SLOW BURN 2
CHAPTER 4:
J’onn awoke to complete darkness. The last thing he remembered was being covered in flames. As a psychic race, the Martians were especially susceptible to the hypnotic effects of fire, a simultaneous mental and physical attack. While he couldn’t see, hear, or phase through his restraints, his mind was able to extend to those of his colleagues.
First, there was Wally. He had already recovered from his injuries and was trying to vibrate through the massive harness that held him in check. J’onn could tell him that there was no chance of escape. This was Apokoliptian technology, and it was built for all creatures, superpowered or otherwise. J’onn could also sense Barry Junior – he still thought Superman was slightly childish as a moniker – struggling as well, but simple mental contact calmed both of the childhood friends down. Without even reaching to Dick, J’onn knew the self-styled Batman was calm. Dick, the strategist, was already contemplating his release. “None of your lockpicks or butane welders will help you,” J’onn told him mentally.
“Don’t worry, J’onn, got it under control. We’ll be free in a moment.” Dick thought back.
J’onn realized that, rashly, in his desire to check on his surrogate family, he had ignored the child who called himself Robin. He expanded his consciousness to the young hero, only to feel an unusual sensation. As he considered it, he felt the mind of Robin change. It stretched and became someone else. That explains it . . . J’onn thought, and a smile broke out on his normally grim face. I should have trusted Dick not to endanger a child.
The Martian Manhunter heard a series of clicks and clangs as his restraints were removed. As the mask was lifted from his face, he was greeted in inimitable fashion by Eel O’Brien, also known as Plastic Man. “Heeeeeere’s Johnny!” Eel said, arching his eyebrows and contorting his expression in a perfect parody of Jack Nicholson.
Looking around, J’onn saw Dick releasing BJ and a restless Wally pacing around their cell. “I imagine our release will trigger some alarms. We should act soon.” J’onn said gravely.
“Good idea,” BJ said, “but I still want to know what the hell O’Brien is doing here. Why were you masquerading as a child?”
As Plastic Man formed a giant, bouncing question mark, Dick answered. “It’s a new psychological attack. Everyone seems to underestimate a child, and they’re even more demoralized when he defeats them. It’s been working great, and it’s much better than actually training a child to be a fighter.”
“So it’s just the five of us against the whole planet of Apokolips?” BJ asked.
“And what if there is more than one of those creatures? He took us all out in about five minutes, and if we can’t defeat one, how can we beat a whole army?” Wally spoke quickly as his movements got faster and faster.
“Wally speaks the truth. We need to find allies if we are to survive this journey.” J’onn said.
“Allies? I’ll be Stalin, you be Churchill, and you be Roosevelt. Superman, you’re France.” Plastic Man morphed into a giant red and yellow bear holding a hammer and sickle. “Who are we kidding? We’re going to die!!!”
******
Even in his weakened state, Alan Scott felt a surge of power from somewhere
within the stronghold’s walls. He immediately recognized members
of the Justice League as Apokolips’s newest residents. With a force
of will that would impress the Guardians, he sent out a mental flare containing
his location and blueprint of his knowledge of their prison, before slumping
into semi-consciousness.
******
J’onn roared as he felt forced psychic contact. The signature was
familiar, and as he thought, he was able to identify it as the voice that
warned him of the impending threat earlier. This time, however, he was
able to trace it back to its sender.
“J’onn, are you okay?” Dick asked.
“I am fine. I have just received contact from Sentinel. He is a prisoner here, along with several other colleagues. I also have some good news for you.” He addressed Wally, BJ, and Dick directly. “Barry and Jay were also here.”
“Were?” BJ asked.
“Jay was removed to an isolated cell at the same time the creature named Doomsday was created from the heroes’ energies. Barry was taken away prior to its creation. I’m very sorry to say this, but Sentinel thinks that Barry was used as the template for Doomsday. Sentinel can’t find any trace of him anywhere now.” J’onn looked at the three with compassion.
“Dad’s alive?” Dick said, the corners of his eyes sparkling with unshed tears. His counterpart’s reaction was not as quiet, however.
“No, no, no, this is not fair. My father has been alive this whole time, and now he’s . . . some monster? They will pay for what they’ve done!” BJ’s eyes grew red and the rays that erupted ripped a hole in the wall of their cell. “J’onn, I want to find the monsters that did this!”
******
Using the Mother Box technology borrowed by Orion from his visits to New Genesis, Desaad examined Doomsday carefully. “It appears that your mutation has affected your ability to accurately detect the anti-life equation. I know that one of the humans you brought back carries the equation and will be able to determine who shortly. Once I know whose mind we must dissect, we will rule the universe. With Orion once again blissfully unaware as he ‘vacations’ on New Genesis, Desaad holds the power supreme!”
An alarm sounded at the conclusion of his monologue. Desaad’s face darkened. “You’d better have your pet investigate, Desaad. It looks like our new visitors are trying to escape.” Granny Goodness spoke from the shadows. “I am risking my head with this treason and we will not fail now.”
“Agreed. Doomsday, go to the prison. When I contact you with the name of the prisoner with the anti-life equation, you may kill the rest and bring me that one’s conscious body. Extracting the equation will be a painful process for the bearer, but I need him to be alive. Do not allow the prisoners to be harmed until we know who we need!” Desaad spoke quickly to the quiet brute. In a flash of yellow and red, Doomsday was gone.
******
J’onn led the way through the twisting corridors of the prison.
Alarms sounded as BJ and Wally breached one wall after another. Plastic
Man and Batman held the outer perimeter, dispatching the occasional guard.
“We are almost to the outer wall. There is a large courtyard between this structure and the other prisoners. I expect a force to be stationed outside.” J’onn said.
“There is,” BJ said, scanning ahead with his x-ray vision. “I only see four or five thousand parademons on the ground in the air between us and the others. Piece of cake!” He moved to knock the wall down.
“Wait,” Plastic Man said. “I have an idea.”
******
Desaad watched on the monitors as hordes of parademons waited between
the two buildings. He always relished war, and this was going to be beautiful.
He watched as the walls holding his new prisoners crumbled and the parademons
advanced. With the dust from the collapsing wall obscuring his vision,
he was unable to see what happened at the wall’s breach. Suddenly,
rather than fighting, the parademons stopped and bowed their heads. Utterly
confused, Desaad waited impatiently for the dust to settle. He was horrified
to see Darkseid, followed by Granny Goodness, dragging the three prisoners
behind them.
******
“Is it working?” Plastic Man asked through clenched teeth
as he kept the form of Granny Goodness exactly as J’onn described.
“Plastic Man, I am telepathic. We can speak with our minds,” J’onn said from within his façade as the former ruler of Apokolips. “The parademons are essentially brainless, and I think we will be able to convince them, barring any outside infl-“ His words cut off mid-sentence as Doomsday appeared to his left, pushing through the ranks. He looked confused, however, and made no move to attack.
At that moment, Desaad’s disembodied voice spoke to the throngs of warriors. “They are impostors! Tear them apart, but save this one – I need him alive!” A holograph of Wally West’s face floated above the sky.
“Ulp.” Eel O’Brien said as the
hordes advanced with a mighty roar.