Disclaimers

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Legion of Superheroes – Prolouge: Conspiracy

By

Celgress

Watch Tower II renamed Vigilance Station in orbit around Earth mid-January 2016

After a long and arduous marathon negotiation, the new Legion of Superheroes or LOSH was finally inaugurated. Such an umbrella organization was deemed necessary by the Superhero Community after the events of "World War Hulk" to foster more extensive cooperation between the various heroes of Earth. Initially, members of the now defunct Justice League and Avengers, from which a majority of LOSH members were drawn, had advocated the use of either the term "Avenger" or "Justice" in the name of the composite organization. However, Captain America, who served as the first president of the LOSH (being the only candidates aside from Superman, Professor X or Mr. Fnastic, who each flatly rejected such an appointment due to a variety of reasons, that everyone present could agree upon) rightly observed that "Avenger" and "Justice" were loaded terms that should be avoided in the present social/political climate. The governing council of the body comprised of eight members plus the president. These eight members were: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman. Martian Manhunter, Ironman, Mr. Fantastic, Professor X and Ant-Man. The Governing Council, which had been elected by the group as a whole after each being nominated, would handle the day to day running of the LOSH which included proposing policies to be voted upon by the total membership. In case of a tie regarding a proposed policy issued by the Governing Council, the President would step in to cast the tie-breaking vote.

"For the last time, no secret police," Batman said giving Lex Luthor one of his infamous Bat Glares.

"Hey, it was worth a shot," Luthor aka Dark Avenger (Ironman among other former Avenger team members objected heavily to his moniker not that Luthor cared much about their unease) said with a shrug. Luthor sat down back down beside his wife Karen Starr-Luthor aka Power Girl his usual smug expression on his face. Several people laughed in spite of themselves until Batman likewise silenced each one with another sweeping Bat Glare.

"Does anyone have any serious proposals?" Ironman asked a weariness detectable in his electronically enhanced house. Spider-Man raised his hand. "Yes," Ironman said.

"Do we get team-colored uniforms?" Spider-Man asked next to him his girlfriend Spinneret formerly Arachnia tugged his hand down in embarrassment. "What it is a legitimate question." (To see how these two get back together and how Peter retrieved his body please see my upcoming story Adventures of Spider-Man and Spinneret).

"Again, are there any serious questions?" Ironman said. There were none.

Captain America was about to adjourn the meeting when Cyborg, who was operating the communication array (which incorporated the latest Wayne & Stark technology), informed the others there was something they might want to see happening in Topeka Kansas. Above the enormous round table around which the heroes were seated appeared an image of a smiling Senator Robert Kelly at a podium which bore his name in bold white letters set against a navy blue background. He was flanked by his family and a close circle of supporters. -

"This is some group of we have here today." Senator Kelly said jovially to thunderous applause and a cascade of flashbulbs going off. "It's great to be here again in my home state of Kansas, go Jayhawks." The crowd again roared its approval. "I wish I could come before you under better circumstances. Our country is in serious trouble. We can't keep our own people safe anymore. We use to be able to safeguard our citizens along with those of the wider world but those days are sadly gone." Senator Kelly's voice took on an increasingly somber tone as he continued. "Currently super beings and costumed vigilantes alike run amok throughout our cities and towns engaging in gang-type turf wars between those who call themselves 'superheroes' and 'supervillains'. They thumb their noses at our brave men and women in uniform with impunity. Well, I say no more! Today I am announcing my candidacy for President of the greatest country on Earth! May almighty God once more see fit to bless this land of ours!" A trendy country song then played in the background while Senator Kelly stepped away from the podium to the most boisterous crowd reaction yet. Meanwhile, the press clamored to asks questions but Senator Kelly and his entourage had already departed.

"Great, that twit has stolen our thunder," Wolverine grumbled.

"Worse, he's just declared open season on super beings all of us included," Flash said glumly.

"We have enough problems already. Without Senator Kelly stirring the pot of hatred." Captain Marvel until recently Ms. Marvel said. Everyone felt downbeat after Senator Kelly's announcement.

"How should we officially respond?" Luthor said.

"We shouldn't," Batman said. "Doing so would only serve to further inflame Kelly's base. If we ignore him he'll get less traction."

"I agree with Batman." Captain America said. "Kelly's views are simply too out of the mainstream of American political thought to win the presidency."

"I hope you and Batman are correction Captain America." Mr. Fantastic said. "Otherwise, things could become very dicey for us. Senator Kelly in the White House would be a nightmare on many different levels."

"Stretch-o is right," The Thing said. "Kelly would be breathing down our necks the moment he's sworn in. But, if we throw our weight around we'll just add fuel to his bigoted fire. We'll show everyone we are the creeps he says we are."

"Why am I not surprised we'll do nothing." Luthor groaned. "We possess immense power and highly advanced technology yet we allow ourselves to be continually abused by those beneath us."

"What would you suggest we do instead Lex?" Superman said eyeing his longtime former foe. "Impose our will upon the people of Earth? Isn't that what you always accused me of doing?"

"Those were different circumstances," Luthor said. "I'm not talking about the will of one man rather that of our organization as a whole."

Professor X shook his head. "It would still be the tyranny of a minority over a vast majority. I and my students will have no part of any such autocratic order."

"Professor X is right." Wonder Woman said her expression grim. "There are what several hundred maybe at most a few thousand super beings on Earth whereas average humans number in the billions. Only by a continuous application of or threat of brutal force could we ever impose our will on this world. In which case, we would become no better than those misguided souls we struggle against on a daily basis."

"Fine," Luthor said sighing in dramatic fashion. "Have it your way. But don't come whining to me when we've all been enslaved or are about to be exterminated."

"Duly noted," Captain America said irking Luthor. "If there is no other business (there was none). The first meeting of the Legion of Superheroes is officially adjourned." Captain America smashed his gavel down on the table ending the meeting.

Official business having ended everyone gathered in the reception room two floors down. Elsewhere Luthor and Power Girl beat a hasty retreat. Lex was less than happy with the rebuke his ideas received. Many of the women along with a few of the men gathered around Superwoman. She was showing off her diamond engagement ring to many oohs and ahhs.

"What a rock." Star Girl exclaimed examining the beautifully cut gemstone.

"It's huge." Captain Marvel said in awe.

"Pretty," Majin Girl said her eyes sparkling.

"I'm so jealous." Shadow Cat said pouting slightly. "Reilly has yet to get me a real ring."

"Wherever did you find it?" Batgirl asked Superman. "I've never seen a diamond quite like it. It is perfect."

"Wakanda," Superman answered. "The stone was a gift from the Former King T'challa before he abdicated the throne in favor of his sister Shuri."

"How are he and Storm doing by the way?" Batgirl asked. Wising her best friend Kara was here with them rather than dead.

"Last I heard they are living together happily somewhere outside the Wakandan Plateau far away from any drama," Shadowcat answered.

"So they never got married?" Jean Grey asked.

"No," Superwoman said. "Their allegedly arranged marriage was nothing more than a plot to seize control of the kingdom by Erik Killmonger."

"What happened to Killmonger anyway?" Rogue asked.

"Dude ate that crazy root that gives Black Panthers their powers. It turned him into a human vegetable." Buffy said with a shrug.

"I tried to stop him." Miwa the Ninja Turtle, now better known by her code name Venus, said. During the recent travels with her brothers and the others, Miwa decided she needed a code name of her own one that fit in with those of her siblings. She decided on Venus after visiting an art gallery in Venice.

"He's in a coma. His doctors don't hold out much hope he'll ever recover." Superman said. "At least war between Wakanda and Gorilla City was adverted. And Grodd is back in prison where he belongs."

"Must be hard on a talking gorilla or any gorilla for that matter to be stuck in a frigid place like Antarctica." Invisible Woman said shivering at the very idea.

"Solovar feels more comfortable with Grodd being held at the Ice Box prison rather than anywhere near the Wakandan Plateau," Superwoman said.

"When is the day of biggest?" Starfire asked excitedly.

Superwoman and Superman exchanged glances. "We haven't set a date yet."

"Girls stop badgering the happy couple," Elisa said. Because there was no ultraviolet lighting on the space station gargoyles could operate any time they wanted without fear of induced stone sleep. "They'll set a date when they are ready."

It was not long after Elisa's words that the crowd of mainly superpowered females dispersed. Each wondered away to find something more interesting. Superwoman voiced her appreciation for gargoyle's timely intervention.

"Thanks, their interest was becoming a bit overwhelming," Superwoman said.

"Any time," Elisa said. "Just remember when you do get married have the ceremony at night or here on the station. I would hate to miss out."

"Got it," Superwoman said with a smile.

Washington D.C, evening

CIA Director Dell Rusk turned off his TV monitor which showed ongoing coverage of Senator Kelly's presidential announcement. Rusk got up from his desk. He locked the door to his office. He turned off the overhead lights and drew the curtains tightly shut. Rusk pulled out a small disk that he tossed on his desk. Finally, he pulled off his life like mask to reveal his true face; that of the Red Skull.

Two small holograms of insectoid creatures straight out of a fevered nightmare appeared above the disk. Both were purple in coloration with elongated bodies similar to those of Earth centipedes in appearance. Translucent crystalline wings were folded neatly along their backs. They had neon green multifaceted eyes, a pair of short antenna on their heads and eight spindly limbs two of which supported their bodies.

"What have you to report Earthling?"The smaller of the two clicked in a masculine voice.

"Our plan proceeds at pace Lord Dregg." Red Skull reported. "Senator Kelly has formally announced his candidacy for President of the United States of America. In time the Registration Act will become a reality."

"Can resistance truly be subdued within six years of your years as you have promised? I remain skeptical." The larger of the two clicked in a shriller more feminine voice. "When we arrive the planet must be ripe for conquest. My brood's hunger will be great. Nothing must prevent the harvest."

"Worry not, all will be prepared before your arrival Queen Maligna. You have my word and that of my partner Black Manta." Red Skull said. "In return for our assistance, we ask only safe passage from Earth."

"And you shall have it, Earthling. If our conquest is successful." Queen Maligna said.

"Contact us again Earthling when Kelly has become President." Lord Dregg said before the transmission cut out.

Red Skull smiled. His ultimate vengeance against his enemies, including Steve Rogers Captain America, would soon be his. Six years was nothing to a virtual immortal such as he. Decades ago Nazis scientists accidentally contacted the Malignoid Swarm by way of experimental radio transmissions. With a life cycle and social structure roughly analogous to Earth Termites, the Malignoid Swarm was the Dessert Locusts of transdimensional space. They traveled from world to world ravaging everything they came across. Worse yet their workers and soldiers were on par with your average super being of Earth in terms of raw physical power. Their winged alates or reproductive females & males by all reporters were much stronger still. Opposing them was thus pointless and promised only defeat. In return for making their conquest of Earth easy Red Skull and his ally Black Manta were granted access to advanced alien technology, the Malignoid Swarm had pillaged from a thousand worlds along with safe passage when the end came. What more could a pair of supervillains ask for? Treachery was better than death any day in Red Skull's book.

To Be Continued