Justice League Unlimited is owned by Warner Bros./DC. All other characters, Marvel Image or others are owned by their respective owners. Guys, it's been a while! There have been plenty of things that have kept me on the shelf and away from this story but once I start something, I always finish it. I started working on this chapter in the late summer of 2005, but Hurricane Katrina (I am from New Orleans) seemed to take the desire out of me. The show's ending also had an effect on me. This is the second part of a trilogy that I am working on. The trilogy started with the story "Days of Thunder," but you don't necessarily have to read that story to be able to follow this one. So, nearly three years later, a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, a best friend's death, and a near completion of a Master's in English Arts, I am resuming. I've gotten numerous emails asking me to continue this story or to resume "Sisterhood" and I am very appreciative of the support over the dead three years. I just have been through so much. It may take me a while to get my swing and style of writing for something like this back, but I'm sure that I still have it. Especially since I have my Justice League DVDs. All apologies!
Batwing Journal Entry 4770: My thoughts have never been so clouded and my judgment has never been so off. I've never run from anything since I put on the mask, since I became the night. Lex Luthor is an evil, self-centered tactician. He is the damning force behind the fall of the Justice League and the rise of the Justice Lords. He will be making a speech condemning the league in a few hours in Gotham City. My City. But I run to him to avoid my feelings. My feelings for someone else. Someone who should only be a teammate. Someone who… someone who… someone who I love.
The situation with the portals is growing worse as well. J'onn warned us that we may be merging with another universe. I don't even want to think about the effects and ramifications of something that climatic. There are so many heroes in Metropolis and in Gotham now, that some evildoers have decided to relocate. My trip to see Luthor has taken longer than expected. I had to make a stop in New York. It turns out the Boston Red Sox pulled off the upset over the Yankees and won the series. The score was so lopsided, that fans started throwing objects onto the field at the players. Then the drunken masses decided to riot after the game. And then the Scarecrow decided to release fear toxic on the crowd, making matters worse. The anti-terror task forces at Yankee Stadium were able to supply plenty of gas masks, but not nearly enough to stop the madness. So the riot police arrived. But capturing the Scarecrow was a different matter completely. The Scarecrow manipulates fear, but I am fear. That's where I come in, or rather, that's where I was supposed to come in. I found an unconscious Scarecrow a few blocks from the stadium hanging from a lamppost. He was covered in some sort of synthetic webbing with a note attached to his chest. The note said, "TO NEW YORK'S FINEST, COURTESY OF YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD…"
"Brutality" part 4
"Face of the Demon"
"All our times have come,
We're staring down the red gun,
Romeo and Juliet,
Are together for eternity,
We can be like they are,
C'mon baby,
Don't fear the reaper,
Baby take my hand,
Don't fear the reaper,
Baby I will fly,
Don't fear the reaper,
Baby I'm your man…"
-Blue Oyster Cult, "Don't Fear the Reaper"
One of the lobbies in The Watchtower…
"Oh really?" Wonder Woman says as she balls up her fists, "You have no business being here after what you did! And if you speak to me like that again, I'm going to—"
"Woman," Ghost Rider says coldly, "What you do is as of little concern to me as what you say. You approached me and began to annoy me. I had no control over the actions of your 'teammate' Longshadow, but my vengeance will be quenched, and it has been… for now. If you attack me, I will defend myself, and you will be silenced. Maybe, what is the mortal saying? Ah yes, I remember now…maybe it's 'your time of the month.'"
Wonder Woman pushes Ghost Rider back a few feet using only her index finger and says, "Consider yourself attacked!!"
Ghost Rider's chain forms in his fists as he stares at Wonder Woman who assumes her fighting stance. "I will not fight you," he says, "I sense a great deal of confusion in you over something unrelated to me and I will not be used as an instrument of your anger over the actions of another. I battle only to avenge innocents. You are a great warrior and one true of heart; our conflict is unnecessary. But your arrogance and carelessness may one day lead to your undoing if you are not careful."
Diana lowers her fists and looks down. That one hurt. It seems like she can't cover up her pain using a façade of amazon aggression. Ghost Rider walks away leaving Diana alone in the lobby. She feels naked; not physically, but emotionally, like everyone can see she's hurting inside. Batman's departure has left Diana more vulnerable and more confused than ever. She wishes she could be with him. With him so that she can strangle him perhaps, nah, she wouldn't do that. Diana is a woman who is used to straightforward, 'get to the point' communication; Batman is different. And in trying to learn that difference, she's found herself at dead end after dead end after dead end. The moment Batman left her, she went to her closet, put on her uniform, and stormed off looking for anyone she could irritate into a fight. That's not who she is; that's not what she stands for. She goes to the main conference room and approaches J'onn. Superman is nearby with Supergirl standing next to him gazing at the stars.
"I'm going on a patrol," Diana says, "I was wondering if I could take Longshadow with me."
"It's too dangerous," J'onn says, "Longshadow is under observation until we can find out how to reverse what Cadmus has done to him."
"And how long will that be?" Diana says, "Or are you too busy portal-watching?"
J'onn looks at her with some offense.
"I'm sorry," Diana says sighing, "I am out of line. Things have been rough for me lately, J'onn. Forgive me."
"I understand," J'onn says, "Apology accepted but still, I must reject your request."
"Let her take him," Superman says
"What?" J'onn replies
"Wonder Woman can take care of herself," Superman says with not a shred of emotion in his voice, "Let her take him."
Superman pats Wonder Woman on the shoulder as she goes to Longshadow's holding cell and retrieves him. J'onn gives Superman a look of disapproval, but Superman pays it no mind.
"Is there a reason why you did that?" J'onn says
"Why don't you read my mind and find out," Superman replies smiling, "She looks like she needs to get out. So, let her get out."
Supergirl grins, "How's our ground team going Kal?"
"They're doing fine," Superman replies, "I see our bogey coming into position now."
"What ground team?" J'onn says
"I've come to suspect some things," Superman says, "While I was away, a lot was revealed to me about certain people's intentions and true alliances, but I have to be absolutely sure before we can move on them. So, you could say I'm doing a little 'detective work.'"
J'onn exits the room trying to hide the look of fear that is engulfing his face while Superman and Supergirl laugh out loud and continue to watch the stars. Superman turns and looks at Kara. "Kara, I have a job for you to do as well."
Lex Luthor's presidential suite at the downtown Marriot in Gotham City…
"It's about time you got here," Luthor says with his back turned, "You bypassed all the security just as I expected."
"Don't move," Batman says, "Talk."
"Well," Luthor says, "I understand that your Justice League is having problems with Cadmus. But I've learned that humanity is in grave danger."
"When is humanity not in danger?" Batman says, "Get to the point, Luthor. I'm beginning to think you're stalling me."
"On the wall behind that painting there is a disk," he says, "It has all the information on Cadmus. It contains all their bases, their weapons, their codes, everything. It's something I 'borrowed."
Batman gets the disk. "Why are you giving this to me? What's your stake in this? If you want my vote, you aren't going to get it."
"You're the only one I can trust," Luthor says, "We have to get out of here; go someplace where we can really talk. Batman, this is big, bigger than either of us could imagine."
Batman senses the fear in Luthor's voice and knows there may be truth to his words. But Luthor still isn't telling him anything. Batman senses an uneasiness in the air and looks around very cautiously. There are so many things that are not right about this situation, and chief among them is Luthor's behavior. Batman knows Luthor, not only as Batman, but as Bruce Wayne, a rival of sorts in business dealings. Luthor has always exuded a coolness and a sarcastic stoicism. This is one of the few things that Batman would admit the two have in common. But now, he's shaking and sweating… what could this be about? What could make Lex lose it?
"Don't you see?" Lex says angrily, "We have to leave!! You've brought them here… they've been watching us the whole time!! I have a contact in London; you must go and meet with her and she will lead you… you MUST end this… the fate of the world is at stake… and don't trust anyone!"
"That's not so hard for me," Batman replies as he secures the disk, "I especially don't trust you."
"Well… if it isn't Lexy Luthor," a young male's voice
Luthor turns around and finds Superboy, Powergirl, and Steel behind him. Batman is nowhere to be found.
"Ahh, a few of the Justice League's B-Side," Luthor says with a smile, "I assume the Gotham nursery is too well protected for your usual patrol?"
"Laugh it up, Luthor," Powergirl says, "Believe it or not, and I'm still trying hard to believe it, we're actually here to protect you."
Things are pretty dangerous now," Steel says, "that's why Superman gave us direct orders to make sure you make it to that podium."
"I'll have to send him a thank you card," Luthor smiles, "But I'm already protected… Serenity."
Out comes a 5'10" Serena Williams looking woman all dressed in a white one piece, white boots and a white cape. Just like the female tennis player, she's got an amazingly fit but femininely desirable body and she wears a menacing facial expression.
"Is there a problem, Mr. Luthor?" Serenity says, "Because if there is, just say the word and I'll solve it."
"Woah," Superboy says, "In the words of the Animaniacs… hellooooooooooooo nurse!!"
"Because equal opportunity is a hallmark of my presidential campaign, I have been funding Cleopatra and her Amazons efforts to liberate Miracle Island from male chauvinist oppression, as well as supplying those lovely ladies with weapons." Luthor says, "Serenity is the personal aid to Cleopatra herself and she is providing me with her services."
"She doesn't look like much to me," Powergirl responds
"Try me," Serenity says, "Do they need to leave, Mr. Luthor? Would like me to see them out?"
"No thank you, Serenity," Luthor says, smiling his sinister smile at Powergirl, "They can stay… but they just have to be on their best behavior while I finish looking over my speech."
"What was Batman doing here?" Superboy asks
"None of your business, young man," Luthor replies smiling, "Perhaps you should ask him if you really want to know."
"It's just like Superman suspected," Powergirl whispers
Meanwhile… across the street on the abandoned fourth floor of the Tenet Express Building…
"This isn't looking so good," Green Arrow says as he is watching Luthor and the others through his binoculars, "I don't like the idea of secrecy from the League… but Batman brought me in and I trust him more than anything."
"Being secretive?" the Question responds, "If you want the answers, Oliver, you have to uncover the questions, and that takes a lot of secrecy."
"I really wish Batman had asked us to do this gig without Peter Pan and Blondie," Huntress says, twitching anxiously as she leans against one of the steel beams
"Hey!" Green Arrow says turning and looking at her
"Oh don't worry, Huntress," Black Canary says, "the feeling is quite mutual."
"Hey Barbie, anytime you wanna--" Huntress begins
"I'm not interested," Black Canary replies, "One thing I've noticed about you is that you talk a good game, but underneath all of it is a scared little girl who's a mediocre fighter at best."
Huntress draws her sword and places it right under Canary's chin. The raven haired Huntress stares into the blonde's sapphire eyes with anger, but Canary doesn't flinch. Green Arrow and Question move towards the two ladies, expecting blows to soon be exchanged, but Canary steps back and Huntress lowers her sword.
"Question," Canary says, "You better teach your girlfriend some manners, because the next time she points that thing at me, she'll be eating it. I'm going outside."
"Dina wait!" Green Arrow says, starting after her. He looks at Huntress, "Do you have to be so negative? So many bad things have been happening lately and we've already got enough internal conflicts among team members. But we've got to focus on figuring out what the hell is going on around here. This is a bigger deal than you and your personality problems."
"Make a move or go to hell," Huntress says as she leans back against the beam, "As far as going against the League and secrecy… we're the masters at that."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Batman," Green Arrow says, "Bout time you showed up."
"But only for a moment," the dark knight detective says as he hands Question and Green Arrow each a copy of the disk Luthor gave him, "Take this and study it well. I have to go to London."
"Have you looked at what's on this disk?" Question asks
"I've only glanced at it," Batman replies, "I have Robin doing a deeper analysis. Luthor assured me that everything Cadmus related is on that disk."
"But that comes with a freight load of salt," Green Arrow says
"I'll be in touch," Batman says as he fades into the shadows, "For now, I suggest you go on patrol… don't go back to the Watchtower."
Arkham Asylum…
"HEEELLLLPPPP USSSSSS!!" screams the large Killer Croc as he and so many other prisoners run for their lives with the sound of machine gun fire raging on. He bangs on the door to a holding cell. "Two-Face!! Let me in NOW!! I must essssscape him!!
"Forget it, Croc!" comes the voice from the other side, accompanied by a shotgun blast that just misses Croc's head. "That was a warning! Stop trying to pry open this door and get lost!!"
BOOOOOOOM!!
The entire left wing of the asylum erupts in flames from the C4 explosion. The Ventriloquist, holding onto Scarface, ducks low behind some bushes as the misty smoke and shadowy figures running for their lives takes over. The mist only shifts when bullets fly and men drop and die and the dark figure approaches.
"Scarface, I think it would be a wonderful idea if we left this place while we still can," the Ventriloquist says
"Blah, see?" Scarface says, "forget it!! If I'm going down, I'm taking all of ems with me, see?!"
The little puppet fires off his Tommy gun into the mist hoping to hit something, but ducks as a spray of bullets is returned. The Ventriloquist peers over the brush to see the shadowy figure reloading both weapons and coming his way.
"It's one man," the Ventriloquist says, "Only one man!!"
"One man?" Scarface replies, "That's impossible!!"
As the dark figure approaches, all the Ventriloquist can see is the black outline of his body and a white skull emblem on his chest… Frank Castle, Vietnam veteran turned judge, jury and execution… The Punisher. The tall black hair unshaven Castle stands over the old Ventriloquist and kicks Scarface away.
"You scum get crazier and crazier as I run through this place," he says, "just an old man without your little puppet."
He places the barrel of the long M-16/grenade launcher on the old man's forehead.
"Please!" the Ventriloquist says, "It wasn't me!! It was Scarface!!"
"Take to take your medicine, freak," the Punisher responds, "And I've got just the right dosage."
But something slices clean through the barrel of the gun and Castle looks down to find… a tiara?
"What the (& is this?" he says as the headpiece disappears and he turns.
"Drop the weapon and place your hands above your head," Wonder Woman says
"I'd do as she says," Longshadow states, "You may be lucky you don't get the death penalty for all the lives you've taken tonight."
"They're criminals! They're killers!" Punisher says as he drops the gun and raises one of his arms while reaching for something behind his back, "I made this world far safer by wiping the scum out."
"They are mentally unfit to blend in with society, but that doesn't give you the right to-- ARGHH!!" cries Longshadow as Punisher shoots him in the collarbone and runs off
"Longshadow!!" Wonder Woman cries
"Ahh how sweet," Punisher says, "I don't have time for this !+…"
Wonder Woman leans over Longshadow…
"Are you alright?" she says, sounding genuinely concerned
"I'm slowing down, Diana," he says weakly, "Nature is taking its course… but don't worry about me… stop that maniac and I'll join you shortly."
She tears a part of her red top and places it on the wound.
"Keep pressure on it and be careful," she says, "I'll be back shortly…I promise."
"I know you will," he says and Wonder Woman turns her head quickly to prevent him from seeing her blushing and she quickly sets off. Her movements are poetry in motion as she is serene and graceful wading through the chaos after the Punisher, knocking down inmates and saving guards as she advances, deflecting his gunfire with her bracelets. All the while, she can hear that hysterical laughter as they are rushing down the hall to the most dangerous cell in Arkham. The mixture of sirens from arriving Gotham PD to sounds of the wounded inmates and guards moaning to the sounds of gunfire to the Joker's nonstop laughter… Wonder Woman realizes that she is truly in a madhouse… but not too far away, standing over the unconscious body of Longshadow, the piece of Wonder Woman's garb still draped across his collar… Lobo feels right at home.
"Wonder Wench and Totem Pole sittin in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a funeral with a horse drawn carriage…soooo, she like men that dress up like little insecure bats and she likes men that dress up like the Village People… heh heh heh… but she's gonna realllllllllllly like the Main Man…"
Lobo rips the piece of fabric from around Longshadow's neck and pulls him up. Lobo hammer Longshadow's face while talking.
"She loves me… she loves me not… she loves me… she loves me NOT!! If you were awake, I'd give you a message to give to that Wonder wretch, but you're not, so I'll just leave my mark."
Lobo steps hard on Longshadow's crotch; he can hear pelvic bones breaking as he stomps again and begins to walk away.
"Take it from someone who knows," he laughs, "That thing'll get you inta trouble every time…"
Back at the Watchtower…
"So, she comes back and you're all over her!" Vixen says, sliding her sleek one piece on over her desirable body
"That's not quite how it happened," John Stewart aka Green Lantern says as he pulls up his pants and grabs his boots
"Then how did it happen?" Vixen responds, "She just slipped on a banana peel and landed on your--"
"It just happened," John says looking down, "I don't know how to explain it… I thought I was over her."
"Oh so now you can't explain," she replies, "Because last time, you said you could!"
"I've been confused ever since she came back…" he responds, "I thought I could move on."
"What is my purpose?" she says looking at him, the anger is no longer in her voice, "Tell me what it is you want from me."
"I don't understand what you mean"
"You know damn well what I mean," she says, trying to fight off her anger, "What are you doing here in my room? We just finished doing some 'things' and taking a shower and now we're getting dressed… but you don't know what you want. You know I can't keep on like this."
"I still--"
"You still what?" she says, now the anger is back, "You still love her? Then why are you with ME? Why are you using me like this?"
"I'm not using you…"
"Then what do you call this?" she says, "Recess?"
"I just need more time to figure out what I really want"
"That's your problem right there, John," she says pulling on her other boot and pointing at him, "Everything is about YOU and not me. You haven't thought about my feelings while you run around trying to get with HER. John, I wanted to start a family with you and I feel like I have fallen in love with you. You know me; you know the kinds of men I've attracted because I told you… and now, you're turning out to be just like the rest of them and it's HURTING me. You can't just put my heart on layaway while you figure out what it is that YOU want. You can't just come up here and sleep with me and then run off to try SHAYERA. I'd NEVER do that to you because I care about your feelings… but you're just thinking about yourself."
"I still love her"
"Get out, John."
John tries to say something else to Vixen, but his earpiece goes off.
"Green Lantern, this is Martian Manhunter… you are needed to the bridge."
Green Lantern arrives on the bridge to find Martian Manhunter, Flash, and Shayera, who avoids eye contact with him. Supergirl is also there and greets him with a smile.
"Where's Superman?" GL says
"He had business to take care of," Supergirl says, "He told me to stand in for him."
"Wonder Woman is dealing with the situation at Arkham, and Batman's whereabouts are unknown," J'onn says with obvious concern. "Several League members are not connected via commlink; we are already spread very thin right now, this is not making our situation any better."
"Hey, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are all away," Flash says, "But that can't be too bad of a thing… right? Yowzers…who's she?"
On the big screen, there is the headline "DISASTER IN METROPOLIS… AMAZON ATTACKS!!" A shot is shown of a tall woman with red hair in a long ponytail and a black and green outfit on. She's flying through a line of skyscrapers and causing destruction.
"This is Claire Owens with Channel 7-WBTV. The woman causing this destruction has been identified as Artemis, an Amazon from Themyscira, the same island that Justice League founding member, Wonder Woman is from. Artemis is not known for having the ability to fly, or having super strength, but somehow, she has both. We have no idea why Artemis has gone crazy and is causing so much damage. We have no estimate of the amount of property damage she's caused or how many lives have been lost, and Superman is nowhere to be found. This attack by an associate of a JL member cannot come at a worse time for the League, with business mogul and presidential candidate Lex Luthor scheduled to give a speech in Gotham City a few hours from now. The woman seems to be screaming and enjoying the chaos she is causing; we await word from--"
"J'onn," Flash says, "Just wondering… how is it that the news channel knows more about this chick than we do?"
"We can only assume that the information on her was leaked," J'onn replies, "But we don't have time to figure that out. I'm beaming you down. Our primary concern is the protection of lives."
J'onn sends Flash, GL, Supergirl, Shayera, and the arriving Vixen to Metropolis. As they arrive, Fire is sent crashing into Flash. The Latina's green flame goes out as Artemis has Ice by the throat.
"Nothing can stop me!!" Artemis screams, "You will bow to the will of my MASTER!!"
"Get ready, guys," Ice says as she freezes Artemis' hands and torso. This also freezes Ice to Artemis, "Blast her with everything you've got… you have to take her down!!"
"Forget it," GL says, "You're in the shot. If we blast her, we blast you!"
"Haven't you heard the saying, Green Lantern?" Artemis says as she easily breaks the ice, sending chunks and sharp razor ice pieces shooting everywhere, "He who hesitates is LOST!!"
Ice drops to the ground, her outfit ripped and bleeding from the icy knives. Artemis flies up to Green Lantern and before he can use his ring on her, she nails him with a solid kick to the chest and slams him into the ground.
"That's it!" Vixen says, "You put your hands on MY man!! Uh uh!!"
She charges the Amazon, jumping into the air and channeling the tiger, showing her razor claws as she tackles Artemis, but the redhead flips, placing both feet on Vixen's stomach and kicking her through a glass display. Artemis lands in front of the beautiful black woman and stares down at her.
"C'mon, Artemis," Vixen says weakly, "Show what you got…UUnnHH!!"
Artemis slams a hard right hand down on Vixen's nose and blood squirts. Vixen wraps her arms around Artemis' legs, but the 6' tall redhead pulls Vixen's head back hard in a can opener hold. Vixen feels her neck straining as she lifts the Amazon and slams her on her back, but Artemis locks her legs around Vixen's body and squeezes her in a body scissors. Vixen channels the snake to slip out of the hold, but Artemis nails her with a hard kick to the face then gets to her feet. Vixen is stunned, and receives a hard knee to her stomach that doubles her over into a double axe handle to the back of her neck. Artemis rolls Vixen over on her back, mounts her and begins to pummel her face with punches while locking her legs around Vixen's waist.
"And I am Artemis no more," she says, but Vixen couldn't hear her if she wanted to, "My new name is WAR!!
"GL are you okay?" Flash says
"I've been worse," GL responds, "Get those bystanders to safety while… VIXEN!!"
Green Lantern can hear slamming sounds and then sees his girlfriend, Vixen, flying out of the small donut shop, twirling in the air and crashing nearby… a bloody mess and her face swollen and both eyes shut. Supergirl flies in on Artemis with both fists aimed at the redhead's face, but Artemis blocks them double shot with her right forearm and sends and thunderously sickening submarine shot to Supergirl's stomach, just above her oblong navel.
"OUUUUUGGGGHHH!!" groans the blonde as she balls into a fetal position and her guts explode in agony. Artemis takes Supergirl and rams her head repeatedly into the cement street.
"J'onn," Flash says, "We're gonna need some help down here ASAP!"
The White House…
Amanda Waller's pudgy figure made the chair squat as she looked at President G.W. Bush.
"Mr. President," she says, "you understand where I'm coming from, I'm sure. This calls for a preemptive strike. I don't see you having trouble from Senator Kerry in the general election, but Luthor has taken over the lead in the polls, and most of it is because he's running on a strong position against the Justice League. You are supposed to be tough on terror and this is the perfect situation for you to remind the American people of that. You have to send a message to the League and to the world that these sorts of attacks on US soil with not be tolerated, and if the Justice League won't do anything about it, you will."
"Fine," the President responds picking up the phone, "Yes General. We're just gonna tap em on the , nothin too explosive. Ah want those Raven-177's loaded and sent to where'd ya call this place, Ms. Waller?"
"Themyscira," she says smiling, "We're bombing Themyscira."
"Well," he says, looking over a cigar, "Let's roll."
Arkham…
The Punisher misses with a haymaker right hand as Wonder Woman grabs his arm and twists it, breaking it. Diana backhands the man in black to the floor, then flashes her arm up as a shotgun shell pops against her bracelet.
"You didn't have to shoot him," she says angrily, "You murderous piece of filth… you did NOT have to SHOOT him!"
She grabs Castle up by his throat and squeezes…
"I must admit," she begins, "I wasn't too upset with your killings of criminals. I guess that's just my Amazon roots talking. Most of the people you have killed are murderers and some of them have even killed children… this is one of the few places where Batman, Superman, and I do not see eye to eye. But tonight, you shot a member of the Justice League and you could've very well killed him."
Castle struggles to break free, but he realizes that it isn't taking any strength for Diana to hold him in place and squeeze his throat.
"Tell me," she says draping the Lasso of Truth around him and pulling him high into the dark night, "How many have you killed? How many lives have you destroyed trying to rid the world of criminals with your reckless unorganized way of shooting first and asking questions later? Tell me NOW!"
"I…I…I've lost count," he says, and then she drops him. If it wasn't for his Kevlar armor, he may have broken his back when he crashed through the top of that police car.
"Batman to Wonder Woman"
"Bruce," she says, fighting back a huge grin forming on her face
"I can't talk right now, so just listen," he says
"Well, I'm sorry for being happy that you--" she starts
"Meet me in Egypt; I'm sending you the coordinates," he cuts in, "We may be able to shut this entire operation down before it gets out of control… but I have a feeling it's already out of control."
"Fine," she says, "I'll see you there… Wonder Woman to Watchtower. J'onn are you there? I've got Longshadow and he's hurt very badly… J'onn? Is anyone there?"
Wonder Woman realizes that her commlink to the Watchtower is dead, but her connection to Batman is still up. When she finds Longshadow, he's crawling to the Invisible Jet… a bloody mess and his skin taking on a corpse-like quality.
"Hera!!" she flies down and takes him into the jet, "What in Zeus' name happened to you?!"
"I… I don't know," he mutters, "Diana… it's so good to see you… I… need you."
She doesn't think; she acts. She picks him up and puts him on the jet. She tries her commlink again and no response. With the police, swat teams, and even the Gotham National Guard controlling the situation at Arkham, Wonder Woman inputs the coordinates to Egypt in her plane's navigation system after treating Longshadow's wounds. He sees her exposed side from where she tore the fabric of her red top off for him. He touches her side as she leans over him and she winces with an "uhh."
"I'm sorry," he says, "did I do something wrong?"
"No," she says looking away, "your hands are just cold… must be the air conditioner. I'll go turn the thermostat up a few degrees."
"Wait," he says, "Don't leave me… I need to… I don't have a lot of time left. I know this, Diana. Even as I feel my strength coming back to me, I feel my life force leaving me. So, I have to tell you this. No one I've known in my life, my imaginary one and my real one, has touched me the way you have. I've never met anyone like you… I love you."
"I love you too, Longshadow," she says as she stands, but he holds onto her arm, "Your wounds are treated… I have to… navigate the plane… we're going to Egypt… You will be safe on the jet; I'll put you in a rejuvenation chamber…Bruce… Batman is waiting. ."
"So am I," he says, "so am I…"
As Batman sat on the plane, he stared at the tall brunette with the braided ponytail out of the corner of his eye as she sipped champagne. He could only imagine how different things would be if he took this trip as Bruce Wayne… but still, his mind would be on Diana.
"You don't care for any champagne?" Lara Croft says, her long legs crossed, blinking her eyes at the Batman, "You've got a lot on your mind; I guess. But you don't look like much of a conversationalist."
"Ms. Croft," Batman responds, "The only thing that concerns me this moment is where we're going and what we're doing. Any friend of Lex Luthor's is not a friend of mine."
"I wouldn't call myself his friend," Lara Croft the Tomb Raider responds, her dimples showing as she laughs a smile in her London accent, "Luthor is only interested in himself. It is my fascination with artifacts and uncovering the mysteries of these places that has drawn me here. He knew there was no one better, but he doesn't know me as well as he thinks. His motivations are not unknown to me; I am quite used to his type… they soak up the business world with their Machiavellian cutthroat ways. They underestimate every woman they come in contact with. I was reading about this 'millionaire playboy' out in Gotham City… Bruce Wayne and his flirty escapades. Men like that never settle down because everything is money, money, money. That is why we beat them in the business world. Trust me, Batman; Lex Luthor isn't using me… I'm using him."
"Fascinating," Batman responds
"Pilot," she says, "Land the plane here. I hope there is a cooling system inside that suit of yours, Batman. Dare I say, it is a little hot out here."
The plane lands near a deep opening in the sands… a hidden entrance to some underground place. Lara sees a small man standing near a camel.
"I see our guide is here," she says, "He will take us down."
"Indeed he will," Batman says as twelve men in black brandishing small machine guns appear from under the sand… one is not a man… but a woman with long black hair, several locks of it covering her left eye. Lara reaches for her twin pistols, but Batman puts his hand up to signal for the tall brunette Englishwoman to stand down.
"Hello, beloved," Talia al Ghul says, "We've been expecting you."
Shellfire is everywhere as Talia's ghouls duck for cover, but they don't know what's shooting at them; they can't see the plane as Batman hides a grin.
"And I've been expecting her," he says as the Invisible Jet lands and Wonder Woman steps out. Lara, Wonder Woman, and Talia all look at one another and then back at Batman.
Gotham City's Marriot…
"It's almost time, Mr. Luthor," the tall black haired aid says as she enters the room
"Thank you, Emma," Lex responds as he gets his papers ready, "Where are the three League members?"
"They've been pulled out," she replies, "I assume they are heading to Metropolis to deal with the Artemis situation."
"And Serenity?" he asks
"She left as well," the aid replies, "She said there was a disturbance on Miracle Island. Cleopatra was under attack by a super-powered being and she had to leave. But your personal guards are on duty and there are Gotham police outside, but not as many as we would've wanted because of what happened earlier at Arkham."
"Oh dear," are Luthor's last words as he makes his way outside.
Metropolis…
Hawkgirl swings her mace wildly at Artemis, and the airborne redhead dodges the blow before landing a savage kick to Shayera's ribs. Shayera holds in a groan as she goes after the Amazon. She sees Superboy, Steel, and Powergirl approaching from above and behind Artemis
"The Calvary's here!" Superboy says, but Artemis grabs him and throws him into Shayera, knocking the wind out of her, then backfists Powergirl and wraps her legs around Steel's neck, throwing both Leaguers to the ground. Artemis turns, only to be met with a mace shot to her side by the speedy Hawkgirl and one to her jaw.
"UNNNHHH!!" cries the Amazon as she struggles to stay in the air. She lets out an "OOF!!" as Shayera gets her with a sidekick to the pit of her stomach and falls to the ground.
"Everybody on her NOW!!" Green Lantern yells as the present members of the League (with the exceptions of Supergirl and Vixen, who are down) make a rush for Artemis, but the Amazon rises, and pulling a page out of the Hulk's book, claps her hands together , sending shockwaves, shattering windows and grounding the airborne Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, Powergirl, Superboy and Steel, but only long enough to make her escape.
"My work here is finished," she says, "I did not fail my Master's orders and the time of the Apocalypse will soon come."
"What in the world was she babbling about?" Superboy says
"Beats me," Flash replies, "Beats all of us… you know, like, she beat the heck out of all of us."
"Sounds to me like this was just a distraction," Green Lantern says, "But a distraction from what? Shayera, are you okay?"
"We let her get away," Shayera says, "There is no way we should have let her get away."
"We have to cater to the injured," Green Lantern says
"Then I suggest you do that," Shayera responds, pointing at Vixen
Deep within the underground catacombs in Egypt…
Wonder Woman doesn't like the way this feels. Talia al Ghul, daughter of environmental terrorist and mass murderer Ras al Ghul is walking side by side with Batman, while WW is tagging behind and being shadowed by shadowy figures. Talia is telling Batman that she is deeply concerned about her father's behavior of late and that he is now worshipping an immortal monster. When Batman wants to know what this monster is, Talia says that she will lead them straight to it as it sleeps. Talia says that this being has been gaining its strength and if it reaches full power, it will not be stopped. She fears that because her father is aiding this monster, he is putting himself and his mission to purify the planet in heavy danger. Diana knows that Batman and Talia have had history, but even if she didn't know it, she could tell by their body language. Lara Croft looks at WW and shrugs her shoulders; Diana can only give the tall brunette an intimidating look and roll her eyes.
"When do we get to the Lazarus pits?" Diana says, growing testy by the second, "I'm starting to believe this is nothing but a trap."
"Just over that edge, Princess," says Talia, smiling, "Tell me… are you jealous?"
"Jealous of what?" Diana says as she can now feel the heat coming from the pits
"Oh nothing," Talia says with a laugh, "You just seem a bit jealous."
Talia leads them to a magnificent scene. The Lazarus pits are golden and burning and there is, at the very center on an elevated platform, an Egyptian coffin with pipes coming from it, pumping the fluid into the coffin. Wonder Woman, Batman, and Lara Croft stand in awe of the scene.
"Hello detective," Ras al Ghul says as he appears on a nearby cliff. On the ground is Bane, the large villain is covered in sores and boils… on the other side of the room is the tall redheaded assassin known as Fatale, carrying a huge gun. "Talia brought you straight to us. A pity that you've come all this way to die."
"What, you aren't going to tell us about your plan for world domination?" Lara says, "Isn't that what you mastermind types do?"
"Unfortunately," Ras says as Bane comes forward, "I've learned from my many clashes with the detective. Offering him the opportunity to join me never helps. Better to just get this over with. Famine, Pestilence, take them!"
"I'm sorry, beloved," Talia says as she spin kicks Lara. The London brunette goes down hard, but attempts to spin herself to her feet, pulling her pistols and shooting at Talia, who does a flip and returns fire from her own gun, getting Lara in the shoulder. Talia moves in on Lara and kicks her to the throat, knees her in the stomach forcing the air from her, and gives her a double elbow to both sides of her neck, dropping her.
Batman makes his way up the cliff to challenge Ras as Bane approaches Wonder Woman from behind while she deflects shots from Fatale's weapon with her bracelets.
"Diana!"
The arriving Longshadow grabs Bane and tackles him just as the disease-ridden monster was ready to tackle Wonder Woman. Diana watches in horror as the injured Longshadow becomes covered in sores and boils just as Fatale approaches her and touches her face… Diana drops… she feels helpless and as if her insides are eating at themselves because she's so hungry. Something slams hard into Batman and buries him in the rocks, but only pulls out his cape. Diana wants to stand up and go after the shadowy female, her hair flaming and shining in the light of the pits. But Diana can't help Bruce. She can't move and she and Longshadow make eye contact… then she looks up… she sees the face of the shadowy woman and recognizes it as a face she hasn't seen in some time… this situation just became a thousand times more dreadful.
"Artemis…why?" she says right before the tall redhead kicks her in the face and knocks her out.
"These two seem to be lovers of a sort," Ras says, "That one is clearly dying… put them in a cell together. That should be interesting."
"I'll make sure to secure Wonder Woman so that she can't get free," Artemis says, "At least until our master awakens and he tells us what to do with them."
"Where is the detective?" Ras says
"I smashed him through the wall," Artemis replies, "he's done."
"You underestimate him," Talia says smiling, "My beloved is alive."
"Well," Ras says, "He won't be for long. Search this entire area and find him. I will not have him ruining our plans again… not when we are so close."
Gotham…
Luthor takes the podium with the cameras flashing and the press out. Despite all the chaos of the day and night, Lex was still able to draw a pretty good crowd. From across the street, Green Arrow and Black Canary watch from the rooftop while Huntress and Question watch from the alley… or rather, Huntress watches.
"Everything points to Egypt," Question says, "Where is Miracle Island, the place where Serenity came from… off the coast of Egypt… where did Artemis' Amazons migrate… to Egypt… where were Ras al Ghul's last known whereabouts… Egypt… and I'm following a trail of heat wave patterns… Superman's last known whereabouts before he came back and destroyed Doomsday came from…"
"Superman!" Huntress says as she sees the Man of Steel fly down and land between Lex Luthor and the press. Luthor stares at Superman.
"Come to hear my speech, have you?" Luthor says, "Got yourself a front row seat, eh Big Blue?"
"The world has changed, Luthor," Superman says coldly, "It's time we changed with it… starting now."
Luthor's eyes widen as Superman's heat vision burns a hole right through his chest. Lex Luthor drops dead instantly… Huntress, Canary, Green Arrow, and Question all are in shock from what they have witnessed and J'onn and the others on board the Watchtower are just as shocked as Superman takes off into the sky.
To be Continued…