Chapter 2: Know Your Place
Wonder Woman
I was allowed to settle into my old bedroom while the others stayed in spares. I'll admit that it felt good to be back. I had missed Themiscyra. Though I can't help but worry for the others. My sisters have had a bad history with men and I fear the worst for them.
Batman
Life must hate me. Ever since we've gotten here I've been getting glares, wide eyes, and disgust gasps. Even though I helped save Themiscyra last time I was here. But it really doesn't matter. I was never in this to be liked. Besides, I mostly spend my time working on fixing the Javelin. So I don't see them a lot.
"Good morning," Hippolyta said. They were all sitting down in the dinning room eating breakfast, except for Batman. Hippolyta noticed it. She turned to Flash. "Weren't there four of you?"
"Yeah, why…" Flash began before realizing what she meant. "Oh! Bats? He's probably working on fixing the Javelin. By the way, I'm Flash. I don't think I ever properly introduced myself."
"And I'm called Superman," Superman said. "The public named me that. I don't actually call myself Superman."
"So what has "the public" named you, Diana?" Hippolyta asked.
"Wonder Woman," Diana answered. "And the one that's missing is Batman."
"Interesting name," Antiople said. "Did the public name him that or did he?"
"I'm pretty sure he did since his outfit looks like a bat and that doesn't happen on accident," Flash responded.
"And you?" Hippolyta asked.
"I was named the Flash by the public," he responded. "And I kinda like it. It fits, rolls off the tongue nicely, and it's short."
"What kind of powers do you have?" Antiople asked.
"Super speed and have quicker reflexes than normal people," Flash answered. "Supes has a whole array of powers that are too numerous to list. Some of them being super strength, speed, durability, and flight."
"And Batman?" Antiople asked.
"Besides fancy gadgets and being a genius, nothing," Flash said. Hippolyta and Antiope flinched. A pure mortal man HERE? Noticing her mother and aunt flinch, Diana quickly said,
"He's also a very skilled warrior. You'd be surprised how much hand to hand combat has developed since your time in Man's World."
"Are you saying that a MAN is better than you?" Antiople questioned.
"No, I'm giving praise where praise is due," Diana responded. "There's always more to learn, it doesn't matter who teaches it as long as they know how to."
"Fancy seeing you here?" Batman looked up and saw a red-haired Amazon dressed in a simple, short, white dress. "I'm Alexa." She held out her hand. Batman shook it.
"Batman," he responded.
"I figured," she said. "So why are you here instead of fixing your ship?"
"I'm trying to find a book on how to fix the cooling system on planes," he told her as he put the book he had been reading back on the shelf. "Since Diana said Athena updates your library, I thought you might have something." He picked-up another book and started skimming it. "But when I asked where I could find it, the librarian looked at me funny and told me to find it myself." He put the book back and picked-up another. "So I've been looking through the modern section for it for the last hour."
"So does the cooling system do?" Alexa asked.
"It keeps the engine from overheating and, in the case of a plane, keeps us from falling out of the sky," Batman answered. "Ours got damaged in our battle against Grodd, Luthor, and Circe. Fixing the wires will be easy but the cooling system I'm not so sure about." He put the book back and picked-up another. "I might have to replace the whole thing or just replace one part. But I won't know…" He put the book back and started skimming another one. "Until I find the book I'm looking for."
"Well, you're in the right section," Alexa said. "But you won't find it." Batman looked up from his book. "Because I have it." She held up the book she had been holding behind her back. She handed it to him. He opened it and looked through it.
"You're idea of a joke?" Batman responded.
"No, I figured you might have trouble finding it so I asked the librarian for it," Alexa told him. "It turns out that she had hidden it behind her desk." He closed it.
"Well, this is the book I needed," Batman said. "Do all Amazons have a sick sense of humor?"
"No, just a few of us," Alexa replied.
"Well, thanks," Batman responded.
"Of course," Alexa said. "If you ever need anything in here, let me know. I'd be more than happy to help."
"And this is the music room," Diana told them. She had decided to take them on a tour of the palace after breakfast. They were only about halfway done.
"Diana, may I talk to you alone?" Artemis asked. She nodded.
"I'll be back in a second," Diana said. She and Artemis then went into a separate room.
"Should we be concerned?" Flash asked.
"What is it?" Diana asked.
"How close are you with these men?" Artemis asked.
"We're friends, close friends," Diana said. "Why?"
"Just wanted to remind you that being anything more is…" Artemis began.
"Strictly forbidden and is essential betrayal," Diana interrupted. "Yes, I remember."
"Just wanted to make sure," Artemis responded. "There may be a chance that you can return. Being in a love relationship with a man will ruin that."
