The sun was beginning to set on Sanctuary Island. A small group of people watched the spectacular sight from the patio located behind the island's hotel. They chatted amongst themselves recalling past glories and reminiscing about departed friends.
The man known as Hyperion did most of the talking. In spite of being a hero dating back to World War II, Hyperion still looked young and incredibly fit. His appearance was like a Greek god had stepped down from Olympus. He even glowed slightly.
The other three companions were not as fortunate as Hyperion. Each had also been a hero back in the Great War, but they had not withstood the passing of years so well. Jennifer Hamilton needed a wheelchair to get around these days. Her black hair had grayed over the years. At one time she had been known as Shadowcat, leader of the Crimebusters.
Seated next to them was a thin elderly black man. His hair was short cropped and was salt-n-pepper in color. He wore work overalls, a t-shirt, and an old baseball cap. He had been known as Rush, one of the first speedsters in the world. Presently he was Sanctuary's handyman.
Rounding out the group was a physically fit woman. She appeared to be in early fifties but was actually older. Her brown hair was beginning to gray and the wrinkles on her face had grown more pronounced. She wore a light blue floral blouse, with matching shorts, and sandals. Her muscle tone was still excellent.
The woman's heroic identity of Lady Victory was well known the world over. She was the only woman to successfully be transformed by the super soldier formula in the days before World War II. Lady Victory was one of the founders of the Liberty League, the very first hero team. Decades later, she would also help found the Minutemen. After over forty years of fighting crime the legendary heroine had retired six years ago when the Minutemen broke up.
The four friends were busily talking away when a lithe woman with short black hair came stalking up. Based on the look on her face, she was not the least bit happy. Her gaze locked directly upon Jennifer Hamilton.
"What did you do to me, mother?" Felina Kirby demanded angrily.
"Is this little Felicia?" Hyperion wondered as he rose to meet Felina. "I've heard much about you, child. A pleasure to finally meet you."
Hyperion offered his hand, but Felina ignored it. Her gaze did not waver from her mother. Jennifer couldn't help but shift under the burning intensity of that gaze. It made her feel most uncomfortable.
"I have no idea what you are going on about, Felicia," Jennifer simply answered. "You can be nasty to me, but there is no reason to be rude to my friends."
"Perhaps you should hear the girl out," Lady Victory advised. "She seems quite upset."
"I now know that I wasn't born with my powers, mother. I was chemically mutated much like the original Hunter was when I was a child. What I want to know is how you could do that to your own flesh and blood at such a young age?" Felina maintained an even tone while she spoke, but there was more than a hint of threat in her voice.
Jennifer Hamilton turned back to Felina in shock. She never imagined that this particular secret would ever see the light of day. It had been so long ago, buried far in the distant past. Everyone turned to look at the former Shadowcat.
Lady Victory gasped in surprise. "Jennifer!" she chastised. "Did you do such a thing to your own daughter?"
"We were at war," Jennifer responded after several moments passed. "I wanted to give my daughter everything that I didn't have. When I heard about the Super Soldier Formula, I had one manufactured with feline overtones. I turned out be allergic to the formula, but Felicia was not so hindered. I gave it to her so that she could be an even greater heroine that I ever was. An ace in the hole should the Axis Powers win the war. I wanted the best for my daughter."
"What is it with you people?" Felina cried out in anger. "Superpowers have been nothing but a curse to our entire family! They've ruined all of our lives and now it's happened to Helena."
By now, each had heard about the unfortunate incident regarding the Huntress. Jennifer had visited her granddaughter several times while she had been recovering on Sanctuary. What had happened to Helena deeply saddened Jennifer.
"We are all very sorry for what happened to Helena," Hyperion tried to apologize, but Felina cut him off.
"You don't even know everything that happened to her! She found out about the booster shot that Lane used to put him on par with his father. She took it herself and is now a giant feline running loose in New York City! And you want to know why? Because the booster shot amplified not only the vaunted Super Soldier Formula, but also the formula you used on me as well! You poisoned me and I passed it along to my daughter! I hope you can live with your precious legacy!"
Felina turned and stalked away, leaving behind four very stunned individuals. Jennifer Hamilton remained silent, not knowing what to say, not knowing what to think. She had never meant to hurt any of her children. She only did what she thought was best for them.
Lady Victory was the first to recover. She was out of her chair and chased after Felina, moving faster than someone of her advanced years should be able to. "Felicia! Wait!"
Catching up to the fast walking woman, Lady Victory walked side by side with Felina. "My name is Felina."
"Felina, I'm sorry. Maybe I can be of some help."
"I don't see what you can do," Felina countered gruffly. She didn't bother to slow her pace the slightest bit.
"I used to be known as Lady Victory. The Super Soldier Formula also changed me when I was a teenager. I was friends and teammates with the original Hunter for many years."
"I thought you looked familiar," Felina remarked. "But I still don't see what you can do to help."
"There is very little I can do personally, but I happen to be on friendly terms with the man who created the original Super Soldier Formula. Surely he might be able to help your daughter."
Felina suddenly came to a stop and stared at the elder heroine. "Come on, maybe you can help!"
The two women picked up their pace once more, heading towards the island medical center.
Helena had been passing through Central Park on her way to the Avengers Mansion when interrupted by Aquiline, the self proclaimed protector of the park. Interpreting the birdman's appearance as a challenge, Helena had gone on the offensive and attacked.
Aquiline had managed to take a large chunk out of Helena's side with his talons. Helena then lured the birdman in and struck back with her own claws, bloodying his chest. A burst of fire separated the two combatants. Turning, both discovered that the Avengers had arrived on the scene!
"I see it and I still don't believe it!" Muskateer muttered. There had been rumors of a birdman inhabiting Central Park for weeks now. Tonight the Avengers had discovered those rumors to be true.
Even more shocking was the state of the Huntress. She had been mutated into a human/cat hybrid. Helena now had a feline face, dark fur covered her body, and she had a tail. Most of the Avengers could only gasp at the bizarre transformation their former teammate had undergone.
Helena backed away from the fire in fear. Her animal instincts told her to run away from the flames. But she continued to hold her ground. The scent of the costumed beings before her was vaguely familiar, but could not be placed. Finally, her animal side won out. Helena turned and scampered off into the darkness of Central Park.
"After her!" Black Diamond directed. "We can't let her get away!"
Aquiline used the distraction to his own advantage as well. The birdman took flight and rapidly fled the scene. Muskateer sent a blast of electricity from his sword after the fleeing avian, but was too late.
"What about the winged guy?" Muskateer asked.
"Let him go. He's not important right now," Black Diamond answered as she took flight. "Capturing Helena is all that matters! Firestar, Ranger with me! We'll try to herd her back to the rest of you." Muskateer, Supreme, and Guardian Angel spread out behind Black Diamond and moved in the direction Helena had scampered off in.
Diamond surged ahead of the fasting moving Helena and circled back around. She landed less than twenty feet in front of the feline. "Helena! You have to remember that I'm your friend! Please let me help you!"
Helena skidded to a stop. She paused at the familiar smell, but the meaning of the words completely eluded her. Helena darted off in a different direction away from Black Diamond and the other Avengers.
After only a dozen or so steps a burst of flame suddenly blocked Helena's path. Firestar hovered overhead, her fires illuminating the night. The Blood heroine had been very careful to avoid actually striking her former teammate with her fiery discharge. "Sorry, Huntress, but we can't let you get away. It's really for your own good."
This time Helena didn't pause and simply ran off in a new direction. Her animalistic fear of fire was driving her on. The pain in her side was now subsiding. Her hyper-regenerative ability had already stopped the bleeding and was beginning to heal the wound caused by Aquiline.
Black Diamond soared in after Helena, passing Firestar. "Keep to her flank," Diamond commanded. "We're in business if Ranger can finish turning her around."
"I'm on it!" Firestar responded and she surged forward. The fiery Avenger stayed to the Huntress' right side, while Diamond flanked her on the left. Together, the heroines drove Helena forward towards the waiting Texas Ranger.
Ranger had landed in a clearing and was waiting for Helena to reach him. He concentrated and generated a force wall in front of himself. Finally, Helena burst into the clearing and ran headlong into the unseen barrier. Her sharp feline senses had failed to detect its presence. Helena bounced off the force field and fell to the ground disorientated.
"Whoa there, lil' lady!" Ranger intoned. "We're jes trying to help ya get back ta normal."
As he spoke, Ranger dropped the force wall and attempted to lift Helena into the air telekinetically. Once off the ground, the cat creature should be helpless. However, Helena was faster than Ranger had anticipated and was on the move again before he could even make the attempt.
"Critter's like greased lightning!" Ranger noted in astonishment.
A moment later, Black Diamond and Firestar flew past. "Good job, Ranger! We've got her heading back towards the others! Take my spot and I'll circle around from the other side to block her escape!"
Black Diamond veered off and then accelerated to her top speed. The leader of the Avengers swung out around Helena's path and moved past the others to block her escape. The Texas Ranger rose into the air and joined Firestar as they drove Helena forward.
Via their comlinks, Muskateer, Supreme, and Guardian Angel were aware of Helena's impending return. The trio had spread out in hopes of penning Helena in.
"This'll be just like sacking a quarterback," Supreme noted enthusiastically. "Piece o' cake."
"We must not harm our friend," Guardian Angel cautioned. "She is not responsible for her current behavior. We must contain her as gently as possible. Allowed to continue to run loose she could cause untold damage."
"Ya know, GA, I liked you better on television," Supreme grumbled to himself. "At least then I could shut you off."
Before Guardian Angel could offer any comment, Muskateer cut her off. "Get ready people! Here she comes!"
Helena was running full speed towards the heroes with Firestar and the Texas Ranger driving her forward. Muskateer studied the fast moving target and readied the taser attack built into his sword.
Supreme ran forward towards the fast moving feline. "Slow down there, fuzzy! This won't hurt too much!"
Helena skidded to a stop as Supreme bore down on her. She could sense pursuit still behind her and more people moving to cut her off. She was surrounded, but only for a moment. Surging forward once more, Helena ran right at Supreme and simply leaped over the garishly garbed strongman.
"Hey!" Supreme objected as he vainly tried to grab Helena as she passed overhead. "Come back here!" Supreme skidded to a stop and changed course. He ran as fast as he could after Helena.
A bolt of electricity lit up the night as Muskateer tried to hit Helena while she was still in midair. The attack sailed harmlessly past.
Helena landed gracefully without breaking stride. She scampered across the park, easily outdistancing Supreme and Muskateer. Witnessing what had transpired; Guardian Angel had taken to the air and was now bearing down on Helena.
The red, golden and powder blue heroine surged forward and grasped Helena around the ankle, dragging her down. The two hit the ground and tumbled. Somehow Guardian Angel managed to hang on to the frenzied feline.
"I have her!" Guardian Angel cried out. "I know you are not yourself, but do not fight me. I will not hurt you! I am only trying to help you!"
Helena hissed in response and lashed out with her claws. Guardian Angel endured several strikes on her hands before Helena could slip free from her grasp. The attacks on Angel were painful, but didn't cause any serious harm. None of the claw strikes had even broken the heroine's skin.
Helena was in full panic by now. She was operating solely on instincts and her primitive desire for freedom. After breaking free from Guardian Angel, Helena had gone only a few steps before crashing hard into Black Diamond. The heroine had landed and was rushing to assist Guardian Angel.
Black Diamond was unmoved from the impact and she wrapped Helena up in her arms. "I've got you, Helena. You won't get away from me."
The impact had momentarily stunned Helena, but she quickly recovered. She struggled to break free of the iron-like grip imprisoning her. Her claws lashed out wildly, slashing Black Diamond and repeatedly shredding her costume.
"Let me help you." Guardian Angel was on her feet and ran to assist Black Diamond. She grabbed Helena's arms and pulled them away from Diamond. In spite of Helena's wild gyrations, Angel held on this time.
Firestar and the Texas Ranger landed close by, neither sure just what to do. They didn't want to hurt neither Helena nor the heroines grappling with her.
Muskateer rushed in and touched his sword to Helena's body. "Time for a catnap, Sprout!" Electricity poured into the feline and her body stiffened before falling limp in the arms of Black Diamond and Guardian Angel.
"That thar's one ornery wildcat," Ranger drawled in admiration.
"Thank you," Black Diamond panted in gratitude towards Muskateer. "Her claws are quite painful."
"Glad I just have to take your word for it, Di", Muskateer responded.
Diamond gently laid Helena on the ground, revealing the wounds the feline had inflicted upon her. Much of Diamond's costume had been torn away and there were numerous blooded cuts.
"Di!" Supreme gasped as he rushed in. "You've been hurt!"
"I'll be fine, Terry. We've got to get Helena to Sanctuary before she recovers. I don't want to go through that again."
"Let me lasso this har runaway for yah, Di," Ranger responded. The Texas hero took at step towards Muskateer. "Mind if I borrow yer rope, pahdner?"
"Be my guest, Tex."
Ranger accepted Muskateer's reinforced climbing line and quickly hog-tied Helena like she was a runaway calf. Her wrists and ankles where tied together and cinched so as to eliminate any slack.
While Ranger worked, Diamond concentrated and repaired the damage done to her costume. The cat scratches to her flesh would have to heal naturally.
"Good work, Ranger," Black Diamond stated as she picked up the secured Helena. I'll get her to Sanctuary. The rest of you can call it a night."
"If'n it's all the same to you, Ma'am, I'd just as soon go along," Ranger offered.
"Let's go then." Diamond streaked off into the night, with the Texas Ranger following as best as he could.
Less than five minutes later, Black Diamond and the Texas Ranger delivered the transformed Huntress to Sanctuary's medical center. Helena had regained consciousness, but this time Ranger held her aloft, preventing her from escaping. Muskateer's reinforced line held her fast.
"We have her," Black Diamond announced as she held the doors open for Ranger and his burden. Together they entered into one of the med labs. "Anything new on this end?"
"Thank goodness!" Felina rushed to her daughter's side, but held her ground seeing that Helena didn't seem to recognize her. She hissed and growled as she struggled to escape.
Already present in the room were Dr. Brinton, Dr. Marin, Felina, and Nightingale. Much to Black Diamond's surprise, Lady Victory was here as well. Lady Victory had been one of Diamond's idols while she was a young girl and later she had the chance to participate in several adventures with the famous heroine. It was an experience that Diamond would never forget.
"Lady Victory?" Diamond said in surprise. "What brings you here?"
The elder heroine stepped towards Black Diamond while the doctors directed Ranger to deposit the thrashing Helena on a nearby examination table. Sedatives were injected into the black feline and her struggles grew feebler until she finally fell asleep.
"A pleasure to see you as always, Black Diamond," Lady Victory stated as she shook Diamond's hand. "I only wish it was under better circumstances."
"At least Dr. Destroyer isn't trying to conquer the world this time."
"Agreed," Victory added. "I happened to be visiting some old friends on Sanctuary and heard about the trouble. Since I also was injected with the Super Soldier Formula, I thought I might be able to help out."
"Of course." Black Diamond had forgotten that the same experiment that had created the first Hunter had also created Lady Victory as well. "I just hope that something can be done get Helena back to normal."
Ranger untied Helena and she was stretched out on the examination table. Restraining straps were added to prevent her fleeing again. Felina stayed by her daughter's side, not knowing what to say or what to do.
"You're bleeding," Nightingale noticed as she approached Black Diamond.
Diamond looked down to discover that patches of blood were clearly visible on her costume. "Helena clawed me a few times. Nothing serious."
"Come on, let me clean those out." Nightingale directed Diamond to an adjacent examining room.
Black Diamond entered the examining room and hopped up on the table. Nightingale followed the Avenger's leader into the room and closed the door behind her. Diamond concentrated and willed her costume away so that 'Gale could get at the cuts more easily.
The sheer number of cuts surprised Nightingale. "She did quite a number on you."
"I'll live. It's Helena that I'm concerned about now. Do you have any good news at all?"
'Gale began to wipe the blood away from the cuts and applied salve to prevent infection. Given how fast Black Diamond could heal herself stitches would not be necessary. "Unfortunately, no. We've only begun to analyze the formula that Helena injected herself with. I can grasp some of the science behind this, but it might take weeks for us to completely analyze the formula and develop a counteragent. If that is even possible."
Minutes later, Black Diamond and Nightingale rejoined the others. Doctors Brinton and Marin were busily examining Helena. A concerned Felina looked on while Ranger did his best to comfort her.
"Extraordinary," Dr. Brinton muttered as he worked. He had never seen a specimen like this one before. Considering some of the things that came through Sanctuary, that was saying a lot.
"This could take all night," Nightingale informed Felina, Diamond, Ranger, and Lady Victory. "There's no reason for all of you to remain here. We can call you if there is a change."
"I want to stay," Felina answered. "Lady Victory offered to contact the person who originally developed the Super Solider Formula and the booster shot."
"That level of insight would be a tremendous help," Nightingale agreed. "You can make your call here." 'Gale directed the famous heroine to a nearby phone and switched the loudspeaker on.
Victory sat down and dialed a number. It rang several times before a woman with a distinct British accent answered. "Bio-Investigations Limited. How may I direct your call?"
"Dr. Radcliffe, please."
"Of course, Dr. Sebastian Radcliffe," Nightingale noted to Black Diamond. "Only someone of his caliber could have created the Super Soldier Formula."
"I can't say I'm familiar with the name," Black Diamond whispered back. "Who is he?"
"Dr. Radcliffe was the most renowned bio-chemist of his age. He later founded Bio-Investigations."
Bio-Investigations was a company that Black Diamond had heard of before back in her days with the Guardians. Her teammate Spinnerette had once worked for Bio-Investigations before gaining her spider powers. Shrinker and King Cobra had also worked there before their transformations into villains. The main headquarters for Bio-Investigations was in Great Britain, but they had branches spanning the globe.
"Dr. Radcliffe speaking. How may I help you?" Much to everyone's surprise, the speaker was a woman! She also had a British accent.
"Sheila? Is that you?" Lady Victory wondered.
"Yes, this is Sheila Radcliffe. Lady Victory?"
"I'm sorry, Sheila. I should have been more specific with the receptionist. I was attempting to reach your father."
"I'm afraid that's not possible. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Dr. Sheila Radcliffe took over for her father several years back," Nightingale whispered to Black Diamond. "She's also an expert in bio-chemistry. I met her at a conference a few years back."
"Perhaps," Lady Victory continued. "I'm at the Medical Center on Sanctuary. I'll let one of the doctors here explain the situation."
On cue, Dr. Brinton stepped closer to the speaker and explained the situation to Dr. Radcliffe. Much of the terminology used went over those laymen present. "It was our hope that your father could help us out of this tricky problem. A young woman's life is at stake."
"I sympathize with your plight, but contacting my father is out of the question."
Lady Victory spoke up once more. "Sheila, knowing you father as well as I do, I am sure that you would do everything he could to help."
"In the past, I would have agreed with you. It's been years since you've last seen my father, Lady Victory. He's no longer the man you recall. On most days now he doesn't... He doesn't even remember his own name." The strain of emotion could be clearly heard as Sheila finished up her explanation.
"I'm sorry, Sheila," Lady Victory apologized. "I didn't know." She found it hard to believe that her old friend had fallen senile, but given his advanced years it wasn't too difficult to imagine.
"We're forced to keep him sedated for the most part. Mostly for his own protection. As you can see, he cannot possibly assist you in this matter." The examining room grew quiet as this faint hope to help Helena was thoroughly dashed.
"Is there anything you can do, Sheila?" Lady Victory inquired.
After a momentary silence, Felina could no longer contain herself. "Please! My daughter desperately needs help!"
"There might be something," Sheila finally relented. "I'm sending someone to your location. They should be able to help Hunter's granddaughter."
"Thank you, very much," Lady Victory said as she hung up the phone. "Help is on the way. It won't be long now."
"In the meantime, we can take some samples and run a few tests," Dr. Marin added. Dr. Brinton agreed and the two got to work.
Only Lady Victory was not surprised when the 'someone' they were waiting for arrived twenty minutes later. Everyone present instantly knew the identity of the woman, although only Lady Victory had actually met her before.
The new arrival was of average height with shoulder length auburn hair and green eyes. The torso of her costume was a stylized Union Jack, while her arms and legs were white. She wore short blue gloves and flared red ankle boots. A red cape billowed behind her. She was perhaps the most famous heroine in the United Kingdom. She was Lady Britannia!
Lady Victory handled the introductions. "Thank you for coming so quickly."
"My pleasure," Lady Britannia responded. "May I see the patient?"
Dr. Brinton stepped away from Helena as Lady Britannia approached. Suddenly, bright beams shot out of the heroine's eyes and they moved along the feline's body examining and probing the patient down to the DNA level.
While Lady Britannia examined the unconscious Helena, Felina, Nightingale, and Black Diamond approached Lady Victory. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful," Felina said, "but can she really help Helena?"
Like most in the room, Felina was only vaguely aware of the vast powers that Lady Britannia wielded. Rumor had it that she was able to draw upon the strength of her homeland to produce a wide variety of fantastic affects. There seemed to be no limits to her abilities.
"If anyone can help your daughter it is Lady Britannia," Lady Victory answered confidently. "Have faith."
After a few more minutes, the beams from Lady Britannia's eyes faded away and she rejoined the others. "I may be able to help, but it will not be without risk."
"What exactly are you proposing to do?" The query came from Nightingale. The Psionic-Avenger was unable to read Lady Britannia's thoughts and had to resort to reading her lips.
"Repair the damage done by the booster shot by doing some minor re-writing of her genetic structure. My goal is to weaken her feline aspects enough so that she becomes human again."
Response to Lady Britannia's claim was met with great skepticism and yet seemed possible given her powers. "What is the alternative?" Felina asked.
"The alternative," Dr. Marin explained, "is to attempt to analyze all the formulas that had been used and try to come up with some counteragent to get Helena back to normal. It could be a very lengthy process. We could stumble upon the answer in a matter of days, or it could take months. It's also possible that we'll never be able to undo the damage done. Given Helena's present state and the fact that you are her mother, the ultimate decision is yours."
Felina looked about the med lab, unsure on what to do. Her daughter's life was literally in her hands and the decision solely rested on her shoulders.
Finally, Lady Britannia spoke up. "If I makes you feel any better, I have a little girl of my own, and so I know what you're going through. I wouldn't have suggested this course of action if I didn't believe that there was a reasonable chance of success."
Felina looked into Lady Britannia's bright green eyes and saw the she was confident in her beliefs. Neither option provided any guarantees of success. Regardless, Helena couldn't remain as she currently was. "What do we have to do?"
"First I'm going to have to ask most of you to leave. This is a very delicate procedure and I do not wished to be distracted. I will need Lady Victory, Felina, and Nightingale to stay. Everyone else will have to wait outside."
There was the expected grumbling, but after exchanging words of concern, hope, and encouragement the room emptied out. Only those indicated by Lady Britannia remained.
"Before you begin, I wish to know more about your credentials," Nightingale spoke up. "How qualified are you to try something like this?"
"It's a fair question," Lady Britannia admitted. "When it comes to the Super Soldier Formula, I'm most familiar with it. I've made extensive studies of my father's original notes over the years."
"Then you are Sheila Radcliffe," Felina realized. "The woman we spoke with over the phone."
"That is correct."
"Her father was also better known as Dr. America," Lady Victory added. "A friend and teammate to both myself and the first Hunter in the Liberty League."
"It was my father's formulas that are the cause of what happened to Helena," Lady Britannia continued. "The least I can do is try to repair the damage done to a friend of the family."
"Your reputation proceeds you, Dr. Radcliffe," Nightingale responded, satisfied with the answer.
"As does yours, Nightingale," Lady Britannia complimented in return. "Shall we begin?"
Lady Britannia stepped up to the examination table holding Helena and gestured for the others to join her.
"What do we have to do?" The question came from Felina.
"I'll try to explain. Felina, I would like to you stand on my left, Lady Victory on my right. You both represent positive results from the formulas used on you. Felina possess the feline formula, and Lady Victory the original Super Soldier Formula. Both of these are now present in Helena, but to put it simply: they are out of balance in her body. My goal is to try and balance them back again. I'll need you both as templates and for reference."
"What about me?" Nightingale inquired.
"I'm going to need your expertise in the fields of medicine and genetics. The chemistry aspects I can handle, but I admit to being weak in the medical fields. What I would like to do is link our minds, pool our areas of expertise, and then together use my powers to heal Helena."
Nightingale considered for a few moments. "I have to admit that on the surface it sounds very farfetched, but considering the circumstances it just might work."
Stepping up behind Lady Britannia, Nightingale placed her hands on the heroine's temples. At the same time Lady Britannia joined hands with Lady Victory and Felina. The British heroine lowered her own mental barriers and made contact with Nightingale's mind. Together they became a united group mind.
With their expertise merged, they used Lady Britannia's cosmic powers to examine Lady Victory, Helena, and Felina down to the genetic level. It all became clear to the gestalt mind that was Nightingale and Lady Britannia. The changes and modifications performed on each woman were perfectly clear to them.
The cat formula had been designed to bestow cat-like powers on those injected with it, but to not cause any noticeable physical mutations. The Super Solider Formula had been created to boost the natural strength and toughness of its target. Independently, they both worked well enough, but the two were never intended to be combined. The two formulas worked at cross-purposes in Helena's body, virtually canceling each other out.
But when the booster shot was added to the mix, the cat formula had run wild, transforming Helena into something more feline than human. The task at hand for Nightingale/Lady Britannia was to try and combine the two formulas so that they worked in harmony while at the same time de-emphasizing the feline aspects, making Helena human once more.
Beams of light leaped from Lady Britannia's eyes once more, completely covering Helena. Sweat poured down her face, as well as Nightingale's. Their concentration was absolute as they worked on this most delicate of tasks. DNA strands were literally taken apart, modified, and reassembled. Together they literally changed Helena's genetic structure in an attempt to undo the damage done. Helena's body was glowing from the energy being used to change her.
Long minutes passed as they worked, and then finally the light beams ceased. Lady Victory and Felina looked on hopefully as the glow around Helena slowly began to fade. Helena's features started to come into view. Her black fur had disappeared, revealing her normal fleshy skin tones. Her razor sharp claws were gone and the tail had vanished. In all appearances, Helena appeared human once more.
Their task complete, Nightingale let go of Lady Britannia and promptly collapsed to the floor in exhaustion. Britannia's legs buckled, but she held on to Felina and Lady Victory for support.
"You did it," Felina gratefully announced. "Helena is back to normal." Tears of joy formed in Felina's eyes as she thanked Lady Britannia. "I don't know how I can repay you."
"A gift from a friend of the family," Lady Britannia managed to answer with a weary smile. Lady Victory helped the woman to a nearby chair, before assisting Nightingale.
Gratefully, Felina turned back to Helena. Her eyes slowly flickered open. They were human looking. "Helena? Can you hear me, baby?"
"Mom?" Helena managed to answer.
"How do you feel?"
"Strange." Helena tried to sit up but discovered that she could not. She looked around in confusion before settling her gaze back on Felina. "Two questions. Why am I a strapped down like this and where are my clothes?"
The next afternoon, Helena was engaging in an intense workout in the Sanctuary Danger Room. She leaped high into the air, avoiding a pneumatic ram that was attempting to crush her. Helena performed a triple back flip before landing once more.
As she landed, an attack robot moved in. The automation was wielding a staff that it swung at Helena's head. Easily, she ducked underneath the attack. Helena pivoted and sent a snap kick direct towards the robots' chin. Her aim was true and the robot was sent hurtling fifteen feet through the air before it crashed to the Danger Room floor.
Helena was up and moving to finish off her foe when the room suddenly shut itself down. "Hey, what gives? I was just getting warmed up."
Casting her gaze towards the control room, Helena looked up for an explanation. The Head of Sanctuary Security, Charcoal, had been running the training drill. Also observing were Dr. Brinton, Nightingale, and Felina.
Dr. Brinton responded over the loudspeakers. "We've accumulated enough data, Helena. How do you feel?"
"I feel fantastic!" Helena answered without hesitation. "I'm stronger now and faster than I ever was before. I can jump higher than I ever could before. It's wonderful! All my scars even faded away."
"Your test results bear that out," Nightingale added. "Lady Britannia and I did our best to remove only as much as necessary to make you human once more. You should now have the full benefits of both your parents' abilities. You're at least two and a half times stronger than you were before. As a feline, you had hyper-regenerative abilities. I would have to say that you retained them to a lesser extent. Your eyesight is stronger now as well."
"How do my scores compare with my parents?" Helena asked as she toweled the sweat off.
"Quite favorably," Dr. Brinton reported. "You're not as strong as your father was, nor are you as quick and agile as your mother. But the differences are not as vast as they were before."
Helena nodded her head in understanding. For the first time in a long time she didn't feel inadequate. It was going to take some time to get used to her increased strength and agility, but it was going to be a most pleasurable learning experience.
The door to the Danger Room opened and Felina strolled in and hugged her daughter. "I'm so happy that everything worked out for you, Helena. But don't you ever pull a stunt like that on me again understand? You're not too old for me to take you over my knee."
Helena just grinned in response and hugged Felina back. "I promise, mother. I've had enough of being a giant cat to last me one lifetime."
"I don't approve of you being the Huntress, but I now understand that it is what makes you most happy. Given the choice, I would rather have you happy and doing what you love than miserable doing what I want you to do. I never imagined that I would do to you the same thing my mother did to me. Try to mold you into something that you were not. I am truly sorry."
"No need to apologize, mom. You did make some very valid points. I was so obsessed at trying to live up to the Hunter legend that I was letting life just pass me by. Being the Huntress is an important part of my life, but it's not my entire life. I promise that we're going to have more fun from now on."
Felina looked at her daughter, slightly surprised. Ever since the change Helena had seemed a bit more open then she had been. Maybe things were going to work out for everyone after all.
"In fact," Helena continued, "I think we should celebrate. Don't you?"
The following day, Helena and her friends, family, and guests were in the Starstruck Lounge on Sanctuary. In gratitude for everything Sanctuary had done for her, Helena had made a sizeable donation to the organization. Given that, it was easy for her to acquire the Starstruck Lounge to use for a few hours. Dinner had already been served and the guests were content to talk or make use of the dance floor.
As the hostess, Helena made her way about the room. Firestar and Terra Fire were busy chatting away to each other. Terra Fire had been away on Young Champions business for a long time and the two had a lot to talk about and catch up on. Muskateer was also seated at the table, but was unusually quiet as he nursed his drink.
"Everyone having a good time here?" Helena asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Terra Fire spoke up. "Thank you very much for inviting me. I had never been up here before."
"Just my way of thanking everyone for all the trouble I caused them. It's too bad that Lady Britannia couldn't make it."
"Yes, thank you for the food," Firestar added excitedly. "Come on, let's try out the dance floor," she added to Jason. Currently, Dr. Brinton and Dr. Marin and Night Owl and Kor Hunter were out there tearing it up.
"I don't know..." Terra Fire stammered out.
"It'll be fun," Cassie promised as she flashed a bright hopeful smile.
"Well, when you put it that way..." Terra Fire took Firestar's hand and headed towards the dance floor.
Helena watched them depart. "They make a really cute couple," Helena observed.
"Yeah," Muskateer muttered. "Thanks for the invite, Ralph, but I'm gonna cut out of here. I don't feel much like celebrating."
"I understand." Since her recovery, Helena had heard about the strange disappearance of the Enchantress and the effect it was having on Muskateer. "If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."
A few tables away, Black Diamond, Supreme, Texas Ranger, and Nightingale were listening, as Lady Victory was finishing up one of her exploits during World War II.
"I couldn't believe what I was seeing," the elder heroine narrated. "We had the saboteurs dead to rights and Hunter was holding us back. We watched as they piled into their boat and headed out to sea. No doubt to rendezvous with an enemy sub. Two minutes later the boat exploded in a ball of fire."
"How did that happen?" Supreme wondered.
"Turns out that during the fighting, Hunter had switched the briefcases back around. The spies had run off with the case holding the bomb, and left the plans behind!"
"That sounds like something Hunter, and his son, would do," Black Diamond added.
"Very much so. The first Hunter was a great man," Lady Victory continued. "Let me tell you, I had such a crush on him. He was strong and charismatic, a natural born leader. He was so mysterious. Pity that he was married."
"Just like his son," Black Diamond added with a laugh. Her own feelings towards the second Hunter mirrored those of Lady Victory.
"From what I've seen, I'd say that the Hunter legacy is in good hands," Lady Victory added. "Helena is a wonderful young woman."
"I think things are going to finally work out for her," Black Diamond noted. "She acts like a great weight has been lifted from her. The Huntress is going to be a fine heroine for many years to come."
"You must be very proud of Helena," Jennifer Hamilton noted as she tentatively moved her wheelchair towards where Felina was sitting. Jennifer had no idea just how her daughter was going to react to her presence. She expected the worse given their past history.
"Yes, I am," Felina agreed without looking at her mother.
"I've done a lot of thinking these past few days," Jennifer continued. "I know that I wasn't the best mother to you. That I did things, in hindsight, that were very questionable. I only wanted the best for you. To make your life better than mine, hoping that you would avoid the mistakes that I made. I'm truly sorry for what I done."
Surprised, Felina turned and looked at her mother. Jennifer even looked ashamed of her acts. "I find it very ironic that I ended up making the same mistakes you made with me with Helena. I swore that I would never do those things to my own daughter and yet I did. Maybe you and I are not as different as I once thought."
"Felicia, stranger things have happened," Jennifer admitted as she held out her hand. Much to her surprise, Felina took it.
"Helena has to chart her own course in life. I'll be there to offer advice and to badger her to get a man in her life, but I won't take away that which makes her truly happy."
"You're a wiser woman than I," Jennifer answered. "Do you think that you can ever forgive me for what I did to you?"
Felina thought about the question for several moments. She squeezed Jennifer's hand before pulling her own back. Felina then rose to her feet. "Maybe someday, mother. But not today." Having said her piece, Felina walked away.
"Killer party!" Night Owl informed Helena as she and Kor returned from the dance floor. They took their seats at their table. Willow Witch and the Scarlet Sabre were also there. "I never knew that Sanctuary could be such a blast!"
"Most impressive minstrels," Kor added. "Innkeeper! Another flagon of ale!"
"Did you check out those beaches?" Willow Witch chimed in. "We have got to come here more often!"
"Sanctuary can be a lot of fun," Scarlet admitted. "Provided you can get used to the idea of people who tried to kill you before being allowed to wander around free. I find this place very disconcerting myself."
"As a lawyer, I have issues with Sanctuary also," Helena added. "But this is supposed to be a party, not a legal discussion."
"Here, here!" Lydia responded as she took a gulp from her beer. "Now that's the kind of talk I can get behind, Helena! I must be rubbing off on you or something."
"Could be," Helena responded with a laugh. "I haven't felt this free in years. Maybe I had to put myself through hell before I could shed some of my inner demons. My friends, I can promise you all this: things are going to be very different. Fighting crime is important, but so is living your life. Everyone needs to have a little fun now and then."
"I never thought I'd see the day when Helena would start sounding more like Lydia," Megan added with a smirk. "It's almost scary."
"It's not often you get a second chance at life," Helena continued. "I'm wiping the slate clean and am going to start all over from scratch without so much baggage."
"A toast then," Scarlet stated as she raised her glass. "To good friends and new beginnings." The others joined in, tapping their glasses together.
"I'm thinking of getting a new wardrobe," Helena stated after taking a gulp from her drink. "I'm getting tired of all those plaid outfits. Who wants to go along?"
"Now you're talking," Lydia spoke up. "You know you can count me in."
"Me too," Megan added. "So I take it that the Huntress is back in business as well?"
"You better believe it, Megan. This time I'm going to be myself and not worry about living up to my father. Although I'm going to have to replace my costume."
"Hey, I got a great idea," Lydia interrupted. "I heard that they've got one of those Superstarz stores here. We can go down there right now and fix you up with something."
"That's not a bad idea," Helena answered, "but maybe later. Right now, I think I'd rather do some dancing."
Before her friends' stunned eyes, Helena rose from her chair and walked up to the Texas Ranger at a nearby table. "Hey there, cowboy. Can I interest you in a little dancing?"
Ranger was startled at first, but then responded," That's mighty neighborly of ya, lil' lady, but ta tell the awful truth, I don't know how."
Helena smiled playfully back at Ranger and offered her hand. "I'll teach you."
"Ah was never one ta turn down a pretty woman", Ranger drawled as he accepted Helena's hand. Silence very nearly came over the Starstruck Lounge as everyone saw Helena trying to teach the Texas Ranger how to dance. Slowly, other couples joined them out on the dance floor and the conversation picked up once more.
"Is it my imagination or is Helena is acting differently," Felina noted. She had moved to the table where Nightingale was setting. "Not that I am complaining, mind you."
"A side effect of what happened to her," Nightingale explained. "The formula that was used on you also influenced your behavior to a small degree as well. Those changes have been amplified more so in Helena. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't start to exhibit even more feline-like traits."
"Do you think that these side effects could be dangerous?"
"I don't believe so, but Helena will bear watching for awhile. Unless she starts craving raw meat, I wouldn't worry too much."
The gathering lasted a few more hours and a good time was had by all.
Epilogue:
Monday morning and the Huntress made her way to the Avengers Meeting Room. The regular Monday meeting would be starting shortly. The heroine felt good and was comfortable in the outfit that she and the girls had come up with the night before.
The new costume was superficially similar to the old one. It was the color scheme that had changed the most. The amount of magenta had been toned down considerably. This new outfit was much better for sneaking around in the shadows.
The Huntress' boots still climbed up to her thighs, but were now mostly black in color. There was a band of magenta at the tops with a magenta strip running all the way down to her toes. The upper part of her costume had a similar effect. The sides of the torso were black, as were the sleeves. A splash of magenta started at the shoulders and ran down her chest to below her waist. The magenta had a thin border of gray around it.
The gloves remained magenta, but now only climbed halfway up the Huntress' forearms. Her wrist launcher was attached to her right forearm. The cape remained the same dark blue as before but there was a minor modification to her mask. The mask retained the same color and shape, but had been attached to a black skullcap. It would offer the Huntress a bit more protection as well.
The gadget belt had been repainted, changing it from yellow to dark gray. They no longer stood out so much. Overall, Helena was very pleased with the new look. It was more reminiscent of past Hunter outfits, while still retaining her old Huntress colors.
The Huntress stepped into the Meeting Room, finding all the other Avengers present. "Huntress reporting for duty," Helena announced.
"Nice outfit, lil' lady," the Texas Ranger complimented with a tip of his hat.
"Very stylish, Helena," Black Diamond added. "But I thought you resigned from the Avengers?"
"I admit that I did, but the situation has radically changed since then. Do you think you can still squeeze me in?"
Diamond considered for a moment. "Well, with all the problems we've been having, I never did get around to processing your resignation. I guess we can just carry on as if it never happened."
"Welcome back, Sprout," Muskateer stated with a nod.
"Get your buns in here, squirt," Supreme urged.
The Huntress proudly walked to the table and took her seat. "Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You have no idea how good it feels to be back."
