[hr][indent][b][I]Metropolis[/i][/b] 
[indent][i]October 28, 2025[/i][/indent][/indent][hr]
“We say that the hour of death cannot be forecast, but when we say this we imagine that hour as placed in an obscure and distant future. It never occurs to us that it has any connection with the day already begun or that death could arrive this same afternoon, this afternoon which is so certain and which has every hour filled in advance.” The man began as he stood over the large crowd in attendance. Behind him stood the Man of Steel himself, Superman as the speaker cleared his throat to continue. 

“Today we are gathered here to celebrate the life of Alexander Joseph Luthor, the forty sixth President of the United States of America.” He continued as the stern eyes of an older gentleman turned to the ageless looking woman beside him.

“It truly feels like the end of an era doesn’t it?” He spoke in a hushed tone as the woman turned to him with a smile.

“Indeed it does Bruce. But with the end of this era we can usher in a new one, one of hope, promise and most importantly peace.” Came Diana’s optimistic voice.

“You’re starting to sound like Clark.” Bruce whispered with a groan. 

“Do not go gentle into that good night.” The speaker continued as Bruce and Diana turned their attention forward. Lex Luthor had been a thorn in the side of the Justice League for years but his terms as President had proven to them that Lex could have been a powerful ally had they all been able to put aside their differences. While they were there to ensure nothing happened to the body, the League was also in attendance to mourn. In the end it had not been a grand scheme, nor the League that had killed Luthor but instead his own stubbornness. The Kryptonite ring he wore eventually poisoned his entire body. It started with the loss of his left hand but eventually the radiation spread through his entire body, filling it with cancerous cells that eventually drained the remaining life from the man’s body. 

“I’m surprised this many people turned out.” Came a younger voice as Bruce turned to his left, a small smirk crossing his scarred chin. 

“Nice to see you Richard,” Bruce said as he extended a hand. “How’s my ‘granddaughter’ keeping?”

“Oh, she’s going through that rebellious stage.” Dick replied with a smirk as he tapped his own chin. “Joker really did almost put a smile on your face eh? Explains the new cowl, I don’t know why you didn’t go with a full face mask years ago.” 

“This coming from the one who still wears a domino mask.” Bruce retorted as he began to stand, the funeral coming to a close as he held out his arm for Diana.  “Those went out with fedoras and trenchcoats.”

“Man, you were never this chatty before.” Dick said with a slight chuckle. “Whatever you’re doing to him Princess, keep it up.”

“I will do my best Richard.” Came Diana’s reply as a smile floated on her lips while a glare emitted from Bruce’s face, albeit much softer than Dick had been accustomed to during his time in the cave. 

“How’s Alf keeping?” Dick asked as he continued to walk with the pair as they each made their way towards the line of awaiting black cars. Hundreds of umbrellas held all around them as a gust of wind brought forth a cool autumn rain. 

“He misses you.” Bruce replied solemnly, a sigh weighing him down as he continued his answer. “Damian is ensuring he’s comfortable, but I fear he doesn’t have much time left. His body can’t take much more of this life and I’m afraid the Joker’s last attack may have Alfred taking his last bow on the stage.”

“I’ll be by the mansion this weekend, Kori and Mari will be at my side. I would hate to not get a proper chance to say goodbye.” Dick said, flicking a tear away from his eye. 

“Yes but enough death and sadness, tell us how is the school going this year?” Dianna intervened as Dick brightened up.

“Let me tell you Princess, Babs has the place running like a well-oiled machine...” Dick began.
 
[hr][indent][b][I]Star City; Corrigan School for Advanced Learning and Development[/i][/b] 
[indent][i]October 28, 2025[/i][/indent][/indent][hr]
The constant barrage of orange and black across the entire campus was enough to make anyone sick. Mariand’r Grayson shook her head as she floated across campus, her arms crossed across her body in an effort to shield any of her exposed golden skin from the cold fall rain. Like all Tamaraneans, Mari absorbed ultraviolet radiation through her skin, in some ways she was a lot alike a Kryptonian but nowhere near the power level that race possessed. Especially in Mari’s case since she was only half a Tamaranean. The daughter of Titans, the original Robin and his true love. It made Mari’s insides twist and bind as she thought about the weight of the legacy she was supposed to live up to. Her adoptive grandfather was the [i]goddamned[/i] Batman for [i]fucks’ sake.[/i]

Entering the mess hall, Mari’s stomach growled as she looked around for someone familiar to sit with. No sign of Freddie, so that wasn’t good. At least hanging out with Freddie warded off some of the guys who thought all Tamaraneans were sex hungry aliens. No, Tamaraneans simply enjoyed an uninhibited culture, and due to their abilities preferred less clothing. However her mother was the true Tamaranrean, Mari was of Earth, as such she had a lot more modesty and inhibitions than her mother, or [i]hell[/i] than even her father given his reputation before he settled down with Koriand’r. 

Wrinkling her nose at the smell of bacon, sausage and other fried breakfast foods, Mari made her way towards a nearby produce stand, scanning the various fruits there before making her decisions on what she wanted to eat for breakfast. Throwing a peach, pear and slice of watermelon on a plate, Mari made her way to a corner table before sitting down and placing her iPod’s ear buds in. The sounds of decades old music filled her mind with sweet release as it pushed back against the headache that last night’s hangover brought her. At least there was some perks to have a set of back breaking boobs and her father’s butt.

Pulling out the paper bowl that the cafeteria had provided, Mari began to absent mindedly slice her peach apart before leaning back in her chair.

[sub]“Hey!”[/sub] 

Mari didn’t even flinch as the voice called towards her. The sounds of ‘Fight For Your Right’ drowning out the noise of the busy cafeteria around her as she closed her eyes and savoured the sweet taste of the ripe peach. If only it was Schnapps. 

[sub]”Hey Nightstar!”[/sub] 

The voice called again as Mari’s eyes fluttered open before noticing the girl waving a flyer in front of her face.

“What?” She asked flaty pulling an ear bud out.

“Are you going to the dance Friday? It’s sure to be a [i]spooktacular[/i] evening!” She said smiling ear to ear with her own pun. 

[i]Social filter Mari, social filter.[/i] Her father’s voice haunted her thoughts as Mari rolled her eyes before letting out her answer.

“Fuck no.” She spat before seeing the girl’s face drop. “I mean, uh yeah I might make it.” Mari added as the girl perked up. Looking around desperately for a familiar face to save her, Mari’s face brightened as she saw her friend across the room. 

“Hey!” She called. “Over here!” Mari added with a wave of her hand, quickly sitting down as some slight nausea began to introduce itself to her system. 

[i]Note to self, never try to outdrink an Atlantean again.[/i]