Disclaimer:
Scene opens on Hawk and Dove sitting on a couch in the middle of someone's living room.
Hawk: "I'm Hank!"
Dove: "And I'm Don!"
Hawk: "And this is-"
Hawk & Dove sing with air guitars: "Hank's World! Hank's World! Party time! EXCELLENT!"
Dove: "Welcome to the first episode of Hank's World!" Coming to you live from-"
Hawk: "Shhh! Man! I told you, this is an undisclosed location."
Dove: "But I thought this was-"
Hawk: "Un- disclosed- location!"
Don rolls his eyes.
Dove: "Fine. Anyway, we are your disclaimer hosts for The Double Edged Sword."
Hawk: "Every chapter we shall be bringing you hilarious JLU hijinks."
Dove: "With a special guest thrown in there now and then."
Hank checks his watch.
Hawk: "Well that's all the time we have for now!"
Dove: "Remember, Mists owns nothing."
Hawk: "The song in this chapter is called Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson."
Dove: "Mists says go out and buy it, because it is really pretty."
Hawk: "She also says thanks for all your reviews, too. You guys are the best."
Dove: "All right, Hank. Send off time!"
Hawk & Dove sing with air guitars: "Hank's World! Hank's World! Party time! EXCELLENT!"
-A Date with Destiny-
-Bruce's POV-
It was a cloudy mid-September morn. The cold breath of autumn had just begun to stir. The crisp color of the green leaves had yet to ignite into an amazing display of red and gold.
Bruce Wayne walked out into the middle of Esquire Park, the newest urban renewal project completed in Gotham City. The completion of the project had long been awaited by the people of the lower west side. At the center of the natural landscape, stood a statue covered by a white tarp. Apparently it was an expensive piece imported all the way from England. The sculpture was to be unveiled after the commencement ceremony.
Quite a large crowd had been assembled for this event. Stands were built around the statue, and the photographers took pictures of the children playing happily in the grass. The local public school had even sent their kindergarten class to sing at the event.
Bruce smiled as he watched the poor teacher run around franticly trying to round up all frolicking children.
"Need some help?" he asked as the teacher stopped for a rest.
"Oh! Hello Mr. Wayne," said the blonde woman kindly.
Bruce walked up and shook her hand.
"You seem to have your hands full," he stated as the woman shook her head.
"A little bit," she huffed, "I'm just getting too old to keep up with them anymore."
Bruce chuckled, "I know the feeling. So would you mind if I-"
"Oh, Mr. Wayne. I could never impose upon you like that."
"It's really no trou-"
"No, no, no. You have your speech to think about," she announced as she rolled up her sleeves.
"Now if you'll excuse me- Bobby! You are not Tarzan! Get down from that tree!" she yelled as she stormed away.
Bruce just shook his head and began to scan the scenery. It was a gloomy day for a ceremony. The dark clouds hung like melancholy in the air, blocking out even the smallest ray of light.
It was then that Bruce heard a voice singing in the distance. He looked around, and suddenly noticed a little girl sitting atop a grass mound.
Bruce didn't know why, but he was drawn to the tune she sang.
The child was facing away from him. She sang softly to the sky, as if her words were for it alone.
"This is my winter song to you.
The storm is coming soon,
it rolls in from the sea…"
"My voice; a beacon in the night.
My words will be your light,
to carry you to me."
Each note hung in the air like a falling leaf. The song danced across his heartstrings. Her voice was sweet yet sad, as if she was on the verge of weeping.
"Is love alive?
Is love alive?
Is love…"
The little dark haired girl then raised a hand to her face and wiped away a tear.
Bruce continued to walk towards her slowly, as if the song guided him.
"They say that things just cannot grow
beneath the winter snow,
or so I have been told."
"They say were buried far,
just like a distant star
I simply cannot hold."
Then the wind picked up. It blew around the girl's wavy hair. She grabbed the sides of her jacket and pulled it tighter around herself.
"Is love alive?
Is love alive?
Is love alive?"
As she finished the refrain, the child stood up and sang out to the swirling clouds.
"This is my winter song.
December never felt so wrong,
cause you're not where you belong;
inside my arms…."
As the last note left her throat, the girl plopped back onto the ground.
Bruce slowly took a seat next to her as she roughly wiped at her eyes.
"That's a very sad song," whispered Bruce.
"…I guess so," said the child, "It's all about longing…for something you can't have."
"I know the feeling," he added sincerely.
The child looked up at him with her kind, dark eyes. She and Bruce stared at each other for a bit, trying to figure one another out.
"Why's that?" she innocently asked.
For some reason, Bruce felt compelled to answer her.
"My parents…died…when I was eight."
Sympathy rose within her eyes' dark depths, combined with a sense of understanding. But before she could say anything, Bruce changed the subject.
"So…what are you doing out here alone?" he prodded.
The girl pointed back to group of kindergarteners. "I'm here with them…. to sing at this event."
"Your teacher is trying to round everyone up you know."
"Yeah…I just…needed sometime alone…I guess."
"Do you like being alone?" asked Bruce, gently.
"It's...safer that way."
Bruce looked away from the child. He knew far too well what that meant.
"You know what I'm talking about…don't you?" whispered the girl in awe.
"Yes," he simply answered.
Silence stretched between them for a time.
And then the child turned to him and asked, "Do you…believe that they still exist…that somewhere they are watching you?"
Bruce pondered this for a moment. Should he sugarcoat it, or answer the child honestly?
In the end he opted for the only answer he knew,
"I don't know. I have no physical proof that they are, but I also don't have any proof that they aren't."
"…Are you sure about that?" questioned the girl sweetly.
But before Bruce could respond, the event organizer called, "All right children! Everyone, gather round the sculpture. It's almost time for the unveiling."
Bruce watched the child closely as she stood up and brushed off her jeans.
With a small smile, she held out her hand and asked, "You ready?"
He gave the child a smirk as she took his hand and led him towards the festivities.
Suddenly, a calm but loud voice interrupted the celebrations,
"So sorry to intrude, but you have something I require."
A flash of yellow green energy enveloped the area. And in the middle of the scene, appeared the form of Morgan Le Fey.
Her hands glowed hot with energy as she flicked them towards the crowd. Everyone dove out of the way as it exploded.
"Flee or perish," she demanded as she charged her hands up for another assault. The frightened spectators ran for cover.
Bruce picked the little girl up and ran for cover. Once he was safely behind a building across from the park, he put the shivering child down.
"What was-" she squeaked out in a high voice.
"No time," said Bruce as he knelt before the child, "I'm going to go for help. Stay here, okay?"
The little girl nodded her head as Bruce took off in the other direction. Once he knew he was far enough away, he reached up and touched his com-link.
"Batman to Mr. Terrific, I need every available Leaguer sent to my coordinates, now!"
Bruce then used his watch to call the Bat-plane to him. It always had a spare Bat-suit in it. And he was certainly going to need it.
-Wally's POV-
Wally smiled at Linda as she took a sip of her coffee. The two were out on their fourth lunch date. Linda was always a great time when she was on a caffeine high. It really amazed him how witty she was. She always seemed to have a good comeback for his jokes. It had become a contest between the two of them now.
The more Wally got to know her, the more of a conundrum she became. She even wanted to know about what Wally did as a forensic scientist.
"So then we tested the substance, and it was Sodium Chloride that's-"
"Salt, yeah I know. So it was the same kind in the victim's kitchen, right?"
"Uh, yeah," confirmed Wally with a shocked blink.
"And let me guess, some blood was found on it, and the DNA markers matched the vic's."
"Well…actually, yeah!" said Wally with a shrug of confusion.
Linda just gave him a satisfied smirk and took another sip of her drink.
"You-you know a lot more about chemistry than the average layperson. Why is that?" he asked.
Linda looked away from Wally and played idly with the cup handle.
"I-I generally don't like to admit this… but I kinda started out as a chemistry major in undergrad."
Linda laughed, "I wanted to work as a food chemist, to create new beverages and other kinds of food."
Wally's jaw hung open in shock. "But I thought-"
"I switched to journalism at the end of my second year… Organic chemistry kicked my ass and did it hard. I went to one of the top schools in the country, and I just couldn't make it."
Wally's eyes filled with sympathy.
"You could have transferred to another college…one that wasn't so hard…"
Linda just shook her head. "No, if I couldn't make the grade there then wasn't meant to be."
"So you just- gave up on your dream?"
"Well…not really. I just moved on and had other dreams. But I still study and try to keep up to date by reading scientific journals and other texts. But with the job I have, I really don't have much time for it."
"So why journalism of all things?" asked Wally as he munched on an espresso brownie.
"Well I've always been good at constructing things, whether it was a table or a term paper. And I'm good with people, too. I can usually tell if someone is lying to me. I also know the right questions to ask in order to uncover the truth. From there, I used my looks and charm to claw my way to the top. I didn't have enough in me to become a scientist so I used what I had and made the most of it."
As she concluded, Linda stole the last piece of Wally's brownie and ate it.
"Yeah! That was mine!" he exclaimed with a pout.
"You snooze, lose," she said sweetly and kissed him on the tip of the nose.
"Yeah, she's one interesting woman all right. No matter what the world throws at her, she finds her way through," thought Wally with a smile.
"Oh now you're just teasing me," he said to her slyly and began to play footsie with her under the table.
It was then that Wally's cell phone suddenly went off. He just groaned and flipped it open.
"Hello," he grunted.
"Terrific, here. Wally, I need you to get to Esquire Park in Gotham city ASAP. Le Fey's shown up and Batman needs some serious back up."
Wally's face became grim at hearing this; he hated going up against that evil witch.
"I'll be right there," said Wally as he hung up.
"Linda, sorry to cut this short but something's come up at work. I have to go."
"No problem, hansom. Just do your best," she said with a wave.
Wally gave her a kiss and a wink.
"I always do!" he exclaimed as he jogged out the door.
-Lois's POV-
"Smallville," said Lois as she opened the door to Perry's office. Clark was already sitting in the chair in front of their boss' desk.
"Lois," he said with a smirk, "You're a little late, aren't you."
"Oh, so it's going to be like that, eh?" thought Lois. This always happened between them, a game of cat and mouse. Of who could impress Perry enough to be chosen for the next big story. It was the kind of competition she thrived on.
And there was no better opponent in the world than Clark Kent.
She would never give him the satisfaction of knowing that though. His easy going, country demeanor usually led others to let down their guard. Under that calm, sweet, exterior beat the heart of a fierce competitor.
It was his drive to uncover the truth, his tenacity to never be beaten, to never back down, that she admired about him most of all….
As both Clark and Superman.
"I was just finishing another article. I got Delance, underling to Metropolis' main drug trafficker to squeal like a little pig," she declared as she slammed the printout onto Perry's desk.
"Really," said Clark with a cynical air as he pulled out his own sheet of paper. "Cause it's funny you mentioned the Sweller case. It turns out that my article happens to include a tell-all interview with the drug trafficker's wife."
Lois' eye began to twitch as Perry took Clark's paper. "And she just…gave you this information?" she asked with a bit of an edge.
"What can I say," he sighed with a shrug, "I'm just a people person…unlike others I know."
"And just what are you implying, Smallville," she growled as she thrust her sharp nailed finger into his chest.
"Nothing, nothing at all," he replied innocently and pretended to flinch in pain.
The realization that Clark was in fact Superman had come upon her gradually. A missing reporter here, an amazing save there, the facts just started to add up. But Lois, being the professional that she was, needed more proof than fanciful conclusions drawn from coincidence and hearsay.
So she set up a series of little tests. He had become a very good actor over the years. It took her a while to gather up the courage to discreetly prick his finger with a pin. If she was wrong, well…he'd most likely be pretty mad at her about it, but at this point, she just simply had to know.
Lois waited until he was distracted with work and hid the pin in her palm. Clark hadn't even flinched when she stuck him, and when she was far enough away, the bent piece of metal in her hand was all the proof she needed.
Perry snapped Lois out of her reverie when he announced, "Good work, both of you. But since the subject matter of your articles is so similar, I want you two to combine your pieces into one."
"You want me to share mybyline with him?"
"Perry! That's absurd!"
"Enough you two," grumbled the elderly man, "I just don't have the space for two articles on the same subject. Either combine them into one, or they don't go in at all. Am I clear?"
"Yeah, whatever."
"Sure, Chief."
"Good," said the man gruffly and waved the two out the door.
As they strolled down the hall, Lois fumed.
"This is ridiculous."
"Well you heard the chief, Lois. We've got little choice," he sighed with a roll of his eyes.
"Fine," she exclaimed getting up into Clark's face, "but my name goes first!"
Clark just snorted at this. "What?! Why does yours get to go first?! 'K' comes before 'L,' in case you didn't know, Lois.
"Yeah, but only by one, bucko!"
Clark was just about to retort when his cell phone rang. He picked it up with an annoyed, "Hello."
Lois then saw his face change dramatically as his eyes started to dart around the room.
"Must be the League," thought Lois as she glared at him.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Got a hot tip is all…Uh, look Lois, I really have to go, would you mind-"
"Doing the rewrite alone? Sure," said Lois dryly.
"Thanks, Lois!" he exclaimed and gave her a quick hug as he ran towards the elevator.
"I knew you had a heart!" he called back as the doors closed.
"BUT MY NAME GOES FIRST!" she yelled, shaking her fist at the closed doors.
As she turned around to head back to her desk, she silently asked herself,
"When will you let me in Clark?"
-John's POV-
"It's over, John," stated Mari with an air of finality.
John was shocked. He had just met Mari for a nice lunch and was walking her home. The statement hit him out of the blue.
"Mari- I- where did- why," he asked in a surprised tone.
"I told you long ago that you were on the clock, John. I can't keep waiting for you to make up your mind," she solemnly.
"I-but I thought things were going well!"
Mari looked away from him. "They have gone well John, that's the problem."
Lantern was thoroughly confused by now.
"Then, why on earth do you want to breakup?"
Vixen looked up at him with sad eyes. "Boo, how long ago did we get to this level in our relationship?"
John was taken aback by that question.
"Well…I- and then we-" stumbled John over his words as she shook her head.
"It's been over two and a half years now, John," she sighed.
"Really?-Uh I mean-yeah, I knew that…" was his nervous reply.
"No, you didn't, John and that's just my point." Vixen stopped walking and turned John to face her.
"I just can't do this anymore. The time has come. I love you…," she whispered softly as she kissed his lips. "And I deserve to have someone love me fully, with all their heart, just as I do you."
"Mari," croaked John on the verge of crying, "Mari, I-I you know that I-"
But Vixen silenced him with a finger. "No, that isn't enough anymore, bo- I mean, John. I simply need more and I feel that I've been more than patient with you."
Silence lapsed between them as rain drops began to fall from the over cast sky.
John just started at her. His inner turmoil over whom he truly loved, slowly driving him mad. He loved them both…but in different ways. How on earth could he choose?
Mari was sexy, strong, independent, kind, and cunning. Who wouldn't love her unconditionally?
…And then, there was Shayera-
"I'll take that as your answer then," said Mari in a strained voice.
As she turned to walk away, John grabbed her arm. "Mari, Mari- please don't do this to me… I just can't, I-I still need more time…."
But Mari just looked up at him with a sad smile. "John, if you can't decide now, you'll never be able to. S-so I'm making the choice for you."
Mari took John's face in her hands and gave him on last peck on the cheek. "I love you, boo. But not enough to never truly love again…I deserve the chance to find what you and Shayera have."
John closed his eyes tight as he looped his arms around her slender form. He knew her words to be true. John wasn't strong enough to choose, so Mari did it for him. Somehow, she knew the truth that lurked inside his heart. No matter how many times he denied it….
John was in love with Shayera Hol, and would be forever and always.
With Mari gone, there was no reason for him to hide it anymore. She had released him from a burden of his own making. He was finally able admit to himself…who he truly couldn't live without.
"Thank you," whispered John from the bottom of his heart.
Mari nodded her head in acceptance…and let John go.
And just at that moment, came Shayera's voice came over their League com-links. "John, Vixen, Batman is in a real bind. We need your help."
John looked at Mari questioningly. She just smiled at him and gently touched her ear, "Beam us up, Shayera. I'm itching for a good fight."
Lantern let out a water laugh as he wiped the tears from his eyes, "I just bet you are…"
And with that, John extended his hand to her and asked, "Friends?"
"Always," whispered Vixen as she and John were teleported away.
-Diana's POV-
Diana gave the visual communicator in her room a good whack. The blurred line on the screen suddenly solidified into the form of her mother, Hippolyta.
"There we are mother, the reception's better now," said the Amazonian as she jumped onto her bed.
"This is truly a remarkable device Diana. It is almost as if you were here," sighed her mother wistfully.
Diana had been commiserating with Shayera a few days ago that she missed not being able to see her mother. So Shayera came back to her with a plan.
"I'm still not sure the gods will allow this. This contraption you gave me is from man's world. And as you know-"
"Yes, 'things from man's world are strictly forbidden,' I know. But this particular device was not built by man. Shayera made it for me. And since she is not from man's world, not to mention a woman, no rules were broken."
Hippolyta narrowed her eyes at this. "True, but they were extremely bent."
"What can I say," said Diana with a shrug, "I'm just becoming quite good at being a diplomat."
Her mother just shook her head at this. "Anyway dear, it was good to see your friend Shayera again. I am glad that you two have made up."
"Yes, going through Tartarus and back with someone will do that."
Hippolyta gave her a long look.
"That," Diana relented, "and I realized she was in a no-win situation…similar to the time when you were turned to stone."
Diana's mother cleared her throat at that. "Yes, well…let's not dwell on that now."
Diana and her mother just stared at one another, memorizing each others features.
"So…how are things going in man's world?" Hippolyta asked, breaking the silence.
"Oh! Good, good… I've established a lot of good connections and am keeping tabs on people who maybe a threat to the island."
The queen of the Amazons nodded her head in agreement.
Diana then suddenly got a little edgy. She turned away from the screen and bit her bottom lip.
"Daughter…is something troubling you?"
"I…well, I kind of wanted to ask for your advice about something…or rather…someone," she said with a frustrated sigh.
"Well…I'm listening dear, what would you like to know?"
"I…see, there is this man and… I'm not sure how I feel about him…or how he feels about me."
"Oh Diana…I think you're asking the wrong person, if my taste in men is any indication," Hippolyta replied with a self-deprecating smile.
Diana shivered at the thought of her mother and Hades' past.
"I know this is a hard subject for you mother…but I just don't know what to do," whispered Diana as she looked down at her folded hands.
"My daughter…it is not my place to dictate what your heart tells you."
"Mother, please…I think…I think I maybe in l-"
"Wonder Woman, this is Mr. Terrific. Report to transporter bay 12, pronto. Batman's fighting Morgan Le Fey," he called over Diana's com-link.
She quickly replied, "On my way."
Diana then turned back to the screen. "I'm sorry mother, but I have to go now. It's an emergency."
"I understand my child…" she said as Diana was about to turn off the monitor. But before she could break the connection, Hippolyta added, "Listen to you heart dear and you'll know what is right."
And with that, Diana turned off the screen and ran down the hall. She already knew she was in love. The only problem was…that she was scared that Bruce would never allow himself to feel the same….
-J'onn's POV-
"Ming," called J'onn as he climbed the stairs of the house. He found her in the bedroom folding the sheets.
"Yes dear, what's wrong?" she asked as she finished tucking in the corners.
"I have to go and help the League," said J'onn grimly as he pulled her into a hug.
"Oh my," she replied, "something big must be happening."
"Yes, Morgan Le Fey."
J'onn felt Ming tighten her arms around him at hearing her name. "You mean the sorceress who-"
"Yes, it's her," whispered J'onn as he kissed her forehead. J'onn had told Ming about his last encounter with Morgan. She had manipulated the memories of his loved ones. Morgan had tricked him into stealing the Philosopher's stone for her. She promised to restore his dead family, his entire race of people. And he had been willing to destroy his new family to do it. But luckily, he came to his senses and shattered the stone in time.
Next to letting down his people, it was his greatest shame. Now was a chance for him to make up for it.
"They will need my help if they wish to capture her. Her powers might be far greater than my own, but I still must try."
J'onn knew she could see the pain in his eyes, no matter how much he hid it.
"I know…just be careful," Ming said as she let J'onn go. "And remember, no matter what happens…I'll be here when you return."
J'onn gave her a quick nod and shifted into his hero form of the Martian Manhunter. He then went transparent and slid through the floor.
-Morgan's POV-
Batman dodged left as one of the trees that Morgan had brought to life tried to smash him with its roots.
Just as she was about to throw a fireball at him, Batman launch a batarang at her hand.
She deflected the weapon easily before it exploded. Morgan was quickly becoming annoyed.
"You truly are a bothersome little vermin," said Morgan as she charged up her hand again.
But before she could release the spell, Shayera dove down and slammed her mace into Morgan's side.
"Keep her busy Shayera, I'm going to help the civilians still trapped in the park," yelled Batman as he dove into the forest of live trees.
"You got it," she replied as the sorceress reeled from her blow. The golden armor that she wore on her chest cracked a bit, but did not shatter.
"Insolent vulture!" she gasped and tried to send a spell at Shayera.
The magic in her hand fizzled out immediately.
"What treachery is this?" asked the sorceress as she dodged out of the way of Shayera's mace again.
Shayera didn't answer. She just offered the witch a sly grin as she set up for another assault.
The hollow eyes of Morgan's mask glowed green.
"Ah…I see..that weapon is made of a metal that disrupts magic…" said Morgan as she suddenly disappeared.
Shayera quickly changed tactics and raised her mace up to guard. She slowly turned round in a circle…trying to discover which direction the sorceress would attack from.
Suddenly, she reappeared behind her army of trees.
As Shayera took off after Morgan, a root erupted up through the ground and bound her.
The Thanagarian screamed in pain as the coils around her tighten. Her hands went limp and her mace fell to the ground.
Another root quickly lashed out and flung the weapon far away.
"Break her," demanded Morgan coldly.
As Shayera screamed in agony, Elongated Man wrapped his rubber like arms around Le Fey's mouth and arms.
Shining Knight and Vixen, who had also just teleported in with Ralph, immediately started to hack away at the tree roots that held the Thanagarian.
"Shayera!" called John as he and Fire also appeared on the scene. GL cut through the air like a knife and sliced Shayera free.
"Fire, Vixen, and Justin, take out those trees," yelled John as the others nodded and started to fight the forest. Shayera then let out an angry groan, "I'm going to make that witch pay."
John just laughed at this as he brought her to the ground. "I'm sure you will…you're wings okay?"
Shayera flexed them a bit and growled, "Never better…" and she took off again into the fray of battle.
Elongated Man screamed as Morgan sent a pulse of magical energy coursing through his body.
It was so powerful that it launched him back into the bleachers surrounding the unveiling ceremony.
Morgan then turned to see her army of trees being burnt to a crisp by Fire.
This was quickly becoming more troublesome than she had anticipated.
Annoyed, she raised her hands to the sky and cried,
"Contraho trahere traxi tractum- "
But before she could finish the spell, a golden lasso looped around her waist and swung her into the side of the nearest building.
Wonder Woman quickly made her way through the rubble and tied Morgan up before she could recover. Diana barely had gotten done when the sorceress started to stir.
The Amazonian princess pulled the golden cord tight as she demanded,
"Tell me why you're here!"
The golden lasso glowed for a second …and died.
Morgan cackled manically at her attempt, "Foolish child."
The sorceress slowly stood up as the rope magically loosened and fell from her body.
Diana took a step back as her lasso suddenly transformed into a giant, yellow Burmese Python.
"As if a lapdog of the gods could stand against my power," she said, her voice dripping with spite.
She would not be denied her prize this time.
The snake then struck out at Diana, aiming for her throat.
With a snap of her fingers, Morgan transported back to where the statue stood in the middle of the chard and battered park.
Her fingers reached around the tarp covering the statue, and pulled.
The white cover fluttered in the wind as fell to the ground. Morgan took a step towards the monument. She stared briefly at the replica of one of the things she hated most in this world… the sword in the stone.
Slowly, she reached out her hand and the hilt of the rusted steel sword began to glow silver.
Just as she was about to grasp it, a fist suddenly thrust itself through the statue and caught her with an uppercut to the jaw.
As she staggered back, the ghost like form of J'onn phased through the statue and solidified in front of Morgan.
"Ah," said Morgan as she nursed her jaw, "my knight has returned."
J'onn's eyes glowed angrily as he transformed into a Chinese dragon and threw her into the air.
With a crack she transported again, and hid behind one of the still standing trees.
As she peered around, Morgan saw the Manhunter, Green Lantern, Shayera, and Wonder Woman regroup near a building just a few yards away.
The sorceress, now running low on power, looked around for a distraction.
It was then that she spotted a few pedestrians trying to escape. Energy engulfed her hands as she launched her magic at the innocent people.
The scared group scattered. Leaving one trembling child alone, frozen in fear. Her hands covered her face as if she were too terrified to look.
Morgan smiled wickedly and walked towards the little girl.
-Batman's POV-
After having helped the others evacuate all the civilians from the forest, Bruce had returned to the site of the statue. As he ran, he searched the area for any sign of Morgan.
He ordered Fire, Elongated Man, Vixen, and Shining Knight to take care of the last of the tree warriors while the original seven took down Morgan.
Batman turned and ran the second he heard the child's cry. He knew that voice. It was that of the little girl he had met earlier.
"Damn it! I told her to stay hidden!" thought Bruce as he dove protectively in front of the five year old.
He grabbed the child and rolled away just in time to avoid the fireball.
As Morgan charged up another attack, Batman pulled his cape tight around the child.
Diana and the others had just been joined by Superman and were making their way towards Batman and Morgan's location.
"I have had enough of these games, Batman," said Morgan as she turned to face the advancing group of superheroes.
"Acerbus de fucus bilis!" she declared and flicked her wrist. A cascade of red magical energy filled the air and shocked the entire group.
Every last one of them fell to the ground stunned.
"You have tried my patience far too many times…"
The little girl clung tightly to Batman's chest, as Morgan began to chant words of forgotten lore.
"Absumo! Sumere! Sumpsi! CONFECTOR DE INLUSTRIS!"
A dark, volatile orb of mystical energy formed in her hands. The eyes of her mask glowed green as she launched it at the Dark Knight.
Batman tried to lunge out of the way, but found that his legs had become completely paralyzed.
The grip the child had on his chest was viselike. There was no way he could save her or himself.
Then several things happened at once. The energy was suddenly intercepted by a bright red blur.
"Wally," thought Bruce as he heard him scream. Then, there was a flash of light and the dark energy surrounding Flash turned bright gold. Batman's eyes went wide as he followed the path of golden energy back to the arm…of the little girl he held.
She turned her head to face him. Her eyes glowed bright with the same golden magic. The child's face, no longer filled with fear, grinned at him like the cat that caught the mouse. The girl then whispered into his ear, "Remember…per unitatem vis…Bruce."
Batman felt the breath catch in his throat as the energy suddenly ricocheted off of Wally and hit Bruce.
White hot pain, radiated down his spine. Next, the energy leapt off Bruce and struck Superman as he struggle to his feet. It then immediately arced off Clark and hit John. From John it pasted to Shayera, and from Shayera it flew back to Wally. Just as it seemed to have made its last jump, it flew out again and hit Diana and J'onn simultatiously.
For a few seconds, all of the original seven were linked as one. Bruce could feel the strength of the others and they could feel him.
Then with a sharp crack, the spell cut off and all the members of the original seven fell to the ground unconscious.
-Morgan's POV-
Morgan heaved her ancient body up off the ground with the little strength she had left. Her logic had left her…and now the only thing that drove her was her will.
Exhausted, she slowly approached the sculpture of the sword in the stone. The rusty blade glowed silver again as she took the hilt. With one quick motion, she pulled out the sword and slashed the rock base with everything she had.
The stone spilt open, and out rolled a single sheet of parchment.
Le Fey's hollow eyes flared in anger as she grabbed the page. The book wasn't there.
She cursed to the heavens, "Damn you Merlin! Must you still taunt me from beyond the grave?!"
And with that, Morgan disappeared once again.
-Unknown POV-
Shining Knight and the others had found the original seven, not long after Morgan's escape. They were all still unconscious, and were being taken to the Metro Tower.
Unbeknownst to the medical team, a little girl with dark, curly hair, tied into a ponytail at the base of her neck, hovered in the sky above, watching them.
"Ah…Morgan," said the child with a slight British accent, "It seems that the final battle hast begun."
Then with the snap of her fingers, a dark cloak appeared around her shoulders.
The child then laughed, "I wonder who'll win. Aye, won't this be fun."
And with a sly grin, the child disappeared in burst of smoke and flames.
TO BE CONTINTUED…
Author's Notes:
Little Kuriboh has Beavis & Butt-Head.
MasakoX and Vegeta3986 have Bill & Ted.
I get Wayne and Garth. (See Wayne's World)
Nuff said. XD
All Morgan's spells were created from Latin.
"…"
"BWHAHAHAHA! And other than that, I shall tell you nothing!"
Mists goes and hides under a rock.
Next Time: "An Unwanted Discovery"
Review!