DC Universe: World's End

[neptune]

[fieldbox=Superman, #199CD8, solid, Times New Roman]
M E T R O P O L I S
When the earthquake hit, Clark hadn't known what to make of the situation and as the days wore on, ushered in and out by subsequent disasters, real hope had been hard to come by. Without the sun shining down on him, Clark wondered where the world would be without Superman, how many more lives would be needlessly lost if he were to be completely cut off from the sun—seeing Barry and Diana, and now Booster and Guy—he didn't have to wonder anymore. The League was still around, fractured, but not beaten and they were more than capable of carrying on.

Relief continued to come when Booster mentioned Batman and that was one less thing for Clark to worry about. Bruce knew how to handle things, take the emotion out of any situation and work through a problem until it was solved. He owed the other man more than he was ever permitted to say, but he was ready to meet up with the stoic man in black. "When was this?" he asked, hoping that Booster knew more than he was letting on.

The vibrations from the ground couldn't be ignored, however, and as Barry and Diana readied themselves for whatever was coming, Clark did the same. At the very least, an enemy would interrupt Guy's vulgarity before he wasted any more of his strength on an unnecessary punch to the redhead's face—Diana was a lady, and she didn't need to be sized up that way.

"Have you heard from Hal, by the way?" Clark asked, one eyebrow quirked in the Lantern's direction, "or John, maybe?" Hell, he'd have taken the pink alien over Guy without a muzzle any day.

Each small tremor soon became a thundering shake. Had it not been for the shiny blip on the horizon, Clark would have taken it for an aftershock, but the object continued to move closer, speeding right toward them in a flash of silver and a sickly green glow. It was different from that of any Lantern, no calming light that came from a construct, just evil and before Clark knew what hit him, Metallo's fist smacked straight into the shield on his chest. Clark gasped, his lungs struggling for air as the cyborg's green Kryptonite core loomed over him, illuminating the dozen or so floors they'd fallen through.

Every muscle in his weakened body ached, burned with such intensity that part of Clark wished for death, but he couldn't fail them now. As Metallo stood with one foot triumphantly on his chest, Clark reached out with a shaking hand, trying in vain to do something, anything while he still had the strength. His empty fingers brought back nothing, but a pained scream echoed from the bottom of the building as Metallo launched himself back up toward the roof.

Once there, his cold fingers grabbed for the first hero his programming recognized.
[/fieldbox]

 

[Damien Kriez]

[fieldbox="Damian Wayne, darkred, solid"]

The Boy Wonder's Robin Cycle drove past the rubble that was embellished upon the tattered road. Nearing his home away from home, Damian observed a trail of skid marks that faded into the asphalt, which seemed to head straight for Wayne Manor. "A visitor," he muttered underneath his breath, a small wisp of frozen air clouding his helmet's visor. As the fog evanesced, once more did Damian ride. He followed the markings on the road, and there he saw not one, but three visitors... ones that Damian cared little for.

Almost abruptly, the Son of Batman bestrode along the withered grass and shaken earth. He had parked, with a skill far beyond that of sportsmen, racers, and motorcyclists, the Robin Cycle beside the demolished fountain, where he saw the likes of the Green Arrow, the Black Canary, and his disgraced predecessor, Jason Todd himself. Smiles were foreign visitors of Damian's pale and uncaring visage, but on this moment, a grin etched itself upon his cold, crisp lips. It was as if seeing a clown... and not the kind the Joker was. Batman's son unfastened himself from his Cycle and removed his helmet. It was here that Jason's words to Oliver and Dinah had escaped his lips and fluttered into the air. Damian heard this, and with sneering contempt in his voice, he chose to riposte. "You're right, Todd... Father's done with the sidekicks. So, what are you waiting for? Get out." He motioned his hand towards the gate, waving it thereafter, shooing Jason Todd like the dog he was. He had seen the Joker's quarry a couple of kilometres back, but thought none of it.

"The streets are quiet, no criminals or anything dangerous. A couple of survivors here and there... They're safe and sound." Damian shoved the fiasco of murder deep down into his heart, hoping that the Greatest Detective would falter in unraveling the truth, just this once.

@Dipper
@4everDifferent
​

[/FIELDBOX]

 

[Tyrannosaurus Rekt]

METROPOLIS​

Michael placed his hand on his head and rubbed at his temple. He immediately regretted saying that he was trying to win Guy over to their cause. It probably would have been less embarrassing to shoot himself in the foot. At least it would be far less painful. Clark looked ready to strangle Guy over his comments about Diana. Both Barry and Diana seemed unamused at them both. Sure. They weren't heavy hitters. They were little league compared to the three before them (though Guy believed himself to be beyond their level.) That didn't mean they couldn't be helpful, though. Addendum. That didn't mean Michael couldn't be helpful. Guy was his own—beast. Helpful, really helpful, but only if you wanted to listen to him.

"And here I was concerned that you'd learned how to be polite," he said. "Phew, good to know you still don't understand what tact is." He smiled before dropping the subject altogether. Skeets had sensed something, and it was fair to say that that took precedence over trying to rein in Guy's mouth. If that feat could even be accomplished. There wasn't enough soap, no bleach, in the world to do that. No. No. None of that. He had to remain positive. He was the face. He was the charisma. He couldn't get swept up in petty thoughts.

"I only picked up the transmission a few minutes ago. It seemed to be on a loop. I don't know how long it had been going." He looked to Skeets.
"I am unable to calculate it."
"Looks like we have bigger things to worry about it."
"Much bigger."
"Skeets," Michael said, waving the flying robot away. It wasn't that he liked being without his best friend, and lovable flying robot, but battles always managed to be a little tougher than he thought Skeets should handle. The golden robot took off.

He took to the air and used his visor to zoom in on where the seismic activity was originating from. As soon as he got a fix on it, it smashed into Clark.
"Oh shit," Michael exclaimed. Sorry. Not sorry. This was a cursing moment.

Next thing he knew, the robot (maybe) vaulted upwards and latched onto his throat. And this is why he should never just hover. Always be on the offensive or defensive. One of those. Michael gasped for air, pulling his arms up and releasing two electric gold blasts into the robots chest. That was enough to propel the robot off of his body. He wheezed. If that thing bruised my vocal chords, he thought. He then slapped on his shield as he slammed into the building.

"Ow, my spleen," he grumbled, watching the robot land perfectly. Getting a better look at him, he was not a robot. Shit. He looked familiar. Now Michael wished he hadn't brushed away Skeets. What he did notice, though, was the energy spikes in his visor. Was there kryptonite in that robot?

"We need to get the kryptonite out of the robot, cyborg thingy." He exhaled. "That's looking like his power source." He launched himself back into the air to provide cover.

 

[Reina]

[fieldbox="The Flash, red, dashed, 10"]

M E T R O P O L I S​

Barry paid little attention to Guy's taunts. He was more worried about what Skeets had picked up. The small vibrations emitting from the earth grew stronger until they could no longer be ignored. His eyes scanned from one direction to another, wondering if it was just an aftershock or they needed to prepare for another earthquake; their cities couldn't take another earthquake right now. But it was worse than what Barry feared. Bright silver and green propelled towards them from the horizon and a cybernetic fist slammed directly into Clark's chest as Metallo made his appearance. The superheroes should have expected an assault like this. It was only a matter of time before the villains would take advantage of the disaster for their own gain. Barry bolted to the large hole in the roof left from Metallo's attack on Superman.

He looked down and saw his friend at the bottom pinned beneath a large silver foot, weakened by the Kryptonite core. Before he could do anything to help Superman however, Metallo bolted towards them and latched onto the throat of Booster Gold. Luckily Booster was able to release enough blasts to knock the robot off of him. Now Metallo had turned his attentions to Barry. Booster was right, they needed to do something about that Kryptonite core or Clark would be useless in the battle. He nodded towards Booster and using incredible speed, bolted head on towards Metallo.

The cyborg threw his first punch, Barry able to see if before it landed and effectively dodge it. Barry moved so fast, time slowed around him, making him appear virtually invisible to those around him within their relative time frames. It enabled Barry to anticipate Metallo's next move and dodge it before it could land. If he could entertain the robot long enough, perhaps it would give Clark a chance to recover and the others a chance to attack. "Over here," he taunted before shifting quickly and moving to another position. "Nope, try again." Yellow sparks released into the air as Barry moved from one side of the robot to the other. "Catch me if you can." Barry nothing but a red blur as he moved about.

The electricity generated by Barry's body began to react to Metallo's metallic body creating an electromagnetic field making it impossible for Metallo to move. The speed force always did make metal react strangely around Barry and he would use it to his advantage. Generating enough speed, Barry propelled a bolt of lightening towards Metallo, knocking the robot back, slamming him through the concrete roof.

Of course that only served to anger Metallo as the robot recovered and launched himself upwards once more, back on the offensive. They still had to deal with the robot's core. It was the only way to truly destroy it. They would all have to work together.
[/fieldbox]

​

 

[Cush Almighty]

Wonder Woman

Metropolis ​

The vulgarity of Guy wasn't nothing shocking as she has heard it all before. Most men wouldn't say such things to her face either out of fear, respect or both but Guy was a different breed altogether. She blocked him from out her mind for the moment and focused on the coming threat. The ground shock as the threat came closer and closer foreshadowing the opponents size. As it quickly closed the gap between them. Diana then was able to make out that it was something metallic thanks to the sunlight refracting off it. It's green glow also help give it away but what was it? It was incredibly fast and large and coming towards them. Once it was close enough it hit Clark like it was instinct. It punched him directly in his chest sending him and Clark through the floors of the building they stood on. Diana then was able to recall the name of this machine with the green core, Metallo, The man with the kryptonite heart.

Diana planned to follow them down but Metallo came right back up and the scream of Diana's love echoed below. This only managed to anger her and now he would fill her fury. Metallo reached for Booster and grab his throat. His metallic hand was now choking him but Booster reacted quickly with a golden blast to Metallo's chest knocking him back. Booster then told everyone to focus on the Kryptonite core which went without saying. No Kryptonite meant no Metallo and no weaken Clark. The world will Superman more than ever after this intense week.

Barry was the next to act as bolted at Metallo who tried to respond by striking at him but it was to not avail. Barry was way too fast, She couldn't even follow his movements and was only barely able to perceived him as a blur. He dodges each of Metallo's punches and taunts him as he does so. Soon the electricity from Barry reacts with Metallo's body creating an electromagnetic field that stole mobility from Metallo. Barry took this opening and generated a bolt of electricity blasted Metallo with it sending him back through the building roof. Metallo once again jumped back up now furious and wanting more. He was a fool to come here alone and now he would pay for it. Wonder Woman walked toward him gripping her sword hard and gritting her teeth. Clark was in her mind at the moment and her urge to get to him as quick as possible.

"You were a fool to challenge us!" She shouted as she lunged at Metallo and swung her sword downward at him. He raised his arm to defend against her sword but in doing so allowed it to cut into his arm exposing circuitry. He moved back and she continued to swing at him now trying to dodge her blade. He then reached out and grabbed Diana's arm which held the sword and picked her up. He then spun around and hurled her into a building face first. She crashed into the building causing glass shatter around her and concrete to fall down on her. This did not deter her as she knocked the pile of rubble on top of her off as if it was nothing. She stood up, Faced bloody and still gripping her sword. She then propelled herself from off the building toward Metallo and dug her sword into one of his shoulder damaging it. She grabbed her lasso that rested on her waist and wrapped it around his neck. She then flew upwards and had Metallo hanging like a chandelier. "Somebody go for his core before he gets his neck free of my lasso!" She shouted as Metallo struggled to try to pull Diana down and escape.

 

[4everDifferent]

[fieldbox="Gotham City, Wayne Manor, red, solid"][/fieldbox][fieldbox="Gotham City, Wayne Manor, red, solid"][/fieldbox][fieldbox="Gotham City, Wayne Manor, red, solid"]When Damien arrived, he brought with him a cloud of suspicion. Something had most definitely happened while he was off on one of his temper tantrums and Bruce needed to find out what it was. If he had any hope in saving his son from the teachings of the League, he was going to have to be sure that Damien kept to his rules strictly. That included the sanctity of life. However, it was difficult to think of success with Jason standing there. Jason was a constant reminder of his failings but he tried to turn it into a tool to sharpen his son. He would not let his son become another Red Hood.

The banter between his son and Jason did little for the small band that had answered his call. If they were going to survive, no, if Gotham was going to survive, through this disaster, they were going to have to see passed their differences and work together no matter how painful that would be.

"Stop it, both of you," Bruce interjected. You are both Robin. Act like it, he thought quietly to himself, "Everyone here knows just as well as I that Gotham is in bad shape. If we're to save this city, then we need to start to work together."

A strategy would be needed and one that played to the strengths of the team he had gathered. He had Oliver and Dina. He could see, perhaps before the two of them that they would pair nicely. Then there was Damien and Jason. He'd have to keep an eye on them. The other two he could trust. That settled it.

"Green Arrow and Black Canary, try and see if you can locate any of the others. I haven't heard from the Commissioner, Oracle, or anyone else. Robin and Red Hood will patrol with me," where I can keep an eye on the both of you, "Hopefully we can grab hold of a section of the city and work from there. Are there any questions?"

"Sir," Alfred buzzed in his ear, "We seem to have a problem."

"What is it?" Bruce replied.

"Plant life seems to have taken a liking to the streets. Clouds of spores are being released and, according to the scanner, sir, those caught in the clouds are becoming violent and attacking those who are not."

"Ivy," Bruce said ominously as he turned his attention to the group before him, "It seems we'll have to postpone this plan. Poison Ivy's attacking Gotham. Green Arrow and Black Canary, could you find a way to herd the infected away from the uninfected? Robin and Red Hood can find a way to bring down the plants. I'll handle Ivy."

Bruce pressed a button on his utility belt and the roar of a motorcycle sounded as it pulled up the driveway less than a minute later, "Hurry," his eyes turned to Jason and Damien, "And don't kill anyone. Remember that they are just infected."

Hopping onto the bike, Bruce sped toward the ruined city, and after placing a mask over his mouth and nose, he rode into the cloud of pollen that had begun to fill the streets. Where was Ivy? Almost more importantly to him, could he trust Jason and Damien to do what was necessary without causing unnecessary casualties?

It didn't take him long to approach the wall of infested innocents. They stood like a barrier, a green hue having taken to their skin and bloodshot eyes that stared forward at the coming heroes. Vines crept along the ground and hugged the ruins around the streets as they stretched skyward in hopes of spreading their spores all the more. Somewhere beyond the sick and in the midst of the vines was his target. [/fieldbox]

 

[Dipper]

It was far from the family reunion he'd been anticipating. He'd trampled the grass on his way up expecting a lot more shouting and anger, but was instead faced with the bratty demon child, a pair of strangers that Jason realized weren't strangers at all, and an eerily calm Bruce.

All things considered, it was going fairly well.

Jason was just about to whirl on the kid and give him a good tongue lashing when Bruce intervened, spouting the same age-old adage of unity. We need to work together. Right, like that worked well in the past. Jason didn't work well as part of a team. And yet here he was, subtly offering his help with fixing the mess that had become Gotham. Jason was headstrong and brash, but he knew when aid was needed. He couldn't clean the city up on his own and no matter how he hated being here at all, it was... necessary.

Ivy. She always made his trigger finger feel itchier than usual. In fact, so much so that his fingers instinctively twitched toward his pistols. Thankfully, it wasn't an aggressive display toward the little twerp at his side.

He was quite confident that he'd go for the throat in such a case.

With a quick glare sent Damian's way, Jason turned his attention to his former mentor, expression twisted in irritation behind his helmet. "So. Plant zombies? Really?" He scoffed. At the very least, he wouldn't have to visit the florist any time soon. Maybe he'd swipe a few plants for the grungy window in his nearest safehouse just to pretty the place up. Hell, maybe he'd make a bouquet for Alfred.

And there he goes with his no-kill rule. Did he always have to make it so difficult? Jason rolled his eyes and held up his hands in mock-surrender. "Don't kill anyone. Right. Sure, Bruce." It's not like they're trying to kill us, or anything. Generally things trying to kill him got killed themselves. It was his style. But if Bruce insisted, well, then maybe it was best if he avoided the man's wrath just this once. Just until Gotham got situated and he could go back to cleaning the streets on his own.

Jason turned on his heel without any further comments. One of his few positive traits; he was a determined, stubborn bastard. It was his job to keep the streets clean where Bruce failed. With criminals now freed and roaming the streets, he couldn't help but feel just a bit offended. As if his work wasn't already backbreaking, they just had to go and make it even more so.

He took to the skyline and followed the faint trail of spores.

 

[Tyrannosaurus Rekt]

METROPOLIS​

Duly noted, trying to help the Flash was like trying to catch a greased pig—or something. That was the euphemism? Eh. Not important. Michael wanted to get some shots off, but the Flash moved too fast, and Metallo played into his hands. He'd better not ruin whatever rhythm the speedster had. Instead, he stayed ahead of the group, trying to formulate a plan.

Of course, his plan was pretty much: hopefully, Wonder Woman can punch it into a smashed aluminum can. That, unfortunately, was not the case. He about had an idea when she managed to get him strung up like a piñata. She yelled at someone to get the core out before Metallo could react. Michael was close enough, and high enough, to do just that.

He activated his shields and flew straight at the cyborg-robot-thing. It seemed more preoccupied with Wonder Woman than himself. That was good. He released his shield at the exact second he connected with the kryptonite core. His hand went around it. Metallo jerked like a cat realizing it was about to be dipped into water. One of his robot knees went straight into Michael's chin. Still, he held onto the core and yanked it from the metal man.

Metallo went limp, and Michael floated to the ground. He activated his shield around the kryptonite, blocking its radiation. He really couldn't afford to get strange, space cancer. "Flash, could you just… I don't know… make this thing go away. Like, far away?" He paused. "Also. Did he get my face good? Man. I think a tooth is wobbly." He shoved his tongue against every tooth. "And you know there's not a good dentist in the apocalypse."

At that moment in time, he could practically hear Skeets going: "Sir, you're being trivial." He was. But that's what people expected of him, right?

 

[Damien Kriez]

[fieldbox="Damian Wayne, darkred, solid"]

Silence was his response to all the words, nodding his head to the sentences that flew above him. While the Boy Wonder appeared focused and concerned, on the inside, his focus and concern was merely towards the self, for he feared the possibility of Batman discovering his sin. Living underneath the shadow of the Batman, the ultimate advocate of life, despite his history with the League of Assassins had weighed heavily upon the boy's shoulders and psyche... was he to uphold the teachings of a hero or countless villains? Who was he more loyal to? His father, or his grand father? Nevertheless, he paced on ahead towards the Robin Cycle and followed through.

While Todd took to the skies and unto the rooftops, the Son of the Demon had the Red Hood linked into his comms. Breaking the silence, Damian's voice broke through Jason's earpiece as a choppy albeit tolerable, somewhat lagged words. "Tell me, Todd. What's it like to die?" Robin had known the stories. Considering how the Red Hood turned out to be, Damian knew full well that trauma was never experienced. In its stead, rage, vengeance, and hatred stemmed and steamed. Still, Damian knew Todd was human, and humans always have a breaking point. Yes, even the Batman himself.

@Dipper ​

[/FIELDBOX]

 

[Reina]

[fieldbox="The Flash, red, dashed, 10"]

M E T R O P O L I S​

Before long Wonder Woman had Metallo wrapped around her lasso and Booster Gold dug a fist into its chest removing the Kryptonite core. It was over. Metallo lay limp on the roof of the building and the immediate threat had come to an end. But Barry knew better. He knew it was only the beginning. This apocalypse was sure to bring out the worst of the worst and Metallo was just the first to arrive. There would be more and the league had to be prepared for what was to come for them. They had to get to the bottom of these strange events or face certain doom. Even calling all the members of the league, they couldn't take on every single villain they had ever faced. It was just impossible.

His thoughts were interrupted as Booster called to him to attend to the Kryptonite core. Right, Clark. He needed to take the core as far away from Superman as possible. The man was already weakened without much sun, Kryptonite would only kill him. Barry walked over to Booster and grabbed the core from his hands. He huffed at his comment about a dentist. "Really? We just finished taking out Metallo and you're thinking about a dentist." Barry only shook his head. Leaving nothing but a few remnants of red and yellow sparks, The Flash took off. His bright yellow boots propelled him forward as he began to scale down the side of the building.

He was instantly glad he wasn't affected by the core he held. He would never be able to help Clark if he was. Barry continued forward, dodging a few loose pieces of concrete that had come loose from Metallo's attack. He bolted passed the broken down buildings, past the remains of the Daily Planet Globe and out to the harbor. He pushed himself to go even faster as the Speed Force drove him further. Barry was but a mere red blur as his boots carried him over the water. The cold water of the river splashed around him as he continued out as far away from Metropolis as he could get. When he was a safe enough distance from Clark, Barry used his speed to thrust the core out into the water, the core sinking to the bottom just as quickly as Barry threw it.

Without losing momentum, Barry sped back to the building where everyone had gathered but not without first noticing Gotham. It looked a little too...green. Something wasn't right over there and he was sure they needed to check on Bruce next. Still he continued back towards Clark and the others, reaching the top of the building almost as quickly as he left. He stopped at the crater made by Metallo and Superman when the attack first happened. He bent down on one knee and looked down to his old friend. "Clark! Clark! Are you alright?!"

@neptune
[/fieldbox]

 

[4everDifferent]

The green hue given off by the spores that filled the air grew thicker causing vision to grow dimmer and dimmer. Even the beams of light from the bike were barely cutting throw the cloud. Shadowy shapes grabbed at Bruce's attention as he pressed through. He had to find Ivy before it was too late. He had to stop her before the damage was irreversible. But where was she?

Batman....

The voice...it was silky and smooth. It poured into his ears like honey. The voice that anyone would fall victim to its seductions could come from only one person. Bruce opened his mouth to speak her name but he had registered it too late. Thick vines gripped at the front tire of his motorcycle stopping it in its place. Bruce couldn't hold on as he was thrown violently from his bike. He shielded himself as best he could as he slid across the street before being able to maneuver himself in a position to stop himself. From the left, he could hear the rustling of vines as they sped hungrily toward him. He had just enough time to push himself out of the way in order to dodge them.

I should have known the earth wouldn't have swallowed you up...

"Ivy, stop this," he tried to reason as he dodged the vines.

No! she snapped. Bruce turned his head toward the source of the sound. They did this. You did this. My babies are hurting and this is all your fault! Now they'll pay!

Bruce reached behind his back and pulled out a batarang. He threw it into the cloud toward the voice. The sound of it clanking against the ground after a soft wack was only slightly disappointing. Dealing with Ivy was easier when she was upset. She made more mistakes. Darting toward the voice, he weaved around darting vines until the feminine figure of Ivy was beginning to show. Soon he could stop her and then tend to the infected. All he had to do was reach out and-

Something blunt slammed into the side of his head. Bruce stumbled and was unable to gain footing to dodge a vine that hit him center mass and knocked him flat on his back. Just as he began to push himself from the ground, he felt vines wrap around his ankles. Before he could pull out another batarang to cut himself loose, vines snatched at his wrists. Batman was raised into the air as more vines slithered around his stomach and chest and began to constrict. Bruce groaned as he pointlessly tried to fight against the vines.

"You should know by now, the harder you struggle, the tighter they get," Ivy's figure stepped from the thick cloud and into his view. Her hips swayed just right and would have mesmerized a lesser man but Bruce looked in her eyes. He resisted her in the past and would do so again. Her hand landed softly on his chest and her fingers traced the outline of his suit before moving to his face mask that protected him from the spores, "Let's just take this off."

 

[neptune]

[fieldbox=Superman, #199CD8, solid, Times New Roman]
M E T R O P O L I S
While the battle raged on above him, Clark lay there weakened, his body burning with pain and a mind that felt inches from death. Already weakened by the lack of sunlight, the sudden and unforeseen exposure to green kryptonite had taken every last bit of strength from him. All he could do was look up, blue eyes focused on the hole his body had made in the floors and ceilings above him while his friends worked together to stop the robot. Fragments of their fight filtered down to his ears, much more human than alien, just as weak as the rest of him. For a moment, he thought he heard Diana scream; not being able to help was a fate worse than death.

The seconds slowly ticked by and Clark was unable to hang onto his own consciousness. His vision went as dark as the night sky and blank as his mind as a short, unwanted sleep took over.

It was difficult to tell how long he had been out, but when Clark came to, Barry was standing over him. The man's voice was frantic with concern, but he managed a smile anyway—though it was debatable how reassuring it was. "Is everyone okay?" he asked, able to breathe easier without any sign of green K. His muscles and back gave a painful shout of protest as Clark tried to sit up, and he came to the realization that for once, he was actually bruised. The need for sunlight was starting to become more immediate, but there were still other things to worry about. When the apocalypse hit, there was little time to be selfish.

After a few long minutes of forcing himself to move, Clark found the strength to lift off from the ground. The building was incredibly unstable after the fight, but he trusted Barry to make it out to the roof unscathed; what would the Flash be without the ability to constantly skirt danger?

Back on the roof, Clark touched down with little stumble in his feet and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his friends in tact. "Thank you," he said, addressing the group instead of trying to figure who had actually given Metallo the final blow. With one problem solved, however, another was quick to pop up in its place. From the corner of his eye and over the harbor, Clark noticed another green glow coming from Gotham. Logic said that it couldn't have been another robot, but Clark had stopped being surprised by bad news days ago.

"I don't think there's anything left for us here in Metropolis," he said, sad to think that the city he loved was now just another wasteland, "we should all move onto Gotham, find Batman and regroup if we can." There was strength in numbers, but Clark wasn't going to feel any better until the sun peeked through the inky clouds overhead.

@Metropolis Squad

[/fieldbox]


[fieldbox=Huntress, #70488D, solid, Times New Roman]G O T H A M

For just being hit by a tidal wave and then covered in ash, Gotham didn't look so bad. Although the already dilapidated buildings may have crumbled, and the forever dirty streets had become further obscured by filth, the place still felt familiar. It was kind of funny, Helena thought, that criminals didn't stop being themselves just because the world had ended. For a vigilante, maybe the last one left a city of minimal survivors, there was still work to do and that was motivation enough.

The nights since the disaster were much of the same, just on a larger scale and on strange territory. Helena had dealt with her fair share of looters and offenders, desperate people who were trying to take advantage of the situation, a few guys holding up innocents with a knife or a gun. The distraction was welcome, but Helena hadn't stopped thinking of her friends or any other heroes that might be out in the world. Her comm wasn't as sophisticated as Batman's, it was old and full of static, but that didn't stop her from trying to get in touch with Dinah, or Barbara, or even Dick once or twice. She didn't want to admit they all might be dead.

Her friends were in her heart as she took a break from patrol. So far, the night hadn't been as busy as the others, there were less people milling about and the ones who had already found shelter didn't seem keen on leaving it. Even the regular rogues looked to be somewhat devastated—although she had stopped the Riddler and his thugs from raiding what was left of the art museum. Breathing a sigh, Helena took a seat on the ledge of an old building, the inside had been gutted by the flood, but the frame was stable enough and Helena had taken a liking to it.

The loneliness of the situation began to creep back in as she sat there, and once again, probably in vain, Helena tried her comm. "Batgirl?" she asked, her voice mostly static as it echoed back to her. She keyed it again, a bit of her soul dying at the last resort she was forced to take, "Batman?"

Nothing.

"Figures," she scoffed, blowing a tuft of black hair away from her face. She turned back toward the city, though, just in time to see a green glow in the distance. Brows furrowed behind her mask, the purple one was quick to stand in hopes of getting a better look. It was probably Ivy, a woman that she would have felt much better about kicking the shit out of if the Birds were at her back, but there was little she could do about it. Shaking the nostalgia, Helena grabbed her crossbow and prepared to take the roofs toward the heart of the city when a motorcycle sped through the streets below.

The taillights were the brightest thing Helena had seen all week, and she took off after the bike, keying her comm with one hand as she navigated across rooftops. "Robin?" she asked, amazed to see the kid after days without any contact. She jumped a gap in one of the buildings and rolled onto the spongy roof of another. This time, finally, she wasn't alone.

"And you," she greeted Todd with a grin as she fell into step with him, "I should have known you'd make it!"

@Dipper @Damien Kriez
[/fieldbox]

 

[Dipper]

On second thought, no plants. His safe houses could do without them and their spores. Even with his helmet scrubbing the air clean, the stench was overwhelming. A helmet full of cut grass and... what was that, rot?

Wonderful. He'd be cleaning the filters for days.

He looked up and smirked behind the helmet. Huntress. Well, a fine addition to their patchwork little team. She'd have been better off with Nightwing at her side, but it didn't seem like Dick was going to show up anytime soon. What a shame.

"Bruce was insistent," he said as he hooked his line over the parapet for descent. "You know, for a guy who likes to go it alone, he's real big on the whole teamwork thing."


Jason was still reluctant about the whole thing - more so about being paired with the little demon - but he wasn't stupid. Running solo was possibly the worst option available to him right now. With the city falling apart before his very eyes, and chaos not even he could reign in, working together was the best course of action. He didn't have to like it to agree with it.

Maybe that's why he was so efficient; no teammates to hold him back, or appeal to his humanity. Forgiveness didn't clean the streets. Besides, rarely could anyone keep up with him and his methods in the first place, so it was just as well. For him and any potential teammates.

He peered over the edge to find his landing zone. Down below, the streets crawled with Ivy's plants and horrific human monstrosities he'd much rather to put a bullet in than contain. Farther down the street, vines and-- he squinted. You're kidding. Jason pawed the side of his helmet to zoom in just enough to catch a glimpse of Ivy with ol' Bats in her grasp, her vines far too tight and her hands lingering far too close to his mask. Unless they could get to her before she pulled it free, this whole mess would become a so much worse.

With a snort, he turned to his partners. "Hey, think Bats could use some help over there?" He gestured over his shoulder. Jason let them ponder that before shrugging and attaching the descent line to his belt. He lifted himself onto the parapet. Now, he just needed a viable plan to get these plants to calm down...

 

[Cush Almighty]

While Wonder Woman had Metallo strung up and completely open, Booster Gold, The 25th-century hero flew up to him protected by his shield. Metallo didn't notice this as he was too busy screaming insults and reaching for Wonder Woman foot. Once Micheal was close enough his shield was let down and his hands wrapped around Metallo's core. This cause Metallo to struggle even more but Diana only held her rope tighter. A moment and a knee to the chin later the Kryptonite core was removed and the machine, for the most part, was dead.

She sighed in relief, Dropping the disabled metal man onto the ground. She descended and untied the lasso from around Metallo and place it on her hip where it belongs. She then watched as Flash took the Kryptonite and darted off to get the rock that had caused Clark so much suffering over the years as far away as possible. With that problem solved it was time to check on Clark but it seemed he had bounced back quicker than she had expected. Clark had flown up from his crater, Through the hole and had landed in front of her and the group. He thanked everyone and turned his Attention to Gotham. She wanted to leap out hug the man she loved and hold him tight but knowing he was alright was good enough. It's best if they remain professional in front of others and hopefully keep as many people from knowing about their relationship.

Diana watched Clark's eyes turn to Gotham which made her take a good look at the city too. It glowed green but not the sickly color of the Kryptonite Barry had disposed of. "By the Gods! What is happing over in Gotham?" She asked wondering what could be the cause of such a phenomenon. Was it linked it the earthquake somehow? They were needed in Gotham, Who knows how long Batman and his Family could hold up there alone. Clark then stated what she had been thinking. Them regrouping in Gotham with Batman might be their best option, For now, Metropolis was safe. "I agree, Batman might be in trouble." Batman was tough as nails but he was no Superman, And Superman himself wasn't acting like one either. Until Clark was better, She would protect him and make sure no serious harm would come to him.

Diana flew up to the sky and turned her torso and head to look back at her team. "Well Boys, What are you waiting for? Try to keep up, Not including you Flash for obvious reasons." She told them putting a smile on her face. She then turns to Gotham and her smile slowly fades to a steely expression as sped off toward Gotham.

 

[4everDifferent]

Bruce stared angrily down at Ivy as he felt her fingertips grip at the filter. Inhaling as deeply as he could, waited. Sure enough, the filter was ripped from his face and tossed aside. Considering he had been constricted, Bruce gave himself 7 minutes until he would have to pull in a breath consciously or unconsciously.

"There, breathe them in Batman," Ivy said with a victorious smile, "The others were too weak, but not I. All of Gotham--" Her head snapped to the side and Bruce's followed, "You brought friends? Naughty Batman."

It was Jason. Bruce smirked slightly. He would serve as the distraction he needed. Ivy would be confident that Bruce would have breathed in enough spores to be swayed to her side and would leave to deal with Jason. It was then, he could cut himself loose.

Just as he had predicted. Ivy patted his chest softly, "Don't go anywhere, Batman, we're going to have so much fun."

Just as she swayed back into the smog, Bruce went to work. He had five minutes left. That was plenty of time. Pulling against the vines, he slowly reached for his belt. He had to make each second count. Each second pulling cost him more on his timer. After much straining, he finally reached his belt and withdrew a batarang. He quickly cut himself loose before crashing to the ground and into a roll directed toward his filter. slipping it over his face, he held his breath a few seconds longer as it cleaned itself before finally taking in a breath. This time, he'd take a few seconds.

Now to find Ivy once more.

It didn't take him long this time. Her back to him and completely unaware that he was there. Pulling a bola from his belt, he spun it before throwing it at her. It wrapped around her. The two balls slamming into her chest and knocking the air from her as she fell to the ground. Batman was upon her before she could call for help. She opened her mouth to say something but Bruce's fist raised to her face and, upon pressing a button, a white puff shot out over her face. Bruce watched as her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she went limp.

Even though Ivy was incapacitated, there was still much to do. Her minions still enacted her bidding and there were many of them - possibly too many for just those who were in Gotham. Ivy might just get what she wanted.

 

[neptune]

[fieldbox=Huntress, #70488D, solid, Times New Roman]G O T H A M

The whole teamwork thing was a bit ironic, but the disaster had turned a certain chooser into a beggar and had there been time for such a thing, Helena might have laughed. Bruce was now stuck with at least two people he never wanted to work with—the son he often denied and herself—both (allegedly) too violent in their methods, both more unstable than the billionaire who dressed as a bat at night and ran around the city wreaking his own sort of havoc. Unwarranted complaints and harsh criticism was the very reason that Helena preferred working with Dick in Bludhaven. There was never any real judgment there, no annoyance on a personal level, but the apocalypse had changed all that. Helena supposed that now, she was a beggar too.

Keeping pace with Jason, they soon entered the heart of the city where the green glow had taken over more than just the atmosphere. Vines were stretched out and spreading, clinging to the face of buildings, wrapping themselves around already overturned cars and in the distance, Jason's observation forced her to look a little harder. Helena reached for a pocket in her utility belt and pulled out a compact, but powerful pair of binoculars. The lenses soon zoomed in just enough to see the detail of Ivy's face and the black-clad sentient frown that she had in her clutches.

"Definitely," Helena replied, nodding before looking over to Jason, whose line was already deployed and ready to go, "but he'd probably disagree."

And rightfully so, Helena supposed as she looked back to see Bruce cutting himself out of Ivy's vines—leave it to him to handle the action by himself even after getting tangled up with the eco-terrorist. Luckily, there was still work to be done and Ivy never did anything by herself that she couldn't charm the environment into doing for her. Stowing the binoculars, Helena set up her own line, ready to do whatever she could to clear the city and help those innocent citizens who had been affected by that sickly, green light.

The speed of the drop-in made her eyes water, but Helena easily landed on her feet, no stumble, no uncertainty and close enough to Bruce to be of service if he wanted to bark orders at her. "Nice to see you too," she smirked, but the expression quickly changed to one of focus as she caught sight of a man rushing toward them from the corner of her eye. There was a dazed look on his face, his complexion pale and eyes ringed with an irritated red that only became more pronounced as he got closer. Rather than grab her crossbow, Helena chose the bo staff instead—non-lethal and not something that anyone could complain about. She swung when the man was close enough, aiming for his ankles and dropping him hard to the dirty ground.

He wasn't the only one, though and while looking around for Jason, several more people emerged from the shadows, all dazed and misguidedly looking for a fight. "What is this?" she asked, readying herself for another encounter.
[/fieldbox]

 

[Dipper]

It wasn't as high-stakes or as thrilling as a firefight with a band of witless goons. He didn't have to think to take down a thrall or a plant, just do.

Jason slammed the butt of his handgun down hard on the skull of one man with enough force to send the husk to his feet. He noted that they were far more resilient than the common street thug, and adjusted the force he used accordingly without causing permanent harm-- Bruce had been clear on that. His strikes were delivered in succession as each husk came his way, attention divided evenly between the writhing plants at his back and Ivy's thralls.

But Bats was no doubt watching, in that strange way of his, so letting loose a few rounds into said thralls was out of the question if he wanted to avoid an earful. Each strike of his gun filled the chambers with more of those spores, something that would come to bite him in the ass later on. He loved these guns, but cleaning infected spores from its crevices? No thanks.

Putting space between him and the oncoming thralls, Jason let off a round and then two into the base of one of the plants. It squealed - it squealed, can plants do that? - in protest before falling limp. Thick sap bled from the holes and coated the asphalt with sticky brown, under his boot. He grimaced and stepped away.

He'd be sure to pay Ivy a special visit when this was all over.

He whirled when the sound of flesh hitting asphalt reached his ears, only to find his former mentor now standing over a collapsed Ivy. A cheeky smile sprouted behind his helmet at the sight, followed by a sudden flush of irritation because he felt like he'd been used. He couldn't figure out why.

"If you're done flirting with Ivy," he said, turning his gaze to Bruce, "we could use a hand here. Sweep the city, street by street."

He fired two shots into the plant across the street, whistling when the bullets hit their mark. When he turned back, he held up his hands in mock surrender. "Don't worry. Bullets and man-eating plants only."