Saiyan Anti-Hero
The streets of Metropolis were peaceful, and quiet, as the people were going about their normal lives, with not a care in the world. But the peaceful scenery of the city was soon interrupted, as the sidewalks began to crack, before giant plant tendrils sprouted from the ground. The plants grew high into the air, as tall as the buildings, only to stop as they produced a massive amount of flowers on their vines.
The peoples horror grew, as the vines came down, and using the flowers like claws, grabbed the cars surrounding it, and destroyed them, throwing the vehicles into buildings and causing massive chaos. As the chaos ensued, those responsible were watching it, from the comfort of their headquarters.
"Lovely, our test is a complete success." The red haired woman said bemusedly. "We may proceed as planned."
"Agreed." A man within the shadows said, as he moved forward. "But we've operated in shadow, for too long. Time for the Injustice League, to step into, the light." He stated, revealing himself as Count Vertigo, with several villains, including Poison Ivy, and the Joker, standing amongst their ranks.
"Admit it, you can't turn away." Joker said, before he began laughing maniacally.
~Mount Justice October 1st~
Things were going smoothly, within the Mount Justice Compound, as Aqualad and Robin were sparing, while High Voltage and Zatara watched over their fighting, as Kali stood with them, petting Athena as she cradled the white tiger cub in her arms.
"So High Voltage, I was just wondering. How did you get your powers anyway?" Kali asked.
"Hmm? Oh, it's not all that interesting. I just grabbed this old Wizards staff, and said his name so his power could flow into me." He said.
That caused Kali to pause in petting Athena, as she looked to him worriedly, while Zatara sighed and face palmed himself.
"High Voltage, the way you said that, makes is sound like… a different scenario." Zatara stated.
"What do you mean?" High Voltage asked.
"Do I need to get the, touch me doll, and take you to a safe place to talk?" Kali asked. "It's okay to talk if you need to."
"What? Nothing like that happened. The staff I'm talking about, is an actual magic staff carved from wood. He just had me grab it as we both held it, I said his name, and poof. I got my powers from the gem in the staff shooting several lines of lightning at me. I even have a picture of the staff." He said, pulling out his phone, and showing the photo of a wooden staff with a gem in the head. "The Wizard is not a perverted old man."
"Okay, I was worried about something else for nothing." Kali sighed in relief. "Would that have worked without the staff though, like if you just made physical contact with him or something?"
"I suppose it would, but I never really thought about it too much." High Voltage said.
"Okay, just wanted to asked." Kali said. "What was the Wizard's name again?"
"Oh, I can't say it out loud, or I'll revert back to my secret identity. But I can write it down for you." High Voltage said.
"Hold it." Zatara said. "Nice try Kali, but you're not worthy of the same powers of High Voltage. I know you wanna be as strong as possible to fight Neo Cell, but tricking your mentor is not the way to do it."
"Aw come on." Kali huffed.
"He's right Kali. You gotta learn to do things your way. If you become too powerful, you'll spiral out of control. Someone once said, you either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain. An' amassing immense power like mine, when you're already strong enough to take me at my best, is a good way to start heading down that path." High Voltage said.
"Fine." Kali sighed.
"Thanks for catching that Zatara." High Voltage said.
"Aren't you supposed to have the Wisdom of Solomon?" Zatara questioned.
As Robin and Aqualad finished their training session, Kali stepped up to the two with a basket of towels and water, as Wolf, Connor, and Megan came into the training room, with the two bipedals looking at each other happily.
"You know they're a couple, right?" Robin asked.
"I believe I knew, before they did." Aqualad smiled.
"Yeah, same here." Kali said, before the sound of sneakers squeaking on the floor, alerted them to someone else coming into the training room.
Turning around, they spotted Artemis and Wally coming in, followed by Goku, and a big muscle bound man with fiery orange hair in a mohawk, wearing a flannel shirt with jeans and suspenders, as well as mountain boots.
"Do we tell them about Connor and Megan?" Robin asked.
"It is not our place." Aqualad said.
"Agreed. Plus, I wanna see the look of shock on Wally's face when he realizes it." Kali smiled, with Athena letting out a squeaking roar of agreement.
"So if Zatara's our babysitter of the week, why is he still here?" Wally questioned, pointing to High Voltage. "An' why is he eating my snacks?"
"He's not Wally. I offered him some candy from my personal stash." Kali said, before turning to Goku. "Hey dad."
"Hey Kali. I see you got a new friend." Goku smiled, wiggling his finger at Athena, to which the cub swatted at them.
"Yep. I rescued her on our last mission. An' though it might seem cruel, I also kept her mothers pelt, and turned it into a rug." Kali said.
"Why would you do that?" The man with Goku asked.
"Who's this dad?"
"Oh, this is Android 16. He's just like 17 and 18, but the difference is, he's Dr. Gero's biological son." Goku said. "I've already introduced him to Batman, and he's agreed to be the base's mother hen until we figure out the whole Red Tornado thing."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Kali said.
"I would say the same, but you've yet to answer my question." 16 said.
"Well, Athena's only a cub. In fact she was probably born the day I rescued her, since her eyes are still closed. An' I wanted her mother to remain nearby, and it's proven to be a good idea, since Athena's always sleeping on her mothers fur it seems she remembers her mothers scent, even though her senses aren't all that developed. So I made the rug Athena's little corner in my room, where her bed, her toys, and her milk feeder is located. Of course, I had the head, limbs, and tail completely removed, when I had the pelt turned into a rug. It's just one big oval on the ground."
"What is a milk feeder?" 16 asked.
"She's only a cub, so I've gotten her a little milk feeder for when she needs to be fed, and I'm off on missions." Kali said.
"What about play and exercise?" Goku asked.
"I've got that covered." Kali smiled. "Robin and Artemis are helping me with making a small robot that she can play with once she opens her eyes. An' With Krypto gone, Wolf is the only one able to guard her when we're on missions."
"What happened to Krypto?" Goku asked.
"Superman returned from his mission in space the other day, and took him back." Kali said. "He seemed kinda beat up though. Little worse for wear."
"Krypto or Superman?" 16 asked.
"Superman." Kali said, before the Zeta Tubes lit up.
"Recognized, Batman 02." The Synthetic computer voice said.
"Computer, national news." Batman said, marching to their group, before the news broadcast appeared on the holoscreen.
"The initial attack, was short lived. But Metropolis was only granted, a short reprieve." Cat Grant said.
"I like watching Iris's news better. Why can't she be up there?" Kali asked.
"Shush." High Voltage hushed her.
"An' despite the intervention of Superman, and the Justice League, there seems to be no end in sight." Cat Grant continued.
"Should we get out there?" Robin asked.
"No." Batman said, turning around to face their team. "The League will soon have the situation under control. That's not why I'm here."
"You've got something up your sleeves, don't you?" Kali asked.
"According to your intel, Sports Master supplied, Cadmus Blockbuster Formula, to Kobra." Batman continued.
"Who combined it with Banes, Venom, to create Kobra Venom." Wally said, missing how Kali hugged her arms a little tighter at the mention of Banes Venom.
"Hey, it's okay. We're here for you Kali." Goku said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"An' the Brain used Kobra Venom, to create his animal army." Robin said.
"An' upgrade Wolf and Athena." Connor said.
"The Brain also used inhibitor collars, like the ones used at Bell-Rev Penitentiary." Megan said.
"Batman, is it possible, that plant thingy is on Kobra Venom too?" Artemis questioned.
"I had Green Lantern run a spot analysis." Batman said. "The Vines Cellulose does contain trace amounts of a Kobra Venom variant."
"These cannot be coincidences." Aqualad said as Robin began doing his own research.
"No kidding." Kali huffed. "Unrelated criminals are operating with one another world wide."
"Exactly. It's now clear that our enemies have formed, some sort of, secret society of super villains." Batman said. "The attack on Metropolis, is only the beginning."
"You got that right." Robin said, producing a few more screens. "Plant creatures have sprouted in Gotham City, Paris, Star City, Taipei…"
Robin was cut off, when the screens turned to fuzz, and white noise.
"Dude." Wally said.
"It's not me. Someone's cutting into the satellite signal, all satellite signals." Robin said before the Jokers face, appeared on the screen.
"Clown?" Kali gasped, taking a step back.
"Oh no." Connor said, coming to Kali's side.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt your regularly scheduled mayhem, to bring you this, important announcement." Joker stated, before turning the camera to the rest of their group. "From the, Injustice League."
"We, are responsible for the attacks on your cities. If you wish to save them, a ransom of $10Billion American Dollars is required. Delivery instructions, have been sent to the United Nations." Count Vertigo said. "There is no time limit… but, the longer your governments wait…"
"The more we get to have our, jollies." Joker said, turning the camera back to him, before he began laughing, and the feed cut out again.
"Roger that Aquaman, the UN will prepare the ransom as a fallback." Batman said.
"Bad clown, bad-bad clown." Kali shivered.
"Is she okay?" Robin asked.
"I've never seen her like this." Megan said.
"One of the G-Gnomes during our development, telepathically broadcast the movie, IT, to all the others, including the ones giving us our education." Connor said. "At the time, our bodies were around three. I was fine, but Kali developed an intense, probably crippling fear of clowns. An' the Joker's final message did not do anything to help her fear."
"Kali, pull yourself together." Goku said. "You've got a job to do."
"I'll… I'll be okay." Kali said, pulling herself together.
"After this mission, I can help you with your fear of clowns." Megan said.
"I'd appreciate that, Megan." Kali said.
"Back to the task at hand." Batman said, drawing their attention back to him.
"Count Vertigo, the Joker, Poison Ivy, Ultra Humanite, Atomic Skull, Black Adam, Wotan? Seven, heavy hitters. Probably behind nearly everything, and everyone we've faced." Robin said, rewinding the footage, and identifying the villains.
"There's your secret society." Wally said.
"Not so secret anymore." Artemis added.
"Perhaps after India. They deduced the truth and saw there would be no point in hiding any longer." Aqualad said.
"Yeah? That was their mistake. Right now, I say we go kick some plant creature butt." Wally said.
"Hold on Wally." Kali said. "Aqualad's onto something. But this can't be the ones behind Cadmus, or the rest of the scenario's we've faced. They're not coordinated enough, and don't have the financial resources for a place like Cadmus. If they did, why hold the world ransom for $10Billion Dollars?"
"Kali's right." Goku said. "As someone who took down a secret organization as a child, I'm somewhat familiar with the financial backing they'd need for that to happen."
"Be that as it may, your job is not to figure out who is behind all this." Batman stated. "The Justice League will handle the plants. I have a different job for this team."
"Oh man." Wally groaned, before getting punched in the arm by Artemis.
"With the plants attacking so many locations simultaneously, there must be a central control system." Batman said. "Your mission is to destroy it."
"Batman." Kali said, stepping up to him. "You realize, what you're really asking us to do right?"
"You're ready." Batman said.
"Ready, ready for what?" Wally questioned, before Artemis hit him in the arm again. "Ow, will you quit with that?"
"Hello Wally, if the big guns are fighting plants. Who do you think we'll be fighting?" Artemis questioned.
"I don't know, I guess we'll…" Wally stopped in his retort, when Artemis pointed to the screen. "Oh."
"We're fighting, the Injustice League." Kali said.
"Well Batman, I trust you are correct." Zatara said.
"I trust you, can find where they're located." Batman said.
"Indeed. Wotan's involvement, suggests sorcery is part of how the plants are controlled." Zatara said, before looking to the Boy Wonder. "Robin, if you would provide a holomap." Robin got to work right away, producing a holomap of the planet. "I'll search for signs of concentrated Sorcerers activity." Zatara held out his hands to the holomap globe, and chanted the spell, before the globe stopped spinning, and the location was found. "There, that is where you will find the Injustice League's Central Control system."
"Coordinates locked in. The Louisiana Bayou." Robin stated.
"We are on our way." Aqualad said.
"Batman, send me every file you have on our opponents. I wanna try and come up with a strategy that revolves around their weaknesses." Kali said.
"Already done. Good luck." Batman said.
With that, the others began running out of training hall, with High Voltage following them close behind before he stopped.
"High Voltage." Batman called to him. "For this plan to succeed, all members of the Justice League must been seen fighting the plant creatures. You, Zatara, Goku, and I, are needed elsewhere."
~Injustice League~
"Kobra Venom's got nothing, on good old Joker Venom." Joker said, waving his hands about like a puppeteer, showing his gloves were the ones controlling the plant creatures attacking the world.
"Both work well, in concert." Count Vertigo said.
"Yes, but we're putting considerable strain on my baby." Ivy said, down by the giant plants roots, as she gave it some love, causing the browning roots to turn green again.
Humanite ran past her, and activated the circuitry within the plant, before Wotan flew up and cast a spell that empowered it more.
"We will keep her healthy and safe Ivy. But she requires more power, Skull!" Wotan said, turning to the radioactive zombie.
Without even saying a word, Atomic Skull powered up his radiation, and fired it into the machines filter, turning it into energy that revitalized the plant, and even made it more powerful, as leaves sprouted from the plants body, while creating a beautiful greenery that left Ivy and Vertigo in awe.
"Stunning, what a little teamwork, can accomplish." Vertigo said, before the alarms began sounding. "Intruder alert."
~Team~
"Alright, everybody got the plan?" Kali asked. "Their heaviest hitter, in terms of strength, is Black Adam."
"As per your request, leave him to you." Wally said, before noticing the bag by Aqualad's feet. "What's in the duffle?"
"Plan B." Aqualad said.
"Aqualad, make sure if it comes to that, I'm the only one who wears it, alright?" Kali asked.
"Understood." He said.
"Ugh." Megan groaned, putting a hand to her head.
"You all right?" Connor asked.
"Dizzy."
"Martians get air sick?" Robin asked.
"It's not M'gann who's dizzy." Kali said, looking out the window. "Bioship's shielding us from an attack Vertigo is sending right at us."
"How can you tell?" Artemis asked.
"Because he's standing right there." Kali hissed.
Looking out the window, the others, minus Megan, saw Vertigo standing outside on a giant boulder, with Black Adam next to him, as they flew over them, right before their camouflage came undone.
"There it is Adam. Go!" Vertigo ordered him.
Black Adam went flying towards the martian ship, but before he could slam his fist into the aircraft, the bottom opened up, just as he swung his fist, taking him by surprise, and forcing him to drop his guard, before he was in the Bioship up to his waist. He only had a second to perceive his surroundings, before Kali was instantly in his face, her fist enveloping his line of vision.
In that instant, Kali's strike sent Adam down, the ship began to sway.
"Vertigo's attack is sending us down." Megan said.
"Everyone stick to the plan." Kali stated, before she jumped out of the airship, and flew straight for Black Adam, just as he was flying back towards the ship. "Oh no you don't." She hissed, throwing a punch at him.
At the same time, Adam threw his own punch, to which they both caught the strikes, resulting in each of them gripping the others fist pretty hard.
"You're strong girl. You would have made for a fine bride to help me protect Kahndaq." He stated.
"Sorry, not really into men five thousand years older then me!" Kali exclaimed, slamming her knee into Adam's stomach, and sending him into the air, breaking through the clouds.
Flying after him, Kali broke through the clouds herself, before Adam struck her in the face with his own punch, and sent her spiraling through the clouds.
"You've surprised me girl." Adam said. "I was not expecting your power, to be a near equal match for me."
"What can I say? I'm full of surprises." Kali smirked, wiping the blood away from her face, as the moonlight shined over them just as it began to rise, before Kali raised her arms in an X formation, and blocked a kick Adam sent at her. "You know, if this were any other night, I'd be fighting you at full strength right now." She said, pressing against his strike.
"Oh, and why is that?" Adam questioned moving back.
"You haven't noticed my eyes?" Kali asked.
Adam looked at Kali, before focusing on her face, his own eyes widening in surprise.
"You're blind." Adam said.
"Close, but not quite." Kali said. "I'm wearing contacts that make me blind. Can't be going Oozaru and rampaging everywhere when there's a full moon out tonight."
"Ah, so that's it." Adam stated, before he flew right at her, and swung at Kali with a lightning infused jab-cross combo, while the teen Saiyan dodged it. "But how are you able to fight me, so well without your sight?"
"I can sense where you are. I'd go into detail about it, but…" Kali paused, as she slammed her elbow into Adam's stomach, causing him to fold in on himself. "I'm not keen on giving my battle tactics away to my enemies."
~Team~
Things were silent, as the Aqualad lead the team in Kali's absence. They were forced to escape Bioship via a hatch and swim for safety, as they made it to the shoreline, with Connor and Wolf gasping for air when they breached the waters surface, and watched as Bioship was pulled down even further by the same plant creatures that the Justice League were dealing with, while the sound of thunder echoed above their heads.
"She's in shock, she'll need time to recover." M'gann said, before they were all hit with a blast of sonic waves, causing them immense pain, that rendered them all but Kid Flash dizzy.
"Vertigo." Wally said.
"Counter Vertigo, to you peasant." Vertigo stated.
Connor glared at Vertigo, before getting to his feet and lunging at the man. His attack was stopped however, when Kali came falling from the skies, and slammed right into him, sending them both to the ground unconscious, with Black Adam landing in front of them, looking a little banged up.
"She gave you trouble?" Vertigo questioned.
"Nothing I couldn't handle." Black Adam stated. "Only magic, can truly harm beings of magic, and she possesses no such power."
Aqualad took their distraction as an opportunity to reach for the water with his weapon hilts, and hit Vertigo with the wave his magic created. This sent Vertigo into the forest, hidden by the foliage, while allowing the rest of the team to get to their feet.
"Robin, Ms. Martian, disappear, we will keep them busy." Aqualad ordered through their telepathic link. "You two fulfill the mission objective." He added, before he was punched in the face by Black Adam.
After Aqualad was knocked down, Wolf lunged at Black Adam, biting down on his forearm, only for the Fallen Champion to spin around, and throw the Kobra Venom enhanced canine into Kid Flash and Artemis.
~Paris~
The city of Paris was in an uproar of chaos, as the plant creature wrapped its vines around the Eiffel Tower, causing the metal to bend, and the people still on it to cry out in fear. In the air, Martian Manhunter carried Aquaman to the plant ensnared wonder, before throwing him to it. With his Atlantian strength, Aquaman tore through some of the vines, creating an evacuation point for those trapped inside.
Carefully, each of the civilians were brought out of the tower, and taken to safety by the evacuation team.
~Taipei~
The scene wasn't looking good for the workers at the power plant, as the plant creatures were tearing through it like a knife through wet tissue paper.
Flash ran through the terrain, shredding through the vines as fast as he could, while ensuring they didn't grow back to cause more trouble.
With the plants on the ground cleared, Blue Devil stood ready, as his weapon extended, piercing the ground for support, as his bident fire a blast of energy like a cannon, destroying one of the larger vines wrapped around one of the energy towers. Unfortunately, this caused the plant creature to destroy the second tower, insighting a nuclear meltdown, before Captain Atom flew in, and absorbed the radiation, rendering the smoke, completely harmless.
~Star City~
The plant creatures attack was a surprise, no one was wanting to experience, but it was one they had to deal with, as it began destroying the bridge leading in and out of Star City. As the chaos continued, Green Arrow, and Red Arrow did their best to ensure the bridge remained in one piece, by shooting it with explosive arrows.
As this happened, Black Canary took the initiative to keeping the civilians safe, destroying any and all vines that wrapped themselves around a school bus full of kids, while also clearing a path for the bus, before she was knocked away by a large vine.
~Injustice League~
"Poor heroes." Joker said, with false sympathy in his voice as he continued the attack. "Nothing they do is quite enough. Ain't it grand?"
"An' impressive, how you simultaneously juggle multiple scenarios." Ivy said.
"I've had practice, juggling my multiple personalities." Joker stated. "School's out!"
~Star City~
One of the plant monsters reached down with a vine, gripping the school bus with the flower, before waving it about in the air, and throwing it over the side of the bridge.
In horror, the three heroes ran to the side, and gave off sighs of relief, as the bus had been caught by the third Green Lantern of Earth, Guy Gardener.
~Count Vertigo & Black Adam~
Black Adam dusted off his hands, after effortlessly tossing the unconscious Superboy and Kali, into the pile of fledgling heroes.
"Two are missing. Find them!" Vertigo stated, after completing a headcount.
~Robin & M'gann~
"I've lost contact with Kali and the others." Megan said, continuing to use her telepathy to keep in contact with Robin. "Should we…"
"Sorry, that's not the gig. This is." Robin retorted, showing he lead her to the Injustice League's hideout, a domed building with a giant plant sticking out from the center of the roof. "Injustice League Central control system. Looks like that plant, is acting as an antenna to control the other plants."
"Well hello."
Robin and M'gann turned around, to see Poison Ivy, just before they were ensnared in roots that quickly shot up and sprouted from the ground, and hoisted them into the air. With the duo captured, Humanite appeared behind Ivy from the treeline, and aimed a laser guided grenade launcher at the duo.
"An' goodbye." Ivy smirked.
Humanite aimed for Robin, but opted to fire at M'gann first, before the Martian lady's eyes began to glow green, and she took control of Humanite, forcing him to aim for the roots that restrained them. This allowed for M'gann and Robin to escape, running in opposite directions.
"Sorry, Boy Wonder." Ivy said, focusing her attention on him. "I'm putting an end, to your little reconnaissance mission."
Robin was quick to react, as Ivy sent roots spearing at him from the ground. Moving swiftly, Robin entangled the roots with each other, before surfing on one like a jungle man, and leaping into the air, grabbing onto a branch, using his acrobatic skills to perch himself in the tree, before he leapt from the branch, evading another skewering root, and ninja jumping down two more trees, landing on the ground, before avoiding a spearing root sent at him.
On the other side, Humanite was going after M'gann, being unappreciative about being mind controlled, as he fired at her, with the Martian turning invisible, and phase shifting so her attackers shots passed harmlessly through her.
~Within the Base~
"With so much power at my finger tips, some might call me a control freak." Joker said, wiggling his fingers as Atomic Skull continued to power the tree. "Others, just a freak. Either works for me."
~Team~
"Ah, my head." Kali hissed, putting a hand to her head as if waking up from a hangover. "Black Adam really doesn't pull his punches." She stated, before noticing they were in a cage made entirely of magic energy. "Great." She groaned.
"They awaken." Vertigo said, his voice indicating he was standing atop the cage.
"An' we awaken to a choir of angels, hooray." Kali said sarcastically. "Not at all a gravely chain smokers voice."
"You shut it in there commoner." Vertigo said, stomping his foot on top of the cage. "You're certain, this will hold them?"
"The cage is impenetrable." Wotan said. "Even the Superboy, and the Saiyan, has no chance of escaping."
"You are not the only one trained in the mystic arts, Wotan." Aqualad declared, gripping the bars of the cage.
"Save your strength Aqualad." Kali sighed, stopping her teammate from wasting his energy. "Wotan's able to go toe to toe with Zatara. Whose skill in magic, is greater then yours."
"Listen to the girl Atlantian. Do not pretend like you are in my League." Wotan said.
~Robin & M'gann~
Robin rang along the length of a spearing root, one of many involving Ivy's latest attempts at trying to skewer him. Evading another attack, Robin jumped and ran along the side of a tree, before landing on another speared root, only to be sent forward, as a root sprouted from the ground, and pierced the path, destroying the root.
As Robin picked himself up, he realized he was out matched and out classed, before the roots were destroyed with telekinetic force, as M'gann came down to him.
"Robin, she's made contact!" M'gann stated.
"Artemis, Kali?" Robin questioned.
"No." M'gann said, as Wotan, Adam, and Vertigo flew over them with the cage, unaware of their tail.
As they neared their base, Wotan was knocked out of the sky, as Bioship came out from her camouflage mode, slamming her underside into his back and into the ater, thus disrupting the cage, and freeing the fledgling heroes.
"Nice going girl. Oh yeah!" Kali cheered, as she and Superboy were flying in the air, while the others landed in the marsh.
At the same time, Adam grabbed Vertigo, to keep him from getting hurt in the fall.
"Not me, stop those delinquents!" Vertigo stated.
"Kali, don't take offense at what I'm about to say." Superboy said, spotting Humanite.
"You hate monkeys?" Kali asked.
"I hate monkeys!" He stated, before he flew down towards Humanite, while Wolf charged the ape from the ground.
Aqualad and Artemis picked themselves up from the mud, and turned around to see Ivy standing on the hill, with multiple vines sprouting from the ground around her. Aqualad and Artemis reached for their weapons, but realized they were gone.
"Ah, I feel naked, and not in the fun way." Artemis said.
Right after saying that, Ivy shot out a spear of vine at Aqualad, with the Atlantian dodging the attack, narrowly missing his side.
"We will make our own fun, as we have been trained." Aqualad said, as Ivy pulled the spear back. "Maneuver7" He stated, as he ran to her, and she ran to him.
Cupping his hands as they found an opening to execute the maneuver, Aqualad braced himself as Artemis's foot landed in his muddy palms, before he threw her into the air, and over the vines. Artemis arched through the air, farther then the vines could reach, before she came falling down, with the sole of her boot, slamming into Ivy's face.
Wally picked himself up off the ground, and went racing for Vertigo and Adam, as soon as they landed.
Knowing the fledgling speedster would come running towards them, Vertigo used his powers on the boy, causing him to become so dizzy, he slows down, and stops right in front of Vertigo and Adam, before the Fallen Champion struck him with a closed backhanded fist to the face, sending him flying then tumbling through the mud.
"Where are Robin and the Martian?" Vertigo questioned.
"Hey, you've got bigger things to worry about, then those two!" Kali called out, flying straight for him, before Black Adam got in her way, defending Vertigo. "Heh, so you noticed it?"
"Vertigo, this is a bad match up for you. She's a Saiyan, and must have a technique that can counter your abilities." Adam said, gripping Kali's wrist, and throwing her to the mud.
Kali quickly twisted around, before landing in a three point stance in the mud, and stood up smiling.
"No shit Sherlock. It's called a Mind Shield. Nifty little trick my Uncle Tien taught me during my training with my dad." Kali said, before slamming a fist into her palm, and cracked her neck. "Ready for round two Teth Adam?"
"It's, Black Adam!" The Fallen Champion shouted, flying right for her, before giving chase, as she flew straight into the air.
Off to the side, Superboy and Wolf were trying to keep Humanite pinned down, before they were thrown away by the albino gorilla. At the same time, Ivy was defending herself well against Artemis, before she used her plants to knock her away. At the mention of Robin and Miss Martian, Ivy looked towards the base, as that had been their target from the start of the mission.
"My baby." Ivy gasped, her eyes widening as she saw blinking lights, as if the tree had been decked lit up like a Christmas tree.
~Kali~
"Come on, where's the Teth Adam I read about?" Kali questioned, slamming her fist into Adams face.
"Teth Adam is no more! He was weak, I am strong! I am Kahndaq's protector! I am Black Adam!" He declared, hitting Kali with a knee to the ribs.
The strike sent Kali flying through the air, before she corrected her flight, and flew back at Adam, slamming her shoulder into Adam's sternum, but he didn't budge. Kali tried to move back, but was unable to as Adam grabbed her by her wrists, and held her up to look him right in the eyes.
"I have the Wisdom of Solomon!" Adam stated, throwing her around, and slamming her back into his knee. "The Strength of Hercules!" He hit her with a haymaker. "The Stamina of Atlas!" He brought Kali's head down, and slammed his knee upward, causing more pain and damage. "The Power of Zeus!" He electrocuted her. "The Courage of Achilles!" He hit her with a barrage of punches that knocked her to the ground. "An' the Speed of Mercury!" He declared, hitting her with a roundhouse kick, that sent her to the giant tree, with several explosives being knocked off the trunk.
Kali tried to pick herself up, but was pinned to the plant, as Adam held her by the throat.
"I am, the ultimate Champion." Adam hissed.
"An' how would Hurut feel, if he saw you using his gift to you, this way?" Kali questioned.
"Shut up." Adam growled. "You keep my sons name out of your mouth. He'd be proud."
"Really?" Kali questioned, gritting her teeth, as blood poured from her mouth. "Because from here, if it were my dad in your place, and me in Hurut's, I would be ashamed of what he'd be doing with my gift."
"BLACK ADAM!"
Adam looked to the ground and saw Ivy waving to get his attention.
"The tree is covered in explosives." She called out. "Remove them quickly!"
"I don't think so." Kali hissed, grabbing Adam's arm, and keeping him from flying off. "You know, I just realized something. You listed off your powers, one after the other. An' I've been going through all the combinations of what might be the Wizards name from those specific words you said, with only one combination sticking out the most."
"No." Adam gasped, as Kali's grip held tighter on his forearm.
"SHAZAM!" She shouted, before a large bolt of lightning came down, and struck her, while detonating the explosives on the tree.
The light shined brightly, illuminating the area around the Injustice League's base, as if it were a massive pillar of light shining down from the heavens, as the magic mixed in with the power from the explosives. This sudden burst of explosive power, caused those within the Injustice League, to look at their base in horror, as their eyes adjusted to the light, before the shadowed silhouette of one of the two fighters at the tree, came rolling out of the light, before landing in the mud, creating a groove in the wet ground, while revealing it was Black Adam.
"Adam, what happened?" Vertigo questioned, as the fallen champion picked himself up, before gasping when he saw he had a bruise on his cheek.
(Cue Music… Enemies: The Score)
"She's smarter then she looks. I was able to free myself just before the lightning struck." Adam groaned, spitting out some blood, as Kali's silhouette became clearer, with the light dying down. "An' she's just gone from a thorn in our side, to a dagger in our backs."
"No way." Artemis gasped, as Kali powered up, the smoke vanishing around her.
There, Kali remained in the air, her injuries from her fight with Black Adam healed, as she wore a black suit, with a white cape billowing from her shoulder, wearing gold bracers, with a double wrapped gold sash, with a matching pair of greaves that starting just below her mid-thighs before continuing downwards into her boots as well as a pair of cuisses that began at her mid-thighs and ended slightly above her knees, and a massive lightning bolt on her chest. Her hair and deity markings, were scarlet red once more, with her eyes glowing with red electricity. Her muscle mass was definitely bigger and more defined then before, making it seem like she'd gained the strength of a Super Saiyan, without going Super.
"Let's end this!" Kali cried out.
Flying straight down, Kali landed hard on the ground, crouched in front of Adam with her fist pulled back, her impact creating a shockwave that knocked Vertigo and the other villains around them, off their feet. Throwing her fist forward, Kali slammed it, into the underside of Adams jaw, sending the fallen champion flying through the air before she went flying after him.
"Did Kali just…" Superboy questioned.
"Send the Injustice League's heaviest hitter flying with a single punch? Uh, yeah." M'gann said.
Up in the air, Kali continued her onslaught of power against Black Adam, with her strikes actually causing him to bleed.
"You know." Kali smirked, grabbed Adam in a choke hold. "I haven't actually fought, deity to deity, since Klarion. So this is actually kinda fun." She stated, pulling back on Adam, and sending him into the swamp lands, deeper into the forest.
Adam flipped back, before landing on his feet, and dug his hands into the mud. Raising his arms, Adam crossed them, as he blocked Kali's boot, and pushed her back before grabbing the girl by the ankle, and swinging her through the air, towards the ground.
Kali quickly caught herself, pressing her hands into the ground as she made impact, before slamming her free foot into Adam's chest, and kicking him into a tree.
"What do you even need with your share of ten billion dollars Adam?" Kali questioned, throwing a punch, only to hit the tree, while Adam dodged the strike.
"Kahndaq is a poor nation. It requires funds to survive." Adam stated, punching her in the face right as she turned to him. "I'd give my people a chance to start anew, and build a life for themselves."
"Newsflash dumbass, Kahndaq's one of the nations that giant plant thing was terrorizing." Kali stated.
"You lie!" Adam cried out.
"It's the truth." Kali said, using martial arts to block, and redirect Adams strikes. "Joker kept it from being shown on the news, because he knew you'd destroy the base in an instant if you found out. Besides, there's plenty you can do for Kahndaq, without holding the world at ransom."
"Like what?" Adam questioned.
"Using your powers, to terraform the land outside of Kahndaq's city to make crops. Use your speed to find an underwater wellspring of fresh water." Kali said, crossing her arms in front of her, as she gripped Adams wrists, to make him listen. "An' if you find oil instead, then you can create an oil refinery to create jobs, and give your people hope again. The people of Kahndaq's champion, gave you his power, for more then just saving your life. He gave it to you, because he knew you would do, what he could not. I'd be willing to bet you anything, that Hurut wanted to work side by side with you, being the yin and yang of Kahndaq, a hero and a protector." Adam just glared at Kali, unable to move as she kept a firm grip on his wrists.
(End Song…)
"So what if that's true? He's gone now." Adam said.
"But he'll always live on in your heart." Kali said, before she sighed, as she relaxed, taking Adam by surprise as he relaxed in tandem with her. "Look, I'm… I probably shouldn't even be offering this. But there is a way, I can let you see Hurut again. It'll only be once, and I'll have to ask a big favor of someone with the power to actually do it. I can't guarantee anything, but I can promise I'll do what I can to convince him. I'll even help you with terraforming the land around Kahndaq, and locating a fresh water spring."
"You would do that, for your enemy?" Adam questioned.
"I would, because I know you're not actually a villain. You're just a protector, who's willing to do anything, to keep his people safe, even if it means crossing a line, we heroes won't." Kali said. "On my honor and Pride as a Saiyan, I promise I'll do what I can, for you to see Hurut again, and turn your lands into a prosperous utopia for your people."
Adam looked at Kali, before he lowered his head, and sighed.
"You really are, an amazing person." Adam said. "Thank you, my Champion."
~Team~
"AAAHHH!" Ivy cried out, sending lethal roots to Robin and M'gann.
M'gann used her telekinesis to destroy the roots, before going after her. As the Martian was doing that, Robin was about to join the fray, before he was knocked down by Atomic Skull shooting a laser past him, which took him by surprise.
"Children? Children foiled out plan?" Joker questioned, standing behind Atomic Skull. "Inconceivable! Unacceptable! Retributionable! That last one might not be an actual word. So sue me." He stated, before laughing like a madman as he joined the fight.
"Kill them!" Vertigo ordered. "Kill them all!"
Ivy and Humanite ran towards the Young Heroes. Atomic Skull released a beam of power, while Humanite continued his face off with Superboy and Wolf, the apes fist slamming into the Kryptonian, before Wolf bit down on the fur covered arm. At the same time, Artemis was brought to her knees by Vertigo.
"Leave her alone!" Wally stated, before he was knocked to the ground, hit from behind by Wotan.
"Enough." The Dark Sorcerer called out, before Robin hit him with several explosive bird-a-rangs.
This did nothing but anger the Sorcerer, as he produced a barrier around himself. Removing the barrier, Wotan produced a spell that sent lightning, at the Young Heroes, pinning them to the ground. The attack Wotan sent at M'gann, knocked her out of the skies, and to the ground in front of Aqualad.
"This is the end for you all!" Wotan stated.
"Hey Wotan!" The Sorcerer turned around, only to be struck in the face by Kali's fist. "Keep you fucking hands, off my friends!"
The strike sent Wotan flying, before he corrected himself, and hit her with a massive lightning strike to the chest, sending her to the ground. Kali groaned in pain, before she sat up, and pushed back against the attack.
"M'gann!" Kali called to the Martian. "Plan B!"
M'gann nodded in confirmation, using her telepathy to call Bioship towards their location.
"Alright, not sure how it'll react with this champion form so…" Kali murmured before, she hit Wotan with a Ki blast, she shot from her mouth like a dragon, freeing her of his attack. "SHAZAM!" She shouted, before reverting back to her normal form, being struck with lightning.
Jumping from the smoke, Kali took to the air, meeting right under Bioship, before the living aircraft dropped the duffle bag it carried, into her arms. Opening up the bag, Kali pulled out the contents, revealing the Helmet of Fate.
"Alright Nabu, you know the drill. But this time, I'll let you take the reigns, but only for this battle. What we need now, is a Sorcerer Supreme, not a martial artist." Kali said, pressing her forehead to the helmets forehead. "I'm trusting you, to protect my friends, and end this madness."
Turning the helmet around, Kali raised it over her head, allowing for the villains to see it.
"The Helmet of Fate." Wotan gasped.
Kali lowered the helmet onto her head, allowing for the eyes to glow, as her body shined a brilliant golden light. When the light died down, Kali was still in the air, but rather then the Gi she wore the last time she used the helmet, she wore a blue suit, with golden boots, gloves, and a cape, while her hair was scarlet red once more, flowing freely from under the helmet, and a large gold belt around her waist.
"Wotan, you are mine!" Fate stated, flying up to Wotan, their voice sounding like someone talking at the same time as Kali.
Wotan sent a pillar of fire at Fate, but the attack was destroyed by the Sorcerer shooting a light from the gem on their chest, and pinning them to what remained of the Injustice League's base.
Down on the ground, Joker stepped up to Robin, a sickening smirk on his face.
"Wonder Boy, you are mine." Joker stated, pulling out a knife as he did a Dr. Fate impression.
"Not good." Robin said, before something zipped past him, and a surprising sight caught his eye.
"Tell me clown." Adam growled, gripping the clown by his throat. "Were you using the plant, to attack Kahndaq?"
"Ooh, you know about that, huh?" Joker wheezed out. "Of course I was. We all were."
Adam's eyes shrank in anger, before he threw the mad clown to the ground, the impact knocking him out. Looking up at the rest of his former team, Black Adam raced around the area, striking each of them, hard and fast, rendering them unconscious in a single blow. This was a surprising sight to say the least, but the only person, who did not seem phased by that, was Dr. Fate, as they came down from the skies with Wotan restrained, and tossed him to the ground, while the Justice League came down from the skies.
There was a brief and tense moment, before Dr. Fate gripped their helmet, and removed it, allowing Kali to stand there, with a sigh and a smile as she put the helmet under her arm.
"I'll be sure to give you a good polishing when we get home." She said, before turning to her team. "Kent Nelson says hi, everyone."
There was a brief moment, as all the villains were rounded up, all except one.
"My Champion." Adam said, stepping up to Kali, before putting a hand to his heart, as he took a knee to her. "I thank you, for informing me, of what we were doing to my Country. I do not know what would have happened, had I continued on, unknowingly harming the people I'm sworn to protect."
"Really no need for you to take a knee to me Adam." Kali said, blushing as the other heroes were looking at her with shock, and curiosity. "Please get up, you're embarrassing me."
"I will take my leave, and I shall return to Kahndaq, where I will await your promise to me." Adam said, before getting to his feet, and flying away.
"What was that all about Kali?" Goku asked, coming to her side.
"So that's how it is huh?" Black Canary asked with a smile. "Older more powerful men like him are your thing?" She inquired teasingly.
"No, that's not how it is at all." Kali said. "I'm not into Black Adam one bit okay, can you get your mind out of the gutter?"
"We're done here." Batman said, drawing their attention to him. "The Supervillain Secret Society has been neutralized. As for your performance… It was satisfactory."
"That's the closest we're gonna get to an actual compliment, isn't it?" Kali asked.
"I'm afraid so." Robin said.
~Mount Justice~
"Knock-knock." Kali said, knocking on the door to the infirmary. "You doing okay in here Wally?"
"I'll be fine." Wally said, hissing as he held his arm gently. "It's just a broken arm. What brings you by?"
"Just wanted to apologize again. Adam fried all my Senzu Beans during our second round, so I'm sorry I wasn't able to give you any." Kali said.
"It's all good." Wally said. "At least we're all safe now, right?"
"At least there's that." Kali smiled. "Get better soon Wally, you might be a pain to deal with, but the team just isn't the same without out."
~Earth Omega~
"I'm back Bulma." Goku said, appearing in the lab with Instant Transmission, with Superboy.
"Hey Goku, what's up?" Bulma questioned. "Connor, it's so good to see you again."
"It's nice to see you again too Ms. Briefs." Connor said.
"Oh stop, I told you, call me Bulma." She smiled. "So, what can I do for you both?"
"The thing is, Connor's here for some help." Goku said.
"I wanna get stronger." Connor said. "I wanna be able to use my full Kryptonian power set, and protect Kali. She's like a sister to me, and keeps putting herself in these dangerous situations, I could protect her from, if I were only stronger."
"I see. You're feeling useless, because Kali keeps leaving you behind huh?" Bulma asked.
"Yeah." Connor said.
"Well, I do know of a couple things that could help. But if you're wanting the fastest solution, you're gonna wanna use the Dragon Balls, and ask Shenron to grant your wish." Bulma said. "Unfortunately though, the Dragon Balls are still in stasis, meaning we couldn't find them right now, even if we wanted to."
"So then, it's hopeless?" Connor asked.
"Not necessarily." Goku said. "We can still go to Namek and use their Dragon Balls. Provided the elder agrees after meeting you of course. I could even train and teach you a few techniques I know, that I haven't taught Kali yet."
"Let's go for that option." Bulma said. "There's no need to go making yourself OP as hell, before learning your own limitations. If you feel like your power isn't good enough after that, then we can use a wish, and the Dragon Balls should be ready for use by then."
"Okay, let's do this." Connor said.
"Great, we'll train at King Kai's place." Goku said, before he snapped to attention, before reaching for something in his Gi. "Oh, almost forgot Bulma, here." Goku pulled out two items, and handed them to Bulma. One was an audio book, the other was a folded up piece of paper. "These are from Kali."
"Journey to the West?" Bulma asked, reading the title on the audio book.
"It's apparently a popular book in China on Earth Alpha." Goku said.
"What's the paper?" Bulma asked.
"Kali finally decided on a design, and asked me to bring it to you, while she took care of the debriefing with Batman from her last mission." Goku said.
"Glad to hear it." Bulma smiled.
"Now, let's get to training Connor. I'm gonna teach you, just how strong you can truly be." Goku smiled. "An' I am gonna turn you, into an unstoppable warrior."