Chapter 25
A/N: I do not own TFP or YJ. Emerald Lantern is my friend's OC, I'm just borrowing her, with permission!
/comms/
Toughts/telepathy
'Bee's speech
Metropolis September 31
The ground shook as a giant plant began to rip its way out from under the streets and sidewalks of Metropolis. Shooting up out of the ground, it opened three huge flowers, the began going down to pick up cars and hurl them down the street.
-.-
Unknown Location
"Lovely," a woman said as they watched on a monitor. "The test is a complete success. We can proceed as planned."
"Good, we've operated in shadows for too long," Count Vertigo said. "It's time for the Injustice League to step into the light."
"Admit it, you can't look away as this story unravels," Joker laughed.
-.-
Mt. Justice
Robin and Kaldur stood in the ring sparring against each other. Both were doing pretty well against the other, seems like it would end in a draw. Off to the side Captain Marvel and Zatara stood watching the teens.
M'gann and Superboy walked in with wolf and they stopped sparring. "You know they're a couple right?" Robin whispered.
"I think I knew before they did," Kaldur smiled.
"So who's going to tell them?" Erica whispered as she and Bumblebee approached with their pets, motioning to Wally and Artemis walking in the other way.
"It is not our place."
"And you're no fun."
"So if Zatara's our babysittier of the week why is he still here? And why's he eating my snacks?!" Wally said glaring at Marvel.
"Batman—02. Optimus Prime—18."
"Computer national news," Batman said.
"The initial attack was short lived, but Metropolis was only granted a short reprieve. And despite the interventions of Superman and the Justice League, there seems to be no end in sight," the reporter said as they watched the giant attack plants.
"You want us to go out there?!" Robin asked eagerly.
"No, the League will have it under control soon. According to your intel Sprtsmaster supplied the Cadmus Blockbuster formula to Kobra."
"Who combined ith with Bane's Venom to create Kobra Venom," Wally said.
"Which the Brain used to create his animal army," Robin said.
"And upgrate Wolf, Moonknight, and Starburst," Erica added.
"The Brain also used inhibitor collars, like the ones used at Belle Reve Penitentary," M'gann commented.
"Think this plant's on Kobra Venom too?" Artemis asked.
"Green Lantern ran a spot analysis, the vine's cellulose does contain a Kobra Venom variant," Batman said.
"These aren't coincidences, unrelated criminals are operating with each other worldwide."
"Exactly, our enemies have formed some kind of secret society of supervillains, the attack on Metropolis, was only the beginning," Optimus said.
"Got that right," Robin said as he and 'Bee were typing away at the computer. "They've sprouted up in Jasper, Gotham City, Starr City, Taipei, and Paris."
The feeds cut off and both hackers cursed. "Guys."
"Not us, someone's hacked the satellite signal, all satellite signals," 'Bee informed.
Joker appeared on the screen. "Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt your regular mayhem for this important announcement," the Clown King of Gotham smiled holding a pocket knife and turning the camera," from the Injustice League."
"We are responisible for the attacks on your cities, if you wish to save them, a ransom of ten billion American dollars is required, delivery instructions have been sent to the United Nations. There is no time limit," Count Vertigo stated.
"But, the longer you wait, the more we get to have our…jollies," Joker said before breaking into a fit of uncontrollable laughter as the feed cut off.
"This is Orion Pax, the UN will prepare the ransom as a fallback, but it will not come to that," Optimus said getting off his comm.
The feed rewinded and showed the members of the Injustice League. "Count Vertigo, the Joker, Poison Ivy, Sinestro, Ultra Humanite, Atomic skull, Black Atom, Starscream, Wotan; nine heavy hitters," Robin said. "Probably behind everything we've come up against so far."
"There's the secret society," Wally growled.
"Not so secret anymore," Superboy frowned.
"Perhaps after India they realized that we would find out the truth and saw no point in hiding anymore," Kaldur suggested.
"That's their mistake, right now I say we go kick some plant creature butt!" Wally grinned.
"Plants don't have butts," Erica pointed out.
"Shut up Em!"
"The League will handle the plants, we have a different assignment for you," Optimus said.
"Aw."
"With the plants attacking so many locations simultainiously, there has to be a central control system," Batman said. "Your mission, is to destroy it."
"You realize what you're asking them to do?" Zatara said.
"They're ready," Optimus replied.
"Ready for what?" Wally asked.
"Hello Wally, if the big guns are out there fighting plants, who do you think we'll be fighting?" Artemis clarified smacking him.
"Oh…"
"I trust you two are correct," Zatara said shaking his head.
"I trust you can locate the enemy," Batman retorted.
"Indeed, Wotan's magic is part of how the plants are controlled. Can one of you provide a holomap?" Zatara asked and 'Bee pulled up a world map. "Etacol eht ecruos fo eht ecnabrutsid." A red dot appeared on the map. "There."
"Coordinates locked: Louisinana bayou."
"We're on our way," Aqualad said as they raced out to get changed and then leave.
"Captain Marvel, for this plan to work, the whole League must be seen fighting the plants, we're required elsewhere," Batman said stopping him before he ran off.
-.-
Gotham City
The Batplane flew over the plant, dropping a plantkiller on it. Captain Marvel flew down and ripped the plant up by its roots, and flew it out into space, before hurling it in the direction of the sun.
Zatara floated in a magic bubble over another plant. "Tes erif ot siht tnalp!" he said and the vines spontainiously combusted. Pods on the plant enlargened from the heat and Joker Venom was released into the air.
-.-
Louisinana
"Kobra Venom's got nothing on good ol' Joker Venom.
"Both work well in concert," Sinsestro smiled.
"Yes, but we're putting considerable strain on my baby," Poison Ivy said sitting next to part of the plant, the part she was in contact with turning bright green.
Ultra Humanite and Starscream approached checking over the technological systems integrated into the vine's biology.
"We will keep her healthy Ivy," Wotan said.
"But it needs more power, Skull!" Starscream snapped.
The grey man glowed and a beam shot from his head into the plant, making it turn bright green and leave sprouted from random parts.
"Stunning what teamwork can accomplish," Vertigo said.
The alarm sounded. "Intruders!" Starscream growled.
-.-
The team sat in silence as they flew into the bayou, each checking over their equipment. "What's in the duffel?" Kid Flash asked looking at the bag at Aqualad's feet.
"Plan B," he replied.
M'gann suddenly grabbed her head with a grunt of pain.
"You alright?" Superboy asked.
"Dizzy."
"Martains get airsick?" Robin asked.
"She does look greener than usual," Kid commented.
"Not me, her."
"I feel fine," Artemis and Emerald said.
"Not you two, the Bioship, she's trying to shield us…"
The ship came into view as Vertigo cut off his power. "There it is Atom, get it!"
The team grunted at the impact as the ship was sent spirialing into the swamp. Vines emerged and started wrapping around the ship.
M'gann cried out as they saw Black Atom rip open a hole in the ship's hull. "He's hurting her!" Superboy lunged and punched the man away.
As the ship sank deeper, water began pouring in through the hole. "No! No way am I drowning three missions in a row!" Artemis snarled grabbing rebreathers for herself and KF.
"Wow…thanks," he said taking it.
"M'gann we need to get out, open a hatch!" Superboy said.
"Hello Megan!" she said making gills alrong her neck.
Going underwater she opened a opening at the bottom. "Out! Everyone out!" Aqualad ordered as they swam out and towards the shore. Getting out they went into the trees watching the ship vanish under the water.
"She's in shock, she'll need time to recover," the Martian informed.
Suddenly they all collapsed as a wave of vertigo hit them. "Vertigo," Kid growled.
"Count Vertigo to you peasant," he snarled.
Superboy got up, but Black Atom was on him instantly, slamming him back into the trees.
Aqualad pulled from the water, sending it crashing into the Count. "Bumblebee, Robin, Miss Martain, Emerald disappear! We will keep them busy, you four fulfill the mission," he ordered.
M'gann went into camouflage mode as Emerald went Black Lantern, fallowing 'Bee and Robin as they disappeared into the bayou.
-.-
Paris
Martian Manhunter flew towards the Eiffel Tower, holding Aquaman. As the flew over, he dropped him before phasing through the vines as the Atlantian started ripping through the plants, making an opening for those trapped to get out.
-.-
Taipei
Flash cut through the plants as he ran by. Blue Devil landed and stuck his pitchfork into the ground shooting rays that shot the plants off the nuclear power plant they were currently wrapping up. just as he was about to fire again, they squeezed, crushing the plant and alarms sounded as the radiation was released. Captain Atom flew overhead and into the radiaition cloud, absorbing the deadle substance that didn't harm him.
-.-
Jasper
Optimus ripped through the plants wrapping around a building, making an opening he had the people trapped inside climb down onto his hand. Ratchet drove over and they hopped off the Prime's hand and into the waiting ambulance, that drove away through the path carved out for him by the other Autobots. Arcee and Bulkhead were currently ripping through the roots of the plant trying to kill it. Green Lantern made a bubble around the plant, preventing it from attacking other buildings as Arcee and Bulkhead proceeded to throw grandes at it.
-.-
Starr City
The vines wrapped around the bridge cables, Red Arrow and Green Arrow shot together, making the vines explode and fall of the support cables they were slowly starting to break. Black Canary ran over the top of a school bus as the vines wrapped around it. Using her cry, she ripped apart the attacking vines, before one slammed her off.
-.-
Louisiana
"Poor heros, no matter what they do, it just doesn't seem to be enough," Joker said dramatically.
"Impressive, how you juggle multiple senarios," Starscream grinned.
"I've had practice, juggling my multiple personalities," he laughed. "School's out!"
-.-
Starr City
One of thre plants grabbed the bus, before hurling it acros the bay, where it was safely caught in a giant green baseball mit by a new Green Lantern.
-.-
Louisinana Bayou
Black Atom tossed Superboy's unconscious form down with the others. "We're missing four!" Vertigo growled.
"I've lost contact with Aqualad and the others," Miss M informed.
"We can't help M'gann, the mission comes first," 'Bee replied as they saw the compound.
"Looks like that plant is acting as an antenna for the others across the world," Robin said.
"So we destroy it, we stop all the plants, sweet," Emerald grinned.
"Well hello," Poison Ivy said wrapping them up in vines. Ultra Humanite hopped down and aimed his weapon at them. "And goodbye."
M'gann forced his arm to move down just as he shot, hitting the vines holding them instead.
"Sorry Boy Wonder, I'm putting an end to your little reconnisnace mission," Ivy said as he proceeded to dodge the vines she sent after him as Ultra Humanite went after M'gann.
Inside the compound, Joker was having a blast. "With all this power at my fingertips, some might call me a control freak, others, just freak, but that works for me!"
-.-
Gotham City
Batman growled as his bullets did nothing to affect the plant. A vine swooped up and hit his plane, and he flew out, landing on a nearby building.
"Part siht tnalp edisni siht elbbub!" Zatara said and a bubble appeared around the plant, cutting off the vines outside it, trapping most of it inside. one of the writhing vines slammied into a man, sending him flying off the bridge, where he landed on a trampololine that transformed into a very stretchy person.
-.-
Paris
A vine slammed into the news helicopter hovering nearby, the crew fell out before a glowing pink girl flew down and snatched them out of the air and another man in a maroon suit and green cape caught the falling copter.
-.-
Louisiana
Aqualad groaned as he and the others regained consciousness.
"They awaken, you sure this will hold them?" Vertigo asked.
"They cannot break it," Wotan smiled.
"You are not the only one trained in the mystic arts Wotan!" Aqualad snapped as he tried electrocuting the cage.
"Please, who said I was the one that made it," Wotan smiled as Sinestro flew in front holding the cage together.
Robin was knocked off his feet by one of the vines. "BATTER UP!" The vines preparing to slam down on him were instantly hit by a black baseball bat.
"You couldn't resist could you?" he asked.
"Nope!" she grinned as Moonknight flew next to her in a construct with wings that the cat could control before looking up. "Sinestro…"
"She's made contact."
"Who? Artemis?" they asked.
"No." The bioship flew plast, slamming into Wotan, knocking him and Count Vertigo off. Emerald flew up and swung a giant hammer into the Green Lantern traitor, sending him flying. The cage disappated and they fell into the swapy water.
"Not me! Stop those delinquents!" Vertigo demanded as Black Atom caught him.
"I hate monkeys," Superboy growled as he and Wolf lunged at Ultra Humanite.
Aqualad and Artemis got up and reached for their weapons as Poison Ivy approached them only to find they weren't there. "I feel naked, and not in a fun way," Artemis muttered.
"We will make our own fun, as we've been trained. Maneuver 7," Aqualad said. Artemis ran over and Aqualad vaulted her into the air, where she kicked Poison Ivy, in the face, off the plant she was on.
Kid Flash ran at Vertigo, but the man just used his power to slow the speedster down to where Black Atom punched him, with a sickening crack. "Where are Bumblebee, Robin, and the Martian?!" Vertigo demanded as he failed to spot those three.
"It's going down! I'm yelling TIMBER!" 'Bee called from somewhere as the plant exploded.
"My baby!" Ivy cried out.
Sinsestro and Emerald paused in their fight for a moment. "Did he really just do that?" she muttered before Moonknight tackled the Yellow Lantern.
Ivy roared with rage and she tried to attack Miss Martian and Robin, who were standing on the roof. Miss M used her telekinesis to rip through the vines, before she was blasted down by a blast from Atomic Skull.
"Children, children ruined our plan?" Joker growled. "Inconceivable. Unacceptable! RETRIBUTIONABLE! That last might not be a word, but it soon will be!"
"Kill them all!" Starscream commanded as Bumblebee punched him in the face.
M'gann and Robin dodged an attack from Atomic Skull. Black Atom slammed into Superboy as Wold attacked Ultra Humanite; Moonnight flying down to help. Emerald and Sinsestro were locked in a fierce battle, the girl constantly changing her uniform to every corp but green. Artemis was brought to her knees by Count Vertigo.
"Leave her alone!" KF shouted.
"Enough!" Wotan said making lightning that hit the teens along with their pets, however it seemed to have a hard time catching Starburst who was currently trying to strangle Starscream as Bumblebee used the other Cybertronian as a shield against the lightning.
"Plan B," Aqualad said using his own power to deflect the lightning off him and Miss Martian. She nodded and the bioship flew over, dropping the duffel bag, opening it, Aqualad pulled out the Helmet of Fate.
"No Aqualad don't!" Wally shouted before he was punched aside by Black Atom, before he was hit by Superboy. Wally slammed into the tree with a painful snap.
Putting on the helmet, Fate flew up to face Wotan. "Wotan, you are mine." A beam came out of Fate's chest and slammed the other sourcerer into the roof, wrapping him in chains.
"I LIKE TRAINS!"
Sinestro flew past the chained wizard screaming as a red train chased after him.
"Wonder Boy, you are mine," Joker mimicked as he pulled out a knife. Robin ducked back and dodged the knife-weilding psycho clown. "Always wanted to carve this bird." He pulled out a second knife and chased after.
"What's the matter Starscream? Tired of being Megatron's glitch again?" 'Bee sneered as he tried to stab the shap-clawed Decepticon.
"I am nobody's glitch!" he snarled swiping down, but the scout just rolled out of the way.
"Really, I thought for certain you were, since you're always groveling at Megatron's feet."
Starscream howled in rage leaping at Bumblebee who just grinned behind his mask. Raising his blade, he ducked under, stabbing the knife into a gap between the shoulder and pectoral plating, before grabbing his arm and hurling him into Emerald's train.
Wotan sent the chains back at Dr. Fate, who just absorbed them into his shield. "Wotan has prepared for your return Doctor," he smiled before shouting a speel and knocking Fate down slightly.
Miss M wove between the vines that Poison Ivy sent randomly to try to find the camouflaged girl. "I can't see you Martian, but perhaps I'll hear you scream!"
"And perhaps I can be of assistance," Vertigo said.
M'gann grabbed her head and fell, but Wally tore past, ripping off part of the Count's cape, catching her.
Artemis jumped up, and kicked the Count in the face, knocking him into Ivy.
KF ran behind a tree, cradling his broken arm, Artemis ran over and grabbed the cloth, jumping back as she saw Starburst slithering up to Wally's arm. "No, no, no," he muttered as the snake the wrapped itself into a sling for him. "Uh…thanks?"
Starburst hissed, looking at Artemis as she was slammed back as Wolf crashed into her.
"Artemis!" Ultra Humanite tried to attack him, but the gorilla back away as the massive cobra raised his head and sprayed venom at him. Moonknight flew down, attacking the gorilla as he was distracted.
Up in the air Sinestro grabbed Starscream off the train and tossed him at Emerald, the Cybertronian managed to cut a gash in her leg before going back down towards the ground crying out as another shot from Bumblebee hit him as he landed. Emerald glared at the Yellow Lantern before making a giant bone saw. Sinestro made a shield as she swung down, holding her back as the red saw slowly started to cut through the yellow shield.
"Surrender Wotan, you cannot hope to defeat a Lord of Order," Fate said shooting a blast at him but he just teleported behind him.
"I can and I will!" he said landing another blow on Fate.
"Toohs mih nwod!" A blast came down and shot Wotan out of the air as Zatara and the rest of the flying members of the League arrived. "Not tonight Wotan!"
A groundbridge appeared and the Autobots and other members of the Leauge rushed through. Batman tossed a bat-a-rang at Joker as he tried to stab Robin. "It's over."
Another bridge appeared and Starscream ran through it, abandoning his allies.
"There will be another day," Vertigo said as they surrendered.
"Another day? ANOTHER DAY? THERE WON'T BE ANOTHER DAY! NOT FOR ANY OF US!" Joker exclaimed as the spores on the plants exploded releasing Joker Venom.
"Joker Venom spores, don't breathe!" Batman said as he punched the clown unconscious.
"Fear not! Fate has interviened!" Fate proclaimed as he made all the gas vanish through a small portal.
"Well that was dramatic," 'Bee said before Optimus cuffed him on the back of the head.
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? HOW COULD YOU LET KALDUR PUT ON THE HELMET! Nabu will never let him go now," Wally said. "Kaldur will be trapped inside Dr. Fate forever."
Fate reached up and removed the helmet.
"He let you go?"
"He almost did not, though your friend Kent Nelson was most helpful, he says hello," Kaldur smiled.
"We're done here, the supervillain secret society has been neutralized," Batman said. "As for your performance…it was satisfactory."
-.-
Unkonwn location
"Impressive, the plant creatures have proven their usefulness as potential weapons," Vandal Savage smiled.
"More importantly, the so-called heroes, now believe our secret society has been revealed, and crushed," Megatron smiled.
"With the Injustice League serving as our proxy, we are once again free to operate with impunity," Ras Al Ghul added as Queen Bee, Klarion Witch Boy, the Brain, Ocean Master, and Lex Luthor all smiled.
"And shadows, still conceal our light."
A/N: so guys, if y'all are interested in learning more about Erica, I suggest reading Emerald Lantern by Sil Vaturha 98, it's on my favorite's page. But there are some differences between them, just so you know.
