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

Reader mode
Vaermina said:
Except the whole thing only worked because they knew he was not a shapeshifter knew he was not mind controlled, and it was an exercise that they were cooperating with.

So basically the only thing they learned from this is that in the future if Paul suggests a training exercise, cheat.
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I think you don't understand what happened. He didn't tell them all to show up somewhere to start the exercise and nuked them when they showed up. He approached each of them individually and recruited them to play the part of a patsy who had been mind controlled or replaced by a shapeshifter or an evil clone. Each of them went along with it because none of them are truly and completely immune to every method of compromising them, but each one believed that they were the only compromised one. The point wasn't that they trusted him and so went along with it - it was that they as an organisation don't have any method of noticing that their teammates are compromised. None of them were caught out at any point, because they don't have screening for mind control or identity checking or any other way to reliably detect whether something is wrong. And having more people compromised should have made it harder for none of them to have been caught out given that they couldn't coordinate - but despite that none of them seem to have realised that any of the others were compromised until after the exercise was ended. That's not just a problem with methods of securing themselves - it means that if something like that happens, they won't even realise there's anything wrong until the compromised member actually attacks them.

They've learned that they don't have any good way to detect compromised members, and that they can all be taken out simultaneously specifically due to that lack. That's a seriously good thing for them to know, given threats like the Starros are still around and given Light clones impersonated multiple people close to the League (Red Arrow, the Guardian) for a long time. This should lead to them having defences against this, like checking each other's identities on a regular basis or going through frequent screening protocols to catch things like hidden psychic instructions or brainwashing.
 
Mr Zoat said:
He wasn't expecting to have any actual contact with her. He only picked her as a declaration of purpose to the Amazons.
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Mr Zoat said:
But even Diana doesn't have frequent contact with her deities. Kon has had far less face time with Helios than the SI has, and most Amazons don't even have that. He knew it was possible, he didn't think it was likely.
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This makes sense, but as far as I remember (and I could be mistaken), Paragon never expressed that he thought it would be unlikely in the story, either in his internal monologue or in conversation with another character or Eris herself. If I could suggest adding a line or two to the next update, assuming it's not something different- since she participated in this exercise (which was nice to see, and I hope we get more of Eris being relevant in the world, either with Paragon or other characters), he could talk about his initial surprise with a curious Leaguer after the debrief.
 
Mr Zoat said:
But even Diana doesn't have frequent contact with her deities. Kon has had far less face time with Helios than the SI has, and most Amazons don't even have that. He knew it was possible, he didn't think it was likely.
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I expect that it is because Paul is unscryable. His patron can't do the usual keep a eye on him from afar.
 
DrThoth said:
This makes sense, but as far as I remember (and I could be mistaken), Paragon never expressed that he thought it would be unlikely in the story, either in his internal monologue or in conversation with another character or Eris herself. If I could suggest adding a line or two to the next update, assuming it's not something different- since she participated in this exercise (which was nice to see, and I hope we get more of Eris being relevant in the world, either with Paragon or other characters), he could talk about his initial surprise with a curious Leaguer after the debrief.
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Well... No. He doesn't regularly think about things that are massively unlikely in order to specifically dismiss them.
 
Mr Zoat said:
Doctor Spectrum's power prism.
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Eh, I'd consider the Supreme-verse stuff to be their own separate thing (given that the entire point of that group was to be a thinly-veiled JLA expy from a universe of their own).

Which, to be fair, thinking of the JMS reboot of Squadron Supreme, would be an interesting world for a version of Paul to have ended up in.

Stsword said:
Also Quasar's Quantum Bands.

Freedom Ring's Cosmic Ring.

And Starbrand's Star Brand.
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Those seem plausible analogues. I'd also add the Mandarin's Rings to the list.
 
Pinklestia said:
Is part of the reason I ended hating Young Justice. The JLA is really incompetent.
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That was half of my peeve with it. The other half is that they still acted like "comic book" good guys while the villains were "real world" levels of evil, and smarter about it.

For power ring equivalents, are we talking about the full abilities, or just the basic stuff like Alan's could do?
 
Bended (supplementary, Renegade option)
  • Threadmarks
    • 24th February
    09:12 GMT -7

    It's interesting. Shayera is actually too proud to shiver.

    It's a crisp and clear winter morning in Rifle, Colorado. The school rush has more or less finished and the working population of the town is actively pursuing its lawful business. John and Shayera are dressed in regular street clothes -inasmuch as they can be considered 'regular' when accented with wing slits- and somewhere under the pile of blankets and coats sitting in the pushchair John's pushing is my young namesake. John's wearing a thick coat and fingerless gloves, and while Shayera is dressed reasonably sensibly, there's a fair amount of exposed flesh in her wings. Flesh with excellent circulation. It must be like carrying a couple of radiators around with her.

    Not that you'd know it from looking at her.

    Catherine.. somethingorother, a woman I vaguely know from the Parent-Teacher Association, waves to me as she heads into the local pharmacy. I smile and nod back. Yeah, the crime rate in Rifle has dropped like a ten tonne weight while I-. Alright, being honest, while the genomorphs have been here. Nothing that's happened since I've moved in has been serious enough to require my personal attention, though I've made a point of turning up in person a few times. And since I get on well with the local police I've had a few g-gnomes helping them upskill on the more archaic aspects of commercial and financial law. I doubt that this town has ever been so law-abiding.

    "Does everyone here treat you like that?"

    Shayera's eyes dart around potential angles of attack for a moment before alighting on my face.

    "Yes. I've made a point of ensuring that my family and I are all part of the community. The hero-worship might have been worse, but this is a Republican state and the president I saved is a Democrat so they're not sure how they feel about it."

    "How do they feel about Klarion?"

    I smile. "Pretty darn satisfied. Have you decided whether or not you'll be sticking around?"

    There's a slight.. sag from both. Batman 50 hasn't reappeared. It's looking increasingly like my alter ego got him. Having reclaimed the goddesses' blessings Diana 50 could return to Themyscira 50 without any trouble, but Shayera and John can't go back to America 50. Without a Watchtower to operate out of and with Stormwatch having taken over all of the Justice Lords' former responsibilities, there isn't really anything to draw them back. On the other hand they both loathe the idea of cutting and running when things get tough.

    "No, not.. yet."

    Shayera's eyes are pointing straight forward as she says it. Eh, if they haven't made a decision then they haven't made a decision. Not like it's urgent. Normally, this is the point where I'd try and slide them into one project or another and hope that the investment they'd grow to have in it would cause them to keep at it, but… These are my friends, and they have a proven track record of superheroism and sorting their own lives out, so… I'm going to limit myself to more direct avenues.

    "You seemed to be having a pretty good time with Knockout, earlier."

    "It's nice to be able to train with someone on my level."

    I look away, smirking slightly. "I can feel Diana wince from here."

    "Diana hasn't recovered her warrior spirit from when the Justice League defeated us."

    I frown. "Is that a metaphor, or is there some sort of magic damage-?"

    "A metaphor. She knows that the Justice Lords were wrong, but she doesn't have a clear goal any longer."

    "Not planning on offering her a job?"

    I, um. Hm. I… Could. Goodness knows that I always have work for superpeople. Putting another Wonder Woman on Earth is a bit awkward, but I could use her on Tamaran, or Hny'xx. Or with a disguise she could function as another bodyguard, but that won't really give her the purpose she's apparently looking for.

    "I.. hadn't been. If you've got any-?"

    John Stewart 16 descends to street level just ahead of us, arms folded across his chest. He's wearing his uniform, his environmental shield forming a solid green line around his body. He and his counterpart regard one another cautiously for a moment, then the 16 version turns to me.

    "You wanna explain what this is about?"

    I turn to John 50. "John, this is your alter ego from this Earth. I don't really know him that well, so feel free to blow him off."

    "I'm just glad-" John 16 frowns at the sound of the voice, raising his ring slightly and doing what he thinks is a covert scan. "-that he didn't bring their Shayera."

    "Okay." John 16 lands and walks over to us. "What's your story?"

    My John passes the pushchair over to his wife and then steps up to his mirror. "You wanna have this talk in private?"

    "I don't see a ring. Can you fly?"

    My John's eyes glow brilliant emerald, his red overcoat gaining a Lantern sigil and John 16's eyes staring at what is unmissably a modified Guardian robe.

    "Sure. Let's talk."

    Both of them rise up into the sky, and the few rubberneckers return to their business.

    "Should I expect your Shayera to drop by?"

    "You're my Shayera. And… Mrugh, probably. She's an agent of the Thanagarian Empire too, and the version here hasn't picked a fight with 'me' yet. Once she hears about a Thanagarian who's not 'meant' to be here, she or her husband will probably investigate." I smile. "It will be interesting to see how they treat the news that thanagarians and humans can interbreed. That sort of thing…"

    "I know. My Thanagar is.. the same." She snorts, then crouches down to make eye contact with Rex.

    "But you know where's not? Tamaran. And if you're interested in learning to use a power ring-."

    The air in front of us ripples and twists, and a construct fortification materialises around Rex and Shayera even as she draws an nth metal baton from the back of the pushchair. That's… An Almeracian-.

    Queen Maxima strides imperiously through, taking in our surroundings in a moment and dismissing them as uninteresting. Her armour is a little more weathered than last time I saw her, but she is a warrior-queen. It's working armour, not a display piece. Shayera momentarily arouses her interest, then she frowns as she notices Rex.

    "You told me that you were incapable of impregnating an alien."

    "Rex is my godson. His father's-" I point upwards to where two green glows are just visible. "-busy at the moment. Shayera, this is-."

    "Maxima. Superman told us about her."

    "Good show. Maxima, is this a social visit..?"

    "No, though I will take your invitation later. I'm in the middle of winning a civil war and I need somewhere to stash my heir."

    "I'll be happy to put them-."

    "Excellent!" A short, slightly built and extremely pregnant woman.. whom.. I presume to be Sazu walks through the portal and stands just behind her. "That weakling Ultraa shouldn't have time to send more than a dozen assassins before I've finished off his pathetic army."

    She turns, grasps her wife by the shoulders and pulls her into a passionate kiss.

    …

    After a minute or two she releases Sazu.

    "I'll be back soon. Keep Maxima Junior safe for me."

    Sazu nods. "Of course, Mistress."

    And Maxima strides back through the gate, which closes down once she's through.

    Sazu walks over to us, smiling at Shayera. "Oh, what a delightful child. Is it yours?"
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • Mr Zoat said:
    24th February
    09:12 GMT -7

    It's interesting. Shayera is actually too proud to shiver.
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    Given the circulation in her wings, she either suffers a lot in colder climates or has a large metabolism...

    It's a crisp and clear winter morning in Rifle, Colorado. The school rush has more or less finished and the working population of the town is actively pursuing its lawful business. John and Shayera are dressed in regular street clothes -in as much as they can be considered 'regular' when accented with wing slits- and somewhere under the pile of blankets and coats sitting in the pushchair John's pushing is my young namesake. John's wearing a thick coat and fingerless gloves, and while Shayera is dressed reasonably sensibly, there's a fair amount of exposed flesh in her wings. Flesh with excellent circulation. It must be like carrying around a couple of radiators around with her.
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    Yup! Presumably Thanagar is a much hotter climate in general. I imagine assignments in less temperate regions are seen as punishment details.

    Not that you'd know it from looking at her.

    Catherine.. somethingorother, a woman I vaguely know from the Parent-Teacher Association, waves to me as she heads into the local pharmacy. I smile and nod back. Yeah, the crime rate in Rifle has dropped like a ten tonne weight while I-. Alright, being honest, while the genomorphs have been here. Nothing that's happened since I've moved in has been serious enough to require my personal attention, though I've made a point of turning up in person a few times. And since I get on well with the local police I've had a few g-nomes help them upskilling on the more archaic aspects of commercial and financial law. I doubt that this town has ever been so law-abiding.
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    Love how he doesn't care enough to ask the ring for that woman's name. I suppose he considers Rifle in general his, though.

    "Does everyone here treat you like that?"

    Shayera's eyes dart around potential angles of attack for a moment before alighting on my face.
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    Still running in threat evaluation mode, I see. She reeeeeally needs to relax.

    "Yes. I've made a point of ensuring that my family and I are all part of the community. The hero-worship might have been worse, but this is a Republican state and the president I saved is a Democrat so they're not sure how they feel about it."

    "How do they feel about Klarion?"

    I smile. "Pretty darn satisfied. Have you decided whether or not you'll be sticking around?"
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    Heh, I could see them emigrating. There's not really anything left for them on Earth-50, John's family (if any?) notwithstanding.

    There's a slight.. sag from both. Batman 50 hasn't reappeared. It's looking increasingly like my alter ego got him. Having reclaimed the goddesses' blessings Diana 50 could return to Themyscira 50 without any trouble, but Shayera and John can't go back to America 50. Without a Watchtower to operate out of and with Stormwatch having taken over all of the Justice Lords' former responsibilities, there isn't really anything to draw them back. On the other hand they both loathe the idea of cutting and running when things get tough.

    "No, not.. yet."
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    Pfft, as if an exploding satellite would stop the DCAU Batgod.

    Shayera's eyes are pointing straight forward as she says it. Eh, if they haven't made a decision then they haven't made a decision. Not like it's urgent. Normally, this is the point where I'd try and slide them into one project or another and hope that the investment they'd grow to have in it would cause them to keep at it, but… These are my friends, and they have a proven track record of superheroism and sorting their own lives out, so… I'm going to limit myself to more direct avenues.

    "You seemed to be having a pretty good time with Knockout, earlier."
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    Wow, the Renegade is actually being laid-back here. How.. strange it seems.

    "It's nice to be able to train with someone on my level."

    I look away, smirking slightly. "I can feel Diana wince from here."

    "Diana hasn't recovered her warrior spirit from the when the Justice League defeated us."
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    Not much fun fighting someone who doesn't feel like fighting back, I guess.

    I frown. "Is that a metaphor, or is there some sort of magic damage-?"

    "A metaphor. She knows that the Justice Lords were wrong, but she doesn't have a clear goal any longer."
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    And I love that that's a necessary question in this life.

    "Not planning on offering her a job?"

    I, um. Hm. I… Could. Goodness knows that I always have work for superpeople. Putting another Wonder Woman on Earth is a bit awkward, but I could use her on Tamaran, or Hyn'xx. Or with a disguise she could function as another bodyguard, but that won't really give her the purpose she's apparently looking for.

    "I.. hadn't been. If you've got any-?"
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    I doubt Diana-50 would feel like relocating anyway. I'm sure she'll find something to do.

    John Stewart 16 descends to street level just ahead of us, arms folded across his chest. He's wearing his uniform, his ]environmental shield forming a solid green line around his body. He and his counterpart regard one another cautiously for a moment, then the 16 version turns to me.

    "You wanna explain what this is about?"
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    Buuuusted.
    Correction: Stray square bracket, probably from Code.

    I turn to John 50. "John, this is your alter ego from this Earth. I don't really know him that well, so feel free to blow him off."

    "I'm just glad-" John 16 frowns at the sound of the voice, raising his ring slightly and doing what he thinks is a covert scan. "-that he didn't bring their Shayera."
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    Sloppy, John-16. Guess he hasn't really been pushed to improve like he was in the Paragon timeline.

    "Okay." John 16 lands and walks over to us. "What's your story?"

    My John passes the pushchair over to his wife and then steps up to his mirror. "You wanna have this talk in private?"
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    As long as it stays private. I don't think anyone wants duelling Green Lanterns in town...

    "I don't see a ring. Can you fly?"

    My John's eyes glow brilliant emerald, his red overcoat gaining a Lantern sigil and John 16's eyes staring at what is unmissably a modified Guardian robe.

    "Sure. Let's talk."
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    Heheh. That'd be a shock. I bet he has so many questions...

    Both of them rise up into the sky, and the few rubberneckers return to their business.

    "Should I expect your Shayera to drop by?"
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    I expect she's busy back in her city, with her husband... [/Phrasing!]

    "You're my Shayera. And… Mrugh, probably. She's an agent of the Thanagarian Empire too, and the version here hasn't picked a fight with 'me' yet. Once she hears about a Thanagarian who's not 'meant' to be here, she or her husband will probably investigate." I smile. "It will be interesting to see how they treat the news that thanagarians and humans can interbreed. That sort of thing…"

    "I know. My Thanagar is.. the same." She snorts, then crouches down to make eye contact with Rex.
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    No comment on the 'husband' thing? I guess she isn't that concerned.

    "But you know where's not? Tamaran. And if you're interested in learning to use a power ring-."

    The air in front of us ripples and twists, and a construct fortification materialises around Rex and Shayera even as she draws an nth metal baton from the back of the pushchair. That's… An Almeracian-.

    Queen Maxima strides imperiously through, taking in our surroundings in a moment and dismissing it as uninteresting. Her amour is a little more weathered than last time I saw her, but she is a warrior-queen. It's working armour, not a display piece. Shayera momentarily arouses her interest, then she frowns as she notices Rex.
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    Oh, damn it. She's going to grab the entirely wrong end of the stick...
    Correction: 'Her armour is'

    "You told me that you were incapable of impregnating an alien."

    "Rex is my godson. His father's-" I point upwards to where two green glows are just visible. "-busy at the moment. Shayera, this is-."
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    ...Yep, wrong end grabbed. And promptly corrected, at least.

    "Maxima. Superman told us about her."

    "Good show. Maxima, is this a social visit..?"

    "No, though I will take your invitation later. I'm in the middle of winning a civil war and I need somewhere to stash my heir."
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    Ah, she's been busy, in more ways than one, I see.:p

    "I'll be happy to put them-."

    "Excellent!" A short, slightly build and extremely pregnant woman.. whom.. I presume to be Sazu walks through the portal and stands just behind her. "That weakling Ultraa shouldn't have time to send more than a dozen assassins before I've finished off his pathetic army."
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    Confident, isn't she?


    She turns, grasps her wife by the shoulders and pulls her into a passionate kiss.

    …

    After a minute or two she releases Sazu.
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    ...Good to see that working out for them, then.

    "I'll be back soon. Keep Maxima Junior safe for me."

    Sazu nods. "Of course, Mistress."
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    Well, guess we know who wears the.. uh, figurative.. pants in that relationship.

    And Maxima strides back through the gate, which closes down once she's through.

    Sazu walks over to us, smiling at Shayera. "Oh, what a delightful child. Is it yours?"
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    Well, at least Shayera's getting to bond over babies with someone. Might improve her mood?

    Ah, Grayven, Life never seems to stop throwing complications at you, does it? At least no-one's throwing punches this time. Yet.
     
    I'm guessing from Grayven not noting a third eye that this is DCAU Sazu rather than comics Sazu, in terms of appearance?
     
    moralrelativity said:
    Could someone please remind me where we've seen her before? Bonus points for a link to the relevant chapter. TIA.
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    Way back, before Grayven left Earth. Maxima was an alien queen who attacked him in an attempt to find a strong man to breed with/ marry. He pointed out he can't breed normally with an alien, after suggesting a few alternatives to himself, none of whom Maxima found ideal. He then showed her that since she couldn't have a child born with an alien without using cloning, and might want to choose as king someone who is good at running a government, and not leading a nation in war, she might as well choose a trusted advisor. So she married this lady, her advisor.
     
    If it makes you feel better, Earth 50 Batman was going to die anyways.

    Without Grayven to throw things off, Superman would have gone right back to being a Justice Lord once he got his powers back and Wonder Woman would have never decided the Lords were wrong. They'd actually end up causing a civil war between those who think the Lords were right and those who think they were wrong, with Batman leading the faction opposed to them.

    Batman ends up getting his neck snapped by Wonder Woman.

    Also, the Justice League version of Wonder Woman actually abandoned her Earth to go live on Earth 50. Why? Because Batman 50 was willing to give her the Bat Dick that the Justice League version of Batman wasn't.

    That relationship is actually how Batman 50 gets his neck snapped. Superman 50 makes it look like he beat the ever living shit out Justice League Wonder Woman. Batman 50 rushes in to make sure she's okay. Surprise! It was Wonder Woman 50! Neck snap!

    Then Superman 50 tries to get revenge on the Justice League with a new lineup of Justice Lords.
     
    ForeverShogo said:
    If it makes you feel better, Earth 50 Batman was going to die anyways.

    Without Grayven to throw things off, Superman would have gone right back to being a Justice Lord once he got his powers back and Wonder Woman would have never decided the Lords were wrong. They'd actually end up causing a civil war between those who think the Lords were right and those who think they were wrong, with Batman leading the faction opposed to them.

    Batman ends up getting his neck snapped by Wonder Woman.

    Also, the Justice League version of Wonder Woman actually abandoned her Earth to go live on Earth 50. Why? Because Batman 50 was willing to give her the Bat Dick that the Justice League version of Batman wasn't.

    That relationship is actually how Batman 50 gets his neck snapped. Superman 50 makes it look like he beat the ever living shit out Justice League Wonder Woman. Batman 50 rushes in to make sure she's okay. Surprise! It was Wonder Woman 50! Neck snap!

    Then Superman 50 tries to get revenge on the Justice League with a new lineup of Justice Lords.
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    Wow. That sounds like Batman really dropped the ball as far as not making sure it was the right Wonder Woman. He could / should have give the JL version a tracking device or something. A Batphone maybe. Especially if he knew they were going to be fighting Superman. Or something... mostly just surprised he got tricked.
     
    Ah a Gravy chapter. Excellent! Most appreciated after having too slog through Paul episode.
     
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