Of Shadows and Justice
Part 3
The Mansion
The team landed in front of the mansion. Batman turned to them and said: "Be on your guards. This was only pussyfooting so far."
"Pussyfooting? Are you serious?" Reverend Justice said, giving Batman an incredulous look.
Green Lantern and Superman chuckled.
"Their only goal was to delay us RJ. The real test is in there." Batman said, gesturing towards the mansion.
"Plenty of secret escape routes, but only one way in. Typical of Rà’s al Ghul. He won’t be able to resist gloating to us about outwitting us in his latest attempt to conquer the world. So he needs to capture us alive. Whatever trap he has set for us and believe me, this is a trap; it will not be inescapable." Batman continued, looking at each member of the team.
"You see, Rà’s ego knows no bounds: to prove his own superior intellect he purposely leaves flaws in the traps, weak spots in the restraints, hidden from his prisoners, hints on ways to escape. It’s a little test of wits: Rà’s holds deep respect for a worthy opponent’s intellect.
That’s why the world doesn’t yet know Bruce Wayne and Batman are the same man. I outwitted him, outsmarted him, and no matter how much he hates me, he respects me."
In front of them, a man walked out of the Mansion, it was Hiro. He looked at them quietly, and then bowed. He walked towards the stables then rode away on a horse.
"What was that all about?" Hawkgirl asked.
"The following showdown is between the Master and us. We came here before his Master could unleash his threat. So now, the Master wants us to witness his moment of glory." Batman said.
"That’s what I call ego." Reverend Justice said.
"That’s an understatement!" Vixen said, nodding.
They walked towards the door, single file. Batman led the way, followed by Wonder Woman, Superman, Green Lantern, Vixen, Hawkgirl, and Reverend Justice.
They entered. The décor was luxurious and elaborate, unusual for such a remote area. The light had a faded yellow hue, jade statuettes flanked the doorway. The smell of incense was intoxicating.
The doors slammed shut behind them
"The trap." Batman said calmly
Superman collapsed to the floor – the statuettes were Kryptonite and not jade. Green Lantern attempted to shoot an energy bolt to the door …but nothing happened.
"Yellow force field" Green Lantern said. "Yellow neutralizes my power ring."
Vixen, Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman attempted to kick the door open but couldn’t resist a feeling of vertigo.
"The incense," Batman said. "It is a sedative. The more you struggle, the dizzier you get."
The women collapsed near the door. "Batman, we can’t just lie down and let him capture us!" Reverend Justice said, gasping for air.
"RJ’s right, this makes no sense, we can’t just let him capture…" Green Lantern was next to collapse.
Batman sat down in a Lotus position. Reverend Justice imitated him. "He expects us to struggle. We’re too valuable to him alive, there’s no pleasure for him if he can’t capture us and gloat." Batman said. "What ever you do, don’t let him upset you, look for the flaw." Batman and Reverend Justice finally passed out.
Mind Games
A grinding noise, nagging, and aggravating woke them up from their sedated state. It was a sound somewhere between a dentist’s drill and a jack hammer, only much louder and higher pitched.
They were shackled to the walls – Superman with kryptonite reinforced wrist and ankle shackles. Not enough to be lethal to him, but enough to keep his powers at bay.
Shackled next to him was Batman, cowl and cape off, neatly folded at the centre of the floor, along with his Utility belt.
Wonder Woman was shackled next to Batman, her tiara, Golden Lasso and bracelets on the floor, next to Batman’s items. Having the bracelets removed had the same effect as having them touching: it rendered her powerless.
Shackled to the adjacent wall was Hawkgirl, her mace and helmet also at the centre of the floor. The noise seemed to debilitate her quite badly. Shackled next to her was Reverend Justice. Hat, mask, Trench coat, quarterstaff and belt were also added to the items on the floor. On the other adjacent wall, Vixen was also shackled, her Talisman removed and added to the pile of items. Without the Talisman, she had no powers.
Finally, Green Lantern was shackled next to her, his power ring also removed and on the pile of confiscated items. All of their communicators were piled in a separate mound next to the other items.
"Finally awake?" Rà’s al Ghul made his theatrical entrance, Chantale Paradis walking by his side, holding his arm, dressed in a Chinese silk tunic.
"My pet, I present you the play of all plays: Good versus Evil, Right versus Wrong, and Justice League versus League of Shadows."
"Batman’s right," Superman thought. "Rà’s does love to gloat."
"And now the players: The Detective," he said, pointing at Batman, "The Kryptonian Boy scout" he said, pointing at Superman, "The Amazon Princess" he said, pointing at Wonder Woman; "The Inter-Galactic enforcer" he said, pointing at Green Lantern; "the Nubian Sorceress" he said, pointing at Vixen, "The Thanagarian soldier" he said, pointing at Hawkgirl; "and finally, the Detective’s Lackey." He said, pointing at Reverend Justice.
"The flaw…Batman said ‘look for the flaw’ "Reverend Justice thought, ignoring Rà’s tirade.
"Act one happened decades ago when I trained a young Bruce Wayne. He was a star pupil who turned on his Master, seduced his Master’s daughter and turned her against him."
Batman calmly said: "She was plotting against him to take over his "empire" and had an arrangement of convenience with me. There may have been some innocent flirting, but that’s all there ever was. Like he said: decades ago."
Ignoring his old pupil, Rà’s continued.
"Many years later, Act Two began: The Justice League was founded. A tightly knit team of heroes... but what’s this?" he said looking from Green Lantern to Hawkgirl, from Hawkgirl to Vixen, and from Vixen to Reverend Justice. A Love triangle?" A sadistic grin covered Rà’s face.
Reverend Justice gave Rà’s a curious frown. "Don’t worry, I know the noise hurts your heads but even you will understand this Lackey. Believe it or not, I closely followed the Thanagarian Invasion with great interest. Had push come to shove my League of Shadows would have collaborated with the Justice League."
"Imagine that." Superman said.
Rà’s gave him an annoyed look but turned to Chantale and continued. "You see my pet; Love can be strength and weakness all at once. The Thanagarian used to be in love with the Enforcer there," he said pointing a thumb at Green Lantern.
"Once the Invasion was foiled, that relationship was over … or was it?" He said casting an amused glance at Hawkgirl, who clenched her jaws, giving Rà’s a furious glare.
"Green Lantern began dating Vixen, and after a few false starts, Hawkgirl started dating the Lackey."
"I swear old man; if you call him Lackey again I’ll…" Hawkgirl hissed.
"You’ll do what wench?" Rà’s said, enjoying every second of this. "Those restraints could hold down an elephant, and that noise you hear is meant to break your concentration and give you all splitting headaches, not to mention, prevent telepathic communications." He said looking at Batman.
"So I’ll call him horse dung if I see fit." He said, turning to Hawkgirl. "The restraints, the noise, the force fields … he pointed at the medallion on his chest. All controlled from here."
"First flaw in the plan" Reverend Justice thought, keeping a poker face on.
Rà’s continued "Where was I my pet? Oh yes. So everybody is in a new relationship, everybody is happy…or are they?"
"Where are you going with this Camel breath? The sound of your voice is making my headache worse!" Reverend Justice said, trying to goad Rà’s on.
"Don’t press your luck Lackey! Has your precious Angel told you about her child?" Rà’s said, ginning sadistically again.
"Come again?" The Reverend said. Hawkgirl felt as if she had been hit full force in the stomach. She wanted to tell him herself, on her own terms…she didn’t want Joey to find out like this. She wept, wanting to say "I’m so sorry you had to find out that way!" but no sound could come out of her mouth.
"Act 3 happened a few years ago as two of my spies spotted a pint-sized Thanagarian flying over the mountains. A Dark skinned pint-sized Thanagarian." He said, setting his stare on Green Lantern. "Dr. Fate showed up almost immediately and took him away, that same Dr Fate who gave Hawkgirl refuge as she went into exile after the failed Thanagarian invasion. It would seem Hawkgirl and Green Lantern had an affair, cheating on their new Lovers." Rà’s concluded looking at Chantale with satisfaction.
Reverend Justice was slumping, as the information sank in. His body began shaking as if he were weeping. He felt the shackle on his right ankle was loose. "Flaw number 2 located." He thought, getting over the shock of the news.
"You see my pet? Love can be the worst of all weaknesses." Rà’s said. Hawkgirl was crying, looking at her hurt lover … who straightened up and began howling with laughter.
He wasn’t crying, he was laughing, leaving everyone, heroes and villains alike feeling shocked and confused.
"The great Rà’s al Ghul, resorting to gossip to tear a rift between the team, it’s just too pathetic! Bruce, I though you said he was highly intelligent? He’s a moron!" Reverend Justice said, getting slapped.
"Insolent!" Rà’s screamed as he slapped him.
The Reverend just laughed harder.
"He… he’s in denial!" Rà’s said, confused.
"Denial my ass, whatever you paid your spies I’d get my money back if I were you! Let me bring you up to snuff genius: your spies detected the young Thanagarian a few years ago. If he was able to fly, he must have been at least 2 or 3 years of age already."
"One actually," Green Lantern said. "Dr Fate was surprised, Thanagarian children are quite precocious."
Reverend Justice smiled with a nod and continued:" I was very much aware of John and Shayera’s relationship before I joined the League. Ergo, the child must have been conceived at least 3 years ago. I was recruited a year and a half ago, Hawkgirl and I became an item a little less than a year ago. Ergo, nobody had an affair. Even Vixen doesn’t look shocked."
Indeed she didn’t Rà’s al Ghul on the other hand did. His moment of gloating was not going the way he wanted.
Vixen said: "Shayera getting pregnant was pretty much my fault- I told John I wanted no doubts or regrets between us if we were going to get serious. So I set him free."
Shayera’s voice came back to her. "John and I tried to patch things up but we quickly saw the magic was gone. So he returned to Mari. The only thing was I was pregnant. I wanted to keep the baby, so I had to go back to Dr Fate, to protect my son from enemies, and Thanagarian agents until he’s ready to fend for himself."
"There you go genius; all you’ve managed to do is create an awkward situation. She was waiting for an appropriate moment to tell me, and you ruined it jackass!" He said glaring defiantly at Rà’s.
"Shut up Lackey!" Rà’s said, punching The Reverend on the jaw. He never noticed the reverend removing his foot from his boot, thanks to the loose shackle. More laughter from the Reverend, frustrating Rà’s.
Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Vixen and Hawkgirl all began chuckling along, seeing the flustering effect it had on Rà’s al Ghul.
"Bruce, I thought you said the Lazarus pit made him super strong? I’ve been hurt worse when Shayera kisses me!" This time they all laughed out loud, Rà’s al Ghul became red with anger.
He was about to take another swing at the Reverend but was stopped in his tracks as the Reverend kicked him in the groin with his free foot.
As Rà’s was doubled over in pain, Reverend Justice stuck his foot in the loop formed by the medallion’s chain and pulled down with all his might, breaking the chain, sending the medallion bouncing on the floor.
Chantale pulled the spray bottle from a pocket of her tunic and sprayed the Reverend in the face. Caught by surprise, he inhaled the Ultra G mist; sending his heart into palpitations, giving him vertigo. He passed out, dangling limply from his wrists.
That was the last straw. Mustering every once of strength, Hawkgirl pulled down on the shackles until they finally snapped, in spite of the headache the noise was causing her.
"Joey!" She screamed, in mixed anger and concern for the man she loves. The broken shackles went flying across the room. Chantale helped Rà’s escape, using one of the secret passageways Batman had described.
Hawkgirl grabbed the medallion from the floor and put an arm around Joey’s waist holding him up. She crushed the medallion, releasing all shackles and ending the background noise.
She held onto Joey, preventing him from hitting the floor face first, and gently laid him down, holding him.
Batman said "Now J’onn! Tell Mr Terrific to detonate now!"
The T-Spheres detonated, destroying the Greenhouses, processing plants and pure Ultra-G reserves that had been detected thanks to the seeker settings of the T-spheres. Rà’s plan had been foiled.
Forgetting cowl, cape and utility belt, Batman chased after Rà’s and his consort. The secret door was sealed shut. He tried kicking it open, but it wouldn’t budge. "Kent, a bit of help over here?"
Freed from the Kryptonite lined shackles, Superman’s powers had returned. He effortlessly pushed the door open. Batman entered the secret passageway knowing Superman would be right behind him, "’cause that’s what friends do" a voice from the past echoed in his head. The passageway led to a helicopter landing bay.
"Son of a bitch has made it to his chopper! In stealth mode we’ll never get his trail!" Batman said. Rà’s had lost this round, but the match wasn’t over: he still lived to fight another day.
Superman looked in shock. "Great Krypton Bruce, look!" The lifeless body of Chantale Paradis lay in the corner, neck broken. "She tried to help him! That man has no soul or conscience!" Superman said.
Batman looked on, a pained look on his face. There goes another victim of the quest for absolute power…power ultimately became her undoing.
They returned to the detainment room.
"Rà’s?" Wonder Woman asked, once more wearing her tiara and bracelets.
"Gone, the servant we saw leaving on horseback probably returned, and was on standby near Rà’s helicopter. He made sure he left no witnesses." Batman said.
"What do you mean?" Wonder Woman asked.
"Young Miss Paradis is dead, with a broken neck." Superman said.
"Sweet Mother of Mercy, he murdered his own lover?" Green Lantern asked.
"She witnessed his failure. He could not survive that disgrace. The fact that she helped him made her death quick and painless." Batman said, trying to keep a composed expression, but unable to do so.
Wonder Woman, Vixen and Green Lantern winced in disgust.
Hawkgirl was on her knees holding Reverend Justice in her arms "Hang in there Joey, you’ll be fine, you hear me? Don’t you dare give up on me you bastard! I love you do you hear me? I love you!" She said, sobbing.
Batman pulled a vile of methadone and a syringe from his utility belt on the floor.
Hawkgirl winced as she knew how much Joey hated needles. Batman gave Reverend Justice a shot in the neck.
"That ought to help him fight it off." Batman said. Without the mask on, every emotion showed on his face.
Bruce looked on anxiously as he noticed – "He stopped breathing! He’ll need mouth to mouth!"
"Stay away from him! I’ll do it!" Shayera shrieked. She proceeded in giving Joey mouth to mouth, giving his lungs life saving air.
Joey started breathing on his own, staring blankly at the ceiling in a narcotic induced stupor.
"The Meth kicked in, his heart and lungs are functioning by themselves again Shayera." Batman said.
"Thank you Bruce, sorry I yelled at you…" Shayera said.
Batman simply nodded.
Wonder Woman brought Shayera and Joey their communicators. Shayera placed Joey’s communicator in his ear.
Batman nodded at her. "Watchtower come in, emergency transport to Sickbay, Reverend Justice down, I repeat, Reverend Justice down! Transport him and Hawkgirl immediately. I’ll update you on the substance RJ was exposed to. Batman out"
Joey and Shayera were transported to Sickbay.
The Coma I
Joey was lying in a Sickbay bed. His vital signs were stable, but he was in a deep coma. Batman, Martian Manhunter and the Doctor on duty – Jody Wilder - were consulting.
Hawkgirl was sitting by Joey’s bed, holding his hand. By her side were Wonder Woman and Vixen. Superman and Green Lantern were standing on the other side of the bed, looking glum.
"The Cannabinoid levels in his blood stream are through the roof, it’s no surprise his breathing stopped." Dr Wilder said, looking at the chart over her glasses. "The shot of Methadone you gave him snapped his vital functions back into action, and Hawkgirl giving him mouth to mouth prevented him from getting brain damage. Now it’s a matter of allowing his body to flush the Ultra-G from his system and heal."
"Couldn’t giving him a full Meth treatment snap him out of it faster?" Batman asked.
"It could, but I do not recommend it. The shot you gave him wasn’t enough to cause any damage, but too much Methadone would be highly addictive. The last thing we need is for him to get rid of Ultra G only to become addicted to Meth."
Batman looked morose. The solution could turn into the problem. Of course the Doctor was right.
All turned to look at Joey, with all of those electrodes stuck to him, monitoring his heart rate, brain activity and breathing. And with that swollen, bruised left side of his jaw where Rà’s had slapped and punched him. He looked so vulnerable.
"That poor soul." Superman said.
"Would an IV flush be advisable Doc? He already needs an IV drip to stay hydrated and get nourishment, couldn’t we flush out his system?" Batman asked.
"We’d risk causing congestive pulmonary failure." The Doctor said. "I understand he is a valued team mate and friend, but the best thing to do now is to wait and allow his body to naturally eliminate the excess Cannabinoids."
They all looked at her with a bit of annoyance, but knew that ultimately she was right.
"If you wish to speed up his recovery, try keeping his brain stimulated by talking to him: many comatose patients can still hear people talking to them. Hawkgirl holding his hand and stroking his hair is doing more for him right now than any aggressive therapy you could think of." The Doctor added.
J’onn closed his eyes. "Joseph? Joseph it is me, J’onn."
"J’onn? What’s happening? Where am I?" Joey asked telepathically.
"You’re in sickbay, in a drug-induced coma. You took a lungful of Ultra G in Rà’s Al Ghul’s Mansion." J’onn replied
"I remember; that trailer trash bimbo blind-sided me with her spray." Joey said.
Martian Manhunter chuckled. Dr Wilder gave him an appalled look and said "I hardly think this is appropriate behaviour…"
"Shush Doc, he’s communicating with him." Batman said.
"We’re all here with you in sickbay Joey, can you hear us?" J’onn asked.
"Yes, and that had better be Shayera holding my hand!" Joey replied.
Martian Manhunter smiled. "Yes Joey, it is her. She is very worried about you, we all are my friend."
"At times I feel like I’m about to wake up, I try to shake my head, breathe faster … but I just go back under. That Ultra G is potent stuff." Joey said.
Martian Manhunter looked at them and said:
"I can tell you his consciousness is drifting in and out. He has periods of full lucidity where he is aware of us being in the room with him, hearing every word we say, struggling to wake his body up, only to drift back under. As the Doctor said, he is aware of Shayera holding his hand, and takes great comfort from it."
Shayera smiled, tears of relief running down her cheeks. She whispered in Joey’s ear "I love you preacher, hang in there! You’ll get better my love! I promise you’ll get better!" She kissed his cheek.
"On the lips Angel." The words came out of J’onn’s mouth, but had an uncanny resemblance to Joey’s voice.
She looked at J’onn then back at Joey, and kissed him on the lips, squeezing his face gently to pucker him up. "Shut up!" she said sweetly.
"Love you too Angel, easy on the squeeze, my jaw’s sore!" Joey’s voice said, coming from J’onn’s mouth.
She laughed a bit, then kissed Joey again and said "I’ll be back my love, there’s something I need to get from your apartment." She headed towards the door.
"I’ll be waiting" Joey said through J’onn’s mouth.
She looked at J’onn "Tell him I love him J’onn? And that I’m sorry he had to learn about my son this way?" She thought, hoping J’onn would pick up her thoughts.
"He knows Shayera, he knows. And it doesn’t matter to him. He loves you no matter what." J’onn replied telepathically.
She smiled, feeling more tears stinging her eyes. She hurried towards the nearest transport pads.
"I really hate to be a killjoy," Dr. Wilder said, "but visiting hours are long over."
They all left, giving Joey another look. "I’d like to see her try to keep Shayera out." Green Lantern said.
"Indeed." Martian Manhunter replied.
The Coma II
Hawkgirl had returned to Sickbay, with her molecular belt around her waist. If the nightshift Doctor wanted to say anything, he soon elected to keep his mouth shut when he saw the intense look on Hawkgirl’s face.
She walked to Joey’s bed and quietly said "Wings in."
She gently climbed in bed, snuggling up to him. She whispered in his ear:
"I’m back Joey. I’ve asked J’onn & Mr Terrific to keep me off active duty for as long as possible. My place is with here with you. I want to hear you breathe; I want to hear your heart beat. I want you to feel me near you." She gave him a gentle kiss. She noticed the swelling of his jaw had gone down somewhat.
"I’ve recorded several holographic messages for Rex – that’s my son - to tell him Mommy’s busy again, that Joey’s very ill. I know Joey; I’m bad; I told him all about you but couldn’t bring myself to tell you about him. Your girlfriend’s some piece of work." She said with a sigh. She stroked his hair; then moved her hand to his chest.
"Rex knows Joey makes his Mommy happy, in the same way Mari makes his Daddy happy. In fact, Vixen has become a Godmother of sorts to him. I can’t impose it on you, but if you’re willing, Rex would be happy to have you as his Godfather. I’ve played him tapes of your wrestling matches, he finds ‘Mommy’s Joey’ real cool!" She looked at Joey’s face and could have sworn she saw a subtle smile on his face.
"Don’t force it baby, let your body heal. Don’t try to force your body to react. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. There’s another reason I was so afraid to bring up Rex before Joey. You see, human and Thanagarian DNA’s are similar but not identical. It was pretty much touch and go, Rex almost didn’t make it. It was a miracle he survived at all."
She moved her head to his chest, listening to his breathing and heartbeat.
"Because of the DNA mismatch, there’s a 50-50 chance the baby would be still-born, a 50-50 chance I might not be able to give you a child of your own. I was afraid you’d leave me if you found out. Now you know why I’ve been so absent minded. J’onn says you’ll love me no matter what, and I’m the happiest woman on this planet knowing this."
The sound of his breathing and heartbeat reminded her of her own fatigue. Making herself comfortable, she fell asleep, arms around him, head on his chest. Had anyone been there at that very moment, they would have noticed the serene expression on Joey’s face.
Back at Wayne Manor, Bruce Wayne couldn’t go to sleep, venting his frustrations on his private gym’s punching bag. Diana interrupted him. "Bruce, aren’t you coming to bed? I think the punching bag’s learned his lesson!"
Bruce looked up at her and chuckled. "I’m not sleepy, I’m having a serious insomnia bout…and I don’t think I’ve learned my lesson. Add one more name the Batman curse." He said, throwing one last punch at the bag.
"Don’t you dare say that!" Diana scolded, with a frown. "You took every precaution to assure the team’s safety. You gave him the shot of methadone that saved his life. He’s a strong man, he’ll pull through." She looked at him, arms folded.
Bruce sighed. "I know Princess, you’re right. I just wish I’d injected him with an actual antidote rather than with a temporary fix…" he stopped, an expression of shock in his face.
He looked at Diana his face now sporting a smile "An-ti-dote! Why didn’t I think of that in the first place?"
"You had things on your mind…would you care to explain to me what you are talking about?" she said, a puzzled look on her face.
"Rà’s al Ghul never takes any risks. He would not have created a weapon such as the Ultra G spray knowing it could potentially be turned against him, not unless he had an antidote." Bruce said, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"We left the Himalayan Mansion in a hurry, without searching the premises. Princess, I bet you my next Sentry shift the formula to the antidote is back there."
"Never bet with a billionaire!" She said with a smile.
"Care to go on a fact finding mission?" He asked her, eyebrows arched.
"I’d love to; someone has to watch you back should those Ninjas return!" She said with a grin.
"Funny girl!" He said. "Let me shower and change, I’d take the Batwing but the Javelin’s much faster."
"While you shower…" she started spinning …magically changing into her Wonder Woman suit. "Don’t keep me waiting!" she said, with a sensuous smile.
He ran to the showers. She laughed.
Back in the Watchtower Shayera was awakened in the early hours of the morning by a visitor. "D-Diana?" she said, focusing her gaze.
"Shh. Rest my sister. I just wanted to see how you were both doing before Bruce and I go fact-finding." Wonder Woman said.
"What … where are you going?" Shayera asked.
Wonder Woman paused, and then carefully said: "I do not want to raise your hopes Shy, but Bruce is convinced Rà’s al Ghul wouldn’t have created the Ultra G spray without first being sure he had a suitable antidote. We’re going back to the Himalayan Mansion in hopes we’ll find his Lab."
Shayera smiled, reaching for Wonder Woman’s hand. "Thank you both so much!"
They shook hands. "Save your thanks for our return, wish us luck!"
Resting her head back on Joey’s chest, Shayera said: "Good luck to you both!" Wonder Woman smiled, and headed to the Javelin Bay where Batman was waiting for her.
Wonder Woman knew that seeing Joey in his comatose state made Batman feel uneasy, and that in spite of it all, he ultimately felt responsible for Joey’s coma; and wouldn’t face him until he came back with the antidote.
Quest for the antidote
The Javelin sped towards the Himalayas. Wonder Woman had insisted she piloted – metas could go without sleep longer than humans could, even if that human was Batman. Before becoming an initiate and her mate, Batman would have let his male ego get in the way and would have argued he was fully capable of piloting in spite of lacking sleep. Love works in strange ways, Aphrodite’s Gift had made him a more reasonable man.
"We’re in range Bruce." She said.
Batman nodded. "No point in landing at a distance Princess. The League of Shadows goes into hiding as soon as the Master has gone into hibernation. The Mansion will be quite empty."
She landed the Javelin near the same spot Rà’s helicopter had landed the day before, bringing the late Ms Paradis to his Mansion.
It was early morning when they left the Watchtower, with the time zone changes it was the middle of the night at Rà’s Mansion.
"You’re right Bruce," Wonder Woman said, repressing a shiver "That place looks dead. My empathy to animals had detected at least 20 horses in the stable when we first came here, now they’re all gone."
"A few lucky Ninjas benefited from a horseback ride. The rest had to walk." Batman said.
Turning on a flashlight, they walked in the Mansion.
"Great Hera, what happened in here?" Wonder Woman exclaimed. The place looked like it had been looted.
"It would seem some of Rà’s men weren’t as devoted as he anticipated. They’ll be in a heap of trouble when he resurfaces." Batman said. "Princess, does your enhanced sense of hearing detect any sound?"
Wonder Woman closed her eyes, focusing. "I hear a static noise coming from upstairs, and a very faint dripping sound, like a leaky faucet coming from downstairs."
Batman nodded. "Let’s investigate the upstairs noise."
They climbed the stairs, making their way to the Study. The noise was coming from the Computer speakers, the large screen projecting a white light in the darkened room.
"Running on backup power." Batman said. He sat in front of the keyboard, attempting to reboot. "Wiped clean. He covered those tracks very well." He sighed. Wonder Woman looked at him with concern.
"Let’s investigate the other noise Princess, it might be the Lab." He said. She nodded, putting a hand on his shoulder. They made their way back to the Lobby and following her enhanced sense of hearing, they walked across the Mansion, to that secret door that led to the underground facilities.
Batman could picture the way they all were dragged that way and down the stairs when they were all rendered unconscious by the sedative incense.
They went down the stairs, very carefully. The flashlight showed one of the many doors from the corridor wide open. Batman looked in. It was the room where they were all detained.
He flashed the light around and noticed something on the floor. He smiled.
"The noise isn’t coming from there Bruce." She said.
Batman nodded and said "Just give me one second; we might have an alternative should the Lab search also come up blank."
He went to the object he had spotted on the floor and picked it up. "The bottle of Ultra G spray." He said, shaking it to his ear. "And there’s still some inside!"
Wonder Woman tilted her head. "How does that help us my love?"
"If we don’t find the formula to the antidote or some ready-made antidote in the Lab, we can find it ourselves the way Rà’s did: isolate the molecule and synthesize an Anti-G from the purified solution." Batman said.
Wonder Woman smiled. That man’s resourcefulness always amazed her.
Batman walked to her and kissed her, putting the bottle in a compartment of his Utility belt.
"Where’s that noise coming from?" He asked.
"Two doors down to our right." She said, smiling.
Indeed, there was the Lab. Batman mechanically walked to the leaky faucet, tightening the tap. "It would seem Rà’s covered his tracks here as well" He said, looking defeated,
The vials and bottles were smashed to the floor.
"Then again, maybe he left us a flaw here as well." Wonder Woman said, carefully pulling an old style glass syringe from the garbage pail. There was a tiny bit of fluid left in it, perhaps a quarter of a CC.
"Be very careful Princess." Batman said, pulling a sterile plastic bottle from his evidence kit. He gently took the syringe from her and emptied it in the bottle, snapping the cap shut.
"Let’s go back to the Javelin. I’ll use a small sample from both bottles. If the molecular build is the same, we have our antidote." Batman said.
She smiled. They returned to the Javelin.
Like the portable Med-kit, the Porta-Lab would never replace Bruce’s Lab in the Bat-Cave; or the facilities in the Watchtowers, but for this, it would have to do.
With extreme care, he placed a small drop of the solution taken from the syringe and placed it on a sterile slide, capping the sample bottle tightly. He carefully put that slide through the electronic microscope, hooked to the onboard computer.
"Cover your mouth Princess" He said, as he took the bottle of spray, and carefully sprayed a bit on another sterile slide. He replaced the first slide with that one, and took a reading from the electronic microscope.
He and Wonder Woman sat in front of the onboard computer’s monitor. He typed a few keys to display the results. "Bingo!" he said with a satisfied smile.
"Javelin to Watchtower come in?" Batman said.
"Watchtower here Bruce," J’onn had replaced Mike in the Monitoring Womb.
"I’m uploading data to the Watchtower Mainframe J’onn. Page Dr Wilder immediately, we have found Rà’s Ultra-G Antidote. We don’t have enough from my sample bottle…"
Batman said.
"I’ll personally get the Lab to synthesize sufficient quantities for the Reverend. Joey’s in good spirits in spite of his coma. He will be happy to learn about the antidote. We all will be!" Martian Manhunter said, knowing exactly what Batman was about to say.
Batman indulged in a relieved smile. Wonder Woman put her arms around him, giving him a gentle hug. "We’re on our way back." He said.
"We should have the antidote ready by then; you’ll be there to see us administer it. Now get some rest Bruce, I can feel your fatigue from all the way up here!" Martian Manhunter said, teasing.
"Wise guy! Javelin out, we’ll be there soon!" Batman said.
Wonder Woman was looking at him; arms crossed an amused expression on her face.
"What?" Batman said.
"He’s right and you know it. I can go for days without sleep, you can’t. Not even with the slowed-down aging, enhanced reflexes and enhanced healing powers Aphrodite’s Gift granted you. You still need to sleep. Now stop playing macho for me and lie down on one of the bunks back there." She said, enjoying scolding him like a child.
He chuckled, pulling his cowl back. "Yes ma’am! At least now that we’ve found the antidote I’ll be able to sleep!"
He put the Porta-Lab away with the slides and sample bottles.
"Now kiss me and go to sleep!" Wonder Woman said with a sensuous smile.
"As you wish Princess!" He said. They kissed, and he laid down on one of the bunks.
She went back to the Pilot’s chair and they took off.
The Awakening
Dr Wilder knew that being on call 24/7 was all part of being a Doctor for one of the greatest crime-fighting taskforces ever. Since being promoted Chief Medical Officer she often felt the pressure: it was virtually impossible to set any level of detachment once you got to know those people.
Case in point, the sight of Hawkgirl in tears, holding the hand of the comatose Reverend Justice was something she wouldn’t soon forget. A woman so strong who had waged wars, and fought so many battles also had a softer, gentler side, was also capable of expressing love.
Seeing her asleep, snuggled up to the Reverend as she did her early morning rounds was rather humbling. And there was no way of talking her out of it either: the Doctor on night shift duty when Hawkgirl had returned earlier, Dr Conrad, said he wouldn’t be able to sleep after the evil look Hawkgirl had given him when he tried to tell her visiting hours were over.
Martian Manhunter had paged her with good news: thanks to Batman and Wonder Woman’s determination, Rà’s al Ghul’s antidote had been found. The Lab would have enough of the antidote synthesized in a few hours to revive Reverend Justice.
She had reviewed the formula herself and had to agree: it was a better choice than to wait for the Reverend to eliminate the cannabinoids naturally, and definitely safer that a full Meth treatment.
She walked in Sickbay and found Robin and Batgirl visiting, Hawkgirl was sitting on the chair next to the bed.
"Thanks Cass, I needed that!" Hawkgirl said, taking a sip of coffee, a toasted BLT sandwich in her other hand.
"Don’t mention it Shy." Batgirl said, trying to smile. "Oracle told us what happen; we figure you wouldn’t have eaten yet." The emotion was making her speech erratic again.
"Plus Oracle said Batman had found the antidote," Robin said, still sounding a bit congested from his left-over flu. He looked at Joey lying in bed.
"Joey never let our age difference matter, he’s always been a pal to me, always acted like we were the same age. I always appreciated that. He’s my pal, I wanted to be here."
"Me too," Batgirl said. "Last mission in Gotham with RJ and Green Arrow I was in charge. Joey followed my instructions, never acted like: ‘you’re a kid, I’m an adult, don’t tell me what to do.’ Joey my pal too."
Shayera smiled. "He can hear you both, I’m sure he appreciates you both being here." She said, and then took a bite of her sandwich.
Dr Wilder smiled and said "He’s a very fortunate man to count you all as friends."
Hawkgirl looked at her and said with a mock tone of annoyance: "What do you mean friend? He’s my man!" And then, winked at her.
"Hi all! " They turned and saw Flash walk in, with his wife Linda. His ribs were still sore, but almost fully healed. He mustered a smile looking at Joey and Shayera and couldn’t resist a joke: "Oh sure Lucas, I get my ribs busted so you just have to one-up me by coming back in a coma!"
Shayera, Linda, Robin, Batgirl and Dr Wilder gave him an annoyed look, but said nothing when they realized he was trying to put up a brave front.
A tear rolled down Flash’s cheek. "Just come back to us healthy okay preacher? Bats has been worried sick, he tries to hide it but he is … we all are. You’re one of us bro." Linda gently put an arm around his waist minding his sore ribs.
"I see we have quite a turnout!" Superman said. On his heels were Batman, Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter. Hawkgirl finished her breakfast and reached for Joey’s hand, holding it.
"I have the antidote Dr Wilder." Batman said.
She took the vile from him and prepared a syringe.
"Don’t start without us!" Green Lantern said, accompanied by Vixen.
"I think everybody’s here now!" Wonder Woman said, smiling.
"I’m humbled" Joey said from Martian Manhunter’s mouth. "I’m always amazed when I’m reminded I’m one of you, and of how many of you I have the privilege of calling my friends!"
Shayera kissed him on the forehead. Batman said "Believe it Lucas, believe it!"
They stood around Joey’s bed, Shayera sitting, holding his hand. She tried not to wince as Dr Wilder injected the antidote in Joey’s arm – he hated needles so much.
A few seconds passed. His eyelids fluttered but his eyes didn’t open yet. He tried to smack his lips but his mouth was too dry. His eyelids finally opened, he stared at the ceiling trying to focus. Becoming more aware of his surroundings and not quite sure what to say, he said in a low gravely voice:
"Wow…that was heavy!"
All chuckled. Hawkgirl hugged and kissed him, tears of relief coursing down her cheeks. Wonder Woman, Vixen and Batgirl all cried from happiness while Batman, Superman and Green Lantern breathed a sigh of relief. Martian Manhunter smiled, sharing the sense of bewildered relief Joey was feeling.
Robin shook his hand and couldn’t resist giving him a hug as well. Flash was overheard whispering "Yesss!" as he hugged Linda who also wept from happiness.
"Shy, may we?" Wonder Woman asked.
"Of course, just give him back okay?" Shayera said, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Wonder Woman hugged him, and said "I’m glad you’re all right!"
Before he could say anything, Vixen was also hugging him, saying "Good to have you back!"
Before he could reply to her, Batgirl also hugged him saying "You scared me big brother, don’t do it again I kick your ass!"
He chuckled.
"Okay I want him back now!" Hawkgirl said, also chuckling.
Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and Flash all came to shake his hand.
"I believe we should let him rest now." Martian Manhunter said. "While he’s snapped out of the coma I can sense he is quite drained … and thirsty."
"Sound advice." Dr Wilder said. "He should be on his feet quite soon."
More handshakes and they left. Shayera handed a glass of water with a straw to Joey who took a small sip, as the Doctor was removing the IV drip.
"You know, you can go back to your quarters and sleep more comfortably, heck use my apartment." He said.
"I nearly lost you, nothing doing. I’m here until you are on your feet!" She said.
Minding his sore jaw, he turned to kiss her. "Shy, when did you start calling me baby?" he said teasingly.
"Shut up!" she said, smiling.
"I love you too angel, I love you too." They kissed again.
The End