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All characters appearing in Superman and Justice League are copyright D.C Comics and Time Warner. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holder.
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Superman and Superwoman in Justice League Music of the Spheres – Episode Three: Winds of Change
By
Celgress
"The Guardians of Oa and their agents the Green Lantern Corps watched over the universe creating a long era of peace and prosperity insulated against all threats from other entities by their great power. However this was to change. Suddenly and terribly the Guardians and the Green Lantern Corps faced the greatest threat in their long history, the Gurzili."
Chronicles of Oa Book 1012 – Beginning of the End
Watch Tower - Present Day Earth six months after Dark Avenger joined the Justice League
"There are far too many unregulated super heroes running amuck." Lex Luthor said seated at his designated place around the Justice League conference table. "I propose we have a membership drive. Bring as many of them as possible under our supervision."
"And if they do not wish to join? Do you propose we forcibly recruit them into our organization?" J'onn J'onzz the Martian Manhunter inquired from his seat opposite Luthor's, his green face bore a deeply troubled expression.
"Then we should show them the errors of their ways." Luthor said without missing a beat.
"Are you suggesting we use force?" Cyborg said disgusted with where this conversation was headed.
"If need be, but only if we are left with no other viable means of persuasion." Luthor said unfazed by the disapproving glares he was eliciting from well over half the League members present.
"Such a policy could easily lead us to a very dark place." Wonder Woman said from her position of prominence seated to Superman's left.
The amazon warrior had been greatly troubled accepting Luthor into the League from the beginning. As she came to know the allegedly reformed super villain on a more personal level her doubts only deepened. Luthor was arrogant, egotistical, spiteful, greedy and had a deeply ingrained need, which more often than not bordered on obsession, to dominate others either mentally or physically. He was a glaring example of all that was wrong with Man's World. A world her mother and sister had fled thousands of years ago because of men not unlike Luthor. Even though her trusted colleagues Superman and Batman had both convinced her Luthor, whose met-human persona had been dubbed "Dark Avenger" by the media, was better kept under their watchful eye than roaming Earth completely unfettered. They argued this way he could be more easily controlled. What had they said? Something about keeping one's friends close but keeping one's enemies closer. She now doubted the effectiveness of their plan. Luthor was proving a caustic influence on the League itself and she worried greatly for its younger, more impressionable members.
"The point is moot. We can't force anyone to join us against their will. We are not a sanctioned governmental body. We have zero legal authority over anyone who doesn't voluntarily consent to be part of our organization." Batman said calmly. Always the voice of reason Dark Knight's words were usually the final ones on any given subject, but not today.
"I say we take a general vote on the motion. Let everyone have a say." Luthor suggested undaunted by Batman's rejection of the implied policy change.
"A vote is irrelevant. We can't legally enforce such a policy." Batman fired back standing his ground.
"Why not, we possess more than enough power required to impose our collective will on anyone we so choose in any fashion we see fit." Luthor pointed out.
"Enough," Superman said rising from his chair as he slammed his right fist against the table top. All grew quiet you could hear a pin drop. "We will not rule through tranny. That is not what this organization stands for nor will it ever while I am a founding member. There will be no further discussion of this matter. The subject is closed."
"As you wish," Luthor said with a sneer then added in a sarcastic tone, the mocking bite of which none could mistake for anything but deep seeded contemp. "Mr. Chairman." Superman and Luthor exchanged cold stares however no more words were spoken between them during the duration of the meeting or immediately afterwards. In fact each avoided the other for the remainder of that day.
Later Luthor was stowing his Dark Avenger gear in his Justice League locker, which consisted of little more than a navy blue bodysuit made of ultra-durable Lexcorp manufactured material that could hold up under the most adverse of conditions, when he was approached by Power Girl. The clone of Super-Girl, was now in her late twenties, she was a reformed one time enemy of the League created by Project Cadmus, before it was shuttered due to "unethical behavior" and "crimes against nature" committed by its staff three years ago.
"Yes, is there something you want?" Luthor asked buttoning up his short sleeved dress shirt.
"I greatly admire what you did today, challenging that pompous ass Superman his friend the Bat gutsy move." Power Girl purred. The well-built blonde in the skin tight bodysuit white trimmed with red and blue, around the chest and knees & elbows respectively, sashayed her way up behind the disgruntled genius.
"I did what had to be done." Luthor shrugged shutting his locker. "I achieved no great victory. In fact many would contend I lost."
"Maybe the battle, but the war is far from over." Power Girl said standing so close to Luthor that when he turned around her more than ample bosom was brushing against his broad chest. "I know winners when I see them Luthor, and you're a winner." Power Girl went on to say her hot, sweet breath filling Luthor nostrils. "One day you'll be in charge here not Superman, the Amazon or the Bat. When that day comes you'll need somebody worthy by your side. Someone you can count on."
"And I assume you want to keep that someone?" Luthor said struggling to keep his mind focused as blood flowed in abundance to another part of his body.
"You are smart." Power Girl teased her lips almost making contact with Luthor's own.
"What do you propose my dear?" Luthor somehow managed to get out in spite of Power Girl's sexually charged overtures.
"A partnership," Power Girl answered batting her eyelashes sweetly.
"A partnership," Luthor repeated. "What type of partnership?"
"One in all things and sealed with a kiss. Allow me to demonstrate." Power Girl said leaning ever so slightly forward she planted a fierce lingering kiss on Luhtor's lips. Finally pulling back she wiped their excess mingled saliva from her mouth, "partners?"
"Partners," Luthor said with a lopsided grin.
"Good," Power Girl said adding playfully with a smile of her own and then a wink as she pulled a bit further away from Luthur. "I thought you'd never agree."
Laboratory of Professor Emil Hamilton Metropolis the next day, early evening
"Ta da what do you think Doc?" Lois said modeling her newly constructed Superwoman costumes for Professor Hamilton.
It was comprised of a body stocking which covered her entire form, including hands. It was mainly sky blue in coloration with knee high red leggings/boots, diamond shaped red chest plate that also encompassed the shoulders and upper abdomen over which was stylized a large white S symbol, obvious inspired by Superman & Super-Girl's. Lois' head and neck were covered by a matching blue mask that possessed holes for her mouth/nose, eyes and hair in back. Her ensemble was completed by a detachable white hooded cape.
"I got tired of ruining all my hoodies and sweatpants running down criminals." Lois explained. "It's made out of extremely durable materials used by the Defense Department (thanks Dad she added silently, hopefully you'll continue to think the lead was for a story), so durability shouldn't be an issue."
"Hmmm, it appears functional and eye catching." Professor Hamilton said after giving the nervous Lois a quick once over. "Although I am curious, why have you adopted the Super Family, for lack of a more appropriate term, distinctive S symbol as your own emblem Ms. Lane?"
"I strongly considered creating an original symbol of my own." Lois explained. "I rejected that idea when the rest of the media dubbed me the "mysterious superwoman". In spite of my best efforts it stuck. Rather than rebrand I decided to ride the wave as they say. Besides I doubt Superman or Super-Girl will mind, as both have been major inspirations for me even before I developed powers. If they do find it offensive I'll find another symbol, sound fair?"
"Quite," Professor Hamilton said. "Which reminds me Ms. Lane, Superman has been asking about you well Superwoman actually."
"He has," Lois said apprehensively. "What has he been asking?"
"General inquirers really," Professor Hamilton said. "He's asked if I know anything about you or have heard anything through scientific circles. He is rather curious about you, your possible origins and activities. Rest assured I of course have kept our dealings strictly confidential."
"Thank you for keeping my secret professor." Lois said breathing a sigh of relief. "You're a life saver." Lois then turned to leave the lab before Professor's Hamilton's voice stopped her dead in her tracks.
"One last thing before you departure if I may?" Professor Hamilton called out.
"Yes," Lois said turning around to once more face her trusted advisor.
"Superman suspects you took him to his Fortress of Solitude six months ago. He has talked with most of his allies and eliminated them as possibilities." Professor Hamilton stated. "I thought you should be made aware of the situation."
"Thank you professor," Lois said then she departed her mind swirling with troubled thoughts.
She was unsure she could count on Kelex to keep her secret from Superman much longer. If Superman directly asked the computer it would surely reveal her true identity along with the full circumstances surrounding their arrival that fateful day. It wasn't Kelex fault it was programed to be loyal to Superman and follow his direct orders no matter the circumstances. Lois was now left with only two options, neither of which was appealing in her opinion: either wait for Kelex to spill the beans or tell Superman herself before that could happen. No matter what she did her secret would soon be known by Superman. What would happen then? Would he tell other superheroes, his friends in the Justice League or worse yet the general public? What would her friends and family say if that occurred? How would her father, who had always been suspicious of meta-humans in general, react? Would he disown her? Would her mother go along with him, or would their family spilt over the truth? Would Perry fire her for fraud and conflict of interest because she'd covered some of "Superwoman's" exploits? Due to their past dealings, which included a near romantic entanglement at one point, would Superman be resent of her for "deceiving him"? There were so many possibilities, but few seemed good. How had her life become such a complicated mess?
Secret A.R.G.U.S Facility beneath Metropolis
"These are the latest genetic modifications I want induced into the developing fetus, Subject-Nine." Director Amanda Waller ordered a balding male scientist who sat at a lab table examining slides through a powerful electron microscope. Taking the piece of paper upon which the instructions were written the male scientist quickly frowned. "Is there something wrong?" The heavyset African American Director asked in a nonplused voice.
"These changes," The male scientist said picking his words carefully.
The male scientist wished to avoid Waller's legendary wrath if at all possible, having witnessed many others fall victim to her fiery temper over the two years he'd worked there. Still what she was ordering him to do was unethical, and potentially very dangerous. He must speak up.
"They will induce terrible defects in the developing creature's higher reasoning." The male scientist advised.
"Not defects, improvements Melvin." Director Waller said shaking her head.
"With all due respect ma'am, these modifications will create a creature that cannot tell right from wrong by dulling or outright suppressing its natural emotional responses via extensive genetic resequencing," Melvin said.
"Exactly, this entity once fully matured is to be our first line of defense against all super powered threats. We cannot have it hesitate because of some misguided notion such as pity or attempt to redeem an inquiry feigning enemy when the very fate of Humanity is at stake." Director Waller said. "Its actions must be driven by cold, unclouded logic nothing else. Implement these changes I've ordered in Subject-Nine or I'll have you relieved of duty and find somebody else who will follow my orders without any qualms. Am I clear?"
"Yes ma'am," Melvin said avoiding eye contact with Waller.
"What are you waiting for Melvin, get to work!" Director Waller said forcefully before leaving the room.
Left with no other choice Melvin reluctantly did as he was instructed. He carefully feed the desired modifications into computer banks in the next room where the now near man sized fetus bobbed lazily in the pale blue liquid which filled its phone booth sized, tube shaped maturation chamber - tethered to the chamber's onboard computer transceiver by a dozen thick cables that entered the fetus' body at various spots, including the head and abdomen and monitored the rapidly growing genetic aggregate organism's vitals twenty-four/seven without fail. Although in no way a religious man, he hadn't been to a synagogue since shortly after his bar mitzvah, Melvin said a silent prayer asking for forgiveness as the computer system began following the latest directive programed into it. Watching, through the window which separated his workstation from the neighboring chamber, the large fetus twitch violently several times as Waller's modifications were implanted from the main lab Melvin had a foreboding feeling deep in his gut. A premonition that something terrible was about to happen.
The Narrows Gotham City, night
The neighborhood known locally as the Narrows was a crime ridden ghetto. One of the worst the entire country had to offer. Violent occurrences were all to frequent within its boundaries. They were so frequent in fact police patrols mainly avoided the area and members of the legendary Bat Family devoted multiple sweeps pre night through the grimly streets. Tonight that member was Jason Todd aka Red Hood.
Dressed in full coverage dark grey body armor with a red bat symbol embossed on the chest, matching boots, gloves, a red featureless mask with white eye ports, and an unzipped black leather jacket Red Hood was a fearsome sight to behold. Strapped to his black utility belt were holstered twin 9mm automatic handguns and a sheathed katana blade. Noting the eerie calm which hung in the air Red Hood's gloved right hand hovered over the exposed hilt of his trusty sword. Things were quiet to quiet. It was never good when things were quiet not in Gotham as a whole and particularly not here in the Narrows. Something was coming, something big. He could feel it in his very bones.
A sound akin to crackling fire begun to build in Red Hood's ears breaking the silence, at first he thought he was imagining it. But he wasn't, soon the sound became deafeningly loud. A blinding flash out light followed immediately by the thunderous crush of a massive shockwave knocked Red Hood off his feet and temporarily rendered him unconscious. When he came back to his senses and regained his footing a few minutes later the alleyway he'd been patrolling had become a smoking mess. In the middle of the large crater which dominated the scene stood a male figure clad in familiar emerald green armor, he was a Green Lantern.
"Oracle, come in Oracle." Red Hood said attempting to contact the Bat Family's coordination center in vain on his sparking communicator. Swearing he tossed it aside and cautiously approached the strange Green Lantern his katana drawn, "hello."
"Where am I?" The dark haired Green Lantern asked his eyes fixed in Red Hood.
"Earth," Red Hood answered.
"What year?" The dark haired Green Lantern then asked following a moment of hesitation as if considering something.
"What," Red Hood said.
"Tell me what year it is?" The dark haired Green Lantern repeated.
"Ah 2015 of course," Red Hood said.
"It worked," The dark haired Green Lantern said softly a note of awe in his voice.
"What worked?" Red Hood said bewildered by the entire incident.
"Quick, where can I find those called the Justice League?" The dark haired Green Lantern asked.
"Most of them hang out at the Watch Tower." Red Hood answered.
"Where is this 'Watchtower' located?" The dark haired Green Lantern said.
"In space," Red Hood said pointing towards the sky with his free left hand. "It's a satellite."
"You have been most helpful masked one, I must go." The dark haired Green Lantern said rushing off.
"Hey who are you anyway and what is this all about?" Red Hood called as he sheathed his blade and ran after the departing Green Lantern.
"I am Xian Loa last of the Green Lantern Corps. The fate of our universe hangs in the balance." The dark haired Green Lantern.
"Oh is that all." Red Hood joked dryly trying to catch up with the rapidly moving Xian. It was going to be another one of those nights.
To Be Continued
