| Falling Star | |||||
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| What: When Thara stands up to the Flamebird, her life is thrown into a tizzy of epic proportions. | |||||
It's been about a week since Thara moved into Star's place. About that long since she was shown just what she was missing with Jon too. For a few days after that she was in a much better mood. Still her slump definitely has crept back causing her to just want to be over and done with as far as Jon. So back to hunting for a planet for Kandor. She is using a laptop near the Coast City Airport in an effort to search some space info.
Carol Ferris goes to check on Thara. She was slightly amused when Thara wanted to go with her out west to check on her other airport that she has more or less abandoned, moving headquarters of Ferris Air over to NYC. So she fetches Thara and murmurs, "There's someone living here that I want you to meet," and guides her to the empty hanger six.
Inside the hangar the sound of metal being ground against metal could be heard by Thara, thanks to superhearing. The hangar wasn't so empty and she knew that before making it to the hangar. Eventually the noise stopped.
Slipping a makeshift mask over his face, Bruce looked like he was wearing an oversized pirate bandana that covered up his eyes except there were two holes so sight could be achieved. Promptly Bruce went back to turning on the grinder. Sparks flew and he put on some safety goggles just to be cautious. Wearing a tight black shirt that showed off define muscles and dark grey jeans when the hangar door opened he called out, "I thought you said I'd have privacy here." In a corner was an old cape and cowl that looked to be decades old. The costume was too old for Bruce. Turning off the grinder again he set aside what was being worked on. Crossing his arms he looked to see who was there. Thara would have recognized that intense stare.
Thara can of course hear the sound of the grinding. She could probably hear that a mile away. She does even give the building a once over. She does spy the person. "Hey Bats. Don't worry I won't tell anyone. Just glad to see you alive." She states as her tablet chirps at her. She looks down at it. "wait... That can't be." She checks out the information on the red dwarf system. "If you will pardon me. I will be right back in about 30 seconds. I need to hit Knowhere and cross reference with their computer." She states but doesn't bother waiting. She quickly pulls out a little button and hits it. There is a quick flash and she's gone.
Carol Ferris raises an eyebrow at the typical Batman paranoia. "I'm checking up on you," she states. "Landlord's perogative," she states, grinning as she walks in. "How are you for supplies and whatnot?" she asks. "You provided quite a list of... oddities." She then STARES as Thara suddenly disappears. "She's been living with me of late, but is still lookign for that red sun system."
Bruce stood in Hangar Six of the Coast City facility. To public records and company ones the hangar was supposed to be empty. Yet Carol was there along with Thara. Inside was a man in a tight black shirt that showed off a lot of muscles and grey jeans. Over his head was a makeshift makes that looked more like a bandana. "You're not supposed to know I'm alive Thara," he gave Star a hard look for a moment. Then she mentioned the stuff about landlord perogative. Batman turned his back on the duo.
His eyes went back to the pair just before Thara went poof. "I've heard rumors about Knowhere. Alien tech that much I know. It's their own teleporter. She'll be back. Have you seen Hal lately?" the question was meant to be casual. He wasn't sure if Carol's fiance was back or not. The two often disappeared in space at different points.
For whatever reason, a play made by fate perhaps, the telltale emerald-grean ribbon of light belonging to Green Lantern circled the sky outside before landing infront of the hangar complexes. The Lantern, Hal Jordan to his comrades, strolls down the strip and does a rather nonchalant, routine peering at each one of the hangars he passes... he'll eventually end up at six, in time to hear his namesake being menitoned.
"I think the last time she saw him is in a couple seconds." he answers.
Flash! Thara returns as quickly as she vanished. Less then thirty seconds had past. "I... I did it!! I found one!!! I found a planet suitable for Kandor!! It is larger then Earth but proper atmosphere, ecosystem, Everything! And not an alien race in three systems! I found a home for them!!! It's around a red dwarf. Really small star too but the planet is in the habitable zone of the star! This is it!!! I did it!" She celebrates and even does a little backflip. "Finally everything is going to work out." She blinks at Bruce and nods, "Don't worry. I'm not going to tell anyone. Kinda hard to beat that information out of a Kryptonian isn't it?" She smiles and then gives Carol a hug. "Hey Hal. How's it going?"
Carol's ring starts blinking as she turns just in time to see Hal. "The answer to your question, Bruce, is... now. I was about to say 'this morning when we left for Coast City." She ponders. "Hal. I need your oath that you won't tell anyone about my guest. You too, Thara." She doesn't name the 'masked' man. She then shrugs. "Good for you. But you're not going there, are you? You'd be missed..."
"Hal. Good to see you. If you two need privacy Hangar five is free," the casually dressed Batman started to turn when Thara was back. "What did you do?" Thara was quick to answer his question through the tlaking. "How are you going to move everyone onto the planet?" the question was a fair one. That was a capitol on Krypton. Now, the city and all of the residents were going to be moved to a red star. It had to be a pretty accomodating star.
Hal turns curiously to Carol. "I have more dark secrets in my 'Ferris Air' folder than a poorly disguised squatter in hangar six." he replies to her. "I agree with the 'guest', how do you plan to arrange proper transport and supplies?" he asks, while moving in to give Carol a hug.
"Kandor is still shrunken That makes it easier to travel. I have some friends with a ship. We've had it stashed somewhere safe where they couldn't absorb yellow solar energy. We can load the city up on the ship, go there. Restore the city to it's proper size. From there, They can start building a new life. " At that Thara seems to begin shuttering. "No... dammit no!" She winces trying to fight back what is happening to her but sadly... It doesn't work. Her eyes ignite as fire pours out of her eye sockets. Her posture changes and she looks around. "A home has been found. Good. I wish to go there to assist my people. Can anyone speak to my vessel? I wish to have a word with her."
Carol Ferris sighs as her eyes roll up. "Oh. It's you. Hi, Flamebird," she mutters. "And maybe we could speak to her if you didn't wake up again." She doesn't seem to like the fire goddess. She raises her ring which glows violet. "Alright. Make a statement. I'll record it. Then once you dive back down, I'll play it for your vessel Who has a name, you know." She sighs softly.
Batman rolled into the hangar and snagged two items on a bench. Slipping on the gauntlets they made a "Shnkt!" sound. The gauntlets looked plane until the noise was the three blades to come to life at the sides. Now the ylooked like typical Batman gloves, "Let us talk to your host, Flamebird." His eyes watched the posessed Kryptonian with curiousity and confusion, but it didn't show on his face. "Why don't you have a psychic link with your posessed host?"
Well, the shift of mindsets is... upsetting. Possession is always a touchy subject, Hal doesn't quite like the premise that Thara is not in control of this 'guest', and that they go to lengths to just refer to Thara as a vessel. Distaste crosses his expression. "Well, I was going to make a comment." he mutters.
The Flamebird eyes Carol as though she is ready to lash out. Still she maintains at least some level of decorum. "Thara Ak-var. You have served me well thus far. I wish to join our people on New Krypton when it is built. You will take me there so we may live amongst them. Is this understood?" The tone is strong and a bit harsh. She turns and looks at Batman. There is a distinct scowl on her face, "Because I do not see fit to link myself to a servant. That is after all what this vessel is to me. She has sworn to serve me. I am simply asking this of her because I am a kind goddess." Then the flamebird withdraws herself. Thara returns to her senses looking a bit stressed. "Dammit. She took over didn't she?"
Carol Ferris sighs softly. "Yes. She was her usual charming self." She then taps her ring and creates a construct of Flamebird and plays back her message. "This is your home, Thara. You have to make a stand. We could call another Kryptonian to restrain you if she tries to take off against your will..." she states softly. "No offense, but unless Hal makes a kryptonite construct, we have no way of holding you here."
Batman was waiting, "Thara still has free will. I don't care who you think you are, Flamebird. You have statues and other things errected in your honor. Being in your presence I see they're undeserved," his words were harsh and serious. Batman was unwiling to backdown even without the suit or even the fancy rings that were in the cave.
Hal nods. "Yeah, she took over, Thara." he answers. "Not sure I approve too much, but there is little I can do.. at present to change your situation, without further assistance." and he nods to Carol. "I could do that, if needed."
Thara looks at Carol, "Record this for me, please..." What follows is a dressing down befitting of a Drill Instructor towards the Flamebird that if written out would raise the rating of this scene beyond PG-13. The cleaned up version goes something like this. "You listen here you damn moldy old goddess. You may have controlled me in the past but you do not control me now. I am not the little girl I used to be! I am not going to let you steal away my free will again! You want an answer I will give you one. Go yourself! I am staying here! This is my home now and I am not leaving!" There are tears in Thara's eyes. She doesn't want to leave her friends and this planet that she's come to call home. "Sorry... I am a soldier, right?" She laughs. Suddenly, again the Flamebird takes over giving a sharp look to Hal and then Batman. "I've been helping people since before you were a speck of DNA. Don't think you can detract from me."
Carol Ferris smirks widely as she murmurs to Hal, "Contact the League and get a Kryptonian here in case Flamebird wigs out," she mutters. She then turns to face Flamebird. "You know, for someone who's supposedly so helpful, you don't seem to make many friends." She then raises her ring and plays back Thara's scolding lecture, a condescending smirk on her face.
Sliding into the hangar Batman pressed a button on something. Whether someone was at the cave or not remained a mystery. His eyes went back to Flamebird, "You can't command her like that forever. You know it won't work. Even someone as capable as yourself knows this," Batman explained. "If we are mere specks in your vast wisdom then search her mind. Find out what we're capable of," his voice was firm. At least Flamebird was going to see what she was up again. Plus it would have given the group more time.
Hal nods and peers to bats. "Guest, you should make yourself less noticible." he comments, holding his ring up. It flickers a few times and connects to the Watchtower. "League, this is Green Lantern. I need a Kryptonian or two down here, as backup. I don't know if this is going to heat up or not." he speaks into the ring, then drops the connection. His eyes look at Flamebird. "Even if you could keep it up, past actions won't justify present cruelty, or injustice against the living's right to free will." he states, plainly. "I'm sure this can be resolved amicably, without interplanitary incident."
Watchtower relaying the message down to his comm, Superboy quirks a brow at the message. And since there's no immediate reply from Superman himself, Superboy alters the direction he's flying in. "Yo, Superboy on the way," he relays over the comm system, picking up the speed and rocketing towards Ferris Air.
Karen Starr has not quite gotten around to turning off all her stuff, and to be honest she has little intention of turning in very much of it. She is a firm believer in not interfering with human developement past a little nudge and helping them survive the terrors of the galaxy still beyond them. Well the call for a Kryptonian goes out, she is out the door and straight up into the night sky, breaking sound barrier in the stratosphere, and far faster once at orbital level. It is a test airbase so she doesn't slow to suubsonic speeds until she is ready to land.
The Flamebird looks pissed. The fire begins pooling around the young kryptonian's body and she begins growing larger. The flames take on a far more menacing form. The form of a bird like dragon. "When Thara was younger, This is how she seen me. In My true form. Humans you underestimate me. It was I who scorched Krypton allowing Vohc to rebuild the world. It was I who served the Mighty Rao. Do not speak as if you know me mortal. For I can still burn worlds." Her tone is definitely directed at Batman for now. "How dare you. HOW DARE YOU! Thara Ak-Var I honored your submission to me. I gave you the honor of being my vessel. This is how you repay my kindness. You toss it away for this... Earth... for humans? You don't deserve the kindness I've given you. I WILL go to MY people. You have chosen these Humans over your own people. So how about you join them. Thara Ak-Var I banish you to this, a human body until such a time you repent of your malicious tongue. A female body forms on the ground. It is naked and definitely looks a little different from Thara. "You deserve NOTHING from your home world. You love it here? Live here. DIE here." The flamebird is now in full control of Thara's body and she begins to rise. She has several things on her that do belong to Thara...
Carol Ferris raises an eyebrow as she creates several constructs at once. First, a sheet to cover the new body. Second, a shackle attaching Flamebird to the ground. Third - a large fire extinguisher that she knows will just piss her off. "Release her immediately, demon," she yells as the extinsuishes activates.
Batman found solace in the fact Kryptonians were coming. Stil in a cheap makeshift mask, three gauntlets, a tight black shirt and grey jeans an idea came to him. An idea came to him and three of the most dangerous words left his mouth, "Lantern. Deputize me!" His eyes hardened and they focused on Lantern. If Flamebird wanted to get mean so could Batman.
Great. Another deity figure flaunting their stuff like they own the place. If there's anything that would make Hal spend ten minutes with a red ring, it'd be this. Carol seems to be handling herself well with constructs, so Hal opens his palm with a solemn nod to Bats, murmuring to himself the oath: "In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might beware my power," an ever brighter light shining in his palm, before condensing into a duplicate, deputy ring in his palm. He finishes the oath a bit louder, "Green Lantern's light!"
The deputy ring flies itself neigh instantly onto the mid finger of Bruce's dominant hand and would, as a complimentary gesture, imbue him with a Lantern uniform matching Hal's. But with a smaller Lantern ensignia on the chest. It is a deputy ring afterall, can't have a bigger star than the sheriff!
"Powerful or not, you're only wasting your time by abusing your abilities. I'm giving you a chance to stand down and consider a peaceful alternative that benefits both races in friendship."
If not for super speed, it would have taken Superboy a lot longer to get here. The fact that he'd been in Ohio earlier...don't ask...probably helped too. He's been breaking the sound barrier too. When he sees all the giant fire birds and constructs ahead, his brows shoot up and he only slows when he's floating in the air in front of the Flamebird. "Okay, what the hell's goin' on?"
Power Girl arrives in time to be completely baffled at what she is seeing. The Flaming Avatar rising in the remains of the old hangar. The body formed. That is wild, she certainly cannot do that. But for mystical stuff, it seeem Star Sapphire has this one. Kara Zor-L watches the being begin to ascend. There is no way this ends well. When it gets to that point, there is only one solution.
She leaps forwards in a blur of speed. Interposing herself between the body thief and the humans. "Your time is over, you failed, Krypton is no more. Now you have failed what may be your last loyal follower. You heard the Lantern, surrender so that what nobility that remains of Krypton may endure." Her hand left before her left over the slapping fist of her right.
"My judgement is final." The Flamebird begins accelerating. As she is hit with the Light construct fire extinguisher, she retaliates with fire all her own at the constructs. "I am leaving. I will not return. When Thara is ready to beg my forgiveness you may send her to New Krypton." She continues flying upward. Though something is definitely happening. Her 'wings' begins spreading wider 10, 20, 30, 50 feet wide and anyone close would definitely feel the rising heat.
Carol Ferris squeaks as her constructs break and she shifts to damage control, extinguishing the flames around the building as Flamebird simply punches right through the metal roof as she changes to her Star Sapphire costume and works on keeping the building from falling down. "Don't let that... thing... escape!"
As the ring went onto his right hand Batman tried hard not to smile. Lantern energy surrounded him and infused with his willpower. Suddenly he was wearing a green cape and cowl that went over something that looked like a standard Latnern uniform sans the blades on the white gloves and the matching utility belt. His Lantern symbol glowed, it was a bat with a lantern symbol. Taking a moment Batman focused. Three batarang constructs appeared between three of his fingers the disappeared. Armor went over his arm next and disappeared. Batman rushed toward the flaming avatar. Memories of his training flooded him. Pain, cold and heat could have been ignored. These were just distractions, things that could have been ignored if someone honed their body enough.
Moving around the flames Batman was a flurry of strikes toward the avatar. If anyone was paying attention despite the glow, Batman only protected himself against every point he struck. Right now he knew the avatar could have relied on Kryptonian Military Strategy against his years of martial arts training. Earthling combat maneuvers against Kryptonian forms.
Strike after strike was given and it didn't matter to Batman if they connected. Harming the avatar wasn't his plan, at least not harming it with his fist. Forming behind the avatar a little ways away was a Batmobile construct. It was based off the one that could fly. The windshield was normally a giant red bat, but today the colors were entirely green. While he was hitting the avatar Batman kept his focus on the construct causing it to come barreling at their target, Flame Bird. Just before hitting it the vehicle took off into the as Batman tried to hit Flamebird's chest.
Hal grimaces at the growing, literal firebird and gives it a bit of following. With a flexing of his will he tosses up a suitably massive, emerald-green hand construct upwards to race over the firebird and give it a heavy smack from above, in attempt to drag it back down where it'd be more managable, or atleast hold it still that Batlantern could do some justice to it.
"Giving an ultimatum is a classic evil move. If you cause trouble here, there are many allies we have that'll see to it you're put in a situation you have no power in." he states.
Kon's getting enough information from everything going on to know he's not liking it. Even if he doesn't entirely understand. Batman going green and the pair of GLs attacking Not!Thara limits what Kon can do but he flies up so he's in the way of any attempts to flee upwards. "Hey! Big fire-bird thing! How about we calm down and talk a bit? Pretty sure ya don't wanna get Thara's butt kicked while you're in there," he tries to calm things down even if he is ready to start swinging.
Power Girl rushes up, thankful at the moment that the drama queen ancient enitity, feels the need to be showy, then she spins about."I don't really accept that judgement, unfortunately." Karen watches as the Bat-Lantern's attacks fly wildly the creature. She waits for just the chance, the opening, letting Kon-El lead which almost gets her swept up in Hal's attack.
The flying woman rushes in an arcing motion right-cross ready to knock the creature from the air. They call it a 'Superman Punch.' They name everything after Kal-El. She will follow with a raised left and right combo till, and likely very soon there after Thara's body makes a crater or she gets the focus of the body thief's attention and potentially makes a Karen crater instead.
The Flamebird is hit repeatedly with countless projectiles and a freaking light construct CAR! She was already pissed but now, She's fit to be tied. "ENOUGH!! Cease your attack or I will scorch this planet and all life on it!" The Flamebird continues her ascent but is definitely slowed down.
Suddenly, from nowhere, a strange voice rings out. "PLEASE everyone Stop!! That is my body up there! If you hurt her you'll kill it! Just let her go! I will get it back in time. Just please let this.... die..." She passes out again. The strange unconscious girl is Thara! Just not looking normal in the least...
Star Sapphire widens her eyes as she leaves the fight to the two Lanterns and two Kryptonians a she immediatesly zips down to check on the new person. She stares at the woman. "Thara..." she murmurs, making an opaque violet shroud to cover her. She touches Thara's forehead with her ring. She then creates a violet drone up there and broadcasts, "Let her go. Thara is now in a different body - let that ugly skank depart."
After everything was in the clear Batman stood still then quietly moved back toward the hangar. A tug went to Power Girl's cape from a small construct he created. Once in his little makeshift area he waited to see if he was joined or not. Inwardly he was ready to collapse. However, he wanted a talk with someone first. Thara was okay and would probably be in no mood for answers. Unfortunately the attack started a countdown clock for him.
Hal ceases his attack, extinguishing his construct and swooping down, rapidly, to stand at Carol's side... he can't have his boss being revenge hit, that'd look bad on his record. He stays quiet and peers down at the... new, shiny body Thara had been. Damnit, nudges Carol's shoulder. "Just make a clothing construct on her." he states.
With everyone attacking, Kon can't do much but hang back and wait for an opening unless they want him to smack them too. Of course he's slightly unsure about attacking what looks a hell of a lot like Thata's body at all if he doesn't have to. The sudden calls for the attack to end just has him looking confused. Overhearing Hal's suggestion, he scowls a little and floats up after the Flamebird for a moment. "Could ya at least leave her pants?" he requests.
Power Girl so seriously hates to lose, and more to give up. She fully believes the team she has is able to win the day too. Of course she also only sees the Flamebird as a psychic parasite. That got messed up when it was able to create a body.. If it did? She truly hopes it is not some illusion.
Star Sapphire and Thara are asking her to back off, so the the rapid succession of strikes ends, then she is being tugged to back off. There is a wince. She pulls back further. There is a look at Bat-lantern. "I really hate to lose, especially to bullies like that thing." She tells him and then scans about the area to make certain the others are alright.
The Flamebird uses the respite to get out of dodge. using super speed she explodes clear off the planet and out into space. Thankfully the person on the ground is NOT an illusion. It is a very real human being. She is moving in and out consciousness. A small package appears on the ground beside her. The package is marked with the symbol of the Flamebird and for those with X-ray vision, they could see that inside it contains Thara's clothing, A JLA communicator, A GOTG communicator/teleporter and a few other small things local to this planet. Anything that could be linked to her Kryptonian heratage is gone.
Star Sapphire blinks as she shrugs, opening it immediately with construct hands. She pulls it toward her and puts on a privacy screen as she works on putting Thara's clothes back on her. She's the same size as her old body... for the most part. She gets Thara dressed then puts the box aside. "Flamebird discarded all her old non-Kryptonian-based possessions, it looks like..." She leaves the bra in the box - it won't fit. At least there's one positive. She touches Thara's face again. "Hey guys - Thara's a human now..."
"This wasn't a loss or a victory. We saved a teammate, but at what cost to them?" it was a serious question. As he was about to bring up a construct his head whipped around. "What do you mean she's human?" Batman's brows furrowed under the mask. "Get her to League base. Now!" his words were firm as he looked over the group that could fly that was still associated with the league.
[Justice League] <IC> Star Sapphire "I need a medical team at the Watchtower immediately."
[Justice League] <IC> Spider-Woman "What's happened?"
[Justice League] <IC> Star Sapphire "Flamebird got pissed, left, and shoved Thara's consciousness into a human body that she created for this purpose."
Green Lantern turns around and sighs, nodding to Bats. "This means protection, retraining, and support. Deputy, you might have another protege." he states, a serious tone, but a small joke. "Also, just take the ring off if you're done with it before tomorrow." he adds.
[Justice League] <IC> Spider-Woman "....Oh you gotta be kidding me....wait, Flamebird? I don't think I know the name. Jeez, I go in for a clan council meeting and miss who the hell knows what. I'm no great shakes with medicine, but I'm on my way. An extra set of hands might still be useful."
[Justice League] <IC> Star Sapphire "She _was_ Kryptonian, and had one of their so-called 'gods' in her. But the two had a falling out, Thara didn't want to leave her new home, so Flamebird left. Thara's now... just human. She's not really conscious.""
[Justice League] <IC> Batman "Fate. They may need you. The Flamebird Entity is a Kryptonian God. Any knowledge you have on Avatars might be of use. Batman out."
[Justice League] <IC> Star Sapphire "... and as he broke radio silence, I can announce that Batman never died for those who thought he hadm."
Coming in for a landing, Superboy's brow furrows at what he's overhearing. He squints at Thara, using that super vision to check her cells like how Superman showed him once. "Yeah...that's...not Kryptonian..." he trails off, pinching the bridge of his nose a moment. That's always a strain. He shifts a little at the news and glances to Batman. "Want me to go find Superman?" he asks, knowing he's no help in the med bay.
[Justice League] <IC> Spider-Woman "What's your ETA to the watchtower, Star? I'm up at the tower now and trying to get things ready for her."
[Justice League] <IC> Star Sapphire "Five minutes."
[Justice League] <IC> Star Sapphire "She doesn't look liek she did - honestly, she almost looks like my sister"
[Justice League] <IC> Spider-Woman chukles a bit. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." she jokes. "Okay, so where exactly is the Flamebird then if Thara is still with you?"
[Justice League] <IC> Star Sapphire "Flamebird took off to parts unknown and uncared."
[Justice League] <IC> Star Sapphire "We'll be going up to the Watchtower in a minute."
Karen lands, she takes a step towards Thara, but there is not much she can do for the human version now. "It is a loss." She states turning back to the Bat. Her eyes drop and she shakes her head. "But at least she is alive. It is not over." A glance towards Superboy, and she shifts her shoulders. "Perhaps he has something at his place." She states as she looks back upwards. ""I would appreciate any assistance you can offer her."
Thara stirs a little and looks over at Hal. "I heard that smartass. I'm still.. a soldier. I can still fight..." She passes back out. Yeah this is going to be a really rocky road for her to travel.
[Justice League] <IC> Spider-Woman "Acknowledged. I've got a bed prepared for her. If her body's basline human now, we can at least get a pretty quick idea of what's wrong with her, I think."
[Justice League] <IC> Star Sapphire "My first gues would be psychic shock of being in a new body all of a sudden. We're coming up now."
Star Sapphire leans forward to whisper something in Hal's ear, then picks up Thara, limning the two of them in a violet aura and rocketing upwards toward the Watchtower medbay. "Follow as you will - Hal, do an errand for me first?"
"Now!" Batman barked at the league again as he was wondering why they were taking off. A look went to Superboy, "Medical scanners from the fortress. Then go to the watcher tower." His eyes went to Thara. Fate may have known the answer to this one. They just witness an avatar separate into two entities. This was not a normal occurance even by hero standards. What they saw was alien, both the literal and metaphorical expression, mixed with the magical.
[Justice League] <IC> Spider-Woman "Wouldn't be surprised. The teleporters should bring you right to the medbay if I've got this programmed right."
[Justice League] <IC> Star Sapphire "Not wasting time - I'm already there."
True to her word, Spider-Woman is already working on getting a place ready for Thara and turns with a nod to those entering the Medbay. "Set her down here. I'll get the medical scanners ready." she says. Then turns to the man in the helmet. "Doctor Fate, I presume. I'm Spider-Woman. Normally I'd love to get to chat, but given the circumstances, I hope you'll forgive me if I limit it to just an introduction just at the moment."
Doctor Fate had appeared just a moment earlier amidst the shape of a great golden ankh of pure light. As the shape fades, he turns his helmeted gaze to regard Spider-Woman, and then gives a slow, polite nod. "It pleases FATE to meet you, Spider-Woman. Has Thara Ak-Var yet arrived? I was asked to consult on a matter of what sounded like possession."
A violet streak of light bursts into the room, manifesting itself into Star Sapphire, holding an unfamiliar woman's body wearing Thara's clothing - mostly. "Here she is," she states. "My ring reads her as human - and oddly similar to me in DNA patterns. I think Flamebird just looked at the nearest human female - me - and just created this body using that template."
Green Lantern streaks in after Star Sapphire, a glowing, opaque construct handbag held in his left hand as he walks in. "Star, I have what you ordered here." he states.
"She has now." Spidey says with a grin hidden behind her mask, and helps get Thara situated on the bed she prepared. After a few moments, the medical scanners begin beeping. "Huh. She reads baseline human. At least if I understand this right."
"Created?" Doctor Fate echoes in his sonorous voice, though he does not move other than to turn his helmet to regard Star Sapphire. "Most interesting. She does, indeed, seem human to my senses, as well, but perhaps with time I may learn more." He moves to Thara's bedside, moving so as to avoid stepping into anyone else's way, and then extends one golden-gloved hand, fingers splayed, to pass above her body, moving it slowly up and down lengthwise. Tiny rings of light, twining with sigils and arcane shapes ghost around his palm, half-there and yet no more substantial than a whiff of smoke. Still, he concentrates on them as though they may tell him much about her.
Star Sapphire nods as she takes the package from Hal, looking inside. "Did you have to go into the special occaisons drawer?" she mutters as she takes it and engulfs it in her own opaque handbag construct. She just watches carefully. "Check her physical age," she muses softly. "Down to the day if you can."
"Gimme a sec." Spidey says, and begins having the machines check that.
Green Lantern blinks. "No, I try not to.. go in there." he mentions, in increasingly more quiet tone and glancing away from the gathering and regaining his composure. "It seems we have another deity upset with us."
Fate continues to pass first one hand and then both hands over Thara's unconscious form, and though his helmet remains, of course, expressionless, he sounds as though he might be frowning. "The question of age is paradoxical from a mystic perspective. I... shall need time to sort out all of the energies." Glancing over toward Spider-Woman, then Star Sapphire, he says, "At least some indications imply... that she has only just been born."
Star Sapphire hmmmms. "I have a hypothesis that she might equate to my age - exactly - but I could be wrong." She shrugs. "Is there any trace of possession, either now or previously?" she asks. "Say - by some Kryptonian demon who calls herself a goddess?" Green Lantern peers over at what spidey was doing, curiosity catching his interest and also not wanting to feel left out.. okay it was a bit late for that. He has a hand go around Star's mid back and give her a firm, reassuring grip.
"Wish I could be more help there, but magic isn't exactly my field of expertise." Spidey says with a shake of the head. Then frowns behind her mask, though as ever her expressions are hidden by it. "Makes sense, the body was created on the spot, right? So despite however old it might look, maybe due to how it was made, it shows up as newborn?" At the mention of demons and goddesses, Spidey decides to keep out of it. She is the chosen of a god herself, but she's not about to try to guess at the actions of gods from other pantheons.
"Mystically inconclusive," Fate replies to Star Sapphire's question, "yet, logically speaking, quite likely, given the indications. At present she is suffused with the raw fires of creation, newly made--chaotic, unsettled. It may be some short while before certainties are possible." It is, of course, not an unusual way for a Lord of Order to look at the situation. "As to demon or goddess, that remains largely a matter of perspective, yet I sense no resonance of any known Hell Dimension upon her." He lowers his hands to his sides, straightening, and regards the others from behind his featureless helm.
Star Sapphire shrugs. "Flamebird calls herself a goddess. But she seems more parasite to me." She shrugs. "I wonder what she'll bel ike when awake. She never liked always being superpowered - part of this might be a dream come true... until she finds out she'll never fly again..."
Green Lantern gives Star a 'you seriously went there' look. "Well, she's proven worthy of a deputy ring.. from time to time." he mentions. "Maybe she can join one of the corps." it's a serious mention, but again, jokingly deployed.
"I've never figured out how you guys handle that. Going around without webs. Maybe it's just because I've been trained for this stuff even before I got my powers. But maybe there's a way to help her get her original body back." Spider-Woman says, checking over the scanners. "One thing's for sure, she's in perfect health, some minor psychic shock aside, according to this."
Fate shakes his helmeted head. "Let us not be premature," he says, resonant voice slow. "It is uncertain what has become of her previous form, nor is it certain that said form cannot be restored." He glances at Hal Jordan, though he offers no reply to the mention of deputization. "Yes," he agrees with Spider-Woman, "Her health does appear stable, at least." The mention of webbing also draws no comment from the sorcerer.
Star Sapphire blinks. "Webs?" she asks as she points her ring at Spider-Woman as that half of the room becomes covered in a large violet spider-web construct, sticking Spider-Woman to them. "I can have webs if I want them," she states, eyebrow raised. "As to her previous form - Flamebird took off in it - tired of fighting with her 'host'." Green Lantern blinks. "I never thought..." Hal quickly quiets after the display of webs, looking in another direction, towards Fate. "In the meanwhile, provided she is stable enough mentally and physically, she can be afforded a power ring to assist in transition until we can tell if this can be reversed. If she wants it." he states.
".....Wow. This is one never to tell anyone back home." Spidey chuckles. "Not the kind of webs I meant, though."
Doctor Fate steps back from Thara, letting his cloak fall closed around him. "That would seem likely a kindness, Hal Jordan," he acknowledges, nodding, and then looks to Star Sapphire. "Given that knowledge, I will attempt a series of scrying spells and certain invocations. I may be able to locate Flamebird, and with her Thara's original body."
Star Sapphire shrugs. "She could be anywhere in the universe by now," she states as she dissolves the construct. "It's just a joke, Spidey," she cooos as she offers the other woman a hug.
Spidey's already in the middle of trying to snap said construct as they dissolve and snickers. "Well at least it didn't rip my suit up." she quips, but accepts the hug. Though she quickly spells out 'kick me' on Star's back in webbing. "So, I guess all we can do now is wait for Thara to wake up and see if she's able to work this new body. Incidentally, anyone got a clue why the Flamebird didn't just make herself a body and take off if she wanted to leave so bad? I mean where was she planning to go, anyway?" Green Lantern releases Star to let her give out her apologies. He nods again to Fate. "The quicker we find our Flamebird, and a solution to this, the more likely I think we'll be able to succeed. Who knows if this Flamebird won't grow stronger the longer it controls Thara's original body."
"So FATE shall endeavor to discover," replies the golden-garbed sorcerer. He steps back then, raising his arms swiftly so his cloak billows around him, and announces in that voice like the tolling of a bell, "I shall contact you soon!" As he speaks, a flare of light envelops him, and as the ankh-shaped after-image fades, Doctor Fate is gone.
Star Sapphire nods. "I'll stay here with her," she states. "Thanks for helping, Fate and Spidey," she states. "You wanna stay, sweetie, or you wanna go back home?"
Green Lantern glances to Carol. "I'll stay here, there's enough cameras watching home right now." he comments.