Notes: These are a bunch of ideas that spun of an idea connected to Rorschach Blot's Make A Wish Verse and the Terminal Justice Spin off from his Yahoo Group.
Not in any particular order.
Universe: Many
Pairings: Many
"Lemme get this straight," Kara began, eyeing the babe her all powerful fiancé had brought home with some hesitation, "so, this's your greatest nemesis, before he became evil, from a universe parallel to your home and somehow you got yanked into his and have decided to see if you can raise this…Voldemort guy to not be uh 'batshit insane'?"
"His name is Tom Riddle," Harry corrected, "'Voldemort' was a stage name; though I suppose it might be better if he's Tom Black." He continued musingly, "It's just…he's not evil yet and it's not his fault his mum was a poor, inbred, delusional desperate girl who potioned up a muggle. Besides," he snorted, "if he does go bad, knowing my luck I'd get called in to deal with this Voldemort and I'd rather avoid that if I can."
Kara thought before deciding, "Well, hand him over then." She reached out for the babe.
Harry seemed to be shocked, "Wha?"
She smiled, "His birth mom is dead right? And we're engaged, that makes me his new mom. Now, you're gonna give him to me and then go get some supplies and see if Henchgirl has something that can make me produce milk. Oh, and you need to grab the other two and my family."
Harry gave her the boy numbly, watching as she carefully took him into her arms while cooing, "Hey there, Tommy. We're gonna get you all squared away and then you don't have to worry about that nasty ol' Voldemort guy ever."
She looked back up to see the dumbfounded Grim Reaper still staring, "Uh Joe, come in Joe…how old is he?"
Harry shook himself, a scroll and quill popping into existence as he replied, "Uh, a day or two; I know my version was born on December 31st, but I think we're a bit faster here. I'll call in some favors, get a peek at his records and try to narrow it down," he hesitated, "You sure you're okay with this? Tim and Raven are one—"
"You're not getting rid of me that easily, Black," she snorted, before looking down at Tom, "Your Dad's going senile in his old age."
"I am Mister Black," Harry pointed out mildly, "fearsome being, monster all monsters fear, Death Incarnate—"
"Not to your family," she replied, "you nearly cried when Raven managed to get her GED, you bake cookies with Ma Kent and fix cars with Pa. You even let Lois Lane walk all over you. Face it, Joe, you've settled down. Now go, the Satellite has some emergency supplies but nothing really for newborns."
Harry sighed but nodded, warning, "My version of Tom Riddle was a prodigy with magic; dunno when the first bout of accidental magic might happen, if you get into any trouble with him call Zatanna; she should be able to get a handle on him."
"Go." Kara reiterated, hand on hip.
He sighed one last time, heavily, but nodded and disappeared as he was wont to do.
"Well, Tommy," Kara started off in the other direction, "Let's get you all checked out, wouldn't want you sick."
Tommy looked up at her with wide blue eyes.
"Kara." Her head came up; she was sitting in an old rocking chair, why the Satellite had one she couldn't know, on an observation deck, feeding Tommy a bottle while letting him see the Earth and telling him about it quietly.
She smiled when she saw her cousin standing in the doorway and looking rather lost and slightly horrified at finding her in her position.
"Kara," he began again, floating over, staring at the boy "Oh Kara, why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Wha—" she blinked, confused. She thought back to any of her more recent misadventures or exploits but found nothing that could explain the question.
"We could have given you leave, proper care." Clark continued. His mind raced over just what missions and adventures she had been on in the past year or so and a chill raced up and down his spine.
Kara finally caught on, smiling and shaking her head, "Clark, he's adopted."
"Adopted?" the Man of Steel repeated, a bit hopefully.
"Yeah, Joe got dragged to another universe, found Tommy here, and realized we could help. He's on a supply run and grabbing the kids."
Tommy pushed away the bottle, and Kara smoothly began to burp him, continuing, "Got some of the emergency formula, had a check in with Medical, and came here. Joe's sister'll probably have some potion or something so I can feed him naturally."
Tommy burped and then quickly fell asleep, nuzzled into Kara in contentment.
She lifted off, swaying slightly as she floated with the child, "I needed to ask you Clark. My old room's still free right?"
"Yes…"
"Mind if we shuffle some rooms around? We're gonna need to keep an eye on Tommy for a while; even after he gets big enough for his own room."
She looked at her cousin, worry clear in her eyes, "Clark, Joe's dealt with him before," she explained, "A different version; he grew up to be evil, one of the evilest humans of all time. A magical genius, played with the blackest arts like they were Legos."
"Kara."
"His mother was a witch, crazy one too, bad genetics, that bewitched a muggle. The guy got free and took off, and the mother died after giving birth. The Evil one grew up in an orphanage; Joe stole him from the Orphanage—"
"Kara." Clark got her attention with a stern voice before telling her, "Calm down, I'm not saying anything; you know everyone will be willing to pitch in."
She gave a sigh of relief, "Oh, good."
Before anyone could say anything else, Joe arrived laden with bags; "Henchgirl wants us over ASAP," he said, "She doesn't want to give you or him anything before doing some tests." He noticed Superman and grinned, "Oh, hello Clark, mind taking these to our room?"
Superman paused before nodding, beginning to take the bags.
"Great, thanks mate," Joe said happily, "the passcode's Padfoot, capital P. And if you can round up Galatea, Raven and Tim while we're gone that'd be brilliant, if I don't get Kara and Tom to Henchgirl soon she'll have my bollocks. If anything pressing comes up, call on my brother. He's been complaining about being bored." This was said at Flash level verbal speed and Superman barely understood it all but he nodded.
Without another word, the trio disappeared.
"Alright, listen up," he walked down the line, hands behind his back.
"Today, we are all normal. No powers, no magic." He eyed his headstrong fiancée, "We are going to the London Zoo, why? Because I'm feeling a bit home-sick and it's a good zoo. Unless some poor bastard somehow got in with the Lions, we're all muggles for a day."
"Joe?" Kara asked quietly; he paused, "It's nothing, I just want to take my family to the zoo like everyone else. Grim's covering for me with the job, Xander's on call for the League, and the Angels have everything else."
"Relax, Dad," Tim piped up, "we can handle this."
The battle came to a standstill as a new figure appeared; an expectant hush fell over the combatants.
"Which one of you bastards tried kidnapping my son?" the figured bellowed, "Who dared abduct a Scion of Black?"
Weapons clattered to the ground as everyone realized just who had arrived. Dread filled each and every one of them.
"Ya know," Harry began as he walked, sweeping his scythe side to side threateningly and watching as people ran, cringed, and pissed themselves, "When the Missus found out what had happened I had to hold her down; my girl wanted to rip through you folks like nothing else. You do know who she is right? Of course you do, whoever's stupid enough to take a Son of Black has to know he has Supergirl as a mother."
There were several sharp inhales; people fainted.
"And you can't go forgetting about her sister, I believe she's taken the name Power Girl, or their cousin, you know, Superman—"
People were openly weeping now, shaking and praying for mercy from whatever gods they believed in.
"Besides, you probably wanted to take into account my son's older siblings, Raven of the Teen Titans or the Superboy. Much more dangerous of course, they can take care of themselves. Or perhaps my siblings; Mister Blue, The Doctor, and Henchgirl."
"Mister Black," Superman flew in at lightning speed, followed by the rest of the Big Seven, "what's the emergency?"
They were treated to seeing the fearsome being pacing and raking his hands through his hair; clear signs of agitation one did not want to see in a man that could twist reality to his whim.
"I need a favor," Harry said shortly, still pacing, "My brother, Mister Blue, has been on a Hellmouth for a while now, working with the Slayer." He caught the looks of confusion on everyone but Bruce and Diana.
"The Slayer," he explained curtly, "is his universe's answer to Wonder Woman. The Slayer is always female, a mystical warrior against the forces of darkness. There's supposed to be only one Slayer at a time but something happened so they have two. However, hundreds of girls have the potential to become the Slayer, upon the death of the Slayer."
He sucked in breath, "Something is hunting down the Potentials, something big, something nasty; we don't know what yet, we're working on it. We're also gathering Potentials and moving them into other universes. I've already spoken to Queen Hippolyta and the Amazons are going to take in the older girls, the tweens and teenagers, to train them. However, the younger girls and the boys, we cannot place with the Amazons for fear of harming their developing minds."
Harry looked up, "I am humbly requesting that you allow me to see if we can foster some girls out to some League members."
There was a moment of silence; "Diana and I will accept some of these 'Potentials'." Bruce grunted.
Harry smiled softly, "I thought so, Kara and myself have already taken in three ourselves; Tea's helping out." He shook his head, adding, "We have a set of siblings, Greek origins, who could use your help."
Harry then looked to Superman, "So, do I have permission?"
Clark mulled it over, deciding, "We'll put it to a vote. All those in favor?"
Everyone but Wally and Sheyara confirmed.
The speedster hesitated, "Not to be a downer, but how would we coordinate all this? I mean, what about schooling and the expenses?"
Harry nodded again, "I have a bit of land, an island, and my employees are already nearly completed with my fortress."
"Fortress?" Bruce demanded. Everyone held their breath.
"Nothing more than my base of operations in this universe," Harry soothed, "and my personal residence; I do have Kara and we have the kids to think about you know. It'll be linked with my other bases and my brother's base. We'll be turning a wing or two into a school, a few Black Holes in a few key places around the world, and bob's your uncle. My people are already scouring all universes we have access to for appropriate instructors."
He paused again, "We're hoping to place girls with appropriate guardians, the magical with the magical and so on so forth."
"How're the girls going to be provided for," Sheyara asked quietly, "I'm sure many of our fellows will want to help but the finances…"
"Each foster is going to receive a stipend," Harry explained, "about five thousand American dollars a month for each girl or any boy siblings; however, they will be required to turn in expense reports that my accountants will be going over with a fine tooth comb." He gave a dangerous smile, "I can assure you that if there is any neglect or abuse occurring we will catch on quite quickly and the penalties will be…unpleasant."
Several of the superheroes had to suppress shivers at his tone and look.
"What about childcare?" John suddenly spoke, "Who'll look after these kids when we're on missions?"
"Competent nannies," Harry answered, "I have an entire army of beings called House-Elves waiting to step in should the need arise."
"Protection?" voiced Diana, "If these children are as important as you say, how shall we—"
"Wards," was the reply, "Each home that takes someone in will be warded by my personal, handpicked warder and myself; below the magical wards will be the most technologically advanced security system my people have come up with. The alarms will be connected to my fortress where an elite squad of House-Elves will be waiting in the wings."
"And these 'House-Elves'," Clark began, "How can you be so sure of their loyalty?"
"House-Elves are extremely magical servants, think Santa's elves with OCD, utterly bound to their owners. They enjoy serving under a good master and I treat my elves very, very well. They will not betray me or mine, nor will they disobey orders. I have also taken the time to teach them Occulmency, the discipline that blocks mind-reading and mind control so they cannot be forced to do anything against me or mine."
"Alright, you won me over." Wally grinned.
"And me," Sheyara nodded.
He approached the house that he might have once considered home with caution; he knew the elder Weasleys were home and he needed to speak to them.
Knocking on the door carefully, he waited as he heard Missus Weasley bustling to answer.
"Hel—" the matriarch began, opening the door on autopilot before she realized just who had come to call, "M-Mister Black!"
"Molly Weasley I presume?" he said politely, "I have a bit of business I'd like to talk to you and your husband about."
Mutely she nodded, eyes bulging slightly, as she let him in. "This way please," she led him through the cozy clutter and into the sitting room.
"Take a seat," Missus Weasley said absently, "I'll fetch my husband, he's out in his shed."
Harry took a seat in his favorite chair and smiled slightly, "It's fine, ma'am. Take all the time you need."
He looked around, heart hurting as he caught sight of a picture of him, of Harry Potter that was, on the mantle with the Weasley children.
Photo-Harry was glaring at him, arms crossed angrily and he glared back; Harry Potter was retired, Mister Black had taken over. The sound of footsteps broke their stalemate and Mister and Missus Weasley came running in.
"Mister Black," Arthur spoke, "the Boys—?" the Weasley parents looked terrified.
Harry gave a friendly smile, "Your children are perfectly fine; Percy is one of my best accountants, Fred and George are two of my best field agents and I am looking into hiring Ronald, William, and Charles. They are being very highly recommended."
"What about Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood?" Molly demanded faintly, "they're part of our family too."
"As far as I know, they've been on assignment for a while now, everyone is okay." He held up his hands, "In fact, I've been pointed in your directions, you see…"
He gave them the whole Slayer spiel and then explained the situation with the Potentials before finishing up with, "We're looking for suitable foster-parents, and we're really trying to keep siblings together. We have a set of four siblings, all magical, a boy and three girls all under the age of ten. I've been informed by dozens of people that you two are experienced in handling multiple magical children and have only one dependent still living at home. I am asking you to take them in. You'll be getting a stipend for each and we'll pay for each to go to a magical school of your choice."
Molly and Arthur looked to each other before Arthur spoke, "We have to talk it over with our children, all of them, but provisionally we agree."
Harry stood up, donning his hat as he said, "Thank you, I'll have your children rounded up and sent home. Send your final decision back with Percy. We'll go from there. Now, excuse me, I'm being summoned."
It was becoming rather common to find either Harry or Kara pacing the corridors, little Tommy frustratingly awake in their arms.
While he was normally a quiet child, it was a fact that at bedtime he became a howling demon of fury.
Tonight it was Harry walking with him, bouncing him.
They were on their fourth or fifth lap, Tommy still awake, when Harry felt that all too familiar sensation of involuntary inter-dimensional travel.
Shielding his son wand-lessly, Harry allowed them to be pulled.
They landed in a field, being greeted by four teenagers.
Immediately, Tommy began crying.
Sighing, and shooting a glare at their captors, Harry dug about in his pocket, withdrawing his Zippo. One of the teens, the older of two boys, made to open his mouth but the redheaded girl at his side silenced him with a look.
It took a few clicks but he finally got the flame going and called out, "Kara, love. Wake up."
He heard her moving, grumbling out that it wasn't her turn yet and he was thankful they always kept a communication Floo open in their room as he reiterated, "Wake up, my darling. C'mon love, we need you."
She finally dragged herself from the bed, "Wassup Joe?" she yawned and he heard her joints pop.
"It seems I have been summoned to yet another universe," he sighed, "I've Tommy with me, don't panic, I have his kit. If you could contact Henchgirl though, get a read on us, that'd be completely brilliant."
"Are you two safe?" was her next question and she sounded much more awake.
"For now."
"How bad are you going to hurt them?"
"Oh, they look to be kids, so not badly." He eyed the teens again, seeing one, the second boy, ushering a girl into a bright green car.
"Alright Joe," Kara sighed, "guessing your brother's on league duty then?"
"Could contact him, yeah. If he's busy call in Agents Wolf and Storm if need be."
"Joe, I know the protocols," she sounded amused, "don't worry, we can muddle along without you for a little while. Give Tommy my love and whoever called you my dislike."
"Will do, be careful." With that he clicked his Zippo close. Stuffing it back into his pocket, he instead conjured Tommy's pram, settling the boy into it before strapping him in and activating the protections.
That done, he conjured his favorite recliner next and sat down, putting his feet up before saying, "Well, you called me. I'm Mister Black, and if you have a very good reason to abduct me you can call me Joe. What do you want?"
The redhead, a witch of some sort but nothing Harry had ever come across before, stepped forward, the older boy shadowing her every move.
"We're very sorry sir," she spoke softly, "but we need help. There's a war going on and we're outnumbered and outmatched."
Harry stared at her, "What's your name kid?"
"I'm Gwen," she replied before pointing out the others, "He's Kevin," the older boy, "he's Ben," the younger boy, "and she's Julie," the girl in the car.
"Okay, Gwen, now why are a bunch of teenagers fighting a war?"
She sighed and gave the story; it took about an hour and several detours into explaining bits of it, before Harry had what he needed.
"C'mere boy," Harry ordered of the younger one, Ben; without hesitation he came forward, defiantly staring down this strange and powerful being.
"Show me this…Omnitrix of yours."
Ben stuck out his arm, not even wincing as Mister Black grabbed him and pulled him closer to examine the device.
Casting a quick eye over Tommy, Harry began to examine the watch-like tech, "So, you're telling me that this little thing'll let you change into a million and some different alien species?"
"Yes sir."
"Will you stop it with the sir," Harry finally let him go, steeping his fingers under his chin.
"Alright I'll help you end this war of yours on these conditions; 1)you four, yes even Julie, come work for me and mine, becoming my agents for this universe, 2)you allow my people to look you over, I'm worried that you Ben, and you Kevin, may be becoming genetically unstable, 3) Gwen, you will be undergoing a very condensed, very intensive education in the magical arts after you have been matched with a proper wand because you are a danger to yourself and everyone around you."
Harry silenced Kevin automatically, then body-bound him for good measure as he looked ready to interrupt angrily, before continuing kindly, "Gwendolyn, look at me," he waited until she was looking at him, "I understand you're not human, and I understand why you don't want to train under your grandmother, seventy years is a very long time, but you are a walking disaster waiting to happen if you remain untrained. The training will only last two months, and while you're doing that we'll be feeding your friends through our Field Agent Programs."
She nodded, giving him a hesitant smile and he nodded back, continuing with his conditions, "4)You bring this 'Cooper' lad, I have some friends who'd love to meet him and those same friends will be taking a look at that watch of yours. 5) Ben, I'll be lining up every one of the extraterrestrials I know, which is a lot, and we'll be adding to your DNA database thingy."
He paused, "My people will handle the 'Highbreed' our way, we'll try to help the hostages. You are not to be involved, you are not to interfere."
The teens looked to each other before Gwen voiced, "You'll be killing them then?"
Harry nodded heavily, "From what you've told me, even if I round up my entire company we'd still be outnumbered and outgunned if we held back. And from what it sounds like, killing them is the only way to stop them. I don't like it, but I've dealt with people like this before. You can imprison them but they'll get out eventually and they'll be out for revenge or just picking up where they left off."
Harry had just sat down, having had one hell of a week and looking forward to at least four hours of sleep uninterrupted by work, when his Zippo vibrated.
With a sigh he pulled it out, "Black, what's gone wrong now?"
"Another dimensional jump," Henchgirl replied quickly, "from Universe #42712010; which seems to be an offshoot or alternate of Universe #4131992, the universe where Kara, Tim, and Raven are from." There was some typing before, "We've a team of Juveniles; two metahumans, two humans, and two extraterrestrials."
"So, what's the problem? I take it there's a problem?"
"Well. We've tried sending them back, homed in on their reality and managed to contact their handlers, but we can't get physical matter through."
Harry sighed again, "I take it they're superheroes and they're going to be stuck here for a while."
"Yes, Mister Black; we're looking to see if we can't have them leave via Xander's universe but it's tricky for right now."
"Who're they, if their corresponding mentors exist in Kara's reality they may be able to foster them for the meantime."
"Yes sir, they're only giving us their codenames; Kid Flash, Aqualad, Artemis, Miss Martian, Superboy, and Robin."
Harry sat up, "Oh hell, ask the Robin for his first name. Tell him we may be in his history or future; contact Martian Manhunter, the Flash, Aquaman, and whoever Artemis seems to be based on." He began gathering his things, "once those four have adults, give them the full battery. Don't separate them unless completely necessary."
"Understood…the Robin's claiming his name his Richard, goes by Dick."
"Merlin, get the Batman too then; tell him to come through alone."
"Right; Mister Black, what are we going to do with Superboy? He's not Tim, he's a clone of his version of Superman and apparently they're not on good terms."
"Uh, okay, is Galatea around? Don't call Superman unless we have no other option. You really don't need a meltdown from this Superboy."
"Calling her in right now."
"Good, brief her on everything you know about this Superboy and don't let her mention that's she's a clone unless everything else fails.
"Will do, any reason why?"
"Because she might be Kara's clone but she's not Kara's clone. Got it?"
"Yeah Boss."
He began to prepare to leave even as he spat out more instructions, "Keep Pamela and Harley away from them, don't know how'd they react; if we can't get them home via our ways or Xander's universe call in Agents Wolf, Storm, Barrel, and Halfa; they might be able to help. I'm heading in right now."
"I'm a clone too," she admitted quietly, the last resort, hugging herself and looking away, "of the Supergirl. I was built as a weapon, brainwashed into attacking good people. I even had a control device in my brain that my father," she spat the word venomously, "implanted so he could control me in case I ever came to my senses…"
She looked up, blinking away tears, "He made me do something awful, Conner; he made me bind Joe, Mister Black. He made me bind Death…"
Conner blinked, "You don't mean…"
She nodded, sniffling, "Nobody could die; people were burnt alive, suffocated, terminal, even blown up but they couldn't die. They were in so much pain, pain that should have ended but couldn't."
She shivered, "I never want to see Supergirl that angry again; I never want to have a repeat of what happened." But she gave a watery smile, "But they forgave me, again; Joe even got the thing in my brain out without setting off the kryptonite last resort."
"Supergirl, Superman, Joe, nobody really sees me as a clone anymore. I'm me, I'm my own person; Me and Supergirl may be alike in many ways but I'm different." She looked at him, "You're not Superman and you'll probably never be him. And that's okay, nobody's wanting you to be just like him. And I'm sorry your version of Superman is being a…well…an utter bastard about you but…I've been authorized to offer you a home…As long as you don't mind moving universes."
Conner blinked again, "What?"
"I've talked it over with Joe and his sister and it shouldn't destroy the universes if you stayed in my universe sometimes." She smiled, "it won't be all the time, because you have your friends and your team, but you'd have us…a home, and we can help you figure things out, find yourself. Train, we can at least train you properly."
"Black Canary and Batman—" Conner angrily interjected but Power Girl waved him down.
"Oh, if they're anything like ours are then they're amazing," she couldn't agree more, "awesome teachers, but, fact is, they aren't anywhere near your power set. No, the only people I can think of that are able to go toe to toe with Superman, power wise, is the Martian Manhunter and Wonder Woman, oh, and Joe can wipe the floor with everybody of course…And J'onn, Martian Manhunter I mean, relies far too much on evasion and it doesn't sound like Wonder Woman has even offered to work with you, has she?"
The boy shook his head morosely.
Power Girl snorted derisively, "Figured as much, it seems like they're all worried that you're just a weapon but nobody's trying to make sure you're not." She stood up, "Be right back, gotta talk to Joe. He'll be having some words with your…mentors."
Conner knew that would end…interestingly.
A few minutes later, Power Girl came back with a man who barely looked older than his teens; he was also holding an infant.
"Joe, this's Superboy from Universe #42712010, name's Conner," The woman spoke, "Conner, this's Mister Black, Joe to friends and family. And his youngest, Tommy."
"Hello Superboy, ya mind if I call you Conner? My older boy's his Universe's Superboy and it's just weird to call anyone else that." Harry asked politely, He began to bounce on his heels to keep Tommy content.
Conner hesitated, then nodded.
"Right," Harry nodded, "we've been filled in by your friends and your Batman as to your situation. It has been decided, because you are an extreme security risk if left improperly trained, that your custody and training will be given over to Power Girl here. Therefore, when you are not on a mission or in school or school related activities you will report to us for intensive, remedial training until such a time we deem it adequate enough to allow you to return to your Headquarters."
The way he spoke, he was laying down an insurmountable command. There would be no wiggle room in this.
"Yes sir," Conner grumbled.
Harry grinned, "Buck up, kiddo, you just got yourself a family. And call me Joe; now, when you're feeling up to it, Power Girl will bring you to meet the rest of the clan, your bird's more than welcome to join."
He looked to Power Girl, "Sorry to run Tea but John's got called to Oa, apparently those blue morons are kicking a fuss about the League so I'm just gonna go put the fear of Black into 'em. Mind taking Tommy?"
"Not at all," they traded the baby and Harry popped off with a lazy salute.
Once again, Conner blinked before questioning, "Is he always like that?"
"No," she shook her head, shushing Tommy, "he's usually very laid back but there are a few things he can't stand; evil bastards, neglectful or abusive parents and guardians, and terminally stupid people. Adding you to the mix, he's dealt with all three today."
Casting a repulsing spell on his fist, Harry punched the SuperAsshole in the gut to send him flying.
"You know," Harry spoke conversationally as he walked towards the crumpled man, "There are very few things that tick me off; bad parenting drives me barmy."
He grabbed a fistful of slicked back hair, cranking the man's neck and head up to an almost painful angle, making sure he was paying attention, "However, the one thing that pisses me off like nothing else is when kids are treated like freaks just because of something they can't control."
SuperAss, for Harry refused to admit this creep could be related, however distantly, to anyone of his family, tried to swing at him and he allowed the hit to connect. There was a sickening crunch as the hand was pulverized.
"Hello, Little One," Diana greeted the small child standing by the buffet, "I thought you were taking a nap."
Tommy shook his head, pointing at the food before rubbing his stomach.
He was clutching his favored plush toy, a brilliantly colored snake.
"Ah, I see." She picked up the mute child, settling him on her hip as she fetched a clean, empty tray, "Let us rectify that. What would you like?"
He pointed out the items he wanted, smiling slightly when Diana slipped a small pudding cup onto the tray with a wink.
They made their way over to the table that had the magnetically clamped booster seat affixed to the bench and she settled him into it, setting down his food and quickly cutting up his piece of chicken into finger food-sized bits.
Harry arrived at the Kent farm, glad to finally be able to pick up his youngest.
He smiled as he saw Pa Kent sitting on the porch, whittling away at a piece of wood.
Jonathon smiled as he caught sight of his almost-son-in-law, standing up to meet him.
"Welcome back, Joe." They shook hands, "I take it everything's settled?"
Harry nodded, "Yeah, no causalities either. Has Tommy been any trouble?"
"Naw, well, he went missing for a bit, found him sleeping with old Lulu. He seems to have taken a shine to her."
"Or do you want to share?" Lucifer quipped.
"Actually, mate," a British voice spoke out, "sorry to tell you, but Sam Winchester belongs to me."
Harry strolled up to the cage, "And, Sam, you broke your contact." He looked at the symbols around it, "Working with an independent I see; your brother finally had enough sense to request aid." He paused, staring at Lucifer, "Hello, Morningstar. I'm Mister Black, the Winchesters are my employees so I'd rather like Sam back." He sighed, "Besides, apparently Sam needs remedial training."
He raised his hand, teleporting his agent from inside the cage.
"Henchgirl and the Doctor are not very happy with you three," Harry told the Hunter, "and they already got their hands on Castiel. Not good."
"Ah, what's wrong with poor lil' Cassie, did he break a nail?" Lucifer mocked.
"No, most recently he was placed under an attack dog spell and then tortured by other angels looking for Metatron. He killed them all," Harry spoke mildly, "he tried to warn them, of course, but the idiots didn't listen. His Grace is in shreds, minor miracle he's still alive, yet alone an angel."
"Bad Wolf and Agent Lucky Girl are working on his grace," Harry said to Sam as an aside, "meaning Agents Storm and Eleven aren't happy either."
"The Darkness?" Sam asked.
"Contained, Bad Wolf gave her a sound spanking. We're trying to figure out what to do with her."
"What did Metatron do?" the fallen angel pressed to the bars, "Don't get wifi down here, you understand…"
"Strung Castiel along, kicked all of the angels out of Heaven, tried to set himself up as a the new GOD, caused enough trouble for Dean Winchester to seek out and take the Mark of Cain, which held the Darkness. You know, the usual stuff."
"Huh." Lucifer's eyes actually flashed in anger, though whether he was angry someone else had succeeded where he had failed or angry that someone had committed the ultimate blasphemy and cast everyone out of heaven they didn't know.
"Yeah, so I'm just going to fix up your little cell here," another wave of his hands repaired the Cage, "send you back, catch one Rowena," he snapped his fingers and the witch appeared, bound and gagged, "and get Sammy here back to HQ for his reamings."
"Lemme back in the cage," Sam begged.
"Sorry, kiddo, there's at least three beings waiting on you. Say goodbye to Lucifer now, I think you'll be grounded for a while."
"Bye, Satan," Sam said morosely, looking at his feet like a kid in trouble.
With a snap of his fingers, Harry sent the devil back into his Cage.
Then, hefting the witch onto his shoulder like a keg, he grabbed the man and apparated away.
It was all hands on deck at their destination, a medical team and a containment team both waiting.
Rowena was taken off of Harry, being trussed up again, this time in power suppressant gear designed to handle Mister Black himself, and carted off into a power suppressing cell.
While that happened, Sam was besieged by medics, forced onto a gurney and escorted to the medical complex.
There, they were met by the Doctor, Henchgirl, and Dean, who had donned his Black Ink gear.
To see his brother in the skintight, magically and technologically imbued, catsuit (though the elder Winchester insisted it was a bodysuit) told Sam just how dangerous the situation was. The Winchesters didn't particularly care for the suits made of indestructible but unexplained fabric, too paranormal for their tastes.
"Of all the insane things to do!" the Doctor was shaking her head, "I'm good, Agent Moose, but I'm no miracle worker, and you didn't even have the sense to use your gear."
"Hello and welcome to Magic 101," Hermione, Agent Beaver, greeted her small class of new magical recruits, "it is here where we make sure you know enough to keep yourself safe and semi-sane. I am Agent Beaver, Hogwarts graduate 1996, one of Black's Angels, and I will be your teacher for the most part. We will likely have guest lecturers."
She turned around to face her students, leaning heavily on her desk, "I am going to assume you have the proper equipment and all the required texts. We'll go around the room and everyone will introduce themselves, codenames only, and list at least one experience with magic, good or bad." She gazed around, "Any volunteers?"
When no one stepped forward, she sighed, "Alright, you, the tall bloke, you're up first."
Her sole male student, looking slightly squashed, stood up.
"Um, I'm Agent Moose, my brother's Agent Squirrel, and his partner, Agent Owl; where we're from everything is real. You name it, it exists and most of it likes chomping on humans. We're what's called Hunters, we try to stop the bad guys, or at least limit their damage to civilians. Magic is usually bad for us, and…" he seemed to pause, "Me and my brother were supposed to help end the world," he admitted, "destined to be hazmat suits in the last catfight between the Archangel Michael and Satan. Ol' Mikey was supposed to be in Dean, Lucy in me."
There was a sharp gasp, making him look up at one of the two women who were holding hands.
"Vessels, you were true vessels," she whispered before her mind caught up with her and she blushed deeply, stuttering, "S-sorry, it's j-just that in our universe it's an old piece of lore," her partner squeezed her hand and gave her an encouraging smile.
The first woman began again, stronger this time, "It's said there was a time before, when angels walked the earth, battling the forces of evil. To do this they needed vessels, human bodies to contain their power on the mortal plane. While any angel could take any human, there were certain angels who would work best in certain people; they didn't destroy the human as fast as usual. Legend calls these True Vessels, supposedly dictated by bloodline."
Agent Moose nodded, "In my universe, that's not just lore, that's how it works. Each angel is attached to a bloodline, the more you are of that bloodline the easier it is for them to use you. Lucifer went down the Campbell line, ending in me and my brother through our mom, Michael went through the Winchesters, ending in me and my brother through our dad."
"Then couldn't they just swap you, Satan in your brother and Michael in you?" asked perhaps the youngest in the class, a Goth girl. She was studying him with interest.
He flinched, "Yes, but I was…prepared for Lucifer when I was a baby, by one of his underlings; Mom caught him and our house burnt down, her burning on the ceiling in my nursery. So he could use my brother but I was better for it. They also need consent."
"What about this…Agent Owl?" said the younger of the two redheaded women, green eyes narrowing as she thought, "He's not human…I know humans, he's not one. So what is he?"
"An angel, a Seraph."
"Which one?" asked the Goth girl, "I'm Agent Monroe, the occult expert for my team. Also Jewish. So it's kinda my area."
Agent Moose paused, clearly thinking about whether or not he should reveal that information; he looked to their instructor and she shrugged.
Agent Moose came to his decision, "He's Castiel, Angel of Thursday."
Agent Monroe nodded, "Minor angel, mentioned only once or twice, once by name."
He smiled, "Don't let Agent Squirrel hear you saying that; besides, that minor angel helped stop at least two apocalypses, took on an archangel too."
"When you say partners," asked the older redhead, the one holding the hand of the first speaker, "Do you mean…?"
"That they have a romantic relationship, despite Castiel being in a male vessel? Yep."
Minerva McGonagall looked up to see her personal house-elf standing in her office.
The poor dear was visibly anxious, pulling at her ears as she spoke, "Missy Kitty, wizard heres to see yous."
Minerva blinked, flipping through her appointment book and finding that she had no meetings scheduled, "Who is it Tippy?"
Maybe a parent had decided to come raise hell about a minor something or other, or maybe a surprise inspection by the Board.
"Master Black," Tippy whispered.
The Headmistress paled, asking roughly, fearing the answer, "Do you know why?"
"No, Missy Kitty," the elf shook her head.
"Show him in," Minerva took a steadying breath, "then fetch some refreshments."
The elf popped off, the door opening as she left to reveal the infamous being.
"Mister Black," Minerva stood up, "Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I am Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress at this time. To what do I owe this honor, please take a seat."
She waited until the…being sat down before doing so herself.
He smiled disarmingly, "Headmistress, as you know, in my line of business you meet a lot of people. My brother is much the same…."
"Brother?" she questioned faintly
"Yeah, turns out the little brat's been hiding out on a dimensional nexus that happens to also be a Hellmouth. Pretty easy to pass for a mortal on a Hellmouth, especially if you hang with the Slayer. Which brings me to why I am here; recently, we've come into guardianship of a bunch of kids that require specialized instruction, including a fair few magical kids. The original plan was working with the already existing magic schools to place these students but due to the changed circumstances we've decided to open our own school for the kids under our care. To that end, we need teachers, I was hoping you could recommend some former students that may be amiable to being recruited."
"Well… what subjects are you looking for?"
"All of them; don't worry, I'm already in talks with the Colonies and sent a liaison to Beauxbatons for their recommendations. We're waiting for word from Canada and Japan."
"Curriculum?"
"As only a certain percentage of our students will be magical, we plan to have muggle education alongside any specialized instruction needed, that way our students can function in both worlds. The muggle students will be taught magical customs and laws, so they don't cause any incidences. As most of our graduates will probably work for me at some point or other it is best to prevent problems."
He got the signal and moved up to the microphone stand, coughing slightly and tapping the mike as gently as he could, "Attention, attention everyone," several of the beings attending flinched at the sound, but he had gained everyone's attention.
"Hello, I'm Mister Black, welcome to the inaugural Black's Field Day and Family Picnic. Just going to go over a few rules." He took the mike from the stand, "Alright, nobody should have weapons on them, without an exemption; still, those who do have them don't pull them today. This is just fun and games. We also have a mixed group today, so please, those with inhuman powers and abilities, keep in mind the humans are fragile and squishy. The Doctor is ready for any causalities but try to keep it to the normal bumps and bruises."
He sighed, "Speaking of being a mixed group, yes there are demons and spirits here today. No one is to be exorcised or purified today without damn good reasons. Humans, stay away from anything that looks like red wine, it's not red wine. Likewise, demons you might wanna stay away from the water. Alright, everyone here knows about magic and the supernatural so that's okay to talk about.
We also have a few aliens, as is in not-human or not fully human beings who in part may originate from outer space. It's fine, they come in peace.
Then there's the metas, humans with superpowers. Flash, Kid Flash, try not to run down anyone, hmmm?
Rounding out the non-human, super-powered beings, we have an archangel and angel with us. Don't pester them and don't trust Gabriel. He's a prankster. Oh, and a time goddess may join in at some point."
"To finish up; we have kids here, no fighting, no Slaying or Hunting, be mindful of the humans, and Agent Blackhole, keep your hands to yourself. Most of the women here can destroy you and already have partners that can destroy you as well.
"Oh! And as you can already figure, we have the universal translators up and running, we have back-ups ready, but if all that falls, Agents Owl, Soulful, Wolf, and Storm have agreed to translate; if you can't get them the Black code is also acceptable."
"Now I'm going to hand over to Henchgirl, Miss Quinn, Agent Loony, Agent Anyanka and Agent Nightwing, today's organizers. And try not to jinx us."
It took Shippo only seconds to process what the human had said before he hightailed it, screaming in terror the entire way, to Kagome; scrambled up into her arms, shaking like a leaf in a hurricane.
This of course put his entire group on alert, with InuYasha moving to shield Kagome, who in turn curled around the kit, and nearly drawing his sword.
"What happened Shippo?" Kagome whispered.
"They said—those men said they kill kitsune!" a shaking hand pointed to the Winchesters, "don't let them hurt me!"
He then broke into sobs, hiding his face.
Her eyes sparked dangerously as she registered InuYasha growling, no doubt baring his teeth.
"They're not going to touch you," she promised the child darkly, "they'd have to get through all of us first."
The small commotion had already drawn attention, with Agent Owl and Gabriel joining Agents Moose and Squirrel. Owl looking particularly dangerous.
"Hey, hey, what's going on here?" Supergirl got involved.
"Agent Moose has made a threat against one of ours." Miroku spoke politely, "as you can guess we are rather…on edge."
"What, no," Moose said, holding up his hands, "I didn't lay a hand on the kid."
"You told him you've killed Kitsune, he is a kitsune kit," Sango pointed out, "the threat was implied." She had been talking with another slayer, another slayer from a different universe and time but one none the less, but had raced to her friends.
"They were eating people," Agent Squirrel broke in, "does your brat eat people?"
The kit in question only cried harder, causing the growling to increase in volume.
"Shut up Dean!" Moose shot at his brother, "Not helping." He looked to the priestess, "Agent Well, I swear I didn't mean to threaten the kid. I just asked him if he was a kitsune and he was surprised I knew about them. I told him me and my brother are hunters and we've had dealings. Please, I'm sorry; we won't harm him, I swear."
"Why would we believe you?" InuYasha spat, vibrating in anger, "we've had enough problems with people like you."
"I can help." Supergirl put in, "we can put them under a temporary vow. They break it and we'll know. Agent Inugami, please."
"We'll do it," Moose agreed, "for the day. We'll make a vow."