Thankful - Transcripts

Alfred Pennyworth: I've just sent all the files we have on Blockbuster. I hope they're helpful.

Nightwing: *over radio* Thanks so much for the help, Alfred.

Alfred Pennyworth: Please let me know if there's anything else I can do. Things are quiet here at the moment.

Nightwing: *over radio* Enjoy it while you can. There's never a dull moment in the Manor--especially not with Bruce around.

Alfred Pennyworth: Master Bruce isn't here. In fact, most of the family is away from Gotham until next week. Batwing and Azrael have taken charge of operations in Gotham.

Nightwing: *over radio* … Hold on. Are you spending the holiday alone?

Alfred Pennyworth: I'll be alright, Master Dick.

Nightwing: *over radio* Alfred…

Alfred Pennyworth: Please, don't worry about me. Your missions are all important. I'm a call away if you need me.

Nightwing: *over radio* You're important too, Alfred.

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Nightwing: I think it's time to make some calls. 

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Nightwing: *over radio* Hood--I'll keep it brief. You need to be home in three days.

Red Hood: Um, no, not happening. I'm in the middle of something–

Nightwing: *over radio* We left Penny-One alone for the holiday.

Red Hood: ... I'll call in the Outlaws. We'll wrap this up. Three days. I'll be there. Over and out.

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Red Robin: What? That's impossible! We wouldn't all have left–

Nightwing: *over radio* We did.

Red Robin: I guess I can speed things up here. I'll have to skip steps 16-25 in my plan, but if I compensate by changing the location of the sting...Hmmm. Yeah, okay. I can make this work. See you soon.

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Signal: We'll make it back in time, Dick. Promise.

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Spoiler: You can count on us!

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Batman: No, I wasn't aware of that but I can't promise anything, Nightwing. This mission is important.

Robin: Father.

Batman: ... We'll be there.

Nightwing: *over radio* Glad to hear it. 

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Nightwing: Please, please let this work out.

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Three Days Later

Alfred Pennyworth: *reacts to the doorbell ringing* Who on earth...?

Cassandra Cain/Jason Todd/Duke Thomas: Surprise!

Alfred Pennyworth: What...? How...?

Duke Thomas: The others are right behind us! We'll start getting set up.

Alfred Pennyworth: Did you do this? I told you not to worry…

Dick Grayson: You know, when my parents died, I thought my world was over. You and Bruce gave me a home again--a family. You did that for every person here. We're thankful for you every single day, Alfred. I hope you know that.

Alfred Pennyworth: Thank you, dear boy. I'm thankful for all of you, too.

Hold the Line - Transcripts

Part One:

Jim Gordon: Get those windows boarded up! We don't know how long we have until those things come back! Montoya! Any word?

Renee Montoya: No, Sir. The other precincts aren't responding. What do you want to do?

Jim Gordon: We need to --

Man-Bat #1: *Smashes through the window* SKREEE!!!

Jim Gordon: Everyone down! *Batwoman appears beating back the Man-Bat* ... Batwoman! What's the situation out there?

Batwoman: The city's infested with Man-Bats. More and more people are being turned. Batman and the others are assembling what they need to create an antidote.

Renee Montoya: What do you need from us?

Batwoman: We hold this building. When the antidote is complete, Batman will need your help to distribute it. Are you secure here?

Jim Gordon: Barricading the windows will buy us some time. We already lost the upper floors.

Batwoman: I'll clear the upper floors. I'll radio when it's safe for your people to come up and secure the windows.

Renee Montoya: I'm coming with you.

Batwoman: Then let's go.

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Renee Montoya: *fighting with a Man-Bat* Not that I'm not happy to see you, but I'm surprised Batman didn't come himself.

Batwoman: I volunteered.

Renee Montoya: *A Man-Bat pins her to the floor* OOF!

Man-Bat #2: *Batwoman tackles them out the window* Skreeee!

Renee Montoya: KATE!

Batwoman:  Still here.

Renee Montoya: You okay?

Batwoman: Fine. I'm radioing Gordon this floor is secure. Let's move on.

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Batwoman: *winces as she climbs the stairs* Umph.

Renee Montoya: I knew you were hurt. We should turn back. Get you some medical attention.

Batwoman: No.

Renee Montoya: Why are you always so stubborn?

Batwoman: You of all people should understand. When the Bat-Signal goes up, it's a call to arms. A call to serve. What happens to me doesn't matter. I have my orders. I will fight. I will hold!

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Part Two:

Batwoman: (I.M) I know the pain of losing someone.

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Kate Kane: *whimpering alone, blindfolded and tied to a chair* Mom! Beth! Please!

Batwoman: (I.M) The guilt of surviving when the ones you love don't. I could've let the pain consume me. Instead, I chose to do something about it. To channel it into a purpose. A cause. But the world told me it didn't want me. Because of who I am. Because of who I love. So I let the pain swallow me whole. And then I saw him. I saw the pain in his eyes. Saw the way he turned that pain into a weapon. And I realised there were other ways to serve. I trained hard. I gained some things. And lost others. But I never lost my drive to protect. To serve. To hold the line when others can't.

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Jim Gordon: She bought us time, but we're being overrun. How long does it take to make an antidote?

Renee Montoya: Hopefully, not much longer.

Jim Gordon: If she goes down, we all do.

Renee Montoya: She won't.

Batwoman: *panting, her injuries slowing her down* Get ... The ... Hell ...Out! ... Oof.

Renee Montoya: Batwoman!

Batwoman: That won't hold them off long. We need to regroup.

Spoiler: We can help with that.

Batwoman: You're late.

Batman: Sorry. Still got some fight in you?

Batwoman: What do you think? Let's take back our city

Ruin - The Dreaming: Waking Hours

A nightmare created by Dream of the Endless in the fields outside the Palace of Dreams, 'Ruin,' as he was cruelly dubbed, was considered to be little more than a pitiful failure, far from what his creator had intended. 

Disheartened by this rejection, he tearfully followed Dream's orders to fulfil his function and help guide a young dreamer with a religious calling onto his spiritual journey, alongside the angel Jophiel. However, this ended in disaster when Ruin fell in love with the dreamer, causing him to turn the Martyrdom of Joan of Arc into a torrid scene of demons and shadow creatures, terrifying the young man and angering his compatriot. 

Taking the insults to heart, his self-confidence shattered, leading him to conclude that his detractors were all right about him; that he ruined everything he touched and could not even carry out his base function. 

Banished to the Box of Nightmares, he remained there, tormented by his siblings. However, he never forgot the dreamer and vowed to one day find him and show him beautiful visions. 

With the help of the night hag, Dora, he attempted to escape the Dreaming through the dreams of Lindy Morris, only to accidentally switch places with her, trapping the single mother in a perilous situation. 

Unsure how to correct his mistake, he sought out Jophiel, who had been banished to the Waking World for their collective failure. Despite a testy reunion, the angel reluctantly agreed to help the nightmare save Morris, introducing Ruin to the sorceress, Heather After, the great-granddaughter of Roderick Burgess.

Not wishing to be a burden on his new friends, and seeing how much danger that Heather had out herself in by invoking the Hob Goblin Puck, he decided to meet Dora at the World's End and ask her to help him retrace his steps to find where Lindy had ended up. 

Despite interruption from his siblings Brute and Glob and a confrontation with the irate Dream, Ruin was successfully able to help return Morris to the Waking World. Speaking with his creator, he defiantly told the Lord of Dreams that he would never stop trying to find the boy of his dreams, willingly giving up his own immortality for the chance at love and happiness. Intrigued by this, Dream consented to the request, though secretly promised to keep tabs on him. 

No longer a fugitive on the run and seeking new experiences, he returned to Jophiel's apartment, asking if the angel would take him on as a roommate, which the latter reluctantly accepted, finding the young nightmare to be endearing if not dangerously accident-prone. 

Accompanying Heather and Jophiel to Faerie to stop a civil war between loyalists of the former monarchs, Titania and Auberon, and the usurper, Queen Nuala, the mission devolved into chaos and resulted in the group getting separated. During this time, Ruin was forced to take a life. Even though it was in self-defence, this traumatic incident caused the young nightmare to see himself as irrevocably evil and dangerous, no matter how hard he tried not to be anything other than one of Dream's tools. 

Crossing from Faerie to the Dreaming and then to the Waking World, Ruin helped Todd retrieve Heather from the fairy realm and return her safely to New Jersey. It was during this ceremony that he met the young Dreamer, Ben, who, through magical intervention, agreed to visit Heather's flat with his friend Azar. 

Stunned to see Ben, and to discover that the boy shared feelings of love for him, the pair went to the Dreaming for their first official conversation. Though initially hesitant to act upon his feelings, believing that he was responsible for destroying Ben's life and making him leave the church, he was moved by Ben's reassurance that he was loved and not a burden; one of the few acts of kindness and compassion he had ever experienced since his creation. 

Standing up to his creator, Ruin begged Heather to help them hide from Dream of the Endless, who had reneged on their bargain and threatened to permanently separate them. 

After a tense confrontation between the Endless and the descendant of Roderick Burgess, the Dream Lord gave Ruin his leave to make a new life in the Waking World with Ben. And, much to his shock, his creator validated his life and purpose; that his terrifying yet lesson-teaching nature fills a necessary niche in the world of dreams.

Now out from Dream's shadow, Ruin was free to make a new life for himself, starting a romantic relationship with Ben. The couple stayed in touch with Lindy, Todd, and Heather, becoming good friends.

Todd - The Dreaming: Waking Hours

New to the world of magic, Todd was the kind-hearted and loving boyfriend of the mystic, Heather After.

Meeting on a dating app, Todd suggested a sports bar he often frequented for their first date. However, sensing Heather's discomfort due to her fear of being hurt for being trans, he quickly changed the location to a more comfortable setting. This marked the beginning of their romantic relationship.

Although he was often overwhelmed or confused by the magical antics that Heather found herself in, he kept an open mind and supported her through thick and thin whenever he could. He also got along well with the young nightmare, Ruin, welcoming him into their friend group.

When Heather was trapped in Faerie, Todd, with Ruin's aid, helped bring her back to their New Jersey apartment using a Faerie Seed. 

With the matter in Faerie dealt with, Todd and Heather's lives went back to normal. He found new friends in Ben - Ruin's new boyfriend - and Azar, bonding over their mutual inexperience with magic. 

Ben - The Dreaming: Waking Hours

A young man from Old Branch, New Jersey, Ben - Benedict - was destined for a religious calling to join the Catholic Church. To set him on this path, Dream of the Endless sent both the angel Jophiel and the nightmare Ruin to manifest a dream about the martyrdom of Joan of Arc, which was intended to provoke deep thoughts about eternity and the larger purpose of life. However, after the young nightmare fell in love with Ben, he lost control of his powers, almost destroying the dream. 

While the vision served its purpose, Ben could not forget seeing Ruin's meltdown and the pain and fear it caused him. He wished to call out to him and reassure him that he had nothing to fear but woke from the dream before he could reach out. 

With his mind made up he joined the church, inspired by Ruin, he wanted to ensure that every lost person who was scared and alone was shown the kindness, love and compassion that was core to his doctrine of Christianity. 

He also secretly hoped that Ruin was real so that he could one day meet him. 

Despite his belief in God and his convictions, Ben decided to leave the seminary, realising that his feelings for the mysterious stranger were stronger than his calling. He was content to find Ruin and live a happy life as both a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a Christian.

As a friend of Azar, a young nurse working at the local hospital, he accompanied her to Heather After's flat to offer her support, since the last time she had visited the apartment, she was subjected to startling mystical phenomena. It was here that he finally met Ruin.

Ben accompanied Ruin to the Dreaming and reassured the nightmare that his decision to leave the church was his and his alone, showing Ruin his first-ever example of love and companionship. He bravely stood up to Dream as the Endless attempted to separate them, trying to appeal to the Dream Lord's emotions that Ruin was a living, loving, thinking being and not just a tool.

After a tense discussion, and the threat of his imprisonment at Heather's hand, Dream agreed to let the two men return to the Waking World. Following this adventure, Ben and Ruin moved in together and started a romantic relationship. They kept in touch with Lindy, Heather, and Todd, becoming good friends.

Professor Pyg - Injustice 2: Arcade Ending: Red Hood

A costumed criminal operating in Gotham City in the aftermath of the Brainiac Invasion, Professor Pyg, aka Lazlo Valentin, was a sadistic serial killer who believed he could make people "perfect." Over the years, he kidnapped and mutilated numerous people, transforming them into his personal army of living dolls - Dollotrons.

His most recent victim was Sasha, a young woman who managed to escape his clutches before he could complete the process and lobotomise her. Wishing to silence her, he gave chase, cornering her in an alleyway. 

However, before Pyg can kill her with his cleaver, he is attacked by Red Hood. The vigilante took him down, shooting him dead as he screamed for mercy. 

Granny Goodness - Young Justice: Phantoms

A loyal acolyte of Darkseid and head of his elite strike force, the New God Granny Goodness travelled the universe in search of powerful warriors to coerce into joining The Furies, all in the name of Apokolips and her liege lord.

Setting her sights on the heartbroken Mary Bromfield on May 15th, 2020, she reached out to the young hero, consoling her over the recent betrayal of her former mentor, Zatanna Zatara. Preying on both her insecurities and past struggles with power addiction, Goodness successfully goaded her into becoming Sergeant Marvel, promising Bromfield that in this form she would never be seen as weak and powerless again.

Later that year, she would adopt Kara Zor-El, training the young Kryptonian to become the fierce Fury, "Supergirl."

On September 17th, Granny would proudly present Supergirl and Bromfield, now going by the moniker Black Mary, to Darkseid. 

Sasha - Injustice 2: Arcade Ending: Red Hood

A young woman living in Gotham City in the aftermath of the Brainiac invasion, Sasha was captured by the costumed criminal Professor Pyg, who wanted to turn her into one of his loyal Dollotron soldiers. 

Although he brutally disfigured her face, she managed to escape before the process could be completed, retaining her cognitive functioning and free will. 

Deemed a failure, Pyg tried to murder her with a meat cleaver, only to be saved at the last minute by the vigilante Red Hood. 

Death and Rebirth - Transcript

Metropolis - September 14, 05:46 EDT

General Zod: I have a theory. You see, Jor-El could’ve sent his son to New Genesis. He had allies there, but on that world, his boy would have been an orphan, at the mercy of New Gods. So, instead, Jor-El chose this world where his son could be raised in benign anonymity, before rising to become a god among men. But where Kal-El, the Superman, failed to take his place as humanity’s god, where he failed to rule and raise your world to galactic supremacy, I, General Zod, will succeed for you all and a new day will dawn on this world, today, rechristened as New Krypton, rechristened in the blood of your failed saviour. Superboy. Execute Kal-El now.

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North Pole - September 14,09:41 UTC. (Five minutes earlier)

Nightwing: No.

Miss Martian: Dick. … Sorry, sorry. It’s not as bad as it looks. Although, I guess it’s bad enough… You’re hurt.

Nightwing: Ah, it’s nothing. My own illusion. I got slapped by a rogue Kryptonian. Might have killed me, but I rolled with it.

Miss Martian: And cut yourself to fake an injury.

Nightwing: Forehead bleeds look bad, but aren’t. It’s an old pro-wrestling trick.

Miss Martian: Then you slowed your pulse to fake your death.

Nightwing: An old Batman trick.

Miss Martian: But how is it you’re here in the first place?

Nightwing: Kaldur, Artemis, Raquel, Zatanna and I were in a place called the Phantom Zone.

Miss Martian: Searching for Conner. And you followed the Kryptonians’ Boomtube to Superman’s Fortress.

Nightwing: How did you…

Miss Martian: Because we were looking for Conner, too.

Nightwing: Ah, right. But you were attacked by the Emerald Empress and the Eye of Ekron.

Miss Martian: Saturn Girl sent a last-second psychic warning.

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Superman: Get down!

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Miss Martian: Superman and Orion rushed forward to take the brunt of the blast, giving Saturn Girl and I the chance to create the illusion you saw.

Nightwing: Faking your deaths. Our best trick, one we’ve gotten way too good at.

Miss Martian: Orion, Lightning, and Forager were knocked unconscious.

Nightwing: While the rest of you played possum.

Miss Martian: Except for Superman, who stood up to sell the illusion.

Nightwing: Only to be taken down by the ma’al kryptonite I stupidly brought to the zone.

Miss Martian: My brother forced a Motherbox and a horribly abused meta-kid named Danny Chase to open a Boomtube to take them all to Metropolis.

Nightwing: Metropolis? Tigress, Zatanna, and Kaldur just radioed me from there.

Miss Martian: What about Rocket?

Nightwing: … She didn’t make it.

Miss Martian: It just gets worse and worse. But we’ll have to mourn Raquel later. Superman, Danny, and Conner need us.

Kid Flash: I can set the Prince up with medical supplies to tend to the wounded. But Forager’s down for the count.

Miss Martian: As is Bio-Ship. She needs time to hibernate and heal. But we can take the Fortress’s Zeta-Tube to Metropolis.

Nightwing: No-go. The Zods destroyed it.

Miss Martian: Oh… We won’t need it.

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General Zod: Kon-El, do your duty. Prove you are worthy of the Family of Zod.

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General Zod: The Family of Zod…The Family of Zod… The Family of Zod

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Superman: I heard you took a name.

Superboy: Uh, yeah. Conner Kent.

Superman: My secret identity is Clark Kent.

Superboy: I didn't know, I wasn't trying to.

Superman: No. The thing is, I'm glad. Conner Kent. It seems right.

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Clark Kent: Conner, these are my parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent. We're all hoping you'll accept them as your parents, too.

Conner Kent: I... I'd like that.

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Clark Kent: Conner, meet your nephew, Jonathan Samuel Kent.

Conner Kent: Hey, there, Jonny. I think I'm gonna like being your uncle.

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Kon-El: I can't kill him again. He's family.

Lor-Zod: I told you, Father. You must kill them both.

The Emerald Empress: I have to concur.

General Zod: Fine. Stay behind me.

Kid Flash: Yoink!

Lor-Zod: I'll get him.

Tigress: 'Jected!

Aquaman II: And the Trogowog magic is holding, as is yours, Zatanna. Keep at it!

Zatanna: Niatniam Noitativel dna ytilibisivni ruomalg!

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Eastern Seaboard September 14, 06:08 EDT

Miss Martian: Thank you, Baby. I'm so grateful you came when you heard your mother's psychic scream. And I promise you, she'll be okay.

Nightwing: We're on a deadline here. The Zods aren't at full power yet, but once the sun rises, their Kryptonian cells will charge up fast. If we don't put them down before that, the whole world's in trouble. I'm looking at you, M'gann. I know you're afraid of abusing your power, but you're a ball of sunshine hiding a terrifying demi-goddess. When the time comes, you can't hold back.

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Wit Saunders: We're evacuating all of Planet Circle. Keep your heads down.

Metropolis Citizen: Just get me out of here!

Lupé Teresa Leocadio-Escudero: Come on, this way.

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General Zod: The heroes we thought were dead clearly are not. Reopen the portal to the Zone. I must have my army... Do not fear, Faora. This world's yellow sun energy will heal you in no time. Now, report.

Faora: Yes, General. Kru-El, Vor-Kil and Jax-Ur gather your forces. If you maintain this portal, your army will arrive within the hour.

General Zod: Excellent.

Zatanna: Erif nrub dna Mmoc'm elbbub!

The Emerald Empress: Where are these enemies?

Lor-Zod: Here's one.

Kid Flash: Double yoink.

Ma'alefa'ak: I can't see you, sorceress, but I can taste your mind.

Kid Flash: Triple yoink! Ahhhh!!!!!

Tigress: Kid!

General Zod: Finally, you show your loyalty. This one isn't family. Kill him.

Danny Chase: Thanks, Motherbox. I'm okay.

Ma'alefa'ak: No, you're not.

Zatanna: Erif nrub dna Llabeye elbbub!

The Emerald Empress: Such a small fire.

General Zod: Time to die, Son of El.

Nightwing: Better take this one down before he goes all super.

Tigress: Right. Before.

Saturn Girl: Keep 'em busy.

Phantom Girl: Understood.

Chameleon Boy: Good, I wanted a rematch.

Kon-El: General! ... No. Not you.

Miss Martian: Yes. Me.

Kon-El: Stay back. You don't understand. I'm a killer. I'll hurt you.

Miss Martian: It's not true. Believe me. No matter what horrors you've been through, I still recognize your mind touch. And I absolutely know you could never do me any harm. Conner. Let me show you who you are.

Kon-El: ... Hi.

Miss Martian: Hi.

Zatanna: Dleihs! Guys, this Eye is magically out of my league. Especially while Mrs. Evil here tries to laser out my skull. I need to trade dance partners.

Nightwing: All right, listen up. Miss M, run interference. Z, you help Superman. Tigress and I will handle this bruiser. Kaldur, you keep Zod occupied.

Aquaman II: Yes, that is my intent.

The Emerald Empress: You will die for that.

Zatanna: Oreh, laeh flesyht! ... Noihsuc ym...

Kon-El: You used me, manipulated me. But you also saved me. So, I'm giving you one chance to stand down.

Lor-Zod: If he expects a Zod to surrender, he clearly learned nothing from your time together.

General Zod: I should have respected your knowledge and my history with the House of El. So, for the future of New Krypton...

Superman & Kon-El: For the future of Earth...

Miss Martian: Please don't make me. Ahhhhh!!!!

The Emerald Empress: I love this world. It has made me a god.

Miss Martian: You want to be a god? You'll have to go through me.

Saturn Girl: How about picking on someone your own size?

Ma'alefa'ak: You are too late, human. I already control the child's mind. You cannot stop me.

Saturn Girl: Depends on how distracted you are.

Danny Chase: Now, that's what I'm talking about. Kick his evil butt out of my head.

Saturn Girl: I could. Or you could. Okay, you know what you have to do?

Danny Chase: Yes, ma'am, I surely do.

General Zod: Is this how you show your loyalty to Krypton, Kon-El?

Kon-El: It's how I show my loyalty to Earth and the people I love.

Superman: They're good, but not in sync.

Kon-El: Let's go for the combo.

Miss Martian: Stop trying to kill my man!

Danny Chase: One Boomtube to the Phantom Zone coming right up.

Nightwing: West Maneuver?

Tigress: Oh, yeah.

Rocket: Ha ha. Miss me?

Tigress: Rocket?! How?

Rocket: I'll explain later.

Ma'alefa'ak: I will not be cheated of my reward!

Danny Chase: Here's your reward.

Miss Martian: You were glad Conner was dead.

Ma'alefa'ak: No, no, no!

Kon-El: Sorry, General. Should have waited for your troops.

Superman: And you should have learned on Krypton...

Superman & Kon-El: Never mess with the Els.

Ursa Zod: Husband! ... No! Wait. Stop!

Black Canary: What happened? Did the...Superboy? Are you all right?

Kon-El: Fine. Feeling the aster.

Black Canary: So, is it over?

Nightwing: A little bit. Yeah.

Saturn Girl: No.

Phantom Girl: Lor-Zod just stole our last chance to get home to our era.

Saturn Girl: It's worse than that. With Lor on the loose in a Time-Sphere, we're right back where we started.

Chameleon Boy: We won the battle, but not the war.

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Metropolis - September 15, 14:42 EDT

Garfield Logan: *on tv* Thanks for asking, Courtney. I'm still on a leave of absence from both Space Trek and the Outsiders. But my fans have been so supportive. And if being open about my mental health struggles helps even one of them to seek help, it will all have been worth it. And I also want to welcome Superboy back to Earth...

Johnny Kent: What did Gar say about Superboy?

Lois Lane: His hearing gets more super every day.

Clark Kent: Well, son, you remember what we told you about Uncle Conner's death?

Johnny Kent: Uh-huh.

Lois Lane: Well, that was all true, but we made a mistake about Conner.

Clark Kent: He was lost and hurt. But we found him alive.

Johnny Kent: I knew it.

Clark Kent: Well, uh, we didn't. But we've never been so glad to be so wrong. Now, would you like to see Conner again? It wouldn't scare you?

Johnny Kent: No! I mean, yeah, let's see him!

Conner Kent: *On Video Call* Hi, everyone. It's very short notice.

Megan Morse: *On Video Call* But we're determined to get married right away. You know, before anything else could go wrong.

Conner Kent: *On Video Call* Black tie optional. Masks and capes optional. Don't worry. Everyone invited is in the know.

Megan Morse: *On Video Call* Oh, and no gifts. We'd just love to have you there to share our joy.

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Happy Harbor September 16, 16:16 EDT

J.L Computer: Recognized: J'ann-M'orzz A-Five-Five, M'aatt M'orzz A-Five-Six.

M'ree M'orzz: Mom, Dad, welcome to Earth.

J'ann M'orzz: Oh, we're so excited to be here, Em'ree.

M'ree M'orzz: Actually, I've decided to go back to being M'ree M'orzz. That's my name.

J'ann M'orzz: Oh, M'ree.

J.L Computer: Dubbilex E-One-Eight. Kraig E-One-Nine.Guardian E-One-Six. Lian-Nguyen-Harper A-Two-Eight...Brucely C-Zero-Three. Arsenal B-Two-Five.

Black Canary: Listen, I've been thinking about something. I mean, we're all here, together, on a wonderfully happy day. And thank God it turned out all right. But what if it hadn't? Some of you saw what Garfield went through this year, and M'gann, the struggles that Andie, Violet, Vic, and some of the other kids are facing every day. For that matter, the struggles that Cliff and Jay and some of the other adults are facing every day. Well, to put it simply, we need more than the all-purpose room at the Youth Center can provide. We need a place where our people can go to escape the life. For a day, a week, a month. Somewhere safe, somewhere where they can receive treatment... a Sanctuary.

J.L Computer: Looker D-One-Six. Livewire D-One-Four. Mist B-Three-Seven.

Perdita Vladek: Garfield, I am truly glad you're getting help and doing well. And I will always love and care about you. But I've moved on. You need to move on, too.

Black Lightning: You clean up well.

Conner Kent: Especially for a dead guy.

Kaldur'ahm: We cannot leave the Kryptonians, even Zod, in the Phantom Zone forever. All have served their sentences.

Conner Kent: And then some.

Chameleon Boy: I know your hearts are in the right place. But freeing them in the 31st century is what caused this mess in the first place. They were released on Daxam, and a decade later, were conquering my home world, Durla.

Clark Kent: What about Trombus and its red sun? No sentient population, no tech.

Orion: Yes, let them conquer and build their own world.

Raquel Ervin: While the League, the New Gods and the Green Lantern Corps keep watch.

Kaldur'ahm: Then, it is settled. After the wedding, we return to the Phantom Zone.

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The Warworld - September 16, 20:19 UTC

Ultra-Humanite: The heroes won't find a single Kryptonian in the Zone. Klarion was surprisingly cooperative. He seemed to enjoy the hunt. And Apokolips required only one Kryptonian in tribute. Well, one Kryptonian and Darkseid's pet Martian.

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Durla - September 16, 20:21 UTC

Grayven: Darkseid always keeps his word. Though Lor-Zod failed, the Ma'alefa'ak did his part. So, here, a pristine world for the A'ashenn.

Ma'alefa'ak: It will suffice. Does this planet have a name?

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J.L Computer: Orphan B-Three-Six. Oracle B-One-Six. Spoiler B-Two-Eight. Robin D-One-Two.

Orion: But how did you survive?

Raquel Ervin: The Boomtube was collapsing, and I didn't make it out. But somehow, my Force-Bubble protected me and I popped up in Metron's Infinity-Vault where Metron offered Lor-Zod's repaired Time-Sphere as my way home.

Orion: Hmm. I'm surprised Metron was so cooperative.

Raquel Ervin: Surprised me, too. He said it was in gratitude for past service and part of some experiment he was running.

Orion: Yes. That sounds more like Metron. But you knew how to operate this Sphere?

Raquel Ervin: Metron pre-set the coordinates, and brought me to Metropolis right on time. I'm just sorry Lor escaped with it.

==================================

Ma'aleca'andra - March 25, 23:18 UTC - Six months earlier

Lor-Zod: The controls, they're locked. Damnation. Where has this machine... Ah. I know exactly where I am and what I'm being offered. One last opportunity to truly kill Superboy. But I must hurry! ... Wait, no!

==================================

Daxam - September 16, 20:36 UTC

The Emerald Empress: You saved me but at a high cost. Still, the war is not over. I swear I will raise this child to wreak vengeance for the House of Zod.

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J.L Computer: Tempest E-Zero-Three. Wyynde E-One-Five. Aquaman Four-Five.

Chameleon Boy: You know we shouldn't be here. The Timestream ...

Kid Flash: Dude, you really gotta start acclimating to the now... or not.

Phantom Girl: Brainy.

Brainiac 5: Hello, Legionnaires. I've come to fetch you home.

Saturn Girl: I thought we were too far out of our old timeline to ever be rescued.

Brainiac 5: Quite the contrary. I calculate a 99.84 per cent likelihood that the timeline has been substantially restored.

Chameleon Boy: What about the other point-one-six per cent?

Kid Flash: Just don't go there.

Conner Kent: Wait, you're leaving?

Phantom Girl: It is long past time. But give Miss Martian our best, and have a wonderful wedding, a wonderful life.

Conner Kent: But you never told me. Why was I so important?

Saturn Girl: You'll see.

Clark Kent: Don't look at me.

Lucas Carr: All right, everyone, please take your seats. We're ready to begin.

Danny Chase: This is so cool.

Zatanna Zatara: Gniddew cisum!

Marvin White: So, I was the only one who didn't know my friends are all superheroes. And the reason I didn't know was because everyone thought I already knew.

Icicle Jr.: Shhh!!!!

Lucas Carr: Welcome. I think we can all agree that even death can't part these two. Still, before the next supervillain attacks, let's get right to the exchange of vows and rings.

Johnny Kent: I got 'em!

Conner Kent: M'gann, from the moment we met, you have been my whole heart. I didn't know how to love, let alone express that love... until you taught me. With this ring, I promise to love, honour, and cherish you for all eternity.

Megan Morse: Conner, I came to Earth with some pretty messed up notions about what it meant to be in love. But your purity of spirit taught me what true love and commitment really are. With this ring, I promise to love, honour and cherish you for all eternity.

Lucas Carr: And now, by the power vested in me by the State of Rhode Island, the website that ordained me last night, and hopefully with a blessing of love and long life from, uh, C'eridy'all... I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.

Lucas Carr: Get ready, everyone, the bride's about to throw the bouquet! And the lucky lady is...

Icicle Jr.: Hah!

Lucas Carr: Icicle Jr. Okay. Did not see that coming. Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the newlyweds' first dance as a married couple. So, please clear the dance floor. Or don't. If they want to dance sixteen feet in the air, who are we to say no? ... What was that?

----------------------------------------------------------------

Apokolips - September 17, 00:00 UTC

Grayven: Lord Darkseid, it is my honour to officially introduce to you, Granny Goodness's two newest recruits. The first, Black Mary, was stripped of her birthright by her brother, her mentor and all her peers. As for the second, she is a Kryptonian, captured by the Light and turned over to Apokolips as tribute. Decades ago, she was sent to the Phantom Zone alone. This is Kara Zor-El, the Supergirl. Together, Kara and Mary represent the next generation of Furies, ready to take the battle to the so-called heroes who betrayed them.

Jessamy - The Sandman: Season One

The loyal raven of Lord Morpheus, aka Dream of the Endless, Jessamy, was his eyes and ears, both in the Waking World and the Dreaming. 

Accompanying her master to Berlin in his mission to hunt down and corral the rogue nightmare, The Corinthian in 1916, she was transported to the basement beneath Fawny Rig by Roderick Burgess and his Order of Ancient Mysteries. Escaping before they had the chance to imprison her, she spent the next ten years stalking "the Magus". She searched for the ideal time to free Dream from his spherical glass prison, all the while avoiding their numerous efforts to capture and kill her. However, her luck eventually ran out, when after successfully creating a diversion by burning Burgess’s sofa, she was shot and killed by Burgess's son, Alex. This was before she could break the cage with her beak. 

Wishing vengeance upon Alex for killing Jessamy all those years earlier, Dream, now free from his imprisonment, used a small sample of sand to grant him the “gift” of eternal sleep. 

Her death left a lasting impression on Dream, who was initially hesitant about taking on a new raven, Matthew, for fear of similarly losing him. 

Jack Holdaway - The Sandman: Season One

The solicitor for the Kincaid family, Jack Holdaway was responsible for organising and liaising with Unity Kinkaid's great-granddaughter Rose Walker. He arranged for her to travel to Sussex, England to meet her long lost relation.

Her employer found him to be a very serious man, playfully joking about his bluntness with others. Nevertheless, she deeply respected his work and thought he was invaluable, forever grateful for his efforts in tracking down the adoption records for her daughter, Miranda, which had been hushed up by the hospital. 

Upon Unity's death in 2021, he continued to serve the Walker Family, providing provisions for Rose and Jed to live comfortably in New Brunswick.

Philip Sitz - The Sandman: Season One

An internet blogger with a macabre fascination with serial killers, Philip Sitz wrote for The Chaste, a celebrity website covering the activities of those “collectors” he idolised. Wishing to get exclusive interviews, he attended the 2021 Cereal Convention, posing as the famed “Boogieman.”

Sexually attracted to the Corinthian, he attempted to flirt with the keynote speaker, unaware that the rogue nightmare already knew he was an imposter. Sneaking off to the basement of the hotel for sex, Philip was confronted by the event’s coordinators, "The Good Doctor" and "Nimrod". They showed him first-hand how they killed their victims, teaming up with the Corinthian to make an example of the foolish young writer. 

"The Boogieman" - The Sandman: Season One

The alter-ego of a renowned serial killer long dead, “The Boogieman’s” identity was stolen by the Chaste blogger Philip Sitz in 2021, who wished to attend the “Cereal Convention” in Georgia - at The Royal Empire Hotel - and meet the many “collectors” he was in awe of.

Although he was successfully able to infiltrate the convention, he was soon exposed to the event’s organisers, "Nimrod" and "The Good Doctor", by their keynote speaker, The Corinthian. For this insolence, he was taken to the basement and murdered by the three killers. 

The Boogieman - The Sandman: Season One

A serial killer inspired by The Corinthian, the “Boogieman” earned a reputation as a celebrated and feared murderer. 

In 2018, while in Louisiana, he drowned, a fact that few people in the serial killer community were aware of. 

His identity was stolen by Philip Sitz when the young blogger tried to enter the 2021 Collectors Serial Convention, hoping to meet those collectors he idolised and get an exclusive interview for the next issue of Chaste. 

The Spirit of Simon Mould - The Sandman

With nowhere else to go now that Hell had closed its gates, the Spirit of Simon Mould returned to St. Hilarion's School for Boys, a place of significance to him when he was alive. 

Attending the Rev. A.N. Parkinson's assembly, he was brought to tears by the headmaster's threatening and imposing manner. Called upon to identify himself, the terrified boy expressed his sorrow and regret for hanging himself, telling the ghost that he had not meant to do it. He quickly falls silent, fearing that Parkinson would beat him with his riding crop should he make another sound, just as he would do to fellow spirit, Peter Hinchcliffe. 

Simon Mould - The Sandman

A young and unhappy student studying at St. Hilarion’s School for Boys, Simon Mould committed suicide in 1953, hanging himself on the school grounds. 

His soul was sent to Hell, until his eventual return to the mortal plane in the December of 1990. 

The Spirit of Peter Hinchcliffe - The Sandman

After spending 13 years in Hell, the Spirit of Peter Hinchcliffe was turned out of the infernal nether region by the bored Lucifer Morningstar. 

With no other options, he was one of the contingents of former pupils to return to St. Hilarion's School for Boys in the Winter of 1990.  

Initially blasé about his fate, not seeing the point of studying since they were dead, his attitude quickly changed after a violent altercation with the former headmaster A.N Parkinson, who hit him so hard with his crop that his eyeball popped out of his face. The screaming youth introduced himself to the irate dean, who remarked that he needed a haircut to make himself presentable for this new chapter of the school's life. 

Peter Hinchcliffe - The Sandman

A rebellious pupil at St. Hilarion’s School for Boys during the late 1970s, Peter Hinchcliffe died in 1977 from an overdose of drugs and alcohol, choking on his own vomit.

He spent the next 13 years in Hell. 

The Spirit of Barrow - The Sandman

Condemned to Hell for the crimes he committed while he was alive, the Spirit of Barrow endured the torment of the infernal planes. Subjected to the relentless mockery and harassment of demons, who were indifferent to his past attempts to summon them, this punishment persisted for 75 years until Hell's closure in 1990.

Returning to St. Hilarion's School for Boys, the place where he felt most powerful and content, Barrow relished tormenting Charles Rowland, the sole living student. 

Their initial efforts were thwarted by the former headmaster, Rev. A.N. Parkinson. Undeterred, they ambushed Rowland in the kitchen, where Barrow and Cheeseman pressed their victim against a scorching stove, searing his flesh.

Unsatisfied by the resilience of their prey, Barrow left in search of other victims to torment. However, with no one else to bully, Cheeseman and Skinner turned on him, perceiving him as the weakest of the trio. Despite his pleas for mercy, his cries fell on deaf ears.

The Spirit of Skinner - The Sandman

Skinner, now a spirit, was condemned to Hell for his transgressions. He endured the torment of the infernal planes for 75 years, subjected to the relentless mockery and torture of demons.

During the Season of Mists, he returned to Earth, reuniting with his fellow tormentors at their former haunt, St. Hilarion's School for Boys. Jealous of Charles Rowland, the sole living student remaining on the premises, Skinner initiated a brutal assault against the young boy. He pierced Charles' flesh while Cheeseman and Barrow seared him on a stove. The injuries inflicted led to Charles' death four days later.

With no other victims, Skinner and Cheeseman redirected their bullying towards Barrow. 

Spirit of Cheeseman - The Sandman

During the winter of 1990, known unofficially as the Season of Mists, the Spirit of Cheeseman was freed from Hell along with his old friends. Having been sentenced there for his crime of murder, Cheeseman had suffered for 75 years, enduring the mockery and torture of demons. 

Upon return to St Hilarions School for Boys, Cheeseman and his friends began to harass Charles Rowland, the only living student. They called him "Bug" and caused him severe physical harm, ultimately leading to his death. With Rowland gone, Cheeseman turned his attention to Barrow, making him his newest victim.

Skinner - The Sandman

A cruel bully who attended St Hilarions School for Boys, Skinner took pleasure in tormenting and victimizing those who he deemed inferior to him. He befriended other bullies, Cheeseman and Barrow, and together, they terrorized the younger students.

Interested in the occult, the trio tried to perform evocation rituals to summon demons. Initially, they practised with animals. However, after a while, he turned to human victims. Brutally murdering Edwin Paine, he hoped to offer the boy's blood and soul for their shared goal, but nothing happened.

When World War One began, Skinner and his fellow students and staff enlisted in the British Armed Forces. Unfortunately, Skinner died of Diptheria during the war, along with Barrow. 

All three occultists were sent to Hell for their collective crimes.

N.K Cheeseman - The Sandman

N.K. Cheeseman was a student at St Hilarions School for Boys in the early 1900s. He was known to be a cruel and sadistic bully who would often abuse younger students. He took pleasure in hurting others and even made them his personal servants. 

Together with his friends Skinner and Barrow, he tried to summon demons to the mortal plane using ancient magic. However, all their attempts ended in failure. During one of these rituals, he murdered Edwin Paine and drank his blood. 

Though he was not accused of murder, he was suspected in Paine's disappearance and was subsequently expelled from the school. 

With no other prospects, he joined the British Armed Forces and was sent to the front line where he was killed at the age of 17. He was sent to Hell for his crimes.

L.T. Barrow - The Sandman

 L.T. Barrow was a former student of St Hilarions School for Boys during the early 1910s. He was known for being a notorious bully who tormented younger students with his friends Skinner and N.K. Cheeseman. 

He was also an amateur occultist who attempted to raise the dead and summon demons for fun. Together with his friends, they sacrificed animals using ancient arcane texts, but all their efforts failed. Instead of giving up, they resorted to a more drastic form of sacrifice by kidnapping and murdering one of their victims, Edwin Paine. Despite this, nothing happened.

Barrow later joined the armed forces and was sent to the trenches, where he died of diphtheria. As punishment for his crimes, he was sent to hell upon his death.

Charles Rowland - The Sandman

Charles Rowland (b. 1977 - d. 1990), the son of an architect, was a student at St. Hilarion's School for Boys. Despite his dislike for the school, he lacked the courage to request his father to remove him from there.

During the winter of 1990, Charles was forced to stay at the school over the Christmas holidays due to his father's capture by the Iraqi army in Kuwait. 

This period, known as 'The Season of Mists,' was marked by unusual supernatural events, including the return of the spirits of deceased students and staff relatives. Despite his fear and confusion, Charles chose to ignore these apparitions, attributing them to his overactive imagination and hunger due to the scarcity of food and provisions.

Charles became a target for a trio of bullies - Barrow, Skinner, and Cheeseman - who attacked him brutally, causing severe injuries. Left to die, Charles was rescued by the spirit of Edwin Paine, a fellow victim of the bullies, carrying him off to the relative safety of an old disused attic. Over the next three days, Charles slipped in and out of consciousness. In his moments of lucidity, he began chatting with his rescuer, forming a close bond with Edwin over their past trauma and experiences.

Charles passed away on a Sunday morning. Following his death, the spirits of Charles and Edwin decided to leave the school and embark on new adventures.

The Spirit of Edwin Paine - The Sandman

In 1914, Edwin Paine was unwittingly sacrificed in an evocation ritual and dragged to Hell. For the next 75 years, his Spirit was forced to wander through a maze of corridors in constant fear of a malevolent presence that always seemed to be following him. However, when Lucifer abdicated his role as sovereign of Hell and released its residents, Edwin returned to St. Hilarions School for Boys, where he had previously lived. 

After witnessing the boys who had murdered him attacking a young student, Charles Rowland, Edwin took pity on the gravely injured boy and carried him to an old, disused attic. There he cared for him the best he could, but unfortunately, he could not save him, and the boy died from infected wounds. 

Moved by the boy's bravery - standing up to Death of the Endless - and their unlikely friendship, Edwin left his old body behind and joined Charles in his adventures on the Mortal Plane. Together, they left the school hand in hand, ready to see what the future held next.