Chapter 14 (The Ball)
A/N I want to thank you all for reading my story and a special thanks to those who leave reviews. Don't forget to tell me what questions are left unanswered; otherwise I'll probably forget it. Now this chapter is very important to the story so pay attention plus I plan on it being interesting. No spoilers. Enjoy.
"Wally!" Bruce yelled. "Wally get over here now!" It was the all-important day and Wally would not cooperate. Time was very limited and Selina and Amanda had already left. They needed to get to the Whitehouse early to act as tourists to get an idea of how the later break in would be. "Wally you don't have a choice we have to do this!" No answer. Now he was hiding. Bruce didn't have the time or the patience to do this. "Clark! Diana!" He yelled. They immediately came rushing in.
"What's with all the yelling?" Clark asked. "Hey you aren't dressed yet."
No shit, he didn't say. "Find Wally, Clark," Bruce ordered. "He's hiding and I still need to get dressed."
"How am I supposed to find him?" Clark asked rubbing his head.
"Use your damn x-ray vision!" Bruce barked. "And bring him to me."
"Fine," Clark gave up. He fixed his cheap tie on his cheap waiter suit that they borrowed from the Willard Hotel. He and John were to sneak in with the rest of the staff that would be on duty. They already took the places of two other waiters. He wondered exactly where Bruce had left them. Nobody dared asked.
Clark didn't even need to move from where he was standing, using his x-ray vision he found Wally hidden inside a cupboard in the kitchen section of the suite. Weird that they'd put a kitchen in a hotel room, Clark thought, when everyone just ordered room service. Using his super speed, that he discovered a few days ago, he ran almost as quickly as Wally to the kitchen. He opened the cupboard and cornered Wally inside. "Come on buddy," he said. "What's Bruce going to do that's so bad?" In just a few days, Wally had learned to trust the team especially Clark, Diana, Shayera, and John in that order. Bruce was the only one who didn't make the cut. Nobody had to ask why. Bruce and children just didn't mix and they weren't even like oil and vinegar. At least those two condiments went well together, Bruce and Wally couldn't be in the same room without Bruce looking like he was going to beat the child and he probably would if no one else was around. Which is why they were never alone and God forbid they ever were.
"It's awful," Wally looked on the verge of tears. "It's awful Kal."
"What's awful Wally?" Clark grew a little concerned. What was Bruce going to do to Wally to make him want to cry? "Wally tell me what Bruce plans on doing?"
"He wants to die my hair," Wally shrieked out.
Clark let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and a small chuckle. "Oh Wally," Clark laughed, "I'm sure it's only temporarily. That's not so bad is it?"
"Yes, yes it is," Wally defended. "I have my auntie's hair and now he's going to take it away."
"Wally," Clark didn't know what to say. "You want to do your best in the mission right?" Wally nodded. "Well then we have to make some sacrifices, plus like I said it's only temporary. Ok?"
"Ok," Wally gave up and jumped to hug Clark.
Clark carried him all the way to Bruce's room where Diana was helping him get dressed. In the last few days they started to become closer. Neither of them had readmitted their love for one another but Clark knew eventually Diana would be able to break Bruce. He couldn't wait to see that day. "Hey," Clark said knocking on the open door. "Here's Wally." He put the boy down on the floor and watched him scamper off to Diana. She embraced him immediately.
"Wally you ready?" she asked.
"Yes," he said into the side of her dress. Diana was already in her long dress. It was black and clung nicely to her body. It flowed with movement and cut up on the thighs. She wore gold heels and around her neck were the all famous pearls she couldn't live without.
They walked him over to the restroom and made him sit on a stool. Clark wrapped a towel around him and Bruce laid him back to dampen his hair. Diana grabbed the bottle of black hair dye and passed it to Bruce. He put on the plastic gloves and started rubbing it in Wally's red hair. "This is temporary right?" Wally asked eyes closed.
"Yes," Bruce answered. It'll come off in a few months, he said in his mind. Outside he let a small smirk show on his face for a few seconds.
"Better be," Wally threatened in his best imitation of Bruce's cold voice and drew a laugh from both Clark and Diana. The boy had gall. After about fifteen minutes, Bruce leaned Wally's head back into the tub and washed out the dye leaving him with a shade of dark hair similar to his and Diana's.
Diana walked out of the bathroom and came back with some makeup and blue colored eye contacts. "Ok don't blink Wally, ok?" she said leaning in closer to his face.
"Ok," Wally said fidgeting a little. He had sat still for fifteen minutes and his feet were itching for movement. Diana gently held Wally's eyes open and put the contacts over them. Then carefully using the makeup she covered Wally's freckles. There could be no sign that he was a ginger. That would blow their cover.
Diana stood back after finishing her work and allowed Bruce and Clark to view him. "Wally," Clark said eyeing him up and down, "you look…look…like…Bruce!"
"What?" Wally said, not asked. He ran up to the hallway mirror and checked himself out. It was true; he did look just like Bruce. He had the same hair, eye color, and shade of skin now. Putting on his best serious face, he said, "I guess I'm a mini meanie head now, huh?"
"Well that is the point now Wally," Diana chuckled. "Now come on we have to get you dressed." She pushed him into the room with Bruce and Clark so they could change him. She still needed to add her makeup and checkup on Shayera and Loana.
Bruce walked towards the closet and pulled out a miniature tuxedo that resembled his. It was of good quality unlike Clark's and was made of black silk. The shirt a bright white and the tie black again. He handed the clothing to Clark who helped Wally into it without wrinkling the fabric. Clark tucked Wally's shirt in and then reached for the leather belt. After putting on his blazer, Wally ran for his shoes. They had been ordered specifically for him. Bruce had them custom made to look like dress shoes but with the feeling and friction of running shoes. They couldn't be too careful, who knew what would happen today and if Wally would need them. Bruce looked pensive for a moment before he walked up to a drawer. He opened it and pulled out two matching silver watches. One was for him and the other for Wally. They had to keep the appearance of being a happy family in where the son wants to be just like daddy.
That was how he, Diana, and Wally would present themselves, a family. It had been decided that because Diana and Bruce had the most experience in the higher social class they would be impersonating a family whose flight here was unexpectedly delayed. The family had a small child so Wally fit perfectly into the picture. Bruce put on his watch and handed the other to Wally. "Here," he said, putting it around Wally's left wrist.
Diana walked into Loana's and Shayera's room. The girls were done with their makeup and in the process of getting dressed. "Do we really have to wear these?" Shayera asked pointing at the skimpy outfits.
"Yes," Loana answered. "It's our ticket in."
"It's degrading," Shayera sighed. She took another look at the outfit that pretty much just looked like a red bra and panties with gold sparkles all over it. It was too revealing for her but Loana was right. That was the only way they had in. "What about my wings?"
"That's the great part," Loana smiled. "You don't even have to hide them. We're going to be part of a group of exotic dancers called The Scarlet Angels. Fake wings and all but they look just like yours and since we have to arrive in costume…well there you have it."
"Girls," Diana interrupted their conversation. "Have you seen my mask?"
Loana looked around the room trying to remember where she had seen it. "Oh it fell under the bed," she said biting her lower lip.
Diana quickly fixed her makeup and went to get it. She grabbed it and set it on the bed. She turned around and grabbed her gauntlets. These would come in handy. She put them on and then covered them with long gold gloves. She took out a gold marriage ring Bruce had bought her for the mission and slipped it over the glove. She wondered if he had bought one for himself too. She grabbed her gold mask and put it on. It had small rubies shaped like stars embedded around the perimeter of her eyes. It looked like a tiara for the face. Feeling comfortable with how she looked, she grabbed her black Prada bag and headed to check on the girls again.
They were already dressed in their trampy outfits with their small barely concealing red masks on.
"We look like prostitutes," Shayera blurted out looking at herself in the mirror.
"I think that's the point," Loana said, "but looks like you caught the attention of a certain someone." She gestured her eyes at a certain reflection in the mirror.
"John!" Shayera yelled trying to cover herself up with her wings.
"You look beautiful," he said walking towards her.
"I look like a whore!" Shayera barked out hiding her body with her wings.
"A pretty whore," John said smiling, earning him a hit to the gut. "Why do you hide?" he asked. "It's not like I haven't seen you—" He was cut off by Diana walking in and clearing her throat.
"John," she said, "I don't think it's prudent of you to be in here right now. Not when your girlfriend isn't the only one in that outfit."
The three girls glared at him. "Ok," he said, "I can take a hint." He turned himself around, patted away the wrinkles in his black suit that matched Clark's, and walked out of the room.
Loana waited for him to be out of hearing range before saying, "Girls help me into this," she pointed to the fake wings.
Bruce walked over to the kitchen where he remembered leaving his and Wally's masks. He saw a blur run past him and into the kitchen.
"Here they are," Wally said fumbling with the masks. Bruce inwardly rolled his eyes.
"Yes now hand me mine," Bruce demanded, holding out his hand. Wally shrugged and threw him his. Bruce caught it in midair and put it on. It was a simple black mask that had little bat ears sticking up from the sides. Wally's mask was the same color but didn't have the ears. Instead it had a small red lightning bolt on each side. Bruce took out a small computer pad that connected to all the tracers and checked in on the ball. It would start in half an hour but the guests were already piling up at the front door.
Diana walked into the kitchen looking as gorgeous as ever. She was followed by Shayera and Loana who were wearing trench coats presumably to hide their bodies from the young boy in the room. "Ready to go?" Diana asked.
"Yes," Bruce answered. "Where are John and Clark?"
"They already left," Shayera answered. "As part of the staff they need to be there at least thirty minutes early."
"We technically don't have to be there until nine but all the dancers get there early anyways," Loana shrugged.
"Let's go then," Bruce headed for the front door.
Whitehouse—Same Time
Amanda and Selina walked with a group of tourists. They had gotten there early in the morning and stuck with the tour. Dressed in long fur coats, shades, and scarfs, they looked just like the other rich snobs who could afford being part of this group. Their tour guide, a young woman dressed in a red suit, led them through the various halls and doorways. Amanda didn't remember the Whitehouse having this many twists and turns but after the war, it had had a lot of remodeling. She turned to look at Selina who was placing tracers around every corner. If anything went wrong, they needed a safe route out.
This mission was going to be anything but easy and they both knew that. Heck, the teens knew that. The only one who didn't know was Wally who thought they were playing a game of dress up. It was better that he didn't know, it would spare him the trauma.
"Excuse me Ms." Selina said grabbing the tour guide's attention. "When do we get to see the president's office?" Saying that had the rest of the group speaking. They were probably wondering that too and just didn't have the courage to ask.
"We don't," the woman answered sincerely, hinting at a little guilt. "The president's office hasn't been part of the tour for about…forty years now." Figures, Selina thought to herself, it's always forty years.
The woman noticing Selina wasn't going to ask any more questions, turned around and continued with the tour. They came to a sharp corner and Selina grabbed Amanda's arm and pulled her in the opposite direction. "This is where we part," she whispered.
"Did you spot any good hiding places?" Amanda asked.
"Several," Selina said quietly walking away from the direction the group was heading.
"Good," Amanda spoke, "now we wait." They needed to wait until it got dark and the tourists and guides left. Then their search would start.
Whitehouse—Secret Room—Same Time
Shadow walked in to see Tim. Her anger was the getting the better of her. How could Thorul do this to her? He had the audacity to assign her a partner. And for some strange reason she found herself looking for the man she captured.
Tim looked up from where he was shackled to the wall and smiled. "Hey beautiful," he said flirtatiously. "What brings you here?"
"I don't know," she admitted. Noticing she was probably sending the wrong message she added, "I don't know why Thorul has kept you alive."
"And you came here to ask me that of all people?" he said looking at her strangely. Before she could answer he said, "You look fairly well dressed. What's the occasion?"
Feeling a blush coming from the compliment, Shadow forced it away with all her will power and answered. "It doesn't concern you."
"Ouch," Tim said staring at her dress. It was red and looked tightly bound against her curvaceous body. It cut off at the thighs and was strapless. Her heels were also red, the same red, a red that Tim could only describe as passionate flames. "Why?" he asked after prying his eyes off her body to see her face to face.
"Why what?" she asked.
"Why are you doing this? Why are you helping him?" Tim elaborated.
For some reason, those questions caught Shadow off guard and she took a step back. "Because I want to," she answered not knowing why she did.
"Do you really?" Tim asked.
"Yes," Shadow barked. "The pay is good."
"I doubt this is for the money," Tim was staring at her eyes.
"Who said anything about money?" Shadow spoke up.
"Oh," Tim said, "so then why are you helping him when you could do so much more with your abilities?"
"Like I said the payoff is good," Shadow retorted. She hated repeating herself, it just got on her nerves and this man was getting there.
"What can be so good that you're ok with murdering people without even knowing why? Tim was careful not to yell it at her because that's what he wanted to do. But if he did it, then she most likely leave the room.
"Murdering is nothing new to me," she answered, "that's what I was made to do."
"Made," Tim repeated. "Shadow you weren't made. You get to make your own decisions."
"Don't act like you understand me!" Shadow yelled. "You don't know anything about me."
"I know more than you think," Tim defended his words.
"How?" Shadow narrowed her eyes at him.
"I do my research," Tim said smiling making Shadow feel another blush.
She turned around hiding it. Why was this happening? She should have never come down here in the first place but she did and wasn't leaving. This was something new to her. Never, not once, had she talked to someone the way she was talking to him now.
"Shadow," Tim said. She turned around. "You don't have to do this…come with me. I can help you. We can…can find what you need…together."
"No," Shadow said softly. "What I need to know only he knows."
"How can you be so sure?" Tim raised a brow.
"I've done my research," Shadow said smirking.
"Shadow please," Tim had never begged before. "Think about it. I can really help you." And he knew he actually could. He knew what she wanted to know but needed her to agree first.
Shadow sighed. She rubbed her forehead. Deciding she had nothing left to lose, she told him everything or almost everything. "Tim that is your name isn't it?" He nodded. "Look Tim," she liked the way the name rolled off her tongue. "I don't know if what you're saying is true but if it is then you know what I've been through. You know what those people did to me. Those people turned me into what I am today and now it's too late to change it. What I seek is truth and then maybe peace."
"It's never too late to change," Tim interrupted.
Ignoring him, Shadow continued. "I admit there is something off about this situation that I have yet to understand but I will soon. You can rest assured with knowing that. I can't change who I am now."
"Not alone," Tim said softly, "but with help it's possible."
"No not possible, not ever," Shadow said more to herself than Tim.
"You don't owe him anything," Tim tried to reassure her. "What more can you give him? Is it worth it?"
"I can give him anything because it is worth it," Shadow replied. "Do you know what it feels like to be alone, to lose everything, to have it stolen from you, and know that there is one person with all the answers but they don't come free?"
"No," Tim lied, but he couldn't give into her. If he'd said yes, then she'd have said then you do understand so why are you trying to me.
"Didn't think so," she said plainly. "Now if you excuse me I have a ball to attend." She reached into her bag and pulled out her red devil mask. She started walking back when Tim's voice caught her attention. Against her thoughts telling her to keep going, Shadow turned around.
"He'll betray you," Tim said desperately trying to change her mind.
"I know," Shadow said turning back around to face the exit.
Before she start walking away again Tim yelled," Wait!" and she froze.
"What?" she asked looking at the ground.
"Before you go, I just want you to know that I believe in you. I know you'll end up doing what's right. It's in your blood." He hoped she caught on to what he was saying.
"Don't get your hopes up," she said and walked out. I tend to disappoint, she thought.
The Willard Hotel—Kitchen—Same Time
John and Clark entered the hotel through the servants' entrance in the back. They had seen the people packed up front but it was just as crazy here in the kitchen. It was crowded with over twenty chefs, twenty waiter, and thirty waitresses. The president apparently wasn't a cheapskate when it came to parties. Grabbing platter of caviar and various other things Clark and John didn't recognize, they walked through the kitchen into the banquet room. It was still at little early and was barely getting dark but almost everyone was already there. Everyone except the president and the team.
John and Clark stayed close to each other while walking through the crowds of rich people. "Do you think they're here yet?" Clark asked over the sound of the classical music. Earlier one could see the expensive decorations and setup of the place but now all they could see where people.
"I hope so," John said shoving a woman out of his way. "I don't think we're going to be able to get out of this place if we wait any longer."
"Why exactly are we here anyways?" Clark asked. They hadn't really talked about why they were here in the first place. The only who probably did know was Bruce but with him being so secretive and all then…well you know.
"I think," John rubbed his chin trying to remember, "It's to try and figure who Thorul is and what exactly he is planning."
"I don't know," Clark said skeptically, "I think Bruce already knows who he is."
John stopped mid step, turned around almost dumping his platter on some random woman, and grabbed Clark's arm. "Then why are we here?"
"I think he just wants to confirm his doubts," Clark answered.
"He's willing to risk all our lives for some answers," John stated. "The boy is going to get us all killed."
"No," Clark reassured, "I've known Bruce for a long time, he wouldn't risk our lives for nothing."
"You're not denying it?" John asked but it wasn't really a question. He shook his head in disbelief and continued walking through the crowd of people.
Backstage—Same Time
Loana and Shayera stood in the middle of a group of frantic woman. The girls were getting ready for the big show. They had barely any time to learn the dance themselves but had it clearly memorized. The dancers were putting their wings on while bumping into each other. Every once in a while they pushed Shayera's wings in a painful direction and she almost clawed at their necks. Where it not for Loana, she probably would have.
"Calm down," Loana ordered in a hush tone. Shayera grunted in response, clearly restraining her anger. They had their masks on already but Loana could see that Shayera's eyes looked like they were on the brink of bursting. She really didn't like this place. "Here," Loana said taking out a chip from her bra.
"What is it?" Shayera asked, examining the small object.
"It's a camera," Loana answered. "Mine and Bruce's little invention. I told him we should get as much as this down on camera since the paparazzi isn't allowed within a mile of this place."
"Thinking like a reporter, huh?" Shayera smiled placing the small device on her mask between her eyes.
Loana shrugged. "It's in my DNA."
"Girls, girls, girls," a woman said catching their attention. "It's show time!"
"Oh brother," Shayera blew the bangs out of her face.
"Finally," Loana said a little too excitedly.
"I expect a good show," the woman said in a menacing voice.
"Don't worry," Loana whispered. "It's one you're never going to forget."
The Banquet Room—Same Time
Diana did some last minute fixes on her dress and Wally's tux. She smiled and fixed his hair. "Ready?" Bruce asked her. She glanced at his hand and saw that he too had a gold ring on.
"Yes," she said softly. She grabbed one of Wally's hand and Bruce the other.
Weird, Wally thought, his hands aren't cold. They're actually kind of warm and comforting. Nothing like he had imagined. "Let's crash this party!" Wally shouted, catching a few people's attention.
Bruce looked down at him softly and said, "Calm down son. Remember your manners." Wally surprised at his warm tone, just nodded his head.
"Listen to daddy," Diana said, catching Bruce smile for a second.
"Daddy?" Wally wondered out loud.
"Yes," Bruce confirmed pulling all three of them into the banquet room. They were officially fashionably late. Everyone was here from what they could see. Wally started swing his arms catching a glimpse of the dessert table and Bruce had to tighten his grip around the boy's hand. Diana noticed too and did the same. "Not yet, later," he promised.
"Ok," Wally said.
Bruce turned around bumping into a woman dressed in red. "Sorry," she said and he caught a glimpse of her green eyes. Where had he seen those before? She looked very familiar.
Deepening his voice he answered, "Why it's alright. If anything it's my fault."
Smiling she said, "Then we share equal blame."
Bruce watched her walk away, taking in her form, trying to remember where he had seen her. If only she didn't have on that devil mask.
Diana noticed Bruce's eyes on the woman and pinched his back. Clearing her throat she said, "Are you done yet? Because I do believe we have a person to look for."
Bruce didn't answer but started walking them towards the center of the room.
"Where is everyone else?" Wally asked.
"There here somewhere," Diana answered keeping an eye out on the people around her.
"There," Bruce pointed to the stage upfront.
"Hey it's Loana and Shayera," Wally said before widening his eyes at what they were wearing. Bruce quickly noticed and covered his son's eyes. Wally tried to push the hand away but Bruce's grip was too strong for him.
"I'll go see if they know anything," Diana volunteered.
"No wait," Bruce said but it was too late she was already gone. And she left him with Wally.
"Can we get dessert now?" Wally asked still holding Bruce's hand.
"Sure," Bruce said leading him to the table.
Whitehouse—Same Time
"Finally," Selina said, "there gone." Amanda and she came out of their hiding spots. They had been so close to getting caught earlier but Selina's quick wits saved them. They dropped down from the air vent, Selina landing in a perfect crouch and Amanda not so much perfect crouch.
"Where to?" Amanda asked pulling out her plasma gun. It was a little outdated but still got the job done.
"The president's office," Selina answered putting on her claws. It had been years since she used them. She hadn't needed them until now, so it was the perfect time to break them out. Earlier she had polished and sharpened them. Taking out a little computer screen, they made their way to the office. They really had remodeled this place. It was now bigger and more complex. Thinking about it now, Selina thought that it was made to match the Winchester Mansion. It had hallways that twisted into weird places, doors that led to nowhere, and staircases hidden around every corner. Basically it was a maze and they were the lab rats.
Remaining quiet, they turned several corners and entered through some secret passages. Only the people who worked here would now how to get there. Other than them, it'd take a genius to figure it out but Selina wasn't just some average bimbo. Well she wasn't young anymore but she was still smart. She'd even outsmarted Batman a few times and only a handful of people were able to do that.
"We're here," Selina said. They stood in front of an empty wall.
"Are you sure?" Amanda asked arming her gun.
"Yes," Selina said feeling the surface of the wall. It was smooth, too smooth. Someone had to gone through the trouble of hiding the hard exterior surface of a metal door. Of course, though it had to have a way in. Using the tip of her claws, Selina felt around for what she was sure was there. Finally after several minutes of feeling around, her claws screeched on something. "Here," she pointed. "It's a hand print scanner."
Amanda pointed her gun to where Selina had pointed. She set it to stun and fired away. The spot she hit immediately began to smoke and released some static electricity. The door slid wide open. "We have approximately fifteen minutes before security gets here," Amanda said.
"Then we better start looking for trap doors," Selina said rushing into the room. They started moving things around looking for the entrance to the underground prison cells. Amanda flipped over the desk and other cabinets while Selina focused more on finding buttons or books that would open doorways.
Amanda looked out the one sided window and saw the security arriving. "Crap they're here already!" she yelled to Selina who was focusing on a bookcase. One of those books could open the door but the others could be a deathtrap.
"We have a good ten minutes before they get in here," Selina started reading the titles of the books looking for something out of place.
The Willard Hotel—Banquet Room—Same Time
Bruce took Wally to the dessert table were Wally immediately started to divulge himself. "Manners," he reminded Wally who was busy stuffing three brownies into his mouth. He still had not let go of Wally's hand. Who knew what the kid would do? He could forget where he was and run off using his super speed.
Wally nodded and started eating painfully slow. "Cookie," he offered Bruce who shook his head.
Bruce started looking around the room trying to see where Diana had gone. He looked to where the dancers were performing their opening act. Surely Diana would be there waiting for them to finish to talk to Loana and Shayera.
A hand tapped his shoulder and said, "Crab cake?"
"No thanks," Bruce said without turning around.
"Suit yourself," the man said, "more for me."
Recognizing the voice, Bruce turned around. "Clark," he said.
"The one and only," Clark replied. "Where's Diana? I thought you guys were supposed to come as a family."
"She went to go find Loana and Shayera," Bruce answered. He was going to ask where John was but he was standing right next to him talking to Wally. The boy was cracking some jokes that only John would laugh at. "Has the president arrived yet?" Bruce asked.
"No," Clark answered. "Haven't seen him but we'll know when he comes. I'm sure everyone will clear a path for him and probably try to take the first dance with him." The music wasn't bad, it was classical orchestra. Upfront behind the stage where the Scarlet Angels were performing, was the orchestra. So far they had been playing slow soft songs. The men and some of the women were near the stage watching the girls perform.
John came up to Clark and Bruce. He had a slight look of anger on his face but was trying his best to hide it. "Bruce," he said coldly, "we should probably split up. People will notice you talking to the servants and begin to ask questions."
Bruce seemed to think about it for a moment until he said, "Wally lets go find mommy." They had to keep up the act even in front of their friends. They turned around and started walking toward where Bruce assumed Diana to be.
President's Office—Same Time
Selina still stood in front of the bookcase. Most of the books were about politics but a select few were about guns, some about martial arts, and one about family.
"There here!" Amanda yelled shooting towards the entrance.
The armed men started shooting back and Amanda hid behind the turned over desk, firing when she got the chance. They were badly outnumbered. It was two to ten, a bad number when in other words it's one to five.
"Put your hands up!" one of them said. "You're under arrest."
Selina without turning around put her hands up and said, "Well it looks like you caught us officers." She still eyes the books but waited for the man to come up behind her.
"Get the other," the man commanded his men. Three went up to Amanda while he grabbed Selina's hands. He put them behind her back but before he could put the cuffs on her, she flipped over him, twisting his arms in the process, and banged him against the bookcase. One down and it was the important one.
The men started shooting at her but she quickly pulled out her whip from inside her fur coat and started knocking the bullets out in midair.
Amanda hit the first man to come up to her with the butt of her gun, knocking him out and using him as a human shield. She shot from the side of his head, disarming several men.
Selina flipped through the air with catlike grace and landed on top of two men. She slit the back of their necks temporarily paralyzing them. Four down six more to go, she thought. Using her superior agility, Selina ran up to a man who was aiming for her and pushed the gun up at the last possible second. The bullet hit the only light source in the room. Now they were in complete darkness, where Selina had the advantage. The men however had night vision goggles on.
Amanda shot a man running up to tackle Selina and stunned him. Her gun was set to stun, but with just a bit more power than a Taser. It had to be enough to immobilize them.
The men noticed that Selina was the real challenge here and aimed to take her down first. Five men left, she noticed. She pushed the armless one away from her and wrapped her whip around the arm of another. Using the man's momentum to her advantage, she pulled him towards her and slammed their heads together. Four more left.
Amanda ran up to the one Selina had disarmed and stunned him. Even without a weapon, the man could still pose a threat. Three left. Then without a moment's notice, a man tackled her to the floor. They rolled around trying to shoot each other, Amanda with her stun gun and the man with bullets. She kneed him in the gut, trying to force him off. He didn't budge and managed to get his gun at her temple. He punched her trying to see if he could knock her out. Through her now blurry vision, Amanda saw the man's face go blue. It was then that she noticed Selina had wrapped her whip around his neck. She tightened her grip until the man went unconscious. Pushing the body off of her, Amanda wiped her bloody lip and picked up the man's gun. Hers had gotten kicked away in the process. Selina offered her hand and Amanda accepted it. From the corner of her eye, she saw a man load his gun and aim it at Selina's head. Amanda quickly jumped up and shot the man's hand, disabling him. One left but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's the other?" Amanda asked.
"He must have run off," Selina shrugged. She walked up to the bookcase and noticed a book had been moved slightly. It was the family one. "I think I know where he went." She grabbed the book and pulled it slightly. They heard gears turn and something open but nothing visible to the eye.
Amanda started walking around the room trying to pinpoint where the noise came from. "I don't see anything," she said.
"No we wouldn't," Selina said softly. "It has to be hidden from plain sight too." She walked over to the flipped over desk. Standing behind it, she pictured the office how it was when they first came in. She remembered where everything was situated before they started throwing things around looking for the entrance. Picturing the exact situation, she thought to where the president would be if he was here. He would obviously be sitting in his chair, his back to the window. "The window!" she blurted out.
"What?" Amanda said confused.
"The window it's not a window," Selina spoke.
"Yah it's a one sided window," Amanda tried to catch up. "You can see out but not in."
"No," Selina said walking up to it. "We didn't notice this before but this room is in the center of the building. Which means it can't have a window."
"And your point is?" Amanda asked.
"It's a computer monitor disguised to look like a window," Selina said feeling the smooth surface of the screen. "Remember how we struggled to get here with all the complex hallways and doors. Well think about it. If the president brings someone here then they probably get confused on the way and don't notice that this room is located in the center of the Whitehouse."
"So?"
"So this," Selina said pushing it in. The monitor flipped over revealing the entrance to another hallway. "The book unlocked the monitor."
"Clever," Amanda said. She gestured her arm forward and said, "After you."
Banquet Room—Same Time
Diana walked around several groups of dancing people. She needed to talk to Shayera and Loana. They had the best view over this place given that they were on top of the stage. Maybe they had noticed something off. She fixed her mask and stood next to the stage waiting for the dance to finish. She looked at their faces. Loana played the part perfectly, smiling and all. The girl was absolutely glowing. Reporters were so much like actors. Shayera on the other hand was not smiling. She in fact seemed to be frowning. She was doing the dance right but her posture gave off a negative energy that screamed of get me out of here.
The dance finished and Diana quickly caught her friends' attention. "Shayera, Loana!" she yelled whispered. They looked at her and casually walked in her direction.
"What?" Loana asked without looking at her.
"Has anything suspicious happened?" Diana asked.
Loana looked around and said, "No—wait!"
"What?" Both Shayera and Diana asked.
"He's here," Loana whispered, motion her eyes towards the man entering the banquet room surrounded by the secret service.
"Girls, girls, girls," a woman said, "Hurry up next number is in five." She rushed all the dancers backstage including Shayera and Loana.
Diana hurried along to try and find Bruce. Immediately the guests started clearing a path for their host. Unfortunately, Diana got caught in the clearing. President Thorul looked at her like fresh meat. He smiled and walked towards her gesturing his security away. Diana without moving her head saw Bruce and Wally trying to get to her. They were blocked off by the huge amount people circling around her and President Thorul.
He came up to her and kissed her hand. A twinkle of recognition flashed in his eyes. "May I have this dance?" he asked in a soft yet overwhelmingly frightening voice.
Diana gulped and answered, "Of course." Thorul looked at the composer and the man started playing Lux Aeterna, the first aggressive song of the night. He wrapped his arm around Diana's waist and used the other to hold her free hand.
The dance started off slow but soon progressed to being faster. "It's a pleasure to meet you," Diana said trying to remain calm.
"The pleasure is all mine," he said calmly, too calmly. "And you are?"
Diana tried to remember the name of the woman whose invitation she had stolen. She couldn't remember. This man was making her nervous just by looking at her. She lied and made up, "Blake, Mrs. Blake."
"Mrs." Thorul said. "So there is Mr. Blake?"
"Yes," Diana answered. "He's over there with our child."
Thorul quickly glanced at them and then spun Diana in his arms. "You two seem a little young to have a child."
"We're older then we presume to show," Diana said calmly.
"Really?" he asked. "And how is this possible?"
Diana batted her eye lashes. "Oh like you don't know," she said nonchalantly. It was then that she found him staring at her eyes. And she noticed, that he was the only person here not wearing a mask. "Where's your mask?" she asked.
"Oh I'm wearing one," he said imperturbably. Diana put on a face of confusion. "Isn't that why you and your friends are here for? To find out who I am." He smiled and Diana swore she felt her heart stop. Diana tried to pull away but he tightened his grip on her hand and her waist. "Oh Miss Spencer, did you really think I wouldn't recognize you?"
"I don't know what you are talking about?" Diana said, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck sticking up.
He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "This is all part of my plan. Did you think I would throw a ball for nothing?"
Quitting the act, Diana said, "This ball was planned over a year ago. How could you have possibly planned this for us?"
Sending his breath down her neck he said, "I know, I've always known this would happen. It was only a matter of time." He paused. "There's a war coming," he added. "And only one will survive."
"You don't seem afraid," Diana leaned into him. She saw Bruce was still trying to get her but a woman dressed in red stopped him with a conversation.
"I never lose," he whispered back into her ear, sending chills down her spine.
"A little cocky, don't you think?" Diana smiled.
"No not cocky," Thorul returned the smile, "not when you know where all the pieces are." Diana raised a brow. "You're here; Bruce is there with my friend, the two girls on the stage dancing, the two boys by the buffet, and the little one in my reach."
"What do you mean?" Diana asked.
Thorul let out a small chuckle. "Do you really think I came here unprepared? I already told you I knew this would happen. Look around you. I have my guards."
"That's nothing," Diana puffed out her chest, putting some space between them. "You clearly underestimate us."
"Look closer," Thorul leaned in; his lips dangerously close to Diana's.
Diana backed up a little looking everywhere. All she noticed were the few guards, the rich guests, and her friends. But then out of the corner of her eye, she saw the windows. They were big and surrounded almost every side of the room. Focusing her vision, she saw people on the roofs of the neighboring building and they had guns…snipers to be precise.
Her eyes widened and Thorul smiled. "Now you see."
"Why?" Diana asked. "Why go through all the trouble? Why invite all these people?"
Thorul let out another small laugh. "You still don't get it do you? Look around you. Here are you people, my main enemies, and the most powerful individuals this country has to offer. Now what would happen if somehow I managed, which I already did, to get all these people to come here and suddenly they were attacked by terrorists?" Diana's eyes went wide. He was trying to get rid of all his possible opponents. "It would be a grave day indeed but look on the bright side; I killed two birds with one stone. You the super powered brats getting in my way and these people who are trying to take my power away from me."
"You're insane," Diana accused through a forced smile. She was biting down on her teeth so hard that it felt like they would break any moment.
"It's coming to an end Miss Spencer," Thorul held her chin up with his hand.
"Don't be so sure," Diana said coldly. She was tired of pretending. "We'll stop you."
Thorul let out another wicked chuckle. "Please if you couldn't even do it the first time, what makes you think you can do it now? Remember, this has all happened before and the outcome will be the same."
"If you think you have us cornered then you're wrong," Diana said hastily. "This isn't going to end the same way."
Thorul pulled her in close again, their faces literally touching. "You always were the hardest to kill," he said. "I won't make that mistake again."
"I won't die," Diana said sternly. "Not now, not this time, not because of you."
"Maybe not today," Thorul leaned in towards her ear again, "but before the night has passed the conscious of your team will be dead."
"What?" Diana asked, the word conscious ringing a bell. Then a shot was heard, followed by several others, and the sound of breaking windows. Diana pushed Thorul away from her and ran into the crowd of panicking people.
She heard him yell, "It is happening again and there's nothing you can do to change it!"
Whitehouse—Secret Room—Same Time
Selina and Amanda ran down a hall, taking a sharp turn at the end. The only thing there was a steel door with a small window. Looking inside, they could see that it led to an even bigger chamber. Tim had to be in there. Selina, using her claws, picked the lock open. They ran in shielding their eyes from the bright white fluorescent lights. They waited for their eyes to adjust before looking through each prison cell.
"Tim!" they started to call out. "Tim, are you here!"
"Mmmm," they heard from the last cell at the end of the corridor. They ran to the cell and saw Tim shackled to the wall with a gag on his mouth. He was bloody and beaten to a pulp. His left eye was black, and his lip swollen and bleeding. All around his face there were cuts and several large purple bruise. His clothes were ripped and they even looked sort of scorched. What the hell did they do to him?
Selina picked the lock and ran into the cell. "Tim, are you alright?" she asked. She tried to pick his shackles but they wouldn't budge. She however could still see the friction burns on his wrists from all his struggling to get free. "What did they do to you?"
He couldn't answer but just mumble nonsense. Selina cut the gag off of his mouth using her claw. "It's a trap!" he yelled.
"What?" Selina asked before hearing Amanda scream. She turned her head quickly to see a man dressed in a black suit with a red bird insignia on his chest, bang Amanda's head on the wall knocking her out. "Amanda!" she yelled, letting go of Tim's shackles. She wouldn't be able to get them off anyways.
"Selina run!" Tim shouted. "Go he's going to kill you."
"I'm not leaving," Selina stood her ground. "I didn't come all the way over here for nothing. I'm not losing another member of the bat family."
"He'll beat you," Tim said, "don't you recognize him!"
"No I don't," Selina said, "and I don't need to." She jumped for the man before Tim could say anything else.
She aimed to punch his Adam apple but he blocked her move. Selina raised a brow, so this guy did know what he's doing. No matter, Selina thought, I've fought worse.
Renegade took charge and tackled Selina to the ground. She kicked him off, using the man's speed against him. They both stood up and Selina immediately swung her claws for his face. He ducked and moved backwards allowing her to come closer. Selina kicked her leg out, but he caught it and send her tumbling backwards. She landed on the ground uncomfortable feeling her right leg misplace a little.
"You're getting too old for this," the man finally spoke. "Your bones will break easily."
"Your one to talk," Selina said standing back up. "What's your name anyways?"
"Renegade," the man answered.
Selina took out her whip and swung it toward him. He leaned back missing it by an inch. "Quick reflexes," Selina complimented. "Too bad mine are catlike." She pounced off a wall towards him. Using the speed of the moment, she knocked him into the wall behind him and started clawing at his chest before he could react. If lucky she'd cut a vital artery.
Renegade empowered by the sudden anger, kicked her off of him and slammed her on the floor. He held her neck in a death grip. Her face slowed started turning pale.
Selina struggling in Renegade's grip, reached inside her coat pulling out a small yet sufficient dagger. Using all her energy, she swung it across his face, forcing him to let go and stumble backwards. She saw him cover his face with his hands, trying to stop the blood from flowing out. Standing up, Selina grabbed her whip and swung it around Renegade's wrists. She tightened her grip and pulled him towards. "Told you I got this," Selina turned to face Tim. He gave her a small smile before she turned back around. Renegade's mask fall off his face from being cut by Selina's dagger. She looked into his deep blue eyes and said, "Dick?"
Renegade slammed his head into hers and then punched her across the face knocking her out.
"Selina!" Tim yelled, struggling against his shackles, worsening the friction burns. He looked up into the cold blue eyes of his once adopted father. "Dick what have they done to you?" Then he too blacked out.
Banquet Room—Same Time
Bruce grabbed Wally's hand tighter and started running.
"Bruce," Wally said in a scared tone. "What's happening?"
"Nothing Wally," Bruce said through pants. He saw red dots from snipers on several people running around and said, "It's a game just stay away from those red dots ok."
"Ok," Wally said. He was panting too but not from running but from fear. He knew something was wrong and could see a bunch of people falling to the ground around him with giant puddles of red liquid forming around their bodies. He heard the dancing girls on stage scream and the stage started to tumble over.
Shayera flew up forgetting about Loana's lack of powers.
Bruce looked in that direction and saw Clark fly and catch Loana in midair. He saw them embrace in midair and Loana give Clark a kiss in appreciation. On the other side of the room, he saw Shayera and John hug each other. Immediately though armed men broke in and started shooting at everyone but specifically them.
Diana saw Bruce and Wally straight ahead of her and started running towards. Then she felt someone tug on her shoulder and turn her over. It was the woman in the red dress with the devil mask. "Who—" She was cut off by a punch to the face. Diana stumbled backwards from the impact. "Shadow," she said through gritted teeth.
"You remember me," Shadow held a hand to her chest. "I'm honored." She ripped off her mask and let it fall to the floor.
"No claws I see," Diana pointed out.
"Don't need them," Shadow jumped for her. She went for a gut hit but Diana blocked it with key precision.
"Last time you caught me off guard," Diana spoke in between hits, "but this time I'm prepared."
"Are you really?" Shadow asked and then aimed to punch her in the face again. Diana caught it, twisted it, turned, and flipped Shadow over her shoulder. Shadow quickly retaliated by kicking Diana's feet from under her.
Diana landed on her knees and used her gauntlets to block the oncoming hit from above. The impact of the hit sent a shudder through her bones.
"You've got skills," Shadow was impressed. "Too bad I'm better." She let Diana get up and then grabbed her by the neck. She caught sight of the impressive pearls around her neck. "Nice accessories," Shadow reached for them. "Mind if I borrow them?"
Diana immediately kneed Shadow in the gut and then took them flying in the air. She grabbed Shadow's hands from her neck and pried them off, letting her fall to the ground. She landed next to her. Shadow's eyes were closed and her body still but she wasn't unconscious, Diana knew. Ripping off her gloves, Diana got ready to punch her unconscious when she remembered who the woman was to her. At the last second, she held back and didn't do it. Shadow's eyes popped wide open and she kicked Diana to the floor. She reached for neck and ripped the pearls off without damaging them. Then before she could finish the girl off, something with wings slammed into her.
"Diana," Shayera said, holding a hand out. Diana grabbed it.
"Where's Bruce?" she asked, trying to regain her lost air.
"He's getting Clark and Loana," Shayera answered and then was pushed out of the way by Diana who used her gauntlets to block the oncoming bullets.
"We have to get out of here," Diana said blocking more bullets with Amazon grace.
"John's finding us a way out," Shayera said using her wings as protection. "The front doors are crowded with people trying to get out."
"We have to get Bruce," Diana spoke. "I need to tell him something." She grabbed Shayera's arm and started flying.
"Come on Wally," Bruce said trying to make the kid run faster. "I thought you were a speedster."
Wally picked up the pace a little and said, "Bruce I'm scared." And this time it was Wally who tightened the grip in on their hands.
"It's ok," Bruce tried to reassure him. "We just need to find Clark and Loana and then we can leave." Wally nodded and then ducked his head when he heard more gun shots. He saw Bruce take out three batarangs and throw them at some men with guns.
"There they are!" Bruce yelled over the panic screams. He started running in a different direction dragging Wally with him.
Wally noticed a red dot on Bruce's back and remembered what he had told him. "Bruce," Wally tried to grab his attention.
"Not now Wally," Bruce kept running towards Clark and Loana.
"Bruce," Wally said before pushing Bruce out of the way of the oncoming bullet.
Bruce landed on the floor with a thump and saw Wally standing up in front of him with tears in his eyes. He looked down to see the boy with his hands clutched around his stomach. Wally removed his hands and Bruce could see an expanding red spot on the boy's white shirt. Wally dropped to the floor, shaking like crazy. "Wally!" Bruce yelled dropping next to him. He grabbed Wally's bloody hands and moved them away from the wound.
Clark and Loana saw Bruce and Wally running towards them and then saw Bruce fall to the floor. Only Clark with his super vision was able to see Wally take a bullet for Bruce. "Wally!" Clark yelled. He picked up Loana and flew towards them.
"Oh my God what happened?!" Loana shouted and then covered her mouth. Clark dropped to the floor and applied pressure to Wally's stomach. Bullets hit him but Clark's invincibility made them shatter upon impact.
"Clark, get him out of here now!" Bruce ordered.
"What about everyone else?" Clark asked picking Wally up.
"Take Loana with you," Bruce added. "The rest of us will meet up where we planned. Understood?"
Clark needed not answer. He grabbed Loana and flew through the broken windows. At that same moment, Diana and Shayera landed in front of Bruce. "What happened?" was the first thing out of Shayera's mouth. "I just saw Clark fly off with Loana and Wally."
"Yes now we need to go too," Bruce answered. "Diana you come with me. Shayera find John and get out of here."
"But—"
"Now!" Bruce barked. "I'll explain later." He grabbed Diana's arm and started running in the opposite direction of the frantic people.
"Bruce I need to tell you something," Diana said, ripping her arm out of Bruce's grip.
"Not now, Diana," Bruce said coldly. "We can't let him get away. Right now I need you to watch my back." Bruce scanned the entire room with his eyes. He spotted several guards exiting through a back door. Taking out several batarangs, he threw them and then knocked them all out.
Diana using her gauntlets blocked the bullets from pursuing armed men. "Go!" Diana said, "I'll hold these guys off." Bruce nodded his head and went inside the room. He saw a shadow turn a corner and followed it.
"Stop!" he yelled preparing to throw a batarang. He turned the corner and went into a room filled with several large guards. Only one person could be in the middle of them.
"Mr. Gaius," said the president's voice from the center. "Glad you could join us."
"Present yourself," Bruce ordered, batarang still in his hand. The guards pulled out their guns and pointed them at him.
Thorul laughed and ordered his men to step aside. They did. "Leave us won't you?" it wasn't a question. The guards bowed and exited the room. "What brings you here?" Thorul asked arms behind his back.
"You know why I'm here," Bruce stiffened.
"You're here to clear your doubts," Thorul smiled. "Well go ahead I won't stop you. Who do you think I am? I'm sure that's why you're here."
"You're not going to confirm or deny my assumption, are you?" Bruce asked eyes on Thorul.
"I might," Thorul gave a grin.
"Alexander Luthor," Bruce spoke, "better known as Lex Luthor."
As he said, Thorul neither confirmed nor denied this. "What makes you guess that?"
"First of all because Joseph, the name you use, is the name of your father and secondly because Thorul is an anagram for Luthor hence you are Lex Luthor." Bruce for the first time in a while let a knowing smirk display itself on his face.
Thorul walked up to him. "Believe what you want," he said. "It really doesn't matter who I am." He turned around and paused. "You may leave now…unless…"
"Unless what?" Bruce asked.
Thorul turned around and smiled. "I have a proposition for you. One you can leave right now freely or two you can stay, I'll tell you a secret, and then I'll kill you."
"What makes you think it won't be the other way around," Bruce looked at his utility belt drawing a laugh from Thorul.
"You haven't changed a bit, Bruce," Thorul laughed. "You still think you're in charge and look where that has gotten you. You've killed another child."
"You—" Thorul cut him off by holding a hand up.
"Make up your mind," Thorul said, "if not I'll just call my guards in here and have them kill you on the spot. You're bound to die soon regardless."
Deciding it was best to leave Bruce turned around and started walking towards the exit. "Wait," he heard Thorul say. "Don't you want to know what happened to your parents?" Bruce froze.
He narrowed his eyes. "What do you know about my parents?"
"I know that I killed them," Thorul said casually. Before Bruce could say anything, he added, "I know you think it was an accident but believe me it wasn't. By now you probably have at least an idea on how I've evaded the limitation laws. Well to save you the trouble the answer is simple: plastic surgery. But now I'm avoiding the point. So as I was saying, I killed your parents. I hired a man to kill them. I guess he figured I was going to kill him too and ended up getting drunk and killing himself in the process."
"Why?" Bruce asked.
"Your father Thomas Gaius was the only man in this country to have the courage to run against me and stand a threat. He came so close to figuring everything out with his Martha Gaius the owner of the NovaCity Law Firm. So I of course had to take action. I eliminated them but think of how I felt when I found they had an heir to their vast fortune and that it was precisely you. It wasn't until recently that I made the connection that in a way I helped in the creation of my worst enemy. Isn't that ironic, but apparently the fates have a sense of humor. But you wouldn't understand that. You never believed in anything."
"You're not Lex Luthor," Bruce said.
Thorul smiled. "No I'm not. I just needed everyone to think I was." He glanced at his watch and said, "Well would you look at that. It's time for you to die. Guards!" They came bursting in. "Kill him."
They aimed their guns at Bruce and he had no intention of moving. Everything was slipping from his hands. He'd never felt so destroyed, so responsible for everything that was happening but then he heard a voice.
"Bruce!" Diana yelled breaking into the room and blocking the oncoming bullets. Thorul turned around, shocked, and ordered his guards to kill them both.
Diana grabbed a frozen Bruce and flew out of the building as quick as she could while blocking the bullets heading towards them with her gauntlets.
Thorul watched them fly away already planning his next move. "I underestimated you again Amazon," he said to no one in particular. "Let them go," he said to his guards. "Their time will come soon enough."
A/N Sorry for any grammar errors guys. I just wanted to publish this as soon as possible. So there were some big revelations. Oh and for anyone who doesn't know, an anagram is a word whose letters can be rearranged to spell a different word. The song Lux Aeterna is the song from Lord of the Rings. I thought that it would fit this chapter perfectly since in the movie it was put during a battle scene. I hope I gave you guys enough action. Now Martian Manhunter will join the team probably not in the next chapter but the chapter after. It may be later but just wanted to let you guys know ahead of time. I hope you guys liked it. So please review, let me know what you think, ask questions, and the next chapter will be up in a few days.