7
Happy New Year! Ah, it's 2012! Woo! Olympics, university, exams (bleurgh), so much excitement!
Thank you to the lovely reviewers and their lovely reviews! For anyone who reads, but doesn't review, please oh please review – it'll make my day. Promise.
The next four hours were the ones Cassie would treasure the most.
Having dreamt for years of meeting the superheroes of the world, meant that Cassie was ecstatic. But so much more happened beyond just meeting them, that Cassie felt her heart may burst from pure joy. It was worth being beaten up by the Joker.
When four of the founding members walked (or flew) in after Barbara, Cassie knew they had won.
When Barbara recited the story of how Barbara had run away, contacting the Justice League at the same time, and of how she led the thugs right into the founding members, Cassie knew they had won.
Flash released Kid Flash, and Cassie caught him smirking/smiling suggestively at her. He then turned to Artemis and Cassie caught her scowl at Kid Flash at some remark he made. Cassie was now in so much shock of so many costumed heroes that she heard nothing. It was as if someone had pressed mute on her life.
Martian Manhunter released Miss Martian, and Cassie thought their hug was cute. When he released Aqualad from the hot trap as well and patted him on the shoulder, she thought it was sweet.
When Batman was released from his trap by Wonder Woman, Cassie could do nothing but stare. There was clearly something there.
When 'Batgirl' released Robin, well, Cassie couldn't stop laughing. The shocked look on the face of the boy that knew everything but clearly didn't know about Batgirl was priceless to Cassie.
Once everyone else was free (including the civilians – including Jim Gordon – who all had left), Cassie felt intimidated by the twelve faces turn to look at her, tied up in the chair. It was the feeblest of restrictions compared to how the others were tied up, and yet she was useless.
Her hearing came back as she heard Batman stop Barbara as she instinctively went to help Cassie.
Cassie blushed; it was rather embarrassing.
"See what she can do," Batman told Barbara, obviously at a small loss as to who she was. He knew he could deal with her later.
Cassie looked at the expectant faces and realised it was her moment to shine. Her hands were tied with only rope behind the chair, and her feet weren't at all tied. Thinking carefully, she felt the ropes and decided to twist her wrists to see if they could be loosened. No luck. She tried wriggling her shoulders. No luck.
After a few minutes of rather awkward silence, Batman turned to Robin, "Cut her out."
Robin started to walk towards her when Cassie snapped, "No. I can do this."
Robin glanced uncertainly at Batman, who nodded for him to leave her.
After a few more minutes, Cassie decided to give it 'her all'. She stood up at an awkward angle, still bound by the chair. Kneeling down, she steadied herself before pounding backwards, into the ground, and smashing the chair. She had been feeling it, and it was cheap wood.
She heard someone clap.
And then there was silence.
Cassie stood up, and straightened herself down. Barbara came over to her, beaming. Remembering that she was a Bat, however, Barbara calmed herself down and pulled a serious face.
"Batgirl." Barbara snapped her head to look at Batman, "You will come with me." He turned to Young Justice, "Write up a detailed account of today – we will debrief tomorrow at 9am. Don't be late." Tomorrow was Sunday, so none of them would be missing school.
Then Batman thought, and he thought hard. He stared at Cassie (and she gave him a good stare back), and when he was about to speak, Wonder Woman cut in, "She comes with me."
Cue surprised looks from everyone towards Wonder Woman, so she explained, "You all have sidekicks, or partners, or an apprentice, or whatever them happen to want to be called. Let me see what I can do with her."
Cassie would have felt intimidated, had Wonder Woman not shot her a huge smile.
After that, Cassie was taken by Wonder Woman to what looked like an empty phone booth. Once they were both inside, something registered them and they were beamed up to the Watchtower in space.
Cassie nearly fainted.
She managed to keep herself together to be given a tour of the place, and to be shown Wonder Woman's own bedroom. Wonder Woman barely spoke to her as they walked.
"So," Wonder Woman began as they reached her private room – Cassie was shaking from thinking she was living a dream, "what do you think of the Watchtower?"
It was the first direct question she had been asked since Wayne Mansion, so she cleared her throat and replied, "Big. Spacey. Scary."
Wonder Woman shot her a smile. "Take a seat," she pointed her to a nice plush arm chair, whilst Wonder Woman sat on the bed.
Wonder Woman stared at Cassie, so she decided to stare out of the huge window that showed a whole lot of space. Too much space for Cassie's liking.
"The universe is big, isn't it?"
"Yes, Wonder Girl it is. What's your name?" Wonder Woman spoke so softly to her that she couldn't imagine her as the fierce warrior she truly was.
"Shouldn't I have a secret identity?"
Wonder Woman laughed, "You'll get on well with Batman with that mental attitude." With a more serious tone she added, "But, yes. Some do. My name is Diana Prince."
Cassie was shocked at her openness, "Why did you just tell me who you are?"
"I would like you to become my sidekick."
"Really? But I'm so, so…normal!"
Diana's laugh filled the room, and Cassie found herself admiring the woman. She was tall, muscular, attractive, warm, strong and a very good person. Cassie would do anything to be her sidekick.
"Is that a no?"
"No! It's a yes. The original question I mean, no to that last one!" Cassie found herself tripping over her words.
"Okay, okay, calm down!"
"But, I am normal. I failed today – you saw," Cassie hung her head in sudden shame and felt as though she were about to cry.
Diana's hand picked Cassie's chin up, "I'll train you. Within a month, you'll be as kick-ass as me." With a wink, Wonder Woman went over to her cupboard to retrieve something for Cassie. "I can, as a starter, give you a little help…"
The things she took out of the cupboard? Only the sandals of Hermes and gauntlet of Atlas!
Diana slipped Cassie's boots off and the sandals on. They fit perfectly.
She slipped metal glove-like gauntlets onto Cassie's bruised hands.
Diana signalled for Cassie to stand, and simply said, "Punch me."
After a hesitance, Cassie did. Right in Diana's stomach.
Diana landed on the over side of the 20ft room.
Wonder Girl had begun.
