9 Justice League Shadows

Tala transported Luthor to Aspen, Colorado. They arrived at the gates outside of a sprawling mansion. Aspen was known as a resort town and host to the rich and famous, so El-Faddil's security wouldn't be out of place among the elitists.

Luthor was pleased to see that the guards at the gate challenged him. It only took a moment to verify his identity through a retina scan. He vouched for Tala since she had no retinas to scan. CADMUS had encountered this difficulty as well.

A golf cart came wheeling up for them. A fact that Luthor was grateful for. Little "Alex" had mournfully wailed after the death of his mother. He simply cried for the last hour in Luthor's embrace. Frankly, Tala had been amazed to see that he wouldn't relinquish custody of his nearly orphaned son.

They reached the house and Luthor carried Alex to the door. Tala did the honors of ringing the doorbell since Lex's hands were busy and neither of them wanted to wake the emotionally overwrought toddler.

The door opened and a man in his late sixties stood in the entryway. He had a genteel air. And his eyes looked kindly upon the child.

"Is this him?" the stranger asked reverently.

"Yes Jarvis, this is him," Luthor said warmly.

Again Tala was shocked. Luthor was not a compassionate man yet he was being civil to this butler. Hell, he was even being nice. She'd shared his bed and he rewarded her by trying to kill her rather than compliment her.

Luthor spotted her confusion, "Tala, meet Jarvis Endicott. Jarvis has been with my staff since I made my first billion. He and Mercy were the only two people that I trusted with my life."

Tala knew that wasn't a compliment. Mercy had put out for him time and again, and in more ways than one, and he "thanked" her by blacklisting her in the corporate world after he stripped her of her job and all of her worldly possessions. She knew from his reaction upon hearing the news that Talia had redeemed the woman by placing her with a firm overseas that Luthor would find that hard to swallow much less accept.

"And now I am trusting you with my son," Luthor said as though bequeathing the greatest honor there was.

Which he probably thinks he is, Tala mentally sniped.

"Where is the staff?" Luthor inquired.

"They made the last arrangements after your call," Jarvis conferred, "They are ready to receive you both in the boy's wing."

"Stay here," Luthor instructed as he and Jarvis departed with Alex.

"And what a lovely place to be," Tala grumped.

"Oh, cheer up. There are worse medieval dungeons," The Enchantress jested as she swept into the room, "But at least it's a nicely appointed dungeon."

"June! What are you doing here?" Tala asked.

"I've spent the last week erecting every kind of ward and protection spell that the books could reveal over this place," the Enchantress shared, "I'm about ready to go mad. This truly is a glorified prison. The boy's going to be psychotic by the time they're done with him."

"True," Tala agreed, "But he'll be richer than Midas and will be quaintly referred to as 'eccentric' by his social peers."

"I'd be surprised if he doesn't poke himself in his own ass and self destruct like Midas did," the Enchantress quipped.

"Too true," Tala laughed.

"Enchantress!" Luthor called out as he returned, "Have you finished making the preparations?"

The Enchantress gave him a wry smirk, "Just waiting on you, daddy dearest."

Luthor scowled, "What do you mean?"

"I can't weave the final spells until we're ready to exit. After that, neither Tala nor I will be able to access this facility," Enchantress informed him.

"Oh really?" Luthor found this intriguing, "So that would include various types like you two?"

"Yes, low level mages are entirely blocked. Mid-level mages as well. Someone with enough power, knowledge, and experience could eventually penetrate the wards but it would take an extensive amount of time and power," the Enchantress described the likeliest breach scenario.

"What about Fate?" Luthor asked.

"A Lord of Order could access the compound with little effort," the Enchantress ruefully told him, "But your best level of protection is that your son should be of no interest to the Lords of Order or Chaos."

"And Zatanna? Or this Anna Fortune?" Luthor wanted to know.

The Enchantress' smirk turned rueful, "At one time I would have readily said 'no'. However, Zatanna has moved well beyond trickery to real magic. She's posed a threat to Circe. Also, her experience with absorbing a Nexus point has changed the fundamentals behind her power. She withstood the bulk of Darkseid's augmented powers. That's no easy task. Since then, Zatanna has been able to tap into the underlying existential power of the multiverse."

She pensively mused over her topic before furthering her answer, "As for Anna Fortune? She represents an unknown. She employs Order magic, which makes her a potent enemy. I still say she'd need time to crack my defensive web but I'm now of the opinion that either of them could do it."

"That's not very reassuring," Luthor complained, "You promised me certainty."

"I promised you a strong defense. There are no certainties, Luthor," the Enchantress shot back, "I did what I could. Now, if you enlisted a local god or Lord of Chaos, you'd really be in business."

Luthor assessed his options and made a decision, "This will do for now. But if I need more in the future?"

"I know who to contact," the Enchantress assured him, "But it will come at a price."

Luthor wore his oily smile, "What doesn't?"

The Enchantress wore an insufferably knowing smile, "Yes, but will you want to pay when the check is due?"

"We'll have to see at the time," Luthor said smugly.

"I'm not joking!" the Enchantress lashed out, "These beings don't play your kind of games. If they don't receive the negotiated payment when it was agreed upon, they take it out of your soul."

"Then it's a good thing I don't have one," it was Luthor's turn to be insufferable.

The Enchantress gave Tala an exasperated look. The other sorceress shrugged. The Enchantress shook her head, "All right. You've been warned."

"Can we leave now?" Luthor asked.

The Enchantress gave him a self satisfied grin, "We'll have to walk off the property. Once we're off the grounds I can apply the final spells. I'll have to be carried while we teleport back to the base."

"Why?" Luthor asked.

"All magic comes with a price. My temporary infirmity is the price I have to pay for this act," the Enchantress lectured, "That's why I've needed a week to complete the task."

Luthor had new respect for the Enchantress. Jarvis had told him of her sudden collapses and bouts of feverish ramblings. Yet she wasn't complaining about it. It was simply a task for her.

"Then we should get walking," Luthor instructed.

"You will catch me?" the Enchantress was strangely vulnerable.

"Yes," Luthor promised, "You've insured the safety of my child. I will protect you from harm in your hour of need."

She wore a skeptical smile, "We'll see."


The trio appeared in the teleporter grid matrix. Half Ape had been operating the device but he was surprised by the sight of Luthor cradling the Enchantress in his arms. Tala held the other mage's oversized "witch's" hat. Half Ape summoned the Ultra-Humanite. Grodd smiled.

"Unusual for you," he commented, "Chivalry isn't your usual motif."

"I owe her," Luthor simply said.

"Lay her down," the Ultra-Humanite instructed as he entered. He checked the Enchantress' vitals. Everything read within human norms, if somewhat weak. He lifted her and placed her on the gurney that he'd brought and wheeled her off to the medical wing.

"You have a message," Grodd informed Luthor, "It came through the backdoor email account."

"Really?" Luthor was impressed. That account didn't exist in any database, "From whom?"

"Someone calling themselves the 'White Rabbit'," Grodd said, "They've requested a meeting."

Luthor was intrigued, "Show me."

Grodd handed him the tablet he'd been holding. The email was pulled up. The White Rabbit was requesting that Luthor meet him or her, but he suspected a her, in Suite 413 of the Gotham Royal Hotel. It was a Five Star establishment and the suite was palatial. Luthor knew from experience. The proposed meeting was for tonight at 8:00 PM.

Luthor checked his watch, "I have time. Message this 'White Rabbit' and tell them I'll be there."

"Should be interesting," Grodd chuckled.


The blue flash announced Luthor's arrival. A distinctly feminine voice told him, "I'm in here."

Luthor moved through the living space and found a dining area. Seated at the table was a woman. A woman wearing a white corset, bunny ears, and a pink mask. As she rose and moved around the table he could see that she favored pink bikini briefs and thigh high white leather boots with a four inch stiletto heel. And was that a cotton tail on her scantily clad derriere?

"Do you like my tail?" the White Rabbit asked seductively.

"I have to admit that I do," Luthor admitted.

She turned and walked back to her seat. Before she sat, she wagged her fanny suggestively. She sat down and wore a victorious smile.

"Now you know what you'll never have but always want," the White Rabbit declared.

Luthor studied the White Rabbit. She not only possessed alabaster skin and naturally platinum hair but she even had pink eyes. Yet strangely enough, she wasn't an albino. He had the distinct feeling that she wasn't entirely natural. She had the stink of a meta-human all over her. Her mannerisms also screamed "dementia".

"How could you possibly know what I want?" Luthor playfully inquired.

"I know you killed your ex-lover, the Crimson Queen, to obtain your mutual child. I also know you probably want the best for your son but your definition of 'best' is the implementation of your long range goals for a dynastic, worldwide empire," the White Rabbit facetiously remarked. She saw her words struck a chord, "How nice. You're not even going to insult me by denying it. Maybe we can work together after all."

"May I ask how you came to be in possession of this knowledge?" Luthor inquired.

"I know people, Lex," the White Rabbit chuckled, "Well placed, important people."

Luthor digested this, "You say you want to work with me. How?"

"I can arrange for certain…favors," the White Rabbit answered, "There will be fees of course. Some banal, like money, and others a tad more…exotic."

Seeing his skepticism she leaned forward and put her elbows on the table. She clasped her hands with her forefingers steepled. Her chin lightly rested on those fingers.

"We both know your force in Gotham is going to be captured. Perhaps the other ones as well. Your best bet for a successful withdrawal is Supreme and the Female Furies in Belarus. Now, given that the bulk of your team is going to be tied up in the correctional system, I can deliver them into your hands in three days."

"I can arrange to break them out in three days," Luthor scoffed.

"I didn't say break out," the White Rabbit scolded, "I can get them released, all charges dropped, in three days time."

"How?" Luthor asked dubiously.

She smirked again, "Like I said, I know people. The right people."

"Not even Bruce Wayne wields that kind of power in Gotham. And that nitwit do-gooder is revered like a demigod here," Luthor said scornfully.

The White Rabbit laughed, "Poor Lex. All that intelligence and no imagination. Leave it to me, they will be released."

"For a fee," Luthor realized.

Her smirk blossomed into a smile, "Very good. You have been paying attention. Consider this first effort my initiation into your good graces. I'll do it just to prove I can. Next time, however, it will cost you something."

The White Rabbit stood, "And as an added bonus, I'm going to help save your life."

She plucked a little hand bell off of the table and rang it twice. A bedroom door opened and a woman clad in a flowing red gown stepped out. The gown had a slit of epic proportions, ending above the woman's hip. The leg that was revealed was rather shapely.

As the mystery woman approached, Luthor studied her. He judged her to be Middle Eastern, possibly Persian. She was somewhere in her late 30's, early 40's. And she bore an uncanny resemblance to… It couldn't be! he mentally protested.

The White Rabbit was immensely pleased with herself as she began to chuckle again, "I see you've recognized the resemblance. May I introduce Scarlet Rose, the Crimson Queen's younger sister."

Luthor was immensely displeased, "Is this some elaborate trap so that she can exact vengeance?"

"Would I do that?" the White Rabbit asked with good humor, "And before asking 'how the hell should I know?' Remember, that I'm discussing a long term partnership. Your death won't accomplish that."

"Then what?" Luthor directed the question, and his gaze, at Scarlet Rose.

"I'll forgive you for my sister's death and the abduction of my nephew," Scarlet Rose announced, "But you have to buy my forgiveness."

Luthor smiled. A negotiation. He was in his element.

"And how much would that cost?" he inquired.

"I want the throne of Bailya," Scarlet Rose declared, "Nothing more. Nothing less."

"That would be difficult. The people have embraced Black Adam and Isis," Luthor warned.

"My vendetta can be against them or you. Your choice," Scarlet Rose warned.

"And why should I fear you?" Luthor mocked her.

A manifestation of pure telekinetic power in the shape of a bird's talon hurled him up against the far wall and proceeded to crush him. Scarlet Rose strode towards him. Her movements were bold and carefree. Her eyes, though, were without mercy or pity.

"You knew of my sister's talents in mind control. What you didn't know was that she was also one of the leading experts on the metagene and its activation and exploitation. She scanned as a flat line 'norm'. But, I have the gene and my sister brought it to the fore. This is but a taste of what I can truly do. My sister developed a whole cadre of meta-humans that are under my control," Scarlet Rose explained.

"Then why did she need the Global Guardians?" Luthor gasped.

"We were external security," Scarlet Rose said with a smile, "All those unexplained and undocumented terrorists cases that the Suicide Squad has been chasing down for the last three years? You're looking at the root cause."

The claw evaporated and Luthor collapsed onto his hands and knees. Scarlet Rose scrutinized him, "My sister actually loved you. Not as much as she loved Black Adam, of course, but it was there nonetheless. It was born of respect. And in the end both of her lovers betrayed her."

Luthor slowly rose to his feet, "That still doesn't answer the question of whether or not you're actually responsible for those incidents."

Scarlet Rose waved her hand and a fiery rose blossom and stem erupted out of the ground, "As the bulb unfurls, look into the blossom. There you will find your answers."

Luthor did as he was bade and it was like being transported into another world and another time. Events cascaded around him. Mission after mission of pure destruction. Scarlet Rose at the lead and a dozen or so men and women willingly following. And at the root of it all, the Crimson Queen issuing orders and designating targets. Then all at one once the rose exploded into embers.

"Why me?" Luthor asked at last, "After all, I killed your precious sister."

Scarlet Rose met his eyes and hers reflected pure loathing, "If you're good enough to kill my Queen. Then you can also kill Black Adam and his pregnant whore."

"Yes, I am," Luthor said smugly.

"Good," the White Rabbit had set out three goblets and held a bottle of wine that she'd just uncorked, "I'll pour the wine and we can discuss business. And don't give me any of that Islamic mumbo jumbo, Scarlet. You're an apostate through and through."

"Maybe one glass," Scarlet Rose allowed with a slight smile.

Luthor and Scarlet Rose approached the table. Luthor had one question, "Does Black Adam have any records of your group?"

"None," Scarlet Rose assured him, "We were an 'off the books' operation. All knowledge of our activities died with my sister."

"Excellent," Luthor smiled. Seeing Scarlet Rise's loathing glare, he amended his statement; "Not about the Queen's death. I honestly did give her a chance to come with me."

"My sister would never willingly submit to a life of slavery. You knew that," Scarlet Rose said disdainfully.

"Come, my little bunnies, let's toast a new day and our mutual endeavors," the White Rabbit suggested.

Even Scarlet Rose was steered out of her anger by the White Rabbit's natural charm and charisma. Luthor knew he'd have to be careful with this one. If he was careless in any way, she'd pounce and take over the Legion of Doom itself.

She gave him a victorious smile, as if she'd already done so. He felt a chill running up his spine. Let the games begin!