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

Chojin Patriarch · Friday at 7:01 AM

Mr Zoat said:
18th July 2013
14:25 GMT -5

I appear

in the hospital as Kara-. Kara frantically paces while the casualty doctors work on-.

Ah, I see. She disabled her opponent, and hauled him here for medical aid. Since she'd have to have battered through the protective shell the hard way, and that would leave a lot of damage on the otherwise-squishy human inside.

I envelop the man in an orange aura, and scan… Broken bones, battered organs, fractured skull… Fixed. The doctors pulled back when I grabbed him, but are now looking up towards-.

"Kara-?"

Yeah, if the extremely powerful magic ring guy wants to lend a hand, I'd let him.

Her right eye and part of her nose are.. missing, and from the way she looks-.

I walk forwards purposively, grab her right shoulder and push her towards a seat.

Ouch. Has OL looked into how best to perform medical care on Kryptonians? Because how would you patch this up? Red-sun lamp, reconstruct and yellow-sun-bath?

"Sit down." She doesn't move. For an instant I consider gold kryptonite, but… No, that's extremely unpleasant and would risk exacerbating her injuries. "Sit down now."

"I-I ow' eed-?"

Either she's concussed, or that's Kryptonian. Either way, it sounds like she's asking about the man.

Ring, Kal-El's voice.

Compliance.

"Kara, sit-" She immediately starts moving. "-down, thank you."

Oof, telling. Especially that his voice would cut through everything and get her to focus.

Ugh, kryptonian grafts are a problem. Her powers are working to minimise the effects of her injury but they also make fixing her up a pain. Unlike when I used the Danner Formula on Kon's human tissue I could probably push through, but none of this is actually life-threatening and I need to grab Dr. Tetch.

...So, what, quick fix-time, or...

There's a rush of displaced air as Kara Two flies in.

I point to her with my right hand. "Kara, take this purple healing ray and keep it on Kara."

Ah, delegation time! At least they have kind-of matching damage, too.

"Can do!"

I set a sun lamp down on the floor between them. "I'll be back shortly."

I suspect both of them are going to be hungry, especially Local Kara. Having to regrow an eye and a chunk of face will definitely burn her reserves.

Okay, damaged kryptonians hors de combat but receiving treatment. I need to lecture Kara about why she shouldn't bring people who are being controlled to hospitals, but that needs to wait until she's recovered. Plus it was probably something she did on automatic anyway. I transition back to Kord Industries and-.

Even if they're badly wounded and unable to take action? Then again, what if it were some sort of psychic plague?

Yikes. It's a good job that he can just have me repair the place because otherwise his insurers would love him. Premium increases like that don't come along every day.

I scan-. That won't work-.

I'm guessing looking like a typical modern Battlefield game after an explosives-heavy battle...

It works.

Ah.

Heh. Easiest way to immediately realise Tetch is gone, then.

I fly into the building quickly but not so quickly that I'm not aware of everything going on around me. And… The globe is gone, Tetch is gone-.

"Orange Lantern to Ted Kord."

Ah, to be the bearer of bad news, eh?

"Yeah? Hello?"

"Did Bobo evacuate?"

"No? I said-."

Ah, but we know what happened to him. This will be fun, watching him sherlock his way into that info.

"After that."

"No. Why?"

"He's not here now. Tetch and the globe are gone. I'd guess Tetch took him with him, but it's not impossible that he snuck out."

I mean, he might well be craving beer and smokes. And around here, I bet the local bars wouldn't blink at a 'talking' chimpanzee...

"If Tetch is gone then I'll get some people to go around the site. He's been complaining about not being allowed to drink alcohol, so it's… Possible. How'd he get it out?"

"The same way he got in, I assume. Some sort of stealth boom tube." Finger prints… Bobo swung down there, which would put him… On top of the globe, or next to it. No foot prints, which means probably on top of it. "No sign of violence-."

Heck, if he can sniff the aftertaste of D.C.'s desires, he'd pick up on the motivations.

"Huh?"

"With Bobo I mean. Tetch isn't particularly violent and his bodyguard were gone. I think he went voluntarily."

And if D.C. were in the mood to hurt Tetch, there wouldn't me much of him left.

"Why? I thought we got on pretty good?"

"Could be the alcohol, could be the mystery. Doctor Tetch is acting extremely out of character." I sigh. "I'll inform Batman."

Ah, so even he realises that this basically is Detective Chimp's origin story moment. Surprised he hadn't pushed Ted to allow him more freedom in that case.

"So..? That's it?"

I roll my eyes. "I'll fix the place as well, Ted, but something that Mannheim was using-."

"No, I get that part. I mean… This isn't just the first part of an evil plan?"

If it is, then they'll find out when Tetch enacts it. Not like OL can read his playbook from there.

"From what he said, and the fact that he didn't hack the J-. The Peace Operative network immediately, he either can't or doesn't know how to. He couldn't have predicted that I'd find the globe or be able to repair it, so I'm reasonably confident that this was a purely opportunistic thing."

Which makes me wonder what he might have been doing if he hadn't felt the Globe come back online. Besides taking a train out of Gotham like a smart person.

"Are you sure? Because some of these people can do, like, multi-part plans where they predict you like they're reading your mind…" … "That sounds more stupid when I say it out loud."

"I've never repaired New God technology like that before, which means that he'd have to predict that I could do it with no information suggesting that was even possible. It's… Not impossible, but based on his pre-Hatter personality I'd say that it's very unlikely. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to find Canis and then deal with two hospitalised kryptonians."

Ah, yes, Canis. Where the hell did he get off to, then? Distracted by some unfortunate researcher who got 'jackson-pollack'ed onto a wall?

"Oh-. Ah, right. I'll, ah… Get started on the cleanup."

I end the call, and-. Oh.

He's probably shuddering at the paperwork by now. Fortunately, OL can fast-track that by saying 'League business' now.

I transition through to the back of the building where Canis was and still is, a nasty-looking hole in his chest. Brut's not doing much better.

"Canis?"

"No' finished yet."

Huh, must have gotten caught by a stray shot, then.

I-.

He's drawing on the concrete with his own blood, and what I'm slightly worried is Canis meat paste.

...Well, when the inspiration hits... Might want to just carve that chunk out wholesale when you come back to fix things.

"You have a hole in your chest." I take another purple healing ray out of subspace. "Let me-."

"No-! Need-. Finish first." He frantically jabs at the concrete. "New Gods don't… Die to.. things like this."

He's not wrong, but it must hurt like hell. No doubt his inspiration for this little display.

I look over to where Brut… Isn't whimpering. I suppose that instinct was probably beaten out of him during training. "Can I heal Brut at least?"

He nods, and I shoot his dog with the ray.

And Brut's tail just wags cutely as the hurt stops, I bet.

"Why were you delayed?"

"Hah. You didn't notice." He shakes his head. "I wasn't. You were all moving… Fast. My eyes could barely keep up. I was shot before I even reached the workshop."

Ah, right. He's the only one here without some form of superspeed...

Huh. "You sure that you're going to be alright?"

He pulls a slightly pained expression. "If I am alright I will just shoot myself. It won't be quite the same… I will manage."

"Okay." … "Okay. Orange Lantern to Batman. We have a problem."

Bloody artists. <rolls eyes>

At least OL is doing the smart thing and calling this in to the person best positioned to organise a defence against any prospective hacking Tetch might do. Honestly amazed no-one's noticed the AWOL Peace Agents, but given the odd level of compartmentalisation involved, everyone is probably assuming 'they had special orders'. Bats might have to rework their authentication process...

Vaermina · Friday at 7:25 AM

Mr Zoat said:
"Okay." … "Okay. Orange Lantern to Batman. We have a problem."

Did he seriously already forget the whole Brother Eye thing Batman has going on?

m_d · Friday at 7:56 AM

Mr Zoat said:
"With Bobo I mean. Tetch isn't particularly violent and his bodyguard were gone. I think he went voluntarily."

Ngamer11 said:
That should say bodyguards.

Not necessarily. 'Bodyguard' in British and Canadian usage can be a collective noun, in the way that, for instance, 'police' can. So just as one could use it in the form "The police were gone", 'bodyguard' would also work. Not sure about American usage, but given who is speaking, that's not a problem.

Duke Long · Friday at 8:30 AM

Mr Zoat said:
"Are you sure? Because some of these people can do, like, multi-part plans where they predict you like they're reading your mind…" … "That sounds more stupid when I say it out loud."

It sounds stupid, but this is comic book land. Unfortunately you have to take that sort of thing seriously.

Mr Zoat said:
"Hah. You didn't notice." He shakes his head. "I wasn't. You were all moving… Fast. My eyes could barely keep up. I was shot before I even reached the workshop."

Haha, I didn't think of it but of course that'd happen. That's superspeed for you. Especially when belonging to people who have the power to match the speed. These OMACs really are something, come to think of it. They'd easily beat probably 99% of heroes and villains when they're in combat mode. Even outside combat mode they're damn good. And Batman has what, hundreds at least?

I suppose Canis will just have to wait for Oh El to do something awful to him. Still hoping for something cool from that.

Mr Zoat · Friday at 8:34 AM

Ngamer11 said:
That should say bodyguards.

No, I think that's alright. As a group, not as a collection of individuals.

m_d said:
Not necessarily. 'Bodyguard' in British and Canadian usage can be a collective noun, in the way that, for instance, 'police' can. So just as one could use it in the form "The police were gone", 'bodyguard' would also work. Not sure about American usage, but given who is speaking, that's not a problem.

What (s)he said.

BlackCoat13 · Friday at 11:57 AM

Mr Zoat said:
you like they're reading your mind…" … "That sounds more stupid when I say it out loud."

Got double ellipses and quotation marks.

Steelplaza · Friday at 12:34 PM

Mr Zoat said:
Her right eye and part of her nose are.. missing, and from the way she looks-

Mr Zoat said:
"Hah. You didn't notice." He shakes his head. "I wasn't. You were all moving… Fast. My eyes could barely keep up. I was shot before I even reached the workshop."

This fight really upgraded the threat level on these Omacs. They were taking chunks out of local Kara, and even the more powerful Kara 2 was getting hit hard enough to have her skin severely burned. They can fight at hyper speed too. (I recall Buddy Blank was able to deal with a speedster pretty well.) OL himself was on the backfoot the whole fight, though granted some of that was reluctance to hurt the mind controlled victims inside. But some of it was just the sheer power of his opponents!

Their only real weakness is the ability to remove their power recieving equipment and shut them down that way,

Mr Zoat said:
"With Bobo I mean. Tetch isn't particularly violent and his bodyguard were gone. I think he went voluntarily."

OL came to the correct conclusion and his chain of reasoning is basically correct, but it overlooks that Tetch is most famous for his rapidly deployable, extremely powerful, mind control technology. I don't know if his normal 'hats' would work on a chimpanzee, though I don't know they wouldn't, and of course now Tetch is putting New God magic into everything anyway.

Mr Zoat · Friday at 1:15 PM

BlackCoat13 said:
Got double ellipses and quotation marks.

Yes, he trailed off and then paused.

CrazyNoVa · Friday at 2:50 PM

Vaermina said:
Did he seriously already forget the whole Brother Eye thing Batman has going on?

No, he didn't. But right now, Tetch is the more urgent issue, because he's going to act out on his plan before Batman starts acting out on his.

Plus, think of it like this: If OL makes it look like he's still reporting to Bruce, Bruce will be less suspicious of OL and will believe that OL is still loyal. I would have done the same to avoid arousing suspicion until I was ready to rebel against Bruce too.

Someguy Somewhere · Friday at 3:43 PM

I'd assume reporting to Diana and Clark, and the other league members as a group chat might be more effective in both getting a response from some people....I mean yes they're busy but this whole peace officer justifier army thing. And they DO all read his reports Very Carefully these days....so I'm pretty sure they'd pay attention.

Khornelius · Friday at 6:16 PM

Mr Zoat said:
I try not to say rude things about my readers, so I'm going to claim that I don't know.

XD
You're killing me Mr Zoat!

Mr Zoat · 2025-06-21T08:26:10+0100

Late Winter, IC 690
The next day

Emperor Molt wanted Diabo to ride the dragon down the main thoroughfare of Sadera in order to indisputably emphasise his power and authority. Unfortunately, even well laid out Roman streets aren't really wide enough to allow for that. It could just about fit, as long as no one minded having to replace all of the abraded bricks on the front of their houses and businesses afterwards. But if it came to any sort of corner it wouldn't be able to turn, it couldn't spread its wings and no one could actually watch it due to it taking up all of the space. So instead of doing that, the dragon will land once we reach the forum, and Diabo will mount it and continue on to the Senate building from there.

For now the prince, a small group of Praetorians sent by his father to 'protect' him, and his actual bodyguards are riding on horseback to the cheers of the lower orders who inhabit this part of the city.

Mostly cheers.

Tuka smiles at Master Graccus. "Was that your daughter?"

He gives her a decidedly disgruntled look, but after a moment appears to realise that she's not joking. "No."

She just looks confused. "Then why did she call you 'daddy'?"

He pointedly turns his face towards the front of the procession and doesn't reply.

"And what happened to her subucula?" No one answers, so she turns to Cato and Lelei. "Do you know?"

Cato is suddenly overcome by a coughing fit, earning him a sidelong glance from Lelei. Then Lelei notices that Tuka is looking expectantly at her.

"…"

Now, I know that she's spent at least some time in the city of Rondel, which as a part of the Saderan Empire must share at least some culture with it. I never got the impression that she came from a background of wealth, but then again I've never studied Rondel in particular. I… Doubt she'd have spent a great deal of time around-.

"She's a prostitute."

Tuka's eyes widen, and-. Huh?

"Did you disinherit her?"

Master Graccus jerks his head around, confusion warring with irritation. "What? No."

"Then why is your daughter a prostitute and why are you saying that she's not your daughter?"

"She isn't my-!"

"If I might interject?" Master Graccus bites his tongue. "It is the custom for prostitutes to address older clients or potential clients as 'daddy'. I am not sure where the custom originates. I find it distasteful, but I suppose that it's best that they make it clear that they're selling a service."

"Oh." Tuka thinks that over for a moment, her ears gradually reddening. "That sounds dirty."

Eithne stops scowling long enough to look confused. "All of them?"

"Yes. They go where the customers are, and crowds and parades have many potential customers."

"Human men pay human women to fuck them?"

"Yes? You told me that your former owner engaged in intercourse with you on several occasions."

"Yeah, but he bought me to do farm labour. If I'd bought him I'd have fucked him." She's looking increasingly mystified. "I thought the whole reason why Sadera invaded the Warrior Bunny lands was because they wanted us to stop raiding them for men. And now they're paying for what we did for free?"

"But they do so from a position of social dominance, and that's the main thing."

Diabo rolls his eyes. "I wonder if the Triumphs of Gaius Julius Caesar were like this in truth? Him looking stately at the head of the column, while behind him his centurions discussed the local prostitutes."

"Probably. We can talk about the uses of black powder in warfare if you like, but we've been doing little else for two years now and I think everyone would like a break from the stuff."

Tuka's eyes widen. "All of them were prostitutes?!"

Diabo's shoulders slump, but he keeps waving. "Yes. I looked it up once, and a majority of young female slaves end up as whores. Older women generally end up as domestics, and the men as labourers. And they know that my men will be receiving their pay and bonuses once this parade is over, and the men haven't had the opportunity to see a woman without rabbit ears for two months."

Because it turns out that knocking holes in a city's walls and then inviting emissaries from their neighbours to come and have a look does a remarkable amount of damage to their resolve but most certainly does not endear you to them.

"And we're not good enough?"

"I doubt you were enough for the entire army and navy."

"Wait." Diabo looks mildly pained. "Are we going to have a rash of pregnancies amongst the auxiliary?"

Eithne seems untroubled. "Probably? That's how you tell it was a successful campaign."

"Then we'll have to-." Diabo looks concerned. "Are you pregnant?"

"Eh?" She frowns. "No. I'm saving myself for you."

Several pairs of eyes turn themselves towards him. Including those of Master Graccus.

"You ar-? Why?"

"I'm the chief, which means that I can't go around fucking just anyone. Until you deliver those males you promised-"

"They're being transported to your village as we speak. I gave the order the moment we returned to Sadera."

"-then I'm supposed to limit myself to fucking important humans. And… Tyuule accepted Zorzal's offer because she knew that Imperials give their concubine's people better treatment."

"Oh."

"Not that you're deformed or anything. And I'm used to fucking humans, so honestly I'd probably prefer it."

"What..?" Cato affects an expression of scholarly enquiry. "What are the differences?"

"My father was a human, so I haven't really had much to do with them. Our males are physically small and they're usually closeted to keep them safe from other tribes. They're supposed to be a prize, because our rulers have to-. Used to have to have two Bunnies as parents. But I think it's just because they're rare. Having a Bunny father didn't help any of the chiefs when the Saderan Empire invaded, and it certainly didn't make Tyuule any wiser. All of my Warrior Bunnies came to me because I could survive, but they'll feel better if I act how they think a chief should act."

"Ah." Cato raises his busy eyebrows. "But you would prefer our illustrious patron."

She looks him over. Slowly.

"Please-"

"Yes."

"-stop. I-."

The crossbow bolt slams into her stomach and knocks her off her horse!

Darko · 2025-06-21T09:04:51+0100

Mr Zoat said:
For now the prince, a small group of Praetorians sent by his father to 'protect' him, and his actual bodyguards

Yeah, if I remember correctly, Roman Emperors did not have a lot of luck with Praetorians.

Mr Zoat said:
then against I've never

"again"

Mr Zoat said:
reddening. "That sounds dirty.

Yep.

Add a " at the end.

Chojin Patriarch · 2025-06-21T09:07:57+0100

Mr Zoat said:
Late Winter, IC 690
The next day

Emperor Molt wanted Diabo to ride the dragon down the main thoroughfare of Sadera in order to indisputably emphasise his power and authority. Unfortunately, even well laid out Roman streets aren't really wide enough to allow for that. It could just about fit, as long as no one minded having to replace all of the abraded bricks on the front of their houses and businesses afterwards. But if it came to any sort of corner it wouldn't be able to turn, it couldn't spread its wings and no one could actually watch it due to it taking up all of the space. So instead of doing that, the dragon will land once we reach the forum, and Diabo will mount it and continue on to the Senate building from there.

Haha, the logistics of showing off in such old-fashioned cities. Yes, it's unlikely the average medieval street was ever designed with the accessibility of fighter-jet-sized (at minimum!) flying creatures walking them. I expect the dragon is circling overhead, trying to not look too threatening.

For now the prince, a small group of Praetorians sent by his father to 'protect' him, and his actual bodyguards are riding on horseback to the cheers of the lower orders who inhabit this part of the city.

Mostly cheers.

I half expect a few urchins are eyeing them or handfuls of dung up with intent. Though the presence of the guards probably convince them otherwise.

Tuka smiles at Master Graccus. "Was that your daughter?"

He gives her a decidedly disgruntled look, but after a moment appears to realise that she's not joking. "No."

Ah, the 'I don't associate with humans much' outsider. And the fun of explaining human cultural things to them...

She just looks confused. "Then why did she call you 'daddy'?"

He pointedly turns his face towards the front of the procession and doesn't reply.

Heh. Ah, young ladies of negotiable affections. Always with their eyes on the big paydays.

"And what happened to her subucula?" No one answers, so she turns to Cato and Lelei. "Do you know?"

Cato is suddenly overcome by a coughing fit, earning him a sidelong glance from Lelei. Then Lelei notices that Tuka is looking expectantly at her.

For reference, that's her dress. Well, the tunic she's wearing. I expect it's cut real low to show off her available services.

"…"

Now, I know that she's spent at least some time in the city of Rondel, which as a part of the Saderan Empire must share at least some culture with it. I never got the impression that she came from a background of wealth, but then against I've never studied Rondel in particular. I… Doubt she'd have spent a great deal of time around-.

Eh, she's an innocent bean. Don't ruin her by going into detail.

"She's a prostitute."

Tuka's eyes widen, and-. Huh?

Surely Elves also have the concept of 'pleasure for pay'? Or are they too free-love?

No, wait, don't tell me: They're practically asexual except with certain people, or something silly like that.

"Did you disinherit her?"

Master Graccus jerks his head around, confusion warring with irritation. "What? No."

I mean, do they even resemble each other? Or is this a case of fantasy racial face-blindness?

"Then why is your daughter a prostitute and why are you saying that she's not your daughter?"

"She isn't my-!"

ah, yes, keep working that boot leather...

"If I might interject?" Master Graccus bites his tongue. "It is the custom for prostitutes to address older clients or potential clients as 'daddy'. I am not sure where the custom originates. I find it distasteful, but I suppose that it's best that they make it clear that they're selling a service."

"Oh." Tuka thinks that over for a moment, her ears gradually reddening. "That sounds dirty.

...Gee, you think? Ah, innocence.

Eithne stops scowling long enough to look confused. "All of them?"

"Yes. They go where the customers are, and crowds and parades have many potential customers."

And not just in the crowd watching, either.

"Human men pay human women to fuck them?"

"Yes? You told me that your former owner engaged in intercourse with you on several occasions."

But he didn't exactly pay for that. At least not until she got fed up with it. Then he paid in flesh.

"Yeah, but he bought me to do farm labour. If I'd bought him I'd have fucked him." She's looking increasingly mystified. "I thought the whole reason why Sadera invaded the Warrior Bunny lands was because they wanted us to stop raiding them for men. And now they're paying for what we did for free?"

I think it was the violent raiding and abductions that was the problem. If you ladies had simply told the men 'We need you to reproduce. Who thinks they've got what it takes?' they'd have been lining up to volunteer.

"But they do so from a position of social dominance, and that's the main thing."

Diabo rolls his eyes. "I wonder if the Triumphs of Gaius Julius Caesar was like this in truth? Him looking stately at the head of the column, while behind him his centurions discussed the local prostitutes."

Almost certainly. Often while said centurions kept their most pleasantly stoic facial expressions in place.

"Probably. We can talk about the uses of black powder in warfare if you like, but we've been doing little else for two years now and I think everyone would like a break from the stuff."

Tuka's eyes widen. "All of them were prostitutes?!"

Big city, kiddo. More people, more needs.

Diabo's shoulders slump, but he keeps waving. "Yes. I looked it up once, and a majority of young female slaves end up as whores. Older women generally end up as domestics, and the men as labourers. And they know that my men will be receiving their pay and bonuses once this parade is over, and then men haven't had the opportunity to see a woman without rabbit ears for two months."

In other words, the ladies are seeing walking paychecks, for quite pleasant work.

Because it turns out that knocking holes in a city's walls and then inviting emissaries from their neighbours to come and have a look does a remarkable amount of damage to their resolve but most certainly does not endear you to them.

"And we're not good enough?"

Fraternisation rules, I suspect, if they had any sense. Probably on pain of castration.

"I doubt you were enough for the entire army and navy."

"Wait." Diabo looks mildly pained. "Are we going to have a rash of pregnancies amongst the auxiliary?"

I mean, now that the campaign is officially finished, well... People will celebrate as people do... By swinging like a rabbit warren.

Eithne seems untroubled. "Probably? That's how you tell it was a successful campaign."

"Then we'll have to-." Diabo looks concerned. "Are you pregnant?"

Baby booms are a real-life thing. And on a practical level, the nations do need to rebuild their population losses to the conflict...

"Eh?" She frowns. "No. I'm saving myself for you."

Several pairs of eyes turn themselves towards him. Including those of Master Graccus.

At least she's upfront about it. And Diabo is likely to be seen as a good catch. Handsome, smart, powerful... And tough enough not to break a hip during the consummation.

"You ar-? Why?"

"I'm the chief, which means that I can't go around fucking just anyone. Until you deliver those males you promised-"

Plus, not getting pregnant right away in order to actually keep her people in line.

"They're being transported to your village as we speak. I gave the order the moment we returned to Sadera."

"-then I'm suppose to limit myself to fucking important humans. And… Tyuule accepted Zorzal's offer because she knew that Imperials give their concubine's people better treatment."

How pragmatic of her. I see Eithne understands the realities of the situation as well, even if she still hates the former queen for it.

"Oh."

"Not that you're deformed or anything. And I'm used to fucking humans, so honestly I'd probably prefer it."

"What..?" Cato affects an expression of scholarly enquiry. "What are the differences?"

What, physical or cultural? I expect some are obvious. I mean, the lapine males sound effeminate-seeming, but for all we know, they're hung like pornstars.

"My father was a human, so I haven't really had much to do with them. Our males are physically small and they're usually closeted to keep them safe from other tribes. They're supposed to be a prize, because our rulers have to-. Used to have to have two Bunnies as parents. But I think it's just because they're rare. Having a Bunny father didn't help any of the chiefs when the Saderan Empire invaded, and it certainly didn't make Tyuule any wiser. All of my Warrior Bunnies came to me because I could survive, but they'll feel better if I act how they think a chief should act."

So at least one male in her harem. And yes, harem would be the right word - it just means quarters. Historically the female quarters of a male-dominated home (originally muslim). What people think of when they hear it, well, blame Western sensationalisation for it.

"Ah." Cato raises his busy eyebrows. "But you would prefer our illustrious patron."

She looks him over. Slowly.

I mean, he probably experienced the same 'improve my form' effect that OL did when he first arrived on Earth. And since a person's self-image is usually pretty idealised... The ladies must love looking at him...

"Please-"

"Yes."

To be fair, most of the ladies he's met would reply the same: 'Would.'

"-stop. I-."

The crossbow bolt slams into her stomach and knocks her off her horse!

Okay, that's just rude. And also annoying, since she's tougher than a human, likely wearing very good armour, and Diabo can heal her up easily once the sniper is dealt with.

Looks like Zorzal has made his first move. Or perhaps the former lapine Queen has made it for him. And it's a pretty dumb move. An assassination attempt during the Triumph parade, in full view of the public, with a host of the Praetorian guards right there? Whoever took that shot isn't walking away with their head attached to their shoulders, no matter who they are.

néocorvinus · 2025-06-21T09:32:10+0100

Chojin Patriarch said:
Looks like Zorzal has made his first move. Or perhaps the former lapine Queen has made it for him. And it's a pretty dumb move. An assassination attempt during the Triumph parade, in full view of the public, with a host of the Praetorian guards right there? Whoever took that shot isn't walking away with their head attached to their shoulders, no matter who they are.

Didn't the hybrids have shapeshifters? Who also were resistant to small calibers? That's the kind of beings that could escape.

Duke Long · 2025-06-21T09:35:27+0100

Mr Zoat said:
Diabo rolls his eyes. "I wonder if the Triumphs of Gaius Julius Caesar was like this in truth? Him looking stately at the head of the column, while behind him his centurions discussed the local prostitutes."

'were'

WereDragon · 2025-06-21T09:50:43+0100

Mr Zoat said:
The crossbow bolt slams into her stomach and knocks her off her horse!

Stomach wounds take quite a long time to kill so prince boy should have little problem saving her.
Not sure I can say the same for the fool with the crossbow.

RichardWhereat · 2025-06-21T10:43:20+0100

Swear to gods, this is the only sidestory of WTR that I don't read. Fucking Gate.

Mr Zoat · 2025-06-21T11:31:36+0100

Darko said:
Yeah, if I remember correctly, Roman Emperors did not have a lot of luck with Praetorians.

In this case, it's more because they don't trust Emperor Molt. Saderan praetorians were actually fairly loyal, as far as I remember. Probably because Molt had a solid grasp on power.

"again"
Add a " at the end.

Duke Long said:
'were'

Thank you, corrected.

RichardWhereat said:
Swear to gods, this is the only sidestory of WTR that I don't read. Fucking Gate.

I'm not trying to convince you that Gate is good. I know perfectly well that it isn't.

Doccer · 2025-06-21T11:45:10+0100

Mr Zoat said:
is over, and then men haven't

the

BR549 · 2025-06-21T11:48:08+0100

Gate is yet another case where the worldbuilding actually has some really interesting points...

But as for its execution? I'm in favor of it.

Mr Zoat · 2025-06-21T11:55:11+0100

Doccer said:
the

Thank you, corrected.

BoML · 2025-06-21T17:24:42+0100

Mr Zoat said:
"-then I'm suppose to limit myself to fucking important humans. And… Tyuule accepted Zorzal's offer because she knew that Imperials give their concubine's people better treatment."

The bolded part, unless I am *very* mistaken, should be "supposed".

RichardWhereat · 2025-06-21T18:26:21+0100

BR549 said:
Gate is yet another case where the worldbuilding actually has some really interesting points...

But as for its execution? I'm in favor of it.

I wish it had been executed too.

Mr Zoat · 2025-06-21T19:06:03+0100

BoML said:
The bolded part, unless I am *very* mistaken, should be "supposed".

Thank you, corrected.

GhostKing 666 · 2025-06-22T02:22:05+0100

Mr Zoat said:
The crossbow bolt slams into her stomach and knocks her off her horse!

Somebody dropped the security ball there. Crossbows can't really be concealed like a gun so it's very noticeable when someone's aiming one at you and don't have the range to snipe someone from a great distance.

Prince Charon · 2025-06-22T04:06:38+0100

GhostKing 666 said:
Somebody dropped the security ball there. Crossbows can't really be concealed like a gun so it's very noticeable when someone's aiming one at you and don't have the range to snipe someone from a great distance.

Zorzal is arrogant and not the smartest, but he's well connected, and has been pretending to be more of a fool than he truly is. So, he's just smart and connected enough that I can believe he could get someone with a crossbow into position, but still enough of an arrogant fool to make that move and not realize that it'll be more likely to kill him than any of his targets.

Mr Zoat · 2025-06-22T08:11:57+0100

Late Winter, IC 690
The next moment

Diabo instinctively raises a large dome shield, which blocks the bolt heading for Lelei. It shatters right in front of her face, her eyes widening as she realises what just happened. The praetorians are drawing their swords-.

Diabo, check their desires.

What? Oh.

He does so, identifying their hostile desires before their swords clear their scabbards. I've got no idea what… Their swords and armour. They're enchanted. I… Suppose if they caught him when he was distracted. Diabo sends filaments towards the swords-.

It's harder to affect enchanted weapons. Use indirect force.

Like what?

Fast acting knock out gas. Pepper spray. Stab through the-

Bellow constructs appear around us, squirting eau de poivre fantôme directly into their faces!

-eye-. Well done.

The entire escort manages to get their swords out of the scabbards, and one of them even manages to takes a stab at Cato before the pain gets to them.

"YEAAAGHGODS!"

Swords clatter to the ground as the elite of the Saderan Empire impotently try to remove the noxious liquid from their eyes, noses and mouths.

Tuka looses an arrow, the enchantment on the tip punching a tiny hole in the shield construct and flying into a-

"Agh!"

-building and nailing someone inside. Not fatally, but… Ah. Diabo's shortcoming as a Lantern is that when under stress he focuses on what is immediately around him and ignores things further afield. Dealing with the praetorian traitors he was preparing to act, listened to my advice and responded rationally. He even maintained the dome shield. But he wasn't looking for other threats or opportunities.

Something to feed back on.

What next?

Have Cato or Lelei magic up ropes or chains, then see to Eithne.

He turns to the wizards. "Bind the traitors."

Lelei gestures with her staff and chains surge jingling from her saddlebags. They wrap themselves around arms, necks and chests and then pull tight, praetorians being dragged from their saddles as the chains pull them towards each other. Between that and the residual pepper spray the horses are starting to get agitated-

"Who the fuck was that?!"

-as Eithne pulls herself to her feet, hand clasped around her wound. A hit to the intestine isn't immediately fatal, but in a culture like this it virtually guarantees that the target will die. Perfectly fixable by power ring of course, but extremely painful, and the victim will know that they're doomed.

Tuka has another arrow on her bow, her eyes glowing faintly as she enhances her already excellent vision with magic. After a moment she lowers it with a frustrated snort.

"The other archer is too far away. She rises out of her saddle and stands on it. "I can catch him-."

Diabo looks at her. "No. He could lead you into an ambush. Take two trustworthy… Bunnies, and secure the one you already hit."

She nods, jumps towards the edge of the shield, pointing-

"You and you! Come with me!"

-to two of the Warrior Bunnies walking behind the officer group. Her interactions with the bunnies have been… Interesting. In addition to her magic she is far more quick and agile. They on the other hand are stronger and have better endurance. Several have sparred with her, and after she proved that she could keep up they sort of accepted her as an unusually runty Warrior Bunny. Which means that unlike legionaries or marines who think that she's Diabo's concubine, Warrior Bunnies will actually take orders from her without needing to be nagged. The two she pointed to take off after her without hesitation while Diabo-.

"N-ngh!"

Eithne tries to join them, but the action stresses her punctured abdominal muscles and exacerbates her injury.

"I'm going to get the bastard!"

"You." Diabo points to a non-praetorian guardsman. "Take my reins."

The guardsman complies, and Diabo dismounts -while maintaining the shield, respect to him there- and strides over to her.

"Hold still while I tend to your injury."

She makes a weird-

"Gwaah."

-noise-. Is that supposed to be a Bunny growl? Perhaps fortunately, Diabo doesn't notice the direction of her aggression and just assumes that it's the pain.

"Hold-"

She swings her left hand at him to push him away. He-.

Oh dear.

He sidesteps it, then reaches out and takes her hand in what I think is supposed to be a reassuring manner. Eithne appears to be so surprised that she doesn't just.. punch him out or something, but just stands there staring at him while he-

"Heal."

-puts her back together, the bolt floating out of her and landing in his right hand.

"There, all better. Hardy can't have you quite yet."

Alright, no need to make a meal out of-.

Why are the other Warrior Bunnies staring-?

Oh dear. Is this what passes for rizz amongst their misbegotten kind?

Tuka-. Jumps out of the window the would-be assassin fired from, snapping them out of it. She's got a piece of parchment in her hand, and the two Bunnies that went with her are carrying the still-bleeding mercenary. Plain clothing, no distinguishing physical features, not loyal enough to take poison. Excellent.

She passes Diabo the note. Ah, written orders signed by Zorzal himself. Even added his seal. How remarkably convenient.

Diabo reaches the same conclusion. "Obviously fake. My brother may be bull-headed, but he's not that stupid." He remounts his horse and puts it into subspace. "Alright, show's over. Decanus, drag these impostors to... Our cells, and make certain that they have no way to kill themselves. Lelei, go with them."

"Yes, Highness."

"Now, we shall finish my Triumph, and then-."

Giselle slams into the road just in front of us, another… Individual in her claws. He's somewhat battered.

Tuka perks up. "That is the other bowman."

Giselle grins slightly manically as she lifts him over her head.

"Witness my victory!"

I mean… He's a human with a crossbow, she's a demigoddess. It's not that impressive. From the looks of things, the others feel the same-.

She glowers fiercely. "Praise me!"

Diabo looks a little uncertain, but makes a construct hand and pats her on the head.

"Well done."

Darko · 2025-06-22T08:18:46+0100

Mr Zoat said:
they have to way to kill themselves.

"no way"

GigaVanguard · 2025-06-22T08:24:29+0100

Mr Zoat said:
She glowers fiercely. "Praise me!"

Diabo looks a little uncertain, but makes a construct hand and pats her on the head.

"Well done."

Lol. "Gib pats, hooman, or suffer my wrath!"

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

Veteran Lurker

Well worn.

Fascinated by storytelling

Glomerulus

Dedicated ragequitter

This Space Intentionally Left Blank

Custom Title

Dedicated ragequitter

Know what you're doing yet?

The Critical Fumbler

Overlord of the Underworld

Dedicated ragequitter

Connoisseur.

Veteran Lurker

Experienced.

Glomerulus

Bookwyrm

Aia airëa Fëanáro.

Dedicated ragequitter

Versed in the lewd.

This is filth! FILTH!!

Dedicated ragequitter

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Aia airëa Fëanáro.

Dedicated ragequitter

Know what you're doing yet?

Just zis guy, you know?

Dedicated ragequitter

Connoisseur.

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Users who are viewing this thread