Chapter 41

A slow news day occurred in Metropolis, which make Lois Lane stir crazy. She did not complain because generally slow mornings did not set the tone for the day. Still, Lois had been a little bit bored. She cupped the underside of her chin and waited for any news to occur.

At the copy machine, Mary Jane ran off some photos. Lois watched the photographer for lack of anything better to do. Only for so long did a cute young redhead, bending ass first over the copy machine entice Lois. To be perfectly honest, despite Mary Jane's jeans slipping Lois found herself in the dumps and struggling to figure out where to go next.

The sound of someone coming up the steps made Lois jerk out of her stupor. She turned around just in time to see Claire walk around the corner.

"Slow news day, Smallville?" Lois asked.

Claire responded with a shrug and leaned in to speak to Lois.

"Well, the Quarterback of the Metropolis Sharks was found cheating on his wife."

Lois answered with a snort.

"I said news, not the inevitable. For one, he's a womanizer. For the second, she's an insecure harpy….it was a match that was meant to fail. Of course, polygamy is more accepted these days, but you still can't undo generations of social engineering with some people."

Granted, the rumors had been out there, and the Quarterback had his mistress years before a good portion of the men in the world had been wiped out. Still, not news, not at the slightest, and Lois longed for something exciting to get get her juices going.

Mary Jane finished running off her photos, from the last time Superman and Supergirl took down some Intergang goons. After that bit of news, inspiration faded to nothing.

A large boom echoed from outside of the building. Mary Jane almost fell over, barely holding onto the copy machine as she struggled to stand straight. Another loud boom and the streets of Metropolis shook one more time, the floor of the Daily Planet rocking from some very impressive impacts.

A large plant vine burst out from the streets outside. That caused Lois's eyes to widen, and Claire to lower her glasses to get a better look. The panicked screams of the people indicated that this was the news Lois had been after.

Although, the plant vine slamming against the side of the Daily Planet building showed they would be a bit closer to the news than most people wanted to be.

"Great Caesar's Ghost!"

Perry White stepped outside his office, eying the monstrocity which just burst outside of the city streets.

Claire disappeared into the elevator shaft. There was no question about it;this looked like a job for Superwoman.

"They're popping up everywhere!"

In Gotham City, Bette Kane sat across from Harry, grinning widely as she stared at him from across the table. A tight little black dress snugly fit around her young form, showing off the legs and the bust, of the seventeen year old Gotham Private Academy student.

"Thank you for giving me a chance," Bette said, smiling brightly at Harry.

"It's not a problem," Harry said. "A beautiful woman like yourself, you deserve all of the chances in the world."

Bette broke out into a round of laughter, before suddenly becoming more serious.

"I did come on a bit strong...and I wouldn't blame you for putting a restraining order on me."

Harry leaned across the table with a raised eyebrow.

"If I put restraining orders on all of the beautiful women that shoved phone numbers in my hand, I'd be spending half of my life at the police station giving statements!"

Bette broke out into a fit of laughter, thinking about how true that statement was and how common it was that some women would have loved nothing better than to try and get in the pants of a handsome man like Harry Kent. Who held himself with confidence, without being a smug and entitled jerk about it. That really was the key Bette as lightly licked the spoon she was eating with, smiling when waiting for Harry to have some kind of reaction to her actions.

Harry played it cool, and Bette lightly kicked her shoes off underneath the table, ready to take this to the next level. To be honest, Bette enjoyed dinner, although dinner was not as delicious as the handsome young man at the table in front of her.

"So, this is your last year at GPA?" Harry asked.

"Yep," Bette said. "Don't have much in the way of classes still, and credits...and my way's already paid in, so unless I mess up pretty badly, I don't have anything to worry about."

"I don't….I don't think that you have anything to worry about," Harry told her.

Bette smiled and took another bite of her steak, and it was good.

"Senior year for me, and….the classes are fine," Harry said. "I just figured I'd give actual public school a chance, because I had been home schooled all of my life. As Donna and Megan were...my girlfriends."

Bette smiled at this.

"Oooh, girlfriends plural!" Bette exclaimed with interest.

"Among others," Harry said.

"But, not Artemis," Bette said. "At least not yet."

Harry just smiled, just a matter of time.

"So, how's your family?" Harry asked.

"Well, I live with my Aunt Kathy, she's busy in the high society in Gotham," Bette explained. "My Cousin Kate...she's away most of the time….her father, my Uncle Jacob, he's a high ranking member of the military….and there's other family members...you know Helena...my cousin...and Bruce Wayne...he's another cousin of mine...can't believe he has a kid….because...well...we were supportive about what we thought was his lifestyle."

Bette had no humor her voice, and to be fair, Harry heard those rumors about Bruce Wayne.

"Still wish I knew what Kate was up to," Bette said, switching tracts. "She's been pretty secretive about everything."

Harry knew, given that he had been involved in the entire situation. Guarding Queen Perdita, as she prepared for her heart transplant, that was an extremely important task Kate took seriously.

"But, I've had a nice time, and thanks for the date," Bette said. "If you really want to….you can head back to my place...you know for coffee."

Before Harry could accept or decline this enticing proposal, something rumbled underneath the ground. Bette held onto the table, and it began to shake even harder. Screams came from outside, and Bette and Harry bounced up, trying to figure out what the hell was going on.

Several plant monsters were attacking Gotham City. Bette's eyes widened, and she clutched onto Harry's arm.

"Let's get out of here," Harry told her. "They're coming for…."

One of them smashed into the side of the building. Bette did not have time to slip her shoes back on. Harry scooped her up and rushed Bette to the elevator, before the plant monsters smashed through the building and caused the rubble to crawl.

Sirens came to life outside, although Harry had a strong feeling that as talented as the GCPD is, they were punching above their weight class.

"You will never make it in the business world if you don't show any ruthlessness. You're soft...you're weak...and I can't have weak people in my organization! It's sad to think someone like you, would be nothing but a jelly fish. Sad! You're terminated!"

Whitney sat back in the cave, eating popcorn and watching the latest episode of the Understudy starring Simon Stagg. Artemis fiddled with her laptop, preparing for the newest episode of her favorite web series.

"How could you watch something like that?" Artemis asked.

"Oh, well there are rumors that one of these episodes, he's going to get arrested live on the air," Whitney said.

"You can't believe everything you read on the Internet," Artemis grumbled.

A young blonde girl of about thirteen years of age standing on the steps of a building in Gotham City. Stephanie Brown, who went to Gotham Private Academy, as a Freshman. Artemis encountered her. Also, Stephanie's father and her father were old friends, but that was another story for another time.

"And now, who is hot and who is not in the world of super heroes," Stephanie said. "Who is hot...well isn't it obvious...since he came on the scene, Superman has...oooh come on, just look at him! Do I need to explain to you why he's an utter smokeshow?"

Artemis just grinned, no Stephanie did not.

"Of course, Power Girl, Black Canary, Wonder Woman, and newcomer Supergirl tops off the lists for the lovely ladies," Stephanie said. "And Superwoman's on the fence, although she seems to be coming out of her punk emo faze, which was not a good look on her, so not at all! Of course, the lovely Starfire of the Teen Titans has beauty that's out of this world. Really too many too name at this point!"

A loud bang echoed outside, and Stephanie's feed cut out for a second.

"Are we back on?" Stephanie asked. "Chat can you hear me...yes, I know, I know...it would be something."

Stephanie prepared to go back to the who's not list. However, another loud bang side tracked her and a large plant monster burst from the street several feet away from her.

"OOOH MY GOD!" Stephanie shouted at the top of her lungs. "People can you see this? Giant plant monsters...attacking Gotham City...live on the air and….it's right out there! MY GOD!"

Somehow, by some divine miracle, Stephanie did not get knocked off of the air. The plant dragged Stephanie off to the side, and almost tore her clothes. Stephanie backed off, as Artemis and now Whitney watched the scene, among with thousands of subscribers around the world.

Up in the sky, Superman swooped down and pulled Stephanie out of harm's way. She gave a combination of a relieved sigh and an excited squeal as she came out arrange. Right before her equipment got smashed and sent the broadcast to an end.

On the television screen, Simon Stagg was yelling at a young man, reducing him to tears. The screen flickered, before Stagg could terminate him, and then the image of the one and only Joker appeared on the screen, with a big old smile on his face.

Helena, Mareena, Megan, and Donna crowded around in horror.

"What's he doing on television?" Mareena asked.

"Nothing good," Helena grimly said.

"Oh, is this thing on?" Joker asked."Oh, yes, very good, we interrupt this program for a very special public service announcement. Namely all of your bases belong to the Injustice League!"

Joker broke out into laughter and he panned back to reveal several criminals. Black Adam, Woton, Count Vertigo, the Ultra-Humanite, Giganta, and the Atomic Skull.

"A regular rogues gallery of the best of the worst," Joker cackled.

"Yes, my friend," Vertigo said. "All of the peasants will cower and yield to our demands. Or there will be consequences...harsh consequences….as our little plant friends have demonstrated."

The television screen cuts in and out at Joker's laughter. He puts on a Max Headroom Mask and laughs his head off for a national television audience.

"Oh, the fun is just starting!" Joker cackled.

Back into the Cave, Harry rejoined the Team, after making sure that Bette and also Stephanie, were safe and secure. He ran up with Batman, Superwoman, and Wonder Woman close behind. The rest of the team crowded around for Batman to give the grim news.

"I managed to get a sample of the plants," Batman said. "They have been enhanced with Kobra Venom...and Poison Ivy may be controlling them."

"Is that...are you sure she would be involved here?" Helena asked.

"I would have to agree, given Joker and Ivy's history," Harry said. "There might be other factors involved because I can't see Ivy working willingly with the Joker."

"You may be right," Batman said in stoic agreement. "But, now...the League has to be seen fighting the plant monsters. Which leaves the Team to cut it off at the source."

"So, you want us to fight the Injustice League, when you fight the plants?" Mareena asked.

"Wow...the big bads," Megan said in an awed sigh.

"Some of the biggest," Artemis said.

"And if they've been behind everything, then we need to take them down," Helena said firmly.

"So, it's settled."

"It's what's you've been training for,' Wonder Woman said.

"We wouldn't put it on you, unless we knew you could handle it," Superwoman said.

The holy trinity of the League left the room and left the team over. Harry eyed Mareena who already walked over to the shelf.

"The League's confidence is one thing, but this is not going to be easy," Mareena said.

She picked up the dorment Helmet of Fate, which Harry unfortunately had to admit he had not found someone to yield just yet. Harry put a hand on Mareena's shoulder.

"Do, what you have to do," Harry said. "But, it's only a last ditch effort."

"But, a card that we're going to have to play if things go south," Mareena said.

"Agreed," Harry said. "But, I have my own trump card to play."

Mareena's eyebrow raised, and the team made their way to the bioship, with Mareena stuffing the helmet of fate into her bag. Hoping that it would remain there throughout the mission. Because, it kept hold of Whitney, and Harry just made it let go.

They might not get too lucky a second time.

On the west coast, several plants threatened the people around them. Nightwing stepped into the picture, surveying the grim situation. Batman gave her the heads up, that it was going to be very bad, but she did not know how bad. And now that this new Injustice League was behind it, things were going just get worse.

"I'm going to need some back up," Nightwing declared.

Seconds later, one of the plants came through the bridge and tried to smash Nightwing down through the pavement. Nightwing avoided the plant before it would rip her in half.

A beam of solid green light came and smashed the plant. Several more beams came from behind and struck the plants.

Suddenly, a shadowy force ripped through the plants, and tore through them. Nightwing noticed an attractive redhead alien with orange skin and blowing green eyes, dressed in a very slinky one piece suit moving past her companion. A young fifteen year old girl, dressed in a one piece black suit, covered in a cloak, with grey skin and purple hair followed to join the battle.

"Starfire, Raven!" Nightwing shouted. "Keep on it, and clear the area."

The two Teen Titans responded with a nod and rushed forward, going to bombard the bridge with several attacks. Nightwing planted a couple of mines in positions as they herded the plants over to the trap.

She pressed a button on the staff and an loud explosion echoed, stunning the plants. They withered on the bridge, dropping down into position.

"Hawk and Dove, you're up!" Nightwing called.

Star City, several people screamed in horror. Green Arrow ran across the rooftop, ready to engage the plants. He hoped that these arrows would be more than enough to subdue them. Green Arrow fired an arrow and smashed into the side of one of the plants, resulting it into withering and dying.

A second plant ripped through and knocked Green Arrow's bow out of his hand. He ran up the plant and stabbed it with the arrow, but the plant sent him flying down to the ground, not even feeling it.

Green Arrow clung onto the side of the roof, only to find that the plant vine wrapped entangled him. Green Arrow struggled, trying not to have the plant vine crush him like a grape. It was very hard for him to keep breathing.

Another arrow came out and sliced Green Arrow loose. He dropped beside Red Arrow.

"Thanks," he said.

"Watch your back," she warned him.

Another plant broke through the concrete, rocking Star City. Green Arrow reclaimed his bow and fired in rapid fire precision.

The plants kept coming, even more aggressive. The Team would hopefully find a way to take them down soon, but for now, they seemed to be struggling big time with keeping up with the plants as they came.

Off to the side, Black Canary stood on the rooftop, and she was not along. A younger blonde, dressed all in white, appeared beside the Black Canary. The two unleashed Canary Cries in stereo, sending the plants back underneath the ground.

"Of course, sound," Green Arrow said. "Attack them with sonic attacks, they seem to be receptive to that...or it blocks whatever is transmitting to them at any rate."

Green Arrow turned his attention to Red Arrow. The two archers locked eyes.

"Got any of those sonic arrows?" Green Arrow asked.

"Don't you?"

The two loaded their bows with practiced harmony. Then shot off, firing the arrows at the underside of the plants. A flare of sonic energy hit them and caused the plants to retreat back under ground, at an accelerating rate, although not fast enough.

Black and White Canary bombarded the plants again. Star City, had been left alone, or at least the attacks had been eased up for now.

Of course, with the rate these monsters had been popping up, it was only a matter of time for the Teen Titans and the Justice League got overwhelmed by sheer force.

"Oh, I really hope they find the control and soon," Red Arrow said.

"You and me both Speedy."

It was the mark of this serious situation that Red Arrow did not correct Green Arrow about the name change. Mostly because another plant threatened a school bus full of children. She pulled out down last sonic arrow, hoping that it would count.

Joker bounced around, back and forth, looking as giddy as a schoolgirl with a new vibrator. Poison Ivy cast a dark look over her shoulder, but the band on her head glistened and caused Ivy to look forward. Blank and emotionless.

"There's something coming this way!" Joker yelled. "Oh, something wicked this way comes!"

The Clown Prince of Crime bounced as Vertigo's interest had been caught.

"Well, let's shoot it out of the sky then," Joker said.

"Wait, it's the children!" Vertigo said.

"Well, let's shoot it out of the sky, then!" Joker repeated, with a loud round of insidious laughter.

"No, I told you they were not to be harmed, especially Superman," Vertigo said.

Joker just responded with a shrug. Fine, they would do it the sourpuss count's way, which to be fair could be pretty fun.

"Ivy, bring them down to Earth," Joker said.

"Yes," Ivy said in monotone.

The headband glistened on her head one more time. Pamela Isley's inner nature of wanting to strangle the clown almost bubbled to the surface, but she was not in control.

One of the plants snagged the Team's ship and brought it down to Earth.

"And going down!" Joker jeered.

The Bioship landed several hundred feet beneath the criminal base, and where they needed to be. Megan slipped out of the ship, with Mareena, Whitney, Donna, Helena, Artemis, and Harry all following out her, trying to get a good footing.

"Is everyone okay?" Megan asked.

"Well, any crash that you can walk away from...is a good landing," Whitney said. "Oww...my ribs!"

"Don't you have super fast healing?" Artemis asked.

"Still doesn't stop it for hurting for a second," Whitney grumbled.

"Fair enough," Artemis said.

"So, we did get close," Harry said. "The Injustice League must have had some kind of sensor that made sure that they knew people were coming."

Loud screams were heard from a room leading up from the steps. The figure slammed against the wall, howled, and the yells continued.

"I can't believe the nerve of that guy! After all I've done for him...to pull this! I really thought he changed this time!"

Helena raised an eyebrow, and turned to the team.

"Harley?" Robin asked.

"Wait, Harley Quinn...isn't she the Joker's...you know," Kid Flash said.

"Yes, I know," Robin said curtly.

The Girl Wonder opened the door and found a tied up Harley. Instantly, Robin untied her. Harley's normal uniform had been torn and her makeup at been smeared.

"What happened?" Aquagirl asked.

"Oh, we thought we had an understanding, but then he went too far," Harley said. "I can't believe I fell for that….I can't believe it...but he used some of the Hat Man's technology to put Red under his control, and use her plants...it's awful."

"Calm down, we're getting you out of here," Miss Martian said.

Harley's eyes bulged and her fists curled up. She looked ready to spit.

"I swear, I'll never let Mister J sweet talk me again!" Harley cried. "I thought he changed...I really thought he did...he promised he did."

Artemis cringed, a comment like that hit a little bit too close to home. Granted, when compared to Joker, no one was that bad.

"We're heading up to stop them, and we'll free Ivy," Superman said.

"You mean it?" Harley asked in a demure voice.

"We will," Superman said.

"I really wish that there were more men like you and less like him," Harley said. "But, I guess there isn't too many good men or men really after that psycho Amazon…"

Harley caught Wondergirl's eye, who folded her arms.

"Sorry, not that I think all of you Amazons are psycho," Harley said backtracking. "But, you have to admit, that entire separating yourself from the rest of the world thing, you're going to get some issues and some hang-ups on men! Then again, women who blame all of their problems on the patriarchy are kind of whack!"

But, now was not the time or the place for Harley to really let loose of her opinion on the third-wave. There were far more serious matters at hand.

"We're heading out to stop him," Mareena said. "All of them."

"Hang on, I'm not ready!"

Harley moved over and picked up a Bazooka. She loaded it up and a determined smile came across her face. It was time to party.

"Okay, now I'm ready!"

Vertigo, along with the Atomic Skull, Black Adam, Giganta, Woton, and Ultra-Humanite spread out. Joker was still in the tower with Poison Ivy, guarding both her and the controls.

"They couldn't have gotten far," Vertigo said. "If the League sent their brats...then it will just make things much easier."

"Yes," Black Adam agreed.

Black Adam coughed, knowing that he had to work with them. The virus which killed the original Captain Marvel, almost killed him and he was an inch away from death.

"You're looking for us?"

The entire team, with Harley Quinn and her bazooka, turned up.

"You've got us," Aquagirl said.

"Oh, this is amusing, a bunch of scared children acting like they are grown up!" Vertigo said. "The League wanted to throw you sidekicks a bone...but they had no idea what they were sending you into!"

"Oh, they knew," Artemis said. "Knew we were going to kick your smug asses!"

"And there are more of us, than there are of you," Harley said. "So, why don't you give it up?"

"We're outnumbered, but not outclassed," Ultra-Humanite said. "Especially with our secret weapon."

Ultra Humanite snapped his fingers and the that was the cue for the giant plant monsters to appear to back up the Injustice League. They spread out and attacked the entire team.

Superman froze two of the plants in their place and ripped a third out of the way. He motioned for Megan to try and take them out at the roots. However, something repelled Miss Martian and knocked her back on her backside.

"Oh, it's resistant to my phasing!" Megan yelled.

Woton enhanced the plants with magic, and Harry bombarded him with a bolt of energy, which had been reflected back.

The Atomic Skull blasted Kid Flash as she slipped to the tower. The speedster dodged several of the vines which came at her. Wondergirl jumped up and knocked Atomic Skull back with a huge kick, sending him going. The Amazon Princess up Atomic Skull over her head and launched him halfway across to Metropolis.

"Get in there!" Wondergirl yelled.

"Right I'm…."

Count Vertigo slammed both Wondergirl and Kid Flash down onto the ground, and stood over them.

"You two peasants will bow before the rightful king of…."

"I'm not a peasant!" Wondergirl scream. "I'm a princess!"

She rose up from Vertigo's attack and wrestled him to the ground. Vertigo scrambled away, until the Ultra-Humanite grabbed her from behind.

Kid Flash nailed Ultra-Humanite with a glancing blow to the side. After the gorilla had been trapped, Superman flipped Ultra-Humanite up and trapped him into a rune cage.

"Not the ugliest monkey I fought this week," Kid Flash said.

Artemis's bow broke in half. She dodged the attack from one of the plants. Harry took an arrow from her bag, supercharged it with magic, and blasted the plants by the roots, managing to just break through Woton's shields.

"Ugh, I feel naked and not in the fun way," Artemis grumbled.

"We'll have fun later," Superman said. "Deal with…."

Black Adam came up to engage Superman in battle. The two exchanged punches in mid-air. Wondergirl jumped up to help, only to be smashed down by the giant fist of Giganta.

Robin, Aquagirl, and Miss Martian all folded back thanks to the power of Vertigo. Black Adam getting slammed into one of the plant monsters like a bug on a windshield did not stop the all out assault and battle between the Team and the Injustice League.

Superman came down and helped Wondergirl deal with Giganta. Wondergirl went high and Superman went low and Giganta crashed down, shrinking to a more normal size.

Woton's eyes flashed, as the plants had been enhanced and rained down spikes on the team. Miss Martian and Superman teamed up to block the spikes.

Aquagirl crawled to the bag, but it was hard to keep her head clear, especially with Vertigo pouring it on his vertigo.

"We have the experience, we have the assets, and we have the numbers," Vertigo said.

Aquagirl thought that he had a point. The only hope they had was Harley who slipped off out of the fight, after nailing the plants with a couple of shots from her Bazooka.

"What do you have?" Vertigo asked.

Suddenly, a blur came up from the sky and knocked Vertigo back with a flying kick. Several blasts of heat vision ripped through the air, and burned the plants almost to a crisp.

Harry send Vertigo flying with another attack and he skidded into the mud, not fitting for a royal of his status

"We have a Supergirl."

As if on cue, the Girl of Steel dropped down, in all of her majestic glory. The Injustice League scrambled, with several of the plant monsters rising back to focus on the Team.

The Team gained a bit of an advantage due to their secret weapon, but they were not out of the woods just yet.