The Grey Ghost
Fighting against villains such as Lion Mane, Cheetah, Solomon, and basically just about every normal sized villain could be dealt with one on one and didn't necessarily require the whole league. Fighting against a gigantic teal and purple robotic monstrosity required more than one fighter. The giant robot was spotted by a pair of hikers in the Midway National Park. It had crash landed near the picnic area and the hikers immediately called the park rangers. Once it began to make its way to Midway City however, they called the Midway City Police Department who in turn called in Hawkgirl who called in the Justice League once she saw the size of the robot.
Superman was the first to arrive and just in time as well. The Midway City Police Department had managed to clear the downtown area of citizens and created a barrier to keep it in downtown while the Justice League tried to handle it. Shayera knew ARGUS agents were stationed at strategic spots in the vicinity and had been informed by Emmett that they were currently piecing together a powerful but experimental EMP. If it worked, then they can easily stop the robot and keep its circuitry intact in order to determine where it came from and who sent it. The Justice League just needed to distract the robot long enough for the EMP to be functional and ready to disable the robot .
Superman and Shayera managed to at least capture its attention by flying around its head. Batman, Diana, J'onn, Flash, and Lantern arrived ten minutes later and after getting briefed by Commissioner Emmett about ARGUS's plan to use the EMP, they began to help in distracting the robot with Superman and Hawkgirl.
It proved to be a very tedious affair since the robot seemed intent on going further into the city. Shayera had to risk getting in a very vulnerable area in the air in order to get the robot's attention. Diana and Flash were quickly trying to disassemble the robot's bolts on its heel in order to render it immobile. Lantern was providing cover for Superman as they both tried to discover a weakness on the robot. It held the same elemental properties of lead which made Superman's x-ray useless.
Batman was helping the ARGUS agents quickly assemble the EMP while J'onn relayed instructions to other agents telepathically if they didn't know what to do.
Shayera charged her mace and swung it at the robot's eye, attempting to blind it by smashing it's eyepiece to pieces. It turned its head last minute and Shayera hit its side of the head. The robot raised its hand and shot a laser beam at her. Shayera only had just enough time to barrel dodge it, feeling the heat singe the tips of her feathers. Shayera grumbled a small curse under her breathe: burned feathers meant early molting for her physiology.
Shayera twisted in the air, using her natural contortionism to weave around the laser beam with a charged mace in hand.
With a warcry, Shayera managed to damage one of its eyes. The robot swung around savagely, attempting to hit her but only managing to hit the buildings. Shayera flew around its head in another attempt to smash it's other eye piece when Lantern called out, "Hawkgirl! They're ready to fire the EMP!"
Shayera turned away from the robot intending to follow Lantern and realized her mistake too late. By turning her back to it, she exposed herself to be caught by one of its wild swings. Shayera cried out in pain as she slammed on the top a car, the force of her impact causing the car to almost sandwich her between its folding metal. Shayera groaned but blacked out from the immense pain that was coursing through her.
Batman had heard Lantern cry out to Shayera and turned to see her attempt to fly away. He was too late to warn her about the incoming swing the robot was making.
He rushed in with his grappling gun, ignoring J'onn's shout, and made his way to where Shayera landed. The rope snapped in the strain that was being exerted into, Batman being less careful with his form, landed beside Shayera with a roll and carried her bridal style out of the wrecked car but he wasn't fast enough to run out of the robot's collapsing form. Everybody else in the League was busy helping the ARGUS agents escape, except for Flash who noticed that Batman and Hawkgirl was in danger.
Knowing that he didn't have the upper body strength to carry both Batman and Hawkgirl, Flash sped in a circle around them to form a tornado. Flash hopes that the tornado will keep the robot from falling down on top of them. As he kept the tornado going, the robot began to discharge electricity. Flash was running too fast to be hit by the lightning, but he could feel the lightning began to surge all around his makeshift tornado. Just when he thought that he wouldn't be able to hold up the tornado, a surge of light filled the air. One minute Flash was running in circles to keep Batman and Hawkgirl from getting squashed and the next they were no longer in the street. In fact, the three heroes were sucked into a light and they disappeared. Lantern, Superman, Diana, and J'onn had tried to help their friends when the light surged. One minute the Flash's tornado was there and the next a dismantled robot was strewn about the downtown area, but the three heroes were missing.
"Where did they go?" asked Superman.
"I cannot feel them." said J'onn, his eyes glowing orange in his psychic search for Flash or Batman. He knew that trying to find Hawkgirl telepathically would be impossible but she would be with the other two.
"What do you mean?" asked Lantern.
"It's as though they have simply disappeared." said J'onn.
Flash and Batman groaned as they slowly woke up from their unconscious state. Batman though snapped awake and turned his body around in his search for Shayera, she had been in his arms but their exposure to the light made him lose his hold on her. He saw her laying on the ground five feet away and quickly made his way to her. She was breathing at least but she was still unconscious. He needed to take her to the Watchtower's Medical bay in order to properly examine her and diagnose her but they were… in a swamp?
He carried her again, keeping her wings carefully folded as he walked back to Flash. Flash though was zipping back in forth in different directions and stopped to meet Batman.
"Anything?" asked Batman.
"There's a city a good mile out west, but it's not Midway." informed Flash. Batman only sighed and proceeded to walk in the that direction, Flash leading the way. Shayera was unnaturally still in her unconscious state and it worried Bruce that perhaps she might be more injured than her outer appearance is leading on. When they arrived at the outskirts of the city, Bruce felt his eyes widen. They seemed to have been blasted into the past. The cars were old models of the 1930s and the people were dressed in the similar manners of the pre-World War 2 era. Batman, Flash, and the unconscious Hawkgirl were currently on top of a building just looking down at the people living out their routine.
"Did we just time travel?" asked Flash. Batman looked around the city with his mini-binoculars and spotted a newspaper in a trash bin. He turned to Flash and said, "Go get the newspaper. We might be able to find out where we are."
The Flash sped away and returned with newspaper in hand. The two heroes looked at the date and were surprised to read that they were still in the present. The name of the city though was news to them: Morrow City.
"I've never heard of this city before. It's nowhere near Midway or Central City." said Flash. Batman took out his minicomputer from his belt. He typed in the city and came up with nothing. Morrow City was nonexistent in the world except… it can't be. Bruce looked over the buildings and the entire layout.
"What's up Batman?" asked Flash, noticing the change of character in the dark hero.
"We're in the world of the Grey Ghost." said Batman.
"Who?" asked Flash. His answer was an explosion rocking from the other side of the city.
"Go Flash!" ordered Batman. Somebody had to stay with Shayera after all and check her progress. Flash sped away, leaving Batman to turn his attention to Shayera. She was hit very hard by the robot and had been almost crushed by a car. Shayera had armor, sure, but even her armor can't protect her from impact damages and if they had been transported to another world, then he needed to check on her vitals stat.
Gently removing her helmet, Bruce opened one of Shayera's eyes and checked her pupils while he held her wrist in one hand to check her pulse rate. Everything was turning up normal and he gently cupped her cheek. His emotions were running haywired and he needed to stay focused in order to help Shayera heal and find a way home. He looked around and saw that the smoke from the explosion had disappeared, signalling that Flash had quickly quelled the flames. Bruce was about to carry Shayera when a light cough from behind him made him spin around with a batarang in hand. He was met with a woman wearing a green dress and dark green leggings. She wore a fashionable model of combat boots and her long blonde hair obscured most of her face in an oriental fashion. She wore a green panama hat. A viel helped obscure her face even more but for Bruce Wayne, who grew up watching episodes of the Grey Ghost as a child, knew who this mystery woman is.
"Care to explain what you sir are doing with an unconscious woman in the dark?" asked the woman. Bruce balked at her accusation and said, "We ran into trouble and she was hurt. I've been checking on her vitals."
"And you don't care to bring her to a hospital?" asked the woman.
"I don't know how they will react to her." confessed Bruce. The woman glanced at Shayera and just noticed the large wings protruding from her back. She turned back to Bruce and asked, "They're real?"
"Yes," said Bruce, "We're not from this world."
"I'll say." said the woman. She walked up to Bruce and offered him her hand and said, "I go by the name of Lady Luck."
Oh, Bruce knew who she is. Lady Luck, or Brenda Banks, was the love interest of the Grey Ghost in the television series. It seemed almost surreal that he was meeting his childhood heroes but he was ecstatic nonetheless. Who gets to have the opportunity to say that he has met the real Lady Luck and not the actress who portrayed her in television?
"I need to get her proper medical treatment." said Bruce and Lady Luck said, "Don't worry honey, we'll get her the right treatment."
Lady Luck led Bruce as he carried Shayera across the building roofs and into an alley where a parked Dodge was hidden. She gestured to Bruce to place Shayera in the backseat of the car while he made sure he still had her mask clipped to his belt. He quickly comm-linked Flash to tell him of their new destination.
"Hey Bats? Uh… there's someone here that wants to meet you." said Flash.
"Come meet me by the alleyway near Juniper Street and Hathaway Avenue." instructed Batman. He turned to Lady Luck and said, "I have a colleague on his way to meet us."
"Alright," said Lady Luck, "I also have one on his way here too."
Batman wondered if it was perhaps-
"Hey Bats! Meet my new friend!" said Flash from behind him. Batman turned and was instantly floored to see his childhood Grey Ghost in the living flesh. It was one thing to meet Simon Trent in his world. This was the real Grey Ghost!
"He calls himself Grey Ghost! Cool huh?" said Flash as he sped next Batman. The Grey Ghost was still every bit the hero that he was in the television show. His grey trenchcoat and hat seemed to help the hero camouflage in the buildings while his goggles shone even in the darkness. His utility belt still carried many of the gadgets that the Grey Ghost was famous for. Batman felt nervous meeting his hero for the first time but Flash's zip movements managed to break him from his distraction.
"My friend needs your help." said Batman as he gestured to the still unconscious Shayera in the backseat of Lady Luck's car. Grey Ghost moved to examine her while Flash took a peek inside the car.
"Hey! Where's her mask?" asked Flash. He had never seen her without her mask and was shocked to see the pretty face from underneath.
"Right here." said Batman, pointing to the mask attached to his belt.
"You know, I never ask but does Hawkgirl have a secret identity?" asked Flash, feeling guilty at seeing her identity without her permission.
"She doesn't have one," explained Batman, "The people of Midway City already know her name."
"Really? How come I don't know?" complained Flash.
"You never read the news." said Batman. Flash gave a sheepish grin at that.
"So you folks aren't from around here I presume?" asked Grey Ghost as he finished diagnosing Shayera.
"No, it's a bit of a long story." said Batman.
"Honey, at this rate we have all the time." said Lady Luck. The group of heroes made their way to the Grey Ghost's Sanctuary where Shayera was properly hooked up to the proper equipment. She suffered from a cracked skull but with her Thanagarian Physiology, she'll be healed within another hour. Flash meanwhile was going through a giddiness after learning that not only had they entered into another universe, but that said universe mirrored a television show back on their universe.
"How does that work?" asked Flash.
"I have a theory," said Grey Ghost. He moved to the chalkboard and drew three different circles in a trinity form. He formed a line between the circles, separating them and then drew a curved line that connected them. He pointed at the three circles and said, "We can call the circles Earth 1, Earth 2, and Earth 3. The straight lines is what keeps our universes separated. This curved line however is what connects us and keeps the universes in a balance. I believe that one individual from your universe had managed to connect with the curved line and has been given a glimpse of our universe without having to leave."
"It's a sound theory," said Batman, seeing the logic, "Then the next question would be is how to open up the portal so we can return home."
"Any ideas?" asked Flash.
"Recreate the instability." said Shayera's voice from behind them. They turned to see in surprise that she was sitting up and stretching her muscles.
"Amazing," whispered Lady Luck. Most patients with a cracked skull required more bedrest and sometimes a bit of therapy but this armored woman was walking up to them as though she merely bumped her head on a soft pillow.
"What? You mean build another giant robot and have it fall on us?" asked Flash. Shayera was beaten by Bruce who smacked Flash upside the back of his head. Flash pouted but listened as Shayera said, "No, I mean get the same level of discharge as you recreate another tornado."
"Where do we get that level of discharge though? We'd have to get lucky if we need the same level." said Flash.
"Don't worry, honey," said Lady Luck with a smirk, "Leave that to me."
The group of heroes made their way to the electric company headquarters. As Grey Ghost and Batman began to charge up a volt, Flash fretted around. Shayera would have been amused any other day but she knew that if Flash mess up, then they could potentially be fried by the electricity.
"You will do fine Flash," reassured Shayera and gently patted his back. He gave her a small smile and said,"You know Hawkgirl, you should fight crime without mask. You look a lot prettier without it."
Shayera snorted and said, "Shayera, Flash. My name is Shayera. I wear the mask because it is a tradition in my world. It has nothing to do with secret identity or how I look."
"We're ready." said Batman. Getting into positions, Shayera and Bruce stood in the middle of the room and Flash began to run around to form the tornado again. Grey Ghost turned the machine on and it began to discharge the electricity. Lady Luck stood behind Grey Ghost and focused her mind on the outcome. The Batman fellow said that there was a 78% chance that it could potentially work. Well, now there was a 99% chance. Focusing her mind to keep the outcome in her favor, the light surged around the foriegn heroes until it flashed and they were sent back home.
"You know," said Grey Ghost, "I do wonder what other world would be like. I daresay, there might be an infinite number of universes out there: a multiverse."
Lady Luck snorted and said, "Multiverse? This is why you won't get a say in the name of our children."
"What wrong with Eugene?" asked Grey Ghost. Lady Luck smiled and said, "Nothing." She kissed him lightly on the mouth and the duo left the company.
Superman and the other members of the League were about to head back to the Watchtower in order to find their missing teammates when the light surged back. Batman, Hawkgirl, and Flash fell onto the floor and they were quickly surrounded by concerned friends. A trip to the Watchtower Medical Bay was all they needed to confirm that they were alright.
"You should have seen it!" said Flash, "We were in another Universe and they fought crime like Batman! Well, except for the lady. She was pretty confident that we would get back home."
"Lady Luck has the power to manipulate probability." explained Batman.
"Really? Cool!"
Shayera smiled at his childish antics when Diana asked, "Shayera where's your mask?"
Shayera shrugged and said, "I'm with you guys, I'm good."
"Really?" asked Flash.
"You're family, no?" asked Shayera. She didn't expect the tackle from Flash and they fell to the floor,
"Yeah, we're family." confirmed Flash. The whole team enjoyed the company of one another while in another universe, Grey Ghost took out a copy of his old comics from his youth and began to reread the adventures of Batman and the Justice League.
Hey readers, sorry for the short chapter. I really wanted this out of my head though so I can continue with the War World chapter. In the next chapter, Shayera has a chance to contact her homeworld. Anyways, please leave reviews and tell me if you liked this chapter or not. Thanks again for reading :)