This story is based on a world where super's are banned. Any type of hero is unacceptable and stripped of their powers once discovered. Most of the DC heroes have been caught already and stripped, but very few were able to flee and take on a new persona. Those who remain are unnamed...
I do not own any part of the DC Universe. Although I may wish that Kid Flash was mine... he is not. T^T
"Fallon, hurry up and get ready! Your grandparents are going to be here soon! And you better be wearing the dress I picked out for you!" my mother screamed up the stairs, irritation wrapping itself around each and every word.
"Mom, it'll be okay, they're always late! I have time, give me a break!" I huff turning away from the door. Gazing down at the pile of clothes my mom had picked out earlier. Scrunching my nose, I procrastinate and instead head over to my desk. Clicking on my computer I pull up an old document and skim through. My fingers sped across the keyboard as I finished the last paragraph.
Earlier this week my sophomore class had been assigned a research paper. It had to be about something real, something that is, or once was important. Many people picked random things like medics, astronauts, and one kid even chose the New England Patriots. But, the topic I had chosen was in a whole different level than those. I chose to write my paper on The Justice League of America. They were our history, saving us from destructive forces and disasters countless times. We owe our lives to them, and the only thing we ever gave back in return was punishment.
Shaking my head disappointment I reread the last few sentences.
"It's disappointing that they had split up all those years ago, but we're to blame. We disbanded them using force and weapons. It's a shock that they hadn't fought back, instead they just surrendered. They hadn't known what was in store for them. Their powers stripped from their bodies and locked up in jail for life. For those who had fled beforehand were hunted down like animals. Most were captured but some are still out there, still alive. I know it, and I have this feeling that they're going to come back. This time with a secret weapon, and it's going to be soon… real soon. You'd better be ready."
The superheroes were a restricted subject to talk about in the world. After the government had gotten rid of them, they made sure that our faith only remained in the military. Guards were stationed all around the streets, monitoring people's conversations and making sure they weren't getting any ideas. We weren't allowed to think for ourselves, and now rebels were starting to form secretly. Now was the time for the heroes to return, now was their chance to return to their former glory. They would never abandon us… Or would they?
"Fallon J. Allen," my mother began, "Get down here… NOW!" Anger whipped off her tongue which made cold hands creep down my back. Clicking print I ran over to my bed and quickly changed into the dress and stockings. Walking silently up towards my mirror, I scowled at my appearance. The dress was pink with white polka dots, puffy sleeves that tightened up at the upper arm, and a lace hem that made my knee's itch. The stockings were white, and my shoes black and polished. Pushing my bangs off to the side, I hurriedly slipped on a headband to hold them in place… I didn't look right.
My short brown hair accumulated around my neck because of the sleeves, making me appear to have a lion's mane, and my tan skin made the white seem desperately iridescent. Sighing I wobbled down the hallway, stopping at the top of the stairs. No way would I make it down that in these small shoes. Hopping up onto the railing I slid down the two flights silently. It had always been the quickest way down, and the easiest to do. Going up on the other hand, that's another story.
A yawn escaped as I looked out the living room window, a fog settled on the grass. Faintly I spotted a '67 Chevy Impala pull into the drive way, I remained completely still. Maybe, they would be like a tyrannosaurus Rex and could only see movement. A pang of guilt jabbed me in the heart, my Grandfather would be disappointed. Angrily I chewed on my cheek as I fought through conflicting emotions. Eventually I just opened the door and welcomed the old couple with open arms.
As usual my Grandma smelt of cookies and broth, although both were quite delicious, they didn't smell very good when mixed. She wore her untamed hair in a bob, and a long white dress tied at the hips. She stood to my chin, which was quite impressive for somebody seventy-two years old. She was skinny, as skinny as one could get. I could wrap my arms around her and be able to grab my elbows. Personally, I didn't like her all that much, mainly because she'd always nag me about my clothing and pinch my cheeks.
My Grandfather on the other hand was a tall man, stood five inches above me. He had silver hair with a thick mustache that matched. He wore a white dress shirt tucked into a pair of jeans. A huge belt buckle attached to his belt, and a brown cowboy hat gave him his cowboy flair. On his breast pocket was a badge which said "Sheriff." I love him, he isn't anything like my Grandma, and always told me stories about the good ol 'day's. Describing to me how Batman was never really fond of Superman, and how the Flash could beat everyone in a race. But, he'd never explain to me what had happened on the Day of Betrayal.
Just as we got through hugs, and my cheeks pink from countless pinches my Grandma had already given me, my mother bursts through the swinging kitchen door with a platter of vegetables. I held back the urge to stick out my tongue in disgust. The last time I had done it my mother tried to stick a piece of celery in my mouth, but I stepped out of the way to quickly and instead him my Grandma in the forehead. Wasn't the best approach to get a Daughter-in-law put into somebodies will. That's what my mother's been trying to do since my father had died in a fire three years ago. I had sworn to never take part in her plans, but somehow I was forced right into the whole thing. I was her secret weapon, and tonight she was going to reveal me.
Ushering us out of the entry way, and away from the stairs, we go into the front room just left of the entrance. Sitting down in our normal spots we gaze at each other in silence. The couple was in the love seat, my mother in my father's chair, and I sprawled out on the floor playing with our kitten. Every week they'd come over on Sunday and we'd all have dinner. But, today was different. They hadn't taken us to their old, crusty church. It was six 'o'clock and dinner was nowhere to be seen. Kicking my legs up and down I continued playing with my kitten as they began to talk. I'd tune in every once in a while, just to see what they were talking about, but none of it seemed interesting. Only until my mother decided it was time to show them our little surprise, or more like threat.
Walking into the kitchen we sat in silence, waiting for a cake of a giant gift. But instead she returned with a platter of glass dishes and steak knives. Hurrying towards us, she clumsily steps on the Peeve's tail and loses grip of the platter. Desperately I jumped up, the whole fiasco moving in slow motion besides me. Grabbing each object I hurriedly placed them all onto the coffee table before my grandparents were killed by my mother.
Slowly the world began to take on a normal speed, leaving me standing awkwardly in front of an empty couch. Looking around I found the two huddled in the entry way, at least a few yards away, how had they gotten there so fast? My grandfather's mouth was agape and my mother was grinning. Now the secret was out, how did I know that my grandparents wouldn't turn me in? My grandfather enforced the laws every day, how did I know he wouldn't bring them down on me?
"Barry, honey, how could this be possible?" my grandma asks as she gazes at e with astonishment.
"I-I… I don't know. It's not supposed to go through genes… F-Fallon… sweetie, how long have you had this… ability?" he asks his voice cracks here and there. He fights to keep it steady.
"I've always had it, dad had told me to keep it a secret or I'd be taken away. Mom never knew until a few months ago." I say tensing up, I begin to map multiple ways out of the house. Nobody would be able to catch up to me. I could disappear just like all the other heroes, not saying that I was even comparable to the heroes.
"Don't tell me…" his voice fades as anger hides behind his blue eyes. Violently he lets my Grandma go and stomps towards the door. Looking back he glares at my mother, who's still smirking, and grabs my hand, leaving both of them alone in the house.
"Fallon, you're coming with me. We're going to see an old friend of mine." He says, his country accent gone in an instant. So it was fake… what else was a lie?
Sitting in the passenger seat we speed down the highway, an eerie silence filling the old Impala. A strong urge to open the door and jump fills me. But, fear keeps me in my seat. I was confused, so many questions I wanted to ask. Yet, like before, I wimp out. Pulling off on a side road we hurry down a dirt path, twirling dust flying up behind us.
I gaze out my window as we head farther down the road a forest began to surround us. My heart pounding I looked around, it felt like we were being watched. Pushing away the cold claws running up and down my spine, I focus on the bulb of light just ahead of us. We burst through the opening and are introduced to a mountain. More like big hill, a winding road wraps around the rock.
Pulling up to the base of the mountain, my Grandfather gets out. Walking around he opens my door, I stay still staring at him. Was he going to kill me? Had he been lying about seeing a friend! My heart begins to pound as he grabs my hand and pulls me out. I should have buckled my seatbelt. Dragging myself along behind him, I try to make various plans to escape from his grasp. But, I give up, I trust him. Right?
Why did I always get myself into these stupid situations! I don't ever think before I act, why couldn't I see that my mother was going to pull something like that! I should have caught her and prevented this whole thing from happening. Well… on the bright side, if I do die tonight I'll never have to go to that old church again. Or have dinner with my mom, all those awkward nights will forgotten. Grandma and Grandfather will probably be blackmailed by mom, but at least they won't have to worry about me. Shaking my head I scatter the thoughts, no. Grandfather would never hurt me. He was the only one I really had left to trust.
Rounding the mountain I gaze up at a gothic mansion. More shivers itch and scratch at my bones as we near. The black, Iron Gate squeals a warning when I push it out of my way. A gust of wind blowing the dead trees limbs in a motion telling us to turn back. Cobwebs bend with the wind, and dead leaves dance towards the big door. Slinking up to the dark entrance my Grandfather pounds his fist against the rotted wood.
"Bruce! Let me in, I demand answers! How could you do this! At a time like this too!" he shouts, I shrink down into a ball. Hugging my knees, my teeth chattering, I sit and wait. 10 minutes pass and no sign of reaction has happened within the house, raising his fist my grandfather tries again. As his hand comes down the door swings open, tipping over from the force of his throw, he staggers to gain his balance.
"I apologize sir. You must be chilled to the bone. Come on in, you are here to see Mr. Wayne I presume?" a small, plump old man says with a slight English accent. Grandfather's eyes soften as he looks at the middle-aged man. He had to be about forty years old, no older than my mother. He acquired a head without any hair, two squinty blue eyes that peer from behind a small pair of lenses, and a round belly.
"Yes," my grandfather finally says. I stand up, my legs a bit paler than before.
"Let me get you something warm to drink my dear, if you could please take a seat he will be right with you." He flashes me a sympathetic smile and waddles off towards the kitchen. For a butler, he was a bit small, about 6 inches smaller than me.
Staying in the entrance I take in the vast majority of the house, a marble floor spreads out underneath my feet. Just ahead a huge staircase ascends and splits off in opposite directions. On that level a hall starts and leads down towards another door. A chandelier hangs from the ceiling, but not lit. Candles were placed in no specific pattern throughout the entrance, the flame steady on the wick.
Grandfather and I stood patiently by the door, not daring to take a step off the welcome mat. A few minutes pass before the butler comes back with an old man following behind. A grim expression permanently carved into his wrinkled skin, messy, white hair layered his scalp, and a few strands escaped the rest and poked out over his forehead.
He was a small old man, hunched over a small cane. He struggled to meet us by the door. Straightening my back I fixed my gaze ahead. I couldn't make a bad impression on him, Grandfather on the other hand glared at him.
"Bruce, we need to talk," he glanced over at the butler, "alone."
"It's okay Barry, he knows. I'm surprised it took you this long to figure it all out. Thought you were smarter," Bruce says with a smirk. I clench my teeth together, his insults were getting on my nerves.
"Bruce, you're crazy! They're going to be hunted down just like we were!" Grandfather exclaimed. My eyes widened, wait, what? Turning my head I stare at my grandfather, he glanced down at me awkwardly.
"You haven't told her yet? Oh Barry, Barry you didn't tell your own granddaughter that she was a super?" Bruce smiled a snarky smile. I wanted to throw something at him. But, my body was consumed with shock. Me, a super, I never would have even thought. I just assumed I was some sort of freak, I was way too fast a runner to be normal.
Grandfather looked down at me for a second then tore his eyes away, "she would've figured it out sooner or later." Bruce shook his head back and forth with disappointment seeping off every movement.
"What a mistake, you held it from her. Now who's she going to trust? You? Surely not."
"I'm the only one she has left! She's considered a freak in this world! You and I know just how messed up this little scheme of yours is! She's never going to be normal, she'll never fit in! The supers are meant to die off Bruce, not be resurrected because you miss your glory days." Ouch, that must have stung.
Bruce stared at grandfather with cold, bitter eyes. Chills ran down my back like nails on a chalk board. I didn't like where this was going. Turning around Bruce started to walk off into the next room.
"No you don't, come right back here! I'm not through with you!" Grandfather exclaimed as he ran after the limping old man. I stood still and peered at the butler, his smile still lingering on his face. Turning away from him I booked it after the two elderly men. No way was I going to stay in a room alone with that man, he gave me warning signals.
Running into the next room I saw Bruce make a jerking movement which resulted in an old grandfather clock to jut forward and open like a door. Stepping into the cavern grandfather and I followed close behind him. The stairway lighting was light enough to make out the next step, but not to truly examine the winding staircase. It took at least five minutes until we came to an arch. Stepping through we were showered with light.
My sight adjusted and I gazed around the room, no it was more like a cave. Stalagmites hung from the ceiling, platforms were located here and there. Each meant for a different purpose, vehicles, costumes, strange souvenirs, and many other things. I was struck in awe at the beauty of it all. Bruce began to walk again, down a little path towards a door. Scrabbling after him I began to wonder where he was taking us.
Walking down a metal platform our steps rang throughout the humid cave. We neared a normal wooded door, which stood out from the dark exterior. It creaked open, and we entered into a white room, scattered mats were neatly placed on top the plush carpet. Gymnastic equipment could be found, along with a bunch of strewn metallic bars that jutted out from the walls and ceiling. Gazing up, the room was about 50 feet tall, and a small black dot was flipping from one bar to another.
"Ellie" Bruce said with a disgruntled cough. The figure paused and began to leap down. Half way down her foot slipped on the bar causing her to fall forwards. Flailing she dodged every bar and slammed down on the mat with a loud SMACK! Lifting her head she smiled, a trickle of blood streaming from her nose. Standing up she walked over and stood next to Bruce, her expression taking on one of more seriousness.
Impatiently I began to fidget, my grandfather glared down at me, I ignored him and rocked on my heels. Where was this getting? Frustration welled in my stomach, whether it was from curiosity, impatience, the excitement from such an amazing room, or all of the above, I was about to burst. Bruce looked over at me, his eyes ceasing my movement.
"I never asked your name young lady" he said, his voice cracking.
"F-Fallon, sir" I mumbled his eyes piercing my soul.
"Well Fallon, this is going to be your new partner. Both of you are going to start your training tomorrow."
"WHAT!" My grandfather and I say our mouths agape
"Fallon, you are a superhero, just like The Flash, Batman, Superman… You are one of the few remaining. You and the rest will save this world. You'll return it to what it once was."
And that's all! I hoped everybody enjoyed it. It's only the beginning for a longer story, message me if you have any questions. :D Seriously though, I really hoped you guys liked it. :T I know it doesn't have any up to date Young Justice members in it just yet... but they come in, in the next chapter! XD So just keep reading!