Chapter 7
"Soooo?" Started Arty coyly. "How was your day on Earth?"
"Why do I have a feeling I'm not going to like where this conversation is going?" I said wincing, remembering yesterdays incident, on one hand my crush admitted to liking me, on the other, he said he didn't want to get together.
"Cuz you're not gonna." She said brightly. "Did you guy's finally work out whatever was going on between you two?"
"Yes."
"Good! By the way, what did Diana say bout the hair?"
"Hehe, before or after the shock?"
"Eh we got time before class starts, Tell me he whole thing." I laughed and remembered the event fondly. Heck, one of the best parts about getting my hair done, was the reactions of every one.
"Well…"
I strode into the room with confidence. Walking up to Diana who was setting up the sim room for my lesson. "Ok Ryan, first I want you to go through the obstacle course, try to shave those last three seconds off-" She turned around to face me. "Great Hera!" She exclaimed, while I tried to hold back my snickers.
"What did you do to you hair? And just skip the sarcastic comments." Ah so not only was I learning, but so was she. "I wanted a change so I figured why not lets do it!"
"And Nightwing approved it?"
"Psh, like he knew what I was doing at the time, much less change my mind. At least he was able to convince me to hold off on the tattoo, considering it would need to heal, not good for training." I said shaking my head pleasantly.
"Tattoo?! We sent Nightwing with you too keep you from doing anything stupid-"
"Ya thanks for your vote of confidence by the way. Ya he told me all about that. And I did say h showed me that the pro's of waiting for the tat out weighed the cons."
"Once you become Wonder Woman, it'll make you less able to hide your secret identity."
"Well you don't have one, every one knows who you are, why can't I continue the tradition?"
"Ryan-"
"No, and another thing, If I can't choose my career, I should be able to choose how I look. Which reminds me, when I become Wonder Woman, can I get an updated wardrobe, I just don't feel comfortable running around town in a glorified swim suit."
"One week extra chores, and I change my mind 5 seconds off your time. Go." I didn't bother to hide the smile on my face. But I did try to fight the maniac laugh that was trying to fight it's way out.
Arty let out a whistle. "Damn. Your lucky she didn't do worse, her outfit is a very…sore subject."
"Well not gonna lie I was hoping for a 'I never want to see you again, get the hell out of this watchtower, and never return.'" I mimicked in a surprisingly good Wonder Woman imitation.
"So in other words, you had a mental breakdown and took it out on her?"
"Ya pretty much."
"Are you trying to get yourself murdered?"
"No just kicked out."
We snickered as Martian Manhunter walked in the room and we shut up.
Physical training wasn't that hard today, surprisingly, they had the class set up so we would all be fighting on another, tournament style. Based on skill level.
The first match was between a petite blond girl named Anna who's mentor was Dolphin and Hector, neither was very skilled in hand to hand combat, but Ann won.
Arty went against a boy named Steve who was learning under Triumph and was a very good fighter and was able to over power Arty to her great displeasure.
I was up next. I guess Wonder Woman was still a little mad because she paired me up with Trevor. He was a big boy, with a lot of muscle mass, he was nice enough, more of a gentle giant, sort of, he doesn't like to, but he will fight and when he does- it's not pretty for the other guy, granted I could fight, but still- I was nervous.
We faced each other on the mat. We were the last pairing before elimination, so every one was dead silent. We circled each other and I threw the first few blows, which he deflected easy, he was much bigger then I, and he was smart, so I probably couldn't out think him, he was also quick, dude was a natural athlete, so I'd just have to try to mess him up…
I backed up and gave him a smirk and winked at him. He blinked and saw his fists waver jus a fraction of an inch, it wasn't much but he was confused.
I threw a lousy punch, that I knew he could through aside, and instead of defending my self I let him get a good punch to my gut in, I flew back and hit the floor, there was a gasp from the audience. Good. I hoisted my self up on my elbows and tried to make it look like I was crawling away. I looked behind me and he was playing right into my trap.
He was coming towards me with a concerned expression and reached down to help me up, I grabbed his hand and used his momentum so that when I turned and I placed my feet on his stomach I was able to flip him over me and he landed right in front of my head.
Jumped up and pulled up his upper body (Which was no easy feat) and twisted his arm back so that if he were to try to fight back, he'd most likely snap his arm.
There was silence for a second. Arty and Wally ruined that. "Whoo! Go Ryan!" Then Arty said rather loudly, "Pay up Kalli! Told you she could kick Trevor's-"
"Artemis!" B.C said warningly. While she hit Green arrow who was outright laughing.
I stood up and released Trevor. "Sorry." Feeling bad for playing off of his compassion. "He just looked down to me and gave a little half smile. And nodded his head.
I won the tournament but never got to fight Kalli who was taken out by Marie who was taken out by Remy, who was finally taken out by me.
And after class Arty brandished the fifty dollars she won from with pride.
Diana was waiting for me for training. Better get this over and done with, apologizing did not come easy to me.
"Diana, I am really sorry about yesterday, I guess I'm just not handling all of this in the best way and I took it out on you."
"Very well, I appreciate your apology, but does not excuse what you said, you should be proud to be Wonder Woman, not ashamed."
"And I'm not, but…I didn't choose this life you know? I mean you wanted to be Wonder Woman right? You wanted to be a hero, I don't, I can't…"
"Oh? And why is that."
"I'm not hero material, my past…I assume you've seen my records- I just can't."
"Ryan, yes I've seen your records, and if anything, you understand the value of everything around you- you are strong and you will make great hero. And I do understand that with the changing times, you may, with your generation, feel uncomfortable wearing the my uniform. So we can see what alterations can be made, while staying true, I know this transition hasn't been easy, and I want this to be as easy and painless as possible for you."
I gave her a small smile "Thank you."
"Yes, now get to work, then you still have your chores."
"Ma'am yes ma'am." I saluted and went to my training.
"Oh and Ryan?"
"Yes?"
"Try to be more mature will you, part of the role is being able to be a role model."
"Sure thing."
"And Ryan, when you asked why I didn't choose some one from Themyscira, I just want you to know I wouldn't want any one else o be my apprentice, but you."
"Drink, drink, drink, drink, drink, drink, drink…Whooooo!" I slammed my now empty cup against the wooden table with a grin on my face. Leanne was only a few seconds behind me but it was enough.
Cheers erupted from all around me and I saw money being passed around. Why are people always betting around here?
"Arty came from behind me and grabbed my shoulder and was grinning like a mad woman waving a was of cash in her hand, "Look! Money! You're a great investment!" She giggled out. I couldn't tell if it was just excitement getting to her or if she was drunk.
I saw her stumble multiple times as I refilled my cup. Yup definitely drunk. I thought to myself, Arty never stumbled, she was trained to be perfectly coordinated. I laughed as I watched her attempt to convince Wally she was fine.
There had been some mission on Earth that required majority of the League to go out, and those who weren't there where at home so a few ( Ok a lot) of the apprentices decided to throw a little (Big) party.
I had only had a few drinks so I was fine. I walked over to Wally where he had Arty under his arm as he drank from his cup. With his metabolism I figured it would be impossible for him to be drunk but I had never asked, "Hey Wally, can you get drunk?"
"Nope." He said cheerfully. "Someone has to watch her." He said playfully indicating to Arty who was trying to get up but gave up and satisfied herself with fiddling with Wally's red hair. I laughed, "You go have fun I'll take her up." He looked at her, "You sure?"
"Ya, I can handle her."
"Ok." He let her go and I helped her get up and took hold over her arms to lead her to her room. Arty felt the need to point out every little thing she saw, she was hilarious.
"Look! I can see a wall."
"Oh shit look! There's another one!"
"Omigod another one!"
"They've got us surrounded! Run save your self!"
And that's when she fell. I bent over and hoisted one of her arms over my shoulders and was able to drag her along.
We finally made it to her room and I maneuvered her hand to the scanner and the door opened.
She had passed out about half way to her room so I just put her onto her bed and wrote a note and taped it onto her forehead I smirked and walked out of the room.
Heading back to the party I heard the music in distance, it wasn't that loud where I was in the watch tower and thought, this is probably the only time I can really go anywhere in the watch tower with out being watched.
So taking advantage of this opportunity and went to one of the places I haven't been to yet, the control room. Granted I had no idea where to go to get to it, I figured I'd just walk around and hope to stumble upon it.
The music got fainter and fainter, until I could barely hear it anymore. And I had no idea where I was. And I took to man turns to re-trace my steps. Well, just keep swimming, just keep swimming I sung to myself.
Just going straight, maybe a few more turns- bound to lead me some where right?
Thump thump bang crash
I whirled around- that definitely wasn't music. I ran towards the sounds taking the sharp turns, and dashing to ends of hallways, until I was led to a door. It had a hand scanner and when I placed my hand on it beeped
"Access denied." I blinked, no doors had ever said that before. "Override code Ryan 52."
"Access denied." I remembered to earlier that day.
"Override code Wonder Woman 03." I said in a flawless impression.
"Access denied." What? Where did Wonder woman not have access!? Of course that just made me more curious. I tried to remember any other override codes "Override code Batman 02."
"Access denied."
"Override code Superman 01."
"Access denied."
"Override code Captain Marvel 83."
"Access denied."
"Screw you."
"Access denied."
The noises had stopped a while ago but now I just wanted to know out of pure curiosity.
"Override code Robin18."
"Access granted."
The door slid open and I jumped up. Yes I had been there a pretty long time. (the league had a lot of members ok?) But why would Robin have access some where not even Batman had access?
I walked into the room and the door shut behind me. And I was taken back by the sight in front of me. It was a circus. There was a huge crowd, and lights coming from every direction pointing to a figure that was high up on a platform it almost hurt to look because the figure was right in front of a light.
The figure jumped. I gasped and ran forward. But I knew I couldn't reach the figure in time. But the figure caught onto something- another person who was swinging from a trapeze handle by there knees. The figure when at his highest peak let go of the person and did a few flips and tricks in the air, and when they started to fall, another person grabbed onto him and swung him to the opposite platform.
I smiled. It was beautiful. They did a few more routines. The show seemed familiar, like I've seen it before, I just couldn't remember where from. I walked over to the bleachers where the crowd was and sat and watched. It was amazing how graceful and careful these trapeze artists where, and what really caught my attention, there was no safety net.
The crowd "Ohhed" and "Ahhed" as each dangerous feat was performed. I don't know how long I was in the circus for, but I was loving every second of it.
I couldn't say what caused it. It happened all so fast I missed it, but before I knew it, they were falling. Each and every artist, except one, who was still on top a platform, waiting for someone who would never be there to catch them.
The whole crowd gasped at the bloody sight before them. And all of a sudden they disappeared. Everything did. Except the bodies. And the figure who was on the now lowering platform. It was Nightwing, he hadn't seemed to notice me yet and I tried to make my way to the door.
Night crouched down at the bodies that had not yet vanished yet. And he just sat there looking at them. "Everyone said it was just a mistake with the ropes that night." He said so quietly I almost missed it. "But I know the truth." He continued. "I know what really happened. It was sabotage. All because Haley didn't pay Zucco that night." I walked up to him and placed my hand to his shoulder. "That's when Batman adopted me. He became my family. We both lost our parents. We were both outcasts." I crouched down beside him.
"He trained me, to be Robin. And he never says it out loud, but I know he thinks I need to let go, but I can't. So I come here sometimes. How did you even get in here?"
"Override code Robin 18." I said copying the boy wonder's voice again. Night turned to look at me in shock. "Well damn." He said quietly. The bodies disappeared, I took hold of his hand, "I'm sorry night, I heard a lot of noises and I got curious, I didn't know."
"He gave me a smile that didn't show in his eye's. "It's ok. I'm glad you saw this. I really want someone out of the bat family and Wally to know my little secret."
I gave a little smile and hugged him from the side. " Huh Wally? You know all of this seem familiar, like I've seen it before…I just can't put my finger on it though."
"The Flying Grayson's?"
"Ya! My dad took me to a showing once, their last show…oh."
He gave a wry smile "Ya, this was home, where I grew up and learned, until Bats came along. I guess I'm lucky, I don't know if I should consider myself a orphan, Bats adopted me right away, he was at the show." The circus re-appeared. I went through my memories and pointed to a little girl about ten years old with blonde hair with a bag of popcorn with a huge smile plastered on her face, "That little girl right there, that's me." He looked up and smiled, an actual one. "I- uhh well, this show, it kinda is what made me want to learn acrobatics…I'm not the best at it, but I made a promise to that little girl. " My face flushed.
He looked at the girl, "Well I'm glad I was able to help, so you figured out my secret identity yet?"
I gave him a smug smile, "Dick Grayson." He looked happy that someone finally said it. "It's so good to hear my own name again."
