A/N: Please forgive this lowly writer for taking so long to update. Weird (read as stupid mind numbing) things have been going on lately. But I finally saw the new JL show, JLU. And well I sorta held out until I was completely sure my favorite female hero was going to make an appearance. Though I feel I miss Flash and his sense comic relief now that they have a bunch of 'jokers' on the show now. (After HW and Flash, the Question comes as third favorite hero. I mean he was humming some knock off Brittany Spears tune while checking out a security lock and just when you think he's about to go hi-tech on us he just breaks the glass while still singing! So simple! It's genius!)

But if you're still mad at me I offer myself up for spankings. ;D

Chapter 7

He wasn't where he was supposed to be, that he knew before opening his eyes onto the darkness. He was someplace else, someplace he didn't know.

It was odd, that was the first thing that he had noticed about the still and silent air about him. It was like reality was nothing at the moment, just the feeling of surrealism, a dream where he could skate the edges of reason and logic.

But then how would he know when he never dreamed?

Had he been the type to drink he could blame it all on that, blame the drowsiness and the feeling of displacement all on the naughty booze. But he was not, ever since finding his freedom on the blue planet that neighbored his home-world he had not touched any of the small pleasures the human race indulged in called alcohol.

The memory of before was slowly returning, bringing him to peace with the growing confusion in his mind as to his whereabouts. The ones responsible for this feeling flashed before his eyes in order of power: the witch child, the minion, and the book.

Opening his eyes he was greeted by the dark. A soft sort of darkness that lingered in the early hours of morning. The random shifting of many wings adulterated the suffocating silence hovering about give knowledge that he was not alone wherever it was that he so happened to be.

The quite broke when distant humming drifted to his ears slowly announcing onto him that someone was approaching. The tune, he did not know, had a melancholy resonance flowing strongly with the emotions of whoever was humming.

The humming grew louder as the singer, female by the sounds of it, paused to open a door someplace in the dark abyss before him. Light steps upon the floorboards drew his eyes, peering vainly into the black, towards the source.

Suddenly, as if a switch had been flicked on, a candle lit without any aid of a flame silhouetting a winged figure. The one candle seemed to be a trigger as one by one candles scattered about the attic loft popped as they sparked into life.

With light to see J'onn spied Medea with her pet standing steadfast on her shoulder while she held a tray in one hand and a large bowl trapped between her right hip and arm.

She was amazingly huge, perhaps towering a good fifty feet or so above him. Taking a look around he could only conclude that either she had grown or he had shrunk, and given the scenery outdoors he felt the latter.

"Good morning, my darlings," Medea called softly bringing forth more excited rustles from above. "Breakfast time."

Sitting the tray down upon a desk she moved swiftly to the window not too far from wherever he happened to be imprisoned. Dipping her hands in and out of the bowl she tossed its contents out onto the ground and roof below.

Loud squawks ripped from the throats of the crows as they raced out the window in a large black cloud of beaks and feathers, hiding his captor from his sights for a brief moment in inky black movement.

Medea smiled at seeing her lovely murder happily picking their breakfast from the ground below, pleasing them was far easier than trying to do the same for Klarion. It was nearly impossible to keep in the good graces of chaos loving child, 'This job is too meddlesome, if I continue to get those gems and manage to get my hands on that specter, no but then-' A soft peck on her cheek brought her out of her thoughts, "Sorry Cagney, let's sit down and eat."

Picking up the tray with bowl still held firmly in her hand she approached the large Victorian style wooden dollhouse that for the time being acted as a hotel for her company.

"Morrum." She called over her shoulder, "Be a dear."

The process of shrinking from her already small height to a few inches tickled every nerve and pushed cruelly at her belly making any thoughts of digesting anything in the near future a mere dream. The harsh caws and constant shifting of the crow upon her shoulder told her just how much her friend did not like the process either.

Opening her eyes Medea found herself face to face with the passive looking Martian. She allowed the slight dizziness to pass before addressing him, "I hope that your new quarters suit your needs." She stated stepping through the opened back and into the large living room. "And I hope you like oatmeal, it's my special orange and cinnamon."

Keeping a wary eye on his captor he wondered just what she was up to. First she kidnapped him and his companions, fought against them while stealing pottery from a museum, and now she was feeding him? Her sudden act of kindness was not warranted. "What am I doing here?" He questioned following carefully after her into the house's dinning room decked out with all the accommodations of any normal eating room.

Sitting down the bowls she took her seat and began eating while her bird took her desired portions from the feeding bowl.

"I ask that you answer my question."

Her eyes locked onto him almost in wonder before she removed the spoon from her mouth and answered, "Because I…kissed you Morrum got upset and decided to punish you. We are fortunate that he only shrunk you down to the size that you are now. I could not leave you behind so I brought you back here. For the time being you are my…guest. You are free to try and leave, but the murder will not allow for you to go far, in their eyes you are a lovely green snack."

"You say that as if it has feelings." J'onn stated taking a seat before the bowl of oatmeal swirled with cinnamon.

"It…he does. The history behind that book is rather disturbing but let me just say the creator of that book, Eckgard Morrum, was a witch who literally put his heart and soul into my Morrum. In fact more or less he is it. Sadly it's the only book in existence that has the spell that Master Klarion wants."

J'onn frowned watching as a faraway look passed over her face. "What is he planning?"

"Why don't you read my mind and find out? Either way it is useless with you stuck here and your friends out there." She motioned with a slight jerk of her head.

"I can not read that but I can see you're fascinated with one of the others."

Smirking Medea stood to walk out of the dollhouse, "I should think with which one it would be obvious. But until then it is best that you sit back and relax, you might just like how this plays out." With a snap of her fingers the crow flew onto her shoulder.

He watched as she turned her back to him, either in a sign of trust that he would not dare attack her or in insult that he was not strong enough to pose a threat in her mind, he could not tell. Her mystery enraged him, her utter indifference to the situation made the muscles in his face close in together to form a slight sneer he had seen man perform in the directions of their enemies.

"As I said before your aggressions towards me is rather misplace. I merely do as I am told, so you can not truly blame the minion who is only obeying her master. Please do not think that I have any intentions of harming you while you are in my keep, I can prove rather civilized when I'm not working."


All was not well in the HQ of the heroes, their base of operations The Watchtower hovered as it always did above the Earth keeping its silent guard on all, but within the air was dense with despair and anxiety. The very walls that once witnessed playful antics exchanged among friends now echoed the hollow sighs and groans of frustration.

Sitting on the large couch with mind and body weary John looked towards the remaining female member of the team, she sat forwards with her head resting in her hands held up by her knees, her helmet sat on the table before them somewhat abandoned, it's only company the previous day's newspaper.

He could remember a time that when they were given such moments he would flirt, passing her quick pecks on her lips and cheeks while planning their next date out. But that seemed so long ago, a far distant memory back when things were better.

It was time they went back to the task at hand of trying to figure out what a child, known for his mischievous actions, was up to. "What else is missing besides those pots that they broke and stole?" He asked.

A deep breath of air escaped Shayera's mouth before she leaned backwards resting her back fully against the cushion of the couch ever mindful of her wings, "The pots were later found by the police in a mailbox about six blocks away. The report came in yesterday."

They were perplexed, what was going on from their perspective made no sense, "So why were they there? They could have just been at the museum just to vandalize the place and taunt us." John stated aloud, sharing his thoughts.

"No, they must have been after something else," Shayera reached out grabbing a bottle of water, "For all we know they probably got it and the clay pots were just a decoy." She voiced before downing a few refreshing gulps.

"Shy's right, the pots were a total decoy." A new voice joined into the conversation seconds before the figure dressed in red walked into the doorway.

"What were they a decoy for?"

Wally crossed his arms over his chest, his usual playful air failing him at the moment, "I was at the museum helping them check their inventory. It seems two gems are missing. And last night another was stolen; the surveillance cameras caught our second favorite woman with wings."

"They're after gems?"

"So far she has stolen a blue diamond, a topaz, and last night's was a sapphire. The odd thing is there were more valuable stones there for her to take."

"Was there anything important about them?"

"Nothing really. At least on a normal level, but on the occult meter we're not sure."

"I don't get it, what could they possibly do with those?" John wondered mauling over the latest tidbit of information.

"Well, given who we're dealing with, I say they have something up in that spell book of theirs." Shayera stated dryly. "But what?"

"Do you remember what the creepy brother said, with the cards and all? So far we know that what they are doing involves these gems and in the end if we don't stop them sometime soon they'll turn the world as we know it upside down."

"Well now that we know they are after gems we need to set up vigils round all the major jewel proprietors." John commanded standing onto his feet.

"And wherever there might be a valuable gem horded away, like the museums and displays?" Shayera questioned as she took hold of her helmet. It was then something caught her eye making her movements slow to a halt.

"Yeah, but how would we know which one Klarion would want next?" Flash questioned tapping his foot speedily against the ground.

John looked down upon the paper which had for some reason caught Hawk Girl's eye, for a brief second his eyes widened as he picked up the page, "How about a ruby? A duchess of some sort has one, she calls it the Sunfire Ruby, and has brought it with her as she travels a cross the country for her vacation."

"Sounds good to me, where is she now?"

"At the Grand Plaza Hotel of Gotham." Shayera stated while pulling on her helmet regaining the intimidating façade of Hawk Girl peering from behind the gold colored beak.


Gotham city, once a dead metropolis struggling in its poverty had somehow miraculously bloomed into a marvel of ancient gothic architecture blended magnificently with modern style and technology. The only disadvantage of the brilliant choice of design was the over all color scheme, old drab and dark colors most likely chosen by some depressed artist whose life reflected heavily in his art. But that did nothing to stop people from living there contently if not as equally disheartened as the sight of the city they resided.

What really brought a turn about to what could in turn be a dismal place was when the sun went down the lights were turned up casting away the shadows with neon glows screaming for the nightlife.

After a lovely night about town with her 'friends' the lovely duchess Jarva Norwell sat in the bar of her hotel laughing merrily with the other guest as they all came about to introduce themselves with hopes of gaining their fifteen minutes of fame somehow through her.

"Jarva dear, you have such a lovely ruby. Even with the guards and safes they have around here I would be petrified to bring such a costly thing with me anywhere." A woman wearing a black halter topped dress commented holding a glass of whiskey in her lack hand. "Goodness you have some chutzpah. However did you come by it, family inheritance?"

Taking in the smaller woman's quizzical appearance Jarva flashed her well paid for winning smile before running her finger lightly over the gold chain necklace with ruby pendent, "Quiet easily really, I got an ex-lover in Peru to get it for me." Oh how the young duchess loved showing off her expensive possessions to those who coveted her privileged life. "For some reason he was under the impression that I would marry him if he gave it to me."

The woman's eyes grew wide with scandalous amazement, "How in the world did you manage that?" She asked with a squeal accenting her voice.

"Simple darling. Just know what you want, do whatever you must, and then take it." With that Jarva laughed merrily at how her choice of reasoning had thus far worked so well for her and countless others.

"Words to live by?"

"Words to live by."

A small grin played over the face of the woman dressed in black, her hand shot outwards grabbing hold of the necklace, with a tug the chain was broken and the jewel in her hand.

"What is this?" The duchess screeched while touching her now naked neck with horrified surprise.

All eyes turned to the woman in black standing before them with the most impassive look marred by a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. From behind her a pair of pitch black wings sprouted from her back giving her a slight angelic appearance as they caught the light flaming shades of blue and purple, "Karma darling, karma." She said turning to leave the bar.

"Someone stop her, she has my ruby!" The selfish whine rang above the commotion.

From various places around them bodyguards and even those who were undercover jumped onto their feet all aiming guns at Medea. "I suppose," She began in a soft voice pulling the chain from underneath the waist of her dress the slight handle of the sickle fused to the chain slipping easily into her hand, "I could stay a bit longer."


The Javelin landed not too far from the hotel, forcing the trio to race to the scene by foot, wing, and power ring. Sliding to a halt in front of the Grand Plaza Flash looked towards his companions, "So how do we find her?"

Suddenly the tinted glass wall that once covered the front of the hotels prized bar and lounge shattered as two distinct bodies went flying through to land uncontrollably on the glass showered sidewalk.

"Does that answer your question?" Green Lantern questioned holding up his ring for the defense. They watched a talon styled foot step out the broken window crushing the glass underfoot with uncaring indifference. Dazed looking eyes trailed in a jaded fashion from the useless men to the three standing before her.

"I was not expecting you this time." Medea spoke in her usually soft spoken tone a silence loving librarian would envy.

"We thought you would be making an appearance."

"Master Klarion," She muttered something beneath her breath before raising the sickle end of her chain so that they may see just how deadly she was, "Is waiting for this ruby and I do hate to keep him up past his bedtime." As if her words were final her massive wings flapped strongly granting her altitude away from the standing heroes.

The very thought that she had actually believed for one moment that they would allow her to leave as simple as that was in some form rather shocking. Just when it seemed that their stupor was going to give way to her escape a green transparent quickly blocked her exit route. A sigh of irritation heaved from her plump lips only to be drawn into a quick hiss when from the wall sprouted clenched fists each flying towards her in quick succession.

Flying backwards into a midair back flip she moved away from the Green Lantern's wall right into the infuriated face of a warrior, the strong face of a battling archangel wielding a mace of power.

Forgetful of the dangerous wall at her winged back she brought her chain up in the defensive just as the mace was about to crash into her unprotected upper chest. The force of the blow bent both of the winged warriors over with Hawk Girl gaining the advantage of the fight. She watched, her piercing green eyes staring furiously onto the body movements of her opponent, a twitch in Medea's forearm alerted her that a counter was about to be preformed and the tables turned. Just when Medea prepared to push the other woman away Hawk Girl twisted her mace forcing the taut chain to coil about the shaft.

Medea could only gasp in surprise and dismay when Hawk Girl pulled her mace, with the chain still firmly attached, towards her right side forcing their bodies to press close together with her as the inferior.

Green eyes clashed with near blacks encircled with liquid silver. "Where's the Manhunter?" She growled pulling tighter on the chain.

"I had no intentions or need for him, his capture was an utter fluke. I'll happily return him to you should the chance be that we meet again." She tightened her hold on both the sickle and weighted ends of her chain, at the moment utterly useless with the given close proximity. The only way to break the hold was to either push away leaving herself open for attack or uncoil her weapon by releasing one end. Either way she was not pleased.

"Give up now and I might just go easy on you." Hawk Girl commanded.

With a smile Medea braced herself once more, "Please don't." Moving quickly she did not push back or let go fully of her weapon, moving in towards the direction of the pull Medea's body turned nearly upside down as she spun colliding the heel of her booted foot into the protected temple of Hawk Girl while in the actions of uncoiling her chain.

The blow to the temple left her perception slightly muzzy, Hawk Girl knew had she not been wearing her helmet a kick that strong would have rendered her unconscious. Shaking off the dizziness she pulled back, taking on the defensive unaware that though no longer completely coiled about her mace the crow-like woman's weapon was still looped onto hers.

Unprepared for the movement Medea hissed when the sickle end slipped from her grasps, the blade nicking the palm of her right hand releasing red beads of blood from the near invisible cut.

Aware of how sharp their adversary kept the more deadly end of her weapon, Green Lantern took cautious aim and with a careful eye waited until the twos' bodies were at a safe distance and fired upon the line of links still hanging lax about the mace.

Neither winged woman was prepared when what looked to be a giant green blade wedge its way between them and with great force severed the strong link leaving the blade to fall uselessly to the ground some fifty or so feet below them to clatter in sharp resonance against the pavement.

When the green blade retreated the two women moved on as though nothing had came between them Hawk Girl brandishing her mace with skill. Given the overall strength of the mace easily used in close combat it overshadowed the damaged chain with only the weighted sphere on its tail utterly useless in such close proximity.

The blow from the mace's brute force drew out a pained cry from Medea as her body fell some feet below Hawk Girl, a mistake on the heroine's part. Moving quickly as she had done countless times before in practice Medea swung the heavy sphere about to her side mentally grinning as the weight let up as it gained momentum.

The sphere blurred, whooshing loudly in a repeating drone seconds before Medea twirled letting the sphere fly out towards the hawk winged woman, crashing harshly into her left shoulder nearly knocking her from the sky. Pulling back on the chain as she would a yo-yo Medea caught hold of the sphere as well she could in the grasps of her slender fingers.

Hawk Girl grunted, ignoring the pain while keeping her eyes trained on Medea, the knowledge that her teammates were present to assist unregistered in her mind. "Is that all you've got?" She asked with a snide sneer. "Even a rookie could do better than that."

At her remark the dark woman's face turned down in a sinister scowl, the rings of silver that seemed to have been fading from her eyes blazed with fury. With a battle cry Medea flew headfirst into the set up, letting her anger rule over her judgment.

The sphere fell from her hand into a near instant spin; the repeating sound of the smooth body chopping through the air went on in a much faster pattern. Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh! With a cry Medea released sending the sphere on a collision course with Hawk Girl's solar plexus.

Hawk Girl watched as the silver ball cut mercilessly through the air between them and waited until the sphere was nearly upon her before dodging to the side too late for her adversary to retract her assault.

The ball and trailing bit of chain flew by missing its target by mere inches only to be caught in its decent toward the ground by a sudden blur of red that dragged the unsuspecting Medea down with the force of it all. "I got it!" Flash shouted reeling in the length of the chain bit by bit, bringing with it his catch.

If one was to look onto the face of the dark winged woman no one would have realized that she was somewhat panicked, if she were to be caught her plans, oh all of her plans would be ruined. No she could not fail her master, not after everything he had done for her, not after all of her hard work to make it thus far.

Acting on a whim she wrapped the chain twice around her fist before regaining her composure, "Care for a ride?" She question flying upwards with great strength and speed one would have not believed dwelled within so small a figure.

Flash gasped in surprise when he feet were snatched off the ground and his body trailed after the fleeing Medea, who flew with the likeness of a bird drunk on fermented berries, zigzagged left then right, moving through the line of light post towing him behind her.

"Uh-oh!" Flash gasped aloud when he realized the dark woman's intentions with the trail of chain weaving in and out of the line of post. Directing his body he jerked from side to side swinging like Tarzan around the obstacles placed before him.

Clearing the hard posts Flash barely had the chance to sigh his relief when he was jerked higher into the air as the chain followed after Medea, "Very good, let's try another shall we?" She questioned loud enough for him to hear. They were some distance ahead of the others but regardless they were closing in on the highflying woman quiet quickly.

Before either Hawk Girl or Green Lantern could reach them Medea plunged downwards towards the busy four lane street.

Flying low she flew towards and above the cars as they flashed their bright lights blared their discordant horns and some city bred drivers even went the extra distance to put their heads out the window to curse at the flying femme.

"Yah crazy bi-ow! Hey!" A disgruntled soccer mom cried as a red boot stepped onto her head and just as quickly sprung off.

"Sorry!" Flash cried behind him jumping from car to car when allowed as he pursued their villainess. Sadly with his attention drawn backwards to those he had just moments before passed he did not notice the city bus until he collided quiet mercilessly into the frame. Hissing his pain Flash regained his footing running along side the passing bus, while the riders within gasped and pointed at the spectacle he made.

Turning her eyes back Medea frowned slightly, she had hoped that he would have let go of her chain long before they entered the sea of cars. She held no ill will towards him, especially after the flirtish comment he had paid her, but work was work and she had to be free of him and his teammates.

Shifting her eyes before her she saw that opportunity had presented itself onto her once more in the form of two large commercial moving trucks traveling side by side. Moving faster she flew towards the narrow space in between the two passing trucks. Turning her body to the side she spread out her wings sliding through with merciful ease.

Flash was quiet sure he would not be able to clear it quiet as easily as she had, the chain was carrying him through forcing him to perform the feat when suddenly a transparent green ramp appeared before his dangling feet. Acting quickly Flash sped up the ramp to the top of the first truck to run atop its roof and down again safe once more, or as safe as he could be half running and half flying through a multitude of cars.

"Flash, let go!" Green Lantern commanded striving for the prefect shot that would bring the joyride to a halt.

"I have a plan!" Flash shouted backwards moving his speedy feet briskly against the ground the few brief chances Medea actually flew low enough for a toe to touch the asphalt.

The game had grown rather tiresome in Medea's eyes as she once more failed to dislodge the Flash from her weapon. Well if he could make it through heavy traffic, she wanted to see what he would do pitted against a brick wall. As she drew near she released a mighty battle cry bringing her body to a halt eight feet before the wall while swinging the chain forwards.

Flash moved with the momentum of her swing straight into the wall, only to bring his legs up before him and springing back straight into the surprised Medea tackling her down onto the ground with a shocked squawk.

Hawk Girl and Green Lantern both arrived at the scene to witness a blur of red moving about something black as they descended quickly onto the ground. When the whirlwind had died and the dust cleared all that could be seen was Flash leaning against the graffiti covered brick wall with the sorceress lying on her stomach at his feet, bound by her own weapon. "You see, I told you I had a plan." He grinned.

It was Hawk Girl who pulled the sorceress onto her feet to prepare the usual arrest and bout of interrogation. "You actually thought that you could beat us by yourself?"

From beneath the curled curtain of hair shadowing her face a dry chuckle drifted into the air. "Whoever said that I was by myself?"

From above a great shadow fell upon the four casting them in darkness while the polluted air filled with a loud screech that sounded remarkably like metal scrapping against metal. All eyes looked upwards to see the massive sized crow diving down towards them.

"That's a big bird." Flash mumbled before hitting the ground as it struck.

As Hawk Girl fell Medea brought her knees up forcing them against the woman's stomach flipping her away from her bound body.

Amidst the chaos of the large bird diving and pecking wildly at the heroes Green Lantern had rolled onto his back and aimed once before firing a clear shot hitting the bird in its exposed breast.

"Cagney!" Medea cried sliding out of her chains to rush to the side of the bird as it fell onto the pavement. She petted her hand over Cagney's neck cooing soothing words of comfort, "You're going to be okay my love," She whispered stroking over the soft plumage with great tenderness that calmed the bird's twitching. "You've had a little shock, that's all. Nothing I can't take care of."

At her words the large crow shrunk down reverting back to its original size to be scooped up into a motherly cradle.

"How dare you harm an innocent creature?" She demanded looking at Green Lantern.

"It was trying to peck our heads off and it's innocent?" Flash asked with wide unbelieving eyes.

Medea continued to fuss matronly over her bird while reaching her hand to her wings plucking a single small black feather

"Gentle breeze to violent maelstroms sang to me my first lullaby, it will be your name I'll breathe the very moment I die." Her words echoed in a soft choir and the dark pupils of her eyes swirled into the color of melted silver as the spell began to take effect. All about them the world seemed to have still, the dry breeze that once pushed gently against them paused and every stray animal that lingered in hopes for a bite to eat had vanished into hiding foreseeing the peril. "Give wing to the weather push the rain, hail, and snow. North, South, East to West, doth the mighty wind blow." Taking a small breath she blew against the feather.

From nowhere the wind began to blow forcefully against them though it seemed to have no affect whatsoever on the spell caster.

The League tried, that she could see, to fight against the sudden windstorm but to no use, there was no way they were going to get to her tonight. Turning her head she watched them struggle for a brief moment more.

"There is black and white in the worlds but we reside in the vast area where there is nothing but the shades of gray. Keep that in mind for the future. Hawk Girl, when that time comes and you finally figure this all out I will not be so lenient." With that she blew once more on the feather allowing it to float out of her hold in turn causing the blowing wind to increase with a strong burst knocking them off their feet to tumble backwards.

Growling Hawk Girl stumbled to stand onto her feet, she was angered that the dark woman was just moments ago their captive and now because of a little wing she would surely make her escape. Screaming loudly she gave one mighty back swing of her mace cutting through the magnitude of strong wind bringing the air about them to a still.

All but the feather all traces of Medea was gone once more.


Some blocks away a woman wearing a long white coat spoke into a cell phone while climbing into a silver Mitsubishi. "Hello?" She questioned looking back into the backseat to check on the crow within the cage, she would be fine once they got home. "Yeah I got it. I'll be home in a few hours. Oh and my sickle and chain was broken do you think you can fix it? A modified kusari-gama? Yes I think that would work well for me."

She sat in silence for a moment listening to the party on the other line. "What's next?"

Looking onto the passenger seat she waved her hand in a silent command beckoning that the book open on its own accord. She watched as the words and illustrations bled onto the page appearing as if they had always been present.

"Tell our young master Klarion that the next one needed is the emerald."

TBC