I do not own either One Piece or Justice League Unlimited.

-0-0-0-

Beta read by the wonderful rose7anne101 and MasterQwertster. Make sure to check out their own stories! Also thanks to other readers who have given incredible help, like Kolomte'49, lincoln time, mellra, scl04, King of Fans, Anycents, TheWhiteTitan, coalface, Creation Teller, Blackwizard71, and Bkaa19. I know several of you will see your contributions here, even if they will be a surprise ;-)

-0-0-0-

Guest Review answers :-D

Guestinator

Luthor was the one firing, not Joker.

Yes, I admit it is a bit cliché that some villains escaped. Subverting it a bit, more here, in that their escape did not put them in a weaker position.

It was indeed a bit hypocritical of the Straw Hats to preach freedom while noting they might deny their new friends the chance to come with them. However a big piece of their philosophy is also being strong enough to claim your freedom, which we also see here. They make it clear that if the supervillains want to come to Gaia, they first have to prove they are strong enough to survive there.

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Jonas

Glad to know the supervillains' thoughts on the reveal came out nice! And yeah, more on the Joker here ;-)

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Evil Reviewer

Yes, it will be hit and miss if the Royal Flush Gang actually joins on . . .

Your move! (Lightning dramatically flashes)

If I was following that series it would have a bigger impact, but yes very encouraging to be sure!

As I do not fully know the details of that fic, I am bulletproof!

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Zorosavage21

True, Luffy and several of his crew could arguably be considered too insane to be vulnerable to Ace's mental powers. However she was also able to subject Joker to the full brunt of her powers, and put the guy into a coma which lasted even after she left.

Very much enjoyed the list of all the times Robin has been so grisly though :-)

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Doraemax

How the Justice League "got played" examined more next chapter.

LOL careful, or you will have me giving Zoro three lightsabers! :-D

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Guest (please choose a name/nickname next time)

That is perfectly correct, the Straw Hats, especially with their new allies, would indeed best the Justice League. Right now at least. Except the heroes are growing stronger in turn now . . .

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Zorosavage21

I am also a follower of Shinjoin's work, and taken some inspiration from it. But, and you can see more in a one-shot I did of it, I think it more likely that during the timeskip Robin started learning the basics of the Dragon Claw from the Revolutionaries.

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

YCG

A possible Legion of Doom will be addressed indeed, although the villains will be wary of one for a while now after the fiasco with Joker.

The villains allied with the Straw Hats know that if they asked, Luffy would probably blurt out all the answers they need. However they are also a bit skittish after his reaction to Blackbeard's name, and respect that their bosses have secrets. In the underworld, you learn when not to pry.

Oh yes, the Justice League definitely noticed the level of power Luffy has!

Great to hear the action went over so well!

Nice observations for Amazo, although I would say he does at the very least learn new skills quickly. Like how to be a proper telepath, or use a Green Lantern Ring. So debatable how much skill he can adapt in.

Those are indeed sensible Grand Line Rules!

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Clownazn

To be more specific, no one from the Straw Hat's world will be showing up any time soon. It would make the One Piece characters dominate the DCAU too much.

Glad to hear you liked it so much! :-)

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Guest (please choose a name/nickname next time)

Sorry for the long waits, but I have a lot going on in real life, and working on my other stories.

Appreciate hearing all my research paid off! :-)

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Anime fan 1

Awesome to hear how much you love this story! Will consider if I can fit in Lyle Bolton somewhere.

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Anonymous

Great to hear how much you like this, and no worries, Amazo is coming soon! ;-D

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Guest (please choose a name/nickname next time)

I did not want to pick sides between One Piece nor the Justice Leagues because I wanted a balanced story without much bashing. No mistake, sometimes one universe dominating the other can be entertaining, but generally it does not come out as well.

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Guest (please choose a name/nickname next time)

I freely admit my portrayal of Luffy of Luffy in chapter 9 was stretching his portrayal a bunch. In fact, what you are reading is the revised version of an even more implausible version! However I felt it important to show Luffy for once being forced to see the consequences of his actions.

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Imperatia

Awesome to hear how much you enjoy this story! :-D

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Guest (please choose a name/nickname next time)

Yeah, Zoro is getting bored just sitting around ;-)

Also appreciate hearing those fight scenes worked out so well :-)

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

StoneTheLoner

There will generally be large gaps between chapters due to stuff going on in real life for me, but also because I have a bunch of other ongoing stories. But yes, going for epic length at this rate . . .

Soon, very soon for Zoro's time ;-) Part of the problem though, is that frankly he is so scarily powerful that there are not many who can really give him a decent fight.

As for him and Shining Knight, yes there will be a bit of a Hawkeye vibe to their relationship, but Sir Justin has to do a lot more to earn Zoro's regard. Also not currently looking to train up a swordsman to defeat him.

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Guest (please choose a name/nickname next time)

Hmm, definitely a tempting idea to re-do that scene from Fishman Island, and Luffy and Co. coming to the rescue but claiming to not be heroes . . .

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Guest (please choose a name/nickname next time)

Yes, Sanji is probably going to use his Raid Suit eventually. Except for now he has no real need for it.

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

.

Guest (please choose a name/nickname next time)

As this takes place post-Wholecake Island, yes Nami has Zeus with her. The cloud, not the god. But I can totally see her making the god into her happy slave as well. :-P

Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D

Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D

-0-0-0-

Justice

-0-0-0-

Chapter 16: Injustice for All, Part 6

-0-0-0-

Previously:

The Justice League defeated the Injustice League, but unfortunately Joker, Luthor, Mister Freeze, Aresia, Star Sapphire, Tsukuri, and Giganta escaped. Joker also robbed and murdered the villain Shade in the process.

Meanwhile, the Straw Hats revealed they were from another world, although the criminals allied with them (and the Justice League) have all made the assumption the pirates are aliens from a world in this universe. Those supervillains also learnt that the Straw Hats were planning to return home, except straight into a war. Harley also talked with Luffy and Zoro a bit about her issues with the Joker and personal development.

-0-0-0-

This chapter is an AU of a DCAU episode by the same name.

-0-0-0-

November 8

Somewhere in America

"So," Lex mildly said as he piloted the stolen, military stealth jet. "Mind telling me what this was really all about?"

"Oh, what tipped you off, Lexy?" Joker tried to croon through his ruined face.

"You got sloppy," was the simple retort. In truth however, it was only the madman's exit which made him put the clues together. Particularly how the whole base was set to self-destruct like that, and on such a short timer for that matter, along with a certain stick Joker was now carrying. Anger would not serve him here though, so he maintained his professional, cool demeanor of a successful billionaire.

"This was never simply about forming your own supervillain team, it was about stealing all their abilities for yourself," he calmly said, with a gesture at Shade's Nightstick. "You've got that now, and I'll bet you had surveillance in all the labs and workshops to learn as much as you could of their secrets. Once you had that, you'd lure the Straw Hats to the base with the threat the team posed, and blow us all up."

Scarecrow's Fear Toxin for one. Mister Freeze's advanced cryogenics and cybernetics. Deadshot had needed Joker's facilities to make a new pair of his custom built, highly specialized, and effective signature wrist guns. Doubtless Joker had gotten off with samples of Parasite, and scans of him while feeding off the prisoners all those times. In his place, Lex would be doing the same for Star Sapphire's ability, especially given how similar it was to Green Lantern's.

People dismissed Joker for having no powers? Hah! In some ways he had become the Injustice League!

"Ah Lexy, you're thinking too small," chided Joker. "Honestly, Plan A really was what I told you about. If I was really planning what you're accusing, why'd I save you?"

Luthor paused.

"Y'see, this really was my way of getting together the best of the best to do in the pirates and heroes, if not for Shade's utter stupidity ruining it for us all. If, however, Aresia refused to be . . . properly motivated, then what you're suggesting was one of several alternatives. Regardless, right then I needed to get out of there with the crooks I could grab who showed the most promise. Except of course that left only you."

"Flattery will get you nowhere," was the steely retort. He's got Aresia's notes as well, he knew. She was holding back, and there are enough discrepancies to make me wonder if magic was involved. Despite that, I'll bet there was still enough there for him to improve his Joker Venom. Plus samples from her and the other Amazons, and that Giganta. Maybe even Grodd's telepathic brain. Even if he only gets the chemical and technological stuff working for himself, he'll be much more of a threat.

There was a gun concealed under the dashboard which Lex was highly tempted to use. One shot to the head, and the threat Joker posed to the world —and one particularly brilliant billionaire— was no more. Less than an hour ago, he probably would have fired it already.

However . . .

"You want us to remain allies," he stated with a hint of incredulity.

"I need my revenge," rasped Joker. "And I will have it. On Mister Kuroashi, and my dear sweet Harleen, and all their new little friends." A whisper of a chuckle forced its way out of his throat and past his damaged lips.

Grimacing, Lex looked away. That gun was looking more and more tempting.

"Besides," Joker went on, "I'd say tonight was very informative.

Deigning a glance at the mad clown, "What're you talked about?"

"How did the Justice League win?"

". . . Luck when Shade and the others over-extended themselves. The Flash being more aggressive than before. Recruiting a new member," Lex slowly teased out. "They changed the rules of the game."

"Exactly! Next question: why?"

"You can't possibly expect me to believe that it's because of the Straw Hats!" Honestly, the obsessions of some people.

"Not directly, oh no. You'd know Stupidman better than I, and if he wasn't going to bend those rules over you, then he wouldn't for these newbies. No, no, no. It's because the pirates can't be defined by those so-called rules. They're changing the game like ripples in a pond!"

The whole thing sounded utterly ridiculous to Lex. Unfortunately he had to admit he did not have an alternative explanation. Moreover, he was becoming increasingly curious. "A chaos factor. I thought you liked that."

"Only when it's funny!" hissed Joker with poisonous hatred.

Only when you're the one doing it, mused Lex.

In a blink he composed himself. "Besides, what'd we really lose? Parasite and the rest will have a little free vacation in prison, and next time we'll be ready for them."

"We lost Aresia," scowled Lex. He had to admit she had . . . potential.

"Ah, Lexy~boy. Do you really think I didn't learn my lesson after a certain little minx ran away?" Joker fished out a small device, with a screen showing a moving red dot on a map. "I put a little microchip on her spine while she was asleep. Not as sweet as some things I have planned out to play with later, but good enough for now. I can find her or kill her as I please."

"Hmph, you'll have to deal with her on your own," decided Lex, choosing to not shoot the clown. A wildcard which continued to be aimed at the Straw Hats might be in his favour after all. Keeping both of them distracted and out of his business. Plus, he did have to admit Joker seemed to be handling things well enough.

"Heh, no worries," Joker said, eyes glowing with an inner madness —the type of madness that was truly single-minded in its obsession to the exclusion of anything else— and cheeks twitching in an attempt to smile. "Aresia will become my little Harley soon enough."

!JUSTICE!

November 9

Town near the Injustice League's former base

"No sign of them," growled Green Lantern, as he rejoined the rest of the Justice League. Coming up behind him and also disturbed, were Superman and Hawkgirl. Understandably, as Mister Freeze, Star Sapphire, and Tsukuri were in the wind, to say nothing of Joker, Luthor, and Aresia. It especially burned for Green Lantern and Superman though, blaming themselves for failing to properly secure Mister Freeze and Luthor respectively.

"We should call it quits for now," said Superman. Batman stiffened as if he was about to argue, only to be cut off. "We've been working non-stop without rest for almost twenty-four hours, and we've already done a lot these last few days. Luthor's a wanted criminal, a major band of villains have been arrested, learnt a lot more about the Straw Hats, and had our biggest fight since the Imperium. We need a break, and to take stock."

Silently Batman glanced at Green Lantern, who shook his head. "I sent the images of the Straw Hats to Oa, even the one of the new girl we got thanks to J'onn. Nothing. No records of them of any kind, nor any matches to their homeworld from the hints that they dropped."

"Just like with me," Hawkgirl said. Privately, a part of her wondered if the pirates' story was as much a lie as her own. Claiming she was an alien law enforcement officer from such a remote part of the galaxy, that neither Superman nor a Green Lantern could simply investigate where she was from and fly her home.

"At the very least we have a better idea of what their intentions are," pointed out Martian Manhunter. "Although I remain unsure of what exactly they are trying to accomplish in how to get home and become the 'pirate king.'"

"Some of what we know they stole could be used to make a spaceship or, in theory, a portal to another world," acknowledged Batman. "Except there are inconsistencies. Even if they stole unrelated items to sell or hide their intentions."

He left unsaid some additional information he had received only a few minutes ago, which he wanted to review himself before presenting it to the others. The street-level vigilante known only (so far) as the Question, was the one to originally tip them off that Volcana was at that mall, and just sent a more detailed report a little while ago. Although the very fact the man had known what number to dial to reach the Watchtower's supposedly discrete alert hotline, automatically made the man someone to investigate. Personally, he seemed a bit too tightly wound —which Batman was self-aware enough to admit was saying something— and there were various pieces of speculation in the report which sounded more like conspiracy theories. Despite this however, while Question had been unable to overhear everything during Luffy's fight with Parasite, he had memorized everything he was sure of, and one particular point caught his attention. Luffy had said, "Haven't fought someone I couldn't let touch me since crocodile."

From what Batman and League had already speculated, and Luffy had admitted to, the Straw Hats were more humanoid aliens. So why the reference to an Earth based animal? Or was it somebody whose name simply sounded like "Crocodile," and it was all a coincidence? Similar to 'Apokolips,' and several of the names found there? Plus far too many other questions, like what precisely he meant by "pirate king," "celestial dragon," and a few other odd points.

"Bats, like Supes said, give it a rest," cut in Flash, getting up in Batman's personal space with an easy-going grin. "Just for a few hours even. 'Sides, sun's rising in Central City soon, and I gotta get to work!"

A glare made the man back up. Nonetheless, while he remained as stiff as ever, the Dark Knight relented. "We'll debrief later," he said. "Go over the mission and what else we've learnt." Struggling for a moment, he added to Flash, "Good job with Joker." Then before the man got a swelled head, "Next time do better at securing him."

"And next time don't go in like a lone wolf like that!" Hawkgirl snapped. "Yeah, I said it. J'onn would've done better for the infiltration, or could've gone along with you!"

Stepping in between them, Superman firmly yet gently said, "We can discuss this later." With a huff, Hawkgirl nodded, while Batman remained silent. Privately, Superman agreed with her, but also knew his friend had intended to prove his worth, despite lacking powers. Nonetheless, this needed to be handled diplomatically, encouraging Bruce on how valued he was, without being accused of being patronizing. Thankfully, he knew Alfred would be of help.

While Superman was thinking this, Batman already knew the Boy Scout would be dropping by later to try and reassure him everything was alright. Well too bad. While everyone else was relaxing, and Superman was bugging him, he would be doing what needed to be done. Responsibilities like checking in with Batgirl and Robin on how the ongoing gang wars in Gotham were going; figuring out where he could help with said gang wars in just a few hours before getting some sleep; check in on how Mary Dahl's treatments at Wayne Enterprises were going; start planning how he was going to track Freeze and Joker, especially Joker, when they inevitably returned home to his city; compile a list of locations where Aresia could find more of the exotic ingredients she used last time, while cross-referencing for recent similar robberies; and two dozen similarly vital tasks.

Sleep was overrated anyway.

"Hey, yeah, mistakes were made," said Flash. "What matters is nobody died, we're all going to learn from this, and we did our jobs as heroes. Nobody's perfect, but despite some bumps we still did pretty well as team here, and we'll do better next time, right?"

"Right," Wonder Woman firmly said.

"Indeed," agreed Shining Knight, with Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter also affirming.

With a huff, Hawkgirl nodded with a grimace. "Sorry," she said. "Just frustrated over Aresia."

"We'll find her," Batman replied, and everyone knew the "we" and the implicit reference to acting as a team, was the closest they would get to an apology in turn. While it irritated her, she accepted it. So long as he went on to admit his mistakes at the debriefing later.

"Well, now that that's settled with," and everyone glanced a little nervously at the cold fury in Wonder Woman's voice, "Hawkgirl and I have other business to attend to."

!JUSTICE!

Straw Hat Base

"Hey, Usopp, you got a minute?"

The sniper in question glanced up from a slingshot explosive he was tinkering with, to see Volcana sauntering over. "Sure. What's up?"

"Well, it's something else from what Superman said."

"Uh huh?"

She paused as she thought over her words. "He was right about one thing," she slowly said watching him closely, "about how we've been changing since we've met you people."

To her surprise, it was his very lack of reaction which was so telling. "You know!"

With a deep, put-upon sigh, Usopp nodded and glanced away for a moment. "I wasn't always a brave warrior of the sea. To be honest, I was a complete coward and liar. But then I met Luffy." He started fiddling with the highly-volatile explosive as he continued. "The thing is, the people he cares about, he believes in them so much, you find yourself doing whatever you can to do better and live up to those expectations. Changing yourself, so you can prove to him he was right. Except, at the same time, you don't really change. It's like he can see the real you deep underneath everything life's thrown at you, the part of you which's almost like your inner child still, with great Dreams you want, you need, to accomplish. That's the part you have to bring up, and with him having such faith in you, it almost seems easy."

Now looking at her head-on, he finished, "And you know he believes in you. That you'll achieve your Dream."

A shiver went up and down Volcana's spine, and she licked her lips. "What did you have to go through before you realized this?"

"Uhhh," now he looked awkward as he scratched his head. "Well, not until, well, these guys were going to kill me . . . . Ahhh, you see . . . we kind of picked a fight . . . oh no, they picked a fight with us. Anyways, there were a lot more than me and stronger . . . . And usually I'd run, because why fight a losing battle . . ." he trailed off again, until coldly saying, "But then they insulted Luffy's Dream." The look in his eyes made a shiver run down her spine. He seemed to be living that moment when those fools dared insult his Captain's Dream. After a pause, he continued casually, as if his face had not been a rictus of fury a second ago, "And I couldn't let it stand. Didn't really sink in until after . . . I made a big mistake." She hesitated, caught between her curiosity, and respecting how this was obviously a very sore subject for him.

"I . . . left my nakama for a while. Let my emotions blind me . . . and it nearly cost me everything."

"I see," they pyrokinetic softly said, even as she wondered just how much went unsaid there. "Thanks for sharing."

"Don't mention it. No seriously, don't."

"Of course."

Again though, with the mention of Luffy's Dream.

She remembered the sparkle in Luffy's eyes when he announced, "That's right! I'm going to find the One Piece and become the Pirate King!" Those words had impacted everyone around them, making him swell with something she could not describe.

"What about Luffy? I know you guys don't want to talk much about your own world, it's just that, what exactly does he mean by being the Pirate King? Why does he want to be the Pirate King? No, before that, what does it mean to be the Pirate King?" She thought that maybe Superman's idea about a language issue was the likely explanation.

She didn't wait for an answer as she continued. "How does being the King of Pirates mean being free? Why are people fighting a war over it to the point you're afraid to bring us back with you?" For all that she had said nothing when it was brought up at the mall, she had been as confused as Maureen and Superman when Luffy mentioned that. Alright, maybe her silence had been from said confusion.

"It's a long story . . . . Okay, so there's this huge treasure called The One Piece, no one even knows how huge is it, and there are myths and legends about it, but the only thing we really know is that it's real, and was hidden away by the first and only Pirate King, Gold Roger."

"So it's a treasure and title if you find it?"

"It isn't exactly about the treasure, only finding it. Maybe. Y'see, hardly anybody left really knows. There was this person that knew a lot, and I mean a lot, 'cause he was the one of the ones who hid the treasure . . . and when I asked him for information, even to see if it was really real . . . well, Luffy was furious with me . . . . Like really angry," he said lamely. "Only other time I'd seen him that angry was when some of us were really hurt. For others, it's about the wealth and fame, while for him, it's about the journey, I think."

She shook her head in frustration. She did not really understand. Maybe because they were from another world, with different values and—? No, that was not it. Nami was at least normal, she could understand her obsession over money, and . . . it was probable the Straw Hats really were as crazy as the rest of the crooks here. Or possibly Volcana was the crazy one really, trying to understand the walking paradox called 'Luffy.'

She shouldn't have asked.

Nor did it change her decision to stay.

Blatantly changing the subject, Usopp said, "Where's Maureen?"

"Getting some sleep still. It was a pretty long and hectic day yesterday."

"Hah! Sure sounded like it!"

"You're not upset?" Volcana asked with some confusion. "I thought we were trying to lay low? Instead we've had a bunch of incidents with heroes in the last few weeks."

"Oh, yes. In practice though, despite how Nami acts, we weren't really getting our hopes up too much. It was only a matter of time." He sighed in resignation, "With this bunch, nothing ever goes as planned, and Luffy's a walking chaos magnet. If anything, it's a good thing we've got stuff to keep us, though mainly him and Zoro, occupied a little. Especially since nothing's been traced back to our hideout."

"Ah, I see." A part of her recognized she would have been more concerned about such a flippant attitude when she first joined up. Then she remembered something. "By the way, do you know where Harley and Ivy went? I haven't seen them since training."

"Oh, they had a job they were talking to Robin about earlier."

!JUSTICE!

Metropolis

It was nighttime when Mercy Graves, newly instated CEO of LexCorp, steeled herself and sat down for the first time behind the desk in her expansive new office.

She was confident that given enough time she would stop thinking of it as Mr. Luthor's.

All those years of loyal service to him, showing her gratitude for him taking her off the streets by doing all those dirty jobs, had finally paid off in spades. Out of all the people in the world, when all his dreams collapsed and he was sent to prison, it was Mercy he had left in charge of his precious company. His way of saying "thank you," and showing how deep down he really did care about her.

As the only other person aware of some of Luthor's emergency passcodes, as another display of trust and probably preparation for this day, it had been easy for her to put into place new passwords. With complete control over the computer systems, she could now do whatever she wanted. But where to start? How was she going to run this company? Well, she would definitely start with getting rid of all those projects to kill Superman.

"Well, well, somebody's moved up in the world, eh?"

Mercy flinched in surprise, especially when she realized she knew and hated the owner of that overly-chirpy voice.

Snapping upright she vaulted over the front of the desk for more room. Facing the now-open balcony doors, she raised her fists for her rematch against Joker's pet, only to pause at the sight before her eyes.

Harley Quinn had gone from jester to pirate.

A loose white shirt which displayed a generous amount of her cleavage, with a type of corset right under her breasts. The corset had wide black and red vertical bars, and two horizontal belts, which made it as ridiculous as it was eye-catching, even ignoring how her belly was totally exposed. The loose sleeves ended at her elbows, although she had a tough looking red glove on her right arm, and black on her left, both reaching mid-forearm. Her skirt was short and also provocative, split so it red on the right again, and black on the left. Leggings with vertical black and red lines on the right, while black and white on the left, ending in short leather boots with (guess which colours) red and black accents.

Her typical face make-up and mask were there, with blonde ponytails up and visible even under a red bandana with a classical white, skull and crossbones on it.

Drawn and resting horizontally across her shoulders, with both hands on the overly long handle, was a hammer. Instead of her typical, oversized gag hammer, which she was admittedly skilled with, the head was an actual war hammer. About twice the size of a sledgehammer, and sleek as one end was shaped more like a cone, it was perfectly functional and dangerous. On her hip was a gun-belt, except it resembled a stereotypical cowboy one. The gun was larger than normal, dark-green and with a texture which seemed more like wood than metal, while the ammunition loops held bullets about as long as her finger; overall it reminded her more of a flare-gun.

Yet through it all, it was the knowing smirk on the ditzy clow—pirate's face which made Mercy sweat.

Even worse was the sight of Poison Ivy in her traditional outfit, hand resting on one hip, and a cool grin. Given her presence and law enforcement reports Luthor had received, and that new outfit . . .

"Let me guess," sneered Mercy, while shamefully hoping Superman showed up. "Your little pirate friends want LexCorp now that Luthor's out of the picture. Bet you volunteered for another crack at me!" The last time they had fought during Luthor and Joker's doomed alliance, would have ended in a draw if Mercy had not heard Harley collapse afterwards. Plus, she had spent the time since then honing her skills. Unfortunately, she was unarmed, and there were two of them.

"Ooooh! Notta bad guess, Mercy," Harley cheerfully said, skipping into the room from the balcony, with Ivy sauntering behind. "Sorry though, you're wrong. I mean, sure, they wouldn't mind it, but too high-profile. So I convinced them to settle for denyin' your company to Baldy. He's been a bad boy, makin' friends he shouldn't."

"You mean Joker. How's he doing?" baited the former lowly chauffeur, only to grow worried at the reactions. The mixture of anger, fear, sadness, and who knows what else from the blonde proved she was insane as ever. While the flash in Ivy's eyes promised violence.

If Mercy survived this, the first thing she was doing was hiring better security. Luthor had had her as a bodyguard, so she should have one too. Scratch that, given how many times she had been hospitalized, and that this was her first day officially as CEO, she was getting a whole team.

A lock and alarm on the balcony door would be a worthwhile investments too.

"Yes," hissed out Ivy. "Still, we'll settle for making sure him and Luthor don't get his company back."

Frowning, Mercy demanded, "What're you talking about? It's my company now! He gave it to me!"

"Ah, Mercy~, Mercy~, Mercy~," crooned a new recovered Harley. "He didn't give it to you to keep, he gave it to you because when he comes back, he's expecting you to return it to him."

Mercy's heart froze. "No. No. He wouldn't! He—I mean, he—!" He would.

"He'll probably even expect you to thank him for it," Harley warmly continues, twisting the proverbial knife. "Thank him for taking back the burden that 'is chauffeur was woefully unprepared for."

That snapped the CEO out of it. "What do you know!? I can so run this company! And better than he can! Dragging us out of the hole he dug us into with all those twisted schemes of his!"

Blood roaring in her ears, she paused at shock at her own words, having voiced aloud something she had barely even dared think before.

"Glad to hear it," Harley continued to grin. "World needs more strong ladies in power."

"Like you'd know anything about that!" hissed Mercy, her growing hate making her rash. "Luthor actually said how Joker lived up to his name with you. He took a young and genius woman psychologist, right out of school getting some of the most prominent jobs, and made her into a walking joke for the world to laugh and crack about!"

Poison Ivy started to stalk forward, only for a blank faced Harley to stop her with a raised hand; that lack of expression was actually more unnerving for Mercy. Slowly, yet with growing confidence, the new pirate managed to get out, "I . . . deluded myself into seein' him as a tortured soul, cryin' out for love and acceptance. A lost, injured child tryin' to make the world laugh at his antics, with Batman determined to make life miserable for an innocent angel."

"Wow," deadpanned Mercy. "You really are insane. Who knew?"

"Oh, I know," Harley bitterly smiled. "It's only been a recent breakthrough to reach that point. Like, really recent. Sometimes I still wake up thinking he's not a homicidal madman who'd kill me for fun. Ivy has to restrain me those mornin's."

Suddenly she was all sunshine and murderous rainbow unicorns again. "'Cept then a real charmer told me I really was gettin' stronger, so I started thinkin' of other ways to do more. And then I got the idea of helpin' other people like me!"

"What?"

"Y'know, stuck in abusive relationships. Like you are."

"I—I'm not," sputtered Mercy.

"Oh please, honey, anybody can see he treats you like his dog."

Blood drained from her face as she recalled telling Superman how she was Luthor's 'dog' during that time they teamed up when Brainiac had abducted her boss. Former boss. How could Superman have told this psycho about that!?

Belatedly common sense kicked in as she realized it was only a coincidence, and that it had distracted her long enough to miss the tentacle-vines coming up behind her. "Whaa—! Let me go!" she screamed as the plants tied up her arms and legs, hoisting her up in the air.

"Relax," Harley soothingly said, adjusting her hammer onto her back. "We're just goin' to have a nice little sit down, while we talk about stuff like your feelin's. Includin' takin' back your control from a guy even though he's all strong and confident, and you think you owe him everything despite how he treats you."

She leaned in so her face and grinning smile were all Mercy could she, the very picture of cheerful innocence, and sang out, "Don't worry, Dr. Harley will make you feel all better~!"

!JUSTICE!

Unknown Location

Strapped to a metal chair, the man could feel sweat running down his face and eyepatch.

He had been a handsome man once, with even the eyepatch giving him a roguish look, however now it had been robbed from him by both terror and burn scars. All he could do was stare at the dark wall before him, while a hot light shone down on him from overheard.

"Well, Kurt," a voice suddenly spoke from behind, making him shake in his restraints. "It seems your failure and treason are now complete."

Walking around him, was a short, plump, and plain looking African-American woman. Her choice of dress was bland, and her short haircut gave her an unattractive if professional air. Her eyes were devoid of any compassion.

They knew each other from when they had both been running different metahuman projects for the government. Over the years, there had many such organizations, programs, and research divisions in play, acting under orders from the President, senators, generals, 'special interest groups,' and other such parties. Honestly, it had gotten to the point they were working cross-purpose with each other, with nobody truly knowing what was going on; the right hand ignorant of the left.

However, in the time after his group had gone rogue when funding had been cut, Kurt knew the rest had all been ruthlessly unified under one roof. Even while on the run after Superman ruined everything, he had heard rumours of the forceful retirements, demotions, and outright murder, as well as whispers of the woman who had risen to the top of the rubble.

Amanda Waller.

It figured. The woman was cold, devoid of any sense of mercy, and now with the sole exception of the Oval Office, her authority in matters regarding metahumans was absolute. Although as much as he quietly loathed her holier-than-thou attitude, he acknowledged her patriotism and loyalty was sincere.

"First," Waller continued, "you let Project: Firestorm get away. Then when you lost your funding, you got it illegally, lying to your superiors. When you found Volcana, you planned to sell her to a rogue government, one at odds with the USA, and in the process alerted Superman to the possibility of such secret projects. In the ensuing battle between you, Superman, and your escaped prisoner, they destroyed any samples or records you had of her, so we don't even have that available."

He said nothing, trying to ignore the beads of sweat running down his forehead. While no government agency was appreciative of treason, she was particularly unforgiving. For that matter, she did not look favourably upon what she perceived as incompetency, even if you actually were loyal. The only thing that could save him was if—

"And now we've just gotten confirmation that she's joined up with the Straw Hat Pirates. Criminals who are causing millions in damage, including a massive crisis in Gotham, who would be labeled as terrorists if not for their apparent lack of political agenda, and who continue to highlight our government's failure to locate and apprehend such people! Even better, according to our new reports, she's gotten stronger than before, when in the past she was already tough enough to put up a fight for the likes of Superman and Supergirl!" She leaned in. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Kurt could only try and swallow with a dry throat. Even before Waller's agents found him, he had seen the news reports of the strange new gang who had even the Justice League, who had Superman, concerned. A gang which now included her of all people.

He tried to speak, yet nothing came out until he slumped over in defeat. There was nothing more he could give.

His single eye closed, he never saw that signal, and barely had time to register the large, rough hands grabbing his head from behind where he had sworn nobody was, just as his neck snapped.

!JUSTICE!

Themyscira

The island nation of Themyscira was in turmoil as its warrior woman rushed around in a frenzy with drawn blades. This was a state they had found themselves in more times in the last few months than the last few centuries.

Like last time though, the cause was internal, and caused by Aresia. The relief guards had arrived at the isolated prison, only to find her missing, along with the sisters watching over her. Their weapons and armour dumped behind. As near as the Amazons could tell, they had disappeared days ago, with no sign of them on land.

"My Queen, are you sure of this?" asked Antiope.

"I am," Queen Hippolyta firmly said, readying her personal pegasus. "Man's World and the Justice League must be warned of Aresia's escape. As she is our responsibility, I and your squad will be part of the hunt for her."

"And what will you do when you find her?" Antiope pressed with as much respect as she could manage.

Hippolyta's hands paused over the riding harness. She was saved from answering by a distinct and unfamiliar sound roaring through the air. Philipus ran over, "Your Majesty, something is flying towards the island!"

Hurrying to a higher vantage point, Hippolyta recognized it as a Justice League 'Javelin,' coming at an approach that made it more visible. As one, the Amazons knew that one way or another, things were about to come to a head regarding Aresia.

The aircraft did not choose to land on any of the flat open spaces in the city like before, instead choosing to land at the beach in shallow water. While some of her sisters murmured their curiosity at the odd choice, with a sinking heart Queen Hippolyta knew the reason all too well.

The ramp lowered, and bless the Gods, Alkyone and the others filed down it. They were wearing what looked like snug men's trousers, and shirts of some kind, similar enough in design to what those airbase female soldiers had worn. What was surprising was how none of Hippolyta's sisters would look at her, turning their faces away in shame. While they appeared uninjured, there was a tiredness and gauntness to their faces which told that their trials had been harsh indeed.

Concern rising, she opened her mouth to demand what had happened, when someone else appeared at the entrance. It took Hippolyta a shameful heartbeat to recognize her, and her blood ran cold.

Someone had tried very hard to kill her beautiful, fierce, and strong daughter. Her Sun and Stars.

Almost every scrap of visible skin was mottled with purple or yellow bruises. The rest was covered with wraps and bandages of Man's World, some of it even visibly going under her armour. Her right arm was in a sling, and between the way she held herself, and some of the items on both sides, it was clear several ribs had been at least fractured. The covering on her nose meant it had been broken, with her face swollen and swathed with even more wraps. Despite this, the one eye not swollen shut, filled with a burning spirit they all knew so well, hailed her as Princess Diana of the Amazons.

The queen's breath caught in her throat as she met the gaze which seemed to pierce straight through her, only for Diana to look away. For a moment she quailed at the dismissal, only to realize it was to look at the others, and she understood what was happening. Finding her voice, Hippolyta assured, "The invaders hurt no one else."

Relief flickered in Diana's eyes for a moment, and knowing her people were safe lifted the slightest tension from her shoulders.

Oh, Hera, what a Queen she would have made!

The thought also reminded her of another duty she had to address, particularly as she heard some murmuring and shuffling from behind her, as the warriors remembered a cruel truth. Visibly looking down at the bottom of the ramp which remained in the water, Hippolyta said in a voice she knew would carry to the rest of the Amazons, "The Gods decreed you were to never again set foot upon Themyscira. I pray they will respect this technicality."

Even if she had been banished for bringing men to Themyscira in order to save the inhabitants, and prevent Hades himself from escaping his imprisonment from Tartarus.

"I'll take my chances," Diana bit out. Her expression softened momentarily. "It is good to see you, mother." Before Hippolyta could voice her own relief, the visible face hardened, "Now please explain what happened here."

Fortunately Hippolyta was used to such defiance from her daughter. "We discovered hours ago that Aresia and her guards were missing. From what signs we could find, we knew it was days ago, and they were gone from the island. I was about to set out to warn you, and help find them myself."

"Alkyone warned us they might not know," said Hawkgirl as she stepped forward beside Diana. Well, at least she was not trying to sneak into Themyscira like last time, even if it had been to uncover the possibility of a rogue Amazon. Given the current circumstances revolving around a confirmed rogue, the irony would be almost amusing in different circumstances.

"Daughter, the men who invaded our island, and Aresia, what happened to them?"

"One escaped, two are in prison along with others, and Aresia escaped as well."

"Those two men should be brought here to face judgment!" demanded Artemis, only for Hippolyta to raise a hand.

Her attempt at diplomacy failed miserably as Diana hissed, "The Amazons are in no position to make such demands, not after we've dishonoured ourselves! Our Queen swore upon the Gods that Aresia would remain imprisoned for the rest of her immortal life, or until she repented what she had committed!

"Except bare weeks after that promise, the most dangerous woman in the world is free! In mere hours, Aresia killed thousands upon thousands of people! More than the entire Amazonian population. What reason does Man's World have to trust us now!? Trust the Justice League!?"

"Or trust you," Hippolyta said, doing nothing to hide the pain in her voice. She took the briefest breath to settle herself, confident only the sharp-eyed heroes would notice, and said, "Then as we lend our aid in finding Aresia—"

"No."

That single word snaps like a whip, and far beyond how her Sun and Stars had ever before addressed her mother and sovereign.

"The rest of the Amazons will stay away from her," Diana thundered on. "They, we, have hurt her, failed her, and done nothing more than continue to do everything wrong with her!"

"Hurt her!?" cried one sister. "We raised her!"

"Yeah," Hawkgirl derisively said. "Raised her to hate men, and when she acted upon that, she was slapped down for it." Shock at the sheer audacity of the winged woman silenced the Amazons, letting her get out, "Queen Hippolyta, have you told the others yet about the ship's captain? The man who saved Aresia's life when they both washed ashore on Themyscira, at the cost of his own life?"

Ripples of shock echoed through the crowd, and ashamed, Hippolyta bowed her head. "No. No, I have not. I was ashamed of my actions, and put it off. Trying to find the right moment, when things had . . . settled."

Because she knew that her own failures aside, trying to make her people acknowledge a man's heroism would be forcing her people to confront a contradiction in their civilization's way of life. A contradiction she was guiltily aware she had been hiding from, and for some time now. If she succeeded in making her people accept the possibility they were wrong, at least in accepting that not all men were bad (she knew many of them already struggled to accept how male heroes had helped defeat both Faust and Hades), it would pitch their civilization into its first major period of discord in centuries. An inevitable upheaval which Hippolyta was unsure she should cause when Aresia's crimes still lay heavily on their minds . . . or if it was actually the best time to do so.

Well, too late now. Pandora's Box was open once more.

Snapping her gaze up to Diana, she forcefully said, "Yet you bare none of the guilt, Diana. You grew up here as a child alongside her."

"I grew up amongst all the lies, and didn't care to notice them," was the harsh answer.

"'Lies'!?" cried Orana. "Princess, what have these," she gritted her teeth, before spitting, "people been pouring into your ears!?"

"And what, Orana, do you know about them?" demanded Diana.

"They're men, and they—!"

"When was the last time you met a man!?" snapped Diana. "When was the last time any of you met any men!? The answer is Faust, who deserved his fate, while it was four others who came to save us all! There are evil men, that is true, but there are more good ones. You can't judge them all by a rotten few. Superman and J'onn may be aliens, but Flash and Batman are just as much men as any other! Those are the men you should consider given how it has been thousands of years since you saw any! This world has changed, while none of you have!"

The crowd was shifting as some of those warriors began to back up as their beloved princess and fiercest warrior raged at them.

"Then Aresia washes up on our shores as a child, having lost everyone she loved and suffering, and what do we do!? Whisper words of hatred towards men in her ears, while telling her the Amazons stand for peace and love! So instead of healing her, we gave her pain a target for her to lash out at, and now she's personally responsible for more deaths than any mortal alive! Do you even understand how many women she killed while lashing out!? Don't you understand that instead of saving her, you've placed a death sentence upon her!?"

Silence rang.

After over a minute of stunned silence, waiting to hear if any of the others would speak up, Hippolyta knew . . . no. No, she did not know what she was to do. All she could manage was, "We hear you Diana, I hear you. I'm just not sure yet what to do."

Openly now she sucked in a deep breath, and attempted a less controversial topic. "For now, would you indulge your mother and tell me who injured you?"

Emotions warred over what was visible of the princess' face, before relenting. "His name was Parasite, one of the three who invaded here. He stole the strength and skills of Alkyone and the rest for himself."

"Hera," whispered Hippolyta. "Was he then as strong as five Amazonians together?"

"Darn right," smirked Hawkgirl. "Still didn't do him any good."

"Incredible," gasped Antiope. "And you did it all on your own?"

Gingerly shaking her head, Diana said, "No. I fought him to a standstill for a while, but he was overpowering me just as my friends arrived. My male friends, and Hawkgirl here."

"What?" teased Hawkgirl. "I'm not a friend?"

"Of course you are," smirked Diana back. Becoming more serious, she looked back at the Amazons. "Alkyone has my and Hawkgirl's reports on what happened. They may be missing some details, yet the main stuff's there." Dutifully, the woman held up a bundle of papers, still not meeting her queen's eyes.

"From what you've mentioned, Aresia's definitely escaped then?"

"Yes. Along with her old crew, and a new recruit we don't know much about."

Sighing, Hippolyta had to ask, for appearances if nothing else, "Is there any chance of Aresia being returned to our custody?"

"Sorry," and Hawkgirl's mouth quirked, "Themyscira has no extradition treaties with the other countries." While the term was new, the meaning was quite clear.

Truly this conversation was becoming the most emotional and simultaneously draining Hippolyta could recall. Moreover, she knew with a touch of dread it was certainly not over.

Marshalling herself, Hippolyta simply asked, "What happens now?"

"Good question," said Hawkgirl, stepping forward of Diana. "For better or for worse, Themyscira is part of the rest of the world again. And before any of you start pointing blame, Faust found you all on his own, and if it weren't for Diana leaving, she'd still be a statue like you lot."

"If she were fortunate," Hippolyta grimly agreed. Hades would have either been particularly pitiless and sadistic in torturing her daughter. Or arguably worse, he would have sought to corrupt her.

"Agreed," continued Hawkgirl. "Except since then, an Amazon made a major terrorist attack against the world, but was allowed to be put into Amazonian custody as opposed to being tried before the world courts, due to certain promises made. Promises which have now been broken. What are you going to do about it?"

Having ruled as an absolute monarch for millennia, Hippolyta had to squash down embers of rage at that presumptuous attitude from someone not her daughter. Moreover, while she heard angry rumbles from her sisters, she could also hear the shame in the more clear-headed ones. Because unfortunately, it was the truth being aired. Given Hawkgirl's interactions with the Amazons last time, and how this threat had reared its head again, her insulting manner was even understandable. Somewhat. Nonetheless, there were expectations to uphold. "I suppose you have some recommendations?" she tested.

"No, that's your job as Queen, mother," Diana firmly said. "But whatever happens, the world knows about us now. Regardless of our feelings, we cannot stay isolated any longer. Not without killing every man who washes ashore, and that will end in our ruin."

For a terrible moment, Hippolyta feared what role her daughter would play in that "ruin."

"Darn right," said her teammate.

"Very well, then as Queen of the Amazons, I name Princess Diana as our official representative to Man's World."

This at least surprised her daughter, whose jaw dropped even. Hawkgirl blinked, before turning to lightly pat her on the shoulder. "Congratulations, ambassador."

"I," Diana stopped herself to rearrange her thoughts. "If that is your will, mother."

"It is," smiled Hippolyta. "In truth, it is something I'd been considering since we last met. I'm not sure if we're ready yet for an 'ambassador' from Man's World in turn, or what else we will have to do, but this seems like the proper first step."

"You might start getting used to accepting it's not just Man's World out there," Hawkgirl bluntly said, only for Diana to lightly elbow the other woman.

"I will think of ideas for others coming here, mother. Do you have any other requests?"

"That depends. What is the current plan for tracking down Arsesia?"

The heroes exchanged a glance. "Nothing specific yet," admitted Diana. "The League's going to reconvene on the Watchtower in a few hours, and in the meantime, we're waiting to hear back from government officials."

"In that case, for now, extend our humblest apologies, and update me as you can."

"Understood," Diana bowed her head, "Your Majesty."

It hurt Hippolyta more than she anticipated, to hear such formal words.

Putting it aside for future meditation —along with everything else about this conversation— she turned back to the rest of her subjects. "There's no need for us to all stand around and stare," she gently ordered. "And Alkyone and the rest need to get to the healers."

With a jerk, her sisters got moving. From the looks in their eyes, Hippolyta was pleased to see they remained in the grips of lingering shock. Good. Hopefully many of them would be doing some deep introspection tonight. Maybe not as many as she wished, but it was a good start.

"Your majesty," someone interjected, and Hippolyta saw it was Alkyone. "May I have a word in private? About your daughter?"

With a gesture, the others gave space around them, and Alkyone leaned in to whisper in her ear.

Frowning, Hippolyta nodded. Looking back at the flying craft, "Diana, I need to talk to you alone. About something other than the Amazons, or Aresia."

Her visible eyebrow furrowing in concern, Diana nodded. Hawkgirl left the ramp to give them space, and mother and daughter went inside their transport. The alien was planning to entertain herself by telling the remaining Amazons the story of how Parasite got kicked in the balls.

After closing the door, Diana turned to silently wait.

"Alkyone tells me," Hippolyta said without preamble, "that you mentioned invoking the blessing of Hera to give you strength in battle with this Parasite."

"Yes, mother. I know you warned me about doing it, except there's been no trouble so far. I started it with the Imperium when the League first came together, and—"

"Diana! I failed you in properly explaining it before, so I will try and do better now. The Gods are well deserving of our worship, especially given this paradise they have provided us. However, bringing their attention to mortal affairs is not something you should invite upon yourself! You already tread a dangerous and chaotic path, and further intervention and interest by the Gods may not go as you hope."

Seeing the look in her mother's eyes, Diana remembered how her mother had once dated Hades of all people —a thought she generally repressed for all manner of reasons!

"I understand. I won't do it again if possible," she softly promised.

"That relieves me more than you can know."

!JUSTICE!

Watchtower

"So, first order of business," declared Superman as the members of the Justice League sat down at the table. "A certain bet, I believe? About why certain pirates are staying out of Gotham?" he smirked knowingly. Chuckles and groans circled the table, while Batman glared daggers at the unrepentant alien. In a red blur, Flash deposited a gift card before him. "Thanks."

"No problem. Worth it though to hear how Luffy thinks Batman's a peeping-tom pervert!" guffawed Flash.

"Of course," Batman silkily said. "I do have to spy on people."

Flash's laughter was nervously cut off at the quiet threat, and killed everyone else's sense of humour, Batman let it drop with a subtle air of smug satisfaction. Still got it. Alright, maybe Kent was right that he did not have anything to prove.

Cutting off any further discussion, he addressed Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl. "Government officials and the United Nations want to keep news of Aresia's escape quiet. They are concerned about a mass panic, and are hoping to find her before she does anything."

Frowning, Wonder Woman still nodded. "Personally, I don't agree with such a position, but I admit it'll make it easier for me as Ambassador of the Amazons."

"Wait, Ambassador?"

"Didn't I mention—?" she began, only for the others to break out into applause. Even Batman politely clapped, even if he was already planning on lecturing her about keeping that job separate from being a Leaguer.

"Congratulations!"

"No one better!"

"Yes, you'll do very well."

"It's about time!"

Embarrassed, she waved a hand to settle them down. Coughing into her fist, she got them back on track by asking, "So I presume we'll have full government support for our efforts in locating her?"

Still happy for his friend despite the grim topic, J'onn nodded, "Of course."

"It's a gamble," commented Green Lantern. "If she does something before we find her, and it gets out we didn't warn anybody, we'll lose a lot of faith."

"You're worried about public image?" snapped Hawkgirl.

"Public perception of what we do is what makes it possible for us to be more than vigilantes," he angrily retorted. "And in this case, they'll say she could've been found if more people were looking for her, and worse they might be right!"

"We've got some time," soothed Flash. "She's on the run, without a lab, and we've got some pretty smart people in this room. She's as good as caught."

No one was interested in addressing the issue of what would happen after they caught her.

"Agreed," said Superman. "And regardless, this request was made by the government, and we remain accountable to them."

"Precisely," grunted Green Lantern. J'onn, Diana, Hawkgirl, and Flash gave their own gestures of ascent, while Batman remained silent.

"I've started to go through our records on the previous allergen Aresia released," said J'onn. "As well as our copies of the books she studied in Themyscira. Unfortunately, we have to assume she is working to create something brand new. Something to overcome any vaccines or other preventatives either we or Dr. Chopper devise."

"According to what the people we arrested are saying, that's precisely what Joker had her working on," warned Green Lantern.

"Yes. But it should not be easy even for her, and will hopefully buy us some more time.

They went back and forth about matters regarding Aresia and the Injustice League for about another hour or so. Only when they were satisfied with those points, did they allow themselves to address the issue that was not so . . . black and white.

"Luffy and the Straw Hats," Superman said, "are definitely unlike any other super-people I've come across. People like us, be it hero or villain, tend to be pretty straightforward. What you see, is what you get. But he doesn't care about any ideas, code, responsibility, personal pride and glory, or even money. He just wants to go home, and doesn't really care about what happens in the meantime. Or so he says."

"A disinterest in fighting for greed or ideals," noted Batman. "Although you seem skeptical."

"His actions still indicate a set of morals he follows, which is good. Some of which I can appreciate, and makes me feel we really could work with them, if not for their distrust."

"Distrust, and the fact we must act within the constraints of the law," J'onn stonily pointed out. Of course, some would argue the heroes were vigilantes if not for UN endorsement, yet they had all started out as that.

"Are they really a threat though?" demanded Wonder Woman. "Especially with Luthor, Joker, Aresia, and who knows else out there? While we know what she's after, all we know for Joker is he's not going to stop going after the Straw Hats, and we already know he doesn't care who gets hurt in the process."

"For all that he's got a set goal," Batman grimly agreed, "he's escalated his methods, becoming more unpredictable than ever. Given what happened at the mall, when Parasite was apparently acting against orders, we also have to consider that if Joker and the pirates clash again, when he's actually had the chance to bring his plans to fruition more, it'll most likely lead to even greater collateral damage, with lives lost in the process. We need to prevent that before it can happen. As for Luthor, we've no idea what he's planning, including if he's going to continue working with Joker for some sort of mutual revenge against both us and the pirates at once."

"Uh huh, no doubt about it, it's a big mess," chimed in Flash, arms folded behind his head. "All in all, the Straw Hats aren't the guys we should be worried about."

"I disagree about them not being a concern," Sir Justin flatly said. "That said, I must also say we have more serious priorities."

"We can go looking for them later," said Green Lantern, arms crossed over his chest.

"Let's be real," smirked Hawkgirl. "Guys like that will show up again. But yes, for now we got a clown, blonde, and egghead to find first."

J'onn and Batman nodded their agreement, and Superman closed the conversation. "Alright, we'll put the Straw Hats out of mind for now. Who knows, maybe they'll find a way home before we can go looking for them."

"So we just dump responsibility for them on someone else?" said Green Lantern.

"No," said Batman. "From what we've gathered, they've some sort of political system wherever they're from, as well as individuals strong enough to enforce it. They'll be fine."

"We really should find out where their world is," noted Hawkgirl. Her superiors would definitely be interested in knowing that.

"Of course."

Flash rested his chin on one hand. "Still a bummer that we kinda, sort of, y'know, shut down their legitimate businesses, forcing them to rely more on crime. I know, I know!" he waved off concerns from the others before they could voice them. "That's like excusing Luthor. It's just the fact that they're good guys except for how they're breaking the law. Doesn't excuse it, but still doesn't make it better either."

"That's unfortunately true," Superman reluctantly agreed.

"So what do you suggest we do about it?" Batman darkly asked, and everyone could hear how he was testing the speedster.

Beaming a bright smile, Flash simply answered, "Like Supes said, let's worry about the bigger problems and do our jobs. Y'know, lock up the guys who want to ruin things for everybody else, handle natural disasters, and other stuff that's about being a hero!"

!JUSTICE!

Unknown Location

Amanda Waller found herself at her desk, brainstorming on what to do next.

Despite what many of her peers might think, she was not actually opposed to the rise of metahumans. Her aggressive stance was necessary to reassure those politicians, bureaucrats, military and intelligence types, etc., who were apt to panic over being 'replaced by the superhumans' and make short-sighted decisions that would cause no end of long-term nightmares. The more rational ones she dealt with, simply conceded the importance of a steady supply of 'contingencies' in case anything untoward happened. Just in case.

So to be more accurate, Waller supported the rise of American metahumans. Loyal ones.

Unfortunately, the majority of them turned either to crime or vigilantism. Moreover, the presence of the former served to justify the latter, claiming that since the cops could not handle those with superpowers, that meant those who did have the abilities and the 'heart of a hero,' or whatever claptrap, had to fight them. Never mind that they could just join the local police force. Or that their presence actually undermined law enforcement by highlighting how they were unable to bring justice themselves.

Not that 'Justice' was really a universal possibility. She was a realist.

It was just that it was better if people did not focus on that too much. It prevented the statesmen from working to make things better for all.

But yes, Waller would be quite satisfied if people like Superman chose to just be a Metropolis cop. Or join the military to handle alien invaders, or be sent on relief work as part of a coordinated plan. As it was right now of course, she admitted he was doing a good job.

For now.

Except that incident when he had been brainwashed by Darkseid and made it abundantly clear that if he ever decided he should rule the world, there would be little to stop him. Support for her programs had skyrocketed overnight.

Her job was to even the playing field, and she would. As quickly as possible.

Obviously the military and other groups had been working for years to produce their own 'heroes' who were properly loyal to America. Or ways for Humans to stand up to the strongest of metahumans, without resorting to carpet bombing major metropolitan areas, or nukes. Unfortunately, despite the protests of several politicians cleared to know what she was doing, Waller had failed to find an acceptable long-term solution, particularly in handling alien threats, or the rescue work now expected of 'heroes.'

Although she was starting to get a few potential pieces together. Metahumans and other talented people who she would be able to use in America's interests in the not-so-distant future. After all, as the Straw Hats had proved, the Justice League did not have a monopoly on powerhouses. Or teamwork.

Starting with an alert of a sighting by Cadmus agents of Mister Freeze, she had ordered all local operatives to take him into custody while he remained just a head on spider-legs. Yes, she knew a few strings she could pull with him.

And there was that ongoing project approaching its next stage . . .

Refreshing herself on the details, Waller opened a particular folder, and gazed at the picture of a young teenage girl with black hair and empty obsidian eyes.

!JUSTICE!

Author Notes:

In response to repeated comments, Carrot is not in the DCAU with the Straw Hats, because she has not been officially recognized as one of them. Not to the degree Vivi has.

.

Harley's new outfit was inspired by i dot pinimg dot com /originals/5c/a8/f7/5ca8f7c1111c66f55ad4f6faef0f6dc3 dot jpg

Some differences of course, particularly to her head and weaponry.

.

In the DC-verse, it varies a bunch on just how well educated and talented Dr. Harleen Quinzel was at psychology. The only real consistent point is she got assigned to Arkham Asylum at relatively young age for such an important position. To say nothing of being assigned to its most dangerous patient. The question arises then if she was actually qualified for that. Some versions she seduced people to get the necessary credentials, while in others she really is that brilliant. One version I know of, she even has four PhDs. For this story, I am going with that she actually was a genius; which of course makes her fall all the more tragic.

.

Final conversation with the Justice League took inspiration from Anycents. The content was supposed to be in chapter 14, but got bumped to here.

-0-

I and other authors have been having difficulty getting PMs through email as usual. If you leave a comment on this fic and want to see my reply, check your PM folder on this site instead of email.

-0-

Hope everybody is staying safe, and isolating themselves as much as possible!

-0-

Next Chapter: 'Omake 1,' which has a few bits from me, but written mostly by some amazing readers!

If you wish to send me your own Justice omake stories or scenes for me to add to this chapter, please do so!

Just do not forget your name and title. If you need some extra time, just send me a message, and I will hold off posting the chapter :-D

-0-

Please Review, and I will get back to you!