41

Chapter XLI: Happy New Year.

Last Time.

She smiled before pushing him onto the bed. "Evomer ym sehtolc (Remove my clothes)." Her costume disappeared leaving her in her black bra, panties, garter belt, and stockings.

Naruto smiled before seeing that her seal took up her entire left shoulder and looked like a tribal tattoo. Zatanna then crawled on top of him before kissing him deeply.

Gotham; Naruto's Penthouse December 22, 9:24 EST.

Artemis was making breakfast before hearing a knock on the door. "Coming!" She walked to the door and opened it. "Hello... Oh, it's you." She said, seeing Megan wearing jeans and a pink sweater.

"Artemis... I came to talk to you and the others without Naruto." Artemis glared for a moment before sighing.

"OK, fine, but only in the spirit of Christmas."

Now.

Gotham; Naruto's Penthouse December 22, 10:48 EST.

Artemis and the girls, minus Paula, looked at M'gann who was sitting on the couch after telling them of her visit to the hospital. "So... Naruto showed you how badly your power hurt someone? And how it can turn people against us if they knew one of the heroes is turning people into vegetables?" Crystal asked wearing sweatpants and a blue bra.

"Yes," M'gann said looking down.

"I'm glad you figured that out now. With G. Gordon Godfrey out there trying to turn people against the League, who knows what he would do with that information." Artemis said before glaring. "But that doesn't mean we forgive you for what you tried to do to Naruto. How do we know you're not just saying all this to get back in the group?"

"I think I know a way," Jade said before walking to her room and came out with Lian in a green Onesie.

"Jade. What the hell are you doing?" Dinah asked as Jade held her daughter out at arm's length.

"Lian's a good judge of character. She gets it from her father." M'gann looks at Lian with hopeful eyes, while Lian looks at her with a blank expression.

M'gann starts to look nervous until a small smile breaks out on Lian's face. She then begins to giggle, and clap her hands much to M'gann's relief. Artemis facepalmed at that before looking up. "You'll need to talk to Naruto before anything's set in stone." M'gann nodded before seeing a two-year-old boy with short blonde hair, green eyes, and two whisker marks on his face walk in and up to Talia.

(Flashback.)

Gotham; Naruto's Penthouse September 1, 2013.

"AAAHHH!" Talia screamed sitting on the floor of the kitchen with towels under her as M'gann was between her legs as she was giving birth. Naruto held her hand before speaking.

"You're doing great Tali-aaAAHH!"

CRACK!

"AAHHH!" Naruto screamed as she broke his hand and glared at him.

"Shut up, you bastard! You did this to me-EEE!" Talia screamed out before continuing. "You come at me with that... Thing in-between your legs again, I'll rip it off and shove it down your throat!" She screamed as M'gann spoke.

"I can see the head, Talia. One more final push."

Talia screamed before hearing crying. Later, Naruto was nursing his broken hand as Talia held her son. "Oh, stop it, you big baby. It wasn't that bad." Naruto quietly screamed in pain as Talia cradled her sleeping son.

(Flashback End.)

Naruto walked through the door holding bags of groceries. "Damn it, Talia! Tell your guards to wear clothes while outside their apartments. Sara was outside in practically nothing while getting her mail!" Naruto yelled before looking to see M'gann on the couch. "Oh, M'gann... I had a feeling you'd be coming sooner or later."

Gotham City, Sewers; January 01, 2016, 16:16 EST.

Superboy was running down the walkway before sliding to a stop at a small pile of clay. He knelt and touched it before looking back over his shoulder. And was wrapped in clay as Clayface came out of the water. "You always fall for this gag!" Clayface said pulling Superboy in his chest.

Superboy struggled as Clayface laughed before hearing Miss Martian's voice as she shimmered into view with her hood up. "Let him go!" Her eyes glowed green as she pulled Clayface apart having Superboy step back. "Delta Squad; we've flushed out the target. Converge on our location."

Clayface created spiked mallets for his hands before several batarangs hit his back and shocked the area they hit. Clayface turned his head around and smiled at him. "That don't work anymore!" Superboy pulled a pill out of his lower pants pocket and held it up.

"Then try this!"

Clayface turned to Superboy and swallowed the pill having him retch quick-drying cement that covered him. "Distraction went off as planned, Robin. Thanks." Robin resting his staff on his shoulder walked out of the shadows.

"Just happy it worked."

An alligator wearing a red collar came down a pipe and morphed into Beast Boy with muck on him. "It's over already?! I didn't even get a souvenir for the Cave's Trophy Room." He whined as Blue Beetle flew in and sniffed.

"Dude! I think that smell qualifies!"

Bumblebee flew past him, the size of Atom in his small form, and flew around Clayface who slowly looked at her before Bumblebee flew and grew to normal size beside Superboy. Miss Martian removed her hood as she landed beside Superboy and Bumblebee before reaching to her ear. "Delta Squad to Cave; target neutralized." After a moment, Naruto replied.

"Good work, Delta Squad. Come on home. Kage out."

Mount Justice January 1, 18:18 EST.

Starfire watched Nightwing spar with Lagoon Boy before Kage, with his hood down, walked beside her. "Cheering on 'Friend' Nightwing, Star?" Her eyebrow twitched at that.

"Shut it! I get enough of my old way of talking from Dick and Blackfire!" She huffed as Nightwing swept kicked Lagoon Boy, tripping him.

"Winner: Nightwing, flawless victory." The computer said as Lagoon Boy punched the ground.

"Neptune's beard!" He cursed as Nightwing helped him up. "I don't care how many years you've trained as Robin and then Nightwing. One of these days, you're mine, Chum." Lagoon Boy said before the tunnel lit up.

"Recognized: Superboy B05. Miss Martian B07. Bumblebee B18. Beast Boy B20. Robin B21. Blue Beetle B23."

The Delta Squad walked in as Bumblebee flew to Mal and grew. "Slow down, beautiful. I want to tell you what's on for tonight." Mal said as Bumblebee pulled her cowl down.

"Sorry Mal, I can't. I'm already late. Rain check, baby?" She asked leaving down to the other exit as Mal sighed.

"Sure."

Naruto looked at them, only to be tackled by Miss Martian in a hug before she kissed him. Naruto pulled back as he hugged her, missing Lagoon Boy's stare. (1.)

Troia flew in, only to reel back as she tried to hug Superboy. "Whew! You really need a shower, hun." She said as he walked to the locker room.

"I'm sure Meg wouldn't mind and still hug me." Troia's eyebrow twitched at that before flying after him.

"Well, would she join you in the showe... Don't answer that."

Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose at that before walking to Nightwing as Robin walked to them. "Clayface is back at his cell in Arkham."

Naruto smiled at that. "Good work."

Robin just stared at them. "I didn't do muc-!" Robin was interrupted as a large holo-screen came up with Captain Atom.

"Emergency alert. United Nation's Headquarters is under attack."

"Beta's only two blocks away," Mal said looking at the map above his holo-keyboard.

Naruto nodded at that before looking up at Captain Atom. "Atom, the Beta Squad is near there. They'll be inside in three minutes."

New York City January 1, 18:23 EST.

A group of guards holding shotguns stopped in front of a man.

He is a large muscular white-skinned male, with red dark eyes and black hair tied with a red knot. He's wearing a black vest, black pants, and fingerless gloves.

"Freeze!"

The man pulled a gun with a hook blade on the end, shot it, having it go just past the group, and throw them into the wall. The blade retracted to the gun and the man put it back on his back and snorted. "Hahn Sho Lobo skahveyt-ka, ka skahvey keezy Krolo. (The Main Man can smell you, you stinkin' little Krolotean!)" (2.) He said in an alien language as Tseng was standing by another guard.

They ran into a room and closed the door, Only for the man to break it down. Two guards shot at him with machine guns only for the bullets to bounce off of him. "Ka ree? Ka REE?! (Seriously? Seriously?!)" The man walked to a guard and put a finger on the barrel. The gun exploded having the guard to fall on his back.

"Ka seh Hahn Sho Lobo, Krolo. Plee-ay suh frag. (Just you and the Main Man, Krolotean. Surrender or die.)" The man said to the guard and Tseng.

"Please. I don't understand what you want!" Tseng said having the man narrow his red eyes. The man pressed a button on his belt having it lit up.

"Translating Interlac."

"So that's how you want to play it? Fine." The man said in English and walked to Tseng. "Contract calls for The Main Man to put on a show for the locals. So one more time, surrender, or die." Tseng looked confused at that before the man smiled. "Die it is." Suddenly, Wonder Girl jumped over him and punched his stomach.

A shock wave came off of the punch shattering several windows and knocked the man to one knee. Batgirl glided through the window and landed by Tseng. "Wonder Girl, keep him busy! I'll get Secretary-General Tseng to safety!" Wonder Girl punched her palm, as the man stood up.

"All over it, Batgirl! OK, big guy! Let's see how much punishment you can take!" Wonder Girl said before punching the man in the face.

Only for the man to grab her, and toss her aside. "Ka ree (Seriously)? Keezy fem (Little Girl) thinks she can take down the Main Man? Ka ree (Seriously)?" The man asked walking to the elevator that Batgirl used to take Tseng away.

He jumped down and crushed the elevator just as Tseng and Batgirl walked out sending them tumbling. Batgirl threw a smoke bomb down and disappeared with Tseng, having the man growl. before walking to the meeting room and shot his gun at the duo. Batgirl dodged as the man put the gun back.

And was tripped as Wonder Girl flew under his feet. "Hold it, Clown Face! We weren't done dancing!" She said as the man got up.

"Keezy fem! (Little Girl!)" He said having Wonder Girl scoff at that.

"Yeah, yeah. I've been called worse... I think." She said a little confused about that before hearing Naruto speak through her earpiece.

"He called you a little girl. You're fighting Lobo, an intergalactic bounty hunter. I've run into him a few times over the years."

Lobo threw a punch at Wonder Girl only for her to dodge and uppercut him. She stayed in the air and spin-kicked Lobo away before lassoing him with her gold lasso. Lobo laughed before grabbing the lasso and pulled Wonder Girl to him. He punched her sending her up to hit the top of the ceiling and fall on a table.

Batgirl jumped out of her hiding place and jumped on Lobo before landing on a table and had him break it. "Planet of the Keezy fems (Little Girls)," Lobo said before hearing beeping.

Boom!

Two devices on his chest exploded sending him tumbling back before ducking as Wonder Girl flew at him. He caught her by the foot and spun around before throwing her at Batgirl. Lobo jumped in front of Tseng and glared down at him. "Time to die, Krolo (Krolotean)."

He grabbed Tseng by the arms and pulled until Tseng was torn in half revealing he was a robot with a small alien inside. The alien is a small bipedal alien with scaly, sallow skin. He has a lean face with two horn-like extensions at the top and pointy ears. His eyes have three pupils.

"Skavey Krolo (Stinking Krolotean)." Lobo said picking the Krolotean up before hitting another button on his belt. "The Main Man's contract is complete. "Keezy fem (Little Girls). Your World's your world."

BOOM!

A hole was blown in the wall showing a large hover space bike. Lobo got on and out the Krolotean on the front having a cuff come out and around his neck. The Krolotean struggled before Lobo looked at him. "Vlash suh frag (Shut up or die)." They left towards the sky as Wonder Girl watched them as Batgirl looked at the robot husk.

Suddenly, Kage flashed beside Batgirl and looked at them. "Well... Good job, girls." They looked at him in disbelief before Naruto raised a hand. "No casualties and you found out this Tseng isn't the real Tseng. All in all, good work." Naruto walked over and put his arm around Batgirl's shoulder. "I expect nothing less from my future wife." He finished holding his arm out in front of them.

Batgirl's face turned red as she huffed. "I still can't believe Dick told you that!" She started to leave having Naruto yell at her. "Come on, Batgirl! We're not supposed to go to bed angry! A couple needs to work things out!"

Washington D.C. January 3, 17:00 EST.

Kage was walking down the street to the Hall of Justice beside Rocket and Zatanna, whose hand he was holding. Naruto watched a G.B.S show on his glasses with a Caucasian man with blonde hair and a blue suit with a tie.

A security video of Lobo holding the Krolotean came up before the man spoke.

"See! See! The big alien rips open the phony Secretary Tseng, and pulls out a little alien." The camera zooms up on the man's face as 'G. GORDON GODFREY' and 'New York' came up under him. "Oh, now I know what you're thinking folks. 'Good ol' G. Gordon's lost it'."

The camera panned away showing the room Gordon's standing in. "'What's this? The 8th billionth time he's run that clip'. But that's because I'm trying to Wake up. You. Up! Turn and look to the person next to you." Gordon said waving his hand to the right. "How can you be sure he or she is even human?!"

A black screen with 'JUSTICE LEAGUE' in silver letters replaced Lobo's video. "When is the almighty Justice League going to find a way to scan for these aliens? Who exactly are they trying to protect?!" Gordon walked to another screen with a 'g' rotating being replaced with a picture of Superman and Martian Manhunter.

"OK, sure, Superman and the Martian Manhunter are from Mars. And seem to be on the side of the Angels." Lobo's picture came back up. "But that's two in the good column, and two in the bad," Gordon said holding his hands up with two fingers each. "Let's see if we can get some answers!" The video panned to Cat Grant in front of the Hall of Justice.

Naruto turned the video off as he saw Cat talking in front of a camera. "Thanks, Gordon. This is Cat Grant standing in front of the Hall of Justice with Kage and the two newest members of the League, Zatanna and Rocket." She turned to them just as they reached the doors.

"No comment," Zatanna said as she walked in.

"Sorry about that, Cat. The newbies don't get the important information until they earn their-OW!" Naruto stopped just as his arm was pulled to his back and started to twist.

"Tsiwt sih mra! (Twist his arm!)" Naruto was pulled back inside as he screamed.

"Kidding!" He said just as a woman with long black hair and a beauty mark under her right eye stood at the door. She's wearing a blue business dress.

"Miss Grant, I've told you. The League will issue a statement soon." She said, her voice matching the computer's voice the League uses.

She closed the door and walked away. "Don't be too hard on her, Catherine," Naruto said rubbing his arm.

A video came up on his glasses showing Gordon standing with a picture of Catherine behind him.

"Did you see that folks?! That was League's Public Liaison, Catherine Cobert, literally stonewalling G.B.S's own Cat Grant. What's the League hiding? We know it provides a safe haven for a Kryptonian and a Martian. But what if that's not all? What if the Amazons came from outer space? Or the Atlanteans? How do we really know that the Flash isn't an alien? Or Hawkman, or Icon? What are they keeping from the real Earthlings?"

Naruto shut the video off before yawning. "Man, the new Spider-Man show isn't the same since they replaced J. Jonah." He said before the camera at the door scanned him, Rocket, and Zatanna before it opened and they walked inside.

The Watchtower January 3, 17:08 EST.

"Recognized: Kage 17, Zatanna 26, Rocket 27."

The trio walked in where John Stewart was explaining to Captain Atom, Batman, Martian Manhunter, Nightwing, Starfire, Superboy, Troia, and Miss Martian about Lobo. Off to the side, a man in a white lab coat is watching as well.

He is a Caucasian male with blonde hair and blue eyes. He has a red shirt under his lab coat and grey pants. He also has an ID card hanging around his neck.

"Lobo, an intergalactic bounty hunter. He's dangerous but unlikely to return." Naruto noticed Starfire's glare slightly before glancing at Nightwing.

'Good thing we never told him about the time he ripped Star's top off when we last saw him.' Naruto thought as they stopped by the group.

"The little guy's another story. That's a Krolotean. And Kroloteans always travel in packs." Green Lantern finished before Batman picked up after him.

"Meaning more of them are on Earth."

Martian Manhunter looked to the man behind him and spoke. "I believe my friend here may have vital information on that point. Some of you have not met Adam Strange, S.T.A.R. Labs Erdel Initiative. He is the Scientist responsible for maintaining the Zeta-Beam technology we use for teleportation." Martian Manhunter explained as Superboy looked to the Team, Zatanna, and Rocket.

"I was wondering why a stranger was allowed in the 'Top Secret' Watchtower." He said through the link before Adam cleared his throat.

"The story's a little complex. I wish I had visual aids or something." Adam said before holding his head.

"We are all linked, Adam. What you remember, we will see." Martian Manhunter said in his head as Adam looked to the others.

"Uhh... Great." Adam said aloud before using the link. "Well, I was performing routine Zeta-Tube upgrades, when something went wrong and I found myself transported halfway across the Galaxy to a planet called Rann. There was a scientist there, Sardath." They saw Adam looking around another World before the image dissolved showing Adam looking at Sardath.

Sardath appears to be a middle-aged male. He is bald, with yellow skin and pointy ears. He's wearing a white coat with a black strap bearing some insignia and has green goggles over his eyes.

Adam continued showing Adam looking at Sardath's work. "He was conducting his own work on enhanced, VERY enhanced Zeta-Beam technology. It took us weeks to even make basic conversation. Sardath told me about how some of his technology was stolen." Green Lantern spoke up after Adam finished.

"Fits the Kroloteans M.O…. Their whole culture revolves around stolen technology."

Adam spoke up after Green Lantern. "Sardath detected a transmission from a single location on Rann, and multiple locations on Earth. He was attempting to trace those and he transported me by accident." Adam then pulled a small box from his pocket. "He gave me this. It locates Zeta-Beam radiation and pinpoints their location where Kroloteans have beamed to and from Earth." A yellow and orange hologram of Earth came up with yellow dots in different parts of the globe.

"Then I'm ordering a two-pronged attack." Captain Atom said walking to Adam. "We'll stage simultaneous attacks on each Krolotean location on Earth while a team of Leaguers travels to Rann with Ada-!" Adam interrupted Atom before bringing up another hologram of John Stewart, Batman, Wonder Woman, Hawkwoman, Batman, and Superman in attack poses that replaced the Earth.

"Not a good idea. Don't know why, but Earthlings are banned in that part of the Galaxy. And these six are wanted criminals." Naruto's eyes widen at that before Nightwing spoke.

"Batman! It's the missing 16 hours!" Batman nodded before explaining what happened in late December of '10 when Vandal Savage took control of the League.

And the six on the screen went missing for 16 hours. "It never occurred to us that Savage would send us off World." Green Lantern said looking at the pictures. "I'll alert Hal. He and Guy are on Oa with the Green Lantern Corps." Captain Atom looked to Green Lantern before speaking.

"We have 15 other active members that can-!" Adam once again interrupted him showing a picture of every League member. Including the newly added Zatanna and Rocket.

"All League Members are wanted there." Nightwing walked up and spoke up.

"Not all of us are League Members. We can send a team up with Adam. Without creating an intergalactic problem."

"Agreed," Naruto said from his spot. "That would also give us better firepower to handle the bases here on Earth." Naruto and the Team walked away before Zatanna and Rocket looked to the others, minus Naruto.

"You know... That thing about you five not being Leaguers. You still have an open invitation." Zatanna said through the link as the others replied one at a time.

"We know..."

"But we're..."

"Happy..."

"Right where..."

"We are."

Naruto smiled at that as they went through the Tunnel.

Mount Justice January 4, 20:00 EST.

"It's all hands on deck. The League and the Team will hit all Krolotean sites simultaneously." Naruto said with a world map behind him. "Your priority: destroy all Zeta-Tubes and platforms and search for any humans they may be holding hostage." Naruto looked at the Team, minus Miss Martian, Superboy, Beast Boy, and Troia.

"Mal is Ops. He'll manage and monitor us from here. Wonder Girl, Nightwing, Starfire, and I are Alpha Squad." Naruto saw Lagoon curse at that before smiling as Wonder Girl pumped her fist. 'If I didn't know better. I'd swear she was also my daughter with her enthusiasm.' Naruto thought before continuing. "Assignment: Philadelphia."

"Give me Beta." Naruto heard Lagoon Boy say under his breath.

"Batgirl, Bumblebee. You, Wolf, and Kurama are Beta. Assignment: Vlatavastok." Naruto heard Lagoon once again curse under his breath.

"Neptune's beard!"

Kurama walked in and stretched beside Wolf. "Bout time you allowed me out on a mission. I'll go in this form so people won't mistake me for you." Kurama said as Naruto walked to the final four members.

"Robin, La'gann, Beetle, and Mary. You're Gamma. Prep the Bio-Ship. You're heading to New Orleans." They all shrugged at that minus Lagoon who spoke up under his breath. "Gamma always gets the soft gigs."

Naruto chuckled at that. 'La'gann reminds me of myself getting D-Rank missions back at home.' Naruto looked to Nightwing and spoke. "Tim, hold on a second." The others stop to wait as Robin walked to the Duo. "You're Team Leader." Robin gained a surprised look at that.

"You want me to lead? I've never led a squad before." Nightwing nodded at that.

"Making this a good opportunity to get your feet wet as a leader." Robin raised an eyebrow at that.

"Because it's Gamma and you're not expecting trouble, or because we're stretched thin and you have no choice?" Nightwing looked away for a second before looking at Robin.

"Just don't die, OK?" Robin looked at Nightwing in mild shock before Naruto continued.

"And no unnecessary risks to the Team. That's an order." Robin nodded at that before leaving with his Team.

New Orleans January 4, 21:59 CST.

Gamma Squad moved in an invisible Bio-Ship over a junkyard by the water. "A tool shed? Barely enough room for one Zeta-Tube. I knew we got the soft gig." Lagoon Boy said from the pilot seat.

"Trust Kage's reason for us being here," Mary said from the seat by the windshield.

"I'm OK with it if it is a soft gig." Blue Beetle said leaning back in his seat. "Yes, I am." He said sitting back up. "Yes, I am!" The others looked at Beetle strangely before Robin hit his 'R'.

"Gamma Squad to the Cave. We're in position." A circular screen popped up with Mal inside.

"Acknowledged, Gamma. All the other Team and Justice League Teams are in place as well. It's go time."

The Team dropped down to the ground before going towards the small tool shed. Beetle created his gun and shot the tool shed revealing nothing. Lagoon Boy dropped down and kicked a tool that dropped in front of him. "Congratulations Blue, you took out a real tool shed." He said as Robin moved a hand to his ear.

"Gamma to Cave, there's no Zeta-Tube, no Kroloteans, nothing." After a moment, Mal replied.

"We're still reading Zeta radiation from there." Robin brought up a small device and saw a signal coming from the bottom of the island.

"Water entrance. Lagoon Boy, you're up!"

Lagoon Boy ran to the water and dived in. A moment later he gave the signal to drop in. Robin removed his cape and gave Mary a re-breather as he put another one on. All three dropped down and saw a tunnel through the Island. Robin nodded to Lagoon Boy whose tattoos glowed before he grew even taller and resembled a Puffer Fish.

He opened the door allowing the others to go through. They came up to a large hangar with Kroloteans talking to each other with screeches. Several were teleporting away or going down a tube to a lower floor. The Team hid behind a concrete block and watched from the shadows. "Gamma to Cave. We've hit the mother-load."

Robin said as Mary looked around. "Keep quiet. We don't know if they can hear us." She said before hearing Mal.

"We're sending backup. Until then, stay low." Blue Beetle looked and saw them on a large screen.

"That's going to be a problema, ese (problem, man)." They looked to see the same thing before looking back to see a camera looking like a flying bug.

"Crap!" Mary cursed as the Kroloteans looked their way, several screeching commands before the Team attacked.

Mary plowed through several groups as Robin attacked with his staff. Blue Beetle flew around shooting Kroloteans with his ray gun. The Kroloteans, seeing Blue Beetle, retreated having the Team look on in confusion.

"He said what?!" Blue yelled out before looking down. "They're setting this place to self-destruct in four minutes!" Robin nodded as Mary landed by them.

"Anything else we need to know?"

Blue Beetle landed before speaking. "Something about 'sacrificing' the playthings below."

"The hostages!" Mary yelled before flying to a tube and flew down, hitting any Krolotean out of her way. She landed and saw a large group of people including Tseng, Bibbo, and Noor inside. "We'll get you out!" She said as the others with Blue Beetle holding a Krolotean came down as well.

They freed the hostages before going through another tunnel that leads outside.

BOOM!

The junkyard blew up as the Team and hostages came up out of the water. "Whoo! Gamma Squad rules!" Lagoon Boy said before seeing the Justice League and the other Team members flying down.

"Dude! Way to get your feet wet!" Nightwing said as Naruto looked around.

"I'm getting Deja Vu. Again."

Rann January 4, 22:16 UTC.

Adam, Troia wearing a black trench coat to hide her costume, Beast Boy, Miss Martian, and Superboy with his shirt on inside out was teleported on a platform looking at the forest surrounding the buildings. "Zeta Squad... Welcome to Rann." Adam said as they walked towards the city.

To Be Continued.