SMILING AND WAVING TO THE CROWD. THERE ARE VARIOUS LOUD FLASHES TO SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN HER LIFE, IN PARTICULAR THOSE INVOLVING DR. DOOM. THE FLASHES BUILD INTO IMAGES OF 7 SILHOUETTED FIGURES (THE INJUSTICE GANG.) AS EACH FLASH OCCURS THE LOOK OF PRIDE ON HER FACE AS SHE MARCHES TOWARDS THE WATCHTOWER BECOMES A LOOK OF CONCERN. OVERHEAD A LARGE SHIP BLOCKS OUT THE SUN AND CAST THE LEAGUE AND ITS ADMIRERS IN DARKNESS. A SMALL CIRCLE BEGINS TO FORM ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CRAFT AND GLOW A FIERY ORANGE AND THE CROWDS BEGIN TO PANIC. MARVEL GIRL PUTS UP A FORCE FIELD OVER HER AND THE LEAUGE AS THE CANNON FIRES A MASSIVE RAY ONTO THE CROWD. IN FRONT OF HER THE WATCHTOWER IS BLASTED AND INCINERATED. ALL AROUND HER PEOPLE MELT INTO SKELETONS AND DISINTEGRATE. MARVEL GIRL STRAINS TO KEEP UP HER FORCE FIELD. SUPERMAN PLACES A SKELETON HAND ON HER SHOULDER AND SHE LOOKS OVER AT HIM. HE AND THE REST OF THE LEAGUE ARE GRUESOME ROTTING CORPSES NOW.

It’s over, Marvel Girl. We’ve lost.

MARVEL GIRL SHAKES HER HEAD NO AND CRIES AS HER FORCE FIELD WEARS OUT AND THE ONSLAUGHT OF FIRE ENGULFS THEM AND EXPANDS INTO A MASSIVE EXPLOSION THAT TAKES OUT ALL OF METROPOLIS.

MARVEL GIRL WAKES UP IN HER ROOM AT FOUR FREEDOMS PLAZA IN A COLD SWEAT GASPING FOR BREATH.

Marvel Girl:

Dear God… Dear God no…

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, NEW YORK CITY. DOCTOR OCTOPUS HAS TAKEN OUT ALL OF THE GUARDS AND IS HOLDING THE REST OF THE BANK AT GUN POINT. A BANKER IS FILLING A BIG STEEL BRIEF CASE FULL OF LARGE BILLS FOR HIM.

Can’t you go any faster?!

Banker:

I-I’m sorry, I-

Dr. Octopus:

Argh! Never mind.

HE WHACKS THE BANKER AWAY WITH A TENTACLE, THEN GRABS 4 MORE LARGE CASH DRAWERS WITH HIS TENTACLES YANKS THEM OUT AND DUMPS THEM INTO THE BRIEFCASE SLOPPILY. HE SHUTS AND GRABS THE CASE WITH A TENTACLE AND BEGINS TO HEAD FOR THE EXIT.

You’re lucky I’m in such high spirits today or I would have been far more gruesome in my efforts. Good day!

AS HE OPENS THE DOOR TO EXIT SPIDER-MAN SWINGS IN, KNOCKS THE GUN OUT OF HIS HAND AND KICKS HIM CLEAR ACROSS THE ROOM.

Spider-Man:

Don’t tell me you’re leaving, Doctor. It’ll take forever for me to get another appointment.

OCK CATCHES HIMSELF AGAINST THE FAR WALL AND FLOOR WITH THREE TENTACLES THEN CRAWLS AFTER SPIDEY AT HIGH SPEED.

If it’s a check up you want, you obnoxious arachnid, I’ll be more than happy to oblige!

SPIDEY LEAPS UP ONTO THE CEILING OUT OF THE WAY.

I don’t even want to know where you’re going with that one.

OCK STARTS TO STAB AT HIM WITH TENTACLES REPEATEDLY AND HE NARROWLY AVOIDS EACH ATTACK.

I don’t have time for games, Wall Crawler!

Spider-Man:

What? A guy like you? I figured you thought it was fun getting into trouble.

OCK FINALLY GETS HIM WITH THE STEEL BRIEFCASE THEN PICKS UP A DESK AND SMASHES IT ON TOP OF HIM. SPIDEY KICKS IT OFF AND BACK AT OCK.

Never mind, I guess subtle witticisms are lost on people with bowl cuts.

DOCTOR OCTOPUS SLASHES THE DESK INTO TWO PARTS AND GRUNTS ANGRILY.

Hey someone had to say it, Doc. A snazzy guy with cool shades like you deserves a hair style to match.

DOC OCK SHOOTS ALL FOUR OF HIS TENTACLES FORWARD, SPIDER-MAN DIVES NIMBLY THROUGH THEM AND SUCKER PUNCHES OCK RIGHT IN THE FACE. OCK GETS EVEN ANGRIER AND GRABS SPIDER-MAN BY THE LEG WITH A TENTACLE BASHING HIM INTO WALLS AND DRAGGING HIM THROUGH THE DEBRIS AND FURNITURE PAST FRIGHTENED BANK EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS. HE THEN TOSSES HIM ASIDE AND GRABS A HOSTAGE WRAPPING HIM IN ONE TENTACLE AND HOLDING HIM CLOSE WITH THE PINCERS OF ANOTHER TENTACLE CLAMPED AGAINST HIS THROAT. SPIDEY GETS BACK UP AND NOTICES THE HOSTAGE.

Ock, Don’t!

Dr. Octopus:

Don’t even think of following, Spider-Man. And maybe this gentleman will live.

Spider-Man:

Let him go now, and you have my word I won’t follow.

Dr. Octopus:

I prefer a little insurance.

OCK STARTS TO BACK OUT THE DOOR BUT HIS BODY IS SUDDENLY FLASH FROZEN. HIS TENTACLES WITH THE HOSTAGE AND MONEY ARE LEFT POKING OUT AND THEY RELAX. THE HOSTAGE AND MONEY FALL HARMLESSLY TO THE GROUND. ICEMAN IS STANING OUTSIDE WITH HIS FISTS STEAMING.

Spider-Man:

Get Met. It pays.

Iceman:

Nothing like Ock on the rocks, huh? So I guess we should call the police or something right?

SPIDEY GIVES HIM A LOOK OF PITY FOR HIS BAD PUN.

Scene 3:

LATER THAT NIGHT. DR. OCTOPUS IS BEING TRANSPORTED BACK TO THE VAULT. VAULT GAURDS ARE ESCORTING HIM OUT OF AN ARMORED CAR INTO THE FACILITY AND THROUGH SECURITY DEVICES (X-RAY SCANNERS ETC.)

Back so soon, Otto? Didjya miss the food?

Dr. Octopus:

…leave me my dignity, simpleton.

I think you’ve already lost that, Octavious. You’ve been nothing but a petty thug lately. Maybe you should think about where this life is taking you.

Dr. Octopus:

Science is expensive.

Guard 1:

We’ll get you a nice chemistry se--

THERE IS A MASSIVE EXPLOSION. BOTH GUARDS TURN AROUND IN SURPRISE AND ARE ALMOST INSTANTLY TAKEN OUT BY TWO ENERGY BLASTS. ALARMS BEGIN SOUNDING AND RED LIGHTS FLASHING. A LASER BEGINS TO QUICKLY CUT APART DR. OCTOPUS’ RESTRAINTS AND HE BREAKS FREE. AS THE SMOKE FROM THE EXPLOSION CLEARS DR. DOOM ENTERS THE HALLWAY.

Dr. Octopus. I have a most generous proposal for you.

VAULT GUARDS BEGIN SWARMING THEM. DOOM WAVES HIS HAND AND ANOTHER SERIES OF EXPLOSIONS SEND THEM ALL FLYING IN VARIOUS DIRECTIONS.

I highly recommend you accept.

PAN IN TO DR. OCTOPUS WHO HAS AN INTRIGUED LOOK THAT GROWS INTO A DEVILISH GRIN.

Scene 4:

THE WATCHTOWER. THE JUSTICE LEAGUE IS WATCHING A RECORDING OF THE VAULT’S SECURITY CAMERAS AS DOOM AND DOC OCK TELEPORT OUT.

Spider-Man:

So Dr. Doom writes Dr. Octopus a get out of jail free card? This can’t be anything but bad.

Do the two have any sort of history working together?

Spider-Man:

Not that I’m aware of, but then again I’ve never been invited to any of the evil genius conventions.

Rogue:

Well I think it’s save to assume we know where the rats are hidin’.

Superman:

True, but the last time we tried to ambush Castle Doom in Latveria it didn’t go as smoothly as planned.

Batman:

There were two of you then. At the moment the whole team is available, and I think I could work out a reasonable entry plan based on your experience with his security system. Marvel Girl, your knowledge of the castle would be especially useful.

MARVEL GIRL IS VERY DESPONDENT AND PREOCCUPIED, SHE DOESN’T ACKNOWLEGE BATMAN. GREEN LANTERN WAVES A CONSTRUCT HAND IN FRONT OF HER FACE AND GETS HER ATTENTION.

Green Lantern:

Yo! Valeria! …Everything okay?

Marvel Girl:

Huh?… Yeah… I’m sorry, I’ve just been… preoccupied today with… something. I’ll go draw up some rough schematics for you, Batman. It’ll take a little while though.

MARVEL GIRL GETS UP AND STARTS TO LEAVE THE ROOM.

Hold on a minute, we still have…

SHE LEAVES THE ROOM NOT HEARING HIM.

…Some more things… to discuss.

Iceman:

That’s weird.

Rogue:

Somethin’s definitely eatin’ at that girl.

Superman:

I’ll get to the bottom of it. Meanwhile the trouble alert will keep us notified if Doom returns to the Vault or any other super criminal prisons. Everybody stay alert. This one could be big.

CASTLE DOOM IN LATEVERIA. DR. OCTOPUS IS SITTING IN THE LAP OF LUXARY. ATTRACTIVE FEMALE SLAVES AND ROBOT ATTENDANTS ARE WAITING ON HIM HAND AND FOOT. DR. DOOM ENTERS HIS CHAMBER.

Dr. Doom:

I see you are well rested.

Dr. Octopus:

And most grateful for your generosity, Doom. But I’d still like to know what this is all about.

Dr. Doom:

Follow me, Octavious. All will be explained.

OCK GETS UP AND FOLLOWS DOOM OUT OF HIS CHAMBER INTO THE HALLWAY AND THEY BEGIN TO TRAVERSE THE CASTLE AS THEY CONVERSE.

In recent months I’ve grown weary of my stagnant empire, as well as watching a planet full of incompetent money grubbing world leaders guiding humanity into an abyss of detriment. For far too long I have neglected my goals of bringing order to the Earth under my benevolent rule. Freedom is too carelessly dished out in first world countries, leading to a cultivation of the greed and oppression that runs rampant under the selfish machinations of third world dictators. It is high time human society was put under a rigorous and perhaps even harsh reeducation, and I have nominated myself alone worthy of instructing. In recent months I’ve put my various resources to work in constructing armaments and devising invasion tactics. I even attempted to appoint myself a successor should something unfortunate occur. I’ve yet to meet with success, however as it stands my high general Lancer will be conducting native Latverian affairs.

Dr. Octopus:

Fascinating. But where do I fit into all of this?

Dr. Doom:

Twenty years ago, had a man such as myself existed, I’d have easily seized control of the planet. However with my rise to glory came the arrival of a plethora of other superhuman beings, all of whom have proven to be thorns in my side at some point or another. I am certain you would sympathize.

OCK NODS.

In a world where specialized groups of meta-human vigilantes keep a balance of power, typical invasions and military strategy is insufficient to assure Doom’s manifest destiny. Surely at some point or another the Fantastic Four, Avengers, X-Men, or Justice League would interfere. This lead me to an inevitable conclusion…

THEY COME UPON A BIG DOOR.

…form my own specialized team of super-humans to deal with such pests.

THE DOOR OPENS REVEALING A ROOM WITH A MASSIVE COMPUTER SCREEN AND A ROUND TABLE WHERE THE INJUSTIC GANG IS SEATED. THE CAMERA PANS AROUND TO EACH MEMBER AS DOOM INTRODUCES THEM.

Dr. Octopus, I’d like you to meet Star Sapphire, Metallo, the White Queen, the Molecule Man and the Joker. Each deadly in their own right. But under my guidance they will become a force infinitely more powerful than the sum of their parts. You, Octavious, will be their field leader.

Dr. Octopus:

What?! …As thankful as I am for your assistance I have no interest in your goals, Doom. I’m afraid I must refuse.

OCK STARTS TO LEAVE BUT DOOM GRABS HIM BY THE SHOULDER.

Dr. Doom:

Doctor, I have long admired your superior intelligence and keen scientific mind. Of course the team needs the guidance of Doom to succeed, but I required a man who can think like myself to be my second in command.

Believe me, your offer is tempting, but--

Joker:

But you have no choice, Ink Well. Didn’t ole Doomsy tell you about his little toys?

POINTS TO HIS HEAD. OCK LOOKS NERVOUSLY AT DOOM.

Dr. Doom:

That’s correct.

THE BIG SCREEN CHANGES TO SHOW A SCHEMATIC OF ONE OF DOOM’S NANOBOTS.

When I abducted you I sent a small nano-technic device into your brain. In the event that you do not cooperate to the fullest it will expand. But, rest assured, in serving me you will be rewarded with great power and wealth beyond your wildest imaginings.

Dr. Octopus:

You’ve blackmailed a group of super villains to do your dirty work?!…

HIS SCOWL TRANSFORMS INTO A GRIN.

Brilliant! Simply brilliant!… I accept.

THE WATCHTOWER, VALERIA’S LAB. SHE IS DILIGENTLY WORKING AT A CONSOLE AS SUPERMAN WALKS IN.

Superman:

How’s it coming along?

MARVEL GIRL GRABS A SET OF SCHEMATICS FROM A TABLE AND HANDS THEM TO HIM WITHOUT LOOKING AT HIM.

Marvel Girl:

Here.

SUPERMAN PAGES THROUGH THEM.

Valeria, these schematics are five years old.

Marvel Girl:

I had my uncle E-Mail them to me. It’s the best I can do.

Superman:

You were Doom’s prisoner there for at least a day in the recent past. You mean to tell me you can’t update these? Spider-Man and I could help if necessary.

Marvel Girl:

I could, but it’d be a major waste of time.

Superman:

I… see… And what exactly are you doing now that’s so important?

Marvel Girl:

Updating the Watchtower’s defenses.

Superman:

Our security is state of the art. This building was completed barely a week ago.

Marvel Girl:

Maybe you don’t understand exactly how quickly technology advances, Superman.

Superman:

There’s been something bothering you all day. You’re going to have to clue the rest of us in.

VALERIA STOPS WORKING AND FACES SUPERMAN.

Something tells me the rest of you wouldn’t quite understand.

Superman:

We have to trust each other, Val.

…ok… I had a dream that we were all killed, and Metropolis was completely leveled. There’s something horrible on the horizon and I know that for a fact.

Superman:

All the more reason for you to cooperate with the rest of us and stay focused.

Marvel Girl:

No. I’m doing what my gut tells me to do. So Dr. Doom kidnapped Dr. Octopus. Big deal, that hardly seems worth the full attention of all seven members of the Justice League anyway.

SHE LOOKS AWAY.

So you’ll ignore a definite problem in order to work on one that may or may not exist and has no concrete form yet?

MARVEL GIRL SLAMS HER FISTS DOWN ON THE CONSOLE, TURNS BACK AND YELLS AT SUPERMAN.

Marvel Girl:

I am in touch with cosmic forces you can’t even begin to comprehend! And I know precognitive flashes when I see them! What I’m doing is important and-- See I knew you wouldn’t get this!

Superman:

Maybe you should take a break, Valeria. Go home and rest.

Marvel Girl:

UNDER HER BREATH:

Buzz off, Blue boy.

Superman:

I’m ordering you to sit this out!

THERE IS AN AWKWARD SILENCE.

Marvel Girl:

…fine.

SHE DOES A FEW KEYSTROKES AND TRANSFERS THE FILE SHE’S WORKING ON ONTO A DISC, TAKES IT AND STARTS TO WALK OUT.

I can work on this by remote anyway.

AS SHE LEAVES SHE BRUSHES UP AGAINST THE ENTERING BATMAN ANGRILY. BATMAN GLARES AT HER AS SHE LEAVES.

What was that all about?

Superman:

…I’m not completely sure. But I do think we should start to think about setting an age requirement for this group.

HE ZIPS OUT.

Scene 7:

THE RUINS OF NEW YORK CITY. THE INJUSTICE GANG IS BATTLING THE FANTASTIC FOUR. METALLO AND THING ARE TRADING BLOWS, STAR SAPPHIRE AND THE INVISIBLE WOMAN ARE MATCHING THEIR FORCE FIELDS AGAINST EACH OTHER. DR. OCTOPUS IS STRUGGLING TO REMAIN OUT OF THE SNARE OF MR. FANTASTIC, THE HUMAN TORCH IS CHASING DOWN THE JOKER. THE MOLECULE MAN RAISES HIS ARMS AND SENDS A THICK COATING OF MATTER FROM THE RUBBLE ON THE GROUND THAT COVERS THE HUMAN TORCH SNUFFING OUT HIS FLAME AND SENDING HIM PLUMMETING TO THE GROUND. THE WHITE QUEEN ISSUES A TELEPATHIC ATTACK FROM A DISTANCE THAT STAGGERS THE INVISIBLE WOMAN CAUSING HER TO LET DOWN HER FORCE FIELD AND ALLOWING STAR SAPPHIRE TO K.O. HER. DR. OCTOPUS STILL HAS MR. FANTASTIC IN A STALE MATE AS HIS ELASTIC BODY WRESTLES WITH OCK’S TENTACLES. JOKER APPROACHES FROM BEHIND AND GRABS MR. FANTASTIC’S TAUT BODY SHOCKING IT SEVERELY WITH A HAND BUZZER, HE LOSES CONSCIOUSNESS; HIS BODY RELAXES AND FALLS OVER SMOKING. THING SUCCESSFULLY KNOCKS METALLO CLEAR THROUGH A WALL BUT SOON AFTERWARDS MOLECULE MAN LIQUEFIES THE GROUND BENEATH HIM THEN SOLIDIFIES IT TRAPPING HIM, THEN HE’S SWARMED BY THE COMBINED POWERS OF THE REMAINING FIVE VILLAINS. OCK IS FIRING ENERGY GUNS AT HIM WITH ALL SIX HANDS, THE WHITE QUEEN IS PSYCHICALLY ATTACKING HIM, STAR SAPPHIRE IS SUFFOCATING HIM WITH A FORCE BUBBLE AROUND HIS HEAD, AND THE MOLECULE MAN IS SHOVING MATTER THROUGH THE FISSURES IN HIS ROCK HIDE. THING IS SCREAMING IN AGONY AND THE JOKER IS LAUGHING MANIACALLY FROM THE SIDELINES. THEY STOP ATTACKING. THING FALLS OVER BACKWARDS AND HIS EYES ROLL UP INTO HIS HEAD. PAN AROUND THE ROOM AS EACH VILLAIN GROWS A SATISFIED GRIN. THE HOLOGRAPHIC RUBBLE OF NEW YORK FADES TO REVEAL THE TRAINING ROOM IN CASTLE DOOM AND FOUR SYNTHETIC FANTASTIC FOUR ROBOTS. THE DOOR OPENS UP AND DOOM WALKS IN APPLAUDING.

Dr. Doom:

Excellent. But you’ll find the genuine articles to be far less predictable.

JOKER LEAPS OVER AND PLACES AN ARM AROUND DOOM’S SHOULDER. HE SPEAKS DIRECTLY INTO DOOM’S FACE.

Joker:

Ah but unpredictability is my department, Doomster. Why if the others hadn’t been getting in my way I’d have made them a quartet of giggling lunatics within minutes.

WHISPERED INTO DOOM’S EAR:

Truly the rest of these two bit thugs have no sense of style.

DOOM SHOVES JOKER ASIDE AND HE LANDS ON HIS ELBOW.

Dr. Doom:

Efficiency is highly preferred over “style,” Joker. And should you lay your hands on me without my expressed permission once more you’ll find your cerebrum oozing out of the fissures of your skull.

Joker:

He He… only kidding, Tin Grin.

Dr. Octopus:

Perhaps we should take a small break in our group exercises. In fifteen minutes we start again.

THE OTHERS LEAVE, JOKER RUBBING HIS ELBOW FROM HIS FALL.

A word please, Victor.

Dr. Doom:

You will address me as Doom.

Dr. Octopus:

Why did you recruit the clown?

Dr. Doom:

It is as he said. He gives us an edge that cannot be learned. He’s clever but in unpredictable and irrational ways. He’ll keep our opponents in doubt. Keep them guessing. He’s--

Dr. Octopus:

He’s dangerous. A serious liability. And I don’t like him.

Dr. Doom:

Nor do I. But I have him right where I want him, Octavious. Just like you.

DOOM STARTS TO EXIT BUT THEN TURNS BACK AROUND.

By the way, I’m expecting guests, see to it that they’re given the royal welcome.

Scene 8:

THE FORESTED OUTSKIRTS OF THE LATVERIAN FORESTS. THE JUSTICE LEAGUE MINUS MARVEL GIRL IS TELEPORTING IN VIA ONE OF THEIR STRATEGICALLY PLACED TRANSPORT PLATFORMS.

Are you guys sure this is the best idea? You know just barging in here half expecting a fight?

Batman:

With any luck there won’t be a fight. Hopefully with all six of us here, Doom will back down and relinquish Octavious to our custody.

Spider-Man:

Yeah, you’d think that wouldn’t you?

Rogue:

Let’s at least try to be optimistic, sugah.

Lantern, take us to the front courtyard of Doom’s castle. Without Valeria we can’t do this stealthily, so we might as well be forceful.

KYLE LIFTS THEM ALL UP IN A UFO CONSTRUCT AND LANDS THEM IN THE COURTYARD. THERE ARE NO GUARDS OR PEOPLE OF ANY KIND AND THE WINDOWS OF THE CASTLE ARE ALL EMPTY. EVERYTHING IS SILENT.

Superman:

Doom, this is the Justice League, we’ve come for Doctor Octopus. We don’t want a fight, and promise to respect your sovereignty as long as you grant us this one request.

SILENCE

Iceman:

This is creepy.

SILENCE

Superman:

Fine.

HE GOES UP TO THE MAIN DOOR AND PUNCHES IT. UPON CONTACT THOUSANDS OF VOLTS OF ELECTRICITY COURSE THROUGH HIS BODY AND HE FALLS BACK. ROGUE HELPS HIM TO HIS FEET.

Iceman:

Well that went well. Maybe I can freeze and shatter it.

ICEMAN STARTS TO POWER UP BUT KYLE STOPS HIM BY CREATING A GIANT GREEN CANE CONSTRUCT THAT PULLS HIM OUT OF THE WAY AND STEPS UP.

Green Lantern:

No, my construct won’t conduct electricity. I’ll just tear it out.

ICEMAN GETS BACK UP LOOKING NOTICEABLY ANNOYED.

Iceman:

COLDLY:

How is that any different from what I was going to do?

Green Lantern:

I just thought I’d give it a shot rather than have you fail once or twice.

HE STARTS TO SHOOT AT THE DOOR WITH HIS RING BUT ICEMAN FREEZES THE HAND WITH THE RING ON IT.

Iceman:

Don’t give me the rookie treatment, Kyle. I’ve been at this a lot longer than you.

Green Lantern:

Could have fooled me.

Iceman:

Just because you happened to stumble upon one of the most powerful weapons in the universe doesn’t make you my superior.

Superman:

Iceman, Lantern, that’s enough.

Green Lantern:

It does make me a lot more powerful though, Frost Face!

Iceman:

You wish!

GREEN LANTERN SHOOTS A GIANT GREEN ARROW AT ICEMAN. ICEMAN MELTS HIMSELF ONTO THE GROUND THEN REFORMS AVOIDING THE SHOT THEN FREEZES GL IN A BIG COLUMN OF ICE.

Rogue:

Bobby!

GL BREAKS OUT OF THE ICE WITH A GIANT GREEN EXPLOSION AND STARTS TO FIRE MULTIPLE GREEN ENERGY BLASTS AT ICEMAN. HE MELTS INTO A STORM DRAIN THEN RECONSTRUCTS HIMSELF BEHIND KYLE “FLYING” WITH A TRAIL OF ICE IN A BULKIER, MORE MUSCULAR, AND SPIKIER FORM AND STARTS TO POUND ON HIM FROM BEHIND WITH BRUTE FORCE. KYLE TAKES SEVERAL BLOWS BUT THEN PUTS UP A FORCE FIELD AND BLOCKS OUT THE BRUNT OF THE REST OF THE PUNCHES.

THEY CONTINUE TRADING BLOWS AS THEY GO HIGHER INTO THE SKY.

ROGUE AND SUPERMAN TRY TO FOLLOW BUT STRAY GREEN AND ICE BLASTS KNOCK THEM BACK TO THE GROUND.

Green Lantern:

I’m not going to take garbage from you, you freeze dried slacker!

Iceman:

You should talk, you whiney self-centered little Picasso! “Oh I’m not good enough!” “Oh I need to take a month long absence from the Justice League!” Maybe you should change your codename to “Captain Insecurity!”

KYLE GETS REALLY MAD AND HURLS SEVERAL GREEN ANVILS AT HIM. HE AVOIDS TWO BUT THE LAST ONE HITS HIM DEAD ON AND CRACKS A BIG HOLE IN HIS CHEST. ICEMAN GROANS IN AGONY AND FALLS BACK DOWN ONTO THE LATVERIAN STREET.

CUTS BACK TO THE COURTYARD.

Spider-Man:

What the hell are they doing up there?! One of them could be killed!

A HOLOGRAPHIC SCREEN APPEARS IN THE COURTYARD WITH THE WHITE QUEEN ON IT. SHE’S SIPPING BRANDY AS SHE LAUGHS SMUGLY.

White Queen:

Some children just can’t play nice together can they? Not that I can’t hold myself at least partially accountable. I do so love toying with little boy’s minds.

Rogue:

Emma Frost?! What--

White Queen:

Am I doing here? Maybe they could fill you in.

SHE POINTS TO BEHIND THEM. THE FOUR OF THEM TURN AROUND. DR. OCTOPUS, STAR SAPPHIRE, JOKER, AND METALLO ARE LINED UP READY TO FIGHT.

You were looking for me, correct? Well I assure you you’ve found far more than you’ve bargained for.

CUTS TO GREEN LANTERN PUMMELING ICEMAN INTO THE STREET AND ENCASING HIM IN GREEN ENERGY. LATVERIAN VILLAGERS RUN AWAY IN TERROR.

Green Lantern:

You think you’re so hot, humiliating people! Let’s see how well you do without oxygen!

CUTS BACK TO THE COURTYARD. STAR SAPPHIRE IS CHASING DOWN ROGUE, SPIDER-MAN IS OCCUPYING METALLO, DOC OCK IS SLAMMING SUPERMAN INTO THE GROUND WITH ALL FOUR TENTACLES, AND BATMAN IS DODGING RAZOR CARDS FROM THE JOKER. SUPERMAN SPINS REALLY FAST THEN ZIPS OUT OF OCKS GRIP LEAVING HIS TENTACLES TANGLED. METALLO FIRES A KRYPTONITE BEAM THAT SPIDEY DODGES, BUT IT MANAGES TO HIT SUPERMAN MOMENTARILY INCAPACITATING HIM. OCK WHAPS AT BATMAN WITH THE TANGLED TENTACLES AND KNOCKS HIM OVER. JOKER RUNS OVER TO HIM WITH A GIANT MALLET BUT SPIDEY WEBS HIM UP BEFORE HE CAN SMASH BATMAN. MEANWHILE ROGUE DRAWS STAR SAPPHIRE’S FIRE TOWARDS THE DOOR. SHE DODGES THREE POWERFUL BLASTS IN A ROW THAT SHORT OUT THE DOOR.

Rogue:

Thanks.

SHE BUSTS HER WAY IN AND STARTS SEARCHING, RUSHING DOWN EACH HALL AT A HIGH SPEED EXAMING EACH ROOM.

CUTS TO ICEMAN AND GREEN LANTERN AGAIN. ICEMAN IS GASPING FOR BREATH, BUT THEN HE IGNORES IT, FOCUSES ON GL AND CONCENTRATES.

Green Lantern:

It’s almost over, Snowball… huh?…

HE STARTS TO LOWER TO THE GOUND AS HIS GL ENERGY DISSIPATES AND TRIES TO GRAB HIS HEAD BUT FALLS TO HIS KNEES INSTEAD.

What are you… so… numb…

HE COLLAPSES. ICEMAN GETS BACK UP.

Iceman:

That’s what it feels like when someone starts to freeze the flow of blood to your brain. You were right, Kyle. It is almost over.

CUTS TO ROGUE IN THE CASTLE. SHE FINDS THE ROOM THE WHITE QUEEN IS IN AND DIVES FOR HER.

Rogue:

Heads up, Queeny!

EMMA TURNS AROUND, SEES HER COMING THEN GOES INTO HER PROTECTIVE DIAMOND FORM. ROGUE KNOCKS HER ACROSS THE ROOM BUT SHE IS MOSTLY UNHARMED.

CUTS BACK TO ICEMAN AND GREEN LANTERN. ICEMAN SNAPS OUT OF IT AND STOPS FREEZING HIS BLOOD.

Iceman:

Oh my God! Kyle!

HE RUNS OVER AND SITS HIM UP.

C’mon, buddy, speak to me.

CUTS BACK TO ROGUE AND THE WHITE QUEEN.

White Queen:

Bravo, Rogue. You remembered I can’t use my telepathy in my diamond form.

Rogue:

I’d really love to know what’s going on here so why don’t you spill your guts, Emma, before I spill ‘em for ya?

SHE POPS HER CLAWS.

White Queen:

Pfft! Trash!

SHE TRIES TO PUNCH ROGUE BUT SHE STEPS ASIDE. ROGUE STARTS TO CLAW AT HER SIDE INEFFECTIVELY.

Honesty! Not an ounce of refinement!

SHE GRABS ROGUE AND TOSSES HER BACK OUT INTO THE HALL.

So long, darling!

ROGUE DIVES FOR THE DOOR BUT IT IS SUDDENLY COVERED BY MORE WALL.

CUTS TO ICEMAN AND GREEN LANTERN. GREEN LANTERN REGAINS CONSCIOUSNESS.

Green Lantern:

Iceman… What were we… doing?

Iceman:

I’m not sure but something tells me the others need us about now. C’mon I’ll help you back.

CUTS BACK TO THE COURTYARD WHERE THE OTHERS ARE STILL FIGHTING. JOKER IS STRUGGLING IN SPIDEY’S WEB. BATMAN IS TRYING TO HOLD DOC OCK OFF WITH EXPLODING BATARANGS. SPIDER-MAN IS DODGING SAPPHIRE’S EVERY BLAST. AND SUPERMAN IS BACKING AWAY FROM METALLO.

Metallo:

I was afraid I wouldn’t get a chance to shine for you, Superman. I must admit you’re even more pathetic in front of your friends. I hope you like it green.

METALLO IS SUDDENLY BLASTED AWAY WITH ICE.

Iceman:

Not a chance, Skelator!

ICEMAN SLIDES UP WITH GL LEANING OVER HIS SHOULDER. BATMAN THROWS DOWN A SMOKE BOMB AND DOC OCK STARTS TO GAG ON IT.

Dr. Octopus:

Sapphire… get us out of here!

STAR SAPPHIRE GRABS JOKER, OCK, AND METALLO AND LIFTS THEM UP HIGH.

CUTS TO DOOM’S THRONE ROOM. THE MOLECULE MAN AND DOOM ARE WATCHING THE VARIOUS FIGHTS ON MONITORS.

Molecule Man:

This is going to require all of my concentration you know.

Dr. Doom:

Do it.

THE MOLECULE MAN RAISES HIS ARMS CLOSES HIS EYES AND CONCENTRATES. MEANWHILE OUT IN THE COURTYARD THE GROUND BENEATH THEIR FEET SWELLS UP AND BEGINS TO SPIN AND SUCK THEM INTO THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE CASTLE. THEY TRY TO ESCAPE BUT LONG TENTACLES OF MATTER GRAB THEM ALL AND PULL THEM IN. ICEMAN, BATMAN, SUPERMAN, SPIDER-MAN, AND GREEN LANTERN END UP IN THE MAIN HALL, BUT THE CASTLE ITSELF BEGINS TO REFORM. ENTIRE HALLS REARRANGE THEMSELVES. CEILINGS BECOME FLOORS, OPENINGS SEAL UP, AND THE GENERAL SCHEME OF EVERYTHING BECOMES SURREAL AND PERPLEXING. OFF IN ANOTHER PART OF THE CASTLE ROGUE EXPERIENCES THE SAME.

Superman:

What is this? Some kind of illusion?

Batman:

I’m not sure… the way the floor is moving, almost as if in waves of particles… it’s as if the matter of the castle is… rearranging itself.

Superman:

TOUCHING HIS EAR PIECE:

Rogue come in… Nothing… Doom’s jammed our communications.

CUTS BACK TO THE THRONE ROOM. MOLECULE MAN IS STILL FOCUSING ON REARRANGING THE CASTLE. THE REST OF THE INJUSTICE GANG ENTERS FROM AN OPENING.

Star Sapphire:

Is he quite done yet?

Dr. Doom:

If necessary, Owen here could keep the entire castle in a state of constant motion trapping them all within and infinite labyrinth… but you’re right. Why risk wasting his energies. You can stop for the moment, Reece.

THE MOLECULE MAN CEASES HIS DISPLAY OF POWER.

Molecule Man:

Say the word, Doom, and I’ll restore your castle back the way it was.

Dr. Doom:

In due time, but as long as we have a pack of rats in a maze, why not experiment?

DOOM’S THRONE ROOM A BIT LATER. THE INJUSTICE GANG IS SEATED COMFORATABLY WATCHING THE JL ON A MASSIVE HOLOGRAM-MONITOR. THEY’RE BEING SERVED EXTRAVAGANT FOOD AT A LONG TABLE. MOLECULE MAN IS STILL STANDING IN FRONT OF THE MONITOR CONCENTRATING ON THE MOVEMENTS OF THE CASTLE.

Doom:

Reece, rotate the third floor another thirty five degrees to the east.

MOLECULE MAN COMPLIES AND ON THE MONITOR WE SEE SUPERMAN, SPIDER-MAN, BATMAN, ICEMAN, AND GL COMING EXTREMELY CLOSE TO FINDING ROGUE BUT WHEN THE CASTLE SHIFTS THEY LOSE HER AGAIN. THEY ALL LOOK CONFUSED/IRRITATED. THE IG ARE ALL THOROUGHLY AMUSED EXCEPT FOR JOKER WHO IS GRUMBLING PLAYING WITH HIS FOOD. THE MOLECULE MAN GOES BACK TO THE TABLE AND SITS NEXT TO STAR SAPPHIRE.

Molecule Man:

Impressed, beautiful?

Star Sapphire:

ROLLS EYES

Not even in your wildest dreams.

DOOM RAISES HIS GLASS TO DRINK BUT A PEA STRIKES HIS FOREHEAD. JOKER IS FLINGING THEM AT HIM WITH HIS SPOON.

Joker:

Yoo hoo! Doomsy!

Doom:

…What?!

Joker:

This shmuck can play with all inorganic matter like it was legos, and this is how you use him?! I’m tired of sitting here bored out of my mind while the rest of you self proclaimed avant-guard criminal masterminds tamefully toy with some of my least favorite people! Let’s have some real fun already!!!

EVERYONE IS SILENT.

Dr. Doom:

What would you suggest?

Joker:

Well for starters…

CUTS BACK TO THE GUYS. SUPERMAN IS LOOKING AROUND WITH HIS X-RAY VISION.

Batman:

Where is she now?

SUPERMAN CAN’T FIND HER.

Superman:

Nothing. She must be on the opposite side of the castle. The center is lead lined, which means that’s probably where our hosts are.

Cold-vision confirms. I’m picking up multiple body temps where the throne room would have been.

So lets try and get there. I’m sure Rogue’s doing the same.

Right, then we get close and get shoved right back into this crazy maze.

Until we come up with a better plan we keep trying.

Fine.

SUPERMAN SMASHES DOWN A WALL AND THEY START TO FOLLOW HIM.

CUTS TO THRONE ROOM. MOLECULE MAN RAISES HIS HANDS AGAIN AND THE CASTLE WALLS BEGIN TO REARRANGE AGAIN, THIS TIME EACH HERO IS TOSSED AROUND, SWALLOWED UP BY SWIRLING MOLECULES AND LIQUEFYING FLOORS INDIVIDUALLY, AND SHOVED INTO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CASTLE. GREEN LANTERN AND BATMAN END UP IN THE SAME PLACE, AS DO ICEMAN AND SPIDER-MAN. SUPERMAN IS PROPELLED DOWN A LONG CORRIDOR BY A MASSIVE WAVE OF MOLECULES ON THE FLOOR AND ENDS UP COLLIDING INTO ROGUE. HE GETS UP AND HELPS HER BACK UP AS THE HOLE THEY MADE IN THE WALL BEGINS TO REFORM AND THE CASTLE SETTLES INTO A NEW VERSION OF THE MOLECULE MAN’S MAZE.

Boy am I glad to see you.

Ditto. But it appears that we’ve lost the others.

HE LOOKS WITH HIS X-RAY VISION AGAIN.

Damn. More lead. Is this some kind of magic?

How the hell should I know? With Dr. Doom science and mysticism go hand in hand.

Try and be quiet. Maybe I can listen for their heartbeats.

Maybe we shouldn’t have rushed into this, especially without Marvel Girl.

It’s a little late for “maybe” Rogue. Let’s concentrate on getting out of here.

CROSSES HER ARMS AND MUTTERS UNDER HER BREATH:

What’s eatin’ you “Smallville?”

CUTS TO BATMAN AND GREEN LANTERN. THEY’RE IN A VERY DARK ROOM. KYLE LIGHTS UP THE ROOM.

Where are we?

It looks like a dungeon. But it’s distorted like the rest of the castle.

This is crazy.

How is Doom causing these precise rearrangements?

Maybe it’s not Doom. We counted five other bad guys outside. Who’s to say there aren’t more in on this?

CUTS BACK TO ROGUE AND SUPERMAN.

I think some of the others are this way. Stay close to me.

HE GEARS UP TO PUNCH THROUGH A WALL.

I’ve already tried that. Didn’t turn out too well.

SUPERMAN STOPS AND GLARES AT HER.

I mean it, Rogue. If you don’t follow closely, the wall will probably reform between us.

A wall wouldn’t be the first thing to come between you and me, Superman.

CUTS TO SPIDER-MAN AND ICEMAN. THEY’RE IN A MUCH LARGER MORE SPACIOUS AREA OF THE CASTLE MAZE. THE ROOM IS VERY REMINISCENT OF A SURREALISTIC PAINTING WITH UPSIDE-DOWN STAIRCASES AND DOORS AND PATHWAYS ETC. ARRANGED NONSENSICALLY.

Spider-Man:

Well this isn’t original at all. Can you find any body heat signatures, Bobby?

Iceman:

Not a one anywhere nearby. There might be some people below us, hang on a second…

ICEMAN’S SCANNING THROUGH THE FLOOR. MEANWHILE MULTIPLE MOLECULE MEN START SWARMING THROUGH THE DOORWAYS AND RUSHING THEM.

Spider-Man:

Uh… Iceman…

Iceman:

Just a minute, Webs.

Are you sure you didn’t find anybody here with us?

ICEMAN LOOKS UP AS SWARMS OF MOLECULE MAN CONSTRUCTS MOVE IN ON THEM. THEY BEGIN TO FIGHT THEM OFF.

Iceman:

No heat. That tells me these things aren’t alive.

Spider-Man:

That pretty much goes along with my theory.

Iceman:

Um… robots?

Spider-Man:

SIGHS

That’s your solution to everything. Watch and learn.

SPIDEY KNOCKS ONE INTO THE WALL AND IT CRUMBLES INTO BRICKS AND STONE.

Iceman:

They’re made out of the castle itself?

Spider-Man:

Yes. A couple of years back the Fantastic Four stopped a guy named Owen Reece from leveling New York. And these guys definitely match the picture I took of him when it was all over.

Iceman:

So what is this guy some kinda--

CUTS TO THRONE ROOM.

White Queen:

--Molecule Man, you don’t look so good.

HE IS STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN HIS MATTER CONSTRUCTS AND FOCUS THEIR BATTLE EFFORTS, BUT ICEMAN AND SPIDEY SEEM TO HAVE THEM ON THE ROPES.

Molecule Man:

Shut up! I need to focus!

White Queen:

Fair enough. Just as long as you don’t tell me how to do my job…

SHE CLOSES HER EYES AND BEGINS TO FOCUS.

CUTS BACK TO ROGUE AND SUPERMAN.

Rogue:

Just admit it. It wasn’t fair to lead me on like you did.

Superman:

Just like it wasn’t fair for you to send mixed signals to both me and my friend.

Rogue:

That ain’t fair. You know it was you I wanted… and I thought… I thought maybe…

Superman:

Maybe what? That you could absorb my psyche, learn my secrets, and have some special knowledge of what I want?

Rogue:

I thought maybe the man who kissed me could keep his mind on one woman at a time, dammit! And I thought you’d rather have someone who was willing and able to satisfy both you and your other self, than pine away over a stuck up reporter.

Superman:

It’s not really a tough choice between someone I can touch, and someone I can’t.

A TEAR ROLLS DOWN ROGUE’S CHEEK AND SHE SHOVES HIM THROUGH SEVERAL WALLS. SUPERMAN GETS BACK UP DAZED BUT FINDS ROGUE ALREADY GRABBING HIM BY THE COLLAR CLAWS POPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS FACE.

Rogue:

Did I stay close enough you self-centered son of a… wait…

SHE DROPS SUPES, RETRACTS HER CLAWS AND STARTS TO RUB HER HEAD.

…this ain’t right. The White Queen… she’s screwin’ with our heads…

Superman:

Is she?

CUTS BACK TO THE THRONE ROOM.

This is even more pointless than what we were doing before! Let’s just kill them!

Patience, Rusty. That would lack the finesse their deaths deserve.

No! See this, Reece!

OPENS UP HIS CHEST CAVITY AND POINTS TO HIS KRYPTONITE.

Convert the entire Castle into it!

REECE IS STILL STRAINING TO CONTROL THE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE CASTLE.

I’m rather busy at the moment! And an elemental conversion on that scale is probably beyond the limits of my powers!

Please, Corbin! Don’t heckle the entertainer!

I hardly think--

Oh have you tried the food yet, Chrome Dome…

HE TAKES A BITE AND LICKS HIS LIPS TANTALIZINGLY.

…mmmmmm… it’s exquisite!

Why you miserable--

Enough!!! Reece, as far as my testing shows there should be no limits to your powers. Metallo is right. This foolishness must end, along with the Justice League.

MOLECULE MAN FOCUSES EVEN HARDER AND AT THE THREE LOCATIONS SWARMS OF MOLECULE MAN STATUES BEGIN TO ATTACK AND THE FLOORS AND WALLS BEGIN TO BATTER THE HEROES. IN THE DUNGEONS GREEN LANTERN PROTECTS THEM WITH A FORCE FIELD.

Now we’re in for it.

Maybe not. If this is the work of a human individual, like you suggested, then there has to be limits to his power. Try to keep us protected, but at the same time throw as many constructs into battle as possible. Tax your own resources, and it may be enough to tax his.

GREEN LANTERN BEGINS TO FILL THE ROOM WITH VARIOUS CONSTRUCTS OF OTHER SUPERHEROES BATTLING THE MOLECULE MAN CONSTRUCTS AS WELL AS JACKHAMMERS AND OTHER TOOL CONSTRUCTS TO FIGHT THE MORPHING WALL. IN THE OTHER PLACES ROGUE, SUPERMAN, ICEMAN, AND SPIDEY FIGHT TOO. THERE IS A SERIES OF RAPID CUTS FROM MOLECULE MAN THROUGH THE THREE ROOMS. EVENTUALLY REECE SCREAMS IN AGONY AND FALLS OVER, EXHAUSTED. THE VILLAINS ALL LOOK NERVOUS. THE WHITE QUEEN GOES INTO HER DIAMOND BATTLE FORM.

Well isn’t this just swell?

SUPERMAN AND ROGUE BREAK THROUGH THE MAIN DOOR TO THE THRONE ROOM AND START BATTLING THE VILLAINS. STAR SAPPHIRE AND DOOM START TO FIRE BLASTS AT THEM, BUT GL BLASTS THROUGH THE FLOOR WITH BATMAN AND SENDS THEM BOTH FLYING. THE CEILING FREEZES AND AN AVALANCHE OF ICE COVERS UP METALLO AND THE WHITE QUEEN. SPIDEY SWINGS DOWN, GRABS JOKER, BASHES HIS FACE INTO A WALL, AND DROPS HIM TO THE FLOOR. JOKER ROLLS OVER LOOKING DAZED THEN JERKS INTO ALERTNESS.

Ha!

HE TOSSES A BAG OF EXPLODING MARBLES OUT ONTO THE FLOOR. SAPPHIRE AND GL REACT TO PROTECT THEIR VARIOUS TEAMS FROM THE EXPLOSIONS, BUT THE DISTRACTION GIVES THE VILLAINS TIME TO PULL THEMSELVES TOGETHER. WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS THE ROOM ERUPTS INTO AN ALL OUT BRAWL AGAIN. ROUGHLY: SUPERMAN VS. METALLO, ROGUE VS. DOOM, SPIDER-MAN VS. DOC OCK, BATMAN VS. JOKER, GREEN LANTERN VS. STAR SAPPHIRE, AND ICEMAN VS. THE WHITE QUEEN. THE MOLECULE MAN IS STILL UNCONSCIOUS ON THE GROUND. SUPERMAN IS TRYING TO KEEP HIS DISTANCE WHILE PERIODICALLY RUSHING IN TO GIVE METALLO QUICK PUNCHES.

OPENING UP HIS KRYPTONITE CAVITY:

Why don’t you try your cheap shots now you coward!

SUPERMAN COMES FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF A LEAD-LINED WALL TAKING A BIG PIECE OF IT WITH HIM AND SMASHING METALLO UNDERNEATH IT.

Superman:

I’ll have to thank your new boss for the convenient abundance of lead.

MOLECULE MAN STIRS AWAKE AND SPIES SUPERMAN AND METALLO. HE STRAINS HIMSELF TO CONVERT THE CHUNK OF WALL INTO SOLID KRYPTONITE.

Molecule Man:

Nice… try… but… who do you think… put the lead there in the first place?!

SUPERMAN FALLS OVER IN PAIN. BATMAN SOCKS THE JOKER IN THE FACE, THEN DIVES OVER AND KICKS THE WEAK MOLECULE MAN IN THE FACE SENDING HIM BACK INTO UNCONSCIOUSNESS. A GREEN BALD EAGLE CONSTRUCT GRABS THE KRYPTONITE AND SHOVES IT THROUGHT HE ROOF FLINGING IT AWAY.

BATMAN WHIPS A HANDFUL OF SMOKE BOMBS AT THE GROUND. SPIDER-MAN HAS OCK’S TENTACLES WEBBED TOGETHER.

Oh no we are not retreating!

Webs is right we have them on the ropes--

This isn’t up for debate! Lantern, get us out of here!

KYLE MAKES A GIANT CONSTRUCT OF A CHILD’S BUBBLE WAND. IT KNOCKS SEVERAL VILLAINS OVER AS IT CREATES FIVE FORCE BUBBLES AND GRABS THE OTHER LEAGUERS. HE LIFTS THEM AWAY BLASTING THE HOLE FROM THE KRYPTONITE EVEN WIDER AND CARRIES THEM HIGH ABOVE/AWAY FROM THE CASTLE. FORCE BLASTS FROM THE VILLAINS AND MOUNTED LASER CANNONS ON THE CASTLE ITSELF FIRE AT THEM AS THEY LEAVE BUT KYLE PROTECTS THEM FROM THE PROJECTILES.

CUTS BACK TO THE INSIDE. DOOM’S FACE IS VERY ANGRY.

FOUR FREEDOM’S PLAZA, THE LAB. VALERIA IS WORKING ON AN EXPERIMENT. A LASER BEAM FIRES ACROSS THE LAB AND HITS A FORCE FIELD. THE LASER STARTS TO CHANGE COLORS AND ATTEMPTS TO PENETRATE THE FORCEFIELD BUT THE FORCE FIELD CHANGES TO MATCH EACH TIME AND THE LASER NEVER MAKES IT THROUGH. VALERIA GIVES A SATISFIED SMILE AND TAKES SOME NOTES. THE BUZZER SOUNDS ON A WALL MOUNTED INTERCOM.

Batman:

<Marvel Girl, report to the watchtower, immediately.>

Marvel Girl:

Now’s not a good time, actually.

Batman:

<This isn’t a request.>

Marvel Girl:

Hmph…

CASTLE DOOM, A LUSH SITTING ROOM WHERE THE WHITE QUEEN, MOLECULE MAN, AND STAR SAPPHIRE ARE LOUNGING. THERE ARE ATTENDANTS SERVING WINE AS WELL AS A PIANIST PLAYING A CLASSICAL TUNE.

White Queen:

Bottom line is Doom’s considering this a minor setback at worst. He’s not nearly as angry and vengeful as we’d figured.

Star Sapphire:

Who would have thought he’d be so forgiving?

White Queen:

Certainly not me.

PLACES HER GLASS DOWN AND BEGINS TO LEAVE.

So I suggest the rest of you bottom rung, low class dogs get your acts together because who knows how he feels about third chances.

Star Sapphire:

Emma, wait! Don’t leave me alone with--

SHE’S GONE. REECE IS STARING AT HER LUSTFULLY.

…him…

SHE TURNS AWAY, SIGHS, AND ROLLS HER EYES. MOLECULE MAN FORMS A HEART OUT OF A TABLE NEXT TO HER AND CAUSES STREAMS OF MOLECULES TO ORBIT IT LIKE ELECTRONS.

Molecule Man:

You know I could give you virtually anything your heart desires. Precious gems perhaps?

CONVERTS THE HEART TO SAPPHIRE, JADE, AND DIAMONDS. SAPPHIRE TOUCHES THE JEWELS AND SMILES, SHE TURNS TO REECE AND LEANS IN CLOSE WHISPERING SEDUCTIVELY.

There is one thing I’d really like actually. And I’m sure it’s something you could do…

Molecule Man:

Just say the word.

CUTS TO THE HALLWAY.

Star Sapphire:

Bug off!!!

REECE IS SLAMMED INTO THE OTHER WALL VIA A FORCEFIELD. HE GETS UP AND RUBS HIS HEAD. JOKER ZIPS UP BEHIND HIM AND TRIES TO APPLY A COLD STEAK TO HIS HEAD.

Joker:

Poor Owen. Some dames just don’t know what they want, eh?

MOLECULE MAN SWATS THE STEAK AWAY AND SHOVES JOKER.

Molecule Man:

Get away from me!

Joker:

Now, now, no need to get snippy.

LEANS IN CLOSE TO HIS EAR AND WHISPERS.

You know if I were you and saw something I wanted, I’d just take it.

Molecule Man:

The day I take romantic advice from a homicidal clown…

Joker:

Oh please! You have the best powers out of all of us, yet you’ve never made a name for yourself. Show a little backbone, Reece!

REECE TRIPS JOKER BY CREATING A STUMP IN THE GROUND AND LEAVES. JOKER GETS BACK UP RUBBING HIS HEAD.

Joker:

Heh! What a maroon.

HE HEARS SOUNDS OF HEAVY DUTY TOOLS NEARBY.

Huh?…

CUTS TO DOC OCK WORKING ON A LARGE HIGH TECH DEVICE. JOKER ENTERS THE ROOM.

Ehhhh…

PRODUCES A CARROT AND STARTS TO MUNCH ON IT.

What’s up, Doc?

OCK CONTINUES WORKING NEVER GIVING JOKER HIS FULL ATTENTION.

Dr. Octopus:

I’m busy.

Joker:

So what is this stuff anyway? Some kind of videogame?

REACHES FOR A KNOB. OCK SWATS HIM AWAY WITH A TENTACLE.

Dr. Octopus:

Do not touch!

Joker:

Fine!

PULLS OUT A PIECE OF CHALK

I’m drawing a line down the middle of this room. You stay on your side and I’ll stay on mine. And then when I build a better machine you won’t be able to touch mine!

Dr. Octopus:

Is your sole purpose to mindlessly wander this castle in hopes of driving the rest of us as mad as you?

Joker:

LAUGHS.

Oh Ockers, you kill me!

Dr. Octopus:

That’s the plan.

JOKER CONTINUES TO LAUGH. DOOM ENTERS.

Dr. Doom:

You are dismissed.

Joker:

Well actually, I’m the Joker, but I imagine it’s tough to distinguish people when you’re constantly having to hide your scarred face behind a cumbersome iron mask.

DOOMS GROWLS AND CHARGES UP TWO POWERFUL ENERGY BLASTS ON HIS GAUNTLETS.

Joker:

NERVOUSLY:

He He… I’ll leave.

HE DARTS OFF. DOOM CALMS DOWN AND HIS GAUNTLETS POWER DOWN.

Dr. Octopus:

Tell me, Doom. Did you really abduct me to lead your rag tag group of unsavory jackals? Or am I here to perform manual labor for you?

Dr. Doom:

Both actually. Have you made any significant progress on the cannon’s core?

Dr. Octopus:

I’m almost through.

Dr. Doom:

I expect the full working model to be assembled in three hours.

Dr. Octopus:

Three hours?!

Dr. Doom:

The Justice League knows of our existence. Time must be on our side, Doctor, not theirs.

HE EXITS.

THE WATCHTOWER. EVERYONE EXCEPT MARVEL GIRL IS PRESENT. THEY’RE GOING OVER FILES ON THE MEMBERS OF DOOM’S TEAM.

Rogue:

Where is that kid?

Green Lantern:

Just giver her a minute. She’s probably running late.

Iceman:

SARCASTICALLY:

Yeah, you know we should install teleport pods to correct those kinds of things.

Batman:

They’re right. We shouldn’t have to make excuses for her. Even if she is--

ENTERING THE ROOM:

What? A child? Well you’re right, I’m sorry. And I’m sorry for the spoiled brat routine I pulled earlier, Superman. But hopefully some of the stuff I’ve been working on can make up for it.

Superman:

It’s alright, Val. But right now we need your help. Dr. Doom--

Marvel Girl:

I know. I was psychically monitoring most of what went on in Latveria. Had things gotten out of hand I’d have bailed you guys out.

Spider-Man:

Jeeze! I’d like to know your definition of “out of hand!”

Marvel Girl:

Well you’re all here aren’t you?

SILENCE.

…Look I keep telling everybody I’m a precog. I knew you didn’t die there cuz…

SILENCE.

Green Lantern:

…because???

Marvel Girl:

SIGHS.

Because you’re supposed to die in Metropolis…

SILENCE.

…But hey nothing’s absolute right? Take it from a girl who was raised in a possible alternate future… I’ve been working real hard to break this wheel of fate, guys. Trust me.

Batman:

…Let’s get to work. Show us what you’ve done.

MARVEL GIRL NODS.

Marvel Girl:

Superman, stand here please.

SUPERMAN COMPLIES AND A LARGE CLEAR TUBE COMES DOWN ON HIM. THE TUBE FILLS WITH A GRAY CLOUD OF GAS. THE GAS CLEARS AND THE TUBE RETRACTS.

Superman:

What th--

MARVEL GIRL PRODUCES A CHUNK OF KRYPTONITE FROM BEHIND HER BACK AND HURLS IT AT SUPES. HE’S STARTLED AND BLOCKS IT. IT FALLS ON THE GROUND NEXT TO HIM AND HAS NO EFFECT.

Superman:

What???

Marvel Girl:

I sprayed you with a harmless lead based microbe that thrives in the negative zone. They’ll cling to your body for at least twenty four hours, and they wont tear or melt off like your old lead suit.

Batman:

They’re also organic, which means the Molecule Man can’t manipulate them. Clever.

Marvel Girl:

Which brings me to my next--

THE BUZZER ON THE COMPUTER GOES OFF AND THE HOLOGRAPHIC SCREEN THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY DISPLAYING THE INJUSTICE GANG CHANGES.

Computer:

Incoming transmission.

ON THE SCREEN DOOM IS SITTING ON HIS THRONE.

Dr. Doom:

People of America. This is Victor Von Doom, High Baron of Latveria. Earlier today the group of vigilantes known as the Justice League launched an unprovoked attack on my country.

BEGINS TO SHOW CLIPS OF ICEMAN AND GL BATTLING IN THE STREET, THE OTHERS BREAKING WALLS DOWN ETC. INSIDE THE CASTLE.

Their actions cost some of my people their homes, endangered lives, cost billions of dollars in property damage, and disrupted the peace of our nation. I demand that the authorities turn over these ruthless savages to me within the hour or I will take matters into my own hands. That is all.

DURING THE SPEECH ABOVE, CUTS TO PEOPLE WATCHING IN THE STREETS OF METROPOLIS, THE PENTAGON, S.H.E.I.L.D. ETC. AND EVENTUALLY BACK TO THE JUSTICE LEAGUE.

Batman:

…We have to turn ourselves over. If we don’t he’ll use us as an excuse to attack Metropolis.

Marvel Girl:

I’d like to see him try.

Rogue:

Valeria, no…

Superman:

No. She’s right.

Batman:

What?!

Spider-Man:

You’d allow millions of innocents to get caught in the crossfire of our personal vendetta?

Superman:

And what if we give up? Doom kills us and how long would it be before he or some other maniac comes and claims this city, this country, this world? We’re not doing any good if we leave them unprotected.

Iceman:

Maybe you’re forgetting what we’re up against here. Aside from a highly specialized team of meta-humans that’s already proven to be more than a match for us, he’s bound to have fleets of space age battle technology designed to level mountains and the like.

Marvel Girl:

Bring… it… on!

METROPOLIS. A NEWS BROADCAST.

This is Snapper Carr with up to the minute coverage of the crisis in Metropolis. We’ve just received confirmation from the Pentagon that there will be no negotiations with Doom, and that the Justice League will not be handed over. And while public opinion sways in favor of our homespun heroes, panic here in the city is spreading like wildfire. Riots have broken out on the upper west side and traffic has come to a standstill due to people abandoning their homes for fear of an attack from Latveria. Meanwhile the Justice League’s Watchtower has become the site of bitter protest.

DURING THE ABOVE WHAT IS EXPLAINED IS MORE OR LESS REFLECTED. CUTS BACK TO SNAPPER IN THE NEWSROOM.

When questioned on the matter, super powered adventurer and leader of the Fantastic Four, Reed Richards had this to say.

CUTS TO MR. FANTASTIC.

Mr. Fantastic:

I won’t deny that Doom is arrogant enough to try such an assault. However, the Fantastic Four currently have their hands too full to devote our full attention to a possible threat. Rest assured we’re keeping our eye on it, and the Justice League is more than qualified to handle the situation.

CUTS BACK TO CARR.

Snapper Carr:

Qualified or not, however, these recent events beg the question.

CUTS TO THE JL WATCHING IN THE WATCHTOWER.

Was it really a good idea for the Justice League to set up base in a major American city?

BATMAN CLICKS IT OFF.

Batman:

Happy?

Superman:

If everybody does their part there won’t be a scratch on this city. Marvel Girl, how’s it coming?

MARVEL GIRL IS WORKING ON HER GAUNTLETS, REPLACING CIRCUITRY ETC.

Marvel Girl:

Almost done. All I’ll have to do is get a firm grip on Doom’s armor and I should be able to interface with its circuitry. It’ll give me an inside peek at what he has in store for us and if we’re lucky, I may be able to deactivate it.

Rogue:

You sure this’ll work?

Marvel Girl:

Where I grew up, my dad was wearing that same metal suit. Trust me, I know how it works.

CUTS TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF METROPOLIS. DOOM’S PERSONAL AIR SHIP IS APPROACHING THE CITY CLOAKED. INSIDE, DOOM AND THE INJUSTICE GANG ARE SEATED ON THE BRIDGE.

Joker:

Pleeeeeeeease let me have a go at the controls?

Dr. Octopus:

For the umpteenth time, Doom and I are piloting! Everyone else is on standby.

Joker:

Aw, but your attacks are always so cold and sterile. So… so… efficient.

Molecule Man:

This isn’t the time for your theatrics, Joker. I however am feeling much better now. I’d be more than capable of dismantling--

Dr. Doom:

If Richards designed their building it should be well protected from even your influence. My newest invention, however--

THEY ARE NOW NEAR THE WATCHTOWER. HE PULLS A LEVER, AND ON THE BOTTOM OF THE AIRSHIP A CANNON LOWERS.

--The Omega Level Frequency Pulse Cannon will adjust its energy signature to penetrate any and all defense mechanisms.

CUTS TO INSIDE THE WATCHTOWER. VALERIA HAS A PSYCHIC FLASH.

Marvel Girl:

Oh my God!

SHE DARTS OFF TO THE ELEVATOR.

Spider-Man:

Val?!

HIS SPIDER SENSE GOES CRAZY.

Argh! Guys something bad’s coming.

OUTSIDE THE CANNON BEGINS TO CHARGE. VALERIA RUNS THROUGH THE LAB AND GRABS A SMALL DEVICE. SHE CONTINUES UP THE STAIRS.

Superman:

Follow her.

Marvel Girl:

TELEPATHICALLY:

No! Everybody leave! Get to the teleporters!

OUTSIDE THE CANNON IS FULLY CHARGED. MARVEL GIRL GETS TO THE ROOF, WITH THE DEVICE IN HAND.

If this doesn’t work the rest of you at least should survive!

THE REST OF THE JL HAS CAUGHT UP TO THE ROOF AS SHE PLACES THE DEVICE DOWN STARTING WITH SUPERMAN AND ENDING WITH BATMAN.

Superman:

We’re in this together.

MARVEL GIRL’S DEVICE TRANSFORMS INTO A SMALL TOWER WITH AN ANTENNA.

Marvel Girl:

Then start praying.

THE ANTENNA STARTS TO EMITT A SOFT GLOW THAT BEGINS TO BLANKET METROPOLIS SIMULTANEOUSLY AS DOOM’S CANNON FIRES. WHEN THE CANNON’S BEAM HIT’S THE FORCEFIELD IT BEGINS TO RIPPLE ALL OVER THE ICTY. THE CANNON’S BEAM IS CHANGING COLORS AND THE FORCEFIELD IS DOING THE SAME. PANICKED METROPOLITANS ARE GAWKING UPWARDS.

CUTS TO DOOM’S COCKPIT.

There’s some kind of energy barrier covering the entire city. It’s adapting to the cannon’s pulse changes!

Dr. Doom:

…Valeria. Very well, increase the rate of change.

Dr. Octopus:

Any more frequency could cause an overload.

Dr. Doom:

Do as I say! All we need is one good shot. I’m calling the child’s bluff.

OCK INCREASES A GAUGE. OUTSIDE THE CANNON’S BEAM STARTS FLASHING RAPIDLY AND THE FORCEFIELD MATCHES.

Marvel Girl:

Figures he’d do this. Brace yourselves!

GL COVERS THEM IN A FORCEFIELD.

Dr. Doom:

No!

THE CANNON AND THE FORCEFIELD GENERATOR BOTH GO CRITICAL AND EXPLODE. WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS THERE ARE ROBOT DRONES EXTINGUISHING THE FLAMES UNDER DOOM’S AIRSHIP. THERE IS SOME DAMAGE TO THE WATCHTOWER’S ROOF, ICEMAN EXTINGUISHES THE SMALL FIRES, AS GL LETS HIS FORCEFIELD DOWN. VALERIA IS SMILING AND HUGS SUPERMAN.

Marvel Girl:

I did it!

Iceman:

Whoo hoo! But as it turns out, there’s still an otherwise fully armed airship up there.

Green Lantern:

Leave it to me.

HE TAKES OFF INTO THE AIR AND FORMS A GIANT PUNCHIUNG GLOVE THAT KNOCKS THE AIRSHIP AWAY FROM THE WATCHTOWER. AS IT SPINS AWAY THE INJUSTICE GANG IS ROUGHED UP ON THE INSIDE. THE SHIP COMES TO A STOP, STILL HOVERING ABOVE THE CITY.

Dr. Octopus:

I’ve had enough of this!

PRESSES MULTIPLE SEQUENCES OF BUTTONS WITH HIS ARMS AND TENTACLES.
OUTSIDE VARIOUS MISSILES AND BOMBS PLUMMET TOWARDS THE CITY BELOW. GREEN LANTERN STARTS TO FRANTICALLY INTERCEPT AND BLOCK THEM.

Dr. Doom:

Octavious, what are you doing?!

Dr. Octopus:

Creating a distraction so we can retreat!

Dr. Doom:

I didn’t assemble this team to retreat! If we can’t destroy them from a safe distance then we’ll draw them into a fight they cannot win! Convert all remaining power to offensive weaponry!

OUTSIDE GL HAS MOSTLY FINISHED STOPPING THE MISSILES. THE AIRSHIP UNLEASHES A LARGE FLEET OF FLYING DRONES AND DOOMBOTS AND HUNDREDS OF SMALLER CANNONS SPRING UP ON THE SIDES AND UNDERSIDE.

Green Lantern:

Uh oh.

ALL OF THE DRONES AND CANNONS BEGIN TO ATTACK/FIRE AT GL.

Batman:

<Lantern! Defensive barrier on the underside of the ship now!>

Green Lantern:

Got it.

HE BLOCKS THE ATTACKS THEN MAKES A VERY LARGE HALF-BUBBLE UNDER THE AIRSHIP TO KEEP DEBRIS/STRAY SHOTS FROM HITTING THE CITY.

There’s too many of them for me to fight and keep the barrier up!

CUTS TO BATMAN.

Batman:

Backup’s on the way.

PAN OUT TO REVEAL SUPERMAN, ROGUE, ICEMAN ON ICESLIDE, AND SPIDEY, BATMAN, AND MARVEL GIRL ON SKY CYCLES HEADING TOWARDS THE BATTLE.

Let us in then seal the ship. Nothing gets down to the city.

WHEN THE OTHER HEROES ENTER THE FRAY, GL MAKES THE UPPER HALF OF HIS FORCE BUBBLE, TRAPPING EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE INSIDE.

INSIDE, SUPERMAN AND ROGUE BEGIN TO PUMMEL THE AIRSHIP ITSELF BUT FIND IT DIFFICULT TO DAMMAGE EVEN FOR THEM. ICEMAN STARTS TO TAKE OUT THE CANNONS, BATMAN AND VALERIA START TAKING OUT THE LARGER DOOM BOTS USING HIS MISSILES AND THE ENERGY RAY ON HER SKY CYCLE AND SPIDEY IS TAKING OUT THE SMALLER DRONES USING THE WEB CANNON ON HIS SKY CYCLE.

CUTS TO THE BRIDGE.

Joker:

Well isn’t this going swimmingly?

Molecule Man:

Allow me.

Dr. Doom:

No, I wouldn’t trust your powers except in close range, Reece. Let them exhaust themselves battling my automated defenses then come to find us primed for battle.

Molecule Man:

But--

Joker:

Please, M&M, you of all people should remember how well that strategy works, little miss can’t rearrange a castle.

STAR SAPPHIRE GIGGLES, AND MOLECULE MAN GLARES AT JOKER ANGRILY.

CUTS TO BACK OUTSIDE.

Superman:

Rogue! If we combine our efforts in the same spot we’ll have a better chance!

HE BLASTS A SPOT WITH A LARGE RAY OF HEAT VISION. ROGUE FLIES UP AND STARTS TO SLASH AT THE SOFTENED METAL WITH HER CLAWS. A CANNON BLASTS THEM AWAY. NEARBY, SPIDER-MAN WEBS TWO DOOMBOTS TOGETHER AND HAS THEM CHASE HIM TOWARDS ONE OF THE AIRSHIP’S FINS. HE FLIES RIGHT PAST IT, BUT THE WEBLINE CATCHES THE FIN, THEY SPIN AROUND, COLLIDE, AND EXPLODE. SUPERMAN REGAINS HIS COMPOSURE AND STARTS TO FLY BACK UP TOWARDS THE HOLE HE AND ROGUE HAD BEGUN, BUT ANOTHER CANNON BLASTS HIM RIGHT INTO SPIDEY. SPIDEY’S CKY CYCLE IS SMASHED, BUT HE WEBS ONTO THE SIDE OF THE AIRSHIP JUST IN TIME. VALERIA PRESSES A SEQUENCE OF BUTTONS ON HER SKYCYCLE’S CONTROL PANEL AND FLIES IT STRIAGHT INTO ROGUE AND SUPES’ HOLE, BACKFLIPPING OFF AS IT GETS CLOSE. THE SKYCYCLE COLLIDES WITH THE SHIP AND EXPLODES VIOLENTLY. BATMAN RUSHES IN ON HIS CYCLE AND CATCHES VAL WITH HIS HAND. A DOOM BOT TRIES TO ATTACK THEM WHILE THEY’RE VULNERABLE, BUT ICEMAN FREEZES IT AND IT PLUMMETS TO THE FORCEFIELD BELOW AND SHATTERS. THE SMOKE FROM THE EXPLOSION CLEARS REVEALING A COMPLETED HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE AIRSHIP. SPIDEY RUNS AND DIVES INTO IT ONLY TO FIND DOZENS OF MOUNTED CANNONS IN A HALLWAY.

Spider-Man:

Oh boy…

HIS SPIDER-SENSE BUZZING, HE AVOIDS THEIR FIRE NARROWLY AND MANEUVERS BACK OUT THE HOLE.

Problem guys: the inside’s as fortified as the outside!

ICEMAN SLIDES UP.

I’m getting sick of this. Let’s see if we can’t speed this up.

HE BLASTS THROUGH THE HOLE AND COATS THE WALLS, CEILING, AND FLOOR OF THE HALLWAY WITHIN IN ICE FREEZING ALL OF THE CANNONS INSIDE. THE ICE TRAVELS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS DOWN THE HALLWAY FOR A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE.

Supes?

SUPERMAN FLIES INTO THE HOLE AT SUPER SPEED COLLIDING WITH THE FLOOR AND SHATTERING ALL THE ICE BREAKING OFF EVERY MOUNTED WEAPON IN THE PROCESS WITH THE SHOCKWAVES OF HIS IMPACT. OUTSIDE BATMAN AND VALERIA FLY UP TO THE HOLE.

Batman:

We’ve thinned the ranks out here enough. The rest is up to Green Lantern.

ROGUE AND ICEMAN COVER THE OTHERS AS THEY ENTER THE AIRSHIP. ICEMAN ENTERS LAST AND FREEZES UP THE HOLE. SEVERAL DOOMBOTS’ SILHOUETTES ARE SEEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ICE TRYING TO GET AT THEM. CUTS TO GL.

Batman:

<Everyone’s inside.>

Green Lantern:

Then stay put. I’ll finish them off.

HE SHRINKS HIS FORCEBUBBLE UNTIL IT CRUSHES ALL OF THE REMAINING DRONES AND DOOMBOTS AGAINST THE EXTERIOR OF THE SHIP. HE THEN COLLECTS THE DEBRIS, COMPACTS IT, AND LAUNCHES IT OUT TO SEA WITH A CATAPULT CONSTRUCT. BACK INSIDE ICEMAN DISSIPATES THE ICE COVERING AS GL FLIES IN TO JOIN THEM.

Superman:

Everybody stay close.

INSIDE THE BRIDGE, MOMENTS LATER. THE WALL FREEZES THEN SHATTERS FROM SUPERMAN’S FIST. THE JL ENTERS TO FIND THE BRIDGE UNOCCUPIED.

Weird. I don’t sense anyone. But, Frost could be messing with my psychic perceptions.

Batman:

It’s also possible that this whole airship was fully automated.

HE WALKS OVER TO THE PILOT SEAT.

I’ll see if I can move it out to sea.

HE SITS DOWN AND STARTS TO FIGURE OUT THE CONTROLS. VALERIA WALKS OVER TO ANOTHER PANEL AND STARTS TO EXAMINE THE SHIP’S ENERGY GUAGES ETC.

Marvel Girl:

Well the good news is the damage we did is extensive. This puppy’s only got enough juice left to fly.

Batman:

Good, because I’m taking us far away from any innocent bystanders.

THE SHIP STARTS TO MOVE OUT TO SEA AWAY FROM METROPOLIS.

Rogue:

Could they have been here, and teleported to safety?

Marvel Girl:

I’m checking the records… that’s odd.

Spider-Man:

What is it?

Marvel Girl:

An encrypted file even I can’t seem to open. Lemme try something else--

AS SHE PLACES HER HANDS ON THE KEYS OCK’S TENTACLES SMASH THROUGH THE CONSOLE AND COIL AROUND HER. DIRECTLY FOLLOWED BY THE REST OF THE INJUSTICE GANG CRASHING THROUGH THE FLOOR AND CEILING: METALLO CRUSHES SUPERMAN INTO THE GROUND, STAR SAPPHIRE BASHES GL INTO THE CEILING WITH A BATTERING RAM. DOOM BLASTS ICEMAN, THE WHITE QUEEN TACKLES SPIDEY AS SHE GOES INTO HER DIAMOND FORM, AND JOKER POPS UP UNDER BATMAN IN THE PILOT SEAT, WHICH WAS RIGGED ON A SPRING. JOKER IS STRAPPED INTO A PHONEY PILOT SEAT BENEATH HIM WEARING AVIATION GOGGLES AND HAT. BATMAN IS LAUNCHED INTO THE CEILING.

Joker:

Wheeeeeeee!

FINALLY, MOLECULE MAN RISES UP AND STARTS TO SWIRL CHUNKS OF MATTER AROUND THE ROOM GRABBING ROGUE IN THE CHAOS. GREEN LANTERN GETS BACK UP AND TRIES TO STOP HIM, BUT HE’S KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS BY REECE’S FLYING DEBRIS.

It’s finally over, Superman.

HE OPENS HIS CHEST COMPARTMENT, BUT THE KRYPTONITE HAS NO EFFECT.

Superman:

SMIRKS.

Is it?

HE PUNCHES METALLO CLEAR ACROSS THE ROOM INTO THE OPPOSITE WALL. JOKER APPROACHES THE FALLEN BATMAN, BUT HE JERKS AWAKE AND DROP KICKS HIM. HE THEN HURLS A FLEET OF BATARANGS AT THE MOLECULE MAN.

Molecule Man:

You must be kidding!

HE STARTS TO, ONE BY ONE, SNAP EACH BATARANGE IN TWO. SOME OF THEM EXPLODE, SOME GIVE OFF AN ELECTRIC CHARAGE, AND SOME ARE JUST NORMAL BATARANGES THAT FALL HARMLESSLY TO THE GROUND. WHEN HE SNAPS THE FINAL BATARANG IT RELEASES A GELATENOUS GREEN SUBSTANCE THAT FLIES OUTWARD, COVERS REECE AND BEGINS TO GROW AND EXPAND ON HIM. MOLECLUE MAN GIVES OFF MUFFLED CRIES FOR HELP AS HE FALLS TO THE GROUND AND HIS INFLUENCE OVER THE SWIRLING MASS CEASES.

Dr. Doom:

An organic weapon?!

Marvel Girl:

A parasite from a Kree subsystem my dad had in stasis.

SHE CHARGES OCK WITH A COSMIC SHOCK CONDUCTED THROUGH HIS TENTACLES AND WRIGGLES OUT OF HIS GRASP.

MEANWHILE, METALLO IS DESPERATELY TRYING TO AFFECT SUPERMAN WITH KRYPTONITE BEAMS, BUT INSTEAD IS BATTERED AROUND SOME MORE AND SENT FLYING BACK ACROSS THE ROOM.

Joker:

You know most people learn from their mistakes, numbskull.

Metallo:

Don’t tempt me, clown!

Joker:

Just humor me for a sec, kay?

WHISPERS:

Whatever’s protecting him’s probably exclusively external!

PRESSES HIS EARPIECE.

Sapphire, pin down the big blue boy scout. Everyone else buy us some cover.

DR. DOOM IS KEEPING ROGUE AND BATMAN BUSY, THE WHITE QUEEN STARTS TO ATTACK VALERIA WITH TELEPATHY. SHE GOES BACK TO HUMAN FORM AND THE TWO UNDERGO A PSYCHIC DEADLOCK. EVERYONE ELSE IS STILL INCAPACITATED. MEANWHILE STAR SAPPHIRE GRABS SUPERMAN BY THE LIMBS AND PINS HIM TO THE FLOOR. JOKER LEAPS ONTO HIS CHEST WEARING A DENTIST’S SHIRT AND HEADBAND, AND SITS INDIAN STYLE GRINNING PSCYCHOTICALLY. METALLO LANDS BEHIND SUPERMAN’S HEAD AND GRABS HIS UPPER JAW.

Joker:

Let’s have a look at those big Kryptonian choppers!

CHUCKLES. METALLO PRIES OPEN HIS MOUTH. JOKER MOCK EXAMINES IT.

Hmm… I’m going to need some overhead light.

METALLO OPENS UP HIS CHEST CAVITY AND SUPERMAN WINCES AND MOANS IN PAIN.

Well this isn’t very good at all…

PULLS OUT DRILL.

We’re going to have to operate!

LAUGHS MANICALLY AS HE DRILLS AT SUPERMAN’S TEETH/MOUTH.

DOOM CHARGES UP A BLAST TO ITS FULLEST AND KNOCKS ROGUE CLEAR THROUGH A WALL. BATMAN GOES AFTER HER.

Marvel Girl:

No!

HER POWERS FLARE UP AND SHE TAKES EMMA OUT WITH A MENTAL BOLT. AT SUPER SPEED SHE DIVES AT DOOM AND GRABS HIS MASK WITH HER GAUNTLETS. SHE INTERFACES WITH HIS CIRCUITRY AS FLASHES OF BINARY CODE FLY THROUGH HER MIND, AND FINALLY MANAGES TO DEACTIVATE HIS ARMOR. DURING ABOVE, OCK AND EMMA GET BACK UP AND WITNESS. STAR SAPPHIRE, JOKER AND METALLO PAUSE THEIR TORTURE SESSION TO WATCH TOO.

Marvel Girl:

Now I know your game, Doom.

Dr. Doom:

WEAKENED.

Stop…

Marvel Girl:

Sorry, but the jig is up! Now I know how you got them all to cooperate.

SHE INTERFACES AGAIN. CUTS TO THE INSIDES OF THE VILLAINS HEADS, A MICROSCOPIC VIEW OF THE NANO-DEVICES DOOM IMPLANTED THERE. THEY REACT TO MARVEL GIRL’S INFLUENCE AND LEAVE. OUTSIDE THE NANO-BOTS GLOW AS THEY EXIT THROUGH THE VILLAIN’S NOSES AND EARS, ONE EVEN PENETRATES THE PARASITE COVERING MOLECULE MAN. THEY SWARM AROUND VALERIA’S HAND AND SHE TRAPS THEM IN AN INVISIBLE FORCEFIELD. THEY HARMLESSLY EXPOLODE IN THERE.

It’s over. Doom can’t force any of you to do his dirty work. Leave us be and we’ll take care of him. But you can rest assured we’ll be back for you later.

THE INJUSTICE GANG EXCHANGES AWKWARD LOOKS DURING THE ABOVE THEN STARES BLANKLY FOR A WHILE. THEY THEN ERUPT INTO LAUGHTER.

Dr. Octopus:

Do you have any idea what Doom has offered us, child???

White Queen:

Power and wealth beyond anything we have.

Star Sapphire:

He can shove all the crap he wants into my brain as long as he keeps treating us like royalty. Together we’re unstoppable!

Joker:

It’s true. Even I’ve been playing nicely…

PLACES RIGHT HAND ON HEART AND GRINS CREEPILY.

Honest!

Dr. Doom:

A valiant effort child but it seems my new subjects are more loyal than even I had anticipated.

Marvel Girl:

This can’t be happening…

STAR SAPPHIRE GRABS HER, AND OCK AND THE WHITE QUEEN ADVANCE ON HER.

CUTS TO ROGUE AND BATMAN BEHIND THE WALL. VALERIA IS HEARD SCREAMING. ROGUE STARTS TO GO BACK, BUT BATMAN GRABS HER BY THE ARM.

Batman:

WHISPERING:

There’s nothing we can do for them now. Come on!

THE BRIDGE, MINUTES LATER. SPIDEY AND ICEMAN ARE RESTRAINED WITH POWER INHIBITOR COLLARS AND GAUNTLETS, GREEN LANTERN AND MARVEL GIRL ARE BEING RESTRAINED TO JOIN THEM. JOKER AND METALLO ARE STILL TORTURING SUPERMAN.

SUPERMAN’S MOUTH IS EXTREMELY BLOODY AND HIS EYES HAVE ROLLED BACK INTO HIS HEAD. METALLO IS LAUGHING ALONG WITH JOKER AS HE CONTINUES TO DRILL. JOKER DITCHES THE DRILL AND PULLS OUT A SWITCH BLADE.

Joker:

I’m afraid this tongue is going to have to go!

Dr. Doom:

Enough! Chain him up with the others there’ll be time for this later.

GESTURES TO METALLO.

But Chuckles and I here were just starting to bond!

Dr. Doom:

There are still two of them somewhere on this ship. Frost, Can you locate them?

White Queen:

I’m still seeing nothing but psychic static thanks to the girl.

Then we’ll have to do this manually. I’ll stay here and recharge my armor while I free Reece from this creature. The rest of you fan out and find them. Octavious, search the main floor. Frost and Metallo take the high ground. Joker and Sapphire the lower deck. Comb every inch of this ship and don’t let them get away.

JOKER SKIPS OVER TO THE MOLECULE MAN WHO IS STILL PERIODICALLY EMITTING MUFFLED CRIES.

Joker:

Don’t worry, Reece’s Pieces. I’ll take good care of your girl.

MOLECULE MAN’S MUFFLING GROWS MORE FRANTIC.

Star Sapphire:

I don’t know who’s worse.

THEY ALL LEAVE THE BRIDGE TO SEARCH.

CUTS TO ROGUE AND BATMAN DOWN BELOW. THERE IS A HATCH IN THE FLOOR. BATMAN PULLS A LEVER AND IT OPENS UP. THE WIND IS BLOWING ON THEM. BATMAN STARES AT HER AND THE OPEN HATCH.

We’re not leaving them up there.

Batman:

Of course not, but we’re not going back without a plan.

Rogue:

…this is it isn’t it…

HOLDS HER.

You’re the last person I would expect to give up, Rogue…

THEY STAND THERE HOLDING EACH OTHER FOR SOME TIME IN THE SILENCE WITH THE WIND FROM THE OPEN HATCH SWIRLING PAST THEM.

Joker:

HIS VOICE RESONATING THROUGHOUT THE HALLWAYS BELOW:

Ollie Ollie Oxen Free!!!

Rogue:

They’re coming… do we fight?

CUTS TO SAPPHIRE AND JOKER SEARCHING AS THEY ENTER THE ROOM THAT BATMAN AND ROGUE WERE IN. THEY’RE NOW OUT OF SIGHT.

Star Sapphire:

Damn. They’re gone…

Joker:

CHUCKLES

Are they?

SHOUTING:

Hey, Batsy! When this is all over I’m going to tear robin’s big head right off and use it as a bowling ball. Then I’m going to slaughter Commissioner G. and paint the town red with his blood! When we rule the world I’ll trick Doom into giving me sovereignty over Gotham and I’ll turn every orphanage and hospital into happy tombs! I’ll keep all your other little sidekicks alive just so I can torture them over and over again, corrupt some more vulnerable psychologists, brainwash all the good mannered citizens into slaughtering each other, and then I’ll scratch the Batmobile with my keys…

HE GIRNS AND WAITS. THE GRIN FADES AND HE SHRUGS.

Meh… I guess he’s gone.

THEY TURN THEIR BACKS AND START TO LEAVE. ROGUE FLIES UP OUT OF THE HATCH CARRYING BATMAN. SHE HURLS HIM AT JOKER AND BATMAN WRESTLES HIM TO THE GROUND. SIMULTANEOUSLY ROGUE CHARGES SAPPHIRE AND RAMS HER WITH HER SHOULDER. SAPPHIRE’S FORCEFIELD PROTECTS HER FOR THE MOST PART AND SHE GETS BACK UP AND STARTS TO FIRES BLASTS OF ENERGY AT ROGUE. ROGUE STRUGGLES TO BLOCK THEM. JOKER AND BATMAN ERUPT INTO A VIOLENT FIST FIGHT.

Joker:

Ooooh! You are miffed aren’t you??? Isn’t there a compartment on that belt for a Bat-Stress-Ball?

Batman:

Shut up!

Joker:

“Shut up”? Could it be that after all these years of discipline, my inane chatter is finally starting to take its toll on you?

BATMAN PUNCHES HIM SQUARE IN THE JAW BUT JOKER PERSISTS AND MANAGES TO GET BATMAN IN A HEADLOCK FROM BEHIND. HE POSITIONS HIMSELF SO THAT HIS NOVELTY FLOWER IS DIRECTLY IN BATMAN’S FACE AND REACHES TO SQUEEZE IT BUT BATMAN MANAGES TO GET A FREE HAND TO STOP JOKER’S. THE TWO ARE STRUGGLING TO OVERPOWER THE OTHER.

Joker:

C’mon, Batman. Have a laugh on me.

Rogue:

No!

SHE TRIES TO GET OVER THERE BUT SAPPHIRE SLAMS HER WITH A FORCEFEILD OUT OF THE HATCH. THE SAPPHIRE ENERGY WRAPS AROUND ROGUE AND PINS HER ARMS. STAR SAPPHIRE STRAINS AS SHE SHOVES ROGUE DOWNWARD TOWARDS THE OCEAN. CUTS QUICKLY BACK TO BATMAN AND JOKER’S STRUGGLE. THEN BACK TO ROGUE AS SHE IS SHOVED THROUGH THE SURFACE OF THE OCEAN AND PLUMMETS DEEPER AND DEEPER STRAINING FROM HER INABILITY TO BREATH. CUTS BACK TO SAPPHIRE STILL PUSHING WITH HER FORCEFIELD AND SMILING AN EVIL SMILE. JOKER AND BATMAN ARE STILL AT A DEADLOCK. JOKER BEGINS TO CHUCKLE, HIS LAUGHTER GETS SLIGHTLY LOUDER AS HE INCHES HIS HAND CLOSER AROUND HIS FLOWER.

CUTS TO METALLO AND THE WHITE QUEEN AS JOKER’S LAUGHTER ERUPTS INTO EXTREMELY LOUD INSANE LAUGHTER. CUTS TO OCK AND DOOM HEARING IT.

Scene 17:

THE BRIDGE. DR. OCTOPUS, THE WHITE QUEEN, AND METALLO HAVE RETURNED. DOOM IS JUST FINISHING RELEASING THE MOLECULE MAN FROM THE PARASITE.

Molecule Man:

GASPING FOR AIR:

Th-- Thank you… Doom I’m…

Dr. Doom:

Just be grateful that what you lack in competence you make up for in sheer ability.

JOKER’S LAUGHTER IS HEARD AS HE COMES DOWN THE HALLWAY AND ENTERS THE ROOM. STAR SAPPHIRE HAS BATMAN IN A FORCEBUBBLE. SHE THROWS HIM ON THE FLOOR. THE JUSTICE LEAGUE (NOW ALL CONSCIOUS) STARE IN HORROR.

Where is the woman?!

Star Sapphire:

I gave her more than she expected. She’s currently sleeping with the fishies.

Dr. Doom:

I doubt it. But I also doubt that one stray rogue will be enough to threaten me now.

Iceman:

Try saying that when she comes back with an army of X-Men, Doom!

Dr. Doom:

WALKS OVER TO ICEMAN AND CHARGES HIM WITH ELECTRICITY FROM HIS GAUNTLET AS HE SPEAKS.

X-Men, Fantastic Four, Avengers, Titans… I will do to them all what I have done to you.

ICEMAN GROANS AS HE IS SHOCKED.

SUPERMAN TRIES TO TALK BUT HIS MOUTH IS IN TOO MUCH PAIN.

JOKER WHISTLES LOUDLY TO GET EVERYONE’S ATTENTION.

Joker:

Ladies and gentlemen I’d like you all to witness a milestone in Joker history!

Green Lantern:

What have you done to him?

Joker:

Why the same thing I do to all of my victims of course.

SHOT FROM BEHIND OF JOKER LIFTING BATMAN UP BY THE COWL AND SHOWING THE ROOM HIS FACE. QUICK CUT TO BATMAN’S DISFIGURED GRIN. MOST PEOPLE IN THE ROOM, INCLUDING MANY OF THE VILLAINS TURN AWAY IN DISGUST/HORROR. A TEAR OF JOY RUNS DOWN JOKER’S CHEEK.

This is the happiest day of my life.

White Queen:

What are we going to do with the rest of them?

Joker:

Who cares?! I’m finally rid of Batman!

HE LOUNGES BACK IN THE PILOT’S CHAIR AND SIGHS CONTENTEDLY.

Dr. Doom:

Valeria will be returned to her family. As for the men, we will kill them, and make it obvious to any coroner that it was painful, excruciating, and humiliating. Then we will leave them on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as a symbol to all who feel safe from their inevitable doom.

Joker:

Or you know what would be really funny???

GIGGLES.

Dr. Doom:

What?!

Joker:

If…

GIGGLES MORE.

If we all just died right here and nobody got what they wanted except me!

PRESSES THE CONTROLS AND THE AIRSHIP DIVES DOWN TOWARDS THE WATER. JOKER LAUGHS MANIACALLY.

Molecule Man:

No!

HE SLOWS DOWN THE SHIP AND SETS IT HOVERING GENTLY A FEW STORIES FROM THE SURFACE OF THE WATER.

Joker:

Well that didn’t go so well.

GIGGLES. ALL THE OTHER VILLAINS STARE AT HIM WITH LOOKS OF EXTREME ANGER.

I’ll just show myself out!

HE SPRINGS FOR THE EXIT. STAR SAPPHIRE TRIES TO BLAST HIM BUT HE DUCKS AND SLIDES THEN GRABS HER LEG SHOCKING IT WITH A HAND BUZZER. SAPPHIRE CIRES OUT IN PAIN. MOLECULE MAN CAUSES THE MOLECULES IN THE FLOOR TO RISE UP AND GRAB JOKER IN A MESS OF MATTER. MOLECULE MAN FLIES OVER TO JOKER.

Molecule Man:

Say the word, Doom, and I’ll crush him like the worthless insect that he is.

SAPPHIRE GETS BACK UP AND SMILES AT THE MOLECULE MAN. HE IS DISTRACTED BY HER.

Star Sapphire:

…this isn’t easy for me to say but…

SHE FLIES UP TO MEET HIS FACE.

Thank you.

SHE KISSES HIM.

MOLECULE MAN SMILES AT FIRST BUT EXTREMELY QUICKLY HIS POWERS ARE BEING DRAINED BY “STAR SAPPHIRE.” SHE HANGS ON FOR A GOOD DEAL OF TIME AND THEN LETS REECE DROP TO THE FLOOR UNCONSCIOUS.

Rogue:

HER VOICE MORPHING FROM STAR SAPPHIRE’S TO HER OWN.

Sorry, Sugah.

HER EYES GLOW LIKE THE MOLECULE MAN’S. SHE PULLS APART HER BLACK WIG MOLECULARLY REVEALING ROGUE’S NORMAL HAIR.

Dr. Doom:

Stop her!

THE OTHER BAD GUYS RUSH HER BUT SHE KNOCKS THEM ALL OVER WITH A SHOCKWAVE OF MATTER. THE WHITE QUEEN GETS BACK UP AND STARTS TO ATTACK HER TELEPATHICALLY. “JOKER” PULLS OUT A BATARANG WITH A SEMI-FREE HAND AND WHIPS IT AT HER ELECTRIFYING HER.

NO LONGER IMPERSONATING JOKER’S VOICE:

Your team was flawless, Doom. But even our faking a traitor made you vulnerable.

ROGUE RELEASES BATMAN AND THE REST OF THE JUSTICE LEAGUE. DOC OCK SLIPS OUT UNNOTICED. GREEN LANTERN GRABS DOOM WITH A CAGE CONSTRUCT. DOOM CASTS GL AN EVIL GLARE, HIS EYES BLAZING WITH HELLFIRE, AND KYLE FALLS OVER GRABBING HIS HEAD IN PAIN.

Dr. Doom:

You have won this battle Justice League. But I will haunt you until you die!

HE PRESSES A BUTTON ON HIS ARMOR AND A HOLE OPENS UP ABOVE THEM THAT EXTENDS TO THE OUTSIDE. HE FLIES UPWARD, ROGUE TRIES TO CATCH HIM WITH MATTER STREAMS BUT FAILS. SUPERMAN GROWLS AND FLIES AFTER HIM. GL GETS BACK UP, RUBS HIS HEAD AND FOLLOWS SUPERMAN. SPIDER-MAN WEBS UP THE UNCONSCIOUS MOLECULE MAN, AND ICEMAN FREEZES THE WHITE QUEEN. ROGUE HOLDS METALLO IN PLACE, FORCIBLY CLOSES HIS CHEST CAVITY AND SEALS UP THE DOOR ON IT SO THAT THE KRYPTONITE IS TRAPPED IN HIS CHEST.

Spider-Man:

Where’s Doc Ock?

A MASSIVE BEAM CRASHES THROUGH THE WALL. ROGUE DRAWS TONS OF MATTER FROM THE SHIP TO BLOCK IT BUT THE BEAM EATS THROUGH ALL OF IT. SHE THEN PUTS UP A SAPPHIRE FORCE FIELD AND THAT TOO FAILS. ROGUE IS KNOCKED BACK BY THE WAKE OF THE BEAM MISSING THE ACTUAL BRUNT OF THE ATTACK, STILL BARELY PROTECING HERSELF WITH A FORCEFIELD SHE FLIES THROUGH THE WALL INTO THE OCEAN. DOC OCK STEPS THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE WALL CARRYING A CANNON SIMILAR TO BUT SMALLER THAN THE ONE THAT WAS MOUNTED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE AIRSHIP.

Dr. Octopus:

Meet the prototype of Doom’s cannon! I figured it would come in handy!

HE BLASTS AT BATMAN, SPIDEY, ICEMAN, AND MARVEL GIRL.

Not quite as powerful, but it gets the job done.

THE SHIP SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND THE LIGHTS GO OUT. OUTSIDE THE ENTIRE SHIP NOSEDIVES INTO THE WATER. LARGE CHUNKS OF IT ARE NOW MISSING. BACK INSIDE THE FLOOR IS NOW VERTICAL. THE HEROES CLING TO IT.

Batman:

Rogue’s matter manipulation combined with the damage from the cannon have taken their toll. This ship’s going to sink.

Iceman:

I’ll freeze the surface of the--

OCK FIRES THE CANNON AGAIN. COMING CLOSE TO ICEMAN AND KNOCKING HIM UNCONSCIOUS WITH SHRAPNEL FROM THE IMPACT OF THE BEAM. WATER STARTS TO RUSH INTO THE BRIDGE.

CUTS TO DOOM FLYING OVER THE WATER. GREEN LANTERN AND SUPERMAN CHASE HIM. DOOM SPIES THEM AND SENDS SEVERAL SMALL MECHANICAL SPHERES BACK AT THEM. THEY EXPLODE VIOLENTLY. AS THE SMOKE CLEARS GREEN LANTERN HAS HIMSELF AND SUPERMAN ENVELOPED IN ENERGY AND THEY CONTINUE PURSUING UNFALTERED. DOOM SLOWS DOWN.

Dr. Doom:

Did you really want to fight me so badly???

HE CHANTS IN A STRANGE TONGUE AND WHEN SUPERMAN AND GL GET CLOSE A SHOCKWAVE OF BLACK MAGIC ERUPTS AND SENDS THE TWO OF THEM FLYING BACK.

Superman:

STRAINING TO TALK, BLOOD STILL DRIPPING OUT OF HIS MOUTH FROM BEFORE.

You’ve bit off… more than you can chew… this time Doom. Last minute sorcery… isn’t going… to save you.

Dr. Doom:

LAUGHING:

You’re a pitiful sight Superman. You can fly and you’re fast but you’re still weak from the Kryptonite no matter how hard you push yourself.

Superman:

You act like I’m alone.

Dr. Doom:

LAUGHS EVEN MORE:

You are!

GREEN LANTERN’S EYES GLOW THE SAME WAY DOOM’S DID AT HIM EARLIER AND HE GRABS SUPERMAN WITH A GREEN CONSTRUCT OF A VICE AND STARTS TO CRUSH HIM.

Perhaps it will comfort you to know that the boy isn‘t as easy to manipulate as it looks.

SUPERMAN HAS HIS ARMS AND LEGS PUSHING AGAINST KYLE’S CONSTRUCT.

Superman:

Kyle! Listen to me!

CUTS BACK TO THE BRIDGE OF THE SHIP. OCK BLASTS THE CANNON AGAIN NARROWLY MISSING THE THREE REMAINING HEROES.

Dr. Octopus:

You’re either incinerated, or you drown! It’s entirely your choice!

BATMAN, MARVEL GIRL, AND SPIDER-MAN SPLIT UP AND RUSH HIM FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES. OCK IMMEDIATELY TURNS THE CANNON ON SPIDEY LEAVING HIM VULNERABLE TO A COSMIC BLAST FROM VALERIA.

CUTS BACK TO DOOM:

Dr. Doom:

If this whole experience has gained me nothing else, at least I’ll rid the world of you. Goodbye, Superman.

CUTS BACK TO OCK. HE DROPS THE CANNON WHILE IT’S STILL FIRING A STEADY BEAM. IT FIRES UPWARDS TOWARDS THE SKY AND CUTS THROUGH THE WALL OF THE SHIP.

CUTS TO DOOM AS THE BEAM CUTS UPWARD ACROSS THE SKY AND CATCHES HIM IN IT’S PATH. DOOM SCREAMS IN AGONY AS THE CANNON INCINERATES HIM. KYLE RELEASES SUPERMAN. SUPERMAN CATCHES HIM AS HE STARTS TO FALL FROM WOOZYNESS.

CUTS BACK TO THE SHIP. IT SINKS BENEATH THE WAVES. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS SMALL CAGES MADE OUT OF PARTS OF THE SHIP BEGIN TO POP UP OUT OF THE WATER AND FLOAT THERE CONTAINING UNCONSCIOUS STAR SAPPHIRE (IN NORMAL CIVILAIN CLOTHES), UNCONSCIOUS JOKER (STILL WEARING THE BAT SUIT), UNCONSCIOUS MOLECULE MAN, THE WHITE QUEEN, METALLO, AND DOC OCK. THEN THE WATER PARTS AND ROGUE RISES OUT PULLING THE OTHER LEAGUERS OUT ON STREAMS OF MOLECULES.

A FEW HOURS LATER. S.H.E.I.L.D.’S HELICARRIER HAS ARRIVED AND AGENTS ARE TAKING THE VILLAINS AWAY ALL RESTRAINED RESPECIVELY. ICEMAN HAS MADE A NETWORK OF GLACIERS FOR THEM ALL TO SIT/WALK ON. BATMAN AND SPIDER-MAN ARE SURVEYING. ICEMAN WALKS UP TO THEM.

Iceman:

Hey, Bats, that was some performance you gave back there.

Batman:

STARES AT HIS “JOKER” REFLECTION IN THE WATER.

I think I’m going to be sick.

CUTS TO SUPERMAN. ROGUE APPROACHES HIM.

Rogue:

How’s the jaw?

Superman:

Better. It should be normal by the end of the week, but I might have to see a dentist for the first time in my life.

Rogue:

Look, this whole thing was the craziest thing we’ve ever been through as a team. If you need to talk or anything-- Or if any of that stuff we said back in Latveria…

Superman:

Thanks. I might take you up on that.

MARVEL GIRL SITS ALONE WITH HER FEET DANGLING IN THE WATER. GL COMES DOWN.

Green Lantern:

I looked again, Val. He’s gone… I’m sorry.

HE PLACES HIS HAND ON HER SHOULDER.

Marvel Girl:

A TEAR GOES DOWN HER CHEEK.

Don’t be. He deserved it.

Green Lantern:

You’re not crazy, kiddo, I think Doom really cared about you too. You of all the people on this planet evoked something good in him. I think it speaks well of you.

Marvel Girl:

Thanks… you believe in fate, don’t you Kyle?

Green Lantern:

LOOKS HARD AT HIS RING.

…Definitely.

Marvel Girl:

Then how come the fate I see is never the fate that happens. How come I’m always changing it rather than letting it run its course?

Green Lantern:

Because it’s what you do. Some people don’t have the power to change it. They roll with life’s punches and hope for the best. But people like us… well, we’re here for a reason I like to think: To create rather than wait for others to make things happen. To forge a new destiny when the one we‘ve been given is disturbed.

MARVEL GIRL LOOKS UP AT HIM AND SMILES.

I don’t think fate’s all the abstract a concept, Val.

MARVEL GIRL LOOKS AROUND AT THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE JL AND THE S.H.E.I.L.D AGENTS HARD AT WORK.

Marvel Girl:

I think I agree…