Legion of Super Heroes #2
Apokolips Now
LEGION HEADQUARTERS
Element has been chosen to show new member Star Boy the ropes for a few weeks. They are in the monitor room where Wildfire and Shadow Lord are on duty.
ELEMENT: The monitor room must always be attended. We used to just have one member keep watch but we consider it such an importance that we assign at least two now.
STAR BOY: How many hours do they sit there?
ELEMENT: Shifts of four hours. It is quite relaxing.
STAR BOY: Yeah right. So when is my shift?
ELEMENT: Your first few shifts will be with mine. Then you will join the normal rotation.
STAR BOY: Can't wait! That's a joke.
*****BEEEEP******
ELEMENT: Look, there's a level 1 signal going off now. That's the highest priority. It's coming straight from EarthGov.
STAR BOY: Oh wow.
WILDFIRE: Legion here?!
SENATOR TYROC: Wildfire! We have a great emergency! We need the Legion ASAP!
WILDFIRE: I just alerted Jo! What's up?
SENATOR TYROC: Apokolips!
ELEMENT: What?
***WHOOOSH***
Jo Nah aka Ultra Man the leader of the Legion arrives via ultra-speed.
ULTRA MAN: Apokolips?!
SENATOR TYROC: Yes, Jo. It appeared a few hours ago in space. The same coordinates where Daxam used to be!
SHADOW LORD: That's impossible.
SENATOR TYROC: We've tried to contact the planet but no response. Frankly, Science Police is nervous about making contact.
ULTRA MAN: No, Tyroc. This is a job for the Legion. EarthGov shouldn't even consider contacting Science Police.
SENATOR TYROC: I know that. But...
ULTRA MAN: But they don't want me to complain like they boss us around like errand boys. I am not unreasonable Tyroc. Besides they always have you alert us because they know I don't like them. I wouldn't have it any other way.
SENATOR TYROC: I understand Jo.
ULTRA MAN: I will take a team over there myself. Have Science Police and the United Planets on full alert.
SENATOR TYROC: Already done. Good luck.
ULTRA MAN: Thanks. We'll need it.
LEGION MEETING ROOM
All eighteen of the Legionnaires have gathered in the meeting room.
ULTRA MAN: I already drew up a team of ten to go with me to Apokolips. The rest must stay here on full alert and contact all the reserve members. I don't care if they are all retired call them in! We might want to alert the Academy as well.
WILDFIRE: Jo are you crazy?!
ULTRA MAN: I take no chances with Darkseid, Wildfire.
CHAMELEON: I agree. But we are dealing with Apokolips for now not Darkseid.
INFERNO: What's the team already?
ULTRA MAN: Apparition, Super Girl, Colossal Man, Inferno, TimberWolf, Blok, Element, Wildfire, Tellus and myself.
WILDFIRE: Super Girl? But Jo she is new!
ULTRA MAN: And she is our most powerful member! Anyone else want to second-guess me? Good. Let's go.
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APOKOLIPS
A place of darkness and suffering with deadly powerful inhabitants and slaves. Thought to be a frightening legend from the 20th Century. Was ruled by the great and evil Darkseid. But the current ruler is called Sinn. She is Darkseid's daughter.
SINN: It is done.
NYX: Yes, mistress. We have joined this reality with no trouble.
PLUTO: Now we must plan on conquering the galaxy.
BAAL: Yes, there are no beings in this realm that should give us trouble.
SINN: You are mistaken Baal. There are many threats that are already aware of us. This reality has one being of ultimate power. He is the sorcerer Mordu!
HYPNOS: Mordu! I thought he was dead!
NEMESIS: One such as him never dies for long. Just like our former lord Darkseid who will return one day to reclaim his thrown.
SINN: Don't try my patience Nemesis.
VULCAN: If we bide our time and build power we might be able to challenge Mordu. But what others pose a threat.
SINN: There is a being called the Time Trapper. He is the personification of entropy and for some reason is interested in this part of time. But he is supposedly dead as well.
PLUTO: Two great beings but currently dead my mistress. They pose no threat for now.
NEMESIS: Sinn, are you scared of the beings of this realm?
PLUTO: Nemesis, disrespect her again and you shall feel my fire!
BAAL: And the strength of all six of my arms!
SINN: Nemesis, all you need to fear is the ring I wear. The yellow power ring, which is one of the most powerful weapons in this universe or any other!
NEMESIS: (angrily) Yes, Sinn. I know.
NYX: The sorceress Glorith of Balduur also poses a threat.
SINN: Yes, she is not as powerful as Mordu or the Trapper but does use both magic and time manipulations to a lesser extent. She was the one that destroyed Daxam the planet that used to lay here where Apokolips now resides. She is a fool that I will gladly kill.
BAAL: That sounds promising. I haven't killed a woman in a long time. My strength should snap her neck quite easily.
VULCAN: But Baal we both know I am stronger. You might have six arms but my hide is of iron!
BAAL: You dare challenge me? You are but a youth that I will render limb from limb!
VULCAN: Youth? Ha! I may not be as old as you but a child I am not!
SINN: There is another threat. The ones that repelled my own father!
HYPNOS: Mighty Darkseid? Who are these infidels?
SINN: They call themselves the Legion of Super Heroes.
NEMESIS: Super heroes? How silly.
PLUTO: Yet powerful enough to face Darkseid.
SINN: I expect them to arrive soon. I will handle them. We are to be seen as a new planet. We have certain rights I believe.
NEMESIS: What of your precious ring? Won't it attract the Guardians and Controllers?
SINN: Yes, I welcome them as well. Prepare yourselves my servants. Today will be an interesting day.
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EARTHGOV PALACE
The president of Earth Tayla Wellington talks to her advisors as well as Senator Tyroc a former Legionnaire.
PRESIDENT WELLINGTON: This situation has me worried.
SENATOR TYROC: The Legion is handling it. It should be fine.
ADVISOR: The United Planets have given Ultra Man information. This must begin as a diplomatic mission.
SENATOR TYROC: Sadly, I agree. But if we are dealing with Darkseid it might not be wise to wait.
PRESIDENT WELLINGTON: Senator, am I losing the Legion?
SENATOR TYROC: Mrs. President, I agree with you that the Legion must be completely organized and observed. But we cannot see them as employees of EarthGov. If they must answer to anyone it has to be the United Planets.
PRESIDENT WELLINGTON: But they are here on Earth. They must answer to the citizens of this planet and to myself!
SENATOR TYROC: If I may speak frankly Mrs. President Earth has grown complacent under your watch. We treat Glorith and the Dominion with kid gloves. We are the most influential planet in the UP and it isn't fair to the Legion. Will we treat Apokolips with the same kindness?
PRESIDENT WELLINGTON: Senator Tyroc! It seems you haven't lost your need for excitement from your Legion days. I think there are other ways to approach a situation besides force. The Dominion might have something to offer us. I don't like them but....
SENATOR TYROC: Do not use the Legion as pawns. Once you start using them as insurance or a threat to other planets they will leave you.
PRESIDENT WELLINGTON: Thank you Senator. Good-bye.
Tyroc walks out.
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OUTER SPACE
The Legion cruiser flies threw open space towards Apokolips with all ten members onboard.
COLOSSAL MAN: Jo, I suggest we try and reason our way out of this one.
ULTRA MAN: I know what you mean. But I am not sure if that is even an option. Don't think I am rushing in there gung-ho.
COLOSSAL MAN: No, but I know you are frustrated lately at how the Legion is being posed as a threat while we never get to actually act.
APPARITION: Jo doesn't need action and adventure contrary to popular belief. But when we are not able to go after Glorith after what she did it strikes a nerve.
ULTRA MAN: And then we have the Dominators who are slowly building up power. I believe they are slowly taking over the Khunds.
COLOSSAL MAN: You don't think the Khunds and Dominion will ally against the UP?
ULTRA MAN: The Dominion doesn't seem the type to take in allies.
WILDFIRE: Will superficial allies maybe.
TELLUS: Is Earth seriously considering signing a treaty with the Dominators?
INFERNO: Quit your speculating and pay attention! We have a UFO coming at us. It appears to be a man not a ship.
ULTRA MAN: Wildfire join me outside!
INFERNO: Wait! He just sent a signal. It's Rond Vidar.
APPARITION: Rond? But why?
ELEMENT: I will let him in.
Shortly...
ROND VIDAR: Greetings all.
TIMBERWOLF: Hey Rond. What bring our favorite Green Lantern here?
ROND VIDAR: Apokolips.
TIMBERWOLF: Ask a stupid question....
ULTRA MAN: What do you know Rond?
ROND VIDAR: The Guardians sent me. Once Apokolips appeared they felt the presence of something else.
ELEMENT: Darkseid?
ROND VIDAR: No. Sinestro's old power ring.
TIMBERWOLF: Come again?
ROND VIDAR: Sinestro was a Green Lantern from the 20th Century who turned sides. He somehow manufactured a yellow power ring that rivals our rings. It seems to have an unlimited power source.
ULTRA MAN: And this Sinestro is on Apokolips?
ROND VIDAR: No. Sinestro died in the 20th Century. We don't know who has the ring now.
ELEMENT: Interesting. I guess you are going accompany us.
ROND VIDAR: If it's all right with Ultra Man. I know EarthGov isn't fond of Green Lanterns.
ULTRA MAN: And I am not fond of EarthGov. Don't worry we will probably need you. Facing Darkseid isn't going to be easy.
*Suddenly the senses of the Legionnaires and Vidar are assaulted. They are not in their ship anymore but in a haze. Standing before them is as Controller. Controllers are an extremely advanced race living in a different space-time continuum. After surviving the destruction of their universe they decided to prevent this universe from making the same mistake. You see the Controllers were responsible for the annihilating of their own dimension . They take an active and manipulative part in their cause with the philosophy that the end justifies the means.*
CONTROLLER: Legionnaires, I am here to warn you.
ULTRA MAN: What the hell is going on here!
SUPER GIRL: Who is this guy?
ROND VIDAR: A Controller.
CONTROLLER: Apokolips may be an evil planet but they have struck a balance in your universe.
ELEMENT: So you wouldn't have us destroy it! We are not going to be your pawns Controller. We have played that role too many times with your race!
CONTROLLER: After the destruction of Daxam there was a void. Apokolips has filled it.
SUPER GIRL: (whispers)Wildfire, what is a Controller exactly?
WILDFIRE: (whispers)These big powerful pink guys that think they need to keep some cosmic balance or at least their view of it.
SUPERGIRL: Oh.
INFERNO: Are we to believe that Apokolips poses no threat?
CONTROLLER: No. Many other planets pose a threat. But Apokolips balances out the forces.
SUPER GIRL: Daxam was a world of peace. It was nothing like this Apokolips.
CONTROLLER: No, Apokolips is a dark and twisted world. But they might serve as allies against a greater threat.
INFERNO: What threat is that?
CONTROLLER: The threat you all have yet to address. The threat of Glorith. Without Mordu or the Time Trapper she will grow too powerful. Her destroying Daxam was the first step.
ULTRA MAN: Controller, I suggest you let us go on our mission now. Or my top priority will be to take you down.
CONTROLLER: Ultra Man you know better. I was here but to warn you. The Controllers always have other options.
The Legion is returned to their cruiser.
BLOK: We are back.
TIMBERWOLF: Very observant pebble head.
WILDFIRE: That complicates things.
ROND VIDAR: The Guardians sent me because they are worried about the yellow power ring. Apokolips wasn't their main concern.
ULTRA MAN: Don't worry Rond. We will have answers concerning Apokolips soon.
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LEGION HEADQUARTERS
SHADOW LORD: The holo-vids show this Darkseid to be one of the most powerful villains the Legion have ever faced.
STAR BOY: No kidding!
LIVEWIRE: He is dangerous. It's been awhile since the Legion squared off with someone on that level.
STAR BOY: They even called the students at the Academy as backup!
LIVEWIRE: Yeah, the old Star Boy, Cosmic Boy and Night Girl showed up too.
STAR BOY: Aren't they retired?
LIVEWIRE: Yeah, but in the case of emergencies they will always show up.
SHADOW LORD: Inferno just sent a message stating that a Controller showed up and Rond Vidar!
STAR BOY: Controller? What that mean?
LIVEWIRE: Things are getting very hairy.
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LEGION CRUISER
INFERNO: This is the Legion of Super Heroes representing the United Planets and EarthGov. Please identify yourself.
ULTRA MAN: (whispers) We represent EarthGov?
APPARITION: (whispers) No we don't. But Dirk is from Earth and might have his loyalties confused.
ULTRA MAN: (whispers) The reason I appointed him as EarthGov liaison is because he is from Earth. That may have been a mistake.
zzzz*APOKOLIPS: This is Nemesis from the planet Apokolips.
INFERNO: We request permission to land.
TIMBERWOLF: "Nemesis"?
There is silence.
TELLUS: They are going to make this difficult aren't they.
TIMBERWOLF: Don't they always.
WILDFIRE: Jo, you want me to....
*APOKOLIPS: Permission granted by the ruler of Apokolips, Mistress Sinn.
APPARITION: Mistress Sinn?
ELEMENT: Are we landing?
ULTRA MAN: Now that you mention it? No. Tinya, Tellus, Wildfire, and Blok fly down with me. The rest of you stay here. Element you are in command. If we don't contact you in 30 minutes you know what to do.
ELEMENT: Yes.
ROND VIDAR: I will go with you as well.
ULTRA MAN: Good.
The six chosen fly down to the specified landing pad. Six other individuals greet them.
A tall woman with red skin and long black hair addresses them.
SINN: I am Sinn, daughter of Darkseid and ruler of Apokolips. Welcome.
APPARITION:(to self) Daughter?
ULTRA MAN: Thank you. I am Ultra Man leader of the Legion. Mistress...
SINN: Please, just Sinn.
ULTRA MAN: All right. Sinn, we have many questions that need answering.
SINN: I understand. Please follow me to my throne room.
Sinn and her entourage head towards a building. Ultra Man speaks to his teammates through a telepathic link.
ULTRA MAN:(telepathic-link) {Team these guys might sound friendly but they certainly don't look it.}
APPARITION:(telepathy) {Really? I thought the guy with the six arms and monstrous face was kind of cute.}
TELLUS: (telepathy) {His name is Baal. I am scanning their surface thoughts. From what I see I fear delving deeper. The one with black hair and fire is called Pluto. Vulcan is the one made of steel. His mind is hard to scan. Nyx is the woman in gray. I sense darkness in her. Great darkness. The other two I scanned and pulled away. I had the feeling they knew what I was doing.}
ULTRA MAN: (telepathy) {Good job Tellus. }
HYPNOS: My name is Hypnos. I also have abilities of the mind similar to your amphibian friend. Tellus is it? And this is Nemesis. He is the prettiest man on Apokolips.
TELLUS: I apologize....
HYPNOS: No need ugly creature. I scanned all of you as well.
They arrive at the throne room. There are chairs for the Legionnaires to sit down. They refuse.
SINN: Let me answer some of your questions. We existed on this plane of reality once. Apokolips was to be destroyed. Erased from existence. But my father saved the planet by taking it to another realm. That realm has no resources to maintain us any longer. We have returned again.
ULTRA MAN: But why here? Why not where Apokolips once existed?
SINN: The universe has changed. We put much time into our calculations not wanting to cause a catastrophe. This situation was perfect. We did not destroy the world that was formally here. I do not see a problem.
ULTRA MAN: This space is part of the United Planets. You are not a member of the United Planets.
SINN: Is that a crime?
ULTRA MAN: Well, no but...
SINN: But what is the problem? Are you going to force us out? That is impossible. Our alignment has caused little damage. The orbits were slightly affected and I think an uninhabited moon or two were destroyed.
ULTRA MAN: You are going to be considered a hostile world. This is where you decide if you will be allies, enemies, or neutral. Pick allies or neutrality United Planet sanctions will have supervision over your planet. You must meet certain guidelines and representatives will be on the planet. You must also meet the sentient-rights requirements. No slaves....
SINN: (interrupting) That is not an attractive offer is it?
ULTRA MAN: The other choice is enemies.
NEMESIS: That does sound attractive.
SINN: Ultra Man, we will have no outside supervision within our planet. Your offer angers me. I know there must be another way. But I care not.
APPARITION: What do you propose?
SINN: Oh. I didn't realized the female could talk. I propose combat between your Legion and my servants.
ROND VIDAR: Sinn, my name is Rond Vidar. I am a Green Lantern. I wear a green ring of great power. You wear a similar yellow ring. Where did you get it?
SINN: It was a gift from my father. I do not know whom he killed to get it. But he told me it is more powerful than that of any Green Lantern.
ROND VIDAR: That is a matter of will.
SINN: Which is to my advantage. This is my offer. We challenge you to a battle. One warrior at a time. Best of five. If your team wins we will follow your "neutral" plan. If my team wins you will never bother us again.
ULTRA MAN: I refuse.
SINN: Hypnos.
HYPNOS: I am sorry mistress. I tried to control the telepath but his defenses were too strong. I believe my mind is stronger than his but he has some sort of psionic screening.
TELLUS: Yes, my Legion ring has built in psionic defenses.
SINN: Well then we will simply attack!
The Servants of Sinn attack. Vulcan takes on Blok. Nemesis goes for Ultra Man. Nyx challenges Apparition, Hypnos faces Tellus, Pluto attacks Wildfire, and Sinn confronts Rond Vidar.
SINN: We will put your ring to the test.
ROND VIDAR: So be it.
Two titans tussle when rock and iron clash. Vulcan is faster than Blok but both do little damage to the other.
Ultra Man blasts Nemesis but it bounces off.
ULTRA MAN: (to self) He has some sort of force field.
Wildfire dodges some blasts of fire from Pluto.
WILDFIRE: I am not in the mood doggie breath.
Wildfire blasts Pluto with a powerful dose of anti-energy knocking the demi-god out. Hypnos and Tellus continue a mental struggle, which Tellus seems to be losing.
Nemesis punches Ultra Man but it has little effect.
ULTRA MAN: (to self) Maybe, I can grab him.
Ultra Man grabs Nemesis and begins to pummel him but he does not even feel the pain.
NEMESIS: I cannot be stopped.
ULTRA MAN: Don't worry I will find a way.
Apparition is lost in a dark cloud cast by Nyx. Sinn and Vidar attack and counter attack with no clear winner. Wildfire blind sides Hypnos and knocks him out.
TELLUS: Thank you Wildfire. He was getting to me. I couldn't take much more!
WILDFIRE: Go help Jo. He's got his hands full.
Tellus notices the stalemate between his leader and Nemesis. He attacks the mind of Nemesis that does have an effect.
NEMESIS: No! My head! Damn you!
He falls.
ULTRA MAN: Good job Tellus. Wildfire go help Rond! I will help Tinya.
NYX: I will blind you as easily as her! Once you fall for my darkness you get confused and lost!
ULTRA MAN: Not unless you have penetra-vision. Wait...I can't see...no...
Wildfire attacks Sinn physically. She encases him in a bubble.
SINN: (to self) I can't hold this wild one and battle Vidar at the same time. I must retreat.
She begins to escape.
ROND VIDAR: No you don't.
Rond concentrates his attack. He tries to confuse her and then blasts her. She
is knocked to the floor. Wildfire breaks free of his yellow bubble.
ROND VIDAR: Do you surrender?
SINN: Never!
Rond's ring lights up.
ROND VIDAR: Do you surrender?
SINN: Y-yes.
Wildfire comes and grabs her. Rond flies towards Nyx.
ROND VIDAR: Woman, no force of darkness can extinguish my light.
The Green Lantern showers her with green energy. She also falls.
NYX: Ugh.
Ultra Man and Apparition take a few minutes to collect themselves.
Blok and Vulcan continue to battle. When Vulcan realizes his team has been beaten. He grabs a whistle and blows it. Within seconds hundreds of Para-Demons storm in.
VULCAN: Ultra Man, I have thousands more to call upon. The para-demons are a true Legion. Shall we continue? Or will you let go of the Mistress?
ULTRA MAN: Wildfire let her go.
VULCAN: Para-demons attack!
SINN: No! Let the Legion go! Ultra Man tell your government we will not agree to their terms or any terms. If they ever send you to attack us again we will show no mercy. Be gone before I have you all killed.
ULTRA MAN: I see what this was. It was a test. You wanted to evaluate our abilities. Remember we turned away your own father. This is but five of our Legion. The United Planets have no rights over you. But no planet within it's union will trade with Apokolips. The United Planets will also provide safety for any sentients that ask for it. You came here seeking other resources and will find it difficult. Try to take those resources and we will return in full force. That is all I have to say to you.
ROND VIDAR: I will be keeping a close eye on you Mistress Sinn.
SINN: Leave now!
The Legionnaires and Rond Vidar leave.
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LEGION HEADQUARTERS
Chameleon, Brainiac 5, and Shrinking Violet talk to the returning Legion cruiser via tele-monitor. Inferno is reporting what happened on Apokolips.
**INFERNO: (via tele-monitor) So the good news is Darkseid isn't back.*
CHAMELEON: His daughter doesn't seem much of a threat either. Just another hostile world to watch over.
BRAINIAC 5: Jo, we are going to need more members than just two.
**ULTRA MAN:(via tele-monitor) I know. But most of the Acadmey members have powers we already have. Maybe a big recruiting drive and the Academy members that graduate join the Legion of Subs that we can recreate.
CHAMELEON: Good idea Jo. Good idea.
THE END
