MoP


Harry Potter and the Myriad of Possibilities: Prologue

Chapter 22: Rebellion, Part 8.

Disclaimer: This is solely a not-for-profit fan activity and does not intend to infringe on copyrights held by Time Warner, DC Comics, Bloomsbury et al, and JK Rowling. Any characters that are original to this work remain the property of the author.

A/N: The Myriad of Possibilities Series primarily uses the background from the Harry Potter books but some elements and scenes have been borrowed from other sources – including the movies, Pottermore and my own headcanon – that will be covered where they fit into the narrative. The timeline of the DC Comics elements borrows heavily from Young Justice (2011) and may adapt elements and characters from the comics and several additional other media instalments – including but not limited to Smallville (2001) and Superman and Lois (2021) – and relocates events of Young Justice to the Eighties and early Nineties rather than the New Tens as screened and includes several 'legacy' and original characters as a result. Any other recognisable characters belong to their copyright holders.

A/N: Thanks to 6f5e4d for their help on this chapter.

A/N: This is the first chapter of the 'second run' of
Rebellion. Going forward, the narrative will alternate between Rebellion and Deception depending on the main character of that particular instalment.


Mount Justice.
06:16 EDT.

M'gann was eating breakfast with Conner when both their phones beeped. She lifted her phone and glanced at it. There was a message from their civics teacher, Lucas Carr:

Would like to check in with you and Conner. Can you both see me in my office before first bell today?

"He's on the go early," commented Conner.

M'gann nodded. "I wonder what he wants to talk about?"

Conner thought about it for a moment but then shrugged. "Guess we'll find out."


Happy Harbor High School.
07:45 EDT.

M'gann and Conner stopped off at their lockers to pick what they needed for first period, then walked over to the Social Sciences block and paused at Lucas Carr's door.

After a moment, Conner reached over and knocked. Receiving an invitation to enter, he pulled the door open and held until she entered the office and then joining her.

Mr Carr was sitting behind his desk, reading something on his computer. He motioned them into chairs and returned to his computer for a moment, then turned to look at them. "How are you doing?"

M'gann wasn't sure how to answer that question and glanced at Conner. He was uncertain as well.

"I've had some dealings with the League in the past," he assured them. "I'm sure you've heard the story about me and the Joker and Mount Justice?"

M'gann hadn't, but she could sense that Conner had so she didn't interrupt.

"Which means that I have some idea what you're going through in general terms," he told them "Particularly the security breach from earlier this week."

"You know about that?" Conner asked, not hiding his surprise.

Mr Carr nodded. "Ideally I would've been over to help repair the computers, but I had some work to do here… so I liaised with J'onn and Captain Atom remotely while I was doing that so they could do it instead."

Conner relaxed.

"I've also been running interference with Miss Sedowsky over your attendance," he added.

"What's wrong with it?" Conner asked.

"Getting you in was tricky enough with the forged documents that Batman arranged for you due to your unusual circumstances," admitted Mr Carr with a sigh. "But you've only been attending for about three weeks, and you've missed several days already…" he held up his hand. "I know it was important – Dinah's shared the reports – but due to the nature of the Team I can't share that with her… and while the students bought the cover story – a home invasion and the 'disappearance' of John Smith – she didn't, and she doesn't like it."

"Will you be all right?" M'gann asked, concerned for him now.

He nodded. "Well, she might dump me…" he commented. "But we're not here to talk about me. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

(Conner?) M'gann asked.

(I'm fine,) Conner assured her. (I had a quick session with Black Canary before we left for India, I'm sure she'll want to do another one later. What about you?)

(Uncle J'onn, Artemis and I had a good talk while she was checking me over in the infirmary,) M'gann replied. "I think we'll be okay, Mr Carr. My uncle and Black Canary are helping."

At that moment, the bell rang.

"Okay, we'll have to leave it there for now," Mr Carr declared. "But if there's anything I can help with, let me know."

"We will," M'gann promised as the two teens rose to leave, stepping out into the throng of the students arriving for first period.

Fortunately, the Civics classroom was only two doors away, so their time in the crush was brief.

"Megan!" exclaimed a familiar voice and a shaggy-haired brunette bounded over to them and enveloped M'gann in a hug. "It's good to see you!"

"Hi, Wendy," said M'gann lightly, and grinned as she returned the girl's hug. "It's good to be back."

"You must have been so scared!" Wendy declared, then stepped back a little to catch Conner's eye. "Is there any word about your guardian?"

"No."

Wendy's smile faltered for moment, but further conversation was pre-empted by Mr Carr walking in behind them. "If everyone could take a seat?" he asked. "I've got quite a bit to cover today so we need to get started…"

"Do you and Conner want to join us at Bowl-a-Rama tomorrow?" Wendy asked as they moved towards their seats. "They've got a two-for-one special on tickets."

(Conner?) M'gann asked, she'd seen it on television, but they'd always been busy before.

(Fine by me.)

"Sounds great!"


Happy Harbor Bowl-a-Rama.
16:16 EDT.

This was a good idea

, thought M'gann as she watched Karen celebrate her first spare of the day, raising her score above the bottom of their group, then glanced over at Conner and followed him as he stood, then picked up one of the full-size balls and then took his own shot.

The ball thundered down the lane, but M'gann could see that his aim was a little off this time, and only nine of ten pins were knocked down and his second ball didn't change that.

Conner growled quietly and turned back to his seat.

"Good job, Conner," M'gann told him.

(I missed one,) he pointed out. (Again.)

(It was still better than some of my 'bad' frames,) M'gann pointed out. (And you're still sitting on second.)

Conner didn't reply immediately, but rather watched as Wendy took her own turn, knocking down only seven pins with her two balls and dropping to fourth place. "Good luck."

M'gann smiled at her boyfriend and rose. She selected a ball of her own – similar to Karen's but a good deal lighter than Conner's – then took her shot. It was a good one… but her aim was slightly off, and the tenth pin wobbled slightly but was upright when the pin-setter dropped down.

"Congratulations," Conner said as she returned to his side.

"Thanks," she replied and sat down, helping herself to the last of the cookies that she'd brought for the group to share.

Marvin went next, and while his random bowls had served him well on previous occasions, this wasn't one of them, and he dropped to last place in their group. The defeat didn't seem to bother him as he was grinning broadly as he settled down opposite Wendy.

Mal took his turn, scoring a spare with his first two balls and a strike with his bonus ball to take the lead.

Karen replicated her boyfriend's final frame boasting her up to fourth, only a few points behind M'gann.

"I guess it's between you and me now," commented Mal as Conner rose for his final frame.

Conner nodded as he picked up his first ball and strode towards the foul line. He swung the ball hard, releasing it at the perfect moment, allowing it run smoothly down the lane and clear away all ten pins.

The two boys shared a look as Conner returned for another ball and proceeded to bowl another strike.

Mal's face split in grin as Conner scored his third strike of the frame – his fifth overall to Mal's three – to win the game. "Man, I've heard of beginner's luck that good, but I've never seen it… are you haven't played before?"

"Nope."

"Well, you should."


Mount Justice.
September 26, 10:00 EDT.

"The League has analysed your reports on the Brain's operation in India…" began Batman as he stood with Captain Marvel and the Team in the Mission Room. "… and we believe it's only the tip of the iceberg." He summoned a holo-screen and gestured to it. "Common criteria in the Bwundan Jungle suggests that the Brain has another Kobra-Venom operation up and running."

"And you want us to shut it down," concluded Kaldur.

"Exactly," agreed Batman.

"Sounds like a blast!" exclaimed Captain Marvel eagerly. "Let's prep Bio-Ship and go!"

The Team – with Kaldur in the lead and Conner, M'gann and Wolf trailing – turned and hurried towards the tunnel to the hanger.

Just as they were about to enter the tunnel, M'gann heard Batman stop Captain Marvel from following them, pointing out that the Team were supposed to be autonomous. The Captain countered that he was 'no babysitter', and then Batman suggested that there must be another reason that he wanted to accompany with the Team, which was hesitatingly denied by the other hero who agreed that they would 'do just great without him'.

M'gann wasn't sure what to make of that conversation but decided that it wasn't important right now, particularly as there was something else on her mind.


Bwunda.
20:16 CAT.

(M'gann, is the psychic link in place?) Kaldur asked M'gann as they left the landing zone and headed towards the first investigation site that Batman had suggested.

(Um, not yet…) M'gann replied reluctantly. (… I thought you might tell me about Tula.)

(M'gann, this is neither the time nor the place…) replied Kaldur, sternly.

(I know, I know,) Megan admitted. (But she still fills your thoughts. You need to get her betrayal off your chest – or at least of your brain – before the psychic link reveals your turmoil to the entire Team.)

Kaldur sighed mentally. (There was no betrayal,) he insisted. (One cannot betray what never existed. I never told her how I felt, not until it was too late… I am not sure what I mourn more: The loss of love or of… opportunity.)

M'gann paused to consider what he'd said. After a moment she decided that this was about as good as she'd get, so when Kaldur asked for the psychic link again, she established it.

(Babe, if you want to establish a link, I can help…) offered Wally almost immediately.
Artemis looked back at them over her shoulder and scowled. (Wally, you know that everyone can hear you, right?)

(S'okay, Babe,) Wally replied cheerfully without missing a beat. (Wally West never misses an opportunity to advance the cause of true love.)

M'gann was used to the speedster's 'flirting' so easily ignored it, on the other hand she did almost react when Artemis asked Conner if he wanted to go to a movie or something after the mission, particularly when Conner himself panicked a little.

However, she quickly calmed when he countered by suggesting that they could make it into a team-building exercise for the whole Team, then asked if anyone could smell monkeys.

Wolf growled and tensed, as if anticipating imminent action.

Robin moved next to Artemis,)Hey Artemis, how's the next school year treating you? Meet anyone interesting?)

(Enough,) growled Kaldur, motioning them to stop and gather in a circle. (I know we are adolescents… but we do not have to be cliches. We must focus on the mission at hand.)

Rustling sounds began all around them, and a large troop of gorillas appeared out of the jungle and surrounded them, all of them showing the torn skin and exposed muscle of Kobra-Venom subjects.

(Yeah, I see your point,) agreed Robin.

(Remove their inhibitor collars, and they will break off their attack!) Kaldur reminded the Team as he summoned a pair of water-maces and prepared to fight.

(Just one problem…) Conner reported as one of the gorillas grabbed him in a neck-lift. (They're not wearing collars!) His opponent threw Conner into a tree, snapping the trunk in half and leaving him momentarily dazed.

M'gann wanted to move to protect him but stopped herself after remembering their argument earlier in the week.

(M'gann, camouflage-mode,) Kaldur ordered as he engaged one of the apes. (You will be our secret weapon in case this goes wrong.)

(Acknowledged.)

(We must escape and regroup,) continued the Atlantean. (Robin, lay down cover!)

(Way ahead of you, Boss-Man,) declared the Boy Wonder, and M'gann could see he had a smoke pellet in his hand, which he dropped a second later, enveloping the Team and their opponents.

(Switching to infrared,) reported Wally, his tone business-like. (Looking for a clear path now… Got it, follow me!)

M'gann sensed him moving away, and drifted in the same direction, trying her best to avoid any of the gorillas using her own senses.

Then she heard a sound of flesh colliding with flesh and Wally exclaimed. (Where did this hairy wall come from?)

The smoke began to clear, and M'gann was easily able to spot Wally, who was facing off against an enormous gorilla.

(What is… this… thing…?) Wally asked, his confidence and focus in shreds. "Oh, god…"

(Not God,) M'gann corrected him as she reached out and probed the creature's mind. (Grodd.)

But he must have sensed her, as he lashed out with a psychic blast more powerful even than Psimon's and she only had time to scream before she passed out.

When she regained awareness, she was lying on the ground, surrounded by featureless black void. She groaned. Where… where am I? What happened? she wondered, then remembered. Batman sent us to Africa to shut down the Brain's new Kobra-Venom animal testing facility… Her head throbbed again, and she cradled it with her hands. We were attacked… by gorillas… I reached out to one of them and got a name – Grodd – then it all went black…

At that moment, she became aware of four figures and looked up. All four were gorillas, with Grodd in the lead. (Grodd demands your help.)

M'gann was a little shocked by that and was still debating how to respond when a female voice cut into their link. (Manners my love,) admonished one of the females. (We desire the human's help… we do not demand it.)

Grodd didn't comment.

(I'm… I'm not human,) M'gann told them, still a little rattled by her surroundings, as a third gorilla – older than the others with some white in his hair – took her hand and help her to her feet. (I'm Martian… Miss Martian.)

The old gorilla frowned, his confusion clear, and released her hand once she was standing. (I'm not sure I understand. Our vocabulary expands rapidly… but there are still gaps.)

(It… probably doesn't matter,) M'gann admitted.

The gorilla smiled. (I am Solovar, the alpha of this troop…) he continued, then gestured to each of his companions in turn. (This is my mate, Boka… this is Primat… and this – as you already know – is Gorilla Grodd.)

(But where are we? Why is it so dark?) babbled M'gann. (How are you capable of telepathy? Why did you attack us?)

(All these questions all at once…) teased Primat. (Like an infant.)

(Well, she is young for her species,) pointed out Boka.

(We will strive to enlighten you,) Solovar assured her. (But time is short…)

(The strangers arrived two years ago…) began Boka.

(An old woman, a thin man and their borrowed Shadows,) agreed Solovar, taking up the story. (They constructed a single cave of metal – a 'Kwan-Zett' hut – to conduct their experiments… They captured Mallah, a young male of our troop and operated on his brain. Mallah… approved, even betrayed his own kind to his new masters.)

M'gann had many questions but stayed silent. Solovar was right, there was no time to waste.

(Good Tolifar was the first to fall. They murdered the ape we knew, replacing Tolifar's brain with the old woman's…) Solovar paused, clearly stricken by his memories. (The result was that abomination… the Ultra-Humanite.)

Boka took over again. (But the horror continued… Ultra-Humanite and Mallah extracted the brain from their thin human companion and placed it within a metal tree stump. This new thing wanted complete freedom from the distractions of the physical to simply be the Brain…)

M'gann shuddered, she certainly wouldn't be forgetting her previous encounter with the villain anything soon and could sympathise with the gorillas' revulsion.

Solovar took over again. (They built more metal caves and called their new kingdom 'Gorilla City'. It was their little joke for here they enslaved every gorilla of our troop. Only the Holy One escaped.)

(They put us all in their inhibitor collars and performed their enhancement surgery on our brains,) added Primat. (We gained in intelligence, awareness, sapience… but neither happiness nor freedom.)

(More recently they injected us with their Kobra-Venom,) Solovar reported. (The process was very painful… but it made us larger and stronger.)

(But they are ignorant of our greatest strength,) Grodd growled. (The telepathy their enhancements provided, and thus have they scattered the seeds of their own end!)

(But you longer wear collars,) pointed out M'gann. (Why do still aid your oppressors?)

(They have an even greater hold on us,) Solovar replied sorrowfully. (Our children.)

(If we do not obey all commands, their lives are forfeit,) added Primat.

M'gann gasped in horror and her hands flew to her mouth. (That's horrible!)

(They have your troop as well,) reported Grodd. (All in collars. We will rescue them. You will secure our progeny, and together, you and I… that is, you and Solovar… will lead the revolution.)

(Wait, I don't lead our Team!) M'gann exclaimed.

Grodd leaned in, looming over her. (How can that be true?) he asked. (Your mind is clearly the most powerful.)

(Really, you think so?)

(We deal with an underling, who cannot even guarantee her Alpha's cooperation!) grumbled Grodd

(And yet we have no choice but to trust her, and to demonstrate that trust, we return you to the physical plane…)


September 27, 00:00 CAT.

(…. and return your beast to your arms.) Solovar finished.

(Wolf!) M'gann exclaimed happily and turned and hugged him, burying herself in his fur for a moment, then realised him and turned back to the gorilla leader. (Okay, I'm on board, and I promise my team will be too. But we need a plan!)

(Oh, we have a plan…) Solovar assured her and explained.

Although her original ruse had been foiled by the arrival of the Shadow that she'd impersonated, M'gann easily knocked out both the two guards telekinetically and opened the hut where the baby gorillas are held. "Oh, no… they're too cute!" she exclaimed, then shifting into a green-furred gorilla form and woke them. (Okay, kids. Time to go…)


00:16 CAT

(I got them!) M'gann declared as she carried the children to the rendezvous point where Boka and Primat were waiting for her. (And they're adorable!)

(Nnamdi!) exclaimed Boka.

(Simeon!) cried Primat. (Oh, he's grown so… soon he'll be just like Grodd!)

(We'll take Ulgo, Kamau, Toto and Nzame to their mothers…) promised Boka.

(Protected by the Holy One, they wait in a place of safety that Mallah doesn't know…) continued Primat. (… and cannot betray!)

(Great!) exclaimed M'gann. (Because I have my own family to rescue now!)

(Grodd, the human was successful,) reported Solovar as he carried M'gann towards the compound's main hut. (Boka and Primat have the infants. Be ready.)

(Grodd is always ready,) the other ape assured, to M'gann's relief. But her relief turned to dread moments later when he reported that a human hostage had escaped – M'gann suspected Robin – threatening their plan and that he was going to 'eliminate him'.

M'gann almost broke free, but a wave of comfort from Solovar and his next words calmed her. (Negative, Grodd. Our ally would not approve…)

(No, I don't!) she agreed firmly.

(Adapt,) Solovar insisted. (We are on our way.)

(Miss Martian are you in range?) asked Kaldur.

Per their plan, M'gann didn't reply.

(I heard that!) added Artemis. (The link's up! M'gann must be…)

(No!) insisted Conner. (It doesn't feel right! It's not M'gann, it's…)

(It is Grodd. Now, listen humans…)

(We're listening,) confirmed Kaldur.

(Your team-mate has rescued our children, so I and the rest of the troop are on your side and are prepared to revolt against the Brain and his two allies when the moment is right.)

(We stand ready,) Kaldur promised as she and Solovar entered, flanked by several other gorillas with Shadows bringing up the rear.

"Grodd, destroy them," ordered Ultra-Humanite.

"Zat may not be necessary, mon ami…" suggested the Brain. "Notre Solovar has La Martien and will wring her neck if zese enfants do not stand down!"

"Then you leave us no choice…" declared Kaldur, manifesting twin water-whips. "Start the revolution!"

(Djuba, Malavar… take the Shadows!) ordered Solovar as he released M'gann, who immediately shifted form into her gorilla shape.

(M'gann, do you have to take that form?) Conner asked as he ran towards her. (You know I hate monkeys!)

(But it seems so appropriate…) countered M'gann, as she joined Solovar in grappling with the traitor Mallah.

(And do not call us monkeys, human…) requested Solovar as her boyfriend delivered a devastating uppercut to Mallah's jaw. (You might as well state your hatred for all primates!)

(Dude, don't give him any ideas!) begged Wally.

"My optical sensors!" screamed the Brain. "Imbeciles! You cannot blind ze Brain!"

"But I bet I can give it indigestion!" claimed Robin gleefully and seconds later, M'gann heard the crackle of a strong electrical charge going off.

(This is for Tolifar, human!) declared Grodd as he moved to back-up Kaldur against the Ultra-Humanite.

"Brain, the apes… they're telepathic!" declared Ultra-Humanite.

"Indeed. Un développement intéressant, mais zis is not ze time for study," noted the Brain. "Attention, révolutionnaires! I have activated ze self-destruct! La Ville de Gorille is doomed… vous avez cinq minutes!"

At Solovar's order, the Team broke off their attacks and fled the Quonset hut and headed into the jungle just in time.

(Solovar, thank the Holy One!) exclaimed Koka as the Team and the male gorillas approached the troop's hiding place. (With the explosion, we feared…)

(We are fine, my love,) Solovar assured her as he embraced her and his child. (I believe even our tormentors escaped.)

(Where is the Holy One?) asked Grodd as he embraced his own mate.

(Gone,) she replied. (He has seen us liberated, but we are no longer his to protect… our time with Congorilla is done.)


04:15 CAT.

(Will you be all right?) M'gann asked Solovar as the Team and the gorillas stood outside Bio-Ship.

(Yes, we will start anew…) replied the troop leader comfortably. (Perhaps we will build our own Gorilla City…)