Uncanny Justice League

Chapter 22: Sinful- Part 1

By

The Uncanny R-Man

Disclaimer- All familiar characters belong to DC Comics.

Justice League Watchtower-

It was a special day in the space station headquarters of the World's Greatest Heroes. The Justice League were throwing a party. It was the anniversary of the formation of the International branch of the League. It was first thought by those in the JLI that the formation of the team was little more than an excuse to get some of the League's more annoying members out of the way, but they had long since proved themselves as being more than equals to the more famous League.

'Wow, I can't believe that it's been this long since you guys kicked us out.' Blue Beetle grinned as he perused the catering table alongside Superman.

'Now Beetle, you know it wasn't anything like that…' Superman explained.

'Only kidding!' Blue Beetle laughed. 'If anything, this Justice League International thing is the best thing that ever happened to us. They love us in Britain!'

'Yeah! My merchandise is even outselling the Flash's poorly made junk!' Booster Gold grinned as he picked up a plate from the table.

'Hey! You take that back!' The Flash demanded as he dashed up to Booster Gold. 'It's been a slow fiscal year. Business hasn't been going too well.'

'What can I say?' Booster grinned. 'The British obviously have good taste.'

'At least people don't confuse me with Green Lantern.' The Flash countered. 'Also, who here is the Fastest Man Alive?'

'Booster, Flash, let's not argue, okay?' Superman chipped in. 'This party is to celebrate the formation of the international branch of the Justice League.'

'Oh wow, look at all this food!' Elongated Man rubbed his hands in glee when he walked up with his wife, Sue. 'Man, where do you find all these caterers, Big Blue? Save them from earthquakes or something?'

'Ralph, try not to eat too much.' Sue warned her husband. 'You get indigestion real easily these days, remember?'

'Aww, pooh.' Elongated Man rolled his eyes, waving Sue away. 'I'm going to make a real pig out of myself tonight!'

'Don't say I didn't warn you…' Sue shook her head as her husband tucked in to all the food.

Elsewhere, Guy Gardner and Ice were talking to Green Lantern and Shayera.

'I'm telling ya John, this International League thing is the best that ever happened to us!' Gardner laughed. 'How else would we have moved outta your shadow and showed people who's the real greatest Green Lantern ever.'

'I think Hal Jordan would have something to say about that.' Green Lantern pointed out.

'Well, Hal ain't here, is he?' Guy pointed out with an arrogant grin.

'I seriously don't know what you see in him.' Shayera sighed. 'You seem like such a sweet person, Tora. Why date a jerk like Guy Gardner?'

'Oh, Guy isn't so bad.' Ice explained. 'He might act like a tough man most of the time, but he's a real sweetie at heart.'

'I guess.' Shayera shrugged. 'You must be the only person he cares about other than himself.'

Nearby, Wonder Woman was talking with Mary Marvel.

'Oh, I wish I was old enough to have children.' Mary Marvel gushed at the Amazing Amazon. 'Freddie and I have hardly even kissed, let alone… you know.'

'Giving birth to Cassandra was one of the most wonderful moments of my life.' Wonder Woman smiled. 'If a little painful.'

'What were the others?' Mary Marvel asked. 'Meeting Batman for the first time?'

'You seem to be rather interested in the love lives of others for such an innocent young woman.' Wonder Woman stated.

'I'm woefully naïve, not stupid.' Mary responded. 'I don't think that a magical stork brings babies or they're found under gooseberry bushes.'

At the corner of the room, Fire had accosted J'onn J'onnz by the drinks table.

'All I'm saying J'onn is that you must get lonely sometimes.' The Brazilian heroine explained. 'Don't you ever want a little… female company?'

'I find solitude to be quite adequate.' J'onn responded. 'Attachments can be distracting.'

'Wow. You must be channelling Batman or something.' Fire chuckled. 'You're not thinking of becoming a Dark Knight or anything, are you?'

'I merely prefer to spend my free time alone.' J'onn stated. 'I find meditation to be quite calming.'

'Would you change your mind for a cookie?' Fire smiled cheekily as she brandished the one thing that the Martian Manhunter was unable to refuse.

'Hmm. Perhaps.' J'onn smiled slightly. 'It is a pity that he have no milk. The experience of eating cookies is not complete without a glass of cold milk to wash it down.'

'Maybe later we could both go out for milk.' Fire suggested with a seductive wink. 'What do you say, J'onn? Is it a date?'

J'onn was about to answer when he was interrupted by Green Arrow.

'Aww, what's the point?' The Emerald Archer complained. 'Who cares? Big deal if this is the anniversary of some new team forming. Does anybody ever care about the little man? Not this bunch of fascists.'

'Ollie, just shut up and enjoy the party, will you?' Black Canary sighed heavily. 'At least occupy yourself with the food.'

'That's right, Arrow.' Captain Atom added. 'We don't need you spoiling the party with your woolly-headed liberal nonsense.' The Emerald Archer was about to retort angrily, but he was stopped by a certain Japanese super-genius.

'Now gentlemen, let us not argue.' Dr Light jumped in as she tried to calm any frayed tempers. 'This is a time for celebration, remember? So let us celebrate.'

Elsewhere-

Far away from the party, Batman was on monitor duty. The rest of the Justice League might have been enjoying the party, but crime never took any time off. The Dark Knight didn't even turn around when Ice walk in with a plateful of food in her hands.

'Hadn't you better get back to the party?' Batman asked as he studied the monitor screens in front of him. 'You will be missed.'

'I thought you might have wanted something to eat.' Ice smiled as she held out the plate. 'I made some of the sandwiches myself. The best British cheese with the crusts cut off.'

Batman smiled slightly. He could never say no to a nice piece of good quality British cheese.

BREE-BREE-BREE!

Batman looked up at the sound of the alarm. A large rock-like construction had appeared above Star City. Also, there seemed to be some sort of riot going on in Fawcett City.

'The Rock of Eternity.' Batman recognised the giant floating rock instantly. 'It's the source of Captain Marvel's power.'

'As well as Mary Marvel and the rest of the Marvel Family.' Ice reminded him. 'But what is it doing hovering above Washington?'

'We'll have to split up.' Batman explained. 'I'll head to Star City to check out the situation with the Rock of Eternity. The other team will have to stop the riot in Fawcett City.'

Ice simply nodded in understanding and headed off to fill in the rest of the Justice Leaguers.

TBC…

Next: Sinful- Part 2

Why has the Rock of Eternity appeared above Star City? Does it have anything to do with the riots in Fawcett City? Tune in next time to find out…