DC Heroes

crossbowvixen:

Every little girl dreamed of their wedding day, but Helena Bertinelli never thought hers would have ended up like this. Sure the dress was beautiful and everything was perfect and right out of a fairy tale, but Helena hadn’t really cared. She had barely payed attention during most of the ceremony until the end when they were pronounced man and wife.

Adan jussed her and the two turned to face the assembled crowd. She forced a smile and waved. Adam escorted her to the great banquet hall where the reception was to take place. A few more hours of forcing herself to smile and then she would have to worry about the wedding night.

mrcrankypants:

Arthur was quite pleased the new tech that integrated Atlantean technology and surface technology was working. The citizens of Sub Diego were now able to keep in touch with the surface. It went a long way in bringing the underwater residents back to civilization. They were now able to keep in touch with the people on the surface they had left behind when the city sank beneath the waves.

Arthur had made himself available as much as he could to teach them how to use it and to help with any problems. There was enough Atlantean tech in it to make it seem strange and confusing to the citizens of Sub Diego. Arthur would help them as much as possible.

He was in his office and had some needed downtime.

heroes_holiday:


I arise from dreams of thee
In the first sweet sleep of night,
When the winds are breathing low,
And the stars are shining bright.
I arise from dreams of thee,
And a spirit in my feet
Hath led me -- who knows how?
To thy chamber window, Sweet!

The wandering airs they faint
On the dark, the silent stream--
And the Champak's odours
Like sweet thoughts in a dream;
The nightingale's complaint,
It dies upon her heart,
As I must on thine,
O belovèd as thou art!

O lift me from the grass!
I die! I faint! I fail!
Let thy love in kisses rain
On my lips and eyelids pale.
My cheek is cold and white, alas!
My heart beats loud and fast:
O press it to thine own again,
Where it will break at last!

Percy Bysshe Shelley

heroes_holiday:

There's a piece of paper and a pen attached to a bulletin board. Across the top is written:

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Anonymous entries accepted.

sea_queen:

Their holidays were not hers, but Mera had been in Arthur's world long enough to appreciate the thought behind the winter festivals. She sent Arthur a gift, a perfect white pearl as large as his thumb, with a golden sheen when warmed and held to the light. It was a simple, beautiful treasure from the heart of his kingdom.

heroes_misc:

SUB DIEGO – The citizens of Sub Diego have elected their first mayor. There were two candidates on the ballot, but the winner from a successful write-in campaign is Arthur Curry. The world knows him as Aquaman. Mr. Curry was unavailable for comment and refused to be interviewed. What does this mean for the future of relations between the United States and the sovereign kingdom of Atlantis now that a former Atlantean king is now the mayor of Sub Diego. Is this the start of an effort by Atlantis to annex the sunken city? CONT PAGE 2A

heroes_holiday:

Christmas. Yule. Saturnalia. Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Many cultures have celebrated and still celebrate a winter festival. There have been many names for it over the millennia. No matter the name it is a time to come together and celebrate with feasts and gifts with friends and loved ones.

Each culture has a legendary figure who would deliver gifts to children during this time. In Russia and some Slavic cultures he is known as Ded Moroz, Grandfather Frost, and comes not on Christmas but on New Year’s along with his granddaughter Snegurochka, or ‘”Snow Maiden”. In the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe he is known as Father Christmas. In the Netherlands and Belgium he is known as Saint Nicholas or “Sinterklaas” and in France he is known as Père Noël. In the United States we know him as Santa Claus.

No matter the name or who is delivering gifts, it is the season of peace, joy and togetherness. It is the season for thinking about loved ones, friends and those less fortunate. It is a time to witness the goodness and generosity the human race is capable of. It is a time for peace on Earth and goodwill toward man.

marsneedschocos:

By the time the Justice League had first formed, J'onn had been on Earth nearly forty years.  During that time he had, by and large, operated in secret, invisibly, in-between operating in his human identities.  He had, briefly, assumed the identity of the Bronze Wraith and allied himself with the Justice Experience, before the untimely deaths of the others in that group.  But by and large, though he had been on Earth for a long time, the world of humans had still been strange and alien to him. 

It had taken the accidental exposure of his presence on Earth to start truly bringing him into the light.  The formation of the League, who had become his surrogate family, had been exactly what he had needed.

He had made friends in those days.  Barry Allen, drawn from their mutual work as policemen.  Hal Jordan, out of his respect for Alan Scott and Abin Sur.

And, of course, Arthur.  They had been the outsiders, the both of them, in those days.  J'onn, still seeking to understand humans, Arthur unused to the ways and demands of the surface world.  It had forged a friendship that, though strained at times, had endured throughout the long years.  When Arthur had lost his son, none had known his pain more than he.  When the League had all but disbanded, it had been J'onn, along with Zatanna and Ralph, who had stood with Arthur to forge it anew.

It was why Arthur, not unlike Bruce, continued to worry him.  Neither of his friends was the man J'onn had once known.  They were darker, harsher, quicker to judge and quicker to meet out harshness.  What had happened to the smiling Sea King who had happily called upon his "finny friends" in the cause of justice?  Had life truly worn his friend down so much?

Seeing the others again, reforming the League, had reminded J'onn of all of this.  It was for this reason, along with a humanitarian interest in seeing his old friend's new protectorate, the lead J'onn to plunge into the icy waters of the Pacific Ocean, gills growing in the sides of his neck as he shifted his physiology. 

He had called ahead, of course.

mrcrankypants:

Arthur had spent some time in Sub Diego making sure things were running smoothly. They had elections for mayor coming up and Arthur wanted to make sure they smoothly. They need to reestablish a system of government and get things running as close to normal as possible.

One thing had been weighing on Arthur's mind after talking to some of the citizens. They wanted a means to contact their friends and family on the surface. Electronics and water didn't mix well. Atlantis had the technology, but it was alien and he wasn't sure how it would be welcomed.

If there was a way to integrate surface tech with Atlantean tech, maybe a solution to Sub Diego's communication issues could be solved. There was also the issue of televisions and whatnot that humans were used to having.

Arthur pondered the problem for a bit before an idea sprang to mind.

He called a friend and arranged a meeting.

Arthur arrived early and grabbed a table. They may as well eat while they discussed the problem.

heroes_holiday:

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." JFK

In America today is a day for being thankful for the things in people's lives. Today was a day to celebrate family, friends, prosperity and health with food, family and friends. It is a time to reflect on what is important us and to recognize the gratitude we hold for having those things in our lives.

captainmarvel:

The Hall of Justice.

Wow.

Just...wow.

Captain Marvel had come by, as Superman requested, to get his communicator...but also to absorb it all.

It's not like he hadn't been part of a team.  Of legends, no less.  That's what the Justice Society *is*, for heavens sake.   But this...this is different.    With the JSA, he was either the "youngster" to folks like Jay Garrick or he was the "old hand" to folks like Hourman.

Don't get him started on Courtney.

He's hoping with the JLA...it's more of a peer to peer relationship.  Even though, in reality, he is the youngun.

He walks into the building, curious if anyone is around.

mrcrankypants:

Arthur had been looking forward to this since they had made plans the last time they had lunch. Thankfully he had been keeping busy and hadn't had much time to count the days until he saw Mera again. Things with his wife, ex-wife, were hopeful. Arthur wanted nothing more than to be with her again and he didn't even care if it were in Atlantis or not. She was what mattered, nothing else.

He sat in the small bistro in Metropolis sipping a beer. There was still ten minutes to go until the scheduled meeting time and he didn't mind waiting. Having a cold beer was a good way to pass the time, though he had to stop looking at the clock every few seconds. Time was not going to go any faster.

The League had reformed. Arthur didn't think it would considering the events leading to its disbanding, but he was happy they were back together. Even if Batman had already left. There would always be someone else to fill the spot.

Sub Diego was coming along nicely and didn't require all of his attention these days. Things were shaping up and life was settling down in the underwater city.

Arthur was a man at ease at the moment.

man_of_steel:

 

The Hall of Justice shone in the early morning, sunlight glinting off its gold and silver facade. Great glass panels allowed light to flood into its marble entryway.

The Man of Steel stood in the doorway for a brief moment, taking in the room. This had once been a bustling hub of activity, staffed with dozens of aides and security personnel. The main floor of the Hall of Justice had acted as an embassy, a link between the world of Super heroes and everyday people. Here, one could learn about the history of groups like the JSA and Justice League, and could file petitions for the League to help with a crisis. While the League was stretched thin, they still tried to find time to make people feel as though they were listened to. That the League cared.

Superman found himself wandering through the empty reception area, following a familiar route. He ran his hand over the desk where a young receptionist had sat. Her name had been Judy Torrence...

“What do you make of the Hall, Mister Kent?” she had asked him, some months ago...

Clark had frowned, looking up at the amazing architecture. “It's...breathtaking, of course. But I can't help but wonder what the point of all this is, ” he had said. His thoughts had been clouded with doubt, in those days leading up to the League's dissolution.

Judy had frowned, twirling her short blond hair on one finger, “I know there's a lot rumours going around that the League's going to break up- but I can't see why.” He had been surprised to see tears twinkle in her eyes. “People think that our heroes just spend their time fighting aliens and super-villains, but they help everyday people too...” She had opened up a drawer in her desk, and produced a book. As she flipped through it, Clark saw the faces of smiling children, tearful families holding one another, paramedics and firemen giving thumbs-up. “Who are they?” Clark had asked.

Judy had smiled “They're people the League has helped. They send in these pictures. Some of them were saved from floods or natural disasters, some were brought food during famines in their countries, some are just first-responders who didn't have to go into a burning building because a hero was able to do it for them.” Her eyes had shone with hope. “When aliens invade or monsters try to destroy a city- a thousand people are helped in a thousand different ways, by groups like the Justice League. But you don't see stories about these people on TV or in the paper. Because it happens to often, we take it for granted...

Superman smiled at the memory, and wondered where Judy Torrence was now. He vowed silently that should- no, when the League re-formed- that he would personally ask her to come back and work for them. Possibly as head of public relations.

But for now, Superman had to content himself with leaving the Lobby and Museum level- and taking the secure elevator to the top floor.

The sliding doors opened, and Superman stepped out onto the Executive Level. A great conference table dominated the room, symbols etched into the back of chairs. Superman was early, so he went and stood before the glass wall that overlooked the the city beyond. He waited for the others to arrive- so they might start to rebuild the Justice League of America.

marsneedschocos:

Once J'onn, Diana, and Zatanna had connected with Bruce and Arthur, determining where the last Appelaxian had arrived had, truthfully, been a very simple matter.  Looking back over the League history and taking into account the location of the others, well, the Arctic circle had been easy enough to figure out. 

Back to where it all began.

The Invisible Plane, the Batplane, and J'onn flew there now.

It had been too long since he had fought beside this noble individuals, those who were his friends.   Arthur, who had been another outsider when they had first formed the League, his first friend within the super-hero community and who he barely understood any more.  Bruce, who he had bonded with, in a way, owing to his status as essentially a policeman on Mars, and who he feared for more and more with each year that passed.  Zatanna, who had stood with him, Arthur, and Ralph when there had been no one else to hold the League together.  And Diana, who he called a friend, but who possessed a fierce, warrior side that sometimes frightened him.

He could think of few better people to save the world with.

mrcrankypants:

Arthur was enjoying some quiet time. Lorena was busy elsewhere in Sub Diego and not nagging him for a change. He hadn't told her about his lunch date with Mera and he wasn't going to. Let her keep guessing where he disappeared to. It would do her some good. Not to mention save him from some nagging about seeing Mera again.

Arthur was on patrol around the outskirts of Sub Diego. He personally did this a few times a day and coordinated the other patrols. After the last attack it never hurt to be too careful.

mrcrankypants:

Arthur sat at the table on the outdoor patio at a small cafe in Lisbon and enjoyed the warm sunshine while he waited for his...while he waited for Mera. She had wanted to meet again and talk and he couldn't refuse her. She could ask for the moon and he would find a way to give it to her.

He would never admit it, but he was nervous. Things with Mera were complicated to say the least and he didn't want to do anything that would upset her or ruin his chances of repairing things with her. He loved her, there was no question about that, but they had been through so much that he wondered if they were past the point of being able to forgive each other.

Arthur sipped his cold beer as he waited.

marsneedschocos:

Whenever possible, private detective John Jones preferred to eat at one of the Dairy Queens of Denver, Colorado.  Certainly, there were places with better food and at times he ate there, but he always returned to the land of frozen treats and for one simple reason: Choco Blizzards.  Earth would never be Mars, he had long ago accepted that, but new delights such as Chocos went a quite a ways toward making up for it.

The Blizzard, the day to day habits of his civilian identity, burying himself in work, went a long way to toward taking his mind off many things which troubled him.  That the League had disbanded was high among them.  The League had been a part of his life ever since he had participated in its formation.  Others had come and gone, but always he had remained.  He could have protested the disbandment, could even have remained and rebuilt anew, but no.  Something vital, something important to the League had been lost, broken.  These wounds would take time to heal.

How much things had changed since the old days.  They had all been quite happy, friends, sure of themselves and their powers,  sure that the path they were on was the right one.  And now?

Barry and Hal were dead.   Arthur and Bruce were barely recognizable as the men he had once known.  Even Diana was different from the new visitor to Man's World she had been when she had first met them all.  Clark remained largely the same, he supposed, if perhaps even more settled into his role as a leader in the super-human community.

But J'onn?  J'onn had been on Earth since the mid 1950's, long before most of the current generation of heroes had even been born.  He had been brought to Earth as an adult, not an infant like Clark.  He had new friends, new connections on this planet, but he was still much the same he had been.

An overwhelming moment of panic set upon his senses, the telepathic nosie of numerous citizens all crying out at once.  A glance up instantly told him what was the cause.  A meteor, hurling toward the city, already too close for him to do anything about it.  It had to be alien in nature, advanced.  This was no natural phenomena.  

What he could do was help people.  Turning invisible and resuming his public Martian form, he pulled people from the path of the meteor at high speed, moments before the meteor hit.

Where have I seen this before...?

The meteor impacted with the street, hard, but not with the speed it should have had.  It was as though it had slowed itself.  It cracked and something inside it began to grow...  and burn.

It was a giant of fire.

mrcrankypants:

Lorena was always bugging him to get out more. What she didn't know was that Arthur did get out. Occasionally he would meet an old friend for lunch and catch up on things. Today he was meeting Diana for lunch. Once a month he did this. Last month it had been Ollie. There was a lot of food and a lot of drinking. Arthur had a hangover for days after that.

Arthur arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early and was shown to a table.

mrcrankypants:

Arthur was NOT brooding. He was merely thinking about his talk with Mera. Though he knew Lorena would accuse him of brooding. She always accused him of brooding even when he wasn't.

He hadn't realized how much he missed Mera until he saw her. There was such a huge hole in his life without Mera. One he knew was there, but didn't know how expansive it was. She was the love of his life and Arthur knew he would never truly love another woman. She was all that he wanted and all that he would ever want.

Arthur stood near the outer edges of Sub Diego and stared out into the blue.