Hero's Park.
Metropolis.
The noise of the crowd was deafening. The justice league where at hero's park, they were all receiving a key to Metropolis as a thank you for saving the world. Victor had decided against attending the ceremony as he still wasn't happy about appearing in public.
"I don't think I can do this… maybe victor was right?" Barry said glancing through a gap in the curtain that separated the group from the crowd. "Did I tell you I'm also afraid of crowds?"
Arthur grinned. "Is there anything thing you're not afraid of?" He asked.
"Food!" Barry replied with a smirk. Arthur turned to Diana.
"What exactly is a key to the city ceremony?"
"It's a way of the city and its people to say thank you for saving the world."
"Shouldn't we be getting a key to the world, not just Metropolis?"
"We should be grateful that they are cheering for us, not baying for our blood." Said a voice from behind them. They turned just as Superman landed, his cloak fluttered in the breeze.
"Clark, glad you made it." Bruce said stepping forward and shaking his hand.
"Sorry I'm late but I had to rescue a kitten stuck in a tree."
"Always the hero dude!" Arthur remarked patting Clark on the arm.
"Just doing my duty."
"It's good to see you again Kal." Diana said with smile.
"Good to see you too Diana, it's good to see all of you."
"Go team us." Barry grinned. The curtain parted and a young woman entered, the mayor's assistant, she looked down at the clipboard in her hands. She didn't seem fazed that she was talking to a group of superheroes.
"Mayor Gillian is going to announce you very shortly, all you need to do is walk on to the stage where you will all receive a key. She will say a few words about each of you, you need to wave to the crowd. You also receive some flowers from the local school children and then it`s back off the stage." With that she disappeared back thought the curtain. There was the sound of a fanfare
"Hello citizens of Metropolis. It's time to welcome the heroes of the hour... no more like the heroes of the year...please put your hands together for the justice league."
Two hours later
The Batcave
Victor turned away from the computer he was working on just as Barry speeded into the Batcave.
"How was it?" he asked. Barry grinned at him.
"Excellent, beyond excellent, like all of my birthdays and Hanukkah's rolled into one. Everyone was cheering and look we got flowers! He said sticking a bunch of mixed flowers in Arthur's face. "You should have been there!"
"Nah, I don't think the world is ready just yet to see cyborg up close."
By this time the rest of the league had arrived. Barry took a black box from Diana and handed it over to Victor. Nestled inside was a brass key with the word 'Metropolis` etched onto it.
"Key to the city, although it doesn't actually open any doors and here's me thinking I'd be able to get into Big Belly burgers whenever I wanted." Barry said with a frown.
Later that evening
Wayne Manor
the small soirée that Alfred has arranged was in the full swing by the time Clark reappeared. Barry and Arthur were both stuffing their faces at the buffet table which was large enough to fed two large armies. Bruce was talking to Victor about updating the Batcave's security system and Diana was standing by the large windows that looked onto the grounds.
"Master Kent, so glad you made it. No Miss Lane?" Alfred asked.
"Afraid not Alfred, she is still at the Planet. She has the exclusive on today's ceremony. It's always work first with Lois."
"That is a shame, but at least you are here. A drink to start the evening off." He said handing a glass of champagne to Clark.
"Thank you Alfred." Clark then headed over to where Diana stood. He held out his hand.
"I'm Kal-El, also known as Clark Joseph Kent.' Diana smiled.
"I already know who you are." Clark shrugged.
"It's just we never really be introduced, the first time we met we were too busy fighting Doomsday and the second time I tried to knock you out... twice!"
Diana took a hold of his hand and shook it. "Pleasure to meet you Kal-EL. I'm Diana, Princess of Themyscira."
"A princess? Should I not be bowing instead of shaking your hand?" Diana shook her head
"No need to bow, Kal."
"But I should be apologising for what happened the second time we met." Diana shook her head again.
"You weren't yourself Kal, you don't need to apologise." She rested her hand against his arm, her fingertips were warm against his skin. He nodded.
"Although I did have a headache for the rest of the day... so I should be calling you a warrior princess."
