Welcome to the Justice League
To my reviewers:
YunaNeko: Wow I didn't think anyone was gonna like the last chapter, thanks.
sverhei: Your answer is in this chapter…and yes it would be.
Diane (Guest): I fixed up all the problems I had, plus some that I caught later on. I may not say it but I do appreciate you telling me where I mess up in my writing.
Yuki101: Thanks, here's the next and rather long installment.
Thank all of you and my other readers, you're amazing.
Disclaimer: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and the Justice League belongs to DC Comics. The only characters I own are Karin and Hitomi. I make no profit off this fanfic. Please don't sue me. (Enough of that, on with that show)
Chapter 25: The Attack From Above and Below
Two Weeks Later
Kagome was in the gym, continuing her normal workout routine. She was only about half way done when her stomach began to sicken. She ran to the nearest trashcan and emptied her stomach, "Gross," she groaned. For the past week, Kagome had been feeling exhausted, slouchy, and sickened, and it was starting to get really annoying.
Shayera was inside the gym too and saw the whole thing, "Whoa, are you okay sis?" she asked.
Kagome nodded, "Yea…I must have eaten something bad."
"I don't think I've ever seen you get sick," the Thanigarion commented, "Maybe you should visit the Medical Bay."
"Miko," J`onn said, interrupting the conversation threw the com-link. "You're needed in the Medical Bay. The Question is in need of your healing abilities."
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Medical Bay
Kagome entered the room and saw a beaten up Question in one of the medical beds. According to Superman, Cadmus had captured the conspiracy theorist after he stole some information from one of their facilities.
Next to him was his girlfriend Huntress, a former League member who was taken off the team after she tried to assassinate the criminal responsible for killing her parents.
Kagome walked up next to them and lifted her hand summoning her healing powers, "I can heal you if you'd like?"
"You're asking me?" The Question groaned, "Don't you people just do whatever you want?"
"Zip it Q," warned Huntress, she didn't want to insult the person who could help her boyfriend get better.
"I don't use my powers on those who don't want me to," Kagome stated. "Not everyone is comfortable with the thought of 'magic,'" Kagome used air quotes on the word, "touching them."
If a faceless mask wasn't covering his face, Kagome would have seen him raise his brow, "I see," he said actually curious, "So if I refuse your treatment?"
"I walk out of here. No hard feelings," she said simply.
"The hell he does," Huntress complained, "Just heal him…please."
Kagome looked at The Question seeing him slightly nod. With his permission she used her healing powers on him.
"I beginning to see it now," The Question said after Kagome was done healing him. Even the wounds that couldn't be seen because of his mask was healed.
Kagome tilted her head, "See what?"
"Why Lord Martin Manhunter had lost his way without you," he said simply.
Kagome gave a questioning look, "What do you know about that?"
"Everything," The Question said, as he got up from the medical bed.
At that moment, Superman walked in the room looking very angry. 'What the hell happened today?' Kagome thought.
"Tell me Question," Superman said in a demanding voice, "How did Cadmus get a hold of you?"
"I went to kill Luthor so that you wouldn't be able to," stated The Question.
"You did what!" Huntress yelled.
Kagome smacked her hand to her forehead, 'Baka.'
"The League doesn't do that," Superman scolded.
"And how do we do things, Superman?" The Question asked, "Your counterpart killed Luthor. This Luthor is trying to enrage you."
"Well he accomplished that," Kagome said to no one in particular.
"Ruining your reputation," The Question continued, "And turning your friends and comrades against you. Creating a super powered army…You cannot let it infuriate you."
"We can take down Cadmus without killing Luthor," Superman swore to him.
The Question got into the Man of Steel's face, "Then by all means carry on," he began to walk out of the room, Huntress followed loyally behind him, "It's not like it's the end of the world…right?"
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Communications: Ten Minutes Later
J`onn was watching the monitors, looking for any movements on Cadmus's end. Green Arrow, Flash, Hitomi, Karin, and Kirara were chatting nearby.
Suddenly, Superman came barging toward the Martian, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't go down to Cadmus and take them down?" he asked J`onn.
Supergirl and Kagome followed behind the angered Kryptonian.
J`onn turned to the Man of Steel, "If you already know the answer, why are you bothering to ask?"
"I'm serious J`onn," Superman demanded.
"We don't have any hard evidence that they committed any crimes," J`onn explained in regret.
"No matter how much we want there to be," Hitomi chipped in her opinion.
Superman gave the Martian a frustrated look, "Oh come on," he complained, "You know they're dirty."
"We all do Nii-san," Kagome said as she walked over next to her Martian husband.
"You should use that energy to actually find more evidence against them," suggest Green Arrow.
"I don't recall anyone asking you for your opinion," growled Superman.
"No," replied Green Arrow, "But you did when you guys brought me up here against my will."
Flash leaned down to his girlfriend, "He's got a point," he whispered. Hitomi nodded in agreement.
"Batman said I should stay up here to help keep you guys honest," Green Arrow continued.
"Do I LOOK like Batman to you?" asked Superman glaring.
Karin actually got a little nervous by Suprman's tone and went to her mother's side hugging her arm. Kirara ran up next to her and rubbed against the young one's leg in comfort.
"Actually, you kind of do," Hitomi said hesitantly.
"Especially when he's all scowly like that," Flash admitted.
Superman's gaze went down to Karin who was looking at him with just a little bit of fear in her eyes. Realizing this, he took a breath to calm himself, "Look, we can't let Cadmus get away with what they'd done. They cloned my cousin, kidnapped The Question, and today they turned Captain Atom, one of our own, against us."
"No one is saying that we do," said J`onn, "But we have to keep a cool head."
As the conversation continued, Kagome began to feel a little light headed. Not wanting to alarm the others, she slowly began to lean on the control table. It seemed to work since J`onn, Superman, Supergirl, Green Arrow, and Flash didn't seem to notice.
However, her actions didn't go unnoticed by Karin and Hitomi.
"Are you okay Kaa-san?" Karin asked.
Kagome nodded reassuring her, "Yes Kar-chan, I'm fine."
Hitomi walked over to her and didn't look convinced, "Are you sure? You look a little pale," she said in concern. The closer she got to Kagome a certain scent caught her attention. At first Hitomi was confused by it, 'I've only smelt this scent when my Kaa-san was.' She stopped mid thought and her eyes widened in realization, 'Could it be?'
Hitomi's thoughts were interrupted by an alarm going off. Karin covered her ears by the sharp noise. Kagome dragged her into a hug to comfort her
"Computer report," J`onn demanded, wanting to know what triggered an alert.
Suddenly a control panel began to emerge from the floor, "Binary Fusion Generator Initialization Sequence in progress," an automated voice answered.
"Abort," J`onn ordered.
"Unable to comply," said the automated voice, "System locked."
J`onn ran to the control panel in a panic, "Over ride," J`onn ordered while trying to unlock the system, "Command authority 004."
Everyone watched in horror of what was going to happen.
"Come on, Kobito," Kagome urged.
"System administrator 'J`onn J`onzz' recognized," the automated voice answered, "Unable to comply."
J`onn grabbed the intercom, "All hands prepare for Fusion Charge! This is NOT A DRILL!"
Everyone on the Watchtower braced themselves.
"Just break it!" yelled Hitomi.
J`onn bent down under the control panel and phased his arms threw the machine and pulled on the wires necessary for the weapon to operate properly. The wires caused the Martian to be electrocuted but thanks to his super strength he was able to pull the wires out entirely.
Kagome and Karin ran to J`onn's side the instant his body was flown back from the electrical blast of the control panel.
Everyone let out a breath of relief.
"Re-routing Binary Fusion Control," said the automated voice startling everyone, "By passing circuit break."
Thinking quickly, Superman flew out of the tower as fast as he could to try and stop the nuclear weapon.
J`onn embraced Kagome and Karin tightly waiting for what was to come.
The blast shook the entire space station knocking people around who wasn't prepared for it.
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Earth
As people went though out their daily lives, they looked up and noticed a bright light in the sky. When the light reached the ground the vibrations of the blast was enough to cause an earthquake.
The city streets began to crack.
Buildings started to crumble, as the shards of glass fell on innocent civilians.
Power lines collapsed and broke out into fires.
Fire Hydrants exploded.
Bridges fell causing some unfortunate cars to fly off.
People scattered to find cover, while others were injured trying to get away.
All of them, thinking in their minds.
Why did this happen?
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Watchtower
"Emergency Power activated," said the automated voice, "To preserve air please refrain from doing any straining activity."
"Will do," said Flash sarcastically as he rubbed his sore head that hit one of the Communication Tables.
J`onn released his family and tried to find out what had happened with the controls, "Status report," he ordered.
"We will be back into full power in fifty eight minutes," one of the personnel answered.
"I need senses and long rage communication now," J`onn commanded, "We need to know what damage was caused."
"We should be able to get communications by using the annexes," said one of the personnel, "It'll take a few minutes."
"Do it," said the Martian.
"What happened, Kaa-san?" Karin asked holding Kirara tightly.
"I don't know," Kagome said, 'Oh Kami, what did we do?'
"Who could have done this?" Hitomi asked as she went over to Flash near the controls.
"The real question is 'what did we hit'?" asked Flash trying to get the computers to power up.
J`onn looked up the last action on the controls. His eyes widened at what the weapon fired at, "Cadmus Headquarters."
"My God," was the only thing Green Arrow could think of to say.
"There are going to be people who need our help," said Flash, "I'm taking a few rescue teams down there."
"Agreed," said J`onn.
"I'll go with you," said Kagome.
"No!" Hitomi yelled startling a few people, "Th-theirs going to be a lot of people who are injured and knowing you, you'll try and help all of them. That's too much for you."
"But," Kagome tried to argue.
"She's right," J`onn said in agreement.
Kagome wanted to protest some more but their conversation was interrupted by a phone ringing.
"Uh oh," said Flash knowing exactly who was on the other line.
J`onn answered the phone, "Yes Mr. President."
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One Heated Discussion Later
"Understood. Thank you, Mr. President," said J`onn before he hung up the phone. He lowered his head in a loss of what to do.
Kagome, who returned from healing Superman, came up behind her husband and grabbed his shoulder in comfort, "It wasn't your fault."
J`onn turned to her and embraced her, "I should have been able to stop it,"he said in her mind.
Kagome embraced him back, "You did everything you could, Koibito."
For once, her words didn't sooth him.
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Thirty Minutes Later
"I got it," said the super hero named Steel, "I got the long term communication back online."
"How long till you can restore full power?" asked J`onn, monitoring the progress.
"Hard to tell," Steel answered honestly.
"Hello…hello," said Flash though his com-link to the communication panel.
"Go ahead Flash-kun," Kagome answered, she had been trying to get the communications to work for the past half hour.
"The evacuation is going on fine. Lots of people got injured but no casualties," Flash reported.
"Oh thank Kami," Kagome said relieved.
"They were fortunate," J`onn said just as grateful.
"They don't see it that way," Flash said sadly, "The people...they're really mad at us."
J`onn sighed deeply at this, "We'll send additional help."
"Don't," said Flash, "It'll just scare everyone even more."
One of the monitors came back online to show a news report. Superman came back to the control room just in time to see it.
"Reporting from New Mexico," said a female reporter, "A huge explosion caused tremors have gone as far away as Japan."
Kagome's eyes widened.
J`onn used his mind to sense Kun-lun and Souta, "They're unharmed,"he reassured her.
"Many have reported moments before the explosion that they saw an energy beam come from the sky," the reporter continued.
"Turn it off," said Superman angry.
"It's the only information available at the moment," J`onn said in regret.
Superman looked down to the ground in deep thought. 'Where do we go from here?' he questioned. He reached up to the com-link, "Diana, John, Shayera meet me in the Conference Room," he got off the com-link to look at the couple, "You both come too."
Kagome and J`onn followed Superman to the Conference Room.
When everyone arrived and settled in the conference room, Superman finally spoke, "What have we done?"
"We didn't do anything," replied J`onn, "An outside force took control of the Binary Fusion Generator. They are the one's responsible for destroying Cadmus."
"J`onn, not a lot of people are going to believe that," said Kagome, "I was there and I'm still finding it hard to believe."
"The people are terrified of us," said Superman, "And so is the government."
"We can't let that stop us from doing our job," said Green Lantern, "We aren't here to be liked. We're here to make the world a safer place."
Superman glanced at him, "And how are we doing so far today?"
"Oh come on," whined Green Lantern.
"We should try to make a gesture of cooperation," Wonder Woman suggested.
"That might be best," Superman agreed.
"We could defuse the Binary Fusion Generator," said Wonder Woman, "Until our innocence is cleared."
Shayera nodded, "I agree."
"Same here," said Green Lantern.
Wonder Woman nodded in thanks, "It's a start but it won't be enough."
Kagome thought over what else they can do, "Well…we could offer ourselves." Everyone turned to her with questioning looks on their faces, "Think about it, they're worried that 'we' are going to do something worse than today. Let's show them we won't and regain their trust."
Superman thought of her words and stood up, "Agreed."
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Hitomi was next to Supergirl, both of them were assisting Steel with repairs. Karin was holding a flash light for them, wanting to help in some small way.
"May I have your attention please," Superman said from above gaining everyone's attention. The original members were hovering above all of them, while J`onn had his arm around Kagome. "We have an announcement. Until our innocents can be proven, the founding members are going to turn themselves into U.S custody."
Everyone gasped at what the Man of Steel just said, before yelling out their objections.
Superman raised his hand to silence them.
J`onn lowered himself and his wife down to speak with Karin.
"Kar-chan, we need you to stay with Hitomi till we get back," Kagome told her daughter.
Karin nodded, trying her best not to cry, "How-how long will you and Outo-san be gone for?"
"We don't know, dear one," J`onn said honestly, "Hopefully not too long."
Karin wrapped her arms around both her parents giving them a big hug, "I love you."
"We love you too," said Kagome, as she kissed the top of her daughters head. They both reluctantly released her and J'onn flew them to the Javelin hanger to meet with the others.
Karin remained where she was and had a look of confusion on her face.
"What's wrong Karin?" Supergirl asked the ten year old.
Karin turned to look at Hitomi, "Does Kaa-san smell different to you?"
Hitomi's eyes smiled at Karin's senses, "I-I don't know," she lied.
Supergirl spotted the kitsune hanyou's deceit, "What do you know, Fox?"
Hitomi mumbled as soft as she could so that only Supergirl would hear, "I can't say…not yet," she said truthfully since she was pretty sure Kagome and J`onn didn't even know yet.
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Javelin 7
"You want me to what?" yelled Batman.
"Turn yourself over to U.S custody," Wonder Woman repeated.
Flash nodded, "Yea, the plan makes sense."
"We'll send you the quadrants," said Superman, "We should all go over together."
"This is the single dumbest plan I've ever heard," complained Batman.
"Gee thanks," Kagome said sarcastically.
"If you all feel guilty, clear your own name," retorted Batman, "Don't stand on the sidelines and let somebody else do it."
"We've already voted," said Wonder Woman, "Six are in favor."
"Seven," Flash corrected casting his vote.
"You have to come with us, Bruce," Diana urged.
"No I don't," Batman replied, "I'm only a part timer," he said before hanging up.
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Flash began to run to the federal prison where he was going to meet the others. However, there was one person he needed to talk to before he arrived, "Hitomi?" he called though a private com-link line.
"I'm here, Wally," Hitomi answered back.
"You heard what's going on?" he asked.
"Yea," she replied, "They told us before they left."
"So," Flash said in a teasing voice, "Any last words before I'm sent in the Big House."
"Umm," she thought for a moment, "Don't drop the soap."
Flash laughed out loud, "Really Hitomi?"
She laughed too, "Give me a break. It was all I can think of."
Flash's laughs died down, "Babe, you know I love you, right?"
Even threw the com-link, Flash could feel her smiling, "I know, and I love you….Hey Wally," she said in serious voice.
"Yea? He questioned hearing her tone change.
"If something happens to you guys, I need you to do something," she said.
"What is it?" getting a little concerned now.
"It's about Kagome," Hitomi began to explain.
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Federal Prison
When the founding members landed the Javelin 7 in front of the prison building, two dozen soldiers were waiting for them at the entrance.
They exited with their heads held high, "As promised, we're surrendering ourselves to your authority," said Superman.
"Where's Batman?" asked a soldier who had a gun pointed at them.
"Running late," said Flash, "The Batmobile lost a wheel and Joker got away." (AN: LOL Classic)
"I don't think now's the time to be a smart ass, Flash-kun," said Kagome.
The soldiers came with high tech hand cuffs ready to bind their prisoners.
"Those won't be necessary," said the Prison Runner.
"But its standard procedure," argued a soldier.
"This isn't a standard situation," the Prison Runner replied, "Besides, I don't think it would hold them anyway."
The heroes walked into the facility, ready to go into their holding cells. The men and women were separated into different wings of the building.
A soldier was leading Wonder Woman, Shayera, and Kagome to their cells.
As they were walking the smell of the filthy prison was starting to affect Kagome. 'Oh Kami, not now,' she thought as she ran to a corner, yanked off her mask, and emptied her stomach.
"Miko," both female heroes said with worry.
"We got a situation," said one of the soldiers to his walkie-talkie, "Miko, needs to be escorted to the Prison Clinic."
"No. No I'm fine," Kagome tried to reassure everyone and tried stand up again, only to fall back down on her knees.
"It doesn't seem like it," said Wonder Woman concerned.
Shayera looked even more worried, 'This is the second time this has happened today."
Another soldier came down the hall, "I'll take you to the clinic ma'am," he told Kagome.
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Watchtower
Meanwhile, Karin was in her room crying into her pillow on the bed.
As much as she wanted to be strong, her parent's absence had a deep effect on the ten year old. After hearing all the League members concerns everywhere she went, she finally broke down and ran to her room.
Kirara was next to her bed in her yōkai form, her head nudging the young girl's body, trying to cheer her up.
A few minutes later, Hitomi walked into the room. "Oh sweetie," she said sadly once she saw Karin's distress.
The ten year old looked up at her sensei, "It's not fair," she cried.
"I know," Hitomi said as she sat on the bed, "But it'll be okay."
"How do you know?" Karin asked siting up and wiping her eyes.
"Cause I know your parents," Hitomi said simply, "They love you very much and will do everything that they can to come home to you."
Karin smiled lightly.
An alarm made all three yōkai blooded beings jump. Hitomi ran out of Karin's room to see what was going on. She didn't even have to go to the control room, because she saw the problem outside the window.
Missiles, lots of them, were heading in their direction.
"Oh no," she said before running back to Karin's room.
"What's going on?" Karin asked alarmed.
"Get inside!" Hitomi yelled as she shielded the ten year old with her own body as the door shut.
Bam Bam Bam
The space station began to shack repeatedly from each missile that hit the Watchtower dead on.
But there were no explosions.
Hitomi and Karin both looked at the door in confusion.
Kirara began to growl at the door, sensing what was approaching.
Hitomi stood up and shielded Karin behind her.
The door opened and reviled Shifter, one of the Ultimen, with a blank expression on her face.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," Hitomi complained before she charged, yōkai claws long and sharp, at the Ultimen member.
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Federal Prison: Clinic
Kagome sat on the bed that was offered at the clinic. After asking a series of questions and running a few tests the female nurse told her to wait for the results.
After what felt like half an hour the nurse came back, "The good news is that you're not sick."
Kagome looked concerned, "And the bad news?"
"It's not bad news," the nurse responded in a teasing voice, "Not bad news at all."
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Watchtower
After wrestling with Shifter few minutes, Hitomi was able to subdue the clone.
Once that was over, she grabbed Karin and put her on Kirara's back, "Karin listen to me carefully," the ten your old nodded, "I want you to go to the Panic Room on the fourth floor with the personnel."
"I can help," Karin defended.
"I know you can," Hitomi admitted. "That's why I want you there. If something happens and those people run into trouble, I want you to protect them, okay?"
Karin understood her sensei's wishes and nodded.
Hitomi hugged her, "Good girl," she said before looking at the fire neko, "Go Kirara."
The full blooded yōkai roared as she dashed to the Panic Room, biting and clawing any Ultimen who stood in her way.
As Hitomi made it through the hallway, she saw more League members struggling with the dozens of Ultimen that flowed this hallway alone. She charged to aid her friends, "Who else wants some!"
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Federal Prison: Forty Five Minutes Later
Kagome paced inside her cell. She almost couldn't believe what the nurse had told her. 'How am I going to tell J`onn?' she thought to herself. Sure, she could tell him in his mind but she wanted to be their face to face when she told J`onn what the nurse told her.
"Tell me what?" J`onn asked in Kagome's mind, making her jump a little.
"You startled me," she said almost laughing a little.
"I apologize," he said, "I just…miss you."
Kagome sat down on the bed and smiled, "I miss you already too."
"What do you need to tell me?" J`onn asked again.
Kagome took a deep breath, "J`onn I." She began to say before the sound of her cell opening, brought her out of the conversation.
"Alright you're free to go," said the soldier.
"What?" Kagome asked confused.
Wonder Woman and Shayera came to her cell, "Let's get out of here," said the Amazon.
The League exited the building and came face to face with the most unlikely person to spring them out, "Amanda Waller," said Superman, "I'm surprised that you're still alive."
"We evacuated Cadmus minutes after you left with Captain Atom," Waller explained, "You fired at an empty facility."
The team sighed in relief, knowing that no one died at Cadmus.
"Didn't think you'd be the one to clear us," said Wonder Woman.
"Only because I need you to take down a greater threat," Waller stated.
"Who?" Flash asked, although he already had a good guess on the answer.
"The man who took over that space station of yours…Lex Luthor."
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Watchtower
Karin was in the Panic Room with Kriara and the personnel of the Watchtower.
The door was forced open from the outside and another Shifter opened the door in the form of a gorilla. As she charged inside she shifted into a T-Rex.
Karin charged at the dinosaur Ultiman and spin kicked the clone in its face. The Shifter T-Rex stepped back, and Kiara attacked the dinosaurs back.
With that distraction, Karin forced her yōkai claws to come out and sliced the clone on her side.
The dinosaur roared as it morphed back into Shifter, who collapsed to the ground unconscious.
The personnel's cheered behind Karin, making her smirk. The cheers quitted as more Ultimen came inside the room. Karin simply glanced at the Ultimen before charging to attack.
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Lex Corp
The League member arrived in Metropolis just in time to see Batman fall from the Lex Corp building.
Superman caught the Dark Knight and flew him to the opened window.
"Did you really think you could take me down all by yourself?" Lex Luthor said to Amanda Waller amused.
"Yea I did," she answered just as amused, "But just in case I was wrong I brought back up," she pointed behind Luthor.
The CEO turned around to see the original eight members of the League standing behind him.
"Ta da," said Flash. Kagome chuckled at that.
"It's over Lex," said Superman.
"No," said Luthor, "Not until I, AHH," Lex Luhtor yelled and grabbed his head in agony. Something began to morph on his back and pierced Luthor's skin form the inside out, ripping his shirt off in the process. His arms morphed into black tentacles and his body and legs began to have more black mechanical looking pieces appear on his body.
Amanda Waller and the League watched in horror not understanding what was going on.
"I had hoped to remain hidden," said Luthor, only it wasn't Luthor speaking, "Until I could install myself into the android. But you forced my hand." Three marks appeared on Luthor's upper chest and a mechanical face appeared on his stomach.
A face the League recognized immediately.
Superman growled, "Brainiac."
"That's disturbing," Kagome said shocked. Amanda Waller slowly made her way to the League, not wanting to be close to the deformed Luthor.
"I-I don't understand," Luthor struggled to say, "Wh-what's hap-pening?"
"You are under my control," said Brainiac, "I have lain dormant in you for years. Influencing your actions. Do you not re call my kidnapping you in this very building?"
Luthor recollected the event, "You forced me to make you a new body."
"Correct," said Brainiac, "Kal-El destroyed that body and foiled my plans. But I had a backup plan and shot you with Nano Tech Alloy that carried a microscopic copy of my programing inside your body. Since then, I steadily grown in strength and protected this body until I could transfer my mind to a more sufficient host."
"You're the one who cured my cancer," Luthor realized.
"Your protein shell was insufficient for my needs in that state, and needed to be improved," Brainiac stated.
"Okay," said Flash, "I hate to interrupt the performance from the thing with two heads, but it's time to go to jail now." (AN: Actual dialogue. Still funny no matter how many times you hear it.)
"What he said," said Waller shooting at him with her gun.
Kagome drew an arrow and shot at Luthor/Brainiac.
The two headed being fell back from both attacks, collapsing to the ground.
"We'll take it back to Cadmus and see if we can get what's left of Luthor out of that thing," Amanda told the League.
Luthor/Brainiac stood up and his body healed itself of the injuries both Waller and Kagome made.
"Damn you technology," Kagome cursed.
"Be gone," Brainiac said attacking the League with electric shock.
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The League was forced out of the glass windows. Those who could not fly began to fall.
Shayera grabbed Flash by his hand.
Green Lantern saved Amanda Waller with his ring.
J`onn caught his wife and flew with her bridal style.
Batman saved himself with his grappling hook.
Superman stayed behind and fought Luthor/Brainac. Throwing hit after hit but having no effect on the mutated man machine.
Luthor/Braniac used his tentacle arms to fuse with the Lex Corp building and created bigger black tentacle to attack the League.
J`onn tried to dodge the mechanical tentacle's as best he could but ended up getting tangled up in one. Unfortunately, so did Kagome, since she was in his arms.
All other League members struggled against the black mechanical tentacles as well, but they too got captured by them.
"You are defeated," Braniac said as he gathered all the captured Leaguers in a bunch. "Any unique information that dwells within you will be digitized. Your physical bodies will be deleted, such is the ultimate fate of this world."
Eight small silver mechanical tentacles burst form Luthor/Brainiac's body and attached to each League members body.
Before one tentacle tried to hit Kagome, she created a barrier around herself forcing the tentacle back. 'I can't hold it,' she thought as the tentacle began to crack her barrier.
The other members yelled as Luthor/Brainiac, began to 'download' them into his programing.
Even though he was in excruciating pain, J`onn forced his eyes opened and glanced to Kagome. His eyes widened in horror at the sight of her barrier breaking. "NO!" J`onn yelled as he phased threw the tentacle and charged at the Luthor/Brainiac. He grabbed hold of all the silver mechanical tentacles and yanked them out of the mutant man machine's body.
The silver tentacles began to dematerialize from the League's bodies. Kagome put her barrier down in relief. J`onn grabbed hold of her once the black tentacles released her.
Diana grabbed Batman once he was released. Superman did the same thing for Flash.
"No I was not prepared for this battle," said Brainaic as he retreated into Lex Corp. Once he reached the top of the building his black tentacle arms morphed to the roof. Making it into a giant hovering vessel that resembled Braniaic's mechanical head, "Now I am prepared."
The hovering vessel began to shoot lasers out of its eyes, and destroying nearby buildings.
The heroes who could fly, after they dropped those who could not on top of a building nearby, began to attack the vessel. Tearing it apart bit by bit. It was thanks to the combination of Superman's laser vision and Green Lantern's ring that the vessel was split in two and exploded.
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The heroes gathered around the vessel remains after the fight.
"That was too easy," said Batman as he analyzed the vessel remains.
"Easy!" Shayera questioned.
"Compared to other big fights we've had, yes," Kagome agreed as she was panting heavily, 'Come on, you got to keep it together,' she told herself. Luckily the others didn't seem to notice her heavy breathing.
"They're right" said Superman, "Brainiac isn't here."
"Where the hell did he go?" asked Flash.
"Okay, he's weakened and damaged," Shayera listed.
"So, he needs to repair himself," J`onn concluded.
"He may just dump Luthor and find a new body," Wonder Woman suggested.
Superman shook his head, "No, he'll head for the greatest technology available."
"Higher then Lex Corp," said J`onn, "The next would be Star Labs."
"He'll go to Cadmus," Amanda Waller corrected while sitting on rubble nearby.
The Leagues eyes widened.
"Sure," said Shayera, "That makes sense, since he's all Nano Tech now. What's the best Nano Tech on the planet?"
"The Dark Heart," Batman said, referring to the extraterrestrial phenomena they had to face in Nevada, "Cadmus confiscated remains."
"We were never able to get it to work again," Waller stated.
"You willing to bet Brainiac can't?" Batman asked Waller.
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Javelin 7: Ten Minutes Later
"Watchtower," J`onn called on the com-link, "We require assistance."
"We can't," said a wounded Steel, "The Ultimen clones damaged every part of the landing bay and the teleports are still down."
Kagome used her com-link, "Fox, is Karin alright?"
"More than alright," Hitomi answered, "She actually took down a few Ultimen herself."
Kagome and J`onn smiled with parental pride after hearing that.
"Looks like the eight of us will have to do," said Batman as he flew the Javelin to the new Cadmus headquarters.
Once they arrived, everyone prepared for whatever Luthor/Brainiac had in store.
"I can't see threw the lead walls," said Superman, "But I'm picking up an uprising heat signature."
"I can feel that heat," said Wonder Woman.
An explosion caught most of the League off guarded. Kagome created a barrier around them to protect everyone form the blast.
Before their eyes, they saw the entire Cadmus building around an upgraded Luthor/Brainiac. The ugly mutated machine was replaced with a Luthor shaped being in a gold suite, green skin and glowing eyes, and a Brainiac symbol on his forehead.
"Welcome, Justice League," said Brainiac, "You're just in time for the end of the world."
"I know you're in their Lex," Superman yelled after Kagome dropped her barrier, "Fight him."
"I am in here," said a mixture of Luhtor and Brainiac's voice, "And I like it. I can finally get everything I've ever wanted like this. Power, knowledge, immortality."
Kagome rolled her eyes, 'My Kami, these two talked a lot before but now it's just ridiculous.'
"And you'll destroy the planet to get it?" asked Superman.
"It's business," Luthor/Brainiac said simply.
"Less talking," said Shayera as she powered up her mace, "More hitting."
"Agreed," Kagome said as she shot an arrow at Luthor, only to have the arrow melt as it made contact with the shield. "Damn it."
Suddenly, Braniac created eight equal clones of himself to fight the League so that he could continue to heal himself.
"Oh, we can do better than that," said the Luthor part of the Luthor/Brainiac creature. Luthor changed the clones to appear like the Justice Lords.
Lord Miko resembled League Miko in every way, only instead of the kimono, she wore black leather pants and dark purple top with a hood.
Each Lord member began to taunt their counter parts by telling them of every mistake they made.
Lord Miko charged at Kagome with her katana. Kagome used her own katana to block the attack.
"Look at you," said Lord Miko, "You're pathetic! What does J`onn see in you? You are unworthy of any type of love in this world!"
Kagome pushed the Lord Miko back. "Seriously, these are the best insults you've got. Even Jaken comes up with better insults then that," Kagome said as she added her holy powers to the katana and sliced her counterpart in half, form left shoulder to its right side, causing the Nano clone to dissolve.
Once everyone was done destroying their counter parts they charged at Luthor/Brainiac. The upgraded mechanical man shot electronic lasers at the team.
First Shayera, then Green Lantern and Batman, then Superman and J`onn.
Kagome held up a barrier to protect herself, her body was so weak right now from all the power she used so far. The barrier broke, and she braced herself for the attack.
It never came.
Instead she felt a familiar speed sensation go around her body, "Flash-kun."
"Wouldn't want you to get hurt," he said before placing her behind a piece of building wreckage nearby, "Especially in your condition."
Kagome's eyes widened, "How did you know?"
"Hitomi," he answered.
"Oh, that sneaky little kistune. She's going to get it for not telling me," Kagome threatened.
Suddenly, Wonder Woman came charging with the Javelin in the sky. She threw the jet into the morphed building causing the whole thing to explode on the inside and crumble.
Kagome tried to protect everyone from the daubery with a barrier, only to have it break a few moments later. J`onn grabbed her and shielded her body with his own.
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Flash was the first to get out of the rubble covered in cuts and bruised. He then saw Luthor/Braniac come out as well, looking very unpleased.
"You lose," Flash taunted.
Suddenly two Luthor/Brainiac clones appeared lifting Flash weakened body up and morphed into two military soldiers.
"Look at you," said Luthor/Brainiac, "The League is defeated and so are you. For all you efforts you have unconvinced me," Luthor/Brainiac walked to the speedster and morphed a shot gun from his body, "But I'm still just human enough to take my revenge. Looks like The Question was right. I kill you, then Miko dies, then it's the end of the world."
"No!" Flash yelled using his super speed to escape the Nano Tech clones.
"Are you really going to fight me?" Luthor/Brainiac said amused.
Flash backed away from the mechanical man and ran away using his super speed. Luthor/Brainiac laughed as he began to rebuild the Cadmus building.
At least he was trying to, until something caught his senses.
Flash came back and hit Luthor/Brainiac hard. Pieces of the mechanical man's golden armor came off to show human skin underneath.
Using his super speed Flash ran around the Earth so fast that he was able to take the Nano Tech armor off bit by bit. Even when he was standing in front of the beaten mechanical man, the speedsters body vibrated from the incredible speed.
Nearby, the League members came out of the rubble, and saw what was going on.
"Flash-kun," Kagome yelled for her friend, as she watched him tear the Brainiac part off of Luhtor, till absolutely no mechanical traces seem to remain.
However, Flash's body continued to vibrate at an unnatural speed, so fast that static electricity could be seen around his body, "I feel…kind of funny," he said as his body began to vanish before their eyes.
"FLASH," the woman yelled for their young friend.
Even in his beaten body Luthor began to laugh, "Well what do you know, I did kill him."
Superman walked up to Luthor, giving him the most terrifying death glare.
"I take it back," said Luthor, "I think this is the part where you kill me."
Superman grabbed his nemesis by the throat lifting him from the ground, his eyes red and ready to use his laser vision.
Suddenly, the Man of Steel's eyes turned normal again and he lowered Luthor to his knees, "I am NOT the man who killed President Luthor. No matter how much I want to be…I'm not."
"Everyone," J`onn yelled suddenly, "Flash is still alive!" Everyone, besides Luthor, looked at the Martian with hope, "I'm telepathic contact with him…but he's growing weaker," he waved his arm slowly where he felt Flash's spirit.
Shayera and Kagome both moved their arms around that area trying to 'feel' their speedster. It was Shayera who found the connection between them and their friend, "Flash!" she called into the air sucking void.
"Shayera," said a weak sounding Flash, "It's so beautiful here. Thiers a force, a speed force…it's calling me home…I think I have to go now."
"No Wally," Shayera cried into the void, "Just take my hand," the Thanigarion tried to pull her friend back but the force was too strong for her.
Green Lantern grabbed her other hand, "I'm here too Wally."
The chain was formed next with Kagome, J`onn, Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman.
"We're all here," said Superman as he pulled.
With their combined strength they were able to pull Flash out of, where ever the speed force took him, and the speedster collapsed into Shayera's arms.
"I…can never go that fast again," Flash said weakly, "If I do…I don't think I'll come back"
"Good," said Kagome looking at him, "Cause family or not, Hitomi would kick my ass if you did."
Everyone laughed.
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"Brainiac is gone," Amanda Waller said in her cell phone a fifty yards away from the League, "Call off the air strike."
"Are you sure?" said the person on the other line.
"Yes, Mr. President," she replied.
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A Few Hours Later: Metropolis
In front of the entire Justice League team, Watchtower personnel, reporters, and random citizens, the original eight stood on a stage in front of them.
Superman was the one who spoke, "This…is the hardest thing, I've ever had to say," he admitted, "I'm guilty."
J`onn reached for Kagome's hand and lightly squeezed it, she squeezed back just as tightly.
Karin was next to Hitomi in the crowd, with a proud look on her face. The couple smiled back at their daughter.
"We're all guilty," Superman continued, "Although we had the best of intentions, to be Earth's guardians, we failed you. We looked down at the world from our fortress in the sky and let our power and responsibilities separate us from the people we wished to protect…No one, should be afraid of us. For that reason, we are decommissioning the Watchtower."
Everyone mumbled in confusion.
"We want to thank the members of the Justice League for their service. But from now on you all have to act as independent agents. As of right now, we are disbanding the Justice League…this is the end."
Superman began to walk away, the others followed close behind.
"Says who?" asked Green Arrow, making the founders of the League stop in their tracks, "We just saved the world again and you don't think that has any value? Well think again. The Justice League will go on with or without all of you. If you're quitting because you've done your fair share, go ahead. But if you're quitting because it's easier than continuing to fight…then you're not the heroes we thought you were…The world needs a Justice League and the League needs you, Superman."
Everyone in the crowd and the other founding members cheered in agreement.
Superman looked to his team mates who all smiled him. Batman gave a small nod in agreement as well.
Superman nodded back and went back to the microphone, "Okay okay," he said settling the crowd, "But there is going to be some changes," Superman said before he continued to give out his ideas on what the League should do.
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After the Assembly
"I'm resigning from the League," Kagome said her teammates. The founding members were all stumped by her words. All accept the Flash who was smirking. Hitomi walked up with Karin and stood next to her boyfriend and smiled with him. Karin, who was holding Kirara, was shocked by her mother's news.
"You can't quit," said Wonder Woman, not believing what she was hearing.
"What are we gonna do without you?" questioned Green Lantern.
The other's went on and on about how Kagome should stay but she never took her eyes off J`onn.
The Martian was also alarmed about her news of resignation. "Kagome, I know I often say that I wish you wouldn't go on missions," J`onn began to defend the reason he thought Kagome was quitting for.
"J`onn," Kagome tried to interrupt.
"But it is selfish of me to ask that of you," J`onn kept rambling. "I promise, I won't bring that up anymore."
"J`onn," Kagome tried to interrupt again.
"And I know I'm not around as much as I used to be, but I can change that. I can train others to do my job just as well as I can and," he stopped mid-sentence, as Kagome smashed her lips against his.
The young miko pulled back and smiled at her husband, "J`onn...I'm pregnant."
J`onn's eyes widened in surprise.
The women gasped and the men's mouths dropped at what Kagome had said. Flash and Hitomi snickered at their reactions.
"Are you serious?" asked a shocked Superman.
"Really, Kaa-san?" Karin asked excited, "I'm gonna be an 'Onee-san?"
Kagome glanced at her daughter and nodded while smiling. She glanced back at J`onn, who's expression hadn't changed yet.
"Congratulations, sis," Shayera said giving Kagome a gentle side hug.
"Way to go, lover boy," Flash teased J`onn, who still yet to move from the information.
"You be nice," Hitomi warned as she hugged her boyfriend from behind and kissed the side of his neck. After she heard from the others on how close they lost him today, Hitomi got clingier since he got back.
Finally coming out of his shock, J`onn slowly placed his hand gently over Kagome's stomach. With his mind, he could sense the being forming in her womb. "Our child," he finally spoke, with bewilderment.
Kagome placed a hand on top of his and smiled wider, "Hai, our child," she replied.
J`onn slowly formed a smile on his face and kissed his wife hungrily.
Hitomi blocked Karin's eyes with her hand, "What are you doing?" Karin asked her sensei.
"Not scaring you for life," Hitomi said protectively.
OMG THAT WAS LONG, but I couldn't think of a good place to stop. Plus most of you would hate me if I didn't answer the 'is Kagome pregnant' question, since most of you have been begging for it for the past few chapters. So what do you think? Please Please Please tell me. Next time: Many months later and Kagome gives dating advice.
Till then my readers