"Third Eyesight"

by Matthew Turnage

Three weeks ago:

In a darkened room, one robed figure approaches another, taller figure. "It was not easy, but we have done it," the shorter one says. "We have captured The One."

The taller figure digests the information. "The temple will not be ready for two weeks. Nevertheless, we may begin the rites. We shall return The One to his former glory."

The smaller figure nods in agreement. "And may heaven help the Justice League of America."

The JLA watchtower, today:

John Henry Irons, the man sometimes known as Steel, removes his welding glasses and glances at the clock on the wall. "Looks like I'm going to have to call it a day, Kilowog," John Henry tells the large alien from Bolivax Vik. "I told Natasha we'd have dinner together tonight. That is, if she doesn't stand me up."

"Ah, kids," Kilowog nods. "I'm glad I don't have ta put up with any."

"Listen, Kilowog," John Henry says as he begins putting on the soft fabric that becomes his armor, "thanks for your help in designing my heavy-duty armor."

"My pleasure," Kilowog says. "Although I think the one ya got's just fine."

"It is good for day-to-day use," John Henry agrees, "especially around Jersey City. But it's not as powerful as my old armor, and I think I'm going to need something a little sturdier if I'm going to keep running around with JLA. Guys like Starbreaker - that's a whole new weight class I'm not really used to."

"I wouldn't worry about it too much," Kilowog says. "After all, Batman does fine in this bunch, and he doesn't have much in the way of protection."

"True, but Batman's whole body is a weapon," John Henry notes. "I don't have anywhere near his physical abilities."

As John Henry and Kilowog leave the lab to head towards the transporter, they pass the Martian Manhunter in the hallway. "Hi, J'onn," Steel greets. "Your turn at monitor duty?"

"It is," J'onn J'onzz replies. "Are you leaving?"

"Yes, I'm heading home. Natasha and I have a 'date' tonight."

"And you, Kilowog?" J'onn asks.

"I wuz just gonna see Steel off, and then relax in th' rec room fer a while," Kilowog says. "If nobody minds, that is."

"Of course not, Kilowog," J'onn says. "All Leaguers, past and present, are always welcome to use the facilities of the Watchtower."

The trio exchange more pleasantries, and then go their own ways. J'onn stops by the pantry to retrieve a package of Oreos before reporting to the monitor room.

"Your shift is up, Kyle," J'onn says as he enters.

"Thank god," Kyle Rayner, a.k.a Green Lantern, sighs as he stands up from the chair and stretches his back. "How come Superman or Batman never have to pull monitor duty?"

"That would be superflous," J'onn replies. "They each constantly monitor the state of the world in their own manner."

"Oh," Kyle says, somewhat embarassed. After all, his comment was meant half- jokingly. "Anyway," Kyle says, changing the subject, "how was the picnic?" (last issue - Matt)

"Quite enjoyable," J'onn says as he seats himself in the monitor chair and opens his Oreos package. "It was nice to see so many comrades together."

"Yeah, I bet," Kyle says.

"That's not true," J'onn says suddenly.

"What?" Kyle asks.

"What you were just thinking," J'onn answers. "I didn't mean to intrude on your thoughts, but they were quite powerful. You feel you were given monitor duty so that we could enjoy ourselves in the presence of the 'real' Green Lantern, and not his 'substitute.' That is not the case. It was simply your turn for duty. After all, you are a member of this team, not Hal Jordan. There is a reason for that."

"Yeah, Hal's too busy with other stuff," Kyle says.

"No, that is not the reason," J'onn states. "I have worked with many Green Lanterns. It is not their power that makes them good allies, it is who they are. And it is who you are that makes you a valuable member of our team. You bring certain things to this team Hal cannot."

"And vice versa," Kyle points out.

"True," J'onn concedes. "But right now, the League needs what you bring to it. There may come a day when we need what Hal has to offer, but that day is not today. There may be day when the League does not need what I have to offer. After all, don't Superman and Batman possess many of the skills I have?"

"Yes, but you're also different from them."

"As you are different from Hal."

Kyle considers the Manhunter's words. "Thanks, J'onn."

"You are welcome, my friend."

Outside of Macon, Georgia lies a private ranch. Until this afternoon, construction had been underway on housing for a group of individuals known only as the Cult of the Third Eye. An incident has caused completion of the housing facilities to be postponed indefinitely... such things happen when all the workers are brutally murdered. Fortunately for the Cult, the pyramid lying in the center of the ranch was completed. It was the Cult's top priority - after all, what good is a cult without a temple?

Inside the pyramid is empty. No furniture, no decorations. Painted on the floor in the center of the room is a circle. Or, to be more specific, a circle of power. And standing in that circle is a large man (if we can call it a man) with reddish-purple skin, a fin atop his head, and a third eye on his forehead. All three eyes are closed as he stands in a spread-eagle position. Lying prone around the circle are the members of the cult, wearing their ceremonial robes. In low voices, they chant.

"Yes," the creature known as Despero whispers, "I can feel my power increasing. Not only have I regained possession of this body permanently, but my mental and physical strength is growing. I only lack one thing... the focus of the all-consuming hate that fuels my existence. And now, I shall have it!"

J'onn J'onzz bolts upright in his chair, dropping his Oreos to the floor as he instinctively raises his hands to his temple. "Such power," he thinks. "That was deliberate. Someone wanted my attention... but the image planted in my mind... it couldn't be!" J'onn gets up from his chair, mentally sending out an alert to the members who can arrive in Georgia the fastest as he walks towards the rec room.

"Kilowog," J'onn says as he enters, "There is a possible situation on Earth I must investigate. Could you watch the monitors while I'm gone?"

"Be glad to, J'onn," Kilowog says, putting down the special video game controller for his oversized hands. "Whut's th' problem?"

"Hopefully just a false alarm," J'onn says, "but I must be certain."

Seconds later, J'onn materializes just outside of the Cult of the Third Eye's compound, thanks to the JLA transporter. An instant later, the Flash zooms up beside J'onn.

"Flash," J'onn greets as his teammate arrives, "I expected you to arrive before I did."

"Well, you know I'm not quite as fast as I used to be," Flash laments. (that's your clue to read Flash's own series if you're not already - plug- lovin' Matt)

Just then, Superman swoops down to land beside the other two members. Supergirl, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern also arrive in short order.

"Alright, J'onn, what's the situation?" Superman asks.

"I received a mental image of this place, and a message to come here," J'onn answers.

"From who?" Wonder Woman inquires.

"The message was not clear," J'onn replies, "but the impression I got was that it was from Despero."

"Despero?" Green Lantern asks. "Who's he?"

"You don't spend much time reading the casefiles, do you?" Flash asks. "He's an old foe of the League. In fact, his hate for the League seems to be his reason for being."

"However," J'onn notes, "his mind was driven from his body, and replaced by that of the robot L-Ron." (you can check it out in Justice League Europe #34 - research-can-be-fun Matt)

"But I encountered Despero recently," Supergirl says. "His original personality was reasserting itself, but I managed to drive it out." (as seen in Supergirl #s 17-18 - Matt)

"So the question is," Wonder Woman summarizes, "what personality does he have now?"

"I've scanned the compound," Superman says. "There are several dead bodies lying around. They look like construction workers - they were probably the ones building this place. That pyramid in the center is lined with lead."

"Don't you wish you'd never told people that you couldn't see through lead?" Green Lantern asks just before receiving a stern look from Wonder Woman, Flash, and Supergirl.

"Well, I guess I'll go scout around," Flash says.

Suddenly, the roof of the pyramid explodes in a vulgar display of power.

"Then again, maybe that's not necessary," Flash amends.

"Alright, team, move in and be ready for anything," Superman says as he takes to the air. J'onn, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Supergirl follow suit, and Flash speeds along on the ground. As the six Leaguers approach the pyramid, the entrance opens and Despero strides out, his face a picture of unadulterated hate.

"I knew you would answer my call, Manhunter," Despero says in his unholy voice. "Now it is time to feed my hate!"

"Hit him hard!" Superman orders.

Superman, Wonder Woman, and Martian Manhunter swoop in, launching a purely physical attack. Despero in only slightly stunned by their powerful blows. He responds by grabbing Wonder Woman by the throat and hurling her at Green Lantern, who is looking for an opening to use his power ring. Green Lantern is unprepared for the human missle, and the two heroes come crashing to the ground. As the Flash begins pelting Despero's back with high-speed punches, Despero ignores the assault, proclaiming, "You are insects to me now! I am more powerful than ever! And my hate only grows!"

Despero manages to kick Martian Manhunter aside as he grapples with Superman. Meanwhile, Supergirl's cape disappears as wings of flame appear on her back. Despero notices her as she rises into the air, and shouts, "I remember you girl! You've more than earned my hate!" Unexpectedly, Despero shifts his leverage and tosses a surprised Superman over his shoulder. The Man of Steel crashes into the Flash, knocking the Scarlet Speedster unconcious. "Do your worst, girl," Despero taunts the Maid of Might.

Supergirl does not reply with words. Instead, bolts of flame shoot from her eyes, engulfing Despero. Despero grimaces, but does not acknowledge the pain in any other way. "Yes, I remember your abilities," Despero grunts, "but I am more powerful than before! Feel my hate!" Then, Despero's third eye opens, and a beam of opaque energy streaks out, impacting upon Supergirl's forehead. Supergirl's wings of flame dissipate, and she drops to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

Despero does not get to enjoy his victory for long; a blast of emerald energy knocks Despero backwards into a kidney punch. "Nice teamwork, Green Lantern," Superman says as he prepares to strike his foe again.

"But not enough to quell my hate!" Despero growls as he sends another blast of mental energy at Green Lantern, who manages to shield himself with his ring. At that moment, Superman lands a powerful blow to the back of Despero's head, which sends the giant to the ground.

However, Despero immediately rises again and grips Superman by the throat. "You really are becoming annoying," Despero says before slamming Superman to the ground with all his might. Despero begins stomping Superman into the earth.

Martian Manhunter flies to Wonder Woman's position. "Diana, are you alright?" he asks.

"I'm fine," Diana replies. "We need a new plan of attack - Despero's more powerful than we expected - he's already taken out Flash and Supergirl and Superman seems stunned."

"I've already sent out a call for backup," J'onn says. "We only have to hold them until they arrive."

"Well, I hope they get here soon," Green Lantern interrupts. "Look!"

As the three Leaguers look around them, they see hundreds of robed figures, coming as if from nowhere, to surround the battle area. Despero, satisfied that Superman won't be getting up for a few seconds, ceases his stomping and looks at the three standing Leaguers.

"I see you've met my followers," Despero says through a sickly smile. "Their hate for you almost matches my own. I can feed off it, growing more powerful all the time." Despero begins moving towards his hated enemies. "And fueled by hate, there is nothing I cannot accomplish - even your deaths." As Despero speaks, his third eye begins to open again.

"Welcome to oblivion," he smiles.

Next Issue: Will the other members of the Justice League arrive in time? Even if they do, will it make a difference? Just how can the JLA stop Despero this time? Find out in JLA #268!

Message from Matt

Well, there's my first issue of Justice League of America, and my first issue for an ongoing Faux DC project. As I hope you can tell from this issue, I'll be trying to inject a good dose of characterization into this series, as well as some action. I'd like to explore as many of the characters as I can, particularly those without solo titles. Let me know who you'd like to see get the spotlight here - even if they aren't members. I'm not opposed to changing the lineup, as you'll see in a few issues. Thanks for reading.

Send your comments to: turnagem@yahoo.com

 

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