The Supreme Being

The Supreme Being...A Story of the Guild of Superheroes...
By White Owl based on a story in Justice League of America v1 224 by Kurt Busiek...

The gavel rang down as the Golden Archer brought the meeting to a close. I stood up and stretched, aching from sitting so long and headed toward the lobby. Virgil closed in behind me and I felt his hands on my shoulder.

“I'm sorry we haven't seen much of each other lately,” he said. “I blame myself. But this is really no way for a man to treat his fiance.”

I turned and gave him a smile. “It's all right Virgil. We both lead very active lives and double lives too. I'm amazed we have any time together at all.” I wrapped my arms around his brawny shoulders and kissed him passionately.

“All right you too, get a room!” said Mark Jaeger, the Dark Hunter.

I laughed. “Look at you—you know all the mysteries of the universe and you can't figure this one out.”

He feigned a shocked look then said, “'There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a young woman.' If Solomon couldn't figure it out, why would you think I could?”

“All right, break it up,” said Kendra More, the Golden Archer. “I'm famished!”

“Why don't we all go out to eat?” I suggested.

“My treat,” said Virgil. “I know a nice seafood restaurant in Queen City.” Several members agreed, and we agreed to meet at the Chambered Nautilus in Northside.

The city was relatively quiet that night, nothing the capable police force couldn't handle. In fact, a familiar looking Plymouth Belvedere parked on a corner near Monmouth and Freely. Detective Payton Reed took a few moments to study his surroundings as he took a break. Then he spotted trouble brewing and the hairs on the back of his neck began to raise.

About a block away, Payton saw a gang of street toughs surrounding a man in a trench coat, with a large hat pulled over his eyes. Reed sighed, knowing what was likely to happen. He opened the car door and pulled his “truncheon”, a 36” Louisville Slugger, out of the seat with him.

Reed moved closer, only to hear...”OK Mister. Hand over your wallet.”

“Yeah man, we don't want to hurt you, but we will.”

The man stopped and his arms went akimbo. “Oh really? How are you going to hurt me?”

He moved like the wind, and took out three of the punks in one move. The man in the coat was whirling, attacking without mercy. Payton drew nearer, adjusting the grip on his bat, and raised his badge high.

“Police! Stand down!”

“Am I under arrest, officer?” asked the man in the trench coat. “I was under the assumption that Queen City had stand your ground ordinances.”

“There are laws, but I'd say these guys are subdued. Now stand down!”

“You misunderstand officer, the depths to which this kind will sink never cease to amaze me! They roam in packs, stalking prey. Why they're nothing but animals! They're even less than animals, because animals have no CHOICE in what they are.” Reed could hear the contempt in the man's voice, and pocketed his badge. He took his bat in both hands, and stood ready to attack.

“All right, who are you?” demanded Detective Reed.

“Who am I? I am your better. And definitely their better.” The man in the trench coat waved a hand at the stunned street gang at his feet. “Now stay out of this officer. I am merely correcting nature's mistake.”

“That's not your decision to make, Jake,” said Reed. “You may be the hottest martial artist since Jet Li, but you're not above the law.”

“No? Best take care officer. If you presume to judge the actions of your superiors, you may find yourself judged by them in turn. And frankly, my judgment tends to be harsh.” The man clenched his fists and took a step towards Payton.

“All right pal, you win the smug award. You can whip your weight in teenaged muggers and that makes you God? Well come on, let's dance.”

The man in the trench coat threw a punch at Payton's head and Reed easily parried it with his left hand. But in the man's eyes, Reed could sense that the man knew exactly what he was doing.

Reed smiled, and tried to force the man back, with a lock behind his knee. But the man in the coat grabbed Reed's right wrist, twisting it and applying pressure. “You're good officer. But I'm better!” With a minimum of effort and a skillful twist, the man threw Reed into a row of garbage cans. Reed picked himself up from the debris, and brushed wet coffee grounds from his jacket.

“OK masked man, you owe me a new jacket. You're hot stuff in unarmed combat,” Reed bent and grabbed his bat. “But how are you with weaponry?” Reed swung and the man ducked under, coming up with both fists into Reed's stomach. Payton doubled over out of breath, then relaxed, trying to get himself back to his feet.

Meanwhile at the Chambered Nautilus, Virgil suddenly sat bolt upright. “What's wrong honey?” I asked

“My hearing is picking up an intense fight three blocks away. Sounds rough.” I was already moving, with Kendra and Mark on my heels. Virgil recovered enough to throw two $50 bills on the table, apologizing for leaving so abruptly.

Meanwhile, Payton was barely holding his own against the man in the trench coat. Despite Reed's best moves, he could barely touch the man. But he fought on, until with almost contemptuous ease, the man in the coat slammed Reed in the back of the head with an elbow thrust. Reed groaned and staggered forward then felt a roundhouse kick into his ribs.

“That's going to hurt a long time,” thought Reed.

“It's time to put an end to this,” said the man in the coat. “I have better ways to use my time and skills.”

One of the street goons looked up through his stupor and said, “Dude, you're in trouble now. You may be tougher than this cop, but....”

From behind, a scarlet and gold clad figure came flying in at blazing speed, grabbing the man in the trench coat. Captain Valiant, a man who crosses continents as easily as most people cross streets dove into him in a furious rage.

Behind him, I knelt at Payton's side, carefully assessing his condition. Captain Valiant held the man in the coat in one hand and looked back at me. “How is he, White Owl? If this man has seriously hurt him, I'll...”

“You shouldn't have turned away, Captain Valiant,” said the man in the coat, clenching his fists. With a swift, savage blow, he slammed Captain Valiant in the jaw, sending Earth's supreme hero hurtling into space.

From a nearby rooftop, Dark Hunter and the Golden Archer spotted Captain Valiant flying out of sight.

“Holy Cow!” shouted the Golden Archer. “That was Captain Valiant!”

“That isn't the least of it,” said Dark Hunter. “Whoever did that to Cap is still down there. And so is White Owl!” But when the two heroes arrived, they found White Owl calling for an ambulance and a police wagon. Detective Reed was barely conscious, but still moving.

“Our quarry is gone, Golden Archer,” said Dark Hunter. I thought I saw a blur, like something moving at Captain Valiant's hyperspeed but...”

“Never mind that, Hunter. White Owl, are you ok?”

“He never laid a glove on me, Archer,” I replied. “But I won't feel better until Reed is on that ambulance. Where is Cap?”

At that moment a familiar form descended from the heavens. “I'm back and I'm happy to announce Franklin County is still OK too.”

“He hit you that hard Captain?” said Dark Hunter. “I am ashamed to say, he completely got away from us.”

“Not completely,” said Captain Valiant. Opening his hand, he revealed a scrap of cloth. “His trench coat is missing a pocket, and there are some handwritten notes in there.”

Dark Hunter scratched his chin. “I see. Then perhaps we should endeavor to return them to their rightful owner?”

Captain Valiant nodded. “Let's get the others.”
*****
The foyer was filled with some of the greatest heroes and defenders of earth. Most were Guild members, though there was one invited guest.

Ultra Woman was among the former category, and she stood in the foyer with her friend Princess Seraph. Seraph was a Star Sapphire, one of nine women who, with their rings of power and guided by compassion in their hearts, protected the galaxy. Since her beat was so large, Seraph could only come to Earth occasionally, and she had been visiting Ultra Woman when the alert came in.

“So many heroes Tania,” she said. “Do you regret relinquishing your ring and returning to be one of so many? After all, you are likely to get lost in the crowds here.”

Tania frowned at that question, pondering it carefully. “I don't think so Seraph. It was glorious being a Star Sapphire, but there is so much to bind me here to Earth. I only have to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders, not the entire galaxy.” Ultra Woman smiled, and her bright eyes twinkled.

Seraph laughed. “I will concede that my job sometimes seems quite burdensome indeed. But I enjoy spreading love throughout the galaxy. And yet the down side of such love is that sometimes one must be separated from the ones I love.” She hugged Tania and said, “It is so good to see you again. I hope this crisis is soon averted.”

“I don't know,” said Tania. “Its not like Captain Valiant to call another meeting so soon. Seems a little alarmist to me.” A chime sounded, and the assembled heroes and heroines moved into the auditorium.

Captain Valiant had taken the chair for the meeting and he presented the case concisely. “He seemed to be evenly matched for Detective Reed, but when I showed up, he knocked me into the next county!”

Tania's hand rose. “Are we certain he wasn't just toying with Reed?”

I responded. “I don't think so Ultra Woman. According to Reed he was a better fighter, but not that much better. And the detective is a skilled fighter, he should have been able to tell.”

“How is the detective?” asked the pretty alien woman next to Tania.

“Detective Reed is resting but doing well. He should be able to return to work in the next few days.”

Captain Valiant raised his hand. “This isn't getting us anywhere. We have an unknown villain, with unknown powers and abilities. For that matter, we have unknown motives too.”

The Golden Archer spoke. “We do have something though. Captain Valiant managed to latch onto some notes. Is there anything useful there?”

Captain Valiant shook his head. “I don't know—they seem to be covered with some sort of mathematical equations. But they're not like any equations I've ever seen before.” He flicked a switch and the equations appeared on the monitor.

Scirocco, the South African speedster spoke up. “Those are chemical equations...but very complex.” She frowned, then her bright white teeth broke through in a grin. “They appear to be about Transubstantive DNA coding. I recall reading something about that in the journals, but I don't remember who.”

Dark Hunter offered one of his rare smiles. “You have done well, Scirocco. Better than any of us, anyhow. And I think that Google may prove our friend on this.” His fingers typed swiftly over the computer keyboard and a moment later, another image blazed onto the screen.

“His name is Dr. Frank Butler.” A smug looking face gazed out at the assemblage. Beneath the picture were his statistics. “Cooper Prize in Chemistry, 2009, Abelard Prize in Genetics 2009, 2010.”

“He's a scientist with no field of specialization. But he's regularly making discoveries that set the scientific world on fire.” The Dark Hunter blanked the screen.

“And according to this, he lives just outside Queen City, too” I added.

Kendra stood up, her hands clenched in fists. “Well, I think we need to question him. Who's with me?”

Ultra Woman raised her voice. “Wait a minute, Archer! We don't know anything about him. What are his powers? What are his plans? Maybe we should investigate him quietly, first.”

“You can't be serious Ultra Woman! You want to handle this guy with kid gloves after what he did to Detective Reed and Captain Valiant? Not my style. We kick his tail now!”

“Hold on Kendra!” I said. “Queen City is my home. According to the Guild rules, I have jurisdiction and control on this case. Ultra is right, we need more information. So we are going, but I'm calling the shots, understood?”

Kendra nodded, grumbling. But I wasn't finished. “Ultra, will you join us? Its been a while since we've worked together.” She looked at Seraph, who nodded.

“I will be fine, friend Tania. Captain Valiant has agreed to show me around the headquarters.”

We stepped into a transport booth and a few moments later, were standing on the rooftop of STAR in Queen City.

“His lab is out in Westwood,” I said as we stepped out of the booth.”

“Well that's just ducky!” said Kendra. “You can both fly. How do I get there?

“Like this,” said Tania, scooping the startled Archer into her arms, then launching them both from the rooftop. Tania soared majestically into the warm summer sky, and I followed quickly. A few minutes later, we were closing in on Dr Butler's “estate.”

Kendra shifted again, “This is not a very dignified way to travel, Ultra Woman.”

“I got you here, didn't I? Stop complaining or I'll charge you cabfare.” said Tania with a giggle.

I studied the house. “Strange set up here. The windows are all shuttered and the only door is this huge warehouse door.”

The Archer said, “That makes sense. This is a lab. Looks like a lot of heavy equipment has been dragged though the warehouse door.”

We touched down, walking around the lab. “I wonder how we get in, then?”

“Is there a normal door in the back?” asked Ultra Woman.

“Oh the hell with it,” said the Golden Archer. “Ultra Woman, just bash a hole in the wall, that will get us in.”

“NO Archer,” I said. We're trying to play this quiet remember?” But in front of Ultra Woman the wall began crumbling as though someone was punching it from the inside. Tania raised her arms, her Amazon bracers deflecting most of the debris.

“I heard you White Owl, but I'm not doing this...”

“Of course not, Ultra Woman. I'm doing it, and rather well, wouldn't you agree?” The man from the alleyway stood in the gaping hole, and I could see his costume was now all gold and black.

“You may call me the Catalyst. And anything you can do, I can do better.”

“I thought you were a scientist, Butler, not a singer.” Ultra Woman stepped up and grabbed a long piece of rebar from the damaged lab. “White Owl, Archer, get behind me! I'll handle this wacko!” She sped around Catalyst, wrapping the rebar tightly around him, pinning his arms tightly to his side.

“My my, that's most impressive,” said Catalyst in a condescending tone. “I think this would impress almost anyone. But really, Ultra Woman, did you think this would hold me? After all, would it stop YOU?” He flexed his arms in, then out, and the rebar creaked then broke apart, hitting Tania in the head.

“Wha..what's he doing?” asked the Golden Archer, in shocked surprise.

“I thought you heroines were smart,” said Catalyst. “But you certainly can be stupid sometimes. This is Ultra Woman's power I'm using.” He leaned forward, advancing on the fallen Amazon.

“Archer, while he's focused on Ultra Woman, let's double team him.”

Lifting the stunned Ultra Woman by her bustier, Catalyst slammed a fist into Tania's jaw. The Amazon fell limply backward, hitting her head on the hard concrete of the driveway. “I'll spell it out for you. I possess the physical and mental abilities of anyone within a certain range. But whatever they've got, I have more. So you see, I'm just naturally superior to everyone else. Now do you understand?”

Tania fell limp to the pavement, and as she fell, Catalyst whirled, his fast, Amazon-powered fist striking me in the stomach as I dove at him. I doubled in pain,gasping for breath.

“Weren't you listening, White Owl? As good as you are in hand to hand combat, I'm better! You can't beat me!” A right hook crossed my jaw, snapping my head back and I crashed into the brick of the lab, then slid to the ground.

“Maybe she can't beat you, Catalyst, but she set you up well,”

“What?” said Catalyst, rather unintelligently. A stun arrow hit him in the chest, and he plucked it up.

“Maybe you're better than I am with a bow,” said the Golden Archer, but then you don't have any arrows. Now give up Catalyst, or I'll pin you to the wall.”

Catalyst laughed. “You're the one forgetting something Archer. You built those arrows, so I could build better ones. But with Ultra Woman's powers I don't need to do that. I just need to deflect the right one like so.” With a deft wrist maneuver, the Catalyst struck a stunner arrow and deflected it back into Kendra's chest. The stunner exploded, knocking her out as well.

“We're getting totalled,” I said, reaching for the Owl shaped buckle on my belt. “I need to call for backup.” My fingers touched the send button.

“Naughty naughty, White Owl!” I felt Catalyst's hand on my shoulder and looking up I saw his meaty fist slamming down with Amazon strength, knocking me out. “I may have your powers, but I know about your hidden weapons and would just as soon not have to meet them.”

After an eternity, I roused, looking around the room. My wrists were shackled to a strong metallic alloy, and those shackles were then attached to a large metallic wall though a high magnetic field. I could see the Archer's quiver and bow, and my tool belt on a table across the room.

“Ahh, you're awake White Owl,” said Catalyst. “I had planned to exclude the Guild from my solution, since after me, you're probably the best humanity has to offer. But since you're going to oppose me, then you're all going to have to die.” He paused for a moment, eying the three of us pinned to the wall like some exotic butterflies. “Maybe not all of you—after all I'll need some superior breeding stock to insure my dynasty continues.”

I struggled, trying to gain a foothold or some leverage point on the wall, but I couldn't pull free. “It's no use White Owl,” said Ultra Woman. “He's made these clamps out of something that's stronger than even my powers!”

“Naturally Ultra Woman,” said Catalyst.

“Listen Butler,” said the Golden Archer. “The Guild has fought dozens of menaces like you, and the Guild has always stopped them.”

“Your faith is touching, Archer,” said the Catalyst. “But this time the Guild is actually helping me.”

“What do you mean?” asked the Golden Archer.

“Do you see my machine? It was only partially completed. I had planned to finish it in another 3 weeks. But by adding your engineering know how, Archer, and White Owl's godly wisdom to my own considerable expertise, I should have it finished in the next few hours.” He picked up a huge section of the machine and set it into place, beginning another weld.

Kendra wasn't finished though. “Let me guess. You built a machine that gave you your powers and then you thought you were such hot stuff, you'd build an even BIGGER machine and rule the world. That's the way it usually works, right?”

Catalyst laughed. “No no no, not at all. I was born with my powers—the mental part anyhow. They set me apart from the other children who couldn't understand that I wasn't being standoffish...I really was superior to them. I realized that the hostility I received came from unhealthy minds and now I can finally do something about it. This machine will selectively eliminate those unhealthy minds, about 90%, and leave the world a much better place.”

I gasped in shock. “That will devastate the world! How monstrous!”

“Nonsense White Owl! Those remaining will naturally defer to me, the superior man. I'll run things sensibly. And you three needn't worry, as you'll be among the survivors.”

As Catalyst continued his rant, I wondered if I had managed to turn on my signal device. If I had failed, the world would be at the mercy of a raving madman.

“The physical half of my powers cam with the onset of puberty of course,” said Catalyst. “And its thanks to them that I can now do as I please...wait.” Catalyst paused, and drew a deep breath. “Odd, I'm feeling a phenomenal power surge.”

At that moment, the roof was ripped from the top of the lab and I saw Crimson Valkyrie, Captain Valiant, and Princess Seraph standing on the remaining parapet.

“The party's over Catalyst,” said Captain Valiant.

“We heard the whole story and the only place you're going is into a rubber room,” said Crimson.

“Ahhh the Guild!” said Catalyst. “This is marvelous! I had just decided to kill you all, and you were considerate enough to drop in and give me the chance.” With surprising speed, Catalyst drove forward and slammed Captain Valiant in the the stomach. Valiant flew back out of control and hit Crimson, sending both of them reeling into a wall.

Tania gasped at seeing the assault on her friends and pulled on the magnetic restraints. Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead as she strained and I could see the effort contorting her face. Slowly the restraints on her wrist pulled, distorting and with a loud shriek of metal her left arm broke free.

“Goddesses. I've done it!” she exulted. “I knew that madman could not keep me here forever.”

“Terrific,” said the Golden Archer. “Don't just hang there...get us down too!” A moment later, Tania had dropped to the floor and despite her eagerness to get into the battle, she paused long enough to release the catches on the electromagnetic restraints.

Meanwhile, Catalyst was handling Captain Valiant with incredible skill. Crimson Valkyrie asked, “How do we stop him Cap, his skill and powers exceed yours too!?”

Knocking Captain Valiant back, Catalyst whirled and grabbed Crimson by the front of her costume, throwing her headlong into a large oak.

“Simple! You don't!” he replied, with contempt.

A confused Princess Seraph flew at Catalyst, trapping him in a large pink bubble. “This will hold you, Catalyst. My ring is limited only by my will and...”

“How nice for you, Pinkie,” snarled Catalyst. “But I'm stronger than Captain Valiant and now my willpower is greater than yours.” Catalyst broke from the beam and slugged the petite Princess Seraph. She staggered, falling from the sky as her concentration broke.

“Most satisfying,” said Catalyst. “It would appear that I will have my choice of superior women to enable me to continue my dynasty. But this battle has strayed too far from the others. Much further and I'll be out of range.” Altering his course, Catalyst returned to the remnants of his lab, where he found Ultra Woman, Captain Valiant and Crimson Valkyrie waiting for him.

“There you are! Stand still while I destroy you,” said Catalyst.

“Listen to reason, Butler!” said Tania. “Your plan threatens billions of innocents...people who have never done you any harm.”

But Catalyst made no reply to Ultra Woman's impassioned plea. Instead, he ripped out a heavy conduit in his lab, carrying supercooled liquids and spilled them on Captain Valiant.

“Look out,” said Captain Valiant, then he howled in pain as the super chilled elements coated his body, weakening him.

“Ha! My attack was not meant for the Amazon, Captain Valiant, but for you.”

“Hold on Captain Valiant, I'll get you thawed in no time.” Tania grabbed the fallen hero and raced away at high speed, the friction melting the ice coating Captain Valiant.

Crimson flew in on a high vector, attempting to flank Catalyst. But the villain whirled, and with a double-fisted uppercut, sent the gorgeous redhead into the sky, like a meteor.

“Who knew Captain Valiant was affected by hypercold?” asked Catalyst to himself. “No matter, White Owl's strength is quite enough to stop you Valkyrie.”

I stood in shock as Catalyst took down the cream of the Guild. “He's taking us apart like a bad Lego design,” I said.

“Yeah, and it looks like we're next,” said Kendra. She had recovered her bow and arrows as I had recovered my belt. But we were now under the watchful eye of Catalyst.

“You're absolutely right, Archer,” said Catalyst. “You're next. But what do I do to you? Any suggestions?”

Kendra growled, “I have a suggestion. Go fu...”

At that moment, Catalyst dropped out of the sky. “What's this? Ultra Woman's and Captain Valiant's powers are gone! They must be out of range. I need to go find him again.” Like a soaring Owl, Catalyst flew away, deftly avoiding one of the Archer's stun arrows.

“He still has my agility, Archer. If only...wait a minute! I think I know what to do.” I grabbed a bop ball and threw it at Catalyst, hitting him in the back of the head.

“I don't understand,” said the Archer.

“Just watch,” I said. “Seraph, you're next.”

A pink beam shot out, grabbing Catalyst around the waist, then swinging him hard into the oak tree where Crimson had been moments before. “You cannot duplicate my powers, Catalyst, as mine are artificial. Now we have you off balance, let's see if we can keep it that way.”

“No!” cried Catalyst as he hit the tree in pain.

THOCK! An arrow struck the oak next to Catalyst. “Th..That's a gas arrow,” he said.

“Bright Boy! And I'll bet you know how to make one, don't you?” The gas spewed from the arrow and Catalyst began coughing and wheezing. I slipped my nose filters into place and grabbed Catalyst, throwing him high into the air.

“Going up!” I shouted.

Crimson came flying back then hit Catalyst as he passed by. “Going down!” she shouted. She winked at me and gave me a thumbs up. Catalyst spun like a top on his way down and Tania got under him.

“So dizzy, I can't concentrate,” said Catalyst, as he fell.

“I regret this is necessary, Catalyst,” said Ultra Woman. “But as long as you harbor the desire to destroy your fellow humans, you must be stopped.” With a strong left cross, she sent the woozy Catalyst reeling high into the sky again.

A large pink mallet appeared above Catalyst, and hit him hard in the head. “You may regret this, friend Tania, but I am not certain I do.”

“Ow Stop! This isn't fair!” whined Catalyst.

“Were you thinking about fairness when you decided to kill off 90% of humanity?” A blur of crimson and gold felled Catalyst to the ground as Captain Valiant returned long enough to strike the penultimate blow. The battered badman fell to the ground with a loud thud.

“You made one mistake Catalyst,” I said. “Your powers may make you better than anyone in the world. But they don't make you superior to everyone. You're not even a match for the six of us.”

Catalyst cringed on the ground, staggered, proud and still trying to stand. Defiant to the last he said, “You..you can't harm me, I'm as invulnerable as Captain Valiant.”

“Captain Valiant is miles away again, Catalyst. And this is for Detective Reed.” With a high kick I clipped him on the chin and Catalyst dropped to the floor like a has- been prize fighter.

Crimson came floating down, a smile on her face. “We did it! Teamwork wins again!”

Ultra Woman took my arm and smiled. “Well done Athena, but remember we strive for justice, not vengeance.”

“I know Tania, but he was so arrogant...and he was using our powers. I felt so...”

“Hey, it's OK White Owl, we understand,” said Kendra. “The important thing is we took him down.”

Princess Seraph smiled. “I could feel his arrogance as well and there was no compassion guiding his wisdom as there is in you or Tania, White Owl.”

“Hey its all well and good we won, but I want to know one thing...just how are we going to keep him in jail?” asked Crimson.

The end.

Ultra Woman and Princess Seraph are OC's of and used with permission
Crimson Valkyrie is the OC of and used with permission
Payton Reed is the OC of and used with permission
All other characters are OC of and I gave myself permission to use them.
This story takes place in