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

[WereDragon]

Bwf-fytt!

Angstrom ripples-. Armour!

"-er."

A bullet slams into the side of my head!

Click to shrink...

Looks like Invincible will get to kill local Cecil after all.

 

[Mr Zoat]

And while she can resurrect herself, she probably still needs to be at least a bit conscious, or at least have some brain function left for it to work.

Click to shrink...

That happens for the first time during the fight with Conquest. They don't know that she can do it yet.

'Thraxan-'?

Click to shrink...

Thank you, corrected.

 

[Steelplaza]

I can't help but wish on OL's behalf that the Angstrom construct gets destroyed leaving him "trapped" on this world that isn't ruled by Viltrumites and where everyone doesn't hate him.

It's not what he wants, but it might be what's long term best for him.

 

[Mr Zoat]

I can't help but wish on OL's behalf that the Angstrom construct gets destroyed leaving him "trapped" on this world that isn't ruled by Viltrumites and where everyone doesn't hate him.

Click to shrink...

He could just call Angstrom out of his ring again, assuming that exposure to Angstrom's mind didn't drive him mad.

 

[Chaoswind]

There is no way Paul from Invincible got taken out by a bullet, he was constantly scanning and kept his guard up the FIRST time Cecil tried to kill him, no way he is running around without power armor without at least a force field on his person at all times.

 

[GlitterNuts]

There is no way Paul from Invincible got taken out by a bullet, he was constantly scanning and kept his guard up the FIRST time Cecil tried to kill him, no way he is running around without power armor without at least a force field on his person at all times.

Click to shrink...

You're right! Good thing it doesn't say he was taken out by a bullet.

 

[Bolo]

We have two options with Cecil either he killed the other Invincibles that were captured or he's lying and having them interrogated… to then kill them.
Now this!? Yeah maybe the GDA needs new leadership.

 

[Mors]

Angstrom's form rippled, so I assume the bullet went through him to get to Paul. Maybe they were trying to take out the portalmaker, not knowing they were now an immortal power ring construct. I mean, you see somebody taken over and glowing orange, you don't think they're now immortal too, right?

As long as Levi is alive, Paul has the option to come back, with an army if he chose to. It might sound stupid to us readers, but taking Levi and/or him out now that the other Invincibles are gone, makes a lot of sense.

 

[Ardy]

Angstrom's form rippled, so I assume the bullet went through him to get to Paul. Maybe they were trying to take out the portalmaker, not knowing they were now an immortal power ring construct. I mean, you see somebody taken over and glowing orange, you don't think they're now immortal too, right?

As long as Levi is alive, Paul has the option to come back, with an army if he chose to. It might sound stupid to us readers, but taking Levi and/or him out now that the other Invincibles are gone, makes a lot of sense.

Click to shrink...

Well no, it's still stupid, as they'd be invading another universe with another vitrumite empire who wouldn't take kindly to them invading, and at best gets them a planet that is pretty much worthless, as noted by Janissary's invincible that they only invaded because it was next to their space already.

So yes, Cecil continues to be retarded by turning an uncertain ally into a certain enemy for no good reason

 

[ShadowScion626]

they'd be invading another universe with another vitrumite empire who wouldn't take kindly to them invading, and at best gets them a planet that is pretty much worthless, as noted by Janissary's invincible that they only invaded because it was next to their space already.

Click to shrink...

As long as Levi is alive, Paul has the option to come back, with an army if he chose to.

Click to shrink...

Hmm. This actually makes me think, how would the resident Viltrumite react to one from a different universe invading via multiverse travel? Seeing other versions of themselves or even Viltrumites that are dead, traitors, or just weak comparably, being alive, still loyal or being absolute units in this other invading Universe?

Wonder how Conquest or Thragg would react to seeing and encountering another version of themselves coming through multiversal portals, noting how the lives of themselves and the alternate were similar and different?

 

[Darko]

Interesting detail. Suggests the Mechanists or whoever made them acquired them from a Viltrumite reality that didn't wipe out their scientists...

Click to shrink...

I think Jannisary just changed them to Viltrumite standards when he took them over.

I mean, when you hate someone that much... They're probably fortunate there's no Red Rings in their home reality

Click to shrink...

I honestly think they'd be fucked if they met Atrocitus.

Viltrumites would remind him way too much of how he sees Maltusians.

Borderline immortal super beings that bring death and misery wherever they go.

 

[Darko]

Well no, it's still stupid, as they'd be invading another universe with another vitrumite empire who wouldn't take kindly to them invading, and at best gets them a planet that is pretty much worthless, as noted by Janissary's invincible that they only invaded because it was next to their space already

Click to shrink...

They invaded Earth because their species is endangered.

Humans are compatible for breeding. That's why they took over.

So yes, Cecil continues to be retarded by turning an uncertain ally into a certain enemy for no good reason

Click to shrink...

Honestly Cecil attacking them does make sense.

Yeah, this version did help them, but he also belongs to a group that enslaved Earth and now has a way to cross over to other universes.

Matthew may be the one that's controlling Angstrom, but as a reader pointed out in a post above, Matthew is a Janissary. He's a slave so he'll do what his master tells him to.

And this is assuming that Cecil is behind this.

There are a lot of people that would want them dead.

 

[Bud-E]

They invaded Earth because their species is endangered.

Humans are compatible for breeding. That's why they took over.



Honestly Cecil attacking them does make sense.

Yeah, this version did help them, but he also belongs to a group that enslaved Earth and now has a way to cross over to other universes.

Matthew may be the one that's controlling Angstrom, but as a reader pointed out in a post above, Matthew is a Janissary. He's a slave so he'll do what his master tells him to.

And this is assuming that Cecil is behind this.

There are a lot of people that would want them dead.

Click to shrink...

Is Invincible Orange Lantern called Matthew? When was that established?

 

[RoninSword]

Is Invincible Orange Lantern called Matthew? When was that established?

Click to shrink...

Lights flicker, winds gust out of nowhere and I create a barrier around us. A teleporter, or-?

"Lantern Matthew King." A translucent apparition I still just about recognise appears in the room. Humanoid, blank face and blue and red robes. Last time I saw someone like him they were picking a fight with Larfleeze. In a comic book. I don't know if Controllers even exist in this universe, and I've certainly never met one. So where is this fellow from? "I have need of your service."

I shake my head.

"I can't even help myself. What could I possibly do for you?"

Click to shrink...

Only search result with the name Matthew King that I can find. Can't even find reference to where the name came from but there you go.

 

[CrazyNoVa]

Well no, it's still stupid, as they'd be invading another universe with another vitrumite empire who wouldn't take kindly to them invading, and at best gets them a planet that is pretty much worthless, as noted by Janissary's invincible that they only invaded because it was next to their space already.

So yes, Cecil continues to be retarded by turning an uncertain ally into a certain enemy for no good reason

Click to shrink...

Hey, that's actually an interesting idea: Would the Viltrumite Empire's eternal lust for conquest be sated by fighting an alternate version of itself?

 

[Mr Zoat]

6th March 2025
12:36 GMT -5

Self-scan basically fine need information fall, transmute and expel blood from impact site.

"Lantern!"

I hit the ground, environmental shield cushioning my impact without slowing it. Scan. Who just shot me?

An image forms in my mind: soldiers in some sort of full-body tactical gear, outer surface perfectly mirroring their surroundings. General design… Matches what the G.D.A. troops wear.

Huh.

That makes sense-

"Oliver, get out of here."

"It's just bullets!"

-given Cecil's confrontational attitude. Clearly, people invading his planet getting more power doesn't improve the situation as far as he's concerned. Even if it looks like we're leaving, that doesn't bring back any of the people who died. A high-calibre round to my head… Probably wouldn't have ggt through my environmental shield, but there would be some bleed through. It could have knocked me out or stunned me. But they assumed that construct Angstrom was only as tough as meat Angstrom and targeted him first.

"Who was that!?"

That was.. lucky.

Alright, I could have Angstrom mark the targets, but I suspect that Invincible will simply kill them if I do that. And I know that he wants to go after Cecil anyway, and… I'd like to be sure.

I…

Nothing I've seen suggests that Cecil Steadman is someone I actively want to stay in office. Nothing about.. this situation only being managed because Angstrom's recruits turned on him suggests that he's actually all that vital to the defence of this Earth. And he just had someone shoot me. But even so, I… Instinctively, I'd rather not kill people if I can get away with it. All I'd have to do is open a portal, say… I needed emergency medical attention, fake some sort of injury. Invincible would believe that.

But he just tried to kill me after I repeatedly helped him, damn it! If it was him, he's got this coming.

Plot and transition.

My view flickers, and I'm behind the squad.

Accelerate. Sonic scan. Jam. Silence. Grab.

I see the vibrations as the soldier on sternguard duty tries to call out a warning, only for my orange glow to absorb the sound waves. He tries to activate his radio but hears nothing. The others start to come alert as they realise that they can't hear their surroundings.

Then the construct clamps grip them torsos, arms, legs and heads, knocking their guns from their hands and hoiking them into the air.

Remove stealth armour.

And there they are. Three men and a woman in their under suits. I rotate them to face me, sighing quietly as a quick scan of the G.D.A.'s personnel files finds matches for all four of them.

"That was foolish."

I once tried using my abilities to inspire fear. I was.. trying to get some protestors to pack it in before Invincible arrived. And my ring stopped working for a moment and they decided that made it a good idea to hit me with a crowbar. It's not just feeling fear that disrupts my connection to the orange light. Deliberately seeking to provoke it has the same effect.

So beyond my desire to contain the people trying to kill me, I try to avoid feeling anything else. I try not to feel anger, though I think under the circumstances that would be quite justified. I'm used to preventing myself feeling fear, but I try to avoid deliberately inspiring it too. Hope, love, compassion? Hardly relevant. Taking a moment to centre myself with willpower? Forget about it.

"And now you've got to make a choice, and I suggest that you make it quickly. Invincible will be here in a moment -my Invincible- and he'll be minded to kill you. Explaining why you just did that might make you live a little longer, but you'll need to explain it to me and you'll need to do it now."

They try to look at each other for guidance, but I force their heads to remain in place.

"You're G.D.A. soldiers with G.D.A. weapons and armour." I fabricate paper copies of their personnel files and float them in front of their owners so that the front piece is clearly visible. "You have no plausible deniability. If Invincible sees you, he will immediately reach the conclusion that Director Steadman sent you. He will then fly to his location and kill him, right after he kills you. That's if you say nothing. Saying something on the other hand could change that. So I'm going to stop preventing you from speaking and I strongly advise you to take advantage of my largess."

I sigh. This has never worked, but if I don't hold myself to higher standards…

Dismiss.

There's a brief delay.

"Sergeant Michael Phelps. Serial-."

Gag.

"Would someone who isn't a moron like to try it? I know who you are." I jab him in the face with his own paperwork. "We were leaving. You want us to leave. 'Name, rank, serial number' applies if we're at war, and I rather think you'd prefer that we weren't."

The woman's eyes widen. "Ah-. I-." She strains to look over to the other two, but again I keep her locked in place as I drift closer.

"Not taking the shot would have been the best option, but providing a scapegoat is the second best."

"In-." She hesitates, trying once more to turn so that she can see how the others respond to her speaking. "Invincible was supposed to talk you into staying. We know that your Invincible wants to destroy the G.D.A. and we can't risk you getting away with Angstrom Levy. The Director gave Invincible a chance to get away from him, and…"

"And since I didn't take it, and since you can't leave the capacity to open portals in enemy hands, you were ordered to take the shot. Did the order come from the Director himself, or from your commanding officer?"

"F-from… Ah…"

"If you tell me that it came from the Director, Invincible will probably kill him. If you tell me that it came from your commanding officer, Invincible will most likely kill him and the Director. So I will ask again: who gave the order?"

"… The Director."

"Thank you. Thank you." I begin replacing the construct bonds with chains of tungsten. "I will-."

"You're okay!"

I look up, then nod to invincible. "Yes. According to these people, Director Steadman was concerned that we might use Mister Levy's ability to strike them again in the future, so-."

"Oh, don't worry." He t-.

…

He tosses Director Steadman's head down to the ground next to me.

"I already dealt with it. Let's go home."

 

[hance1986]

It's like a murderous flying cat depositing a dead mouse in front of you.

 

[ForeverShogo]

Shame. I actually like Cecil, but he's the one who chose to commit suicide.

 

[Ngamer11]

I look up, then nod to invincible. "Yes. According to these people, Director Steadman was concerned that we might use Mister Levy's ability to strike them again in the future, so-."

Click to shrink...

That should be capitalized.

"Oh, don't worry." He t-.

…

He tosses Director Steadman's head down to the ground next to me.

"I already dealt with it. Let's go home."

Click to shrink...

Hopefully his successor will be less idiotic in his decision making.

 

[Darko]

wouldn't have ggt through my

Click to shrink...

"gotten"

Hopefully his successor will be less idiotic in his decision making.

Click to shrink...

If you're talking about the Conquest thing then that's not necessarily true.

Yeah, they couldn't contain him, but at this point they honestly don't know anything about the Viltrumite Empire, so even his successor may decide that they should keep him around to get info.

 

[Chojin Patriarch]

6th March 2025
12:36 GMT -5

Self-scan basically fine need information fall, transmute and expel blood from impact site.

"Lantern!"

Click to shrink...

Ah, good, not even remotely damaging, he's just playing along for effect. Better to let whoever shot you think they succeeded and catch them when they're off-guard, than tank it and invite further attack.

Spoiler: Commentary spoilered for length

I hit the ground, environmental shield cushioning my impact without slowing it. Scan. Who just shot me?

An image forms in my mind: soldiers in some sort of full-body tactical gear, outer surface perfectly mirroring their surroundings. General design… Matches what the G.D.A. troops wear.

Click to shrink...

Welp, Cecil is a dead man who hasn't finished breathing yet.

Huh.

That makes sense-

Click to shrink...

If he'd waited until you opened the portal home and Invincible had gone through, they might have stood a chance of separating you. If Lantern wasn't, you know, basically highly resistant to bullets.

"Oliver, get out of here."

"It's just bullets!"

Click to shrink...

And the boy isn't that bulletproof yet. Hell, only reason he even has any powers now is his rapid ageing.

-given Cecil's confrontational attitude. Clearly, people invading his planet getting more power doesn't improve the situation as far as he's concerned. Even if it looks like we're leaving, that doesn't bring back any of the people who died. A high-calibre round to my head… Probably wouldn't have ggt through my environmental shield, but there would be some bleed through. It could have knocked me out or stunned me. But they assumed that construct Angstrom was only as tough as meat Angstrom and targeted him first.

Click to shrink...

Though he's lucky it didn't pop Angstrom. He does know Construct Lanterns memory-dump when destroyed or recalled, yes? First time's always a ride.

"Who was that!?"

That was.. lucky.

Click to shrink...

And alt!Invincible is going off. Safe bet he'll assume it was Cecil's doing and... Well...

Alright, I could have Angstrom mark the targets, but I suspect that Invincible will simply kill them if I do that. And I know that he wants to go after Cecil anyway, and… I'd like to be sure.

I…

Click to shrink...

Make a proper cassus belli against Cecil. This could have been an overzealous local officer.

Nothing I've seen suggests that Cecil Steadman is someone I actively want to stay in office. Nothing about.. this situation only being managed because Angstrom's recruits turned on him suggests that he's actually all that vital to the defence of this Earth. And he just had someone shoot me. But even so, I… Instinctively, I'd rather not kill people if I can get away with it. All I'd have to do is open a portal, say… I needed emergency medical attention, fake some sort of injury. Invincible would believe that.

Click to shrink...

Especially since he seems to believe he's the only man able to do the job properly.

But he just tried to kill me after I repeatedly helped him, damn it! If it was him, he's got this coming.

Plot and transition.

Click to shrink...

Some guys just need killing. This Earth might struggle a little without him until they find a decent replacement, but given the shit he's pulled so far...

My view flickers, and I'm behind the squad.

Accelerate. Sonic scan. Jam. Silence. Grab.

Click to shrink...

I'm guessing stuff like mental acceleration were in the training book he learned Assimilation from. Standard stuff for most NEMO Lanterns.

I see the vibrations as the soldier on sternguard duty tries to call out a warning, only for my orange glow to absorb the sound waves. He tries to activate his radio but hears nothing. The others start to come alert as they realise that they can't hear their surroundings.

Then the construct clamps grip them torsos, arms, legs and heads, knocking their guns from their hands and hoiking them into the air.

Click to shrink...

Not gently, I expect, as Lantern is well within his rights to rough them up a little after they shot him.

Remove stealth armour.

And there they are. Three men and a woman in their under suits. I rotate them to face me, sighing quietly as a quick scan of the G.D.A.'s personnel files finds matches for all four of them.

"That was foolish."

Click to shrink...

Gonna love to hear the reasoning, if they knew it beyond 'Shoot the orange guys.'

I once tried using my abilities to inspire fear. I was.. trying to get some protestors to pack it in before Invincible arrived. And my ring stopped working for a moment and they decided that made it a good idea to hit me with a crowbar. It's not just feeling fear that disrupts my connection to the orange light. Deliberately seeking to provoke it has the same effect.

Click to shrink...

Yup. Mono-colour Rings usually have that drawback. Well, except for the Enlightened wielders.

So beyond my desire to contain the people trying to kill me, I try to avoid feeling anything else. I try not to feel anger, though I think under the circumstances that would be quite justified. I'm used to preventing myself feeling fear, but I try to avoid deliberately inspiring it too. Hope, love, compassion? Hardly relevant. Taking a moment to centre myself with willpower? Forget about it.

Click to shrink...

A reasonable desire, though. Have to wonder if that's bitten any other alt!Pauls before.

"And now you've got to make a choice, and I suggest that you make it quickly. Invincible will be here in a moment -my Invincible- and he'll be minded to kill you. Explaining why you just did that might make you live a little longer, but you'll need to explain it to me and you'll need to do it now."

They try to look at each other for guidance, but I force their heads to remain in place.

Click to shrink...

Not that that guarantees he won't kill you after you talk, but he might be slightly more kindly disposed to limit himself to a stern beating.

"You're G.D.A. soldiers with G.D.A. weapons and armour." I fabricate paper copies of their personnel files and float them in front of their owners so that the front piece is clearly visible. "You have no plausible deniability. If Invincible sees you, he will immediately reach the conclusion that Director Steadman sent you. He will then fly to his location and kill him, right after he kills you. That's if you say nothing. Saying something on the other hand could change that. So I'm going to stop preventing you from speaking and I strongly advise you to take advantage of my largess."

Click to shrink...

And that's assuming he didn't go off the second after Lantern transitioned away.

I sigh. This has never worked, but if I don't hold myself to higher standards…

Dismiss.

There's a brief delay.

Click to shrink...

There's always someone with more sense than loyalty. It's just bad luck you haven't found one yet.

"Sergeant Michael Phelps. Serial-."

Gag.

"Would someone who isn't a moron like to try it? I know who you are." I jab him in the face with his own paperwork. "We were leaving. You want us to leave. 'Name, rank, serial number' applies if we're at war, and I rather think you'd prefer that we weren't."

Click to shrink...

It would likely be a short war.

The woman's eyes widen. "Ah-. I-." She strains to look over to the other two, but again I keep her locked in place as I drift closer.

"Not taking the shot would have been the best option, but providing a scapegoat is the second best."

Click to shrink...

My god, someone with actual good sense. Though it seems they're reluctant to speak up yet.

"In-." She hesitates, trying once more to turn so that she can see how the others respond to her speaking. "Invincible was supposed to talk you into staying. We know that your Invincible wants to destroy the G.D.A. and we can't risk you getting away with Angstrom Levy. The Director gave Invincible a chance to get away from him, and…"

Click to shrink...

Sadly, he's too invested in his Earth now. The drawback of Orange Rings.

"And since I didn't take it, and since you can't leave the capacity to open portals in enemy hands, you were ordered to take the shot. Did the order come from the Director himself, or from your commanding officer?"

"F-from… Ah…"

Click to shrink...

Answer wisely. I would expect they are somewhat aware that alt!Invincible wanted Cecil's head... If only from listening in.

"If you tell me that it came from the Director, Invincible will probably kill him. If you tell me that it came from your commanding officer, Invincible will most likely kill him and the Director. So I will ask again: who gave the order?"

"… The Director."

Click to shrink...

Good answer. Only one more person dies today.

"Thank you. Thank you." I begin replacing the construct bonds with chains of tungsten. "I will-."

"You're okay!"

I look up, then nod to invincible. "Yes. According to these people, Director Steadman was concerned that we might use Mister Levy's ability to strike them again in the future, so-."

Click to shrink...

Should have expected it, really. Given what they know of him. Still, I suppose the hope was there that he wouldn't act foolishly.

"Oh, don't worry." He t-.

…

Click to shrink...

...Ah, I see he's already dealt with matters at the source.

He tosses Director Steadman's head down to the ground next to me.

"I already dealt with it. Let's go home."

Click to shrink...

That's going to have fallout in future. Lantern's probably glad his reality won't be the one dealing with it.

Yeah, that went about how everyone expected it. Definitely the most convoluted method of suicide I've ever seen thus far. And at least alt!Invincible got to blow off some stress and get some revenge by proxy. Going to leave a bit of a sour taste in the local heroes' mouth though, and they'll be at a disadvantage with what's coming next. So good luck to them.

 

[Bud-E]

"Sergeant Michael Phelps. Serial-."

Gag.

"Would someone who isn't a moron like to try it? I know who you are." I jab him in the face with his own paperwork.

Click to shrink...

Wait, the swimmer Michael Phelps? Is this a coincidence or is this him?

 

[hkim]

Shame. I actually like Cecil, but he's the one who chose to commit suicide.

Click to shrink...

yeeaaaaaah RIP Cecil but the man did always know what sort of game he was running

 

[BlackCoat13]

Probably wouldn't have ggt through my environmental shield,

Click to shrink...

got

 

[Vanbers]

Hopefully his successor will be less idiotic in his decision making.

Click to shrink...

...inb4 massive amounts of resources are dedicated to interdimensional portal creation with the explicit goal of going to war with OL's Invincible's Earth.