Chapter 223: Chapter 221: New Fear Unlocked Part 2
In the immediate aftermath of the shocking live stream, which showed Superman amidst the wreckage alongside the grotesquely mangled body of Green Lantern and the lifeless form of Kid Flash, news stations across the globe scrambled to sever the unauthorized intrusion into their networks.
While some managed to regain control, others were not as fortunate. Regardless, the disturbing footage had already begun to ripple across various social media platforms, prompting some to temporarily suspend their services until the security breach could be rectified.
Within a startlingly short span of less than 30 minutes, the stream had vanished from the online sphere, and numerous services had been abruptly discontinued. However, it was a futile effort as countless individuals had already captured the live stream and were disseminating it on platforms with lax or non-existent regulations.
The government swiftly intervened, attempting to dismiss the live stream as a sophisticated deep-fake—a cyber-terrorist ploy designed to incite widespread panic among the populace.
While some accepted this explanation, many remained skeptical. That is, until an emergency press conference was convened. Superman appeared alongside Kid Flash and Green Lantern—not their true selves, but convincing imitations crafted by Miss Martian and Martian Manhunter.
Their objective? To quell the burgeoning panic that had begun to sweep across society in the wake of the unsettling events.
Even Superman, whose physical injuries had largely healed, lent his support to the statements made during the press conference. He reassured the citizens of Metropolis of his return and affirmed that he and the league were diligently working to apprehend the remnants of the Human Supremacy group.
This united front presented by the league and government shifted public perception dramatically. Those who had initially believed in the authenticity of the video were now dismissed as conspiracy theorists.
The reality, however, was far beyond what ordinary citizens could comprehend—a threat so monumental that it necessitated an unprecedented collaboration between the government and league to fabricate a collective falsehood.
Behind closed doors, however, emotions ran high.
Given the urgency of their situation, Superman, Martian Manhunter, and Miss Martian had no choice but to address the public directly outside the facility after apprehending nearby villains. Those who managed to escape were being pursued relentlessly by Hawkman and Hawkwoman.
As soon as their brief press briefing concluded, Superman and his companions retreated into the heavily fortified interior of S.T.A.R. labs. Here lay Green Lantern and Kid Flash's true bodies amidst rubble—a grim reminder of their tragic fate.
Their bodies remained untouched due to Batman's absence. Only Robin and Barbara were capable of gathering evidence and preserving the scene since it was too risky to let the regular crime scene investigators through . Once they completed their task, they could then discreetly cover and relocate the bodies.
But as Robin stood there, gazing at his fallen comrade's body—a friend he held dear—his eyes quivered in disbelief as he whispered in a choked voice, "How did this happen?"
The agony he experienced was palpable—a raw wound exposed to the world. Barbara, standing a short distance away, had already begun her meticulous examination of the Green Lantern's lifeless form. Even she, usually so composed, appeared visibly shaken by the gruesome scene.
Raised in the shadowy labyrinth of Gotham, Barbara was no stranger to the sight of death. Yet, this was an entirely different beast. The sheer brutality of the act and the monstrous strength required to reduce a body to such a state sent shivers of dread coursing through her veins. She found herself grappling with a chilling thought: if she had been in Kid Flash's shoes, would her fate have been the same?
Would her father be forced to confront such a devastating reality and then bury it deep within himself, pretending it never happened?
These unsettling thoughts were triggered by the unmasking of Kid Flash in the video. His identity was now under scrutiny. Martian Manhunter had already left the scene to manage this aspect, feigning surprise as an oblivious Wally West online, reacting to news that he was dead.
To lend credibility to the video, even his parents stepped forward, delivering what could only be described as the performance of a lifetime. Their pain was unspeakable, yet they endured it, clinging to the imposter Wally West before them for the sake of the camera. Deep down, they were acutely aware that their beloved son had been cruelly ripped away from them.
If not for their lineage of speedsters who understood the necessity of such a charade, they would have demanded justice. But they were all too aware of the risks that came with heroism, and their child had become a tragic casualty.
Back at the crime scene, Robin's emotions surged like a tempestuous sea as he turned towards Superman and demanded, "Who did this?"
Superman hovered nearby, his face a mask of anger and sorrow. He wanted to offer some form of comfort to Robin but knew that only one thing mattered to him now: the identity of the perpetrator.
Regrettably, Superman didn't have that answer. He could only bow his head in remorse and self-reproach as he shook it in denial. "I don't know... He was hidden behind a mask I couldn't see through. But I'll make sure to find him and make him answer for this."
Robin found no solace in Superman's words. In fact, they felt like hollow promises as he retorted sharply, "What makes you think you'll beat him next time if you already lost once?"
"Robin! That's enough!"
Aqualad stepped forward at this point, standing by Robin's side and urging him to abandon his accusatory stance. Superman met Robin's gaze with a complex expression, unable to refute his claim. He could only drift away as guilt gnawed at his heart.
The guilt that if he had been stronger, Kid Flash might still be alive
As the dust of chaos settled and the unsuspecting populace was beguiled, the true puppeteer of the entire spectacle had already retreated to his luxurious yacht, now a speck on the horizon, sailing into the ambiguity of international waters. The mainland, still reeling from the shock of the incident, had inadvertently relaxed its maritime security, making it a child's play for the yacht to slip through unnoticed.
Inside the opulent confines of the yacht, Arias found himself in the company of Cheshire in the lavishly decorated lounge area. Raven had excused herself to meditate in solitude.
The duo occupied plush cushioned seats, their attention riveted to a large screen mounted high on the wall opposite them. The screen flickered with images from international news channels, all broadcasting what they were dubbing a "Cyber Terrorist Attack".
Arias watched the unfolding drama with an amused smile playing on his lips. He shook his head in disbelief and amusement.
"What an interesting story they've decided to use for a cover."
Cheshire, her eyes twinkling with mischief, turned towards Arias as he voiced his thoughts. "Maybe we should go back and cut a few more down," she suggested nonchalantly. Her tone was so casual that it was hard to discern whether she was serious or merely jesting.
Arias dismissed her suggestion with a shake of his head.
"No, for now, I'll have to let this event marinate a little longer. In the meantime, I need to set a very clear example elsewhere as to what happens when someone tries to encroach on what's mine."
Cheshire's face lit up with curiosity and mischief at Arias's words. She couldn't resist asking, "Oh? Who's the unlucky person?"
Arias's eyes flashed coldly as he responded, "Vandal Savage."
A/N: Quick heads up guys, currently experiencing power cuts in my area. We haven't received an official statement as to why or a schedule of the times power will be cut, just hoping this is temporal but if not I'll find a workaround. enjoy and again, please show support to my newest work, appreciate it. Enjoy
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