Chapter 75

Harry and Mera circled around the parameter of the rune stones. What they were doing, it was new technology combined with magic. So much could go wrong, that they did not even want to get it. But if it worked on Nina, then there was a chance it would work on Barbara.

"This should work," Harry concluded. "We've taken every step in the world. You're sure you want to go through with this?"

"Yes," Nina said.

"We've taken every precaution in the world to make sure this does not go south," Harry explained. "And more importantly, you don't turn into a more feral cat creature than you are."

Mera just offered a soft smile and added onto what Harry was saying.

"The problem is you won't be changed back completely. But you will be able to shift back from your human form to your cat form at will. Providing this is successful and we've run several simulations, so there's a good chance that the enchantments will be perfectly on track."

"I understand," Nina said. "Best of both worlds."

"It should work and it's perfectly safe," Diana said. "And once this works on you, I can...help Minerva."

Diana brimmed with confidence in her words, but Karen held out her hand to stop Diana. They were taking no chances, none at all.

"Everyone stand back behind the barriers," Karen said. "The shields are reinforced with the strongest of magical energy. Everyone be careful."

Nina waited for the machine to strike her. To be fair, she was not too broken up about the fact that she was this way. Nina Dowd, she had not been very confident. Now, she had been more confident. Still, there had been a light at the tunnel with the fact that if this device worked, she could turn between forms at will.

The wait had been long. Karen flipped the switch and the beam of light hit all of the rune stones in a circle. After they all lit up, a tickling blue light hit Nina and caused her to shiver. Something shifted inside of her body and for a second, Nina, along with the rest of the group in the lab thought the process worked.

Those thoughts had been dashed when all of the rune stones in the circle exploded one by one. Everyone sighed at the frustration and Harry in particular slapped himself on the face.

"I know it should have worked," Harry said. "But the channeling focus, it was too weak. It did not hold up under the pressure."

"We're going to need a stronger metal," Diana said.

"A stronger...you're kidding me right?"

Karen understood what Diana was trying to say, only they did not know what stronger metal they could be using. There had been metals that were far stronger, but they were increasingly rare.

"Vibranium could work, if you're fortunate enough to get your hands on some."

Harry looked up with a smile as Lena Luthor walked around the corner. Harry and Diana greeted her as well, with Mera offering her a casual nod.

"Vibranium?" Mera asked. "That could be tricky."

"I would agree," Diana said.

"Especially given the only country in the world is Wakanda who has it, who have been notoriously guarded with their secrets," Harry added. "And with King T'challa falling thanks to Aresia's plague, there has been much political upheaval. So they have their own problems without them solving our own."

Everyone sighed, that was a problem. However despite the frustration everyone was feeling because of this entire situation, Diana grew very thoughtful.

"The only time Vibranium was gifted to a foreign nation was here in the United States. It was a shield and I fought almost of the bearer of the shield during the second world war."

Harry could have slapped himself for not coming to the conclusion sooner.

On the rooftop, Artemis and the Green Arrow peered down at their target. The one and only Silken Spider, and she had struck, dragging a very terrified man out by the collar of his neck and out into the city streets.

"Bernelle Jones...he's a reporter, so obviously, he's made all kinds of friends. His daughter, the terrified girl in the window, is Suzanne King Jones, or Cissie as she's known as. Her mother is Bonnie King, although she's out of town. And come to think of it, she went to Star City High School about a year over you. You know her, don't you?"

"We've met," Green Arrow said.

Leave it to Felicity to give them everything that they needed to know. And perhaps it was Artemis's imagination at work, but the Green Arrow raised an eyebrow at the news of the person who was being attacked. Perhaps it was a trick of light, actually it should have been a trick of light.

"Let's move," Oliver said.

Silken Spider dangled the man upside down. The two archers moved down to meet her. She was not alone, not alone at all. Artemis sighed because she traveled in a pack. And the other two were close behind.

A stinging attack from Dragonfly sent the Green Arrow back. Oliver did a cartwheel in mid-air to avoid the attack. She blasted two of his arrows out of mid-air. With Tigermoth coming from behind Artemis and engaging her in battle. The archer's bow fired three arrows in succession.

These three skilled lady assassins proved to be more than a handful for this trio of archers. Artemis sucked in her breath, and realized that they were outnumbered and more importantly, they were outgunned. They were extremely outgunned.

Red Arrow came down and knocked Tigermoth out of the way. Dragonfly turned her attention towards Red Arrow. Red Arrow blocked a stinging jab, grabbed Dragonfly around the arm and cracked her back to the ground with a sickening impact. She kipped up and nailed her enemy.

Green Arrow saved Bernelle Jones from becoming a street pizza. Silken Spider tried to web onto his bow. Green Arrow blocked it, rushing up the wall and hitting Silken Spider with three arrows, in succession. One of them created a net which webbed up the Silken Spider.

"Good on you to show up, even after everything," Felicity said.

"Well, I was in the neighborhood," Red Arrow said. "So, the girl's mother is Bonnie Jones;Oliver knew her in High School."

Here, the Green Arrow showed up at Red Arrow's shoulder and was frowning.

"What are you trying to imply?" Green Arrow asked.

"Oh, nothing," Red Arrow said.

With Jones out of harm's way, and the three lady assassins wrapped up, Green Arrow could talk to his sister and former sidekick in peace, at least a little bit. He had been wanting to talk to her about a very important thing.

"The Justice League is coming up on a new membership drive and your name is on the shortlist," Green Arrow said.

Despite her initial excitement on the matter, Thea had grown a little bit skeptical. Perhaps it was experience, but she wanted to hear the full story.

"But, before you join, could you spend a little time with the Team? To set a good example."

Thea thought about this for a minute and weighed the pros and cons. She had been against the entire Junior Justice League thing before. But seeing the team in action recently and working with them, she had warmed up to the idea. Plus, it would allow her to join the League soon.

"Sure, I'll do it," Red Arrow said. "But, I really hope that you're not leading me on again."

"No, there's a pretty good chance," Green Arrow said. "I hate to say this, but you striking out on your own has improved your chances, as people could see what you could do as a solo act."

Thea just smiled and appreciated that sentiment from Oliver. He did not apologize for the situation back in July, but...maybe this was progress. A month or so on the team, it would not hurt her. And it would allow her to spend more time with Harry, which was not a bad thing.

Lena invited Harry to lunch and naturally Harry accepted her invitation. It appeared Lena felt a bit guilty for Harry being left at Cadmus for such a long time.

"I'm glad that you've done so well," Lena said. "You could get into any college you want, they're just lining up around the block. Although, you should not have been in Cadmus for as long as you had."

Lena had every intention of extracting Harry earlier. Lex and his manipulations had other plans.

"Well, no one could have seen you getting put out for months," Harry told her. "And besides, things worked out this way in the reason. I would not have been able to properly find myself if it hadn't been for the Team."

"Well, I'm pleased that you've made such good friends," Lena said.

Despite Harry turning out well, Lena could only imagine how Harry had turned out had she got him out of Cadmus when intended. But, she supposed he managed to do just as well. And very handsome, and with many women attracted to him. Lena could not fault his taste.

"So, have you thought about making any progress on the spinal surgery?" Harry asked her.

Lena's ears perked up at Harry mentioning one of her pet projects.

"Well, once I have everything else back running, I intend to go forward on the project," Lena said. "This could change the world if it catches on. I'm just glad Lex didn't have any interest in it...but knowing him, he would miss the point. It's not about the money this time, it's about giving people a second chance to live life."

"And a mother of one of my friends, she was looking into your surgery," Harry said. "I was hoping to get you to talk to her, if you don't mind. She would really appreciate it."

Now, Lena had been interested, and if it would help someone Harry knew, all that much the better. Some people did not think her surgery would work, but Lena would disagree with them.

A group of ARGUS agents marched beside an armored truck which had rolled on its way out to the mountains. The leader of the ground force stopped short and stared at a very irregular lump in the middle of the road. They did not know what to make of it, other then there being trouble.

"What the hell?"

The roadblock in the middle of the road exploded and forced the ARGUS agents to move backwards in the midst of the smoke and fire, which practically choked them. Some kind of gas even seeped in through their masks and made visibility an impossibility.

Sportsmaster dropped down and rolled a bowling ball into the middle of the street. The ball exploded and sent the ARGUS agents back in frustration. Off to his side, three more figures appeared in the smoke. Cheshire, Scandal, and Knockout arrived beside him.

"I don't know what's in that truck that upper management wants so bad," Sportsmaster said.

"Something big," Cheshire said. "Let's get this over with."

Cheshire had wanted to spend as little time in the presence of her father as possible. They had a mission, and most frustratingly, Cheshire did not find out what it was. They had closed her out of the loop, seeing her as muscle and nothing more.

Knockout punched the back of the truck and caused it to open. The guards in the truck moved out. Scandal just smiled and looked at them before retracting her blades. She jumped up and nailed the guards, causing them all to topple to the ground one by one with a furious attack.

With the ARGUS agents out of the way, the quartet of villains came face to face with a red, white, and blue shield, which flashed brightly and caught their interest.

"That's the tackiest thing I've ever seen," Sportsmaster said.

"Have you seen a mirror lately?" Cheshire asked.

"Tacky or not, that shield's made of Vibranium," Scandal said.

"God bless America," Sportsmaster said.

They could do a lot of damage with something like that. The rarest and best metal on Earth.

The entire team, other than Harry, crowded around in the cave. Thea stepped into the cave, with Whitney, Helena, and Mareena all walking over to her, once the news she had been joining the team.

"Wait, so you're joining the team?" Helena asked. "After everything that's happened, you're joining the team."

"Yes, I'm joining the team," Thea said. "I figured, time to stop being stubborn and give this team thing a chance...see where it goes."

"Hey, we're getting a bit crowded in here, but we could use someone like you around here," Whitney said. "Someone with a bit more experience. You can make sure make sure we don't get into too much trouble."

They all laughed, none louder than Thea.

"In all seriousness, Thea, welcome aboard," Mareena said.

Thea just smiled. She hated to be the one to admit this, but this should have been a long time coming. Her stubbornness made it such which she did not join the team. But, then again, her solo act got the League to look at her more of a serious hero.

"I'm glad to be here," Thea said.

"Hey, it's great that we're going to be able to spend more time together," Sara said. "Kicking some ass."

Off to the side, Artemis shuffled back and forth and offered a big smile towards Thea. Thea raised an eyebrow.

"You don't have a problem with me being on the Team, do you?" Thea asked.

"No, we're cool," Artemis replied.

Despite Artemis's cheerful words, there seemed to be an undercurrent of something else to them. Thea could not have a further discussion with Artemis, explaining why she's on the team, before the doors opened and Harry arrived into the cave.

"Did you hear the good news?" Thea asked. "I'm joining the team!"

"Really?" Harry asked. "That's great."

"I know," Thea said. "And now all I have to do is wait around for something to call us into action."

Despite that good news happening, someone buzzed in Thea's ear. Thea answered it, and Harry switched his comm on as well, piggy-backing off of Thea's signal.

"The Leagues in the middle of their meeting and I really didn't want to disturb them with this, but I know you might want to know this," Felicity said. "But, we have a little problem. An ARGUS transport has been attacked, by Sportsmaster and some of his associates."

"Did you figure out what he stole?" Harry asked.

"Well, I've got it straight from the source, but he stole Vibranium," Felicity said. "The rarest, but most dangerous metal on Earth which is pretty strange when you think of it."

The entire team had been listening in on the call right now.

"I'm surprised that it's in the United States," Mareena said.

Donna's mouth opened up shock, and they were all thinking about the same thing.

"That's it...that's the Shield that Diana wanted to find, that could help Cheetah, wasn't it?" Donna asked.

"Thanks, we've been looking for what Sportsmaster stole," Harry said. "The question is, how did you know?"

"Well, I have a contact in ARGUS, who keeps me informed," Felicity said. "Although, she expected me to contact Green Arrow, who would contact the League but the truck last it was seen was closer to the cave."

Thea prepared to suit up, for her first official mission. Technically not League sanctioned, but given that Harry was working on Wonder Woman on a project, technically it was. Artemis followed them out the door, along with Sara. Only a small group was needed for this mission.

Hopefully the trail had not gone cold.

Harry realized that if Lena was right, if he got his hands on just a small piece of this Vibranium, he would be able to finish the device and help both of the transformed cat girls. Allow them to take on a more human form, if they wished to.

The entire League crammed into the conference room. The first person to pop up on the screen was Red Arrow, and here they were talking about her.

"Red Arrow is the first member on the list of potential new League recruits," Batman said.

"I abstain from this discussion," Green Arrow said.

"She has done a lot," Black Canary said.

"But, she reacted in a childish manner back in July," Aquaman said. "She stormed out of the Hall of Justice. Do we really want to risk another flare up?"

"That was more my fault than anything else," Green Arrow muttered.

"She's got a bit of an attitude problem," Hawkwoman conceded. "But, all of us tend to fly off the handle from time to time. I say we give her a chance, or at least take a close look at her."

"She's helped step up to defend the people of Star City when they needed to," Wonder Woman said.

"Although, I'm not sure if adding another archer to the team would be wise," Red Tornado offered. "It seems a bit redundant...although one could argue that Red Arrow is more skilled with a bow than Green Arrow is."

Oliver could not deny this fact.

"Red Arrow has made strides," Batman said. "But, we also have to consider whether or not she is joining the League for the right reasons. We do not need any people with entitlement on this team."

"Well, no one's perfect," Black Canary said. "I think she's matured over the last six months. She's agreed to join the team without any fuss, proving that she would be a team player."

"Only because Green Arrow dangled the promise of joining the Justice League in front of her," Power Girl argued.

She had no problems with Red Arrow, only playing the devil's advocate. The League muttered each other, thoughtfully.

After the discussion efforts of Red Arrow had been exhausted, and they put her down as a potential new recruit, the image of Superman flickered across the screen. Green Arrow reacted to this with sigh.

"I'm not sure whether or not Superboy is a good fit for the League," Green Arrow said.

Black Canary rolled her eyes and she was about ready to say something cutting in response. A cross look from Wonder Woman prevented her from jumping up and causing a scene.

"I think the lad has a nice head on his shoulders, and he's a natural born leader," Aquaman said.

Green Arrow turned to Aquaman, unable to believe that he of all people, would be defending Superman, despite the circumstances.

"He's sleeping with your wife," Green Arrow replied bluntly.

"My vows to Mera indicate that we should be happy in our arrangement," Aquaman said. "I see no problems with our arrangement."

"So, the King of Atlantis is a cuck," Green Arrow murmured.

"Really, Ollie?" Black Canary asked. "I thought you were Liberal."

"I don't know what that means," Aquaman slowly replied.

Aquaman just sighed, he would never really get the hang-ups of surface dwellers. None of it made any sense.

"Much with Green Arrow did with Red Arrow, I abstain from discussion on Superman," Superwoman said.

"Oh, I think that Superman would be perfect for the Justice League," Hawkwoman said. "He is strong, he is bold, he can inspire people to do great things. And he gives us some fire power."

"Yes, but he's young," John Stewart, the Green Lantern, said. "He's raw, with a lot of power, but how is he going to handle some of the situations the League has? Besides, he has gone off the books several times on rogue missions. That would not be a good look for the League."

"If you're talking about the Perdita thing, that was a good cause," Power Girl said. "Which….I actually agree with Green Lantern and Green Arrow. Superman would not be a good fit for the League."

Everyone just stared at Power Girl in shock. She had been the last person who would talk down Superman, or at least they thought so.

"Because, he would be handcuffed by League policy, and would not be as successful as he is right now," Power Girl said. "And besides, he's a package deal with the Team. You know this. Either they get recruited, or he doesn't join."

"Well, that just shows that his loyalties aren't towards the League, then," Red Tornado said. "Therefore, it would be illogical to recruit Superman, despite his capabilities, because it would be a miserable relationship for both parties."

"I think...we should give it a chance," Black Canary said. "Ask him."

"You would," Green Arrow said.

"It's a controversial pick, and I agree Superman is not a cut and dry answer to recruit for the League," Batman said. "We will have to discuss this further, and we will put him up for a vote later."

Batman thought they would have to take everything into consideration. Superman had only been out of the box for less than six months and there was also concern about how well he would work with an organization like the League. He was independent and some might call him a loose cannon who did not like playing with authority.

"Wasp would be a good recruit," Power Girl said.

"Yes, she was helpful against Brainiac," Superwoman said.

"How about Nightwing?" Green Arrow asked. "She's been at this for longer than Red Arrow and…."

"She wouldn't leave the Titans," Batman curtly responded. "And it's just not a good idea to even ask."

After the entire incident with the simulator, Rebecca had been given him a cold shoulder and it had not been entirely unwarranted, in Batman's mind.

The image of a very attractive blonde woman wearing a red uniform appeared. It fit her body in a teasing, but tasteful manner. She had flown into the sky in a very heroic pose before them.

"Captain Marvel...well the other Captain Marvel," Wonder Woman said.

Here, Captain Marvel, Mary, squirmed. She remained quiet, despite having some opinions. With the entire incident of her, and earlier Billy, being underage, she just waited to be voted out of the League. No one said anything yet.

"It would be nice to have some added firepower to the team," Power Girl said.

"She's most certainly not shy about sharing her opinions," Green Lantern said.

"Well, it's not like that's without precedent in the League," Martian Manhunter said, speaking up for the first time.

"I say we recruit her," Superwoman said.

"So, is it because you think she's Kryptonian?" Wonder Woman asked. "Much like you thought that the other Captain Marvel was? Both of them?"

Superwoman just responded with a long smile and said nothing.

Doctor Ivo, still in his prison best, had joined Klarion and the Brain. The Brain had been in a dour mood, ever since losing Mallah. Klarion, did his best to support the Brain in his own way.

"So, you lost him," Klarion said. "But in the game of life, sacrifices must be made."

A long pause followed and Klarion looked thoughtful one more time.

"Or maybe that's Monopoly. Or maybe Candyland."

Klarion chuckled and everyone, more than used to his eccentries made him no mind.

"Besides, we got our hands on the Vibranium," Ivo said. "I never thought, as long as I would live, I would be able to get my hands on a metal quite like this was amazing."

Klarion snapped his fingers and made Ivo return back to the conversation. They did not need the man to choke to death on his own drool before they were ready to get going.

"Stay focused," Klarion said. "We went to a lot of trouble busting you out. We're not going to let you just choke to death on your own spit now."

"Right," Ivo said. "And no one knows that I'm gone."

"Oh, they won't, the plan is foolproof," Klarion said. "And with those fools in the League distracted, we can do this."

The Nano-Technology, the Vibranium, and that weird Starfish piece Nygma stole. The entire mixture would be very devious. Combined with a dash of chaos and Klarion could almost grow giddy. It would be the next phase in the Light's plan and allow them to shine brightly most of all.

"Professor, you're on," Klarion said.

Superman dropped down to the ground right in front of the ARGUS transport vehicle or rather what was left of it. Artemis, Red Arrow, and White Canary followed on their bikes and came a moment later. Harry levitated the damaged piece of a broken bowling bowl out of the ground.

"Sportsmaster's handiwork alright," Artemis said.

"But, even he can't punch the back of a truck," Thea said.

"Well, it's not like he's on some kind of new steroid or something," Artemis said. "But I don't think he can do this, not even if he was pumping up."

Showed that one of Sportsmaster's companions were of the super powered variety. Harry began to piece together an idea in his head.

Just seconds before Harry could move, something came off to the side. A glowing purple spear whizzed past his ear and hit the side of the overturned truck, further damaging it. Another spear hit the ground and caused the ground beneath the team members to explode.

"What the hell just hit us?" Red Arrow asked.

White Canary rose up to open her mouth. A metal clamp flew through the air and wired around her jaw. The impact of her Canary Cry sent her flying back and landing down onto the ground.

Artemis rolled over to the side and drew back her bow. Another dagger, hit the ground and sent the bow just flying off to the side.

Something rustling in the bush and Harry flicked away the cover. A figure deep in the push moved out, drawing some kind of weapon. The purple daggers glowed in the hands of this attacker.

"I'm here for the Vibranium," she said.

"Wait, the Black Panther?" Red Arrow asked. "Obviously a new one...but…"

The Black Panther was here, and was here to take no prisoners. Of course, Superman hated to be the one to break to her the Vibranium likely had been long gone. And something told Harry that she would not be happy with this fact.

"So, is there any male heroes left?" Green Arrow asked. "Other than the obvious...of course because I'm feeling a little bit outnumbered here."

Black Canary, Power Girl, Hawkwoman, and Wonder Woman all rolled their eyes. Batman decided to jump in and say something before it would derail the entire mission.

"Icon and his partner Rocket...Icon would be perfect to join the League...and she would be perfect to join the Team," Batman said.

John Stewart snapped his fingers. He had been thinking about something, and he really wanted to ask the League about it.

"Back home, there's been rumors, whispers, that Black Lightning is back," John said.

"I thought he died eight years ago?" Hawkwoman asked.

"Never was a body," Green Arrow said. "Rule one for the hero, if there's no body...there's no death."

"And even if there is a body, it might not be them," The Martian Manhunter said wisely. "But, are you sure that it's Black Lightning?"

"I don't know, but he might be a good recruit for the League," John said. "He's been at this for longer than a lot of us."

"You know, after we lost Hal...we could use another Green Lantern," Green Arrow said. "What was the other Lantern's name...Gardner…"

"NO!" John yelled.

"But, we could…."

"Absolutely not," John said, very adamant in his words. "We don't want to recruit Superman because he's a loose cannon and Guy makes him look like a boy scout."

"We haven't voted him down yet," Red Tornado corrected John.

"What's the deal with Guy Gardner?" Flash asked. "Is he really that bad?"

"Oh, he's been up to the Guardians for my hearings than any other recruit I've seen, and he makes Hal look like me," John said.

John had been adamant and would shoot down Guy. Working with the guy on Green Lantern missions had been bad enough. He always ground John's nerves the wrong way.

"I thought Gardner was around before hand," Flash said. "When Hal died...didn't the Guardians recruit another person to take his place?"

A good question, John thought, and he honestly did not know.

"I'll ask around. But whoever it was, they might still be in training."

They had a few more possible recruits to discuss and they move around the table. But after all of the pros and cons, and with no one really dismissed off hand, it would be time to put this matter to a vote.

"I recommend you move out of my way," Black Panther said. "I have methods to take down Superwoman and they should work on you."

A shield of pure steel with a bit of Kryptonite mixed in shot at Superman and wrapped him up into a cocoon. Red Arrow attempted to attack, but Black Panther stomped her down to the ground.

Finally, White Canary freed herself of the mouth clamp. Her jaw was so sore it hurt to talk however.

"Good idea...but…."

Harry vibrated through the containment device and appeared at Black Panther's shoulder. He grabbed the woman and flipped her to the ground.

"I'm not Superwoman," Harry said.

"And we're after the person who stole the shield, for your information," Red Arrow said. "And thanks to you...he's gotten a head start.

Black Panther could have kicked herself. She had been so obsessed with following T'challa's last wish, she fell into the same trap that T'challa often fell into during his life. And she often criticized him for doing so.

"Who took the shield?" she asked.

"A criminal named Sportsmaster, but we have reason to believe he's not working alone," Superman said.

"Then, I offer you my humble apologies," Black Panther said. "But, I will pick up the trail. And find my country's property."

"I thought the shield was a gift from the King of Wakanda to Captain America?" Red Arrow asked.

Black Panther stopped short and turned around.

"It was. But once the recipient had died, it's possession should have reverted back to Wakanda. And it's theft here proves that it needs to be safely locked up."

Harry just frowned. Getting a piece of the shield would be difficult, if Black Panther had been sent to retrieve it. And given how she attacked them for a minor thing, Harry would hate to see what she would do.

"Someone resembling Sportsmaster has been sighted," Felicity chimed in. "Due North from here."

And that's where the team was heading.

"Nothing out here but woods," Artemis said.

Harry could sense something in the air. Black Panther already slipped off in the confusion, and had likely followed the trail in her own way. And Harry and the girls needed to pick it up. Vibranium had been highly unpredictable and it was hard to say what Sportsmaster could do with something like that.

Nothing pleasant, Harry figured.