Justice League: Justice's End

Chapter 15: The Reveal

Star City
Thursday, August 26
3:33 p.m.
Star City was the center of attention with a public conference being held. General Richard Gaines stood on a platform behind a podium with guards aligned in the back.

  "Good afternoon to all citizens of Star City." He greeted, speaking through a microphone as he looked at the large crowd that gathered to hear him. "And worldwide to those watching the broadcast."

  "My name is Richard Gaines, once esteemed and known five-star General of the United States." He introduced himself to the public. "And I can assume you're all well aware of the happening events of the past week."

"You see, I'm responsible for the end of the Justice League." The general announced, receiving many looks from the people. "But please, allow to clarify my ideals to you all."

With Gaines' declaring, the crowd began whispering and muttering among themselves about what they heard.

"I created operation: Warstrom. Though an extreme measure to take, Warstrom is the elimination of the Justice League and Society of Super Villains."

"But I did it for you, the people." Richard Gaines said, looking down at the crowd. "To bring back what we lost. Freedom, our sense of safety, so many other ideals."

"Years passed with many crisis that ranged from battles with the Society of Super Villains to the near destruction of our world." His statement got some people of the crowd to agree with him.

General Gaines smirked seeing this. He took a sip from a glass of water to clear his throat. "For too long have you, the people, idolized them or lived in fear because of them."

  "But I assure you, under the Warstrom Regime foundations shall be stabilized. Peace and prosperity shall be rewarded!" The general exclaimed, earning cheers from the crowd.

   He motioned for the public to settle so he could continue. "Even with a great cost, their extermination was the only solution for the greater good of us!"

   As more cheers came from the crowd, there was a couple among them observing everything. The man and woman held hands as they silently watched. "Oliver, what do you think they'll do?" The woman asked her husband.

   He looked at her as he crossed his arms, not liking what Richard Gaines had to say. "I don't know, Dinah. Let's just see before we go meet with Bruce." The man caressed his wife's cheek with a finger, turning his attention back to Gaines.

   The couple are the heroes Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance, known as the Green Arrow and Black Canary.

"So who of you wish choose to follow my belief? A belief that can make this world a better one?" The crowd loudly cheered at his words, allowing themselves to be manipulated by Gaines' lies.

  "In fact, let me show you this." The building behind Richard had a screen which show an image of the millionaire of Star City, Oliver Queen.

  "This isn't good." Oliver sighed, knowing they're going to expose him. "There goes my reputation."

   General Gaines chuckled as he pointed to the screen. "That is Oliver Queen, owner of Queen Industries but he goes by an alias you're all familiar with."