Chapter 10

Disclaimer - I don't own DC comics or any of its characters nor do I own anything to do with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This story is purely a work of fan fiction and does not seek to claim ownership or seek any financial gain.

A special word of thanks to XRaiderV1 - All my readers should be aware that I really appreciate the fine work that my BETA's do for every chapter I produce.

Last Time

"Can't you help?" asked Miri.

D'Hoffryn frowned, "Miss, I am far from my seat of power and have not been active in this dimension for quite a while. When Miss Summer's saw fit to cut me down, I lost a lot of power. Indeed, I only heard your wish because you are a Slayer. I listen very carefully for Slayer wishes."

Amanda didn't look happy and then she looked thoughtful. Was D'Hoffryn saying he wouldn't help or was he…" I wish we had some help."

"Amanda no!" exclaimed Xander.

D'Hoffryn smiled, seemingly amused, "I knew you would get there. You can have Miss Rosenberg's help for one week without upsetting things too much back home….and DONE."

Chapter 10

"What the…" Willow looked around the room, confused. Then she spotted Xander and Amanda.

"XANDER…oh dear Goddess! What are you wearing? Amanda…what is going on?" Willow demanded before seeming to get a hold of herself. She launched herself at Xander, throwing her arms around him a hugging him. "I thought you were dead."

"I'm okay Will's, we are both okay, but the situation is a bit complicated," said Xander as Willow slowly loosened her arms.

"Amanda!" Willow pulled the younger woman into a hug before releasing her and studying her rather revealing uniform. "Why are you dressed as a Star Sapphire, actually why are both of you dressed as Star Sapphires?"

Xander sighed, aware of all the eyes on them. "It's a long story, Willow…a very long story. Maybe we could have a quick break while I fill her in?"

Willow looked around taking in the room, "Have you been hiding from us at a Comic Convention?"

Xander took one of her arms as Amanda took the other. "We'll be back in a minute. Miri could you come as well?"

Miri smiled, "Of course."

The three Star Sapphires led Willow to the cafeteria, with its large full-length windows.

"Wow, those effects are great. They look like…" Willow trailed off as she touched the glass. "But…they…you…" her voice trailed off as she stared at the Earth.

"Welcome to the DC universe," said Xander as he watched his friend wondering how she would react.

oOoOo

Headquarters of the Light – Western Mongolia

Ra's al Ghul watched, face impassive as Vandal Savage considered what he had been told. His tall, muscular figure sat quietly behind his expansive desk.

Klarion rolled his eyes, not attempting to hide his annoyance. "I know you want to discount this entity, but Ra's is right, it is dangerous…very dangerous."

Savage shook his head, "Oh, I have no doubt that it is all that you say. What I ponder is how this will factor into our plans. One of my agents has reported several emergency meeting of high ranking members of the Justice League and one happening as we speak. With almost every one of their allies in attendance."

Ra's raised an eyebrow, "Interesting, you suspect they know something of the nature of this entity?"

Savage nodded, "Indeed, and I suspect they are formulating plans to defeat it."

Klarion snorted in amusement, "If it can blow through my defences, then I wish them luck."

Savage turned to Klarion, a look of annoyance on his face, "And when they fail, what then? No, I have not achieved all that I have by living in hope that others succeed."

Savage focussed his attention on Ra's, "Summon Sportsmaster. I believe that it is time that he retrieved his missing daughter."

Ra's smiled, "Ah, you mean to find out what they know, from the source so to speak."

Savage inclined his head, acknowledging the guess. "The Watchtower is a difficult target to infiltrate but there are ways to get onboard. Cheshire's beacon is still on the station."

Klarion nodded and smiled nastily, "And, thanks to me you have a way onboard and a way off. Although it will only work once, after that Fate or one of those no-good busybodies will up the protections on the station."

Ra's looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking, "We would need something that would capture the attention of their most powerful members. Any plan we make will be much harder if Superman and his ilk are on the station."

Savage's eyes were cold as his lips turned upward, "The Light is well supplied with allies. Their activities can be timed to assist us. Sportsmaster has made it very clear that he wants revenge for his daughter."

oOoOo

The Watchtower

"And you two got mixed together so now Xander's a Slayer and looks like he's been working out and dropped a few years?"

Amanda nodded.

"So that was really Wonder Woman?" asked Willow.

"Yep," replied Xander with a grin as Willow's eyes lost focus for a moment.

"And you three are really Star Sapphires?"

Miri giggled and pointed at Xander who used his ring to create a solid projection of a chair, which he promptly sat in. "Yep."

Willow opened her mouth to speak, then closed it before rubbing her temples, "I think I need to sit down."

Miri helpfully made a chair for her.

"Thanks," said Willow as she sat. "Okay Buster, that was the short story and I'm all calm now. So, what is the unabridged version of events?"

When Xander finished explaining, Willow was looking worried. "Ooookay, so Superbad mojo but if this really is the DC universe there are heroes aplenty here and things are happening at home that I'm needed for."

"And we had our own superheroes…how did that go?" asked Xander without any trace of his usual humour.

"So, I what, go and get reinforcements," said Willow. "Buffy, Faith and the other slayers."

"Willow, the strongest wizard they have couldn't do it. We are too far away," explained Xander.

"Maybe we should return to the briefing," suggested Miri with a smile. "This is what everyone was discussing. Perhaps they have some insights."

Willow nodded, her eyes assessing Miri and how close Xander was standing to the alien. A look of resolve appeared on her face and Xander knew that she had just filed away a whole lot of questions. When she locked gazes with him and raised an eyebrow he nodded.

"Yes Will's, Miri and I are a couple. After the meeting we'll give you all the juicy details," promised Xander.

"I'll hold you to that. Now, I suppose we had better get back to the briefing,"

They quickly returned to the briefing room just as the door swung open and Giovanni Zatara walked out.

"Ah, there you are. We should head back soon. We called a break for you and your friend to catch up, but they should be starting back soon," explained Giovanni.

"We were just heading back in," explained Xander.

"Before we start," began Giovanni with a smile. "I assume that you are the Wiccan that Alexander and Amanda referred to when they arrived."

Willow blushed, "Most likely."

Xander nodded and Amanda simply grinned.

Giovanni smiled warmly at the blushing witch, "Then I would be delighted if, time permitting, we could catch up after the meeting."

"Of course, I mean you are one of my favourite characters…" she trailed off looking embarrassed.

Giovanni shrugged as he paused at the door, "Alexander has explained the…ah, crossover in his world."

Willow shot her friend a look, "I'm still getting details straight."

"Of course," replied Giovanni politely smiling as the door opened.

Xander led his shell-shocked friend to a new seat that had been set beside his own.

"So love, you're a long way from home, and on a first name basis with a Demon Lord," said Constantine darkly as he stood before he smiled. "John Constantine, welcome to the club. Although, this D'Hoffryn bloke seems a lot more reasonable than the tossers I've dealt with."

Willow shook hands with Constantine, "Wowsers, John Constantine…I mean it's nice to meet you."

Constantine nodded toward the gathered heroes, "We'll have to have a cuppa after this lot have finished. I can sense you've got magical power, but it would be a good idea for you to get the lay of the land and all."

"Thanks," replied Willow with a bright smile. "And as for D'Hoffryn, well he is the lord of Vengeance Demons. He's pretty powerful but not all that interested in destroying the world. Although, I had thought that being decapitated after he double-crossed us might have taken longer for him to come back from."

"Nah, they're like cockroaches' love. You clean them out and pretty soon they're back," replied Constantine with a sigh.

Black Adam and Isis had been watching on with interest. Before stepping over to "This is a friend from your home?" He asked Xander.

"Yes, this is Willow. My best friend since childhood and the most powerful Witch in my dimension. Willow this is Teth-Adam and his wife Lady Isis," Xander introduced everyone rather formally, not sure what Black Adam's response would be if he thought he was taking liberties.

Black Adam gave a polite nod, "Lady Willow."

Isis went a step further, taking Willow's hands. "A pleasure to meet a friend of our Star Sapphires. We owe them, especially Alexander, a great debt."

"Oh?" prompted Willow.

"I'll tell you later Willow," injected Xander as Superman stood to address the room.

"We know what we face, and we must now work to find a way to defeat this new enemy. In fact, I believe that we have two tasks. The first is to find a way to track and deal with this entity that has control of Bizarro. The second is to determine what we will do should the worst occur, and its master is released."

As Superman sat, Batman stood, "We have a mix of abilities in this room and some of the most powerful practitioners of magic available. I suggest that we start with a research team. Ganthet, would you be willing to lead the team?"

Ganthet looked thoughtful before nodding, "I shall need to return to Oa first to gather some of the data I have gathered there, but once I return, I would be honoured."

"And we will return to Olympus to spread the word of what is happening here. We will return as soon as we are able," announced the Goddess Artemis.

After the two divinities had disappeared through a pink portal. Batman went on to assign missions to the other league members and their allies. Many of the Senior members were going to be tied up searching for Bizarro. The rest of those present would also be on the lookout, but more importantly, they would be helping the Justice League deal with those criminals that would no doubt take advantage of the fact that the League's eyes were elsewhere.

Young Justice and the Star Sapphires were going to be staying on the station with Red Tornado. He was left in command as he was judged the least likely to be affected by the entity.

As the League's leaders spoke, Xander kept a watchful eye on Willow.

oOoOo

"I spent so long waiting for our chance to man the Watchtower only for our first time to be guard duty," complained Kid Flash.

"It is an important responsibility and considering that we have been chosen to guard the Watchtower in this time of danger reflects well on us," replied Kaldur'ahm. "Important duties do not always require adventure."

Robin rolled his eyes before turning his attention back to the group gathered around Ganthet. "What do you make of our new friend?"

"Willow?" questioned Miss Martian. "She's lovely, very polite and friendly."

"And a powerful Witch," finished Wally. "You know when people say witch, I think warts and cackling, not a pretty redhead. No offence M'gann."

"None taken," replied M'gann with a smile.

"I think you need to work on those stereotypes," said Robin as he walked into the conference room with Superboy.

Kid Flash raised an eyebrow, "Where's Artemis?"

Robin shrugged nonchalantly, "She wanted to check something out. She'll be along soon."

oOoOo

Watchtower - Infirmary

In the Infirmary, Artemis sat looking at her sister. It was an odd experience sitting here, waiting for Jade to wake up.

The magical's, doctors and healers had been confident that she would recover from the traumatic head injury she had suffered at in but could not speculate when that might be. Normally, she worked hard to keep her distance from her estranged sister and father. But now, with Jade like this…it was hard to see her as anything but her older sister.

Her Father, the villain known as Sportsmaster, had not been there for either of his daughters but he had done far worse than be a bad father to Jade. He had set her feet on the path that would lead to here becoming the assassin known as Cheshire. With a sigh, she stood. "I'll be back later when I can get away."

oOoOo

The empty storage room was suddenly bathed in an orange glow as a circular portal formed. Within moments the small room was once again illuminated by the overhead lights.

"I told you that it would work," boasted a smirking Klarion. "I hope you know what you are doing, but whatever happens, I'm not taking the blame if you get caught Ra's."

Sportsmaster ignored Klarion as he clenched his fist. "I don't know what you are really doing here but I am retrieving Cheshire."

Ra's gestured toward Professor Ivo. "The good professor has seen to it that his robots will gather the data I am interested in. Collect your daughter Sportsmaster and leave via the Father box."

Professor Ivo stroked the head of one of his monkey-like robots. "My specially modified MONQI's will hack the system and get the data we need. So, no need to wait for me Sportsmaster."

"This all sounds good, but I won't last long against the likes of Superman," admitted Sportsmaster with a grimace. "And I can't see Ivo and his toys doing any better."

"The majority of the Justice League are…occupied elsewhere. I am sure that you can handle those present on the station with the ah, adjustments made to his toys I have no doubt he will succeed" explained Ra's.

"I don't like being out of the planning loop," said Sportsmaster as his eyes narrowed behind his mask.

Ra's shrugged, unconcerned. "Worry about your daughter and I will see to my own concerns."

"Well this is wonderfully chaotic, I'm almost said that I won't be around to see what happens," said Klarion as he and his familiar walked through a newly forming portal.

"Are you ready?" asked Ra's.

"Ah, a moment please," said Ivo as he touched a controller on his wrist, shutting down his MONQI's. "There, it is set."

"This should garner their attention," said Ra's as he placed a silver orb on the floor and activated it.

oOoOo

Watchtower Control Room

Red Tornado had less than a second to activate the alarm before the specially created EMP device forced him to shut down.

All over the station computerised devices went haywire.

oOoOo

Xander looked up in surprise as the overhead lights flickered and then turned off completely before coming back on at a very low level.

Zatara frowned and moved to activate a communication panel, only to find that the screen had gone black. "Something is wrong, please stay here and I will find out what is happening. moor lortnocehtot em tropeleT."

"Is this normal around here?" asked a worried looking Willow.

"No love it isn't," replied Constantine as he stood, looking around warily.

Footsteps alerted them to the arrival of the Young Justice team.

"What's going on?" asked Xander.

Robin shook his head, "No idea, it could be…."

CRASH

"Now that is most certainly not normal," said Miri as she used her ring to change into her Star Sapphire uniform.

Xander and Amanda immediately followed suit.

Ganthet gestured and a green portal appeared next to the conference room table. Another gesture and their notes and reference materials were swept into it. "I feel caution is appropriate, as we have no idea what is happening. The dimensional pocket will keep everything safe."

Robin looked around, his expression showed that he was unhappy, "I don't like not knowing what is going on." He tapped his forearm to activate his high-tech communicator. "This is pretty well shielded, and it's fried. That had to be a fairly advanced EMP device."

"Giovani went to the control room," reported Miri.

Robin grimaced, "Red Tornado is on duty."

Constantine swore under his breath. "Would an EMP effect him?"

Robin paused and then shook his head, "I don't know, but I do know that it can't be an accident."

"It is unlikely," agreed Kaldur'ahm. "Perhaps we should make our way to the control room."

"I think…" began M'gann before a loud explosion sounded outside.

A strange, sound came from outside. An odd chittering sound that had Kid Flash wincing. "Oh, not these things again!"

A smirking Professor Ivo appeared in the doorway with two MONQI's on his shoulders. "Ah, the sidekicks."

Robin's hand went to his utility belt, "You are behind this!"

Ivo smiled coldly, "Only in part, now sadly I need to be on my way."

Robin stepped forward, his staff telescoping to full size, "Your not going anywhere!"

Kid Flash darted forward as the MONQI's leapt into the air to attack Robin. His target was the controller Ivo wore on his left forearm. He was just about to make contact when the diminutive Ivo backhanded him into the wall.

Kid Flash hit it with bone-breaking force and slumped, unmoving to the ground.

"Watch out, that's not Ivo!" warned M'gann. "I can't sense anything."

Conner rushed Ivo, trying to take him down. Ivo simply stepped aside and then simply punched Conner in the back of the head, sending him crashing, dazed into a wall.

Ivo took a step forward, before being struck by two purple beams and frozen in place.

Xander and Miri were using their power rings, throwing everything they could at whatever it was that looked like Ivo.

"We've got him for now but I'm not sure how, but we'll keep him here. Go and get some help and find out what's happening."

Robin smashed one of the MONQI's into the ground, seemingly disabling it. As he struck, Amanda caught the second in a glowing, purple cage.

"What the hell do I do with it?" asked Amanda.

"Here let me help love," said Constantine. A few gestures and a seemingly solid doorway appeared. "Shove the little bugger through there. It's a pocket dimension."

Robin followed Amanda's lead and shoved the damaged MONQI through the doorway.

M'gann frowned as she studied the cage holding Ivo, "What about Ivo?"

"I suspect that we are looking at another version of Amazo," said Kaldur'ahm.

Ganthet stepped forward, studying the android. "An impressive piece of technology, alas that it has been built for evil purposes. As our ring bearers cannot hold it here indefinitely, we need to consider our next steps. Does anyone know how to deactivate it?" Seeing the headshakes, he turned to Constantine. "Would it be able to escape your pocket dimension, Mister Constantine?"

John Constantine shook his head, "Not without me letting it out."

"Then shove it in!" said Amanda.

Ivo was quickly secured, and Constantine sealed and vanished the doorway.

The two downed teens were quickly checked over and helped to their feet. The half-Kryptonian recovered quickly but Wally was struggling to stand upright and was clearly suffering from a concussion.

"Well, Wally's out for now," said Robin with a grimace.

A loud crash down the corridor was followed by billowing smoke.

"Right," said Amanda. "I think we need to find out what the hell is going on."

Robin looked unhappy but nodded, "Since we know the way, we'll make for the control room."

"And we'll try and find what's happening," added Xander.

"Artemis is somewhere around here as well," M'gann warned them as she focussed on Artemis. "She's fighting near the detention area and she is very worried about someone."

"We'll find her," promised Xander.

"I will stay here with this young man in case Giovani returns," said Ganthet.

Constantine looked conflicted for a moment before shaking his head, "I'm not much use in this fight. I'll help Ganthet."

Willow, however, stepped forward, "I can help you search."

"Willow…." began Xander.

"You know I can hold my own Xander and I'm not letting you charge off into danger right after I just found you." Willow's resolve was clearly written on her face.

"Fine," said Xander as he capitulated. "But be careful."

The corridor was still full of smoke and so Miri used her ring to push the smoke away, improving the air quality and visibility. At the end of the corridor, a man in a mask was revealed as he was forced fend off an enraged Artemis.

"Artemis," exclaimed Amanda as she moved to charge forward.

Artemis didn't look away from her opponent but whoever it was still got a hit in sending Artemis staggering backward.

Her opponent stepped into sight, revealing himself to be Sportsmaster.

"Oh joy, it's family time," muttered Xander as he and Miri raced after Amanda.

oOoOo

As Miri and Xander raced off, Willow went to follow but stopped when a figure in a long cloak seemingly melted out of the shadows.

Ra's al Ghul smiled coldly as he walked into the room. "Ah, excellent. Just the people I was after…although, I confess that I have yet to learn the name of the young witch."

Willow's eyes went wide, "Holy Smoke, you are Ra's al Ghul."

Ra's raised an eyebrow, "And you are well informed."

Constantine stepped forward with a frown on his face, "What do you want Ra's?"

"Information about the entity currently possessing Bizarro," replied Ra's. "I have no interest in what the others want onboard this monstrosity, but this entity is dangerous, far too dangerous for my organisation to ignore."

Constantine offered a slight smile, "Gave you some grief did it? I heard on the grapevine that you had yourself some dark order of mystics setting up your defences. I'd ask for my money back."

"I would but sadly the order is now…extinct." Ra's shook his head with an expression of mock regret. "As much as I would like to continue this inane banter, I am on a rather tight schedule. Things do not have to be unpleasant, I am not here to fight you but to find out how to defeat this entity. A common problem for us both."

Before Constantine could reply, Ganthet stepped forward and gestured. A large tome appeared and levitated toward Ra's. "This is a copy of the information we have. Your allies need to know what it means to do."

Ra's took hold of the book as he considered the Guardian. "What does it want?"

"The destruction of everything in existence."

Ra's paused, "Is it capable of such?"

"If it frees its master then we will face a being that the might of the God's barely managed to imprison," explained Ganthet.

Ra's looked down at the book, "I see, and this book will verify your findings?"

Ganthet nodded.

"Then I will depart," said Ra's.

"Will you help?" asked Willow as she moved to stand beside Ganthet and Constantine.

Ra's studied Willow for a long moment before answering. "I have no desire to see the world destroyed, Miss. If your fears are true, then we will share a common goal. I shall contact you once I have reviewed your information." He activated a device on his wrist and stepped through the portal that appeared and then closed behind him.

"I almost believed that," muttered Constantine as he turned to Ganthet. "Why did you go and give him a copy of our bloody research?"

Ganthet looked unapologetically into Constantine's eyes, "Because we need all the help we can get."

A loud explosion sounded down the passageway and Willow blanched, "Xander!"

Before Ganthet or Constantine could react, she had taken off down the hall.

oOoOo

Amanda sent a construct throwing knife hurtling toward Sportsmaster, forcing him to block it with his armoured forearm. As she created another blade, Sportsmaster charged forward, avoiding Amanda's next throw and returning her attack with a punch that Amanda managed to avoid.

Despite her strength and skill, Amanda was struggling to get a solid hit on the experienced Sportsmaster. When she trapped his arm in a lock, thinking to immobilise him he surprised her by using his mass to slam her into the bulkhead.

Stunned, she didn't see him draw a knife with his left hand. Bringing it back to stab her in the throat he found his hand caught in a vice-like grip.

"I don't think so," said a scowling Xander who used his ring to create a glowing set of knuckle-dusters that he used to punch Sportsman in the face, staggering him.

Sportsmaster stepped back shaking his head to clear his vision, "Not bad boy. You hit hard. Pity that you were to slow to stop me setting this up."

An explosion rocked the corridor, filling it with debris and smoke.

Xander, Amanda and Miri managed to shield themselves, but Artemis was sent tumbling along the corridor.

Sportsmaster walked through the smoke, into the room housing the unconscious Cheshire. "Time to go little girl."

Xander didn't offer up any witty banter, he just charged Sportsmaster. Dropping his shoulder into his opponent and driving him away from Cheshire. Sportsmaster staggered and turned, driving an elbow into Xander before being caught in glowing chains as Miri secured him.

"Well, aren't you lot quite the heroes," said Sportsmaster as he lifted off the ground, held fast by Miri.

"I've got him, check the others," ordered Miri.

Sportsmaster laughed, seemingly amused. "Well, you say that." He shook his head and his disappeared behind dark lenses,

Xander and Amanda turned back to Sportsmaster and Miri just in time to see something on the wall behind Miri.

A red blinking light.

Xander threw a shield up around Miri as a deafening sound and blinding flash lit up the room.

After a few moments, Xander found himself on the floor trying to blink away spots from his watering eyes. A shape appeared over him, stepping over him in fact.

"Time to go, little girl," said Sportsmaster.

"…leave her…alone," Xander managed to turn his head enough to see Artemis, with her bow and an arrow aimed at Sportsmaster.

"You…going to…me…girl?" asked Sportsmaster.

Artemis didn't hesitate, firing her first arrow. Sportsmaster deflected it with his arm guard and turned his back to pick up Cheshire.

Artemis second shot was also deflected.

"THICKEN!"

Sportsmaster froze in place.

Willow gestured, sending Sportsmaster flying in to the wall and slumping to the ground.

Artemis ran forward, "Are you all okay?"

Xander nodded as he sat up. Checking quickly, he saw Miri and Amanda shaking their heads and blinking.

"Yeah, he used a flashbang," said Xander.

"I'll secure him," said Artemis.

"Oh Goddess," said Willow as she looked past Sportsmaster.

They all turned to see what she was looking at as Willow rushed forward.

Cheshire was motionless on blood-soaked sheets with an arrow embedded in her left breast.