashed both fists to the ground at Jacquie and Lyle, ready to smash them.

“This feels so familiar,” said Nura, thinking of her last big battle, which was with the Hulk. She and the other Legionnaires ran for cover. “Should we try to follow some of those Dominion people?” she asked Tela, who was concentrating on Validus, who moved among them, trying to smash them all.

“No!” said Invisible Kid, as both he and Sensor moved out of the way to her side. “Over there! There’s a nuclear warhead!”

“Oh my God…” said Dreamer, realizing the danger they were in. “We need to get this creature out of here—“

“—as soon as possible!” yelled Invisible Kid finishing her sentence. “Irma?”

She suddenly cringed as if she had a major headache. “Its no use…” she said. “He’s essentially mindless, or at least comparable to a two year old. All this anger…and some sort of electrical feed on his thoughts. Its so odd.”

“I’m having trouble too,” said Sensor. “He should be seeing rainbows and fuzzy little creatures, but he’s not responding.” She looked over, realizing between her, Tela, Dreamer and Invisible Kid, there was little they could do in terms of force.

“I guess that means its time for me to step up…” said Ferro suddenly, and quite nervously. Up until now, he’d largely been in the background since entering the chamber.

Validus raged louder, and now blasted mental-lightning again at all of them. Ferro turned into his metallic form, and rushed forward, and using as much strength as possible, punched hard into Validus’ calf. The beast screamed in rage and back-handed Ferro as hard as he could, knocking him off to the side.

“Ow!” yelled Ferro, hitting a wall. “Not exactly what I hoped would happen…”

Validus moved towards Ferro to focus his rage on him.

“Great job Andy!” yelled Lyle, “we need to get him out of here and we’ll try to secure this warhead!”

“Er, okay,” said Andy, as Validus came at him.

“How do you ‘secure a warhead’, Lyle,” asked Dreamer with an eyebrow raised.

“Well, we at least move it into one of these side rooms…” he said, realizing he had no idea what to do.

---------------------

Validus rushed at Ferro, and Andy suddenly felt a tremendous amount of fear. He’d been pushed around all his life, so if anyone knew how to take a beating, it was him. But never before had he thought he’d be killed by one.

“I’m with you,” said a voice, and it was Element Lad, who had rushed to his side. Element Lad seemed cool and calm, and even though the creature was seconds away from smashing into them, he still seemed aloof. “Let’s get him out of this place,” he added, and turned and pointed his hands at the steel walls, instantly turning them into helium, so they rose up into the air and evaporated. “We’re still not that far into the mountain, so if I can just make large enough holes in the steel we might be able to get him there. Just have to be careful not to change any of the actual structure of the mountain…” he added, talking to himself, and Ferro realized he had stopped paying attention to the incoming beast.

“Jan, watch out!” yelled Ferro again, this time jumping forward to get between Validus and Element Lad, as mental lightning was unleashed. It blasted into Ferro, now in metallic form, and he remembered something about ‘metal being a conductor of electricity’ or something, but was glad when he didn’t feel a sting. Suddenly Validus once more smashed his fist into Andy, but this time the electricity was still very much alive within Andy, and it blasted back into Validus’fist. Validus had just given himself a little jolt—and it hurt. A LOT. Once more Validus screamed, this time holding his fist in pain, as Ferro could see the flesh on his knuckles were burnt.

“Great job, Andy,” said Element Lad casually as if Ferro planned it, and Ferro turned to see Element Lad did indeed make a passage way to outside. “Let’s get him out now.”

The two of them ran towards outside. Madder than ever, Validus followed.

--------------------------

“Is this a regular occurrence?” asked Sensor as she and Tela moved a fully armed nuclear warhead into a side room. “Because I’ve got to say Irma, everytime I’ve ever read about one of these things, it always has radiation leaking out…”

“You can expect both of us to undergo quarantine for at least two days,” said Irma already dreading that. “And I can confirm that most of the Dominion scientists are already escaping. We won’t get anything from them. Unless Nura and Lyle find something in all those files.” They kept moving it. Then she whispered a ‘damn!’ to herself.

“What is it?”

“Now we’ll have to make official reports on where we were. Metternich or some other UN person will be all over us on this…”

---------------------------

Through his metal mask, Ferro could still taste the fresh taste of clean air as once more he emerged into the jungle from the Dominion hideaway, with Validus closely following him.

Element Lad was by his side. “We can try to subdue it, but I’m not sure if we can.”

“Why don’t you use your power on it and turn it into gold or something?” asked Ferro.

Element Lad almost stopped running there and then, apparently appalled. “It’s a living creature, Andy,” he said. “I won’t kill a living creature…” Ferro didn’t feel like arguing the point.

Both suddenly turned a corner, and ran farther into a thick bustle of trees. They waited for Validus to approach. Waited.

And Waited.

And waited. And it did not come.

“How do you lose a twenty foot giant with a large brain for a head?” said Ferro suddenly, as they both realized it wasn’t near them anymore. Andy looked around. “Unless its sneakier than I thought…”

“No, its long gone,” said Jan, also as surprised. “It must have run off into the jungle….”

They looked in the area around them for some time, looking to find Validus, with no luck. They found his path—obvious, since trees were knocked down and flora crushed beneath his massive feet. But oddly enough—it suddenly stopped.

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Cobalt Kid
BOHICA
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The Validus Project
Part 4


Within the Amazon rain forest, one area had always been extremely odd. Large mountains came out of nowhere, singular with no apparent other mountains connecting to them, and ran far up into the sky. Some were even volcanos. In this part of the jungle, snakes sometimes grew to forty, even fifty feet long. Certain spiders had poisons so powerful that once bitten, you’d be dead before you could run to get help.

This was because part of this jungle was from an ancient time long lost to human memory. Part of this jungle was a remnant from over 100,000 years ago—perhaps double or triple that amount of time. Part of this jungle was from Ekron, and it had been largely undisturbed in all the time since.

And this was because far up on the highest mountain—not the false-mountain created by the Dominion, but an actual living volcano high up into the clouds—was the second Emerald Eye of Ekron, long since unused by human beings and long dormant. The Eye caused these things, and it was the Eye that drew the Dominion to this place, to try and harness the magical properties (which they believed were scientific) to enhance their experiments.

It was the Eye that drew the Emerald Empress and the Persuader here as well.

And now the Eye helped bring Validus into contact with his new allies and family, and for the moment hold off the predestined battle between he and the Legionnaires.

-------------------

The six super-powered teenagers sat on a United Nations military plane, while their own method of transportation was taken home separately. All six of them, not just Tela and Sensor, were put through a quarantine process, though Tela was taken away from the five just in time to be reamed out by first Leviathan (via phone) and then Metternich (via phone).

Do you realize how much trouble you can get yourself into? he asked her, when he really met how much trouble you can get me into? Having Sensor and Ferro with them seemed to be a good idea at the time, but it had become much more once nuclear warheads were involved. Still, this was the first concrete information on the Dominion that SHIELD, Interpol or any other agency had been able to accumulate, so Tela knew that was at least one major trump card she could use if it came down to it.

But it would not come to that. Metternich’s rise to power in the UN umbrella over the Legion of Super-Heroes was already moving fast and furious and he wouldn’t risk it slowing down. He simply allowed Cosmic Boy and Tela, despite Gene’s protests, to induct Sensor, Nemesis and Ferro into the Legion of Super-Heroes. In fact, he requested it, and problem solved. Ipso facto, there were no unauthorized Legionnaires on the mission, as the induction was done retroactively.

He then took credit for a recon mission on the Dominion, as they were officially placed on the UN’s watch-list of terrorist organizations around the globe. The fact that the Legion was there looking for the Emerald Empress and any mention of the creature Validus were left firmly out of the report. And Metternich once more saw this as the Legion squarely ‘owing him one’.

---------------------

Valor, though hardly one of the more social Legionnaires, delighted in being back with his teammates, and let them fully make his ‘unofficial return to the active roster’ a cause for a small celebration. Kinetiz and XS organized a little party that even though took place while many Legionnaires were away or busy, still included Livewire, Shifter, Catalyst, Shrinking Violet, Blizzard, Rebound, Kid Quantum and of course, Quislet. He also was able to meet for the first time Polarity and Star Boy.

He told them about the people he had recently met, and they were especially interested in Tina, whom they all missed and Dirk, because he was an international celebrity already. Some of them, Polarity especially, were interested in Mon-El too, mainly because his power-level seemed so strong, on par with only Andromeda from McCauley’s old Work Force.

“Well, now that you’re back Val,” said Vi, “maybe you can help us out with a little side mission Condo, Lyle and I have been working on.”

Val couldn’t help but cringe and she saw it. “I’m sorry Sally,” he said quickly, “its just that I’ve barely gotten out of trouble for the last little side mission I did with you three.” He couldn’t help but smile at that.

“Its nothing like that,” she replied quickly. “We’re investigating the Silver Slasher killings.”

“Silver Slasher?” asked Val.

“Vi, he’s only been back in New York for like two days. He has no idea who the Silver Slasher is,” said Condo, now turning to Val. “It’s a serial killer,” he said, “whose been terrorizing New York. Lyle thinks if we can bring her in, it’d be a major plus to show Gene how important the more subtle Legionnaires can be. Plus, it’d make Manhattan safer.”

“Even more,” said Vi to him in almost a whisper. “Lyle thinks it might actually be a woman serial-killer.”

“I’ll…think about it,” said Val with a smile, thinking he’d rather wait a day at least before he jumped into any other major missions. Instead, he enjoyed the laughter among them all, as Kinetix made new costumes for everyone, discarding most of them by party’s end after growing bored, and as Jenni ran around from person to person, fully immersed in the gossip of the day for each one.

---------------------

The following morning the Silver Slasher’s latest victim was found again, this time in an ally only two blocks from Wall Street. The city was no reaching a panic.

And in her Bowery apartment, Jenn Carpenter once more praised her Lord Mordru with the blood of her kill.

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Cobalt Kid
BOHICA
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The Validus Project
Epilogue


Three weeks earlier…

Sara Romanesceau felt drawn to Brazil for reasons she could hardly explain, with only glimpses given to her from the Eye. The Persuader argued little for or against their journey there, realizing that his life was changing and it was a change he was welcoming. The world was much bigger than his life in Seoul, and in the darkest recesses of his heart, all he wanted in life was to be a player on a much broader stage—and he would be, as the world’s deadliest assassin.

Sara was conflicted. Conflicted because she felt a pull in another direction, back towards the east. Not just Europe, but farther. She felt the pull towards the Middle East.

And then the dreams began. She’d dream she was a Princess—no, not just a Princess, but a Queen. Queen of the Middle Age Kingdom of Venegar, with her empire under her heel, ready to serve her every whim. And she felt at ease and happy in these dreams.

Then he would enter her bed, and she would welcome him there. She enjoyed lustfully each seductive touch and felt the power flowing from him into her each time. Soon, she was calling his name in her sleep, and the Persuader could make it out clearly: “Mordru”.

Thoughts of Mordru began to occupy her every waking moment and the Eye once more began to reveal bits of its history to her, and she now began to crave the power that those who once wielded the Eye had in long ago times. She began to understand the coming war, for like Jacquie, the Eye allowed her to see the signs of what was coming to pass.

Finally, Mordru’s familiar arrived. The black cat, Asmodeous came to her and she heard its voice in her mind. Would she be by her Lord Mordru’s side when the war came to fruit? Would she stand against those who had betrayed her, those whom she hated above all others—her former friends? Would she take vengeance on her bitterest rival, Princess Jacqueline of Moldavia, and reclaim her throne and Empire, and rule Venegar once more as a Queen? Would she be Queen of the world under Lord Mordru?

She trembled at such thoughts, at such a proposition. For she was still so young, and so unsure. But the Eye had seduced her, finishing what longtime delusions of grandeur had begun in her earliest teenage years. And now Mordru made the seduction complete.

The Emerald Empress would serve Mordru in this war, as the Emerald Empresses of ancient times served him. She would fight and kill his enemies, and if that meant her former circle of friends, then so be it.

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Cobalt Kid
BOHICA
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The Road to Earth War

Vienna, Austria: Castle Wazzo

Things moved fast now, and each one of them was caught in a whirlwind preparing for what must inevitably come. Though much preparation was to be done mentally, each one found there was still something they could hope to accomplish before there was no longer any time.

------------------------

“Secretary General Chu,” said Countess Winema Wazzo with such delight that Tina thought it might almost be genuine. Arriving moments earlier, the General-Secretary of the United Nations, Jeannie Chu, arrived at Castle Wazzo, coming here on the insistence that it was the utmost emergency. She was annoyed by the trip, but the fact that Anton Relnic was here meant it must be deadly serious.

Spirit watched silently from her hiding spot, having phased into the room, to pick up on this greeting. Anton Relnic was with her mother, as Chu dismissed her aides, making it just the three of them, as Gil’Deshi was in the hospital and Maya now dead. “Winema,” began Chu, “I hope to God this is a serious matter. To say I’m extremely busy is an understatement.”

“Secretary-General,” replied Relnic, “it is now beyond serious. What I’m about to tell you will seem impossible, perhaps even hysterically so. I would never believe it unless I had seen with my own eyes real evidence. But the fact remains that it is real. And we have a genuine World War at our doorstep.”

Tina inhaled deeply, knowing this was the moment of truth. Relnic began the story, using his masterful skills at oratory to be sure to hit all the right notes and skip any of the unnecessary details. He provided Chu with the precise information she would need to determine where to go next. The Countess was largely silent, though she intervened to add specific details, times, dates and locations, knowing it would keep the reality of it all firmly in focus. It took forty-five minutes for them to finish, but to Tina, it felt like mere moments.

Chu inhaled herself now and sat down, and they all did so. “You’re indeed right,” she said to Relnic, “…it does seem impossible.” Relnic and Winema looked at each other, worried that they had not done a good enough job at convincing Chu of the importantance of the matter. “But so many things that have seemed impossible have become possible in recent times,” she said at once.

“Indeed,” said Relnic, still marveling at when he first me the super-powered teenagers.

“Did you know I recently had an adventure with the Legion?” Chu said, referring to her recent role in the Legion mission with Kinetix, Flash, Kid Quantum, Blizzard and Rebound. “It was not my first time meeting the Legionnaires, not by a long shot. I’ve been involved in the creation of the Legion from day one. Yet, even there, I was amazed at how different the world has become. How much more…possible things are. And if this is all true,” she said, now talking out loud, almost to herself, “then the entire world has an enemy that is going to require us all to fight. No matter what differences we have.”

The Countess nodded, thinking in terms politically, unaware of Chu’s possible ‘other plans and differences’.

“I can assure you, Secretary-General,” said Relnic. “This is all very true.”

She looked up at him. “I believe you,” she said at once, knowing Relnic’s integrity was enough proof as would be needed for her. Now it was time to act—otherwise, all she’d worked for her whole life would be tossed aside by this Mordru. “I’ll call upon the General Assembly, though it will be ludicrous to explain this to them. We’ll have to work behind the scenes, all three of us, to make sure by the time this is explained publicly the entire UN is ready to act.”

“I believe it would be wise to alert SHIELD,” said the Countess.

“Agreed. The UN isn’t truly equipped for a major military showdown, but we can call upon our members, including the our five permanent members of the Security Council, though that will be the trickiest part.”

“It all won’t matter eventually,” said Relnic. “Once Khundia and Mordru, attack, they’ll be forced to make a decision. So we need to move along now without any hindrances, starting with SHIELD. I think its time to mobilize.”

-------------------------

Dirk sat at a table, sipping his rich coffee, as he saw his guest arriving. In the shadows, covered in an even darker shadowy spell, was Umbra and Matter-Eater Lad. High up in the air, almost looking like a hawk in the sky, was Dawnstar. They were waiting, and they were ready for anything. Because they not only distrusted Agent Ontirr, they hated him. They hated all of the Dark Circle for all they had put them through.

Ontirr walked over and sat down across from Dirk. “By all means, sit down,” said Dirk sarcastically. He decided there and then to skip playing coy. He could feel the pressure—they all could—and knew the war with Mordru was upon them. They were running out of time for these asides. Dirk sipped his coffee, feeling the cold breeze up his back through his peacoat.

“You should be glad I’m agreeing to talk to you,” said Ontirr, though it was he who originally proposed this arrangement. “The other Dark Circle would never agree to these kinds of meetings.”

“Lucky me.”

Ontirr smiled and it had nastiness to it. “Not so lucky for long. You won’t see me for quite awhile Mr. Morgna. I’m sure you’ll be comforted to know you won’t see any of us.”

“And why is that?” Now Dirk was shocked. Because there were times the Dark Circle was all they’d seen, and for months now. They followed them across the world.

“Because we wanted to get to you before he did. And its too late now. They won’t risk it, and we’re all going underground.” Ontirr was smiling but Dirk could see something else in his features. Fear.

“Mordru? You follow us around, torture us, kidnaps us, and now you’re leaving because of Mordru? I thought he was your buddy or something.”

“Mordru is no friend of the Dark Circle,” said Ontirr, and he was deadly serious. “He’s as much our enemy as he is yours. But we’re not so foolish as to tempt him and then stand against him.”

Dirk was silent. Now he pushed his coffee back. “You cowards.”

“Don’t try and goad me, boy. I don’t care what you think. Your war with Mordru is coming and coming soon. When the pieces fall, we’ll come to collect.”

“You should join us then,” said Dirk, and although it left a filthy taste in his mouth to even think it, it made sense. They knew next to nothing about the Dark Circle, but...if they hated Mordru too…

“You haven’t been listening,” said Ontirr. “We’re all going underground. We’ll let you all battle Mordru, and either you’ll all die, much to our chagrin, but we’ll be safe, or you’ll succeed, and then…well, then we can still get what we need from you all without worrying about his retribution for it.” He was smiling widely now. “I’d offer you good luck, but well…I am a realist.” And with that, as Dirk was about to speak again, Ontirr got up and walked away, right back into the street, leaving Dirk feeling unfinished with the meeting and stuck with the bill for Ontirr’s coffee.

----------------------------

High above the tips of the buildings lining the streets of Vienna, as far up as even the clouds, Mon-El soared at striking velocity, pushing himself to the point of breaking a sweat. So often he was forced to hold back, and not unleash his powers as much as he yearned to do so, and now he practiced full bore, flying out of Austria and down all the way to the Mediterranean and then back.

All of the others were busy, and he was feeling the rare sense of anxiety which he normally did not feel at all. Everything since the moment he woke up, he felt, was building now to its finale. And in that regard, he was satisfied.

He still felt, above all else, as a man out of time. That he somehow did not truly belong, and that it would all be pulled away. A bad dream or a brief second chance and this world would continue without him, as it probably always should have. So he enjoyed his new friendships and camaraderie, enjoyed the release of using his immense abilities, and above all else, enjoyed his moments with Tatiana. If he should perish in the fight against Mordru, then so be it. But he’d at least been a part of the battle he’d been waiting for his entire life—both the twenty years of living, and the two thousand extra of sleeping.

As he considered these thoughts, and with a rueful acknowledgement of their flare for the dramatic, his senses at once picked up another approaching.

Not a bird…not a plane…not Dawnstar or any other that he knew of. Possibly Joe? He strained, looking for the figure, knowing it had to be a person, feeling with his senses that anything larger or smaller would not cause the turbulence in the wind the way it did here. At last he saw the figure: not Joe, after all. It was Devious Emorious, his old ally from Ancient Rome. The one who betrayed him to Mordru.

Dev-Em.

Dev flew equally as fast, and spotting Mon-El, stopped short of him twenty yards away, both hovering in the air.

Mon looked at him, not surprised, since he secretly suspected this might happen, and yes, even possibly hoped in the darkest corners of his heart.

Dev grinned a familiar grin. Not the grin of a blood-enemy, but the grin of an old friend. “We are well met, indeed, among the clouds here.”

“Do not grow so cocky, Dev,” replied Mon, “now I know at least one other that can do as we do. Not as well as we do, but close. We are not so unusual in this millennia, it seems.”

Dev smiled widely now. “We never were, Monius. But you do not know the story yet, and I’ve forgotten. Surely you’ve always wanted to know why the Gods gifted you with your abilities? Surely you must have always wondered. I saw the shock and disappointment in your face when you first learned I had them too.” Dev paused, but Mon-El remained silent, so Dev-Em continued. “I do know these things. Mordru told me our story, the long history of the Daxamites, and believe me, it’s fascinating. You’ll see once the story is told to you.”

“And you believe that Prince of Lies?” said Mon-El in disgust.

“Yes,” said Dev firmly. “Because I know it is the truth. You and I have a glorious lineage, and you should celebrate it with me!” he sounded elated, almost jovial. “I have not come here as an enemy Monius, surely you can see that. We have both been misguided to think of ourselves as enemies. The world is changing…I’d rather see it change with you as my friend.”

Dev-Em seemed as if he could barely contain those words. That getting them out were a relief. Mon could see he truly believed them. Mon looked back at him, unsmiling. “Tell me, friend. I once looked at the world changing with you by my side, and ended up with poison in my water and a dagger in my back. You were forced to celebrate without me.”

Dev-Em’s smile went away now. “Things have changed, Monius. Mordru has a place for you in this new world. He’s sure this will be it. The final battle after so many millennia. His two greatest enemies will stand revealed and at last the war will be fought with both sides intended for it to finish. You and I could be the Captains of his army! We could have so much at war’s end. It would be a peaceful time, and all of this fighting and bitterness would be at an end.”

Mon-El smiled now. “You can go home, Dev,” he said simply. “Twenty centuries may have passed for you and your Dark Lord, but I remember those days like they were yesterday. I have not forgotten, and I have not forgiven either of you.” Dev-Em moved to speak, but held up his hand to cut him off. “If you think I decline simply out of vengeance or spite, then you can stop right there. Mordru is a ruthless old man bent on crushing beneath his heals anything that would speak out against his image of the world. He is a tyrant, and his one goal in life is that no one else has their own goals. He would violate and rape everything free, subjugating it to himself, even if he allowed these things to think they were free. I stand against him completely, and I will gladly give my life to prove it.”

Dev-Em was silent now, and the bitterness towards Mon-El that he had harbored for all these long centuries once more occupied his heart, as if it had never truly left.

Mon-El continued. “And you, Dev-Em, are friendless. A captain of a brotherless army without honor. For your own glory, lust and greed you threw away everything that was wonderful about you though you never saw any value in those things. Loyalty. Valor. Brotherhood. All gone. Do not speak to me of renewing our friendship when I know in your heart you could never allow anyone to stand by your side as an equal—save one. Your Master.”

“Very well, Monius,” replied Dev-Em. I shall see you on the battlefield. I will come for you, and your friends.”

“And I will be waiting. When we meet next, I intend for it to be our last meeting, one way or another. Farewell, old friend.”

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Cobalt Kid
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The Road to Earth War

Previously in 21st Century Legion…

quote:
Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
“Well the active roster hasn’t changed,” said Cos, and Gene suddenly realized he had no idea how to even change the active roster. In that regard, Cosmic Boy was already way ahead of him in running this team. “Mr. Metternich? Do you have some thoughts on the matter?”

“I do,” he said, then standing up. “Most importantly, I want a discussion on this Mordru, this coming war, and all this other very vague and ominous talk meant to scare us all. Let’s schedule that immediately after.”

quote:
Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
The following morning the Silver Slasher’s latest victim was found again, this time in an ally only two blocks from Wall Street. The city was no reaching a panic.

And in her Bowery apartment, Jenn Carpenter once more praised her Lord Mordru with the blood of her kill.

quote:
Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
Conner and Danielle had been caught, that Douglas Nolan knew, and he had been badly burned. Horribly burned actually, and the pain was overwhelming. It was bad, and he didn’t dare look at his reflection in any of the glass windows in the streets. They must have thought him dead, because he had somehow gotten away. He could feel the boils forming on his skin. He paused, took of his mask, and vomited. He tossed the mask aside. It was useless to him now.

He stumbled forward some more, only to see soldiers rounding the corner. This was it, he was done. Turning metallic, he rushed forward, and bullets fired off of him, spraying in other directions. He grabbed the first soldier and snapped his neck, killing him instantly. They were screaming now, firing blindly.

He thought about going back to his flesh and letting them kill him.

Suddenly the soldiers all became super-dense, unable to hold up their body weight, and fell to the ground. Kono appeared, though she was bleeding from her upper-lip. “K-Kono…?”

“No time,” she said, “either we’re not very good, or we’ve been set-up. Let’s go…”

“OK…” said Doug, but then passed out, falling to the ground.

Going back to his flesh form naturally, he landed in the arms of Jacques Foccart, who had fresh bruises forming on his face. Jacques was pale white, which looked on his black skin. The decision was now his: stay in Khundia and try another suicide mission to rescue his sister, or make it back to Waller and warn her about what happened? It was an easy decision for Jacques, the man. But he had been turned into the leader of the Suicide Squad and an expert spy.

--------------------------------

Holding the dying Douglas Nolan, Jacques Foccart started his raft across the Mediterranean Sea, hoping the ship King Faraday told him would be there would be. He couldn’t trust Amanda Waller anymore, because the Squad obviously had been betrayed. But King Faraday had promised him Checkmate would support him if anything happened. He would have to hold King to that promise.

Kono had gone off on her own, like he always knew she would. How she expected to survive in Northern Africa, when she was just a fourteen year old girl, no matter how tough she was, was beyond him.

Douglas coughed, and blood was in his spit. He wasn’t going to make it. Jacques said a silent prayer, and made his way through the water. Jacques expected neither would live.

Manhattan, New York City, USA

The dark skies served as a reminder that in addition to the freezing cold breeze, the winter also brought night much earlier in the Northeastern United States. In Manhattan, the street lights, buildings and flashing signs meant that there was always enough light to see where you were going, but by the late months of winter, the constant darkness could get repetitive and yes, a little depressing.

Jenn Carpenter, 29 year old insurance agent from of Laromie, Wisconsin, walked to the subway station in Manhattan’s Bowery section. She was wearing a heavy pea coat and a thick scarf, looking very fashionable, but conservative—perfect for the infamous Wall Street district. She was excited, and tried to hide it the best she could…but her state of arousal was all consuming.

She was going to kill again, and she could feel the release building within her. Tonight, the Silver Slasher would strike again, and she would pay homage to her Lord Mordru.

She would leave the body on the steps of some super-rich publicly traded company. A reminder that no matter how powerful they thought they were, real power was not far away at all. And it was coming.

--------------------

As the Silver Slasher made her way towards Wall St, four members of the Legion of Super-Heroes also journeyed across the enormous landscape of Manhattan, via taxi, subway and for Val, even walking. They all headed downtown as well, because at long last, Invisible Kid began to see a pattern with the murders. Tonight, they believed she would strike again—something to do with the moon’s alignment—and they hoped they could catch her.

Valor, Invisible Kid, Catalyst and Shrinking Violet were not authorized for this mission, but it felt good to know they were doing something. The Silver Slasher murders were beginning to weigh heavily on the public, and the businessmen of Wall Street were beginning to loathe coming to work in the morning. And that was bad for everyone.

Invisible Kid had surmised she was a woman, and had found she had a specific pattern to where she killed and when. The city was too big to find one lone killer. But if they were right, and she could be limited to one district, then they had a chance.

----------------------

Legion Headquarters, 247 Weisenger Street, Midtown Manhattan

The Legion’s conference room, the official one and not RJ Brande’s personal conference room, was furnished as a top of the line corporate conference room with all of the technological extras that the Director SHIELD or even RJ Brande himself could ever hope for. It was magnificent and it was huge, seating at least forty people. In front there was a podium and dais for speakers, with a semi-circular dias behind it. Basil Metternich sat up on the dais, waiting for the others to arrive, taking in the impressiveness of the room, and considering that filling up the Legion’s roster was not as unimaginable as his superiors originally thought. They were already quite a large team of teenage super-heroes. And more and more, they were directly his responsibility.

Little by little, the Legionnaires began to enter, first Cosmic Boy and Leviathan, then Tela and Livewire and then some others. Not all of them were coming, it seemed, as the one he’d recently let back on the team, Valor, was nowhere to be found. RJ Brande entered as well, and Metternich found it odd, but raised no objection. With him was Marla Latham, another very prominent businessman, but the two had some large part in the story concerning this supposed ‘Dark Lord in the Middle East’ and the possibility of World War III. Metternich wasn’t convinced yet, but he understood that if Brande took it this seriously, something must be up.

At last they were assembled: Cosmic Boy, Leviathan, Tela, Livewire, Shifter, Element Lad, Quislet, Kinetix, Blizzard, Rebound, Kid Quantum, Flash, Spark, Trinity, Amihan, Amazon, Wildfire, Polarity, Star Boy, Hygeia, Gear, Dox (who he was surprised actually left his lab), and the three new members: Sensor, Ferro and Nemesis.

“Very well,” he began, “lets get started. You all obviously have a lot to say, and have caught each other up on the dire straits we are in, but I, unfortunately, know nothing about a potential grave enemy about to unleash war on us. Brande? Would you like to start?”

“Perhaps Cosmic Boy should, Basil,” said RJ, motioning to Cos.

Cos stood up. “Thank you Mr. Brande. What Princess Jacqueline has to say, Mr. Metternich, is a lot to take in, and I’ll admit that at first I was a little skeptical, until a few people were able to confirm a lot of it for me. But I think it best that you keep an open mind here, to comprehend the very real danger we’re in.” All of the Legionnaires watched him as he spoke, each one at full attention, even Dox, who was now learning all this news for the first time as well.

Metternich turned and nodded towards Sensor, who also stood up now. “Go ahead,” he said.

Sensor, recently added to the Legion roster by Metternich himself, now spoke. “For many millennia the world has had one great enemy, though most have been ignorant of him. The Dark Lord Mordu whose power exceeds every individual in this room combined, has plotted and planned for centuries…and he is now on the verge of acting.

And so Jacquie began her story, and told it once more in full.

----------------------

“I’ve told everyone to back off and let us handle this,” said King Faraday, moving quickly but with no hint of anxiety, through the crowds outside of 247 Weisenger Street. “Once we get in, we’ll bring in the other one of your Squad.”

“Its not my Squad anymore,” said Jacques Focquart. “Most of them are all dead, I bet. Just like poor Doug. But I’m ready King. We’ll be invisible from here on out. But what makes you think that will be enough not to be detected?”

“I don’t,” replied Faraday, “but by the time we’re detected, we’ll have arrived at our destination. And then its do or die time for us all.”

--------------------

“That’s quite a story,” said Basil Metternich, after several minutes of digesting what Sensor had told him. Cosmic Boy and Tela had also spoken at length.

“Every word of it true, Basil,” said RJ Brande now. Marla Latham smiled.

“Indeed? Tell me, Brande, how do you possibly know that?”

“I have many contacts around the world,” he smiled, “more so than probably the United Nations itself. And I’ll tell you by damn, not only do we need you to skip the part where we have to convince you its true, we need you to be our representative to Chu and the rest of the UN, so we can move on the Khundian front.”

Basil nearly spit out a glass of water he was drinking. “Invade Khundia? Dear God, I can only imagine what they’d say to that.”

“Imagine if Khundia invades Europe first,” said Cosmic Boy, “and with Mordru, succeeds.” Even Leviathan turned to look at Cos in awe of such a bold comment.

“If what you say is true,” said Dox now speaking up, “there’s a very likely chance we’ve already lost. Certainly, we’ll need to act immediately.”

“Exactly, Brainy,” said Tela with a smile.

“Are these things always so boring?” whispered Ferro to Star Boy, as they sat towards the back of the group.

“Yeah,” whispered Star Boy back. Neither planned to play any role in the ‘convincing’ aspect of this assemblage, considering how new they both were.

Suddenly, Metternich’s comm-link went off. “Mr. Metternich? Are you with the Legionnaires? We have an emergency.”

Metternich was alarmed. He had given them strict orders not to bother him. “What’s the problem?” he said, with some annoyance.

“We…we uh, have a security breach?”

“What? Here? What kind of idiot…?”

“Sir, they’ve made it way past where they should have. They’re on your floor.”

“WHAT?!” said multiple Legionnaires as suddenly everyone was on their feet. Leviathan began to grow another four feet, as Brande moved forward and Metternich told them all to quiet down.

“If they’re approaching us now,” said Leviathan, “we’ll cut them off before they get to us.”

“Stand down Legionnaires!” they heard a voice yelling from the hallway. “Stand down and come out! I need to talk to you immediately, and we don’t have much time!”

Cosmic Boy, Leviathan, Tela, Brande and Metternich ran into the hallway, as the others tried to squeeze through. “Who the hell are you?” asked Leviathan.

“King Faraday,” said the man, “Checkmate. This here is Jacques Focquart.” Suddenly, a place where before there was no one, had a young man appear before them. He was slightly older than the Legionnaires, African, and dressed in some sort of yellow military uniform. “And we only have moments before President Luthor and Amanda Waller are all over us, so let’s skip the pleasantries.”

---------------------------

Once more, the Legionnaires assembled in the conference room, though this time they were all on their feet. King Faraday and Jacques Focquart stood before them now, and Sensor could see that Metternich was completely unsure of what to do.

“You know I’m Checkmate, and you’re probably wondering why I’m here. Well, my own President will be wondering the same thing. But I’m not stupid enough to put the ball in Luthor’s court, and let him and Waller make the decisions that could affect the entire world. So I’ve come here, to you Legionnaires, in hopes that we can figure out these things together.”

“What things?” asked Metternich and Leviathan almost simultaneously.

“Khundia is on the verge of invading Sicily and France as we speak, and Mordru is sending an army of vampires up through Mexico to invade the United States. And all of this is going to happen tonight.”

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Cobalt Kid
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The Road to Earth War

“You better be prepared to back that comment up,” said Cosmic Boy to King Faraday, and Faraday now looked him square in the eye and sized him up. Cos thought he was looking at him with anger, but in truth, Faraday was relieved he found the real leader of this group.

“I can, and I will. Checkmate is an American organization though, answerable to the President. Once I’m found out, and I assuredly will be, I’ll be in serious trouble.”

“You’ll be fired,” said Leviathan.

Faraday laughed. “Hardly. I have enough dirt on Waller and Luthor to bring down this entire government.” Half of the Legionnaires were appalled, the other half smiled. “And I will, if it means saving my own ass. But that’s beside the point. Fantomas here is recently back from a mission in Khundia that went FUBAR. But he was able to get some serious intel for us, and I’ve convinced him to jump ship from the Suicide Squad to Checkmate.”

“They have my sister…” Jacques began to say, when he at last saw Ferro. “Doug?” he said out loud, then shook his head. “No, nevermind.”

“Wait. What did you just say?” asked Ferro.

“I thought you were someone else…” replied Jacques.

“Did you say Doug? As in Doug Nolan?” By the look in Jacque’s eyes, Andy knew it to be true. “Where is my brother?”

Now both Faraday and Focquart were silent and they looked at each other, their eyes saddened. King Faraday raised his hand to his mouth and spoke into his cufflink. “Better bring in the Nolan boy,” he said, then looking at Metternich, “If you’ll open up security to us.”

“Hardly,” replied Metternich, “I’m not letting anymore Checkmate into this building. “Tell us where he is and I’ll have some of our staff retrieve him.”

“Fine,” said Faraday, “but you better have a staff doctor with them. Sorry son,” said King Faraday matter-of-factly, and moved on past the subject.

Ferro looked very shook up. Sensor put a hand on his shoulder as if to lend him some strength to this uncertainly.

“Well, your timing is impeccable Faraday,” said Marla Latham suddenly. “We were just discussing Khundia, and more importantly, Khundia’s backer.”

“Backer?” asked Faraday. “I’d heard rumors, but until now, we only thought of them as such.”

“Well, you’ve obviously been out of the loop,” said Metternich sarcastically. “Khundia’s backer is the most dire threat to humanity though most are ignorant of his existence.” Tela smiled at Nura as Metternich said this. “His name is Mordru.”

They were all quiet now.

“You better give us the intel you learned,” said Cosmic Boy at last. “Knowing who are enemies are is good, but how are they planning to attack?”

Dreamer turned to Sensor now. “Looks like things are starting to move now…”

-----------------------

The Silver Slasher walked through the busy streets of the Financial District, letting her instinct guide her to her next victim.

Two blocks away, Invisible Kid and Catalyst weaved in and out of the crowd, trying to find anything out of the ordinary in this maze of a city.

------------------------

“So the main strikes then are through Khundia, into Europe via France and Sicily, and then another attack on the United States?” said RJ Brande.

“Yes,” said Faraday, “and as crazy as it sounds, the attack on the US will not be a normal army. It’ll be some sort of army of vampires. And monsters. This we’re sure of.”

“Through Mexico?” asked Dox. “And Asia looks to be a hotbed of activity during this conflict—we’ll need Legionnaires there too.”

“Yes.”

“Unbelievable,” said Metternich, “to think an African country…and a Muslim one at that…attacking Europe. It could lead to all-out war! The entire world.”

“Yes,” said Sensor now and they turned to her. “That is what Mordru is hoping for. An all-out Earth War. And at the end, he’ll claim his place as the victor and emerge as the leader of the entire Earth.”

“Then we need to make our move against them,” said Blizzard suddenly. Rebound looked at him in agreement and Bilzzard continued. “If Mordru is really that ready to unleash his forces, we need to get there now!”

“Not so fast junior,” said Faraday. “You need to clear that with the U.N. And for the United States portion of the war, you’ll have to be sure Luthor is on board. What needs to happen now is everyone needs to muster our forces. And this group…this crazy teenage group of international super-heroes, can be the rallying point.”

------------------------

Element Lad walked with Ferro as they joined Dr. Llewelyn and the other staff members outside to retrieve Doug Nolan from the Checkmate forces. Up ahead, they saw a simple black van and instantly Element Lad knew that was it.

Ferro began to run towards it and Element Lad’s heart broke for him. Obviously the brothers had a strong bond, and now Ferro suspected the worst.

Ferro ran at top speed, getting there ahead of all the others. He was yelling Doug’s name at the top of his lungs, and passer-bys were now anxiously looking on, thinking something dramatic was about to occur. The Checkmate operatives opened the door, and Ferro saw it was like the back of a highly sophisticated hospital ambulance. Evidently, Faraday and Focquart got here very quick.

“Doug?” said Ferro, coming in, as the Checkmate operatives backed away. Unknown to Ferro, Jacques Focquart insisted Andy be allowed to be with his brother now. Because his brother was at his end.

Doug Nolan looked up, and doing so caused him tremendous pain. He had held on now for some time, all the while dreaming that he could see Andy one more time, never really thinking he could. He smiled. “Scr-screwed…up…should have never…left…suicide slum…” he said.

Andy looked around at the Checkmate operatives, wanting some sort of clarification on how bad Doug really was. “Don’t talk Doug,” he said. “I’m here now. Its okay.”

“…Kon…never made…it…”

Ferro swallowed a big lump in his throat. Their other best friend, Kon-El, now appeared to be dead. A tear rolled down one cheek and soon many tears rolled down both. “I’m here…” he whispered, as Element Lad hopped in the van with them, and closed the doors to the public.

-------------------------

When the Silver Slasher made her move, it was obvious they would never have caught her if not for being in the right place at the right time. It was Shrinking Violet who noticed the woman suddenly cross the street in a hurry, running down a side street with construction high on both sides, so that it formed a bit of an underpass. Vi followed, just to do a quick extra look, thinking she would just move on, when she looked down to see the woman following a man, some rich broker or some similar type. Up ahead, it looked like a deserted back alley.

For some reason, Vi suddenly remembered Nardo and how terrified he made her. As if a sixth sense, she understood something was terribly wrong.

She followed, calling Valor, Invisible Kid and Catalyst to alert them.

When she began to catch up, as quietly as possible, she shrunk down, and once more she was lucky as the Slasher turned behind her to double check no one was following her, but missed Vi’s tiny form completely. It was then Vi saw the young woman pull out a very large hunting knife from her thick pea coat, and begin to pick up her pace.

The Silver Slasher was mad with bloodlust and thoughts of carving the man up more violently and more gruesomely than any of her others. She was getting sloppy. All she could think about was pleasing her lord Mordru.

Vi was faster. She knew she had to be, so she grew back to normal size and ran at a full sprint, knowing full well that if the Slasher turned and used that knife on her, even if she did it accidentally, it could cut Vi to pieces and that would be the end of her.

“Stop!” she screamed, and as the Slasher turned, Vi leapt into the air strait at her, shrinking as she did so, so that her tiny fist landed square in the woman’s face, hurting and confusing her at the same time.

Again, she grew back to normal size, as the Silver Slasher regained her composure. If Vi kept shrinking and growing like that, she’d give herself a heart attack. She had to fight her hand to hand.

The Slasher swung the knife at her, and Vi stepped back, desperately looking for something to pick up and use against her. The Silver Slasher descended into a bezerker rage, set on killing Vi as her next victim instead.

Vi stepped back once more, and began to stumble, and suddenly the Slasher was upon her. Vi used the backwards fall to her advantage, narrowly dodging the knife, and fell backwards, pulling the Slasher forward in flip, so she landed on her back.

It worked. The knife slid down the alley and both Vi and the Slasher huffed to catch their breaths.

“That’s enough,” said a voice. “We’re here, Vi.” Valor had arrived.

-----------------------

“Its coming together now,” said Marla to RJ in a near whisper, but Polarity, Nemesis and Gear could overhear him.

“I plan to go with them,” said RJ equally as quiet.

“Mr. Metternich,” said another staff member, suddenly busting in.

“What now?” asked Metternich, more annoyed than ever.

“We’ve got the Legionnaires on the line.”

“Which Legionnaires? I have most of them with me in here.”

“Invisible Kid, sir. He says its really urgent.”

“Oh he does, does he?” replied Metternich, as Jacques mouthed “Invisible Kid?” to himself.

“Put me on speaker sir,” said Lyle to Metternich in the most respectful voice possible. “Its important.”

Metternich hesitated. Given the recent hour and a half, he thought why not? “You’re on.”

“Legionnaires,” said Lyle, “we’ve just caught the Silver Slasher, New York’s latest seriel killer who has been terrorizing the city.”

The Legion all broke out into applause.

“Lyle, that’s great!” said Cos.

“She says she is serving the will of her Lord Mordru,” he suddenly added as the noise died down.

Suddenly it got very quiet.

Metternich spoke now. “Perhaps its time I had General-Secretary Chu on the phone.”

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Reboot
Common sense is neither common, nor sense.
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The Road to Earth War
Roster Trouble


Previously:

quote:
"So, why did you come here today then, Ella?"

"I... they insisted on it - the Legion. If I want to join after the stuff that happened, I apparently 'need to get some therapy', and this seemed like the least-bad option."

***
From the diary of Ella Raines:

I have a silent argument with myself for eight minutes, telling myself that nothing was going to happen (Washington could be levelled and they'd still leave me behind as it stood) and that no-one would notice if I spent the day in bed (only half-true).

______________

"...what do I need to do to get back on the team?" Lorna asked.

Cos sounded unsure, "You're sure y..."

"Like you said, if I don't come back now, what are the odds I'll get back on that bike again? What do I need to do to prove I can hack it?"

"Two things - as soon as your leave of absence is officially over, you'll be sent for mandatory counselling, the same way Paul and Ella were - and are - after they were unbrainwashed. If Dr Ryker's report gives you a basic all-clear, you'll be readded to the formal "Active" roster - and in the meantime, you'll just be training & so on After that, you'll just need to show you can, as you put it, 'hack it' like you did before."

She fell silent for a minute.

Twenty minutes from now:

"Metternich." Cosmic Boy kept his voice dry and level as he spoke the official's name.

"Yes?"

"The active roster has Trinity on it. Why?"

"As you and Brande have been so keen to impress, this is a very serious matter, and every Legionnaire is needed."

"She's not ready." A statement, not a question.

Until this point, Metternich had seemed distracted. Now, he turned and fixed Cos directly in his sights, "This is why you shouldn't sleep with your subordinates, Mr. Kline. I asked her directly. She was willing to take part - you'll notice the active roster now also includes Eileen Raines and your brother for the same reason."

"Ella and Paul have their heads screwed on. Lorna's not--" As Cos' voice began to raise, intending to protest that Trinity had barely started therapy after her traumas, Metternich cut him off.

"You see? Are you making decisions based on provable fact, or just infantalising your girlfriend to 'keep her safe'? In addition, despite your... clear influence... over this team as individuals, may I remind you that you have no formal position to object to any changes to the active roster." He turned back to the document he'd been examining, indicating that the discussion was at an end.

Seething, Cos suddenly realised something, and looked down at his hand:

He'd picked off one of the loose scales for "throwing" from the base of his armoured shirt, and it was hovering at his hand ready to go. Quickly, he reattached it, hoping no-one had noticed.

Was it true? Was he trying to keep Lorna safe beyond reason? No, he told himself, he'd seen her mental state clearly. If he was "infantalising" her, he'd be doing the same with Paul, surely.

Yes, that was it.

He shook his head and aimed to find her in the crowd. If he couldn't keep her out of it, he had to at least keep her with him...

--------------------
My views are my own and do not reflect those of everyone else... and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Cobalt, Reboot & iB present 21st Century Legion: Earth War.

From: The Mainframe | Registered: Jul 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Cobalt Kid
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The Road to Earth War

“There’s nothing we can do for him,” said Dr. Llewelyn with a frown. “I’m surprised he’s lasted as long as he has, to be honest. I hope you’ve given him the best care—“ he began to say but was cut off as Jacques Focquart held his hand up.

“We did everything we could, Doctor. Thank you for trying,” he added with some finality. He knew it was not his place to explain how this young man wound up with enough wounds to kill him. He died for his country; and suddenly, Jacques wondered if anyone would ever know.

Dr. Llewelyn huffed for a minute and walked away angry. He did not like losing patients, especially young ones. Having this young man brought here instead of a hospital was criminal, in his mind, but he knew when it came to things Legion-related it would always be a little off. Something about the way this Jacques character—and boss, King Faraday—carried themselves scared him. These were not Legionnaires or heroes. These were spies. He hoped they’d be leaving soon.

As Dr. Llewelyn walked out for a minute, the others hardly noticed. Andy Nolan sat by his brother’s side, tears streaming down his face. He’d removed the helmet made for him only days before so his brother could see his face. On the hospital bed, coming in and out of consciousness was his brother Doug. Both knew now that their time together was coming to an end.

In addition to Jacques, the Legionnaire Element Lad also remained in the room. He’d stayed with Andy throughout the chaos of getting Doug inside and now tried to lend him some strength. In Jan’s mind, death was not solely a sad thing. A celebration of life was also warranted. But he kept those thoughts to himself now, just putting his hand on Andy’s shoulder.

“A-Andy…” said Doug, regaining conscious once more. “…S-so sorry bro…should have never left you…tr-trying to protect you…”

“It’s okay, Doug,” said Andy, “try to rest.”

But in these last moments, Doug knew deep in his heart he’d better say goodbye. “Andy,” he said with some renewed strength, “I can’t protect you anymore…neither can Kon…we’re leaving you all alone…”

“Not alone, Doug,” said Andy. His tone of voice was strong. “I’ve got friends. They’ll take care of me. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

This seemed to make Doug relieved. “I’m glad…you were always…the best of us…I love you, Andy…”

“I love you too, Doug…” he said.

A tear ran down Element Lad’s cheek as he watched the two brothers.

Jacques Focquart couldn’t take anymore of this and had to leave the room. This is my fault, he thought.

*******************************************

Legion headquarters was buzzing with energy. Support staff moved in every direction, getting in each other’s way and losing their patience. In the top levels, all of the Legionnaires were now assembling, growing more and more aware that something truly staggering was happening. There was a genuine sense of alarm.

“Any word from our good liaison, friend?” said RJ Brande to Polarity and he just shook her head. “Hopefully he finally reached the Secretary-General…”

By RJ’s side was Marla Latham and beyond them was a room full of Legionnaires. Maps were sprawled out on the boardroom table while several of them were on the phone. But too many of them were standing around, letting their nervousness build up. Cosmic Boy realized it immediately. “We’ll need to train them better to spring into action,” he thought. He turned to Leviathan, Dox, Tela, Livewire and Sensor. They were huddled up front with him, as was King Faraday the mysterious Checkmate spy who found his way right in the midst of Legion Headquarters. “I can’t see anyway around splitting the team up.”

“Nor I,” said Dox. “It will have to be three squads. One in Europe, one in Asia and one in the United States. If this data King Faraday has supplied us with is correct,” he added.

“It is. The world’s military powers will be mobilizing soon enough but with the kind of firepower we’re facing, we need to make sure you Legionnaires are ready to go first,” replied the master-spy.

“That’s a big presumption, isn’t it?” said Leviathan. “How do we know the Legion will be mobilized for this?” There was an angry tone in his voice. He clearly believed he was losing any control of leadership and needed to assert himself. As always, it was at the worst time possible.

“We don’t,” said Invisible Kid before the others could reply. “That’s why we’re going to assert ourselves on our own.” RJ Brande smiled at the comment.

“Guys, you better come quick,” said Flash suddenly, as she ran up from the back of the room.

“Hold on, Jenni,” said Livewire, turning back to them. “How do we know Asia is going to be involved?” he asked.

“Guys…” said Jenni.

“It’s in the plans, isn’t it?” said King Faraday.

“Guys!” yelled Jenni.

“Asia is a pretty big place, Faraday,” said Lyle.

“GUYS!” she screamed.

They all turned. “What?!” yelled Leviathan back at her.

But by now she just stared beyond them. Slowly, they realized the entire room had gone silent. They turned slowly to see.

They recognized him immediately. All at once their jaws opened up in shock to see him standing there before them.

It was the President of the United States, Lex Luthor.

********************************************

Even RJ Brande was slightly flabbergasted for a moment, before he regained his footing. Before any of the Legionnaires could say anything, he spoke up first. “Mr. President,” he began, “it’s an honor. You are most welcome here!”

The others took the cue. Cosmic Boy followed. “Mr. Luthor, it’s an honor, sir.”

Lex Luthor didn’t smile or frown but just took them all in. By his side was Metternich, who did not seem too happy to have the President of the United States there. After all, Metternich reported to the UN, not the USA. There was also an overweight black woman who looked incredibly angry. And then over a dozen secret service who were almost indistinguishable from the rest.

“Let’s assume I’ve been briefed on everything that’s transpired so far,” he began. “Tell me clearly. Is the United States in danger?”

There was silence for a moment and then Leviathan spoke up loudly. “Yes sir!”

Luthor turned to him. “And the Legion of Super-Heroes is here to defend our boarders, correct?”

Cosmic Boy cut Gene off before he could reply again. He could see what was coming. “Yes, sir,” he said. “Here and the rest of the world.”

Luthor raised an eyebrow. “Really? And how do you plan to do so?”

“That’s what we’re figuring out right now,” said RJ Brande. “We’ve got some information on the oncoming assault. Not a lot of information but some.”

“And where did you get this information?” said Luthor.

“I gave it to them,” said King Faraday, stepping forward. “Hello, sir,” he said calmly. “Hello Amanda.”

“King, give me one reason why you shouldn’t be charged with treason,” said Amanda Waller. She was furious. “This information should have come to me first,” she almost screamed.

“It’s on its way,” he said, “but I had to make a stop. You were going to let your Squad die in Khundia. By all rights, you’d given them up for dead and lost this data. I decided maybe they all didn’t need to die nameless in a shallow grave where no one would ever find them. And so, I got a little something extra for Checkmate.”

“Checkmate still answers to the President of the United States,” said Luthor. He had a calmness in his voice as well but there was something very terrifying about it.

“Indeed, sir,” he said. “What Checkmate is doing is saving the United States. And the whole world,” he added, just like Cosmic Boy had done earlier.

Basil Metternich spoke up now. “Mr. President, we’re thrilled you are visiting Legion headquarters. Despite not having any clue that you were coming. Naturally, we’ve extended every courtesy to let you in and see our operations. Would you like to take a seat? I’ve got the United Nations Secretary-General calling in within the next five minutes and the call should involve you as well.”

“I’d be glad to,” he said. “Amanda, where is your agent?”

Waller was looking around the room. “Where’s Focquart?” she said. Her voice was not pleasant.

“He’s a member of Checkmate now,” said Faraday. He looked directly at Luthor as he said it. His tone was very measured. “I trust you endorse that decision, sir,” he said. “Focquart is an asset I must have on my team.”

The Legionnaires knew in that moment, Jacques fate was being decided—literally. Luthor seemed to be considering his decision. If he denied Faraday’s request, who knew what Waller would do to him.

“I see no problem with it,” he said at last. “Clearly Mr. Faraday, you’ll have to remember this later on.”

“Clearly” said King.

“We suspect the majority of the fighting will take place around the Mediterranean,” said Cosmic Boy. None of the others felt like speaking up to the President. “So at least some of the team will be allocated there. Legion Leader Leviathan will coordinate our efforts here though, so the US will be in good hands—“

“Leviathan will lead the European mission,” said Luthor. “A former marine will be good to have out in front to the national community, don’t you agree?” he added, turning to Leviathan. Leviathan suddenly seemed to be bursting with pride.

“Yes sir!” he said loudly. Invisible Kid let out a light groan.

“Now see here, Luthor,” said RJ Brande, “you have no authority.”

President Luthor, RJ,” he said. “You’re still a US citizen, aren’t you? Consider this the price for Jacques Focquart.”

“We hardly know him,” said Flash suddenly, but she put her hands over her mouth before continuing. She realized she might have misspoke and suddenly panic set in.

Jenni just gave Jacques a death sentence… thought Catalyst. But it was true. They just met him an hour earlier. All they knew was he tried to bring Doug Nolan back to his brother before he died. But they hardly even knew Doug or his brother either.

“That will be fine, sir” said Basil Metternich suddenly. They all looked at him shock. “Leviathan can oversee the European operations. This is all semantics anyway. Will you be staying?”

“I will,” he said.

*********************************

“What the hell was that?” said Cosmic Boy to Metternich outside in the hallway thirty minutes later. They both finally had a chance to slip out.

“Listen to me,” said Metternich to him. Clearly he was feeling as much anxiety as Cosmic Boy. “Know when to pick your battles. Let Luthor get that ‘win’ for himself. Its basically meaningless. More importantly, he’s raising no objections to try to force the Legion to stay within the US and defend it.”

“But he couldn’t. He doesn’t have the authority,” said Cos.

“He doesn’t need it,” said Metternich. “He’s the President of the United States of America. He can be the worst enemy we’ve ever dreamt of if we allow it. He can impede us in anyway he wants—and more, he’s got not only the political clout but the physical strength to do it too. Trust me, he’s an enemy we can’t afford to have.”

“So, what? We humor him? Let him sit in on this meeting?”

“Cosmic Boy,” said Metternich. “Things are happening now on levels we can only imagine. Political players you and I have never even heard of are weighing in. But here’s what’s important: the Legion of Super-Heroes is in the game. You all will have your chance to be involved and by having this window of opportunity available to you to make your own plans, you’ll have at least a small say in how it goes down.”

Cos understood. “They’d have called us in eventually,” he nodded. “But at least now with this small amount of time, we can at least present our own game plan to them.”

“Exactly,” said Metternich. “They’d be more willing to approve something than come up with it on their own.”

“So what does it mean? Are we going to be in this war?” said Invisible Kid, suddenly turning un-invisible. Cos shook his head with a smile but Metternich was annoyed.

“The telepath is probably listening in too,” he said under his breath. “It means, you all have your chance to be involved in this war. Don’t be too excited though. War brings only death and worse. You have my apologies if I don’t rush off to join you.”

**********************************

Valor, Shrinking Violet, Invisible Kid and Catalyst had arrived back in time to see more people in the lobby than they’d ever seen before. It took a minute to figure out what was happening but one word made it clear: “Luthor”. The other seems bothered by it and rushed to get upstairs (which they had to do the sneaky way). But while the other three ran off to the Boardroom, Valor went elsewhere.

He’d been alerted to what was happening throughout their dalliance with the Silver Slasher. They’d kept them updated on their phones and he was surprised most of all about Andy’s brother. He’d just met Andy a few weeks ago, but already he felt a connection with him. He knew his friend was in a lot of pain and hoped he’d make it before his brother passed.

He rushed over to the sickbay and saw the person who must be Jacques Focquart out in the hallway. Everything was silent. “Is he…?” asked Valor.

“He’s gone,” said Jacques.

Valor opened the door to the room to see Andy Nolan still sitting there, holding his brother’s hand. His brother was silent now; lifeless. Andy was quiet, though tears ran down his cheeks. Element Lad looked up from where he was standing, his hand on Andy’s shoulder. Valor, who feared no battle, suddenly felt fear. The fear of not being able to say the right thing. Of not being able to provide any level of comfort.

“Andy?” he said at last. “Are you…” but before he could say anything further, Andy looked up. For the briefest moment, a look of relief was on his face.

Andy walked over to him. “V-Val…” he began but he just stopped. He put his arms around his friend and pushed his head into his chest. And he began to cry, harder and harder until he was sobbing.

His brother was dead, and likely his other best friend. In a way, he thought now he was all alone in the world.

Except maybe…maybe he had the Legion.

Val just hugged him tightly and gave him comfort, as Andy sobbed.

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Cobalt Kid
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The Road to Earth War

Vienna, Austria
Castle Wazzo


Ten Zil Kem held an acoustic guitar in his arms, sitting down as if to position it perfectly. He put his left hand up at the neck and strummed the strings with his right hand.

“You know how to play, Tenz?” said Tatiana quizzically. She sat across from them in one of the luxurious rooms in Castle Wazzo. This one had all manner of musical instruments, including a beautiful piano.

“Me? No, not at all. I used to see them on television but where I grew up, you didn’t have any of these types of guitars. I always wanted to learn how to play, though. Probably never get the chance before the world ends…” he said glumly.

His words hung out there but no one said anything. The immense weight of what lied ahead of them was now bearing down hard. Everyone was visibly stressed.

Dirk got up, walked over and took it out of Tenz’s hands. “Okay, enough. After we win this thing, I’ll teach you. Now c’mon,” he said, walking out the door.

Tatiana looked at Dirk leave with an eyebrow raised.

“Of course he knows how to play guitar,” said Tenz sarcastically.

Both followed.

*****************************

Castle Wazzo was abuzz with more than just the Legionnaires: United Nations administrative personnel were everywhere, as the continued presence of some of its highest ranking members, including the Secretary-General, kept them busy. The staff at Castle Wazzo were more than happy to accommodate so many, feeling a sense of excitement they hadn’t felt since the birth of Tina.

Throughout it all, Countess Winema Wazzo oversaw the daily upkeep of the Castle during this hectic time with grace and good humor. The vigor she showed was as if she’d grown ten years younger. “She was born for this,” said Ultra Boy to Spirit as they watched her give orders to her cooking staff on what the lunch menu would look like this afternoon.

“She was,” said Spirit with a half-smile. Of all the craziness she’d seen in the last year, finally bonding with her mother was the last thing she’d expect with the world on the verge of Armageddon. But for it happened, and now she was feeling a strange sense of pride.

“Mother, can we help?” said Tina.

The Countess looked up. “I expect not, dear,” she replied, though with a sense of delight for the offer. “I know you Legionnaires have your own worries right now. Madame General Secretary was up all last night with President Lex Luthor negotiating the next steps.”

“And?” said Joe, very anxious to hear the outcome.

“And the United States is putting their full support behind what the UN intends to do. She had to agree to give them full authority to do what they feel necessary in North America, but this is still a huge boon. She’s working on China now but given what might happen if China does not agree, I think we’re going to be okay to get a real resolution passed.” There was real pride in Winema’s voice.

Ultra Boy smiled. And they say the United Nations can’t get anything done, he thought.

Spirit, however, was focused on something else she said. “You said you know we Legionnaires have our own worries,” she said. Her voice had gotten a littler quieter, which made both Jo and the Countess turn to look at her. “You are… all right with it then? With my being a Legionnaire?”

The Countress was visibly exhausted and so her defenses were down, Joe surmised. She sighed a little and smiled and then sat down in a chair. Tina walked closer to her as the Countress looked up. “Of course not, Tina. The last think I want is my daughter out there were she might be hurt or worse. I am terrified of what might happen to you. But Tina,” she said, looking at her eye to eye, “I am so proud of you right now.”

Joe smiled widely as Tina hugged her mother tightly, both of them with tears running down their cheeks.

**************************

“Let’s go, Centurion!” yelled Tatiana to Mon-El as they walked into the courtyard.

Mon, who was in the middle of a conversation with Dawnstar about flying, turned around with an eyebrow raised. “What makes you think I was a centurion?” he said confused.

“Dude, no one even know what that means,” said Tenz with a laugh.

Tatiana laughed too. “Dirk is calling a meeting I think,” she said.

The others followed. Up ahead, they saw Ultra Boy and Spirit joining them.

“What’s this about?” asked Joe.

“Dirk has called a meeting,” said Dawnstar with a shrug.

Flare was at the head of the column and up ahead he saw Blok and Maziah. As he approached, he slowed down. He stopped and they all stopped too. Neither Blok nor Maziah seemed to notice them.

“What’s the noise?” said Tenz in a whisper.

“It’s Maziah,” said Dawnstar. “She’s singing. For Blok.”

********************

Blok stood in the gardens as the White Witch stood in front of him, only half his size. Garbed in her usual all-white, she looked small and petite. But her voice, which was soft and sweet, had a strength to it. A raw power that hinted at multiple layers within its texture. It was silky and smooth, and it draw you in.

She sang a song from her home in Xerox, something she’d heard once when she was a child and loved. She did so with her eyes closed, having no idea who may be listening.

And Blok watched her in his stoney, massive form. Though his eyes could produce no tears, he felt true emotion. His had been a journey for longer than any might imagine. It had been hard and it often it had been cruel. Anyone he’d ever come to care about was long dead. But he’d never cared about anyone as much as Maziah.

She finished. She opened her eyes and looked at Blok and though an outsider would never knew, she knew he was smiling. “I owed you a song, Blok. Consider the debt paid,” she smiled. Her smile was sweet and genuine.

“I’ve waited long to hear it,” he said in his gravel voice. “But it was worth the wait. I’m sure your friends agree.”

Maziah turned suddenly, embarrassed. All the rest of them were standing there smiling. Some were even in awe at the beauty of her voice.

“That was beautiful, Maziah,” said Mon-El. The endorsement of Monius Elysius was a strong one as he did not give out his praise easily.

She smiled and nodded with a bow to say thanks.

“Does something trouble you, my friends?” asked Blok. He had always been able to know what they were feeling.

They all turned to Dirk, who spoke without hesitation. “Blok,” he said, “we’ve all come a long way together. Some of us more recently than the rest but still a well traveled road. I’ve come to love all of you, like you’re I never had. I would do anything for you. And I trust you all.”

They all nodded, waiting to see where this was going.

“Blok, I know you’ll be honest with us. You have been from the start. The scope of what we have overcome is almost too incredible to comprehend but you’ve never once lied to us about it. I thank you for that.”

Blok nodded. “This most difficult of choices to fight Mordru must always be made with clarity.”

“This is supposed to make us feel better?” said Tenz to Tatiana, though he suddenly felt bad, realizing it was too loud.

Dirk turned to him with a half-grin. “Blok, you’ve said this to us before, but tell us again. You’ve fought Mordru a thousand times, in a thousand different eras. You’ve fought him with the odds stacked against you, but also with the odds stacked in your favor. You’ve done it openly and in secret. And you’ve always failed.”

Blok nodded.

”What makes this time so different?” said Dirk.

Blok was silent for a moment and every one of them stared at him with full attention. But once again, Maziah could see him smiling.

“This time,” he began, “Mordru faces a new concept.”

“His daughter,” said Dawnstar. She was among the newest of their group and was still comprehending the complexity of what they faced. “Maziah.”

“That is true,” said Blok. “Mordru has never had offspring. He’s never faced someone with the potential that he has. There is no doubt Maziah and her sister will be deciding factors in the war against him. That I am betting everything on.”

Tenz looked at Dirk to say that’s it?.

Dirk smiled as Blok continued. “But there is more than that. There is all of you. Winged warrior maidens and magical princesses. Those who were born to fight, and those from the humblest beginnings who learned how to do it on their own. Whatever you call yourselves—Sentinels or Super-Heroes—it is all of you that is different.”

Maziah spoke up, as she had an understanding that none of them did. “When the spell broke and mankind began to evolve again, this new generation developed with an arsenal of powers to combat him. But its more than just powers. It’s people.”

Mon-El nodded and he smiled too. “There is something unique about this world,” he said in agreement. “So many of you, unwilling to bend to authority. Questioning every order and every decision. It’s frustrating beyond belief and it’s chaos. But it shows a hunger…a hunger for freedom.”

“Yes,” said Blok. “This time we will succeed because of all of you. You in front of me. Those in New York City. The rest spread out all over the world. Mordru wages war like he always has done to crush politicians and warriors and men who crave what he has. But never against you. And you are Legion.”

**********************

TO BE CONTINUED IN EARTH WAR

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Cobalt Kid
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Over 200,000 years ago, before great civilizations within living memory and long forgotten, Earth experienced a Golden Age. It was the high point of history and though it has been long forgotten, the remnants of the era once more play a heavy role in mankind’s future. This was the Age of Ekron, where the great civilization of old was more than human, but rather deity like beings with incredible knowledge and abilities.

Among the Ekronians there were three whose insight set them apart from the others. And the greatest of the three was Mordru who loved Earth and its inhabitants so much that he felt he must take a hand in fostering its future—ensuring its survival by instilling his will on progress. Mordru believed in total order; he believed in control. The other Ekronians became alarmed by this intrusion, feeling it was a violation of their purpose on the Earth. For Ekron believed in expanding thoughts and arts and sciences; they believed in chaos—beautiful chaos—so creativity can be free and rampant.

It was not long before Ekron fell into Civil War. The planet Earth was shattered and much of the great knowledge of the Ancient World were lost forever. All the Ekronians were lost forever save three, dying with great sadness in their hearts that Earth would never reach its creative potential. For they realized with their dying breaths that Mordru had won. And that over time, his great love for the inhabitants of Earth would turn cold and his insatiable need for order and control would be all-consuming. Their fears were justified, for soon after Mordru became the Great Enemy of mankind and has remained so for its history.

Time went on, as it always does, and knowledge of the Dark Lord came and went. The cycle repeated itself many times. Oftentimes he would wage his private wars in secret; sometimes he would wage them openly against all of mankind. And always he was victorious.

Yet there were those who stood against him. Mordru’s wars and goals were anathema to the Earth. And so, fearing the calamity of what would undoubtedly befall the planet, Earth itself birthed its only living son to confront and battle the Dark Lord. Called many names over the millennia, the brotherless one has stood against Mordru; today, his allies call him Blok.

Blok was joined by many throughout history: the shadow-caster clan that began in Eden, lived in Persia and founded an ancestral home in England. The ancient Roman warrior who was betrayed but has risen again. The royal house of illusions which was created as a warden against Mordru’s Emerald Empresses. And foremost among them all, Mordru’s greatest enemy whose existence remains a secret to all but Blok and the Dark Lord himself. This secret benefactor of the forces of humanity remains steadfast in his war against Mordru and bides his time to reveal himself once more.

For the enemies of Mordru now have something they never had before throughout the thousands of years they’ve battled the Dark Lord. A new coalition with a purity of spirt. A new alliance whose mission maintains a clarity in their souls. A new concept. A Legion of Super-Heroes.

If ever Earth had a chance for victory, it is now. Mordru knows this…and now he resolves to destroy his enemies before they destroy him.


The creators of the 21st Century Legion proudly present…


EARTH WAR

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Cobalt Kid
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Earth War
Part 1: Mundus Belli


Vienna, Austria

When it happened, it still came as a total shock to them. Tina Wazzo, the Legionnaire known as Spirit, awoke from her bedroom and felt an instant twinge of guilt as she saw all of her friends were already awake and had gone downstairs for breakfast. She was usually an early riser, but last night had stayed awake extra late to sit in with her mother and the other United Nations delegates. When did I actually start finding the UN interesting? she thought, smiling to herself. Most of her life she avoided the topic of her mother’s occupation like the plague.

She looked to see if Joe was still sleeping but no luck. Joe, like the rest of the boys in their group, slept in the attached room adjacent to her bedroom, while the girls stayed with her. He had remained with her late into the night, also silently observing. Joe had a funny way about him; at first glance you’d think he was just a good-looking jock. But eventually you came to see this was an act—he was in fact quite intelligent and he seemed to enjoy observing people. It’s nice spending time with him… she started to think but pushed the thought out of her head. Now is not the time for that, Tina.

Once she went downstairs, however, she felt more guilty than ever. The news was in every room, and everyone in Castle Wazzo was glued to the televisions, even the staff. She found the others huddled around a television set in a room dedicated to lounging.

Most of them were still in the clothes they slept in, as if they hadn’t stopped looking at te television for an instant. No one looked up at her at first, but then Mon-El noticed she’d entered. “Khundia has invaded Italy,” he said firmly.

“What?” she replied shocked.

Tatiana looked up, her eyes in a bit of a daze. “It’s begun, Tina,” she said. “The War. Khundia has invaded Sicily and already has captured Palermo. People are dying even now.”

Blok spoke up from behind them and Tina realized she hadn’t noticed he was in the room. Oftentimes, he would not enter in doors. “Mordru has began. He is aware a final confrontation looms and so he has pushed up his timetable. He is hoping to destroy us before we have a chance to gather anymore strength. I’m afraid children,” he said as they noticed his grainy voice had a small inkling of sadness, “that are time for preperations is over.”

************************************

Tina rushed off to find her mother, the Countess Winema Wazzo. Her mother was not only an United Nations Ambassador, but she was probably with the UN General-Secretary, Jeannie Chu and Ambassador Anton Relnic who were visiting them right now. Joe and Tatiana got up and followed her out.

“Tina, wait up,” said Joe. His codename among them was Ultra Boy, though he hardly used it.

Tina ignored Joe and ran faster. “Tina, are you okay?” said Tatiana, concerned.

Tina turned around surprised. “Am I okay? Of course not Tati,” she said, as two tears ran down her cheeks. “The world is going to be at war. W-we…we need to do something.”

Tatiana walked over to her and hugged her. They had started with some small animosity between them yet after all these weeks, the two of them had grown into great friends. “We will. We need to act, and soon. But first, we need to figure out how.”

***********************

By the time they could see the Countess, their patience had worn thin. Instead of minutes it had been hours. In the meantime, they did everything they could to prepare: they ate, they rested, they packed up any supplies they might need.

Dirk suggested that it was time to put on their costumes—something he couldn’t believe he was saying.

“So we get to be super-heroes,” said Tenz with a big smile.

“I guess so,” said Dirk. “Maybe it will actually inspire some people…” he said, a little unsure. In one of those rare instances, he was embarrassed.

“I think it will,” said Mon-El, which surprised them. “The news is only reporting on the Khundish army right now. But we know Mordru has agents in his employ who will crush the morale of regular people. Dragons. Monsters. Dev Em.” Saying the name of his arch enemy gave Mon-El a harshness to his voice. “They’ll need everything they can to inspire them.”

Tina was glad to put her Legion costume back on; once more she felt like Spirit, a founder of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Now looked at the others, and saw some of them were still a little uncomfortable. Assembled they were Flare, Dawnstar, Ultra Boy, Matter-Eater Lad (reveling in his chosen moniker), Umbra and maintaining their own nicknames, Blok & Mon-El.

Last among them was the White Witch, who remained silent so far. How she must be feeling… thought Tina. She looked so petite in her white robes. She’ll be facing her own father. She’s stronger than perhaps anyone I ever met before, but I know she must be so scared.. None of them wanted to bother her right now, though Blok stayed by her side throughout, quietly lending her strength.

**************************

“I’ve alerted the Legion of Super-Heroes, and even now they are on their way here,” said Secretary-General Chu.

“All of them?” asked Spirit, unable to help herself.

“No,” replied Chu. “Unfortunately, the news here is focusing on Sicily, but the fighting has begun elsewhere too. An army has invaded Iran out of Saudia Arabia. And something seems to be happening on the US-Mexican border. If the intel we have is accurate, and we think it is, then this ‘Mordru’s’ attacks are going exactly as planned.”

“The reason Madame Secretary-General is speaking with you,” said Ambassador Relnic, “is because she is aware you are going to enter this chaos anyway.” He decided to get right to the point. “We would love to tell you not to do it, but frankly, at this point we feel like we need you.”

“Before you go, children,” said Countess Wazzo, “you need to know what you’re up against.” Countess Wazzo looked visibly shaken. Her skin was more pale than usual and she was very tense. Tina knew it was because her daughter was heading off into a war zone.

Secretary-General Chu used a digital remote to change the screen. “Here are videos taken in Sicily in the last (24) hours by phones and other recording devices. They have not appeared on the internet yet but they will shortly. The images are horrifying.”

The Sentinels looked at the videos and indeed, they were horrifying, but it did not surprise them. They were steadfast in watching every second, and Relnic raised an eyebrow—these children had stronger stomachs than he thought. Beyond the Khundish army, there were other, more supernatural elements to the assault. Some of the attackers looked like decayed corpses that could walk. “Zombies,” said Matter-Eater Lad out loud, as if taking a mental note of what they face.

“Yes, and other undead type creatures,” said the White Witch, taking a cue from Tenz. Talking about it out loud seemed to help.

“And the Khundish Legionnaires are there,” said Matter-Eater Lad. “There’s Firefist. Man, I hoped I’d never see that kid again.”

“What about Veilmist?” asked Dirk, taking a closer look.

“Jeez Dirk, keep it in your—“ began Tenz but Dirk turned quickly towards him and shot him a look that plainly said not now.

“Slow it down for a moment,” said Mon-El. At first Secretary-General Chu looked at him in surprise, not used to being addressed so by someone who was barely an adult, but she took it in stride and did what he asked.

“That’s Dev Em,” he said at last. On the video they could see a purple blur rip apart two police officers. They recognized the costume at once.

“And look, there’s another,” said Dawnstar. They could see another figure moving with a blur but couldn’t make out who it was. “Mon, can your eyes pick anything up?”

“It’s hard with this video machine,” he said. Tatiana was too tense to smile at his lack of knowledge of 21st century technology. “But its another young man like Dev Em. Different though. There is some sort of mark on his chest. An ‘S’ perhaps.”

“Who knows how many monsters Mordru has held in stock that we don’t know about,” said Flare, pointing out the obvious. “Is the dragon there?”

Relnic looked at Dirk as if he had two heads. “Dragon?”

Dirk, unlike Tatiana, could force a smile. “Oh, you don’t know about that yet?” he said. “All these zombies and things? That’s nothing. It’s going to get a lot worse. So the sooner we get out there, the better.”

All the Legionnaires were in agreement, though the three adults were still not thrilled with the concept of sending these children into battle.

“Wait,” said Umbra, suddenly sitting up straight. “Look who else is there. Dear God, I had hoped she wouldn’t have anything to do with this…”

“You know her?” said Secretary-General Chu, turning at the screen. On screen was a young girl, the age of the Sentinels, with flowing green hair and a green/white costume. Floating around her was a large orb that upon closer inspection was a glowing lidless eye. “Who is she?” said Chu.

“That’s Sara,” said Tatiana, her voice almost a whisper.

“The Emerald Empress,” said Matter-Eater Lad. “We’re not exactly pals with her…”

********************

Not long after, they began preparing to leave Austria. As the day lengthened, their attitudes began to change; a somber mood began to overtake him. It’s the waiting… thought Tina. It’s awful.

“The Khunds just invaded South France,” said Dawnstar re-entering the room. “They’re wasting no time.”

The news hit them like a punch in the face. “This is going much faster than I thought,” said Flare.

“We’ve got to get out there,” said Mon-El, his words echoing all their thoughts.

“Tina,” said a voice from the door entrance and they turned to see the Countess there. “Can I see you a moment?”

Spirit walked over to her mother without hesitation as the others turned away, trying to give them some privacy. Just recently they had started to connect after a lifetime of being at odds. The Countess had told Tina how proud of her she was.

This time, Winema Wazzo didn’t have the words. She grabbed her daughter and held her tight. As tight as she could, as tears ran down her cheeks. “I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you too, Mom,” said Tina.

********************

Maziah bint Mordru bin Ahmad Al-Nayal stood outside in the courtyard where the Sentinels had gathered so many times before. It felt much colder out there now; colder than it had throughout their many months together. To others, he 16 years on the Earth might seem short but to her it felt very long; these last months, though, had been the greatest of her life. She considered that and smiled, but thoughts of the coming battle encroached upon her mind again and she once more felt fear.

“Maziah,” said Blok, appearing from the Earth before her.

“When I was a child, Blok,” she said, speaking as if he’d been there the whole time. “They used to call me the White Witch. They said one day my power might surpass even my father’s. I used to think about the name and becoming a brave sorceress. I’d wear it the moniker proudly and be full of courage. It’s a name I wear proudly now. But all I feel is fear.”

Blok extended his giant arm and rested his dirty palm upon her white clothed shoulder. The dirt did not stain or even blemish the fabric. “It is good that you feel fear, child,” he said. “To overcome it, you will find that great courage you always dreamed about.”

“When I announced myself to Glaurung, the Dragon, I did something of great importance in the magical world. I proclaimed my stance against my father. Is this Earth War a reaction to that? Did I cause this war?”

Blok could see that though Maziah had come so far in her growth, now in the eleventh hour, she felt great doubt. He knew that after so many centuries, this moment was critical to his purpose on Earth. “No, Maziah,” he said firmly. “Mordru has made war on humanity for thousands of years. He would have done so again. What you’ve done is something none could do for a long time. You’ve made him feel fear.”

Maziah turned now to look at him, considering his words.

“He now feels as you do, and he cannot remember the last time he did so. You’ve caused him to show his hand too early. And in that mistake, we will catch him with his guard down.”

************************************

In the end, the Sentinels left Austria in secret. Tina had already said her goodbyes with her mother. They were afraid they’d be held back by Chu and the others, or forced to work within some game plan that did not understand the nature of Mordru.

Awaiting them in the harbor was the Black Pirate and his ghost ship. He smiled as he saw them but said nothing. He knows, thought Tina. His connection to magic is telling him what Mordru is doing.

“Where do we sail to, my beauty?” he asked Spirit with a devilish grin.

She was too tense to respond with any scorn as she usually did. “Sicily,” she said.

He smiled again and looked out into the water as the sun set. “To war then.”

[ November 30, 2011, 09:23 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
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Manhattan, New York City,
The United States


In the lobby of 247 Weisenger Plaza in midtown Manhattan the usual hustle and bustle of New York City life had come to abrupt halt that morning. Businessmen were not having meetings and the coffee shop was not selling coffees. Building security just stared at the flat screen televisions mounted on the walls and watched the news unfold as the world grew ever closer to war.

Up on the top floor of the skyscraper a room full of exhausted teenagers and their support staff felt the return of a familiar feeling: anxiety. Having worked through the bureaucratic necessities and the strategic planning sessions, the Legion of Super-Heroes was now fully assembled and ready to embark on its biggest mission yet.

At the head of the room was R.J. Brande, Marla Latham and Basil Metternich. Metternich turned to his administrative assistant, Cindy, and spoke: “Cindy, that will be all. Please have the staff all leave the room now. They are dismissed for the morning to catch up on some sleep. We’ll need everyone back here by this afternoon.”

“Yes, Mr. Metternich,” she said, turning to walk out but not before smiling at Cosmic Boy. Cos didn’t notice but some of the others did, causing a few giggles and some scowls. Cosmic Boy realized that with the support staff being dismissed the time for talking was coming to an end.

Metternich turned to face the Legionnaires and addressed them directly. “Right. Well, I believe this brings us to the War. I believe I should wish you good luck…”

“Basil, please,” said RJ Brande cutting him off. “Sentimentality is not your strong suit,” he said to a few laughs among the Legionnaires. “We all know what we have to face today,” he said to them. “It will be dangerous and the stakes will be high. But let me tell you something kids: this is what you were made for. I know its scary but you’ve trained for this and you’ve worked hard for this. You joined the Legion of Super-Heroes to make a difference and today, that’s what you’ll do!”

An eruption of cheers and applause broke out. Marla Latham, next to RJ smiled. RJ had insisted that he would be going along to Europe with that segment of the team, leaving Marla behind in charge of Brande Industries and Metternich to manage the Legion bureaucracy. They suspected it was so RJ could lend them some moral support.

As the applause died down, the Legionnaires turned towards each other, expecting one of their own to now take the floor. A few of the newer members like Hygeia and Ferro turned to Leviathan, who for the first time in awhile seemed dumbstruck, unsure of what to say. But soon it became clear that the others were looking towards Cosmic Boy. Even Leviathan for a moment looked relieved.

Cosmic Boy watched as all their heads faced him and without thinking, he knew what to do and what to say. “When we’re out there I want you all to remember something,” he started. “You’re not alone.” Some of them nodded, some others were confused. “Look around you,” he said. “There are 29 of us, if you can believe that. 29 Legionnaires. When we’re out there and everything is overwhelming or scary, and at times might seem hopeless, keep in mind how many of us there are. We are Legion,” he said with a clear emphasis. “As long as we’ve got each other, we can overcome anything.”

Some of them cheered and others smiled. When Cos said it, they believed it.

“It’s time to call the roll,” he said now. “It’s clear on the Asian front that Mordru will be taking a multi-pronged approach. Rebound and Shifter will lead a group supplemented by SHIELD agents and that includes Element Lad, Quislet, Amihan, Amazon, Wildfire and Hygeia.”

The eight Legionnaires nodded and began to move together to one side of the room.

“I’ll take another squadron to the west coast of the US and coming with me will be Dox, Spark, Trinity, Kid Quantum, Polarity, Star Boy, Gear, Kinetix, Flash and Blizzard.”

Those Legionnaires also nodded and then began separating themselves. For the briefest of moments, Cosmic Boy considered his conversation with Metternich before and his motives in purposely keeping Trinity and his brother by his side.

“And Leviathan will lead another team to Europe to hopefully join Spirit and the others. King Faraday and Fantomas will accompany them as well. This will include Tela, Livewire, Dreamer, Shrinking Violet, Catalyst, Invisible Kid, Sensor, Valor, Nemesis and Ferro.”

In the background, King Faraday and Fantomas nodded at one another. They were outsiders here and so said nothing. King Farday’s thoughts were elsewhere but Jacques could not help but be impressed by these teenagers. He could feel something; what was happening now meant something.

Leviathan said nothing but felt some pride in being the face of the Legion on the European front. President Luthor had insisted and they acquiesced; he knew it would make the other Legionnaires angry but in his heart he knew he could prove to them it was the right call.

“Everyone stay safe and do exactly as you were trained. The world needs us right now and we’re going to show them exactly why the Legion of Super-Heroes exists! Are you with me?”

”YES!!!”

“LONG LIVE THE LEGION!” they all shouted.

*****************

Roll Call
Leviathan (Official leader)
Cosmic Boy (de facto co-leader)
Tela
Live Wire
Spark
Polarity
Trinity
Gear
Starboy
Invisible Kid
Shifter
Dreamer
Dox
Element Lad
Quislet
Kinetix
Flash
Kid Quantum
Blizzard
Rebound
Amihan
Amazon
Spirit
Shrinking Violet
Catalyst
Valor
Hygeia
Wildfire
Sensor
Nemesis
Ferro


[ November 30, 2011, 09:25 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
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Palermo, Sicily

Throughout its history, the island of Sicily has been an epicenter of warfare and invasion. Situated among the great empires of the world for centuries, Sicily has been a battleground that has seen innumerable horrors and chaos.

Once again, Sicily descended into chaos.

The Khundish army marched across the island, taking it over with lightning speed and already making preparations to invade the European mainland shortly thereafter, in a two-pronged strike into France and Italy’s mainland. Though Sicily put up some defense, the Khundish army easily overpowered it and soon the Khundish soldiers set about razing the cities and plundering the countryside.

The Khunds were outfitted with the best technology available and the most highly trained soldiers in the world. They also had something else on their side: whenever the Khunds began to approach, the target would lose all of its technology beforehand. Power would shut down; phone lines went dead; the internet was lost. Unknown to the United Nations and SHIELD, the Dark Lord’s forces had kidnapped the teenage girl known as ‘Oracle’ during the recent Suicide Squad assault on Khundia; Danielle Focquart’s power was now used in full force to cause confusion and cut off the targets from having any potential communication with help.

The Khundish army had a special division that was firmly placed at the front of the assault: Khundia’s very own Legion of Super-Heroes. Bloodclaw, Firefist, Veilmist and Flederweb led the charge into the towns and countryside, destroying all in their path and killing any who stood in their way.

Supplementing their forces were the agents of Mordru who now revealed themselves in the light of day: the Emerald Empress and Dev Em. Both of their power unleashed was terrifying to behold and they moved through the sacking of Palermo with unnerving ease.

In addition to the great agents of the Dark Lord, there was one more: a young boy of seventeen from the obscure neighborhood of Suicide Slum. Conner Kent, codenamed Tutsuo while a part o the Suicide Squad, was also taken by the Dark Lord’s forces and now was being unleashed as weapon as well. He flew next to Dev Em and the two used their incalculable strength and speed to destroy all in their paths.

Even without showing himself yet, the Dark Lord’s forces seemed unstoppable.

***********************************

Sara Romanescu, the Emerald Empress, floated regally in the air overseeing the destruction. The Emerald Eye urged her onwards to take part of the continued pillage and plunder but she held herself in check. Yes, Sara felt the continued anger and fury that consumed her constantly, and yes, she felt an urge to re-engage. But seeing all this wanton destruction and defilement had given her pause. It was almost too much.

She was wanted revenge upon the world for the crimes perpetrated against her and her family. She knew the Dark Lord could help her get it. But this…was she such a monster as to do this?

“We should have known you would be here,” said a voice. It was sharp and full of its own anger, and she knew it immediately. Turning, she saw two of her oldest friends—and now deadliest enemies: Tatiana Mallor, who styled herself “Umbra” and Maziah, the White Witch.

The fury began to return to Sara immediately. “Looking a little blue in the face, Tatiana?” she said cruelly, referencing the fact that Tatiana’s appearance was now a deep blue color, something she must surely hate. “You both have a lot of courage to show yourselves here. And stupidity. I only wish Jacquie was with you…but her time will come soon enough…”

“You have fallen very far, Sara,” said Maziah. Her voice was firm but soft and it carried a great sadness. “You were born for more noble things and I wish I did not have to see you so corrupted.”

“Please, Maziah,” said Sara in biting anger, “save me your pity! You pretend to be so soft and delicate, but its clear you want to supplant your father! Well, I’m afraid you both are in for a surprise!” she screamed. And suddenly, the Emerald Eye unleashed its power upon them, firing a concentrated beam of hard-light in their direction.

Umbra dived to her side, tumbling out of the way as Valor taught her, and then at once fired her darkness at the Emerald Eye. Ever since their first battle, Tatiana, Jacquie and Maziah had come up with several strategies to beat Sara if they battled her again. Covering the Emerald Eye with darkness was something they knew would succeed.

Maziah also moved but barely was able to escape the beam; instead, she magically created a shield to parry the blow but instantly regretted wasting a spell. Patience, Maziah, she thought, this war won’t be fought in one day. She looked up and matched the Emerald Empress’ gaze and the two locked on one another, preparing to assault each other magically with all their might.

But Umbra’s darkness was doing the trick. The Eye was blinded temporarily and panicked—its emotions sent a shockwave through Sara and she felt herself losing control. She screeched as loud as she could and sent forth a belligerent blast in all directions in an attempt to push away her attackers.

Umbra and the White Witch fell back and regrouped before they renewed the attack. “Nothing about this is going to be easy, is it?” said Umbra to Maziah.

**************************

Ultra Boy and Mon-El flew at top speed into the chaos and then through it. Down below they could see the travesties being perpetrated by the Khundish soldiers and it was gruesome to behold. Joe, despite his traditional ability to hide his emotions, was overwhelmed with outrage and despair; Mon-El, who had seen true war throughout his whole life, had expected to see exactly this type of plunder. But they knew they had to move past it and get to the real threat at hand, which lay up ahead.

While all of the Dark Lord’s agents caused tremendous harm, the worst offenders were those with the most powerful abilities. Mon-El could see them: Dev Em and a black-haired boy the same age as the Sentinels; they moved with speed only Joe and Mon could match, and their blows destroyed buildings—or in Dev’s case, people—at their whim.

“Take the other one,” said Mon-El to Ultra Boy. “Dev Em is mine.”

Joe didn’t argue. He had heard all about Dev Em since he’d joined up with the Sentinels. Like the others, he fared the ancient warrior, but he was ready to help Mon-El when the time came. But with this new mysterious player, that was not going to be now. Who is this super boy? he thought. Another ‘Daxamite’, whatever the hell that is? Or someone like me?

At speeds beyond the human eye, the two Sentinels descended upon them. Dev Em’s super-hearing picked up on their approach and reacted immediately but the other ‘super boy’ did not. Ultra Boy rammed into him at top speed, tackling him into the ground below. Dev Em ducked out of the way of Mon-El’s blow and the two flew into the air, battling one another throughout the skies.

Their battle soon took them beyond Sicily and into the Mediterranean, beyond sight. Yet every so often a tremendous boom could be heard, as the two landed blows on each other.

On Sicily, Ultra Boy battled the ‘super boy’, who now regained his composure and fought back in full force. “What’s your deal, kid?” he said in anger, unable to read his opponent, who was just as strong as him, if not stronger, and just as ferocious. “Not much of a talker, are you?”

The boy said nothing and battled back. Ultra Boy momentarily tried to switch to his flash vision power but the boy was too quick—for an instant, he left himself exposed and almost paid the ultimate price. He’s too fast to get cute with the powers, Joe thought. He doesn’t seem to have my problem, though. His powers are similar to Mon’s and mine, though a little different. Perhaps they’re telekinetic in nature? He doesn’t seem to have any vision powers. Maybe that bastard McCauley had something to do with it? The thought of McCauley made him fight much harder.

The super boy lunged forward but Joe had purposely exposed himself as bait to lure him. He jumped backwards and pulled the boy to the ground, so he could then try to kick his ribs as a different tactic. The boy took it in pain but said nothing. No one would take that with no reaction. This kid must be mind-controlled!

*************************

While the personal battles were waged on the fringes, the Khundish army continued its assault upon Sicily with the Khundish Legionnaires in tow. Veilmist and Flederweb stayed back, horrified of the sacking of Palermo but concerned for their own safety as well. Bloodclaw and Firefist reveled in the chaos, believing they were achieving a glory that would go down in history.

Of the two of them, Firefist was clearly the leader. He unleashed his flames upon a series of houses, and then charged forward, looking for his next victim.

Bloodclaw followed, screaming and yelling. “All those who die by our hands,” he said to his friend, “will be our slaves in the afterlife. I know this old custom to be true!” he laughed. The two entered a ruined villa.

“Throughout my many years among you,” said a voice behind them, as they turned to see a massive frame. “It never fails to dishearten me to find those who embrace such violence.” Blok spoke with his usual stoic demeanor but now moved with a purpose. He reached forward, smashing his fist into Bloodclaw and sending him backwards. The young Khund was very big, but Blok’s massive rock form was bigger.

“You’ll pay for that, monster,” said Firefirst, who turned to fire at him.

“It is outlandish that you have the right to call anyone ‘monster’ other than yourself!” said another voice that could not hide its anger, as Dawnstar descended from the sky and lifted Firefirst up high, using the propulsion of her wings to lend her some momentum needed to pick up the teenager. She flew several feet into the air and dropped him to the ground before he could fire his flames at her.

“You will pay for that witch,” said Firefist. “Over and over,” he growled, getting to his feet at Bloodclaw also regrouped to battle Blok once more.

“Maybe,” said Spirit, suddenly rising from a nearby pile of rubble, “maybe not,” she added, running by them in an effort to draw their attention. The ploy worked and Firefist followed her, hoping to blast her with his flames and leaving Bloodclaw alone to battle Blok.

Outside the fallen villa in the fields were dozens of Khundish soldiers and the other two Khundish Legionnaires, Veilmist and Flederweb. “We should join our fellow Legionnaires,” said Flederweb. His voice was fearful, as he knew there would be punishment if he did not conduct himself in a way the Khunds saw fit.

“Yes,” said Veilmist sadly, “otherwise we’ll be next.”

“I’d hoped that by now you’d be long gone,” said Flare, as the two turned to see the Legionnaire emerging from another pile of rubble near the fallen villa. “You know in your heart that this is wrong Alimah,” he finished. Had it been only a few weeks ago, he thought, since we shared that intimate evening and she told me her real name? It feels like a lifetime ago.

“Veilmist, attack at once!” shouted Flederweb as he leapt to the side of them to crawl up the leaning villa wall and try to flank Flare. He turned expecting his partner to be joining him in the assault but saw she did not move and just looked at Flare.

“I have no choice…” she said to Dirk in almost a whisper.

He stared back and her and said nothing.

Flederweb continued to move closer to Flare when suddenly the Villa wall crashed backwards into the Villa itself and Flederweb leapt off of it to the ground, rolling with the momentum. He looked up to see another Sentinel there, holding a piece of wood and eating it. It was Matter-Eater Lad.

“There is always a choice,” said Dirk to Veilmist. “And you’ve made yours.”

And all at once, as the Khundish soldiers began to descend on them, the battle resumed.

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Reboot
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Earth War: Preparing for War

Sunset

The helicopter's blades beat heavily overhead, and Spark rubbed her right arm pensively. She'd read the mission briefing, but that still left her and her teammates virtually blind as to what they were heading into.

They knew that, in the middle of a worldwide crisis, Coast City was special. It had 'gone dark' just as everywhere was screaming for help - phone lines had been severed, wireless signals weren't being responded to, and - perhaps most worryingly - the few sorties, including a group from SHIELD, which had been allocated to investigate the situation had themselves 'gone dark'. Yet satellite photos showed no hostile activity - there were a few unattended fires, but mostly there was just... emptiness.

So, while over half the Legion - including Livewire, her brother - had been sent to Europe and Asia on other missions; Spark's group, led by Cosmic Boy, were being sent to investigate whether the enemy was building a new threat in the remote Coast City, while his "conventional" (if that was the word...) armies distracted the main US forces along the Mexican border.

She looked around the helicopter, one of a pair which had been requisitioned to carry them on the last leg of the trip, and saw a series of grim faces. With Garth on the European team and Q on the other 'copter, the only one she knew well was Polarity, Cos' brother, and they'd drifted apart since the Workforce and the traumas therein. He was on her right, while Starboy, a big Australian in a green and yellow costume, was on her left. Across, Cos' face was especially grim, and she wondered if he knew something she didn't, or if he was just worried by the presence of his brother and his girlfriend.

On that girlfriend, Trinity's presence was a complete mystery to Ella - by all reports, she was completely shot to bits mentally by what McCauley had done to her, and she'd taken a month off to 'recuperate' afterward - only to blunder into some sort of trap minutes after she got back and became even worse.

Since Ella knew from bitter experience how hard it was to get a medical "good-to-go" for those subject to McCauley's brainwashing - Spark's OWN medical clearance to join the active roster was still technically wending through the system, and she hadn't ultimately been that bad according to Dr. Ryker - what the hell was Trinity doing on this mission?

The only other Legionnaire on her 'copter was their tech guy, Gear, whose job was to get a communications relay between their team and base set up one way or another, not to fight or investigate directly. The others - Kinetix, Blizzard, Flash, Dox, and 'Kid Quantum' (she had to smirk at the last name. What had the "Kid" been thinking?!) - were on the other chopper.

She was broken out of her reverie when one of the pilots called Cosmic Boy to the front to point something out. Expecting news, she wasn't 'disappointed'.

"We'll be landing in two - T-W-O - minutes. Check your pouches, and make sure you have everything you're meant to. As soon as we're out, the 'copters take off and they won't come back just because you've left a radio behind!"

As Spark dutifully checked her belt pouches - she already knew she had everything (It was mostly field rations, including some water; but also included a radio, GPS tracker and spare batteries) - something she wasn't meant to have rubbed against a finger beneath her right glove. She'd almost refused to take the flight ring, especially since she couldn't use it and zap at the same time, but Q had been insistent that she would probably need it, and she'd given in - if she didn't need it, it would make no difference. If she did, it could save her life.

She felt a thump, and the pitch of the helicopter blades changed - they were down. Her heart began to race as Cosmic Boy pushed open the doors and, arm sparking reflexively, she rushed out into the setting sun, sky blazing red above them.

Ella could only hope that it wasn't the last sunset she'd ever see.


____________________

Collared

Nori looked in the mirror. Her eyes were red, her breathing shallow, and she was focused intently on one thing.

Visible sparks were showing on her collar.

She'd known from the start that it was temporary - Igor had said it'd last "two-three months" at the outset - but with the three month mark having come & gone two weeks earlier, she'd been beginning to hope that he'd just been pessimistic. Gods knew her power control wasn't perfect even with it, but without it... she remembered how she'd been homeless, trapped in an electrified stupor, for so long. She didn't even know how she'd survived it.

And now she was going to have to hope she could survive without it again. Preferably without the stupor.

She thought about just tearing it off and hoping for the best, but realised it would be stupid - it might last another week, and if she could hone her control just that bit more over that week... maybe... just maybe she could get by without it.

She threw some water in her face, rubbed it with a towel; then covered her collar with the screened "gown" she'd been given and walked out of the room.

Within minutes, the tannoy sounded, telling all teachers & pupils to go to the assembly hall at once.



[ December 06, 2011, 06:04 PM: Message edited by: Reboot ]

--------------------
My views are my own and do not reflect those of everyone else... and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Cobalt, Reboot & iB present 21st Century Legion: Earth War.

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Cobalt Kid
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Marseille, France

It comes in waves, thought Sensor, as she took a deep breath in an attempt to steady her nerves. The nervousness comes and the anxiety is unbearable and then it goes away. Yet just when you think you’ve mastered yourself, it all comes rushing back.

“Okay everyone!” said Leviathan, his voice booming over the rest. “T minus two minutes! Our deployment is close! The waiting will be over and we can let instinct and our training kick in!” It did not take long for Sensor to get the drift that many of the Legionnaires did not like Leviathan; some of them did not like him personally and some of them just resented the manner in which he was named their official leader. Much of it was justified—he was clearly over promoted and out of his depth in terms of being a leader and administrator of the Legion. But right now, with the terror that was approaching, he was nothing but a wall of courage and strength. Maybe he’s not so bad after all. He was obviously born for this. This moment; this scenario. It was where he excelled—as a field leader, not the top commander.

The City of Marseille felt empty though Sensor knew that was surely not the case. The United Nations and French Government ordered an evacuation of the City when it became clear the Khunds were launching their next assault on its shores. The naval vessels would be landing at Marseille shortly to launch the assault. All around the world, the war was spreading in all directions. Even now there were air battles all across the Mediterranean; the famous Blackhawks private security force even been called in to assist. But none of that mattered to this contingent of Legionnaires because it was in Marseille that they would officially enter the battleground.

Princess Jacqueline Projectra thought back on how they had gotten to this point but it all felt like a blur. Following Cosmic Boy’s speech, the Legion broke up into three teams with Leviathan leading their contingent across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. There were eleven of them: Leviathan, Tela, Livewire, Invisible Kid, Catalyst, Shrinking Violet, Dreamer, Valor, Ferro, Nemesis and herself. Also accompanying them were the two spies, King Faraday and Fantomas, the latter of whom was almost as young as they were. And oddly enough, RJ Brande had also joined them in what she thought must surely be a show of moral support. When they arrived at Paris, they were met by a contingent of United Nations representatives including Secretary-General Chu and Ambassador Anton Relnic, both of whom she knew from her time in Austria. But there wasn’t much time to reflect on those days as it was not long before Chu requested their deployment here, in Marseille.

“One more minute!” yelled Leviathan at the top of his lungs and Sensor could not help but jump. Why am I so nervous?

Valor was next to her and he extended his hand to grab hers. She let him and it gave her some comfort. She felt safe by his side, there was no doubt about that. It felt so good to have her childhood friends with her, Dreamer and Tela; it also felt good to have her new friends Ferro and Nemesis; but best of all, she was glad Val was here.

She saw Nemesis look back and notice the two of them holding hands. He turned away immediately, not hiding his anger. Oh Hasim…maybe when this is all over I can make you understand. I can try to bridge this divide between you and Val…

When they arrived in Marseille, after King Faraday and Fantomas mysteriously departed, they were swarmed with NATO military personal, Interpol officers and SHIELD commanders. Everyone had their own agenda for what they would do. Leviathan had trouble managing them all so Sensor prepared to step in, but both Tela and Invisible Kid proved to be more than capable for getting them to back off. Still, they weren’t too pleased to find they were now answering to someone directly during this engagement—and to top it off, it was another teenager. His name was Atmos, he was French and he was clearly being set up to join the Legion down the road. Paul-Henri Durand was clearly powerful and in his own mind not only deserved to be a Legionnaire, but deserved to be its leader.

Immediately, fireworks exploded between Leviathan and Atmos, and soon enough, Livewire and Catalyst were joining in. As amusing as it was to see Leviathan and Livewire on the same side, time was of the essence. The decided to follow Atmos cue and find out where they needed to be deployed.

And so here they were, as the Khunds approached Marseille and the Legion of Super-Heroes, flanked by NATO and SHIELD awaited.

“Okay Legionnaires,” said Leviathan, this time his voice not quite as loud. “Here we go!” and suddenly, he rushed off, growing in size and heading off into the firefight.

“I-I’m scared Val…” said Ferro to Valor suddenly, not caring who heard.

“We all are, Andy,” said Val calmly. “I’ll be right by your side.”

Sensor saw Invisible Kid and Catalyst share a look between each other that said everything: they were not only terrified for themselves, but they were terrified for each other.

Up ahead, Livewire and Tela followed, the two Legion Founders feeling as if they must help set the example. Irma, you truly are magnificent, she thought. Nemesis followed and soon after, so did Dreamer.

“Be safe,” she said to Val suddenly, unsure of why she did.

He smiled at her, and then they were off.

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
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ShanghallaThe Legion World Star