The Buddy System - Chapter 1: It Came From the Bog

[The Agent]

Okay,

Look guys, Geo-Force is coming... he had some obstacles to overcome along the way (you'll read about those).

Said that, 1573 PLEASE add capital letters when required and... well, forgive me: I'm just a perfectionist.

Excellent work from everyone.

[minominop]

The Sonoran Desert, Mexico

Watching, always watching, and waiting to make a move. The one called Grundy is always changing and to act too soon would be............ impetuous. He said the swamp was in danger, but a scan of the green reveals that whatever it is, isn't in the green itself. "If there is a danger, it is apart from the swamp."

The Swamp Thing watches as Solomon Grundy slowly and quietly falls from the sky. This was not unexpected; Grundy is very strong when well motivated. A plume of dust arises on impact, not far from where The Swamp Thing stands hidden in the guise of a Saguaro cactus. The air is dry here and Grundy should be weakened in this environment, so it is a surprise when he quickly takes off at a run. Something is definitely wrong. How is this possible?

Before he took off, Grundy actually changed color. His skin took on a mottled look, and resembled desert camouflage. "What new behavior is this?" Grundy isn't difficult for Swamp Thing to follow through the desert. As he passes though the green, he notices Grundy's presence begin to fade from it.

About 10 miles ahead of Grundy, Swamp Thing forms a body for himself out of Mesquite, Ironwood and various cacti. As he thinks on what to do next, he looks down at his feet. The rugged mountain peaks and sun-baked boulders throughout the arid Southwest are often colored in beautiful shades of orange, green, yellow and gray. At first glance the colorful coatings resemble a layer of paint, but close examination reveals that this unusual phenomenon is caused by a thin layer of microscopic organisms. The organisms include colonies of bacteria, symbiotic algae and fungi called lichens.

"Is this it? Is this what Grundy is becoming now?"

Swamp Thing stands there and watches as Grundy approaches. As he is barreling past, Grundy tries to stop, but his momentum doesn't allow him to, and rolls to an eventual end, kicking up dust along the way.

Out of the dust a shadow looms, and Grundy steps forward. For many moments, the two stand there and just stare at each other. Swamp Thing wonders what could possibly be going through it's mind? It's body is in such turmoil. The green is almost absent. Almost, but not quite. He explores what is left of it inside and Grundy allows him. He just patiently waits.

As he explores, Swamp Thing realizes that if the grey takes over completely; he will lose any and all control over this dangerous creature. So he does the only thing he can think of; he feeds power to the green within him.

He doesn’t know if this hurts him, it shouldn’t, but Grundy responds in the only way he can think of, and he lashes out. The tremendous blow doesn’t knock Swamp Thing off of his feet but it does destroy his entire left arm, which instantly regrows. Swamp Thing continues to feed power to the dwindling green within him, making it stronger. As he is about to strike again, Grundy staggers, but Swamp Thing doesn’t stop.

Grundy resumes his attack, and each blow is endured as pieces of cactus and other vegetation flies off of Swamp Thing. Regrowing limbs is not a problem for him. He could keep this up for a long time, but if this didn't work then there would be no point. As fast as he could grow the green, the grey would consume it.

What Solomon Grundy was becoming was something new. He was becoming a new type of elemental. He got his strength from all living things as they died, and decayed. He is the fungus, the rot, the pestilence. But as bad as it sounded.........it was a necessary role. Without it, the world could not function, and so he stopped, and retreated into the green.

From here he could see the last remaining vestige of the green disappear from within Grundy. Now he was whatever he was meant to become. A new change came over him. Not a change of flesh, but of mind.

With a seemingly new purpose, Grundy continued his journey east, accross the Mexican landscape.

[Maverick]

Mexico: The Sonoran Desert


The airborne heroes descend to find a partially dismembered Swamp Thing standing in the desert.

"Swampy! You ok?" asks Buddy as he touches down.

"I am unhurt. I fear for what Grundy has become, however. It appears he has been overtaken by the grey, despite my efforts." replies Swamp Thing.

"The grey?" asks Blue Jay.

"Yes. You see, I am of the Green, vegetation, the life of the the planet. Grundy is similar, although he has lost his connection to the Green. The Grey, decay and death, has overtaken him." informs Swamp Thing.

"Where is he then?" asks Rex.

"He has gone East. I need a moment to regenerate, then I can follow." replies Swamp Thing.

"No time. There could be innocents in his path." says the Red Tornado as he rises into the air and bolts East, after Grundy.

"Reddy wait!" yells Buddy.

"No my friend. We must proceed immediatly. Grundy is a serious threat now." says Swamp Thing, cutting Buddy off.

"Listen guys, the JLA has beaten Grundy before. We have the power to do it again. I say we stop holding back and put this monster down once and for all." says Rex. He absorbs the earth from beneath him, converts it into plant matter, and funnels it into Swamp Thing.

"Thank you Mason. Now go, take to the skies. I will follow close behind." Swamp Thing says as he merges back with the earth.

"You heard the man, lets get moving." orders Buddy.


----

Mexico: boarder refugee camp.

Grundy comes across a small tent-city of poor and displaced Mexican citizens, who are wait to get into the US. They are sick, starving and in rough shape all around. It is a depressing sight to see, but unfortunatly, a very real reality for these people.

Screams of fright and terror emerge from the collection of people as this monster emerges into their midst.

"Errrrr, fooooood." Grunts Solomon. He is seemingly empowered by the state of these people, one of physical and emotional decay.

"Not today Grundy!" Yells Reddy as he forms a vortex, removing the people from the area.

Reddy then shifts and blasts at Solomon with another tornado, knocking him backwards into a small area of trees. Grundy tears the trees right from the ground, and begins hurling them at Reddy. Tree after tree is flung into the air, but Reddy manages to move them aside with his whirlwinds.

When he looks down to where Grundy was, he finds he has again vanished.

"Must protect the people." he says aloud. He flies over to where he put down the group of people, and finds Grundy nowhere in sight.

A moment later, Buddy and the rest of the gang show up.

"Where is he Reddy?" asks Mari.

"He has disappeared again. His speed is surprising this time around. He appears to have gathered power by simply being near these poor, starving people." replies Reddy.

"Must be that Grey thing Swampy was talking about. We better find him, and quick." adds Buddy. "We should split up, we can cover more ground that way. Reddy, you and Jay head South. Mari, you and Rex will continue East. I'm going to see if I can't find an animal that can sniff out Death, should bring me right to him. And please, everyone, be careful. Try not to engage until the rest of show up, if thats an option."

[biggamepoacher]

Mexico: The Sonora Desert

Jay and Red Tornado fly across the Sonora Desert, heading further south. They survey the landscape, looking for any sign of Solomon Grundy. Almost the entire time, they are silent. Finally, Jay breaks the silence.

"Reddy... you really hate him, don't you?" Jay asks.

"I hate him more than I've ever hated ANYONE before." Reddy says intensely.

"Do you believe he can be redeemed in your eyes?" Jay asks. Reddy does not answer.

"I see..." Jay says.

"Don't joke about this, Jay. I want Solomon brought to justice, even if I do desire to see him dead. But, as far as redemption... I don't know." Reddy says.

"...That's fair enough." Jay says, "How's Kathy?" Jay asks.

"She's good. So is Traya." Reddy now smiles.

"Wow..." Jay says.

"What?" Reddy asks.

"It's amazing. Your love for her completely overtook your disdain for Grundy. ... You really love her." Jay says.

"Yes, I do." Reddy says. Reddy and Jay are silent once more. Finally, the silence is broken yet again. Only, this time, by Red Tornado.

"How is she?" Reddy asks.

"What?" Jay asks, confused.

"I was in the Justice League mainframe long enough to know about your history in the League. I also know about her's. About you two. About what happened--"

"Listen, I don't know. After we first started our relationship, she just stopped talking to me. She wouldn't even come into contact with me. And, to this day, I STILL have no idea why..." Jay says, trailing from the conversation. Reddy thinks for a moment, about the information he knows. But, for Jay's sake, he doesn't say anything. Also, for the sake of conversation, Reddy starts a new one.

"OK, enough idle chit-chat. We have to find Grundy. Now, obviously, he'll be heading for a swamp, or some variation of it."

"Then we're going in the right direction." Jay says.

"We are?" Reddy asks.

"Yep. The rain forests of Mexico are located in the South. On the outskirts of these, are several miles of swampland. I mean, there are other swamps throughout Mexico, but most of it is located in the South. So, we have the most likely chance of finding Grundy, if not the best." Jay says.

"Good." Reddy says. The two men burst off into top-speed flight, heading South. Looking for Grundy.

[The Agent]

Somewhere in San Diego.

The search for Animal Man was not going as smoothly as he had hoped. He kept getting sidetracked. He knew the basic direction of the Bakers house from the airport, but not the address. When he had stopped at a phone booth to check the phone book, an incredible sense of dizziness overcame him. Looking around, all he saw at first were the usual citizens staring at him as he used the phone booth. Then their heads turned as one to see Count Vertigo flying over the roof of a warehouse.

In defense Geo-Force started throwing intense, heat-powered lava shots at Count Vertigo. They were useless because his aim had been disrupted by the criminal's powers. To make it even more difficult, the Count was flying all over the place like a crazy bat. His "Vertigo Effect" was also weakening Geo-Forces legs.

"You're a dismal failure, Geo-Force.... LEAVE ME ALONE! I'm here to restore pride to my country. Long live Vatlava!", screams the Count.

This did not make sense to Geo-Force. The Count started attacking before he even saw him. This felt like another distraction, but he had no choice. He had to take out this violent criminal before he hurt someone.

"This is NOT the solution, Vertigo. I must stop you! I will stop you!" This was easy to say, but much harder to accomplish.

Geo-Force strongly felt the strange effects Count Vertigo was throwing at him. He could barely stand up, and his airplane food felt like it was going to revisit him. That was one meal he didn't want to enjoy twice.

"Geo-Force, leave me alone, you're not an American. I don't want to fight you. Let those vermin come out from their holes...", he sneered.

What was he talking about? Geo-Force focused his powers on the pathetic Count. He pushed the energy out of himself the best that he could, despite the fatigue. "I must do it. I must do it please.", he kept repeating to himself in a sort of mantra.

A terrible headache started to erupt in his head, but he didn't stop. Stopping wasn't an option. The pain was incredible.

"MUST..."

The thought of Denise, came to him. Her soft smell, all over the place, she was his only love. He had to concentrate harder.

"DO..."

Power. He started to feel the power of the Vixen. He felt the Vixen in his blood, and she triggered the power.

'IT!"

Count Vertigo's weight increased beyond his limits, and beyond his ability to control, falling down like an airplane on its last flight.

"NOOOO!"

The crash of Count Vertigo was violent, as he went through the window of the warehouse. Geo-Force could hear sirens the approaching, as he knocked the door to the warehouse off it's hinges with a quick blast. He ran over to the body of the Count as it lay in a pile of boxes half filled with running shoes, and checked for a pulse.

"At least he's still alive."

Enough distractions, thought Geo-Force. "I must meet Animal Man and Vixen now."

[minominop]

Mexico

Buddy looks for an animal to tap into and finds a small den of coyotes. Perfect he thinks and instantly senses a sent trail that could only be attributed to Solomon Grundy.

"South." he mutters, "Well that's incredibly vague."

He's about to take off with the aid of a kestrel when he sees movement out of the corner of his eye. He spins around to confront it and finds Swamp Thing silently watching. At first he says nothing because it's obviously the abandoned husk left behind by the Swamp Thing when he reentered the green. Then it blinks......and smiles as Buddy jumps backward, trips over his own feet, and lands hard on his backside.

"Swamp man, don't ever do that again. I thought you left, or whatever it is you do when you're not around.", Buddy picks himself up and dusts himself off. Feeling slightly less heroic at the moment he asks, "Why are you here?"

"I know where Solomon Grundy is headed.", Swamp thing answers.

Yeah? Well where?

"Have you heard of the Chicxulub crater?"

"That's the crater in the Yucatan that was supposedly the site of the last extinction level event that wiped out the dinosaurs." Buddy answers.

"Except that there is no crater anymore. Through the millennia it has eroded away, but near that spot there is now a mangrove swamp."

"And that is where Grundy is going?"

"It is."

"You know this, how?"

"There are many reasons, not the least of which is, that is where I would go. Also, I think he is looking for something."

"Looking for something? He was looking for you. What else could he possibly be looking for?", Buddy asks.

"I don't know for sure, but I have my suspicions. And he wasn't looking for me. Not really. I think he was after information, only I could give."

"I wish you'd be a little more free with that information myself."

"All in due time, my friend."

"Chicxulub huhn? That's a mouthful. What are we waiting for?"

"I'm already there, waiting."

Buddy takes off using the kestrel he found earlier. Now he has to find the others, and send them to the Yucatan swamp. At least we have a destination. Lost in his thoughts Buddy wishes he didn't split everyone up. Then he wouldn't have had to find them again. Not for the first time does Buddy doubt his leading ability. "We have a good group. I hope I don't screw up.", Buddy tells himself.


------------------------------------------------------------

San Diego

At the Baker residence, Geo-Force is putting the finishing touches to the repair he did on the house. An easy task for him, since gravity is not a problem.

"Honestly, you don't have to your Majesty.", Ellen Baker stammers.

"Nonsense Ellen. What type of person would I be if I didn't help look after my own? I've completely sealed the hole, and reinforced the wall around it. It's stronger than it was before, and I accomplished it in less time then it took you to get me that glass of lemonade. Please call me Brion.",he smiles his famous smile.

"I thank you, and I wish I could help, but I didn't see where they took off to. I was too busy calming the kids down."

"I think I can help you there.", came a voice from the bush.

Geo-Force instantly places himself between the bush and Ellen. He then uses his powers to nullify then reverse the gravity of the bush, and rips it out of the ground, revealing nothing. There was no one behind it. Before he could shoot it off into the stratosphere, a voice comes from the bush. "Please don't."

The bush shrinks first, into a dense mass of vegetation, it then grows arms and legs, contorting from it's original form until it resembles somewhat a man. Geo-Force gently lowers Swamp Thing to the ground. "I recognize you.", Brion says.

"And I, you prince Markov. Animal Man and the others are in Mexico, and are headed to the Yucatan swamp. They are hunting the one called Grundy."

"Is everyone OK?" asks Ellen.

"So far, no one has been seriously hurt. They may have need of your particular talents though." Swamp Thing says as he turns toward Geo-Force.

"Of course. Then that is where I am off to. Thank you for your hospitality Ellen. It's been a pleasure. If you'll excuse me?"

Yes. Yes. It's not everyday I get to entertain European royalty. The pleasure was mine Brion. Please tell Buddy to be careful for me .

"Shall we go Swamp Thing?" But the Swamp Thing was already gone. All that was left was his husk, so Brion replants it in it's previous hole, and takes off into the sky.

Ellen quite used to odd goings on, looks at the man-shaped bush."Topiary. We'll be the envy of the neighborhood now.", she says to no one in particular, and walks back into the house. What was odd, she thinks, was that Swamp Thing was more talkative than he usually is. At least that was the impression she got from others.

[The Agent]

Mino, you did great with Geo-Force.
Now, JUST do this:

1- Improve my previous excerpt on the fight between Geo-Force and Count Vertigo(!). As you should already know, English is not my main language.

2- Revise the capital letters on your latest excerpt (everyone should do the same for ALL the story).

[The Agent]

May 25, 2008 10:28:35 GMT -5 minominop said:

Hello,
1. You want me to revise what you have already done? I can't modify your posts, so send it to me in a personal message, I will revise it, then send it back to you the same way.

2. Which capital letters do you think are missing?

1- OK.
2- OK.

[biggamepoacher]

The Sonoran Desert, Mexico

Mari and Rex fly east, scanning the area for Grundy. As they fly, they catch up. About life after the JLA, why they are here, and what they will do after this situation is sorted out. But, now, it has become unusually quiet. Soon, they realize something.

"We're too far east." Mari says.

"Huh?"

"We're near Cancun. That means we're about to hit the coastline. And I doubt Grundy would want to go swimming."

"Oh hell... we are..." Rex notices. They both look ahead, noticing that, further out, they can see the faint glimmer of the sea.

"Dammit..." Rex says, dissapointed. Now, he knows that they didn't find Grundy. He then turns to face Mari.

"So... what do we do now?" Rex asks.

"Well, we either try and find Buddy, or we head South and meet up with Jay and Reddy." They both think for a moment, until Rex finally speaks.

"I'd feel more useful if we KNEW what we were doing. I say we head South and meet up with Jay and Reddy." Rex says.

"Agreed. After all, who's to say they haven't found Grundy yet?" Mari says.

"True. And, if that's the case, we better double-time it."

"So, let's go." They both turn, and fly southwest, heading away from the coast and trying to find Reddy and Jay. They both fly faster and faster, unsure of what the two are up to. But, as they fly, they can see the faint glimmer of the sea grow fainter, and fainter, until the glimmer of the sea is overtaken by the sand.

[Maverick]

Central Mexico



The Red Tornado and Blue Jay have spent the last hour and a half flying South over Mexico. They are on the search for Solomon Grundy, but have thus far not located him. What they have found is a country in social and economic upheavel, where the victims are unfortunatly the people of Mexico. Many of the cities they pass over are full of down trodden souls, etching out an existance in some of the worst conditions imaginable.

"By God Reddy...these poor people. Every city we pass over cries out for a savior, someone to bring them back from the depths of their existance." notes Jay, visibly distressed with what he has witnessed. "I knew this place had it rough...but this...I didn't expect this."

"Not many do, my friend. When one thinks of Mexico, they think of vacations on glorious beaches. A place of natural beauty." replies Reddy, showing no emotion in his voice. "Their government would rather keep it that way."

"Perhaps we could aid one of these towns. For two men like us, it wouldn't take long to help set up a better infrastructure." adds Jay.

"That is not the way we do things, my friend. Not all problems in this world can be solved by people with extrodinary powers, however much we may wish to." replies Reddy. The two heroes stop their flight, and hover in the air.

"Why are we stopping? Change your mind?" asks Jay.

"Negative. Grundy has not been here, and he will not be here. It is clear now to me where he must have gone." replies Reddy.

"Oh yeah? Want to fill me in?" Jay says with a chuckle.

"It is quite simple, really. I've been running the information we have through my data-banks, and have formed a conclusion." begins Reddy, "First, Grundy came to us looking for Swamp Thing. That implies there is something about swamps, or a swamp, that interests him. This notion was reinforced when he made contact with those people at the boarder. Clearly he gained some sort of power when he was in the proximity of those sick people."

Jay could see what Reddy was getting at, but failed to make any connection to where Grungy might be now, "So...what does it all mean Reddy? I don't have a computer for a brain, so help me out here."

"It means he will most likely head to a place rich in the energy of death. In addition, he will probably be looking for a swamp land type area. There is one place like that here in Mexico, the Chicxulub crater. This is the impact zone where the meteor that wiped out the Dinosaurs hit. This is also a swamp land now. This is where Grundy is going." concludes Reddy as he begins to head in the direction of the crater.

"Smart cookie...lets go bag ourselves some swamp muck." says Jay.

[biggamepoacher]

The Sonoran Desert, Mexico

Reddy and Jay fly throgh the air as fast as they can go. Reddy, of course, holds back. If he would go as fast as he could, well... Jay would be long gone. But, as they fly, Reddy finds it harder and harder to hold back. This flight has given him too much time to think. About Solomon beating Reddy in the ground. Him seeing Kathy, looking on, helpless. So far, he has calculated at least 100 different ways to kill Solomon, and the list is growing.

"Reddy..." Jay says, breaking Reddy out of his trance.

"What, Jay?" Reddy asks.

"I know how you're feeling, and it's understandable, but you need to let go of your anger towards Solomon."

"What?" Reddy asks, astonished Jay would consider saying that, "How can I just let all my anger go? I can't forgive Solomon for what he did. NEVER." Reddy says.

"Like I said, I understand, Reddy. And, when you find him, yeah, beat him, hurt him, do whatever you want. But, when it comes down to it, getting revenge will never feel as good to you as it would to him. Mainly because he's a monster with nothing to lose. He's undoubtedly be reborn, and come back to wreak havoc another day. But, also because you're a hero, Reddy. We don't kill. And even if we do, we never do it in cold blood. We do it for everyone's sake. Not just our own. Remember that, Reddy." Jay finishes. Reddy doesn't say anything. He just looks away, thinking about what Jay has just said. Then, he looks ahead. Right ahead, he can see an area of lush green vegitation, and can feel the air get moist.

"That's it." Reddy says.

"Well then..." Jay then stops. He presses a button on the com-link in his ear.

"Guys, we've tracked down Solomon to the Chicxulub Crater. Meet us here, we will have already entered the swamp." He then presses a button on the com-link which sends the message to each member of the Buddy System who is out looking for Solomon.

"OK... let's go." Jay says. They both then rush towards the swamp, dive into the trees, and disappear from sight under the mangroves.

-----------------------------------------------------

Elsewhere in the Sonoran Desert, Mexico

Rex and Mari begin to back-track. They were flying east, searching for Grundy, but soon reached the coastline. Knowing that Solomon wouldn't have gone in the ocean, and seeing no physical evidence of him being there, they decided to turn around and head backwards. But, as they fly, Mari stops.

"Rex," Mari says, extending her arm in front of Rex, "Jay and Reddy found Solomon. He's at the Chicxulub Crater. Jay and Reddy already went in looking for him." Mari says.

"That's crazy." Rex says.

"Yeah, all the more reason for us to get the Crater. QUICK."

"Well then, let's go." Rex and Mari then take off to Crater, doubling their speed. Soon, they will arrive at the swamp, and join Reddy and Jay in their search for Solomon Grundy.

-------------------------

Nearing O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, IL.

"So, explain this again?" Jaycee asks. She was just told an hour ago that her mother was dying by two government agents. Being an urgent matter, they have decided to take her to see her mother before she goes. So, they are on their way to O'Hare International Airport, to take Jaycee to see her mother. While driving their, though, Jaycee has been told what happened to her parents. She still isn't fully understanding the situation.

"It's very simple, Ms. Weston," Agent Lane begins, "You were a born a month or so before your mother was caught in a terrible tragedy. She was so badly injured that she couldn't care for you, so, you were placed in the foster care system."

"What about my dad?" Jaycee asks. The agents look at each other, knowing the truth. But, instead, they forego that truth.

"Your father was caught in the same accident, but never made it out." Agent Lane says. As he says this, they pull up to O'Hare International Airport. They drive through the back, and pull up to a personal government jet. They three step out of the car, toss the keys to one of the workers, and walk toward the jet. First, Agent Harris gets on with Jaycee. Agent Lane is behind them, and is stopped by a flight attendant.

"Where to, sir?" She asks.

"Tell the pilots to set a course for Keystone City, Kansas." Agent Lane says.

"Very well, sir." She then steps aside, let's Agent Lane in the jet, and shuts the door behind him.

----------------------------

The Baker Residence, San Diego, CA.

All is quiet at the Baker house. Ellen is cooking dinner, Cliff is playing video games, and Maxine is sitting at the kitchen table coloring. Ellen, while cooking, realizes she needs a pot from the sink. So, she goes to the sink, and washes it out. After drying it, she looks out the window above the sink, and sees a man in their backyard. He is crouched down, looking at the house, and completely covered in green.

"Hm..." The man says, noticing that the house is too quiet for any heroes to still be there, "Looks like I'm tardy to the party." He says. Then, as quickly as he was there, he vanishes away.

[The Agent]

Looks terrific.

Where is everyone?