Justice League Nuptials 46

Shayera Hol flew over the Hudson River. The river was filthy but she could make out her reflection. She diverted and headed for Central Park. She glided down next to the reservoir and came to a landing near a clearing. People pointed and ran towards her.

After she'd spoken with the well wishers and signed several autographs they left her in peace and she stared at the water and reflected. She couldn't deny it, she was deliriously happy. She and John Stewart were a couple again and her life felt whole again.

Her defection from Thanagar had left her rent and torn. The loss of Stewart had been even more devastating. The protracted waiting to see if his relationship with Vixen would evaporate had seemed like an eternity.

As Stewart had observed, she was a wholly changed woman. At one time she would have combated Vixen's intentions head on and waged a bloody campaign. And she probably would have lost, she realized. Patience didn't come naturally to Shayera but it was a virtue she was learning the value of.

Of course, in real combat she was still fearless and impetuously forward. Although, she was also learning restraint in warfare. Her tactics were much more thought out. She was learning to strategize during the heat of battle. Strategy was something that came naturally to her. She regularly beat Batman at chess, a feat that even Mr. Terrific couldn't boast.

"Hey beautiful." She heard as Stewart came to a landing next to her.

She smiled warmly, "You're on time."

"The GL Corps gave me the afternoon off. Kyle's covering for me." Stewart explained.

"I bet he wishes Kara were with him." Shayera smirked.

"I have no doubts." Stewart chuckled.

The nearby crowd was stirring and passersby were stopping and lingering. Shayera's smirk intensified, "I think we're causing a commotion."

Stewart grinned, "Let's cause a real commotion." He drew her in and kissed her deeply. Shayera eagerly reciprocated his passion.

The crowd whipped out the cell phones and took pictures of the couple. As she came up for air, Shayera patted him on the shoulder; "Okay big boy, save a little for later."

"Looking good you two." A familiar voice said. They turned to see Clark Kent and Princess Diana smiling at them.

Shayera miserably observed that Diana could make even the simplest sun dress look regal. Diana had also relaxed her hairstyle. Rather than sweeping at away from her face it was loose and flowing. Shayera secretly took satisfaction from this. The Amazon's appearance took its cue from the Thanagarian's typical look.

"What brings you two to New York?" Stewart asked. Clark, of course, called Metropolis home. Diana had taken up residence in Washington D.C. with a family there. It was a case of strange bedfellows but it made Diana happy so that's what counted.

"Other than visiting the Hall Diana's never seen New York's sights." Clark explained, "I'm a tourist myself so we thought that we'd explore the city together."

Shayera and Stewart exchanged a knowing glance. Shayera spoke, "Won't talking to us give away your other identities?"

"I'm a famous reporter on the Superman beat." Clark grinned, "He's a member of the League so talking to two JLers when I have an opportunity to would just be natural."

"For a farm boy you can be awfully sly." Stewart chuckled.

"I try." Clark grinned again, "I may not be in Bruce's caliber but I'm learning."

Shayera's signal device sounded and she answered, "Hawkgirl here."

L-Ron responded, "J'onn is requesting your presence. He'd also appreciate it if you brought along Green Lantern, Supes, and Her Highness."

"How'd…?" Shayera started to ask.

"Your signal devices also act as a lowjack." L-Ron explained, "Big Brother sees all."

Shayera snapped her device off, "Of all the…"

Stewart interrupted before she could really vent, "I agree. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this."

"I tend to agree with you but I think it's a conversation we should have with J'onn after we find out what the crisis is and deal with it." Clark added.

"Right." Stewart agreed, "We'll see you two at the Hall."

Shayera was still fuming but she took to the air with Stewart and soared off into the horizon. Clark looked to Diana, "I guess we need to find somewhere private."

She was fiercely determined, "Exactly."

Clark reflected that one of the things that he admired most about Diana was that her sense of duty mirrored his. Unlike Lois, who would have to endure his frequent absences, Diana could fight by his side. He mentally shook himself. What am I thinking? He asked himself.

Sensing a brewing emotional crisis Clark concentrated on using his X-Ray vision to spot a convenient place for them to change into their business attire. He quickly found an ideal spot.

"Follow me." Clark urged, "There's a deserted thicket right over there."

Once they hidden amongst the trees, they began the process of putting their costumes on. For Diana it was a simple matter of twirling while reciting a magical spell. In a flash of light her clothes transformed into her working attire.

Clark had his costume below the waist on but he'd compressed his shirt and cape. He had to strip to the waist in order to put them on. He had a vague sensation that Diana was enjoying the show but he quickly brushed that thought aside. He folded and compressed his civilian shirt at super speed. He placed the packet in a pocket in his cape.

"Ready?" Superman asked.

"Always." Wonder Woman replied. With a nod from Superman they leapt into the air and flew off to the Hall of Justice.

In the air above Gotham, Supergirl pivoted in Galatea's grip until her knees were in the clone's stomach. She took hold of Galatea's arms and then flipped over. Releasing her doppelganger at the right moment she used Galatea's momentum against her. The ersatz Argoan slammed head first into the street thirty stories below.

Supergirl swooped down upon her. As Galatea rose to her feet, Supergirl came in and nailed her with a tremendous right cross. Galatea sailed away and plunged through the closest building. The driving force behind the blow sent the Legionnaire through the building and into a trench digging skid across the streets beyond.

Supergirl had no respite. Supreme was upon her. She blocked his right and delivered a right of her own across his jaw. He slipped backwards and came to stand upon the ground. He wiped the blood from his lip.

"Good for you." He sneered, "But it will be your last."

Supergirl silently came at him. She planted her feet on the ground and threw blow after blow. Supreme blocked one, two, and on three took a hit. That stunned him enough that Supergirl delivered a one-two combination.

Trained in the future by Karate Kid and Timber Wolf, she'd used her time in the 20th Century under Wildcat's tutelage. She was far more adept at hand to hand combat than Superman. Superman was a brawler with no fighting style whatsoever. He relied upon brute force.

Supreme threw another right. Supergirl shifted to the side and took a hold of his passing arm. Rolling her back into Supreme she pulled him over her shoulder. Bending her back his momentum, aided by her efforts, she threw him into the ground.

He recovered faster than she anticipated. He rolled onto his head and threw a hand spring. Thrusting his feet out he kicked her in the face.

Supergirl stumbled backwards. Supreme used his thrust to fly behind her and catch her in a massive bear hug. He squeezed for all he was worth.

Supergirl struggled to breathe. He was holding her in the air with her feet off of the ground so she couldn't smash his instep. But that also elevated her head.

As her vision was beginning to tunnel, she rolled her head forward and then threw it back with all of her might. She'd arched her back to add to the force. She delivered a strike directly into his nose.

Supreme dropped her and staggered backwards. Blood rushed out of the Daxamite's nose. His hands were covered in it and he stared at them in horror.

Supergirl gasped for air. Gulping it in she quickly recovered. She walked over to Supreme.

He dumbly stared at her, his eyes filled with panic. She smashed his face with a right cross. Next came a left, then a right, followed by another left. She continued this as she knocked him step by step into the wall of the building that Galatea had penetrated.

She pummeled him until his eyes rolled and he slumped to the ground. Supergirl stepped back and doubled over. Holding herself up by pushing off of her knees, she gathered what strength that she could. She heard Bizarro's breathing before she could stand again and face him.

"You am hurting me friends." Bizarro angrily declared, "Me am hurting you."

Supergirl rose to her full stature. She'd never felt so tired in her life. She had little doubt as he rushed her that he could carry out his threat.

Inside of the Nogura Tower the sounds of Black Adam's struggle with Atom Smasher resounded throughout the street outside. Police runners had summoned the Meta-Human Response Unit. They were gathering up the assorted Legionnaires and securing them within their transports.

Solomon Grundy was carried to the heaviest vehicle and locked into place in the mightiest restraints. Volcana and Copperhead were placed in the same vehicle. Copperhead was placed inside of what amounted to a porous bottle. For Volcana they were just counting the fact that she wouldn't incinerate her teammates.

Meanwhile, Black Adam and Atom Smasher traded blow after blow. The battle made Black Adam ill. Atom Smasher was his friend. They shouldn't be fighting.

Adam was seriously reconsidering his affiliation with the Legion. This entire affair had sickened him. He'd only joined the Legion at the behest of the Crimson Queen. To her his loyalty was absolute. He would petition her to release him from his union but if she desired for him to continue with Luthor's psychotics he would.

After what had seemed like an eternity Atom Smasher finally dropped his guard. Adam delivered a stunning blow that knocked Atom Smasher through another wall and out into the street. Adam stepped out into the street and took a deep breath.

"Shazam!" he cried. The lightning struck and his cuts healed, his swelling receded, and his bruises faded. Now he devoted his attention to Mary Marvel.

"Wake up, child." He implored as he stroked the side of her face, "Summon the lightning and be healed."

They all waited patiently and then she coughed. The pain that that caused caused her to curl into the fetal position. Even that made her cry out. Her eyes fluttered open and she slowly regained her wits.

"Stand back." She croaked, "Everyone."

They all backed away from her and she uttered the wizard's name and the lighting healed her. Gaining her feet she looked to Black Adam, "I suppose I have to fight you now."

Adam held up his hands, "I am done, Mary Marvel. I'm taking my leave of this place."

Mary was perplexed, "Why?"

"This isn't what I fight for." Adam explained, "I fight for order and justice. Absolute justice. Not this butchery. If my Queen releases me from my bond, you will not hear from me again with these animals."

Mary studied him and weighed her options. Finally she spoke, "All right. You can go but I have your word that you're done with this fight?"

"My word is my bond." Black Adam swore.

"Bye then and good luck with your queen." Mary relented.

"And may fortune smile upon you child." Adam said as he took to the sir and then flew away into the setting sun.

"Why are you letting him go?" Nightwing demanded.

"Hey, if you want him back, go get him." Mary retorted.

"This still hasn't told us where the Commissioner is." Montoya reminded Nightwing.

"Right." He growled, "Be right back."

He went to where the officers were holding the Riddler and Mirror Master. He grabbed the Riddler by the lapels and hauled him off to the side. Nightwing was dimly aware of Mary Marvel following him

He threw the Riddler up against the wall, "Where's Commissioner Gordon?"

"Like I know." The Riddler laughed.

"Riddler, I'm going to beat the ever living crap out of you unless you answer the question." Nightwing warned. Inspiration struck him, "Or I'll give you over to her."

"She's barely a woman." The Riddler scoffed, "What's she going to do? Tickle me to death?"

"Mary." Nightwing summoned her.

Mary traded Nightwing positions and she continued holding the Riddler.

"Talk." She ordered.

"Do your worst." He sneered.

She took hold of his hand with both of hers. She selected his index finger and snapped the bone in two. The Riddler cried out, "Are you insane?"

She broke his ring finger, "I don't want to hear anything from you but Gordon's location."

She took hold of the next finger and he screamed, "All right! The Joker has him at Arkham Asylum!"

"What's causing the radios to jam?" Mary demanded.

"What?" the Riddler was confused, "But you wanted…"

She snapped the finger. He cried out, "It's an EM dampener atop Wayne Enterprises. It blocks every conceivable signal."

Mary released him and turned to Nightwing, "What now?"

"You take of the dampener and then call the League." He instructed, "Robin and I'll take care of Arkham."

"You may need me." She protested.

"The cops need you more." He explained, "The rest of the Legion's out there and they can't bag them alone."

Mary frowned but she nodded her acceptance as the police hauled away a whimpering Riddler, "All right. We'll play it your way."

"Thanks." Nightwing grinned, "Now if you'll excuse us, Robin and I have to hoof it for twenty blacks to get to my motorcycle."

"I could fly you." Mary offered.

"No. The dampener is more important. The faster we get help the faster we can get rid of the Legion."

"Okay." Mary agreed more enthusiastically, "Good luck."

She flew away and Nightwing called to Robin, "C'mon kid. We're going to Arkham!"