Uncanny Wonder Woman

Chapter 30: Underworld Unleashed- Part 1

By

The Uncanny R-Man

Disclaimer- All familiar characters belong to DC Comics.

Metropolis-

A nervous-looking man looked around the back alleys of Metropolis anxiously as he cradled the package he was carrying close to his chest. He had been through too much to get caught. People had died to make sure that the package he was carrying reached its recipient. He didn't intend to be one of them.

The man dashed across the alley to a nearby club. The Dark Side Club specialised in heavy metal and the like. There were also rumours that the patrons of the club also dabbled in devil worship, but for some reason nobody had ever investigated it too deeply. People found snooping around the Dark Side Club had a nasty habit of disappearing.

The nervous courier headed around the back of the club and knocked on the door. A small hatch slid open and a pair of eyes peered out.

'Yeah?'

'Let me in, Crowley.' The courier hissed. 'I got the boss's package.'

The hatch closed and the courier heard the sound of various latches being unlocked. The door opened and he ran inside.

'You're late.' Crowley, the owner of the club's second-in-command, pointed out. 'The boss ain't gonna be pleased. You know how much of a sucker he is for punctuality.'

'You think it was easy finding this thing?' The courier retorted. 'You're lucky one of those Justice League guys didn't get me.'

'The boss is upstairs in his office.' Crowley stated. 'He's waiting for ya.'

The courier dashed straight up the stairs. His boss detested his underlings being late. The man stopped outside his boss's office and held his hand up to the door.

'Come in, Bartleby.' A voice called from the other side.

Bartleby, the courier, opened the door slowly.

'S-sorry I'm late boss…'

'Oh, don't be so cautious.' Bartleby's boss laughed. 'Come on in, I won't bite.'

Bartleby did as he was told and slowly walked into the darkened office. There were various candles set into alcoves in the wall making sure that the office wasn't in total darkness. Bartleby's boss was sitting in a high-backed leather chair facing the window.

'I-I got your package boss.' Bartleby gulped nervously. 'The deal didn't go quite as you planned, though.'

'Oh, that is a pity.' Bartleby's boss tutted. 'I take it that several people died in the process?'

'Uh, yeah. The guy who gave me the package and a couple of police officers.' Bartleby explained as he handed his boss the package.

'Mmm, good.' Bartleby's boss smiled. 'That will be all thank you, Bartleby. I no longer require your services.'

'Uh… boss?' Bartleby blinked in confusion.

'You don't seriously think that I can let you leave this office alive, do you?' Bartleby's boss chuckled evilly. 'I would hate to think that you'd run and tell somebody what I'm planning, but that's the risk you run when you employ lesser demons. Goodbye, Bartleby…'

'My lord Neron, please…' Bartleby begged as he fell to his knees before his boss. 'Please, have mercy…'

'My dear, dear Bartleby…' Neron tutted as he placed a hand upon his lackey's head. 'You should know by now that the Lord of Hell has no use for things such as mercy.'

CRACK!

Neron grabbed his minion's head in both hands and gave it a twist, breaking his neck. The blond-haired demon dusted off his hands and pressed a button on his intercom. 'Crowley, I have some garbage that needs taking out. Be a dear and take care of it, would you? I have some work to take care of…'

Justice League Watchtower-

Just a promised, Diana was taking Etta Candy on a tour of the Justice League Watchtower. Of course, the Amazing Amazon couldn't show her friend the top-secret parts of the Watchtower even if she was part of Military Intelligence.

Diana and her friend walked into the cafeteria where various other members of the League were eating.

'This is our cafeteria.' Diana explained as she indicated the busy room with a wave of her hand. 'Most members of the League that aren't on monitor duty can be found in here between missions. Would you like something to eat?'

Etta was about to turn down the offer when her stomach let out a gurgle of protest. The blonde-haired woman blushed slightly at the sound.

'Well, it would be rude not to.' Etta smiled embarrassedly. 'What sort of stuff do you guys have?'

'Oh, all sorts of food.' Diana explained. 'If there's something that you want, I'm sure the staff will be happy to take care of it.'

Etta stopped to take a look at a notice board showing the day's specials.

'Ooh, tacos.' Etta smiled. 'I think I'll have some of them.'

'Tacos aren't really to my taste.' Diana admitted as she picked up a tray. 'I much prefer to eat healthy. Sometimes a nice salad is more than enough to satisfy me.'

'What, haven't you ever decided to be bad and pig out on something unhealthy?' Etta's jaw dropped. 'How about a nice juicy burger or a pizza?'

'I'm a vegetarian, Etta.' Diana explained. 'I don't eat burgers, and the only time I eat pizza is when it is topped with vegetables.'

'Tch. Now that's just sad.' Etta rolled her eyes. 'You can't have a pizza without pepperoni. At least you don't take your pizza with anchovies, that's just wrong.'

'Excuse me, ladies.' The Flash said as he zipped by the pair. 'This food isn't gonna eat itself, y'know.'

The World's fastest Man zipped over to a vacant table and took a seat.

'C'mon, come sit with me, will you?' The speedster beckoned. 'Introduce me to your pretty friend.'

Diana couldn't help but laugh as she carried her salad over to the table.

'Etta, this is the Flash.' Diana introduced her friends to each other. 'Flash, this is Lieutenant Colonel Etta Candy. She's been transferred to Gotham City for the time being.'

'Man, who'd you annoy to get posted to the Rotten Apple?' The Flash grimaced with a mouthful of pizza.

'It's a… pleasure to meet you, Flash.' Etta smiled uncertainly as she eyed the tower of food piled high on the speedster's plate. 'Wonder Woman was just giving me a tour.' The Scarlet Speedster noticed Etta eyeing his food.

'Super speed comes with overactive metabolism.' The Flash explained. 'I need to eat, and eat a lot.' Etta nodded in understanding.

'Ah, I see.'

'Does Bats know that you're showing civilians around?' The Flash asked. 'You know how that guy gets about strangers wandering about.'

'Oh, Batman isn't as bad as you make him out to be.' Diana said. 'He's mellowed out recently.'

'Yeah, ever since you and he…' The Flash trailed off as he realised that he was about to say too much. He then turned to Etta. 'So, Military Intelligence, huh?'

Fortunately, the Flash was saved form any more embarrassment when the Martian Manhunter's voice came over the intercom.

'All active members of the Justice League please report to the teleport pads.' J'onn announced. 'This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill.'

'Wow. Something must be pretty bad for J'onn to interrupt lunch like this.' The Flash blinked. 'I wonder what it's all about.'

'Hey, do you mind if I tag along?' Etta asked. 'I'm trained in all sorts of armed and unarmed combat, so you know that I'll be able to take care of myself.'

'Very well.' Diana nodded. 'What's the worst that could happen?' Etta couldn't help but smile at that.

'Woo, freaking, woo!'

The teleport pads, a little while later-

Every member of the Justice League that was present in the Watchtower had gathered together so J'onn could brief them on the situation.

'There's a situation in Metropolis.' The Martian Manhunter explained. 'Somebody, or something has unleashed a hoard of demons on the city. With Superman off in space, it's up to you to take care of it.'

'Do we know who let these things loose?' Green Arrow enquired.

'That I cannot tell you.' J'onn responded. 'That is why I have split you into several groups…'

'Cut to the chase, J'onny!' An arrogant voice piped up from the throng of heroes. 'Just let us go out there and kick some butt already!'

Diana instantly recognised the voice. It was Guy Gardner, the greatest Green Lantern there ever was, or so he believed. Guy was part of the European branch of the Justice League based in London. The situation in Metropolis must have been pretty desperate if J'onn had to call in assistance from the European League.

'If you will let me finish, Mr Gardner?' J'onn sighed. 'Wonder Woman will lead the team to try and discover who is behind the demonic invasion. Green Arrow, Black Canary, Zatanna, Booster Gold, and Guy Gardner will join her.'

'Aww, what a crock!' Guy groaned. 'I'm the badass! I should be the leader! Ow!' Guy yelped as Ice slapped him upside the head. 'What'd I do?'

J'onn ignored the Lantern's comments and continued briefing the heroes.

'Green Lantern and Batman will be leading teams in an attempt to combat the demons. Shayera, Red Tornado, Blue Beetle, Star Girl, and Firestorm will join Green Lantern while Flash, Steel, Doctor Fate, Vixen, and Mary Marvel will be part of Batman's team.' J'onn explained. 'Good luck, people. Let's take care of this situation before it threatens the whole planet.'

With that, the three teams of heroes were teleported down to Metropolis to go to work.

TBC..

Next: Underworld Unleashed- Part 2

Will Wonder Woman's team be able to halt Neron's demonic plan before it envelops the whole planet? What about Etta Candy, what part will she play? Tune in next time to find out…