With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

[Darko]

Then again, the Joker never 'falls up some stairs' any time he's arrested either... Could just be a thing in DC.

Click to shrink...

Once read somewhere that people in-universe know about Joker's borderline immortality, so the reason they don't kill him is because it's easier to know when he breaks out of Arkham than when he breaks out of Hell.

How did the Princess find that out, then?

Click to shrink...

She may have just guessed.

Not exactly a lot around to kill

Click to shrink...

I wanna make a comment, but I run the risk of the mods coming down on me for the modern politics rule.

If that's even possible, as he was somehow made with WWII technology, yet has a computer brain small enough to fit into his frame.

Click to shrink...

He was upgraded decades down the line by Will Magnus and later again in the first season.

 

[PJ739]

Now is getting good

 

[Vaermina]

...Not exactly a lot around to kill, but if they can tweak his code to make 'terrorist' acceptable...

Click to shrink...

It's a DC universe, the Nazi's are still alive and kicking as one of a number of shadowy organizations.

Hell, Peacemakers father is basically a Nazi.

 

[Mr Zoat]

'It's a fair cop', huh?

Click to shrink...

It's more 'the fix is in'.

...I don't think that's quite what he meant, but fortunately Lan is such a cinnamon roll he missed the joke.

Click to shrink...

No, that was a joke.

...How did the Princess find that out, then?

Click to shrink...

Clayface infiltrated the prison.

'will be upgraded'

Click to shrink...

Thank you, corrected.

Once read somewhere that people in-universe know about Joker's borderline immortality, so the reason they don't kill him is because it's easier to know when he breaks out of Arkham than when he breaks out of Hell.

Click to shrink...

The only instance I can recall of the Joker breaking out of Hell was in Another Nail.

 

[Darko]

How long has Angel Paul been moving and angeling around? And now these pricks show up? The Silver City will never not be disappointing, honestly.

Click to shrink...

Could be any number of reasons why it took them this long.

They could have been dealing with the changes Flash made by altering time.

We know the Spectre got involved in that, so they may have gotten involved too.

It's also possible that because he's from another universe it just took them longer to notice him.

Heck, they may have noticed him from the moment he started flying around but didn't do anything because they didn't know what his deal was and decided to investigate, only to find out that he got his wings from a guy that's basically persona non grata to any supernatural being and that he used the power of greed to attach them.

Hell, Peacemakers father is basically a Nazi.

Click to shrink...

Was a Nazi.

Just as he was everything else.

Now he's nothing.

Granted, he may still be one in Hell.

 

[NightmareWarden]

In World of Warcraft, there is only one Burning Legion across all timelines. It is possible that this Silver City, lacking God like most continuities, will have a useful amount of knowledge about the dead timeline. The possibility that Lan feels like Gabriel, while Gabriel might not have been Constantined this time around… could change how everyone reacts to this hearing.


What else… So Lan might get his wings ripped off. If he recovers his knowledge of the Orange ring, he could call it to him… on Earth. I think calling it from the Silver City would require a portal to Earth. Which could happen, if someone down below tries to mount a rescue. Finally: is Lan-Paul gonna return to atheism after this? Most Paul's don't convert to Hellenism… though I think a look at the salignment-swapped Greek Gods on Blue Paul's crime world could be neat. Assuming at least a few changed, while Ares remains the same for Olympia reasons.

 

[Duke Long]

I perform a shallow bow, and then turn and head back towards the cell block. I have been informed of the decision of our political superiors… Those not implicated in the web of illegality and vice which Ms. Waller wrapped herself in. Most importantly, a few statements from me nudged the souls of the tardily devote to realise that they were violating most of the Bill of Rights by allowing this place to operate. Which means that I may announce to the downtrodden that they are free.

Click to shrink...

'devoted'?

 

[Mr Zoat]

'devoted'?

Click to shrink...

devout, actually, but thank you for drawing it to my attention.

 

[Old Knife]

How'd that happen lol?

 

[Radiant Knight]

1:1 "Receive the judgement of Heaven, thief!"

Click to shrink...

Isn't angel text normally in white with a glow effect? Is the absence here intentional?

 

[Shotiegun11]

1:2 "Only the Judgement of the Most High truly matters. Heaven's opinions are Lesser."

Probably not, but their attacks just not working or Lan just blocking them would be very funny.

"I got dad's approval for my wings, idiots."

 

[Mr Zoat]

19th February 2024
11:32 GMT -5

I raise my hands, palms upwards, and bow my head.

"I am not aware of committing any crime, but I exist as a servant of the Most High. Chastise me as you see fit."

Two angels precipitate out of the glow, winged humanoids with alabaster skin and white robes with gold and black detailing. In truth, I… Don't remember exactly when I last had contact with my brethren, but no matter what they believe that I did, I can feel no alarm at their presence. I am an angel, not a human. Correcting me is no different to changing a car tire; if I cannot properly serve then I should be corrected.

"Are they Nazis?"

"No." Elizabeth puts a hand on Robot's shoulder, gently pulling him back. "I.. think we should give them a little space."

One angel takes my right side, and the other my left. As one, they move their right hands to their foreheads and then left hands to their chests.

1:1 "This will be easier for you if you make a clean breast of it."

"I am sorry, brother, but I have no idea what offence I have committed. My memory is somewhat confused. If you would be so kind as to remind me?"

They stare at me for a moment, then the on my left moves his right hand from his forehead to my brow. And I feel… A presence enter me.

The feeling persists for several moments, and then the angel lifts his hand away and turns to his comrade.

1:2 "He does not lie. I feel no sin within him."

1:2 "Demonstrably, he has sinned. He could not have achieved this status otherwise."

1:3 "If he had, then it would have left a trace. Perhaps it is a result of factors outside of his control."

"Well now this is interesting." Dr. Sartorius jumps over the railing and lands on the ground floor with a clank. "Hey, I'm looking at spending the rest of my life in here. Could you guys help me out?"

The angel on my left turns to him. 1:4 "Alexander Sartorius."

"That's me. It's nice to be recognised."

1:5 "You are a sinner."

"Yeah, I heard this already. Can we move it along?"

The angels look at one another for a moment, then shrug.

1:6 "Certainly." Left takes a step closer to him, and Dr. Sartorius raises his fists slightly. To.. fight? Is he bracing himself? Requesting judgement-. 1:6 "You erred in slaying the innocent along with the guilty, and you know this. Repent, and be saved."

"I already heard this from him!"

1:7 "Then he did his job."

1:3 "That is our purpose. What is it that you want, if not spiritual guidance?"

"I don't know! I don't feel anything about it, just-! Every time I look at anything, do anything, I just-! Remember. And I don't want to."

1:4 "Then consider; reform, and you will see them again. Continue wallowing in your vice, and you will not."

"Consider me wallowing, pal. I don't see any way for me to do anything else."

1:5 "Are you requesting our assistance in finding such a way?"

"Sure. I guess. What d'you got?"

The angel on my right lifts his right hand in benediction and-.

The world pulses, and-.

A golden ring studded with eyes and wings appears around Dr. Sartorius's head, rotating slowly.

"Ggghhrr."

His body locks up, trembling faintly.

1:6 "Perhaps that will grant you the perspective that you seek. All glory to the Most High."

1:8 "All glory to the Most High." / "All glory to the Most High."

"Aaaaiieeeeeuuuuggggggg."

1:9 "But the question of what we might do with-."

The cell block door opens and Dr. MacPherson walks in. She freezes in shock at seeing the angels, then recovers and makes a tossing motion with her coffee mug. Two small objects fly out of it, arcing through the air and landing in front of me.

"I think these are yours."

Two… Rings. There's a faint.. glow.. coming from-.

Grey monsters roam the broken world, unstoppable and indefatigable. Great engines bore into the core of the world in an act of fruitless destruction.

Fruitless? That's not-.

"Because they won." Waller snorts at my question. "There's nothing standing between them and Earth."

"No, I understand that. But there's nothing special about the Earth's core. There's nothing here that they couldn't more easily get elsewhere. Why go to all this effort?"

"Who cares? They can, and I doubt they'll listen to your financial advice."

That.. wasn't Waller? But it.. was? And I don't… Remember that-.

The Flash takes off across the water as the Earth rumbles beneath us. John Constantine turns towards me. "So how does this bit work? If he manages-."

I cringe as I remember the pain, the pulling in all directions, the tearing at the base of my wings that threatened to pull them free of my body as reality kaleidoscoped around me. The reality behind me occluded, my body being pulled back towards nullity but my wings…

They're not my wings.

I… Bought them.

I'm not an angel.

1:10 "He remembers." The left angel regards me with a blank expression. 1:11 "But what will he do."

I didn't… Believe. I was an atheist, and even after attaching these wings I simply saw them as a source of power, even knowing...

But that's not who I am any longer.

But first I still have a task to perform.

"Elizabeth. Do you want to be healed?"

She regards the three of us with decided uncertainty. "I've gotten rather used to this face. Thank you for the offer."

"Very well." I kneel, and spread my wings out widely. "Brothers. I am a usurper. Do what you must."

They walk around behind me, place one hand apiece on my back and firmly grasp the base of my wings and-

CRACKCRACK!

-absolve me.

 

[Whenever Possible]

So his confused mental state about his wings and origins is a result of Flash time travelling after JL Dark?

But still, one of the most interesting Pauls.

 

[Bigking321]

Huh...

I wasn't expecting the partial memory recovery, acknowledgement of wrongdoing, and peaceful resolution.

Neat!

And now he has the rings back and can keep going while using them instead.

 

[Shadowj6480]

One thing I really like about the looks into your alternate SIs throughout the multiverse is that you aren't afraid to show them getting into/being in situations where some really fucked up (but more importantly believable) stuff happens to them. They are not, in fact, winning all the time. Some of them are having a very rough go of that. And as someone who's seen his fair share of OP SI fics where they don't ever seem to really struggle, I appreciate it.

To comment more specifically on the chapter, I am really surprised that this had a relatively peaceful solution. The vibes of angels in DC (the ones I've seen in your story anyways) tend to be a bit more dangerous in their decision-making and actions, though I suppose the circumstances do matter as well. Nice to see the subversion of "Well, now we gotta kill the angels I guess". Instead, I guess Lan is...going to struggle immensely with relearning power rings I suppose. Maybe? Willpower might be an easier thing to work with than avarice, for an angel anyways.

 

[Lord Ernest]

So did they rip the wings out? That's the impression I got but the

-absolve me.

Click to shrink...

has me confused.

 

[Khornelius]

So did they rip the wings out? That's the impression I got but the

has me confused.

Click to shrink...

I would hypothesize that while they will remove the wings he has since they were stolen. They very well might give him his own genuine wings as he has been acting in their capacity this whole time.

 

[The Froggy Ninja]

Willpower might be an easier thing to work with than avarice, for an angel anyways.

Click to shrink...

The opposite if anything. He mentioned that the thing that allows him to hear the Most High is a kind of ego death that somewhat precludes willfulness.

 

[Darko]

Correcting me is no different to changing a car tire; if I cannot properly serve then I should be corrected.

Click to shrink...

Well that's disturbing.

1:6 "Certainly." Left takes a step closer to him, and Dr. Sartorius raises his fists slightly. To.. fight? Is he bracing himself? Requesting judgement-. 1:6 "You erred in slaying the innocent along with the guilty, and you know this. Repent, and be saved

Click to shrink...

Shouldn't the second one be "1:7"

No, I understand that. But there's nothing special about the Earth's core. There's nothing here that they couldn't more easily get elsewhere. Why go to all this effort

Click to shrink...

Because Darkseid is an evil bastard that likes to screw over anyone and everyone.

Heck, given that he's a god it's possible that stealing something from someone has a greater impact than anything else and that's why he's doing it.

 

[Duke Long]

They stare at me for a moment, then the one my left moves his right hand from his forehead to my brow. And I feel… A presence enter me.

Click to shrink...

'on my'

I cringe as I remember the pain, the pulling in all directions, the tearing at the base of my wings that threatened to pull them free of my body as reality kaleidoscopes around me. The reality behind me occluded, my body being pulled back towards nullity but my wings…

Click to shrink...

'kaleidoscoped'?

 

[Chojin Patriarch]

19th February 2024
11:32 GMT -5

I raise my hands, palms upwards, and bow my head.

"I am not aware of committing any crime, but I exist as a servant of the Most High. Chastise me as you see fit."

Click to shrink...

As expected, he's offering no resistance. Since he believes he is an angel, after all. Resisting would damn an angel to fall, if they were even capable of resisting. The fun part is that is happening in front of the inmates.

Spoiler: Commentary spoilered for length

Two angels precipitate out of the glow, winged humanoids with alabaster skin and white robes with gold and black detailing. In truth, I… Don't remember exactly when I last had contact with my brethren, but no matter what they believe that I did, I can feel no alarm at their presence. I am an angel, not a human. Correcting me is no different to changing a car tire; if I cannot properly serve then I should be corrected.

Click to shrink...

Fancy, but on theme for the Silver City. Zariel had the white/black/gold thing going on as well.

"Are they Nazis?"

"No." Elizabeth puts a hand on robot's shoulder, gently pulling him back. "I.. think we should give them a little space."

Click to shrink...

Good sense, that one. I suspect some of the nuttier guys might look at them and go 'Nah, I'd win!'

One angel takes my right side, and the other my left. As one, they move their right hands to their foreheads and then left hands to their chests.

1:1 "This will be easier for you if you make a clean breast of it."

Click to shrink...

Feels like they're seeing a different version of the scene where he's trying to claim innocence. But it's more likely just unexpected passiveness throwing them off.

"I am sorry, brother, but I have no idea what offence I have committed. My memory is somewhat confused. If you would be so kind as to remind me?"

They stare at me for a moment, then the one my left moves his right hand from his forehead to my brow. And I feel… A presence enter me.

Click to shrink...

Ah, so much easier to determine guilt or innocence when they can just read your soul like a book.

The feeling persists for several moments, and then the angel lifts his hand away and turns to his comrade.

1:2 "He does not lie. I feel no sin within him."

Click to shrink...

That must be a first for them. Especially from a 'fellow angel'.

1:2 "Demonstrably, he has sinned. He could not have achieved this status otherwise."

1:3 "If he had, then it would have left a trace. Perhaps it is a result of factors outside of his control."

Click to shrink...

...Something like that, yes...

"Well now this is interesting." Dr. Sartorius jumps over the railing and lands on the ground floor with a clank. "Hey, I'm looking at spending the rest of my life in here. Could you guys help me out?"

The angel on my left turns to him. 1:4 "Alexander Sartorius."

Click to shrink...

Oooh, that didn't sound like a nice tone.

"That's me. It's nice to be recognised."

1:5 "You are a sinner."

Click to shrink...

Oh, boy. Is he about to get smote?

"Yeah, I heard this already. Can we move it along?"

The angels look at one another for a moment, then shrug.

Click to shrink...

Probably a first for them, having a sinner just walk up to them and go 'do your worst!'

1:6 "Certainly." Left takes a step closer to him, and Dr. Sartorius raises his fists slightly. To.. fight? Is he bracing himself? Requesting judgement-. 1:6 "You erred in slaying the innocent along with the guilty, and you know this. Repent, and be saved."

"I already heard this from him!"

1:7 "Then he did his job."

Click to shrink...

Bet they're a little amused by a 'sinner' counselling another sinner.

1:3 "That is our purpose. What is it that you want, if not spiritual guidance?"

"I don't know! I don't feel anything about it, just-! Every time I look at anything, do anything, I just-! Remember. And I don't want to."

Click to shrink...

Ah, so he does feel something about it. And that seems to be his problem.

1:4 "Then consider; reform, and you will see them again. Continue wallowing in your vice, and you will not."

"Consider me wallowing, pal. I don't see any way for me to do anything else."

Click to shrink...

In other words, they'd let him dig himself deeper rather than struggle to make amends. Heaven, everyone. Then again, he's already damned by his actions. What harm is there in doing more crimes?

1:5 "Are you requesting our assistance in finding such a way?"

"Sure. I guess. What d'you got?"

Click to shrink...

Be careful what you ask for, doc. Getting it might make you regret asking.

The angel on my right lifts his right hand in benediction and-.

The world pulses, and-.

A golden ring studded with eyes and wings appears around Dr. Sartorius's head, rotating slowly.

Click to shrink...

Ooh, a Throne? Or at least something establishing a connection to one.

"Ggghhrr."

His body locks up, trembling faintly.

Click to shrink...

I don't think this is going to be as pleasant for him as he thought it would.

1:6 "Perhaps that will grant you the perspective that you seek. All glory to the Most High."

1:8 "All glory to the Most High." / "All glory to the Most High."

Click to shrink...

I get the feeling there won't be anyone else here making the same complaint, no matter how they feel.

"Aaaaiieeeeeuuuuggggggg."

1:9 "But the question of what we might do with-."

Click to shrink...

Hopefully the doc won't get too loud or this will be awkward over the sounds of spiritual suffering.

The cell block door opens and Dr. MacPherson walks in. She freezes in shock at seeing the angels, then recovers and makes a tossing motion with her coffee mug. Two small objects fly out of it, arcing through the air and landing in front of me.

"I think these are yours."

Two… Rings. There's a faint.. glow.. coming from-.

Click to shrink...

So much for getting them out of the spell safely. Now, let's see if they have enough charge to be useful.

Grey monsters roam the broken world, unstoppable and indefatigable. Great engines bore into the core of the world in an act of fruitless destruction.

Fruitless? That's not-.

Click to shrink...

Ah, the flashbacks begin...

"Because they won." Waller snorts at my question. "There's nothing standing between them and Earth."

"No, I understand that. But there's nothing special about the Earth's core. There's nothing here that they couldn't more easily get elsewhere. Why go to all this effort?"

Click to shrink...

Nothing that you know about. I'm guessing he was after the White Light Entity, even if he wasn't aware of it's presence originally.

"Who cares? They can, and I doubt they'll listen to your financial advice."

That.. wasn't Waller? But it.. was? And I don't… Remember that-.

Click to shrink...

Ah, the conflict between what was and what is. Not the first time someone who survived a Crisis had moments like that.

The Flash takes off across the water as the Earth rumbles beneath us. John Constantine turns towards me. "So how does this bit work? If he manages-."

I cringe as I remember the pain, the pulling in all directions, the tearing at the base of my wings that threatened to pull them free of my body as reality kaleidoscopes around me. The reality behind me occluded, my body being pulled back towards nullity but my wings…

Click to shrink...

Makes it sound like the wings tried to disconnect and return to their 'proper' place in the universe, but held.

They're not my wings.

I… Bought them.

I'm not an angel.

Click to shrink...

Ah, light dawns, and damns him in the dawning.

1:10 "He remembers." The left angel regards me with a blank expression. 1:11 "But what will he do."

I didn't… Believe. I was an atheist, and even after attaching these wings I simply saw them as a source of power, even knowing...

Click to shrink...

Ah, he was still in the 'jumped up elementals' phase. OL lost that about the time he met his first god face-to-face after swearing a patronage oath to them.

But that's not who I am any longer.

But first I still have a task to perform.

Click to shrink...

Interesting how much the angelic aspect still shapes his mind even now.

"Elizabeth. Do you want to be healed?"

She regards the three of us with decided uncertainty. "I've gotten rather used to this face. Thank you for the offer."

Click to shrink...

Healed? Who was she again? ... Oh, right, The Bride.

"Very well." I kneel, and spread my wings out widely. "Brothers. I am a usurper. Do what you must."

They walk around behind me, place one hand apiece on my back and firmly grasp the base of my wings and-

Click to shrink...

Oh, this is gonna hurt. And remember that everyone's watching this, too.

CRACKCRACK!

-absolve me.

Click to shrink...

...Ow. Better hope those rings still hold enough charge to Wholeness Rightly Assumed him.

Well, that's a big change for his status quo. Makes me wonder how people like Rick Flag will react when they learn about this. And we still don't know just how much charge the Rings have for his use. If nothing else, he may well need some medical attention after having the Wings ripped off his back. I don't see the angels being nice enough to do it.

 

[BR549]

"No." Elizabeth puts a hand on robot's shoulder,

Click to shrink...

It's his name, so 'Robot's'.

 

[Lord Ernest]

It's his name, so 'Robot's'.

Click to shrink...

There's two angels, so two 'verses'. If you follow later on, you notice that one angel continued speaking 'til he got to 1:7 and then the other started speaking again because the next line is 1:3.

 

[Mr Zoat]

Shouldn't the second one be "1:7"

Click to shrink...

It's his name, so 'Robot's'.

Click to shrink...

'on my'
'kaleidoscoped'?

Click to shrink...

Thank you, corrected.

 

[WereDragon]

1:7 "Then he did his job."

Click to shrink...

Interesting implications there. Usurper or not he was an angel at the time.

They walk around behind me, place one hand apiece on my back and firmly grasp the base of my wings and-

CRACKCRACK!

-absolve me.

Click to shrink...

Hope they are compassionate enough to heal him afterwards. Doubt he is in any condition to do it himself and having a pair of limbs ripped away is rather catastrophic.

 

[Darko]

Nothing that you know about. I'm guessing he was after the White Light Entity, even if he wasn't aware of it's presence originally.

Click to shrink...

Or he just wanted to screw them over.

Ah, he was still in the 'jumped up elementals' phase. OL lost that about the time he met his first god face-to-face after swearing a patronage oath to them.

Click to shrink...

Paragon is still in that phase.

Ow. Better hope those rings still hold enough charge to Wholeness Rightly Assumed him.

Click to shrink...

They may heal him.

They know that his situation is complicated enough that it could warrant it.

 

[NightmareWarden]

So what is happening to Alexander Sartorius, to his brain and emotions? He has a wheel with eyes working on his soul, giving him a break from, the feelings he whined about?

 

[Darko]

So what is happening to Alexander Sartorius, to his brain and emotions? He has a wheel with eyes working on his soul, giving him a break from, the feelings he whined about?

Click to shrink...

Maybe it's a way for him to talk to his wife and son and get closure.

 

[Mr Zoat]

So what is happening to Alexander Sartorius, to his brain and emotions? He has a wheel with eyes working on his soul, giving him a break from, the feelings he whined about?

Click to shrink...

Dr. Quinzel had a hardware problem; Smilex messed up her brain. Once that is removed, she is a moral agent again. Dr. Sartorious has a software problem. He was subjected to so much emotional torment that he can't think straight any more. This is being now corrected.

 

[Thundersmight94]

Huh, if Paul wasn't basically outerversal to the DC Multiverse, wouldn't this mean that Angel!Paul is the original Paul, as he came before the Universe was shattered into the Multiverse.