DP x DC prompt #105

In a bid to establish better relations with the Justice League, the US government gifts them with a prototype generator that will power the Watchtower that generates power through a newly discovered element, ectoplasm. After checking it to make sure it didn't contain any viruses or create problems for the Watchtower, the Justice League install it, not knowing that it housed Phantom to use as a battery.

At first, it was great. The battery did exactly what it needed to do and gave off no heat. It was as close to 100% efficiency as it could get - certainly a lot closer than any battery they'd come across before.

Then small things started to happen. The monitors would flicker, or the lights. Short bursts of static came across the speakers. The climate control would spike and lower repeatedly.

Any time they tested the battery, it was working exactly to specifications. Cyborg ran an analysis of the documented incidents and found something...weird.

"Its always the same pattern," he told the rest of the League. "Eight bursts, five bursts, twelve bursts, sixteen bursts - then a pause - then thirteen bursts and five. Then it ends."

"Eight five twelve sixteen, thirteen five," Batman said. "Help me. What do we know about this battery?"

"What do you mean, help me?" Wonder Woman asked.

"Are you listening? Lights flicker for yes."

The lights went out for half a secobd.

"Aresecond. ebattery?"

A pause, then eleven flickers - nine - fourteen - four - one-

"Kinda? How can you be kinda a battery?" Batman asked.

"it's weird to hear you say 'kinda'," Green Lantern said.

Twenty bursts - eighteen - one - sixteen - sixteen - five - four.

"You're trapped?" Superman asked.

The lights went off for another half-second. Yes.

It was agonizingly slow, but they hammered out a plan. Superman and Green Lantern would remain to remove the battery and free the one who had been trapped; those who couldn't survive the crushing pressure of zero atmosphere would evacuate to earth and start shaking down the Department of Defense for answers.

When they found out the battery had been powered by the soul of a dead child, the Ghost Investigation Ward did not survive long.

I think they will not go directly to confront people seen as "responsible". After all they don't know how many of these batteries running on the energy of a soul exist.

If they go too far, some will try to suppress the appearance and deny their involvement. There is a high risk of legitimate misplacement, black sales or destruction to leave no trace. I can't see them taking such a risk

On the other hand, I think it's going to be a big collaboration between many members of the league, JLD included. Other groups of heroes like the young justice, the titans, or heroes/anti heroes like the outlaws or the birds of prey are also there, there are even some solo and unknown heroes who have been contacted (we can put the red huntress in this category I think ;) )

The second they are sure to have mapped the location of all the batteries and the places that produce them, simultaneous attacks are launched. Portal creators, teleporters and other ultra-fast people are put to the test.

When do we ask them for explanations? They have dozens of ghosts from all walks of life ready to testify to the world what happened to them.

Especially since they didn't have to make captures only at Amity Park. Imagine if there was only a Native American spirit (for example)…

It would be ironic if in the group there were former pro-exslavement politicians.