Yue

 5th February

21:31 GMT -5

The world shimmers and I appear back in the room where I left the Justice…

"What the hell happened?"

My cold bursts put out the fires, but I really hope that Shadowcrest has a self-repair system. The tarpaulin I put over Ultraboy is gone, the youth unconscious on the other side of the room.

"Turns out a tarp doesn't stop heat vision." Mr West is upright, though most of the restraint gel is still stuck to him. "Did you know this stuff was heat-resistant, or were you planning on having him kill us?"

"I-." Damage.. matches… "I'm sorry. My Superboy doesn't have heat vision. Ultraboy didn't use it last time we fought." I think he's looking a little less angry. The half-mask makes it hard to tell.

Superman still looks aggrieved. Though intact, which is nice, given that I thought he'd be the first person to feel Jonathan's wrath. "Where's J'onn?"

Talon and Duela are in the recovery position off to one side, Diana is standing over Jonathan just in case he wakes up and piles of melted and ripped chains litter the floor. At least no one's dead.

"Don't know, and given that he tried to put me to sleep telepathically I'll have to work up to caring. Good news: there's an official truce in the works and your services are no longer required."

Lantern Stewart's eyes narrow-. I take his ring out of one of my utility pouches and toss it to him. He catches it and slides it back onto his finger. "I think we'd like to confirm that for ourselves."

"Sure. I need to evacuate you to hold up my end anyway. The old Syndicate facility under Mount Justice is currently occupied by the government, and it should have an internet connection. That alright?"

Hawkgirl holds out her right hand and I return her mace to her. By construct, as getting within arm's reach may not be wise. "Not without J'onn."

"What difference-?" I nod. "Fine, fine. Wait here."

I-. I pick up Jonathan with a construct stretcher and float him out of the door. There's a residue… Reads as… I'm not sure what that is, though there's enough of a kryptonite-based substance in it that I wouldn't want to expose a kryptonian to it. His vitals… He'll have bruises, but I don't think there'll be any permanent damage. Hm. Library's back, but flying in the direction of the door Zatanna summoned… Yes, it's still there, good.

On the grounds that surprising a gangster-magician who just narrowly survived an assassination attempt would be a bad idea, I knock twice with my right fist.

A man with a dimly-glowing sword opens the door, blade-point facing me. He takes me in, then lowers his weapon and steps back. "Don? It's Power Ring."

Zatanna has Mister J'onzz trapped in a flaming cage. I… Don’t remember anything about Mars 12 Martians being especially afraid of fire, but I suppose that the potential for being burned to death would stop most people trying anything. She looks around, relief evident on her face. The Don himself has six floating puddles around him, each showing a different person or location. He looks my way as I come in.

"He dead?"

"No, but Luthor took the deal. After I beat up his retinue."

He nods. "Great news. If it's true."

"The Answer leaned on him. Get in touch with… Her? If you want confirmation. And apparently someone called Sureshot-."

The Don nods. "Tried killing Caulder. We wondered who it was. He was having trouble identifying the body. Eclipse." The swordman nods. "Get some reliable people and sweep the house. If this guy snuck in, Luthor mighta called in more help."

"He did. Part of the deal is that they get released."

"You told him we already got them?"

"I already did get them. Mister J'onzz-. Zatanna, can you turn that off?"

She nods, stepping away from him. "Hsiugnitxe."

The flames evaporate and Mister J'onzz half-collapses, panting for breath.

"Not clever, Manhunter. Fortunately for you, we've come to terms. You and your League are leaving now."

"What have you done?"

"What I had to in order to get an outcome I could live with. Do you need help to walk?"

He looks directly at me, his disdain evident. "And who has paid the price for your gratification?"

"Egrem."

The pools of water floating in front of the Don merge into one.

"Dnuos."

"…a stroke. We have no further word on the President's condition, but specialists are being flown in…"

"You've murdered the President. How can you possibly think that will help matters?"

The Don chuckles. "That's how the Answer works. Things just happen. I'd guess that Luthor thought the same thing Orange did, that after Preceptor's assassination attempt failed and Orange stopped you, there was only one route left."

"Don?"

He pushes the floating puddle aside. "Did the Answer say whether or not Wilson survives?"

"No. But he won't be resuming his office. And if you don't follow through on your end, this all falls apart."

"I'll keep up our end. Just as soon as the Answer tells me what it is." He smiles faintly. "I can guess what you're going to ask. You don't want us to bother you again." He shrugs. "And I'd like to agree. You've done us a good turn here. And relying on outside contractors undermines our authority. But if we really needed you, we'd call on you. And we both know that if enough innocent people were at risk, you'd swallow your distaste for us and come."

"You're right. But if that happened, I would be forced to decide that you were a problem worth my time to fully resolve. However long it took, when I finished there would be no Syndicate. On my Earth, Don Giovanni, we have a prison for magic users like you, and I will personally remove your larynx before delivering you there."

He nods, unfazed. "As long as we both know where we stand. Zatanna?"

Zatanna glances my way for a moment, then returns her attention to him. "Yes?"

"Sindella and I were always planning on having more children. It would have been nice for Zorina to have a few brothers and sisters." He shrugs. "That didn't happen. I don't really want to see Orange Lantern any more than he wants to see me, but you're family. I want you to know that you're always welcome here."

Zatanna's face is a picture of distaste. "Why would I want to come here any more than he does?"

"You think we're bad people?" She nods. "You Catholic?" Another single nod. "Then if you think we should repent our sins, you're the one person who might convince us to see things your way. If not me, Zorina's going to be running this part of the family eventually. And since we're going to be de-escalating… You might be able to talk her around."

She glares at him for a moment, then about-faces and marches from the room. I drop off Jonathan, pick up the still-unsteady Mister J'onzz and head after her. She slows to a stop just outside and activates her kinetic belt.

"I don't know where we're going."

"Follow me." I head towards the room containing the Justice League. "Manhunter, under the circumstances I think it might be best if you took Talon and Duela with you. I'm not sure what happened to Sai-."

"She teleported out when Preceptor teleported in."

I nod. "Then she's gone, good. Are you as ready to go home as I am? " She nods. "Then let's hope that Gubbins has finished his repairs."