Fourteen-year-old Shayera sat strapped to a chair, gasping for air. They had been at this for hours. "Come on, Shayera," her mother groaned. "Issi passed with a perfect score. Your younger sister is outperforming you. She is almost better than you." Shayera tried to silence her heavy breathing, but she couldn't. This whole process was causing stress on her body. Her wings were damp with sweat. She didn't know how much longer she could keep this up. Shayera was being asked a series of questions, and based on her answers, if her mother caught her in a lie, she was electrocuted. Only two other Thanagarians were in the room. One was a medic, monitoring her heart through the electrodes on her chest. The other monitored the lie detector. Her mother had control over her electrocution. Just now, at this precise moment, Shayera realized her mother was a sadist. While her father never shied away from disciplining her in public, her mother's abuse was done in private, like now. Tears began streaming down Shayera's face. She was in so much pain. "All those years intensively training you, this is what Talov has to show for a it. A daughter ruled by her emotions. Tu ignominiam. Pathetic." Her mother asked another question. Shayera answered. "That's a lie," her mother pointed out. She turned to the soldier monitoring the detector. "It is a lie." He stated. Shayera braced herself for the pain that followed, pursing her lips together to keep from screaming aloud. Her mother rattled off another question. Shayera answered weakly. "That is not a lie," her mother said. The soldier nodded once in agreement. "Control the twitches in your face, Shayera," her mother said in exasperation. Shayera was trying. But it was hard. None of the techniques her father taught her were working. (She had made the mistake of saying that out loud around hour number three.) Shayera blinked the sweat out of her eyes. Her mother asked her another question. She answered. "Lie." Her mother said in exasperation. The soldier nodded once again. Shayera inhaled deeply, waiting for the pain. It hit her hard, but it didn't stop. Her mom was holding the button down. Only when the medic began speaking frantically, did her mother release the button. But it was too late. Shayera was about to seizure. She felt a great burning in her chest. It felt like her heart and lungs were on fire. The medic immediately unstrapped Shayera while her mother rattled off directions. But Shayera couldn't breathe. The medic shouted something, but his voice sounded far away. The last thing she saw before her body broke into a seizure, was her mother shaking her head in disappointment.
Shayera's eyes shot open, her heart pounding in her chest. She was staring up into blue eyes. Why was Bruce so close to her face? "You're awake," he said almost in relief. Shayera sat up slowly. Bruce was wearing his uniform. The only thing missing was his cowl. "You were shaking and flailing in your sleep," he explained.
"Was I having a seizure?" she asked.
"I thought so at first," Bruce stood up. "I turned you on your side, but there was no foaming of the mouth. You didn't lose control of your bowels. I figured you were having an intense dream. I held your arms down so you wouldn't hurt yourself." He studied her intently. "I would ask if you want to talk about it, but I already know the answer. Lobo has finished reconstructing himself. We're about to question Lobo."
"Okay," Shayera said, not budging.
"You should be there. At the interrogation. You may glean something.
"I don't have any clothes, and I am not showing up wearing just your shirt," Shayera stated, crossing her arms in defiance.
"I'll find you some clothes," Bruce said, placing his cowl on his head. He walked out of the room without another word. He returned less than a minute later, holding what looked like her old workout uniform. A simple sports bra, leggings, and a pair of her old shoes. Shayera scoffed. "I thought the league burned all of my stuff," she said, taking the articles of clothing from him.
"We did, but Wally kept an outfit just in case you ever returned and needed something to wear."
"That is so sweet of him," Shayera cooed in all seriousness.
"Or creepy," Bruce stated dryly. "I'll wait for you." He once again left the room with a swirl of his cape. Shayera quickly pulled on the shoes and leggings, but she paused staring at the top. More specifically, she stared at the place her wings would have been. She sighed softly as she pulled the top on. No time to dwell on it now.
Batman and Shayera walked the halls to the interrogation room in relative silence. Shayera tried to ignore the stares and whispers, but they were a bit unnerving. "At least they don't gawk at me anymore," Batman said from beside her. "The young and new members used to stare at me all of the time."
"You're mysterious," Shayera said with a smile, "You're an imposing figure. Someone they aspire to be like." Batman hmphed in response. "Also, and I am not speaking for myself," Shayera clarified, "you're…cute."
"Cute?" Batman said the word like it was gross.
"Your nose is barely visible, and your mouth and jaw are all that is seen. Based on those features, you are cute."
"What about Bruce Wayne?"
"No," Shayera said, "I refuse to feed your giant, oversized ego. You know very well where you rank on the hotness scale," Shayera said resolutely. Batman smirked underneath his cowl as he and Shayera turned into one of the prisons. Lobo sat in a clear cell, attempting to flirt with Wonder Woman, while she looked about ready to kill him. Superman, Flash, and Martian Manhunter were there. The only person missing was Green Lantern. Flash sped over to her, greeting her with a hug. Lobo's eyes flashed to Shayera. He immediately charged her, hitting the indestructible barrier. "You blew me up!" he shouted at Shayera. "That hurt!"
"You were trying to take me against my will," Shayera said, folding her arms. "We're even."
"Let me guess," Lobo began to mock, "you want to know who hired me."
"We know who hired you," Wonder Woman said. "It was the Thanagarians." Lobo looked genuinely surprised. Shayera rolled her eyes. How could someone as talented as Lobo be so stupid? "And they paid me well," he said. "Very well."
"They gave you my sword," Shayera stated.
"I don't care about the source of the payment as long as I get paid."
"That's what we want to discuss with you," Superman interrupted.
"I don't break contracts," Lobo said.
"Unless you get a better offer."
"There is nothing in the universe better than Nth metal," Lobo said. "Nothing I want, anyway."
"We'll see," Flash said with a knowing smirk.
"I always get my bounty," Lobo said as menacingly as possible. The door to the prison room swung open, and Green Lantern entered. "I got approval from Oa. He is here and ready to go." Superman, the one being in the universe who Lobo could not beat, opened the door to the cell and grabbed Lobo, pulling him out the cell. Lobo protested loudly; trying to swing at and kick the Man of Steel. The walk to their destination should have been 30 seconds. But with the fuss Lobo was making, it took about 5 minutes. They finally made it to the room where the teleportation pad was located. And standing, or floating, – looking very much out of place – was a Space Dolphin. Lobo's countenance completely changed. He stopped fighting Superman's grip; he gasped; his eyes widened in love and wonder – it was a terrible sight to behold. And Shayera didn't know what to think as Lobo exclaimed, "A Space Dolphin!" Superman released Lobo, allowing him to run over to the creature. "This is Lundgren," Green Lantern introduced Lobo. "The only Space Dolphin in the entire universe that can actually survive in an oxygenated environment, though, he can't speak in one." Lobo got right in the face of the dolphin. "Lundgren, this is Lobo." The Space Dolphin bobbed his head up and down in understanding. "Lobo," Green Lantern continued, "if you look out that window, you'll see a whole pod of Space Dolphins." Lobo ran to the window, pressing his face up against it like an eager child on Christmas Eve looking for Santa. "Lundgren has graciously opened his pod up to you."
"Like to hang out?" Lobo asked in wonderment.
"Yes. All you have to do, is stop hunting Shay-"
"Deal!" Lobo said before Green Lantern could finish. "Where's my Space Hog?" he asked eagerly.
Lobo sat on his bike, preparing to leave with the Space Dolphins. "I don't know how you did it," he said looking back at the league, "but thank you." The 'thank you' floored every single one of the league members. He turned his dark gaze to Shayera. "I lost your sword," he said.
"I stole it after we blew you up," Shayera answered back.
"Your sister hates you," he said to her.
"I know," Shayera said.
"No, she really hates you. She is going to be pissed when she finds out I stopped hunting you. She may get the Gordanians involved," he said. Shayera nodded. "See you later, bird girl," he said as he took off with the Space Dolphins. "I hope I never see a Thanagarian ever again," he muttered.