One More Long Fall...

[katavatar]

There wasn't much warning

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[jla_galaxy]

The fighting lasts for hours upon hours, bloodier by the minute.

Until suddenly, the invaders halt their inexorable advance, and start to work on strictly defensive maneuvers while standing their ground.

In unison, as if they were all ordered to do so.

[jl_aliens]

The Hawkmen continue to take cheap shots, but most of their assault continues to be deflected...

Until eventually they all receive orders through their helm-comms, and they look up toward the central tower, incredulously.

Downsider Lizardkons with flight rigs take THEIR cheap shots at the Hawkmen...

Black and white screens flicker to life. The public address system.

[katavatar]

And the cold face of High Mor Andar Pul comes into full view throughout the city.

"People of Thanagar. This attack is at an end. There will be no more bloodshed."

His lips thin.

"Thanagar will now enter into a strategic alliance with the forces of Queen Komand'r."

[katavatar]

The Lizardkons, and the Asans, and the other Downsiders present on the guerilla strike forces start to cheer.

"VICTORY FOR THE DOWNSIDE!"

"TOWERS FALL! SHADOWLORD DELIVERS US FROM SLAVERY!"

More shots taken against the stunned Hawkmen, and a few more drop.

[katavatar]

Katar Hol's anguished protests are entirely drowned out by the roar of the crowd, Gordanians and Citadelians included.

[gl_corps]

Zal's eyes widen.

Stunned and heartbroken.

"We... almost had the dream..."

The sinister, psychotic roaring of the aliens below and hovering around them are horrifying. Chilling.

[katavatar]

The impossible dream...

The death of hope.

There is nothing left to do but find Shayera...

So he soars off, hoping his black costume will draw her eye like a magnet.

[jla_galaxy]

Komand'r appears on the screen, harshly beautiful, the hue of her skin turned to another form of gray on Thanagar's stagnant vid-tech

[katavatar]

Seven hells!

"Zal! Find Shayera! We need to get out of here now!"

[gl_corps]

Zal can't quite bring himself out of his shock.

"So close..."

[katavatar]

"Jam it!"

Hol wrenches Zal's wrist and grabs the ring from him, slipping it on himself.

FIND SHAYERA THAL.

The willpower is there in spades, even as he maneuvers with Zal to try and distance himself from any Hawkmen who might try to take him down.

Thanagarian Shayera Thal found. With Green Lantern John Stewart.

Katar is off, immediately, the ring back on Zal's finger.

"Cover me!"

He can only hope the stunned young man can react.

[katavatar]

The Downsiders have turned, and the 'Dragonkons' are swarming around him, doing their damnedest to bring him down.

"BETRAYER! TRAITOR!"

Their claws hurt, their fists batter.

[katavatar]

He doesn't care. He slices through them all now, everyone in his way, ignoring the pain.

He has to get to her. He won't die on her again. He WON'T.

[theotherlantern]

Meanwhile... John got Zal's notice from the ring.

Damn.

"It's time to get the hell out of here."

A bubble surrounds Shayera and Diana, to pull them out of the fray, and he streaks toward Katar's position.

Lost. Whole damn planet is lost.

[hawk_shay]

Shayera presses her hand against the bubble.

"No," she says. "We can't just leave. We can't... we came here to change things."

There has to be some way to salvage the situation... but she can't think of anything. Finding Katar is about as far as her thoughts get. Where is he?

[theotherlantern]

John is gritting his teeth. He can hear the pain in Shay's voice.

"You're not safe here anymore - too quick, too much psychotic lynch-mob mentality going. We've got to get you guys out of here."

His eyes are glowing green, scanning for Katar.