"J-Hell-A" Part Three
"Come," Metron said. "It is time." "It's about damn time," Aquaman said. "Let's send Asmodel back to hell where he belongs." "In due time," Metron said. "For now we must secure the stone." On Earth, the planet was being completely ravaged. Cities were destroyed, thousands of people were dead and the body count was rising. And none of Earth's heroes could do anything to stop it. "Where's the JLA?" Robin asked as the Titans tried, and miserably failed at, saving New York from falling into the ocean. "I don't know, but I don't think even they could stop this," Fast Track said. "We've lost Omni, Wonder Girl, and Impulse in this hell so far." "That's light compared to what the Outisders lost," Superboy said. "Only Arsenal survived the destruction of Washington." Kyle! J'onn shouted into Green Lantern's mind. I've managed to break Asmodel's hold on you, but we need you! You are the only hope to free the rest of us! Green Lantern was still having visions of Effigy tearing Jade limb from limb, then shoving her into a refrigerator. And then moving on to destroying John Stewart, Sentinel and Warrior without even breaking a sweat. Kyle, we can stop this madness! J'onn said. Only you have the power to stop this! Green Lantern opened his eyes. His costume was still torn and shredded and his facemask was still gone. "Jenny..." Superman had punched Asmodel through the wall yet again. Before the fallen angel could get up, Superman had picked him up and tossed him twenty feet. "You only have the upper hand because I still wear this flesh suit!" Asmodel yelled as he started to enlarge in size, until his true form ripped through the flesh suit and the bull angel stood towering over the Man of Steel. "Now...let's start again, shall we?" Meanwhile, a burst of flames shot up through the ground and Neron appeared on his throne. "What is this?" Neron asked as he saw Asmodel and Superman fighting. Even though Asmodel was bigger, Superman was obviously getting the upper hand. "Asmodel, where is my stone?" Neron asked. "It's...here!" Asmodel shouted as he struggled. "It's on the ground somewhere!" Neron looked around and finally saw the stone on the ground. He went for it, but a green toy machine claw picked it up. "Well, look at this prize," Green Lantern said, his uniform restored. Batman and J’onn were right behind him. "You were supposed to kill the JLA!" Neron shouted as Asmodel flew across the room. "They were defeated!" Asmodel said. "Their minds were shattered!" "They were," J'onn said, "but I undid your damage, for the most part." "Which reminds me," Green Lantern said. "I'm going to personally make you pay for everything you cost us." "Bring it on, flesh worm!" Asmodel shouted as he charged at the JLA until a flame wall shot up between the two sides. "Enough!" Neron shouted. "Your fates will be decided by me!" Neron tossed a flame ball at Green Lantern, knocking him off balance as he grabbed the stone. "I think it's time we finished this," Neron said as Asmodel backed away from the JLA. Just then, Aquaman and Metron showed up. "We are too late!" Metron said. "Neron has claimed the stone." "No, you are just in time," Neron replied. "I was about to destroy your precious heroes. Now you can join in the fun." "Drop the stone," Aquaman demanded. "Or else." "Very funny," Neron laughed. "Am I to be afraid of one who talks to fish? What could you possibly do to stop me?" "Well, let's see," Aquaman said." For starters I can telepathically reroute your neural membranes and give you a migraine equivalent to two thousand pound boulders hitting you in the head." Neron started screaming in pain as he fell to his knees as Aquaman grabbed the stone. "Next, I make you feel more pain than even you can imagine," Aquaman said as he was ready to ram his hook through Neron's chest. That's quite enough, Arthur, J'onn said mentally. Our enemies are defeated. Aquaman let Neron fall to the ground and tossed the stone to Metron. "This...isn't over..." Neron said as he disappeared in a burst of flames. Then the Justice League turned their attention to Asmodel. "Oh, shi-" Asmodel started to say as flames shot up around him, dragging him back to hell. "You have failed me!" Neron shouted from below. "You will go through more punishment than even the Justice League can hand out!" "It is over," Metron said. "Evil has been defeated." "But Earth is destroyed," Superman said, gesturing to a window Asmodel had opened earlier to let the League view the carnage he was wreaking. "All we ever fought for is lost." "But you forget," Metron said as he held the stone. "We hold the upper hand." The stone started changing shape in his hand... Metropolis "Kent!" Perry White shouted. "I want that story on my desk by five! And where's Olsen? I want him in my office, now!" Clark Kent looked up and saw Jimmy running in Perry's office. "What's wrong with you?" Lois asked. "You look like someone died." "It's nothing," Clark said. "Just a bad dream." The Batcave "Miss Gordon is asking to speak to you," Alfred said. "Shall I put her through?" "Yes, Alfred," Batman said. "Thank you." Alfed was shocked at hearing those words coming from the Batman. New York "Kyle, wake up," Jen said as Kyle fell off the couch. Terry was working on Kyle's computer as he looked over. "Got your new program up and running," Terry said. "Kyle, are you alright?" Jenny asked. "I'm fine," Kyle said. "And I'm even better knowing you're here with me." The JLA Watchtower, the next day "Metron fixed everything," Batman said. "Asmodel never got a hold of the stone. No one ever died." "But the five of us still remember everything that happened," Aquaman said. "Some of you experienced... some horrible tragedies." Green Lantern was staring out the window. Even though Jenny was alive, he would still have nightmares about what Effigy did to her. "It will take time, " J'onn said, "but hopefully we will learn to move on with our existence." "By the way, how did Superman escape?" Batman asked. "He was chained to the wall with kryptonite." "I simply remembered the trick the White Martians used to capture Superman,*" J'onn said. "They used their mental powers to make Superman believe there was kryptonite where there wasn't. I simply did the opposite and convinced him there was really no kryptonite where there really was." * Morrison's JLA #1-4 "And it worked?" the Flash asked. "It almost didn't," J'onn said, "but Superman's will to overcome the odds and save those he cared for was the biggest factor of all." "At least the stone is safe," the Flash said. "Even though I have no idea what went on, you know, having BEEN DEAD and all!" "I wonder what Metron did with the stone," Batman said. "And what he's going to do to make sure this never happens again…if he’s not planning to use it himself, that is…" "Where is the Whirlogog now?" the Highfather asked. "It is secure," Metron explained. "It is in a place where its powers will be used for the greater good." "I pray you are right," the Highfather said. "For all of our sakes." The End... Previous Issue | Next Issue |
