Superwoman/Batman:
Public Enemies
(Note: Welcome everyone to the beginning of my new Superwoman AU. This is totally separate from my BvS story and takes place in a different universe that isn't based on the DCEU. This universe is an amalgam of all the things I love about superman from different media comics, TV, and the movies. This story is going to drop you right in the middle of Superwoman's career, but I'll go into more detail about that when we get to there. For now here's a little prologue to get you all in the mood. ;)
Prologue
"Do you remember when we first met?"
"Of course I do."
Smallville, Kansas, 1980's
After my Parents died, Alfred though I needed to get out of Gotham City. We drove to California. We used the car that we took to the beach. We passed a small Kansas town and once we were a few miles away ended up getting a flat on the dirt road. Alfred was starting working on the wheel while I stayed in the dark car, after a few minutes he asked me to exit the vehicle since I weighed it down. Once I opened that door, it was like I stepped into another world. Everything was so bright, brighter than Gotham. The sky, the grass, even the sun seemed brighter here. It was beautiful….. but I wasn't very much into beautiful at the moment. I found a tree on a hill and sat in the shadows looking out to the landscape. It was beautiful, and my mind goes to how my parents would've loved it. I lowered my head to look at the grass, and as I lifted my head to look at the leaves of the tree, I was under.
"Aaaahhh!" Bruce yelled holding his head as he rolled down the hill into the sunlight
The 8-year-old stopped at the foot of the hill his black suit and dress shirt covered in dirt. He hissed as he held his head, he opened his eyes to see a baseball roll right in front of his face.
"OH MY GOSH, I AM SO SORRY!" a panicked female voice said
Bruce rolled onto his back to face the source of the voice. A young girl stood over him the sun casting her in shadows, but he could make out her concern through her body language.
"Here let me help you." She said extending her arm for him to take
He groaned as he took her arm and she helped him up allowing Bruce to examine the girl. She wore a pair of worn, dusty blue overalls with a red short sleeve shirt underneath it. She had short wavy black hair that was under a blue baseball cap, though the most striking thing about her was her eyes. Or to be more precise the huge Glasses that covered her eyes, her eyes looked Grey, but Bruce guessed that was just the lens diming their color. He figured they were a kind of blue.
"Are you okay? I didn't think the ball would go that far. Is your vision blurry? Does your head hurt?" The girl asked like a fretting mother
"I'm fine. It's nothing to worry about." Bruce said trying to be stoic but letting out another hiss as his forehead stung
"No, you're not, you hurt. Let me bring you back home, and Ma can get you some ice for that." The girl said gently taking his arm. Her touch was soft and kinda warm.
"I SAID I'M FINE!" Bruce yelled annoyed pulling his arm away holding his head.
The girl was surprised by the action but didn't look upset, just annoyed.
"Listen you don't have to front for me okay, we just met." The girl said with crossed arms
Bruce felt heat on his face after the girl spoke
"W-what-why would I-?" Bruce stammered
"Damn Claire you made that ball fly!" a boy said running up to the two
"That's a swear word, Pete." The girl named Claire said with a huff.
"Yeah, Yeah, whatever. But seriously, I think I heard Chandler's Jaw drop when you hit that home run." The boy named Pete said with a laugh
Pete then noticed Bruce
"Hey, Claire, who's the suit?" Pete said pointing to Bruce
"Oh, this is….. Um, sorry what is your name?" Claire asked sheepishly
"It Bruce, Bruce Wayne." Bruce said annoyed rubbing his head
"Oh well I'm Claire Kent, and this is my friend Pete Ross. We were playing Baseball not too far from here." Claire said pointing away from the tree
"Oh man, did Claire nail you with our ball. You should get some ice on that. Oh, did you get a bruise, let me see, let me see!" Pete said reaching for Bruce's hand
"I-DO NOT-NEED ICE! AND I DO NOT-HAVE A BRUISE!" Bruce said annoyed dodging Pete's hand
"You are covering a bruise. Pete stay with him, I'm getting Ma." Claire said sternly walking away
"Where do you think you are going?" another male voice said
Two boys approached the three
"A Chandler I see you picked up your jaw from the mud." Pete said sly
"The games over Chandler I need to get my Ma." Claire said
"Oh no, you ain't running home to Mommy. This game ain't over!" Chandler said defiantly jabbing his finger in Claire's chest making her back off
"Can we please not do this?" Claire said annoyed
"Yeah, she hit that ball clear over your head, get over it jerk!" Pete yelled mockingly
"She just got lucky, and that ball was a foul anyway!" Chandler yelled at Pete
"It went straight down the middle you moron." Pete said in disbelief
"Fine whatever, I forfeit, you win, I don't have time for this." Claire said as she tried to move past the boy only for him to grab her arm
"I am not about to lose to a girl and especially the class freak." Chandler growled
Claire visibly winced at Chandler's words, and Bruce noticed this. Though his eyes were on how rough the boy Chandler was grabbing her arm. Claire didn't seem to be in any pain, but Bruce did not like this. His father always taught him that you should never treat a lady like that. Surprisingly it was the boy Pete who came to Claire's defense.
"Chandler how about you not be a dick, and let Claire go?" Pete said seriously grabbing Chandler's arm
"Pete you don't…." Claire said worried for her friend
Chandler then slowly released Claire's arm, and Pete began to release his. Claire calmed down thinking the situation might've calmed down. But, Bruce could see Chandler's tense movements. And with one swift movement delivered a smacked Pete across the cheek sending him to the ground.
"PETE!" Claire yelled in worry
"SHUT IT!" Chandler yelled as he prepared to slap Claire
She saw it coming but didn't look afraid. But it never connected as Bruce's hand shot out to catch Chandler's wrist before he could hit Claire.
"I know even down here that parents teach little boys that they should never hit girls." Bruce said sternly holding Chandler's wrist surprising everyone.
"WHO ASKED YOU!" Chandler yelled as he pulled his arm back and tried to punch Bruce
Brue however with one swift movement dodged the punch, spun around while grabbing his arm, and then proceeded to judo flip him. Everyone visibly gasped as they watched Chandler be slammed into the grass letting out a pained yell as he arched his back Bruce standing over him.
"Holy shit that was awesome-ow!" Pete said holding his cheek as he watched the scene
Chandler picked himself up with tears in his eyes, while Bruce looked at him coldly. The look in Bruce's eyes and the previous attack put fear into the hearts of Chandler and his crony. Thus he quickly got to his feet and ran, his underling not far behind him.
"THIS ISN'T OVER!" Chandler yelled cowardly though it was
Bruce turned to Claire who was stunned by what he just did, but before he could say anything, Claire spoke first.
"You didn't have to do that." Claire said upset surprising Bruce
"He was going to slap you." Bruce shot back
"I would've been fine, and you didn't need to….Karate…. flip him." Claire said upset
"It's actually Judo." Bruce replied
"Whatever it was it was awesome. It was just like in the movie man. How'd you do that?" Pete said still nursing his cheek
"Master Wayne, what is going on?" Alfred said approaching the children
"Master…. Wayne?" Claire said confused
"It fine Alfred, nothing wrong." Bruce said
"Oh, my child what happened to you?" Alfred asked worried to Pete
"Oh just some jerk from school, but this kid flipped him over his shoulder like a guy from the Martial arts movies." Pete said excitedly while Bruce hissed in annoyance
"Oh did he now?" Alfred said looking at Bruce accusingly as Bruce avoided eye contact
"Um, Mr.…..." Claire asked walking up
"Pennyworth milady, Alfred Pennyworth. Pleased to make your acquaintance." Alfred said with a small bow making Claire smile
"Oh, Mr. Pennyworth what are you doing here?" Claire asked
"Well Master Bruce and I were driving through the town, and we appear to have gotten some car trouble." Alfred said
"Oh well, my parent's farm isn't too far from here. My dad fixes the truck all the time maybe he can help." Claire said pointing to the distance
"Well that would be lovely wouldn't it Master Wayne?" Alfred said happily receiving a grunt from Bruce
Kent Farm
Johnathan Kent walked out the front door of the house holding a toolbox, Alfred standing in front of the House while Claire sat on the porch.
"All right Claire, I'm gonna help Mr. Pennyworth fix his car. Your Ma is still out with the city council, so it's just gonna be you and Bruce over there. Don't leave the farm and we'll be back soon." John said ruffling his daughter's hair making her smile
John then proceeded to follow Alfred off the Farm and to the car.
"So what kind of Model is it?" John asked
"I assure you, sir, very, very old." Alfred said
"Have you seen my truck?" John said jokingly
Claire waved goodbye to her father as he left the premises. Claire then took a breath and looked to a tree in the yard. Under it sat Bruce in the shadows once more, Claire sighed and walked towards Bruce.
"Why are you under a tree?" Claire asked standing in the sun looking at the boy cast in shadow
"The sun hurts my eyes." Bruce said simply
"Then you should use sunglasses." Claire said
"I don't have sunglasses." Bruce said
"You should buy some." Claire continued
"Mmmmmm." Bruce grunted
The two children stared at each other in awkward silence, one in the sun, the other shadows. Claire could feel there was something off about the child. He was like no child she has ever met before, except for maybe Lex. There was a darkness around him, one she had felt before from Luthor. And just like Luhtor he was still a kid and one who looked like he needed a friend.
"So….. what do you like to do? Aside from judo flipping people." Claire asked
Bruce remained silent trying to avoid eye contact with Claire
"Do….. You…. Play…. Baseball?" Claire asked nervously
Bruce looked at Claire this time
The two this time were in the front yard Claire holding a bat, ball, and glove. The two walking side by side.
"You want to pitch or hit?" Claire asked
"Hit." Bruce said simply
"Oookay," Claire said simply
Claire took her position, and Bruce took his, and within minutes it was clear Bruce had no idea what he was doing as he swung and missed three times.
"Have…... you ever played baseball?" Claire asked
"No." Bruce said dead serious though there was also a hint of embarrassment
"So… what do you do? Aside from Judo flipping people?" Claire asked as Bruce thought about for a bit
Next thing they knew Bruce had taken up an Orthodox Boxing stance and was throwing jabs in the air as Claire stood next to him mimicking his style.
"The trick is to exhale every time you jab." Bruce says
"My Pa says people shouldn't go around starting fights." Claire says
"I'm not looking to start fights. They seem to find their way towards me." Bruce says
"You get bullied a lot?" Claire asked
"Used to, Alfred showed me how to defend myself. I broke one kid's nose when he tried to punch me, though after that his two friends ganged up on me. We all got detention, but they keep their distance now…. As well as everyone else in school." Bruce says
"That's why you shouldn't fight. People are scared of ya." Claire said
"I had to defend myself, and those guys back there were gonna hit you." Bruce said
"I would've dodged, they're just a bunch of jerks, and the situation got outta hand." Claire says
"But your friend Pete didn't." Bruce said as Claire froze up a bit
"I didn't want that happen." Claire said with guilt
"But, it did, and you could've done something. I can tell that you could've taken those guys." Bruce said surprising Claire
"Well first I just showed you this stance, and you already copied it perfectly. And the way you recoil your fist back shows a lot of speed, your strong. If you have the ability to do something, you should do it." Bruce says as Claire stood up
"What if you end up hurting the wrong people or people being scared of you." Claire says rubbing her arm
"I wouldn't care, I did what I had to do. Even if it means people don't like me for doing it." Bruce says
"I don't want to be like you." Claire says
There was an awkward silence between the two
"You don't have a lot of friends do you?" Claire says
"Not anymore." Bruce says
"…. Do you like to read?" Claire asked
Bruce was then looking through the leaves of a Tree he was sitting under it was in the front yard of the house. Claire was sitting under the tree as well fast asleep a pile of books between them. Claire said this was her favorite reading spot and she was very well-read matching Bruce with her literary awareness and had an excellent collection of literature though small it was. Bruce told her about the massive library in his mansion which amazed her as well as the fact that he had a mansion. The two compared their favorite literature Claire was more into Fantasy and stories about heroes overcoming evil and the good will of men winning in the end. Bruce was more into Non-Fiction Biographies stories that tell of past events good or bad and learning from the mistakes of the past. Both of them suggested a book that the other can read Claire suggested 'The Odyssey' for Bruce a story of a long heroic journey, strife, and never giving up. Bruce suggested the book 'To Kill a Mockingbird' for Claire, a story of facing the injustices of the world even if the world is fighting against you.
"Yawn~ How long was I out?" Claire asked waking up
"Not very long just-." Bruce said when he suddenly noticed something
An acorn had fallen off a Branch and was now plummeting towards Claire's head, and it was a decent sized one too. Bruce wanted to speak up but knew it wouldn't do any good, but what happened next surprised him. The Acorn landed right atop her head bouncing off it and fell on the ground next to her. But she gave no reaction. She didn't even seem to notice she was completely unfazed.
"What's wrong?" Claire asked seeing Bruce was staring
"Nothing!" Bruce said instantly looking away the gears in his head turning
Night had fallen, and the two were sitting on blankets looking up at the stars. Claire smiled as Bruce looked up in astonishment at how clear the sky was.
"The stars are really sparkly tonight." Claire said smiling
Bruce was going to reply, but his eyes suddenly wandered to a stick that was on the ground. As soon as he did his mind went back to the acorn and how Claire gave no reaction to it. He thought back to her words about people being scared of her. There was something about her and Bruce needed to find out. He slowly grabbed the stick and lifted it overhead as Claire's head was turned. Just hard enough to see whether she would react, if he was wrong, she would get a bruise but nothing worse.
Then an image flashed in his head of Claire crying and holding her head, followed by the day they spent together and how nice she was to him despite just meeting him.
"What kind of creep would I be?" Bruce thought as he put the stick down and sighed
"Oh, hey follow me to the barn, I have a telescope setup!" Claire said as she got up and Bruce followed
"Thank you for all your help, good sir." Alfred said sitting in the car Bruce in it as well the engine humming as it was parked in front of the house
"Anytime friend." Johnathan said as with a smile
Claire was in her room looking down at the car and at Bruce. She smiled and waved at him, Bruce returned with a small smile and waved as well as the car drove from the farm.
"How was that young man Claire, did you two have fun?" Martha asked standing by her bedroom door
"We did, though he was hesitant. I feel like he hasn't fun in a while, and he was really strange and Distant. Kinda like me, but sadder. I hope the day had cheered him up." Claire said
"I'm sure you did. Look at you helping people you just met. Sleep tight Claire." Martha said closing the door
Claire smiled as she continued to look out the window smiling at the moon that shined down onto her. But then suddenly something blocked the light a shadow, and a screech filled the air, Claire gasped a bit stepping away from the mirror to see a Bat flying from her window into the sky. She looked at it warily as it did, the shadow leaving her letting her be bathed in light
"You could've fixed the car by yourself." Bruce said as he and Alfred drove down the road
"Yes…. But when I saw you defending that Claire girl and how she was approaching you, I thought maybe you would enjoy each other's company for a little longer." Alfred said
"She's strange, she confrontational yet still keeps a distance like she's hiding something. She's like me, but happier." Bruce said
"You can be happy to Bruce, despite what happened…. It's not wrong for you to be. They would want you to be happy." Alfred said
Bruce let out a grumble as he looked out the window and towards the moon. As he was bathed in the light of the moon. But then a shadow overcame him the Bat flying overhead covering the moon. Bruce looked at it not with fear but with intrigue. As the shadow covered him his mind went back to that moment where everything was taken from him. He looked at the creature his gaze hardening as they drove.
(Note: So that is how Claire met Bruce. Based on a short section from the actual comic I'm basing this story on with the extended bits taken from the Batman/Superman 2014 comic. I thought it was fun and cute and decided to write it as a prologue to establish out two main characters before we skip to their adulthood. I hope you all liked it cause next time we go to the proper time and I drop you head first into the world of Superwoman.