Chapter 8: Justice is Sweet

ATLANTIC OCEAN
FEBRUARY 14, 09:05 AST

Superman led the group low over the Atlantic Ocean, scanning the surface with his telescopic vision for the island. Green Lantern had his ring following the aliens' energy signatures to triangulate their location as the island was completely uncharted. Eventually, they spotted their destination and Superman said, "We're approaching the island now. Prepare to engage."

"Roger that, Superman," Flash said with a salute.

The heroes were in luck, for the Appellaxians were on the island and unaware that they were approaching them. When Superman and the others were in close proximity, Batman gave the signal and they launched their attack.

Superman came at the stone giant and struck it in the chest with twice the amount of his strength he normally used. This was acceptable because there were no innocent lives in immediate danger, so he could use more power against his opponent. He began pounding the monster in the chest without breaking a sweat, forcing the monster to retreat. It tried to swat him down, but this time, Superman moved out of the way and attacked from another angle, throwing the creature off-balance.

The crystal creature moved in to attack when Batman guided the Batwing toward it. With a few flicks on some switches, he fired several large batarangs at the creature, not caring if they had any effect as long as they slowed the creature down. He got a surprise when he found that the batarangs actually cut the creature's crystal body like an axe on wood. Though the creature continued to fight, Batman made sure to keep out of its way while returning fire.

Wonder Woman attacked the wooden giant from behind, knocking it to the ground and then pounding its back with unrelenting force. She dented the creature's back several times and flew off before it could strike her. Then as it came at her, she removed her tiara and held it like a boomerang. And with the exceptional accuracy she had learned on her home island, she threw it, and it cut through the wooden beast's shoulders as easily as a knife through butter.

Martian Manhunter had the mercury monster to deal with, which proved to be a fair choice as its power did not include his weakness. He avoided touching the creature so as to avoid damage from its toxic form, but used his telekinesis to pelt the creature with boulders. He used his intangibility to great effect and when the monster reared up as if to swallow him, Martian Manhunter used his telepathy to disorient it.

The golden creature was trying to crush Flash with its wings or step on him if it could. Of course, it would get no chance, for Flash was smart enough to know where to go to avoid making a mistake that could mean his life. However, the creature released a sonic attack that succeeded in knocking Flash off his feet. The red-clad hero knew that punching rapidly would be no good as he was only fast, but he soon realized he could use the creature's size against it. He ran in circles around the creature so his rapid footfalls dug a trench around it, and eventually he had worn the soil enough so it would collapse under the golden creature's weight. His tactic was successful and the monster sunk into the ground without warning.

Aquaman was keeping the fire monster occupied, which wasn't quite so hard since all he needed to handle this creature was water. His trident spouted water at the monster and magically attracted water to disorient the creature from all sides, sapping its strength. The monster was also unable to see through the steam, so the seven heroes were in no danger from a surprise attack.

As for the glass giant, Green Lantern was evading its attacks with a green-energy shield and then with chains. He struck the creature with a sledgehammer, a baseball bat, and then a boxing glove. However, the next attack he used had better results: he used his power ring to form a gigantic loudspeaker which released a devastating sonic vibration. The glass creature shrieked and its form cracked under the assailing noise. Seeing his chance, Green Lantern blasted it with more vibrations and it retreated with wailing cries.

The group continued this routine of battle with the Appellaxians for nearly forty-five minutes, and at the end of that time, the alien creatures immediately left the island, but not to leave Earth.

"They're headed toward North America!" Batman said warningly over the comlink. "We have to head them off before they reach the coast!"

"I know how we can get there fast enough!" said Superman. "Follow me!"

With that, he led the group up north and over the southern tip of Greenland, then over Quebec toward Metropolis. No sooner were they over the United States then Superman saw the Appellaxians from miles away. They were almost to the coast of Metropolis, and already the civil authorities were at work conducting an evacuation before the creatures made landfall. But it wouldn't come to that if Superman and his allies could help it.

Once again, Superman led his fellow heroes into a charge and this time, they played the game tough. Superman and Wonder Woman flung the stone giant against the crystal creature, Green Lantern contained the mercury monster while Batman fought against the gold giant from his jet. Martian Manhunter punched the wooden beast and knocked it across the sky, then Aquaman blasted it and the fire giant with a trident-made waterspout. As for Flash, he created a vacuum with his speed trail and punched the glass giant's legs at super-speed before reversing his tactic and sending the creature slamming into the stone giant.

Another half-hour passed until the Appellaxians were battered, singed, and weakened near to exhaustion. Then something completely unexpected happened before the eyes of the startled superheroes. The elemental bodies of the Appellaxians began to shimmer with a gold-orange glow which grew stronger by the second until there came a brilliant flash of light and their elemental forms became inert and fell into the sea. Then the heroes saw the Appellaxians' true forms: they were beings of living energy using elemental host bodies to enhance their power. Now thanks to Superman and his friends, they had been outmatched to the point where their elemental bodies could not win the fight.

Go! Quickly!, one of the energy beings cried to the others in their alien language. Back to Appellax before these Earthlings put collars on our necks!

And with that, the Appellaxians made a hasty retreat from Earth. They flew out of our solar system and raced into space for their home planet, and they were never seen on Earth again.

With the safety of the world secured, Superman and his allies entered Metropolis and congregated on a tower rooftop. Batman disembarked from the Batwing to join the others, and they all shook hands. Then another sound filled the air which came from the streets.

"What is that?" asked Wonder Woman curiously.

Aquaman ventured forward to listen better, and a smile spread across his face.

"That, my friends, is the sound of gratitude!"

Aquaman was correct, for just below them, thousands of citizens as well as the officers of the law and the soldiers who had been called to protect the city were raising cheers and hurrahs and clapping until their hands ached. The cheering became a thunderous roar of applause as Superman and his friends descended to the streets with Flash running down the building without trouble and Batman using his long cape as a parachute to slow himself.

When the seven heroes were on the ground, several members of their impromptu audience shook hands with them and thanked them for preventing any further harm. And this was only the beginning of the commendations they would receive for their service.

WASHINGTON D.C.
FEBRUARY 14, 10:45 EST

Thousands had gathered on Capitol Hill and many more were watching from home and across America, and the scene was even broadcast in other countries as President Bush gave his first oration concerning the superheroes of America. While the President spoke, Superman and the others stood to the side considering how they had worked together to protect Earth, how they were willing to work together, and how they had each other's backs when the situation called for it. They barely had time to think on it further when President Bush gave his address.

"Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Americans, today alone has shown us a remarkable display of patriotism," the President was saying. "Moreover, it has shown a display of love for people throughout the world. At a time when our civilization was threatened with enslavement, America's greatest superheroes fought against the otherworldly invaders who menaced us. Once they fought crime and oppression separately, but in this battle, they united their individual abilities. In that regard, it is only fitting that these seven heroes are to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their exceptional service."

With that, the medals were presented to Superman and his allies and they in turn saluted President Bush. Then Superman approached the podium and spoke the words that would set the seal upon the idea that the group had been considering for the whole day.

"My fellow heroes and I are truly grateful for this appreciation," the Man of Steel said earnestly. "But more has come from this battle than the safety of Earth: an opportunity for us to do much more than out a stopper on crime. Working together, we saved the planet. And if we stay together, we can give people everywhere a shoulder to lean on in times of trouble and give them hope that there are still those in the world who care about them. Not everyone will accept us, and we realize that. But no matter what happens, we will gladly protect your freedom and rights and repel any and all forces that seek to steal it from you."

Then Superman and the others saluted as he finished, "Long live justice!"

The people gave Superman, Batman, and the rest of the group a standing ovation as they shook hands with the President and a handful of Senators and Congressmen. And a short time later, they started work on the basis for their operation as the greatest organization of superheroes: the Justice League.

THE WATCHTOWER
OCTOBER 16, 09:01 UTC

No one in the world could expect the Justice League to have a headquarters so secret it wasn't on the surface of the Earth. But thanks to a few billion dollars from Batman and some work on the League's part, they had exactly that.

The Watchtower was a marvelous cross between natural space debris and technological construction: a hollowed-out asteroid one-third of the size of the Empire State Building, the interior composed of reinforced steel with twenty-five levels and vertical windows running the height of the mammoth structure. At the pinnacle of the tower was an enormous circular room protected from the harsh conditions of space by a dome of carbonized glass. This was the place from which the Justice League could observe Earth and space for three hundred-and-sixty degrees while monitoring the planet for criminal activity or emergencies using a holographic computer. And at the back of the room were three tubular structures through which the League could be transported to Earth from the Watchtower and back.

Superman and Batman were in the main hall looking out at the serene beauty of Earth with the Moon beginning to rise over the eastern hemisphere.

"We're definitely going to have a lot more to handle now that we've taken this step," Superman mused.

"It's for the best, Clark," replied Batman. "Crime happens everywhere. This is the best opportunity we have to preserve justice elsewhere in the world."

While they were chatting together, Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter arrived from the lower levels. They stood beside Superman and Batman to look out at the Earth, and Flash said, "Do you really think the world is ready for a team of heroes?"

"It shouldn't be too much of a problem as long as we take it slow," implied Green Lantern.

"And earn their trust," added Wonder Woman.

"Then we'll have to do our duty twice as good from now on," finished Superman. "And there's no time like the present to start."

With that, the Justice League took their solemn vow to promote justice as the world's defenders. "One for all, and all for good."

Thus came about the formation of the Justice League, and this was just the beginning of a safer world.