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JLA
The Final Chapterby jsagl & starsky_hutch76
Part 1
by jsagl
The JLA Bunker... Detroit.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"Hmm?" Hank Hayward turned around to see Dale Gunn, the caretaker of the Bunker, approaching him. "Oh, 'morning, Dale. I was just thinking about everything that's happened... the Crisis, Grandfather disappearing... Vibe, Vixen and Gypsy just..."
Dale put his arm around Hank. He could see how this was tearing him up. "It's okay, son. You can say it. They're dead... probably killed by that anti-matter that killed so many others. At least they died like they lived... as heroes..."
"Yeah, I suppose... so where's everyone else?"
"Well, Sue took Ralph out to shop. We're kind of low on supplies at the moment. And J'onn is still in the monitor room."
"Still??? He went in there two days ago..."
The monitor room...
"No, I understand, Kal. Is there anything I can do to help?"
The image on the viewscreen looked back at him with weary eyes. J'onn had never seen Superman look this tired or defeated.
Managing a weak smile, Superman replied, "I appreciate the offer, J'onn, but we've got it under control. Hal's had the Corps out here for a few days, and I think we've got the worst of it done. The Kryptonite radiation has been all but eliminated, and thanks to a suit that Hawkman made for me, I'm doing all right. You concentrate on rebuilding the League. I can't join you right now, but if you ever truly need me, I'll be there for you. Superman out."
J'onn looked at his notepad... it was not encouraging...
Aquaman... rebuilding Atlantis.Dunking an Oreo in his milk, J'onn sat back in his chair. He received a brief message from the JSA on Earth-2, but all further transmissions were unsuccessful. At some point, he thought, I'll have to get back up to the satellite and see if I can salvage the transmatter device.
Atom... lost in the wilds of SouthAmerica.
Batman... on reserve, issues to deal with in Gotham and the Outsiders.
Black Canary and Green Arrow... not sure at this point.
Firestorm... not sure.
Flash... deceased.
Green Lantern... too many responsibilities with his Earth-bound Corps.
Hawkman and Hawkwoman... assisting with the rebuilding of Metropolis.
Red Tornado... MIA.
Superman... too busy.
Wonder Woman... deceased??
Zatanna... will return soon.So the League consists of three, now... myself, Steel and Ralph... H'ronmeer preserve us. That's just not good enough.
J'onn held up a picture of Gypsy. So much like his daughter... and dead as well. Vibe, Vixen, Gypsy, Barry, Diana, Supergirl... all dead on his watch... was it even worth it to rebuild the League? How many more deaths must be on my conscience?
J'onn clicked the monitor off. Silently, he rose, walking down the hall. Time to sleep, he thought, and dream of red sands and silent stars...
Part 2
by jsagl
The JLA Bunker... Detroit.
"Hank, there're some other things that we need to discuss."
Hank Hayward looked up from his breakfast at Dale. "Like what?"
Dale sat down next to the boy whom he considered a son. "With the old man missing and presumed dead..."
"We don't know that, Dale. He had Mekanique with him. She could have saved him."
"Hank, listen to me. The old bastard is gone, and that leaves some important things unattended, such as your grandfather's business... and his estate. With him gone, it's all yours."
Hank stood up and walked across the room. "Like I really care..."
"Hank, besides his business interests, your grandfather was a very wealthy man. The estate he left you is considerable."
"How considerable?"
"Your grandfather's personal assets are over $5 million."
And Hank Hayward's jaw dropped...
New York City...
"Sir, your ten-o'clock appointment is here."
"Miss Wootenhoffer, it's twelve noon. Tell him he'll have to wait."
Suddenly, the office door exploded inward in an infusion of emerald light. "Hey, pal, you asked me here, so now you're gonna see me..."
The man behind the desk showed no sign of anger; instead, a broad smile crossed his lips. Another man was sitting in front of the desk, not quite sure what to make of it all.
"Mister Gardner... how wonderful to have you here. Please. come in, have a seat..." he said, adding under his breath, "...as long as you don't break it, too."
Guy pointed to the other man. "Who's this geek?"
"Ah, yes, it seems that one of us is forgetting his manners..."
Guy looked at the man behind the desk. "Was that some sort of crack?"
That insufferable "snake-oil salesman" smiled again. "Guy Gardner, meet Ted Kord. Ted, meet Guy Gardner, the one true Green Lantern."
"Hmm. I'm starting to like this jerk. So, who you supposed to be, Ted, Nerdman or something?"
"Actually, Guy, we're here to discuss who you're supposed to be..."
Looking suspicious, Guy grabbed the "snake-oil salesman," his power ring underneath the man's chin. "Let's start with you, wise guy. Who the hell are you?"
Extricating himself from Guy's grasp, the man straightened his tie and suit. "The name, Mr. Gardner, is Maxwell Lord... and I have a proposition for you...."
Part 3
by starsky_hutch76
The JLA Bunker:
J'onn awoke from his nap and walked to the hanger where he saw Hank Hayward staring outside, upward towards the sky.
"How are you doing, Hank?" he asked with concern. The young man had been through so much lately.
"I guess you heard I inherited my grandfather's fortune."
"I had heard something on this matter, yes," J'onn replied.
"I've been doing a lot of thinking," Hank said. "A lot's happened here. This place holds a lot of memories for me. Not all of them good. Some pretty painful, in fact."
"If you feel you need to take some time off... or leave altogether, I'll understand," J'onn said.
"No, it's not that. I'm more committed to the League than ever. But I think it's time the League went back... up there," Hank said, pointing up to the sky.
New York City...
"Thanks to the Crisis, the Justice League is in shambles," Maxwell Lord said. "Most of its members are either dead or missing. Even its current benefactor is missing, and a kid who hasn't even been shaving all that long is running the show. I give that company a year."
"Tell me something I don't know," Guy Gardner said, making Ted Kord chuckle.
"It's time for a new team. One to show the world what a real team can do. I'd like you and Ted to head up this group. After you gentlemen make the scene, the JLA will seem like ancient history."
"I like your style, Max," Guy Gardner said. "I'd be happy to lead this little shindig of yours."
"I don't know about this," Ted Kord said, running a hand through his shaggy head of hair.
"Trust me," Maxwell Lord said. "I knew your father, and I know you. You're no desk jockey."
"Huh... you got that right," Ted Kord said. "I guess I'll give it a try."
"Great," Maxwell said, rising out of his chair and extending his hand. "Welcome to the Conglomerate."
Part 4
by jsagl
New York City...
Max reached into his desk and pulled out a file folder. "Gentlemen, your first task for the Conglomerate is a recruitment drive. We need the best and brightest on our team. I've got a list of possibilities here. These two are your first assignment..."
Max handed two glossy photos to Ted and Guy.
"Hubba hubba... check out the curves on this one..." Guy said, practically drooling over the photo.
Ted looked at his. "Hey, I recognize her... wasn't she with that international group... Global something or other...?"
Max smiled his oily smile. "The Global Guardians, led by Dr. Mist. The two we're interested in are..."
Guy slammed his hand down on the table. "Now wait just a friggin' minute. You said best and brightest. These are some hot babes and all, but get real, we need some big'uns... I mean big guns, if we're gonna be respected... like the Flash or Green Arrow or somebody who usedta be in the League..."
"You leave that to me, Guy. I have a few big names in mind, but these two are essential to my... our plan. You have to think of the big picture..."
"Uh, okay... yer the boss, Max. What are there names again?"
"Green Flame and Icemaiden."
Deep Space, the prison planet Takron-Galtos...
A lone figure crashed up through the ceiling, setting off the alarms. The robot guards attempted to subdue the fleeing felon, but they were quickly destroyed. He rocketed off at an incredible speed, one thought on his mind...
HATE!
And Despero vanished from the sensors on Takron-Galtos, his destination... Earth.
Part 5
by starsky_hutch76
Central City...
Wally West ran slightly below the speed of sound through the streets of Central City. His mind was in turmoil as it had been ever since Barry Allen died in the Crisis.
He'd tried so hard to live up to the legacy of his uncle, but no matter what he did, he seemed to fall short of that goal.
His friends and teammates in the Titans tried to tell him that he was too hard on himself. That Barry had years in the uniform he now wore and that he couldn't expect to be accepted in the role all at once. It did nothing to make him feel better, though.
It didn't help matters that he'd lost some of his speed in the Crisis when the Anti-Monitor's blast had cured him of the disease that was bringing him closer to death every time he used his powers. How was he supposed to be accepted as the Flash when he wasn't even as fast?
The only one he could really talk to was Donna, since she was now in the role of Wonder Woman since Diana's death. Of course, she was having an easier time of it than he was. She had the same spark of nobility that Diana had.
He sped past a toy store. In its window was a display of action figures of the JLA. An idea suddenly hit him. He changed direction and began to speed towards Detroit. He hoped his friends in the Titans would be able to understand.
Part 6a
by jsagl
Rio de Janeiro.
The beach: Sun. Surf. Sand. Naked bodies, well, almost naked, all except one. Tora Olafsdotter sat under a large umbrella, her hair covered in a white scarf, sunglasses, and completely covered in a white shirt and pants.
"I cannot believe you dragged me out here, Bea. These people are all naked!!!"
Looking up from her blanket, Beatriz daCosta, wearing a very small bikini, skin glistening in tanning oil, squinted at her friend from behind her sunglasses. "And your point is? Tora, I brought you out here so you could learn more about my people and my culture. Stop acting like some frigid old lady and live a little."
"I am NOT old and I can't help being frigid. I'm an ice goddess, remember?"
"Yes, Tora, that'll really attract a lot of men." A shadow fell over Bea. "Hey, could you move it, please? You're blocking my sun."
"Sorry, I kinda like the view from here."
Jumping up, Bea put her hand in the man's face. "Look here, buster, I... hey, wait a minute... I recognize you. You're that substitute Green Lantern, right?"
His face turning red, Guy replied, "No, sister, I'm the one, true Green Lantern."
"Okay, so what are you doing here in Rio, blocking my sun?"
"Cuz you're Green Flame, and your friend over there is Ice Maiden, and I've got an invitation for you."
Tora stood up. "What kind of invitation?"
"To the big leagues, sweetheart. I'm forming a new group to take the place of the now defunct JLA. You interested?"
Bea looked at Tora. "What do you think?"
"What about Dr. Mist and the others? I mean..."
"Tora, we're talking about the big time here. Front page news. The Guardians never get that kind of publicity," Bea said as she turned to Guy. "Okay, we're in."
"Sweet. Let's go," Guy says as he takes to the sky, carrying Tora and Bea with him.
Interlude...
The planet Rimbor.
Known throughout the galaxy as the place to come to get ANYTHING, the traders of Rimbor were going about their daily, if somewhat illegal business. As a ship loaded with SilverAle approached orbit, a small object streaked toward it. The pilot tried to move out of the way, but no luck. The ship exploded upon impact, not even deterring the object for a moment. Despero would not be denied his revenge.
Detroit.
J'onn J'onnz was once again in the monitor room.
"Thank you for the information, Batman. Let me know what you find out. J'onnz out."
"Hey, J'onn!!!" Ralph Dibny's head entered the room, a broad smile stretched across his face.
"Good afternoon, Ralph. What seems to be the matter?"
"Nothing actually, I just came to cheer you up."
Smiling weakly, J'onn replied, "Ralph, I appreciate the gesture, but..."
"Ralph had something a little more substantial in mind than humor, J'onn."
As the Elongated Man's body entered the room, it was accompanied by none other than...
"Wally West!!!"
"So whaddya say, J'onn? The kid wants to join up!!"
"Perhaps the League is not as moribund as I imagined...."
Part 6b
by jsagl
Star City... The Sharpshooter Cafe.
Maxwell Lord sat at his table, coffee growing cold. He stared impatiently at his watch. He was not accustomed to waiting on other people. Max's attention was diverted by a statuesque redhead who was seated a few tables down. She was wearing a black dress, tight enough to have been painted on.
Max watched her for a moment as she took her sunglasses off. The waitress approached her table as Max was interrupted by a voice...
"Put your eyes back in your head, Max. She's way out of your league..."
Max looked up as Oliver Queen joined him at his table. Max reached out his hand, which Ollie shook. "Glad you could make it, Ollie. It's been a long time. Too long."
"And whose fault is that?? Once I lost my fortune, you stopped returning my calls. I would say that surprised me, but you never were someone with a lot of depth."
"Are you ready to order, sir?"
Ollie looked up at the waitress and smiled. "Well, since Max here is paying, I'll have the Lobster Newburg, Baked Potato and a Caesar salad. Coffee too."
"Just more coffee for me."
As the waitress walked away, Ollie looked back at Max. "Okay, Lord, I'll bite. Why'd you ask me here?"
His "snake oil salesman" smile was at full blast. "Ollie, can't two old friends just get together and talk about old times? How are things with you and Dinah?"
"Fine. We're actually thinking about moving to Seattle. But that's not what you're here for Max. What do you want?"
"All right, Ollie, I'll get to the point. As you know, I've been wanting to fund a group like the Justice League for a long time, much as you did secretly all those many years ago. After the recent Crisis, the JLA is in dire straits. Some say on its last legs. I'm forming a new group called the Conglomerate to take the JLA's place. And I need your help."
"What? I don't know how you found out about my funding the JLA when it first started, but there's nothing I can do for you know. I can barely get by some weeks."
"That's not what I mean, Oliver. My new group needs some big name heroes to join it, particularly some former JLAers who can give my new group the legitimacy it needs. I want you and Dinah to join, as Green Arrow and Black Canary."
Ollie just stared at Max for a moment, dumbfounded. "You son of a bitch. When I needed a hand, you turned your back on me, and now you want me to help you? It'll be a cold friggin' day in hell before I ever help YOU legitimize anything."
Ollie stood up from the table. "I've suddenly lost my appetite."
"You know, Oliver, I could leak your little secret to the press..."
"Go ahead, I've been thinking of going public, anyway. If a dimbulb like you can figure it out, anyone can..."
Max watched Ollie leave. That went well, he thought to himself. He then noticed the redhead smiling at him. Max gestured to her to join him, and she did.
"Bad day?" she said, sitting down.
"Well, it was, until you came over here," Max said turning on the charm. "Let me order you a drink. Waitress!!" Max said, looking over his shoulder.
She touched his arm. "Darling, look at me..."
Max looked at her and smiled. "I'm sorry, I haven't even introduced myself. I'm Maxwell Lord, and you?"
She looked back at him a hint of worry across her face before she smiled. "L... Leah."
"Well, Leah, what say we carry this conversation back to my hotel room?" Max said, staring intently into her eyes.
"Your nose is bleeding!" Leah said, looking even more concerned than before.
Max touched under his nose and found blood there. "Oh God. Will you excuse me?"
As Max departed the table, Leah pulled a small device out of her purse. "We've got a problem, Batman. There's more to this Maxwell Lord than meets the eye."
"Head back to base, Looker. You can give me a full report here."
Part 7
by jsagl
Atlanta, the Fox Theatre.
In her dressing room, Zatanna Zatara was changing out of her fishnets and into something less conspicuous. She had just finished the second day of shows, and quite frankly she was exhausted. She had only recently dealt with the whole Adam/Godhead mess (which turned out to be a trap laid by her old foe, Tannarak. Fortunately, she discovered the deception, but that was a story for another day) and now she was unwinding by performing her old stage musician routine. It can be a lot of work, she thought to herself.
"Ain't that the truth, luv."
Smiling, Zee continued brushing her hair, seeing the form of John Constantine in her mirror, his blond hair a mess, his ever present trenchcoat and the cigarette dangling from his mouth.
"Hello, Johnny. It's been a while. What brings you here? The last I heard, you were hanging out in the Louisiana bayou."
Constantine pulled up a chair and sat down beside Zee. "That's true, Zee, but my student is shambling about well enough on his own after this damn Crisis, so I thought I'd catch me a show, take a little holiday, as it were."
Zee turned to face Constantine, tapping him slightly on the head with the brush. "John Constantine, as much as I'd love to believe this is a social call, I know you better than that. You haven't even called me since we broke up all those years ago. Something's up."
Constantine smiled back at her. "Nothing gets past you, does it, Zee? All right, here it is. There's some kind of new danger on the horizon, and you're needed."
Rolling her eyes, Zee put the brush down. "What is it this time?"
"I'm not sure, but I do know one thing, the JLA is going to be front and center, and that's where you're needed."
Zee stood up and grabbed her jacket, then bent down and kissed John on the cheek. "Thanks, John. I was debating on whether or not to return to the League. Tiorted, ereh I emoc!"
A flash of brimstone and Zee vanished, leaving a disappointed Constantine in her wake.
"Well, so much for that little reunion tonight..."
Part 8
by jsagl
Detroit...
"My friends, I was concerned that I would never be able to say this again, but I hereby call this meeting of the Justice League of America to order..."
As J'onn J'onnz banged his gavel down on the table, he looked around the room at the many faces that he had grown to trust over the years...
Black Canary, Green Arrow, Elongated Man, Kid Flash -- no, just Flash now -- Hal Jordan, Hawkman and Hawkwoman, and Zatanna.
Hawkman spoke with a smile. "J'onn, I never pictured you as the sentimental type."
"That's funny, birdbrain, I've never pictured you as the smiling type..." Green Arrow said in a challenging tone. Dinah looked at Ollie with disapproval and lightly jabbed him in the ribs.
"Oliver, I..." Hawkman looked at Shayera for a moment and then the smile returned to his face. "I'm glad to see you haven't changed."
Flash turned to the Elongated Man, not quite sure what to make of it all. "I thought Hawkman and Green Arrow were friends?"
"They are, Wally, that's just how they show they love each other," Ralph replied.
J'onn stood up and continued, "First, I want to give you an update on our other members. Aquaman sends his regards, but he is still very busy cleaning up Atlantis after the Crisis. Regrettably, I have been unable to contact the Atom. I trust that he is well. Batman has asked to be on reserve status as he is currently busy with the Outsiders. I have left several messages for Firestorm, but have not received a reply. The Red Tornado is still M.I.A. after the Crisis, as are Vibe, Vixen and Gypsy. Superman is far too involved in the rebuilding of Metropolis to be able to return to the League at this point. And, of course, Barry and Diana are no longer with us."
The entire group was silent, contemplating the enormity of the loss that the Crisis had brought to all of them.
"Our first task is to return the League to its former glory, starting with the rebuilding of our satellite headquarters. Steel is currently at Heywood Industries, securing the funding we will need."
"Hawkman and Hawkwoman have graciously supplied new blueprints to repair and upgrade the satellite following the destruction that happened in the Red Tornado incident. Green Lantern and the Corps will..."
J'onn was interrupted by Dale Gunn, who had just entered the room. "Sorry to interrupt, folks, but there's something on the TV that you need to see..."
Part 9
by jsagl
Dale grabbed the remote control and turned the monitor on. The screen came to life, showing Maxwell Lord standing at a podium, flanked by Guy Gardner and some man in a silver-and-blue bug suit.
"What the hell is Gardner doing?" Hal said as he spotted Guy.
"Hal, hush, I can't hear," Zatanna said, putting her finger to her lips.
"...and with the Justice League for all intents and purposes defunct, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to their successors, the heroes for a new decade, the seven founding members of the Conglomerate."
Max looked to his right. "First off is our chairman, Earth's one, true Green Lantern, Guy Gardner. To my left, making his debut as a super-hero, is Guy's right hand man, the Beetle."
Guy, Max and the Beetle stepped back from the podium as Max gestured off-stage. "Next, from the countries of Brazil and Norway, Green Flame and the Icemaiden."
Bea and Tora walked up on stage, wearing new costumes, Bea's totally green, consisting of pants and a halter with a green jacket like Black Canary's, and green boots. Tora's was royal blue, with white fur at the gloves and top of the boots, as well as the collar. Bea walked towards Max while Tora basically hid behind Guy.
"Actually Max, those names just won't cut it for a group like the Conglomerate. We're now going by the code names Fire and Ice."
"Uh, yes, Fire, that's wonderful. Next, we have an under-appreciated American hero, Animal Man."
Buddy Baker walked up on stage, clearly uncomfortable. Not underappreciated, Max, just never wanting to seek the spotlight, Buddy thought to himself as he took his place next to the Beetle.
"And of course, no group is complete without its resident mystic, Sargon the Sorcerer."
Rather than walk the stage, Sargon instantly appeared next to Max, as stoic as ever.
"Um... and now our final member, someone who links the present of the Conglomerate to the past of the JLA, ladies and gentlemen, Firestorm, the Nuclear Man!"
"Holy sh**!!" Green Arrow exclaimed as the other Leaguers sat there, unbelieveing.
This is quite an... unexpected development, J'onn thought as the Nuclear Man walked out on the stage. "Time to give Batman a call..."
Part 10
by jsagl
Heywood Industries...
Hank Heywood III stood in his grandfather's office. On the wall hung a larger-than-life portrait of the old man himself. What an arrogant, pompous bastard, Hank thought. What kind of egomaniac would you have to be to have someone paint a portrait like this? That's easy. The kind that would let your father serve in a war and die and turn your grandson into a walking metal freak.
Hank walked over to the desk; it, too, larger than was really necessary. It was made out of mahogany, adorned with gold, and as wide as a football field. Well, maybe not that wide.
On the desk were the usual trappings, plus something that struck Hank as odd: pictures. There was one of Hank, Hank's parents, Grandma, and a picture of some people Hank didn't recognize. They were costumed heroes to be sure, but none Hank had ever seen. He turned the picture over and saw some writing on the back: "1942: Me, Johnny, Libby, John, Sir Justin, Dannette and Robotman. The best friends a guy could have..."
Granddad had friends??? Hank knew that his grandfather had fought the Nazis on Earth-2 as Commander Steel, but he never imagined that anyone liked him!
The door opened, and a middle-aged man walked in, David Cranston, Hank Sr's attorney. "Hank, I hate to bother you, but we've got a problem."
"What's that, David?"
"Are you familiar with the term, 'hostile takeover'?"
Conglomerate HQ...
In his private chambers, Maxwell Lord was insufferably pleased with himself.
Max, you are definitely in a class by yourself. Everyone said you'll never get a JLAer to join the Conglomerate, but you did. Naturally, I assumed I could convince Ollie, but this Firestorm kid is even better than I hoped. He's got a higher profile than Green Arrow and the sheer power that he brings to the group is staggering.
Max pressed the button on the intercom next to him. "Miss Wootenhoffer, I'm going downstairs to the sub-basement. If anyone asks, I've left and won't be back until tomorrow."
"Yes sir, Mr. Lord."
Detroit.
"This puts a wrinkle in our plan, does it not? I had hoped that Firestorm would rejoin us here in the JLA. His matter-transmuting abilities would be invaluable in restoring the satellite."
J'onn looked up at the screen as Batman replied, "Everything is going according to plan, J'onn. This story's not over yet, not by a long shot, so don't make assumptions as to everyone's final status. This is minor. However, we're going to have to move the timetable of your press conference up."
J'onn dunked an Oreo in his milk and took a bite. "Agreed. I'll talk to the key players and we'll convene at nine a.m. tomorrow."
"Keep me posted, and J'onn?"
"Yes, Bruce?"
"You're the leader of the JLA. Have faith in the decisions you make. I know I do."
As the monitor went dark, J'onn ate yet another Oreo and finished his milk. "I thought I was the one who read minds..."
Part 11
by starsky_hutch76
J'onn Jonnz sat at the computer reviewing the JLA files, looking at the profiles of past members. Hal Jordan and Ralph Dibny peered over his shoulder.
"I can't believe the kid would stab us in the back like that," Ralph said as Firestorm's profile came up.
"That is an unfair accusation to make, Ralph," J'onn said. "Membership had not yet been extended to him."
"Yeah, Ralph," Hal Jordan said. "I'm sure if he'd known we were reforming the old League he would've joined in a heartbeat rather than hooking up with an imitation. If this Lord guy is anything like I think he is, he's probably got the poor kid locked in with some sort of contract now."
"I can assure you he is," J'onn said.
Wonder Woman's photo was the next one that came up. All of them grew silent.
"Man, it still hurts," Ralph said.
"You aren't kidding," Hal said. "She had this light that seemed to follow her around wherever she went. I'd never met anyone like her."
"I hear her husband is taking it really hard," Ralph said.
"Who wouldn't?" Hal said. "The Justice League just won't be the same without a Wonder Woman."
"Truer words were never spoken," J'onn said.
"Wally said Donna's taking up the role," Ralph said. "Perhaps we should offer her membership."
"That's a great idea!" Hal said enthusiastically.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible!" a voice boomed from the doorway. All three turned and were shocked to see a statuesque black woman standing in the doorway wearing the uniform of Wonder Woman. "That is a matter she must take up with her mother."
"Who are you?" J'onn asked. "And why are you wearing that uniform?"
"I am Nubia," she replied, raising her chin proudly. "Sister of Diana, Queen Hippolyta's duly-appointed representative to man's world and the new Wonder Woman. I am here to join the Justice League of America."
Part 12
by jsagl
"You will leave us now."
With that, the Elongated Man and Green Lantern found themselves unceremoniously shoved outside the monitor room by Nubia. Before they could react, they heard the door click and lock.
Ralph looked at Hal with a gleam in his eye. "Y'know, I could just stretch under the door..."
Hal's ring started to glow. "No. Let her talk to J'onn. We still have to vote her in if he's going to nominate her. I need to get back to the Corps before the press conference tomorrow."
Hal and Ralph began to walk the corridors of the Bunker, walking past living quarters and training rooms, before reaching a room that no one truly liked to visit... the memorial room. Up until the Crisis, there had never really been a need for one. Red Tornado had died once before, but he came back. This time, though, there were six statues in the room and it was highly unlikely that any of them would return.
"Someone's in there..."
Walking past the statues of Vibe, Vixen, Gypsy, Supergirl and Diana, the pair found Wally West gazing at the statue of his uncle, Barry Allen.
"Kilowog did a nice job on these..."
Hal placed his hand on Wally's shoulder. "You shouldn't torture yourself like this, Wally."
Wally turned to Hal, a man who was very much like an uncle to him as well. "I know, Hal... it's just... Barry was more of a father to me than my own dad ever was... I never even got to say goodbye... or tell him how much I love him..."
Wally managed to hold back most of the tears as Hal drew the young man into a hug. Standing back with a hand on each shoulder, Hal looked into Wally's eyes. "You never had to, Wally. Barry knows."
Ralph suddenly stretched between Wally and Hal. "Okay, guys, enough of the mushy stuff, I'm starting to get choked up here too."
The trio exited the room, when a large noise emanated from the Scarlet Speedster. Ralph's nose began to twitch as he looked at Wally's mid-section. "Good lord!!! I think we better clear the room!!!"
Hal started laughing, as did Wally. "No, Ralph, that's just my hypermetabolism kicking in. It seems like I'm eating all the time now just to keep up with it. You guys want to go grab a bite? I'm paying!"
"No," Hal replied, "I've got to get back to Coast City. I'll see you guys at the press conference in the morning." An emerald glow engulfed Hal Jordan and he vanished through the roof.
"I'll go, but how can a college kid afford your kind of metabolism?" the Stretchable Sleuth said as he stretched outside, "You win the lottery or something?"
Wally smiled. "Well, actually... I did!"
Interlude...
Deep space, the space fleet of the planet Rann, at least what was left of it.
The fifteen spaceships hung dead in the cold of space, some broken in half, others simply debris. One ship, though was relatively intact and that was the one that the approaching ship docked with.
Traversing throught the airlocks, two men and one woman in transparent containment suits entered. Sparks emanated from some of the walls; bodies laid broken everywhere. Entering the bridge, they discovered a few survivors.
"Alanna, Sardath, see how these people are doing. I'm going to see if their sensor logs tell me anything."
As his wife and her father tended to the wounded, Adam Strange worked the computer controls until the small monitor came to life. There was no audio, but he was able to make out a picture.
The tape showed two of the other ships engaging a hostile, and this ship moved in to help. The other ships were torn apart like rag dolls, and suddenly the hostile moved toward this ship. The view shook and then the screen went blank. Adam replayed the tape, this time slowing down to a frame-by-frame replay. This time, the hostile was easily recognizable...
The color drained from Adam's face as he realized where the hostile was headed, and just who it was...
"Despero... dear God, I've got to get ahold of Katar somehow."
Part 13
by starsky_hutch76
Lobo stood upon the asteroid Appellax 9 watching his "fish" as they frolicked innocently in the vacuum of space. "Fish" was what he called them, even though they were in no way remotely related to the aquatic animal. They didn't live in water and they looked more like dolphins. Whatever they were, he enjoyed watching them. They brought peace to his tumultuous soul. He would stand completely still for hours watching them as they swam through space, the light of passing comets playing off his swirl-patterned, multicolored bodysuit. This was how the most feared bounty hunter in three galaxies came to have pets.
"Here ya go, fishies," Lobo said, prying off the top of the barrel with his bare fingers. "Daddy's brought home din din." He hefted up the barrel and began waving it in their direction, allowing the zero gravity to carry the feed in their direction.
As the "fishies" began to swim towards him and the food, something screamed past, tearing a vicious path through the serenely innocent space dolphins and killing several of them.
The other "fishies" began to gather around their fallen cousins, their mouths opening and closing. Though the vacuum of space could carry no sound, he imagined he could hear their anguished bleating. His mind was flooded with a bright red, blinding rage. He jumped on his cycle and cut a path of pursuit after Despero towards the planet Earth.
Part 14
by jsagl
Heywood Industries...
Hank came into the boardroom behind his grandfather's attorney. Inside, Hank saw a veritable sea of coats, ties and grey hair...
Cranston spoke up, "What's the latest?"
A small, mousey-looking man adjusted his glasses. "It's not good. We finally found out who's behind the takeover attempt."
Hank stepped forward. "Well, who is it? Who's trying to steal my grandfather's company out from under me? I'm the major stockholder here. I need to know!!"
"We only just found out this morning... have you ever heard of Maxwell Lord?"
The planet Rann...
Back on the surface of the planet, Adam Strange was in Sardath's lab, attempting to raise the planet Thanagar, with little result. Frustrated, Adam banged his hands on the control panel and the monitor screen came to life... just barely.
Behind the static, Adam could barely make out the face of Andar Pul.
"Skrereerke -- Adam -- zzxkjrrskk -- barely -- srkkkfkkksome creature ... destroyed srkxxz--"
"Andar, I can barely hear you.. can you boost your signal... I need to warn you... I need to find Katar...."
"Skkrrkzkzzk ... satellites destroyed -- skrrrzzxx -- wait -- something's--"
And the screen went dead. Adam said a silent prayer. Without the Thanagarians, there was no way to get ahold of Hawkman and warn him that Despero was coming. After what had happened in even the barest contact with Rann and Thanagar, he shuddered to think of what Despero might do when he got to Earth. Unless... he could find some way for Sardath to drain him of the Zeta Beam energy... that would send him back to Earth... but would there be enough time?
Thanagar.
Andar Pul cursed silently. They had only just begun making headway in restoring Thanagar after the equalizing plague, after the anti-matter wave which threatened to destroy them all, and now this. Their ships had detected the creature on a collision course with their planet, so naturally they mobilized their defenses. The creature destroyed them with ease, taking out most of Thanagar's orbiting satellites, as well. Of the few that remained, one was a communications satellite, damaged, but operational. That was twenty-four hours ago. Five minutes ago, their last observation post spotted yet another creature approaching Thanagar. There would be no stopping this one. Fortunately, the creature bypassed Thanagar at the last minute, following the exit flight of the first, but not before destroying the communications satellite in the process. The observation post sent back a picture of the second attacker... and Andar Pul thought at first it must be a joke... the picture showed what appeared to a Czarnian, a race long since dead, riding some sort of two wheeled conveyance. They must be working for Hyathis or Kanjar Ro... and they've left Thanagar defenseless before an invasion...
And in space...
"That Bastich thought he could lose me by jumping a wormhole. I lost him for a little bit, but I'm not the best there is at what I do for nothing. No one hurts my fishies and gets away with it. No one. Least of all some stupid red bastich with a fin on his head..."
Part 15
by jsagl
Outside the Capitol Building, DC.
Wally looked out over Washington, DC. The sight was truly incredible. From the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, just being in the city itself made him feel a little small. All around were two-hundred-plus years of American history, and the JLA was here today to make sure that it was still an active part of that history.
"This is Jimmy Olsen, reporting to you live for WGBS, here in our nation's capital. As many of you recall, it was only a few days ago that billionaire philanthropist Maxwell Lord announced his new group, the Conglomerate, as the heir apparent to the Justice League. Today, we see some past and present members of the JLA here on the steps of the nation's capital. It looks like the leader of the JLA, the Martian Manhunter, is about to take the podium. Let's go live now to him..."
J'onn stepped up to the microphone, clearly uncomfortable speaking in front of so many people, but what he had to say today could only be said by him. "Good afternoon. For those of you who do not know me, my name is J'onn J'onnz and I am the current chairman of the Justice League of America. During the recent Crisis which plagued us, the JLA lost a number of good people: Vibe, Vixen, Gypsy, Wonder Woman, the Flash and Supergirl."
J'onn paused for a moment, then continued, "Indeed, by the end of the Crisis, the membership of the League had dwindled to just myself, the Elongated Man, and Steel. Obviously, the League could not continue with only three members. Despite what you may have heard from unreliable sources recently, the League has not shut down.
"What this unreliable source has forgotten is that the JLA is more than just a team. It is a family. Like all families, it grows and changes, but it never truly ends. To that end I would like to announce the return of the members you see before you on the stage today..."
J'onn gestured his hand as he read the roll call: "Black Canary... Green Arrow... Green Lantern... Hawkman... Hawkwoman... Zatanna. They will be joining me, the Elongated Man, and young Steel, who could not be here today. We are also welcoming two new members on board, who I will introduce after this message, which another of our membership asked me to play for you, today."
On the screen behind the League, the face of Superman popped up. He was clearly weary and not in top form, but nonetheless, he riveted the crowd's attention like no other.
"My fellow Americans... I wish I could be here with you today, with my good friends of the JLA, but the demands on me in Metropolis are too great right now. J'onn has spoken to you today about his family, the members of the JLA. I consider them my family as well. They have seen me through the good and bad times for many years now, and I encourage you to support them as you would me. Even though I cannot be an active member, I am proud to be a reserve member of the JLA. I will be there for them when they truly need me, just as I know they will be there when you truly need them. God bless you all and thank you."
The image grew dark and the crowd went wild with thunderous applause and cheering.
Green Lantern whispered into Hawkman's ear, "I've got to hand it to J'onn, having Kal record a message was a stroke of genius."
Hawkman just smiled. "Indeed, and that's not all..."
Part 16
by jsagl
As the roar subsided, J'onn continued, "In keeping with the League's tradition of family, we are proud today to welcome two new members into the fold: first is the former Kid Flash, Wally West, who has stepped into the shoes of his uncle, the late Barry Allen. I am sure that Wally will do the Flash legacy very proud."
Wally raced out and waved to the crowd, who once again gave a loud roar of approval.
"The other is also a relative of a League member who has perished. May I present Nubia, the sister of the late Princess Diana, who shall now take sister's mantle as Wonder Woman..."
Nubia, dressed in full Amazon regalia, walked onto the stage, taking her place next to Zatanna. Once again, the applause was thunderous.
"I will now open the floor to a few questions..."
J'onn pointed to a reporter.
"Mr. J'onnz: Lois Lane, the Daily Planet. Will this new League still be stationed in Detroit? And what about the other League members not present today, particularly Batman and Firestorm?"
"To answer the latter, Miss Lane, Batman will continue as an advisor and reserve member of the League. He has his hands full in Gotham at the moment. Firestorm has chosen to join the Conglomerate, and we wish him well. As to the question of our headquarters, we have decided in the best interest of the League to leave Detroit and relocate to our original headquarters in Happy Harbor, Rhode Island."
"Mr. J'onnz: Vicki Vale, Gotham Gazette. Will you continue to be the leader of the JLA?"
"I'm glad you asked that, Miss Vale. We voted last evening, and I have been reelected unanimously as the chairman of the JLA, but in the event of my absence, I have chosen a deputy leader who I feel is fully qualfied to lead should the situation arise. My deputy chairman, Hawkman."
As the Winged Wonder took the podium, a voice rang out from the back of the steps, "Now wait just one freakin' minute..."
Green Arrow rushed to the podium, his eyes ablaze, shaking his fist like a madman. "What the hell do you mean Birdbrain is the deputy leader? I didn't come back to the League to play foot-soldier for this fascist..."
Hawkman got up in Ollie's face as he yelled back at him, "Fascist?? You small minded, egotistical..."
J'onn pushed them apart, "Green Arrow! Hawkman!! Enough!!"
"You got that right, greenie. I've had MORE than enough. I quit!!!"
Oliver turned back up the steps and grabbed Dinah's hand. "C'mon pretty bird, let's go..."
Dinah pulled her hand out of Ollie's. "No."
Ollie whipped around, clearly confused. "What did you say?"
"I said NO! You're behaving like a little child. The League is my home and I'm not leaving just because you have this idiotic feud with Katar. Now go over and apologize."
Oliver just stared at Dinah for a moment. Without another word, he walked down the steps and disappeared into the crowd.
Wally looked at Ralph, both of them more than a little embarrassed. "That went well..."
"Oh yeah, I'm sure that just did our rep a lot of good..."
And back in Maxwell Lord's office...
Max grabbed the remote and clicked the press conference off. He drummed his fingers on the desk, then pressed the intercom.
"Miss Wootenhoffer..."
"Yes, Mr. Lord?"
"Cancel all my appointments for this afternoon. Call Guy and have him round up the troops. We'll be having a special guest here in a few hours."
"Yes, sir."
Max leaned back in his chair. "This ought to be interesting..."