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

Darko · Jun 20, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
"I am complete agreement."

'in complete'

Mr Zoat said:
Off to one side Georgia is busy taking apart one of the captured construct destroyers with obvious relish.

She gets to spend time doing what she loves and doing it with the man she loves.

Mr Zoat said:
His face twitches in distaste. "'Admirer',

Jealous are we Dox?

Maybe you're a little tsundere and want Paul to join you and Georgia.

Mr Zoat said:
"I know. But I want you to focus on it. Select whatever Lanterns you think have the best chance of repeating your success and assist them as much as you can."

You have your Coluan student.

Mr Zoat said:
Dame Carol has… Suggested that maybe I should avoid Zamaron for the moment

Still pissed about peeping on them.

And if they know that you can wield their rings they may be angry that you disproved any beliefs they had about others not being able to.

Mr Zoat said:
It's records on the activities of members of the Green Lantern Corps are second only to the records on Oa, and unlike the Guardians' records are available to the public.

'Its records'

Mr Zoat said:
Also, I may have caused a bit of a religious explosion there. And I should probably do something to moderate it before someone does something regrettable.

Ah Paul, causing a religious schism with his existence.

Mr Zoat said:
"I'll take Lantern Onik, then. There's a good chance that he has the right outlook

Due to being a priest, or at least an apprentice priest if I remember correctly.

Mr Zoat said:
Dox turns around, something that thinks it's a smile on his lips. "Already? I thought we might study it to-." Georgia looks up. "Together."

Ahhh.

Mr Zoat said:
For our first joint projects. It's-. It's a bit simple."

And you may finish it quickly.

You don't want to finish too quickly.

Mr Zoat said:
but I'm-" She flashes Dox a smile. "-sure we can quickly work that out with a little experimentation."

Ohhh my.

Mr Zoat said:
No.

Yes Paul.

You brought them together, you live with the consequences.

Mr Zoat said:
No. No, fuck off.

They'll probably do it once you leave.

Mr Zoat said:
"Junior and I once made a game of writing total nonsense into his memory book to see if we could get him to actually do it.

So social puppeteering.

Mr Zoat said:
possible for m-. Us

Ahh.

Darko · Jun 20, 2021

DrThoth said:
I'm assuming Hand's gun is working using black light; I don't know much about the character besides his general role in Blackest Night.

This is apparently a different William Hand and not the one that was the Light Spectrum version of the Anti-Christ.

Vaermina · Jun 20, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
"Do the Int characters want to explain it to the Wis character?"

Mr Zoat said:
I spent two months watching that blasted mortician before it occurred to me that there might be more than one man named 'William Hand'.

Yea... I don't think you're the Wisdom character either...

Chojin Patriarch · Jun 20, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
25th August 2012
07:23 GMT

Dox nods.

"I am complete agreement."

Off to one side Georgia is busy taking apart one of the captured construct destroyers with obvious relish.

Wot, no mustard or ketchup?

But seriously, she's probably a good asset to study the more esoteric technology that's likely involved in an anti-Spectrum weapon. After all, she's familiar with Earth Bullshit™. A little bit of alien weirdness is going to be nothing compared to our strangest schizo-tech.

"Our greatest advantage is that Orange Lanterns can outperform everything the Reach can send against them at anything remotely resembling even tonnage. That advantage is about to be nullified."

His ring shimmers.

At least until you've reverse-engineered the weapon and devised a counter-tactic better than 'dodge' or 'block with solid mass'.

"I'm sending orders now. Orange Lanterns will begin striking at Reach targets immediately."

I nod. "Where do you want me?"

So the periphery of Reach space is about to get a little hot for the foreseeable future, then. Drawback is that'll make some of the more valuable targets less accessible.

He shakes his head. "I don't. Having analysed your conversation with your…" His face twitches in distaste. "'Admirer', I have reached the conclusion that you're becoming a little too visible."

"Clarissi-."

"Seriously, I'm beginning to think they have a romantic attraction to you. That last encounter verged on flirting."

"It's not about my personal pride. Your death would be a substantial blow to our allies' morale. And while there is some advantage in having the Reach focus their research and development efforts on a singe individual, I would rather not give them a single thing to focus on at all."

I nod. "If you say so. What do you want me doing, then? Should I head back to Earth, do a tour of our member worlds to spread the good news..?"

Maybe visit another neutral world, and see if the Reach make another assassination attempt that ends up driving said neutral into N.E.M.O's arms?

"The abilities you used to defeat the byryte fleet aren't shared by other Orange Lanterns. That will be a problem when the Reach reinforce them."

"Yes, but that's been true since we started this. What I did to.. get these abilities, I'm not sure how to replicate that. I've tried teaching my methods…"

The 'byrytes' being the actual name for Threllian's species? Because they're the only ones OL had to invent a new technique for disrupting their combat readiness... And yes, I don't see other Lanterns repeating the success of merging then separating from the Ophidian...

"I know. But I want you to focus on it. Select whatever Lanterns you think have the best chance of repeating your success and assist them as much as you can."

"And if it turns out to be impossible?"

It could be a likely result. I mean, how many Green Lanterns would appear to be enlightened, besides Guy? I expect that Avarice Enlightenment is not going to be any easier than Will.

"Those Lanterns you've tutored already display measurable improvements in their abilities. It would be useful if they could share your breakthrough, but if they simply improve in a linear fashion then we can use that to improve our training procedures."

I nod.

To be fair, a lot of that tutelage is OL asking leading questions to make themselves question their motives and resolve conflicts they might be feeling. Basically making them better at wanting, yes, but also better-rounded people in general...

"Can do. But the problem might be in my teaching techniques." I shrug. "I'm not sure how inclined to share the Guardians are, and Dame Carol has… Suggested that maybe I should avoid Zamaron for the moment… Karax."

"If you think visiting Karax would be productive, you have my leave to do so."

Hmm... A pity he hasn't the time to go looking for Indigo, while Atrocitus probably hasn't gotten off his arse and started making Red rings just yet... And Sinestro is very good at keeping his head down too... So no help there.

Karax. Saved from the Spider Guild by a Green Lantern Task Force, it's gone on to become the centre of Lanternism in the Milky Way galaxy. It's records on the activities of members of the Green Lantern Corps are second only to the records on Oa, and unlike the Guardians' records are available to the public.

Also, I may have caused a bit of a religious explosion there. And I should probably do something to moderate it before someone does something regrettable.

Let me guess: a doctrinal shift about the worth of Avarice versus Will? Hopefully he can at least prevent a holy war between Radical Orangists and Orthodox Greenians.

"I'll take Lantern Onik, then. There's a good chance that he has the right outlook. And… I'll take a look at the rest. See if the shape of their thoughts means something to me or the Ophidian."

He no-

Remind me, is Onik one we've met? Because it's been a long time and my memory is mush. Might definitely be a good idea to keep best snek involved too, since they'll be tramping around her Honden...

"Oh, that is interesting."

-ds.

Dox turns around, something that thinks it's a smile on his lips. "Already? I thought we might study it to-." Georgia looks up. "Together."

Oooh, a saucy romantic date, Dox? Talk about moving quickly.

"Naturally, I can't study precisely how it interacts with power ring generated constructs without knowing more about how constructs are formed, but I can tell what this device does easily enough. And, um. For our first joint projects. It's-. It's a bit simple."

"Do the Int characters want to explain it to the Wis character?"

I take it you mean you're the low-wisdom type of character, then, OL? I mean, sure, you've got big bonuses to your Will save to offset the penalty, but something's been messing with your common sense...

"It disrupts the physical manifestation of the construct. The 'draining' part only occurs after the construct has already destabilised, though the switch from one condition to the other is extremely quick. The only thing I can't determine is where the energy is going, but I'm-" She flashes Dox a smile. "-sure we can quickly work that out with a little experimentation."

..

No.

Yeah, this might be best left to the two of them. I don't think anyone wants to stick around the lovebirds as they bond over SCIENCE!

No. No, fuck off. I know that technology.

I spent two months watching that blasted mortician before it occurred to me that there might be more than one man named 'William Hand'.

...Okay, remember what I was saying about Low Wisdom, OL? Case in point. For reference, folks: Black Hand (The relevant one, anyway.)

"Did you ever study William Hand's work? His power beam?"

"Junior and I once made a game of writing total nonsense into his memory book to see if we could get him to actually do it. I think I remember reading about his 'power beam', but I never really thought anything about it. It shouldn't be that hard to steal an example of his work."

That's still a crazy concept. Almost as nuts as the Crime Bible. Mr Hand was never the stablest fellow, of course...

"No, I can get one legally."

"Where's the fun in that?"

Besides the fact you don't have time for another heist? Besides, It's probably in a League lock-up in Star labs or something. Easy to collect, once you clear it with them.

"The security probably wouldn't challenge you and the analysis will be more interesting?"

"I… Suppose."

"Take all the fun out if it, why don't you..." But he does have a point. I doubt much on Earth is a real challenge for them these days.

"Georgia, this is a serious problem. If-."

Dox nods. "You think that the Free Lancers acquired the technology on Earth. Which means that they may have a full catalogue of Earth's exotic technologies to sell and certainly have the location of Earth. I had already assigned a Darkstar team to track them, but I'll increase the priority of the mission."

...Fuuuuuck. That just makes it all the more important to find and corral them. If only to question them about the origins of their 'collection'.

I nod. "Thank you. Any ideas on counter-strategies?"

"Your use of physical obstacles was… Simplistic, but effective. I would coat my constructs in a malleable but resilient substance instead. Once the Reach begin deploying them on their ships we will have to retrain the Corps in the technique."

Thankfully, neither technique sounds all that challenging. It'll probably take all of a day or two to run through classes.

Georgia frowns. "Once I've perfectly my understanding of the technology, it should be perfectly possible for m-. Us to find a way to disrupt the mechanism it uses. I suppose that in combat it would be one more thing to think about. Perhaps you could try putting Lanterns on ships and leaving them there, to allow them to focus on exotic effects while their colleagues fight?"

I bow my head.

...Oh god, the Sivanas getting more info on Spectrum-based technology? Why does that scare me more than the Corps facing weapons tailor-made to defeat them?

"I'll leave you to talk about it between yourselves. If you'll excuse me, Clarissi?"

Dox nods, already turning to the device Georgia has partially disassembled. I

...I hope they won't need a chaperone. Who knows where the heated study might lead, after all?

step out

and appear a little way outside of Kalmin's workshop.

As close is as safe without triggering his perimeter defences, of course. I suspect people give the area a wide berth after the first few injuries healed up...

"Illustres to Kalmin."

His head appears over my ring at once.

"Illustres. I understand that we have negotiations to perform regarding a duel."

...Or an engagement. Who knows how the fight will turn out? Still, sensible idea to have them acting as seconds for the duellists. Less chance of outright fatal results...

I nod.

"Indeed we do."

But that's something that can happen offscreen. No need to bore us all with their discussion...

Good lord, how did we all miss that connection? Black Hand isn't that obscure a Lantern-adjacent villain. Though I suppose he is better known these days for the Black Lantern stuff than his original super-criminal antics. Still amazed how a two-bit crook turned into a cosmic threat back then (close to seventeen years, incidentally: 'Green Lantern: Rebirth' began in 2004.)

Handlewithcare · Jun 20, 2021

Oh, Karax sounds interesting

I live for those moments of Paul casually dismanteling a society

Do they already know all seven colours can have Lanterns? Will he tell them about White Lanterns? Oooh, this will be fun!

Khornelius · Jun 20, 2021

Vaermina said:
Yea... I don't think you're the Wisdom character either...

To be fair, he could have just rolled a Nat 1 on his wisdom check.

Darko · Jun 20, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
Seriously, I'm beginning to think they have a romantic attraction to you. That last encounter verged on flirting."

Wait, I think I know what's happening.

The Reach seem to be insectoid in some ways, so they may have heard of Paul and what he did for the Spider Queen.

True she's a arachnid, but it's close enough.

They want Paul to have sex with them.

Just hope they don't expect him to pay for any potential child support.

The deadbeat.

Chojin Patriarch said:
And yes, I don't see other Lanterns repeating the success of merging then separating from the Ophidian...

I think future Paul mentioned other Lanterns achieving enlightenment.

Chojin Patriarch said:
It could be a likely result. I mean, how many Green Lanterns would appear to be enlightened, besides Guy? I expect that Avarice Enlightenment is not going to be any easier than Will.

The Green Lantern Illustres seemed to be enlightened.

And avarice may be more difficult that will.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Basically making them better at wanting, yes, but also better-rounded people in general...

Well, some are better than others.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Remind me, is Onik one we've met?

He showed up during the Angel invasion.

He was apparently a priest or apprentice priest at a Source temple.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Oh god, the Sivanas getting more info on Spectrum-based technology? Why does that scare me more than the Corps facing weapons tailor-made to defeat them?

Because half of the Sivanas are horrible people that would likely destroy the universe just to see how it dies.

w34v3r · Jun 20, 2021

Darko said:
Because half of the Sivanas are horrible people that would likely destroy the universe just to see how it dies.

They wouldn't, that'd invalidate the result!

Now if it was to prove a different point you might have an argument.

DrThoth · Jun 20, 2021

Darko said:
This is apparently a different William Hand and not the one that was the Light Spectrum version of the Anti-Christ.

The wiki only has one William Hand, the New Earth one, whose origin matches the screenshot links Zoat posted in this chapter, and whose history got altered after Infinite Crisis (I mean there are Flashpoint and Prime Earth versions but we can all be pretty sure Zoat isn't using them).

webxro · Jun 20, 2021

You know, we now have one more thing to blame on the Justice League, if they fully embraced space tech with good sensors and interdiction fields then people won't have as easy of a time to sneak to Earth.

Darko · Jun 20, 2021

DrThoth said:
The wiki only has one William Hand, the New Earth one, whose origin matches the screenshot links Zoat posted in this chapter, and whose history got altered after Infinite Crisis (I mean there are Flashpoint and Prime Earth versions but we can all be pretty sure Zoat isn't using them).

Yeah, though it looks like Zoat made two versions for his story, so the one with the gun probably isn't using the black light.

And I think Scar connected him with the black light in the comics, long after he made the gun thing.

Darko · Jun 20, 2021

webxro said:
You know, we now have one more thing to blame on the Justice League, if they fully embraced space tech with good sensors and interdiction fields then people won't have as easy of a time to sneak to Earth.

That may not have been so easy.

The Green Lanterns can't give out tech and their Watchtower had a lot of its capabilities disabled by the Guardians.

The Hawks may have also been forbidden from giving their tech.

And any tech they may have gotten from other aliens may take time to analyze and replicate safely. Assuming it can be replicated and doesn't require some super rare material that can't be found on Earth.

Also even if they used the tech that doesn't mean others can't find a way around it.

I think Paul actually installed sensor tech and interdiction fields, and Hinon activated the Watchtowers full capabilities, so they're safe a bit on that front.

Mr Zoat · Jun 20, 2021

moralrelativity said:
project -> projects
perfectly -> perfected

Thank you, corrected.

DrThoth said:
Nice flipping of what Paragon's "No" was referring to.

Wouldn't William Hand's power beam be on record in Justice League databases that Paragon would have had access to? Or did Hand fight the Justice Society or something? I assumed he would have just asked Alan or Guy early on about tech villains used that disrupted constructs.

No, he fought Lantern Jordan, but Jordan generally beat him by destroying his technology and naturally enough he wasn't eager to share what he knew.

I'm assuming Hand's gun is working using black light; I don't know much about the character besides his general role in Blackest Night.

It'll be interesting to see Lanternism being explored in more detail, and how their theology has been affected by the appearance of a new Corps. Is that something from the comics or a social phenomenon that Zoat invented for the fic?

No. The William Hand in Blackest Night is such a completely different person to the original William Hand that for the purpose of this story I'm assuming that he was a different person with the same name. Seriously, look at him in any of his prior appearences and try and work out how he became that.

There were a lot of retcons at around that time.

Darko said:
'in complete'
'Its records'

Thank you, corrected.

Ngamer11 · Jun 20, 2021

lars said:
Here's a list of episodes where you can find the alternative settings or lanterns so you don't have to sift through the threadmarks. Note that the list is still incomplete.

I love how you listed these and I hope that you continue to update this in the future. Also, here are some few corrections.

lars said:
Avengers EMH:
Ep 94
-Earth's Orangest Hero
-Earth's Orangest Hero

This is missing one appearance.

Mr Zoat said:
Authority (supplementary, Earth's Mightiest Lantern)

lars said:
Avatar The last airbender
Ep 42
-Avatar: Legend of Azula (part 1)
-Avatar: Legend of Azula (part 2)

My Little Pony FiM
Ep 42
-My Little Lantern: Avarice is Magic (part 1)
-My Little Lantern: Avarice is Magic (part 2)

Captain Planet
Ep 42
-Blight Up Your Life (part 1)

Kung Fu Panda
Ep 42
-Kung Fu Leopard (part 1)
-Kung Fu Leopard (part 2)

lars said:
GATE:
Ep 103
-Gateway (part 1)
-Gateway (part 2)
-Gateway (part 3)
-Gateway (part 4)

lars said:
Teal Lantern:
Ep 111
-I smile to see you want (part 4a)
-I smile to see you want (part 4b)

All of these are the same guy, just at different points of his personal timeline. Also, Paul was never a Teal Lantern, that was some other fanfic. Paul ended up in a version of said fanfic.

Mr Zoat said:
No. The William Hand in Blackest Night is such a completely different person to the original William Hand that for the purpose of this story I'm assuming that he was a different person with the same name. Seriously, look at him in any of his prior appearences and try and work out how he became that.

There were a lot of retcons at around that time.

Mr Zoat, does this mean that you are retconning the times William Hand was mentioned in-story or by you in threads? Here is a list of said mentions:

Mr Zoat said:
I can sort of see why Batman wants to send Kon and M'gann to Belle Reve, but he's picked a pretty inopportune time to do it. I mean, they've only just started school and they could be gone for weeks. Couldn't he have done this before they started? It wasn't as if we were all that busy. I just hope whatever they're planning doesn't take that long. I haven't gone into Belle Reve's security in great detail, but Hugo Strange aside the place looked pretty solid to me, and he hasn't done anything yet. Honestly, I barely remember him from the comics. Think he was in the Arkham City game? I remember a video clip in which Ra's killed him before falling out of the building. I'm monitoring him, but he's not exactly William Hand, is he?

Speaking of William Hand, he hasn't done anything much either. I had John check, and he wasn't able to detect anything untoward, mystically speaking. Assimilating him might remove the problem, but I don't think I'm ready to do that to a man who might be entirely innocent. Besides, Nekron might just pick someone else.

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.c...-justice-si-thread-twelve.25032/post-11049194
https://forums.sufficientvelocity.c...g-justice-si-thread-twelve.25032/post-6278414
https://forums.spacebattles.com/thr...ng-justice-si-thread-six.292893/post-13759492
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/with-this-ring-young-justice-si.267344/post-12019013

Old Knife · Jun 20, 2021

Who is selling to the Free Lancers? Perhaps a Sivana? Or Lex? Or the Light?

Darko · Jun 20, 2021

Old Knife said:
Who is selling to the Free Lancers? Perhaps a Sivana? Or Lex? Or the Light?

Lex and the Light seem like a good guess.

Mr Zoat · Jun 20, 2021

Ngamer11 said:
Mr Zoat, does this mean that you are retconning the times William Hand was mentioned in-story or by you in threads? Here is a list of said mentions:

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.c...-justice-si-thread-twelve.25032/post-11049194
https://forums.sufficientvelocity.c...g-justice-si-thread-twelve.25032/post-6278414
https://forums.spacebattles.com/thr...ng-justice-si-thread-six.292893/post-13759492
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/with-this-ring-young-justice-si.267344/post-12019013

If the mortician William Julian Hand was aware of what was happening, he gave no sign of it. William Steven Hand was already in prison, and the SI assumed that he couldn't be the man he was looking for.

Xmaster3000 · Jun 20, 2021

Could someone please tell me what Fracture Cannons are? My only reference is Darksiders and I know that's not it.

Mr Zoat · Jun 20, 2021

Xmaster3000 said:
Could someone please tell me what Fracture Cannons are? My only reference is Darksiders and I know that's not it.

They're what Star Trek scripts refer to as '[tech] cannons'. Their exact nature isn't really that important.

webxro · Jun 20, 2021

Darko said:
That may not have been so easy.

The Green Lanterns can't give out tech and their Watchtower had a lot of its capabilities disabled by the Guardians.

The Hawks may have also been forbidden from giving their tech.

And any tech they may have gotten from other aliens may take time to analyze and replicate safely. Assuming it can be replicated and doesn't require some super rare material that can't be found on Earth.

Also even if they used the tech that doesn't mean others can't find a way around it.

I think Paul actually installed sensor tech and interdiction fields, and Hinon activated the Watchtowers full capabilities, so they're safe a bit on that front.

I still want to blame the league because it sounds like fun to blame them, and then to blame the guardians. I mean if they get into trouble because some earth tech escaped earth then it would be hilarious for me.

Mr Zoat · Jun 21, 2021

26th August 2012
11:02 GMT +1

Illusion ward in place and Mortalla on my arm, I amble in the direction of the easel where Kanto is giving a small cluster of students a demonstration in Renaissance-era painting. Nearby, Claudia is doing something similar with stitching, a circle of embroidered cloth on her knee as she points something out to a student of historical handicraft.

It's nice that they've found such a peaceful place to fit in. I'm honestly not sure how Kanto is channelling his godly nature into teaching art of all things, but more power to him. I wonder if this is the first actual peace he's had since… Ever? I mean, he went from Granny Goodness's school to working for Cesare Borgia to working for Darkseid. That's not exactly a life that leaves much time for… Painting.

Kanto spotted us the moment I opened the hush tube, but it's Claudia who reacts first, putting her swatch aside and rising to greet us with a curtsey. Mortalla returns the gesture while I bow politely. I've only spoken to her a few times, but she's impressed me with just how well she's managing to function five hundred years out of time.

"Lord Grayven."

"Lady Borgia. I don't believe that you've met my mother, Lady Mortalla."

Which would normally get a few odd looks, due to my preferred illusion being that of a large dark-skinned man while her skin is ivory white.

"A pleasure to meet you, my lady."

"Oh, please. 'Mortalla' is fine. And how are things with you?"

And I smile inwardly as Mortalla takes conversational initiative in my presence without being prompted. I've still only got the vaguest glimmerings of how I'm going to deal with Darkseid and it's quite possible that he could 'request' her return tomorrow… But I've done good work there.

"The Naples of this age is a marvel, and my husband's decision to tell people that we are travellers in time has led to people being remarkably kind about mistakes in my mannerisms. The people of my own age would be far less kind." She turns her attention to me. "But I doubt that you are here to ask after my health."

"No. And I'm sorry. But I'm here to ask your husband to take up the tools of his former profession on my behalf."

"I'm a little surprised that it took you this long. Skills such as his are often sought by great lords." She smiles very faintly. "Do you intend to offer him the same reward as his last master?"

I frown. "I didn't think my father gave him anything other than his name."

"I was referring to my brother, though I will confess that him having more than one name may be convenient in some regards. Iluthin di Milano sounds strange to modern ears."

"Ah. I don't know if I have a sister… That's not the sort of question a man with three brothers by different mothers feels comfortable asking his father, though it wouldn't surprise me."

She regards me with mock offence.

"My girlfriend has a sister who's single, but she's got a face like a horse. You're definitely the superior choice."

"And I don't intend to share, whether you do or not!" She pauses a moment. "Do you require his services immediately?"

"No, no. And I'm sorry if we've come at a bad time."

"You may wish to acquaint yourself with the modern device called the telephone."

I shake my head. "No. Too impersonal, for something like this. Please ask him to call upon me once the school day has ended. You are welcome as well, of course, but we'll be talking business."

"After what happened the first time my husband's business followed him home, I think it best that I keep myself apprised. And I am curious to see your keep."

I nod.

"Then we will see you later. Good day."

26th August 2012
07:11 GMT -5

Artemis exhales heavily when she sees me.

"Grayven, what's going on?"

"Another version of me is bringing his fleet to Vega to kill me and take everything I've built."

She glares.

"How long have you known?"

"A few days. I had to get things ready in Vega-."

"I've-. Felt it you ass! The constant feeling that I'm supposed to be getting ready for something!" She steps up to me and pokes me in the chest. "And you went to Kanto first!"

"He's an art teacher now. He's going to need a while to get ready if he even wants to get involved. And… You're a superhero."

"Yeah, 'cause Earth has civilisation. Vega barely does. How much weaker would you be without me?"

It's actually a little difficult to tell precisely. We are attuned to one another, and can fight like we're one person in two bodies. But how much that actually… Weakens me is a matter of some debate. Most Apokoliptians pooh-pooh the idea, unwilling to add the very definite vector of vulnerability that trusting someone that much creates. And the vector for attack. But having seen… What we did… I know the truth of the matter in my soul.

"Noticeably."

"Which is why you're going to take Lynne." She looks thoughtful. "That's… Yeah. Even if he kills you he can't leave her, because she's part of you as well. She's not any safer on Earth, and she's powerful enough-." She frowns. "We're taking a kid into a war zone."

"Or the war zone comes to her. Frankly, I'm under no illusion that the other Grayven doesn't know about Earth-."

"Because of all the New Gods. Even if he didn't know about you until the Citadelians-." A deeper frown. "That long?"

"I thought he might ignore me. For a while, anyway. Without an established realm he shouldn't be as strong as me."

"Except you've been spending all your time on Earth and he's going to Vega."

"Yeah. Because Vega can take it. Earth can't."

"But you're stronger the more you invest in a place."

I shrug.

"If there was a perfect solution…"

"What's the other you got?"

"An old Apokoliptian dreadnaught and quite a lot of upgraded Gordanian ships. Beyond that, I don't know."

"Then I need to go and take a look." Huntress Seeks Her Prey.

"You do. Which means that you need your own Mother Box."

"How do I get one of those?"

"We go and see Himon, and hope that his son-in-law hasn't spoken to him yet. I think he'll like you rather better than me."

"You're not actually an easy guy to like." She sighs. "What else have we got?"

"Ships, a Lantern Corps and that Kryptonian ship the team were trying to spy on when Lex dug it out of Texas."

…

"I'm gunna need a little more on that last one."

DrThoth · Jun 21, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
Which would normally get a few odd looks, due to my preferred illusion being that of a large dark-skinned man while her skin is ivory white.

By dark-skinned do you just mean very tan or actually Black?

Mr Zoat said:
"My girlfriend has a sister who's single, but she's got a face like a horse. You're definitely the superior choice."

Well, if Celestia uses the mirror, that latter part won't actually be an issue. And if Renegade can fall in love with an alicorn due to his attractions being more metaphysical than biological, Kanto theroetically can as well. Not that I'm actually interested in the latter's love life.
This is the Kanto from the Justice Lords universe, right? Wonder if there's any chance of the Earth-16Z Kanto noticing him (Grayven didn't apparently notice Renegade, but an assassin New God might have better senses for that kind of thing).

Mr Zoat said:
"Ships, a Lantern Corps and that Kryptonian ship the team were trying to spy on when Lex dug it out of Texas."

…

"I'm gunna need a little more on that last one."

They spent literal years together in the future as a metaphysically attuned pair and Renegade still didn't tell her everything; very in-character for a Paul.

Mr Zoat · Jun 21, 2021

DrThoth said:
By dark-skinned do you just mean very tan or actually Black?

Dark brown.

DrThoth · Jun 21, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
Dark brown.

Fine; still Caucasian or African?

Darko · Jun 21, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
"Ah. I don't know if I have a sister

Well you have your human sister.

And in some universes there's Grail, but not in this one.

Mr Zoat said:
My girlfriend has a sister who's single, but she's got a face like a horse.

So does your girlfriend, but you still date her.

Mr Zoat said:
"You may wish to acquaint yourself with the modern device called the telephone."

Sassy.

Mr Zoat said:
Artemis exhales heavily when she sees me.

Preparing herself for bullshit.

Mr Zoat said:
26th August 2012
07:11 GMT -5

This should be red.

Mr Zoat said:
"Which is why you're going to take Lynne." She looks thoughtful. "That's… Yeah. Even if he kills you he can't leave her, because she's part of you as well. She's not any safer on Earth, and she's powerful enough-." She frowns. "We're taking a kid into a war zone."

Gotta get rid of the whole bloodline.

Mr Zoat said:
Without an established realm he shouldn't be as strong as me."

He may already have an established realm.

Mr Zoat said:
"We go and see Himon, and hope that his son-in-law hasn't spoken to him yet. I think he'll like you rather better than me."

You already got a Mother Box from him.

Though I don't remember if Scott actually did the negotiating, so Himon may have never met you.

Mr Zoat said:
"You're not actually an easy guy to like."

That's an understatement.

Mr Zoat said:
the team were trying

'was trying'

Mr Zoat said:
"I'm gunna need a little more on that last one."

So she either didn't go on that mission, or she forgot about it.

Is the next episode paragon or renegade focused?

Darko · Jun 21, 2021

DrThoth said:
They spent literal years together in the future as a metaphysically attuned pair and Renegade still didn't tell her everything; very in-character for a Paul.

Even if you're close to someone that doesn't mean you'll tell them everything about you.

He may have thought that it wasn't important, or he may have even forgotten about it himself.

Queshire · Jun 21, 2021

Huh, so Grayven & Artemis have sort of a Solar/Lunar bond from Exalted going on?

DrThoth · Jun 21, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
"You do. Which means that you need your own Mother Box."

"How do I get one of those?"

"We go and see Himon, and hope that his son-in-law hasn't spoken to him yet. I think he'll like you rather better than me."

"You're not actually an easy guy to like." She sighs. "What else have we got?"

Nice to see Artemis isn't just totally subservient to or uncritical of Renegade, I was slightly worried about that for a while.
I'm still sad that we didn't get to see the initial meeting with Himon, it seems like it would have been an interesting negotiation even with Scott there to vouch for him.

Queshire said:
Huh, so Grayven & Artemis have sort of a Solar/Lunar bond from Exalted going on?

She described herself as the 'goddess of bow-ninjas' once, so definitely suited to a stealthier skillset. She might actually stand to learn a lot from Kanto.

Chojin Patriarch · Jun 21, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
26th August 2012
11:02 GMT +1

Illusion ward in place and Mortalla on my arm, I amble in the direction of the easel where Kanto is giving a small cluster of students a demonstration in Renaissance-era painting. Nearby, Claudia is doing something similar with stitching, a circle of embroidered cloth on her knee as she points something out to a student of historical handicraft.

That would be Claudia Borgia, pulled through time via... some method I cannot remember. I'm sure wiser minds than mine can elucidate. And I see the Renegade is going with an old Apokalyptian classic for the big fight: Send an Assassin to stab them in the back while they're distracted.

It's nice that they've found such a peaceful place to fit in. I'm honestly not sure how Kanto is channelling his godly nature into teaching art of all things, but more power to him. I wonder if this is the first actual peace he's had since… Ever? I mean, he went from Granny Goodness's school to working for Cesare Borgia to working for Darkseid. That's not exactly a life that leaves much time for… Painting.

Well, with a life filled with death, wouldn't you gain a deeper appreciation of living?

Kanto spotted us the moment I opened the hush tube, but it's Claudia who reacts first, putting her swatch aside and rising to greet us with a curtsey. Mortalla returns the gesture while I bow politely. I've only spoken to her a few times, but she's impressed me with just how well she's managing to function five hundred years out of time.

"Lord Grayven."

Naturally, Lady Mortalla is likely to be more comfortable with the stately manners Claudia was raised into. Also the darker side of courtly politics. So a nice not-quite-family visit for each of them.

"Lady Borgia. I don't believe that you've met my mother, Lady Mortalla."

Which would normally get a few odd looks, due to my preferred illusion being that of a large dark-skinned man while her skin is ivory white.

Probably not the strangest thing she's seen in her life.

"A pleasure to meet you, my lady."

"Oh, please. 'Mortalla' is fine. And how are things with you?"

And I smile inwardly as Mortalla takes conversational initiative in my presence without being prompted. I've still only got the vaguest glimmerings of how I'm going to deal with Darkseid and it's quite possible that he could 'request' her return tomorrow… But I've done good work there.

The lady's been shedding that defensive shell of passivity she built up to survive Darkseid?

Heartwarming.

"The Naples of this age is a marvel, and my husband's decision to tell people that we are travellers in time has led to people being remarkably kind about mistakes in my mannerisms. The people of my own age would be far less kind." She turns her attention to me. "But I doubt that you are here to ask after my health."

"No. And I'm sorry. But I'm here to ask your husband to take up the tools of his former profession on my behalf."

Not that she ever expected him to have a very long 'retirement'. Though I like that their cover is simply 'time travellers' and people believe it. Ah, DC...

"I'm a little surprised that it took you this long. Skills such as his are often sought by great lords." She smiles very faintly. "Do you intend to offer him the same reward as his last master?"

I frown. "I didn't think my father gave him anything other than his name."

Admittedly, to one of Granny Goodness' youngsters, that alone would be a fine reward, especially one handed down by Darkseid Himself.

"I was referring to my brother, though I will confess that him having more than one name may be convenient in some regards. Iluthin di Milano sounds strange to modern ears."

"Ah. I don't know if I have a sister… That's not the sort of question a man with three brothers by different mothers feels comfortable asking his father, though it wouldn't surprise me."

I don't think anyone feels comfortable asking Him anything. And that brother Lady Claudia mentions? Cesare Borgia.

She regards me with mock offence.

"My girlfriend has a sister who's single, but she's got a face like a horse. You're definitely the superior choice."

Well, I'm sure if Celestia was ever willing to try the mirror portal, her human form would be a spectacular beauty... And quite expansive, depending on your inspiration. And yes, I mean she'd be tall. Minds out of the gutter!

"And I don't intend to share, whether you do or not!" She pauses a moment. "Do you require his services immediately?"

"No, no. And I'm sorry if we've come at a bad time."

Heh. 'A bad time'... You think?

"You may wish to acquaint yourself with the modern device called the telephone."

I shake my head. "No. Too impersonal, for something like this. Please ask him to call upon me once the school day has ended. You are welcome as well, of course, but we'll be talking business."

Also, a phone call would leave some incriminating trails, even if you could legitimately prosecute plans to murder an alien demigod of war. Methinks Batman would have concerns.

"After what happened the first time my husband's business followed him home, I think it best that I keep myself apprised. And I am curious to see your keep."

I nod.

Probably not the most unexpected of wedding guests, but still, what a way to crash a party.

"Then we will see you later. Good day."

26th August 2012
07:11 GMT -5

Artemis exhales heavily when she sees me.

About damn time you called upon the Hunter in Green... She could probably be your most useful ally in this fight, you know.

"Grayven, what's going on?"

"Another version of me is bringing his fleet to Vega to kill me and take everything I've built."

It sounds so simple when you say it so calmly...

She glares.

"How long have you known?"

"A few days. I had to get things ready in Vega-."

Huh, I thought the whole process had taken a little longer. Closer to a few weeks, honestly. That's what I get for not bothering to keep up with timestamps.

"I've-. Felt it you ass! The constant feeling that I'm supposed to be getting ready for something!" She steps up to me and pokes me in the chest. "And you went to Kanto first!"

"He's an art teacher now. He's going to need a while to get ready if he even wants to get involved. And… You're a superhero."

IE, quite a bit more combat-ready. Makes sense that he'd leave her till later, though I bet she's just a bit annoyed at him leaving her all worked up like that for so long.

"Yeah, 'cause Earth has civilisation. Vega barely does. How much weaker would you be without me?"

It's actually a little difficult to tell precisely. We are attuned to one another, and can fight like we're one person in two bodies. But how much that actually… Weakens me is a matter of some debate. Most Apokoliptians pooh-pooh the idea, unwilling to add the very definite vector of vulnerability that trusting someone that much creates. And the vector for attack. But having seen… What we did… I know the truth of the matter in my soul.

Yeah, conquering an entire world and turning it to your goals definitely made you two very compatible. Like, you're the tank, she's the DPS.

"Noticeably."

"Which is why you're going to take Lynne." She looks thoughtful. "That's… Yeah. Even if he kills you he can't leave her, because she's part of you as well. She's not any safer on Earth, and she's powerful enough-." She frowns. "We're taking a kid into a war zone."

And Lynne playing the Mezzer, eh? So who gets to run the healer who's got to keep all of you in one piece?

"Or the war zone comes to her. Frankly, I'm under no illusion that the other Grayven doesn't know about Earth-."

"Because of all the New Gods. Even if he didn't know about you until the Citadelians-." A deeper frown. "That long?"

Heh, she doesn't even need to read his face to tell his feelings about something... Gotta like spiritual connections...

"I thought he might ignore me. For a while, anyway. Without an established realm he shouldn't be as strong as me."

"Except you've been spending all your time on Earth and he's going to Vega."

Also, he's likely heard about the whole 'Suzerain of Earth' thing and isn't willing to attack the seat of your power...

"Yeah. Because Vega can take it. Earth can't."

"But you're stronger the more you invest in a place."

Indeed. And there's a lot of investment in Earth, Vega and Wilson. But of them all, Earth is his place of power.

I shrug.

"If there was a perfect solution…"

"What's the other you got?"

Besides an ugly outfit? Well...

"An old Apokoliptian dreadnaught and quite a lot of upgraded Gordanian ships. Beyond that, I don't know."

"Then I need to go and take a look." Huntress Seeks Her Prey.

Heh, she's going to go do the arrow-ninja sneaky-thing? Let's just hope she can stay concealed in Grayven's place of power...

"You do. Which means that you need your own Mother Box."

"How do I get one of those?"

"We go and see Himon, and hope that his son-in-law hasn't spoken to him yet. I think he'll like you rather better than me."

That 'son-in-law' would be Orion, I believe, since his wife, Bekka, is Himon's daughter. That could be awkward.

"You're not actually an easy guy to like." She sighs. "What else have we got?"

"Ships, a Lantern Corps and that Kryptonian ship the team were trying to spy on when Lex dug it out of Texas."

Oh yeah, the Doomsday is a thing here, isn't it. Not that the Justice League knows that. What with it having been extracted before the Team could get anywhere.

…

"I'm gunna need a little more on that last one."

For shame, Renegade, you didn't mention it to her? I applaud your operational info-security, but really...

And so the preparation continues. The next Renegade episode should be quite interesting to see once the excrement starts flying fan-ward. I foresee quite the mess before all is said and done. Meanwhile, OL has that road-trip to the 'Vatican City' of Lantern worship to look forwards to. Fun times ahead.

Godspeech. Not as important this time as last:

Mr Zoat said:
It's actually a little difficult to tell precisely. We are attuned to one another, and can fight like we're one person in two bodies. But how much that actually… Weakens me is a matter of some debate. Most Apokoliptians pooh-pooh the idea, unwilling to add the very definite vector of vulnerability that trusting someone that much creates. And the vector for attack. But having seen… What we did… I know the truth of the matter in my soul.

Mr Zoat said:
"An old Apokoliptian dreadnaught and quite a lot of upgraded Gordanian ships. Beyond that, I don't know."

"Then I need to go and take a look." Huntress Seeks Her Prey.

Darko · Jun 21, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
That would be Claudia Borgia, pulled through time via... some method I cannot remember

It was a combination of Lazurus Pit and New God tech.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Not that she ever expected him to have a very long 'retirement'. Though I like that their cover is simply 'time travellers' and people believe it. Ah, DC..

It's technically true, in a convoluted way.

Claudia is from another time and the year on Earth 50 when Kanto and she left was several years before the current date in Earth 16.

Chojin Patriarch said:
And quite expansive, depending on your inspiration. And yes, I mean she'd be tall. Minds out of the gutter!

You had your mind in the gutter too, you hypocrite.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Meanwhile, OL has that road-trip to the 'Vatican City' of Lantern worship to look forwards to. Fun times ahead.

After watching the latest episode of Rick and Morty I can't help but imagine Paul becoming their version of the devil.

It's bound to happen sooner or later.

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

Connoisseur.

Connoisseur.

Well worn.

Veteran Lurker

Versed in the lewd.

Overlord of the Underworld

Connoisseur.

Versed in the lewd.

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Benevolent Bystander

Connoisseur.

Connoisseur.

Dedicated ragequitter

Experienced.

Not too sore, are you?

Connoisseur.

Dedicated ragequitter

Know what you're doing yet?

Dedicated ragequitter

Benevolent Bystander

Dedicated ragequitter

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Dedicated ragequitter

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Connoisseur.

Connoisseur.

Not too sore, are you?

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Veteran Lurker

Connoisseur.

Users who are viewing this thread