New Justice: Trials of the League
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Recruiting an Army.
-December 28th-
"Another one destroyed," Rae called as she came into Watchtower. A couple of league members behind her.
Since the wedding three days earlier, the Justice League had been hunting down and destroying any and all League of Assassins bases – and stopping all their assassins.
"Kara, how did saving that scientist go?" Rae turned to her second-in-command, all business now.
"Easy," Kara said with a nod, petting Krypto – Clark came running up to his father, wagging his tail, while Beppo was on the chair behind Kara. "Alpha was pretty easy to stop," She added – Alpha was a member of the League of Assassins. Sara had told them of all the members she knew during her time, including pictures when she could find them.
"Sara, nerds, how's planning the attack on Nanda Parbat going?" Rae asked. She had put Sara in charge of making the plans for Nanda Parbat, the League of Assassins' main base, since Sara had lived there during her time as an assassin.
"It's not going to be easy, but we're getting there," Sara said with a determined nod.
"Well, I think we can call it quits for…" Rae was about to let everyone go home when Adam interrupted her.
"You might want to see what's going on at CatCo," Adam said, pulling up a video. It was Ra's Al Gaul, along with Nyssa and Talia. A man stood there with the Grants – he had a mask on, but his vibrating made it clear this was Wally – and where they were was the Grant's living room. Everyone was there, including Adam and Annie. The only one missing was Penny.
"Someone's got to be kidding me!" Rae groaned, looking at the screen.
"Flash," Ra's Al Gaul said on the screen. "Come here to talk to me. Without your League – or I'll start killing them! Starting with the youngest." Talia grabbed Dawn and put a very long blade to her throat. "You have 5 minutes to get here before I kill her. Then I kill one every half an hour unless you show."
"I guess I have to go save the Grants again," Rae said as everyone looked to her. "Krypto, Clark, Beppo, with me. You're technically not in the League." She smirked at this as Clark and Krypto shot up from their sitting positions to join Rae. Beppo jumped through the air to land on Rae's back. "And I honestly think Carter needs a Kryptonian seeing eye dog because this is starting to get ridiculous…." She moved to open zap tunnel and Rae and the Kryptonian animals went through.
"You know I don't think she was joking…?" Laurel said thoughtfully. "About making a Kryptonian dog a seeing eye dog, I mean."
"Oh, she was deadly serious," Kara said, knowing that for a fact. "Besides, the Sanctuary has too many dogs and cats lately anyway, so not the worst idea."
-New Justice-
"It looks like your time has run out," Ras' Al Gaul said to Dawn, Talia's blade pressed tightly to her throat.
"No!" Joel yelled, wanting to stand up, but Wally pushed him back.
"Dad?" Nyssa said, seeming nervous as she looked around the room. Killing a child was not something she wanted them to do.
Before Talia could move however, there was a flash and Rae was standing there, in her Flash, outfit holding Ra's Al Gaul and vibrating her hand close to his heart. Krypto and Clark were growling at the three and Beppo was flying above. "You touch her, and I rip your daddy's heart out of his chest!"
"Cutting it close, Flash," Ra's said, giving Talia a nod who let go of Dawn, letting her go back to the couch. Rae let go of Ra's with a little shove. "I said come alone though." Wally moved but Ra's held out a hand. "Sah-Vi-Tah, hold on," Rae did not react at the name, but she knew the League gave unusual names to their members. Sa-Vi-Tah was how Wally started to call himself Savitar, it seemed.
"No, you said come without my League. The animals are not members of the League," Rae said to a bark from the two dogs and Beppo pounding his chest and shrieking. "I would say I can't believe you went this low, but you have proven you're the scum of the Earth. The most disgusting and disgraceful human being to exist – worse even than the Reverse Flash."
"Really? The Reverse Flash killed your League," Ra's said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, when he hated me, he went after my League, the people with powers who could defend themselves and could have won. It was a direct attack. But you…. You go after people with a mild connection, people who cannot defend themselves. It's low and I thought assassins were supposed to have a code of honor, but clearly you do not," Rae said, letting her anger show. The Grants/Fosters were remaining silent throughout this.
"I needed to get your attention," Ra's Al Gaul said. "Your League has been very busy. …attacking us."
"After what you did, did you expect us to not fight back?" Rae said, her eyes going to the speedster she knew was Wally. "After what you took, you attacked us, attacked the Justice League, and I warned you once that I was willing to go to war with you."
"I attacked you?" Ra's Al Gaul said.
"There's no difference. You attack one of us you, attack us all," Rae said – it had been a motto of the League for a long time. They had each other's back. She knew it was the same across the multiverse of known Justice Leagues too, no matter what name they went by. "I didn't start this war, but I sure as hell am going to finish it. I'll keep destroying your bases, stopping your assassins. I will not stop until your League of Assassins is history."
"Yes, very impressive today. How did you know of that warehouse?" Ra's Al Gaul asked. "We got that after your White Canary left."
Rae smirked. "You think the best weapons are your swords and your training? You're wrong. The best weapons are a nerd with access to the best computer systems on this planet. And I got three of them on the team, and two in the reserves." Rae took a step back. "What do you want from us?"
"For this to end," Ra's Al Gaul said. "I discovered what I wanted from my attack – your League somehow found out what we were doing and countered. You are clearly as good as the old League, which is all I wanted to test. Now… we can stop this and go back."
"Wait," Rae said remembering back when she threatened the League to release Sara just after she had restarted the League. She remembered Ra's saying that if they were not as good as the old League, he would come back for her. "That's what this was all about? Testing us?" Rae's anger grew at that, not believing this to be possible.
"Well, when releasing the Reverse Flash did not work as a test since, we did not see what…"
"You released him?" Rae cut off Ra's, figuring she should have known. "I had to put a sword through his heart to stop him!"
"Congratulations," Ras said.
"Not everyone is as blood thirsty as you," Rae snapped at him. Her cousin death was a sore spot for her. Clark's eyes lit up though, knowing his mistress was angry and Krypto followed his son.
"The point being…" Ra's said seeing the anger in the Flash's eyes, and the dogs, and turning to Nyssa. Nyssa had her arms on her hips and a look in her eyes, almost saying 'I told you so'. "We can end this now. The old League never chose to attack us. There's a reason for that."
Rae actually laughed. "You think the old League was scared of you?" Rae said. "Oh, they would have been pleased to destroy you! Your little League disgusted them. The reason why we never did – you weren't important enough." Rae looked Ra's right in the eye as she said that. "Your band of assassins, hiding in the shadows, is not big League when you have aliens threatening to destroy the world. Chaos across the globe. You were not a priority, but congratulations, you elevated yourselves to the big time."
Ras sighed. "Fine, since our Leagues cannot exist together anymore, I propose a finale battle. We fight it out – one League comes out the winner. The other does not," Ra's said. "Get it over with."
"That's not a good idea," it was Sara in Rae's ear on the com. "They have no idea where our bases are. We still have the advantage with the way we're doing it."
It wasn't Sara that Rae was hearing though, it was Savitar. She remembered hearing his words: 'winning the finale battle was not enough for you'. Her eyes were to Wally at that for a split second – he was Savitar, or at least would be. Meaning the finale battle happened and the Justice League won for Savitar. Meaning… it had to happen again.
"Sounds like a plan to me. Where and when?" Rae asked.
"How about January 1st?" Ras said with a smirk. "Unless you have other plans…?"
"Nowhere I would rather be," Rae said not caring he had chosen her birthday. She didn't like her birthday anyway.
That seemed to surprise Ra's, but he was good at not letting it show. "You can choose where," Ras said.
"Samsins," was the first thing out of Rae's mouth.
"Seriously?" It was Adam in her ear. "What is it with us and that place?"
Rae ignored this comment. "An abandoned amusement park just outside the cities. Noon on January 1st," Rae said.
"Until then, no more attacks. We both get ready for the battle." Rae gave a nod at that. "And no Code Dominate," Ra's added. "Let's leave this as heroes against assassins."
"More like Heroes and Villains," Winn growled in, Rae trying not to smirk at the wordplay.
"Fine, but here's my warning," Rae however did say. "You touch anyone connected to me or someone in my League again and this final battle is done; I will active Code Dominate and blow Nanda Parbat off the face of the Earth. Got it?" Rae didn't need the countries' nuclear weapons to blow up the League – she was sure Watchtower had something that could. But she wanted to make the threat, to make it clear how deadly serious she was.
"No harm will come to anyone," Ra's said with a nod, signaling for his daughters and the speedster to leave. They did quickly, thanks to Wally.
Rae turned to the Grants/Fosters once they were gone.
"Hey… god, I'm sorry this happened again," Rae said, stepping towards the Grants.
"Well…" Before Cat Grant could finish her sentence, Penny Foster came barreling out of another room, cane above her hand and moving with surprising speed.
"Stay away from my family!" She yelled, going to hit Rae with the cane. Rae turned to catch it with speed, but as she caught it Beppo jumped on Penny's back covering her eyes with his hands and causing Penny to scream and try to hit him with the cane that just broke on his back.
Krypto and Clark barked, jumping up and grabbed the monkey from the older woman. "Okay…" Rae said, almost not believing what she just saw. "Bringing the monkey was a bad idea." Beppo gave a look at her with big, almost sad eyes. "Get over here you, trouble maker." Beppo gave a toothy grin before jumping onto Rae's back, reaching for her helmet, but Rae put a hand on it to stop him. "I better go." Rae told the family before they could say anything, Penny now shockingly subdued due to the change of attack and Rae ran out, the dogs following her.
"You think they realized no one turned off the live stream to CatCo?" Annie asked, pointing at the camera still set up.
"Doubt it," Cat said going to turn off the camera and take it off its stand.
That was when Joel's phone messaged.
"Rae," Joel said looking at the text. "No surprise… she's using those vacation days we owe her. Says sorry for the short notice but with the kitchen wrecked anyway she's not really needed."
"Why is that no surprise?" Dawn asked, and the three adults exchanged looks. It was time to come clean with the kids. It would distract them from this latest attack anyway.
"Kids, this is something we figured out a while ago, but Rae does not know we know," Cat started. "But you should know now too… Rae is the Flash."
"I didn't tell you!" Carter said instantly defensive, and then put a hand over his mouth. Eyes turned to him, not that he could see.
"You knew?" Annie asked.
"My power… The one that turned me blind." Carter started.
"Do you have any others?" Cat interrupted her son with a raised eyebrow.
"Urm, no," Carter stated. "But I can see meta humans and Rae… she's beautiful. All glowing. She told me the truth when I went blind," Carter admitted feeling sorry he did but they had already known. "You should hear her stories."
"I kissed the Flash," Adam said after a moment. A grin on his face.
"You also got dumped by the Flash," Carter added.
"For Supergirl," Adam added. "I can live with that."
"Is Rae going to be okay?" Dawn asked worried now, her hand rubbing her throat. She could still feel the cold steel Talia had placed there.
"Hey…" Cat said bending down so she was on eye contact with her daughter. "Any day, any time, no matter the challenge… I would put all my chips on the Scarlet Speedster." Cat wiped a tear from Dawn's eyes. "She knows what she's doing." Dawn hugged her mother at that. "Come on, we need something to take our mind's off this latest attack on our family," she stood at that, looking at Joel and Annie, who nodded. Penny, somehow, had fallen asleep on the couch.
-New Justice-
"Do you know what you're doing?" Sara had to questions Rae when she walked back into Watchtower. "A war with the League of Assassins?! A final battle! I just…"
"I know what I am doing," Rae said with a nod, stopping Sara's rant. "The plan is all laid out – all I have to do is follow it, and we win." Rae made it sound like she had a plan but she knew the truth: She wasn't making any decisions. She was decoding her clues from Savitar and the speed force. Everything she needed was right in front of her. She had already done it. Sort of.
"They can get a lot of people to that battle field – more than us," Sara pointed out.
"No, they can't," Adam said. "We've got the multiverse on our side. 20 worlds of Flashs and Supergirls come in and…"
"No," Rae cut off Adam suddenly, remembering what the speed force had told her about this. "We can't use the multiverse." Rae turned to Kara as she said it; Kara being the only one she told about the speed force warning.
"You're sounding like Frankie used to…" Winn pointed out with a frown.
"But for good reason." Rae replied simply.
"This is the time you were warned about...?" Kara however spoke up now, looking at Rae. "This is what the speed force meant?" Rae nodded at that. "Okay, so no multiverse."
The two turned to Sara; they did not need her, but they wanted her. Sara sighed, but she knew Rae and Kara well – and she knew the multiverse was more Rae's friend than anyone elses here. If she was saying no it must be important.
"The speed force?" Sara finally decided upon, and Rae nodded again. "You trust the speed force."
"Yes," Rae replied.
"Okay, no multiverse," Sara said. "but we still need more people."
"Maybe we can help…" the three leaders had not noticed the portal open and the rest of the League had not said anything. "Nice you're finally not using the multiverse."
"Not because we are on your motto," Rae said, glancing to Winn who had pointed this out to her. "And what are you two doing here?"
"You think the Justice League can go to war and we would not join?" Frankie pointed out, Gypsy smirking beside her.
"The live stream to CatCo was still on... The whole world knows. Some are freaking out and I am pretty sure people have already started selling Team Justice League shirts," Gypsy pointed out, seeing the confusion. No one in the Justice League had noticed the live stream still going it seemed, having relied on Rae's com to hear what was going on instead. "And consider us part of the League. We want to help."
"Um Flash?" Jess said before Rae could respond to her ex. "The communication devices you gave Psi, Replicate, Batgirl, and that Felicity chick have activated. I'm putting them on screen."
"Not exactly a good time," Rae said, once all four females were on the screen.
"Calling to help you," all four said as one, making Rae blink.
"Batgirl will fight with the Justice League," Stephanie Snart said defiantly – since Rae had given her the outfit, she had shone as Batgirl, taking over the mantle of Barbra with pride. "I've been good. Ask White Canary." Rae looked at Sara who had been training Stephanie since Rae had asked her. Sara gave a nod.
"The League of Assassins tried to kill me. I'm more than willing to lend my power to your cause," Psi said with a smirk.
"I offered once to replicate members of the League to help you fight. I think it's time you need it," Replicate pointed out.
"I know I am not a fighter and you have that MIA A.I., but having a person on your computer can do wonders," Felicity said.
Rae gave a smirk, but before she could say anything Winn interrupted. "Someone is trying to use a zap tunnel with an old code. The code use to belong to… no way! It's Animal Man."
"Open it," Rae said, turning with speed to the zap tunnels as one opened. Two people came in though; one a white man, and one an African American woman. Rae eyes went right to the man though. "Buddy Baker," Rae stated simply.
"Rae Garrick," Buddy said with a smile, and the two hugged, neither bothered or surprised they'd used each other's last names for formality.
"I've been looking for you," Rae said having given up finding Buddy a year ago when trying to rebuild her League.
"Sorry," Buddy said. "I wasn't ready, you know…" but Rae eyes went to the girl next to him. "This is…"
"Tantu Tayler," Rae finished for him.
"How did you know?" Tantu asked.
"Besides the fact you look exactly like your grandmother," Rae pointed out, "you're also wearing Mari's necklace." Rae pointed at the necklace around Tantu's neck, she putting a hand on it. "Becoming Vixen, I see?"
"I just put it on," Tantu admitted. "My grandmother… she died. It's why me and Buddy were in town. We've been… in Africa together." And now Rae understood why Buddy left the Justice League. Mari must have introduced them and the two hit it off, leaving together.
"My condolences," Rae said to Amaya's death, remembering the fierce older woman she had met. The one who she had a lot in common with.
"I know how to use it though. Grandma trained both me and Mari," Tantu said. "I can fight besides you."
"We both want to help," Buddy pointed out.
"See, we got numbers," Rae said, turning back to the room at large, nodding too to the four women still on the screens. "We also have Superdog, Flash Pup, Super Monkey, and Super Horse." The animals in the room gave a cry out at them being named.
"I could possibly grab an extra animal," Kara said. "And of course, we have Chris."
"Anyone else?" Rae asked, looking for ideas.
"Plus and Minus," it was M'Gann who suggested it and Rae paused, not sure how the two were doing – the last time she had seen the Wests they had not been in good shape given the devastation that Talia and Wally had caused them.
"Someone can go see if they are up to it," Rae stated, unsure, knowing it was not going to be her.
"I know," Donna finally shot up, having been quiet "where there is an army waiting for a war that might never come."
"The Amazonians?" Rae questioned. The thought never coming to her mind. "Will they help?"
"Not all, but I think I can get some. Even if I get one. I can be there and back before the 1st," Donna said.
"Go," Rae commanded, and one of the nerds opened a zap tunnel for her and she was gone.
"We shouldn't just rely on the female Amazonians," Thomas voiced. "There are males just as powerful who I think I can get to come." Rae waved her hand the single for Thomas to go.
"Three Js, what's with the whispering?" Rae asked noticing her three lanterns whispering to each other throughout the recruiting.
"We…" Jade started, looking at the two who nodded. "We can send a message out to the Corp. See if any lanterns would be willing to join. There's no guarantee though."
"Do it. A slim chance is better than none," Rae said and the three Js nodded. "Someone get our four volunteers; bring them to Home Base. And don't plan on going home yourselves – we have a war to get ready for. Get off of work. Start preparing." Rae was putting her helmet back on.
"Where are you going?" Sara asked as Rae opened a zap tunnel.
"To get our three Frenemies," Rae answered as she exited.
"Frenemies?" Stephanie asked over the com, fearing she knew the answer but wanted confirmation.
"Your brother and sister, along with Mick," Kara answered for the girl who sighed. She had not told them she was Batgirl. It seemed they were going to find out though.
-New Justice-
Rae didn't run to where she knew the Snarts and Mick were – instead she made sure her com was disconnected and ran into STAR Labs. She had something to do first, after all.
HR and Tracey were in a lab and Rae stopped before them. "Flash, catch," Tracey said, seeming unphased as she threw the ball and Rae caught it with speed, confused. "This is not working."
"What?" Rae asked. Clark gave a bark at that. He was always by Rae's side, after all.
"Sorry, been trying to make an anti-speed device. In case we have to imprison a speedster again…" Tracey was cut off by Rae.
"Don't. With my luck it would be used against me," she threw the ball back and HR caught it. "Remember when Savitar took you and told you that you made a trap in the speed force for me to use against him?" The two nodded at this, glancing at one another. "I need you to do it and I need it done by January 1st."
"Okay," Tracey said, surprising Rae. She expected some argument.
"I figured he was a time traveler that we would have to make that trap for, so we have been working on it," HR explained with a smile. "Thinking of putting this in my next book actually…" Rae rolled her eyes, not that it could be seen with her goggles on.
"We'll be ready," Tracey said determinedly.
"I'll keep you up to date," Rae said with a nod, running out.
….
Rae ran into where Snart and Mick were drinking, along with Lisa.
"Do you three live together or something?" Rae asked as she stopped before them.
"No," Snart said.
"So why are you always…?"
"I meant no, we are not helping with your war," Snart said. Clark gave a growl.
"You don't have a pardon this time," Mick growled, and Rae shook her head.
"You might want to rethink that," Rae said with a smirk. "Because the new Batgirl is joining."
"So?" Snart asked.
"Stephanie is Batgirl," Rae stated, and both Snart and Lisa stood at this.
"You made my sister a vigilante?" Snart was more pissed now, his grip tightening on his beer bottle. Clark light up his eyes but stopped when Rae held out a hand.
"She made herself a vigilante," Rae replied simply. "She was doing it on her own without you – I just made sure she had the right equipment and training to succeed. And she is good." Rae had kept a bit of a watch on Batgirl after all, and she was doing well for herself.
"I'm in," Lisa said right away. "Can't let my little sister fight a war without us." Snart gave a groan and then a nod.
"Fine," Mick said, taking another sip of his beer. Rae smirked at this.
Before they could react any more, Rae quickly ran all three to the zap tunnel and opened one up to Home Base, going through.
"At least let me finish my beer," Mick now groaned as he shook himself, frowning at his empty hand, which to him had only just had a drink in it. But Rae wasn't listening – her eyes had found two more people waiting.
"Plus… Minus… What are you doing here?" Rae asked the duo. Psi and Stephanie were already in Home Base and Stephanie had her hands down as Snart stared at her, while Walter and Julia were looking at Rae. They looked tired.
"I went and asked them," Kara spoke up. Rae had given the order for someone that was not her to go ask, and Kara knew them a little so had gone, it seemed.
"We want to save Wally. So, we're in," Julia said, and Walter gave a nod as well.
"You have to leave Wally to me," Rae said quickly, keeping a stoic expression as she said this. "He's a speedster. Only I can take care of him." Rae made sure to phrase her comment to be simple, but knew she was only giving the false hope.
"You'll save him," Julia said with a nod.
Rae didn't answer, letting the two assume as she felt guilty. But in truth, what was going to happen to Wally already had happened. It was destiny. She'd deal with the fallout when it came around though. She couldn't think about it now – and she knew Kara knew as the two then left to Watchtower.
"Rae, what are you hiding?" Kara asked as they stepped into Watchtower, expecting only Justice League members to be there.
"Don't ask me that, Kara," Rae said as she gave Clark a pet. Krypto rubbed Kara's leg.
"Rae," Kara said as everyone inside remained silent. "We're going to war…"
"I know and I know what I am doing but don't ask me," Rae said. "Cause if you ask me I will tell you. This is something I need to keep to myself though. So please, just let it be." Rae looked up at Kara and Kara gave a nod. Not liking it, but knowing Rae had some plan.
"Hum… guys?" Adams spoke up, and the two finally noticed both Felicity and Replicate in the room.
"What are non-Justice League members doing here and not at Home Base?" Rae asked.
"We figured we would show Felicity the system," Winn said.
"And we're making devices so Replicate can control her clones from here," Jess added.
Rae didn't know what to say to that. She and Kara had just used their real names.
"About the names…" Rae started.
"Oh shush – I figured who you were the minute you gave me your name at the wedding," Felicity said with a smirk. Rae and Kara looked at each other but then shrugged. Felicity figuring out Rae's identity was not important.
"Okay, nerds we also need anti-Kryptonite devices," Rae sighed, turning back to her nerds and remembering Flashpoint. She had told the nerds about those devices and the three had been studying it from what she understood. "And I know we have a war to prepare for, but it is getting late. Make sure we all get some sleep so we're not dead-tired on the 1st."
-New Justice/December 29th-
Donna had reached the island in the early mornings and, after a short rest, stood before her mother and Princess Emma explaining the dire situation.
"You want us to leave the island and go to the world of man for a war that is not ours?" Her mother asked, seeming confused by this.
"It's my war. I am just asking for some people – not all, but some to help me and the Justice League. Besides, we're meant to fight in a war, who says it can't be this one?" Donna reasoned. "And you said yourself the war you're waiting for might never come…" Donna used her mother's own words against her reasoning
"The world of man and this war might be yours, but it is not ours," Hippolyta stated firmly, and Donna knew her decision was finale.
"You care nothing about what's outside this island." Donna said, shaking her head. Normally when her mother made a command she followed, but now she had grown since then. "Not even your own son…" she added, and Hippolyta seemed shocked. "Yes, I know about him – I met him. I've been with him and all the other sons of the Amazonians. They are alive, strong, and maybe I should have gone to them for help."
"Donna, you know our sons cannot stay here!" Hippolyta said sharply.
"And that's what I told them, but there's a reason why most of them hate us," Donna said. "And maybe now I can see it."
"Donna…" Hippolyta said, not knowing what to do. This had never happened with Diana, but it seemed Donna had found something Diana never had.
"I'll go," Emma said before Donna could say anymore, both turning to her. "I'm volunteering to go fight in this war."
"Emma?" Hippolyta said. "The reason you became Princess is, so you can be here in case something terrible happens."
"If war was to come here and you are killed, how can I lead if I have never been in a war myself?" Emma asked. Emma was not as young as Donna but she had been born after the Amazonian fought in ancient Greece.
"I'll go," Isabella interjected, this conversation far from private – and then two other Amazonians volunteered.
"I could forbid it," Hippolyta spoke up. "But I have a feeling you would go anyway." She gave a smirk, as if she was proud. "Go then, before I change my mind." Donna and Emma gave each other a nod and then the four Amazonians rallied around Donna, who lead them away from the group, not looking back.
-New Justice-
Like Donna, Thomas had slept on Herculea before going to talk to Jace about the war – how they needed help and about how Donna was going to Themyscira to get help there. Jace gave a nod once the tale had been told, and then went onto the stage, calling everyone to him.
"Thomas has come here with a request for help. The Justice League is going to war and they need more people," Jace started. "I am going to go help them. If you want to join us, speak up now. But before you do, know that Donna has gone for help. We will be working with more Amazonians than just her. Our estranged mothers, and sisters."
"I'm in," it was Nisos who spoke up. "Donna needs help. I am there."
It was a few moments of people whispering before Timeos stepped up too.
"I will," Timeos said, followed by Anastaios.
Jace gave a nod, realizing who was stepping up. "Lead the way Thomas," Jace now simply said to Thomas.
-New Justice/December 30th-
Kara was in the Sanctuary. She had given her duties to someone below her saying she was going on a vacation, but she had to figure out what animals to take. So far, she was thinking letting the orange cat, Streaky, who liked to hang around the house join them.
"Kara?" Kara heard a familiar voice and looked up in surprised. Standing there was another version of her, but with darker hair.
"Kayla?" Kara asked, not having seen the hitchhiking Kayla for a while. She gave Kayla a quick hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, I wanted some rest. Thought the Sanctuary would be good… What's going on?" Kayla knew her sister too well, even if this was an alternate version of her sister – there was something wrong and Kayla wanted to know what.
"Um… well…." Kara paused, remembering the no-multiverse-rule. "You know, what I think one extra from the multiverse is fine."
"What?" Kayla asked, frowning.
"Come," Kara said as Streaky jumped onto Kayla's shoulder.
….
"Nerds, progress!" Rae called out, back in Watchtower.
"Well, my uncle figured out the anti-Kryptonite devices," Jess said, referring to HR, of course. "He's already making them."
"And we have been able to make a device to let Replicate control her clones from anywhere," Adam said, as Replicate's powers had a proximity limit without them. "Now all we need is to know how many clones we need."
"Add one more anti-Kryptonite device," Kara said, coming through a Zap Tunnel with Kayla after her. Rae gave Kara a look, and Kara knew Rae was annoyed. "Hey, I didn't call her. She showed up. One from the multiverse… not so bad. She knows everything, and willing to help and not tell the rest of the multiverse."
"I think I barely count anyway," Kayla shrugged at this. "I don't look for a place in the multiverse, compared to any other world hoppers you could ask. I'm like an anomaly," she seemed pleased about this, however the wording.
Rae tried to remain with the look but couldn't help but smirk. "Okay then – one," she said, holding up one finger. "Welcome aboard Kayla." Kayla was still petting the cat but gave Rae a nod and smile.
"Green Lanterns want in with two extras. They said the two know about Watchtower anyway," Adam spoke up, and Rae gave a nod. A moment later, in came in five Green Lanterns: Their normal three Js, Guy Gardner and an unknown older male.
Before Rae could question Guy's involvement, Kara cut her off. "Ha-Pri?" Kara asked, almost not believing it. "It's… you… Oh Rao. Rae, this is the Green Lantern who saved my life!"
"Kara Zor-El, since when were there two of you?" Ha asked, stepping forward and seeing Kayla.
"I'm from another earth," Kayla said, watching as Ha brought this Earth Kara into a hug.
"You have the bracelet," Ha noted, seeing the bracelet on Kara's wrist giving Kayla a smile but not seeming phased about her being an alternate. "I remember giving this to your Aunt. To this day I wish I had taken her with me; I thought she was better off." Ha looked somber at this, and Kara was stunned. However, she remembered the alternate Astra who had told her the only man she ever loved gave it to her. Kara hugged Ha again and Rae had to smile at the exchange, even if she couldn't quite keep up.
"Ha, urm, this is my bonded and leader around here: Rae, or the Flash," Kara said, pulling herself together and putting a hand out to Rae.
"Welcome to the team," Rae said with a nod her eyes going back to the arrogant Guy Gardener. "Someone tell me what's he doing here?"
"He volunteered," Jessica said with a shrug.
"Look, I know we did not get along," Guy said – this was an understatement. "But this is my planet too, I want to defend it." Rae tilted her head at this. "And they gave me the riot act. I get I am joining the Justice League for this. I will follow you." Guy sighed. "You know me and Hal were once best friends – then I ended up in a coma and when I woke… I don't know. I was so angry. But being undercover in the red lanterns gave me perspective. I want to be here."
Rae shrugged, she needed all the help she could get, and besides, Frankie had once been a jerk and he was now here and helping – and importantly, helpful.
"Okay then," Rae said with a nod. "I got to go somewhere, though. Fill our lanterns in, nerds." With that, Rae left through the Zap Tunnel and ran to STAR labs with Clark.
She had been keeping tabs.
"We're ready," was all Tracey said when she ran in. "And with a day to spare."
-New Justice/December 31st-
Nyssa was determined as she ran through the halls of Nanda Parbat and to her father.
"Father, you can't do it!" Nyssa said instantly. She had just heard her father's plans. "That virus is deadly! Dangerous! You release it and it will kill thousands – it could kill us on the battle field. But it won't affect the Justice League. Most of them are aliens or meta humans already."
"Nyssa…" Ra's sighed, turning around. "Don't you see? The virus will be the death of the Justice League. Once it's released it will make meta humans ten times more powerful than the League. The League will be dead – they will not be able to protect anymore."
"And what of the people it kills?" Nyssa asked.
"Who cares?" Ra's snapped, and Nyssa shook her head, scowling and left.
Going outside, her head spinning, she watched the sun rising, trying to make sense of it all. It was still early morning and she knew she had to make a choice right now: Stand by her father and watch him bring this world to hell, or betray everything and everyone she had known her whole life.
"It's decided," Nyssa knew what had to be done as she moved forward, away from Nanda Parbat. She had to make it to Washington DC by nightfall.
….
Sara came into Watchtower now.
"Okay last vigilante training sessions done," Sara said, having spent the last few days doing last-minute training for anyone who wanted, alongside Stephanie. "How's figuring out who's being cloned?"
"Well, we figured our vigilantes with no powers were useless," Jess said. "No offense..." Jess held up his hand at the look Sara gave him. "The training and skills they have comes from their own processes and skill set; cloning those would be hard for Replicate to focus on compared to meta human powers which comes from DNA," Sara nodded thinking it made sense.
"Replicate says she can do aliens now," Kara added, putting a hand on Chris. He was there and had been looking at his creator but had also not said a single word to her since they officially met the other day.
"But meta humans are the best," Replicate spoke up at this.
"But Rae does not want to be cloned," Adam voice, Rae having been quiet. "So far we're thinking Winn is definite." Winn gave a wave at that. "Caitlin's a maybe. Me and Jess need our suits so no-go there."
"What about this?" Caitlin asked coming up with a piece of hair, holding it up to Replicate. "Can you use this?"
"Any bit of DNA," Replicate said, taking the hair and blowing on it. Her breath changed on impact with the hair, becoming a purple mist as she let go of the hair, letting the mist form into a shape – but the group were surprised when it was fully made. It was not Caitlin, but instead Crystal. The frozen look of Frost intact as Caitlin put some clothes around her sister.
"Cait?" Jess said, surprised at his girlfriend.
"You know that's not Crystal," Rae added, feeling this just got weird. Clark had jumped on top of her when Crystal was formed, almost sensing his mistress' shock and wanting to comfort her.
"I know," Caitlin said with a sad look. "But her power will be useful."
"And think about how shocked they will be at former members of the League fighting with you," Replicate said with a small smirk.
"Ugh," Rae said with a sigh, and Kara gave her a look at the odd feelings that came through the bonds. "I'm about to hate myself… Come." Rae opened a new zap tunnel. Clark, Kara, Krypto, Sara, and Replicate followed her. The clone of Crystal also walked out with Replicate, much to Caitlin's dismay. Jess put an arm around her, reminding her that the clone was only an extension of Replicate.
…
In Washington DC, inside the Hall of Justice, Rae and the group walked in. Rae pushed a button and three long containers came out of the wall, lining up to stand. Rae wiped the cover at head-height so the three could see the three bodies, perfectly preserved.
"Courtney Whitmore, also known as Stargirl." Rae pointed.
"Nate Heywood, otherwise, Citizen Steel," she nodded at the second, but paused at the last one looking at the man within.
"Mon-El, also known as Valor," she stared at the older man with the beard within, her mind momentarily going to Flashpoint. He had been against her changing the timeline back, because he died. What would his opinion had been if they both knew what was to happen now? That she was electing to clone him?
"You still had their bodies," Kara muttered quietly, shocked. Not realizing Rae still had them.
"I didn't know what to do with them," Rae supplied. "None of them had any family or anyone to give them the burial they deserve. If I left them somewhere they would be given a poor man grave. They deserve better, even if it's just a coffin inside the Hall of Justice." This place was not used much now – only really when Rae let press around, but that was more using the outside of the place. Besides, since Home Base had been reopened, it had taken over as second headquarters. Rae was fine leaving her friends here in an unknown, silent, stasis. "Time to use them to save the League... I think they would appreciate it."
Rae opened each with care, taking a strand of hair from each of them before putting the coffins away. Letting them rest once more.
She handed the hairs, one by one to Replicate – Courtney first, then Nate. Both hairs turned to smoke, then became the people they were meant to be, and Kara rushed to give both outfits stored inside the Hall.
"He was an alien," Rae said, holding up the last hair.
"I got it," Replicate said, taking the hair. Once more she blew on it, and once more a purple mist formed around the hair as the DNA began to transform… and Mon-El did form – only he was younger than his original. Not a teen like Chris, but more the same age as Alien Earth's Mon. He did not go crazy though, remaining silent and staying by his creator and other clones as he too was given clothes.
Replicate turned to her four clones, Crystal still with them, and one by one, tested their powers: Nate easily turned to steel; Mon was just as strong, and Crystal's ice was working perfectly, but Courtney did nothing. Replicate turned to Rae, concerned.
"Oh yeah," Rae said, realizing. "Her powers came from this…" Rae took the staff from a display she had in the room. The clone took it from Rae and instantly it worked. Rae raised an eyebrow.
"I think there's some type of muscle memory inside that staff," Replicate said. "It recognizes it's master in the clone."
"Well good, we…" Before Rae could finish, an alarm went off and Rae checked the computer. "We have a break in here!"
Sara was the first to the door, bo staff out but Rae beat her to the front with speed. Kara joining the three, who paused at seeing Nyssa standing there.
"What are you doing here?" Rae asked, defensive now. "The fight is tomorrow. This…"
"I'm not here to fight," Nyssa said, holding up her hands. "I'm here to join you." She could apparently see the confusion. "I am here to join the Justice League. To help you defeat my father and sister. I know what they are doing is wrong. What they did to Wally West was wrong. I should have stopped it, but I didn't. I need to make up for my mistake."
The three leaders of the Justice League gave each other looks at this, not sure what to say. Was this a trap, or genuine? Rae had to figure out fast.
Post Chapter Note: And there's one chapter left. Hope you enjoyed this one.
Karry Master OUT!