The New Super Friends

Volume 2, Issue 4 (March, 2005)

Story by: Christopher W. Blaine The New Super Friends is an original concept of Christopher W. Blaine that incorporates characters, situations and ideas published by DC Comics Inc. and are used without permission for fan-related entertainment purposes only. This original work is ©2004 by Christopher W. Blaine.

In an attempt to recreate the universe, the Time-Guardian murdered an innocent man. From the ashes of that crime rose a group of heroes from ages that never were to ensure there was justice for all. Now, those heroes protect their new world, banded together as comrades and as a family. They are the Super Friends!

"Unexpected Allies!"

Robin looked at the ventilation shaft and scratched his head. "Holy small spaces, Huntress," he said with a smile. On this world where the original Jason Todd had been less than heroic in his career, there was a lot of criticism and sarcasm relating to Robin, the Teen Wonder. Some of this included comments about the way he spoke, making him sound like nothing more than Batman's pet monkey.

"I hate it when you do that," she said as she pulled out a multitool from her utility belt. Quickly she removed the screws and the grate covering the intake. "I reviewed the plans for the building and this should get us fairly close to the studio."

He nodded and prepared to enter first but she held up a hand to block his way. "You know, I'm really getting the impression that there is some sort of tension between us."

He felt sweat begin to form on his brow. "Huntress, everything is fine. You were right, I have some girl problems is all. It will all be taken care of though, after we save the day."

He could just make out her brow furrowing under her hood, and it made his heart skip a beat. He could not figure out how it was that even when she was not trying, she was enchanting. He shook his head; had he actually used the word enchanting in a thought? "Well, I need to make sure you are 110 for this. The files in the Batcave indicate that Quinn was not only as dangerous as the Joker, but she's also a metahuman. We've never tackled one like her," she reminded him. It was true enough because most of the villains of Gotham City were nothing more than common, everyday psychopaths. Nothing special about them except their warped minds.

"I'm ready, don't worry," he lied. The problem that he now had was he was afraid of her getting hurt. He briefly wished he was back in Limbo, where things were so much easier. "We have to do this anyway."

She nodded her agreement. "The people need to believe in us again, though I'm sure my father would have preferred a little fear on the part of the populace," she said with a wry smile. It was strange when he realized that both of them, at one time, had a father named Bruce Wayne. Being placed on a world that was not his own, with a history he had no part in, sometimes had a weird effect on him.

He took a deep breath, made sure his gloves and utility belt were ready and climbed in.

Robin looked through the grate and saw several people, bound and gagged against the walls, including Linda Danvers whom he knew was really Super-Woman. Using hand signals, he relayed the information to the Huntress, who was squatting behind him, arming her crossbow. She nodded that she understood and indicated that she wanted to know where Harley Quinn was at.

He returned his attention to the newsroom and noted that there was lot of blood; not enough that someone had been gutted, but it was obvious that there were hurt people. His desire to help overrode his common sense and he pressed too hard against the grate. It had been loosened by Harley and he fell forward and out, landing hard onto the floor below which was covered with some type of sticky fluid.

"Crap! Huntress!" he called out as soon as he realized he was trapped. He would be able to get out, because it was his cape that was actually stuck, except his hands had fallen back into the glue, rendering them useless until he could twist his arms to pull his hands out of his gloves.

"Looky, looky," Harley said as she stepped out of a darkened corner. In her had she held a crowbar. "I don't know why, but it just seems appropriate to use this on you. Can you explain it?"

Robin's eyes went wide. He knew that in many timelines he was murdered by the Joker using such an instrument. "You really don't want to do that," he offered her.

Harley stopped. "You're right, but this was all I had available," she said with a big smile. "Time to die!" she cried as she raised it above her head and started running.

Like a streak of purple lightning, the Huntress literally flew out of the duct, sailed through the air, and slammed into Harley. Both women went down in a tumble, the crossbow clattering away into a corner. Huntress knew that Harley had the strength advantage over her, but she was confident that she was the better fighter.

Slipping her arms around Harley's, she tried to apply a basic "A" lock, but Harley pulled out of it and head butted the heroine hard enough that the Huntress's hood flew back. Harley punched her, this time making the Huntress roll off of her. "You are so dead, you witch, spoiling my fun like that!"

"Huntress!" Robin cried, straining to get free of his trap. He turned his head to where Super-Woman was. He noted that her chest looked especially lumpy. He just managed to pick out the telltale pineapple shape of a hand grenade in her blouse.

Harley swung her crowbar at the Huntress as both women stood up, but the daughter of Batman was ready and dodged the strike and returned it with a punch to Harley's forearm. The crowbar dropped as the Huntress struck a nerve. "Hurts doesn't it?" Huntress smiled.

"Yes," Harley replied, using a tone that indicated she thought it was a stupid question. "But it didn't hurt enough! I like it rough!"

Huntress stepped into Harley, throwing her body weight into a single strike to the chest. Over a hundred pounds of force was more than enough to throw the Joker's "widow" back and into a wall. Not willing to let up, Huntress pulled out a Batarang, flipped it fully open and threw. It cut through the air and caught Harley in the shoulder. "No fair!" Harley winced.

The Clown Princess took her uninjured arm and reached for a small device that was attached to her costume. With her teeth, she pulled out the antenna and held it up in front of her. Huntress stopped cold. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm gonna take care of you once and for all. It was you bat-types that killed my Puddin'," Harley said, her voice filled with pain. "He wasn't perfect, but he cared about me..."

"You're a real fruit loop," Robin called from his prone position. He had one hand free and was working on releasing his cape. "The Joker never cared about anyone. He wasn't able to care, just like you aren't able to feel remorse!"

"Careful, Robin, let's not provoke her," Huntress warned.

"Yeah, little boy, this is an adult conversation so go back to playing with yourself," Harley sneered. Huntress began to move forward and the villainess waved the remote. "Better watch it, toots!"

"What do you want?" Huntress demanded.

"For you to die. Kill yourself and I'll let all of these people live! I can't bring back Mr. J, but I can get revenge!" Harley pulled out the Batarang and dropped it to the floor with a clang. Robin grunted and finally pulled himself free. He stumbled next to the Huntress. "And you kill yourself, too!"

Robin grimaced. "She's not doing anything like that and neither am I."

Harley shrugged. "Then we all die."

She pressed the button on the transmitter and closed her eyes. Moments later, there was only silence. "Am I dead?" she asked with a whisper.

"No, just asleep," Super-Woman said as she punched Harley hard enough to send her flying through a wall. The Maiden of Might strode through the hole Harley had left and stepped through. Sounds of fist meeting face echoed through the newsroom and the Huntress looked over to Robbin, who only smiled.

"You know something I don't," she said. Her sidekick only continued to grin. Huntress gave him a playful shove. "Talk!" she demanded.

Robin walked over to where Linda Danvers had been sitting with the explosives in her blouse and picked up something green from the floor. He brought it over and presented it to his partner. Huntress took it and noted that it was a bullet. "Kryptonite?" she asked.

He nodded. "The Superman of this world had originally given it to the Batman, to use in the event he ever went out of control. Of course, the Batman was saving it for the day Speedy ordered him to use it, but that day never came." he went on to explain that he had found it in the Batcave and had put it in his utility belt.

"I saw Super-Woman over there, filled to the gills with explosives..."

"And he used his free hand to toss the Kryptonite at me," Super-Woman added as she stepped back into the studio. All around them people were beginning to stir from the fresh air that was now blowing in through the hole. "It weakened me and kicked me out of my hypnotic trance. I instantly knew I had to do something so I used my super-speed to change into costume," she said in a low voice to protect her identity.

"I bet you used your heat vision to disrupt the signal from the transmitter," Huntress said. Super-Woman nodded. Huntress handed the Kryptonite back to Robin who put it back in its shielded case, allowing Super-Woman to approach.

A moaning sound from behind the news desk sent the three heroes scurrying. Super-Woman reached the wounded Lana Lang first. "Rao help her," Super-Woman exclaimed.

"Quick, Robin, the Bat Medical Kit," Huntress demanded.

"We really need to come up with some better names," the teen told her as he pulled the kit off of his utility belt. "I mean, neither one of us is Bat anything."

Super-Woman happened to glance up as Robin handed over the kit and noted the look on his face when the Huntress took it from him. She filed it away for further study as Lana needed her immediate attention. "They destroyed my scarab!" the scarlet-haired woman blurted out. Her face was a mess, covered with dried blood and gore. Huntress applied a medicated salve to watch she could and pulled out the small bandage in the kit.

"What is she talking about?" Huntress asked.

"Lana used to be a super-hero, the Insect Queen. The scarab she wore gave her insect powers. Harley must have done something to it," Super-Woman said. She scanned the immediate area for Gunther, but did not see him. "She had a partner, but he's gotten away."

"My scarab," Lana sobbed.

"I'll go secure Harley," Robin offered and Huntress thanked him for his initiative. He looked at her for a second, and then a second longer until he felt Super-Woman's eyes drift towards him. Quickly he whirled around and headed out of the studio.

In the passageway he saw a lot of destruction and one Harley Quinn on her hands and knees, spitting out blood. He was impressed that she was still able to keep her eyes open as it was obvious that Super-Woman had given her a good thrashing. He reached to the back of belt and grabbed his handcuffs. "You know what these are for, don't you girl?"

He stepped closer and made a fatal error. He had assumed that Harley was beaten instead of merely tired. A surge of energy allowed her to punch up into his groin, shattering the protection he wore there and sending him to the floor. It had been decades since he had felt such pain and tears were pouring down his face even as he moaned like a dying man.

Harley slowly got her feet and tried to get away. Super-Woman appeared at the wall. The criminal turned, getting ready to make a run for it when a shadow stepped in her path. Through water-filled eyes, Robin thought it might have been Super-Woman, using her super-speed once again to get in front of Harley, but then he noticed that the shadowy figure had no cape.

Harley gave a cry as the figure punched her hard in the jaw. As she tumbled backward, Harley tried to make a statement, perhaps some type of joke, but only bood came out of her mouth. She hit the polished floor hard and did not move.

Police officers poured out of the emergency exits and elevators, having been alerted that Super-Woman was on scene and it was safe to once again enter the floor. A red blur went past them and stopped to kneel down to Robin. "Oh, man, that has got to hurt," the Flash said as he tried to get the Teen Wonder to stand up. Robin shook his head, stating that it hurt too much. The Flash sped off and returned half a second later with a startled paramedic. "Help this guy out, but leave the mask alone," the Flash ordered.

Super-Woman and Huntress entered the hallway, forcing their way past emergency services personnel that were streaming into the studio. "Flash, secure the explosives in there," Huntress commanded. The Scarlet Speedster gave a salute and disappeared, already carrying the first load out to the ocean.

Huntress stooped down and put a gloved hand on Robin's forehead. He looked at her and then yelped as the paramedic began to examine him. His face blushed and deep inside he wished that this day would just end.

Super-Woman grabbed Robin's handcuffs and secured Harley before confronting the mysterious person that had ended the confrontation with a single punch. "I've seen pictures of you, but I was led to believe you were dead," she said.

Lois Lane stepped into the light and shrugged. "Reports of my demise are often premature, dear, try to remember that." She gave Super-Woman a once over. "Don't you think that skirt is a little too short?"

Super-Woman frowned and was about to respond when someone from the studio recognized Lois and called out her name. Immediately a crowd surrounded her, even as she gave Super-Woman a knowing smirk. The Maiden of Might assumed that perhaps she deserved it. She was, after all, trying to fill the role of the greatest hero ever, someone whom Lois Lane had been very much in love with. Next to Jimmy Olsen, who was most definitely dead, Lois was the world's greatest expert on Kryptonians. Everyone from Superman to Krypto, the Super Dog, she knew nearly everything about.

She had even known Supergirl.

Nodding to Lois, Super-Woman decided to excuse herself quietly.

The after action meeting was fairly informal. Masks down and boots off, several members of the Super Friends sat around the meeting table, giving their points of view on everything that had happened.

Huntress reported that Harley Quinn was on her way to Van Zee's super prison in California to be held until she could be tried in Metropolis. She had tried to get sent back to Arkham, but the local district attorney was having none of it. Harley was looking at serious time. "And Robin is probably going to be off the active roster for a week or so, he's pretty hurt," she added.

Super-Woman opened her mouth, wanting to suggest that she and the Huntress get together later to discuss what she had observed from the young man, but then decided against it. This was an issue that would probably work itself out on its own and her meddling would do nothing but perhaps embarrass the boy.

She shook her head and pinched herself with her super strength under the table. He wasn't a boy anymore. He was an adult and was in fact much older than his physical appearance suggested. She needed to concentrate on her own life and quit worrying about everyone else's.

Dawnstar asked how Lana Lang was doing. Tsunami punched up a hospital report. "She's going to be all right, physically, but I don't know about mentally. She's taken a leave of absence from WGBS where she'll be replaced by, no surprise here, Lois Lane."

"Is it me, or does Lois' story about having lost her memory for all this time seem kind of strange?" Super-Woman asked.

"It really isn't," Huntress explained. "I checked the records in the Batcave. Believe it or not, even though he was being controlled by the Time-Guardian, the Batman still maintained files on him and his actions. It's very weird to read them. However, Lois Lane was controlled by him. When he lost control of the heroes, he lost control of her as well. It is possible she suffered some mental...deficiencies because of it."

"And how do we know she isn't the Composite-Superman in disguise?" Super-Woman asked. "I'm pretty sure that was who Harley's partner was."

"I can answer that," Dawnstar replied quietly. "The Composite-Superman was defeated in battle with a new super-hero in Houston."

Everyone began talking at once, wanting to know about the new hero. It was exciting because it could mean that the heroes that had survived the purges might begin coming out of their hiding places to help fight the Legion of Doom. "Luthor sent him to steal some equipment from S.T.A.R. Labs but he was chased away by a new Green Lantern."

"A Green Lantern?" the Flash asked, a smile on his face. In many universes the two heroes were the best of friends and he had commented more than once that it just didn't seem right to have a super team without a ring slinger. "Are we going to recruit him?"

"I am working with a local company in a marketing campaign to begin a recruitment drive. I believe that Luthor's open attacks are a signal that the Legion of Doom is going to make a bid for power," Dawnstar told them. "We were formed specifically to prevent that, but we are barely able to hold our own. They outnumber us right now."

Everyone nodded. The Legion had obviously just added Harley Quinn and despite the fact she was in custody, it still represented the fact that the Legion was growing where they were not. "Luthor, the Composite-Superman, Black Flash, Wonder Wendy, the Weasel, the Grundy and Harley Quinn...plus we know that they have at least three other members that Luthor has been holding in reserve." Dawnstar reached out and pressed a button which brought up a hologram of the Legion of Doom, extracted from a photograph taken by US intelligence services in Central America. "We believe that one of the people that cannot be made out, the one in the yellow, is some sort of Yellow Lantern, possibly using Sinestro's old power ring, which was never recovered."

"And Cheshire indicated that she believed that one of the others is the new Deathstroke, a female mercenary that assumed the mantle of the original," Huntress added. Cheshire was officially labeled an eco-terrorist by law enforcement, but the misunderstood activist had often helped out the heroes of the world when they needed it. She was a secret force for good.

Flash turned off the hologram. "Enough! It's time for dinner. Now, which one of you fine ladies is going to serve me?"

Super-Woman smiled at his obvious attempt to be funny and leaned forward, her eyes glowing red with just a hint of heat vision. "Prepared to be served. How do you ladies take your chauvinistic pig, medium rare or burnt?"