Chapter Twenty-Five: Three's a Crowd Part One.
Lois Lane arrived to cover a grand opening at the Metropolis Metro Museum. Someone's a fan of alliteration, but way beside the point, at least at this point. The dark haired reporter stood up tall and firm, craning her neck over to one side. She saw an overexcited woman move into the side.
Not only did Lois have to cover the story, but Perry saddled her with babysitting duty. The newbie, Cat Grant, followed her. The younger reporter tagged at her heels like an overexcited puppy dog.
"I swear, Cat, if you say this is exciting, you're going to have to find your own ride home," Lois said.
"Well, how often does something like this happen?" Cat asked.
Lois shifted her eyebrow for a moment, touching her hand onto her hip.
"You mean some rich douchebag brings his collection to Metropolis to make a spectacle out of himself. Happens more often than you think. It's a status symbol. And, I think it's stupid, especially given the current environment."
Cat touched her hand underneath her chin, conceding Lois had a point.
"Yeah, every criminal in Metropolis will be after his priceless jewels, if they're even priceless at all."
Lois raised an eyebrow. A little more went on in Cat's head then Lois thought at first. She wouldn't invite the girl over to the bar after hours, because Lois saw more of the new reporter in the office. Plus, the fact she replaced Claire rubbed Lois the wrong way. But still, Lois had to give her some credit. There was more going on upstairs than she thought from the bubbly blonde at first.
The hardened reporter returned her thoughts back to reality. If she spent half of her life hung up on what Claire Kent did, she'd get nothing done. Or rather less than nothing done. Regardless, Lois stood up firm.
"Do you think you can operate a camera?" Lois asked.
"I came to Metropolis to write, not operate a camera," Cat said.
"Hey, if you want the story, you want a piece of advice kid? Coming from Lois Lane, you know, someone who you think is a Living Legend."
Cat turned to Lois. Despite being verbally smacked down, at least six times a day, the young woman experienced awe because of Lois. The living legend leaned to Cat's face, and stared her in the eye.
"Find the story, because it won't be handed to you."
"Well, didn't you practically fall out a window, and Superwoman found you."
"It's a bit more complication than….and here comes the rich Douchebag."
The rich douchebag, the aptly named, Rich Hanson, stepped into the scene. His snooty look rubbed Lois the wrong way just merely by turning up. The reporter folded her arms.
'Good, I hope it freezes on his foul face.'
Hanson walked up to the podium.
"I've decided to gift Metropolis the honor of gazing upon the famous Hanson family jewels. My grandfather, Richard Hanson the Third, used his fortune to craft these fine jewels. And now, I allow you to gaze upon their splendor. For the next few days, they will be on display at the Metropolis museum. It's an exhibit worth your attention, and adds interest to this museum."
A buzzing sound silenced the man's bragging. The man looked up, incensed for the briefest of moments. Several figures swooped down from behind, and landed on the stage right next to Hanson.
Lois viewed the scene before her. Three gentlemen attired in high tech military gear dressed in masks appeared. One of them wore a Fox mask, the other a Shark, and the other a Vulture.
"The best collection in the world?" The Fox asked. The criminal scoffed when he looked. "I would say, the collection is better off in our possession, wouldn't you, old bean?"
Lois recognized his voice as a British accent, or at least someone trying to pass off a British accent. Come to think of it, his British accent sounded like some rich guy failing to imitate a British accent in a desperate attempt to sound posh and important.
"I think we should go after it, Fox," Vulture said. "What's some peon like this going to do to stop us?"
"Now, see here, I'm supposed to be….."
Shark grabbed Hanson around the neck and hoisted him up. Fox smiled, and spoke for his large friend.
"You're supposed to do what? What are you supposed to do, you….."
The Shark hurled the man down onto the stage and he landed with a thud. The Fox and the Vulture pulled out some high tech looking toys.
"Bought this from some fellow named Ace, thought we could use it," Fox said. He sent a blast of energy, utterly destroying a parked van in his wake. "I daresay, we've got more than our monies worth."
Hanson rose from the stage, looking a bit shell-shocked.
"Please, don't take my family jewels. I'm rich, I can write you a check."
"Money, isn't the most important thing in the world, chap," Fox said. He stood on the man's chest. "It's a thrill of the hunt, and the prize."
"But, everyone has a price!"
"Not the rich and famous, my dear boy. I wipe my ass with a hundred dollar bills, so, I don't think….."
A blur shot out from the sky, and ripped the Fox off of the ground. He spiraled out of control like a cork in mid-air.
Vulture's eyes peered. He retracted wings from his suit and began to take flight to engage the Girl of Steel.
"So, Supergirl, let's see if you can deal with someone who can really fly."
He launched a rocket from his suit. Supergirl returned fire by shooting fire from her eyes and destroying the rocket.
"I'll let you know when I find someone!" Supergirl said.
The Girl of Steel punctuated her statement by punching Vulture in the face. She brought him back down to Earth.
Shark reached the first person to take as a hostage, which happened to be Cat Grant. She struggled against the beefy grip of the large man.
'Okay, Cat, impressive, only three weeks on the job, and you're already a hostage,' Lois said. 'It took me about three months….'
Kara grounded the Vulture. She saw the new reporter being grabbed from behind by Shark.
Shark shoved Cat down onto the ground. He grabbed onto a large pillar and yanked it. Several pipes almost fell down on Cat's body to crush her.
Supergirl pulled her out of the way, at the last second. Cat wrapped her arms around the neck of her savor, looking on at her with awe.
Fox wrapped up the heist, stealing the jewels, including a weird looking amulet.
'Must be valuable if it's in with the rest of the exhibit.'
The Terrible Trio left, using their jet packs to take the sky, going up, up, and away from Metropolis.
"Look, look, look at you! I'm ruined! And it's all her fault!"
The rich asshole pointed to Kara. Security moved in, and walked to face off against her. The weapons aimed at Kara, amusing the heroine more than anything.
'Seriously, they couldn't stop the Terrible Trio? What makes them think they're going to stop me?'
Kara decided to ignore their feeble attempts to arrest her. She flew off out of the way. The Anti-Vigilante Task Force came close to arriving, and she needed to find the Terrible Trio, to figure out what they stole.
Lois turned to Cat, a smile crossing her face.
"Congratulations, you made the big time, being saved from certain death by a Kryptonian."
Despite nearly dying, Cat couldn't help but smile a little bit.
Later, Kara arrived at the scene of the crime, not as Supergirl, but as Kara Kent. She tried to keep against the shadows, discreetly. Stealth proved to be the name of her game.
Seconds later, Kara stopped short at someone trying to get some answers. Her face contorted into a smile.
"Whatever happened here today, it's news!"
"Mr. Hanson is very distressed."
"Yeah, right, he started pointing fingers. He lost a few jewels, I'm sure he could make the money back."
Lois folded her arms in an attempt to get in to take a closer look. Two beefy security guards stood on either side of her. The guards resembled bouncers, and looked as if they would bounce Lois.
Kara noticed someone else in the shadows. A very familiar face leaned against the wall. Her midnight black chair blew because of the gentle wind kicking up in Metropolis. She dressed in a black tank top, a jean jacket, and a pair of blue jeans. The jeans wrapped around her skin like a second skin.
Despite not wearing her standard costume, or indeed, her trademark fishnets, Kara recognized the woman already.
"Zee!"
Kara smiled and walked over to the girl. The woman smiled, and wrapped Kara up in a hug.
"It's good to see you again, Kara. It's been a long time."
"Too long," Kara said.
Zatanna Zatara smiled and stepped back from Kara.
"I've come to talk to talk to Doctor Hanson."
"Wait, he's a doctor?" Kara asked.
The thought of it sounded so absurd, Kara almost really had to laugh. It took every degree of self-control not to break out into even more laughter.
"Well, he acquired a doctorate," Zatanna said. The magical based heroine smiled, shaking her head. "Not sure if he put in any of the work himself to get one, but he has a doctorate. He does have enough money to buy one."
Kara scoffed. Hanson looked to be the type of person who would get a doctorate, so he could be called Doctor Hanson.
"He doesn't have what I thought he had," Zatanna said.
"You think he had a piece of your father's old collection?" Kara asked.
Zatanna looked over her shoulder. Too many people lingered around to get a closer look, for her liking.
"Do you think I can crash at your apartment for a couple of days?"
"Sure, but we moved out of an apartment, and into a Penthouse," Kara said. Zatanna frowned when she looked back at Kara. "Helena's doing, she has a Penthouse in Metropolis which is collecting dust."
"Belonged to her father, I think, he has a few bases around the nation where he used as hideouts when he left Gotham City," Zatanna said. "Which wasn't often outside of the League days, but still."
"Yes," Kara said. "But, you can tell me everything, won't you?"
"Yes, I owe you an explanation."
Barbara relaxed after her ordeal, and Donna relaxed her trip to the island, the latest one.
"Diana's been really busy lately, hasn't she?" Barbara asked.
Donna chuckled at Barbara's words. She really did put everything in an interesting perspective sometimes.
"Well, given the….problems the Amazons have been having," Donna said. "She's had her hands full. But, we've got to worry about everything happening in Metropolis."
"Yeah, the Joker's been quiet ever since his grand proclamation," Barbara said. She tucked her hand underneath her chin and frowned. "Do you think a quiet Joker is far worse than an active Joker, or is it just me?"
"It's not just you," Donna said.
The doors opened. Donna and Barbara turned their attention away from the conversation. The woman coming through the door caused both of them to brim with excitement.
"Zee!"
Barbara's excited statement broke through. She rose to her feet, walking with a bit of a limp. Unless she stretched every morning, she felt consequences of her accident.
"Hey, Babs," Zatanna said. She wrapped her arms around the younger girl with a tight hug. "I heard about your accident, are you doing okay?"
"I didn't lose the use of my legs, thanks to Kara's intervention," Barbara said. "But, I'm not going to be out in the field for a while."
"Sorry, I know how much being Batgirl means to you," Zatanna said.
Barbara waved her hands, and shook her head. Granted, she missed it, but she came to terms with what happened. And one day, maybe not soon, she geared up to return as Batgirl.
"It's not too big of a deal. I can do other things to help out. But, right now, I'm benched for a good six to eight months before I start even thinking about going back on the field."
"Harsh, but I know you're going to bounce back," Zatanna said.
"So what brings you to Metropolis?" Barbara asked.
Zatanna drew in a deep breath and sighed.
"As you know, some of my father's old things disappeared after he died. More likely, someone ransacked his house after his death, and started to sell them on the black market, not worthy of their true value, or true danger."
The Super Best Friends Forever exchanged dark looks. They ran into Zatara's artifacts in the past before.
"What this time?" Kara asked.
"It's a mystical totem. It looks like a weird amulet."
Kara racked her brain, but shook her head.
"I'll keep an eye out for it."
"Would you?" Zatanna asked.
"Of course we would," Barbara said. "You don't even have to tell us what happens when it falls into the wrong hands."
Zatanna shuddered at the thought of one of her father's artifacts falling into the wrong hands. Mostly because of the fact her father's belongings fell into the wrong hands many times over in the past.
The incident with the enchanted comic book forever caused Zatanna a headache.
The sorceress sighed, she would have to take everything one step at a time, do what she needed to do to win the day.
"So, how's Claire?"
Kara looked up.
"Do you know she skipped town?" Kara asked.
"Well, I know she lost her powers because of the Gold Kryptonite," Zatanna said. "I've been searching high and low for a solution for her power problem, but….you know how well magic and Kryptonians mix."
"There have been plenty of magical Kryptonians," Kara said. "My mother trained in her gifts. I never really noticed if I had the abilities to learn."
"Maybe you can still find out, one day," Zatanna said.
"If I had those abilities, I'm sure my dark side would have channeled them," Kara said. Everyone nodded, and thanked any god they believed in for small favors. "You did hear about the incident with the Black Kryptonite?"
"Well, I know there's a pretty good reason why there seems to be anti-Supergirl task force," Zatanna said.
"It's really for vigilantes of all flavors," Donna said.
Kara's gaze met the gaze of the youngest Amazon Princess. Her arms folded underneath her chest.
"Yes, maybe, but you know who the Mayor is conducting most of his venom to. It's me, your friendly neighborhood Supergirl."
"Don't let it get you down, Kara," Zatanna said. "My father's dealt with his fair share of hatred, the entire JSA did, and the League as well….before they disbanded."
Kara recalled all of the bad luck the League went through in order to go their separate ways. Claire losing her powers showed to be the final thread which snapped the League. They had been all, but finished before then.
Without Superwoman, the League lost their heart and soul. Kara shook her head.
"I haven't heard from Helena in over a month, I'm starting to get worried about her."
Zatanna smiled, and leaned in to place a hand on Kara's shoulder.
"I wouldn't worry about Helena, or anyone else with the last name Wayne. They worry about you, and often know everything you're doing, before you even do it."
Barbara shivered. Talk about a true point.
'They know when you've been sleeping, and they know when you've been awake.'
"We only got half of the heist, half!" Vulture yelled.
The member of the Terrible Trio slammed his hand down onto the table, causing the few jewels they managed to acquire to fly up into the air and land onto the desk.
"We should have cleaned out the museum. I mean, who was going to stop us? Our benefactor, Ace, he sold us weapons who should have made us the kings of this city."
Fox studied one of the jewels received from the Hanson heist. The Terrible Trio leader frowned as deep as possible.
"Another zero."
Vulture's anger rose at Fox's apathy.
"Fox, do you hear me?" Vulture asked. "If you would have had a better plan, Supergirl wouldn't have gotten involved!"
"Yes, because I have to do all of your thinking for you," Fox said. "Why don't I put on your bloody knickers in the morning while I'm at it?"
"Okay, you can drop the accent, we're in the room alone. Damn it, Warren…."
"I'm Fox," the criminal said. He reached in and grabbed Vulture around the shoulder. "And you should remember who brought you to the dance."
Shark grunted, and the largest member of the Terrible Trio waved his hands.
"Yes, I couldn't agree more, Shark," Vulture said.
"Oh, you think he has a point, over me?" Fox asked. "This entire bloody heist is a bust, all of these jewels are faker than a street walker's tits."
Fox lifted up one final piece of jewelry, a strange looking amulet which dangled in his hand. It glinted in the light. The quality of the jewelry began to piss him off.
"And this piece of jewelry….it's junk, it won't even pass muster with the densest black market dealer."
"We have the worst possible timing," Vulture said. "The moment we step in Metropolis, the clown's decided to set up shop, we have….."
Vulture stopped. His words stopped, and his tongue became tied. The amulet hanging from Fox's hand started to hum.
"I guess there's more to this necklace than meets the eye," Fox said. "Much more…."
The necklace exploded into a blast of light and engulfed the Terrible Trio. All of them howled in pain as their bones shattered, and bodies reshaped themselves.
Supergirl kept out of sight, and out of mind. The Anti-Vigilante Task Force proved to be a lovely waste of taxpayer dollars at least on sheer principle. They never really caught a single vigilante, at least one worth their salt.
Caused a lot of property damage, even more than some of the more memorable super hero against super villain fights.
"Just to let you know, the Terrible Trio haven't left town just yet," Chloe said.
"Seriously?" Kara asked. "Do, I really have time for them?"
"Well, it's up to you, but they've caused a hostage crisis at the Metro Station, downtown," Chloe said. "And no one can get in through the usual entrances without causing problems."
"And, I think I know of a way in," Kara said. "I can handle these clowns, no problem. They got lucky last time."
"Are you sure you don't want any help?" Donna asked.
"Donna, I'll wrap this up before you even get out here," Kara said. "Trounce the bad guys, rescue the hostages, it's all going to be good."
Kara intended to wrap this up as soon as possible. The mystical artifact belonging to Zatanna's father was somewhere in Metropolis.
'Kara, can you hear me?' Zatanna asked.
'Yes, loud and clear,' Kara thought. 'Did you find it?'
'I've got a general area, but there's a mystical spike rather close by where you are,' Zatanna said. 'So, I'd keep your eyes peeled for anything unusual.'
'Thanks for the heads up, Zee,' Kara said. 'I'll keep an eye out for it, right after I trounce the Terrible Trio.'
'Oh, the goons you encountered at the museum?' Zatanna asked.
'Yes, pretty much,' Kara said. 'Your standard rich punks with way too much time on their hands. They got some low-level Intergang weapons, and they think they're hot shit because of it.'
Kara entered the tunnel. The screams of the people down the tunnel made her go closer. The Girl of Steel stopped and looked around.
Several hostages huddled in fear. Kara looked around the general area. No sign of the Terrible Trio around the area. The Girl of Steel crossed the barrier, and scooped up the hostages in her arms, before getting them the hell out of the station.
Kara returned to the station. A loud growl caught her attention.
"Yes, you've stumbled into our trap, Supergirl. You shouldn't have intervened in our plans, now, we're going to have to make you pay."
Fox stepped out of the shadows. Kara hovered a few inches back, shocked at what greeted her. Fox's face contorted in a scowl.
"You know, you've taken the Furry thing at least a step too far," Kara said. She rushed Fox, but Fox dodged out of the way.
Fox grabbed Kara by the cape, and hurled her across the subway station with surprising strength.
The Girl of Steel skidded to the stop, taking out some concrete. She rolled out of the way, to dodge a cloud of acid.
Vulture spat his acid at her again. The mutated creature moved towards her for a second.
Fox sliced the valves in the tunnel with his claws. Water flooded the tunnel. Fox and Vulture climbed to higher ground, as the water rose up on the ground.
"Really, you think water is going to stop me?" Kara asked.
"Just trying to level the playing field, love."
Shark poked his head out from underneath the water, and grabbed Supergirl by the leg. The Girl of Steel slammed hard against the wall.
The large monster jumped from the water, mouth wide open. Supergirl dodged the attack, and avoided another acid spit from Vulture. The acid burned a hole through ceiling above her.
"Shark, crush her!"
Shark grabbed her, and slammed her onto the ground. He opened his jaw wide, but Kara blocked it with her hands.
Had she not been super powered, his teeth would have ripped her apart. Kara forced him back with a huge push. His head snapped back.
Supergirl avoided another Vulture attack. His razor sharp feathers ripped her cape and her costume. The poison tips caused mild burns on her skin, and caused Kara to grow a bit delirious.
She moved closer to the healing embrace of the yellow sun. The rays shined over her.
In time for the Shark to try and take another bite out of her.
"Yes, and here I thought the amulet would be a waste!"
Supergirl's eyes flashed to the amulet dangling from the Fox's neck. The energy waves flowed over, locking onto both Shark and vulture as well.
'Hey, Zee, I found your necklace…..and….are they getting bigger?'
The Terrible Trio expanded in size, becoming even more beast and grotesque. Their laughter turned even more insidious and smile tingling.
"So, are we chumps now, Supergirl?"
To Be Continued on October 9th, 2015.