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

[Firewillreign]

it's not paranoia if it's Justified, and in Paul's case? it's so very fucking justified.

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Completely agree. Paul should still take the ring because leaving it with Batman's a terrible idea from the self-preservation angle alone.

 

[ch405_5p34r]

dammit, man. this feels like such a backslide for his growth. i know progress isn't linear but what a way to fuck up. there's like… 0 chance that he's ever friends with Batman again, bar a fucking miracle, and who knows how the rest of the community is going to respond. he couldn't have at least waited until getting off the phone with Sinestro? what a dumb decision on his part.

i'm so torn on how to feel about this, haha. it was so avoidable.

 

[DAT_NOOB]

I'm sorry, but If I were Paul I'd make retrieving the ring a priority, if not outright destroying it.

Look I love Batman, but the man has a list of issues a mile long and his paranoia can fuck over a ton of people.

Historically whenever Batman makes contingencies, if he's not justified in using them then they're either stolen or used by him when he gets subverted or turned evil or just misguided. Batman with a fully functioning power ring has been demonstrated multiple times in the comics and is fucking terrifying no matter the circumstances.

Paul needs to get that ring back or obliterate it outright no matter how many bridges he burns, because leaving it in the hands of a boss like Batman who's already a questionable choice before counting his now justified grudge against Paul is a recipe for disaster.

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He keeps glowering at me, and while I know that I'm more powerful I also know that he's a lot more intelligent than me and he's now got a thought-speed weapon.

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Paul Doesn't seem as confident that he'd win that fight one on one, with the rest of the league on batman's side ti might be a little more complicated than that.

 

[ohA]

This.

If he had asked, there's almost no chance Batman would have said no given the circumstances.

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I mean, he did, and Batman did say no.

"Too much risk of him doing something untoward afterwards. Ah. Look, I-."

"I'd rather that you didn't tamper with my mind to make this work. I don't believe that there isn't anyone in the whole universe who can do this instead of me. I.. doubt that you can understand, but I… I didn't like a lot about who I had become."

I nod, smiling. "No, but… I respect it. Keep… Trying, I'll… Try and find someone else."

I turn away and head for the exit, already fabricating the chemicals I need to force the issue, and feeling like a total heel for doing so.

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[AmericanNumbers]

The other part that makes this stupid is Sinestro effectively would be your Ally in any fight that requires the White Light. In Canon.
And White light exposure is good for him.
Ugh.

 

[Firewillreign]

Paul Doesn't seem as confident that he'd win that fight one on one, with the rest of the league on batman's side ti might be a little more complicated than that.

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He could figure something out. The mother of all sneak attacks (excluding this one ofcourse) would be entirely warranted in the present scenario

 

[Radix]

This.

If he had asked, there's almost no chance Batman would have said no given the circumstances.

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Batman literally just said he doubted he was the only viable candidate for the ring Paul knew. And Paul did have other candidates.

Paul needs to be certain he can overpower a mind-altered Batman with a Yellow Ring. If he can't, he cannot reverse it.

 

[BR549]

edit 2: also. There HAS TO be ways in DC to remove memories.

Paul gets full body scan of Bruce.

Smilexs him.

Saves Earth.

Take Ring off him, factory reset body to a few hours ago, removes all smilex related memories.

"What do you mean I wielded a Yellow Ring and helped us save Earth?"

"Past you has a video saying it was worth it, feel free to tear it apart looking for any indication that it's fake. Thank you for your service."

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Congratulations, you found the way to do something even worse!

 

[Firewillreign]

Congratulations, you found the way to do something even worse!

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No no no

Big no

Mindwiping Batman is a terrible idea. Zatana proved that way back in the 90s in that godawful Dr light and Sue Dibney arc

 

[Shotiegun11]

Congratulations, you found the way to do something even worse!

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No no no

Big no

Mindwiping Batman is a terrible idea. Zatana proved that way back in the 90s in that godawful Dr light and Sue Dibney arc

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Removing the 3 hours (or however many) of memory of the Yellow Ring usage, Smilex Brain thoughts, and White Light whatever to get rid of the Anti Life is not worse in any way.

In case it wasn't clear, this was all obviously supposed to be done with with Bruce's permission.

Batman trying to say how it doesn't have to be him is stupid to me. Of COURSE the could be other Yellow Ring wielders, but they aren't here now. He is. Suddenly Batman isn't a Hero because he like his new way of thinking more than saving the Earth? Naw.

My point it that Paul gave up immediately without even try to convince Bruce and just did it and ruined so many relationships for no reason when he could have put actual effort into it.

 

[Old Knife]

Paul. In what way is smilex batman an improvement over sinestro?

I thought you were smart? Or at least immune to the idiot ball?

Oh dear. This is Mr smiley's fault isn't it?

 

[Vaermina]

I thought you were smart? Or at least immune to the idiot ball?

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No, that's Common Sense Paul who stopped wearing his ring after realizing it was messing with his head.

This is the Paul that kept using the ring of mind fuckery till he completely and utterly fucked over his own head.

 

[Prince Charon]

Oh dear. This is Mr smiley's fault isn't it?

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That seems plausible, which is really, really fucking annoying.

 

[BR549]

Removing the 3 hours (or however many) of memory of the Yellow Ring usage, Smilex Brain thoughts, and White Light whatever to get rid of the Anti Life is not worse in any way.

In case it wasn't clear, this was all obviously supposed to be done with with Bruce's permission.

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Bruce would never give permission to have his memory altered.

"Not worse in any way" - I hear Bender laughing even harder.

 

[Ngamer11]

Mr Zoat, random question. How is Supergirl III, aka Kara Zor-L handling the Anti-Life Equation? Does her naivete make it easier or harder for her to resist? Or is she experiencing it the same way as everyone else?

 

[Zig]

Yeah maybe Sinestro wasn't the best choice but after he had already called him? And dangled multiple things Sinestro wanted in front of him? He was definitely a better choice than drugging Batman since he's liable to come either way. Plus if he fights a kills Sinestro, he makes Kalmin happy. If he fights and kills Batman? Bad times.

 

[Vaermina]

Yeah maybe Sinestro wasn't the best choice but after he had already called him? And dangled multiple things Sinestro wanted in front of him? He was definitely a better choice than drugging Batman since he's liable to come either way. Plus if he fights a kills Sinestro, he makes Kalmin happy. If he fights and kills Batman? Bad times.

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Yes, but Sinestro beat him.

And Paul get's absolutely petty when it comes to people who beat him.

 

[Ngamer11]

Yes, but Sinestro beat him.

And Paul get's absolutely petty when it comes to people who beat him.

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Sinestro's never beaten Paul. Paul has stumbled across some of Sinestro's plots, but they've never gone head to head or planned any sort of engagement with one another yet.

 

[Vaermina]

Sinestro's never beaten Paul. Paul has stumbled across some of Sinestro's plots, but they've never gone head to head or planned any sort of engagement with one another yet.

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Yes, and each time Paul has come out the looser from those plots.

Which I would argue is more than enough to trigger Paul's pettiness response.

 

[Ngamer11]

Yes, and each time Paul has come out the looser from those plots.

Which I would argue is more than enough to trigger Paul's pettiness response.

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No he hasn't. Plus, the only thing that Paul knows that's related to Sinestro is the monk who was offered a place on the Sinestro Corps and Lysis making a yellow ring for Sinestro. For the former, Paul prevented a potential recruit and destroyed a world inhabited by the Spider Guild as a bonus. For the latter, Paul got a yellow ring and power battery for his own use. Paul might not have come ahead overall, but he didn't lose that much either.

 

[Mr Zoat]

17th February 2013
20:20 GMT

For… Some reason the soreness in my throat hasn't faded when I walk into the briefing room, Batman-.

Oh.

Batman already taking his place at the holodisplay.

It hasn't faded because I don't want it to. I want to be injured, to be punished, for what I just did to him. It won't impair my mission effectiveness, and… And I can't work up the motivation to fight myself on this.

I deserve to hurt.

"The core of the Anti-Life network is in Washington D.C.."

An image appears of… The old Alliance centre is under there somewhere, but the building has clearly been enhanced by Apokoliptian technology. I don't see any emplaced weapons, but from the looks of things they would be superfluous.

"It is the best defended location on the planet, guarded by Justified superhumans and members of the U.S. armed services armed with Apokoliptian weapons. In addition, the Anti-Life effect is stronger here than nearly anywhere on the planet and Mannheim's teleportation system will begin bringing in reinforcements in response to any attack. Even if Mannheim and Finality Man are occupied we will be facing effectively unlimited opponents. None of them will surrender until the Anti-Life can be removed, and depending on how this works perhaps not even then."

"It would sit ill with me to slay soldiers manipulated by the mind magics of Mannheim."

"I spent a month looking for a way around it. And so did Mister Atom. There isn't one. Approaching under the effect of either adaptive optic camouflage or a magic disguise might slightly delay the speed at which we are detected, but given that we all glow and we all push back against the Anti-Life around us by virtue of our emotional presence, I doubt that it would even do that."

The scene shown on the holodisplay pulls out, giving us a better view of central Washington.

"Orange Lantern, tell us your plan for dealing with the shield or Finality Man."

I bring up images of Finality Man, Drax and the Forever People, and send data packets to my colleagues' rings.

"Finality Man was built by Prince Drax of Apokolips. I spoke to him, and he considers dealing with it to be his responsibility."

Eyes flicker with colour as the files are digested.

"The problem is that bringing him into our plane of reality takes several seconds and he can only stick around for a few more. We'll have to take the Forever People with us and guard them until Finality Man appears and they can complete their summoning. After that they can evacuate themselves."

"They are worrisomely weak."

"I've explained the situation to them and their king. They should be equipped to handle it. If they're not… We really only need them to survive long enough to complete the summoning. We all need to live long enough to create the white light."

Alan frowns. "What exactly is that going to feel like?"

"It's not something most people ever experience. I can't really describe it-" I glance at Dr. Balewa. "-with any confidence beyond 'you'll know when it happens'."

"I can do more. It is a sense of.. wholeness, being at one with your community, with the whole of the world. It feels like the birth of your first child, your first grandchild-"

I wince inwardly as I realise that he's probably the only one here who knows what those feel like.

"-and the pure feeling of serving a good higher than yourself and knowing that what you have built will live on in the lives of others. Looking upon your work and knowing that it is good. It is life."

A better description than I could give, though I suppose that he's had long enough to reflect on it.

"We'll each be forming a part of that. Our.. colours will. The-. For those of us who've been using these rings for a while, it might feel a little counter-intuitive. We're.. used to carefully excluding other feeling when we make constructs. I haven't done this before so I can't say with certainty, but I don't think… I don't think it will be like that when we create white light."

I look at Lord Malvolio cautiously.

"You haven't lost the ability to feel other emotions, have you?"

"Nay, fear not. I have not doffed the mantle of the mortal mode. I feel as a man feels; I felt anger at Priest as I hoped for my eventual manumission."

Batman.. glares around the circle. "Commit these images to memory. We will-"

"Recognized, Green Lantern one four."

Lantern Stewart steps out of the zeta tube, looking a little beaten up. I draw a healing ray and raise my eyebrows. He nods and I play the beam over him, his wounds swiftly fading.

"-attack from the Atlantic ocean and clear out as many of the people in the surrounding area as possible before attempting to create the white light. What Justice League aligned forces are available will be attacking the outer perimeter of the city to prevent us being overwhelmed. In the event that one of us without a replacement dies, the evacuation route is back over the Atlantic. If that happens Finality Man will almost certainly pursue. While removing the Anti-Life from Earth is the ideal outcome, destroying Finality Man would restrict Mannheim's strategic mobility while we replace the fallen."

"Recognized, Sportsmaster, A six six."

What?

My vision fuzzes as.. Lawrence Crock walks through the zeta tube, and I take a moment to check that the shutters between the meeting room and the garden are closed. Alright, nothing to immediately give away the fact that this is a space station, and I doubt that he's been in space often enough to recognise an artificial gravity generator.

The fuzz fuzzes in my direction. "Lantern."

I look at Batman-.

"Sportmaster used fear to train his daughters. I brought him here in case I die. Deal with it."

I… Blink, and my vision of.. Mr. Crock returns to normal. My word isn't more significant than Batman's brain and I messed around with that. He.. looks a little thinner than he was last time I saw him. Probably the result of stress. And possibly the Anti-Life.

"Dealt with."

But all due respect to Mr. Crock, he doesn't mock me for getting overruled. In fact-.

"Sportmaster, do you want any other equipment before we deploy? I can upgrade-."

He shakes his head. "There's no point. I wouldn't have time to get used to it, and I know what my chance of survival down there is if I stick my head out of cover. Only reason I'm coming is you need someone on the yellow ring if Batman bites it."

I nod. "Okay then. Orange Lantern to Vykin. We're ready."

 

[Chojin Patriarch]

17th February 2013
20:20 GMT

For… Some reason the soreness in my throat hasn't faded when I walk into the briefing room, Batman-.

Oh.

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Really, it's your own fault for doing what you did. Expediency overrode your concern for the health and safety of your allies. Methinks after this, you're going to need to take a long break and step back and look at what you did with less utilitarian eyes, OL.

Spoiler: Commentary spoilered for length

Batman already taking his place at the holodisplay.

It hasn't faded because I don't want it to. I want to be injured, to be punished, for what I just did to him. It won't impair my mission effectiveness, and… And I can't work up the motivation to fight myself on this.

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Indeed. Remember the feeling of shame, OL? Probably been a while since you've allowed yourself that luxury.

I deserve to hurt.

"The core of the Anti-Life network is in Washington D.C.."

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Just be glad you haven't impaired his ability to do the job in your attempt to goose him into using the Yellow Light.

An image appears of… The old Alliance centre is under there somewhere, but the building has clearly been enhanced by Apokoliptian technology. I don't see any emplaced weapons, but from the looks of things they would be superfluous.

"It is the best defended location on the planet, guarded by Justified superhumans and members of the U.S. armed services armed with Apokoliptian weapons. In addition, the Anti-Life effect is stronger here than nearly anywhere on the planet and Mannheim's teleportation system will begin bringing in reinforcements in response to any attack. Even if Mannheim and Finality Man are occupied we will be facing effectively unlimited opponents. None of them will surrender until the Anti-Life can be removed, and depending on how this works perhaps not even then."

Click to shrink...

So, massive numbers aggroing as soon as you poke your head in. And they won't be aiming to keep their response low-lethality.

"It would sit ill with me to slay soldiers manipulated by the mind magics of Mannheim."

"I spent a month looking for a way around it. And so did Mister Atom. There isn't one. Approaching under the effect of either adaptive optic camouflage or a magic disguise might slightly delay the speed at which we are detected, but given that we all glow and we all push back against the Anti-Life around us by virtue of our emotional presence, I doubt that it would even do that."

Click to shrink...

So no options to sneak in, to sidestep the defences... Just a sledgehammer blow that will give away your plan the second Mannheim sees what you're doing.

The scene shown on the holodisplay pulls out, giving us a better view of central Washington.

"Orange Lantern, what is your plan for dealing with the shield or Finality Man."

Click to shrink...

Either one of those things is a problem. Both together would be troublesome.

I bring up images of Finality Man, Drax and the Forever People, and send data packets to by colleagues' rings.

"Finality Man was built by Prince Drax of Apokolips. I spoke to him, and he considers dealing with it to be his responsibility."

Click to shrink...

For a given value of 'spoke'. A few seconds of discussion barely qualifies.

Eyes flicker with colour as the files are digested.

"The problem is that bringing him into our plane of reality takes several seconds and he can only stick around for a few more. We'll have to take the Forever People with us and guard them until Finality Man appears and they can complete their summoning. After than they can evacuate themselves."

Click to shrink...

Oh, joy. A hard mission made all the harder by giving you an escort objective too.

"They are worrisomely weak."

"I've explained the situation to them and their king. They should be equipped to handle it. If they're not… We really only need them to survive long enough to complete the summoning. We all need to live long enough to create the white light."

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So... You're saying, to people who mostly operate on the rule of 'save everyone we can', that the Forever people are expendable. Ouch.

Alan frowns. "What exactly is that going to feel like?"

"It's not something most people ever experience. I can't really describe it-" I glance at Dr. Balewa. "-with any confidence beyond 'you'll know when it happens'."

Click to shrink...

Don't be to surprised if you get a snazzy silver-and-luminous-white makeover.

"I can do more. It is a sense of.. wholeness, being at one with your community, with the whole of the world. It feels like the birth of your first child, your first grandchild-"

I wince inwardly as I realise that he's probably the only one here who knows what those feel like.

Click to shrink...

Given that only Malvolio and Alan are old enough to have had grandchildren, but they never got around to it... That's got to sting.

"-and the pure feeling of serving a good higher than yourself and knowing that what you have built will live on in the lives of others. Looking upon your work and knowing that it is good It is life."

A better description than I could give, though I suppose that he's had long enough to reflect on it.

Click to shrink...

Don't also be surprised if you find yourself driven to do some arbitrary task afterwards, too. The White Light moves in mysterious ways.

"We'll each be forming a part of that. Our.. colours will. The-. For those of us who've been using these rings for a while, it might feel a little counter-intuitive. We're.. used to carefully excluding other feeling when we make constructs. I haven't done this before so I can't say with certainty, but I don't think… I don't think it will be like that when we create white light."

I look at Lord Malvolio cautiously.

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It would be interesting if the process caused him to lose his Enlightenment again. And maybe this time, he should avoid getting it back for a bit...

"You haven't lost the ability to feel other emotions, have you?"

"Nay, fear not. I have not doffed the mantle of the mortal mode. I feel as a man feels; I felt anger at Priest as I hoped for my eventual manumission."

Click to shrink...

It's all just tinted by his overwhelming determination, eh? Bit like a shonen protagonist...

Batman.. glares around the circle. "Commit these images to memory. We will-"

"Recognized, Green Lantern one four."

Lantern Stewart steps out of the zeta tube, looking a little beaten up. I draw a healing ray and raise my eyebrows. He nods and I play the beam over him, his wounds swiftly fading.

Click to shrink...

Surprised Stewart and the others haven't got their own stock of healing rays. It'd save so much time for them.

"-attack from the Atlantic ocean and clear out as many of the people in the surrounding area as possible before attempting to create the white light. What Justice League aligned forces are available will be attacking the outer perimeter of the city to prevent us being overwhelmed. In the event that one of us without a replacement dies, the evacuation route is back over the Atlantic. If that happens Finality Man will almost certainly pursue. While removing the Anti-Life from Earth is the ideal outcome, destroying Finality Man would restrict Mannheim's strategic mobility while we replace the fallen."

Click to shrink...

...So, only Orion, OL and maybe Alan are the highest risks. Not that Mannheim will know that, thankfully.

"Recognized, Sportsmater, A six six."

What?

Click to shrink...

Whoa, who let the Deathstroke wanna-be in here?

My vision fuzzes as.. Lawrence Crock walks through the zeta tube, and I take a moment to check that the shutters between the meeting room and the garden are closed. Alright, nothing to immediately give away the fact that this is a space station, and I doubt that he's been in space often enough to recognise an artificial gravity generator.

The fuzz fuzzes in my direction. "Lantern."

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Ah, yes. That little promise of 'If I ever see you again, you're dead.' Bit awkward when you need to have him around.

I look at Batman-.

"Sportmaster used fear to train his daughters. I brought him here in case I die. Deal with it."

Click to shrink...

Oh, yes. that'll go so well. Untested rookie, plus dead Batman.

I… Blink, and my vision of.. Mr. Crock returns to normal. My word isn't more significant that Batman's brain and I messed around with that. He.. looks a little thinner than he was last time I saw him. Probably the rest of stress. And possibly the Anti-Life.

"Dealt with."

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But once this is over, Crock... Don't make a nuisance of yourself.

But all due respect to Mr. Crock, he doesn't mock me for getting overruled. In fact-.

"Sportmaster, do you want any other equipment before we deploy? I can upgrade-."

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Please tell me he's at least wearing proper armour, even if it's disguised as sportswear?

He shakes his head. "There's no point. I wouldn't have time to get used to it, and I know what my chance of survival down there is if I stick my head out of cover. Only reason I'm coming is you need someone on the yellow ring if Batman bites it."

I nod. "Okay then. Orange Lantern to Vykin. We're ready."

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So don't go getting any ideas, Crock...

Well, then. Cue up the dramatic music, prepare for the slow-mo team walk scene, and sort out your romantic subplots, this shit is getting started! Time to see this goddamn plotline over and done with. One last mission, and this DLC event is finished. Let's just hope it all goes as OL hopes it will, and his desperate gamble pays off. Or things might end up really FUBAR before this wraps up...

---

... and send data packets to by colleagues' rings.

Click to shrink...

... and send data packets to my colleagues' rings.

Probably the rest of stress.

Click to shrink...

Probably the result of stress.

 

[Mr Zoat]

... and send data packets to my colleagues' rings.
Probably the result of stress.

Click to shrink...

Thank you, corrected.

 

[Darko]

Oh, yes. that'll go so well. Untested rookie, plus dead Batman

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The current situation isn't what I'd call optimal.

Please tell me he's at least wearing proper armour, even if it's disguised as sportswear

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Even if he is it may not do ang good against Apokoliptian weapons.

Well, then. Cue up the dramatic music, prepare for the slow-mo team walk scene, and sort out your romantic subplots, this shit is getting started! Time to see this goddamn plotline over and done with. One last mission, and this DLC event is finished

Click to shrink...

Fucking finally.

 

[Vaermina]

I deserve to hurt.

Click to shrink...

Now let's see how long this self realization that the Orange Light might have made you a bad persons lasts.

 

[Duke Long]

We'll have to take the Forever People with us and guard them until Finality Man appears and they can complete their summoning. After than they can evacuate themselves."

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'After that'

"Recognized, Sportsmater, A six six."

Click to shrink...

'Sportsmaster'

I… Blink, and my vision of.. Mr. Crock returns to normal. My word isn't more significant that Batman's brain and I messed around with that.

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'than Batman's'

Very much 'final battle' vibes. Looking forward to it. Wonder if anyone important will die. Actually, I wonder if there'll be a resurrection arc after for bringing back people that died during this whole crisis. Have any Leaguers died this far?

 

[Mr Zoat]

'After that'
'Sportsmaster'
'than Batman's'

Click to shrink...

Thank you, corrected.

 

[Darko]

. Actually, I wonder if there'll be a resurrection arc after for bringing back people that died during this whole crisis. Have any Leaguers died this far

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I think not, but maybe those that were hit with the Omega Beams would be brought back.

 

[The Unaligned Player]

I get it Bruce, but I also measure you against the planet, never mind the universe, and 99.99% of my care vanishes.
That's a steal.

 

[Old Knife]

Is this the Batman who laughs?