"Alright," said Weiss, "three, two, one, go!"

Music began to blast from the speakers as Bruce, Clark, Oliver, and Victor went to town with their respective instruments onstage. Victor slammed the sticks down on the drums, Clark and Oliver jammed out on the guitar and bass, and Bruce played a melody on the piano. The four played a decent rock melody, though Clark's beats were slipping a little and Oliver was a little slow.

"Stop stop stop!" called Weiss, prompting the music to cease.

"That wasn't too bad." said Ruby, tying some party decorations over the door to the dance hall.

"Clark and Oliver are off tempo," said Weiss, "Especially Clark."

"Sorry, I haven't gotten used to the guitar," said Clark, "Nobody told me it was electric."

"It's ok, there's still time." said Weiss, "Oliver, you were closer, but you definitely lied when you said you were good at bass."

"WHAT!" said Oliver, "I'm not that bad."

"No, you aren't." said Weiss, chuckling, "I'm just messing with you."

Oliver frowned, "Weiss, you're turning into Yang."

Weiss's eyes widened, "I most certainly am not!"

"Of course you are!" said Yang, bringing another loudspeaker into the room. She was followed shortly by Blake.

"Blake!" said Ruby, "How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good actually." said Blake, "Yang was right, I did need to take time to sleep."

"It's good to have you back Blake," said Weiss, "Don't worry about the case, it's still being worked on."

Blake nodded, taking a look at the stage that team BSCO was on, "You guys are looking pretty good."

"We always look good!" said Victor, "Hopefully we'll play good."

"I bet you guys will be fine." said Blake, spotting Bruce on the piano, "Hey, you made it!"

"I didn't exactly have a choice." Bruce said blankly.

Blake raised her eyebrow, "What does that mean?"

"I kinda had Alfred lock him out of the cave." said Clark, "So it was either do nothing or come to the dance for him."

"Heh," said Blake, "sounds like something Yang would come up with."

"Actually, I came up with it." said Clark, "Though I ran it by Yang and she seemed to love it."

"Best idea ever!" said Yang, tuning the speaker.

"Well, I guess that settles it," said Blake, "I'll come to the dance."

"Hooray!" said Ruby.

"There's just one more thing." said Blake.

Blake got up onto the stage, walking over to Bruce, "When Yang and Oliver were convincing me to take a break, Oliver said some things about you."

"Did he now?" said Bruce, eyeing Oliver and causing him to clam up in silent terror.

"Yeah, he said that you threw away your chance at a normal childhood." said Blake.

Bruce contemplated the words, "He's right, I did throw my childhood away."

"I wouldn't be so sure." said Blake, "The dance is an opportunity to relax, to regain lost strength. In your case, it's an opportunity to make up for lost time."

"What are you suggesting?" asked Bruce.

Blake extended her hand, "You haven't been to a party since you were nine. I haven't been to a party since I was 11. Why don't we try this party together?"

Blake smiled, "Do you want to go to the dance with me?"

Bruce's eyes widened, her request catching him off guard. Yang dropped the speaker on the ground, giggling.

"Oh that's so cute!" said Yang.

"Can you PLEASE not make this awkward!" said Blake.

"I accept." said Bruce.

Blake turned back to Bruce in shock, "Really?"

"It could be fun." said Bruce, "Which is apparently something I don't have according to Oliver."

Oliver flinched even more, considering placing his bass on the stage and running for his life.

"But it's something I want to try out." said Bruce.

"Great!" said Blake, "I'll see you at the dance!"

Blake turned around and hopped off the stage, following Yang as she left to grab another speaker.

"Hey Clark," said Victor, "weren't you also supposed to ask someone out?"

Clark looked at Victor in confusion, "What?"

"Didn't we discuss this with JNPR?" said Victor, "if only half of us have dates the other half wouldn't exactly look as good."

"Peer pressure isn't gonna help you Victor." said Clark.

"I'm not peer pressuring," said Victor, "Seriously, if you don't wanna go with somebody to the dance, it's all good."

Clark glanced at Ruby, who was currently struggling to set up a table.

"Alright, I might as well give it a try." said Clark.

Jumping off the stage, Clark approached Ruby, "Need some help?"

"No! This stupid table will cooperate eventually!" said Ruby, working tirelessly to open the foldable table. After a few seconds of no progress, Ruby sighed, "Fine."

Clark smiled, grabbing the table and folding it open before placing it on the floor.

"Thank you." said Ruby, dejected, "I need to drink more milk."

"Hey, I come from a farm," said Clark, "I can ask my Pa to send some milk."

"No no, it's fine." said Ruby, "I'll just have to do more weapon training."

Clark nodded, "So...the dance. Do you want to come with me?"

"Huh?" said Ruby, eyes wide, "Like as a...date?"

"As a friend." said Clark, "I've never been to a dance before, so it would be nice to have someone nearby."

"Oh, ok!" said Ruby, "That sounds good, Bestest of friends!"

Ruby gave Clark a fist bump before walking out to grab some more decorations, leaving Weiss the only non-BSCO member left. Getting a notification on her scroll, Weiss's eyes widened.

"Good news, David Rowie's photoshoot should finish early. You'll only need to play two songs." said Weiss, "Unfortunately, I have to guide them through Beacon when they get here, so I won't be able to sing."

"Then who'll do vocals?" asked Victor.

Weiss shrugged, "One of you I guess."

BSCO looked at each other, "We'll figure it out." said Bruce.

Weiss nodded, "Good, I have to make preparations elsewhere then! Have fun practicing!"

Weiss took her leave, letting BSCO alone.

"So..." said Victor, "What's up with you and Yang Ollie?"

"What about me and Yang?" asked Oliver.

"You didn't ask her out you chicken!" said Victor, "C'mon it's clear you like her!"

"Shouldn't we talk about who's gonna sing?" asked Clark.

"It's no use Clark," said Bruce, "let them talk about this first then we can get to discussing the important stuff."

"This is important." said Victor, "I'm not even trying to pressure you. It's clear you like this girl and you're too afraid to tell her how you feel."

"It's not that I'm intimidated!" said Oliver, "I'm afraid that on the inside I'm still the garbage person I used to be."

Victor sat up from the drums, marching over to Oliver.

"Vic?" asked Oliver, "What are you-"

*WHACK!*

Victor slapped Oliver across the face, eliciting a cringe from Clark.

"Jeez Victor!" said Clark, "That was harsh!"

"You're afraid that she'll think you haven't improved?" said Victor, "Then prove that isn't true to yourself and to her!"

Oliver took a step back, nursing his cheek, "I...have an idea!"

Oliver's eyes seemed to spark as he pulled out his scroll, sending something to there rest of team BSCO's scrolls, "These are the songs we should play, I'll sing."

"How are you a good singer?" asked Clark.

Oliver smiled, taking a deep breath before starting to sing.

And I want a moment to be real!

Wanna touch things I don't feel!

Wanna hold on, and feel I belong!

And how, can the world want me to change!

They're the ones that stay the same!

They don't know me!

Cuz I'm not here!

Oliver completed the verse, taking a look at his shocked teammates.

"Wow." said Clark, "You can sing!"

"Of course I can sing!" said Oliver, "I've got some naturally good vocal cords."

"It's perfect!" said Victor, "Now we just gotta practice!"

As the team got back into their respective positions, Oliver realized something.

"Hey guys?" said Oliver, "What are we gonna wear?"


"Are you sure about this Ollie?" asked Clark.

"C'mon!" said Oliver, "What's wrong with a bit of Tux shopping with the boys!"

Team BSCO stood in front of a fancy clothing store, a store Oliver had led them to pick outfits for the dance.

Clark tugged at his t-shirt, "I've never been to one of these places, are you sure we shouldn't just-"

"No way you're getting out of this Clark!" said Oliver, "And don't worry about the price, I'm buying! We've all got to look good!"

Clark sighed, pushing his glasses towards his face, "Alright, take us in."

Oliver smirked, leading the team into the shop. It was a fairly elite establishment with different ranks of undershirts, jackets, dress pants, and dress shoes. A tailor approached them, holding his measuring tape.

"Ah, Mister Queen, here for your appointment?" said the tailor.

"Yes!" said Oliver, "Everyone here needs a suit!"

"We can measure two at a time." said the Tailor, "Who shall go first?"

Oliver gestured at Clark and Bruce, "How about you two?"

"Uh, sure!" said Clark, nervous. Bruce answered wordlessly with a nod.

"Alright gentlemen!" said the tailor, turning around, "Follow me!"

As Clark and Bruce followed the tailor into the measuring room, Oliver and Victor took a seat in the waiting area.

"So, you sure this plan is gonna work with Yang?" asked Victor.

"Maybe," said Oliver, "I'm just not sure I'm the type of guy she's interested in."

"Dude, you're kidding." said Victor.

"No, really." said Oliver, "She seems like she wants someone really...respectable."

"Do you want to get slapped again?" asked Victor, "Cause right now that's where you're headed."

Oliver chuckled, "Heh, I'll stop being so sorry for myself."

"It's not your money that makes you who you are Oliver." said Victor, poking at Oliver's chest, "It's the archer, the hero on the inside. That's the real you."

Oliver felt the spot where Victor poked, "Thanks Victor, you know that means the world to me. I'm sure Yang will love what I've got planned."


"Uh, are they supposed to measure there?" asked Clark as the tailor measured Clark's legs.

"Yes, he's supposed to measure your entire body." said Bruce, letting another tailor measure his arms, "You're fine."

Clark shifted nervously as the tailor rolled up his tape, "I'll be back in a few minutes gentlemen!"

The tailor exits, leaving Bruce and Clark alone.

"So...how's it feel, Bruce?" asked Clark, "To be going to a party again?"

"It feels..." said Bruce, "Oddly cathartic. Like I'm getting a chance to really exhale after holding my breath for years."

Clark smiled, "Good to know."

Clark pulled out his scroll, shifting through his messages, "So...Blake huh?"

"What about Blake?" asked Bruce.

"You're going on a date with her to the dance!" said Clark, "I mean, that's gotta mean something?"

Bruce raised his eyebrow at Clark, "It's funny, we were so different at a glance. She was a revolutionary White Fang member and I was the child of an empire. But the more I interacted with her, the more I realized what we had in common. We were both trained as soldiers for a purpose. We're both dedicated to our goals for justice. Even stranger, she seems to have the uncanny ability to read me. Some moments she knows me better than I know myself."

Bruce looked back at Clark, who was staring at him, "What is it?"

"Bruce..." said Clark, "I want you to know that you should make the most of the dance. I think you'll really enjoy it."

Bruce chuckled, something very out of character, "Alright, whatever you say Bruce."

"Alright," said the tailor, bringing Oliver and Victor in, "Please seat yourselves Mr. Kent, Mr. Wayne. We'll be out shortly."


Clark and Bruce sat down outside the shop, watching the pigeons fly over the streets of Vale.

"I can hear a lot of them." said Clark, "Flapping around. We don't have that many in Smallville."

"What kind of birds do you have in Smallville?" asked Bruce.

"Mostly eagles." said Clark, "It's a quiet town, I'm thankful for Ma and Pa taking me in."

Bruce nodded, enjoying the idyllic setting until he caught something Clark said.

Taking me in?

"I've never asked, how far does your hearing go?" asked Bruce.

"I've never measured," said Clark, "But I'd guess a mile or two."

Bruce nodded, "Impressive, and what about your vision."

"Which one?" asked Clark, "X-ray or heat?"

"Both." said Bruce, "What are they like?"

Clark took off his glasses, "Heat vision is like focusing your energy, your soul into your eyes to output. X-Ray is more about focusing your vision."

"And what about your strength and durability." asked Bruce, "How do they play into this?"

"I've had them for a long time." said Clark, "They've been around since I was about 5."

"Hmm," said Bruce, "Were you born in Smallville?"

Clark looked at Bruce nervously, "I...don't know where these questions are coming from Bruce."

"You mentioned your mother and father took you in." said Bruce, "I just want to know what that means."

Clark looked back at Bruce wide-eyed.

Should I tell him about this? That I'm not...normal?

Clark looked around, scanning the area for people nearby before turning back to Bruce.

"Promise you won't tell anyone." said Clark.

Bruce nodded, letting Clark speak.

"I wasn't born in Smallville, but I was raised since I was a baby." said Clark, "My Ma and Pa found me in a rocket that crashed into one of their fields, they took me in despite the strange first impressions. We don't really know where I came from, but considering my powers, I'm probably some kind of Atlesian experiment."

Bruce's eyes widened, "That explains why your skill and power set is so different from everyone else's."

Clark nodded, "Please don't tell anyone about this, even Oliver and Victor."

Bruce sighed, "Don't worry about it, I'll respect your privacy."

"Thank you." said Clark, leaning back in his chair, "Bruce, you don't think I'm a freak do you?"

Bruce looked Clark up and down, "Absolutely not, you're my friend."

Clark's eyes widened, "Y-You called me your friend."

Bruce rolled his eyes, getting up from the bench, "Quit it, it's not that significant."

"It totally is!" said Clark, getting up as well, "You've never said anyone was your friend!"

"And I'll never say it again if you don't pipe down!" said Bruce, his gaze on the entrance to the shop, "Look, here come Oliver and Victor."

Oliver and Victor exited the shop as the tailor held the door open.

"Thank you sir!" said the tailor, "Your suits shall be ready by the eve of this Saturday!"

"Sounds good!" said Oliver, shaking the tailor's hand, "Have a nice day!"

As the tailor closed the door, Oliver and Victor walked over to their teammates.

"Alright, we're all set." said Oliver, "Now to practice!"

The four joined up,

"Are you sure this will work?" asked Victor.

"Absolutely," said Oliver, "By the end of the dance, the denizens of Beacon will never forget us!"

"I'm surprised you know the word denizen." said Bruce.

"Why is he suddenly so sassy?" asked Oliver.

"Hey, it's better than him sitting in a cave all day." said Clark.

The four laughed, enjoying each other's company.

"You know," said Clark, "after the dance, we could end up biting off more than we can chew."

"Translation, we could all die." said Victor.

"So let's make this dance one to remember, not just for us, but for everyone." said Clark, placing his fist in between everyone, "BSCO?"

Victor chuckled, immediately joining Clark with his own fist, "BSCO."

It took Oliver a second to catch on, "Ah, I see." said Oliver, placing his fist in the center, "BSCO."

And then there was one.

All eyes were on Bruce as he made his own fist, placing it into the center, "BSCO."

Clark grinned as the team threw their hands into the sky, all screaming, "BSCO!"


The final chapter before the DANCE! I've been planning for this chapter for a while now, there's gonna be some great stuff next time!

Reviews:

Shadow Joestar: Thanks for the feedback as always! :)

DCDGojira: Ghost Han is my favorite scene. I liked the scene though if it comes into play I'll probably make a few changes.

Thanks for the feedback!

Red: If Mister Miracle is at all involved, I will definitely include Oberon! As for Apokolips war, it looks like a loose adaptation of the Darkseid War Justice League comic. I haven't really kept up with the AU movies but I plan to start soon. As always, you also bring the good OPs!

Thanks for the feedback as always! :)

Next Chapter: DANCE!