Hello CBMers!!!
To the uninitiated, Watchtower Tales is a fan fic serial about a group of Justice Leaguers I refer to as the Second Shift. The team consists of Zatanna, Hawkman, Atom, and Black Lightning. Each story often featuring another character joining the group for some general hijinks. Lately the group has put into motion a series of events creating a more detailed narrative now. The team is currently traveling through time in order to stop an evil plot that could see a group of villains building a super weapon with artifacts from throughout history.
Vandal Savage enters a large dark, featureless room. A large round table stands in the center; upon it a circular stone artifact . The artifact looks to be of ancient Mayan origin. At the other side of the room, opposite to the room's entrance, a dark figure sits in a large chair turned toward a desk. On the desk, a laptop is displaying a YouTube music video by the band 'MAGIC!'; the song being played is called 'Rude'.
SHADOWED FIGURE:
Clicks the keyboard, pausing the video. Does not turn around in his chair. "This...this, I think will work quite well with the torture of those rebels we captured last night. Just put it on an endless loop. What do you think Savage?"
VANDAL SAVAGE:
Stands very upright with his hands placed behind his back. "I believe it's a perfect choice. As you know, I've been alive since the dawn of mankind...and this certainly ranks high as an excellent choice for music torture."
SHADOWED FIGURE:
Still not turning to face Vandal Savage. "So...what news do you have for me?"
VANDAL SAVAGE:
Moves forward to the table, places his hand on the artifact. "In the process of getting the remaining artifacts. We may met some resistance, or trouble in doing so. It seems that Manchester Black has revealed part of our plan to some second rate Justice Leaguers, and they might've had help from Rip. But nevertheless, we have the bomb in place and the team have their orders and already in the past."
SHADOWED FIGURE:
Still facing his desk. "Rip? Ha! Why does he have to be so...rude? Haha! And Manchester Black, singing like a canary so easily. He should go by the name Paris White Flag. Pitiful. Now, you're certain this plan will work? These so called "artifacts" are indeed "magic"? And when placed together, you and Dr. Psycho will be able to use it to create an army building weapon?"
VANDAL SAVAGE:
"Indeed. In fact, I have first hand experience of the artifacts' enchantments. And then we'll be able to use it to control the people, make them our mindless obedient soldiers and servants. The world will be ours."
SHADOWED FIGURE:
Still not facing Vandal. "Why the world, Vandal? I mean, I know why I'm doing this; that being the sheer fun of it!
VANDAL SAVAGE:
Grimaces. "I've seen every part of this planet. Witnessed every great event mankind has made. The world belongs to me! That being said, I'm glad I will be joined by you and the rest of the, Turmoil team."
SHADOWED FIGURE:
Clicks the keyboard changing the screen of the computer. "Have you seen this? Watch this...watch...hahaha!!! That girl can throw a shovel! Damn! We should recruit her to Turmoil, then have her throw a shovel at Manchester Black all day long! Hahaha! Now, I suppose, we just wait. It's up to the team getting those last artifacts."
In nineteenth century London, Bane walks upon the cobblestoned road through a thick and heavy fog. In the distance the sound of a carriage being drawn by horse can be heard. Another man walks along the road as well, with a long stick; using it to light the gas light lamps along the road. Bane doesn't walk to far, he looks up at a hanging wooden sign in front of a plain building, the sign reads 'The Nag's Head' pub. The building's light shines out to the street, much activity can be heard inside. Bane enters the pub, everyone goes silent and stares at him.
BANE:
Grabs the lapels of his coat with both hands "Ah! The fine oppressed people of ole England! This won't take long. I have but one question to ask of you, about a certain patron of this pub. But before that, allow me to inspire you to revolt! This Industrial Revolution will just create a new kind of rich class of rulers! "
MAN:
Points at Bane. "Oi! Mate what's that on your face?"
BANE:
Sighs. "Yes. It is rather pointless to try and inspire a few drunks. So, you would like to know what my mask is? Please come here. Look."
Waves his hand to the man to approach him. The man comes to Bane carrying his drink. "You see? Look closely right here?"
The man leans in, and Bane fiercely punches the man. The man launches backward, crashing onto a table. Bane turns to the rest of the pub's patrons, eyes wide, filled with rage. "No more games! One of you! Answer me! Where is Jack Barker? Where does he live? You!"
Points to a young man
YOUNG MAN:
Throws his hands up. "I've no idea! He is unknown to me!"
BANE:
Looks disgusted. "What is wrong with your teeth? That is not right! I didn't know teeth could turn that color. My history is definitely rusty, but is there no such thing as toothpaste yet?" Come here.
Waves to the young man to approach. "Do not worry. I am something of a dentist."
YOUNG MAN:
The young man comes toward Bane. "Cheerio! I've never seen a dentist before."
BANE:
"I can see that. Today's your lucky day."
The you man approaches Bane with his mouth open wide. As he gets closer Bane unleashes a fierce haymaker, knocking the young man back into the air. As he falls to the ground unconscious, his teeth can be heard falling to the floor beside him. "Take two aspirin and call me in the morning."
Looks to a man sitting at the bar, the man painted with fear on his face. "You! What's your name?"
DICKENS:
"D-d-dickens sir. C-Charles Dickens."
BANE:
Appears enraged. "You bastard! You're the reason I failed tenth grade! 'A Tale of Two Cities', my ass!!
Bane grabs Dickens by the collar and punches him in the face, Dickens falls to the ground not quite knocked out; but getting there. "You change your ways Dickens, you hear me! You can consider me...consider me...I don't know, like some kind of menacing ghost from the future."
Points to the next man. "You! Your name?
BENZ:
"I'm just a visitor here. I know no one really. My name is Karl Benz!"
BANE:
"Really? Hey! When you start your business, the horseless carriages. I want you to make sure I have stock in your company. Name's Bane. B..a..n..e! Got it..."
BARTENDER:
Waves white rag into the air. "Please chap! Stop this! You said Jack Barker, right? Yeah, he comes here a lot. You can find him in the White chapel district. Stafford street. Number 47. But it be a dangerous area."
BANE:
"You think this place dangerous for me? Perhaps! You require a punch, though you answered my question."
Looks and points to Karl Benz as he makes his way to the pub's exist. "Do not forget what I said!"
Cheetah walks upon the sand in ancient Egypt. Vast amounts of sand surround her, as well as several structures and temples. A large lake nearby shines. Cheetah walks toward the lake.
CHEETAH:
"Can't believe I got Egypt! Ugh! I'm going to have sand stuck in my suit forever. And damn, it's hot!
A shadow shaped like a man appears in the sand before Cheetah. She turns to look up, and sees a bald headed man dressed in traditional Egyptian attire slowly floating to the ground directly in front of her. "Ha! Didn't take long to find you at all. Mmm, who knew, Black Adam was quite the looker in the past. Oh wait, damn let me put on the translator bracelet. So you can understand me stud."
Wraps a silver colored device around her wrist.
TETH ADAM:
"I am Teth Adam. Protector of Desouk. Where is it you come from? Are you a goddess? Has Bast come to my city. If so, I'm incredibly honored."
Drops to one knee and bows his head.
CHEETAH:
Looks slightly amused. "Uhh, yes! That's exactly who I am! The great goddess Baster!"
TETH ADAM:
"You mean Bast?"
CHEETAH:
"Oh, yeah, yeah, that's it, Bast. What I say? Don't worry about it handsome. Listen, you're going to help me out here. I need the pharaoh's spear. You need to help me get it."
TETH ADAM:
"Betray the emperor? How? Why? Has he upset the gods?"
CHEETAH:
"Oh yeah! Big time! He pissed off Zeus real bad."
TETH ADAM:
Looks confused. "Who is Zeus? What has our pharaoh done?"
CHEETAH:
"Oh...uh...Zues? You don't know him? Well he's a new god. Yeah, way strong and whatever. The pharaoh pissed him off, because you know all those pyramids. They're supposed to be dome. So, yeah, he screwed up. And I'm here asking for your help, because we need the spear as a...a...what do you call it? Ah! A penance! Or you know, there will be plagues and shit."
TETH ADAM:
Still appears slightly confused. "I do not fully understand. But I will follow the words of you goddess. To ensure the safety of my people."
CHEETAH:
Big smile. "Yeah! Great! Ok, you gotta carry me cutie! Oh and if anyone. And I mean anyone tries to stop us. We must...uh..like destroy them without mercy!"
Teth Adam picks Cheetah up, her arms wrapped around his neck. They begin to fly, heading toward a huge temple. "So, you seeing anyone?"
TETH ADAM:
"I don't understand what you mean."
CHEETAH:
Rolls eyes. "Ugh! How would you guys say it back in these days? Umm...you know...stuffing the mummy?"
Black Manta approaches the temple of the mystical Blue Samurai in ancient Japan. He carries two blades as he walks into the temple, inside he is surrounded by pillars with Japanese writing and multiple statues.
BLACK MANTA:
Looking in all different directions. "I know you're here brother. There's no point in hiding or attacking. Look, I'm putting down my blades."
Lays his blades on the floor. "Show yourself. I have a message for you."
BLUE SAMURAI:
Steps out from behind one of the pillars, dressed in full blue samurai battle attire, with a helmet and mask; he has his sword drawn. "What? What are you?"
BLACK MANTA:
Holds hands up. "Easy there bro. Look, just watch this. It will all make sense. Kinda."
Pulls an iPad from his belt at his back. Pushes the screen.
BLUE SAMURAI:
Holds the iPad to his face and sees Vandal Savage. He removes his own helmet and facemask to reveal that he himself is also Vandal Savage. "How? What?"
The Vandal on the screen begins to speak and the Blue Samurai watches the entire video.
BLACK MANTA:
"You get it now? You see this whole setup was just a red herring, hmm...maybe why I got this assignment. Anyway bro, we got to get prepared. We've got some superheroes to take out. So we can finally achieve the dream. Now, we thought originally they would send a much larger team, but it's all good bro. We still get to kill a few superheroes."
The Blue Samurai smiles.
Down in Atlantis, a large silver spherical object is being studied by Aquaman and Atom.
ATOM:
"...so the guy says, it's a pencil sharpener."
AQUAMAN:
Does not laugh. "I don't get it my friend."
ATOM:
Shrinks down to microscopic size and starts walking across the sphere. "Dammit! I must've messed it up. I swear, it was so funny when Booster told it. Hmm...what do we have here?"
AQUAMAN:
"What've you found?"
ATOM:
"This thing is definitely old. About five hundred years old. And it has very small and faded Kryptonian writing, of all things. My kryptonian is slightly rusty. Something about munitions...or...destruction....umm...explosives! Oh my god!"
Thank you so much for the read!!! I might be taking a break from these for a little while, so I thought I'd try something a little different. Thanks again!!