Author's Note: I'm kind of on this publishing spree...It's kind of exciting :) Please enjoy this new addition to the published collection.

Prologue: 10 Counts.

Alarms blared through the facility. I stretched out on my bare bed, only in my bra and leggings, the large black tattoo that stretched across my arms to my wrists and connected into two W's on my back. I stared at the bold lines that stretched across my forearms and sat up, bending over so my head met my knees. Taking a deep breath, I resumed my first position. I counted to sixty, then bent over, and laid back down. Ten counts.

1…

I don't know how long I've been here, as long as I can remember. They had people teach me all I knew. I don't know how long I've lived, how long I've known how to breathe.

2…

I do know that I don't want to get out. I'm unsure of this. It should be nature for me to get out, to leave. I am submissive.

3…

I believe that I should be grateful that I am still alive. My roommate still has not returned. She left days ago. Or was it months?

4…

I stared at the ceiling. Tick-marks covered the black paint. That was the number of days that I've been me. I'd run out of room a while ago. There are thousands of marks. I lost count.

5…

I'm supposed to be able to fly. All I am able to do is float. They call me an Amazon. A warrior princess. I do not understand.

6…

7…

8…

Life for me is nothing but a bunch of endless tick marks. Nothing more, nothing less.

9…

I don't know how I got the tattoo on my back, and I am unsure of what it means. I am not allowed to read any newspapers. No outside contact they say. You are our saving grace, they say. I do not know what they mean. I do not understand.

I bent over, then sat back up. I muttered to myself "I do not understand. I never understand. Why can't I understand?"

Rolling off the bed, I pulled my shirt back on, and clicked the bracelets they gave me on my wrists. Then there was a knock at the door. I nodded to a camera, and the door opened, revealing lab workers. It was time for me to sleep. This room is the one they keep me in. My home is a pod. A lot like what others would call a closet. I call it my home. I walked with them. I do not drag my feet going to my pod, because it is the only place I am not watched all the time, the only place where I don't feel eyes on me. I stepped into the sleek grey object and placed my hands by my sides as the door closed in unison with my eyes.

I heard the door open. I snapped awake, expecting to see white coats. I saw no such thing. I gasped when I saw a man in a black cape that fell to a pool of black around his feet. I blinked and stepped out of the pod, gripping the pole and stepping down. I heard something about to fall. Immediately, I moved away and felt something cut the back of my shirt. I pulled on the shirt, uncomfortable, but left it on. I looked around, completely baffled. A hand grabbed my arm. I struggled and kicked at the person. It didn't work. That kick should have sent a person flying across the room. The person just dodged it as if it were nothing, and spoke in my ear "Let's go, we're getting you out." I turned to see a mask. I do not understand why people wear masks. I looked at him for a second. Then said "Why?"

"These people want nothing more than to use you."

"Why would they use me? They said I was their grace."

"Is your name Grace?"

"No, it is Project Amazon." The words sounded unfamiliar on my lips, as if they did not belong to my mouth.

"Would you like to meet your sister?" I brought my brows together. "My sister has not returned."

"Your new sister. She wishes to see you."

"I do not have any reason to stay. I suppose I should thank you, that is what usually happens, correct?"

"Just hang on." The man said, his gruff voice the last thing I heard over the rushing of wind in my ears. I shut my eyes tight until the rushing stopped. The restraining hand left and I immediately stepped away. I turned to get a better look at the man. He was dressed in black and grey. He had a yellow utility belt above what looked like underwear. Outside of his pants. I began laughing, my hand flying to cover my mouth. I composed myself and turned to answer his questioning look.

"You are wearing your underwear outside of your pants for a reason, correct?" I asked, watching him as the white slits where his eyes would traditionally be turned into a menacing glare. "Yes."

"I apologize if I offended you." I said, folding my hands in front of me and rocking back on my heels.

"Come on." He gestured towards a building and we walked in together. I closed my eyes against the bright flash of light that came through my eyelids. I opened my eyes to an automated voice. I looked around. This was an entirely new place. I quickly surveyed where we were. It was a brightly lit up city. A man outfitted in green, with a girl dressed similarly dropped to the ground not far from us. I looked him for a few seconds. Then turned to the first man, who had yet to introduce himself, and stated "I like his outfit more than your own."

I heard a loud laugh. "I like this one Bats, who is she?"

"Green Arrow, this is Project Amazon." I fought a flinch at the name and looked down at my shoes. "Also known as Grace." I smiled to myself at the mentioning of the name I preferred.

"Grace, this is Green Arrow and Artemis, they will take you to Black Canary. You will see your sister soon."

"Is this Black Canary my sister?"

"No. Your sister will come to you."

"Understood." I said, but before he turned to leave, I had to ask him something. "Wait, is your name really Bats, because that is the worst name ever. No offence meant."

"It's Batman." I nodded to myself. Still ridiculous, but better than Bats.

"Thank you." I said, and turned back to the Green Arrow and Artemis.

"Hey Grace, I'm Artemis, welcome to Star City, were you from?" She asked, walking forward, her long blonde hair flicking back and forth with each step she took.

"I am not sure. This is my first time out. This is rather odd. Do people always wear masks, and have ridiculous names and costumes?"

"No, just the special people, come on, you want to see Black Canary?" Artemis said, completely unfazed by what I just said, and nodding as if it was normal. Even I knew that it was not, no one had ever seen me before. Green Arrow saluted me and moved off into the city. I watched him leave, then turned to Artemis, who smiled kindly at me. At least I think it was kindly. "Why should we not?"

10.

Author's Note: That's the prologue, hopefully it has interested you, please review, comment, etc. Now I sign off for now. Peace, Love, and Rock and Roll. God bless!