26

Chapter XXVI: Image.

Last Time.

Mount Justice; November 13, 19:00 EST.

Naruto, in his street clothes, walked to the souvenir room where Wally was putting a cooler backpack on the self. "The sword was cool... But this seemed like the best one to keep." Naruto smiled as he walked up.

"Yeah, I thought the same thing too when I saved a Country." Wally looked at him as Stephanie walked in.

"Yeah, there was this Princess who had to flee her country when she was young and became an Actress. She became real... Jaded when she grew up, and as I was tasked to 'protect' her during a movie shoot, ended up rekindling her faith in her Country, and saved it. The film people still filmed even though we were attacked, and I was in it."

Naruto picked up a DVD with 'Princess Gale' on it with a picture of him, and a black-haired woman kissing his cheek.

Belle Reve Courtroom, Parish, Louisiana; November 17, 9:00 CST.

Naruto, in his costume with Artemis and M'gann, sat in the empty courtroom as Batman and Wonder Woman walked in with several security guards bringing Crystal in handcuffs and ankle cuffs. The Judge, a balding man, walked up and sat down.

"The parole hearing of one, Crystal Frost, will now begin." Naruto cleared his throat and stood up.

"Your Honor... Crystal has been helping us for a few months with taking down various plans dealing with a group of Villains, and we would like to request her to at least be placed under house arrest." The Judge looked over the file for a moment, before placing it down.

"Crystal Frost, it is the decision of this court, based on good behavior, as well as your aid in quelling the attempted jailbreak in Belle Reve, that you now qualify for parole. Adding that to the letter of recommendation given by League member, Kage, who will also be working as your handler during your trial month. While the terms of said parole do not deny you the use of your powers, so long as you are monitored by a member of the Justice League."

He looked to see Batman nod before continuing. "They do, however, keep you within the confines of the state that you will be placed in. So don't plan on making a run for it across any borders. If you attempt any criminal activities during this period, you'll then be immediately apprehended and brought back to Belle Reve with no chance of parole, at all. Is that clear?" She nodded before the Judge finished.

"Then this court is dismissed." He banged his gavel as the League walked to Crystal, and took her cuffs off.

Now.

Gotham, Naruto's Penthouse; November 18, 22:00 EST.

Naruto dropped a box down in Crystal's new apartment in the hall he owns. "OK, Crystal. You're now officially moved in." Crystal wearing a blue button shirt, and low rider jeans walked in with a box and dropped it against a wall.

"That's great, Naruto... Let's christen the place." He raised an eyebrow at that.

"So soon?"

She snorted before replying. "You know, I've been in prison for several months. With only the occasional conjugal visit to keep me warm at night."

Walking over to the blonde, she started trailing a finger from his chest down to the hem of his pants, slowly. She then pulls him towards the bedroom, where she throws him onto the mattress. He looks at her questioningly. "Hold on, Crystal. Are you sure you don't want to settle in first?"

Her response; tearing her shirt off, showing that she wasn't wearing a bra.

Naruto looks at her, "I'll take that as a no-Oomph!" Crystal jumps and kisses him, shoving her tongue down his throat.

Outside her room, Jade walked past and heard Crystal shout. "Oh. My. GOD! Those photoshop pics were off... WAY off!"

She smirked before walking away as she heard moaning, and something banging against the wall. "Glad that no one else is here or else things would get really awkward. It's always fun when he forgets to silence the room."

Mount Justice, November 22, 09:42 EST.

"I came as soon as you called," Dinah said wearing black pants, a coat, and a white shirt showing her cleavage.

Naruto stood behind J'onn, Red Tornado, and Batman who brought up security footage of her sparring with Naruto. "We need to show you something."

She raised an eyebrow as they zoomed in. "It's just Kage, and I…" She trailed off as the footage show her picking Naruto up… And kissed him. "Freeze playback! That never happened!" She yelled as Naruto's shoulder drooped.

"Dinah... We don't need to hide our love anymore... Unless you're ashamed of me?" She stared at him in shock before Batman spoke up.

"Continue playback."

The footage showed 'Dinah' transforming into M'gann as Dinah glared at Naruto. "Oh come on Dinah, it's just a little role-playing, every relationship needs something that spices up their love life. Besides, I didn't know the cameras were on." Naruto said before J'onn explain that on Mars because Martians read minds all the time it's a game to transform into other Martians.

"And my Niece doesn't understand that things are different here on Earth, or how doing these things can cause trouble." Dinah huffed before walking to M'gann's room with Naruto following.

Naruto sighed as they reached her door, and heard her watching TV. before knocking. "Wait for a second!"

"Okay, ready!" they walked in and saw M'gann in her street clothes.

An Hour Later.

"So you can cause a lot of trouble by pretending to be someone else," Naruto said as he sat beside the now depressed M'gann.

"Hey... It's all right for our private time. Just be yourself."

M'gann quickly turned to him. "I am myself! This is who I am." Before anything could be said, Batman spoke over the intercom.

"Kage, Miss Martian, Kid Flash, and Robin report to the briefing room."

M'gann flew out as Dinah grabbed Naruto's arm. "Naruto... I was wondering... If you would like to go out?" Naruto blinked at that before smiling.

"Sure. After the mission?" She nodded before he walked out. "I wonder when M'gann will open up, and tell me," Naruto said under his breath before looking back to Dinah. "You're an awesome kisser, by the way, Dinah!" Earning him a blush, along with a small smile from her.

When Naruto walked into the briefing room after glancing to the side seeing Donna and Conner coming through the Zeta Tubes in their civilian attire. He then saw Batman calling the two to come on over while bringing up a map of Qurac, a country beside Bialya, and a picture of the Quracian President.

He's an Arab man with back graying hair, and a beard wearing a brown suit. "President Rumaan Harjavati has been praised as a fair, wise Leader... A humanitarian." Batman soon explains more in detail as a video of Rumaan shaking hands with Bruce Wayne, and Naruto standing off to the side. A picture of Queen Bee came up as Naruto continued.

"Five days ago, he allied himself with the Dictator, Queen Bee, of the neighboring country Bialya. Harjavati suddenly started backing her claim that the two Countries were one back in ancient times, and he's agreed to step down, and give her leadership." M'gann took a step forward.

"She must be controlling him, doesn't she have the power of enthralling men?" Naruto nodded at that.

"And most women, but they haven't been in contact." A video played of both Rumaan, and Bee talking about the conference of 'uniting' the two countries. "

And the people? They're OK with this?" Kid Flash asked as Batman shook his head.

"Hardly. They know the cruel way she 'leads'." The current occupants in the room soon watched a series of photos and a video of riots across Quarc with Queen Bee's army attacking the rioters.

"Not everyone will be able to help out in this mission. Kaldur is currently with Aquaman dealing with a submarine crash in the Arctic, Spoiler is currently waiting for Black Canary to resume patrolling in their city. As for Zatanna, she is currently at her family's home after requesting some time off. Everyone else is with their Mentors or with family with Thanksgiving coming up soon, so suit up and let's go." Naruto said pulling his hood up over his head.

Qurac, November 22, 23:56 UTC+2.

The Team flew over a wildlife preserve and went over the plan for dealing with Queen Bee before tanks drove over the fence, and startled wildebeests into a stampede. "Civilians!" Wonder Girl yelled seeing two people, a woman and a boy tending to an injured antelope. The woman is a Caucasian female with red hair, blue eyes, and freckles. Her hair is in a short ponytail.

She's wearing firm boots, cargo shorts, and a safari jacket over a white shirt. The boy has a tanned complexion, blue eyes, and messy red hair. He's wearing a black t-shirt under a light blue buttoned and collared shirt, and black pants.

"Stealth up, and save them!" Naruto yelled only for Robin to stand up.

"But the mission-" He stopped as Naruto looked at him.

"Can wait, there are people down there that need help." He dropped down in front of them and saw a wildebeest run at them.

He wrapped his arms around the animal and held it still as the antelope ran off in the stampede. Miss Martian used her powers to float the animal up as Superboy, Wonder Girl attacked the tanks with Kid Flash, and Robin knocking everyone out.

Naruto let the wildebeest go as everything settled down, and looked at the two. "You two al..." He trailed off seeing the woman looks like an older M'gann.

"Mom, mom! We were just saved by Kage!" The boy exclaimed as Naruto smiled when the Team came over.

Miss Martian, in camouflage mode, floated behind Naruto before reappearing.

"You may have made things worse." The woman said as the boy whined at her.

"No offense miss, but we were more concerned about your safety from the stampede. We just didn't want the army to know it was us." Naruto said making the woman sigh.

"I'm sorry. This is my son, Garfield. And I'm-"

"Marie Logan! I can't believe I'm meeting you in person." M'gann interrupted Marie in excitement making Naruto sigh as he looked at the Team.

"OK everyone, Miss Martian and I will help Marie fix her fence, the rest of you help Garfield with treating the animals, and guarding him." Wonder Girl walked up to him and pointed to Miss Martian.

"Is she going to be alright?"

"Yes, Wonder Girl. She will be... You better catch up, the boys left without you." Blinking, Wonder Girl looked back to see the boys walking away.

"Hey, get your asses back here!" She yelled as she flew after them.

Garfield and The Team.

The Team walked under a tree as a green-furred monkey dropped down on Superboy and over to Kid Flash to take his protein bar. "Don't worry. This is Monkey." Wonder Girl watched Superboy sigh at that.

"I hate monkeys." The monkey threw the bar at Superboy and screeched at him as Wonder Girl couldn't help but let out a giggle.

Once inside, the Team sat down to relax after a long ride to the border. "Weird about Miss Martian, and my mom huh?" They looked at Garfield with raised eyebrows. "About them looking alike. Especially when mom was a teenage TV. star on 'Hello Megan'." The Team looked surprised at that as Garfield explained his mom was on a TV. show when she was fifteen.

Naruto, Miss Martian, And Marie.

Miss Martian was telekinetically moving the sharpened fence posts into the ground and pulled barbed wire on them as Marie walked over to the one at the end. "You're a time saver at least." Naruto walked over as Miss Martian asked Marie about her show. "Listen, the person you saw on the show was just a job... It's not who I am." Miss Martian looked down at that before Naruto walked to her.

"Miss Martian, mind surveying the area please?" She nodded as he kissed her cheek. Naruto watch her fly away as Marie sighed. "I know Kage, you want to apologize for her beha-" Marie stopped as Naruto turned to her. "I'm not apologizing for jack shit, lady. I know you child actors get stuck with being known for that one role, or have bad experiences during your time in the film industry."

"But what you fail to realize is that your show can make a kid forget about having an illness, being bullied, or other difficulties in life. Miss Martian wasn't well-liked on Mars and your show... Your show made her forget that, and made her feel like she had a friend." Before Naruto could continue, he turned and looked up to the sky. "We need to get back. Now!"

Naruto grabbed her by the shoulders and looked up. "Miss Martian, my location, now!" Naruto said through the link as Miss Martian flew to him. As she landed, Naruto grabbed her by the waist and disappeared in a flash.

They reappeared at the Logan residence where the others ran out as drones flew at them. "Where's my son!?" Marie yelled/asked as Robin pointed inside. "I told him to stay put!" Her eyebrow twitched at that. "He's eight! He doesn't do 'Stay Put'!" The barn door opened showing Garfield letting the animals free. "Mom I've got th-"

BOOM!

"Garfield!" Marie yelled as Garfield flew high in the air as the drones attacked a large gas tank at the barn. Wonder Girl flew to catch him as Superboy, and Miss Marian destroyed the drones. Marie looked at Naruto as Garfield bled in her arms. "See, what did I te-" She stopped as Naruto touched Garfield, and his wounds healed. "Get him inside!" She looked at him in shock. "How did you-?" "Now!"

Later, Naruto watched Marie look over her son. "He needs blood? Anyone type 'O' negative?" They shook their head as Kid Flash walked into the room. "I can run him to the nearest hospital." Robin shook his head as a holo-screen came up. "No, the nearest one is an hour away at your top speed, and longer by Bio-Ship."

"I might be able to help." Miss Martian walked in and explained she may be able to change her blood to match Garfield's. "But I need no distractions." Marie ushered everyone out as they walked to the living room. "Harjavati is stepping down tomorrow. K.F, bring the news up." Naruto said as Kid Flash brought up several remotes.

Pressing one, an episode of the show Hello Megan came up. (Look at Image for a better picture.) "Huh… well now we can see the resemblance more," Wally commented as Miss Martian came down the stairs as the Team looked onto the TV. "It's done." Kid jumped and pressed the remote bringing up the News of the 'unification'.

"Hey, zoom up on the man behind Rumaan," Naruto said as Robin brought up a magnifier on his holo-screen. "It's Psimon!"

Dhabar, November 23, 22:11 UTC+2.

The Team dropped down in Rumaan's office and saw him looking out the window in a daze. "Where's my daughter? Where's Psimon?" Naruto walked over, only for a team of Bialyan forces running in with Apokoliptan weapons. "So.. The Justice League's here to assassinate the President? Too bad we're too late to stop it." The General said as Naruto dropped a flash bomb.

"Miss Martian, go get Psimon! We've got things here!" Naruto said through the link as a camouflaged Miss Martian flew outside the office as the Team took care of the guards. After taking care of the men, a woman ran in. She is an Arab woman with black hair and brown eyes. She has a mole under her left eye. She's wearing a purple suit with a lilac top under it, and a golden necklace.

"Thank you for saving my father... Go, and take care of the man responsible."

Miss Martian.

Miss Martian flew into a conference room before being hit by a psychic blast and falling down. She looked up and saw Psimon walking toward her smiling. "Tsk, tsk. Am I the only one to learn anything from our last encounter? You didn't think maybe if you could sense me I could sense you as well, did you? Or that I would use your greatest fear against you?" He said telepathically before removing his hood.

"Psimon says... show me who, or rather, what you are." Miss Martian grabbed her head and screamed as she change into a White Martian with her 'X' straps. (For a better picture look at Image.) Suddenly, the Team ran in, only to scream as they blacked out from a blast. Psimon clapped as he looked at M'gann.

"Clever.. Knocking them out so they won't see your 'True' self.." He said before TVs came on recording them. "NO!" M'gann yelled attacking with a psychic blast that he blocked.

M'gann's Mindscape.

Miss Martian fell in a field as Psimon floated down. "Oh come on, even in here you pretend?" Miss Martian glared at him. "This is the real me!" Suddenly, everything went back, and M'gann in her real form looked to see the Team minus Naruto looking afraid calling her a monster. She looked back at Black Canary, Batman, and Red Tornado.

"You should have told us... You're off the Team." Batman said before Martian Manhunter came up, and banished her back to Mars. "Oh, and your biggest fear," Psimon said as Naruto came up before her. "I don't lov-" The Naruto Psimon had projected disappeared as another one came up to her. "M'gann... I'll never stop loving you... You'll always be beautiful to me."

He grabbed her larger hand in his and smiled. "Now go kick his ass!" He yelled as she shot a white beam at Psimon.

Outside.

"Naruto... You OK?" Naruto woke up to see Miss Martian looking at him. "Yeah... What hit me?" She pointed to Psimon who was in rubble staring at nothing.

Logan Residence, November 24, 8:00 UTC+2.

The Team with Marie watched Bruce Wayne talk to Rumaan over the news. "Gee, Bruce Wayne sure got here fast. Almost it's like he kne-oof!" Kid Flash exclaimed as Robin elbowed him. "Don't you have something to get?" Kid slapped himself in the forehead. "Hello, Megan!" He grabbed the pilot tape of Marie's show and grinned at Miss Martian.

"Something you want to tell us?" She sighed before explaining while researching about Earth, something clicked when she watched Marie's show. "What do you really look like?" Robin asked as Naruto stiffened before Miss Martian lost her hair. Naruto relaxed before walking to her. "Miss Martian... You don't need to put on a mask for me. You know that, right?"

"It's not for you. It's for me. It's who I am inside." Naruto smiled at her before speaking. "I know M'gann, you can take any form you want," he whispered in her ear, "But you'll always be beautiful to me." M'gann pulled back a bit and shifted back to her regular form before looking toward Marie.

"Please don't be mad." Marie walked to her and smiled. "Mad? I'm honored! M'gann, you saved my son. Once I told him what you did for him, he told me that you're his blood sister now... We're family." Naruto smiled before walking out to talk to Batman over the radio as Miss Martian walked to check on Garfield.

"You going to tell her that you faked being unconscious? I know with her fears she forgot stuff like that doesn't work on you. Or the 'You' that help her inside her mind was actually you?" Kurama asked through their link as Naruto sighed. "No, when she's ready she'll tell me."

In the hall, Miss Martian walked to Garfield's door opened it, and gasped seeing Queen Bee lying beside a sleeping Garfield. "Shh, we don't want to wake him. Good job playing me... Even if it was over the top." Miss Martian's eyes glowed as Bee put a hand on Garfield's head. "Now, now. We don't want anything to happen to him. I've already given him orders to do so, should anything happen to me."

"What do you want?" Miss Martian asked glaring at Bee.

Bee walked over to her and whispered in her ear. "I know your true form... And unless you want your friends to find out... You'll cooperate."

To Be Continued.