She arrived on Earth in a mysterious Symbio-Ship with false
memories and awesome powers and abilities beyond that of mortal men and women....

April Fool’s Day Special #1

Rabbazons Attack!

Written By Paul Daimler

*This story takes place after Power Girl #10.

“So today is the first day of the new quarter.” Karen Starr said, looking at her laptop. “Preliminary numbers for January thru the end of March, ending yesterday look very good. We won’t have definite numbers until next week.”

“If anything they’ll get bigger.” Cheryl Delarye interjected to the people sitting around the conference table. “Our appearance at the Sci-Fi Convention helped our numbers more than we expected. And, we had several very lucrative deals with a couple different companies for licensed products.”

“Exactly. We’re in discussions with Minerva Bates about her coming on board with us. And the negotiations appear to be good. She has a couple of inventions she’s bringing to the table—one or two of which our R&D department have already come up with a few real world applications for.” Karen beamed. “If all goes according to plan, by the end of the year, Starrware will be more than just a software company. Which in the long terms helps our stock and our viability in the every changing computer industry.”

A murmur of approval went up across the table.

Cheryl and Karen’s eyes met and they shared a private smile. They had both been dreading this meeting with the board of directors. Slowly but surely Karen, Cheryl, and Johnny O had been buying out the various board members in hopes of getting their company completely back under the own guidance. While they had needed a board of outside investors in the early days, now they were just outsiders who didn’t understand the Starrware mission statement and were more hindrance than help.

“I’m not sure we should be looking to expand beyond computer software.” Harlan Ellison said.

Both Karen and Cheryl kept from shooting daggers at him with their eyes. Harlan Ellison had been one of their first outside investors and the first person on the Board of Directors. He’d been a pain in the neck the entire time—even trying to instigate taking over Karen’s position of CEO several times. He merely wanted, still to this day, to sell Starrware off and make a huge profit. He wasn’t content with the steady stream of profit that Starrware had delivered to him the past six years, but rather wanted to sell it all off at once and make a big cash-pay out.

Like his own private lottery Karen thought, a smirk twisting her lips. So far, Harlan hadn’t been willing to sell any of his shares off, even as several of the other Board members had sold out and taken a nice tidy profit. He owned a hefty share—making him the biggest stock holder outside of Karen, Cheryl, and Johnny O. The remaining six members of the Board owned less than enough to have any real say in the goings on of Starrware.

“That’s where our real profits are going to lie. You know that software is a fickle industry. One day you can be on top of the heap and the next day you’re behind the times. We need to move into other products. Minerva Bates has done some amazing work with solar power. Amazing enough that we could create many products for the home and business that would run on solar power, rather than electricity. It’s not only lucrative, but it’s good for the environment.” Karen said, trying to keep her tone professional. She never had a harder time preventing from hammering someone in the face as she did with Harlan Ellison.

“Yes, I know, but—“ Harlan stopped as the door opened and Beverly Chaucer, Karen’s personal assistant poked her head in.

“Karen, you have an important call. I wasn’t able to delay it. It’s your cousin Linda. Says something about your mother?” Beverly looked confused.

Karen kept her reaction to herself.

Of course Beverly looked confused. As far as Beverly knew, Karen’s parents were dead. She was going to kill Linda for this. She was still totally obsessed with going back through time and rescuing her mother—Kara of Argo City, even though when Kara had rescued her from the Earth-2 Fantasy world she’d ended up during the battle with Brainiac 2.5 at the Dawn of Time* she’d told her not to try and find her. Karen had little experience with having a mother, but she tended to listen to her mother nonetheless.

*see Power Girl #5-6 for details.

“There are some estate issues.” Karen said, apologetically, looking around the room. She couldn’t imagine that Beverly would have interrupted her unless Linda had been especially pushy about it. “I’ll be back as soon as possible. I apologize.”

“No worries, Karen. We were almost finished here any way.” Cheryl said, “Take care of your family thing.”

Karen smiled at Cheryl as though to say, Sorry I’m leaving you with the sharks. It wouldn’t have been so bad if Johnny O had made it to the meeting today, but he was in L.A. visiting with his new girlfriend Tara Renee Keller from TV’s Wendy the Werewolf Stalker.

Karen rushed from the room. Beverly fell into step beside her.

“I tried to stall your cousin, but she’s very persistent.” Beverly said, sounding very embarrassed.

“Don’t worry. I know how Linda is and when she’s set her mind to something, it’s hard to dissuade her.” Karen replied.

Karen entered her office, Beverly trailing behind her.

As Karen pressed the line one button, there was a massive booming sound outside.

The windows shook—the glass rattling in the frames.

“What was that?” Beverly asked, bracing herself against the door frame.

“I’m not sure.” Karen put the phone to her ear, but there was only a dial tone. “I guess Linda hung up.”

She moved over to the window, looking out. Beverly came up beside her, looking out as well.

“What’s going on?” Beverly asked, her mouth agape.

“We’re being invaded.” Karen Starr said, horror washing over her.

Below them, the streets were filling with an army of thousands, all wearing silver armor with giant golden eagles on the chest plates. They held large fearsome cannons, rifles, swords, spears, and shields. Their weaponry was a combination of cutting edge science and ancient tools. All the weapons looked nasty.

“What are they?” Beverly’s voice wavered as tremors traveled throughout her body.

“Rabbits.” Karen said, clearing her throat. Super-vision revealed it. They were giant people sized rabbits. Upon their heads they were helmets, but the helmets had ear slots, allowing their ears to stick out tall and pround.

Beverly looked at her Karen, her kindly grandmotherly features had gone pale and ashen as the horror unfolded in the streets of Century City below them. Beverly’s mouth moved but no words came out. Karen realized that her assistant was going into shock.

Taking Beverly by the shoulders, Karen led her toward the couch in the corner of Karen’s office. Normally Karen used it for taking power naps or to sleep over on those occasional nights when her workload was so much that she didn’t have time to go home and sleep. Once Beverly was seated, Karen rushed from her office.

Out in the main hall, she saw Cheryl running toward her.

“I want you to get on the intercom and tell everyone to stay in the offices.” Karen said to Cheryl. Since Cheryl had revealed that she knew Karen was Power Girl, it had made juggling her career as Power Girl and life as Karen Starr—at least at the office.

“No problem. Good luck.” Cheryl said, “Did you notice they look like… um, rabbits?”

“Yeah, I noticed.” Karen said, rushing out of Starrware’s offices and into the stairwell.

Once safely in the stairwell, she kicked in with her super-speed, making it the four floors from the Starrware offices to the roof in seconds. Once there she found the fake ventilator shaft she’d set up and opened it, withdrew her Power Girl uniform and traded it for her business suit.

“I have got to get a Wonder spin.” Power Girl remarked, placing her glasses in the shaft’s compartment before unleashing her hair. Once the hair clasps were gone, her bangs slipped down into her eyes. Reaching up, she tapped a small button concealed in the design on her earring, opening the line of communication.

“Oracle, it’s me. I’ve got problems.”

There was no response.

Power Girl frowned. It was unlike Oracle to be completely off-line.

“Babs?”

Still no answer.

With two taps to the button on earring she changed frequency to her JLE communicator. Blue Jay was on monitor duty.

“Jay? It’s Power Girl.”

No answer came from him either.

It was then that Power Girl noticed the weird shimmering in the sky. Super-vision detected a field of some sort.

In less than a minute, Power Girl had flown to the force field. She slammed her fist into it, only to have the force of her own punch come right back at her.

The impact sent her spinning out of control.

“@#$%@!” Power Girl swore, regaining control of her flight just before she took out the top floor of the massive Global Consumer Bank skyscraper.

Hovering above the city, she watched as giant airships shaped like carrots and painted bright orange began to fill the sky above Century City. Removing her glove to check her aching knuckles, she noted the bruises and swelling already darkening the flesh.

“Great. Magic.” Power Girl groaned, pulling her blue glove back on. She was indestructible and invulnerable under most circumstances. Except magic. Her mother had been of mixed heritage—Coulverian with Kryptonian and Daxamite influences which made her vunerable to Kryptonite in heavy doses. Small pepples or chunks of Kryptonite—red or green didn’t effect her. Big huge chunks—car-sized or larger and there were problems. And from her father—the son of Arion Lord High Mage of Atlantis and Lady Chian she’d gotten Homo-magi DNA. Which meant that magic flowed through her blood. She’d been told many times that if she embraced and studied magic, she could control the magic. But alas until she did, she suffered a weakness to magic. It was probably worse because her powers were scientific in nature and magic defied science.

“So. I’m dealing with giant rabbit invaders. They have some magic shield over the city which is keeping me and communications in. And they have planes shaped like carrots.” Power Girl sighed. “Just a typical day in my life. Although it could be worse.”

Another booming explosion sounded behind her. Turning her head, Power Girl watched as green lettuce shaped helicopters by the hundreds slipped through the gate and filled the sky above Century City’s east side.

“It’s worse.” Power Girl shook her head in disgust.

“Halt!”

The shout came from behind Power Girl, causing her to turn. On turnip shaped sky-sleds four rabbits warriors approached.

As they neared, Power Girl noted they were dressed in gray armor with golden eagles on their breastplates.

“You have invaded my city.” Power Girl replied. The eagles on their armor reminded her of Wonder Woman’s emblem and the Amazon’s armor. “I demand you state your reason for this illegal invasion and withdraw your forces immediately.”

One of the armored rabbits laughed haughtily, pointing a laser rifle at Power Girl as one of the other rabbits pulled a sword.

“You are in no position to make any demands homosapien swine.” One of the rabbits declared.

Power Girl noted that the rabbit’s eyes seemed to glow with a malevolent red sheen.

“We have claimed your human city in the name of Hiphoppita Queen of the Rabbazons of Earth C.” The Rabbit warrior said.

“Earth C?” Power Girl frowned. Her memories of life before the Anti-Monitor’s Crisis were hazy vague half-remembered dreams. When she’d embraced her new life several months ago, she’d given up most of those memories with the life. But, some things half-remembered floated around. And Earth C was one of those. Hadn’t it been a world of super-powered animals?

“Stand back!” The shout came from nowhere. If not for her super-vision Power Girl wouldn’t have even been able to see the action.

Two rabbits and two squirrels flew into view, pummeling the rabbits on the turnip shaped sky-sleds. The Rabbazons tumbled to the ground. One of the rabbits caught all four, delivering them safely and unconscious on the ground before streaking up and rejoining her three companions. Together the four of them approached Power Girl.

“Oh. My. God.” Power Girl groaned. “This can’t be happening.”

Before her there were two rabbits and two squirrels—all dressed in hero costumes.

“Greetings. I am Princess Diana of Paradise Island, known among the patriarchs world as Wonder Rabbit, member of the Justice League of Animals.”

She wore a smaller version of Wonder Woman’s costume against her soft white fur. Her golden lasso glittered in the sunlight. Long black hair sprung from beneath her golden tiara, framed by her bunny ears.

“This is my sister Donna, formerly Wonder Bunny.”

“Hi.” The white rabbit beside Wonder Rabbit waved her paw. She was in a black jumpsuit with a starfield pattern and a silver eagle pendant. Her ebony hair danced in the wind.

“And, I’m Supersquirrel.” A light brown colored squirrel said. She was wearing a Supergirl costume.

The squirrel beside Supersquirrel cleared her throat. “Hi. I’m Power Squirrel.”

“Holy #$@%#@!!” Power Girl exclaimed beholding the squirrel dressed in her uniform.

“So my mother Queen Hiphoppita has been infected by the madness of Ssirce. Along with the other Rabbazons.” Wonder Rabbits said.

“The snake!” Wonder Bunny interjected.

“Literally.” Power Squirrel chimed in. “You know, you might want to take a picture. It will last longer.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to stare.” Power Girl said. “I’ve just never seen an actual alternate reality version of myself. There are dozens of Wonder Women, Supergirls, and Donna Troys throughout the alternate realities I’ve encountered. Hell, we have a thousand different Donna Troys on my Earth alone. But, I’ve never encountered another me. Except for an Earth 2 Dreamworld version of myself, that wasn’t real.”

“A what?” Power Squirrel asked.

“Nothing. Nevermind.”

“Well. Get used to it.” Power Squirrel said, “Since I embraced my new life and let go of my old Earth C Minus reality—the one wiped out by the Crisis, I’ve encountered several alternate versions of myself. We’re no loner just a Supersquirrel knock-off.”

“Thank God for some miracles.” Power Girl said.

Power Girl and the super animals landed on a rooftop, looking down toward Century Park.

Located in downtown Century City, it was a massive inner city park. It’s long green lawns were surrounded by tall carefully manicured and lined trees. In the center was a large pond and a massive monument to one of Century City’s founding fathers Alexander Jefferson.

“My mother and Ssirce have set up their base of operations there—“ Wonder Rabbit said, pointing to the Jefferson monument.

“It’s heavily guarded.” Donna said, looking at the clusters of Rabbazons marching precisely and in unison.

“They’re all mentally controlled by Ssirce.” Supersquirrel said. “It makes it hard to just pound on them like regular supervillains.”

“But they aren’t going to hold back.” Power Squirrel said. “They’re going to tear into us with all of their strength, plus a little extra ruthlessness thrown in by Ssirce’s dark magic.”

“I have to admit it’s going to be a little hard for me to pound into cute little fluffy bunnies.” Power Girl said.

“Does it help any that they’re brutal warriors who have trained in the art of war and battle for over three thousand years and have been fortified by Athena the Owl Goddess of Warfare?” Wonder Rabbit asked.

“Not really.” Power Girl replied, “Even with that evil red glare in their eyes they are still cute and fluffy.”

Wonder Rabbit looked at her for several very long moments without speaking. Finally, “That kind of thinking can get you killed. These Rabbazons are not like rabbits from your world. They are intelligent, powerful, and walk on two legs. I assume you share the same weakness to magic that Power Squirrel does. If so, you can be hurt even more. The majority of the swords and spears in play are magically endowed. Even before Ssirce added an extra dark enchantment on them. Those weapons are more dangerous to you than you can possibly imagine.”

Power Girl did not reply; mainly because she was afraid she might burst into laughter if she did. This was all too much too take.

“Why are they attacking here? Why Century City? Why this world?” Power Girl asked after the impulse to laugh had passed.

“Ssirce feels that human beings are beneath her—and far easily to subjugate and break. Once she’s gained control of the humans of this world, she plans on adding them to her army and leading them to war against Earth C.” Wonder Rabbit said.

“And the barrier between realities is weaker and pliable here in Century City. There are several gateways to other worlds here—making it relatively easy to cross-over.” Power Squirrel said. “There are places where Hypertime realities converge here.”

“So how do we stop them?” Power Girl asked.

“We have to defeat Ssirce herself. Not even the five us are strong enough to defeat the entire Rabbazon army. They are the best warriors of our world. They are unstoppable when they have their free will—when they’re enslaved to Ssirce’s dark magics, they are far more deadly and willing to die to accomplish whatever she commands.” Donna Troy said.

Power Girl tried to get over the odd sensation of watching the animal’s mouths move as they spoke to her.

Supersquirrel said. “Ssirce’s magics are weaker on this world—controlling Hiphoppita and the other Rabbazons, erecting the magic shields, and teleporting them all through the Gateways, has stretched even more thinly. If we can separate Hiphoppita and the Rabbazons from SSirce, then we stand a better chance of defeating them.”

“Our plan is this,” Wonder Rabbit began, “I will distract my mother and the Rabbazons, Donna and Supersquirrel will attack the magic shield over this city, and you and Power Squirrel will confront Ssirce. If she is forced to face you, Ssirce will have to divert magics to defending herself—making her hold over the Rabbazons weak—and weakening the magic shield. That will enable Donna and Supersquirrel to crash through the shield. The magical backlash as it comes down should leave Ssirce incapacitated long enough for you and Power Squirrel to knock her out. Once she’s out the spell over my mother and the Rabbazons will be broken.”

“Are you sure that’s smart?” Power Girl asked, she was trying to be respectful. But, it was pretty hard to take a rabbit in a Wonder Woman suit seriously. “Power Squirrel and I are both highly susceptible to magic. Wouldn’t it be better for one of us to go with Supersquirrel to crash the magic shield—and let Donna take on Ssirce?”

“No.” Donna said, her tone was apologetic. “Right now I am far more susceptible to Ssirce’s magic. As a Rabbazon, she would be able to control me far more easier than either you or Power Squirrel.”

“Ok.” Power Girl nodded, not sure if she believed all of this. Perhaps she was in bed, sleeping. Perhaps she hadn’t gone into the office at all yet—and this was all some weird dream brought on by having Diet Soda and pepperoni pizza for dinner last night. She rarely had Diet Soda since she was allergic to artificial sweeteners, but she’d cheated a little last night. Was she paying for it now with a seriously wacked out dream.

“OUCH!” Power Girl cried out as Power Squirrel pinched her. “What was that for?”

“You’re not dreaming.” Power Squirrel replied.

“How did you--?”

“I’m you. Remember? I’m just you as a squirrel. Just like you’re just me as a human. I still know what you’re thinking.” Power Squirrel said crossly.

“This is so messed up.” Power Girl laughed lightly, although it was less of a humorous sound and more of a I think I’m losing it laugh.

Suddenly, a beeping on her belt went off.

“Uh-oh.” Power Girl groaned.

“Uh-oh what?” Supersquirrel asked.

“What is that beeping?” Wonder Rabbit asked.

“My cat is overdue for his treatment. Today is the day.” Power Girl had meant to take care of that this morning, but she’d been running late after getting distracted by over instant messenger with Babs.

“What treatment?” Donna Troy asked.

“The treatment to keep his super-powers off. I have to blast him every two weeks with this experimental weapon that keeps his meta-gene inactive. Otherwise there is a Super-Cat flying around Century City killing mice and crashing through supermarket windows to get cat food… and occasionally fighting super-villains.” Power Girl shook her head. Of all the lousy luck. Last time she’d forgotten to re-dose Creaky he’d crashed through her window and then through the wall of pet store where he’d eaten all of their caged birds.

“Uh-oh.” Power Squirrel groaned.

“Uh-oh what?” Supersquirrel asked.

“Uh… you know that cats don’t get along with squirrels or rabbits right?” Power Squirrel said.

“So? Your point?” Supersquirrel asked.

“If there is a super-powered cat on the loose, he’s likely to attack the Rabbazons. Who while invading his city, are actually being controlled by an evil sorceress.” Wonder Rabbit said.

“You don’t think your cat would eat any of our Rabbazon sisters do you?” Donna Troy asked.

“I’m sure he won’t.” Power Girl didn’t sound all that convinced. “Let’s just get to work at defeating Ssirce so I can go home and give him his treatment.”

And, with that, the four cute super-heroine animals and Power Girl flew off to begin their attack.

From the bow window of Karen Starr’s apartment, Creaky the Cat watched as the Rabbazon army marched down the street in formation. He followed them intently, sizing them up. Creaky licked his lips. It had been far too long since he’d had anything to eat other than organic dry cat food (yuck) and organic wet cat food (double-yuck… it usually had peas in it).

Cats don’t eat peas. Creaky thought crossly, watching the Rabbazons marching. Why would there be peas in his organic cat food. It made no sense.

Creaky watched for several more minutes, before he hissed. Those Rabbazons looked tasty, but he realized instinctively that they were up to no good. He paid particular attention to the evil red glow in their eyes, wondering if they were somehow being magically controlled by an evil sorceress. Hey, stranger things have happened—like a cat getting super-powers in a freak exploding vacuum cleaner incident.

As Creaky remembered “The Accident”, he felt the tale-tell tingling all over his body as hormones from his meta-gene began to flood his system. He had noted that it was past due time for his Mother to shoot him with her evil gun just this morning. But, he hadn’t even thought to consider he might get his powers back. Creaky had learned long ago to not hope too much for anything—that was the easiest way to get disappointed.

But, the tingling told him his powers were back.

As a surge of super-powered energy flowed through him, Creaky lifted up from where he had been watching the Rabbazons and flew into his Mother’s bedroom. There, hidden in a shoebox on the top shelf of the closet, he found the red cape he’d worn as Creaky the Super-Cat. Pulling it on, Creaky crashed through a window and went off into the afternoon.

The shield cracked with magic energy. Just being near it sent shivers down Supersquirrel’s spine. All this talk of Power Squirrel and her whiny human counterpart being susceptible to magic—it was as though they had all forgotten that Supersquirrel also shared that weakness.

“You know that I’m allergic to magic too.” Supersquirrel said cautiously.

“And I have magic in my blood. Thanks to Duck Angel’s manipulations of my life, I am sort of half-magic avatar half rabbit. And, easily controlled and manipulated by magicians because of it.” Donna Troy retorted. “All we have to do is attack this shield at it’s weakest point. A couple well placed punches and the whole thing will come tumbling down—and send a massive wave of magic feedback that should knock Ssirce on her scaley snake-butt.”

“How do we know where the shield’s weakest spot is?” Supersquirrel asked.

“Do you see the colored sparks dancing across the shield? It’s like a pattern.” Donna pointed.

Supersquirrel nodded. It looked like some kind of light show.

“Do you see these spots were the sparks flare up and are brightest?”

Supersquirrel nodded again, adding a, “Yeah.”

“Those bright sparks denote a weakness in the shield. Like a bump or a crack. The disruption in the shield makes the sparks flare out.” Donna Troy said, touching the sparkling lights playing across the shield cautiously. “Just use your super-vision to find the weak spot. Then I’ll give it a super-punch and the back surge will overload Ssirce and make her super-easy for the Power Twins to defeat her.”

“Thanks for going over all of that again Captain Recap.” Supersquirrel remarked sarcastically with an eye roll.

“No prob.” Donna Troy giggled.

“OK. One super-vision scan coming up.” Supersquirrel began her scan.

Three minutes later, she found it.

“It’s this way!” Supersquirrel said, leading the way.

Supersquirrel and Donna Troy flew toward the spot, moving so fast that they made the trip to the other side of the city within a minute.

“It’s right here.” Supersquirrel said.

“I see it.” Donna Troy then remarked, “It’s beautiful.”

And it was. There were bright dancing sparks leaping from the shield—looking like stars falling from the sky.

Donna pulled back, preparing to punch the shimmering shield with all of her might. Her paw was curled tightly into a fist, and her eyes focused on that bright dancing cluster of sparkling light.

“HALT!”

Donna turned and looked behind her, where Supersquirrel hovered, just in time to see a squadron of four Rabbazons come into view on the turnip sky-sleds.

“By the order of Queen Hiphoppita, I command you to cease, desist, and surrender. If you refuse or resist, you will be terminated—immediately. Executed for high treason.” The lead Rabbazon of the squadron said; her long red hair danced like a ribbon.

Donna Troy kept her clenched paw poised and ready to strike.

“Artemis, you are under Ssirce’s control. You don’t know what you’re saying.” Supersquirrel said to Diana’s one-time replacement as Wonder Rabbit. “Donna is a royal princess. You can’t threaten a princess.”

“SILENCE!” Artemis shouted, as the other three Rabbazons hovered in formation behind her. “Princess Donna has made her position clear—she is against her mother and our invasion of this Man’s World. She has therefore renounced her royal heritage and is no more than a common peasant.”

Blocking Artemis out, Donna said to Supersquirrel, “Can you keep them occupied for me for a few minutes?”

“Can do.” Supersquirrel took a deep breath, and then with a sudden blast of super-breath she sent them spinning away.

Not even Artemis regained control of her sky-sled until she was on the other side of Century City, nearly slamming into the magic shield on that side.

“I got you a few minutes.” Supersquirrel said, “Use them wisely.”

“Thank you.” Donna slammed her furry paw into the magic shield—sending a massive tremor through it. The entire magic shield seemed to quiver for a moment—and almost looked like it had blinked out of existence. But, then it settled down—looking as it had when they had first arrived.

“Damn.” Donna swore, “Need another one.”

“They’re back.” Supersquirrel said.

“That didn’t take long.” Donna replied, pulling back to strike again. “Can you give me a few more minutes?”

“No prob.” Supersquirrel said, then she hesitated. “Oh… wait. We’ve got a problem.”

“What?” Donna asked.

“Kryptonite.” Supersquirrel said, staring at the small nugget of green Kryptonite tipping the arrow one of the Rabbazons was pointing at her.

“Surrender, or we’ll shoot. Not even you can escape Kryptonite.” Artemis purred. Her red rabbit eyes gleamed with pure evil.

Knowing her only real chance was to prevent the arrow from being shot at her, Supersquirrel attacked. Figuring the act would also buy Donna some time.

At the moment Supersquirrel flung herself through the air to attack the Rabbazon threatening her with a Kryptonite tipped arrow, one of the other Rabbazon’s fired an energy bolt from a laser weapon—slamming into Donna Troy.

Donna screamed in pain before blacking out and spinning toward the city below.

Supersquirrel knocked the Kryptonite arrow from the Rabbazon and then went after Donna.

Power Girl and Power Squirrel held back as Wonder Rabbit flew up to the Century City Memorial Monument where Hiphoppita and Ssirce were.

“Ah, Diana. How nicccce of you to arrive.” Ssirce’s words slithered from her mouth along with her long forked tongue. Her pale green scaled skin shimmered dark and ominous in the oddly filtered light beaming down through the magical force field over the city.

“I’m not here for you Ssirce.” Wonder Rabbit said, her eyes focused on her mother. “I need to speak to you my Queen.” She hesitated then said, “Mother.”

Queen Hiphoppita looked at her, the queer red light of Ssirce’s magic glaring from her eyes. It broke Diana’s heart to see her mother consumed by Ssirce’s madness.

“What do we have to say to one another my daughter?” Hiphoppita said, her voice dreary and watery. The Rabbazons below advanced, their swords, spears, and laser weapons poised.

Wonder Rabbit turned toward them, “I command thee to stand back.”

“Who are you to command the Rabbazon army?” Ssirce asked. Her bright yellow slitted eyes held more evil than Wonder Rabbit had ever beheld in any other creature.

“I am their Princess.” Wonder Rabbit said boldly. “And, as their Princess, I am invoking upon them a cease and desist command, so that I might get to the matter at hand—the matter that brings me here to speak to the Rabbazon queen.”

Wonder Rabbit cleared her throat, preparing herself for what she was about to do.

“Queen Hiphoppita, matriarch of Paradise Island, ruler for over a millennia, the chosen ruler by divine decree.” Wonder Rabbit tried to keep the tremor from her voice as she remembered the lines she’d memorized and gone over a dozen times since Ssirce had enslaved her mother and the Rabbazons. “The Gods gave you right to rule. But per their decree, should you ever become unfit to rule—you must face the Challenge of the Crown.”

A gasp went over the Rabbazon army. Even Ssirce was surprised.

“What are you doing?!” Ssirce hadn’t expected this.

From where Power Girl and her squirrel doppelganger watched, Power Girl’s mouth dropped in shock.

“What is she doing?” Power Girl asked.

“She’s challenging her mother to the right to rule. It involves a fight to the death. The victor takes on the crown of the Rabbazons.” Power Squirrel whispered. “That’s why she wanted Donna out of here. Donna would have never let her go through with this. Not even to save your world and ours.”

“But, if it’s a fight to the death…”

“Her allegation is that Queen Hiphoppita is unfit to rule. And, under Ssirce’s madness she is. This is why it’s important for you and I to succeed. If we can defeat Ssirce and then break the spell over Hiphoppita, Diana can withdraw her challenge without any dishonor. Otherwise, she is bound and obligated by Rabbazon and Olympian law to slay her mother—or be slain in the process.” Power Squirrel explained.

“We’ll beat that snake to a pulp.” Power Girl said, clenching her fists.

Down below at the Midway City Memorial Monument, Diana continued.

“By the law that governs us, handed down from Olympus and voted into binding ceremony by the Rabbazons, I state that you are unfit to rule Queen Hiphoppita. And, as next in line to the throne, it is my divine right to challenge your right to rule and claim your crown as my own.” Wonder Rabbit’s voice did not waver.

“Your challenge is accepted.” Queen Hiphoppita said. “Although it will pain me to slay my own daughter, it is evident that you have been corrupted by the ways of the Patriarch’s World you have lived in since living Paradise Island so much that you would side against the Rabbazon’s and their holy mission rather than stand beside us and conquer and rule as we were meant to do.”

Queen Hiphoppita drew her sword.

Diana took the sword from the hilt on her side.

“As the challenger, the first strike is yours… Princess.” Hiphoppita gritted her teeth, steeling herself for her daughter’s challenge.

Diana swung with all of her might.

Once the sound of steel clashed, Power Squirrel turned to Power Girl.

“That’s our cue. The Rabbazons are bound by law to see their battle through to the finish. They cannot intervene on Ssirce’s behalf, even if she asks. Otherwise the challenge is forfeit and Diana wins by default.” Power Squirrel said.

“How is that?”

“The laws state that should any Rabbazon present when the challenge present attempt to leave or avert her eyes, then the challenger wins. It denotes a weakness in the Queen’s rule and justification for the challenge if even one witness turns their back upon the challenge—since nothing should be more pressing to them.” Power Squirrel said.

“Sounds good.” Power Girl shrugged, “I guess. OK. Let’s go.”

The two of them flew toward Ssirce.

“Ah! The pseudo Kryptonians!” Ssirce’s eyes lit up once they arrived. “I think Diana’s play is becoming clear. While she has Hiphoppita and the Rabbazons tied up in the Challenge of the Crown, she sends you two to battle me, while your other compatriots attack the magic shield. A sound plan… if not for the fact that the two of you are so weak to magic.”

“Shut up and put up your dukes.” Power Squirrel said, flinging herself toward Ssirce.

Before she reached her, Ssirce released a volley of black magic energy. It slammed into Power Squirrel, knocking her from the sky.

“That was ridiculously easy.” Ssirce focused on Power Girl. “Will you be so easily defeated? Have you, like your doppelganger there ignored your magical heritage? Instead focusing all of your attention on your muscles and might? Have you spent all your years yearning for some past long forgotten and wasted time you could have spent learning to defend yourself against and how to manipulate the magic that is your birth right?”

“Probably.” Power Girl shrugged, “But, you know, I’m not old like you. I haven’t had years and years to focus on learning to be a witch.”

“Tough talk. My energy will knock you over just the same as it did Power Squirrel.” Ssirce said, just as dark energy began to churn and spin all around her. “I will give you a little extra something special, just so the heroes of this world don’t assume I’m the same wimp that your Circe is. I may not have a spine, but she brings spineless to a whole other level.”

“Wow. You are just as big of a b*tch as she is.” Power Girl said, running through scenarios in her mind. She wasn’t going to last long against Ssirce as long as that force field was up. Hopefully Supersquirrel and Donna Troy could get it down soon—or else this was going to be a short fight.

As if to emphasize her impending doom, she heard Queen Hiphoppita grunt out in pain and Diana scream in anguish. Power Girl didn’t dare to turn and look—taking her eyes of Ssirce for even a second could be the opening that witch needed.

Donna Troy regained control of her self just as she was clearing the tops of the tallest buildings of Century City. She looked up and could make out the tiny images of Artemis and the other Rabbazons as Supersquirrel fought them.

“They had an arrow tipped with Kryptonite.” Donna whispered. “How did Ssirce get her hands on that?”

Donna reminded herself that there was no time to think about it. She looked at the force shield. Even from her she could make out the weak spot. It was easily seen once you knew what you were looking for. She had to take that out first. She hated that it was like that. She’d much rather be helping Supersquirrel. But, she needed to get that shield down so Power Girl and Power Squirrel could defeat Ssirce and all of this madness could end. Her bringing down the shield would save everyone—not just Supersquirrel.

Donna hated decisions like this. And, far too often, the older she got and the more of these big world-wide threats she faced, she found that often the choice had to be made between the needs of the many rather than the needs of the one. It sucked.

With all of her might as a Rabbazon and with all the strength she’d been gifted by the Titans of Myth and every ounce of determination she had from her time as a Teen Titan, Donna Troy slammed full force into the force shield.

When the force field shattered, it hit Century City like a sonic boom. Many buildings lost their windows and everyone who had been hiding inside their homes and in the buildings, took further shelter, convinced the mad Rabbazon’s who had invaded their city were now bombing it.

The sound was music to Power Girl’s ears.

She watched as the glimmering shield broke down and crumbled, sending sparks of magic energy all around their heads.

“It looks like they got the shield down.” Ssirce said, her eyes still holding the gleam of ultimate evil. “I suppose you all thought the magical backlash would knock out.”

“Something like that.” Power Girl said, not liking Ssirce’s attitude at all.

“Never once did any of you consider that with the force shield and my control of the Rabbazons, that I had stretched myself thin. That perhaps bringing down the shield would actually increase my powers?” Ssirce gloated, “No. Of course none of you considered that. Let that be the last thing you consider before you die!”

With that Ssirce released dark crackling bolts of dark energy—striking Power Girl square in the chest.

Power Girl screamed as the intense pain tore through her. She had never experienced pain like this. It brought her to her knees; even as she tried to steel herself against the magical onslaught.

“No.” Power Girl gritted her teeth. It felt like she was burning alive from the inside out. She suddenly wished she had made time to explore her magic heritage before. Through the pain tearing her apart, she knew that if she had even the barest understanding of magic and how it worked, she would be resisting this at least a little. It wouldn’t be such an easy victory for Ssirce. And, that’s what she hated. An easy victory for a slimy snake.

“No?” Ssirce asked. “No? You never considered that? No it won’t be the last thing you think of? Or, no you aren’t going to die today at the hands of a snake. Is that what is really getting to you my dear? Is it that after all of these years, it’s not going to be the Anti-Monitor, or Garn Danuuth, or the Queen Bee, or the Hate League, or the Joker, or any of the other big-bad super-villains of your Earth. But, it’s going to be a magic snake from an alternate reality Earth full of talking rabbits and squirrels.”

“Something like that.” Power Girl resisted, but the black churning energy was too much. She looked to Power Squirrel who was still knocked out. Her eyes trailed to see Wonder Rabbit and Queen Hiphoppita still clashing—their swords slamming into each other with such intensity it seemed like the sky would be torn asunder above them.

Ssirce advanced, the energy around her growing darker and crackling.

“Well, let this be your one comfort—“ Ssirce was almost demure, “I’m the same snake who is going to crush your entire world and kill anyone who stands in my way. You might be the first super-hero to die, but you surely will not be the last.”

Giant arcs of black crackling energy flared out around Ssirce’s fists.

“Prepare to die!” Ssirce hissed.

At that moment, a sound came that was music to Power Girl’s ears. It was another hiss. A super-hiss!

“What?!” Ssirce said, spinning toward the hissing had come from.

Flying toward her at super-speed, following the direction of his super-hiss, was Creaky the Super-Cat.

Creaky meowed something at Ssirce to show his displeasure at her.

Creaky landed on top of Ssirce and with one swipe of his strong as steel claws, Ssirce’s head was neatly sliced from her body—bouncing away, sending a streaming arc of blood splattering the concrete below her.

“Gross!” Power Girl cried as the blood splashed her. “BAD KITTY!”

“Reoow?” Creaky asked, cocking his head to one side and regarding Power Girl with his one good eye.

“Bad kitty!” Power Girl stood up, despite the aching in her limbs and walked over to Creaky, lifting him up into her arms, she took his face in her hand and turned it toward her. “Creaky. I thank you for saving Momma from that crazy b*tch, but we don’t kill people…. Or magic snakes.”

Power Girl looked down at the gory remains of Ssirce. She cradled her cat closer, whispering in his ear so no one else could hear, “OK. Technically that was a bad thing you did. And PETA will probably protest you. But, you saved Momma. Good kitty.” She gave him a kiss on the top of his head and turned to watch as the enchantment Ssirce had over the Rabbazons broke.

“Where are we?” Seemed to be what most of them were saying.

Over where Hiphoppita and Wonder Rabbit clashed, the sound of metal scraping metal stopped.

“Diana?!” Hiphoppita’s voice was filled with shock. “Dear God! What am I doing?!” She threw her sword aside, as did Wonder Rabbit and the two rabbits threw their arms around one another, embracing tightly.

Creaky the Super-Cat made a plaintive meowing sound.

“No sweetie.” Power Girl told him, “You cannot eat the rabbits.”

Much later, once the Rabbazons were gone, and Creaky was at home, depowered and sleeping.

Power Girl stood atop a building with Power Squirrel and the others.

“Thank you for your assistance.” Wonder Rabbit said, “We couldn’t have succeeded without you. Although I do wish your cat hadn’t killed Ssirce.”

“Oh, whatever.” Power Squirrel said, “That cat did us a favor. That witch has been menacing sentient beings since she was first hatched thousands of years ago. She got her just deserts.”

Wonder Rabbit didn’t say anything, she only gave Power Squirrel a disapproving glare.

“Oh, you know what, don’t look at me like that. You would have chopped her head off too if that had been the only way to stop her. Don’t act like you wouldn’t. I could see you snapping someone’s neck if that’s what it took to save the world.” Power Squirrel said.

“This is not a time for such discussions.” Wonder Rabbit said. She turned to Power Girl, “Thank you again for your assistance. Hopefully when next we meet it will be under less dire circumstances.”

“Later!” Power Girl waved, watching Wonder Rabbit fly off.

“It was nice meeting you!” Donna Troy smiled, then followed her sister.

“Bye!” Supersquirrel followed suit, leaving Power Girl and Power Squirrel alone on the rooftop.

“Is Wonder Rabbit always that… sanctimonious?”

“Usually. Isn’t your Wonder Woman like that?”

“No. She gets a little preachy sometimes at Thanksgiving about how we’re celebrating oppressing the Native Americans, but they don’t have Thanksgiving on Paradise Island, so I can understand her focusing on the more negative aspect of the holiday.” Power Girl shrugged.

“It was nice meeting you Karen.” Power Squirrel said, “I should head back before the gateway to our world closes.”

“OK. It was nice to meet you too Karen.” Power Girl smiled. “Maybe the next the gateway opens you could come over and visit for a bit.”

“Promise to protect me from your cat?”

“Of course.” Power Girl laughed.

The two of them hugged before Power Squirrel flew off into the afternoon.

“This officially wins as strangest oddest day ever.” Power Girl said, then turned to head home.

THE END