DC: The Brave and the Bawdy

JSA: Of Brawns and Brains

"You can do it, Court!"

"Thanks, Pat..." muttered Star-Spangled Kid uncomfortably.

Pat Dugan was standing alongside Jack Knight at the edge of the large empty room. Star Spangled Kid and Wildcat, Courtney Whitmore and Yolanda Montez respectively, faced off one another from opposite sides of the room. Both had assumed fighting stances, ready to begin their sparring match.

"Begin!" shouted Jack.

Star-Spangled Kid took off in a sprint for the center of the room as Wildcat bounded toward her in response. Star-Spangled Kid got ready to punch but was surprised when Wildcat nimbly slid under her like a baseball player instead. She grabbed Star-Spangled Kid's ankle as she did, throwing Star-Spangled Kid forward and causing her to land on her face. Pat and Jack both winced.

Star-Spangled Kid shook it off as she got to her feet and readjusted her Cosmic Converter Belt. The red belt, which was firmly attached to the shorts of Star-Spangled Kid's uniform, enhanced her natural abilities. It made her stronger, faster, more agile, and more capable of taking a hit. Though she had just fallen face first onto the floor, she had barely felt it and showed no signs of injury or damage.

"That was a cheap shot," said Star-Spangled Kid.

"Gotta keep you on your toes," shrugged Wildcat.

Star-Spangled Kid growled to herself before rushing at Wildcat again. She took a swing but Wildcat leapt straight into the air, landed on Star-Spangled Kid's shoulders, and kicked her face first into the ground by propelling herself into a front flip. Jack snickered as Star-Spangled Kid got back to her feet.

Star-Spangled Kid took another swing, but Wildcat dodged it, easily grabbed Star-Spangled Kid's arm with both hands, and twisted it behind her back to force her down onto one knee. Star-Spangled Kid's eyes bulged as she clenched her teeth in pain. She refused to yield. She wouldn't give in. Then Wildcat twisted harder.

"YEOW" yelped Star-Spangled Kid, "Okay! Okay! I yield! I give in!"

Wildcat scoffed confidently as she released her opponent with a light shove to the ground. Star-Spangled Kid pouted as she got to her feet and Pat and Jack walked over to the two fighters.

"I don't get it," sighed Courtney, removing her mask, "I thought the belt was supposed to make me as strong as your suit makes you."

"It does," explained Yolanda, removing her own mask, "but you just started doing this. The last Wildcat was a professional boxer. He made me train for years before he let me wear the suit."

"So you're saying it's not the size of the superpower," said Jack, "but how you use it."

Pat scowled at Jack, though he hardly seemed to notice.

"I'm saying you can be as strong as you want," explained Yolanda, "but if your enemy can outplay you, it doesn't matter. The Cosmic Converter Belt won't be enough. You have to be smart too."

Courtney nodded. Joining the JSA had been a constantly humbling experience, but nothing she couldn't handle. She was willing to get her butt kicked now and then if it taught her a lesson.

"Hi everyone!" came Libby's voice.

Pat, Jack, Courtney, and Yolanda turned to see two people entering the room. Libby Lawrence was accompanied by a face that none of them recognized. She was a blonde woman about Courtney's age, though she bore a strong resemblance to Libby.

"Oh!" smiled Jack, "Is that Jesse?"

The new woman stood up straight. She didn't quite blush, though she might as well have with how uncomfortable she looked..