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Legion of Justice
Justice Deniedby tynnechris
Continued from The Legion of Justice
Foreward
When we last saw the Legion of Justice, the 23rd century's greatest heroes and heirs to the JSA's place as Earth-2's protectors, things were a mess, to say the least. Good as they were at the super-hero biz, they were rookies to the game of time travel, and the insidious Mekanique had a vast advatage technologically. Her mechano-spatial powers gave her superior time travel ability. Plus, she was able to determine which events would preserve the facsistic future of Joh Frederson and the scientist Rotwang and which would destroy the future of the JSA legacy, without guesswork. To make matters worse, she had allied herself with the Ultra-Humanite, who was supplying her and the mysterious Legion of Doom with additional members and power.
Two squads were sent back by the Legion of Justice: Squad A was led by Canary to warn the JSA, and Squad B was led by Kid Terrific to find the fabled files of the second Monitor, and thus learn the key to saving their time without causing devastating paradoxes. It had not gone well. Canary's team materialized way off course, perhaps due to the inexperience of Greenfire, the 23rd century's wielder of the Starheart energy. Weary and lost, their morale was low.
Kid Terrific also encountered problems. Instead of reaching the Monitor's files, her squad hit the Midvale tech show, starting a panic and accidentally taking cub-reporter Jemi Olsen with them as they sought to get away. The Legion of Justice had to get its act together soon, or their forebears would be killed... and thus them as well.
Chapter 1
Canary was hungry. Very hungry. Several days of nutro-bars just weren't convincing her system she had eaten. At least Horus had stopped hallucinating, which was the only pleasant detail of a thoroughly disgusting day. Theresa and Drake had gotten news that the Ragnarok event had occurred, and for a while all their efforts went into trying to fix the time-cube. No luck. She was a crimefighter, not a time-scientist. Star Lass was able to keep its communication channel open, at least. When news reached that the JSA had returned from the event, they all knew there was no more time. The warning and aid had to come now, while Mekanique's influence was still in a window of low ebb. Drake, wonder of wonders, looked to be their salvation. Who'd have thought?
"I'm sorry, Canary. I really am. I know you think I'm just being a jerk again, but I'm serious. The most I've ever been able to do with this blasted 'Starheart' power is blast and fly. Maybe the accident that merged it with me changed it so it's all I can do." Greenfire's odd crackle of a voice sounded worn out and despairing instead of the hot tone it usually took. His visor seemed dimmer than ever. Time for a little "tough love."
"Bull-crap! The power you hold is one of the mightiest mojos in the entire multiverse!" She got right up into his personal space. He flinched back, which was odd, since he claimed that his physical sensations were nil. Well, too bad. "The Green Lantern could use his power to create objects, people, grow, shrink, walk through walls, translate languages, you name it! And the power could definitely take us to the JSA Brownstone in an instant! You just have to have the will and the belief, Drake!"
"I ... this power is too much. I didn't ask for it... I don't even deserve it. I'm just an idiot who got caught in an accident. Why can't you see that?!? I'll fail... like I've done before..."
He had never said anything like this before. He sounded sincere, sounded... Canary was surprised to feel her cheeks wet. Tears... lovely. "You... you aren't a failure, Drake. You're just intense and try too hard to seem... Oh, I don't know how to put it. You do try, even though you hate it. You help us... that's not failure, it's strength... it's heroism. I admire you... when you do that." She thought she heard him gasp. Or was that her? She felt a light pressure on her shoulder. She looked up. His gloved hand was on her shoulder, just slightly.
"Get Theresa and Horus. I'm going to take us to the JSA. I have the power, after all."
She smiled, just for a moment. "It's about blasted time!!!" she thundered next.
Chapter 2
Horus, the one called the Hawk Lad by his people due to the strange resemblance he bore to the look of the armor and helm once worn by the legendary Carter Hall, was confused. He tried to connect to the here and now. He was the first Feitheran member of the Legion of Justice. They were on a mission to save the great heroes of the past, including the inspiration for them all, the JSA. If they failed, the 23rd century United System would be transformed into a place where all were under the boot of the fascistic reign of Frederson, like the ancient home-world and several other systems were. It was the Legion's most important mission yet, and he must concentrate on getting it together, he realized.
But if he let his mind wander, suddenly that seemed like someone else's life, someone else's problem. He was above a city like one seen in the 20th century holo-room at Knight Base. He was soaring, a helm over his face, the most beautiful woman in the world soaring beside him. They were so happy together, knowing they were meant to be... eternal mates... Shiera...
"Horus?" It was Star Lass. Theresa. She was by him. Yes. The mission. Warn the JSA, here, now. "Join hands with Drake and I, Horus... we don't want to risk losing anyone."
He joined hands with her and Greenfire. His eyes were drawn to the star-field pattern of her costume; it was fascinating. Like the stars over the desert sky... in the palace made of stone... the Pharoaoh's gods took a dim gleam underneath them... Horus shook his head. Hard.
Greenfire concentrated his magical flame about them, and soon they were awash in cool flickering green. It felt alive with purpose, with his will. There was a moment of intense brightness, and then...
...FFFAAAASSSSHHH...
...they were somewhere else. It was a brightly lit room, full of wonderful and strange artifacts and figures.
"The JSA trophy room! I could kiss you, Green!"
"Too bad I don't have lips, then, huh?" His ears must have been deceiving him. Horus would have thought Drake had just told a joke if he didn't know better.
"We finally did it!" Theresa was flushed with wonder. "We'll be able to warn the forebears... and probably help them 'save the day,' too, if Cathy's team did their part! This may sound goofy, but I'm really looking forward to our first team-up!" Horus had to laugh, and so did the others. The prospect of a great battle after all the hopeless waiting actually seemed sweet.
"You're right... it does sound goofy!" a harsh voice at the other end of the room injected. The Legionnaires turned as one. Perched on a model of the All-Star Squadron perisphere was a girl dressed in a scarlet robe, a fragment of an old gold mask covering one eye.
"Psycho Queen," said Canary. "Perfect."
Chapter 3
"I'm not going to ask how you got here or what you're doing," said Canary. "I already know--" Before she finished the word "know," she was whirling in a move that would put that "Emma Peel" lady from the vintage Earth vids to shame. Her move connected... with the Perisphere model. Psycho Queen had vanished.
"Actions before words. How typical," the sneering voice came from behind them. The Legionnaires turned again. A hollow feeling was starting to form in the pit of their collective stomach. "Did you forget we have Mekanique on our side? We've been ready for you for hours. Take out the -- snort -- 'big gun' first, Fabricator."
A boy in black, wearing a cowl, materialized by Psycho Queen. His hand glinted before the young heroes could react. Greenfire clunked down on the floor, his containment suit coated with wood. It was something of a shock.
"You guys are good enough in the 23rd century at the 'hero' bit, but you really suck at this time-travel thing!" tittered the Queen. "Leave the rest to us, Fab... we need a warm-up!" Several other figures began to materialize and rush forward. Horus hoped this was another hallucination. Yeah, he should be so lucky!