Work Text:
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA:
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM, 1946. Evening.
To Establish.
The skies over Arkham darken with clouds, and lightning strikes, silhouetting the building. The arch with “ARKHAM” written on it is clearly visible in the foreground.
INT. LARGE CELL
Two men in Arkham staff uniforms watch as a hulking monster roars in it’s cell, it’s chains buckle as it’s massive arms pull against it. One of them looks over at the other, who nervously flips a switch, and gas begins to pour into the cell.
The figure coughs, then his head slumps forward, still cast in shadow.
Arkham Worker 1:
I always feel sorta bad about putting him down for nap time. I mean he must get pretty angry.
The other worker shrugs.
Arkham Asylum 2:
Not like it’s human.
He places a file folder with the logo “SYMBOLIX” on it, the name of the file subject is blacked out.
The worker then picks up a tray plate of food on the console, he unlatches a steel door leading into the monster’s cell, and takes the food in. Worker 1 follows him in, closing the door behind himself.
He begins hooking a thick needle into the monster’s pale grey forearm. The monster’s hand twitches and the man steps back, startled. Worker 2 looks over at him and chuckles.
Arkham Worker 2 (cont’d)
Don’t worry, that thing’s not going anywhere.
Worker 1 nods, and pulls a switch on the wall, acid green fluid flows down a pipe and into the creature’s forearm. The monster roars, it’s yellow eyes shooting open, but as the pipe into its forearm dries up, it slumps back to sleep.
Arkham worker 1 seems shaken. Arkham worker 2 shakes his head and places the food on a table in the middle of the room.
Worker 1 nervously pulls the needle out of the monster’s forearm, and then steps back. Worker 2 pulls out a syringe from his uniform, and extracts blood from the hole in the monster’s forearm. As he works, he talks to Worker 1.
Worker 2:
I get you're new, but do you really think they’d send us to- well, do you think I’d be doing this if it wasn’t secure? I mean, this thing almost took down Green Lantern. No, all we need to do is collect the blood samples for Mr. Arkham and those Symbolix guys, then we’re outta here.
Worker 1:
Well.. what if it wakes up?
Worker 2 shakes his head.
Worker 2:
Those 2 milligrams of that knockout juice could put an elephant down for a nice long nap, we have plenty of time.
Worker 1:
Wait, 2 milligrams? I thought it was one?
Worker 2 turns, surprised.
Worker 2:
1?? That isn’t nearly enough.
Closeup on the monster’s closed eyes, as the workers argue.
A voice begins to echo in its head.
Voice [echoing and faded]: Voice [echoing and faded]:
Áwæcnan! Aiséirigh!
Voice [echoing and faded]: Voice [echoing and faded]:
Arisan! Dúisigh!
Suddenly the echoing voices come together into one.
Voice:
Wake up, monster!
Two yellow eyes snap open.
The monster roars, and easily tears one of his chains out of the wall, the brickwork it’s attached to thuds on the floor.
The workers look up, frozen in fear.
The monster’s head, still cast in shadow, looks towards Worker 2, who is holding a syringe, one plugged directly into his arm. The monster’s eyes glow with anger.
Monster:
You...hurt me.
The monster growls, angrily, and his hand grabs worker two, and pulls him off the ground.
Worker 2’s scream is quickly silenced.
Worker 1, horrified, tries to back away, as the other chain snaps.
The hulking brute steps out from the shadows. It is… SOLOMON GRUNDY.
Worker 1 gasps terrified, as Grundy bellows.
Grundy:
GRUNDY IS FREE!!
As the worker stumbles back into the wall.
Grundy then looks down toward the Arkham worker, who’s eyes widen. The worker begins banging on the door.
Worker:
Help me! Please! Somebody!
Grundy grimaces, then lumbers toward the worker.
Grundy:
Solomon Grundy...born on a monday.
Grundy’s shadow looms over the frantic worker.
Worker:
Help! Help! - AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIEEEE!
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM.
The worker’s scream echoes in the night, and the muffled sound of a door being smashed open can be heard.
[TITLE CARD]
EXT. GOTHAM CITY STREET.
A CHILD in a Green Lantern costume accidentally drops his trick or treat bag into the street, he rushes to get it, when a taxi cab speeds toward him. The child looks up into the headlights terrified, when suddenly a glowing green bridge forms over the child’s head, safely escorting the taxi away. The child looks up to see GREEN LANTERN
floating down from the sky.
Child [GL Costume]:
Green Lantern!
Green Lantern smiles as he lands, he creates a glowing hand, which gives the trick or treat bag back to the child.
Green Lantern:
You should be more careful when you cross the street.
Child [GL Costume]:
Of course, Mr. Green Lantern! ...Sorry.
Green Lantern smiles and walks the child back to the street corner. The child looks down at his trick or treat bag.
Green Lantern:
If you’re looking for candy, try the park. They're giving it out like pennies from heaven.
He looks down at the child’s costume.
Green Lantern (cont’d):
I appreciate costume, by the way. Did you make it yourself?
Child [GL Costume]:
My mom helped.
Green Lantern:
Well, you two did a fine job. I know who to call if this one gets ripped up.
He begins to fly away, when he turns back.
Green Lantern (cont’d):
Say, did you ever wonder what it was like to fly?
EXT. GOTHAM CITY STREET, LATER.
Green Lantern places the child back on the street, and tips his fingers. He soars off, as the child waves.
As he flies over the city, the JSA radio buzzes, he holds it to his ear.
Doctor Mid-Nite:
Alan-
Green Lantern:
Charles. I was just on my way to Headquarters, how’s the Halloween Party?
Doctor Mid-Nite:
A little dry at the moment, we barely have any candy, but that’s not why I called- I’m afraid I have to interrupt your evening.
Green Lantern:
What is it?
Doctor Mid-Nite:
The GCPD called headquarters with some reports of missing persons-
Green Lantern nods.
Doctor Mid-Nite:
But more pressingly, there’s a breakout at Arkham Asylum. Solomon Grundy got out.
Green Lantern suddenly comes to a stop.
Green Lantern:
I knew we shouldn’t have let that madhouse keep him. Any injuries?
Doctor Mid-Nite:
A couple workers in charge of feeding Grundy, but other than that the staff has done their best to keep out of his way.
Green Lantern nods.
Green Lantern:
Then I’ll get there as soon as possible.
Doctor Mid-Nite:
Dinah and Hippolyta are on their way to headquarters now, I can re-route them to you, if you need. I know the wood in Grundy’s flesh is… difficult for you.
Green Lantern:
I’ve got this one. Just enjoy the party.
The radio clicks off, and Green Lantern shoots towards the direction of Arkham Asylum.
EXT. JSA HEADQUARTERS- CIVIC CITY.
Establishing shot of the building, then shot of the doorstep with pumpkins outfront, and a candy bowl on the porch.
EXT. JSA HEADQUARTERS ROOF.
The invisible jet sits on the runway atop the roof, it’s ramp is down and DINAH DRAKE, dressed as one of the Ziegfeld Follies, as well as HIPPOLYTA, dressed in ancient greek attire, her hair tied up behind her head, exit it.
Dinah holds Hippolyta’s hand as they walk down onto the roof.
Dinah:
-All I’m saying is hunting down a vampire could be a pretty exciting way to spend Halloween... not to mention romantic -- I mean, holding hands as we make our way through an ancient and eerie castle-
Hippolyta:
Yes, it all sounds very exhilarating, Dinah, but The Mad Monk can wait. We assured Charles we would attend this party, and after he and Ted worked all day to decorate, I could hardly find it in me to disappoint them now.
Dinah strokes her cheek, and then gently kisses her.
Dinah:
I know you couldn’t angel-
They continue walking.
Dinah:
-but, hey, if you change your mind...
Dinah winks. Suddenly a gust of wind blows against them, Dinah shivers.
Hippolyta gently pulls her closer.
Hippolyta:
Are you cold, my love?
Dinah:
A little chilly-
Dinah’s teeth chatter. Hippolyta smiles.
Hippolyta:
This may have something to do with your choice of Halloween costume, my darling. I do not imagine it was designed with the fall air in mind.
Dinah [playfully]:
And you’re complaining about that?
Dinah poses for her girlfriend, resting her hand on her exposed thigh. In response Hippolyta takes Dinah’s hand and brings Dinah closer, holding her against her chest.
Hippolyta:
Hardly, your outfit is incredibly… stimulating. And, it does mean that I will have to hold you close to me, to keep you nice and warm.
Dinah relaxes her head into Hippolyta’s collarbone, Hippolyta wraps her arms around Dinah.
Hippolyta (cont’d):
-Even still, I do wish I’d brought you a jacket.
Dinah:
Mmh- I don’t think Sappho wore many jackets.
Hippolyta:
I don’t believe so-
As Dinah shivers against her, Hippolyta looks towards the door leading into the JSA building.
Hippolyta (cont’d):
Come, my love, it will be much warmer inside.
She and Dinah again begin walking towards the door, Dinah leans her head into Hippolyta’s shoulder.
Hippolyta opens the door, the orange light glows from inside the JSA Headquarters.
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM.
Green Lantern descends down towards the prison yard, where the Arkham inmates run rampant. In the center of the yard Solomon Grundy punches an Arkham truck, it easily smashes through the front gate, and the inmates begin rushing for it.
Green Lantern narrows his eyes and then shoots down towards the yard, he grabs the thrown Arkham truck with his ring, and as he slams down onto the floor of the yard he hurls it at Grundy.
Grundy is thrown back into the Arkham building.
Green Lantern then turns, he blasts out an inmate holding a piece of wood, then lifts his left hand to the sky and creates a construct octopus which begins picking the inmates up.
Suddenly Grundy shoots out of the Arkham building-
Grundy:
GREEN LANTERN!!!
He tackles Green Lantern, and slams him into the metal arch above the front gate. Grundy punches him across the face. Green Lantern then grits his teeth.
As Grundy again pulls back, Green Lantern creates a flash of light, Grundy rears back to escape it.
Green Lantern uses his ring to catch the falling inmates, and sets them down on the ground, then he creates a massive beam of energy that shoots into Solomon Grundy, Grundy holds up his arms to defend himself, but he is forced back.
Grundy’s shoes dig into the ground as the ring’s might pushes against him.
...Then he takes a step forward.
He takes another, and the beam begins dissipating more quickly, as if it is unable to touch Grundy.
Green Lantern:
The wood-
Green Lantern attempts to pour more into it, but Grundy charges forward and swats him aside.
Grundy:
Grundy not want to fight you!
Green Lantern catches himself on the ground, his ring blazing.
Green Lantern:
Odd way to show it.
Grundy:
Just want to find tree-man in head.
Green Lantern:
…who?
Grundy:
Grundy hear voices. In Grundy’s brain. ...So leave Grundy alone!
Green Lantern nods, creating a sword and shield with his ring.
Green Lantern:
I see why they put you in the insane asylum.
Green Lantern leaps towards Grundy, who roars. Grundy easily smashes Green Lantern’s shield apart, Green Lantern lands on the ground, then attempts to stab Grundy with his sword. It dissolves on Grundy’s wooden flesh.
Grundy growls and grabs Green Lantern’s face, he punches Green Lantern into the fence. Green Lantern begins to rise to his feet, but Grundy punches him across the face, then punches him again.
Grundy roars, then leaps away.
Grundy:
GRUNDY SAID TO LEAVE GRUNDY ALONE!!
Grundy lands at the mouth of the forest, takes a moment to look back towards Arkham, then enters the forest.
Back at the prison yard, Green Lantern rubs his head, then stands up.
As the inmates rush towards the open gate, Green Lantern makes a massive green castle wall in front of it. The drawbridge rolls down and an army of green knights rushes out and they begin rounding up the inmates.
Green Lantern looks out across the yard, when he notices a man escaping by seemingly walking through the air. He has a prison bed sheet wrapped around his head, imitating a pirate’s bandana.
Sky Pirate:
As the Sky Pirate escapes to the skies, he only grows in power!!
Green Lantern sighs, and a hand from his ring reaches out and plucks the sky pirate from the air.
INT. THE MIDDLE OF THE WOODS.
Grundy trudges along through the woods, when as the trees surround him, they begin to form faces, and the voice’s whispers begin echoing in his head.
Grundy clutches his forehead, as the voice speaks.
Voice [faded, and echoing]:
The trees make your sinews, the trees make your bones. Just as I am.
Solomon Grundy growls, still clutching at his head. The branches begin reaching out to grab him.
Voice [faded, and echoing] (Cont’d):
You are not so easily enthralled as other treeborn. No. However you will come to serve me, as well, monster. You too shall fall to the will of-
Grundy:
GET OUT OF GRUNDY’S HEAD!!!!
Solomon Grundy punches a tree, destroying it. Grundy looks around as the forest settles back to normal. He growls, and then continues walking through the forest. He comes to the end of the woods, then looks towards the city in the distance.
INT. JSA HEADQUARTERS - COMMON ROOM
Dinah Drake and Hippolyta enter holding hands. They walk through the dimly lit common room, looking at the hastily put up Halloween Decorations. Dinah looks around, but no one is there.
Hippolyta:
Charles said they would be in here-
Suddenly a door swings open, black smoke billowing from it, the silhouette of the classic vampire becomes visible in the door-
Hippolyta seems surprised, and narrows her eyes. Dinah smiles, clenching a fist, preparing for a fight...
...when CHARLES MCNIDER, merely dressed as Dracula enters the room.
Charles [Dracula impression]
Good evening.
Dinah relaxes, then whispers up to Hippolyta.
Dinah [whispering]:
See, he likes vampires.
A smile tugs at Hippolyta’s lip.
Hippolyta [whispering back]:
I’m not doing this again.
She looks over to Charles.
Hippolyta:
It is nice to see you Charles, how are you?
Charles:
I’m well.
Hippolyta:
Are we the first to arrive?
TED GRANT, very clearly in his boxing outfit, then stumbles through the black fog into the room.
Ted:
I still can’t see through that stuff, Doc.
Charles:
Other than Ted, yes-
They make momentary small talk, as Dinah suddenly feels a chill, she touches the back of her neck, goosebumps, then narrows her eyes. As she relaxes, she looks up towards Ted
Dinah:
You’re dressed as… a boxer? How long did you spend on that costume?
Ted sits down on the couch, putting his feet up on the coffee table.
Ted:
Yeah yeah. Nice to see you Dinah.
He holds out his boxing glove, she fist bumps it.
Charles:
He actually has an alibi. I asked him to get some candy for the party. He spent hours combing Gotham, but they were entirely out-
Ted:
‘Sides, Polly’s just dressed as some Greek lady-
Hippolyta:
I am Sappho.
Ted gives her a blank look.
Hippolyta:
The poetess?
Dinah:
Careful, angel, you might hurt his brain. I don’t think he’s ready for poetry.
Ted:
Well, what are you Dinah, a showgirl?
Dinah:
I’m one of the Ziegfeld Follies... My parents took me to see them when I was 12, watching them-- let’s say the girls performing gave a younger me a lot to think about.
Hippolyta:
I am quite thankful for their efforts.
Dinah looks up at her with love, then she again feels a cold sensation, she looks confused, but she and Hippolyta prepare to walk to the couch, when suddenly mist coalesces behind her in the form of a man in a green suit. JIM CORRIGAN.
Jim Corrigan:
Hello, Dinah.
Dinah turns calmly.
Dinah:
Jim.
Jim’s confident smirk briefly turns to confusion.
Jim:
You’re not...startled?
Dinah smirks, then taps her neck.
Dinah:
Felt the goosebumps just before.
Jim sighs, then smiles.
Jim:
You’re impossible to scare.
Dinah shrugs, as Jim steps past her and Hippolyta. Ted calls out.
Ted:
What are ya’ dressed as?
Jim:
Me? I’m going as a detective stuffed in a barrel of lead, and thrown into the ocean, left to die- only to be resurrected as god’s agent on earth. The ghastly spirit of vengeance-
Everyone:
The Spectre?
Charles:
At least you’re in the spirit of the holiday.
They all take seats, and begin conversing.
Dinah:
Say, Jim, did I ever tell you about this case me and Polly had recently? It started with this mob boss-
She snaps her fingers.
Dinah (cont’d):
Leo Scarlione-
Pull back on them discussing, their conversations fading into chatter.
INT/EXT. GOTHAM ALLEY.
A hulking shadow trudges out of an alley and onto the sidewalk, two children, the one in the Green Lantern costume from before, and another CHILD, IN A WONDER WOMAN COSTUME, bump into him.
Child [WW Costume]:
Excuse me mister, can we go by? We need to go to Gotham Park to get Halloween candy-
In the essence of a universal style jumpscare, Solomon Grundy looks down towards them, his eyes glowing.
The child in the Wonder Woman costume holds up a piece of candy.
Child [WW Costume]:
Do you want one?
Grundy reaches out for the candy, but the child in the Green Lantern costume grabs her hand and pulls her back.
Child [GL costume]:
Be careful! That’s Solomon Grundy, he tried to fight Green Lantern.
Child [WW costume]:
Are you going to attack us?
She gives Grundy the piece of candy, he eats it and smiles, then looks over at them.
Solomon Grundy:
No. Me only attack man in head-
Suddenly Grundy’s eyes flash green, and he smashes the side of a building. He roars.
The children run away, in fear.
Child in GL Costume:
See, I told you he was a monster.
Grundy’s eyes turn back to normal, and he sees the little girl look back, scared; then she continues running.
Solomon Grundy:
Grundy...monster?
Suddenly Grundy clutches his head, he roars in anger. Then he looks toward the camera, his eyes glowing green.
EXT. GOTHAM CITY.
Green Lantern swoops over the skies of Gotham, chasing a trail of intermittent wreckage, his ring illuminating a path of footsteps, which he follows.
He then hears an explosion, and sees smoke rising from the street next to Gotham Park a few blocks over. He shoots toward it.
In the street, civilians run, as Grundy pulls his hand from the wreckage of a car and growls. His hand then clutches at his head, his eyes flash between green and yellow. He shakes his head, then looks around, he then looks down as a green bubble surrounds him, and pulls him into the air. Grundy turns, and looks up, to see Green Lantern hovering in the air, creating the bubble that now traps him with his ring.
Green Lantern:
Come quietly, Grundy. I’m going to take you to-
Grundy’s eyes widen.
Grundy:
GRUNDY NOT GO BACK TO ARKHAM!
Grundy roars, and punches the bubble, punching a hole straight through it, Green Lantern’s eyes widen, and Grundy smiles. As Grundy pulls back his fists to tear through the bubble, Green Lantern pulls it back and throws it.
It smashes into the ground, and creates a green explosion, which Grundy is tossed away from. Grundy rises to his feet, as Green Lantern soars down towards him.
Green Lantern lifts a lamppost from the ground and smashes Grundy across the face. The lamppost breaks in half as it collides with Grundy, whose head is knocked back.
Grundy tears a neon sign off a bar and hurls it towards Green Lantern. A beam from Green Lantern’s ring cuts the sign in half, and then blasts towards Grundy. Grundy raises his arm and the beam dissipates on it, then Grundy leaps up towards Green Lantern. Green Lantern dodges away from his punch, then flies behind him. He creates a hand which grabs Grundy’s shirt and pulls him backwards, slamming him down on the road. Green Lantern flies down toward Grundy, as Grundy rises to his feet.
Green Lantern creates a green hand that reaches down into the road and pulls up a water pipe. Water sprays in Grundy’s face disorienting him.
He clutches at his face attempting to block the water, and then angrily crushes the pipe between his hands. He roars, and then looks up to see a truck shooting towards him.
Green Lantern creates a shield in front of himself as the truck blows up. Grundy is sent careening back.
As the smoke around Grundy clears, Green Lantern lifts another car and hurls it at Grundy. It slams into his stomach throwing him back, Grundy catches himself on the pillar that holds the gate to Gotham park. Swatting the car to the side of him. Green Lantern lifts a manhole, and shoots it into Grundy’s chest, then creates a massive boxing glove that punches the manhole, knocking Grundy through the gate. Grundy lands sprawled out in the grass, he groans, attempting to rise, but falls back defeated.
Green Lantern floats above him.
Green Lantern:
Stay down, Grundy. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.
He lands on the ground, and then looks forward. In front of him he notices empty tables set up for the event in the park, an orange banner behind them reads GOTHAM PARK HALLOWEEN!
He begins to realize the park is surprisingly empty, save for the children from before, their trick or treat bags lay empty at their feet, and they seem a little shaken.
Green Lantern:
Where did everyone go?
Suddenly, the winds ripple through Green Lantern’s cape, and then through the trees to the side of him, the sound of it against the trees sounds like voices whispering, Green Lantern looks around, then narrows his eyes.
The children look up at him, scared.
Child [GL costume]:
They, they were-
Close up on the trees, the branches shift.
Close up on Grundy, his eyes closed.
Again, close up on the trees, voices begin whispering.
Flash between the whispering trees and Grundy.
.. Suddenly grundy's eyes snap open..
he leaps up, and lunges for the kids, Green Lantern pulls back his ring, then freezes, as he sees Grundy shielding the child from a wooden spike, the extended hand of a man, but one seemingly fused with a tree. The tree-born’s eyes glow green.
The treeborn’s hand draws back, and Grundy places the kids behind him. As Green Lantern lands next to him.
They stand back to back, as the tree born begin emerging from the trees of Gotham Park, surrounding them.
Grundy clutches his head then, as a voice begins to whisper.
Grundy:
Him...here.
Green Lantern:
Grundy, who’s here-
Grundy:
Man...in head.
Suddenly a giant root, with candy in between the grooves of the wood, tears from the ground, and crushes the orange banner.
A deep laugh echoes, as more roots begin to emerge, their grooves filled with candy as well.
The stalk the roots are connected is pulled up with them, and connects to the wooden body of a gangly man, with a bushy wooden beard, his eyes glow green, and a tattered green cloak flows from his shoulders, it is...
Green Lantern:
Blackbriar Thorn.
Grundy:
Told you him real.
INT. JSA HEADQUARTERS.
Dinah Drake talks to Kent Nelson, dressed as a mummy. Both drink from plastic cups filled with lime green punch.
Dinah:
Kent, I like the mummy look, but... I think your bandages are coming off-
Kent looks down startled, the bandages are fine. He then looks back up annoyed, Dinah laughs.
Inza:
I was going to take them off him later anyway.
Inza Nelson appears at Kent’s side and kisses him on the cheek.
She then looks towards Dinah, and smiles. Her witch costume on full display.
Inza:
Hey Dinah!
Dinah:
Oh, Inza! You look adorable!
Inza:
You think?
Inza does a little spin.
Dinah:
You can cast a spell on me any time. --Well, only if Polly says it’s ok.
Suddenly, Dinah feels Hippolyta’s hand on hers.
Hippolyta:
I’m going to borrow her for a moment.
Hippolyta whisks Dinah into an emptier part of the room, and pulls her close. She gently kisses Dinah’s cheek then says quietly to her.
Hippolyta:
Inza is free to try her spells, though I do not think any sorceress is capable of stealing you from me.
Dinah smiles.
Dinah:
No… Well, maybe if she was willing to hunt vampires-
Hippolyta laughs.
Hippolyta:
Not this again, Dinah-
Dinah:
Isn’t that why you borrowed me?
Hippolyta plays up her sigh, then leans her head down closer to Dinah’s.
Hippolyta:
I merely missed the feel of you in my arms, my love. I missed your lovely eyes.
Dinah:
Y’know, I could stay in your arms all the way from here to Transylvania-
Hippolyta raises an eyebrow. Dinah rolls her eyes, then presses closer into Hippolyta.
Dinah (cont’d):
-Can we at least watch Dracula? I know we have it in the JSA theater.
Dinah kisses Hippolyta, who’s face softens. Dinah momentarily looks away from Hippolyta.
Dinah (cont’d):
...plus, when the movie gets a little scary, I might have to cuddle up to you-
She turns her head back towards Hippolyta’s, lightly squeezing her, mimicking fear. Hippolyta sighs, then smiles.
EXT. GOTHAM PARK.
BLACKBRIAR THORN looks down at Grundy and Green Lantern.
Blackbriar Thorn:
Ah, Green Lantern-
Green Lantern:
I thought you were-
Thorn chuckles.
Blackbriar Thorn:
I imagine, my enemy, that you believe yourself to have defeated me the last time we fought.
We see Green Lantern and ETRIGAN fighting Thorn, in a still image.
Blackbriar Thorn (cont’d):
But no, you and the Demon, Etrigan, merely sealed me in Gotham Park. Instead of vanquishing me, you have made me one with its roots.
One of Thorn’s root legs plunges back into the ground, and the stem of the root emerges a few yards away, reaching into a cauldron of candy held by two treeborn. The tendril absorbs the candy into him.
Green Lantern:
And the candy is for... your sweet tooth?
Thorn laughs.
Blackbriar Thorn:
The light of the sun has not been enough to sustain me, I needed...sugar. But I could not get it myself, I had just enough power to infect but one…
FLASHBACK: A man seems called towards a tree in the forest, when it’s branches reach out to grab him, cocooning him, and transforming him into a tree born.
Blackbriar Thorn (cont’d):
Samhain-- Halloween, approached, and I discovered these...candies. I grew stronger, and my power grew.
FLASHBACK: The treeborn from before gives him candy and his branches grow.
Blackbriar Thorn (cont’d):
I infected more, and in turn they brought me more.
FLASHBACK: More treeborn surround Blackbriar’s tree, offering him candy.
Blackbriar (cont’d):
And now…
Blackbriar looms over them, his treeborn surrounding his roots.
Green Lantern looks towards Solomon.
Green Lantern:
Solomon, I know we’ve had our differences, but -
Grundy:
GRUNDY WANT HURT TREE MAN!!
Green Lantern:
You’ll get your chance... first, make sure they're safe.
Lantern looks towards the children Grundy nods, and picks them up, then leaps away with them.
Green Lantern looks up towards Blackbriar Thorn, and fires a massive beam of energy, which collides harmlessly with Thorn’s root-legs.
Thorn:
In your arrogance you forget that your emerald flames cannot harm me.
Green Lantern:
Frankly, you weren’t what I was aiming for.
Thorn looks down to see the banner beneath his feet has caught flames, which began climbing up him. He rears back panicked.
EXT. BUILDING TOP.
Grundy lands, holding the two children. He gently sets them down, and turns to leave. The child in the Wonder Woman costume tugs on his jacket.
Child in WW:
Thank you!
Grundy seems stunned, then he smiles, and leaps away
EXT. GOTHAM PARK.
Thorn, having caught fire, thrusts his hand forward, his upper body growing in size as his now massive hand slams down towards the earth.
Green Lantern dodges out of the way, and shoots up towards his massive face. Lantern’s ring flashes with a massive burst of light, momentarily blinding Thorn, who stumbles back, holding his eyes.
As Thorn’s vision clears he hears an angry roar, and looks up to see Grundy plummeting towards him.
Solomon Grundy:
TREE-MAAAAAAANNN!!!!!
Grundy shoots through Blackbriar Thorn’s head, slamming into the ground behind Thorn.
Thorn’s face begins to heal itself, and his glowing eye notices Green Lantern.
Tendrils of wood spring up from Blackbriar Thorn, striking at Green Lantern, who flits away from them.
Grundy leaps up towards Thorn, Green Lantern makes a platform that Grundy springs off of, landing on Thorn’s arm. He smashes Thorn’s elbow, and the arm begins falling apart.
Blackbriar’s other arm grabs Grundy and pulls him off. Grundy roars, and thunderclaps Blackbriar’s Thorn’s wrist, the hand cracks apart. Grundy takes this opportunity to run across Thorn’s arm, and up his shoulder.
He punches Thorn across the face, his hand going straight through Blackbriar’s cheek.
Grundy pulls his hand out, then punches Thorn again.
As Grundy and Blackbriar Thorn tussle, Green Lantern shoots Thorn’s shoulder. He creates a crane with his ring that whips down, and pulls a car from the street below. He hurls it into Blackbriar’s back, the force of the throw embedding it there.
As Blackbriar Thorn knocks Grundy off of him, Green Lantern shoots the engine of the car, which explodes.
Grundy shields his eyes as he watches the torso of Blackbriar Thorn explode.
As Blackbriar Thorn crumbles down in a fiery blaze, his arm falls off of him, uncharred.
Green Lantern lands next to Grundy, and around them the treeborn begin clutching their heads, and falling to their knees.
A few feet from the burning wood, the fallen arm of Blackbriar Thorn glows green, and shapes itself into Thorn, who has now been separated from Gotham’s roots. He glares at Green Lantern and Grundy, his hands glowing green. Roots from the forest begin to surround him.
Blackbriar Thorn:
You may have severed me from the roots, you may have set free my enthralled, but you have not seen the last ...OF BLACKBRIAR THORN!
The roots cocoon him, and in a flash of green mist, he and the root cocoon disappear.
Green Lantern looks around at the park, and recovering treeborn, then puts out the fire on the remains of Thorn’s wooden form with his ring.
INT. JSA THEATER
A black and white film plays on the screen, the camera is dramatically close up on a vampire’s face, the area around his eyes is lit, but the rest of his face is in shadows. The soundtrack plays dramatically.
Pull out to reveal Dinah Drake and Hippolyta sitting in the theater room watching the movie, cuddling together.
Dinah watches the film with excitement, while Hippolyta seems more relaxed, she looks down at Dinah, who notices her.
As a scream can be heard from the film, Dinah relaxes her head onto Hippolyta’s shoulders, closing her eyes. Hippolyta smiles, then rests her head on top of Dinah’s.
Pull back on them, as Dracula still plays on the screen.
EXT. THE PARK, LATER.
A MAN, formerly enthralled by Blackbriar Thorn, rubs his head, dazed, as Green Lantern checks his eye dilation with his ring.
Green Lantern:
It seems like whatever spell Blackbriar Thorn put you under has vanished-
Grundy lurks a few feet away, when the two children, dressed as Wonder Woman and Green Lantern, run up to him. They offer him candy, which he eats.
Grundy:
Grundy like candy...
Child in WW costume:
Mr. Grundy, I thought you were a bad guy? Why did you save us?
Solomon Grundy:
Grundy- Grundy save you because…
Suddenly the whispering again begins echoing through the trees, Grundy clutches his head, the former treeborn fall as well, the roots springing up from the ground and beginning to overtake them.
Grundy growls, angry.
Grundy:
Him...back. Blackbriar Thorn.
Green Lantern grabs Grundy and the children in a bubble, and lifts them into the air.
EXT. BUILDING IN GOTHAM.
Grundy, Green Lantern, and the two children stand on the rooftop.
Green Lantern:
We need to find Thorn.
Grundy groans, clutching his head again, then looks up.
Grundy:
Me know where him is.
Green Lantern:
Where?
Grundy:
In Grundy’s home. … Slaughter Swamp.
The camera zooms all the way into Slaughter Swamp, where Thorn has become one with the roots of the swamp, tendrils abnormally connect him to the trees.
Back on the roof, Green Lantern prepares take off.
Green Lantern:
I’ll call the Justice Society, and we can take down Thorn. Grundy, you wait here, when this is over we’ll try to get you moved out of Arkham.
Grundy:
NO! Grundy want to help Green Lantern. Grundy stop Blackbriar Thorn.
Green Lantern:
...Why?
Grundy:
Because-
He looks down at the children.
Grundy (cont’d):
-Grundy not a monster.
Green Lantern sighs.
EXT. GOTHAM SKIES.
Green Lantern flies towards Slaughter Swamp, holding Grundy by his shirt.
INT. JSA HEADQUARTERS.
Apples bob in a barrel filled with water.
Dinah Drake and Hippolyta stare at each other, their eyes locking.
Suddenly they both plunge their heads into the barrel, as they attempt to bob for apples. The apples dart away from their lips, as they play, each’s head evading the other’s.
Suddenly, Dinah’s teeth catch an apple, at the same time Hippolyta’s latch onto one as well.
They both pull up, only to realize they’ve gotten the same apple.
They lock eyes for a moment, both attempting to hold in a laugh. Dinah smiles, taking a bit from the apple, and releasing it from her teeth.
Dinah:
Looks like we tied.
Hippolyta bites off a piece of the apple, then smiles at Dinah, a twinkle in her eyes.
Hippolyta:
No. You released the apple, forfeiting it to me. So, I win.
Hippolyta takes a bite of the apple, then crushes it, tossing it into the trash. Dinah dramatically rolls her eyes, then takes a step towards her.
Dinah:
Well, since you won, it wouldn’t be fair if you didn’t get a prize.
Hippolyta:
What exactly did you have in mind, my Dinah- mmmhh.
Dinah kisses her, pressing Hippolyta up against the wall, Dinah again kisses her, Hippolyta smiles.
Hippolyta (cont’d):
Oh, now I am ever more grateful that I won.
Dinah:
Yeah-
She kisses Polly again, then smiles.
Dinah (cont’d)
You know angel, when you bit into that apple it reminded me of something-
Hippolyta raises an eyebrow.
Dinah (cont’d):
Well, it was just your teeth sinking into it, made me think of fangs sinking into-
Hippolyta:
My love, if this has anything to do with vampires-
Dinah:
Polly, please? ...If you love me-
Hippolyta:
You will not weaponize my love for you. You know that you mean more to me than anything in this world, but-
Hippolyta kisses her on the nose.
Hippolyta (cont’d):
We will not be hunting vampires on this night.
Dinah laughs, kissing Hippolyta again.
Dinah:
Alright, beautiful- there’s always next year.
They;re about to kiss, when suddenly they hear a gust of wind, and look to see JAY GARRICK leaning against the wall, he’s dressed as Whip Whirlwind, but his mask is off.
Jay:
What’s all this about vampires?
Dinah:
Oh, I’ve been pestering Polly all night about tracking down this old villain, the Mad Monk. He’s a vampire, but I don’t even think he’s been active in years-
Jay:
If hunting vampires is an option, I’d say it beats sitting around here-
Inza and Kent overhear, joining the conversation.
Inza:
Hunting vampires? I always wanted to see one... Kent, do we have anything on vampires in the tower?
Kent:
I admit, I haven’t checked-
Inza:
Either way, I’m in.
Ted:
I’ve never hit a vampire before-
Charles:
We may have garlic in the pantry.
Ted turns over to Jim, standing in a mysteriously darker corner of the room.
Ted:
Jim, you wanna hunt a vampire?
Jim:
...Why not?
Dinah looks back at Hippolyta and shrugs.
Hippolyta:
You all want to find this vampire?
The group generally agrees. Hippolyta sighs, and then laughs, she presses her forehead into Dinah’s.
Hippolyta:
Alright then, let us hunt a vampire.
INT. UNDERGROWTH.
Green Lantern and Solomon Grundy battle with Blackbriar Thorn.
Green Lantern flies into the air evading one of Thorn’s tendrils. He blasts Thorn in the face with a laser.
Grundy angrily rips two of Thorn’s tendrils from his body, Thorn roars in pain, and shoots a tendril into Grundy’s face, knocking him back into the forest. Green Lantern barely dodges one of Blackbriar Thorn’s tentacles, but another catches his legs.
He attempts to make a shield with his ring, but another tendril easily tears through the shield and wraps around him. He struggles against it, but is unable to tear through it. A tendril reaches out, crawling towards Green Lantern’s neck, when-
Grundy pushes two trees aside, and roars! Blackbriar Thorn looks over at him, then tosses Green Lantern towards him-
They both land in a heap in the muck of the swamp.
Green Lantern floats up, and Grundy rises to his feet.
Green Lantern:
We need a way to stop him, preferably before he can get enough sugar to spread past Gotham.
Grundy lumbers forward, back towards Blackbriar Thorn’s roost.
Grundy:
Hit him. ..hard.
He clenches his fist.
Green Lantern makes a stop-sign in front of Grundy, who turns back, and growls.
Green Lantern:
We can’t keep throwing ourselves at him, it isn’t working. We need to make a plan.
Green Lantern crosses his arms to think, and Grundy scratches his head.
Grundy:
...Fire. It hurt him.
Green Lantern:
Right, the fire from that car is what destroyed him last time. And here in the swamp, with the methane, and trees- Why didn’t we think of it sooner?
He tears a branch from a tree, then tears a piece of his cape off, he wraps it around the branch and lights it on fire with his ring.
Green Lantern (cont’d):
Grundy, take this and set as much of the forest as you can on fire, I’ll hold off Blackbriar Thorn.
He looks towards the trees, dramatically, then attempts to hand the fire to Grundy.
Grundy:
No.
Green Lantern:
Don’t tell me you’re scared of fire.
Grundy:
Grundy not scared! Grundy fight Thorn!
Green Lantern:
He’s gotten into your head tonight. I don’t know that you can be trusted-
Grundy:
Me won’t let him in again.
They both look at each other, attempting to stare each other down.
Green Lantern:
Grundy-
Grundy (cont’d):
No! You not hurt him. Only me can hurt him.
Green Lantern sighs, and nods.
Green Lantern:
Alright. Hit him once for me though, will you?
Grundy smiles, he nods, and begins walking towards the trees. Green Lantern begins to fly away, but he turns back.
Green Lantern:
Grundy, if the fire reaches you and Thorn, I don’t think I can get you out in time.
Grundy:
Grundy know.
He leaps into the trees, the sounds of fighting begin echoing.
Green Lantern flies over the forest, lighting the tops of the trees on fire with his torch as he goes.
Grundy leaps toward Thorn punching him across the face, Grundy hits him again. Thorn backhands him away, Grundy again tries to leap, but tendrils shoot from the ground wrapping around Grundy’s feet. Blackbriar Thorn smiles, then looks to the side, seemingly becoming aware of something.
As Green Lantern lights another tree on fire, a branch from one shoots up and knocks Green Lantern out of the air. He rises to his feet in the undergrowth, his torch still lit. The treeborn begin lurching from out of the forest, surrounding him.
He clutches his torch.
Grundy clutches his fist as well, his eyes glowing yellow.
Green Lantern leaps towards the treeborn, as they attack him, he swings his torch attempting to fight them off.
Grundy leaps towards Thorn, smashing through tendrils Thorn attempts to use to defend himself.
Green Lantern pushes through the treeborn as they tear at his clothes, ripping his cape from his shoulders.
Grundy plunges his thumbs into Thorn’s eyes, as Thorn’s swipes at him with a wooden claw, knocking Grundy back and leaving scratch marks in his cheek.
Green Lantern begins making his way up a hill, as the treeborn rip into his shirt.
Thorn’s tendrils wrap around Grundy.
Green Lantern knocks a treeborn away with his torch.
More tendrils take Grundy, pulling him away from Thorn, but Grundy pulls back, and wraps his hands around Thorn’s throat, they are caught in conflict.
Green Lantern reaches the top of the hill, he flashes his ring, blinding the treeborn and causing them to stumble back into the undergrowth.
Grundy sees the light in the sky, and smiles, as the tendrils begin to consume him.
Green Lantern holds the torch out, then puts his ring behind it, as it restores his costume he uses it to propel the fire through the forest, lighting the trees, and treeborn, on fire.
As the fire begins consuming Grundy and Thorn, Grundy relaxes. The blaze entirely covers them and the surrounding trees, and the screen goes black.
EXT. SLAUGHTER SWAMP.
As Grundy’s eyes open, the world fades in, he sees a hand, with a green ring on it.
He takes it, and Green Lantern helps him to his feet.
Grundy:
The Fire-
Green Lantern:
I put it out with my ring as soon as Thorn was gone. Speaking of-
They both look toward Thorn, now standing still as a statue, completely black with burns.
Green Lantern creates a sword with his ring and slices Thorn at the waist, separating his charred remains from the stump.
Green Lantern:
I guess the ring doesn’t have any problem with wood burned all the way through.
He lifts Thorn in a bubble with his ring.
Green Lantern (cont’d):
Now, we have to get him to JSA Headquarters. I hope I didn’t miss the party.
INT. JSA HEADQUARTERS
Dinah Drake, Wonder Woman, Charles McNider, Doctor Fate, Inza Nelson, and Ted Grant stand around the room. All holding stakes and garlic.
Hippolyta sets the Mad Monk’s mask down on the table.
Hippolyta:
I must say, Dinah, that was thrilling. Even if he did escape us.
Dinah presses into her.
Dinah:
Told you-
Suddenly there’s a knock on the door. Charles quickly opens it, and Green Lantern, steps into the room.
Charles:
Alan!
Alan:
Sorry I don’t have a better costume, but I did bring a guest.
Grundy steps into the room, holding a cauldron filled with candy.
Grundy:
Grundy brought candy!
[THE END]