JustIce League: The Malignant Uprising

Epilogue VII: The Malignant Uprising

Mount Justice

The last thing I remembered was attacking the leader of the Complex. Everything else was a confusing blur. One surprising thing though, was the feeling of unease when I awoke from the darkness. At first I was cold, but then I took a breath in and my eyes snapped open.

I was in Mount Justice with my team surrounding me. I could see them from the corner of my eye as I lay crouched on the ground. They too were coughing and surprised at the sudden release back to normalcy.

I looked at my gloved hands and wiggled my fingers. Everything was appearing to be normal.

And then I heard a voice call M'gann's name. I moved my head toward the sound and saw J'onn kneeling down and embracing M'gann in a tight squeeze. He looked saddened and had a grave expression. He was whispering something to her that I couldn't make out as tears fell across his cheeks. I was confused to see such valid human feeling come across so plainly on his face.

But then I heard my name. It was a female voice.

"Nightwing." She repeated herself until I was finally able to regain focus and look up. And for some reason, I froze. I couldn't move. My body was stuck in a state of confusion and fear when I saw a woman with a hood standing feet in front of me.

Tempest? No. It couldn't be. This figure was too tall and fair. She also had Green Arrow with her. Green Arrow? Didn't he go missing? I knew I had to focus again. I knew that I couldn't let my guard down so I slowly stood up and stood tall.

I cleared my throat. "Who are you?"

The woman smiled. I could tell she was a trickster with her grin. She was evil. She had something to hide. She gently replied, "I am Madame Vestra and I was hoping to recruit your team."

"Tell me what happened."

"You were frozen. Don't you remember?" She laughed a little, "Oh no, I suppose you wouldn't. You see, Tempest froze you and I released you."

"Released us?" I felt the team gather behind me. They were just as curious about her as I was.

"Don't be so worried. I won't hurt you." She stretched out her arm. I could see red scars wrapping around it. A sense of familiarity itched the back of my mind. Batman had said something to me about those scars. What were they?

But before I could speak again Impulse retorted, "We obviously don't believe you."

Arrow interrupted him with his gruff tone. "There's no need for hostility. Everything will be fine."

Then without hesitation, M'gann walked up to the woman calling herself Vestra and extended her hand to shake Vestra's. Her voice matched her current timid demeanor.

"I believe you," she said to Vestra. Then she turned to us. "I don't sense anything. I think she can help us."

Vestra shook M'gann's hand and I immediately saw a change in M'gann's eyes. They had no feeling in them. They were glassy and still.

I knew that this wasn't the end of our fight.

******

The Hall of Justice

It was the time of year where the seasons were starting to change. The summer air that was once heavy and humid now was brisk and bitter. The leaves on the surrounding trees were turning a vibrant orange and a crimson red. The soft wind moved the city's fallen leaves into the air, rushing them away into a colorful sunrise.

The sun was slowly starting to illuminate the city streets as it began its steady ascent into the sky. Violet and pink hues decorated the skyline as the night became day. The slow turn of dawn made the city noise come alive as honks and train whistles pierced the air.