8 Justice League Conflict

Ooh...
(Give a good heart, give a good heart,
Give a good heart, give a good heart)

When it seems that all hope is gone
And so called friends aren't there to rely on
When the darkness makes it so hard to see
Just lift up your eyes, you will see me - yeah

Chorus:
And I'll give a good heart, to hold you so strong
I'll give you my shoulder to lean on - yeah
Gonna give a good heart, that's solid and true
And I will always stand by you

When it seems no one's there to turn to
Everyone's a stranger passing through
And all that's left is a broken dream
Just hold out your hand, reach out for me - yeah

And I'll give a good heart, to hold you so strong
I'll give you my shoulder to lean on - yeah
Give a good heart, that's solid and true
And I will always stand by you

Now there's no need to dance alone
In these arms you found your home

Ooh, whoa oh oh - give a good heart
Take my good heart, take my good heart
Take my good heart

And I'll give a good heart, to hold you so strong
I'll give you my shoulder to lean on - yeah
Gonna give a good heart, that's solid and true
I will always stand by you

Give a good heart, hold you so strong
Give you my shoulder to lean on
Gonna give a good heart, hold you're head up
So lift you're head up - lift it up
I'll show you a love to believe in - yeah

I will always stand by you
Take my good heart...

Give a good heart, hold you so strong
Give you my shoulder to lean on
Gonna give a good heart, solid and true
I will always stand by you...

-Starship

Dove reached J'onn and Diana just as Diana delivered a savage backspin kick to J'onn's temple. Fortunately, the Martian was limber and his body stretched out to disperse some of the kinetic energy of the strike. It was all quite spectacular but Dove didn't have time for any of it.

"Stop!" he shouted in a commanding tone, "This has gone on long enough. Things have changed and the League can reunite."

"Do you have any idea what he's on about?" Diana asked her opponent.

"Not really. My head is ringing too badly to attempt a telepathic scan." J'onn explained.

"Look, it's simple. The Legion and the Global Guardians are fighting. That eliminates our mandate. My guess is that the Guardians could use our help." Dove explained.

"He's right." Supergirl confirmed as she landed next to Dove. Stargirl accompanied her and she looked extremely uncomfortable.

"Galatea just got swatted through a building. That's a problem. Don't tell her I said this but she's a better fighter than me. Her problem was always her irrational hatred of me. She's over that now. For someone to do that to her means that there's a serious tussle going on. I took a look with my X-Ray vision and the Guardians are getting trashed. They may not survive."

The statement was telling in several ways. One was the obvious peril that the Guardians were in. They needed help, more to the point they needed the Justice league whole and united. Another aspect was Kara's unwillingness to give credit to Galatea. She feared validating the clone's existence just as Galatea craved such validation. It was no wonder their relationship was a turbulent one.

Diana and J'onn met each others' eyes. Diana extended a hand, "Truce?"

J'onn was grave but he accepted Diana's gesture, "Indeed. I think I may be capable of summoning the closest Leaguers."

J'onn wisely neglected to mention his earlier infirmity was due to Diana. His eyes began to glow as he silently reached out. After a moment he looked hard pressed to continue but he persevered. Diana pitied him but she still refused to feel guilt over his condition. He'd been in the wrong after all.

J'onn was in light contact with Diana's mind. He knew if this attitude was widespread the League may have been permanently fractured. Much to his own relief most of the minds he contacted were heartsick over the fighting. They wanted nothing more than to reconcile with their estranged comrades.

Hawk didn't respond and Superman and Captain Marvel were out of range. The rest gathered together around the two leaders and waited to see what would happen next. Tensions were particularly high around Commander Steel, Hourman, and Wildcat. They'd been actively fighting when they received J'onn's summons.

"The conflict is over." Diana announced without preamble, "Superman's force is enlisting with mine in aiding the Global Guardians."

A shockwave rippled through the crowd. J'onn had to confirm the news. Diana spoke again.

"Time is of the essence. Make whatever reparations that you have to and prepare to move out." She ordered.

"Where's Dmitry?" Mr. Terrific asked J'onn.

"Rocket Red is experiencing some technical difficulties. He will be joining us momentarily." J'onn replied.

Mr. Terrific noted that Stargirl, who was within earshot, looked distinctly guilty. The rest of the League mingled together and exchanged pleasantries. Wildcat made the overture to Hourman and Commander Steel.

"Sorry boys. I guess we're all on the same side again. We'll never know who would have won that scrap. Although 2 to 1 is still unfair if you ask me." Wildcat chuckled.

"Look, I'm sorry." Hourman began, "It seems you were proven right after all. I should have listened."

"Same goes for me." Commander Steel added.

"Guys, you fought for what you believed in. I can't hold that against you. What you believed in was built on horse hockey but you believed in it enough to fight for it. Most of the battles in our life are built on similar stuff. We wait for the fight to end, pick ourselves up, and move on. I'd be honored if you'd join me in kicking Legion butt." Wildcat offered.

"Sounds good." Commander Steel eagerly agreed, "Hourman?"

"Of course I'm in. Someone's got to keep you kids in line." Hourman grinned.

"Back on the side of righteousness?" Shayera grinned as she addressed John.

"Let's just say we're on the same side again and leave it at that." John suggested.

"I can live with that." She conceded.

John was visibly relieved, "Are you ready for this fight?"

"I'm always ready to bash the Legion." Shayera said eagerly.

"I know the feeling." John chuckled.

Shayera's grin grew. They truly were two of a kind, mistaken loyalties notwithstanding. She'd been loyal to Thanagar so she understood those little things.

"I will contact Superman and explain things to him. Then we will bring along Captain Marvel and join you." J'onn asserted.

Diana accepted his proposal, "Sounds good. Hurry, we'll need your help."

J'onn flew off and Diana addressed the group of JLers, "Focus on the most powerful Legionnaires first. Once they are defeated the weak will become dispirited and flee."

"You want us to let them go?" Black Vulcan wondered.

"We will apprehend them as the opportunities present themselves." Diana decided.

"What about our fallen members?" Mr. Terrific asked, "We just can't leave them here."

"I think he has something to say about that." Kara pointed at the approaching Blackhawk, who was leading two platoons of French Special Forces troops.

Blackhawk exchanged a word with the French commander and the troops dispersed. Blackhawk addressed Diana, "The Army will watch over our downed friends. It falls in line with their mission to secure the perimeter."

Diana finally broke into a smile, "The gods have truly sent you."

Blackhawk gave her a quizzical look but he remained silent and instead he approached Mary, "Watch over Tea for me."

Mary squeezed his forearm, "Of course."

Selina rubbed her neck and canted her head to one side. No matter how she held her head, it hurt. Black Canary winced.

"Sorry. Now that we've kissed and made up I'm sorry I slapped that hold on you." Dinah confessed.

Catwoman smirked, "Was it a sloppy kiss?"

"The messier the better." Black Canary grinned.

"Then you're forgiven." Selina laughed.

"You're sure you're okay?" Nightwing asked.

Green Arrow inspected the rag he was using to staunch the blood flow from his nose. It was dry.

"It's fine." Green Arrow sighed, "Really. So quite asking."

"Sure." Nightwing knew better than to argue with wounded pride.

"Just for the record, let's not do this again." Ollie declared.

"Trust me, that's fine with me." Dick admitted.

"Move out!" Diana commanded and the League mobilized. The ground pounders advanced at a steady walking pace while their flying kindred advanced further along. The League came upon the entrance to the Dome just as most of the Guardians were beaten into submission. Diana ordered the attack and the two forces engaged.

Black Adam knew that he had to get Bizarro off of him. There was a way but he would take some punishment in the execution of the move. He finally decided that it was his best option. He removed his arms from guarding his head and placed them on the ground to either side. He received two blows to the head but he had his pinion.

Raising his knees, he used his arms to leverage himself and throw his knees into Bizarro's back. Using his flying ability, he executed a wide arc and Bizarro was thrown face first into the ground above Adam's head. Black Adam scrambled to his feet even as Bizarro did the same. Adam rushed Bizarro and threw a devastating right cross.

Bizarro stumbled backwards and shook his head to clear the ringing in his ears. Adam pursued him. He threw a left, a right, and then a straight shot into Bizarro's face. The clone was reeling so Black Adam intensified his efforts. A blow to the body was followed by another, then a right cross. Bizarro went down and Adam straddled him with his fist cocked back. He swiftly realized that Bizarro was down for the count.

Standing up, Adam was grateful he had the stamina of the gods. He assessed the situation to see where he was needed. He was grateful to see the League was here. He spied a particular problem and flew off to help.

Solomon Grundy delivered a body blow to Blockbuster. Blockbuster exhaled loudly and Grundy followed up with an uppercut. Blockbuster staggered back and Grundy came at him, arms swinging and fists flying. Grundy relentlessly hammered Blockbuster. Grundy was imbued by magic and didn't need rest but Blockbuster's powers were chemically derived and could only push the human body so far. Grundy soundly defeated him but bereft of instructions from a teammate, he merely stood by and let the battle wage around him.

Tasmanian Devil had almost given up when Hawk pulled Killer Croc off of him. Croc tumbled away and Hawk knelt next to the Devil.

"Take it easy. I've got the Croc." Hawk assured him.

Hawk stood and faced Croc. Croc smiled.

"This is even better. Killing him was too easy. Killing a JLer is sooo much better." Croc snickered.

"Let's see if you can shut that huge mouth of yours and see what you've got." Hawk countered.

"Gladly." Croc said as he lunged at Hawk.

Diana landed and the Female Furies confronted her. Diana considered the odds to be fair. She was looking for a good fight.

Mad Harriet bounded towards her, "Oh, look! The pretty princess has come to play."

With a cackle Harriet leapt atop of Diana and gauged the Amazon's face with her claws. Diana backhanded her and checked her assaulted cheek. She was horrified to discover blood.

Stompa slammed into Diana, bowling her over. Stompa then tried to squish Diana with her anti-matter boots. The Amazon kicked Stompa's legs out from underneath her. Diana then took to the air.

Lashina's whip caught Diana's ankle. The Apokoliptan energized the whip, driving Diana into the ground. The Princess got up on one knee, took hold of the whip, and jerked. It flew from Lashina's hand.

Diana unwound the offending cord and rose to her feet. Lashina had uncoiled a second whip from around her waist and was snapping it at Diana. Diana blocked the whip's stinger with her bracelets and rushed Lashina. Disarming the Fury, she took hold of Lashina's tunic and drew back her fist. Lashina clutched Diana's breasts and energized them. In agony, Diana's knees buckled and she cried out.

Lashina laughed, "Like I told that idiot speedster, the whips are merely the vessel. The power comes from me."

Galatea was giving as good as she got, it was just that Doomsday was tough…even for a Kryptonian clone. He slammed her against the ground and reared back a massive fist when Mary Marvel swooped in and kicked him in the face. Doomsday toppled over and Mary alighted next to Galatea and helped her to her feet.

"Thanks but I've got it." Tea said gruffly.

"No can do. I promised Blackhawk I'd watch out for you so here I am." Mary replied primly.

A wave of emotions washed over Galatea's features before she finally asked, "Really? He said that?"

"Yup." Mary assured her.

"Okay. You can help." Tea decided.

Doomsday loomed over them and Mary blanched, "I don't think I want to."