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JSA
Crawling From the Wreckage
Book Oneby anubis8, rubberman41, starsky_hutch76, jsagl, & LadyObie33
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 1
by anubis8
Setting: The Gotham Memorial Hospital on Earth-Two, one week after the defeat of the Anti-Monitor, where a special wing had been set up to tend to those who were injured during the Crisis.
Richard Grayson sat at the bedside of Helena Wayne (better known to the world at large as the costumed heroine, the Huntress.) Helena had been comatose since being severely injured during the last days of the Crisis.
As Dick looked down at the woman who he had watched grow up before his eyes and thought of has the sister he never had, tears welled up in his eyes. "Helena, I hope that you can hear me. It's Dick. I know that you're in there struggling for your freedom. Please... come back. We... no, I need you to get better. Since Bruce's death, you're the only family that I have left, and I'm not ready to lose you too."
"Dick?"
He turned to see Power Girl standing in the doorway, holding a bouquet of flowers. As he slowly stood to greet her, he noticed that she, too, had been crying. He thought to himself, Poor Kara. First losing your only surviving relative to this damn thing and then to see your best friend lying here, it must be taking an incredible toll, even for you.
"Kara, it's good to see you. How are you holding up?"
Mustering up a half smile, she simply replied, "I've been better. How about you? You look as if you haven't slept since they admitted her."
Dick slowly walked over to Helena's bed and nodded and said, "She's all that I have left. There's no way that I would be able to leave her here, alone."
Kara slowly walked up behind him, placing her arm around him, and laid her head on his shoulder and said, "Dick, she'll never be alone. If there's anything that you count on in this thing we call life, it's that the JSA always looks after its own."
Smiling, he simply said, "I've always known that. Thanks to Bruce and the JSA I was never deprived of a family. Granted, it wasn't exactly your everyday nuclear family, but that didn't matter to me." A pause. "Kara? Have you had a chance to check on the condition of Ted or any of the others?"
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 2
by rubberman41
Clark Kent looked out over his balcony at the destruction that was widespread across Metropolis, the city he loved. The world has taken a beating from this so-called Crisis, he thought to himself, it will take a lot of work to return the luster to Metropolis.
As Clark was pondering this to himself his wife Lois Lane had stepped out of the shower; she walked towards him, drying her hair. "Clark, I know that look, you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders again." She sighed. "I thought we were taking a day off; you can save the world tomorrow. Tonight, you're all mine." Lois pulled Clark's head down and kissed him passionately.
The couple broke the kiss, as Clark sighed, "I wish Bruce was here, he'd know a way to fix everything." Clark went back to the window. "I feel so useless; Bruce's own daughter is lying in a hospital in critical condition and all I can do is sit and watch."
Lois gently grabbed Clark by the chin, turning his head to look at her. "Bruce Wayne was just a normal man; well, just a normal man who dressed as a bat and skulked around in the dark," she said, giggling. "He would be the first to tell that one man can't solve everything that comes along, and not even a 'superman' can."
She walked over to the light switch on the wall and dimmed the light. "You can help with the clean-up tomorrow, Superman, but tonight you are my special hero," she said as she dropped the towel covering her and walked into the bedroom.
Clark started to follow her, but stopped in his tracks. "Well, Lois, I guess our little night together will have to wait. I just heard a fire at the Quality Chemical plant. Rain check?" he asked.
"Go on, those people need help; I'll call the Star and get someone on the story," Lois said sighing. "Be careful out there," she said to the gust of wind which was where her husband had just been standing.
"Life's a beach when you're married to the Man of Steel," she laughed as she started dialing the phone.
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 3
by starsky_hutch76
"Is everything all set, Jimmy?" Lois asked.
"The cake just arrived," James Olsen said from the other end of the phone. "Clark won't know what hit him."
"I knew I could count on you," Lois laughed.
"So will you be able to make it?"
"I'll try," Lois said. "But I have a lot of things to take care of around here, and this is really an occasion for all of you at the Daily Star."
"Considering how long you worked here, it wouldn't be the same without you," James said.
"That's sweet of you to say, Jimmy, but most of the faces around there wouldn't recognize me, or vice versa. But I'll try to make it there if my schedule frees up here."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
After saying their goodbyes, Lois Lane tiptoed over to the guest room to look in on the sleeping figure that would be keeping her so busy.
She couldn't get over it. He looked exactly like Clark, only even younger than the day she laid eyes on Superman. Much younger, in fact. He couldn't be a day over fourteen. She and Clark had always wanted to have children of their own, but their physiologies were just too different. Now they had one almost fully grown. The Superboy she'd always expected to have.
The chemical fire was simple enough to put out. After all the years he'd been at it, he could do this sort of thing in his sleep. He ducked into an alley to do a quick change and then walked into the building of the Daily Star. He took the elevator up to the floor of his office, and when he stepped off the elevator he was greeted with a loud "Surprise!"
Hanging from the ceiling was a banner that read, "Happy Retirement. We'll miss you!" A throng of happy faces stared at him, waiting for a reaction.
"I... I don't know what to say," he stammered. "You guys shouldn't have." Apparently it was the desired reaction, because it received a round of applause.
He'd told Jimmy he didn't want a big "to-do" over his retirement, that he'd rather just come in and do his final day's work and then quietly say his good-byes. He'd bet his last dollar that Lois had something to do with this. Not that Jimmy would've needed much encouragement.
Well, the least he could do was show his appreciation to everyone. Letting out a chuckle, he went forth to greet the party givers.
JSA Headquarters, Gotham City...
In the monitor room, Ted Knight and Rex Tyler were attempting to get the transmatter unit back on line, with little success. Princess Diana had brought her mother's magic sphere, but even it was meeting with limited success in breaching the barrier between worlds.
Alan Scott arrived to find his three comrades working feverishly. "Afternoon, everyone. How's it going?"
Ted looked up at Alan and smiled. "Wish I had better news to report, Mr. Chairman, but so far nothing. We did manage to get a short message to and from the JLA, but that's about it."
"What about Jay?"
In that moment, the Scarlet Speedster entered the room. "No luck, either, Alan. I've tried matching my vibratory speeds to the one I know for Earth-One, but nothing happens. I really want to get over there and make sure Wally's okay. Barry's death can't have been easy on him."
Diana approached the two. "I understand your feelings, Jay. My counterpart was reverted to clay during the final battle against the Anti-Monitor. I hope that my sisters on Earth-One have been told of her fate. Alan, even though I have been unable to pierce the veil between worlds, we have been able to use the magic sphere to determine one thing: There were five universes that survived the Crisis."
Walking over to the magic sphere, Diana showed the assembled JSAers a picture of five Earths, separated by dimensional vibrations.
"Do we know which Earths they are?" Hourman asked.
"Yes, Rex," Diana replied,"Our own Earth, and Earths One, Four, S, and X."
Green Lantern looked at the others for a moment,"Hmm. I know Earth-X is the home of the Freedom Fighters, and Earth-S is the home of the Marvel family that we met a few years back, but Earth-Four?"
Starman answered as he went back to tinkering with the Transmatter device, "I met a few of those heroes briefly: Captain Atom, Nightshade, Blue Beetle... that guy was a real clown..."
"I see," Green Lantern said, "Well, keep me informed of your progress."
"Speaking of progress, how's the Hawk doing?" Flash asked.
"As well as can be expected. I spoke with Shiera this morning, and she said he is recovering slowly but surely."
"I'll be glad when the whole team is back in shape..." Hourman commented.
"I'm off to check on Wildcat in the hospital. I'll check in later." And with an emerald burst, Green Lantern was gone...
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 5
by starsky_hutch76
Setting: Gotham Memorial Hospital, in Ted Grant's room.
Al Pratt stared out the window, his mind a million miles away, trying to take in all that had happened over the past few weeks. Behind him laid Ted Grant, the fallen warrior known as Wildcat.
"Al, are you listening to anything I'm saying here, or what?" Frustrated by the lack of response from his old friend, Ted yelled, "Dammit, Al! Could you at least look at me!"
Al Pratt slowly turned around to look at the man he had stood beside in battle for the past forty years trying not to snap back at him. "Ted, look. I understand your anger, but there's no need to go yelling at me, I'm listening!"
Ted glanced down at the two white casts that covered him from the waist down. Hmmm, he thought to himself, those used to be my legs. Now look at them, Hell, look at me. He began to look back up at Al, his voice slowly rising as he yelled back, "You understand my anger? That's what you're telling me? I'm the one lying here with both of my legs broken into a million pieces, with little hope of ever walking again, and you know how I feel?!"
"Ted..." Al knew that this was just a release for the frustration that had been building up inside of Wildcat since he was injured, and now it was time for him (of all people) to calm his friend down before he did any further damage to himself. "Doc Mid-Nite hasn't said anything about you never being able to use your legs again. Only time will tell. And I'm telling you that this outburst of yours isn't exactly following doctor's orders."
"Al's right, Ted," Charles McNider said as he strolled into the room holding Ted's chart. "I have the results back from the latest round of tests we ran on you."
"And?" asked Al and Ted in unison as they glanced at one another.
"Well, gentlemen, if these tests are as accurate as they are supposed to be, our friend here has about a seventy-five percent chance of gaining back full use of his legs."
"Seventy-five percent? That's great! Isn't it Ted?" Al smiled has he looks over.
"Seventy-five percent, Al. Naw, that ain't great, but it's a start. And just knowing that ol' Wildcat hasn't gone down for the final count will give me enough willpower to get back to one-hundred percent!"
"Willpower, huh? Well if that's not a perfect segue for my entrance, than I don't know what is," Alan Scott said as he glided through the emerald hole that had formed on the wall.
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 6
by starsky_hutch76
Richard Grayson and Karen Starr left Helena Wayne's hospital room and walked to the waiting room. There they saw the gathered members of Infinity, Inc. watching a program on television.
"What are you watching?" Power Girl asked them.
"Some old 'forties guy," said Todd Rice. "Dice something or 'nother."
Some old 'forties guy? Dick cringed internally. He was some old 'forties guy. He could remember sneaking off to see his movies as a boy. The only other person in the room who could probably say that was Sylvester Pemberton.
"I wouldn't just call him some 'forties guy," Hector Hall said. "Andrew 'Dice' Clay was the inspiration for guys like Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and Richard Pryor.
"Whatever," Todd said.
"How is she?" Lyta Trevor asked, changing the subject to avoid a needless argument.
"The same," Dick sighed. "I keep hoping for any kind of sign."
"I hate this," Lyta Trevor said, clenching her fists in frustration. "She was my inspiration to become a hero. Sure, I wanted to live up to my mother's example, but it was the Huntress who showed me it was possible."
Hector put his arm around Lyta's shoulders. "That goes for all of us."
"There must be some way to help her," Norda said.
Lyta suddenly looked up. A light had come in to her eyes. "There is! I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner!"
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 7
by jsagl
Elsewhere...
In the nether-realm between worlds, Dr. Fate and the Spectre were also attempting to reach Earth-One...
"Nothing. I reach out and can feel the gossamer threads that link this world to our own, and the moment I feel that I have connected, they slip away, like sands flowing in an hourglass..." Fate said, his expression unknowable behind his golden mask.
The Spectre reached out to touch Earth-One, but it slipped through his hands, much like water in a raging river.
"This is maddening! Never before has the Spectre been denied access to wherever he chooses, and yet I cannot bridge the gap between worlds."
"Yes, I recall during the battle with Anti-Matter Man, you successfully became a bridge between our two Earths..."
"Do not remind me, Fate. It was not one of my prouder moments."
"Indeed, as I recall, it was Batman who saved the day where you and I could not. Seems highly unlikely, does it not?"
The Spectre stared at Fate for a moment, a whisper of a smile playing across his ghostly lips, but it was gone swiftly, much like the Cheshire Cat. "Speaking of highly unlikely, perhaps there is one avenue we have yet to explore..." The Spectre waved his cape, and out popped a very bewildered Johnny Thunder...
"Whoah!!! Where am I? Doc Fate? Spectre? Say, you must have something pretty big going on to call me in! What is this place, anyway?"
Just as soon as he said it, the Thunderbolt popped in. "Master John, this certainly qualifies as the second weirdest place you've summoned me to..."
Fate spoke: "Johnny, this is Limbo... a place that exists between our world and the other dimensional Earths. The Spectre and I have tried rather unsuccessfully to bridge the gap between our Earth and the others."
The Spectre turned to Johnny. "It was our thought that your Thunderbolt might succeed where we have thus far failed."
Johnny smiled as wide as the Mississippi. "Huh! the JSA's two most powerful members turning to little old me for help? Gosh, guys, I'm flattered. Y'know, I remember back in '47 when Dinah..."
"Enough!!! Cease thy endless prattle, John Thunder and command your Thunderbolt!" the Spectre whispered and shouted at the same time.
Johnny gulped, "Uh uh uh uh uh T-Bolt, take me to Earth-One... fast!!!"
"Sure, Master John, no problem."
Johnny looked at the Thunderbolt.
The Thunderbolt looked at Johnny.
Fate looked at the Spectre.
The Spectre looked unhappy...
"This defies explanation... Magic is unable to break the dimensional barrier, and yet Theodore Knight is able to send a message to Earth-One. What in the name of heaven's host is going on?"
"Calm yourself, James Corrigan. Existence itself has been torn asunder and has only begun to heal. It may be awhile before we can leave our world. I sense no malevolence here..."
"Perhaps, you are right, Fate..."
And with that, the four figures vanished and returned to Earth-Two...
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 8
by starsky_hutch76
Back at the Daily Star...
"Somehow I always figured it would be you handing me this instead of the other way around," James Olsen said, holding out the gold watch for Clark Kent. Clark was startled by the high-pitched sound that only he could hear come from it when he accidentally pressed a button. Jimmy gave him a playful wink.
Later, after the rest of the staff had left, Jimmy and Clark sat in his now bare office. His mementos sat in a box upon his desk.
"Boy, Clark, you could have knocked me over with a feather when you told me what you did."
"Come on, Jimmy," Clark said with a smirk. "A reporter of your caliber? Surely you're not going to sit there and tell me you didn't at least have some suspicion. Lois figured it out years ago. Even before we were married."
"Well, yeah," Jimmy laughed. "I guess it just blew me away that you finally got around to telling me."
"As long as we've been friends, I just figured you deserved to know the truth about why we're just all of a sudden picking up and moving."
"Well, I guess it would raise a lot of suspicions if you were to just suddenly turn up with a teenage son no one's heard of before."
"It'll be a lot easier to get away with that in Smallville," Clark said. "Most of those people haven't seen me in years. They'll have no problem accepting a Clark Kent, Jr. As for Superboy, I'll just tell the world that I was waiting until he was old enough."
"What about hospital records, birth certificates and such?" Jimmy asked.
"Don't worry," Clark said, rising to his feet. "I have friends who can help me with that." That reminded him that he needed to give Dick a call. Most of his teammates didn't even know he was still alive. He had even neglected to call Kara because he'd been so busy with "Clark, Jr"; she would be furious. The first couple of days with the lad had been difficult. He'd been strong through the Crisis, but once it was over, the loss of Earth-Prime and all his loved ones had taken its toll on him.
"Well, we're sure going to miss you around here, Jimmy said. "The Daily Star won't be the same without Clark Kent. Can I help you to the car with this? You've accumulated a lot of stuff over the years."
"I appreciate it, but I flew. Maybe you could bring a few boxes to the apartment later and join us for dinner... meet the new son!"
"Great!" Jimmy said enthusiastically. "I'm looking forward to seeing just what a Superboy looks like."
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 9
by starsky_hutch76
Meanwhile, at a local diner...
Sylvester Pemberton had hoped that Lyta's interruption would've put a stop to the impending argument about the old Vaudeville comedian Andrew "Dice" Clay, but it had only postponed it. Let it never be said that Hector and Todd passed up an opportunity to bicker. He wished he'd been able to join Lyta and the others, but where they were going, it was strictly ladies only.
"The guy wore a zoot suit, for cryin' out loud!" Todd Rice said.
"The guy's comedy is a classic. Like W.C. Fields."
"The guy tells a few raunchy limericks and you compared himn to Lenny Bruce? That stuff seems pretty tame today, anyway."
"That's because he could be funny without the F-word. Unlike today's comedians. Right, Sly?"
Sylvester had been a fan when he grew up in that era, but he didn't want any part of the argument. His gaze drifted to a solitary figure sitting across the room and he had his excuse. "Hey, guys. I just saw an old friend. I'm gonna go over and say hi." The two continued their heated discussion even as he left.
When he walked over to the booth where Roy Harper sat, he almost wished he hadn't. Roy was completely oblivious to his arrival. He sat there staring into his coffee with his hands around the mug, awash in his sorrow. He was surprised at the way he'd lost touch with his former teammates from the Seven Soldiers of Victory. It had taken the Crisis and then Green Arrow's funeral to bring them all together again.
"Hi, Roy. I'm here with a couple of friends, so I thought I'd drop by and see how you're doing."
Roy gestured to the seat across from him. "Have a seat." He slid into the booth and ordered a cup of coffee from the waitress.
"Why'd he have to die, Sylvester?"
"A lot of people die in our line of work, Roy. You play the odds long enough, eventually you might lose. We all knew that going in."
"After everything we've been through... I never..." Roy paused for a minute, collecting himself. "He was like my father, you know. And the best friend I'd ever had. He was the only family I had left. Everyone else was gone. So much time had passed when we were gone. They're all dead now. Or so old that they don't even remember me."
"I know," Sylvester said. "The same thing happened to me." He remembered how hard it had been for him. Joining the Justice Society had been a big help for him. It kept him from feeling so alone. Roy was about the same age as him. Considering how much they had in common, it was surprising they hadn't kept in touch or been better friends.
"What am I going to do now?" Roy said mournfully. "What am I going to do now?"
"Well," Sylvester said. "Have you ever thought about coming to LA?"
Back at the hospital...
Dr. Angstrom decided to look in on his patient, Helena Wayne. As he walked down the hall, he reviewed her file. "Still in a coma, I see," he muttered to himself. So many people had been killed or injured in the Crisis. It was a wonder they all received treatment.
As he stepped into the room, he turned to the bed where she had lain for days and received the shock of his life. He turned to the orderly that was walking in behind him and snapped, "Has Helena Wayne been moved without my authorization?"
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 10
by anubis8
The scene: The rooftop of Gotham Memorial Hospital.
Dick Grayson was still staring into the night sky where just moments ago he watched Diana's invisible plane leave with the still-comatose Helena Wayne.
Slowly, he turned to head back downstairs to leave the hospital where he had spent most of his time over the past week, only to be startled by Power Girl who had been quietly standing there while he gathered his thoughts. "Kara! I thought that you had left."
"Well, actually I did. I was about halfway to Metropolis when I decided to turn around," she said as she walked over to him. "To be perfectly honest with you, I thought that we could both do with a little company right now."
As Dick looked back towards the star-filled sky, he said, "I just hope that the Amazons are able to help Helena."
Kara stood next to him looking up and said, "If anyone can help Helena, it's Queen Hippolyta and the Amazons. I owe them so much for all that they did for me."
"Hrmph. I suppose that you have a point." A smile slowly made its way across Dick's face as he replied, "I think that you may be right, though, with your assumption regarding using some companionship. It certainly has been one hell of a week! And the company of a beautiful woman might be just what the doctor ordered.
"Listen, I'm a little hungry and hospital food just hasn't been doing it for me. Would you... care to join me for dinner?"
Smiling back at him, Kara replied, "Why, Mr. Grayson, are you asking me out on a date?"
His face flush, he smiled as he nodded and held out his hand for hers. She said nothing as she reached to meet his waiting hand and slid her hand into his grip, only stopping to notice the feeling of symmetry that suddenly rushed over her.
They left the confines of Gotham Memorial, and stepped out into the crisp night air which was suddenly so rich with hope...
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 11
by jsagl
Themyscira, also known as "Paradise Island"... somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle...
Queen Hippolyta watched as her daughter's invisible plane touched down. Four women disembarked from the plane -- Diana, Fury, Jade, and the comatose Huntress, who was being held immobile by Jade's power pulse.
"Hola, Grandmother!"
Fury rushed to Hippolyta and threw her arms around her. Hippolyta returned her granddaughter's embrace. "I have missed you, little one."
Diana, in more traditional Amazon fashion, clasped arms with her mother. "Hola, Mother."
"Diana... welcome home! And who have you brought with you?" Hippolyta asked, turning her gaze to Jade and the Huntress.
"Mother, may I introduce Jennie-Lynn Hayden? She is the child of my Justice Society comrade, Green Lantern."
"Your majesty," Jennie-Lynn said as she tried her best to curtsey before the Amazon Queen.
"And the young lady whom she holds aloft?"
Lyta spoke up. "Grandmother, this is my friend, and Diana's teammate, Helena. She was injured during the recent Crisis, and the doctors have been unable to help her. I thought, perhaps..."
Hippolyta smiled at her granddaughter. "Of course, little one," the Queen gestured to her two attendants who carefully took the Huntress. "Bring her to the Temple of Healing. Perhaps the purple ray may heal the injuries that those in Partriarch's World could not."
"Thank you, Grandmother. You don't know how much this means to me!"
Hippolyta put her arm around Lyta as the four women started walking toward the palace. "It is my pleasure. After all, your mother has brought her comrades here for help in the past. A few years ago, she brought your friend Kara here. We helped her become accustomed to the Earth, and gave her a vast education."
They entered the great hall, and before them was a small but lavish banquet. The four women took seats. "Eat and enjoy, sisters. Diana, as I was speaking of your comrade Kara, it reminded me of another sister that you brought to Paradise Island many many years ago, with your comrades Flash and Green Lantern. I believe her name was Rose. Whatever became of her?"
Diana turned to Jennie-Lynn. "Perhaps you might tell my mother what she wants to know..."
Jade looked at Hippolyta. "Rose... Rose was my mother. She's no longer with us, I'm afraid."
"Oh, child, I am so very sorry..."
"It hasn't been easy, but I'd like to hear more about her. I never knew her very well. What was she like, here? Did she spend a lot of time with you? I'm sorry, I must have a million questions..."
Hippolyta gazed at Jennie-Lynn, her eyes sparkling. "I would be honored to tell you about your mother..."
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 12
by rubberman41
A warehouse in Gotham City.
A large group of strangely-clad people shuffled nervously, waiting for something to happen. Suddenly the silence was broken by a gruff, inhuman voice. "Hello all, some of you may know me. I am the Ultra-Humanite, and I have a proposition for you."
The possessor of the voice stepped forward and the throng saw the great white ape that was the Ultra-Humanite. Many of the crowd gasped in awe as others seemed to relax. "I have gathered you here today to offer you a new future. For years we have been beaten by the Justice Society and the whelps in Infinity, Inc. I have a solution," the ape man continued.
The Ultra-Humanite glanced across the faces of his audience and continued, "Those of us, members of the Injustice Society, Injustice Gang, and even my own Secret Society of Super Villains have time and again been thwarted by these so called heroes, no more." A rumble goes through the throng.
A man in dark clothing stepped forward. "What great plan are you working on, Gorilla Man?" he asked sarcastically.
The ape man snorted loud and his gaze drilled into the figure. "Well, Shade, if you would just listen I will continue. I propose we join forces, not as individual teams as we have in the past, but as a united front, similar to the All-Star Squadron, but with one goal -- to crush our enemies once and for all."
"A grand plan, my primate friend," the Shade interrupted, "but how are we to do this when they seem to forever have the upper hand?"
"Well, if you would be patient, I will tell you," the Humanite huffed. "The recent Crisis has taken it's toll on both teams of heroes. The Huntress is in critical condition, the Wildcat has broken legs, and Superman is missing, presumed dead. I have never seen a better time to strike than when your enemies are exhausted."
"That makes sense, hairball," the Shade said snidely.
The Humanite ignored the Shade and continued, "But since our enemies know our tactics so well, I have recruited someone who they have not met before; someone with a worthy heritage." He gestured to the shadows beside him on the catwalk. "Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce Alexis Luthor, daughter of Alexei Luthor."
A figure stepped out of the shadows, her tight-fitting purple-and-green-leather uniform swishing as she walked. Her red hair bounced on her shoulders and her green eyes flashed as she surveyed her audience. "Hello my friends, we are here today to witness the demise of the Justice Society of America!"
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 13
by jsagl
Manhattan...
He tossed and turned, as if possessed. In his dreams, he was young again. Purple and gold vestments adorned his body. Beside him, a blond haired boy laughed and smiled; all the while, drearily garbed men holding guns attacked them, but were easily dispatched.
He towered above them, their bodies strewn like so much confetti...
"There is no land above the law,Suddenly, he turned to see his companion scream and collapse in a pile of golden dust. From the dust, a behemoth rose. Its body was made of sand. Its eyes glowed as red as the fires of hell.
Where tyrants rule with unshakeable power.
It is but a dream from which the evil wake,
To face their fate, their terrifying hour...""Beware the lady in red!"
As suddenly as it appeared, the creature collapsed, leaving only a pile of sand in its wake. He felt a hand touch his shoulder. It was as white as alabaster. He turned to see a man as thin as a rail, his eyes and hair as black as the depths of space. "Your time is not yet done..."
He awoke with a start. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw that he was in his room. Beside him, Dian slept peacefully. God, after all these years, she is still so beautiful, he thought to himself. But what did that dream mean? As Wesley Dodds pondered that, a raven stared at him with a watchful eye from the windowsill...
Los Angeles, CA.
"Dad, I am going to do this whether you like it or not!"
"Over my dead body, young lady!"
"That can be arranged!"
"Will you two just stop?!?"
Johnny and Jesse Chambers turned to see Libby Lawrence walk into the house.
"Mom!!!" Jesse squealed with delight and rushed to hug her mother.
"Hello, sweetheart, so what is your pig-headed father doing to you this time?" Libby said, casting a smirk Johnny's way.
"Godammit, Libby, why do always take her side in everything? You don't even know what's going on!" Johhny replied, his voice a combination of hurt and anger.
Extricating herself from her daughter, Libby set her purse and gloves down. "Now, Johnny, if I didn't know what was going on, I certainly wouldn't have beat out Barbara Walters for that interview with President Reagan, now would I? And besides, I certainly had enough sense to get out of our marriage, didn't I?"
"God, Libby, you drive me freakin' insane, do you know that? And I was the one who filed for divorce, as I recall."
"Well, yes, I suppose that's true, but I didn't come here to discuss old news. Jesse, sweetie, you asked me to come, so what's going on?"
"Oh, you're going to love this..." Johnny Chambers said, sitting down in his easy chair.
Jesse stood before her mother and looked straight into her eyes. "Mom, I want to join the Justice Society!"
Libby's jaw dropped open and skin turned as white as a ghost...
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 14
by starsky_hutch76
Gotham Memorial Hospital, Ted Grant's Room:
"A seventy-five percent chance of full recovery is encouraging," Alan Scott said, "but with your permission, Charles, I believe I can take care of the other twenty-five percent and give Ted a full recovery."
"You're not a doctor, Alan," Charles McNider said.
"No, but the ring does have magical properties and can do just about anything I command it to do, given enough willpower."
"Which GL has in droves!" the Atom chimed in enthusiastically.
"I'm going to leave this one up to you, Ted," Charles McNider said. "Under ordinary circumstances I wouldn't allow this sort of thing... miracle cures. But I've seen what the ring can do and I trust Alan."
"Me, too, Doc. I say, if he can get me up on my feet and fightin' the good fight, then let's do it."
"Alright then, Ted. Brace yourself..."
The bedsheet was pulled back and Alan used the ring to remove his casts. He then aimed his ring to allow its emerald energy to envelope his shattered legs.
"Aaaa!" Ted cried out, feeling his bones knit, straighten, and harden at a speed his body would never have had the chance to become accustomed to. Suddenly, the glow around his legs spread out to the rest of his body, changing to a different hue.
"What are you doing, Alan?" Charles McNider. "I thought you were just going to work on his legs!"
"That wasn't my doing," Alan said, shutting off his ring. There was another energy already present within him."
"Your face, Ted..." Atom gasped.
Ted Grant reached for a mirror that had been left on his night stand. "Damn. If that don't beat all," he said.
"You look younger than me, Ted," Atom said. "Heck, you look younger than Robin, even."
Ted stared in the mirror at the wrinkles that had smoothed around his eyes, and the crow's-feet that had disappeared. He turned his head from side to side. There was far less grey than there had been before. "I think I feel younger, too. How much longer do I need to stay in bed? I'm anxious to see what this bod's capable of, now."
"We'll have to run a few tests, Ted," Charles said, "And your muscles are still going to need to strengthen themselves."
He turned to Alan and said, "One thing that troubles me... if this little bit of emerald energy did this when it reacted to Ian Karkull's chronal energy, then what will happen if it should ever react to all the emerald energy that we know has built up in your system over the years?"
Yolanda watched the scene in Ted Grant's hospital room through the window from the ledge where she sat in a cat-like crouch. Looks like Ted Grant won't need anyone to follow in his footsteps now, she thought to herself. He'll still be making footsteps of his own for a long time. I'll have to find a name of my own. Well... no one's used the name Catwoman in a while, she thought, smiling inwardly.
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 15
by rubberman41
Deep beneath a warehouse in Gotham City.
"Well, my dear, I think our plan is proceeding exceedingly well," said the great white mutated ape housing the mind of the Ultra-Humanite.
"Yes, Ultra, we have the making of a strong force to complete our goals," replied the beautiful red-headed young woman dressed in a purple-and-green skin-tight leather costume. "But what of Ian Karkull; can he duplicate the de-aging affect that rejuvenated the JSA and some of our compatriots? I don't want an army of doddering old fools fighting for us."
"My dear Miss Luthor, you have no faith in our allies. Karkull will come through for us, or die trying," the Ultra-Humanite chuckled. "Although it is a pleasure talking with you, my dear, I have some daunting business that may have a large impact on our future."
"I must be off as well, Ultra, I have business in Metropolis even as we speak. I will see you at our next meeting. Good night." With that Alexis Luthor left the giant ape man and walked to her vehicle.
The Ultra-Humanite walked down some stairs and stopped at a bookshelf. He reached around behind the shelf and triggered a sliding door. The Ultra-Humanite entered what looked like a combination of an operating room and laboratory. He walked over to a console where a video screen showed the vital signs of his patient. Looking over to a large circular glass tank he smiled and ran his fingers along the glass at same level as the face of the being held in the biochemical bath inside the tank, the form of a giant white female gorilla. "Soon, Alexis, my darling, soon," the Ultra-Humanite sighed and started working again.
Alexis Luthor arrived at her Metropolis apartment shortly before sunrise. In the darkness she dis-robed and prepared for sleep. Looking across her bedroom, she saw a picture of her mother, who had died years earlier of a broken heart. On the table next to her mother's picture was a framed newspaper-clipping of her father with the headline: "Superman foils Luthor Again". Still holding her boot in her hand she flung it at the picture of her father, shattering the glass and knocking it to the ground.
"Damn you, Father, damn you for leaving me and mother alone. Damn you for letting her die of a broken heart, and damn you for being such a loser that your own peers snicker at you, even after your death." Tears flowed as Alexis continued, "I don't need you, Father, I don't need any man. It made me sick how all those dirty old men ogled me; their leering and drooling was about all I could handle; wait until I have led those doddering old fools in defeating the JSA. I'll show them, I'll show them." Alexis collapsed onto her bed, softly crying herself to sleep.
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 16
by starsky_hutch76
Clark, Lois, Jimmy, and young Clark sat around the dinner table. All eyes were on the boy who was the orphaned, youthful version of Clark Kent.
"Are you all right, Clark? You've hardly touched your food," Lois said.
"I'm not very hungry," the teenager muttered.
Lois eyed him with concern. She grasped his hand and said, "I know this is tough for you. We'll never be able to replace your parents, but we'll do everything we can to get you through this."
"By leaving your jobs, pulling up your whole lives... and moving because of me?" He dropped his fork and rested his head in his hand.
"It's not as big a sacrifice as you might think," the older Clark said. "I put in nearly fifty long years at that newspaper. I was due a retirement... opportunities to seek out new challenges."
"I feel the same way," Lois said. "I had a long career there, too. But I eventually retired. In a way, I always regretted it. I've wanted to go back, but people are a little hesitant to give a woman in her seventies the chance to work as an investigative reporter."
"Seventies?" the younger Clark said, startled.
"That's right," Lois said. I was affected by the same energies that a lot of the heroes of this world were, so I don't really look my age. I've had to hide my vitality, though, for the sake of my husband's secret identity."
"You won't have to do that in Smallville," Jimmy said. "When you start over at the newspaper you and Clark are looking into, they won't really know you that well."
"The Lois Lane from the 40's and 50's will just be a name in a journalism textbook," Lois said, smiling. "The Lois Kent in front of them will be someone new."
"I didn't realize being married to me had caused you so many problems," the older Clark teased.
"Oh stop," Lois said, tossing her napkin at his head, which caused laughter from around the table.
"Hey," Jimmy said, "if you do end up taking over that paper, perhaps you could do me a favor."
"Sure, Jimmy. Anything," the older Clark said.
"I have a grand-nephew who's interested in journalism. Maybe you could give him a job. Make him a cub-reporter... like George did for me way-back-when."
"Of course, Jimmy. If he's anything like his great-uncle, we'd be lucky to have him. What's his name?"
"Jimmy, of course," he said smiling proudly.
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 17
by starsky_hutch76
Dick Grayson strolled around and looked at the dusty halls of the Batcave. Most of the equipment lay under drop-cloths. A thick layer of dust and grime covered the Batmobile.
"I'm terribly sorry for the way I've neglected this area," he heard a shaky voice say from behind him.
He turned to see Alfred in his night shirt, holding himself up against the wall as he slowly paced down the stairs from the secret entrance from Wayne Manor.
"Alfred!" Dick said, more harshly than he had meant to. "I told you I'd be all right by myself. You could have hurt yourself."
"I've been going up and down those stairs for nearly fifty years, Master Dick. I suppose I should know them pretty well by now."
"Whatever you say, Alfred," Dick sighed, moving over to help him to a chair.
"This cavern was so magnificent in its day," Alfred said forlornly. "Now look at it. I feel as though I have disgraced Master Bruce's memory."
"Of course you haven't," Dick said. "You had no reason to feel this area still needed your care. The rest of the estate is still immaculate. Frankly, I'd have trouble caring for it all myself."
"So hard..." the old Englishman sighed.
"It's late," Dick said. "Would you like for me to help you back up to your room?"
"You always were a kind lad," Alfred said, beaming at him. Dick put his arm around his shoulders for support and was amazed at how frail he felt.
When he returned, he began pulling off the drop-cloths so he could go about the business of restoring the Batcave. There would be much to do. The computer equipment was incredibly out of date and a lot of the supplies had fallen into disrepair from their lack of use.
During his nightly rounds, he had seen the state that Bruce's beloved city was in since the Crisis. The JSA had the whole world to look after, but Gotham would have its new defender.
He looked at his uniform in the reflective glass of the trophy case. Hardly the imposing image that Bruce's had been. Not the sort of thing that struck fear and superstition and fear into the heart of the criminal. But he had been the light to Bruce's darkness. Now that Bruce was gone, though, someone had to fill the void. That clown Blackwing certainly couldn't do it. He would definitely have to have a talk with that guy.
He opened the trophy case and lifted the cowl of Batman from the mannequin head it rested on. He took off his own mask and put it on in its place.
He had promised Helena at Bruce's funeral that he would not become the Batman. Her reasons for asking him not to were sound. No one could take his place. He wouldn't try. There was no reason he couldn't emulate him a little more closely than he had in the past, though. He lifted his hands up to the ears of the cowl, covering them, and an image began to form in his head.
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 18
by jsagl
Gotham City, later that evening...
In the monitor room, Rex Tyler sat with his legs on the console, watching television. It had been strangely quiet since the Crisis. The villains had gone into hiding, it seemed. No would-be world conquerors; no Injustice Society attacking the headquarters. Granted, with the natural disasters there was more than enough work to keep everyone busy, not to mention the shattered lives that had to be rebuilt. Cities had been demolished, time-lost creatures had roamed the streets of the Earth during the final days of the Crisis, and so many lives had been lost. Heroes crawled out of the woodwork to help, some not seen since the final days of World War Two. And here he was, Rex Tyler, president of Tyler Chemical, a multi-million-dollar corporation, stuck on monitor duty in JSA Headquarters. There were worse things, he supposed.
"A penny for your thoughts, Rex?"
The Man of the Hour turned around and smiled. "Hey Alan, come to relieve me?"
Alan Scott placed his hand on his old friend's shoulder. "Yes indeed, old friend. I appreciate you pitching in, seeing as you're not even on the active roster anymore."
Hourman stood up and stretched. "That's true enough, but being back in action again for the past few weeks has got me thinking... just who is on the active roster these days?"
Alan punched up a program on the monitor screen. "Well, let's see..."
"Hmmm. Guess we haven't had time to update in a while."
- Dr. Fate
- Flash
- Green Lantern
- Hawkman
- Huntress
- Power Girl
"I can see that. Four active members is hardly what I'd call a quorum for a group like the JSA."
"Now wait a minute, Mr. Tyler," Green Lantern said with a bemused look, "of the four active members, three are our most powerful... and Jay isn't exactly a slouch, either..."
"So... you don't want me to return to active duty, then?" Hourman said, looking a little miffed.
"Well, I'm fine with it, I just don't want Wendi coming down here yelling at me. I know she wasn't too happy with Rick being in Infinity, Inc. I can't imagine she'd be terribly pleased about you returning to the JSA full-time."
"You let me worry about that, Mr. Chairman. Consider Hourman back on board, full-time."
Green Lantern looked around the room. "Speaking of which, I was going to talk to Diana and Ted about coming back, too. Where did they get off to?"
"Lyta called earlier today. Something about taking the Huntress to Paradise Island. Ted finally gave up on the transmatter device. He said something about heading out to California to talk to a friend of his who's been working on interdimensional travel at some university out there."
And in San Francisco...
"Excuse me, Professor, I'm sorry to interrupt, but a Mr. Ted Knight is here to see you."
The Professor looked up from his book and adjusted his glasses, "I see. Well, show him in then."
The secretary walked into the outer office and returned with Ted Knight. It had been ages since they had seen each other, but they had stayed in touch, each a student of the other's work. The Professor was just as Ted remembered him: A tall man, rather portly, yet distinguished, with impeccably groomed dark hair and beard. His suits were of the finest English design, which matched both his accent and demeanor.
The Professor extended his hand. "Mr. Knight, how good to see you again. To what do I owe the honor of this visit?"
Ted took the Professor's hand and shook it. "Well, I'm having a problem with breaching a dimensional barrier to another world, and I thought, who better to seek out than my dear old friend, Maximilian Arturo?"
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 19
by jsagl
Los Angeles, the Chambers residence...
"Jesse, honey, please come out. It's kind of hard to discuss this behind a locked door, don't you think?"
"I don't care! You and Libby can both go straight to hell!"
Johnny Chambers took a deep breath and turned away from the door to his daughter's room. When Jesse was like this there was no point in talking to her until she calmed down. God, she is so much like her mother. And I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. Maybe Libby can through to her where I...
He stopped as he entered the living room to see his ex-wife on the phone.
"Uh huh. Yes. No, George, I want Lana Lang to get this interview instead of me," she said sarcastically. "God, you are such an idiot. Book me a flight at LAX. I'll be there within the hour. Bye."
Libby put the phone down and put her earring back in. As she stood up she saw Johnny staring at her, his expression a mix of disgust and anger.
"What?"
"Goddamn you, Libby. You swoop in, turn Jesse into a basket-case, and then you swoop out just as fast, leaving me to put the pieces back together. Again. Will you ever learn to put your daughter ahead of yourself?"
Libby crossed the room to stand in front of her ex, her finger pointed at him. "Now just a damn minute, Mr. Holier-than-thou. I am so tired of you painting me as the scapegoat every time you screw up with Jesse. If you were any kind of father..."
"Will you two just stop?!?"
Johnny and Libby turned to see Jesse standing there, tears streaming down her face. "God, you just don't get it, do you? Either of you?"
And with that, Jesse raced out the door and vanished quick as a flash.
"Johnny, do something! Go after her!" Libby yelled.
He was about to reply in anger, when suddenly a light bulb went off in his head. "That's a great idea, Libby. Have a safe flight." Johnny kissed Libby on the cheek and he too vanished quicker than thought, leaving a very confused Libby Lawrence wondering what just happened.
Arkham Asylum.
"Well, aren't you a pathetic excuse for a super-villain...?"
He raised up on his elbows, trying to make out the figure in the dark. "Who's that? What are you doing in my cell in the middle of the night?"
The figure moved closer in the shadows. "What is this? No threats? No attempt on my life? I daresay, I expected more from the likes of you..."
He collapsed back onto the bed. "And what would be the point? Without him, there is no reason for living anymore. Now go away."
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Then I suppose you would not be interested in knowing that the Batman is poised to return?"
"What?"
Suddenly, the lights came on in the room.
In one corner stood the Shade, decked out in his typical top hat and suit, balancing himself on his cane. In the other, the Clown prince of Crime, the Joker.
"So old Bats really isn't dead? They tried this trick on me before, you know. That girl of his, she thought she was so clever. Tell me more, Shade..."
"My apologies if I've led you astray. I did not mean to imply that your beloved Batman has returned from beyond the grave. Rather, his Boy Wonder is finally going to assume the mantle, as it were... whether he actually chooses to be called the Batman, I know not. I am in need of someone to keep him out of the picture, and who better to spoil his debut than you?"
The Joker looked back at the Shade, the evil sparkle returning to his eyes. "So little Boy Blunder is finally going to put on his daddy's shoes? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haa ha!!! Won't he be surprised to see me? Let's go then, Shade. I'm tired of this retirement home."
The shadows enveloped the Shade and the Joker and they disappeared, with the Joker's maniacal laugh echoing in the room...
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 20
by starsky_hutch76
Paradise Island.
"Look who decided to wake up and join the world," Lyta said.
"Uhhh, how long was I asleep?" Helena said, trying to raise up.
"Whoa!" Lyta said, gently pushing her back to the bed. "You weren't asleep. Not exactly."
"You were injured in the Crisis," Jade said. "We thought we had lost you."
"The last thing I remember is Dick and I being attacked by the shadow demons. That girl from the Titans of Earth-One tried to erect a crystal shield," Helena said, a slight tremor in her voice, "but they just kept hammering at it. They brought it down on our heads. How's Dick? They didn't...?"
"He's fine," Jade said. "In fact, he's the one who helped us sneak you out of the hospital."
"And the girl? ...Kole?"
"We don't know," Lyta answered gravely. "But judging by the extent of your injuries, it doesn't look good."
"If this isn't the hospital, where am I now?" Helena asked, looking around at her.
"Paradise Island," Lyta said. "My mother's homeland. The Amazons have used their healing ray to heal your injuries and bring you out of your coma. But now you have to rest and get your strength back."
"Is your mother here?" Helena asked. "I'd like to thank her."
"She's with my grandmother, Hippolyta," Lyta said with a touch of concern. "Grandmother said she needed to speak to her in private. It sounded very serious."
"What is it, Mother?" Diana said. "I wanted to be there when Helena awoke."
"Your presence alarms me," Hippolyta said, touching her hair. "Every time I look at you, there is more grey. If not for the magic that allows you and your comrades to cheat Hades, you would be a crone by now. I cannot allow this to continue."
"We've been through this, Mother. Years ago. I love Steve and I will continue to stay with him in Man's World," Diana said forcefully. "I've borne a child by him! Your granddaughter!"
"To sacrifice immortality for the sake of love is admirable. Aphrodite would agree with you. But you went to Man's World to carry out a mission, and you cannot do that withering away," Hippolyta said.
"I'd hardly say I'm..."
"By our standards you are. I've been in conference with the gods. Their orders are clear. You are to take the sacred rites and return to your rightful status of champion, immortal and vital as you once were."
"But Steve..." Diana said mournfully.
"Don't worry, Diana." Hippolyta said sympathetically. "Did I not say Aphrodite would agree with you? Arrangements have been made."
Gotham Memorial Hospital.
Steve Trevor awoke in his recliner, the Wall Street Journal lying across him like a blanket and the TV blaring. He chuckled to himself. The older he got, the less often he made it to the bedroom to sleep, failing to even make it through the evening news. He'd be glad when Diana was back. He could always count on his Princess to make sure he got there. He knew his back was going to pay the price.
He stood to his feet, stretching and awaiting the familiar pops and crunches of his aging back. They didn't come. In fact, he felt great! Better than he had in years.
He looked down at his hands and noticed the smoothness and absence of liver spots. His pants felt loose in the waste. Something strange was happening!
He ran to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. A good sixty years had dropped off of him in the night! His skin was smooth and his teeth had returned! His posture was no longer stooped and muscles no longer sagged but were actually chiseled! His hair was full and golden! In fact, it hung down past his shoulders in flaxen curls, like something from a Roman statue!
Roman... no, Greek! A gasp escaped from his throat when he realized he almost seemed to be glowing.
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 21
by jsagl
Ever since she was a child, Jesse Chambers loved coming to the beach. She and her father would spend hours here, almost every weekend. She built sand castles that reached to the sky. She collected shells: all colors and shapes and sizes. The beach was a truly magical place for her. Her tenth birthday would be the best of all.
As usual, it was a Saturday, and this time her father took her out sailing. He promised her the best birthday gift ever, but Jesse was somewhat disappointed that it seemed to be only a boat ride. Her father smiled at her. "Just wait," he had said, "the best is yet to come!"
As they sat upon the water, a shape approached from the distance. It grew larger and larger, when Jesse suddenly realized what it was! A whale! She was scared at first, but her father held her tight and assured her that it would be all right. This was part of the surprise, he told her. A voice called out, "Ahoy, Johnny!"
Jesse looked up to see a man atop the whale. His hair was as gold as the sun. His clothes were orange and green. A pod of dolphins approached as well as two other people: a woman with flowing hair, wearing green and white and a man with similiar hair, wearing red and a big smile. Her father called out to them... "Arthur! Neptune! Tsunami! How good to see you."
The woman smiled at Johnny. "We, too, have brought a surprise for you." From behind her back, Tsunami pushed a young girl, almost the same age as Jesse. Her skin was the color of the ocean. "This is Blue. We thought that she and Jesse might become friends."
Another voice called out, "Don't forget me!" A young man appeared next to the boat. "I'm Arthur! My father is Aquaman, the guy on the whale."
And so, fit with a rebreather, and under the watchful eye of their parents, Jesse explored the ocean with her new friends, Blue and Arthur. They played with the dolphins and a group of sea lions that happened by. Using Atlantean technology, Jesse was able to explore the ocean floor and see things never seen by surface dwellers before. It was a truly magical day, all made possible by her father, her hero.
She was so excited that on her next visit to her mother, it was all she could talk about. Libby smiled and nodded politely at her, as usual, but Jesse could tell that her mother did not approve. That was confirmed later that night when she overheard her mother yelling at her father over the phone. Libby always ruined everything.
"Jesse?"
Jesse's reverie was interrupted by her father's voice, "Why are you here?"
"I want to be alone."
Johnny sat down next to Jesse on the sand. "Look, I know I could have handled it a little bit better, but I was just so shocked that you wanted to become a super-hero. It's a hard life, sweetheart, filled with risks and danger. Parents spend a lifetime protecting their kids and I guess I just overreacted. Friends?"
Jesse looked at her father for a moment. He reached over and brushed the hair out of her eyes. "How did you know I'd be here?"
Johnny laughed, staring out into the sunset. "Where else would you be? This was like a second home to us. I knew you'd be here. I am your father, after all."
"And Libby? Is she ready to talk about this now?"
Johnny continued to stare out into the ocean. "Honey, I really wish you wouldn't call her Libby, she's your mother, and..."
"She left again, didn't she?"
Johnny stood up and walked toward the water. "Yes..." he said, his voice a whisper.
Jesse stood as well. She took her father's arm as they walked along the beach. "So, does this mean that you'll help me get into the Justice Society?"
"No, Jesse. The JSA is the big time. You're not ready for that," Johnny said as he stopped. He turned to face his daughter, his hands on her shoulders. "I've trained you in how to use your powers, but I think there's a better place for you right now than the JSA..."
"And where is that?"
Johhny smiled, "Do you remember my old pal, Sylvester Pemberton?"
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Interlude 1
by jsagl
Gotham City.
The young boy cast furtive glances as he walked around the store. When he was sure no one was looking, he dropped a can of this or a pack of that into his jacket. He was about to leave, when a hand landed on his shoulder...
"And just'a where do you think'a you are goin', little man?"
The boy looked up at the shopkeeper. He was a big Italian man, with big sweaty hands, wearing a white shirt and apron over dark pants and holding a broom. The boy swiftly grabbed the broom out of the shopkeeper's hand, and cracked him in the leg with it. The shopkeeper fell, cursing the boy as he ran out the door with his treasures. As he ran down the street and disappeared into the back alleys of Gotham City. Young Jason Todd had no idea that he was running towards a date with destiny...
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 22
by LadyObie33
Jennie-Lynn listened intentively to Hippolyta to hear the Queen's story of when her mother Rose stayed on Themyscira.
Hippolyta said, "I recalled when Green Lantern brought Rose here so that we could help the poor woman." She continued, "We exposed her to the Purple Ray in the hope it would help her and indeed, Rose seemed happy and peaceful for the years that she was with us." Jennie smiled happily upon hearing this.
"We knew that Rose, however, would want and need to return to the Man's World. We would have enjoyed having her stay with us, but we knew she wouldn't be truly happy to spend the rest of her life amongst us, so we said our farewells to her and helped her return to the world from which you came. We wondered what happened to Rose after she left us. Would you mind telling us what happened to your mother, Jennie-Lynn?"
Jennie gained a rather serious look on her face, but agreed to the Queen's request. She said, "My mother was involved in a romance with my father, Alan Scott, shortly after she returned to the US! They were only married briefly before tragedy struck," continued Jennie, frowning. "My parents did consumate their marriage, but later while my father slept, my mother gave in to an irrestible temptation and tried on his Green Lantern ring! It caused her to transform into the Thorn; she fought her dark side, though, and fled to prevent harming my father! She discarded his ring in the fireplace, which my father retrieved after awakening. He believed that she had perished in the fire.
"My mother learned she was pregnant after she fled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a few months later she gave birth to myself and my twin brother Todd. Her evil side was still a threat to us, so she abandoned both of us and we were raised in separated adoptive homes."
Hippolyta then asked, "What became of you and your brother? How were you reunited?"
Jennie said, "I discovered a telepathic connection to him, and after we met we decided to try to join the JSA to find out if Alan was our father. We were turned down and joined Infinity, Inc. with some others who were rejected by the JSA too." She then continued, "After we were with Infinity for a time we were reunited with my mother Rose. Me and a few others met her while we were on the island of Tashmi, and she returned to Los Angeles with us. But her Thorn side eventually gained control, and in order to prevent herself from destroying me and the rest of my family she killed herself to destroy the Thorn." Jennie looked very sad as she finished, as did Hippolyta.
The Queen said, "Your mother was a very brave, noble woman. You should be very proud of her."
Jen said, "I am, but I still miss her! I know that in certain ways, both Todd and I resemble her greatly! I worry about him sometimes because he seems to be so much like our mother, personality-wise! I just hope he never turns corrupt as our poor mother did."
Hippolyta then said, "The best you can do is know that your mother walks amongst the most noble of gods and also believe that your brother will continue to remain on the same side of the heroes."
Jennie smiled and thanked Hippolyta, and then returned to checking the condition of her friends.
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 23
by starsky_hutch76
The Sky Rocket Racer tore through the sky towards LA at a pace that most radar equipment couldn't read.
"I hope they'll be able to help Helena," Albert said.
"Of course they will," Hector answered. "From what my parents have told me, the Amazons are capable of all sorts of miracles. The purple ray is up there towards the the top of that list."
"You're awfully quiet, Roy," Sylvester said.
"Just caught up in my thoughts, Sly," Roy said, "wondering how Ollie would feel about me taking off to LA."
"He'd want you to make a life for yourself," Sylvester said. "I'm sure you left his company in good hands."
"Better hands than mine," Roy laughed. "I never did have a head for business. It terrified me that it was left entirely to me. All I want to do is do right by his memory, and running his business in the ground wouldn't exactly be a good way to honor his legacy."
"You'll do fine," Sylvester said. "Speaking of which, I've got something for you along those lines." He reached into a hidden compartment and pulled out a box, which he handed to Roy.
Roy opened the box and looked inside. "A new costume?" he said, pulling it out.
"What do you think?"
"It looks kind of like the one worn by the Green Arrow of Earth-One. Well, except that it's red. And the hood, of course."
"Your old one looked like it had gotten a little roughed up during all the ruckus during the Crisis, so I had my studio people whip it up for you. Hope you like it. There's a new bow for you, too."
"I like it," Roy said. "Can't wait to try it on when we get to LA."
"Great!" Sylvester said, clapping him on the arm. "Welcome to Infinity, Inc... Red Arrow!"
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 24
by starsky_hutch76
Jason Todd watched the men moving in and out of the warehouse. He'd first spotted them when that fat store owner had nearly nabbed him for lifting goods. Jerk. How'd he expect him to eat without the benefit of a five finger discount?
If these guys were what he thought they were, though, he wouldn't need it anymore. He recognized the look in their eyes. Furtive, guilty. He wore the same look when he shoplifted or stole hubcaps so he'd have money to eat. Only these guys didn't steal to stay alive like he was. Whatever ended up happening to them... they'd deserve it.
He saw two men get out of a car. One old, one young. The older one looked like an aging weight-lifter. Like Arnold, only even older and with less hair. He had the look of a man who'd seen a lot of fights in his time. His nose had obviously been broken on a number of occasions, and his ears... well, they were what the term "cauliflower ear" had been invented for. The younger one was far slighter of form and more talkative. In fact, he seemed to be pestering the heck out of the old man with his jabbering. The two men stepped into the warehouse and he lost sight of them.
Jason's gaze drifted to the top of the warehouse and he saw an opening. He walked around the side and climbed up a drain-pipe for a better look.
The older man and the younger man joined a number of other thugs, who were gathered as if they were waiting for someone.
CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE: Part 25
by starsky_hutch76
"Wow, Uncle Franko! Can you believe it? I mean, of course you can... you been working for him for years. Well, except for when you wuz in the joint. But I can't believe I am! This is gonna be great!"
"Shaddup already!" Franko said. "You want everybody to think you're a stupid kid or sumthin'?"
"Oh yeah. Right... right. Sorry about that, Uncle Franko... I won't say nothin' no more. I swear it. You don't gotta worry about me embarrassin' you or nothin'! I..."
Franko's hand quickly shot out and covered the younger man's mouth. "Don't make me hafta tells you again, Lenny!"
"Who's the kid?" one of the other thugs laughed. He looked to be about the same age as Franko.
"My sister's kid," Franko groaned. "She asked me to get him work."
"Well, he come to the right place," the other thug said. "The boss always did pay his boys well. You remember to bring his loot?"
"I remembered," Franko said, holding up a bag. "You remember your stash?" The other thug held up a similiar bag. Jason, looking down from his perch, realized that all the older men in the room were holding similiar bags.
"Well, well! The gang's all here!" a loud shrill voice suddenly boomed. He grabbed one of the satchels and said, "I really do love these sort of things! As the kids used to say..." He reached into the satchel and pulled out a wad of money, which he tossed into the air. "...it really is my bag!"
"Did the kids really used to say that, Uncle Franko?" Lenny asked, receiving a elbow to the gut for his curiousity.
"Ah, yes, the gang's all here," the Joker said wistfully, sitting at a table in front of the assembled throng and placing the bag in front of him. "I knew I could trust my old gang to bring my ill-gotten gains back to me. And the ones I couldn't? Well, they're probably not enjoying it anyway. Though you wouldn't know it from the way they're smiling!" Tears shot from the corners of his eyes as he cackled with laughter. He banged on the table as the withered clown tried to regain his composure.
"Old faces... new faces," he said, his gaze drifting across them. "I've brought someone new myself, though a few of you probably remember her. My assistant, Harley Quinn!" A young woman dressed in a harlequin-style leotard and Jester's cap bounced in to the room, taking the satchels from each of the older men and placing them on the table.
"There's my puddin'," the old clown said wistfully. "Come over here and sit on daddy's lap." The girl skipped over eagerly and jumped in his lap, hugging him around the neck.
"I guess the old coot's still got it," Lenny cackled, "if he can get a cupcake like that. She's somethin' else! Did you see that body?"
"You little idiot!" Franko hissed, grabbing Lenny by the colar and jerking him around so they were facing the opposite direction to keep anyone from overhearing them. "You wanna get us killed?"
"Wha...?" Lenny gulped.
"There ain't many people in this world can say the Joker loves 'em," Franko growled. "But she's one of 'em. So you'd better mind your P's and Q's where she's concerned. That 'cupcake' is the Joker's daughter!"
"Are you kiddin'?" Lenny yelped. "The Joker ain't got no daughter!" When he looked at her again, though, and saw the pale skin, the long, green hair hanging from underneath the Jester's cap, and the red lips parting in a wide, wide grin, he knew it was the truth.