With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Stsword · Jul 4, 2022

Which reminds me, Aladdin is not only a historical character in DC, but he's still around.

Although it's apparently unclear if he's actually learned magic or if he's just given himself a five fingered discount to a bunch of shiny artifacts that he might as well be an actual sorcerer.

Sceptic · Jul 4, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
I remember Paul saying that doors should always open towards an attacked

towards an attacker, and only if you want to be vulnerable to attacks on the hinges.

Chojin Patriarch · Jul 4, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
November 8th, 2012
Just After Ten

It looks like there's only one exit, steep steps running up to a single door. The entrance to the corridor is wider than the doorway, so it could be held by a single man while the escapees surging for the exit would hem each other in. The door looks tough, and there's no guard on this side. The guard we have didn't have any keys on him, which only makes sense. Which means there's gotta be a guy on the other side. They wouldn't have a pass code; a place this size they're all going to know each other. Just a knock and a verbal confirmation through the slot set into the door.

Man, really feels like the dream of some frustrated DM sick of players overwhelming his 'You wake up in a cell' story hook. The alternative is that this place was used for some skeevy stuff back in the living world.

The slot's shut right now, so no one's watching through it. But we'll make a noise heading up the steps. The sort of place where they don't make them watch through the slot the whole time, they're not going to assume that we're out right away, but if he hears steps and then nothing for more than a few seconds he's going to get curious.

Doors got the same padding around the edge that the cell door had, which means-. I was wrong a moment ago. The fellah on the other side probably won't hear until we get to the door and knock on it. And the signal probably isn't verbal, because he wouldn't be able to hear it clearly. So we could walk up there and knock…

On the upside, even if the guy you sent to sleep was awake and crying out, they wouldn't hear him either. Of course, if they took their jobs seriously, they'd have sent two guys in anyway, just in case.

"Sandman, what do you need for that teleport thing of yours to work?"

"I don't exactly know, Blue Lantern. I tried seeing you and I saw that room, but I don't know who these guys are or what the other side of that door looks like."

And if it turns out he can't control it, there's always turning into sand. Even if he doesn't enjoy it...

"Okay, but if someone opened that slot in the door, would that be enough?"

"I don't think so. All I'd see would be their eyes. I could gas them?"

...And you'd be stuck until someone else walked up. At which point, I don't think they'd be amenable to opening the door...

I nod. "Then I could keep the hatch open while they fall over, you'd get a good look, teleport to the other side and open it up. Sounds like a plan. Let's go."

I don't exactly creep up the stairs, but I try and avoid making too much noise because there's no such thing as total sound insulation. No reaction from the other side… Good. Okay, we're here. There isn't really room to take either side, but Sandy stands with his back to the left wall and I take the right.

Just watch where you swing that chopper, though. One errant strike and someone could lose an eye.

I raise my eyebrows, and he nods. I bang on the door twice with the hilt of the sword, then raise it slightly so that I can stick the hilt into the g-.

It swings away from us, a pair of eyes appearing-.

Yoo-hoo, anyone home? Justice calling.

Sandy fires, a stream of dream dust blasting the unsuspecting thug in the face. He lets go of the door flap right away, but I get the sword handle into position and jam it open. I hear the 'thud' as the man staggers against the side wall, then Sandy pushes his face up against the hole in the door.

"Okay, I'm going to try-"

Fingers crossed. I mean, have you heard of 'splinching' before? Probably not as dangerous to a man made of sand as a human, but...

He closes his eyes, then sort of… Stutters, flickering in and out-.

He's gone, and peering through the slot myself I see him on the other side.

Teleport successful! Man, I bet you're gonna miss that ability once you get back to the real world...

"-to." He looks around. "Got it."

"See the keys?"

"No, it's just a bar." He checks on the fellah on the floor, cuffs him, then comes up to the door. "Hold on."

Given that their usual... Donors... would be weakened addicts or suitably battered into submission, I doubt they expected to need more.

There's a scraping sound, then he pulls the door open. Huh. I remember Paul saying that doors should always open towards an attacked, but I guess they just didn't have a way of securing it that way.

I pull the sword free from the slot and Sandy goes over to the guard and takes his. "Where now?"

More reliable than the gas gun, I suppose, and less likely to be damaged if it came to melee.

I think Wesley would be pleased with how Sandy turned out. Ah, there it is. I raise my sword to a guard position.

"This way."

Heartwarming, isn't it? Nothing like getting dumped in the deep end to get someone into the swim of hero work...

Okay, Al-Wujud didn't expect to meet me, so there probably aren't all that many people on duty right now. We've taken down two guards, there's probably another in reception and I didn't see a bodyguard with him when we were talking. I'm assuming that he has my ring on him, but if he's just got it locked in a box then I guess I'll just have to accept justice deferred.

Assuming he hasn't already sold it on to someone. I doubt he's all that patient.

The corridor goes a short way, a narrow barred window letting in just enough light to see by. Then it doubles back on itself, another door-. This one's just a regular door, blocking it off the rest of the shop. Opening it takes us out into a storage room whose walls are lines with shelves bearing more of those dream gourds. I get a momentary urge to smash them, but some of these might be legally owned. And it would make a noise and I don't wanna waste time.

And who knows what would happen to the contents? They might manifest and run riot, or pour into the nearest suitable container... Namely, you and Sanderson.

Sandy stops and stares at them. If he's made some kinda deal with Morpheus then he might have some sort of authority over them, but we shouldn't stop here now. I gesture towards the door on the far side of the room, and after a moment's hesitation he follows me.

The next door takes us to what I'd guess is a break room. There's a table and a couple of benches, and none of it looks high quality. One door there opens onto a balcony, but the other leads towards-

Looks like the boss keeps most of his profits for himself.. Going to be all the more satisfying when karma catches up with him...

"…exalted guest! You have my assurance that my latest dream is unlike anything even the Caliph has ever experienced!"

-the sound of voices.

Ah, there's the snake himself. And no doubt already counting his payment for Alan's dreams.

"I hope that you are correct. His Excellency has been pensive of late."

Sword in the guard position, Sandy and I advance towards the sound of voices.

Sounds like the other fellow is a member of the Court. I wonder if he actually tells the Caliph where the dreams really come from?

The first room is some sort of equipment room, maybe a workshop and storage area. None of this gear means anything to me. Then a short corridor-. I remember this room. This is where I first came in. No guard on the door. Sandy nods his head towards the door, and I shake my head.

"What could possibly be troubling him so?"

Evidently they coshed him once he wasn't looking, then. Hooray for the local physics messing with the Environmental Shields, then.

Another corridor, but it's far lighter at the far end. Some sort of courtyard, and I think I can hear a fountain.

"I don't know. There are some strange visitors in the city at the moment-."

You have no idea, my man. And some of them are closer than you think.

I stride out, sword ready.

"Yeah." Al-Wujud and some other rich-looking guy are sitting on couches facing each other, two bodyguards a piece. "There are."

Time to roll initiative, then?

Though three-to-one odds... Not the best... Maybe an Intimidate check?

Al-Wujud blinks. "How did-?"

And there's my ring on his finger.

A trophy, no doubt. Wonder if he knows what he really has?

"You abducted me, stole my ring and stole my dreams. Kneel on the ground and put your hands behind your head."

Al-Wujud sneers. "Djinn of the ring!" He raises his right hand and points my ring at me. "Smite these-"

...Wow, boy, is he off. Though amusingly, Power Rings do sometimes get referred to as wishing rings in one or two Green Lantern-related stories...

One guy -the other rich man's bodyguard I guess- grabs him and hauls him out of the way.

"-pagans!"

At least that guy's good at his job.

Nothing happens.

Why does he think-? Middle East, right.

Just like in the tale of Alladin. Oh, not the Disney one, no. In the original story, the thief's first genie is bound to a ring. The Lamp was the thing he was sent to steal, until he was double-crossed...

I hold out my left hand. "I ain't dead yet, son."

My ring vanishes from his hand and appears on mine. Al-Wujud's bodyguards get between him and me, but they don't look all that happy about things.

Aw, I was hoping it'd slide off his finger and sent him tumbling. Then again, dream logic. Also, nice touch, using his classic command phrase.

"Sandman, gas these-."

"Wait!"

Heh. If these guys know anything of the modern world, then the name 'Sandman' might spook them some. Then again, there's no sign of tall, pale and gloomy here.

The other rich guy pushes his bodyguard aside and takes a step towards me. Okay, see what he wants.

"Yeah?"

Preferably before you have to channel Douglas Fairbanks Jr...

"I am Vizier Jafar, chief advisor to his Excellency the Caliph. You are alleging that Uns Al-Wujud has committed a crime against you?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Then by the authority vested in me, I will place them under arrest. Are you willing to come to the palace to give testimony?"

Well, at least it's not Vizier Iznougoud.

Who, amusingly, also served a Caliph Haroun...

Well, the day is saved by legitimate authority! Who was saved? Well, that depends on who you ask, I suspect, since that slimeball merchant was probably on the verge of soiling his trousers... On the other hand, I'm sure his crimes carry a somewhat hefty penalty. Might have been better off with Alan and Sanderson's treatment. At least they'll be back with OL and the Demon soon...

TheLunarwolf · Jul 4, 2022

Stsword said:
Which reminds me, Aladdin is not only a historical character in DC, but he's still around.

So... What you're saying is for them to make way for Amir Ali...?

Darko · Jul 4, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
open towards an attacked

"an attacker"

Darko · Jul 4, 2022

Chojin Patriarch said:
Wow, boy, is he off. Though amusingly, Power Rings do sometimes get referred to as wishing rings in one or two Green Lantern-related stories...

Heck, there was an Elseworld story that had an Aladdin-like premise with the Green Lantern.

Cuchulin · Jul 4, 2022

Darko said:
Heck, there was an Elseworld story that had an Aladdin-like premise with the Green Lantern.

The story of Aladdin was basically where they got the idea for Green Lantern.

Old Knife · Jul 4, 2022

Ngamer11 said:
That is an inauspicious name. Will Paul comment on it?

On one hand he's a real person.
On the other hand he owns the dreams of being the most powerful evil wizard in the Disneyverse.

Does this mean he's recruitable?

RichardWhereat · Jul 4, 2022

Stsword said:
Which reminds me, Aladdin is not only a historical character in DC, but he's still around.

That link goes to some sort of character from 2011 onwards, but everyone knows DC stopped making comics in 2011.

Stsword · Jul 4, 2022

Cuchulin said:
The story of Aladdin was basically where they got the idea for Green Lantern.

Making ring based supers seemed to be all the rage back in 1940.

Fawcett had Diamond Jack, a magic ring that like Tim Kelly's Eye had divine origins as the eye of a god's statue, and Boy Wizard, who despite his moniker has scientific powers based on his scientist parent's child endangerment.

Mr Zoat · Jul 4, 2022

Sceptic said:
towards an attacker, and only if you want to be vulnerable to attacks on the hinges.

Thank you, corrected.

Coltsguy · Jul 4, 2022

*grabs a bystander and points at this volume*

References! References everywhere!

theaceoffire · Jul 4, 2022

Ngamer11 said:
That is an inauspicious name. Will Paul comment on it?

I miss Gilbert godfreed... And despite the many things he did over his life, he will finally always be an annoying parent in my heart.

Darko · Jul 4, 2022

theaceoffire said:
I miss Gilbert godfreed

We all do.

Aelyx · Jul 4, 2022

Stsword said:
Making ring based supers seemed to be all the rage back in 1940.

Fawcett had Diamond Jack, a magic ring that like Tim Kelly's Eye had divine origins as the eye of a god's statue, and Boy Wizard, who despite his moniker has scientific powers based on his scientist parent's child endangerment.

Funnily enough, he'd probably make a decent Orange Lantern.

rkyeun · Jul 4, 2022

Stsword said:
Making ring based supers seemed to be all the rage back in 1940.

Excuse me.

No complaining about ring-based supers.

Windona · Jul 4, 2022

So, we're placing bets on Vizer Jafar? I place mine on 'decent but definitely with a clever/unscrupulous edge'. Though depending on the situation him wanting to overthrow the caliph might not be a bad thing.

Bud-E · Jul 4, 2022

rkyeun said:
Excuse me.

No complaining about ring-based supers.

The magical girl powers in Madoka Magica are more gem based than anything the Soul Gems just turn into rings so they are easier to carry around. Also anytime a magical girl uses a lot of power the rings turn back into the Soul Gems or they transform.

Stsword · Jul 4, 2022

rkyeun said:
No complaining about ring-based supers.

And where exactly in the text you quoted did you see a complaint?

Aelyx said:
Funnily enough, he'd probably make a decent Orange Lantern.

Which one? Diamond Jack? Who by the by I always have the toughest time looking up because I keep wanting to remember his name as Blackjack.

Or the teen genius Boy Wizard?

Aelyx · Jul 4, 2022

Stsword said:
Which one? Diamond Jack? Who by the by I always have the toughest time looking up because I keep wanting to remember his name as Blackjack.

Or the teen genius Boy Wizard?

Meant to say Aladdin.

Stsword · Jul 4, 2022

Aelyx said:
Meant to say Aladdin.

Yes, a guy who has been hoarding supernatural power for at least 300 hundred years does sound like a guy who is halfway there to being an Orange Lantern already.

Mr Zoat · Jul 5, 2022

8th November 2012
18:32 GMT +3

"Blue Lantern?"

I frown as a group of guards escort Alan and Sanderson into the drawing room The Demon and I were politely escorted to following our audience.

"Hey, Orange Lantern. Having fun?"

"I think I might have headed off a potential problem. And I've found out that what we're attempting is suicide. You?"

"I got abducted and locked up in a dungeon while they sucked my dreams out."

…

"I trust that you've resolved matters to your satisfaction?"

"They dragged the people away in chains. Their boss is explaining himself to the Caliph now." Alan looks around the room. "No sign of Doctor Mist?"

"If any of us could navigate a magic city, I'd assume it would be him."

Sanderson perks up a little. "I can probably do that now."

"Now?"

"I made a deal with Morpheus."

There's a sharp intake of breath through my lips, and the lips of… The courtier who brought them in, who after a moment nervously walks towards him.

"Sir, did you say that you made a 'deal' with the Lord of Dreams?"

"Yeah, I guess that's kind of a big deal for you guys, huh?"

"Could this humble one ask what the terms of your deal were?"

"Sure. The Dream will give me prophetic visions in exchange for living through them. Oh, and I can get visions of other places in the Dream and teleport to them."

I blink. "Does that include the Tower of Fate?"

"I dunno. I don't know what the Tower looks like." He shrugs awkwardly. "I never visited. Salem wasn't exactly a day trip."

"Okay, but-." I glance over to where the courier is dashing out of the room with one hand on his turban. I suppose that if the Caliph wasn't informed of that fact before now it does warrant a bit of haste. "Ah, but what exactly are the limitations? Can you take people with you? Because I wasn't exaggerating earlier when I said that everyone I asked said it was suicide."

"I don't know. I haven't tried much with it yet."

"Okay, well, try teleporting back to the graveyard. That way we'll know whether you can go between regions of the Dream or not."

He looks to Alan to check whether that's a good idea or not. Alan considers for a moment, then nods slowly. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. If you can just teleport us inside the Tower-. Paul, you've got recordings of the inside of the Tower, don't you?"

"No, but I can generate three dimensional images from my memory. I'm… Not sure what it looks like from outside, though."

"Why would we want to get outside?"

"I'm not sure if the interior exists from the Dream."

"Would Mist know?"

"I don't know. He'd probably have to look at it. Constantine?"

He leans back, folding his arms across his chest. "Oh, remembered I exist? How about getting this seal removed?"

"How about getting the Caliph to tell us how to activate it?"

"That's cruel and unusual punishment. What happened to being recognised as a person?"

"We're not in America and I'm not an American. And you're an escaped supervillain. You're still at large on the condition that you actually help us resolve this situation. In case I wasn't clear before: we're not friends or colleagues."

"Hey." I turn to Sanderson, who's still here for some reason. "The Constitution doesn't ban 'Cruel and Unusual Punishment' because the Founding Fathers just felt like it. It's banned because it's so immoral that no one should ever do it, whether they're American or not."

"I'll be sure to remind Zauriel of that next time I find myself in Hell."

"I don't know who that is, but someone else doing it doesn't make it right for you to do it."

The Demon raises his eyebrows, clearly pleased at the situation. Alan looks a little awkward, but I know he agrees with Sanderson.

"Do you feel that it's cruel and unusual to handcuff normal prisoners?"

"No, of course not."

"Demons are able to either tear through or magically subvert normal cuffs. The only things we have to restrain them are magic artefacts or spells. Not all of them work in the way we'd ideally like or as reliably as we'd like, but so far courts have found that having a restraint that actually works is more important that having a restraint that makes the prisoner comfortable. It's like how Belle Reve collars have the capacity to electrocute their prisoners. Unusual, yes, but not 'cruel' because it's actually required. The Demon Constantine has already escaped Belle Reve. As such, a spell that cripples him when activated is legally proportionate and necessary."

Sanderson shifts uncomfortably. "O-kay, I guess. But could you sound a little less enthusiastic about it?"

I nod. "If it makes you feel better. Are you going to try teleporting now?"

"Yes." He takes a moment to calm himself, then-.

That's… Instant Transmission. He even did the little shimmer thing that Goku does before he vanishes.

Damn it. I'm going to have to find a new joke.

There's another shimmer as he reappears.

"It worked. They're sitting around camp fires and telling stories."

"Oh yeah?" Alan raises his eyebrows. "What are they saying?"

"Rrrruh. Aaaagh. Things like that." He takes in our confusion. "I can tell that they make sense to each other. I've just got no idea what they're saying."

"Honoured guests!" The courtier from earlier runs back in, looking a little dishevelled. "Honoured guests." He comes to a halt. "His Excellency believes that he can resolve your issues here to your satisfaction, and can ease your path to the great storm."

"He believes that he can get us out of the way before anything else goes wrong."

"… It is impolite to argue with guests."

"Then we would be delighted to hear what he has to say."

Bud-E · Jul 5, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
That's… Instant Transmission. He even did the little shimmer thing that Goku does before he vanishes.

Damn it. I'm going to have to find a new joke.

No you don't Paul, Sandy's power only really works while he's inside the Dreaming and I highly doubt Sandy knows what Dragon Ball Z is.

Bloodalchemy · Jul 5, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
… It is impolite to argue with guests."

This guy has had his job for a long time. That is not something you can think up until you're in the shower two weeks later.

Darko · Jul 5, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
Why would be want to get outside?

"we want"

Mr Zoat said:
What happen to

"happened"

Handlewithcare · Jul 5, 2022

I like Sanderson. He's a fun foil to Paul.

And Paul, I get you don't like him, but constantly antagonising the demon isn't very productive.

Vaermina · Jul 5, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
"I'll be sure to remind Zauriel of that next time I find myself in Hell."

You mean the person who had nothing to do with you being in hell?

NightmareWarden · Jul 5, 2022

Bud-E said:
No you don't Paul, Sandy's power only really works while he's inside the Dreaming and I highly doubt Sandy knows what Dragon Ball Z is.

I wonder how often people dream about Dragon Ball these days.

Ngamer11 · Jul 5, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
"It worked. They're sitting around camp fires and telling stories."

"Oh yeah?" Alan raises his eyebrows. "What are they saying?"

"Rrrruh. Aaaagh. Things like that." He takes in our confusion. "I can tell that they make sense to each other. I've just got no idea what they're saying."

Who exactly did Sandy see when he teleported?

Signaller · Jul 5, 2022

Bud-E said:
No you don't Paul, Sandy's power only really works while he's inside the Dreaming and I highly doubt Sandy knows what Dragon Ball Z is.

Until Eris told Paul off, I wasn't sure if DBZ existed within the WTR universe.

With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

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