6 Justice League Darkness
Sivana's "Zord" attacked. Its right arm wielded a modified tank turret. The turret unleashed a photon barrage at the JLers and Global Guardians. The blast caught Supergirl and she was propelled some three miles away. After a moment, Mary rushed to her side; "Are you all right?"
"Just embarrassed." Kara confessed, "How're the others doing?"
"Tea was evacuating Maxi-Man and Starman was bugging out." Mary reported.
"What?" Supergirl snapped, "Why?"
Mary became very quiet, "Because of the flamethrowers."
Kara opened her mouth but she hesitated. Finally she wore a rueful expression, "I keep forgetting. Maxi-Man and Gavyn are tough but they're not invulnerable."
Supergirl's eyes narrowed, "Galatea's fighting that thing single handily. Want to join in the fun?"
Mary brightened, "Sure do."
"C'mon." Supergirl flew away and Mary followed.
Maxi-Man hefted a train engine and threw it at Sivana. The mad scientist had just caught Galatea, thrown her to the ground, and stomped her into submission. Maxi-Man, incensed at this treatment of his teammate, ran into the rail yard and grabbed the first thing that he came across. The engine was, as he discovered, heavy but he managed to lift it into throwing position. He'd never tried throwing anything this weighty like a javelin before.
Henry Hayes had been an all around boy growing up. Athletic and amiable, he was everyone's corn-fed darling. The accident that gave him his powers gave him a shot at fulfilling his one unrealized dream: to become a superhero. Sadly, his enthusiasm far exceeded his training or common sense. He was a second-rate hero, unknown to anyone outside of his own town until Booster Gold came a-callin'.
Booster recognized the other man's craving for glory. That's why Maxi-Man had foregone a secret identity. He wanted people to know who he was and he wanted praise for the deeds he perpetrated. The Conglomerate was the ideal choice for Maxi-Man. Touted by their corporate sponsors as the perfect replacement for the disbanded JLU, they loudly proclaimed the virtues of their heroes.
For the first year of their existence the Conglomerate did serve as a substitute for the absent Justice League. It was when the League reformed, and Booster left to rejoin them, that the Conglomerate's fortunes soured. No longer seen by their sponsors as viable proxies for the League, the various corporate interests intended to use them for their own purposes. That and use them as spokesmodels for their products. Fortunately, that only lasted for a few months before Vapor refused to do any more promotions and the others followed suit. Maxi-Man went along with the ban only under intense pressure from the others.
Later, while cleaning up an oil spill in the Alaskan Gulf, Vapor finally had had enough and vented her spleen about the negligent practices of the Big Oil company. Everyone else had similar concerns and comments…including Maxi-Man, who became the leading advocate of a government investigation into the corporation's practices. After that, Maxi-Man's "Aw shucks, why don't we help them out. After all they sign our paychecks" attitude evaporated. When the Conglomerate was ordered to overthrow a dictatorship on a small island in the Gulf of Mexico, and they refused, their funding was revoked. They were cut loose and adrift until Jack and Owlwoman showed up offering them a second chance within the umbrella of the Global Guardians.
Maxi-Man was the first to advocate joining. His obsession with all things revolving around "costumes" paid off since he knew who the Guardians were. He was the leading voice for joining up. Gypsy was also on the bandwagon since she'd worked with the Guardians during her time with the JLU. Praxis's blessing sealed the deal and the Conglomerate became the latest recruits to the Global Guardians.
Maxi-Man was excelling under Galatea's tutelage. His hand to hand skills had vastly increased and his tactical skills were blossoming. Strategy was another thing but that could or could not be taught. Only time would tell. All of the Guardians were learning under her guidance. Her years at being taught how to be a weapon were paying off in the Guardians' favor. She was teaching them everything she knew and they were eager students.
All Henry knew was that Maxi-Man was finally becoming the superhero he could be! His dreams were coming true at long last. Especially the dreams he had about Mary Marvel. He'd been this close to kissing her. While she was asking him why he didn't want to see her hurt he'd floundered. After all, how do you explain to someone that you've dreamt about dating them for the past three years?
Galatea had told him that she was dating the Ray. He wanted to shake the other man's hand and kill him all at the same time. He'd almost kissed a spoken for woman! How would he live that down?
Sivana's blasting the engine with his photon cannon, thereby shredding the engine into little tiny bits, knocked Maxi-Man back to the here and now. Two streaks, one red and blue and the other red and gold, slammed into the mecha. They rode Sivana's machine as it smashed its way into the metro station. Chunks of the roof fell down and the main concourse was pulverized as Sivana was caught unawares. Rails were ripped up from the ground as the "Zord" dug a furrow through the rail hub. Sivana came to rest on his back and was stunned himself. He had no idea how damaged his creation was and he desperately tried to reboot its systems. Groaning metal told him it was too late. Mary Marvel and Supergirl ripped the top of his mecha's head off. Mary pulled him out of his prosthetic control harness and lifted him into the air.
"Why do you Marvels always get in my way?" he demanded.
"`Cause you're evil, that's why!" Mary hotly replied.
"You'll never be able to hold me. I'll escape within hours. I'll…aggh!" Sivana shut up as Mary punched him in the face.
Mary looked over to Supergirl, who was eying her; "What? You wanted to listen to that?"
Kara broke into a grin, "Not really."
"Let's get out of here before the Koreans decide to start shooting at us again." Mary suggested.
Kara laughed, "I couldn't have said it better myself."
Starman landed next to the Orb while Maxi-Man helped Galatea to her feet. Tea was less than happy, "Where's the runt?"
"Right here." Mary said as she approached. She carried Sivana rolled up against her hip his arms and legs dangling.
"Wake him up. I want to knock him out again." Galatea said in a surly manner.
"Let's just let him sleep it off." Kara laughed, "He'll be problem enough as we go home."
"How're getting him anywhere?" Tea asked.
"In the Orb." Supergirl answered, "We'll…oh!"
Supergirl and Galatea suddenly found their hands, wrists, and eyes bound in metal bonds. Mary dropped Sivana and turned to face the Enchantress. The Legionnaire was smiling, "Did we forget about someone?"
"I…unnhh!" Mary was spun in the air by Ultraman's right cross. She collided with the ground and slowly struggled to rise. Ultraman loomed over her and he picked her up by the blouse. Mary met his face with her fist. The Kryptonian released her and staggered backwards. Mary moved in on him but was stopped by a shot to her gut. Mary doubled over. Ultraman served up a knee to her face and she went head over heels.
Maxi-Man was caught in a giant, emerald clamp. He struggled to break free but Power Ring's will was stronger than the Guardian. King Kull stomped on his way to pound on Starman. Gavyn blasted Kull with a solar blast but the barbarian kept marching towards him. A golden lasso looped itself around Starman and Superwoman had him bound tight. He was easy prey for Kull. Unconscious, Starman slipped to the ground.
Maxi-Man strained for all he worth and he felt the clamp giving way. He threw it open and Power Ring gaped in disbelief. Superwoman saw this and ordered Kull, "Help Ultraman! I'll deal with this pipsqueak."
She swooped in on him and he nailed her with a left cross as she came in. Ripping the cape from her shoulders, he inverted it and draped the black side against himself while keeping the yellow facing out. Power ring was stymied. That just left the angered Superwoman getting to her feet.
Ultraman once again loomed over Mary's prone form. He approached her from where her feet lay and inched ever closer. He wore a merciless expression. He wasn't used to being hurt much less beaten and he'd been beaten once and hurt twice today…both times by women. Of course, Ultraman's dull witted brain recalled that Superwoman had hurt him plenty of times. That was why she led the Crime Syndicate and not him. She was smart where he was admittedly not the brightest bulb on the tree.
Mary suddenly lashed out with a side kick to his ribs. She followed this with an upward kick to his groin. As he doubled over and gasped for air, she kicked him in the face, keeling him over. She got to her feet, favoring her ribs. It was then that Kull unleashed his fury upon her.
Kull came in with a roundhouse which she blocked and then another, which she again blocked, and then he punched her in the gut. Mary gasped and folded in on herself. Kull caught her with a two fisted uppercut. Mary once again hit the ground.
Ruing the day that Darkseid had smashed in her stomach on Apokolips, she tried to rise. Kull kicked her in the gut. She'd angled herself away from the kick but it still hurt. Tired of being knocked over and kicked around, Mary lashed out with another side kick. Owing to the fact that he was still too far away to be properly hit by the kick, Kull was pushed backwards but it didn't stop him.
Mary used her powers to float up onto her feet. Kull surged forward. Mary landed the first punch. A right cross loosened Kull's teeth. A left jab followed. Next came one blow to the gut and then another. Kull continually gave ground but she didn't relent. He connected with a left of his own and then a right. She coiled back and delivered her strongest right yet. Kull's teeth flew and he went down.
"Forgetting someone?" Ultraman said from behind her. She flew over Kull's body as she turned. Ultraman, poised to deliver a punch as she turned, was dumbstruck.
"Want to play?" Mary scornfully asked, "Then follow me." She flew into the air. Ultraman followed. As he neared her, she delivered a sweeping kick to his face. He pressed on and caught her. Delivering a roundhouse, he punched her back into the ground.
He alighted next to her away from her feet. Mary got to a kneeling position When Ultraman had closed the distance she sprang up, landing a right cross while she uttered a savage snarl. She'd hit him with all of her might and he went sailing into downtown Pyongyang. Seeing that Starman was down and superwoman and Power Ring were double teaming Maxi-Man, she decided to intervene.
Maxi-Man was barely holding his own against Superwoman. She was definitely the better fighter between the two of them but he was hanging on. That ended when Mary shoulder checked Superwoman. The Amazon went sprawling and Maxi-Man was left with a goofy smile on his face, "Thanks."
"Later." She said curtly. She flew up towards Power Ring and he hit her with a giant fist. As it propelled her into the ground it became a jackhammer and beat her senseless. Maxi-Man intervened by draping the cape over her.
"Pretty stupid, tough guy." Power Ring sneered, "Now you're defenseless."
"Come down here and show me how tough you are without that ring." Maxi-Man challenged.
"Why I oughta…!" Power Ring fumed.
"Drop it." Superwoman ordered as she flew up beside Power Ring, "Use your ring to collect Ultraman and Kull. We're leaving."
"Why?" he asked.
"Look over there." She advised.
"Over there" was the Enchantress's position. Galatea raised her manacles up to her mouth and blew. Ice began to form over them. Bringing the bonds down against her knee, they shattered. She then stripped the eye shield from her head.
"H…how did you…?" the Enchantress stammered.
"Freezing breath." Galatea answered, "Not the sexiest of my powers but it does come in handy at times."
Hearing all of this, Supergirl did the same. Now free, she angrily faced the Enchantress. June Moone cast one final spell. Kara and Tea were each surrounded by balls of ice.
"And now for my departure." The Enchantress cast a teleportation spell and disappeared.
Rays of heat vision burst out of the ice. Having weakened their prisons sufficiently, they both flexed their muscles and broke free of the ice. Tea tipped her ears "Ungh. It takes forever to get ice water out of your ears."
"What?" Supergirl asked.
Galatea rolled her eyes. Taking in the surrounding scenery, she noted Mary's absence, Gavyn's being down, and Maxi-Man shaking his fist at Superwoman and this so-called "Power Ring". Then, Power Ring used said ring to collect Kull and the "Ultraman". Superwoman opened a boom tube. Tea started forward and she noted that Kara was with her. They were still too late. The tube closed before they could reach it. Supergirl alighted next to Starman while Galatea landed next to Maxi-Man. He was lifting Superwoman's cape off of Mary.
Tea nudged Mary and she came up swinging. Tea caught her arm and spoke in a soothing voice, "Relax Mary. It's me." Mary's eyes registered who it was and Tea added, "That's right. It's me. Let me help you."
She helped Mary onto her feet and the Marvel climbed out of the hole that Power Ring had punched her into. Mary frowned, "If one more person knocks me to the ground today, I'm gonna kill `em."
Tea looked sideways, "Henry, why don't you go deal with Sivana? He's trying to get away."
Maxi-Man ran to Sivana's side as the diminutive man rose to his feet. Sivana looked down his nose at Maxi-Man, "Heh heh heh, you Neanderthal. You'll never capture me. There isn't a prison that can hold me. I'm Dr. Sivana! I am…urrgh!"
Maxi-Man shrugged and belted Sivana in the middle of the scientist's speech, "All righty then."
He collected Sivana and threw him over his shoulder. Trudging back to the Orb, he found everyone gathered around it. A North Korean general was also present with an interpreter. The interpreter was translating for the general, "Our Beloved Leader, Kim Jong-Il, saw through the deceptions of Lex Luthor and his henchmen but has been unable to dissuade many in our military forces to abstain from firing upon you. You will find yourself unburdened from hostilities should you follow your assigned flight path on your way out of our country."
"And I'm assuming we're to leave now if not sooner." Supergirl replied.
The interpreter did her job and the general nodded and delivered a short message in reply. It turned out to simply be, "Exactly."
"Okay, Maxi-Man, you and Sivana will ride in the Orb. We've already stretched Gavyn out in the front row. You and Shorty can ride in the back. When he comes to… Well, that's your decision." Supergirl instructed.
He climbed in and stretched Sivana out in the rearmost row of seats. He sat in the middle between the Legionnaire and the injured Starman. He was caught quite unawares when Kara and Mary lifted the Orb so that Galatea could get underneath it and lift it into the air. It rested upon her body as she carried it into the skies. Supergirl and Mary flanked the crippled Orb and they guided Tea into their assigned route and altitude.
The sun was rising over Japan as they sailed past. It was getting to be early evening on the US's west coast. It was already late evening in NYC. They landed at the Hall. ISA officers were on hand to take Sivana into custody. Gwen came out and met the team, "Congrats. Half our teams didn't capture anyone. In fact, a couple of teams sustained severe injuries."
Sue also came out ahead of a medical team. They gathered up Starman and whisked him away to the Med Center. Sue eyed Mary, "Something tells me you'd better join them."
Mary was drawn and pale and numbly nodded her agreement. Kara walked with her. Blackhawk arrived at that moment, "Tea! How'd it go?"
She shrugged, "A mixed bag."
He nodded, "That's about par for the course today. Sorry I couldn't see you off but my team deployed before yours did."
"It's okay. What do you think of my new outfit?" she modeled for him.
Blackhawk smiled, "It's fine but you know what I think. You're beautiful with or without clothes on."
Gwen and Sue grinned. Sue interrupted the happy reunion, "Superman is gathering action reports. The 'inactives' are taking down everyone's statements. Be warned, the Question came up with the interrogatives so be ready to be there for a while."
"It's true." Blackhawk warned her, "I just finished mine."
Galatea sighed, "Any chance of grabbing a bite to eat?"
Sue smiled, "You're in luck, the kitchen staff has prepared 'meals on the go' for everyone so you can eat and answer questions at the same time."
Galatea looked to the heavens and took a deep breath. Finding an extra ounce of strength, she relented; "Okay. Lead on."
"I'll take you there and sit with you." Blackhawk promised.
They traipsed off to the kitchen. Maxi-Man hesitated and then proceeded after them. He lost sight of them as they squeezed through an assembled throng of costumed folk. He wandered around for a bit and eventually came to the Med Center. Looking in he saw Mary.
"I've been afraid to switch back ever since Fate warned me that Mary Batson would be injured as well." Mary explained to the doctor.
The doctor smiled, "My staff and I will be right here. Our equipment is the same or better than you'll find at the first-rate hospitals and out staff is comprised of the best minds that health sciences can offer."
"Okay. Here goes." Mary slid off of the examination table, "Shazam."
The lightning struck and the seventeen year old Mary Batson replaced Mary Marvel. Maxi-Man was stunned. She was just a kid! All of his dreams were shattered in one fell swoop. He was a wannabe cradle robber. Now he felt terrible. But the scene inside of the center went from bad to worse.
Blood spurted out of Mary's nose and flowed freely. Cuts, bruises, and scrapes still littered her body. She cried out, clutched her torso and doubled over. The staff got Mary back on the exam table and pulled up her shirt. Her gut was a black and purple bruise.
"X-Ray! Stat!" the doctor cried out. They wheeled in a portable X-ray machine. Placing it above and below her, they took pictures of Mary's abdomen. Her organs were intact but most were swollen.
"We need a CT scan." Once that decision was made, the staff cleared away from the table. The halves of the CT scanner came out of the floor and connected themselves above Mary. The scanner techs arrived and begin talking Mary through it.
Ray chose that moment to arrive. Kara blocked his path and held him back. He protested, "God, Kara, what have they done to her?"
"We'll never know if you don't settle down and let them do their jobs." Kara said firmly.
Ray subsided after that. He watched as the CT scan finished and the tech and the doctor consulted each other regarding the results. A pair of nurses stood by Mary's side and ran an IV. Kara led Ray, crutches and all, to Mary's other side.
"Hiya." Mary feebly smiled, "You should see the other guy."
Ray was stunned, "What happened?"
"Darkseid happened." Kara explained for Mary, "Mary fought him to a standstill but she took a heavy beating doing it. By the time he finally overpowered her, the rest of us were up and going. It was during that fight that Darkseid lost his hold on the Daxamites. Without her, we might still be fighting them."
"But why is she hurt as Mary Batson?" Ray wondered, "I thought the change always healed her of anything and everything."
"Apparently not when you're dealing with Darkseid. Fate warned her this would happen so she's been holding on, with injuries, fighting bad guys." Kara stated.
"But how?" Ray had to ask.
"As Mary Marvel she has the endurance of Atlas. I don't know what that means but I'm guessing it makes her pretty damn tough." Kara replied, "But shush. Here comes the doc."
"And she doesn't look very happy." Ray murmured.
