Smog and Brimstone

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

At the corner of Hollywood and Vine, the ground begins to tremble on an early summer evening - the hardy native Californians ignore the tremor at first, accustomed to such things living this close to the San Andreas fault. The hissing gasses and wave of heat might be ignored as well - after all, this is where movies are made - but the follow-up is all too real.

Demons begin to pour forth from the fissure that quickly forms - their twisted, red-black bodies bending unnaturally as their charred wings expand, feeling the freedom of the air for the first time in age untold.

Hell on Earth begins here.

Comments

[zauriel1971.livejournal.com]

Zauriel is startled by the blow, "Good to see you restored Spectre, we're working on a host for you, one that will be more stable. An old friend is waiting for you... Phantom Stranger?"

He looks down and sees Asmodel's foot sticking out of Spectre's grip.

"Goodbye Asmodel... I hope not to see you again."

[zauriel1971.livejournal.com]

When Asmodel awakens, he is back in his cell in hell. "What?! How did I get... the Spectre! And Zauriel! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

All his efforts to control things, they've been reset. His dark kingdom set back to the way it was before he was merged with the Spectre. His eyes glow red with the knowledge of that, sent to him by the guards - just to spite him. They laugh and walk away. "I'll get you yet Zauriel!"

[zauriel1971.livejournal.com]

Zauriel looks up and says, "So mighty Spectre, what do you say?"

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

The green-hooded visage of the Spectre peers down at the comparatively tiny angel, the pupils of his eyes resembling tiny, ivory-white skulls as the spirit seethes with barely contained rage.

"You have my thanks for your intervention, Zauriel. I will go with the Stranger now, before my power can be taken advantage of again."

[zauriel1971.livejournal.com]

Zauriel blinks and he is on the streets of L.A. Smoke and fire fill the streets from the demons and minions' rampage that the heroes have been trying to stop. He sees Dr. fate and Phantom Stranger. "Where is the Spectre? Is he joined with a new host?" he asks them.

[grey-walker.livejournal.com]

"He will be soon enough. A man will be murdered this night - one whose soul will provide the anchor that the Spectre requires. Our work here is completed."

The Stranger looks up, towards the looming, translucent figure of the Spectre - and then both are gone.

[zauriel1971.livejournal.com]

All that Zauriel hears after they leave is the voice of the Spectre, "This act speaks well for you in the halls of heaven Zauriel..." Then silence.

Zauriel stands there surprised. "To the Presence be the glory..."

He ascends into the air and flies away, ready for his next adventure.