Chapter Thirteen: Teacher of Creatures.
Alexa and Ms. Grimwood sat at the latter's table observing a glass orb at the center of the table.
"Time is not necessarily your friend my dear," said Ms. Grimwood. "But we've got quite the head start in your training my dear. You have the knowledge in your head but that's all academic. What we need to do is to try and get to the practical uses. So there is the question, how to give the proper training in the proper time. But what is time if not an illusion to an immortal? Gaze into the crystal ball and let us begin."
Alexa gazed into the ball, within were swirling mists, and as she gazed deeper and deeper she felt her mind flow back through the memories of her entire life. Her early childhood in far off, long gone ancient Greece. But now featured was Ms. Grimwood.
"Let's begin," she said.
Fred had been stabilized, but the damage to his arm was too extensive and it could not be saved. He slept now in a bed in the Watchtower medical wing with Daphne at his side, both being watched through the adjourning window. The Dark Knight and the Man of Steel watched along side Velma.
"A Tar Monster?" Velma asked.
"A guard dog," said Batman.
"So our enemies really underground, literally," said Superman. "And that cave with those...wolf-man bones is the way in."
"One way in," said Batman. "One that's likely being sealed right now."
"Could they be in Skartaris?" asked Superman. "We could check in on Warlord?"
"Maybe, maybe not," said Batman. "Unfortunately we don't have a good idea of exactly what's in the Earth. But I have an idea of who might."
'Who?" asked Superman.
"Ever heard of Calvin Carson?" asked Batman.
"Spelunker and scientist in the 60's," said Velma. "Used to work for the government but left after his funding for a deep-earth exploration drilling project switched towards NASA's efforts to win the space race. He supposedly finished the project with his own funding and led a team in investigating into what he referred to as inner-terrestrial phenomena."
"Carson supposedly made an extensive map of all his discoveries," said Batman.
"Scores new mineral deposits which have fed various industries over the years, allowing increased economic progress which helped the West essentially win the Cold War," said Superman. "But that's public knowledge."
"Not the map I'm talking about," said Batman. "A map of discoveries he believed were too important or too dangerous for the world to know about."
"Let me guess, you know about it because you studied under Carson for a time?" asked Superman.
"I do operate out of a cave," said Batman.
"And you think Carson's map might help us find a way around the Tar Monster guarding the Norway entrance?" asked Velma.
"It's a long shot but no one knew the Earth like Carson," said Batman.
"But if he's deceased where are we supposed to find his secret map if it exists?" asked Superman.
"Carson died a widower and much of his assets were collected by the primary investor of his later academic works when he retired to Gotham University," said Batman. "I believe he can be...persuaded to let us look through the materials."
"Here's hoping that helps," said Superman.
Superman looked over to Fred, lying down minus one arm.
"What can we do for him?" asked Superman.
"I've contacted Albert Shagworth," said Velma. "He's...he's got something for when a situation like this would happen. He'll be sending it up fairly soon I should imagine."
"We'll be sure to give him whatever he needs," said Superman.
"I'll let him know before I go," said Velma. "Artemis agreed to wait up for me before going to check in on Shaggy, Scooby, and Alexa."
She walked away, leaving the two men considered the World's Finest heroes standing at the window.
"Bruce..."
"Don't," said Batman.
"This isn't..."
"Don't," said Batman.
Clark decided to leave it at that, knowing Bruce wouldn't accept any consolation. Despite the clear distrust and possible dislike Jones and Bruce had for each other, blood had now been shed for one another. And if Clark knew anything more about Bruce, is that he hated the idea of others bleeding for his sake.
Shaggy and Scooby had been hard at work with the yard chores that Ms. Grimwood said needed doing. It didn't take him long to mow the lawn of her impressive Victorian style manor house. Nor did it take Scooby long to chase the gophers off, something he enjoyed doing quite well. With the lawn taken care of Shaggy began to chop away at the wood pile. As he did he thought about how Alexa had kissed him in the under water base. It wasn't like he didn't care for her, he did, and he felt the attraction from the beginning. It also wasn't as if he hadn't dated before but this was different. His prior experiences had all unique elements to them but kept him from going any further.
With Velma, it was because of many things. Mostly due to both of them not really sure what they really were at the time. During that time Shaggy did care for Velma deeply, and still did. He respected her intellect and her rather blunt honesty. But in the end both of them realized they weren't right for each other for various reasons.
With Daphne, that was mostly to motivate Fred to action. Although Shaggy always did find Daphne to be very beautiful and even more liked how she never seemed to shy from danger. Hence her nickname Danger Prone Daphne, which he once suggested could be a stage name if she ever wanted to enter the career of professional daredevil.
There was also this one girl he had met on a case whom Shaggy felt could have been the one. A woman named Crystal, who as luck had it, came with her own dog Amber who could have been a mate for Scooby. But fate had other plans for them. As it tuned out Crystal had been an extraterrestrial agent, operating in secret on Earth. Not as an invader but as an investigator looking into signals sent from Earth in the 1960's. Because she had operated in a sector outside the jurisdiction of the Green Lantern Corps, she couldn't operate long on Earth and thus she left, Amber as well. That one was particularly hard on both him and Scooby.
Then there were often the one night stands with various members of the Hex Girls. A good time between friends with benefits but just that.
All in all recalling his various dalliances, Shaggy couldn't help but think of something.
'Like man either Cupid's a schizo or something else is going on,' he thought.
Putting thought to it, Shaggy realized that all his previous romances had at least one thing in common with Alexa. She had intelligence like Velma. She had beauty like Daphne. Like Crystal she was essentially a being from another place and time. And now that she was the chosen of Hecate, she held magical power like the Hex Girls. In this sense she was almost the perfect match for him. That's when it truly hit.
"Zoinks," said Shaggy.
"What is it Shaggy?" Scooby asked.
"Scoob man, I think something's screwy," said Shaggy. "I was just thinking about all my old exes and like...I think, I don't know, they were all leading me to Alexa."
Scooby-Doo cocked his head in confusion.
"Like, I think a part of me I knew what I was looking for by sheer instinct," said Shaggy. "Like the qualities for a mate that would...dude it's like what she already figured. It's all apart of that like freaky Annunaki breeding doodle."
"Freaky," Scooby repeated.
"But what I don't get is why?" Shaggy asked. "I know I told her it wasn't a big deal but still it's like weird to think about. And like now even her own gods are fooling around with her? Like, why did this Hecate lady wait until now to give Alexa that mask? And like how is it supposed to deal with this Rovlta thing? And like...do I really like her?"
"Don't you?" asked Scooby.
"Like yeah Scoob, but it's all like happening so fast and with all this freaking Annunaki/God breeding thing it's all so screwy man," said Shaggy.
"Then allow me to straighten this one facet," said an irritated voice.
Shaggy and Scooby turned to see Artemis walking up towards the house.
"Any questions about mating with Alexa without it being her own desire will be answered by me," said Artemis, brandishing her axe. "And my Mistress."
Shaggy and Scooby both made matching gulping sounds.
"Speaking of my sister, where is she?" Artemis asked.
"Like she's in with Ms. Grimwood," said Shaggy.
Artemis propped her axe upon her shoulder and began for the door, Shaggy and Scooby following in tow. It was a straight line to the parlor where Artemis saw Alexa and whom she assumed to be the enigmatic Ms. Grimwood seated at the table. Both their eyes filled with purple energy as a mist hung over both of them.
"What is this?" Artemis asked.
"Like look, the crystal ball," Shaggy said.
All three looked into the crystal ball and saw scenes of a battle which seemed to take place in Ancient Greece.
"I know this field," Artemis said. "It was the final push against Ares for our liberation. Alexa was..."
Artemis found her words halted when she saw an image of Alexa, now in the form she had dubbed Theurgy, blasting bolts of magic from the twin torches she carried. Casting curses upon the monsters and soldiers Ares had summoned to fight to continue the enslavement of the Amazons.
"Well that certainly didn't happen," she said.
"No but it's a useful lesson room," said Ms. Grimwood. "Ah, the elder sister. And right on time too. Wonderful those teleportation devices of the League's. Anyway, Alexa's almost done."
"Done with what?" Artemis asked.
"Her training," said Ms. Grimwood. "I've used her memories to help implant the lessons of magic into her mind. As well as establish a place for her to train her magic in combat. This particular memory being perfect. It'll change nothing sadly, but for her I know this is...cathartic."
Artemis looked into the ball and saw the Amazon known as Persephone about to be struck by a monster. Only for the monster to be struck by a purple bolt of power from one of Alexa's torches, turning it into a frog and sparing Persephone the injury which took her eye and helped lead to her eventual betrayal. A betrayal that nearly cost Alexa her life. An incident that Alexa had always felt guilty about. A day that Artemis herself was not proud of.
"She's come along quite well," said Ms. Grimwood. "She'll be done soon enough. I've already set up lessons to fill up the rest of her memories until she's ready. Care for some tea dear?"
"I came to ensure my sister's safety not to socialize," said Artemis.
"And are you satisfied?" asked Ms. Grimwood.
Artemis turned and saw the memory of Alexa continuing to cast spells upon their ancient enemies and smiled lightly.
"Quite," said Artemis. "Besides I've never been much of a tea drinker."
Ms. Grimwood chuckled.
"You remind me of a former student of mine," she said. "She liked to project an air of strength as well. But deep inside she had tenderness in her heart. Both of them actually."
Artemis couldn't help but raise an eye. As did Shaggy and Scooby. Ms. Grimwood chuckled as she motioned to a wall of framed images. Images stretching across time, from etchings, to photographs from various eras. The picture she pointed to, a painted portrait, was one of her and a woman who seemed to have surgical scars along her face with a dark beehive hair style with a white streak.
"She looks like the Bride of..."
"She is," said Ms. Grimwood.
"You mean there really is a Frankenstein?" asked Shaggy. "Er Frankenstein's Monster I mean."
"Oh no he goes by Frankenstein," said Ms. Grimwood. "His creator was his father after all so the name passed down rightfully so. A name which has come to now be a warning to all seekers of truth via science."
"So you've met him?" Artemis.
"Yes, I had a premonition that I would be needed in Europe and so returned to the old country for a time," said Ms. Grimwood. "I set up as always as the teacher of young women and eventually made my way to the Frankenstein residence. It was whilst educating Victor's 'natural' children that I came to meet him and from there his more famous, unorthodox offspring."
"The Monster," said Shaggy.
"He preferred Eric," said Ms. Grimwood.
"Diana's friend Etta had us once watch the movie," said Artemis. "Created simply to be the object of a man-like creature's pleasure. It didn't sit well with me as you can imagine."
"Nor did it with sweet Erica," said Ms. Grimwood. "And yes Eric was the one who came up with that name. He thought it was cute if they had similar names. Silly boy."
"Disgusting," said Artemis.
"Oh he's actually not so bad," said Ms. Grimwood. "In need of self-control and discipline of course but not so bad. He came on too strong of course at first. Poor girl shrieked ever time she saw him. Victor at first wanted to handle her education but I insisted. She learned so quickly, really one of my best students, and I even helped Eric introduce himself properly."
"So like, they actually got a long?" asked Shaggy.
"For a time I fear," said Ms. Grimwood. "But name me an couple that's had an easy marriage. Especially an immortal couple."
Artemis hummed in agreement. Shaggy and Scooby looked over some of the other images and saw one which seemed more modern. A photograph of a, for lack of better term, Gill-Woman, and a man in his late forties. The man Shaggy actually recognized.
"Like hey, I know this guy," said Shaggy. "My Uncle Albert worked with him a long time ago. Dr. Edward Mazursky, he came over a few times when I would go to Uncle Albert for my...condition. He seemed nice and like...he understood."
"That's because he did my boy," said Ms. Grimwood. "That is his daughter Nina."
"His daughter?" asked Artemis.
"Sweet girl," said Ms. Grimwood. "Born with an unfortunate defect of her lungs. Her father was a brilliant scientist who used techniques derived from his father Myron to find a cure. But that cure was a transformation. One which led to the poor girl having to be isolated from humankind lest they do what humankind has sadly done for centuries, fail to understand. I introduced myself and became her tutor. Brilliant girl, took after her father, and if anything it is because of his expertise with her that your uncle reached out to him. She's about your age now, you really should have met her, oh I think you'd have gotten along...well swimmingly for lack of better term."
Shaggy looked at the amphibious woman and focused not on her inhuman appearance but rather on her smile. For years monstrous figures had only sneered and snarled at him, his hyperactive fear responses already acting up, and threatening to bring the real monster out. But despite her appearance Shaggy didn't get a sense of fear from Nina. Her smile seemed calming. And as a child with his own monstrous transformations perhaps indeed they would have been friends.
"Like, where is she now?" Shaggy asked.
"Oh you'll meet her soon enough," said Ms. Grimwood. "And again don't worry about the vase."
Shaggy and Scooby shared a look as they hadn't done anything with a vase. Although Shaggy took a quick look and saw that indeed nearby there was an old looking vase. They then looked over back to Ms. Grimwood who had a coy smile on her face.
"Don't worry," said Ms. Grimwood.
Dr. Shagworth had come with specialized equipment, a full on advanced prosthetic arm, which he attached to Fred's shoulder himself in surgery.
"He's stable now," he told Daphne, after washing his hands and removing his dirty scrubs. "Now it'll just be about using the arm. It's got a few...surprises."
"Thank you Albert," said Daphne. "Can I..."
"Of course my dear," said Albert.
Daphne went in to be close to her fiance, leaving the scientist to walk among the halls of the Watchtower alongside his assistant. A unique figure which caught a few eyes from the technicians of the Watchtower.
"You did well Charlie," said Albert.
"I did only as well as I was programmed Dr. Shagworth," the assistant, a robot of purple hue.
The man and machine continued along until they came to a window with a view of Earth.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Albert asked.
"I have no artistic understanding of beauty built into my programming Doctor," said the robot.
"Of that I am truly sorry," said Albert.
"It's still an impressive achievement," said the suddenly appearing Batman.
Albert did not flinch at the sudden appearance of Gotham's legendary Dark Knight.
"My nephew?" he asked.
"As far as we can tell he's alright," said Batman. "With someone called Grimwood."
Albert chuckled.
"You know her?" he asked.
"By reputation and from a mutual friend," said Albert. "If Norville is with her then he, Scoobert, and that young Amazon woman are in good hands. At least until these people you're all up against attacks them again."
"We're working on a means to find them," said Batman. "We have a theory and are looking into it. In fact we're certain we're right given what happened on a recent investigative expedition."
"The one which cost Fredrick his arm no doubt," said Albert.
"He knew the risks," said Batman.
"Yes and I'm sure he long ago made his peace with death finding him either on some godforsaken battlefield when he was in the service," said Albert. "Or chasing down whatever criminal menace he was investigating. It's the same thing with you I'm sure. Isn't it...Bruce?"
Batman's eyes shifted for a bit in surprise before regaining composure.
"Even with your mask I can see the prominent chin of a Wayne man," said Albert. "And who else would have not only the means but also the motive. You and Fredrick are cut from the same cloth. But with an ironic difference. You are driven to avenge the loss of your parents by criminals. Fredrick is driven to atone the losses of others by his criminal father. I've worried about him, almost as much as I've worried about Norville. My greatest relief is how Velma, Daphne, and Scoobert have managed to keep them in check. Keep them...human. I hope someone has done that for you Bruce."
"They have," said Batman. "Although I...often falter, I have grown from who I was when I first began. I was like Jones, full of anger and in need of guidance."
"Yes, I actually have followed your career for some time," said Albert. "Fatherhood I think is what truly began to temper you. Taking in young souls in need of the guidance you yourself once needed. Working to build a new family and remembering the old one that was lost. I'm sure Thomas and Martha both would be proud of you."
Albert placed a comforting hand on Batman's shoulder, a gesture the latter appreciated.
"Now, onto business," said Albert. "Velma texted me a theory that, Daphne forwarded to her, of yours. That the Lycanthropic condition in my family is part of a natural biological process brought about by an ancient hybridization of two different species. The other species being a type of humanoid which evolved from a wolf."
"Some there is scant archaeological evidence to support it," said Batman.
"I read," said Albert. "I have considered it, especially when I have...examined some of our ancestors. And the line does correspond with a movement from where you were investigating. Velma also forwarded her theory of Norville's parental side being part of an Annunaki Eugenics program. If that's the case the end result is obvious, Norville is expected to become an Avatar to counter the entity we are calling Revolta. Of course that might not be the only line."
"Meaning?" asked Batman.
"The primary drive of life is to ensure its continuation," said Albert. "Animals are naturally driven to procreate with those who will give their genes the best chance of surviving to the next generation. Wolves especially, and even though for my sister and I the trans-formative factor seemed to skip, the same genes are there. Paula, could have on a genetic level, known that Samuel would have had special genes that would have passed to her children. So far Maggie hasn't shown any signs, but Norville obviously has. And now Norville has met an Amazon, whom I'm told has just become a sorceress."
"I do not detect how the mating patterns of Nephew Norville are of consequence to detecting the location and motivations of the enemy," said 'Charlie'.
"I'm getting there Charlie," said Albert. "Oh, forgive me, Batman allow me to introduce to the Combat Hospice Assistance Reinforcement 1st Experiment. C.H.A.R.1.E. Charlie, I built him to eventually go and aid Norville and the others. Perfect for tending to injuries in the field and provide cover in case of combat situations. Inspired by the G.I. Robot project of the 1940's."
"I've heard of the project," said Batman. "There was even a working unit deployed into action. Considered a miracle of science and the forerunner of later experiments in A.I combat units. Effectively the grandfather of the Metal Men, Red Tornado, and even A.M.A.Z.O."
"Yes," said Albert. "And don't worry about, you know what. I can wipe that from Charlie's memory easily. But as for where my line of thought is going, is that if we're playing the game of the Annunaki, we must understand how we are being played."
"You think Rogers and Alexa are now part of this scheme?" asked Batman.
"Norville's had...an active life," said Albert. "But in all cases he never seemed to find the right woman. Thought the question isn't a matter of the women necessarily. But what Norville's genes needed of the woman. Either for progeny or...for something else. Then there comes Scoobert."
"Would he know about the plan?" asked Batman.
"No, Scoobert is too far down the line of descent," said Albert. "He wouldn't have the full power of an Annunaki. The most he could ever do with Norville is perhaps subtle influence of his mind when he's fully transformed but...of course. The mask the young lady wears, a representation of Hecate correct?"
"The goddess of magic, crossroads, the moon, magic, and known as the three faced Goddess," said Batman.
"Norville, Scoobert, and a young Amazon sorceress," said Albert. "No doubt currently being trained in magics that could include such feats as transmutation or even...combination."
Eventually Alexa's memories came to the point in which she took Diana's guard duty of Ares. The day she had been literally stabbed in the back by Persephone. Alexa was now lying back down as her blood pooled around her. Even in the mystical illusion Alexa could feel her life literally draining out of her. She recalled how she had told Shaggy that she had managed to fool Ares by using an Amazonian meditation technique but as of right now, reliving the worst day in her life, she couldn't recall just what she had done. She was beginning to even wonder if indeed she survived at all.
"I...I..."
She gasped for air, her lungs filling with blood, and her vision began to blur. Alexa's feeling of death was becoming far more than real now. She was wondering if all she had experienced in the years and days since this moment were a final fantasy cooked up by her dying mind. She blinked, and a god stood above her. Not Ares the God of War who sought to smother her as before. Rather it was a figure with skin as pale as a full moon. Six arms and a hood which had three openings. This was the goddess Hecate. The goddess hovered down to Alexa, a hooded face above hers.
"There is a path where you die," the triple toned voice of the Mistress of the Crossroads said. "This...is not that path. In time I will come for you little Amazon and present you with my authority. You will serve me and through your service to me you shall help to usher in a new future for those forgotten in the night."
Alexa could not understand what the Goddess was saying. She then felt the lips of the goddess upon hers, breathing enough life back into her that when her Amazon sisters found her, she could be saved.
The Justice League in its current form is the largest force of good in the known universe outside of the Green Lantern Corps. In its earliest form however it was a strike team comprised of seven. An effective strike team which made its reputation by dealing with top tier threats. As said threats grew in size, scale, and complexity, so did the League. While additional members were first included gradually, it soon came apparent that this would not be enough
It was none other than the Man of Steel, Superman who proposed the current form of the League. When asked why, Superman said he had a 'vision of the future of heroism' and left it at that.
For those who knew him best, Superman was referring to a time he spent in the future as a boy. When he met a group inspired by the example he set, a veritable Legion of Superheroes. They said he had inspired them, but that worked both ways. Using the Legion as a model, Superman and the original founding seven expanded to the point where most superheroes on Earth were now part of the League. All welcome to join under the banner of Truth, Justice, and Peace for all mankind. And this new level of strength and more importantly organization worked wonders.
But unfortunately the bad guys still surprise them.
"Anything?" asked Superman.
"Blood's still working with Question on examining where the cat lady used to be," said Mr. Terrific. "Needless to say Blood's other half is fuming. He shouldn't, I think Dinkley was right on the money with her theory. Which isn't good for us."
"How so?" asked Superman.
"We got a guy who just made a hypothetical theory in quantum physics happen," said Mr. Terrific. "Not saying too much since we got a lot of those kind of people on our side. But when they get their start in the Nazi Party, it never ends well. That's not even going into how he's got help from an interdimensional entity."
"We'll find them," said Superman. "They might have been hidden but now we know they exist. We just need to keep working the problem Michael."
"Hey problems are my bread and butter," said Michael. "And now that we know what to look for, I've got teams investigating any and all paranormal phenomena. I'll admit I've got some guys out of their normal wheelhouse but I've set them a list of what to be aware of with what I've studied from Dinkley's files. Girl's good, you should make the offer."
"When we get the case solves maybe," said Superman. "Still nothing on the Black Knight?"
"Still contained," said Mr. Terrific. "Fate sent a message. It said, and I quote, 'She will find the answer'."
"She?" asked Superman. "Zatanna?"
"I asked, Z said it was a vision," said Mr. Terrific.
"Could be about Alexa," said Superman.
"Our latest Amazon Wonder?" Mr. Terrific said with a chuckle.
"Maybe," said Superman. "It'd be nice if we could get somewhere further along. We don't even know if these people have a real endgame."
"I believe we do," said the voice of Batman.
Along with him was Dr. Shagworth and his C.H.A.R.1.E robot.
"Dr. Shagworth may have just realized part of the issue," said Batman. "Namely what the Annunaki have been planning to counter Revolta. And that might give us an insight with Phibes and Revolta herself."
"I''m guessing you've already called a meeting," said Superman. "Mr. Terrific you have the helm."
"Roger that, pleasure to met you Doctor," said Mr. Terrific.
"Likewise," said Albert. "Charlie, please return to monitor Fredrick and assist the medical crew in any way they need."
"Affirmative Doctor," said the robot.
With that Dr. Shagford followed Superman and Batman into the main conference room of the Watchtower, where the seven founding members gathered. True to Superman's deduction, Batman had already informed the others to gather. Once they were Albert expressed his theory.
"Combination?" asked Diana. "You mean Alexa is somehow supposed to combine your nephew and his dog?"
"That is my chief theory yes," said Albert. "Scoobert is only a descendant of the Annunaki, he is not a true Annunaki. The true were creatures of pure consciousness and energy, the power passed down through the flesh and blood descendants of the animals they hosted. Effectively hybrid creatures. And if we take mythology seriously, and I believe we do, then given how the dog is a sacred creature of Hecate, a chosen vassal could be the one to use him and Norville in the way to create a true Avatar."
"If that happens what can we even expect?" asked Flash.
"Something like unto a god," said Diana.
"At least it'd be on our side," said Aquaman. "But what bout the other one, Revolta. If she's a true Annunaki why the hell doesn't this mad doctor just make her a hybrid body. We know he can do it, hell he's not the only one."
"It's more than just having a hybrid creature Aquaman," said Albert. "It's about having a hybrid creature that can withstand the power of an Annunaki hosting them. It'd be like funneling the full power of a nuclear reactor into one light bulb."
"So the host doesn't just need to be part animal to house the consciousness it needs to be strong enough to channel the power," Martian Manhunter deduced. "And how does this play into Batman's theory of evolved werewolves."
"He told me about that I've looked over the various tests I've done on my nephew," said Albert. "As well as myself as a control. While I never seemed to manifest the supposed curse of my ancestors I've often wondered if I did in some way still carry it. For instance, I've never lost my hair even as I've grayed over the years. I'm in top shape and my senses have always been quite keen. But as I looked over the data again I noticed an irregularity I hadn't before. A metabolic processing of..."
"Doc, perhaps you can keep it to plain English for most of us," said Hal.
"Mainly him," said Flash.
"And me, science just isn't my thing," said Aquaman.
"Very well, I noticed how between Norville and myself we were processing a kind of energy," said Albert. "I couldn't figure it out until Batman shared with me a similar example of the same process. In you Superman."
"Me?" the Man of Steel asked.
"Please don't tell me we're about to face the Werewolf of Steel," said Hal. "Silver bullets won't cut it."
"What I mean is how Superman's alien physiology, the result of centuries of genetic engineering as well as environmental factors, allows him to process solar radiation and allowing him his many feats of super ability," said Albert. "And even when out of direct sunlight he has the same powers due to his cells storing the energy of the sun. While not exact, I did the comparison and found it was similar. But it's not solar energy Norville and I were processing. It was lunar energy, refracted sunlight, no doubt powering the metabolic energy that the transformation requires, not out of a curse, but due to a carefully controlled programming of evolution. That in times of stress, the command gene activates, the cells draw from stores of lunar energy, and thus the transformation. Stronger with more access to moonlight, especially the full moon. That is most likely the true source of the werewolf. And the weakness to silver, an unfortunate genetic weakness to the metal."
"With any other kind of werewolf effectively trying to mimic this true origin," said J'onn. "Following along the concept but never being able to fully replicate it. By science or by magic."
"But what about the whole 'bite' thing?" asked Hal. "And didn't that book that started this whole mess have all sorts of conflicting theories and whatevers."
"What Dr. Shagworth may have stated is most likely the root origin of the werewolf" said J'onn. "Everything else effectively being an imitation or exaggeration of some kind throughout the centuries."
"Alright, so that's probably why Phibes wanted the book," said Flash. "It might not be that Revolta thing's animal of choice but it could perhaps lead to how he needs to make the Avatar body."
"And if he's right then that's why he can't just make a giant spider lady off the bat," said Aquaman. "He needs to make sure the body's strong enough. That might give us some time."
"Perhaps not enough, he has shown to be able to enhance a physical body," said Diana. "What we really need to do is find these people and put a stop to them."
"Mine and Superman's expedition might have ended...poorly," said Batman. "But we now believe we're on the right track. They're literally underground, likely hiding in a pocket world beneath the Earth's crust. I'm in the middle of acquiring an expert's map which should be able to help find an alternative route. But even then it'll likely be guarded."
"So next time we go in force," said Diana. "And hopefully before this mad doctor finds the means to ensure Revolta a strong body."
Alexa finally awoke fro the training trance that Ms. Grimwood had her in. Her mind reeling from how apparently Hecate had marked her for destiny for years now. That it was truthfully her who saved Alexa's life and she had been made to forget it.
"Alexa," her sister's voice said.
Alexa turned to find Artemis standing alongside Ms. Grimwood, Shaggy, and Scooby. Her elder sister embraced her tightly, no doubt relieved after the incident at the sea base. As Alexa returned the hug, her eyes turned to the table, where the silver three faced mask lay.
While where Shaggy and Scooby stood, another began to join. A small dragon which flew onto Scooby's back, startling the dog. With a yip of surprise Scooby leapt up, the dragon taking to the air. Scooby instinctively began to give chase, even as the dragon made its way towards...
"Scooby look out for..."
The vase which so often Ms. Grimwood said not to worry about. The following collision left said vase shattered.
"As I said, don't worry about it," Ms. Grimwood said in an amused voice.