After breakfast, Bruce suited up. Then he and Diana took Harley to the watch tower. She couldn't help but giggle happily as she heard the teleporter announce their arrival.
"Recognized, Wonder Woman 002, Batman 003, Harley Quinn 029." The computer voice chimed.
"Oh, that is so cool. But I gotta ask. While I understand the announcements, what's with the numbers? And how did it know I was coming through?" Harley asked.
"The numbers are a secondary identification of who's coming in. That way, if someone here happened to miss the name, they could still hear the numbers and tell who it is by that. And they were decided simply by who was put into the registry first. Superman was first, then myself, then Batman. So on and so on." Wonder Woman explained.
"And to answer your other question, I alerted Manhunter that you were coming with us. And you have to be in the registry for the teleporter to work. So, he added you in." Batman said.
"I see. So I'm number twenty-nine in the registry."
"Actually, you're technically in the upper thirties. Number twenty-nine was a personal favor I asked of Manhunter on your behalf. " Batman said as he began to walk away.
"Huh?"
"Twenty-nine was Booster's." Wonder Woman said simply then started following Batman.
"Oh...thanks, Bats." Harley said softly before slowly starting to follow the heroes.
"That was nice of you, Bruce." Wonder Woman said quietly .
"A show of good faith. I believe she needs it right now."
"She does. She opened up to me at the manor. She's putting on a brave face, but there's a terrible amount of turmoil in her heart. She said she talked to you a bit about it too."
"She did. She wants to be a hero. To have a legacy worth remembering and possibly make amends. She even asked if I would consider making her part of my team."
"She mentioned that to me as well. But, while she said that you gave her a maybe, I already said yes. But, she did come to you first, so I'll hold off for now. But, you and I both know that with proper training, both mentally and physically, she would make for an impressive addition to any team. The question is, do you want it or will you give it up?"
"Jury's still out on that."
"You have as much time as she'll give you. Don't keep a lady waiting, Bruce. "
The two heard Harley's heels clicking loudly and rapidly as she hurried to catch up.
"Hey, I shoulda asked before but why are we here exactly?"
"Why else? Meeting with the league." Batman said as he opened a conference room door.
The three walked in to see Superman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Cyborg and Martian Manhunter sitting around a table.
"Hello, Harley. Please, have a seat. Get comfortable." Superman said gesturing to a chair across the table from him.
"Easier said than done." Harley said under her breath as she and her escorts sat down.
Superman heard her with his enhanced hearing but made no mention of it.
"Alright, Batman, we've heard the basics. Give us the full run down of the situation." Superman said.
Batman began telling the story.
"Wait, hold up. She knows you're Bruce Wayne and you're letting her stay at your home?" Green Lantern spoke up.
"Would you rather he left her on the street, alone and defenseless, Lantern?" Diana asked.
"No, princess. Just a hotel or something."
"This situation calls for close monitoring. It's best if she's close by." Batman said.
"Batman knows Harley the best. If he says it's ok, then it's ok. Please, continue, Bruce." Superman said.
Batman finished up the tale.
"That's terrible about Booster. Harley, I promise you, we will do everything in our power to find him and bring him back to you. And, since I know you'll want to, we will keep you involved in the case as much as possible. But, just in case, I want you to know the league does have councilors who specialize in... bereavement." Superman said.
"Bit soon for that, don't you think, Supes?" Flash asked.
"I feel it necessary to be honest with her. I'm hoping for the best, Flash, I truly am. I'm just preparing for the worst. Bruce taught me the importance of that."
"I think it needs a more personal touch. I will get Harley a communicator with a direct line to me." Wonder Woman said.
"...Add a line to me onto that as well, Diana." Batman said.
"Consider it done. Anything else you'd like to add, Harley?"
Harley was silent.
Diana noticed that Harley had a tight grip on the cushion of her seat. Diana leaned over and began to hug Harley and gently stroke her hair.
"It's okay, Harley. Everyone here is on your side. I know you've met practically everyone here under less than favorable conditions before, but no one will hurt you."
Harley let out a slow breath and relaxed.
"Sorry. I just... I realized what was happening. It hit me all at once. I'm sitting in a room with Earth's most powerful heroes. And I'm just a girl from Brooklyn, living in Gotham. Only 'power' to my name is my toxin immunity. And yeah, I have met each of you before but, usually it was one on one or in groups of two to three. Only very rare, and usually really bad situations, see me with all of you. And, let's be frank, the crime syndicate did a PR nightmare for you guys. So,you have to see how intimidating this can be."
"You aren't thinking that we might hurt you, are you?" Aquaman asked .
"No, I don't think so. But, like I said, the crime syndicate put stuff in perspective. I always thought, if one of you ever nabbed me, I'd be wisked off to some cell. Easy as that. Then the evil doppelgangers come along and we get to see how terrifying those powers of yours really are. I mean, just look at Superman. Most powerful, non-magical meta bar none. Known weaknesses? A rare green alien rock, magic and psychic attacks. Now anybody got any kryptonite, besides maybe Brucie? How about magic, cept Diana? Anyone psychic? I think manhunter is. So, in a room full of the world's strongest, three people got a chance of weakening and maybe beating him. Odds are, in a fight, a snapped Supes would know that and take them out first. And then, sorry to say but, it's just a matter of time until he wades through the rest. Way I see it, Flash would probably be the last one left just cause of his speed. But, if Supes grabs him, he probably wouldn't get the chance to get free and high tail it. Granted, I know this sounds more like Ultraman, but a controlled, possessed, or just simply unhinged Superman would be capable of this. And I have no powers, no magic, no special weapons. Nothing, nada, zip, zilch. So, I'm immediately dead. Then there's those of you who fire energy blasts. You're walking tanks. And, thanks to Reverse Flash, I know Flashes have vibrating through stuff powers. Stuff like human torsos, right into vitals. And all of this is just off the top of my head. So, no, I don't think you would do this, but it's knowing you could that's scary. Basically, right now, I feel like a mortal sitting amongst gods. You get me? "
"Wow. I, uh, never had it put so plainly like that. Looking at it that way, I guess we are kinda scary." Green Lantern said.
"Yeah, then some of y'all got origins that add to the creep factor. Supposed last survivor of an alien world who just so happens to have God tier powers? King of an entire kingdom of folks who call the ocean their home and thus could in theory launch an invasion from anywhere? Two guys powered by alien tech, one of which comes from a place called Apocalypse? The other has an unbelievable weapon that looks like a fancy ring and can make whatever he can imagine real? Then there's a shape shifting mind reader."
"Ok, Harley, we see your point. Man, I guess Bruce wasn't the only one to realize the threat we could be." Flash said.
"You did too, Brucie?" Harley asked.
"I did. I even made plans for how to stop them if need be."
"Wow. Well, then your creep factor just jumped a bit. I mean, ya are planning against your friends. But, I get it. Also, who stops you if you go rogue?"
"They do. My anti-batman plan is the justice league." Bruce said, gesturing around the room.
"Fair enough. Oh, and no, Diana. I got nothing to add." Harley said, finally remembering Wonder Woman's question.
"So, if we're done with this train of thought, what are we going to do about Booster?" Cyborg asked.
"We should begin by scanning for any high level energy signatures. Temporal rifts and anomalies produce a lot of energy, so any spikes noted any where in the world could be one and could lead to Booster." Batman said.
"What about Booster's little assistant? The little gold robot?" Flash asked.
"Oh, Skeets? Yeah, he was with Booster when they left. Maybe if we find the little guy, we could find Mikey." Harley said.
"Or at least a decent lead. Do you know if Skeets has a built in tracker, Ms. Quinn?" Martian Manhunter asked.
"She prefers to be called Doctor." Batman spoke up.
"Damn straight I do. Wait, Bats, you..."
" You want to start building up your life properly, right?Then you should fight to get your degrees reinstated and use that title. "
"Batman is right. You earned that title and with your tenacity, you'll have the documents back it up once again soon enough. Own your name, Harley." Wonder Woman encouraged.
"Yeah, you're right. I didn't go through all the schooling and hell I've been through up till now to be called miss anymore. My name is Doctor Harleen Quinzel, and I am damn proud of my title."
"What is going on right now?" Cyborg asked .
"Harley has confided in Diana and myself that she wishes to forge a legacy worth remembering. One of being a hero. This is positive reinforcement for that." Batman said .
"Bruce, I...I don't know what..." Harley stammered.
"Harley, you have the ability to become a tremendous force for good. You have a lot to prove, but you can do it. And I have always been one to give people a chance to express the good in themselves. So, that's why I'm supporting you."
"Batman's faith isn't easily earned, Harley. You should wear that like a badge of honor." Superman said with a smile.
"Next you'll say she should be groomed to be the next league member." Aquaman said .
"Why not? The league could always use more feet on the ground and the world could always use more heroes. And some of the best we have started out on the wrong side of the tracks. Harley is no different. It all depends on what they want." Superman said.
"Well, like Batman said, she has a lot to prove. But, speaking from experience, I know for a fact she has amazing will power. So, she could be anything she sets her mind to." Green Lantern said.
"You're supporting me too, Greenie?" Harley asked.
"Well, I did sound like a jerk earlier, so I have to make it up some how. But,I still remember how you took my ring and saved the day with it that one time. Do you know how unlikely it is for a none chosen to put on a lantern ring and have it work? That takes tremendous will power. So, as long as that will is directed towards fighting the good fight, then I have no qualms about supporting you. Also, after paralax, I'm the last person to say somebody can't change for the better."
"Ok, lantern. You gotta tell me that story later. As for Harley, how about we get her some training? After all, regardless of whether she turns out to be league material or not, she has been and will be involved in some really dangerous stuff. Booster would never forgive us if we didn't at least try to get her prepared for it." Flash said.
"Now that's a sound bit of logic. Leaguer or not, we can't let Harley go in unprepared." Cyborg said.
"How about this? Batman can train her his way at home and I'll periodically bring her here for even more training. That way, when the time comes, Harley will as ready for battle as a hundred Spartans combined." Wonder Woman said.
"Sounds like a plan, Diana. Alright, people. We know our next steps. Let's get to it." Superman said.
"Looks like you now have a third family you might join, Harley." Diana said with a smile.
Harley couldn't process it all.
"Can we go home now? I need to lay down."
