The Tale of Nemesis: In the Beginning.
Part III: The Justice League Home Invasion.
"So, remind me why we're at this giant castle-looking house again, Bats?" Asked Wally, looking up in sheer and utter awe at my family mansion and it's towering, imposing wrought iron gates and tall fencing with the family crest and insignia on it and the tall stone-masonry towers that held each of the gates up and had the hinges securely set in them, with a monitoring system set up all around the entire property and all of its grounds. It was practically an estate, and I appeared to be the duchess of it. The gothic architecture of the house and it's wolf-gargoyles and wonderful masonry and artwork, from the stained-glass windows down to the vicious wolf's head that was the lock of the gigantic gate, it was certainly a secure place, if not dark and imposing. Welcome to my house, I hope you don't shit masonry, I know it's pretty hardcore and all, but I already fertilize my lawn, thanks.
"To first and foremost find out how in the world this woman can make impact craters while jumping off and landing in the street from a ten-story building and be okay to ride off on a bike with a rocket engine and also shrug off not one but two rockets from a rocket launcher and still be able to keep coming at someone just fine, that's why. There also is inviting her to the Justice League, but that's beside the point. She needs our help regardless, and I'm not about to let her go off and possibly get herself killed just because she has an untamed vendetta against the Joker with talents like those. That's why, West." Replied Batman nonchalantly.
"Oh. Damn, that is a lot of questions to be answered. But how the heck are we gonna get past this gate quietly? Blowing it up is out of the question, right?"
"Most definitely. There is a box built into the left tower that probably stores the systems for the mechanism, if I wire it right, I should be able to get it open."
"You can't just call ahead, can yah, Bats?"
"That's very impractical for this situation, West. She doesn't want any help. Not only that, she doesn't know I've found out who she is quite yet. Though I never approve of resorting to criminal methods unnecessarily, in this case, it is necessary. Besides, I'm sure she can get it fixed." Batman shot his grappling hook around the large lantern-like light that was at the top of the tower he mentioned for the gate and pulled himself up, then broke open the lock on the box and began rewiring it carefully. The noise brought them some unwanted attention, however. From a few friends of mine that just so happened to be very obedient and loyal guard dogs in exchange for the fact they got to live on my land and received food and care. This of course, was what every Gothamite had; a large pack of real life wolves that I communicated with via my 'pack telepathy' link I had, which also extended to them. Funny, I don't think either of those two planned for that.
"Ummm….Bats... " The Flash said, looking alarmed suddenly by my friends that were gathering to greet them by the gate. "We've got company, and I'm not sure what to do about it."
"What kind of company, Wally? I'm busy." He said, concentrating on the task at hand.
"The whole entire gate is now lined with an ever-growing number of real-wild-wolves, that's what. They don't seem aggressive now, but I am not sure how long they'll stay this way. I think your werewolf theory is steadily gaining ground here, you know. Nice doggies…NICE doggies." Said Flash, scooting away a bit and moving around nervously as the wolves all watched him intently and silently, barely moving and simply observing just like I'd taught them to. Their eyes glowed in the darkness, just like mine.
"Well, if they're not aggressive now, hopefully they won't be when the gate opens up…right around…now. Plus, you can out run them, Flash." Said Batman, shutting the box quietly as the gate swung open. The wolves backed up and watched them a bit more, then they scattered as Batman dropped down on the other side of the gate. I wasn't letting them attack them, no, I wasn't that mean. I was pissed at them for invading my turf, as any werewolf would be at one-o-fucking-clock-in-the-morning, but I was going to see what they wanted. Wally zipped in and immediately went to the back of the house, but in his haste, he was stopped by what he saw next as Batman caught up with him.
"…..NOW THAT…" Said Flash in a barely contained excited whisper. "…IS A POOL! That's a niceee pool, a really nice pool. Man, I wish I had something like that. It's got everything you'd practically want, and it's all modern looking, nothing like the house. It looks like a resort out here. I could just jump in if we weren't sneaking around." He was running around it, inspecting everything.
"FLASH!" Batman said in a tight whisper. "We're supposed to be on a reconnaissance mission here, NOT enjoying her pool."
Suddenly, a looming form's shadow crept up on them; me, the big, bad, giant, and incredibly commanding presence that was certainly the white elephant in the room. Why white? Because I was a snowy white werewolf, that's why. I gritted my teeth at them as they turned around, completely caught off guard. I'd snuck up on them, for sure, and they didn't even notice it very well. I growled at them irritably and simply stood at least three meters away from them, in the light of the waning moon that was only partially gone tonight. My blue glowing eyes added to the surreal and supernatural look of my form. I let out a bone-chillingly-loud and gruff howl to make them turn around. They were thoroughly spooked, and when they saw me in this form, it was doubly so.
"GET OFF MY DAMN LAWN, YOU WHIPPERSNAPPERS!" I roared out half-heartedly.
Wally burst out laughing and practically fell over, completely floored by my sarcastic response to their unanticipated visit to the grounds me and my family had called ever since we had left from Germany and immigrated generations back.
"…Hello again to you too, Astrid. So that's how you did all that the last time I saw you. I had a hunch." Batman said, still unfazed by my attempts to say 'get the hell out' quite yet.
"Well congratulations, you've found me out. Are you going to critique the horrible job I did at hindering you from catching the Joker, or perhaps critique how stupid it was for me to go out there and then fail?" I was very grumpy right now. I wanted my damn beauty rest. Was that too much to ask the Batman?
"Well, first I would like to say, you actually did very good all things considered. Second, I will catch the Joker eventually, that's not my concern right now. What I am concerned about is you, you need some good direction and some help. You should know that killing people never solves problems; it only creates new ones, as you can see by how it has already affected you. Instead, we can help you deliver the right thing; justice. So, how does an invitation to join the Justice League sound?" He said, pausing afterwards to give me some time to think.
I sat back on my haunches and thought for a bit, sitting just like a dog would. I cracked my neck soundly and then continued to think, but the chilling sound spooked the Flash.
"Fine. It sounds like a fair deal, plus it's not every day you get to try out for something like that. I accept. I suppose someone's going to take me and send me off on my test or something?" I stared at them, still sitting like a dog. By this time, my wolves had grown more comfortable around the new strangers and began edging closer to them while still remaining completely behind me. They were cute when they were curious.
"Good, I'll have Superman meet you at an appointed place and time."
"Hmmm. I'm meeting all these famous superheroes, it's quite exciting." After I said that, I yawned and then looked at the Flash with uneasy eyes as he zoomed over and stood there as if he wanted something.
"What do you need, Crimson Blur?" I said to him, giving him a blank stare.
"So…..what should I call you by?"
"Just call me Astrid, my alias is Nemesis, but my real name is fine for right now. I'm not officially a superhero yet anyways."
"Okay, Astrid…well, I have a question."
"Spit it out, Mr. Fast-talk."
"What happens if I scratch your ears, you know, like you would a regular dog?" He said with sheer enthusiasm.
"I would really appreciate if you didn't try to do tha-"
Too late, he was scratching them. I slumped down and lay down completely on my side and relaxed. Well, sorry, I am basically a human in a wolf's skin with every single rational human capacity, but I also have a dog part of myself, instinct, and a beast-like drive! I can't help it that the same damn thing works on me, too!
"Can I rub your belly, too?" Said Flash, practically giddy with excitement that he was practically petting a life-size dog.
"Please don't-"
"RUB THE BELLY!" He said, not listening in the slightest.
"Hey, HEY, HEY FAST GUY, STOP!" I said, growling in a threatening way.
"Okay, okay…one last thing, though…"
"WHAT?" I snapped.
"…Can I pet you?"
I inhaled then exhaled deeply, and then let out a half-snarl-half sigh.
"Fine. Just don't go overboard. You're so fast…"
He began petting me, and then caught me by complete surprise when he hugged as much of my frame as he could.
"IT'S SO FLUFFY!" He yelled. "Okay, I've got that out of my system now. Sorry, I really, really, really needed to get that out." He said, smirking benevolently.
"RIGHT THEN….I think I may learn to like you, Crimson Speedster." I said, smiling at him and then standing on my hind feet, my body and the muscles shifting to accommodate that. I loomed over the both of them like that. "Anything else you want to do here? You might as well stay for breakfast while you're at it; I have a big case today, so hopefully I can run on less sleep than normal."
"Sorry for the inconvenience. Nothing else for now, when there is, I will let you know."
"By the way, Master Snoop in Black, how the hell did you find me…?"
"Well, the reporter you talked to wasn't just any reporter. But, you'll have to figure that out." He said, turning to leave. "I'm happy you're joining us."
"WAIT…..without the glasses….he…he looks just like…"
"Wait for it…" Said Wally with a grin.
"Superman…." I said in a stunned, quiet voice.
"Yes. Sorry about that, but I use the resources I have as best as I can."
"That damn tricky sneaky sly dog."
"He really does like you, though!" Piped up Wally.
"Does he, now? Hmmm. Well, while I don't like being had, under the circumstances that it happened, I suppose I am okay with it. He doesn't have to know that yet, though. I think I'll give that guy a taste of his own medicine. Good night. I will wait to hear from you." I said, seething with anger inside myself, but it'd quickly die out. They were all tricky little sly dogs, the lot of them. Still, I had to admit, they got me good. The fact that it was genuine made it a little bit easier to take, but boy, was that 'reporter' in for it when I met him again. If he wanted to play games, we'd play games.
"Thanks for the broken gate, by the way." I yelled after Batman. "Now I can know that my gate was hacked by my own personal favorite superhero. Don't worry, I won't make it a selling point or anything, I don't intend to leave this place to anyone but family."
There was a chuckle from Batman as he finally left and disappeared into the darkness that was his ally.
Boy, what a night. This was all crazy and still very surreal.
Not only that, but the morning was going to be one hell of a morning, too. It was time to catch what little sleep I could.