JusticeLeagueofAmerica

Batman:TheStoneKing

AlanGrant

CHAPTER1

TheMysteriousPyramid

GothamCounty,September23

“ThisisAnnekaMarram,forGCTV,reportinglivefromtheGothamCountyDam,whereadisasterof

unparalleledproportionsisfastbecomingreality!”

Thetelevisionstation’snewshelicoptercircledintheeveningair,asChuckGaines,thepilot,brought

itanotherfiftyfeetclosertothetopofthemassivedamthatlaybelowthem.

Inside,theridewasremarkablysmooth.GaineswasanAirForceveteranandhadbeenpiloting

choppersfortwenty-fiveyears.Helikedtokeephispassengershappy.

Flickingatwistofhercurly,honey-coloredhairfromherface,AnnekaMarramcranedtogetabetter

viewfromthechopper’sopenobservationwindow.

Fromtheirvantagepointahundredyardsup,shecouldseethelargecrackthatzigzaggeddownthe

concretewallofthedam.Jetsofwaterspurtedthroughinahalfdozenplaces,eachoneblastingaspray
offinedebrisoutintotheairwithit.Surelyitcouldn’tholdmuchlonger.Twobillioncubicyardsof
waterwereputtingthatcrackunderintolerablestress.

Annekashookherheadslightly,asifunwillingtoentertainthethoughtofwhatmighthappennext.

Sheleanedacrossthechopper’scrampedcabinandtouchedLesDowd,hercameraman,onthe
shoulder.Henoddedwithoutlookingandstartedtopanhislensacrossthetopofthedam.

Countlesspolicecarsandfireengineswereparkedateachend,lookinglikelittlemorethantoysfrom

thisheight.Humanfiguresstoodindustersdosetothevehicles,monitoringthewaterthatpouredmore
forciblyfromthedam’sdamagedareawitheverypassingminute.

Themayorwasatthescene,takingpersonalchargeoftheemergency.CommissionerJamesGordonof

theGCPDwasonhandaswell.Therewaslittletheycoulddobutwait.Allstaffhadalreadybeen
evacuated.Thereliefsluiceshadbeenopened,carryingroaringtorrentsofwaterawayfromtheeight-
milelonglakethathadbeenformedwhenthedamfirstdosedoffthisstretchoftheGothamRiver.

Buteveryonewhostoodthere—policeofficers,publicofficials,damandhydroelectricpersonnel—all

knewthatitwasfutile.Itmighttakeanhour,itmightbeonlyaminute—butthedamwasgoingto
burst.

Dowdslowlyrakedhislensdownthefaceofthemassiveconcretestructure.Onhermonitor,Anneka

sawthepictureshifttofollowthecourseofwhathadoncebeenthemightyGothamRiver.Itsraging
watershadflowedhereformillennia,carvingoutasteep-sidedgorgethatwasfiftyfeetdeepanddouble
thatacross.Nowtheriverwaslittlemorethanastreammeanderingawayfromthedam,dwarfedbythe
bluffsoneitherside.

Aquarter-miledownstreamAnnekacouldseethehydroelectricstation.Adozenfiguresstraggled

awayfromit,makingforthehighgroundabovethesteepbanks,abandoningtheinstallationcompletely.

Annekaliftedhermicrophoneclosertoherlipstoblotoutthesteadythrumoftherotorsandbeganto

speak:“Thegeneratingstationisintheprocessofbeingevacuatednow,andI’minformedbydam
managementthatallpersonnelhavebeenaccountedfor.”

ShepausedashermonitorshowedDowd’scamerapanningdownthevalleytowarddistantGotham

City.“Anestimatedtwentythousandpeoplelivebetweenthedamandthecity.Andalthoughthe
authoritiesaredoingtheirbesttoevacuatethoseatrisk,thereareseriousfearsthattherearejusttoo
manypeople,andnotenoughtime.”

Pausingagain,Annekatwistedherheadtolookbackatthedamthroughtheoppositewindow.The

sunwasstartingtosink,castingapurpleautumnglowoverthewoodedhills.Buttherewaslight
enoughforAnnekatoseethatthemaincrackhaddoubledinsize,andseveralnew,smalleronesina
spiderwebnetworkwerealreadygushingwater.

Anever-endingfloodwouldwashawaydozensoffarmsandthousandsofacresoffertilesoilasit

sweptdowntotheocean.Annekashudderedtothinkwhatwouldhappenwhenthatwallofwaterand
mudroaredintoGothamCityitself.

It’sonlyaquestionoftime,shethought,and,perversely,asurgeofexcitementcoursedthroughher.

She’dbeenjuniorreporterontheGCTVchopperforalmostsixyearsnow,spendingherlifedescribing
trafficjamsandhighwayaccidents.They’dbeenontheirwaytoathree-vehiclepileupontheinterstate
thisafternoonwhentheemergencycallcameinaboutthedam.Nowshewasreportingrealnews.And
thestationwouldberelayingherreportnotjustacrossthestate,buttothewholecountry.She’dbeseen
byahundredmillionviewers.Abillion,ifitwentglobal.

ItmightbeablackdayforGothamCity,butAnneka’scareerwasgoingtoskyrocket.

Annekaswitchedhermikeoff.“Howdoesthissound,Les?”sheaskedthelensman.“Wegodown,

hoverinfrontofthedamforsomeclose-upshotsofthosewaterjets.Thenbackuptofivehundredfeet,
waitforthefinalcollapse…andfollowthewallofwaterallthewaydownthevalleytillithitsthecity.”

“Goodthinking.”Thelankycameramannodded.Straightoutofjournalismschool,he’dbeenwiththe

stationonlyafewmonths.Butiftheycaughtthisonfilm,itwouldbeHollywoodcalling.“Webetter
moveit,though.Bedarkinanotherhalfhour.”

“Canwedoit,Chuck?”Annekacalledtothegruff,middle-agedpilot.

Heshruggedhisshoulderswithoutturningtolookather.“Strapintight,”herasped,hisvoicehoarse

fromalifetimeofcigarettesmoking.“We’regoin’forthemoneyshot!”

Chuckhitthecontrolsandthechopperbankedsteeply,turningbacktowardthedam,droppingasit

approached.Fiftyfeetfromthevalleyfloor,justlevelwiththetopofthebanks,Chuckleveledout,
hoveringdirectlyinfrontofthemassive,crackingwall.

Les’scamerarakedupthefaceofthedam,visibleonlythroughthethickcurtainofwatercascading

fromabove.

Annekafeltanotherfrissonoffear.Gazingupattherendsinthedam,shecouldalmostfeelthe

relentlesspressureofcountlesstonsofwaterthatwasfightingtoescapeitsconfinement.

Sheswitchedhermikebackon.“Fromabove,”shebegan,“thedebristhatthetorrentsaretearingfree

lookedsmallandinsignificant.Fromthisvantagepoint,however,wecanseechunksofconcretethe
sizeofcars!I’mnoengineer,butIreallydon’tseeanywaythedamcanholdmuchlonger.”

Somewhereabovethemthewatertoreanewholeinthedamface,sendingoutagusherthatreached

almosttothehoveringchopperbeforeitfellaway.Lumpsofconcreteandinfillclatteredoffthe
fuselage.

“Goin’up,”ChuckGainesmouthed,pointingupwardwithoneforefinger.Twenty-fiveyearsasapilot

hadthrownhimintoawholehostofdangeroussituations,fromblizzardstoicestormstorescuesatsea.
Aburstingdamwasanewoneforhim—andnotonehechosetostayclosetofortoolong.The
helicopterstartedtorise.

Fiftyfeetabove,asectionofdamthesizeofanSUVeruptedundertheforceofthewaterbehind.A

fountainofbroiling,muddywatershotoutwithallthepowerofahugegeyser.Almostinstantly,the
chopperwasassailedbycascadingwaterandconcreteblocks.Itpitchedwildlyfromsidetosideas
ChuckGainesstruggledforcontrol,throwingAnnekaandLesviolentlyaroundtheinterior.

Thecameraman’sheadhitanareaofunpaddedair-frame,andheblankedoutimmediately.Anneka

screamed,clingingontohersafetystrapsotightlyherknuckleswerewhite.

“Ican’tholdher!”Chuckcriedout,hisvoicebarelyaudibleoverthechaosofthewater.“Hangon!

I’lltry—”

Heneverfinishedthesentence.Arainofconcretechunksthuddedintothemfromabove.The

windshieldshattered,andtherewasaloudmetallicshriekasoneoftherotorssnappedunderthe
bombardment.Thechopperpitchedforwardandstartedtoplungetowardthegrowingmaelstrombelow.

Buffetedbythewaterpouringin,hardlyabletobreathe,AnnekaMarramstruggledinvaintoundothe

catchonthechopperdoor.Theacridsmellofshortingelectricalwiringstunghernostrils.Silently,she
kissedherbigbreakfarewell.Ahundredmillionpeoplemightwellseeherontheeveningnewsthat
night,butitwouldbeasastatisticonalonglistoffatalities.

Abruptly,herpanicebbedaway,andastrangesenseofcalmsuffusedher.Almostmatter-of-factly,she

contemplatedherimpendingdeath.

Butwhat,shewondered,wasthatredandblueblurstreakingthroughtheair?

Poweringthroughtheskiesatmorethanahundredmilesanhour,Supermansawaflashasthesetting

sunreflectedoffthehelicopter’sfuselage.Instantly,histelescopicvisionzoomedinontheplunging
craft,revealingthethreepeopleinside.

Shiftingthedirectionofhisflight,heincreasedhisspeeduntilhewasbulletingdowntowardthefoot

ofthedamface.Atwo-hundred-poundconcreteblockstruckhimontheback,thedebrissplinteringas
itricochetedoffhisnear-invulnerablebody.

AtthelastsecondSupermancheckedhisforwardmotion,anglinghisbodyupwardsohewasdirectly

underthetumblinghelicopter.Ignoringthewaterandrubblethatpoureddownaroundhim,hereached
upwithbothhandsandbracedhimselftotakethedoomedchopper’sweight.

Supermanhasthehelicopter.J’onnJ’onzz,theMartianManhunter,watchedfromtheriverbankashe

relayedthetelepathicmessagedirectlytothemindsoftheotherJusticeLeaguememberswhowere
present.TelepathywaspartofhisMartianbirthright,andnowManhunterusedhisamazingmental
abilitytocoordinateandkeeptheteamintouchwhileinaction.He’scarryingittosafetynow.

TheJusticeLeague—theeliteteamoftheEarth’smightiestsuperheroes—hadbeenformedwiththe

protectionoftheplanetinmind.Theysprangintoactionlikeawell-oiledmachinewheneverany
disasterorsuperhumanvillainwastoomuchforoneherotohandlealone.

SixofthemhadbeenintheWatchtower,theirlunarheadquarters,whenthecrisisbroke.Amessage

fromthemysteriousOracle,whorantheirvastcomputernetworkfromherHQinGothamCity,had
filledtheirmonitorscreens.Theyhadn’tneededBatman,Gotham’sgrimguardian,tourgethemto
teleporttothesceneatonce.

Now,perchedatoparockycragoverlookingtheentiredamfront,silhouettedagainsttheSeptember

skylikesometwilightdemon,Batmantookcontrol.

Hedidn’tparticularlylikeusingthetelepathiclinkManhunterestablishedbetweentheteammembers.

Alifelongloner,Batmanpreferredtoactwithonlyonevoiceinhishead:hisown.Butevenhehadto
admitthatthefacilityoftencameinuseful.

Completecollapsecouldcomeatanysecond.GreenLantern,useyourpowerringtokeepthedam

standing.ThethoughtsblastedfromBatman’smindwiththespeedandaccuracyofbullets.Manhunter,
getthosepeopleonthedamedgetosafety.Flash,godownthevalley.Useyoursuperspeedandwarn
everyoneyoucan.

FlashandManhunterdidn’tpausetospeak.Onetooktotheair,theotherstartedrunning,andboth

veeredawaytoaccomplishtheirtasks.

Protectedbytheforcefieldgeneratedbyhispowerring,GreenLanternhoveredbeforethedam.With

everysecondthatpassed,moreoftheconcretewasdisintegrating,allowingadelugeofwatertoescape.
Lantern’srightarmextended,theringonhismiddlefingersuddenlyflaringbrightgreenashefocused
hiswillpowerthroughit.

Instantaneously,athingreenbeamemanatedfromthecenterofthering,wideningdramaticallyasit

traveledtowardthecollapsingdam.Itgrewuntilitcoveredtheentiredamface,shuttingoffthewater
spouts,holdingbackthecollapsingconcretelikeawallofshimmering,impenetrablegreenenergy.

GreenLanternsmiledwrylytohimself.Theringhadbeenthegiftofanalien,theverylastGuardian

oftheUniverse.KyleRaynerhadneverwantedtobeahero,neverexpectedtobeone—andwouldhave
runamileifanyonehadtoldhimotherwise.Butnowhewasahero—andnotjustanyhero,either.He
wastheEmeraldWarrior,oneofthemostpowerfulsuperheroesofthemall.Theringacteddirectlyto
achieveanythinghewilled.Kylewassureitmusthavelimitations,buthehadn’tdiscoveredthemyet
Gottaadmit,Lanternthought,takingcaretokeepthesentimenttohimself,it’saJackIwouldn’tchange
fartheworld.

Supermandepositedthechopperuponthelakeside,wellawayfromthedam,stayingonlylong

enoughtocheckthattheoccupantsweresafebeforeflyingbacktojoinhiscompanions.Wonder
WomanandIwillgoinbehindtheenergywall.Histhoughtscamethroughloudandcleartoallof
them.We’llusehigh-speedfrictionandmyheatvisiontofusethedamface.

No!Batman’sthoughtstabbedalmostpainfullyintotheirminds.Wecan’tsavethedam.Useyour

speedandstrengthtogougeoutachanneldeepenoughtotakethewaterallthewaytoGothamharbor.

Areyousurethat’sbest?Supermanqueried.

Positive,Batmanthoughtcurtly.Whateverwedo,thatdamiscomingdown—andtimeisrunningout.

Batmanblankedoffhismind,shuttingoutanyfurtherprotestSupermanmightmake.

OfallthedozensofmembersoftheJusticeLeague,fromtheunderwatermonarchAquamantothe

mightySteel,Batmanwastheleastnaturalteamplayer.HisyearsofserviceasGothamCity’sDark
Knighthadturnedhimintotheperfectlonehero.Butoften,inateamsituation,hecameacrossas
arrogantandhigh-handed—especiallywhenheinsistedthingsbedoneexactlyashewanted,notcaring
ifitrubbedhisteammatesthewrongway.

J’onnJ’onzzglideddowntojoinBatmanonhiscrag,theredandgreenoftheMartian’scostume

glintinginthefadingsunlight.Thewholedamhadbeencleared;JimGordonandtheothersnowstooda
goodhundredyardsbackfromanydanger.

ThetwoheroeswatchedinsilenceasWonderWomanandSupermanbegantheircolossaltask.

Operatingatsuperspeed,theirmovementsofastitwasonlyablur,theyrippedintothevalleybottom
belowthedamwiththeirbarehands.Bothpossessedsuperstrengthandinvulnerability;theirhandswere
superiortoanytool.

Withinseconds,thefirstfiftyyardsofawidechannel,thirtyfeetdeep,hadbeenscouredout,leaving

massivepilesofinfillonthechannelsides.Itwaslikewatchingavideotapeinfast-forward,theduo
workingatsucharatethatonlytheconstantlygrowingleveeswereevidenceoftheirpresence.

Andallthewhile,GreenLanternfixedhiswillpoweronthedam,vibrantgreenenergypouringfrom

hisringtoholdbackthewatersoftheman-madelake.

Atlast,Manhunterspoke.“Howdoyouknowwecannotsavethedam?”

“Trustme,”Batmanreplied,gladthathiscolleaguewasusingspeechinsteadoftelepathy.Thoughhe

wouldneveradmitittotheothers,hearingtheirvoicesinsidehisheadalwaysunsettledhim,madehim
feelasifhismindwasbeingprobed—despiteknowingthatManhunterwouldneverdosuchathing.
“I’vedonetheresearch.”

Theyhadalotincommon,thesetwo,notleastthefactthatboththeirbackgroundswereshroudedin

griefandpain.Asaneight-year-oldchild,BruceWaynehadwatchedhisparentsmercilesslygunned
downbeforehishorrifiedeyes.Thattraumaticeventhadchangedhislifeforever,eventuallyleading
himtodonthecostumeandmaskofGotham’smostfearedcrimefighter.

Similarly,J’onnJ’onzzhadwatchedhelplesslyashisentiresocietydied.Anancientwayoflifethat

hadlastedformillenniaontheRedPlanethadsunkintoterminaldecayanddecline.Nothing—andno
one—hadsurvivedexcepthim.LikeBatman,thepainofwhathehadlostwouldbelockedinhisheart
forever.

Manhunterthrewhiscompanionasidelongglance.

“Weallknowyouarenotinthehabitofmakingmistakes,”heacknowledged.“Butsometimes,we

wouldappreciatebeingtakenmorefullyintoyourconfidence.Afterall,theJusticeLeagueisateam.”

Batmannoddedslightlytosignifyheunderstood.Havingworkedaloneforsolong,itwaseasyto

forgethowsensitiveteamworkcouldbe.

Evacuationcomplete!Theyheardthethoughtaninstantbeforetheysawtheredstreakthattoldthem

theFlashwasreturningfromhisduties.

WallyWesthadbeendousedinamysteriouschemicalformulathatchangedtheentiremolecular

structureofhisbody,givinghimtheabilitytomovethousandsoftimesfasterthannormal.Onlyhe
couldhavecoveredthedozensofsquaremilesinthevalleyinlittlemorethanminutes.

Ievenhadtimetomoveallthelivestock!TheveryairseemedtorippleasFlashslowedfrom

superspeedtozero,drawingtoahaltalongsidetheduoonthecrag.

“Don’tstopnow,”Batmantoldhim,thoughhiseyesneverliftedfromGreenLantern.“Checkthatthe

hydroelectricplantemployeesareallclear.There’sacomplexoftunnelsandofficesundertheturbine
rooms—mightstillbepeopleinthere.”

Flashwasgoneassilentlyashe’darrived.

ManhunterthrewBatmanaquizzicalglance.“Howdoyouknow—”

“Imemorizedtheplanswhenthedamwasbuilt.Youneverknowwheninformationwillbeuseful.”

TheMartiannoddedtohimself.Heshouldhaveknown,really.Batmanwasaperfectionist.Henever

leftanythingtochance.Inhisbusiness,withnosuperpowerstoprotecthim,Batmanwasinconstant

dangerinawayfewoftheotherLeaguerseverwere.Supermanmighthavebeenvulnerabletothe
cosmicmineralkryptonite,andManhunterwasweakenedbyfire,buttheydidn’tencounterthose
dangersveryoften.Batmanwalkedwithdeathathisshouldereverynightofhislife.Forthisreason
alone,J’onnwouldn’thavebeensurprisedifBatmanhadcommittedtomemorythegroundplansfor
everybuildinginGotham.

“IwillassistFlash,”J’onnstated,andsoaredawayfromthecrag.

Evenacrossthedistancethatseparatedthem,BatmancouldseethegrowingstrainonGreenLantern’s

face.Hisalienringseemedtopossessalmostinfinitepower,buttheapplicationofthatpowerdepended
entirelyonthewilloftheringwearer.Lanternwasholdingbackanunbelievablevolumeofwater,and
theeffortwasbeginningtotakeitstoll.

BatmanslippedopenapouchonhisUtilityBeltandpulledoutapairofminiaturebinoculars.Taking

hiseyesoffGreenLanternforthefirsttime,hetrainedthe50Xbinocularsdownthevalley,trackingthe
massivespoil-pilethatmarkedoutSupermanandWonderWoman’sprogress.Theyhadalmostreached
theoutskirtsofthecity,afeatofpowerakintobuildingtheGreatWallofChinainamorning.

Marvelingatthesheerstrengththatallowedthemtoexcavatethisengineeringwonderwiththeirbare

hands.Batmansnappedthebinocularsshutandreplacedthemintheirpouch.Thesebeingscanshift
planetsintheirorbit,he’dthoughtmorethanonceinhismanyyearsasaLeaguemember.WhatamI
doingworkingwiththem?

ManhunterandtheFlashreappearedsilentlybyhisside.Thesitewasclear.Itwastime.

Thisisit,Lantern,Batmanthought.Letthedamgo!

Theenergyfieldfadedandvanished,andGreenLanternshothighintotheairunderthepowerofhis

ring.

Foranendlesssecond,nothinghappened.Nowaterspoutedfromtheholes.Thecracksinthedam

faceseemedfrozen,checkedintheirrelentlessexpansion.

Then,witharoarlikesomemaddenedbehemoth,thewatersbrokefree.Therewasathunderoussnap,

likeagiantwhipcracking,and,almostinslowmotion,thewholedamfacecrumbledintolittlemore
thanasandpile.

Amightycataractofseething,roilingwaterpouredfromthecollapsingdam,carryingthousandsof

tonsofconcretewithit.Awallofwaterfiftyfeethighsweptintothecraggyvalleyside,gougingouta
half-milesection.Thewavecrashedoverthehydroelectricplantwiththeintensityofatsunami,
smashingdownwallsandbuildingsasiftheyweretoybricks.

AsBatmanhadrealized,therewasnowaythetail-raceandriverbedcouldcopewiththesudden

inundation.TheangrywaterschurnedastheyplungedintomechanneldugbyWonderWomanand
Superman,spillingoverthesidesinmassivewaves,scouringawaytheearthandsoilofthevalleysides,
rippingoutcentury-oldtrees,carryingawayrocksasbigashouses.

Butthechannelheld,funnelingthewatersuntilaten-foot-highwaveraceddownitatalmosta

hundredmilesanhour.

Minuteslater,SupermanandWonderWomanhoveredintheairoverthecityharbor,watchingasthe

watersofLakeGothamsweptthroughandplungedheadlongintothesea.Ifanyshipswereputin
danger,theywantedtobeonhand.

“Excellent.”WonderWomannoddedhersatisfaction.Thesettingsunglintedoffhertiaraandthe

amuletssheworeonherwrists,makingherlookeveryinchtheAmazonPrincessthatshewas.“There’s
nodamagecausedexceptthediggingofthechannelitself,andwecanfillthatinoncethewaters
recede.”

Shesoaredhigherintheair,beckoningforSupermantofollow.“Let’sjointheothers.”

Secondslater,theystoodwiththeircompanionsonthecrag,lookingdownonthesceneofdestruction.

Morethanhalfthedamhaddisappeared,carriedoffbytheragingflow.Thesurgingwatershadsettled
slightly,butitwouldtakedaysfortheman-madelaketodrainoffcompletely.

“So…whywouldn’tyouletusfusethedam?”SupermanaskedBatman.

“Thereweresuspicionswhenthedamwasbuilt,”Batmantoldthemall.“Substandardmaterials.For

everyripyoufused,adozenotherswouldhaveopened.”

Batmanturnedaway,thenthoughtbetterofitasherecollectedJ’onnJ’onzz’ssubtlereminderthat

theywereateam.“Iwasn’twithholdinginformationfromanyone,”thevigilantecontinued.“Therejust
wasn’ttimetoexplain.Allinall,wedidagoodjob.”

“Maybebetterthanyouthink,”theFlashgrinned.“Wemightevenberewardedforservicesto

archaeology.Lookdownthere—”

Hepointedtothevalleysidejustbelowthedam,wherethebroilingwaterhadsweptawaythousands

oftonsofsoilandvegetation.

Revealedthere,inthelastbrightraysofthesettingsun,stoodahundred-foot-talltruncatedstone

pyramid.Itseemedoutofplace—soalienandenigmatic.Shaftsofmellowpurplelightplayedfora
momentacrossitsstonework.Thenthesunwasgone,andthepyramidremainedshroudedindarkness.

CHAPTER2

DescentintoDarkness

GothamCounty,October19

“Incredible!”

JennyAylesstoodonthetopofthepyramid,aflatplatformaboutthirtyfeetsquare,herheadturning

slowlytotakeinthepanoramicviews.Nightwasfalling,andthesurroundingGothamHillsseemedto
glowdeeppurpleinthefadinglight.TheplanetVenusshonebrightlyjustabovethehorizon,andthe
firststarswerealreadytwinklingsoftlyintherapidlydarkeningsky.

“Thisviewcan’thavechangedallthatmuchsincethepyramidwasfirstbuilt.”

Besideher,Jenny’scompanionnoddedagreement.“Nearlyfivethousandyears,”PeterGlaston

murmured.“Morethanahundredandfiftyhumangenerations.”Heglancedup,raisinghisrighthandto
pointtothebrighteststar.“Ofcourse,thelandmightbethesame,butthenightskywasverydifferent.
Polariswasn’tthePoleStarthen.ItwasoneofthestarsintheconstellationTaurus,Ithink.”

“Andtonightwe’llfindoutiftheancientsrecordedwhattheysawinthearchitectureoftheir

pyramid,”askepticalvoicebrokeinfrombehindthem.“Right,Peter?”

JennyandPeterstarted.Theyhadn’trealizedRobertMills,professorofarchaeologyatGotham

Universityandleaderoftheirlittleexpedition,wasstandingsodose.Instantly,Peterbecamedefensive
atthefaintlymockingtoneintheolderman’svoice.

“Youmightfinditfar-fetched,Professor,”Petersaidevenly,hislankyframeturningtoacknowledge

Mills’spresence,“butyoucan’tdenyitisapossibility.Andyou’vealwaystaughtustoinvestigate
everyaspectofanartifact.”

Millsdidn’treply.Castinghiseyestotheside,Petercouldseetherenownedarchaeologist’shandsome

faceasheappraisedthenightsky,nowfilledwithathousandglitteringstars.Theaquilinenoseand
prematurelysilver-grayhairgaveMillsadistinguished,almostaristocraticlookthatmenenviedand
womenadmired.

“Imean,lookwhattheydiscoveredaboutStonehenge,”Peterwenton,irritatedwithhimselfforbeing

sosensitivetoMills’sunspokencriticism.

IthadbeenrumoredforcenturiesthatthemassivestonesthatmadeupEngland’smostfamous

neolithicmonumentweresomehowconnectedtothenightsky.Butconfirmationhadtowaitforthe
creationofcomputersoftwarethatcouldaccuratelyplotthechangesinthenightskyduetoEarth’stilt
againstthesolarplane.Now,archaeologistswereturningupestablishedandpotentialstellaralignments
atancientsitesallovertheworld.

“Apossibility,yes.Butnotaprobability,”ProfessorMillssaidsmoothly.“Wemustn’tallow

preconceptionstocoloranythingwemightfind.”

Petertookadeepbreath.Sensinghehadmoretosay,Jennygraspedhisarmandsqueezeditlightly,a

gentlehintthathe’dsaidenoughalready.Peterwastheprofessor’sstarstudent,andthey’dalways
arguedinfriendly,ifheated,fashion.Buttheirrelationshiphaddeterioratedseriouslysincetheprevious
year.

Jennysighed.PeterandRoberthadgoodcausetodislikeeachother,andshehadgiventhemthat

cause.Withincreasingfrequency,shefoundherselftryingtoactasabufferbetweenthem.Somehow,it
waseasierthanfacinguptowhathadhappenedandsortingitoutlikeintelligentadults.

“Weshouldjointheothers,”Jennyfoundherselfsaying.“They’llbecursingusforslackingwhile

theydoallthework.”

Shetookastepaway,tuggingonPeter’sarmforhimtofollow.Obstinately,hedidn’tbudge,and

Jenny’sheartsank.

“Oneofthereasonsourprofessionadvancessoslowly,”Petersaid,choosinghiswordscarefully,“is

thatcertainolderarchaeologistsrefusetoapproachtheirworkwithanopenmind.”

RobertMillssmiled,hisexpressioninvisibletotheothersinthedarknessthatswathedthelandscape.

“I’llcheckwithLorannandtheguys,”hesaidamicably,asifunawareoftheaccusationandinsultin

Peter’swords.Flickingontheheavy-dutyflashlightheheldinonehand,theprofessorwalkedaway
acrossthepyramid’sflattenedtop.

ItwasalmostamonthsincetheGothamDamhadburstanditsswirlingwatersdivulgedthe

mysteriousstructure.Whattheexpeditionhadestablishedwasastonishing.Radiocarbondatingof
vegetablefibersfoundinthestructure’sfoundationspointedtoitshavingbeenbuiltapproximately
forty-fivehundredyearsago—theonlysuchpyramideverdiscoveredinAmerica.UnliketheGreat
PyramidsatGiza,thisonehadbeenbuiltinsteps,inthesamefashionasthepyramidsofCentraland
SouthAmerica,orthezigguratsofancientBabylon.Europe’slargestStoneAgestructure,SilburyHill
inEngland,hadbeensimilarlyconstructed.Tenfeetofrock,tenfeetofchalkwithsoilinfill—the
processrepeateduntilthepyramidstoodahundredfeethigh,endinginaflat,rockyplatformabout
thirtyfeetsquare.

Reconstructionofthedamwasduetobegininanotherthreeorfourmonths,afterthestructural

engineershadfinishedtheirinvestigations.Inthemeantime,RobertMillsandhisselectteamoftop
studentshadbeenaskedtoexcavateandanalyzeasmuchofthesiteastheycouldinthebrieftimeleft.

Theyhadfoundanenigma,wrappedinamystery.

“We’veallheardthelegendssurroundingSilbury,”oneoftheotherstudents,DavidRymel,hadsaid.

“Agiantkingburiedatthecenter,ahiddenchamberfilledwithtreasure.Anychanceofthathere,
ProfessorMills?”

Theywerediggingatrenchintothesideofoneofthechalklayers,theirprogressimpossiblyslowas

everytrowelofsoilwaspainstakinglysiftedforartifacts.They’dfoundapea-sizedbeadofblackjet,
somecharredanimalbones,andasinglebrokendeerantlerwithacrudespiralincisedonit.

“Unlikely,”RobertMillsreplied.“Remember,nothingwaseverfoundatSilbury.Still,it’snot

completelyimpossible,”headmitted.“Onlyafull-sitesonicscanwouldrevealifthere’sanything
inside,andunfortunately,that’saresourcewedon’thavethistimearound.”

UnderMills,thesameteamhadspenttheprevioussummeronexcavationsatSipininnorthernPeru,

workingonvegetation-coveredruinsthatdatedbackmorethantwothousandyears.Itwasawell-
fundedoperation,meticulouslyplanned,anditpaidoffinspectacularfashion.They’dfoundelaborate
tombsburieddeepinsidetheruins,inseverallayers,andarichprofusionofpricelessjadefacemasks
andjewelry.

“TheGothampyramidismucholderthanitscounterpartsatSipan,andofcompletelydifferent

structure,”Millswenton.“Theyweretombs,especiallybuilttohousethebonesofthetribe’sreligious
leaders.Ourpyramidwouldappeartohavebeenbuiltforadifferentpurposeentirely.Religious,
perhaps.”

“That’swhattheyalwayssay.”TherehadbeenasneerinPeterGlaston’svoice,onethatwasoften

therethesedays,Jennyhadreflectedsadly.“Whentheydon’tknowwhatsomethingwasfor,theysayit
had‘religious’or‘ritual’significance.”

“Thenperhapsyoucouldenlightenus,Peter,”Millssaidcoldly,forthefirsttimevisiblystungbythe

youngerman’scriticisms.“Whydoyouthinkthepyramidwasbuilt?”

“Ican’tsayforsure,ofcourse.”Peterrosetothechallenge.“ButIcanmakeseveralsuggestions.

First,thechalk/granitemakeup:alternatelayersoforganicandinorganicmaterial.Almostlikea
giganticstoragebattery.Butwhatkindofenergywouldsuchathingstore?”

Peter’seyeswerealightashetookoffononeofhisflightsoffancy.Speculativearchaeology,he

calledit.

He’dcontinued,thewordsfallingoverthemselvestogetout:“Well,sciencehasrecentlyshownthat

Earthenergiesdoexist”—hecastaquick,knowingglanceathisteacher—”despitemostarchaeologists
havingdenieditforyears.There’spiezoelectricity,generatedbythegrindingofquartzrocksunderthe
surface.Onasmallscale,Japanesescientistscannowduplicateitinthelab,whereitmanifestsas
plasmoidlight.

“Thenthere’stelluricenergy,theflowofnaturalenergyfrompointsofvaryingresistanceonthe

earth’ssurface.Almosteverysacredsiteeverfoundhasstoodononeoftheseflows—raisingthe
possibilitytheymightoncehaveformedaworldwidegrid.Andthemagmamantle,deepintheearth’s
crust,mayhavepropertieswecan’tevenguessat.”

Peterpaused,notingtheskepticismonthefacesofhisaudiencebeforeplungingonwithhistheory.

“It’ssuspectedthatatleastsomeoftheseenergiesarecapableofinteractingwithelectromagnetic
fields…suchasthosegeneratedbythehumanbrain.”

“Phew,Peter!”LorannMutti,theyoungestandprettiestofMills’steam,whistled.“That’ssome

stretchoftheimaginationyou’recallingfor.Howexactlydoyouthinkitaffectedhumans?”

“Whoknows?”Petershrugged.“Butifthingslikethispyramidwerebuilttostoretheenergies,

someonemusthavebeenabletousethem.Myguessismattheshamans,thetribalpriests,somehow
usedittocausehallucinationsintheirpeople.

“Imaginethedegreeofcontrolthey’dhaveif,forinstance,theycouldmakepeopleseeagiant

representationofwhatevergodstheyworshiped.Ormaybetheshamanscoulddirectlyaccessthe
energies—whichwouldexplainhowsupposedlyprimitivetribesmencouldmovestonesthatweightens,
evenhundreds,oftons.”

“Interestingtheories,Peter,”Millshadobserved,“butasyouadmit,notashredofproof.And

definitelynotthesortofthingtobepreservedinthearchaeologicalrecord.Sowe’venowayofever
knowing—”

“Yes,wehave,”Peterbrokein.“Ifwecanrediscoverpreciselyhowtheyharnessedtheearthenergies,

wecanreplicateanythingtheydid.”

LorannMuttilaughed.“Wehavesuperheroes,”shepointedout.“SupermanandGreenLantern.Do

theycount?”

“Ifyouwon’ttakemeseriously,thenwhat’sthepoint?”

TherewasangeronPeter’sfaceasheturnedandstrodeaway.Jennyhadhurriedafterhim,tryingto

soothehisruffledfeelings.Sheknewthatitwasmorethanthejokesofhispeersthatwasupsettinghim.

Almostmidnight,andtheexcavationteam’spatientastronomicalexperimentshadfailedtopayoff.

Usingthesurroundinghilltopsassightingbeacons,they’dbeentryingtoextrapolatethestraightlines
intospace,toseeiftheyalignedwithanyparticularstars.Buttherewasnothingthatcouldbeattributed
toanythingotherthanrandomchance.

LenDors,thefinalmemberofthesix-strongexpedition,snappedthecaseshutonhistheodolite.

“Wasteoftime,”hesaidcurtly.Heblewoutthroughhismouth,makingthehairsofhisburgeoning
mustachequiver.“It’sbeginningtogetcold,too.”

Achillbreezehadblownupnotlongaftersunset,andthoughitwasn’tparticularlystrong,they’dbeen

exposedtoitonthepyramidtopforhours.

“IvotewegobacktotheSUVandheadforhome,”DavidRymelsuggested.Heswungthebeamof

hisflashlight,playingitovertheirequipment.“Wecanleavethisstufftilltomorrow,ratherthantryto
carryitdowntonight.”

“Oh,veryadventurous.”ScorndrippedfromPeterGlaston’sreply.“GoodthingWernerandEvans

andathousandotherarchaeologistsdidn’tsaythat—’Ooh,I’mcold,Iwanttogohome’—orwemight
stillnothavediscoveredTroy,ortheTombofTutankhamen!”

JennysawRymelbristle,andhastenedtosmoothethingsover.“That’salittleunfair,Peter.It’sbeena

longday,andDavid’sright,wehaven’tfoundanythinginterestingtonightWeshouldgohomeandget
somesleep.We’llallfeelbetterinthemorning.”

“Ifeelfinerightnow,”Petersnapped.“Ifyouwanttogo,I’llstayherealone.Ihaveafeelingabout

thisplace.There’ssomethingimportanthere,andIforonedon’tintendtogiveupuntilIfindit!”

“We’renotgivingup,Peter,”RobertMillsadded,“justtakingamuch-neededrest.”

“Andwe’llbebacktomorrow—”Jennybegan,butPetercutheroff.

“Imighthaveknownyou’dsidewithhim,”heaccusedJenny,andsheflushed.“Well,enjoyeach

other’scompany.”Hepickedupaflashlight,snappediton,andstartedtofollowitsbeamtotheedgeof
thesmallplateau.

“Whereareyougoing?”Jennycriedinalarm.

“Maybetherearenostellaralignmentsfromthetop,”Petermuttered,“butthatdoesn’tmeanthe

ancientsdidn’tuseanotherpartofthepyramidfortheirobservations.”

“Peter!Comebackhere!”RobertMillsinsisted.Theprofessormovedtofollowhim,butJennyshook

herhead.

“Givehimafewminutestocalmdown,”shesaid.“He’sjustalittleoverwrought.”

TheysawthebeamofPeter’sflashlightdip,andafaintmotionasheclambereddowntheropeladder

they’derectedforaccesstothepyramid’slowercourses.Asthebeamoflightdisappeared,Jennyfelta
suddenchillthatseemedtopenetratetoherbones.

Thebreezewaspickingup.Itreallywastimetoleave.

PeterGlaston’smindwasbuzzingasheloweredhimselfdowntherope,pickingouttherungswithhis

flashlightbeforetrustingthemwithhisweight.Hedidn’tknowwhatwaswrongwithhimlately;hewas
alwaysarguing,evenwithJenny,pickingfightsfornoreasonatall.

Abriefmemoryoftheprevioussummerflashedthroughhismind.ThelonghotdaysinthePeruvian

desert…thefreezingnightsunderthebrightestpanoplyofstarshe’deverseen…andJenny,herblond
hairburnishedbymoonlight,wrappedinthearmsof…

Whycouldn’theforget?Whycouldn’thejustacceptthefactthatwhatwasdone,wasdone,andget

onwiththerestofhislife?Hewasanadultnow.Whycouldn’thecontrolthisconstantfrustration,
theseunwelcomeboutsofrage?

Hehadjuststeppedofftheladderontothefifthcourse,halfwaydownthepyramid’sface,whenit

happened.Hisconcentrationwanderedandhelookedupintothestar-strewnsky,idlywonderingif
perhapsithadbeenfromherethatthepyramidbuildersmadetheirastronomicalobservations.
Suddenly,hisleftfootslidonsomegravel,andbeforePetercouldrecoverhisbalance,hewaswedged

betweentwoprotrudingboulders.

Cursingtohimselfatthepainthatstabbedthroughhisankle,prayingnothingwasbroken,Petertried

toeasehisfootfree.Oneofthefootball-sizedboulderswasslightlyloose,andhetrainedtheflashlight
onitasherockeditfromsidetoside.Withoutwarning,thestonedislodged,freeinghistrappedfoot
andrevealingasmallholeintherockyplatformbelowit.

Peterwrinkledhisbrow,foramomentfailingtoappreciatejustwhathemighthavefoundhere.Then,

withmountingexcitement,heangledtheflashlightsoitpointeddownintothecavity,illuminatingwhat
appearedtobeaburiedchamber.

Strugglingtocontainthefeelingsthatsurgedthroughhim,workingquietlywiththeflashlight,Peter

startedtoclearawaytherocksandbouldersthatobviouslyformedthechamberroof.Allhisdark,
broodingthoughtsofjustafewminutesagohaddissipated,tobereplacedbyastrangesenseofwonder.
TheGothampyramidwasanunprecedentedfind,andnowhewasgoingtoenteritssubterranean
chamber,hiddenforhundreds,possiblythousands,ofyears.

Itwasn’tthelureoftreasurethatdrovehimonashecarefullyremovedthesmall,square-cutslabsthat

thebuildershadusedtoroofthestructure.Itwasn’tthethoughtoftheancientartifacts,buriedfornearly
fivethousandyears,thatmightlieinside,orthefameandfortunetheymightbringhim.Itwasthe
purestfeelingknowntoanyarchaeologist—therollingbackoftheunknown,thediscoveryofanother
pieceofthemysteriousjigsawthathadbeenthecultureofourpredecessors.

Theroofingslabsfitperfectlyintooneanother,andPetercouldn’thelpmarvelingatthecraftsmanship

andtheknowledgetheseancientsmusthavepossessed.Whoknew—maybethischamberwasthestellar
observatorythathesuspectedthesitecontained.SurelymiswouldmakeMillsandtheotherssitupand
takenotice!

Peterworkedforafulltenminutesbeforehe’dachievedhisgoal—theclearingofacircularspace,

almostlikeachimney,thatgavehimenoughroomtolowerhisleanframeinside.Requiringbothhands
forthetask,heswitchedtheflashlightoffandjammeditinhispocketbeforehebeganhisdescentinto
thedarkness.

Holdingontooneoftheslabs,itssharpedgesthreateningtoslicehisfingers,heloweredhimself

feetfirstthroughtheholehe’ddugout.Amomentaryshiveroffearranthroughhimashislegsdangled
inmidair.Whatifthechamberhadnofloor?Whatifitdroppedawayforanotherfiftyfeet,righttothe
verybaseofthepyramid?

Butmenhisoutstretched,scrabblingfeetfoundsolidground,andwithasighofreliefPeterlowered

himselfdownontothechamber’sdustyfloor.

Theairinsidetheroomwasthickandoppressive,andthedusthisexcavationshadkickedupmade

himcoughheavily.Peterstoodforafewsecondsinthedarkness,anticipationbuildinginsidehim.For
thefirsttimeinuncountedcenturies,humaneyeswereabouttoviewalong-concealedmystery.

Petertookadeepbreathandflickedonhisflashlight.

Meanwhile,onthepyramid’sflattop,theothershadpackedupmostoftheirgearandwerereadyto

makethedescenttothevalleyfloor.Themoonhadrisennow,itspalesilverglowlightingupthesky
andblottingoutthestars.

“WhataboutPeter?”Jennyasked.

“Iftheguywantstoactlikeaspoiledbrat,”LorannMuttireplied,“weshouldjustleavehimtohis

tantrums.LethimfindhisownwaybacktoGotham.”

DavidRymelnoddedhisagreement,andLenDors’smustachequiveredashegrowled,“Servehim

right,too.”

“It’snotasstraightforwardasthat,”Jennysaidquietly.“Peterhas…goodreasontobeupset.”Her

voicetailedoff;shehadnodesiretogointothis,notnow,noteverreally.Shethrewtheprofessora
sidelongglanceandwasgladwhenhecametoherrescue.

“Peter’sbeenunderalotofstress,”RobertMillssaid,“withhispostgraduatethesisdue,andallthe

workwe’vebeenputtinginhere.”Hewenton,makingsureLorannheardhiswords.“Butwecan’tjust
abandonhim.We’reateam.Wehavetolookoutforoneanother.”

Millssnappedonhisflashandwalkedovertothetopoftheropeladder.“Youguysfinishuphere.I’ll

goonaheadandcoaxPeteroutof…whatever’sbugginghim.”

Withoutwaitingfortheirreply,Millsswunghisbodyoutovertheedgeandstartedtodescend.

PeterGlastonplayedhisflashlightoverthechamberinteriorandmarveled.

Thestonewallsandcorbeledceilinghadbeenconstructedwithoutmortar,thestonescutandshaped

tofitsopreciselythatPetercouldhardlyseewheretheyadjoined.Twolargerstonessetintothe
chamberwallhadbeenincisedwithspiralshapes,andPeterfrowned.Almostallofthespiralsthathe’d
seeninStoneAgeartweredrawnclockwise;thetwohereweretheirmirrorimages,spiralingtightly
intotheircentersbutinacounterclockwisedirection.

Theleft-handpath…Unbidden,thephrasepoppedintoPeter’sconsciousness.Theleft-handpath—

theterritoryofwitchesandsorcerers.Thepathofblackmagic.

Thechamberwascompletelyempty,exceptforalargerectangularblockofgranitethatstoodagainst

thewest-facingwall.Bythelightofhisflashlight,Petercouldseeashallowrunnelthatranthefull
lengthofthestone.Hecouldn’tbesure,ofcourse,butonotherartifactshe’dseen,acarvedrunnelwas
toallowbloodtodrainoff.Thestonewasanaltar…andsomeonehadusedittomakebloodsacrifices.

Peter’sgazewasdrawntoaspotonthefloorjustinfrontofthealtarstone.Itwashardtotellinthe

flickeringshadows,butitseemedthatthehard-packedearthfloorhadatsomepointbeendisturbed.

Eyesnarrowing,Petersanktohiskneesinfrontofthealtarblock.He’dbeenextracarefulnottotouch

anythinginthechamberforfearofcontamination—thebacteriaonanormalhumanhandcouldbe
enoughtodoit,andoncecontaminated,itwasnear-impossibletogetaproperradiocarbondatingfix.

PeterandMillsmightnotgetalong,butPeterhadneverforgottenthefirstruletheprofessorhadtaught
him:Neverdoanythingtodisruptanancientsite.

ButnowPeter’sheadwaspounding.He’ddiscoveredsomethingunknown,somethingnooneelse

evensuspected.HisthoughtsofRobertMills,ofcarefulassessment,ofnonintrusion,wereforgottenas
hestaredhardatthesmallpatchofdisturbedsoil.Somethinghadbeenburiedthere.

Balancingtheflashlightonthefloortoilluminatethespot,heleanedforwardandbegantoscrabbleat

thesurfacewithhisbarehands.Heknewthatheshouldn’tbedoingthis—thatheshouldcallthe
professorandarrangeforaproperstone-by-stoneexcavation—buthismindwascuriouslydetached,he
feltdriven,andhedidn’tevenregisterthepaininhisfingertipsastheyscrapedatthestonyearth.

Thesoilcameawaymoreeasilythanhe’dexpected,andhisheartthuddedashisrighthanddosed

aroundsomethingcoldandhard.Hetuggedatit,twistingitslightlytoeaseitfromtheearththatheldit.
Itcamefreewithajerk,sendinganalmostelectrictingleshootinguphiswristandarm.

Peterpickeduptheflashlightinhisotherhandandfocuseditsbeamonhisfind.

Itwasacarvedstoneaxhead,madefromsomekindofheavygraniterock,fourorfiveincheswide

anddoublethatinlength.Ateachendithadbeenhonedtoarazor-sharpedgethatseemedunaffected
byitslongyearsbelowground.Andoneachsideoftheaxblade,aspiralwascarved—a
counterclockwisespiral.

Inhisexcitement,Peterhadn’theardthenoisebehindhimasRobertMillsloweredhimselfintothe

chamber.Butthestudentheardhimnow,asalow,angrygrowlescapedfromtheprofessor’slips.

“Glaston!Glaston,whatthehelldoyouthinkyou’redoing?”

Petertriedtoanswerhim,butnowordswouldcome.Hisrighthandandarmwerestilltingling,asif

theaxheadheheldweresendingoutjoltsoflow-voltagecurrent.Histhoughtsrefusedtofocus.There
wasabuzzinginhisears,lowandrhythmicandthrobbing.Italmostsoundedlikevoiceschanting.

Slowly,Peterrosefromhiskneestostandfullyerect,swivelingtofacetheaccusinggazeofhis

teacher.

“Heavenknows,I’vetriedtomakeexcusesforyou,butthisisunforgivable!”Millshissedthrough

clenchedteeth.“Whoknowswhatdamageyou’vedonehere?Comeon—out!Now!”

Peterstoodparalyzed,tryingtofigureoutwhatwaswrongwithhim.Hismouthhadgonedryandhis

tonguefeltthickandswollen,preventinganyattemptatspeech.Imagesflasheddeepinhismind,
disturbingpicturesthatweregonebeforehecouldpinthemdown.Thenoiseinhisearsgrewlouder.

Yes,itwasdefinitelychanting.Butthewordssoundedcompletelyalien,innolanguagethathehad

everheard.

“Areyoudeaf?”Millsbarked.“Iwantyououtofherebeforetheroom’scompletelycontaminated!”

HereachedtograspPeter’sarm,tryingtotughimawayfromthealtar,andfoundhimselfsurprisedby

thestudent’sstrengthasheresisted.“Stopactinglikeaspoiledbrat,or—”

TheprofessorbrokeoffasGlaston’srighthand,theoneclutchingtheax,roseabovehishead.Inthe

lightofhisflash,Millscouldseethattheboy’sfacewasblankandexpressionless,buthiseyesglinted
inawayMillshadneverseenbefore.

“Wh-whatareyoudoing?”Millsfeltsuddenlyafraid.Somethingwaswronghere.Glastonhadn’t

spokensinceMillssurprisedhim,andthatlookinhiseyeswasinhuman—evenmurderous!

HelookedupattheaxheadheldhighinGlaston’shand.Asifrefusingtoaccepttheatrocitythathe

knewwithawfulcertaintywasabouttobecommitted,hetooknoteoftheartifact.Thedark,beautifully
shapedstone.Thecuriousleft-handspiral,likenonehe’deverseenbefore.Theimpossiblysharpblade,
honedtoarazoredge,thatwascomingdownfasttowardhishead….

Theothersweredescending.Theywerealmostatthefifthcoursewhentheyheardthescream.

Jennyfroze.“ThatsoundedlikeRob…likeProfessorMills!”sheexclaimed.

“Maybehe’sfallen.”Lorannshoneherflashlight

downthepyramidfacetillitsbeamwaslostintheshadows.“Cananybodyseeanything?”

Theyscrabbleddowntheropeladdertilltheystoodontheledgematwasthepyramid’sfifthstep.

Fourflashlightsshoneasone,andforaninstanttheholePeterhadmadeseemedtoblazewithreflected
light.

“There’ssomeoneinthere!”LenDorshandedhisflashtoLorannandswiftlybegantolowerhimself

throughtheopening.“Keepyourbeamsonme.”

TherewasadullthumpasLenlandedonthechamberfloor.

“Catch,”Loranncalleddown,droppingLen’sflashlight.

Therewasalong,pregnantsilence.

“Len?”DorsheardtheanxietyinJenny’svoiceasshecranedherneck,vyingforabetterviewofthe

chamberinterior.“Whathaveyoufound?”

ButLenDorscouldn’tanswer.Hestoodrootedtothespot,theflashlightfixedonthechamber’saltar

stone.ThebodyofRobertMillswasdrapedacrossit,lyingonhisback.Anuglywoundinhishead
oozedblood,staininghissilverhairbeforedrippingtotheground,wherethedryearthabsorbedit
greedily.

“Professor?”

Therewasnoreaction,andLen’svoicewashoarsewithshockashecalleduptotheothers.“It’sthe

professor.He—he’slyingherebleeding.Itlookslikehe’sbeenattacked!”

Quickly,thestudentkneltbythealtarandgraspedtheprofessor’swrist,feelingforapulse.Therewas

none.“I—Ithinkhe’sdead!”

Upabove,Jennyfeltsuddenlyfaint.“Omigod!”shewhispered.Then,louder,hervoicestrained.“And

Peter?”

“Nothere,”cameLen’smuffledreply.

Jennymovedawayfromtheaperture,onehandreachingtosteadyherselfagainstthepyramidface.

Above,thehalf-moon’slightcastaneerieglow.“Peter!”sheshouted.“Peter,whereareyou?”

Buttheonlyreplywasthenightwindsoughingthroughthecottonwoodtreesonthefarsideofthe

valley.

Inthechamber,LenDors’sbrowfurrowedashesawthewide,darkstainontheleftsideofMills’s

chest.Heangledtheflashbeamtogetabetterview.Thestainwasblood.Theprofessor’sjacketand
sweaterhadbeentornaway,andthefleshofhischesthadbeengougedopentoexposehisribcage.

Lendoubledover,vomitingpainfullyonthechamberfloor,whenherealizedtheprofessor’sheartwas

missing.

CHAPTER3

FearIsaGift

GothamCity,October24

Sevenp.m.,andthestreetsofdowntownGothamwereallbutempty.

Mostofthedaypeoplehadgone,ontheexodusofbusesandcabsandtrainsandsubwaysthatevery

eveningcarriedofficeworkersandstoreassistants,citytycoonsandstreetvendors,hometothe
suburbs.Thecitywastheirsduringdaylightonly.

Whennightfell,itwasasifanewspeciesventuredoutfromitshidingplacestotakeoverthestreets.

Withinanhour,downtownwouldbebuzzingwithlifeagain.Thebarsandrestaurantswouldfillup,

crowdswouldstreamtowardthetheatersandnight-dubs.Malefactorswouldbeginmakingtheirillicit
plans,andthecopsonpatrolwouldchecktheirgunsandammunition.

Butnotquiteyet.Thelimbowouldlastforanhourorso,aslateworkersstraggledhome,andthe

nightpeoplepreparedthemselvesforthehoursofdarkness.

AhundredfeetaboveKaneAvenue,Batmanmovedthroughthecitylikeawraith.Timeandagaina

grapnelflewfromhishand,anchoringitselfonaflagpole,orthecorniceofabuilding,oroneofthe
thousandsofgrimacinggargoylesmatadornedtherooftops.Thenhewoulddivefromhisperch,
swingingonthegrapple’sattachedbat-line,revelinginthechillnightairasheheadedinexorablyfor

hisnextlanding.

Hestoppedforaminuteeverynowandthen,balancingdeftlyonsomeprecariousledge,raisinghis

nightbinocularstotheslitsinhismask,scanningthequietroadsbelowforsignsoftrouble.Hedidn’t
expecttofindmuch—itwasstilltooearly—buthewentthroughtheroutineanyway.Inacitylike
Gotham,itwasvirtuallyimpossibletopredictwheretroublewoulderuptnext.

MovementdrewhisgazetothefringesoftheClockDistrict.Incontrasttomostofdowntown,here

therewerehundredsofpeopleoutandabout.Ofcourse,Batmanconcluded,therewasamajorAll-Faith
religiousmeetingtonightattheGothamCathedral.Atasimilarmeetacoupleofweeksearlier,the
worshipershadwitnessedwhatthenewspaperslatercalleda“spontaneousmiracle.”Listeningtothe
praisesandprayersofferedupbyJohnConsody,thecharismaticpreacher,ablindmanfoundthathis
sighthadreturned.

“Faithisthekey,”Consodytoldhiscongregation.“Justhavefaith,andyoutoocanmovemountains!”

Maybehe’snotsowrong,Batmanthought.Thehumanmindisanamazingthing.

Butultimately,theonlythingBatmanhadfaithinwashimself.

Afterthedamburst,Batmanhadreportedhissuspicionsaboutthesubstandardmaterialstooneofthe

fewpeoplehecalledafriend—JimGordon,commissioneroftheGothamPoliceDepartment.Two
highflyingexecutivesfromthecompanythathadbuiltthedamadecadeagowereunderarrest,with
chargespending.Severalmoreemployeeswerebeinginterrogatedastotheirroleinthescandalthathad
sonearlycauseddisaster.Itmighttakealongtime,buteventuallyjusticewouldbedone.

AndjusticewassomethingthatBatmanpursuedwitheveryfiberofhisbeing.

BatmanreplacedtheinfraredbinocularsintheirpouchintheUtilityBeltthatcircledhiswaist.There

wasnothingherethatrequiredhisservices.Atleast,notaboveground.

Heswunghimselfupovertheparapetofabuildinganddroppedlightlytohisfeetbesidethesmall

arrayoflightsthatactedasaguidancebeaconforaircraftheadingtoGothamField.Quickly,hepopped
thecatchonanotherofhisbelt’spouchesandpulledoutasheetofpaper.Unfoldingit,hebenttostudy
themapoftheGothamCitysewersystem.

He’dmemorizedityearsearlier,butthiswasthelatestversion.Itshowedallthenewtunnels,

constructedaspartofthecity’srollingprogramtoreplacetheoriginalnineteenth-centurysewersystem.
Althoughatechnicalmarvelinitstime,ithadlongsincepasseditsuse-bydate.Thebrick-linedtunnels
werecrumbling,theoldironpipeworkwasrustedandleaking,andthebudgetforemergencyrepairs
marchedsteadilyupwardeveryyear.

Themapalsoshowedthoseoldtunnelsthathadeithercollapsedorbeendoseddownandwereno

longerviable.TherewasawholenetworkofthemunderneathGothamCathedral,andthatwaswhere
Batmanwasheaded.

OtisFlanneganwasdowntheresomewhere,hiddeninthatmazeoftunnels,withtheloothe’dstolen

inaseriesofdaringrobberiesduringthepastfewweeks.

OtisFlannegan:theRatcatcher.

WherehefoundFlannegan,Batmanknewhe’dalsofindhis“pets.”Rats.Tensofthousandsofthem.

Batmanfoldedthemapintoasmallsquareandstasheditaway.Hereadjustedhisbat-line,thenkicked

offbackwardovertheparapetanddroppedquicklydownthesideofthebuilding,hiscapebillowing
aroundhimlikethewingsofsomehell-spawneddemon.

Helandedinadingyalley.Teenagevandalshadsmashedthestreetlights,andthelocalrestaurants

usedthealleyasaconvenient—ifillegal—dump.Blackplastictrashbagswerepiledfivefeethigh,the
stenchoftheirrottingcontentsfillingthenarrowarea.Therewasnoonearound.

Batmansmoothlyleveredupthemanholecoveratthesideofthealley.Hewentinfeetfirst,then

replacedthecoverbehindhimbeforescramblingdowntherustingironrungssetinthewallofthe
accessshaft.

Withinseconds,hehadleftthecitybehindanddisappearedintotheshadowedworldbelowitsstreets.

“Thesignoutsidesaysyoudotarotcardreadings.Iwanttoknowmyfuture.”

RaymondMarcussatinthesmallconsultationroom,fightingtostilltheinvoluntarytwitchthat

threatenedtheentireleftsideofhisface.Hischeekwaspuffedupandswollen,halfclosinghislefteye.
Heshouldhavetakenhisdoseofpainkillersanhourago.Buttheycloudedhismind,andtonight—for
once—hewantedtobeabletothinkstraight.Nomatterhowmuchithurt.

Acrossthetablefromhim,MadameCassandrapursedherlips.“That’satallorder.Thefuturedoesn’t

giveupitssecretseasily,”shesaidquietly.“Therearesomanypossibilities,mostofthemintertwined.
It’seasier—andusuallymoreaccurate—ifyoucanfocusononeparticularproblem.”

“Oh,Icandothatallright,”Marcussaidbitterly.“Problem:facialneuralgia.Result:constantpain

vergingonagony.Treatment:painkillerssostrongthey’redestroyingmymind.”

Cassandralookeddirectlyathim,andinthelightofthesmallartnouveaulamponthepolished

tabletop,Marcusnoticedhereyesforthefirsttime.Theywerethedeepestbluehe’deverseen,setoff
perfectlybythedusterofplatinumcurlsthatfringedherprettyface.

“Andwhatexactlydoyouwanttoknow,Mr.Marius?”Cassandraasked.

“I’vetriedeverythingforthiscondition.Thedoctorsarefedupseeingme,butnothingtheyprescribe

seemstowork.Ijustcan’tstandthepainanylonger.”Marcushesitatedforamoment,alittle
embarrassed,beforegoingon.“I’mthinkingofattendinganAll-Faithmeetingtonight.Theguyon
televisionsaidtheycandomiracles.Therewasablindguywhohadhissightrestored.”Marcus
hesitatedagain,asiffearingridicule,beforefinishing.“Iwanttoknow—Dotheyhaveamiraclefor
me?”

“I’maclairvoyant,MrMarcus.”Cassandragesturedwithonehand,takinginthewholeroom.Marcus

hadalreadynotedthebookshelvesfilledwitharcaneliterature,andtheidolsandartifactsfromadozen
culturesthatstoodeverywhere.“Idon’tcountmanyreligiouspeopleamongmyclients.”

ThepaininMarcus’scheekwasmounting.Aseriousattackwasabouttocomeon.“I’mnot

religious,”hesnapped.“I’mdesperate!”

Cassandradidn’treply.Allherlife,she’dbeeninordinatelysensitivetootherpeople’sfeelings.

“Empathy,”hermotherusedtotellher.“It’sagift,girl.Myownmotherhadit.Youmustuseyour
empathytohelppeople.”

Foralongtimeafterhermother’sdeath,Cassandrahaddoneanythingbuthelppeople.Shedidn’t

wanttofeelthepainofothers,didn’twanttoempathizewiththem,didn’twanttobeburdenedwiththe
problemsoftotalstrangers.Soshe’ddroppedoutofheruniversityartclassesandsetofftofindthe
world.Or,perhaps,toloseherselfinit.

ShewenttoEgypt,andtotheRoseCityofPetracarvedoutofthesandstonerocksofJordan.She

spentayearinanIndianashram,fastingandmeditating.OnlywhentheChinesesoldiersturnedher
backasshetriedtoenterTibetoverthemountainpassesdidsherealizeherlongjourneywasover.

She’dseenalotinthoseyears,butthemostimportantthingshe’dlearnedwas,youcanneverrunor

hidefromyourselfandwhatyouare.

Now,twenty-fiveyearsold,CassandrawasbackinGothamCity,backintheapartmentshegrewup

in,doingexactlywhathermotherhadtoldherwasherduty—helpingotherpeople.

Cassandratookasmallblacksilkbagfromashelfbehindher,loosenedthedrawstring,andslidout

thepackofworntarotcardsitheld.Slowly,deliberately,shebegantoshufflethewell-thumbedcards,at
thesametimestrivingtorelaxandlethermindgoblank.Foretellingthefuture—orevenreadinga
person’scharacter—neverseemedtoworkproperlywhenheregowasinvolved.

Finally,sheheldoutthepacktoMarcus,facedown.“Selectacard,”shetoldhim.“Layitonthetable,

picturesideup.”

Tarotcardshadbeenusedforcenturiestopiercetheveilofthefuture.Cassandrahadreadalibraryof

booksonthesubject,frommedievaltextstomodernpsychologists’treatisesonuniversalarchetypes
andtheirinteractions.But,aswithalldivination,itwasherownsubjectiveinterpretationsthatwould
countthemost.

“‘Thetower,’”Marcusreadaloudfromthecardashelaiditfaceup.Theimageonthecardwasofa

medievalsiegetower,startingtodisintegrateaslightningboltsfromthecloudsstruckit.“Isthatagood
sign…orbad?”

“Thecardsthemselvesareneutral,”Cassandratoldhim,almostautomatically.“Theymerelyreflect

thesituation.Itisthehumanreactiontothesituationthatissignificant.”

“Yeah,yeah,”Marcusmuttered.Astabofpainragedthroughtheleftsideofhisface,allthewayfrom

hismouthtohisforehead.“Sparemethedetails.Isitgoodorbad?”

Cassandragazedsteadilyattheupturnedcard,strivingtounderstandhowitmightapplytothisman’s

pain-wrackedlife.Althoughithaditspositiveaspects,thetowercardoftensignifieddeath,oroutright
destruction.ButhowdidthattieinwithMarcus’shopeforamiraclecure?

Shefrownedsuddenly.Therewassomethingintheimageonthecardshe’dneverseenbefore.How

couldthatbe?She’dusedthisdeckforathousandreadings,practicedwithitforathousandmore.She
kneweverycard,everydetailofeveryillustration,backtofrontandinsideout.

Narrowinghereyes,Cassandrastaredharder.Shecouldswearsomethinginthepicturewasmoving—

somethinghiddenbehindthetowerwasmakingitspresenceknown.Fightingdownalittleknotof
panic,sheforcedherselftostaycalm.Whenyou’redealingwiththeunknown,sheremindedherself,
youshouldalwaysexpecttheunknown!

Theimageonthecardseemedtoexpanduntilitfilledherconsciousness,suckingherintoitlikea

visualwhirlpool.Marcus,andthewholeconsultationroom,couldhavegoneupinflamesandshe
wouldn’thavenoticed.Herentireattentionwasfixedonthathiddenfigure.

Suddenly,itrevealeditselftoher.Itwasaman—oratleastthesemblanceofaman.Itstoodontwo

barehumanlegs,butfromthewaistupithadthebodyofabeastThick,mattedhaircovereditstorso,
darkenedhereandtherebyblackstainsthatshesomehowknewwereblood.Itsheadwasthatofabull,
redeyesglintingdangerouslyfromadeep-shadowedfacesurmountedbytwogoldenhorns.Thefigure
waschanting,asingsongnoisethatmadenosensetoheratall.Shelookedatthegroundbeneaththe
beastandsawthetwisted,brokenbodyofRaymondMarcuslyingthere,drenchedinhisownbrightred
blood.

“No!”

MarcusstartedasCassandrajerkedfromherreverie.Herbreathingwasfastandshallow,andthough

shetriedtohideit,herdeepblueeyesshowedterror.

“Whatisit?”hedemandedanxiously.“What’swrong?”

“Nothing,”Cassandralied.Sheshookherhead,asiftoclearitofthefinaltracesofthathellishvision.

“IfIwereyou,Mr.Marcus,”shetoldhim,doingherbesttokeephervoiceeven,“Iwouldgohome
now.IwouldnotgototheGothamCathedraltonight.”

“Andthat’sit?”Marcus’sdisappointmentwassoprofoundthat,foramoment,itmadehimforgethis

pain.

Cassandranoddedinsilence.Itwasobviousshewasn’tgoingtosayanymore.Marcusgottohisfeet,

pushingbackhischair.

“Twentybucks,right?”Hestartedtodiginhisjacketpocketforhiswallet,butCassandraquickly

shookherhead.Shealwayshatedtakingthemoney;despiteallthereadingsshe’ddone,itneverseemed
togetanyeasiertoacceptpeople’spayment.Butthiswasdifferent.

“Ifailedtogiveyouwhatyouwanted,Mr.Marcus.Therewillbenocharge.”

“Wishmydoctorshadthesameattitude,”Marcusriposted.“I’dbearichman.”

Theheavybeadcurtainacrossthedoorwayclackedashewalkedthroughit,andoutoftheapartment.

Foralongtimeafterhisdeparture,Cassandrasatatthetable,tryingtounderstandwhatshe’dseen.

She’dneverhadahallucinationinherlifebefore,letaloneafull-blownvision.Itjustdidn’tseemto
makeanysense.Whatwerethecardstryingtotellher?Whywouldthisbull-headedcreaturewantto
slaughterRaymondMarcus?

Shecouldn’thelpwishinghe’dnevercome.

TwentyfeetunderthesurfaceofForty-firstStreet,Batmanmovedcautiouslyalongawide,red-brick

sewagetunnel.

Gotham’sundergroundserviceshadbeenlaiddownduringthelatenineteenth-centuryboomthecity

hadenjoyed.Noexpensehadbeensparedonhiringthebestengineersandaskilledworkforce,and
buyingtop-gradematerials.Theresulthadalmostbeenaworkofart,solidlybuiltbricktunnelsthat
curvedgracefullyastheyconvergedtowardthemassivetreatmentplantdiscreetlytuckedoutoftheway
nearGothamDocks.

Butthesewershaddeterioratedbadlysincethosefirsthalcyondays.Successivecityadministrations

hadduckedtheissueofrepairsandmaintenance.“Outofsight,outofmind,”asonemayorhad
memorablyputit,shortlybeforehewasarrestedforembezzlement.Nowtheelegantbrickworkwas
crumblingawayinhundredsoflocations,andbacked-upsewerswereacommonprobleminseveral
districts.

Batmanranasfastashedaredontheslipperysurfaceunderfoot.Heworenoseplugs,withfilters

speciallydesignedtokeepoutbothinfectionandthesewer’snoxiousstench.Apowerfulpenlightlithis
waythroughtheStygiandarkness.Justoutsidethefocusofitsbeam,hecouldhearthesqueaksand
gruntsofthesewer’sinhabitants.Rats.

Suddenly,hepulledupshort.Somethinghadchanged.Batmanflickedoffhisflashlightandstrained

hisears,listeningintently.

Fromseveralplaces,hecouldhearthesteadydrip-dripoffallingwater.Adistantrumbleechoed

hollowly—asubwaytrainonthenearbydowntownline.Apartfromthat,therewasonlysilence…and
itfilledhimwithsuddensuspicion.Whyhadtheratsgonequiet?Whatweretheydoing?

Hecouldpicturethem—tenthousandratsseethingwithdisease,yellowedteethbared,waitinglike

predatorsjustbeyondtherangeofhisvision.WaitingforOtisFlannegan,theirhumanleader,togive
themtheordertoattack.

Anordinarypersonmighthavepanickedthen,gonerunningblindlyinsearchofanexitfromthe

awfuldarknessofthisclaustrophobicplace.ButBatmanhadlivedwithfearallofhislife,andhadcome
totreatitalmostlikeanoldfriend.Henevertriedtoquietit,neverignoredit.

Batmanknewfearforwhatitreallywas:agift.Amessagefromhisunconsciousmind,warninghim

tobealerttodangerhemightnotconsciouslybeawareof.Fearwasafeelingtobelistenedto,heeded,
andactedupon.

Batman’shandslippedtohisUtilityBeltandpoppedopenapouch.Fortunately,he’dcomeprepared.

Ratshadextremelysensitivehearinginthehigh-frequencyrange;thesonicgadgethe’dspentmostof
thedaylighthourspreparingintheBatcaveshouldbeenoughtoscarethemoff.

Heheldthesmallmetalboxgingerly,unwillingtoswitchitonuntilabsolutelynecessaryincaseit

scaredFlanneganhimselfaway,andbegantomovestealthilyforwardinthedarkness.

Therewasasudden,high-pitchedwhistle,andBatmanknewhisfearhadservedhimwell.Flannegan

usedawhistletocontrolhisrodentarmy.ButevenasBatman’sglovedfingerhoveredoverthesonic
emitter’strigger,theratsattacked.

Therewereseveralonanarrowledgejustabovehishead,whichhe’dfailedtoseeinthepitch-black

shadows.Theylaunchedthemselvesathimliketinydervishes,eyesglowingred,theirangrysqueals
fillinghisears.Onelandedonhiswrist,andthesonicemitterwentspinningfromhishand,splashing
intothestreamofmuckandeffluentathisfeet.

Batmanwastednotimecursinghisbadluck.Hebrushedtworatsoffhisshoulder,andlashedoutwith

afoottoscatterthesmallbandnippingathisankles.HiscostumewasKevlar-lined,imperviousto
inflictionssuchasratbites.Hiscowlandmaskprotectedhisface,andgauntletscoveredhishands.But
theratswerepresentinsuchnumbers,itwouldbeonlyamatteroftimebeforetheyborehimtothe
groundandfoundtheirwaythroughhisdefenses.

Hesqueezedthetouch-sensitivebarrelofthepenlighthestillcarriedinhisotherhand,andsawforthe

firsttimetheperilthathefaced.Thousandsofratswerestreamingdownthetunnel-sideledgestoward
him,alivingriverwithmurderousintent.Andthere,directingthemintheircharge,wasthesurreal
figureoftheRatcatcher.

OtisFlannegan’sheadandfacewerecoveredbyagasmask,itsrubberhosesnakingdowntothe

oxygencanisterfixedtohisbelt.Heworefisherman’srubberwadingbootsthatcameuptohisthighs,
andagunbuttjuttedfromtheholsteraroundhiswaist.Inhislefthandhecarriedapowerfulworklamp;
asheswitchediton,thesewerwasfloodedwithbrightlight.

“Thisismydomain,Batman,”theRatcatcherexclaimed,andBatmancouldhearthemaniathatlay

beneaththeman’swords.“Andmylittlefriendsdonotlikeintruders.”

AsRatcatcher’seeriewhistlesoundedagain,Batmanpulledhisbolafromapouchinonelong-

practicedgesture.Holdingitinthecenter,whereitsthreeleathercordswerejoined,hewhirleditatfull
speedinfrontofhim,carefultokeepitlow.Thetrioofhalf-poundleadweightsattheendoftheleather
ropesanginthefoulsewerair.

Ratafterratdroppedlikestonesasthespinningweightsthuddedintothem,breakingbonesand

crushingskulls.Butstilltheotherscameon,oblivioustopainanddeathastheystrovetoobeytheir
master’sorders.

Batmanknewhecouldn’tkeepthisupforlong.Spinningthebolainfrontofhim,heinchedhisway

towardhissonicemitterthatlayinthemuck.

Once,OtisFlanneganhadbeentheofficialGothamCityratcatcher,employedbytheSanitation

Department.Foryearshehadmoreorlesslivedinthesewers,punctuatinghismasspoisoningsofrats
withbizarreattemptstoturnthemintohispets.

ItwasduringoneofhisrareoutingsabovegroundthatFlanneganhadrunintotrouble.Notusedto

alcohol,he’dgottendrunkandsomehowfoundhimselfinvolvedinastreetbrawl.Amanhaddied,and
Flanneganexchangedonedarkhomeforanotherwhenthejudgesentencedhimtofifteenyearsin
BlackgateIslandpenitentiary.

Afterashortwhile,his“pets”helpedhimescapefromprison.Consumedwiththoughtsofvengeance,

Flanneganhadkidnappedseveralofthepeopleresponsibleforhisincarceration:thepolicemanwho’d
arrestedhim,thewitnessesagainsthimincourt,eventhejudgewho’dhandeddownthesentence.

FormonthsFlannegankeptthemlockedupinasubterraneancell,feedingthemscraps,constantly

tauntingthem,makingthempayfortheindignitiesthey’dheapeduponhim.He’dhavekeptthemthere
untiltheyrottedanddied,haditnotbeenforBatman’sintervention.

ThevigilantefoundRatcatcher’ssecretjail,freedtheprisoners,andsentthemiscreantbackto

Blackgate.Eversince,RatcatcherhatedBatmanwithapassionthatdwarfedeverythingelseinhislife,
exceptloveofhisrats.

He’dlastescapedduringtheCataclysm,whenGothamwashitbyanearthquakemeasuring7.5onthe

Richterscale.Halfofdowntownhadcollapsed,wholeblockshadsunkintotheground,andthemapof
thecitychangedforever.

Flanneganhadmanagedtostayonthelooseeversince,anuncatchablefugitiveinthesubterranean

domainhehadmadehisown.

“That’sright,boys!”RatcatcherlaughedashisratpacksthrewthemselvesatBatmanandhiswhirling

bola.“You’llhavehiminaminute.Bitehim!Riphim!Killhim!”

Thehigh-pitchedwhistlesoundedagain,andBatmanriskedaglancebehindhim.Hundredsmorerats

werescuttlingfromtheirholesandhideouts,scamperingoverthepittedsurfaceofthebrickwork,
runningalongthenarrowwalkwaytoattackfromtherear.

NowayIcanholdthemallback,Batmanrealized.Phosphorgrenadesmightblindthem,butI’dneed

hundredstoberidofthemall.There’sonlyonethingtodo…

Withoutwarning,Batmandivedfull-lengthontothewalkway.Foraninstant,thesurprisedratsdrew

back—andthatwasallthetimetheDarkKnightneeded.Evenastherodentssurgedforwardagain,
Batman’shandclosedaroundthesonicemitterinthestream,andhisthumbpresseddownhardonthe
trigger.

Thesoundwassohigh-pitched,Batmanhimselfcouldn’thearit.Buthecouldseeitseffectontherats

asitassaultedtheirsensitivehearing:manyofthemscreamed,ahigh,keeningnoisethatgratedon
Batman’ssenses.Thentheybrokeformation,turned,andranasfastastheycouldtoputdistance
betweenthemselvesandthesourceoftheirpain.

Likesomemodem-dayPiedPiperofHamelin,Ratcatcherblewdesperatelyonhiswhistle.Buthis

rodentfriendscouldnolongerhearhimoverthehigh-frequencycacophonythatwasjanglingtheir
nervoussystems.

Batmanrolledtohisfeet,leavingthesonicemitterwhereitlay,stilldispensingitsinaudiblewhine.

Heknewtherealproblemwasn’ttherats.ItwasRatcatcher.

Knowingthathisschemewasfoiled,Flanneganhadturnedtailandwasabouttofleeintothemazeof

tunnels.ThebolawhirledinBatman’shandforafinaltime.Hesentitspinningthroughtheair,its
weightswrappingthemselvesaroundFlannegan’sanklesandbringinghimdownheavilytothesewer
floor.

Ratcatchersprawledinthemuck,jabberingfrantically,hisvoicemuffledbyhissinistergasmask.

“Boys!Boys,don’tleavemenow!”

“Toolate,”Batmangrowled.“Your‘boys’arelonggone.”

Ratcatchertriedtoscrambletohisfeet,butBatman’sfootsenthimfacefirstintothedisgustingslurry

thatrandownthecenterofthesewer.Batmangrabbedthevillain’shandsandropedthembehindhis
backwithasmalllengthofbat-line.

“Where’stheloot,Flannegan?”thevigilanterasped.“Ordowehavetodothisthehardway?”

Alowrumblingnoiseechoedalongthetunnel.

Atfirst,Batmandismisseditasasubwaytrainonthedowntownline.Butthenoisegrewlouderand

closer,andBatmanwaspuzzledtorealizeitwascomingfromunderground—almostdirectlybeneath
hisfeet.Suddenlythesewerfloorbegantoshakeandquiver,asiftheearthbelowwerebuckling.

Anotherearthquake?Batmanwondered.Itcan’tbe.Welinedthewholecitywithseismicdetectors

afterthelastone.

BatmangrabbedRatcatcherbyhiscuffedhandsanddraggedhimhurriedlyaside,throwingthemboth

againstthesewerwall.Justintime…

Theledgewasvibratingviolently,andsmallsparksofbluelightseemedtoseepupthroughthecracks

betweenthebricks.Then,withadeafeningroar,apatchoffloorthesizeofamanholecovereruptedas
asolidcolumnofbluelightburstupfrombelow.

“Lookout!”Batmanyelledawarningtohisprisonerasthecolumnofenergypowereditswayupand

smashedthroughtheceilingacoupleofyardsabovethem.Debrisraineddown,andBatmandidhisbest
toshieldthemboth.

RaymondMarcussatononeofthehardwoodenpewsinthemainbodyofGothamCathedral.Forthe

firsttimeinmanyweeks,therewasasmileonhisface—asmilethatdidn’thurt.JohnConsody,the
mainspeakeratthenight’sevent,wasintoporatoricalform.Hewassoinspiring,Marcuswasgladhe’d
ignoredMadameCassandra’swarningandcometotheAll-Faithmeetinganyway.

“Faithistherockonwhichwemustbuildourlives,”Consodypontificated.Hestoodintheornately

carvedwoodenpulpit,addressingthethousandcitizenswho’dturneduptohearhimspeak.Manywere
obviouslysick;adozenpairsofcrutchesleanedagainstthepews,andseveralpeopleinwheelchairssat
intheaislesofftotheside.“TheworksofManlastonlyawhile,thencrumbleintosand.Butfaith
enduresforever.”

Everyone’sattentionwasfixedintentlyonConsodyasthecongregantswaitedforwhathe’dsaynext

Waitingtoseeifthemiraclewouldcome.

“Ifwehavefaith,allwillonedaybewell.Faithcanmovemountains.”Thecharismaticpreacher’s

voicewasgrowinglouder,thewordscomingfaster.“Faithupliftsthehumanspirit.Faithcanhealall
ourills!”

ThiswasthekindoflanguageMarcusneededtohear.Itwasnearlythreeyearssincebotchedsurgery

hadtriggeredhisfacialneuralgia.Threeyearsofdailypain,painthatseemedtoworsenwithevery
passinghour,painthatdefiedthedoctors’besteffortstobanishorevenalleviateit.

Onespecialisthadtoldhimneuralgiawasthemostpainfuldiseaseknowntothemedicalcommunity,

asifMarcusshouldwearthefactassomekindofbadgeofhonor.Heknewexactlyhowpainfulitwas.
Allhewantedwasacure.

Surely,afterallhe’dbeenthrough,onetinymiraclewasn’ttoomuchtoaskfor?

Marcuscaughtsightofsomethingoutofthecornerofhiseye,andturnedhisgazefromthepulpitto

thenearbyaltar.Coveredinapristinewhitedothwithgoldenstitching,thealtarwasbackedbyan
oversizedheavyplastersculpturedepictingChristinhisagonyonthecross.

Tinysparksofbluish-whitelightseemedtobeplayingaroundthealtar.Someofthemrolledoffthe

top,morelikeglobulesofmercurythanflashesoflight.EveryoneelsewasfixatedonConsodyinthe
pulpit,andRaymondMarcusfeltasuddenelationwellingupinsidehim.

Lurchingtohisfeet,hepushedpastacoupleofpeopleandintotheaisle.Thebluishlightgrew

strongerasMarcuswalkedpurposefullytowardthealtar,hisgazeneverleavingit.

Amiracle!Thewordssoaredinhismindlikeahymnofpraise.There’sgoingtobeamiracle!

Acoupleoffeetfromthealtar,thepaininhisfaceforgotten,hestoppedandleachedoutahand

towardthesparklinglightthatdancedinfrontofhim.

Thealtareruptedwitharoarlikethunder.

Adensecolumnofblueenergyshotstraightupfromit,engulfingMarcus’soutstretchedhand.He

screamedinsudden,surprisedpainastheskinonhishandandwristbegantoblister.Dazedly,he
smelledthereekofhisownburningfleshanddesperatelywrenchedhishandaway.

Hestaredathiswristinshock,unableforamomenttocomprehendwhathadhappened.Hishandhad

disappearedalmostentirely,leavingonlyafewstripsofcharredskinflappingoffburnedbone.

Dimly,hewasawareofvoicesshoutingandpeopleleapingtotheirfeet.Thenthecolumnofenergy

struckthecathedralceiling,twenty-fivefeetabove.Beamsandrafterscrackedandbroke,thentumbled
downintothechurchinterior.

RaymondMarcuslookedup,justintimetoseethefallingwoodencrossbeamthatcrushedhimto

death.

Astheenergybeamburstthroughthesewerroof,Batmanrealizedthatthecathedralwasdirectly

abovehim.Heknewthatwhateverthesourceofthislethalpillaroflight,whereveritcamefrom,the
peopleinsideweregoingtoneedhelp.

IgnoringRatcatcher’scursesandprotests,Batmantiedhimtoasetofironrungsasafedistanceaway

thatleduptoasewerhatch.

“I’llbebackforyou,”hegrowled.

Partofthearchedceilinghadcollapsedunderthepowerofthebeam.Takingcarethatnopartofhim

touchedtheenergycolumn,Batmanscaledthewornbricktunnelsideandhauledhimselfupthrough
theholeintheroof.

Heemergedintoanightmare.

Thecolumnofbluelightseemedtodanceonthealtar,stillbringingsectionsofthecathedralroof

crashingdownonthepeoplebelow.Dozenslaywherethey’dfallen,theirbodiescrushedandbroken,
whilehundredsofothersmilledaroundinpanicandconfusion.Thepulpithadshatteredlike
matchwoodundertheweightoffallingtimber,andJohnConsody’slifelessbodylaysprawlednexttoit.

Tonight,faithhadnotbeenenough.

Batmanbarkedintotheradiomicrophonethatwasstitchedintotheliningofhiscowl.Heknewthat

whereverJimGordonwas,themessagewouldberelayedtohim.Emergencyserviceswouldbethereas
fastasGordoncouldrousethem.

Aloudshriekcutacrossthebabbleofnoiseasthemetalbandsthatoncesupportedaplastersculpture

ofChristgaveway.Ittoppledsidewaysslowly,directlytowardahalf-dozencaretakerswhoweretrying
tomaneuvertheirpatients’wheelchairsamongthedebris.

Batmanrantowardthesculpture,throwinghimselffeetfirstinadouble-footeddropkickthatsquarely

connectedwithitsheavysupportingstrut.ThefallingstatuetwistedintheairasBatman’smomentum
altereditstrajectory.Itmissedthesmallgroupbylessthanayardasitcrashedtothefloor.

Afireextinguisherhungfromabracketonthecathedralwall.Batmanwrencheditfreeandbrokeits

seal,directingajetofthickfoamatthebaseofthecolumnstillplayingoverthealtar.

Thefoamvaporizedinstantly.Ifanything,theenergycolumnswelledratherthanshrank.

Realizingitwasfutile,Batmanhurledthemetalextinguishercasingintothebeam;ittoowas

vaporized.

Nowthepillarofenergywasswirlingabovehisheadlikealivingthing.Shieldinghiseyeswithhis

hand,Batmanglanceddirectlyintothebeam—andfeltasifhe’dbeenpunchedinthegut.Afigurewas
forminginthelight,ahumanshapewithabloodstainedtorsoandgoldenhornsgrowingfromitshead.

Whatwasthis?Andhowwashegoingtostopit?

HeslidtwosmallmetallicspheresfromhisUtilityBeltandweighedtheminhishand.Hegazedback

upattheshiftingbull-headedfigureinthepillarandfelthisbloodruncoldasitsred-glazedeyes
swiveledtoskewerhim.

Batman’sheartbegantopound.Needlesoffearlancedthroughhismind.Everynerveendinginhis

bodyjangledasablackholeofterroropenedupattheverycoreofhisbeing,threateningtosuckhim
in.

Somehow,thebull-headedfigurewaslayingbarethefearsthatBatmanknewandaccepted—andit

wasamplifyingthem,tilltheythreatenedtooverwhelmhim.

Batmanshookhisheadviolently,tryingtodeflectthemalevolencethatengulfedhim.Therewasa

momentofrespite,andBatmanseizedit.Helobbedthetwosmallsphereswithunerringaccuracyinto
thecenterofthelightcolumn.

Thephosphorgrenadesexplodedwithaflashthatlituptheentirecathedral.Justassuddenly,thebull-

headedfigureseemedtodissolveastheenergycolumntwisted,thenbuckled.

Assuddenlyasithadappeared,itwithdrewintothealtarandvanishedcompletely.

Aneeriesilencefilledthechurch,brokenonlybysobbingandthecriesoftheinjured.Inthedistance,

Batmancouldhearthesoundofapproachingsirens.JimGordonhadreceivedhismessage.

TheDarkKnightbenttohelpawomantrappedbybrokenpews.Ashepulledhertoherfeet,

mercifullyuninjured,thevisionofthebull-headedfigureseemedtolinger.Whatwasit?Whyhadit
donethis?

WhenhereturnedfortheRatcatcher,halfanhourlater,hestillhadnoanswerstohisquestions.

“ThisisRayneTaylor,reportingfromGothamCathedral,whereatleastadozenpeoplehavediedina

freaktragedy…”

Cassandrastaredhardatherradio,mentallychallengingthereporter’sstatement.Shehadnever

ownedatelevision,becauseshesuspecteditssubtleelectricalfieldsmightdisruptherempathic
abilities.Butshealwayslistenedtothelatenewsontheradiobeforeretiringforthenight.

Shedidn’tneedtohearthenamesofthedeadtoknowthatRaymondMarcuswasamongthem.Her

visionhadcometrue.

Herheartheavy,sheswitchedofftheradioandsatdownonawindowseat,staringoutatthelightsof

thecity.Sometimesshewishedshe’dneverinheritedhergrandmother’stalents.Empathycouldbemore
ofacursethanacomfort.

Shesatthereforalongtime,dazedandnumb,beforethetearscameandshefoundherselfcryingfora

manwhowouldneverfindhismiracle.

CHAPTER4

Briefencounters

Boston,October27

Aneveningshowerofrainhadcleansedthecity,washingofftheday’sdirtandfresheningtheair.The

manicuredlawnsofthemansionsonThurberAvenuehadturnedadeepershadeofgreen,mottledby
deadleavestherainhadstrippedfromthetrees.

PrincessDianaofThemyscira,daughterofHippolyta,theQueenoftheAmazons,stoodinthebay

windowofAmbassadorWester’shouse,watchingalargeblack-and-whitecatasitpatrolledthe
moonlit,tree-studdedgarden.BehindDiana,asmalldiplomaticpartywasinfullswing,amurmuring
babbleofvoicesbackedbyquietjazzmusicfromastate-of-the-artsoundsystem.

Themenworetuxedosandthewomenwereexpensivelyandfashionablydressed,butDianadidn’t

feeloutofplaceinherred,blue,andgoldcostume.Silverbraceletsgiventoherbythegodsthemselves
glintedonherwrists,andagoldenlassowasslungfromherbelt.

Herperipheralvisioncaughtaflashofcolormovingthroughthetreesnearthefootofthesweeping

graveldrivethatleduptothemillion-dollarhouse.Dianafrowned.Amovingsparkofbluelight?What
couldthatbe?

“Youareboredwithourcompany,Princess?OrdoIcallyouWonderWoman?”

Dianahalfturned,herlong,thick,blackhairswingingagainstherbareshoulders.SergeiVasily,the

billionaireRussianbusinessmaninwhosehonorthepartywasbeingheld,stoodclosebehindher.His
steelyeyesandslimmustachegavehisfaceadistinguishedlook,butDianawasn’tfooled;she’dheard
thestoriesaboutthismanandhisultraviolentclasheswiththegangsoftheMoscowMafia.Somehow,
Vasilyhadalwayscomeoutontop.

“Yourchoice,Mr.Vasily.”Diana’svoicewasdeepandrich.“AndhowcouldIpossiblybeboredby

someofthemostinterestingpeopleontheEastCoast?”

Diananoddedslightlytowardthemainbodyoftheparty.Theambassadorhimselfwasonthesmall

dancefloor,hismovementsjerkyanduncoordinatedcomparedwiththelithegraceoftheprettymodel
hedancedwith.Vasily’sgirlfriend,Diananoted.

AgroupofwealthySiliconValleyinvestorswasanimatedlyswappinginformationwithVasily’s

seniorstaff,andagaggleoftheyoungerguestswerelaughingloudlyastheygroupedaroundthepunch
bowl.

“Ah,ifyouwereonlyabeautifulprincess,thatwouldbeenough,”Vasilytoldherwitheasycharm.

Hisgazeflickeddowntoacknowledgehercostume.“Butyouarealsoasuperhero,ambassadorfrom
theancientgodsandgoddessestotheatheistsofourmodernworld.IfIwereyou,Iwouldmost

certainlybebored.”

Dianaglancedoutside.Thebluelightwasgone.Acarpulledup,andacoupleoflatecomerscrunched

acrossthegraveltothefrontdoor.Therewasobviouslynothreat.

DianaturnedawayfromthewindowasVasilyreachedouttotakeherhand.

“Come,wewilldance,”hesaidwithimperialauthority,amandearlynotusedtobeingrefused.“Iam

sureourhostwillhavesomeRussianmusicforus.”

Dianasmiledandfollowedhimthroughthethrong.

Outside,theprowlingcat’sattentionhadbeencaughtbysomethingneartheendofthedriveway.A

smallglobuleofbluelighthoveredintheair,dartingbetweenthetrees,headingtowardthelotnext
door.Motionless,thecatwaitedbehindaneatlytrimmedJapanesecherrytree,itseyesglintingwith
anticipation.

Thebluelightmovedcloser,andthecatleapedfromitshidingplace,onepawreachinguptoslashit

withunsheatheddaws.Asthecatconnectedwithitsprey,theglobulepulsatedsuddenlyandpainshot
uptheanimal’sleg.Thecatgaveanindignantscreech,menturnedtailandboundedbackupthedrive.

Asifsatisfied,thelightbobbedandcontinuedonitsway.

St.James’sChurchhadstoodonthisspotforacenturyandahalf,longbeforethestreethadaname

andthemansionswerebuilt.Itwasasmall,compactbuildingwithbarelyenoughspacetoholdthe
Sundaycongregation,butitsgraveyardwasimmense.

Thebluelightzigzaggedbetweensomemaplesaplings,thenarcedoverthewoodenpanelfencethat

separatedthegardenfromthecemetery.Asithoveredsixfeetabovetheneatlydippedgrassbetween
theseaoftombstones,linesofforcebegantoemanatefromitsinterior,liketinystreaksoflightning,the
energylinesdartedthroughtheburialground,hominginonthegraves.

Asthelighttouchedeachgravemarkeritexpandedandbrightened,causingatraceryoffineblue

veinstosparkleandspreadacrossthetombstones.Aneeriesilencefell,brokenonlybythehootingofa
nearbyowlandtheoccasionalmuffledpealoflaughterfromthepartynextdoor.

Suddenly,thelawninfrontofonetombstonebegantorippleslightly,asifsomethingwastryingto

forceitswayupfrombelow.Askeletalhandburstthroughthesurfacewithsuddenforce,knockinga
long-driedbunchofflowersoffthegrave.Thegroundheavedandbuckledas,ahundredyearsafterit
hadbeenlaidtorest,acorpsebegantohoistitselfoutoftheground.

Throughoutthegraveyard,thescenewasrepeatedascoreoftimesandmore.Long-deadbodies,

festoonedwithscrapsofmolderinggrave-clothes,hauledthemselvesoutofwhatshouldhavebeentheir
finalrestingplace.Theirbonylimbsjerkedandshudderedspasticallyastheyrosetotheirfeet,eye
socketsemptyandsightless.

Respondingtosomeunseensignalfromthestill-hoveringglobuleoflight,thezombiecorpsesturned

asoneandbegantoshuffletowardthemansionnextdoor.

JoeKrane,theWesters’securityguard,hadheardthecat’sscream.Karnak,itwascalled,areference

toHoraceWester’stimeasU.S.ambassadortoEgyptJoealwayscarriedacoupleofcattreatsinhis
pocketwhenhewasonnightpatrol,andoverthemonthsheandKarnakhadbecomegoodfriends.He
calledthecat’snamenow,unwrappingafish-flavoredtreat—Karnak’sfavorite.Buttonightthecat
didn’tcomerunningtogreethim.

TherewasaloudcrashfromathickpatchofrhododendronsthatskirtedthefencebetweenWester’s

propertyandthechurch.Puzzled,Joemovedtowardthenoise,playinghisflashlightatgroundlevel.
MaybeKarnakhadcaughtthatsquirrelhe’dbeenstalkingforweeks.

Adreadfulstenchassailedhisnostrils,andJoefoughtdowntheimpulsetogag.Surelythecathadn’t

dugupsomethinginthegraveyard?Pinchinghisnoseagainstthepungentsmellofdecay,Joe
cautiouslypushedhiswayintothebushes.

“Karnak?”hewhispered.

Avisionofunspeakablehorrorappearedinhisflashlight—askeletonwithagrinningskull,scrapsof

rottingfleshstillclingingtoitsframe.Joeopenedhismouthtoscream,butnosoundcame.

Beforehecouldmove,skeletalhandsreachedoutfromthedarkness,grabbingathisarmsandtorso.

Bonyfingersclosedaroundhisthroat,tighteningwithincrediblestrengthuntiltheworldstartedtospin.
Withinseconds,blacknessclaimedhim.

Inside,VasilyandWonderWomanhadjustfinishedtheirdance.Dianacouldn’thonestlysaythatshe

wasenjoyingtheparty,butshecomfortedherselfwiththeknowledgethatshewasdoingherduty.Her
mother,QueenHippolytaofThemyscira,hadappointedDianaambassadortoMan’sWorld.Itwasher
tasktominglewithpeople,tosharethemillennia-longphilosophyoftheAmazonrace,andtofoster
peacewherevershecould.

HoraceWestercameovertojointhem,red-facedfromhiseffortsonthedancefloor.Heaccepteda

glassofpunch,eagertodiscusswithVasilythenewjoint-enterprisebusinessestheyintendedsettingup
inMoscowandNewYork.Whilethetwomenlaunchedintoamutualtiradeagainstover-enthusiastic
governmentregulation,Dianasmiledandmadeherexcusestoleave.

ThesmashofbreakingglassmomentarilydrownedouttheDukeEllingtontrackplayingonthestereo.

Conversationdiedaspartyguestslookedaroundquizzically,wonderingifthiswassomenew
entertainmentwithwhichHoraceandhiswifeweregoingtodazzlethem.

Slowlytheterriblestenchofrottingfleshdriftedintothehigh-ceilingedroom.

Something’swrong!ThewordsscreamedinDiana’smindasshestrodequicklypasttheWesters’

expressionlessbutlerandheadeddownthehalltowardthefrontentrance,wrinklinghernoseagainstthe
growingsmell.

Sheturnedacornerandapproachedthemansion’sopulentreceptionarea.Theopaqueglassentrance

doorhadbeensmashedbeyondrepair.SeveralzombiecorpseshadhauledtheWesters’masterof
ceremoniestothepolishedparquetfloor.Bloodspoutedfromadozenplacesonthedyingman’sbody.

Dianaranforward,grabbingoneoftheskeletonsfrombehind.Sheyankeditoffthedignitary’sstill-

twitchingbody,surprisedatthestrengthofthecreature’sresistance,andhurleditagainstthewall.
Therewasahollowsnappingofbone.Alegbrokeoffentirely,andthecorpsepitchedtothefloor.Diana
stampedhardonitsscrabblingfingers,thenturnedherattentiontotheothers.

Normally,WonderWomanpreferreddiscussiontoviolence.Partofhermother’sinstructionshadbeen

thatsheshouldattempttospreadthemessageofpeaceonEarth.Thatwashardenough,amonga
speciesthatseemedtodelightinwagingwaragainstitsfellowmembers.Buthowdidyoupreachpeace
tomurderingzombies?

Fortunately,theancientgodshadsmileduponPrincessDiana.Theyendowedherwiththepowerof

superhumanstrength,gavehertheGoldenLassoofTruth,andprovidedthesilverbraceletsthathadthe
abilitytowardoffanymissile.

Shethankedthegodssilently,asthreeoftheskeletonsturnedtowardher.Shesawjaggedsliversof

glassfromthedestroyeddoor,heldlikedaggersintheirfleshlesshands.Shedodgedasideasthefirst
zombieswungitsweapon,deflectingtheblowonthesilverbraceletaroundherwristThenherfistshot
outinasavagepunchthattookthezombiefullinwhatwasonceitsface.Themonster’sskullshattered
inanexplosionofbone.

Buttheheadlessbodydidn’tfall.Itmerelyredoubleditseffortstoskewerherasitscompanions

joinedintheattack.

WonderWomanrainedaseriesofheavyblowsonherattackers,smashingtheribcageofoneand

completelysnappingthearmoffanother.Theirglasskniveswentflying.Butevenwithlimbsandskulls
shattered,thecorpsesfoughton.Handsthatwerealmostasstrongashersclawedatherbody,andbony
fistsknuckledintoherwithblowsthathurt.

Fromtheotherendofthehallway,sheheardthesoundofmorebreakingglass,followedcloselyby

thescreamsoftheWesters’guests.Grittingherteeth,WonderWomansteppedupherassault.

Herfistssoughtouttargetafterskeletaltarget.Herfootkickedoutandup,thesoleofherred-and-

whitekneebootslandingsquarelyonacorpse’sthigh.Thebonesnappedand,unabletoretainits
balance,thecorpsetoppledsidewaystothefloor.Evenasitlanded,WonderWoman’sfootstamped
downhardonitsskull,smashingittosmithereens.

Thirtysecondslater,thehallwaywaslitteredwithbroken,disconnectedbones,andWonderWoman

wasstreakingbacktothepartyandtheongoingscreams.

Herheartsickenedassheenteredtheroom.Alargegroupofzombieshadbargedinthroughthe

window,andatleasthalfadozenpeoplelaydeadorwoundedonthethickChinesecarpet.Horace
Westerwastryingtowrestleaskeletonawayfromhiswife,andSergeiVasilywasswingingaheavy,
cut-glasslampstandardaroundhishead,tryingtoholdseveralofthezombiesatbay.

WonderWomanplungedamongmemlikeawhirlwind,fistsflashingandfeetflying.Timeandagain

herblowslandedhome,crackingbonesandpulverizingskulls.Thezombiestriedtoretaliate,buttheir
strength—wherevertheyderiveditfrom—wasn’tuptothetask.

Onthesoundsystem,themusicofDukeEllingtonstillplayed,asurrealbackdroptothe

slaughterhousethattheWesters’homehadbecome.

Soon,therewasonlyonezombieleftintact.ItlurchedtowardWonderWoman,thefracturedbonesof

itscompanionscrunchingunderitsfeet.Easilyavoidingthecreature’sclutchinghands,WonderWoman
undippedthegoldenlassothatdangledfromherwaist.Itspuninherhand,thendroppedlightlyoverthe
zombie’sskullanddowntothebulgeofitschest.Shepulledthenoosetight,andthecreaturehaltedin
itstracks.

ForgedfromthegirdleoftheEarthgoddess,Gaia,themagicLassoofTruthforcedanythingcaughtby

ittoberigorouslyhonest.

“Whatpowerhasresurrectedyou?”WonderWomandemandedofthetrappedzombie.“Whyareyou

here?”

Themonster’stoothlessmouthmoved,asifitwastryingtocomplywithherdemand,butnosound

issuedfromit.

Realizingthatshewouldnotgetaresponse,WonderWomantuggedhardonthelasso,yankingthe

zombietowardher,andherfistpoweredintoitsskull.Secondslater,ittoowasnomorethanapileof
disconnectedboneslitteringtheexpensivecarpet.

Allaroundherwerethesoundsofmoaningpeople.SheheardHoraceWesterspeakingonthe

telephone,urgentlycallingforambulancesandpolice.SergeiVasilywascrouchedonthefloor,sobbing
ashecradledtheheadofhislifelessgirlfriend.Theroomwasredolentwiththereekofdeath.

WonderWomanwasfilledwithheavysadness.QueenHippolytahadalsochargedherdaughterwith

safeguardinghumansagainstanykindofoutsideattack.

Tonight,shehadfailed.

KeystoneCity

KurtGlaserglancedatthebankofdialsthatcomprisedthedashboardinthecabofthesubwaytrain

hewasdriving.EverythingA-OK.

Thiswasthelasttriponhisschedule,thelong,windingjourneyfromSouthCheverStationupunder

thecitycenterandontothesuburbs.Accordingtothemonitors,hewaspreciselyontime,notasecond
earlyorlate.ItwassomethingKurtpridedhimselfon;inthirtyyearsofconductingtrains,hehadcome
toknowtheKeystoneCityundergroundlikethebackofhishand.Heknewthetimes,stops,and
destinationsofeverytraininthetimetable.

Thedoorshissedshutwithalowwhooshofpressurizedair,andKurtpushedthebuttonthatwould

electronicallysecurethemuntilthenextstation.Heheardthewhistlefromhisrear-positionedguard,
andengagedtheengine.Slowly,thetrainpulledawayfromtheplatformanditsgarishlights.

Kurtsippedasodaandsmiledsoftlytohimself.Thetrainreenteredthetunnel,thecab’sheadlamps

illuminatingthegleamingrailsaheadastheyrolledintothedarkness.Thisiswherehewashappiest,in
theair-conditionedcarasitspedunderground,tunnelwallsonlyafootawayoneithersideofthe
rushingengine.Kurtwasn’tabigpeopleperson.

Hedidn’tneedthemonitormap,withitspulsinglights,totellhimtoslowforthesignalahead.After

somuchtime,Kurtlikedtothinkhecouldhavedrivenanyrouteblindfolded.

Behindtheengine,thecarscarriedonlyafractionoftheirrush-hourload:lateworkersheadingback

tothewelcomeoftheirfamilies,afewhomelesspeoplecomingintothebigshelteronMainStreet.

Thetrainslowed.Throughthetoughenedglasswindow,Kurtsawthesignalaheadblinkfromredto

green.Heeaseduponthebrakes,andthetraineffortlesslyregaineditsspeed.

Asthetrainnearedthesignal,Kurtfrownedandloweredthesodabottlefromhislips.Therewasa

bluishglowaroundit,castingafewsparksoutintothesurroundingdarkness.

Lookslikethesignal’sabouttoshortout.Kurtreachedouttotheradiomikethatkeptalldriversin

constanttouchwiththecentralizedcontrolsystem.Bettercallitin—

ThethoughtdiedinmidstreamasKurt’seyesopenedwideinamazement.Themysteriousbluelight

haddetacheditselffromthesignalandwashoveringandpulsatingsixfeetabovethetracks.

“Kurt?”SectionControllerJackIcke’svoicecrackledfromthecabspeaker.“Youhavesomethingto

say,buddy?”

“Yeah,youbet,”Kurtbegan.Butscarcelyhadhegotthewordsoutwhenhebrokeoffagain.

Theblueglobeoflightflewtowardhimatincrediblespeedandhurleditselfatthecabwindow.

InstinctivelyKurtthrewuponehandtoprotecthimself.ButthePlexiglasremainedintactasthelight
passedrightthroughit.

Therewasatinglelikestaticelectricityastheballtouchedhisskin.ThenKurt’smindwentblank,and

hisentirebodyspasmedwithbone-deeppainastheglobeoflightsankintohisflesh.

“Kurt?Kurt,youstillthere?”JackIckeasked.

ButKurtGlaserwasn’tthere.Hisconsciousnesswasstilled,hisidentityusurped.Whoever—or

whatever—wascontrollinghimreachedouttocrushthecracklingintercom,splinteringitintopieces.
Warninglightsflashedredonthemonitorpanelasthetrain’sspeedbegantoincreasedramatically.

WallyWeststoodontheplatformoftheBlaneStreetsubwaystation,thetasteofPaloma’sPizzastill

tangyinhismouth.“BestinTown,”Paloma’sadvertisingclaimed,andWallycouldn’tdisagreewith
that.He’dbeentothefootballgame,adrearydefensiveordealmatcouldhavebeenaclassicifonly

bothsideshadopenedup.Atleastthepizzawasgood.

Ashisalterego,theFlash—theFastestManAlive—Wallycouldhaverunhomeinlessthana

second.Butthatwouldbedefeatingthepurposeofhisevening—torelax,foronce,andforgetallabout
superspeed.He’dseenthegame,he’deatenthepizza.Itwasonlyafifteen-minutesubwayride.

Pleasantlyfull,Wallyleanedagainstapillar,onlyhalfpayingattentiontotheeveningnewspaperhe

held.Thewarningbellrangouttoannouncetheimminentarrivalofatrain,andWallytossedhis
newspaperinatrashcanasthelightsapproachedfromthedarknessofthetunnel.

“Trainapproaching,”adisembodiedvoiceblaredfromthestationspeakers.“Standclearofthe

platformedge.”

Asifoncue,severalcommutersmoveddisobedientlytowardtheplatform’sedge.Longuseofthe

subwaysystemhadmadethemjadedaboutitssafetyrulesandregulations.Thiswastheonetimethey
shouldhaveheededtheannouncer’swarning.

Insteadofslowingtoahalt,thetrainaccelerated.

WallyWestcaughtafleetingglimpseofthedriver’sfaceasthetrainflashedtowardhim.

It’snotgoingtostop!hethought,seeingtheblank,almostzombielikecasttotheconductor’sfeatures.

Thedeafeningroarofthetrainechoedthroughthestation,andWallysawsuddenpaniconthefacesof

thosecommutersstandingclosetotheedge.Travelingatthisspeed,thetrain’sslipstreamwouldsuck
themdownontothetracksasitspedby.

Wallymovedatthespeedofthoughtitself.Hiscostume,amanifestationofthespeedforce,appeared

aroundhim,hismindwillingitintobeing.

Amicrosecondlater,WallyWestwastransformedintohissuperheroidentity—theFlash,theScarlet

Speedster,theFastestManAlive.

Once,Wallywasaboy,akidlikeanyother.Untiltheaccident.Whilevisitinghisuncle,police

scientistBarryAllen,anunlikelycombinationofchemicalshadexplodedinthelab.Wallywas
drenchedandknockedunconscious.Whenhecameto,hefoundthathehadmysteriouslyacquiredthe
abilitytocontroleverysinglemoleculeinhisbody—tomakethemspeedupsomuchthathebecame
effectivelyinvisible.

SincethatdayWallyhaddedicatedhimselftomasteringhisnewfoundpowersandputtingthemto

workonbehalfofhumankind.HewashonoredtobeaskedtojointheJusticeLeagueofAmerica.When
notbattlingagainstthreatstotheplanet,shouldertoshoulderwithhisfellowsuperheroes,theFlash
workedforthebenefitofthecitizensofKeystoneCity.

Thetrainwasshootingthroughthestationinanightmareofnoise,movingsofastitswayed

dangerouslyfromsidetosideontherailsbeneathitswheels.Wallysawdistressedfacesatthecarriage
windows,peoplescreamingastheydungtothestraps,rockingagainstthetrain’smotion.

Suddenly,thelastcarriagewasstreamingpast.Evenasthevacuumcreatedbythetrain’sspeedpulled

atthepeopleontheplatform’sedge,theFlashwasaredblurrunningtowardthematincrediblespeed.
Hegrabbedthebeltofanovercoatasitsweareroverbalancedandbegantofallforward,yankingthe
manbacktosafetybeforeheevenrealizedhewasindanger.

ThentheFlash’sbodywasbetweentheotherpassengersandthetrack,theShockwavecreatedinthe

airbyhisspeedgentlyshiftingthembackfromtheedge.

Ithappenedsofast,thepassengershadnoideawhatwasgoingon.Asthetrain’srearlights

disappearedoutofthestation,theFlashdidn’thesitate.Heleapeddownontothetrackwithoutbreaking
strideandstreakedaftertheout-of-controltrain.

Hislegspumpinglikepistons,theFlashracedalongmetrackinthewakeofthespeedingtrain,his

superspeedallowinghimtoquicklyoverhaulit.Hesawtheterrifiedfacesofthepassengersintheend
carashecaughtupwithit,andhismindsiftedswiftlythroughthealternatives.

Hecouldtrytounhitchthecarsfromtheengine,leavingthemtoslowdownandstopnaturally.But

matwasadelicatemaneuvertotryandperformwhenthetrainwasmovingatagoodeightymilesan
hourthroughtheconfinesofthetunnel.Hecouldswinghimselfupintooneofthecarsandapplythe
emergencybrake,butasuddenhaltatthisspeedmightunbalancethewholetrainandsenditrattlingoff
thetracks.

No,therewasonlyonewaytostopit.Hehadtoincapacitatethedriverandusethemainbrakesto

bringtherunawayengineundercontrol.

Itwouldn’tbeeasy:therewaslessthaneighteeninchesofclearanceoneithersideoftheswaying

train.Itwouldtakeonlyoneunexpectedjolt,andalloftheFlash’svauntedspeedwoulddohimnogood
ashewascrushedbetweenthetrainandtitleunyieldingtunnelwall.

TheFlashjudgedhismomentperfectly,leapingtwostepssideways,acceleratingatunbelievable

speedashemovedintothenarrowgapbetweenthetrainandthewall.Hiseyesscannedwhathecould
seeofthetrackahead,lookingforrailsideobstructions.Ifhehitasignal,orevenadiscarded
workman’stool,heknewthathefaceddeath,orattheveryleastsevereinjury.

Afewhundredyardsahead,theFlashsawtheglowofaredstopsignal.Beyondit,heknewthatthe

trackscrossed;oneoftheSuburbanLinetrainshadright-of-way.Unlesshecouldhaltthistrainnow,
therewasgoingtobeanaccidentofcataclysmicproportions.

TheFlashaccelerated,hisfeetalmostflyingasheleapedlithelyfromtheendofoneconcretesleeper

beamtoanother,leavingcarriageaftercarriagebehindhim.Hedrewlevelwiththeengine,castinga
finalglanceatthefast-approachingredsignalashemadehismove.Ifhegotitwrong,therewasno
hopeofasecondchance.

Grabbingthehandleontheoutsideofthedoor,theFlashswungbothlegssmoothlyoffthetrack,

bringinghisfeetuptosmashthroughthetoughenedglassofthewindow.Aninstantlaterhewasinside.

KurtGlaser’seyesstaredstraightahead,blazingwithanunnaturallightTherewasaslightsmileon

theman’slips,asifhewaslookingforwardtothecrashthatwasnowonlysecondsaway.

“Brake!”theFlashyelled.

KurtGlaserdidn’teventurntolookashethrewoutonefistinasavagebackhandblow.Takenby

surprise,theFlashbarelymanagedtojerkhisheadasideintime.Glaser’sfistwhistledpasthischin,
embeddingitselfinthecabwallwithafearsomecrash.

Superstrength!

BeforethepossessedKurtGlasercouldreact,theFlash’sfistshotout,deliveringarapid-fireseriesof

triphammerblowstothedriver’shead.Glaserwentdownlikeatenpin,sprawlingunconsciousonthe
floorofthecab.

Throughthecabwindow,theFlashsawthattheywerealmostontopofthesignal.Desperately,he

grabbedthebrakehandleandpusheditforwardtoitsfurthestextent.Thetrainwheelsscreamedasthe
potentairbrakesbit,sendingupanexplosionofsparks.

ThebrakeshudderedandshookintheFlash’shandashefoughttoholditinposition.Foramoment,

hethoughttheenginewasgoingtojumpthetracks.He

knewthatthesuddendecelerationwouldbethrowingthepassengersaroundinthecarsbehind—but

betterthatthanaheadlongsmashintoanothertrain.

TheFlashbreathedadeepsighofreliefasthetraingroundtoahaltadozenyardsbeyondthesignal,

butstillagoodwayshortofthecrosstrack.Therewasaroarofmovingair,andhesawthelightsofthe
SuburbanLineSpecialspeedbyinfrontofhim.Onlythendidherealizejusthowclosethey’dcometo
disaster.Anotherhalfsecondand…

TheFlashdismissedthethought.Intheherobusiness,you’dgocrazyifyoudwelledonallthenear

misses.Forthefirsttime,heglanceddownatKurtGlaser.Therewasamomentaryflickerofbluelight,
thenGlasergroanedandopenedhiseyeswithanobviouseffort.

HestareduncomprehendinglyattheFlash,thenlapsedbackintounconsciousness.

TheFlashfingeredtheemergencybuttonthatwouldsoundadistresscallinthecontrolcenter.Then

hesetofftowardtherearofthetraintoensurethepassengerswereallright.

Ashewent,hismindseethedwithunansweredquestions.

CapeCanaveral,Florida

“Almostmidnight,theendofOctober,andit’sstilleightydegreesouthere.I’mtellingyou,Clark—

it’snotnatural!”

JimmyOlsendabbedattheperspirationbeadedon

hisforeheadwithahandkerchief.Hisflamingredhairwasdampfromhumidity,collectingintothe

tightlittlecurlshehatedsomuch,thewayitalwaysdidwhenhewaswet.Floridahadbeenenjoyinga
late-seasonheatwaveasaridgeofstronghighpressurelayunmovingoffshore.

BesideJimmy,ClarkKentusedaspottedkerchieftowipethefogoffthelensesofhisheavy-rimmed

glasses.“PerhapsifweputinacomplainttoNASA,”hesaidlightlytohisyoungercompanion,“they’ll
relocatethespaceshuttlelaunchestoMetropolis.We’llbeabletocoverthemfortheDailyPlanetand
stillbeinbedbymidnight.”

“Inbed?”Therewasanoteofmockscornintheyoungphotographer’svoice.“Youreallyarea

homebody,aren’tyou,Clark?”

AsmallsmileplayedaroundthecornersofClark’smouth.IfJimmyonlyknew,thereporterthoughtto

himself.

Theywereseatedinthepressstandserectedspeciallyforthelaunch,afullquarter-mileawayfromthe

mightySaturn-classrocketthatwouldfollowtheshuttleLincolnintotheupperatmosphere.Overthe
pastfewyearsthepublichadgrownusedtoshuttlelaunches;theywerenolongerthenewsworthy
eventstheyoncehadbeen.

Tonight’sblastoffwassomethingspecial,though.Forthefirsttimeever,anAmericanastronautwould

begoingintoorbitaccompaniedbyhisRussianandChinesecounterparts.Theirmissionhadadozen
differentobjectives,fromobservingthebehavioroffungiculturesinazero-gravityenvironmentto
monitoringthenetworkofcommunicationsatellitesmatwasslowlybutinexorablydrawingRussiaand
thePeople’sRepublicofChinaclosertotheAmericanwayoflife.

“It’sabouttime.”Jimmyaimedhisbinocularsatthecomplexofprefabricatedbuildingsthat

surroundedthelaunchsite.“That’sthevehiclecarryingthecrewappearingnow.”

Clarkpretendedtofollowtheyoungman’sgazewithhisownbinocularsandsawawhite,futuristic

butchunky-lookingvehiclepoweringuptheremovableramptowardthecrewentryhatch.Clarkhad
alreadydonehisinterviewswiththeflightleaders,MartinSpears,GrigorMendel,andLiXing.The
laptopcomputerthatwasconnectedtohiscellphonehadautomaticallysenthisfeaturearticlebackto
editorPerryWhiteindowntownMetropolis.Jimmyhadshothisclose-upsoftheastronauts,andnow
hewantedonefinalphotooftheshuttleliftingoffintothevelvet,starrysky.

Clarksawthefiguresstepoutofthevehicleattheendoftheramp.Theyturned,andeachraiseda

handinrecognitionofthedistantwatchersinthepressstandsbeforestoopingtosqueezethroughthe
entrancehatch.

Therefollowedalong,boringwaitintheoppressivenighttimeheatastheshuttlecrewranthrough

theirprelaunchchecks.

Jimmypassedthetimeswiggingfromoneoftheliterbottlesofwaterhe’dbeenbuyingeversince

they’darrivedinFloridathedaybefore.Hecheckedandrecheckedhiscamera,makingsuretheproper
distanceandlightconditionswereprogrammedin.Therewouldbeaverynarrowwindowof
opportunityforhimtosnapthebreathtakingshothewanted,andhewasdeterminednothingwouldgo
wrong.

ClarkKent’sthoughtsweremorephilosophical.Morethananythingelse,hewantedpeaceinthis

worldofhumanshehadadoptedforhisown.Ashisalterego,Superman,hedideverythinginhis
powertosafeguardhumankindagainstattack,beitfrominsaneearthlysupervillainsorthreatsfrom
outerspace.ThevastpowersbestoweduponhimbyKrypton,theplanetwherehe’dbeenborn,andthe
yellowsununderwhichhenowlived,ensuredthatfewifanythreatscouldwithstandtheManofSteel.

Butinhisheartofhearts,Clarkknewrealisticallythattheworldwouldonlyfindarestfromhatred

andwarwhenhumanitylearnedforitselfthevirtuesofcooperationanduniversaltolerance.Thesewere
valuesthatcouldneverbeforcedonpeople,buthadtobegladlyandwillinglyembracedifanylasting
changewastobemade.Aninternationalspaceshuttlecrewmightnotsoundlikemuch,butitwasastep
intherightdirection.

ClarksuddenlyrememberedtheJusticeLeagueengagementthemonthbefore,atthesiteofthe

GothamDamdisaster.FunnyhownoneoftheotherLeaguers,likeAquaman,PlasticMan,orZauriel,
rubbedhimthewrongway.OnlyBatman.

SupermanhadalwaysfeltuncomfortablewiththefactthatBatmanoperatedoutsidethelaw.A

vigilante,ratherthanahero.YethehadtoadmitthatBatmanalwaysgotthejobdone.Still,ifitwasso
hardforthemtogetalonginperfectharmony,smallwonderthatwholenationsfounditmuchmore
difficult.

Thoughdeepinthought,Clarkwasfarfrominactive.Hiseyesscannedtheareaceaselessly,hisX-ray

visionprobingdeepintothespacebase’smosthiddencorners.Noaccident,nounforeseensequenceof
events,couldbeallowedtohamperthishistoricmoment.

Justthen,onthefarsideofthebase,hisamazingKryptonianvisiondetectedsomethingstrange.There

wasasuddenflareofbluelight,sobriefthatitdisappearedagainalmostimmediately.

“Didyouseethat?”heaskedJimmy,butthephotographer’sbinocularswerestilltrainedontherocket.

“Therampshavewithdrawn,thehatchesaresealed,”Jimmyintoned.“Thestablizersarepullingin.

Thecountdownwillbeginanyminutenow.”

Clarkgottohisfeet.“Excusemeamoment,”hesaidhurriedly.“Mustbetheheat—Ifeelalittle

faint.”

“Takeoffyourtieandunbuttonyourcollar,”Jimmysuggested,notlookingup.

ButClarkwasalreadygone,sidlingpasttheothernewsandcamerateamsassembledonthepress

stands.Hereachedthebottomofthewoodenstepsand,surreptitiouslycheckingtomakesurehewasn’t
observed,slippedintothedarkshadowsbeneath.

Lessmanasecondlaterheemergedagain,hisformalsuitgone,replacedbythebrightred-and-blue

costumeofSuperman.Hisredcapestreamedbehindhimasheflewatspeedacrossthebase,heading
towardthespotwherehe’dseenthemysteriousbluelight.

Therewasnothingthere.

Superman’sbrowfurrowed.He’dcaughtonlyaglimpseofthelight,butthathadbeensufficientfor

himtorealizeitwasneithernaturalnorman-made.Hehoveredafewfeethigherabovethetarmac
surface,hiseyesflickeringbacktotherocketanditspreciouscargo.Whathesawtheremadehisblood
runcold.

Theshuttle’smassiveengineswerejustignitinginaseaofwhite-hotflamethatblasteddownintothe

thickconcretesiloandcamespillingbackupovertheedges.Butashimmeringblueglobehad
materializedonthegiantgantrythatkeptthecraftupright.Thesamelighthe’dseenonlymomentsago.

Supermantookoffagain,cleavingthroughtheairwithgreatspeed.Asheflew,hissuperheating

pickedupdistantshoutsandcommentsfromthepressarea“Whatthehellisthat?”“It’ssomekindof
UFO!”“Ican’tgetafocusonit!”

AsSupermanflewcloser,thelightturnedintheairandbobbed,asifacknowledginghispresence.He

couldseeafinetraceryofelectricalforceripplingwithinitsconfines,thelinesbrighteningasthey
convergedattheglobe’scenter.Withoutwarning,ajaggedstreakleapedfromtheglobe,zigzagging
throughtheairatthespeedofthought.

BeforeSupermancouldavoidit,thelightningstreakstruckhimfullinthechest.Ahundredthousand

voltssearedthroughhisbody,throwinghimbackwardasifhewerearagdollandnotthemightiestman
onEarth.

Atleastit’sdeclareditsintentions,hethoughtgrimly,fightingtoregainhisbalanceagainsttheshocks

thatcontinuedtoreboundoffhisinvulnerablebody.Thenthelightningceased,andthebluishorb
seemedtosinkintothemetalofthegantry,asifitwerebeingabsorbed.

Thegiganticrocketwasstartingtoliftnow,hoveringafewdozenfeetabovethesilo’sstrengthened

base,preparingforitsleapintotheatmosphere.Indisbelief,Supermansawoneofthegantry’shuge
steelbeamsbendingandtwistinglikealivingthing.Suddenly,itrecoiledandwithincrediblespeed
bouncedbacktoslamintothesideoftherocket.Swiftlyitdrewbackagainforanotherblow.

LaserlikebeamsofheatsprangfromSuperman’seyes.Astheystruckthesectionofgantry,itbeganto

glowred,thenwhitewithfieryheat.Thentherewasasilentexplosionasitdisintegratedinhugedrops
ofmoltenmetal.

Butthebluelight’sdestructiveworkwasn’tfinishedyet.Evenastherocketstartedtorise,so

graduallyitlookedlikeitwasmovinginslowmotion,thebluelightreappeared.Itdroppedlikeastone
towardthecasingsoftherocket’shugeengines.Asitfell,theroilingelectricalenergiesinsidetheball
oflightgrewfiercer,spinningfasterandfaster.

Supermanflewheadfirsttowardit.Hecouldseethatthetemperatureinthesilobeneaththerocket

wasclimbing,asiftheglobewasmagnifyingtheengines’discharge.Itwasonlysecondsawayfroma
catastrophicexplosion.

No!Iwon’tallowit…Ican’tallowit!

Supermanfilledhislungswiththehotnightair,thenexpelleditswiftlyasalong,coolstreamof

frozensuperbreath.Foralmostaminutehehoveredthere,lockedinalife-or-deathstrugglewiththe
orb,tryingtocooldownthemassiveamountsofheatthatemanatedfromit.

I’mnotgoingtobeatitthisway,herealizedwithasinkingheart.Foreveryfewdegreesthathisicy

breathmanagedtocoolthesilo,theglobemerelyheateditupagain.

Kickingintoforwardflight,Supermanswoopedasfastashecould.Atalmostthespeedofsoundhe

careenedintothesphereoflight,hishandsgrabbingforsomekindofholdonit.Itssurfacewassmooth,
almostplasticlikeinitsconsistency.Butbeneaththeexteriorhecouldfeelthepowerofconcentrated
energy.

Hecarrieditahundredyardsawayfromthesiloinafractionofasecond.Then,asifbecoming

consciousthatitsschemeswerebeingthwarted,thelightorbbegantopulsateinhishands.

“Sorry,butI’mnotgoingtoseewhatelseyouhaveinstore,”Supermansnarled.

Withanabruptmovementhetossedthespinning,throbbinglightballhighintotheair.Asitreached

theapexofitsflight,Supermanblastedhisheatvisionintoitwithasmuchpowerashecouldmuster.

Theballspunfaster,strivingtoabsorbtheenergyofhisKryptonianvision.Butinvain.Itsmotion

ceased

totally,andtheroilingenergiesinitscoreglowedincandescently.Foraninstantitflaredintensely—

Andthenitwasgoneassuddenlyasithadarrived.

Supermanwatchedasahundredtonsofrocketregaineditsequilibriumandwentshootinghighinto

theair,trailingflame.HejusthopedthatJimmyOlsenhadmanagedtogetthephotographhewanted.

NewYork

ThedomedglassroofoftheManhattanMuseumofAncientArtgleameddullyinthefeeblemoonlight

thatmanagedtopenetratethecity’sneonelectricglow.Thedoorshaddosedtothepublicmanyhours
ago,andnowthebuildingwasindarknessexceptforthemoonlightandtheoccasionalgleamofthe
patrollingflashlightsofthesecurityguards.

“Geez,thisplacegivesmethespooks!”DonBradleybreathedquietly.

HisflashbeamplayedoverthedisplaycasesfullofartifactsintheNeolithicHall:stoneaxes,

hammers,flintscrapers,animalbones.Hegaveaninvoluntaryshiverasthelightpickedoutareplicaof
ashaman’smaskhangingonthewall,itsmouthdistendedinanuglysnarl,thedeepeyesocketsblack
andmysterious.

“Thatthing’suglierthanme!”

“Youonlybeenhereaweek,”Don’sfellowguard,LouieBeltrani,pointedout.“You’llgetusedtoit.

Me,Ibeenhereeighteenyears.It’sallwateroffaduck’sback.”

“Yeah…butcanyouimaginewhatitwouldbeliketowearthatthing?You’dhavetobesomesortof

psychotobeginwith.”

LouieBeltranipursedhislipsindisapproval,blowingoutthroughhismustache.Eversincehewasa

kidgrowingupinRome,Louiehadlovedthelureoftheancientworld.Surroundedbytheremainsof
emperors’palaces,theColosseum,andtheViaAppia,hefeltabondwiththepastthatDon,NewYork
bornandbred,wouldneverreallybeabletoshare.

“Differentfolks”—Louieshrugged—”differentstrokes.”

Heambledoffdownthemarblefloor,headingforthelife-sizedioramaofatribalgroupandtheir

dwellingduringthelastIceAge.Louiealwayslikedtostandmereforafewmomentsalone,just
thinkingaboutwhatlifemusthavebeenlikeforthesepeople.Short,brutal,dangerous,andperishingly
cold.Andyet,againstallodds,they’dsurvived.Withoutthem,therewouldbenocivilizationnow,no
NewYork,nomuseums.

Thirtyyardsbehindhim,DonBradleywasstillstaringatthemaskasifmesmerized,unabletotearhis

eyesaway.Forevenashe’dstartedtowalkon,he’dseenthemask’seyeslightupwithabrilliant
cobalt-blueflare.DonopenedhismouthtocalltoLouie,buthefeltsuddenlydazedanddisoriented,
unabletorememberwhathewasgoingtosay.

Slowlyanddeliberately,hereachedoutandunhookedthegrotesquewoodenmaskfromitshanging.

Thebluelightshonehypnotically.Tremblingslightly,knowinghewasabouttodosomethinghe
shouldn’t,

Donturnedthemaskoverandhelditinfrontofhisface.Vaguelywonderingwhyhewasdoingthis,

hetiedtheplaitedreedfasteningbehindhishead.

Instantly,arippleofenergysurgeddowntofloodthroughhisbody.Histhoughtsseemedtofloata

vastdistanceaway,sofarthathecouldn’ttellwhattheywere.Hefelthisheartthrobthunderouslyinhis
chestAterribleragegrewoutofnowhere,fillinghismind,sostrongitturnedtheedgesofhisvision
red.Alow,gutturalsnarlescapedhislipsashesnatchedupalargeflint-headedaxfromtheneighboring
displaytable.

“What’dyousay?”LouieBeltranicalledoverhisshoulder,hisattentionstillwanderingbackinthe

mistydepthsofhumanhistory.

Hearingaclatterbehindhim,Louieturnedtoseeafigurefromanightmareleapingtowardhim,eyes

blazing,stoneaxraisedhighaboveitshead.Thentherazor-sharpflintedgesliceddownthroughhis
skull,cleavingitintwo.

Louiewasdeadbeforehisbodyhitthefloor.

Snarlingandgrowling,DonBradleyheldupthebloodiedax.Histonguereachedoutthroughthe

mask’smouth,lickingoffbloodandflecksofgraymatter.Then,withsurprisingdelicacy,heusedtheax
toshaveoffseveralsplintersofwoodfromthedesktop.Pilingthemtogether,hestrucktheaxagainsta
stoutflintgrindingstone.Sparksleapedfromtheimpact

Adozenblocksaway,KyleRaynerwaskickingback,takingiteasy.

Stretchedfull-lengthonhislivingroomsofa,acanofsodaonthetableandtitlefootballgameon

cable,Kylefeltlifedidn’tgetmuchbetter.Unlesshehadacommission.Asafreelanceartist,Kyle
neverfeltsecureunlesshehadatleastthreejobslinedup.

Or,ofcourse,unlesshewaswearinghisGreenLanternduds,usinghispowerringtoblastsome

threateningsupervillain.

Evensuperheroesdeserveanightoff,hetoldhimself,quicklyamendingitto:Especiallysuperheroes

deserveanightoff.

Kyleheldthechilledsodacanagainsthischeekforamoment,gladthathewasn’tinFloridabuthere,

whereitwasmorethantwentydegreescooler.

On-screen,thecheerleadershadleftthefieldandtheplayerswererunningon.Kylepointedthe

remotecontrolandturnedupthevolume.

“—justjoiningus,thisisMikeDarelivefromthe—”thecommentatorwassaying,buttherestofhis

wordswerecompletelydrownedoutbythescreamofsirensoutonthestreetbelowhiswindow.

Kylegroaned.JustoneofManhattan’sconstantirritants.Hecountedthreefireenginesandatleasta

half-dozencopcarsastheyspedpastadozenfloorsbelow.

Somethingbig,hethought,alreadymentallybiddingfarewelltotwohoursofsports.Maybethey

couldusemyhelp.

Kylestrodeacrosstheroomandhauledbackthethincurtainacrossthewindow.Leaningout,hesaw

theflashinglightsfadeintothedistance.Aburningredglowlitupwhatlittlehecouldseeofthenight
sky.

Asfastashetooktothinkit,Kylewassoaringuptheconcretecanyonafterthem.Onlynowhewas

dressedinthedark,verdantcostumeofGreenLantern,hiseyesmasked,thepowerringglowing
emeraldonthemiddlefingerofhisrighthand.

Hefelttheairrushpasthimasthering’slimitlesspowercarriedhimdownthestreetfiftyfeetabove

groundlevel.Nowthathewasoutside,hecouldhearthesoundsofangryflamesandcrackingglass.
Blazingsparksweredriftinghighintothenight.

TheringreactedimmediatelytoKyle’smentalimpulse,carryinghimoverablockofhigherbuildings

wherehecouldactuallyseetheburningmuseumforthefirsttime.

Theplacewasaninferno,theflamesroaringlikeamaddenedmobastheysuckedinairfromthe

surroundingstreetstofeedtheirgrowingintensity.

Instantly,Kylesentathingreenbeamshootingdownfromtheringtoprobetheconflagrationfor

signsoflife.Nothing.

Notsurprising,hethoughtNohumancouldsurviveinthatheat.

Firecrewswerealreadyspillingoverthepavementaspolicegroupedtoholdbackthegathering

crowdofevacueesfromneighboringbuildings,alongwiththeusualassemblageofnosyspectators.
Swiftlythefirefightersadvancedascloseastheydaredtotheblisteringheatbeforetheirhosesstartedto
gush.

Kyleknewitwouldtakethemhourstobringthisfireundercontrol—andthatwasassumingthey

managedtopreventitfromspreadingtotherestoftheblock.

Anotherthoughtflashedthroughhismind,andhisalienpowerringproducedanothermiracle.The

entiremuseumwassuddenlysheathedinabrightgreenbubble.Astitleflameslickedinvainagainstit,
aholeayardindiameteropenednearthebubble’sbase.Thebladesofafantookshapeinthehole,
flashingemeraldastheyspunfasterandfaster,suckingoutalltheairinsidethecontainmentarea.

Withnooxygentofuelitsgrowinghunger,thefirediedbackasiftheheavensthemselveshadopened

andtheDelugedescended.GreenLanternheldthedomeinplacebyforceofwill,openingwindows
hereandtheretoallowaccesstothefirefighters’hoses.Itwasalltooeasyfortheembersofafireto
flareupagainassoonasitsoxygensupplywasrestored.

KyleRaynerhadneverwantedtobeasuperhero.Infact,he’dneverwantedtobemuchofanything.

Hethoughthewashappyjustlivinghislife,doinghisownthing,gettingbywithwhatever
commissionshisartworkbroughthim.

Untilonenighthemetanalieninanalleybehindadancedub.

Theweirdlittlebluebeinginredhadspokentohim,thoughKylewassobemusedhecouldscarcely

takeinitswords.SomethingaboutbeingtheverylastoftineGreenLanterns,thegalacticpeacekeepers,
andthatKylewaschosentobehissuccessor.TheGuardianthenhandedKylehisgreen,glowingpower
ring,makinghimpromisehewoulduseitwisely.

Thenhewasgone,leavingKylewonderingifhewasthevictimofsomepracticaljoke.Ormaybe

eventheunsuspectingstoogeononeofthosehidden-cameraTVshows.

Butwhenhetestedthering—whichislimitedonlybyhisimaginationandwillpower—Kyle

discoveredpreciselywhatitwascapableof,andthetremendousenergyitcontained.Soonhiswhole
attitudechanged.Hefoundthatdoinggoodmadehimfeelgood.Forthefirsttime,hislifeseemedto
haveapurpose.Hecouldhelppeoplewhoneededit.Hecouldbeahero.

Suddenly,somethingcrashedintoGreenLantern’sback.Theringautomaticallyprotectedhimfrom

attack,buteventhroughitsforcefieldhefelttheimpetusoftheblow.Heturnedtolookoverhis
shoulderandcaughtaglimpseofalargestoneaxasitplummetedtowardthestreet.

Amisshapenfigurebalancedontheflatroofofthebuildingbeyond.Itwasobviouslyhumanoid,but

somethingaboutthewayithelditsbodyremindedKyleofagreatape.Itsfacewascoveredbysome
kindofhorrormaskwithprotrudingfangsandbrightbluelightblazingfromitscirculareyes.

EvenasKylewatched,thefigurelauncheditselfathimfromthirtyyardsaway.Asitsoared

effortlesslythroughtheair,Kylestoleaglanceatthemuseum.Alloftheflameshaddisappeared,but
smokedriftedupfromstill-smolderingrubble.Ifhetookawaytheshieldnow,thefirefightersmight
perishinareawakenedinferno.

Kylewasn’treallyafraid,becauseheknewtheringwouldprotecthimfromwhateverthisassailant

coulddo.Sohebracedhimself,readyfortheimpact.Butitnevercame.Instead,theweirdfigure
spiraledintheairandcametorest,hoveringsixfeetinfrontofhim.

“What’syourbeef?”Kylesnapped,mentallypreparinghimselfincasehehadtogoontheoffensive.

Inanswer,thecreature’seyesblazedevermorefiercely.Theyseemedtobespinning,spiralinground

andround,dissolvingKyle’swillashefelthimselffallundertheirmalevolentinfluence.

Incredible,hethoughtwithsuddenshock.Thisthingistryingtohypnotizeme—onethingthering

won’tdefendmeagainst!

Hefeltasifhismindwereturningtojelly,histhoughtsdriftingawayintonothing.Hisdeteriorating

willpowerwasnolongerenoughtopowerthering’seffortstocontainthefire.

Almostinadream,GreenLanternsawtheprotectiveshieldfadeandvanish.Atonce,flamesreignited

inadozenplaces.

Afirefighterscreamedasthesmolderinggroundbeneathhimflaredupinablastofflame.Itwasthe

man’ssheerterrorthatjerkedKylebacktoreality.

Instantly,abeamofsolidgreenlightflashedfromKyle’sring.Butbeforethehoveringfigurecould

takeevasiveaction,thebeamslammedintoitwiththeforceofasteamhammer.

Therewasasuddenhazeofbluesparks,andthecreatureplummeteddownward.Anotherbeamshot

fromthering,grabbingthetumblingfigureinapairofemeraldpincers.GreenLanternloweredthe
bodygentlytotheground,thenturnedhisattentionbacktothefire.

Onlywhenhewassatisfiedthatthemuseumwasinnofurtherdangerdidhereturntothepronebody

proppedagainstthewall.

Itwasamaninasecurityguard’suniform,ashaman’smaskstrappedtohisface.Thebluelightinthe

eyeshaddisappeared,andhisbodywasnowlifeless.

Carefully,GreenLanternslippedoffthemaskandlookeddownatwhathadbeenthefaceofDon

Bradley.

CHAPTER5

Captured!

TheMoon,October28

Theglaringsuncastdeepblackshadowsacrossthelunarlandscape.Withnoatmospheretoprotectthe

rocky,crater-strewnlandscape,thedaytimetemperaturesoared.Injusttwelvehours’time,aslunar
nightfell,itwouldplummettoamarrow-freezinghundreddegreesbelowzero.

Itwasaworldthathadbeendeadformorethanfourbillionyears.Aworldhostiletoalllife-forms.

TheidealplacefortheJusticeLeaguetobuildtheirbase.

TheWatchtowerrosefromthepittedsurfacelikeamonstrousartifactleftbehindbyanancientalien

civilization.Awedgeofconcreteandsteeltoweringtoaheightofalmostamile,theTowerwasthe
team’sofficialheadquarters.

Inthespaciouspenthouseboardroom,thewindowsweredarkenedPlexiglastoshutoutthesun’s

torturousheat.OxygenwasprovidedbyagaseousexchangemembraneJ’onnJ’onzzhadbuilt.
Artificialgravitywasgenerateddeepinthemachineroomsunderthelunarsurface.Andtheboardroom
interiorwassoftlyilluminatedbylightproducedfromsolarpanelsonthebuilding’ssun-facingsides.

BatmanhadcalledthisextraordinarymeetingfromhislairinGotham,thenteleportedheretopreside

overit.Hesatattheheadofthevastconferencetable,intheconvenor’schair,hisfacegrimashe
recitedtheofficialrollcall.

“WonderWoman.GreenLantern.Flash.Superman.”Ashereadouttheirnames,eachheronodded.

“J’onnJ’onzzwasalsorequestedtoattend,butsendshisregrets.He’sengagedonotherbusiness.”

“Justusfive?”Supermanqueried.“WhataboutAquaman?PlasticMan?Zauriel?”

TheJLAhadaroundtwodozenmembersandaffiliates,butatanyonetimemorethanhalfofthem

werelikelytobeinvolvedintheirownpersonalcrimefightingendeavors.However,thatwasn’twhy
Batmanhadn’tcalledthemin.

“Eachofusseatedherewasinvolvedinsomethinglastnight,”Gotham’sDarkKnightanswered.“I

hadOracleprogrameverythingIknewintohercomputers.There’saninety-eightpercentchance—
virtualcertainty—thatalloflastnight’sactivitieswereconnected.”

Once,OraclehadbeenplainBarbaraGordon,nieceoftheGothamCitypolicecommissioner.Inspired

byBatman,sheadoptedtheguiseofBatgirltofightcrime.ButtheJoker,ononeofhispsychoticsprees,
hadputanendtothat,leavingBarbaracrippled.Nowwheelchair-bound,shecouldnolongerphysically
battleagainstcriminals.Instead,shehadturnedherselfintoahigh-techwizard,andherhigh-powered
bankofsophisticatedsupercomputerslayattheheartoftheLeague’sabilities.

Fedbyanetworkoforbitingsatellites,Oracle’ssystemspecializedintrawlingthroughtrillionsofbits

ofseeminglyrandominformation,searchingforunderlyingpatternsandconnections.Patternsthat
wouldhaveremainedunseenbyanyindividualshowedupwithstartlingclaritywhenexposedtoher
lightning-fastnumbercrunching.

Amonitorscreenstoodateachoccupiedplacearoundthetable.AtBatman’ssignal,theyflaredinto

life,streamsofdatarunningdowntheirgreen-glowingscreens.

“Appearanceofamysteriousbluelight.Threeofusfacedahumanfoewhowasapparentlypossessed,

whileWonderWomandealtwithapackofreanimatedcorpses.”Batmanenumeratedthepointsof
similarityastheylitupon-screen.“Murderanddestructionfornoobviousreason.Allencounterstook
placewithinaverylimitedtimeframe.Temporaryengagementwithasuperhero,leadingtothedefeat
anddisappearanceofthefoe.Furtherinexplicablebluelights…”

“Yourpointismade,Batman,”theFlashputin,“Canwecuttothebottomline?HasOraclefingered

anyparticularvillainforthis?”

“Itsoundslikeoneofourmorepowerfulenemies,”

WonderWomanmused.“Dr.Destiny,maybe?Thestrangemanifestationsfitwithhispowertoinduce

dreamsandnightmares.”

“OrBrainiac?”Supermansuggested.“Hecertainlyhasthementalpowerstoproducelastnight’s

effects.”

Almostimperceptibly,Batmanshookhishead.“Notaccordingtothecomputers.Whileindividual

eventsmightpointtoparticularsupervillains,theoverallpatterndoesnotsupportthathypothesis.”

“I’msorry,butthen,whathypothesisdoesitsupport?”Supermanasked,slightlyexasperated.

Inreply,Batmannoddedtowardhisownmonitor,wherethecomputerbank’sconclusionswere

scrollingdownthescreen:Unknownenemy.Unknownpowersource.Unknownmotivation,though
testingisindicated.

“Testing?”GreenLanternfrowned.“Testingwhat,exactly?”

“Us.”Batman’stoneseemedtodropevenlowerthannormal.“Whateverourfoewas,ittargetedthe

fiveofus.Notprecisely,ofcourse,buteveryoneofitsmanifestationsoccurredwithinaone-mileradius
ofcurpresence,asiftheyweredesignedtodrawusout,engageusinconflict.”

“Onlytobedefeatedanddisappear?”Supermanwasskeptical.“Notmuchofatest.”

“Thatdependsonwhatitwantedtolearn,”Batmancontinued,notraceofemotioninhisvoice.

AlthoughBatmanhadtremendousrespectforSuperman,itwastemperedwithcaution.Unlikeevery
othermemberoftheLeague,Batmanhadnosuperpowersofanykind.Everythingheknew,everyskill
hepossessed,hadbeenwonthroughhardworkanddetermination.Itmadehimextremelywarywhen
dealingwithbeingswhosephenomenalpowerswereagift,likeGreenLantern,oraconfluenceof
nature,likeSuperman.

ButBatmanhadnohesitationincallingontheirpowerswheneveritwasnecessary.

HeturnedtoGreenLantern.“Ifalloflastnight’sattacksweremadebyonecentralsource,Oraclehas

beenunabletolocateit.Perhapsyourringmightachievemoresuccess?”

Underhismask,GreenLantern’seyestwinkled.Lessthanayearagohehadbeenanunknown,

strugglingartist.Now,heroutinelyrubbedshoulderswiththegreatestheroesontheplanet.Andhis
abilitieswerejustasintegraltotheteam’sfunctioningasanyoneelse’s.

Lanternrosetohisfeet,foramomentswayingundertheWatchtower’sartificialgravity,whichwas

slightlylessthanthatonEarth.Hewalkedacrosstothehugeelectronicmapoftheplanetthat
dominatedoneentirewallofthepenthouse,andpointedhisringatit.Therestoftheworlddisappeared
inatwinklingofelectroniclights,tobereplacedbyanexpandedmapoftheUnitedStates.

Aneedle-thinbeamofemeraldlightlancedfromthering,pointinginturntoeachoftheheroes’base

cities:GothamCity,Metropolis,KeystoneCity,Boston,NewYork.Afinetraceryofgreenappeared
aroundeachlocation,expandingandcontractingastendrilsshotoutseekingtoestablishconnections.

GreenLanternshookhisheadinwonder,stillawedbythepowerring’sabilities.

Theotherswatchedinsilenceasgreenlinesquicklyformed,joinedup,splitapart,andvanishedagain.

Lessthanaminutelater,asingleimagewasfrozenonthemap.Linesjoinedeachcitytotheothers,
withonefinerline—barelynoticeablecomparedwiththeothers—leadingbacktoasinglelocation.

“Accordingtothering,wehaveoursource.”Lanternhadturnedhisbackonthemaptofacethe

othersaroundthetable.“JustoutsideGothamCity.”

“Yes,”Batmansaidemphatically.“It’sthelastplacethefiveofusgatheredtogether.Remember

GothamDam?”Hepausedforamoment,ensuringthathehadtheirattention.“IfLantern’sringisright
—”

“AndI’veneverknownittobewrong!”GreenLanterninterrupted,grinning.

“Thesourceofalllastnight’smisfortunesishere,”Batmanfinished,“inthesteppedpyramid

uncoveredbythedamburst.”

Darkcloudsscuddedacrossthenightsky,blockingoutthemoon’slight.

Itwaswellaftermidnight,butthelightsofthesurveyingteamsworkingontheremainsoftheGotham

Damstillburned.ThedamhadprovidedwaterformostofwesternGotham,andtheelectricity
generatedbyitsgiantturbinesbroughtheatandlighttoalmostamillionpeople.Itneededtobeupand
runningagainasfastaspossible.

Ahalfmileaway,thetruncatedpyramidwasablack,undifferentiatedmassprotrudingfromthe

scouredvalleyside.FollowingRobertMills’stragicdeath,andPeterGlaston’sdisappearance,the
GothamPoliceDepartmenthaddosedofftheentiresiteforforensicanalysis.ThoughCommissioner
Gordonhimselfhadspearheadedtheinvestigation,hisinquiriesledpreciselynowhere.

AlltheycouldsupposewasthatGlastonhadsufferedsomesortofmentalbreakdown,murderedhis

tutor,andthenfled—takingProfessorMills’sheartwithhim.AphotographandadescriptionofGlaston
hadbeensenttoeverypoliceforceinthestate,butsofartherehadn’tbeenasinglesighting.

IndeferencetoProfessorMills,theuniversityauthoritieshadabruptlycanceledallfurtherexcavation.

Themurderattractedtheworsttypeofpublicitytheycouldget,andtheuniversity’spresidentwas
worriedthatitmightaffectfuturefundinglevels.Bettertowithdrawfromthepubliceye—forawhile,
atleast.ThepyramidwaspotentiallythesinglemostimportantfindeveruncoveredinNorthAmerica,
anditmeritedlongandindepthstudy.Thediggingteamswouldreturn,butonlywhenthefurorhad
diedaway.

Now,thepyramidwasdesertedandlifeless,hardlyevenvisiblebeneaththeforebodingsky.Had

anyonebeenwatching,they’dhaveseenaflashoflightfromtheflattenedsummit,tentimesbrighter
thanthecloud-obscuredmoon.

Asthelightfromtheirteleportationdevicediedaway,thefiveJusticeLeagueheroesfound

themselvesstandingatopthepyramid.TheFlashbreamedaquiet

sighofrelief;everytimeheusedtheteleporterherememberedthemovieabouttheflyandtheman

whosedisassembledmoleculeshadbecomejumbledupbeyondrepair.Still,evenhecouldn’trunfrom
themoontoEarth.

“Itfeelsbarren—empty,”WonderWomanpointedout.“Notatallwhatyou’dexpectifit’sthenexus

ofmeenergiesweencounteredlastnight.”

“Useyourtelescopicvision,”BatmantoldSuperman.“Checkoutthewholesite.”

TheotherswaitedastheManofSteelstood,swiveledafewdegreeseverysecondortwo,hisgaze

directeddownatthestructurebeneaththeirfeet.

SupermanhadbeenconceivedonthedistantplanetKrypton,aworldcirclingagiantredsunmatwas

slowlydying.WhentheenergiesatKrypton’scorethreatenedtodestroytheplanet,thescientistJor-El
builtarockettocarryhisunbornsontosafety.

SoKal-El,whowouldcometobeknownasSuperman,hadcometoEarth,wheretheradiationofits

muchyoungerandmoreactiveyellowsunresultedinmanyofhisgodlikesuperpowers.

“There’sonesmallinteriorchamber,”Supermanannouncedatlast,“andthat’sit.Therestofthe

pyramidisofsolidconstruction,alternatinglayersofgraniteandchalk.”Hestudiouslyavoidedmeeting
Batman’sgazeashewenton.“Lookslikewemaybehereonawild-goosechase.”

Thewordswerebarelyoutofhismouthwhenthesmallplateaubeneaththeirfeetstartedtoshudder

andshake.

“Fallbacktotheedge!”Batmancalledout.

Thecenterofthesummithadbeguntoheaveviolently.Eitheraverylocalizedearthquake…or

somethingwastryingtoburstitswaythroughfromtheinterior.

“Lantern,seeifyourringcantelluswhat’sgoingonhere,”Batmanshouted.

“Butthere’snothinginthere,”Supermansaid,puzzled.

“Nothingtangible,maybe,”GreenLanternagreed,“butitwouldseemthere’ssomekindofunusual

energyconfiguration.Mighttakemeafewminutestofindoutmore—”

Buthedidn’thavethosefewminutes.Witharoarlikecrashingstormwaves,thecenteroftheplateau

eruptedinafountainofrockanddebristhatshotfiftyfeetintheairbeforefallingbackontheLeague.

“I’lltrytocontainit!”Ashespoke,Lantern’sringsentoutastreamofenergythatcoalescedintoa

dome-shape,asmallerversionofthetrickhe’dusedlastnighttosubduetheblazeatthemuseum.

Theviolenteruptionstopped,butonlybriefly.Asifithadbeenconservingitself,theenergyagain

surgedupward,blastingintoGreenLantern’scappingdomewithsuchforcethatthedomewasblown
aside.TheEmeraldGuardianhimselfwasknockedoffhisfeet.

“Whew,”hebreathed,takingWonderWoman’sprofferedhandandhaulinghimselfupright“Haveto

admit,Iwasn’texpectingthat!”

Athickcolumnofcobalt-bluelightextendedahundredfeetormoreintotheair.Theenergieswithin

thecolumnswirledandroiled,cracklingwithflashesofastrangeelectricitythatseemedtothrowoff
littleglobesoffadinglight.

Thefiveheroesstaredsoundlesslyatitforalongmoment,atalossoverwhattodonext.

“Isee…somethinginthere,”theFlashsaidatlast.“Lookatthosepatterns.”

Thelightinsidethecolumnwrithedlikealivingthing,tortuouslyweavingthiswayandthatasit

graduallybegantoacquireafaintlyhumanoidform.Butmerewassomethinganimalaboutit,too.As
hornsbegantosproutfromthegiantfigure’shead,Batmansuddenlyrealizedwhyitseemedsofamiliar.

“ThesamefigureIsawatGothamCathedral!”heexclaimed.“Themonsterthatkilledallthose

people!”

“It’snotawholelotdifferentfromthethingthatattackedme,too.”GreenLanternnoddedin

agreement“Abouttentimesbigger,isall.”Herememberedthefeelingoflookingintotheeyesofthe
shamanicmask,themesmerizingpowermathadseemedtosaphiswillandreplacehisthoughtswith…
somethingalien.

“Youtoldusittriedtohypnotizeyou?”Batmanasked.

“Whatofit?”Lanternsaidcurtly.

Batmanshothiscompanionapuzzledlook.Itwasn’tlikeGreenLanterntobesosnide.“Everybody

gocareful,”hecautioned.“Wedon’twantithappeningagain.”

Withoutwarning,thelightcolumnexpandedinwidthuntilitcoveredtheentiresummit,enveloping

thestartledheroesbeforetheycouldreact.

Suddenly,theyfoundthemselvesfightingfortheirlives.

GreenLanternwasastonishedtofindhimselfsurroundedbyathick,blue-greenmistthatseemedto

clingtohisbody.

Heorderedhisringtoclearit,butasfastasthegreenbeamsdissipatedthemist,moreappeared,so

thickhecouldbarelyseehishandinfrontofhisface.

Icouldbeatthisfordaysandnotmakeanydifference,Lanternconcluded,futilelytryingtobrush

awaythedullturquoisetendrilsthatwaftedroundhisface.Timetotryadifferenttack!

Anotherthought,andtheringrespondedatonce,creatingagreenspotlightthatshonebrighterthan

thenoondaysun.Itpenetratedthemist,butonlypartially.NotenoughforLanterntoseewhatwas
happeningtohiscompanions.

HowcomeIcan’tevenhearthem?hewonderedanxiously.Surelythisthinghasn’tmanagedtokill

them?

Thethoughttailedaway,tobereplacedbyafeelingofwhathecouldonlycalldreadinthepitofhis

stomach.Somethingwasmovingthroughthemisttowardhim,somethingancientandpowerfuland
unspeakablyhideous.

Itwalkedonallfours,itsfeetscalyandclawed.Itsbodywasmassive,coveredinarmoredplateslike

adinosaur.Aknobofsharpspikesbristledontheendofitslong,heavytail.Hugejawsopenedwide,
showingfoot-longteethfestoonedwithscrapsofmeatandrottingflesh.Anditscobalt-blueeyesblazed
withahatredthathecouldactuallyfeel.

ObedienttoLantern’severywhim,thepowerringarmedhimwithadouble-bladedbattlesword.As

themonsterlungedathim,itsdroolingjawssnapping,Lanternswungtheswordwithallhismight.

Hisblowembeddedthebladedeepinthehugebeast’sskull.Bluesparksflew,andawildshriekof

painassailedGreenLantern’sears.

Heraisedtheswordtostrikeagain,butalreadyitwastoolate.Thebeast’snightmarejawssnapped

shutaroundhistorso.Inagonizeddisbelief,Lanternfeltmecreature’steethpuncturinghisfleshasif
thering’sprotectivefieldwasnolongerinplace.

Burningpain,thelikesofwhichhe’dneverfeltinhislife,scorchedthroughhim.Andthewhole

worldseemedfilledwithhisownterrifiedscreams….

Thebull-headedfigure’smassivehandhadclosedaroundSuperman’sbody,liftinghimhighoffthe

groundandsqueezingwithapowertheManofSteelfoundhardtobelievepossible.Bracinghimself,he
flexedeverymuscleinhisbodyinanefforttobreakfree,withscantsuccess.

Atanymoment,heexpectedtohearMartianManhunter’stelepathicvoiceinsidehishead,detailing

whatheandtheothersmustdotoovercomemispredicamentButJ’onnwasn’there,andtheonly
thoughtsinhisheadwerehisown.

Exertingallofhisfantasticstrength,Supermanmanagedtoprythefigure’streelikefingersapartfora

fleetingmoment.Everythingwasswirlingblue-greenlight.Hecouldseenosignofhiscomrades.

Supermanblinked,bringinghisheatvisionintoplay.Hetrainedthefocusofthenarrowbeamonthe

fingersthatheldhimintheirunbreakablegrip,theheatquicklymountinguntilitfeltlikethesurfaceof
thesun.Blacksmokepouredfromthecreature’scharredflesh,andSupermanseizedhisopportunityas
itshandrelaxeditsgripslightly.

Withonesuperhumaneffort,theManofSteelbrokefree.Poweringintoflight,hetriedtoputdistance

betweenhimselfandthesixty-foot-tallbull-headedfigure.Butnomatterhowhardhetried,hecould
onlymoveafewinches.Theairwasthickandviscous,andthemoreSupermanstruggledagainstit,the
hardertheairseemedtodingtohimandslowhimevenmore.

“Batman?Superman?”WonderWoman’svoicesoundedthinandhollowasshenarrowedhereyesand

triedtopiercetheweirdturquoisefog.

Can’tseeanything…buttheywererightbesidemeonlymomentsago!

Therewasaspine-tinglingroarbehindherandshewhirled,instinctivelydroppingintodefensivepose

asshebracedforattack.Nothingthere.Anotherroar,closernow,butcomingfromsomewhereofftoher
right.WonderWomanturnedquickly.Therewasnothingbutthickmist.

LiketheseamistinthemorningsoffthecoastofThemyscira,shethought,withasudden,

uncharacteristicstabofhomesickness.

Suddenly,fromoutofthefog,astonedubsmashedintoherskull,thrownorswungwithsuchforce

thatitdisintegratedintodustonimpact.Normallyimpervioustophysicalviolence,WonderWoman
staggeredandalmostfell.Recoveringherbalance,sheheardalowswishassomethingcleavedthrough
theairtowardher.

Thistimesheraisedbothhands,andasecondheavydubricochetedoffthesilverbraceletsshesported

oneachwrist.Wieldedbyhandsshecouldn’tsee,theweaponswungatheragainandagain,and
WanderWoman’sownhandsbecameablurasshefoughttoanticipateandwardofftheblows.

Thoughtschasedchaoticallythroughherhead,tumblingovereachotherHowlonghaveIbeenhere?

Wherearetheothers?WhatinthenameofThemysciraisgoingon?

Hermindseemedtobeseizingup,crammedfullofamillionthoughtsallclamoringtoexpress

themselvesatonce.Grimly,sheshookherhead,tryingtodearit.Andthatwasalltheopeningher
unseenfoeneeded.

Adozendubsthuddedintohersimultaneously.Stilltryingtofightback,WonderWomanfelltoher

knees,snarlingdefiance.Butasecondwaveofblowsraineddownonher,cominginfromallangles,
bombardingherwithblindingpain.

Hervisionseemedtofillwithstars,beforedarknessmercifullyclaimedher.

OnlytheFlash’sreactionhadbeenswiftenoughwhenthelight-columnswelled.

He’dmovedbackinstinctively,butatsuperspeed,sotheexpandinglightbarelytouchedhimbeforehe

losthisfootingandfelloffthepyramid’stopcourse.Hehittheslopingsideonce,rolled,andcrashed
heavilytothesecondcoursetenfeetbelow.

Cursingbeneathhisbreath,ignoringthepainthatflaredinhisleftankle,theFlashscrambledbackto

hisfeetandlookedup.Nocolumnoflight.NoJusticeLeaguemembers.

Nothingatall.

Themoonwasblanketedbyablackmassofclouds,andnotabeamoflightbrokethrough.TheFlash

stretchedatentativehandtowardwherehefiguredtheup-slopingpyramidwallshouldbe.Therewas
nothingthere.

Thisisabsurd!TheFastestManAlive,hamstrunglikeablindanimal!

Hestartedtowalktotheendofthecourse,butbeforehe’devencompletedthefirststep,asudden

thoughtstruckhim.Hepaused,stoopingtofeelforthegroundbeforehimwithhishand.Nothing.
Anxietygrowingwithinhim,heturnedaroundandrepeatedthemaneuver.Nothingbehindhimeither.

Itwasasifhewereperchedonthetipofanarrowstoneplinth.Theonlysolidgroundwasbeneathhis

feet,andaroundhimabsolutelynothingbutthinair.UnlikeSupermanandWonderWoman,Flash
couldn’tfly.Itwasatalenthe’dnevermissed,becausewhenyouwereasfastashewasitwasno
problemtogoanywhereintheworldonfoot.Granted,hecouldmanipulatethemoleculesofhisbody
tokeephimhoveringintheair.Butasfarashecouldtell,hewasstandingontheonlysolidground.
Wherethehellcouldhehoverto?

He’dhavegivenalmostanythingtohaveheardMartianManhunter’svoiceinsidehishead,tellinghim

exactlywhatwasgoingon.AsamemberoftheJusticeLeague,yougotusedtodoingthingsasateam.
Itwasonlywhenteamdynamicsstalledthatyourealizedhowdependentyou’dbecome.

TheFlashsquattedonhishaunches,feelingdespaircreepoverhim.Whoeverhadlaidthistrap

couldn’thavemadeabetteronefortheScarletSpeedster.

Evenasthelighthadflaredouttoswallowthem,Batmanhadcursedhimselfformakingamistake.

Heknewthatthepreviousnight’sencounterhadbeensomesortoftestinggroundfortheheroes.He
shouldhaveknownthey’dbetargets!

Nowhefoundhimselfaloneinthestrangeblue-greenfog,withneithersightnorsoundofhis

companions.Hismindraced,siftingthroughthepossibilities:hemighthavebeentransportedtoanother
location,evenanotherdimension.Thismightallbeanillusion,theworkofsomewarpedmaster
conjuror.Ormaybeitwastheotherswhohadbeentransportedelsewhere….

Batmanhadfacedhundredsofvillainsovertheyears,eachwithhisownweirdandtwistedpower.

He’dlearnedlongsincetoacceptnothingatfacevalue,andtoquestioneverything.Heriffledthrough
thefilesofhismemory,butfoundnonameconnectedwiththistypeofmodusoperandi.

Whatwasthat?

Ashiveroffearranthroughhimlikeajoltofelectricity,jamminghissenses.Hadheheardarustling

aroundhisfeet?Washejustimaginingthecool,slimytouchofsomethinglikeatentacle,wrapping
itselfaroundhisboots?Heworeinfraredlensesinhismask,butevenwithenhancedvisionhecouldsee
nothingexcepttheall-pervadingmist.

Hekickedoutwithafoot,andencounterednothing.Justhisimagination—thoughthatfactitself

causedhimtoworry.Batmanwasn’tinthehabitofimaginingthings.

Somethinghecouldn’tseebrushedagainsthiscowl.Heheardadry,chatteringvoicewhisperinglike

aninsectinhisear,alongstreamofsavageblasphemiesandmurderousthreats.Despitehimself,a
smallknotofterrorwasgrowinginthepitofhisgut.

Howcouldhefightwhathecouldn’tsee?Howcouldheresistanenemywhodidn’tseemtoeven

exist?Howcouldanyonedealwithdisembodiedvoices?

Thewhispersinhisearbecamemoreinsistent,leeringobscenely,describinginsickeningdetailwhat

wasgoingtohappentohim.

We’ttcutoutyourheartandfeedittoyourfriends!We’llripoff

yourlimbs!We’llsuckthemarrowfromyourbones!

Suddenlypanic-stricken,BatmanpulledahandfuloftinyconcussiongrenadesfromhisUtilityBelt.

Tossingthemunderhand,hesentthemscatteringinfrontofhimlikeahandfulofcornseed.Therewas
afive-seconddelayedfuseoneach,andhepulledhiscapeoverhisheadasheturnedhisbacktowait
fortheexplosions.

Thefirstgrenadewentoffwithawetsoundlikearazorslicingthroughflesh.Thesecondemitted

horrible,high-pitchedlaughter.Theothersexplodedinaseriesofsmallpops,followedbyaredoubling
oftheodiousvoiceshissinginhisears.

Theknotofterrorpulsedwithinhim,quicklyturningintoahideousdreadthatseemedtopenetrate

everyporeofhisbody.Beadsofperspirationbrokeoutonhisforehead.Hisheartraced,andhishands
feltclammy.Hewasgoingtodiehere—horriblyandpainfully.Heknewitwithacertaintythatwas
almostphysicalinitsintensity.

Athinsliveroflogicslippedbetweenhisterrors.Fearisagift,heremindedhimself.Fearisamessage

fromthesubconsciousmind.Fearisawarning.

Yettherewasnothingheretobewaryof,justastrangeblue-greenmist.Voicesinhisearsmightbe

uncomfortableandunsettling,butontheirowntheycouldn’tharmhim.

ThenwhydoIfeelterrified?

Ofcourse!Theanswerstruckhimwiththeforceofahurricane.Thiswasn’thisownfear,hisown

terror,hisowndread.Thiswasbeingimposedonhim,forcedonhimbysomeexternalsource.

Something,orsomeone,wastamperingwithhisfeelings,manipulatingthem,fayingtodrivehimcrazy!

Thinkingthethoughtwasenoughtobootstraphimmomentarilyoutofthefugue.Almostimmediately,

hefelttheknotofterrorreseeditselfinhisstomach.Whateverhisenemywas,itwasn’tgivingup.He
hadtotakeactionandextricatehimselffromthismadness.

Itwasimpossibletogetanysortofbearingswithintheall-encompassingmist.Batmanhadnooption

buttoentrusthimselftohisownearlierobservations—toassumethathisunconsciousmindhad
noticed,andfiledaway,everythingitcouldaboutthepyramid.

Trustinghimselfcompletely,Batmansuddenlytookthreestridesforwardanddivedheadfirstoffthe

summit.

Theblue-greenmistremainedwhereitwasashisbodyburstthroughitintothedarknessofnight.He

tuckedhisheadintohischest,bringingbothhandsuptobreakhisfallaninstantbeforehestruckthe
pyramid’sslopingside.Hesomersaultedonce,thenhisfeethitthenextcoursedown.

Unabletocheckhismomentum,heplungedoverthesideofthesecondcourse.Thistimehewasn’tso

lucky,landingawkwardlyandrollingdowntheslopeonlyhalfincontrol.Hisheadstruckagainsta
knobofprotrudinggranite,halfdazinghim.

Indaylighthemighthavebeenabletomakeittothefootofthepyramid.Indarkness,evenwithhis

nightlenses,itwasaninvitationtodeathorseriousinjury.

Thetrees!

Avividpictureofthestandofcottonwoodsgrowingalmostatrightanglesoutofthebankbelow

flashedintohismind.Batmandidn’thesitate.Ashisfeethitthethirdcoursedown,helaunchedhimself
outintothinair.

Onesecond—two—andforamomenthethoughthe’dblownit.

Thenbrancheswhippedagainsthisfaceandchest,snappingunderhisweight,carryinghimwiththem

astheyplungeddowntowardtheground.

Helandedwithabone-jarringthudonsoftgrassandsoil.Helaythereforamoment,breathingdeeply,

regaininghiscomposure.Leaningagainstthetreetrunkforsupport,hehauledhimselfshakilyupright
landlookedaround.

Theturquoisefoghaddisappeared.

HisfellowJusticeLeaguershaddisappeared.

AndtheGothamPyramidwasnolongerthere.

CHAPTER6

DialoguewithaMadman

GothamCounty,October28

ThedechromedblackRollsRoyce’ssix-literenginepurredasthesleekcarcleavedthedarkness,

headingforthelightsofGothamCity.

“Whereto,sir?”Inthesoftleatherdrivingseat,BruceWayne’sEnglishbutler,AlfredPennyworth,

keptawatchfuleyeonthespeedometersetinthewalnutdash.Itwouldn’tdotobestoppedbyan
overzealoushighwaypatrolofficer.Nottonight.Notwiththecargohewascarrying.“TheBatcave?”

Reclininginthecar’sspaciousrear,Batmanthoughtforamoment.He’dalreadyusedtheRolls’s

built-incomputertosendamessagetoalloftheJusticeLeague’sreservemembers,informingthemof
whathadhappened.Manywereabsentonpersonalbusiness,buttheotherswerenowplacedonhigh
alert.“No,”hesaidatlast.“TakemetoArkhamAsylum.”

Alfredraisedoneeyebrowaskance,butvoicednoquestion.“Verywell,sir,”heagreed,inhisrich

Englishtones.Obviouslyhismasterwasdeepinthought.WhenthetimecameforAlfred’sopinion,
Batmanwouldask.

Theiremployer-employeerelationshipwasapublicdisplay,amasktoconcealtheirmutualrespect

andgenuinefriendship.TrainedatoneofEngland’sfinestcolleges,AlfredPennyworthwasanex-actor
andcombatmedicwhoturnedtodomesticservicewhenhisfatherdied.Hemadetheperfectbutlerfor
theWaynes,amodelofefficiencyandawalkingencyclopediaonallthingssocialanddomestic.

AlfredalsomadetheperfectaideforBruceWayne’salterego,theBatman.Hewasdiscreet,honest,

hardworking,andreliable.HewasatalentedactorwhotaughtaneagerBruceeverythingheknewabout
disguise.Andhecouldkeepasecret.

WhenAlfredhadfirstdiscoveredthathisyoungmasteraimedtoleadadoubleexistence,he’dbeen

appalled.Littlemorethanateenager,Brucewouldbeinvitingallmannerofviolenceanddangerinto
hislife.WhenrationaldiscussionfailedtodissuadeBrucefromhisself-appointedtask,Alfredtookthe
onlydecisionamanofhonorcould.

HebecametheBatman’sentrustedaide.

Whenthevigilantewasonpatrol,Alfredmannedthecontrolconsoleinthecavernburieddeepunder

WayneManor.Hedidtheresearchthatdifferentcasescalledfor.Andhewasasoundingboard,aswell
asafountainofgoodadvice.

AswithBatmanhimself,whatstartedasapart-timeinterestsoonbecameafull-timevocation.Alfred

knewthat,witheveryvillainBatmanputbehindbars,witheveryinnocentvictimhesaved,Bruce
Waynewasatoningforhisownparents’death.ItbecameAlfred’smissioninlifetohelphisyoung

masterinanywayhecould.

Bruceneverknewwheretheoldermanfoundthetime—orenergy—tokeepWayneManor,the

family’ssprawlingmansion,inordertoo.

Now,Batman’smindwasracing.Hehadusedhissatellitephone’ssecurelinetocallAlfred

immediatelyafterhe’drecoveredfromhisordealatthepyramid.WonderWomanandtheotherswere
gone,spiritedaway,perhapscapturedordead.Thepyramiditselfhaddisappearedasifithadnever
existed,likeahologramwithoutitslightsource.

TheJusticeLeaguehadfacedabeingofimmensepower,andBatmandidn’thaveasinglesolidclue

astoitspurposeormotivation.

Overandover,hereviewedtheeventsofthepastfewnights.Wasthereanythingthatjarred?

Anythingthatsatuneasilywiththenormalflowofevents?

Justabouteverything!

Nomatterhowhardhethought,orwhatangleheapproacheditfrom,Batmanalwayscameupwitha

bigfatzero.

Therewereonlytwopossiblecluesthatmightleadhimsomewhere,andbothofthemwerepretty

tenuous.First,thehistoryofthepyramidmightshedsomelight.NodoubtAlfredwouldbehappytodo
someresearchonit,oronsimilaronesfoundelsewhere.

Andsecond,therewasfear.Batmanhadrarelyexperiencedthatkindofterrifieddreadbefore.Perhaps

onlyonce,whenasachildithadreallysunkhomethathisparentswerenevercomingback.Thathe
wasaloneintheworld.Forever.

Heknewofonlyoneman—apartfromhimself—whospecializedinfear.

ProfessorJonathanCrane,a.k.a.theScarecrow.

ArkhamAsylum,thehomeforthecriminallyinsane,stoodonawoodedhillsideseveralmilesoutside

GothamCitycenter.Highbrickwallstoppedwithrazorwirekeptunwelcomeintrudersout,andwould-
befugitivesin.

ItscrowsteppedgablesandGothicturretsroseabovethebeechesandelms,scrapingattheskylike

fingerssilhouettedagainstthemoon.Hereandtherewindowswerelit,backlightingthethickmetalbars
thatguardedthem.Dozensofgargoylesbroodedatthecornersoftheroof,theirfierceglaresandbared
fangsdesignedtokeepallevilatbay.

Inthat,thegargoyleshadfailed.ArkhamAsylumhousedmoreevilthanallotherpenitentiariesand

institutionsinNorthAmericacombined.ItsramblingcorridorsandVictorianroomswerehome-away-
from-hometoarchvillainssuchastheJoker,Two-Face,andthebrutalKillerCroc.Atanyonetime,it
mightbeexpectedtohaveClayface,thetoxicPoisonIvy,andtheVentriloquistandhisdummyScarface
withinitssomberwalls.

AsAlfredguidedtheRollsRoycearoundabendintheroadthatranpasttheasylumgrounds,the

sunroofwhisperedopenandBatmanexited.Therewasabriefsenseofashadowswoopingupward,of
blackscallopedwingstakingtotheair.

Thecarcontinuedonitswaywithoutslowing,makingforthelittle-knownbackroadsthatwouldtake

ittoWayneManor.Alfredhadsomeresearchtodo.

Inthebranchesofatreethatoverhungtheroad,Batmanbrieflypausedtoconsiderhisroute.His

nightscopebroughtthehundred-year-oldbuildingintofocus.

HesawthestoopedshapeofJeremiahArkhampassingawindow,makinghislongnightrounds.

BatmanhadalotofreasonstocriticizeJeremiah—especiallyoversecuritylapses—butheknewthatthe
asylumownercareddeeplyforhischarges.Hegenuinelywantedtomakesomeofthemostevilpeople
intheworldwellagain.

Untilhesucceeded,Batmanwouldbetheretopickupthepieces.

AsJeremiahpassed,Batmanmadeasnapdecision,thenmovedintoaction.Heswarmedupintothe

higherbranchesuntiltheybecametoothintobearhisweight.Abat-linecarriedagrapneltoamain
branchoftheancientelmthatstoodoppositetheonehewassituatedin,andheswungacrosstheroad
twentyfeetfromtheground.

Batmanknewthelocationofeveryclosed-circuitTVcamerainthegrounds,andtimedhispassageto

coincidewiththeirswivelinglenses.Twopermanentsecurityguardspatrolledthegardensandwoods
withGermanshepherddogs.Batmanwaitedpatientlytillthey’dstoppedtoshareacigaretteandajoke
beforehemovedagain.

Twentysecondslaterhewasseekinghandholdsonivystemsthickermanhiswrists,asheclambered

uptheasylumwall.

BuiltasaprivatehousearoundthesametimeasWayneManor,theasylumwasaproductofabygone

age,whenmediamagnatesandrailroadtycoonsviedwithoneanothertobuildthemostluxurious
palacefortheirfamilies.Noexpensehadbeenspared,vastfortuneshadbeenspent.Butwhereasthe
Wayneshadgonefromstrengthtostrength,thefamilythatbuiltArkhamhadlostitswealthandbeen
forcedtosellitspalace.

Now,bothbuildingshidtheirinnermostsecretsfromtheworldofman.

Batmansteppedoffthespreadingivythatencasedhalfthefrontage,ontoafoot-wideledgethatran

alongthethird-floorlevel.Backtothewall,hemovedswiftlyalongituntilhecametoadarkened,bar-
coveredwindow.Herappedloudlywithhisknuckles.Noreaction.

Herappedagain,andthistimewasrewardedbyastrange,strangledsound,“Hrraaao,”likeacross

betweenalaughandadeathrattle.Thesoundofaverydisturbedman.

Insidethebars,theleadedglasswindowpaneswungopen.

“Clancy?”Thevoicewassibilantandmenacing.“Isthatyou,mytrustedlieutenant?”

“Afraidnot,Scarecrow.IbustedClancythreenightsago.He’ssweatinginaholdingcellonBlackgate

Island.”

BatmanmovedsoScarecrowcouldseehiscowl.Thesightbroughtanimmediatehowlofdismayas

Scarecrowphysicallyrecoiled.“Hraiii!”

Moonlightstreamedbetweenthebars,enablingBatmantoseethefigureinside.Thebodyseemed

stoopedandtwisted,yetstilltallandwithawirystrength.Itwasenclosedinacostumemadefrom
burlap,withsticksofstrawjuttingfromthecuffsatwristandankle.Asackclothhoodcoveredthehead,
toppedbyaridiculousfloppyhat.Theeyesthatblazedoutfromslitsinthehoodweretheeyesofa
madman,nottheeyesofrespecteduniversityprofessorJonathanCrane.

JeremiahArkhambelievedinallowinghischargestoliveouttheirfantasies.Thatway,hewasmore

likelytogaintheirtrust.He’ddiscoveredlongagothatforcingthemtowearasylumdrabsprovoked
moretraumathanitwasworth.

“Cometogloat,haveyou?”Scarecrowhissedaccusingly.“Afterall,youputmehere.”Thecrooked

bodystraightened,andScarecrowwentoncontemptuously.“DespitethefactI’mnotinsane.You’rethe
onewho’scrazy!”

Batmanwassilent,lettingthevillainunburdenhisunhingedvenom.HeneededScarecrowinagood

mood.

“Lookatyou,”Scarecrowwentonscathingly.“Youdresslikeabat.Youflyaroundatnight.Youhide

yourfacebehindamask.Isn’tthatinsane?”

“Farfromit.”Batmanshrugged.“I’mnottheonewholefttwosecurityguardscrippledbyfeargas.It

wasn’tmewhocondemnedtheirfamiliestoalifetimeofmisery.”

“Collateraldamage,”Scarecrowrepliedloftily.“There’salwaysfalloutwhenarepressedsocietytries

tosmotherthecreativityofitstrueindividuals.Thoseguardsstoodbetweenmeandmydestiny.”

“YoumeantheAssyrianclaytabletsyoustole?Youthinkbooksareworthmorethanlife?”

“Booksareworthmorethananything,”Scarecrowreturned,hislongskinnyarmswrapping

themselvesaroundhisbodyinastrangehugthatseemedtoreassurehim.“Booksaretherepositoryof
allknowledge.Booksaremorepreciousthangold!”

Batmanadjustedhisstanceontheledge,leaninginclosertothevillain.“Ihaven’tcomeheretoargue

withyou,Crane.”

Scarecrowbristled.“ProfessorCraneisout,”heannouncedcoldly.“Scarecrowisin.”

Asachild,JonathanCranehadbeenseverelytraumatizedbyaflockofbirds.Perhapshisvivid

imaginationhadbeenfiredbysomeillicitviewingoftheHitchcockmovie,orperhapshereallyhad

beenattacked.Noonebuthimwouldeverknow.Foryearshe’dhiddenhisgrowingpsychosisfromthe
world,untilithaderuptedonedayinthepsychologyclasshetaughtatGothamUniversity.

Thegoodprofessorturnedagunonhisstudents—purelytoillustrateapoint,ofcourse.The

universityauthoritiesdidn’tseethingsthesameway.HisfoolishnesscostCranehisjob,andsobegan
hisabruptslideintopovertyandobscurity.Cranedidn’tbothertoomuchaboutlackofrecognition,but
hebadlyneededmoneyforbuyinghislife’sobsession:books.

Heturnedtocrime,adoptingthesinisterimageryoftheScarecrow.Birdshadfrightenedhim;

scarecrowsfrightenedbirds.NowJonathanCrane—aliastheScarecrow—wouldfrighteneverybody.
Fearbecamehisstock-in-trade.

Hisscientificgeniusallowedhimtoconcoctarangeofgasesthatcouldinflictfear,orterror,ordread,

onanyonewhoabsorbedthem.Ashisambitionsgrew,heexperimentedwithgasesthatcausedfearof
specificthings.Scarecrowlovedtowatchanarachnaphobe,forinstance,imagininghewascoveredin
revoltingspiders.Oraclaustrophobebelievinghewasentombedaliveinhiscoffin.

“Scarecrow,”Batmansaidpointedly,“I’mherefortworeasons.First,toverifythatyouarehere,and

notsomeringerwhiletherealScarecrowgoesonarampage.”

“I’llhaveyouknow,sir,”Scarecrowsaidhaughtily,“thatIwouldpersonallydealwithanysuch

imposter!Thereisbutoneofme.”

“Relax.I’veheardmorethanenoughtoknowit’syou.”Hepaused,knowinghowstrangehisnext

wordswouldsound.“Secondly,Iwanttoaskyouafavor.”

InthepalelightBatmanwatchedasthehood’srough-stitchedmouthwidenedinagrin.

“Andwhat,precisely,wouldyouwantfromme?”

“Arecipe,”Batmansaidcurtly.“Foroneofyourfeargases.”

Scarecrowstampedhisstraw-filledbootpetulantlyonthefloorofhiscell.“Oh,yes,”hedrawled

sarcastically,“Idohaveacertainreputationasanaltruisttomaintain.Imean,Ialwaysbestowfavorson
lunaticswhohavemelockedaway!”

“I’llgiveyousomethinginreturn,”Batmanoffered.

Scarecrowdidn’treact.

Batmantriedagain.“I’llgiveyouabook.Afirstedition.”

TheDarkKnightknewhisenemywell.IftherewasonethingScarecrowcaredforwithapassionthat

defiedexplanation,itwasbooks.Insecretstoresandwarehousesthroughoutthecity,theMasterofFear
hadacollectionofmillionsthathehadboughtorstolenovertheyears.Itwashisambitiontoownevery
bookintheworld,fromthosewritteninancientEgyptianhieroglyphstothelatestbestseller.

Beneathhisgrotesquehood,Scarecrow’seyeslitup.“Afirstedition?”herepeated,savoringeach

word.Hedrummedhisfingertipslightlyagainsthissack-coveredmouth.“Bywhom?Shakespeare,
perhaps?Marlowe?Spenser?”Hisvoiceturneddisdainful.“OrarewetalkingAgathaChristieand
JackieCollins?”

“We’retalkingUniverse,”Batmansaidsoftly.“ScudderKlyce’sUniverse.”

Scarecrowsneered.“Aworkofgenius,yes.Butvaluable?I’mcertainIcanpurchaseacopyforonlya

modestfee.”

“Theauthor’spersonalcopy?”Batmanasked,“Inmintcondition,withhandwrittenmarginnotes,and

apreviouslyunpublishedaddendum?”

Suddenly,Scarecrow’shandsshotuptograspthecoldmetalbars.“Doyoujestwithme,sir?”hecried

theatrically,genuineanguishinhisvoice.“Isthisanotherofyourfiendishschemestotortureapoor
manincarceratedagainsthiswill?”

Klyce’sUniversewasoneofthemostpeculiarofallAmericanbooks.Publishedprivatelyintheearly

twentiethcentury,itwasanidiosyncraticandhighlyoriginalinterpretationofexistence,a“verifiable
solutionoftheRiddleoftheUniverse,”asKlycehimselfputit.Onlyathousandcopieshadeverbeen
printed,andmostofthemhaddisappearedfromview.

Buttheauthor’sowncopywasararityofgreatdistinction.

“Iwouldgivemuchtopossessthisbook,”Scarecrowsaidpiously.“Myservicesfor,say,thecoming

year?OrablankcheckdrawnonanoffshoreaccountintheWindwardIslands?”

“Nothingsoexpensive,”Batmanassuredhim.“Arecipewillbeenough.Foraveryspecialfeargas.”

Scarecrowvisiblyswelledwithpride.“Nameyourterror,myman!”

“Justonething—”Batman’svoicedroppedanoctave.Hiseyesweredangerousslits,andtheself-

styledMasterofFearhadtosuppressadistinctshudderatthemenacethevigilanteprojected.“Double-
crossme,andIwillensureyoustayinArkhamfortherestofyourlife.”

Hepausedtoletthewordssinkin,thenadded,“Thehospitalwing.”

Scarecrowraisedbothhands,palmsfacingout,inagestureofcompliance.“Myword,sir,”he

protested,“ismybond!”

Somewhereadogwashowlingatthemoon,asBatmanswungagainintothetreesandoutofthe

asylumgrounds.Hevaulteddownontothegrassvergeand,keepingtoshadows,rantowardthenearest
buildings,halfamileaway.

Oncethere,hewoulddisappearamongtherooftops.Whendawncame,anditwastimetoretiretothe

Batcave,oneofthemanyBatmobileshiddenaroundthecitywouldbehistransport.

BruceWaynehadfoundtheoldbookinthecavernousatticoftheManor,stillwrappedinheavy,

ornatepaper,aChristmasgifttohisgreat-great-grandfather,possiblyfromKlycehimself.Buttheold
manhaddiedonChristmasEve,andtherewouldbenocelebrationintheWaynehouseholdthatyear.
Sincethenthebookhadwaitedinitsdustyhome.

Itwasahighpricetopaytoacriminal,Batmanknew.ButtheformulaScarecrowhadgivenhim

mightproveinvaluable.Aninsurancepolicyagainst…hedidn’tknowwhat.

HewouldbebusyintheBatcavelabstonight.

CHAPTER7

Witches’Night

GothamCity,October28

Cassandrahadscarcelysleptforforty-eighthours.

Everytimesheclosedhereyes,shesawthebroken,lifelessbodyofRaymondMarcus.Onitsown

thatwouldhavebeenbadenough,butloomingoverthedeadman,asymbolofmurderanddestruction,
wasthebull-headedbeastshe’dseeninhertarotvision.

Realfeargnawedawayather.Sheknewinherbonesthathervisionmeantsomething.Ithadn’tjust

beenawarningforthetragicMarcus.Cassandracouldn’texplainit,notrationallyandlogically,
becausecardreading,palmistry,andtheotherfortune-tellingartsshepracticedweren’trational
themselves.Theydependedonthebrain’srighthemisphere,thepatternseeker,thehomeofthe
unconscious.

Cassandrajustknew,inawayshedidn’tunderstandandwasafraidtoanalyze,incasepickingher

empathicgifttopiecesdestroyeditforalltime.

She’dcanceledallherappointmentsandputaclosednoticeonherapartmentdoor.Thathadbrought

theonlysmileshe’denjoyedsinceMarcus’svisit,asshetoyedwithscrawlingduetounforeseen
circumstancesonthesign.Agreatadvertisementforafortune-teller!

Shespentadayinthebatteredoldarmchairthathadoncebelongedtohergrandmother,flicking

throughthepagesofreferencebookstakenfromhersmalllibraryshelves.Therewerealotofentries
regardingbullworship—ithadbeencommonplaceforalongtimeintheancientworld,particularly
duringthezodiacalAgeofTaurus,morethanthreethousandyearsago.

Widelyregardedasthemostadvancedraceinantiquity,theEgyptianshadworshipedthesacredBull

ofApuforcenturies.Bulls’bodieshadbeenmummifiedinawaythatsuggestedtheywereasimportant
asthepharaohsthemselves.Overtheyears,morethanadozenofthemassivebulltombshadbeen
unearthedduringofficialexcavations.

OntheMediterraneanislandofCrete,thepeopleworshipedbullsonadailybasis.Thousandsofvases

andpotteryitemshadsurvivedfromtheMinoanculture,manyofthemillustratedwiththe“bulldance.”
Gracefulyouthsofbothsexestooktheirlivesintheirhandsandvaultedovertheangrybulls’backs.

And,ofcourse,lurkingintheheartofthefamousKingMinos’smazewasthemostfearedbullofall,

theMinotaur.Halfman,halfanimal,itprowledthemilesofsubterraneanlabyrinthbeneaththeroyal
palace,bringingdeathtoanyintruderinitsdomain.

BullworshipdiedoutsometimebeforethebirthofChrist,buteveninthemodernworldremnantsof

theoldwayssurvived.EverysummerintheSpanishtownofPamplona,aherdofwildbullswas
releasedintothenarrowwindingstreets.Noteenageboycouldcallhimselfamanuntilhe’d“runthe
bulls,”sprintingthroughthemedievaltownwithseveraldozenmaddenedanimalsinhotpursuit.
Nowadays,eventhetouristsjoinedin.

Therewereliterallyhundredsofmentionsofbullsinherbooks,butonlyoneCassandrakeptreturning

to.

ItwasacrudedrawingofabeastfoundonashardofpotteryfromancientLebanon.Scholarstookthe

halfhuman,halfbulltobearepresentationoftheMiddleEasternstormandwargod,Baal.Inthe
pantheonofgods,BaalhadbeenarisingstarwhowasfinallyelevatedtothestatusofJehovah’s
number-oneenemy.

Thelinesofthedrawingweretoothick,theperspectiveallwrong,buttheartisthadcapturedone

thingperfectly:pureevilseemedtoshinefromBaal’sbrutisheyes.

ButbytheendofthedayCassandrawasnoclosertoananswer.

ThensheheardthenewsfromcitiesacrossAmerica.ThesecurityguardinNewYorkwho’drun

amok,burningdownhisownmuseum;whentheyfoundhis

body,hewaswearingahornedshamanicmask.Underneath,hisfleshhadbeenstrippedtotheskull.

TheKeystoneCitysubwaydriverwhoclaimedhe’dbeenpossessedby“aweirdbluelight.”Thenear-
abortedshuttlelaunchinFlorida,whereSupermanwassaidtohavebattledwitha“mysteriousglobeof
bluelight.”

Cassandradidn’tknowhow,butitwasobvioustoherthattheseeventswereconnected.Something

terriblewasstartingtohappen,andshefeltasifsheweretheonlypersonawareofit.

Now,intheafternoonofthedayaftertheseincidentsoccurred,shefoundherfeetcarryinghertoward

GothamCathedral.Ithadn’tbeenaconsciousdecision.Infact,atfirstshedidn’tevenknowwhereshe
wasgoing.Butsomepartofherobviouslydid,anditwaswithafeelingofshockthatshefoundherself
standingacrossthestreetfromthebadlydamagedchurch.

policeline—donotcrosswasstenciledontheyardsoftapestretchedalongthebottomofthewide

stepsthatleduptothecathedralentrance.Therewereacoupleofpolicecarsparkeddownonthestreet,
andasolitarypolicemanchewedgumashestoodvigil.Closetohimwereadozenlargebunchesofcut
flowers,placedtherebygrievingrelativesofthevictimsandthepublic,whohadheardthenewsonTV
andradio.Itwasoneofthefewwayspeoplehadofshowingsolidaritywithothersinatimeofgrief.A

wayofsaying,“Wefeelforyou,evenifthere’snothingelsewecando.”

Cassandragaveamentalshrug.Thecathedralwasobviouslyofflimits.Perhapssheshouldjustgo

homeagain.

Butwhateverimpulsehadbroughtherherewasstrongerandmoredauntingthananofficialpolice

line.Despiteherbestintentions,Cassandramarchedstraightuptotheyoungcop.Hesawhercoming,
herstrikingplatinumhairframingherprettyface,andstraightenedhiscap.

“CanIhelpyou,ma’am?”

“SomeoneIknowdiedheretheothernight.”Cassandraspokewithoutthinking.“I’dliketogoinand

paymyrespects.”

“I’msorry,ma’am.Ican’tallowthat.”

Atthatmoment,agroupofmenandwomeninplainclothes,accompaniedbyacoupleofuniformed

officers,exitedandbegantomaketheirwaydownthesteps.

“Okay,Andy,”oneoftheofficerscalled,“Forensicsarefinishednow.YoustayuntiltheEPAarrives

tocheckthesite.”

“Howlong?”

Thepolicemanshrugged.“Ifthey’renothereinacoupleofhours,callin.”

Theyoungcopgavehiscolleagueathumbs-upsignandwatchedasthegroupdroveoffbeforehe

turnedbacktoCassandra.Shewasn’tthere.

Assoonastheyoungguardhadturnedaway,Cassandraseizedherchance.Shesteppedbehindoneof

thetallpillarsatthecathedralentrance,outofsightofthesmallgrouponthesteps.

Thecathedral’sstuddedoakdoorsstoodhalfopen,andassheslippedthroughthemCassandrafeltthat

shewasenteringanotherworld.Thetrafficnoisefromthestreetcouldnolongerbeheard,andtheair
insidewascalmandstillandpeaceful.Stained-glasswindowsfilteredthelight,castingawarmgolden
glow.

Twistedroofbeamslayhereandmerewherethey’dfallen,twoofthemontopofarowofsmashed

woodenpews.ABiblehadfallenopenamongmedebris,apoignantreminderthatfaithdidn’talways
save,atleastnotinthisworld.

Shestoodforamomentatthetopoftheaisleleadinguptothealtar,bowingherheadandmakingthe

signofthecrossaboveherheart.

CassandrawasnoChristian.Infact,itwasonlyafewcenturiessincethechurchwouldhaveburned

heratthestakeasawitch.Butshehadgreatrespectforallreligion.Humanityhadalwaysbelievedin
somethingfargreaterthanitself,somethingthatwassensedratherthanknown:anorderhigherthan

meremortals,whereallthebanalitiesofevilmadesudden,perfectsense.Whowasshetojudgehow
theyworshipedit?

Herheadstillslightlybowed,Cassandrawalkeddowntheaisle,footstepsechoingonthecheckered

tilefloor.Shewaspuzzledtoseechalkscrawlsonthefloor,untilsherealizedtheyweretheoutlinesof
bodies.ShewonderedwhichonemarkedwhereRaymondMarcusdied,searchingforhismiracle.

Cassandrasaidashort,silentprayerthatindeathhewouldfindrelieffromthepainthathadplagued

himinlife.

Unsurewhattodonext,Cassandralookedaroundher.Theornatelycarvedpulpitwaslittlemorethan

matchwood,andseveralofthecathedral’simpressivestained-glasswindowshadbeendamagedbeyond
repair.Ajaggedholegapedinthecenterofthealtarrecess—sherememberedtheradioannouncer
sayingthataboltofenergyhadcomeburstingupthroughthefloor.

Thealtartableitselfhadbeenfragmentedbytheimpact,barelyrecognizablesliversofwoodlying

everywhere.

Shebenttopickupashortlengthoffracturedwood,feelingalittleguiltyasshegingerlytouchedit.

Uponliftingit,shewasimmediatelyplungedintoavisionofanotherworld,asdaylightturnedinto

darkness.

Cassandrasawastreetshedidn’trecognize,butknewfromthebuildingsthatitwassomeplacein

Gotham.Indistinctcrowdsofpeoplethrongedthestreet,laughingandmovingalongindancelikesteps.
Afirecrackercartwheeledintotheair,itsbangsandcracklespunctuatedbythelaughterofthecrowd.

Nowshecouldseethepeoplemoreclearly.Everyoneofthemworeamask.Somewerecheapplastic

replicasofcelebritiesandpresidents,whileothersboretheimageofskulls,animals,andeven
charactersfromchildren’scartoons.

“Trickortreat?”sheheardayoungboyinamaskcallout,andrealizedthatthiswasHalloween.

Witches’night.Inoldentimes,itwasacelebrationofanotheryearsafefromevil.Itwasalsowhen
ordinarymortalshadtotakeextraordinarystepstobanishevilforthecomingyear.

Thewholecityseemedtobeengagedinthestreetparty.Thesidesofbuildingswerelitupwithneon

signs.Hologramsdepictingjack-o’-lanternswereprojectedintheair.Mobsofpeoplestreamedfromall
directions.Musicboomedfromtheopendoorwaysofadozenbarsanddiners.Agroupofteenagegirls
wearingpop-starmasksandcarryinglitcandlesledanimpromptudanceonthepavement,bringing
traffictoahalt.

Suddenlyabeardedstudent,hisfacemadeuptoresembleawerewolf,pointedupward.Cassandra

looked,andherbloodturnedtoicewaterinherveins.

Toweringoverthestreet,athousandfeethigh,wasthehornedmonstershe’dseeninRaymond

Marcus’starotcard.

Terrified,Cassandratriedtodropthefragmentofwoodsheheld.Butherfingerswerelockedrigid

aroundit,andtryasshemightshecouldn’tmovethem.Thechurchinteriorwaslikeadistantdream.
RealitywasnowwitnesstotheHalloweenstreetparty.

Themusichadmagicallyhalted.Thedancinggirlsstoodrootedtothespot,gazingup.Theshrieks

andlaughterofthejoyouscrowdweresilenced,andagrimoppressionseemedtosettlelikeablanketon
thewholestreet.

Themassivefiguremovedforthefirsttime,tiltingitsheaddownwardtolookatthesilentfigureson

thestreetfarbelow.Ahugedropofbloodslidfromthecreature’sstainedpelt,splashingoveragroupof
peopleasitlandedonthetarmac.

Itseyesblazedred,thencobaltblue…andallhellbrokeloose.

Jaggedstreaksoflightningleapedfromthebehemoth’seyes,strikingahalf-dozendifferentbuildings.

Hugechunksofmasonrybrokefree,tumblingendoverend,smashingtothegroundamidtherecent
revelers.Cassandrasawthebeardedstudentinthewerewolfmakeupfall,flattenedbyabillboardthat
haddroppedfromtenstoriesabove.

Theairwasfulloffrightenedscreams,andtheterrifiedcrowdscatteredinpanicasthewholecity

begantocrumblearoundthem.Gapingholesyawnedinthestreets,swallowingathousandpeopleata
time.Flamesleapedfromseveralbuildingsasgasandelectricitylinesweresevered.

Humanbloodranthroughtheguttersinsurgingrivulets.

“Ma’am?”

Suddenly,Cassandrawasbackinthecathedral.Shewasstillonherknees,butthesliverofwoodhad

fallenfromherhand.Herheartwasbeatingatanincrediblerate,trappedinherfrozenbody.She
couldn’tseeforthetearsthatfilledhereyes.

“Areyouallright,ma’am?”Theyoungpolicemanstoodbehindher,hisfaceconcerned.Although

they’dtaughthimhowtohandlesituationslikethisatthepoliceacademy,somehow,ithadn’tprepared
himfortherealthing.“Youreallyshouldn’thavecomein.I…

I’msorryaboutyourloss,”headded,feelingtotallyinadequate.

Insilence,Cassandraallowedhimtotakeherarmandleadherbackoutside.

ShehadforetoldRaymondMarcus’sdeath.Asifoncue,themanhaddied.Nowsheneededtofind

outwhatthisvisionmeant…andhowtopreventitfromcomingtrue.

Therewasonlyonemansheknewwhocouldhelpher.Butfirst,shewouldhavetofindhim.

Thesunwasadistantyellowdisk,planetEarthinvisibleagainstitsglare.

J’onnJ’onzzstoodonhisnativeworldofMarsoncemore,hisfeetplantedontheveryrimof

OlympusMons,thehighestmountainontheRedPlanet.Once,ithadbeenapopularattractionforhis
people,offeringthebestviewsofanylocationonMars.

Sixmilesbelowlaythegreatplains.BeyondMangalaValles,DaedaliaPlanumstretchedawaytothe

south.Tothewest,theruggedTharsisMontesblockedoffallfurtherview,butheknewthatbehind
themlayNoctisLabyrinthus,theMazeoftheNight,andthemassiveimpactbasinsofArgyreand
Hellas.

Strange,hethought,thesenewnames,whenonceIknewthemonlybytheirMartiandesignations.

PerhapsheshouldhavetoldNASA,whentheyfirststartedsendingtheVoyagersandExplorersto

documenthisworld.ButMartianvowelsandsyllablesareunpronounceableforanyhumanbeing.Sohe
saidnothing,andonEarthLatinandancientGreekbecamethenewlanguageofMars.

Atleasttheoldnameswillliveon…whileIliveon.

Everyyearhecamehere,foranhour,aday,oraweek—forhoweverlongittookhimtopurgethelure

oftheRedPlanetfromhissystem.Alifetimeofmemorieswaslockedupintheubiquitousreddustand
blackbasalticbouldersthatlitteredtheplateau.

Heturnedtolooknortheast,towardthemassiveBorealeChasma.Farbeyondit,frozenintwo

hundreddegreesofcold,wasthenorthernicecap;underitlaythevastsubterraneanreservoirswherethe
preciouswaterhadseepedaway.OnedayNASAwasinforamajorsurprise.

Somewheredownontheplain,wansunlighttwinkledoffgleamingmetal.Somethingleftbehindby

oneoftheNASAexpeditions,asurfacerover.Billion-dollarjunk,glitteringlikeajewelamidthedebris
ofhisworld.

Thelandhadbeenlivingonce,andithadteemedwithgreen.Theinhabitants—J’onn’speople,the

veryrootsofhisexistence—hadbeenlikesentientbeingseverywhere:good,bad,indifferent,andevery
moralshadeinbetween.Hehadawifethen,andthemostbeautifuldaughter.Healsohadfriends.He
hadalife.

Andthenadevastatingplaguehadclaimedeverything,notjustfromhim,butfromMarsitself.Apart

fromJ’onn,notasinglesoulhadsurvivedthecontagionthatspreadfasterthantheycouldburnthe
bodiesofthedead.

Aspowerfulemotionsweptthroughhim,hesanktohisknees.Onehandtouchedtheground,andhe

scoopedupahandfulofdust,lettingitsdreamsandmemoriestrickleslowlyawaythroughhisfingers.It
swirledgentlyinthethin,almostnonexistentatmosphere,andsettledslowlytotheground.

Dusttodust…likethebonesofmypeople.

Heraisedhiseyesbeneathhiscraglikebrows,squintingagainstthesettingsuntomakeoutEarth.His

adoptedworld.

J’onnthoughtofthefriendswho’dtakenhimin,treatedhimasoneoftheirown,givenpurposeback

tohislifewhenhesawonlymiseryaheadofhim.HewouldalwaysoweadebttoSupermanandthe
membersoftheJusticeLeague.

ButinhishearthewouldalwaysbeaMartian,aRedPlanetwarrior,thelastofhisrace.

Heleapedoutward,almostovercompensatingfortheweakergravity,andsoareddownforseveral

long,gloriousminutes.Thepastwaslonggone,butwhilehehelditsealedinhismemory,insomeway
itwouldliveon.

Thenhelandedontheplainandstrodeoffintothered,dustydistanceoverthebonesofhispeople.

CHAPTER8

TheDarknightDetective

MarlbuckPoint,October29

“AndhowcanIhelpye,laddie?”

HamishStewart’sliltingScottishaccentcutthroughthequietofthelate-Octobernoon.Hestood

besidethescuffedDodgeChargerthathadpulledupbesidehim,itstopdown.Hamish’sexpressionwas
politeasheranhiseyesoverthecar’sdriver—abroad-shoulderedmanwithsilverflecksinhishair,
wearingheavy-rimmedglasses.

“Mr.Stewart?”themanasked.“I’mDagRawlings.I’ma—”

“Journalist,aye?”Hamishfinishedforhim,gesturingtowardthenotepadandtaperecorderthatlayon

thepassengerseat.

“You’reveryastute,sir.”Dagsmiledasheunlatchedthedoorandswunghislegsoutofthecarand

ontothegravelroad.Hereachedbackinforasturdywalkingcaneandleanedonitashestood.“But
actually,Iwasabouttosaywriter.There’sadifference.”

“Oh,Iknowthatfine,”thesturdy,middle-agedScotreplied.“I’mawriterofsortsmyself.Historical

research.Twobookspublished,workingonthethird.”

“Well,sir,Iwon’ttakeupmuchofyourvaluabletime.”Dagsquintedhiseyesagainstthegolden

autumnsunasitreflectedoffthecar’ssidemirror.“I’mheretoseeJennyAyles.”

“Maybe,”theoldermanmused,“butthequestionis,doesshewanttoseeyou?”

“It’sallright,Hamish,”JennyAylescalled,herfootstepscrunchingonthegravelasshehurriedupto

jointhem.“Mr.Rawlingscalledmelastnight.IsaidI’dseehim.Ishouldhavetoldyou—itjustwent
completelyoutofmyhead.”

HamishStewartgruntedandlookedathiswatch.“Aye,well,justbesureyedon’ttaketoolong.I’m

onatightbudget,asI’msureyeknow.”

“Ishouldknow,”JennymutteredunderherbreathasStewartstrodeoff.“Youremindmeoften

enough!”

Dagsmiled,hisperfectwhiteteethmarredbyabrokencrownatoneside.“Bitofaslavedriver,ishe?”

“Let’swalkovertowhereI’mworking,”Jennysaid,beforeansweringhisquestion.“No,Hamishisa

joytoworkfor.Buthehastofundhisownresearch,becausehisbookadvancesaresosmall.”

Sheledhimoffthetrackandthroughathickclumpofbushestoanopengrassyareabeyond,Dag’s

limpslightbutnoticeableashewalked.Theywereonasmallplateauaboutfiftyfeetabovetheocean,
andDagcouldsmellthesaltinthecoolbreeze.He’ddrivenuptoMarlbuckPointfromGothamCityin
thenoonsunshine,leavingbehindthedocksandindustrialzonesastheDodgeclimbedthenarrow,
twistingroadthathuggedtherockycoast.Onlyfortymilesfromtown,yetitwaslikeanotherworld.

Thegrassinfrontofthemwasscarredwithseveralneattrenches,abouteighteenincheswideand

severalfeetdeep.Athinyoungmanina“SavethePlanet”T-shirtwasonhishandsandknees,sifting
throughaspoilheapwithpainstakingslowness.Heglancedupbrieflytoacknowledgetheirpresence,
menbentbacktohistask.

Jennystoppedattheendofatrenchandlookedaroundtosurveythewholesite.“You’dneverbelieve

therewasavillagehereonce,”shesaidalmostwistfully.

“You’rekidding.”

“No.See—evidenceofahearth.”Shepointedtoapatchofupturnedsoilafewshadesdarkermanthe

rest.“Charcoal.Stakeholesinthegroundthere—”Herfingerswiveled,indicatingafewsmall
indentations.“Rottedwoodinthem.Theysupportedhouses,maybesixhundredyearsago.Atleast,if
Hamish’stheoriesarecorrect.”

“Yes.I’vereadhisbooks.”

Jennylookedathiminsurprise.“Youhave?That’safirst—I’venevermetanyonewho’sreadthem.

Apartfrommyself,andJamie.”Shenoddedtowardtheyoungman.“Andhe’sHamish’sson.”

“Mr.StewartbelievesthatmembersofaScottishclansettledpartsoftheeastcoastofAmerica

centuriesbeforeColumbus‘discovered’it,right?”

“Withgoodreason,”Jennysaiddefensively,thoughtherehadbeennothinginDag’stonetosaythat

hewasskeptical.“We’veunearthedquitealotofcircumstantialevidence.Wejustneedsomething
concretenow,likeaninscription,ormaybeatool.”

Shebrokeoff,playingnervouslywithastrandoftheblondhairthatframedherface.“Butyou’renot

heretoaskmeaboutHamish,Mr.Rawlings,”shesaidatlast.

“That’strue.”Dagnoddedtowardatussockofseagrass.“Mindifwesitdown,MissAyles?My

leg…”headded,bywayofexplanation.

Dagcarefullyloweredhimselfontothegrass,andJennyseatedherselfcross-leggedonarockafew

feetaway.“AsImentionedonthephone,”hewenton,unstrappingthetaperecorderfromhisshoulder,
“I’minvestigatingtheGothamPyramid.”

Jennypulledhercardigancloseraroundher,thoughthesunwaswarminspiteoftheseabreeze.“And

that’sallI’mwillingtotalkabout,”shesaid,almoststernly.“Thepyramid.”

Dagnodded.“I’mawriter,notatabloidreporter.Itwouldbehelpfulifyoucouldtellmeeverything

yourememberaboutthepyramid,nomatterhowirrelevantitseems.”

Dagglancedmeaningfullyatthetaperecorder,andJennynodded.Heswitcheditto“record”mode,

andheldthemicrophonelooselyinfrontofher.

Jennyhesitatedforamoment,collectingherthoughts.“Well,cometothinkofit,”shebegan,“when

ourteamfirststoodontop,ashiverranupmyspine.Ididn’tknowifitwasexcitement,orfear.”She
shookherhead.“ButitcertainlyaffectedPeter.Myboyfriend,”sheadded.“Fromthemomentwe
arrived,hewasbad-temperedandimpatient,pickingfightsfornoreason.Ithoughtitwasbecausehe
wassoexcited.Hehadthistheory,yousee—thatthepyramidwasconstructedforashaman,awitch
doctor,ifyoulike.Asorcerer.Someonewhowantedtocontrolthepyramid’senergysystem.”

“Energysystem?”Dag’seyebrowsfurled.“Howdoyoumean?”

Jennygazedatthesunlightreflectingofftherestlessocean,andsighed.Shehadn’tbothered

explainingPeter’stheoriestothereporterswho’dquizzedher,theoneswhowereinterestedonlyin
scandal.ButnowshefoundherselftellingDageverythingPeterhadconfidedinherovertheyears.His
beliefintelluricenergy,thenaturalflowfromhigh-tolow-resistancepointsoftheearth’smagnetic
field.Histheoriesabouthumanexploitationofpiezoelectricforces,andhowthemindcouldinteract
withtheirelectromagneticfields.Hiswildideasaboutundiscoveredenergyformsproducedbycurrents
inthedeepmagmalayersundertheearth’scrust.

Daglistenedattentively,interjectingtheoddquestion,carefultokeephisvoicelevelsoasnotto

betraythemountingexcitementhefeltatJenny’sanswers.Perhapsthiswasn’tgoingtobeawild-goose
chaseafterall.Hewasbeginningtoseehiddenconnectionsbetweenevents,andwasparticularly
interestedinJenny’sdescriptionofaworldwideenergygridthatconnectedhundreds,ifnotthousands,
ofancientsites.

HamishStewartambledpastthemacoupleoftimes,pointedlylookingathiswatchandmutteringto

himself,buthemadenoefforttointerrupttheinterview.

WhenJennyfinallybegantorunoutofwords,thesunwasstartingtosinktowardthehorizon,

lengtheningtheshadowsonthegrass.Thebreezehadbecomemarkedlycooler.

“Iseemtohavetakenupmostofyourafternoon,”Dagapologized.“Thankyou.IonlyhopeIhaven’t

reawakenedpainfulmemories.”

“I’veneverforgotten,Mr.Rawlings,”Jennysaidwithsuddenpassion.“Ithinkaboutwhathappened

everyday.Ihavenightmaresmorenightsthannot”Shehesitatedbriefly,asifcomingtosomeinner
decision,thenrushedon.“That’swhyIlefttheuniversity.EverythingremindedmeofPeter.”

Shepaused,thenadded,“AndProfessorMills.”

DagcouldtellthatJennywantedtotalk—thatsheneededsomeonetolistentoher.Deliberately,

makingsureshesawwhathewasdoing,hereacheddownandswitchedhistaperecorderoff.

Jenny’seyesflickeduptolookintohis,andsheblinkedtoholdbackatear.“Thetabloidsjustprinted

whattheywanted,”shesaidsadly.“TheytwistedeverythingIsaid,madeGothamUsoundlikeahotbed
ofsexandsin.Theyevenmadethingsup.Butitwasn’tlikethatatall!”

Shewasquietforalongmoment,hereyesdistant,wrappedinmemories.“Peterwasagenius,”she

saidalmostdreamily,thenquicklycorrectedherself,“Isagenius.RobertMillshimselfsaidPeterhas
thepotentialtorevolutionizearchaeology.Buthe’salsoverytemperamental.Hecanbevery…difficult
withthoseclosetohim.”

Anothersilencebeforeherwordscamepouringout.“ItwaslikethatinPeru.Lastyear.PeterandI

quarreled—itwasoversomethingtrivial,Ican’tevenrememberwhat.Buthesaidsomehurtfulthings
tome.Iwasupset.”

Conflictingemotionscrossedherprettyface,guiltandmiseryandgriefalljumbleduptogether.

“Robert…comfortedme.Onethingledtoanother,and…well,sorrytobesoblunt,butPeterwalkedin
onus.”

“AndyouthinkthatgavePetermotivationforwhathappenedatthepyramid?”

“Yes.No.Idon’tknow.”Jennywasclosetotears.“ThePeterIknowwouldneverdoathinglikethat,

notunderanycircumstances.ButItoldyou—hestartedactingstrangelyassoonasweclimbedthe
pyramid.”

HamishStewartpassedagain,andDaggottohisfeet.Jennysawhimwincewithpainashe

straightenedhisbadleg.Shestoodupherselfandreachedoutahandtoshakehis.

“Thankyou,Mr.Rawlings,”shesaidsincerely.“Ifeelalotbetternow.IguessIneededsomeoneto

listentome.”

“That’ssomethingweallneed,”Dagagreedsagely.“Thankyouagainforyourtime,Ms.Ayles.”

Hetookacoupleofsteps,thenturnedbacktoherasifhe’dforgottensomething.

“Oh,onelastquestion,ifyoudon’tmind.”Heslippedhishandinhispocketandbroughtoutasheet

offoldeddrawingpaper.Heopenedit,andJennysquintedatitinthefadinglight.“Doesmismean
anythingtoyou?”

Therewasapencilsketchonthesheet,showingahumanfiguredressedinanimalpeltsandwearinga

bull-likehornedheadpiece.Jennystaredatitandshookherhead.“Sorry,”shetoldhim.“Itlookslike
somekindoftribalshaman—similartotheonesdepictedincaveartinsomeareasofEurope.ButI’m
afraidIdon’tknowenoughaboutthesubjecttobeanymoreprecise.Icanrecommendsomebooks,if
youlike.”

“Excellent.”Dagrefoldedthesheetandstuffeditbackinhispocket.

Jennyreeledoffashortlistoftitleshemightfindinteresting,thenwatchedasDagretracedhissteps

alongthefootpathandthroughthebushes.Sheheardthesoundofhiscarenginestartandcaughta
fleetingglimpseoftheglowfromhistaillightsastheChargerbouncedbackalongthegraveltrack
towardthehighway.

Shefeltdrained,butstrangelymoreatpeacethanshehadsincePeter’sdisappearance.EvenHamish

Stewart’spointedcommentsabout“thewastedafternoon”didn’tfazeher.

AsfarasDagRawlingswasconcerned,theafternoonhadbeenfarfromwasted.Hehadlearnedmore

thanifhe’dspentaweekinalibrary.

TheDodgebarreledbackdownthehighwaytowardGothaminlighttraffic.Therushhourhadstarted,

butmostvehicleswereheadedintheoppositedirection,outofthecity.

Dagthumbedabuttononthedashboard,andtheglovecompartmentpoppedopen.Hereachedoverto

takeoutamoisttoweletteandrubbeditacrosshishead.Whenhetosseditaside,itwassmearedwith
thesilverhighlightsfromhishair.Instantlyhelookedtwentyyearsyounger.

Ashecontinuedon,histonguepushedatthebrokentoothinthecornerofhismouth,dislodgingthe

smallplasticcamouflagecap.Hespatitout.

JennyAylesandHamishStewart—andanyoneelsewho’dseenhimthatafternoon—wouldremember

amiddle-agedmanwithabrokentoothandabadlimp.Notthemostelaboratedisguisehe’deverused,
butithadservedhispurpose.

NoonewouldeverconnectDagRawlingswiththemanwhoreallydrovethecar—GothamCity’s

billionaireplayboy,BruceWayne.

CelebrityTVshowsandnewspapergossipcolumnsoftenreportedonBruceWayne’scomingsand

goings;afterall,hewasreputedtobethecity’swealthiestman—anditsmosteligiblebachelor.

AccordingtothereportsWaynewasafop,ahandsomebutweak-willedmanwhosemajormissionin

lifewastospendthevastfortunehisfatherhadbequeathedhim.Hisexploitsontheskislopesofthe
ItalianAlpsorinthesun-drenchedresortsofSouthAfricagavethetabloidreportersreamsofcolumn
spaceastheyspeculatedonwhohewasdating,whohehaddumped,andwhohaddumpedhim.

He’dbeenromanticallylinkedwithsupermodels,Hollywoodactresses,andthedaughtersofEuropean

aristocracy.

NotoneofthemwouldrecognizethemanwhosatatthewheeloftheDodge,hisfacegrim,eyes

intentontheroadaheadevenashismindracedtointegrateeverythinghe’dlearnedfromJennyAyles.

Toomanycoincidences,hethought.Allofthisisconnectedsomehow—RobertMills’smurder,Peter

Glaston’sdisappearance,theweirdbluelights,theunbelievablypowerfulfigurewhofacedtheJustice
League…andbeatthem.Buthow?Whataretheconnections?

WaynetooktheserviceroadfortheGothamNarrowsBridgeandwashalfwayacrossitbeforehesaw

thegoldenbeamoflightthatlancedupwardfromacityroof.Itwasfocusedonasinglelow,darkcloud,
andashedrewcloserhecouldmakeouttheshimmeringshapeoftheBat-Signalprojectedonthe
cloud’sbase.

CommissionerGordonneedstoseetheBatman.

Ahalfmilepasttheendofthebridge,WayneturnedthecaroffthemainroadintotheoldIndustrial

Zone.Backinthenineteenthirtiesandforties,anationwidenetworkofraillineshadterminatedhere,
bringingrawmaterialsfromthehinterlandtofeedGotham’sinsatiablefactories.Whenthenew,postwar
lightindustriesstartedtoexpand,theyrelocatedtotheareaofthedocks,abandoningtheI.Z.totherats
andvandals.Noweventhevandalshadmovedon,leavingaghosttownstrippedofeverythingthathad
evenaglimmerofvalue.

Waynedimmedhisheadlightsanddroveswiftlythroughtherutted,disintegratingstreets.Therewere

nostreetlightshere,buttheso-calledplayboyknewexactlywherehewasgoing.

AstheDodgeapproachedacrumblingredsandstonewarehouse,Waynedepressedabuttononasmall

infraredcontrolpanelconcealedbehindthecar’sradiodisplay.Immediately,asectionofbrickworkslid
back,revealingaspacejustlargeenoughfortheDodgetosqueezethrough.

Thesecretdoorwaydosedautomaticallybehindhimasthecarshotinside,drawingtoahaltinthe

deepshadows.Overtheyears,partsofthebuildingroofhadcollapsed,fallingintotheinterior,leaving
moundsofrubbleandglassheapeduponthestoreroomfloor.

Wayneslidoutofthecar,withnotatraceofthelimphe’dfeignedthatafternoon.Itwasalmostpitch-

blackinhere,buthismovementsweresmoothandconfident;obviously,heknewtheplacewell.

Acursorycheckassuredhimnoonehadbeenheresincehe’dlasttakentheDodgeoutintheearly

hoursofthemorning.Thethickdustonthefloorhadn’tbeendisturbed,andtheall-but-invisiblelengths
ofcordthathe’dthreadedacrosstheopenareaswereunbroken.Hesteppedquicklyoverthem,
carefullykeepingtothebricksteppingstonesscatteredhereandthere,seeminglyatrandom,ashemade
foranindistinct,six-foot-highpileofrubble.

Hebentsuddenly,reachingunderneathatwistedpileofcorrugatedsteelpanels.Hisfingers

encounteredhard,coolplasticandsoughtoutthecontrolbuttonssetintoit.

Theairshimmeredforamomentasthehologramprojectorshutoff.Thehighpileofrubblewas

suddenlyrevealedforwhatitreallywas—thesleek,menacinglinesoftheBatmobile,theBatman’s
high-techcar.

Wayneheldthepalmofonehandagainsttheinfraredreaderpadrecessedinthecardoor.Soundlessly,

thedoorslidopen.Ifhe’dbeenanintruder,severalhundredvoltswouldhavesenthimonhisway.

SecondslatertheBatmobileshotoutofthebuilding,itsmassiveenginebarelytickingover,allofits

lightsrunningoninfraredmode.Itwheeledinatightsemicircleandspedtowardthejunctionwiththe
highwayintodowntown.

Themanseatedbehindthewheel,hiddenbysmokedglassandsteelplate,wasnolongerBruce

Wayne.Alightweightcowlcoveredhishead;short,stubby,batlikeearsjuttedupfromit.Hiseyeswere
hiddenbehindamask,thebat-symbolemblazonedonhischest.

Hewasalreadydoingwelloverahundredmilesanhourasthecarhitthenear-desertedhighway.

Threemiles,andfewerminutes,later,BatmanparkedintheStygianshadowsofanarrowcitycenter

alley.

TheBatmobile’sroofslidnoiselesslyopen.Agrapnelsnakedupward,andBatmanswunghimselfup

intothenighttimerooftops.Swinging,running,anddiving,neversettingafootwrong,hemadehisway
swiftlytowardPoliceHeadquarters.

Ahugeelectronicbillboardblazedonabuildingroof.only2days2go!itsflickeringneonletters

declared.Beneaththemwasanarrayofgrotesquemasks,theirfeatureslightingupanddarkeningagain
inaneye-catchingdisplaythathadbeenthetalkofthecitywhenitwasfirsterectedaweekearlier.

mega-maskswasemblazonedalongthebottomoftheboard.weputthe‘hell’inhelloween!

Batmangrimacedastheinertiareelofhislineswunghimpastthefaceofthemassivebillboard,his

trailingcapebrieflycoveringthewinkingneonlights.Halloweenwasfarfromhisfavoritetimeofyear.
ItalwaysseemedtodrawouttheworstofGotham,asiftheoldlegendsaboutitbeingwitches’night
werefirmlygroundedinreality—asif,undertheirmasks,people’sinhibitionsdisappeared.And,of
course,itprovidedtheperfectcoverforcriminalactivity.

VillainslikeScarecrowalwaysseemedtoberevitalizedastheautumnnightsheraldedthecoming

winter.LastyearithadbeentheturnofCorneliusStirk,thecannibal,who’descapedfromArkham
AsylumandbroughtterrortothecityfordaysbeforeBatmanmanagedtoreturnhimtohispaddedcell.

Butthisyearpromisestobetheworstofall.TheunwelcomethoughtranthroughBatman’smind.The

JusticeLeague’smightiestmembersgone—capturedorabductedbywhoknowswhat?Andmearmed
withonlyahandfulofsuspicionsandevenfewerleads.

Heshruggedthenaggingthoughtaside.JennyAyleshadgivenhimmuchtoconsider,andoncehe

dealtwithwhateveremergencyJimGordonwascallinghimto,he’ddevotehimselffull-timetotrying
topieceJenny’sdataintowhatlittlehealreadyknew.

Therewasasenseofsomegrandschemebehindalltheseeminglydisparateeventsofthepastmonth

orso.Itwouldtaketimeandhardthoughtbeforehecouldbegintopinitdown.

Batmanflexedhisanklesandkneesashedroppedfifteenfeetthroughtheair,landingatoptheroofof

theinsurancecompanybuildingthatstoodnexttoPoliceHQ.Slightlybelowhim,atthefarendofthe
roof,hecouldseetwofigureswaitingbythehugelampthatprojectedtheBat-Signal.JimGordonwas
unmistakable,hisovercoatcollarturnedupashehunchedhimselfagainstthecuttingwindthatblewat
thisheightabovethecity’sconcretecanyons.Therewasadullredglowashepuffedfuriouslyatthe
pipeclampedinhisteeth.

Obviouslyfallenoffthewagon,Batmanthought,knowingthatGordonwashavingdifficulty

implementinghisdecisiontoquitsmoking.Thestressofthejobmadeitdoublyhardforthelifelong
nicotineaddicttobreakhishabit.

Batman’seyesnarrowedashesawthatJimGordon’scompanionwasawoman.Shewasbundledup

inadarkcape,ascarfknottedoverherhair.Anditwasherhair,strugglingoutofitscoveringin

platinumlocks,thatgaveheridentityaway.

BatmanhadmetMadameCassandraoncebefore.Athiswits’endwhilestrivingtobringtoadoseone

oftheJoker’sinsanemurdersprees,he’dturnedtoCassandraforhelp.She’dbeenoflittleassistance,
butherememberedherasasincereandseriousyoungwoman.

NotasoundbetrayedhimasBatmandroppeddownontothelowerroof.Hemovedthroughshadows

thrownbytheforestofair-conditioningboxestowardthewaitingcouple.Onlywhenhewashalf-a-
dozenfeetawaydidhecoughslightlytoalertthemtohispresence.

HesawCassandrastartvisibly,butJimGordonwaslongusedtoBatman’ssurreptitiouscomingsand

goingsandhadlearnedtotaketheminstride.

“Sorryaboutthis.”Gordonturnedtowardtheshadows,andBatmansawthattheoldermanlooked

uncomfortable,evenembarrassedashebrieflynoddedinCassandra’sdirection.“Sherefusestotalkto
anyoneelse.IfI’vebroughtyouhereonawild-goosechase,callmeanoldfooland—”

“Neverthat,Commissioner,”Batmansaidquietly,keepingitformalforthebenefitofthegirl.

Batman’sfriendshipwithJimGordonwentbackalongway,totheveryfirstnightswhenBatman

tooktotherooftopsasthecity’sguardian.Adozenyearsearlier,eight-year-oldBruceWaynehadstood
by,youngandterrifiedandhelpless,ashisparentsweregunneddownbeforehiseyesinastreetrobbery
gonewrong.Theboy’slifeseemedtoendthen.

Later,whenterrorhadturnedtogriefandthentoguilt,thechildhadkneltonhisparents’graveand

madeasolemnvowintheirmemory.

“Mother,Father,Ipromiseyouthis,”BruceWaynesaid,thetearsthatrolleddownhischeekslostin

thedrivingmidnightrain.“Someday,somehow,Iwillpreventotherinnocentpeoplefromdying.What
happenedtoyouwillneverhappentoanyoneelse,ifIhavethepowertostopit!”

Formorethanadecade,youngBruceWayneworkedobsessivelytoattainthegoalshe’dsetfor

himself.Regularpunishingexerciseturnedhimintoaperfectphysicalspecimen.Hedevelopedreading
andmemoryskillsuntilhecouldrecallalmostanythinghe’deverseenatwill.Heexpandedhisgeneral
knowledgeuntilhisheadswamwithfactsandfigures,andtookindepthcoursesonsubjectsasvariedas
forensicscienceandthepsychologyofcriminality.

Hetraveledextensively,trainingunderavarietyofmasters:detectives,martialartists,andgymnasts.

TheWaynefortunemeantthathecouldaffordtoemployonlytheverybestteachers.

Finally,whenhewastwenty-one,hedecidedthathistraininghadcometoanend.Afterallthese

years,hewasready.Itwastimetofulfillthepromisehe’dmadetohisparents.Timeforjustice.

Hechosetheimageofthebatashisdisguisebecauseitinspiredfear,particularlyincriminals.Itnever

ceasedtoamazeBatmanhowthemuch-malignedbatwasreviledasademon,asymbolofevilanda
harbingerofdeath,throughouttheworld.

ButBruceWaynewouldbethebat-demonfromheaven.Hewouldhelpordinarypeople.Hewould

bringjusticetothosewhomockedit.Hewouldbringlawtothelivesofthosewhohatedit.

Anditwouldallhaveendedwithinweeks,haditnotbeenforJamesGordon.

Gordonhadbrokenalong-runningcorruptionracketinhisownforceinChicago.Memorieswere

long,andalotofcopsdidn’tlikeoneoftheirownwhoblabbed.SoGordonwastransferredtoGotham
City,asharshawayasanyforapolicemantobepunished.

JimGordonwasappalledbothbythelawlessnessofGotham,andtheineptitudeandcorruptionofits

police.Heimmediatelysawanallyinthisnewvigilante—the“Batman,”asthemediacalledhim.Both
menthoughtthesameway,bothwouldconfrontanydangerinthecauseofwhattheyknewwasright,
andbothlovedjusticewithapassion.

Sometimes,lyingawakelateintothenight,Gordonhadwishedthathetoocouldbecomeacostumed

crimefighter.Nopaperworktoburyhim,nobosstoorderhimaround,nomorepettysquabblingand
jealousiesfromhissubordinates.ButGordonhadawifeandchild,andheowedittothemtobuilda
reliableandstablecareer.

NotlongafterBatman’spresenceinGothamhadfirstbecomeobvious,apoliceteamhadlaidan

ambushforthevigilante.Committedtoneverusingfirearms,Batmanfoundhimselftrappedinan
emptyhousesurroundedbymorethanadozensharpshooters.He’dalreadytakenonebullet,ahigh-
velocityrifleshotthatsearedthroughthefleshofhisthighandmadeitdifficulttostand,letalonerun.

WithoutJimGordon’shelp,Batmanwouldhavediedthatnight.

Therighteouscopfollowedthedictatesofhisconscience.Heturnedablindeyewhenitwasneeded

most,andallowedBatmantoescapetofightagainanothernight.Tobecomeoneofthefewmeninthe
worldthatGordonwouldtrustwithhislifeinthewaragainstcrime.

Alothadchangedinthepastdozenyears.Jim’sgoodworksawhimpromotedagainandagain,until

he’deventuallybecomeCommissioner.Butintheinterim,hiswifelefthim,takingtheirsonwithher.
HisnieceBarbarawasshotandcrippledbytheJoker;now,unknowntoheruncle,shehadbecomethe
mysteriousOracle,whosecomputerexpertisewasinvaluabletotheJusticeLeague.

Finally,Jim’shopesoffindingnewloveweresmashedwhenhissecondwife,SaraEssen,was

murdered.

Onlyonetilinghadn’tchanged:througheverything,hisfriendshipwithBatmanhadendured,

unwavering.

“I’llwaitoutofearshot,”thecommissionersaidnow,snappingofftheheavyswitchontheBat-Signal

projector.Thestylizedblackbatdisappearedfromtheclouds.

“No,”Cassandrasaidemphatically.“WhatIhavetosaymightsoundcrazy,butthepoliceshouldhear

it,too.”

Gordonnoddedhisagreement,andCassandra’sbrowcreasedasshetriedtopenetratetheroof

shadows.SheknewBatmanwasthere,she’dheardhisvoice,buttherewasnothinginthedarknessshe
couldpindownasahumanshape.Shecouldfeelhispresence,though,steadyandcalming.

“Please,goon,”Batmansaid,asifhesensedherdilemma.

“Asyouknow,I’manempath,”Cassandrabegan,hervoicequietandsteady.“Inscientificterms,my

unconsciousmindpicksuptinysignalsfromotherpeopleandamplifiesthem.Sometimes,Ican
extrapolatethesefeelingsintothefuture,soIcantellwhat’sgoingtohappenbeforeitdoes.”

Shebrokeoffabruptly,afraidthatJimGordonwouldlaughather.Batmanalreadyknewofher

abilities,butthepragmaticcommissionerdidn’t.However,Jimhadstudiedpsychology,andknewthat
90percentormoreofallcommunicationtookplaceatalevelbelowthethresholdofconscious
perception.Infact,Gordon’sowndepartmentincreasinglyusedslow-motionvideosofcriminal
interrogationstorevealfarmorethantheirwordsevercould.Thetellingofaliecouldbepinpointed
exactlybythefilm.

“ThenightoftheattackatGothamCathedral,”Cassandracontinued,“Ihadaconsultationwitha

client.Ihadafull-blownvision.Myfirstever.”Hervoicebecamehuskywithemotion,andshestopped
forasecondtocomposeherself.“Isawthatmyclientwasgoingtodieatthehandsofabull-headed
monster.”

AshiverrandownBatman’sspine,afeelingmostpeoplemighthaveputdowntofear.ButBatman

knewitforwhatitwas—asignalthatanotherpieceofthisunfathomablejigsawwasstartingtofallinto
place.

“Iadvisedmyclienttogohome.Heignoredme,andpaidtheprice.He…hewascrushedtodeath

laterthatnightattheservice.”

JimGordonfrowned.Itwashisjobtocatchwhoeverhadkilledthosepeopleinthecathedral,but

despitethrowingeverypoliceofficerhecouldatthecase,sofarhedidn’thaveasinglelead.

“That’sit?”thecommissioneraskedCassandra,unabletokeepthedisappointmentfromhisvoice.

“Itwasenoughforme,Commissioner!”Cassandrashotbackathim.

Jimacceptedtherebukewithamutteredapology.Easyforhimtoforgethowdeeplyandpersonally

deathalwaystouchedthoseaffectedbyit.Hesawadozenormorecorpseseveryweekofhislife;itwas
sometimeshardtorememberthateachonehaditsowntragictale.

Heturnedawaytofireuphispipeagain,andCassandrawentoninalowvoice.“NextdayIwentto

thecathedraltopaymyrespects.Ihadanothervision,muchmorepowerfulthanthefirst.”Shehaltedto
moistenhersuddenlydrylips—agesture,bothmenknew,thatwhatshehadexperiencedtruly
frightenedher.“Isawthebull-headedmanagain,butthistimehewasgigantic.Hetoweredover
GothamCitylikeagod.”

“Oradevil,”Batmanadded,sosoftlyshedidn’tevenhear.

“Lightningcamefromhiseyesandhishands.Buildingsburstintoflame.Thewholecitywasonfire.

Peopleweredying—menandwomen.Icouldhearchildrenscreaming—”

Cassandrabrokeoff,hershouldersheavingassobsrackedherbody.Tearswelledupinhereyesand

poureddownhercheeks.Unnoticed,Batmanhadtakenacoupleofstepsclosertoher.Hisarmextended
aroundhershoulder,drawingheragainsthim,lettingherfeelthecalmstrengthofhisbody.Amanwho
hadmasteredhisfear.

Hersobssubsided,andshetiltedherheadbacksoshewaslookingupdirectlyintothevigilante’s

maskedeyes.

“It’sgoingtohappen,”shesaid,asevenlyasshecould.“Iknowit’sgoingtohappen.Thewholecity

wasonfire!”Shereacheduptoknuckleawayfreshtears.Whenshespokeagain,therewasavehement
edgetoherwords.“Youhavetostopit,Batman.Somebodyhastostopit!”

JimGordonheavedasigh.Hecouldhavebeeninhissnugofficeforthepasthalfhour,wading

throughsomeofthepaperworkthatdelugedhimeveryday.“GuessIamthatoldfoolafterall,”he
began,butstoppedasBatmanspoke.

“Cassandra,whatyou’vejusttoldusfitsverycloselywithanothercaseI’minvestigating.Think

carefullynow—”Hisvoicewasstillsoft,butcontainedtheauthoritativetoneofamanusedtogetting
hisownway.“Wasthereanyindicationofatimescaleinyourvision?Imean,anythingthatwould
allowyoutojudgeexactlywhenthiswasgoingtohappen?”

“Why,yes.”Cassandrahadn’tpaidmuchattentiontothedetailofwhatshe’dseen,she’dbeentoo

traumatizedbythedeathanddestruction.Butthedatehadbeenobvious.“Everyonewaswearing
masqueradecostumes.Andfacemasks.Halloween…it’llhappenonHalloween.”

“AllHallow’sEve.”Batman’svoicewasgrim.“Wehaveonlytwodaysfromnow….”

CHAPTER9

TheStoneKing

PeterGlastonwasalive,butdead.Hestillexisted,hisbodystillmovedandacted,hismindstill

thought.

Only,itwassomeoneelse’sexistencethatfilledhim,crowdingPeteroutuntilhewasnomorethana

spectatorinthetheaterofhisownlife.Hisbodymovedatthevolitionofanintruder.Thethoughtsof
hisconquerorblastedhisownintowispsofgibberingtrivia.

GlastonwasstillinsidethehiddenchamberoftheGothampyramid.Hedidn’tknowwhetherornot

he’dbeenheresincehefoundit,becausehismemoryseemedtobeplayingtricksonhim.He
rememberedbrightlight,likeafountainofshiningblood,eruptinginGothamCathedral.Yethe’dnever
beentothecathedral.Herememberedasubwaytrainscreamingdownitstracksatbreakneckspeed,a

rocketshipblastingoffintoorbit,amanwithagreenring.

Heremembereddeadmenwalking.

Somethinghadpossessedhim.Aspirit…aghost…aconsciousness.Ithadgainedaccessthemoment

hefellthroughtheceilingofthatsealedchamber,burstingintohisbrainlikeanexplodingstar.Asifit
hadbeenlurkingacrossthecountlesscenturies,waitingforhim.

Ithadmadehimdiglikeadoginthehard-packedsoil.ClutchingtheancientaxinPeter’shand,ithad

usedhislipstoemitagutturalshriekoftriumph.Andwhenthebladeroseandfell,buryingitselfdeep
inRobertMills’sskull,itwasn’tPeterGlaston’sthoughtsthatguidedit.

HerememberedMills’sbloodandbrainssplashingoverhim,horrifyinghimtothepointofviolent

nausea.He’dtriedtovomit,butwithnocontroloverhisphysicalself,eventhatwasdeniedhim.

HewatchedhelplesslyashisownhandwasguidedtoMills’schest.Thestonebladebegantoslice

throughtheprofessor’sribcage,andPeter’snauseareachedfeverpitch.Hehadabrief,sickening
memoryofholdingaloftMills’sheart,stillpumpingweakly,slipperyblooddribblingdownhiswrist
andarm.ThenPeterhadlostconsciousness.

Whenhecameto,itwaswiththatmixtureoffearandreliefthatinvariablyaccompanieswakingfrom

anightmare.

ThankGodit’sover!hismindcriedwithblessedrelief.

Butwhenhetriedtomovehishand,nothinghappened.Itwasasifthenerveendingsthatinterfaced

betweenhisbodyandhisbrainhadbeensevered.Herealizedforthefirsttimethathenolongerowned
himself,thathe’dbeentakenover,turnedintoapuppet—atooltobeusedatthewhimofitsnewowner.

Theterrorhe’dfeltthenabatedsomewhat.Theblindpanicthathadfilledhimatnolongerbeingin

controlofhisownactions,hisownmind,hadgraduallyeased.Thoughhefeltitsmalice,itsmalign
pleasureinhurtingothers,whateverhadtakenhimoverseemedtobearhimnoevilintent.Infact,it
ignoredhimcompletely,asifhewascompletelyirrelevanttowhateveritplanned.Sometimeshefound
himselfwonderingifitevenknewthathewasstillthere.

Coweringinacornerofhisownmind,PeterGlastontriedtofathomwhathadhappenedtohim.Some

kindofpossession,obviously.Butbywhat?Andforwhatpurpose?

Hissensesstillcarriedinformation:hecouldfeelahairyanimalpeltagainsthisskin,hanginginloose

foldsoverhisshouldersandback.Didhereallyrememberafieldsuffusedwithmoonlight,thestone
bladeinhishandslicingthroughthejugularveinofanAberdeenAngusbull?Wasitpossiblehehad
dancedinameadowatnight,aslow,shufflingcounterclockwisemovement,chantingobscenelyashe
smearedhimselfwiththedeadbeast’sinnards?

Hisbodyreekedofstaleblood,somaybehismemorieswereauthentic.Therewasaweightpressing

downonhishead,andeverynowandthensomethingwarmandslickslippedfromittoslitherdownhis
neck.Hadhereallyhackedoffthebull’shead,crouchedforanhourashecarefullyskinneditsflesh

beforesettingitonoverhisownhead?Wasitbloodandanimalbrainsthatdrippedandsliddownhis
body?

Peterreawakenedfromhisreveriewithastart.Afteralongperiodofinactivity,asifhispossessorhad

beenasleep,hisbodywasmovingagain.

Theinteriorofthechamberseemedtohavegrown,somehow.Incongruously,Peterwasremindedof

anoldBritishtelevisionserieshe’dseen,aboutaspacetravelerwhosecraftwasaphoneboothonthe
outside,yetasbigasafootballstadiumwithin.Atesseract,Peterrecalledfromhisfreshmanscience
class.Atleasthismemorywasstillhisown.

Unlesstheintruderhadaccesstohismemories,too.

Twigsdippedinanimalfatandsetablazethrewoutasmokylightthatflickeredacrosstheroom

interior,butfailedtopenetratethedeepestshadows.Petersawshapesonthewall—spiralsandsticklike
humanfigures,lozengesandpalmprints—alloutlinedinbloodmathaddarkenedasitdried.The
remainsofthebull’sheadlayheapedonthealtarstone,givingoffanindescribablestench.

Peterwatchedinfascinatedhorrorashishand,withnoinputfromhim,closedaroundthebaseofa

burning,fat-soakedtorch.Wordsthathedidn’trecognize,whosemeaningwasamysterytohim,spilled
fromhismouthinagutturaldirge.

Hisfeetwerebare,andtheroughsoilraspedagainsthissoles.Seeminglyoftheirownvolition,they

carriedhimdeeperintothestone-linedchamber.

Withasenseofshock,hesawthefiguresthere.Totallymotionless,juttingfromamassiveblockof

stonethatmusthaveweighedfiftytons,hemistookthematfirstforcarefullycarved,life-size
sculptures.

Heheardhisownvoiceriseandfall,anewtoneinitnow,asifhewerepraying.Hishandmovedthe

flamingtorchinslow,spiralingcircles.Itsgutteringlightfellonthefigures,andPeterfelthisstomach
churnasherealizedwhattheywere.

TheJusticeLeagueofAmerica.

He’dseentheirpicturesinadozennewspapers,watchedfootageoftheirexploitsonthetelevision

news.Theywereevenpresentthedaythepyramidwasuncoveredbythedamburst.

Supermanwasunmistakeableinhisbluecostumeandredcape.Thedark-hairedfemalewiththetiara,

aredstaremblazonedinitscenter,wasWonderWoman.Theblack-and-greensymbolidentifiedGreen
Lantern.PeterhadneverseentheHashbefore—anyphotographoftheScarletSpeedstertendedtoshow
onlyaredblur—butdeduceditwashimfromthegoldenlightningstreakthatcrossedhischest.

Fourofthemightiestheroesintheworld…andPeterGlastonheldthemcaptive!

No,notme,Petercorrectedhimself.Whoeverhasinvadedmymindandstolenmybody.WhydidI

thinkitwasme?

Somehow,theheroes’bodieshadbeenimprisonedinthelivingrock,asifthestonehadgrown

organicallyaroundthem,thewaythat,overyears,atreewillgrowtoenvelopanailhammeredintoits
trunk.Theirhandswerefreebut,hereandtherewheretheytouchedtherock,theytooseemedtobe
absorbed.

Onlytheirheadsanduppertorsoswereshowing;therestofthemwasburiedinthesolidgranite.Their

eyeswereclosed,andPeterwouldhavethoughtthemdeadhaditnotbeenforthetinyfluttering
movementsoftheireyelids.

Likethey’reinREMsleep,hethought.Rapideyemovementwasoneofthephysicalmanifestations

ofthedreamingmind.Butwhatdoesthisallmean?

Thepainseemedtohavebeenburninginhimforalleternity.

Hugejaggedteethpiercedhismidriff.Hecouldfeelthem,chafingagainsthisinnardseverytimea

musclesomuchasflexed.Stayingstillwasagony,yeteventheslightestmovementsenthimintoa
paroxysmofsuffering.

TimeandagainGreenLanterntriedtofocushiswill,tosendasinglecoherentthoughttotheringthat

wassupposedtohaveprotectedhim,buthadfailed.

Whatintheworldcouldbestrongenoughtoovercome—

Thethoughtdiedstillbornasfiercepainradiatedfromhisabdomen,janglingnervesalloverhisbody.

Hecouldn’teventellifhewasscreamingornot.

NexttoGreenLantern—althoughshemighthavebeenathousandmilesaway,forallhewasawareof

herexistence—wasWonderWoman.

She’dwakenedfromunconsciousnesstofindherworldindarkness.Herfirstthoughtwasmatshe’d

goneblind,thatsomehowinherbattleatopthepyramidwithherunseenfoes,hersighthadbeen
affected.

She’dtriedtostandup,butherlegsrefusedtobearherweight,sendinghersprawlingontherough

rock.

Theothersneedme,hermindcalledoverandover,withmountingurgency.Theymightbeinanykind

cfdanger.Ican’tgiveup.Ihavetohelpthem!

Againshe’dtriedtorise,swayingslightlyasshestruggledtofindherbalancewithouthereyesightto

assisther.Amassiveblowlandedonthebackofherneck,itsimpetussendinghersprawlingagain.
Groggily,sherolledontoherback,strivingtobringherbraceletsupsotheycouldinterceptanyfurther
assault.

Buttheattackcamefromallangles,slammingpainfullyintoeverypartofherbody,givingherno

chancetoprotectherself.

Stoneonskin,stoneonbone!Hadshesaidthat?Ifnother,thenwho?Didshejustthinkit?Washer

mindplayingtricksnow,hersensesdeceivingher?

WonderWomanwasalmostrelievedwhenthedeeperdarknessappearedagain,expandingslowlyto

engulfherinitscool,unfeelingshadows.

Supermanseemedtohavebeenflyingforhours.Howcouldthisbe?Atsuperspeed,he’dhavelong

sincebeencarriedintoouterspace.

ButIcanstillbreathe,hethought.Notspace,then.Sowhere?

Noneofhisextraordinarysenseswereofusetohim.HestrainedwithhisX-rayvision,butcouldn’t

piercetheeerieblue-greenfogthatsurroundedhim.Hestilledhisbreathandlistenedintently,buthis
super-hearingpickedupnosoundsatall.Hetriedshouting,vaguelyhopingthathe’dgetsomesortof
echothathecouldhomeinon.Buthecouldn’tevenhearhisownvoice.

Hetriedtorecallwhathe’dbeenfightingagainst,buthismemorywouldn’tfunction.Insteadofhis

enemy,hepicturedeventsfromhispast,buttheyrolledbysofasthecouldscarcelykeeppacewith
them.

Aflashfromhischildhood:ababyinarocketship.

Krypton—thegiantplanetthatwashishome—exploding.

Amiddle-agedcouple—heknewthemwell.Whatweretheirnames?Ahyes,MaandPa.Martha…

andJonathan…

Supermantriedtoshakehishead,tobanishtheseunwantedthoughts.Thoughhecouldhaveswornhis

headdidn’tmove,thememorytracesdisappeared,winkingoutofexistenceliketheembersofadying
fire.

ButSuperman’sreliefwasshort-lived.HismindimmediatelyfilledwithimagesofBatman.Batman

fighting,swinging,thinking,scoffing.

Thisisridiculous!Ican’tevencontrolmyownthoughts!

Unabletothinkclearlyenoughtoformulateabetterplan,Supermanflewon.Andon.Onajourney

matwastakinghimnowhere.

Speedistheanswer.TheFlashkeptsayingthewordsoverandovertohimself.Ithastobe!

He’dneverfoundhimselfinanytrapwherehisspeedcouldn’tbreakhimfree.

Captiveinasolidsteelcell?Hismoleculescouldvibrateatexactlythesamefrequencyashisprison

walls,allowinghimtoslipthroughthemlikeaghost.Orhisfistcouldactlikeapowerhammer,striking
athousandtimesinthebreadthofasinglesecond,rindingaweakspotandpummellingituntilit
shattered.Or,fromastandingstart,hecouldacceleratesoquicklythatbythetimehecrossedthecell

he’dbetravelingatthousandsofmilesanhour—enoughtodemolishanywall.

Butthiswasdifferent.Hewassurroundedbynothingbutturquoisemist.Nogroundofanykind,solid

orotherwise.ForalongtimetheFlashthoughthestoodonthepointofsomeeldritchneedleofstone.
Perhapshecouldrundownitsside,usinghisspeedtokeephisbalance.Mightbeaproblemwhenhe
reachedbottom—ifhehitsolidrockwhilevibratingatthewrongfrequency,he’dhaveasmuchchance
asaflyagainstawindshieldatahundredmilesanhour.

Therisk’sworthit,heassuredhimself.TheLeaguemightneedme…theymust,otherwisethey’d

havecometomyrescue!

Hesquatteddown,usingfirstonehandandthentheothertofeelwhateverwasunderneaththeground

hestoodon.Noneedleofrock.Nothingatall.

Frustratedandangry,theFlashsettledbackontohishaunches.

Speedistheanswer,hethought.Ithastobe!

PeterGlastonwonderedwhyhehadlitafireamidtheremainsonthealtarstone.Animalfathissed

loudlyasitburstintoflame.

Greasyblacksmokeroseinrollingtendrils,quicklyfillingthechamber.Peterfeltitraspingathis

lungs,andcoughedharshly.Whoeverwascontrollinghimmightbeusedtobreathingsmoke,butPeter
wasn’t.

Hisarmsweresuddenlythrownwide,hisheadtiltedback,hisopenmouthalreadybeginninga

singsongchant.Peterdidn’tunderstandawordhislipsweresaying—acuriousmixtureofgruntsand
semi-wordsthatboremoreresemblancetotherantsofacuteschizophrenicsthantoanylanguagehe
knew.

Butthemeaningofthewordsresoundedthroughhisconsciousness,theiragelesswisdominsharp

contrasttothedoom-ladenwaytheyresonated.TheUniverseisanendlesscyclecfendlesscycles.The
worldspinsaroundthesunspinsaroundthegalacticcenterspinsaroundinasuperclusterthatspins
around…

Whatisnowwillnotbealways.Whatisgonewillreturn.

Blasphemersrise,blasphemersdie.Theworldspinsaround.Flamecleanses,andtheseedgrows.The

sunspinsaround.Aftertheflame,thefoulwillbesweet.Thegalaxyspins.

Thefiregrows.

Thesunwillcrosstheskyoncemoreinitseternaldancecflifeanddeath.Thentheworldwillbe

cleansed.Whatisgonewillreturn.

Trappeddeepwithinhisownmind,PeterGlastonwassuffusedwithfear.Therewasgoingtobea

cleansing.PlanetEarthwastobepurged.

OnHalloween.

CHAPTER10

EntertheMartian

GothamCity,October29

“Areyousureyouwanttogothroughwiththis,Cassandra?”Batmanasked.“Itmightbedangerous.

There’sstilltimetobackout.”

CassandrasatinthepassengerseatoftheBatmobile,cocoonedinthemeshofasafetyharness,as

BatmandrovethematspeedthroughthedesertedbackstreetsofdowntownGotham.Climatecontrol
keptthevehicle’sinterioratapleasanttemperature,andCassandrafoundthatstaringatthesoftglowof
themyriadlightsonthedashboardwasstrangelysoothing.

They’dleftGordonatPoliceHQ,hisskepticismtemperedbytheknowledgethatBatmantook

Cassandra’svisionseriously.Now,worriedhimselfatwhatthefuturehadinstoreforhiscity,Gordon
wasredoublinghisofficers’searchforthemissingPeterGlaston.Batmanhadassuredhimthatwhen
theyfoundPeterGlastontheywouldalsofindthebull-headedmonsterwhowasthekeytothismystery.

AnideahadoccurredtoCassandrawhileshe’dbeentellingBatmanandthecommissionerherstory.

Shehadn’tsaidanythingatthetime,butthethoughtcontinuedtognawatherasBatmanguidedhis
futuristicvehiclethroughamazeofroadsandalleyways.

CentralGothamhadneverbeenbuiltonacitygrid,anditstangledtrafficsystemwasastifftestfor

eventhebestofdrivers.

Finally,asagreenlightsawthemstreakingthroughanintersection,CassandraturnedtoBatman.

“I’vebeenthinking,”shebeganslowly,asifstillunsurethatthedecisionshe’dreachedwastheright

one.“Accordingtothenewspapers,thearchaeologyexpeditionretrievedsomeartifactsfromthe
pyramid.PerhapsifIcouldtouchoneofthem…”

“Youthinkyoumighthaveanothervision?”Batmanfinishedforher.

Cassandranodded.“Ican’tguaranteeit,ofcourse.AndIhavetoadmit,I’malittleafraid.Butifall

thisisreallyasseriousasitseems,I’mwillingtodoanythingtohelpyougettothebottomofit.”She
paused,thenadded,“Afterall,Gotham’smycity,too.”

Batmanimmediatelyswitcheddirection,theBatmobile’sfour-wheelsteeringspinningitsoversized

bodythrough180degreesinlessspacethanasub-compactautomobilewouldtake.

TheuniversitycampuswasacoupleofmilesstraightoutonFoxBoulevard.Scantminuteslaterthey

werepullingupintheshadowsofatree-lined

residentialstreet,afewmoments’walkfromthearchaeologybuilding.

“You’reabsolutelysurenow?”Batmanaskedagain.Hewouldneverwillinglyendangeranyinnocent

bystander.Buthowcouldavisionimperilanyone?ItmightspookCassandra,maybeeventerrifyher,
butitwouldhavenopowertophysicallyharmher.Andwhocouldsaywhattheymightlearn?

Cassandra’sonlyreplywasaslightsmileandfurtivenod,andBatmanhitthebuttonthatopenedthe

car’sgull-wingdoorswithaslighthissofcompressedair.Theyslidout.Atouchonatinyremote
control,andthesleekvehicle’schameleon-likelight-sensitivepaintbegantochange,blendingitinwith
thetree-dappledshadows.

Huggingthedarkness,Batmanledhertowardtheunfencedcampus.Securitylightsshonehereand

thereonthepathways,poolsofbrightlightaccentuatingthedarknessbeyondtheirglow.Batmanpulled
upshortunderanold,overhanginglindentree,itsdryleavesrustlinginthenightbreeze.Everynowand
then,oneofthemfellflutteringtotheground.

AfingertohislipstoldCassandratoremainsilent.Theywaitedmotionlessforseveralminutesuntil

theyheardfootstepsgrowinglouder.Auniformedsecurityguardcamearoundthecornerofthe
building,hisgunsnuginitshipholster,apowerfulflashlightinhishand.Periodicallyheshoneitsbeam
intothedarkness,checkingforintruders.

Atlast,satisfiedtherewasnothingamiss,theguardheadedawayfromthemtocontinuehispatrol.

“He’llbebackintwenty-threeminutesexactly,”Batmanwhisperedgruffly.“Plentyoftimeforusto

getinside.”

Cassandrawonderedhowheknew,butdidn’task.Itwouldn’thavesurprisedhertofindthatBatman

hadmemorizedthepatrolmovementsaroundeverymajorbuildingintown—aswellastheirinternal
layoutsandescaperoutes.Which,ofcourse,hehad.LongexperiencehadtaughttheDarkKnightnever
toleaveanythingtochance.

Cassandrastartedforward,butBatmangraspedherwrist,shakinghishead.Hepointeduptoacorner

ofthebuilding,whereamatt-blackclosed-circuitTVcameraswiveledslowlyonitsbracket.

“Waittillthelensswingsawayfromus,”Batmanordered,“thenstayclosetome.”

Secondslater,theywerestandinginarecessedstaffentranceatthesideofthebuilding.Batmanhad

takenasmallmetaltoolfromhisbelt,andCassandrawatchedhiminsertitandtwistitcarefullyinthe
lock.

Withaslightdick,thelockpicksettledintothetumblers,andBatmanpushedopenthedoor.

Cassandrawonderediftherewasnoendtothisenigmaticman’stalents.Sheraisedhereyebrowsand

shothimaquizzicallook.

“Anygoodlockpickcanpickanygoodlock,”hetoldherastheymadetheirwayinsideandhequietly

pulledthedoordosedbehindthem.

“It’llbeironic,”Cassandrapointedout,“if,nexttimeCommissionerGordonseesus,we’reunder

arrestforbreakingandentering.”

CassandrafanciedshesawtheslightestofsmilescrossBatman’slips.Butwhenhespoke,therewas

nohumorinhisvoice.

“There’snopointalertingthecommissioneraboutthisuntilwehavearesult.Ornot.”Fleetingly,

Batmanwonderedifheshouldsayanymore.ButCassandrawaswillingtoriskherself—shedeserved
toknow.“Besides,”hecontinued,“Ihaven’ttoldGordonquitehowseriousthesituationis.”

“Whatdoyoumean?Surelythingscouldn’tbemuchworse.”

“Yes.Theyare.”Batmannoddedcurtly.“Thebull-headedbeastthatyousawhasalreadycaptured

fourmembersoftheJusticeLeague.”

Hechosetheword“captured”withcare.Forallheknew,Supermanandtheotherswerealreadydead.

Buthecouldn’tallowhimselftothinkthatway.Hehadtobelievetheywerealiveuntileventsproved
otherwise.

“It’sonlyfairthatyoushouldknow,”headdedpointedly.“We’redealingwithrealevilhere,andithas

alotofpowertobackitup.”

Cassandrashiveredathiswords,butdidn’trespond.

Anarrowcorridorledthemtothemainhallway,theirprogressilluminatedbythepowerfulbeamfrom

Batman’spenlight.Theymadetheirwayacrossthecheckeredfloorofblack-and-whitemarbleand
passedthehall’sonlyexhibit,theglass-encasedskullofaflesh-eatingdinosaur.Ithadbeendiscovered
inthemudofGothamDocksbyoneofRobertMills’spredecessorsduringaroutinedredgingoperation.

Six-inch-longteethglintedintheflashbeamastheypassedit.

GothamCityhasalong,longhistory,Batmanthought.It’satleastsixty-fivemillionyearssincebeasts

likethatroamedourhills.

Setagainstthat,thesevenoreightgenerationsoftheWaynedynastyweremerepimplesontheskinof

time.

Batmanstoppedsuddenly,spinningaroundinablurofmovement,droppingintoadefensivemartial-

artspose.Hefrozeforseveralseconds,everysenseatfullalert,strivingtopenetratethedarkness.Then
herelaxed.

“ThoughtIheardsomething,”hesaidbywayofexplanation.

Theypassedaglassdoorwiththewordlibraryetchedinit,andBatmanstoppedagain.Heturnedthe

doorhandleandpushed.Itwasopen.

“Nowmightnotbethebesttime,”hetoldCassandra,thinkingofthebooksJennyAyleshad

recommendedtohimearlierthatday,“butIwanttochecksomethingout.”

Cassandrafollowedhimintothelighter,airylibrary.Therewereadozenskylightssetintotheceiling,

andmoonlightpouredintoilluminatetheinterior.Batmanscannedthefloor-to-ceilingbookshelves
withhisflash,quicklypullingoutahalf-dozentitlesfromdifferentsections.Hecarriedthemtoa
readingdesk,satdown,andhandedtheflashlighttoCassandra.

“Keepittrainedontheopenpages,”hetoldher.

Puzzled,Cassandradidasshewasinstructed.Shecouldreadsomeofthetitles—LostCivilizationcf

theStoneAge,AncientVoices,TheOriginofConsciousness—buttheymeantnothingtoher.

Usingsomeofthebooksasaprop,Batmanleanedonevolumeagainstthemandopenedthecover.He

closedhiseyesbriefly,usingoneofthemanymeditativetechniqueshe’dlearnedduringhisresearchin
Tibettocalmhismind.Hiseyesblinkedopenagain,defocusinguntilhecouldseenodetailonthe
pagesbeforehim.Theblacktypeseemedtobecomethree-dimensional,standingoutseveralinches
abovethewhitebackgroundofthepage.

Cassandrawatchedinastonishmentashebegantoflickthroughthepages,turningthemoveratarate

ofmorethanonepersecond.

Hecan’tpossiblybereadingthem,shethought,butkepthersilenceasBatmanspedthroughthe

books.

Lessthantenminuteslater,hedosedthelastone,pushedthepileaside,andgottohisfeet.Swiftly,he

replacedthevolumesintheirpositionsontheshelves.HeledCassandrabackoutintothehallway,
explainingashewent.

“Thetechniqueimprintsthepagesdirectlyintothesubconsciousmind,makingitavailableforlater

consciousrecall.”

“Oh.Right.”

“Trustme.Itworks.”

TheitemsMills’steamhadrecoveredfromthepyramidwerestillunderactiveanalysis.Theyfound

themneatlyfiledinanunlockedexaminationroom,cocoonedinbubblewrapandplasticstoragebags.

“Anypreference?”Batmanasked,readingoffthehandwrittenlabeloneachbaginturn.“Shardof

pottery.Charredanimalbone.Morepottery.Ajetbead.”

HiseyesflickedtoscrutinizeCassandra’sface.Herlowerlipquiveredslightly,andheremindedher

gentlythatthiswasn’tcompulsory,shecouldstillbackoutanytimeshewanted.

“I’mafraid,”Cassandraadmitted,relievedtoputthefeelingintowords.“AfraidI’llseesomething…

evilagain.”

“Fearisthemessenger,notthemessage,”Batmantoldher.“Ifyoufeelyoushouldn’tdoit,mere’sno

shameinthat.”

Cassandraforcedanuneasysmilebackontoherlips.“No,mymindismadeup.”Shereachedoutto

takeaplasticbagfromBatman’shand,andreadthelabelaloud.”‘Burnedrib.Aurochs.’”

“Atypeofprimitivecattle,”Batmanrespondedtoheruncomprehendingglance.

TheplasticsealpartedeasilyasCassandratuggedit.

“Thisiscalledpsychometry,”shesaid,moretotrytocalmherselfthanexplaintoBatman.“Picking

up—forwantofabetterword—vibrationsfrominanimateobjects.Psychometristsbelievemat
everythingexperiencedbyanobjectissomehowrecordedintothestructureoftheobjectitself.”

Batmannodded.He’dbeentakinganinterestoflateinthecutting-edgeadvancesinquartz

technology.Scientistshaddiscoveredthatthenear-infinitecrystallatticesinapieceofquartzwere
capableofrecordingphenomenalamountsofdata.Anythingthatmightbeofuseinthefightagainst
crimewasamagnettoBatman.

“Normallyit’snotsomethingIdo,”Cassandrawassaying,“butaftermyexperienceinthe

cathedral…”

Sheletherwordsdieaway.Closinghereyes,herfingersclosedgentlyaroundthethree-inchfragment

ofblackenedbone,teasingitfromitsclearplasticenvelope.Atonceanelectrictinglecaressedher
fingertips,thensentwhatfeltlikeathousandvoltsofelectricitycoursingupherarm.

Awindowopenedtoanotherworld.

“Isee…peopledancing,”Cassandrabegan.“Alongtimeago.It’snight.Theycarryflamingtorches,

weavingincirclesaroundthebaseof…something.”Shescreweduphereyes,tryingtoforcethevision
tobecomeclearer.“It’sthepyramid—theGothampyramid!Manyofthepeopleareafraid,othersare
dancinglikedervishes.”

Shetiltedherheadback,herdosedeyessquintingupward,asiftherealphysicalmovementwould

allowhertoseemoreinhermentalpicture.“There’ssomeoneatthetop.He’ssurroundedbytimberand
brushwood.He’ssettingatorchtothepileandit’sblazingup.

“Wait!”Thewordwasexpelledinasharphiss.“There’sanotherlight.Abluelight.It’smergingwith

theflames,likethewholepyramidisonfire.”

Afirefestival!ThethoughtflashedthroughBatman’smind.Atcertaintimescftheyeartheywere

supposedtocleansetheenergiesofsacredsites.

Aloud,hesaidnothing,unwillingtodisturbCassandra’sdeepconcentration.

“Thewholeskyislitupwithbrilliantcolor,”theempathwenton.“Peoplearecheering.Ithinksome

maybescreaming.There’sagiantfiguregrowingoutofthepyramidtop.Wait…it’sthebull-headed
creature!Peopleareafraidofhim.He’sa…”Shepaused,momentarilyatalossfortheword.“King,”
shefinishedsoftly.

“TheStoneKing.”Adeep,huskyvoicespokefrombehindthem,andCassandra’seyessnappedopen

insuddenfear.Batmanhadalreadyturned,eyesnarrowedunderhismask,tofacetherepulsivebeing
thatstoodthere.

Itsheadandfacewerealmostcompletelyhiddenbythebull’sskullitwore,andthethickanimalskin

thatcovereditsbodystankofstalebloodandcorruptedflesh.Raw,redeyesboredintothem.

“Iamthekingwhowas,”itgratedhaltingly,asiffindingthewordsitwantedwasadistincteffort.

“Thekingwhowillbe.IamtheStoneKing,whocompletesthecycle.”

“Farfromit!”Batmansaidaccusingly,hisvoiceharsh.“You’rePeterGlaston,apostgradstudentat

GothamU.Idon’tknowwhat’sgotteninsideyourmind,Glaston,but—”

Thesunkenredeyesbegantoglow,andBatman|movedwithinstinctivespeed.

“Cassandra,lookout!”hecalled,steppingsidewayssomatthegirl’sbodywasshieldedbyhisown.

Asearingbeamofenergycrackledtowardthem.

ThebolttookBatmanfullonhischest-symbol,thetripleKevlarlayerbelowcushioningtheworstof

itseffects.ThatwasoneofthereasonsBatmanhadadoptedit—itmadesuchatemptingtargetforany
assailanttoaimat.

ThesheerimpactblastedhimoffhisfeetandsentbothhimandCassandracareeningintoawall.He

fellthethinplasterworkcrackandgivebeneathhimashisbodysmashedrightthroughit.

Batmanturnedhisuncontrolledfallintoaroll,deftlyspringingtohisfeet.AstheStoneKing’sgaze

swiveled,itseyesoncemorebeginningtoglow,BatmangrabbedCassandra’shandandpulledher
throughthejaggedholeintoanadjacentdisplayroom.

Shewasbarelythroughwhenasecond,strongerenergyboltexplodedaroundthem.

Cassandra’sbodywentlimpandsaggedagainstBatman.Hereyeswereclosed,andherbreathingwas

slowandshallow.

Batmancursedquietlytohimself.Shemusthavebeenknockedunconsciousbythesecondbolt.

Swiftly,hedraggedherunresistingbodybehindaheavyoakdesk.Shewouldberelativelysafethere
whilehedealtwiththismonster.

Thedividingwallshatteredsuddenly,andtheStoneKingstrodeleisurelythroughtheenlargedhole.

Batmandidn’twaitforanotheronslaughtPhosphorgrenadeshadstoppedthisthinginGotham

Cathedral,presumablybecausetheyinterferedwithitsenergypatterns.Maybethey’ddothesamenow.
Batmanmovedawayfromthedesk,decoyingtheirattackertofollowhimtoasafedistancefromthe
unconsciousmedium.

“Where’sSuperman?”Batmandemanded.“Andtheothers.Whathaveyoudonewiththem?”

TheStoneKingsnarled,ananimalsound,spittlesprayingfromitsmouth.Batmanfiguredhewasn’t

goingtogettheanswerhesought,andsentthreesmallspheresspinningthroughtheairtowardthe
inhumanfigure,primedtodetonateonimpact.

ButtheStoneKingsawthedanger,andaweboffinebluebeamsemanatedfromhisfingertips.The

energynetcaughtthegrenades,loweringthemgentlytothebarewoodenfloor.

Batmanhadalreadypulledahalf-dozenBatarangsfromhisbelt.Hesentthelightweightplasticdisks

whirlingathisfoe,fasterthantheeyecouldfollow.EachBataranghadasolidleadcore,andlanded
withenoughforcetoknockoutachampionboxer.

TheStoneKingignoredthemastheythuddedintohim,ricochetingoffwithnexttonoeffect,liny

streaksoflightningsizzledaroundhisfingertipsbeforeunitingintoonemassiveboltthatsplittheair
withashriekasithurtledatBatman.

TheDarkKnightdivedfull-lengthtooneside,feelingtheheatofthelightningasitpassedafoot

abovehishead.Therewasabrightflashasitdestroyedadisplaycasefullofsilverandturquoise
jewelryfromthePeruviantombsatSipan,andBatmanusedtheextralighttogethisbearingsinthe
unfamiliarroom.

Onhisfeetagain,Batmanboundedacrossthefloor,comingtoahaltbesidearedfireextinguisher

dippedtoawall.Hesnatcheditfromitsstrapping,theheelofhisotherhandslammingintoitsrelease
button.Hewhirledandaimedtheunwieldycylinder,andtheStoneKingroaredwithangerashe
disappearedinacurtainofthickfoam.

Itwon’thurthim,butperhapsit’llblindhimlongenoughformeto—

Holdingtheheavycylinderbyitsend,theDarkKnightswungitintothemassoffoam.Therewasa

satisfyingmetallicthudastheextinguisherhititstarget,andeventhoughhecouldn’tseehim,Batman
felttheStoneKingstaggerundertheblow.

Heswungthecylinderagain—once,twice,threetimes—strikinghomewithunnerringaccuracy.On

thefourthswing,theStoneKingsteppedforwardunexpectedly.Apowerfulbackhandswipesentthe
extinguisherflyingfromBatman’sgrasp.Then,beforethevigilantecouldtakeevasiveaction,the
creaturefollowedthroughwithapunchthatalmosttookBatman’sheaddeanoffhisshoulders.

Batmanstaggered,thesmallofhisbackcatchingagainstthetopofalowdisplaycasebehindhim.

ThentheStoneKingwasonhim,handsclawingathisadversary’sthroat,fingerstighteningwith
unbelievablepressureastheybegantosqueeze.

Batmangaspedforbreath,sickenedbythestenchofdecay,alreadybeginningtofeellight-headed,

unabletobreathefromlackofoxygen.Invainhishandsstruckathisopponent,seekingapressurepoint
oraweakspot.Whateverhedid,theStoneKingseemedinvulnerabletoit.

Withasuddencracktheglassdisplaycaseshattered,andBatmanseizedwhatmightbehislast

chance.Hebroughthislegsup,positioninghisfeetagainsttheStoneKing’schest.Exertingallofhis
remainingstrength,hestraightenedhisknees,atthesametimeyankinghardatthecreature’spelt.

TheStoneKinghowledwithangerashewentsailingoverBatman’shead,impactingagainstthedoor

framewithsuchforcethatthewoodsplintered.

Batmanleanedagainstthewreckageofthedisplaycase,massaginghisraspingthroat,strivingtoget

hisbreathingbacktonormal.Scarecrow’sfeargaswasstillinhisUtilityBelt,ifhecouldonlyreachit
intime.

ButtheStoneKingrecoveredfirst,anewhatredglintinginhisredeyesashepreparedtorenewtheir

battle.

Desperately,BatmanflunghimselfasideastheStoneKinglunged,sweepinghisfistinadownward

arcthatdisintegratedwhatremainedofthecabinet.

Allright,Manhunter,thethoughtflashedfromBatman’smind.Icouldusealittlebackupnow.

“Excuseme.”TheStoneKingturnedatthesoundofanewvoice.

J’onnJ’onzz,theMartianManhunter,stoodadozenfeetaway.

BeforetheStoneKingcouldreact,J’onndivedathim,graspingthehairy,reekingbodyinanear-

unbreakablebearhug.

EvenastheStoneKingflexedhismuscles,exertingallhisstrengthtotryandbreakfree,J’onn’sgrip

tightenedaroundthecreature’schest.Suddenly,hebroughtintoplayhisMartianabilitytochangethe
densityofhismolecules.Inaninstant,eachbrawnyarmweighedhalfaton.

Thepressureheexertedwasphenomenal.

Ahigh-pitchedscreamofintermingledrageandpainburstfromthehelplessStoneKing’slipsashis

bodybegantodisappear.Handsandfeetdissipatedintothinair,theeffectquicklyravelingthroughhis
entirebodyuntilitswirledlikemistinawind.

Thenhewasgone,andJ’onnunfoldedhisarms.Thesuddensilencewasbrokenbyglassshards

breakingunderfootasBatmanmovedtowherehe’dleftCassandra.Shewasstillunconscious,butwas
sheokay?

WithonehandBatmancheckedthatherpulsewasstillsteady;withtheotherhehittheemergency

buttononhistinycellphone.Hespokeafewwordsintothereceiver,thenthumbeditoffbeforeturning
tothegreen-skinnedJusticeLeaguer.

“Thanks,”Batmansaid.“Thoughyoumighthavesavedmeafewbruisesifyou’djoinedinearlier.”

J’onnwassurprised.“Youknew1wasthere?EventhoughIwasinvisible?”

Batmanshrugged.“Fromthemomentyoufollowedusintothebuilding.”

J’onnshouldhaveguessed.Batmanwasthegreatestdetectiveintheworld.Hissenseswerehonedto

anincredibledegree.DuringtheircareerwiththeLeague,J’onnhadseenhimdoahundredthingsthat

noothermancould.

“Iwasn’tsurewhatyouwereupto,soIdecidedtotagalong,”Manhunterexplained.“Itriedto

contactSupermanandtheotherswhenIreturnedfromMars.WhenIfailed,IcametoGotham.My
MartianvisionrevealedtheBatmobile’shidingplace.”

Batmannodded.He’dbeenwonderinghowManhunterfoundhim.

“Iwasn’tsureifyouractionswereadeliberateploytoattracttheStoneKing,”J’onnwenton.“So

whenheappeared,IthoughtitbestnottointerfereunlessIabsolutelyhadto.”

“AndIdidn’twantyoutointerfere,”Batmanadmitted,“unlessitwasnecessary.Ididstillhaveone

trickinmybook,butIcouldn’tgettoitintime.”

Justthentheyheardthedistantdickofakeyinalock,andasecurityguardshouting,“Who’sthere?

Comeoutwithyourhandsup.I’marmed!”

BatmantookonelastlookatCassandra,lyingasifasleep,thenmotionedJ’onntofollowhimthrough

anotherexit.

Theyleftthebuildingandvanishedintothenight,thewailofanapproachingambulancetelling

Batmanhiscalltotheemergencyserviceswasbeinganswered.

TheywereseatedintheBatmobilebeforeeitherofthemspokeagain.

“Thegirlwasverybrave,”J’onnsaid.“Ihopeshewillbeallright.”

“Shehasnophysicalwounds,”Batmantoldhim.“Ithinkit’sjusttheeffectofshockonhersensitive

mind.Ialsothinktheriskshetookmayhavepaidoff.”

BatmanhadtakenoffhisgauntletsandpulledasmallplastictubefromhisUtilityBelt.Hesqueezedit

intohispalmandrubbedthecreamintovariouspartsofhisbodythathadbeencutorbruised.

“Syntheticsharkcartilage,”hetoldJ’onn.“Speedsuphealing.”

Quickly,Batmanranoverthewholestory,fromthedisappearanceoftherestoftheteamtotheevents

thathadleduptotonight’sbreakin.

J’onnwasincredulous.“SotheStoneKingisthereincarnationofafive-thousand-year-oldshaman

whohaspossessedthebodyofayoungstudent?AndhehaspowerenoughtodefeatSupermanandthe
others?”

“Hecertainlydidsomethingwiththem.”Batman’svoicewasgrim.“Heappearstobeoneofthemost

powerfulenemieswe’veeverencountered.Andheintendstokilleveryoneintheworld…injustover
twenty-fourhours!”

CHAPTER11

Earthlights

TheMoon,October31—AllSaints’Eve

TheviewofEarthwasspectacular.

Theplanethunginthevelvetdarknessofspace.Behindit,thesunglitteredlikeafieryyellow

diamond,abeaconofhopeinthevastinkycosmos.

HighintheWatchtower,BatmanandJ’onnJ’onzzhadnotimetoappreciatethebeautyoutside.Both

wereseatedatworkstations,punchingindataforOracle’scomputerstosift,appraise,andanalyze.

Oneentirewallwastakenupbyatelecommunicationsscreenthatshowedamapoftheworld.Twenty

feethighbyalmostfortyfeetlong,itdominatedtheroom,dwarfingthetwoheroes.Astheyentered
theirdata,lightsrepresentingvariousplacesthroughouttheworldflashedonthegiantscreen.

“SatellitescansshowseismicdisturbancesinPeru,MexicoCity,Ireland,andeasternEurope,”J’onn

J’onzzreported.

“Infraredcamerasshowheatbuildupinthefollowingareas,”Batmansaidinclippedtones.“Pacific

Ocean—specificallyatEasterIsland.Japan—atMountFuji.Hawaii—severalislandsinvolved.”

Ashespoke,hisfingersflewwithspeedacrosshiskeyboard.Everynowandthenheglancedupatthe

giantworldmap,asthesiteshenamedlituponit.

“Andthecomputers’conclusionis…?”Manhunterasked,notlookingupfromhisownscreen.

“Potentialvolcaniceruptions.Withinhours,notdays.”Batmandidn’tdwellontheominousthought.

“I’vealreadyputallactiveandreserveLeaguemembersonredalert.”

“Perhapswecoulduseafewofthemheretohelpmonitorthisdata.”

Batmanshookhishead.“IfCassandra’svisionwascorrect,they’regoingtobeneededalloverthe

world.”

J’onnJ’onzzranhiseyesdownthelistofgreenfiguresandcoordinatesthatfilledhispersonal

monitor.“Electromagneticfieldimagingshowsincreasinganomaliesatthefollowinglocations:
StonehengeinEngland,DelphiinGreece,threeseparatelocationsinIndia.Minoranomaliesdetectedin
theTibetanHimalayas,atAngkorWat,andtheForbiddenCityinBeijing.”J’onnshookhishead
wearily,hisbald,greenpatereflectingthecoolglowoftheroom’slighting.“Andthat’snotall—there
arepredictionsforfurtherelectromagneticdisruptionatawholeseriesofsecondarysites,includingthe
SerpentMoundinOhio.”

BatmanfeltasifhewascompilingadeathlistforplanetEarth.“Increasedseismicactivitypredicted,”

hereadaloud.“Iran.Afghanistan.TheCaucasusregionofRussia.SouthAmerica,fromEcuadortothe
SacredValleyoftheIncasinPeru.”

Hewassilentforamomentasvividmemoriesimpingedonhismind.GothamCityhadsufferedits

owncataclysmicearthquakenotsolongago.Wholestreetshadcollapsedinpilesofrubble.Subway
tunnelsweresubmerged.Entiredistrictshadgoneupinflames.Verminanddiseaseranriot,and
survivorswerefacedwithnosourceofpowerandnofunctioningeconomy.

Tensofthousandshaddied,hundredsofthousandshadbeeninjured,andmillionswereturnedinto

refugeesovernight.Andthatwasjustonequake.

Severalyearsagonow,andGothamwasstillinalong,slowrecovery.

BatmanshudderedtothinkoftheresultifOracle’sextrapolationswereaccurate.Seismicdisturbance

couldaffecthalftheworld,ormore.Thedamageandlossoflifewouldnotonlybecolossal,but
incalculable.

“Andthemissingpyramid?”J’onnasked.

Batmangaveasmallsighoffrustration.“Locationstillunknown.”

Headded,“Locationofourfourcolleaguesstillunknown,locationoftheStoneKingalsostill

unknown.”

J’onnhadtriedtracingtheheroeswithhistelepathicpowersbeforeheandBatmanusedtheteleporter

toreturntothemoon.Eyesclosed,mindfocusedtoasinglepoint,he’dtriedsendingoutwavesof
mentalmessages.Theoretically,therangeofhistelepathywasunlimited,butinpracticehismental
emanationscouldbeaffectedbyavarietyofthings.Electromagneticactivitywascapableofthrowing
himcompletelyoff,whileevenstrongradiowavescouldsetupinterferencepatternsthatturnedany
messageintorandomnoise.

Despitehisbestefforts,J’onnwasunabletocontactanyofthemissingmembersoftheJustice

League.NosignoftheStoneKinghadshownuponhis“mentalradar.”

Itwasasifthey,andthepyramid,haddisappearedintothinair.

“Perhapstheyhavebeentransportedtoanotherdimension,”J’onnstated,asasuddenideaoccurredto

him.“Thatwouldexplainthefailureofmytelepathy—andalsowhynoneofourinstrumentsdetect
them.”

“It’spossible,”Batmanadmitted,“butunlikely.TheStoneKing’squarrelseemstobewithpeople.

TheenergyincreasesaretakingplaceonEarth,wherewecanobserveandmeasurethem.Ifindithard
toimaginetheshamandoingthisfromanyplaceexcepttheplanet’ssurface.”

Thecool,measuredtonesofoneofOracle’sprogrammedcomputervoicesbrokeinontheir

discussion.“IaminterceptingatransmissionfromthespaceshuttleLincoln.Itappearstohave
relevancetoyourcurrentsearch.ShallIpatchitthrough?”

“Yes,”Batmansaidcurtly,andatoncethegrainyvoiceofMartinSpearscouldbeheardoverthe

Watchtowerspeakers.

“Houston?”theshuttlecommanderwasasking,anoteofdisbeliefinhisvoice.“Areyougettingthis?

WecanseewhatappearstobeacolumnofbrightbluelightstreamingupfromsomeplaceintheArctic
Circle.Ourorbit’snotinsynchwithit,sowecan’tpinpointthemapcoordinates.”

BothBatmanandJ’onnwerealreadyontheirfeet,hurryingovertotheplasticizedglassviewing

balcony.Steelpanelsslidautomaticallyasideattheirapproach,triggeredbythefloor-setmotion
sensors.Nakedsunlightstreamedintotheenclosedbalconyastheduoslippedfiltershadesacrosstheir
eyes.

“Thisisincredible!Itmustbetwentymileshighnow,”thecommander’svoicewenton.“Canyou

backusuponthis,Houston?It’snotsomekindofspacehallucination,isit?”

Therewasalongsilence,asifthegroundteaminHoustonwereasstunnedastheastronautsatthis

unprecedentedphenomenon.Orbitingcraftoftenreportedunusuallightdisplays,bothintheupper
atmosphereandontheplanet’ssurface.Spectacularaurorashadbeenfilmedbypreviousshuttlecrews.
Butinoverthirtyyearsofmannedspaceflight,nothinglikethishadeverbeenseenbefore.

Batmansquintedbeneathhisshades,narrowinghiseyesagainstthesunlight,tryingtomakeout

anythingabnormalneartheearth’sNorthPole.Themoonwasnearlyaquarter-millionmilesawayfrom
theearth,whilethespaceshuttleorbitednotmuchhigherthan350miles.Hewasgoingtoneedthe
telescope.

“There!”J’onnJ’onzzbreathed,hiskeenMartianvisionzeroinginonthepulseoflight.“Bythesouls

ofmyancestors…lookatthat!”

Thelightcolumnmusthavebeentenmilesindiameter,amassivepillarshootingeverhigher.Asit

reachedtheupperlimitsofEarth’satmosphere,almostahundredmilesfromtheplanet’ssurface,itstop
spreadoutinablue-sparkingcanopythatgrewatamazingspeedtocoverhalftheplanet.

Then,suddenly,itwasgone.

“Didyouseethat,Houston?”Evendampenedbytheoperationsroomspeakers,therewasno

mistakingtheurgencyintheastronaut’svoice.“Irepeat,Houston—doyoucopy?Thewholecolumn
justvanished,likesomebodyswitchedoffalight!”

“Wecopy,Lincoln,”avoicefromNASAcrackled.“Over.”

Batmanremovedhiseyeshade,moretroubledthanimpressedbywhathe’dseen.Hehitthebuttonthat

controlledtheshutters,andastheyslidsilentlybackintoplace,heandJ’onnreturnedtotheir
workstations.

“Youdon’tthink…”J’onnbegan.Hehesitated,asifunwillingtoputthethoughtintowords,before

finishingslowly.“Youdon’tthinktheStoneKinghasstartedearly?”

Batmanranhiseyesoverthecolumnsofdatathatconstantlyflowedacrosshisscreen.“Accordingto

this,thelightwasavisualphenomenononly.Noneoftheotherinstrumentspickeditup.”

Heclosedhiseyes,deepinthought.Whenhespokeagain,itwaswithaslightshakeofhishead.“No,

Idon’tthinkhe’sstartedearly.Ithinkhe’stestingwhateverpowershehas,awakeningtheancient
energycenters.He’smakingsurethathe’llbeready…whenthetimecomes.”

J’onndefocusedhisvision,allowinghimselftodriftintothecalmcenterofhisbeing.

“We’refastrunningoutoftime,”hesaidsoftly,“andIstilldon’tunderstandwhatthisisallabout.”He

garneredhisraggedthoughts,menwenton.“ThespiritofaStoneAgeshamanhaspossesseda
universitystudent.Nowhe’sgoingtodestroytheworld.Butwhy?”

“Presumablybecausehedoesn’tlikewhatwe’vebecome,”Batmancountered.“PeterGlastonwasa

highlyintelligentyoungman.There’snosayingwhattheStoneKingmighthaveextractedfromhis
memories.”

ThiswasascenarioLeaguemembersoftenadoptedwhenfacedwithaproblemthatbaffledthem.Talk

aboutit,tossitbackandforth,allthetimelookingforsometinyfactthathaduntilthenescapedtheir
notice.

“Pollution,environmentaldestruction,globalwarming,”Batmanwenton.“Theydidn’thavethese

problemsfivemillenniaago.”

“Hehasaccesstoseeminglyunlimitedpower,”J’onnsaidmusingly.“Theenergiesoftheplanet

itself.”

“Andhecandischargethoseenergiesinhighlydestructiveways.”

Batmangesturedtothehugeelectronicmap,hisunconsciousmindreleasingwhathe’dlearnedinhis

readingattheuniversitythedaybefore.

“Almostallofthesitesshownthereweresacredtooneoranotherhumancultureorreligion.

AccordingtoJennyAyles,PeterGlastonbelievestheystandonpointsofpower,partofagridor
networkthatoncecoveredeverycontinent.It’sprobablefromtheincreasedactivityhattheStoneKing
istryingtokick-startthegridagain,anduseittoannihilatemodernsociety.”

Underhiscraggybrows,theMartian’sblueeyesstaredfixedly.Herememberedthereddustwastesof

hishomeworld,therock-strewndesertsthatcoveredallthathadoncebeengreenandfertile.He
rememberedaworldoncethrongingwithpeople,nowdeadandbarren,aplanetwidegraveyard.

J’onnJ’onzzhadcometoloveEarth.Ittwistedhimupinsidetothinkhisadoptedhomewasslatedto

sufferasimilarfate.

“Butinthefinalanalysis,”J’onnsaidatlast,“theStoneKingisafoelikeanyotherwe’vefaced.

Somehow,hecanbebeaten.Whatwehavetodoisdiscoverhismind-set.Ifwecanthinklikehim,we
cananticipatehisactions…andbeathim.”

“Wecan’tthinklikehim,”Batmansaidflatly.“Ourbrainsarewireddifferently.I’velearnedthehard

way,frombattlingthelikesoftheJokerthesemanyyears.”

“Manyscholarsconsiderthatprehistoricpeopleswerebarbarians,”J’onnpersisted.“Ifthatisthecase,

surelywecanoutthinkhim.”

“Thatparadigmischangingquickly,”Batmantoldhim.“Rockartofthirtythousandyearsagois

highlysophisticated.TherewereflintfactoriesinCzechoslovakiatwentythousandyearsago.Thecity
ofJerichowasinhabitedin8000b.c.WhoknowshowmuchpeoplelearnedbeforeNeolithictimes?”

Hepausedforamoment,allowinghisconsciousmindtoretrievemoreofwhathe’dreadinthe

universitylibrary.“Theirknowledgeofstellareventspredatedoursbythousandsofyears.Westill
haven’tduplicatedthebuildingtechniquesthatletthemmovetwo-hundred-tonblocksofstone,theway
theydidatBa’albekinLebanon.Someaccountsclaimtheyhadmasteredsonicenergyandknewhowto
usetheearthforcesforteleportation—”

“Whichmightexplainthepyramid’sdisappearance,”J’onnpointedout.

“Accordingtoonetheory,”Batmanwenton,warmingtothesubject,“themindofancientmanwas

verydifferentfromourown.Itwasbicameral—two-chambered.Commandsissuedbythedominant
righthemisphereofthebrainwereheardasaudiohallucinationsbytheleftbrain.”

“Voicesinthehead?”J’onnlookeddoubtful.“Isn’tthatoneofthedefiningsymptomsof

schizophrenia?”

“Itis.It’salsowhathappenstomewhenyouestablishyourtelepathiclink.There’ssomethingvery

powerfulabouthearinganinternalvoice.Itinstillsobediencemuchmorestronglythananyexternal
orderevercould.”

WhichwaspreciselywhyBatmandislikedthetelepathiclinkproceduresomuch.

“SoiftheStoneKingiscontrolledbyaninternalvoice,”J’onnasked,“he’dbeimpervioustoanything

wemightsaytohim?”

“Yes,”Batmanagreed.

“Unless,ofcourse,”J’onnaddedhurriedly,“mytelepathicpowerscanaffecthim.”

“Todothat,wehavetofindhim.”Batmancontinuedtothinkaloud.“Howcanwesavetheothers

whenwedon’tknowwheretheyare—orifthey’reevenstillalive?Wheredoyouhidesomethingthe
sizeofapyramid?”

“Whereindeed?”J’onnnearlyleapedoutofhischairasasuddenthoughtoverwhelmedhim.“Think

backtothearchaeologyroom.Iwasthere,butyoucouldn’tseeme.”

Batmanunderstoodinstantly.“Ofcourse,thepyramid’sinvisible!”

“Sometimestheobvioussolutionistheeasiesttooverlook,”theMartiansaidruefully.Hisvoicetook

onanexcitementthatBatmancouldn’tmistake.“IftheStoneKingcanharnessnaturalenergiestouse
againstus,invisibilityshouldalsobewithinhispower.”

“Onlyonewaytofindout.”

Batmanwasalreadystridingtowardtheteleporterchamber,atechnologyanygovernmentorarmyon

Earthwouldpayanypricetopossess.Whichiswhyitwasfittedwithanumberoffail-safeandself-
destructoptions.IfitwaseverfoundbyanyoneoutsidetheJusticeLeague,thewholeWatchtower
wouldbedisabledanduselesswithinminutes.

Theduosteppedintothechamber,theirrecentfrustrationandsenseofdefeatnearlyforgotten.There

wasalowhumasthemachinesprangintolife,andtheywereenvelopedbyacoolfluorescentglow.

Thentheyweregone.

CHAPTER12

AncientVoices

GothamCity,October31

Thepalemorningsunstreamedinthroughthehospitalwindows,castingawarmglowovertheward

whereDr.ClayValerianstoodbyCassandra’sbedside.Shelaypaleandstill,herbreathingshallow,her
white-goldenhairtumbledacrossherpillow.

Aprettyyoungnursethedoctorhadn’tseenbeforehandedhimthepatient’snotes.Hehopedhe’dbe

seeingheratthehospital’sHalloweenHellraisertonight.Hesmiledatthenurseandranhiseyesover
theprintedsheetattachedtoaclipboard.

“Foundunconscious,GothamU.lab,”heread.“Causeofinjuriesunknown.”

“Issheastudent?”Valerianasked,butthenurseshookherhead.

“Wedon’tknowwhosheis,doctor.Shehadnoidentificationwithher.”

Valerianpursedhislips.Heartbeat,pulserate,bloodpressure—allbodyfunctionswereperforming

normally.Everytestthehospitalhadtakencameoutnegative.Heronlyvisiblesignsofinjurywere
bruisingandabrasionstoherarmandback.

Andyetshewasunconscious.

Frequentblinkingandrapideyemovementshowedherbrainwasstillengaged,butthepossibilityof

undetecteddamageremainedhigh.

“Couldbeinternalcranialbleeding,”Valerianmusedaloud,theyoungnurselisteningattentively,

“thoughtherearenootherindicators.Nurse,arrangeaCATscan,assoonaspossible.”

Thenursenoddedandremovedthereceiverfromawall-mountedtelephone.Shedialedanumber,her

gazerunningabsent-mindedlyoverthewomaninthebed.

Replacingtheclipboardonthebedframe,oglingtheyoungnurseforafinaltime,ClayValerian

movedontohisnextpatient.

Cassandrawasayounggirlagain.

Shewasperchedonhergrandmother’sknee,safeandsecureinthelovethatradiatedfromtheold

woman.Grandmasmelledoflavender,andherdeep-setwrinkledeyesmadeherlookbothancientand
wise.Theywereseatedontheoldbasketchairintheapartment’swindowrecess,lookingoutonthe
afternoonstreetlifeofGothamCity.

Grandmapointedtoamanhurryingbyontheothersideofthestreet,hisheadbowed,eyesrivetedon

thegrounddespitethespeedofhispace.

“Amaninahurry,”Grandmasaid.“Notalerttowhat’saroundhim.He’seitherdeepinthoughtor

worriedsick.Seehisshoes,Cassandra—scuffedandworn.Thatovercoatmaybeshabby,butonceit
costalotofmoney.Arichmandownonhisluck?”

Theoldladysippedfromaglassofwater.“Now,doyouseethatwomanonthecorner?Hermakeup’s

smeared.She’sbeencrying.”

Grandmacouldlookatanyoneand,withherincredibleeyefordetail,producetheirlifestory.She

pickeduponthingsthatwereinplainsight,butwhichmostpeopleeitherdidn’tnoticeorglossedover.

“Empathyisagift,”sheusedtosay.“ButlikeanythingelseonGod’sgoodearth,youcan’taffordto

takeitforgranted.Youhavetoworkatitalways.”

Cassandraspentthehappiestyearsofherlifeinmatapartmentwithhergrandmother.Andnowshe

hadreturnedthereagain,towhereshewassafeandloved,wherenobull-headedmonstersroamedthe
streets,onlymenwithscuffedshoesandwomenwithtearstainedfaces.

Avisualflash:Ourobouros,hoopedinacircle,thewormthateatsitsowntail.Thesymboloflifeand

deatheternallyconsumingeachother.

“Thecyclewillcomplete.”

ThewordswerelikeknivesinPeterGlaston’shead.Only,itwasn’thisheadanylonger.Hewasjusta

passengeronsomeoneelse’sjourney.Andyet,thatwashisvoice.

He’dgottenusedtotheterriblesmellofcorruptflesh,hardlynoticeditanymore.He’dgrownusedto

theice-coldterrorthatsometimesgrippedhim.Buthewasbecomingprogressivelymorehorrifiedashe
learnedthedepthandscopeofhispossessor’splans.Untilnow,ithadmerelybeenflexingitsmuscles,
makingitspreparations.Itsactionshadseemedtobeisolatedincidents,withnopatterntothemthat
Peterhadbeenabletodiscern.Now,hecouldseewhatthecreaturehadbeenbuildingupto.

Therewasgoingtobeacleansing,adisasteronaplanetaryscale.AndtherewasnothingPetercould

dotopreventthisstrangeconsciousness,thisforcethatthoughtinwordsandsymbolsthatPeterdidn’t
fullyunderstand,fromcarryingthroughwithitsinsanequest.

Peterfeltlikehewascomingapart,slowlydisintegratingastheparasiticspiritthathadinvadedhim

leechedawayhismemories,hisfeelings,hisverypersonality.Sometimeshecouldsensetheintruder
combingthroughhislife,seekinganythingmatwouldaiditinitsdreamsofgenocide.FromPeter’s
mind,ithadlearnedaboutsuperheroes,science,andGodonlyknewwhatelse.

Increasingly,thealienwasdoingthingsthatPeterdidn’tknowabout.Hehadaconfusingmemoryofa

fight.CouldhehavebeeninconfrontationwiththeBatman?Wherehadthepaincomefrom,thepain
thatburnedlikeacid?

Stillhecouldn’tfittheimagesintoacoherentwhole.

Heknewthatsomehow,throughritualandsacrifice,theStoneAgesorcererwasharnessingthe

energiesofGaia—theEarthMotherherself.Heintendedtousethemagainstthedescendantsofhisown
people.

Peterhadcometoonlymomentsearlier,tofindhisbodystandinginfrontofaslaughteredrabbit,its

entrailsloopedonthealtarstone,warmandsteaming.

Extispicy—readingthefuturefromthepatternscontainedinthespilledentrailsofasacrifice.A

philosophystudentfriendhadusedthewordinagameofScrabbleonce,andgainedarecordword
score.Peterhadneverforgottenit.

Theomenswereobviouslygood,becausePeterfeltawarm,satisfiedglowsuffusehim.It—he—the

StoneKingwashappy.Theintruderwaslikelytobeoffguard,hismentaldefensesdown.Maybethis
wasthetimeforPetertoreclaimhimself,tofightforwhatbelongedtohim.Hisbody.Hislife.

Hewaswalkingnow,baresolesagainsthard-packedsoil.Fourfigurestrappedinlivingrock,like

sculpturesinaParispark.Whyweretheycaptive?Peterdidn’tknowifhe’dforgotten,orifhe’dnever
known.Iftheywerehisenemies,whyweretheystillalive?Whatpurposedidtheircontinuingexistence
serve?

Yes,nowwasdefinitelythetimetoact,beforehisconfusionbecameanyworse.

Hetriedtopreparehimselfforstruggle,forabattleofwillstobefoughtoutinthearenaofhisown

mind.Buthowdoesonefightaghost?Howdoyoudriveoutamalevolentfive-thousand-year-old
spirit?

Memoryflash:breakingribsandgushingblood.Somethingredandthrobbingsquirminginhishand.

Ahumanheart?Peterwonderedifadisembodiedconsciousnesscouldvomit.

Truthis,Peterthought,Idon’thaveaclue.I’mafraid,andIdon’tmindadmittingit.Bettertowait.

Yes,bidemytime.Mychancewillcome.Soonerorlater,mychancewillcome.

TheStoneKingheldachunkofquartzthesizeofatennisballinthepalmofhishand.Slowly,his

fingersdosedaroundit,squeezing,exertingmoreandmorepressureuntil—

Tinypinpricksoflightleapedfromthequartz.Firstadozen,thenahundred,snakingthiswayandthat

intheair,nevercollidingwitheachotherastheywhirledaroundatincalculablespeed.

Apracticaldemonstrationofpiezoelectricity!

Somewherefaraway,PeterGlastonfeltimpressed.Itlookedlikehistheoriesweren’tsofaroffthe

markafterall.That’dbeoneintheeyeforthehighandmightyProfessorRobertMills!

Thequartzlightscametogetherasifmagnetized,coalescingintoalarger,ovoidballofplasma.Its

internalshapeshiftedconstantly,liketheflamesofalogfire.Petergapedatitlikeachildseeinghis
firstcartoonshow.Hefanciedhesawpictures—ofhimselfandJenny,ofheroesfightingtothebitter

end,ofdistantcitiesburning.

TheplasmoidballdroppedsuddenlyontoGreenLantern,playingaroundhisheadliketheaurasseen

inmedievalreligiousmasterpieces.AtendrillancedoutaroundWonderWoman,thenothersto
SupermanandtheFlash.Noneoftheheroesreacted.

Thelightseemedtobeperformingitsowncrazed,intricatedance,shootingupinstarbursts,rolling

andtwistinglikeadervishinthePersiandesert.Withoutwarningitrearedup,coileditselflikealiving
spring,thendoveintothegroundinaflashofcobaltblue.

Thechamberlitupliketheinsideofafurnace,butthetemperaturedidn’tchange.

Peterheardlaughterissuefromdeepwithinhimself,rumblingupthroughhisdiaphragm,burstingout

toechothroughoutthechamber.Laughterthatmighthavecomefromthepitsofhell.

PerhapsI’llwaitjustalittlelonger,then…

ItwasearlyafternoonintheAndesMountainsofPeru.

Threeluxurytouristcoachesandahostofbatteredminibusesbakedinthedustyparkinglotatthe

ruinsofthefortressofOllantaytambo,intheSacredValleyoftheIncas.Touristsofadozennationalities
swarmedbetweentheancientwalls,onlyhalflisteningtothecommentaryoftheirguides.

Hereandthere,afewsatgroaningonthegroundortryingsurreptitiouslynottovomit.Altitude

sickness.Theyshouldhaveheededtheguideswhentheyrecommendeddrinkingcocatea.Farweaker
thantherefinedpowder,cocaine,thepalegreenbrewhadbeenusedinthemountainsforthousandsof
yearsforitsbeneficialproperties.TherewasevenaMuseumofCocainCuzco,theoldIncancapital.

HiramShipmanwasoneoftheafflicted,sittingwithhisbackagainstaboulder,strivingtoholddown

thebileinhischurningstomachandwishinghisheaddidn’tfeellikeablacksmith’sanvil.Itwasthe
fourthdayofhistour,andhe’dalreadymissedthewondersofthelostcityofMachuPicchu,perhaps
themostincredibleengineeringfeateverundertakenbyman.

Atanaltitudeofaroundtenthousandfeet,theIncashadbuiltanentirecityonthevertiginous,near-

verticalmountainpeak.AllHiramrememberedofitwasthebrightgreengrass,becauseeverytimehe
lookeduphefeltthathisheadwasgoingtofalloffhisshoulders.

Backatthehotel,someoneelseonthetour,aloudmouthfromFortWorth,Texas,hadsuggesteda

coupleofpiscosours.Everybodyandhisdogknewthatbrandywouldsettleanystomach.Againsthis
betterjudgment,Hiramallowedhimselftobepersuaded.Threeofthefoul-tastingbrandieslater,he
knewhehadmadeaseriousmistake.

NowHiramwasgoingtomissOllantaytambo,too.

FolklorehaditthatthestonefortresswasbuiltbyaseniorIncangeneral.He’dfalleninlovewiththe

Emperor’sdaughter,asacredmaidenforbiddentominglewiththewarriorcaste.Thecoupleeloped,
accompaniedbythegeneral’sfaithfulsoldiers.KnowingherfatherhadadutytotheSunGodtoreclaim

her,thecouplebuiltOllantaytambotoholdtheEmperoratbay.

Themassivewallswithstoodsiegeformanyyearsbeforetherewasareconciliation.Everybodylived

happilyeverafter.Thatwasthen….

Hiramwasenjoyingararemoment’sintestinal

peace,hisheadbackagainstthestone,eyesclosedagainstthefiercesun,whenhefelttheearth

beneathhimmove.Hegagged,histhroatonfire,becauseeverythingsolidhadlongsincebeen
regurgitated.

Therewasaloudcrack,andachunkofthestonehe’dbeenleaningagainstbrokeaway.IthitHiramin

thesmalloftheback,knockinghimforward.Hisbodytwistedashefellsothathelandedonhisback,
lookingupatthestrongholdtoweringabovehim.

Abrightbluelightseemedtobeemanatingfromthesummit,twohundredfeetabovehim.Therewas

thenoiseofthunder,butlouderthananyHiramhadeverheard.Aretainingwallnearthetopgaveway,
andcar-sizedbouldersbegantobounceandslidedownthesteepslopes.

Someonescreamed,andHiramrealizeditwashehimself,astheentirefortressofOllantaytambo

begantoslipdownthehillsidetowardhim.

“Raceyoutothetop!”

TonyTorresgrinnedbroadlyathiseleven-year-oldbrother,Xuasus.Hegesturedupward,andXuasus

swiveledhiseyestofollow.

ThePyramidoftheSunloomedabovethem,backedbyanalmostluminousbluesky.MexicoCity’s

infamouspollutedhazelaymilesaway.Fromthisangle,thepyramid’ssteepsideslookedasifthey
weresheer,aclimbmoresuitedtoprofessionalmountaineersthanthetouristsandfamilieswho
straggledupthem.

Xuasussnorted.AyearyoungerthanTony,healwayslostwhentheycompetedatanything.Itwasa

schooltrip,andtheirteacher,Mr.Perez,hadbroughtthewholeclasstovisittheAvenueoftheDeadand
itstwopyramids,anhour’sdrivefromthecitydistrictwheretheylived.Xuasuswouldratherbuyanice
creamandcheckoutthesouvenirstallswiththepesoshismotherhadgivenhim.

“I’lldoyourchoresifyouwin,”Tonyaddedslyly,andXuasus’sdeterminationevaporated.

“It’sabet!”hecried,alreadyleapingontothefirstofthehundredsofstonestepsthatmadeupthe

pyramid’ssides.Onsomeofthelowercourses,thegapbetweenstepswasthreefeetandmore,andonly
theenergyofyouthallowedtheboystotakethematarun.

Mr.PerezandtherestoftheclasswerestillwalkingupthewideavenuefromthePyramidofthe

Moon,theteacherpointingoutthecarvedstonejaguarsandserpentsthatadornedthewalls,theboys
pretendingtolistenastheyjostledeachotherandlaughed.NoonehadnoticedtheTorresbrothersstride
onahead.

TonyandXuasusignoredthemetalguiderailandthefiftyorsopeoplewhowereusingittohaul

themselvesupthepunishingclimb.HisearlystarthadgivenXuasusaslightlead,butoverthesoundof
hisownlaboredbreathinghecouldhearhisbrother’sfootstepscatchingup.

Aplump,middle-agedwomanshoutedastheywentracingbyher,butneithercouldtellifitwas

admonishmentorencouragement.Theydidn’tslowdowntofindout.

Xuasus’slungsfeltasiftheywereburning,andhisachinglegmusclesthreatenedtoquitatany

moment.Heforcedhimselfon,nolongerabletoleapfromsteptostep,butusinghishandstohelphim
vaultup.

Tonywasjustabouttopasshisbrotherwhenheslipped,slamminghisshinagainsttheroughstone.

Hestoppedandclutchedhisleg,halfcursing,halfcrying.

Xuasusseizedhischanceandclamberedon.

Secondslater,pantingandgasping,Xuasusstoodaloneandvictoriousatthetop.Tonywasabout

twentyfeetbelow,theraceforgottenasherolleduphistrouserlegtoinspecthisinjury.Xuasus’sgrin
wassobroad,hischeekswerebeginningtohurt.

Heturnedhimselftothefourdirections,lookingoutoverthetree-coveredmoundsthatMr.Perezsaid

wereancientbuildingswaitingtobediscovered.Accordingtotheteacher,theirancestorshadlivedhere
formanycenturies.Beyondtheplain,thesmogfromthecityallbutblottedoutthepanoramaof
surroundingvolcanichills.

Onasuddenimpulse,Xuasuskneltdownontheflattenedsummit.Hestaredhardatthesquarestone

inthecenter,itsfacewornsmoothbycenturiesofhumancontact.Forthiswaswheremothersbrought
theirchildren,totouchtheirheadsagainstthewarmrockandallowthepyramid’smysticalenergiesto
flowthroughthem.Alotoftheyoungerpeoplelaughedatthecustom,butallthewomensaiditbrought
goodluck.

Xuasus’sownmotherhadbroughthimhereasababy—notthattouchinghisheadtothestoneseemed

tohavedonehimmuchgood.Hewashopelessatschool,andthoughhewasgoodenoughatsports,
Tonyalwaysbeathim.Untiltoday,ofcourse.

Perhapstheenergiesarelikethebatteryinmyradio,hethought,stoopinglower,hisforeheadonly

inchesfromthestone.Theyhavetoberechargedsometimes.

Beforeheknewwhathappened,ajetoferuptingpiezoelectricitytookhisheadcleanoff.

“Thatman—theoneskulkinginthealleymouth.Tellmeabouthim,Cassandra.”

Theyweresittinginthewindowseat,andCassandracranedhernecktoseewhereGrandmawas

pointing.Atrolleyclatteredby,blockingoffherview,butthemanwasstilltherewhenitpassed.

Shecouldn’tseehimdistinctly.Heappearedtobedressedallinblack,andstoodsothathisfacewas

concealedbyshadows.

Cassandralookedathisfeet.Strange.He’snotwearinganyshoes.

Asudden,unpleasantodordriftedinthroughtheopenwindow.Thestenchofdecayingmeatmingled

withtheoldlady’slavender.Cassandrafeltaterriblesenseofforeboding.Somethingevilwascoming
herway.

Themanwassteppingoutoftheshadows.Cassandratriedtoturnherheadaway,butitrefusedto

move.Paralyzed,shecouldonlywatch,herheartpoundingfasterandlouderinherchestasthefigure
lookeddirectlyupather.

Hehadthefaceofabull,andgoldenhornsgrewfromthescalpabovehisears.

Withastrengthofwillshedidn’tknowshepossessed,Cassandratorehergazeaway.Thenshestarted

toshiveruncontrollably,andcowered,whimpering,againsthergrandmother.

AfewtimezonestotheeastofGothamCity,intheRepublicofIreland,SeamusMilligangunnedthe

engineofhisHondaBigRedandsentithurtlingdownthenarrow,hedge-linedlane.

Thecattlewereinfortheafternoonmilking,butatubehadrupturedonthemilkingmachine.No

chanceofmakingittotownbeforetheironmongerdosed.Indeed,ifoldO’Bannionwasrunningtrueto
form,theshopwouldbedosedalreadyandthefirstpintofstoutbalancedintheoldman’shand.

Milligandeceleratedfiercelyasthelittlefour-wheel-drivecarroaredtowardaright-angledcorner.He

swungthecararound,theleft-handwheelsbrieflylosingcontactwiththeroad.Thenallfourtires
grippedagainandhehittheacceleratorhard.Acoupleoflate-seasontouristsscrambledupontothe
vergeasthe4X4shotby,andSeamuswavedregally.

Visitorstothetomb,hethought,disappointedtofindtheseason’soverandit’scloseduntilspring.

HethrewaglanceoverhisleftshouldertowardthestubbygreenmoundthatwastheNewgrange

burialchamber,thelargestNeolithicstructureinallIreland.Milliganhadlivedhereallhislife,farming
dairycattleinthisfertilebendoftheRiverBoyne,yethe’dneversetfootinsidethevastgrave.

Atleast,hereflected,somethinkit’sagrave.Othersclaimit’stheplacewherethelivingcouldspeak

tothedead,andthefuturewasrevealedtothewitches.WhenIwasachild,theywhispereditwaswhere
thedemonshadgonetolivewhenmenstoletheirworld.

Milliganhadseenitfromtheoutside,hugewhitestoneslaidalongitsperimeter,theirsurfaces

scrolledwithancient,mystifyingsymbols.

Onceeachyear,atthewintersolstice,asinglebeamoflightenteredareceptacleabovethedoorway.It

streameddownthelong,narrowpassagetothecenterofthemoundandlitituplikesummer.Forthree
hundredsixty-fivedaysoftheyear,theinteriorlaydarkandsilent,guardingitssecretswell.Butfora
fewbriefminutesthesunilluminedtheintricatelycarvedliningstones,beforetheyreturnedtodarkness
foranotheryear.

Milliganwaspasttheturf-coveredmoundnow,ontoalong,straightroadhedgedwithhawthorn,elder,

andtheoddrowantree.Heheardasoundbehindhim,liketheengineofacarimpatienttoovertake.He
riskedaglanceback,andhisjawdroppedatwhathesaw.

Athinfountainofviscousredliquidwasjettingfromthecenterofthemoundintotheovercastsky.

Lava,Milliganthought.Onlyitcan’tbelava—nothere!

Whereitfelltotheground,flamessparkedupasvegetationcaughtfireandblazedfiercely.

Atthelastmoment,Milligannoticedthathis4X4wasveeringsharply.Hetriedtocorrectthesteering,

buthewasgoingtoofast.Afrontwheelcaughttheedgeoftheverge,andthevehiclesomersaultedoff
theroadandthroughtheair.

Therewasarippingofmetalandsplinteringofwoodasitsmashedintothetrunkofarowantree.The

oldfolkcalleditthewitches’tree,andclaimednoevilspiritcouldstandinitspresence.

SeamusMilliganlayontheverge,hisheadtwistedunnaturally,hisneckbrokeninthefall.He

wouldn’tseethefiresconvergeintoonehugeconflagrationthatwouldsoonsweepoverhisfarmand
spreadoutuntilhalfthevalleywasinflames.

SunsetinCairo,ariotofpurple,red,andgoldgleamingofftenthousandmosquesandminarets.The

streetsresoundedwiththeroaroftraffic,mingledwithsingsongchantscallingthefaithfultoprayer.

Outsidethecity,upontheGizaPlateau,theSphinxandtheGreatPyramidsstoodinsand-strewn

silence,astheyhadforatleastfourthousandfivehundredyears.Theonlysoundwastheoccasional
gruntsofcamelsastheywereledhometotheirquartersforthenight.Thetouristswouldbeback
tomorrow.

ProfessorSimonFerzal,DirectorofResearchatGiza,ledhispartyalongthesideoftheoldcanal,

longemptyanddry,knowingthey’dgetthebestviewoftheGreatPyramidsilhouettedagainstan
awesomesky.

“Whenitwasbuilt,ofcourse,”theprofessorsaid,“thepyramidhadagoldencapstone.Itwouldhave

reflectedlightlikethisforhundredsofmiles,markingGizaasatrulymagicalplace.”

“Magical?”CindyBarnesqueried.SheandadelegationofAmericaninvestorswerevisitingGiza,

withaviewtosinkingmoneyintoanoninvasiveexpeditionthatwouldproducetheveryfirstsonar
mappingoftheentireplateau.Rumorsofhiddenchambers,buriedsecrets,andhoardsofgoldthatmade
thetreasureofTutankhamen’stombpaleincomparison,hadaboundedforyears.TheAmericanmystic
EdgarCaycehadpredictedthatachamberwouldbefoundcontainingthewrittenworksoffabled
Atlantis.

Previoussonarsurveyshadlocatedseveralunknowntunnels,caves,andchambersrunningthrough

theplateau’slimestonebedrock.Barnesandherteamwerewillingtobetthatthereweremore.

Ofcourse,they’dreceivenopaymentiftheystrucklucky—notdirectly,anyway.TheEgyptian

governmentwouldownwhateverwasfound,anditwouldbemadepubliclyavailableassoonasthe

expertshadfinishedtheiranalysis.ButCindy’shusband,Don,wasalreadyworkingonthebook;TV
andmovierightsweresecured,andalittleprofessionalmarketingwouldhelpthemandthegovernment
shareequallyinthephotographicrights.

Now,CindyBarnesfrowned.“IthoughttheancientEgyptiansweretheapexoftechnologyfortheir

times,Professor.Whywouldtheybotherwithmagic?”

Ferzalwaitedamomentbeforereplying.They’dreachedaflightofsteps,andhesignaledtohisaide

tolightthewaywithapowerfulspotlight.Graciously,theresearchdirectortookCindy’selbowand
assistedherupthestairs.

“Myancestorsweretechnocratsindeed,”hesaidinhisimpeccableEnglish,liftinghisgazetothe

massivebulkofthepyramid.“Theywereabletoquarry,move,andliftanestimatedsixmilliontonsof
stonetoproducetheGreatPyramidalone.Yetatthesametime,theylivedmiredinaworldofritualand
superstition.Therewasagodorgoddessforeverything,fromdomesticcatstotheuniverse.Allhadto
bepropitiated,ordisastermightfollow.”

Thespotlightmarkingtheirpath,Ferzalledthemovertowardtherough-hewnrockenclosurethat

housedthemightySphinx,themostenigmaticofallancientmonuments.Itsredsandstoneblocks
almostglowedinthefast-fadingsunlight,changingtopurpleastheshadowsdeepened.

Ferzalwasabouttodropafewpearlsofwisdomregardingitsageandpedigreewhenhehearda

startledshoutfromoneoftheothers:Cindy’shusband,Don,thelankybookworm.Ferzalhopedhe
hadn’ttrippedandhurthimself.

ButDonwaslookingbackattheGreatPyramid.Cobaltblueflamespouredfromitstopandrandown

thelimestonecasinglikedryice,rushingdowntothegroundbelow.

Ferzalandtheothersturnedtorun,butanavalancheofswirlingcoldfireengulfedthembeforethey’d

gonetwentyyards.

Allovertheworld,thesacredsitesoftheancientsbegantoreenergize.

AtCarnacinnorthernFrance,locationoftheworld’slargestcollectionofmenhirs,bluelightblasted

frommorethanathousandstandingstones.

InSpain,Czechoslovakia,andBulgaria,hiddencavesthatknewthedreamsandspellsofsorcerers

beforetheIceAgewerebathedinvioletwaves.Thosefewpeopleinthecaves—spelunkersanda
UniversityofViennaanthropologyteam—suffocatedwithinseconds.

Theonce-holyMediterraneanislandofMaltawasengulfedinagreenmistthatseepedfromthe

ancient,subterraneanGoddesssanctuaries.

Lhasa,Tibet’sholiestcity,litupinthebiggest“fireworks”displayeverseen.

InRussiaandChina,throughoutJapanandSoutheastAsia,forcesthathadslumberedformillennia

awakenedandthreatenedtobringdisasterintheirwake.

Fearisthemessenger,notthemessage.

CassandraheardthewordsasdearlyanddistinctlyasifBatmanwasinGrandma’sapartment.

Likeempathy,shethought,fearisagift.Anearlywarningsystem.Butit’snotmeanttoparalyze.It’s

supposedtospuryoutoaction.Fightorflight.Yourchoice.Butdosomething.Ifyoufailtoact,your
fearwillclaimyou.

Slowly,fearfully,determinedly,Cassandraopenedhereyes.Grandmahaddisappeared.Cassandra

lookedoutthewindow,herheartpumpingwithterroratwhatshewouldsee,butknowingthatshehad
toseeit.Thebull-headedmanhadgrowntocolossalsize,untilhebestrodetheplanet.Theshriekingof
abillionpeoplefilledtheair.Themountainssplitopenandrolledovereverythingbelow,whilenew
peaksburstupfromthesea.

“No!”Cassandrascreamed,“Never,never,never!”Faraway,sheheardavoice.“Dr.Valerian!She’s

awake!”

CHAPTER13

BattleLines

TheteleporterdisgorgedBatmanandJ’onnJ’onzzwithinfiftyyardsofwherethebaseoftheGotham

pyramidhadbeen.

Itwasabeautifulautumnevening,theaircrispandfresh,theskypaintedwithstars.Analmostfull

moonwasrisingintheeast,itsbrightlightshroudedbyamassofdarkcloudslowonthehorizon.
Somewhereinthedistance,afoxwasbarking.

Batmanstoodstaringforafullminute,asifdeterminationalonewouldenablehimtotellifthe

pyramidwasreallythereornot.Finally,heshookhishead.

“Ifit’sthere,”headmitted,“I’mnotseeingit.”

“You’renotalone,”Manhunterreplied.HehadscannedthesitewithhispeculiarMartianvision,

whichallowedhimtoseethroughvirtuallyanyobject.“Noneofmysensesispickingupanythingout
oftheordinary.”

“Iguessthere’sonlyonewaytofindout.”

Batmanwalkedaheadinastraightline,steppingoverthebarriererectedbythepolicewhenthey

closedoffthesite.Hispenlightpickedoutapaththroughthelowscrubbushesandroughgrass.Even
withtheaidoftheinfraredlensesinhismask,hecouldseelittleexceptthegroundbeneathhisfeetand
thesteep-sidedriverbankahead.

J’onnwatchedhiscompanion,hiseyesneverleavinghim.Suddenly,therewasaflashofcolor,asif

theairitselfhadrippledandmovedaside.

Batmandisappearedfromview.

“It’shereallright,J’onn,”Manhunterheardthevigilantecall.

TheMartianmovedforward,atingleofstaticelectricitycaressinghisgreenskinashewalkedthrough

theunseenbarrierandjoinedBatmanontheotherside.

Thepyramidrosebeforethem,itsmassivebulkblottingouthalfthenightsky.

“Refractedlightwaves,”Batmansaidquietly.“Thething’sinvisibleuntilyou’reinfrontofit.”

J’onn’sfeetlefttheground,andhehoveredintheairabovethegrass.Hewasabletoflyusinghis

telekineticabilities,thepowerofhismindalonecarryinghimthroughtheair.

“Goingup?”heasked.

Batmanshookhishead.“I’llclimb,thanks.”

LikeCassandra,whohadbeentaughtbyhergrandmother,Batmanhadanincredibleeyefordetail.On

theprevioustriptothepyramid,hehadcommittedasmuchofitslayoutandsettingtomemoryashe
could.Hewantedtoconfirmthatknowledgenowandgethisbearings,beforerushingintoconfrontation
withtheirdangerousfoe.

“Thehiddenchamberwasonthefifthcourse,”hetoldJ’onnashebegantoclamberupthepyramid’s

side,theMartianhoveringclosetohim.Hereandtheretuftsofparchedgrassgrewbetweenthestones.
“Weshouldcheckitoutbeforewedoanythingelse.”

“Icanusemytelepathy,”J’onnsuggested,“toprobetheStoneKing’smind.Ifhe’shere,thatis.It

mightgiveusaninsightintohowtotacklehim.”

“Toorisky.”Batmanclamberedontothethirdcourse,springingovertheflat-packedstonetoreachthe

nextpartoftheupwardclimb.“Ifherealizeswhat’sgoingon,it’llalerthimtoourpresence.Judgingby
whathappenedlasttime,he’slikelytocomeoutontopinanyconfrontation.Bestifwekeepthe
elementofsurpriseonourside.”

ThewordswerehardlyoutofBatman’smouthwhenherealizedthattheelementofsurprisehad

alreadybeenlost.Evenashereachedoutforahandholdtohaulhimselfupontothepyramid’snext
ledge,somethingwasformingintheairabovehim.Apatchofwhathe’dtakentobenightmistbegan
toswirlandtakeonsolidshape.

Batmancaughtaglimpseofscaly,lizardlikeskin,apairofeyesglowinglikefierycoals,andalong,

thicktailsurmountedbyaspikedknob.

Thenthethingwasdivingathim,andhewasfallingbackinanattempttocushionitsassault.He

heardManhunter’sexclamationofsurpriseandguessedmathe,too,hadcomeunderattack.

Beforetheyhadtimetoreact,theworldbecameamadhouseofflashingclawsandjagged,ripping

teeth.

Theshamanstoodinthehiddenchamber,hisheadthrownbackandhisarmsoutstretchedasa

symphonyofcoloredlightsflashedfromhisfingertips.Theydancedintheairlikelivingthings,redand
blueandgoldswoopingandswirling,coalescingandbreakingupagainintoindividualpatterns.They
playedaroundtheheadsofthecapturedheroes,lightingthemupingrotesquecaricature,drainingthem
oftheirincrediblepowers.

PeterGlastonfeltunaccountablystronger.He’dmadeseveraltentativeattemptstoapproachhis

possessor’smind,togetinsideitandlearnitsstrengthsandweaknesses.Whathefoundtherewasthe
historyofanevilman.

Fivethousandyearsago,theStoneKingreignedsupremeoverasprawlingempireinwhatisnow

consideredNorthAmerica.Hehadbeenbroughtupasoneoftheeliteastronomer-priests,aninterpreter
ofcosmicomens,thehumanlinkbetweenthegodsaboveandthepeoplebelow.Itwashissacredduty
tomaintainthebalancebetweenwhathishumansubjectsneededandwhattheearthcouldprovidefor
them.

TheStoneKingwaswell-versedinthepathsofpower.He’dbeentaughthowtocontrolthepotent

energiesmatsweptthroughtheearthandlayhiddeninthesecretdepthsofthestones.Heknewsecrets
ithadtakenhisancestorstensofthousandsofyearstoaccumulate.

Whenhistrainingwasdone,heshouldhavetakenhisplaceasthepeople’schampion,thebridge

betweenthestonesandthestars.Hiswasthetaskofguidinghisfar-flungtribes,ofensuringthatthe
ritualsandpracticestheyhadkeptformillenniawouldcontinueunchanged.

ButtheStoneKinghadotherplans.Thepowerhewieldedhadseducedhim,corruptingtheideals

implantedinhimbyhispriestlyteachers.Insteadofbeinghispeople’sservant,hewouldbetheirmaster
throughpowerandpainandtorture.

Asifinavision,PetersawahordeofwarriorsswarminglikeworkerantstoconstructtheStone

King’sPyramidofPower.Hesawtheshamanstandatopit,surroundedbyablazingauraastheearth
energiescoursedaroundandthroughhisbody.Thepeoplebowedtheirheadsandmadeobeisance.
Lackingrationalconsciousness,theirimpressionablemindsacceptedeverythingatfacevalue.

Thismaninthebullmaskwastheirmaster;theyhadnochoicebuttoservehim,tofollowhisevery

command.

Powercorrupts,andabsolutepowercorruptsabsolutely.

TheStoneKing’sdemandsincreased.Hetookthetribe’shealthiest,mostfertilewomenandlocked

theminahiddencompoundtowhichonlyhehadaccess.Heexecutedthetribalelderstopreventany
actiontheymighttakeagainsthim.Hesenthiswarriorbandstoraidrivaltribes,slaughteringthemen
andstealingtheirwomenforhimselfandtheirchildrenforgrislyhumansacrifice.

Thencamethedrought.Therainsceasedandthesungrewhotter,untiltheriversthemselvesdriedup.

Itwastheshaman’sage-oldtasktohelphispeople,toeasetheirsuffering,totellthemwhythegods

wereangryandmaketheappropriatesacrificetopropitiatethem.

ButtheStoneKing’styrannyknewnobounds.Hebegantodemandthetribe’sownchildren,

intendingtosacrificetheminappeasement.

Itwasasteptoofar.

Petersawagroupofwarriorscreepingupthepyramidonamoonlessnight.Stoneaxesroseandfell.

Apoison-tippedspearimpaledtheshaman’schestevenashestruggledandshoweredthemwithvile
curses.Hediedwithvengeanceonhislipsandaburningblackhatredinhisheart.

Theyburnedhisbodyonthealtarinthesecretchamber.Theyburiedtheaxhead—thesymbolofthe

StoneKing’spower—inthechamberfloor.Thentheycloseduptheentrancewithheavystoneslabsand
turnedtheirbacksonthepyramidandthetraditionsoftenthousandyears.Thenthewholetribe
abandonedtheareatoseekwaterelsewhere.

So…atleasthecanbebeaten,Peterthought,contemplatingallhehadgleaned.

Theknowledgegavehimfreshheart.Heknewitwasnowornever.TheStoneKingintendedto

annihilateeveryman,woman,andchildonearth…andsomehow,heseemedtohavethepowertodoit.

“Screwyourcouragetothesticking-place.”

ThelinefromaShakespeareplayhe’dreadinfirst-yearEnglishLiteraturecamebacktohim.But

Peter’scouragewasalreadyscrewedtothesticking-place…andhefeltasifitwasindeedstuck.He
couldn’tgoanyfurther.

No!hismindprotested.Youhavetodoit!Justdon’tbebeatenbyyourownfear.

Hewavered,hismindrunningthroughalltheoptions,dreadingwhatmighthappentohim.Ifhe

failed,theStoneKingmighttorturehimforever.Orwipehimoutasifheneverexisted.Ordrivehim
mad,aninsanecaptiveinamindthatwasnolongerhisown.Or…

Ifhesucceeded,perhapseverythingwouldberestoredtothewayithadbeen.

Buthowtodoit?ThiswasPeter’smind;surelyhecouldchoosethearenaofbattle?Or,thethought

occurredtohim,maybeevencreateit!

Peterhadbeenamemberoftheuniversityfencingteamforacoupleofsemesters,untilarchaeology

claimedhisinterestfull-time.Hehadn’tbeenverygoodatit,butatleastheknewhowtoholdablade,
howtowielditandavoidgettinghurtbyhisopponent.

Heimaginedhimselfahero,likeSupermanorBatman,tallandproudandstrong.Asifinanswer,

somehow,aburnishedswordofjusticeappeared,flaming,inhishand.Therewasabrightmetalshield
strappedtohisleftforearm.

Hesawhisfoedadinskins,hisbull’sheadandhornsheldhigh.Peternolongersawhimasafiend

fromhell,onlyaman,anevilmanwhosepowerwasawesomebutnottotal.

Petertookadeep,metaphoricalbreath…andcharged.

“Youdon’treallyexpectmetodropeverythinganddriveoutoftownwithsomeoneIdon’teven

know?”

TherewasincredulityinJennyAyles’svoice.Shestoodinthehalf-opendoorwayoftheapartmentshe

sharedwithtwootheryoungwomen,staringatthestrangerwhosewindsweptplatinumhairtangled
aroundherprettyface.

Cassandrahadexpectedtobegreetedmisway.Sheherselfwouldhavereactednodifferently.She

soughtforthewordstoconvinceJennyoftherightnessofhercause.

Withinanhourofemergingfromhercoma,Cassandrahadwalkedoutofthehospital,Dr.Clay

Valerian’sdirewarningsringinginherears.

“Wehaven’tfinishedyourtests,”heprotested.“Therecouldbesomethingserious!”

ButCassandrafeltfine,atleastphysically.Inside,shewasdeeplyafraidofwhatsheknewshehadto

do.Butsheforcedherselftosignthetreatmentwaiverthenurseheldinfrontofher,reclaimedherown
clothing,andhurriedoutintothestreet.

Shehadjustenoughmoneyinherpocketbooktocoverthecabfaretoherapartment.Herthoughts

racedurgentlyasthetaxidriverspedthroughthestreets.Peoplewerealreadystartingtogamerforthe
streetparty;itwasn’tdarkyet,andtheirmasqueradecostumesmadethemstandoutlikesorethumbs.

Halloween,shethought,feelingastabofpityforthewould-bepartygoers,thedaytheStoneKingwill

destroytheworld!AndImightbetheonlypersonwhocanstophim….

Thesolutionhadcometoherinthoseconfusedminutesthatfollowedherawakening.TheStoneKing

wasreallyPeterGlaston,possessedbyaspiritstrongerthanhimself.ButifGlaston’smindstill
survived,itshouldbepossibletomakecontactandurgehimtothrowoffthementalshacklesthat
boundhim.

AndwhatbetterpersontodoitthanthegirlPeterloved?

BatmanhadtoldherandthecommissioneraboutJennyAyles,thepossessedman’sgirlfriend.

CassandrahadnoideawhereBatmanmightbe.AndnodoubtCommissionerGordonwouldhavehis
handsfullwithpolicingthestreetparty.ThiswassomethingCassandrawouldhavetodoalone.

ShehadfoundJenny’saddressinthetelephonedirectoryanddecidedtohaveaquickshowerand

changeofclothingbeforeheadingoverthere.She’dswitchedonherradioandstoodsoapingherselfin
theshower’sstingingjetsasshelistenedtothenewsofthemayhemthathadbefallentheworld.

FromOhio’sSerpentMoundtoUluru,AyersRock,inthemiddleoftheAustralianoutback,thesame

horrifyingpicturewaspresented.Strangeenergieshaderuptedfromeverysacredsite,bringingdeath

anddestructiontotheimmediatevicinity.Emergencyandmilitaryteamshadbeendespatchedtoback
upthetwodozenorsoJusticeLeagueheroeswho,thankstoBatman’swarning,werealreadydirecting
rescueanddamagecontrolexercises.

Afterthefirstviolentoutpourings,theenergylevelsseemedtohavestabilized.

Atleastit’snotgettinganyworse,Cassandrathought,thenadded,Yet.

She’dcalledanothercab,thenbarelyhadtimetotowel-dryherhairbeforesheheardthedriver

honkinghishorndownonthestreet.

HerdriverwasayoungeasternEuropeanimmigrantwhoseemedtospeaklittleEnglishbutwhokept

upadeprecatorycommentaryonthejourneyinhisownlanguage.Cassandrawassurprisedtoseethe
growingcrowds,manyinfancydressorscaryHalloweenmasks.Didn’ttheylistentothenews?Didn’t
theyknowtheworldwasfacingacrisisandtheJusticeLeague’smostpowerfulmembersweremissing
inaction?Howcouldtheyeventhinkofpartyingwhenthey,andtheplanetitself,wereskirtingsoclose
todoom?

Perhapsitwasbecausethethoughtofimpendingdisasterwassohardtoaccept.Thestreetpartyfilled

somepsychologicalneed—asifitwaseasierforpeopletoburytheirheadsinthesand,topretendthatif
theyactednormally,theneverythingwouldsoonreturntonormal.

Cassandrawasoneofthefewwhoknewthatwasn’tthecase.Shebreathedaheartfeltsighofrelief

whenshediscoveredJennyathome.

AseamisthadpouredintoMarlbuckPointovernight,andfailedtoliftinthemorning.Jennyand

JamieStewarthadsataroundforhourstwiddlingtheirthumbsbeforeHamishhadsentthemhome
ratherthanmuddyupthedig.Besides,itwouldsavehimtheexpenseofanafternoon’swages.

Jennystartedtodosethedoor—she’dhadenoughfromthepress,fromstrangersbadgeringher.The

lastthingsheneededwastoheadoffwhoknowswherewithawomanshedidn’tknow,someonewho
wasn’tevenmakinganysense.

“It’sPeter,”Cassandrasaidwithgrimfinality.

Itwasthelastthingshe’dwantedtosay.SheknewexactlyhowJennywouldreact:shock,grief,a

bladecuttingatanopenwound.Cassandracouldliterallyfeelthechillthatsweptthroughthegirl.

“Peter?”Jennywhispered.

Cassandraapologizedforherbluntness,buttherereallyhadbeennootherwaytomakeJennylisten.

Shestartedtogiveahurriedexplanationofwhathadhappened,butJennystoppedheralmostatonce.

“You’resayingPeterdidn’tkillProfessorMills?”Thereliefinthegirl’svoicewasunmistakeable.“It

wasthis…spiritthat’spossessedhim?”

“That’swhattheBatmantoldme.AndasfarasIcanjudge,he’sright.”Cassandraglancedather

wrist,attheelegant,old-fashionedwatchthathadoncebelongedtohergrandmother.“Wedon’thave
muchtime.Doyouthinkwecantalkwhilewetravel?Ihaveacabwaiting.”

Jennypulledaleatherjacketfromthehall-standinsidethedoor.“Mycar’snotverypassenger

friendly,”sheconfessed,“butitgetsmetoMarlbuckandbackeachday.I’dratherdrivemyself.”

Cassandrapaidoffherdriver,andminuteslaterJenny’sfifteen-year-oldNissancompactwasheading

forthecitylimits.Thespringsinthepassengerseathadwornoutyearsago,andCassandrasquirmed
uncomfortablyastheyracedtowardthefreewayon-rampatalmostdoublethespeedlimit.

Theflamingswordarceddownward,withallofPeter’sstrengthbehindit.

Takenunaware,hisbull-headedfoehadnotimetoreact.Thegleamingbladeslicedthroughthe

animalskins,bitingdeepintotheshaman’sflesh,sendinghimtopplingtothesandyfloorofPeter’s
imaginedarena.

Themonsterroseononeelbow,itsotherhandswingingtherazor-sharpstoneaxitheld.Peter’ssword

arcedagain,andtheweaponwentcareeningfromtheshaman’shand.

Thisistooeasy!

Peteralmostlaughedasafloodofelationsurgedthroughhim.Tothinkhe’dcrouched,coweringand

quiveringashetriedtoconcealhimselfinhisownmind,terrifiedofthisentity!Andnowhehaditat
hismercy.

Theflamingswordroseandfell,timeandagain,splashinggoutsofbloodintheair.ButPetergaveno

quarter,andcontinuedtohackfrenziedlyattheshaman’sbodylongaftertherewasanyneed.

Batmanwasbeginningtowonderifhewasfightingsomeminorimageversionofhimself.

Everyattackhelaunchedwaseffectivelyparried.Karate,kick-boxing,jujitsu—hisopponentseemed

toknowthemall,anddefendeditselfaccordingly.

Abrutalchopwasdeflectedbyascalyelbow.Astunningchestkickwasstoppedbyacross-wristed

block.Evenaikido—amartialartssystemthatusestheattacker’sstrengthagainsthim—provedofno
value.Onlytheoccasionalblowlandedhome,andthenmorebyluckmanbyjudgment.Whenitdid,
thecreaturemadenosoundandgavenosignthatitfeltpain.

Bythesametoken,Batmanmanagedtorepelthelizardlikehumanoideverytimeitbecamethe

aggressor.Bootedfeetandgauntletedhandswardedoffasuccessionofblowsflungathimfromevery
conceivableangle.Whenoneofthebeast’sblowsstruckhome,Batmangruntedandrolledwiththe
impact.

Theconfrontationwasmorelikeaballetthanabattle.

Almostasifwe’reperfectlysuitedtoeachother,Batmanthought,failingtoconnectwithawild,

swingingkick.Heduckedundertheinevitablecounterattack,deflectingapunchwithanupraised

forearm.Asifwhoevercontrolsthiscreatureisprovidingonlysomuchenergy,andnomore.Asifhe’s
conservinghispowerforsomethingelse.

ItcouldonlybetheStoneKing.

Batmanduckedaflurryofpunches,slippingopenapouchinhisUtilityBelt.Hehadsomethinghere

thatoughttogivehimtheedge.Hishandclosedaroundavialinsidethepouch.Scarecrow’sspecial
feargasmightturnthefightinhisfavor.

ButasBatmanpreparedtolobthevial,hisfoestruck.Itstaillashedoutlikeawhip,thespikedknob

attheendrippingpainfullyintoBatman’sarm.Thevialwentflyingfromhisnumbedfingers,landing
onapatchofgrassgrowingbetweenthestones.

TheDarkKnightdidn’twastetimecursinghisillfortune.Heaimedaseriesofrapidkicksathis

misshapenopponent,usingthetimetheyboughthimtoslidehisbolafromitspouch.Holdingitfirmly
bythecenter,wherethethreethongsmet,hestarteditspinningwithaflickofhiswristEachthongwas
tippedwithasmallleadweight,theweightedendssingingastheyquicklywhippedupspeed.

Extendinghishandwiththewhirlingbolainfrontofhim,Batmanlungedathisfoe.

Theweightsthuddedintothesideofthebeast’sscalyhead,oneaftertheotherinquicksuccession,

withenoughpowertoknockoutahorse.Thelizardmanfellback,momentarilystunned,andBatman
triedtopresshomehisadvantage.

Againthethreewhirlingballspoweredintothecreature’shead.Butthistime,itdidn’treact.Instead,

withgreatlyincreasedstrength,itdeliveredasavagebackhandblowthatsentBatmansmashingagainst
thepyramid’srockface.

Lookslikethere’ssomethinginmytheory,hemused,wipingatraceofbloodfromthecornerofhis

mouth.Itcamebackatmelikeapowerhousewhenitneededto.

Usingthepyramidwallasaspringboard,Batmanbackflippedtoevadeanothersmashingblow.A

clawedfistslammedintothestoneworkwithanimpactthatsentfragmentsofgraniteflying.Batman’s
handsnappedtohisUtilityBelt,tryingtodecidewhetherithadreallybeensuchagoodideatotesthis
theory,afterall.

J’onnJ’onzzwasfaringlittlebetteragainstthecreaturethathadgoneforhim.Whenheflew,itflew.

WhenhelandedablowwithMartiansuperstrength,thebeastreeled,butrecoveredtostrikeback
immediately.Similarly,whenitsslashingclawsstruckhim,hisnear-invulnerabilityshruggedoffthe
attack.

Asifit’sonlytryingtodelayme,hethought.

Themoonhadcomeoutfrombehindtheclouds.Thehugewhitediskcastanalmostsurreallighton

thescene.

J’onn!ManhunterheardBatman’stelepathiccall.

They’dbeenawareofeachotherduringtheirindividualfights,butonlyperipherally,withalltheir

attentionfocusedontheiropponents.

Manhunterriskedaglancealongthecourse,andpaidimmediatelyforhisindiscretionasthe

lizardmanstruckhiminthethigh.Buthe’dhadtimetoseeBatmanretreatingbeforetheothercreature’s
maniacalonslaught,itsdawsraking,jawsslavering,spikedtailtwitchingasitsoughtanopeningforthe
kill.

Thisone’spowerseemstobewavering,Batmanthought.Mightbeagoodtimetoswitchdancing

partners.Batmanusedhiswristtoblockachoppingblow.Now!

J’onnhadalsofeltaslumpinhisownfoe’spowerlevels,asifwhoeverwascontrollingithadmore

pressingbusinesstoattendto.Immediately,J’onnusedone

oftheunusualMartianpowersthatwerehisbirthright.Hethoughthard,andthelightwavesstriking

himrespondedsomehowtohisconsciouswill,bendingthemselvesaroundhim.Turninghiminvisible.

Itwasatalenthecouldemployonlyforshortperiods.Butitshouldbelongenough.

J’onnsoaredadozenfeetintotheair,turnedonadime,andsenthimselfcrashingatspeedintothe

lizardmanBatmanhadbeenfighting.

Theimpactcrushedthecreatureagainstthecourse’sretainingwall,andthebeastslumpedlikeasack

ofsand.

BatmanhadturnedtorunatManhunter’sfoe,whichhoveredwithuncertaintyafewfeetoutfromthe

sideofthepyramid.Abat-lineshotfromtheDarkKnight’shand,itsgrapplebitinghomearoundthe
lizardman’sneck.Batmanyankedhardonthelinewithbothhands,pullingthesurprisedbeasttoward
him.

Asitloomedcloser,itseemedtorecoversomewhatItseyesglittereddangerously,anditsmawopened

torevealjaggedyellowteeth.Itsdroolingjawsopenedwider—

AndBatmantossedtwopercussiongrenadesdownitsthroat.

Theresultingexplosionblewthecreatureapart.

Batmanstoodforamomenttorecoverhisbream,andJ’onnmaterializedbesidehim.

“Ibelieveyoulostthis.”J’onnheldouthishand.Nestlinginhisupturnedpalmwasthevialoffear

gasBatmanhaddropped.

“Thanks.”BatmantookthevialandslippeditbackintohisUtilityBelt.“MyguessistheStoneKing

wasdistracted,”hewentonthoughtfully.“Hewastryingtosavehisenergy,presumablybecauseit’s
neededelsewhere.Butsomethingtookhismindoffthejob.”

J’onngesturedupwardwithhishead,hiscraggyeyebrowslookingmorelikeacarapaceunderthe

moon’slight.

Twostoriesabovethem,plasmoidlightwasflickeringfromtheburialchamber.

“That’swherewe’llgetouranswers,”theMartiansaidgrimly.

Finally,Peter’sstrengthgaveout.

Soakedinperspiration,pantingwitheffort,helettheflamingswordslipfromhisfingers.Hisrageand

terrorhadexhaustedthemselves,andhefeltacuriousdetachmentfromanyemotion.Hecouldhardly
believeithadbeensosimple.

Thisbeing,thisshamanofunimaginablepower,hadcrumpledlikepaperunderPeter’sfrenziedattack.

IguessI’vegotmybodyback.I’minchargeagain.

Helookeddownatthebloody,tornremainsofhispossessor,andasuddenchillfrozehimtothespot.

Theeyesinitsdisembodiedheadblinkedopen,andfixedPeterwithalooksomalignitmighthave

beenMedusa,theGorgonwhoturnedmentostonewithhermalevolentglare.

PainstabbedinPeter’stemple.Somethingwarm

wastricklingdownthesideofhisface.Curiously,hetoucheditwithhisfinger.Blood.Hisblood.

Histempleswerethrobbingnow,thetempoquickening.Hefeltfaint.Hetriedtomarshalhisthoughts,

buteverythingwasturningred.

Peter’sscreamlastedonlyforaninstant,thenhismindexploded.

CHAPTERI4

PreliminarySkirmish

JennyAylessenttheoldNissanbombingoverCanyonBridge,withtheragingwatersoftheGotham

Riverahundredfeetbelow.

Whentheroadforked,shebranchedright,takingthemthroughdeeppineforestforseveralmiles.

Therewerenoothervehiclesaround,noroadsidelightsmarkingthepositionoffarmsandhouses.

Jennyfeltstrangelydetached,thewaysheoftendidwhenshewastraveling.She’dleftherown

problemsbehindher.Theirdestination,andtheproblemsshehadtofacethere,stilllayinthefuture,
whereshedidn’thavetoworryaboutthem.Yet.

Besideher,Cassandratraveledinsilence.Morethanonce,theempathaskedherselfifshewasdoing

therightthing.Eachtime,heranswerwasthesame:WhatalternativedoIhave?

Amilebeforetheyreachedthesiteofthedamitself,Jennyturnedthecaroffthepavedhighway.The

Nissanbounceddownanoldfarmtrack,Cassandra’sself-examinationallbutforgottenasshestruggled
toavoidinjuringherselfonthepassengerseat’sbrokensprings.

“Idon’tunderstand,”Jennyexclaimedastheyroundedacornerthatbroughttheminplainviewofthe

riverbank.“Thepyramid…it’snotthere!”

“Perhapswe’vecometothewronglocation,”Cassandrasuggested.“You’reupset.Itwouldbeaneasy

mistaketomake.”

Jennyslowedthecartoawalkingpaceandwounddownherwindow.Cloudscoveredthemoon,but

therewasenoughlightforhertoknowshewasright.Afterall,she’dworkedhereeverydayforweeks.

“There’snomistake,”Jennyinsisted.“Look—there’sthestandofcottonwoodtreesgrowingoutof

theriverbank.Thedam’slessthanamileupstream.ThisiswhereweusedtoparktheuniversitySUV.”

ShestoppedtheNissanandswitchedofftheengine.

Jennyfeltachillofforebodingassheopenedthecardoorandslidout.Thisplacehadalreadytaken

fromherthemansheloved…andRobertMills,amanshedidn’tlove.Butiftherewasachanceof
gettingPeterback,nomatterhowslim,shewaswillingtotakeit.

“Perhapswejustcan’tmakeitoutinthedarkness,”JennytoldCassandra,asshetoogotoutofthecar.

“I’mgoingtowalkupthepathweused.”

Cassandra’smindwasworkingovertime.Iftheycouldn’tfindthepyramid,theycouldn’tconfrontthe

monster.PeterGlastonwouldn’tbefreed.Andtheworldwouldend.

Longgrasswhippedtheiranklesandbushestuggedattheirclothingastheysidesteppedthepolice

barrierandmadetheirwayalongthenarrowpathofflattenedvegetation.

Jennykeptlookingaroundher,shakingherhead.Howcouldsomethingsobigsimplydisappear?

Therewasasuddenripplingoftheairaroundthem,andbothwomencametoanabrupthalt.

Thesteppedpyramidroseinfrontofthem,itsdarkbulklimnedagainstthemoonthatwasnowrising

behindit.Abouthalfwayupthesteepsides,intermittentflashesofstrangelightwerebeingemitted.

“But…”Jennysaidfeebly.“How?”

Cassandrashookherhead,atalossforwords.

Insilence,theymadetheirwaytothefootofthepyramid.Terrifiedofwhatmightawaitthem,Jenny

clutchedCassandra’sarmandkepthereyesfixedstraightahead.

BatmanandtheMartianManhuntercreptquietlyalongthewideledgeofthefifthcourse.Justahead,

severallargerockslabshadbeenmovedaside,revealingtheentrytothehiddenchamber.

MotioningBatmantofallbackalittle,J’onnmovedtowardthedoorway.Iftheyweremetwith

violence,betterforJ’onn’snear-invulnerablebodytobeinthevanguard.Manhunteredgedcloser,then
leanedintopeekaroundthestonelintel.

Quickly,hebeckonedBatmantojoinhim.

Bereadyforanything,J’onncautioned.There’snotellingwhat’sgoingtohappeninthere.

Batmannoddedhisassent.

Insidethechamber,theStoneKingwasonhisknees,hisheadlowereduntilitwasalmosttouching

thefloor.Hishandsgraspedhisbull’sskullheadpiece,andhiseyeswerescrewedshut,asifhewasin
terriblepain.

Hedidn’topenhiseyesastheyapproached,nordidheacknowledgetheirpresence,asthetwoheroes

silentlyenteredtheStoneKing’sdomain.

Heseemstobeinsomesortofdistress,Manhunteropined.Ifhisguardisdown,thiscouldbeour

optimummomentforattack.

Batmanwrinkledhisnose.Thesmellofstalebloodandputrefyingfleshwassickening.Quickly,he

insertedapairofnoseplugsunderhismask.

Beyond,hecouldseethatthechamber’srecesswasfilledwithchaoticallyflickeringlight.

Youmaywellberight,Batmanagreed.Butwaitjustonemoment.

TheDarkKnightpointedtothechamberfloor.Therottingshredsoffleshthatlayeverywherehad

attractedasignificantamountofinsectlife.Beetlesandmaggotsscurriedfromonescrapofmeatto

another.Achunky,blackbeetle’spathtookitdirectlytowardthemotionlessStoneKing.

AboutsixinchesfromtheStoneKing,thebeetlepausedmomentarily.Itsantennaebrushedtheair,as

ifitsensedthatsomethingwasnotquiteright.Thentheinsectjerkedforwardagain,andwasinstantly
disintegratedinasoundlessblueflash.

He’sprotectedhimselfwithaforcefield.J’onngroanedinwardly.Andshortcfdirectattack,we’veno

wayofknowinghowpowerfulitis.

Keepaneyeonhim,Batmanresponded.I’llfindoutwhatelseisinhere.

Noiselessly,thevigilantemoveddeeperintotherock-linedchamber,hiseverynervealert,every

muscletensedforaction.Butwhathesawmadehimexpelhisbreathinalow,sibilanthiss.

Superman,WonderWoman,GreenLantern,andtheFlashweretrappedthere,imprisonedintheliving

stone.Onlytheirhandsandfaceswerevisible;therestoftheirbodieswereburiedinthedenserock.

They’rehere,J’onn!ManhunterfeltasurgeofpleasureasBatmanbroadcastthethought.They’re

trapped!I’mgoingtotrytoreleasethem.

Ahigh-poweredlaserfromhisUtilityBeltwasalreadyinBatman’shand.Hesnappediton,guiding

thedeadlybeamupanddownthemassofstonethatsurroundedSuperman.Itbubbledundertheintense
heatwherethebeamstruckit,tinyfracturelinesbranchingoutfromthemaincentralcut.

Batmanworkedwiththebeamforseveralminutes.Finallysatisfied,helaidthelaserasideandtook

severalsmallcompressed-airpelletsfromapouch.Hecrammedthemintothedeepsplitintherock,
wedgingthembetweentherockandSuperman’sbody.Heturnedawayashewaitedforthefive-second
delayedfusestoignite.Superman’sinvulnerablebodywouldsuffernoharm.

Thepelletsdetonatedsimultaneouslywithasoftpop,sendingupapuffofdustasseverallargechunks

ofstonebrokeoff.Batmanseizedaloosenedsectionandpulledwithallhisstrength.

TherockimprisoningSupermanshatteredinadozenplaces,fallingawaytorevealhiscostumedbody.

Buttheliberatedherodidn’tmove.Hiseyesremainedclosed,andheshowednosignthathewasaware
ofBatman’spresence.

What’sthesituation,J’onn?

Manhunter’sgazehadneverleftthestrickenStoneKing.Hewasmotionlessnow,asifcementedto

thespotwhereheremainedkneelingonthehard-packedfloor.

Nochange.Hestillseemsunawareofourpresence.Whateverhe’sdoing,it’sabsorbingallhis

attention.

Icoulduseyouhere.Superman’sfree,buthedoesn’tseemtoknowit.

J’onnthrewonelast,lingeringlookattheStoneKing,thencreptpasthimandjoinedBatmaninthe

depthsofthecavern.

GodsofMars!J’onnwasshockedtoseehiscompanions,threeofthemstillentombedintherock,and

Supermanlyingsprawledonthefloor.What’shappenedtothem?

I’mhopingyourtelepathycandiscoverthat,Batmanrejoined.

J’onnhesitated.Backinthedayswhenhehadfirstperfectedthetelepathiclinktokeephisfellow

JusticeLeaguemembersincontactduringtimesofcrisis,therehadbeenacertainamountofconcern.
Mostheroeshadasecretidentity,adisguisetheyworethatallowedthemtolivesomesemblanceofa
normallife.

Andeveryherohadsecretsheorshepreferrednottoshare.Thoseidentitiesandsecretscouldeasily

becompromisedifanyone—evenoneoftheirownnumber—discoveredwhattheywere.

J’onnhadpromisedthathewouldneverprobeanyoftheirmindswithoutpriorpermission,andhe’d

keptthatpromise.Butnow,itseemedhehadnootherchoice.

BatmanwatchedasManhunterconsciouslynarrowedthefocusofhisthoughts.Hedirectedhismind

towardSuperman’s,waitingforthestrange,alienfeelingthatwouldtellhimhe’dachievedcontact.But
contactnevercame—

Aflashbehindthemalertedthemtothedanger.

Theyturned,butitwasalreadytoolate.

Apulsatingballofplasmaslammedintothemwiththeforceofalocomotive.TheKevlarliningin

Batman’scostumeabsorbedandredistributedtheblow,butevenso,theimpactwassogreatthatthe
vigilantewasthrownface-firstagainstthecavernwall.Hewasoutcoldinstantly.

J’onnJ’onzzmanagedtogetbotharmsoutinfrontofhimtobreaktheimpactashewashurled

againstthewall.Hishands,however,sankuptothewristsinthesolidrock.

Beforehecouldwrenchthemfree,therockdosedaroundthemlikegranitehandcuffs.J’onntugged

frantically,buttherockwouldn’tbudge.HeheardagroanasBatmanstartedtorecover,pullinghimself
tohisknees.

“Thecyclewillbecomplete.”

TheStoneKing’swordshungintheair,atonceapromiseandathreat.

Hestoodbehindthem,fullyrecoverednowfromhismentalwarwithPeterGlaston.Theunexpected

attackhadtakenhimoffbalance,fouleduphiscarefullyconstructedritual,andblemishedthepurityof
bisthoughtprocesses.

Ithadtakenalotoutofhim,buthehadeventuallymanagedtorepelGlaston’smanicassault.And

nowhecouldconcentrateagainonthetaskathand.

Thepupilsofhiseyesbegantoenlarge,andhestaredhardattheduowhohaddaredtoinvadethe

sanctityofhislair.

BatmanandManhunterwereinnopositiontoresisttheshaman’smentalbombardment.Pictures

leapedintotheirminds,vividvisionsofhorroranddeaththatwouldlingerforalongtime.

Theysawthesacredsitesoftheworldablazewithenergy.

MachuPicchu,theIncas’mysteriousmountaintopsanctuary,belchedsulphurandlavafromayawning

craterthatopenedinitssummit.

AviolentelectricalstormragedaroundthegiantrocksofStonehenge,lightningboltsofunstoppable

powerstreakingdestructivelyintothesurroundingcountryside.

SectionsofBlackMesa,intheHopiheartlandsoftheFourCorners,burneduncontrollablyasthecoal

buriedinthemountainsidespontaneouslycombusted.

Visionfollowedawfulvisionwithstartlingspeed.GothamCitycrumblingandcollapsingas

conflagrationraged.NewYorkshudderingwithseismicshockasthebedrockbeneathManhattanturned
toajelloidmass.Kilimanjaro,Africa’shighestmountain,disintegratinginanexplosionthatcouldbe
heardallaroundtheworld.TheOrkneyIslands,sceneofEurope’sfirstNeolithicsettlers,sinking
beneaththeAtlanticwaves.

Stilldazed,unabletoshutthevisionsout,Batman’sheartfilledwithgrowingdespair.Tohavecome

sodose,onlytoseevictorysnatchedaway!Thewholeworldwasburning.Billionsofinnocentpeople
hadperished.TheApocalypseprophesiedbyalmosteveryreligionwasuponthem.

AndtherewasnothingBatmancoulddoaboutit.Fearoffailureragedwithinhim,untilhisverysoul

feltcrushed.

Manhunterfeltphysicallyillunderthementalonslaught.Thedeathofhisfamilyandfriends—his

wholeplanet!—hadlefthimscarredinsideforever.ToseethesamethinghappenonEarthwasmore
thanhecouldbear.

Yethewashelpless,ashisadoptedworldfaceditsownwholesaledestructionatthehandsofthis

maniacalmonster.

Stillthevisionspersisted.

Tokyoinruins,theworld’smostmoderncityreducedtoabarrenwastelandbyearthquakeand

volcaniceruption.Russiabroughttoitskneesbyplagueandpestilence,corpsespiledashighasthe
Kremlinitself.AnAmericatheydidn’trecognize,thelandrippedandtorn,thepeoplefleeinginpanic
fromafoenoarmycouldfight.

limeandagain,historyhadpresidedovertheriseandfallofmightycivilizations.ThePersians,the

Assyrians,theGreeks,andtheRomans;theEtruscans,Minoans,Aztecs,Maya,Toltecs,andOlmecs;
thecrazedhordesoftheMongolsandHuns,chargingthroughthecitiesoftheworld,bayingforblood.

Everyoneofthesecivilizationshadreacheditsapex,thenplungedtoitsdoom.Buttherehadalways

beenothercultures,readytoexpandandtaketheplaceofthosethatfailed.

Thistime,thecollapsewouldbetotal,andplanetwide.

BatmanandMartianManhuntersawthefewsurvivorscomecrawlingoutoftheholesandcaves

wherethey’dhidden.Thecyclewouldstartagain.

TheStoneKingwouldleadthemintoanewlife,cleansedandpure.Theelectromagneticfieldshe

controlledwouldbetheirlodestone,theirguidingstar.Allwouldbewell—aslongaseveryonedidwhat
theStoneKingcommanded.

ParalyzedbytheStoneKing’swill,wrackedwithhopelessness,itwasalltheDarkKnightcoulddoto

remainconsciousasthehorrificvisionsneverfalteredforamoment.Foronce,themessagethathisfear
carriedcouldnotbeactedupon.

“Peter?Peter,areyouthere?”

Fromfaraway,Batmanrecognizedthefemalevoice.

JennyAyles!

JennyandCassandrastoodinthechamberdoorway,Jenny’sfingerstightlygrippinghercompanion’s

arm.Bothwerefilledwithterror,madequeasybythedisgustingstenchthatseepedoutfromthe

interior.

Buttheystoodtheirground,evenastheStoneKingturnedtowardthem.PeterGlaston’s

consciousnesshadbeendestroyed;thebull’sskullstillhidhisface,andgreasyanimalhidecoveredhis
body.Thesmellhegaveoffwasalmostunendurable.

Repulsedbythefoulimage,Jennyhadtofighttoremindherselfthatthishadbeenthemanshecared

foraboveallelse.

“I…Iloveyou,Peter,”shefaltered,heartpoundinginherbreast.

Shewantedtoturnandflee,torunasfarasshecouldfromthenightmarefigurewhostoodbeforeher.

Shefeltnauseatedbyitsmonstrouspresence,desecratedbytheevilpossessingherlover.

Shepulledherselftogether,herknuckleswhiteashergriponCassandra’sarmtightenedevenmore.

Cassandracouldfeeleverynuanceoftheyoungergirl’scartwheelingemotions,butshesteeled

herself.Jennyneededsupport,andwhatevermisgivingsCassandrafelt,shewastheonlyonewhocould
offerit.

WhenJennyspokeagain,hervoicewaslouder,firmer.“I’vealwayslovedyou,Peter,”shedeclared,

“sincethefirstdaywemet.ButyouknowhowIhateargumentandconfrontation.That’swhywhat
happenedinPeru,withRobert,poisonedeverythingwemeanttoeachother.”

Jenny’seyesfilledwithtearsthatbegantoslide

downhercheeks.“Imadeamistake,Peter,”shewenton.“Iwantyoutoforgiveme.”

TheStoneKingstoodlikeastatue,makingnosoundormotionthatbetrayedwhetherhehadeven

heardthewords,letaloneunderstoodthem.Heseemedtobeinvolvedinsomeinnerstrugglethat
divertedhisattentionfromhisself-ordainedtask.Theeyesbeneaththebullskullblinkedshut.

WhentheyopenedagainJenny’sheartraced.

ThosearePeter’seyes!

Shehardlydaredbreathe,hergazerivetedtotheStoneKing’sface.Hiswordscamefalteringly,asif

operatingthefacialmusclesrequiredatremendouseffort.PeterGlaston’seyesheldhers,anditwas
PeterGlaston,andnottheStoneKing,whosaidinathin,strangledvoice:

“I…love…you…too…Jenny.”

PeterGlastonhadthoughthewasfinishedwhentheStoneKingstruckback.

Forwhatseemedlikeanaeonhehadexperiencednothing,noteventhecognizanceofhisown

thoughts.Therewasnopain,noregrets,noflashbackmemoriesofhisall-too-brieflife.Noheaven,no
hell.

Justnothing.

Andthen,afteraneternityofdarkness,hethoughtheheardJenny’svoice.

“I…loveyou,Peter.”

Itwasasifadamhadburstinhismind.Herememberedeverything:thefirsttimehesawJenny,

hurryingacrossthecampuslawn,lateforaclass.Herememberedaskingherforadate,silentlycursing
histongue-tiedshyness.Theelationhe’dfeltwhenshesaid“yes.”Theirfirstkiss,longandsweetand
tender,onawarmsummernight.

Peterhadneverbeeninlovebefore.HeembracedtheemotionthewayheembracedJennyherself—as

ifheneverwantedtoletgo.

HerbriefaffairwithProfessorMillshadshockedhimtohiscore,hurthiminawayhe’dnever

experiencedbefore.Itwassoonover,butthedamagewasdone.Jennysaidshewassorry;Petersaidhe
forgaveher.Buttherewasashadowbetweenthemthathadn’texistedbefore,andthemorethey
avoideddiscussingtheissue,thedeepertheshadowbecame.

Fromsomewhere,thescatteredremnantsofPeter’spersonalityfoundthestrengthtoreemerge.He

wasn’tfightingforhimselfanymore.Hewasfightingforthewomanheloved.

Thiswashisbody.TheStoneKinghadnorighttoit,norighttostealhislife,norighttoparthim

fromtheonlygirlhehadeverloved.

Sohefoughtbackashardashecould,andtastedvictoryashislipspartedtosay:

“Iloveyou,too,Jenny.”

WhentheStoneKingfirstdivertedhisattentiontoJennyandCassandra,bothBatmanandManhunter

hadfeltthepowerthatheldthemwaneslightly.

He’spreoccupiedagain.Manhunterflashedthemessage.

HismindstillreelingfromtheStoneKing’smentalassault,Batmanstruggledtogatherhisthoughts.I

thinkIknowhowhe’sholdingtheotherscaptive,butit’sgoingtotakeyourpsionicpowerstofree
them.

Thekeywaselectromagnetism.BatmanwascertainofitHerecalledascientificjournalhe’donce

scanned,oneofthehundredsofitemshecommittedtomemoryeverymonth.

Volunteershadlainonagurney,whichwasrotatedatdifferentspeedswithinapotentelectromagnetic

field.Asurprisingnumberofthem,wellovereightypercent,hadreportedundergoingalmostexactly
thesameexperience:theyhallucinatedthatthey’dbeenabductedbyaliens.

Notjustanyaliens.Therewerenopostexperimentreportsofcosmicoctopiwithdozensofwriggling

tentacles,nolittlegreenmenwithfunnyraygunsdemanding,“Takemetoyourleader.”Every
volunteerclaimedtohavemetwiththesamerace,theonesknownas“thegrays,”smallbeingswith
disproportionatelylargeheadsandblack,almond-shapedeyes.

Andnotjustordinaryhallucinations,either:theexperimenteesclaimedtheexperiencewasreal,asreal

tothemastheireverydaylives.

ForBatman,theimportantrevelationwasthatfinelytunedEMfieldscouldinteractwiththesubtle

fieldsproducedbyelectrochemicalactivityinthebrain.Ifitcouldbedonewithordinaryhumans,it
couldbedonewithsuperheroes.

Now,astheStoneKingstoodtransfixed,hismindoverwhelmedbytheintensityofPeterGlaston’s

emotion,hispoweroverBatmanandManhunterdecreased.

Onmycount.Batmanthought.Three,two,one…go!

AsnarlrosedeepinJ’onnJ’onzz’sthroat.Theangerarousedbythatsuccessionofhellishvisions

pouredoutofhim.Heflexedhisarms,bringingallofhisfantasticextraterrestrialstrengthtobearonthe
rockthatheldhim.

Itgavewithaloudcrack,andhisarmspulledsuddenlyfree.

Batmangesturedtowardtheirteammates.IthinktheStoneKing’susingelectromagnetismtohold

them.

I’llletthemknowwhat’sgoingon,J’onntoldhim.GreenLanternfirst.He’llbeabletowillhisringto

altertheEMpatternsinhisbrain.

Manhunterconvertedhisthoughtsintoapulse,explanationnestedwithinexplanationlikeasetof

carvedRussiandolls.HesentthepulsehurtlingdirectlyintoGreenLantern’smind.

Therewasnoresponse.

Again,J’onnsentthethought,shrinkingittothetiniestquantumofinformationhecouldmanage.Was

thataflicker?AneuroninLantern’smindfiringbriefly?

Desperately,hesentthethoughtathirdtime,alreadybeginningtofeelthestrain.Unlessitwaswith

thevoluntarycooperationoftherecipient,telepathyonthisscalecouldbedebilitatingtohim.

Forthebriefestofmoments,nothing.ThenGreenLantern’seyesopened,blinkinginthecavern’s

flickeringlight.

J’onn’sthoughtpackagehadtoldhimeverything,fromthepossessionofPeterGlastontothepresent

situationintheburialchamber.Shruggingoffthememoryoftheagonythathadconsumedhimforso
long,GreenLanterngrinnedandgaveathumbs-upsigntohisrelievedrescuers.

Thanks,guys!Thatcreepwasreallygivingmeahardtime!

Lantern’seyesnarrowedinconcentration,andathin,intensebeamofemeraldenergylancedfromhis

ring.Silently,itslicedintothegranitethatwassolidifiedaroundtheFlashandWonderWoman.Ina
silentpuffofthickgreensmoke,therockdissipated.

Freenow,theduolayunmovingnexttoSupermanonthechamberfloor.Theemeraldbeambriefly

reachedouttotouchtheirforeheads,subtlynegatingtheelectromagneticwavesthatheldtheminthrall.

Consciousnessreturnedatonce.

PeterGlastonwasn’tsolucky.

EvenasJennywatched,hervisionmistedbytears,Peter’svoicetailedawayanddied.Therecognition

inhiseyesfadedabruptly,tobereplacedbyalookthatbeggedforhelp.

“Peter!”Forgettingherhorror,Jennygaveasobandstartedforward,butCassandra’sarmtightened

aroundherwaistandheldherback.

TherewasnothingtheycoulddoastheStoneKingregainedcontrol.Somewheredeepinsidehisown

mind,PeterGlaston’sconsciousnessbegantobreakapart.Straythoughtsandmemoriesseemedto
explodeintooblivionasPeterGlastonwasfinallyobliterated.

Forever.

TheStoneKingregardedthewomenasiftheywerelaboratoryanimals.Hiseyesburneddeepinto

them,seemingtostripawayallthelayersofcivilizationuntiltheirsoulswerelaidbarebeforehim.

Thenheturnedaway.Theynolongermattered.Theywereinsignificantspecks,notworthkilling.

WaitingtofacehimwastheJusticeLeague.

chapter15

PuzzlePieces

Don’tlookintohiseyes!

Batmanshottheurgentwarningintothemindsofhiscomrades,followedcloselyby:Thewomen!

GreenLanternreceivedthemessageandactedananosecondlater.Thebeamfromhisringformed

itselfintoagruesomeemeraldfigure,withstumpy,jaggedwingsonitsback.Itswoopeddownand
sweptupCassandraandJenny,oneundereacharm.

BatmanandJ’onnJ’onzzexchangedapuzzledlook,butneitherspoke.

Almostinstantaneously,Lantern’sdemonicgreenfiguredepositedthetwowomenbackwherethey’d

parkedJenny’scar,leavingthemstandingconfusedandbewildered.

OutsidetheStoneKing’ssphereofinfluence,thepyramidandeverythingitcontainedhadbecome

invisibletothemagain.Theywerealonewiththemoon

andthewindsweptgrass,backedbytherushingwatersofthenearbyGothamRiver.

Sorryaboutthedemonicimagery,Lanternapologizedtonooneinparticular,ashiscreation

disappearedagain.Didn’thavetimetothinkofamoresuitablealternative.

Theotherswerestandinginaloosesemicircle,almostfillingthechamberwiththeirpresence.

TheStoneKingfacedthem,immobilebutalert,jaggedballsofplasmoidlightningdartingaroundhis

fingertips.Everynowandagainhisentirebodypulsedslightly,asifhewasreceivinganunseenelectric
shock.

He’ssizingusup,Supermanthought.

TheManofSteeldidalittlesizingupofhisownashescrutinizedthemotionlessshaman.Myheat

visioncouldtakehimdown.OrIcouldusemyspeedandstrengthtocapturehimbeforehe’sawareof
what’shappening.

Wehavealreadytried,MartianManhunterpointedoutHe’sprotectedbyaforcefield.Wedon’tknow

thefullextentofhispowers,onlythathecansomehowtapintotheenergiesoftheplanetitself.

Superman,WonderWoman,theFlash,andGreenLanternallbroadcastthesamethought.Howcould

hepossiblysiphonoffEarth’senergies?

Believeit,Batmaninformedthem.SincetheStoneKingcapturedyoufour,therehavebeenmajor

incidentsatdozensofsitesacrosstheglobe.Alotofdeaths,alotofdamage.I’vecalledupallofthe
League’sreservememberstohandlethecrisis,butunlessweconfigureouthowtodefeattheStone
King,it’llallbetonoavail.AsfarasJ’onnandIcantell,hefinishedgrimly,hisaimistodestroythe
worldinprecisely—Batmandepressedastudonthewristofhisgauntlet,andtheHUDdisplayinside
hiscowllitupbriefly—Twenty-threeminutes.Midnight,localtime.

Andthat’swhathe’swaitingfor?TheFlashwasoutraged.Moretothepoint,whatarewewaitingfor?

Icouldcreateaninstantvacuumatsuperspeed,denyhimalloxygen—

Yourideamightwork,Batmanadmitted.SomightSuperman’s.Ourproblemis:whathappensifthey

don’t?

Hewaited,butnooneansweredhim.

TheStoneKingisobviouslypreparinghimselfnow,J’onnJ’onzzthought.Eventhoughthepiecesof

thispuzzlehaveyettofalltogether,wemustactbeforeitistoolate.

GalvanizedbyManhunter’ssolemnfinality,BatmanturnedtoGreenLantern.Isthereanythingmore

yourringcantellus?

TheEmeraldWarriorshookhishead.No.Itried,butIjustcan’tmakesenseofitatall.

Batmanfrowned.Hehadn’tseenGreenLanternusethepowerring.But,keepingtherestofhis

thoughtstohimself,Batmancametoasuddendecision.Flash,trytopenetratehisforcefield.Ifyoucan
negateit,we’llattackenmasse.

Instantly,theFlash’sbodybegantovibrate,disappearingfromtheothers’vision.Everymolecule

actedinunisonastheScarletSpeedsterswiftlyrangedthroughthespectrum,fromsubsonictoultrahigh
frequency,seekingtheexactwavelengthoftheStoneKing’sprotection.

Suddenlyhesawit—ashifting,sinuouspatternofenergythatdancedaroundtheshaman.

Gotit!heannouncedtriumphantly.It’sintheelectromagneticband.I’mgoingin!

TheFlashfine-tunedthespeedofhisvibration,untilitperfectlymatchedtheforcefield’senergy

configuration.Hestretchedoutahand,whichshouldhavemovedthroughthebarrierlikewaterrunning
throughasieve.

Instead,therewasanexplosionofblindinglightthatblastedtheFlashbackintonormalmode.He

staredinastonishment.

TheStoneKingremainedstandingimmobile.Butnow,surroundinghimlikeguardiandemons,

anotherfiveStoneKingshadappeared.

Beforeanyofthesuperheroescouldreact,thedoppelgangersrushedtotheattack.

“C’mon,everybody.It’spartynight!”

ThemanintheDraculamaskandblood-redcloakcaperedamongthecrowdonFingerAvenue,urging

themtojoininhisalcohol-fueleddance.

ThemoodofthepartygoersindowntownGothamwasrelativelysubdued.Pumpkinlanternsadorned

everystreetlight,buttheflotillaofcolorfulfloatsthatdroveslowlythroughthecitycenterinthefamous
NightParadewasonlyhalfthesizeofpreviousyears.Onthefloats,peopledressedinadazzlingarray
ofHalloweencostumessangandcavorted.Despitethegrimeventsofrecentdays,thousandsof
spectatorshadturnedouttolinetheroute.

Severalstreetbandsfilledthenightwithmusic,andthesmellofahundreddifferentfastfoods

mingledintheair.

“Look,Mommy!”Alaughingchildinawizard’scostumepointedupbetweenthewallsofthe

concretecanyons.“TheManintheMoonhascometoourparty!”

Hismothergazedupatthealmost-fullmoonthathungoverthecity,itspalelightgivenafaintorange

tingebythepollutantsintheair.Ahugefacehadappearedonitssurface—agiganticheadofaman-
bull,completewithhorns.

Themothersmiled.“Itmustbeanadvertisingstunt,dear.”

Araggedcheerwentupasmorepeoplenoticedtheimpressiveface.Agroupofstudents

masqueradingaszombiesperformedanimpromptudanceinthemiddleofMainStreet.Childrenoutto
trick-or-treatclappedtheirhandsindelight.

Severalconcessionholders,campedoutintheirboothsalongtheprocessionroute,madeamentalnote

tocomplaintoCityHallabouttheirlackofadvanceinformation.Whatagreatmaskthatfacewould
havemade!

InhisofficehighinPoliceHeadquarters,JimGordonstoodathiswindow,lookingdownonthecity

below.Hismenwereoutinforcetonight,butsofar,sogood.Therehadbeenvirtuallynoarrests.

Thedisastersthroughouttheworldhaddampenedeveryone’sspirits.Gordonfoundhimself

comparingthepartygoerstoostrichesburyingtheirheadsinthesandratherthanfacinguptodanger.
Butmaybethatwasunfair.Whenpeoplewereafraid,theyneededsomethingoutoftheordinarytohelp
themforgettheirworries.

Gordon’smind,however,keptstrayingtoCassandra’svision.Shesaidthecitywouldbedestroyedat

midnightonHalloween,andBatmanseemedtohavetakenherveryseriouslyindeed.Gordonhadn’t
heardfromBatmansince,butthatwasn’tunusual.Theyhadnoregularcontact.Whenoneofthem
neededtheother,hewasalwaysfound.

Thecommissionertookalastlookatthemoon,wonderinghowonearththesponsorshadmanagedto

projectahologramontothelunarsurface,thenturnedawayfromthewindow.

Heglancedathispipe,whichlayonhispaper-strewndeskbesideapouchoftobaccoandaboxof

matches.Theeveninghadbeenlargelystress-free,andJimhadbeenabletocomplywithhisdecision
nottosmokeagain.

I’llgiveittillmidnight,hethought.Gordonpulledouttheoldpocketwatchthathadbelongedtohis

father,andhisfather’sfather,fromhiswaistcoatpocket.Twentyminutestogo.Allquietsofar.Hasto
beagoodomen.

Thenthefaceinthemoonspoke.

Everyman,woman,andchildinthecityheardit,yetnomicrophonewouldhavepickeditup,notape

recordercouldhavetranslatedittoaudio.Thevoicespokedirectlyinsidetheirheads,comingfroma
locationthatseemedtobeattheheartoftheirbeing,theirverycenterofexistence.

Andthevoiceprophesieddoom.

“Yourfoulnesswillbecleansed,asthefoulnessoftheworldiscleansed.Thecycleisending.Make

peacewithyourgods.Tonight,everylastoneofyouwilldie.”

JimGordon’sstomachlurched.Withsinkingheartandshakinghand,hereachedforhispipe.

Meanwhile,atthepyramid,lightningflashedfromtheeyesofthefiveduplicateStoneKingsasthey

launchedthemselvesattheirfoes.

TheFlashwasfirsttoreact.Intheblinkofaneyeheacceleratedtosuperspeedfromastandingstart,

spinningaroundlikeatop,hisarmsoutstretchedandfistsballed.Thecentrifugalforcewastremendous
ashisfistsslammedintotheStoneKingswithdevastatingeffect,knockingthecreaturesofftheirfeet.
Onewassentcareeningintothechamberwall,sparksflyingfromitspointofimpact.

ButevenastheFlashslowedtoahalt,theStoneKingswererecovering,springingtotheirfeetto

renewtheirassault.

Supermandivedheadlong,hisarmstakingtwoofthefiguresaroundthewaist.Themomentumsent

allthreecrashingthroughtheouterwallinanexplosionofstoneandchalk.

J’onnJ’onzzpinnedathirdStoneKingtothehardearthfloor,increasingthedensityofhismolecules

inanefforttocrushthecreatureintosubmission.

WonderWoman’sgoldenlassosnakedouttoloopoverthefourthStoneKing’sbodyandslipdown

overhisarms.WonderWomanpulledthelassotaut,jerkingthebeastoffitsfeetagain.

Batmantookacoupleofstepstotheside,movingbehindthealtarstonewithitscoveringofdried

bloodandrottinganimalentrails.TheoriginalStoneKing

stillstoodinthecenterofthechamber,theintensepulsationsthataffectedhisbodycomingmore

frequentlynow.BatmanglancedtowardManhunterandsawtheduplicatehewasfightingsuddenly
heavetheMartianawayasifheweremadeoffeathers.

GreenLantern!Batmanthoughturgently.J’onn’sintrouble!

ForthebriefestmomentGreenLanternlookedflustered,asifunsurewhattodo.Thenasolidgreen

beamsprangfromthepowerring,itsendshapedlikeamedievalbatteringram.ThebeamtookJ’onn’s
foeinthechest,blastingthecreatureoffitsfeetandhurlingitintothewallwithbrutalimpact.

Time’srunningout,Batmaninformedhisteammates.Onlyseventeenminutesleft!

MostoftheWesternHemispherewasindarkness.AlmostmidnightinGothammeantalmostnine

P.M.ontheWestCoast.InEurope,itwasfiveinthemorning,withdawnstillmorethananhouraway.
Acrosstheglobe,morethanabillionpeopleweresleeping.

AndeveryoneofthemhadheardtheStoneKing’swarning.Itcametothemintheirdreams,orthey

wakenedwithastart…tohisphysicalmanifestation.

ANavajomedicinewheellaidoutintheNewMexicodesertstartedspinninglikeatop,spittingout

cobalt-bluesparks.TheOhioSerpentMoundbegantoundulateasifitwerealivingthing.In
California’sDeathValley,athick,sulfuroussmokebegantospewforthfromtheoldbauxitemines,
suffocatingeverythingitcameincontactwith.

ABritisharmypatrolonnightmaneuversreportedthirteengiantfiguresdancingaroundthesacred

stonesofAveburyinaslowshuffle.Eachoneworeabull’s-headmask.

AnominousplumeofsmokespewedoutofvolcanicMountEtnaintheMediterranean.Grimacingin

itsswirlsandroilswerethefacesofathousanddemons.

Afterasilencethathadlastedtwothousandyears,thecave-dwellingOracleatDelphiinGreecebegan

tospeakagain.Butwhereoncetheairwasperfumedwithburninglaurelleaves,nowitwasdank,and
heavytoxicfumesspewedupfromthecavern’sdepths.

ThevoicetheOraclespokeinwasthevoiceoftheStoneKing.Andthemessageitdeliverednever

changed.

Yourtimehascome.Preparetodie.

Outsidethechamber,ontheslopesofthepyramid,Supermanstruggledtoholdthetwoduplicate

StoneKings.Theirstrengthseemedalmostasgreatashis,andeachtimehetriedtouseasuperpower
againstthem,theycounteredwithpowersoftheirown.

Inside,Batman’sgazewasfixedontherealStoneKing.Whatcouldbeseenofhisskinunderthe

animalhidesheworewasglowingwithfluorescentlight.Darkflashesdancedfromhisbroodingeyes.
Hismusclesrippledcontinuously,asifrawphysicalpowerwerecoursingthroughhisbody.

Almostimperceptibly,theStoneKingseemedtobegrowing.

Theseclonesaremerelydecoys!Batmanshotsuddenlyattheothers.Theironlypurposeistodelay

us!

TheFlashwasgrapplingwithoneofthecreatures,tryingtostunitwithrapid-fireblowsfromhisfists

thatlandedwiththepowerofatriphammer.WhenhereceivedBatman’smessage,theScarletSpeedster
immediatelyswitchedtactics.

Hebegantorunatspeedinasmall,tightcirclearoundthefloor,acceleratinguntilhewaslittlemore

thanaredblur.Aroundhim,aspiralingtornadoofairformed,whirlingathighspeedintheconfinesof
thechamber.

Suddenly,theFlashshiftedhistrajectory,andtheroaringcyclonedippedtoenveloptheduplicate

StoneKing.Thevacuumcreatedatitscentersuckedthecreaturein,imprisoningitinthenear-solid
columnofrotatingair.

Stillstrugglingwiththeirownadversaries,J’onnJ’onzzandWonderWomandidn’tneedtelepathyto

tellmemwhattheFlashwasupto.Unexpectedlydecreasinghismoleculardensity,Manhuntergrabbed
hisfoe’sarmandusedsuperstrengthtohurlthecreatureintothecenterofthevortex.TheAmazon
Princessfollowedsuit,usingajudothrowtotossherownopponentoverhershoulder.Itdisappeared
intotheFlash’stornado.

GivingtheStoneKingsnotimetofightfree,theFlashshotoutofthechamberanddownthesideof

thepyramid.

Below,Supermanwasengagedinatitanicstrugglewiththetwoduplicateshe’dcarriedfromthe

chamber.TheFlashsentanurgentwarningtoSupermanasthecycloneveeredtowardthebattle.The
ManofSteeldivedasideasthesupersonicwhirlwindenvelopedthestartledStoneKingsbefore
speedingawayacrossthecountryside.

Supermanflewuptothechamber.HehadbarelyreenteredbeforetheFlashwasback.

IdumpedthemhalfwayacrosstheAtlantic,theScarletSpeedsterinformedhiswaitingcomrades.His

speedwassogreat,hecouldrunonwaterasifitweredryland.

OnlyoneStoneKingleft.WonderWomangesturedtothepulsatingfigureinthecenterofthe

chamber.Heseemedtohavegrownbyafootormore,hisbodyexpandinginproportion.Dowelaunch
afullscaleassault?

Wedo,Batmanreplied,takingastepclosertoGreenLantern.ThevigilanteglancedoveratJ’onn

J’onzz,whogaveaslightnod.

Rightafterthis—Batmanwenton.

Therewasasudden,searingpaindeepinsidetheirmindsasJ’onnJ’onzzsentoutthestrongest

telepathicjolthe’devermustered.Asone,GreenLantern,theFlash,Superman,andWonderWoman
clutchedtheirheadsatthebone-jarringagony.OnlyBatmanandManhunterhimselfremained
unaffected.

Batmanclenchedhisfistandswungitwiththewholepowerofhisbodybehindit.Thepunch

explodedagainstthepointofGreenLantern’schin,andtheEmeraldWarriorslumpedtotheground,

unconscious.

CHAPTER16

ManVersusPlanet

Goliathhimselfcouldn’thavewithstoodBatman’sblow.Hisprotectiveforcefieldswitchedoffby

Manhunter’smentalassault,GreenLanternfellpoleaxedtothefloor.

SupermanandtheothersstaredaghastattheunconsciousEmeraldWarrior,hardlyregistering

Batman’surgentmessageintheirshock.Explanationswillhavetowait.Trustus.Itwasnecessary.

Youcan’tjust—WonderWomanbegan,butBatmanignoredherprotestandplungedon.

ThekeytodefeatingtheStoneKinghastobeearthenergies,thevigilanteexplained.He’sdrawinghis

powerfromtheplanetitself—andthat’swherewecanhurthim.IfSupermanandWonderWomancan
disrupttheflowofEarth’senergycurrents,wemayjustspoilhisschemescompletely.

Batmanflickedonhiscowl’sdigitaldisplay.Butweneedtobequick.It’sthirteenminutesto

midnight.

TheStoneKingreactedasifhe’dunderstoodeveryword.Hewhirledsuddenly,emittingaroarthat

reverberatedthroughthepyramid.Boltsofcobaltfireshotoutfromhisextendedfingers,aimedatthe
heroes.Batmanduckedunderaboltandsawseveralothersricochetoffthebodiesofhistwo
invulnerableteammates,whileyetmorebeamsweredeflectedbyWonderWoman’ssilverbracelets.

Wheretheboltshitthewallsandceiling,theyreboundedatatangent,crisscrossingthechamberina

meshofcracklingenergy.

Seeingthedanger,Batmandivedfull-length,wedginghimselfinthecrampedspacebetweenthealtar

stoneandthewallbehindit.TheFlashwasn’tsofortunate.

Evenmovingatsuperspeed,theFastestManAlivewasunabletoavoidallofthestreakingboltsthat

cameathimfromeveryangle.Onecaughthiminthesmalloftheback,knockinghimoffbalance.As
hestaggered,atraceryofotherbeamsstruckhislegsandsenthimtumblingtothefloor.Hishead
caughtonthefrontofthealtar,andheslumpedunconscious.

Fightinghiswaythroughthenetworkofricochetingenergy,J’onnJ’onzzthrewhimselfforwardand

grabbedtheshaman’swrist,exertingallhisMartianstrengthtoholdit.SupermanseizedtheStone
King’sotherarm,andtogethertheduotriedtowrestlebotharmsbehindthecreature’sback.

Asthestormofenergyfaded,Batmanleapedtohisfeet“Holdhim,”heurged.“Ihavesomethingin

myUtilityBeltwecanuseagainsthim.”

WonderWomanuncoiledhergoldenlassoandsentitloopingtowardtheStoneKing’shead.

Shewasamicrosecondtoolate.

TheStoneKingtoreonearmfreewithawrenchthatsentManhuntersailingoverhishead.Wonder

Womanhadnospacetoavoidhim,andtheybothwentdowninacrumpledheap.

TheotherarmliftedSupermanofftheground,slamminghimintothechamber’scorbeledceilingwith

brutalforce.

LungingatBatman,theStoneKingtorethroughthevigilante’smartialartsdefenselikepaper.

Clutchingfingersrakedhiscostume’sKevlarlininginatrailofbluesparks,slashingcleanthroughit
andrippinghiscapeinhalf.

Asthehandclawedthroughtheairagain,Batmanbackflippedtoavoidit.Hisheelstruckthelow

ceiling,throwinghimoffbalance.

Herecoveredtolandacrobaticallyonthechamberfloor,relievedthathiscomradeswerealready

preparingtorenewtheirattack.

DeepwithintheEarth,tectonicplatesgroundtogether,unstoppableforcemeetingimmoveableobject.

Piezoelectricityshotupwardintinyplasmoidspheres,passingthroughthebedrock,flowingtowardthe
pyramid.

Intheburialchamber,theStoneKingfelttheshockandwelcomedit.

Deeperstill,moltenrockatatemperatureofthousandsofdegreesswirledandeddied,creatingforces

asyetunknowntoscience.Astheysurgedthroughthegroundinmassivelow-frequencywaves,the
pyramidabsorbedtheirpowerandchanneledittotheStoneKing.

Anddeeperyet,deeperthananymanhadgoneorevercould,attheverycenteroftheearth,

electromagneticforcespulsedandtwisted.Thegravity-compressed,near-solidironcorebroadcastona
widerangeoffrequencies,weavingwebsofunbelievableforceasitspunonitsorbitaroundthesun.

Inthechamber,planetaryenergiescaressedtheStoneKing’sskin,pulsingthroughit,manandplanet

merging.

Withawildshriekoftriumphthatshooktheentirepyramidandsentboulderscascadingdownits

slopes,theStoneKingbegantogrow.

Clingingtohim,Superman,WonderWoman,andManhunterweredraggedalongasheshotupat

colossalspeed,smashingthroughtheslabbedceilinginanexplosionofstone.

Halfthepyramidwasdemolishedashisbodyexpandedandswelled,thrustinghundredsoftonsof

rockandsoilasideasiftheyweremarbles.Theplateauontopwasalreadyhalfdestroyed,fromthelast
timethepowermanifestedhere.TheStoneKinggrewpastit,sendingavalanchesracingdownitssides.

Almostdeafenedbytheinitialroar,Batmancollectedhisthoughtsandsentadesperatemessageto

SupermanandWonderWoman.Youmustgounderground!Disrupthispoweratitssource!

Batmansawtwobeingspeelawayfromthemonstrous,pulsatingfigure.Theyloopedonceintheair,

thendivedgroundwardliketwinmissiles.

RocksanddebrisrainedaroundhimasBatmangrabbedGreenLantern’sarmandtriedtohaulhis

teammatetosomekindofsafety.Heraisedanarmtowardoffafallingchunkofrock,andgruntedas
anotherthuddedintohisshoulder.

TheFlashneededhelp,too,buttherewasnowayBatmancouldcarrybothheroesatonce.Batman

sawthatthealtarstonehadbeenhalftornoutofitsfoundations;hehopeditwouldprovidetheFlash
withsufficientprotectionuntilBatmancouldreturnforhim.

Typically,hisfirstthoughtsweren’tforhimself.ItwasatBatman’sinstructionthatManhunterhad

negatedGreenLantern’sforcefield.IftheEmeraldWarriordied,crushedbyoneofthemultiton
bouldersthatwerecrashingaroundthem,Batmanwouldbeartheresponsibility.

Hebackedupjustintime.Amassivelintelbeamplungedtothefloorjustaheadofhim.Theairwas

fullofchokingdust.Batman’srespiratorwouldprotecthim,butwhataboutLantern?

Desperationlenthimstrength.HedraggedGreenLanternunderahugerectangularblockthathad

fallenatanangle,leavingacrawlspacebeneath.BatmanpushedtheEmeraldWarriorin.Hardly
satisfactory,buthehadnootheroption.

Hemovedawayagain,intentonrescuingtheFlash,andwassurprisedtofindtheScarletSpeedster

hadalreadyrecovered.

Stayincover,theFlashwarnedhim.I’llhandlethis.

Movingsofastthattheplummetinggraniteblocksseemedtobefallinginslowmotion,theScarlet

Speedsterwasabletoshovethemasidewithease.Forthetinyfractionofasecondthathetouched
them,theyseemedweightlesstohim,easytodirectawayfromhisteammates.

Outside,theStoneKingreachedaheightofahundredfeetbeforehissizestabilized.Theenergythat

hadkeptthepyramidinvisiblewassiphonedbacktohim,andnowabrightglowlituptheskyformiles
around.

Toweringoverthecountryside,surroundedbyanauraofswirlingfluorescence,theNeolithicshaman

raisedbotharmsinagestureofvictory.Flashesofbluefireflickeredfromthebull’sskullthatcovered
hishead,runningdowntheanimalhidesthatclothedhisbodyinasparkling,fierywaterfall.

Clingingtothegiant’sshoulder,J’onnJ’onzzdodgedtheriversofflamethatfellpasthim.The

Martian’sonlyweaknesswasavulnerabilitytofire,whichcouldreduceoneoftheJusticeLeague’s
mightymemberstoabjecthelplessness.Thiswaswhyhehadn’taccompaniedSupermanandWonder
Womanontheirsubterraneanmission—theriskofencounteringlavaandpocketsoffirewastoogreat.

ThentheStoneKingbegantochantThelow,oscillatingmantrawassofardownthetonalscalethat

Manhunterfeltitratherthanheardit.Great,slowwavesofpainfulnauseawrithedthroughhisinternal
organs.

Ultralowfrequencysound,Manhunterthought.Immenselydestructivetoallphysicalmaterial.Ihave

tostophimbeforeitshakesmybodyapart—fromtheinside!

Manhuntersoaredawayfromthemassivefigure,circlinginabroadlooptoincreasehisspeedand

momentum.Hesethisteethgrimlyagainstthewavesofpainmatcontinuedtoassailhimanddived
headlongtowardtheStoneKing’schest.

Streakinginlikeabullet,atthelastmomentManhunterincreasedthedensityofhismoleculestotheir

maximum.

HecannonedintotheStoneKing’schestwiththeforceofanuclearexplosion.

Superman’sheatvisionsearedthroughthesolidbedrockoftheearth’scrust,tunnelingapaththathe

andWonderWomancouldfollow.

Theyweretenmilesdownwhentheycameuponthefirstanomaly.

Athickseamofgranitewasgrindingagainstasimilarbutheavierseam.Piezoelectricitysparkedlikea

billionfireflies,linyglobesofplasmadartedthroughtheboundarybetweenthegranitelayers,rising
upward,joiningtogetheruntiltheybecameawide,fast-flowingriverofenergy.

Anyideas?Supermanasked,thankfulthatJ’onnJ’onzz’stelepathiclinkwasstillfunctioningatthis

depth.

Wecantrytofusetheseamstogether,WonderWomansuggested.

Bothbroughttheirstrengthintomaximumuse,strainingagainstthefaceofthethick,denseseam.

Evenwhilehepushed,Supermanusedheatvisiontomeltandsoftentherock,makingitmorepliable.

Themyriadpinpointsoflightbegantofade,andfinallydiedaway.

Inlittleoveraminute,thetwosuperheroesweredivingdeeper.

TheStoneKingstaggeredasMartianManhunterslammedintohischest.Abellowoffrustrationand

rageechoedformilesaround.

Thechantingstopped.

Thatcertainlyattractedhisattention,Manhunterthoughtapprovingly.Returninghismoleculesto

normal,hestreakedawayathighspeed,intendingtorepeatthemaneuver.

Thistime,though,theStoneKingwasreadyforhim.Hegesturedwithonehand.Theheavyboulders

strewnacrossthepyramidtoplevitatedinstantly,shootingupatincrediblespeed.Manhunterrockedas
agraniteslabthatmusthaveweighedfivetonsslammedintohislegs.Hespuntotheside,outof
control.

TheStoneKingopenedhismassivemouthwide,exhalingagusherofwhite-hotlavathatengulfedthe

fallingMartian.

WhereittouchedJ’onn,thelavacooledinstantly,formingintoarapidlyhardeningshell.Although

vulnerabletoflame,J’onn’sbodywasimpervioustogreatheat.Butasfastashebatteredhiswayoutof
thelavacocoon,theshellreformedaroundhim.

It’simpossibletokeepflying,J’onnbroadcast.I’mgoingdown.

Hehitthegroundwithaforcethatdisintegratedthelavacage,butleftManhunterhimself

unconscious.

Downonthefifthcourse,BatmanandtheFlashhadpulledGreenLanternoutoftheruinsofthe

chamber.

Pityyouknockedhimout,theScarletSpeedsterflashedatBatman.Wecouldsureusehispowerring

now!

BatmanmadenoreplyastheFlashpickedupthestillunconsciousheroandranandleapeddownthe

pyramid’sbuckledside.ItwasironicthatthisintegralmemberoftheJusticeLeaguewouldtakenopart
intheirfinalbattle.

TheFlashwasseveralhundredyardsawaybeforehestoppedandsetGreenLanterndownonthe

grass.HeglancedupatthemightyfigureoftheStoneKingatopthepyramidintriumph.Theflickering
aurorathatsurroundedhimwasspreading,sendingtentaclesmileslongintothesky.

Aheartbeatlater,hestoodbesideBatmanintherubbleofthepyramid.

Thetelepathiclinkisbroken,”Batmantoldhim.“J’onniseitherunconscious,or…”Hedidn’tfinish

thesentence.“WehavenowayofknowinghowSupermanandWonderWomanarefaring.”

“Justyouandmenow,buddy.”TheFlashnodded.HetiltedhisheadtostareupattheStoneKing.

“Andthatisoneawesomedude!”

Sixtymilesbeneaththesurface,SupermanandWonderWomanreachedtheMohodiscontinuity.Here,

atthebottomofadeeplayerofbasalt,theearth’scrustmetthemoresolid,rigidmantle.Crustalslip,as
thelayersslidovereachother,wasamajorsourceofseismicenergy.

Amassivefingerofdensermantleprojectedupward,impalingthelayerofbasalt,preventingitfrom

moving.Alreadykineticforcewasbuildingup,aslow,unstoppablepressurethatwouldbereleasedasa
massiveshockwavewhenthemantlefinallybroke.

WonderWomantriedtosendatelepathicmessagereportingontheirprogress,andrealizedthatthe

linkwasdown.

“Ihopeeverything’sallrightonthesurface,”shesaid.

“J’onn’stheultimatesurvivor,”Supermanreplied.“He’llbeokay.”

Theycouldn’tallowthemselvestothinkanyotherway.Theyhadatasktoaccomplish,andworrying

abouttheircomradeswouldonlyimpedethem.

Supermanusedheatvisiontoexcavateasphericalchamberintheoutcropofmantle.WonderWoman

tookupapositioninthecenter.Sheinhaleddeeply,thensuddenlybroughtbotharmsswingingup
aboveherhead.Thesilverbraceletscrashedtogether,andtherewasablindingwhitelightasthepower
ofthegodsthemselveswasreleased.

Thedenseoutcropofmantledisintegratedcompletely,allowingthelayerofbasalttoslidesmoothly

onward.

Butalready,SupermanandWonderWomanwereheadingdeeper:fourhundredfiftymilesthroughthe

mantle,totheplanet’soutercore.

“Wemayhaveonelastchance,thoughit’saslimone.”BatmanmotionedtowardhisUtilityBelt.“My

feargaswastailoredtoaffecttheStoneKingwhenhewasstillhuman-sized.It’sconcentrated,but
chancesareitwon’taffecthimnow.”

“Onlyonewaytofindout.”TheFlashscoopedBatmanupinhisarms.“Let’sgodeliverit.”

Consciouslycontrollingthemoleculesofhisbody,Flashwentfromstandstilltosuperspeedinless

thantheblinkofaneye.Hismomentumwassogreat,hewasabletorunstraightupthebehemoth’sleg
asifitwerealeveltrack.

Butwithhisincreaseinpower,theStoneKing’ssensitivityhadalsobeenmagnified.Helookeddown

attheredblur,andhismassivehandshotoutatblindingspeed.

TheFlashhadnotimetobracehimselfforimpact.TheStoneKing’shandswattedhimlikeafly,

sendinghimsoaringhighintheair,unconsciousfromtheimpact.

AsBatmantumbledfromtheFlash’sgrip,agrapnelwentshootingfromhishand.Itsnaredonatangle

ofanimalhairs,mademassivebytheStoneKing’sincreaseinsize.BatmangrabbedtheFlash’swrist,
whilehisotherhandheldtighttohisline.

Batmanextendedhisfeettobreaktheimpactastheyswungintothegiant’sbodyjustabovehis

waistline.Batmanscrabbledforaholdonthepelt,quicklylashingthedazedFlashwithalengthofline
sohedidn’tfall.

“ThinkI’vebrokenarib,”theFlashmutteredthroughclenchedteeth.“Leaveme.”

“But—”

“Move,man.Bymycount,there’sonlythreeminutesleft!”

CHAPTER17

OneMinutetoMidnight

Acrosstheworld,lightsflickeredanddied.

Orbiting350milesup,thecrewofthespaceshuttleLincolnsawthecitiesofEarthplungedintototal

darkness.CommunicationwithHoustonceased.

AllelectricalsupplylineshadbeendisruptedbythemassiveenergiestheStoneKinghadbroughtinto

play.Everygenerator,everyjunctionbox,everycircuitburneditselfout.

Televisionbroadcastsceasedimmediately.Thescreensthatfedcivilizationitsnewswentdead.The

comforting,friendlycelebrityfacesvanished,tobereplacedinabillionhomesbyblankscreens.

Everycomputerintheworldcrashed.TheInternetwentdown.Allradiotransmissionceased.

Thedisastermovieshadsuddenlybecomereal.

Tonight,everylastoneofyouwilldie.

Onitsown,theStoneKing’ssinistervoicehadbeenfrighteningenough.Coupledwiththetotallossof

electricity,therewasasuddenrealizationthattheprophecyofdoomwasstartingtocometrue.

Childrenhuddledinfrightenedsilence,seekingreassurancesthattheirparentscouldn’tgive.Menand

womenintheirnightclothesswarmedontothedarkened,alienstreets,lookingforsomeonewhocould
tellthemwhatwasgoingon.Wasthissomemasshallucination?LSDinthewatersupply?Anenemy
trick,tobefollowedbymilitaryinvasion?Anactofterrorism?Somecrazeddictatorgettingbackatthe
world?

Manyjustpulledblanketsovertheirheadsandprayeditwouldallgoaway.

Intensofthousandsofhospitals,therespiratorsanddialysismachinesandlife-supportsystems

crashed.Emergencygeneratorswerehastilybroughtintoplay,onlytodieintheirturn.

Themissilebasesandthenuclearsubmarines,andtheaerialreconnaissanceplanesthatneverlanded,

foundtheirweaponscouldnotbefired,theirbombscouldnotbedropped.

Incities,towns,villages,andisolatedhomesteads,peoplestoodoutsideandlookedataskyalivewith

dancingwavesofenergy,liketheauroraborealisonaglobalscale.

Andallacrosstheworld,animalshowledandpeoplecried.

Batman’sfootslitheredashestruggledtogainpurchaseontheStoneKing’spelt.Heclutched

desperatelyatoneofthepelt’smassive

hairs.Itwasslickwithdriedblood,andhishandstartedtoslip.Heswunghimselfaroundinorderto

getabettergrip,andawaveofdizzyingpainsweptthroughhisbackandrightshoulder.

Wheretheboulderhadstruckitsglancingblow,hisskinwasswellinginahugebruise.Hewouldn’t

besurprisedifabonehadbroken.Everytimeheflexedthearm,hisvisionswamredandhefeltlike

passingout.

Hedosedhiseyesforamoment,centeringhimself,callingupallofhishiddenreserves.Ifeverhe

neededthem,itwasnow.

Yetitseemedsounreal:injustafewminutes’time,thiscreaturefromabygoneageintendedto

destroytheworld.AndherewasBatman,halfwayupagiant’sbody,indangeroffallingoffand
plungingtohisdeathonthepyramidbelow.Atanymoment,thegargantuanStoneKingmightnotice
thisirritatinginsectclingingtohimandsquashhimlikeanunwantedbug.

AllwhochoosetheWayoftheWarriorknowthatDeathfollowsattheirshoulder,patientlywaiting

fortherighttime,therightplace,therightcircumstance.Oneslip,onesinglemistake,andDeath
alwaysclaimsitsown.

Onlyafooldoesn’tfeardeath.Andsuchafooldoesnotlivelong.

Butaswellasamessenger,fearcanbeaspringboard.

Ifit’sgoingtoend,Batmanthought,IgooutthewayIcamein…fighting!

Holdingbackhisnausea,doinghisbesttoignorethepainthatwasspreadingtomakehiswholetorso

onehuge,throbbingwound,Batmanmoved.Heleapedupward,reachingasfarashecouldwithhisleft
hand,grabbingontowhateverhecould.

Thistimeluckwaswithhim.Hisgripheld,andhewasabletodefythepainandswinghimself

anothersixfeethigher.

Aroundhim,thenightairfeltalive,expandingandcontractingwithmulticoloredlightsastheStone

Kingamassedhispower,readyfortheclimaxofhisritual.Ahundredyardsofftotheside,alocalized
electricalstormwasraging;ascenethatwasplayingoutinathousandlocationsaroundtheworld.

Batman’srightarmfeltlikeitwasbeingtornoff.Heshiftedhisweight,takingasmuchofthestrainas

hecouldonhisotherarm.He’dbeenrunningamentalcountdownsincethelastmentionFlashhad
madeoftime.Itwassomethinghe’dtrainedhimselftodoasateenager,andithadcomeinuseful
dozensoftimesinhiscrimefightingcareer.Allhehadtodowasstartthecount,andhisunconscious
mindwouldkeepitgoing.

Approximatelytwominutesleft.

Kickingawayfromthepelt’sslimysurface,Batmantookallofhisweightonhislefthand,andswung.

Hisbodyarcedslightlyawayfromthegiant,tohangsuspendedforamomentwiththatsixty-footdrop
below.Thenhisrighthandcaughtaroundsomemattedhair.

Batman’sarmfeltlikeithadbeentornfromitsshouldersocket.Buthedidn’tpause.Summoning

everylastounceofresolve,heswungagain,nearlypassingoutunderthepressureexertedonhisinjured
arm.

Perspirationrandownhisfaceunderthemask,tricklingbehindthenightsightsandintohiseyes.The

painfromhisshoulderwaslikealivingthing,gnawingateverynerveendinginhisupperbody.Buthe
hadnotimetostopforrecovery.

Thesecondsweretickingawayonthecountdowntotheendoftheworld.

Boneweary,hisrightsideonfire,Batmanvaliantlyhauledhimselfanotherfewfeetupward.

There’snowayI’mgoingtomakeitintime,herealized.

Hisluckhadrunout—andwithit,theluckofthewholeworld.Ablackwaveofdespairsweptthrough

him.Aftereverything,thatitshouldallendlikethis—

Ihavetotry,Batmanthoughtbleakly.havetomakeonelasteffort.p>

ButatlasttheStoneKinghadnoticedthegnatlikesuperherointrudingonhisterritory.Hishand

sweptup,giganticfingerstryingclumsilytopinionBatman.Thesuperherotwistedawayfromthem,
andtheStoneKing’sfingerandthumbsnappedshutontheremainsofhistatteredcape.

Fivehundredmilesdown,SupermanandWonderWomancrashedthroughathinshellofsolidified

sulfidesandarrivedattheearth’soutercore.Morethanathousandmilesthick,itconsistedmainlyofa
semi-solidmixofnickelandiron.

Thetemperaturewasmorethantwothousanddegrees,andthepressurewasalmostincomprehensible.

Despitetheirpowers,neithersuperherowantedtospendmoretimeinthesesurroundingsthanwas
absolutelynecessary.

Hugecurrentsswirledandeddiedinthemagma.Thekineticenergytheyproducedwassiphonedoff

upward,tobemetamorphosedbythepyramidintorawpowerfortheStoneKing.

SupermanandWonderWomansettheirsightsonwhatwasperhapsthesinglemostdifficulttask

they’deverfaced:toslowtheseplanetarytides,todisrupttheirmotion,eventoreversethemifthey
could.

Togethertheyplungedintothemaelstromandbegantoswimagainstthecurrentswithasmuchspeed

astheycouldmanage.

TheStoneKingyankedBatmanviolentlyupward,thegianthanddanglinghimbyhiscapeuntilhe

wasonalevelwiththecreature’sface.

Thestenchofitsbreathwaslikeacharnelhouse.Batmankepthisgazeavertedforfearofbeing

hypnotized,buthecouldliterallyfeeltheStoneKing’spowerburnfromitseyesasthecreature
scrutinizedhimatclosequarters.

Hecouldunderstandwhyithadoncebeenworshipedasagod.

Inthenickel-ironoutercore,newcurrentschurned,formedbythesuperheroes’motion.

Whirlpoolsswirledinthesemimoltenmass,cuttingacrosstheregularflow.Massiveeddiesandswirls

churnedupthemetalmagma,eachonesendingoutitsownconcentricripples.

Incredibly,thetidesbegantoturn.

TheStoneKingfelttheenergythatwasfeedinghimflickerandwane.

Helurchedunsteadilyandalmoststumbledforward.

Themonster’scavernousnostrilsloomedbesideBatman,andsuddenhopeflaredfromthedepthsof

despair.Thisismylastchance!

Batman’slefthandpulledthevialoffeargasfromitspouch.Hekickedbackwithbothfeet,then

forward,thewayanacrobatstartsatrapezeswinging.Theresultingpendulummotionwasallheneeded
tobringhimcloseenough.

Forgetthepain…it’snowornever!

Hislefthandextendedtoitsfullreach,andhehurledthevialofconcentratedgaswithallhisstrength.

Itshatteredinsidethenostril,onthesensitivelininginsidewhatonce—itseemedaeonsago—hadbeen
PeterGlaston’snose.

Nothinghappened.

ThesicknessinthepitofBatman’sstomachwasapalpablething.It’sover!hethoughtwithdreadful

finality.Forallofus.Foreverything.

Thenthegas,absorbedintotheStoneKing’sbloodstream,hitthemonster’sbrain.

HestaredatBatman,transfixedwithhorror.Electricboltsofcobaltbluesparkedaroundhisface,and

hisflashingeyesrolledbackinhishead.

Forasecond,thegiantseemedtorecover.Thehugeeyesopenedagain,theirgazezeroinginonthe

danglingvigilante,drinkingineverydetail.Thehornedears.Thecapewithitsscallopededges.The
bat-symbolonhischest.

TheStoneKingtrembledwithfear.Hismouthopenedinascreamofterror,adeafeningshriekthat

washeardallaroundtheworld.HehurledBatmanawayfromhim,thewayonemightbrushoffa
scorpion,infearanddisgust.

ThecaperippedfromBatman’sshoulders,andthepainhehadheldatbayforsolongoverwhelmed

him.

Everythingfadedtoblack.

TheStoneKingthrewbackhishead,extendinghisarmsoutandup,asiftryingtoregaincontrolof

himselfandhistremendouspowers.Butthedamagewasdone.Hiscarefulbuildupofpowerhadgone
awry.Theenergieshewascontrollinghadslippedtheirleash.

Lightningboltssearedoutofnowhere,rainingdownontheStoneKinghimself.Theyimpacted

explosively,cracklingstreaksrunninglikewaterdownhisbodytodisappearintothepyramid.

Fountainsoflavaeruptedatthemonstrousfigure’sfeet,spatteringhislegs,bubblingupoverhis

ankles.

Beamsofenergysizzledoutofnowhere,beatingagrimtattooagainsttheStoneKing’sshuddering

body.

Somethinghadtogive.

WhentheStoneKinghurledBatmanfromhim,theFlashsawhisteammatespinawaythroughtheair.

Forcinghimselftoforgethisownpain,themoleculesoftheFlash’sbodybegantovibrate.Heslipped

offthelinethatheldhimtotheStoneKing’sshaking,shudderingbody.Vibratingatthesamefrequency
astheairitself,hewasabletoracealongitlikearoad.

Thepaininhissidewasintense,butheforcedhimselfon.Itwasafullmilefromthepyramidbefore

hemanagedtoovertakethehurtlingbodyandscoopittosafetyinhisarms.

Secondslater,theFlashlandedonthesmalltreedridgeontheriverbankwherehehadleftGreen

Lantern.Now,BatmanlayunconsciousbesidetheEmeraldWarrior.TheFlashcroucheddownand
rippedtheUtilityBeltfromBatman’swaist,searchingthroughitspouchesforsomethingthatmight
help.

AsheheldasmallvialofsmellingsaltsunderBatman’snose,tryingtorevivehim,theFlashglanced

up.

Onthesummitofthepyramid,theStoneKingwasnowfallingvictimtotheveryforceshehad

releasedandtriedtocontrol.

Thebodyofthebehemothfilledwithcobalt-bluelight,pulsingtotwiceitsalreadymassivesize.

StreamsofwhiteenergyspiraledfromtheStoneKing’seyes,explodingsavagelyintheairaroundhis
head.Lightningboltsstreakedfromoutofnowhere,blastingagainsthisbody.

Desperately,theStoneKingturnedthiswayandthat,tryingtoavoidtheenergiesbuildingupinside

him.Hewrithedandshuddered,silhouettedagainstaskythatwasswirlingwitheverycolorinthe
rainbow.

Abruptly,hiseffortsceased,asifhehadacceptedthefutilityoffurtherresistance.Thepowersthathe

hadawakenedwerereadytoclaimtheirown.

TheStoneKing’swholebodybegantopulse,expandingandcontractinginrhythmwithhisheartbeat.

Heswayedbackandforthforseveralseconds,bloodandsparksgushinginfountainsfromevery
orifice.Hisfingersclawedblindlyattheair.

Then,asafinalbombardmentoflightningboltsburnedintoit,thebodybegantodisintegrate.Blood

andlimbsandorgansseemedtounravel,asifsomeunseenhandwaspullingthem.Theyspiraledaway
wildly,spinningwithalifeoftheirown,beforetheyfadedintoablood-mottledmistthatdispersedon
thenightbreeze.

Thelightningceasedandtheseethingskiesreturnedtonormal,asifnothinghadeverhappened.

Thesilencethatfollowedwaslouderthananycryoftriumph.

CHAPTER18

FearIsaBat

“Were…wereweintime?”

Batman’seyesflickeredopen.Thepaininhisshoulderthrobbedasifhewerebeingstruckbya

hammer,andhisvoicewashoarseandcracked.Everymuscleinhisbatteredbodybeggedforrelief.

Buthewasalive.Hewouldrecover.

Superman,WonderWoman,Manhunter,andtheFlashweregroupedaroundhim.

“Wewere,”Supermaninformedhim.“WonderWomanandIchurneduptheplanet’score.And

whateveryoudidtotheStoneKing,itworked.Look—”

Batmanwasstilllyingonthegrassoftheridge,proppedupagainstthesmoothtrunkofacentury-old

beechtree.Hebreathedcarefully,deliberately,tryingtoeasethepressureonhisachinglimbs,ashis
eyesfollowedSuperman’spointingfinger.

Thepyramidlookedasifithadbeenhitbyabomb.Itwaslittlemorethanadisorderedheapofstones,

blackenedandburnedbytheincredibleenergiestheStoneKinghadreleased.Magmastilloozedslowly
fromseveralcraters,fieryredturningtograyasitrandownthejumbledstones,coolingandhardening.

Otherwise,therewasnothingtomarkthetitanicbattletheyhadalltakenpartin.

“GreenLantern?”Batmanmurmured.

TheEmeraldWarriorsteppedforwardintoBatman’sview.Hiseyeswerestillalittleglazed,andhe

heldonehandtohisface,nursinghisbadlyswollenjaw.

“Well,dude,yousavedtheworld.”GreenLantern’seyestwinkledbehindhismask,untilhewincedat

thepaininhismouth.“Andallitcostmewasasockonthejaw!”HelookeddownatBatmanwith
mockseriousness.“Letmeguess,wasitsomethingIsaid?”

“Explanationscanwait,”Supermaninsisted.“TheStoneKingmaybebeaten,butwestillneedtodeal

withthechaoshecreated!”

Withoutanotherword,theManofSteelsoaredintotheairandpoweredawayatmaximumspeed.

WonderWoman,GreenLantern,andMartianManhunterfollowedatonce,whiletheFlashracedoff
intothedistance.

Batmantookafinallookatthecollapsedpyramid,thenreachedforhiscommunicatortocallAlfred.

CassandrahadtakenJennyAylestotheempath’sownapartment,drivingthroughtheemptyGotham

streets.ThepartygoershaddispersedwhentheStoneKingspoke,scatteringpanic-strickenfortheir

homes.

Ifthisreallywastobetheend,theywantedtobewiththosetheyloved.

ThewomensattogetheronthesofainCassandra’slivingroom,holdingeachotherforcomfortasthey

counteddowntheminutestomidnight.

SecondsbeforetheStoneKing’sdeadlinewasduetoexpire,aterrible,unearthlyscreamechoed

aroundthecity.Ablindingflashlitupthenightsky,brighterthanathousandmoons,pouringthrough
theapartmentwindows,throwingeverythinginsideintostarkrelief.

Thenitdisappeared,leavingCassandraandJennyblinkingatitsintensity.Therefollowedalong,deep

silence.

“Wh-whatwasthat?”Jennywhisperedatlast,hervoicefearful.

Cassandradidn’tansweratonce.Hereyesweredosedassheallowedhermindtoroamfree.Shefelt

suddenlylighter,asifavastburdenhadbeenliftedfromhershoulders.Forthefirsttimesince
RaymondMarcuscametoseeher,Cassandrafeltlikehernormalself.

“IthinktheStoneKingis…dead,”shesaidslowly,hardlydaringtohopeshewasright.“Ican’tfeel

anytraceofhispresence.”

“AndPeter?”Jennyaskedsharply.“What’shappenedtoPeter?”

ButJennyalreadyknewtheanswer.She’dknownsinceshesawthelightdieinPeter’seyes,backat

thepyramid,astheStoneKingregaineditsmasteryoverhim.PeterGlastonhadmadetheultimate
sacrifice.Hehadgivenhislife,forlove.

Jenny’seyesfilledwithtears,andsobsshookherbodyasshecriedforeverythingshe’dlost.

TheEarthhadescapeddestruction,butahighpricehadbeenpaid.Millionsofpeoplehadbeenkilled,

andmillionsmoreinjured.

Duringthefollowingtwoweeks,theworldwitnessedafrenzyofsuperheroactivityunmatchedin

history,astheJusticeLeagueanditsmanyalliesstrovetomakegoodthemassivedestructioncausedby
theStoneKing.

AssoonasSupermanmanagedtorestorepowertoGotham,Oracleusedherexpertisetosetupa

computerizeddatabankofallreporteddisasterareas.Respondingtocomputeranalysisofevery
location,shewasabletoassignteamsorindividualheroesasthedifferentsituationsrequired.

GreenLantern’swillwastestedtothelimit,asheusedhispowerringtorebuildshatteredcitiesina

dozendifferentcountries.EarthquakeshadstruckhardestinCentralandSouthAmerica,destroying
largeexpansesoflandandcreatingmillionsofhumanrefugees.Theringbroughtincountlesstonsof
foodanduncontaminatedwaterbeforeitsbearerturnedtothetaskofrebuildingwhattheStoneKing
hadsmashed.

Aquaman,KingoftheSeas,despatchedlegionsofdolphinstoassistpeoplewho’dbeenshipwrecked

orsweptouttoseawhentsunamisstrucktheislandsofJapanandIndonesia.OraclesenttheFlash,
whosespeedenabledhimtorunonwaterasifitweredryland,toassist.Later,theScarletSpeedster
wouldusefrictiongeneratedbymovinghishandsatsuperspeedtosealtheholesandcracksinscoresof
ancienttemples.

UsingJusticeLeaguetechnology,PlasticManandtheAtomteleportedfromcitytocity.Theformer’s

flexibility,coupledwiththelatter’sabilitytochangehissize,madethemidealforrescuingsurvivors
trappedunderground.

WonderWomanusedhervastpowerstotunneldeepintotheplanet’smantle,whereshelabored

tirelesslyfordaysonendtorepairdestabilizedseismicfaultlines.

Supermanseemedtobeeverywhereatonce.Hissuperbreathcooledandextinguishedhundredsof

ragingfires.Heusedhisstrengthtoholdupsaggingbuildings,whilehisheatvisionfusedandsealed
thedamagedstructures.AndhisX-rayvisionfoundsurvivoraftersurvivorwhowouldotherwisehave
beenmissed.

GothamCityhadescapedwithrelativelylittledamage,forwhichthebattle-wearyBatmanwas

grateful.HedevotedhistimetohelpingOracle,actingasanchormanfortheunprecedentedreliefefforts
shewassobrilliantlycoordinating.

Globalrecoverywouldbelongandslow,andwouldtakeeveryounceofaidthesuperheroescould

give.But,intime,humanitywouldcometotermswithitsshockandgrief.

ItwasalmostthreeweeksafterthecatastrophewhentheJusticeLeaguemetupagaininthe

Watchtower.

Theyteleportedinfromwherevertheywereintheworld,replyingtoasummonsbroadcastbyGreen

Lantern.TheEmeraldWarriorwasalreadywaiting,seatedatthelarge,circularconferencetableinthe
operationsroom.

WonderWomanandSupermanarrivedsimultaneously,followedinstantslaterbytheFlashandJ’onn

J’onzz.

“What’stheproblem?”Supermandemanded.“Not…theStoneKingagain?”

“Noproblematall,”GreenLanternassuredthemastheytooktheirplacesaroundthetable.Hebroke

offasBatmanappeared,thenwaitedforthevigilantetoseathimselfbeforeannouncing,“Ifigureit’s
timeIgotmyexplanation.OramIfatednevertolearnwhyyouandManhuntergangeduponmethat
nightatthepyramid?”

“It’ssimple,”Batmantoldhim.“Youwerestillhypnotized.”

GreenLanternfrowned.“ButyouandManhunterfreedusfromtheStoneKing’sinfluence,”he

protested.“Isnappedoutofit,justliketheothers.”

“Theotherssnappedoutofit,”Batmancorrectedhim.“Notyou.Iquicklyrealizedthat.Althoughyou

seemedtobefine,youwereinfactstillunderthespellofadeeperhypnosis.”

“Iwas?”GreenLanternwasskeptical.Helookedtotheotherteammembers,hopingfor

corroboration.

WonderWomanshrugged.“We’reasmuchinthedarkasyouare,”shesaidtoLantern.

TheEmeraldWarriorglancedbackatBatman.

“Okay,”henodded,“layitonme.HowcouldyoutellIwasstillundertheStoneKing’sinfluence?”

J’onnJ’onzztookupthestory.

“OurfirstindicationwasthedemonicfigureyouconjureduptocarryCassandraandJennyAylesto

safety,”theMartianbegan.“Itwastoooutofcharacter—asifitwasn’tyourwillthatwaspowering
yourring.ThatdemonwassomethingtheStoneKingmightproduce.”

“Ithinkweallnoticedthat,”WonderWomanadmitted.“ButwemerelyacceptedLantern’s

explanationthathedidn’thavetimetothinkofanythingelse.”

“WhenBatmanaskedyoutoprobetheenergieswithyourring,”Manhuntercontinued,hisgazefixed

onGreenLantern,“youclaimedyouhadalreadydoneso.Butyouwereimprisonedintherock,notin
controlofyourownthoughts.Youcouldn’thaveusedthering.”

Puzzled,Lanternshookhishead.“Iguessnot.ButIhadthisoverwhelmingimpressionthatIactually

hadusedit.”

“Thefinalclue”—Batmantookupthestoryagain—“waswhentheStoneKingcreatedthose

bodyguards.Heonlymadefive,yetthereweresixofuspresent.Hemusthavefiguredthathedidn’t
needoneforyou.Youwerehisaceinthehole,hissecretweapontouseagainstusifallelsefailed.”

“YoucouldhavebeenwrongaboutLantern,”theFlashpointedout.“Inoticedthesethings,too,butit

didn’toccurtomethattherewasanythingoutoftheordinary.”

Hepaused,thenaddedwryly,“Guessthat’swhyBatman’sadetective,andI’mnot.”

“SotheStoneKinghitmewithadoublewhammy?”GreenLanternshookhisheadinwonderment.

“Incredible!”

“Icouldn’ttackleyouonmyown,”Batmanresumed.“IhadtowaittillJ’onnfigureditout,too,and

usedhistelepathicpowertonegateyourpersonalforcefield.Withthethreatyouposednegated,we
werefreetoattack.”

“Sowheredidthefeargascomefrom?”Flashwondered.“Oristhatsomethingyoucarryaroundasa

matterofcourse?”

BatmantoldthemhowhisearlysuspicionshadledhimtovisitScarecrowatArkhamAsylum.“The

StoneKingtriedtousefearagainstme,”thevigilanteconcluded.“Ifigured,ifIevergotthechanceI’d
reverseroles.IalmostuseditwhenwewereattackedafterJ’onnrealizedthesecretofthepyramid’s
disappearance.Inretrospect,it’sagoodthingIdidn’t”

“Youmean”—AslowsmilespreadoverSuperman’sface—”YoumadetheStoneKingafraidof—”

“Bats.”

Supermanandtheotherslaughedoutloud.

“Combinedwithyouractionsunderground,thefearwasenoughtoupsetthebalanceoftheforceshe

wasabsorbing,”Batmanconcluded.“Whentheenergyescapedfromhiscontrol,itturnedagainsthim…
anddestroyedhim.”

TheRashshookhisheadinadmiration.“Sotheworldissaved,thankstoafearofbats.”

“Hey,Iknowwhatthatfeelslike.”GreenLanternrubbedhisjawruefully.“Butitonlyneededapunch

onthechinformetolearn!”

Batmanrosetohisfeet,andtheothersfollowedashewalkedtotheobservationbalcony.

Starsspatteredtheinkyblackness,shiningsteadily,withoutthetwinklecausedbyanatmosphere.As

one,theJusticeLeaguegazedtowarddistantEarth,aviewthathumbledeventhemightiestofheroes.

Fromhereitlookedasitalwaysdid,sereneandblueandbeautiful,withnotraceofthescarsleftby

theStoneKing’sevil.

Epilogue

Nepal,January1

Thesnow-cappedHimalayasreflectedthelightofthedawnlikeamirror.

Palepinkfingersofsunlightprobedthedarknessofahiddenvalley.Theystoleamongthehouses,

castingarosyglow,thencreptupawoodenwallandinthroughabedroomwindow.

Fourteen-year-oldTenzenWyungcameinstantlyawakeasthelightsweptacrossthefloorandrested

onthepillowbyhischeek.Hethrewofftheheavyyak-skinhidesthatkepthimwarmonthecoldest
Nepalesenights,andshiveredinthechillair.

Quickly,Tenzenpulledonhisheavycottonshirtandtrousers,ignoringthemetalbasinandjugof

waterthatstoodnexttothebed.He’dwashlater;now,thenoisemightwakehisparents.

Hepickeduphismulticoloredyak-hidebootsandsneakedacrosstheroom.Hepushedasidethethick

blanketthathungasadividerbetweenhisbedroomandthehallway,andgentlyliftedtheheavywooden
latchonthedoor.

Theoldlatchcreaked.ToTenzen’searsitsoundedasloudasagunshot.Hisheartpoundinginhis

chest,heheldhisbreath,waitingabriefmoment.

Nosoundofmovementfromhisparents’room.Good.Theywouldn’twakeforanotherhour,untilthe

sunitself,notitsreflectedlight,wasshiningintheskyoverthevalley.PlentyoftimeforTenzento
reconnoiterhisfind.

Hemovedthroughthepink-tingedhalf-light,breathingdeeply,savoringthetasteofthecrisp,fresh

air.Somewhereupthevalleyayaklowed,theechorollinggentlyoverthetinyvillagethatTenzen
calledhome.

Onceawayfromtheturf-roofedstonehuts,hestoppedtopullonhiskneeboots.Thenhebeganto

walksteadilydowntherock-strewnmountainroadwithdeceptivespeed.HereintheMitakulaValley,
almosttwelvethousandfeetabovethelevelofthedistantsea,itwaswisenottorun.Eventhelocals
couldsufferaltitudesicknessiftheirlungscouldn’textractenoughoxygenfromthethinair.

Thehighpeakssurroundedthevalleylikeadome,shadesofpinkbeginningtoshifttoorangeasthey

focusedtheunseensun’slightonthetinygreenscaronthemountainside.

Afterafewhundredyardstheroadnarrowed,huggingthefaceofaprecipitouscliff.Tenzenadjusted

his

pacetoaslowwalk,pressinghisbackagainstthesheerrockthatroseathousandfeetabovehimanda

thousandfeetbelowintoaravinewheremountaintorrentsroared.

Therehadbeenalandslidethepreviousweek,afterawinterofheavyrains.Amassivesectionofcliff

facehadcollapsed,draggingtensofthousandsoftonsofrockintothedeepgashbelow.

Tenzenhadgonewithhisfatherwhenthemenofthevillageinspectedthedamage.Fortunately,this

wasthevillage’ssecondaryroad,aribbonofgravelmattortuouslyfollowedthecontoursoftherock
facefornearlyadozenmilesbeforeitrejoinedthemainhighway.Theroadwastoonarrowand
dangerousforvehiclesofanytype.Thelandslidewouldmeananaddedten-milehikeforanyvillager
headingforthenearestbusstoptofindtransporttotheLowValleys.

Inthewisdomofadulthood,itwasdecidedbythevillagecouncilthattheroadcouldneverbe

repaired.Thechildrenweretoldtosteerclearofit,andthematterwasforgotten.

ButTenzenhadseensomethingtheothershadn’tInthefracturedrockfaceadozenfeetabovethe

road,he’dseenasmalloblongopening.Likeawindow.Hehadn’tsaidanythingtohisfather,because
heknewhe’dneverbepermittedtoclimbupandexplore.

Thememoryofthattinyopeninghadstayedwithhim.He’dheardtalesoftheoldBuddhisttemples,

carveddirectlyintolivingrock,furnishedwithpaintingsandtapestriesandgoldenmeditatingstatues.

Helayinbedeachnight,dreamingofthehiddenvaultsandcavernsthatmightliebeyond.

Perhaps…Tenzenhardlydaredadmitthethought.

Perhapsitwasevenolder,afabulousshrineorroyaltreasuretrovefromtheancientdays,whenlong-

forgottenwarriorsroamedtheseinaccessiblevalleys.

WhenTenzenwasachild,hisfatherhadtoldhimofastoneaxaneighborhaddugupinhistinyfield.

Aspiralhadbeenincisedintoonesideoftheaxblade.Ontheotherastrangebeastwascarved,likea
crossbetweenamanandabull.

Unabletobearthetensionanylonger,Tenzenhadcomebackthismorning,determinedtofindoutone

wayortheotherwhatwasonthefarsideofthatwindow.

Herestedhishandlightlyagainstamassiveboulderthatcompletelyfilledtheroad,projectingout

overthechasmbyagoodtenfeet,andlookedup.

Yes,itwasawindow.Whatelsecoulditbe,cutsocarefullyintherock?

Hisheartbeatquickenedashiseyesscannedupthecliff,searchingforhandholds.Itwasn’tgoingto

beeasy,butTenzenhadalwaysexcelledatclimbing.Hecoulddothis.

Hevaultedupontothefallenboulder,carefulnottosnaghisbootsinthewideveinofroughquartz

thatranthroughit.Fromthisimprovedangle,hecouldseethattheopeningwasdefinitelynotnatural.
AsfarasTenzencouldtell,thecornerswereperfectrightangles.

Tenzen’shandreacheduptograspthealmostinvisiblespurofrockthatwouldserveashisfirst

handhold.He’dneverfeltsoexcited.Hewasgoingtobethefirsttodiscoveralong-lostsecret.What
kindoftreasurewouldaman-bullhideawayfromtheworld?

“Stopwhereyouare,boy!”

Thevoicecutsharplythroughtheairandechoedawayintothemountains.Tenzen’sheartsank.His

father.

Theboyleapedbackdownfromtheboulder,hiseyesdowncast.HisfatherwaiteduntilTenzendrew

neartohim,thenturnedonhisheelandstalkedbacktowardthevillagewithoutsayingaword.

Tenzenfolloweddrearily.Hehaddisobeyedhisfather.Hewouldbepunished—extrachores,

probably,carryingwoodenbucketsofwaterfromthestreamalmosthalfamileaway.

IfonlyIwasaman!hethoughtfiercely.

Hewalkedintothehouseunderhisfather’ssternglare,carefulnottobetraythesecretsmilethathad

startedtoplayaroundthecornersofhismouth.

Itwouldn’tbethatmanyyearsbeforehevmsaman.Thenhe’dbeabletodowhateverhewanted,and

noonecouldstophim.

AndonthatdayTenzenWyungwouldclimbthecliff,andscramblethroughthewindow,andshowthe

wholeworldthetreasuresoftheman-bull.