by JSAGL
One week later:
In his hideout in the Rocky Mountains, Professor Anthony Ivo watched the television with interest.
So the JLA is back to full strength, and the new Conglomerate is no more, he mused. The time may be ripe for deploying my latest Ivo droids.
***
At the old JLA Headquarters in Happy Harbor, the members of the former Conglomerate discussed their future, but first, they had a funeral to attend. (*)
[(*) Editor’s note: See The Conglomerate: Funeral for a Friend.]
***
Finally bored with Earth, Lobo bade Aquaman and Wonder Woman goodbye, but not before planting the mother of all kisses on Nubia. As the Amazon warrior struggled to wipe herself off, she couldn’t help but wonder if her sisters had the right idea after all.
***
In the JLA Satellite, J’onn J’onzz watched as the stars sailed slowly past. So much had gone on in the past week. Adam Strange had returned to Rann, happy to be reunited with his wife. The Flash’s arm had healed nicely, thanks to his rapid metabolism, while Steel was still being rebuilt by STAR Labs. Dr. Sarah Charles reported the progress as excellent. The other Leaguers were recovering as well. Superman, Batman, and Aquaman had all returned to active status, and Firestorm and even the Red Tornado had rejoined.
The powerful wind elemental that Reddy had become during the Crisis had disappeared quickly after Despero’s defeat. It had been an impressive enough feat for Batman to locate the elusive elemental, let alone gain his trust enough to secure his help against Despero. But over the last week, he had been restored to a new android body just like his old one, and he retained no memory of his actions during the Crisis as the Tornado Tyrant. (*) J’onn hoped he was really back for good this time.
[(*) Editor’s note: See Captain Comet’s Rehab Squad: Heroes and Villains, Epilogue: Red Tornado Reborn.]
The Conglomerate had of course, officially disbanded. Sargon the Sorcerer, Fire, Ice, Guy Gardner, and Animal Man were all offered membership in the League, but they all declined. Guy, of course, had a few choice words about Hal Jordan and an unnatural act, but the others seemed sincere in their desire to stay together. They were supposed to meet with Catherine Cobert later in the week to discuss her proposal.
J’onn called up pictures of the fallen heroes: the Flash, Wonder Woman, Vibe, Vixen, Gypsy, Supergirl, Zatara, and now poor Ted Kord. Even with all the death recently, the regrouped JLA filled J’onn with a sense of hope and purpose. He no longer looked upon his fallen comrades with a sense of sadness. This new JLA was a tribute to their lives and the sacrifices they made.
“Here’s to you, my friends,” J’onn said in a whisper as he dunked an Oreo in his glass of milk. “May we live up to your ideal.”
And for the first time in a long time, it could honestly be said, the League stands.
The End