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

Windona · May 15, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
I think that 90 is the one that I want as they're not inside the Iowa radiation belt yet.

So they're directly north of Iowa?

Mr Zoat · May 15, 2022

6th November 2012
21:22 GMT

"Mm." Giovanni Zatara looks around the flat with an air of disapproval. Minor wards of dubious providence hang from the walls, and honestly the place could do with a vacuum. "Yes, this does seem like somewhere an associate of John's would live. Laever!"

His hands and eyes glow faintly… Gold.

"Sir, I can't help but notice that your magic has changed colour."

"I could feel what Nabu was doing. It has changed my approach a little."

"Do I need to be concerned?"

He flicks his right hand, dismissing the glow. "How do you mean 'concerned'? The Lords of Order are ancient magical beings, but they are not all that is orderly."

"I'm perfectly happy to fight any Lords of Order who turn up, but I-."

"Please avoid doing so."

"But I do realise that seriously disrupting Earth's magic systems can have a plethora of knock-on effects and you'd probably prefer it if I didn't feed them all to the Ophidian."

He frowns slightly. "Hm."

"Found something?"

"I was trying to work out what would happen if you fed all Lords of Order to the Ophidian."

I smile-.

"That was not a suggestion."

"No. Of course not. Going out and killing an entire species because one of them wronged a friend of mine would be a massive overreaction. And, also murder." … "But if I did..?"

"Every mortal magician who draws upon Order would be free to pursue order as it exists in their eyes, without any kind of moderation or oversight. I think that the Lords of Chaos would find the result entertaining."

"Would they attack the material universe?"

"The Lords of Chaos are not that unified or predictable."

"Because she could eat them as well." I shrug. "In theory."

"If I remember correctly, the Ophidian was bound to the Orange Light Fountain, unable to leave or otherwise act on the material universe."

"That's true."

"You should not assume that either the Lords of Order or the Lords of Chaos could not do something similar. And they would most likely imprison you as well."

I smirk. "Is it bad that I take that as a compliment?"

"It is certainly strange."

"It would mean that they don't think they can kill me in a meaningful way. That the most they can do is contain me indefinitely. I would be the sort of monstrosity that people like the League fight when they inevitably break out and threaten all creation."

Mr. Zatara straightens up slightly. "Is that something that you want?"

"No, of course not. But it's like… It's a sign of respect, you know? That I'm so dangerous that they'd need to do that. Hey, do you think Batman's working on something like that?"

"I would be surprised if he was not."

We stand there looking at each other for a moment.

"So, John Constantine?"

"I believe that I can feel the magic he used, even beneath all of these… Charms. It is an interesting variation on his usual synchronicity magic, allowing him to shift into a form he had earlier in his life."

"So he can convince the world to treat him as a normal man rather than a Lord of Chaos."

"Yes. If John Constantine has ever been a normal man."

"That might go some way to explaining why I haven't been able to find him."

"It would allow him to hide that he was hiding by creating a presence that was not his. That does not necessarily mean that this is how he has avoided you."

"Because John's made a career out of juking beings in my weight class, I know."

"Or he is avoiding you because you are not convenient, and will call upon you when he has need of you."

"If I knew for certain that's what it was, then I wouldn't be looking for him." I raise my eyebrows. "Can we use what you detected to find him?"

He thinks for a moment.

"It might be possible to use the runic array in orbit to detect similar feats of magic. I do not think that I have the power to perform the spell required, but Doctor Mist will."

"Which won't find John, but might tell us where he's been."

"Or other people using the same spell. Do you have any knowledge of John's prior incarnations?"

"No. Honestly, I'm surprised that he had any. That usually requires some link to a mythos that has reincarnation."

"We live in a multicultural age, Paul."

"He had access to the Tower of Fate. I'm… Wondering if he could adapt the spell he learned for something else."

"Speaking with the previous incarnation of someone else?"

"Maybe… I just don't think John would look for advice from himself. Not about something like this."

"He may simply have been eliminating possibilities. But unless you have a clue of some sort, finding out will have to wait until we can ask him ourselves." He takes a last look around the flat. "I will speak with Doctor Mist about the spell."

"Thank you."

"Do not mention it. I do not like the idea of John unsupervised any more than I like the idea of you unsupervised."

"Thank you."

He turns away and opens the front door, marching out into the London streets. I take a moment-

"Try and be a good guest."

-and send out a wave of orange light, cleaning, tidying and performing minor repairs. Oh, and replacing asbestos and lead with things less deleterious to human health. Feeling slightly happier about the spick and span look of the place, I follow Mr. Zatara through the door and lock it behind us.

Ngamer11 · May 15, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
-an send out a wave of orange light, cleaning, tidying and performing minor repairs. Oh, and replacing asbestos and lead with things less deleterious to human health. Feeling slightly happier about the spick and span look of the place, I follow Mr. Zatara through the door and lock it behind us.

That should say 'and'.

crazygrox · May 15, 2022

His cartoon villain admiration is showing.

It is however a pretty neat character trait.
So completely out of the left field compared to what a lot of the heroes are likely to think themselves, but sometimes really useful, in that it was explained that his tendency towards preparedness comes from wanting to be like Megatron and beat Optimus Prime too.

Handlewithcare · May 15, 2022

"You are a horrifying monstrosity of terrifying power and ruled by whimsy and Chaos! You should be locked away for eternity for the safety of all!"

"Oh. Thank you. Thank you so much" :')

Darko · May 15, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
His hands and eyes glow faintly… Gold.

"Sir, I can't help but notice that your magic has changed colour."

"I could feel what Nabu was doing. It has changed my approach a little

So you picked up a few tricks.

Mr Zoat said:
No. Of course not. Going out and killing an entire species because one of them wronged a friend of mine would be a massive overreaction. And, also murder

But you'd probably do something like that.

Mr Zoat said:
"It would mean that they don't think they can kill me in a meaningful way. That the most they can do is contain me indefinitely. I would be the sort of monstrosity that people like the League fights when they inevitably break out and threaten all creation."

Mr. Zatara straightens up slightly. "Is that something that you want

Honestly, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out what Paul wants.

Mr Zoat said:
We stand there looking at each other for a moment

And Giovanni is probably wondering what this lunatic in front of him did to his daughter.

Mr Zoat said:
"Yes. If John Constantine has ever been a normal man

He hasn't.

Mr Zoat said:
"No. Honestly, I'm surprised that he had any. That usually requires some link to a mythos that has reincarnation

Well Cornwall Boy did mention that the Celtic afterlife could offer reincarnation, and John is British, which has at least a bit of a connection to Celtic myth, so there's that.

Also it wouldn't be surprising if his previous incarnation used a reincarnation spell to escape a place like Hell.

Mr Zoat said:
"Maybe… I just don't think John would look for advice from himself

Yeah, asking for advice from John Constantine is just asking for trouble.

No one trusts a Constantine.

Especially another Constantine since they'd be aware of all the stupidity more intimately than anyone else.

Mr Zoat said:
"Do not mention it. I do not like the idea of John unsupervised any more than I like the idea of you unsupervised."

"Thank you

That wasn't a compliment.

Bud-E · May 15, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
"Do not mention it. I do not like the idea of John unsupervised any more than I like the idea of you unsupervised."

"Thank you."

I can feel Paul's gratitude at this moment!

Vaermina · May 15, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
"You should not assume that either the Lords of Order or the Lords of Chaos could not do something similar. And they would most likely imprison you as well."

I smirk. "Is it bad that I take that as a complement?"

"It is certainly strange."

"It would mean that they don't think they can kill me in a meaningful way. That the most they can do is contain me indefinitely. I would be the sort of monstrosity that people like the League fights when they inevitably break out and threaten all creation."

I mean... It wouldn't be that hard for a Lord of Order or Chaos to kill you if we were sticking to their canon abilities...

Chojin Patriarch · May 15, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
6th November 2012
21:22 GMT

"Mm." Giovanni Zatara looks around the flat with an air of disapproval. Minor wards of dubious providence hang from the walls, and honestly the place could do with a vacuum. "Yes, this does seem like somewhere an associate of John's would live. Laever!"

His hands and eyes glow faintly… Gold.

I see he's learned some new tricks from his time under Nabu. Hopefully that's all it is. I'd hate to find out the lich pulled a Grand Theft Zatara. Though if or when it came out, he wouldn't be in there for much longer afterwards...

"Sir, I can't help but notice that your magic has changed colour."

"I could feel what Nabu was doing. It has changed my approach a little."

I wonder if he learned any actual spellcraft, or if it's just a matter of energy sources.

"Do I need to be concerned?"

He flicks his right hand, dismissing the glow. "How do you mean 'concerned'? The Lords of Order are ancient magical beings, but they are not all that is orderly."

The problem is, Order is not always synonymous with Good. An entirely dead planet is orderly. A planet of mind-controlled slaves is orderly. Neither would be good, especially for those involved...

"I'm perfectly happy to fight any Lords of Order who turn up, but I-."

"Please avoid doing so."

Admittedly, it would be a little tougher to win without his trump-card of the Sword of the Fallen, but still...

"But I do realise that seriously disrupting Earth's magic systems can have a plethora of knock-on effects and you'd probably prefer it if I didn't feed them all to the Ophidian."

He frowns slightly. "Hm."

And Best Snek might object to being treated as a garbage disposal, especially after the third or fourth such meal...

"Found something?"

"I was trying to work out what would happen if you fed all Lords of Order to the Ophidian."

That could take a while. They're hardly in short supply, aren't they?

I smile-.

"That was not a suggestion."

I mean, I doubt OL would take it as one... Until something set him on the Lords.

"No. Of course not. Going out and killing an entire species because one of them wronged a friend of mine would be a massive overreaction. And, also murder." … "But if I did..?"

"Every mortal magician who draws upon Order would be free to pursue order as it exists in their eyes, without any kind of moderation or oversight. I think that the Lords of Chaos would find the result entertaining."

Because people will be people. And most people are shit.

"Would they attack the material universe?"

"The Lords of Chaos are not that unified or predictable."

How appropriate.

"Because she could eat them as well." I shrug. "In theory."

"If I remember correctly, the Ophidian was bound to the Orange Light Fountain, unable to leave or otherwise act on the material universe."

Uh, sure... Technically true.

"That's true."

"You should not assume that either the Lords of Order or the Lords of Chaos could not do something similar. And they would most likely imprison you as well."

As seen in the 'Gate: The JSDF Fought There' segments of Future OL, that can be done to him...

I smirk. "Is it bad that I take that as a complement?"

"It is certainly strange."

Well, no-one ever accused OL of being normal.

"It would mean that they don't think they can kill me in a meaningful way. That the most they can do is contain me indefinitely. I would be the sort of monstrosity that people like the League fights when they inevitably break out and threaten all creation."

Mr. Zatara straightens up slightly. "Is that something that you want?"

Eh, I doubt it. Would probably get boring as hell right quick.

"No, of course not. But it's like… It's a sign of respect, you know? That I'm so dangerous that they'd need to do that. Hey, do you think Batman's working on something like that?"

"I would be surprised if he was not."

Admittedly, he'd have to consult with Zatara on that sort of thing anyway. Among other mages.

We stand there looking at each other for a moment.

"So, John Constantine?"

Right! Don't get distracted!

"I believe that I can feel the magic he used, even beneath all of these… Charms. It is an interesting variation on his usual synchronicity magic, allowing him to shift into a form he had earlier in his life."

"So he can convince the world to treat him as a normal man rather than a Lord of Chaos."

...Would anyone tell the difference, outside of raw power-level?

"Yes. If John Constantine has ever been a normal man."

"That might go some way to explaining why I haven't been able to find him."

Especially if he can nudge it into copying other people's auras.

"It would allow him to hide that he was hiding by creating a presence that was not his. That does not necessarily mean that this is how he has avoided you."

"Because John's made a career out of juking beings in my weight class, I know."

To be fair, it does seem the sort of cheap, low-energy trick he'd be accustomed to use.

"Or he is avoiding you because you are not convenient, and will call upon you when he has need of you."

"If I knew for certain that's what it was, then I wouldn't be looking for him." I raise my eyebrows. "Can we use what you detected to find him?"

After all, a Constantine without a close eye on them is a dangerous Constantine.

He thinks for a moment.

"It might be possible to use the runic array in orbit to detect similar feats of magic. I do not think that I have the power to perform the spell required, but Doctor Mist will."

Well, that's good news?

"Which won't find John, but might tell us where he's been."

"Or other people using the same spell. Do you have any knowledge of John's prior incarnations?"

Would most wizards even use a spell this simple? They'd have the power for more conventional methods, surely.

"No. Honestly, I'm surprised that he had any. That usually requires some link to a mythos that has reincarnation."

"We live in a multicultural age, Paul."

Yes, he knows. He's responsible for it becoming even more so.

"He had access to the Tower of Fate. I'm… Wondering if he could adapt the spell he learned for something else."

"Speaking with the previous incarnation of someone else?"

...And since he's probably aware that he had a still-born twin...

"Maybe… I just don't think John would look for advice from himself. Not about something like this."

"He may simply have been eliminating possibilities. But unless you have a clue of some sort, finding out will have to wait until we can ask him ourselves." He takes a last look around the flat. "I will speak with Doctor Mist about the spell."

Unless something comes up to get in the way. Because with as much power as John has now, why limit a distraction spell to just OL.

"Thank you."

"Do not mention it. I do not like the idea of John unsupervised any more than I like the idea of you unsupervised."

Sage wisdom!

"Thank you."

He turns away and opens the front door, marching out into the London streets. I take a moment-

No need to sound so proud of yourself, OL...

"Try and be a good guest."

-an send out a wave of orange light, cleaning, tidying and performing minor repairs. Oh, and replacing asbestos and lead with things less deleterious to human health. Feeling slightly happier about the spick and span look of the place, I follow Mr. Zatara through the door and lock it behind us.

How nice of him.

Excellent, the hunt for Constantine is afoot! And those with a proper sense of how dangerous John Constantine can be are taking his silence very seriously, I see. Good. Though if it turns out John simply forgot to disable his 'notice me not' spell when he got his shit sorted out, OL might well smack him.

And it would be well deserved.

Pinklestia · May 15, 2022

crazygrox said:
His cartoon villain admiration is showing.

It is however a pretty neat character trait.
So completely out of the left field compared to what a lot of the heroes are likely to think themselves, but sometimes really useful, in that it was explained that his tendency towards preparedness comes from wanting to be like Megatron and beat Optimus Prime too.

You don't beat Optimus by being like Megatron. You do so by pushing his guilt and responsibilities buttons.

Is honestly disappointing how easy it is if you know the guy.

Istaran · May 15, 2022

Handlewithcare said:
"You are a horrifying monstrosity of terrifying power and ruled by whimsy and Chaos! You shut be locked away for eternity for the safety of all!"

"Oh. Thank you. Thank you so much" :')

I for one share his appreciation for being accurately judged. I am happy to be spoken of well or poorly as long as it is true.

Darko · May 15, 2022

Chojin Patriarch said:
The problem is, Order is not always synonymous with Good. An entirely dead planet is orderly. A planet of mind-controlled slaves is orderly. Neither would be good, especially for those involved...

This kinda reminds me of A Traveling Merchant and Wandering Mage.

The MC and friends end up in a YJ universe, specifically the WTR one, and they help deal with the mind controlled League and manage to remove Nabu, but he still needs a host to operate.

The host needs to be a moral individual since Nabu is a being of pure order, so he doesn't really care about good or evil.

If he has a moral host then he can become moral himself and do good orderly things instead of just orderly things, but if his host isn't moral then everyone is screwed.

Actually before the MC ended up in WTR, he and his crew picked up a bunch of Nasu mages and some of the readers, myself included, suggested putting Nabu on knew of them, but then the author stated the whole "pure order needing good" thing and well...

One of the readers gave an example that if a magical threat was about to drain children of their magic and souls then a Nabu with morally horrible host wouldn't save those children, but he would drain them himself and fill them with order magic.

Nasu mages are basically sociopaths.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Would anyone tell the difference, outside of raw power-level?

John has always been just a walking bag of chaos and damaged lungs.

Chojin Patriarch said:
And since he's probably aware that he had a still-born twin...

Ohh, boy, this is connected to the Golden Boy.

John used the spell to somehow contact his alternate universe counterpart and that's how John Quinn came to be.

Mr Zoat · May 15, 2022

Ngamer11 said:
That should say 'and'.

Thank you, corrected.

Khorne's-berzerker · May 15, 2022

I know mr zoat has a red lantern paul side story can anyone tell me where i can find them in the story

Darko · May 15, 2022

Bezerker said:
I know mr zoat has a red lantern paul side story can anyone tell me where i can find them in the story

Here's the first time he showed up.

Mr Zoat said:
26th July 2003
Sororicide (part 21)
Sororicide (part 22)

DrThoth · May 15, 2022

I was actually planning to ask yesterday if Renegade-Zatara was Awakened or planning to undergo Awakening soon (I forget how long it's been in-universe, though I know that even the generous estimates would be less than someone would like for a novel and irreversible magical procedure). Also, how does Zatanna compare to Circe in that timeline, since both are New Goddesses of Magic? Zatanna's been Awakened longer, but Circe has more knowledge and experience with being a divine being, which might help in optimizing self-improvement.

Darko said:
Ohh, boy, this is connected to the Golden Boy.

John used the spell to somehow contact his alternate universe counterpart and that's how John Quinn came to be.

Oh that would be quite cool (I forget if John Quinn is a separate character from Hellblazer, so that seems plausible to me if not). I was wondering if we'd get Laughing Magician-related shenanigans, myself- though I'm not sure whether the Magicians are reincarnations of the same soul or 'just' a certain metaphysical role that just manifests in different people in the same bloodline throughout history.

I do hope we get a family reunion or something with Cheryl Masterson's long-lost son given away at birth.

I wonder if we'll get some more of Boss Smiley too, since the Silver City Invasion always seemed like the perfect episode for John to show up. If he's actually up to things, I'd hope that someone's working to counter him. Also Paragon-timeline Circe and Truggs, since the Light seem to have done similar meta-narrative magic as John and disappeared from the story's focus almost entirely.

Darko · May 15, 2022

DrThoth said:
Oh that would be quite cool (I forget if John Quinn is a separate character from Hellblazer, so that seems plausible to me if not

I don't think there was a John Quinn in Hellblazer.

However, John's mother's maiden name was Quinn, so maybe Golden Boy chose to use that.

DrThoth said:
Also Paragon-timeline Circe and Truggs, since the Light seem to have done similar meta-narrative magic as John and disappeared from the story's focus almost entirely.

I didn't think if this but it makes sense.

DrThoth · May 15, 2022

Darko said:
I didn't think if this but it makes sense.

I was mostly joking, to be clear for anyone reading that. I just want to see someone finally take care of the Light, and I'm fine for it not to all be directly due to Paragon. Jade using her Darkstar abilities and insider knowledge could be interesting, for example.

Mr Zoat said:
The flag is… Post World War 2/Pre Great Awakening Japanese, though oddly I'm not seeing anyone from America.

I'm assuming the Great Awakening is something that happened in the Paragon timeline, and I forget if it was discussed/explained in the thread when this Gate side-chapter actually came out? Right now I wonder if it's a reference to the world post-Sheeda invasion where the world 'woke up' to the idea that they couldn't just rely on superheroes for major threats and their current global political and military infrastructures and m.o's were kind of obsolete. Or if the Awakening is going to happen in the future of the current point in the story.

Darko · May 15, 2022

DrThoth said:
I was mostly joking, to be clear for anyone reading that

True, but it is an interesting idea.

DrThoth said:
. I just want to see someone finally take care of the Light, and I'm fine for it not to all be directly due to Paragon. Jade using her Darkstar abilities and insider knowledge could be interesting, for example

I'm kinda hoping the League does it to show how far they've come.

DrThoth said:
I'm assuming the Great Awakening is something that happened in the Paragon timeline, and I forget if it was discussed/explained in the thread when this Gate side-chapter actually came out

It wasn't really explained.

Windona · May 15, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
"No. Of course not. Going out and killing an entire species because one of them wronged a friend of mine would be a massive overreaction. And, also murder." … "But if I did..?"

Oh that is the most Paul thing. Really fun hypothetical, though I can see Paul getting along with at least one Lord of Order. And overreaction is Paul's middle name at this point.

Funny enough, just on a conceptual level Greed > Order makes sense, given the number of people who let their greed cause them to override rules or a functioning/efficient society/system. Though on the other hand Order in a society helps exist so everyone isn't just hoarding their own stuff and prioritizing interests.

0zymandias · May 15, 2022

I wonder if there's Lord of Chaos Paul somewhere in the multiverse, being Mxyplik to some poor bastard out there for giggles

Windona · May 15, 2022

0zymandias said:
I wonder if there's Lord of Chaos Paul somewhere in the multiverse, being Mxyplik to some poor bastard out there for giggles

Well, the version that altered the desires of everyone on the League to fit his needs seems to have the Lord of Order vibes, so in the name of balance...

Stsword · May 15, 2022

0zymandias said:
I wonder if there's Lord of Chaos Paul somewhere in the multiverse, being Mxyplik to some poor bastard out there for giggles

Not hard to do.

Just have an alt.Paul who got his hands on the Flashing Blade that allows Nemesis to kill immortals by absorbing their powers and giving them to the wielder first.

Nemesis used it to take Diana's powers and then went to Olympus and was like "Hey old man, you're in my chair!"

So it would allow an alt.Paul to highlander Klarion.

Coda · May 15, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
In the distance I see the invisible saucer's disintegrator cannon opens fire, pale blue streaks of light raining down-

Either "I see [it] open fire" for subject/verb agreement, or take out "I see" which also fixes the subject/verb agreement and avoids a paradox with "invisible"

Mr Zoat said:
I smirk. "Is it bad that I take that as a complement?"

compliment

Mr Zoat said:
that people like the League fights

that people [...] fight

Mr Zoat · May 15, 2022

Coda said:
Either "I see [it] open fire" for subject/verb agreement, or take out "I see" which also fixes the subject/verb agreement and avoids a paradox with "invisible"
that people [...] fight

Thank you, corrected.

compliment

So, yes?

Old Knife · May 16, 2022

John talking to golden boy? oh that has so many terrifying implications.

Mr Zoat · May 16, 2022

7th November 2012
11:35 GMT

Dr. Balewa nods. "Yes, it can be done. It can even be done legally, though I am not-" He frowns. "-sure that the laws concerning magic are well thought through."

"It's the nice thing about having a Security Council majority that doesn't give a fig about privacy or know anything about magic."

"I am not comfortable with this."

"Then… You should probably have spent more of your life teaching, I guess." He looks at me in an interrogative manner. "You're old enough and powerful enough to have had plenty of opportunities to fix things about human civilisation that you don't like."

"My magic does not make me omniscient."

I hold up my right hand, shaking my head. "I'm not talking about crowning yourself God-King of Earth. I'm talking about educating decision-makers so they're a bit less ignorant." I shrug. "I don't actually mind you not having done it-"

That is a direct lie, and I wish Diana was here to hear it.

"-but it's a bit rich to complain about the consequences now."

"I suppose that I should take my share of responsibility. But I em not to blame for the wilful ignorance of thousands of men for dozens of generations."

I don't know about that. At this point he should probably have a good idea of how people think and behave. I don't expect much from most people, much as I'd like them to surprise me. But if you're going to be on the League you've really got to take that responsibility.

But moving on.

"So… Are you willing to? Do you need me to do anything?"

He turns his head towards Mr. Zatara. "Are you certain that this is necessary?"

He nods. "I think that it is for the best. John Constantine is not someone who should be left unobserved."

"Then I shall do it. I do not need any materials, but it will take an hour for me to fully acclimatise myself to Earth's thaumic systems, even with the array's aid."

I nod. "Um. I'm never really sure, but… Do you want me to stay here to… Show that I'm paying attention, or should I just come back in an hour?"

He waves me away with his right hand. "You are free to leave. I will send you the locations when I em finished."

"Thank you. I'll-."

"But before you go, I think that I should ask if you are going to do anything which is likely to cause a large disruption to Earth's thaumic fields."

"Does overthrowing Zeus count?"

"If it were something that you had not yet done, then it would count."

"I'm trying to avoid…" Um. "Would making all plants on Earth highly deadly to demons count?"

"Yes." / "What do you mean?"

"Okay, you remember how I gave Euanthe a piece of wood I got from Eden, and she used it to give herself anti-demon thorn armour?"

Mr. Zatara's face falls slightly. "She is going to do the same to all of Brazil."

"Less Brazil, more the entire world. Other than disrupting long-running demon magic based spells I couldn't see a downside so I just left her to it."

Dr. Balewa and Mr. Zatara share a slightly awkward look.

"I think that perhaps I should go to Brazil."

"Um, okay, but I don't think Euanthe ever met you, and… Have you ever met Doctor Isley?"

"Yes. Once. While I was in Gotham and she was Poison Ivy."

"Okay, look, I understand what this sounds like? But maybe you should leave this one to me."

He looks at me. After a moment his mouth twitches into something that might be trying to be a smile, but then it dies.

"Why don't we both go."

"Ah, okay. Do you want me to go first and make a zeta tube construct? I'm pretty sure that there aren't any zeta tubes near their temple-palace."

"Thank you, that would be helpful."

I nod, raising my right hand to my forehead.

"Rightho. See you shortly."

7th November 2012
08:38 GMT -3

I generate a zeta tube construct as I have a look around. The growth appears to have.. grown slightly, but otherwise not much has changed in the last-

"Recognised, Zatara, One One."

-week. Mr. Zatara looks around as he appears, taking everything in as if for the first… Time.

"Have you not been here since they took over?"

"Legally, this is a nation in a civil war. The League is not supposed to choose a side."

"Which is reasonable, except that it might have reassured other countries if you spoke to the Accala or Euanthe about what their plans were." Hm, why would-? "Oh."

"Yes."

"Because if there was a peace settlement, then Accalacan would get a seat in the United Nations General Assembly."

"Why do you assume that it would stop there? The Accala control a large area of South America, an army of superpowered soldiers and a ruler who can control all of the plants in the world."

"But they've… Got no economy, no trade, and they certainly won't assume Brazil's debts. Atlantis would be a better choice for the Security Council than Accalacan would be."

"Perhaps. But people do not see Atlantis, and Atlantis has been happy to stay under water ever since it sank. And everyone knows that Accalacan could conquer the rest of South America if it wanted to."

True. And the reason they haven't is that the Accala and their immediate allies don't particularly want to rather than any actual difficulty they'd encounter.

I find myself frowning as we walk into the temple-palace.

Darko · May 16, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
But I em not to blame for the wilful ignorance of thousands of men for dozens of

"But I am"

SH2009 · May 16, 2022

Darko said:
"But I am"

He does it again later in the text. I suspect it is intended to be an accent.

Mr Zoat · May 16, 2022

SH2009 said:
He does it again later in the text. I suspect it is intended to be an accent.

It is.

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

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