Justice League #34

“Doghouse”

by Lightshear


"Look around us," Lex Luthor said, spreading his arms to indicate the damage done to the Manhattan streets from the flooding brought by Aquaman while under the control of Eclipso. Cameras flashed and pens scribbled madly as the reporters swarmed to his speech; the LexCorp construction crews in the background pausing in their work to listen to the proclamations of their boss.

"One of our finest cities - a symbol to the world of the promise of America - lies wounded. Atlantis was supposedly our ally, but their King flooded our streets with his secret superweapon… then vanished as quickly and inexplicably as he had come. They offer payment for our loss, but is this to be our future? Swept away by the whims of foreign monarchs and alien dictators? Is there enough money in the world for us to look the other way when our children live in fear that perhaps next time the flood or the cannon or the plague that breaks loose will do more than just damage our homes, our streets, our livelihood - that perhaps next time, the cost of the war games between these self-styled demigods will be their lives?

"Aquaman claims to have been under mind control-- that some ancient evil possessed him and his actions were not his own. The Justice League believes his story, and so I give them the benefit of the doubt. But no explanation can excuse what has happened here. I say to you, people of this great nation, that your future is being co-opted by beings who think themselves better than humankind. They think they are above us; that by virtue of their incredible powers, they are not answerable to our laws or our courts. They play their games while we suffer beneath them, and then think we can be bought off when things get rough.

"Well, no more. It can no longer be tolerated for any superhuman to be above the law. I'm not calling for an end to the role of the super-hero - look to the Justice League: International for an example of how people with post-human abilities can work hand-in-hand with the international community. But the time has come for us to stop looking to the skies for the answers to our problems and start looking to ourselves once more.

"There is no problem facing this world that humankind can not solve. There is no threat to democracy or freedom that we the people cannot defeat. America is the greatest nation in the free world - the shining city on the hill. We can be the example-- we must be the example. We have to remind the world what human beings can do when we put our minds, our skills, and our indomitable spirit to the test.

"Many of you know that I have been meeting with the candidates of both major parties in this election year. This is a turning point for our country, as we stand at the doorstep of one of the most important eras in our history. The world is changing, and so must we. I had hoped, in my meetings, to gain a sense of these good men; to put the challenge to them and determine their quality.

"It is with heavy heart that I tell you here today that I can not in good conscience endorse either candidate, nor can I support either party. The partisan bickering and infighting has become a static that blinds and numbs them to the problems facing this nation. I wanted to believe that the change in the air could clear the heads of state, but there are some old habits that die hard, and some are so caught up in the old ways in Washington to hear the will of the people.

"Therefore, after long deliberation and serious thought, I have decided that I will run for the Presidency of the United States myself. The time for good men to stand by and wait for others to do what needs be done is long past, and the time for action is now. Together, we can restore humanity's place in the world and show the supermen that we don't need saving. Our potential is within our grasp - we cannot let it slip away. Thank you."
_______________________________________

"Well isn't that some happy horse-sh--"

"It isn't like it's any kind of surprise, Ollie," Black Canary said, stopping Green Arrow's rant mid-sentence. "Luthor's been dancing around the presidential race all year. I'll bet you anything that his 'City of Tomorrow' or whatever it is will be his October surprise."

"Kind of makes me glad we're up here and away from it all, you know?" he said, turning off the huge vid-screen and wrapping his arm around her small waist as they walked to the window to see the view of space and the surface of Earth from orbit.

The Justice League satellite had finally been launched, after an expedited final construction phase. Wayne Enterprises felt it best to get it up and running as quickly as possible after the Eclipso debacle, in part to be able to monitor the moon and beyond for the sort of threats the Justice League had to handle. In part, though, everyone agreed it would be best if the League lowered its profile after the recent troubles.

The satellite was much more roomy and comfortable than the alien craft in Antarctica had been, and there were several recreational rooms and lounges that kept them from feeling cooped up or stir-crazy. It wasn't as extra-terrestrial as the Watchtower on the moon, which had been mostly built from alien technology, and wasn't as claustrophobic or isolated as the spaceship in the Antarctic. It was plush enough to be cozy and relaxing, but not opulent or decadent.

Ollie and Dinah had quickly found places they could go to relax together without others around. She was still insistent that their relationship stay a secret, so having time alone was the only way they could be together when they were together. The arrangement was growing more difficult to manage, however.

"How much longer are we going to play this game, Pretty Bird?" he asked, holding her from behind and smelling her hair. It was sweet and fruity, like girly shampoo. He loved how feminine she felt and smelled, despite what a tough brawler she was.

"I don't know," she sighed, looking out the window at Earth. She could see their reflection in the glass, and felt a little sad. "Until we don't have to."

"And when's that? I know your reasons for the secrecy, but I guess I don't know when that's ever going to change."

"We've talked about this," she said, turning around in his arms. "It's different for women than it is for men. For you to hook up with a girl in the team makes you look heroic and romantic and all those things. You get to be Errol Flynn, snatching up the pretty young damsel and riding into the sunset."

"I don't think--"

"If a woman sleeps with a guy on her team, then she's easy. They don't respect women as much if they're somebody's girlfriend, no matter how capable or independent she is. Look at Diana - she's the most respected female hero there is, and considered the equal of pretty much any guy in her weight-class. She and Superman are basically co-leaders of the League, and nobody questions when she takes charge.

"Now, if she and Superman ever slept together, people would suddenly assume that she is subservient to him. Suddenly, he's the one in charge and she's just the girlfriend. Maybe not a girlfriend people would want to mess with, but still-- the minute she's in a relationship, she stops being a capable woman and becomes somebody's girl."

"This is about what other people think of you."

"Exactly."

"Why do you care? What difference does it make if some people get hung up on that kind of gender inequality junk? You know and I know how it really is, so that should be enough."

"But it isn't just about some people out on the street, Ollie-- it could be life or death. Say I'm trying to shut down some thieves in an alley or crashing in on a drug lab or whatever. We rely on our reputations to avoid confrontations. Right now, I'm Black Canary - the chick you don't want to mess with. I worked really hard to get there so that when I show up, half the time I don't even have to fight them. I drop a couple and the rest give up.

"But if I'm just Black Canary - Green Arrow's girlfriend, then what's there to be afraid of? I'm just another woman who needs to be put in her place by a big, strong man. Suddenly I have to fight every crook I take down, and they fight even harder because they're trying to be the one to tame me."

"It doesn't have to be that way," Ollie sighed heavily, lifting her chin. "You can be my girl and still be the chick you don't want to mess with."

"It's cute when you pretend not to be sexist," she said with a teasing grin. "But that just isn't how it is. The world is the way it is. We can fight crime, but fighting stereotypes is a whole other thing."

"Well, I don't have to agree with you to believe you," he said. "And if this is what you need to feel okay with us, then that's what I'll give you."

"Thank you, Ollie," she smiled genuinely. "I know it isn't easy."

"No it isn't. You're gonna have to pay me back, I think," he smirked. She looked at him with that devilish look that he loved so much, and he finished. "…In the bedroom."

"You better believe I will, archer," she smirked, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I hope you're going off duty soon, because you won't be able to move when I'm done with you."

"Bring it on, Green Arrow's Girlfriend," he laughed deviously.

"Oh, you'll pay for that one too, old man…"
_______________________________________

"You need to relax," Dr. Hamilton said as Superman slid out from the scanning machine. "You're entirely too tense."

"There's a lot on my mind, Doctor," he sighed. "I hope it doesn't hurt your tests."

"No, they'll be fine. I'm just concerned about your stress level. Your job is stressful enough as it is; it isn't healthy to stay on edge for so long."

Superman pulled his shirt back on after the doctor removed the wires from his chest and arms and the two walked to the readout station of Hamilton's lab. The doctor was a long-time friend and confidante of the Man of Steel, their friendship having started from Emil's simple scientific curiosity and grown to the point where the man was practically Superman's personal physician. Over the years, Dr. Hamilton had become one of the foremost scholars on xenobiology, particularly Kryptonian physiology, so when Superman was feeling prolonged bouts of fatigue after his battle with Eclipso, he came to his old friend for what amounted to a check-up.

"It's this 'Lex Luthor for President' business," Superman said. Though he kept an even tone, Emil could detect his obvious displeasure.

"Well, have faith my dear man," the doctor chuckled. "If there's one thing you can rely on, it's that Americans will never elect a third-party candidate for President - no matter how good or bad that candidate may be."

"I'm sure he's working an angle on this one, I just don't know what it is."

"Why don't you leave that for later, hmm? We have important things to discuss."

"What is it, Doctor?" Superman smiled, sitting in a chair next to the man. "Will I ever play the violin again?"

"This is actually quite serious, my friend," Hamilton frowned. "Do you recall our check-up after your return from War World?"

"Yes I do. It was a… difficult time for me."

"Quite right, indeed," Hamilton nodded, rubbing his beard. "But more specifically, you were suffering from a depletion in your power levels from spending so long away from the radiation of a yellow sun."

"Right, I do remember that. It took some time, but my abilities came back to me."

"True, true, but it's a piece of a puzzle I've been working on for some time. When you were young, you didn't gain your powers until your teenage years, correct?"

"More or less," Superman smiled with a shrug. "They'd begun slowly enough that I didn't realize how powerful I was getting until well into high school."

"And now, after being hit by a bolt of pure darkness from Eclipso, you're experiencing power deficiencies again."

"It isn't the same as when I was on War World, but yes - there have been intermittent… failures. Not complete, mind you, just sudden spells of weakness and exhaustion that come and go."

"My hypothesis is this, Superman," Hamilton said, pulling up some charts and graphs on his computer monitor. "Your cells are batteries that are fueled by solar energy. When exposed to the radiation of a yellow sun, they gain and release exponentially more energy than at other times. This is what gives you your superhuman abilities - the intense amplification of your genetic potential driven by the rays of a yellow sun.”

"We know that already though, don't we?" Superman asked.

"Yes, but there is more. Like any battery, as you use your energy you get weaker. As a child, it took you many years to store enough energy to discover your potential. As an adult, your cells have matured as well and can hold much more energy. You need less and can do more while expending lower and lower amounts of power from your… well, your batteries.

"But when Mongul trapped you on War World, making you fight to exhaustion over and over for so long and with no yellow sun to refill your energy stores, for the first time you reached depletion. Since returning, you've been pushed to your limits time and again - fighting Darkseid on Apokalips, beings from other dimensions… and now an actual deity, however great or small. You've been pushing yourself so hard that your powers haven't had the chance to completely return."

"I don't know," Superman said. "I'm feeling as strong as I ever have."

"It's in your head. You feel better than you did a year ago, so you assume you're better-- it's been too long since you've been at full strength, so you don't have an objective memory of what that felt like. At any rate, I think that what Eclipso hit you with when he attacked you was more than pure darkness. It was magic for one thing, and we know you have trouble defending against the arcane, and in function it was like stepping through a black hole. It wasn't just dark; it was the true absence of light. Furthermore, I theorize that it drained the light from you. In essence, his blast sucked the juice from your batteries."

"If that's true, then why haven't I completely lost my powers? I'm having bouts of fatigue and weakness, but never as bad as while I was on War World."

"That's why this is only a hypothesis," Hamilton sighed, pushing his glasses back up his nose. "For one thing, Eclipso hit you with magic - a force notoriously tricky to examine scientifically. For another, I wasn't there to witness the attack or to scan the energy he hit you with. I can't study him or his powers, only you and their effects."

He pointed to some readouts showing the fluctuation in his powers recently. "It could also be acting as a negative amplifier. There are many drugs, for instance, that appear to amplify the user's strength and alertness while eating him up from within. In simpler terms, a sugar rush may seem to fill you with energy, but you wind up even more tired in the end."

"So what are you suggesting, Emil?"

"Only that you take it easy for a while. Let your body heal and soak up some sunlight. If you keep pushing yourself as hard as you've been, you'll only deplete your stores faster. If I'm right and Eclipso drained you more than it seems, you could be far weaker than you feel. Every man has his limits, even one with an endurance as seemingly inexhaustible as yours."

"That could be difficult," Superman smiled as they stood up together and he moved toward the skylight. "It isn't exactly for me to decide whether or not my enemies decide to cause trouble or whether there are people who need my help."

"You're only one man, my friend," Dr. Hamilton smiled, patting his shoulder. "And if you'll excuse the expression, you're only human. You have the Justice League behind you too, if I recall. Maybe you could let them handle more of the load - just until we can determine what's at work here."

"I'll do what I can, Emil," Superman waved as he took flight. "Thanks for the advice."
_______________________________________

Diana luxuriated in the feel of the water on her skin as she swam. The pool in the League satellite was quite large, and at its deepest it went two stories down leading into private chambers for Aquaman. Technically, the pool was installed for his comfort and to provide him a space of his own in the orbital headquarters. Aquaman wasn't there, though; indeed, he hadn't been aboard since the first day the satellite launched and the orbit was stabilized. She didn't think he would mind her using it. It seemed to her that the main area of the pool would be for anyone's use, but so far she was the only one who dared to take a swim.

The rest of them were missing out, she thought to herself with a smile. The water was warm but not in an artificial way. It felt like heaven to her, and soothed her tired muscles. She swam to the shallow end and sat on the sculpted steps there, leaning her head back on the rim of the pool wall and sighed as she felt her tension release. The lights overhead had the look and feel of tropical sunlight, and combined with the foliage surrounding the pool - plants, flowers, and small, shaped trees - it felt like being in nature.

She was being avoided. She could tell. Ever since they'd returned from the moon and their battle with Eclipso - even before that, really - Orin had been keeping a distance from her. They had been such good friends for so long, and had been growing closer and closer since she returned to the League, but all of a sudden he had begun pushing her away.

It had been difficult for her to loose his companionship. She had come to really enjoy their time together and the talks they would have. Being from such similar backgrounds, they understood each other in ways none of the rest of their colleagues could. Diana hadn't actually realized how close they had gotten until he began to withdraw from her friendship and she felt the emptiness of his absence.

Then Eclipso had come and Orin had been possessed, and while inhabiting his body, Eclipso had told her of Orin's feelings for her. She had been so heartbroken and devastated that she lost control of herself and wound up being possessed by Eclipso in return. But even though they had eventually won the day and defeated him, the damage was done.

He loved her. Orin was in love with her. She knew it was true; it made sense of everything. And despite herself, the thought that he loved her made her feel warm and special. There was a sort of… giddiness inside her as she rolled the thought over in her head. It wasn't a feeling she was accustomed to, and she found the scariness of it did little to diminish its appeal.

But he held his sadness so close. His wife had died, his unborn son with her, two years ago, and to this day he blamed himself. It was no longer the omnipresent guilt and shame that it once was, but he had yet to truly forgive himself. Knowing that he was falling in love with another woman was tearing him apart inside, so he pushed Diana away in order to punish himself for moving on.

She knew about his marriage to Mera; it had been an arranged union designed to unite splintered kingdoms in Atlantis under a single banner. Like many such marriages, it hadn't been based on love but a deep and profound friendship had grown between them. Orin, though, was a man of principle and honor. It didn't matter to him the nature of their marriage, only that she was his wife and she had died, and so he had to live in mourning for a certain period before allowing himself to live again.

Diana wondered how long that would be. She wanted nothing more than to go to him and shake him until all those silly ideas fell from his head, and then hold him until he forgot his pain. She imagined kissing him; he was a man of great and fiery passion, known to some of his colleagues for his anger, but what would it feel like to be the recipient of such passion if expressed in love? She wasn't a blushing girl-- she'd kissed and been kissed before. But each person was different, and each told a story of themselves in the way they embraced another. What would his kiss teach her about him, she wondered? And what would he learn of her?

She shook her head and laughed at herself for being so foolish. Her role as Wonder Woman rarely afforded her the opportunity to daydream with her head in the clouds. When she was a girl it was all she did, but as a woman she had to deal with such serious issues so often that it felt wrong somehow not to be serious herself. Which was, really, what she had most enjoyed about her friendship with Orin - he allowed her time to be at ease and not have to keep her appearances up. She could be silly or stern, indulgent or intense; whatever she felt like at the time. Being with him allowed her to be herself.

It was like being with Kal El, only different. Kal's wide-eyed youthfulness and simplicity made him a great friend, but she had never considered him in any other way. Perhaps it was as much to do with knowing his heart belonged to someone else - by the time they had met, he was already in love with Lois Lane. At first she hadn't understood the attraction, but she eventually decided she was perfect for him. With Orin, though, there was an immediate respect and admiration that fueled an attraction that she couldn't pretend wasn't there anymore. If only he would…

A flash of movement caught her eye and she spun around in an instant, coiled and ready. A feeling in her gut told her this was dangerous, and as soon as she locked eyes with the lilac-tressed sorceress standing in the foliage surrounding the pool, she knew why.

"Circe," Diana spat. "What are you doing here? How did you get in without tripping the alarms?"

"Come now, Princess," the woman said haughtily with a throaty chuckle. "You know technology is ill-equipped to detect movements of a more… mystical nature. I come and go as I please."

"That doesn't answer why you came at all," Diana said coldly, walking forward through the water with confident but cautious steps.

"Why does anyone go to this much trouble for anything?" she smirked. "Revenge, of course. This fresh little clubhouse of yours was just too sweet a plum to resist, even if I did have to go into space again to get here."

"You aren't here to fight," Wonder Woman said confidently as she rose from the pool, water sliding off her nude form as she strode toward Circe.

"Such shamelessness, Diana," Circe laughed. "What would your teammates think if they walked in right now? Would those boys you play with ever be able to take you seriously again?"

"They are not here," she said flatly, not taking the bait. "And I am in no mood for verbal fencing with someone like you. Get to the point, Circe, and do so quickly. If you wanted a fight, we would already be fighting. What, then, do you want?"

"Just to keep you occupied for a bit so you don't notice the alarm."

"What…?"

Diana looked around, but there were no sounds or lights. The Satellite alarm system remained quiet. She whipped her head back around to glare at Circe's playful smile.

"I don't know what game you're playing, here, but--"

"Oh, right," Circe laughed, waving her hand. "I already cut the satellite alarms. If you wanted to know whether you were under attack, you'd have to check your communicator. Oh-- but it's all the way over there, isn't it?"

Circe pointed coyly over Diana's shoulder. The Amazon narrowed her eyes, but turned to walk to where she had discarded her uniform. Kneeling down, she pulled out her communicator and her eyes went wide when she saw that it was indeed flashing in alarm. She turned quickly to see Circe, but the woman had vanished. That's if she was ever truly there to begin with. Magic had a way of clouding the senses.

Suiting up quickly, Wonder Woman rushed into the halls. She put her communicator back in her ear and called out to the others.

"Ah ah ah," Circe's voice said through the device. "No fair trying to spoil the surprise. Just come on up to the observatory and see for yourself."
_______________________________________

The rest of the League turned to see Wonder Woman rush in. Everyone but Aquaman was in the observatory, and her eyes narrowed in confusion. There was no battle, no chaos, no disaster… and no Circe.

"What is everyone doing here?" she asked.

"Brainiac," Superman said. "He told me that--"

"Brainiac?" Green Lantern asked. "I was fighting some guy who called himself… uh, Hammond, I think. Had a huge head and a child-molester moustache. He got in my brain and said he was going to--"

"Attack the satellite," Atom nodded, rubbing his head. "Red Tornado and I were told the same thing by the Floronic Man."

"What the hell…" Power Girl scoffed. "What's going on, here?

"We were all deceived," J'Onn said. "We were meant to come here, but to what end?"

"To the end, of course," Circe laughed as she appeared in a burst of smoke and light.

"Charge, Justice League!" Superman called out.

"Mmmm… don't think so," Circe smirked and waved her hand. As they rushed her, the heroes were hit by a wall of glittering gold sparks. The sparks clung to their bodies like hair charged with static. They came together into a solid glow that suddenly exploded around each of them.

Wonder Woman shook her head to clear her eyes and saw Power Girl and Black Canary doing the same. With shock, she saw that the men of the League were missing and in their place were… dogs.

"Fitting," Circe said. "Men are all basically dogs anyway, am I right ladies?"

She laughed, but stopped abruptly when she noticed that not all were transformed.

"How did you-- No!"

"It appears you miscalculated," Red Tornado said passively.

"Easy enough for a shapeshifter to avoid a spell designed to affect only males," J'Onn nodded as he hovered in place. His body had shifted to the form of a female. Even his voice had changed, and would have been more disconcerting had they not needed his help so much at that moment.

"Well?" Circe demanded of Green Lantern, who was staring at the now female Manhunter. "What's your excuse?"

"Wha--? Oh, yeah - that. I've been turned into an animal before, lady. Didn't much agree with me. Guess it didn't agree with my ring, either. I think I'll just stay how I am, thanks."

"Well shoot," Circe pouted. "I'd hoped to make this a girl-night kind of thing, but if you men insist on ruining everything I guess I'll let you in on the action."

Raising her hands, fire leapt from her fingertips and where the fireballs hit the floor they gave rise to hulking man-beasts. They snapped their monstrous jaws and howled, looking menacing and dark with fiery embers for eyes.

"Play time," Circe cackled.
_______________________________________



Justice League:

V Icn Wonder Woman - 127
R Martian Manhunter - 114
LE Kyle Rayner - 135
E CJ Black Canary - 36
E Red Tornado - 53
V Power Girl* - 120

* w/ Endurance - 5

Total: 590

Vs.

Circe & Her Monster-Men:

Circe (U Av Mandarin) - 156
Cerberus (U Cap & Bucky) - 138
Minotaur (V Sin Rhino) - 95
Calydonian Boar (V Silver Savage) - 96
Cyclops (E Atlas) - 105

Total: 590

Map: The Justice League Satellite

Init: 5 (4,1)
Obj: 8 (4,4)

Lots of fours, there. Hmmm... perhaps the Fours is with me? HAR!

I'll take this game. I'm so busy lately, I need one that'll move at a slower pace.

Init: 8 (4,4)
Obj: 7 (5,2)

Justice League:

V Icn Wonder Woman - 127
R Martian Manhunter - 114
LE Kyle Rayner - 135
E CJ Black Canary - 36
E Red Tornado - 53
V Power Girl* - 120

* w/ Endurance - 5

Total: 590

Vs.

Circe & Her Monster-Men:

1) Circe (U Av Mandarin) - 156 R23
2) Cerberus (U Cap & Bucky) - 138 Q24
3) Minotaur (V Sin Rhino) - 95 S23
4) Calydonian Boar (V Silver Savage) - 96 P23
5) Cyclops (E Atlas) - 105 Q23

Total: 590

HO: Q18
LO: M20, J19

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...f5p1=x-203y166

And because I always mess up these rules...can you tk a character holding an object? And can you grab an object out from someone when you're charging into them?

1) Yes, you can.
2) Yes, but only if the character has a power or ability that allows them to ignore opponents while moving. Fliers, for instance, don't have to stop their movement when they become adjacent to an enemy, and so can pick up an object while charging.

I tried to make sure all the games had opponents with interesting dials this time around. Hopefully you'll have fun with this, even if many of them are more-or-less generic Greek mythological beasts.

Justice League:

V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) I2
R Martian Manhunter (8/8) H2
LE Kyle Rayner (7/7) G2
E CJ Black Canary (5/5) G1
E Red Tornado (6/6) H1
V Power Girl* (9/9) I1

* w/ Endurance - 5

Total: 590

Vs.

Circe & Her Monster-Men:

1) Circe (U Av Mandarin) R23
2) Cerberus (U Cap & Bucky) Q24
3) Minotaur (V Sin Rhino) S23
4) Calydonian Boar (V Silver Savage) P23
5) Cyclops (E Atlas) Q23

Total: 590

HO: Q18, G11, I7
LO: M20, J19, E14

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...6p2=x-919y-151

Circe Turn 1

1) The Cyclops picks up the Calydonian Boar (despite it's protests) and goes to L15, putting the Boar at M15.

2) Circe waves her hand and she flies to P-18. Cerberus floats along behind her to Q17.

3) The Minotaur walks to P-15, stopping for a moment to rip a huge piece of the floor up (HO) and crush it into a club with his bare hands.

Justice League:

V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) I2
R Martian Manhunter (8/8) H2
LE Kyle Rayner (7/7) G2
E CJ Black Canary (5/5) G1
E Red Tornado (6/6) H1
V Power Girl* (9/9) I1

* w/ Endurance - 5

Total: 590

Vs.

Circe & Her Monster-Men:

1) Circe (U Av Mandarin) P18
2) Cerberus (U Cap & Bucky) Q17
3) Minotaur (V Sin Rhino) P15@ w/HO
4) Calydonian Boar (V Silver Savage) M15
5) Cyclops (E Atlas) L15@

Total: 590

HO: Minotaur, G11, I7
LO: M20, J19, E14

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...8&t3=x-336y-21

I’m back! But hey, you said you wanted a game with a more relaxed pace
_____________________

“I’ve got this chick,” Kyle said. “Gimme a breeze, Red.”

“Affirmative,” Red Tornado acknowledged, summoning a gust of crimson wind that quickly increased its power, lifting Green Lantern and sending him soaring across the room.

“Kyle, be careful,” Wonder Woman said. “Circe is not--"

“No problem – sorcery girl, I get it,” he shrugged. His ring lit up and a wave of green light launched forward. It crossed the distance of the large room, rolling like white rapids toward her. Circe didn’t move, she merely lifted an eyebrow and sneered.

At the last moment, the energy took the form of a stampede of thrashing wild bulls. They charged over her with thunderous hooves and a roar, leaving smoke in their wake.

When it cleared, Circe dusted her shoulder and smiled.

“Oh…” Kyle said, wide eyed. “I see…”


Turn 1 (Player 2)

1) Manhunter moves to F8.

2) Tornado TK’s Kyle to H9.

Free) Kyle perps up his range to 11.

3) Kyle moves to E14 and makes a running-shot attack on Circe; rolls a 9 (6,3) for a 19/hit and 4 clicks.

4) Power Girl to E9.

5) Canary to I7.

Justice League:

1) [] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) I2
2) [] R Martian Manhunter (8/8) F8 @
3) [4] LE Kyle Rayner (7/7) E14 @
4) [] E CJ Black Canary (5/5) I7 (Stealth) @
5) [] E Red Tornado (6/6) H1 @
6) [] V Power Girl* (9/9) E9 @

* w/ Endurance - 5

Total: 590

Vs.

Circe & Her Monster-Men:

1) Circe (U Av Mandarin) (4/8) P18 @
2) Cerberus (U Cap & Bucky) (9/9) Q17
3) Minotaur (V Sin Rhino) (8/8) P15 @ w/HO
4) Calydonian Boar (V Silver Savage) (9/9) M15
5) Cyclops (E Atlas) (8/8) L15 @

Total: 590

HO: Minotaur, G11, I7
LO: M20, J19, E14

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...&u5=x-788y-273
[/quote]

Titans issue just wrapped up. Got an idea for the ending that I can hopefully shoot you by early next week. My little sister has been reading the DC specials and says they're really good. I finally convinced her to read some of my Titans issues too.

Anyhow, on to the game.

Circe 2

Circe looks annoyed and lets her pup off the leash.

1) Cerberus runs to I19

All else clear

Justice League:

1) [] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) I2
2) [] R Martian Manhunter (8/8) F8 @
3) [4] LE Kyle Rayner (7/7) E14 @
4) [] E CJ Black Canary (5/5) I7 (Stealth) @
5) [] E Red Tornado (6/6) H1 @
6) [] V Power Girl* (9/9) E9 @

* w/ Endurance - 5

Total: 590

Vs.

Circe & Her Monster-Men:

1) Circe (U Av Mandarin) (4/8) P18
2) Cerberus (U Cap & Bucky) (9/9) Q17
3) Minotaur (V Sin Rhino) (8/8) P15 w/HO
4) Calydonian Boar (V Silver Savage) (9/9) I19@
5) Cyclops (E Atlas) (8/8) L15

Total: 590

HO: Minotaur, G11, I7
LO: M20, J19, E14

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...&u5=x-788y-273

Turn 2 (Player 2)

Free) Kyle perps up his damage.

1) Kyle pushes and falls back to E10 and shoots Cerberus with RS; rolls a 7 (1,6) for a 17/hit and 3 clicks after Invuln.

Justice League:

1) [] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) I2
2) [] R Martian Manhunter (8/8) F8
3) [7] LE Kyle Rayner (6/7) E10 @@
4) [] E CJ Black Canary (5/5) I7 (Stealth)
5) [] E Red Tornado (6/6) H1
6) [] V Power Girl* (9/9) E9

* w/ Endurance - 5

Total: 590

Vs.

Circe & Her Monster-Men:

1) Circe (U Av Mandarin) (4/8) P18
2) Cerberus (U Cap & Bucky) (6/9) I19 @
3) Minotaur (V Sin Rhino) (8/8) P15 w/HO
4) Calydonian Boar (V Silver Savage) (9/9) M15
5) Cyclops (E Atlas) (8/8) L15

Total: 590

HO: Minotaur, G11, I7
LO: M20, J19, E14

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...35y1&u5=x-68y0

Turn 3

1) Minotaur to J-15

Free) Cerberus takes a defensive stance, perplexing it's defence up by one.

2) Circe waves her hand, creating a magical barrier at I13, J14, I15 and I16

Justice League:

1) [] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) I2
2) [] R Martian Manhunter (8/8) F8
3) [7] LE Kyle Rayner (6/7) E10 @@
4) [] E CJ Black Canary (5/5) I7 (Stealth)
5) [] E Red Tornado (6/6) H1
6) [] V Power Girl* (9/9) E9

* w/ Endurance - 5

Total: 590

Vs.

Circe & Her Monster-Men:

1) Circe (U Av Mandarin) (4/8) P18@
2) Cerberus (U Cap & Bucky) (6/9) I19 (defense perplexed up)
3) Minotaur (V Sin Rhino) (8/8) J15 w/HO@
4) Calydonian Boar (V Silver Savage) (9/9) M15
5) Cyclops (E Atlas) (8/8) L15

Total: 590

HO: Minotaur, G11, I7
LO: M20, J19, E14
Barrier: I13, J14, I15 and I16

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...-387&u4=x-35y1

“She’s still kicking,” Green Lantern said as he fell back to the formation J’Onn and Power Girl were holding, blasting at a bear-sized dog with three snarling heads.

“You were overly impetuous,” J’Onn said simply, his normal expressions and mannerisms seeming strange from the female form he currently assumed. “You underestimated her and now her creations are exploiting that.”

He pointed ahead and Kyle could only just make out the monsters crouching around the corner before a shimmering wall of force appeared to obscure and protect them.

“Cr#p,” he muttered.

“Indeed,” J’Onn shook her head. “Your ring protected you from Circe’s spell, but you are not invulnerable. And neither are we guaranteed victory, though her initial assault was repelled.”

“Maybe he isn’t invulnerable,” Power Girl scoffed, stepping in front of Green Lantern and rolling her neck. “But I am. Just let those big, gnarly b#stards at me – I’ll handle ‘em.”
___________________________

Turn 3 (Player 2)

1) Power Girl moves to F11.

* You don’t have perplex with Cerberus anymore – you’re 1 click past it and onto Shapechange.

Justice League:

1) [] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) I2
2) [] R Martian Manhunter (8/8) F8
3) [7] LE Kyle Rayner (6/7) E10
4) [] E CJ Black Canary (5/5) I7 (Stealth)
5) [] E Red Tornado (6/6) H1
6) [] V Power Girl* (9/9) F11 @

* w/ Endurance - 5


Vs.

Circe & Her Monster-Men:

1) Circe (U Av Mandarin) (4/8) P18@
2) Cerberus (U Cap & Bucky) (6/9) I19
3) Minotaur (V Sin Rhino) (8/8) J15 w/HO@
4) Calydonian Boar (V Silver Savage) (9/9) M15
5) Cyclops (E Atlas) (8/8) L15


HO: Minotaur, G11, I7
LO: M20, J19, E14
Barrier: I13, J14, I15 and I16

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...16y3&u4=x-35y1

Turn 4 player 1

1) The Minotaur charges Power Girl to G12 needing an 8. He gets a 6 and misses.

2) The Cyclops follows suit, charging to H13. He also needs an 8 but will get a 7.

Justice League:

1) [] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) I2
2) [] R Martian Manhunter (8/8) F8
3) [7] LE Kyle Rayner (6/7) E10
4) [] E CJ Black Canary (5/5) I7 (Stealth)
5) [] E Red Tornado (6/6) H1
6) [] V Power Girl* (9/9) F11 @

* w/ Endurance - 5


Vs.

Circe & Her Monster-Men:

1) Circe (U Av Mandarin) (4/8) P18
2) Cerberus (U Cap & Bucky) (6/9) I19
3) Minotaur (V Sin Rhino) (7/8) G12@@
4) Calydonian Boar (V Silver Savage) (9/9) M15
5) Cyclops (E Atlas) (8/8) H13@


HO: G11, I7
LO: M20, J19, E14


http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...16y3&u4=x-35y1

Turn 4 (Player 2)

1) Kyle will shoot the Cyclops (clear LOF to a Giant); rolls a 7 (3.4) for a 16/hit, Imp roll is a 4, so he takes 3 clicks after reduction.

2) J’Onn shoots the Cyclops; rolls a 6 (3,3) for a 15/hit and 2 clicks after Invuln. No knockback due to Gianthood.

3) Power Girl pushes (Endurance Feat) to attack the Minotaur; rolls a 7 (5,2) for a 17/hit, Imp roll is a 6 so he takes no damage.

4) Tornado TK’s Wonder Woman to I8.

5) Wonder Woman picks up Canary and charges to G11 (half move=5=charge 3), picking up the HO from I7 on the way, and attacks the Minotaur; rolls a 7 (1,6) for a 17/hit, Imp roll is a 3 so he takes 5 damage after reduction. Black Canary is put down in F10.

Justice League:

1) [5] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) G11 @
2) [2] R Martian Manhunter (8/8) F8 @
3) [10] LE Kyle Rayner (6/7) E10 @
4) [] E CJ Black Canary (5/5) F10
5) [] E Red Tornado (6/6) H1 @
6) [] V Power Girl* (9/9) F11 @

* w/ Endurance @


Vs.

Circe & Her Monster-Men:

1) Circe (U Av Mandarin) (4/8) P18
2) Cerberus (U Cap & Bucky) (6/9) I19
3) Minotaur (V Sin Rhino) (2/8) G12@@
4) Calydonian Boar (V Silver Savage) (9/9) M15
5) Cyclops (E Atlas) (3/8) H13@


HO: G11
LO: M20, J19, E14

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...&u5=x-802y-277

Turn 5 (Player 1)

I wish I was being able to give you a better game, Lightsheer.

1) Cerberus to I12

2) Boar to J13

3) Circe will barrier at I11, H12, I13, I14

Justice League:

1) [5] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) G11 @
2) [2] R Martian Manhunter (8/8) F8 @
3) [10] LE Kyle Rayner (6/7) E10 @
4) [] E CJ Black Canary (5/5) F10
5) [] E Red Tornado (6/6) H1 @
6) [] V Power Girl* (9/9) F11 @

* w/ Endurance @


Vs.

Circe & Her Monster-Men:

1) Circe (U Av Mandarin) (4/8) P18@
2) Cerberus (U Cap & Bucky) (6/9) I12@
3) Minotaur (V Sin Rhino) (2/8) G12
4) Calydonian Boar (V Silver Savage) (9/9) J13@
5) Cyclops (E Atlas) (3/8) H13


HO: G11
LO: M20, J19, E14
Barrier: I11, H12, I13, I14

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...&u5=x-802y-277

"Here they come," Power Girl smiled. The wall of force came down and they were rushed by a feral Minotaur and a twenty-five-foot-tall Cyclops.

"Strike now," J'Onn said. "Drive them back!" He fired off a blast of intense heat from his eyes that staggered the giant, and Green Lantern followed up with a swarm of small fighter planes, shooting at him as if he were King Kong.

Power Girl swung at the Minotaur, but he caught her arm and deflected her attack so that she slammed her full strength past his arm and into the floor. He was about to strike her back, but a torrent of red wind knocked him off his balance. In a blur, Wonder Woman arrived and knocked him off his feet with a double-fisted strike.

"Stay alert," Wonder Woman said, holding off the Minotaur. "There are more coming, and Circe is still out there - she is the real danger!"

"Yeah, yeah," Power Girl said, pushing her aside and driving a straight punch hard into the Minotaur's nose and knocking him down easily. "We get it - monsters tough, Circe tougher. Can we finish this?"

"You are too reckless," Wonder Woman squinted.

"No, I'm just better than these losers."

"We will have words later," the Amazon said, then charged away. The sound of her fist like a thunderclap meant another monster had arrived.

"Wait," Power Girl said, curious that she lost sight of Wonder Woman. "I think there's another one of those fields…"

"Indeed," J'Onn said. "I will see if it can be destroyed." Another burst of heat from his eyes and the shimmering wall turned red, then burst open in one section to reveal the snarling three-headed hound Cerberus just beyond, as well as an impossibly huge boar being wrestled by Wonder Woman.

"Peek-a-boo," Black Canary smiled, then let loose a sonic scream that sent Cerberus into a frenzy, slamming his heads on the floor to try and drive the sound from his ears.
__________________________________

Turn 5 (Player 2)

1) Power Girl pushes (Endurance) to attack the Minotaur; rolls a 5 (3,2) for a 15/hit and 5 clicks for the KO. Endurance roll for pushing is a 5, so she's clear.

2) Wonder Woman pushes & picks up the HO she's on and charges to J12 to attack the Boar; rolls a 7 (4,3) for a 17/hit and 5 clicks after Invuln. She takes 1 for pushing.

3) Manhunter targets the barrier at H12 and destroys it. He takes 1 for pushing.

4) Black Canary targets Cerberus with an Incap attack; rolls a 7 (1,6) for a 15/hit, a token and a push.

Justice League:

1) [10] V Icn Wonder Woman (9/10) J12 @@
2) [2] R Martian Manhunter (7/8) F8 @@
3) [10] LE Kyle Rayner (6/7) E10
4) [2] E CJ Black Canary (5/5) F10 @
5) [] E Red Tornado (6/6) H1
6) [7] V Power Girl* (9/9) F11 @

* w/ Endurance @@


Vs.

Circe & Her Monster-Men:

1) Circe (U Av Mandarin) (4/8) P18 @
2) Cerberus (U Cap & Bucky) (5/9) I12 @@
3) Minotaur (V Sin Rhino) (-3/8) *KO'ed!*
4) Calydonian Boar (V Silver Savage) (4/9) J13 @
5) Cyclops (E Atlas) (3/8) H13


HO:
LO: M20, J19, E14
Barrier: I11, I13, I14

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...&u6=x-564y-317