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Chapter 1
On the moon sat what was known as the Watchtower. The Watchtower was the main headquarters of the JLA. And at that point in time all the senior members were sitting around the conference table in the Council Chamber. All the senior members were there Superman in his famous red, blue and yellow suit with red cape that had the symbol for the house of El on the back which was also on the center of his chest in yellow and red. Then there was Wonder Woman with her long black hair held back with a gold tiara with a red star in the middle. Her costume was red on the top half with a bird symbol in gold that stretched all the way across the top half. The bottom half was what looked like blue panties with white stars and separating the two was a wide gold belt that led to a diamond in the center. And hanging on her left side was her famous lasso of truth. On her wrists were two bracelets that looked to be silver but were not for silver couldn't stop bullets or energy bolts.
Beside her was Batman as unreadable as ever. His costume was mostly black except for the chest which was gray with a black bat symbol in the middle. All was separated by his gold utility belt which held all his gadgets.
Next was the Flash in his bright scarlet costume with the gold lightning bolt diagonally in a white circle in the middle of his chest. The only other decoration was two lightning bolts where cuffs on gloves would be, gold boots and what looked like lightning bolts sticking out on either side of his cowl. He looked as cheerful as if he had just won the lottery.
Sitting next to Flash, was Hal Jordan the Green Lantern. He wore a green mask across his eyes and the rest of his costume was green across the top of his shoulders and down to his legs. The rest of his arms and legs were black. The only exceptions being his white gloves that went all the way to the elbows and his green knee boots. In the center of his chest was what looked like his green storage battery in a white circle and on his finger of his right hand was his power ring.
Now that we are all here let's start this meeting," said Superman. The others nodded and he continued, "It has come to my attention that there are now more super villains then there were even a few years ago. Unfortunately it's more than the JLA in its present state can handle. We're stretched thin as it is."
"Especially since some of the members have either retired, quit to do other things, or been killed in action," said Hal Jordan also known as the Green Lantern.
"Exactly," said Superman.
"So what do we do about it?" asked Wonder Woman.
"Well fortunately there are also people to combat these villains. I've had Batman compile as much information on them as possible. Batman the floor is yours."
"Thank you Clark. Our first candidates is a team known as Team Possible." Batman then inserted a DVD disc into the player. "This disc is made up from several different security cameras." The disc came on to show a dark red haired girl with incredible green eyes take out what appeared to be a group of ninjas with ease. Beside her was a boy with messy blond hair and dark eyes fighting beside her.
"This is Kim Possible and her sidekick and boyfriend Ron Stoppable. Ms. Possible is a master of several different martial arts and Mr. Stoppable is a master of what is known as Monkey Kung Fu. They work with another boy named Wade last name unknown. He is the one that makes all her gadgets."
The video from the security cameras continued to show Kim taking something that looked like a hair dryer off her belt but turned out to be a grappling hook. The grapple and attached line flew into the air to catch on something the security cameras hadn't caught. "Come on, Ron," they heard Kim say as she grabbed onto his waist as the grappling line pulled them both into the air. The line allowed both of them to fly around and knock out all the henchmen with her and Ron's feet.
"Damn you Kim Possible!" a male voice shouted. "Damn you—" the voice paused and they all heard it muttering. "Now what was his name again? Oh yes, damn you Ron Stoppable!"
"Good going KP," said Ron. "Don't you know by now Drakken that you can't win? As long as me and Kim are able we will be here to stop you from taking over the world."
"You said it Ron," said Kim, releasing the grappling hook and landing on her knees on the pavement.
"Shego get her—"
The sound cut off as Batman hit the mute button. "You've seen enough to know what she can do. Both have traveled all over the world several times and have handled the worst that Middleton Colorado has to offer."
"She certainly seems to be able to handle herself," Wonder Woman commented her blue eyes staring at the screen then turning to face her teammates. She looked back at the TV a few moments later just as Kim and Shego went at it. Shego's hands started glowing green as she tried to kill her opponent. As for Kim she dodged by doing backflips and then getting close enough to go head to head with the villainess.
"She's awfully young," said Flash. "She can't be more then eighteen."
"You're right they are eighteen. Both will graduate in a little more than a month. Anyway age doesn't matter. After all we were all young once. Some people just learn to accept responsibility early," said Hal. "I know I did."
"I call for a vote," said Superman. "Team Possible has all the right qualities to become members of the League. They fight for justice and they help out those that need it and for no other reason than it is the right thing to do. This is the cornerstone of what the JLA stands for. Age doesn't matter if you have the skills and the maturity. So again I call for a vote. Do we ask them to be members of the Justice League or not?"
"I vote yes," said Wonder Woman.
"Yes," said Hal.
"Nay," said Flash. "I think they are too young to join something as important as the League."
"Might I remind you that you weren't but a year older when you helped formed the League?" said Superman.
"Very well, I will change my vote to yes," said Flash. "I just hope we aren't making a mistake."
"Some believe it was a mistake to take you as a member, but here you are," said Batman dryly. "As for me my vote is yes as well."
"And I vote yes," said Superman. "Well it looks as if it is unanimous. Batman if you please tell us about the next candidate."
"The next set of candidates is a group known as the Mystic Force Power Rangers." Batman then inserted another disc into the player. The disc came on after a few seconds to show six colorfully dressed heroes fighting some kind of monster. They were covered from head to toe in different colored costumes and helmets. No one could tell their identities. They all wore short capes on their backs the outside of which was the same color as their costumes but the inside was all white.
"This is Briarwood the home of the Mystic Force Power Rangers. I couldn't discover much on them," Batman admitted, "At least not without going down there and investigating."
"What you're actually admitting that you failed at something?" Flash asked amazed.
Batman ignored Flash and continued speaking as if the scarlet speedster hadn't spoken at all. "They guard their identities jealously, just like I do mine. The only way to find out is to go down there and poke around."
All the Justice League members observed the big view screen as the six Rangers fought using their hands and feet with skill to take out their opponents. Suddenly the Green Ranger was knocked off his feet and the others immediately surrounded him in order to protect him until he could get back on his feet.
"You okay?" asked the Pink Ranger.
"I'll live," the Green Ranger replied getting to his feet with a groan.
"That voice," said Wonder Woman thoughtfully. "It is very distinctive. If I heard that voice again without the helmet I'd recognize it. If I am not mistaken that accent is Australian. Very unusual in a small town like Briarwood."
"And if you find the owner of that voice you'll more than likely find the others."
"Precisely," said Wonder Woman. "I bet you they're friends and that they hang out together. They might even work the same job and go to the same high school."
"It's your job then Diana if you think you can find them," Superman ordered.
"Okay," said Wonder Woman.
"Batman, who are our next candidates?" asked Superman.
"Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger Weasley. All four are wizards of incredible strength although Mr. Potter is the strongest of them." He handed each member a file folder on Harry and his friends. "No video on these four. Not only are wizards and witches very elusive, magic tends to wreck havoc with anything electronic."
All the members of the League except Batman opened up the folders he had provided, "All four live in London and they all graduated the top of their class from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"How come we've never heard of this Hogwarts before now not to mention that there are witches and wizards all over the place?" asked Flash.
"As I already explained the wizarding world is very secretive. Most people aren't aware that witches and wizards still exist up and down the country."
"But why be secretive?"
"Use your brain for once Wally. What do you think would happen if everybody knew that magic still existed?"
"Some people would go on witch hunts determined to eradicate all of them as evil. It would be the Salem Witch Trials all over again. A lot of innocent people would be hurt. Most of the rest would want the people of the wizarding world to grant them immortality or riches or both. A very small minority would think wizards and witches had a right to live like everybody else," said Hal.
"Okay I guess you do have a point," Wally admitted. "So how do we go about contacting this Potter?"
"That's the easy part," said Batman. "I happen to know the headmaster that runs Hogwarts. His name is Albus Dumbledore."
"How do you happen to know this Albus Dumbledore?" asked Superman.
"I met Dumbledore in London a few years ago. I was there on business for Wayne Industries and happened to run into an old enemy of mine by accident. He had this older guy cornered. I mean really old, long white hair and beard the works. I thought I'd help the old guy out before he got himself hurt or killed. As it turned out he didn't need my help because before I could do anything the villain was on the ground all tied up and the guy hadn't moved at all as far as I could see."
Superman raised an eyebrow at Bruce's explanation then asked, "You mean without a single punch being exchanged?"
"Yes, the ropes just seemed to magically appear and tie him up. After the police came and took the man away I decided to follow the guy to his home. When we got there he turned the tables on me and informed me he knew I was there. I was shocked for I've never been seen when I'm following someone along the rooftops. As everybody knows I can be damn near invisible when I want to be."
"That's an understatement," Flash muttered under his breath.
"He convinced me he meant me no harm and when I had shown myself he invited me in and offered me a cup of tea or a nightcap," Batman continued ignoring Flash if he had even heard him.
"So what happened?" asked Diana.
"Oh nothing dramatic. We talked and he informed me he knew I was Bruce Wayne under the cowl."
All the League members gasped for they knew that Bruce went to great lengths to protect his identity so those he cared about would be protected from retaliation.
"I of course tried to deny it, but he informed me that he could divine my thoughts. It's apparently a very rare art in the wizarding world to be able to divine the thoughts of others. It takes years of study. After that we sat there sipping tea and he told me all about the wizarding world and how there were still thousands of witches and wizards all over the world. He then informed me if I ever needed anything to just and gave me a way to contact him if need be."
"Well then why don't you contact him?"
"Oh I will when I get back to the Batcave. This is not exactly a prime location for sending a signal. We're on the moon after all. Professor Dumbledore will know how to get in contact with Mr. Potter and his friends."
"If that is all the candidates and there is no new business then I declare this meeting closed. I will see about contacting Ms. Possible and her team. Everybody has their assignments so let's get to them."
The Green Lantern was staying behind to monitor the Watchtower frequencies for emergencies and as for Wally he had a patrol to do.
Both Batman and Wonder Woman rose at the same time and started out of the Council Chamber hand-in-hand. Both were extremely happy even after being married for nearly six years. It had taken a couple of years just for Batman to admit his feelings and to give up being a confirmed bachelor. To admit that his feeling for Diana ran far deeper than casual romance, something she had known from the very beginning.
Although Batman was still as hard as ever on the criminal element he was now more relaxed and easygoing with the other League members and those that he considered close friends and knew the billionaire Bruce Wayne was Batman.
"Can I escort my beautiful wife back to Earth?" all the League members still in the Council Chamber heard Bruce say.
"You may," they heard Diana respond.
It had taken over a year of intense arguing with Diana's mother, Queen Hippolyta of Themyscira, to get her to agree to let her daughter marry for Diana was an Amazon and her island home was made up exclusively of immortal woman. Every single woman abhorred men as a whole and in fact they weren't allowed on Paradise Island at all.
Finally Diana had threatened to give up her immortality and never again return home to visit her mother or her Amazon sisters. It was that final threat that had finally made Hippolyta give in. For it was bad enough that she hardly ever got to see her daughter with her duties keeping her in the man's world, but to never see her again was too much for her mother's heart. Plus the chance of her being seriously hurt or killed without her immortality was too horrifying to contemplate. The entire Amazon Nation as a whole had been shocked when their queen had given in gracefully.
"Well I had better be getting home before Lois starts to worry," said Superman.
"Me too," said Flash.
Both then left the chamber Flash speeding away in a streak of scarlet.
Half an hour later at Wayne Manor both Bruce and Diana entered the front door of the house. They were immediately bombarded by two small forms that wrapped themselves around their legs. "Mommy, Daddy," they said together.
"Master Thomas, Master James," came the stern voice of the Waynes long time butler Alfred Pennyworth. "Have I not managed to teach you better manners?"
Both boys looked ashamed as well as guilty and that made both Bruce and Diana smile. Bruce then picked up Thomas his oldest boy making sure to wipe the smile off his face before he did so. Diana then did the same with James, their youngest.
Bruce at odd moments still looked at his two children amazed that they were his and that he was a father.
"You listen to Alfred boys. You hear me?" Bruce ordered mock sternly.
Both boys looked so contrite that Bruce smiled again and gave his son a kiss on the cheek.
"Now boys, I will be gone for a few days," Diana informed them.
"Aww mom," they both protested sotto voice.
"When I come home, I'll bring you both a present."
"Mistress Diana, you'll spoil them," said Alfred mock sternly as if he was just protesting for forms sake not because he really meant it.
"You go with Alfred, okay boys?" said Diana, putting James down. "I won't be leaving until tomorrow morning. So you both be good boys and listen to Alfred and your father while I'm gone."
"Yes mommy," both boys said dejectedly.
"Come on boys," said Diana ruffling their dark hair and then kneeling to give each a hug and kisses on the cheek. "I'll be back," she promised. "Now go play. Your father and I have business to discuss."
"Yes mommy, we love you," they both said before running over to where Alfred was standing.
"We love you too," Diana responded.
"Come along, boys. It is time for lunch."
"Yes Alfred," both boys said obediently
Alfred put his hands on both boys back as if to guide them out of the room. He led them out of the foyer leaving Bruce and Diana alone.
"Isn't it good to be home?" asked Bruce.
"Yes it is indeed good to be home," Diana agreed with her husband.
Arm-in-arm they both walked into the den and sat down on the couch where Bruce immediately put his arm around his wife's shoulders. He still marveled that she had agreed to be his wife even after all these years.
"So what time do you need to leave in the morning?"
"Oh it isn't urgent so I don't need to leave to early. If I take the invisible jet I can be there in a couple of hours." The invisible jet was much faster than any normal commercial plane and it was controlled by her thoughts.
"So you really think you can discover who they are beneath the helmets?"
"Oh nothing's for certain of course, but what I said earlier is true. That voice is very distinctive and I've always had a good ear for voices."
"Please be careful. I know you can take care of yourself but you're walking into an unknown situation up there without any backup if you get into trouble."
"I'll be careful," Diana promised, leaning over to give him a kiss on the lips which he thoroughly enjoyed.
And that was the way Alfred found them a few minutes later when he came to announce that lunch was ready.
The next day found Diana dressed as Wonder Woman in her Invisible Jet flying to Briarwood California. Within just a couple of hours she was radioing the Briarwood airport for landing clearance.
She was granted clearance almost immediately and landed. She was then met by a harried looking man who looked as if he had been called off his lunch break.
"Wonder Woman, it's a pleasure to welcome you to Briarwood. My name is Joseph Gillette and I am assistant manager here. If I can help you in any way you have only to ask."
"Thank you Mr. Gillette for the offer, but I am here on private League business. There is one thing you can do for me however."
"Anything," said Gillette.
"Can you tell me of any family that came to this town from far away say in the last twenty years?"
"Well the only family I can think of came from Australia about 12 years ago."
"Do they have a son?" asked Wonder Woman.
"Yes I believe his name is Xander Bly and I think he works for a music store called the Rock Porium. It is owned by a Toby Slambrook.
It can't be that easy? Can it? Diana thought to herself. "Thank you Mr. Gillette you have been a big help."
Gillette looked as pleased as if he had just been given the Medal of Honor.
"Uhm Wonder Woman, can I ask want you want with the boy? He isn't in some sort of trouble is he?"
"No he isn't in trouble, but I'm afraid I can't tell you what I want with him. It's classified."
"Yes ma'am. I understand," Gillette answered sounding disappointed.
"Now one last question," said Wonder Woman politely. "Can you tell me the way to this Rock Porium?"
Gillette gave her directions and she thanked him again very graciously. Gillette blushed.
"Look after my plane for me?"
"Of course ma'am," said Gillette.
"How much?"
"Oh nothing ma'am I would consider it an honor to keep an eye on your jet for you."
"Thank you Mr. Gillette. I should be back in no more than a couple of days."
"Yes, Wonder Woman. Can I call you a cab?"
"No thanks, I have an alternate means of transportation." With that last statement she took off into the air and Gillette watched her in awe knowing his life had just been changed forever as she disappeared into the distance.
The same day that Wonder Woman was on her mission to find the Mystic Force Rangers, a black van was pulling up to an old abandoned mansion its square shape looming out of the dark, on a moonless night. The mansion was in disrepair, its red and white paint peeling, shutters askew, and some of the windows boarded up with plywood. The remaining windows shone with an eerie ambiance illuminated by lamps inside.
The occupants of the van got out to stare at the odd building. "I don't like this place." said the first man, a short pudgy fellow dressed in a tuxedo and top hat. His most unusual feature was his nose that looked sharp like a bird's beak. "It looks haunted. Why is the Joker calling us together anyway?"
"He seeks to form what he called a Legion of Doom," said the second figure, a woman dressed in black, her face covered by a mask, then she smiled, "At least according to Harley Quinn."
"That crackpot! Catwoman, can we trust her?"
"I don't know, but she did say that the Justice League is adding new members. That means new adversaries that we could go up against as a united team."
"There are already too many good guys in the world as it is. Do we really need any more heroes to ruin our plans?" asked Penguin with a snort.
"A united team, did you say?" asked the third and last figure of the group, who was dressed in a suit of orange and brown, his face covered by a brown mask with holes for the eyes and a jagged mouth and a slit for a nose, which made him look like a human jack o' lantern. "It just means new heroes with fears to explore."
"Scarecrow, I doubt that these heroes have any fears," said the Penguin snidely.
The Scarecrow's mouth turned up in a ghastly grin. "Oh, no, Penguin, you're wrong. Everyone has some fears even a little one can be used against them."
Catwoman turned to glance at the other two and then looked at the old decrepit mansion. "Gentlemen shall we go in?"
"We might as well. I for one want to know what the Joker is planning," said the Penguin, reaching for the front door and opening it.
Blinding light enveloped them as they entered. They walked down a set of stairs until they came to an open space. Once they did they saw lit candles everywhere and a couple of figures that stood in the light. One of the figures came forward to greet them.
"Welcome, ladies and gents, so nice of you to come," said a tall man dressed in purple with a white pasty face, green hair and red lips.
"Joker, why are we here?" demanded Penguin.
The Joker clapped his hands together and said, "Why, didn't Harley tell you? I want to create a Legion of Doom."
"She told us, but why?" asked the Penguin.
"Why not?" asked the Joker. "Plus there are new heroes in the League, new meat for us to play with—speaking of which would you like to meet your other fellow villains?"
"Yes, why not," said Catwoman.
The Joker clapped his hands together. "That's the spirit!" He then turned to Harley. "Are they all here, Harley?"
"As many as we could get to come, Mister J.," replied Harley, her black and white masked face beaming with delight.
"Excellent, bring them in."
Harley ran, her black, red and white costume a blur as she reached for the double doors on the other side of the room. "Presenting—Dr. Drakken and Shego—"
"Why are we here, Shego? We do fine on our own. Why do we need to join this Legion of Doom?" asked a tall blue skinned, with black spiky hair tied back in a ponytail, dressed in blue with a scar on one cheek.
"You're just mad because you didn't think of it first," said his companion, a young woman with long, dark hair and a green costume.
"Next!" said the Joker.
"Brainiac," announced Harley.
The figure that came forward was dressed in a purple and black suit with green skin and a bald head. He turned his head, looking at everyone assembled and went to stand beside the other villains.
"Duff Killigan," said Harley.
A man dressed in the traditional kilt and tam came forward. He was a short man with red hair also known as the world's deadliest golfer. He had been banned from every golf course in the world for the tactics he used when playing.
"Lord Montgomery Fiske aka Lord Monkey Fist," intoned Harley.
A tall man with short black hair and hands and feet like those of the monkeys he so revered. He had spent his family fortune to have his hands and feet genetically engineered by DNAmy so he could be more monkeylike. Because of this both hands and feet were covered in thick black fur on the back of them. His arms were also slightly long allowing him to knuckle walk or use both hands and feet to pick things up.
"Poison Ivy," announced Harley
A very beautiful woman wearing a green skintight costume entered the room. She was tall and slender with long red hair a green eyes. Her original name had been Pamela Isley but who had been known as one of the leading botanist in the country until after an accident in the lab which had injected plant toxins into her bloodstream. She found herself now immune to most diseases as well as being able to project different pheromones into the air to ensnare her enemies by either killing them or making them fall in love with her. She was also known for caring more about plants then people and would like nothing better than to wipe out the entire human race so plants could live without being destroyed by humans.
"And last but not least Draco Malfoy."
A man with blond hair and looked to be no more than twenty-one entered the room. He was tall with dark eyes and wearing a robe of blue. He looked as if he had just stepped out of one of those old-fashioned courtrooms.
"Now that we are all here let's get started," the Joker said gesturing at all the assembled villains to follow him.
He then led them to a room where chairs were set at a long table. "Please be seated and let us begin." When everybody had done so he continued, "Now gentlemen and ladies we are now the Legion of Doom," announced the Joker who laughed and laughed—
"Now that we are all here it is time for us to begin," said Joker when he had finally quit laughing. "Our first order of business—"
"Now wait a minute, I never agreed to join this Legion of Doom," Drakken angrily protested. "I'm a busy man. Not only do I not have the time I am perfectly capable of coming up with my own plans for world domination."
"Is that so," said the Joker his voice deadly quiet. "Then tell us why you have yet to get rid of your worst enemy. A mere teenager I might add. I believe her name is Kimberly Anne Possible."
Drakken winced at the name and protested again, "I've almost gotten rid of her on several occasions doesn't that count for anything?"
"No, it doesn't count unless she ends up dead," said Joker. "I believe that by working together we can eventually rid ourselves of our arch enemies, the Justice League of America but, only if we work with each other."
"Very well, I'll give it a try but if it doesn't work out I'm gone."
"Now if that is all the interruptions, it is time to move onto our first order of business," Joker said. "I think I have come up with a plan," he said then paused. "I believe that by kidnapping the children of billionaire Bruce Wayne will bring us not only Batman but some of the other League members as well. If we do this right we may just manage to kill some of them off so they aren't quite so many goody goodies in the world.
"And get us a nice ransom to right?" asked Draco.
"Precisely," said the Joker with an evil grin. "If we do this we might as well take the Possible family as well," said Drakken. "If you have them then Kim and her partner—I can never remember his name—will be sure to be there are well. Besides I hold a grudge against not only her but her father as well."
"Very well one group will go to the Wayne Mansion in Gotham City and get the Wayne kids. The other will go to the Possible home and get the Possible family."
"You know that kind of things takes months to plan if we do it properly," said Poison Ivy. "We need to observe them and get to know their routines."
"I know so we can keep a twenty-four hour watch on them by taking it in shifts, especially the Wayne children for I am sure they are well guarded and when we have observed them and determined how we can get into Wayne Manor because I am positive they have a top notch security system on the grounds. After we have learned their security system inside and out only then will we put out kidnapping plans into action. The Justice League will not know what hit them," Joker declared with a long evil laugh that seemed to echo around the room for a few seconds before fading.
Wonder Woman flew high enough to not be seen by the casual observer, but low enough to see where she was going. She finally spotted her target and landed in the alley right beside the store, making sure there was no one to see her. She then spun into her everyday clothes and entered the store.
She pretended to browse while she looked around the store discreetly.
"Can I help you ma'am?" asked a male voice.
Diana started and then silently chided herself for allowing someone to sneak up on her.
"I'm sorry ma'am didn't mean to startle you."
"It's okay, I'm Diana Wayne."
"Nick Russell. I work here. Is there anything in particular you're looking for?"
"Not really. I'm just browsing. I can never find what I'm looking for anyway at least not where I live."
"Well, what are you looking for maybe I can help?"
Diana told him and Nick shook his head then said, "You're right those are hard to find. Yo Xander get your butt out of that chair and come over here!" called Nick suddenly startling Diana yet again.
That name definitely sounds Australian to me and the same one Mr. Gillette gave me earlier. Now if the voice matches the name I might just have gotten lucky, Diana thought.
A tall boy with short brown hair, wearing blue jeans and a green shirt came forward from where he had been sitting. "Yes Nick?"
"Mrs. Wayne is looking for something very rare and don't you have that friend that finds rare and out of print music for a fee?"
"Yes, Roberto Sanchez, but he can be expensive depending on how hard the item is to find."
That voice, thought Diana. If that's not the same voice I'll eat my lasso.
"Oh it'd be worth it. Some of the things I've been looking for, for years on CD but never found them."
"Well then he might be able to get them for you. I can give you his phone number and his web page address."
"He does acquire the stuff legally doesn't he? I won't have anything to do with anything illegal."
"Oh don't worry my friend gets things legally," Xander assured her.
"All right then I'll give him a call and maybe he can get me what I've been looking for."
If Mr. Russell isn't on the team also I'll eat my boots to, soles included. "Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it."
"When you contact him tell him Xander sent you and he'll give you a discount."
Diana nodded and went back to browsing after thanking the two boys again.
She observed the two boys out of the corner of her eye as they went over to join their friends. She then selected several CDs to give her a reason for remaining in the store and headed for the cash register to pay for them. Suddenly she heard an odd beeping sound and immediately looked around and noticed Nick, Xander and three other employees heading for the front door. One of the girls stuck her head in what she assumed was an office and whispered something to the person within. She then also headed for the door and followed her friends.
A man came out of the office and Diana assumed that this was the owner Toby Slambrook. "Can I help you with anything ma'am?" he immediately inquired.
"Yes sir, I would like to purchase these CDs."
"Of course ma'am I'll be glad to ring those up for you."
"So what was with the mass exit of all your employees," Diana inquired as if just curious.
"Oh they just went on break is all. They'll be back," said Toby not looking up from where he was ringing up her selections.
"They seemed to disappear pretty fast for just going on break."
"Oh that's normal for them. They're teenagers after all. Young people just have more energy than us adults," Toby answered, before giving Diana the total of her purchases his expression never changing. The worry in his eyes however was obvious to someone who knew what to look for.
Diana paid him by credit card as she thought, He's covering for them which means he knows their secret. Now the problem is how do I go about introducing myself to them? They're bound to be suspicious of someone just walking up and announcing that she knows their identities. So how do I gain their trust?
Diana took her purchases and left the store determined to find a way. It probably wouldn't be easy she knew but she was up to the challenge and it all depended on whether she was right in the first place. First she had to know if she was right before she approached them as anything other than as a customer.
She spun into Wonder Woman and flew in the same direction her quarries had gone. Within a few minutes, she came up on a battle was taking place. She silently landed on one of the nearby rooftops and observed without being seen. She had an idea that Nick was the Red Ranger and Xander was definitely the green. She had no idea who the White Ranger was or seventh Ranger either.
She watched as they fought and even when they were knocked off their feet, they always got back up to continue fighting. Diana knew they probably had bruised ribs at the very least.
"Shining Jenji Attack," she heard shouted and watched as the man dressed in gold rubbed the top of what looked like your classic magic lamp straight out of Aladdin. Out of the lamp came a streak of light they turned into a white cat. The cat hit the monster head on and nothing was left of the monster not even a pile of dust.
Wow! Diana thought. That attack rivals anything the Justice League can do. They would be a great asset if I can get them to join the League!
"Good going, guys," said the Ranger dressed in gold. "Why don't you get back to work? It isn't right to leave Toby alone for too long."
Well if that doesn't confirm their identities. I don't know what does.
"I'll see you back at Rootcore, Bowen," the White Ranger told the Red Ranger.
"Yes, mom," the Red Ranger answered.
"I'll expect you for dinner."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Now get going and relieve Toby at the store. You're lucky your boss is; so understanding."
The other five Rangers took off at a run after transforming back into their everyday clothes. Once the teenagers had disappeared Udonna and Daggeron also transformed back into their normal clothes.
"Daggeron—" Udonna whispered into her friend's ear. "You do realize that there is somebody on that rooftop behind us observing us?"
"Yes," Daggeron whispered back. "I was just trying to figure out how best to handle it. We have no idea if they are friend, foe or just curious."
"I don't think whoever it is means us any harm. They could have attacked us at any time during or after the battle and they have not."
"True, so they are probably not evil then. Well I suppose the only way to find out is to ask them."
Both Daggeron and Udonna then turned and looked up at the rooftop of the building across the street where Wonder Woman was hiding.
"Whoever you are you can come down. We know you're there," Daggeron called.
Wonder Woman stood up already tensed realizing she had been seen. She was ready to defend herself if it became necessary to do so.
"We mean you no harm. If we did we would already be fighting."
"True," said Wonder Woman doing a graceful front flip and landing on the pavement her knees bending slightly to absorb the impact.
"Now just who are you? And why were you watching us?" demanded Daggeron.
Daggeron was wearing what he normally wore when not in Ranger form and that was a white shirt with red sleeves about halfway up the arms with a tunic which was open at the collar over it. The tunic's collar was gray that went halfway down where the shirt opened. Also on the tunic were buttons that started just under the gray and extended down the shirt until they were about an inch from the bottom. The shirt was half blue on the right and half brown on the left with a blue shoulder on the left side with a red patch under the armpit. There was a stylized S in gold with a black slash through the center of it and also a black border surrounding the S itself. The tunic was slightly long extending past the waist with a blue belt with gold buckle and black pants and boots.
"My name is Wonder Woman."
"That's not your real name I'm assuming?" asked Udonna.
"No, it's just the name I go by when I'm fighting the bad guys. Very few people know my real name. I have to many people I care about that would be in danger if the wrong people knew who I was out of costume."
"I can understand that, but that still doesn't explain why you were watching us in the first place," said Udonna.
"No I suppose it doesn't," Wonder Woman admitted figuring the truth would be her best option. "I was observing you not because I meant you any harm, but because I wanted to offer all of the Rangers a place in the Justice League of America."
"The Justice League of America?" repeated Udonna with a frown. "Have you ever heard of them?"
Daggeron pursed his lips in thought then said, "I seem to vaguely recall hearing about a League being formed of heroes to fight evil. But remember until recently I was enchanted into a frog and a frog isn't into paying attention on what is going on out in the world. Not even an enchanted one, especially one trapped in a cave and unable to escape. However I think a more important question at the moment is how did you track us down in the first place?"
"Batman—who is also a member of the League—had a video from the security cameras. After that it was just a matter of tracking you down which isn't as difficult as it might sound. Briarwood isn't all that big after all. Can we go somewhere a bit more private to finish this discussion?"
"What do you think?" Udonna asked Daggeron.
Daggeron pursed his lips again then said, "I say we trust her—for now. And as for somewhere private to talk where there is less chance of us being overheard—that is Rootcore."
"Rootcore?" asked Diana.
"Our base. I am Daggeron by the way and this is Udonna."
Wonder Woman considered for a moment then decided that her name was common enough that it wouldn't be that easy to track down if she gave it to them. "Diana," she finally said shaking both their hands.
"You're right old friend Rootcore is probably the best place to have this discussion. If you will come with us we will take you there."
"If you'll wait a minute and let me make a phone call first."
"To who?" Udonna asked.
"My husband. He tends to overreact if he can't get in contact with me."
"So?" asked Daggeron with an eyebrow raised questioningly.
"Just trust me on this him overreacting is not a good thing." That was the understatement of the century, Diana reflected wryly. The one and only time she had been out of contact she had come home to a very drunk Bruce one who looked like he'd gone twenty rounds with one of his arch foes and lost.
Diana took out her cell phone and pulled up the address book and then pushed send for Bruce was number one on the list of contacts.
In Wayne Manor
"Wayne Manor. Alfred Pennyworth speaking."
Diana walked out of easy hearing range then said, "Hello Alfred."
"Mistress Diana." The relief if his voice was obvious. Bruce must have been being pretty hard on Alfred for him to sound so exasperated, Diana thought.
"Bruce is in a bad mood isn't he?"
"Yes ma'am."
"What about the boys?"
"The young masters have been put down for their afternoon nap, ma'am." Alfred paused then said, "Mistress Diana, you know how Master Bruce gets when you do not call."
"I know. Could you please put him on the phone if he is available?"
"Certainly ma'am," answered Alfred.
A few minutes later she heard, "Where have you been, Diana? I've been worried about you."
"Bruce, I can explain."
"You'd better," he mock growled.
"Bruce, I have located the Power Rangers Mystic Force. I followed them and watched one of their battles."
"Did you fight?"
"No, Bruce I only watched. Besides you know perfectly well I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I'm an Amazon after all."
"You could have been hurt," he said softly.
"The same could be said about you, Bruce," Diana told him. "And the fact of the matter is that you can be hurt far easier than me and yet that doesn't stop you from doing what you know to be right."
"Diana, I don't want to lose you."
"You won't," she promised. "I don't particularly want to lose you either."
"I love you Diana. You and the boys are all I have left."
Diana smiled, "There's always Alfred."
"I can't imagine curling up in bed with Alfred," Bruce told her jokingly. Diana was relieved for if he could joke then his mood couldn't be all that bad.
Diana laughed and after a moment she said, "I love you, Bruce."
"Come home soon princess."
"I will, my knight. Give my love to the boys and Alfred. I'll see you soon. Bye."
"Goodbye."
Diana broke the connection and put her cell phone away as she walked over to where Daggeron and Udonna were waiting.
"Well that settles that."
"It's better if we have this conversation before the others get off work," Daggeron told Diana as he led the way to the tree that was in front of the Rock Porium. He looked around quickly then stepped through it. Diana followed self-consciously with her hand out in front of her and her eyes closed. She started walking forward sure that at any moment she was going to run into it. Being a member of the Justice League plus her own experiences made her more familiar with magic then the general populace, but that didn't stop her from thinking she was about to bump into something very solid. When she didn't after a minute she opened her eyes to find herself in a forest and several yards from the tree in question.
"Where are we?" she asked looking around her in awe
"Welcome to the land of goblins, trolls, unicorns and dragons," Udonna said.
"It's beautiful and so peaceful. It reminds me so much of my home Paradise Island."
"Paradise Island what a lovely name is that where you grew up?"
"Yes. I grew up as a princess for my mother was queen of the Amazons. I was trained in their ways from childhood. From the cradle, I was given gifts by the gods themselves. The ability to fly from Hermes, beauty and a loving heart from Aphrodite, wisdom from Athena, invulnerability from fire from Hestia, the strength of Hercules and from Artemis unity with the beasts and the instincts of a huntress."
"But didn't you have a father?" asked Udonna.
"Ah it's complicated," said Diana, knowing her story was fanciful and hard to believe, especially by those who didn't believe in magic or in forces outside themselves.
"Then why don't you tell us if you don't think it is too private for it is a long walk to Rootcore."
"Well my origins are extremely unusual and you will probably not believe me."
"I don't see why not. After all I was betrayed by someone I considered a friend and turned into a frog for twenty years. Whatever your history, it can't be weirder then that."
"True. All right, there was a group of women known as the Amazons and one day centuries ago there was a great battle where an army of men tried to destroy or capture the Amazon Nation. The Nation as a whole pleaded with the gods to take them away from the world of men. The gods heard the Amazons' plea and decided to grant their request. The gods ended up placing them on an island that the Amazons called Paradise. They then made the island invisible to mortal eyes so the only way to reach it is to either know the exact location or to stumble upon it by accident.
"My mother was queen of the Amazons and had been for centuries when one day she realized that she didn't have a daughter of her own to take over from her if she decided to someday give up the throne and so she prayed to Hera who is the god of childbirth for a child to raise as her own. The gods heard her and told her to make a child out of clay and after she had done so the gods breathed life into her then gave her the abilities I mentioned earlier. The gods then told her to call her Diana and that someday she would have a special destiny to fulfill."
"And that child was you?" asked Udonna.
"Yes, I grew up learning Amazon ways and then one day ten years ago the gods announced that it was time to send an emissary into the world of men. A contest was held to see who was; the most worthy and although I had been forbidden by my mother to enter I disobeyed. I entered the contest wearing a mask and won. When I was asked to reveal my identity and mother found out it was her only daughter she was not exactly pleased but had no choice but to allow me to go for I had won fairly.
"I was given the lasso of Truth made from Gaea's gold girdle. Anybody caught in its folds has to tell the truth. I was also given these bracelets which can stop bullets and energy bolts."
"Even though you had left didn't you go back to see your mother and fellow Amazons?" asked Udonna.
"Yes, about a year later I went back only to find all my sisters and my mother turned to stone by evil magic. There was a wizard Felix Faust that was looking for the parts of a key that would free Hades from the underworld..."
"So what happened?" Daggeron asked when Diana paused in her narrative.
After a moment of thought Diana continued. After a while she got to the part where she had been banished for bringing men onto the island even though it had been to help her family.
"But surely no mother—" Udonna asked the shock evident in her voice.
Diana shook her head. "She had no choice. She may be queen but even a ruler is not above the law. I admit I was depressed for a while until I realized that I had a family with the Justice League. Even Flash and his wacky sense of humor is like a kid brother."
"And your husband is he also a member of the League?" asked Daggeron.
"Yes, his name is Batman. He is the only one of us without special powers of some sort and he can be hurt more easily than the rest of us but that doesn't stop him."
"Ah here we are at last—Rootcore," said Udonna before Diana could continue.
Diana stared for before her was a giant head of some kind of prehistoric dinosaur that led into a tunnel.
"You are welcome in my home, Diana," said Udonna.
"Thank you Udonna. I truly appreciate your trust in me."
"Daggeron, you are welcome to stay for dinner."
"Thank you Udonna, I just might do that. How is Leanbow doing by the way?"
"Better. He should be resting. Clare is looking after him."
"Have he and Nick still not reconciled?"
"No, Nick holds so much anger against him and in a way I can understand it, but unless he can release that anger it might never happen."
"I can try talking to him again," Daggeron offered.
"Thank you Daggeron, but I'm afraid it probably won't do any good. My son got his stubbornness from his father and you know how stubborn Leanbow can be when he sets his mind to it. But I want you to know that you're a good friend to me and the Rangers, but especially to my husband."
"We've all been through a lot lately Udonna and we all deserve a chance to relax for a while."
"Yes we do, but it probably won't happen." Udonna said with a sad smile then turned to Diana and asked, "Can I offer you anything to drink? Tea? Water? Milk?"
"Tea is fine if it isn't too much trouble," Diana responded. She wasn't sure of what Udonna and Daggeron were talking about but she was a stranger after all and that meant she had no idea of what had been going on.
Daggeron seemed to know though for he just nodded and didn't say anything more about it. "Why don't you go see how your husband is doing, Udonna? I'll stay here and keep Diana; company."
"Thank you, Daggeron. I appreciate it."
"You're welcome," Daggeron answered as Udonna disappeared down another hallway. Daggeron then turned to Diana. "Why don't you take a seat on the couch Diana? Udonna will be back in a little while."
Diana sat where Daggeron suggested and then said, "So I take it from the conversation that her husband was injured in some kind of battle?"
"Yes. It however is not my place to tell you how it happened. If Leanbow or Udonna want to tell you that; is different," Daggeron hedged.
"I understand," said Diana and she did. She was a virtual stranger to them and they didn't trust her very much yet so of course they weren't going to tell her their life histories on just a couple hours of acquaintance.
After Daggeron had fixed and handed Diana her tea he sat down beside her and spoke before she could say anything. "First off before we talk about anything else I wanted to apologize to you for being so suspicious at first," said Daggeron.
"It's all right," Diana assured him. "If it had been me I probably would have reacted; the same." She admitted this softly then added, "In our business it pays to be careful. We have enemies that would love to see us out of commission or better yet dead."
Daggeron nodded appreciating her words for he could tell she meant them and that she didn't hold it against them when he and Udonna had at first been so suspicious. And it was a sort of natural reaction when you were used to being constantly on your guard against enemies that could attack without warning or seeming provocation.
"Secondly I wanted to thank you for trusting Udonna and me with so much of your personal history. I just want to assure you we would never repeat what you have told us."
"I know," Diana told him softly then added, "I'm a pretty good judge of character and I never would have told you so much if I wasn't sure of your honesty and your honor."
Daggeron rubbed his chin not sure of how to respond to that statement. Before he could however Udonna was back and leaning on her shoulder was a tall dark skinned man with black hair threaded through with gray.
Diana assumed that this was Leanbow, Udonna's husband and Daggeron's friend. Her suspicions were confirmed a moment later when Daggeron leapt to his feet and rushed to help Udonna support the man's weight. "Leanbow you should be in bed. You're still very weak."
"I heard we had company," Leanbow said. "I had to come out and see for myself that this wasn't some evil trick."
"Leanbow do you really think I would have let someone evil into Rootcore?" Daggeron asked.
"Had to be sure," Leanbow said, "Been tricked too many times."
"Leanbow the crystal ball would have reacted to her if she if she were evil and it hasn't. You know that. Now please go back to bed before you kill yourself. I've already lost you once I couldn't stand to lose you a second time," Udonna pleaded with her husband.
When Leanbow stubbornly shook his head Udonna sighed and said, "At least sit down." And this time her tone brooked no argument.
When Leanbow gave in with a grunt and sat in sat in one of the chairs Diana winced in sympathy as a look of intense pain crossed his face. Udonna stood beside him and said, "You've got to be the most stubborn man in the universe."
"But you love me," Leanbow said looking up into his wife's eyes with such a look of love that it made Diana melt.
"Yes," said Udonna her tone softening as she looked down at her injured husband. "Yes," she repeated. "I love you more than life. As if you didn't know that already."
"I did, but it's nice to hear you say it," Leanbow told her with such a look of love on his face that it made Diana miss; Bruce and her sons terribly at that moment that it was almost like a physical ache.
Finally after a few moments of intense silence where the two stared into each other's eyes Udonna broke the contact with difficulty. "Diana I would like you to meet my husband Leanbow."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Diana," said Leanbow. "Forgive me if I don't rise."
"It's all right," said Diana.
"Now from what my wife has told me you came looking for the Mystic Force Rangers to ask us to join what you call the Justice League. Is this accurate?"
"Yes sir," answered Diana, politely. She immediately realized that she was in the presence of a true warrior. She would have to be extremely careful to be absolutely truthful for if he caught her in a lie or half truth it would ruin her chances of ever getting them into the League. Not to mention breaking the rather tenuous trust the other two had in her and she would like to have them as friends at the very least.
"I have been somewhat—how shall I say—incapacitated the last few years so could you please tell me all about the Justice League?"
"Well first off, it was formed by five key members, Superman, the Flash, Batman, Green Lantern and myself. The original idea was to form a League to help fight all the evil in the world that one person couldn't handle alone. Since it was formed ten years ago we have expanded a lot, but lately some of the members have either retired to do other things, quit or been killed in action."
"So why don't you tell us about the main members?" asked Leanbow.
"Well Superman originally came from a planet known as Krypton. His parents sent him to Earth because the whole planet was about to be destroyed in a gigantic explosion. When he landed a young married couple that couldn't have children found him and raised him as their son. His abilities started to develop when he was eleven or so.
"His abilities include heat vision, x-ray vision, telescopic vision, invulnerability, super-strength, super-hearing, super-speed the ability to freeze things with his breath and the ability to fly. His fastest speed has never been clocked.
"The Flash is known as the fastest man alive. When he runs full speed he leaves nothing but twin trails of fire behind him. Some consider him the conscious of the group. He always has a way to make us relax and laugh at ourselves when we need it.
"Green Lantern has what he calls a power ring. The ring can do about anything his mind can come up with from bars of a cage to an airplane. Of course he has to have some idea of how something complicated like a plane works and the mechanics behind it in order for him to create and have it work properly. Everything he creates is controlled by his will and imagination.
"Batman is the only one of us without powers of some sort," Diana continued her voice automatically softening on the name. Leanbow looked at his wife with a raised eyebrow when Diana's voice had gone soft.
"Married," Udonna mouthed.
"Ah," Leanbow mouthed back.
"He has trained himself in every form of martial arts known," Diana continued unaware of the conversation that had just gone on over her head. "He also carries a utility belt with various gadgets, a batarang, a grappling hook gun and other various items whatever he thinks might come in useful for whatever case he is on. Also he has trained himself to move silently and to be more a part of the shadows then the shadows themselves. He is also known as the world's greatest detective and can most of the time solve cases that baffle the police or other law enforcement."
"As for me I have super strength probably equal to Superman's, the ability to fly, invulnerability and these bracelets," She showed her wrists. "They can stop bullets or energy bolts."
"That's certainly some list," said Leanbow.
"Yes, and that's only the main members and only the ones who have decided to use their powers for the good of the world. There are others who don't care what kind of harm they cause as long as they get what they want."
"Leanbow I think that's enough questions for the moment. Now are you going to go back to bed or do I have to have Daggeron knock you out and carry you?"
"Udonna! You wouldn't—?"
"I would if it meant not seeing you kill yourself. You need lots of bed rest in order to be yourself again."
"All right," Leanbow finally said giving in. "I'll go back to bed."
"Daggeron if you would help me?" asked Udonna instantly before Leanbow could qualify his words.
"Of course Udonna," said Daggeron, getting to his feet and going to help his friend from the chair.
"We'll be right back Diana," said Udonna.
"Take as long as you need. I'm fine right here." Diana looked around from where she was sitting looking at the room she was in. It was a very nice room, probably used as partly a living room and den. There was even what looked like a computer in one corner. A computer? her mind questioned. They were in another dimension that seemed to run entirely on magic?
Diana stared at the door that the three had disappeared into her expression far away as she thought that Leanbow had looked deathly ill and if she wasn't mistaken it looked as if he had been poisoned although she wasn't absolutely positive of course. She added up the symptoms she had noticed in her head and what she came up with wasn't good at all for is she wasn't mistaken—and even though she wasn't as good with poisons as her husband but she knew the basic symptoms. Profuse sweating, which led too dehydration, weakness, dizziness, paleness of the skin— However she wasn't sure if it was her place to say anything, but if she didn't Leanbow would surely be dead in less than a week and that depended on how long it had been since he had been poisoned in the first place.
Suddenly she was jerked out of her thoughts by the sound of footsteps and a moment later both Udonna and Daggeron entered the room. Diana was flabbergasted to notice the change in them. Daggeron now looked old and extremely sad the sparkle and humor gone from his eyes. His shoulders drooped and he looked about ready to die.
Udonna was no better. She looked as if she had just lost her best friend in the world. Her face was slack from grief her eyes red from crying. "Leanbow has just taken a turn for the worst. If we don't find out what is wrong soon and fix it he will die."
Daggeron just shook his head his whole posture expressing more than words ever could how much his friend meant to him. "Isn't there anything you can do?"
"I've tried everything I know. Nothing seems to work. If only I still had my powers."
"Even if you did, you might not be able to find a cure."
"But it would be a chance, more of a chance then he has now. I can't tell if he's under some kind of spell or if it's a disease of some sort."
"Might I interrupt this conversation?" Diana interrupted politely. "I think I might know what is wrong with your husband."
"What?" both Udonna and Daggeron asked at the same time.
"And is it fixable," Daggeron added.
"I think he may have been poisoned," said Diana.
"Poisoned?" asked Udonna her voice choking on the word.
"Yes, he has the basic symptoms, the sweating, the shaking hands, the pale skin."
"Is there anything you can do?" asked Daggeron.
"I don't know poisons aren't really my area of expertise."
When their hopeful expressions faded she added, "I do know someone who might be able to save him."
"Who?"
"My husband, Batman. He not only looks after Gotham City he's also a chemist. He has studied poisons. He has had to considering some of his enemies have tried to poison him on several different occasions and he can't exactly go to a doctor. Not to mention the Joker tried to poison the city's water supply and if Batman hadn't found the cure half the city would be dead."
"Do you think he would come out here to help us?" Udonna asked hopefully.
"Yes," said Diana. "That's what we do is help people and I would say you are in need of that help right now. I'll call him when I get back to Briarwood. He can be here in twenty-four hours."
"I don't know if Leanbow will last that long," said Udonna.
"Well he could get here sooner if Superman brings him. Shouldn't take more than a couple of hours, maybe less."
"Could you call him and ask him?" asked Udonna.
"Yes," said Diana.
"I have to ask if we did it what would you want in return?" asked Daggeron.
"Nothing, helping people is what we do," Diana answered truthfully.
"Make the call," said Udonna.
"All right I'll have to go back to Briarwood. I really don't think my phone will work in this wood."
"Daggeron would you mind escorting Diana back to Briarwood and staying with her until her husband can get here, then bring them both back here."
"With pleasure Udonna," Daggeron answered. "I'll do anything to help save Leanbow."
"We had better get going Leanbow probably doesn't have much time," said Diana.
"Oh and Daggeron could you please talk to Bowen for me and try to get him to come see his father?"
"I'll try, just don't expect too much," said Daggeron with a sad smile. "Nick can be very stubborn as you well know."