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Post By Hatman Sat Jun 03, 2006 at 10:55:06 pm EDT |
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"What To Say?” - A Tie-In To #273: Untold Revolutionary Tales of the Lair Legion: Of the People, By the People, For the People | |
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Hatman had many things to do. With the Obedience Branded metahumans amassed outside of the Mansion, many more than the Legion could hope to defeat in a straight fight, he should have been going over tactical scenarios, ensuring the readiness of the team, even grabbing something light to eat before the battle was to begin. Still, he wasn’t doing any of these things. He had something more important to do. He had to say good-bye to his best friend. He didn’t have the first idea how though. He sat in his room on the edge of his bed, twisting the hem of his red cape in his hands. What do you say to your best friend when you can almost set your watch to when he’s going to die? Wrapped up in his own thoughts, Hatman didn’t hear the heavy tread of his visitors boots until his door was knocked upon. He looked up, startled to see Donar standing in his doorway. “May I?” “Sure,” beckoned Hatman, spinning his office chair from its spot near his desk to the hemigod. It wasn’t likely the bed would support Donar’s weight while he was wearing his full armour. “What can I do for you Donar?” Donar took the proffered chair, easing his large frame into it. He removed his helmet and lay it on the floor next to a large satchel. “Nay, tis not what thou canst do for the Oldmanson, but rather, what he canst do for thee. I know what troubles thy heart.” “I think everyone does,” Hatman acknowledged ruefully. “You wouldst not be the man thou art if it didst not,” Donar assured him before moving on to the point of his visit. “I hath led a great many warriors into the heat of battle, mine friend, and the cold touch of death claimed a great many of them. It is mine hope that they wert welcomed through the doors of VanHalen with open arms, but I wouldst be a fool to think that all made it to yon golden gates. “In many of yon battles past, I knew that good men wouldst die. They knew it as well, as does young Dreamcatcher. Yet still they fight, refusing to accept the straw death, protecting the weak and helpless till aye their dying breath.” A fire burned in Donar’s eyes as he spoke. “Wouldst thou do any of them the dishonour of any less?” Hatman sighed. “I know that’s what Dream wants Donar, and I respect that. I’d like to think in the same situation that I’d do the same. But your men were struck down during battle. Dream might not even get that far. What do I say to a man, my best friend, who might not even get to that final battle?” “I hath not the words for thee, my friend. All I can say is that thou must cherish the time left, e’en under circumstance such as these. When thou hast lived as long as I, you learn the hard way to do so.” Sometimes it was easy to forget just how old the immortal Ausgardian was. “Afore I leave thee, however, I would grant thee a gift,” said the hemigod, rising from his seat. He reached down and opened the satchel at his feet, revealing a large (by human standards) sword. It was etched with Ausgardian runes, with an image of the World Tree running the length of the blade. Donar picked it up and held it before Hatman, the blade resting in one hand, the hilt in the other. “We hath a tradition in Ausgard. When a boy becomes a man, and then becomes a leader of men, the Lord of Ausgard doth grant him a sacred weapon. I realize that thou wouldst not be comfortable wielding a tool such as this, but I doth feel the significance to be worthwhile.” A broad smile came to the Ausgardians face. “And what is a knight that hath not a sword?” Hatman stood and accepted the blade from the Lord of Ausgard. “Donar, it’s beautiful! Thank you.” Donar stood back as Hatman took the hilt of the sword, feeling it in his grip. “The balance is superb, and it’s so light.” “Forged by the finest metalsmiths in all Ausgard. I had hid it away here, at yon Mansion, before the disappearance of Ausgard, as I knew this day wouldst come.” The Ausgardian saddened for a moment, thinking of his beloved Annj. Hatman laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. “We’ll get Ausgard back. Once we’ve settled with the Parody Master, I’ll proudly ride at your side to reclaim your kingdom and your Queen.” Hatman offered his hand, and Donar clasped it gratefully. “I thank thee, Sir Hatman. But the battle awaits, and I feel it best to prepare by spending some quality time with the lady Buffy. I shalt see thee on the battlefield.” Donar reaffixed his helmet on his head and left the room. Hatman looked over the sword for a few moments before setting it down gently on his bed. He snatched up his black Hatman cap from the bedpost and slid it on his head as he walked out the door to Dream’s room. Hatman knocked on the door jamb even though the door was open. “I’ve told you before man,” CrazySugarFreakBoy! said without looking up from his reading, “Just walk right in. You’re always welcome.” “I know, but that doesn’t’ mean it’s safe,” he replied with a half-hearted grin. He plopped down on the end of Dream’s bed. “What’re you reading?” “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” he said as he set the book aside. “The Flash dies to save the entire Multiverse. I’d like to think that maybe I can do the same. It doesn’t get much better than that, especially with Perez art.” “Dammit man, this isn’t a comic book!” Hatman nearly shouted. “We’re talking about your life here-“ “Don’t you think I know that?!” shouted back CSFB!. “But would you rather I mope about, bringing down the entire team when we need to be at our best? Should I sit around feeling sorry for myself?” Hatman thought back to what Donar had said. “Well no…” “Or should I try to make the most of the time I’ve got left and do myself and the Lair Legion proud, fighting the good fight until the bitter end?” Hatman sat there for a moment. “I hate it when you make sense.” A grin split his friend’s face. “That’s the reaction most people have,” he beamed. “But still, there has to be something we can do,” reasoned Hatman. “Al might be able to reverse Dr. Moo’s treatment, or maybe Uhuna can do something with it.” “It’s not like you to grasp at straws,” Dream commented. “We both know that Al has enough to do if we’re going to get through this, and what would Uhuna do with the Brand? She has to put it somewhere.” “What if I take it? Maybe I have a hat that-“ “Don’t give me that ‘I might have a hat’ speech. You always think you have a hat, and sometimes you just don’t. You have to accept it buddy.” Dream got up from his chair and sat down next to his friend. “Look, I’m not really looking forward to dying, but we play the hand we’re dealt. So let’s stow this emotional crap and kick some mind controlled ass out there, huh?” Dream’s enthusiasm was contagious, and a small grin came to Hatman’s face. “Then that’s what we’ll do. You and me, side by side with the Lair Legion, one last time.” “‘And now, let the cry ring out! Let it shake the ground and rock the firmament above---that Krona shall know---we have come for him!’” CSFB! quoted. “’Avengers Assemble,’” said Hatman softly, offering his hand. “Lair Legion Line Up,” replied CSFB!, taking the hand and drawing his friend in for a quick hug. “So fearless leader, any ideas on how to wile away the time until we kick the crap out of the government’s errand boys?” “Well, if we had time I’d suggest a D&D campaign,” said Hatman as he stood up. “But since time is short I thought I’d show you this neat card game I recently picked up.” The two friends left for Hatman’s room, sharing in each other’s company, laughing together for perhaps the last time. They didn’t know what lay ahead in the coming battle, or if Dream would even make it to the battle, but they pushed that aside for the time being. If he was to die, Dream was going to die a warrior, charging unwavering into battle. And his best friend would be at his side, fighting the good fight. The Brave and the Bold. One last time.   Obviously we all know how that final battle turned out, with CSFB! coming back fully united with Chaos. Still, I felt that if the team believed Dream was going to die as was set up, there had to be a scene between CSFB! and his best friend Hatman. This would have been out sooner but I got stuck, until I thought of the Donar scene that started things out. The Greek Guy sure made the rounds before that battle eh? And a note about the cards pictured, if the text is kinda screwy, it's a result of me shrinking down the images. If you view them at full size the text is perfectly readable. |
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