The Greedy Frog
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DC: The Enchater Chapter 73
🕑 Added 2023-10-01 12:42:36 +0000 UTCChapter 73: A Fallen Arrow (1/3)
Evil is not something superhuman; it is something far less human. Humans have emotions, feelings, and humanity, but evil does not. Evil is a tempest that shrouds humanity and causes kindness and purity to be lost in front of its insidious nature.
"Then burn you shall."
People forget that it is not when a person's voice is filled with anger that they need to fear that person, but it is when an expressive person becomes expressionless, when not even a shred of emotion can be found on their face. That... that is when you truly have to fear a person.
"What is that–"
The audience was struck dumb by the new man's presence, but above all else, by his silent wrath.
"J-Jasper..."
No one could utter a single word as streaks of magnificent light cascaded from the sky, rending through the very fabric of the clouds. The sight was breathtaking, as if Samael was descending from the heavens, bringing his light of judgment with him.
Sadly for them, it wasn't the majestically beautiful light of Samael, but the most malevolent inferno of Dante. An inferno that demanded sacrifices; and sacrifices it took.
"AHHHHH!!!"
Screams and cries echoed all around the silent city as the infernal beams of destruction burned through the skin and bones of the kidnappers, making them feel the extreme pain of the most painful burn and slowly, yet surely, consuming them, leaving nothing but a pile of ashes.
"Time and time again... you have only disappointed me, Oliver Queen."
Ivy and Zatanna stared at Jasper, unable to mutter a word. The pressure he exuded was much more than anything they had experienced. To a certain point, it reminded them of the time Jasper faced the Joker, but this, there was something different. Something that felt far more uneasy and vicious.
However, unlike the audience who were rendered speechless by the man's presence, Oliver was not. His hatred, anger, and lust for revenge were far too great. Even the heat that was causing the clothes he was wearing to melt and stick to his skin was not enough to faze him. His eyes were filled with a crazed look of fury, of feralness.
"Jasper... Hughes..."
He was excited to see Jasper; he was finally in front of the man he came to Gotham for.
Sadly, Jasper did not bother with Oliver's words and looked around. He was saddened to see that the place he had built was damaged once again, and this time, it even involved the innocents.
"Zatanna..." Jasper finally looked at the two girls, "Seal this place off with your magic and look after the injured."
"What about you?" Ivy asked, worried about him, but everyone knew, including her, that she didn't need to.
He gave a smile, surprising the people. No one could believe that Jasper was smiling in a situation such as this. However, only he knew the feeling that he hid behind the smile.
But as he smiled at Zatanna, Oliver didn't stay silent.
"Jasper!"
Ivy yelled as she saw an arrow flying towards his back.
There was a saying that a man should never expose his back to an enemy, but that did not apply to Jasper.
"Oliver..." He sighed, "You truly are worthless."
Even Oliver was stunned for a moment as the arrow that was supposed to impale Jasper's back simply stopped midair and came crashing down on the ground. The moment it made contact, the arrowhead released a form of green fluid that caused smoke to rise from the ground. It was an acid arrow, and if it had landed, it would have injured Jasper.
But it didn't.
"You..." Jasper descended, barely looking at the archer. "disappoint me, Oliver."
This pissed Oliver off.
"Is that what a hero is supposed to be?" Jasper continued, "A tormentor of the poor and the innocent? Someone that ruins their livelihood?"
Oliver gritted his teeth.
Why was he taking such insults from a criminal?
Why was he letting a man who was clearly a personification of evil and a man responsible for his downfall act so high and mighty?
'No more!'
Oliver swore to himself before furiously shouting.
"Disappoint you? Me?!" He laughed and pulled back the bowstring. "As for the rest… They are not innocent. They are criminals that support a villain, and for that, they will pay!"
Jasper stared at him with a look of disappointment.
All while Oliver was fuming. "Hughes... Today I shall show you what Batman failed to show."
He shouted, "Justice!"
However…
Unknown to them all, someone was documenting everything that was going on, from Arrow's speech to his actions. A certain girl. A girl that Arrow was tasked to save. Violet Belrose, the girl that was recording it all.
A recording that was going to start the fall of the heroes.
…
…
"You knew this the whole time?!" Superman yelled, "And you didn't bother telling us!"
Superman's disappointment in Batman was entirely justified. As the leader, it was his responsibility to keep the members informed about their fellow teammates' situations. However, Batman had valid reasons for withholding the information. It could have alerted Oliver to the fact that they knew about his instability.
Or, at least, that's what the rest of the League believed. Batman, on the other hand, suspected that Arrow was under the influence of something—or possibly someone.
So, Batman chose not to inform the League.
"Are we surprised?" Wonder Woman sighed, "It's Batman. When has he ever kept us in the loop?"
Her comment carried a note of sarcasm, but she couldn't help feeling angry with Bruce.
"How long can he hold out?" Green Lantern asked, fully aware that Oliver had little chance against Jasper.
None of them knew about Oliver's newfound power. They still saw him as the archer who relied on his aim and arrows to fight.
"If he's at his peak and Jasper Hughes goes easy on him," Manhunter communicated telepathically, "Maybe around five minutes."
All the League members were inside their jet, including Superman. Martian Manhunter was the only one who preferred to fly and be in the open.
"Is Flash still unavailable?" Cyborg asked as he reviewed the surveillance footage of Serenora.
"He's with Dr. Caitlin Snow and won't be available for a while," Superman replied. "I heard he's dealing with a lot on his own and doesn't want to involve others."
Hawkgirl looked at them and sighed, "Why are humans so…" She chose not to finish her sentence.
No one objected to her words. Humans were known for their emotional instability and susceptibility to influence.
"But I still can't believe that Oliver would go to Serenora to attack Jasper Hughes," Lantern said, "And where's Canary? Why isn't she with him?"
This made the group uncomfortable, as they knew Lantern was unaware of the situation due to his mission with the Green Lantern Corps.
But one man didn't mind shedding light on the issue.
"Black Canary spent a night with one of Arrow's old acquaintances," he revealed, stunning Lantern. "Their relationship is strained, to say the least."
"She cheated on him?" Green Lantern was appalled, "And that too when he was going through a psychological meltdown?"
"She had her reasons," Wonder Woman said, but Lantern gave her a disgusted look.
"We're about to land."
Everyone prepared, knowing they might face an attack upon landing. After all, they were entering Jasper Hughes' territory.
"4 o'clock."
As they heard Martian's words, tension gripped them.
"Who is it?" Wonder Woman asked, suspecting it was someone Jasper had stationed.
"Unknown," Martian replied, "He's not facing our way."
"Land, and we'll 'talk,'" Superman said, emphasizing the word 'talk' to prevent anyone from taking hasty action.
Batman had yet to arrive, so he cautioned them to wait.
"Follow Superman," he instructed, "Until I arrive, he's in command."
Superman then added, "Martian, identify the individual. Make contact if necessary."
Manhunter nodded and descended toward the man on watch. He observed the man with unkempt blonde hair, wearing an oversized coat and smoking a cigarette.
Surprisingly, the man spoke first.
"I know what you want, Martian," he said, slowly turning around. "But I'm afraid I can't allow any of you to go past this point."
Martian's red eyes widened upon seeing the man before him. It was someone he recognized.
"I made a deal with Jasper," the man continued, "and I have to keep my end."
"You are…" Manhunter stared at the man, "John Constantine."
The figure standing before him was none other than the Hellblazer himself.
John Constantine.
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[[A/N: I thought of not making two parts for this but ended up making parts. Don't worry, I won't make y'all wait long. I will post the next chapter in less than a few hours.
This part is different from the one with Joker. Why? Because with Joker, Jasper was far more emotionally driven and less rational. But here he is fully in control.
Does that mean Arrow will not suffer a fate that he deserves? Fuck no, he will suffer. You will see soon.
But it won't be Jasper being emotional and fighting like a madman. He will be much more calculative and it will profit him in the next part.
How?
You will see. 👀
]]
