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***HR. World Wide News Studio.***

“Hello everyone! This is Sara Bradley.” Sara said into the camera, then turn to her co anchor with a smile.

“And I am Luke Brendon.” Luke said with a brilliant smile as he looked at Sara, then they both looked at the camera.

“”And this is World Wide News!”” They both said together. Sara had her shoulder length brown hair tied back into a french braid. She wore gray dress suit, with a white blouse. Her face had just a touch of make up to highlight her blue eyes. She looked a little better, had some rest, and a bit of food. But still needed some R&R.

“Tonight one of our top stories is a hard one. We are seeing an upscale in violent activity from the terrorist organization known as, 'Humans First'” Luke began to say, the man was clean shaven and grooved with his short black hair. His amber eyes were clear, and focused. He wore a black suit with a light blue shirt, and a bright red tie. He looked a little rough around the edges but like Sara he was looking better.

“That is right Luke. We've seen several coordinated attacks across the globe. Where the Humans first have attacked JLI members that are not human. But when anyone steps up to defend our none human friends the HF attacks them all the same. Spouting their propaganda about how Earth is only for Humanity.” Sara said with sour expression. She was trying to school her expression but it was clear she was not happy about the situation.

“Makes you wonder where the HF was during the invasion? Where they around causing problems and we just didn't know it? Or were they comfortable letting our friends in the JLI fight and die for them. Only for the HF to start trouble when no one wants them around.” Luke said with a similar expression as Sara.

“However, we are happy to report that none a single JLI has been reported to be killed by the HF. Though several have been injured, the JLI have been working with the different nations military to continue rebuilding the world as fast as possible.” Sara continued with the segment then flipped through her notes.

“We'll discuss more on the subject of the HF later tonight. But our next piece of good news is the first cargo plane between the US, and the UK arrived safely at the Heathrow Airport. This marks the first plane to officially take off from the US, and land across the ocean with our neighbors. Hopefully it will not be the last.” Luke said with a chipper grin, moving on to happier contents.

“With the international borders being redrawn, and the United Nations in the process of rebuilding. Many are asking if we should move the United Nations general assembly to a different location. The nation of Atlantis played an intricate part in lending aid, and support for our nations in our time of need. Some are wondering if we should move the UN to an Atlantis city.” Sara said with a small grin....

They continued to talk about different portions of stories across the globe. They even introduced a new individual who would go over the world wide weather. One would thing people would have better things to do. But it was the sense of normalcy that people were looking for. They were trying to get back to their roots. Even if the news had nothing to do with them, it told people that the world was slowly returning to what it was.

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***HR. Nevada, North America***

Running across the vast expanse of rock, sand, and desert plants were a dozen individuals wearing Fort Rozz prisoner outfits. These individuals remarkably looked human... They ran with practiced ease, not to fast, not to slow. They ran in a straight line front, and back, nearly stepping in their exact foot prints. They had slow even breathing that matched their pace, even with the scorching heat of the desert bearing down on them they moved with out complaint. Then the whistling sound of a jet flying over head made them all fall straight down onto their chests and freeze in place.

Six women, and six men were flat on their chests listening, watching, waiting. One of them spotted the strange aircraft as it flew off in the distance. Leaving a trail of hot air in its wake. The aircraft banked to the side and flew towards their direction but they stayed perfectly still. The craft flew over them, and then flew off into the distance. Once the sound dissipated they all jumped to their feet and continued to run north.

They ran, and ran until the sun set. It wasn't until that they could barely see directly in front of them that they slowed to a walk and spaced themselves out a bit. Until they came across something peculiar. A trail? Packed stone, and tar? Concrete? The woman in the lead took a knee and ran her hand across the path and saw reflective markers. What was this? It couldn't be what she thought it was.

“It's a road...” A woman said behind them, and they all nodded in agreement.

“Where is the energy line? Communication network? Anything?” A man spoke up as he started to trace his hands across the edge of the road. The stars were out as was the moon it was nearly full so they had some ambient light especially in the middle of no where.

“This doesn't make any sense. We saw the troops that were around the ship. This world should be just as advanced as home, shouldn't it?” Another woman asked, now all of the prisoners were looking at the primitive concrete road.

“Why aren't we tired?” Another man asked, and everyone looked at him in confusion. Then they all stopped and thought about it. They were trained soldiers running all day was normal for them. But he was right. It was hot, the ground was uneven, the air was thin, but they moved at an even pace all day.

“Let's keep moving, we'll follow the road.” The lead woman said in an authority tone. They all stopped talking and moved in step with her. The woman took a brief moment to look up at the starry sky. She didn't recognize a single constellation.

The group of prisoners followed the road east and kept an even jog. Jogging along the road would make easier to travel. But it would make them easier to spot. It was a risk they would have to take. They needed to get as far away as possible from the prison ship. It the world they were on was as primitive as they assumed then that was both good and bad. Good because communication across the world would be limited. Bad because they wouldn't be able to call for help from their allies in the stars above.

The sun rose the next day and the prisoners came upon a small town. They couldn't read the language on the signs. With enough light to see they left the road and began to scout the town out. It wasn't long before they found something disturbing. The town was completely empty. They also found traces of what appeared to be a battle of some kind. Kinetic blasts leaving craters in the ground. Powder burns, blast holes, dried blood, and shell casings.

“Projectiles weapons...Primitive.” One of the prisoners said as he picked up a bullet casing.

“Civilian weapons maybe?” Another suggested, then hey heard a whistle and they ran across a street to find a large building with a giant letter on the front of it. It was single red line down, with two smaller lines going sideways one diagonally up, and diagonally down.

Inside was a store full of primitive clothing, basic supplies, and food! Most of the food that had been laid out was rotten but they found several packed goods ready for consumption. When you are starving anything can taste amazing. They really liked the brown sweet tasting bars. They ditched their prisoner uniforms and pulled on some odd but comfy shoes, blue pants, and soft but stretchy shirts. A small crash was heard from the front and they all turned to see the lead woman tearing open the small box by the assembly line.

“They use paper for their currency.” The woman said as she pulled out wads of bills.

“Commander Ursa....Where are we?” One of them asked.

“I don't know.... We can't stay here. Grab what you believe is useful. We leave in ten!” Ursa called out, and the Kryptonian military guild soldiers all saluted.

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***HR. Gotham City***

Death was nothing new to Lash. Thanks to his Cosmic Patron placing him where ever he wanted Lash had lived to many lives to not expect it. But that didn't make it any less painful. In fact Lash was happy that it still hurt. He was always afraid of becoming a husk of individual alive but not really living. Lash spent sometime in his home getting the full story from Isabella, and Lizzy. Eventually however he left his home, leaving Vyllith behind so he could think.

Lash went to one of Gotham's many cemeteries. One in specific, where the Shaw's were buried. Lash hated visiting graveyards. They were full of echoes, and fragments of the dead. Along with hundreds of souls that refused to move on. One a week or a month a soul collector would show up and ask if any of them wanted to leave. But many of the souls would hide in their graves and refuse. Many of them not knowing what was next, others still convinced that this was all a dream and they would wake up at any moment. The collectors would leave with maybe a few, but the ever growing number was depressing.

A crumbled brick wall separated the dead from the living in this graveyard. Specters would bounce off the consecrated barrier unable to leave. The grass was over grown. With grave stones broken, and shattered left and right. Graffiti covered certain stones. While a few people were even living in the mausoleums scattered through out. Lash was invisible to the naked eye, though a few magical spirits did float over to him for a moment.

“I am looking for the Shaw grave site. They are new.” Lash asked a will-o-wisp that chimmed at him when he fed it a bit of Grave Domain energy. It flew around him a few times, then led him to his query.

The supernatural communities burn their kin when they die. Unless they come from a specific culture. They are burned because anyone who is a spell caster knows that you can do a lot with the remains of someone. Lash could do several things with the remains of beings. The Shaw's had been cremated. Whether it was in their will was irrelevant. Lizzy was a Warden. The Warden Council, and the Supernatural Council cremated her parents to prevent them from being used against her. Her, and Lash.

Lash was led to a nice little spot off the beaten path of the graveyard. Unlike the rest of the cemetery this place was maintained. It had several spell wards in place to scare off the mundanes. They would get the wiggles when ever they stepped near here. Fresh cut grass, a nice stone bench to sit on. Lash brushed it clean of leaves and took a seat. Beatrice Shaw, and Edward Shaw. Loving parents, good friends, and lover of the arts. Their stones were made out of a pure black marble, and letters written in gold.

“I don't have anyone to go after...Everyone involved has been punished. I still feel bitter. If I had been here I... I could have saved them. Or maybe I couldn't have. I hate this feeling.” Lash spoke out loud. No, he was not speaking to the empty graves.

“I'm sorry...” Batman said from behind him.

Batman stood in complete silence behind Lash. He had stayed perfectly quiet, and not moved a muscle since he repelled down from the bat-copter above them that was hovering silently. Batman stood at 6'2” with near perfect black cloak, cowl, and light exoskeleton suit under his cloak. Polymer suit, flex metal plates for mobility, mechanical boosters, and his legendary utility belt with something for any occasion. (Shark repellent!)

“Three days....Three days into the counter incursion they were killed. I was in....Hell at that point. There was no way to get back to me. But what I don't understand is why did no one tell me?” Lash asked, never taking his eyes off the gravestones.

“We wanted to. But... We needed you focused.” Batman said, his voice wasn't cold anymore. Out of anyone in the League Batman understood what Lash was feeling. He didn't apologize for their choice.

“You were right... If you had told me I would have dropped everything I was doing and came back home to track down who killed them. But...That was done for me. Thank you for that.” Lash replied, as he stood from the stone bench and dropped to his knees. He placed his head against the gravestones and started to cry.

“But I still wish things had been different... I put measures in place. We all did! The Wardens, the council, the JLI. It was the main reason we can all do the things we do so we don't have to worry about our families! So why!? WHY DID THIS HAPPEN!?” Lash screamed in the end and dug his hands into the earth.

Lash's heart was breaking... The Shaw family had been the parents he didn't have growing up. They were good people, they deserved better than this. To be gunned down by random people. Caught between two rival gangs fighting over absolutely fucking nothing! His entire body shook in rage! But he couldn't do anything! The thugs were beguiled, charmed by some piece of shit that hated Lash! They were ultimately innocent! So, go after the supernatural that charmed the gang members? Nope! They're dead! They themselves were killed by a random shooting! FUCKING BAD LUCK!

Lash didn't know it at the time but there was a terror zone around him at the time. Nothing was moving, or even breathing with in a hundred feet of him. Batman was the only one that stood by his side, and even he was frozen stiff. This was what they had been afraid of. A ghostly image of Saurian in all his glory as a 60 foot tall, and 120 feet long monster was coiled around Lash protectively. Batman was inside the coil and felt the terror aura fade slowly. Everything, and anyone near by ran from the graveyard or as far as they could get. The living, and the dead wanted as far as they could get right now.

A bright fiery light burst into being above them. The light bathed the whole graveyard in orange light. The light slowly drifted from the sky down to the ground, its radiance dimming. As the light took a step across the grass the giant ghostly tail of Saurian pulled back just a bit and Starfire stepped forward. Her long fiery hair was past the middle of her back, the tips glowing brightly. She walked past Batman who stepped out of her way.

Starfire aka Koriand'r was 6'4” with radiant green eyes that glowed. Bright orange skin, that was warm to the touch. She wore a purple polymer light exoskeleton suit. Tamara inscription across the armored plates that covered her vitals while a clear polymer armor gave the illusion of skimpy clothing. During the war Starfire had different gear she wore, especially when they made gear that helped her absorb ultraviolet light. She wore this because Lash had made it for her.

Kory knelt beside Lash and with out fear ran her hand along his back. For a brief moment she froze as she felt the absolute rage boiling off of him. But she persevered, and continued to rub his back. Tears were beginning to fall from her eyes as she saw her friend in so much pain. She gently reached down with both her hands and pulled him up right and pulled him into a hug. Lash didn't reach out to return the embrace, but he didn't pull away either.

“Are you off for the next couple of days?” Lash asked suddenly, his voice cracked but he cleared his throat trying to recover his mindset.

“Yes, I got my time off so I could hopefully spend it with you.” Kory replied as she smiled at her friend who pulled back and cleaned his eyes. Unlike some men Kory had met Lash didn't hide his tears from her.

“Let's go home then.” Lash said to her, and smiled brilliantly at him. He turned to look at Batman, just as the ghostly image of Saurian was pulled back into him. “I don't suppose we could get a ride?” Lash asked, and Batman smiled just a little.

“Sure...” Batman said, and pressed a button on his utility belt. The Bat-copter hovered down and they all climbed aboard.

Lash was not 100%, he stared out of the window as they flew over the wrecked city of Gotham. Kory continued to look at him, while Batman responded to a slew of messages from several people worrying about Lash. They flew just over a specific spot near his building and dropped them off. Batman took off into the night. Lash, and Kory took a discreet underground passage to the parking structure. Then took an elevator upstairs to his home.

“Welcome back Lord Count, Princess Koriand'r.” Vyllith greeted them at the door with a bow from her waist. Vyllith had taken off her armor and now had on pink cotton pants, and a baggy blue tee. One of Lash's, the sight brought a smile to Lash.

That night Lash slept in his bed for the first time in he couldn't remember when. Though he was not alone! Kory, Vyllith, Isabella, and Lizzy joined him. Nothing sexual took place, but the simple comfort of being with family was what he wanted. To a human it may seem a little odd, but Lash wasn't really human anymore. Thankfully his bed was large enough to accommodate them. Lash's three day vacation didn't officially start until the morning. The day before had been used for travel.

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Lash opened his eyes and saw his Clock send him a silent alarm at 4:30 am his first day of his vacation. He had only slept a few hours, but oddly enough didn't have a returned memory from one of his past lives. Every life he revisited he would gain something. Maybe his Patron was limiting his access? Or maybe Lash was just to tired to care?

Lash was laying down on his back where he had four beautiful women on either side of him. Lizzy was pressed against his right side using his shoulder as a pillow. Her right hand placed on his chest. She wore a giant tee shirt to bed and nothing else that Lash could see. Isabella was spooning her from behind which was a little funny to see given that Lizzy was bigger than her. Isabella had her arms wrapped around Lizzy protectively, but left arm was under the pillows and her fingers were touching Lash's shoulder. She was wearing a tight tee shirt, and sleeping shorts

To his immediate left Kory was pressed into his left arm. Her left leg had wrapped around him, and she had tucked the long line of her body against his arm. Her fiery hair glowed, and oddly floated above them as it idly twitched back and forth in her sleep. Like a giant glowing cat's tail. Kory being Kory had come to bed completely naked. Not seeing any reason to be in bed with clothes on. Vyllith who had gotten along very well with Kory was also naked, pressed up against Kory. Her own tail tapping slightly across the bed. While her hand was beneath the pillows touching his shoulder.

That was when Lash realized a simple truth. He couldn't move with out waking them up. He was also afraid that if he moved they would notice his rock hard erection. He tried to will himself to relax, that this was not the time for this....Nope, didn't work. He tried to reach across the link to Saurian who metaphorically pushed against his face in a odd snooze button sort of way. Lash was trapped! Lash flinched just a bit as Kory's leg that was wrapped around him pulled back just a bit. As her leg caught his erection and stopped moving. Great....

So, being trapped he did the only thing he could do. He reached out with Connectivity and empowered his Virtual Intelligence tech-spirits all three of them. He started to do some work! On his vacation, hoping that would distract himself. The JLI were temporarily lending their satellites to the world to use as communication hubs. So Lash answered a few hundred emails. He also messaged his pack, and told them he was in Gotham for the next three days. Peyton, and Mikhail who were still awake in Europe said hello. They would love to come over to Gotham to see him, but work is...Well work. Lash said he would try and come see them instead. Maybe Kory would like Paris? Was Paris even standing?

He contacted Jessabell, Soluna, Li'Ana, Selina, and Booraku. Booraku was the only one who got back to him with in a few minutes. It was only 5:00 am in Gotham so that made sense. Booraku wished him well, and would love to see the whole pack in a single place for once. He was at a Shield and Sword facility just outside of Gotham helping with a security detail. Booraku had received a promotion during the invasion. So he was a team leader to a security operations team. So getting a handle on him would be a bit of a task.

Next up was his Warden friends... Timothy, Mahalia, Simon, and Sam! He sent a message to Skaleg, but the viking lived up north along the Canadian border. Sent a message to Ivy....BOOOM! A window shattering explosion rocked the whole building just down the street. Thankfully the building they lived in was magically reinforced so they were fine. But no one was asleep anymore! Lash pulled up the security shutters and looked out the window. About three city blocks down the road were several police officers shooting at a group of people. Then one of the people clapped? And the....BOOOM! Was sent out across from the mans hands...

Attention User! Dynamic event!

Optional: Stop the meta gang from causing anymore destruction.

Optional: Stop the police, and assist the gang.

Optional: Utterly destroy the gang for ruining your lady friends nap time!

Comment: Good morning!

With a flash of the spell Calling Lash had his full Warden/ JLI gear on. While Kory was more than willing to fight naked Lizzy was there to stop her from doing so. While Vyllith sharing in Lash's abilities called her own gear onto her body. Lash went to the glass door of the balcony and the gargoyles stationed there looked at him with concern. He did a quick cast of Invisibility and blinked out of existence. His home would be secure, as Vyllith winked out of existence behind him. He used Falling Glide and jumped off the building and flew across the street at high speed.

Name: Shock Wave, VI Avatar.

Title: Star Scream!

Origin: Meta

Rank: C-

Skills: Hand to Hand, Fire Arms, Leadership, Knitting (See tool tip)

Powers: Sound Manipulation, Superhuman Durability, Superhuman Healing, (See tool tip)

Domains: N/A

Traits: N/A

Disposition: Hostile

Comment: Shock Wave is a well known, and feared Meta gang leader in Gotham. He has good leadership skills, and knows when to inspire loyalty, and when to inspire fear. He had a General Warrant out of on. (Alive if possible, dead if necessary).

Another window shattering explosion rocked the whole city block as the police officers behind their now wrecked police cruisers were sent to their backsides as the shock wave destroyed the area. But it seemed Shock Wave had enough control to not liquefy the cops. There were three other Meta's standing near him, while a few more mundanes had grins on their faces and were keeping an eye out for more cops.

CRACK! Lash stomped into between the gang, and the police officers coming out of Invisibility wearing his Wraith disguise. He stood at his full 8 foot tall height looking at the gang who at that point paled in recognition. As several of the mundane gang members thought it better to run now. Shock Wave's eyes narrowed and he went to clap his hands again. Two blades of pure darkness thrust out from the ground and slashed down. Shock Wave didn't register what had happened, he went to clap and all he got was a wet sloshing sound. From the wrist up, his hands were gone.

“GAAAAAAAAH!” Shock Wave screamed in horror!

Congratulations User! Darkness Manipulation has evolved into Minor Darkness Manipulation.

Effects: Power increase, decrease in energy consumption, increase level of manipulation.

One of Lash's tentacles whipped out and sent a blue Psionic pulse wave towards the group. Each of the meta's dropped as they had 100,000 volts of energy pass through them. Lash cast Burning on Shock Wave's hands to stem the bleeding and then began to construct inhibitors. A gust of wind rushed past him and Vyllith sprinted after the gang that were trying to escape. Less than thirty seconds later Starfire flew over head to assist Vyllith in her captor.

“Agent Wraith?” One of the police officers called out. Lash looked up to see the officers on their feet and gradually walking over.

“Hello officers, I apologize for stepping in with out authorization. I also forgot to read them their rights.” Lash said in his animalistic voice that made them all jump. But the initial officer smiled wide at him.

“Not at all Sir! Welcome home.” The officer said with a smile, and a sentiment that was shared by the rest.

“For a little while...” Lash said softly, and all of the officers understood. Lots to do!

Dynamic Event Complete!

Reward: Increased positive reputation with GCPD.

Reward: Increased negative reputation with Gotham City criminal underworld.

Reward: Brutality bonus! One Dream Point!

Once all the inhibitors were clamped onto the meta's and the gang had been rounded up Lash begrudgingly reattached Shock Wave's hands. Then he spent time repairing the police officers vehicles. When he found out it would be over two hours before a high security vehicle would be coming by Lash scoffed and just started to create one. He passed the officer in charge a small USB with Lash's after action report. He couldn't come by the station, and the officer understood. So they left! With their brand new prison transport.

“So, who wants breakfast?” Lash asked his two companions. Kory remembering Lash's food jumped into the air with a twirl. Vyllith raised an eye brow at Kory, but a smile did tug on her lips.

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A breakfast feast was made by Lash for his first morning with his family once again. All the ladies at the table stared at Kory when she consumed stacks of pancakes and asked for more. Lash educated them that the people of Tamara have nine stomachs. A fast metabolism, and any and all food she eats will just help power her abilities. Lizzy grumbled as she stared at Kory with envy. Kory being the ever kind soul that she was shared her pancakes with Lizzy not understanding the situation.

“So, Lash what are your plans for today?” Isabella asked as she stiffed a giggle watching Kory trying to feed Lizzy, as Lizzy tried to not glare at the well meaning Tamaran.

“Well I have four gorgeous women with me. So this would normally be a great time to see the high lights of Gotham City. However, most of Gotham is in ruins. So, tell me Edwardo's shopping boutique still open?” Lash asked Isabella with a grin.

“Why yes it is! In fact I can call them and they'll send a car over right away!” Isabella said with a grin and jumped to her feet to get her phone. Lizzy turned away from the offered pancake and smiled at Lash.

“I haven't been around, let me treat you to a day in the spa Lizzy?” Lash asked, with a sad expression on his face. Lizzy stood up from her seat and crawled into his lap at the table and hugged him.

“I don't blame you...” Lizzy whispered to him...Then pulled back with a mischievous grin. “Are you paying?” Lizzy asked, and Lash nodded. She let out a girly squeal and jumped from his lap to go changed. While Vyllith, and Kory looked at him in confusion.

“Oh! Right, this may be a new, and hopefully fun experience for all of you!” Lash said to them both.

Thirty minutes later they were all in a spell charmed armored SUV. Driving down the ruined city streets of Gotham. Lash tasked his Tech-spirits to ran the breath of Gotham and make a list of things that were broken. It was a long list. While Lizzy, and Isabella explained to Kory, and Vyllith was a spa day was. Kory being a Princess was use to such treatment. But Vyllith was beside herself with confusion. While the driver was trying to stay focused on the road of ahead of him. He kept glancing at Lash.

“If you have a question go ahead and ask.” Lash said softly, just loud enough for the Kindred to hear him.

“You don't hold the Kindred responsible?” The man asked, and Isabella all but hissed at the man.

“No, No I don't. I am not the type of person who blames an entire group for the actions of the few.” Lash said with a small smile and gently turned to pat Isabella on the knee she gave him a contrite expression. The Kindred driver exhaled, and the tension oozed out of his body.

What did the Kindred have to do with anything? That was who had beguiled the mundane gangs to kill the Shaw family. More specifically a blood-mutt who was with out a house thanks to the oversight. The blood-mutt didn't understand that Lash may have been the catalyst. But the oversight was coming one way or another. So the blood-mutt used Lash as a focus for their anger. Lady Kali the Kindred master of Gotham had tracked the mutt down and had intended punish them. But they were dead before she found them. With out a house master to empower them the blood-mutts are far more fragile.

The spell armored SUV rolled through a baffle field and they pulled up the Edwardo's! Lash hadn't been here since he brought Selina Kyle for her birthday. Th-->>

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