The shambling horde of Joker zombies ran straight at them. Their claws dug into the ground as they propelled themselves forward. The ghouls and monstrosities bull rushed forward plowing through their lesser kin with reckless abandonment. A inhuman screech rang out across the field then before it could finish its call for slaughter a neon green train crashed into the horde. Chooo! Chooo! The train tore straight down the middle and sitting in the train conductors cabin was a ten foot tall Saurian with his Wraith disguise wrapped around him, with one exception he had a train conductor hat on and a huge grin. Trains are fun!

A rainstorm of bullets, arrows, energy blasts, and a few spells fell from the heavens as the League along with the Amazons, Wardens, and two pilots called destruction onto the horde. Saurian jumped out of the train mid way through the horde and grew in size to twenty by forty feet. He did a barrel roll and made them all into paste. Martian Manhunter changed into a giant armored spider and killed them with his legs. Arrow, and Arsenal shot with precision in the joints of the ghouls to prevent their fast movements. Flash, and Kid zipped through, tripped, pushed, and broke through. Superman flew into the air and exhaled onto the crowd turning the horde into ice statues. Aquaman, Aquawoman, and Wonder Woman waded into the field with their melee weapons as Hawkman and Hawkwoman flew over head and dive bombed into the crowd with earth shattering effect. Nyx, and Zatanna shot arcane arrows into the crowd, each one a tiny grenade of mystical power. Miss Martian took on the guise of a armored gorilla and slammed any zombie into paste. Shazam shot out lighting bolts to electrifying effect. Soon the battle was over!

Saurian reverted his size down to eight by sixteen. The Wraith Shroud wrapped around him like a living thing as the black and gray cloth danced around the edges ripped and tattered. His snout, hands, feet, and mid section of his tail looked like it was dipped in pure darkness that dripped onto the ground. He raised his hands into the air and cast Unburden on the residual energy of the zombies. Then cast Panacea to remove the disease. Soon the green noxious fumes faded from sight. The storm raged on above them as water rained down, and lighting cracked across the sky.

“We need to decide who is going in.” Saurian called over to the collection of people besides the League.

“Do we know what to expect inside?” Arrow asked.

“Nyx give them a run down on what could happen.” Saurian said as he picked Dia out from the crowd. Nyx looked a little sheepish at suddenly having everyone look at her.

“Expect reality warping as you can see with the bubble around the Carnival. Hallucinations that will trick all senses will be used. You'll fall into a dream like state that you will have a hard time separating from reality.” Nyx began to explain the situation to everyone. Even created a few examples that surprised a few people.

It was only a few minutes in when Manhunter asked Wonder Woman if Nyx was talking about magic. Turned out Mars did have a mystical academy. Though those with the talent were few and far between. After that Manhunter looked at Wraith differently. It was both surprise and a little more reverence. Magic casters were rare on Mars and were given respect. Saurian stepped off to the side and created a simple work bench and started to combine and craft rings, bracelets, anything that could be slipped on and not obstructive to movement.

“Agent Wraith....What should we do?” flight officer Lance asked. Lance and Hanna came over to the work table. Lance was about 5'10”, and Hanna was 5' 8”. They both had on tactical operations gray and black gear on. With the mag rail rifles Saurian had made them in hand with safeties on. Smart.

“That is up to you. We don't know what we'll find in there. We may get separated, we may get killed. You can stay out here and watch our backs. That is a viable option or you can come in with us. The both of you have been useful. But we have been pushing ourselves for nearly eight hours.” Saurian said to them. He glanced up a few times during his monologue but continued to make items.

Lance and Hanna both looked conflicted. They clearly wanted to continue on and help but this was so clearly beyond them. They were fighter pilots not boots on the ground soldiers. They had seen over a dozen impossible things in the past ten hours alone then most would see in a life time. Hanna looked at Lance, and he at her. They both wanted to help...But.

“Fine, I'll make it easier. Both of you are ordered to hold this ground until helps arrives. You may only join the Carnival operation if ordered by a superior officer. Or leave the grounds unless your lives are in danger or ordered to. Understood?” Saurian said to them softly. They both nodded and offered up their rifles.

“Keep them...For now. We don't know what else is out here. Also be aware that the combat boost I gave you both will last another six hours. Then you'll be in desperate need of food and sleep. Side effects. Just remember what I told you about the rifles.” Saurian said to them as he continued to work on a ring. They both stood at attention and saluted. Saurian took a moment and saluted back in near perfect attention to detail.

“I have to say I'm impressed by you, Wraith. I spoke to Shazam and Zatanna. You taught them a few things about operations and always having a plan before you run in.” John Stewart Green Lantern said as he walked over after Lance and Hanna walked off to check the perimeter.

“Thank you Sergeant. Though I get the feeling we may need to train some of the League members on what its like to work as a team. The zombie fight was great indication. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, but if we were not linked together we would be a chaotic mess.” Saurian said to John who took a surprised step back at his Marine Core rank.

“What is that link by the way? I heard Manhunter talk about it.” John replied quickly to change the subject.

“The official name for it is, temporary pack bond. Anyone that is designated as 'Friendly' with me can be connected into a telepathic network. The telepathy is only surface communication so don't worry about inner thoughts. It has a twenty five mile radius from the central hub aka me. It auto translates language, gives a general location of those around you, and as long as you don't encounter a material or energy barrier capable of blocking telepathy the effect works through obstructions. The shared mental connection also increases every ones overall stats by approximately 10%” Saurian said to John as he finished another ring. He set it off to the side with a few others he had finished.

“Hot damn, that's useful! Manhunter's link has a longer range but that increased buff is a great benefit. What are you making?” John walked over and checked the rings out.

“Put it on and look at the bubble.” Saurian said to him. John complied and smiled as the ring auto sized to fit him. John turned around to look at the warp. He blinked and rubbed his eyes.

With the ring on he could see past the bubble. Inside was a twisted Joker twist carnival city with rides, games, and hordes of clowns. It odd had Gotham feel to it, almost as if it was a mirror city. John took the ring off, the ring expanded to its default size. Saurian finished another ring and placed it to the side.

“You got enough material for everyone?” John asked as he pocketed the ring at Saurian's permission.

“I should have enough. Do we know who is all going?” Saurian replied.

Nth metal, and Orichalcum ring.

Rating: B-

Effect: Durable.

Effect: Physiology Adaptation.

Effect: 10% resistance to negative magical effects.

Effect: 10% increase to positive magical effects.

Effect: Reality Recognition 20%

Effect: Mental Resistance 20%

Effect: Soul Resistance 20%

Effect: Transmutation Domain Spell, Reduce/Enlarge auto fits for the user with in five sizes, Plus or Minus.

Comments: You've discovered how to make a semi auto size item! The item will also help those peer through the warp of reality and resist the damage it causes.

It was decided that the entire League including their side kicks would come. An Amazon unit would stay behind with the Wardens/UNWS team along with Lance and Hanna. Saurian handed out the rings to the rescue team. He did make extra for Batman, Robin, and Batgirl. Manhunter, and Miss Martian were surprised to find out the ring shifted with them when they used Density Shift, and Shape Shift.

“Do you think you can make us a few things after the mission?” Miss Martian asked with a smile!

“Sure, We can make something to help with fire and heat resistance if you like?” Saurian replied. Both Manhunter and Miss Martian eyes lit up at that idea.

“Everyone, the rings will help you resist and peer through the illusions you see. But it is not guaranteed! So please use caution! Also, my telepathic link is only twenty five miles. Though the entire bubble only has a fifteen mile radius that may not be the same inside.” Saurian said, every one nodded and prepared to head in. Saurian handed three remaining rings to the Amazon unit outside. They looked at him confused.

“In case anything or any one comes out that claims to be us.” Saurian said.

“We understand, brother! Good luck!” The Amazon guard said to him and placed a ring on her finger. Wonder Woman walked over with Nyx.

“Thank you for the enchanted items, Wraith. I don't suppose you'll be able to track them once we are inside?” Wonder Woman asked.

“I'll try, but Nyx can tell you that reality warping tends to warp everything.” Saurian replied. Nyx nodded her head in agreement.

“Alright everyone listen up! We are missing three of our people. Batman, Robin, and Batgirl. We can also assume that insane man named Joker is inside. Let's do our best to stick together! Find our people! End this threat! Anyone have anything to say before we go?” John said as he stood up front. He looked around and stopped at Wraith who had his clawed hand up.

“I'm told that I am pretty good cook. So after this is done we should all sit down with some good food, drink, and get to know each other. Agreed?” Saurian said in his reptilian voice.

“AGREED!” The League replied with a smile. John smiled at Saurian for breaking the tension. Good to be cold, but not so cold you break.

“Lets move!” John said, he floated into the air by the power of his Green Lantern ring and flew through the carnival gates.

One by one everyone stepped through. Saurian was last, he insisted because he had a bad feeling. The gate had a clear soap bubble like film that covered it. As soon as anyone stepped through they would fade from sight. When Saurian stepped through he found himself in a giant twisted and gnarled forest. Tall hedge maze bushes on either side that grew into the sky itself he looked around and snarled in frustration. He was alone! The gate had separated everyone.

“Welcome to the Carnival....” Saurian said under his breath and stepped forward.

=================================================================

Batgirl groaned in pain as she opened her eyes. She looked around and felt a sharp pain behind her eyes. A concussion was an easy deduction, her hands were tied up above her, as were her ankles. She was tied to a long wooden pole that was nailed into the ground. She looked around and saw that several more people were staked into the ground. However one of them was currently on fire and screaming! A crowd of clowns laughed and danced around the pyre. There were dozens of burnt pyres beyond that one. She had eight more people before it was her turn. Many of the people tied to the stakes were detached, their eyes empty. But a few struggled and attempted to break free.

“Time to put my training to good use!” Batgirl said as she shifted and pulled on her hands until....POP! Her left thumb dislocated. She grit her teeth and slowly began to wiggle out of the restraints.

After a few more minutes she pulled her left hand free of the rope, and her right hand soon followed. She popped her thumb back in and quickly got free. She pulled out a Bat-a-rang and began to cut the other people down. The party clowns hadn't seem to notice them yet. She helped every surviving individual down then together they slowly crept into the s...

“Whaaaaa! Party favor is gone! Hhahahaha! Hahahahaahahaah! Look! Look there they are! Hhahahahaahah!” One of the larger clowns had discovered their disappearance.

“Run!” Batgirl yelled at the survivors who ran into a twisted forest. Batgirl threw flash bang pellets at the clowns that rushed to them and then chased after her survivors. She ran through the forest went around a tree trunk and found a house of mirrors in front of her.

“Where am I?” Batgirl asked...

===============================================================

“Step right up! Step right up! See if you can shoot the bouncing Bird!” A giant clown shouted towards the crowd of clowns. Several of them paid, picked up rifles and attempted to shoot a bounding Robin as he danced around in the arena trying to avoid getting shot.

Robin had woken up in a cage! The last thing he remembered was getting a call from Batman to help him with something in the east district. When he landed the Bat-Wing jet he was attacked from behind and then was here. BANG! A shot went through the air and grazed past Robins arm. Focus! He had to focus now he could reminisce about his troubles later. He took out his grapple gun, shot it towards a corner in a maze he ran through. Thunk! The grapple went taut and he went flying into the air.

Robin was in a giant maze made out of fun house buildings. Like a toy jungle gym for parkour runners. But very real bullets hailed down from a balcony above him, clowns shot down at him. Why did it have to be clowns! The problem was he was not the only one in the maze, though it was clear he was the main prize. Dozens of people ran around and tried to hide behind cover. While dozens more bled out on the ground, some had their heads blown off. Brain matter scattered across the ground.

Robin reached into his utility belt and pulled out a few smoke pellets and threw them into the street. The smoke billowed and covered the retreat and hiding place of a few people. But that didn't last long as a small alarm went out. Then rabid hyena's were released into the maze. Robin landed on the street and extended his metal quarter staff.

“Where am I?” Robin asked...

==============================================================

Batman sprinted through the carnival at full speed as a horde of clowns chased after him. He had chased Edward Nygma into the carnival. But failed to rescue him as the clowns had torn him apart limb from limb. Nygma seemed just as surprised as Batman was, because the zombies had allowed Nygma to pass through them at the entrance. But the clowns seem to have different orders. Edward Nygma had died and now Batman was trapped inside the Carnival.

Joker's Carnival didn't make any sense! In Gotham's east district there was an old abandoned carnival that Joker had used in the past for a hide out. But this was something else! This carnival went on for miles in every direction. It was almost like it was a twisted version of Gotham City it self. Towering sky scrapers of fun houses. Clowns of every shape, size, color, and type walked the streets. Some worked the carnival, others played, but every single one of them would react and attack when ever they saw any one or anything that wasn't a clown.

“Testing! Testing! 1....2....3! King Joker here! To all my loyal subjects! The end game is here! The 'Juice us League' has entered the Carnival! Please do your best to make them comfortable, and show them a good time! And remember! Slaughter is the best medicine! King Joker says joke, laugh, and kill! Ta Ta for now!” Jokers twisted voice rang over the cities intercom system. The clowns cheered and burst into action.

“Where is everyone?” Batman asked...

================================================================

Hundreds of clowns ran out of the carnivals forest! They hooted, jeered, told jokes, but all of them continued to run out of the forest as fast as possible. But the forest seemed to gain on them, as the giant twisted and gnarled trees took massive steps towards the city the clowns seem to inhabit. Emergency response sirens wailed and came to a stop at an intersection. In carnival fashion one car showed up but dozens of clowns came out of the car. They set up barricades and took out their comically large or small super soakers and began to fire into the forest. The tree's groaned but the bark soon took on a green glow and healed over. Behind the army of tree's walked a reptilian wraith.

“Yaaaa...Sticking the Druid inside the hedge maze. Not a good idea.” Saurian said out loud.

Saurian practiced his Plant Control spell/skill as he animated the army of trees with his Parallel Minds, and Virtual Intelligence. The army of trees crashed through the clown police line, picked up the clowns and dropped them into their toothy and wooden maws. The sickening sound of bones being crushed, flesh ripped, and the hysterical laughter as the clowns joked and cheered as if it was the funniest thing in the world. Saurian stepped out of the forest onto the solid concrete of the warped reality. He raised his clawed hands into the air and brought them down into the ground with the force of a tank shot! The shock wave burst from the center of the crash sending debris flying into the air. Then the warping in reality abruptly twisted and began to break.

Illusion Domain Spell, Disillusion: Shatter an illusion into pieces. As the pieces break apart the mirror or reality breaks apart and returns to normal. Since illusions are copies or reflections of something else you may use this spell to break them apart. Careful you don't get seven years of bad luck!

The twisted reality of the Carnival city shrunk by hundreds of feet in a single blink of the eye. Inside of the bubble the city was far larger then it was on the outside. As a small piece of it as broken the surrounding area shrunk. The 'civilian' clowns continued to run away in fright as dozens of clown cars raced around the corner. Covered in circus colors and clown faces the armored police cars shot water colors, threw water balloons, and shot fire works towards Saurian. The trees moved to cover him as roots and branches came to life and started to string them up the clowns like pinatas.

“You are all going to die!” Saurian snarled and walked into the city every step he took in the twisted city he cast Disillusion.

Saurian's foot steps herald the destruction of the city as buildings shrunk, and streets collapsed. The army of trees continued to guard him as clown military vehicles raced towards him. Soldier clowns with colorful wigs, giant red shoes ran towards him. This entire situation was starting to get ridiculous and Saurian even caught himself laughing a few times. His Damage Resistance kept sending prompts at him for mental resistance, and soul resistance. He wasn't even sure he was fighting clowns right now. Joker could have sent him to the middle of actual Gotham! He could be killing people. But every step he took did shrink the area down, every clone popped into Illusion particles.

“Dawn my Familiar do you have access to the Trickery Domain? Or can you tell me if I am lost in a dream?” Saurian asked the necklace around his neck. Dawn became animated and flew around him looking at the clown city.

“I do not have Trickery, Master. But I can assure you. You are with in his Carnival and you are shrinking it with every step you take.” Dawn the baby mystic dragon said.

Almost to emphasize that point one of the towering sky scrapers that had looked like a giant circus tent shrunk down and turned into a small carnival out door tent. A giant tree fell with a scream near by as it had been covered in water balloon shots. Saurian reached out and cast Renew and added a bit of Orichalcum into the tree. The tree snapped back to life and grew several hundred feet, it took on a golden gleam. It let out an ear piercing screech and stormed towards the water balloon tank launcher.

“Master....Don't you think that was a little much?” Dawn asked, then squeaked in surprise as Saurian added Orichalcum to the rest of the trees. Soon his army was dozens of golden trees, with hundreds of bushes, and shrubs. Each one slightly golden as they raced into the town.

“No.... It would be to much if I added Nth metal to them.” Saurian replied with a malicious smile.

Saurian and Dawn then walked into town. Every step he took he would shatter and break the twisted reality. It was clear he had gotten the attention of the whole city as more and more police, and military clowns showed up. Then he knew for a fact that Joker knew about him as even the civilian clowns stopped acting and raced towards him. Dawn came back to him and returned to being his necklace. Saurian altered his size to be twenty by forty feet then loose a roar of challenge and raced into the sea of clowns like a lion loose at the circus.

Saurian looked like a carnosaur on four legs. He trotted through the streets barreling through the sea of clowns. Fluffy wigs, colorful clothes, and annoying laughter as every clown would laugh and laugh as he ripped them apart. One by one the giant trees did eventually fall. The bushes and shrubs put up a valiant fight but soon were pulled apart by the clowns. Balloon shot, and spritzer spray rained towards Saurian. He soon realized he couldn't manipulate the machines in the city because they technically weren't real. The trees came from a small park on the carnival grounds that was why he could control them.

Saurian stomped towards the tanks, moving past or stepping on the civilian clowns. He touched the tanks with Disillusion and they popped out of existence. That is what he needed to do, he just needed to shatter the city. Saurian raised his arms into the air and brought them down! He increased his overall weight with Gravity Stride and the impact crater sent structural cracks for several city blocks. The resulting kinetic force blew the sea of clowns into the air and they all popped like party balloons!

“This is fucking pathetic, Joker! You should have made an actual army! Not these party freaks!” Saurian called out across the ruined intersection he was in.

The earth rumbled and shook, then it happened again....and again. Something was coming. Then around a circus roller coast came a slow moving giant clown. Easily hundred feet tall, with a colorful green and blue wig, clown white skin, red button nose, and a colorful jump suit. It dragged behind a long bloody wood cutters axe. The clown grinned at the sight of Saurian, its teeth stained yellow.

“Ahahahahaahahaha! Want to play!?” The clown shouted then picked up the pace and sprinted towards Saurian down the street. Each step it took cracked and cratered the pavement.

“That is more like it!” Saurian roared and raced towards the giant clown!

The clown brought the axe down hard and Saurian jumped to the side. The force percussion of the axe into the ground created a shock wave that shattered every glass pane in the area. Saurian sprinted under and past the giant clown and slashed at his achilles tendons! Bright rainbow colored blood gushed out and the clown screamed in agony as it dropped the axe and flopped across the street like a fish out of water...Wait? It screamed? Saurian grinned and jumped onto the clowns neck and ripped into its tender flesh.

“Gggguururragggllllll......” The clown tried to scream but it choked on its rainbow colored blood and died. It soon evaporated into particles. Boom!....Booom!.....Booom! Saurian turned around and saw eight more building sized clowns headed his way.

“Let's play!” Saurian grinned and raced towards them.

=================================================================

“J'onn have you seen any of the others?” John asked when he met up with the Martian Manhunter and his niece.

“No.... I fear in this twisted reality that they may be alone. We have both tried to send our minds out in search but it seems this.. 'Reality Warp' prevents us. It's almost as if this place is both overwhelmingly large but also small.” J'onn replied, as he set his hand on his Me'ghan's shoulder. She looked apologetic that she couldn't do more.

“It is odd though...I still feel Wraiths influence on us. Though we can't speak across the link the 'pack bond' he spoke of seems to still be in place.” Me'ghan said, and J'onn agreed with her.

“Well that is comforting. At least we know he is alive. The link wouldn't be up otherwise.” John said as he floated up with his ring.

The 'Carnival' was huge! Just as big if not bigger than Gotham City. He had been alone for hours before he found J'onn and Me'ghan. John was almost afraid he was in Gotham and that all the clowns he saw were actual civilians. Because of that he didn't harm any of them and just flew away. Rrrriinnnnnnggggggg....An ear piercing screech rang out into the air. John, J'onn, and Me'ghan all held their heads and yelled in pain. Then the silver and gold rings on their hands all shinned brightly. The sound subsided and the light of the rings dimmed.

“We'll definitely have to thank Wraith. I have felt that intrusion on my mind more then once. Each time the ring glows with brilliance and the sound stops. I fear what would have happened had we entered with out them.” J'onn said once he stopped wincing.

“I think I know what would happen...Look!” John said as he pointed up at a sky scraper.

There at the top stood the Dark Clown. The colorful jester! The circus crusader! Bat-Clown! Bat-Clown extended his cape and glided down towards them. He came to a stop a few dozen feet from and took a pose. He took out a clown-a-rang and pointed at Lantern, Manhunter, and Miss Martian.

“Stop! In the name of King Joker!” The clowns voice was clearly Bruce Wayne's.

“Wraith gave me an extra ring! We have to get it on his finger! Hold him down!” John shouted and raced towards Bat-Clown!

================================================================

A circus skyscraper exploded outwards as armored and ghost like creature was flung through the building after it had gone through three others. It crashed into the city streets and created a massive impact crater. The explosion shot debris in every direction and killed dozens of clowns. But despite the carnage the nearby civilian clowns rushed into the hole with balloon animals, rubber chickens, and blue berry pies. They began to beat on the ghostly armored creature.

Saurian whipped his tail out and around him in a circle and knocked them all away. He windmilled his left arm until it popped back into place. He let out a snarl as his body began to heal quickly. He stomped into the ground and cast Disillusion the area twisted and contorted and returned to 'normal' as the near by area shrunk by several hundred feet. Nearby buildings collided with one another glass shattered, concrete broke, and hundreds of clowns fell out of the buildings all of them laughed on the way down before they popped into confetti.

“I am really starting to dislike this place.” Saurian said in a growling tone.

He heard insane laughter above him, he looked up and saw several of the giant clowns had climbed the buildings. They jumped down from above in an attempt to do a doggy pile. Saurian sprinted out of his hole and just made it out of their shadow as they impacted the ground. He felt like a group of children were playing in a giant diorama set of the city as they chased their pet lizard through it.

“Ahahahaah! Wanna play!?” A clown said.

“Where you going!? I thought you wanted to play! Ahahahahaha!” Said another.

“Ahahahahaahah! Hide and go S....ggagaaaaaaaa!” That clown tried to laugh only to have a hole dug into his chest.

Saurian tackled and dug through the clowns chest cavity with in a few seconds. Despite their incredibly huge size they had the same average abilities of a standard human. They were just a bigger. His claws easily ripped through their skin, muscle, and bone. He burrowed through and popped out of the clowns back covered in rainbow colored blood. His Wraith shroud was now an assortment of colors.

“Wanna play!?” Saurian howled in rage and jumped at the next one!

The next clown tried to crawl away only to have Saurian jump onto his leg and dig into and burrow his way through the body of the clown like some sort of parasite under the skin. Saurian had been fighting the giant clowns for a few hours, but about an hour ago he noticed something. The giant clowns stopped coming...These were the last two. When Saurian had ripped apart enough internal organs the clown fell over and died. Saurian burst out of the clowns chest and screeched into the night air!

“Re in act the scene from, Aliens. Check!” Saurian said and began to laugh! He laughed and laughed! He cac-->>

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