Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2015 5:58:34 GMT -5
Justice League Chapter 5 – “Loose Ends”
Written by: Texgnome1
Edited by: Power Guy
Editorial note: This issue takes place after the events in Titans East Chapter 59 and approximately one week after JLA Ch. 4
The Watchtower, Part 1
Dark Arrow paced back and forth in front of the screen. Something simply didn’t add up, and he couldn’t figure out exactly what that was. White Wraith and The Solution had left shortly after the fight with Black Orchid. There was just something about the whole thing that bugged him.
White Wraith: “You don’t seriously expect us to hand over something as powerful as the Crime Bible to someone with as checkered of a past as Waller do you?”
Dark Arrow had been furious. “If anyone knows about keeping secrets, it’s her. And of all the people I’d trust to dispose of that thing, she’d be at the top of the list.”
The Solution had chimed in. “Arrow, think about what you’re saying. There are bigger things at work here, and it would seem to me that your judgment is… clouded. Do you really think there aren’t elements in the US government that wouldn’t slit Waller’s throat for a peek at what we have? Do you know what they put in the television waves nowadays to ensure compliance? There’s a reason Teletubbies: The Next Generation is so popular.”
“That’s enough of your conspiratorial b.s. Solution. The Crime Bible is ours, and we’ll take it by force if we have to! You really think you two can protect it? White Wraith was nearly skewered by Black Orchid. What do you think someone will do for that thing?” Dark Arrow had yelled.
Just then, Dark Arrow heard a throat clear behind him. “Ahem. Sorry to interrupt.” Atmosphere, Lt. Atom, and Vigilante stood in the doorway behind him. Samurai was heading into the room as well. “DA, I’m sorry, but I have to agree with them. I’m not sure what’s going on here, but your last comment is proof enough to me that the Crime Bible needs to be in their hands. Take it by force? Are you mental?” Lt. Atom had said.
“Yeah bud, sorry. I’m gonna have to agree. Why are you so obsessed with that thing? Tell Waller it was destroyed. That it was taken by your lunatic spectral friend for safekeeping. That it was all an elaborate hoax. Whatever.” Atmosphere had added.
Dark Arrow was furious over their comments, but he knew deep down that they were right. He suddenly couldn’t remember why he had wanted to give it to Waller so badly in the first place. “I guess you’re right. If these two can’t hide that thing somewhere no one can get their hands on it, I don’t know who can. Alright, go you two, before I change my mind.”
White Wraith took his cloak, and wrapped it around The Solution. They disappeared in a shimmer of light, and Dark Arrow turned to the others. “So, who wants to help me tell Waller?”
The Hall of Doom
Tala entered the ruins of the smoking room gingerly. Approaching Grodd was always a risky proposition, but it was even worse when he was this angry. She stepped around what looked like the splinters of Grodd’s desk, and saw him sitting in the chair.
“What do you want witch? I’m in no mood.” Grodd had just ended his conversation with his plant. False Face had told him of Dark Arrow’s decision, and no matter how False Face had tried, Dark Arrow wouldn’t budge. The Crime Bible had been given to White Wraith and the Solution for safekeeping, and no telling where they had taken it now. Grodd had used as much of his mental powers as he felt safe, and even a bit beyond. But something had been put in place to block that. Dark Arrow had made his decision.
“My love, what has happened to upset you so? Is there anything I can do to fix it?”
With blinding speed, Grodd reached across the desk and grabbed Tala by the throat. “You have one task, and only one task. You are to find the being known as White Wraith. Find him and bring him to me. I want him alive, because he now has what I want.” Grodd growled as he let loose his grip.
“Yes master, consider it done.” Tala gasped.
Nanda Parbat
“The monks just confirmed what we suspected.” Solution said.
“So it’s a fake then? The Crime Bible we recovered is not the true one.” White Wraith replied.
“No, it’s a copy. It is an exceptional copy, and still dangerous in its own way. I have left it with the monks for safekeeping. It is not the original, but even that serves its purpose.”
White Wraith looked at his friend curiously. “How can you say that?”
“Ah my friend. You possess so much power, but you are still so very naïve in many ways. Think about it. Dark Arrow, Waller, the entire JLA, Brother Blood, Kobra, and the other interested parties believe we have the original. More specifically, they believe you have it. You were also able to implant a block in Dark Arrow to partially prevent the outside force you sensed from taking too much control. So now I’m free to keep looking for the original. It also narrows the list of suspects who may actually have it, and frustrates an outside influence in the JLA. I just wish you could have blocked it completely.” Solution said.
“I had intended to, but I was prevented me from doing so. Whatever is going on with Dark Arrow must run its course. There must be a purpose for it, so I will have to abide by that. I just hope it plays out favorably. Where to now?”
The Watchtower, Part 2
Dark Arrow had finished his call to Waller. He was so glad that the others had agreed to stay, because Waller’s fury had been beyond belief when he’d told her. He couldn’t even remember ever seeing his parents that mad. She had argued, screamed, reasoned, even almost begged. But once he had told her White Wraith had the Crime Bible, she had finally accepted his decision. He turned to Vigilante, “I can’t thank you guys enough. If the Rangers hadn’t answered our call, I don’t know what we would have done.”
“You’re more than welcome. I’m just glad you thought of us first. Although I don’t think any of us made too many friends over this deal.” Vigilante replied.
“Speaking of that, you guys know there’s safety in numbers, right? Dark Arrow, Atmosphere and myself have been talking. Samurai suggested this shortly after we got back, and we think it’s a great idea. We’d really like to expand the League. Not all of the team is always available, and having you guys as part of the fold would be a huge bonus. Dr. Sand and the Solution are out. But Lady Light has agreed to join, and Elena is considering our offer. As for the White Wraith, he’s here when he deems it necessary.” Lt. Atom replied.
“I’d have to talk it over with the others, but I’m pretty sure what the reaction will be. Is there some type of secret handshake we have to learn?”
All five of them laughed at that as they exited the control room. They all headed out to talk to their new teammates. Samurai clicked off the lights.
Detroit, Michigan
Floyd couldn’t believe how his life had turned completely upside down in just a little over a week. He still couldn’t remember most of the details once his truck exploded. He had flashes now and again of a huge battle between the heroes and his former master. He had hidden in the bushes for a while and watched. The heroes had never given up, and even at 41 he was inspired by their actions. Then he had been blasted off his feet further into the forest by one of the many explosions.
He had awakened covered in debris the next day. The battle site had been completely cleaned, and no one had even noticed he was gone. He hadn’t expected the heroes to look for him – they hadn’t even known he was there. But his master had known, and he hadn’t even been given a second thought. Floyd had walked to a point on the highway and hitched a ride home. He tossed his backpack on the floor of his apartment, and that’s when it happened. He’d shifted his backpack, and suddenly his hands were burning. Somehow, he wrapped them in gauze almost to the elbow, even though the burns had been so excruciatingly painful. When he went back to where his backpack sat, he couldn’t believe his eyes. The Crime Bible stuck out from the top of it! He knew that he could not go back to the Church of Blood. Even if he’d wanted to, which he absolutely did not, he knew that to show up now would result in his death. Floyd had believed so strongly in the Church, and he’d been discarded like a piece of garbage. Now he had what they wanted more than anything.
Floyd had risen just high enough in the Church’s hierarchy that he knew things. Things that Blood had been careless with. Things he’d overheard Naja say in private. Things they didn’t want known. It had been a simple matter to get a hold of money. Lots of it. Apparently the Church had a great many secrets, some it had even forgotten over the years. It had been a simple matter to use that money to buy his new home. Construction had already started on his training facility. He knew exactly what he had to do, and it was amazing how cash up front could speed things up. In the meantime, he began to work on his new identity. If he was going to pay society back for the things he’d done with the Church, he’d need a new identity. After much research, he’d settled on one. He stood back, and couldn’t help but admire himself in the mirror. But he knew it would take more than boxing skills and a fancy costume to keep the Crime Bible out of the wrong hands.
Written by: Texgnome1
Edited by: Power Guy
Editorial note: This issue takes place after the events in Titans East Chapter 59 and approximately one week after JLA Ch. 4
The Watchtower, Part 1
Dark Arrow paced back and forth in front of the screen. Something simply didn’t add up, and he couldn’t figure out exactly what that was. White Wraith and The Solution had left shortly after the fight with Black Orchid. There was just something about the whole thing that bugged him.
White Wraith: “You don’t seriously expect us to hand over something as powerful as the Crime Bible to someone with as checkered of a past as Waller do you?”
Dark Arrow had been furious. “If anyone knows about keeping secrets, it’s her. And of all the people I’d trust to dispose of that thing, she’d be at the top of the list.”
The Solution had chimed in. “Arrow, think about what you’re saying. There are bigger things at work here, and it would seem to me that your judgment is… clouded. Do you really think there aren’t elements in the US government that wouldn’t slit Waller’s throat for a peek at what we have? Do you know what they put in the television waves nowadays to ensure compliance? There’s a reason Teletubbies: The Next Generation is so popular.”
“That’s enough of your conspiratorial b.s. Solution. The Crime Bible is ours, and we’ll take it by force if we have to! You really think you two can protect it? White Wraith was nearly skewered by Black Orchid. What do you think someone will do for that thing?” Dark Arrow had yelled.
Just then, Dark Arrow heard a throat clear behind him. “Ahem. Sorry to interrupt.” Atmosphere, Lt. Atom, and Vigilante stood in the doorway behind him. Samurai was heading into the room as well. “DA, I’m sorry, but I have to agree with them. I’m not sure what’s going on here, but your last comment is proof enough to me that the Crime Bible needs to be in their hands. Take it by force? Are you mental?” Lt. Atom had said.
“Yeah bud, sorry. I’m gonna have to agree. Why are you so obsessed with that thing? Tell Waller it was destroyed. That it was taken by your lunatic spectral friend for safekeeping. That it was all an elaborate hoax. Whatever.” Atmosphere had added.
Dark Arrow was furious over their comments, but he knew deep down that they were right. He suddenly couldn’t remember why he had wanted to give it to Waller so badly in the first place. “I guess you’re right. If these two can’t hide that thing somewhere no one can get their hands on it, I don’t know who can. Alright, go you two, before I change my mind.”
White Wraith took his cloak, and wrapped it around The Solution. They disappeared in a shimmer of light, and Dark Arrow turned to the others. “So, who wants to help me tell Waller?”
The Hall of Doom
Tala entered the ruins of the smoking room gingerly. Approaching Grodd was always a risky proposition, but it was even worse when he was this angry. She stepped around what looked like the splinters of Grodd’s desk, and saw him sitting in the chair.
“What do you want witch? I’m in no mood.” Grodd had just ended his conversation with his plant. False Face had told him of Dark Arrow’s decision, and no matter how False Face had tried, Dark Arrow wouldn’t budge. The Crime Bible had been given to White Wraith and the Solution for safekeeping, and no telling where they had taken it now. Grodd had used as much of his mental powers as he felt safe, and even a bit beyond. But something had been put in place to block that. Dark Arrow had made his decision.
“My love, what has happened to upset you so? Is there anything I can do to fix it?”
With blinding speed, Grodd reached across the desk and grabbed Tala by the throat. “You have one task, and only one task. You are to find the being known as White Wraith. Find him and bring him to me. I want him alive, because he now has what I want.” Grodd growled as he let loose his grip.
“Yes master, consider it done.” Tala gasped.
Nanda Parbat
“The monks just confirmed what we suspected.” Solution said.
“So it’s a fake then? The Crime Bible we recovered is not the true one.” White Wraith replied.
“No, it’s a copy. It is an exceptional copy, and still dangerous in its own way. I have left it with the monks for safekeeping. It is not the original, but even that serves its purpose.”
White Wraith looked at his friend curiously. “How can you say that?”
“Ah my friend. You possess so much power, but you are still so very naïve in many ways. Think about it. Dark Arrow, Waller, the entire JLA, Brother Blood, Kobra, and the other interested parties believe we have the original. More specifically, they believe you have it. You were also able to implant a block in Dark Arrow to partially prevent the outside force you sensed from taking too much control. So now I’m free to keep looking for the original. It also narrows the list of suspects who may actually have it, and frustrates an outside influence in the JLA. I just wish you could have blocked it completely.” Solution said.
“I had intended to, but I was prevented me from doing so. Whatever is going on with Dark Arrow must run its course. There must be a purpose for it, so I will have to abide by that. I just hope it plays out favorably. Where to now?”
The Watchtower, Part 2
Dark Arrow had finished his call to Waller. He was so glad that the others had agreed to stay, because Waller’s fury had been beyond belief when he’d told her. He couldn’t even remember ever seeing his parents that mad. She had argued, screamed, reasoned, even almost begged. But once he had told her White Wraith had the Crime Bible, she had finally accepted his decision. He turned to Vigilante, “I can’t thank you guys enough. If the Rangers hadn’t answered our call, I don’t know what we would have done.”
“You’re more than welcome. I’m just glad you thought of us first. Although I don’t think any of us made too many friends over this deal.” Vigilante replied.
“Speaking of that, you guys know there’s safety in numbers, right? Dark Arrow, Atmosphere and myself have been talking. Samurai suggested this shortly after we got back, and we think it’s a great idea. We’d really like to expand the League. Not all of the team is always available, and having you guys as part of the fold would be a huge bonus. Dr. Sand and the Solution are out. But Lady Light has agreed to join, and Elena is considering our offer. As for the White Wraith, he’s here when he deems it necessary.” Lt. Atom replied.
“I’d have to talk it over with the others, but I’m pretty sure what the reaction will be. Is there some type of secret handshake we have to learn?”
All five of them laughed at that as they exited the control room. They all headed out to talk to their new teammates. Samurai clicked off the lights.
Detroit, Michigan
Floyd couldn’t believe how his life had turned completely upside down in just a little over a week. He still couldn’t remember most of the details once his truck exploded. He had flashes now and again of a huge battle between the heroes and his former master. He had hidden in the bushes for a while and watched. The heroes had never given up, and even at 41 he was inspired by their actions. Then he had been blasted off his feet further into the forest by one of the many explosions.
He had awakened covered in debris the next day. The battle site had been completely cleaned, and no one had even noticed he was gone. He hadn’t expected the heroes to look for him – they hadn’t even known he was there. But his master had known, and he hadn’t even been given a second thought. Floyd had walked to a point on the highway and hitched a ride home. He tossed his backpack on the floor of his apartment, and that’s when it happened. He’d shifted his backpack, and suddenly his hands were burning. Somehow, he wrapped them in gauze almost to the elbow, even though the burns had been so excruciatingly painful. When he went back to where his backpack sat, he couldn’t believe his eyes. The Crime Bible stuck out from the top of it! He knew that he could not go back to the Church of Blood. Even if he’d wanted to, which he absolutely did not, he knew that to show up now would result in his death. Floyd had believed so strongly in the Church, and he’d been discarded like a piece of garbage. Now he had what they wanted more than anything.
Floyd had risen just high enough in the Church’s hierarchy that he knew things. Things that Blood had been careless with. Things he’d overheard Naja say in private. Things they didn’t want known. It had been a simple matter to get a hold of money. Lots of it. Apparently the Church had a great many secrets, some it had even forgotten over the years. It had been a simple matter to use that money to buy his new home. Construction had already started on his training facility. He knew exactly what he had to do, and it was amazing how cash up front could speed things up. In the meantime, he began to work on his new identity. If he was going to pay society back for the things he’d done with the Church, he’d need a new identity. After much research, he’d settled on one. He stood back, and couldn’t help but admire himself in the mirror. But he knew it would take more than boxing skills and a fancy costume to keep the Crime Bible out of the wrong hands.